Variety (August 22, 1951)

VtdntidiTi Aagut 22, 1951 rirriHE GROSSES ‘Guy-Shore Solid $56,000 in Chi; Pickup’ $16,000, ‘Leathernecks’ Huge 35G; ‘My Boy’-Vaude Lofty 51G, 2d Chicago, Aug. 21. 4 l ast week's covey of strong pix i» being bolstered this week with more of the seme. Obi sheer strength of films plus All-Stsr grid game end perfect weekend veather, downtowners for most part loom topnotch. The Chicego. vrth “Guy Who Ceme Beck” plus Dinah Shore, Mr. Kitzel end Will Mast in Trio onstege, is peeing the pack with a solid $56,000. “Pick- up' and “Never Trust e Gambler” is nice $16,000 at Grand. United Artists iooks bright $i7,000 with •Strictly Dishonorable” and “14 Hours.” Woods, with “Fighting Leather- necks,” is huge $35,000. “That’s My Boy” and vaude at Oriental is top- ping holdovers with lusty $51,000 in second frame Roosevelt warm- over bill, “Peking Express” and “Two of a Kind” is fast $14,000. Third week of “Alice in Won- derland” continues boff $23,000 at Palace. “Horatio Hornblower” is strong $19,000 in second week at Bute-Lake. Estimates for This Week C hicago (B&K) (3.000; 55-98) — • Guy Who Came Back” (20th) plus Dinah Shore, Mr. Kitzel and Will Mast in Trio onstage. Solid $56,- 000. Last week, “Little Egypt” a * and Billy Eckstlne headlining (2d wk*. smash $48,000. Grand (RKO) (1.200: 55-98) — • Pickup” (Col) and “Never Trust Gambler” (Col). Sturdy $16,000. Last week, “Mark of Renegade" ll'i and “Footllght Varieties” tKKOi (2d wk), $8,000. Oriental (Indie) (3.400; 98) — 'That’s My Boy” (Par) and vaude 12d wk*. Loud $51,000. Last week, terrific $70,500. Palace (RKO) (2.500; 55-98) — “Alice In Wonderland” (RKO-Dis- ne.v> (3d wk). Strong $23,000. Last week. $30,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 55-98)— “Peking Express” (Par) and 'Two of Kind” (Col) (2d wk). Crisp $14 000. Last week, $19,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 98) — “Horatio Hornblower” (WB) (2d uk . Husky $19,000. Last week. $25 000 ~t nlted Artists (B&K) (1,700; 55- 98•—‘“Strictly Dishonorable” (M-G) nnd “14 Hours” (20th). Fancy $17 000. Last week, “Bombardier” tKKOi and “China Sky” (RKO) (reissues), $11,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,073; 98* — “Fighting Leathernecks” (RKO*. Giant $35,000. Last week. “Frog- nun” <20th) (5th wk). $12,500. World (Indie) (587; 80) — “Teresa” (M-G) (5th wk). Perking to nice $4,000. Last week, $3,500. Zlegfeld (Lopert) (434; 98) — “Four Men in Jeep” (UA). Opens today (Tues). Last week. “Tales ot Hoffmann” (Indie) (17th wk>, $4 500. Belvedere’ Rings Bell In Cincy, Loud $11,000; Alice’ Big 13G in 2d Cincinnati. Aug. 21. ‘ Belvedere Rings Bell.” sweet music at Capitol, Is leader of four new bills this stanza. “Sirocco” looms mild at Palace. “Kind Lady” stacks up okay in Grand. Town topper for second stanza, “Alice In Wonderland” has Albee In high clover and is helping to keep gen- eral downtown count above sea- sonal level. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 55-75*— "Mice in Wonderland” (RKO) (2d vk>. Rig $13,000 on heels of sock $19,500 unveiling. Capitol (Mid-States) (2,000; 55- ?*>•—“Belvedere Rings Bell” (20th). Ku eet $11,000. Last week, “Peking Express” (Par), $7,500. (irand (RKO) (1,400; 55-75>— Kind Lady” (M-G) and 'Tall Tar- get ' (M-G*. All right 28.500. Last verk. “Three Steps North” (UA) •ml Two Gals, Guy” (UA>, $7,500. Keiths (Mid-States) <1.542; 55- - * —“Warpath” (Par). Tame $6.- °' M > Last week, "Passage West” (, ’-*r), $6,500. lyric (RKO) (1.500; 55-75)— Moonlight Bay” (WB) (m.o.) (2d Solid $7,000 trailing hefty s * 'XX) last week for theatre's ban- 11 ' take in months. Holds again. , Palace (RKO) (2 600; 55-75*— Sirocco” (CoD. Moderate $10,000. i.ist week. “Rich. Young, Pretty” good $12,500. Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are net; i. e., without the 20% tax. Distrib- utors share on net take, when playing percentage, hence the estimated figures are net in- come. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated. include the U. S. amusement ' 'Horatio' Wham $25,000, Dot.; ‘Alice’ Great 28G, ‘Young’ Rich With 17G Detroit. Aug. 21. “Capt. Horatio Hornblower” Is blowing up the best biz in town this week at the Palms. Close be- hind is Disney’s “Alice in Wonder- land” which looks great at the Michigan. “Rich, Young and Pret- ty” is just that at the United Art- ists. “Belvedere Rings Bell” is dis- appointing total at the Fox. “Strict- ly Dishonorable” at the Adams is strictly slow. Estimate* for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5.000; 70-95* —“Belvedere Rings Bell” (20th) and "Let’s Go Navy” (Mono). Dull $16,000. Last week. “Pickup” (Col) plus Duke Ellington and Ella Fitz- gerald onstage, sharp $42,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4.000; 70-95*— "Alice in Wonderland” (RKO-Disney). Strong $28,000. Last week. "Moonlight Bay” (WB) and "Hurricane Island” (Col) (2d wk), $ 12 , 000 . Palms (UD) (2 900; 70-95 *— “Capt. Horatio Hornblower” (WB). Terrific $25,000. Last week. “War- path” (Par) and “Roadblock” (RKO>. $16,000. Madison (UD) (1,800; 70-95>— "Cfttle Drive 1, (U) and “Yes Sir, Mr. Bones” (Lip). Weak $7,000. Last week, “Mark of Renegade” (U) and "Country Parson” (Indie), $ 6 , 000 . United Artists (UA) (1,900; 70- 95)—“Rich, Young, Pretty” (M-G) and “Tall Target” (M-G>. Rich $17,000. Last week. “Show Boat” (M-G) (6th wk). $10,500. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 70-95) —“Strictly Dishonorable” (M-G) and “Kind Lady” (M-G). Poor $7,- 000. Last wek, “Cyrano” (RKO) (3d wk*, $5,000. ‘Show’ Lash >1 $14,000, Seattle; ‘Cyrano’ 13G Seattle, Aug. 21. Swell run of “Show Boat” con- tinues, with fifth stanza at Music Hall still big. “Alice in Wonder- land” at 5th Avenue and “That’s My Boy” at Paramount are other standout holdovers. Of the new fare, “Cyrano” is solid at Orpheum and “Meet Me After Show” is great at Coliseum. Estimates for This Week Coliseum (Evergreen) (1.877; 65- 90>—"Meet Me After Show” (20th) and “Roadblock” (RKO). Great $14,000. Last week. “Suicide At- tack” (Indie) and “Beasts of East” (Indie) *9,000. Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,349; 65-90) — “Alice in Wonderland” (RKO-Disney) (2d wk). Big $11,- 000. Last week. $16,800. Liberty (Hamrick) (1.650; 65-90) —“Rich, Young. Pretty” (M-G) and “Kind Lady” (M-G) (2d wk). Good $6,500, after big $10,500 last week. Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 65- 90)—“Flame of Paris” (Indie) and “GlrLfrom Tangier” (Indie). Mod- est $3,500. Last week, "Jungle Headhunters” (RKO) and ‘Tokyo File 212” (RKO), oke $4,000. Music Hall (Hamrick) <2,200; 65- 90* — “Show Boat” (M-G) and “Night Into Morning” (M-G) (5th wk). Still hot at $7,500. Last week. $10,700. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2.600; 65- 90)—"Cyrano” (UA) and “First Legion" <UA>. Solid $13,000 or near. Last week. “Moonlight Bay” (WB) and “Fugitive Lady” (Rep) (2d wk*. solid $8,600. Paramount (Evergreen) (3.039; 65-90*—"That’s My Boy” (Par) and “Man With Your Face” (UA) (2d wk*. Great $13,000 after terrific $21,700 opener. i . . MY BOY’ SOCK $12,500 IN OMAHA; 1ADY’ 8C , Omaha, Oct. 21. “That’s My Bov” will top the town this week by healthy odds. The Orpheum is starting showings early in the morning to care for crowds with smash session in sight. Walt Disney’s “Alice” is in its third week at the Brandeis. The Para- mount’s ‘‘Strictly Dishonorable” shapes barely okay. “Kind Lady” looms fairjsb at the Omaha. Estimates for This Week Orpheum (Tristates) (3.000; 16- 70>—‘That’s My Boy” (Par) solo run looks sock $12,500. Holds. Last week. "Cornin' Round Mountain” (U> and “Operation Disaster” (U*, good $10,500. Paramount (Tristates) (2,800; 16- 70) — “Strictly Dishonorable” (M-G). Barely okay $8,500. Last week. “Ft. Worth,” (WB), $10,000. Omaha (Tristates) (2,100; 16-70) — “Kind Lady” <M-G» and “No Questions Asked” (M-G*. $8,000. Last week. “Folsom Prison” (WB) and “Smuggler s Gold” (Col), $8,500. State (Goldberg) (865; 25*75) — “Belvedere Rings Bell” (20th*. Good $4,000. Last week. “Man Who Came Back” (20th* and “Double Deal” (RKO), $5,200. Brandeis (RKO) (1,500; 35-70*— “Alice in Wonderland ’ (RKO- Disnewt (3d wk*. Holding at $5,000. Last week, nice $5,500. ‘Show’Sturdy $23,000, Philly Philadelphia. Aug. 21. Helped by heavy budget promo- tion campaign, “Capt. Horatio Hornblower” is shaping sock at the Mastbaum here this round. Warner sea film provided biggest splash in generally becalmed late summer doldrums although weekend was better than expected in several houses. “Meet Me After Show” broke fast at the Fox while “Oliver Twist” is heading for record at 500-seat World. “Mark of Rene- gade” looms above par at Stanton. Estimates for This Week Boyd (WB» (2.360; 50-99)— “Alice in Wonderland” (RKO-Dis- ney * (3d wk*. Good $9,000. Last week, strong $18,000. Earle (WB) (2.700; 50-99)— “Peking Express” (Par*. Oke $12.- 000. Last week. "Francis To Races” (U), $8,000. Fox (20th) (2,250; 50-99)— “Meet Me After Show” (20th*. Big $23,000. Last week, “Belvedere Rings Bell” (20th* (2d wk*, $14,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 50- 99 *—“Warpath” (Par) (2d wk). Off to $8,500. Last week, fat $16,000. Mastbaum (WB) (4.360; 50-99*— “Capt. Horatio Hornblower” (WB). Sock $30,000. List week. “Moon- light Bay” tWB* (2d wk*. dim $13,000. Midtown (Goldman) (1 000 ; 50- 99*—“Law and Lady” (M-G* (2d wk). Slow $5,000. Last week. $ 11 , 000 . Randolph (Goldman) (2.500; 50- 99)—“Show Boat” (M-G* (7th wk*. Fine $8,000 Last week. $10,500. Stanley (WB* (2.900; 50-99*— “That’s My Boy” (Par) (5th wk*. Trim $12,000. 'Last week, tops at $ 20 , 000 . Stanton (WB* (1.473; 50-99)— “Mark of Renegade” (U). Neat $9,500. Last week, “Cattle Drive” tU). $10,000. Trans-Lux <T-L» (500; 50-99*— “Kind Lady” (M-G) (2d wk*. Good $4,500 after solid $7,000. World (G&S) (500; 50-99*— “Oliver Twist” (UA>. Terrific $8.- 000. Last week, “Paris Waltz” (In- die), $3,200. Polio Whams B’ham Birmingham. Aug. 21. * This city’s worst polio epidemic since 1940 has hurt biz, narticular- Jy the moppet trade. One down- town second-run closed and two nabes are on the block. Estimates for This Week Alabama <W-K) (2.600; 44-50)— “Strangers on Train” (WB* opens Wed. <22*. “Moonlight Bay” (WB*. Oke $6,500. “Miss Alabama” con- test on stage Mon. <2o> a help. Empire (Acme* <980; 35-50*— “Law and Lady” (M-G* opens Wed. <22*. Last week “Alice” (RKO-Dis- ney». poor $2,000. Melba (MerrltO (950: 35-50*— “Iron Man” <U*. Fair $2,500. Last , week, “Mark of Renegade” lU* poor $1,500 Rita (W-K) <1.500; 44-50*— “As Young As Feel” (20th). Opens Wed. (22). l^ast week, “Frogmen” (20th* fair $6,000. B’way Perking; Berle Boosts ‘Show’ To Record 1456, ‘David’ Giant 80G, ‘Man’ Socko 32G; ‘Boat’ 137G, 5th Break in tha fresh heat wave over the past weekend and six new bills are giving Broadway first-run theatre business a* real hypo this session. Drop in tem- perature over Saturday - Sunday was Just what the boxoffice needed, and it enabled many ex- tended - run bills to continue briskly despite new’, strong com- petition. Biggest money is going to “Meet Me After Show,” which is being boosted by Milton Berle and his own revue headed by Dagmar on the stage to a terrific total, best at the Roxv in many week* Berle- Dagniar-“Show” combo is soaring to $145,000. biggest opening week evt done by Berle at this house and new record for a name per- sonality at Roxy. “David and Bathsheba” also is going great guns, with gigantic 4*o0,000 on initial wees at tne Rivoli. House' was unshuttered after a summer hiatus for preem of this opus. Considerably: upped scale, with high opening prices and fairly rapid turnover, is spell- ing this figure, near all-time mark at house. “The Iron Man” is the next most startling straight-film newcomer, heading for socko $32,000 at the State. Looks In for a run. Novel lobby display is attracting numer- ous passers-by. “Force of Arms" shapes good $22,000 at the Warner, while “Law and the Lady” is fairly good at same figure in the Capitol. “Guy Who Came Back” with vaude is just okay $19,000 at the Palace in regular weekly change. Pacing the extended-run bills is “Show Boat” with stageshow, still great with $137,000 for fifth week at the Music Hall. This Insures a sixth frame and probability of holding through Labor Day. 'That’s My Boy” plus stageshow topped by Modernaires. Danny Lewis and Bob Chester band is off from second week pace, but still fine at $60,000 for third session at the Paramount. “Alice in Wonderland” is down sharply from previous frame but continues as a big grosser with $24,000 in fourth week at the Cri- terion. “Bright Victory” dipped to $14,000 in the third stanza at the Victoria. Estimates for This Week Aster (City Inv.) <1.300; 55 $1.50) —“Happy Go Lovely" (RKO) (5th wk). Fourth stanza ended last night (Tues.) held about even*at $4,500 after $5,500 in previous week. Stays two extra days, with "Jim Thorpe, All-American” (WB) open- ing Friday (24). • Bijou (City Inv.) <589; $1.20- $2.40)—'Tales of Hoffmann” (In- die) (21st wk*. The 20th - session ended last nigh( (Tues.) continued around recent levels at $10,500. after $10,000 last week. Stays on indef. (19) continued great with $15,400 after $17,500 for second week. Lat- ter was not far from opening week’s figure. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5.945; 80-$2.40>—“Show Boat” (M-G) with stageshow (5th wk). Smash $137,000 but off from recent pace. Last week, $150,000. Holds a sixth session, and possibly over Labor Day. Rivoli (UAT-Par) (2,092; 90-$2>— "David and Bathsheba” (20th). First week ended last night (Tues.) soared to huge $80,000, close to all- time high here under present op- erating conditions. Includes $2,500 for Tuesday (14) night. Upped scale, with house getting $1.10 be- fore noon some weekdays and $1.25 soon after that, along with mid- night shows last Friday and Satur- day, helping achieve this figure. Puts it up in class with “Two Years Before Mast” (Par) and “French- man’s Creek” (Par). Last week, house shuttered. Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$2.20)— “Meet Me After Show” (20th) with Milton Berle plus his own revue headed by Dagmar onstage (2d- ftnai wk). Initial session ended last night (Tues.) roared to $145,- 000, terrific biz. and biggest week ever done here by Berle and top- ping Jack Benny old high of 1947. Slightly tilted scale helping to this figure. In ahead, “Belvedere Rings Bell" (20th) with iceshow, stage bill (2d wk), $59,000. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-$1.50)— "The Iron Man” <U>. First week ending next Friday (24) heading for socko $32,000. In ahead, "Cattle Drive" (U). $17,500 in 11 days. Warner (WB) (2,756; 55-$1.25)— "Force of Arms” (WB) (2d wk). First session ended Monday (20), including Monday night opening trade, was good $22,000. Helped some by Louis-Bivlns fight on TV screen Wednesday night. Last week, "Moonlight Bay” (WB) (3d wk-5 days), $8 r 0O0. Sultan «R & B* <561; 90-$ 1.50*— “Kon-Tikt” (RKO* (21st wk*. The 20th round ended Monday (19* was $5,000, after $5,500 for 19th week. "The Medium” (Indie) opens Sept. 5. Trans-Lux 66th St. (T-L) 453; 74- $1.50) — “Emperor’s Nightingale” (Indie) (15th wk*. Pushing up to $2,300. Okay profit for this stage of run, after $2,000 last week. Trans-Lux 52d St. <T-L> (540; 90- $1 50)—"Kind Lady” (M-G* (3d wk). First holdover stanza ended Mon- day (20) held at $9,000, after nice $13,000 opening week, below ex- pectancy. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 55- $1.50)—’’Bright Victory” (U* (4th wk). Third round ended Monday (20) slipped to $14,000. after solid $22,400 for second week. Holding through Sept. 9, with "Saturday s Hero” (Col* due in Sept. 10. ‘Alice’ Frisco’s Leader Capitol (I^oew’s (4.802; 55-$ 1.25* —“Law and the Lady” (M-G* (2d wk). Initial round ended last night (Tues.) hit fairly good $22,000. Holds only two weeks. In Ahead. “Rich, Young, Pretty” (M-G) <3d wk). $16,500. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 70-S1.80* —“Alice in Wonderland" * RKO- Disney) (4th wk). Suddenly started slipping but still great at $24,000 after $36,000 for third round. Stays on. Globe (Brandt) (1.500; 50-$ 120* —“Convict Lake” (20th* (3d wk). Still in chips at about $9,000 after $11,000 for second frame. Latter was below expectancy. Holiday (Zatkin) <950; 50-$1.50)— "Tomorrow Is Another bay” (WB) (3d wk). Initial holdover frame ended last night (Tues.) held to $7,000 after fairish $10,400 opener. Mayfair (Brandt) <1.736; 50-$l 20* —"My Outlaw Brother” (UA). Opens today (Wed.). Last week. “No Questions Asked” (M-G) <2d wk-6 days), slipped to slow $5,500 after mild $9,500 opener, which was smaller than hopes. Palace (RKO) <1,700; 55-$l.20)— “Guy Who Came Bark’’ (20th) with vaude Just okay with $19,000 or a bit better. I*ast week. "Best of Badmen” iRKO* and vaude. $20,- 500, slightly above expectancy. Paramount (Par* (3.664; 70-$l 80* —"That’s My Boy” (Par) with Modernaires. Danny Lewis. Bob Chester orch heading staje bill (4th- final wk*. Third stanza ended last night (Tues.) slipped to $60,000. hut still fine profit, after big $81,- j 000 for second week. Park Avenue (Reade) (583; 90- $1.50>—"Oliver Twist” (UA) <4th wk). Third session ended Sunday 1 ’ At Brill $26,000; W Terrif 14G, ‘Boy’ 17G, 2d San Francisco, Aug. 21. Despite a large tourist influx this round, biz is spotty, with the Golden Gate the brightest spot on Market Street. "Alice in Wonder- land” is headed for a big session at that house, the Disney pic easily grabbing top money In town this round. Preem of "Place in Sun” also is landing a terrific total at the much smaller St. Francis. Some of holdovers are doing standout trade in city, with "That’s My Boy” still socko at the Paramount. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; 60- 85)—"Alice in, Wonderland” (RKO- Disney). Big $26,000. Last week, “Night Into Morning” (M-G* and "Heirs Gateway” (Indie), $10,500. Fox (FWC) (4 651; 60-95)—"Capt. Horatio Hornblower” (WB) and l ‘Let’s Go Navy” (Mono* (2d wk). Nice $15,000. I<ast week. $24 900. Warfield (Loew’s) (2.656; 60-85) —"Strictly Dishonorable” (M-G). Mild $13,000. Last week. "Teresa” (M-G*. $10,000 Paramount »Par> <2.646; 60-85*— "That’s My Boy” (Par* (2d wk*. > Held to $17,000. Last week, sock $32 ooo St. Francis (Par) <1.400; 60-85*— "Place In Sun” (Par*. Terrific $14.- 000. l,ast week, "Happy Go live- ly" (RKO), $10,000. . Orpheum (No. Coast) <2.448; 55- 85)—"Sirocco" (Col) and "When Redskins Rpde” (Col). Oke $15,- 000 n r near. Last week. "Mark (Continued on page 24)