Variety (February 1951)

PIttBU CROSSES Wednesday, FAnmy 21, 1951 LALagghg; “Mo. Raif Plus ‘Army In 3d, Fne $26,000, ‘Company’ Okay 24G; ‘Mister' Mdd 22G on Holdover Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 4* Holdovers are dominating the first-runs here this week, with only 'four new bills including a reissue combo. “Great Missouri Raid,** taking top position and paired with “At War with Army'* in third stanza in two Paramount theatres, looks to hit nice $26,000. '‘Company She Keeps” looms okay $24,000 in two houses. “Operation Disaster” • is sad $1?,000 for full week in five situ*, at'ons. “Born Yesterday” continues so'id in eighth round and stays a n ; nth in two spots. “Enforcer” and “Call Me Mister” both dropped sharply in second sessions, former hiding only six days in the three Warner houses. “Cyrano” edged up slightly to land $5,300 for 13th week of roadshow run. Estimates for This Week Los Angeles, Chinese, Uptown, Loyola, Wllshire <FWC> (2.097; 2- 018; 1,719; 1,248; 2.296; 70-$1.10> —“Call Me Mister” (20th) and “Bowery Battalion” (Mono) (2d wk-5 days). Mild $22,000. Last , W r'k, $42,500. . Hollywood, Downtown, Wiltern <WB) (2,756; 1,757; 2,344; 70-$l.lQ) —“Enforcer” (WB) (2d wk). Fair $!12,000 in 6 days. Last week, below hmos at $38,000, but still good. Iioew*s State, Egyptian (UA) <? .'04; 1,538; 70-$1.10)—“Company S''*; Keens” (RKO) and “Hunt Man Down” (RKO). Okay $24,000. Last W“~k,. “Cause for Alarm” (M-G) a--r “Blue Blood” (Mono), $14,000. "lillstreet, Pantages (RKO) (2,-1 89j: 2,812; 60-$l)—“Born Yester- day” (Col) (9th wk) and “Revenue A^ent” (Col) (7th wk). Stays full irnth. week. Last week, great $25,000. Los Angeles, Hollywood Para- ir-unts (F&M) (3,398; 1,451; 60-$l) —“War With Army” (Par) (3d wk) a^d “Great Missouri Raid” (Par). Nice $26,000. Last week, “Army” . alcne, great $23,000, Orpheum, Hawaii (Metropolitan) (2,210; 1,106; 70-$l. 10) — “Mutiny Bounty” (M-G) and “Day at Races” •(M-G) (reissues). Open today (Tues.). Last week, “Stage Tucson” (Col) and “Blondie to College” (Col) (reissue) ( 8 days), $11,500. United Artists, Rite, Vogue, S' T 'dio- City, Culver (UA-FWC) (2,- 100: 1,370; 885; 880; 1,145; 70- $1.10) — “Operation Disaster” (U) and “Spoilers of Plains” (Rep). S"d $12,000. Last week, “Under Cun” (U) and “Rhythm Inn” (Mono), only $11,900 in four; Ritz with “Harvey” (U) (3d wk), $2,- 900. Four Star (UA) (900; 70-90) — “Manon” (Indie) (2d wk). Neat $5 000. Last week, $6,000. Fine Arts (FWC) (677; $1.20- $2 !0)-—“Cyrano” (UA) (14th wk). Ir 1 o 14th frame today (Tues.) after n:^ $5,300 last week. Feverly Canon (ABC) (520; $i :0) — “Trio” (Par) (9th wk). Steady $3,500. Last week, $3,700. ‘Tomahawk’ lively 120, Prov.; ‘Helmet’ Modest 13G, ‘Sugarfoot’ $10,000 Providence, Feb. 20. Majestic 4s showing the way here with “Tomahawk” this week with a tall take, RKO Albee’s “Sugarfoot” Is steady but State’s “Steel Hel- met” looks mild. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) <2,200; 44-65)— •’Sugarfoot” (WB) and “Rhythm Inn” (Mono). Fairly steady $10,- ©00. Last week, “Company She Keeps” (RKO) and “Massacre Hill” (Ir die), oke $9,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 44-65)— •“Tomahawk” (U) and “Bowery B-'talion” (Mono). Lofty $12,000. Last week, “Man Who Cheated Himself” (20th) and “Fingerprints Don’t Lie’’ (Lip), $10,000. Metropolitan (Snider) (3,100; 44- 65)—“Sound of Fury” (UA) and •'Atlantic City Honeymoon” (Rep). So-so $7,000. Last week, “Yank in Korea” (Col) and “Blue Blood” (Mono), fair $7,500. State (Loew) (3,200; 44-65)— •‘Steel Helmet” (Col) and “Cause for Alarm” (M-G). Mild $13,000 .or less. Last week, “Flying Missle” ’ (Col) and “Stage to Tucson” (Col), * same $15,500. Strand (Silverman) (24100; 44-65) •?—“Great Missouri Raid” (Par) and *My True Story” (Col): Opened Monday (19). Last week, “Storm Warning” (WBVfair&i. $5,50(1,« i Estimated Total Gross This Week .. . $504,701 (Based on 17 theatres.) Last Year. .$$50,000 (Based on 18 theatres.) ' ‘Affair’ NSH In Pittsburgh, Feb. 20. , Break in weather and some marquee draws adding up to a fairly good session this week. First nice Saturday and Sunday here in months' helped, "September Af- fair” is heading for slim stanza at Penn with generally unfavor- able notices. “Tomahawk’’ at Harris is solid winner. Not too much looms for “Vendetta” at Stanley, even with heavy adver- tising campaign. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 50-85)— “Mystery Submarine” (U). Not going far at $5,500. Last week, “Mudlark” (20th), $8,000. Harris (Harris) (2,200; .50-85)— (2,200; 50-85) — “Tomahawk” (U). Got better than $7,000 in first two days and looks socko $13,000 on week, “Born Yesterday” (Col), (3d wk-10 days) bang-up $13,500. Penn (Loew’s) (3,300; 50-85)— “September Affair” (Par). Crix gave Joan Fontaine-JoSpeh Cotton starrer a rough time of it and it is only getting slim $13,000. Last week, “Kim” (M-G) (2d wk), $11,- 000 . Stanley (WB) (3,800; 5Q-85)-^ “Vendetta” (RKO) Looks weak $10,000. Last week, “Operation Pacific” (WB) (2d wk), okay $10,200. Warner (WB) (2,000; 50-85)-^ “Joan of Arc” (RKO). Popular- priced engagement, two years after road show date, only so-so at $7,000, Last week, “Mad Wed- nesday” (RKO) and “Beaver Val- ley” (RKO), $6,000. DUSTER’ FAT $14,000, L’YILLE; ‘ALARM’ 11G Louisville, Feb. 20. Springlike weather here over the weekend will bring near normal biz back to downtown houses. Lot of patrons have been homebound by the bad weather, and seem eager to gander the new pics.' Topper looks like “Call Me Mister” at the Rialto with solid total “Cause For Alarm” and,“Letter to Three Husbands” at Loew’s State is doing nicely. Estimates for This Week Mary Anderson (People’s) (1,200; 45-65)—“Killer Stalked New York” (WB). Neat $7,500. Last week, “Sugarfoot” (WB) about same. Rialto (Fourth Avenue) (3,000; 45-65) — “Call Me Mister” (20th) and “Bowery Battalion” ‘(Mono). Solid $14,000. Last week, “Where Danger Lives’’ (RKO) and “Hunt The Man Down” (RKO), $8,500. State (Loew’s) (3*,000; 45-65) — “Cause For Alarm” (M-G) and (Continued on page 20) ‘Kim’ Giant $20,000, Seattle; ‘Mister’ 12G Seattle, Feb. 20. “Kim,” with huge session at Music Hall, is standout here this week. “Call Me Mister” also is nice at the Paramount. Other okay newcomer is “September Affair,” trim at Coliseum. “Tomahawk” is big at Blue Mouse on moveover. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; 65- 90)—“Tomahawk” <U) and “Mid- night Melody'* (Rfcp) (m.o.). Big $5,000. Last week, “Joan of Arc” (RKO) (2d wk-6 days), fairish $3 300. Coliseum' (Evergreen) (1,877; 65- 90)—“September Affair” (Par) and “Rhythm Inn” (Mono). Trim $11,- 000. Last week, “Prehistoric Wom- en” (EL) and “Sierra Passage” (Rep), $13,000 in 9 days. Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,349; 65-94)- r -“Born Yesterday” (Col). (4th wk). Great $13,000. Last week, $13,800. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,650; 65-90) —“Company She Keeps” (RKO) and “Double Deal” (RKO) Slow $6,000. Last week, “Frenchie” (U) and “Underworld Story” (U) $6,700. Music Hall (Hamrick) <2.200; 65- 90) — “Kim” (M-G) and “Mrs. O’Malley, Mr. Malone” (M-G). Huge $20,000. Last week, “Toma- hawk” <U) and “Midnight Melody” (Rep) (2d wk), $10,000. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,600; 65- 90) “Grounds for Marriage” (M-G) and “Experiment Alcatraz” (RKO). Dull $8,000. Last week, “Under Gun” (U) and “Frisco Tornado” (Rep), $4,700 in 5 days. Palomar (Sterling) il;350; 50-84) —“Branded” (Rep) (2d run) plus stage. Okay $6,000. Last week, “Where Danger Lives” (RKO) <2d run) .and vaude, $6,200. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039; 65-90)—“Call Me Mister” (20th) and “Second Face” (EL). Fine $12,- 000. Last week, “Steel Helmet” (RKO) and “3 Desperate Men” (Lip) (2d-5 days), fair $4,600. Click at $18,506 *■■■■■ Cleveland, Feb. 20. Rapidly rising thermometer is raising downtown grosses in about same ratio. Hipp’s “Enforcer” is shooting for biggest total coin, while “Vengeance Valley” at State looks almost as strong for a smaller house. “Tomahawk” shapes solid on moveover. “Cyrano” has 'been finally set for a roadshow run at indie Lower Mall, with $2.40 top, beginning March 10. Estimates for This Week Allen (Warners) (3,000; 55-80)— “Mudlark” (20th). Good $11,000 or near. Last week, “Steel Helmet” (Lip), robust $13,000. Esquire (Community) (704; 55-80) —“A1 Jennings of Oklahoma” (Col). Thin $2,000. Last week, “Trio” (Par) (2d wk), $4,000. Hipp (Warners) (3,700; 55-80)— “Enforcer” (WB). Hard-hitting $18,500, Last week, “Sugarfoot” (WB), $15,000. Lower Mall (Community) (505; ! 55-80)—“Bitter Rice” (Indie) (9th wk). Held to $4,000. Last week, about same. Palace (RKO) (3,300; 55-80)— “Yank in Korea” (Col). Poor $8,- 500. Last week, “Gambling House” j (RKO), ordinary $10,500. State (LoeW'rf) (3,450; 55-80)— “Vengeance” (M-G). Nice $15,000. Last week, “Tomahawk” (U), $15,- i 800. Stillman (Loew’s) (2,700; 55-80)— ‘Tomahawk” (U) (m.o.). Solid $7,- i 000. Last week, “Watch the Birdie” (M-G), $9,000. Rain Dampens Det. Biz But 'Born’ Tall Detroit, Feb. 20. “Born Yesterday” at the Michi- gan is pacing the. field this session with a' very big total. Fox stage- show, headed by Louis Prima band, hit by illness, not helping “A1 Jennings of Oklahoma” much. All other pics are surprisingly weak, partly due to rainy weekend, Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; 70-95)— “A1 Jennings of Oklahoma” (Col) plus Louis Prima orch. Fair $23,- 000. Last week, “Operation X” (Col) and “Gasoline Alley” (Col), $16,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 70-95)—“Born Yesterday” (Col). Swell $26,000. Last week, “Opera- tion Pacific” (WB) and “California Passage” (Rep) (2d wk), $12,000. Palm. (UD) (2,900; 70-95)— “Storm Warning” (WB) and “Rogue River” (Rep) (2d wk). Down to $9,000. Last week, stout $17,000. Madison (UD) (1,800; 70-95)— “Gambling House” (RKO) and “Father’s Wild Game” (Mono). Slow $9,000. Last week, “Yank in Korea” (Col) and “Pride of Mary- land” (Mono), $7,000. United Artists (UA) (1,900; 70- 95)—“Stage to Tucson” (Col) and “Under Gun” (U). Slim $8,000. Last week, “Pagan Love Song” (M-G) (2d wk), $6,000. Adams (Balaban) <l,7d0; 70-95)— “Frenchie’ (U) (2d wk). Skidding to $6,000. Last week, nice $9,000. Downtown (Balaban) <2,900; 70- 95) — “Wicked City” (EL) and “Modern Marriage” (Mono). Drab $4,000. Last week, “Mutiny on Bounty” (M-G) and “Pny at Races” (M-G) (reissues), $7,000. • . $13,040, ‘Bonzo’ Fine 9G, ‘Korea 8G Estimated Total Gross This Week.v.. .<$2,305,000 (based on 24 cities, 188 the- atres, chiefly first runs, includ- ing N. Y.) Total Gross Same Week Last Year... ... $2,605,000 (Based on 23 cities, and 193 theatres) $15,000 in K.C o ■ Kansas City, Feb. 20. Lenten season is having a damp- ening effect on film biz, although there are a couple of bright spots currently. “Frenchie” in three Fox Midwest houses day and date is making the best showing with nifty total. “Branded” at Para- mount looms healthy $11,000. Estimates for This Week Esquire (Fox Midwest) (820; 45- 60)—“Girls Under 21” (Indie) and “Girls of Road” (Indie) (reissues). Bettering average at $3,500. Last week, “Harvey” (U) (2d wk), strong $3,000. Kinio (Dickinson) (550; 50-85)-— “Red Shoes” (EL) (2d wk). Shows power at $1,800. Last week, fine $2 000 Midland (Loew’s) (3,500; 50-75)— “Mrs. O’Malley, Mr. Malone” (M-G) and “Three Husbands” (M-G). Thin $10,000. Last week, “Vegeance Valley" (M-G) and I “Dial 1119” (M-G), moderate! $ 12 , 000 . Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 50-75)— “Storm Warning” (WB) and “Texan Meets Calamity Jane” (Col). Me- dium $8,000. Last week, “Company She Keeps” (RKO) and “Savage Horde" (Rep), $7,000. Orpheum (Fox Midwest). (1,913; 50^75)—House dark after 2 nights of legit. Last week, “The Mudlark” (20th) (2d Wk), drab $5,000. Paramount (Tri-States) (1,900; 50-75) —“Branded” (Par). Fairly strong $11,000. Last week, “Sep- tember Affair” (Par), $10,000. Tower - Uptown - Fairway (Fox Midwest) (2,100; 2,043; 700; 50-75) —“Frenchie” (U). Started slowly in blizzard last Thursday, but got going oyer weekend; nifty $15,000. Last week, “Climb Highest Moun- tain” (20th), $14,000. ‘Tomahawk’ Smash 21G, Hub; ‘Born’ OK $30,000, ‘Company’-Vande $20,500 Boston, Feb. 20. Plenty of. newcomers at majors this stanza but biz is only average. School vocations are expected to help somewhat. “Born Yesterday” at Orpheum and State will prob- ably lead town. “Tomahawk” at Memorial shapes nice but “13th Letter” at the Met and “Mr. Uni- verse” at Paramount, and Fenway are not too solid. “Company She Keeps” plus Joan Blondel! with stageshow at Boston looks fairly bright. “Cyrano” at' Majestic is holding up fairly well in 6th stanza. Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q) (1,200; 50-95)— “Sound"of Fury” (UA) (2d wk). Slow $4,000. Last week, $6,800. Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill) (780; 50-90)—“Bitter Rice” (Indie) (9th wk). Off to about $3,000 after oke $3,500 for eighth. Boston (RKO) (3,200; 50-98)— “Company She Keeps” (RKO) plus Joan Blondell, Bert Wheeler, Hank Ladd, Eddie Fisher, onstage. Okay $20,500 expected. Last week ‘Rogue River” (EL) Mel Tormc, others, $19,000. Fenway (NET) (1,373; 40-85)— “Mr. Universe” (EL) and “Second Face” (EL). Average $5,000. Last week, “Sugarfoot” (WB) and “You’re a Sweetheart” (Indie) (re- issue), $4,500. Majestic (Shubert) (1,100; $1,20- $2.40)—“Cyrano” (UA) (6th wk). Off to $8,000 after big $8,600 for fifth. Memorial (RKO) <3,500; 40-85)— “Tomahawk” (U) and “Rhythm Inn” (Mono). Great $21,000. Last week, “Halls Montezuma” (20th) and “Texan Meets Calamity Jane” (Col) (3d wk), nice $9,000 In 4 days. Metropolitan . (NET) (4,367; 40- 85)—“13 th Letter” (20th) and (Continued on page,20) Cincinnati, Feb. 20 . Splurge of new bills is perking biz for major stands in the face of a double dose of competition from annual Polack Bros, indoor circus f°r 11 days in the downtown Taft and nine-day date of Ice Capades in -huge Cincy Garden opening tonight (Tues.). “Call Me Mister" snappy in Capitol, is fronting four other newcomers. Registering sol- idly is “Bedtime for Bonzo” at Keith’s* “Yank In Korea” is light. Estimates for This Week - Albee (RKO) (3,100; 39-75) — “Yank In Korea” (Col). Light $8,- 000 or near. Last week, "Septem- Affair* (Par), all right $12,000. Capitol (Mid-States) (2,000; 39- 75)—‘Call Me Mister” (20th), Top- ping town at snappy $13,000. Last week, “Hills Montezuma” (20th) (2d wk). $7,500. .Grand (RKO) (1,400; 39-75) “Company , She Keeps” (RKO). Moderate $7,000. Last week. “Seven Days Noon” (Indie), $6,000. Keith's (Mid-States) (1,542; 39- 75)—“Bedtime for Bonzo” (U). Nice $9,000, aided by stage appear- ances opening day of Diana Lynn, Jesse White and Bonzo. Last week. “Under Gun’’ (U), $7,500, Lyric (RKO) 1,500; 39-75) — “Born Yesterday” (Col) (m.o.), (2d wk). -Hotsy $7,000 on heels of last week’s $8,000. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 39-75) — “Highway 301” (WB). Moderate $9,500. Last week, “Sugarfoot” (WB), $10,000. . School Strike Over In Mpls., Biz Off; ‘Pacific’ 9G, 'Mountain' 8G, Nice Minneapolis, Feb. 20. Public school janitors,, finally having ended their long' strike, youngsters are back in classrooms, and that's hot good for the box- office here, weather, too, con- tinues unfavorable,"-Of the im- pressive lineup of newcomers, “I’d Climb the Highest Mountain*’ and “Operation Pacific” shape best, both being nice. “Pagan Love Song” looms dull while “Enforcer” is okay. Estimates for This Week Century (Par) (1,600; 50-70)— “Seven Days to Noon” (Indie). Good $6,000. Last week. “Mud- lark” (20th) (2d wk), $3,000. Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 50-70)— “At War With Army” (Par) (2d wk). jCrix can’t keep this one down. Big $6,000 after huge $12,000 Ini- tial cfnriTfi Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-70)—“Op- eration Pacific” (WB). Big $9,- 000, Last week, “Kim” (M-G) (4th wk), $4,000. Radio City (Par) (4,000; 50-70)— ’’Pagan Love Seng*’ (M-G). Sun- day opening for this one because preceding attraction was held over addition day and half. Good $14,- 000. Last week, “September Af- fair” (Par), $10,000 in 8 days. RKO-Orpneum (RKO) (2,800; 35- 70)—“The Enforcer” (WB). Shapes neat $9,000. Last week, “Sugar- foot” (WB), $7,500, RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 35-70)— “Bom Yesterday” > (Col) (5th wk). Sock $7,000. Last week, $7,500. State (Par) (2,300; 50-70)— “Climb Highest Mountain” (20th). Nothing but kind words for this. Nice $8,000. Last week, “Watch Birdie” (M-G), $6,000. World (Mann) (400; 50-85)—“Bit- ter Rice” (Indie) (4th wk). Neat $2,500. Last week, $3£00. ‘Helmet’ Strong $11,000, Balto; ‘Le Grand’ 5G Baltimore, Feb. 20. Fairish activity in downtown sector here is pointing some better- than-average figures for most entries "Steel Helmet” is drawing well at Loew's Century but “Sep- tember Affair” at Stanley is light- weight "Belle Le Grand” looks okay at Mayfair. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew’s-UA) (3,000; 20r 70)—“Steel Helmet” (Lip). Solid $11,000. Last week, “Tomahawk (U), $10,300. „ ■ n '- Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,240; 20-80)—“Gambling House” (RKO) plus vaude. Good $12,000, Last Week, “Yank in. Korea” (Col) and vaude headed up by Claudia Pinza, Keith's (Schanberger) (2,460; 20- 70) — “Bedtime for Bonzo” (U) Opening today (Tues.) with per- sonals by Diana Lynn, Jesse White and “Bonzo.” Last week. ‘Opera- tion Disaster” (U), £air.$7£00. Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 20-70) — (Continued'OQ Jiage'20) .