Variety (December 1950)

18 PICTURES Wednesday, D^ember 27, 1950 Clips from Fdm Row NEW YORK Detroit syndicate, headed by Benjamin Fenton, bought Film Center Building on Ninth avenue from interests led by the Bonded Film Storage Co, a tenant in structure. Premises were immedi- ately leased back for a term of 14 years to a new group called the Film Center Co, . Twentieth-Fox veepee A1 Licht- ihan and ad manager Jonas Rosen- field, Jr,, returned to the homo- office over the weekend following huddles with Coast execs. DALLAS Paul. Short expected back here Jan. 15 to resume his position as division manager lor National Screen Service, headquartering here. He held this post before the war and his service in the Navy> Since 1946, he has been in Holly- wood making pics. Short once was manager for Interstate Theatres in Dallas. For second consecutive year, exhibitors throughout the state will join forces in a theatre cam-, paign lor polio stricken Texans. Funds Will go to the Gonzales Warm Springs Foundation, Texas’ own polio treatment center. A special trailer featuring Texas Governor Allen Shivers and pa- tients from Gonzales home will be shown in theatres Dec. 24-30. Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Groves sold their 800-seat Queen theatre_ in Houston to Jensen Theatre Corp., for about $125,000. Austin police arrested a man there on a charge of robbing the Carver theatre in that city. MINNEAPOLIS Instead of usual Thursday open- ing for “West Point Story,” RKO- Orpheum preemed it Saturday (23) to escape as much as possible of pre-Christmas box-office lull. W. R; Frank’s West Twins, sub- urban house, varying its usual two to three changes weekly policy to run “King Solomon’s Mines” seven days. Saturation booking for “Mr. Music*’ will find it playing 20 of 4 ENGINE DOUGLAS DC-4S Direct from La Guardta and Newark CHICAGO $24 $^^CALIFORNlA 1 Way 1 STOP Return . NON STOP MIAMI From $35 Curtis 10% Discount (bn Return Trip NORTH AMERICAN "AIRLINES Free Ticket Del'y, Irr. Plights, plus tai BRyont 9-6492 503 5th Ave. (Ent. 42nd 8t.)> Suite lOp BROOKLYN UL 5-3888 Hotel 8t. George Clark Street BRONX LU 4-0607 2488 Gr. Concourse (FordhamRd) Rirf 328 [ OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT^ SERVICE from Coast to Coctst over V, Century Refreshment Service for DRIVE - IN, THEATRES SPORTSERViCE; CO'RP. . pliant- fPORTSERVICE BLDG.;** BUFEALO, N. Y, WA. 3506 territory’s towns simultaneously New Year’s week. On competitive bids Bennie Berger landed “Halls of Monte- zuma” for his downtown Gopher, now playing “A” first-run pix in opposition to Paramount and RKO circuits. Bennie Berger off on South American tour. Alvin Stern, son of A1 Stern, RKO office manager, in armed services for second time after serv- ing 18 months in Japan. W. R. Frank, circuit owner and film producer, in from Hollywood to spend holidays with family. BOSTON Contributions by downtown pic houses to the Mayor’s fund for Christmas decorations on Streets, buildings aild the Boston Common have paid off nicely with a wel- come spurt of biz, especially over weekends. Many out-of-towners drive in to looksee the sights and while here drop in to a downtown theatre. Promoted by Sam Pinans- ki and Martin Mullin at sugges- tion of. Mayor Hynes, Houses con- tributed with little expectation of reaping any sizable benefits. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Canavan and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Laski, E. M.’ Loew circuit bigwigs, spending Christmas holidays in Miami. Scollay Square theatre shuttered with chances of reopening very slim, at least under same manage- ment. SAN FRANCISCO Ralph Amacher, formerly Eagle Lion Classics’ Portland branch manager^ is new head of local ex- change replacing Sam Sobel, re- signed. Salesman Barry Green- berg becomes, assistant manager. Meanwhile, S. F. Powers moves up from salesman in Portland to take over Amacher’s old post there. A gala charity preem for “Mr. Music” accompanied by personal appearances of Hollywood names and local fanfare, marked reopen- ing of the United Artist at Rich- mond, nearby suburb. The United Artist, formerly the Fox, is largest house there. Preem coin will go to the Children’s Hospital of East Bay. Acquisition of Paramount here will take the circuit into its fourth state. ’Music' Lusty $14,000, Det.; ’Harvey’ Rousing 12G,’Dallas’Good 20G Detroit; Dec, 26. As usual, biz is perking up in the pOst-Christmas rush for enter- tainment. and relaxation.- “For Heaven’s Sake” is shaping okay at the Fox. “Dallas” looks good If not sock at the Michigan. ”Mr. Music” is making smooth music at the Adams, big for this spot. In its fifth week, “King Solomon's Mines” is still digging a steady total. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; 70-95)^ “For Heaven’s Sake” (20th) and “Adam and Evalyn” (U). Oke $32,000. Last week, “Two Flags West” (20th) and “Eye. Witness” (EL), $18,000. " Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 70-95)—“Dallas” (WB) and “Cock- eyed Wonder” (Col). Good $20,000. Last week, “Breakthrough” (WB) and “Revenue Agent” (Col), $16,000. Palms (UD) (2,900; 70-95)— “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) (Sth wk). Steady $10,000. Last week, fancy $12,0(30. Madison (UD) (1,800; 70-95)^ “Kansas Raiders” (U) and “Girl in My Heart” (Mono). Trim $12,000. Last week, “Hamlet” (U), $5,000. United Artists (UA) (1,900; 70- 95)—“Harvey” (U). Rousing $12,- 000 or over. Last week, “Under- cover, Girl” (U), $7,000. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 70-95)— “Mr. Music” (Par). Fancy $14,000. Last week, “Two Weeks With! Love” (M-G) (2d wk), $8,000. Downtown (Balaban) (2,900; 70- 95 )—“Never Dull Moment” (RKO) and “Palooka Squared Circle” (Mono). Slew $9,000. Last week, “Ravaged Earth” (Indie), $7,000. CHICAGO Manta-Rose circuit is reopening remodeled 1,200-seat Elko in Elk- hart, Ind. Film attorney Seymour Simon planed to Coast to huddle on Markoy Theatre circuit anti-trust case against majors. Max Roth, Realart Films head, rehatched ancient handbill distri- bution idea for exhibs playing Realart reissues. Circulars link photos of scantily clad femmes to retitled films. Edward F. Lane ^.nd Roy Barnby of (Greater Union Theatres of Aus- tralia In town this week lookseeing Chi distribution. Hal Pearlmah, who formerly op- erated trailer service in Milwau- kee, joined ITational Screen Serv- ice here as salesman. Balaban & Katz acquired Palace, Times, Midway and Auburn in Rockford, 111. Chain purchased theatres from local op Willard Van Matre, who is left with opera- tion of Coronado theatre. BOSTON (Continued from page 8) 1-1000” JMono) and “California »i Passage” (Rep), same. Memorial (RKO) (3,500; 40-85)— “For Heaven’s Sake” (20th). Opened Sunday (24). Started but fine. Last week, “Midnight and Dawn” (Col) and “Last of Buc- caneers” (Col), oke $15,000. Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 40-85) —“Mr. Music” (Par) and “Chain Gang” (Col). Neat $18,000. Last week, “Tars and Spars” (Col) and “Thousand, One Nights” (Col) (re- issues), fair $13,000. Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 40-85)— “Right Cross” (M-G) and “O’Mal- ~|4ey-and Malone” (M-G). Fair $13,- 000. Last week, “Mutiny on Bounty” (M-G) and “Day at Races” (M-G) (reissues), better than ex- pected at $14,000. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 40-85) —“Highway 301” (WB) and “Trail of Robin Hood” (Rep). Oke $11,- 000. Last week, “Southside 1-1000” (Mono) and “California Passage” (Rep), same. State (Loew) (3,500; 40-85)— “Right Cross” (M-G) and “O’Malley and Malone” (M-G). Fair $8,500. Last week, “Mutiny on Bounty” (M-G) and “Day at Races” (M-G) (reisues), $9,000. KANSAS CITY Durwood circuit reopened Its Roxy in downtown sector recently with a policy of double bills, first subsequent-run. Theatre was shut- toed for several months. Bayard Grant of the home office, is han- dling the house temporarily. The ^ Paramount, downtown major first-run, changes hands with ^^^"^Lates Theatres taking from United Paramount. Tri-States; the A. H. Blank circuit, takes over on Dec, 30, operation continuing es- sentially Bs it has in the past; show- ing Paramount product and half of Warner releases. LOS Angeles Realart Pictures will reissue five Universal oldies, starting in Jan- uary., . Artor Greenblatt, sales man- ager for Lippert Pictures, ap- pointed Joseph Engel branch man- ager of company’s Philadelphia exchange. ' Fox West Coast reopened two film houses, the El'Portal in San Fernando Valley and Fox Yuma in Yuma, after remodelling jobs. Monogram appointed Jack Felix manager of its Portland exchange to succeed the late William Grant. ‘HARVEY’ IN 19 MINN. SPOTS NEW YEAR’S EVE Minneapolis, Dec. 26. Minnesota Amuse. Co. (Para- mount circuit) is having what it plls a “New Year’s Eve Jamboree” in 19 of its theatres, including the Minneapolis Radio City and St. Paul Paramount, at midnight on Dec. 31, offering a single advance showing of “Harvey” at a boosted $1; admission. Also, in 17 theatres, including the Minneapolis Radio City and St. Paul Paramount, the chain is opening “Mr. Music” as its regular New Year’s week attraction. Laurel to Make 4 In in Following completion of Laurel Films’ “Double for Della” in New York today (Wed.), company ptexy John Arent will announce four pic- tures for 1951, all to be done in New York. Two Of the quartet will be based on originals, while the others are to be adapted from /stage plays. Starring Janis Paige and Robert Alda, “Della” was begun at the Fox Movietone News Studio, N. Y., about a month ago. Cast also in- cludes Jimmy Gleason, Lionel Stander, Arnold Stang and the Three Suns. A1 Green directed. Laurel’s three other films also were made entirely in New York. PORTLAND, ORE. (Continued from page 8) 85) ---’‘Mrs. p’Maney and Mr. Malone” (M-G) and ’’Johnny One-. Eye” (UA). Solid $10,000. Last week, “Milkman” (U) and “Trail Robin Hood” (Rep), $9,000. Mayfair (Parker) (1,500; 50-85) —“So Young” (UA) and “Silk Noose” (UA); So-so $5,000. Last week, “West Point Story” (WB) and “Hotrod” ’ (Mono) (m.o.), $5,600, Oriental (Evergreen) (2,000; 50- 85)—“For Heaven’s Sake” (20th) and “Dark City” (Par), day-date with Orpheum. Good $4,5()0. Last week, “Gilda” (Col) and “Platinum Blonde” (Gol) (reissues), good $5,000. Orpheum (Evergreen) (1,750; 50-85) — “For Heaven’s Sake” (20th) and “Dark City” (Par), also Oriental. Fine $8,500. Last week, ’’Gilda’’ (Col) arid “Platinum Blonde” (Col) (reissues), good $7,500. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,400; 50-85)—“Breakthrough” (WB) and “Rookie Fireman” (Col). Faricy $11,000. Last week, “Fuller Brush Girl” (Coi) and ’’Texan Meets Calamity Jane” (Col), okay $10,000. United Artists (Parker) (890; 50- 85)—“Two Weeks With Love” (M-G)i Huge $14,000. Last week, “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) (4th wk), big $9,300. ‘MUSIC’SMOOTH 19G, D.C4 ‘DANCE’ $13,000 Washington, Pec. 26. Dull thud of the nose-diving pre- Christmas biz offset much of the holiday gravy here this round. Mid-town takes, though better than recent weeks, shape about average. Of newcomersi “Mr. Music” at Pal- ace looks like leader, with “Let’s Dance” at the Warner close on its heels. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew’s) (2,434; 44-85)— “Watch the Birdie” (M-G) plus vaude. Nice $23,000, but washout of vaude headliner Georgia Gibbs because of illness may have hurt. Last week, “Southside 1-1000” (Mono) plus vaude, $14,000. Dupont (Lopert) (378; 50-85)— “Bitter Rice” (Indie) (7th wk). Very steady $4,000 after $3,000 last week. Holds. Keith’s (RKO^ (1,939; 33-80)— “Mr. Lucky” (RKO) and “Lady Takes a Chance” (RKO) (reissues). Very thin $3,500, filling in gap be- fore holiday opening of “Harvey” (U). Last weeh;, “Kansas Raiders” (U). slow $6,000. Metropolitan (Warner) (1,163; 44-74) — “Emergency Wedding” (Col) and “When You’re Smiling” (Col). Fair $4;000. Last week’ “Stage to Tucson” (Col) and “Cockeyed Wonder” (Col), same. Palace (Loew’s) (2,370; 44-74)— “Mr. .Music” (Par). Firm $19,000 to top town. Last week, “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) (3d wk), nice $11,000. Warner (WB) (2,164; 44-74)— “Let’s Dance” (Par). Brisk $13,- 000, well above average of recent weeks. Last week, “Dark City” (Par), $8,000. MINNEAPOLIS (Continued from page 9) Grande” (Rep) (2d wk), satisfac- tory $3,200. Radio City (Par) (4,000; 50-70)— “For Heaven’s Sake” (20th). Cast names and picture should lure cus- tomers but only okay $11,000 “Two Weeks (M-(i) and stageshow headed by Mills Bros, and Ethel Smith, good $29,000 , at 65-$l scale, below hopes but stiU satisfactory considering week-before-Christmas and weather conditions. [RKO) (2.890; 35- 70)— West. Point Story” (WB) Top-notch musical has plenty of boxoffice names. Nice $10,000 or week, “Gilda” (Col) and R^^^^hum Blonde” (Col), (reissues) split with ‘Between Midnight and “Last of Buccari- eers ’ (Col), light $4,000. (RKO) (1,600; 35-’70)— Uarayans” (indie) and ^ Fighting Westerner” (Indie) (re- issues). Slow" $4,500. Last week wk) split Town” and “Guns Ablazin (Indie) (reissues), $3,000. ;,_State (Par) (2,300; 50-70)—‘ , (2()th). Moderate “Desert Hawk” (U), $5,500. ^Mann) (400; 50-85)— Kirid Hearts” (EL). Big $5,000, to make extended-run grade. Last ‘Solonion’ Huge $15,000, Denver; ‘Music’ Big 136 Denver, pec. 26. “Solomon’s Mines” is packing the Broadway this ^session with new record Set for opening day and likely for week. “Mr. Miisic” also is big enough to win holdover at Denham. “Pagan Love Song/' fancy at Orpheum, likewise is being held over. “For Heaven’s Sake” looms good in two houses. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 40-80)— “Breakthrough” (WB) and “Bandit Queen” (Lip), day-date with Ta- bor, Webber. Fine $4,000, Last Week, “High Lonesome” (EL) and “Torch” (EL), $4,500. IBroadway (Wolfberg) (1,500; 40- 80) — “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G). Smash $15,000. Last week, “Next Voicii” (M-G) (2d wk), $3,500. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 40-80) —“Mr; Music” (Par). Big $13,000. Last week,“Admiral Was a Lady” (UA), $8,000. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 40-80)— “For Heaven’s Sake” (20th) and “Savage Horde” (Reip),, day-date with Esquire. Good $13,500. Last week, “Harriet Craig” (Col) and “Call Klondike” (Mono). $10,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; 40-80)-:^“For Heaven’s Sake” (20th) and “Savage Horde”, (Rep), also Denver. Good $2,500. Last week, “Harriet Griaig’' (Col) and “(jail Klondike” (Mono). $1,500. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 40-80)— “Pagan Love Song^ (M-G) and “Experiment Alcatraz” (RKO), Fine $13,000. Last week, “Under- world Story” (UA) and “Gunfire’* (Lip), $9;0G0. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 40-80)— “Fireball” (20th) and “Hit Parade 1951” (Rep). Poor $5,000. Last, week, “Breaking Poirit” (WB) and “Sensations’- (Indie), $7,000. Rialto (Fox) (878; 40-80) — “Southside ’ 1-1000” (Mono) and “Spook Bustos” (Mono). Good $3,000. Last week, on m.o. Tabor (Fox) (1,967; 40-80).— “Breakthrough” (WB) and “Bandit Queen” (Lip), also Aladdin, Web- ber, Fine $5,000. Last week, “High Lonesome” (EL) and “Torch” (EL); fine $4,500. Vogue (Pike) (600; 60-74) — “Nicholas Nickleby” (U). Fair $2,000. Last week, on reissues. Webber (Fox) (750; 40-80 )— “Breakthrough” (WB) and “Bandit Queen” (Lip), also Tabor Aladdin. Nice $3,000. Last week, “High Lonesome” (EL) and “Torch’' (EL), $3,000. • Wi M bcffVx N N IIMum..; on the screen lames STEWART The r I Iiib* v-f 0 I INOAPWAV AT 49rit II. • COUiM^ fictuw u V nunjra h- i YESTERDAY i uni. in... eiraOBStit HOLLIDAY* HOLDEN - CRAWFORD ^Vji;s, vs ‘'JUDY WILLIAM * Cpnlmuout . B'wpy 1,46l|i St. --^RADIO CITY MUSIC HAll—i— Rockefeller Center RUDYARD f KIPLING'S ERROL FLYNN • DEAN 5TOCKELL > 9>lor by TECHNICOLOR A M^tro‘Goldwyn*Mayer Picture ♦ and THE MUSIC HALL'S GREAT J CHRISTMAS STAGE SHOW