Variety (November 1954)

PICTURE GROSSES Stout 40G; Los Angeles, NoV. 2. .4 . A stout $40,000 : shaping for “White Christmas, pl ® y ^ r J.i Downtown Paramount and Warnei Beverly, being one of few b^ght spots in an, otherwise soft gross situation at first-runs currently. Other neW/ bills, are definitely on the light side. However, . Athena is rated at okay $20,000 in two locations. . “Bengal Brigade” looms slow $9,500 in three houses, plus about *32 000 in seven ozoners. Illooo shapes for "Passion” paired. With “Africa Adventure m three houses, with some added coin doming from seven, dnye-ms.. Fifth round of “Star IS Born’ still is good at, $22,000 while sixth week of “Sabrina” continues nifty at $10,000 at Hollywood Para- mount. Neat'$5,000 is seen for .sec- ond frame of “Julius Caesar at Hawaii. But elsewhere holdovers and extended^-runs largely mild. Estimates for This Week Downtown Paramount, Warner Beverly (ABPT-SW) (3,200; 1,612; 90-$1.50) — “White Christmas. (Par); Stout $40,000. Last week, Beverly, “Brigadoon” (M-G) (7th wk-6 days), $3,900; Par with unit., State, Egyptian (UATC) [2,404; 1 536; 70 : $1.10)-^- Athena (M-G), Okay $20,000 or near. Last week, “Beau BrummeU” (M-G) (2d wk), $10,500. Orpheum, Vogue, Four Star (Metropolitan-FWC-UATC) (2,213; 885; 900; 70-$l.lO)-^“Bengal Bri- gade” (U) and “Ricochet Romance (U). Slow $9,500. Last week, Oi> pheurn, Hollywood, “Rear Window (Par) and “Terror Ship” (Indie) (2d wk), $13,000; Four Star, “Sud- denly” (UA) and “Diamond Wiz- ard” (Lip) (3d wk), $2,000; Vogue, with another unit. Warner Downtown, Wiltern, Hol- lywood (SW-FWC) (1,757; 2,344; 756; ‘ 70-$1.10)—r‘-Passion” (RKO) and “Africa Adventure” (RKO). Light $12,000. Last week, exclud- ing Hollywood, “Three Hours to Kill” (Col) and “Miss Grant Took Richmond” (Col) (reissue), $10,700. Hillstreet, New Fox, .Uptown (RKO-FWC) (2,752; 965; 1,715; 60- $140)—“Sitting Bull” . (UA) with 2d-run support) (2d wk). Mild. $10,- 000; Last week, $17,700, Hawaii (G & S) (1,106; 8Q-$1)— “Julius Caesar” (M-G) (2d Wk), Neat $5,000. Last week, $8,000, , El Rey <FWC), (861; 70r$140)— “Down 3 Dark Streets” (UA) and “Victory at Sea” (UA). (2d wk). Scant $1,100 in 5 days. Last week, with Downtown Paramount, Vogue, $ 20 , 000 , ; Los Angeles, Ritz, Iris, Loyola (FWC) (2,097; 1,363; 814; 1.248; $1- $1.50)—“Egyptian”. (20th) (3d wk). Modest $13,500 in 5 days. Last week, $25,000. Chinese (FWC) (1,905; $l-$i;75) —“Woman’s World” (20th) (4th wk). Mild $8,500. Last week, $11,- 700. Wilshire (FWC) (2,296; $1.-$1.75) — “Hajji Baba” (20th) (4th wk). Smair$l,800 in 4 days. Last week, $2,600. Pantages (RKO) (2;812; $l-$2.25) —“Star Is Born” (WB). (5th wk). Good $22,000, Last week, $27,700. Hollywood Paramount (F & M) (1,430; $1-$1.50)—“Sabrina” (Par) (6th wk). Nifty $10J)00. Last Week, $12,400. Fine Arts (FWC) (631; 80-$1.50) "Vanishing Prairie” (Disney) (11th wk). Slow $2,000 iii 6 days. Last week, $2,600, Warner Hollywood (SW). (1,364; $1.20-$2,65)—: “Cinerama” (Indie) (79th wk), Into current frame Sim day (31) after okay $21,800 last Week. Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross . This Week . . $642,700 ( Based, on 22 theatres.), . Last Year . . ..$645,300. (Based on 25 theatres.-) San Francisco, NoV, 2. Big news, here in current session is the. mighty gross being racked up by “White Christmas” at the Paramount, It is head and should- ers.ahead of anything else, in the city. Elsewhere the going is slug- gish, with “Black Widow” slow at the huge Fox. Estimate for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,859; 80- $1)—“Shanghai Story” (Rep), and Tbbar the Great” (Rep). Mild $9,000. Last, week, ‘-Bob. Mathias Story” (AA) and “Return, from the Sea” (AA); $10,000. Fox (FWC) (4,651; $1,25-$ 1.50)— ‘Black Widow” (20th), Slow $15,- 000. Last week, "Woman’s World” (20th) (3d Wk), $12,500. Warfield (Loew’s) (2,656; 75-$l) “Rogue Cop” (M-G). Okay $14,- 000. Last. Week, “Brigadoon” (M-G). (3d wk), $8,500, Paramouni (Par) (2,646; 90-$ 1)—. “White Christmas” (Par). Giant $34,000, Last week, “Black knight” (Col)' arid “Thunder Pass” (Lip). $18,500 in 9 days. St. Frahcis (Par) (1,400; $1-$1.50) “Star Is Born” (WB.) (5th wk). Firie $13,000. Last week, $16,000. Orpheum (Cinerama Theatre, Calif.) (1,458; $1.75-$2.65)—“Cine- rama” (Indie) (,44th wk). Fancy $19,500. Last week, $21,500. United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207; 70-$l)—“Bengal Brigade” ;(U) and “Diamond Wizard” (UA), . Oke $8,000 or near; Last week, “Sitting Bull” (UA) and “Challenge the World” (UA), $10,500 in 8. days. Stagedoor (A-R) (400; $1-$1.25) —-“Little ■Kidnappers” (UA) (2d wk). Fine $3,800. Last- week, $4,200. Larkin (Rosener) (400; $1)— “Hobson’s Choice” (UA) and “Last Holiday” (AA) (6th wk). Fast $3,000. Last week, $2,700. Clay (Rosener) (400-$l)_ >— “Naughty Martine” (Iridie). Fair $2,200. Last week, "Dreams of Love” (Indie), (3d wk), $1,700. Vogue (S. F. Theatres) (377; $1) —“I Know Where I’m Goihg” (In- die) and “Mari on Eiffel Tower” (Indie). Oke $2,000. Last week, “Companioris of Night” (Indie) (3d wk), $1;760. ‘CAINE’ GOOD $15,000, ST. LOO;‘BENGAL’11G St, Louis, Nov, 2. Upped scale at Loew’s for “Caine Mutiny” is making it the best pic here currently. “Hajji Baba” looms fairly good at midtowri St. Louis Theatre While "Brigadoori” is rated nice on moveover ,to Orpheum. Surge of Cold weather is counted on to boost trade later in week.. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (Iridie) (1,400; $1.40 $2.40)—“Cinerama” (Iridie). Neat $14,000 after $15,000 last Week. Fox (F&M) (5,000; 75)—“Human Desire” (Col) and.“Bullet Is Wait- ing” (Col). Opened today (Tues.) Last week, “Bengal Brigade’’ (U) (Continued on page 15) Variety ‘Contessa’ Lofty HG, Port.; ‘Bengal’ $6,000 Portland, Ore,, Nov. 2. Biz has taken a nosedive in the last few rounds. Tbwn is bogged down with longrun holdovers. Only tw r o new entries, “Barefoot Cdn- tessa” being standout with a big Week at the Liberty. “Rear Win- dow” moves- into a third frame.- “Star” holds for a fourth: time but it’s only so-so at Orpheum. “Ben- gal Brigade” looms modest at the Broadway. Estimates for This Week- . . Broadway (Parker) (1,890; 65-90) —“Bengal Brigade” (U) and “Rico- chet RQmance” (U), Modest $6,000. Last week; “BrigadOori” (M-G) (2d Wk), . $6,800. Fox (Evergreen) (1.536; $1-$1.25) —“Woman’s World” (20th) (3d wk). Fine $8,500. Last week. $10,000. Guild (Indie) (400; $1) -^- “Van- ishing Prairi ” (Disney) (5th wk). Solid $2,500, Last Week. $3,100- Liberty (Hamrick) (1,875; 75-$l) I—“Barefoot Contessa” (UA) arid '"‘Man In Hiding” (UA). Lusty $11,- 000, Last week. “Suddenly” (UA) and “Lone Gun” (UA), $8,800. Oriental (Evergreen) (2.000; 65- 90)—“Jekyll and Hyde” (M-G) and “A Woman’s Face” (M-G) (reis- sues). Slim $2,000 or less. Last week, “Girl For Joe” (WB) and “Guy With A Gri ” (WB) (re- issues). $1,600. j Orpheum (Evergreen) (1.600; $1- jjn.50)—“Star Is Born” (WB) *(4th wk). So-so $5,500. Last week, $ 8 , 000 . . Paramount: (Port-Par) (3,400;: 75- SD_“Rear Window” (Par) and “Hot News” (AA) (3d wk). Fast $6,000. Last week, $9,200. Wednesday, November 3, 1954 Key City Estimated Total Gross This Week .. . . $2,688,700 (Based on 23 cities, and 216 theatres; chiefly first runs, in- cluding N. Y.) t Total Gross Same Week Last Year ., ... . $2,999,700 (Based on 24 cities • and 222 theatres.) Washington, Nov. 2. Mainstem filiri biz is off here this week as this voteless town spent, most of the past Session discussing the congressional election. Many government workers headed for their borne states to vote.; “White Christmas” looks easily tops of the newcorriers with a siriash session at the 1;939-seat Keith’s. “Beau Brummel” arid “HobsOn’s Choice” are both fair* “Suddenly” is prov- ing a disappointment. “Rear Win- dow” and “On the Waterfront” look most solid of the holdovers. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (SW) (1.400; 90- $1.25)—“Star Is Born”, (WB) (3d wk). Fine. $6,000 after $9,100 for second. Holds again. . Capitol (Loew's) (3,434; 60-80)— “Beau Bfummell” (M^G). Good $15,000. Last week, “Brigadoon” (M-G) (3d wk), $10,0.00 in 6 days, Columbia (Loew’s) (1,174; 60-80) —“Rogue Cop” (M-G) (3d wk); Okay $4,500 after $6,500 last week; Dupont (Lopert) (372; 65-$ 1).— “Hobson’s Choice” (UA). Nice $5,000 for this British import;. Last week,. “Vanishing Prairie” (Disney) (9th wk), $3,500. Keith’s (RKO): (1.939; 75-$L25) “White Christinas” (Par). (Continued on page 15) 'Guns’ Loud 10G, 'Star Slick 32G, 2d Boston, Nov, 2. “White Christmas” at the Para- mount and ' Fenway is easily cop- ping top coin here this stanza with a new house record figured for the Par. “Star Is Born” in second frame at the Met is below hopes with the high admission price blamed; But it still looks nice at this huge house. “Passion” at the Memorial, is mild. “Four Guns To the Border” at the Pilgrim shapes fast. “Hobson’s. Choice'” at the arty Beacon Hill opened strong;. “Cinerama,’.’ hypoed by . strong radio and card campaign, : is very good in 44th week at the Boston. .“Sabrina” still is in. the. chips i 6th Week; Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q). (1,500; 70-$l!0)— “Sabrina” (Par) (6th wk). Good near $9,000 after $10,000 in 5th week. Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill) (800; 50-$l)—“Hobson’s Choice” (UA). Slick $9,000. Last week, “Vanish- ing Prairie” (Disney! (6 th wk) $3,200. Boston (Cinerama Productions) (1,354; $1.20-$2.85) — “Cinerama” (indie) (44th wk). Big $21,000 after $22,500 in previous week. Exeter (Indie) (1,300; 60-$D— "High and Dry” (U) (3d wk). Nice $6,000. First week was under- quoted, big $10,000. Second $7,000. Fenway (NET) (1,373; 70-$1.25) —“White Christmas” (Par). Wow $15,000 or near. Last week, “No- torious” (RKO) and “Farmer’s Daughter” (RKO) (reissues), $7,- 000 in 9 days. Memorial (RKO) (3;000; 50-$l)— "Passion” (RKC>) and "Queen of Sheba” (Lip). Mild $10,50Q. Last week, “Hajji Baba” (20th) and “Blackout” (Lip). $15,500. Metropolitan (NET).. (4.367; 80-. $U50)—‘Star Is Born” (WB) (2d w'k). Nice $32,000 followirig nifty $40,000 in first. Orpheum (Loew’s) (3,000; 50-90) —“Betrayed” (M-G) and “Yellow Tomahawk” (UA) (2d wk). Solid $12,000 following $17,500 for: first week. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 70- $1.25)—“White Christmas” (Par). Looks like a record $33,000. Last week, “Notorious” (RKO) and “Farmer’s Daughter” (RKO), $16,- 000 in .9. days. Pilgrim (ATC) (1,800; 65-95)— “Four Guns to Border” (U) and “City Across River” (U). Fast $10,000. Last Week, “Rouge Cop” (M-G) 'and “Fast and Furious’’ (Lip) (2d wk), $8,500. Stkte (Loew’s) (3,500; 50-90)— “Betrayed” M-G) and “Yellow Tomahawk” (UA) (2d wk). Oke $6,000 following $9,000 first frame; Detroit, Nov. 2. “White Christmas” is the big news this week, rolling toward a whopping gross at the Michigan.' “Huirian Desire” shapes good at the Palms. “Jesse James’ Women” is slow at the Broadway-Capitol. Others are. holdovers, the strongest being "Star Is Born” at the Madi- son in its fifth week and “Gi - rama” in 85th week at the Music Hall Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; $1- $1.25) — “Hajji Baba” (20th) and “Unholy Four” (Lip) (2d. wk). Mild $18,000. Last week, $23,000. , Michigan (United Detroit) .(4,000; $1-$1.25) — “White Christmas” (Par). Terrific $45,000. Last week, “Bengal Brigade” (U) and “Four Guris to Border” (U), $11,000. Palms (UD) . (2,961; 80-$l) — “Human Desire” (Col) arid “Bullet Waiting” (Col). Swell $18,000. Last week, “Rear Window” (Par) and “Overland Pacific” (Indie) (2d wk), $14,000. Madison (UD) (1,900; $1.25-$1.50) —“Star Is Born’’ (WB) (5th. wk). Steady .$14,000. Last week, $17,000. Broadway-Capitol (UD) (3,500; 80-$i) — “Jesse James’ Women” (UA).. Slow $9,000. Last week, “The Raid” (20th) and. “Key: Largo” (WB) (reissue), $8,000. United Artists (UA) (1,938; $1- $1.25) — “Woman’s World” (20th) (3d wk). Down to oke $8,000. Last week, $10,900. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; $1- $1.25) — “Brigadoon”- (M-G) (2d wk). Slowing to $8,500. Last week, $ 12 , 000 ;. Music Hall (Cinerama Produc- tioris) (1.194; $i.40-$2.65)—“Cine- rama”. (Indie) ..(85th wk). Fine $16,500. Last week, same. ‘Xmas’ Great in Cleve. At 27G Despite Snow; ‘Bengal’ 9G, ‘Star’ 14G Clevelarid, Nov. 2. Traffic-stopping freak snow storm made the weekend a wash out as far as key houses were con- cerned, snubbing new product, that got off big. “White Christmas” was clipped by the uritimely snowflakes but still shapes up as a bbffq grosser for the Stillman to pace the town. On third, round at Alleri “Star Is Born” is still nice. “Rear Window,” dropping a bit for State, rated fast; fourday h.o. Fair ta:k- irigs are being registered by “Ben gal Brigade” at Hipp. Estimates for This Week Allen (S&W) (3,000; 90-$1.25) —“Star Is Born” (WB) (3d wk). Fine $14,000 or, near followirig $18,000 last week. Hipp (Telem’t) (3.700; 60-90)— “Bengal. Brigade” (U). Light $9,- 000. Last week, “3‘Hours to Kill” (Col) arid “Black Dakotas” (Col) $8,500. Lower Mall (Cornmunity) (585 60-90)—“Variishing Prairie” (Dis- ney) (4th wk). Mild $2,000. Last week, $2,600. Ohio (Loew’s) (1,200; 60-90)—: “Rear Window” (Par), . (m.o.) Opened today (Tues.). Last week “Asphalt Jungle” (M-G) and “Bat- tleground” (M-G) (reissues), nice $6;000. Palace (RKO) (3,287; 60-90)— “Passion” (RKO). Dull $8,000. Las week, “Woman’s. World” (20th) (2d wk), $10,50Q. State (Loew’s) (2,700; 60-90)— “Sabrina” (Par); Opened today (Tues.). Last week, “Rerir Window (Par) (2d wk-4 days),. fancy $7,000 Stillman (Loew’s) (2,700; 75 $1.25)—“White Christmas” (Par) Roaring along to socko $27,000 riding over all others. Last week “Beau Brummell” (M-G) (m.o.) $ 8 , 000 . Cincinnati, Nov, 2. . “White Christmas,”, a record- breaker at Keith’s and town topper, is bolstering overall downtown biz his frame to a holiday level. Dail- ies plugged native Vera-Ellen and Cincy radio and Rosemary Clooney as the musical’s femme leads. Ter- rific campaign was biggest here or some time. “Her 12 Men,” only other new bill: currently, shapes okay at the Grand. “Star Is Born” and “Woman’s World” contiriue in winning stride.- “Cinerama” still is tbrrid in 19th Capitol week. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 90-$1.25)-^ Star Is Born” (WB) (3d wk). Bright $12,000 after $16,000 second stanza, Capitol (Ohio. Cineirna. Corp.) (1,376; $1.20-$2.65) -r- “Cinerama” (Indie) (19th wk). Maintaining hotsy pace at about $24,000 to bet- ter last week’s $22,500. Grand (RKO) (1,400; 50-75)— “Her 12 Men” (M-G) and “Law Vs. Billy Kid” (Col). Pleasing $7,000. Last week, “Bounty Hunter” (WB) and “Champagne Safari” (AA), $ 6 , 000 . Keith’s (Shbr) (1,500; 75-$1.25)— “White Christmas” (Par). Streak- ing to record $25,000 best for this house in modern era; Warrants five-week stay. Whopping advance campaign had page ads topping press splurge arid considerable radio and tv time. Last - week, ‘Egyptian” (20th) (4th wk), $5,500. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 75-$l)— “Woman’s World” (20th) (2d wk). Good or near $10,000 following $13,000 preem. In Buff.; ‘Star’ Lively 13G, 3d Buffalo, Nov. 2. Buffalo is going for. “White Christmas!’ like it was the first snow of the year, with a terrific $30,000 likely at th^ Paramount. Only thing like that money was “Greatest Show On Earth,” and, “Christmas” may top that. “Pas- sion” is rated moderate at the Century. “Star Is Born” shapes neat i third Center Theatre stanza Estimates for This Weelk Buffalo (Loew's) (3,000; 50-80)— ‘Brigadoon” (M-G) (2d wk). Yanked after , three days of holdover with $6,000. Last week, good $15,000. “Beau Brummell” (M-G) arid “Khyber Patrol” (UA) haye been brought in as the new bill, : . Paramount (Loew’s) (3,000; 80- $1.00)—“White Christmas” (Par), Terrific $30,000, and likely will run ahead of “Greatest Show On Earth” (Par) here. Last week, “Reap Wild Wind” (Par) arid “Miss Body Beautiful” (Par) (reissues), $ 12 , 000 . Center (Par) (2,000; 90-$1.25)— Star Is Born” (WB) (3d wk). Neat $13,000. Last week, $19,700. Lafayette (Basil) (2,000; 50-80)— Bengal Brigade” (U) and “Deadly Game” (U). Fair $8,000 or close. Last week, “3 Hours; to Kill” (Col) and “Untamed Heiress” (Col), $6,- 500. Century (Buhawk) (3,000; 50-80) —“Passion” (RKO) and “Hell Raiders of Deep” (IFE). Moderate $10,000. Last week, “Human Jun- gle” (AA) and “Jungle Gents” (Iri- die), same. ‘STAR’ BRILLIANT 20G, OMAHA;‘ROGUE’$4,500 Omaha, Nov. 2. “Star Is Born” is outstanding here this week, although far from, house record. Sock.takings loom for it at the Orpheum. “Rogue Cop” is disappointing at the State while “Black Knight” looks okay at’ the Brandeis. “Sabrina,” moved from Orpheum to the Omaha for a. sec- ond week, is fairly big. Estimates for This Week Brandeis (RKO) (1,000; 50-75)— “Black Knight” (Col) and “Unholy Four” (Lip). Okay $4,000, Last week, “They Rode West” (Col) and “Blades of Musketeers” (Indie), $4,000. Omaha (Trist.atesl. (2,000; 70-90) —“Sabri ” (Par) (m.o.). Big $6.- 000 in riiov.e from Orpheum. Last week, "Rear Window” (Par) <3cl wk), $5,500. “ Orpheum • (Tristates) (2,890; 75- $1)—“Star Is Born” (WB). Sock $20,000. Last week, “Sabrina” (Par), $12,000 at 70c-90c scale.. State (Goldberg) (875; 55-80). — “Rogue Cop” (M-G) and “Cowboy” (Lip). Fair $4,500. Last week,. “Woman’s World” (20th) (3d wk), $3,500.