Variety (April 1953)

law PICTURE GROSSES 9 Wednesday* April 22, 19o3 H.O.’s Hobble Chi; ‘Sombrero’ Sharp $15,000, Hetties’ Big 1IG, 2d; ‘Salome’ Smash 27G, “Rouge’ Great 30G, 3d Wk Chicago, April 21. - Loop is f nled holdover product, some strong, hut most of it weak. Only one new entiy, i'Som- at the Monroe, looks sharp K ooo 3 In second week, “Desert figffi’ and “Ma and Pa Kettle on vStion” at the Roosevelt looms V"t $11,000. “Jeopardy” and *ron£idential Connie" at United jffSsls still is t>rlght $12,000 on grst holdover round. “Call Me Madam" at Oriental ap- wars Okay $21,000. Chicago, with Jfwbir Along Way" and stage- show is in minor groove. “Salome” *s\md *‘Moulin Rouge” -im lead the third weekers and are rvroviding the real sock business currenUy. “Salome; at Grand is erSk while “Moulin Rouge” is great atthe State*Lak®. “Girl Who Had Everything” at Woods doesn’t ap- oear to have much. "Come Back £ittie Sheba” at Ziegfeld in seventh frame continues brisk. Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 98-$1.25) •Trouble Along Way*: (WB> plus stageshow (2d wk). Mild $24,000, Last week, $33,000. Grand (RKO) <1,200; 98-$1.50)— ‘‘Salome” <Col) <3d wk). Torrid $27,000. Last week, $33,000. Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 55-98)—■ “Sombrero” (M-G). Neat $15,000. Last week, ‘Devil in Flesh” (Indie) (2d wk\ $4,500. * Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$l-25) “Call Me Madam” (20th) (2d wk). Okav $21,000 looms. Last week, $30,000. Palace (Eitel) (2,500; 55-98)—"To- night We Sing” <20th) (3d wk). Not much at $7,000. Last week, $10,000. Roosevelt <B&K) (1,500; 55-98)— ‘ Desert legion” <U) and “Ma, Pa Kettle on Vacation” (U) (2d wk). Strong $11,000. Last week, $20,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; - 98- $1,25—’Moulin Rouge” (UA) (3d wk«. Fancy $30,000. Last week, $38,000. Surf (H&E Balaban) (686; 68)— “Crash of Silence” (Indie). Not bad $3,700. Last week, $4,000. United Artists (B&K) (1.700; 55- 98*—‘‘Jeopardy” (M-G) and “Con- fidential Connie” (M-G) (2d wk). Brisk SI2,000, Last week, $20,000. Woods lEssaness) (1,073; 98)— “Girl Who Had Everything” (M-G) (3d wk-. Lean $9,000. Last week, S14.G00, World iIndie) (587; 98)—“Forbid- den Games” (Indie) (7th wk\ Staunch S3.000. Last week, $3,700. Ziertcld »Lopert) (485; 98)—“Lit- tle Sheba” (Par) (7th-wk). Perky $4,300. Last week, $4,600. Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous key 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. Cold Clips K.C. Trade But Hans’ Terrif 14G; ‘Beneath Sea’ Oke $12,000 Kansas City, April 21. Strong films continue to reap big money. “Hans Christian Andersen” at the Missouri with Upped scale is sock, and holds "Small Town Ctrl’* at Midland looms okay while “Off Limits” is giving the Para- mount a nice second week. “City Beneath Sea” shapes fairish in il Fox houses. Unseasojjally cold and windy weather for first few days was no help. Estimates for This Week Kimo < Dickinson) (504; 65^85)— TIappy Time” (Col) (3d wk). Pleas- ant S2.000. Goes a fourth. Last week. $2,500. Midland (Loewis) (3,500; 50-75) ^-“Small Town Girl” (M-G) and Bandits of Corsica” (DA). Just okay si2.000. Last week, “Salome” (Cob .2d wk) at giant $12,0Q0 at vL 10 top. Missouri (RKO) (2.650; 35-65-$l) 7Z„ H ans Christian Andersen” JRiuk Great $14,900. Holds. Last ***<• “Peter Pan” (BKO> (2d wk). at Si top, wow $14,000, record second round. Paramount (Tri-States) (1,900; Limits” (Par) (2d wk). $13 I 00 S ^'°°0’ LaS *’ wee ^* ^ anc F r, 3 I ow ^T* uptown. Fairway, Gra- “o. , Fox Midwest) (2,100; 2,043; q. j 50-75)—“City Beneath h’ and “ s an Antone” (Rep). SI3,000. Last week, "Semi- ? * C 1 and “Call of Wild’; (20th) wt--s Ue i f s tout $16,000. . > v °7uc (Golden) (550; : 65-85) — cV ;*:;-*** of Wedding” (Col). Nifty ” • • ,V 3S ( week, “Breaking Sound L “‘ w »UA> (7th wkV^W ‘A&C’ Hotsy, 16G, Hub; Horn’ 36G Boston, April 21. Most action this frame is being shown by “Trader Horn,” socko at the State and Orpheum. Pic re-4 ceived terrific buildup via WNAC and WNAC-TV. Abbott-Costello To Mars” at Boston shapes big but “She’s Back on Broadway” at Para- mount and Fenway is only so-so. “Salome” In third frame at Astor is holding fairly well. “Call Me Madam” in third at the Memorial shapes great. Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q) (1,500; 74-$ 1.25)— "Salome” (Col) (3d wk). Holding okay at $14,500 after strong $18,500 for second. Boston (RKO) (3,000; 50-90)— “Abbott-Costello To Mars” <U) .and “Iron Crown” (Indie). Vacationing school kids should push this one to hotsy $16,000 or near. Last week, “Blood and Sand” (20th) and “American Guerilla in Philippines” (20th) (reissues), $6,500 for 5 days. Exeter (Indie) (1,300; 60-80)— “Importance of Being Earnest” <U) (3d wk). Big $6,000 following $6,500 for second. Fenway (NET) (1,373; 50-90)— “Bade On Broadway” (WB) and “Monsoon” (UA). Unexciting $4,- 000. L ast week, ‘Trouble Along Way” (WB) ana “San Antone” (Rep) (2d wk-5 days), $3,000. Memorial (RKO) (3,000) *60-$l) —“Call Me Madam” 20th) (3d wk). Big $16,00Q following a sock $17,- 000 for second. Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 50-90) —“Off Limits” (Par) and “Stolen Identity” (Indie) (2d wk-4 days). About $8,500 after oke $17,500 for first week. Orpheum (Loew’s) (3,000; 50-90) —“Trader Horn” (M-G) and “Se- quoia” (M-G) (reissues). Look bull- ish $24,000. Last week, “Small Town Girl” (M-G) and “Jack Mc- Call” (Col). NSG $13,500. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 50-90) —“Back on Broadway” (WB) and “Monsoon” (UA). Fair $13,500. Last week, “Trouble Along Way” (WB) and “San Antone” (Rep) (2d wk-5 days), good $8,500. State (Loew’s) (3,500; 50-90)— “Trader Horn” (M-G) and “Se- quels” (M-G) (reissues). Strong $12,000. Last week, “Small Town Girl” (M-G) and “Jack McCall” (Col), $7,300. Omaha Big; Hans’ Vow 13G,‘Kettles’Good 11G ‘Clown’ Stout at $6,500 Omaha, April 21. Current session is bullish despite usual April rains. Plenty of spring shoppers out, and film houses are profiting from this. “Hans Chris- tian Andersen” shapes soek at Brandeis while "The Clown’- is smash at the State. "Kettles on Vacation” looks good at Orpheum. Estimates for This 1 Week Brandeis (RKO) (1,100; 35-$l>— “Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO). Sock $13,000 or over. Last week, “Peter Pan” (RKO) (3d wk), $6,500. Omaha (Tristates) (2,100; 20-70) —“Battle Circus (M^G) and "Code Two" (M-G) (2d wk). Lively $6,000 after $10,000 initial stanza. Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 20- 70)—“Ma and Pa Kettle on Vaca- tion” (U) and “San Antone” (Rep). Good $11,000 or near. Last week “Back on Broadway” (WB) and “Jalopy” <AA>,- $10,000. State (Goldberg) (865; 25-76) — "The Clown” (M-G) and "Confi- dentially Connie” (M-G). Sturdy . $6,500TLast week. “I Love Melvin” f (M-G) and “Golden Hawk” (Cob 1 (2d wk), $4,500. Trouble’Trim $12,500, i Balto; ‘Madam’ 13IG, 3d Baltimore, April 21. i Grosses here this week are close to average after boost provided; by big holiday product. ‘Trouble' Along Way” at the Stanley looks good. “Don Camillo” opened well at sureseater Little. “Peter Pan” is okay at Hipp. “Call Me Madam” at the New still is big in its third week. Estimates for This Week j Century (Loew’s-UA) (3.000; 20- 10)—“1 Love Melvin” (M-G). Mild $9,000. Last week, “Naked Spur”! (M-G) (2d wk), $6,800. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,100; 50-$1.25»—“Peter Pan” (RKO) (3d wk). Holding okay at $21,000 after $24,300 for last week. Keith’s (Schanberger) (2,400; 25- 90)—“Girls of Pleasure Island” (Par). Starts tomorrow (Wed.) after third week of “Off Limits” (Par) dipped to oke $6,000. Little Rappaport) (310; 25-90)— “Don Camillo” (Indie). Looks pleas- ing $4,400. Last week “Justice Is Done” (Burstyn), $3,800. Mayfair l Hicks) (980; 20-70)— “Treasure Golden Condor” (20th). Fair $4,500. Last week, “Fair Wind to Java” (Rep) (2d wk), $4,200. New (Mechanic) (1,800; 35-90)— “Call Me Madam” (20th) (3d wk). Still big at $13,500 after potent $18,000 for second round. Playhouse (Schwaber) (420; 50- $1)—“Little Sheba” (Par) (6th wk). Socko $6,700, same as last week. Stanley (WB) (3,280; 25-75)— “Trouble Along Way” (WB). Good $12,500. Last week, “I Confess” (WB) (2d wk), $6,800. Town (Rappaport) (1,500; 35-701 —“Hitch-Hiker” (RKO). Oke $9,000. Last week, “Small Town Girl” (M-G), $8,500. Rouge’ Huge 16G, Mpk; “Mars’ 6G Minneapolis, April 21. Every recent week has brought one real boxoffice socko and the current stanza doesn’t alter the pattern. This time it’s “Moulin Rogue,” getting huge total at Cen- tury. A trio of three other highly regarded newcomers, “President’s Lady,” “Girls of Treasure Island” and “Invaders from Mars” are hav- ing to take somewhat of a back seat. High-powered holdovers continue to hold their high ground. Estimates for This Week Century (Par) (1.600; 76-$l)— “Moulin Rouge” (UA). Taking this town by storm same as everywhere else. Nothing but raves. Huge $16,- 000. Last week, “Anna” (IFE) (2d wk), okay $4,500 at regular scale. Gopher (Berger) (1,020; 65-85b— "City Beneath Sea” (U) (2d wk). Stout $3,500. Last week, $5,400. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 65-85)—“In- vaders from Mars” (20th) and ‘Toughest Man in. Arizona” (Rep). Nice $6,000. Last week, "Destina- tion Gobi” (20th) (2d wk), $5,000. Radio City (Par) (4.000; 65-85)— "Girls of Pleasure Island” (Par). Helped by opening day’s personals of four cast members but only mod- erate $8,000 looms. Last week, ‘Trouble Along Way” (WB) (2d wk), $5,500 in 6V£ days. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 76- $1)—“Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO) (2d wk). Still rolling but must make way April 23 for “Sa- lome” (Col). Stout $14,000. Last week, terrific $22,000.’ . RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 76-$l)— "Peter Pan” (RKO) (4th wk). Trim $6,000. Last week, $6,500. State (Par) <2,200; 65-85)— j “President’s Lady” (20th). Slow l $5,000. Last week, “Sheltering Palms” (20th), $4,800. World (Mann) (400; 55-$1.20>— “Little Sheba” (Par) (2d wk). Ro- bust $6,000 or near. Last week, smash $6,700. Ram Helps B way; “Wax’-fisher Great 120G, Dark’ $21500, Both 24 “Madam’ Hep 80G, “Rouge’ Robust 37G in 10th legion’ Lusty $9,600, Pitt; ‘Rouge’ 15G, 2d Pittsburgh, April 21. ‘Desert Legion”* at Fulton looks like best of new entries. Smash takings spell a holdover. “Moulin Rouge” still is strong in second and final stanza at Penn while “Call Me Madam” is winding up a nice run at Harris. “Destination Gobi” at Stanley, shapes sad. Reissue combo of "Old Maid” and “Mil- dred Pierce” at Warner looks modest Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 50-85)—- “Desert Legion” (U). Smash $9,000., That's more than enough to hold. Last week, “Silver Whip” (20th) (Continued on page 20) Broadway film business is hold- ing up in surprising style this ses- sion, the dip fnvn an unusually strong Easter vacationing week be- ing less than expected. The first- runs are nearly 100% holdover or extended-run. However, the cold, rainy weather (snow flurries Mon- day), which dominated the last seven days apparently were a hypo to the .boxoffice. The second week of “House of Wax” with Eddie Fisher heading stageshow at the Paramount looms as one of standouts of current round. It is heading for a smash $120,000 in initial holdover ses- sion, not far from opening week. At current pace, this bill may go four stanzas at the Par flagship. Also reflecting the obvious yen of the public for 3-D films is the strength displayed by “Man in Dark” for its second round at the Globe, where it is finishing at big $21,500. Lone newcomer is “The Assassin,” which is heading for a sock $12,000 opening frame at the small-seater Sutton. The Music Hall is winding tip “Light of Silvery Moon” and Eas- ter stageshow with a good $126,000 for fourth week. Hall brings in “Shane” on its huge panoramic screen tomorrow (Thurs.). “Sa- lome” is off from its previous -week but still socko with $35,000 for fourth stanza at the Rivoli. "Call Me Madam” with iceshow onstage continues its great run at the Roxy, winding up with smash $80,000 on its fourth session. It is Set to go six weeks. ‘Tall Texan” is down to around $7,500, still very good, for second frame at the Hol- iday. Perhaps the most astonishing showing continues to be made by “Moulin Rouge,” which is starting its 11th week today (Wed.) at the Capitol. This lqngrunner held at great $37,000 in 10th stanza ended last night (Tues.), It now looks to mil into a 12th session, and top the old mark held by‘“Gone With Wind.” “Murder Will Out” continues big with $8,500 in third week at the Normandie. . “Come Back, Little Sheba” held in great fashion to get $15,500 on its 17th week at the Victoria. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 80-$1.50) —“Off Limits” (Par) <4th-final wk) Down to okay $14,000 or less in final five days of current round ending today (Wed.). Third full week was fancy $22,000 but below hopes. “Never Wave at Wac” (RKO) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Broadway (Cinerama) (1,250; 90- $2.80)—“Cinerama” (Indie) (30th wk). The 29th week ended yester- day (Tues.) was $40,500 after $41,- 000 for 28th session. Baronet (Reade) (430; 90-$1.50)— "Importance of Being Earnest” (U) (18th wk). The 17th frame ended Sunday (19th) held at $3,800 after okay $4,000, over hopes, for 16th week. “I Believe in You” (U) set to open April 27. Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 70-$l.Bp) —“Moulin Rouge” (UA) (11th wk). The 10th stanza ended last night (Tues.) held at great $37,000 after $41,000 for ninth round. If “Rouge” holds over only three days of 12th session, it will beat the old all-time mark here held by “Gone With Wind” (M-G) which ran 11 weeks and two days. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 85-$2.20) — “Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO) «22d wk). The 21st stanza ended Monday (20) slipped to $12,- 400, a natural dip since schools were not closed. The 20th week was $20,000. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“The Promoter” (U) (26th wk). The 25th round ended Monday (20) was $3,200 after nice $3,500 for 23d week. “Fanfan the Tulip” (In- die), which broke nearly all thea- tre where it played on the Continent, opens May 5. Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 60-$lfi0) “Man in Dark” (Col) (3d wk). Initial holdover round ended yes- terday (Tues.) held at socko $21,- 500 after terrific'$30,000 opening week. First stanza was consider- ably- oyer hopes, and best here since Christmas week of 1951. Holiday (Per-Rose) (950; 60- $1.20)—“Tall Texan” (Lip) (2d wk). Initial holdover frame end- ing tomorrow (Thurs.) looks like nice $7,500. First week was big $ 10 , 000 . Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 70- $16,000 for second stanza. “Angel Face” (RKO) opens Friday (24). Normandie (Normandie Thea- tres) (592; 95-$1.80)—“Murder Will Out” (Indie) (3d wk>. Third stanza ending next Friday (24) looks to hold at big $8,500 after great $9,- 500 for second week. Palace (RKO) (1,700; $1.80-$6)— Danny Kaye and all-vaude bill (14th wk). The 13th session ended last Saturday (18) was nearly ca- pacity at $49,000 after $53,500 in previous stanza. Now due to wind up April’26. Paramount (Par) (3,664; 80- $1.80)—“House of Wax” (WB) with Eddie Fisher heading stageshow (2d wk). Initial holdover round ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to hit sock $120,000 after gigantic $123,009 for opening week. First session was one of the bigger weeks at the Par flagship. Paris (Indie) (568; $1.25-$1.80)— “Hans C. Andersen” (RKO) (22d- final wk). The 21st round ended Monday (20) held at $4,900 after big $7,500 for 20th week. ‘The Freshman” (Indie) opens April 28. Rivoli (UAT) <2,092; 95-$2)—"Sa- lome” (Col) (5th wk). Fourth round ended last night (Tues.) slipped to $35,000 but still very big* for this stage of run. Third week was pow- erful $50,000. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 90-$2.40)—“By Light of Silvery Moon” (WB) and Easter stageshow (4th-final wk). Off to good $126,000, sans any assist from Easter vacationers. Third week was fancy $150,000. “Shane” (Par) launches Hall’s .panoramic .with new show tomorrow (Thurs.). Roxy (20th) <5,886; 50-$2.20)— “Call Me Madam” (20th) and ice- show onstage (5th wk). Fourth frame ended last night (Tues.) held around smash $80,000 after $109,- 000 for third week. Stays here six weeks, according to present plans. State (Loew’s (3,450; 85-$1.80)— “Sombrero” (M-G). Opens today (Wed ). Last week, “I Love Melvin” (M-G) (2d wk-6 days), was off to fair $11,000 or less after nice $21,- 000 opening week. Sutton (B & B) (561; 90-$1.50>— “The Assassin” (UA). Initial week ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks socko $12,000. In ahead, “Penny Princess” (3d wk-10 days), $5,400. Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453; 90-$1.50)—“Justice Is Done” (Bur- styn).(8th wk). Seventh frame end- ed Sunday (19) was good $4,700 after fine $5,200 for sixth. Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540; 90*$1.50)—“Lili” (M-G) (7th wk). Sixth stanza ended Monday (20) held with very big $10,600 after $11,000 for fifth week. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 95- $1.80)—"Little Sheba” (Par) (18tb wk). The 17th round ended yester- day (Tues.) was remarkably strong $15,500 after $15,000 for 16th week Going 19 weeks. L’yille Stout; legion’ Fine $9,000, ‘Spur’ 9& ‘System’ Sturdy $6*500 Louisville, April 21. Business is stout this week al- though crimped somewhat Satur- day (18) by an unexpected return of wintry blasts and snow. Short- lived return engagement of icy temperatures didn’t hurt Sunday’s (19) downtown film house biz much. Rialto, With “Desert Legion” and ‘TH Get You.” looks okay $9,000 while “System” at the‘Mary Ander- son is sturdy. “Naked Spur” with “High Treason” at State is fair. “Mississippi Gambler” at Kentucky is proving it’s mettle by going a third stanza there. Estimates for This Week Kentucky (Switow) (1,200; 50-75» — “Mississippi Gambler” (U> (3d Wk). Still strong at $3,500. Last week, big $4,000. Mary Anderson (People’s) (1,200; 50-75) — “System” (WB). This single bill allows* for plenty of turnover, and this should mean a sturdy-$6,500. Last week, ‘Trouble Along Way” (WB) (2d wk), $5,000. Rialto (Fourth Avenue) (3,000; 50-75) —“Desert Legion” (U> and “I’ll Get You” (Lip). Nice $9,000 or over. Last, week “Peter Pan” (RKO) (2d wk), at 99c top, healthy $ 10 , 000 . State (Loew’s) (3,000; 50-751 — (M-G) and “High -- Naked Spur’ $L8C0—'“Jeopardy” (M-G)^74th wk-1 Treason” (M-G). Fair $9,500. Last 4 days). Third week ended Sun-!, week, “Salome” (Col) “(2d wk), at day U9) Was okay $12,000 after l upped scale* oke $8,500.