Variety (March 1953)

March 4, 1953 FICTOIK GROSSES 9 'V* Tan’ 39G, 4A, ‘Stooge-Vande #G, 2d Chicago, March 3. 4 Loop theatres are weathering first day* of Lent with some fine returns. “Peter Pan" and “Hans Christian Andersen” are really giving the boxoffice its healthy hue, but the other houses are also getting in direct benefits. Among the new pictures there is some solid fare. “The Bing” and Marilyn Monroe reissue, “Danger- ous Years,” at the Grand, is being boosted by heavy exploitation to nifty $14,000. "Come Back, Little Sheba” has settled at small arty Zlegfeld, with terrif $9,000 opening week. “Castle in Air”’ at Surf should look a neat $5,000. A trim $14,000 looms at Roosevelt for “Man Be- hind Gun” and “Kansas. Pacific.” “Last of Comanches” and “Prince of Pirates” at United Artists is okay $13,000. “Peter Pan” at the State-Lake leads stayoyers with smash $39,000 for fourth frame. “Hans Christian Andersen” shapes lush in third week at Oriental. “Stooge” at the Chicago plus vaude should hit nifty $40,000 in second week. “Anna” at Monroe looks smart for fifth frame, “Bad and Beautiful” is headed for sharp takings for fourth week at Woods. “Stars Are Singing” at the Palace is slim in second week. Estimates for This Week Chicago -(B&K) (3,900; 98-$1.25) —“Stooge” (Par) (2d wk) plus Eileen Barton onstage. Excellent $40,000. Last’week,-$60,000. Grand (RKO) (1,500; 55-98)— “The Ring” (UA) and “Dangerous Years” (20th) (reissue). Leather jacket trade giving this combo a bright $14,000. Last'week, “Clown” (M-G) ^nd “Desperate Search” (M-G) (2d wk), $9,000. Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 55-98)— “Anna” (IFE) (5th wk). Nifty $4,000. Last week, $6,000. Oriental (Indie) <3,400; 98-$1.25) — “Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO) (3d wk). Fine $31,000. Last Week, $45,000. Palace (Eitel) (2,500; 55-98) — “Stars Are Singing” (Par) (2d wk). Not-too-good $10,000. Last week, $19,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 55-98)— “Man Behind Gun” (WB) and “Kansas Pacific” (AA). Brisk $14,- 000. Last week, “Redhead Wyom- ing” (U) and “Lawless Breed” (U) (2d wk>, $12,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 98- $1.25)—“Peter Pan” (RKO) (4th wk>. Giant $39,000. Last week, $50,000. Surf (H&E Balaban) (686; 98)— “Castles in Air” (Indie). Pleasant $5,000. Last wek, “Promoter” (U) (9th wk), $3,500. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 55- 98)—“Last Comanches” (Col) and “Prince of Pirates” (Col). Okay $13,000. Last* week, “Bluebeard Pirate” (RKO) and “Tarzan’s Sav- age Fury” (RKO) (2d wk), $12,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,073; 98) — “Bad and Beautiful” (M-G) (4th wk>. Trim $13,000. Last week, $18,- 000 . World (Indie) (587; 98)— “Sum- mer of Happiness” (Indie) (10th wlc). Staunch $3,500. Last week, $3,700. Zlegfeld (Lopert) (437; 98) — “Little Sheba” (Par). Building to capacity $9,000. Last week, not first-run pix. ‘Niagara’ Lofty $12,000, Mpls.; ‘Tonight’ Hep 6G Minneapolis, March 3. . Sub-zero temperatures, snow and icy streets are currently ganging up on film grosses which had the boot put to them the previous week by the winter’s worst blizzard. With holdovers hogging the Loop, fresh entries are limited io three, but a pair of the newcomers, “Ni- agara” and “Tonight We Sing,” rate in big league class. Former is being helped by Magnaram&’s lo- cal debut, and bojff selling cam- paign.- It is second week, for “Jazz Singer” and “Mississippi Gam- bler.” Near blizzard Monday hurt most spots'. ; Estimates for This Week . Century (Par) (1,600? “Tonight We Stag” >(29th). Strong approval for this one and the ad- vanced scale is drawing no customer squawks. Advertised as a special date simultaneous With that at N. Y. Music Hall. Fine $6,000. Last week, “Face to Face” (RKO), $1,500. " . Gopher (Berger) (1,020; 50-76)^— “Naked Spur” (M-G) (3d wk). Fair (Continued on page 24) Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re* ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, , are net; I. e. t without the 20% tax. Distrib- ujors 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. ‘Stooge’ Smash $18,000, Cleve Cleveland, March 3. There is nothing wrong with Cleveland film biz that t can’t be cured by such grossers as “Peter Pan” and “Stooge.” After blasting away all Palace’s former film rec- ords in its first week, “Pan” is heading for another smash stanza. But it is not hurting “Stooge,” which shapes up extra strong at next-door State. Hippodrome has “The Star” doing okay. “Man Be- hind Gun” shapes good at Allen. Estimates for This Week Allen (Warners) (3,000; 55-85)— “Man Behind Gun” (WB). Good $12,500. Last week, “I Confess” (WB), $13,500. Hipp (Telemanagement) (3,700; 60-85)—“Star” (20th). Oke $15,000. Last week, “Niagara” (20th), $14,000. Lower Mall (Community) (585)— “Face to Face” (RKO). Okay $3,- 000. Last week, “Under Red Sea” (RKO), $2,500. Ohio (Loew’s) (1,30(5; 55-85)— “Naked Spur” (M-G) (m.o.). Fine $5,000 on third downtown round following $7,000 last folio. Palace (RKO) (3,300; 50-$1.19)— “Peter Pan” (RKO - Disney). Grooved on sensational side at $29,000 after new record for house last week at $48,500. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-85)— “Stooge” (Par). Sock $18,000. Lasl; week, “Ivanhoe” (M-G), $11,000. Stillman <£oew’s) (2,700; 55-85) —‘“Little Sheba” (Par) (2d wk). Smart $8,000 after $12,500 last week. Bliz Bops K. C. Biz But ‘Back on B’way’ Fairish $6,000; ‘Redhead’ 11G Kansas City, March 3. Severe bliz last Sunday cut down what started out to be a fairly good week, nearly all spots suffer- ing. “Naked Spur” looms okay at Midland while “Man Behind Gun” is mild at Missouri. breaking Sound Barrier” is streaking to smash money at the bandbox Vogue. “Thief of Venice” likewise is great at Kimo. Paramount shapes fair with “She’s Back on Broad- way.” Estimates for This Week Kimo (Dickinson) (504; 65-85)— “Thief of Venice” (20th). Strong $2,500, Will stay. Last week, “Four Poster” (Col) (9th wk), $1,400. Midland (Loew’s) (3,500; 50- 75)—“Naked Spur” (M-G) J and “Target Hong Kong” (Col). Okay $10,000. Last week, “Ivanhoe” (M-G), at popscale, ditto and under expectations. Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 50-75)— “Man Behind Gun” (WB) and “Dangerous Years” (Indie). Mild $5,000. Last week, “Jazz Singer” (WB) and “Voodoo Tiger” (Col), $7,500. Paramount (Tri-States) (1,900; 50-75)—“She’s Back.on Broadway” (WB). Fair $6,000. Last week, “Stars Are Singing” (Par), same. Tower, Uptown, Fairway, Gran- ada ‘ (Fox Midwest) (2,100; 2,043; 700; 1,217; 50-75)—“Redhead from Wyoming” (U) and “Woman of North Country” (Rep).' Moderate $11,000.' Last week, “Niagara” (20th) with '‘Gambler and Lady” (Lip) at Tower and Granada, giant $19,000. Vogue (Golden • (55Q; 65-85)— “Breaking Sound Barrier” (UA). Rush of biz from opening hour, solid $2,500. Last week, “Clouded i Yellow” (Col), $ 1 , 600 . SNOW SLOUGHS ST. LOO; ‘STOOGE’ FAT $16,000 St. Louis, March 3. Ail-day snowstorm Sunday (1), which virtually paralyzed all traf- fic, is sloughing biz here this stan- za, “Bwana Devil,” after sensa- tional take opening week, still is hottest draw in town. “Stooge” did nicely on week* ended Monday night at the vast’ Fox. Same is true of “Under Red Sea” at small Shady Oak. “The Star” looks only modest* at the Missouri. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (F&M1 (3,000; 90- $1.20)—“Bwana Devil” (UA) (2d wk). Great $19,000 after terrific $45,000 opening frame. Fox (F&M) (5,000; 60-75) — “Blackbeard Pirate” (RKO) and “Cripple Creek” (Col). Opened to- day (Tues.), Last week, “Stooge” (Par) .and “No. Time for Flowers” (RKO), good $16,000. Loew’s (Loew) (3,172: 50-75)— “Last Comanches” (Col) and “Pathfinder” (Col), Fair $12,000 or near. Last week, “Ivanhoe” (M-G), same. Missouri (F&M) (3,300; 60-75)— “Stooge” (Par) and “No Time Flowers” (RKO) (m.o.s). Opened today (Tues.). In ahead, “The Star” (20th) and “Target Hong Kong” (Col). Modest $12,000. Pageant (St. L. Amus.) (1,000; 90)—“Under Red Sea” (RKO). Nice $4,000. Last week, “Passion for Life” (Indie), $3,500. Shady Oak (St. L. Amus.) (800; 90)—“Cry, Beloved Country” (UA). Fancy $4,500. Last week, “Face To Face” (RKO), $4,000. ‘Confess’ Hot 13G Tops New D.C. Pix .'Washington, March 3. It’s a holdover session along the mainstem, so the general biz aver- age is lower than last week. Neither of the newcomers hr in sock class, but “I Confess” at Warner shapes along solid lines. “Taxi” at Loew’s Palace is weak. “Peter Pan” con- tinues holdover champ in “third S eek at RKO Keith's while “Hans hristian Andersen” remains sock in second stanza at Metropolitan. Other holdovers are steady. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew’s) (3,434; 55-95)— “Niagara” (20th) plus vaude topped by Dagmar (2d wk). Fine $16,000 after sock $27,000 last week. Columbia (Loew’s) (1,174; 55-80) “Ivanhoe” (M-G) (2d.wk). Good $6,000 on popscale run. Last week, $ 10 , 000 . Dupont (Lopert) (372; 55-$l)— “High Noon” (UA) (9th wk). Solid $4,000, after $4,200 last week., Stays. Keith’s (RKO) (1,939; 90-$1.25) —“Peter Pan” (RKO-Disney) (3d wk). Still queues for this with smash $25,000 after $35,000 lrfst Week. Holds again. Metropolitan (Warner) (1,200; 90- $1.25)—“Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO) (2d wk). Big $18,000. Last week, $25,000. Stays Am, Palace (Laew’s) (2,370;., 55-85)— “Taxi” (20th). Slim $12,000. Last week, “Mississippi Gambler” (U) 4 (2d wk), $14,000. Playhouse (Lopert) (435; 55-$l)— “Little Sheba” (Par) (3d wk). Very sturdy $8,000 after $8,500 last week. Continues. Warner (WB) (2,174; 55-85)— “I Confess” (WB). Trim $13,000, but not up to. hopes. Last week, “Jazz Singer” (WB), $11,000. • Trans-Lux (T-L) (600; 55-$l)— “Androcles and Lion” (RKO) (3d wk). Okay $5,000 after $6,000 for second. * ‘Bwana* Big 16G, L’ville; ‘Confess* Robust $7,000 Louisville, March 3. “Bwana Devil” at the Kentucky is providing the big boxoffice noise this week. Rialto, with “Niagara,” is big. Mary Anderson's “I Con- fess” looks sturdy. Estimates for This Week Kentucky (Switow) (1,200; 75-90- $1.25)—“Bwana Devil” (UA)i First local showing of 3-D feature ptc is plenty big, but under hopes. How- ever, smash $16,000 i$ terrific for this house. Last week,. “Meet Me At Fair” (U) ,and.“Bonzo Goes College” OJ) (3d wk), $3,500. Mary Anderson (People's) (1,200; 50-75)—“I Confess” (WB). Looks virile $7,000. Last week, “Miracle Of Fatima” (WB), $8,000. Rialto (Fourth Avenue) (3,000; 50-75) —“Niagara” (20th) and “Tangier Incident” (AA). Big $15,- 000. Last week, “Stooge” (Par) (2d wk), $7,500. State (Loew’s) (3,000; 50-75) — “Bad* add Beautiful” (M-G) and Hoaxters” (RKO). Good $10,000. Last week, Vtlvanlioe” (M-G), same. B’way Rosy Sans New Bills; ‘Tonight’ lOfiG Exit, Pan’ Hot 85G, ‘Stooge’ Big 67G, ‘Rouge’ Fat 70G, ‘Devil’ Sock 42G Despite the absence of any new bills, aside from an arty house opening and the natural letdown after a holiday week, Broadway film business continues in favorable stride this .stanza. Strong .weekend biz gave first-run theatres a lift, while favorable weather proved a positive factor. As usual, when there are three or four sturdy box- office pictures on Broadway* in- terest in these standout vehicles gives the whole Sector a bright hue. Top money for current session, of course, is going to “Tonight We Sing” with stageshow at the Music Hall. However, it is down to a fair $106,000 in third (final) week, like so many other bills as compared with the previous Washington Birthday round. “Story of Three Loves” supplants tomorrow (Thurs.). “Peter Pan,” with iceshow on- stage, is making one of the best showings currently at the Roxy. Third frame wound up smash $85,- 000. Nearly as big comparatively is “The Stooge” with Joni James, Johnny Long band, Dave Barry heading stageshow. Fourth stanza at the Paramount finished with $67,000. Holds a fifth. “Moulin Rouge” still is going great guns with fat $70,000 for third round at the Capitol. “Bwana Devil” was socka $42,000 for second week at the State. Also in second session, “Anna” is holding up in smart fashion with $19,000 at the Globe. “Story of Mandy” wound up its first week with fine $8,500 at the Sutton. It is holding, “Above and Beyond” continues stoutly, with $20,000 in prospect for fifth stanza at the Mayfair. “Road To. Bali” still is okay around $15,000, also in fifth, at the Astor, “Stars Are Singing" comes in March 10. “The Star” wound up its fifth session just oke at $12,000 in the Rivoli, with “Destination Gobi” scheduled to come in prior to launching of “Salome.” “Hans Christian Andersen” still is hold- ing the longrun championship for two houses, now being in 15th week at the Criterion and Paris. The 14th round was. a stutdy'$24,000 for the two spots. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 70-$1.50) —“Road To Bali” (Par) (5th wk). Off to okay $15,000 in current week ending today (Wed.) after smash $24,000 in fourth stanza, which was given a great boost by Washington Birthday crowds. “Stars Are Singing” (Par) is due in March 10., Bijou (City Inv.) (589; 90-$1.50) —“DonCamillo” (Indie) (8th wk). Seventh session ended Monday (2) was $7,000 after big $7,800 for sixth week. Stays on. Broadway (Cinerama) (1,250; 90- $2.80) — “Cinerama” (Indie) (23d wk). The 22d frame ended yester- day (Tues.) was virtual capacity with $41,000 after $42,000 for 21s( week. Stays on indef. Baronet (Reade) (430; 90-$1.50) —“Importance of Being Earnest” (U) (11th wk). The 10th round ended Sunday (1) held at sturdy $6,000 after $6,300 for ninth week. Continues on,'with no new pic set. Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 70-$1.80) —“Moulin Rouge” (UA) (4th wk). Third stanza ended last night (Tues.) continued in great fashion with around $70,000 albeit down from huge $95,000 of second week, taking in the holiday weekend. 4 Criterion "(Moss) (1,700; 70-$2.20) — “Hans Christian . Andersen” (RKO) (15th. wk). The 14th week ended Monday (2) slipped to $16,- 000 but big for stage of run. The 13th stanza was giant $27,500, with great uplift from holidays. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“The Promoter” (U) (19th wk). The 18th frame ended Monday (2) still was okay with $4,300 after $5,000 for 17th week. Stays on, no other pic having been set to fol- low thus far. Holiday (Per-Rose) (950; 60- $1.20)—“Thunder in East” (Par) (5th wk). Fourth round ended Monday (2) slipped to $6,000, but okay, after fine $7,500 for third week Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 50-$1.50> —“Anna” (IFE) (3d wk). Initial holdover round ended last night (Tues.) held at fine $19,000 after smash $30,000 opening week. Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 50- $1.50)—“Above and Beyond” (M-G) (5th wk). Present session ending tomorrow (Thurs.) continues in the chips with about $20,000 after great $31,000 for fourth week. Stays on. Palace (RKO) (1,700; $1.80-$6)— Danny Kaye and all-vaude bill (7th wk). Sixth round ended Saturday (28) was smash $54,000 after ca- pacity" $55,000 for fifth week. Paramount (Par) (3,664; 80-$1.80) —“The Stooge” (Par) with Joni James,* Johnny Long orch, Dave Barry topping stageshow (5th wk). Fourth session ended last night (Tues.) continued very strong at $67,000 after giant. $98,000 for third week. Paris (Indie) (568; $1.25-$1,80)— “Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO) (15th wk). The 14th round ended Monday (2) was $8,000 after big $10,800 for 13th week. Holds on, Rialto (Mage) (596; 50-96)—“Tri- orama” (Bolex) (4th wk). Third stanza ended Monday (2) was off to $4,000 after solid $8,000 in second. Radio City Music Hall (Rockefel- lers) (5,945; 90-$2.40) — “Tonight We Sing” (20th) and stageshow (3d-final wk). Off to fair $106,000 in final session ending today (Wed.) after very good $133,000 for second round, with an assist from holiday weekend. “Story of Three Loves” (M-G) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Rivoli (UAT) (2,092; 70-$2) — “The Star” (20th) (6th wk). “"Fifth frame ended yesterday (Tues.) dipped to around $12,000, oke for this stage of run. Fourth week was big $21,000. “Destination Gobi” (20th) opening has been held back. Roxy (20th) (5,886; 50-$2.20) — “Peter Pan” (RKO-Disney) and iceshow onstage (4th wk). Third session ended last night (Tues.) was off from second week but still very big with $85,000 after terrific $100,000 for second. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-$1.80)— “Bwana Devil” (UA) (3d wk>. Initial holdover session was down to smash $42,000 or close. First week was giant $82,000, Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50) — “Story of Mandy” (U) (2d wk). Initial week ended Sunday (1) was fine $8,500. In ahead, “Member of Wedding” (Col) (8th wk-6 days), $3,500. Trans-Lux 60th St, (T-L) (453; 90-$1.50) — “Justice Is Done” (Indie). Opened Monday (2). In ahead, “Curtain Up” (Indie) (4th wk-9 days), was oke $3,900 after good $3,800 for third round. Trans-Lux 52d St. (T-L) (540; 90- $1.50)—“Face To Face” (RKO) (8th wk). Seventh week ended Monday (2) was $3,100 after $3,400 for sixth round. “Lili” (M-G) opens March 9 with benefit preem that night. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 70- $1,80)—“Little Sheba” (Par) (11th wk). The 10th session ended yester- day (Tues.) held around $12,000 after great $24,000 for ninth week. Continues on. Pitt Spotty; ‘Singing’ Slim $9,500, ‘Taxi’ Slow 4G, ‘Hans’ Hep 16G, 2d Pittsburgh, March 3. Holdovers are doing the real biz in city this week, with “Peter Pan” still strong in its third stanza at the Warner and “Hans Christian Andersen” ditto in second at the Fulton. Nothing much for the new entries. Despite good campaign, “Stars Are Singing” is slim at the Stanley and “Confidentially Con- nie” will last only five days at the Penn. “Taxi” won’t stick out full week at the Harris Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 65-$1.40)— “Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO) (2d wk). Dropping off only slightly after great getaway but still smash at $16,000 or better. Last week, $23 000 Harris (Harris) (2,200; 50-85)— “Taxi” (20th) and “Ride Man Down” (Rep.) Small $4,000 in 5 day. Last week, “Mississippi Gam- bler” (U) (2d wkt9 • days), socko $9,000 to give this $20,000 on run. Penn (Loew’s) (3,300; 50-85)— “Confidentially Connie” (M-G>. Just in for 5 days to get house back on Thursday opening again. Drab $6,000. Last week, “Ivanhoe” (M-G), $11,000. Squirrel Hill (WB) (900; 50-85)— “No Time for Flowers” (RKO) (2d wk). Fair $1,500. Last week. $2,000. Stanley (WB) (3,800; 50-85)— “Stars Are Singing” (Par). Strong campaign and okay notices 4 for Rosemary Clooney's debut but slim $9,500 looms. Last week, “I Confess” (WB). $12,500. Warner (WB) (2,000; 50-$1.25)— “Peter Pan” (RKO) (Sd wk). They- ’re still storming this one. Smash $17,500 as against $19,500 last week.