Variety (August 1956)

Wednesday, August 15, 1956 ISfiteiEi't PICTURE CROSSES 13 HOI P0LL0I GOES FOR ‘SOCIETY’ Dems Powwow Means Little to Chi Biz But 'Boats’ Bright at $34,000; ‘Saucers’ 22G, ‘Daughter’ Hot 12G, 3d TO 1ST BM WEEK L.A. Perky; ‘Trapeze’ ‘Sky’ Strong 26G, ‘Likes Me’ Robust 18G, ‘Society’ Sock $31,000 in 2d Influx of Demo convention hang- ers'-on is helping firstrun biz here some, but bulk of coin for what are mostly strong holdovers is coming from localites. “Away All Boats" shapes a tor¬ rid $34,000 for' opening week at the State-Lake, being helped by imaginative, in-depth drumbeating. “Earth Vs. Flying Saucers" and '•Werewolf" combo should do a sock $22,000 in first Roosevelt week. • Francis in Haunted House" and “Star in Dust” combo is- holding okay in second Grand round. “Ri- fifi” continues big in second at the Ziegfeld. "Ambassador’s Daughter" is still very lively in the third stanza at Esquire while "Fantasia” stays nifty in same week at the Loop. At the Chicago, "Moby Dick” is still okay in fifth session. "Eddy Duchin Story" continues stout in sixth week at the Woods. "King and I" is showing longrun strength in Oriental eighth frame. "Lady- killers" continues potent in sev¬ enth week at the Surf. -Trapeze” -is slowing some but good in the ninth at the United Artists. “Oklahoma" stays solid in 33d week at McVickers. "Cinerama Holiday" is stout in 61st Palace frame. Estimates for This Week Carnegie (Telem’t) (480; 951— “Lovers and Lollipops” (Indie). Big $6,500. Last week, “Make Me an Offer” (Indie), $3,800. Chicago (B&K; (3,900; 98-$1.25) —‘‘Moby Dick” (WB) (5th wk). Okay $22,000. Last week, $27,000. Esquire (H&E Balaban) (1,400; $1.25) — "Ambassador’s Daughter" (UA) (3d wki. Swell $12,000. Last week. $17,500. Grand (Indie) (1,200; 98-$1.25)— “Francis in Haunted House" (U> and "Star in Dust" (U) (2d wk). Good $7,000. Last week, $15,000. Loop (Telem’t) (606; 90-$1.25)— “Fantasia” (BV) (reissue) (3d wk). Hotsy $11,000. Last week, $14,500. MeVickers (JL&S) (1,580; $1.25- $3) — “Oklahoma" (Magna) (33d wk). Sturdy $25,000. Last week, $24,500. Monroe Undie) (1,000; 67-87)— “Glory” (RKO> and "Postmark for Danger" (RKO). Neat $6,000. Last (Continued on page 20) ‘Society’ Lofty $19,000, K. C.; ‘Godzilla' Mighty 15G, ‘King’ Trim 14G Kansas City, Aug. 14. Theatre'row is bright in current] session, with hefty newcomers and bullish holdovers. "High Society" in the Midland may prove the year’s top grosser at this house. Heading for huge $19,000, and holds. “Pardners" at the Para¬ mount is pleasing, and holds. Fok Midwest pulled a switch with ‘King and I," running it four weeks solo in the Uptown Theatre tp great ,money, then adding it for the fifth week in companion houses of the Tower, Fairway and Grana¬ da. Fox also has switched three of its subsequents to firstruns this session, playing "Godzilla" at'the Apollo, Brookside and Vista for mighty returns, theatres. Estimates for This Week Crest, Riverside (Commonwealth) (900; 900; 75)—"Swamp Women" (Indie) and "Gunslinger" (AIP). First venture by this circuit into firstruns, and first time this season its two local drive-ins have played a bill exclusive of others in area. Bright $6,000 in four days ending Saturday (ID. Glen, Dickinson, Leawood, Shaw¬ nee (Dickinson) (700; 700; 1,000 cars;. 1.000 ears; 75-$l)—"Hold Back Night" (AA) and "Jamie Dawn" (AA). Continues firstrun Policy; Big $14,000. Last week. t ;Kiss Before Dying" (UA) and Ghost Town" (UA), same. Apollo, Brookside, Vista (Fox Midwest) (1.050; 1,100; 1,000; 65- ’—‘"Godzilla’’ (Indie) and “Three Outlaws" (AFR). Whopping $15,- 000: may stay in these houses (Continued on page 20) ‘Sun’ Torrid $11,000, Denver; ‘Likes Me’ 12G Denver, Aug. 14. Firstrun biz is only fair to good this round. “King and I" is break¬ ing all records by staying an eighth week at the Centre. “Dakota Inci¬ dent” is good enough to hold at Lakeshore Drive-In. “Somebody Up There Likes Me" is rated good at Orpheum while "Run for Sun" looks solid at Paramount. Estimates for This Week Centre (Fox) (1,247; 75-$1.25)— "King and I" (20lh) (7th wk). Hotsy $11,000. Last week, $14,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 60-$l) —"Proud and Profane” (Par) (4th wk). Fine $7,000. Last week, $9,0d0. Denver (Fox) (2,525; ‘60-$l)— "Francis in Haunted House” (U) and "Star in Dust (U). Fair $11,000. Last week, “Godzilla” (Indie) and "Strange Adventure" (Rep), $18,- 000 . Lakeshore Drive-In (Civic) (1,000 cars; 75)—"Dakota Incident" (Rep) and "Hidden Guns” (Rep). Fast $8,000; holds. Last week on subse¬ quents. ' Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 60-$l)— "Somebody Up There Likes Me" (M-G). Good $12,000 or near. Last week, "Davy Crockett River Pirates" (BV) and “Last of Des¬ peradoes" (AFR), pulled after $5,000 in 4 days. Paramount (Wolfberg) (2,200; 60- $1)—“Run for Sun” (UA) and "Quincanno, Frontier Scout” (UA). Solid $11,000 or a bit over. Last week, “Rebel in Town" (UA) and "Emergency Hospital” (UA), $11,- 500. Vogue (Sher-Shulman) (442; 75- $1)—“Stars of Russian Ballet" (Indie). Mild $1,200. Last week, on reissues. ‘Boats’ Fast 14G In Fair L’ville Louisville, Aug. 14. "Away All Boats" is proving a real winner with a smash session at the Rialto this week. Take is fairly good here generally in spite of fact that Downtown Shoppers Days (10-11) hurt the firstruns. Mary Ann Is good with "Satellite in Sky" and "Stranger at Door." Dual bill of "Fastest Gun Alive” and "Nightmare" looms modest at Loew’s. "Pardners" at the Ken¬ tucky is fair. Estimates for This Week Kentucky (Switow) (1,000; 55-85) —"Pardners" (Par) (3d wk). Main¬ taining nice $5,000 pace. Last week, $6,000. Mary Anderson (People's) (1,000; 65-85)—"Satellite in Sky" (WB) and "Stranger at My Door" (Rep). Good $5,500. Last week, "Seven Men From Now" (WB), $6,000. Rialto (Fourth Avenue) (3,000; 50-85)—“Away All Boats" (U). top newcomer, and going for smash $14,000. Last week, “Rawhide Years" (U) and "Navy Wife" (LJ), $9,000. State (United Artists) (3.000; 50- SS^'Fastest Gun Alive” (M-G) and "Nightmare” (M-G). Modest $6,000. Last week, "Somebody Up There Likes Me” (M-G), $10,000. ‘Concho’ Crisp $16,000, St L.; ‘Profane’ Big 17G St. Louis, Aug. 14. Biz is nice this frame with mer¬ cury still flirting with the 100- degree mark. "Proud and Profane" and "Johnny Concho" are running about even for total coin laurels but later is actually making the better showing since playing a smaller house; “Seven Wonders of World" continues fancy in 16th round at the Ambassador. "Away All Boats" still was solid in second stanza at the huge Fox. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (Indie) (1,000; $1.40- $2.40)—"Seven Wonders of World" (Continued on page 20) Arrival of hot, s w elt e r i n g weather starting last Friday (10) and dearth of new product will cut down on the total business for Broadway firstrun theatre this session, but do not appear ham¬ pering the b.o. blockbusters. Hot, clear weekend packed the shore resorts. "High Society" with stageshow at the Music Hall stands head and shoulders above all competition this week. It is heading for a new non-holiday high of $200,000 on initial stanza ending today (Wed.) and may smash the old record of $200,325, hung up by "Glass Slip¬ per" in an Easter holiday week. "Society” registered the biggest opening day biz ever at the Hall last Thursday. It also was the greatest weekday for a non-holiday on fourshow basis. The next high¬ est money mark at the Hall was made by "Rose Marie," which got $198,930, also on an Easter week. “Proud Ones” with vaudeville looks fancy $19,000 at the Palace. Second round of "Autumn Leaves" is holding with socko $30,000 at the Astor. Elsewhere, it’s mainly extended-’ run with "King and I" plus stage- bill easily the champ in this cate¬ gory. This combo is heading for a mighty $90,000 in current (7th) stanza at the Roxy, and stays on— likely through Labor Day. "Big¬ ger Than Life" shapes mild $12,- 000 in second Victoria session. "Pardners" landed a good $15,- 000 in third frame at Mayfair. "Earth Vs. Flying Saucers" was down to mild $25,000 in second round at Paramount, where Frank Sinatra comes in to head stageshow starting today. "Johnny Concho,” Sinatra’s initial indie production (he stars in it, too) accompanies the stage layout. "Moby Dick" is holding with stout $37,700 in sixth stanzas, day¬ dating at Criterion and Sutton. Pic continues at both houses. "Fastest Gun Alive" still is fast with $9,500 in fifth frame at the Globe. "Somebody Up There Likes Me" shapes good $13,500 in sixth (final) week at the State. "Away All Boats" replaces tomorrow (Thurs.). “Trapeze” looms sluggish $14,000 for 10th round at the Capitol, and now is in its final (11th) week. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 75-$2)— "Autumn Leaves” (Col) (3d wk). First holdover week ended last night (Tues.) held with fancy $30,- 000. Initial week was smash $37,- 000, way over hopes. Baronet (Reade) (430; $1.25- $1.50)—"Secrets of Reef" (Indie) (4th wk). Third round ended Mon¬ day (13) was sturdy $8,100. Second week was $9,000. Capitol (Loew) (4,820; $l-$2.50) —"Trapeze" (UA) (llth-final wk). The frame ended Monday (13) was sluggish $14,000. Ninth week was $15,500. "War and Peace" (Par) opens Aug. 21. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 75-$2.30) — "Moby Dick" (WB) (7th wk). Sixth week ended last night (Tues.) was smooth,. $26,500. Fifth was $28,500. Fine'Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —‘‘Rififi” (UMPO) (11th wk). The 10th frame, ended last night (Tues.) held at great $11,200 After $11,500 for ninth. Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-$1.50) —"Fastest Gun Alive" (M-G) (5th wk). Present round finishing today (Wed.) is heading for 'hep $9,500. Fourth was $10,500. Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.75) — "Private’s Progress" (DCA) (4th wk). Third session ended Monday (13) pushed to wow $16,000 after $15,000 for second week. Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 79-$1.80) —"Pardners" (Par) (4th wk). Third round, finished last night (Tues.) (Continued on page 20) 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. ‘Likes Me’ Fine $8,000, Port.; <Sun’ Slick 8 l / 2 G Portland, Ore., Aug. 14. Biz continues to perk at mid¬ winter pace here despite the heat or anything else "Somebody Up There Likes Me” looms fine and "Run For The Sun” shapes bright. "King and I” holds for a seventh record-breaking week after six great rounds. “Pardners” stays for a second slick round at the Paramount. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (1,875; 90- $1.25)—“Somebody Up There Likes Me” (M-G) and "Postmark For Danger” (RKO). Good $8,000. Last week, "Away All Boats” (U) and "Raw Edge” (U) (3d wk), $7,000. Fox (Evergreen) (1,536; $1-$1.50) —"King and 1” (20th) (7th wk). Pic had three big rounds in first six weeks. Hefty $12,000. Last week, $16,000. Guild (Indie) (400; $1.25)— "Ladykillers” (Cont) (6th wk). Neat $2,000. Last week, $3,200. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,890; 90- $1.25)—"Run For Sun” (UA) and "Nightmare” (UA). Okay $8,500 or near. Last week, "Fastest Gun Alive” (M-G) and "Crime Against Joe” (UA) (2d wk), $6,600. Orpheum (Evergreen) (1,600; $1- $1.25)—“Rebel In Town” (UA) and "Emergency Hospital” (UA). Slim $5,000. Last week, “Satellite In Sky” (WB) and “Seven Men From Now” (WB), $6,200. Paramount (Port-Par) (3,400; 90- $1.25) — “Pardners” (Par) and "Killing” (UA) (2d wk). Hot $10,- 000 or close. Last week, $14,200. ‘Society’ Boffo $20,000, Indpls. Indianapolis, Aug. 14. Biz continues at high level here this stanza, considering that two top draws are longrun holdovers. “King and I” won a fifth week at Indiana, unprecedented in recent years, and is holding up well. So is “Moby Dick” in fourth stanza at Keith’s. However, this week’s sock grosser is the new entry, "High Society,” which is terrific and doing biggest first stanza in two years at Loew’s. Estimates for This Week Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800; 50- 85)—"7 Men From Now" (WB) and "Satellite in Sky” (WB). Nifty $9,000. Last week, “Francis Haunted House” (U) and “Congo Crossing” (U), $7,500. Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 75-$1.25)— "King and I" (20th) (5th wk). Okay $8,000, to close run with approxi¬ mately $60,000. Keith’s (C-D) (1,300; 75-$1.25)— “Moby Dick” (WB) (4th wk). Nice $6,000 in final stanza and total take of about $35,000. Loew’s (Loew) (2,427; 75-95)— "High ‘ Society” (M-G). Terrific $20,000.' Last week, "Earth Vs. Fly¬ ing Saucers” (Col) and “Werewolf” (Col), $8,500 at 50c-80c scale. ‘LIKES ME’ LIVELY16G, TORONTO; ‘KING’ 28G Toronto, Aug. 14. With the sports page and reli¬ gious readers crowding, "Some¬ body Up There Likes Me" is lead¬ ing the newcomers currently.- "Safari" and "Cast a Dark Shadow" also are doing nicely. "Satellite in the Sky" looms light. "King and I" is phenomenal in leading the town in second stanza to terrific returns. "Eddy Duchin Story" is also neat in third frame. "Away All Boats" in second still is nice. Estimates for This Week Circle, ToWne (Taylor) (750; 693; 60-$l)—"Cast Dark Shadow” (IFD). Fine $6,000. Last week, "La Ronde" (IFD) (2d wk), $4,000. Colony, Danforth, Fairlawn, Humber, Odeon (Rank) (839; 1,351; (Continued on page 20) f Los Angeles, Aug. 14. Sparked by hefty response to "Trapeze," which is pulling a great $30,000 in first week on pop-scale run in four theatres, Los Angeles firstruns are registering another solid session currently. “Satellite in Sky” is rated good $26,000 in three houses. "Somebody Up There Likes Me" shapes fine $18,000 or near in two spots. “High Society” is best of holdover pix with a. great $31,000 in view for second frame at Pan- tages. "King and I” still is smash among the extended-runs with a smooth $23,000 probable in seventh frame at the Chinese. Estimates for This Week Fox Wilshire (FWC) (2,296; $1- $1.75) — “Ambassador’s Daughter" (UA). Mild $11,000 or less. Last week, "Trapeze”. (UA) (10th wk), $6,400. Stage, Vogue (UATC - FWC) (2,404; 885; 80-$1.25)—"Somebody Up There Likes Me” (M-G>, with 2d run pix. Fine $18,000 or near. Last week, State with Hollywood, "Pardners” (Pan and "Leather Saint” (Par) (2d wk), $14,600, plus $41,000 in one nabe, six drive-ins; Vogue with Downtown Paramount. Ritz, "Great Locomotive Chase’* (BV), $12,000. Orpheum, Hollywood, Uptown, Loyola (Metropolitan) (FWC) (2,213; 756; 1,715; 1,248; 80-$1.50) —"Trapeze” (UA) and “Emergency Hospital” (Indie). Great $30,000 or close. Last week, in different units. Los Angeles, New Fox, Ritas (FWC) (2,097; 965; 1,363; 90-$1.50) —"Queen of Babylon” (20th) and “Forbidden Cargo!' (Indie). Slow $11,000 or under. Last week, with Ei Rey, without Ritz, “Rebel In Town” (UA) arid “Nightmare" (UA), $13,000. Downtown Paramount, Wiltern, Hawaii (ABPT-SW-G&S) (3,300; 2,344; 1,106; 80-$1.50) — "Satellite In Sky” (WB) and “7 Men From Now” (WB). Good $26,000. Last week, in different units. Pantages (RKO) (2,812; $1-$1.75) —“High Society” (M-G) (2d wk). Boff $31,000. Last week, $37,000. Hillstreet (RKO) (2,752; 80-$l>— “Walk Proud Land” (U) and "Raw Edge” (U) (2d wk). Slow $4,000. Last week, with Wiltern, $13,000, plus $60,600 in eight ozoners. Warner Downtown (SW) (1,757; 80-$1.25» —"While City Sleeps” (RKO) and "Flying Leathernecks" (RKO) (reissue) (2d wk). Dull $5,000. Last week, with Hawaii, $11,000. Iris, El Rey, Globe (FWC) (816; 861; 782; 90-$l.25)—"Johnny Con- continued on page 20) ‘Duchin’ Smooth $25,000, Cleve.; ‘Society’ Ditto, ‘Pardners’ Hep 12G, 2d Cleveland, Aug. 14. "Eddy Duchin Story” at the Allen and “High Society” at the Stillman are running neck-and- neck for greatest coin totals - here this session. Best showing is being made by "Society," with just, as big money as “Duchin” but in a smaller house. “Queen of Babylon" •is rated okay at the Palace. “Pardners” still is fine in second State round. Estimates for This Week Allen (Stanley) -(3,000; $1-$1.25) — "Duchin Story" (Col). Smash $25,000. Last week, "Moby Dick" (WB) (4th wk), $12,500. Hipp (Telem’l) (3,700; $1-$1.25) — "King and I" (20th) (6th wk). Smart $10,000. Last week, $14,000. Ohio (Loew) (1,244; 70-90) — "Kiss Before Dying”. (UA). Good $5,000. Last week, "Johnny Con¬ cho” (UA) (m.o.), $5,200. Palace (RKO) (3,285; 70-90) — "Queen of Babylon” (20th) and "Abdullah’s Harem” (20th). Okay $9,000. Last week, "Francis in Haunted House” (U) and “Rawhide Years” (U), $8,500. State (Loew) (3,500; 70-90) — "Pardners" (Par) (2d wk). Find $12,000. Last week, $15,000. Stillman (Loew) (2,700; 70-90)— "High Society” (M-G>. Wow $25,- 000. Last week, "Trapeze” (UA) (m.o.), $6,000 on sixth downtown week.