Variety (August 1956)

12 ricTunE grasses ' I'A-RIFTY Wednesday, August 15, 1956 Det. Biz Best This Summer; ‘Duchin’ Terrif $30, iO, ‘Wonders’ Wow 27G, 1st Four Days,‘Boats’Rousing 22G Detroit, Aug. 14. One of best weeks this summer is in store for downtown deluxers this stanza. "Eddy Duchin Story” is setting a fast tempo at the Madi¬ son with a terrific take. "Seven Wonders of World” is boffo in ini¬ tial four days at Music Hall, "Away All Boats” looks great at the Palms. "King and I” holds big in sixth week at the Fox. "Moby Dick” is down to good total in third session at the Michigan. "7 Men From Now” shapes above average at the Broadway-Capitol. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,00.0; $1- $1.25)—"King and I” (20th) (6th wk). Swell $17,000. Last week, $19,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; $1-$1.25)—"Moby Dick” <WB) (3d wk). Good $15,000. Last week. $24,000. Palms (UD) (2,961; $1-$1.25)— "Away All Boats” (U) and "Star in Dust” (U). Great $22,000 or near. Last week, "Proud and Profane” (Par) (2d wk), $16,000. Madison (UD) (1,900; $1-$1.25)— "Duchin Story” (Col). Terrific $30,000. Last week, "Trapeze” (UA), (6th wk), $11,000. Broadway-Capitol (UD) (3,500; $1-$1.25)—"7 Men From Now” (WB) and "Way Out" (RKO). Good $16,000. Last week, "Satellite in Sky” (WB) and "Three Outlaws” (Hep), $15,000. United Artists (UA) (1,667; $i.24- $2.75)—"Oklahoma” (Magna) (26th wk). Sturdy $13,000. Last week, $13,400. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; $1-$1.25) —"These Wilder Years” (M-G) (2d wk). Down to $8,500. Last week, $ 12 , 000 . Music Hall (Cinerama Produc¬ tions) (1,194; $1.40-$2.6’5)—"Seven Wonders” (Indie). Wow $27,000 in first 4 days. Last week, "Cinerama Holiday (Indie) (78th wk), $29,000, one of top weeks of run. Krim (Krim) (1,000; $1.25)— "Catered Affair" (M-G) (3d wk). Oke $6,500.. Last week, $7,800. ‘Society’ Smash $17,000, Mpls.; ‘Profane’ Robust 96,‘Wonders’Huge 24G Minneapolis, Aug. 14. Biz continues so good here that holdovers still predominate. In fact, the Loop has only a pair of fresh arrivals. These are additional big- timers, however, both "High Soci¬ ety" and “Proud and Profane” be¬ ing high boxoffice steppers. "Soci¬ ety” looks wow at State. ‘"King and I,” still flourishing, Is in its fifth week while "Eddy Duchin Story,” another b.o. per¬ former, is in its fourth. It’s the third stanza for “Somebody Up There Likes Me" and second for "Seven Wonders of World.” Estimates for This Week Century (S-W) (1,150; $1.75-$2.65) —“Seven Wonders of World” (In¬ die) (2d wk). With two extra per¬ formances, huge $24,000. Last week, $14,000 for 4 nights and not including $5 scholarship benefit preem. Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 85-$l)— "Somebody Up There Likes Me” (M-G) (3d wk). Strong $3,500. Last week, $6,000. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 85-$l)— "Pardners” (Par) (m.o.). Here af¬ ter healthy initial Radio City canto. Still profitable at $5,000. Last week, "Moby Dick” (WB) (4th wk), $5,500. * Radio City (Par) (4,100; 85-$l)— "Proud and Profane” (Par). Cast names helping to bring ’em in for this one. Stout $9,000 or better. Last week, "Pardners" (Par), $ 12 , 000 .. . RKO Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 75- $1)—“Earth Vs. Flying Saucers” (Col) and "Werewolf” (Col) (2d wk-4 days). "Storm Over Nile” (Col) and "Secret of Treasure Mountain” (Col) (3 days). Fair $ 6 , 000 . RKO Pan (RKO) (1,650; 75-$l)— "Eddy Duchin Story” (Col) (4th wk). Boxoffice durability is this picture’s stock in trade. Strong $5,500. Last week, $9,000. State (Par) (2,300; 85-$l)— "High Society” (M-G). Crix praise and t enthusiastic word-of-mouth getting this away big. Looks brisk $17,000. Last week, “Away All Boats” (U) (2d wk), $8,000. World (Mann) (400; 85-$1.25)— "King and I” (20th) (5th wk). Prac¬ tically no boxoffce letdown here. Holds at remarkable clip. Great $7,000. Last week, $8,400. Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week .$613,400 (Based on 22 thea res) Last Year .$598,600 (Based on 21 theatres) ‘Profane’Potent 10G Paces Prov. Providence, Aug. 14. The State’s "Fatest Gun Alive” is in the lead currently with the Strand also big with "Proud and Profane." Majestic is still good in second with "King and I" as is the Albee with "Away All Boats,” also in second round. . Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 50-85)— "Away All Boats” (U) and “Jail Busters” (AA) (2d wk). Good. $6,000. First week, $9,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 70-$l)— "King and I” (20th) (2d wk). Happy $9,000 after $17,000 opener. State (Loew) (3,200; 50-85)— "Fastest Gun Alive" (M-G) and "Killer Is Loose” (UA). Healthy $11,000. Last week “Somebody Up There Likes Me" (20 th) and "Secret Treasure Mountain" (UA), $9,000. Strand (Silverman) .(2,200; 50-85) —"Proud and Profane” (Par). Big $10,000 or over. Last week, "Leather Saint” (Par) and "Navy Wife” (AA), $3,500. ‘SKY’ MODEST $10,000, D.C.; ‘BOATS’ 16G, 2d Washington, Aug. 14. Summer visitors are helping to offset the void created by govern¬ ment workers on vacation and windup of Congress. City is largely holdover. “Away All Boats” looks brisk in second week. Particularly benefiting by the sightseeing ar¬ rivals is "Cinerama Holiday” which climbed back to a solid total. “Satellite in Sky” looks dull in two spots. Standout at small-seaters is “Eddy Duchin Story," wow at Trans-Lux. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (SW) (1,480; 90- $1.25)—"Satellite in Sky” (WB). Mild $3,500. Last week, "Moby Dick” (WB) (5th wk-6 days), $4,500. Capitol (Loew) (3,434; 90-$1.50) —"King and I” (20th) (7th-final wk). Nice $14,000 after $17,000 last week. Columbia (Loew) (1,174; 70-95)— "Earth Vs. Flying Saucers” (Col) and "Werewolf” (Col) (2d wk). Okay $7,000 after $12,000 last week. Dupont (Lopert) (372; 90-$1.15) —"Proud and Beautiful” (Indie) (2d wk). Good $5,000 after strong $6,800 in opening week. Holds. Keith’s (RKO) (1,939; 75-$l)— "Pardners” (Par) (2d wk). Nice (Continued on page 20) ‘Profane’ Proud $17,000, Buff; ‘Sleep’ Trim 12G Buffalo, Aug. 14. ‘‘Proud and Profane" looks to be standout newcomer here this week, with "Black Sleep” also solid at the Buffalo. "Moby Dick" contin¬ ues big in second round at the Center. "Eddy Duchin Story” is rated strong in third frame at Lafayette. Estimate for This Week Buffalo (Loew) (3,000; 60-85)— "Black Sleep” (UA) and "Creeping Unknown” (UA). Strong $12,000 or close. Last week, "Fastest Gun Alive" (M-G) and "Emergency Hos¬ pital” (UA) (9 days), $19,000. Paramount (Par) (3,000; 50-80)— "Proud and Profane” (Par) and "Strange Adventure” (Indie). Big $17,000. Last week, "Pardners" (Par) and "King Coral Seals" .(Indie) (2d wk), $13,000. Center (Par) (2,000; 50-$l)— "Moby Dick” (WB) (2d wk). Sturdy $13,000 or close. Last week, $25,- 000 . • Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 50-95)— "Eddy Duchin Story” (Col) and "Magnificent Roughnecks” (AA) (3d wk). Strong $12,000. Last week, $16,000. Teck. (Cinema Products) (1,200; $1.20-$2.40) — "Cinerama Holiday” (Indie) (28th wk). Smash $15,000.. Last week, $16,000. ‘Society’ High 49G In Hub; Life’ 14G Boston, Aug. 14. Biz is offish this frame, continu¬ ing the trend of current summer. Some exhibs seem worried. “High Society” at State and Orpheum lpoms as biggest picture to hit here for some time and is headed for a boff session. “Bigger Than Life” shapes okay at the Memorial. "Foreign Intrigue" looks nice at the Pilgrim. "Satellite in Sky" is just good at Paramount and Fen¬ way. "Cinerama Holiday” leads the holdovers in its 51st week. “Proud and Profane” is holding hotsy in second round at Met. Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q) (1,500; $1-$1.50)— “Moby Dick” (WB) (7th wk-4 days). Oke $5,000 in final week. Last week, $8,700. Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill) (678; 90-$1.25)—“One Summer Happi¬ ness" (Times) (6th wk). Solid $5,000. Last week, $6,000. Cinerama (Cinerama Produc¬ tions) (1,354; $1.20-$2.65)—“Cine¬ rama Holiday” (Indie) (51st wk). Hotsy $20,000, helped by closing announcements. Last week, $19,- 000 . Exeter (Indie) (1,200; 60-$l)- "Phantom Horse" (Indie) (2d wk). Oke $4,000. Last week, $6,500. Fenway (NET) (1,373; 60-$l)- "Satellite in Sky” (WB) and "7 Men From Now” (WB). Okay $5,000. Last week, "Pardners” (Par) and “Massacre" (20th) (2d wk), $3,500. ^ v Kenmore (Indie) (700; 85-$1.25) —"Gaby” (M-G) (7th wk). Pass¬ able $3,500. Last week, $4,000. Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 75-$1.25) —“Bigger Than- Life" (20th) and "Female Jungle" (AR).- Oke $14,- 000. Last week, "Living Desert” (BV) and "20,000 Leagues'Beneath Sea” CBV) (reissues), $9,000. Metropolitan (NET) (4,357; 75- $1.25)—"Proud and Profane” (Par) (Continued on page 20) ‘Society’ Terrif $24,000, Cincy Ace; ‘Boats’ Big 12G, ‘Wonders’ 35G, 10th Cincinnati, Aug. 14. "High Society’’ is bidding for a house record this week at the small Grand and bulging the down¬ town total to a lofty August point. Another new bill, "Away All Boats,” shapes as smash cargo for Keith’s. Holdovers of "King and I” and "Moby Dick” are bowing, out oh strong notes. Former is es¬ pecially big in fifth week. "Seven Wonders” is adding a showing to fill out daily matinee schedule after hitting engagement high in ninth round. Advance sale includes parties from out of town for final long home stay of the flag-chasing Cincy Redlegs. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 84-$1.50)— "King and I” (20th) (5th wk). Six days. Rounding out exceptional stay at this flagship with nice $10,- 000 clip after fourth frame’s $14,- 500. Capitol (Ohio Cinema Corp) (1,- 376; $1.20-$2.65) —"Seven Won¬ ders’’ (Indie) (10th wk). Keeping E aee with ninth week's $35,000, igh for this engagement. Adding a matinee Friday (17). May include a Saturady morning screening. Grand (RKO) (1,400; 84-$1.50)- "High Society” (M-G). Sensational $24,000 kickoff for indef run and bidding for house record here. Last week, "7 Men From Now” (WB) and "Steel Jungle” (WB), at 75-$ 1 scale, $8,000. Keith’s (Shor) (1,500; 75-$1.25)— “Away All Boats” (U). Smash $12,- 000. Holds. Last week, "Eddy Duchin Story” (Col) (4th wk), $8,300. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 84-$1.25)- "Moby Dick’’ (WB) (4th wk). Four days. Okay $6,000. Last week, $13,000. "Davy Crockett River Pi¬ rates” (BV) opened on Sunday (12). ‘Society’ Sockeroo 35G, Tops Frisco; ‘Concho’ Great 14G, ‘Profane’ 17G - + Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week .$2,582,300 “ (Based on 22 cities and 234 theatres, chiefly first runs, in¬ cluding N. Y.) Total Gross Same Week Last Year.$2,811,900 (Based on 22 cities and 214 theatres.) ‘Pardners Big 9G, Omaha; Moby’ 8G Omaha, Aug. 14. Two new entries, "Pardners" at the Omaha and "Somebody Up There Likes Me,” are the pace¬ setters this week although weekend grosses took a dip. "Eddy Duchin Story” is off at Brandeis in fourth week. "Moby Dick” at Orpheum still is good for second round. Estimates for This Week Brandeis (RKO) (1,000; 75-$D— "Eddie Duchin Story” (Col) (4th wk). Light $3,500. Last week, $5,500. Omaha (Tristates) (2,000; 75-$l) —"Pardners” (Par). Torrid $9,000, and may hold. Last week, "Away All Boats” (U) (2d wk), $6,000. Orpheum (Tristates) (2,890; 75- $l)-r-"Moby Dick” (WB) (2d wk). Good $8,000. Last week, $14,000. State (Goldberg) (860; 75-$l)— “Somebody Up There Likes Me” (M-G). Strong $6,500. Last week, "Fastest Gun Alive” (M-G).--and "River Changes” (WB) (2d wk), $4,000. Heat Hampering Philly; ‘Sky’ Blue at $10,000, ‘Boats’ Hep 10iG, 4th Philadelphia,. Aug. 14. First clear weekend this summer for some time made for poor box- office take. Some exhibs are even blaming initial days of Democratic convention.telecasts for offish tone. However, stronger holdovers still are big. Neither "Satellite in Sky” at Mastbaum nor "Storm Center” at Midtown are getting far but both are newcomers. "King and I” still is great in fifth week at the Fox while "Away All Boats” is rated trim in fourth round at Goldman. "Eddy Duchin Story” continues smooth in seventh Ran¬ dolph, week. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (526; 99-$1.40)— “Bhowani Junction” (M-G) (6th wk). Okay $5,500. Last .week, $5,800. ' Boyd" (SW) (1,430; $1.25-$2.60)— "Seven Wonders of World” (Indie) (16th wk). Stout $18,000.. Last week, $19,000. Fox (20th) (2,250; 75-$1.45)— “King and I” (flftth)fl(>5th wk). Great $21,000. Last^veek, $28,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,250; 65- $1.35)—“Away All Boats” (U) (4th wk). Trim $10,500 or close. Last week, $12,000. Green Hill (Serena) (750; 75- $1.25) (Closed Sundays)—"Kid for Two Farthings” (Indie) (2d wk). Oke $4,500. Last week, $4,000. Mastbaum (SW) (4,370; 90-$1.49) —"Satellite in Sky” (WB) and “Spell of Hypnotist” (Indie). Sad $10,000. Last week, "Johnny Concho" (UA) (2d wk), $10,000. Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; '99- $1.49) — "Storm Cehter”' (Indie) (2d wk). Mild $8,000. Last week, $12,500. Randolph.. (Goldman) (2,250; 99- $1.49)—"Duchin .Story”. (Col) (7th wk)'. Smooth $12,000. Last week, $13,000. Stanley (SW) (2,900; 99-$1.49)— "Moby Dick” (WB) (6th wk). Steady $10,000. Last week, $11,- 000 . Stanton (SW) (1,483; 99-$1.49)— "Proud and Profane” , (Par) (6th wk). • .Okay $8,000. Last week, $7,500. Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 99-$1.80) —"Trapeze” (UA) (7th wk). Lively $10,500. Last week, $12,000. “ Viking (Sley) (1,000; 75-$1.49)— "High Noon” (UA) and "Moon Is Blue” (UA) (reissues)’ (2d wk). Good $8,000. Last week, $12,000. World (Pathe) (604; 99-$1.49)— “Madam Butterfly” (IFE) (4th wk). Bright $4,000. Last week, $5,500. San Francisco, Aug. 14. Standout newcomer iri current session is "High Society," which looms terrific at the Warfield. "Johnny Concho” shapes great at United Artists while "Proud and Profane” looks sturdy at Para¬ mount. "Walk Proud Land," also new, looms fast at Golden Gate. Estimates for This Week Goldfti Gate (RKO) (2,859; 80- $1);—"Walk Proud Land" (U) and "Raw Edge” (U). Fast $13,000. Last week, "Francis. Haunted House” (U) and "Edge of Hell” (U), $ 12 , 000 . Fox (FWC) (4,651; $1.25-$1.50)— "King and I”. (20th) (7th wk). Big $14,000. Last week, $15,500. .Warfield (Loew) (2,656; 65-90)— "High Society” (M-G). Terrific $35,000. Last week, “Fastest Gun Alive” (M-G) (3d wk), $10,000. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 90-$l)— "Proud and Profane” (Par). Sturdy $17,000. Last week, "Pardners” (Par) and "Leather Saint” (Par) (2d wk), $12,000. St. Francis (Par) (1,400; $1-$1.25) — “Moby Dick” (WB) (5th wk). Fancy $10,000. Last week, $13,000. Orpheum (Cinerama Theatre Calif.) (1,458; $1.75-$2.65)—"Cine¬ rama Holiday” (Indie) (54th wk). Big $19,800. Last week, $17,700. United Artists (No. Coast) (1.207; 70-$l) — "Johnny Concho” (UA) and "Kiss Before Dying" (UA) Great $14,000. Last week, "Tra¬ peze” (UA) %(6th wk), $7,750 in 6 days. Stagedoor (A-R) (440; $1.25- $1.50) — "Fantasia" (BV) (reissue) (3d wk). Sock $7,000. Last week, $9,500. Larkin (Rosener) (400; $1) — "Last 10 Days". (Col) (4th wk). Trim $1,900. Last week,. $2,600. Clay (Rosener) (400; $1) —- "Adorable Creatures” (Indie) (6th wk). Big $3,100. Last week, $3,400. Bridge (Schwarz)' 396; $1-$1.25) —"Lady Killers” (Cont) (8th wk). Trim $2,500. Last week, $2,800. Coronet '(United California) (1,250; $1.10-$2.75) — "Oklahoma” (Magna) (25th wk). Big $17,400. Last week, $17,800. Rio (Schwarz) (397; $1) — "Ap¬ pointment In London” (Indie). Oke $1,700. Last week, "Temptress” (Indie), $1,200. ‘Profane’ Lusty $17,000, Balto; ‘Likes Me’ Fancy 12G, ‘Boats’ Hep 9G, 2d Baltimore, Aug. 14. Impact of fresh product is being reflected in the grosses here this week. “Proud and Profane” is boff at Century. "Somebody Up There Likes Me” shapes staunch at the Town. "Parners" looks*okay at the Stanley. "King and I” is holding solid in fifth round at the New. Second stanza of "Away All Boats” looks sturdy at the Mayfair. Estimates for This Week Century (Fruchtman) (3,000; 50- $1.25)—“Proud and Profane” (Par). Tall $17,000. Last week, "Johnny Concho” (UA), $7,000. Cinema (Schwaber) (460; 50- $1.25)—"Seven Little Sins” (Indie) (2d wk). Okay $2,500 after $3,500 opener. Film Centre . (Rappaport) (890; $1.25-$2.50)—"Oklahoma” (Magna) •(24th wk). Sturdy $8,500 after $9,000 in 23d. Five West (Schwaber) (460; 50- $1.25)—"Rififi” (UMPO) (2d wk). Pleasing $4,000. First week, $4,500. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,100; 50-$1.25)—"Eddy Duchin” (Col) (3d wk). Still potent at $9,000 after $11,000 in second. Mgyfair (Hicks) (980; 35-$l) — “Away All Boats” (U) (2d wk). Rosy $7,000. First was socko $ 11 , 000 . New (Fruchtman) (1,600; 50- $1.25)—"King and I” (20th) (5th wk). Boff $10,000 after $11,000 in fourth. Playhouse (Schwaber) (410; 50- $1125) — "Lovers and Lollipops” (Indie) (4th wk). Moderate $2,000. Third was $2,500. Stanley (WB) (3,200; 30-$1.25)— “Pardners” (Par). Okay $11,000. L5st week, "Moby Dick” (WB) (5th wk), $5,500. Town (Rappaport) (.1,400; 50-$l) —"Somebody Up There Likes Me” (M-G).- Hefty $9,000 or close. Last week, "Earth Vs. Flying Saucers’ (Col) and "Werewolf” (Col), $8,000.