Variety (November 1954)

Wednesday, November 10, 1954 pAKIEfr LEGITIMATE 67 ling; 'Dream' Saa Francisco, Nov. 9. 4 It looked like the summer legit season was in full swing again here last week, with four houses playing to hefty attendance. “Midsummer Night’s Dream” racked up a. smacking total for its 15-performance run at the War Memorial Opera House in a .Civic Light Opera post-season presenta- tion. “What Every Woman Knows” continued strong in its second week at the Curran and the Paul Greg- ory production of “Three for To- night” sold out its four perform-, ances at the Alcazar and “Face to Face.” was okay at the Geary. “That’s Life” opens an indefi- nite run at the Alcazar tonight ^Tues.) and future bookings in- clude, Nov. 22, Dublin Players, Geary, two weeks; Dec. 6, “Time Chit for Ginger” Curran, four, weeks, subscription; Jan. 10, “Saint Joan,” Curran, four weeks, sub- scription. ' Estimates for Last Week What Every Woman Knows, Cur- ran (2d wk) ($3.85; 1,758) (Helen Hayes). Big $29,000 (Previous week, $27,000). Face, to Face. Geary ($3.85; 1,- 550) (Jessica Tandy, Hume Cionyn). Profitable $10,500: for star couple ih a program of read- ings. . Midsummer Night’s Dream, Opera House (15 performances, $6; 3.252) (Robert Helpmann, Moira Shearer; Stanley Holloway). Drew a total of $162,600 for its 15-per- fprmance. run, inciudihg $108,000 for last week’s final 10 perform- ances. Three for Toiiight, Alcazar (five performances, $4,40; 1,147) (Marge & Gower Champion, Harry Bela- •font.e). Sellout for all four per- formances for $22,100. Kitt $29,100. Chi Chicago, Nov. 9. Biz in the Loop picked up last week, with party bookings aiding ‘Wonderful . Town.” Scheduled opening last night (Mon.) of “Saint Joan” at the Great Northern, has been delayed a week, with star, Jean Arthur, confined to bed with a virus. Postponement cuts a week olT show’s scheduled four-week subscription run, which has a mild advance sale. Future bookings include Nov; 15* “Fifth Season,” Erlanger, indefi- nite, run; Nov. 23, .“Ring i and I*” Shubert; subscription* run; Nov. 29. “Pajama Tops,” Blackstone, run; twofers; Dec. 6, “Oh Men, Oh Women,” Harris, subscription, run, and “King of Hearts,” Selwyn run. Estimates for Last Week Mrs. Patterson, Harris, (4th wk) ($5; 1,000) (Eartha Kitt). Almost $21,900 on first stanza without sub- scriptiofi (previous week, $23,500). Wonderful Town, Shubert, (18th wk) ($4.60; 2,100)' (Carol Chan- ning). Nearly $29,400 (previous week, $26,700); exits Nov. 26 to re sume. tour. ‘S.P. $41,200 IN PH1LLY; SHOLOMMOG, TO FOLD Philadelphia, Nov. 9. “South Pacific” continued its lush pace for the sixth: week and the local engagement has been ex- tended two more semesters through Dec. 4. Best of the newcomers last week Was “Fifth Season” in, a return si and at the Shubert. ; “World of Sholorn Alei.chem” had" rough going in its first five days at the Walnut, and "Getting Gertie’s Garter” disappointed on twofers at the Locust. Estimates, for Last Week South Pacific. Forest (MD). (6th wk) ($4,80; 1,760) (Iva Withers, Webb Tilton). Slightly off, but still b°ff.; $41,200. • _ Getting Gertie’s Garter, Locust '1st wk) ($3.60; 1,580). Avery Hopwood evergreen not . taken ^npusly by press; on.twofers with double performance Saturday hJ^ht helping; $8*000. Fifth Season,Shubert (CD) (1st Wk) ($4.20;. 1.870) (Chester Morris, . Ruloff).. Critics cooi, but Public enthused; fair $14,000. hf . Shplom Aleichem, w^nut (D) (1st? wk) ($4.20; 1,340) '•Jacob Ben-Ami, Morris Carnoy- SKyi. Theatre parties failed to enough, and the gross of un- urr $10,000 involved a loss; tour (13) S * lere next Saturday ight Current Road Shows ( Non. 8-20) Bad Seed (Nancy Kelly) (tryout) —Court Square, Springfield, Mass. (12-13); Shubert, Wash. (15-20). Black-Eyed Susan (Vincent Price); (tryout)—Parsons, Hartford (10-13); Plymouth, Bost. (15-20), Caine Mutiny Court Martial (Paul Douglas, Wendell Corey, Steve Brodie) Royal Alexandra, Toronto (8-13); Her. Majesty’s, Montreal (15-20) Face to Face (Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn) (tryout) —- Geary, S. F. (8-13) (Reviewed in Variety, Oct. 27, ’54). Fifth Season (Chester Morris, Joseph Buloff)—-Nixon, Pitt. 18-13); Erlanger, .Chi. (15-20). Flowering Peach (Menasha Skul- nik) (tryout)—Playhouse, Wilming- ton (11-13); Forge, Balti. (15-20). Gentlemen Prefer B1 bade s— Opera House, .Boston (8-13). Getting Gertie’s Garter —Locust* Phila, (8-20). ; King and I (Leonard Graves, Pa- tricia Morisoh) ^ Keith's, Dayton (8-13); Hartman, Columbus (15-20). Living Room (Barbara Bel Ged- des)—Plymouth, Boston (8-13) (Re- viewed in Variety, Nov. 3* ’54). 1 Lunatics & Lovers —- Shubert, New Haven (17-20). Midsummer Night’s Dream (Rob- ert Helpmanh, Moira Shearer, Stanley Holloway) Memorial Aud., Sacramento (8-9); Shrine Audi, L.A. (12-20). Moon Is Blue (Jerome Cowan)— §hubert, Detroit (8-29). Mrs. Patterson (Eartha Kitt) (tryout)—-Harris, Chi. (8-20) (Re- viewed in Variety, Sept. 29, ’54). Naughty Natalie—Hanna, Cleve. ( 8 - 20 ). Oh Men, Oh Women (Ralph Bel- lamy)—Cass, Detroit (15-20). Oklahoma—Grand, London, Ont. (8-9); Memorial Aud., Kitchener, Ont. (10); Erlanger, Buffalo (11-14); Royal Alexandra, Toronto (15-20). On with the Show (irra Retina) (tryout) — Shubert, Boston (8-13); Plymouth, Boston (15-20). (Review- ed in Variety this week.) One Eye Closed (Tom Helmore) (tryout) — Wilbur, Boston (13-20) (Original strawhat production re- viewed in Variety, July. 14, ’54, under? title, “Reunion ’54”). Pajama Tops — Aud., Rochester (8-13); Cox, Cincinnati (15-20). Portrait of a Lady (Jennifer Jones) (tryout)-^Colonial, Boston ( 11 - 20 ), Saint Joan (Jekn Arthur) (try- outs—Great Northern, Chi.. (8-20) (Reviewed in Variety, Sept. 22, ’54). School for Brides— WRVA Thea- tre, Richmond (8-13); Parsons* Hartford (15-20). Seven Year Itch (Eddie Bracken) —American, St. L. (8-20). South Pacific (Iva Withers, Webb Tilton) —• Forrest, Phila. ( 8 - 20 ). Tea arid Sympathy (Deborah Kerr):—Ford’s, Balti. (8-13); Na- tional, Wash. (15-20). Time Out for Ginger (Melvyn Douglas) — Metropolitan, Seattle (8-13); Yakima, Wash. (15); Wash- ington, D.C. (16); Portland, Ore) (17-18);. Sacramento (20). Wedding Breakfast (tryout)—Na- tional. Wash. (8.-13) (Reviewed in Variety, Nov. 3, ’54). What Every Woman Knows (Helen Hayes)—Curran, S.F. (8-20) (Reviewed in Variety, Sept. 29, ’54). Wonderful Town (Caiol Chan nirig)—Shubert, Chi: (8-20)., World: of Sholom : Aleichem-» Walnut St., Phila. (8-20). DEBORAH $10,400 IN 3, Touring company of “Tea and Sympathy,” starring Deborah Kerr, grossed about $10,400 in three per- formances last Friday-Saturday (5-6) at tlie 1,600-seat St. James Theatre, Asbury Park, N. J. It was initial road booking for the Play- wrights Co.—Mary K* Frank offer- ing. Robert, Anderson drama is at the Ford’s, Baltimore, this week; ’Sabrina’ $3,500, Balto Baltimore; Nov. 9. Bethel Leslie in “Sabrina Fair” pulled a modest $3,500 last week at Don Swann’s Hilltop-Parkway winter stock operation. Gross was better than for the previous two stanzas, but still not healthy. The Samuel Taylor comedy con- tinues. for a second round, with Reginald Owen in ’’Open House”, set to follow. ‘GINGER’ RAT $7,800 (7) FOR NORTHWEST SPLIT Vancouver, Nov. 9. “Time Gut for Ginger” took an- other beating in the northwest last week. Melvyn Douglas starrer drew a gross of under $7,800 in seven performances split between the Orpheum, Spokane,, and the Inter- national here. Comedy took in about $2,800 in three performances at the former location Monday- Tuesday (1-2) dnd nearly $5,000 in four showings at the latter spot Thursday-Saturday (4-6). Show is at the Metropolitan, Seattle, this week. Boston, Nov.. 9. Legit biz continued strong here last week, with “The Living Room,” Theatre Guiid-ATS third subscrip- tion play of the season, a sellout on its ■ initial stanza at the Ply- mouth. The N-.Y. City Opera Co* was also very big in a seVen-per- formance stand at the Gpera House. Two newcomers last night (Mon ) were “On With the Show,” in for a three-weeker at the Shubert, and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,”, ticketed for a single week on two- fers. at the Opera House. Other action this week includes Jennifer Jones in “Portrait of a Lady,” at the Colonial Thursday (11) for a 10-day stint, with : “One - Eye Closed” due Saturday night (13) at the Wilbur. Estimates for Last Week Living Room, Plymouth (1st wk) ($3.85; 1,200) (Barbara Bel Geddes). Very hefty $23,700; final Week is current for the pre-Broadway try- out. N.Y. City Opera, Opera House (one week) ($5; 3,000). Very satis- factory $50,000. ‘ITCH’ OVER $26,600 IN THREE-WAY SPLIT Peoria, Nov. 9. “Seven Year Itch” grossed over $26,600 in a three-way split last week. Comedy took in nearly $15,- 700 in four performances Monday- Wednesday (1-3) at the Murat,. In- dianapolis; over $4,300 in one per- formance Thursday (4) at the Lin- coln, Decatur, 111 ; and over $6,600 in three showings Friday-Saturday (5-6 at the Shrine Auditorium here. Eddie Bracken starrer is Current at the American, St. Loufs. ‘Breakfast’ $12,200, D.C.; Twofer ‘Blondes’ $8,500 Washington, Nov. 9. “Wedding Breakfast” drew a slim $12,200 in the initial frame of a fortnight’s stand at the Na- tional Theatre last Week despite being on Theatre Guild subscrip- tion. Rermit Bloomgarden produc- tion looks a little better this week, with favorable Sunday (7) follow- up reviews helping. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” racked up $8,500 on twofers at the Shubert Theatre last week. House is dark this stanza. Jean Arthur N.S.G. $14,000 In ‘Saint Joan,’ Columbus Columbus, Noy. 9. Legit season opened at the Hart- man here last week with. Jean Ar- thur in “Saint Joan” doing: a mea- gre $14,200 i eight performances at. $4 top, tax included. House, is dark currently* but will be lighted next week with “King and I.” Broadway dropped again last week, with the election and gener- ally rainy weather figured contri- buting factors. Practically all shows, except the smashes, were affected. Last minute radio-tv. po- litical speeches Monday (1) night and election coverage the follow? ing eve cut into receipts. Last week’s two ings, “Quadrille” and “Fanny, did standee business, with large ad- vance sales. There are no preems this week. “All Summer Long” becomes the second fplderoo of the current season, calling it quits next Satur- day (13), Also shuttering that night, to tour, “Oh Men, Oh Women.” Other shows that have set closing dates are “King of Hearts” and “By. the Beautiful Sea.”;; .. ( Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Cdviedy-Drama), R (Revite), MC (Musical-Comedy), MD ■ (Musi-' cai-Drama), O (Opera), 0P (Op- eretta), Other parenthetic designations refer, respectively, to weeks played, number of performances through last Saturday, top prices, number of seats, capacity gross and stars. Price includes 10% Federal arid 5% City tax, [but grosses are net:' i.e., exclusive of tax. All Summer Long, Booth (D) (7th. Wk; 52; $5.75-$4.60; 766;; $22,000). . Under $7,000 (previous, week; $17,000); closes next Satur- day (13). Anniversary Waltz, Broadhurst (C). (31st wk; 243 $4.60; 998; $28,- 000) (Macdonald Carey, Kitty Car? lisle). Almost $18,900 (previous week, $20,700). .' , ’ Boy Friend, Royale . (MC) (6th wk; 44; $6.90; 1,172; $38:200). Capacity at $38,300 (previous week, $38,300). By the Beautiful Sea, Imperial (MC) (31st wk; 244; $6.90; 1.400; $50,000). (Shirley Booth). Over $20,500 (previous week, $24,700; closes Dec. . 18; Caine Mutiny Court Martial, Plymouth (D) (42d wk; 332; $5.75? $4,60; $33,331) Lloyd Nolan, John; Hodiak, Barry Siillivaii). Almost $28,900 (previous week; $32,300). Can-Can, Shubert (MC) (79th wk; 628; $6.90; 1,361; $50*160). Almost $46,600 (previous . week, $50,400). Dear Charles,. Morosco (C) (8th Wk; 61; $6.90-$5.75-$4.60; $29,850) (Tullulah Bankhead), Almost $26,- 600 (previous week. $28,700). Fanny, Majestic (MD) (1st wk; 4; $7.50; 1,510; $63,000) (Ezio Pinza, Walter Slezak). Opened last Thurs- day: (4) to three favorable notices (Atkinson, Times; Chapman, News; Hawkins, World-Telegram) and four unfavorable notices (Coleman, Mirror; Kerifc. Herald Tribune; McClain, Journal-American; Watts, Post); capacity at almost $50,300 [•Tor first four performances and two previews. Fragile Fox, Belasco (D) (4th wk; 31; $5,75; $4.60; 1,077; $28,300). (Dane Clark, Don Taylor), Almost $10,200, with some theatre parties (previous week, $11,500). King Of Hearts, National (C) (32d wk; 250; $5.75-$4.60; 1,172; $31,300) (Donald Cook; Jackie Cooper. Almost $13,600 on twofers (previous, week, $14,500); closes Npv. 27 to tour. : Kismet, Ziegfeld (OP) (49th wk; 388; $6.90; 1,528; $57,908) (Alfred Drake). Over $53,200 (previous week, $56,900)* Oh Men, Oh Women, Miller (C) (47th; wk; 382; $5.7$-$4.60:. 920; $23,248) (Lloyd Bridges). Almost $8;900, with some twofers' (previ- ous week, $9,400); closes Nov. 13 to tour with Ralph Bellamy replac- ing Bridges as star. On-Your Toes, 46th St. (MC) (4th wk; 32; $8.O5-$6.90; 1,319; $48,547); (Vera Zorina, Bobby Van). Almost $40,200 (previous week, $36,100). Pajama Game, S. James (MC) (26th. Wk; 204; $6.90, 1,571; $51,717) (John Raitt, Janice Paige, Eddie Foy Jr.). Capacity again, over $52,100. Peter Pan, Winter Garden (MD) (3d wk; 21; $6.90; l,5i0; $57,500) (Mary Martin). Almost $51,000 (previous week, $52,400). Quadrille, Coabnet (C) (1st wk; 6; R6.9O-$5.75-$4.60; 1,027; $30,000) (Alfred Lunt, Lyim Fontarine, Edna Best, Brian Aherne). Opened last Wednesday (3) to five affirmative notices (Atkinson, Times; Chap- man, News; Coleman, Mirror; Mc- Clain, Journal-American; Watts, Post) and two unfavorable reviews (Hawkins, World-Telegram; Kerr; Herald Tribune); capacity at over $27,700 for first .6 performances and One preview. . Rainmaker, Cort (D) (2d wk; 12; $5;75-$4,60; 1,056; $29,000 (Qeral- dine Page). Almost $18,000 (pre- vious week, $14,100 for first four performances and two previews). Reclining Figure, Lyceum (C) (5th wk; 36; $5.75-$4.60; 995; $23,- 389). Nearly $16,100 (previous week, $16,700). Seven Year Itch, Fulton (C) (103d wk; 821; $5.75-$4.60; 1,063; $24,000) (Elliott Nugent). Over $18,800 (previous week, $21i200). Solid Gold Cadillac. Music Box (C) (53d Wk; 421; $5,75-$4.60;< 1,077; $?.7;811). Almost $17,800 (pre- vious week, $21,300). Tea and Sympathy, Barrymore (D) (58th wk; 461;. $5.75-$4.60; 1,214; $28,300) (Joan Fontaine)., Nearly $18,600 (previous week, $21,400). Teahouse of the August Moon, Beck . (C) (56th wk; 452; $6.22- $4.60; 1,214;. $33,608) (Burgess Merddith,. Scott McKay). Another se 1 lout over $34,000). Tender Trap* Longacre (C) (4th wk; 29; $5.75; $4.60; 1,048; $26,317) (Robert Preston, Kim Hunter, Tionny Graham). • Almost $23,200 (previous week, $22,300). Traveling Lady, Playhouse (D) (2d wk; 14; $5.75-$4.60: : 999; $23,- 500) (Kim Stanley). Almost $11,- 600 (previous week, $8,800 for first six performances). Miscellaneous Sing Me No Lullaby, Phoem (D) (4th wk; 30; $3.45; 1,1.50; $20,- 000). Nearly' $7,700 (previous week; $7,000); closed Sunday (7). Following are the comparative figures based on VAnrF. 1 box- office reports for last week (the 23d week of the season) and the corresponding week of last seaispn: ' BROADWAY OFF-BROADWAY SHOWS (Figures denote opening dates) Dybbuk, 4th St. (10-26-54). I Feel Wonderful, de Lys . (10- 18-54). In Splendid Error* Greenwich Mews (10-26-54). . Sands of the Negev, President (10-25:54). Slight Delinquent^ Blackfriars (10-25-54). ' ' Stone For Danny Fisher, Down- town National (10-21-54). Twelfth Night,-Jan Hus (11-9-54). Way of the World, Cherry Lane (10-2-54). Closed Last Week Clandestine Marriage, Province- ton (9-29-54). Bus-Truck ‘Okla’ $32,500; Opens Loew’s to Legit Availability of film houses for legit bookings has spread to the Loew’s circuit; Chain is duplicat- ing .the Walter Reade outfit in li ing lip touring productions to augment regular screen product.. Bus-and-truck edition of “Okla- homa’’' has been set for approxi- mately 16 Loew’s theatres in up- state New York and New England. As is the case with the Reade houses* bookings are: usually for two days. Rodgers & Hammerstein musical began its trek of the Loew’s spots lasit week. Tuner played Loew’s, Syracuse, Monday- Tuesday (1-2) and Loew’s, Roch- ester, WednesdayTThursday (3-4). Show wound, up week with four performances at the Palace Thea- tre, Hamilton,. Ont.,' Friday-Satur- day (5-6).. Gross for the eight perform- ances was nearly $32,500, Approxi- mate takes were. $11,700 in Syra- cuse, $7,700 in Rochester and $13,- 100 in Hamilton, Show played to a $3 top all three stands.