Variety (March 1959)

riCTOUS CROSSES P'SniEfi Wednesday, March 18, 1959 LA. Dull; H ^ieg’ Slim $14,( lobster Drab 10G, lame Lively 16G, 13th, ‘Beauty' 11G, ‘Gigf Same Los Angeles, March 17. ■ Bleak outlook prevails at L. A. first-runs in current stanza, since there are no strong openers. Ma¬ jority of holdovers also are slip¬ ping. Best newcomer is “Last Blitz¬ krieg,” rated slim $14,000 in three theatres, “Black Orchid” is only dull $12,000 in three houses. “Giant Behemoth” looks soft $10,500 in two spots. “I, Mobster” is rated slight $10,000 in three locations. “Auntie Marne” still leads the regular holdovers with fast $16,000 In 13th session at the Chinese. “Sleeping Beauty’* in seventh round at Fox Wilshire, and “Gigi,” now in eighth at Four Star, should land lush $11,000 apiece. “Mating Game” looks slick $9,000 or near in second at Fox Beverly. Hard-ticket pix all are doing well, with “Around World in 80 Days” standout at big $10,000 in 117th week at the Carthay. Estimates for This Week Downtown, Vogue, Loyola (SW- FWO <1,757; 825; 1.293; 90-$1.50) —“Black Orchid”. (Part and “Hot Angel” (Pari. Dull $12,006. Last week. Downtown with Hawaii, 'Marne’Still Tops Toronto, 13G, 9th Toronto, March 17. Newcomers include “Lonely- hearts” and “It Happened in Rome,” with just fair returns. How¬ ever, “Auntie Marne,” still leading the city, is wham in ninth stanza. And “Separate Tables” shapes big in fifth frame. “South Seas Adven- J ^, ture” closed its 16th week at the and TIot I University with sock $15,600. ‘ “Horses Mouth” still is good in „ . . „ „ ■ ^ seventh round.- Stranger m Arms’ <U),. Silent for This Wppk Enemy” <U>, $9,000. Vogue, Loyola „ Estimates lor This Week with Orpheum. “Separate Tables” Tr C ^. t ° n ’ (UA) '3d wk), “Wink of Eye” (UA) l?^ k L-! 2,3 v?-’ A’ 3 -?! 0 ’ -o'~ <3d wk) lOroheumi, “Tunnel of 203 ^ £08; Love” (M-G) i2d wk. Vogue; member” (Rank) (2d wkK Holding Lovola\ $12J>G0. to good $18,000. Last week. $30,000. Orpheum, Hawaii (Metropolitan-!_Downtown, Glendale, Prince^ of Estimated Total Gross This Week .$368,800 (Based on 21 theatres) Last Year .$438,900 (Based on 24 theatres) G&S) (2,213; 1.106: 90-$1.50) — “Giant -Behemoth” <AA' and “Ar¬ son for Hire” <AA'. Soft $10,500. Los Ansreles. Iris. TJp + own (FWC) *2,017; 825; 1.715; 90-31.50) — “I, Mobster” (20th) and “Intent to Kill” (20th). Slight $10,000. Last week, “Case of Dr. Laurent” <T-L) (2d wk. Los Angelas; Iris. Uptown), “No Place to Lmd” Undi-l <2d wk, L. A.; Iris. Uptown). $7*00. Hillstoeet. n-iivw«nd (RKO-SW-FWC) (° 75?: 2.3*4;' 756; 90-S1.50'—‘“L*st B^tzkrie"” (Col) and “Good tor a Hanging” (Col>. SPm «14000 r- t>ear. Last week, Hillstreet, “711 Ocean (Continued on page 24) Snow Sloofffcs Hob BO.; ‘Qt. Moon’ Boff $18 000, Tables’ SG,‘0rcMd’12G Boston. March 17. Big snowstorm Thursday (12) and resulting tieups knocked out biz here, reaching into the week¬ end. Few newcomers this week, but some new* entries are solid. “Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker” at the Met looks just good. “Night of Quarter Moon” is socko at the Memorial. Holdovers are do’ng well, with ^Journey” in second round at the Orpheum pulling strong. “Sepa¬ rate Tables” is big at State in fourth week. “Sleeping Beauty” is rousing at Gary in fifth week. “Rally Round Flag” looms nice in fourth at the Astor. “Windjam¬ mer” is trim at the Boston in 30th round. “Black Orchid” is holding socko in second at Paramount Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q) (1.371; $1.25-$1.50) —“Rally Round Flag” (20th). (4th wk). Good $8,000. Last week, $ 10 , 000 . Beacon Hill (Sack) (678; $1- $1.50)—“Gigi” (M-G) tilth wk). Stout $11,000. Last week, $14,000. Boston (SW-Cinerama) <1,354; $1.25-$2.65)—“Windjammer” (NT) (30th wk). Sturdy $18,000. -Last week, $24,000. Capri (Sack) (1.150; 90-81.50)— “Horse’s Mouth” (Lopert) (7th wk). Nice $10,000. Last week. $12 000. Exeter (Indie) (1,376; 75-$1.25)— “A Night To Remember” (Rank). Opened Sunday (15). Last week, “Pather Panchali” (Indie) (4th wk), oke $4,000. Fenway (Indie) (1,376; 75-$1.25) —“Auntie Marne" (WB) (2d run). Neat $4,500. Last week, “These 1,000 Hills” (20th) and “Circle” (Indie), $4,000. Gary (Sack) (1.240; 90-$1.50)— “Sleeping Beauty” (BV) (5th wk). Big $20,000. Last week, $22,000. Kenmore (Indie) (700; 90-$1.50) —“Law and Disorder” (Indie) an<t| “Truth About Women” (Indie), flood $9,000. Last week, “Happy Is Bride” (Indie). $7,000 in 8 davs. Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 60-$1.10> —“Night of Quarter Moon” (M-G) and “Guiis and Gangster^. (UA). Socko $18,000. Last week, Anna (Continued on page 24) Wales, State (Taylor) (1.059; 996; 1,200; 694; 50-90) — “Floods of Fear” (Par) and “Money. Women, Guns” (U). Thin $12,500. Last week, “House on Haunted Hill” (AA) and “Cosmic Man” (AA). rec¬ ord-breaking $50,000 for eight houses. Hollywood (FP) (1.080; $1-$1.25) —“Inn of Sixth Happiness’’ (20th) (10th wk). Fine $5,500. Last week, $ 6 , 000 . Hyland (Rank) (1.057; $1)— “Horse’s Mouth” (UA) (7th wk). Good $4,500. Last week. $6.0Q0. Imperial (FP) <3.343; 75-81.25'— “Auntie Marne” (WB) ^9th wk). Terrific $14,000 or close. Last week. $16,500. ! International (Tavlor) (557; 131.25)—“Gigi”'(M-G). Fine $4,000. I Last week, ditto. | Loew’s (Loew) (2.093; 75-S1.25)— ; “Separate Tables” (UA) '5th wk). ' Hefty $10,000. Last week. $12,000. ! Tivoli (FP) (995; Sl.75-S2.40)— \ “South Pacific” (Magna). Tall $7,- : 00°. Last week. same. Towne (Taylor) <695; $1)—“It Happened in Rome” <Rank). Fair $4,500. Last week, “Question of Adultery” (IFD) (2d wk), $3,000. Uptown (Loew) <2.745; 75-$1.25) —“Lonelyhearts” (UA). Okay $9.- 000. Last week. “Party Girl” (M-G) (2d wk), $7,000. FRISCO DOWN ALBEIT ‘QT. MOON’GOOD 12G San Francisco. March 17. Biz has turned quite abruptly m\d here currently, with “Nignt of Quarter Moon,” good at War- field, best of a mixed lot among the newcomers. Reissues are play¬ ing three houses but only “Pla^e in Sun” paired with “Stalag 17” at St. Francis is racking up favor¬ able trade. Longruns are also offish but “Separate Tables” still is doing well though in fifth round at United Artists. "Sleeping Beauty” also is fancy in fifth at Coronet while “Gigi” looks hep in 36th stanza at Stagedoor. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,859; $1.25) —“Forest Rangers” (Par) and “Wells Fargo” (Par) (reissues'. Mediocre $6,000. Last week, “Black Orchid” (Par) and “Hell Broke Loose” (AA), $11,500. Fox (FWC) (4,651; $1.25-$1.50)— “Young Lions” (20th) and “Island in Sun” (20th) (reissues). Slow $7,000 in nine days. Last week, “Crawling Eye” (DCA and -“Cos¬ mic Monsters” (DCA), $8,500. Warfield (Loew) (2,656; 90-$1.25) —“Night of Quarter Moon” (M-G) and “Nowhere to Go” (M-G). Good $12,000 or near. Last week, “Jour¬ ney” (M-G) (3d wk), $7,700. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 90-$1.25) —“Helen ^f Troy” (W-B) and “Land of Pharoahs” (WB) (reis¬ sues). Oke $9,000. Last week, “Submarine Seahawk” (AI) and “Paratroop Command” (AI), $12,- 000 . • St. Francis (Par) (1,400; $1.25- $1.50)—“Place in Sun” (Par) and (Continued on page 24) Teriscope’ Nice 10G, Indpls.; ‘Marne’ 9G, 6th Indianapolis, March 17. Semi-final round of state high school basketball tournament dis¬ couraged cinema patronage here this stanza. Only standouts are “Up Periscope,” which opened hefty at Circle to lead the city, and “Auntie Mame,” !which still is big in sixth week at "Keith’s. “Journey” shapes fair at Loew’s while “I, Mobster” looks drab at the Indiana. Estimates for This Week Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800; 75- 90)—“Up Periscope” (WB) and "Enchanted Island” (WB). Hefty $10,000. Last week, "Stranger in Arms” (U) and “Voice in Mirror” (U), $9,000. Indiana (C-D) (3 200; 75-90)—“I, Mobster” (20th) and “Intent to Kill” (20th). Drab $4,000. Last week, “House on Haunted Hill” (AA) and “Wolf Larsen” (AA) (2d wk), $6,500. Keith’s (C-D) (1,300; 90-$1.25)— “Auntie Mame” (WB) (6th wk). Big $9,000. Last week, $9,500. Loew’s (Loew) (2,427; 75-90)— “Journey” (M-G) and “Gun Run¬ ners” <UA). Fair $6,500. Last week, “Last Mile” (UA) and “China Doll” (UA), $4,000 in 5 days. 'Flag’Robust 18& Philly; ‘Seas’ 17G Philadelphia, March 17, First-runs experienced a quiet weekend, and consequently the b.o. setup shapes spotty, currently be¬ ing hurt by fact that there are only two new entrants, neither very good. “The Journey” is only fair at Arcadia while “Third Sex” looms trim at the Studio. “South Seas Adventure” is torrid at the Boyd in fourth stanza and "Rally Round Flag. Boys” is lusty in sec¬ ond at the Fox. “Separate Tables” in fourth at Midtown and “Some Came Running” in sixth at Gold¬ man, both are fancy. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (536; 99-81.80)— “Journey” (M-G). Fair $7,000. Last week. “Black Orchid” (Par) (5th Wk). $4,200. Boyd (SW-Cinerama) (1.480; $1.10-$2:60)—“South Seas Adven¬ ture” (Cinerama) (4th wk). Hot $17,000. -Last week, $18,000. Fox (National) (2.250; $1.10- $1.80)—“Rally Round Flag” (20th) (2d wk). Loud $18,000. Last week, $25,000. Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; 99- $1,80)—“Separate Tables” <UA) (4th wk). Smart $12,000 or near. Last week. $16,000. j Randolph (Goldman) (1.250; 94- ’ $1.80) —“Some Came R unning ” (Continued on page 24) Tlag’ Passable $15,000, St Lao; ‘Journey’ Okay 11G, W Lively 12G, 2 St. Louis, March 17. Promising somewhat brisk trade i at the turnstiles this- week is “Rally Round Flag, Boys” at Fox, but “Journey” is fair. Going strong among the holdovers are “Separate Tables” at Orpheum in fifth round and “Inn of Sixth Hap¬ piness,” great in second frame at the St. Louis. “Around World in 80 Days,” in for a long run, is now in third week. at the Pageant. Estimates for This Week Apollo Art (Grace) (700; 90- $1.25)—“Seventh Seal” (Indie). Oke $2,000. Last week, “The Cir¬ cle” (Indie) and “Naked Eye” (In¬ die), $3,000. Fox (Arthur) (5,000; 60-90)— “Rally Round Flag” (20th) and “Intent to Kill” (U). Okay $15,000. Last week, “These Thousand Hills” (20th) and "Alaska Passage” (Col), $ 12 , 000 . Loew’s (Loew) (3,600; 60-90)— “Journey” (M-G). Okay $11,000 or near. Last week, “Gigi” (M-G) (5th wk), $9,500. Orpheum (Loew) (1.900; 60-90)— “Separate Tables” <UA) (5th wk). Good $6,000. Last week, $9,000. Pageant (Arthur) (1,000; 50-$l)— “Around World in 80 Days” (UA) (3d wk). Big $5,000. Last week, $7,000. Richmond (Arthur) <1,000; 60-90) —“Cast a Dark Shadow” (Indie). Fair $1,500. Last week, “Portrait of Unknown Woman” (Indie), $1,500. St. Louis (Arthur) (3,800; 60-90) —“Inn of Sixth Happiness” (20th) (2d wk). Great $12,000. Last week, $23,000. Shady Oak (Arthur) (760; 60-90) —“A Plea for Passion” (Indie). Good $2,000. Last week. “Gene¬ vieve” (Indie) and “Titfield Thun¬ derbolt” (Indie) (reissues), $3,000. Del Milder; ‘Verboten Good $17,( ‘Stranger’ 14G, tables’ Big 12G, 5th Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week .$2,046,800 (Based on 21 cities and 221 theatres, chiefly first runs, in¬ cluding N. Y.) Last Year .$2,547,400 (Based on 22 cities and 233 theatres .) Bliz Bops Omaha; ‘1,000 Hills’ 7G Omaha, March 17. A weekend blizzard struck early Saturday night, practically demol¬ ishing biz, so downtown first-runs are lagging this stanza. “These Thousand Hills” is light at the Or¬ pheum but “First Man Into Space*’ shapes strong at the State. Reis¬ sue combo of “Robe” and “Deme¬ trius and Gladiators” looks okay at Brandeis. Second week of “House on Haunted Hill” looms dandy at the Omaha. “South Pacific” re¬ mains big in its 21st lap at the Cooper. Estimates for This Week Brandeis (Cooper) (694; 90)— “Robe” (20th) and “Demetrius” (20th) (reissues). Okay $3,500. Last week, “Wells Fargo” (Par) and “Forest Ranger” (Par) (reissues', $1,800. Cooper (Cooper) (708; $1.50- $2.20)—“South Pacific” (Magna) (21st wk). Big $8,000. Last week, $ 8 , 200 . Omaha (Tristates) (2,066; 75-$l) —“House on Haunted Hill” (AA) and “Arson for Hire” (AA) <2d wk'. Brisk $7,000 or near after $11,000 bow. Orpheum (Tristates) (2.980; 75- $1)—“These 1000 Hills” (20th) and “Alaska Passage” (20th). Mild $7,000. Last week, “Rally Round Flag. Boys” (20th). $&000. State (Cooper) (850; 90)—“First Man Into Space” (M-G). Strong $6,000. Last week, "10 Command¬ ments” (Par) /reissue) (2d wk', $6,000 at $1.25 top. D.C. SLIPS; WEBB FAT 19G, ‘SEAS’ 15G,13TH Washington, March 17. Downbeat situation continues herfe this round with holdovers sagging or making ready for exits. And new product, with a few ex¬ ceptions, does not look smash. However, “Remarkable Mr. Penny- packer” rates a hotsy take in Pal¬ ace opener. “Night of Quarter Moon” at Capitol looks slow in initial round. “I Want to Live” shapes okay after five weeks at Keith’s. “Hanging Tree” shapes solid in two houses. With first wave of spring tourists here, “South Seas Adventure” remains a potent $15,000 for 13th stanza at Warner’s. Estimates for This Week Ambassador - Metropolitan (SW) (1,490; 1.000; 90-$1.25)—“Hanging Tree” (WB). Solid $15,500. Last week, “Up Periscope” (WB), $14,500. Capitol (Loew) (3,434; 90-$1.25) —“Night of Quarter Moon” (M-G). Slow $10,000. Last week, “Sheriff of Fractured Jaw” (20th), $8,500. Columbia (Loew) (904; 90-$1.49) — “Separate Tables” (UA> (13th wk). Sturdy $7,000 and remains on. Last week, $7,500. Keith’s (RKO) (1,850; 90-81.25)— “I Want To Live” (UA) <5th wk). Oke'$8,000. Last week, $9,000. MacArthur (K-B) (900; S1.00)— “I Was Monty’s Double” (NTA) (2d wk). Moderate $2,500 after $3,500 opener. Ontario (K-B) (1,240; 90-S1.25)— “Night to Remember” (Rank) (4th wk). Drops to middling $5,000. Last week, $6,000. Palace (Loew) (2,390; 90-S1.25)— “Pennypacker” . (20th). Sock $19,- 000 for Clifton Webb starter. Last week, “Rally Round Flag” (20th) (3d wk), $11,000. Plaza (T-L) (276- 90-$1.49) — “Night Heaven Fell’* (Kings) (12th- final wk). Good $2,500. Last week, $3,000. Trans-Lux (T-L) (600; 90-$1.65) —“Last Blitzkrieg” (Col) (2d wk). Oke $3,500. Last week, $5,000. Uptown (SW) (1,100; $1.25-$1.49) —“Sleeping Beauty” (BV) (4th wk>. Smash $15,000. Last week, same. ' Warner (SW-Cinerama) (1,300; $1.25-$2.40)-—“South Seas . Adven¬ ture” (Cinerama) (13th wk). Solid $15,000 after $17,200 in 12th round. • Detroit, March 17. . Over-all biz at downtown de- luxers continues good .-hut the pace is a little slower than a week ago. “Sleeping Beauty,” sensational in second session at United Artists, is the pace-setter. “Verboten” is rated good at the Fox. “Stranger in My Arms” is below average at the Michigan. Reissue of “A Place in Sun” is only fair at the Broad- way^Capitol. “South Seas Adventure” stays wow in 24th sailing at Music Hall. “Separate Tables” is big in fifth week at the Madison. “Journey” shapes good in third week at the Adams. 'Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5.000; $1.25- $1.49) — “Verboten” (Rank) and “Sea Fury” (Rank). Good $17,000. Last week, “Night Quarter Moon” (M-G) and “Nowhere to Go” (M-G', $18,000. Michigan (UD) (4.000; $1.25- $1.49) — “Stranger in Arms” <U) and *Never Steal Anything Small” (U). Just nice 814,000. Last week, “Bell, Book, Candle” (Col) and “Life Begins at 17” (Col), $16,000 in second week. Palms (UD) (2,961; $1.25-$1.49) —“10 Commandments” (Par) (re¬ issue) (2d wk). Fine $12,500. Last week. $15,000. Madison (UD) (1.900; $1.25-$1.49) —“Separate Tables’’ (UA) (5th wk). Lofty $12,000. Last week. $14,500. Broadway - Canitol (UD) (3,500; 90-$1.25)—“A Place in Sun” (Par) and’“Stalag 17” (Par) (reissues'. Fair $10,000. Last week, “Crawling Eye” (DCA) and “Cosmic Mon¬ sters” (DCA). $9,500. United Artists (UA) (1.667: $1.25- $1.75) — “Sleeping Beauty” <BV) (2d wk). Sensational $25,000. Last week, same. Adams (Balaban) (1.700; $1.25- $1.50)—“Journey" <M-G) <3d wk'. Good $7,500. Last week, $8,000: Music Hall (SW-Cinerama) (1,208; $1.55-82.65' — “South Seas Adventure” <Cinerama) <24th wk). Wham $18,000. Last week, same. Trans - Lux Krim (Trans - Lux) (1,000: $1.49-81.65)—“Two Headed Spy” (Col) (3d wk). Down to $2,000 in short third week. ‘Old Man’ Stout $7,000, Mpls 4 ‘Orchid’ Lush 8G, ‘Beauty’ Virile 14G, 2d Minneapolis, March 17. Another influx of praiseworthy pictures is providing more Loop boxoffice stimulation. The fresh entries are “Old Man and Sea,” “Black Orchid,” “Tarawa Beach¬ head” and “The Trap.” “Old Man” looks stout at Lyric. “Orchid” tall at RKO Pan. The general pros¬ perity which has been in evidence downtown since the new year’s ar¬ rival doesn’t appear to have suf- fered much from Lent presence. Holdovers include the town’s only hard-ticket pic, “Windjam¬ mer,” socko in 17th week and “My Uncle,” winding up a gratifying seven-week Suburban World run. “Sleeping Beauty” and “Separate Tables,” both are pleasing in their second stanzas. Estimates for This Week Academy (Mann) <947; $1-$1.49) —“Sleeping Beauty” (BV) (2d wk'. Virile $14,000. Last week, same. Century (S-W) (1,150; $1.75- $2.65)—“Windjammer” (NT) (17th wk). Holds smash pace at $10,000. Last week, $15,500. • Gopher (Berger) <1,000; 85-$l)— ‘Tarawa Beachhead” (Col). Show¬ ing strength at nice $6,000. Last week, “These 1,000 Hills” (20fh), $4,800. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 85-$l)—“Old Man and Sea” (WB). Academy award nominations and tieups with colleges and schools helping this one. Stout $7,000. Last week, “Rally Around Flag” (20th) (4th wk), $7,000, at $1-$1.25 scale. RKO Orpheum (RKO) (2.800* 85- $1)—“Separate Tables” (UA) <2d wk>. Satisfactory $6,000. Last week, $ 11 , 000 . RKO Fan (RKO) (1,800; 85-$D- “Black Orchid” (Par). Fast $8,000. Last week, “Last Mile” (UA) ond “Escort West” (UA), $4,000 at 90c top. State (Par) (2,200; 85^$1)—“The Trap” (Par). Fair $6,000. Last week, “Stranger in Arms” (U), $6,000, both pix in 6 days. Suburban World (Mann) (800; 85) —“My Uncle” (Cont) (7th wk). Fin¬ ishing a sensational run at hep $1,800. Last week, $1,900. World (Mann) (400; 85^1.25)— “Night to Remember” (Rank) (2d wk). Robust $4,000. Last week, $5,000.