Variety (December 1958)

nCCIHB «B*SSBS PMtlWFS H^ceinber -3, LA. Booms; 'Locasta Smash $25,100, To LVe Wham 20G, IWardtfiras’ Hep 22(3, Tarty' Oke 12|4 (j, ‘Dark' $16,400 Los Angides, Dec. 2. ^ BofE trade looms this week at local,first-runs with natural boost from long holiday weekend. In fact, it looks to be the biggest stanza since Labor Day week. Leading the b.o. parade is ‘"Anna Lucasta,” with smash $25,000 at two theatres. Actually, a stronger showing is being made by **I Want To Live,” with a mighty $20,000 in opening ^ se.'Jsion at the 1,170-seat Fox Bev- j erly. “Mardi Gras” is rated good $22,000 for four houses. “Party Girl” looms okay $12,500 in two spots. “Home Before Dark” in second week, three locations, shapes mod¬ est $16,400 in three spots. “Bell, Book, Candle” is beaming for proud $13,80&. in third lap at War¬ ner Beverly. Hard-tix engagements are coming through big,, being headed by “Windjammer,” which Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week .$487,400 (Based on 21 theatres) Last Year .$546,900 (Based on 22 theaiTes) lardiGras’M $13,000 in Indpls. Indianapolis, Dec. 2. Biz generally was stout at first- runs here this stanza despite a _ ^ , blizzard that lasted over Thanks- looks WOW’ $25,000 in 34th frame j ^ving weekend. Young crowd at Chinese. Estimates for This Week Fox Beverly IFWC) (1.170-90-.S2) —“I Want to Live” (UAb Mighty $20,000. Last week, with Los An¬ geles, New Fox, Loyola, Uptown, “Defiant Ones” (UA) (8th wk. Fox Bev; 1st wk. others), “Terror Texas t WJS. oinersf, xeiiui -icAda,-- -- Town” (UA) (except Fox Bev),! $18,500. ' Orphenm, Hollywood (Metroooli- tan-FWC) (2,213; 756; 90-$1.50)— “Anna Lucasta” (UAT. Smash $25.- 000. Last week. “Big Country” (UA) (3d wk), “Cop Haters” ^UA' (Orph) i3d wk). “Gun Runners” (UA) (Hollywood) (1st wk). $6,500. Pantages, Los Angeles, Uptown, Loyola (RKO-FWO—(2,815; 2.097; 1.715; 1.298; 90-$1.50) — “Mardi Gras” (20th) and “Blood Arrow” (20th). Good $22,000 or near. Last week, Pantages with State, “Flesh Is Weak” (DCA), “Blonde in Bond¬ age” (DCA) (Pantages, split week with reissues of "Tobacco Road,” “Grapes of Wrath”), $4,300. State. Hawaii (UATC-G&S) (2,404; 1,106; 90-$1.50) — “Party Girl” (M-G) and "Haunted Strang¬ ler” (M-G). Okay $12,500. Last week, Hawaii with Hillstreet, “Earth to Moon” (WB). “Colossus of New ’l^ork” (Par), ditto. Downtown, Iris, El Rey (SW- FWC) (1,757; 825: 861; 90-S130)— “Houseboat” (Par) and “When Hell Broke Loose” (Par) (Downtown) (2d wk). Okay $14,400. Last W’eek. $16,000. ffilstrcet (RKO) (2,752; 90-,$1.50) —“From Earth to Moon” (WB) and “Colossns of New York” (Par) (2d wk). Fair $4,200. Downtown Paramount. Wiltem, Vogue (ABPT-SW-FWC) (3,300; 2.344; 825; 90-$1.50)—“Home Be¬ fore Dark” (WB) and “Mam’zelle Pigalle” (Man) (Downtown Par) (Pd wk). Modest $16,400. Last week, $ 20 , 100 . New Fox (FWC) (765; 90-S1.5b)— “Defiant Ones” (UA) and “Terror (Continued on page 10> flocked to Circle for “Mardi Gras,” whch is leading town at great figmre. It will hold. “Tunnel of Love” at Loew’s is solid. “House¬ boat” looks big in second round. Estimates for This Week Circle (CockriU-DoUe) (2,800; 75- 90i—“Mardi Gras” (20th). Great Last week, “Restless Years” (U) and “Appointment With Shadow” (U), $7,000. Keith’s CC-D) (1,300; 75-90)— “Houseboat” (Par) (2d wk). Big $8-000 or near. Last week. $12,000. Loew’s (Loew) (2,427; 75-90)— ‘Tunnel of Love” (M-G) and “Dun¬ kirk” (M-G). Nifty $8,000. Last week, “Defiant Ones” (UA) and “Cop Hater” (UA), $7,000. Lyric (C-D) <850; $1.24-$2.20)— “South Pacific” (Magna) (32d wk). Tall $8,000. I^t week, $7,500. ‘Mardi Gras’ Sharp IIG, ‘Colonel’ 5G, ‘Tunnel’ 3G Omaha, Dec. 2, Aided by the early Xmas shop¬ pers, downtown first-runs are shap¬ ing up very good this week. “Mardi Gras” is especially strong at Tri¬ states flagship, the Orphuem. It undoubtedly will hold. “Me and Colonel” is tidy al the Brandeis. In the. second-week division, “Houseboat” is nice at the Omaha but “Tunnel of Love” is only fair at the State. Hard-ticket “South Pacific” remains sturdy in sixth stanza at the Cooper. Estimates for This Week Brandeis (Cooper) (694; 90)— “Me and Colonel” (Col) and Cor¬ onation short. Tidy $5,000. Last week, “Old Man and Sea” (WB) (2d wk), $2,000 at $1.25-$1.50 scale. Cooper (Cooper) (708; $1.50- $2.20)—“South Pacific” (Magna) (6th wk). Sock at near-capa,city $12,000. Last week, same. Omaha (Tristates) (2,066; 90- $1.25)—“Houseboat” (Par) (2d wk). Shapes nice $6,000 after $7,500 bow. Orphenm (Tristates) (2,980; 75- <20th). Strong $11,000. Last week, “Case of Dr. Lnurent” (T-L), $4,000. State (Cooper) (850; 90)—“Tim- nel of Love” GVI-G) (2d wk). Fair $3,000. Last week, $5,000. New Fix Tilt St Loo; ‘Mardi Gras’ Lirdy IGC!, Tnnnd’ Robust $13,000 St. Louis, Dec. 2. New, strong fare is boosting the takes at many first-runs here this stanza. “Mardi Gras” at the Fox shapes lively, “Tunnel of Love” is rated fancy at Loew’s After a nice week at Loew’s “Last Hurrah” has moved over to the Orpheum for good returns. “South Seas Adventmre” continues strong at Ambassador. Smash second- weeker is “Houseboat” at the St. Louis. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (SW-Cinerama) (1,- 400; $1.20-$2.40)—“South Seas Ad¬ venture” (Cinerama) (5th wk). Robust $12,000. Last week, ditto. Apollo Art (Grace) (700; 90- $1.25)—“Summertime” (UA) (re¬ issue). Good $2,500. Last week, “Capt. From Koepenick” (Indie) (3d wk), $1,700. Fox (Arthur) (5.000; 65-90)— "Mardi Gras” (20th) and “Party Crashers” (Par). Lively $16,000. Last week, “Tank Force” (Col) and “Gunman’s Walk” (Col), $ 10 , 000 . Loew’s (Loew) (3,200; 60-90)— ‘Tunnel of Love” (M-G) and “The (Continued on page 10) ^ougeboaf Wow 12G, Seattle; ^nneF 8G Seattle, Dec. 2. Fall weather is helping to im¬ prove the boxoffice here this stanza. Few newcomers are topped by “Tunnel of Love,” fairly good at Music HalL “Mardi Gras” is rated swell in second Coliseum round. “Houseboat” is soaring to a giant figure in second Fifth Avenue week, arid ahead of the first frame. Estimates for 'Ilii? Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; $1.50-$2.50) — “South Pacific” (Magna) (27th wk). Great $8,000. Last week, $6,100. Coliseum (Fox-Ever^een) (1,- 870; 90-$I.50)--“Mardi Gras” (20th) and “Flaming Frontier” (20th) (2d wk). Swell $9,000. Last week, $10,800. Fifth Avenue (Fox-Evergreen) (2.500; 90-$1.50) — “Houseboat” (Par) and “Young as We Are” (Par) (2d wk). Giant $12,000. Last week, $10,500. Music Box (Efamrick) (850; $1.50- $2.80)—“Gigi” (M-G) (8th wk). Likely okay $5,000. Last week, $5,300. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,200; 90- $1.50)—“Tunnel of Love” (M-G) and “Appointment with a Shadow” (U). Fairly good $8,000. Last week, “Earth To Moon” (WB) and “Win- dom’s Way” (Rank), $5,200. Orphenm (Hamrick) <2,700; 90- $1.50) Stageshow% Last week, “Home Before Dark” (WB) and “Mark of Hawk” (U), oke $7,400. Paramount (Fox-Evergreen) (3,- 107; 90-$1.50)—“Last Hurrah” (Col) and “Ghost of China Sea” (Col) (2d wk). Slow $6,000. Last week, $5,400. 'Mardi Gras’ 17G, Pliilly;?artyM5G Philadelphia, Dec. 2, Rash of new films is making for a healthier boxoffice here this round. The huge crowd in town for the Army-Navy grid contest was no help to biz at the cinemas, actually taking people from the raidtown area in the afternoon. “Party Girl”^ is rated fast at .the Arcadia while “Mardi Gras”' is equaUy big at the Fox. “Home Before Dark” looms fairly brisk at Stanley. “Tunnel of Love” is only okay at Trans-Lux, with no¬ tices mild. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (536; 99-$1.80)— “Party Girl” (M-G). Fast $15,000 or near. Last week, “Houseboat” (Par) (6th wk), $9,000. Boyd (SW) (1,480; $1.20-$2.40)— Windjammer” (NT) <5th wk). Brisk $10,500. Last week,. $10,000. Fox (National) (2,250; 65-$1.49)_ "Mardi Gras” (20th). Sock $17,000 or close. Last week, “High So¬ ciety” (M-G) and “Swan” (M-G) (reissues), $6,500. Goldman (CJoldman) (1,200* $1.50 -$2.60)—^“Old Man and Sea” (WB) (3d wk). So-so $6,500. Last week, $8,500. Midtown (Goldman) (1.000; $1.20- $2.50)—“South Pacific” (Magna) (36th wk). Good $7,500. Last week, $8,000. Randolph (Goldman) (1,250; 65- $1.80)—“Last Hurrah” (Col) (3d (Continued on page 10) Cdd Hits Hob; Imief Fair $U^0II0, 'Mardi Gras’ Okay 14G, 'Houseboat’ 15G K«y City Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week .$2,395,900 (Based on 22 cities and 241 theatres, chiejly first runs, in¬ cluding N, Y.) Last Tear .$2,750,600 (Based on 22 cities and 247 theatres.) IWardi Gras’ Pleasing $1^400, Ciney; ‘Tunnel’ Dandy lOH ‘Darfc’ Mo Cincinnati, DeCi 2. Grosses at Cincy first-runs are in a sharp climb this week in face of almost complete loss of Friday (28) biz due. to record local snowfall which avalanched other lines of biz as well. Upbeat stems from a splurge of class product and sim¬ ultaneous release of “Mardi Gras” at Rube Shoris downtown Keith’s and suburban Twin Driv6-In big¬ gest in this area. Holding the lead for second week is “Houseboat” befty at the Albee. Newcomers “Tunnel of Loye,” Is fast at the small Grand while “Home Before Dark” looks trim at the Palace, “Mardi Gras” shapes plenty good In its two loca¬ tions. Hard-ticket “South Seas Ad¬ venture” in fifth wei remains firm but Is feeling early effect of Yule approach, which also applies to “South Pacific.” Estimates for 'This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 90-$1.25)— “Houseboat” (Par) (2d wk). Swell $12,000 after $14,()00 preem. Holds for third. Capitol . fSW-Cinerama) (1,376; $1.20-$2.65)—“South Seas Adven¬ ture” (Cinerama) (5th wk). Okay $15,000 at first stage of pr^Xmas slowdown. Last week, $22,000. Grand (RKO) (1,400; 90-$1.25)— “Tunnel of Love” (M^). . Fast $10,000. Last week, “Mark of Hawk” (U) and “Tanganyika”' fU), at 75-$1.10 scale, $4,500 in 5 days. Keith’s (Shor) (1.500; 90-$1.25)— "Mardi Gras” (20th). Pleasmg $7,- 500. Stays a second week. Last week, “Last Hurrah” (Col) (2d wk), $5,200. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 90-$1.25)— “Home Before Dark” (WB). Trim $10,000. Holds for second stanza. Lart week, “Decks Ran Red” (M-G), $6,500 at $1.10 top. Twin DriVe-ln (Shor) (2,800 cars; 90-$1.25) — “Mardi Gras” GOth). Good $8,500 or near despite loss of Friday (28) night because of snow. Holds. Valley (Wiethe) (1,300; $1.50- $2.50)—“South Pacific” (Magna) (31st wk). All right $4,500. Last week, $5,000. 'Mardi Gras’Trim $9100 Tops Balto Baltimore, Dec. 2. Holiday traffic hypoed the box- office here and exhibs had one of their happier weeks in recent months. Big guns were '“Mardi Gras” in first at the CJentury; “Houseboat” in third at the May- fair; “White Wilderness” in second at the Little. “South Pacific” looks nice in 35th round at the New. “Last Hurrah” is solid in first at the Hippodrome. “Tunnel of Love” is lean in second at the Stanley. Estimates for This Week Century (R-F) (3,160; 50-$l,50)— "Mardi Gras” (20th). Good $9,000. Last week, “In Love and War’* (20th) (2d wk), $3,400. Cinema (Schwaber) (460; 50- $1.25)—^“Lovers of Paris” (Cont). Nice $3,000. Last week, “Only French Can” (UMPO). (2d wk), $ 6 , 000 . Five West (Schwaber) (460; 50- $1.25)—“Inspector Maigret” (Lop- ert) (2d wk). Nice $3,500 after ^,000 opener, Hippo^ome (R-F) (2,300; 50- $L25)—^“Last Hurrah” (Col). Warm $7,000. Last week, “From Earth To Moon” (WB), $3,500.’ Little (R-F) (300; 50-$1.25)— “White Wilderness” (BV) (2d wk). Good $3,000 after same in first Mayfair (R-F) (900; 50-$1.25)— “Houseboat” (Par) (3d wk). Nice $7,000 after $8,000 in second round. New (R-F) (1,600; $1.50-$2.50)— “South Pacific” (Magna) (35th wk). Upped to $4,500 after $3,500 in previous week. Playhouse (Schwaber) (460; 50- $L50)—“Me and Colonel” (Col) (8th wk). Good $3,000 after ditto ^StiudSy^R-F) (3,200; 50-$lG5)— “Tunnel of Love” (M-G) (2d wk). Fair $5^00 after $7,000 opener. Town (R-F) (L125; 50-$lG5)-- “Home Before Dark” (WB) (2d wk). Good $6,000 after $8,000 in first Slow Sloughs Fitt B.O.; ‘Dark’ INanal at $8,500, ‘Hoflsehoat’ Hep 8G, 2d Pittsburgh, Dec. 2. It’s murder this week at wickets. Blistering snowstorm and freezing weather came suddenly out of no¬ where day after Thanksgiving to knock the bottom out of every¬ thing, and send the holiday takes tumbling. “‘Home Before Dark” was away big at Stanley when the winds came and looks only "very slim on week. However, it is bet¬ ter than ‘Xast Hurrah” at Harris in second week. However, “House¬ boat” shapes fairly good in second stanza at the Penn. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 80-$1.25)— “Mardi Gras’< (20th) (2d wk). Be¬ ing blown down with others by the ice front. Will be lucky to reach even mild $4,()00. Last -week, $ 8 , 000 . GuUd (Green) (500; 99-$1.25)— “Injector Maigret” (I^pert). Fine notices, no help against plmnmet- ing temperatures. Won’t oven get $1,M0, but oke. Last week, “Ar¬ senic and Old Lace" (Indie) Mid “Inspector General” (Indie) (reis¬ sues) (2d wk), $2,000. Harris (Harris) (2,165; 8D-$1J25) —“Last Hurrah” (Col) (2d wk). Rather dull considering excellent reviews. Not a chance of recouping in this weather, dismal $4,000. Last week, $6,500. Penn (UA) (3300; 80-$1.25>— “Houseboat” (Par) (2d wk). At least the holdover had a good Thanksgiving going for it, which .should help to around $8,000. Last week, below hopes but still big at $18,000. Squirrel Hill (SW) (900; 99-$1.25) —“White Wilderness” (BY) (4th wk). Okay $2,200. Last week, $3,500.- . Stanley (SW) (3,800; 80-$1.25)— (Continued on page 10) ■ ^ Boston, Dec. 2. Xmas shoppers are out early here. This coupled 'with sub-zero weatho: is sloughing trade in cur-^ rent session. Little new, product this frame. “Tunnel of Love” is a major disappointment being only fair at State. “Mardi Gras” is nice at Paramount and Fenway. “Home Before Dark” is bolding well in second round at the Me¬ morial. “Houseboat” looms fair at Met in second. “Party Girl” is hep at Pilgrim in second. “Old Man and Sea” held well at Astor after going off hard ticket to grind in fifth stanza. “Gigi” is perking in 14th at the Gary. “Windjammer” is still boffo at the Boston in 15th session. Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q) (1.371; $1.25-$1.50) —“Old Man and Sea” (WB) (6th wk). Oke $4,000. Last week, $4,500. Beacon Hill (Sack) (678; 90-$1.50) —“No Sun in Venice” (KI) and “Model” (Indie) (2d wk). Neat $6,000. Last week. $8,000. Boston (SW-Cinerama) (1,354; $1.25-$2.65)—^“Windjammer” (NT) (l6th wk). Great $20,000. Last week, same. Capri (Sack). (1,150; 90-$1.50)— “Man in Raincoat” (Indie) and “Torero” (Indie). Fairish $4,000. Last week. “Cary and Bishop’s TOe” (Indie). $3,000. Exeter (Indie) (1,300; 75-$lG5)— “Rockets Galore” (Ratik) (2d wk). Second week started Sunday (30). First week, slick $6,000. Fenway (NET) (1.376; 60-$1.10) — ‘Mardi Gras” (20th) and “When Hell Broke Loose” (20th). Trim $4,000. Last week, “Spider” (AI) and “Brain Eaters” (AI>, $3,000. Gary (Sack) (1.240; $1.25-$3)— “Gigi” (M-G) (14th wk). Perking to big $14,000. Last week, $12300. Kenmore (Indie) (700; 90-$1.50) —“My Uncle, Mr. Hulot” (Cont) (3d wk). Clicking $10,000. Last week, $12,000. Memorial (RKO) (3.000; 60-$1.10) —^‘Home Before Dark” (WB) (2d wk). Hotsy $14,000. Last week, $17,000. Metropolitan (NET) (4,357;. 70- $L1D)—“Houseboat” (Par) (2d wk). Fair $15,000. Last week. $18,000. Mayflower (ATC) (683; 75-$135) —^'“Omonhead” (WB) and “Frau- leiH” <20th) (2d runs). Oke $3,200. Last week, “Yoimg Lions” (20th) and “Men With Cars” (Indie) (re¬ issues) $3,000. Pazanwant (NET) (2357; 70- gl^lO>_“Mardi Gras” (20th) and “When Hell Broke Loose” (20th). Good $10,000. Last week, “Spider” (AI) and “Brain Eaters” (AD, $9,000. Pflgrlm (ATC) (1,000; 6()-$1.10)— 'Party Girl” (M-G) and “Street of Sinners” (Indie) (2d wk). Hep $5-500. Last week, $8,000. Saxon (Sack) (1,000: $1.50-$330) —j“South Pacific” (Magna) (34th wk).' Stout $11,000. Last week, $ 12 , 000 . Trans-Lux (T-L) (730; 75-$1.25) — “Hitler’s Sins” . (Indie) and ‘Blood of Bataan” (Indie) (2d nms). Oke $3,000. Last week, “Mile. Striptease” (DCA) (2d run) and “Slop'd*' in Bondage” (DCA) (2d wk), $5,000. Orphenm (LoCw) (2,900; 90-$1.50V —^“Last Hurrah” (Col) (6th wk). Lusty $8,000 or near in 6 days. Last week, $12,000. State (Loew) (3fl00; 75-$1.25)— Tunnel of Love” (M-G), Fair $10,000. Last wedc, “Relnctant Debutante” (M-G) (3d wk), $5,0P0. 6LB BOPS TORONTO; •SEAS’SNAPPY $9,500 Toronto, Dec. 2. Two-day blizzard, with first snow «f the season, has dented the city’s weekend film biz. Lack of incom¬ ing product and apathy of patron interest in new fare also is blamed. “La^ Hurrah” and “Nice Little Bank that Should be Bobbed” both are lean. Bright spot is first foiir days of “South Seas Adventure,” which sold out for weekend per¬ formances, with tumaways. Still big on holdovers, however, is “The Big Country,” now in fifth stanza; “Cat on Hot Tin Roof” in seventh frame, ahd “Mardi Gras” holding well in second stanza. Estimates far This Carlton (Rank) (2,518; 75-$1.25) —“Nice Little Bank that Should he Robbed” <20th). Slight $7,500. Last week, “Streetcar Named Desire” (20th) (reissue), $10300. Century, Downtown, Glendale, Midtown, Oakwood, Odeon, Prince of Wales, Scarboro, State (Taylor) (1,336; 1,059; 995; 1,089; 1,393; 752; 1,200; 684; 694; 50-75)—“The Blob” (Par) and “I Married Monster from Outer Space” (Par). NSG $19,000. Last week, “Ride Crooked Trail” (Continued on page 10)