Variety (August 29, 1951)

frdimdari Anjfiwt 29, 1951 PICTVUB oossn Chi StiD Big; 'Ran All Way-Vaude Good $48,000, Vis Kind’ Sockeroo 18G; Uy Boy-Stage 46G for 4th Chicago, Aug. 28. Despite a shortage of new prod- uct this week. Loop first-runs are heading toward another big sea- son Most of the vitality this frame is coming from long-runs. Best of newcomer* i* the Chicago bill of -He Kan All Way” plus Jack Car- ter and Marilyn Maxwell onstage good 448.000. “Hi* Kind of Wom- an " at Kossevelt is sock $18,000. Zieafe'd. with “Four In Jeep." looks crisp $5,500. Fourth week of "That’s My Boy" with vaude is heading for husky $46 >00 at Oriental. "Flying Leath- er necks" looks great $24,000 at Woods in second week "Alice In Wonderland," in fourth week at Palace, is brisk $20,000. State-Lake, with "Horatio-Kom- blower.” is lush $16,000 In third frame. United Artists’ "Strictly Dishonorable" and "14 Hours" is lively $12,000 in second round. Estimates for Thia Week Chicago <B&K) (3.900; 55-98)— •*R*n All Wav" (UA) plus Jack Caner and Marilyn MaxweH on- ttage Good $48,000. "Last week. •Guv Who Came Back” (20th) and Dinah Shore topping stageshow. $57 000. Grand (RKO) (1.200; 55-98)— -Pickup” (Col) and "Never Trust Gambler” (Col) (2d wk) $12,500. Last week, $16,000. Oriental (Indie) (3.400: 98)— -That’s My Boy” (Par) and vaude (4th wk) Strong $46,000. Last u<*>k 1S1 OOO Palace (RKO) (2,500; 55-98)— -Alice in Wonderland” (RKO-Dis- nev (4th wk). Fast $20,000. Last week. $23,000. Roosevelt (BAR) (1,500; 55-98)— -His Kind of Woman” (RKO). Sock $18000 Last week. "Peking Ex- press’ (Par) and "Two Of Kind” (Col* (2d wk), $14,000. State*Lake (B&K) (2,700: 98)— -Horatio Hornblower" (WB) (3d wk' Firm $16,000. Last week, $19 000 Inited Artists (B&K) (1,700; 55- M'—"Strictly Dishonorable” <M-G> and "14 Hours" (20th) (2d wk). Nice $12,000. Last week. $17,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,073; 98)— -Flying Leathernecks” (RKO) (2d *k> Great $24,000. Last week, $34 000 World (Indie) (587; 80)—"Tere- sa <M-G) (6th wk). Okay $3,800. Last week $4,000. Ziegfeld (Lopert) (434; 98>— “Four in a Jeep” (UA). Fine $5,500. Last week. "Tales s? Hoff- mann” (Indie) (17th wk). $4,500. ‘Law’-Vande Pacing D.C., ‘My Boy’ Great 16G, 2d Washington. Aug. 28. General level of biz is down in current session over recant boom takes. However, most of this stems from predominance of hold- overs. with cheerful air still pre- vailing along town’s film row. “Law and the Lady" with vaude. at Loew's Capitol, leads the field for first-runs. "M" at Trans-Lux nlso is good. "That’s My Boy," at the Warner, is well above house average in its second semester after breaking all records for re- cent years last stanza. Disappoint- ment of week is "He Ran All Way” at Loew’s Palace. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew’s) (3.434; 44-90)— Law and Lady” (M-G) plus vaude. Fine $25,000. with credit going to film since there is no headline lure onstage. Last week. "Belve- dere Kings Bell” (20th) plus vaude, $25,000. . Dupont (Lopert) (372; 50-85) — ^Kon-Tiki" (RKO) (6th wk). Steady $3,000 for final 5 days. Last week, $4,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,939; 44-80) — Alice in Wonderland” (RKO-Dis- **>'• (4th-final wk). Pleasing $8 500 after sturdy $12,500 last heek. Metropolitan (Warner) (l.H **- 74 >—"Mask of Avenger” <Cc Solid $8,500. Last week. "Ca| Hornblower” (WB) (2d run), li $7 000. Palace (Loew’a) (2.370; 44-74) Han All Way” (UA). Very ak 7*2°00. Last week, "Frogmei <20th> (2d wk), weak $8,000 In fin » days. Playhouse (Lopert) (485; 55-1 TT. Women Without Names” (Indl <2d final wk). Died with k (Continued on page 24) ► Estimate* Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, art net; i. e., without the 20% tax. Distrib- utors share on net take, when playing percentage, hence the estimated figures arc net in- come. \ The parenthetic admission prices, however, as Indicated, include the U. S. amusement tax. Vis Kind' Torrid $11,000, Mpls. Ace • Minneapolis, Aug. 28. "Meet Me After Show” and "His Kind of Woman” are new entriea to attract attention this week. "Warpath” also is holding its own well. Top showing is being made by “Kind of Woman,” hotsy at Orpheum. After three terrific weeks, "Show Boat” and "Alice in Wonderland" have bowed out. "Capt. Horatio Hornblower” is in its second round. The mammoth Minnesota State Fair, which is tough opposition for first-runs here, set all-time attendance mark last Sunday. Estimates far This Week Century (Par) (1,600; 50-76) — "Song to Remember" (Col) (re- issue). Good $5,000. Last week, "Long Dark Hall" (UA). slow $4,500. Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 50-76)— "Warpath” (Par). Well received and opened nicely, with Stodk In- dians onstage initial day. Good $6,000. Last week, "The Frogmen" (20th) (3d wk), $4,000* Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-76)—"Law and Lady” (M-G). Light at $3,500. Last week, "No Questions Asked" (M-G), $4,500. Radio City (Par) (4,000; 50-76) — "Meet Me After Show” (20th). Okay $11,000. Last week. "Show Boat” (M-G) (3d wk), $8,500. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) <2,600; 40- 76)—"His Kind of Woman" <RKO>. Mitchum-Russell combo and sexy ads helping customer lure. Hefty $11,000 or over. Last week. "On Moonlight Bay” (WB), $14,000. RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 40-76)— "On Moonlight Bay” (WB) (m.o.). Satisfactory $6,000. Last week, “Alice in Wonderland" <RKO-Di»- ney) (3d wk), okay $4,500. State (Par) <2,300; 50-76) — “Capt. Horatio Hornblower” (WB) (2d wk). Has proved one of better boxoffice performers. Lively $7,000 after boff $12,000 first stanza. World (Mann) <400; 50-90) — "Bond Street” (Mono). Light $2,000. Last week, "Kind Lady" (M-G), fair $2,200. ‘LOVEY’ LUSH $11,000, 1NDPLS.; ‘BOY’ 12G, 2D Indianapolis. Aug. 28. Biz continues at good summer clip in most first-runs here, strong attractions getting tall ‘coin. ’That’s My Boy" is still leader in second week at Indiana, where it set new high this year for first stanza. "Happy Go Lovely.” at Circle, is okay while "He Ran All Way,” at Loew’s is only fair. Estimates for This Week Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800; 44- 65)—"Happy Go Lovely” (RKO) and "Road Block” (RKO). Nice $11;000. Last week. "Passage West" (Par) and "Sun Sets At Dawn” (UA), $7,500. Indiana (C-D) (3.200; 44-65)— "That’s My Boy” (Par) and ’Two Gals and a Guy” (UA) <2d wk). Dandy $12,000 on top of smash $20,500 opener. Loew's (Loew’s) (2.427; 44-65)— "Ran All Way” (UA) and "True Story” (Col). Modest $8,000. Last week. "Rich. Young, Pretty" (M-G) and "No Questions Asked r (M-G), good $12,000. Lyric (C-D) (1,600; 44-65)— "Mark of Renegade” (U) and "Sad- dle Legion” (RKO). Fair $5,500. Last week, "Capt. Horatio Horn- blower" (WR) and "Rodeo King, Senorita” (Rep) Un.o.), $4,000. * ‘2d Woman’ Fine 23$G, Denver; ‘Jockey’ $11,000 Denver, Aug. 28. City is cluttered up with hold- overs and extended-run pix this session, and it is not helping over- all picture. "Second Woman" is getting high money of newcomers playing in three theatres. "Show Boat” is going out after equalling the length of time any film has stayed at the Broadway, with okay figure In sixth round there. "Disc Jockey’’ looks good at Paramount. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1.400; 40-80> — I "Second Woman” (UA) and "Copa- cabana” (UA), day-date with-Tabor, Webber. Good $8,500. Last week. "Young As Feel" (20th) and "House Telegraph Hill” (20th >, $8,000. Broadway (Wolfberg) (1,500; 40- 80>—"Show Boat" (M-G) <6th wlp. Okay $7,000. Last week, $7,500. ? Denham (Cockrill) <1,750; 40-80) —"Warpath" (Par). Fairish $10.- 500. Last week, "Peking Express” (Par), $9,500. Denver (Fox) <2.525; 40-80) — "Capt. Horatio Hornblower" (WB) and "G. 1. Jane” (Lip), also Esquire (2d wk). Holding at $15,000. Last week, big $18,500. Esquire (Fox) (742; 40-80) — "Capt. Horatio Hornblower" (WB» and "G. 1. Jane” (Lip), also Denver,' <2d wk). Fairish $2,000. Last week, bfg $4,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 40-80)— "Alice in Wonderland” <RKO- Disney) (4th wk). Down to $6,000. Last week, oke $7,500. Paramount (Fox) <2.200; 40-80)— "Disc Jockey” (Mono) and "Let’s Go Navy" (Mono). Good $11,000. Last week. "Katie Did It” <U) and “Black Angel" (Indie), $9,500. Tabor (Fox) (1.967; 40-80)—“Sec- ond Woman" (UA) and "Copa- cabana” (UA). also Aladdin, Web- ber. Nice $11,000. Last week, "Young As Feel” 420th) and "House Telegraph Hill” (20th), $8,500. Vogue (Pike) <600; 60-80) — "Happiest Days of Life” (Indie). Good $2,500. Last week. "Balle rina” (Indie) and "Paris 1900” (Indie), $2,000. Webber (Fox) (750; 40-80) — "Second Woman” (UA) and “Copa- cabana” (UA), also Aladdin. Tabor. Good $4,000. Last week. “Young As Feel" <20th) and "House Tele- graph Hill” <20th>. fine $4,000. My Boy’ Wham $30,(00 Tops Hub Boston, Aug. 28. "That’s My Boy” at the Met is leading the town by a wide margin this stanza with first-run fare at other majors trailing by several lengths. "Iron Man” at Boston shapes stout but "Warpath" at Paramount and Fenway and "Mask of Avenger” at State and Orpheum are only so-so. "Thunder on Hill” in third stanza at Astor is still grabbing hefty femme trade. Estimates for This Week Aastor (B&Q) (1,200; 50-95)— “Thunder on Hill” (U) (3d wk). Off to about $9,200 but still good. Sec- ond week was nifty $13,000, same as first. Boston (RKO) (3,200; 40-84)— "Iron Man” (U) and "Gyp*y Fury” (Mono). Trim $13,00 or over. Last week. "Jungle Headhunters” (RKO) and "Jungle of Chang” (In- die). $12,000. Exeter (Indie) (1.300; 55-80)— "Kon-Tki” (RKO) (8th wk). Neat $2,600 after $3,200 for seventh. Fenway (NET) (1.373; 40-75)— "Warpath” (Par) and "Varieties on Parade" (Lip). Sluggish $3,600. Last week. "Lost Continent” (Lip) and "G. I. Jane’’ (Up), $3,500. Memorial (RKO) <3.500; 40-85)— "Alice in Wonderland” (RKO-Dis- ney) (4th wk). Solid $10,000 after $14,000 for third. Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 40-85) —"That's My Boy" (Par) and "When I Grow Up" (UA). Smash g 10.000. Last week, "Capt. Horatio omblower" (WB) and "Let’s Go Navy’’ (Mono) (2d wk), $11,500. Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 40-85)— "Mask of Avenger” (Col) and ’The Strip’’ (M-G). Good $13,500 shapes. Last week, "Sirocco” (Col) and "Smuggler's Gold" (Col), neat $17,000. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 40-85) —"Warpath” (Par) and "Varieties on Parade" (Up). Mildiah $10,000. Last week, "Lost Continent” (Lip) and “G. I. Jane” (Up). $10,500. State (Loew) <3,500; 40-85)— "Mask of Avenger" (Col) and ’The Strip” (M-G). Fairly good at $8,000. Last week, "Sirocco” <Col) and "Smuggler’s Gold” (Col), $10,500. Visitors, Cool Weather Help B way; Thorpe’ Smash $32,000, David’ 80G, * Show -Berie 128G, Both Huge H.0.S Cool, damp weather plus an in- flux of conventioneers is keeping Broadway first-run business in high gear this week, as most new product continues of high calibre boxoffice-wiie. The Veterans of Foreign Wars national encamp- ment and the national convention of American Wholesale Grocers this week both are contributing to the large number of out-of-towners currently in N. Y. Pacing the newcomers is "Jim Thorpe. All-American.”. which Is heading for a smash $32,000 at the Astor. The Burt Lancaster starrer started big and has been holding strong ever since the teeoff. Nei- ther “Fugitive Lady” at the Holi- day Theatre nor "My Outlaw Brother” at the Mayfair are doing enough to warrant holding. "Broth- er" is being supDlanted today (Wed.) by "Little Egypt” after the single week. Visitors are going for the vaud- fllm policy at the Palace, with "Criminal Lawyer” and usual vaude lineup giving house around $?^ 000. he*t in many week* Both the Roxy and Rivoli are terrific with their holdover bills. Latter, with "David and Bath- sheba.” looks to hit $80,000. almost even with first full week’s total*, and one of greatest second ses- sions at the Riv. Milton Berle and his revue headed by Dagmar con- tinue to keep "Meet Me After Show” in high brackets with huge $128,000 probable for initial hold- over round at the Roxy. Booking was only for two weeks, with "Peo- ple Will Talk” and new stageshow and iceshow opening today (Wed.). Still the big grossing, enduraflee champ is "Show Boat" plus stage- show, which is headed for a higher figure than last week at the Music Hall. It shapes to hit $144,000 In current <6th) stanza, and holds a seventh week, through Labor Day at the Hall. The favorable weather and visit- ing delegations are keeping both the Paramount and Criterion in the chips. "That’s My Boy” with stageshow is holding at around .459,000 in fourth week at the Par flagship while Walt Disney’s "Alice in Wonderland" continues near previous week’s figure with big S26.000. "Iron Man" still is solid with $18,000 in second frame at the State. "A Place in Sun” started out auspiciously with an elaborate preem last night (Tues.) at the Capitol. The Paramount brings in "His Kind of Woman” and new stage bill today (Wed.). Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv > (1,300; 55-$l.50) — "Jim Thorpe. All-American" (WB). First week ending tomor- row (Thurs.) heading for smash $32,000 or better. In ahead, "Happy Go Lovely” (RKO) (4th wk-9 days), $5,300. Bijou (City Inv.) (589; $120- $2.40)—"Tales of Hoffmann" (In- die) <22d wk). The 21st week end- ed last night (Tues.) still was big. edging up to $11,000 after $10,500 for iast week. Stays on. Capitol (Loew's) (4.820; 55-$1.25) —“Place in Sun" (Par.). Opened last night (Tues.), with more than 1,000 celebs from showbiz as well as from political and sports worlds attending. Last week, "Law and Lady" (M-G) (2d wk-6Vi days), dropped to mild $12,000 after only fairly good $20,000 opening week. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 70-$l 80) —"Alice in Wonderland” (RKO- Disney) (5th wk). Current session is holding remarkably close to pre- vious week, with resounding $26,- 000 or near. Fourth week was $28 000 Globe (Brandt) (1.500; 50-51.20) —"Convict Lake” (20th) (4th wk). Down to $8,000 this rpund after nice $11,000 for third week. "Rhu- barb” (Par) • opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Holiday (Zatkin) (950; 50-$l 50>— "Fugitive Lady" (Rep). Shapes modest $8,000. In ahead. 'Tomor- row Is Another Day” (WB) (2d wk- 10 days). $8,500. Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 50-$l 20) —"Little Egypt” (U). Opens today (Wed.). Last week. "My Outlaw Brother" (UA). got only light- weight $7,000, and then yanked Palace (RKO) (1,700; 55-$l 2G>— "Criminal Lawyer" (Coll and vaude. Hitting fine $23,000 or near, up from recent weeks. Last week. "Uuy Who Came Back" (20th > with vaude. $19,500. Paramount (Par) (3,664; 70-$1.60> —"His Kind of Woman" (RKO) plus stageshow head e.d by Jan Murray. Toni Arden. Ray Malone. Elliot Lawrence orch. On-»ns today (Wed.). Last week, "That’s My Boy" (Par) with Modernaires, Dan- ny Lewis, Bob Chester orch top- ping stage bill <4th wk), held at okay $59,000 or close after good $61,000 for third stanza. George De Witt supplanted Modernaires starting last Sunday (26) because latter had prior commitments. Park Avenue (Reade) (583); 90- $1.50)—"Oliver Twist" (UA) (5th wk). Fourth round ended Sunday (•»«) he’d in sturdy style at $14,- 800, after $15,400 for third week. Stays on. Radio City Music HaU (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 80-$2.40> — "Show Boat” (M-G) with stageshow (6th wk>. Continues in great stride with $144,000. better than the $140,000 done in fifth frame, over expect- ancy. Hc*ds a seventh session, which takes this combo through Labor Day. There Is a chance It may go an eighth round, which would make new all-time money high possible. Rivoli (UAT-Par) (2,092; 90-32) —"David and Bathsheba" (20th) (3d wk>. Initial holdover stanza ended last night (Tues.) held in sock manner at $80,000 after huge $85,000, which included open- ing night’s biz, near all-time mark here and a new non-holiday week record. Second week was easily one of biggest initial holdover weeks for^house. Roxy <2©th) (5.886; 80-52.20) — “People Will Talk” (20th) with stageshow headed by Frank Fontaine, Jerry Murad’s Harmoni- cats and iceshow. Opens today • (Wed). Last week. "Meet Me After Show” (20th) plus Milton Berle and his own revue headed by Dagmar onstage (2d wk), held to socko $128,000 after $144,000 opening week which is new high at Roxy for name personality. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-51.5h) —“Iron Man" (U> (2d wk>. Initial holdover frame is headed for big $18,000 after socko $27,000 open- ing week, albeit not as big as ex- pected. Continues. Warner (WB) (2,756; 55-$1.25>— "Force of Arms" (WB) (3d wk-3 days). Initial holdover week ended Monday (27) was off sharply at $11,000 after solid $21,000 opening week. "Painting Clouds With Simk shine" (WB) opens Friday (31 >. } Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50)— "Kon-Tiki" (RKO) <22d wk). The 21st session ended Monday (27) was $5,100. just ahead of okay $5,000 in 20th week. ’The Medium” (Indie) opens Sept. 5. Trans-Lux 60th St (T-L) (453; 74-$l .50) — "Her Panelled Door’ 1 (Indie). Opened Monday (27). In ahead. "Emperor’s Nightingale” (Indie) (16th wk-4 days), dipped to $1,500 after $2,000 for 15th round, making very profitable longrun engagement. Trans-Lux 524 St (T-L) (540; 90-51.50)—“Kind Lady” (M-G) (4th wk). Third round ended Monday (27) was $7,000. after fine $8,000 for second week. Victoria (City Inv.) (1.060; 55- $1.50)—“Bright Victory" (U) (5th wk). Fourth session ended Monday (27) dipped to $10,000 after good $14,000 for third week. "Saturday’s Hero" (Col) opens Sept 10. ‘Young’ Rich $20,000 In Frisco; ‘Son’ Giant 14G For 2d, Belvedere’17G San Francisco, Aug. 28. Cloudy, cool weather is helping Market Street film houses this ses- sion, with holdovers even showing rare strength. Top newcomer is "Rich, Young and Pretty" with a stout total at the Warfield. "Bel- vedere Rings Bell” shapes okay at the Fox. "Alice in Wonderland” still is big in second Golden Gate stanza while "Place in Sun” con- tinues socko in second St. Francis round. "That's My Boy” still is strong In third week at Paramount. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate <RKO> <2.850; 60- 85>—“Alice in Wonderland" (RKO- Disney) <24 wk). Big $21,000 or over. Last week, $27,500. Fox (FWC) (4.651; 60-95)—"Bel- vedere Rings Bell" (20th) and "Cavalry Scout” (Mono). Okc $17,* 000 or close. Last week. “Capt. Horatio Hornblower” (WB) and “Let's Go Navy” (Mono) (2d wk), nice $15,000. Warfield (Loew’s) (2.656; 60-85) —"Rich, Young. Pretty” (M-G). _ (Continued on page 24)