Variety (December 1950)

\^'(Mlnosclay, December 20, 1?50 Deported’ Dull lOG, ‘Angel’ Sock 6G Estimates Are Net ; Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from tiie vari- ous key cities, are net, i.e„ without the 20% tax' Distribu- tors share oh net take, when playihg percentage, hence the estimated figures are net in- come. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, include thC U. S. amusement tax. ■ ■ ’ Medium Ghlcago, Dec. 19. 'f l oop Is crippled this week with ivul weal her. weak holdovers, and reissues, with all houses stalling iiiitil Xmas. Only two new pics nnenecl this session, Chicago, with ^Daik City’’ and Eddie Peabody onslage. should hit only slight S32 0()0 for .frame. “Deported” mild at Palace with $10,000. OruMital bill of “Two Weeks W'iih hove” plus Three Stooges and Eileen Barton onstage looks tired in third round with weak $18 000. Reissue bill of “San Quentin’ and “Alcatraz Island” only okay $11,000 at State-Lake; “Kina Solmon’s Mines” is still steadv in fourth stanza at the Grand at ,1;12,,500, “Southside MOOO’Vand “SuiTender” at Roose- velt loom poor $8,000 in second week. Woods, with second week of “i^ansas Raiders” looks only $12.000.. ■ i ; World, bringing back “Blue An- gel” for Igng-run, is ^rnash $6,000 • Louisville, Dec. 19. in. first rouml. ^ _ Biz curnintly is following th^^ Il.stiinates ler This Week^ ^ usual pattern for pre-Xmas. Com- ■■K,'™ °Par) and EddU paratively, vet exhibs say this week body lopping stage show. Slim not the poorest pre-holiday ses- $32 000. Last week, “Killer Stalked sioh by any means. “Fuller Brush Ne« York” (CoP with Duke,EUing- Girl” at Loew’s State promises i|.?.v’''vi9 000 ■ ® " "“‘ fairish biz. “Born To Be Bad” at S.)9.ooo, , ^ the Rialto is fairish. Grand (RKO) (1.200: 55-981— FeiimofA*, w i, “Kina Solomon's Mines” (M-G) , Estimates for This Week . (4th wkb Firm $12,500. Last week, Anderson (People’s) (1,200; $ 13 , 000 . 45-65)—“Highway 301” (WB)..Mod- Oriental (Indie) (3.400; 55-98)— storv’WWR)^2d wtw ‘Two Weeks With Love” (M-G) | Story (WB) (2d wk), light $6,000. plii.f; 3 Stooges and Eileen Barton | ^Fourth Avenue) (3,000; onstaae i3d wk). Only $18,000.' To Be Bad” (RKO) Last week, okay $26,000. . Woman on Pier 13“ (RKO). Palace (RKO) (2..500: 55-98)— Set ‘ Deported” (U) and ‘'Cassino to' — week, Korea” (Par). Slow $10,000 Or ncai- Last week. “Mad Wednes- day!' (RKOV and “Texan Meets Calamity Jane” (Cbl), $11,000. KooseveU (B&K) (1,500; 55-98)— “Sniithside 1-1000” (Mono) and “Surrender” (Rep) (2d wk). Drab , $8,000 or near. Last Week, $10,- 00 . 0 , Stale-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 55-98) —“San Quentin?’ (WB) and “Al- catraz Island” (WB) (reissues). C)kn\' $11,000, Last week, “Mini- ver Story” (M-G) and “Emergency Wedding” (Col) (2d wk), $11,000. Tlnitcd Artists (B&K) (1.700; 55- 98'—“Gilda” ((^oD and “Platinum BJoncle” (Col) (reissues) (2d wk), Min()r $9,000. Last week, $11,000. VVoods (Essaness) (1,073; 98)— 'Kan.sas Raiders” (U). (2d wk). Light $12,000. Last week, $16,000. World (Indie) (587; 80)—“Blue Angel (Indie), Sock $6,000. Last r soo (6th wk), OMAHA NSH EXCEPT ‘MOON’ MELLOW $11,000 . . Omaha, Dec. 19. _ Destination Moon” was a good ; pre-Yule hypo for the Orpheum. It looks to land fine totals being . only solid entry in town. Film had a smash opening. The Paramount IS way ofl with “Miniver Story.” I “Last of Buccaneers” and “Mid-. , night to Dawn” at the Brandeis ' also is sluggish. The State broke into its four-week run of “King Solomon’s Mines” with a replace- ment Sunday, v Estimates for This Week Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 16-65) -^“Destination Moon” (EL) and “Armored Car Rbbbery”^ (RKO). Fine lift from former to get nice $11,000. Last week, “Right Cross” (M-G) and “It’s a Small World” (EL), $9,500. Paramount (Trlstates) (2,800; 16- 65)—‘‘Miniver Story.” (M-G). Way below expectations with $8,500, Last week,. “Glass Menagerie” (WB), $10,000. Brandeis (RKO) (1,500; 16-65)— “Last of Buccaneers” (Col) and “Midnight and Dawn” (Col). Slow $5,500. Last week, “Harriet Craig” (Gol), $6,500. Omaha (Tristates) (2,100; 16-65) ^“Dark City” (Par) and “Prisoners in Petticoats” (Rep). NSG $7,000. Last week, “All About Eve” (WB) (m.o.), good $7,000 for 5 days. state (Goldberg) (865; 20-75)— “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) (4th Vvk). Off to $2,000 in 3 days. Started “To Please a Lady” (M-G), on Sunday. Last week, okay $5,500 for full week. PICTVRR GROSSES Let’s Dance” (Par), brisk $11,000. State (Loew’s) (3,000; 45-65)— “Fuller Brush Girl” (Col) and “Last of Buccaneers” (Col). Medi- um $10,000. Last week, “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) (2d wk, neat $13,000. Strand TFA) (1,200; 45-65) — “Trail Robin Rood” (Rep) and ‘'Hit Parade 1951” (Rep). Moderate $4,500. Last week. “High Lone- some” (EL) and “Killed Geronimo” (EL), neat $5,000. Few Wash. B.O. Winners; ‘Soulhside’-Vaude Trim $16,000,'Raiders’$8,000 _ Washington, Dec. 19. Aombo of holdovers and holiday is taking its usual heavy mil nt midtown houses. There is ,0 winner in the lot, though some bo Ido '■ors. particularly “Trio.” in lost Worlds’ Big 20G, Frisco, Despite Biz Dip; Tough as Come’ $12,000 San Francisco, Dec. 19. Despite usual pre-holiday slump, “Two Lost Worlds,” with “High- way 301” as second feature, is heading for big session at Para- mount this round. Preem* of “Worlds” was backed by extensive bally and sidewalk displays. It is one of few bright spots here cur- rently. “Prehistoric Women” is doing okay at Golden Gate as is “Tough As They Gome” at Qrjjheum. Otherwise, the pickings are mighty slim. " Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2.850r 60- 85) — “Prehistoric Women” (EL) and “Prisoners in Petticoats” (EL). iiUh uoek at Lopert’s Plavhou.se $12,000. Last week. “Mad Jiapc sururisingly steady. ‘‘South-i ^®^*^®sday” (RKO) and “Experi- 1-1000” looks best bet among Alcatra?” (RKO) jRa son Estimates for This Week ^ _pipilol (Loew’s) (2,434; 44-85)— 1-1000” (Mono) plus lr!.,i Sound $16,000, all consid- Last week, “Mr Malone i — /‘pel Mrs. O’Malley” (M-G) plusStory” (M-G). ^‘IIkIo. $ 14,000 ^ 1^:19 000 t “trA.r.rt ^Lopert) (378; 50-85)— ni n ■ ^Oth wk). Nice ! ' _ . v / «” t)00 after $4,000 last week Holds ‘ Paramount (Par) (2,646; 60-85)— ; Keith’s IRKO) (1 939 44 ^^ ! *'Two Lost Worlds” (EL) and "K>'n,sa.s Raidei^” (Ur Ikitfacto^^ ' “Highway 301” (WB). Big $20,000. $B.()00. Last ^week ’ “Deooi^ed” i week, “Breakthrough” (WR) $fi .snn weeK, l^epoitea ‘‘Rordeiv Rantrers” (Lin) (2« ment Alcatraz” (RKO), $9.500'. Fox (FWC) (4,651; 65-90)—“Two Flags West” (20th) and “California Passage” (Rep) (2d wk). Down to $9,500. Last week, passable $18,- 500; . Warfield (Loew’s) (2,656; 60-85) Fair $12,000, Last week, “King Solo- mon’s- Mines” (M-G) (3d Wk), big $15,400, ‘Wednesday’Tall inPhilly Philadelphia, Dec. 19. Usual Christmas shopping spree is slashing biz to a minimum in all first-runs here this round. The- atres with strong bills., held them tq wait until just before Xmas to bring in new product. New pix also are not doing much. Surprisingly good is “Mad Wednesday” which broke fast at the Goldman. “Undercover Girl” is strictly under, wraps at Earle. “Two Flags West” is eomparatively okay in view of conditions at the Fox. Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 50-99) — “Ichabod, Mr. Toad” (RKO) (re- issue). Fair $9,000. Last week, “Eye Witness” (EL), $12,000. Boyd (WB) (2,360; .50-99) — “Three Husbands” (UA). Dull $10,000. Last week, “Harriet Craig” (Col) (3d wk), $8,000. Earle (WB) (2,700: 50-99) — “Undercover Girl”.. (U). Modest $12,000. Last week, “Surrender” (Rep) with Ink Spots, Ella Fitz- gerald, onstage, tidy $24,000. Fox 1:20th) (2^250; 50-99)—“Two Flags West” (20th). Just okay $16,- 000. Last week, “Jackpot” (20th) (2d wk), $13,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 50- 99) — “Mad Wednesday” (RKO). Fine $15,000. Last week, “Two Weeks With Love” (M-G) (3d wk), $7,500. Mastbaum (WB) (4,360; 50-99)— “I’ll Get By” (20th) (2d wk). Down to $16,500, after mild $20,000 opener. Randolph (Goldman) (2,500; 50- 99)—“Let’s Dance” CPar) (5th wk). Off to $7,000. Last week, oke $8,500. Stanley (WB) (2,950; 50-99) — “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) (4th wk). Good $15,000. Last week, $18,000. Stanton (WB) (1,475; 50-99). — “Highway 301” (WB) (2d wk). Stout $10,000 after •fast $14',000 getavVay. Trans-Lux (TrL) (500; 50-99)— “Trio” (Par) (5th wk), Gff to $3,- 500. Last week, neat $4,500. World (G&S) (460; 50-99)^“Bit- ter Rice” (Indie) (4th wk). Holding at $5,500. Last vi^eek, trim $6,700. $G,500, 7u'‘‘f.W®Ktan (Warner) (1.163; 44- Sir-nh Wonder” (Col). Slow “Eiilip.l^?*' Last v'eek, i tUUuv Brush Girl” (Col). $4,000. (2*^ 44-74)— s Mines” (M-G) (3d all!'.- '‘use Uf ‘-un $15,000 last week. V (Uopert) (485; bO-85) Jii,../,/^Par) (5th wk). Very ?^.5()0 Last week, nice .jlViuncr (WB) $ 8 .()('(). (2,164; 44-'74).—I and “Border Rangers” (Lip) (2d wk), $11,000, St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85)— “West Point Story” (WB) (4th wk). Only $6,500. Last week, $7,500. Orpheum (No. Coast) (2,478; 55- 85)—“Toiigli As Come” (Indie) and “Cockeyed Wonder” (Col). Okay $12,000. Last week, “Mystery Submarine” (U) and “Counterspy” (Col), nice $17,500 in 9 days, United Artists (N.C:) (1.208; 55- 85)—“Undetcover Girl” (U). Fair $7,000. Last week, “State Secret” ^ (Col) (3d wk), $5,500. Cil 5 '’ (Pau). 'Very slow' Larkin (Rosener) (400; 65-85) — “Vli, “Highway 301” “Catskill Honeymoon?’ (Incliei. • 5>i.-.000 in 9 day.s but below ■ Oke $1,800. Last Week. “Sinners” 1 (Indie) (3d wk), nice $2,000. ‘Lonesome’ Pine $12,000, l:ops in Offish Denver Denver, Dec. 19. “High Lonesome” with “The Torch” is taking top money in three houses by a slight margin. “Breaking Poiht” looks fair at Paramount but elsewhere trade is way off with usual pre-Xinas in- fluences cutting in deeply. “Har- riet Craig” looms very ordinary in two spots. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 35^74) — “High Lonesome” (EL) and j “Torch” (EL), day-date with Tabor. [ Webber. Fine $4,500. Last week, “Kansas Raiders” (U) and “Jungle St''mpede” (Rep)* $5,500. I Broadway (Wolfbergi (1,500; 35- * (Continued on page 18) This is the week before Christ- mas, and a big majority of Broad- ' way first-rims are suffering, the [usual drop to the lowest point of the Winter. Rain and snow last Friday (15) night sloughed biz generally but a sharp upturn the next day (Sat.) indicated that some of the Yuletide shopping pressure was lifting. Christmas week upbeat can’t come soon enough for most Broadway houses because of the beating they have been taking sit the boxoffice for nearly four weeks. The best total of the newcomers ; is being registered by “For Heaven’s Sake” with Yuletide stageshow featuring Elsa & Waldo and Gertrude Ribla at the Roxy. This combo promises to hit a big $82,000 in the first week ending tomorrow (Thursi) night despite being hurt by rain opening day. Top straight-filmer is “Pinocchio” and “Make Mine Music,” Walt Disney reissue combo, which is [proving a natural for this season of year at the Criterion. First stanza looks to reach fancy $17,- 000, biggest at house in some time. Still standout and greatest draw of first-runs is *’kim” and annual Christmas show and pageant at the Music Hall. Combination is eyeing sock $148,0()0 in - second round, better than opening week. “Watch Birdie,” with Enric Madri- guera band and Paul Regan lead- ing stageshow, is another prC-rMle- tide casualty with’ only $20,000 opening week at the Capitol. “California Passage,” also new, is drab $7,000 or less on first frame at the (ilobe. Victoria, which opens fifth arid final week of pop-scale run of “Red Shoes” today, gets “Born Yesterday” (Col) Dec. 26. Besides the Paramount, which opens “Mr. Music” with Louis Prima band and Jan Murray on- stage today (Wed.), the Cap, Strand, State, Rivoli, Palace, Rialto and Astor bring in new holi- day bills within the next few days. Last-named preems “Harvey” with Heart Fund benefit show tonight, regular run starting Thursday. Estimates for This Week Astor (City InV.) (1,300; 55-$1.5()) — “Harvey” (U). Opens today (Wed.) with N. Y. Heart Fund benefit at night. Regular showings start tomorrow (Thurs.). In ahead, “American Guerrilla” (20th) (6th wk-6 days), dipped to $5,000 after $8,000 for fifth round. Bijou (City Iriv.) (589; $1.20- $2.40) ^ “Cyrano” (U) (5th Wk). Fourth session ended last night (Tues.) held about even at $12,500 after $13,000 last week;'-both high- ly profitable sessions and not far frdm capacity. Stays on. ' Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 55-$1.50) —“Watch Birdie” (M-G) and Enric Madriguera orch, Paul Regan, others, onstage (2d-final wk). In- itial round ended Sunday (17) night was drab $20,000. Picture never had chance since, opening in middle of sharp downbeat on Monday, and picked up only slight- ly on weekend. “Pagan Love Song” (M-G), plus Ink Spots, Shep Fields orch, Marilyn Maxwell topping stage bill, opens Dec. 25. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-$l,75). — “Pinocchio” (RKO) and “Make Mine Music” (RKO) (reissues). First week ending tomorrow (Thurs.) is heading for strong $17,-^ 000 ^or better, unusually big for this season v'tof Vjye^f 7 and oldies. Holding, in ahead, “Woman oh Run” (U) (^d wk-9 .days)* $11,000, Globe (Br$ri0 (1,500; 5p-$1.20) — “California • Pa'ssage” (Rep). Brought in rather hurriedly, and looms unexciting $7,000 or less; Stays only two extra days. “Dial 1119” (M-G) (2d wk), thin $4,500 in 6 days. “Vendetta” (RKO) opens Dec. 25. Mayfair (Brandt) ' (1,736; 50- $1.20)—‘‘Rio Drande” (Rep) (5th wk). Gontinues^ but not at early big pace, with only $6,500 or less likely this round; fourth week was just okay at $7,500. Continues thrbuch Christmas. “The Milk- man” (U) opens Dec. 30. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 55-$1.20)— “Last of Buccaneers” (Col) with vaude. Looks like light $15,000 or less. Last week, “High Lonesome’’ (EL) and vaude, $15,500, below hopes. Paramount (Par) (3,664; 55-$l.50) —“Mr. Music” (Par) with Louis Prima orCh. Jan Murray, others, onstage. Opens today (Wed.). La.st week. “Let’s Dance” (Par) with Jimmy DorsOy orch, Nat “King” Cole and Trio topping stageshow (3d wk), slipped to about $46,000 after okay $56,000 in second. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 80-$2.40) —“Kim” (M-G) plus annual Christmas pageant and stageshow (2d wk). Doing the only real business down- town, with sock $148:000 likely, ahead of opening, round’s $143,000. Hall got in five shows Saturday (16), making close to $30,000 on that day alone. Rain hurt some On Friday like most other spots but Sunday was close to Satur- day’s trade. Holds through year- end holidays. Rialto (Mage) (594; 44-98)—“In- ternatiorial Burlesque” (Indie) (7tlr wk). Down to $4,000 in final ses- sion. Last week, nice $5,500, “March of Wooden Soldiers” (In- die) (reis.sue) opens tomorrow (Thurs.), old Laurel-Hardy comedy being brought back under new title., • I' Rivoli (UAT-Par) (2,082; 90- $1.25) — “Never Dull Moment” (RKO) (4th Wk). Looks to sag to about $6,000 after mild $7,500 last week. “Mudlark” (20th) opens Dec. 23. Roxy (20th) (5.886; 80-$L75) — “For Heaven’s Sake” (20th) with Yuletide stageshow featuring Elsa & Waldo, Gertrude Ribla, Gautier’s Steeplechase, iceshow onstage. Getting big $82,000 or near on initial week despite pre-Xmas sluggishness. Holds for year-end holidays. In ahead, “Jackpot?' (20th) plus stagefshow (3d wk-9 days), light $54,000. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-$1.50) —“Operation X” (Col) (2d wk), Down to thin $5,000 or near after slow $9,500 opening round, “Fly- ing Missile” JCol) opens Dec. 23. Strand (WB) (2rr56; 55-$2) — “Highway 301” (WB) with Dave Apollon, Peggy Martn, others on- stage (2d-final y/k). Shapes to get only $20,000 or less after light $27,000 opening stanza. “West Point Story” (WB), with Jackie Miles, Mary Raye & Naldi, Don Cornell onstage, opens Friday (22). Sutton (R & B) (561; 90-$1.50)— “Trio” (Par) (11th wk). For 10th week ended Monday (18) it was- steady at $9,000 after fine $9,600 in ninth frame. Stays on. Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453; 74- $1.50) — “Rapture” (EL) (2d wk). First week ended last night (Tues.) dull $4,000. Holds one week only. Last week, “Kind Hearts” (EL) (27th wk), $2,500. “Macbeth” (Rep) opens Dec. 27. Trans-Lux 52d St. (T-L) (540; 90- $1.50 — “Seven Days to Noon’' (Indie). Opened Monday (18). Last week, “Prelude to Fame” (U) (6th wk), $3,500 after Okay $4,500 for fifth frame. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 95- $1.50)-->‘Red Shoes” (EL) (5th-final wk). Fourth session ended last night (Tues.) slipped to $11,000 after $13,500 for third week. “Born Yesterday” (Col) opens Dec. 26. ‘2 Hags’Good $18,000 In Laggard St. Louis, Tuller’ Fairish $11,000 St. Louis, Dec. 19. Natives are more intent on Christmas shopping than entortain- ment, and the result is that cinema returns have been sloughed this session. “Fuller Brush Girl,” which cppped plaudits from crix, is about the best bet but only inild at Loew’s. “West Point Story” is barely okay at Ambassador. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (F&M) (3.000; 60- 75)—“West Point Story” ( WB) and “American Guerrilla” (20th). Oke SlO.dOO: L a s t week. “Harriet Craig” IGol) and “Midnight and Dawn” (Col), $10,500. Fox (F&M) (5,000; 60-75) “Never Dull Moment” (RKO) and “Dark City” (Par). Opened today (Tues.) Last week. “Two Flags West” (20th) and “Where Danger Lives” (RKO), good $18,000. Loew’s (Loew) (3,172; 50-75* —- “Fuller Brush. Girl” (Gol) and “Last of 'the Buccaneers” (Col). Mild $11,000. Last week. “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) (3d wk), big $8,000. Missouri (F&M) (3,500; 60-75*—• “Air About Eve” (20th) (‘2d wk) and “Harriet Craig” (Col) (m.o.). Fair $8,000, Last week. “Eve’.' tm.o.) $9,500. Shubert (Ind) (1,500; 60 t 75) •— “Red Shoes” (ED and “Winslovv Boy” (EL) only $4,000. Last week, “Let’s Dance” (Par) and “Jackpot” (‘20th), $4,500.