Variety (May 1958)

9 Wednesday, May 7, 19SS P'finlEft WCTO • n* • r ‘Frankin' Trim $9JO, ‘Paris’ Hep AA/1 A 1 l/SI • t jfm zwb, Zd, Mieepan Mdd 1^ Zd Chicago, May 6. New entries are generally dis¬ appointing but longruns are nice. “Marjorie Momingstar” eyes a warm $33,500 opener at the Chi¬ cago, “Fraulein” expects good $9,200 Initial round at the Loop, while the Czech “Romance and Music,” in' for a single week at the World, rates a fair $3,500. Zief- feid’s tandem of “Fruits of Sum¬ mer” and “House of Pleasure” is shaping to a so-so $4,000. “Paris Holiday” Is faring well in Oriental second, with “Sheepman” headed' for a'mild United Artists second. “Across the Bridge” rates a good Carnegie second. “Desire Under JElms” is soften¬ ing but still fair in third Esquire round; “Teacher's Pet” is lively in fourth at . the Woods. “Young Lions” shapes sockeroo hi Roose^ velt fifth, and “Nights of Cabiria” is going for a good fifth at the Surf. “Bridge on River Kwai” ex¬ pects a big eighth session at the State-Lake, while “Snow White”, eyes a hefty closeout eighth frame at the Garrick. “South Pacific” is .pacing to a solid sixth round at the McVickers, and “Search for Paradise” figures on a fine third week at the Palace. “AroundWorld” rates a sock 57th canto with extra shows. Estimates for This Week Carnegie (Telem't) (485; $1.25)— “Across Bridge” (Rank) .(2d. wk). Oke $3,200. Last week, $4,500. Chicago (BAR) (3,900; 90-$1.80) •*=- “Marjorie Momingstar” (WB); Warm $33,500. Last week, “Peyton Place” (20th) . (9th wk), $18,000. Esquire (H&E Balaban) (1,350; $1.25-$1.50) — “Desire Under the Elms” (Par) (3d wk). Fair $6,000. Last week, $10,000. Garrick (G&K) <850; 9Q-$1.25)— “Snow White” (B\) (reissue) (8th wk). Nice $8,000. Last week, $15,000. Loop (Telem’t) <006; 90-$1.50)— “Fraulein” (20th). Good $9,200. Last week, “Merry Andrew” (MG) (4th wk). $8,000. McVickers (JL&S) (1,580; $1.25- $3:30)—“South Pacific” (20th) (6th wk). Solid $26,800. Last week, $27,000. Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 90-$1.50> (Continued on. page 24) . ‘Place’Poor $8,000 In Seattle; ftmi’Slow 6G, ‘Macabre’ Average 8G Seattle, May 6. Music Box has closed to undergo extensive screen improvements. Reopening about May 21. “Long Hot Summer” holds for th : rd stanza at Blue Mouse. Paramount holds “Bridge on River Kwai” for seventh week, biz steady. New films at other houses. 7 Estimates for This Week Bine Mouse (Hamrick) (800; 95- $1.50) — “Long Hot Summer” (20th) (3rd wk). Swell $6,000. Last Week, $6,200. Coliseum (Fox-Evergreen) (1,870; 95-$l-50)—“Screaming Mimi” (Col) and High Flight” (Col). Slow $6,000. Last week, “Bonjour Tristesse” (Col) and “Woman of River” (AA), $6,800. Fifth Avenue (Fox-Evergreen) (2,500; 95-$1.50)—“Another Time, Another Place” (Par) and “Fort Bowie” (UA).. Poor $8,000. Last week, “YOung Lions” (20th). In five days of fourth week, $5,200. Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 95- $1.50) —Dark. Renovations. Last week, fourth of “Majorie Moming¬ star” (WB), $2,100. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,200; 95- $1.50) — “Macabre” (AA) and “Hell’s 5 Hours” (AA). Okay $8,000 on eight days. Last week. “Touch of Evil” (U) and “Last of Bad Men” (AA). $3,600. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,700; 95- $1.50—“Chase a Crooked Shadow” (WB) and “Stakeout on Dope St.” (WB). Light $4,000, yanked after five days. Last week, “Return of Dracula” (UA) and “Flame Barrier” (AA), $5,800. . ’ Paramount • (Fox - Evergreen) (3,107; 95-$1.50) — “River Kwai” (Col) (7th wk). Swell $8,000.. Last week, $9,300. PORT SKIDS; 1INEUP’ OKE 6G,‘DRACULA’ 3G Portland, Ore., May 6. First-run biz is on the skids due to mild product and good, weather. “Kwai” continues to be sizzling for a sixth frame at the Orpheum. “Long Hot Summer” stays a second week at the Liberty after a^yery disappointing o pane r. Nothing i outstanding amongst new entrees. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (1,875; $1- $1.50)—“Jet Attack” (AI) and “Su¬ icide Battalion” (AH. So-so $5,000. Last week, “Marjorie Momingstar”. (WB) (3d wk), $4,400, Fox (Evergreen) (1,536; $1-$1.50) —“The Lineup” - (Col) and ‘‘High Flight” (Col). Okay $6,000. Last I week, “Bonjour Tristesse” (Col) land “Woman of the River” (Col), $ 6 , 100 . - Liberty (Hamrick) (1,890; $1- I $1.50)—“Long, Hot Summer” (20th) land “Plunder Road” (20th) (2d wk). Slim $5,000. Last week, $6,300. | ■ Orpheum (Evergreen) (1,600; $1- $1.50)—“Bridge On River Kwai” (Col) (6th wk). Good $7,500. Last week, $7,700. Paramount (Port-Par) (3,400;. $1-. $1.50)—“Return of Dracula” (UA) and “The Flame Barrier" (UA). Sad $3,000. Last week, '(Teacher's Pet” (Par) and “High Hell” (Par), $7,000. Tet’ Lusty 10G, Mpls.; “Place 5G Minneapolis, May 6. Fresh entries again are con¬ spicuous by their scarcity and one i of the only tliree new bills com¬ prises a twin bill of “B” product. I One of the arrivals, “Teacher’s Pet,*' promises to "maintain the fast pace at which it started;- The recent publicity attendant upon Lana Turner’s misfortune doesn’t seem to be helping “Another Time* Another Place.” Estimates for This Week Academy (Mann) (947; $1.50- $2.65)—“Around World in 80 Days” (UA) (43rd wkL Winds up a ter¬ rific run on a high note. Stout $12,000. Last week, $11,000. Century (S-W) (1,150; $1.75- $2.65)—• “Search for Paradise” (Cinerama): (10th wk). Brisk $13,000. Last week, $13,500. Gopher (Berger) (1.000; 85-90)— “Saddle the Wind” (MG) f2d wk). Light $2,500. Last week. $4,000. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 90-$L25)— “Long Hot Summer” <20th) (3d wk). Tall $7,000, Last week, $8,500. Radio City (Par) (4,100; 85-90)— “Teacher’s Pet” (Par). Good $10,- 000. Last week, “Bridge on River Kwai” (Col) (7th wk), $7,500. RKO Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 75- 90) — “Another .Time* . Another Place” (Par). Mixed opinions re this one's merits, but cast pres¬ ence or Lana Turner doesn’t seem to be a*oxoffice asset. Slow $5,000. Last week, “The Hired Gun” (M-G) and “The Safecracker” (MG), $4,000. RKO Pan (RKO) (1,800; 75-85)— “Ride Out for Revenge” (UA) aiid “Fort Bowie” (UA) split With “Street of Sinners” (UA) and “Gun Fever” (UA). Quantity in place of quality. OK $3,500: : Last week, “Girl Most Likely” (U) and “Flood Tide” (U) split with “Unholy Wife” (U) and “Violators” (U1, $3;000. State (Par) (2^80; 90-$1.25)— “Marjorie Momingstar” (WB) (3d wk).. Doesn’t seem to catch on, al¬ though it has won considerable praise. Tepid $5,000. Last week, $6,500. Suburban World (Mann) (700; 85)—“Sayonara” (WB). (2d run). Still cashing in on its Aeademy awards. Good $2*500, Last week, “And God Created Woman” (In¬ die) (3d wk), $1,700. World (Mann) (400; $L25-$1.50) —“Young Lions” (20th) (5th wk). Localities going for this one in a big way. Radiant $5,000. Last week, $5,400. I Despite, a plethora of holdovers and the tapering off tendency this time of year, Broadway biz dis¬ played surprising stamina this, ses¬ sion. Theatre operators found a welcome ally in the three-day downpour Saturday to Monday. Sunday matinee activity made the big difference as the public, ap¬ parently tired of being cooped up ill day Saturday, left their homes and poured into the theatres. Things went back to normal Sun¬ day evening, with biz dropping off considerably. The public, in choosing its film fare, was apparently selective, pa¬ tronizing the popular and ac¬ claimed films. The, result was that a number of pictures, although on extended. engagement and nearing the end of their, runs, managed to hold up nicely. Among the newcomers, the Lana Turner starrer, “Another Time, Another Place” rushed into re¬ lease by Paramount to cash in on the headlines, proved disappoint¬ ing. It is expected to tally a mild $21,000 or near for opening session ending Friday (0). “Uncle Vanya,” a. filmed version of the Chekhov play starring Franchot : Tone, racked up a good $9,100 for its opening frame , at the artie Bar¬ onet. “Stage Struck,” in second Normandie stanza, was* respectable $10,500. ' Heading the Main Stem pace was “Marjorie Momingstar.” with a solid $150,000 for its second Radio City Music Hall week ending today (Wed.). “Witness for the Prosecu¬ tion” is expected to wind up a highly successful 12-week run at the Astor tomorrow (Thurs.) with a fine $12,500 for final lap. In ad¬ dition, “Witness” is seen tallying a strong $9,000 at eastside Plaza where it will continue. * Another day-and-dater, “Long Hot Summer” tallied great $17,000 for fourth Mayfair weelr and $9,500 at artie Fine Arts. “Teacher’s Pet” concluded nice seven-week run at Capitol with fair $18,000. “Young Lions” continued strong at Paramount with neat $42,000 for fourth frame. “Run Silent, Run Deep” -was okay $12,500 for fifth Victoria week. “Windjammer,”'* at. Roxy, ap¬ peared hottest of hardticket pix With $67,000 for third frame, being helped considerably by theatre parties. “Search for Paradise” concluded 32-week run at Warner with fair $25,900.“This Is Cine¬ rama” returns for sixrweek engage¬ ment. “South Pacific” at Criter¬ ion, was solid $39,000 for sixth stanza; “Bridge on River Kwai,’’ at Palace, strong $32,100 for 20th ses¬ sion; “Around World in 80 Days," at Rivoli, strong $34,500 for 81st Estimates for This Week Astor (City lnv.) (1,300; 75-$2)^- , “Witness for Prosecution” (UA) 42th-final wk); Final round ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to hit fine $12,000, almost matching $12,500 of 11th frame. Completes, highly successful engagement at this Broadway house. “Paris Holiday” (UA) opens Friday (9). ' Little Carnegie (L. Carnegie) (550; $1.25-$1.80)—“Mam’zelle Pi- galle” (Indie) (3d wk). Initial fol¬ lowup session concluded last Thursday (1) reached $9,0001 Last week,-same tally. Baronet (Reade) (430; . $1.25- $1.70) — “Uncle Vanya” (Indie). Kickoff lap of filmlzation of Chek¬ hov play scored good $9,100 for week ended yesterday (Tues.). In ahead, “Ladykillers” (Cont) and “To Paris With Love” (Cont) (re¬ issues) okay $3,500 for 10 days of | fifth-final stanza. Capitol (Loew) (4,820; $l-$2,50) : —“Teacher’s Pet” (Pair) • (7th-final wk). Concluding round ended yes¬ terday (Tues.) with fair $18,000 or (Continued on page 24) Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re¬ ported. herewith from the vari¬ ous key cities, are net; i.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, intlude the U. S. amusement tax. LA. Slides, But Nudie 'Adam & Eve r n». KITE HITS VOLTAGE; CLIPS SAN JUAN B O, . San Juan, May 6. . Entire island of Puerto Rico Was blacked out for two to four hours causing substantial losses to film exhibitors on Sunday. Hard hit was Rafael Cohian Sr/s Commonwealth chain which controls most houses on the island. Spokesman for the chain, David O’Dell placed the ioss at $6,000. Accident followed tail of kite falling across a high voltage line and knocking out all the gen¬ erator’s: on the island. (In metro r politan areas, blackout was short¬ lived, permitting live Ballets de San Juan performance to proceed ait Tapia Theatre.) * “Kwai” was affected to the ex¬ tent of $350 returned by Rafael Cobian Jr.’s Paramount Theatre boxoffice. However picture broke a house record and also a Columbia Pictures record here with $27,- 685.34, | . Metro grosses are not. known as local office follows directive from David Blum of.Loew's Inti, in Man¬ hattan to give iron curtain treat¬ ment. Los Angeles, May 6. Local first-runs are on the skids this stanza, with only big strength being shown by the nudie. “Adam and Eve.” Paired with “Gun Battle at Monterey,” it’s heading for a terrific 3140,000 in 21 situations. Other openers arc weak with ex¬ ception of ’Goddess,” which is aiming at a satisfactory $6,000 .at the Fine Arts. “Saddle the Wind” and “Handle With Care” look to wind with a dull $12,800 in three houses. “Dragstrip Riot”-“Cool and Crazy” combo is a pale $9,200 in two situations while “Another Time, Another Place,” with “Campbell’s King¬ dom,” should do a slim $8,500 in a pair of houses. “Sing, Boy, Sing” and “Missouri Traveler” are beam¬ ing at a poor $5,500 in a trio of theatres. “Young Lions” Is dominating the holdovers, with a. slick $24,900 in sight at four locations. Hardtix show's evince only moderate strength. “Windjammer” is shap¬ ing a fair $19,600 at the Chinese, “80 Days” is a neat $14,800 at the Carthay. “Bridge on River Kwai” is a handy $14,000 at the Egyptian while “Seven Wonders of World” is a fairish $13,500 at the Warner Hollywood. ^Teacher’s Pet” looks to do an okay $7,900 in its seventh round at the Hollywood Paramount, but “Marjorie Momingstar” is a (Continued on page 24) ; Estimates for This Week Metropolitan (Commonwealth) (1,026; $2)—‘Ten Commandments” (Par) (4th wk), $7,600. Previous week, $9,600. I Lorraine (Commonwealth) (700; $1)—“And God Created Woman” (Kings) $2,660. First week, $5,600. Paramount (Par) (916; $1.50)— "Bridge on River Kwai” (Col) (4th w’k), $3,009. Previous week, $4,654. Washington, May 6. • “Long, Hot Summer’’ shapes big at Loew’s Capitol, thanks to draw of Oxar winner Joanne Woodward; since critical reaction was tepid. “Another Time, Another Place,” day and dating two Warner show cases. Metropolitan and Ambassa¬ dor, is laying an egg despite the Lana Turner headlines. “A Touch of Evil,” at Loew’s Columbia, is slow. “Young Lions” is holding well In third stanza at Loew’s Pal¬ ace, and “River Kwai” continues sock in eighth session at Trans-Lux. Estimates for This Week Ambassador - Metropolitan (SW) (1,490; 1,000; 90-$1.25>—“Another Time, Another Place” (Par). Dis¬ appointing $10,000. Last week, “Marjorie Momingstar” (WB) (4th wk), $8,500 for five days. Capitol (Loew) (3.434; 85-$1.25X— “Long Hot Summer” (20th). Brisk $20,000, despite tepid critical re¬ action. Stays. Last week, “Paris Holiday” (UA) (2d wk-4 days). Thin $8,000; made way for Met Opera. Columbia (Loew) (1.154; 70-90)— “Touch of Evil” (U). Slight $5,000; Last week, “Cattle Empire" (20th). Below hopes with scant $5,000. Keith’s (RKO) (1650; 85-$1.25)— ; “Run Silent, Run Deep” (UA) (3d wk). So-so $7,500 after fine $10,- 000. Stays. Palace (Loew) (2,350; 90-$1.25)— “Young Lions” (20th) (3d wk). ,Very > big $16,000 after hefty $18,000. ‘■.Stays. ’ Plaza (T-L) (276; 90-$1.50)—“God Created Woman” (Kings) (26th wk). Fast ■- $4,500, topping last week’s $4,000. Trans-Lux (T-L) (600; $1.25-$2) [—“Bridge on; River Kwai” (Col) (8th wk). Stilt going strong to tune of sturdy $13,000 after $14,000 last week. Stays. . Uptown (SW) (1.100; $1.25-$3)— “South Pacific” <20th) (5th wk). Upswing to $12,000 after slow $11,000. Stays. Warner (SWGiherama). (1,300; $1.20-$2.40)---“Search for Paradise” (Cinerama) (18th wk). Dipped to so-so . $9,000 after oke $11,000. Stays. ; Terror Tall in Toronto; macabre’ Wow $20,000, ‘Shadow’ Soars to 17G Toronto. May 6. • On newcomers, two house rec¬ ords were set over the weekend by. “Chase a Crooked Shadow,” in k three-house combo, plus “Macabre” in a four-theatre setup, with both doing phenomenal night biz. A re¬ issue of “Birth of a Baby,” brought up-to-date from a former short to 62 mins, running time, is bringing in the curiosity-seekers to hefty re¬ turns, with two travelogs rounding the bill. “Merry Andrew” and “All at Sea” are also doing big on ini¬ tial teeoffs. Estimates for This Week. Carlton (Rankl (2.518; $1.25- $1.75)—“Bridge on River Kwai” (Col) (8th wk). Holding swell at $17,000. Last Week, $18,000. Colony, D an f o r t h, Fairlawn, Humber (Rank) (838; 1.330; 1.165: 1,351; $1)— “Birth of a Baby 4 (Rank). Big $12,000. Downtown. Glendrle, State, Scar- boro (Taylor) (1,059; 995; 693; 694; 50-75) — “Macabre” (AA) and “Hell's Five Hours” (AA). Smash $20,000, with “Macabre” the draw. Last week,. “Day of Bad Man" <U) and “Lineup” (Col). $10,000. Eglington, Place. Runnymede (FP) (1.060: 1.485; 1.385; 50r$D— “Chase a Crooked Shadow” (WB). Record - breaking $17,000. Last week. “Wild is Wind” (Par) (2d wk). $11600.; Hollywood (FP) (1.080; $1-$1.25) —“Young Lions” (20th) (4th wk). Steady $13,000. Last week. $15,000. Hyland (Rank) (1,357; $1)—“Ail at Sea” (M-G>. Fine $11,000. La«d week, “Naked Truth” (Rank) (5th .wk), $4,000. Imperial (FP) (3,344; 75-31,25)— “Marjorie Momingstar” (WB) (3d wk). Holding steadj' at $16,000. Last week. $17,500. Loew’s (Loew) (2,098; 75-31.25)— “Witness for Prosecution” (UA) (4th wk). Holding steady at $16,000. Last week. 317.500. Towne (Taylor) (693; $D—“Rift- fi” (IFD). Neat 34.500. Last week, “I Accuse” (M-G), $3,500. Tivoli (FP) (955; $1.75-$2.40)— “Around World in 80 Days” (UA) (38th wk): Nice.$6,500. Last week, $7,000 University (FP) (1.233; $1.50- $2.40)—“Cinerama Holiday” (Cine¬ rama) (5th wkt Fine $14,000. Last week, $15,000. ._ Uptown (Loew) (2,075: 60-$l)-^ “Merry Andrew” (M-G). Big $13.- 500. Last week, “Touch of Evil” (U). $7,500. York (B&F) (754; $1-$1.25)—“AM Mine to Give” (Col). Oke $3,000. Last week. “Song of Bernadette” " (20th) (Reissue) (2d wk). $2,500.