Variety (Apr 1949)

sa LEGITOHATB Plays on Broadway The Traitor Jed Harris production of drama in two acts <£our scenes) by Herman Wqnk. Fea- tures Lee Tricy, Walter Hampden,-Wes- ley Addy, Louise Piatt, Richard Derr, Jdjin Wengraf. Staged by Harris, Setting, Raymond Sovey; costumes, Joseph Fret- -lireU, 3d. At 48th Street, N. Y.i March 31, '49! $4.80 top ($6 opening). Prof. Tobias Emanuel. ..Walter Hampden Jane Bailey , . Louise Plstt Margaret ., Georgia Simmons Prof. Allen Carr Wesley Addy Eva McKeon .............. Jean Hagcn ■ Lt. Henderson, .......Richard Derr Mr. Fisllnger James Van Dyk Capt. Gallagher Lee Tracy Reynolds ....... .WilUam Thunhurst, Jr. Chief Wilson.,. .. . ...Maurice Manson Lt. Smith ...............James Davidson HammontreeMichael Abbott First Man . Gene Blakely i Second Man Larry Sherman ■ StrickO . : . .Michael Dreyfuss i Man . . ........ .Philip Coolidge i Another Man John Wengraf' Chief Pharmacist's Mate..,, .Don Poherty i The Biggest Thief in Town Leo Sabinson production of comedy in three acts by Dalton Trumbo. Stars Thomas Mitchell! features Walter Abel, Rhys Williams, Rusa Brown, William J. Kelly. Directed by Herman Shumlini scenery and lighting, Leo Kerz; costumes, Eleanor Goldsmith. At Mansfield, N. Y., March 30, '49; $4.80 top ($6 opening).. Bert Hutchins......... .Thomas Mitchell Horton Paige . .• Russ Brown Laurie Hutchins....Lois Nettleton Buddy Gwyiin^ i. i, .Robert Readick Dr. Jay Stewart............Walter Abel Miss Tipton .Charity Grace Sam Wilkins .Rhys Williams Dn Rolfe Willow. Brent Sargent Col. Jared Rumley....... . ; Fay Roope John yrroybalt.... William J. Kelly First Nurse ....... Alexander LockwooU Second Nurse .Ben Met?. Herman Wouk, gag man for Fred Allen and radio scripter for .the Treasury before becoming a novelist, is a boxoffice click with bis first legit , attempt, "The Trai- tor." A thriller based on the head- lines of today and tomorrow and probably the day after, the play is brilliantly produced by Jed Harris and engrossingly played by a stropg cast headed by Lee Tracy, Walter Hampden, Wesley Addy and John Wengraf. Play's title and ■ < the fact that it's about a professor and the atom bomb may have limit- ed -popular appeal. Also, the story's topical aspect will hurt its film potential. The numerous flaws in ''The . Traitor" do not offset its gripping theatrical effect. The play is dated in form-and technique, some of its theses are highly questionable and its intellectual and ethical preten" sions are spurious. But It is tautly written, superbly produced, and convincingly performed, so It tends to lull an audience into temporarily overlooking its shortcomings. The yarn, as melodramatic as contemporary, news,: is about an . 'idealistic'.young scientist who de- cides to deliver atomic secrets to a Communist spy ring because he be- lieves that if the USSR has the A bomb, it will create an armament • : stalemate' and thereby necessitate a real peace. However, he is' sus- pected by -Naval Intelligence and, in a Tiokey but exciting scene at the end of Act I,' the plot is uncov- ered.- In the end, the scientist sees his error and sacrifices his, life in- helping the Navy trap the ejusive . chief- spy.".:. Although the title character's original motivation seems reason- ably plausible) his insistence .on de- livering the: material to ■ only: the head spy is insufficiently explained. Nor does the author succeed in jus- tifying the old professor's reversal of his stand against loyalty ques- tionnaires for teachers. On the basis of the. play itself, the scien- tist could presumably sign such a paper, since he is n.ot a Communist and apparently regards himself as a loyal American. ■ Moreover, ''The Traitor" appears to endorse wire-tapping. without court authorization and invasion of private- homes without a warrant, merely assuming that in the cir- sumstances presented the end jus- tifies the means. There's no sug- gestion that such actions are ille- gal and, under other suspicious cir- ; cumstances, might involve viola^ tion of an individual's basic rights. Despite these weaknesses, "The Traitor" is a tingling thriller on a topically urgent subject. It is loaded with skillful stage hokum and builds steadily from a slow opening scene to a blazing climax. Itis not to be taken .seriously as a serious drama, but can hardly miss as commercial entertainment. Besides the captivating perform- ance of Tracy, as a land-bound Captain of: Naval Intelligence, the expert playing of Hampden as the kindly philosophy professor, Addy as the misguided scientist, and ■ Wengraf as the cynical spy chief, theo-e are believable portrayals by Richard Derr as an alert Lieuten- ant, of Intelligence, Louise Piatt as a-plaintive fiancee, James Van Dyk as an unctuous liberal-baiter, Philip Coolidge as a Commie junderling, and Jean Hagen as his decorative stooge. . Harris' direction is artfullv paced, his staging of the technical hokus-pocus of the second scene being standout. Raymond Sovey's living room set suggests a properly academic aura, ; ■ If^^ ScenaristTHOvelist Dalton Trum- bo's first play is one of those mis- fortunes: a farce that isn't quite funny enough. Despite a couple of laughable scenes it's an obvious boxoifice failure, with negligible prospects for either films: or radio- television. Comedy, originally titled "Aching. Rivers" and subsequently "The Emerald Staircase," reportedly started as a fairly serious play but became A farce .during extensive rewrites. In any case, it's a goofy fiction relating how a smalltown undertaker and several boozey pals snatch the hody of the local mil- lionaire in: order to cash: in on the gaudy 'funeral. However, it turns out that the old geezer isn't dead yet, so there: are some, frantic com- plications before - the traditional clear-up. Some of this seems pretty des-- perately manufactured : and what should-be funny is occasionally on the grisly side. Also, there's almost enough guzzling to.give the cast, if not the audience, a three-day hang- over. Some of the characters are amusing and likable and others, possibly due partly to the casting and uneven direction, give a play- goer the fidgets. Thomas Mitchell is plausible and diverting in the starring part of the undertaker. Walter Abel is acceptable as his drinking crony, the doctor, although he sobers up suspiciously fast in the last act. Rhys Williams is believable as the prayer-shoutin' druggist, and Russ Brown and William J. Kelly are satisfactory as the editor and mil- lionaire, respectively. Some of the other parts seemingly might have been written out entirely, and some are mere^y unconvincing. The single setting by Leo Kerz suggests the proper air of common^ place gloom. ■ ■ Kobe. Head Over Ileels Providence, April 1. Brown: Univ. Brownbrokws production of mustoal comedy in two acts (13 scenes) by WilUam Dyer, Seymour Rosen and Harris UUian. Directed by George Kckert. Associate director, Harold Bernstein: vocal direction, Adele Anthony: dance di- rection and choreography, Judith Dech and Marcia Krawit; settings, James Baker: orchestra conducted by Harris Ullian. Staged at Faunce House, Providence, March 28, '49. Maxie Minsky..........Harold Bernstein Venus O'Hara... Phyllis Bogardus First Chorus. Girl........... Alice Ruyter Second Chorus Girl..,.,..— Judith Dech Third Chorus Girlv.......Ann Stcllwager Andrea........,.,........,. Mary Miller Gloria. Kathleen Urch Karen..,.. . .. ...Glenna Robinson Dcbra: :........*.......... Maxine. Israel A Man. James Mitchell Diane Apley. ... Alleen Tuck Ashcly Beauregard Calhoun, HI...... wlUiam Dyer- Phoelje Jones ........... Harriet Rotman Joe .:....;..',...,.......: James Lennon Harry...Laurence: Gross Charlie .....:....;.. . . Robert Galileo Dick . ....... ..... Laurence Hochberg Chuck Semlmoronowski .,. Paul Michael President Pistonhower.. Gerald Donovan Plays Abroad Festiviil in Casablanca . .."^ Nurnberg, March 27, Nurnbertf' City Opera presentation of operetta in three acts by Robert Stolz; book, Waldemar Frank; lyrics, Guenther Schwenn, Directed by Helmut Hansel)>4ret by Kurt Hallegger, Stars Use Huelper, Gusty Rainhoff, Gerd* Mackay,: Josa Hall* wegh, Robert Fackler, and Goorg GoU. At Numbers Opera House, March 27i *49, Play Out of Town The Purple Starfish Seattle, March 31. Tryout Theatre production of drama in three acts (four scenes) by Bill Noble, directed by Jerry van Steenbergcn. Set by Blanche Morgan. At Center, Seattle; March 31, '43. Rhoda Blaine.. ......... .Delores Dahl Maroie BLiine .......... Janet Green Mr. Walton ..., ..... .William Grant Madame Sylvia.......... Eleanor Cordon Helen Moore Christina Grant Joe.: ; .Rollin . Neibauer Mrs. Merrick Eirl Benson Mrs. Slade'.................Beverly Davis Bob Lawrence... ..... .,..Jay Justice As its 15th contribution in the musical comedy: field,: Brown- brokers parodies college life and its own current problems, with the plot having an attractive stripper enrolling at school. Stripper moves in, takes over the richest boy oh the campus and has: the rest - of the male student body drooling. She's finally chosen campus queen, gets the publicity and: subsequent pix offers, and also proves herself a good pal by helping her room- mate get her man. : AH in all, though it fails to come up to previously set standards, show is fairly entertaining. It's certainly fast-moving, with 13 scenes in 90, mintites;.: The dance scenes are the most impressive, with Judith Dech get- ting a special nod for her bur- leycue interpretation.; Phyllis Bo- gardus is attractive as the stripper, Venus. Aileen Tuck and William Dyeri who also sing solo, are at their best in a duet, "That's Why I Love You So." Paul Michael dis- plays a pleasing baritone. Gerald Donovan is: a particularly pleasing laugh-getter as President Piston- bower, albeit the humor is a bit on the unkind, side; Overall direction is commendable. Malo. A possible Broadway t^it of 1950 was premiered in bomb-battered Nurnberg March 27 wheii composer- Robert Stolz directed his new opet' etta, "Festival in Casablanca." : ~ The Moroccan capital, the Sa-, hara, and the Belgian capital are the : locales in which are seen a whirl of diplomatic and ronian- tic intrigues. The -many nation!^ alities appearing on the stage give Stolz an excellent excuse to show all the colors of his rich orchestral palette. European melodies blend with the rhythms of the two Amer- icas to a score that guarantees a long: run for "Festival." Further highlights of the show were 'Kurt . Hallea^er's solendid stage settings, the direction b# Hel- mut Hansel, and Use -Huelper as leading lady. Hansel, formerly Berlin, Is re-, garded :as one of the best central European operetta stage directors. His seemingly endless imagination and verve succeeded in making the blood run faster through the buxom,: beer-fed Bavarian ballet babes so that the kaleidoscope of ballet scenes with which the oper- etta: is richly interspersed became a miracle show of grace and pre- cision. It was Hansel who Invited Miss Huelper, of Ber^n's Metropoli to sing the part of the femme lead, at least during the first 15 perform- ances.- Miss Huelper greatly con- tributed to the success of "Festi- val" by combining good looks and excellent acting with a fine voice. Stolz's operetta already is set for London, Zurich and Berlin. > Martin. FAtJST PART I (Yale Drama Dept.) New Haven, March 21. Climaxing, a considerable period ^Llg^Jlg of preparation, Yale's Drama,J)ept., -jistress Peregrine (March 21-26) presented 'Taust Belie Barrow. . . .;..V.V.'Daphne"Anderson Belinda Fair London, March 26. Leslie Henson & John Buckley present tation of musical In two acts (six scenes) by Eric Maschwitz, Gilbert Lennox:: music by Jack Strachey. . Directed by Charles Goldner.' At SavlUe, London, March 25, Belinda Woottou;'.,. . , Adele Dixon Squire Wootton............Bill Stephens Miles Malley:...............John Battles Sir Patrick, .Frank Tilton Jerry Verno Irene Lister. CHICAGO BITS Alan Dazcll, flack, in town ad- vancing for "Allegro" set for April 18 opening at Great Northern.... Tenthouse theatre pitching its tent again for summer theatre session, opening May 31 . .Fortune Gallo and San Carlo Opera Co. set for run at Chi Civic Opera House, April 23 through May 1.. Jimmy Stewart may play lead in Chi "Mis- ter Roberts" while Richard Carl- son vacations this summer. Rhoda, a shy young girl, made neurotic by a disfiguring birthmark on her face, which she hides un- der makeup, is the central figure in this stark and diffuse drama. It doesn't quite jell,until a big, dra- matic scene in the third act. Some fine writing and flashes of meaty drama are not enough to lift it out of vagueness both as to intent and direction. Laid in a fortune-teller's apart- ment. OK a rickety amusement pier, the talk centers around two daugh-^ ters of Madame Sylvia. Older daughter, Rhoda, has purple birth- mark §haped . like a starfish; younger is normal and gregarious and joins mother in keeping eldest at home to do work and add to family : finances. Rhoda, strangely enough, gets two offers of mar- riage but refuses both, electing to carry on fortune-telling when mother takes to ibed and younger girl gets art school scholarship. Delores Dahl goes a standout job in long, difficult role of Rhoda, and William Grant shines as Mr. Wal- ton,', the philosophical boarder. Eleanor Gordon .is Madame Sylvia is also good, b V. script, while a good try,; is^too much for them. Reed. Part I" as one of its most preten- tious productions. Beautifully de- signed and capably staged, lighted and acted, offering served as a faculty-student workout par ex- cellence. It's a feather in the de- partment's cap, and a colorful feather, too.. Play wa? part of Yale's Goethe Bicentennial, which also includes art and literary programs. Script is one of 49 English trans- lations of the original Goethe work. Done by Alice Raphael, this ver- sion carried some topflight writing, not only for its actual translation values but also for the poetry of its expression in English. Dialog afforded groundwork for some sound thesping, with cast MoU Tiplady ...... . ... : Vhyllis Hunter RomiUy Wootton.; ,,.. . Geoffrey Hibbert Crunch .:Peter Yardley Due de Frisac...Ferdv Mayne Captain Faversham ....Manfred Priestley Annie Ogle-Eyes,:. Stella Moray With his previous: show, "Caris- sima," just closing a year's run, this second Eric Maschwitz musical equals the other in color, vem and spirited production, if not coiTtain- ing quite the glamor and romantic hackground. Much depends on Adele Dixon in the title role, sup- ported by John Battles, newcomer to England, who had lead In Broad- way's "Allegro," His pleasing voice matches a manly bearing suited to his martial character. Show is of with his efficient secretary. He ri^ ceives a shock on learning the eirt IS married and hourly expecting her husband's arrival after threS years' separation. But the wander ing grooni flits out again, permal nently, and leaves way open for tho employer. " Banks makes of the elderly lovei. a charming, understanding person ality, maintaining that a woman'.! place is where she is needed Miss Allan adroitly conveys the conflict between duty and inclination, and Kathleen Harrison, famed for her cockney cameos, is forthright and amusing as the servant. Clem. Summer In December ^°"^""' March 23. Milroy Gay presentation of comedy in two acts by James Liggat. Directed hv EUen Pollock. At Comedy, London, March Njsel Wainwright Frank Lawton |%W•.:::::::;:RwU"%?uZ^i Angela Kingsley Ann Stephens Edward Kingsley John WaVwick Judy Holmes Daphne Arthur Monsieur Anatole I^rank Hoyde David Payne Brian Weske Terence Holmes Gordon Edwards Rowena Smith :shelagh Furlev Colonel Waters Reginald Dysoh. Muriel Kingsley ... Joan Mathesoil An assortment of stock charac- ' ters congregated at a seaside.htjtel in stock situations, with little Or no action, sums up James Llggat's first play. Although the author shows understanding of comedy and drama, he has endeavored to ^ develop, his theme without ade- quate story values. A number of ordinary people, who find them- selves at an ordinary:, hotel, have their petty problems and all are mended before the final curtain,ac- cording to plan. At no time is there a surprise twist. An intelligent cast has been brought together and outstanding - credits go to two'youngsters, Ann Stephens and Brian Weske,; for their understanding and clear-cut portrayals.. Irene Handl is at the top of her form as ,an over-eager maid, and Frank Lawton and Rosa- lyn Boulter are attractively teamed as the main romantic leads. An absolute gem comes from Frank Royde who, as a French conductor, scores many laughs without utter- ; ing:a single word. Myro; ; ^ Le Pain Dnr V : (The Hard Road) Paris, March 16. Andre Barsncq presentation of drama in three acts by Paul Claudel. Direction, scenery and c;«tumes by Barsacq. At Theatre de I'Atiler, Paris. . Turelure...Pierre Renoir: Sichel. iGermalne Montera LUmir .;;....... Jany Holt Louis ,.,... . . i...; .. Jean Servals All Habenlchts Paul Oottly Mortdefrold i ....... P. J. Moncorbier average prewar standard, ; with a , , ... „ - . i , gay.historical atmosphere complete I leads getting fine treatment from [ with rousing chorus and usual Thomas J. Tyrrell as Faust, Wil-' comic interlude. But story is obvi- liam Francis as Mephistopheles, ous from curtainrise and its appeal and Sylvia Stockdale as Margarete. will be purely local Effective choreography was ere-; Belinda is the daughter of the ated by Thomas Ribbink. I country squire who takes the place Play none in three acts; with j of her craven cousin as a volunteer multiple scene transitions being accomplished through lighting con- trolled by the electronic switch- board developed at Yale about two years ago. This board is the only console of its kind in existence at present. to serve in in the low countries in the 17th century. Her colonel is son of the neighboring baronet, but couple had never met. Their amus' ing misadventures make up the plot. Miss Dixon is her buoyant self in Production made history from an adventurous role, and Daphne the b.o. angle, being the first time I Anderson as a frothy "lady of he 1 a Yale play has been offered to the town" runs close in appeal. Jerry general Public for a full week's Verno plays his accusfomed comic run at standard b.o. prices. Most, retainer and is responsible f or Eh productions are given before; most of the show's laughs. This is ' invited audiences without charge. I Jack Stachey's first ft^ll-lenglh ' This particular one represented an , musical score and it fits mplo outlay of approximately .$6 500, a i diously into the story's framework sizeable nut for a college show. .y o naiiicwin ii Credits: Frank McMullan, direc /-lu ■ - ^ story's framework. Charles Goldner did an expert job , J . , -„ ■ ,. - ' 01 direction and contributeslareelv 'l^l'!{l\"^^£^.\"H,5^T.'*",Ll'.Sht-,to the satisfying result cfe7n. Shows in Rehearsal "Bruno and Sidney" — New Stages. ,, ■ : , ■ "Gayden"—Gant Gaither. "Happiest Years — Gertrude Macy. "Mrs. Gibbons' Boys — George Abbott. "Present Lausrhter" (road)— Edwin C. Knill & Martin Manulis. /' ' t «. '.. I.. .*.} ing, Stanley McCandless; literary advisor, Alois Nagler; acting coach, Constance Welch; produc- tion supervisor. Boyd Smith—all faculty members. Bone. ■ ■A':;1l?^f»inan^«i ;Pla(>e ,. ■ London, March 25. ^Lmnit and Duntce, presentation of com- edy in two acts by Wendy Grimwood. Di. lected by Charles Hickman. At Vaude. ville, London, Match 24, '49. wSSfw^Sa •-• ■ ■ ■ ' ■ • Banks mI-L ■Tl^r^.'i Elteabeth Allan . . ?. ,u,^n i'*^^™ Kathleen Harrison Virginia Davis giving folksong m15 cohh" ^S""', Lauchian recital in Germantown, Pa., April AnthoSy Pett .•.•.•.■.•.•.•.■.•.■.• Brya'nToiemnS 20 . . . Ballet Espanol Ana Maria,' - t-oieman which debuted in N. Y. last spring Paul Claudel began his trilogy of plays dealing with the moral drama of the French post-revolu- tionary period in 1910, and fin- ished it in 1919, but "Le Pain Dur," the second .of the plays, hasn't been produced beforcv It is a bitter and at times soaring play which through its symbolism tran- scends its melodramatic setting; Such'plot as there is is compara- tively slmple^the murder of an avaricious father by his son, aided and abetted by the father's mis- tress and his own fiancee. But there the simplicity ends; for each of the characters represents one of the forces struggling for power in the creation of our modern indus- trial civilization^capitalism, co- lonial expansion, nationalism, fem- inism and economic materialism. It is impossible to convey in a few words the extraordinary power of Claudel's magnificent writing in this piece, which is full Of signifi- cance for the present-day spec- tator, even though the action takes place during the reign of Louis- Philippe, in 1840 to be exact, The play is admirably acted by Pierre Renoir as the father and by Germaine Montero as his mis- tress. .Tany Holt as the nationalist Pole, whose only desire is to sacri- fice herself for the liberation _ ot her country, is particularly moving in the last act, and Jean Servais gives a fine performance as the paricide son. Paul Oettly is also excellent in the short but impoi'- tani role of All Habenichts. Fred. Longhair Shorts at the Carnegie Pops, will give five performances at Ziegfeld, N. Y., This is a promising first play by a young author, simply constructed, and putting no great strain on the M^^.i ^P"^ .24 . . . Michael I imagination. It provides likeabie MindHn, Jr., special assistant to parts for Elizabeth Allan and Les! Serge Denham Ballet Russe de lie Banks, latter playing Snusuli Monte Cario director to Europe light-hearted role. Its fuccesfis for a four-month holiday ... Jan likely to be purely local and main! of music'dfgrle bvTTrtt,' ^P^denfon ^tars'^UuteS ot Mul e. ^ • ^""^^^ politician, who also writes oi iviusic. children's books, is,^ule^l^ in ^Ipye Selia^iien Paris, March 15. .Tacques Truchot production of com- edy in three acts by Henri Troyiit. u'- reeled by Pasquali. Scenery by R, ,""' shays. At BouiTes-Parlsiens, Pari.s. Mathilde.; ., Santa^RcU ; Maria.............., Ahdroe 'Tainsy A modctl.,:.... Mnrcql BoH^S Mmo. Vial., Jeanne Veniat Mme. ArWsseau Luce Fabiole Arblsseau Yves Deniaud Sebastlen Alfred Ada™ Jacques .\rblsseau =• J*™ Le Costaud Pierre Duncan L'Elegant OUvler Mathot Henri Troyat has built his very funny comedy around an amusing, original idea. Arbisseau is a weii- known painter of religious su wects (Co^^inued on page QQ) , .,,