Variety (January 19, 1955)

U tMlwea<lay» January 19, 1955 PICTURE CROSSES 9 Chi Slows lip Albeit ‘Destry’ Boil $22,000; ‘Cruz-La Rosa Rousing 54G, Sea’ Rugged 27G, Heart’ Trim 15G Chicago, Jan. 18. Biz on the Loop is this frame, in contrast to big hoh- d v trade of the past week Lack of'many new pix here is contribute ■L to slump. Among new entries, •"nesirv” at the Roosevelt shapes smash *822,000. “Saratoga Trunk’ and Big Sleeo,” oldie combo, looks lean $6,500 at the Monroe. •ijget.su” at the Carnegie shapes a terrific $6,500. ••Beau B rummel” in second- f. .mer at the Grand will get a solid $12,000 while at the Woods, • Down 3 Dark Streets” looms fan- rv $21,000. also for second. With -Julius La Rosa heading vaude in the third stanza ‘Vera rniz" at the Chicago is still big with $54,000. Fourth session of ‘•Show Business" at Oriental prom- ises a fat total. “Deep In My Heart ” is still nice at McVickers. also for fourth. „ *•‘>0 000 Leagues Under Sea looks ’niftv at the State-Lake in fourth “Silver Chalice" at United Artists is sluggish. “Aida" is sniash at the World. \t the Palace. “Cinerama* con- tinues solid in 77th session. Estimates for This Week Carnegie (Telem’t) (480; 95)— “UgetsU" (Indie). Nifty $6,500. Last week. “Arthur’s Prize Pack- age" 'Indie) (3d wk), $3,000. Chicago <B&K) <3.900: 98-SI.50) “Vera Cruz" (UA) with Julius La Rosa topping vaude (3d wk>. Staunch $54,000. Last week, $60,000. Grand (Nomikos) (1.200; 98- 51251 — Beau BrummeD” (M-G) and "Crest of Wave” (M-G) (2d wk' Strong $12,000. Last week. S16.000. Loop (Telem’t) (606; 90-$1.25>— “Hansel a nd Gretel” (RKO) <4lh wk'. Big $7,200. Last week, $9,- 500. McVickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65- $1.25'— "Deep In My Heart” tM-G) (4th v k». Trim $15,000. Last week, $19,800. Monroe <Indie) (1.000; 65-87)— “Saratoga Trunk” (WB) and “Big Sleep” 'WB) (reissues). Light $0,500 Last week, “Fighting Pim- pernel’’ (Indie) and “Black Pi- rates" (Indie> <2d wk). $5,500. Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$1.25) —"Show Business” (20th) (4th wk). Should hit neat $24,000. Last week. $29,400. Palace 'Eitel) (1.484; $1.25-$3.40) — Cinerama" (Indie) (77th wk). Solid $24,000. Last week, $23,- 800. Roosevelt <B&K) (1,400; 65-98)— “Destry" <U) and “Bamboo Prison" •Col'. Shapes very fancy $22,000. Last week. "So This Is Paris" <U.A) and "Golden Mistress" (UA) (2d uk). .$12,500, State-Lake (B&K) (2.400; 65-98) —' Leagues Under Sea" (BV) (4th "k>. Sturdy $27,000. Last week, $30,000. Surf (H&E Balaban) (685; 95>— “Detective” (Col) (4th wk). Solid $5,300. Last week, $5,500. . United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 98- $1.25)—'"Silver Chalice” (WB) (4Ui *k>. Off to $12,000. Last week. $16,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,206; 98- *—‘frown 3 Dark Streets” <L r A* <2d wk). Fast $21,000. Last Week. $32,000. World 1 Indie) (697; 98)—“Aida” (IFE) (4th wk). Socko $8,000. Last week. $8,500. ‘Young’ Hep $12,001) In Balto; This Paris’ Hot 9G, ‘Show Biz’ 7G, 4 Baltimore, Jan. 18. 1 oung At Heart” is toppii no new entries here this we ■‘ter opening staunchly at t: ►Stanley, “So This Is Paris” '(‘r.y piecing a t the Centui f °ur h round of “20,000 League r,J° 1 nl Hipp. “Show Bui ls holding nicely in four iln?. a f. ,he Town - “ Mr - Hulo Holiday KS brisk at the Playhous Estimates for This Week on len ‘ ur y (Loew’s-UA) (3.000; 2 ? n p t( ; S o This Is Paris” (U). Pies Last week, “Deep Hear, i M -G> (3d wk),' $6,500 ^tinp ma (Schwaber) (466; 50-$ (4th ,* Love - Dreams” UF $3300 k ’' Fair $2 ’ 80 °* Last we€ sols!? 1 .£ e *! tr * (Rapiwiport) (96 Ok,! T. fr ete ctive” (Col) (4th wl , ni S4 ' 000 after $5,000 in thir 5(J-$] ,0d o« me <R appaport) (2,1C * in 20 . 000 Leagues Sea” (B 'Continued on page 22) 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 playing percentage, hence the estimated figures are net in- come. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, include the U. S. amusement tax. Circus’ Lusty 26G In Det.; ‘Cruz’ 17G Detroit, Jan. 18. Biz is fairish this week with holdovers putting the lid on over- all gross total but many are doing all right considering. “3 Ring Cir- cus,’’ a newcomer at the Michigan, looks good. The only other first- timer. “Cry Vengeance” shapes okay at Broadvvay-Capitol. “Show Business” is oke at the Fox. “Vera Cruz” looms wow at the Palms and “Leagues Under Sea” shapes sock at the Madison, all in their fourth weeks, to pace the holdovers. “Deep In My Heart” looks good in fourth United Artist round. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5.000; $1.25- $1.50)—“Show Business” (20th) (4th wk). Just okay at $18,000. Last week. $22,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 80-$D—”3 Ring Circus” (Par) and “Masterson of Kansas” (Col). Swell $26,000. Last week, “Silver Chalice” (WB), $11,000 in 5-day third week. „ Palms (UD) (2.961; $1-$1.25)— “Vera Cruz” (UA) and “Diamond Wizard” (UA) (4th wk). Wow $17.- 000. Last week, $19,000. Madison (UD) (1.900; $1-$1.25)— “Leagues Under Sea” (BV) (4th wk). Sock $14,000. Last week, $18,000. Broad way-Capitol (UD) (3,500; 80-$l>—“Cry Vengeance” (AA) and “Port of Hell” (AA). Oke $12,000. Last week. “Cattle Queen Mon- tana” (RKO) and “Passion” (RKO). same. United Artists (UA) (1,938; $1- $1.25)—“Deep In My Heart” (M-G) (4th wk). Good $10,000. Last week, $11,600. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 80-95)— “Phffft” (Col) (3d wk). Okay $7,- 000. Last week. $8,000. Music Hall (Cinerama Produc- tions) (1,194; $1.40-$2.65>—“Ciner- ama” (Indie) (96th wk). Swell $17,- 000. Last week, $16,500. Holdovers Bop Frisco But ‘Cruz’ Big $13,000; ‘Biz’Lean 11G,‘Sea’ 17G • San Francisco, Jan. 18. Cold weather and rain over the weekend is proving no help to first-run biz currently. Fact that the mainstem is 100% holdover is a further handicap to the overall total. Aside from extended-run “Cinerama,” now in its 55th *week at Orpheum (with tallest coin in city), the biggest grossing hold- overs are “20,000 Leagues Under Sea” at Golden Gate and “Vera Cruz” at United Artists. Former is rated good while “Cruz” is smash, both in fourth rounds. “Young at Heart” and “Show Busi- ness” both are lagging in pres- ent stanza. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate <RKO) (2,859; 90- $1.25)—"Leagues Under Sea” (BV) (4th wk). Good $17,000. Last week, $23,000. Fox (FWC) (4.651; $1.25-$1.50>— “Show Business” (20th) (4th wk). Off to mild $11,000 or less. Last week. $14,000. Warfield (Loew’s) (2.656; 65-90) —‘‘Deep In Heart” (M-G) (3d wk*. Modest $9,000 or under. Last week. $13,000. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 90-$l>— “Young At Heart” (WB) and “Cowboy” (Lip) (2d wk). Light $10,000 in 6 days. Last week, $16,- 000 . St. Francis (Par) (1,400; $1- $1.25)—"Silver Chalice” (WB) (4th wk>. Oke $5,000 in 4 days. Last week, $8,000, Orpheum (Cinerama Theatre, (Continued on page 22) ‘Brigadoon’ Loud 12G Seattle? ‘Men’ Big 11G Seattle, Jan. 18. Best newcomer here this week is “Violent Men,” sturdy at Coliseum. “Brigadoon” also looms nice at Music Hall. “Sign of Pagan” looms good on moveover to Blue Mouse, and fourth week downtown. “Leagues Under Sea” still is great in fourth stanza at Paramount. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; 75- $1)—"Sign of Pagan” (U) and “4 Guns to Border" (U) (m.o.). Nice $4,000 in 8 days of fourth down- town week. Last week, "Young at Heart” (WB) and “Fast and Furi- ous” (Indie) (3d wk-3 days), $2,700. Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,829; 75- $1)—"Violent Men” (Col) and “Cannibal Attack” (Col). Trim $11,000. Last week, “3-Ring Circus” (Par) and “Black Dakotas” (Col) (3d wk), $7,300. Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,500; 90-$1.25)—“Show Business" (20th) (4th wk). Good $5,500. Last week, $8,800. Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 90- $1.25)—“Detective" (Col) (2d wk). Okay $3,500 after $4,800 last week. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,300; 90- $1.25)—“Brigadoon" (M-G). Solid $12,000. Last week, “Deep in Heart” (M-G) (2d wk), $7,600. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,700; 75- $1)—“So This Is Paris” (U) and “Yellow Mountain’* (U). Fair $8,000 or near. Last week, “Sign of Pagan” (U) and “4 Guns to Border” (U), $4,000 in two days of third week. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039; $1-$1.25)—“20,000 Leagues” fBV) (4th wk). Great $10,000. Last week, $11,700. ‘Pagan’ Wham 20G, Pitt; Biz’ 8G, 4th Pittsburgh, Jan. 18. Fulton has the week’s block- buster in "Sign of the Pagan,” which is soaring wild and looks in for a run. All other spots are holdovers. Second stanzas for “Three Ring Circus” at Stanley and “Barefoot Countess” at Penn look okay . and fourth week of “Show Business” at Harris is sat- isfactory. too. “Cinerama” contin- ues to pick up at the Warner with the closing only three weeks away. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1.700; 65-$1.10)— “Sign of Pagan” (U). Simply im- mense. Did over $7,500 first two days and a cinch to finish up with wow $20,000. No other new pix in Golden Triangle is helping. Should be around for some time. Last week, “Carmen Jones” (20th) (3d wk). $6,500 in 9 days. Guild (Green) (500; 65-$D— “Romeo and Juliet” (UA) (4th wk). New art house in Squirrel Hill district catching on. Holding on near $2,500, same as last week. Harris (Harris) <2,165; 65-$1.25) —“Show Business” (20th) (4th wk). Overflow from Fulton help- ing final session. Looks okay $8,- 000. Last week, $10,000. Penn (UA) (3,300; 65-$l>— “Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (2d wk). Holding well at fine $11,500 on top of $17,500 last week. Squirrel Hill (SW) (900; 65-$l) —“Detective” (Col) (4th wk). Alec Guinness continues to be a mag- net here. Fancy $2,600, enough to hold again. Last week, $3,000. Stanley (SW) (3,800; 65-$l)—“3- Ring Circus” (Par) (2d wk-5 days). Sliding off and comes out tomor- row (Wed.) lor ”20,000 Leagues” (BV). Fair $9,000. Last week, $19,000. Warner (SW) (1.365; $1.25-$2.65) —"Cinerama” (Indie) (59th wk). Getting some action on “final- weeks” notice. Closes Feb. 13. with ‘‘Cinerama Holiday” opening three days later. Okay $11,500 likelv this week. I^st week. $ 11 , 000 . Solons, H.0.s Hit D.C.; ‘Fire’ Lukewarm $17,000 Washington. Jan. 18. Mainstem biz is sluggish this week. There are only two new- comers and neither are any great shakes. Many of the holdovers are slumping. “Green Fire” is fair at the Capitol. “Cry Vengeance” is just okay at Columbia. Top hold- overs are "Leagues Under Sea" and "Sign q l Pagan." Estimates for This Week Ambassador (SW) (1,400; 60-85) —“Young At Heart” (WB) (2d wk). Only $2,500 In 5 days. Last week, $5,500. Capitol (Loew’s) (3,434; 70-95)— “Green Fire” (M-G). Fair $17,000. Last week. "Deep In Heart” (M-G) (3d wk), $10,000. Columbia (Loew’s) (1,174; 70-95) —"Cry Vengeance” (UA*. Okay (Continued on page 22) B’way Uneven; ‘Prince’ Timid 17G ‘Scarf’-Vaude Neat 21G, Girl’ Big 47G, 5th, ‘Leagues’ 36G, ‘Cruz’ 40G Broadway film business is as sluggish this session as the current stock market, and it’s just as un- even. Aside from being jammed with overly-extended longruns, the overall total is not being helped much by two new films. Snow on two days was a further handicap. While hardly noticeable a few hours after it fell, the snowfall in the suburbs sloughed traffic both times, and kept many home. "Prince of Players," most im- portant newcomer, is disappoint- ing at the Rivoli with a slow $17,- 500 opening week ended Monday <17). “Theodora” is okay at $10,- 000 on first round at the Globe. "Green Scarf” with vaude is head- ing for a neat $21,500 at the Pa- lace. Best showing of the longruns is being made by “Country Girl," still smash with $47,000 or near for the fifth week at the Criterion. StilL big is the fourth session of “Vera Cruz" at the Capitol with $40,000 while “20,000 Leagues Un- der Sea" continues sock with $35,- 000 likely at Astor,-also in fourth. “Deep In My Heart" with stage- show is finishing its six-week run at the Music Hall today (Wed.) with an okay $106,000 for final stanza. “Show Business” is off to $42,000 or under in fifth round at the Roxy, with a sixth week set. “Silver Chalice" looks fairly good $60,000 in final 11 days of third frame at the Paramount. "Young At Heart” replaces today (Wed.). “3-Ring Circus” is down around $14,000 in current <4th) session at the State. “Gate of Hell” continues its amazing uace at the Guild, with a wow $19,000 in the fifth stanza ended Monday (17). “Star Is Born” held steady with a fine $17,000 in the 14th round at the Victoria. “Cinerama” also was big, improving to $42,000 in 84th frame at the Warner, ahead of previous week. Next “Cinerama” pic has been set for Feb. 8 at this house. Music Hall and Mayfair also are changing this week. The Hall opens "Bridges at Toko-Ri” tomorrow (Thurs.) while the Mayfair brings in “Americano” the same day. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.t (1,300; 75-S1.75) —"Leagues Under Sea” (BV) (4th wk). Current round ending todav (Wed.) looks to hit socko $36,000 after $39,000 for third week. Stays on, natch! . Little Carnegie (L. Carnegie) (550; $1.25-12.20) — “Aida” (IFE) (10th wk). Present round winding today (Wed.) look* like fine $6,700 after $8,200 In ninth week. Con- tinues. Baronet (Reade) (430: 90-$1.55) —"Game of Love” (Indie) (6th wk). Fifth round ended vesterday- (Tues.) held with big $7,500 after $9,500 in fourth. Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 85-$2 20) —‘‘Vera Cruz” (UA) (4th wk). This session ending Friday (21) likely will hold at big $40,000 or near after $55,000 in fourth week. Stays on indef. Criterion (Moss) <1,700; 75-$2.30) —“Country Girl” (Par) (5th wk). Present round winding up today (Wed.) is heading for smash $47,- 000 after $53,000 In fourth week. Continues indefinitely. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$J.80) —‘‘The Detective” (Col) (12th wk). The 11th week ended Sunday (16) was fine $5,100 after $5,700 in 10th round. “Holiday for Henrietta” (Arde) opens Jan. 24. G»obe (Brandt) (1.500; 70-11.50) —“Theodora” (IFE) (2d wk). Initial session concluded Monday (17) night hit okav $10,000. In ahead, “Athena” (M-G) (3d wk), $7,000. Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.75)— “Gate of Hell” (Indie) (6th wk). Fifth session finished Mondav (17) was great $19,000 after $22,500 for fourth week. Mayfair (Brandt) (1.736; 79- $1.80)—“Green Fire” (M-G) (4th- final wk). Current week winding un today (Wed.) looks like light $7,500 in six final davs after $11.- 000 for third.. “Americano” (RKO) opens tomorrow (Thurs ). Normandie (Trans-Lux) (592: 95- $1.80)—"Beachcomber” (UA). First week ending Friday (21) looks to reach neat $6,000. Holding. “Big Dav” (Indie) (4th wk-8 days was $4 200. Palace (RKO) 0.700; 50-SI.60)— “Green Scarf” (Indie) plus vaude- ville. Week ending tomorrow (Thurs.) is heading for neat $21,- 500. Last week, “Black Tuesday’* <UA) (2d wk) and new vaude bill, $21,000, plenty good for second week on pic. Paramount (ABC-Par) (3,664; 85-$l.75)—“Young at Heart” (WB*. Opens today (Wed.). In ahead, “Silver Chalice” (WB) (3d wk-11 days), held about even at good $60,000 after $53,000 for second full week. Paris (Pathe Cinema) <568; 90- $1.80* — “Animal Farm” (Indie) (4th wk). Third frame ended yes- terday (Tues.) was fine $8,000 after $11,000 for second week. “Wages of Fear” (Indie) due in next. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (6,200; 95-$2.75)—“Deep in My Heart” (M-G) and stageshow <6th-final wk). Current stanza winding today (Wed.) looks to wind run with okay $106,000 after $130,- 000 in fifth week. “Nativity” por- tion of Xmas stageshow ended Jan. 16. “Bridges at Toko-Ri” (Par) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Rivoli (UAT) (2,092; 85-$2)— "Prince of Players” (20th) (2d wk). Got only mild $17,500 in first ses- sion ended Monday (17) despite nice reviews. In ahead, “Carmen Jones” (20th) (11th wk-4 days), $5,000. “Bad Day at Black Rock” (M-G) announced to open Feb. 1. Roxy (Nat’l. Th.) (5,717; 65- $2.40)—“Show Business” (20th) (5th wk). Present round finishing tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to get oke $42,000 after $55,000 in fourth week. Holds a sixth week because print not available on next pic, with “The Racers” (20th) due to open Jan. 28. State (Loew’s) (3.450; 50-$1.75) —“3-Ring Circus” (Par) (4th wk). Present session winds up tomor- row (Thurs.) with nice $14,000 probable. Third week was $23,000. “Violent Men” (Col) is due in Jan. 26. Sutton (R&B) (561; $1-$1.80>— “Romeo and Juliet” (UA) (5th wk). Fourth stanza ended yesterday (Tues.) hit fancy $11,000 after $13,000 in third week. Continues on indef at this pace. Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540; ($1-$1.50)—“Tonight’s the Night” (AA) (4th wk). This round con- cluding today (Wed.) probably will hold at around $6,400, fine, after $6,500 in third week. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 50- $1.75)—“Star Is Born” (WB) (15th wk). The 14th session ended Sun- day (16) held at fine $17,000 after $16,800 In 13th week. “Unchained” (WB) opens soon. Warner (Cinerama Prod) (1,600; $1.20-$3.30) — “Cinerama” (Indie) (85th wk). The 84th frame ended Saturday (15) amazingly edged up to $42,000, with final-weeks an- nouncement helping. The 83d week was $41,000. 'Next pic, ‘‘Cinerama Holiday” (Indie* set to have world preem here Feb. 8. ‘Pagan* Torrid $24,000, Cleve.; ‘Cruz’ Crisp 14G, 3d, ‘Sea’ Sock 12G, 4th Cleveland, Jan. 18. Plenty of potent new product and strong holdovers, all of which is cheering exhibitors here cur- rently. Standout is “Sign of Pag- an” which is smash at the Hipp. “Vera Cruz” on third lap at Stale stacks up socko while “20.000 Leagues Under Sea," in fourth, establishes itself as Palace's top- grosser for some time. Estimates for Thfs Week Allen (S-W) (3,000; 70-$D— “Young at Heart” (WB) (2d wk). Nice $9,000 in 5 days following $18,000 last week. Hipp (Telem’t) (3,700; 75-SI.25) —“Sign of Pagan" <U). Wham $24,000. Last week, “Show Busi- ness” <20lh) (3d wk), $11,500. Lower Mall (Community) <585; 60-90)—“Bread, Love, Dreams” (IFE) <2d wk). Oke $2,000. Last week, $2,300. Ohio (Loew’s) (J.200; 60-90)— “Law Vs. Billy Kid” (Col) and “Masterson Kansas” (Col). Brisk $10,000. Last week. “3-Ring Cir- cus” (Par) (m.o ), $7,000. Palace (RKO) (3,287; 70-$l>— “Leagues Under Sea” (BV) (4th wk). Excellent $12,000. Last week, $15,500. State (Loew’s) <3.500; 60-90>— “Vera Cruz” (UA) (3d wk). Still sock at $14,000. Last week, $17,000. Stillman (Loew’s) (2.700; 60-90) —*"Deep In Heart” (M-G) (4th wk). Fine $5,000 in 6 days. Last week, $ 8 , 000 . ’