Variety (December 1953)

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PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, December 2, 1953 LA Soars; ‘Worlds’ Torrid $38,000, ‘Attack’ Stoat 19G, Sins’ Hot 19/4G, ‘Paradise’ Fine 11G, ‘Cinerama’ 3414G P Los Angeles, Dec. 1. 4 Long holiday weekend is sharp- ening the current week’s box- office. most situations reporting improved trade. Standout new- comer is “War of Worlds’’ with great $38,000 in two theatres plus a smash $60,000 in one nabe and four ozoners. “Fighter Attack with “Tumbleweed” looms nice $19,000 in two sites plus an addi- tional $14,500 in two nabes and two drive-ins. “Sins of Jezebel” looks neat $19,500 in four sma.ll-seaters. •’Flight To Tangier” is dull $8,500 In two houses plus $24,000 in 4 ozoners. Lola Montes unit onstage Is failing to help "Terror Street” to more than $8,000 at the United Artists. Most holdovers are continuing good. “Robe” looks nifty $35,000 or near in 10th week for two houses. “Millionaire” looks fine $33,500 in fourth frame “Captain’s Paradise” is fine $11,000 in second while “Cinerama” is still solid $34,600 for 30th week at the Hol- lywood. Estimates for This Week Orpheum, Vogue (Metropolitan- FWC) <2.213; 885; 70-$ 1.1 O'—"War of Worlds” <Par). Great $38,000. Last week. Vogue, United Artists, “Little Boy Lost” (Par) <2d wk>, $7 .200; Orpheum on moveover. Loew’s State, Wiltern 'UATC- SW) <2,404; 2,344; 70-$l 10)—• “Fighter Attack” <AA) and "Tum- bleweed” <U). Nice $19,000 or over. Last week. “Jack Slade" <AA) and “Hot News” <AA). $16,200. Globe, Iris, Uptown, Loyola (FWC) <782; 814; 1,715; 1.248; 70- $1.10)—"Sins Jezebel” (Lip) and “Man From Cairo” <Lip>. Neat $19,500 or close. Last week. "Capt. Smith, Pocahontas” <UA) and “Steel Lady” <UA) <8 days), $12,300. Rialto. Fox Hollywood 'Metro- politan-FWC) <839; 756; 70-$l. 10) —"Flight Tangier” (Par). Dull $8,500. Last week. Rialto, “Moon Is Blue” <UA» <21st wki, $1,500; Hollywood 2d run. United Artists <UATO <2,100; $1-$1.50>—"Terror Street” <Lip) with Lola Montes Spanish revue onstage. Thin $8,000. Last week, in unit. El Key «FWO <861; 70-$ 1.10)— “Song of Land" <UA». Fair $4,000. Warner Beverly tSW) <1.612; 90- $1 50'—“Torch Song” <M-G) (2d wk». Good $10,000. Last week, with preem coin, $13,500. Fox Ritz < FWC) <1.363; 90 $ 1.50) —"Captain's Paradise” <UA) <2d wk'. Fine $11,000 or over. Last week. $13,600. Los Angeles, Hollywood Para- mounts <ABPT-F&M) <3,300; 1.430; 70-$ 1 25 1 —“Calamity Jane” <\VB) and “Clipped Wings” <AA) <L.A. Par only) 1 2d wk'. Fair $19,000. Last week. $21,700. Four Star <UATC) <900; $1 50- $2 40»—"Julius Caesar” <M-G) <3d \vk>. Hefty $11,000. Last week. $10,000. Hawaii, Palace (G&S-Metropoli- , ton) < 980; 1.212; 7()-$l.10)—“All .'Brothers Valiant” (M-G) (3d wk) and “Botany Bay” (Par) <2d r run- Palace only). Pleasing $9,500." Last week. $10,300. Fox Wilshire. Warner Downtown (FWC-SW) <2.296: 1.757; $l-$2.20» —‘‘How Marry Millionaire” <20th> <41h wk Wilshire. 3d wk Down- town'. Good $33,500. Last week. $31,200. Fine Arts <FWC> <631; 80-S1.50) —“Cruel Sea” <U> <7th wk). Slow $1,700. Last week. $2,000, Egyptian <l T AT(’) <1.538; 90- $180)—“Mogambo” <M-Gi ifith wk'. Smart $8,500. Last week. $11.000. Hillstreet. Pantagrs <HKO' 2- 7">2; 2.812; 95-$1.5())—“F.temilv” •C<*1) <f)th wki. Okay $22,000. Last week, ditto. Chinese. Los Angeles <FWC < 1 905; 2.097; $1 20-S2 40<—“Rohe” (20th» noth wk Chinese. 5th wk L A <. Nitty $35,000. Last week, holiday shoved up to handsome $40,600. Hollywood <SW) <1.364; $120- $2 40<—"Cinerama” tlndie) <31st wk>. Into 31st session after solid $34,500 last week. Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week $624,700 • Hosed on 24 theatres) Last Year $612,400 (Based on 20 theatres) ‘Kate’ Smash 25G, Frisco; ‘Jane’ 16G San Francisco. Dec. 1. Holiday is boosting Market Street biz currently. One of* big- gest newcomers is “Calamity Jane,” with strong session at Gold- en Gate. “Bigamist.” with boost from personals by Ida Lupino and Edmund Gwenn. looms brisk at St. Francis. Top coin goes to “Kiss Me Kate,” rated great at Warfield. "Robe” is doing fine in final 9 days at the Fox in ninth stanza. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate <UKO» <2.850; 65- 95)—"Calamity Jane” <WB) and “Captain Scarface” <Indie). Strong $16,000. Last week. “Thunder Over Plains” (WB) and "Paris Express” • Indie), $8,000. Fox (FWC) (4.651; $l-$2.40)— "Robe” <20th) (9th wk). Fine $25,- 000 in 9 days. Last week. $17,000. Warfield < Loew’s) <2.656; 65-95) —"Kiss Me Kate” <M-G>. Great $25,000 Last week. “All Brothers Valiant” (M-G) <2d wk-4 days), $3,000. Paramount <Par) <2.646; 65-95)— “War Of Worlds" (Par) and “Affairs Dobie Gillie” (M-G) <2d wk). Nice $12,000. Last week, $19,- 000 . St. Francis (Par) <1.400; 75-$l> —“Bigamist” <Indie). Brisk $13,- 000, aided by world preem. Last week. “Sins Jezebel” (Lip) and “Terror Street” (Lip) <2d wk), <3 days), $4,000. Esquire (No. Coast) <957; 65-85) —“Joe Louis Story” <UA) and “The Fake” <UA). Fancy $10,000. Just opened as first-run. United Artists (No. Coast) <1.207; 65-95)—“Sabre Jet” <UA) and “Slaves Of Babylon” <Col) (2d wk). Oke $4,500 in 3 days. Last week, $9,500. Stagedoor fA-R) <370; $1-$1.50) —“Decameron Nights” <RKO) (3d wk>. Fine $2,700. Last week. $3,200. Bridge (Schwarz Reade) (399; $1- $1 20)—“Cruel Sea” <U) (9th wk). Fine $2,700 in eighth* session. Sev- enth week was $2,800. Stavs on until near Xmas, with “Tonight at 8 30“ (Indie) due in next. Clay (Rosener) <400: $1)—“Fan- fan Tulip” (Indie) doth wk). Big $2,900. Last week. $3,000. Vogue <S. F. Theatres) <377; $1- $1.20)—"Summer of Happiness” <Indie) <6th wk'. Holiday oke at $1,000. Last week. $1,200. ’Kate’ Whopping $15,000, Port.; ‘Bay’ Brisk 12G Portland, Ore., Dec. 1. Biz is climbing sharply this ses- sion. aided by the Thanksgiving weekend. “Kiss Me Kate" is stand- < out newcomer with a terrific ses- sion at the Broadway. “Botany Bay” also is rated big at Para- mount. “Torch Song” looms lusty in second Liberty round. "The Robe" is climbing to a great ses- sion in eighth Orpheum frame. "Mogambo” is holding stoutly in fourth stanza at United Artists, same as third. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) <1,890: 85- $ j 15 »—“Kiss Me Kate” (M-G). Giant $15,000. Last week. “Devil’s Canvon” <RKO> and ’’Marry Me Again” <RKO>. $7,300. Century (Foster-Breal) <800; 50- 70'—“Crazylegs” <UA> <2d wk). So-so $2,000. Last week. $4,200. Guild 'Foster) <400: $D—"Mel- ba” <UA). Trim $2,300. Last week. “Cruel Sea” <U) <3d wk), oke $1,600. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,875; 65-90) —“Torch Song” <M-G> and "Count Hours” (M-G) <2d wk). Loud $8 500. Last week, $11,400. Oriental (Evergreen) <2,000; 90 $1,25»—"Marlin Luther” <Indie) <5th wk). Fine $3,200 in 5 days. Last week. $5,000, record-breaking gross and playing time for this house. Orpheum (Evergreen) <1.600; $1.25-$1 75) — "The Robe” <20th) <Rth wk'. Climbed to great $14,- 000. Last week, $9,500. Paramount <Port-Par> <3.400: 65- 90)—“Botany Bay” (Par) and “Fort Vengeance” <AAV Big $12,000. Last week. “War of Worlds” <Par) and “Master Detective” (Indie), $9,600. United Artists (Parker) <890; 90- $1.25) — “Mogambo” <M-G) <4th wk'. Still big at $6,000. Last week, same. ‘Jane’ Sturdy $11,500 Leads Cincy; Louis’ Lively 8G, ‘Bay’ Mild 5V 2 G Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week ..... $3,232,300 (Based on 24 cities, and 227 theatres, chiefly first runs, in- cluding N. Y.) Total Gross Sams Week Last Year $2,499,400 (Based on 24 cities and 210 theatres .) ‘Hondo’ Sock 7G, Omaha; ‘Kate’ 6G Omaha, Dec. 1. First-run spots are perking this week with a complete list of new bills and co-operation from the weatherman over Thanksgiving weekend. “Kiss Me Kate” showcas- ing at upped scale looms solid at the State. Even stronger is "Hondo” at Brandeis. “Calamity Jane” is rated big at Orpheum. Estimates for This Week Brandeis <RKO) <1.100; 75-$l) —“Hondo” <WB) and “Killer Ape” (WB). Socko $7,000 or over. Last week. “Thunder Over Plains” <WB) and “Slaves of Babylon” (Col), $6,000 at 50-76c scale. Omaha (Tristates) <2.000; 50-76) —“So Big” (WB). Nice $7,000. Last week. “Moonlighter” <WB) and "Plunder of Sun” (WB). $6,500. Orpheum < Tristates) <2.890; 65- 85>—“Calamity Jane” <WB». Big $11,500. Last week. “The Robe” <20th) (4th wk). $11,500 at 90-$1.25 scale, or about $500 shy of $ 100 , 000 . State (Goldberg) <850; 65-90)— “Kiss Me Kate” <M-G). Great $6- 000. Last week. “Torch Song” <M-G), $4,500 at 50-80c scale. ‘Hondo’ Huge 25G, Philly; ‘Bros.’ 18G Philadelphia.-Dec. 1. Film grosses are being upped here currently by the Thanksgiving holiday and football crowds, grid throng coming mainly from Army- Navy battle last Saturday (28). "Hondo” shapes as best newcomer with huge total at the Goldman while "Take High Ground” also is lofty at the Midtown. “All Broth- ers Valiant” shapes stout at the Stanley. “99 River Street” is rated brisk at Stanton. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (625; 85-$1.30) — "Mogambo” <M-G> <8th wk). Fine $9,000. Last week. $7,500. Boyd <S-W> (1.400; $1.30-$3.25)— "Cinerama” <Indie <8th wk>. Soar- ing to great $26,400. Last week, $23,000. Fox <20th) <2.250: 99-$1.80) — “Robe” <20th) <10th wk). Sock $26,- 000. Last week. $24,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 50- 99•—“Hondo” (WB). Terrific $25.- 000. Last week, “Diamond Queen” <WB), $12,000. Mastbaum <S-W> (4.360; 99-$1.30) —"How Marry Millionaire” (20th) (2d wk). Great $35,000. Last week, $50,000. Midtown (Goldman) (1.000; 74- $1.30'—“Take High Ground” <M- G). Lofty $17,000. Last week, “Torch Song” (M-G) (5th wk), $ 8 , 000 . Randolph (Goldman) (2.500; 74- $1.30<—“Kiss Me Kate” <M-G> <2d wk). Sweet $18,000. Last week, $25,000. Stanley <S-W) <2.900; 85-$1.30'— “All Brothers Valiant” <M-G). Stout $18,000. Last week. “Eter- nity” <Col) (9th wk'. $11,000. Stanton <S-W) <1.473; 50-99) — "99 River Street” <U.A>. Brisk $10,000. Last week. “Below Sa- hara” <RKO) and “Tarzan and She- Devil” <RKO>. $7,500. Studio (Goldberg) <500; 85-$ 1.25) —"Sea Around Us” <RKO> (3d wk). Okay $3,500. Last week. $5,500. Trans-Lux <T-L> <500; 99-$1.50)— “Moon Is Blue” <UA) <5th wk'. Sturdy $10,500. Last week, $10,000. Cincinnati, Dec. i. Thanksgiving stuffing is ap. parent this week in trade tilts at all downtown houses. "Calamny Jane” is easy leader of new bill* being solid at the Palace. - Joe* Louis Story” looms strong for the Grand while “Botany Bav” „t Keith’s looks mild. “Thunder Over Plains” shapes fairish at Capitol Town topper for the sixth straight week, “The Robe” is spurting ahead of its fifth frame in piling up a record all-time gross and stay at the Albee. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3.100; 85-$ 150) —“The Robe” (20th) <6th wk 1 . Holiday surge building to solid $17,000 to top last week's $15,000. Capitol (RKO) <2.000; 55-85 — “Thunder Over Plains” <UA» and “My Heart Goes Crazy” <UA< Fairish $5,000. Last week, “Maze” <AA) and “Royal African Rifles” <AA), five days, $4,000. Grand (RKO) < 1.400; 55-85 — “Joe Louis Story” (UA) and "No Escape” (UA). Fast $8,000. I ast week, "Steel Lady” (Col) and “Ihe Fake” (UA). $5,500. Keith’s (Shor) (1.500; 55-85'— “Botany Bay” (Par). Moderate $5,500. Last week. "Big Heat” (Col) (2d wk), $4,500. Palace (RKO) (2.600; 55-85'— “Calamity Jane” (WB). Sturdy $11- 500. Last week, “Blowing Wild” (WB), $9,000. Tri-Dimensionals Soar in Hub; Kate’ Wow 45G, Hondo’ Big 23G, Both 3-D Mickey Rooney at Republic Hollywood. Dec. 1. Mickey Rooney has sot deal to produce comedy, “Mighty Melvin." under Republic auspices next March. Blake Edwards penned original story. Either Edwards or Richard Quine will direct. Boston. Dec. 1. Biz perked plenty this stanza with nifty grosses reported at majority of firstruns while holding up nicely at holdover spots. Best of newcomers appears to be <3-D edition of' "Kiss Me Kate” which is socko at St.ite and Orpheum. "Hondo.” also 3-D. is headed for hettv returns at Paramount and Fenway. “Captain’s Paradise.” in second round at Aslor, looms strong. "The .Robe.” in eighth week at the Memorial, and "How Marry Millionaire.” in fourth round at the Met. also are big. Estimates for This Week Astor iB&K) 1.500: .50-$ 1 10'— "Captain’s Pa disc” <UA' <2d wk'. Neat $15,000 shapes following $16,- 500 first week. Reaeon Kill 'Beacon Hill) <800; 50-$l)—"Fan fan Tulip” iLopert) <8th wk). Nice $5,500 following $6,000 seventh round. Exeter 'Indie' <1.300; 60-$ 1'— "Titfield Thunderbolt” <U) and “Passionate Sentry” (In die'. Opened Sunday <29>. Last week. “Beggar’s Opera” <\VB> <5th wk), satisfactory $3,500. Fenway' <NET» < 1.373: 60-$P— “Hondo” (WB) and "The Fake” | <UA). Neat $6,000 looms, week. “Flight Nurse” 'Rep) "Shadow Man” (Lip*, $3,500. Majestic (Shubort) (1,500; 50- $1.25'—"Martin Luther" 'Indio <5th wk'. Still oke at $8,500 fol- lowing $10,500 fourth. Memorial <HKO) '3.000; 85-SI.85' "The Rohe” <20th> <Hth wk'. Neat $25,000 following $27,000 in sev- enth. Metropolitan <NET) <4.367; 80- $1 25'—“How Marry Millionaire” ><20th) <4th wk'. Solid $22,000 after $29,000 for third. i Orpheum (Loew’s) <3.000: 65-SI.- 05'—"Kiss Me Kate” <M-G) “China Venture” <CoP. The 3-D version is pulling a nifty $28,000 or over. Last week. “I. The Jury” (UA> and “Cruisin’ Down River" (CoP. $-15,000. Paramount (NET) (1.700; 65-$l- 05' “Hondo” «WB» and "The Fake” <UA>. Hefty $17,000. Last week, "Flight Nurse” <Rep) and “Shadow Man” <Lip', $9,500. . State (Loews) <3.500; 65-$1.05) —"Ki.vs Me Kate” (M-G) and "China Venture” <CoP. Slick $17.- 000. Last week. “I, the Jury” 'UA) and "Cruisin’ Down River” (Col', $ 8 , 000 . ‘Marry’ New K.C. High, $40,000; ‘Hondo’ Rousing 9G, ‘Bay’ Hefty $8,$00 Kansas City, Dec. 1. “How To Marry a Millionaire,” second CinomaScope film, shapes sock biz and likely a new all-time record week’s gross for this city. Film is playing four Fox Midwest houses. Other fronts are faring well with the Thanksgiving week- end strong product. "Hondo” at the Missouri looms stout while "Botany Bay” at Paramount is nice. "All Brothers Were Valiant” at the Midland is modest. "The Robe” in ninth week is showing some power and likely may extend through the tenth week at Or- pheum. Estimates for This Week Kimo (Dickinson) <504; 75-$l)— “Tonight We Sing” (20th'. Opened Sunday <29< with mild take. Likely won’t hold. Played a week at down- town Orpheum several months ago. Last week, “Lili” closed out a 28- week run. playing 10 days for nifty and ; $2,000; set local record for longrun. Midland (Loew s) '3.500; 50-75)— “All Brothers Valiant” (M-G) and “The Fighter” <Col). Lean $8,500. Last week, “Kiss Me Kate” (M-G». in 3-D. and “No Escape” (UA) at 65-90c scale big $13,000 but under hopes. Missouri <RKO) <2.650: 75-$P “Hondo” (WB), also 3-D. and “Louisiana Territory” (RKO). Hefty $9,000 or near. Last week, “Decameron Nights” (RKO) and “Mexican Manhunt” (AA>. $3,500. Orpheum <Fox Midwest) (1.913; $1-$L50)—“The Robe” <20th) (9th (Continued on page 26) ‘Caddy’ Okay at $15,000 In Toronto, ‘Louis’ Loud 14|G, ‘Country’ Hot 10G Toronto. Dec. 1. “The Caddy” is okay here this round but not up to hopes for Mar- tin-Lewis, "So Big” looks tops for other newcomers, with “Joe Louis Story” hefty in five houses. Of holdovers. “The Robe” is still tops in sixth stanza, with “Mogambo” big in fifth. Estimates for This Week Downtown. Glendale, Mayfair, Scarboro, State (Taylor) (1.059; 955; 470; 696; 694; 35-60'—'"Joe j Louis Story” (UA) and “Shoot I First” (UA). Nice $14,500. Last 1 \yeek. “Flame Calcutta” <Col) and “Mission Over Korea” (Col), $12,- 500. Eglinton. University <FP) (1.080; 1.558; 40-75)—"So Big” (WB). Fine $13,500. Last week. “Captain’s Paradise” (London) <4th wk', $11,- 500. Hyland (Rank) (1.250: 50-85)— “Conquest of Everest” (Rank) (2d w’k). Oke $4,000. Last week, $ 6 , 000 . Imperial <FP) <3.373: 75-$1.50)—• “The Robe” (20th) (6th wk). Hold- ing well at $15,000. Last week, $ 20 , 000 . Loew's (Loew) (2.096: 65-85'— “Mogambo” (M-G) (5th wk). Fine $10,000. Last week. $14,500. Nortown. Shea’s <FP) '959; 2.386; 40-75)—"The Caddy” (Par). High but not up to hopes with $15 000. Last week, “This Is Love” <WB\ $10,500. Odeon (Rank) (2.390: 50-90'— “Let’s Do It Again” (Col) (2d wk\ Fine $10,000. Last week. $14,500. Towne (Taylor) <693: 75-SI 1 — “Main Street to Broadway” (M-G'. Light $4,000. Last week. “Beggar’s Opera” (WB) (2d wk'; $4,500. Uptown (Loew) <2.743; 40-75;—• “Back to God’s Country” <U'). Nice $10,000. Last week, “Glass Web' <U) <2d wk), $7,000. ‘HONDO’ SOCKO 38G, DET; ‘SLADE’ BIG 26G Detroit, Dec 1 Never since the 1928 opening <-f the United Artists has there hem anything like "How To Marry ,i Millionaire.” which was huge $40 - 500 opening round. “Kiss M<? Kate” at Adams is sock but the biggest coin for a newcomer goes to “Hondo.” great at the Palm c . “Jack Slade” also is big at Braa•> way-Capitol. It was the large * Thanksgiving Day in three ye; s for Detroit. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) <5.000: SI* $1.80)—"The Robe” <20th> <9th wk . Smash $48,000. Last week. $49.(><"). Michigan (United Detroit) <4 0<«>; 80-$l>—"Little Boy Lost" 'Bar) and “Tumbleweed” (ID '2d wk'. Big $16,000. Last week. $21,000. Palms (UD) (4.000; 80-51' ~* "Hondo” (WB) and “Slaves of Babylon” (Indie). Great $38 ()<_" ■ Last week. “Big Heat” (CoD - d wk). $14,000. Madison (UD) (1.900; 95-$l 25 - (Continued on page 26)