Variety (February 1959)

PICTURE GROSSES 9 Wednesday, February 4, 1959 USsti&rr Fair Skies Peii Qfi; furlough’ Fancy 132,000, ‘Seahawk’ Trim 13G, ‘Mame’ 53G, ‘Spy’ 7G, Both 2d, Tables’ Chicago, Feb. 3. Crisp but clear weather Is helping strong pix hypo first- runs. Oriental’s “Perfect Fur- lough” preem looks nice $32,000. Garrick’s “Submarine Seahawk” and “Paratroop Command” shape good $13,000. New Mpnroe combo of “Man From God’s Country” and “Legion of Doomed” expects a nice $5,000. “Auntie Marne’s” second stanza at the Chicago is rated stout while same frame for Esquire’s “Two- Headed Spy” is just okay. “Old Man and Sea” is trim in third Roosevelt week. Sixth round of “Separate Tables” is tabbed nice at State- Lake. Surf’s sixth of “My Uncle” is figured strong? “Inn of Sixth Happiness” is headed for a good total in same session at United Artists. Of the hard-ticket pix, “South Seas Adventure” is solid in 19th Palace frame. “Gigi” is fine for 30th sesh at Todd’s “Cinestage, and “South Pacific” pulled a good 45th week at the McVickers. Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re¬ ported herewith from the vari¬ ous key cities, are net; l.e* without usual tax. Distrib¬ utors share on net take, when playing percentage, hence the estimated figures are net in¬ come. The parenthetic admission pripes, however, as indicated, include the U. S. amusement tax. ‘Inn’ Brisk $8,800, Omaha;'Jaw’6G Omaha, Feb. 3. A snowy weekend offset the in¬ flux of new entries at the down- Estimates for This Week Chicago. (B&K) (3,900; 90-$1.80) —“Auntie Mame” (WB) (2d wk). Solid $53,000. Last week, $44,000. Esquire (H&E Balaban) (1,350; $1.50)—“Two-Headed Spy” (Col) (2d wk). Oke $7,300. Last week, $ 11 , 000 . Garrick (B&K) (850; 90-$1.25)— “Submarine Seahawk” (AI) and “Paratroop Command” (AI). Good $13,000. Last week “Revolt in Big House” (AA) and “Cry Baby Killer” (AA) (1st wk), $8,000. Loop (Teiem’t) (606; 90-$1.50)— “Tom Thumb” (M-G) (7th wk). Hotsy $9,300. Last week, $9,000. McVickers (JL&S) (1,580; $1.25- $3.30)—“South Pacific” (Magna) (45th wk). Oke $15,700. Last week, - $16,500, Monroe (Jovan) (1,000; 65-90)— “Man From God’s Country” (AA) and “Legion of the Doomed” (AA). Good $5,000. Last week “Plan 9 From Outer Space” (DCA) and “Timelock” (DCA) (1st wk), $4,500. • Oriental* (Indie) (3,400; 90-$1.50) —"Perfect Furlough” (U). Nice $32,000. Last week, “Sheriff of Fractured. Jaw” (20th) and “Dan¬ gerous Exile” (Rank) (2d wk), $ 12 , 000 . Palace (SW-Cinerama) (1,434,* $1.25-$3.40)—“South Seas Adven¬ ture” (Cinerama) (19th wk). Hep $24,000. Last week, $23,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400; 90- $L8Q)—“Old Man and Sea” (WB) (3d wk). Trim $10,000. Last week, $18,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,400; 90- $1.80)—“Separate Tables” (UA) (6th wk). Fine $15,500. Last week, $14,000. Surf (H&E Balaban) (685; $1.25) —“My Uncle” (Cont) (6th wk). Strong $4,300. Last week, $3,800. Todd's Cinestage (Todd) (1,036; $1.25-$3)—“Gigi” (M-G) (30th wk). Fine $14,000. Last week, $12,500. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 90- $1.80)—“Inn of Sixth Happiness” (20th) (6th wk.). Brisk $14,500. Last Week, $13,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,200; 90- $1.50)—“Bell, Book and Candle” (Col) (6th wk).- Good $9,500 for last five days. “Some Came Run¬ ning” (Metro) opens today (Tues.). World (Teitel) (606; 90)—“Tos- ca” (Indie) (7th wk). Fancy $4,200. Last week, $3,200. Pitt on Upbeat; month’ Huge $8,000, Turlough’ Great 9G, THameMSlG Pittsburgh, Feb. 3. Improvement continues all over the Golden Triangle, with block¬ busting “Auntie Mame,” which . opened before New Year’s,..still in high gear at Stanley Squirrel Hill got a sensational take-off with. “Horse’s Mouth,” which looks set for a long. run. The Fulton has a winner for a change in “Perfect Furlough,” socko in first round; Both roadshow pix, “South Seas Adventure” at Warner and ‘“South Pacific” at Nixon are picking up, - too. Second sessions for “I Want to Live” at Penh and “Rally Round Flag, Boys” at Harris are also okay. Estimates for This Week . Fulton (Shea) (l.TOOr 80-$l:25>— “Perfect Furlough”- (U>. Good no¬ tices'and helped, by flock of >per- senals around town, for 'two . days* by; Llpda Cristai, featured in. >jJc, Should ;be;socko $9jOOO. best-here In. gome time; ; stays, • L©t,weefc (Cobtinueduon.page 10) , town first-runs, so biz^ generally is in the so-so category. “Inn of Sixth Happiness” is trim at Orhpeum. “Sheriff of Fractured Jaw” looks good at the Omaha. **Gideon of Scotland Yard” shapes light at the State. The hard-tickets “South Pacific” remains smash in 15th round at the Cooper. Estimates for This Week Brandeis (Cooper) (694; 90)— “Bell, Book, Candle” (Col) (2d wk). Mild $3,000 or near after $5,500 bow. Cooper (Cooper) (708; $1.50- $2.20)—“South Pacific’ (Magna) (15th wk). Boff $10,500. Last week, same. Omaha (Tristates) (2,066; 75-$l) —“Sheriff of Fractured Jaw” (20th) and “Smiley Gets Gun” (20th). Brisk $6,000. Last week, “Perfect Furlough” (U) (2d wk), ditto. Orpheum (Tristates) (2,980; 75- $1)—“Inn of Sixth Happiness” (20th). Rated trim $8,000, and may hold. Last week, “Auntie Mame” (WB) (4th wk), $7,000 at 90-$1.25 scale. State (Cooper) (850; 90)—“Gid¬ eon of Scotland Yard” (Rank) and “Ghost of China Seas” (Rank). Fair $2,300. Last week, “Some Came Running” (M-G) (4th wk), $3,500. RO.’s Help Mpls. Trade; Tosh’Neat at $8,000, ‘Running’ Fast 7IG, 5th Minneapolis, Feb. 3. New fare continues scarce here, with holdovers still dominating at most first-run spots. Top newcom¬ er looks to be “Tonka,” trim at State. Other fresh entry is “Revolt in Big House” and “Johnny Rocco” fair at RKO Pan. “Perfect Fur¬ lough” is okay at Gopher in sec¬ ond. “Auntie Mame” in sixth stan¬ za is good while “Some Came Run¬ ning” in fifth is. rated fast; “Inn of Sixth Happiness” in third round is smash at 400-seat World. Estimates for This Week Academy (Mann) (947; $1.50- $2.65) — “South Pacific” (Magna) (31st wk). Lots of life left in this. Okay $6,500. Last week, $7,000. Century (S-W) (1,150; $1.75- $2.65) — “Windjammer” (NT). Smooth sailing for big $16,000. Last week, $16,800. Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 85-$l)— “Perfect Furlough” (U) (2d wk). Down to good $6*/300. Last week, smasli$9,000. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 90-$1.45)— “Auntie Mame” (WB) (6th wk). Hefty $8,000, Last week, $7,500. RKO Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 85- $1.25) — “Some Came Running” (M-G) (5th wk). Fast $7,500. Last week. $6,50Q. RKO Ban (RKO) (1,000; 90)— “Revolt in Big House” (AA) add “Johnny Roeco’f (AA). Fair $4,500. Last week. “The Spider’* (AI) and “Brain Eaters” (Al), $7,500. . State (Par) <2,200; $1)—“Tonka” (BY). Neat $8,000 or near. Last week, “I Wantto live” (UA) (4th wk), $6,500.. Suburban World (Mann) (800; 85) —“My Uncle” (Cont): Smash $5,- 000. Last Vweek,. ^Truth About Women” (Ihdie), $1*500/; - - Wq*M (Mann) (400; $5-$ljS0)—; “InnofSixthHappiness” (20th) i (3fl wk>. Smash $7*000. Last week* $ 8 * 000 . , . - TBOirrH' WIDE $12,900, TORONTO; CURBS 11G Toronto, Feb. 3. With the three-day local blizzard over, this city’s film biz is doing swell, with some spots even show¬ ing an upbeat over the previous week. Among newcomers, “Horse’s Mouth” is rated great but “Auntie Mame” is still leading the city in third week and even doing bigger than its first frame. Second stanzas of “I Want to Live” and “Perfect Furlough” show little change, latter being great at the Uptown. Fourth frame of “Inn of Sixth Happiness” is fast. “South Seas Adventure” is topping previous week "with fancy takings in 10th round at the University. Estimates for This Week Carlton (Rank) (2,518; 75-$1.25) —“I Want to Live” (UA) (2d wk). Holding well at $15,000. Last week, $16,000. Danforth, Fairlawn, Humber (Rank) (1,330; L165; 1,205; $1)— “Smiley Gets Gun” (20th) and “Under Fire” (20th). Sad $10,000 in 3 days. Last week, “Restless Years” (U), $14,000. , Downtown, Glendale, Prince of Wales, State (Taylor) (1,059; 996; 1,200; 694; 50-75)—“Spider” (AI) and “Brain Eaters” (AI). Okay $14,500. Last week, “.Mile. Strip¬ tease” (1FD), $24,000. Hollywood (FP) (1,080; $1-$1.25) —“Inn'of Sixth Happiness” (20th) (4th wk). Holding at fast $10,000. Last week, $11,000. Wand (Rank) (1,057; $1)— “Horse’s Mouth” (Lopert). Great $12,000. Last week, “Rockets Ga¬ lore” (Rank) (5th wk), $4,500. Imperial (FP) (3,343; 75-$1.2S)— “Auntie Mame” (WB) (3d wk). Topped last week for wham $26,- 000. Last week, $25,000. International (Taylor). (557; $1.25)—“Gigi” (M-G) (27th wk). Fine $5,000. Last week, same. Loew’s (Loew) (2,098; 60-$1.25) —“Some Came Running” (M-G) (4th wk). Torrid $11,500. Last week, $12,000. Towne (Taylor) (695; $1.25)— “Only French Can” (IFD).. Okay .$4,500. Last week, “My Uncle” (Cont) (6th wk), $3,50Q. University (FP) (1,255; $1.50- $2.40)—“South Seas Adventure” (Cinerama) (10th wk). Picked up to fancy $12,500. Last week, $ 11 , 000 . Uptown (Loew) (2,743; 75-$1.25) —“Perfect Furlough” (U) (2d wk). Great $11,000 for Tony Curtis starrer. Last week, $13,000. ‘Jaw’Okay $11,000,‘Inn’ Great 9G, 2d, ‘Dark’ 6G Kansas City, Feb. 3. Town currently is holdover hap¬ py, with only one newcomer. “Sheriff of Fractured Jaw” is play¬ ing in a new Fox Midwest combo of Isis, Granada and Fairway, and doing okay. “Inn of Sixth Happi¬ ness” in second week at Uptown, “I Want To Live” at Midland and “Home Before Dark” at Paramount are all satisfactory on extended- ; runs. “Auntie Mame” in sixth week at Roxy is unusually strong. Estimates for This Week | Kim© (Dickinson) (504; 90-$1.25) ,—“God Created Woman” (Kings) l (52d wk). Breaking all records for length-of run, trade boosted to $2,000; continues. Last week, $ 1 , 200 . I Midland (Loew) (3,500; 75-$l)— “I Want To Live” (UA) and “Raw- hide Trail” (AA) (2d wk). Oke $6,000. Last week, $9,000. Missouri (Cinerama) (1,194; $1.25-$2)—“South Seas Adventure” (Cinerama)' (8th wk). Holding own at big $9,000. Last week, same* Paramount (UP) (1,900; 75-$l)— t “Home Before Dark” (WB) (2d wk). I Pleasant $6,000. Last week, $8,000. Rockhili (Little Art Theatres) (750; 75-$l)—“Mad Little Island” (Rank). Fair $1,200. Last week, ‘Foxiest Girl in Paris” (Times), same. Roxy (Durwood) (879; $1-$1.50)— “Auntie Mame” (WB) (6th wk). Unusually strong $5,500. Last week, $7,000. Uptown (Fox Midwest) (2,043; 75-$l>—“Inn of Sixth Happiness” (20th) (2d wk). Great $9,009; holds* Last week, in combo with Granada, $14,000.. Ids* Fairway* Granada (Fox Mid¬ west) <1,360; .700; 1,217; 75-$l)— “Sheriff of Fractured Jaw” (20th) and “Little Bank Should Be Robbed” (20th), - Okay. * $11,000. Last weefc Fairway. “Perfect Fur¬ lough” <U) (2d ; wk), heaflj *2,200. ‘Blitzkrieg’ Lean 15G, Tables Stout 36G*7th/Running’-Stage Big 135G, 2d Despite a new cold wave, with 7-degrees-above one day, Broad¬ way first-run business is holding up well. There are some soft spots, however, two of them being thea¬ tres with new product. For the first time on record the deluxers had to contend with a five-alarm fire right at the prize show time (6;50 to 11 p.m.) Saturday (31). Not only did it slow traffic to a standstill, but the blaze near 46th St. and Broadway was so spec¬ tacular it proved a counter-attrac¬ tion to the film theatres. One newcomen, “The Trap,” looks like very mild $27,000 or less at the Capitol. “Last Blitzkrieg,” another newie, is heading for slug¬ gish $15,000 at the Mayfair. Top longrunner still is “Sep¬ arate Tables,” with a great $24,000 in current (7th) week at the Astor, and a sock $12,200 at the arty Normandie in the same round. “Inn of Sixth Happiness” looks like a good $35,700 in eighth week a t the Paramount and Plaza. “Some Came Running,” with stageshow, is heading for big $135,000 in second session at the Music Hall. “Perfect Furlough” and stageshow was only mild $40,- 000 in second at the Roxy. “Anna Lucasta” slipped to nice $14,500 in third stanza at the Victoria. “Night To. Remember” finished its seventh frame at the Criterion with a sturdy $15,700. “Bell, Book and Candle” held at stout $12,000 in sixth round at the Odeon and $6,800 at Fine Arts. “Rally Round Flag, Boys” dipped to okay $12,- 500 in sixth round at Palace. “He Who Must Die” amazed in its fifth session at the Beekman by going ahead of fourth week to a great $12,800. "My Uncle” was in much the same category since topping last week and landing a smash $8,800 in 14th round at the Baronet. “Horse’s Mouth’’ also climbed over the previous week to get a socko $15,800 in 12th stanza at the Paris. “Gigi” continues sensational on its popseale run at the Sutton, holding at a great $21,000 in 13th stanza. Pic now is in its 14th week. “Doctor’s Dilemma” also displayed stamina with $10,000 in seventh round at Trans-Lux 52d Street. “Sins of Rose Bernd” still was solid at $7,500 in second Little Carnegie stanza. Both' hard-ticket pix held well, “South Pacific” doing a solid $17,- 500 at the Rivoli in 17th week. “South Seas Adventure” climbed to a sturdy $23,100 in 28th round at the Warner, where it’s now in the 29th week. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1.094; 75-$2)— “Separate Tables” (UA) (7th wk). Present week winding up today (Wed.) looks like great $24,000 or hear. Sixth was $24,500. Stays on. Little Carnegie (L. Carnegie) (550; $1.25-$1.80)—“Sins of Rose Bernd” (Pres. Films) (2d wk). First holdover session ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks like big $7,500. Initial week was $11,000. Baronet (Reade) (430; $1.25-$2)— “My Uncle” (Cont) (14th wk). The 13th week completed Sunday (1) was great $8,800. Last Week, $8,600. Capitol (Loew) (4,820; $l-$2.50> —“The Trap” (Par) (2d-final wk). Initial round ended yesterday (Tues.) was mild $27,000 or less. In ahead, “Buccaneer” (Par) 5th wk- 8 days), $21,500. Stays only the two weeks, with “Never Steal Anything Small” (U) opening Feb. 11. Criterion (Moss) (1,671; $1.50- $2.40) — “Night to Remember” (Rank) (8th wk). Seventh session completed yesterday (Tues.) was fine $15,700. Sixth was $16,300. “Sleeping Beauty” (BV) opens Feb. 18 after a gala public preem on night of Feb. 17. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“Bell, Book, Candle” (Col) (6th wk). This week winding up today (Wed.) looks like nice $6,800. Fifth was $7*300. Beekman (R&B) (590; $1.20-$1.75) —“He Who Must Die” (Kassler) (6th wk). Fifth stanza finished Sat¬ urday (31) was great $12,800. Fourth was $12,600. Terrific word- of-mouth is held responsible for unusual strength, at this stage of Iongrun. Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.75>— “Mistress” (Harrison). Opened Monday (2). Last week, “Nine Lives” (Indie) (4th wk), was fair. $5,009 after $7,000 in third. Mayfair (Indie) , (1,736; 79-$L80) —“Last Blitzkrieg” (Col). First. ses¬ sion ; ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to hit light $15,000 or dose. In ahead, “Geisha Boy” (Par) (6th wk), $8,000. Normandie (Trans-Lux) (592; $1.80-$2.80) — “Separate Tables” (UA) (7th wk). Current stanza fin¬ ishing today (Wed.) looks like big $12,200 or better than sixth week’s $12,200. Odeon (Moss) (813; 90-$1.80)— “Bell, Book, Candle” (Col) (6th wk). Current fratoe finishing today (Wed.) is heading for sturdy $12,- 000. Fifth week, $13,000. Palace (RKO) (1.642; 90-$2)— “Rally Round Flag, Boys” (20th) (7th wk). Sixth frame ended yes¬ terday (Tues.) was nice $12,500. Fifth was $14,000, below hopes. (20th) (8th wk). Current round winding up tomorrow (Thurs.) shapes to get good $26,000. Sev¬ enth week. $27,000. Pathe (Pathe Cinema) (568; 90- $1.80)—“Horse’s Mouth” (Lopert) (13th wk). The 12th stanza ended Monday (2) was great $15,800. The 11th week, $15",000. The 12th week, incidentally, was better than the 10th session. tellers) (6,200; 90-S2.75)—“Some Came Running” (M-G) and stage- show (2d wk). Present session end- . ing tomorrow (Wed.) looks like big $135,000 or near. First week, $143,- 000. Stays on, with “The Journey” (M-G) due in next. Rivoli (UAT) (1,545; $2-$3.50)— “South Pacific” (Magna) (18th wk). The 17th round finished Monday (2) was sturdy $17,500. The 16th week, $18,500. Stays on indef. Plaza (Lopert) (525; $1.50-$2>— “Inn of Sixth Happiness” (20th) (8th wk). This week ending tomor¬ row (Thurs.) is heading for great $9,700. Seventh was $9,000. Roxy (Indie) (5.705: 90-S2.50)— “Perfect Furlough” tU> and stage- show (3d wk). First holdover week wound up yesterday (Tues.) was mild $40,000 or close. Initial week $55,000. Stays .this third week! and then “Hanging Tree” (WB) comes in. Sutton (R&B) (531; 95-31.80)— “Gigi” (M-G) (14th wk). The 13th stanza finished Saturday (31) was wow $21,000. The 12th week, $21,- 400. Stays indef at this gait. Trans-Lux 52d St. <T-L) (540; $1- $1.50)—“Doctor’s Dilemma” (M-G) (8th wk). Seventh stanza finished yesterday (Tues.) held at tall $10,- 000. Sixth was $10,500. Victoria (City Inv.) (1 003: 50-$2> —“Anna Lucasta” (UA) (4th wk). Third round completed yesterday (Tues.) was nice $14,500. Second was $18,500, below hopes. Warner (SW Cinerama) (1.600; $1.80-$3.50)—“South' Seas Adven¬ ture” (Cinerama) (20th wk). The 28th frame finished Saturday (31) was solid $23,100. The 27tli week, $22,800. LVJle B.O. Still Brisk; ‘Lanrent’ Hep 7G, ‘Mame’ 6!G, ‘Fnrloagh’ Boff 8G Louisville, Feb. 3. Holdovers are without exception accounting for the excellent hiz current at downtown wickets. Most are doing as well as in the previ¬ ous week while some are even bet¬ ter. Lone newcomer is “Case of Dr. Laurent,” single-billed at the Brown, with a fancy session in prospect. “Perfect Furlough” looms socko, same as first round. “Auntie Mame" is neat in sixth week and -ahead of fifth. “Tonka” looks sturdy in second. Estimates for This Week Brown (Fourth Ave.) (1,200; 75- 90)—“Case of Dr. Laurent” (T-L) (Translux). Heavy spot campaign on radio plus extra matinee for femmes only. Fancy $7,000, and may hold. Last week, “Moon Is Blue” (UA) and “Man With Gold¬ en Arm” (UA) (reissues), $4,000. Kentucky (Switow) (900; 60-90)— “Perfect Furlough” <U) (2d wk). Socko $8,000 same as first week. Mary Anderson (People’s) (1,000; 75-$1.25) —“Auntie Mame” (WB) (6th wk). Neat $6,500 $nd possible windup after fifth week's $6,000. Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (3,000; 60- 90)—‘Tonka” (BV) (2d wk). Sturdy $9,000 after first Week’s $12,000. Upifed Artists: (UA) (3,000; 60- $1)—“Bell, Book, Candle” (Col) (2d wk). JSqJld $7,009 sifter first week’s $10,000, exceeding ettlmate. by hefty feiargih.