Variety (July 1953)

PICTURE CROSSES Okay; 'Beast’ Rousaig $40,000, /“ . I,os An solos,. June 30.- ■Foii-r now 3-D pix are current this• week but most of attention is - : coins to convontix)nal-fliinonsioneq . T'roni ^.OOOjFatl^. JV . • is beading forv smasiv in. two theatres: ‘ Let s Do IL AS^jn. : also flat, is rated'a nice $25,000 in throe spots. ■ V. •• t1Q ' “Sangaree shapes medium $1.8,- 000 in two houses plus an.added $30,000 from. four ozoners. .A mod- - crale $13,000' is seen lor Arena . lh two sites while ‘'Robot Mon-, fite-r*’ is slim $12,000 also m two Stagebill at LA. Paramount is shoving “Marshall’s Daughter ’ to a flood $30,000. Trio of three day- 41 tors is ge t ting a slow. $ 17,000 ••• • while "Shoot First" is fetching a ’light $12,000 in t hree houses.: Bright spots among • holdovers are "Shane,” “Cinerama •and "Lili.” ’ . ’ Estimates for This Week _ Hillstreet, Vantages (RKO) (2,» : :". 752 •; ^;812; 60-$ 1.10)—“Boost. From j 20;d00 Fathoms”. (WB) and "Night ■Without Stats” (ItKO). . Smasli, ,i ' $'l0;000, Last week, “Came^I 1 rom i Ouler Spa.ee” (U) (4th. wk), $27,900. Downtown, Wiltcrn, B c v e r fy < : : HiH S ; (SW) fl,767;i 2,344; :LG}^.70- (1 0)—“Let’s Do It Again” tCol) and "Spaceways” (Lip)/ Nice $25,- 600, Last week, Downtown only, v "Desert. Song” (WB^, $10,000^.^ United Artists, Hawaii (UATC- C&S). (2.100; I,l06r 95-$1.50" “Sangaree” (Par). Medium $18,- 000.. Last .week, whh other units. Loew’s State, Egyptian (UATC) . (2.404; 1.630; 9A-$ 1.56)—“Arena (M-G) and "Johnny Giant-Killer - - (Lip); Modest $10,000. Last., week, - “Scandal at Scourie.” (M-G) and “Slight Case Murder (M^G) (2d ■ . vk-5 days), $7,000. .-. . Or nlieuin, Holly wood Para mourn (MetropOlitan-F&M) (2(213; .1,436; 70-$l.10)—"Robot Monster” (In- die) and "Run for Hills” .(Indie • Slim $12,000. Orpheum, Hawaii, .‘'Remains Be. Seen”'- (M-G)- and “1 Icl 1 Sold Out” (Indie) (Orpheum only), Sfi.oob. . ; . . Los Angeles Paramount (AB-PT) (3.300: 95-$1.50) — ‘'Marshall's Daughter”• (Indie) with Ken Mur- ray, Spade Cooley, Jimmy Wakely heading stageshow. Good $30,000. Last week. With Hollywood Par, “Fort Ti” <Col) (4tb Wk), $23,600. . Globe, Uptown, Loyola iFWC) (782; 1.715; 1,248; 70-$ 1.1 Q)— “Slvoot- First” *U A) \ and "Genghis Khan” (UA). Light $12,000, Globe, Pit7 (‘Take Me to Town” (Li) and . “Queen .Crowned” (U). $8,500; Up- town, Lovola; Los Angeles,. Iris, “Powder River” (20(h) and "Presi- dent’s Lady” (20th), $24,600^. ; Los Angeles, RUk. Ins (I WC) (23)97; 1.370; 814; : 70-$1.10)—"Han-. . nail Lee” (Indie) and "Loose in London” (AAh Slow $17,000. Last week, with other units. . ^ ’ Chinese (FWC) (2,048: $1-$180). ‘’Shane” (Par) (4th \vk). " Great $25,000. Last week, $30.000.. . y. Four Star (UATC) (900; 70-$L10) | «—"Juggler” (Col) (5th wk-5 days); Glee $3,000, Last week, with United Artists. $6,900. / A Wtlshirc iFWC) (2.296; 80-$1.50) .: "“Desert Rats” (20th) (8th wk). Sad $1,000. Last Week, $1,400 Hollywood (SW). (1,364: $1.20- $2.80)—'Cinerama” (Indie) (9th wkh Fancy $35,000; Last week, $36,600. ■. Vogue (FWC) (885; .80-$ 1.20) — “Lili” (MG) (15th wk). Fine $4,500. Last week, $5,000. Estimated Total Gross This Week . . $573,600 (Based on 23 theatres) Last Year r • $441;500 (Based on 19 theatres ). ,000 in D. C. Washington, June 30. Heat wave is definitely not driv- ing the populace into the air-con- ditioned comfort of midtown houses here... Biz is generally hot up to hopes. Champ is "Beast From 20,000 Fathoms” at Warner; "Arena” plus vaude,- first 3-D at- traction at Loew's Capitol, Is pleasr ing at tilted scale if not quite up to hopes. ".Seared-{Stiff,’’ launched at Loew’s: Palace with much tub- thumping about the new “giant panoramic screen”; and stereo- phonic sound, is also a bit . disap- pointing for. a Martin-Lewis pic. Holdovers are generally fairly steady. : Estimates for This Week Capitol iLoew’s) (3,434; 70-$1.10) — "Arena” J M-G) plus vaude. Lively $22,000. Last week, "Pony Express” (Par) plus vaude, $17,000 at regular scale.; : .- , ■ • Columbia (Loew’s) (1,174; 55- 85)"‘T)t\se r t Rats” (20th) (2d wk). Pleasing $6,000 .after $8,500 last week. Dupont (Lopert) (372;. 55-$l"* —“Man on Tightrope” (20th) (6th wk), Winds.: up with $3,500 for. second consecutive; week-, and about- $23,000 in 0-week run. Keith’s (RKO) (1,949; 55-85) — "Gunsmoke” <U). So-so $7,000. (Continued on page 16) ‘Wife’ No Buff Dream, $9,000; ‘Sangaree’ 12G Buffalo, June 30. "Sangaree” shapes as best bet here this stanza with, nice takings at Paramount. “Francis Covers Big Town” looks bright at Lafayette.- “Dream Wife” is rated tame at the. /Buffalo..-. * ■ Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Loew’s) (3,000; 40-70) — “Dream Wife” (M-G) and "Luxury Girls” < Indie). Tame $9,000. Last week, "Arena” (M-G) and * Cry of Hunted” (M-G), same, Paramount JPar) (3,00°; 40-70)-^- "Sangaree” (Par). . Nice ■.$12,000, Last week,; "Shane” (Par) (2d,. wk>, $1 CeSwr (Par) (2,100; 40-70) -- "South Sea Woman” ‘WB) (2d wk), Okay $6,000. Last week $.7,500. . Lafayette ■(Basf}),.(J,000* v 40-70)j- "Francis Covers Big Town - and “Columri South” (U). Bright $9,500 ^Colfand “Jat:l^M^Cau'i)esp^A<io , ' ' C Centu 6 ry 0 i l 20th. Cent.) l3 -,9 0 ,®- K 4 ( 9; Inr'^S'of: (RKO) Slow $6,500, Last, week, »ea Devils’MRKO) and "Night Without Stars” (RKO), $7,000.. Wednesday, July 1, 1953 Estimated Total Gross This WeCk " $2,298^00 (Based on 22 cities, and 200 theatres, chiefly first runs,yin* eluding y.i Total Gross Same Week Last Year ; . . , . $1,780,600 . (Based on 22 cities, and 172 theatres.} ■ .- :,v,v Philadelphia, June 30. Despite sweltering heat "ere, 3-D productions and gimmick pic- tures are doing excellent trade. Pacing the field is "Came- From Outer Space,” which is smash at the Randolph. "Maze” also is ■strong at the Stanton. Also an: the 3-D category, '’Hannah . Lee,. shapes nicely at. the Fox.. Beast From 20,000 Fathoms” is fast at the Stan ley r • " .• Estimates for This Week . Arcadia (Si&S) (625;. 85-$1.20)--* "Lili” (M-G) (7th wk). Oke. $3,700. Last week, $4,500. Boyd: (SW) (2.360; 50-99)-"AG fair with Stranger” (RKO). Mild $11,000. Last week, “Glass Wall (Col), $10,000. . ■ •.. . . Fox (20 th) (2.250; 99-$ 1.25:)-- “Hannah Lee” (Indie). Nice $19,000. (Continued on page 16) Hub Slows Dowd; ‘Ft IT ailnMBl Portland, Ore., June 30. : Town is bogged down with mtisi- ■cal -.pictures (his week, Big disap-. : pointment- is “Dangerous When: . Wet.,”. - show, at United, Artists de- . spite tail- promotion. “Farmer Takes a Wife” looms mild at Ori- ental but good at Orpheum. “Queen is '.Crowned”' and “Light of the Sil- : very Moon” holds for big second inning at Broadway, Paramount is getting a 3-D rep, “The Maze” • shaping nice currently. . Estimates: for This Week Broadway (Parker) (1.890; 65- 90)“Light of Silvery Moon” (WB) and. “Queen is Crowned” <U> (2d \vk)‘. .Neat $8,000. Last week. • $12,000, wilh lirtcs waiting; every ■ day. ■ Guild (Parker) <400; $1)—"Lili” (M-G) (6th wk). Fine $2,300. Last- . Liberty (Hamrick) (1.875; 65-90) •—"Remains to Be Seen” (M-G) and •'Fast Company” (M-G). Oke $7,- (Continued on page 16) ‘Beast^ Hng;e $17,500, | Balto;-Maze’ Big 16G Baltimore, June 30. Film grosses are still reflecting the exodus to the beaches here this week although school vaca- tions are helping in some situa- tions. "Beast From 20,000 Fathoms” looms sock at the Stan- ley. The Hipp is also getting a share of increased kid attendance for "The Maze.” Remainder of list seems to be marking time until better product arrives for July 4 weekend. Estimates for This Week Century (Locw’s-UA) (3,000; 20- 70)^_“Scandal At Scourie” (M-G). Moderate $7,500; Last week, "Dream Wife” (M-G), $8,200. Hippodrome (Rappaport (2,100; 35-80)—-"The Maze” (AA). Fast $16,000. Last week, "Split Sec- ond” (RKO), $7,000 in 5 days. ; Keith’s (Schanbcrger) (2,400; 50- $1,25)—"Shane” (Par) . (5th : wk). Okay $11,000 after $13,500 for fourth: Little (Rappaport) (310; 25-90)—- "Tonight At; 8:30” (Indies Good $4.400., Last iveck, '"Kind Hearts and Coronets” (U). (reissue), $3,000, IMayfarr (Ilicks) (980; 20-70) - "Pony .Express” (Par). Starting tomorrow (Wed.) after "Van-, quished” (DA) did mild. $4,200,. New (Mechanic) 11,800; ;35-70)— "DCv<t illation Gobi” (20th); Fair $8,000. Last week, "Farmer Takes Wife” (20th), $7,700. . . , V Playhouse . (Scluvaber) (420; .50- $1 )—"Q.uecn Is . Crowned” (U): (3d wk).; Still solid at $5,200 after $5,500 for second. Stanley (WB) (3.280; 25-80) " “Beast '■ From 20^000 Fathoms” GVB). Brisk $17,500 or' near. Last week, “Desert Song” iWBV $10,- 800, ■"■■■,- * Town . (Rappaport) (1,800; 35-80) —"Came From Outer. Space” (U). •OpenW tered today and tomorrow for in- stallation of widescreen and stereo sound. Last week; "Sea Devils” (U h $6,400 • for 5 days. Boston, : June 30. Biz has settled down into the usual summer rut this stanza, with newcomers creating -little excite- ment at. downtown boxoffices. "Francis; Covers Big Town” at Memorial is Just okayv with "Ja- maica Ruh” at Paramount and Fenway only so-so. - "Fort Ti” is rated only fair at State and» Or- pheum. "Queen is Crowned” still is great In fourth week at the Exeter, Estimates for This Week . Astor (B&Q) (1.500; 60-$1.20)— "Volcano” (UA) (2d wk> : Off to good $4,500 following $8,000 for first. Boston (RKO) (3,000; 50-90)— "Kiss of Death” (20th) and "Road House” (20th) . (reissues). Oldies shape slightly better than recent newcomers, here with. $8,000. Last week, "Take Me to Town” (U) and "Dark Streets of Cairo’.’ (Indie) (reissue), $6,500. Exeter (Indie) (1.300; 60-$D— "Queen is Crowned” (U) (4tli wk). Sock $14,000 following $16,000 for third frame. Fenway (NET) (1.373; 50-90)— "Jamaica Run” (Par) and '.‘Space Ways” (Indie), Fair : $4,500. • Last week. "South Sea W T oman”. (WB) and 1 "CoW Country” (AA), $5,000. Memorial (RKO) (3.000; 50.-90)— "Francis • Covers • Big Town” . (U) and "Glory at . Sea” (Todie). Okay $11,000. Last week, ."Came Froth Outer Space” (U) (2d wk). $12,000. Metropolitan (NET) (4,367;.50-90) —"Scared Stiff” (Par) and "Van- quished” (Par) (2d wkh Off to $15,500 following good $24,500 for • first.- ; Orpheum .(Loew’s) (3.000; 65*. $i;05)"‘Fort Ti” (Col), and "Prob- lem Girls” (Col). Fair $13,500; Last- week, “Arena” (M-G) and "Slight Case of Larceny” (M-G). $11,500. . Paramount (NET) (1,700; 50-90) "‘Jamaica Run’** (Par) and "Space Ways” (Indie),. Fairish $16,500, Last week, "South Sea Wonmn” , (WB) arid "Cow Country” (AA), $10,500. - : ^State^(Lricw , s)“3T500r65^$l=05)— "Fort Ti” (Col) and “Problem Girls” (Col); Fair $8,000. Last week, ["Arena” (M-G) arid "Slight Case 1 Larceny” (M-G), $7,000. .1 Pittsburgh, June 30. This week is like the weather, rather sluggish, arid few pix are registering. The Warner is up a bit with "The Maze” although, 3- D interest apparently is diminish- ing; "Queen Is Crowned” also is holding up well in third stanza at the Squirrel Hill. , "Pickup on South. Street”, developed into an okay holdover at Fulton at last . minute, but . preem splash for. "Glory Brigade” at Harris meant little. Two biggest downtown houses, Penn and Stanley j are light with "Story of Three Loves” and "South Sea Woman,” respec- tively; : ; Estimates for This Week. Fulton (Shea) (1,700;. 50-85) —r- "Pickup On South St.” (20th) (2d . Wk), Winding up. at okay $4,500. First week a pleasant surprise at $10,600, necessitating holdover at last minute, after "Francis Covers Big Town” (U) already had been pencilled in. ( . Harris (Harris)/ (2,200; 50-85) — "GlOry. Brigade” (20th). . Good campaign arid, simultaneous re- lease break all over territory not much help. Will be lucky to get mild $5,500. Last week, "Take. Me to Town” (U) arid "Column South’ (U), $3,500 in; 5 days. Penn (Loew’s) (3.300; 50-85) — "Story of Three Loves” (M-G), Not much excitement over this, light $9,000. Last week, “Arena” (M-G), at slightly advanced prices, $13,000, Squirrel Hill (WB) (900; 50-85)— “Queen Is Crowned” (U) (3d Wk). They're still going fof this Coro- nation. pic arid daily matinees (house, ordinarily opens only at night except Saturday^ and Sun- days) are helping, too. Good $2,000 on top of $3,500 last week; Stanley (WB) (3,800; 50-85) "South Sea Woman” (WB). Doesn’t look like more than soggy $8,500. Last ' week. "Beast From . 20,000 Fathoriis” (WB), $15,000 in 8 days; Warner (WB (2,000; 50-85) — "The Maze” (AA). The 3-D’ers are slipping off although this one will lift house way above its re- cent average. It’s first 3-D at regu- lar scale here. Fancy $9,500. Last week, "Scared Stiff” (Par) ’(lja.'O,), . $8,000 in 8. days. Cincinnati, June '30.. Returns at downtown houses are ranging frondmild to favorable this session as the hot spell con- tinues. "Arena” looks like current leader for a mild 3-D marker at big Albee. "Dreani Wife,” a Palace cutie, is rated okay While “Francis Cover’s Big Town,” looms nice at: Keith’s.. "Jamaica Run” is - only fairish at Capitol. Estimates for This Week Albee: (RKO) (3,100; . 75-$l" "Arena’MM-G). Mild $12,000: Last week, "Beast from 20,000 . Fat homv" (WB), $14,000 at' regular. .'55-85) scale. . Capitol (RKO) (2,000; :• .55-85 'w "Jamaica Run” - (Par) arid “Mori,- soon” (UA). Fairish $6,500. Last Week,."Pony Express” ('Pari, $6,000, • Grand - (RKO) (1.400; 76-$l" : "Beast From 20,0.00 Fathoms’* (WB) (m.o,). Okay $7,000, Last week, "Fort Ti” (Col) (m.o.), $9,000.. Keith’s (ShOr); (1,500; 55-85]" “Ffaricis Covers . Big Town” * LTD Nice; $7,000, v Last week, "Desert Rats” (20th), same. ’ Palace (RKO) ; (2,600; 55-851— "Dream Wife” (M-G). Oke SiO.OOO, Last week, ."Girl Who Had Every- thing” (M-G) and "Fast Company'* (M-G), $9,000, ; .in But ‘Arena’ 10IG, ‘River’ 6G / r ' - Providence, June 30. : Summer doldrums: are setting in with a vengeance as local: stamis find it almost impossible io fight the lure of Rhode Island beaches.. Leading a lukewarm list is the State’s - "Arena,” with light take. "Sangaree”, however,, just rounded out a fine week at the Strand. Estimates for This Week : Albee (RKO) (2,200; 44-65)" "Split Second” (RKO) and "Below the Sahara” (RKO)i Mild . $6,500. Last week, "Column South”, <U). and "Lone Hand” (U), $5,500. Majestic (Fay) (2,200;'. 44-65)— "Powder River” (20th) and "The System” (WB). Slow $6,000. Last. week, "Came From Outer Space” (U) (2d wk), $6,500. State (LOew) (3,200; *4-65)" “Arena” (M-G) and "Slight Case of Larceny” (M-G). Light $10,500. Last Week; "Girl Next Door” (20th) and "Cry of Hunted” (M-G), $8,500. Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 44-65) ■—"Vanquished” (Par) arid "Fort Vengeance” (AA). Opened Monday (29). Last week, "Sangaree” <ParV li vely $10,000. ‘SONG’ TORRID $8,000, ‘In Dark’ Modest 10G :.. Indianapolis,. June 30. Biz is slow at most first-runs here’ this Stanza. Rain last Sunday didn’t help. “Mari in Dark,” play- ing Loew’s at slightly tilted scale, looks good enough . to lead with modest figure. "Francis Covers Big Town” , at Circle shapes neat. "Pony Express’’, at Indiana looms mild,;'-" ' Estimates for This Week . Circle (Cockrill-DolleV (2,800; 50- 76)—"Francis Covers Big Town” (U) ; arid "Iron Mountain Trail” (Rep), Neat $9,000, Last week, "Beast From 20.000 . Fathoms” (WB). and "Cow Country” (AA), $ 12 , 000 . Indiana 'C-DV (3,200; 50-76) " "Pony Express” (Par) and "Jamai- ca Run” (Par). Sluggish $8,000. Last week, "Scared Stiff” (Par», $13,000, . u " Loew’s (Loew’s) (2,427; 65-90)— "Man'in Dark” (Col) and "Ambush at Tomahawk” (Col). Moderate $10,000. Last week, "Arena” (M-G) and “Luxury Girls” (UA), ditto. —-Lyric-(e=D)-(rh;600r50*76)=*‘ J Blue Gardenia” (WB) and "Trail Blaz- ers” (AA). Oke $6,000. Last week, "Angel Face” (RKO) and "White Goddess” (Indie), $5,000. , Kansas City, June 30. Edge is off grosses from recent weeks, but they still are very ac- ceptable. ‘‘Girl Next Door” is stout in four Fox Midwest thea- tres. "Desert Song,” is also showing strength at the Missouri; "Man in the Dark” at Midland., shapes fair. Stil going strong is "Queen is Crowned” at the 1'ogue, Early season heat, persists with temperatures in high 90’s regu- larly. Estimates for This; W’eek Kimo (Dickinson! (504; 65.-85' ♦-* “Lili” (M-G) (7th wkL Fat $2,300. HOlds, Last week, $2,600. Midland (Loew’s) (3.500: 65-90) ""Man in Dark” (Col) and ’-‘Am- bush . Tommyhawk Gap” ’Col). Fair $9,000. Last week, “Arena (M-G) and "Slight Case Larceny <MrG), $9,000. ./ Missouri (RKO) (2.650; :50*75^r- "Desert Song” (WB) arid "Big Frame” (RKO);. Sturdy $8.0i)0. arid will hold. Last week. "Beast From 20;000 Fathoriis’• : <^'B > “hd "CoW Country” .(AA), $7,500 in 9 days.; - • Paramount -(Tri-States) v l“p(k 50-75)—‘-Jamaica Run” <Par). Nice $7,000. Last. week,. "Fort Ti” " or) (2d wk), $9,000. Tower, Uptown, Fairway, Gra- nada (Fox : Midwest)- <2.100; 700; 1,217; 50-75)—"GirL. ->e«' Door” (20th) and "Born in Saddle (Indie) added at Tower and Gra- nada. Happy $17,000, Last w eek, "Pickup on South: St,” (20th) and “Kansas^PaciHc’LUlA.L^j ?! ,0.00j __ Vogue (Golden) t550; T; 65-8 ^^ "Queen Is pfowned” (U) (3d Big $2,800, and holds again. week, $3,000. _