Variety (May 1949)

ITednesJay? May 4 , |LE«Itl9fATM SI The follpAvinp are the cpmparative figures hosed on VAWKry’a boxoffice estimates, for Iasi week and the, correspondino week of ■ 'lost season; ■ .■TWO' ' , Last, Season Season Nulnbe^ or shows current , 27 27 Total weeks played so far by all shows 1 129 1,208 Total gross for all current shows last week $629,800 $565,000 Total season’s gross so far for all shows... $26,74$.400 $26,481,500 Number of nOw productions so far, -. . . i', 63 58 laughterVNSG 13G In 2d Phil Chicago, May 3. First week of daylight saving time nicked legit despite sunny weather. General drop was felt, except w ith “Allegro,’^ which picked up Over first stanza. OFinian’s B a i h b o w” continues downward in ISth week, pulling out May 21. “Mr; Adams” dipped below profitable margin in second week, while “Mr. Roberts” con- tinues near'CapaCity in 33rd stint. Sail Carlo Opera Co., after 10 performances, v a c a ted House Sunday (1). “Inside USA” into Shubert theatre Maw23. Estimates for Last Week “Allegro,” Great Northern (2d week) (1,500; $4.94). Theatre Guild aubscriptions helped increase. Okay $25,800. ^ “Flnian’s Rainbow,”, ' Shubert (13th week) (2,100; $4 94): C°b- tiniies downward. Needs around $29,000 to break even; n.s.g. over $24,000. : “Mr. Adam,” Blackstone (2d week) (li358: $3.80). No notices posted, but not faring profitably; maybe $7,500. ^ “Mr. Roberts,” Erlanger (33rd week) (1,334; $4.33). Still excellent $22,500. • San Carlo Opera Co., Civic Opera House (1st week) (3,800;. $3.71). Closed Sunday (1) after 10 performances. Fine $59,000. ‘OKIAJ’STRONG ra PORTLAND, ME., 35G Portland, Me.,' May 3; No. 1 company of “Okiahoina!” grossed almost $35,000, Strong, last week at the 2,200-seat State here. Production moved this week_to Worcester, Mass. Last time Portland enjoyed com- parable engagement was 1931. visit of a “Student Prince” company at, the now-razed Jefferson theatre. For Fine Detroit Wk^ Detroit, May 3, ■ Both the Cass and the Shubert- Lafayette are dark this week. ThC .Cass will reopen May 9 With "In- side 11, S. A.” The Shubert re- mains dark for at least another week.'.. “Brigadoon” drew an excellent- $35,000 last week, upping the gross for the fortnight’s run to $72,500. ‘Oklal’ Neat $24,800 In St. Louis Repeat . rang down the cur- tain of the local lu4U-49 Season at theatre Saturday I - f colo Sna (30) with a neat $24,800. Musical, | «"r*’riVv no Iri' scaled to $4.27, played eight per, ’ * lormances. It was the ninth week in four Visits to this burg. - The last was a two-week stand in November. . Season was shortened by two Weeks due to inability of Manager {““I Beisman to book “Make Mine Man^hattan” and “Inside U S. A.” for the American. oast Musical . Hollywood, May 3. ■ Uegit musical “By All Means” is, being readied here by Arthur Pier- pie. Birmingh^ (5;6); Aud , Mont sfth i erirtierv. (71; Carolina. Greenvilli ‘Ice’ Record 118G, LA.; ‘Clieek’ Folds in Red . Los Angeles, May 3, Local legit hits a neW low this week, with only Ken Murray’s “Blackouts’’ still; alight at El Capi- tah. Also in towh 'is"Ice Gapades” at Pan-Pacific, whjch racked up: a new record gross last session, but ,L. A.’s other standard legiters are dark., ■’Tongue in Cheek” shuttered at Las Palmas Saturday (30): after six weeks, grossing total of $35,600. Musical earned back about one- third of its production cost during that period. It Will Undergo ex- tensixe revamping before essaying a July 4 date at the Geary in San Frahcisco. Las Palmas, meanwhile, rekindles May 16 with “Love in Upper Sandusky,” comedy now trying out at a tiny theatre in San Fernando; valley.; ^ ^ ^ ; Ektimaies for Last Week “Blackouts of 1949,” El Capitan (358th wk) (1,142; $2.40). Slid ;slightly to $16,560. . “Ice Capades of 1949,’’ Pan Pa- cific And (2d, wk) (6,150; $3.60). WoW $l 18,000, best any of John Harris’ blade edition^ has ever done in L; A. On a single f rame and looks like capacity this. week too, “Tongue In Cheek,” LSs Palmas (6th week) (388; $3,60).' Final frame's ' $5,100 considerably below hopes although just above, the profit margin. Earned back about $9,000 of its $29,000 production cost before closinS. Current Road Shows '■■■V';, (May ■2-15)::;. “Allegro”—^Gt. Northern, Chi ■(245).>''':''':'. ' “Aniiie Get Four Gun”—Music Hall, rioustoh;: (8-5); Texas, S. An- tonio (6-8); Conv; Hall, Tulsa (lo- ll); Conv. Hall, Hutchihsoh (12); Music Hall, K;G. (13-14). . “Blackouts of 1949”—El Capitan, ;L.:A.'';(2-15I..';;- “Born yesterday”—:lloyal Alex., Toronto ( 2 - 7 ); Colonial, BOst. (9- ;i5).,. ;;,■ “Brigadoon”—^Murat, Indpls. (2- 7);VOmaha, Omaha (9-11); KRNT, Des Moines (12-14). “Finiah’s Rainbow” —^ Shubert, Chi, (2-15). “Gayden” -— Plymouth, Bost; (2-7). “Great Waltz” — Curran, Frisco. '(2-7). ' “Harvey” (Fay Co.) -- Virginia, Wheeling (3); Weller, Zanesville (6-7); Town Hall, Toledo (9-15). “Harvey” (B)i:own Go.)—Broad- way, Dijnver (2-7); Aud., Pueblo (8); ' ief, Colo. Spg. (10); Capitol,. S. L. City (12-13). (‘High Button Shoes” — Hanna, Gleve. (2-15),: : .‘'X: Know My Love” — Geary, Frisco (2-15). : . “Inside U. S. A.”—Aud., Cincy (2-7); Cass, Det. (9-15). “Man and Superman”-—Lyceum. Mpis. (2-4); Aud,, St: Paill (5); Aud.,: MadisOn (7); Davidson. Mil., (9-15). “Mr: Adam” —■ Blackstone, Ghi. (2-15):.'. “Mr. Roberts” — Erlanger, Ghi. (2-15). “O Mistress Mine”—Aud., Jack- son (2): Aud... Memphis (3-4); Tem- Philadelphia, May 8, Nary a legit in Philly currently, and there won’t be, from sH Indi- cations, uhirl the Forrest reilghtg June .13 for a three weeks’tryout of the big Irving ; Beriih-Robert Sherwood m.usical,; “Miss Liberty.” Wainut, Uocust and Shubert are: shuttered for the season without hardly any Chance of reprieve;;if any other.. last-minute booking shows :up it will he shOved: into the Forrest late this moiith, but that looks very: doubtfuii . “Present Laughter” , cpuldn’t quite hit, $13;000 in secohd and final week at: the Forrest;: Noel Coward revival dropped about gfiOO from first Week. That, represented just a shade Over ail even break ipr eomedy, blit local shQ\y people are at a loss' to understand why the Edward , Everett Hortoii vehicle didn’t do better. Notices and word- (if-mouth Were both favorable, weather breaks were: okay ; and show didn’t have an iota of dp- posish,. Attendance followed the tradi- tional pattern last week bn Broad- way, reacti)(jg sharply from the pre- cedirig Easter week spiirt:; Re- ceipts for the first part Of the week were better than expebted, blit tapered off :in thie latter half, From indicatiohs, busihess this week will stiimp still further.' : CohditionS generally become steadiec* two I Sisted the general conditions, but eased a bit to over $20,200. : “Medea,” City Center (D-3,025; $3). Return engagement of Robin- son, Jeffers’: version of Euljpides’ classic,; presented by Guthrie Mc- CliBitic; opened Monday night (2), conUnUbs for two weeks. ‘‘Mister Roberts,” Alvin (63d wk) generally necorae sieanieK*. iwo i rr-fi i ooi j Weeks after the holiday Stanza, but I (CU^1,35J, $4.80). Had a few empty will shrlrik sld.iViy thereafter until ' NSGSGinHub; versH-Iinternatlonal, plans to open R m San Francisco in July. Ellis and FafnWorth how are at Work on the book. Stan Keyawa is cieffing, with Barney Ide Working on the lyrics. • *oh, Gene; Ellis and Scott; Farn-|.f«W^y; ‘’^ii^ worth under the banner of Cablei ®rt-£nc’ ine Fighting O’Flynn’’ at Uni- “Oklahoma!” (No. 1 Co,)—-Aud., ■Worcester. (2-4); Aud., Hartford (5- 7) Palace, Manchester (9 t15). ; : “Oklahonn”’ (Nb; 2; Co.)—Aud., Kalamazoo (2-4); Quincy. Ft. Wayne (5-7); Erlanger, Buff. (9-15). “Present Laughter”-And., Hart- ford (2-3); Acad., Northampton (4); Shubert. N- Haven (5-7); Rbyal “ivu.„ , V. Alex . Toronto (9-15), Wnna*f* Sher- j “Respectful Prostitute”—Harris, wobdrlrying Berlin-Moss Hart. '' Chi 19-15) Prostitute" and I “Streetcar Named Desire”—Cox, Dope Is the Thing” (road)—Las-1 Cincy (3): Par: Toledo (5-7); Hart- sor Grosberg and New Stages. 'man. Col. (9-15). Shows in Rdbearsal Boston, May 3: Only openers this week were “Gayden,’’ the Gant Gaither Offer- ing at the Plymouth, and the, Bal-. let Russe De Monte Carlo at ;the: Opera House. ‘‘Gaydeh” got fair notices, mostly on the strength of Fay Bainter's return,: hut did poor- ly at the b,o. The ballet did a big, advance biz and ;opehed . very strong. Others current are“Medea” at the Shubert and “Mrs. Gib- bons’ Boys” at the Wilbuf,: and this seems to. about Wind' up the ■'Hub’s'.season, Estimate^ for Last Week Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Opera House (Ist Week) (3,006; $4.20). - Opened very big On Thurs, (28) for Wow $20,000 on its: first tour performances, R, e ni ain’s throughout this week. “Gaydeh,” Plymouth (1st weiek): (1,200; $3:60): Club busihess and plenty of interest in'Fay Bainter’s first here in:.man.v years failed to offset mild notices; about $5,000. : “Medea,” Shubert (36 week) (li- 750; $3,60). This one had a special- ized audience ah.6 did very big the first.. tWo weekk but the third plunged to $12,000. ;/ ‘‘Mrs. Gibbons’ Boys,” Wilbur i2d week) (1,200; $3,60).. ; Never caught on "and just about got by on its second week at a slim estimated ,$4,500.' Ballet Russe Fine 6^6, Webster^s Bard New Haven, May 3. ’ Shubert, on part-time basis last week, had two days of Ballet Russe for fine business and two days Of M;argaret Webster’s Shakespeare:at so-so gross. Former, in two performances (26-27) at $3,60 tOp, approximated a good $6,500. Latter, in two mat- inees and two evening shows (29-. 30)' at $3 top,' caught an estimated fair $4,500. Current last half With “Present Laughter” (5-7) looks like season’s' legit finale, ‘tiarveyll2>^Gi ^ Pittsburgh, May 3. Legit season: at Nixon closed on a }oW note last week Whten Joe, E. Brown came back in "HarveS” and I got only $12,500, fah cry from the I biz he did at same place year and 1 a''balf ago.'- I At that time. Brown played three 'weeks and Wound up: final stanza I with close to $30;000. :'‘Hhtvey’' -.60, :■ i-Niter ■. :'; ■ ' Frank Faj' brought his “Harvey” company, to .the Music: Hall for a, single performance April 27, and I played before a sellout house,, At ; $3.66 toPi gross Was $6,000, It, Was ' fourth lime comedy played here. A & Presentations brings in '“Annie Get Four Guh” for the: secf ond time this season: opening May 13 for three days. Follow immedi- ately with “Brigadoon” for a week , beginning May 16; first time ip , town for this musical. but standees Other performances pulled the week's take to appfoxL : mate capacity: f34,000: “Mrs. Gibbons’ BoySv” MuSlc Box '(e-l;0l2;.$4,80): Play by WilL Glickmart and Joseph Stein, pre- ■sented by George Abbott; opens .tonight,(Wed.); ■ ‘’Private Lives;” Plymouth {30th wk) (q-1,062; $4.80). Seasbrial trend, plus geheral slump coiidi- tions, finally bringing an end to V thi.s potent revival; elhsihg Satur- day night (7);.: last week tabbed about $13,000. ; ‘‘Silver Whistle,’! Biltmore (23d wk) (C-920; $4.80). Also felt: the heavy going, but got a sizable profit at $14,900:■■:.:■'■;■ . ' “South 'Pacific;” Majestic (4th wk) (M,-l.659;, :$6).:' Same figure : every Week, everythfiig the :theatre can accommodate; nearly $50,600. ,, “Streetcar Named Desire,” Barry- more (74th wk) (U-920; $4.80), Joiiifid the'geheral slide; but am- ple .profit at $21,000. ‘ “The Traitor,” 48th SL (5th wk) (D-917:; $4.86). : Business spotty -here, hut Was better than expected last week: about $12,066: : “Two Blind Mice,” Cort (9th wk) (C-1,664;. $4.80). Theatre parties last week boosted the take : to $11,300; management has start- ed using “twofers,” “Where’s Charley?” St. James (29th wk) (M)1,5Q9: $6): Proving One of the strongest runners of the list; bucked general conditions to draw another capacity week; $33.- 800.; '■■ :■;■, late summer. ' Three arrivals this Week are ;the return engagement of “Medea,” plus the .Openings Of “Brunh and Sidney” and “Mrs. Gibbohs’ Bbys.” Next 'week brings “Gayden,”'; and the season’s schediile ends the fol- lowing week' With the return of: “Mart and Superman.” Closing last, week was “The Happiest ’years,’’ with “All ; for LoVe,” ‘’Private Lives” and possibry; other shows folding this Saturday night' (7). Estimaies for Lasi Week ket/s : G :(Comedy ), D ( Drama ), CD (Comedy-Drdma):; R (Revue ), M (Musical)f O iOpetetta),. Other parenthetic fimres refer to seating capacity and top price, including 20% aniusement tax. However, esiimate$i,'are net; i.e., exclusive of tax. ■“Aii; for Love;” Hellirtger (14th :Wk) (R-i,543; $4,80). "As With most: other shows on: the, list, business sagged last week: from the: post- holiday peak;; $4,500; closing S4U Urday (7): ■' ■ ’'Aloiig Fifth Avenue,”! Imperial (16th wk) (H-1,472; $6). Also felt the general doWnbeat; sagged to about $18,000; ; v “Aline ::of • Thousand Day$,.” Shubert .(21st wk): (D-l(378; $4,80). Slid a bit, but not as raUeh as some other offerings; . okay operat- ing, profit at $26,606. ■‘As the Girls Go.” Winter Gari den ' (24th wk) (M-1,519;; $7.20).. .Started the. Week strongly,: but failed to hold the pace, so the final take was $46,500, still plenty ■zippy-, :“At War With the. Army,” -Booth (8th wk) ■(C-712-, $4.80). Hit by the general declihe; back Into the red at $9,400. “Big Knife,” National (l6th,:Wk) (D-1,172; $4.80); Theatre parties ;hopped lip attendance and the gross responded with a nice $17,-. 600: management -started lisihg two-forrOhes this week.; ‘‘Born ■yesterday,” Idiller (IfiOth wk):(C-940: $4.80). Eased-With the field, but still in the black'it arotihd $10,500. : “Bruno apd Sidney,” New Stages (C-299: $3), Play by Edward Caul- field, presehted by ;New Stages; Opened last night (Tues.), “Death of a Salesman,” Morosed (12th wk) (D-93i; $4.80): Same every week, with the limit of .standees all performances; over $24,400, “Detective Story,” Hudson (6th wk) (D-1,057; $4,80). Also getting all the house will hold, but com- mi.ssions on several theatre parties limited last week’s gross to about $22,500. “Edward, My Son,’’ Beck (3Lst Wk) (D-1,214: $4.80). Felt the rough going; down to $19,600. “Goodbye, My Fancy,” Fulton (24th wk) (Gp-966;. $4 80). Slipped a bit, but still had a-comfortable iiiarein at over $26,000. : “Hanpiest Years,” Lyceum fist wk) (P-996; $4:80). Closed Satur- day, night (30) after a fuU week (eight performances); only $4,060, including $2,060 oh the opening. . “High Button Shoes,” Broadway (82d,wk) (M-1,900; $6). Without a sizable advance .sale, .this lOngrun musical reacts (sharply to Immedlr ate conditions: slid to *28,200. “Kiss Me Kate,” Century (18fh wk) (M-1.654: $6>. With the limit •of standees again, but a feW less press seats, the week's gross' edged up a trifle to a neW high; almost ;$47,200..:', “Lend an Ear,” Broadhurst (20th Wk) (R-1.160i $6), Was slightly af- fected by the trend, but nearly ca- pacily at better than $31,700. - “Life With Mother," Empire (28th wk) (G-l,082; $4,80): Has an- nounced June 4 closing, with a road tpiir Slated for fall; off to nearly $14,000. “Light Up the Sky," Roy ale (24th wk) (G-1,035; $4.80). Was hurt les.sl Seattle. May 3: than it might have been, possibly j “Man and Superman” (Maurico because of the two-for-one trade; Evans) grossed slightly under $15,- ; $14,900, : {006 in, eight performances at the “Love Life,” 46th St. (30th Wk) Metropolitan. The 1,600-seater 1 (M-1,139; $61, Felt the . general Whs scaled from $3:75. j slump a bit; eased to under $20,-1 There’s ah indicated sellput for I fiOO: : Lunt and Fontahne, opening May I “Madwoman, Of Ghaillot,” Belas- 21, in “I Know My Love.” Hotislc v«o: (17th wk) (0-1.077; $4.80). (§^6-’ scaled from $4,50, ■ FOLDS IN BAUIMORE Baltimore,, May 3. “The Cat and Chnary’’ essayed « run at Ford’s here last week and failed to click at estimated $4,000. Revival called it quits .with an announcement, of an ; attempted rewrite and modernizaition for sub- sequent playing, .. At the Maryland, second sesh of' “Anna Lucasta’’ picked; up" con- siderably With lifting of picket lino after theatre annouheed: unre- stricted admission to Negroes over the entire: house. Healthy figure of better than $l2,00o: claimed after initial try estimated at $6,000. ‘Streetcar’ Profitable in Cincinnati, May 3, A profitable locaL legit season ends this week with ‘(Inside U. S. A.” in. the 2,500-seat TJTt :at $4:92 top, a new high, for nine perform- hnees. “Streetcar” Named Desire” pulls out of the 1,300-seat Cnx to- night with a $22,006 for 12 show- ings in nine days, at $4;31 top, , Theatre Guild subscriptionz helped “Streetcar ’ at most per- formances. “ ‘U.S.A.’ $32,2^ in peve-l ‘Shoes,’ ‘Fihiaii’ Follow Cleveland, May 3, One of the Hanna’s top grosse* fbr a musical revue this season was racked up last Week here by .“Inside U. S. . jV-,” with Beatric* Lillie and Jack Haley.; Eight per-; formances at $4.95 top (incl. taxes) pulled $32,200. "High . Button Shoes” checked into the Hanna Monday for two weeks.; House closing its seasdn after “Finian's Rainbow’’ the week ■oX.May 30,, ‘Superman’ ISC,