Variety (February 1957)

x« ncnmES Picture Grosses Wednesday^ February 27, 1957 ' — * ' ' ' ' ■ ' ==^ssss:sssssss^—=^—ssa The Haley Stoi^ ssss Continued from page 2 _ _ i . ■ BROADWAY (Continued from page 9) over hopes, for 15 performances. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) — “Richard^U” (Lopert) (5th wk). Fourth week ended Sunday (24) held at nice $7,500 same as third week. 55th St. Playhouse (E-F) (300; $1.25-$1. 50)— ‘Oedipus Rex’' (Les. ser) (8th wk). Seventh session ended Sunday (24) was nice $4,500. Sixth week was $5,000. Globe (Bratidt) (1,500; 70-$1.50) —“Shrinking ■ Man” (U). Initial session winding up tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to hit terrific $20,000. Holding, natch! In ahead, “3 Violent People” (Par), (2d wk-6 days), $8,000. Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.75)— “Albert Schweitzer” (Indie) (7th wk). The sixth round finished Sun¬ day (24) climbed to great $17,000. The fourth was $15,000. Stays on. Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 79 $1.80) “Mister Cory” (U). First week winding up tomorrow (Thurs.) is heading for fair $15,000. Holds. In ahead, “Iron Petticoat” (M-G) (3d wk), $9,000. Normandie (Trans-Lux) (592; 95$1.80) — “Cinderella” (BV) (reis¬ sue). First week finishing today (Wed.) looks like mighty $21,000, near house record, and greatest ever done here 'by an oldie. Long lines from opening show, with crowd, with high percentage of kids, stretching five blocks at one time. Paramount (ABC-Par) (3,665; $1$2.50) — ‘‘Don’t Knock Rock” (Col) with Alan Freed and rock-’n’-roll stageshow, hit mighty $125,000 or close. Combo was booked in for only one week. Total figure will be held down by slow turnover over weekend, with young patrons stay¬ ing for two or more stageshows. Wear and tear on theatre property and seats not estimated as yet. Crowd was so boisterous opening day (Feb. 22) that niore police re¬ serves were called and parade bar¬ ricades installed. “B.ig Land” (WB) opens Friday (1).. Paris (Pathe Cinema) (568; 90$:.80) — "Gold of Naples” (DCA) (3d wk). Second round completed Sunday (24) was mighty $20,200, topping first week which was $18,600. Radio City Music Hall (Rockefel¬ lers) (6,200; 95-$2.85) — “Spirit of St. Louis” (WB) with stageshow. First session finishing today (Wed.) looks to hit big $160,000, being obviously helped by holiday week¬ end. Holds, natch! Feb. 22 was biggest Wash. Birthday ever at Hall. In ahead, “Wings of Eagles” (M-G) with stageshow (3d wk), $90,000. Four-day period ended Sun¬ day was the greatest at Hall for daily four-show schedule. Rivoli (UAT) (1,545; $1.25-$3.50) —“Around World” (UA) (20th wk), the 19th stanza completed last night (Tues.) was capacity $45,100 which was for 14 performances. The 18th week of 11 performances v/as $36,600. Stays on indef. Thurs¬ day (21) afternoon sold solid for benefit of Brotherhood Week. Plaza (Brecher) (525; $1.50-$2) — “Lust For Life” (M-G) (24th wk). The 23d round completed Monday (25) was great $15,000. The 22'd week was $10,200. Roxy (Nat’l. Th.) (5,717; $1.25$2.50)— “Oh, Men! Oh, Women!” (20th) with stageshow. Initial round ending today (Wed.) is heading for great $101,000. Holding. In ahead, “Girl Can’t Help It” (20th) and stageshow (2d wk-6 days), $45,000. Washington’s Birthday topped Feb. 22 last year when “Carousel” (20th.), plugged as first 55 CinemaScope pic, was playing here. State (Loew) (3,450; 78-$1.75) — “Edge of City” (M-G) (5th wk). Fourth session ended Monday (25) was fine $16,500. Third week was $16,000. Sutton (R&B) (561; 95-$1.75) — “Great Man” (U) (9th wk). The eighth session ended Monday (25) was solid $11,000. The seventh was $10,500. I Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540; $1-$1.50)— “La Strada” (T-L) (33d wk). The 32d week ended Sunday (24) was sockeroo $12,000. The 31st week was $11,000. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 50-$2) —“Baby Doll” (WB) (11th wk). The 10th week completed last night (Tues.) was smash $25,000. The ninth round was $19,000. Warner (SW-Cinerama) (1,600; $1.20-$3.50) — “Seven Wonders of World” (Cinerama) (47th wk). The 46th stanza ended Saturday (23) was mighty $51,700, including two extra kid shows, as against $46,200 in 45th week, with fewer perform¬ ances. Stays on. Wcrld (Times) (501; 95-$1.50^ — “Tempest in Flesh” (Pace) (6th wk). Current round ending tomor¬ row (Thurs.) is heading for nice $5,100 after $5,200 in fifth. Holds. LOS Angeles (Continued from page 8) $1.50) — “Big Land” (WB) and “Coldlitz Story” (Indie). Okay $19,000. Last week, “Top Secret Affair” (WB) and “Dual Apache Wells” (Rep) (10 days), $18,800. HawaU (G&S) (1,106; 80-$1.25)— “Blackboard Jungle” (M-G) and “Love Me,-JL.eave Me” (M-G) (reis¬ sues). Dull $2,200. Last week, with Hillstreet, “Secrets of Life” (BY) and. “Jail Busters” (AA), $5,500. Hollywood Paramount, Hillstreet, Wiltern (F&M-RKO-SW) (1,468; 2,752; 2,344; 80-$1.50) — “Written On Wind” (U) and “Behind High Wall” (U) (9th wk-H’wood Par; 1st wk. elsewhere). Neat $22,000. Last week, H’d Para., $8,400. Fine Arts (FWC) (631; $1.25$1.50)— “Great Man” (U) (2d wk). Okay $6,000. Last week, $8,100. El Rey (FWC) (861; 90-$1.50)— “Wee Geordie” (Arthur) (m.o:) and “In Park” ' (Indie) (2d wk). Nice $2,800. Last week, $3,400. Iris (FWC) (756; 90-$l. 25)— “Tea¬ house August Moon” (M-G) and “Storm Center” (Col) (3d wk). Good $5,000. Last week, with State, “Wiltern, $20,300. Carthay (F^O (1,138; $1.75 $3.50) — “Around. World 80 Days” (UA) (10th wk). Fancy $26,000. Last week, $28,000. Four Star (UATC) (868; $1.25$1.80) — “Rainmaker” (Par) (10th wk). Fancy $3,700. Last .»week, $3,300. Warner Beverly (SW) (1,612; $1.50-$3.30)— “10 Commandments” (Par) (15th wk). Great $25,500. Last week, $22,700. Warner Hollywood (SW-Cine¬ rama) (1,384; $1.20-$2.65) — “Cine Holiday” (SW) (68tfi wk). Into cur¬ rent week Sunday (24) after big $22,100 last week. SAN FRANCISCO (Continued from page 9) Web” (Col). Okay $16,000. Last week, “3 Brave Men” (20th) and “Black Whip” (Indie), $11,000. St. Francis (Par) (1,400; $1.75$2.75) — “10 Commandments” (Par). Giant $35,000, Last week, “Voo¬ doo Woman” (AIP) and “The Un¬ dead” (AIP), $10,000. Orpheum (SW-Cinerama) (1,458; $1.75-$2.65) — “Seven Wonders” (Cinerama) (14th wk). Great $34,800. Last week, $29,500. United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207; 70-$l)— “Men In War” (UA) and “Big Boodle” (UA). Stout $15,000. Last week, “Naked Paradise” (AIP) and “Flesh and Spur^’ (AIP), $6,200. Stagedoor (A-R) (440; $1.25 $1.50) — “Oklahoma” (20th) (3d wk). Okay $6,200. Last week, $6,500. Larkin (Rosener) (400; $1) — “Magnificent Seven” (Indie) (4th wk). Fine $4,000. Last week; $3,600. Clay (Rosener) (400; $1) — “Grand Maneuver” (Indie) (3d wk). Big, $4,000. Last week, $3,800. . Vogue (S. F. Theatres) (377; $1.25)— “La Strada” (T-L) (25th wk). Holding on at $1,900. Last week, same. Bridge (Schwarz) (396; $1-$1,25) — “Wee Geordie” (Indie) (5th wk). Excellent $5,000. Last week, $5,700. Coronet (United California) (1,250; $1.50-$3.75) — “Around World” (UA) (9th wk). Excellent $28,500. Last week, $26,000. Rio (Schwarz) (397; $1) — “BulL, fight” (Indie) (4th wk) and “Mexi¬ can Bus Ride” (Indie) (2d wk). Good $1,500. Last week, $2,000. PHILADELPHIA (Continued from page 8) $2.75)— “Around World in 80 Days” (UA) (9th wk). Smash $23,000. Last week, $17,300. Randolph (Goldman) (2,250; $1.40-$2.75) — “10 Commandments” (Par) (14th wk). Mighty $31,000. Last week, $25,000. Stanley (SW) (2,900; 99-$1.49)— “Wings of Eagles” (M-G). Brisk $16,000 Last week, “Slander” (M-G) and “Accus^ of Murder” (Rep), $10,000. Stanton (SW) (1,483; 99-$1.49)— “Men in War” (UA). Great $19,000. Last week, “Drango” (U) and “Dance With Me Henry” (UA), $9,000. Studio (Goldberg) (400; 94 $1.49) — “Tempest in Flesh” (Indie) (7th wk). Fair $3,900. Last week, $4,500. Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 99-$1.80) — “Anastasia” (20th) (9th wk). Hefty $14,500. Last week, $15,000. Viking (Sley) (1,000; 75-$1.40)— “Top Secret Affair” (WB) (2d wk). Mild $9,500. Last week, $12,000. World ' (Pathe) (499; 99-$1.49)— “Don Giovanni” (Indie) (3d wk). Fair $3,500. Last week, $4,000. , CHICAGO (Continued from page 9) Brave Men” (20th), $16^000 in 9 days. palace (SW-Cinerama) (1,484: $1.25-$3.40) — “Seven Wonders’* (Cinerama) (10th wk). Socko $47,000. Last week, $46,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400: 65-90) —“Big Land” (WB) and “Nightfall” (UA). Solid $21,000. Last week, “Rock, Pretty Baby” (U) and “Can¬ on River” (AA) (2d wk), $14,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,400; 90 $1.50)— “Mister Cory” (U). Tall ."530,000. Last week, “Iron Petti¬ coat” (M-G) (3d wk), $18,000. .Surf (H&E Balaban) (685; $1.25) — “Wee Geordie”i;Times). Voluptu¬ ous $10,000. Last week, “Simon and Laura” (U) (3d wk), $2,400. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 90$1.50) — “Rainmaker” (Par). Brisk $25,000v Last week, “Wrong Man” (WB) (2d wk), $14,500. Woods (Essaness) (1,206; 90 $1.25)— “Bundle of Jdy” (RKO). Robust $30,000, Last week, “Tea¬ house of August Moon” (M-G) (13th wk), $18,000. World (Indie) (600; 90)— “La Strada” (T-L) (9th wk). Resiliant $3,800. Last week, $4,500. Ziegfeld (Davis) (430; 90-$1.25)— “Marcelino” (Davis). Mammoth $7,000, plus $4,300 on opening night benefit. Last week, “Run for Money” (Indie) and Kind Hearts, Coronets” (Indie) (reissues), $2,500, TORONTO (Continued from page 8) 694; 698; 994; 50-75)— “Big Boodle” (UA) and “Halliday Brand” (UA). Slim $21,500. Last week, “Gun for Coward” (U) and “Night Runner” (U), $25,000. Eglinton, Towne (FP-Taylor) (895; 1,080; $1 — “Friendly Persua¬ sion (AA) (10th wk). Fine $9,500. Last week, $9,000. Hollywood, Palace, Runnymede (FP) (1,709; 1,485; 1,385; 60-75)— “Wrong Man” (WB). Nice $20,000. Last week. “Anastasia” (20th) (4th wk), $13,000. Imperial (FP) (3,544; 75-$1.50)— “Giant” (WB) (7th wk). Neat $14,500. Last week, $14,000. International (Taylor) (557; $1) — “It’s Great to Be Young” (IFD), So-so $4,000. Last week, “Gold Rush” (UA) (reissue) (9th wk), $3,000. Loew’s (Loew) (2,096; 60-$l) — “Iron Petticoat” (M-G) (2d wk). Okay $13,000. Last week, $17,500. Tivoli (FP) (995; $1.50-$2) — “Oklahoma” (Magna) (44th wk). Solid $9,500. Last week, same. University ^FP) (1,536; $1.75 $2.50) — “10 Commandments”. (Par) (14th wk). . Still steady $13,000 for turnaway weekend biz. Lust week, ditto. Uptown (Loew) (2,098; 60-$l)— “Barretts Wimpole Street” (M-G). Heading for okay $10,000. Last week, “4 Girls in 'rown”'(U), $8,500 for 5 days. BOSTON (Continued from page 8) 5 days). Oke $15,000. Last week, $36,500. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 60 $1.10) — “Big Land” (WB) and “Chain of Evidence” (AA). Good $15,000. Last week, “Mister Cory” (U) and “Cruel Tower” (AA), $16,000. Pilgrim (ATC) iV,000; 65-95)— “Drango” (UA) and “Silver Star” (Indie). Good $9,000. Last week, “Wicked as They Come” (Col) and “Utah Blaine” (Col). $8,500. Saxon (Saxon) (1,100; 90-$1.75) — “Rainmaker” (Par) (2d wk). Lpfty $24,000. Last week, $19,000. Orpheum (Loew) (2,900; 90 $1.25)— “Wings of Eagles” (M-G) and “Brass Legend” (UA). Okay $16,000. Last week, “Barretts Wim¬ pole Street’’ (M-G) and “SJander” (M-G), $11,500 in 6 days. State (Loew) (3,600; 90-$1.25)— “Wings of Eagles” (M-G) and “Brass Legend” (UA). Fairish $9,000. Last week, “Barretts Wim¬ pole Street” (M-G) and “Slander” (M-G), $5,500 in 6 days. SEATTLE (Continued from page 8) ($1-$1.50) — “Top Secret Affair” (WB) and “Running Target” (UA) (2d wk-8 days), $4,700 at $1.50 top. Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 90$1.25) — “Teahouse” (M-G) (8th wk). Fair $5,500 in 12 days. Last week, $5,600. ' Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,200; 90$1.25) — “Battle Hymn” (U) and "Istanbul” (U). Fancy $10,000 or close. Last week, “Mister Cory” (U) and “Man Is Armed” (Rep), $6,300. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,700; 90$1.25)— “Wings of Eagles” (M-G) and “Hot Summer Night” (M-G). Okay $8,000. Last week, “Wild Party” (UA)'ahd “4 Boys and Gun” (UA^ $5,400 in 6 days. Paramount (SW-Cinerama) (1.282; $1.20-$2.65)— “This Is Ciner¬ ama” (Cinerama). Great $11,500. Last week, $9,000. film shows, Is eminently suited to one-nighters featuring name acts, and capacity plus plushy surround¬ ings allow for. top prices at approx¬ imately $3 top, a figure not nor¬ mally . charged in such houses. First-half segment was occupied by the English Vic Lewis orch, which warmed up the customers from teeoff with “In The Mood” and other tunes. Segued into act of precision jiving by Johnny Wilsori^s Rock ’n’ Roll Sinners, a local group . recruited for the bccasion. This also had the youthful outf renter happy. Desmond Lane, English musi¬ cian, played clarinet and . a 40c penny-whistle, receiving whammo reaction with, r&r beat. He exited to solid palming for a rousing “Rock Mr. Piper.” Irma Logan, Bill Haley & Comets (6); Vic Lewis Orch with Irma Logan; Ken¬ neth. Earle & Malcolm Vaughan, Desmond Lane, Johnny Wilson’s Rock ’n’ Roll Sinners (18). At Odeon Theatre, Glasgow, Feh. 1819, ’57; $3 top. chirper with the Lewis orch, also pleased, and comedy routine was supplied for variation by the team of Kenneth Earle , & Malcolm Vaughan, latter scoring with his singing of “St. . Theresa of the Roses.” Entire show, in on a blaze of Bill Haley publicity, had impact of showmanship. It might be useful curtain-raiser to future shows in same theatre if the J. Arthur Rank Organization, which owns theatre, recognizes potential via fine audi¬ torium, excellent stage and backstage facilities and sound equip¬ ment. Kids Are Kids All Over ■ Glasgow, Feb. 26. Bill Haley & His Comets had a rock-crazy sendoff after their twonight stint in the local Odeon (1819). Teenage fans, going frenetic, rocked in aisles, over seats, and sang and chanted. They called out “We Want Haley.” Extra police were drafted to control the mob. At one point more than 100 police held them in order. Authorities allowed the fans to stand for 10 minutes outside the cinema. Then the mob, still chanU ing, rushed down the street to the Central Station where the Haley group were entraining for their next date, at Liverpool. Police blocked station entrances as hundreds of kids started sing¬ ing “Rock Around the Clock.” About 100 fans sneaked into the station via an underground road¬ way entrance, but were dispersed by railway police. Him’s Not for House ’ Glasgow, Feb. 26. A surprise attack on Bill Haley and his rock ’n’ roll music was made by Jack House, radiocaster and scribe of the Glasgow Evning Times. He described it as the “meaningless blast and blare of Mr. Haley and his assistant tor¬ turers.” In a review of Haley’s one-night¬ ers at the Odeon Theatre here. House said: “Mr. Haley mouthed meaninglessly into a microphone. He couldn’t be heard because of the noise the audience was making — which, mind you, was perhaps a good thing. ... “I have seldom seen such a sec¬ ond-rate affair. The general effect was one of complete boredom. Even the cats, jiving industriously in their seats, kept glancing around to see if other people were noticing them. Footnote for the r ’n’ r fans; House, ace Scot, scribe and broad¬ caster, Is 50. Gets Gold Disk London, Feb. 26. Bill Haley, whose recording of “Rock Around The Clock” has sold more than 1,000,000 copies inside the UK, will be presented with a gold disk by the Brunswick label of the Decca group on Associated Television’s “Sunday Night At The London j^alladium” on March 10. Haley recently turned down an offer of $30,000 in American cur¬ rency to appear on a short concert tour of Lebanon, because of other commitments. Haley has been lined up for a “welcome home” appearance on the Ed Sullivan fv show. The out¬ fit leaves this country early next month and starts its third r&r pic¬ ture for Columbia on April 20. At I present the script for a British rock picture, also to feature Haley & Comets, is being written., Haley will make a return visit to this country in September, when he’ll do a two-week season at the Palla¬ dium, followed by another British tour. Madrid Mad About R&R Madrid, Feb. 26, Air Force police in civvies pa¬ trolled Madrid’s Special Service Theatre one night last week during solo showing of ouaking “Rock Around Clock’' (Col) Theatre,. sit¬ uated in Spanish government’s Parco Movil (auto depot), also serv¬ ices civilian personnel in 'Madrid working on airbase projects. AllAmerican audience packed the 1,000-sea ter long before show start¬ ed. Teenage cats jammed the first 18 rows. Although situation never got out of hand, cats and squares alike re¬ acted right from the first hote. At one point, house lights threatened to go on as warning to loud jivers. Sage move had the desired effect. Air Force MP’s end-of-the-affair report read: “No casualties. No damage. It’s the Most.” -Gent’ Opening Continued from page 1 ducer explains, “but in that case I won’t give them tickets for the Broadway opening. They can at¬ tend the second night or as many subsequent performances as they want, but I won’t let them get seats for the premiere, if I can pre¬ vent it. “I’m absolutely adamant on that,” Cohen continues, “and it applies to everyone. Including agents, newspaper man, backers, friends — everyone. They may be welcome at the after-the-opening party, or at my home f^r dinner. But if they see the show out of town they can’t attend the opening on Broadway. I’ve instructed the company manager, pressagent, stage managers and everyone con¬ nected with the show to notify me of anyone in the trade who’s around the theatre while we’re try¬ ing out.” The producer is convinced that,, particularly for a comedy and to some extent for any play, anyone already familiar with the lines is unlikely to react to them, since there’s a strong element of sur¬ prise in virtually all comedy and even in dramatic dialog. It’s Lis theory that between 200 and 300 firstnighters at “Tunnel of Love” had seen the Joseph Fields-Peter De Vries comedy out of town, and therefore tended to b^ less amused at it in New York. Much the same situation has oc¬ curred with other comedies that were highly touted out_of town but proved to have less impact~in New York. The presence of such a large pre-insulated grbup . is bound to have a deadening effect on the reaction of the audience as a whole, Cohen thinks. That mild response tends to upset the cast and take the edge off the performance, he adds. Hilton Empire ■ Continued from page 2 was delayed by the political situa¬ tion. Havana, Acapulco and Montreal are other upcoming international Hilton operations. Last Hilton preem was Mexico City’s Conti¬ nental Hilton (partnered with exPresident Miguel Aleman) which bowed this past December, and is already capacity. The Caribe-Hilton in San Juan-, P.R., is adding 100 rooms to its 300. The entire Caribbean this winter is SRO; “there isn’t a room on the entire island of Puerto Rico,” travel agents tell clients. The European scare cancelled or deferred the winter cruises to the Mediterranean, with result the West Indies belt has been SRO. Other Hilton Hotels expansions include two hostelries in London (1,000 rooms total), one each in the Park Lane and Grosvenor Sq. Sec¬ tors; Amsterdam, Vienna, Tokyo, Bangkok, Ceylon, India. In South America, Santiago de Chile, Cara¬ cas, Venezuela, Lima, Peru, Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, 6uenos Aires and Montevedeo, Arlentina.