Variety (Apr 1949)

60 . UBGITIMATB Wednesday, April 6, I949 London Legit Lures Continued from page U ■, probably with "Bless the Bride," which is with the West End, nnw pomDleting its second year, Princes, a month later. Sin a mZey-mfker at the Adelphi. Daniel Mayer tees in with a cou- When is exhausted, he has pie of shows, both to be produced Sher r^ady by the Herbert-! by veteran William Mol ison. They EUis combo responsible for I are the new Alan Melville play Se" thichhe will do with his "Top Secret." starring Hugh present partner, L6rd Vivian. Stephen Mitchell has one for the West End. This is "The Power of Darkness," a Tolstoy adaptation, currently tourinft the provinces, with Stewart Granger and Jean Simmons as stars. It probably goes to the Phoenix end of April. P. Clift tees in with a couple shows. One is Lesley Storm's "Black Chiffon," starring Flora Kobson for a short while prior to her going over to Henry Sherek for "Mary Is From Home," in Sep- tember; and an Evelyn Laye star- rer "Two Dozen Roses." Both are skedded for the West End after a short provincial tour, sometime in April.' Leigh Stafford, former Ameri- can dancer, and now well en- sconced ag director of three West End theatres, has rewritten a play bv Leon Gordon, author of "White Cargo," titled "Till the Thaw," for which he is trying to get an Amer- ican film star to head cast. Hylton's New One . Jack Hjrtton, with two shows currently in the West End—' High Button Shoes" at the Hippodrome, and "Together Again" at Victoria Palace; former doing fair biz, with latter practically capacity, despite longevity of run-^has a new, one skedded. This is Ronald Gow s adaptation of H. G. Wells' "Ann Veronica," in which he will star Wendy Hiller. Will have four weeks' tryout in sticks, commenc- ing May 8, arid then comes to West End. Stanley French, successor to the late Firth Shephard, has three plays. First is "Young Wives Tale," by Ronald Jeans* starring Joan Greenwood and Niaunton Wayne, due end of June, after provincial tryout; a new play by Talbot Rothwelli and another by an unnamed author. Harry Foster occasionally has ai fling in play producing in the West End. His last effort was "Dubarry Was a Lady." some six years ago. His latest is a new musical, "Her Excellency," by Archie Menzies and Harold Purcell, with music by Wakefield and "rom Gill, which is due for initial appearance in Glas- gow early August; and an Ian Hay and L. DuGarde Peach play, with j year) (Ml. Has done as high as $28, tentative title of "White Sheet," ' OOO, but now nearer $24,000, which which is Skedded for mid-June for still is showing good prpflt. Starts from crix, show was pulled to- gether second night, and now is considered an undoubted hit. Grossed top money of all .West End in first week, around $30,000, and looks set till Xmas. "Ulac Time," Palace (5th wk) (O). Put in as stopgap prior to "Brigadbbn," show has proved hefty grosser, doing steady $14,000, with Emile Littler transferring it to the Palace April 20 after de- parture of "Carissima." "Mfss Mabel," Strand (17th wk) (D). Very disappointing at $5,500, but may linger for a while. . "Oklahoma!" Drury Lane (2nd the provinces. Both will come to the West End. Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revus), M (Musical), O (Operetta). its third year first week in May, and looks like continuing through- out the year. "Oranges and Lemons," Globe (9th wk) (R). Hasn't hit the jack- pot, despite raves by crix when first tried out at Lyric, Hammer- "Adventure Story," St. James j smith. Doing around $6,000, barely (2d wk) (D). Well received, with I gyg^ break. Terence Rattigan following big help. Grossed $8,000 in first stanzji, and looks set for good run. Old Vic Co., New (7th wk). Gen- erally capacity, with a few seat's available for matinees. Average take around $10,500. Looks like continuing capacity till closing June 4. "Annie Get Your Gun," Coli- seum (2d year) (M). Will complete second year June 7, and has clean- ed up for Emile Littler, with as high as $30,000 for many months. Now nearer $25,000, but still very profitable, and sure to go well into third year. "Bless the Bride," Adelphi (2d year) (O). Has been big money maker for Charles Cochran and Lord Vivian; entered its third year April 26: Has done as high as $20,' 000, but now nearer to $18,000, and still showing handsome return. "Browning Version" and "Harler quinade," Phoenix (29th wk) (C). Dual bill has been profitable in- vestment, getting as high as $14,- 000, but with star Eric Portman out, now nearer $9,000, but still okay. "Cage Me a Peacock," Cambridge (40th wk) (M). Noel Langley's musi- cal adaptation from own novel "One Wild Oat," Garrick (16th wk) (C). Has clicked from opening, doing steady $11,300, which is practically capacity. "September Tide," Aldwych (15th wk) (C). Has done very big due to its Star Gertrude Lawrence, and will continue doing biz as long as she is in it; steady $12,800. "The Heiress," Haymarket (8th wk) (D). Has clicked from opening, and looks set for long run. Doing steady $10,000, which is very prof- itable. "Together Again," Victoria Pal- ace {2nd year) (R). Doing steady $24,000 for many months, and, al- though now nearer $17,000, could continue throughout summer. But likely to close^ate May, cast want- ing rest. "Traveller's Joy," Criterion (40th wk) (C). Got away to good start, averaging around $6,500, prac- tically capacity. Dropped slightly while, star Yvonne Arnaud was away sick, but has now picked up again. "Worm's Eye View," Whitiehall (2nd year). Oldest show in town has made fortune for promoters, at times doing ; $6j4Q0, practically capacity; Now nearer $4,800, which "^"TJ*'^„„tAc Tin is still profitable, and likely to stay played_for months to steady $10,- , ^ , • „„_thc 000. Now nearer $6,500, which still gets by. Being replaced by Cecil Landeau's new revue, "Sauce Tartare," April 25. "Belinda Fair." Saville (1st wk) (M). Got over to fair press. Like- ly to do moderate trade for some \^eks. Opening week expected to touch around $9,000, above even break. "Carissima," Palace (2d year) (M). Opened slowly, but took up- for several more months. "Daphne Laureola," Wyndham's (2nd wk) (CD). Presented by Laur- ence Olivier, with Edith Evans as star, 'ishow got away to good press, and did capacity opening week. Advance bookings healthy, with first week's take- around $8,000, near capacity. Looks in for healthy run. Manning Sherwin and Harry Park | ward swing and grossed around Davis, ivhicb will star Cicely' .... Courtneidge^;- Show opens in Glas- gow April 19, and is skedded for the Hippodrome, replacing "Shoes" late May or early June. Bernard Delfont, wlio is minus a West End show, has two in hand. One is the "Folies Bergere" revue, which clicked in Birmingham try- out last week, and is talked of as a replacer for Jack Hylton's "To- gether Again*' at Victoria Palace, despite latter still being in the money; and a new musical, "Hat in the Air;" with book by Ken Atte- well and music by Edward Horan. Cast is headed by Bobby Howes. Pat Kirkwood and Gabri»l Brune. Opens in the provinces May 23, $13,000 for..several weeks. Now nearer $10,000, which is about even break. Being replaced by Emile Littler's revival, "Lilac Time," currently at His Majesty's, April 20..- • "Summer in December," Comedy (1st wk) {C). Fair press, with first week's intake likely around $3,500; slight profit. Limited run antici- pated. "Edward. My Son." Lyric (42d wk) (D). Has done as high as $11,-- 500, praGtically capacityi, and even at present take of $7,200 still show- ing profit, and good for many: more weeks Rank's New $ i Continued from page I ; must decide is -whether television is ripe enough for the plucking. Rank has a big backlog of Brit- ish films which have nevo^- been released in the U. S. although prints have been here for a num- ber ?of years. Since these pix have not had theatrical bookings, it is considered cricket to groove them t6 video' without the danger of running into exhibitor resentment arising from tele's cuffo competi- Legit actress Lucille Marsh sails Saturday (9) on the Noordam for several months' vacation in France, Italy and S\tritiserUn(ji . , • John Tuerk, company manager of "Life with Mother," in Doctors' hospital, N. Y., with a stomach'ailment . . . Lawrence Lansner, co-directot 0f the Theatre Guild, leaves Friday (8) for the Coast . . . William Fields, press agent for the Play- wrights' Co. and "Goodbye, My Fancy," hai; resigned from the board of governors of the Assn. of Theatrical Press Agents & Mana- gers, with Ben KornzweiKi alteri nate, succeeding ... Henri Cau- bisens will be production stage manager of the touring "Present Laughter," starring Edward Ev- erett Horton . . . Exhibition of stage designs, model theatres and books on Show business opened Monday (4) at Batsford galleries, N. Y., and will continue through April 30 . . . The Imperial, N, Y., currently housing "Along Fifth Avenue," will get "Miss Liberty," forthcoming Robert E. Sherwood- Irving Berlin musical, July 4 . . , Actor-director Ezra Stone opens a lecture tour April. 26 in Buffalo, under the management of National Concert & Lecture Bureau. Broadway's approved ticket- brokers will handle reservations for the Antoinette Perry Awards dinner at the Waldorf, N. Y., April 24 . . . Theron Bamberger will be a guest speaker at the monthly conference of the -Philadelphia Federation of Women's Clubs and Allied Organizations Thursday (7), talking on "The Summer Theatre Circuit." Antoinette Guhlke and Bob Dixon, of the cast of "Lend an Ear," will be married June 1.. .. Warren Caroy of the Theatre Guild, is a member «<<^the >theatHw. advi- sory panel at the second national conference of the U. S. national commission for UNESCO, at Cleve- land .... Hayes Gordon has suc- ceeded Donald Richards in the cast of "Along Fifth Avenue". . . The Garson Kanins (Ruth Gordon) sailed Saturday (2) for England to arrange a London production of Miss Gordon's "Years Ago" and "Leading Lady" and to discuss a film deal with Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivian Leigh,. aft(;r . which they'll vacation on the Continent ... London producer Basil Dean in New York on a show-shopping visit. He's also studying the U. S. television setup .;.. Broadway pro- ducer Michael Ellis and film actor Kirk Douglas have joined : Paton Price in the construction and op- eration of the New theatre,' de- signed by Frank Lloyd Wright, to be built this summer at Hartford ,.. . Leonardo Cimint, Cecil CIot velli, John Effrat, John Kearnley, William Hammerstein, William Harmon and Monroe B. Hack will direct individual scenes for "Tal Fielding 'Crazy as a Fox' In Bringing PhiOy Orch To Britain at SOG Loss Philadelphia, April 5 The Philadelphia orchestra is being sent to England this sprina virtually f.o.b. British impresario Harold Fielding has put up the guarantee for the transportation costs and salaries for tlie tour in advance and it will be paid in dollars. Bank of England has au- thorized full credit for the trin b.7 virtue of favorable credit bal- ances. There is much interest (and envy) among other U. S. symphs who wonder how the trip is be- ing financed. But before orch sails in MaJ- for its tour of 28 concerts all the cash will be in a Philly bank. ; Negotiating the deal in- volved a lot ■ of Washington worlt and diplomatic protocol. Although tour appears a losing venture to the Britishers, Fielding and his backers aren't regarded as so crazy here. When the trip is tlirough. Fielding will be top im- presario in Great Britain. The miri- imum tiie tour can cost is $320,000 and the maximum may go as high as $350,000. which is a lot of coin to pick up in 28 concerts. Fielding reportedly stands to lose at the most $50,000, and his loss may be less than that. This is peanuts, considering his finanical status and the position he is shooting for in the international concert-setup. Asked why he is bringing tlie Philadelphia Orchestra in view of his prospective loss. Fielding said, "as a commercial venture it is-just plain crazy^ But I think it is my job to bring the greatest music I can to the British Isles, and the Philadelphia Orchestra is the greatest in the world." , • ' SUMMER THEATRE OPPORTUNITY Located in tli* heart of Lali* Snnop**'* tummtr colony, overlook- ing lake and mountoini.' > Building 36xi0, excellent conitruelioni with full basement, 4 oerii land, near hotalt and gueit houict. Can be eaiily converted into: theatre. De- taili and pleturei on request. Price only $6,000.' Excellent', mortgage terms.' George R. Dane« Owner, Newport. N. H., Tel. «73-R; tion. Understood that Rank sees "Foolish Gentlewoman," Duchess I television as the only possible way (5th wk) (CD). Bettering $6,000,1 of extracting dollars for the un- which shows slight profit in this I played films, small house. Has chance for sev-1 eral more months. ' DERWENT 'DRAFTED' AS EQUfTY PREZ AGAIN Clarence. Dervtrent has been "drafted" by the nominating com- mittee to succeed himself as presi- dent of Actors Equity. Actor, wlio had indicated his desire to be re- lieved of the'duties at the end of his present term, agreed to con- tinue the office at the committee's lirging that it is "imperative for the best interests", of the union. . Understood that henceforth the or- ganization's first vice-president will share some of the administra- tive duties. Other officer candidates named by the committee and slated for three-year terms are E. John Ken- nedy, first v.p.; Cornelia: Otis Skin- ner, second v.pi;, Ralph Bellamy, third v.p.; Augustin Duncan,'fourtli v.p.; Paul Dullzell, treasurer, and: Basil Rathbone, recording.: secre- tary. Council nominees, to serve . ,.„„ ., five years, are Edward Andrews, ent 49 sliowcase to be presented philip Bourneuf, Robert Perry, Tuesday afternoon (12) at the 46th Street theatre, N; Y. SAMUEL FRENCH ai.NOB ISSO Play, Brokers and Authors' Representatives es Wmt 4,'itli Streer, New Turk Tn2:< Snnfirt lllvd,. UoUy«vaad te, Cal. FOR RENT Summer Theatre in N.J., 40 milet from N.Y. Star system Only. Write to RICHARD STEVERS 11I> MofifroHN Avi... lEiitlK^rford, N. .T. "Happiest Days of Your Life," Apollo (53i-d wk) (C). Has played to steady capacity at $14,000, un- til recently. Now dropped to near- er $11,000, which is still profit yielding. "Harvey," Prince of Wales (12th wk) (C). Despite mixed press, sliow has clicked from opening. Regular weekly take around $16,- 000, which is profitable. ■^Human Touch," Savoy (7th wk) (D). Started slowly, but is gradu- ally building, and now averaging around $8,000. showing profit. "High Button Shoes," Hippo- drome (14th wk) (M). Has been do- ing practically capacity biz for sec- ond shows, but bad first houses, I with average around $20,000 but I lately nearer $18,000. I "Ice-Cascades," Stoll's (26th wk) I (R). Has done very well for Tom I Arnold, with take having exceeded I $18,000 some weeks, but now I nearer $14,000, which is still show- ing slight profit. "Kid From Stratford," Winter Garden (26th wk) (M). Has done well since opening at Princes, suf- fering slightly on being transferred to this house. Marked return of Jack Waller to musical field after I several years retirement and I proved encouraging. Show has topped $14,000 for many months, although now nearer $9,000, which is still good. "Ijatin Quarter Until now Rank Ivas held up be- cause of the belief that television could not pay enough for the Brit- ish films. Number of his Yank, consultants, however, are advising him to start selling immediately with the argument that the field has grown enough to supply a fair- ly substantial revenue: return. In this respect the product falls into two I rackets. There are the pix never played in theatres which i can be baZlied as getting their I American preem exclusively over video. Other group consists of oldies whiicH have gone the rounds in the theatres over two years ago. It is possible that Rank may okay one type for video bookings and hold back the other. Distribution would be through United World Films, subsid of Uni- versal, which handles both 16m and tele fields. UWF lias the ad- vantage over other American com- panies since the British-made are not subject to the film soundtrack imposed by James C. Petrillo, prez of the American Federation ot Ma sicians. This tabu works against mo.st American films SO far as tele vision is concerned. British pix have already made their entry into tele. Sir Alexan der Korda last year sold 24 of his films to WPIX, New York tele- Louis Lahe, apprentice conduc- tor of; the Clieveland Orchestra, will leave it in the autumn to be- London Casino vision station owned by the Daily ir%r{Li'''^^J''i^'f^Sl William Talman, Alfred Drake, Henry Fonda, Dennis Kingj Beli Kranz, Winston O'Keefe and Fred- erick O'lNeal., N^^ as a replace? ment, to serve two; years, is Gerald; Savory, and to serve dnti'Oreiit't' Florida Friebus. , - ^ UT ^ u ij u J , ., Equity council yesterday (Tues.) ble) It should be done openly, with i appointed Derweht and Louis M. Some Producers 55 Continued from page 57 — everyone,. including the produc tion, authors, director, percentage stars and producer sharing. Most such gratuity coin from the agen- cies now goes to the b.o. men. If the brokers (or a portion of them) decide to walk but on the code they could probably do so. since they would be legally en- titled to operate with or without League franchise. Whether they would try to revive the old setup of "buys" is a question. But a system of "buys" or some other methods of getting advance com- mitments on blocks of tickets for hits might solve a growing cause of broker gripes—the theatre party, setup. Most producers dislike theatre parties, chiefly because of what they regard as cold audiences such bookings usually Involve, but also because the ,advance orders take large blocks of seats out of the boxoffice and cause resentment from regular patrons.' However, the party trade gives a producer a vital backlog of business for a new show, so most offices feel Obliged to accept the bookings. Agency "buys" would probably replace the theatre parties. Simon, executive secretary, as rep- resentatives on the standing com- mittee on theatre problems, aur thorized by the recent theatre con- ference at the Astor hotel, N. Y. Aline. MacMahon is alternate, while Ruth Raymond and George Bock- man will represent Chorus Equity. Plays Abroad (2nd wk) (R). Despite slapdown i News. I in Canton; O. S Continued from page Sobasiion who has received a commission from a wealthy woman to paint a large portrait of St. Sebastian,'but cannot find a suitable model Wt Sobastien appears on the scene. And Sebastien is the prison mate of Arbisseau's black-sheep son. ar- rested for burglary, at which 4>e- bastien is a past master. Never- , theless Sebastien agrees to POse for the picture, and as the WorK progresses, he takes his role so seriously that he begins to con- sider himself as a real convert w righteousness. There are all sorts of odd consequences. . . The play gets off to a slow start, but builds rapidly in the second* act and by the third is rushing along in a wonderful burst of farce comedy, The cast is in general excellent, with an outstanding pej* formance being given by LUce Fabiole as the hypochondriacal Mme. Arbisseau. But it is Alfrea Adam .as Sebastien who lakes tne acting honors.