Variety (February 1961)

Wednesday, February 1, 1961 non IKE GROSSES 9 DET. BIZ HOT DESPITE COLD Chi Hit by Cold; 'Naked’ Fancy 26G; 'Marriage 15%G, 'Family’ Socko 22G, ‘Grass’ Trim 15G, 6th; ‘Exodus' 26G Chicago, Jan. 31. < Prolonged cold snap is an obvi¬ ous hindrance to first-runs hete this round plus fact there’s not much new product arriving. Some longruns. however, are holding nicely, so that overall totals should be okay. “Go Naked in World,” Chicago Theatre initialer, is grabbing a nice $26,000, but other new. en¬ tries are repeats. Oriental’s “Marriage-Go-Round” is mild In second. Sixth frame of “World of Suzie Wong” looks dandy at Woods. “Swiss Family Robinson” continues potent in ditto State-Lake session. “Grass Is Greener” looks nice in sixth United Artists stanza. Third week of Roosevelt’s “Fever in Blood” is rated puny. Carnegie’s “Left, Right and Cen¬ tre” is a fine second-weeker. “Never on Sunday” is making a brisk showing in Esquire seventh. “School for Scoundrels” is trim in Surf tenth. Of hard-ticket pix, “Exodus” looks capacity or near again in Cinestage seventh. “Spartacus” looks sock in 16th McVickers lalp; and “Ben-Hur" notched a hotsy 58th session at Todd Theatre. Estimates for This Week Carnegie (Telem’t) (495; $1.50)— “Left, Right, Centre” (Indie) (2d wk. Hep $3,500. Last week, $5,000. Chicago (B&K> (3.900; 90-$1.80) —“Go Naked in World” (M-G). Ex {Continued on page 24) ‘Family’ Smash $12,000, Cincy; ‘Spartacus’ Loud 11G, 6; ‘Boys’ Hep 12G Cincinnati, Jan. 31. “Swiss Family Robinson,” shap¬ ing as a robust entry at Keith’s, and “Where Boys Are,” holding hotsv as flagship Albee second- weeker, are mainstays in Cincy’s favorable film biz climb this week, which has the burghers snapping out of prolonged frigid spell. New¬ comer “Go Naked In World” is only fair at Palace. Longruns “Spartacus” “Alamo” continue without pain as “Cimarron” and reserve-seat policy quit the Capi¬ tol. Hilltop arties are in pleasing trend, with “School For Scoun¬ drels” standout. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; $1-$1.50>— “Where Boys Are” (M-G) (2d wk'. Hefty $12,600 or near after $13,800 preem. • Capitol (SW-Cinerama) (1,400; j $1.25-$2.25' — “Cimarron” (M-G)! (5th wk). Mild $6,500 final. Same Last week. Policy switches to con-j tinuous Feb. 3 with “Behind Great Wall” (Cont>. Esquire Art (Shon (500; $1.25)— “Never On Sunday” (UA) (2d wk). Big $3,000 following $3,600 bow r . Grand (RKO) <l,3u0; $1.75-$2.75) —“Spartacus” (U» «6th wk). Hold¬ ing to last week’s L lofty $11,000 tempo. , Guild (Vance) (300; $1.25)— “Please Turn Over” (Col) (6th wk). Firm $1,800. Same last week. Hyde Park Art (Shor) (500; $1.25) — “School For Scoundrels” (Cont) (6th wk). Okay $1,500. Same last week. Keith’s (Shor) (1.500; 90-$1.25)— “Swiss Family Robinson” (BV). Smash $12,000. Last week, “Mar¬ riage Go-Round” (20th), $4,200. Palace (RKO) (2,600; $1-$1.25)— “Go Naked In World” (M-G). Fair $7,500. Last week. “Savage Inno- i cents” (Par), $6,800. Twin Drive-In (Shor) (600 cars, west side r 90c> — “Cinderfella” (Par) and “Tarzan Magnificent” (Par) (subruns). Oke $4,000. Last week, “GI Blues" (Par) (subrun) and “Get Outta Town” (Indie), $3,800. Valley (Wiethe) (1,200; $1.50- $2.501—“Alamo” (UA) (6th wk). Fair $6,000. Last $7,000. Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re¬ ported herewith from the vari¬ ous key cities, are net; i.e., 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 U. S. amusement tax. ‘Blood’ Slow 10G, Denver; ‘Ship’ 12G Denver, Jan. 31. Lone- opener this stanza proved disappointing. It was “Fever in Blood,” by Denver author William Pearson, but so lightweight that it is being replaced next Thursday by “The Misfits” at the Paramount. Most holdovers and extended-runs are doing nicely. “Spartacus” is going ahead of initial round to land a happy total at the Aladdin on second. “Can-Can” shapes good in second of moveover run at Centre. “Wackiest Ship in Army” looks nice in second at the Denver as does “Swiss Family Robinson,” in sixth at the Towne. “Where Boys Are” is fair in third at Orpheum. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox' (900; $1.25-$2.50) —“Spartacus” (U) (2d wk). Perked to happy $12,000. Last week, $ 11 , 000 . Blue Bird (Fox) (700; $1) — “Carry On Nurse” (Gov) (m.o.) (2d wk>. Sturdy $1,800. Last week, $ 2 , 000 . Centre (Foxi (1,270; $1-$1.45)— “Can-Can” (20th i (m.o.) (2d w-k'. Good $9,000. Last week, $12,000. Denham (Indie) ($1.25-$2.50)— “Ben-Hur” (M-G' (42d wk). Stout $8,000, same as last week. Denver (Fox) (2,432; $1~$1.25>— “Wackiest Ship” (Col) (2d wk). Nice $12,000 or close. Last week, $17,300. Esquire (Fox' (600: $1)—“Please Turn Over” (Col) (6th wk'. Neat $2,100. Last week. $2,400. Orpheum (RKO) <2.690; $1-$1.25) —“Where Boys Are” (M-G) and “Five Guns to Tombstone” (U) (3d wk). Fair $6,500. Last week, $7,500. Paramount (Indie) (2,100; 90- $1.25)—“Fever in Blood” (WB). ; Slow $10,000 or near. Last week, “Sundowners” (WB) (4th wk), $9,000. | Towne (Indie) (600; $1-$1.45) — “Swiss Family Robinson” (BV) (6th wk>. Sock $8,500. Last week, $9,000. ‘Can-Can’ Lusty $20,000, St. L.; ‘Family^ Huge 19G St. Louis, Jan. 31. A flock of new pix are being launched here this stanza, and trade is reflecting same though not all newies ;are big. “Can-Can” looks rousing in opening round at mammoth Fox while “Swiss Fami¬ ly Robinson” is smash in first at Loew’s Mid-City. “Fever in Blood,” too, is'fairly good on opener at the St. Louis as is “Marriage-Go-Round” on initial frame at Ambassador. “Go Naked in World” looks lean in first at State. “Spartacus” is rated great at Esquire in sixth. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (Arthur) (2,970; 60- 90)—“Marriage-Go-Round” <20th). Good $11,000. Last week, “Grass Is Greener” (U) (4th wk>, $10,000. Apollo Art (Grace) (700; 90- $1.25)—“Picnic on Grass” (Indie) (Continued on page 24) f I. Detroit, Jan. 31. First-runs are enjoying a hotsy week despite near-zero tempera¬ tures. “Where Boys Are” looks set for a wham total at the Adam?. “Sword and Dragon” shapqs fair at Fox. “Savage Innocents” looks okay at Palms. Meanwhile, holdovers are very big with “Wackiest Ship in Army” heading for sockeroo second week at the Michigan. “World of Suzie Wong” stays smash in sixth session at the Grand Circus. “Spartacus” looks mighty in 13th round at Mad¬ ison. “Ben-Hur” stays great In 50th week at United Artists. “Grass Is Greener” is hep in fifth round at Mercury. Estimates for This Week' Fox (Fox-Mich) (5,000; 75-$1.49) —“Sword and Dragon” (Indie) and “It Takes a Thief” (Indie). Fair $15,000. Last week, “Subterrane¬ ans” (M-G) and “Day Robbed Bank of England” (M-G), $7,500. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; $1.25-$1.49)—“Wackiest Ship” (Col) and “Passport to China” (Col) (2d wk). Wow $20,000. Last week, $23,000. Palms (UD) (2,961; $1.25-$1.49'— “Savage Innocents” (Par) and “Last Rebel” (Indie). Okay $12,000. Last week, “Journey to Lost City” (AI) and “48 Hours to Live” (Indie), $ 11 , 000 . Madison (UD) (1,408; $1.50-$3)— “Spartacus" (U) (13th wk). Great $12,500. Last week, $13,500. Grand Circus (UD) (1,400; $1.25- $1.65)—“Suzie Wong” (Par) (6th wk): Swell $15,000. Last week, $17,500. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; $1.25- $1.50)—“Where Boys Are” (M-G). Wham $18,000. Last week, “But¬ terfield 8” (M-G), $6,500 in 12th week. United Artists (UA) (1,667; $1.25- $3)—“Ben-Hur” (M-G) (50th wk). Sturdy $11,000. Last week, $12,- 000 , Music Hall (Cinerama, Inc.) (1,208; $I.20-$2.65)—“Seven Won-, dersof World” (Cinerama) (reissue) (5th wk). Oke $13,000. Last week, $14,000. Trans-Lux Krim (Trans-Lux) (1,000; $1.49-$1.65>—“Please Turn Over” (Coli (2d wk). Oke $4,000. Last week, $5,000. Mercury (UM) (1.465; $1.25-$1.49) j —“Grass Is. Greener” (U) (5th wk). Hep $8,000 n Last week, $9,000. i ‘BOYS’ BIG $15,000 IN L’VILLE; ‘FAMILY’ 1IG Louisville, Jan. 31. “Where the Boys Are” at United Artists looks top newcomer. “Swiss Family Robinson” at the smaller seater Ohio shapes sock in second week. “Esther and King” looks modest at the Rialto. “Fever In Blood” at the next door Mary Anderson is slim. “Please Turn Over” in second at the Brown, is fair. Repeat snowfall last week hurt downtown houses as well as stores on the mainstem. Estimates for This Week Brbwn (Fourth Avenue) (1,100; .60-$D—“Please Turn Over” (Col) (2d wk). Moderate $4,000 after first week’s $4,500. Ke.ntuoky (Switow) (900; 75-$l)— “Battle Hymn” (U) and “Away All Boats” (U) (reissues). Medium $4,000. Last week, “Female on Beach” (U) and “Saskatchewan” (U» (reissues), same. Mary Ann (People’s) (900; 75-$ 1) —“Fever In Blood” (WB). Light $3,500. Last week, “Sundowners” (WB» (5th wk), same. Ohio (Settos' (900; 75-$1.25>— “Swiss Family Robinson” (BV) (2d wk>. Capacity weekend trade looks to get sock $11,000 on seven days after first week’s $16,000. Rialto (Fourth Avenue) (3,000; 60-$l)—“Esther and King” (20th). Moderate $5,000. Last week, “Lit¬ tle Shepherd of Kingdom Come” (20th) (reissue), $7,000. United Artists (UA) (3,000; 7*5- $1.25)—“Where Boys Are” (M-Gi, Big $15,000. Last week, “Magnifi¬ cent Seven” (UA), $6,500. Better ffeather Boosts B’way; ‘Boys’ Brisk $142,000, Tepe’ Sturdy 34G, ‘Exodus’ Capacity 54G, ‘Grass’ 30G It finally stopped snowing last week, and Broadway'firstruns im¬ mediately rebounded, weekend be¬ ing especially strong after so many desultory days. There is not a single newcomer excepting at arty theatres, but many first-runs are climbing ahead of last week’s offish take. Case in point is the Music Hall with “Where the Boys Are” and stageshow which looks to hit a big $142,000 or near in the second ses¬ sion as compared with $128,000 opening week. The Hall had lines last Saturday and Sunday, that were uncommon in the blizzard- swept initial round. “Pepe” also was up sharply over last stanza with a sturdy $34,000 for sixth week at the Criterion. “Can-Can” was considerably im¬ proved with a lofty $20,000 for the sixth Palace stanza. “Grass Is Greener” also perked, with a big $21,000 or close likely in current (6th) frame at the Astor. It’s trim $9,000 in same week at Trans-Lux 52d Street. “Young One” was better at an okay $14,000 or near in second week at the Victoria. “Swiss Fam¬ ily Robinson,” too, is stronger with a nice $20,000 at Embassy and arty Normandie for sixth weeks. “Three Worlds of Gulliver” is better with a fine $14,000 likely for. seventh round at the Forum. “Marriage-Go-Round” looks good $32,500 in fourth frame, day-dating the Paramount and Trans-Lux 85th Street. “The Misfits” preems at the Capitol today (Wed.) after 11 great weeks with “Butterfield 8.” “Exodus” still is pacing the hard-ticketers with a capacity $54,- 000 assured for the current (7th) stanza at the Warner. “Spartacps” at the DeMille, “Ben-Hur” at the State and “Alamo” at the Rivoli are all ahead of last session. “League of Gentlemen” at the Sutton and “Two-Way Stretch” at the Guild lead the new art theatre entries, both being smash. “Don Quixote” still is doing great in second rounds at the 55th St. Play¬ house and 68th St. Playhouse. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1.094; 75-$2*— “Grass Is Greener” (U) (6th wk>. Present round ending tomorrow (Thurs.) is heading for solid $21,- 000 after $20,000 for fifth. Holds. Capitol (Loew) (4,820; $l-$2.50) ; —“The Misfits” (M-G). Opens to¬ day (Wed.). Last week, “Butter¬ field 8” (M-G) (11th wk). Okay $17,000 or near after $16,000 for 10th round, but winding a highly profitable longrun that started be¬ fore the year-end holidays. - Criterion (Moss) (1,520; $1.50- $3.50)—“Pepe” (Col) (7th wk). The sixth frame ended last night (Tues.) was sturdy $34,000 after $31,000 for fifth. DeMille (Reade) (1,463; $1.50- $3.50)—“Spartacus” (U) (17th wk). This stanza finishing today (Wed.) looks like smart $22,000 or near after $20,000 for 16th week. Stays. Embassy (Guild Enterprises) (500; $1.25-$2) — “Swiss Family Robinson” (BV) (6th wk>. This round ending tomorrow (Thurs.) is climing to fine $13,000 after $12,- 000 for fifth week. Palace (RKO) (1,642; 90-$2.50)— “Can-Can” (20th) (7th wk). Sixth I stanza ended last night (Tues.) was fancy $20,000 after $17,500 for fifth. Forum (Moss) (813; 90-$1.80»— “3 Worlds of Gulliver” (Col) (7th wk). This session winding tomor¬ row (Thurs.) is heading for fine $14,000 after $12,000 in sixth. “Wackiest Ship in Army” (Col) opens Feb. 9, day-dating with Trans-Lux 52d Street. Paramount (AB-PT) (3.665; $1- $2)—“Marriage-Go-Round” (20th) (4th wk). Current week ending to¬ morrow (Thurs.) is heading for good $27,000 after $25,000 for third frame. “Millionairess” (20th* opens Feb. 10. Radio City Music Hall (Rockefel¬ lers) (6,200; 90-$2.75> — “Where Boys Are” (M-G) and stageshow (2d wk). Climbing to fancy $142,- 000 or near now r that the storms have gone. First was $128,000. Stays. Rivoli (UAT) (1,545; $1.50-$3.50) — “Alamo” (UA) (15th wk). The 14th session completed last night (Tues.) was okay $17,000 or near after $15,500 for 13th week. State (Loew) (1,900; $1.50-$3.50) —“Ben-Hur" (M-G) (62d wk). Cur¬ rent round winding today (Wed.) looks to push up to great $30,400 after $25,500 for 61 sr. week. Holds, natch! Victoria (City Inv.) (1,003; 50-$2) —“Young One” (Indie) (3d wk). In¬ itial holdover stanza finished yes¬ terday (Tues.) was okay $14,000 or near after $13,000 opener. Stays. Warner (SW) (1,813; $1.50-$3.50) —“Exodus” (UA) (7th wk). This round, winding up tomorrow (Thurs.), continues capacity with $54,000. Last week, ditto. Stays in- def. First-Run Arties Baronet (Reade) (430; $1.25-$2)— “Make Mine Mink” (Cont) (7th wk). Sixth frame finished Sunday (29) was Trig $7,500 after $8,000 for fifth. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“Big Deal” <UMPO> (llth-final wk). The 10th round finished Mon- (Continued on page 24) ‘Spartacss’ Big News fa Balto; $10,500, Despite Snow; ‘Family’ 11G, 2d Baltimore, Jan. 31. Big news here, despite the snow and cold weather are* “Swiss Fam¬ ily Robinson,” socko in second week at the New after smash open¬ er and “Spartacus.” big in second frame at the Town. “World of Suzie Wong” looks fine in sixth week at the Charles. “Wackiest Ship in the Army” is pleasant in second week at the Hipp. “Exodus” is good in seventh at the Mayfafr and “Tunes of Glory’* is nice in sixth week at the Play¬ house. “Never On Sunday” is steady in 11th week at the‘Play¬ house. “Marriage-Go-Round” is dull in first at Stanton. Estimates for This Week Aurora (Rappaport) (367; 90- $1.50)—“Can-Can” <20th» <rerun) (2d wk). Fair $1,700 after $2,000 in first. Charles (Fruchtman) (500; 90- $1.80)—“Suzie Wong” (Pan (6th wk). Healthy $6,000 after $7,000 in fifth frame. ' Cinema (Schwaber) (460; 90- $1.50)—“Virgin Spring” (Janus). Strong $3,200. Last week, “General Della Rovere” (Cont) (4th wk), $1,500. Five West (Schwaber) (460; 99- $1.50)—“Tunes of Glory” (Lope) (6th wk). Nice $2,000 after $2,000 for fifth. Hippodrome (RappaporU <2,300; 90-$1.50>—“Wackiest Ship” <CoI) (2d wk). Big $9,500 after $3,099 in first. Little (RappaporU (300; 90-$1.50, 4 —“Please Turn Over” (Col) (3d wk'. Good $2,000 after $2,500 in second. Mayfair (Fruchtman) (750; $2- $2.50)—“Exodus” (UA» (7th wk). Steady $7,000 after same lari week. New (Fruchtman) (1,600: 90- $1.50) — “Swiss Family Robinson’* <BV) <2d wk*. Sock $11,000 a?ter $13,000 opener. Playhouse (Schwaben (460; 99- $1.50)—“Never On Sundav” (Lone) (11th wk). Steady $2,000 after¬ same in previous week. Stanton (Fruchtman) (2,800; 90- $1.50)—“Marriage - Go - Round’* (20th). Blah $5,000. Previous week, “G.'ass Is Greener” (U» <5th wk). $4,000. Town (Rappaport' (1,125; $1.50- $2.50)—“Spartacus” (U* (2d wk). Tall $10,500 after $10,000 in first.