Variety (December 1950)

Wednesday, December 6, 1950 The following are the comparative Hgufee based on Variety's boxoffice estiviates for last weeh (the 27th week of the season) and the corresponding week of last season: This Last BROADWAY Season Season Number of shows current ...— . ... ,... 25 27 Total weeks played so far by all shows .... 520 482 Total gross for all current shows last week $595,500 $590,500 Total season’s gross so far by all shows,.. $12,154,600 $12,453,000 Number of new productions so far.30 17 ROAD (Eoicluding Stock, Ice Shows and Outdoor) Number of current touring shows reported 23 24 total weeks played so far by all shows. . . . . 456 409 Total road gross reported last week....... $468,500 $467,000 Season’s total road gross so far .,.... . .. $10,375,200 $8,800,100 Tacilic’ SRa 1118G, ‘Angd’ Chicago, Dec. 5. Usual pre-holiday lull for legit hou.ses here hasn’t taken hold, with most theatres reporting an up- swing. Leadeiv of course, is '‘South Pacific,” with sellout and turnaways. New York City Opera Go. in last seven perfbrniances did well,'-. Mail advance of “I Know My Love,” which opens at the Harris, Deo. 11. is very heavy. Sadler’s Wells Ballet just has some singles for engagement starting Dec. 18. Premiere Of “Rose Tattoo” is due Dec. 29. “ Estimates for Last Week ‘♦Angel in the Pawnshop,” Sel- wyn (4th week) ($3.80; 1,000). Show catching on with over $13,500. “Diamond Lil,’* Blackstone (11th week) ($4; 1,358). Slipped some to $18,000. New York City Opera Co., Opera House'' (2nd week) ($4.94; 3,600). Closed Sunday (3) with neat $42,- 000 . “South Pacific,” Shubert (3d w'k) ($.5; 2,100). With the matinee seats gone, musical topped $51,200. ‘Streetcar’ 1OG, Mont’l; ‘Rooster’ Sto $10,500 Mo^n^^^ Dec. 5. Repeat of “Streetcar Named De- sire” within the year at His Ma- jesty’s, wdth unknown cast and fair reviews, accounted for only $10,000, House, which seats 1,579, was scaled to $3.94. Gratien Gelinas’ ‘‘Ti-Coq” (“Lit- tle Rooster”), currently in its fifth stanza at the Gesu theatre, con- tinues to play to capacity and is grossing a near $10,500 a week, with the 932rseaier scaled to $2.60. “Rooster” closes hefe in mid-De- cember; opens in Toronto at the Royal Alexandra Jan. 8 for one week, and then moves on to the Harris in Chicago for a limited run starting Jan. 15. ItOBERTS’FAIR M6,000 Philadelphia, Dec. 5. With previously skedded book- ings being cancelled right and left and no new ones announced to take their place, there is every indica- tion that this will be Philly’s sparcest holiday season, as far as the legit is concerned, in many yoar.s. After “Bless You All” de- parts Saturday night (9) after three big weeks at the Forrest, the city’s only legit offering will be the D Oyly Carte Opera Co., w'hiclv.has two weeks to go at the, Shubert alter this, giving the English group a full month in all. Esiimaies for Last Week “Bless You All,” Forre.st (2d wk) (1.670; $4.55). This revue con- tinues to get hot business, despite management’s w'orry that it still needs plenty of fixing. $37,500 last week and should equal/or beat that mark in this, its final stanza. Theatre’s next is “Darkne.ss at Noon” Dec. 26. D’Oyly Carle Co., Shubert (1st wk) (1.870; $4.55). Di.sappoinling Si8.000 in fu’st of four weeks, but showed steady if slow' improvement during week. Will be all by it- self after this week and should profit thereby. “The Consul” re- turns Dec. 25. “Death of a Salesman,” Locust (2d Avk) (1 540; $3.90). Went up con^dderably to, get an okay $22,- 800 in eetaw’ay w’eek of return A'isit w'ith Thomas Mitchell as niain magnet.. House dark until Ncva’ Year’s, w'hcn it get:•“4 Times 12 Is 48.” New Haven, Dec. 5. Business at the full week stand of “Mister Roberts” at the Shubert last week (27-2) was below expecta- tions. Show' originally opened here to packed houses two seasons ago, but this time, despite a fine company and good word-of-mouth, the take w'as only an estimated $16,000 on eight shows at $4.20 top. “lee Follies” competition at the Arena may have been a factor. The previous w'eek, in a split between Allentown and Reading, Pa., “Roberts” grossed $16,800, Current is full week of “The ConsurV(4-9) and next W'eek gets preem of “Second Threshold” (13-16). • Current Road Shows (Dec. 4-16) ♦‘Angel In the Pawnshop” (try- out)—Selwyn, Chi. (4-9);' Harris, Chi, (11-16) (Reviewed in Variety, Nov. 8, ’50). “As You Like It’* — Biltmore, Li A. (4-16). ^‘Bless You All” (tryout) --— For- rest, Phila. (4-9) (Review'ed in Variety, Nov. 15, ’50). “Blossom Time’* — Royal Alex- andra, Toronto (4-9); Erlanger, Buffalo (10-13); Strand, Ithaca (14); Strand, Utica (15); Academy of Music, Northampton, Mass. (16). “Born Yesterday” —El Capitan, Hollywood (4-9). “Brigadoon” American, St. Louis (4-9); Shubert, Detroit (11- 16).. : ■ “Captain Carvallo** (tryout) —- Erlanger, Buffalo (6-9); Gass, De- troit (11-16) (Reviewed in Variety from London, Aug. 15, ’50). “Come Back, Little Sheba” ^ Geary, San Francisco (4-16). “Consul”— Shubert, New Haven (4-9); Gayety, Wash. (11-16). “Death of a Salesman”— Colo- nial, Bost. (4-16). “Diamond Lil”— Blackstone, Chi. (4-16>.;' D’Oyly Carte—Shubert, Rhila. (4-16). “I Know My Love”— Cass, De^ troit (4-9); Selwyn, Chi. (11-16) “Innocents” — Cox. Cincinnati (4-9); Hanna, GleVe. (11-16). “Kiss Me, Kate’* —Music Hall, Kansas City (4-9); Com'ention Hall, Tulsa (11-13); Home, Okla- homa City (14-16). “Mister Roberts’* — Victory. Providence (4-9); Court Square, Springfield, Mass. (11-16). “Oklahoma” — Shrine Mosque, Peoria (3-5); Orpheum, Spring- field, 111. (6-7); Memoriai Aud., Burlington. IdW'a (9); KRNT Radio theatre, Des Mpines (ll); Omaha, Omaha (12-13); Chief, Colorado Springs (15); City Aud., Pueblo “Out of This Vyorld” (tryout)— Shubert, Bo.st, (4-16) (Reviewed in Variety, Nov. 8, '50). “Red, White and Blue’* (tryout) — Murat. Indianapolis (5-7); Me- morial Aud., Dayton (9-10); Taft Aud., Ciincinnati (11-16) (Reviewed in Variety, Oct. 11, ’50). “Second Threshold” (tryout) — Shubert, New Haven (13-16). “South Pacific”- —Shubert, Chi. (4-16). “Streetcar Named Desire”—-^ Nixon, Pitt. (4-9); Weller, Zanes- ville, Ohio (11); Aud., Akron (12); Shea’s, Ashtabula, Ohio (13); Shea’s, Erie, Pa. (14); Shea’.s, Jamestown (15); Shea's, Bradford, Pa. (16). M $27M ^Brigadoon’ So-So $17,500 In Three Southern Stands Louisville, Dec. 5. John Yorke’s touring prodiictipn of “Brigadoon” had only so-so go- ing last week, w'inding up here Saturday night (2) with a total of under $17,500 for three stands. Musical played Monday and Tues- day ' 27-28) at the Auditorium, Charleston, W. Va.; Wednesday (29) at the Auditorium, Hunting- ton, W. Va., and Thursday-SAtur- day .(30-2) at the Auditorium here. Show is playing the American, St Louis, all this w'eek. Prop-Less ‘Love* Good in Detroit, Dec. 5. “I Know My Love,” w'hich Al- fred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne opened Monday (27) ott a barren stage—the props were aU in snow'- bound Pitlsburgh—^id a good 526,800. in its first week at the Cass, Thefitre Guild subscription held gross down, but second week )s complete sellout. Front-page publicity received by the Lunts ior their impn'-ssive opening per- lormanee assured capacity audience • or .rest of .stay here. ' The ShidM'rt will reopen next •'londay 111? with “BrigadooHy” in • or two weeks. in Keffs: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama ), R (Revue), M (Musical), O (Operetta). “Gcllcr and The Well” (D) — George Preedley & Roger Stearns prod.; Henry Fprsj'thC; dir, “Darkness At Noon” (D).—Play- wright’s Co., prod,; Sidney Kings- ley, dir, ^ “Enemy of the People” (p) — Lar.s Nordenson, prod.; Robert Lewis; dir. “Four Twelves Are " 48” (O — Aldrich & Myers, Otto Preminger, ! Julius Fleisehmann; Prods,; Pre- I minger, dir, I “King Lear” (D) — Robert L. ! Joseph and Alexander H. Cohen ; prod.; John Tfou.seman, dir. “Rose Tattoo” (D) — Cheryl Crawford, prod.; DanierMann, dir. “Second Threshold” (D)—^Alfred de Liagre, Jr., prod.-dir. “Twentieth Century” (D) — ANTA, prod., Jose Ferrer, dir. Paul GrimviSi Dutch dancer in N. Y. recently with the Grand ' Ballet, has been signed by Doro- thy Stewart as premier dancer tor the Borovansky Ballet of Australia, and sails from N. Y. Dec. 21, on a year’s pact. He was a member 01 I the Original Ballet Russe, ‘World’37G in 6, ‘Opera’$7,700, Hub Bo.ston, Dec. 5. Only newcomer this week is “Death of a Salesman” w'hich bow'ed la.st night (Mon.) at the Colonial. “Lily Henry” and Ballets de Paris, also .skedded for this week, cancelled out, leaving the Hub Willi but two legits alight “Out of This World,” hounded by (he censor and not too well re- ceived by the critic.s, added an ex- tra w'eek. Engagement is a sellout. Estimates For Last Week “Let’s Make on Opera” Wilbur ($3.60), Not much action on this one, although cveiybody agreed it’s cute gag; $7,700. “Out of This World” Shubert (1st wk) (i;750; $6). Heavy ad- vance sale liuHing this one through, almo.st $37,000^ capacity for six peiTormances. ‘Okia.’ 20G in Six, Indpls. in Indianapolis, Dec. 5. < “Oklalioma'’’ playing a ; return visit after tw'O years, took a .sati.s-' factoiy .$20,000 in six, perform- , ances last Wed nc.sday-Saturday 129-2) at the Murat here. The Thea tre Guild pj'esentation had already gro.ssed $9,000 in a single showing Monday night (27) at the Para*, mount, Toledo. ; “Red, White and Blue.” the, Aihencan Legion revue, is due at the Murat tonight (Tues.) and plays through TbUr.sday night (7). Also current this week is the Sonja , Hcnie ice .show’, ait the Coliseum, . ‘Innocent* $12,800, M w Milwaukee, D.'c. 5. “The Innocents” had a profit- able stand at the Davidson lieyc la.st week, w inding up with a gro.s.s of .$f2,800 in eight performances. William Archibald-IIenry James thriller is at the Cox, Cinelnnati this week. As expected, legit attendance began-last week its annual pre- Christmas decline, Extra adverse factors may have been the hot-so- cbld war situation, plus numerous refunds to the previous Saturday’s (25) storm-bound patrons. As usual in such circumstances, most shows were hit, with only the ad- vance sellouts getting their regular capacity gross figures. Business is expected to continue to slump until Christmas. The total gross for all 25 shows last week was $595,500, or 75.5% of capacity. The previous week's total for 27 shows was $€00,600,° or 75.26% of capacity. Last w'eek’s only, closing was “Edwina Black.” There are no scheduled foldings this w'eek, but at least one Is a probability for next W'eek. Estimates for Last' Week Keys: C (Comedy), b (Drama), Dp (Comedy■Dramd), R (Revue), M ( Musical), O I Opera). Other- parenthetic figures refer, respectively, to top price, number of seats and capacity gross. Price includes 20% amusement tax, ■■ but grosses are net: i.e., exclusive of tax. “Affairs of State,” Music Box (llth wk) (C-$4.80; 1,012; $26,484). Had very few refunds from the preceding Saturday (2fi); almost $26,500 again. ‘♦Bell, Book and Candle,*' Barry- more (3d wk) (C-$4.80; 1,066; $28,- 060). Had staridees lit all per- formances, but parly commissions and about $500 in refunds from the storm held the gross to $27,200 (previous W'eek, $27,600). “Black Chiffon,” 48th Street (7th wk) (D-$4.80; 925; $22,165). Topped $16,500 (previous week, $14,900). “Call Me Madam,” Imperial (8th W'k) (M-.$7,20; 1,400; $51,847). Almost $52,500 (previous w'eek, $52 500). “Cocktail Party,” Miller (46th W'k) (G-$4.80; 940; $21,600). About $10,300 (previous w'eek, $12,300). “Country Girl,” Lyceum (4th wk) (D-4.80; 995; $22,845).. Has been oVerquoted; about .$21,206 (previous week, under $21,500). “Edwina Black,” Booth (2d wk) (D-$4.80; 712; ,$19,195). First full W'eek under $5,000 (previous w'cek, $6,500 for first ‘ seven perform- ances), folded Saturday night after 15 performances, at loss Of about $45,000. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes/* Ziegfeld (52d wk) (M-$6;. .1,628; ,$48,244). Also failed to go cleain at the midweek matinee, besides having considerable refund.s; al- most $44 000 (previous w'eek, $46- 600). “Golden State,” Fulton (2d wk) (C-$4.80; 995; $24,660). Nearly $10,500, mostly on parties (pluvi- ous week, first four performances got $10,800, including about $7.- 700 in three previews). “Guys and Dolls,” 4Cth Street (2d wk? 1,319; $40,000). Getting t^'® <^ndee, limit at all perforinar b(f/ee.9, ,_,party commi.s- sions Horn lo over $40,700 hir ^^^rt'vioiic fir.st five perform^ Y^^ces $26,100. includir^4^^ $9,Sob view's). • .yr .U9.019). Almo.s4j ^^vious w'Cek. $25,40fi\ • . . / A>ronet (5th wk) (D-$4./;?'7 i .027; /26.800). About $15.5(ilfJ; .S14,400l “Ki?® Jlfe, Kaic,” Sh u bert < 991 h W'k) (Wo; L361; $40,857). GyCr $31,400 prevou.s week, $35,000.) “Lady’s Not for Burning,” Royalc (4th Avk) (C-$4.80; 1,035; $27,100). Getting all the .standees permitted, but Theatre Guild sub- scription limited the gross to over $25,600 I previous w'eck, $25,900). “Member of the Wedding,” Em- pire (47ih wk) (D-.$4.80; ,1.082; $24,000]. Almost $15,000 (previous week. $16,500). “Mister ‘‘Roberts,” Alvip (141.st wk) <CD-H;4.80; 1.360; .$34,276). Nearly $14,200 (previous week. $18,100). “Pardon Our F •erte’ Broadw'ay (9th wk) iR-$6: 1,900; $35,800), Nearly $26,900 (previous week. $28,100). “Peep Show,” V/inter Garden (22d wk' (R-$7,20; 1.519; .$53,400). Almost .$34,700 (pr('viou.s week, $37,300), “Peteir Pan,” SI. James <32d wk) (M-,$4,80; 1.571; S34,o00). Aimp.si $24.()()'0 ipr \ lous w eek. .‘'■30,700) . “Relapse,” Morocco '2d wk) (C- $4.80; 914; $24,300). Undei $13,* 500 (previous week, first six per- formances got $9,700). “Ring Round the Moon,? Beck (2d wk) (C-$4.80; 1,214; $28,000). Nearly $20,8()0, with parties a fac- tor (previous Week, first five per- formances tabbed $11,300, includ- ing $3,100 for one preview'). “Season in the Sun,” Gort (lOth! Wk) (C-$4.80; 1,056; $24,967). About $23,500 (previous week, al- most $24,000). “South Pacific,” Majestic (85th wk) (M-$6; 1,659; $50,186). Always goes cleam and gets the standee limit; $50,800 again. • ■ ■■ Stock, • . “Arms aiid the Man,’* Ai’ena (7th wk) (C-$3; 500; $10;600). Al- most $4,300 /previous week, $4,600), “Tower Beyond Tragedy,” ANT A PlayhoUsSe (1st wk) (D-$3; 924; $19,- 700), About $17,000 (previous W'eek, opening performance, about $1,900). Future Dates “Cellar and the Well,** ANTA Playhouse, Dec. 10 (rehearsing). “Let’s Make Ah Opera,” Golden, DeeV 13. “Bless You All/' Hellinger Dec, 14 (trying out). “Out of This World,” (’entury, Dec. 21 /trying out). “Twentieth Century,” ANTA Playhouse, Dec. 24 (rehearsing). “King Lear,” National, Dec. 25 (rehearsing). “Captain Carvalla,” unspecified theatre, Dec. 26 (rehearsing). “Captain Brassbound’s Conver- sion,” City Center, Dec. 27 (re- hearsing). “Enemy of the People” unspeci- fied theatre, Dec. 28 (rehearsing). “Second Threshold/* unspecified theatre, Jan. 2 (rehearsing). “Darkness at Noon,” Alvin, week of Jan. 8., “Royal Family,’* City Center, Jan. 10. “Four Times Twelve Are 48,” unspecified theatre, week of Jan. 15 (rehearsing). “Mary Rose,” ANTA Playhouse, Feb. 25. ‘Sheba’ ‘Born’ 14G, LA. ! Los Angeles, Dec. 5. Three shows w'ound up locally over the w'cekend, but three others move in this frame to keep some .semblance of life on the local legit scene. Newcomers are, “As You Like It.” which rekindled the Bilt- mpre la.st night (4); “The Man” W'hich opens at Las Palmas tonight. (Tue.s.), and “Twelfth Night,” which starts at the Century Thur.s- day (7). Estimates for Last Week “Bom Yesterday,” El Capitan (3d wk) (.$3.60); 1,142. Finalea {Sunday (3) alter 19 days that grossed $33,- 000, with okay $14,000 for last eight days of fun. Scheduled Coast road, tour was cancelled due to Marie MacDonald’s leg injury. - “Come Back, Little Sheba,” Bilt- mpfe (2d wk) ($3.60; 1,636). Better in its final frame, rising to $18,200 for a mildly profitable stand. ' “The'Winslow Boy,” Las Palmas (4th W'k) ($3.60; 388). Slid again in its final week, registering a .so- so $4,200. Total for the lour weeks an okay $19,000. ICale’ $3S,4I)« in 7 At Omaha, Dec. 5. Despite rain, snpW and cold the last two flays. “Ki.ss Me, Kate” did a neat $35,400 for five nights and two matinees at the 2,100-seat Omaha theatre. Top was $4.80. Benny Baker, Lincoln, Neb., boy, added publicity ahgle.s. , “Oklahoma’’ is due for its third vi.sit to the Omaha Dec. 12-13, w'ith matinee. Born’ Fine $17,600, D.C. Washington. Dec. 5. “Boiii Yesterday” climbed to a fine $17,600 for its .sc'^ond w‘tek at the Gayety theatre hei'e, and is f:urrentl.v in a third and last week* Following tlie recent big storm, crowds hrvo been hypoing the box- otfice and Ihi.s final sl' n/.a should ai; o do moderale’y wt 1. “The Con'ul” ipovc in. for a single week next *M()nday (11).