Variety (October 1958)

9 ^jednegday, October 8, 1958 P45&BFr PICTURE GROSSES Chi Spotty; Hunters’ Bangup SIS, 1 ‘Cat’ Big 23G, 6th, ‘Colonel’ 21G . Chicago, Oct. 7.. 4 Generally moderate biz is in 1 sight for Loop first-runs this ses¬ sion though a few situations are rated hotsy. Roosevelt’s initialer of “The Hunters” expects a bangup $18,000 while first frame of “Liane, Jungle Goddess” at Woods may hit a boff $26,000. , Preem sesh of “Law and Dis¬ order” at the Surf is figured'a nice $ 6 , 000 . Sock among the holdover are “Me and Colonel” In second round at the Esquire and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” in sixth stanza at the Chicago. “Certain Smile” is good in Oriental second session. “Damn Yankees” is lively for ditto United Artists round. Garrick’s second week of “Wind Across Everglades” is rated soft. Eourth frame of “White Wilderness” at the Loop is nice. “Big Country” in seventh State-Lake stanza shapes oke. Of the hard ticket pix, “South Seas Adventure” posted a dandy second session at the Palace while “Gigi” at Harris in 13th canto holds strong. “South Pacific” *is fine after 28 weeks at McVickers. “Around World in 80 Days” looks great in 79th round at Todd’s Cine- stage. Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 90-$1.80) —“Cat on Hot Tin ROof” (M-G) (6th wk). Stout $23,000. Last week, $28,000. Esquire (H&E Balaban) (1,350; $1.50)—“Me and Colonel” (Col) (2d wk). Boffo $21,000. Last week, $24,000. Garrick (B&K) (850; 90-$1.25)— “Wind Across Everglades” (WB) and “Bullwhip” (AA) (2d wk). Soft $6,500. Last week. $10,000. - Harris (Todd) (984; $1.25-$3>— “Gigi” (M-G) (13th Wk). Nice $14,- 000. Last week, $16,000. Loop (Telem’t) (606: 90-$1.50)— “White Wilderness” (BV) (4th wk). Hen *7,500. Last week, *9.500. McYickers (JL&S) (1.580; $1.25- $3.30) — “South Pacific” (20th) (28th wk). Trim $20,800. Last week, $ 21 , 000 . Monroe (Jovan) (1,000; 65-90)— “Wild Heritage” (U) and “Slim Carter” (U). Okay $5,500. Last week “Bad Girl” (DCA) and “Wolf Pack” (DCA) $5,000... Oriental (Indie) (9,400; 90-$1.50) —“Certain Smile” (20th) (2d wk). Good $18,500. Last-week. $27,000. Palace (SW-Cinerama) (1.434; $1.25-$3.40)—“South Seas Adven¬ ture” (Cinerama) (2d wk). Hot $31,- 000. Last week. $34,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1.400: 90-$1.80) —“The Hunters” (20th). Nifty $18,- (Continued on page 21) ‘Country’ Crisp $15,000, Mpls.; Yankees’ 9G, 2d, ‘Cat’ Fast 7*G in 6th Minneapolis, Oct. 7. The big, important newcomer is “The Big Country,” socko at the State. Too many- holdovers are slowing the Loop over-all take. “Cat ‘on a Hot Tin Roof’ is in its sixth smash RKO Orpheum ses¬ sion. Also still good is “Damn Yankees’.’ in its second week at Radio City. “Search for Paradise” and “South Pacific” are chalking up their 32d and 15th weeks, re¬ spectively. “Defiant Ones” in sec¬ ond stanza looks big. Estimates for This Week Academy (Mann) (947; $1.50- $2.65)—;*South Pacific” (20th) (15th wk). Still a consistent winner at good $8,500. Last week, $9,000. Century (SW-Cinerama) (1,150; $1.75-$2.65) —r “Search for Para¬ dise” (Cinerama) (32d wk). Sturdy $9,000. Last week, $9,200. Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 85-90)— “Reluctant Debutante” (M-G) (3d wk). Modest $4,000. Last week, $4,200. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 85-90)— “Thundering Jets” (20th) and “Tar- zan’s Eight for Life” (M-G). Slow $4,000. Last week, “Camp on Blood Island” (Col) and “Snorkel” (Col) (2d wk), $4,500. Radio City (Par) (4,100; 90-$1.25) —“Damn Yankees” (WB) (2d wk). Raves for this hut only fair $9,- 000. Last week, $13,000, also a bit under hopes. RKG Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 90- $1.50)—“Cat on Hot Tin Roof” (M-G) (6th wk). Easily one of year’s b.o. champions. Big $7,500. Last week, $9,000. Stays on. RKO Pan (RKO) (1,800; 75-85)— “Voice in Mirror” (U) and “Ride Crooked Trail” (U> split with “Haunted Strangers’* (M-G) and (Continued on page 21) Estimate* Are Net Film gross estimates as re¬ ported herewith from the vari¬ ous key cities, are net; he., 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. Tankees’ Pacing Pitt, Nice $10,000 Pittsburgh, Oct. 7. Only “Damn Yankees” on Stan¬ ley in second round much this week. However, reissue of “Street¬ car Named Desire”, at Squirrel Hill is doing very well. Everything else is in the doghouse, with “Reluctant Debutante” particularly disap¬ pointing lat Penn,. Nothing either “Andy Hardy Comes^ Home” at Harris. "South Pacific”' finished strong at Nixon in 25th session. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 80-$l,25)— “Villa” (20th) (reissue). In for only 5 days and won’t do more than $3,000. Last . week, “Harry Black Tiger” (20th), $3,500. Guild (Green) (500; 99-$1.25)— “Constant Husband” (Rank). Fine $2,000; will stick. Last week, “Cast Dark Shadow” (DCA) and “Loser •Takes All” (DCA), $1,100. Harris (Harris) (2.165; 80-$1.25) — “Andy Hardy Comes Rome” (M-G). Going nowhere and will be lucky to get even $3,500. Last week, “Me and the Colonel” (Col), $5,500. Nixon (Rubin) (1,500; $1.25-$3)— “South Pacific” (20th) (25th-final wk). Big $11,500, .giving picture better than $250,000 on run. It’ll be back when there is-a break in housed legit bookings. Only came out because stage season is start¬ ing. Penn (UA) (3,300; 80-$1.25) — “Reluctant Debutante”' (M-G). Good notices but .it doesn’t look like even mild $10,000 in 9V£ days. Locked booking for ‘.‘Big Country.” brings in new pic Thursday (9) night. . Squirrel Hill (SW) (900; 99-$1.25) —“Streetcar Named Desire” (WB) (reissue). Pleasant surmise with solid $4,000 or over. Stays: Last week. “Law and Disorder” (Cont), $2 000 Stanley (SW) (3,800: 80-51.25)— “Damn YankeesIL (WB) (2d wk). I Fine weekend help ed by sneak of “Onionhead” (WB) Sundav night, and better than fine $10,000 looms. Last week, *13,500. Warner (SW) (1,500: $1.20-$2.40) — “Windiammer” (NT) (4th wk). Taking a little dip, down to $8,500. Last week, $9,500. Grouo sales and parties are just beginning to jell, j ‘Colonel’ Trim $7,000, Prov.; Tankees’ 9G, 2d Providence, Oct. 7. Weekend afternoon biz took a sharp dive as many sat in front of tv radio sets to view the Series. Top new pic looks like “Me and Colonel,” trim at Albee. Majestic on its holdover of “Damn Yank¬ ees" shapes snappy. “La Parisi- enne” did nicely on 10 days at State. Strand is fair with “She Played with Fire.” Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) <2,200; 65-80)— “Me and Colonel” (Col) and "Apache Territory” (Col). Trim $7,000. Last week, “War of Satel¬ lites” (AA) and “Attack of 50-Ft. Woman” (AA), $4,000. Majestic (SW) (2,200; 65-90)— “Damn Yankees” (WB> (2d wk). Snappy $9,000 after $14,000 on opener. State (Loew) (3,200; 65-80)— “Reluctant Debutante” (M-G) and “I Accuse” (M-G). Just started. Last week, “La Parisienne” (UA) and “The Careless Years” (UA), nice $15,0000 in 10-day stand. Strand (National Realty) (2,200; 65-80)—“She Played with Fire” (Col) and “Kill Her Gently” (Col). Fairish $4,500. Last week, “Whole Truth” (Col) and “Ghost of China Sea” (Col), $3,500. ‘Wilderness’ Good 8G, Seattle; ‘Gat’ 4«/ 2 G, 6th Seattle, Oct. 7. Not much that’s exciting at the wickets here this stanza with hold¬ overs- further bogging down biz. “White Wilderness” shapes as best new pic but it’s barely good at Music. Hall. Both “Cat on Hot Hin Roof” at Music Box and “Big Country” at Paramount, both in sixth rounds, are doing well de¬ spite their long runs. “Tank Force” shapes mild at Coliseum. . Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; $1.50-$2.50)—“South Pacific” (20th) (19th wk). Solid $7,000.-Last week, $7,600. Coliseum (Fox-Evergreen) (1,870; 90-$1.50)—“Tank Force” (Col) and “Buchanan Rides Alone” (Col). Mild $6,000. Last week, “Harry Black Tiger” (20th) and “Villa”! (20th), $5,700. \ Fifth Avenue (Fox - Evergreen) (2,500; 90-$L50) — “Tale of Two Cities” (Rank) and “Robbery Un¬ der Arms” (Rank). Sad $4,500. Last week, “Gun Runners” (UA) and “China Doll” (UA), $6,300. Musie Box (Hamrick) (850; 90- $1.50)—“Cat on -Tin Roof” (M-G). (6th wk). Good $4,500 in 6 days. Last week, $5,700. -Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,200; 90- $1.50) — “White Wilderness” (BV) and “Once Upon Horse” (U). Good $8,000 or close. Last week, “Wind Across Everglades” (WB) and “Ride Crooked. Trail” (U), $3,900. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,700; 90- $1.50)—“Damn Yankees” (WB) and “Saga, Hemp Brown” (U) (2d wk). Okay $6,000. Last week, $7,200. paramount (Fox-Evergreen) (3,107;'90-$1.50) — “Big Country” (UA). (6th wk). Trim $5,000. Last week, $5,600. ‘Gigi’ Smash 12G Indianapolis, Oct. 7.' Biz has perked up g little at first- run houses here this stanza. “Gigi” opened big at Loew’s to lead city, and looks sure for holdover. “From Here To Eternity” js. doing well in reissue run at Circle. “South Pacific” continues at profitable level in 24th week at Lyric. “Damn Yankees” is good for second week at Keith’s. Estimates for This Week Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800; 75-90) — “Here to Eternity” (Col) (reissue). Fine $9,000. Last week, “Harry Black Tiger” (20th) and “Cattle Empire” (20th), $7,500. Keith’s (C-D) (1,300; 75-90) — “Damn Yankees” (WB) (2d wk). Good $7,000. Last week, $11,000. Loew’s (Loew) <2,427; 90-$1.25) — “Gigi” (M-G). Great $12,000. Last week, “Cat 6n Hot Tin Roof” (M-G) (5th wk), $6,000. Lyric (C-D) (850; $L25-$2.20) — “South Pacific” (20th) (24th wk). Sturdy $9,000. Last week, $9,500. TIGER’ NSH $10,000, WASH;‘CAT’17G.5TH Washington, Oct 7. •New offerings are generally dis-j appointments in a slow week here. | “Cat on Hot Tin Roof’ is holding strongly in a fifth stanza. “Harry Black and Tiger” is getting a poor reception. “Damn .Yankees” still; is solid in second week, two houses. “Gigi,” with a gradual drop spaced over 15 frames, is down to point that it will be pulled Oct. 15 to make way for “Reluctant Debu¬ tante” at the Columbia. “Me and j Colonel” is slowing up in fourth! stanza at Keith’s. Estimates for This Week Ambassador-Metropolitan (SW) ■! (1,490; 1,000; 90-$1.25)—“Damn | Yankees” (WB) (2d wk). Solid; $16,000 or near after $2QJ)00 for opener. Stays on. Apex (K-B) (940; 60-90>—“Indis¬ creet” (WB) (2d run). Oke $3,000. Last week, “Naked Eye” (Indie) (2d wk), $2,800. Capitol (Loew) (3,434; 90-$1.25)— “Cat on Hot Tin Roof” (M-G) (5th wk). Doing fine at $17,000 after $18,000 in fourth. Columbia (Loew) (904; $1.25- $2.50)—“Gigi” (M-G) (15th wk). Falling to good $7,500, following $8,500. Keith’s (RKO) (1,850; 90-$1.25)— “Me and Colonel” (Col) (4th wk). Weakening to $8,000, still okay in final week. Last week, $9,500. MacArthur (K-B) (900; $1.10)— “Law and Disorder” (Indie) (2d wk). Okay $4,700 after $3,500 last Ontario (K-B) (1,240; $1.25)— “Tale of Two Cities” (Rank). Dis¬ appointing $4,500, but holds. Last week, “Arsenic and Old Lace” (In- .(Continued on page 21) Series Bops B way B.O.But ‘Geisha Grand $47,000, ‘Country’ Boff at 33G; ‘Yankees’-Stageshow Bangup 81G, 2d Despite four new bills and favor¬ able fall weather, the impact of the World Series will give Broadway first-runs an uneven picture this session. Even some of the new en¬ trants are faring shabbily. ..How¬ ever, some holdovers shape as strong spots. One of the better newcomers is “Barbarian and the Geisha,” which looks like nice $47,000 at the Para¬ mount. attesting to the draw of John Wayne, male star of the film. “Big Country” shapes sock with $33,000 in first week at the Astor. “Onionhead” is rated a major disappointment, with only $22,000 for opening round at the Capitol. “Windom’s Way” also is a light¬ weight with less than $7,000 in prospect for first stanza at the Odeon. “Damn Yankees,” with stage- show, is holding up with big $81,- 000 in sight for first holdover round at the Roxy. Still coin cham¬ pion is “Cat on Hot Tin Roof” plus stageshow which looks to hold with socko $150,000 in third session at the Music Hall. “Defiant Ones,” while down considerably from its mighty opening week, still is very big at $27,000 in second Victoria stanza. “Raw Wind in Eden” looms fair $12,000 in third round at the State, but faring comparatively better than many holdovers. Newest hard-ticket film, “South Seas Adventure,” is perking up-to solid $29,000 in 11th session at the Warner where now in 12th week. There is a re-shuffle of many other hard-ticketers, with “South Paci¬ fic” going into the Rivoli on Mon¬ day (6) after 28 weeks at the Cri¬ terion. Latter opened “Old Man and Sea” yesterday (Tues.). “Around World in 80 Days” fin¬ ished five days of 103d stanza with a big $30,000 at the Riv. “Bridge on River Kwai,” which is due. to end its run at the Palace with five days of current (43d) week, held remarkably well at $18,500 for full '42d session, “Gigi,” which stayed at $19,300 capacity in 20th round at the Royale, is due to move to the I Sutton in about 30 days. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,094; 75-$2)— “Big Country” (UA). First session ending today (Wed.) looks to reach smash $33,000 or close. In ahead, “Vikings” (UA) (16th wk-6 days), $11,000. “Country” opened with a special preem night of Oct. 1. Holding, naturally. Little Carnegie (L. Carnegie) (550; $1.25-$1.80)—“Matchmaker” (Par) (9th wk). The eighth round concluded yesterday (Tqgs.) was okay $5,500 after $6,200 In seventh week. Stays on through October, at least. Baronet (Reade) (430; $1.25-$1.70) —“Of Life and .Love” (DCA). Opened Monday (6). Last week, "Premier May” (Cont) (3d wk-6 days), fair $3,800 after $5,100 In full second week. Capitol (Loew) (4.820; $l-$2.50) —“Onionhead” (WB) (2d wk). First session finished yesterday (Tues.) was modest $22,000 or near. . Criterion (Moss) (1,671; $1.80- $3.50)—“Old Man and Sea” (WB). Opened yesterday (Tues.). In ahead, “South Pacific” (20th) (28th wk), trim $20,000 after $24,200 in 27th week. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“Me and Colonel” (Col) (7th wk). Sixth round ended Monday (6) was solid $9,500. Fifth was $10,000. Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.75)— “Hot Spell” (Par) (3d wk). This session ending today (Wed.) is heading for fine $5,100. Second .was $8,000. Stays. Mayfair (Indie) (1,736; 79-$1.80) —“Wind Across Everglades” (WB) (4th wk). This Week ending today (Wed.) still is dragging bottom at a sad $5,000 or less. Third week was $6,500. Normandie (Trans-Lux) (592; 95- $1.80) — “Rocket To Calabuch” (T-L). Opened yesterday (Tues.). In ahead,. “White Wilderness” (BV) (8th wk), okay $5,500, same as seventh week. Palace (RKO) (1,642; $l-$3)— “Bridge on River Kwai” (Col) (43d wk). The 42d week concluded yes¬ terday (Tues.) was good $18,500. The 41st week, $20,100. “Roots of Heaven”. (20th) opens next Wed¬ nesday (15) night with benefit for Lighthouse. “Kwai” stays only five days in current (43d) week, fact that it Is playing in Brooklyn currently obviously hurting. Odeon (Rank) (813; 90-$l'.80)— “Windom’s Way” (Rank) (2d wk). First stanza finished Monday (6) was sluggish $7,000. Royale (Loew) (934; $1.50-$3)— “Gigi” (M-G) (21st wk). The 20th round ended Saturday (4) was ca¬ pacity $19,300. The 19th week, ditto. Moves to the Sutton after run is concluded here. Paramount (AB-PT) (3,665; $1- $2) — “Barbarian and Geisha” (20th), First week winding up to¬ morrow (Thurs.) looks to hit nice $47,000. Stays on, natch! Last week, “Harry Black and Tiger” (20th) (2d wk), $21,000. Paris (Pathe Cinema) (568; 90- $1.80) — “Crime and Punishment” (Kings) (4th-final wk). Third round ended Monday (6) was fine $6,800. Second was $8,000. “Seventh Seal” (Janus) opens Oct. 13. Radio City Music Hall (Rockefel¬ lers) (6,200; 90-$2.75)—“Cat on Hot Tin-Roof” (M-G) with stageshow (Scf wk). This week winding up to¬ day (Wed.) is heading for great $150,000. Second was $152,000, a bit below expectancy. Stays. Rivoli (UAT) (1,545; $1.25-$3.50) —“South Pacific” (20th). Opened here Monday (6). In ahead, “Around World in 80 Days” (UA) 103d wk-5 days) was fancy $30,000. The 102d full week, $39,000. Rialto (Brandt) (594; 75-$1.50)— “Shameless Sex” (Mishkin) (4th wk). Third week ended Friday (3) was big $9,000 after $11,200 in second. Fourth week, over week¬ end was running a bit ahead of third. } Plaza (Lopert) (525; $1.50-$2)— “Inspector Maigret” (Lope). Opens today- (Wed-). Last week, “La Parisienne” (UA) (10th wk), lean $4,500 after $6,000 in ninth week. Roxy (Indie) (5.705; 90-$2.50)— “Damn Yankees” (WB) with stage- show (2d wk). Initial holdover week winding up tomorrow (Thurs.) looks like big $81,000. First was $91,000, a bit below hooes. .Stays on. State (Loew) (3,450; 50-$1.75)— “Raw Wind In Eden” (U) (3d-wk). Current week ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to hit fair $12,000. Second was $15,000. “Decks Ran Red” (M-G) opens Friday (10). Sutton (R&B) (561; 95-$1.75)— “Town Like Alice” (Rank) (3d w£). Second session finished Saturday (4) was mild $4,000. First was $5,200. “Dangerous Exile” (Rank) opens Friday (10). Trans-Lux 52d St. (T-L) (540; $1- $1.50) — “Case of Dr. Laurent” (T-L) (16th wk). The 15th week completed yesterday (Tues.) was big $8,500. The 14th week. $7,500. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,003; 50-S2) —“Defiant Ones” (UA) (3d wk). Second stanza concluded yesterday (Tues.) was great $27,000 or near. First was $40,000, over expectancy. Looks set for run. Warner (SW-Cinerama) (1,600; $1.80-$3.50) — “South Seas Adventure” (Cinerama) (12th wk). The llthr session ended Saturday (4) was lively *29,000. The 10th week, $26,700. Stays, with “Wind¬ jammer” (NT) due to supplant “Seas” when and if. L’ville Fancy; Yankees’ Great $8,000, ‘Eden’ Hot 6G,‘Deb’Fair $8,500 ’ Louisville, Oct. 7. Mainstem biz is maintaining a healthy pace this week, strong new product being the pull. “Streetcar Named Desire” on reissue at the Rialto is gamering steady trade but “Reluctant Debutante” at United Artists is just fair. “Damn Yan¬ kees” at the Mary Anderson, is proving a great draw. “Raw Wind in Eden” shapes solid. <■ Estimates for Last Week Brown (Fourth Ave.) (1,200; $1.25-$2)—“South Pacific” (20tfa) (22d wk). Slowing a bit to good $5,500, after 21st week’s $6,000. Kentucky (Switow) (900; 60-90) —“Raw Wind in Eden” (U). Solid $6,000. Last week, “Matchmaker” (Par), same. Mary Anderson (People’s) (1,000; 60-90)—“Damn Yankees” (WB). Going great at $8,000. Last week, “Indiscreet” (WB) (3d wk), $5,500. Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (3,000; 60-85) —“Streetcar Named Desire” (20th) (reissue). Fine $8,500 looms. Last week, “Harry Black and Tiger” (20th), $7,500. United Artists (UA) (3,000; 60-90) —“Reluctant Debutante" (M-G). Fair $8,500. Last week, “La Parisi¬ enne” (UA), $10,000.