Variety (January 1958)

Wednesday, January 1, 1958 B PICTUkE GROSSES P^snEfr Mpk. Junph’, nater’ Wow $12, ( Kaintree’ Bio 94G. ‘fctvfnn’Snd Frisco; ‘Raintree’ Rick 16$ ‘Sack’ Hep 14G, 2d 18G, “ffond Minneapolis, Dec. 30. The normal after Christmas boxoffice rebound is being greatly stimulated currently by three boxoffice blockbusters and an array of sturdy holdovers. Within memory, there was never such a powerful trio of fresh arrivals as “Peyton Place/' “Raintree •» County” and ‘‘Don’t Go Near the Water” hitting the local Loop all • in one week prior to this stanza. A considerable number of hefty holdovers is topped by the hardticket gold mines “Seven Wonders of World” and "Around World in 8Q Days” in their 73d and 25th weeks, respectively. Then there are “Les Girls” in its eighth stanza and “Sad Sack,” “Legend of Lost’’ and “My Man Godfrey.” Newcom¬ ers and holdovers will get 1958 off to an encouraging start. Estimates for This Week Aeademy (Mann) (947; $1.50$2.65)— “Around World” (UA) (25th wk). Christmas and New Year’s weeks’ daily matinees are spelling added coin. Into its seventh month, and still a mighty winner with $13,000 this round. Last week, $12,000. Century (SW-Cinerama) (1,150; $1.75-$2.65) — “Seven Wonders” (Cinerama) (73d wk). Daily mati¬ nees and announcement of “final weeks” are 4 boosting the take. “Search for Paradise” announced to open March 4. Stout $9,000. Last week, $8,000. Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 85-90) — “Don’t Go Near Water” (M-G). Wow $12,000. Last week, “Teenage Frankenstein” (Indie) and “Blood of Dracula” (Indie) (2d wk), $2,500 tit 5 days. Lyric (Par) (1,000; $1.25-$2.25)— “Raintree Comity” (M-G). Wellliked picture a hard-ticket attrac¬ tion with seven evening and three matinee showings weekly. Lively 39,500. Last week, “Deerslayer” < 20th) and “Smiley” (20th), $2,800 at 85-90c scale, Radio City (Par) (4,100; 85-90)— “Sad Sack” (Par) (2d • wk). A1-. though still plenty healthy goes out after six days to make way for •‘Sayonara” (WB). Its $13,000 week-before-Christmas initial stan>a was considered remarkable. Fancy $10,000 looms this session. Last week, $13,000, RKO Orpheum (RKO) <2,800; 7590) — “Legend of Lost” (UA) (2d wk). Has demonstrated good boxoffice strength. Still nice at $7,000. Last week, $7,200. RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,800; 75-90)— “My Man Godfrey” (U) (2d wk). Pic has met general approval and doubtlessly being helped by favor¬ able word-of-mouth. Okay $4,000. Last week, $4,000. State (Par) (2,300; 90-$ 1.50)— “Peyton Place” (20th). A real wick¬ et winner. Upped scale calls for .31.50 after 5 pan. but the public apparently doesn’t resent the high scale. Looks mighty $18,000. Last week, “Tall Stranger” (AA)/ $4,500 at 85-90C. /' Suburban World (Mann) (800; 85) —“Smallest Show on Earth” (In¬ die). Okay $1,500. Last week, 'Game of Love” (Indie) and “Sum?ner of Happiness” (Indie) (2d .uns) (2d wk), $1,000 in 4 days. World (Mann) (400; 85-$1^5)— ‘Les Girls” (M-G) (8th wk). Un¬ doubtedly could run several weeks longer, but these are final seven lays, with “And God Created Woman” -(Kings) due in next, strong $4,500. Last week, $4,000. Ktt Biz Booms; ‘Enemy’ Hot $10,000, legend’ Fine 19G, ‘Sack’ 15G, 2d Pittsburgh, Dec. 30, Holidays putting a smile on the Golden Triangle for the first time in weeks. Downtown holdovers, “Sad Sack” at Stanley and “Legend of Lost” at Penn, both are higher. A couple of hew: ones, “Enemy Be*ow” at Fulton and “Kiss Them for Me” at Harris, are solid and will hold. “And God Created Woman” at Squirrel Hill is a sensation and topp ing first stanza’s figures. Longnin pix, “Search for Paradise” at Warner and “ArOund World in 80 Days” at. Nixon, are recovering handily from the seasonal slump of last week. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 80-$I.25>— “Enemy Below” (20th). Fine no¬ tices but audiences are -predom¬ inantly male and drawing few femmes. Enough of the former, to land big $10,000; it holds. Last week, “Monolith Monsters” (U) .and (Continued on page 15) Estimated Total Gross This Week ... ... $1,091,500 (Based oh 24 theatres) Hub; Kwaf $30,000 Boston, Dec. 30. With big pictures on the scene, the Hub b.o. is booming this stan¬ za. “Bridge on River Kwai” is smash at the Gary on hard-ticket policy. “Les Girls” is terrifico at State and Orpheum. “Peyton Place” looms lofty at the Memo¬ rial* while “Sayonara” is hefty at the Metropolitan. “Across Bridge” is hotsy at the. Kenmore. “Old Yeller” is slick at the Beacon Hill. “Around World in 80 Days” leads holdovers With a smash gross in 38th week at the Saxon. “Search for Paradise” is socko in sixth at the Boston. Estimates 'for This Week Astor (B&Q) (1,372; $1.65-$2.75) — “Raintree County*’ (M-G) (11th wk). . Oke $6,000. Last week, $7,000. Beacon Hill (Sack) (678; 90-$1.25) —“Old Yeller” (BV). Sock $15,000. Last week, “Perri” (BV) (5th wk-5 days), $3,000. . Boston (SW Cinerama) (1,354; $L25-$2.65) ■ — “Search for Para¬ dise” (Cinerama). (6th/ wk). Smash $17,000. Lari; week, $15,000. Copley (Indie) (961; 90-$1.25)— “Cabiria” (Indie) (2d wk). Neat $6,000. Last week, $7,500. Exeter (Indie) (1,200; 60-$l;25)— “Admirable Crichton” (Col). Sec¬ ond week ended Saturday (28). First week was bice $8,500. Fenway (NET) (1,378; 60-$1.10)— “Enemy Below” (20th) ahd “Plun¬ der Road” (20th). Opens Tuesday [ (31). Last week, “Sad Sack” (Par) ! and "Gun Battle at Monterey” (AA), hep $5,000. | Gary (Sack) (1,340; $1.50-$2,75>— “Bridge on River Kwai” (Col). Smasheroo $30,000. Last week, “And God Created Woman” (Kings) (8th wk-10 days), $15,000. Kenmore (Indie) (700; 85-$1.25) —“Across Bridge” (Rank), Hotsy $11,000. Last week, "Miller’s Beau¬ tiful Wife” (DCA) (4th wk-10 days), $5,500. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 60-$l) —"Enemy Below” . (20th) and “Plunder Road” (20th). Opens Tuesday (31). Last week, "Sad Sack” (Par) and "Gun Battle at Monterey” (AA), big $18,000. Saxon (Sack) (1,100; $1.5Q-$3:30) —"Around World” (UA) (38th wk). Extra; holiday shows pushing to wham $24,000, Last week, $18,000. Pilgrim (ATC) (1,700; 60-$D— (Continued on page 15) San Francisco, Dec. 30. First-Tuns . here currently are booming, with "Sayonara,” huge at Paramount and rated one of gear’s biggest pix. . "Raintree County” is terrific: at 440-seat . house while “God Created Woman” is breaking the record at 400-seat Larkin and is smash at 400-seat Clay. Don’t go to Near Water” looks excellent in | second Warfield round: "Sad Sack” is great in second session at St. ] Francis; “Enemy . Below” looms nice in second Fox stanza. "My Man Godfrey” shapes okay at Golden Gate while “Legend of Lost” is big in second United Art¬ ists week. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) <2,859; 90$1.25)— “Man Godfrey” (U) and “Hell Canyon Outlaws” (Rep). Okay $11,000. Last week, "Silver Chalice” (WB) and "Helen of Troy” (WB) (reissues) $6,000. Fox (FWC) (4,651; $1.25-$1.50)— “Enemy Below” (20th) and “Deerslayer” (20th) (2d wk). Nice $10,000 in 4 days. .Last week, $13,000. Warfield (Loew) (2,656; 90-$1.25) —“Don’t Go Near-. Water” (M-G) (2d Wk). Excellent $20,000. Last week, $21,000. J Paramount (Par) (2,646; 90-$1.25) — “Sayonara” (WB). Huge $45,000. Last week, “Long Haul” (Ceil) and “Decision Sundown” (Col), $9,500. St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 90-$1.25) — “Sad Sack” (Par) and “Hard Man” (Col) (2d wk). Great $14,000. Last, week, $15,000. Orpheum (SW-Cinerama) (1,458;. $1.75-$2.65)— “Seven Wonders of World” (Cinerama). (58th wk). Up to solid $15,000. Last Week, $9,500. United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207; 90-$1.25)— “Legend of Lost” (UA) and “Dalton Girls” (UA) (2d wk). Big $12,500. Last week, $16,000. Stagedoor (A-R) (440; $1.25-$2)— “Raintree County” (M-G). Power¬ ful $16,000. Last week, “Magnifi¬ cent Seven” (Indie) and “Happened In Park” (Indie). (2d wk), $1,300 in 6 days. Larkin (Rosener) (400; $1.50)— “God Created Woman” (Kings). Record $12,000. Last week, "Game of Love” (Times) (2d wk), $2,700 in 6 days. Clay (Rosener) (400; $1.50) — “And God ^Created Woman” (Kings). Great $9,500. Last week, ‘•Only French Can” (Indie) (5th wk), $1,700 in .6 days. Vogue (S.F. Theatres) (364; $1.25) — “Pather Panchali” (Indie). Oke $2,200. Last ' week, "12 Angry Men” (UA) and ^‘Bachelor Party” (UA) (2d wk), $1,500. Bridge (Schwarz) (396; $l-$l-25) — “Fantasia” (BV) (reissue). (2d wk). Okay $2,000. Last week, $1,000. Coronet (United California) (1,250; $1.50-$3.75>— "Around World in 80 Days” <UA) (53d wk). Terrific $30,000, viai extra shows. Last week, 317,000. Rio (Schwarz) (397; $1.10)^"Letters From Windmill” (Indie) (3d wk). Fair $1,500. Last week, $1,400. Pr&idio (Hardy-Parsons) (774; $1.25-$1.50)— r "Raising A Riot” (Cont) (2d wk). Big $3,000. Last week, $2,500. 'Peyton’ Giant 23G, Baltor'Sayonara Big 2#G* ‘Joey 14G, legend* 10G, 2d Baltimore, Dec. 30. Nice weather, , the holiday-week surge and a bundle of blockbusters are giving extiibs here their great¬ est session in months. "Peyton Place” shapes giant at the Century while "Sayonara” is very big at the Stanley. “Pal Joey” is tall at the Hippodrome. "Legend of the Lost” looms wow in second frame at the Mayfair. “Seven. Wonders of World” shapes fine at the Town. “Around World in 80 Days” zoomed with a finalweek tag after a record run of 54 weeks. “Sad Sack” looks nice in second round at the New, Estimates for This Week Centnry (Fruchtman) (3,100; 50$1,50) — “Peyton Place” (20th); Giant $23,000 or thereabouts. Last week* “Monolith Monsters” (U) and ‘Love Slaves of Amazon” (U), $4,000.. Cinema (Schwaber) (460; 50 $1.25) — “God Created Woman” (Kings) (7th wk). Good $5,000 after near same as sixth. Film Centre (Rappaport) (890; $1.25$2.25) — “Around World” (UA) (54th wk). Zoomed to oke $8,000 after $5,000 week before. Five West (Schwaber) (460; 50$1.25) — “Ship Was Loaded” (Indie). Okay $4;0G0. Last , week, “Lost Continent” (Lopert) (4th wk), $2,800. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,300; 50-$1.25)— “Pal Joey” (Col). Loud $14*000. Last week, “Long Haul” (Col), $5,000. Mayfair (Fruchtmah) (980; 50$1:25) .— -‘‘Legend of Lost” (UA) (2d wk). Wow $10,000 after about same for first. : New . (Fruchtman) (1,600; 50 $1.25)— “Sad Sack” (Par) (2d wk). Good $10,000 after near same iri first* . Playhouse (Schwaber) (400; 50$1.25)— “Panic in Parlor” (DCA). Nice $4,000. Last week, “Spanish Gardener” (Rank) (3d wk), $2,500. Stanley (SW) (3,200; 50-$1.50*> — “Sayonara” (WB). Big $20,000 or near. Last week, “Jamboree” (WB), $4,000. . Town (SW Cinerama) (1,125; $1.25-$2.25) — -‘Seven Wonders of World” (Cinerama). Tall $14,000 for 9 days. ..In ahead, "This is Cinerama” (Cinerama) (16th wk), $5,500. •y Smash $27,000, 'Water Torrid 15G Estimated Total Gross This Week . . $3,393,700 (Based on 20. cities and 220 theatres, chiefly first, runs, in • eluding N. Y.) ‘Water Great 23G, Bet.; ‘Legend’ 24G Detroit, Dec, 30. Only three neweomers in town, but biz is on the upswing this holiday week. “Don’t Go Near the Water” and “All. At Sea” are making . big splashes at the Adams and Krim, respectively.; “Man in Shadow” shapes okay at the.Broadway-Capitol. Second weeks of “Legend of Lost” at the ..Palms, “Sad Sack” at the Michigan and “Enemy Below” at the Fox are better than initial seven-day ex¬ posure.. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; 90 $1.25)— "Enemy Below” (20th) and “Escape from Red Rock” (20th) (2d i wk). Smash $18,000. Last week, $14,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 90-$1.25)— “Sad Sack” (Par) and “Hard Man” (Col) (2d wk). Great $22,000. Last week, $20,000. Palms (UD). (2,961; 90-$1.25)— “Legend of Lost” (UA) and “Dal¬ ton Girls” (UA) (2d wk). Great $24,000. Last week, $22,500. Madison (UD) (1,900; 90-$1.25)— “Pal Joey” (Col) (8th wk). Strong $10,000. Last week, $8,000. Broadway-Capitol (UD) 3,500; 90$1.25)'— “Man in. Shadow” (U) and “Violators” (U). Okay $12,000. Last week, “Monolith Monster” (U) and “Love Slaves of Amazons” (U), $12,000. United Artists (UA) (1,667; $1.25-$3)— “Around World in 80 Days” (UA) (53d wk). Oke $10,000. Last week, same. . Adams (Balaban) (1,700; $1.25$1;50) — “Don’t Go Near Water” (M-G). Great $23,000/ Last week, “Les Girls” (M-G), $3,500 in fiveday seventh week. Music Hall (SW-Cinerama) (1,205; $1.50-$2.65)— “Seven Won¬ ders” (Cinerama) (74th wk). Up to $12,400. Last week, $9,800. Krim (Krim) (1,000; $1.25)— 'AH At Sea” (M-G). Good $8,000. Last week, "Saint Joan” (UA), $3,000. ’eyton’ Sockeroo 236, Dearer; Teller’ $26,000 Denver, Dec. 80. "Old Yeller” at the Denver looks to pace city by a narrow margin, and moves to the Aladdin for an extended-run. "Peyton Place” shapes mighty at 1,247-seat Cen¬ tre, and will hold. "Raintree . Coun¬ ty” is rated big at Orpheum while "Legend of Lost” still is fine in second Paramount session. "Around World in 80 Days” goes into 33d .week at the Tabor and .will stay through the National Western Stock Show. Estimates for This Week Centre (Fox) (1,247; 90-$1.50)— "Peyton Place” (20th): Mighty $23,000. Holds. Last week, "Esther Costello” (Col), $6,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1*428; 70-90) —"Sad Sack” (Par) (2d wk). Fancy $11,000, and holding. Last week, same. Denver (Fox) (2,586; 70-90)— “Old Yeller” (BV). Big $26,000; moves to Alaadln. Last week, on reissues. Esquire (Fox) (.742; 70-90— "How to Murder Rich Uncle” (Col). Good $2,500. Stays. Last week, on re¬ issues. Orpheum tRKO) (2,596; 90-$1.50) —“Raintree County” (M-G). Big $25,000. Continues. Last week, on reissues. Paramount (Wolfberg) (2,200; 70-90)— “Legend of Lost” (UA) and “Dalton Girls” (UA) (2d wk). Fine $10,000. Last week, $13,000. Tabor (Fox) (930;$1.25-$2.50)— "Around World” (UA) (33d wk). Fair $3,500. Stays on. Last week, $2,000. Vogue Art (Sher-Shulman) (442; 75-90)— “Lost Continent” (Indie). Big $2,500. Last week, “Three Feet in Bed” (Indie), $700. Cleveland, Dec. 30. Traffic-jamming crowds of holi¬ day ticket-buyers are bringing back happy times this' session to Cleveland. Rush for ducats is boosting "Peyton Place” to mighty;, take at the Hippodrome, to pace the * city. "Sayonara” shapes great at the larger Alien Theatre while “Enemy /Below” ' rated fancy at the Embassy. "Don’t Go Near Water" looms, excellent at the Stillman while “Sad Sack” is fairly good in 5-day second round at State. “Around World. In 80 Days'* at the Ohio in 29th Week iand “Christmas Holiday” in 26th Palace stanza are -pushing far ahead of hist week’s totals. Estimates for This Week Allen (S-W) (3,800; 90-$1.50)— “Sayonara” (WB). Wow $27,000 or near. Last week, “Teenage Frankenstein” (AI) and "Blood of Dracula” (AI), $8,800. Embassy (Community) (1,200; 7090)— "Enemy Below” (20th). .Fancy $8,600. Last week, "Bail Out at 43,000” and "Buckskin Lady” (UA), $2,800. Hipp (Telem’t) (3,700; $1.25 $1.50) — "Peyton Place” (20th). Mighty $30,000 or over. Last week, "Monolith Monsters” (U.) and ‘‘Love Slaves of Amazon” (U), , $10,000. Lower Mall (Community) (500; 60-90)— ‘Torero” (Indie). . Modest $2,500, Last week,' “It Happened in Park” and "Girl on Third Floor” (Indie) (reissues), $2,000. Ohio (Loew) (1,244; $1.25-$2.50) —“Around the World” (UA) (29th wk). Pushing to big $10,000, after $6,000. Palace (SW-Cirierama) (1,523; $1.25-$2.40) — “Cinerama Holiday” (Cinerama) (26th wk). Soared to great $12,500. Last week, $7,800. State (Loew) (3,500; 70-90)— ‘‘Sad Sack” (Par). (2d wk). Fairly good $9,000 in 5 days. Last week, $16,000. Stillman (Loew) (2,700; 70-$1.20) —"Don’t .Go Near Water” (M-G). Excellent $15,000. Last week“Baby Face Nelson” (UA) (m.o.), $6,000. ‘Sayonara’ Sock $36,000, D.C.; ‘Enemy’ Great 166, “Peyton’ Wham 31G, 2d Washington, Dec, 30. There are. only two newcomers along the main, stem this week, but the lineup of b.o. blockbusters opened at downtown theatres right before the Yule holiday, are mak* ing happy music at . the . cash regis¬ ter. Both new entries, "Sayonara^ day-bating at Metropolitan: and Ambassador, and "Ehemy Below,” at the Columbia, are sock. Former is the biggest draw at these spots since "Giant” "Peyton Place” at Loews Palace, tops the city for sec¬ ond consecutive week even topping the Opening stanza. "Don’t Go Near Water” at LoewY Capitol is also topping its initial week With smash prospects. "Sad Sack” in second week at Keith’s is skimming the cream of matinee trade. Estimates for This Week Ambassador-Metropolitan (SW) (1,490; 1,000; 90-$1.50) — "Sayonara” (WB). Socko $36,000. Last week, "Jamboree” (WB), $6,500. Capitol (Loew) (3,434; 85-$l. 25) —“Don’t Go Near Water” (M-G) (2d wk). Rousing $26,000, topping last week’s $25,000, with special New Year’s Eve show helping. Stays. Columbia (Loew) (1,154; 85 $1.25)— “Enemy Below” (20 th). Hotsy $16,000, and holds. Preemed Christinas Day to long queues. Last week, “April Love” (20th) (4th wk), $5,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,850; 85-$I.25>— “Sad Sack” (Par) (2d wk). Brisk, $12,000. for final 6 days after $13,-. 000 opener. Palace (Loew) (2,350; 90-$l. 50)— “Peyton Place” (20th). (2d wk). Wow $31,000 after $29,000 in first. Holds. Plaza (T-L) (600; 90-$1.50)^ “God Created Woman” (Kings) (8th wk). Hefty $6,500 after $6,000. Uptown (SW) (1,100; $L25-$3)— "Around World” (UA) (39th wk). Schedule stepped up to 15 shows per week, ahd looks like dazzling $26,000. Last week, $9,500 in 10 shows. Stays on. Warner (SW-Cinerama) (l,300i $1.20-$2.40) — "Seven Wonders’* (Cinerama) (53d wk). Slides into second year and final fortnight with booming $14,000 after fine $12,000 last week. .