Variety (February 1959)

1 * MCXUKfc CK0SSES k&RIEfT IGF 19G, ‘RmaiagLivefy 16^ 5th Boston Feb. 3- 4* Though there are few sew en¬ tries here this week, big pictures are bolding nicely and keeping trade generally at a high level “Perfect Furlough” looms smash at the Memorial to top newcomers. .“Horse’s Mouth** is wow at the Capri. “House on Haunted Hill,” backed with heavy bally* is great at Paramount . “Auntie Marne” leads the bold- uers with a rottshig sixth round at the Met “Some Came Run¬ ning” Is holding soBd at Orpheten in fifth. “I Want To Live” Is nice at State, also- fifth. “Bell, Book* Candle** is rated happy in fifth at the Gary. “Bin of Sixth Happi¬ ness” is falling, but still fine at the Aster in sixth. “My Unde” holds the longrun record in 12th session at Kenmore. On the hard-ticket front “Windjammer” is climbing to wow 24th week at the Boston. Estimates for Tlris Week Astor (B&Q) <1.371; $1.25-$1.50) —“Inn of Sixth Happiness” (20th) (6th v-k). Nice $0,000. Last week,' $ 11 , 000 . Beacon HUI (Sack) (678; $1-$1.5G) —“Gigi” (M-G) (5th wk). Hefty $12,000. Last week, $13,000. Boston (SW-Cinerama) (1,354; $I.25-$2.G5)—“Windjammer” (NT> ♦24th wk). Wow $17,000 Last week. $14,000. Capri (Sack) (1.150; 90-$1.50)—- “Horse’s Mouth” (Lopert). Whop¬ ping $15,000 or near. Last week, “Sins of Youth” (Indie) and “Le Plaisir” (Indie) (2d wk), $4,000. Exeter (I**die) (1300: 75-$135)— “Inspector Ma>cret” (Lopert) (6th wk)* Sixth week began Sunday (I). Last week, neat $3,000. . Fenway (IndieV (1,376; 75-$135) —“Buccaneer” (Par) and “Trouble With Harry” (Par) (2d runs). Oke $2,000. Last week, “Shin Was Loaded” (Arthur) and “Shamus” (Indie), ditto. Gary (Sack) G.240: <$l-$1.751— “Bell, Book, Candle” (CoD (5th wk>. Happy $10,000. Last week, $11,000. Kenmore (Indie) (700; 90-$1.50) —“My Uncle" (Cont) (12th wk). Still strong with $3,200. Last week, $4 000. Memorial (RKO) (3.000; 60-$1.10) —“Perfect Furlouffh” (U) a^d “Money. .Women & Gun” (U). Great 5*20,000. Last week, “Geisha Boy” (Par) and “Buek«kin Lady” (Indie) (3d wk), 2.000. MetrcnoP.tan (NET) (4357; 70- $1.10>—“Auntie Maine” <WR) (6th wk). Bustling $18 : 000. T.asf week, $21 000 . Mayflower (ATC) (683: 75-$135) —“Reluctant Debutante” (M-G) and “Pertv Girl” (M-G) (2d runs). Oke $3,000. Last week. "Last Hur¬ rah” (Col) (96 run) and “Lapland” (Incfle). $3,300. Paramount (NET). (2357; 70- $1.10>—“House on Haunted H ; ll” (4A> and “Cosmic Man” (AA). Smash $10,000 or better. Last week, “Sheriff of Fractured Jaw” (20th) and “Alaska Passage” (In¬ die). $6>.0Q0. Pilsrim (ATC) (1.000: 6O-$I.10>— “Jov Ride” (AA) and “Sins of Un- wed Mother” (Indie). Oke $4,000. Last week, “Hot Angel” (Par) and “Buccaneer” (Par) .$&O00. Saxon (Sack) (1.000: $1.50-$3.50) —“South Pacific” (Magna) (43d wk). Solid $11,000. Last week* $ 10000 . T’rans-Lnr (T-L) (73Q: 75-$1.25)— “T ; me of Desire” - (Janus) and “Tides of Passion” (Indie). Good $3,000. Last week. . “Shameless Sex*; (Indie), and “Girl With Itch?* (Indie) (3d wk). same. Orpheum (Loew) (2,900; 90-$1.50) —‘“Some Came Running” (M-G) (5thr wk>. ’ Solid $16,000. Last week* $19000: State (Lcew) (2,600: 75-31.25)— “I Want to Live” (UA) (5th wk). Good $9,000. Last week, $10,000. Great Films Arter Group Take Mayfield, Cleveland Cleveland, Feb. 3. After operating Mayfield Art Theatre two years. Jack Silver- tborne has leased it to Great Films Inc., which has similar houses in Washington, Baltimore, Philadel¬ phia and contemplate another in Boston. Chain acquiring the 700-seater is headed by Robert B. Fischer as prez, Mark Redwood as vice-prez, Edward R. Saretsky as secretary- treasurer. Eric Tenn from? Phila¬ delphia was appointed manager ef house featuring importations, first- runt and such revivals as Charles Chaplin’s “Gold Ruth” which started new policy at $1.50 top. *TonIca’ Socke $10,600, Seattle,- ‘Fnrkragh’ 96 Seattle, Feb, 3. Some new r strong product Is making the exhibe here happy this stanza. “Perfect Furlough” is rated sturdy at Music Hall while “Tonka” looms big at Coliseum. “Reft* Book and Candle” also is rated okay opening round at Fifth. Avenue. “Windjammer” is soaring ahead of opening stanza in second week at Paramount while “Auntie Marne* 1 shapes smash in fifth Orpheum round. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; $1.50-52.50) — “South Pacific.” (Magna) (36th wk). Swell $6,590. Last week, $6300. Coliseum (Fox-Evergreen) (1,870; 90-$1.5fl)—“Tonka” (BV) and “Hot Shots” (AA). Big $10300 or near. Last week, “Geisha Boy” (Par) and “Hell Broke Loose” (Par) (2d wk) r $8300. Fifth Avenue (Fox-Evergreen) (2300; 90-$135)—“Bell* Book, Can¬ dle” (Col) and “Gideon Scotland Yard” (Col). Okay $7,000 or over. Last week, $9300. Music Box (Hamrick) (806; 90- $1.50)—“My Uncle” (Coat) (3d wk) and “Bride Much Too Beautiful” (Indie). Big $4,600. Last week, $4300. Music. Hall (Hamrick) (2300; 90- $1.50)—“Perfect Furlough” (U> and “Silent Enemy” (U). Big $9,009 of near. Last week, “Bride Much Too Beautiful” (Indie) and “Muggers” (UA), $4300- ' Orpheus (Hamrick) (2y700; 90- $1.50)—“Auntie Marne” (WB) (5th wk). Smash $16,000 or hefter. Last, week, $17,400. . P. a ram aunt .(Fox-Evergreen) (3,107; $1.50-$1.75) — “Windjam¬ mer” (NT) (2d wk). Giant $17,000. Last week, $15,400. LOS ANCELES (Continued from page 8) Mile” (UA), “Escort West” (UA), $15,900. Downtown Paramount, Vogue (ABPT-FWC) (3,300; 825; 90-$1.5O> —“Old Man and Sea” (WB) (1st general run), “Light Across Street”* (Indie) (reissue) (D*Par), “Girl in B ikini” (reissue) (Vogue). Strong $19,000 or close. Last week. Downtown Paramount; “Helen of Troy” (WB), “Land of Pharaohs” (WB) (reissues), $9300. Orpheum, Hawaii, Uptown (Me- tropolitan-G&S-FWC) (2313; 1,106; 1,715; 9Q-$1.50)—“Anna Lucasta.” (UA) (Repeat, Orpheum; Hawaii, Uptown) and “Fearmakers” (UA)! Low $9,300. State (UATC) (2,404; 90-$1.5Q)— ‘Paratroop Command” (AI) and ‘Submarine Seahawk” (AI) (2d wk). Soft $3300. Four Star (UATC) (868; $135-$2) —“Gigi” (M-G) (2d wk). Sizzling $16,000 or over. Last week, $18*500. Iris, Ei Rey (FWC) (825; 861; 90- $130)—“Cat Tin Roof” (M-G) (5th wk, Iris; 3d wk, El Rey), “Sheriff Fractured Jaw” (20th) (2d wk. Iris), •“Goddess” (Col) (reissue) (3d wk, El Rey). Okay $6300. .Fox Beverly (FWC) (1,170;. $1.50- $2.4°) «Sep . ate Tables” (UA) (6th wk). Tah $10,000. Last week, $11300. * Los Angeles* Loyola (EKO-FWC) (2,815; 2,017; 1398; $1,50-52)—“Inn of Sixth Happi¬ ness” (20th) (6th wk>. Bright $19- 000. Last week, $22,400. ^Warner Beverly (SW) (1,612 9Q- $L50>T Lonelyhearts”' (UA) (6th wk). Slim $2,000. Last week, $2*400. New Fox (FWC) (765; $135-$3)— Windjammer” • (NT); (6th wk). Hefty $7,400. Last week, $6,900. Chinese (FWC) (1,408; $2-$2.40) --“Auntie Mame” (WB) (7th wk), Socko $25,000. Last week, $26,500. , Hollywood Paramount (F&M) (1,468; $1.50-$2) — “Some Came Running” (M-G) (7th wk>. Brisk $13,700. Last week, $14,900. Fine Arts (FWC) (631; 90-$1.50) —“My Uncle” (Cont) (7th wk>. Beefy $4,000. Last week; $4,300. Warner Hollywood (SW-Cine- rama) (1,389; $1.20-$2.65)—“South Seas Adventure” (Cinerama): Started 19th week Sunday (I) after great $23,500 last week. ^ Egyptian (UATC) (1,392; $lr65- $3.30)—“South Pacific” (Magna) (35th wk). Sturdy $14,500. Lasti week, $14,700, Carthay (FWC) (1,135; $1.75^ $3v50)-—“Around World In 80 Days-” (UA) (111th wk). Lusty $15,000. Last week, $16,600. j PROV.; 'TOUVF 6G, 30 Providence, Feb. 3, It’s a hot session for the Strand and its “Inn of Sixth Happiness.” It is pue of two neweomers this round. Also happy in its fifth is .“Auntie Mame” at Majestic* Third of ‘T Want To Live” at RKG Albee looks good but ‘Torpedo Run” shades sad at. State. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2300; 65-80)—“I Want »To Live” (UA) and “Ten Days to Tulara” (UA) (3d wk). Big $6,000. Last week, $8,000. j. Majestic (SW) (2,200; 65-801— “Auntie Mame” (WB) (5th wk). Still good at $5,000 after $6,000 in fourth. State (Loew) (3,200; 65-80)— "Torpedo Run” (M*G) ahd “Andy Hardy Comes Home” (M-G). Drab $5,500. Last week, “Some Came Running” (M-G) C4th wk), $9,000. Strand (National Realty) (2300; 9Q-$1.25)—“Inn of Sixth Happi¬ ness” (20th). Happiest gross in years at this house and looking to get great $16,000. Last week, “Bell, Book, Candle” (Col) (2d wk), $ 7 , 000 . “To Live’ Good $9,000, - Indpls.; ‘Bell* 6»/ 2 G, 3d Indianapolis, Feb. 3. Biz is moderate to good at first- run spots here this; stanza. “I Want to Live’* opened well enough at Loew’s to rate a second stanza whBe “Inn of Sixth Happiness** is holding up stoutly in second week at Circle. Reissue of “Robe” and “Gladiators” at Indiana is only fair. Estimates for This Week Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800; 75-90)—“Inn of Sixth Happiness;’ (20th) (2d wk). Nifty $8,000. Last week, $10,500. Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 75-90)— ‘The Rohe” (20th) and “Gladia¬ tors’* (20th> (reissues). Fair $7,000. Last week, ‘Terfect Furlough” (U> and “Men, Women, Guns’* (U> (2d wk), $6,000. Keith’s (C-D) (1,300; 90-5135)— “Bell, Book, Candle” (Chi) (3d wk). Oke $6,500. Last week, $1,500. Loew’s (Loew) (2,427; 90-$I.25) —“I Want to Live” (UA). Good $9,000. Last week, “Some Came Running” (M-G) (4th wk), $8,000. Lyric (C-D) (850; $1.25-$2.20)— “South Pacific” (Magna) (41st wk). Big $9000. Last week, $10,500. PITTSBURGH (Continued from page 9) “No Name on Bullet” (U), $4,500. Guild (Green) (500; 99-$1.25)— “Up the Creek” (Rank). Sure- seater getting only a single week out of this English comedy. Will be lucky to do okay $2,000. Last week. “Circle” (indie) (3d wk), $1 7CQ Harris (Harris) (2,165; 80-61.25) —“Rally Round Flag, Boys” <20th> (2d wk). Holding up very well at good. $8,000 or aver, and more than enough to. hold; Last week, $12300. Nixon (Rubin) (1.500; $1.50-$3)— “South Pacific”* (Magna) (6th wk) (return). Big Saturdays enabling this one to stay on right side of ledger. Neat $6,000. Last week, $5,500. Penn (UA) (3 300; 90-$1.50)—“I Want to Live” (UA) (2d wk). Bet¬ ter than average. Winding up at solid $11,500. Last week, $15,000. Squirrel Hill (SW) (900; 99-$ 1.25) —“Horse’s Mouth” (Lopert).. Tre¬ mendous $8 000 first week looks sure, and likely will be around for some time. Last week, “Now and Forever” (Indie). $1,600. Stanley (SW) (3.800; 90-$1.5O)— “Auntie Mame” (5th wk). Hasn’t started to run out of steam and biggest boxoffice since “Sayonara” (WB) just a year ago. This week’s great $18,500 is only $400 under last week. Warner (SW-Cinerama) (1,500; $125-$2.40>—“South Seas Adven¬ ture” (Cinerama) (6tfa -wk>. Shar¬ ing in the general improvement downtown. . Jumping to fine $11,- 500. Last week, $10,000. SWITCHES TO COLUMBIA Harmon-Yordan Production Part¬ nership Now Ex-UA . Hollywood, Feb. .3. Sidney Harmon, and Philip Yor- dan, who in recent years have re¬ leased product turned out by their Security Pictures through United Artists, have inked, a. four-pix ex¬ clusive pact with Columbia Pic¬ tures. Program covers two years.. Zenith International Film Corp-, of New York, has increased its capital stock from 100 to 296 shares, no par value, accoiri to a certificate filed at AUmj jj H arry. Lesis. Wednesday? February 4, 1$59 Week Ended Tuesday (3) N. Y. Stock Exchange O. A< Theatres .. 9% 9% + % * Week Ended Monday (2). t Actual Volume. (Courtesy of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Iiic. J +—---;- Film Reviews , Continued from page 6 Tofcye After Dark ! Dark” will he sold on its advertis-1 ing, not its production values. . Norman T. Herman and Marvin Segal, the producers, did the screenplay, and Herman, directed, as well. They have taken their story from the headlines of a year or so ago. Richard Long is the American Army officer who is re¬ sponsible for the death of a Japa¬ nese youth, when his pistol acci¬ dentally discharges. Japanese sen¬ timent designates him an overbear¬ ing and heartless murderer and there is agitation for his trial by ■Japanese courts. Actually; as the script makes clear. Long is not typical of the U.S. Occupation forces. He has made a sincere effort to understand Japan and its people, and is an ad¬ mirer of its customs. Hie is en¬ gaged to a lovely Japanese enter¬ tainer, Michi Kobi, so his accusa¬ tion as a murderer and the possi¬ bilities it raises, are interestingly complicated. But nothing much is done with any of these doorways that are intriguingly opened. They don’t lead anywhere. What is sub¬ stituted for action is a series of sequences in whieh the principals discuss what action might occur. The only motivation offered for Long’s temporary decision to de¬ sert the Army, and-escape Japa-; nese judicial jurisdiction, is his vague feeling that he will not get fair treatment. But it is not strong enough. The spectator knows this will not be earned through, hence suspense is lost and with it, inter¬ est The ending is too clearly seen. The film has a quiet authenticity, although it was shot here on stand¬ ing sets and in LA’s “Little Tok¬ yo.” . The Japanese feeling is- deli¬ cately done and in good taste. The approach, indeed, is so correct, that the picture’s failure is regrettable. But its virtues are passive and of no help to the film. Miss Kobi is- a lovely and capable actress; and Long is adequate; al¬ though barely sth Nobody else reg-. isters with any particular Impres¬ si on, t he characters are too stock.! William Margulles* photograph; .is-good, and the music’ by Alexan¬ der Courage-is particularly pleas*: iant, including the highlighting of ; ’genuine Koto-playing that has in¬ terest in itself. Fowe. PAR’S HANDLING SLANT' ONEARLY‘ORCHID’DATE Paramount is angling a buildup ‘ for “Black Orchid,” starring Sophia Lorien and Anthony Quinn, via ex-' tended runs m what the company considers “class” houses in ad¬ vance of the national release. Film is to be opened Feb.. 14 at the Plaza Theatre, New York, and in Wash¬ ington, Boston, Chicago, Miami and Philadelphia also this month. Par figures the engagements will build word-to-mouth that will hol¬ ster the national sale. Further, in additiomto the money that can be made in the “class” outlets, therms the item of expense. An opening at the Plaza, for example, means an outlay of $18,000 or $19,000 for ad¬ vertising. Standard operating procedure calls for an expenditure of more than twice that amount when a production is launched ih one of the larger first-runs. Par reps emphasize that the spoiff chosen, for “Orchid” are strictly “class” operations. That is, they play top product, as distinguished from the imports and offbeat fare which are programmed at art houses. PASS THIS INFLUENCED t£ ' . ' ■■ • Alt Texas State * & Federal Legislators Deadheaded ^ * ^ Dallas, Jan. 27; For the fourth consecutive year Texas COMPO has issued a giatft size pass to every state legislator and to all members of the state’s Congressional delegation. If is 18 inches long* and lists 800 theatres in 185 communities, 80,% of the total number of theatres in the state. It is folded seven times into a standard size card to. fit into the lawmaker’s pocket or billfoRL Included on the pass are all op¬ erations of the Interstate Theatres Circuit, RoWiey United, Jefferson Amusement, Frontier, Ezell, Trans^ Texas, Phil Isley, Wallace, Adehhan, Mart Cole, frels, Wel- sOhberg, Scott, H & H, . Cinema ;Ajrts r Border, Bearden : G.K.* Glasscock, Talley, Statewide Drive- In, and * Consolidated C&eaf&i and a majority of the indie theatres in the state.