Variety (December 1956)

PICTURE CROSSES Wednesday, December 5, 1956 L A. Slumps; ‘Sympathy’ NSG$50,000, llSpots; ‘Moon’ Lush 26G, DeMile Whopping 27G, 3d, ‘Giant’ 21G, 7th Los Angeles, Dec. 4.. < Pro Xmas lull already is setting in here with many spots just coast¬ ing. Even strong extended-runs are beginning to feel the pinch. New openers this week are all on th£ slow side. “Canyon River” and “Young Guns” combo is slow $8,500 in two theatres. “Woman’s Devotion” paired with J “Scandal, Inc.” shapes thin $7,500 i in three houses. Top-price run of “Tea and Sympathy” looms modest $11,000 in two locations plus $39,- -j 000 in three nabes ^d_.six_djlV_e^ ins. i “Teahouse of August Moon” still is bright $26,000 in second week at Pantages. Third round of “Ten Commandments” looks fancy.. $27,- 000 at Warner Beverly. While “Giant” is down, it’s still good at $21,000 in seventh week. “Love- Me Tender” is down sharply in second stanza at light $16,000, four spots. Estimates for This Week - Warner Downtown, Wiltern (SW) (1,757; 2,344; 80-$1.50)—“Canyon River” (Col) and “Young Guns” (AA). Slow $8,500. Last week, with New Fox, “Curucu’MU) and “Mole People” (U), $16,000. Orpheum, New Fox, Uptown (Metropolitan-FWC) (2,213; 965; 1.715; 80-$1.50) — “Woman’s- Devo¬ tion” (Rep) and “Scandal, Inc.” (Rep). Thin $7,500. Last week, j Orpheum with Hawaii, Uptown , 1 “Sharkfighters” (UA) and “3 For Jamie Dawn” (AA), $14,600. State, Hawaii (UATC-G&S) (2,- 404; 1,106; 8'0-$1.25) — “Tea and Sympathy ” 1 (M-G) and “Tunder Bay” (U reissued Modest $11,000. Last week, in other units. Pantages (RKO) (2,8i^ r $1.10- $1.75) — “Teahouse of August Moon” (M-G) (2d wk). Fine $26,- 000. Last week, $40,800. Hollywood Paramount (F&M) (1,468; $1-$1.50)—“Death of Scoun- (Continue’d on page 24) Holdovers Slough Prov.; 'Giant’ Smash 10G, 3d; ‘Sex’1HG, Tender’ 7G Providence, Dec. 4. “Giant” is still wow in its third session at Majestic. Also strong in second week is Strand’s “Friendly Persuasion.” RKO Albee’s “Love Me Tender” in second round is way off from great opener. “Lust For Life” opened big at State. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 60-80) — “Love Me Tender” (20th) and “Finger of Guilt” (20th) (2d wk). Slowed up sharply but still good at $7,000. First week, $16,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 90-$1.25)— “Giant” (WB) (3d wk). Sock $10,- 000. Second stanza was $17,000. State (Loew) (3,200; 60-85) — “Lust For Life” (M-G) and “Gaby” (M-G). Opened big on Saturday ( 1 ). Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross' This Week !.. .$546,900 (Based on 22 theatres ) Last Year . $448,100 (Based on 22 theatres) Philadelphia, Dec. 4. Weekend biz on which first-runS here depend So much fell off but .blue-chip productions remain steady in current session. Army- Navy annual classic grid battle brought- .’thousands into city ' but failed to hike the sagging pre- Xhias boxoffice. Presley’s “Love Me Tender” went into a nosedive in second round at the' Fox. “Canyon River,” one of few new pix, is only fair at Goldman. “Ten Commandments’ ? still is smash in second stanza at Randolph despite everything; “Giant” con¬ tinues big in fourth Mastbaum round. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (526; 99-$i.80)— “Opposite Sex” (M-G)’ (5th wk). Fell off .to $6,800. Last week, $8,500. Boyd. (SW) (1,430; $1.25-$2.60)— “Seven Wonders” (Cinerama) (32d wk). Steady $14,500. Last week, $16,500. Fox (20th) (2,250; 75-$1.50) — “Love Me Tender” (20th) (2d wk). Tepid $11,000. Last week, $26,000. Goldman (Goldman)’ (1,250; 65- $1.35)—“Canyon River” (AA). Fair $7,000. Last week, “Everything .But Truth” (U), $8,000. Green Hill (Serena) (750; 75- $1.25) (closed Sundays) — “Ship That Died of Shame’* (Cont). Okay $3,600. Last week, “Make Me an Offer” (Indie) (2d wk), $3,300. * Mastbaum (SW) (4,370; 90-$1.80) —“Giant” (WB) (4th wk). Big $25,- 000. Last week, $36,000. Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; $1.20- $2.40)—“Oklahoma” (Magna) (14th wk). Group sales helped to $ 11 , 000 . Last week, $12,000. . Randolph (Goldman) (2,250; $1.40- $2.75) — “Ten Commandments” (Continued on page 24) Bliz Blitzes Buffalo; ‘Wonders’ High$15,000 Buffalo, Dec. 4. Blizzards and pre - Christmas shopping are/ combining to take a big bite out Of boxoffice here cur¬ rently. “Giant” looks/sock stand¬ out although in fourth week at. Paramount.. “Seven Wonders of World” stilt is smash in 14th round at the Teck. “Love Me Tender” is way off on first holdover week. Estimates for This Week . Buffalo (Loew) (3.000; 60-85) — “Opposite Sex” (M-G) and “Man is Armed” (Indie) (2d wk). Fair $9,000.: Last week, $13;500, Paramount (Par) (3,000; 90-$1.50) —“Giant” (WB) (4thwk). Big $12,- 000. Last week, $20,000, Center (Par) <2,000; 50-80). — “Love Me -Tender” (20th) (2d wk). Slow $8,000 or near. Last week, $ 20 , 000 . " Lafayette'XBaSitl- (3;000; 50-80)—- “Friendly Persuasion” (AA) (3d wk). Soft $7,500. Last .week, $9,000. Century (Buhawk) (3,000; 90- $1.25)- : -“War and Peace” (Par) (4th wk). Slow $7,000. Last week, $8,500. Teck (Cinema, Products) (1,200; $1.20-$2.40)—“Seven Wonders of • World” (Cinerama) (14th wk). Great $15,000. Last week, same. ‘Mountain Big 9G, L’ville; ‘Giant’ 13G Louisville, Dec. 1 . 4, Business is strong this week, de¬ spite fact there is only one new¬ comer. “The Mountain,” solid at the Kentucky. “Oklahoma,” now in . 15th round at the Brown, is sag;- ging. “Giant,” in third at the Mary Anderson, is still great. “Love Me Tender,” in second week at the Rialto, is down sharply but still rated healthy. Estimates for This Week Brown (Fourth Avenue - United Artists) (1,000;- 90-$2)—“Oklahoma” (Magna) (15th wk). Fair $7,000, with ads warning patrons just four more weeks remain of run. Last week, $ 10 , 000 . Kentucky (Switow) (1,000; 50-85) —“Mountain” (Par). Only new pic in town, solid $9,000. Last week, “Everything But Truth” (U), $ 8 , 000 . Loew’s (United Artists) (3.000; 74-99) — “Friendly Persuasion” (AA), (2d wk). Fair $7,000 after first week’s $9,000. Mary Anderson (Switow) (1,000; 85-$1.25)—“Giant” (WB) (3d wk). Wham $13,000 after second week’s $16,000. Rialto (Fourth Avenue) (3,000; 74-99)—“Love Me Tender” (20th) (2d wk). Way off at healthy $11,000 or near after first week’s $ 21 , 000 . Cincy Stoat; ‘Can’t Run’ Okay $7,500, ‘Giant’ Bigl5G,3d;lender’llG, 2d -- : - & Cincinnati, .Dec. 4. tr • ’ Downtown trade shapes above Kptj I Ilii fiirAtt&pe <par this week, trailing Thanksgiv- IMjy. UlJ UFU5&C5 ing upswing deling first im- - . . pact of Yule, shopping diversion. Estimated Total Gross Only new . bill, “You Can't Run This Week .$3,630,600 AwarFrom It.” loortis just okay at {Based on 2*2 dttei and 229 Ke‘th ». Giant/* racking uo a theatres , cMeflu first' runs, in- tail third-week figure at the Albee, riiiiiinn at v v ■ continues to overshadow two other ciuatng n. x.) heiarty holdovers, ^Oklahoma” and Total Gras Same Week ■ "Love Me Tender." Latter is k*** Ye *r i * • ■ especially solid. “Seven Wonders (Based on 24 cities and 232 0 f Worid’Ms' slowing down-at half¬ theatres.) -year mark, but still sprightly for . . . ■■■■ — * ■■■■■■■ ■ ■ this season of year; mm • " t Estimates for This Week * Albee (RKO) (3,100; 90-$1.50)— LiOliniMlIfllllfilllS_ .‘Giant” (WBIOcljwk)..Qvershad- aviinuuuuuivmy owing the city for third straight week, wow $15,000 or near. Last FI • 00/ 1 IV P we**, $22,000. KAIlClfltf / ili III Crxpltol (Ohio Cinema Corp) llUUdlAW LuUy I/tVr* (1,376; $1.20-$2.65>—“Seven Won- ** ders of World” (Cinerama) (26tli Washington, Dec. 4. wk). Slowing down some to $16,- An i„ 000 gait at half-year stage for smallest gross of run, hut no com- ^ plaints. Last week, socko $18,000. 21 iw Grand (RKO) (1,400: 90*1,25)— Rousing 23G, DC Washington, Dec. 4. main §tem horizon, and with holi¬ day shopping taking its perennial this week 0 ’-'Man TrZ DelVo" ‘Xo^Me'Tended (20thM2dwE itl/cw’s- Columbirshapes^brisk. Cl ° S ' f °"° Wing Big disappointment among hold- (Shor (1 500- 75-$l 25)—— overs is nosedive taken by “Love -can^Ru^Away Fro'm’lt'^'lCol). Me Tender” in second stanza at okay $7>500 . L ast week, “Friend- Loew s Capitol. Ten Command- ly persuasion” (AA) (3d wk). same, ments ^ is impressive in second Palace (RKO) (2,600; 90-$1.50)— week at RKO Keiths while 'Cine- “Oklahoma” (20th (3d wk). Bow- ^ ma T,r Hohday .’ in ^lst session at [ j n g out with swell $11,000. Last the Warner is marking time for \ W eek $15 000 Dec. ”27 preem of “Seven Won-j ’... _ Estimates for This Week j Pitt on Pre-Chrisbnas (; ?wb) ( ^ a h 0: wk?: Skids Although ‘Friendly’ Fine $8,000. Last week, $9,500. .' >• ■*/» -//*• .* ‘i or* Capitol (Loew) (3,434;, R5-$125) Fat ll(l, Giailt BlglJll —“Love Me Tender” (20th) ( 2 d 1 * ■ wk).-* Weak $12/000 after $26,000 ^ , Pittsburgh, Dec. 4. opener, a bit beloW hopes. Bottom’s dropping out ot every- rtAiuMtKi* /tnfeurf M 1 rjA. ok thing this week and it’s an indica- <51 (ttm tion generally of things to come Bride $8 000 *La5 ^eek "Shark- until Christmas is out of the way. (ofj^ ^nnn "Love Me Tender” is in complete * fighters (UA) ( 2 d wk), $6 000 nosediye in holdover at Fy }i ton , Dupont (Lopert) (372; 90-$1.15) Third stanza -of “Friendly Persua- —“Secrets of Life” (BV) (4th wk). s ion” is respectable at Penn while Fine $4,000 after $5,000 last week, fifth of “Giant” is good enough to Holding. rate a sixth session at Stanley. Keith’s (RKO) (1.859; $1.25-. Even high-voltage “Seven Wonders $2 75) — “Ten Commandments” of World” is pulling in its horns (Par) (2d wk). Impressive $23,000, at the Warner. considering pre-Yule slump. Last Estimates for This Week week, $35,000. Stays on. Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 65-99)— (qw^ n 4 Qn- on "Love Me Tender” (20th) (2d wk). «1 (WB) (5th *’ wk) H °P es of thls making a run col- $ 12^00 1 LasT week $16 000* la P sed quickly after big opening Solid $12,500. Last week, $io,uuu. and is way o£f on holdover. Lucky Palace (Loew) (2,360; 70-90)— t o get $5,500 after $13,000 last “You Can’t Run Away From It W eek. AAAVVV ' JLUW/ | UVOvl “Love Me Tender” (20th) and || A If 1> • 111 1 H . EVE- 80a Xmas Buying Bop Mpls. Bnt ‘Giant’ Sock 14G, 4th, Okla.’ 16G, 2d State (Loew) (3,200; 60-85) — Life” (M-G) and “Gaby” Minneapolis. Dec. 4. [is smash at Radio City. “Love Me •M-G). Opened big on Saturday ( 1 ). Signs already are appearing to Tender” in second session is way Last week, Opposite Sex” (M-G) indicate the normal pre-Xmas box- off but about as expected. ISod a^nn 611 ^ Hospital ” lUA) * office slu , m P I s making its appear- Amazingly “Oklahoma” still is gooa ance early. Egon such big pix as solid Loon newcomers arc a nair Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 60-85) “Seven Wonders of World” and 0 f lesser ^pictures being dualed wk S?m^nf S r S i 0 ,nnn'n AA V ,2< J “ Gia J ,t ” ln th , cir , 18th fourth That may be'a Ltor in keeping wiek t LSn 1 $I0 ' 000 -- Flrst ™;« eks ’ respectively, are being bit pacc sluggish. week^$12, 0 °Q. this round. However, "Giant" still Estimates for This Week NEW ADDRESS! 6404 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood 28, California Phone: Hollywood 9-1141 Century (S-W) <1,150; $1.75- $2.65)—“Seven Wonders” (Cinera¬ ma) (18th wk). Seasonal' drop in evidence here. Nice $14,000. Last week, $17,000. Gopher (Berger) (1.000; 85-90)— “Julie” (M-G) (3d wk). Rousing $5,400. Last week, $5,000. Holds. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 85-90)—“Mas¬ sacre” (20th) and “Stagecoach To i Fury” (20th). Light. $3,000. Last week, “Shake, Rattle, Rock” (Indie) ; and “Runaway Daughters” (Indie) ; (2d wk), $3,500. Radio City (Par) (4.100; 90-$1.50) I—“Giant” (WB) (4th wk). Box- : office accomplishment has lived up i to its title. Socko $14,000. Last ; week, $16,500. ^ i RKO Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 75- ; 90)—“Love Me Tender” (20th) (2d ■ wk). After a smash initial canto 1 it’s withering on vine. Batfely okay $8,000. Last week, $17,500. * RKO Pan (RKO) (1,800; 75-90)— , “Reprisal” (Col) and “Cha, Cha, Boom” (Col). Slim $3,500. Last week, “Killers” (U) and. “Sleeping City” (U) (reissues), $4,500. State -(Par) (2,300; 90-$1.50) — “Oklahoma” ( 20 th) ( 2 d wk). Cotii- ; batting adverse seasonal influences fairly well. Fancy $16,000. Last | week, $19,500. i World (Mann) (400; 75-$1.20)— [“Lust for Life” (M-G) (3d wk). • Healthy $4,000. Last week, $4,600. (Col). Opened Saturday (1) in Guild (Green) (500; 85-99)— fairly good manner. Last week, “Wages of Fear” (DCA) (4th wk). “Opposite Sex” (M-G) (2d wk), a quick dissolve right after slight $9,000, Thanksgiving. Won’t even do drab Playhouse (Lopert) (456; 75- $1,000. Last week, $1,600. $ 115 )—“Fantasia” (BV) (reissue) Harris (Harris) (2,165; 65-99)— (3d wk). Pleasing $5,000 after “CanJ Run Away from It” (Col.) $7 000 in second. Stays. (2d wk). General weakness down- Plaza (T-L) (290; 90-$1.35)— ‘u™ reflected here with $4,500 in “Lady Chatterly’s Lover” (Indie) 6 8 ®y s - L , a , S 71 n'mi’n C Inervi) (3d wk). Solid $5,000 after $6,500. <<17 P . en, ' 1 (UA) <3,300 80-$1.25)— Trans-Lux (T-L) (600; 90-$1.25) pi ; i . er,dly Persuasion (AA) (3d Fan?y $137oO. SfKt Warner (SW) M.300; $1.20-$2.40) Jj on 1 SLi 2 ’ 000 on vundl 'P* Last S?e°adv ay $10 OOO ei aT1t Stanley (SW) (3,800; 99-$1.50)— (61st wk). Steady $10,000 as it « Giant „ (WB) (5th wk ). Only thing Sinnn HoSe M LaS - t that’s holdings up fairly well down- week, $11,000. Holding on. iown# Ought tb do at least $13,000, " solid, and enough to get it sixth Indpls. Uneven Albeit Zp j&dF&tf'Z ‘Giant’ Hotsy 14G, 2d Indianapolis, Dec. 4. (Cinerama) (33d wk). Taking it on First-run biz here is spotty this the chin with the others; looks only stanza, with holdovers continuing $ 10 , 000 , low for this engagement, to dominate. “Giant” in third week Management isn t too concerned, at Indiana is hottest again, and however, ; since other Cinerama pix will stay on. “Oklahoma” iooms j) a d same . ^ e ^ 0le Xmas, big in 14th week at Lyric. “Love Last week, $12,000. Me Tender,” in second week at ...... A AAA Circle is way off. “Julie,” only (JliNr HIICE SI3 000 new entry, at Loew’s shapes light. WfUll I1UUL. ipi Estimates for This Week PORT • < TFN^FR , Nfi fiG Circle (Cocki'ill-Dolle) (2,800; 50- ivIVI,, lEllULa W 85)—“Love Me Tender” <20th). Portland, Ore., Dec. 4. Dull $7,000 following $18,000 Town is loaded with holdovers, opener. and not all of them are continuing Circle is way off. “Julie,” only ‘GIANT HUGE SI 3 000 new entry, at Loew’s shapes light. WfUll I1UUL. Estimates for This Week PART * ‘TFNDFR’ NG GG Circle (Cockiill-Dolle) (2,800; 50- lURl., .HUwIUI 11U OU 85)—“Love Me Tender” <20th). Portland, Ore., Dec. 4. Dull $7,000 following $18,000 Town is loaded with holdovers, Opener. and not all of them are continuing Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 90-$1.50)— smash ‘.‘Giant’’ looks great but “Giant” (WB) (3d wk). Hefty $14,- way off in third. Love Me Ten- 000 making it about $65,000 for der . 1S rated only slim in second run here to date. Keith's (C-D) (1,300; 60-90) round at Orpheum. “Friendly Per¬ suasion* continues okay for third session. “Oklahoma” in fourth nnn week sti11 ls sturdy. “Sharkfight- wk). Olce $6,000 and about $25,000 ers »• dn j y newcomer, is sad at in three stanzas. .Paramount. • Loew's (Loew) (2.427; 50-80)— Estimates for This Week “Julie” (M-G) and “These Wilder Broadway (Parker) (938; $1.50- Years” (M-G). Mild $7,000. Last $ 2 ) — “Oklahoma” (Magna) (4th week, “Opposite Sex” (M-G) and wk). On two-a-day with extra mati- “Suicide Mission” (Col), $8,500. nee on weekends. Sturdy $14,000. Lyric (C-D) (850; $1.25-$2.20)— Last week, $14,200. “Oklahoma” (Magna) (14th wk). Fox (Evergreen) (1,536; $1-$1.50) Solid $12,000. (Continued on page 24)