Variety (April 1952)

,M 7Ti"i'Y—r- April J.952 nCTUMM CtOSSBI t Ms Help Dull Chi; Trees’ Light $ 11 , 0110 , Sock at 20G, 6th, Vadfe’ 27G, 7th Chicago, April 1. - There is nothing much on Loop horizon that is going t* overcome the Lenten doldrums currently. Best grosser looks to be sockeroo ?nirSnver of “African Queen” at Woods now in sixth week, with $20 000. Also holding well is Quo Vadis” at Oriental, in se v e n t h frame, with smash $27,000. All the new pix are on minor side with “Model and Marriage Broker” at Grand appearing the best With $13,000 "Big Trees’’’at United Artists is light $11,000. “Hong Kong” and “On Dangerous Ground” at Roosevelt seems safe, looks like $12,000. Chicago with “Wild North” and stageshow might eke out light $35,000. State-Lake with “Girl in Every Port” and “Sword's Point looms murky in second frame. Rasho- mon” at Ziegfeld, now in fourth stint, is sliding. Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) . (3,900; J55-98)— “Wild North” (M-G) with vaude. Looks very light $35,000. -Last week, “Woman is Dangerous” (WB) and stageshow, $26,000. Grand (RKO) (1,500; 55-98)— “Model and Marriage Broker (20th). Fairly good $13,000. Last week, “Phone Call Stranger” (20th) (2d wlc), $7,800. Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$ 1.25) “Quo Vadis” (M-G) (7th wk). Do- ing remarkably big at $27,000. Last week, $28,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 55-98)— “Hong Kong” (Par) and “Danger- ous Ground” (RKO). Oke *$12,000 or less. Last week, "Bugles in Afternoon” (WB) and “Sellout” (M-G) (2d wk), $9,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 55-98) —“Girl in Every Port” (RKO) and “Sword's Point” j(RKO) (2d wk). Minor $8,000. Last week, $15,000. United Artists (B&K> (1,700; 55- 98)—“Big Trees” (WB) and “Cap- tain-Blood”-(WB) (reissue). NSG $11,000. Last week, “Streetcar (WB), $12,000 for popscale run. Woods (Essaness) (1,073; 98)— “African Queen” (UA) (6th wk). Staunch $20,000 for Bogart starrer. Last week, $21,000: World (Indie) (587; 80)—“St. Matthew Passion” (Indie) (2d wk). Likely to hold to first week’s fine $4,000. Ziegfeld (Lopert) (480; 98)— “Rashomon” (RKO) (4th wk). Fall- ing off to mere $2,800. Last week, $4,000. ‘Retreat’ Smooth 16|G, Toronto; Treason’ Tall $12,000, ‘Show’ 30G, 3d Toronto, April 1. “Retreat, Hell!” and “High Trea- son” are leading newcomers here this week hut “Greatest Show on Earth” is still topping the field with record-breaking returns. “5 Fingers” and “Room for One More” also are rated big. “Street- car Named Desire” looms nice on second frame at popscale. Estimates for This Week Crest, Downtown, Glendale, May- fair, Scarboro. State (Taylor) (863; 1,059; 955: 470: 698: 694-; 35-60)— “Retreat. Hell!” (WB) and “Lady Says No” (UA). Very big $16,500. Last, week. “Here Come Nelsons” (U> and “Pygmy Island” (Col), $ 10 , 000 . Eerlinton (FP) (1,080; 40-80)—“5 Fingers” (20th) (3d wk). Still big $10,000. Last week, $10,500. Imperial (FP) (3,373; 75-$1.15)— Greatest Show” (Par) (3d wk). Smash $30,000. Last week, $32, 500. Loew's (Loew) (2,743; 90-$1.50) —•“Quo Vadis” (M-G) (7th wk). Holding niee’y at $12,000. Last week, $13,500. Nortown, University (FP) (959; 1.558: 40-80)—“Ro.om for One More” (WB) (3d wk). Fine $15,- 000. Last week, $16,000. Odcon (Rank) (2,390; 50-90)— High Treason” (U). Neat $12,000. Last week. “Flesh and Furv” (U), Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are net; 1. 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 tax. Retreat’ Socko $27,61)0, Denver Sock $146,000; ‘Convicts’ Great 28G, Sinatra-Danny 64G, ‘Flesh-Fury’ 18G Denver, April 1. “Retreat, Hell!” is copping the high money here this round play- ing at Denver and Esquire. “Great- est Show on Earth” is doing so Well in fifth stanza that it will go a sixth at Denham. Nice weather does not appear to be hurting biz. “Streetcar” is holding well in three locations. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 40-85) — “Streetcar” (WB) and “In a Padded Cell” (Indie) (2d wk), day- date with Tabor, Webber. Fine $9,000. Last* week, fine $10,000. Broadway (Wolfberg) (1,200; 40- 85)*—“Salesman” (Col) (2d wk). Fair $7,000. Last week, $9,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 90 $1.25) — “Greatest Show” (Par) (5th wk). Fine $13,000, and hold* ing again. Last week, sock $18,000. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 40-85) — ■Retreat, Hell!”. (WB) and “Go West Young Lady” (Col), day-date with Esquire. Loud $23,000. Last week, “Viva Zapata!” (20th), $18,000. ' Esquire (Fox) (742; 40-85) — Retreat Hell!” (WB) and “Go West Young Lady” (Col), also Den- ver. Big $4,000 or over. Last week, “Viva Zapata!” (20th) $4,000 Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 40-85)— Snow White” (RKO) (2d wk). Good $11,000. Last week, lusty $16,000. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 40-85) —“5 Fingers” (20th).and “Romance of Redwoods” (Col) ,(2d wlc). Off to $8,000. Last w.eek, fine $15,000. Tabor (Fox) (1,967; 40-85) — “Streetcar” (WB) and “In Padded Cell” (Indie) (2d wk), also Aladdin, Webber. Fancy $8500. Last week, $9 500. Vogue (Pike) (600; 60-85) — “Browning Version” (U). Fair $1,800. Last week, “Lavender Hill Mob” (U), (3d wk), $1,500. Webber (Fox) (750; 40-85) — Streetcar” (WB) and “In Padded Cell” (Indie) (2d wk), also Aladdin, Tabor. Nice $4,500. Last week, same. vg| 5 New Pix Steady B’way; Skip” Minneapolis, April 1. There is sunshine here for a change hut It is not reflected at the wickets. Fresh entries include “Bugles in Afternoon,” “Rancho Notorious,” “Girl in Every Port” and “Green Glove.” Only the last 's doing okay. Holdovers continue 0 hold their own. - Estimates for This Week Century (Par) (1,600; 85-$1.25)— “Quo yadis” (M-G) (6tli wk). Fine $7,000. Last week, $10,000. Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 50-761— “Viva Zapata!” (20th) (3d wk). Fair $4,000. Last week, $5,000. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-76)— “Green Glove” (U). Okay $6,000. Last week, “For Men Only” (Lip), $4,000. Radio City (Par) (4,000; 50-76)— “Bugles in Afternoon” (WB). Drab $8,000. Last week, “Belle of N.Y.” (M-G), $8,000. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 40- 76)—“Rancho Notorious” (RKO). Tepid $7,000. Last week, “Street- car” (WB) (2d run), $8,000. KKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 40-76)— “Okinawa” (Col) and “Whistle Eat- on Falls” (Col). Mild $4,700. Last week, “First Time” (Col) and “Pur- ple Heart Diary” (Col), $4,500. State (Par) (2,300; 40-76)—“Girl in Every Port” (RKO). Light $7,- 000. Last week, “5 Fingers” (20th), $9,500. World (Mann) (400; 85-$1.20)— “Salesman” (Col) (4th wk). Loud $3,600. Last week, $3,100. $8,000. eek, “Flesh and Fury” (U), Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 40-80)— Streetcar” (WB) (2d wk). At pop- soo'e. good $13,000. Last week, $15 000. Uptown (Loew) (2/743; 40-80)— St-el Town” (U). Sad $5,000. K£?t week, “Invitation” (M-G), $5,- 500 ‘AARON’ NSG $9,000 IN OMAHA; ‘DAVID ’m Omaha, April 1. Downbeat is not so pronounced this week with better film fare on hand. “Aaron Slick” at Orpheum opened with Alan Young and Joan Taylor in person to help biz. It shapes good. “Bright Victory' at Omaha fell short of its ballyhoo but looms fair. “David and Bath- sheba,” back at Paramount on pop scale, looks fairish. “Quo Vadis is still rambling on in its third week at State. “I Want You is only so-so at the Brandeis. Estimates for This Week Omaha (TristateS) (2,100; 16-70) —“Bright Victory” (U) and ‘Her Panelled Door” (Indie). Fair $7,- 000. Last week, “Meet Danny Wilson” (U) and “Korea Patrol (U), okay $8,000. _ ^ Brandeis (RKO) (1,500; 16-70)— T Want You” (RKO). So-so $5,- 000. Last week, “Streetcar’ (WB), $5 500. Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 16 70)—“Aaron Slick From Punkm Crick” (Par) and “Hold Line (Mono). Good $9,000. Last week, “Invitation” (M-G) and “Sellout” (M-G). $9,000. Paramount (Tristates) (2,800; 16- 70)—“David and Bathsheba (20th). Fairish $8,500 on popscale run. Last week, “Viva Zapata! (20th), $8 St°ate (Goldberg)* (865; 35-$1.25) —“Quo Vadis” (M-G) (3d wk). Still showing strength at $5,000. Last week, extra good $8,000. ‘Sniper Sharp In Philly, $16,NO Philadelphia, April 1. Rain last Saturday night plus springlike * weather Sunday (30) sloughed biz generally here. Sur- plus of holdovers and some reis- sues also are no help. At that many of the holdovers and extended- runs are faring better than the newcomers. “Sniper” is rated sharp at $16,000 ar the Goldman but “Big Trees” shapes dflll $10,- 000. “Snow White” is holding up. briskly in second round at the Ran- dolph. Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 50-99)— “Streetcar” (WB) (2d wk). Nice $7,000. Last week, $9,000. Boyd (WB) (2,360; 5041.50)— “Greatest Show” (Par) (6th wk). Off to $8,500. Last week, big $9,500. Earle (WB) (2,700; 50-99)—“Wild North” (M-G). Frigid $10,000 v ‘Last week, “Big Night” (UA) plus Johnnie Ray onstage, terrific $38,000. Fox (20th) (2,250; 50-99)—“Five Fingers” (20th) (2d wk). Off to $13,000. Last week, mighty $26,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 50- 99)—“Sniper” (Col). Sharp $16,- 000. Last-week, “Sword’s Point” (RKO) (2d wk), $8,500. Mastbaum (WB) (4,360; 90-$1.50) —“Quo Vadis” (M-G) (8th wk). Held at $9,500. Last week, steady $ 12 , 000 . Midtown (Goldman) (1,200; 50- 99)—“Meet in St. Louis (M-G) and “Babes in Arms” (M-G) (reissues). Fair $6,000. Last week,- “Flesh and Fury” (U), smash $12,000. Randolph (Goldman) (2,500; 50- 99)—“Snow White” (RKO) (reis- sue) (2d wk). Bright $15,000. Last week, $20,000. y Stanley* (WB) (2,900; 50-99)— “Big Trees” (WB). Dull $10,000. Last "week, “Bugles in Afternoon” (WB), fair $15,000 for 9 days. Stanton (WB) (1,473; 50-99)— “Hoodlum Empire” (Rep) (2d wk). Off to $5,000 after nice $8,000 opener. Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 85-$1.20) —“Detective Story’” (Par) (20th wk). Okay $4,400. Last week, great $5,500. World (G&S) (500; 50-99)—“Ho- tel Sahara” (UA). So-so $3,000. Last week, “Navajo” (Lip),’ $2,500. Andrews Sis Tilt ‘Time’ To Big $15,000, Seattle Seattle, April 1. The Palomar shapes standout here this session the Andrews Sis- ters onstage boosting First Time to big total. Biz generally is off, with too many holdovers combin- ing with weak newcomers to make a rather disappointing business picture. “Greatest Show on Earth” still is sturdy in second Paramount round. “Rancho Notorious” looks best newcomer but i^. is only mild at Liberty. t ' Estimates for This Week Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,829; 65- 90) “Rodeo” (Mono) and “Jet Job” (Mono). Mild $7,000. Last week, “Return of Texan” (20th) (Continued on page 29) Five new bills, including some very strong product, are enabling Broadway first-run theatres to hold business on an even keel this week despite Lent. The springlike at mosphere, contrary to usual exper ience, helped trade Saturday-Sun- day because it brought many out- of-towners into the city over the weekend. * Outstanding is “Singin’ In Rain” with annual Easter stageshow, which looks a sock $146,000 at the Music Hall. Very strong reviews for the pic helped, with the Hall getting lines Saturday and Sunday. Show was running ahead of last year’s Easter bill over the week end. Combo is due to stay past Easter. “My Six Convicts” is heading, for great $28,600 or close in first week at the Astor to pace the straight- films. “Captive City” shapes only mild $11,000 at the Criterion. Frank Sinatra topping stage bill is boosting “Meet Danny Wilson, in which he’s starred, to a good $64,000 at the Paramount, rated nice for this time of year. Buddy Rich hand, Frank Fontaine and June Hutton are on same stager show. “Fiesh and Fury” shapes fine $18,000 at the State, one of strong- er opening weeks at this house in some time. I “African Queen” continues to travel its amazing pace , at the Cap- itol with $40,000 probable for sixth week. Probably could have held through Easter, with the impetus given to film by Oscaring of Humphrey Bogart, costar of pic, blit “My Son, John” comes in April 9 “Marrying Kind” still is going great at the Victoria, with socko $23,000 due for third round ending today. Two previews are helping “Deadline-U.S.A.V • and stage bill topped by Gloria De Haven to jwind up the third session at the I Roxy with $52,000, barely okay. “Young and Damned” shapes up as strongest new entry for the arty theatres with nice $7,500 for initial week at -the Trans-Lux 52d Street. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; $1.25- $1.80)—“My Six Convicts” (Col). First week ending today (Wed.) looks to hit great $28,000 or near. Holding, of course. Pic got fine reviews and had a big weekend. Last week, “Quo Vadis” (M-G) (20th wk-9 days), $17,000. Baronet (Reade) (430; 74-$1.20)— “Pardon My French” (UA). Opened Saturday (29) with fairily good week in. prospect. In ahead, “Navajo” (Lip) (5th wk-8 days), $2,300 but film got nice run. Fourth week was $3,000. Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 70-$1.80) —“African Queen” (UA) (7th wk). The sixth round ended yesterday (Tues.) held at smash $40,000 after $44,000 for fifth week, over hopes. “My Son, John” (Par) now due in Apiril 9 Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-$1.80) —“Captive City” *(UA) (2d wk). Initial session ended last night (Tues.) was disappointing with mild $11,000. In ahead, “Snow White” (RKO) (reissue) (5th wk-6 days), $9,000 but finishing off sock run. “Sword’s Point” (RKO) due in April 9. Guild (Guild) (565; 74-$1.50)— “Royal Journey” (UA) (5th wk). Current frame shapes up at around $5,200, solid, after $4,800 for fourth week. Overflow from Music Hall is credited with help- ing this to perk up at this stage of run. Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 50-$1.80) —“Red Skies of Montana” (20th) (2d wk). Off to $6,500 after just okay $11,000 for first week. “Hong Kong” (Par) opens April 4. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“Lavender Hill Mob” (U) (25th wk). The 24th round ended Mon- day (31) continued improving for fourth week in succession with $5,700 total after $5,600 for 23d round. Holiday (Zatkin) (950; 50-$1.80) —“Lili Marlene” (RKO). First week ending., tomorrow (Thurs.) likely will not top $5,000 and stays only one Tyeek. “Outlaw Women” (Lip) comes in next. In ahead, “Fighting Rats of Tobruk” (Indie) (2d wk), fine $5,200. Mayfair (Brandt). (1,736; 50- $1.80)—“Sailor Beware” (Par) (9th-final wk). Final round ending today (Wed.) is surprisingly good at $13,000, but won’t hold again. Last week, $18,000. “Anything Can Happen” (Par) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Normandie (Normandie Thea- tres) (592; 95-$1.80)—*‘E n c 0 r e” (Par)., Opens today (Wed.). Last week, “Something To Live F-or” (Par) (4th wk-5 days), mild $3,500 after $5,000 for third week. Paramount (Par* (3,664; 80- $1.80)—“Meet Danny Wilson” (U> with Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich orch heading stage bill (2d wk). First stanzamended last night (Tues.) landed good $64,000, rated very okay for this time of year.» In ahead, “Boots Malone” (Col) with Ella Fitzgerald, A1 Donahue orch onstage (2d wk), ittild $47,000. Park Ave. (Reade) (583; 9041.50) —“Just This Once” (M-G) (3d wk). Second round ended Sunday (30) held at $4,200 after okay $5,600 for opener. Paris (Indie) (568; $1.2541.80)— 'The River” (UA) (30th wk). The 29th round (third on continuous- run, lower scale) ended Sunday (30) was $7,000. after fine $7,800 for 28th week. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 9042.40)—“Singin’ In Rain” (M-G) and annual Easter stageshow. First week winding up today (Wed.) looks to hit excellent $146,000, Holding indef. Last week, “Greatest Show on Earth” (Par), with stageshow (11th wk), wound up very long engagement with $103,000, the run equalling the longest at the Hall and total- ling $1,372,000. Rtvo 11 (UAT-Par) (2,092; 90- $1.80)—“Viva Zapata!” (20th) (8th wk). Holding near $9,000 in cur- rent week after okay $11,000 for seventh round. Will wind up run before Easter. . Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$2.20)— - “Deadline—U.S.A,” (20th) with Gloria De Haven, Noonan Jfe Mar- shall heading stage bill (3d-final wk). Off to around $52,000, with boost from two preview days after okay $60,000 for second week. “With Song in Heart” (20th) and Easter stage bill open Friday (4). State (Loew’s) (3.450: 55-$1.80) “Flesh and Fury” (U). Initial week ending today (Wed.) shapes as fine $18,000. with personal by Tony Curtis, film’s star, opening day helping. Holding. In ahead, “Belle of N.Y.” (M-G) (3d wk-8 days), with big assist from preview of “Flesh,” held to $14,000. Warner (WB) (2,756; 8542)— Sadler’s Wells ^.Theatre Ballet on stage for special two-week run. Got $80,200 in nine performances with $6 top. House returns to stagefilm policy April 7 with “Jack and Beanstalk” (WB) and stage- show headed by Gene Nelson and Louis Jordan Tympany Five top- ping stage bill. Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50)— “Man in White Suit” (U). Opened yesterday.) after preem Monday (31) night. In ahead, “Tales of Hoffmann” (Indie) (14th wk-6 days), held at $4,000 after okay $4,200 for 13th week. Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453; 9041.50)—“Murder in Cathedral” (Indie) (2d wk). Initial round end- ed Monday (31) did okay $6,500. In ahead, “Magic Garden” (Indie) (7th wk), $2,400. Trans-Lux SZd St. (T-L) (540; 90- $1.50)—“Young and Damned” (In- die) (2d wk). First session ended Saturday (29) hit nice $7,500. In ahead, “Love Better Than Ever” (M-G (3d wk). $1,700. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 70- $1.80)—“Marrying Kind” (Col) (3d wk). Current round ending to- day (Wed.) looks very strong $23,- 000 after $26,000 for second stanza. Stays indef. ‘Flesh’ Furious $14,000, Hub; ‘Bugles’ Bright At 16G,‘Queen’Big 27G, 2d Boston, April 1. There is not too much activity. at first-runs this stanza with biz spotty. “Fresh and Fury” at Me- morial opened strongly hypoed by personals of Tony Curtis and Jan Sterling with rousing session likely. “Meet Danny Wilson” at Boston is only light with “Bugles in After- noon” at Paramount and Fenway fine. “African Queen” in second stanza at State and Orpheum con- tinues solid while “Greatest Show” In third round at Met is slipping a bit. Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q) (1,200; 50-95) — “Something To Live For” (Par). - ’ Looks lively $11,000. Last week, “Cry, Beloved Country” (Indie), sluggish $4,000 for second week. Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill) (682; 6541.20) — “The Medium” (Indie) (Continued on page 29)