Variety (April 1953)

nrwlneaduv. -April 8, IftSS PSstmiY Chi Soars Despite Rain; Salome’ Sock 38G, ‘Rouge Terrif 50G, ‘Girl’ Fast 25G, ‘B’way-Clooney Lush 57G Chicago, April 7. ^ + v^ter weeks’ hefty grosses are . . , a ; domoened slightly by week- ^ c, i ? a ins m and cool weather. How- en ?r too product is offsetting most /mvnward'fnolinations. “She's Back Rrnadway,” hypoed by Rose- ® n ,rv Clooney and Frank Fontaine shapes lush $57,000 for s°"nale R frame at the Chicago. rrnnd has a sock $38,000 sighted ^,?nnoed scale “Salome.” “Moulin Rouge” at State-Lake is headed for ? huge $50,000 or over. “Girl Who Rad Everything” at the' Woods loo£s fast $25,000. “Tonight We Sing” at the Palace . cniid $18,000. “Crash in Si- i?nce” at Surf is nifty $5,000. Mon- m brought back “Devil in Flesh” With English titles and sexy bally tr. get nice $6,500. Holdovers* in m^in also are big. There are only two second-week hills “Naked Spur” at United Ar- tists looms, tidy.. “City Beneath cS at Roosevelt still is big also in second. “Little Sheba” at Zieg- feld is sharp in fifth round, “Hans rhristian Andersen” at Oriental winds up eight-week Stay with fine takings. Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 98-$1.25) —“Back on Broadway” (WB) with Rosemary Clooney and Frank Fon- taine topping stageshow. Fancy $57,000. Last week, I Confess (WB) with Joni Janres and Ralph Marterie onstage (2d wk). $37,000. Grand (RKCT) (1,500; 98-$1.25)— “Salome” (Col). Sock $38,000. Last week, “Battleground” (M-G) (reis- sue) (2d wk), $9,000. Monroe (indie) (1,000; 55-98)- “Devil in Flesh” (Indie) (reissue). Stout $6,500. Last week, “Andro- cles and Lion” (RKO) (3d wk), $4,500. Oriental (Indie .(3,400; 98-$1.25) — “Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO) (8th wk). Hefty $21,000. Last week, $16,500. * Palace (Eitel) (2,500; 55-98 )t-“To- night We Sing” (20th). Hefty $18,- 000. Last week, “I Love Melvin” (M-G) (2d wk), $8,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 55-98)— “City Beneath Sea” (U) and “Gun- smoke” (U) (2d wk). Sharp $11,000. Last week, $14,500. State-Lake — (B&K) (2,700; 98- $1.25) — “Moulin Rouge” (UA). Smash $50,000 or over.- Last week, “Peter Pan” (RKO) (8th wk), $19,- 000 . «■ Surf (H&E Balabanr (685; 98)— “Crash of Silence” (Indie). Okay $4,000. Last week, “Member of Wedding” (Col) (3d wk), $4,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 55- 98i— “Naked Spur” (M-G) and “Rogue’s March” (M-G) (2d wk). Excellent $12,000. Last week, $18,- 000 . Woods (Essaness) (1,073; 98) — “Girl Who Had Everything” (M-G). Fast $25,000. Last week, “Niagara” (20th) (3d wk), $13,000. World (Indie (587; 98)—“Forbid- den Games” (Indie) (5th wk). Nifty $4,000. Last week $4,300. Ziegfeld (Lopert) (485; 98) — “Little Sheba” (Par) (5th wk). Nifty $6,000. Last week, $7,000. Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous kdy 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 tax. Teler Pan’ Smash Indianapolis, April 7. Mild weather for Easter is boost- ing biz at most key spots here this stanza. “Peter Pan” at Circle is great and leading town t “£?mall Town Girl” at Loew's looks very good. Both had standees most of weekend. “Hans Christian Ander- sen” is oke in second week at Keith’s. Estimates for This Week Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800; 50- $1.20)—“Peter Pan” (RKO). Smash $30,000. Last week, “The Star” (20th) and “High Treason” (Indie), $8,500. Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 50-76)— “Destination Gobi” (20th) and “Taxi” (20th). Tepid $9,000. Last week, “Treasure Golden Condor” (20th) and “Jalopy” (AA-ty same. Keith’s (C-D) (1,300; 50-$1.20)— “Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO) (2d wk). Stout $12,000 after $15,500 opener. Loew's (Loew’s) (2,427; 50-76)— “Small Town Girl” (M-G) and .“Jack McCall, Desperado” (Col). Solid $14,000. Last week, “I Love Melvin” (M-G) and “Bandits of Corsica” (UA), $10,000. i » D. C. Big; ‘Rouge’ Wow $40,000, ‘Madam’ Terrif 25G, ‘Pan’ $13,000,8th Washington, April 7. Combo of annual influx of tourr 1st, long holiday weekend, and sock product is more ■ than offset- ting the Holy Week.'dent in early part of session. Even long^runs are riding the crest of the booin, long lines at big houses brighten- ing show biz sector. Leading the parade is “Moulin Rouge,” terrific at Loew’s Palace. “Call Me Madam” also is boff at the small- est Loew house, the Columbia. Sr. are getting upped prices. Pan,” in 8th session at Reilh s, is not only setting house record for length of run, but sky- i oekoted to almost double previous wooks take. “High Noon” con- tinues sensational in .14th week at Lopert s Dupont, .establishing all- timelongrun record for city. “Off m n ur ts Stl ^ * s big in second week al Vv-'rners. Estimates for This Week • c;m ai !! t0 m (Loew,s) <3,434;- 55-95)-^ Sm.m Town Girl” (M-G) plus “ ( r ^°bd $23,000. Last week, va-.;d f 'r $ 14,000 dential '' (UA> PlUS S, ( i un !, b r i“ (Loew’s) (1,174; 74- \vi;;°nr.^L Me Mada m” (20th). am ..>2o,000. Looks in for.jfttn. (Continued on page 20) ’ Trouble’ Sockeroo 22G, Hub; ‘Madam’ Wow 26G, ‘Salome’ Mighty $27,000 ,s Boston, April- 7. Biz is soaring here this week. “Trouble Along Way” shapes as one of big standouts with smash takings in two houses. “Call Me Madam” looms sock' at Memorial while “I Love Melvin” is very strong in two locations. “Salome” is terrific at Astor, and “Seminole” is great at Pilgrim. Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q) (1,500; 74-$1.25)— “Salome” (Col). Smash $27,000. Last week, “Hans Christian Ander- sen” (RKO) (14th wk), $6,500. Boston (RKO) (3,000; 50-90)— “Destination Gobi” (20th) and “Fame and Devil” (Infdie). Good $14:000. Last week, “Great White Hunter” (Lip) and “Capt. Kidd” (Lip) (reissues), mild $9,000 for 9 days. Exeter (Indie) (1,300; 60-80)— “Importance of Being Earnest” (U). Big $6,000. Last week, “Forbidden Games” (Indie) (6th wk), $3,000. Fenway (NET) (1,373; 50-90)— “Trouble Along Way” (WB) and “San Antone” (Rep). Sock $7,000. Last week, “Blue Gardenia” (WB) and “Romance and Rhythm” (Indie), $4,500. “Gardenia” was in- correctly billed as playing witty “Along Way” last week. .Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 60-$l)— “Call Me Madam” (20th). Sock $26,- 000. Last week. “Androcles and Lion” (RKO) and “Amazing Moris. Fabre” (Indie), $20,000 for 10 days. Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 50-90) —“President’s Lady” (20th) and “Woman They Almost '■ Hanged” (Rep). Fair $17,000. Last week, “Little Sheba” (Par) and “Tropic Zone” (Par), $20,000 for second week plus two days. ■ Orplieum (Loew’s) (3,000); 50-90) “I Love Melvin” (M-Ghand “Five Angles on Murder” (Col). Great $19,000. Last week, “Moulin Rouge” (UA) (5th wk), $15,000. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 50-90) —“Trouble Along Way” (WB) and “San Antone” (Rep). Smash $15,- 000. Last week, “Blue Gardenia (WB) and “Romance and Rhythm (Indie), $15,000 in 9 days. State (Loew) (3,500; 60-90)— I Love Melvin” (M-G) and “Five Angles on Murder (Col). Big $10,- 500, Last week, “Sombrero” (M-G) and “Hell Is Sold Out” (Indie), , $ 8 , 000 . ‘Salome’ Sock $17,000, Seattle; ‘Pan’ Big 22G . Seattle, April 7. Biz is still a bit uneven here this session. “Peter Pan” is rated ter- rific at the Paramount while I Salome” shapes socko at Fifth Avenue. “Ma and Pat Kettle” l 9 °ks good at Liberty. “Destina- tion Gobi” is big at Coliseum. Estimates for This Week Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,829; 65- 90) — “Destination Gobi” (20th) and “Silver Whip” (20th). Big $10,000. Last week, “Kansas Pa- cific” (AA> and “Torpedo Alley” (AA), $8,300. Fiftty Avenue (Hamrick) (2,366; 90-$1.25)—“Salome” (Col). 'Socko $17,000. Last week, “Little Sheba” (Par) and “White Lightning” (Mono) (2d wk), $9,300*at 90c top. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,650; 65-90) —“Ma, Pa Kettle Vacation” (U) and “Port Sinister” (RKO). Good $8,000 or near. Last week, “A. & C. Go to Mars” (U) and “Gun- smoke” (U), $6,600. Music Box (Hamrick) (850; $1- $1.25) — “Hans Christian Ander- sen” (RKO) (7th wk). Oke $4,500 in 5 days after $5,700 last week. • Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,263; 65- 90)—“Sombrero” (M-G). Slow $6,- 000. Last week, “I Love Melvin” (M-G) (2d wk), $4,700. Orpheum (Hamrick)- (2,600; 65- 90)—“Trouble Along Way” (WB) and “Chief Pontiac” (Indie). Fair- ish $9,000. Last week, “Seminole” (U), $7,600 in 10 days. . Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039; 90-$l.25)—“Peter Pan” (RKO) (2d wk). Terrific $22,000 after $18,- 600 opener. Trouble’ Boffo $11,000 in Mpls. Minneapolis, April 7. Easter week’s favorable boxoffice influences spell somewhat stim- ulated grosses here this round de- spite having to contend with “Ice Follies,” Sportsmen’s Show, Min- neapolis Lakers basketball cham- pionship playoff finals and “Top Banana” legiter. “Trouble Along the Way” looks sock at Radio City to pace field. “Anna” is smash at' Century. There’s also the powerful “Peter Pan,” in its second wow week at Orpheum. , Estimates for This Week Century (Par) (1,600; 50-76)— “Anna” (IFE). Daring ads helping to sell this one. Soiik $6,500. Last week, “I Love Melvin” (M-G) r $7 200. bopher (Berger (1,026; 50-76)— “Jeopardy” (M-G) (2d wk). Light $3,000. Last week, $6,000. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-76)- “Destination Gobi” (20th).. Robust $7,000. Last week, “High Noon” (UA) (2d wk) (2d run), $5,500. Radio City (Par) ^OOO^SO^)— “Trouble Along Way” (WB). Raves for this one and sold via extra big ads. Building in consequence Of critics’ orchids and word-of-mouth. Boff $11,000. Last week, “Ma, Pa Kettle on Vacation” (U), $9,000. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 76- $1)—“Peter Pan” (RKO) (2d wk). Sockeroo $16,000. Last week, $22,- 000, over hopes. RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 40-76) —“All Ashore” (Col) and “Voodoo Tiger” (Col). Puny $3,000. Last week, “Jack McCall, Desperado” (Col) and “Five Angles on Murder” (Col), $3,400. State (Par) (2,200; 50-76)- “Sombrero” (M-G). Mild $5,000. Last week, “Fort Vengeance” (AA), $5,000. World (Mann) (400; 55 t$ 1.20)— “Magic Box” (Indie). Okay $2,500. Last week. “The Promoter” (U) (3d vvk), $2,800. ‘Salome’ Rousing $19,000, Port.; ‘Hans’ Socko 14G Portland, Ore., April 7. First-run biz*is soaring here this week. The standout is “Salome” which is smash at Paramount and Oriental with upped prices. “Hans Christian Andersen” also is sock- eroo with tilted scale at United Artists. Despite this competition, “Ma, Pa Kettle on Vacation” is very big at the Broadway. “I Love • Melvin” looks nice at Liberty. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (1,890; 65-90) —“Ma, Pa Kettle On Vacation” (U) and Gunsmoke (U). Tall $12,000, Last week, “City Beneath Sea” (U) and “Toughest Man Arizona”.(Rep), $8,300. •' Guild (Parker) (400; 90-$1.25)— •“Four Poster” (Col) (3d wk). Fine $3,200. Last week, $4,500. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,875; 65-90)— “I Love Melvin” (M-G) and “Con- fidentially Connie” (M-G). Big $11,- (Continued on page 20) HCTBBB GROSSES H Holidays Give B way B.O. Boun.ce; ‘Moon-Hall Pageant Smash 173G, 2d, ‘Madam' 120G, 2d, ‘Salome' 60G, 2d Easter week with the schools out and an unusually large influx of out-of-towners is giving Broad- way first-run theatres a hefty boost this stanza. Most houses playing extended-runs are bettering their last Week’s business. Even the rain Saturday night and the all-day steady downpour yesterday (Tues.) are not harming the week’s total to* any great extent. Counteracting the Saturday rain was an unusu- ally strong Easter Sunday (5), with bright, mild weather helping. The strong -showing is all the more unusual because of the dearth of new product, only two new pix opening during the week, “Jeop- ardy” wound up its first stanza with fine $21,000 at the Mayfair. “Lady Wants Mink,” which started out strongly, looks to get a hotsy $12,000 at the smaller Holiday. ‘ With so* nriany visitors in N. Y., it IS' only natural that the big combo houses should do hefty biz. Easily 'Standout' Is the Music Hall with its’ annual Easter stageshow and ‘.‘By Light of Silvery Moon.” Second round ending today (Wed.) is soaring to a terrific $173,000. Saturday (4) was one of the big- gest days in Hall history. “Call Me Madam” with iceshow onstage also is' forging ahead of opening week to land a huge $120,- 000 in second session at the Roxy. “Salome” is holding almost even with initial round’s take with a giant $60,000 at the Rivoli. Sensational showing is being made by “Moulin Rouge” which shot up ahead of last Week to land a smash $48,000 in eightt stanza at the Capitol. Second week of “Off Limits” looks to hold at fancy $25,- 000 In the Astor, almost same as opening round. “I Confess” with stageshow headed by Patti Page, Jerry Wald band, B6bby Sargent continues okay with $51,000 probable for third, abbreviated week at the Par- amount. Bill goes only 5M& days in order to hold a special press pre- view tomorrow night of “House of Wax,” Warner’s first 3-D film. Normandie swung back to first- run policy with launching of “Mur- der Will Out.” Pic is heading for socko $13,000... opening stanza. “Come Back, Little Sheba” is forg- ing ahead of previous stanza to hit smash $17,000 in 15th week at the Victoria. “Naked Spur” is holding in great 'style with $20,500 or bet- ter -in second fr^me (8 days) at the State. “Anna” went ahead of its pre- vious round to land a big $11,500 in seventh • (final) week at the Globe. “Man in Dark,” Columbia’s, first. 3-D iry, supplants today (Wed.). “Anqersen” also is strong in 19th Week at Criterion and Paris. Estimates for Ttyls Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 80-$1.50) —“Off Limits” (Par) (2d wk). First holdover round ending next Fri- day (10) looks to hold at socko $25,000 or better. First week was fine $25,500. Stays on. Broadway (Cinerama) (1,250; 90- $2.80)—“Cinerama” (Indie) (28th wk). The 27th stanza ended yes- terday • (Tues> upped to $41,000, virtual Capacity for house. The 26th week was $39,600. Baronet -(Reade) (430; 90-$1.5Q) —“Importance of Being Earnest” (U) (16th wk). The 15th session ended Sunday (5) was nice $4,000 after $3,700 for 14th week. “I Be- lieve in You” (U) is next in but no date set because “Earnest” is hold- ing up. Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820: 70-$l,80) —“Moulin Rouge” (UA) (9th \vk). The eighth frame ended last night (Tues.) climbed to terrific $48,000. Seventh round was socko $37,000, both figures great for length of run at this house. Start of ninth .week means that it is runner-up to “Gone With Wind” (M-G) as long- est non-stage show run at Cap. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 8542.20) 1 —“Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO) (20th wk). The 19th week ended Monday (6) pushed up to $18,000 after $9,000 for 18th week. Stays On. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“The Promoter” (U) (24th wk). The 23d session ended Monday (6) climbed to fine $4,100 after $3,800 for 22d week. Next pic not set for opening date because this is hold- ing so well. Globe (Brandt) (1.5Q0; 60-$ll50) —“Man in Dark” (Col). .Opens to- day (Wed.), this 3-D pic being sec- ond to play house. lit ahead, “Anna” (IFE) (7th wk>, soared to $11,500 after $8,500 for sixth week to wind up highly successful long- run date. • ’ * Guild iNewsreels, Inc.) (600; 95- $1.25)—“Fear and Desire” (Bur- styn), Nice $7,500 for first week ended Monday (6). Continues in- def. Holiday (Per-Rose) (950; 60- $1.20)—“Lady Wants Mink” (Rep). First frame ending Friday (10) looks to hit hotsy $12,000. Holds, of course. In ahead, “Thunder- birds” (Rep) (3d wk-10 days), okay $11,000, and finishing strong ex- tended-run engagement, one of best here. Mayfair ’(Brandt) (1,736; 70- $1.80)—“Jeopardy” (M-G) (2d wk). Initial stanza ended Sunday (5) was fine $21,000. In ahead, “Above and Beyond” (M-G) (8th wk-10 days), okay $19,500, concluding one of best longruns here in months. Normandie (Normandie The- atres) (592; 95-$1.80) — “Murder Will Out” (Indie). This British pic returns house to first-run policy with a bang. Looks to reach smash $13,000 or near in first week ending next Friday (10) night. In for longrun. Last )veek, on subse- quent-run *policy. Fine reviews helped “Murder.” Palace (RKO) (1,700; $1.80-$6)— Danny Kaye and all-vaude bill (12th wk). The 11th round ended last Saturday’(4) was huge $52,000 after $50,500 for 10th week. Now due to wind up this bill April 26. Paramount (Par) (3.664; 80- $1.80)—“I Confess” (WB) with Patti Page, Jerry Wald orch, Bob- by Sargent topping stage bill (3d- final wk). Holding nicely with $51,000 in shortened final round of 5Vfc days. Second week was $60,- 000. “House of Wax” (WB) first 3-D pic to play house and initial three-dimensional film of such calibre to play a deluxe N. Y. combo theatre, opens Friday (10) after special press preview (open to public) tomorrow (Thurs.) night. Final showing of “Confess” and current stageshow starts at 3:43 o”clock Thursday afternoon. Paris (Indie) (568; $1.25-$1.80)— "Hans C. Andersen” (RKO) (20th wk). The 19th round ended Mon- day (6) climbed to $6,600 after $6,- 100 for 18th week. * Rivoli (UAT) (2,092; 95-$2)— “Salome” (Col) (3d wk). Second session ended last night (Tues.) held at terrific $60,000 or near. First week was $62,000. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 90-$2.40)—“By Light of Silvery Moon” (WB) and Easter stageshow (2d wk). Initial hold- over round ending today (Wed.) is soaring to gigantic $173,000, best here in many weeks. Stays, natch! First week was $136,000. Extra shows starting over the past week- end, with doors open at 7:45 a.m., helping to get this money. Mezza- nine seats sold for morning shows aided. Saturday (4) was one of biggest days in history, of Hall. Roxy (20th) (5,886; 50-$2.20)— “Call Me Madam” (20th) with ice- show onstage (3d wk). Second round ended last night (Tues.) climbed ahead of initial week to smash $120,000. Opening week was $101,000, ahead of expectancy, with Tuesday (31) much bigger than hoped for. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 85-$1.80)— “Naked Spur” (M-G) (2d wk-8 days). Held at fancy $21,500 after fine $22,000 opening week. “I Love Melvin” (M-G) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). • Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50)— “Penny Princess” (U) (3d wk). In- itial holdover session ended Mon- day (6) slipped to $5,000 after good $7,500 opener, but below hopes. Trans-Lux 60th St, (T-L) (453; 90-$1.50)—“Justice Is Done” (Bur- styn) (6th wk); Fifth round ended Sunday (5) pushed up to socko $6,500 after $5,500 for fourth week. Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540; 90-$1.50)—“Lili” (M-G) (3th wk). Fourth session ended Monday (6) .continued smash with $13,200 after $13,700 for third week. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 05- $1.80)—“Little Sheba” (Par) (16th wk). The 15th round ended yester- day (Tues.) pushed up to great $17,500 after $15,500 for 14th week. Stays on. 3-D Service Co. Hollywood, April 7. New three-dimensional servicing company, Tru-Stereo Corp., has been organized here with A1 Zim- balist as president and chairman of the board. Firm will make the Tru-Stereo process, camera and technical crews available to indie producers. Zimbalist recently produced “Ro- bot Monster,” first picture to make use of this system.