Variety (December 1957)

Wednesday, December 4, 1957 P&RIETY PICTCTKC GROSSES HOLIDAY HYPOES DETROIT BIZ Chi Biz Belter; Sack’ Sodw fl/ 1 'Hunchback* Rugged 18G, 'Star Fast ‘jjj(|j| 17G, ‘Nelson’ 10G, ‘Days’Record 28G • cnnlrri this GACcinn Chicago, Dec. 3. ■ With continuing activity in ar- ties and action houses to offset generally slow business at delux- ers, the current Chi week averages are sturdy. “Sad Sack” opened on holiday weekend for a great $35, 000 at the Chicago. “Hunchback of Notre Dame” bows at United Artists for a rousing $18,000. “Tin Star” with -'Short Cut to Hell” promises a hot $16,500 for first Roosevelt week. Second framers look a lot better in small houses than large ones. "April Loye” Is not so good at Oriental. “Game of Love" is still booming at the Surf, while “Baby Face Nelson” con-, tiriues loud at Garrick, “Pursuit of Graf Spee" holds to a neat third session at: the. Loop. “Pal Joey” at the State-Lake is socko in sixth while “Les Girls” shapes line in fifth at the Woods. . Roadshows are reflecting the holiday UDbeat. For its 35th set, "Around World in 80 Days” is soar¬ ing while “Seven Wonders of World" for 50th round at Palace is getting record biz. . Estimates for This Week Carnegie (H&E BalabanV (485; $1.25)—“Bed of Grass” (T-L). Wow $5,100. Last week, subsequent- run: Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 90-$1.50> —“Sad Sack" (Par). Socko $35.- 000. Last week. “Jailhouse Rock” ; (M-G) (2d yrk), $15,000. Esquire (H&E Balaban) <1.350; 90-$1.25)—“How to Murder Rich UnCle” (Col) (2d wk). Good $7,000. Last week, $9.800:. Garrick (B&K) (90 - $1.25)— “Baby Face Nelson” (UA) (2d wk). Loud $10,000. Last week, $11,000. Grand (Indie) (1,200; 90-$ 1.25)— "Abominable Snowman” (20th) and “Ghost Diver” (20th). Nice $6,000. Last week, “Under Fire”, (20th), “Deerslayer” (20th). $5:000. Loop (Telem’t) (606; 90-$1.50)— “Graf Spee” . (Rank) (3d wk>. Tidy $7,000: Last week, $7,500. McViekers (JL&S) (1,580; $1.25- $3.30)—“Raintree Countv” (M-G) (6th wk). Mild $15,000. Last Week, same. • Monroe (Indie) (1.000; 57-79)— ‘‘Carnival Rock” (DCA) and “Teen Age Thunder” (DCA). Sharp $4,000. Last week, "Hidden Fear" (UA) and "Five Steps to Danger” (UA). $3,800. Oriental (Indie) <3.400; 90-$ 1.50) —"April Love” (20th) (2d wk). Dull $8,000. Last week. $12,600. Palace (SW-Cinerama) (1,484; $1.25-$3:40) — “Seven WOnders" (Cinerama) (50th wk)..Great $31,- 000. Last week, $22.8o0. Roosevelt (B&K) (1:400; 65-90)— •Tin Star” (Par), “Short Cut to Hell” (Par). Bright $17,000. Last (Continued on page 20) Mpis. Stoat; love’ prad 12G, Kiss’Lean 7iG, •Joey* Great 12G, 2d Minneapolis, Dec. 3. ^ Predominance of holdovers is not hurting the boxoff ice's present healthier tone which was given a glow by the Thanksgiving holiday. It was dimmed somewhat by ex¬ treme cold and snowstorms Satur¬ day and Sunday. There are only two Important newcomers; “April Love” and “Kiss Them for Me, with the former smash: It’s the 66th and 21st weeks, respectively for hard-tickets “Seven Wonders of World" and "Around World in 80 Days/’ Fourth week for. high-step¬ ping “Les Girls” finds it still. sock. Second round for “Pal .Joey” is great. . . Estimates for This Week ; Academy (Matin): (947: $lj.50-i $2.651—“Around. World” (UA) (£lst wk). Still in an enviable position and showing enough b.o, strength to warrant: a belief that it'll be here much longer. Sock $11,000: Last week, $11,000. • Century. (SW-Cinerama) (S1.7o- $2.65)—“Seven Wonders” (Cinera¬ ma) (69th wk). No complaints for good S7,000 or close. Last week, $ 11 , 000 . _ .1 . Gopher (Berger) (1.000; 8p-90)—i “Bombers B-52” (WB) (2d \vk)-.i Well-liked picture has been a b.o. j C Continued on page 20) > ‘Hunchback’ Socko 14G, Denver ; ‘Girls’ 13G, 2d Denver; Dec. 3. Biz ranges from good to great first-runs here this week with every theatre excepting the Denver holding over. “Around World in 80 Days" goes into 30th week at Taboiit with trade picking up.; “Hunchback of Notre Dame” shapes as brightest new entrant, with socko take at Paramount. “April Love” is fancy in second week at the Centre, and continues ! on. "Tin Star” is fine at . Denham as is “Les Girls,” in second round;, at Orpheum. Estimates for This Week Centre (Fox) (1,247; 70-$1.25)— “April Love” (20th) (2d wk). Fancy $11,000. Stays. Last week, $16,000. Denham (Cockriil) (1,428; 70-90) —“Tin Star” (Par). Bright $9,000; Holding. Last week, "Devil's Hair¬ pin” (Par) arid “Hear Me Good” (Par) (2d wk), $3,500 in 5 days. Denver (Fox) <2,586; 70-$1.25>—> "Pal Joey” (Col) (2d wk). Fast $13,000 or • close. Last week, $23,000. EsqulrO (Fox) (742; 70-30)—"Mil¬ ler’s Beautiful Wife” (Indie) (2d wk). Good $2,500. Continues. Last week, $3,500. . Orpheum (RKO) (2,596; 90-$ 1.25) —“Les Girls” (M-G) arid “Hell Canyon Outlaws” (Rep) (2d wk). Fine $13,000. Holds. Last week, $13,500. Paramount (Wolfberg) (2,200; 70- 90)- i -‘‘Hunchback of Notre Dame” (AA) and “Gun Battle at Monterey” CAA). Sock $14,000. Stays on. Last week, “My Man Godfrey” (U) and "Satchmo the Great” <AA\ $10;000. Tabor (Fox) (930; $1.25-$2.50)-- “Around World in 80 Days” (UA) (29th wk). Fancy $6,000, Holds over; Last week, $4,000, Vogue Art (Sher-Shulman) (442; 75-30)—“Naked Eye” (Indie). Nice $2,000. Holds. Last week, “Devil’s General” (Indie) (2d wk), $1,000. ‘April Gant 17G, Phifiy; ‘Star’ 12G Philadelphia, Dec.. 3. Holiday week biz is-building to boff total here but rainy Saturday seemed to hurt nominally big influx from Army-Navy acid game that afternoon. Standout'Nis "April Love,” wham ax R andolph while “Jamboree" paired with “Joe Da¬ kota” is rated great at Stanton: “Peril” looms boffo in first round at Trans-Lux while “Tin Star" shapes bright at the Viking. Many holdpvers are spurting, “Pal Joey” soaring to giant total at Stanley in fourth stanza. "Baby Face Nelson” is smash 1 in second frame while "Search for Paradise” is climbing to a wow total at Boyd- in ninth week, Mastbaum shutters next Thursday, with lack of prod¬ uct! blamed. ! Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (526; 39-$1.80)— "Les Girls” (M-G) (4th wk). Lively: $11,000: Last week, $14,000; Boyd (SW-Cinerama) (1,430; $1.20r$2.80)—“Search for Paradise” (Cinerama) .(9th wk). Holiday boosted this to wow. $18,000 or close. Last week, $13,500. Fox (National) (2,500; 55-$1.80)— “Kiss for Me” (20th). Tepid $7,500. Last week, “Stopover Tokyo” (20th) (2d wk), $9,000. : Goldman (Goldman) (1,250; 65- $1.25)—“Baby Face Nelson” (UA> (2d wk). Still smash $12,000, Last week, $17,000. Green Hill (Serena) <750; 75- $1.25) (closed Sundays)—"Raising Riot” (Indie) (2d 'wk). Quiet $2,- 000. Last week, $2,200. Mastbaum (SW) (4,370; 90-$l .40) .—•‘Bombers B-52” (WB) (2d wk). Sad $8,000, Last week, $13,000. Midtown (Goldman) (1,000: $2- $2.75)—“Around World in 80 Days” (UA) (49th wk). Fair $9,000. Last week, $8,500. Randolph (Goldman.) (1,259; 65- $L25)—“April Love” (20th). Wow (Continued on page 20) - -• - . Detroit. Dec; 3. . Dpwritown first-run biz is plenty socko this session. “April Love” is in for a terrific first week at the Fox: “Tin Star” glitters brightly at the Palms. . “Motorcycle Gang” shapes torrid at Broadway-Capitol. "Pal Joey” stays smash in fourth week at the Madison. "Bombers ! B-52” looks fine at the Michigan. "Les Girls” is tall in fourth week at the Adams. “Perri''. is wow in second week at the Kriiri: : Lorig-termer “Around World in 80 Days” in its 49th week at the United Artists, and “Seven Wori- J ders of World” in -70th session at.; the Music Hall, are still very solid; Estimates for This Week j Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; 90- $1.25)—“April Love” . (20th) and ! “Deerslayer” (20th). Terrific $31,- 000. Last week, “Abominable Snowman” (20th) and "Ghost Diver” (20th), $11,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4.000: 90-$1.25) — "Bombers B-52” (WB) and “Gun^lght Ridge’.' (UA>. Fine $16,OOp^T7ast week, “Tall Strang¬ ers” and “Affair in Havaria” (A*T 5 $15,500. vTalms (UD) (2,961;. 90-$1.25)— -Tin Star” (Par) and “Hidden Fear” (UA). Bright $19,000 or over. Last week, "Zero Hour” (Par) and (Continued on page 20) ‘Gang’Uvely $13,000 In Frisco; ‘April’ OK 14G, : ‘Girls'15G,‘Star’9G, 2d San Fraricisc’o, Dec. 3. First-runs here this stanza are doing okay to big trade even though there - are not many new-, comers. Best of these is "Motor¬ cycle Gang,” rated dandy at. Para¬ mount. “April Love” shapes okay at the huge Fox while "Tin . Star” is fine ini second Golden Gate frame. "Les Girls” looks big in second Warfield sessipn as does "Pal;;Joey” in fourth St. Francis week. “Around Y^brld in 80 Days” is heading for another great take in 49th round at Corpnet. Estimates for inks Week Golden Gate (RKoT*t2,859; 90- $1.25)—"Tin Star” (Pmr) and "Way¬ ward Girl” (Rep) (2n Wk); Nice $9,000. Last week, $12,500. Fox (FWC) (4,651; $1.25-$1.50)— “April Love” <20th) and. "Escape From Red Rock” (20th). Okay j $14,000. Last week, "Stopover] Tokyo” (20th) and “Plunder Road” (20th), $12,500 in 8 days. Warfield (Loew) (2,656; 90-$1.25) —"Les Girls” (M-G) (2d wk). Big $15,000. Last week, $23,000: . Paramount (Par) <2,646; 90-$1.25) —‘‘Motorcycle Gang” (Ai) and “Sorority Girl” (AI). Dandy $13,- 000. Last week, “Bombers: B-52” <W-B) and “Domino Kid” (Col), $14,000. St Francis (Par) (1.400; 90-$1.25> — ‘Pal Joey” (Col) (4th. wk). Big $14,000. Last week, $15,000. . Orpheum (SW-Cineraina) (1,458; $1.75-$2.65) — “Seven Wonders of World” (Cinerariia) (54tli wk). Okay $13,800. Last week. $12r200. United Artists (No: Coast) (1,207; 90-$1.25) — “Lost Paradise”. (UA) and “Hell Bound” <UA). Good $9,- 0.00i Last week, “Baby. Face Nel¬ son" (UA) and “Careless Years” (UA). $11,000 in 8 days. Stagedoor (A-R) (440; $1.25- $1.50)—“Perri” (B-V) (5th wk). Oke $2,400 in 4 days. Last week, $3,500. Larkin (Rosener) (400; $1.25)— “Only French Can” (Indie) (2d wk). Okay $3,600. Last week, $3,300. • Clay (Rosener) (.400; $1.25)— “Only French Can” (Indie) (2d wk). Good $3,500. Last week, $3,800. Vogue (S.F. Theatres) <364; $1.25»—‘Panic In The Parlor’^ (Inr (Contiriued on page 20) flD,’ Holiday Lifts B’way; ‘Sad’Solid TERRIF ^ Water Smash 150G, ‘Days’ Capacity 50G in 59th ‘April’ Giant $15,000, Port.; ‘Les Girls’ 7G Portland, Ore., Dec. 3. First-run biz. is really perking this round after hitting the sk’ds the past couple of months. All houses have strong holiday product, and there are only a few disap¬ pointing spots. One of these is “Les Girls” with only routine biz at. Liberty. However, “Pal Joey" is great iri' sfecond week at the Fox. “80 Days” continues its fantastic pace in 33d session at the Broad¬ way. “April Love,” best of hew pix, is smash at Orpheum while • Tin Star" at Paramount is rated fine. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (980; $2- $2.50) — “Arourid World In 80 Days" (UA) (33d wk). Big $7,500. Last. tveek,. $7,600. Fine Arts: (Foster) (425; 90-$1.25) —“The Bed” (Indie). So-so $2,000. Last week, “Nana" (Indie) (2d wk), $1300. ■ > Fox* (Evergreen) <1,536; $1-$1.50) —“Pal Joey" (Col) (2d wk). Great $12,000. Last week, $12,200. Guild (Foster) (400; $1.25) "Perri” (BY) (2d wk). Torrid $5,000. Last week, $4,800. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,890; 90- $1.25) — "Les Girls” (M-G) and “Triple Deception" (Rank). NSG $7,000. Last week, "Escapade In Japan" (U) arid “Slim Carter” (U), $5,400. Orpheum (Evergreen) (1,600; $1- $1.50)“April Love” (20th) and "Under Fire” (20th). Wow $15,- 000. Last week, “Story, Of Man¬ kind” (WB) and “Black Patch” ; (WB). $6,000. I Paramount (Port-Par) (3,400; 90- $1.25> — “Tin Star" (Par) arid “Enemy From Space” (UA). Nice $7,000. List week, “Zero Hour” (Par) arid "Hear Me Good" (Par), $4,500. 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 oil net take, when playing percentage, hence the estimated figures are net -in¬ come. The .parenthetic admission prices, howeVer. as indicated, include the U. S. a amusement Omaha;‘Girls’5G Omaha, Dec.f3; Biz has taken an upward swing at first-runs this stanza, with every spot showing improvement.. “April Love” is the pacesetter at the Omaha; being rated fast despite a sluggish start. "Les. Girls” is sock at the State, while “Tin Star" is lush at the Brandels. “Pal Joey" stays socko at Orpheum in second round, with a third stanza a possi¬ bility. Holiday biz upped “Around World in'80 Days" at Admiral. It has just one more week to go. Estimates for This Week Admiral (Blank) (866; $2.50- $2.20)—“Around World in 80 Days" (UA) (14th wk). Okay $5,000. Last week. $3,500. Brandels (RKO) (1.100; 75-90)— “Tin Star" (Par) and “Copper Skjr” (20th). Bright $5,000. Last week. “Time Limit” (UA) and “Enemy from Space" (UA), $3,300. Omaha (Tristates) (2,066; 75-90) —‘‘April Love” (20th). Smash $11,- 000 or near; will hold. Last week, “Zero Hour” (Par) arid “Hear Me Good” (Par), $3,000 iri 6 days. . Orpheum (Tristates) (2,980; 90- $1.25)—“Pal Joey” (Col) (2d wk). Great $9,500 after $13,500 debut. State (Goldberg) (850; 75-90) — “Les Girls” (M-G). Tall $5,000 or better. Last week, “Escapade in Japan” (U), $3,000. . Edmond ^L. DePatie and William T. Orr have been elected vice-pres- iderits of Warner Brothers. De¬ Patie is studiojjianager on the WB lot and Orr is exec television pro¬ ducer fbr the company. DePatie has been with Warners for 30 years, entering the film biz in 1924. Orr Is a former actor who appeared in a lot of WB pic¬ tures between 1940 arid 1942. After the war, he became a talent exec for Warners, 1 ; - J f Booming biz on Thanksgiving Day, despite rain in the afternoon, and great grosses on the follow¬ ing two days will make this a smash holidav week for Broadway first-runs. There are few new¬ comers to help swell’ the boxoffice but second-weekers and extended- riin product is doing remarkably well to boost the over-all total Biggest new entrant is “Sad Sack," which wound un its first week w ith a sock $40,000 or near at the State. Starts second found today (Wed.). 'Dast Dark Shadow" hit big $8,000' in first session at the Guild. “Smallest Show on Earth.” now in first holdover week, landed a smash $12,000 opening stariza at the Little Carriegie. !* Long lines the first four days of the current f3d) session at the Music Hall will give “Don’t Give Near Water" with stageshow its biggest week of run—a rousing $150,000. That tops the operiing week by $20,7)00. Hall opens its Christmas stageshow. with “Sayon- ara” tomorrow (Thurs.), advance reservations (mezzanine reserved seats) already having tooned JS1?5.- 000. greatest ever at Hall for this show. _ .Second round of "Ooeratiop Mad Ball” at Victoria held at great $22,700. about same as open¬ ing Week. “Pal Joey” looks like big .438000 after soaring to sock $43,000 in fifth session at the Caoi- toj. fifth week taking in Thanks¬ giving Dav and last Friday^ First holdover week of “Pomb- ers P-5V” looks Tike fair $21,000 at the Paramount, near ooening week figure. Both “Slaughter on 10th. Avenue" at the 4stor and "•Story-of Esther Costello” at the Palace moved ahead of preceding weeks. Ivoth being, fine in their fourth stanzas. “And God Created Woman” con¬ tinues its amazing run at the Paris, with a wow $20,000 for sixth ses-. c1 nn. It started the seventh week Monday (2). "Gervaise” was smash $14*00 in th»rd stanza at Baronet. All hard-ticket pix imDroved, “Around World in RO Days” soar¬ ing to a mightv $50 000 In week (59(h) ended last night (Tues.) at the Rivoli, being helped to this ca¬ pacity figure bv four extra shows, “10 Commandments” looks like great $32,000 in present (56th) round at the Criterion after $34,- 200 in. 55th frame. "Search for Paradise.” now in 11th session, soared to socko $37,800 in 10th week at the Warner. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 75-$2)— “Slaughter on 10th Avenue" (U) (5th wk). Fourth round ended Monday (2) was nice $13,000. Third was $11,500. “Wild Is Wind" (Par) comes in with preem on night of Dec. 1L Little Carnegie <L. Carnegie) (550: $1.25-$1.80)—“Smallest Show ori. Earth” (Times) (2d wk). First round ended last Thursday (28) wat socko $12,000. Baronet (Reade) (430; $1.25- 41.70)—“Gervaise" (Cont) (4th wk). Third session ended Sunday (1) was smash $14,800. being helped by some extra shows. Second wat $14,700. Capitol (Loew) (4.820; $l-$2.50)— “Pal Joey” (Col) (6th wk). This stariza ending Friday (6) is heading for big $38,000. Fifth was $43,000. Holding. Criterion (Moss) (1.671; $1.80- $3.30>—“10 Commandments" (Par) (56th wk). This round finishing to¬ morrow (Thurs.) likely will hit 432,000 for 16 performances. The 55th week soared to $34,200, over hooes, for 15 shows. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“Cabiria” (Lopert) (6th. wk). Fifth stanza finished Sunday (1) was great $11,000, same as fourth week. Guild (GuHd) (450; $1-$1.75)— “Cast Dark Shadow” (DCA) (2d wk). Initial week completed last night (Tues.) was big or over. In ahead, “Silken Affair” (4th Wk); $5,000. * Normandie (Trans-Lux) (592; 95- $1.80)—“La Strada” (T-L) (reissue) (2d wk). First round completed last night (Tues.) was sock $7,500. ; In ahead. “Perri" (BV) (8th wk-8 days), $4,400. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 95-$2>— “Esther CosteRb” (Col) ,f^h wk)* (Continued on *2D)