Variety (February 1952)

WeJmitoi February <y 1952 PICTURE GROSSES H.0.’s, CoU Bop da But ‘Salesman’ Chicago, Feh. 5, -f There's nothing much new on the Chicago Loop horizon with only two new entries. Most of the sec- ond weekers are not too bright al- though one or two are doing big trade Not helping was the zero Weather first part of last week, but abbve normal temperatures are now prevailing. Also adding a slight boost to matinee biz was the ending of the school term for schools, “Death of A Salesmen'' is start- ing out with a great $30,000 at the Woods. Other newie, “Japanese War Bride" at the Grand, however, is not big, and only got in a couple of days since house closed Satur- day in row with projectionists. Best of holdovers looks to be “I Want You” at the Oriental plus Connee Boswell onstage with a re- spScle $32,000. "Wild ’ Blue Yonder” and “Drums, in . Deep South," also in second week at the Roosevelt shapes big. Another Man’s Poison” and “Chicago^Call- ing" is okay at State-Lake‘‘Elope- merit” and “Lady Fays Off is not paying off well at United Artists. Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) <3,900;j55-98)— “Westward Women” (M-G) With Blackbrun Twins topping vaude (2d wk). Weak $22,000; Last week, oke' $38,000. Grand (RKQ) <1,500; 55-98) — “Japanese War Bride”.(20th). Mild $3,000. Last Week, “Mr. Imperium” (M-G) and “Aladdin and Lamp”- (Mono) (2d wk){ $7,000. Oriental (Indie) (3*400; 55-98) — “I Want You” (RKO) plus Connee Boswell in jperson (2d wk). Okay $32,000. Last Week, nice $43,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 55-98)— “Wild Blue Yonder” (Rep) and “Drums Deep South” (RKO) (2d wk). Solid $16,000. Last week, big $20,000. StaterLake (B&K) (2,700; 55-98) —“Another Man's Poison’’ (UA) and “Chicago Calling” (UA) (2d Wk). Find $12,000. Last Week, $17,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,70Q; 55- 98) “Elopement” <20th) and “Lady Pays Off” (U) (2d wk). Murky $9,000. Last Week, $14,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,073; 98) — “Death of Salesman” (Col). Ex- cellent $30,000. Last week, “De- tective Story-' (Par) (5th wk), big $12 700 World (Indie) (587; 80)—“Bonnie Prince Charlie” (Indie) (2d wk). Average $3,000. Last week, $3,600. Ziegfeld (Lopert) (434; $1.25- $2.40)—“Tales of Hoffmann” (In- die) (3d wk). Nifty $4,800. Last week, $5,000: 'Decision' Light $8,500, L’vilie; 'Quo Vadis’ Hot 25G, ‘Room’ 6G, Both 2d Louisville, Feb. 5. “QUo Vadis” continues to lead the boxoffice parade here, the State entry holding up in champi- onship style in second week. Des- pite an almost continuous down- pour Sunday (3), patrons still jammed the house. “Decision Be- fore Dawn” at Rialto, single- billed, is mild but “Room for One More” is fine in second week at Mary Anderson. While some exhibs report a biz upbeat since New Year’s, others blame lack of money in patrons’ pockets as the reason for the lag at the Wickets. Estimates for This Week Kentucky (Switow) (L10Q; 54- 75)—“Boots Malone” (Col) and ^Family Secret” (Col). Fair $3,000. Last week, “Model and Marriage Broker” (20th) and “Big Gusher” (Col), $3,500. Mary Anderson (People’s) (i,200; 54-75)-T-“Room for One ’ More” (WB) (2d wk). Fine $6,000, after last week’s $8,000. Rialto (Fourth, Avenue) (3,000; ^‘7,5)—“Decision Before Dawn” (20th). Getting in a number of snows daily as single feature, but Wicket pace is none too rapid. Only modest $8,500. Last Week, Hong Kong” (Par) and “Steel Fist (Mono), about same. „ State (Loew’s) (3,000; 90-$1.25)— Quo Vadis” (M-G) (2d wk). Still strong^ despite heavy rain Sunday .Solid $25,000. Last week, smash $40,000. ^ Strand. (FA) (1,200; 54-75)—“On Dangerous Ground” (RKO) and eh ang” (RKO). Mild 5?- 5 0O. Last week, “Barefoot Mail* ^an (Col), and “Her First Mar-' nage’Mcbl), $4,0QQ. * • • • • Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are net; 1. e., without the 2Q% 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 tax. San Francisco, Feb. 5. Balmy weather over the past weekend took plenty of people into the country and cut into first-run trade here; Despite this, four days of vaude at the Paramount is boosting “Hideout” and giving house a fine session. “Room For One More” also is rated okay at the! Fox while 11th and filial stanza for “Quo Vadis” is big at Warfield. Otherwise, town is badly bogged down. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; 60- 85)—“Magic Face” (Col) and "In- dian Uprising” (Col). Weak $12,000 or less. Last 'week, “i Want You” (RKO) (2d Wk). drab $8,500. Fox (FWC) (4,651; 60-95)—“Room For One; More” (WB) and “Journey Into Light” (20th). Okay $16,000 or close, . Last week, “Red Skies Montana” (20th) and “Diamond City” (Indie), dim $14,500. Warfield (Loew’s) (2,656; 60-85) —“Quo Vadis” (M-G) (llth-final wk). Big $19,500. Last week, $18,- 500. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 60-85)—. “Hideout” (Indie) plus vaude for 4 days, headed by Les Paul and Mary Ford. Fine $22,000. Last week, “See You in Dreams” (WB) and “Stormbound” (Rep) (2d wk), $13,000. ... St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85)— “Big Country” (M-G). Okay $9,500. Last week, “Too Young to Kiss” (M-G) (2d wk), $7,000. Orpheum (No. Coast) (2,448; 55^ 85)—“Boots Malone” (Col) and “Woman in Dark” (Rep). Light $10,000. Last week, “Cimarron Kid” (U) and “Cloudburst” (UA), $13,500. United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207; 55-85)—“Death of Salesman” (Col). Great $12*000. Last week, “Another Man’s Poison” (UA) (3d wk), 9 days* $7,200. . Stagedoor (A-R) (370; 85.-$I)— “The Medium” (Indie). Fair $3,- 600. Last week* “Browning Ver- sion” (U) (2d wk), $3,500. Clay (Rosener) (400; 85-$1.2Q)— “Tales of Hoffmann” (Indie) (m.o.) (5th wk). Off to $2,400 in 6 days. Last week, nice $3,500. Larkin (Rosener) (400; 65-85)— “Marie Du Port” (Indie). Oke $2,600. Last week, “Streetcar” (WB) (m.o.) (2d wk), $3,200. Vogue (S.F. Theatres) (375; $1- $1.20)—“La Ronde” (Indie) (11th wk). Held at $2,400. Last week, fine $3,200. Rains Slough Indpls.; ‘Room* Rugged $11,000 Indianapolis, Feb. 5. Weekend rain slowed biz at first- run situations here, but it still will hold at moderate level for whole stanza. “Room for Two More” is top grosser at the Indiana, with nice figure, “Decision Before Dawn,” at Circle, also is oke. Estimates for This Week Circle (CQCkrili-Dolle) (2,800; 50- 76) — “Decision Before Dawn” (20th) and “Cloudburst” (UA). Oke $10,000. Last weekj “Model and Marriage Broker’’ (20 th) arid “Stars and Guitars” (Indie), $9,000. Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 50-76)— “Room for Orie More” (WB) arid “Steel Fist” (Mono). Nifty $11,000. Last week, “Wild Blue yonder’’ (Rep) and “Crazy Over Horses” (Mono); $12,000. Loew’s (Loew’s) (2,427; 90-$1.25) —“Quo Vadis” (M-G). (6th wk). Still plenty good $11,000 in 9 days after $10,000 in fifth stanza. * Lyric (C-D) (1,600; 50-76) — “Strange Door” (U) and “Tales of Robin Hood” (Lip). Oke $5,500. Last week, “Drums Deep South (RKO) *nd <‘Jung;lt of Chang (RKO>, E Ao $5,' OMAHA OFF; TAND0RA’ LUSH 9G, 'GROW 6G Omaha, Feb. 5. . Despite some action pix, the lo- cal boxoffice ‘ c ant inu es offish. •“Fixed Bayonets” brought some in- terest to the Orpheum but only an okay session looms. > “Pandora and Flying Dutchman drew a specialized audience but results look very strong at the Par? amount. “On Dangerous Ground" shapes fotidr Estimates for This Week Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 16- 70)—“Fixed Bayonets” (20th) and “The Longhorn” (Mono)* Shapes okay $9,500. Last week, “Hong Kong” (Par) -and “Basketball Fix” (Indite), $8,500. - Paramount (Tristates) (2,800; 16- 70)—“Pandora” (M-G). Trim $9,000. Last week, “Model arid Marriage Broker” (20th); $6,500. Omaha (Tristates) (2,100; 16-70) —“Indian Uprising” (Col) and “Magic Face” (Col); Good $7,500 aided by big bally.. Last Week, Japanese War Bride” (20th) and Girl On Bridge” (20th), $6,500. Brandeis (RKO) (1,500; 16-701— “Dangerous Ground” (RKO). Neat $6,000 looms, «Last week, “Man in Saddle” (Col), $6,000. State (Goldberg) (865; 25-75)— “See You in Dreams” (WB) (2d wk). Nice $4,500. Possible hold- over again. Last week, $6,000. 'Room’ Hot 14G Minneapolis, Feb. 5. Entertainment emporiums got a weekend break for a change in the form of moderate temperatures and grosses are looking up some- what. Particularly benefited: were the only two important newcom- ers, “Room for. One' More” and “Decision Before Dawn.’’ “See You in Dreams” shapes solid in second Orpheum stanza. It’s the twelfth week for “American in Paris,” still going! strorig, and Sec- ond for “Fixed Bayonets,’’ latter being off to light fiugre.. Estimates for This Week Century (Par) (1,600; 50-76)— “Big Country” (M-G). Slow $3,500. Last week, “Never Forget You” (20th), $4,000. • Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 50-76)— “Fixed Bayonets” (20th) (2d wk). Light $3,500. Last week, $4,900. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-76)-*- “Barefoot Mailman” (Col). Mild $5,000, Last week, “Hong Kong” fParl <54. 7nn Radio City (Par) (4,000; 50-76)— “Room for One More” (WB). Much praise showered on this and word- of-mouth is helping. Tall $14,000. Last week, “Model and Marriage Brokers” (20th), $8,000. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 40- 76)—“See You in Dreams” (WB) (2d Wk). Nice $7,000 after big $12,- 000 first week. RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 40-76)— “Flight to Mars’’ (Mono) and “As- sassin for Hire” (Indie). Okay at $5,500. Last week; “Ten Tall Men” (Col) (2d wk), strong $6,000. ■> State (Par) (2,300; 50-76)— “Decision Before Dawn” (20th). Good $8,000. Last week, “Treasure Lost Canyon” (U), $4,000 in 5 days. World (Mann) 400; 65-$l)— “American in Paris” (M-G) (12th wk). Good $3,500. Last week* $3,800. 'Sellout’ Stout $15,500, Toronto; 'Drums’ 12G, 2d Toronto, Feb. 5. With holdover in nearly all the- atres, pix biz is holding well cur- rently. Newcomer is “Sellout,” big in six spots, “Ten Tall Men” and “Distant Drums” look top hold- overs, Estimates for This Week Crest, Downtown, Glendale, May- fair, Scarboro, State (Taylor) (863; 1,059; 955; 470; 698)—“Sellout” (M-G) and “Big Night” (UA), Big $15,500, Last week, “Slaughter Trail” (RKO) arid “Journey Into Light” (20th), $13,000. Imperial (FP) (3,373; 50-80)— “Distant Drums” (WB) (2d Wk). Neat $12,000. Last week, sock $16,000. Loew’s (LoeW) (2,743; 40^70)—• “Westward Women*’ (M-G) (2d wk). Nice $12,000. Last week* $15,500. Nortown, University (FP) (959; 1,558; 40-80)—“Another Man’s Poi- son” (UA) (2d wk). Oke $9,000. Last week, $13,000. , Odeon (Rank) (2,390; 50-90)— “Ten Tall Men” (Col) (2d wk). Big $14,000. Last week, $16,000. ' Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 40-80) — “Starlift” (WB) (2d wk). Okay $7,000. Last week, $10,500. Uptown (LoeW) (2,743; ■ 40-80)— “Bright Victory” (U) (2d wk). Sat- Jfcf factory $5,000. Last week, $7,000. A break in the cold wave and some new, stalwart product will boost Broadway first-run business this session. ; Coldest weather of the year, officially about 7 degrees, after the rain and snow, hurt trade in'the middle of • the week but clear, milder conditions. most of the weekend hypoed the boxoffice. Five new bills contributed to the upswing.. End of school term, with students out of class part of week, also helped. “Sailor Beware” is the new chariip, heading for terrific $67,000 ift initial week at the Mayfair, a new high for the present scale. “Gentleman’s Agreement,” which holds the all-time record at the house, hit $82,000 blit with a $2.40 top and higher scale generally. Biggest money for a newcomer is being registered by “Phone Call from Stranger” with Johnriy John- ston heading the stageshow at the Roxy. After a smash weekend, this combo looks to hit $95,000 on the {nitial Week* the outstanding showing for this house, bn a nori- holiday week in months. ■‘Lone Star,” which got a great start over the weekend* is heading for a possible big $28,000 in first week at the Capitol. “Invitation’’ is proving a disappoiriter with only $10,000 at the State.. “Las Vegas Story,” with stage bill headed by Denise Darcel, Jack Carter and Blue Barron band, looks to reach a good $60,000 at the Paramount. Combo is in' for two Weeks. “Greatest Show on Earth” with stage show continues as week’s greatest moriey-getter at the Music Hall. It still i? very big with $136,- 000 in current round, fourth of its present longrun. Bad weather earlier in the session cut in some- what but biz perked up yesterday (Tues!) again. Pic ran. almost even with the third week over the past weekend. . “Quo Vadis” continues smash at the Astor with $28*000 for the 13th week just concluded there, and fifth session of present continuous- run policy. “Cry Beloved Coun- try” is holding in fine fashion ,with $11,000 likely for second Week at the Bijou. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; $1.25- $1.80)—“Quo Vadis” (M-G) (14th wk). Current round started yes- terday (Tues.). The 13th Week held near recent pace with sock $28,000 after $30,000 for 12th stanza (fourth week under current continuous- run policy here). Bijou (City Inv.) (589; 80-$1.80) —“Cry Beloved Country” (Indie) (2d wk). Initial holdover frariie ending today (Wed.) is holding at $11,000 after smash $14,000 for first week. Stays. Capitol (Loew’s). (4,820; 70-$1.80) —"Lone Star” (M-G). First ses- sion eriding tomorrow (Thurs.) is climbing to big v $28,000 or near. Holds. In ahead,. “Light Touch” (M-G) (2d wk-9 days), $10,500. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-$1.80) —“I Want You” (RKO) (7th-final wk). Winding up with $6,000 or less after $7,200 for sixth round. “On Dangerous Ground” (RKO) opens Saturday (9). Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 50*$1.80) —-“When Worlds Collide” (Par). Opens today (Wed.). Last week, “Submarine Command” (Par) (3d wk-5 days), dipped to $8,000 after fine $15,000 for second round. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“Lavender Hill Mob” (U) (17th wk). The 16th frame ended Mon- day (4) still was very big at $8,200, after $8,300" for 15th week, Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 80-$1.80) —‘Sailor Beware” (Par), Initial round endihg today (Wed.) is soar- ing to terrific $67,000, new high here with present scale but $15,- 000 below riiark made by “Gentle- man’s Agreement” (20th) with $2.40 top. Holds, natch! In ahead, “Detective Story” (Par) (12th wk- 9 days), great $25,000, being helped by terrific preview of “Beware” on final day. Normandie (Normandie Theatres) 592; 95-$i:80)-r“Pandora” (M-G) (9th. wk). Current round ending tomorrow (Thurs.) continues in fine style with $6,500 after $6,800 for eighth week. ^ ■ Palace (RKO) (1,700; $1.20-$4.80) —All-vaude, tyro-a-day pol i c y headed by Judy Garland (17th wk). This s ess i o h started yesterday (Tues,). The 16th week (eight shows) held to $36,700 after $28,- .500 for 15th round of six shows (four matinees were dropped). Paramount (UPT) (3,664; 70- $1,80)—“Las Vegas Stojy” . (RKO) plus Denise Darcel, Jack Cartel', Blue Barron orch topping stage- show (2d-final wk). First w.eek ended last night (Tues.) hit good $60,000, In ahead, “Scandal Sheet” (Col) with Ink Spots. Sarah Vaughari* Erskine Hawkins orch onstajge (2d wk), $73,000. . Park Avenue (Reade) (583; 90- $1.50)^—“St. Matthew Passion” (In- die) (2d wk). Initial week ended Sunday (3) hit okay $6,500. In ahead, “Tom Brown’s Schooldays” (Indie) (3d wk)* $4,000. “Woman in Question” (Col) set to open Feb. 18: Paris (Indie) (568; $1.20-$2.40)— “The River” (UA) (22d wk). The 21st week ended Sunday (3) held near recent pace with great $8,200 after $8,400., for 20th T:ound. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 80-$2.40)—“Greatest Show bn Earth” (Par) with stage- show (4th wk). Continues only slightly behirid the third round with big $136,000 in current week. Third week was great $145,000, rain-snow-storm and cold cutting in on final days. Stays on indef. Rivoll (UAT-Par) (2,092; 90- $1;80)—"Decision Before . Dawn” (20th) (7th-flnal wk). The present- final frame is being cut to 6 days, wi^h ..about $6,000 likely! The sixth round was oke $9,000. “Viva Zapata!” (20th) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$2.20)— “Phone Call from Stranger- (20th) plus Jbhnny Johnston, George Tapps, Florence Desmond, others, onstage. First week ending tomor- row (Thurs.) shapes smash $95,000, biggest here in some time. The non-holiday weekend was the best here in two years, with Saturday, rated greatest In years. Holds, naturally. Last week, “Model 'arid Marriage Broker” (20th) with stageshow (3d wk), $62,000. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-$1.80)— “Invitation” (M-G) (2d wk). First round ended Monday (4) was high- ly disappointing with only $10,000. In ahead, “For Men Only 1 ’ (Lip) (2d wk-6 days), $7,000. Warner (WB) (2,756; 85-$2)— “Big Trees” (WB). Operied yes- terday (Tues,). In ahead, “Room for One More” ’(WB) (3d wk), dipped to $11,000 although helped by preview of “Trees” on final day. Second week was okay $15,000. Sutton (R & B) (561; 90-$L50)— “Tales of Hoffmann” (indie) (7th wk): Sixth stanza ended Monday (4) held even with previous session at $7,500. No new pic booked to follow yet. Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453; 90-$1.50)—“Magic Garden” (Indie). Opened yesterday (Tues.), In ahead, “Bonnie Prince Charlie” (Indie) (4th wk-9 days), held at $3,500 after $2,200 for third week. Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540; 90-$1.50)—“Japariese War Bride” (20th) (2d wk). Initial stanza end- ed Monday (4) hit okay $5,300, -In ahead, “Big Country’ 1 ’ (M-G) (3d Wk), $3,000/ Victoria (City Inv.)- (1,060; 55- $1.80)—‘Death of Salesman” (Col) (7th wk). The seventh round end- ing today (Wed.) looks to hold nice- ly with $13,500 after strong $15,000 for sixth week. “Marrying Kind” (Col) pencilled in to open Feb. 22. Tandora’ OK $14,000, Pitt; ‘Legal’ Limp 5G, ‘Room’ Rousing 10G, 2d Pittsburgh, Feb. 5. Bangup business of “Room For One More” in its holdover round at the Warner is the big noise here this week. Picture has dropped only a fraction from its getaway take to make the best second week house ever experi- enced. It naturally stays on. Among the new ones, only “Pandora and Flying Dutchman” at Perm seeriis tp be making anything, of a dent. Second weeks of “Decision Before Dawn” at Fulton arid “Browning Version” at Squirrel Hill are okay. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 50-85)— “Decision Before Dawri” (20th) (2d wk). Winding up satisfactorily with $5,000 on top of sock $9,500 jocf u/pAlr Harris ■(Harris) (2,200; 50-85)^ “Let’s Make It Legal” (20th) and “Indian ■ Uprising” (Col). Limping at $5,000 or less. Last week, “Japanese War Bride” (20th), $3,500 in 6 days. Penn CLoew's) (3,300; 50-85)— “Pandora” (M-G). Although crix did not like this, it is reaching okay $14*000 or better. Last Week, (Continued on 'bage l