Variety (April 1957)

9 Wednesday, April 3, 1957 PfiRIETY PICTURE GROSSES LENT & TAXES GANG UP ON B.O. Chi Better; ‘Woman’ Beefy $30,000, 'Dress’Fair 20G, ‘Monsters Fat 17G, ‘ADison^Wow 35G, 2d, ‘Wings’ 16G Chicago, April 2. Even spotty business this frame shapes as an improvement on the lethargy at Loop bOxoffices in re¬ cent weeks. New entries, sparked by the return of normal weather, look lively.’ World preem of “De¬ signing Woman" at the Chicago should hit a hefty $30,000 while “Tattered Dress"' kicks off with a fairish $20,000 at the State-Lake. “Attack of Crab Monsters" and “Not of This Earth" is the major action entry this wek eat a trim $17 000 for the Roosevelt, '-Jamie Dawn” and “High Terrace" looks soft $4,500 at the Monroe, also “Heavenly Knows; Mr. Allison" still is smash in .second frame at the Oriental but “10,000 Bed¬ rooms” fades quietly from the scene after two cantos at United Artists. “Wings of Eagles" shows adequate pulling power for a third week at the Woods. “Lizzie” at the Loop is offish for its windup third round. “House of Pleasure” com¬ pletes three frames at the World in solid style. Roadshow houses continue at a fast pace with “Seven Wonders of World” in its 15th week at the Pal¬ ace still great and “10 Command¬ ments in its- 19th at McVickers continuing big. Todd’s Cinestage opens “Around World in 80 Days" Thursday (4) with heavy preselling virtually.assuring sellouts for first couple weeks. *’ Estimates for This Week Carnegie (H&E Balaban) (480; 95 )—Subsequent-run. Last week, “Doctors” (Teitel) "and '“Lonely Night” (Teitel), good $2,500. Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 90-S1.50) — “Designing Woman" (M-G). Hearty $30,000. Last week, “Top Secret Affair" (WB) (2d wk), $12,- 500. * - : - :----- ‘Bedrooms’ Neat 11G, Buff; ‘Allison’ 16G, 2d Buffalo, April 2. Local boxoffice is uneven cur¬ rently, but holding well in view of season of year. “10,000 Bed¬ rooms" is rated nice at the Buffalo while “Giant" is good on return date to the Center. “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison’.’ still is big in second Paramount week. “10 Com¬ mandments" bows out with nice trade in 13th week .while “Seven Wonders of World" still is solid in 31st stanza at Teck. . Buffalo (Loew) (3,000; 60-85) — “10,000 Bedrooms" (M-G) and “Hot Summer Night" (M-G). Nice $11,- 000 or near. Last week, “Men in War" (UA) and “Tomahawk Trail” (UA) (2d wk), $9,000. Paramount (Par) (3,000; 60-85)— “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison” (20th) and “Calling Homicide" (AA) (2d wk)? Big $16,000 or close. Last week, $21,000: Center (Par) (2,000; 60-85) — “Giant" (WB). On return date, good $9,000. Last week, “Fear Strikes Out" (Par) (and “Duel at Apache Wells" "(Rep), ditto. . Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 50-80)— “Curucu Beast of Amazon" (U) and “Mole People" (U). Oke $9,500. Last week, “Don’t Knock Rock" (Col) and “Rumble on Docks" (Col), $15,500. Century (Buhawk) (3,000; $1.25- $2.50) — “Ten Commandments” (Par) (13th wk-5 days). .Nice $14,- 000. Last week, same. Teck (SW - Cinerama) (1,200; $1.20-$2.40) — “Seven Wonders .of World" (Cinerama) (31st wk). Good $9,500. Last week, $10,000. Grand (Indie) (1,200; 90-$1.25)— Subsequent-run. Last week, “Oasis” - - (20th) and “Quiet Gun" (20th), $6,500. . • Loop (Telem’t) (606; 90-$1.50)— “Lizzie" (M-G)- (3d wk). Light $2,600. Last-week, $4,800. McVickers (JL&S) (1,580; $1.25- $3.30)—“10 Commandments" (Par) (19th wk). Smash- $34,000. Last week, $34,400. Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 67-87)— “Jamie Dawn" (AA) and “High Terrace" (AA). NSG $4,500. Last week, “Shadows On Window" (Col) (Continued on page 20) K.C. Off; ‘Bedrooms’ NG $7,000,'Oh Men’Medium - 10G,‘Giant’Fair $6,000 Kansas City, April 2. Biz is not perking this week de¬ spite hew pix and favorable-weath¬ er. Possibly standout is “Garden | of Eden" at artfilm Glen, back | after a legal battle in which, the jcity attempted to have it banned. |Film is doing about all the house will hold. Very disappointing is i 10.000 Bedrooms" at Midland jwhile “Oh, Men! Oh, Women!" at |Fox Midwest first-run trio shapes ;ttiedium. “Giant" back at moder¬ ate prices is only fair at the Para¬ mount five, weeks last fall hurting Jt. 10 Commandments" appears to have reached a continuing big level at the Roxynow in seventh week. More, springy temperatures bettered drive-in trade. ■ Estimates for This Week , Gicn (Dickinson) (700; 90) — Garden of Eden" (Indie). Art crowd out in force to see this one ?! ■ er , lon g local battle over ri^ht f° ( show - Sock $5,000. Holds. Last week, coupled with three Dther houses. Kimo (Dickinson) (504* 75-90)— Wee Geordie" (Indie) (4th wk). ioiding nicely at $1,400. ..Stays. La *J. week, $1,600. «iSi and <Loew) (3,500; 60-90)— ,10.000 Bedrooms" (M-G) and Uooked Web" (Col). Lean $7,000. r\S\ we ? k - “Zombies Mora Tau" - p® and “Man Turned to Stone” same. i on S *^ ri (SW-Cinerama) (1.194: — “Cinerama Holiday" ^tnerama) (4th wk). - Sturdy $11,- l0 i Last week, ditto. J- aramount (UP) (1,900; 75-901— Giant” (WB). Return date, fair (Continued on page 20) "Giant’ Big $7,000, Prov.; ‘Cory’ Ditto Providence, April 2. Lenten doldrums have set in deeply this week. Loew’s State, with “Edge of the City," is light¬ weight. Majestic’s reissue of “Giant" looks big. “Notorious Mis¬ ter Cory" at Albee is rated nice. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 65-80) — “Notorious Mister Cory" (U) and “Huk" (RKO).. Nice $7,000. Last week, “Lawless Breed" (U) and “Great Sioux Uprising" (U), $4,000. Majestic (S-W) (2,200; 65-80)— “Giant" (WB) (reissue). Big $7,000. Last week, “True Story Jesse James" (20th) and “Quiet Gun” (20th), $10,000. - . State (Loew) (3,200; 65-80) — “Edge of City" (M-G) and “Hot Summer Night” (M-G). Xight $8,000. Last "week, “10J)00 Bed¬ rooms" (M-G) 'and “Mah Is Armed" (Rep). $9,000; Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 65-80) —“Guns of . Fort Petticoat" (Col) and “Yaqui’ Drums" (AA). Oke $6,000. Last week, “Zombies of Mora Tau" (Col) and “Man Who Turned to Stone" (Col), $6,500. ‘Dress’ Fine $8,500, D.C.; ‘Allison’ Hep 17G, 3d Washihgton, April 2. Situation is generally mild in Washington’s first-run houses, with holdovers and Lent keeping down the pace. Although the town is loaded with tourists, only pic being helped much is “Seven Wonders of World." “Tattered Dress" looms fine at -■ Keiths. “River’s Edge" shapes trim' at Columbia‘in second. “Giant," brought back to cash in op Oscar hoopla, is okay in two houses. “Heaven Knows, Mr, Alli¬ son" still. is solid at Capitol but “10,000’• Bedrooms" is dull in sec¬ ond Palace week. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (SW) (1,490; 95- $1.25)—“Giant" (WB). Brought hack daydate with Met. Okay $5,000. Last week, “Paris Does Strange Things" (WB). $3,900. Capital (Loew) (3,434;* 85-$1.25) —“Heaven Knows, Mr; Allison" (Continued on page 20) , , i 11 it. c >• . * < ; 1 «:■ . i » 1 . BUT ‘FACE’ TURKS Combination of Income . Tax blues and Lent is being blamed for current downbeat on Broadway. There are some bright spots but they are the exception. Additional¬ ly, most first-runs have had to contend with a batch of routine to weak product in recent weeks. Standout currently is “Funny Face" and the annual ’Easter stage- show at the Music Hall, where a smash $165,000 is in prospect opening week ending today (Wed.). Only, other newcomer is “Paris Does Strange Things," which is heading for a very mild $25,000 or near opening week at the Para¬ mount, one of slowest teeoff weeks at Par flagship in recent years. Pacing extended-runs is “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" with stage- show at the Roxy. Current • (3d) stanza is heading for a sock $75,- 000 ; with run now expected' to carry through Easter Sunday. Third bill to battle current down- beat is the indie dualer at the Central. Combo of “Mom and Dad" and “She Soulda Said No" wound the ninth week last night (Tues.) with a great $.10,500-for this 501- seat house, with the engagement’s end not in sight. Hard-ticket pix continue in the high brackets. Academy award as year’s best pic hypoed “Around World in 80 Days"' advance sale and made it a cinch to continue at capacity $37,100 in 24th round at the Rivoli. “JO Commandments" still is sockeroo near $46,000 for current (21st) week at the Crite¬ rion. “Seven Wonders of World" was great $38,800 in 51st stanza at - the Warner, and now is in 52d week. Elsewhere results are mostly desultory. “Brave One” is doing better in second session than open¬ ing week which makes the $13,000 likely at the Astor just okay. “Men in War" wound its second frame with a mild $20,000 at the Capitol. Mayfair, brings in “Lizzie" tomor¬ row after three modest weeks with “Tattered Dress.” “Lost Continent" was barely nice at $14,600 in third round at Victoria, with “Bachelor Party" due in April 9. State opens “10,000 Bedrooms" today (Wed.). Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 75-$2)— “Brave One" (RKO-U) (2d wk). This round winding up today (Wed.) looks to hold with okay $13,000. First was $13,200. Stays a third, with “Strange One" (Col) due in April 12 following benefit preem midnight April 11. Little . Carnegie (L. Carnegie) (550; $1.25-$ 1.80)—“Royal Affair in Versailles" (Times) (4th wk). Third week ended Thursday (28) was nice $7,200. Second was $8,000. “Nana" '(Times) opens April 12. Baronet (Reade) (430; $1.25- $1.80)—“Antoine and Antoinette" (Indie) (reissue). Weed ending to¬ day (Wed.) looks like okay $3,400. In ahead, “pevil’s Envoy" (Indie) (reissue). $4,000. Capitol (Loew) (4,820; $l-$2.50) —“Men in Wat" (UA) (3d wk). Second session ended Monday (1) was mild $20,000. First week was $26,500, below hopes. “12 Ajngry Men” (UA) is due to open April 13. Central (Maurer) (501; $1.25- $1.80)—“Mom and Dad" (Indie) and “She Shoulda Said* No>“CIn- die) (10th .wk). The* ninth session; finished last night (Tues.) was sock¬ eroo $10,500. The • eighth- * "was $ 11 , 000 . ’ * .. ^ ' Criterion (Moss) if -filS’tfO- $3.30)—“10 Comriiandmehts’ r "(Par) (21st wk). This stanza finishing up tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to reach great $46,000 in 15 shows. The’ 20 th week for same number of shows was $46,500. Stays on indef. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“Lost Continent" (Lopert) (4th wk). Third stanza completed Sun¬ day (31) was solid $11,900. Second was $14,600. 55th St. Playhouse (E-F) (300; (Continued on page 20) Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re¬ ported herewith from the vari¬ ous key cities, are net;- l.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. V !; ! i r 4 ♦ ( .1 ‘Shrinking’ Stalwart $85,000 in LA.; ‘Bedrooms’ Dull 15G, ‘King & I’ With .‘Friendly Nice 21G, ‘80 Days’ 26%G -*-f ‘Bedrooms’ Pale 6G, Seattle; ‘10 CV 12G Seattle, April 2. Trade is very spotty currently. About best newcomer is “The De¬ linquents,” only fair at Coliseum. “Barretts of Wimpole Street” is lean at Music Box while “10,000 Bearooms” looms dull at Music Hall. “10 Commandments" still is great in sixth Fifth Avenue week. “This Is Cinerama" looms socko in 33d Paramount session. Estimates for This Week • Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; $1- $2) .— “Oklahoma" (Magna) (22d wk). Swell $6,000 ,or near. Last week, $6,500. Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,870; 95- $1.25) — “The Delinquents" (UA) and “Halliday Brand” (UA). Fair $7,500, banning of teenagers hurt some. Last week, “Phantom Stage Coach" (Co.l) “Full of Life" (Col), $ 8 , 000 , Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,500; $1.50-$2.30)—“10 Commandments” ■(Par) (6th wk). Great $12,000, Last week, $12;2o0. Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 90- $1.25) — “Barretts Wimpole St."' (M-G). Lean $2,500. Last week, “Shrinking Man” (U) and “Thun¬ der over Arizona" (Rep), $4,300. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,200; 90- $1.25)—“10,000 Bedrooms” (M-G) and “5 Steps- to Danger" (UA). Dull $6,000. Last week, “Tattered Dress” (U) and “Big Boodle” (UA), $5,200. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,700; 90- $1.25)—“Voodoo Island" (UA) and “Pharaoh’s Curse" (UA). Slow $7,- 000 or near. Last week, “Big Land" (WB) and ’“Cruel Tower". (AA), $6,700. Paramount (SW-Cinerama) (1,- 282; $1.20-$2.65)—“This Is Cine¬ rama" (Cinerama) (33d wk). Socko $11,000. Last week, $10,200. ‘Allison’Sturdy $16,000, Balto Ace Baltimore, April 2. Offish grosses continue the tra¬ ditional Lenten pattern here this week. “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" is an exception, being smash at Century. “10,000 Bedrooms” is dull at the Town while “Guns of Ft. Petticoat" is strictly sub par at the Hipp. Longrunning “10 Command¬ ments" at the New and “Around World in 80 Days" at the Film Centre are not feeling Lent to any big extent. Estimates for This Week Century (Fruchtman) (3,100; 50- $1.25)—“Heaven Knows, Mr. Alli¬ son” (20th). Nifty $16,000 or near. Last week, “Three Brave Men" (20tK), $4,000. Cinema (SchVvaber) (460; 50- $1.25)—“Silent World" (Indie) (3d Wk). Slim $1,500.. after .$2,000 for second. Film Centre (Rappaport) (89Q;. $1.50-$2.5(b—V^und WcHd’ (UA)) (T5tft wk). <1$ $ipoc| last week.- ■:*?■ - . Five West (Schwaber) (460; 50- $1.25) — “'Baby and Battleship" (Indie) (4th wk). Fairish $2,500 after $3,000 in third. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,100; 50-$l)—“Guns of Ft. Petticoat" (U). Drab $4,000. Last week, “Full of Life" (Col) (3d wk), $5,000. Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 25-90)— “Incredible Shrinking Man" (U) (2d wk). Pleasing $5,000 after $7,000 opener. New (Fruchtman) (1,600; $1.25- $2.25)—“10 Commandments" (Par) (15th wk). Still fancy $10,000 after $11,000 last Week. Playhouse (Schwaber) (410; 50- $1.25)—“Richard IIP (Indie) (3d wk). Mild "$3,000, same as last round. Stanley (WB) (3,200; 50-$1.25)— "Giant’ (WB). Back for another stanza, okay $8,500. Last 'week, “Men in War" (UA), $7,500. Town ' (Rappaport) (1,400; 50- $1.25)—“10,000 Bedrooms" (M-G). -Light $7,000. Last week, “Fear Strikes Out" (Par), $5,500. Los Angeles, April 2. “Shrinking Man," paired with “I’ve Lived Before," is pacing field in current session, being way ahead of other newcomers. It looks neat $23,000. in three hard tops plus a fine $62,000 indicated for eight drive-ins. Elsewhere biz is com¬ paratively sluggish for most new entrants although “Private’s Pro¬ gress" is nice $4,500 at small El Rey. “10,000 Bedrooms" shapes only mild $15,000 or close in three situa¬ tions. ''“Delinquents" coupled with “Hit and Run" is only thin $9,500 also in three houses while repeat of “Giant," in Downtown Par, is very poor $4,700. Academy combo of “King and I" with “Friendly Persuasion" is nice $21,000 in four spots while flourishing in nabes. “Anastasia" with “Silent World," Oscared combo, is okay at Vogue, formeri in its sixth >veek. “Around World in 80 Days’’ and “10 Com¬ mandments" still are very strong. Estimates for This Week El Rey (FWC) (861; 90-$1.50)— “Private’s Progress'" (DCA). Nice $4,500. Last week, “Wee Geordie" (Indie) and “In the Park" (Indie) (6th wk-8 days), $1,900. State, Pantages, Wiltern (UATC-r RKO-SW) (2,404; 2,812; 2,344; 80- $1.50) —“10,000 Bedrooms" (M-G) and “Ride High Iron" (Col). Mild $15,000 or close. Last week, with¬ out Wiltern, “Lizzie" (M-G) and “Edge of City" (M-G), $12,200. Hillstreet, New Fox, Ritz (RKO- FWC) (2,752; 965; 1,330; 80-$1.50) —“Incredible Shrinking Man" (U) and ‘.‘I’ve Lived Before" (U). Neat $23,000 plus $62,000 for eight ozon- ers. Last week, without Ritz, which had ' been housing legit show, “Bundle of Joy" (RKO-U) and “Above Us Waves" (Rep), $7,000, plus $35,300 in one nabe, seven drive-ms. Orpheum, Hollywood, Uptown (Metropolitan-FWC) (2,213; 756; 1,715; 8Q-$1.25). — “Delinquents" (UA) and “Hit and Run" (UA). Thin $a^5Q(fv-Last week, Orpheum, “Naked' paradise” (Am. Int’l) and “Flesh and Spur” (Am. Int’l), $6,400;. others in units. Downtown Paramount (ABPT) (3,300; 85-$1.50) — “Giant" (WB). Back on repeat run for Oscar win. Poor $4,700. Last week, in unit.. Los Angeles, Loyola, Iris, Fox Wilshire (FWC) (2,097; 1,248; 756; 2,296; $1-$1.75) — “King and I" (20th) and “Friendly Persuasion" (AA). Repeat booking on Academy tiein. Nice $21,000. Last week, Iris, “Friendly Persuasion" (4th wk), $2,600; Fox Wilshire, “Battle Hymn” (U) (5th wk), $4,400; L. A., Loyola with Hollywood, Uptown, “Oh, Men! Oh, Women!" (20th). and “Storm-Rider" (20th), $17,000. Hollywood Paramount (F&M) (1,468; $1-$1.80) — “Fear Strike* (Continued on page 20) ‘10 CY Still Smash 31G In 4th, St L.; ‘Shrinking’ Trim 14G, ‘Spring’ 7G St-. Louis, April 2. . Biz is steady this session, with rain Monday (1) Jblamed for hold¬ ing away patrons after nice trade pn Sunday. “10 Commandments" continues to hold the boxoffice spotlight, and will pass the $30,000 mark for the sixth consecutive week. “Shrinking Man" paired with “Gun For Coward" did what is rated as a solid session at the giant Fox Theatre. “Spring Re¬ union” looks neat at Orpheum. “Full of Life" shapes fine in fourth Esquire round. “Wee Geordie" looms good in second session at Pageant after a long stand at Shady Oak. “Great Man” Is big new entry at Shady Oak this week. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (SW-Cinerama) (1,- 400; $1.20-$2.40)—“Seven Wonder* Of World" (Cinerama) (50th wk). Good $7,500. Last week, $8,000. Esquire (Indie) (1,400; 75-90)— “Full Of Life" (Col) (4th wk), Flnt $6,500 after $7,500 in third. „ Fox (Arthur) (5,000; 75-90)^ “Tattered Dress" (U) and “Kelly And Me" (U). Opened today (Tues.). Last week, “Shrinking (Continued on p«ge 30)