Variety (December 1953)

q>dne»d«y» December 2, 1933 P1C TI RE GROSSES Holiday Perks Chi; Grable-James Hypo 'Half Hero’ to Huge $98,000, ‘Marry Boff 75G, ‘Slade’ Fancy 23G Chicago. Dec. 1. ♦ Hill the mainstemmers in the' 1 (ll ,n changed bills for holiday weekend, and big bills hoisted 1 ei o^cs at most spots. Standout is [ t| u > stageshow topped by Betty r; ( ihle and Harry James, which is boosting ‘ Half a Hero” to a gtant tug ooo at the Chicago. Oriental is doing a huge $75,000 v,,th ’ How to Marry Millionaire” v ,ule the RKO Grand shapes nice c; 4 itoo with "All Brothers Vali- ,„t •’ ‘ Jack Slade” and "Son of j Hello Starr” is going for a fat $23.- j odd at United Artists. McVickors , luoih's sock $24,000 with "Botany I Has and "Flight to Tangier.” ‘Decameron Nights" is fast S5.- 8oo at Surf. In second week. "Big Heat” is trim at the Roosevelt. Third round of “Mogambo" looks stout at the Woods. "Captain’s Paradise" sails U :i tlu> lush takings in fifth week at Ziegfeld. “Torch Song” is nice at Monroe. «ame frame. Long-run- ners are topped by a sensational rjo s for "Robe” in tenth week at State-Lake. "Cinerama” continues sturdy at the Palace in 18th round. Estimates for This Week Chicago <B&K* (3,900; 98-51.25) —‘ Half a Hero" <M-G» with Betty (liable and Harry James topping stage- how s Looks terrifie $98,000.1 Last week. "Calamity Jane” <WB> ' Strands "Botany Bay" is four-day with Julius LaRosa stageshow (2d j holdover, xvk . $62,000. Grand 'RKO* (1.200; 55-98- Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are net; i. e., without the 20G? 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. ‘Marry’ Mighty $25,000 in Prov Providence. Dec L All first-runs are on the healthy side this week with "The Robe” still hefty in fourth week at Ma- jestic. Loew’s State is smooth with "Kiss Me Kate " RKO Albee, at upped scale, is doing soeko with "How To Marry A Millionaire." This Love’ Lush $27,000, Mont’l; ‘Louis’ Sock 9G Montreal. Dec 1. Hottest newcomer here this ses- sion is ’ So This Is Love" at Loew’s with a suck take ‘Joe Louis Ston ' also is smash at Orpheunv "\\.ii ot Worlds" is doing verv solidly at the Princess • The Robe” also looms big at Palace in fifth and 'final ■ stanza Estimates for This Week Palace <C.T' ‘2 625. 75-S150' — "The Kobe '20th' >5th \\k Big $23 500 tol.lo.wing' an okav tourth ot $27,000 Capitol ( I '2,412 50 80' — "South Se.< Oman" iWlb 2d wk’ Big Slit (too after a solid first of $19,000 Princess Cl '2 131. 50-80*— "War ot Worlds" 'P,ii m Fanov Holiday Ups N.Y.; ‘Fire’ Snappy 42G, ‘Kate’ Grows to 123G 4th, ‘Robe’ 77G, ‘Millionaire’ 86G, ‘Eternity’ 30G, 17th I sS Web" Estimates for This Week , .• ... o, r -1 I,. , Albee (RKO) <2.200; 74-SI 25*- ‘ Brothers Valiant (M-G . 1 lump . “ij ovv Marry Millionaire" <20th „, L . ast ^. e N k ' P j0e -T mT 1 Cinemascope and upped seal.- stnr\ 'UA* and No Escape (LA) Storv (2d uk>, SI0.000. Loop tTelem’tl (600; 98 $ 1 25'— "Martin Luther” (Indio (10th wk*. Fine S15.200 after $16,800 last week >lr'Vickers (JL&S* (2,200; 65-90* — Botany Bay" (Par) and “Flight to Tangier” (Pari. Bright $24,000. Last week. "Take High Ground” (M-G' and "Skv Commando" (Col> (3d wk . S 15.000. helping to sock $25.000» or hear. Last week. "City ot Bad Men" <20tht and "Road House" 'reissue*, fair $6,000. Majestic (Fay) (2.200; 80-$ 1.25) —"The Rohe” (20th* < 44 h wk*. Nifty $15,000. Third week was $19,000. State (Loewi (3.200; 50-70*— "Kiss Mo Kate" (M-G* and Big Leaguer” (AA*. Planning an 8 day Monroe 'Indie) (1,000; 55-98*—; stand and headed for nice $15,000. "Torch Song” (M-G* (5tn wk». Last week, "All Brothers Valiant" Good $4 300. Last week. $6,000 I *M-G) (2d wk*. $7,500. Oriental <Indie* (3,400; 98-S1.25* j Strand (Silverman* <2.200, 50- r " l, oW c MaiTy Millionaire (20thJ. |76»-"Botany Bay" (Par* .4-dav Smch Sio.O00 Last week. Mern- j holdover s(arlo( , Mondav <30*. 1 \: [ \] Mio/M'w nm 1 Eleven-day stand will take in about la.jce (Kitel* (1.484; $L2()-$3.60* $[)i20()i barely good. — Cinerama <Indie> (18th wk*. ___J Terrific $43,500. Last week, L.. , $4 Sveu 'b&k i n. 5 oo: Marry’ Wham $27,000, — Big Heat" (Col* and "49th Man" (Col' <2d wk». Brisk $17,500. Last week. $26,000. State-Lake (B&K* (2.700; 98- $1.80*—"Robe” (20th) (10th wk*. Torrid $52,000 after $57,000 last week. $12,000 Last week "Gl. > l ' poor soooo l.oeu’-s 'l I 2 855 50-85* "So This Is 1 .<>v o" i\\B‘ Nice $27 000 Last u ci k "Eternity” tl’oL (3d w k * fi ne $19 ooo Imperial t I » ■ 1 839; 34 00*— Big 1.,• ai m■ i M-G i and ‘‘Rebel City" VI (; Dull $7,000. Last week. ‘ Niiowhead" 'Par'* and "Mcitv M 11 1 b(|ii.ike” 'Par' average $8 OOO Orpheum 'CT 1 <1048. 40-65 - "Joe I,outs Story”'* <t A* and "The T-wonky" t \ Great $9:000 Last week. ‘ 'Valiev ot Head Hunters" •Cop and "49th Man” 'Col*. $7,000 ‘Hondo’ Wow 21G, Pitt; Kate’ Same Pittsburgh. Dec 1. Biggest Thanksgiving weekend I around here in years putting ev- erything in clover, and Golden I Triangle’s really .jumping New | entrie are ‘ Hondo" at Stanley land "Kiss Me Kate” at Penn, both doing holdover business. "The Rohe" in ninth stanza at Harris and II nw To Marry a Millionaire" in third at Pulton are carrying on strongly. Former is jumping ahead of previous sessions while "Marry" is holding rear second stanza Squirrel Hill has "Captain’s Para- dise" whip!) is headed for new house record Estimates for This Week Fulton fSl'iea*' • 1.700. 85 $1 25 < ‘‘How Marrv Millionaire" *2010’ Balto, ‘Hondo’ Hot 16G, ‘Brothers’ Trim $13,000 Baltimore. Dec*. 1. „ __ Strong trade over Turkey Day "Decamerorr Nights”” RKO>, Tidv , weekend giving local exluhs their $5,800. Last week, "Affair Monte , "'st biz in months. "How To Mar- Carlo" (Indie* <m.o.), $3,000. I ry Millionaire” is topping the list l nited Artists (B&K* 1 1,700; 55 -1 at (be Tow n with a smash session. 98 —Jack Slade” (AA* and "Son .... .... . ... .... of Belle Starr” (AA*. Tall $23,000. so <‘ k at ... ,lu ' . S ' ; inW\v. Last week. "So Big” (WB* (2d wk*, j . A, | 1 r,,e Brothers VVere Valiant S12 700 [looks pleasing at the Hipp. Strong moppet support is helping pop- priced showing of “Peter Pan’’ at Woods (Essaness) (1.198; 98 $ L- 25-—"Mogambo” (M-G* (3d wk'. , , . ,,. .... . Fast $28,000. Last week. $34,000. ' V th s ' Jake High (.round had World i Indie) (587; 98 — oka - v weck at the ( entury. ‘'Cinderella” i Indie*. Slow $3 000. Estimates for This Week Fast week. "Young Caruso" 'ILL Century 'Loew’s-L A* '3 000; 20- <28 wk 1 , $3,400. i TO 1 — "Escape From Port Bravo" t Z'cgfeld 'Lopert* 430; 98‘— *M-.G>. Starts tomorrow (Wed » ‘Captain Paradise" (Lopert* '5th after eight da vs ol "Take High " k Hot $5,200. Last week. $5,600. Ground” <M-G' did okay $11,000. Hippodrome (Rappaport' *2 100: 35-80' — “All Brothers Valiant" iM-C*. Nice $13,000 or better. Last week. "Eternitv” 'CoL *9th wk'. I $5,500. i Keith's (Schanberger' <2 400; 35- RQi _ “Peter Pan" RKO , Big matinee trade helping to good $9,800. Last week. "Jack Slade" Kate’ Smash $30,000 In D.C.; ‘Hondo’ Lofty 13 AG, Ground’ Bangup $11,000 Washington. Dec. 1. wo sock newcomers and the , AA , siO.OOO in 9 days long holiday weekend combined to (1 *a!k up one of liveliest b.o. ses- v "t: v in months here. "Ki^s Me. F'te at Loew’s Capitol shapes pVngers’ r icol> ‘{\\\ $ 3,000 fo.,vli while "Hondo" is equally Jn ahea(] -Trents Last Case’ Kcnit at smaller Metropolitan. 1 p> $3 500 Little • Rappaport* *310; 25-90 — "Melba" <L*A Opens tomorrow 1 Wed > after six days <»1 "5.000 Fatter is holding. "Take the High Ground? at_ Loew’s. Columbia coin* jOi'tfs circuit with third solid click ‘How to Marry Millionaire" is t iuc\ in second Palace week Hold- o\ers enjoyed a holiday boom light down the line. Estimates for This Week Capitol Loew s) (3,434; 74-SI 20 Mayfair 'Hicks’* 980 25-70' — "Last Posse tCol'. Mild $3,000. Last week, "Veils Of Bagdad’ *U . S3.200. New (Mechanic* '1800. 75-$l •>() — "Robe" 1 20th» '6th wk'. Hetty $14,000. Last week, same Playhouse <Schwaber' 420 50- —- Kiss Me. Kate" <M-G'. Smash $1 * — "Stalkg 1< 'Bar 1 'Bth wk $30,000 in 3-D version. Last week. Nice $5,500 Last w'eek same. 'The Robe” <20th> '8th wk’. Stanley 'WB '3,200; 4o-90 —- $15 000 “ "Hondo” <WB 1 . Sock $16 000. Last Columbia (Loew’s) (1.174: 55-85* week. "Calamity Jane 'WB . -" 'lake High Ground" (M-G* $13,500. _ n . rQ ^st $11,000. and stays La-t Town 'Rappaport* JJ 0 - • , ; week. "Torch Song" (M-G* (2d wk'. $125 — "How Marry Millionaire $8 000. S 20th . Sock $27,000 or letter Last Dupont 'Lopert* <372. 90 -SI 20 week. "Martin Luthei Indie 'Continued on page 26' l'4tU wk . $5 000. '3d wk' Great $10,000. almost , same a> wlut pie did in second staiv/a. Harris 'Harris' *2.100: 95-SI 50» —"Rohe" '2'Mh* (9th wk'. Shoot- ing right hack on strength of holi- day and ought to do better than $15,000. great at this stage of run. ' Last week, had weather over week- end (hopped down to $11,000 Three or tour weeks more now , looked for. Penn ' Loew.’s* (3,300; 50-85' — "Kiss Me Kate" 'M-G*. Heading for happv $21,000. and should stay. Last week. "Sable Jet" *C\', $8 000 Squirrel llill <SU’> <900 50-85* j —"Captain’s Paradise" iLoport- CA 1 Alec Guinness has been No. I star at this house since con- verted from naber to arty first- run His latest looks to he record- breaker at around $0,000. Last j week "Mi Potts To Moscow" ; Indie* <2'l wk'. $2,000 Stanley SW> '3.800 50.-85'- — •Hondo WB*. John Wayne star- ter gave house biggest opening- its had in a long time and can’t • miss doing smasheroo SL! 1.000 :Much more titan enough to hold ' Last week. "Botany Bay" 'Par*. $9,000 ‘Kate’ New High at 16G, Denver; ‘Marry’ $30,000 Denver. Dec 1 Weekend h'z was strong at mod first -rut.s here, indicating a stout M-ssiun "How Marry Millionaire V is standuut with new high for the , Denver. "Ki- Me Kate’ is pack- ing the Broadway to capacity and appears in for a longrun "Blow- ing Wild" i- great at Paramount while "All Brothers Valiant" looms, big at Orpheum. ‘Titfield Thun- derbolt" looms fast at the Vogue, and will hold, I Estimates for This Week Aladdin 'Fox' <1.400; 50-85*— I "So Big" WB* <2d wk'. Fair $4 500 Last week. $5,000. Broadway < Wolf berg* 1 1.200; 50- 85*—"KissMe Kate’’ <M-G* Rec- ord $16,000. Holds over. Last >veek, on reissues Denham 'Cockrill* '1.750: 50-85* —"War of Worlds" <Par> 2d wk*. Fairlv good $7,000. Last Week. $11.500 Denver 'Fox* <2.525; $1 ■>—"How Marry Millionaire" 20th Big l (Continued on page 26* One of the strongest Thanksgiv- ing holiday weeks in years i> | making the current session a verv bright one at Broadway fit st-run theatres Upbeat was anticipated but not one of such strength, os pecially since many spots had probed new depths only us recentlv as Tuesday and Wednesday pnor to Thanksgiving Day Strike of en- gravers which shut down all regu- lar Manhattan daily papers aftei Mondav failed to cause much c\ citement as theatres took to the air 'radio and TV* to plug current lulls Lone newcomer. "Cease fire.'' wound up its first stanza with .1 smash $42,000 at the Cutcimn First week ol "Three Sailors and Girl" at the Paramount u.is very good $30 000 while the second round looks okay with $30000 ll is being supplanted by "Hondo” next Saturday Holiday crowds are pushing "Kiss Me Kate" and st^geslmvv to a big $123,000 in fourth session at tin* Music Hall. Christmas stage- show and "Easy To Love" opens tomorrow 'Thurs * The Thanks- giving weekend upbeat also is lift- ing "The Rohe." with a great $77,000 m prospect for cm rent «1 lth> fiame at the Roxy Second stanza ol "Man Between is holding with sock $2.>1)00 at the small-seatcr Victoria Second week of "Take High Ground" looms okav $14,000 at the Mayfair "Marry a Millionaire" is pushing up to a great $30,500 in third week day-dating at the State and Globe It landed $31,500 at the latter and $55,000 at the State, liotli topping second week totals "Here To Eternity" ahu climbed ahead of last stanza to get a very lug $30,000 at the Capitol in it*' 17lli week. "Queen <*• Sheba" pushed ahead ol previous vvci-k to iiit a good $12,000 111 hull 11 1 round at the Astur. "Martin Luther," with big $12- 500 for 12lli frame at the Guild; "Little Fugitive." with a lousing $7,800 fur I lie eighth round at the Normandie, "(’autam's Paradise.” with smash $179100 for ninth ses- sion at the Paris, "laving Dr ,ej I" with sock $20,800 in thud week at Sutton. "Actress,” with okay $4,200 for seventh round al Trans- Lux 00th St and “I. 1 I 1 ," with great $7,300 in 38th frame at Trans Lux 52nd St . all topped last week in grosses. "Ciiu laiiia." with a smash $48,500 likely lor 20th vvwck at the Warner, abo i heating its pieced ing stanza Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv * 91,200, 80 $1 80' '’Queen ol Shelia" <Jndie> • 5!|i vv k * Fourth stanza ended Iasi night 'Tiles i pushed to $12,000 after $10,500 lor thud week Bijou <(,’ity Inv > (589. $180- $2 40* "Gilbert K Sullivan" ' I \' <(itli wk'. Filth li.fme ended last night <Tues * climbed to $9.500.1 via holiday weekend, aftei $8,200 in fourth. Baronet <Meade* <1.30 DO-S1 50* : - -“Forbidden Stones’’ 'Indie* *3d wk*. Second Week ended Friday '27* held at fine $4,800 after $0-, 100 opening stanza Stays on mdef * Capitol ' I .(lew's» < \ 820. 79 $2 20' —"Eternity’’ '( of 1 '18th wk' The !7th round ended Tasl night 'Tue* » pushed to o ko $3<).00() after $20 - ()()() tor Kith week "Sadie Thomp- son" <(‘ol' no \ slat'gd to open Dee 22 Criterion * Mo i <1 7()<>: 85 $2 20' ; —'('e.ce file ' 'pai' '2d v. k Initial session ended Jast night 'T’ues ) so.Hfd to nnash $429)()(* after elaboiate hi a hat pteem the night of Nov 24 Fine Arts Davh t08. 99 $! M<* —-"Bo( C'U( eio' Deeauieron Nights" 'RKO' '3d wk" S*‘eond stanza ended Sunday <29* held a* s'tuidy $7,300 after $8 29<) opening week (ilbhr 'Brandt 1 509. Sl-$1 89 —"How Many M i Humane '20 lit '4th w k * 3 bird session end«‘d Monday '30' elimhed to great $21 - 5'*() frlter $29,000 tor second week Looks sure to stay - 'through Xuins Guild Guild* 450. $1 -SI 80* "Martin Lutiim" Indie* 13th wk The 12th frame ended last night (Tucs.i pushed to big $12,500 af*er $10,000 foi 11th week Continues on indef Holiday (Rose) <950 111 $1.80' - "Joe Louis Stoiy" 'L V 5th wk Fourth round ended Monday *30/ was nice $3 000 after $10,000 fur thud week ’ Ptihlie F.nerny No 1 • WB* and "Little Caesar" WB* re- issues* open Dee 8 Mayfair Brandt' 1.730, 70- $180 - Take High Ground" M-G l '2d wk'. Fit t holdovci fiame ending todav (Wed.) looks to hold with okay $14,000 alter $20,000 opener Normandie 'Normandie Thea- tres* >592. 9;> $1 DO "Little Fugi- tive" 'Burstyn" '9th wk Eighth round elided Mondav t'30* climbed to rousing $7,800 after $7,200 for seventh week Cold limes on m- det Palace 'RK(>* t "Veils of Bagdad acts of vaudeville >Wed ' Last week, gter” 'Par 1 with 700. 00 $1 20* - 'l 1 and eight ((pens today "Flight to Tali- vaude, landed m week ended last fast $20 000 mgld (Toes J. Paramount 'Par* <3.664. 70 $1 80 ) "Three Sailors and a Girl ' (A\ It) 2d-filial wk 1 Staving only two weeks to open "Hondo” (Wit* oil Saturday (5* Current round looks okay $30000 after $3(5.000 opening week Holding to straight film poliey for time being at least Paris < Indie) i508, 90 $1 80* - "Captain’s Paradise" iC.V < I Ot It wk' Ninth round ended Sunday *29* soared to great $17,000 after $1.3,000 tor eighth week Kialto (Mage* <600, 50-98* - "Striporama” ~ j tndie» (9th wk*. j present frame ending tomorrow 'Thurs • r. heading for log $0,500 aftei $5,500 for eighth week |{ivoli .I \r* '2 092, 95 $2> - Little Boy Lost" 'P.u ' * I Dll wk*. The lOtli round ended Mondav I.3UI held at line $11,000 same as Iasi week Slavs until just before K1 1 v tier Rifles ’ '20th*. one of first four l mrm.iScnpe pix, opens some- time before Xmas. Now set to open Dec. 22. Radio City Music llall 'Rocke- fellers' '0 20(1; 90 $2 40* “Kiss Me Kate" (M (K and stageslinvv '4th- Iin. 1 1 vv k ’ T’liuihing to lug $125,000 as a resit 1 1 <>t 'Thanksgiving week- end crowds 'Third round was $93- 000 Annual 'Christmas' stageshow with "Easy 'To Love" ' M (•> opens tonioi i ovv 'Thurs *, Koxv (Nat’l. 'I’ll i (5717; $1 $3' - "Rohe" < I till wk*. I Ills sersioll ending today 'Wed » is healIhg p'rev ions• week with a rousing $77,- 1100 The 10th week was $01,000 "Beneath 12-Mile Reel” '20th ', il'evv ’Scope |>u‘, preems the flight of Dec 14 with l egulai i mi starting Dec 15 State 'Locw’s* '3,450, $1 $t 80' — "Millionaire" (20th* '4th w k* 3 bird frame ended Monday '30* pushed up 1o great $ >.5,000 all' r $.>0,090 in second week Sutton <KA IK <581; 90 $1 50* - "Living Desert” 'Disney* 'till wk*. Third week ended Monday <30> held with sinasb $20 800 to top $19,800 done in second roiiiuj. Slavs oil Trans-Lux 60th St. (’I I.) <453; 90 $1.50' ."The Adiess" (MG* '8th wk* Seventh frame ended Sunday '29* improved to $4,200 after $1,000 in sixtti week Slavs on Tranx-Lux 52nd St <1-1.* <540; 90 $1 50' -’ I all" \J-<;* ' 391 h wk*. 'The 38th round ended Monday <30* soared to great $7,300 after $5 000 for 371 h week Victoria 'City Inv * <1 900. 95 $1 ){()* -"Man Between" I ',3d wks First lioldovei stanza ended - illi In g 599 la I mgld f’l’ues » In Id $23,009 altei liist vvef.’' in for indef r tin Warner '■Cinerama Prod * I 000 $1 20-$3 00) — "Cmei ama 'Indie' 2(>ifi wks Cut rent liaine ending t omoi i <i.‘. >'l hills* l heading for smash $18,500. being helped 6. holiday' weekend while 2•»<fi v.'" k vv as $48.000 this inehiding ’I hard. - giving Day Cont-mu* on in- definite! v. JANE -STAGE STRONG 17G, ST. L., ‘VICKI’ 15G I.ouj Inc 1 •pending s : pne hut holdover are trade fit | ept I”. \|t>>r a -oeg operilfi'' idunrl. Ki-S' Me, Kate ' is till 'out in sei ond Lucas > v » , * , k ('.ihmut-v Jane” with stageshow i winding a very solid week at the fiuge Fox "’Hie Rohe" continues as a big draw' dc-pile being in seventh se ion .d the St. Louis. "Decameron Night--" continues lively in second pound at Shady Oak while ‘Martin Lu- ther” is rated nice m fourth Pageant week Estimates for This Week Ambassador * f ?• M 3 OOO, 00- 75 "'Ifn I Love" WR and "Sword anrl Hose" 'RKO Open* (I today Toes Last week. "Vicki” 'fontmin d on page 20 St ’I ft*' ( lit i .Im i has stalled fieri* ! Ill dome nice