Variety (August 22, 1951)

It PICTURE CROSSES Wednesday, August 22, 1951 rj: ‘Iron Man’ Smash $31,000. Disney’s Alice’ Give LA. Lift; Teresa’ Good 27G Los Angeles. Aug. 21. - Hefty boxoff»ce interest in four new bills is lifting first-run grosses here curentlv for second consecu- ti\e week. Walt Efisney’s “Alice in Wonderland” is pacing city with soekcroo $44,000 for two theatres “Iron Man” is soaring to smash $31,000 in five houses, proving a strong moneymaker right from 1 “Place in Sun” is heading for great $11,000 or better, best open- ing being score at Fine Arts in some time. Teresa” and "No Questions Asked” shapes good $27,000 in two spots “That's My Boy is holding in solid fashion with *22*00 in two Paramount houses, for second round. esoeciaPy strong in view of straight 60c. admission tap. "Capt. Homblower” looms fine $31,000 in three sites, second session. Estimates for This Week Los Anceles, Chinese. Uptown. Loyola. Wilxhtre (FWC* ‘2.097; 2.048; i,7ld; 1.246; 2.296. 70-$l.»w) —“Belvedere Rings Bell” <20th* and “Let’s Go Navy” ‘Mono* ‘2d wk-4 days). Okay $17,500. Last week $36,500. Hollywood. Downtown. Wlltem iWB) i2.756; 1.757: 2.344; 70-$l 10» —“Hornblower’* (WBi 2d wk). Fine $31 000 opener. Last week. $45 000. Loew's State. Egyptian ‘UAJ <2.404: 1.538: 70-$l. 10)—“Teresa (M-G) and “No Questions Asked <M-G>. Good $27,000. Last week. “Show Boat” ‘M-G) <4th wk», $23,- 700. Hlllstreet. Pantages <RKO) ‘2.- 800: 2.812: 70-*l>—“Alice Wonder- land” <RKO). Smash $44 000. Last week, “Lady and Bandit" ‘Col* and “Never Trust Gambler” ‘Col). $13,100. , _ Los Anceles, Hollywood Par- amounts <FJiM) <3.398; 1.430; 60)— “That's Mv Bov” 'Pari ‘2d wk». Sooko $22,500. Last week. $34,300. United Artists, Rlts. Vogue. Stu- dio City. Cu*ver (UA-FWC* *2.100; 1 370; 885; 880: 1.145: 70-$1.10»— “Iron Man” <U) and “Man My Face” ‘UA). Great $31,000 or over. Pace is near that of “Haney” <U). Last week. “4 In Jeep” ‘UA) and “Three Steps North” ‘UA* <10, days). $17,200 • v Four Star <UA) <900; 90*—“Na-; five Son” <Indie) <2d wk). Fair $5,000. Last week, $6,000. I tine Arts <FWO ‘677; 80-11.50) —“Place in Sun” <Par>. Sock $11,- 000 or better Last week. “Oliver Twist” <UA) <5th wk-4 days*.- $1.800. Beverlv Canon <ABC* <520; $1*— “Kon-Tiki” ‘RKO* «17th wk*. Okay $1 500. Last week. $2 000. Laurel ‘Ro«=ener* <846; $1.20-2 40* —“Tales Hoffmann'' <Indie) «12th wk). Started current frame <20* after strong $6 000 last week. Marral. Bard’s Adams (Nickol- son* <950; 1.200; 70-85) “Alice Won- derland” ‘Indie* <2d wk*., Finished second week and run at $5,300. | Staved over weekend but dropped fast after Disney’s “Alice” <RKO* bowed Aug. 15. Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week $623.4*0 <Based on 19 theatres.) Last Year $621,000 • Based on 18 theatres.) Horatio’ Might; $13,009, Mpls. Minneapolis, Aug. 21. Exceptional number of strong holdovers distinguishes the local scene. No less than a trio of them. "Show Boat.” “Alice In Wonder- land” and "The Frogmen “ all ace grossers. are in iheir third wnk. Newcomers include two pix that loom sockeroo, “On Moonlight Bay" and “Capt. Horatio Homblower.” but “Long Dark Hall” and “No Questions Asked.” are not doing so much. Estimates for This Week Century <Par) »1.600; 50-76*— “LonjKDark Hall” ‘UA*. Light $3.- 500. Last week. “Circle of Danger” (UA), slow $4,000. Gopher ‘Berger) <1.000; 50-76*— “Frogmen” «20th* <3d wk*. Highly regarded picture continues to give good boxoffice aecourrt’Wf itself. Okay $4,000 after neat $4,900 per- ceding stanza. Lyric 'Par) <1 000 : 50-76*—“No Questions Asked” <M-G*. Satisfac- tory $5,000. Last week. “Cavalry Scout” <Mono) and "Ghost Chas- ers" ‘Mono), $4,500. Radio City ‘Par* *4.000; 50-76*— “Show Boat” iM-G) ‘3d wk'. Rates ‘Continued on page 24) Too Many H.O.s Hurting Balto; Teresa’ NG 6^G, 'My Boy’ Fat $8,000,3d Baltimore; Aug. 21. Too many holdovers are hurting downtown this week. Lone new- comer, “Teresa,” is rot drawing so well at Loew’s Century. Of re- peaters. “Capt. Horatio Hornblow- er” is holding okay at the Stanley while “That's My Boy” in fourth round is excellent at Keith’s. Estimates for This Week Century <Locw’s-UA* »3.000; 20- 70i—“Teresa” <M-G*. Stow’ $8,500. l^ist week. "Law and Lady” ‘M-G), $7,700. Keith's <Schanberger) <2.460; 20- 70*—"That * My Boy” ‘Par* <4th wk*. Starting new round tomorrow <Wed.) after big $8,000 for third on heels of $11,400 for second week. Mayfair (Hicks) ‘980; 20-70) — “Warpath” <Par) starts tomorrow <Wed.) after “Passage West” (Par) got okay $4,500 in second week. New (Mechanic) (1.800; 20-70*— “Belvedere Rings Bell” ‘20th» <2d wk). Nice $6,000 after $8800 opener. Stanley (WB) ‘3.280; 25-75) — “Capt. Horatio Homblower” ‘WB* ‘Ran AH Way’ Fairish IOC, L’ville; ’Boy* 6G, 2d Louisville, Aug. 21. First run pace is brisk this week, a result of cooler weather bringing patrons into the downtown district at night. Town has passed through a lenghty torrid spell. “Passage West” at the Rialto looks okay while “He Ran All The Way” at Loew’s State is fairish. “Moon- light Bay” looks neat in second round at the Mary Anderson. Estimates for This Week Mary Anderson 'People’s* <1.200: 45-65*—“Moonlight Bay” <WB> <3d wk*. Neat $6,000. Last week. $6,500 Rialto 'Fourth Avenue' <3 000: 45-65*—“Passage West” <Par<, and “Bullfighter and Lady” <Rep*. Just okay $11,000. Last week. “Alice In Wonderland” <RKO-Disney), $12 000. State 'Loew’s) <3,000; 45-65*— “Ran All Way” ‘UA* and Home Town Story” ‘M-G*.* Fairish $10.- 000. L*st week. “Law’ and Lady” ‘M-G* and "Night Into Morning” ‘M-G*. $8,000. Strand <FA) <1.200: 45-65>— “Sealed Cargo” ‘RKO* and “Pistol Harvest” ‘RKO*. Medium $3,500. Last week. "Guy Who Came Back” ‘20th* and “Pier 23” ‘Lip), same. % Boy’ Boff in Bull, 130,000; ‘Continent’ 12C Buffalo. Aug. 21. The big news here this session is the terrific total being racked up bv “That’s Mv Bov” at the Cen- tury. It is tar ahead of any other pic in the city, and seems sure of a holdover. “Lost Continent” is shaping surprisingly sturdy at Paramount but “Strictly Dishonor- able” looks dull at the Buffalo. Estimates for This Week Buffalo 'Loews) <3.500; 40-70*— “Strictlv Dishonorable” <M-G* and “Kind Lady” <M-G». Dull $9,000. Last week. “Rich. Young. Pretty” <M-G* and “Painted Hills” <M-G) •5 days*, oke $7,800. Paramount <Par* «3.000; 40-70)— “Lost Continent” <Lip» and “G. I. Jane” ‘Lip*. Sturdy$12.000. Last week. “Peking Express” ‘Par* and "Pier 23” <Lip), $11,400. Center ‘Par) ‘2,100; 40-70* — “Capt. Horatio Homblower’ 'WBI (2d wk*. Holding at $8,500. Last week, great $12,000. Lafayette 'Basil <3.000; 40-70*— “Cattle Drive” *U* and "March Wooden Soldiers” <U). Fair $9,500. Last w r eek "Magic Face” (Col* and "Hurricane Island" fCol), $9,000. Century <20th Cent.) *3,000; 40- 70*—“That’s My Boy” ‘Par*. Ter- rific $30,000 or near. Last week. "Alice in Wonderland” (RKO- Disney) ‘2d wk*. $7,500. ‘Cyrano’ Crisp $14,000, Toronto Toronto, Aug. 21. With Walt Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland’ still topping the , town to big returns in second stan- za. “Cyrano.” first time here at pop prices, is current runner-up and close behind. Only other im- portant newcomer is “He Ran All , the Way.” Other top films are holdovers, with “On Moonlight I Bay” and “Teresa" maintaining hearty pace. Estimates for This Week Crest, Downtown. Glendale. May- fair, Searboro, State 'Taylor* ‘863; 1 059; 955; 470: 698: 694; 35-60'— “Never Trust Gambler” ‘Col) and "Sun Sets Dawn” <UA). Nice $13.- 000. Last week, “Texas Rangers” ‘Col* and “China Corsair” <CoP, | $15,000. Efllnton. Shea’s 'FP* ‘1,080; 2.- 386; 40-80'—“Moonlight Bay” <WB* <3d wk*. Good $13,000. Last week. $17 500. Hyland <Rank) ‘1.357; 50-80*— “Browning Version" ‘Indie* ‘15th wk*. Still steady at $4,500. Current week sets long-run record at this house. Imperial <FP) 03,373; 40-80*— “Alice in Wonderland” ‘RKO-Dis- ney) ‘2d wk*. Still big $16,500 and pacirig town. Last week:- $25,000. Loew’s 'Loew s* ‘2.743; 40-70*— “Ran All Way” <UA>. Good $12.- 000. Last week. “Excuse My Dust” »M-G* '2d wk*. $8,000. Nortowm, University (FD> *959; 1 J>58: 40-80)—“Teresa” <M-G) »2d wjc*. Holding to good $12,500. Last week, big $15,000. Odeon (Rank* ‘2.390; 50-90*— “Cyrano” «UA*. A popscale. lusty $14,000 looms for best business at this spot in months. Last week, “Convict Lake” ‘20th*, $11,500. Uptown 'Loewi '2.743; 40-80*— “Strictly Dishonorable” <M-G). Fair $7,500. Last week, “Mark of Renegade’’ <U'. $5,500. Victoria 'FP* ‘1.140; 40-80*— “San Francisco” <M-G> 'reissue*. Poor $4,000. Last week, “Fabiola” I (indie) <2d wk', $5,000. Iron Man’ Smash $12,000, Pitt Leader; ‘Cyrano’ 9G, Young’ 15G, ‘Samson’ 11G (2d wk). Holding at okay $9,000 ‘ dlowing big $16,900 opener. Town (Rappaporl* <1,500; 35-70) —“Alice, Wonderland” <RKO* +3d wk). Solid $5,500 for Disney opus after $8,300 for second week. Pittsburgh. Aug. 21. Cooler weather combined with solid product is telling an okay story this week. Best all-around session downtown in some time looms. “Rich. Young. Pretty” started off big at the Penn and fig- ures to hold up while popular- price showings of “Samson and Delilah.” at Warner, and “Cyrano” at Fulton, are both in the big dough, and may hold. World preem bally for “Iron Man” at Harris is paying off in spades, helped by a personal opening night of Jeff Chandler. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1.700; 50-85*— Cyrano” 'UA). Campaign was aimed at masses and paying off. at strong $9,000. Should mean hold- over. Last week, “House Tele- graph HIM” <20th) and “Oh, Su- sannah” ‘Rep*, $4,500. Harris ‘Harris) (2,200; 50-85)— J '.* • ' . • * J ' ; • ' I 14 ‘My Boy’ Sockeroo $14,000, K.C. Ace; lovely’ Mild 8G, ‘Prince’ Okay 15G W Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gross This week $2,441,000 (Based on 26 cities, 211 the- atres, chiefly first runs, includ- ing N. Y.) Total Gross Same W>ek Last Year $2,356,000 ‘ Based on 23 cities, and 173 theatres.) My Boy’ Record $27,500 in D. C Washington. Aug. 21. Though holdovers are keeping down the sock takes of recent weeks, midtown exhibs continue happy. Brightest spot is the War- ner. ’ where “That’s My Boy” is breaking a*! records for the com- pany’s showcase in recent years. Take would compare favorably even with the best of war years, since admission then was 90c. top, as compared today’s 74c. “Belve- dere Rings the Bell ” at Loew’s Capitol, with a vaude. Phelan, also is solid. Of the holdovers, “Alice in Wonderland.” in its third ses- sion at RKO Keith's, is still above house average, thanks partly to two nights of theatre TV. Estimates for This Week Capitol ‘Loew‘s> <2.434; 44-90*— “Belvedere Rings Bell” «20th), plus vaude. Sturdy $25,000. Last week. “Convict Lake” ‘20th> plus vaude topped by Les Paul and Mary Ford, efham $32,000. even better than hoped. Dupont ‘Lopert) ‘372; 50-85*— “Kon-Tiki” (RKO* <5th wk*. Still strong at $4,500 after $5,000 last week. Keith’s <RKO) <1.939; 44-80>— ‘“Alice in Wonderland” 'RKO-Dis- ney) ‘3d wk*. Hefty $13,000. with Louis-Bivins bout on TV at upped admissions and televised “Alice” contest helping. Last week, $18,- 000. Holds again. Metropolitan (Warner) (1.164: 44-74*—“Capt. Homblov % ~” ‘WB' ‘2d run>. Fine $6,000 for tnird week on F Street. Last week. “Moonlight Bay” (WB* «2d run*, solid $7,000. Palace ‘Loew’’s» ‘2.370: 44-74*— “Frogmen” ‘20th) ‘2d wk*. So-so $9,000 for final 5 days, after dis- appointing $18,000 last week. Playhouse ‘Lopert) <485; 55-$l) —“Women Without Names” (In- die*. So-so $4,500. Last week. “Tony Draws Horse” ‘Indie) (2d wk). $3,500. Warner ‘WB* <2.174: 44-74*— “That’s My Boy” <Par». Skyrocket- ing to torrid $27,500. after biggest opening day since 1944 Holds. Last week, "Capt. Horatio Homblower" ‘WB) (2d wk>, firm $12,000. “Iron Man” <U*. They merchan- dised the life out of this one with world preem ballyhooo climaxed by personals opening night of Jeff Chandler, picture's star; Cindy Gari\er and Frankie Van. Lure of Chandler packed the opening, and impetus should carry prizefight pic into top brackets at smash $12,000 or over. Last week, “Siroc- co” «Col). $8,300. Penn 'Loew’s) ‘3.300: 50-85)— “Rich. Young. Pretty” <M-G>. Spanking $15,000. Last week, “Law and the Lady” «M-G*. $9,500. Stanley (WB) ‘3,800; 50-85)— “Capt. Horatio Homblower” (WB) <2d wk*. Holding up very nicely at $9,000 on top of fine $15,500 last week. Warner iWB) ‘2.000; 50-85)— “Samson and Delilah” (Par). Looks like a sizzling $11,000. May hold. Last week. “On Moonlight Bay” '(WB) (2d wk), terrific $7,500. • * * t ‘Alice’ Rousing $20,000, St. Loo; Twist’ Big 8|G St. Louis. Aug. 21. “Alice in Wonderland” is taking the kiddles by storm here this week, the downtown Loew s being jammed from opening unfil close. It will grab a smash session. “That’s My Boy” still Is red hot in second round at the Missouri after a wham opening week. “Oliver Twist” is shaping big at two small- sealers. * Estimates for This Week Ambassador ‘F&M* '3.000; 60- 75»—“Convict Lake” <20th> and "Capt. Horatio Homblower” <WB* <m o.*. Okay $12,000. Last week. “Moonlight Bay” ‘WB* and “Siroc- co” ‘Col*. $11,000. Fox (F&M) <5.000; 60-75*— “Belvedere Rings Bell" ‘20th) and “Molly” Par). Oke $15 000. Last wpek. “Capt. Horatio Homblower” (WB*, $19,000. Loew's (Loew) ‘3.172; 50-75)— "Alice in Wonderland” 'RKO-Dis- ney*. Big $20,000. Last week, “Ran All Way” (UA) and “When Redskins Rode” ‘Col), $13,000. Missouri (F&M) <3.500; 60-75*— “That’s My Boy” <Par) and ‘ Dear Brat” ‘Par) (2d wk). Still great* at $18,000 after $24,000 initial stanza. Pageant <St. L. Amus Co.) <1,000; 50-90* "Oliver Twist” <UA). Big $4,000. Last week, “Trio" (Par* <3d wk), $1,000. Shady Oak <St. L. Amus. Co.) <800; 50-90*—“Oliver Twist” <UA). Great $4,500. Last week, “Trio” (Par) (3d wk), $1,500. Kansas City, Aug. 21. Paramount has the edge this week with “That’s My Boy’’ going to sock total and due for holdover. It is best money house has had in months. “Happy Go Lively” looms modest at the Missouri. “Prince Whb Was Thief” is average in four Fox Midwest houses. Weather slacked off somewhat from torrid temperatures of last week. Estimates for This Week Kimo ‘Dickinson) <504; 75-99*— “Kon-Tiki” (RKO) (8th wk*. Trim $2 000. Last week. $2,200. Midland ‘Loew’s) ‘3,500; 50-69*— “Loma Doone” (Col) and “Texas Rangers” (CoD. Light $10,000. Last week, “Law and Lady” ‘M-G) and “Home Town Story” <M-G>, $11,000. Missouri (RKO) <2.650; 50-75*— “Happy Go Lovely” ‘RKO) and “Tokyo File 212” ‘RKO). Medium $8,000. Last week. "Alice in Won- derland” (RKO-Disney) ‘2d wk), fast $10,000. • Paramount (Tri-States) < 1.900; 50- 69)—“That’s My Boy” (Par*. Off to fast start and sock $14,000 looms, biggest here in many months. Will hold. La«t week. “Moonlight Bav’» (WB) ‘2d wk). $7,000. Plaza (Fox Midwest) <1,900; 45- 55)—“The Inheritance” (Indie). Opened last Friday. Good $3,009 on three showings daily for 5 days. Tower, Uptown. Fairway, Gran- ada (Fox Midwest) <2.100; 2.043; 700; 1.217; 50-75)—“Prince Who Was Thief” (U) and “Cavalry Scout" ‘Mono). Mild $15,000. Last week. “Guy Who Came Back” »20th) and "Sword Monte Cristo* (20th), same. Weather Boosts Boston; ‘Continent’ Okay $15,000, ‘Jungle’ Hotsy $14,000 Boston, Aug. 21. Miserable vacation weather is helping the majors this session with biz holding to fairly good levels for this time of year. “Capt. lIorati(f Homblower” In 2nd stanza at Met continues okay while “Thunder on Hill.” also on hold- over at Astor, still sock. “Jungle Headhunters” at Boston, shilled by lobby display of shrunken heads and mechanical natives, is best in some time. “Sirocco” at Orpheum and State shapes, average. “Ix)st Continent” at Paramount and Fen- way started strong, but slipped somewhat. Estimates for This Week Astor «B&Q> <1.200; 50-ft5> — “Thunder on Hill” ‘U) ‘2d wk*. Ex- pected to equal first week's sock $13 000. Boston (RKO) ‘3.200: 40-85* — “Jungle Headhunters” «RKO* and “Jungle of Chang” ‘Indie*. Head- ing for nifty $14,000. Last week, “Cattle Drive” <U> and “Without Pity” ‘Indie), $7,000. Exeter (Indie* (1.300; 55-80* — “Kon Tiki” ‘RKO) (7th wk*. Shapes almost as strong as sixth week or $3 300.. Fenway ‘NET) <1,373; 40-85) — “I>ost Continent” ‘Lip* and “G. I. Jane” ‘Lip). Only okay $4,000. Last week, “Peking Express” 'Par) and “Good Raiders” ‘Indie*, same. Memorial (RKO* ‘3.500; 40-85'— “Alice in Wonderland” 'RKO- Disney) ‘3d wk*. Near $14,000 after oke $18,200 for second. Metropolitan (NET* '4.367; 40-85) — “Capt. Horatio Homblower” (Continued on page 24) o * HORATIO’ HEFTY 12G, PROV.; ‘WHISTLE’ 6iC Providence. Aug. 21. “Captain Horatio Homblower’* is leading the list at Majestic this week with fine session. RKO Albee is holding "Alice in Wonderland” for a thiixl session. Loew s Slate is fair with “Teresa.” Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) <2.200; 44-85)— “Alice in Wonderland” ‘RKO-Dis- ney) «3d wk). Nice $7,500. Second week was strong $12,000. Majestic (Fay) (2.000; 44-65*— “Capt. Horatio Homblower" ‘WB*. Fine $12,000. Last week. “Thunder on Hill” ‘U) and "Varieties On Pa- rade” (Lip), $11,000. SUte (Loew’s) <3.200; 44-65*— “Teresa” (M-G) and "Kind Lady** IM-G*. Average $13,500. Last week, “Law and Lady” ‘M-G) and “No Questions Asked” (M-G), $10,000. Strand (Silverman) <2.200; 44-65) —"Trio” <Par) and “Dear Brat” (Par*. Opened Monday <20). Last week‘‘Whistle at Eaton Falls”‘Col) and “Corky Gasoline Alley” (Col*» stow $6,500. \ 6 J i s . i k