Variety (Apr 1949)

VcJiniesday^ April 6,' 1949 Total Broadway Grosses . The folloioinfl ore the comparative figures based on VARiFnr's boxoffie' estimates, for last week and the correspQuding week of ThI, Last Season Seasoti Number of shows current 29 27 Total weeks played so far by all shows l.Oie 1,102 Total gross forall current shows last week . . $628,700 $718,300 Total season's gross so far for all shows $24,210,900 $24,071,000 Number of new productions so far 59 56 OA Biz Bullish in Meagre Layout; Ballet Theatre $54,000; Tinian'$32^00 LEGITIMATE 59 V Chicago, April 5. f Midweek's rain didn't dent up- ward b.o. trend although activity is at minimum with present mea- ere legit layout. Conventions con- tributed to upped grosses, with Ballet Theatre leading the field with smash biz in eight per- '"Lack'^^of forthcoming product finds four legit houses dark, with "Allegro" only definite opening, slated for Easter Monday debut at Great Northern. "Inside U S.A.' tentatively follows "Fimans at Shubert. , , , j, «r , Estimates for Last Week Ballet Theatre, Opera House (1st week) (3,800; $3.71). Closed Sun- day eve (3) after eight per- formances; smash $54,000. • "Finian's Rainbow,." Shubert (9th week) (2,100;^ $4.94). Bain dented midweek take, but still strong at $32,500. "Mister Roberts," Erlanger (29th Sveek) (1,334; $4.33). Consistent sock biz at $26,000. 'Green $5,000, W14G, PhiBy Current Road Shows .■■■/■:..(April--4-16)' "Allejsro" -- Davidson, Mil. (4-9); Cass, Det. (11-16). "Annie Get Your Guri"-^ Aud;, Savannah (4-5); Aud:rCiOlunibia (6- 7); Aud., Augusta (8^9); A.ud., Chatt. (11); Aud., Macoii (12);: Albany, Al- bany (13-14); Aud., Mioritgoihei^ ■(15-16).:: "Blackouts of 1949"—'El Gajpitan, L. A. (4-16). *'Born: Yesterday" LyceumV Mj)ls.(6); Parkway, Madison (8-9); Davidson. Mil. (11-16). "Brigadoon" i-- Aud., Boch. (4-9); Erlanger, Buff. '11-16). .. . ; , ."Cat .-aiid-; ■eailarjf?'-'i-ji- -'Fotreist,", *hiiiy/(4-i6). , . ; '^Finiaii's Rainbow'* Shubert, :Chi<4-16),^:' • \ V'V'. ^-i/^ ^ "Ilapiiiest rYears''-T-: Plymouth, Bost.;-(ii-i6)v\'---./ a:' . "Harvey" (Fay Co.)-^Amer, St. liouis (4-9); Mosque; Peoria (11-12);; Orpheum, Davenport (13-14); KENT, Des Moines (15-16). "Harvey" (Brown Co.) — Nat'l, Greensboro (4-5); Carolina, DUrT ham (6-7); State, Baleigh (8t9); I PlayhousBi Wilm. (11-12); Warner, All". City (13-l6).-v': . "Hell*apdppin':"T—Geary, Frisco ■(4-16),-vv .v^ "Heiress"— Colonial, Host. (4- Philadelphia, April 5. I ^^ioiirh Rnttnn ShnM" — Mump Not much encouragement in the , „„,7'«i? r'V^l.. IvceunT Mols local legit situation which is un- V^}\J^- ^' Lyceum. Mpis. precedented , and cannot find aj^ "i K„„m mv imvp'* —Biitmnrp parallel even bac'k in the grim days i , .» f}"^^. ^'^ ^''^ — BUtmore. of the early '30's when Philly had I ^-^^ Lnnts Smash 3QG/LA.; W 9iG; Theek' 7G Los Angeles, April 5. Capacity or near capacity grosses were racked up last week by the four legit houses alight as theatre biz ignored Lent and moved up- ward. "I JCnow My Love," with the Lunts, racked up top business with its gross held down only by Thea- tre Guild subscription tickets. Estimates for Last Week "Blackouts of 1949," El Capitan (354th wk) (1,142; $2.40). Very little bothers this one. Another virtual sellout; $17,000. "Cafe Crown," El Patio (3rd wk) (790; $3). Up to $9,500, about 90% capacity, and will definitely hold through April 16 at least "I Know My Love," Biltmore (1st wk) (1,636; $4.20). First frame's .$30,000 dose to capacity mark. Current week also is on. subscrip- tion, but next (and final) frame isn't and may hit a new house recr ord. .. ■ ■ "Tongue'In Cheek," Las Palmas (2d wk) (388; $3.60). No empty seats here. Seven performances brought $7,200 with advance lengthening. ^ Cab Strike ThreateiK B'way B.O.; Detective'$23,000inlstFuUWeek, Traitor' 5G in 4, Three to Fold only two houses. Last night's open Ing of the "Cat and the Canary' revival, in at the Forrest for two weeks, provides only current ac- tion. Nothing is skedded next Mon- day but on Thursday (14) the Wal- nut will relight for, a nine-day pe- riod with a Yiddish production of "Anna Lucasta." Only Easter Week booking is "Present Laughter." , listimates for Last Week "Ivy Green," Locust (one week only) (1,570; $3.25). Single week booking for this costume dramatic tryout not very successful. Ad- verse notices and only $5,000 at faoxoflice. House looks to be washed up for season. "What a Guy," Forrest (2nd i week) (1,766; $3.90). Yiddish mu- sical with Menasha Skulnik got a little over $14,000 in final week of 10-day visit. 'Superman' 18G, Frisco; O&J W $24,000 r.. San Francisco, April 5. , "Man and Superman," with Maurice Evans, opened to critics' raves Monday (28) at the Currah (1,776; $3.60) but show only grossed $18,000 for its first stanza, due mostly to balmy weather, big racing season and opening of base- ball. The Geary (1,550; $3.60) also suffered, with Olsen and Johnson's Hellzapoppin of 1949" chalking up $24,000 for the first week on re- turn engagement. "inside U: S.A."Ford's, Balto (4-9); Nixon, Pitt. (11-16). "Magnolia Alley"—^ Plymouth, Bost. (4-9). "Man and Superman"'-^Curran, Frisco (4-16). "Medea"—Aud., Htfd (4); Acad., North'ton (5); Court,- Spgfld. (6); Shubert, Bost. (11-16). "Mr. Adams" — Shub.-Laf., Det. ■■(4-16).: , "Mr. Roberts" — Erlanger, Chi (4-16). "O Mistress Mine"-^Orpheum, Davenport; (4); Palace, Rockford (5); Iowa, Cedar Rapids (6); KENT, Des Moines (7-8); Omaha, Omaha (9); Music Hall, K. C. (10-12); Conv. Hall. Tulsa (13); Home, Okla. City (14); Majestic, Ft. Worth (15- 16). "Oklahoma!" (No. 1 Co.)—Royal Alex , Toronto (4-9)); Grand, Lon- don. Ont. (11-16). "Oklahoma!" (No. 2 Co.)—Bing- hamton, Bing'ton (4-5); Strand, Jthaca (6-7); Strand, Elmira (8-9; Court, Spgfld. (11-13); Shubert, N. Haven (14-16). "Show Boaf'^Court, Spgfld. (4- 5); Aud., Wore. (6-7); Lyric, Bdpt. (8-9); Erie, Scheh, (11-12); Aud., Roch. (13-16). ^'Streetcar Named Desire" Hanna, Cleve. (4-9); Amer., St. Louis (11-16). 'Pacific $40,410. Heiress' $10,< 'Alley'7G, Hub Boston, April 5. "South Pacific" continued to dominate the Hub during its final week in town, taking sensational biz at the Shubert and getting the most sustained publicity play any show ever got here. Two openers, "The Heiress" at the Colonial and "Magnolia Alley" at the Plymouth, both drew good notices. . . No openers this week, but im- mediately ahead are "Medea," "The Happiest Years," "The Man Who Came to Dinner," VMrs. Gib- bon's Boys," "Gayden'' and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo; Estimates for Last Week "Magnolia Alley," Plymouth (1st week) (1,200; $3.60). This one drew mixed but generally helpful notices as a strawhat type farce. Comedy, only one in town; topped $7,000. Metropolitan Opera Co., Opera House (2d week) (3,000; $8.40). As figuredi second week hit sock $115,000. Total take here figured at $186,000. "South Pacific." Shubert (3d week) (1,750; $5.20). Final week remained at absolute capacity to take $40,470; house record;: "The Heiress,'' Colonial (1st week) (1,200; .$3.60). This one drew favorable notices, but even Basil Rathbone's personal draw pulled only $10,600; closing the tour Saturday , (9), a week early. • Kritz Vice Steininger As 'Stranger' Folds in Pitt After Sour $5,500 Week Pittsburgh, April 5. Kay Francis' "Favorite Stranger" folded here Saturday, night (2) af- ter giving the Nixon its lowest "Pitt T ImyU* TT/ioil figure in two seasons. Playing at rm Ijight Upera Head ; $3 25 top (including tax), show did Pittsburgh, April 5 Karl Kritz, of N. Y. Met Opera staff, has been appointed musical director for Civic Light Opera Assn. this summer. He replaces only around $5,500. "Favorite Stranger," new Legit attendance on Broadway last week generally maintained the pace of the previous week. Re- ceipts were better for the early part of the week, but the taxi strike, starting Friday (1), affected that night's business and Saturday (2) afternoon and evening. The sellouts have not been hurt thus far, but if the cab layoff con- tinues more than a week or so even; the top hits may have a drop of advance orders.: This week brings two new shows, "Ivy Green" and "South Pacific." There will at least three clos- ings this week. Five new produc- tions, plus the return engage- ments of "Medea"' andr "Man, and Superman," at the City Centerj wiU arrive before the season ends May 31. , Estimates for Last Week Keys : C ( Comedy) , D (Dramo), CD (Ooniedj/-DroTna), R (Revue), M (Musict.1), O (Operetta). ■ Other porentfietic Jlstures refer to seating capajcity- and top price, includinsi 20% : amusemenf toa;.. However, estimates are net; i.e., exclusive of tax. "All for Love," Hellinger (10th wk) (R-l,543; $4.80): Was about $1,000 ahead of the previous week, but was socked by the cab strike; down to approximately $7,000. (12 wk) (R-1.472; $6). Slid again to around $21,000. couple of notches to $24,000. "Anne of 1,000 Days,'' Shubert (17th wk) (D-1,387; $4.80). Holding to strong pace and apparently a cinch to last out the season; un- der $29,000. "As the Girls Go," Winter Gar- den (20th wk) (M-1.519; $7.20). Producer Michael Todd, depending largely on out-of-town trade, has chartered buses to bring patrons to the theatre from the principal ho- tels; receipts were up for the first part of the week, but the weekend ebbed slightly below the previous one; has now reached $1,000,000 total gross mark; still the town's top money-getter at $47,500. "At War With the Army," Booth (4th wk) (C-712; $4.80). May be able to hang on for a run; circusy exploitation is apparently getting results; virtually in the black at almo-st $10,300; "Big Knife." National (6th wk) (D-1.172; $4.80). With theatre CO (13th wk) (C-1.077; $4.80). After a slow start and then hitting vir« tual capacity for several weeks, this Paris import has been hitting a steady pace: bettered $20,700. . "Mister Roberts," Alvin (59th wk) (CD-1,357; $4.80). Again SRC at all performances; just short, of $35,000. "Private Lives," Plymouth (26th wk) (C-1,062; $4.80). Tallulah Bankhead show is getting fine profits and is apparently set for the rest of the season; almost $15r 500. "Silver Whistle," Biltmore (19th wk) (C-920; $4.80). Theatre Guild's hit for the 1948-49 season is prov- ing a strong runner; $17,000. "South Pacific," .Majestic (M- 1,659; $6); Musical comedy adapta- tion of short stories by James A. Michener, with score: by Richard ' Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammer- stein, 2d, and book by Hammer- stein and Joshua Logan, presented by Rodgers & Hammerstein, in as- sociation with Leland Hayward iSc Logan; opens tomorrow ■ night (Thurs.). "Streetcar N a m e d Desire," Barrymore (70th wk) (C-920; $4.80)i Getting steady< patronage and is a prospect to continue into next' sea- son; nearly $23,000; "Sun and I," New Stages (2d wk) (C-299; $3). Third production of the season for New Stages hasn't equalled the group's other shows; closing Saturday (9)i a wee)c ' before originally scheduled; $lr 500. "They Knew What They Wanted," Music Box (7th wk) (C- 1,012; $4.80). Revival hasn't made the grade; closing Saturday (9); drooped to under $10,000. ' "The Traitor," 48th Street (1st wk) (D-917; $4.80). Jed Harris pro- duction premiered Thursday (31) to seven out of- eight favorable no- tices; appears a likely dick if it; can get off the .ground in the face of the taxi strike; first four ap^ pearance drew so-so $5,000. "Two Blind Mice," Cort (5th wk) (C-1,064; $4.80). Farce fell back a bit to $18,500. "Where's Charley?" St. James (21st wk) (Mrl,509; $6). Has showed fine staying power and now looks like a prospect to play, into joext season; $37,800 again. parties and the advance sale large-1 Horeliov Pa P^nvAC It ran ly used up. grosses have slid; get- neibllCy, Id., rrUVCb 11 tdU Pay; 33G to Inside U.S.A; 'Brigadoon^ m Toronto Record With $39,840 Toronto, April 5. "Brigadoon" set a new house record in the 41-year history of the Roval Alexandra for a smash gross of $39,840, with the 1,525- seater scaled at $4.80 top. House was sold out on first mail order announcement; an extra Friday matinee was immediately snapped up. "Brigadoon" is pencilled in for a further fortnight and possibly three weeks here when current commitments have ended. ' Similarly, "Oklahoma!" in for the week : of April 4, was sold out after first press notice for an ad- vance sale of $32,680, with Royal Alexandra scaled at $4.20 tops This is fourth engagement here of the musical. ■ 'Allegro' 28G, Mpls. Minneapolis, April 5. "Allegro," New York Theatre Guild-A.T:S. subscription season offering, benefiting from highly comedy by Eleanora Sellars, has i favorable word-of-mouth, finished been playing road dates for last \ two months, but wasn't figured to| Fran^ steininger. who held down h-e « P-^ible^ chance for Bro|d^ that post last year^ . Another change in staff of al- fresco company here will bring in i , . ^ Maurice Kelly as dance director ' for modern and tap routines. An- thony Nelle will again stage the classical ballets. Week, reopening Monday (11) with "Inside U.S.A.," which comes in •OKLA!' 28G, BALTO Baltimore, April 5. ■ "Oklahoma!" made an oft-re- peated visit to Ford's here last week and wound up with a fine $28,000 total. "Inside U. S. A." is current, with <Borit' lOG in Split St. Paul, April 5. Touring company of Garson Kanin's comedy, "Born Yesterday," with Jean Parker and Lon Chaney, Jr., picked up a gross of about $10,000 last week in six perforniT artcce ■ divided between the La^ Crosse theatre. La Crosse, Wis., and the Auditorium here. to good $28,000 at $4.20 top in 1,900-seat Lyceumi — Business, however, was consider- ably short of capacity ♦ANNIE' m, ATLANTA Atlanta, April 5. "Annie Get Your Gun" grossed $32,000 in eight performances at the Tower last week. Show divides this week between Savannah, Columbia and Augusta. return of "Harvey,"'this time with | Play is splitting this week be- Joe G< Brown, set for April 17. ' tween Minneapolis and Madison. <Okla!' 40G, Albany Albany. N. Y., April 5 "Oklahoraal" grossed nearly $40,- 000 last week at Warner's 2,000 seat Strand at $4.40 top. Film house has booked "High Button Shoes"^for June 2-4. ting an operating profit at $20,800. "Biggest Thief in Town," Mans- field (1st wk) (C-1,041;, . $4.80). Opened Wednesday (30) to poor no- tices; closing Saturday night (11); first five performances got $12,300. "Bom Yesterday," Miller (165th wk) (C-940; $4.80). Chugging along in its fourth year an l should stick through the season; «!till a slight margin at $10,600. "Death of Salesman," Morosco (8th wk) (D-931; $4.80). Gets the limit of standees at all perform- ances; topped $24,300. "Detective Story," Hudson (2d wk) (D-1,057; $4.80). Sidney Kings- ley melodrama has joined the list of SRO hits; theatre party com- missions will limit the gross for a couple of months; first full week chalked up almost $23,000. "Edward, My Son;" Beck (27th wk) (D-1,214; $4,80)- Eased again to $24,900. "Goodbye, My Fancy," Fulton (20th wk) (CD-966; $4.80). Made- leine Carroll's following continues to maintain hefty trade; . topped $20,600. "High Button Shoes." Broadway (78th wk) (M-1,900; $6). Keeps on making a sizable profit; nearly $27,- 000. "Howdy. Mr. Ice," Center (41st wk) (R-2,964; $2.88). Skating spec- tacle is in its final three weeks, with a new edition due May 26; dipped to $29,000. "Ivy Green," Lyceum (D-990; .$4.80). Play by Mervyn Nelson, presented by Hall Shelton; opened, last night (Tues.), "Kiss Me Kate," Century (14th wk) (M-1,654; $6). Getting all the house will hold; $47,100 again. "Lend an Ear," BrOadhurst (16th wk) (R-1,160; $6). One of the sea- son's standout smashes; about the same at $32,100. "Life With Mother," Empire (24th wk) (C-1,082; $4.80). Sub-, stantial profit margin at over $16,- 500. "Light Up the Sky," Royale (20th wk) (C-1,035; $4.80). Dipped to $14,700. "Love Life," 46th St. (26th wk) (M-1,319; $6). Has taken A new lease on life by the use of two-for- ones; over $24,000. "Madwoman of Challlot,'^ Belas^ Hershey, Pa.. April 5. Launched by a $30,000 advance,: "Inside U. S. A." grabbed a fait $33,000 at the Community play- i house here last week. Although the 'final take was disappointing- after the. promising advance sale',: the.business spotlighted how this town has developed in the last couple of seasons from a one- nighter to a full-week stand for strong shows. Local management's intensive exploitation methods is credited with the heightened interest in,en- tertainment, including musicals; straight shows and such traveling units as bands, concerts, etc. 'Harvey' 12G in 4, Indpls.; 'Mistress' $5,500 in 3 Indianapolis, April 5. Frank Fay in "Harvey" took a big $12,000 in four performances at $3.60 top at the Murat (2,000) March 31-April 2. "O Mistress Mine" grossed a mild $5,500 in three performances March 29-30 at $3 top, also at Murat House now has: "Brigadoon'* coming week of May, 2. but is with- out attraction for April. 'Shoes' $36,400, St. Loo St. Louis, April 8. "High Button Shoes" built rapid- ly as it went along and the windup of a two-week stand Saturday (2) at the American topped a lusty $36,400 in eight performances; with the 1,700-seat house scaled to $4.88; Gross for the first stanza was $33^: 000. 'Streetcar' $26,400, Cleve. Cleveland, April 9. "A Streetcar Named Deslr*," headed by Uta Hagen, tagged • near - smash $26,400 in itt Utn eight peiiormanco at th« Hannft (1,350 seats) last week at $3.90 top. on Theatre Guild subscription. Pulitzer prize play is staying an» other stanza without subscription, so a high gross is possible;