Variety (October 1958)

MCTUIUE GROSSES Wednesday, October U, 1958 New Fins Hypo LA.; Defiant’ Huge $43,000, ‘Seas’ Socko 27G, Terror Fair 13G, Desire’ 9%G, Days’ 14G Los Angeles, Oct. 7. Local first-runs are taking on a rosier hue this week because of a pair of wow new bills. “Defiant Ones” is heading for a great $43,- 000 in two theatres. “South Seas Adventure,” after running up a slick $15,800 for threerday first week, is looking for a socko $27,000 in second, picture’s first full week at Warner Hollywood. Other newies shape fair to mild or worse. “It—Terror From Beyond Space” looks mild $13,000 in three houses. First multiple run of “La Parisienne” looms fair. $12,500 in four spots. “Matchmaker,” also on initial multi-run, is c _jneat $9,700 for four locations. “Streetcar Named Desire,” in third round at Four Star, and open¬ ing week for two other houses, • shapes okay $9,500. “Cat on Hot Tin Roof’ looms snappy $11,000 in sixth frame at Fox Wilshire. “Big Country” is rated hearty $7,000 in seventh Warner Beverly session. All hard-ticket entries are hold¬ ing well with just as strong or bet¬ ter takes than recently. “Around World in 80 Days” shapes as stand¬ out in this category with a tall $14,200 in 94th stanza at the Car- thay. Estimates for This Week Fox Beverly, Orpheum (FWC- Metropolitan) (1.170; 2,213; 90-$2) —“Defiant Ones” (UA). Socko $43,- 000. Last week. Fox Beverly, “Re¬ luctant Debutante” (M-G) (6th wk), $4,900. Orpheum with Hollywood, “Trapeze” (UA), “Vera Cruz” (UA) (reissues), $5,900. Warner Hollywood (SW - Cine¬ rama) 11,384; $1.20-$2.65)—“South Seas Adventure” (Cinerama) (2d wk). Wham .$27,000. Last week, $14,800 for 3 days. Hillstreet, Hawaii, Uptown (RKO-G&S-FWC) (2,752; 1,106; 1,- 715; 90-$1.50)—“It —Terror from Beyond Space” (UA) and “Curse of the Faceless Man” (UA). Mild $13,- 000. Last week, Hillstreet, “Crea¬ tures Jungle” (Indie) “Beast Para¬ dise Isle” (Indie) (.reissues), $2,700. Hawaii “with State, Ritz, “Badland- exs” (M-G), “Lady Godiva Rides Again” (Indie) (Hawaii, State), “Kathy ’Q”. (U) (Ritz) $11,500. Uptown with Pantages, Los An- (Continued on page 21) Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week .$565,000 (Based on 24 theatres) Last Year ...$524,300 (Based on 23 theatres) . Tanfeees’Mighty Balto on Skids Albeit ‘Yankees’ Lnsty $8,000, ‘Cat’ Fine 8G in 6th Baltimore, Oct 7. With little strong, new product on the scene and most houses hold¬ ing over, the take is down this week. First cold weather of the season isn’t any help, either. New entries include “Reluctant Debu¬ tante,” okay at the Little; “Harry Black and Tiger,” slow at the Town and “Bed of Grass,” dull at Cinema. Of the holdovers. “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” is nice in sixth at the Stanley, “Damn Yankees” is neat in second at the Century and “Kings Go Forth” looms fair in fourth at the Mayfair. Estimates for This Week Century (R-F) (3,100; 50-$1.25)— “Damn Yankees” (WB) (2d wk). Neat $8,000 after $11,000 in first Cinema (Schwaber) (460; 50- $1.25)—“Bed of Grass” (T-L). Slow $1,800. Last week, “Pantar loons” (UMP) (2d wk), $2,000. Rim Centre (R-F) (890; $1.50- $2.50)—“Gigi” (M-G) (13th wk). Fair $3,000 after $6,500 in 12th. Five West (Schwaber) (460; 50- $1.25) — “Admirable Crichton” (Col) (2d wk); Slow $2,000 after about same in opener. Hippodrome (R-F) (2,300; 50- $1.25)—“Big Country” (UA) (8th wk). Fair $4,000 after $5,000 in previous week. Little (R-F) <300; 50-$1.25>— “Reluctant Debutante” (M-G). Fine $5,000. Last week. “Matchmaker” (Far) (8th wk>, $2,000. .i Mayfair (R-F) (900; 50-$1.50)— “Kings Go Forth” (UA) (4th wk). Fair $5,000 after $6,000 in third. New (R-F) (1,600; $lfi0-$2.50>— “South Pacific” (20th) (27th wk). Down to okay $5,000 after same in previous week. Playhouse (Schwaber) (460; 50- $1.25)—“Escapade” (Indie) (3d wk). Slow $1,700 after $2,000 in second. Stanley (R-F) (3,200; $1.25-$1.80) —“Cat on Hot Tin Roof” (M-G) (6th wk). Nice $8,000 after $10,- 000 in fifth. Town (R-F) (1,125; 50-$1.25)— “Harry Black” (20th). Sad $3,000. Last week, “Raw Wind In Eden” (U), $5,000. Toronto, Oct. 7. “Damn Yankees” and “Dunkirk” did tumaway weekend biz to pace newcomers currently. Former is terrific at Imperial. “Tale of Two Cities” also looks fine at small Hyland house. “Reluctant Debu¬ tante” still is solid in eight stanza at Loew’s while “Gigi” is rated big in 11th session at the Towne. “In¬ discreet” also looms fine in sixth round at the Hollywood. “Harry Black and Tiger” shapes sad at Carlton. - * Estimates for This Week Carlton (Rank) (2,518; 75-$l.?5) —“Harry Black and Tiger” (20th). Sad $7,000. Last week,. “Me and Colonel” (Col) (3d wk), $11,500. Downtown, Glendale, Scarboro, State (Taylor) (1,059; 995; 684: 694; 50-75) — “Buchanan Rides Alone” (Col) and “Case Against Brooklyn” (Col). Fair $10,000. Last week, “Attila” (IFD) and “Devil’s Gen¬ eral” (IFD), $18,000. Eglinton, Palace, Runnymede (FP) (1,080; 1,485; 1,585; 50-$l)— “Naked Earth” (20th) and “Blond Bait” (20th). Light $9,000, Last week, “Rx Murder” (20th) and “Blood Arrow” (20th). $9,000. Hollywood (FP) (1,080; $1-$1.25) —“Indiscreet” (WB) (6th wk). Fine $7,000. Last week, $8,000. Hyland (Rank) (1,057; $1)—“Tale of Two Cities” (Rank). Okay $8,- 000. Last, week, “Carve Her Name Pride” (Rank) (3d wk), $6,000. Imperial (FP) (3,343; 75-$1.50)— “Damn Yankees” (WB). Terrific tumaway biz at $22,000. Last week, “The Hunters” (20th) (2d wk), $ 12 , 000 . ¥ International (Taylor) (557;$1)— f “King in New York” (IFD) (7th wk). Hep $3,000. Last week, same. Loew’s (Loew) (2,096; 75-$1.25)— “Reluctant Debutante” (M-G) (8th wk). Fine $9,500 or over. Last week, $11,500. Tivoli (FP) (995; $1.75-$2.40)— “South Pacific” (20th) (14th wk). Big $12,000. Last week, $13,000. Towne (Taylor) (695; $l-$2.50)— “Gigi” (M-G) (11th wk). Sturdy at $9,000. Last week, $9,500. University (FP) (1,255; $1.50- $2.40) — “Seven Wonders of the World” (Cinerama) (11th wk). Okay $10,000, Last week, ditto. Uptown (Loew) (2,074; 60-$l)— “Dunkirk” (M-G). Big $12,000. Last week, “Once Upon Horse” (U), $4,500. i ‘Country 5 OK'$8,000, Port.; ‘Gigi’ 6^6, 7th Portland, Ore., Oct. 7. Town is- bogged down with long playing holdovers and some of newcomers are not 'getting far. “South Pacific” still is great in 19th frame at the Broadway. “Big Country” looms okay opening stanza at Paramount. “Damn Yan¬ kees” in second inning at the Lib¬ erty is only so-so. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (890; $1.50- $2.50)—“South Pacific” (20th) (19th. wk). Stout $6,000. Last week, $6,800. Fox (Evergreen) (1,536; $1-$1.50> —“Badlanders” (M-G) and “Up In Smoke” (Indie). Fair $6,000. Last week, “Me and Colonel” (Col) and “She Played With Fire” (Col), $6,300. Guild (Indie). (400; $1.25-$3)— “Gigi” (MAD (7th wk). Fine $6,500. Last week, $7,700. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,865; $1- $1.50)—“Damn Yankees” (WB) and^ “Last of Fast Guns” (U) (2d wk). So-so $5,000. Last week, $6,000. Orpheum (Evergreen) (1,600; $1- $1.50) ;— “Tank Force” (Col) and “Buchanan Rides Alone” (Col). Modest $6,500: Last week, “Harry. Black Tiger” (20th) and “Sierra Baron”" (20th), $6,100. Paramount (Port-Par) (3,400; $1- $1.50)—“Big Country” (UA) and “Edge of Fury” (UA). Okay $8,0.00 or near. Last week, “Liane, Jungle Goddess” (Indie) and “Time Lock” (Indie), $4,300. Yankees’ Big 16G, Philly;‘Cat’32G,2 Philadelphia, Oct. 7. Saturday brought back old times. here for first-runs with the World Series clobbering matinees. How¬ ever, several pox' fared so well at night that they are coming through with excellent showings. “Damn Yankees” shapes .socko opening week at Randolph while “Cat on Hot Tin Roof” sull is wow in sec¬ ond stanza at the Stanley. “Defiant Ones” is rated proud in second week- at smaller Stanton. “Dun- j kirk” drew good notices but it is disappointing at the wickets. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (536; 99-$1.80> — “Dunkirk” (M-G). So-so $7,500. Last week,. “Decks Ran Red” (M-G) (2d wk), $5,000. Boyd (SW) (1,480; $1.25-$2.75>— “Gigi” (M-G) (15th wk). Big $9,000, same as last week. : Fox (National) (2,250; 65-$1.49) — “Voice in Mirror” (U). Thin $5,500. Last week, “Man With Golden Arm” (UA) and “Moon Is Blue)” (UA) (reissues), $6,700. - Goldman (Goldman) (2,250; 65- $1.49)—“White Wilderness” <BV). Pallid $7,500. Last week, “Terror From Beyond Space” (UA> and, “CursioFaceless Man” (UA), $7,500. Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; $2- $2.75)—“South Pacific” (20th) (28th wk). Okay at $8,500. Last week, ditto. Randolph (Goldman) (1,250; 65- $1.80) — “Damn Yankees” (WB). Sock $16,000. Last week, “Me and Colonel” (Col) (3d wk), $9,000. Stanley (SW) (2,900; 99-$1.80)— “Cat on Hot Tin Roof’ (M-G) (2d (Continued on page 21) Defiant’ Boff 19G, 2d, ‘Cat’ 11G, 7th Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week .$2,455,500 (Based on 22 cities and 248 theatres , chiefly first runs, in¬ cluding N. Y.) Last Year -$2,335,800 (Based on 22 cities and 248 theatres .) Det. Off But Yankees’ Socko $16,000, ‘Parisieime’ Torrid 12G, Both 2d Detroit, Oct. 7. Theatre-going pace is slowing somewhat this week but, generally, downtown biz remains sturdy. “Wind Across Everglades” shapes fair at the Palms while “Match¬ maker” is only at the Fox. “Tank Battalion” looks oke at theSBroad- way-Capitol. However, the second week of “Damn Yankees” is socko at the Michigan while “La Parisi¬ enne” stay^ torrid for . second round at the Madison. “Cat on Hot Tin Roof” continues to sizzle in sixth week at the Adams. “South Pacific” looms strong in 26th week at the United Artists. ■ Estimates for This Week Fox' (Fox-Detroit) (5,100; 90- $1:25)—“Matchmaker” (Par) . and Time Lock” (DCA). Mild $12,500. Last week, “Harry Black Tiger” (20th) and “Desert Hell” (20th), $15,200. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; $1.25-$1.50) ■— “Damn' Yankees” (WB) and “Handle With Care” (M-G) (2d wk). Socko $16,000. Last week, $19,000. Palms (UD). (2,961; 90-$1.251— Wind Across' Everglades” " (WB) and “Whole Truth” (Col). Fair $12,Q0p. Last week, “Never Love Stranger” (AA) and “Bullwhip” (AA), $15,500. Madison (UD) (1,900; $1.25-$1.50) —“La Parisienne” (UA) and “Lost Lagoon” (Cdl) (2d wk). Hotsy $12,000. Last week, $18,000. Broadway-Capitol (UD) (3,500; 90-$ 1.25)—“Tank Battalion” (AI) and “Hell Squad” (AI). Average $12,000. Last week, “How to Make Monster” (AI) and “Teenage Cave¬ man” (AI), $11,800. United Artists (UA) (1,667; $1.25-$3)—“South Pacific” (20th) (26th wk). Strong $12,000. Last week, same. Adams. (Balaban) (1,700; $1.25)— $1.50)—“Cat on A Hot Tin Roof” (M-G) (6th wk). Great $9,000. Last week, $9,500. Music Hall (SW-CineramaK (1,205; $1.25-$2;65)—"South Seas Adventure” (Cinerama). Begins tomorrow (Wed.). Last ’week, “Search for Paradise” (Cinerama) (34th wk), terrific‘$32,500 in final nine days. Trans-Lux Krim (Trans-Lux) (1,000; 90-$1.65>—“Case of Dr. Lau¬ rent” (T-L) (4th wk). Dropping to oke $4,500. Last week, $6,000. Yankees’ Great 11G in Dull K.C. Kansas City, Oct. 7, Baseball influence, is being felt at. local deluxers this .session as “Damn Yankees” leads the town with a smash week at the Para¬ mount. Otherwise grosses are mild, “Harry Black and Tiger” in three Fox Midwest houses being espe¬ cially dull. “Me and Colonel” at the Midland is very slow. “God Created Woman” continues to stretch the longrun record at the Kimo while “Cat on Hot Tin Hoof’ remains strong in sixth week at the Roxy.. “Windjammer” shapes nice in sixth round at the Missouri. Estimates for This Week Glen, Dickinson, Shawnee Drive- nn, Leawood Drive-in' (Dickinson) (700; 750; 1,100 cars;<fl00 cars; 75- 90) — “Robbery Under Arms” (Rank) plus “Destination 68,000” (AA) (2d run). Mild $7,500. Last weekJ'Never Love Stranger” (AA), “In Between Age” (AA), “The Oklahoman” (AA) (2d run), same. Kimo (Dickinson) (504; 90-$I.25) —“God Created Woman” (Kings) (35th wk). Bright $2,000. Last week, ditto. Midland (Loew) (3,500; 75-90)— “Me and Colonel” (Col) and “She Played with Fire” (Col). Slow $5,500, although drawing strong reviews. Last week, “Dunkirk” (M-G) and “Andy Hardy Comes Home” (M-G), $4,500. Missouri (SW-Cinerama) (1,194; $1.25-$2)—“Windjammer (NT) (6th wk). Holding on at nice $10,000. Last week, same. Paramount (UP) (1,900; 90-$1.25) — “Damn Yankees” (WB). Nifty $11,000, holds. Last Week, “Match¬ maker” (Par), $7,000. Roxy (Durwood) (879; 90-$1.50)— “Cat on Hot Tin Roof’ (M-G) (6th wk). Sturdy $4,500; may stay again. Last week, $6,000. Uptown, Fairway, Granada (Fox Midwest) (2,043; 700; 1,217; 75-90) “Harry Black and Tiger” (20th) and “White Witch Doctor” (20th) Jreissue). Dull $8,000. Last week, “Raw Wind in Eden” (U) and “Saga of Hemp Brown” (U), $7,500. H.0.’s Boost Cinjcy Biz; Tankees’ Robust $8,000, ‘Country’ Solid at 7€ Cincinnati, Oct. 7. Hefty holdovers are boosting downtown trade to a favorable de¬ gree this week. “Damn Yankees” at Palace and “Big Country” at Keith’s shape as solid secondweek- ers with “Cat on Hot Tin Roof’ re¬ taining first-run lead in sixth stanza at the flagship Albee. “Search for Paradise” bids to climb in 44th week as scheduled closing nears. Run of “South Pacific” at the Val¬ ley, suburban deluxer, was inter¬ rupted Oct. 1 in 23d week by a labor dispute. Owner Lou Wiethe’s marquee explanation reads: “Feath¬ erbedding by the operators closed this theatre.” Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 90-$1.25)— Cat on Hot Tin Roof” (M-G) (6th wk). Still plenty solid at $8,500 after last week’s $9,500. Capitol (SW-Cinerama) (1,376; $1.20-$2.65)—“Search for Paradise” (Cinerama) (44th wk). Perking to $12,000, potent, in announced final two weeks. Last week, $11,000. “Windjammer” (NT) tentatively scheduled to open Oct.-22. Grand (RKO) (1,400; 75-$1.10)— “Oklahoma” (20th) and “Carousel” (20th) (reissues). Okay $6,500. Last week, “China Doll” (UA) and “Fort Massacre” (UA), $6,000. Keith’s (Shor) (1,500; 90-$1.25>— 'Big Country” (UA) (2d wk). Solid $7,000 after $8,600 preem. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 90-$1.10>— ‘Damn Yankees” (WB) (2d wk).; Swell $8,000. Opener was $10,500. f Boston, Oct. 7. Little new product here, but biz is perking all the same with stroilg holdovers and crisp autumn weather helping trade. “Damn Yankees” shapes sock opening week at the Metropolitan, first winner for house in some time. “High School Hellcats” is good at Paramount and Fenway. “Badlanders” is fairish at the Orpheum. "Defiant Ones.” is the ace holdover with a great take in second at the Memorial. Most surprising is “Time Of Desire” at the Capri which appears set for a longrun after breaking house "rec¬ ord, being torrid in. second frame. Also smash is “Cat On Hot Tin Roof” in seventh round at State. “Me And Colonel” is holding solid in second at Exeter. “Night Heaven Fell” is still hot at Bestcon Hill in sixth round. Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q) (1,371; -75-$1.25)— “Matchmaker” (Par) (3d wk). Nice $7,000. Last-week, $9,000. Beacon. Hill (Sack) (678; 90- $1.50)'— “Night Heaven Fell” (Kings) (6th wk). Still hot at $6,500. Last week, $7,500. Boston (SW-Cinerama) (1,354; $1.25-$2.65)—“Windjammer” (NT) (7th wk)‘. Sixth week was another sock $21,000. Capri (Sack) (1,150; 90-$1.50)— “Time Of Desire” (Janus) (2d wk). Lofty $10,000. Last week, $15,000. Exeter (Indie) (1.300? 75-$1.25) —“Me And Colonel” (Col) (3d wk). Second week was great $11,000,. Fenway (NET) (1.376; 60-$1.10) —“High School Hellcats” (AD and “Hot Rod Gang” (AI). Good $5,500. Last week, “At War With Army” (Indie) (reissue) and “Hong Kong Affair” (AA), $3,500. Gary (Sack) (1,340; $1.25-$3)— “Gigi” (M-G) (6th wk). Solid $17,- 600. Last week, $i9,000. Kenmore (Indie) (700; 75-$L25) —“Constant Husband” (BL) and “Last Holiday” (Rank) (7th wk- final). Fine $4,000. Last week, $5BOO. Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 60-$1.10) —“Defiant Ones” (UA) and “Fort Massacre” (UA) t (2d wk). Great $19,000. Last week, $26,500. Metropolitan (NET) (4,357; 70- $1.10)—“Damn Yankees” (WB) rod. “Party Crashers” (Par). Sock $24,- 000, first winner in many weeks. Last week, “Harry Black And Tiger” (20th) and “Wolf Dog” (20th), $5,000. Mayflower (ATC) (683; 75-$1.25) —“Case of Dr. Laurent” (T-L) (8th wk). Oke $3,500. Last wedk, ditto. Paramount (NET) (2,357; 70- $1.10)—“High School Hellcats” (AI) and “Hot Rod Gang” (AI). Gaining $14,500. Last week, “At War With Army” (Indie) (reissue) and “Hong Kong Affair” (AA), $9,000. Pilgrim (ATC) (1,000; 60-$1.10)— ‘Indiscreet” (WB) and “Cattle Em¬ pire” (20th (reruns). Great $8,500. Last week, “Halls of Montezuma” and “Shores of Tripoli” (reissues), $4,500. - Saxon (Sack) (1,000; $1.50-$3.50) —“South Pacific” (20th) (26th wk). Boffo $17,000 again. Trans-Lux (T-U (730; 75-$1.25) —-“Young And Passionate” (Indie) and “Age of Infidelity” (Indie). Oke $4,000. Orpheum (Loew) (2.900; 90- $1.50)—“Badlanders” (M-G) and “Apache Territory” (Col). Fairish $12,000. Last week, “Big Country” (UA) (6th wk), $10,000. State (Loew) (3,600; 75-$1.25)— “Cat On Hot Tin Roof” (M-G) (7th wk). Smash $11,000. Last week, $ 12 , 000 . Tankees’ Fast |13,000, St Loo;‘Cat’ Hep 9G, 6th St. Louis, Oct 7. The big new entry at the.wickets this week is “Damn Yankees,” fine at the Fox. “Me and Colonel” at the St. Louis looks lean while “White Wilderness” at the Or- pheum is only okay. “Cat oh Hot Tin Roof” is going into a strong sixth week at Loew’s. “Windjam¬ mer” is continuing 'steady at the Ambassador also in sixth. “South Pacific,” the holdover champ, is now in a 25th week at the Pageant. Estimates for This Wfeek Ambassador (Cinerama) (1,400; $1.20-$2.40)—“Windjammer” (NT) (6th wk>. Good $9,000. Last week, same. Apollo Art (Grace) (700; 90-$1.25) —“Time of Desire” (Indie). Oke $2,500. Last week, “A Man Es¬ caped’? (Indie), $2,500. Fox. (Arthur) (5,000; 65-90)— ‘Damn Yankees” (WB), fine $18,- 000. Last week, “Kathy-O” (U) and (Continued on page 21)