Variety (December 1954)

?u,wadav, Poccrober 29, 1954 LEGITIMATE 51 * i philly Sags; ‘Rowers’ $11,000 in 7, ‘Stockings’ $37,800, ‘Anastasia’ 13G Philadelphia, Dec. 28. ♦ Pre-Christmas exacted the cus- tomary toll last week but the town K , unusual situation of four . 0 J ’ view during which is S Tmallv a layoff period. Two Thus left town Saturday evening fi? 5, Anastasia” and ‘‘House of Flowers” moving on to Broadway. H Arrival !«* night Won.) was •Grand Prize”, at the Locust for a tryout. A non-legit tourer, Blackstone. the Magician, also opened at the Erlanger. Future bookings include Jan. 3, • Tea and Sympathy”, Forrest sub- scription, three weeks, and Plain and Fancy”, Shubert. tryout, two tucks Jan. 10. “Southwest Cor- nt .r” Walnut, tryout, two weeks; Jan 12, “Desperate Hours , Lo- cust trvout, two weeks; Jan. 31, •Bus Stop,” Locust, tryout, two \\ ccks. Estimates for Last Week House of Flowers, Erlanger (M) (5th wki <$5.40; 1,800)*. Variety of factors, including Miss Bailey’s ill- ness combined to hurt this one, brutal at under $11,000 in seven performances for the windup of the tryout stand. South Pacific, Forrest <MD) (13th uk) <$4.80; 1,760) (Iva Withers, Al- len Gerrard). Now relying on bus and subway trade, so it felt the seasonal slump; around $12,500; exits town next Saturday (1). Silk Stockings, Shubert <MD) 15 th wki 1 $6; 1,870) Don Ameche, Hildegarde Neff). Also felt the slump, but not as severely as the rest of the town; about $37,800; moves on to Boston next week. Anastasia, Walnut (D) t$4.20; 1.340) (3d wk) (Viveca Lindfors, Eugenie Leontovich). Steady word ot mouth proved big asset in hold- over third week; under $13,000. CorneD-Power Wow $28,700, Del Cleveland, Dec. 28. j Highest pre-Christmas week gross : in the Hanna Theatre’s 32-year history was pulled by Katharine Cornell and Tyrone Power in “The Dark Is Light Enough,” which nailed $28,664 in eight perform- ances at $4 top. For a dramatic play at that scale, nothing has approached its take at this 1.515-seat house for the pre- Yule stanza. TEAHOUSE’HOT $27,000 FOR 1ST WEEK, ST. L00 St. Louis, Dec. 28. | After a fortnight hiatus the American Theatre relighted last week with the touring company of “Teahouse of the August Moon" ; getting $27,000. Show, costarring Burgess Meredith and Scott Mc- Kay, drew fine reviews and is due to jump to solid capacity for this week’s finale. Top is $4.48 for the engagement, but will he hiked to $5.60 for the New Year’s Eve per- formance. The Ansell brothers relight their Empress tonight (Tues.) with a one-week stanza of “Room Serv- ice,” with Tim Herbert in the lead role. The house was dark for two weeks. The usual $2.50 scale pre- vails except for New Year’s Eve, when it will be upped to $3.35. ‘Fancy $29,700 In Hub Tryout Boston, Dec. 28. Braving the Christmas Week bugaboo, “Plain and Fancy” wound its first tryout week at the 1,700- seat Shubert with a nice $29,700. House is scaled at $4.40 week nights, with a $5.50 top weekends. Final week is current. Christmas night newcomers were the tryout of “Festival”, in for two weeks at the Colonial and “Models is Season”, slated for a three-week stand at the Majestic on twofers. Lone newcomer this week is “Southwest Corner,” starring Eva LeGalliene, which bowed into the Wilbur last night (Mon.) for a fortnight. ‘Moon’ Dire $2,500, Cincy; Cornell-Power Current Cincinnati, Dec. 28. New modern bottom - scraping grosser here for a road show, “.Moon Is Blue,” wound up a fort- night's engagement in the 1,300- seat Cox with $2,500 last week. Top was $1.98 on a twofer basis. Upper side of teeter-totter for the current season is in sight this week for Katharine Cornell and Iyione Power in “Dark Is Light Enough” in the 2,500-seat Taft, at $3.96 top. ‘Prize’ Thin $5,700 in 4 For Hartford Breakin Hartford, Dec. 28. Three-day breakin of “Grand Pnze here at the Parsons Thea- tre last Thursday-Saturday (23-25) Ktossed a mild $5,700 for four per- formances. Show suffered from usual Christmas lull. Top of $3.80 prevailed for the 1,100-seater. House is dark until Jan. 17, c en it relights for “Models in Season,’ in for a full week on tuoters. ‘Okla’ Slow 16G in Dei.; ‘Garter’ Resumes Tour Detroit, Dec. 28. “Oklahoma” grossed a w eak $16,- 000 at the 2.050-seat Shubert last week at a $3.30 top. Current is the reopened “Getting Gertie’s Gar- ter,” in for two weeks at $3.60 top, on twofers. Upcoming is “Wonderful Town,” Jan. 10 at the Shubert for two weeks at a $4 top. The 1,482-seat Cass is dark and has no immediate bookings. ‘Ginger $9,500, Frisco San Francisco, Dec. 28. T *me Out for Ginger,” starring jMelvyn Douglas, dropped to $9,500 If* week, its third at the 1,758- fceat Curran. top omedy is playin * * * 3 - 85 Operating Statement WONDERFUL TOWN 'As of Nov. 30, ’54) iCC 1 n #.4 n ▲ MVi. UV, , oss » last 3 weeks..-. $ Uoss, same period Loss, entire Chicago run Ao *al net profit to date . ' Distributed profit to date ( a^h reserve binds, deposits 1 <t ncc 88,887 2,402 • • « • • 9,995 202,542 150,000 25,000 24,232 3,311 Morris Agency Shuffles Legit-TV Casting Depts. William Morris agency has just shuffled assignments in its legit and television casting departments Charles Baker, previously in charge of musical casting in legit, now handles all legit casting. Joe Magee, formerly doubling between legit and tv, is now super- visor of tele casting, concentrating on names for the spectaculars. Nate Beers will do general tv cast- ing, as will Jane Dreyfus. Added to the video staff are Cy Samuels, previously assistant to Ben Griefer, of the department, and Bruce Sav- an, formerly with producer Shep- ard Traube. Current London Shows London, Dec. 28. (Figures denote premiere date*) Airs Shoestring, Royal Ct. (4 22-53). All For Mary, Duke York (9-9-54). Beatrice Lillie, Globe (11 24-54). Bell, Book, Candle, Phoenix (10-3-54). Book el Month, Cambridge (10-21-54). Beth Ends Meet, ApoRo (6-9-54). Bey Friend, Wyndham'a (12-1-53). Can-Can, Coliseum (10-14-54). Craty Gang, Vic. Pal. (12-16-54). Ory Rot, WhitehaU (8 31-34). Happy Holiday, Palace (12-22-34). Hedda Gabltr, Westm'ster <11-29 34). Hippo Dancing, Lyric (4-7-54). I Am e Camera, New (3-12-54). Intimacy At 8:M, Criterion (4-29-54). Joyce Granted, St. Mart. (6-2-54). King and I, Drury Lane (10-8-53) Manor at Nerthstead, Ducbess (4-28 54). Matchmaker, Haymarket (11-4-341. Mousetrap, Ambaa. (11-25-52). Old Vie Bep, ( Party Spirit, Piccadilly (8-23-54). Old Vic (8-9-54). iccadiiiy i Fay the Piper, Seville (12-21-54). Eolation* Apert, Garrick (8-3-54). Sabrina Fair, Palace (6-4-54). Salad Days, Vaudeville (8-5-54). Separate Tablet, St. James's (9-22-54). Simon A Laura, Strand (11-24-54). Spider's Web, Savoy (12-14-54). Talk of Town. Adelphl <11-17 54). Teaheuae Aug. Mean, Her Mat. <4-22 34) Wedding In Fans, IHpp. (4-3-54). Witness Prosecution, vf. Gard. (10-28 53) .Tom Curtiss wh# cavers part at tbe Paris treat (nice covering) far ‘Variety' be- tides being Drama Critic a# tbe Paris edition of tbo N.Y. Herald Tribe no. discourses on Actor-Critics * • * n bright bylina place in thn forthcoming 49 th Anniversary Number of OlIT NEXT WEEK ‘Oh Men $14,290, ‘Season $11,500, ‘King 43G, Chi Chicago, Dec. 28. Expected slump hit the four Loop shows last week. Weekend biz u’as especially slow, but a bounce back is anticipated this week. Sole future booking is still “Tea and Sympathy,” March 7 at the Blackstone. Estimates for Last Week Fifth Season, Erlanger <6th wk) ($4; 1.300) (Chester Morris, Joseph Buloff). Nearly $11,500 (previous week. $15.500>. King and I, Shubert '5th wk' ($5; 2,100) (Yul Brynner, Patricia Mbri- son). Almost $43,000 (previous week, $47,500). Oh Men, Oh Women, Harris (3d wk) ($5; 1,000) (Ralph Bellamy). Nearlv $14,200 (previous week), $18,100). Pajama Tops, Blackstone (4th wki ($4.40; 1,385) (Diana Barry- more). Almost $0,700 (previous week, $12,100). SCHIDULID OPENINGS Glass Clack, Aldwych (1-3-55). B way Not So Merry; Hayes $31,500, ‘Witness’ $22,600, ‘Lunatics’ - ‘Charles’ $10,300; ‘Lady,’ ‘Susan’ Flop Current Road Shows (Dec. 27 -Jan. 8) Caine Mutiny Court Martial— Playhouse. Wilmington (27-29); Lyric, Balto (30-1); Muny Aud., Ft. Lauderdale (3); Dade County Aud., Miami (4-5); Muny Aud, Lakeland, rla. (7); Muny Aud., Orlando, Fla. (8). Dark Is Light Enough (tryout)— Taft, Cincy (27-1), Memorial Aud., Louisville (3-5). Desperate Hours (tryout)—Shu- bert, New Haven (6-8). Festival (tryout)—Colonial, Bos- ton (27-8). Fifth Season — Erlanger, Chi (27-8). Getting Gertie’s Garter—Shu- bert, Detroit (3-JB). Glad Tidings—Shubert, Wash. (27-8). Grand Prize (tryout)—Locust, Philly (27-8) King and I—Shubert, Chi (27-8). Models in Season — Majestic, Boston (27-8). Moon Is Blue—Orpheum, K.C. (27-1); Convention Hall, Tulsa (3-4); Municipal .Aud., Oklahoma City (5-6); Arcadia, Wichita (7-8). Oh Men, Oh Women—Harris, Chi (27-8). Oklahoma—Central H.S., Kala- mazoo (27-29); Murat, Indianapolis (30-1). Pajama Tops—Blackstone, Chi. (27-8). Plain and Fancy (tryout)—Shu- bert, Boston (27-1); Shubert, Philly (3-8). Put Them All Ttogether —Shu- bert, New Haven (29-1); Plymouth, Boston (3-8). Sailor’s Delight (tryout)—Ly- ceum, Minneapolis (27-1); Pabst, Milwaukee (3-8). Seven Year Itch —Nixon, Pitt. (27-8). Silk Stockings (tryout)—Shubert, Philly * (27-1); Shubert, Boston (3-8). South Pacific—Forrest, Philly (27-1); Ford’s, Balto (3-8). Southwest Corner (tryout)—Wil- bur, Boston (27-8). Tea and Sympathy (Deborah Kerr)—Forrest, Philly (3-8). Teahouse of the August Moon— American, St. L. (27-1); Playhouse, K.C. (3-8). Three For Tonight (tryout)— State Fair Aud., Dallas (27-31); Municipal Aud., Oklahoma City (1); Convention Hall, Tulsa (2); Okla. U. Field House, Norman (4); Aud., Sioux City (6); KRNT Thea- tre, Des Moines (7). Time Out for Ginger —Curran, S.F. (27-8). Tonight In Samarkand (tryout) —McCarter, Princeton (6-8). Wonderful Town — National, Wash (27-1); Hanna, Cleve. (3-8). Broadway continued to hit bottom last week. The pre-Christmas slide ended Thursday <23) and Friday (24) for some shows, while biz at others remained sluggish through- out the week. Receipts for most shows, except the smashes, were down from the previous semester. Upbeat is expected this frame. There were three openings last week, two being fast folds, “Por- trait of a Lady,” which preemed Tuesday <21) and “Black-Eyed Susan,” which debuted Thursday <23) shuttered Saturday <25). Other entry was “What Every Woman Knows,” the inaugural two-week bill of the eight-week City Center drama season. Four new shows open this week. Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy Drama ), R (Revue), MC (Musical-Comedy), MD (Musi- cal-Drama), O (Opera), OP (Op- eretta). Other parenthetic designations refer, respectively, to weeks played, number of performances through last Saturday. 0 top prices, number of seats, capacity gross and stars. Price includes 10% Federal and 5% City tax, but grosses arc net: i.e., exclusive of tax. Anniversary Waltz, Booth (C) (38th wk; 299; $4.60; 766; $20,000) (Macdonald Carey, Kitty Carlisle). Almost $13,800 (previous week, $12,700). Bad Seed. 46th St. (D) (3d wk; 21; $5.75-$4.60; 1,319; $37,000) (Nancy Kelly). Over $28,100 (pre- vious week, $28,500). Black-Eyed Susan, Playhouse (C) (1st wk; 4; $5.75-$4.60; 990; $23,500) (Vincent Price). Opened last Thursday (23) to unanimous pans; grossed nearly $5,200 for first four performances; closed last Saturday (25) at a loss of approxi- mately its total $60,000 investment. Boy Friend, Royale (MC) (13th wk; 100; $6.90; 1,172; $38,200). Had a clean statement at $38,200 (previ- ous week, $38,400). Caine Mutiny Court Martial, Plymouth (D) (49th wk; 388; $5.75- $4.60; $33,331) (Lloyd Nolan, John Hodiak, Barry Sullivan). Almost $17,500 (previous week, $18,200); closing Jan. 15, to tour. Can-Can, Shubert (MC) (86th wk; 684; $6.90; 1.361; $507160). Almost $36,300 (previous week, $36,100). Dear Charles, Morosco <C) (15th wk; 117; $6.90-$5.75-$4.60; $29,850) (Tallulah Bankhead). Over $10,300 (previous week, $13,000); closes Jan. 29, to tour. Fanny, Majeslic (MD) <8th wk; 60; $7.50; 1,510; $65,300) (Ezio Pinza, Walter Slezak). Over ca- pacity again, with standees at all performances, almost $65,900. Kismet, Zicgfeld (OP) (56th wk; 444; $6.90; 1,528; $57,908) (Alfred Drake). Over $43,000 (previous week, $44,300). Lunatics and Lovers, Broadhursl <C) <2d wkj 16; $5.75-$4.60; 1,160; $29,500). Nearly $28,600 (previous week, $28,800 for first eight per- formances). Mrs. Patterson, National (D) (4th wk; 30; $6.90-$5.75; 1,172; $36,000) (Eartha Kitt). Over $22,300 (previ- ous week, $30,200). Pajama Game, St. James (MC) (33d wk; 260; $6.90; 1.571; $51,717) (John Raitt, Janis Paige, Eddie Foy, Jr.). Capacity as always, $52,- 100; Raitt returned last Monday (27) after a brief vacation during which time Stephen Douglas subbed. Peter Pan, Winter Garden (MD) (10th wk; 77; $6.90; 1,510; $57,500) (Mary Martin). Over $42,500 (pre- vious week, $42,000). Portrait of a Lady, ANTA Play- house (1st wk; 4; $5.75-$4.60; 1,347, $34,000) (Jennifer Jones). Opened Dec. 21 to unanimously unfavorable reviews; grossed over $12,000 for first four performances and a preview; closed last Satur- day (25) at an approximate loss of its full $80,000 investment. Quadrille, Coronet (C) (8th wk; 62; $6.90-$5.75-$4.60; 1,027; $30,000) (Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontanne, Edna Best, Brian Aheme). Over $25,800 (previous week, $30,300). Rainmaker, Cort (C) (9th wk; 68; $5.75-$4.60; 1,056; $29,000) (Ger- aldine Page). Almost $10,400 (pre- vious week, $15,700). Reclining Figure, Lyceum (C) < 12th wk; 92; $5 75;-$4.60; 995; $23,389). Nearly $8,700 (previous week, $10,500); moved last Monday (27) to the Holiday. Seven Year Itch, Fulton (C) (110th wk; 877; $5.75-$4.60; 1,063; $24,000'. Over $12,700 (previous week, $12,300). Tom Ewell re- turned as star last Monday night (27). Solid Gold Cadillac, Music Box (C) (60th wk; <69; $5.75-$4.60; 1,- 077; $27,811). Layed off last week (previous week,. $12,600). Tea and Sympathy, Barrymore (D) (65th wk; 509; $5.75-$4.60; 1,- 214; $28,300) (Joan Fontaine). Layed off last week (previous week, $ 12 , 000 ). Teahouse of the August Moon, Beck (C) 1 63d wk; 508; $6.22-$4.60; 1,214; $33,608) iDavid Wayne. John Forsythe). Over capacity as always, topped $34,000. Tender Trap, Longacre (C) (11th wk; 85; $5.75-$4.60; 1,048; $26,317) 'Robert Preston, Kim Hunter, Ronny Graham). Over $10,600 (previous week, $18,000, with some theatre parties), closes Jan. 8. Wedding Breakfast, 48th St. (C) (6th wk; 41; 55.75-$4.60; 925; $23,- 720). Over $9,000 (previous week, $9,000). What Every Woman Knows, City Center <MC) (1st wk; 8; $3; 3,090; $50,160) (Helen Hayes). Opened last Wednesday (22) to unanimous- ly affirmative notices; grossed al- most $31,500 for first eight per- formances. Witness for the Prosecution, Miller (D) <2d wk; 12; $5.75-$4.60; 920; $23,248). Nearly $22,000 (pre- vious week, $13,500 for four per- formances and one preview). Miscellaneous Ruth & Paul Draper, Bijou ($5.75-$4 60; 603; $17,000). Combo solo drama-solo dance bill opened Sunday night (26) to generally favorable reviews; announced for a thret-week engagement. Sandhog, Phoenix (M) (5th wk; 40; $4.60-$3.45; 1,150; $24,067). Just under $10,500 (previous week, $13,500). OPENING THIS WEEK Saint of Bleecker Street, Broad- way (MD) <$6.90-$6.00); 1.900; $60.- 000). Gian-Carlo Menotti musical, presented by Chandler Cowles; opened Monday night (27) to unan- imously favorable reviews. Flowering Peach, Belasco (D) <$5.75-$4.60; 1,077; $28,300) <Men- asha Skulnik). Clifford Odets play, presented by the Producers Thea- tre; opened last night (Tues.). Anastasia, Lyceum (D) ($5.75- $4.60; 995; $23,389) (Viveca Lind- fors, Eugenie Leontovich). Mar- celle Maurette play, adapted by Guy Bolton; presented by Elaine Perry; opens tonight (Wed.). House of Flowers, (Alvin (MC) ($6.90; 1,150; $47,000). Musical by Truman Capote and Harold Arlen, presented by Saint Subber; opens tomorrow night (Thurs.). OFF BROADWAY SHOWS (Figures denote opening dates) Dybbuk, 4th St. (10-26-54); closes Jan. 16. Importance Being Earnest, Prov- incetown <11-9). Stone For Danny Fisher. Down- town National (10-21-54); closes Jan. 10. Twelfth Night, Jan Hus (11-9-54). Way of the World, Cherry Lane (9-29-54); closes Jan. 23. ‘TOWN’ DIPS TO $28,100 ON 2D WEEK IN WASH. Washington, Dec. 28. Second semester of “Wonderful Town,” with Carol Channing, drew $28,100 last week at the National Theatre, despite the traditional pre-Xmas doldrums. Although that was nearly $6,000 under the initial stanza, it was figured not too bad. The current third and final week should zoom. Shubert relighted last night (Mon.) with a fortnight’s revival “Glad Tidings,” starring Constance Bennett, Tod Andrews and Haila Stoddard. ‘Corner’ Fair 7G for 4, In New Haven Tryout New Haven, Dec. 28. Preem of “Southwest Corner” at the Shubert last Thursday-Satur- day (23-25) drew just under $7,000 on four performances, at $4 top. That wasn’t too bad at the scale and considering it was pre-Christ- mas. A late Saturday matinee (4:45 p.m.) worked out quite well. Current is breakin of “Put Them All Together” this Wednesday-Sat- urday (29-1), then comes the preem of “Desperate Hours,” Jan. 6 8; “South Pacific,” Jan. 17-22. and the national company of “Pajama Game,” Jan. 29-Fcb. 5.