Variety (December 1953)

IS PiCTCBBS Wednesday, December 23; 1953 CINCINNATI (Continued from page 8) <UA) and “Man From Tangier” (UA), $5,400. Grand (RKO) (1,400; 55-85)— “Sharp River” (UA) and “Dono- van’s Brain” <U A). Oke $6,000, Last week, “Diamond Queen” (WB) and . “Captain Scarface” (Indie), $6,600. Keith's (Shor) (1,500; 55-85)— “Tumbleweed” (U) Fairish $4,000. Last week, “Flight to Tangier” (2-D) (Par), $3,500. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 55-85)— “Gun Fury” (2-d) (Col). Pleasing $7,500. Last week, “Torch Song” (M-G), $8,000. D.C. Slaw; ‘Tumbleweed' $7,000, ‘Diamond' 6|G Washington, Dec. 22. Pre-Xmas is slipping film biz here, this round. Current week is particularly;, brutal on new bills al- j though there are few of them. Both 85>—"Jack Slade” (AA). and “Pri- “ Diamond Queen” at the Met and ; vate Eye” < A A); Fairish $9,000. Last “Tumbleweed” at Keith's are mild. “Millionaire” is rated steady in fifth (final) week at Palace. Estimates for This Week Omaha Slow But‘City' Crisp $6,000,‘Web'OK 5G, ‘Slade’ Small 9G Orrtaha, Dec.i$\ The usual dull pre-Christmas days are taking..their .tj^hlhi&Jijeek as exhibs mai^veriflRrttrmSpin their strong* lijWA pix ®Fr»y. “Glass Web” at lie StatojSa '-ffty. That Never Steeps’** At^Bramfeis shape standout, each getting good totals. Estimates for This Week' Brarideis (RKO) (1,100; 50-75)— “City That Never Sleeps” (Rep) and “5,000 Fingers” (Col). Nice $6,000. Last week, “Appointment Honduras” (RKO) and “Marry Me Again” (RKO), $5,500. Omaha (Tristates) (2,000: 50-76) —“Man from Alamo”' (U) and “Lugosi Meets Brooklyn Gorilla" (Tndie). Lean $5,500. Last week, “Vicki” (20th) and. “Miss Robin Crusoe” (20th). $5,500. Orpheum (Tristates) (2,890; 65- HOMEOFFICE PUB-AD UNION ASKS 15% UP Homeoffice pub-ad staffers at Paramount asked for a 15% wage hike as negotiations for new pact gpt underway last week between the company and the Motion Pic- ture Home Office Employees Union, Local H-63, IATSE. . Initial meeting between pub-ad veepee Jerry Pickman and union topper Russell Moss was an ex- ploratory session, with the Union submitting a draft of a new pact to replace the two-year deal which expired in November. c~* week, “Redheads Seattle” (Par). (2-D) and “Flight To Tangier” (Par) (2-D), $8,500. State (Goldberg) (875; 50-80)— “Glass Web” (U) and “Penny Prin- (UU Okay $5,000. Last week, ^ . Gun Fury” (C61) and “Prisoners wk). Mild 10,000 for final days l Casbah ” <ColV $4,000. after okay $20,000 last week. Columbia (Loew’s) (1,714; 55-85) —“Take High Ground” (M-O (4th- • final wk>. Tapered off to slim $3 - 500 after $4,500 last week, and Capitol (Loew's) (3,434;. 60-85)— ; 00sa “Escape from Ft.. Bravo” (^-G) (2d Buff Biz on SUds But moves. Dupont (Lopert) (372; 90-31.20)-— '“Martin Luther” (Indie) (8th-firial w k). Winds run at $2,800 okay $3,500 last week;. Keith's i RKO) (1.939; 70-$D— “Tumbleweed” t RKO). Mild $7,000, with holiday shopping hurting. Last week. “Glass Web” <U>, dis- appointing $7,500. Metropolitan i SW) <1.200; 55-65) —“Diamond Queen”. tWB). Mod- Buffalo, Dec, 22. • First-run biz is hitting bottom here this stanza, with usual pre- 41101 ‘ holiday dip about same as in re- cent years. There are no hold- overs but not a bright spot shows among newcomers. Biggest money is going to “Take High Ground” at the-Buffalo but it is only fair. Also on the dull side is "Sins of Jezebel” at the Center. Estimates for This Week Of ‘Bounty’ Irks Exhibs Cincinnati, Dec. 22. Theatre owners here are beefing Jhat a reissue playing free aP the local Art Museum Is unavailable to exhibitors. Film cited is Metro’s “Mutiny on the Bounty.” Point is made that theatres throughout Ohio would like to play the picture, “if they; could get it, and charge admission for it.” It is stressed, however, that “no one thinks for a minute that people will fail to attend a theatre be- cause they think they might be able to see the picture for nothing at the Art Museum.” . View is expressed in the bulled tin of the Independent Theatre Owners qf Ohio, which states that reissues of the calibre of “Mu- tiny on the Bounty” would be; wel- come in light of the current prod-* uct shortage. Hondo i Buff ale (Loew's)' (3,000; 40-70)— ( W B) «3-D> <3d wk), $6,300. ; ‘Take High Ground” (M-G) and Palace (Loew s) (2,370; 74-$l:20n “Topeka” (AA). Fair $9,000. Last — ‘How Marry Millionaire” (20th)! week. "All Brothers Valiant” (M-G) <5th-final wkV Steady $11,000 af-• and "Fort Algiers” <U), $12,000. ter $14,000 last week. Playhouse 'Lopert) (435; 55-Si' —“Roman Holiday” (Par) il2th-fi- nal wk». Weak $2,800 after $3,000 last round. Warner *SW> <1.300; $1;20-S2.80* —“Cinerama”. 'Indie) (7th. wk*. Fine $14,500 after $15,000 last week. Trans-Lux >T-L) —“Eternity” 'Col) $4,000 after $4,400 last week. Paramount (Par) (3,000; 40-70)— “Flight Nurse” (Rep) and “Crazy- legs” * Rep). Slow $7,500. Last week. “The Actress” < M-G) and “Half a Hero” <M-G\ $9,200; Center (Par) (3,000; '40-70)— “Sins of Jezebel” (Lip) and "Man from Cairo” (Lip). Drab $8,000 in 9 days. Last week, “Hondo” (WB) 600; 90-$ 1.25) | 3d wk), $6,500 at 65c-85c scale. 17th wk*. Slim | Lafayette i Basil) <3.000; 40-70)— Pathe Labs Anticipate More Biz* 2 New Execs Anticipating a greater flow of both theatrical and television business* Pathe Laboratories this week created two exec positions in its Coast division. v New Pathe officials, both former | execs of Color Corp- : of Amerca, are- Otis W. Murray, to be Pathe v.p. in Charge of Coast operations, and James S. Burkett, sales man- ager for Pathe's Coast division un- der Charles Amory, Coast v.p.-sales. George Crane, superintendant of Pathe’s Cqast lab, has resigned, according to James L. Wolcotti Pathe exec v.p. With Pathe since j 1939, he, is leaving as of Jan. 1. I Murray, for two years a v.p.. of j Color. Corp. of America (formerly i Cinecolor), is one of the industry's | top color experts. Burkett is a vet i of both production and distribu- tion. ‘Diamond’ Paces Denver, SI0,000; ‘Kate’ 5G, 3d Denver, Dec. 22. Biz is way off currently with only “Diamond Queen” at Para- mount doing , near average trade. Xmas shopping was bad enough but a snowstorm and cold wave yes- terday i Mon. * further clipped biz. “Jack Slade” held to fair take in second Denham stanza. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Wolfberg) <1.200; 50-. j 85)—“Kiss Me Kate” (M-G) '3d wk>. Fair $5,000. Last week, $7,500. Denham (Cockrill) G.750; 50-85) —“Jack Slade” (AA) i2d wk). Fair $6,000. Last week, $7,000, Denver (Fox) (2,525; 50-85)— “Border River” (U) and “Sweet-., hearts on Parade” (Rep). Slow $6,^ 000. Last, week, “Millionaire” (20th) (3d wk', $6,000 in 4 days. Esquire (Fox) (742; $1)—^‘Mil- lionaire” (20th), after three weeks at Denver. Mild $2,000. Last week, "The Robe” (20th) (3d wk 4 days), after 6 weeks at Denver $2,000. Orpheum (RKO) <2,600; I “Back to God's Country” (U) and I Veils of Bagdad” (U). Slow $6,000 (Last week, “Conquest Cochies” ; 'CoL); and "Combat Squad” (Col), $7,500. Century (Buhawk) (3,000; 50-70) )—“Four-Sided Triangle” (Indie) and “Thy Neighbor’s Wife” (Indie). Drpopy $6,000. Last week, "Jack Slade” <AA) and “Private Eyes” ■AA) '9 days), $11,000. SAN FRANCISCO (Continued from page 9) • Millionaire” (20th) (3d wk). Okay S17.000. Last week, $22,500. Warfield (Loew’s) (2,656; 65-95) —“Escape Ft. Bravo” (M-G) (2d v.k-3 days). Only $4,000. Last week, $12,500. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 65-95)— “Nebraskan” (Col) and "El Ala- mien” (Col). NSH $11,000. Last week, "Flight Nurse” (Rep) and “Crazylegs” (Rep), $13,000 in 9 days. j St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 85-SI)— f"Jack Slade” (Indie) and "Jenni- ■ fer” (Indie). Good. $9,000 or near. 1 Last week, "Bad for Each Other” • (Col) and "Conquest of Cochise” (Col), $8,500. Esquire (No. Coast) (957; 65r85) 50-85)—“Genghis Khan” (UA) and Cinerama Execs in L.A. Hollywood, Dec. 22. Trio of Stanley Warner Corp. execs—prexy S. H. (Si) Fabian, general manager Harry M. Kal- mine, and veepee Nat Lapkin—are stopping off here en route to San Francisco for Thursday’s (25) open- ing of Cinerama there. Toppers denied their Coast visit involved making a specific deal for the production of a new Cinerama ' picture. However, Lapkin,, who. has * made several Coast visits recently to explore production possibilities, will continue this activity. Execs will also confer with sW theatre officials in this area. Griffith Johnson's Berth G. Griffith Johnson, recently elevated to a vice presidency in , the Motion Picture Producers ;Assn., yesterday (21) was appointed by the secretary of state to serve on United States liaison commit- tee working with UNESCO. John- son was one of 18 named. He Was, of course, nominated for the-post by MPPA. He was formerly a Government statistician and economist. “Thunder Over Plains” (WB) and ’ Guerrilla Girl” (Indie). Okay “Affair Monte Carlo” (AA). Poor '54v500. Last week, "Donovan’s $6,000. Last week, "Appointment | Brain" (UA) and "Man In Hiding” in Honduras” (RKO) and "Twin j fUA), $5,000. Troubles” (Indie), $10,000. . | United Artists (No, Coast) (1.207; Paramount (Wolfberg) (2.200; of - Casbah’ 50-85)—“Diamond Queen” (WB) I iV#?' a ffl nn<Y and "Fallen Angel” (20th) (reissue). a ; Fair $10,000; Last week, "Back to I Klvel (UA) God's Country” (U) and “Yank in R.A.F.” (20th) (reissue), $11,500. Tabor (Fox) (1,967; 50-85)— “Capt. Smith and Pocahontas” <UA) and “Fake” (UA.). Poor $2,500. Last week, “Donovan’s Brain” (UA) and “Shark River” (UA), $4,500. Weber (Bailey) (750; 50-85)— “Capt, Smith, Pocahontas” (UA' and “Fake” (UA). Dim $1,000. Last week, "Donovan’s Brain” (UA) and ‘Shark River" (UA), $1,500. (UA). $7,000. Last week, "Shark and “Fort Algiers” Clay . (Rosener) (400; $1 WFan- -an the Tulip" (Indie.) (13th wk). Oke $2,000. Last week, $2,100. Bridge (SchWarz-Readc) (399; $1- $1.20)—"Tonight at 8:30" (Indie). In ahead. Opened today (Tues.U "Cruel Sea" (U) (11th wk), okay $2,000 after $2,600 for 10th stanza, making highly, successful longrun in this small arty spot. Larkin (Rosener) (400; 65-85)— "Magic Box” (Indie) (6th wk). Good $1,900. Last Week, $2,200. Veteran ^xhlbilor . Edward L. Hyman <V.P. ot AB-PT) hoi UmimI a 'progrot raport' oii Strong Pix in‘Slack 9 Months . * '■ * * on* of Hio many editorial feature! in the 48th Anniversary Number of U^RIETY OUT SOON flV.Y. Stock .Exchange) ; For Week Ending Tuesday (22) 1953 High Low 15% 12% 50% 38% 50% 38% 21 % 11 % 12% 7% 47% 41% 14% 10% 7%;. 4% 30% 24% Weekly Vpl.Weekly in 100s High Am Br-Par Th 154 36% 29% 4% 26% 21 2% CBS, "A” . CBS, “B” ... Col* Pic. .;. Deces .... Eastman Kdk. 211 Loew's ,. ... 394 Nat. Thea. .115 Paramount .. Phlleo RCA RKO Piets. 48 37 111 86 82 74 667 457 15% 49% 21% 10 % 47% 12 % 6% 27% 28% 23T / s 3% Weekly Low 14% ‘ 47% 47% 19% 9% 46% 11 % 6% 25% . 27%. : 23% 3 Toes. Close 14% 47% 47% 21 % 9% - 47% 12 % 6% 26% 28% 23%. 3 Net'' Change for Week A. a + T'h +. % .+ % 4* ‘*H . ;+ . v(J - ■ ♦ Actual Volume. {Quotations furnished by Dreyfus A Co.) Morals Vs. Isms Continued from page 1 terms of exact dollar loss. “Blue” ' is headed for domestic distribute/, income of $3,500,000. Where it plays without restriction,"the film is running equal at the boxoffice to “Moulin Rouge.” Latter pic is a $5,o6o,000 grosser. The $1,500,- 000 differential is due to the fact that “Blue” has been censored clear out of Ohio and other good market areas. Catholic churchgoers, are en- joined from seeing “Blue” via their annual National Legion of Decency pledge. However, the controversy that centered around “Blue” and the headlines that resulted doubtless were a strong plus for the film in all areas where.it had free rein to play and the Catholic influence was not strong enough to matter. For the pic trade, a familiar les- son was again rammed home:, at- tacks against. a film on moral grounds can help the b.o.; rapping of a pic on political grounds, as with "Limelight,” can be murder. In releasing Stanley Kramer's production of “Death of a Sales- man,” Columbia encountered some adverse political agitation. In- stances of a whispering campaign were apparent, stemming . from vague, objections to the film (not Kramer himself) as holding sales- manship up to contempt. Nearing the end of its ptayoff, “Salesman” has now. picked up about $1,100,- 000 In domestic rentals. This represents a major disappoint- ment. Ohio Nuisance On the official censoring front, there’s considerably more of a migraine fbr the film business than simply the $1,500,000 shelled out in fees. Prints must be cut to con- form with . the censors’ idcad. about acceptable content in the various areas. In Ohio, even though a film is fully approved, a print of that same film cannot be taken in from another state with- out going through the blue-pencil routine. For example, if there’s a print shortage in Toledo, Common sense directs that prints could be brought in from the nearby De- troit exchanges. But this would involve added censorship charges so the prints are taken from more distant cities in Ohio. Also in Ohio; the censor fees apply to reissues; For each print of every film, the .distrib mifct pay $3 per reel. Ten prints. of a 10- reel film means a cost of $300. If the same pic goes back to Ohio a few years later, the censorship ex- pense begins all over again. In Massachusetts, only Sunday censorship exists but the effect is censorship on a sevenday basis, / A film plays a Boston area theatre ! for a minimum of one full Week. It would be impractical for the dis- tributor to provide One print for six days and another for Sunday, so the film, in order to play the full week, must adhere to the cen- sorship dictates that prevail on Sunday. Continued from page 3 currently in release. “Give a Girl a Break,” with the Champions and Debbie Reynolds, will hit the mar-: ket shortly. M-G will launch 1953 with “Rose Marie,” its second - C’Scope entry starring Anri Blyth, Fernando Lamas and Howard Keel. An April release Will be “Rhap- sody,” with Elizabeth Taylor and Vittorio Gassman headlining.' In the production stages at Metro. are “Invitation to the Dance,’* with Gene Kelly and Nora Kaye, “Brigadoon*” Cinemascope version of the Broadway musical, and "The Student Prince.” Paramount also has an ambitious musical slate, top entry of which is Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,’* starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney. Kaye and Mai Zetterling are sot for “Knock on Wood.” More im- mediate at Par is the completed “Red Garters,” a musical parody of westerns. It stars Rosemary Clooney, Guy Mitchell, Pat Crow- ley, Jack Carson and Joanne Gil- bert. Rounding out Par's musical pix are Bob Hope and Dean Mar- tin-Jerry Lewis entries. Hope, teams with Tony Martin, Miss Clooney and Arlene Dahl in “Here 4 Come the Girls." “Living It Up” is the title of the M&L effort. _ Two lavish CinemaScope tunc? pix are scheduled by 20th-Fox, Ethel Merman Will topline “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” supported by Donald O’Connor, Johnnie Ray and Mitzi. Gaynor. Solid b.o. names such as Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Van John- son and Dari Dailey are set lpr “Pink Tights.” Warner Bros, also has a pair of upcoming cieffersi Doris Day and Phil Silvers will headline “Lucky Me” while . Judy Garland, James Mason and Jack Carson will be seen in the CinemaScoped “A Star fs Born,” Universal and United Artists, are both down for one mu- sical each. U’s, currently going into release, is “The Glenn Miller Story,” starring Jairies Stewart arid June Allyson. UA's contribu- tion is the filmization of the Broad- way musical, “Top Banana,” in which Phil Silvers reenacts his r, original role.