Variety (November 1954)

Wednesday, November 3, 1954 Uahiety PICTURE GROSSES 'Bala Bright 25G, ‘Hulot’ Boff 7G, Contessa Big 24G, 2d, ‘Star 48G, 3d Chicago, Nov. 2. f Loop has leveled off in recent weeks to a sober pace, arid present session , shapes no better or worse; Foul' newcomers are doing little to step up the overall tempo, with holdovers either .hot; or cold. “Adventures of Hajji Baba” chapes fine $25,000 at Oriental. Looo's dualer of “Shield for Mur- der” and “Overland Pacific” is fair $12^000. At the Surf,“Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” is. scoring a mighty $7 000. “Sensualita” is okay $3,700. at World. “Barefoot Gontessa” . continues srnafih in second week at United Artists.’ Iri same frame, "King . Richard and Crusaders” and '.'Shanghai Story’! look par at Roosevelt*: "''•".Great- third week looms for “Star Is- Born” . at tjie Chicago while MeVickers . is sagging with “Betraved.” Grahd winds up “Sit- ting Bu.l 1 ” to okay returns in third. “On the Waterfront” in fifth frame at the Woods is sock. In sixth week. “Egyptian” wraps up its run in dull fashion at the State-Lake. . Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) (3.900; 98-$1.50) —'■Slav t s Born” (WB). (3d wkL Sock $48.000.. Last week, $60,000. Grand. (Nomikbs) (1.200; 98- $1.25'—“Sittine Bull” :(UA) (3d wk'. Good $8,000. Last week,. $ 10 : 000 . . Looh (Telem’t) (606; 9041.25 )-t- “Shield for Murder” (UA) and] “Overland Pacific” (UA). Brisk $12,000. Last_week. “Rogue Cop” avr-O.' (3d wk), $9,400. Me Vickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65- $1.25 '--"Betrayed” (M-G) (3d wk). Neat $12,000. Last week, $15,000. Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 65-87)— “Southwest Passage”. UA) - and “Khyber Patrol” (UA). (2d-.wk). Just fair $5,000. Last week, $6,500. Oriental Undie) (3.400; 98-$l.?5) —‘‘AdventUrps Hajji Baba” (20th). Fast $25,000 looms; Last week, “‘Woman’s World” (20th) (4th wk), .$1R,000. Palace JEitel) (1,484; $1.25-$3.40) —“Cinerama” , (Indie) (66th wk). Tall $28,000; Last week, $32,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400; 65-98)— “King Richard and Crusaders” (WB) and .“Shanghai Story” (Rep) (2d vvk>. Trim $13,500. Last week, $19,000. . State-Lake' (B&K) (2,700; 98- $1.50)—"Egyptian” (20th) (6th wk). Winding at hiildish $16,000. Last week. $17,000. Surf di&E Balaban) (685; 95)— “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD); Smash $7,000. Last week, “Hugh and Dry” (Indie) (4th wk); $3,000. United Artists (B&K). (1,700; 98- $1,25.1—“Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (2d wk):. Still hbtsy $24,000. Last week, $29,000. Woods (Essahess) (2,150: 98- * $1.251—-"On Waterfrbnt” (Col) (5th wk'. Terrific $25,000. Last week, $30.000.' ' World (Indie) (697; 98)^”Sen- sualita” (Indie). Fine $3,700. Last week, oh reissues. H.0.s Hobble K.C. Biz; ‘Bengal’ Brisk $14,000, ‘Star’ Snappy 12G, 2d Kansas City, Nov’ 2. Biz is taking a quiet turn, despite some new films in town. It looks like many holdovers have been overly extended. However, - “Star Is Bor ” in second Week at Para- mount still is fancy albeit reported under, expectations.. “On Water- front’ in first holdover round at the Midland is rated thin. “Sudd^ enly” at. the Missouri is barely okay also, in secondfraime/ “Wom- ah’s World” at the Orpheum in third week looks barely passable Bengal Brigade,” lone newcomer, shapes Trim in. four Fox Midwest houses. “Brigadpon” in second Week, at .the/Roxy is okay. Weather turned cold hear the weekend, but Politics .is figured' the most damag- ing to trade. Estimates for This Week Kiino (Dickinson) (504; 85-$D— .Man With Million” (UA). (2d wk) Fairish $1,700: Last week, $2,600. Midland (Loew’s) (3,500; 65-90) ^“On Waterfront” (Col) (2d. wk) Thin $6,500. Last week, $8,700. . . Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 50-80)— .Suddenly” (UA) and “Malta Story" fUA) (2d Wk). Just ' okay 96.OOO. Last week, $8,500. Orpheum (Fox Midwest) (1,913; 75-si)—“Woman’s World” (20th) (Continued on page 15) ' Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the Vari- ous key cities, are net; i.e,, without Usual , tax.. . Distrib- utors share on net take, when playihg percentage; hence the estimated figures are net in- come. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, , include the U. S. amusement tax. Pittsburgh, Nov. 2. “Sabrina” is the big topnotcher here this session with a solid total at the Penn. It is pacing the city, “Hajji Baba” is rated nice at the Fulton, and Stays over. “Star Is Born” is still good; but consider- ably off from the second Week at the Stanley. It is staying, a fourth round,; “Woman’s World” shapes okay in Second Harris Stanza; Estimates for This Week . Fulton "(Shea) (1,700; 65-$l)— jji Baba” (20th). , Notices weren’t good but they were b.o;, and should help to" nice $7,500. Holds. Last week, “Black Shield” (IT) <C7 20b Harris (Harris) (2,200.; 65-$D— ‘.‘Woman’s World” (20th) (2d wk). Holding well at $8,000 on windup/ Last week,: $9,500: Penn (UA). (3,300; 65-85)—“Sa- brina” (Par). In short notice because “Brigadpon’- (M-G) did not hold. Looks solid $15,000 or over. Last week, “Brigadoon” (M/G), $14,000. Squirrel Hill (SW). (900; 65-85)^- “Vanishing Prairie” (Disney) (2d wk); One of the best art nabers has had in some time. Looks strong $3,500 on top of $4,500 last week. Stays. , Stanley (SW) (8,800; 75-$1.25)— “Star Is Born” (WB) (3d wk). Slid- ing to good $12,500 but holds again. Last week, $21,000. Warner (SW) (.1,365; $1.25-$2.65) —• “Cinerama” (indie) (48th wk). Looks fine $10,000 or near. Last week, same. ‘Xmas’ Sockeroo $20,000, Seattle; ‘Contessa’ 7?G Seattle, Nov.. 2, . Big advertising campaign is pay ing off in spades currently for “White Christmas” at Music. Hall, where a huge gross looms. Pic is so big it . appears to be hurting the take for other new films such as “Barefoot Contessa” at Fifth Ave- nue and “Bengal Brigade” at the Orpheum. ..“Vanishing Prairie” still is good in third Music Box session. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; 90 $1.25) — “Passion” (RKO) and “Africa Adventure” (RKO). Drab $2,000. Last week, “Black Shield” (U) and “Ricochet Romance” (U) (2d wk), $2,700. . Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,829; 75 $1)-—“Three Hours to Kill” (Col) and “Human Desire’’ (Col). Okay $8,000. Last week, “Duel in Jun- gle” (WB) and “Bounty Hunter’ 1 ’ (WB), $9,800. • . Fifth Avenue /(Evergreen) (2,500; 90-$1.25) •—• “Barefoot Contessa” (UA) and “About Mrs. Leslie” (Par). Disappointing with $7,500. or thereabouts. Last week, “.Woman’s World”- (20th) (3d. wk), : $6,800. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,300; 90- $1.25)--“White Christmas” (Par). Big ballyhoo spells immense $20; 000, with a new high here possible if pic holds up. .Last week, “King Richard Criisaders’’ (WB), $5,700. Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 90- $1.25)—“Vanishing Prairie" (Dis- ney) (3d wk). Good $4,500. After $6,300 last week. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,700; 90- $1.25)—“Bengal Brigade” (U) and “Unholy Four”- (Lip). Sluggish $6,000 or near. Last week, “Naked Alibi” (U) and “Drum- Beats. Over Wyoming” (Rep), $5,300 in 5 days. .Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039; $1.2541.50)—“Star Is Born” (WB) (4tli wk). Off. to mild $7,000. Last l week, $11,800. ‘Betrayed Fast 12G, Toronto; ‘World' 15G Toronto, Nov. 2. With “Betrayed” the only im- portant new film, town is bogged down with holdovers. However, “Brigadoon” and “Woman’s World” still are fancy in second stanzas, with “Broken Lance” also hefty. Besides the big showing by “Betrayed,” “Gone With Wind” i$ doing okay for an oldie.. Estimates for This Week Downtown, Glendale, Scarboro, State: (Taylor) (1,059; 955; 698; 694; 40-70)—“Southwest Passage” (UA) and “khyber Patrol” (UA). Oke $12,000. Last; week, “Shanghai Story” 1 (Bep) and “Kidd Slave Girl”. (UA),. $14,000. . Eglinton, University (FP) (1,080; 1,558; 50-80)—“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue). So-so $10,000, Last week,- “King Richard Crusad- ers”. (WB), $9,000: . Hyland (Ranki (1,354; 60-80) — “Doctor in House” (Rank) (9th wk). . Trim $5,000. Last week?, $6,500.. Imperial (FP) (3,373; 60-$l) —: “Broken Lance” (20th) (2d wk). Hep $12,000. Last week, $16,000. Loew’s (Loew) (2,090; 60-$!)-^ “Brigadpon" (M-G) (2d: wk). Fancy $20,000. Last week, $25,000. Shea’s. (FP) (2,386; .75-$l) — “Caine Mutiny” (Col). (4th wk). Okay $8;500i Last week, $13,000. Odeon (Rank) (2,380; 7541) — “Woman's World” (20th) (2d wk). Big $15,000. Last week, $.19,000. Uptown (Lbew)' (2,745; 60-80)— “Betrayed” (M-G). Fast $12,000. Last week, “iOanaQl TOnirro/io” (M-G), $10,000. Philadelphia, Nov. 2. Bluechip films are boosting trade here this round. Except for the preems, most of the heavy traffic at the wickets was over the week- end. ., Great exploitation helped “White Christmas;” Which is soar- ing to a terrific $40,000 at the. Ran- dolph and easily pacing the city. “Barefoot Contessa” looms big at. the Midtown. “Black Widow” also is fancy at the Fox while “Reap Wild Wind,” out on reissue sur- prised with a smash teeoff. Estimates for This Week . Arcadia (S&S) (625;: 80-$1.35)— “Rear Window;’ (Par). (10th wk). Fine $6,000. Last week, $6,700^ Boyd (SW) (1,430; $1.2542.60)— “Cirterama” (Indie). (56th wk). Okay $10,000. Last week, $12,000. Fox .(20th) (2;250; 99-$1.49)'— “Black Widow” (20th). Fancy $25.- 000. Last week; “Hajji Baba” (20th) (2d wk). $14,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1.200; 65- $1,30)—“Reap Wild Wind” (Par) (reissue). Smart $13,000. Last week, “Bengal Brigade” (U). $14:000. Mastbaum (SW)' (4.370; 75-$1.30) —“Star. Is Born” (WB) (3d wk). Fair $19,000. Last week, $30,000, Midtown (Goldman) (1,000: 74- $.1.49)—"Barefoot Contessa” (UA). Wow $25,000 or near: Last week, “Beau Brummell” (M-G) (3d wk), $9,000. Randolnh (Goldman) (2.500: 74- $1.49)—‘'White Christmas” (Par). Terrific $40,000; Last week. “Woman’s World” (20th) (3d wk),. $9,500 Stanley (SW) (2.900; 74-$1.30)— “Human Jungle” IA A),. So-so $15.- 000. Last week/ “Seven.Brides” (M-G), $9,000 in final 5 davs. -Stanton (SW) Cl,473: ‘ 50-99)— “Shanphai Story” (Rep) and “Thunder Pass” (Lip). Good $8- 500. Last week, “Passion” (RKO) and “Africa Adventure” (RKO), $ 6 , 000 . ; Trans-Lux CT-L) (500;. 8041.50) —“Sabrina” (Par) (2d wk). Solid $11,500. Last week, $16,000. Viking (Sley) (1,000: 7541.30)— “Brigadoon” (M-G) (4th wk). Off to oke $6,500. Last week, $10,000. Trans-Lux World (T-L). (604; 99^ $1.50)—“Suddenly” (UA) (3d wk).. Sturdy $10,500. Last week, $17,000. DENVER; ‘XMAS’ 25G, 2D Denver, Nov. 2. The great staying .power.- of “White Christmas” ,in its second session at the Denham is attracting the most attention here currently. It is only $1,500 behind the terrific first week total. “Black Widow” looms big . at the Centre while “Barefoot Contessa” is rated fine at the Paramount. Teachers’ con- vention here helped weekend grosses, . Estimates for This Week Centre (Fox) (1,247; 60-$l) — “Black Widow” (20th),. Sock $20,- (Continued on page 15) Rain and the distraction of the elections are providing, a tough handicap for Broadway first-run theatres this stanza. HoweVer, with public schools oijt yesterday (Tues.) for election day and four new bills there are favorable factors for the current session. The washout caused , by heavy downpours last Friday and the all- day rain Saturday naturally are clipping the. totals at many spots, “Carmen Junes” looms as strongest of newcomers, with a great $50,000 likely in first round ending tomorrow (Thurs.) at the Rivoli, Having to open in the rain Friday was ; a drawback. “Black Widow” finished: its opening week last night (Tues.) with a nice $65.-, 000 at the Roxy. . “Black Knight” is winding its initial stanza today at the Globe with a fast $14;000'likely. “Golden Mistress” with yaude looms neat $25,000 current round at the Palace, “White Christmas” continues the outstanding coin-getter in third, session at the Music Hall, with a terrific $167,000* just $1,000 below’ the second/week. The business last Saturday. (30) constituted the high mark for arty Saturday of the cur- rent run while Sunday’s trade was near the opening week Sabbath. Pic continues on indef/arid likely into the .first, week of Dec-ember, “Star Is Born” continues at a ; smash gait for third Week at the Paramount . and Victoria, where day-dating. Pic wound up with $65,000 at the Par ancf-$37,000 at the Vic. Film is now in fourth week at both spots but comes out of Paramount after Nov. 16 be- cause of stageshow opening the following: day,. “Beau. Brummell” finished its second frame at the State last night (Tues.) with a- fast $21,000. “Hansel and Gretel” held very big with $23,000 in third session at the Broadway, and. is continuing on. “Barefoot Contessa” looks to wind its fifth week at the Capitol with a. sturdy $33,000 or near. “Sabrina” held remarkably well with a big $26,000 in sixth round at the Criterion, “Suddenly” looms good. $12,000 in. fourth Week end- ing today (Wed.) at the Mayfair, “On Waterfront,” still Champ IongrUn pic, held at an amazingly sturdy $24,000 in . 14th stanza ended last night (Tues.) at the Astor. "Cinerama” dipped with the other films but still was a sock $36,000 in 73d session at the Warner. Estimates for This Week Astor (City lnv,),*(i.300; 50-$1.75) —“On Waterfront” (Col) (15th wk). Held amazingly sturdy at. $24,000 in 14th session. ended, last night (Tues.). The 13th week was $23,500. Now set to stay until end of year. Broadway (Myerberg) (1,900; 74- $1.50)—"Hansel and Gretel” (Myer- berg) (4th Wk). Third week ended Saturday (30) continued sock at $23,000 after $33,000 iri second. Both surprisingly great figures for this puppet feature. Baronet (Reade) (430; 90-$1.55) — 'Leonardo Da Vinci” (Indie) (re- issue). Opened Sunday (31). In ahead, “Hamlet” (U) (reissue) (4th wk-9 days), oke $3,000 after $3,500. for third week. Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 85-$2.20) —“Barefoot Contessa”- (UA) (5tli wk), Present round ending today (Wed.) shapes, to hit stout $33,000. after $42,000 for. fourth week. Con- tinues: on, with “Last Time I Saw Paris” (M-G) due in next. •.. Criterion. (Moss) (1,700; 50-$1.85) .-^“Sabrina” (Par). (7th wk). Sixth session concluded last riight (Tues.) held with’ very big $26,000 after. $32,000 in fifth, / Fine Arts (Davis). (468; 9041.80) —“The Detective” (Col). Opened Monday (T) ; and broke opening day record. In ahead, “Vanishing Prai- rie” /(Disney) (11th wk), winding Sunday (31) was nice $5,300. after $6,000 in 10th . week' .Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-$1.50) —-“Black iCnight” ; (Col). First week winding today (Wed-) looks to reach nice $14,000. Moved in a day earlier than planned. In ahead, “Hajji Baba” (20th) (3d wk-6 days), $6*500 '’including preview. Second week, $10,000. Guild (Guild). ,(450; $1-$1.80)^ !-Martin Luther” (Indie) (3d wk). This round eliding tomorrow (Thurs.) is headed for trim $6,000 same as second week. Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 79-$1.80) —“Suddenly” (UA) (4th wk). This session ending today (Wed.) looks to reach good $12,000 after $19,000 for third week, a bit below hopes. Normandie (Trans-Lux) (592; 95- $1.80)—.‘Runaway Bus" (Indie) (2d wk). initial stanza ended Friday (29) hit fair $3,500. ('Palace (RKO) (1,700; 50-$1.60)— “Golden Mistress” (UA) and vaude- ville... Week ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to reach fine $25,- 000 or close. Last week* “Personal Affair” (UA) and vaude, $23,000. Paramount (ABC-Par) (3,664; $1- $2)—“Star Is Born” (WB) (4th wk). Third week ended,Monday (1) was big $57,000 after $92,000 for second week. Now set to go through Nov. 16 . Paris (Pathe Cinema) (568; 90- $1.80)—“Bread, Love,and Dreams” (IFE) (7th wk)* Sixth round ended Sunday (31) held, at fancy $10,000 after $12,000 for fifth Week. Rivoli (UAT) (2,092; 85-$2)— “Carmen Jones” (20th). Soaring to smash $50,000 or near in first week ending tomorrow. (Thurs.). Holding.. In ahead, “Rear Window”. (Par) (12th wk), $16,000 to conclude a highly successful longruh. . Radio City Music Hall .(Rocke- fellers) (6,200; .9542.75)—“White Christmas”. (Par) first VistaVision pic, and stageshow (3d wk). Holdr ing in great, style with $167,000 likely for : present stanza ending to- day (Wed;). Second Week was $168,000, below hopes, but still ter- rific: for initial holdover round. Stays on into December at current pace. Roxy (Nat’l. Th.) (5,717; 65-$2.40) —“Black .Widow” (20th) (2d wk). Climbed to nice $65,000 in first stanza ended yesterday (Tues.)! In ahead “Woman’s World” (20th) (4th wk-8 days), $38,000 to finish very fine tun. State. (Loew’s) (3,450; 7841.75)— “Beau Brummell” (M-G) (3d wk).„ Initial holdover week ended lafct night (Tues.) dropped to fast $21,- 000 after, $28,000 in first session. Second week got a terrific boost from a sneak preview last Friday (29); : Sutton (R & B) (561; 90-$1.50)r- “High and Dry” (U) (10th wk), Ninth stanza ended Monday (1) w a s good $6,500 after $7,000 for eighth week. Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453; $l-$ 1.50) — “Little Kidnappers” v(uA) (10th wk). Ninth round fin- ished last night . (TUes.l was trim $5,000 after $5,600 for eighth week. Stays,. Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540; $1-$1.50)—“Lili” (M-G) (87th; wk). The 86th frame ended Monday. (1) was good $4,400 after $4,800 in 85th week. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; $1-. $2V—“Star Is Born” (WB.) (4th wk). Still going great guns with $37,000 for third week .ended Sunday (31) after $39,000 for second' week. Stays on indef at this gait. Warner (Cinerama Prod.) (1,600; $1.20-$3.30) — “Cinerama” (Indie) (74th wk)/ The 73d session finished Saturday (30) held with sock' $36,- 000. after $38,000 for 72d week at this house. Continues. Grid Game Helps Mpls.; ‘Suddenly’ Loud $6,000, ‘Brigadoon’ Fat 9G, 2d Minneapolis, Nov, 2. It's another instance here of weekend business being helped by the influx of visitors for Minnesota U,-Michigan State “homecoming” football game which drew a capac- ity 64,Q00 crowd: Three fresh , ar- rivals with only “Suddenly” assum- ing much boxoffice importance; However, along with the numerous; strong holdovers biz still, is high in the chips. Temperatures as low as 15 and snow didn’t hurt,. Longruns comprise “Cinerama;’ starting its eighth month, at the Century where still very strong; “On WaterfronL” and “Sabrina,” both rpunding out highly- successful six-week runs; "A Star : , Is-; Bom”, iri its fourth stanza and /“Brigadobri” winding up a fortnight date. Estimates for This Week .Century (S-W) (1,140; $1.75- $2.65)—“Cinerama” (Indie) (29th wk). No weakening with age here. Tali $25,000 with added' shows. Last week, $20,000. Gopher (Berger) (1,600; 65-85)— “Suddenly” (UA): Best boxoffice bet here Lor some time. Stout $6,000. Last week; ■•‘Adventures Robinson Crusoe” (UA), $5,000., Lyric. .(Par) (1,000; 65-85)—“The Raid” (20th), Nice $4,000 or near. (Continued on page ,15)