Variety (November 1955)

20 PICTURES Pfi&IETY "Wednesday, November 23, 195$ Snow Fails to Slow Up Prov.; ‘Head' Smash 12G, ‘Sun’ Hot 10G, ‘Died’ 9G Providence, Nov. 22. * Season’s first snow on Saturday put a damper on an otherwise heavy night. Despite this, most stands are well above average for the week. Healthiest is 'Majestic’s “View From Pompey’s Head," with sock take. Second spot goes to “Three Stripes in Sun" at Strand, which is.strong. “I Died A Thou¬ sand Times" at Albee also is hefty. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 50-75)-— “Died Thousand Times" (WB) and “Illegal” (WB). Very healthy $9,- 000. Last week, “Treasure Pancho Villa” (RKO) and “Wakamba" (RKO), $8,500. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 50-75)— “View Pompey’s Head” (20th) and “City Shadows" (20th). Sock $12,- 000. Last week, “Girl Red Velvet Swing” (20th) and “Other Wom¬ an" (20th). same. State (Loew) (3,200; 50-75)— “Queen Bee" < Col) and “Duel On , Mississippi” (20th). Fairly strong 1 Cf 1 1 ! $10,000. Last week, “Man With DalLO, ulin 1 Du III 11 f-Gun” <UA) and “Break to Free- TORONTO (Continued from page 8) “Alias John Preston" (IFD), $18,- 500. Eglinton, University (FP) (1,088; 1,558; 60-$l) — “Ulysses” (Par). Wham $20,000. Last week, “Virgin Queen" (20th) (2d wk), $7,000. Fairlawn, Odeon (Rank) (1,165; 2,580; '60-$l)—“View From Pom¬ pey’s Head" (20th). Oke $15,000. Last week, “Man Alone” (Rep), $13,000. Imperial (FP) (3,373; 60-$l) — “Never Too Young” (Par) (3d wk). Okay $11,000. Last week, $14,500. Locw’s (Loew) (2,090; 60-$l)— “Trial” (M-G) (2d wk). Holding at nice $12,500. Last week. $20,000. Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 60-$l)—“Mc¬ Connell Story” (WB) (2d wk). Trim $9,000. Last week, $11,000. Towne (Taylor) (695: 75-$l) — “Sheep Has 5 Legs" (UMPO) (2d wk). Okay $5,000. Last week, $ 6 , 000 . Uptown (Loew) (2,745; 60-$l)— “Quentin Durward" (M-G). Light $10,000. Last week, “Lady Godiva" (U), $6,000. ‘Trap’ Staunch $13,000, Baltimore, Nov. 22. New product is helping many spots to pleasing grosses fibre this round. “Tender Trap" is staunch at Century. “View From Pompey’s Head" looks - nice at the New. “I Am A Camera” shapes hefty at the Playhouse. Second week of “The Trial" is brisk at the Hipp. “Man With Gun” had a sock 11 days at the Town. Estimates for This Week Century (Fruchtman) (3,000; 35- $1.25) — “Tender Trap” (M-G). Fancy $13,000 or near. Last week, “Quentin Durward” (M-G), $8,000. Cinema (Schwaber) (460; 50-$l) —“Holly And Ivy” (Indie). Okay $3,500. Last week, “Sheep Has 5 Legs" (UMPO) (4th wk), $2,000. Film Centre (Rappaport) (960; 50-$l)—“Big Knife” (UA). Opens tomorrow (Wed.). Second week of “3 Cases of Murder" (Indie) was sparse $2,500. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,100; 35-$l) — “Trial” (M-G) (2d wk). Holding firmly at $8,000 following $12,000 opener. Keith’s (Fruchtman) (2.400; 35- $1)—“3 Forbidden Stories" (Indie). Slow $4,500. Last week, “Hold Back Tomorrow” (U), $3,000. Little (Rappaport) <310; 50-$l)— “African Lion" <BV) (3d wk). Strong $4,000 following $4,500 for second. Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 20-70) — “Vanishing American” (Rep). Fair $4,000. Last week, “Tenessee’s Partner” (RKO), $4,200. New (Fruchtman) (1,600; 35-$l) — “View From Pompey’s Head” (20th). Pleasing $8,500. Last week, “Desperate Hours” (Par) (2d wk), $ 8 , 000 . Playhouse (Schwaber) (320; 50- $1)—“I Am Camera” (DCA). Tall $5,500. Last week. “Court Martial” (Indie) (3d wk), $2,000. Stanley (WB) (3,200; 35-$l) — “Rebel Without Cause" <WB) (4th wk). Okay $7,000 following $8,000 in third. Town (Rappaport) (1.400; 35-$l) — “Good Morning, Miss Dove” (20th). Starts tomorrow (Wed.). Last week, “Man With Gun" (UA), fine $15,000 or near in 11 days. dom” (UA), $14,000. Strand (Silverman) (2,200; SO¬ TS)—“Three Stripes in Sun”. (,Col) and “Teenage Crime Wave” (Col). Strong $10,000. Last week, “White Christmas" (Par), .$4,500. ‘Godiva’ Lively $8,000, Indpls.; ‘Rebel’ 9G, 2d Indianapolis, Nov. 22. City has just turned on what it calls world’s brightest lights in downtown area, but it’s not re¬ flected yet in firstrun biz which is ragged here this stanza. “Rebel Without Cause” in second week at the Indiana, is leading town second time with good figure. “Lady Go- diva" is trim at the Circle. “Big Knife” is very tepid at Loew’s. Estimates for This Week Circle iCockrill-Dolle) (2,800; 50- 85)—“Lady Godiva” (U) and ‘.‘One Desire" (U). Neat $8,000. Last week. “Lucy Gallant” (Par) and “Headline Hunters” (Rep), $7,500. Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 50-85)— “Rebel Without .Cause” (WB) (2d wk). Strong $9,000 after $13,000 opener. Keith’s (C-D) (1,300; 50-75)— "Illegal” (WB) and "Green Buddha” (Rep). Slow $3,500. Last week, “Bobby Ware Is Missing” (AA) and' “Jail Busters" (AA), $3,000. Loew’s (Loew) (2,427; 50-80)— “Big Knife" (UA) and “Killer’s Kiss" (UA). Slim $6,000. Last week. “Queen Bee” (Col) and “Special Delivery" (Col), $6,500. SAN FRANCISCO 'Continued from page 9) (Indie) (3d wk). Slim $6,500 in 5 days. Last week, $10,000. Warfield (Loew) (2,656; 65-90)— “Billy the Kid” (M-G) and “Honky Tonk” (M-G) (reissues). Nice $9,600. Last week, “Quentin Dur¬ ward" (2d wk), $8,000. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 90-$l)— “Rebel Without Cause" (WB) and “Massacre Canyon” (Indie). Great $22,000. Last week, “Died 1.000 Times” (WB) and “Mobs, Inc." (Indie), $11,500. St. Francis (Par) (1.400; $1-$1.25) —“Desperate Hours” (Par) (4th wk). Trim $8,000. Last week. $9,000^ Orpheum (Cinerama Theatre ‘Men’ Lusty $23,000 In Mont’l; ‘Angels’ Oke 17G Montreal, Nov. 22. Ace newcomer here this stanza is “The Tall Men," which is rated big at Loew's. “We’re No Angels" shapes okay at Capitol. “Love Is Splendored Thing” is smash in second session at Palace. Estimates for This Week Palace (C. T.) (2,625; 60-$l)— “Love Is Splendored Thing" (20th) (2d wk). Smash $20,000 following $28,000 for first round. Capitol (C. T.) (2,412; 50-85)— “We’re No Angels" (Par). Okay $17,000. Last week, “Man From Laramie" (Col) (2d wk), $10,000. Princess (C. T.) (2,131; 40-65)— “Bring Smile Along” Col). Dullish $5,000. Last week, “Wichita" (AA), $9,000. Loew’s (C. T.) (2,847; 60-$l)— “Tall Men” (20th). Big $23,000. Last week, “Catch a Thief’ (Par) (3d wk), $16,000. Orpheum (C. T.) (1,049; 30-50)— “Santa Fe Passage” (Rep) and “City of Shadows” (Rep). Oke $5,- 000. Last week, “Return of Jack Slade" (AA) and “Case of Red Monkey” (AA), about same. BOSTON (Continued from page 9) wk). Sock $9,000. Last week, 1 , 000 . Fenway (NET) (1,373; 60-$l)— “Lucy Gallant" (Par). Okay $6,000. Last week, “7 Cities Gold" (20th) and “They Who Dared” (Indie), $5,000. Kenmore (Indie) (700; 85-$1.25)— Marty” (UA) (16th wk). Sharp $6,500. Last week, $8,000. Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 60-$l)— “Lady Godiva” (U) and “Kiss Fire” (U). Sturdy $13,000. Last week, Tennessee’s Partner’’ (RKO) and “Bengazi” (RKO), $14,000. Metropolitan (NET) (4,357; 60-$l) —“Big Knife” (UA) and “No Man’s Woman” (Indie). Okay $15,000. Last week, “Sincerely Yours” (WB) and “Bobby Ware is Missing" (AA) (2d wk-5 days), $6,000. Mayflower (ATO (689; 65-$l)— 'Deep Blue Sea" (20th) (2d wk). Nice $4,500. Last week, $5,700. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 60-$l) —“Lucy Gallant” (Par). Okay $13,- 000. Last week, “7 Cities Gold” (20th) and “They Who Dared" (In¬ die), $13,000. Pilgrim (ATC) (1,838; 60-75-95)— Died 1,000 Times" (WB) and Hell’s Horizon” (Indie) (2d wk). Okay $8,000. Last week, $11,500. Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 60-$l)— “Man With Gun” (UA) and “Desert Sands” (UA). Slick $16,000. Last week, “Quentin Durward” (M-G) and “Big Bluff" (UA), $14,500. State (Loew) (3,400; 50-$l)— “Man With Gun" (UA) and “Desert Sands" (UA). Fine $9,000. Last week, “Quentin Durward” (M-G) and “Big Bluff" OJA), $6,900. . But Earnings. Big ; Continued from page 5 - of $80,200,000 and earnings soared nearly 45%. RKO Theatres has net income of $856,678 for the third quarter of the current year, compared with $755,033 for the similar period of 1954. Now awaited with mueh in¬ terest is Loew’s annual report for 1955. Gross is expected to be slightly off but the profit slightly up. National Theatres is running about even with last year with a nice payoff anticipated in the not- too-distant future from its invest¬ ment in Todd-AO and the large- screen process the circuit itself has ! developed. Calif.) (1,458; $1..75-$2.65)—“Cine- Stanley garner, on the basis of rama Holiday” (Indie) (17th wk). monetary performance so far. DENVER (Continued from page 9) $4,500. Stays. Last week. $7,000. "Good^Morning! i IflS S8! « jg ;viL $18 F 0 r°o 0 m H Cney\ aSt £$ j "'^nKtists -No. Coast) a,207;! 2 I)rnham^Corkrni) 0 ?i.750; 60-SD | I “g —“Desperate Hours” (Par) (3d Last week, “Big Knife” (UA) (2d X. e le l T Chlca g° factoring out- wk). Fair $6,000 in 5 days. Last wk), $7,500 [ He ller raised its revolving week, $8,500. | Stagedoor (A-R) (440- SI -SI 25) credit for the indies from $2,000,- Uenver (Fox) (2.525: 60-$D— 1 —“Guys and Dolls” (M-G) Terrific 000 to $3,000,000. i-000 Times” (WB) and [ $24,000. Last week, “Summertime” • 'Illegal” (WBi. Fair $12,000. Last (UA) '5th wk-6 days'), $3,200. week “TaH Men” doth) .3d wk), Larkin (Roscnen (400; $1)— $12,000. “Illicit Interlude” (Indie) (3d wk) Esouirc (Fox) (742: 75-$!)—' Big $3,000. Last week, $3,300. 1 Bed (fndiei. Fine $3,500. Last j Clay (Rosenen <400; $1)—“Sheep * Golden to Dulles .... . _ __, _ o 111 ;cij Continued from page 2 - ra k P0,‘» ^I ev ‘ nwhen -*- and Intruder’ (Indie). Fair wki, Solid $2 700 Last week i se ! ccted attendance at $3,000. ‘ ‘ iH?*. fe! >tival.s. It is pointed oql $8,500. Last week, on reissues. 60-$l) — “Man With Gun" (UA> £nd “Killer’s Kiss” (UA) (2d wk). .SPlL^’OUO or near. Last week, (390. I . — _ 0 _ _ $1.25-$i.50)—’“Naked Sea” (Tndie)’i ^ anncs excellent impressions Good $2,500. Last week, “I Am I Wllh P ress an d public.” Camera” (DCA) (10th wk), $2,000. r4) The u - S. Government should Vogue (Wolfbergl (442- 75 QO) ! ,'397;, $ 1 )—“Red continue to be represented by of- ‘Man Who Loved RpdhMds"iuA) hffi” .iVa? , a " d Lit,1< ’ ’ flclals °. los<!ly eclated with gov- <2d wk). Fair $1,000. Last week ' 000I « t U »\ » lc ? ??' i <’™ment motion pictures, and who - " lui Witch” Undid ; know the American film industry i-nii wk;, $z,uuu. j and its top people. ^Kood .59, 6.500. Vogue $1,700. Cash Says They’re Good Hollywood, Nov. 22. Allied Artists has earmarked $200,000 to be spent on an ad¬ vertising campaign to intro¬ duce six new players, including John Cassavetes, a tv regular. Thesps will be seen in “Crime in the Streets." Others to get the buildup are Dan Terranova, Peter Mil¬ ler, Sal Mineo, Mark Eydell and Ray Stricklyn. Frisco’s Pacific Heights Skeered of Goldwyn Girls; -Too Madly ‘Theatrical’ San Francisco, Nov. 22. Some 48 hours before six touring Goldwyn Girls arrived in San Francisco to ballyhoo “Guys and Dolls," MGM’s Bill Blake felt his house tumbled under his feet. He had rented a Pacific Heights mansion to house the six girls and their chaperone, Mrs. Mildred Gal- anter, for their five-day stay here. Agreed price a month ago: $350. But when Blake and his real estate man went to the house to take pos¬ session the owner hiked the price to $500, demanding extra $150 to cover possible damage. Also he insisted Blake must pay the real estate man’s commission. Turning to a 21-room job next to the British consulate, Blake en¬ countered another rebuff when the owner asked, quite casually, who would live in his house for five days. “The idea of show business people in his home was too much of a shock,” says Blake, “and he turned down the deal.” . Same thing happened a couple of blocks away—the owner rejected the money with a curt, “Sorry, no theatrical people.” Finally, just hours before the girls and Mrs. Galanter arrived from Chicago, Blake found a suit¬ able mansion and fitted it out with furniture, linens, food, cook and housekeeper. This house was good enough for theatrical persons. It had also housed Anthony Eden during the recent United Nations meeting here. Martin-Lewis Personal At Par, N.Y., Carries ‘Maybe’ Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis are set for a full day of personals at the New York Paramount Theatre ! when their new film, Paramount’s “Artists and Models,” opens during Christmas Week. That is, if the trek to Gotham doesn’t interfere with production schedules. Come¬ dians start shortly on “Pardners” at Par. Liberace did four shows on open¬ ing day of “Sincerely Yours" at the Par flagship house recently. Gessner’s Expanded Dept. Under the new Communication Arts Group set-up at New York University, it’s now the Dept, of Motion Pictures and Television, the latter being added. Courses and faculty in the regular Wash¬ ington Square College, plus the Commerce, Education and General schools have been working a com¬ munications community of interest for a year. ^i.' Ro ? ert . Ressner is chairman of the Motion Picture & Television Dept. Italy & Security — " ■ » Continued from page 3 roadblocks into the path of t American companies. They have been 'holding the pi posed new film legislation over t heads of 'the U.S. outfits. Ap: irom the more than 100% bo< m dubbing fees, the Italians al want to buy for 350,000,000 li the Americans’ accumulated di bing certificates, once worth 800,000,000 lira. What it amounts to, in the view of Arne can observers, is that the Italia want more money for their pi duction fund. Also, they want cut down on the number of TIol] wood pix being imported in Italy so as to give their domes product a better chance. Meet in N. Y. Monday trai mitted a set of new instructions Johnson. “It hasn’t really come •a showdown yet,” was one co ment. If for Charity, No Tax on Theatre TV—Treasury Washington, Nov. 22. Large screen theatre television is exempt from the 10% admis¬ sions tax if the proceeds of the televised showing are for the bene¬ fit of a charitable, educational or religious organization operating on a non-profit basis. Ruling has just been made by the International Revenue Service. Says the ruling: “A live televised show or performance comes within the field of graphic arts since it loses its live characteristics and becomes an animated graphic pre¬ sentation. “For example, the action of the moving images participating in a prize fight as reflected on a screen, is not in and of itself a prize fight’ but rather it is a graphic reproduc¬ tion of a prize fight. “It is held that admissions to a theatre or other place to view a televised showing of an event tak¬ ing place simultaneously at a dif¬ ferent location do not come within the category of non-exempt admis¬ sions, even though the event in it¬ self is one of those specifically ex¬ cluded from exemption by that sec¬ tion, and is shown on a screen sim¬ ilar to a motion picture screen. . “Accordingly charges for admis¬ sion to live televised showings of affairs or events, whether opera, drama, sporting events, prize fights or notable public events, are not subject to the admissions tax if the proceeds from the admission charges inure exclusively to an or¬ ganization which qualifies for ex¬ emption from the tax.” 6 Magnetic Tracks To Sound-Drench 20th-Fox Super-Musical, ‘Carousel’ Aware of the excitement caused by the extraordinary qualities of the stereophonic sound accompany¬ ing “Oklahoma” in the Todd-AO process, 20th-Fox plans to show its “Carousel" musical with six separate magnetic tracks in some selected houses. “Carousel" was lensed in 55m and will be released in a 35m ver¬ sion reduced from the 55m nega¬ tive. The film was recorded for six-channel sound. When shown in this manner, the six soundtracks will play via a separate and syn- chronized pickup, i.e., the tracks won’t be on the same film as the picture. 20th has always plugged mag¬ netic sound and its execs were gratified at the reception of the “Oklahoma" sound quality. How¬ ever, throughout the country, ex- hibs aren’t taking to the stereo sound idea. On a normal 35m print, the six magnetic tracks couldn’t be ac¬ commodated. For the most part, “Carousel” will play with four mag¬ netic channels, which are on the film. Eventually, when 20th starts roadshowing some of its films in 55m version, the six tracks would no longer have to run separately. UNIVERSAL’S WEEK-LONG POWWOW AT STUDIO Week-long sales confab at the Universal studios will be held starting Dec. 5. U’s sales and ad- pub execs from both Coasts as well as district managers and reps of Empire-Universal of Canada will attend. Milton R. Rackmil, U proxy; Al¬ fred E. Daff, exec v.p.; N. J. Blum- berg, board chairman; Edward Muhl, production v.p., and v.p. David A. Lipton will join the sales and ad-pub staff in, previewing films to be released by the company during the first four months of 1956. Calhern a* 'Director' Hollywood, Nov. 22. Veteran actor Louis Calhern turns director today (Tues.) for qne day. At request of Dore Schary, Calhern, a Metro con- tractee, will "supervise screen test fbT Chris Randall, tv aotdr. No regular Metro director was available for job.