Variety (June 1961)

_Wedncntny Jone 28, 1961. LEGITIMATE 63 ~ Vet Scribe aa Pressagents Pressagents, aa ‘distinct from. public. ‘pelations. -coutiselors, the. mis: ‘pamed. “publicists” or what he. brushea.“off as "the Madison Averue |. -.. type of huckster” ‘werésaluted: recently in-a-columh ‘by drama‘ criticeditor Kaspar: ‘Monahan in the: Pittsburgh, Press. He: wrote dn. part. as follows: -._. -“Get two: cud newspapermen together: ‘Gnd—if: the talk’ turns” to. _-pressagents, ‘they ll. don: expressions. of great. disdain. Get..threeOr more ‘together. and. the. ‘Session. will: turn: ‘into a shrill fortum of denunciation, oe = “But a blanket diginissal ‘of ‘pres sagentry as ‘an ‘enterprise %: ell ‘ing of skillduggery: aid: ‘engaged in. oily. by shady,.. suspeeiois characters. -does. injustice ‘to some_of ‘America’s ‘better evict ens To Morahan: Specifically. paid’. tribute to the-late circus ‘p.a. .. Dexter: Fellows and: the ‘current. big-show.. ‘advance men. Frank’ Braden: and. Bey, Kelly, and-sueh noted Jegit agents asthe late Carlton. Miles. Joe ‘Be Olivier for Tener’ ~ Treatment of ‘Sherlock’ : ; London; June 27. Wolf. Mankowit,. Richard Quine. land: Ken Hyman ‘are joining forces -to produce .a “musical for: Broad-. ‘|way ealled “My Dear . Watson.” ‘| based on the Sherlock Holmes a tstories by Arthur. Conan’ Doyle: _ 7 mie They'ré hoping to dand: Laure” a ence “Olivier: for the lead.) rs Se. res ees ede | ‘Shakespeare Fests OK: ‘Stratford, Conn., $41, 478, |Bway Up: Bye $52,411, ‘rma’ $36,181, ‘Do Re Mi’ $62,064, ‘Fiorello’ $40,593, ~ Rhinoceros’ $23,386, Honey’ $15,752 ‘Broadway: Improved “Last week,' Do Re MI, St James Mc teth With. increases ranging trom sight wk; 208 p) '$8 60. $950 1S ft ‘to substantial. A sharp decime in §00¢: Phil Silvers | Pack cs seek, receipts. is antioipated this frame $61,386. on the basis.of the established boo Last week, $62 064 pattern for this. time otf the sear. Donnybrook, 4605 St WC Gh tung . capacity Hist Meck were yx 44 Pp) $8 60-S G0 TESS Sen. “Camelot,” “Carnal” * Mary, 331. YRS) $45,000). 7 Lake: City. oo: Last. ‘week, | $56, 264. for first: . if ‘geven -performancés of: second rer. a ‘turn engagement : ‘here... a Sam Stratton.. He” also mentions Bill Doll, film : Pa. ErnjeEmerling, ns Rufus Blair, and’ the late Ben, Berkow ich. Sole. : Coast Busy; ‘Sound’ Wow S86, pa 036, “Majority $45, The road: which. ‘will: be. on a straight musical. diet most of suly | --with-the closing next.Saturday (1) Boa office activity Jest. week wis Satie. the layoff’ ef "“Suund = of 2,052, Lady $56,264 | (1), LA. Thiealthy‘at -the Oakdale. “Musical 7" die’ $8 Theatre, ‘Wallingford... Conn, put Estimates for Last Week a weak. at the Northland Playhouse, . * Keus: Cc. (Comedy), D «Dramay, Merry: Widow, Curtan, “SOP-RS). ‘Det. hep cComedy-Dréviat', R Rezuel,! 13dwk) ($6. 25-$6. 90; ° 1.758; $63, | i Estimates for Last Week. . . MC A usical-Caoniv dys, MD sMusi 000) (Patrice “Mungel. Previous. = Parentnetzal. designatiznis for: cal Drama', O (Operas, GF COp > og “Majority of One”. andthe lay-. off of.“‘Miraele ‘Worker,’ ” _playéd_ to generally... healthy in . Kansas ‘City, _. $108,296 in ‘the initial frame. of .its --Civie Light. Opera Assh. subs¢rip '“<\tien engagement in. San Francisco. | Also playing to big business on .CLOA subscription. were “ Merry.| _ “Widow” in Frisco.and “Bye ‘Bye | ~ Birdie’ in.-Los Angeles.. “Gypsy,” ' Yn its fourth week in Chiéago, and. “Music Man,” in its: ‘second frame j. in Washington, ‘were in the. sellout, groove:, | “My. Fair “Lady” got. off. to: a fast. we, start in the first week of its second “Fiors | Le return engagement : iin. LAL ello” ‘did'-okay. on: its: ‘split-week ; stand, “Flower ‘Drum: Song”: made a small profit’ on ‘the mild first.” round ‘of.'a° fortnight’s -booking: in. ‘Pittsburgh, “Majority” had another ! _sturdy. session ‘in: Frisco and. “Mira-. os -€le”: ‘was. $0-SO in. Chicago. ° . Estimates for Last Week | Parenthetic: designations. for: out. ot of-town. shows are thé. same_as for ! -Broadway, except that ‘hyphenated. TT with show classification indicates “. fryout: and: ‘RS: ‘indicates road show. Also; prices. on: touring shows: inelude. 10% ‘Federal ‘Taz and local tar, if any, but as: ‘on. ‘Broadway grosses: are net:. i.e., exclusive of | ‘ftazes.: Engagements are for single week ‘unless otherwise. noted. 2 CHICAGO © Gypsy, . ‘Shubert TMIC-RS) © (ath | wk) ($5.95-$6:60; 2.100: $72: 000) | : (Ethel Merman).. ; Previous ‘week, $72. 345. ‘Last week, $72,342,. ‘Miracle“Worker, Erlanger’ (Sth: wk) ($5.50-$6;. “Previous week, $19,516: |. Last week, -$20.774:' Lays off fol| .. Jowing. the evening performance : next. Saturday {1)'and resumes J uly : -,29' at..the. Opera: House,” Central ; City, Colo. Los: ANGELES-. : Bye Bye Birdie, ‘Philharmonic’: {MC-RS). 13d. . wk) -.1$5. 90-$6.75; 2670: ‘$81. 200).: Previous week. $81, 273 ° with Civic . Light: ‘Opera . ‘Assn. subscription... ‘Last week, $82, 052 swith LOA) 7 ‘subscription. . My Fair ‘Lady, ‘Biltmore’ iMG: RSS (st. wk) ($6-$6.50;.1,626; $63.+: Caroline: ~ 000) (Michael™ . Evans, Dixon). Previous. week. $54, 319 for BIX performances, Capitol,’ . _ PITTSBURGH : ; ‘Flower. Drum Song; ‘Nixon: tcc , RS) ‘1st. wk): (36.50: 1,760: .$64,000): Previous © ‘week. : $88, 546, : O'Keefe, |. Toronto.” _ Opened: heré ’ June 19 to two} -raves (Fanning, Post-Gazette: Mone : ‘ahan, Press)... ‘Last week, $38. 198° “with Theatre| | Guild-American Theatre Society subscription. SAN. FRANCISCO” business Yast. ; week. “Sound of, Music,” more than. doubling its previous iweek’s take. pulled. a. huge: UD. ffs ] 380; “| . ” yo . Salt SE ‘week, $62,936 | with. CLOA : -scription: _ : ‘Last week, $62, 985. wf cL LOA. subscription. -. Oy Sound of: ‘Music, “Opera. ‘House ! ‘(MD-RS) (Ist wk) | ($6/25-$6.90:. 3,300;-$115,000).. {Florence . Henderson). ‘Previous. ‘week, : $51.663 for’ seven performances, Music Halt. Kansas: City. Opened: -here Jiine19. to. one: ‘qualified _endorsement:. «Speegle, Neéws-Call Bulletin’ and: ‘two (pans ‘Eichelbaum, ‘Examiners. | bocker, -Chronicle}.” “sub | Last. week, $108: 296 sh CEOA | _subseription:, x WASHINGTON : . i Musie. Man, National.“ MCRS) 42d wk) “($6.95-$7.90;...1,685; .$64,795). Previoiis :week,. $64.586 ‘with: -TG-ATS ‘subscription. a ‘Last. week, $65, 296. ‘with’ TG-ATS subscription. ee i: — foe SPLIT: ‘WEEK. ak Fiorello: (MC-RS).’ Previous week, | $58,069, “seven-per formance: split.) with: Broadway « ‘Theatre:’ Deague | subscription. so ' Last week, : $49, 659 for” ‘eeven BTL performances: Orpheum, Seattle,.Sunday (18):. two. -$6:486: Fox, | Spokarie, “Monday. (197, “one, ":$9;960: ‘Queen Elizabeth, : Vaheouver, !:Wedneésday-Thursday : 121-221, tivo,. Friday: | $18,031; -Capitol; Yakima. ibe one, $7,442; Temple. Tacoma, Saturday’ (24), .ohe, $7. 740. " MELCHERS INVADE | leGiT: “Doris Day: snd Bunny isting. ae “Perfect Set-Up! Hollywood, Sune. 27. © Aewin “Productions: will: launch: its. legit’ ‘producing operations" with} ‘purchase ‘of | “ThePerfert Set-up.’ j by. ‘John™ Sher, rehéarsals. to start Jin. N..Y..in mid‘July and Broadway pho: ‘set. for mid-September, .-Marty: Melcher, paired Aeith ‘his’ wife, Doris ‘Day,.in: company, flew * “Review, was: inadvertantl y Oliy“east. over weekend to set ‘a’ diree-,; jew,. advertantly. reported’ ‘as having selected Laurence Oliv “tor and start casting... Arwin plans call. for at least. three other legiters. ‘during: 1961-62:, Season. Off-Br sadway. Shows: ~(Piqures denate opening. dates) . American | Savoyards, ‘Mews, (4-27-61). + Balcony (Rep.),Cirele.In Square: (33-60). ‘Blacks, St Marks 5-4-6]: Dream &Bessie, Cherry Lane | 12-1. 61). Fantasticks, Sullivan St. (53-60). ' ‘Fil Leaf, Gramercy Arts. (6-34-61), . . Hedda ‘Gabler, 4th’ St. (13-9-60) 2 King Dark Chamber, Jan Hus (2: $61). Lésve. if to tane Sheridan ‘Sn 42559). : Mary Sunshine, ‘Players, (11-38597. ' Noontide, Marquee ‘(6-1:61) ‘:Premise, -Premise .(11-22-60:. °' Red Eye, Living. Th'tre. '6-12.61): oa ~ Stewed ‘Prunes. Showplace 1214. 60).: ~ Fhreepenny ‘Opera, de Uys (9.26551. -Under Milk Wood ‘Rep: if ir cle ¢3:2961. _Moice a4 he ~yette atet: S* 5 27-61): : -SCHEDULED. OPENINGS : an Bugle, oon, Claywrights ir-28-62): ".. Susan Slept Mere, 41st St.. '7.1161). Lilo de Paris, Maidman ‘95-61). ft 4th Ave: North, Madison save. (9-27-61). uskers, ‘Cricket (10-25-6 52 Fight. City « ee ei “javiair 110-3061) OSED L Abe Lincoln; York (5-10610: Slosed Sate others. ’ elased June 3 after 28 perfermanes. 7. exeept that (TS. indicates. Touraig Rnicker| a "each, ‘of Henry and. L. L. L. fey ‘WALLINGFORD, CONN 4 “Last week. nearly ‘$40. 000. urday: (24) after :62 performances -at?! “ the York, does. not. .inelude Bway and’ . Meet Peter. .Gtant,. Folksbiene 45. Veer” ; Stratf’d, Ont., $46,631 (2) . The: ‘summer theatre. Season As. starting to bloom. ‘The: samplings ° "Ybstow reveal good: buxiness for the _ Shakespeare ‘festivals in. Stratford, ~Conn.,and .Stratford, -Ont. © The: -i Starlight ‘Theatre. Kansas. City. lene of ‘several. outdoor civic operaj tions. got. its” Season. off to a mod. est. start, Marv"? and. “Sound of “Masic * “Happiest. Girl in the Word” “folded Saturday -nght -24-.and Joey” terminated the City Center ‘musical series Sunday 23. “An Evening with Mike Nichots and “Elaine May” and “Miracle Warkei” Gay ths, ‘stack are the same as tor. the: road,” .erettay, Rep. «Reperterg', DR \ Dra matic Readings. Show did” bP i indweates: Local, Other. parenthetic designations iP r oduction. 1 refer, respectively. to weeks played, bows, DETROIT Coo I number of performances through : 7 “Northland. ‘Playhouse ($3.85-'last Saturday, top. prices ‘where $4.30: 1,126; $27,000). 49th Cousin ‘ two prices are: given, the higher is a: Oe TS), (Menasha Skulnik). Previous | for Friday-Saturday nights and the week: " Bell. Book and Candle ‘ lower for weeknights), number of ; (Ginger © Rogers’. $33,820 | for: 12 seats, capacity .gross and = stars. . pérformances June 8-18.: . Price ‘includes 10°: Federal and: _Last’ week. about: $13. 500 for . 5" City tax, but grosses are net, seven” performances. | ie: “exclusive of tares.. ‘Asterisk denotes show had. cur rate tickets in circulation. “All the Way Home, Belasco -1t 130th. Wk; 237 p) ($6.90-$750; 907, $38,500). -Previous week. $18,924 ; Last week, $21. 262. KANSAS city. “Starlight Theatre. 7,600. seats), ° | Destry Rides Again (MC -LP) ‘Dick ' Shawn;-Elizabeth: Allen. -Opene d jSeason: here June 19. : ‘Last week,‘around: $35.000. Cur “rent: New Moon. «Jean Fenn, Earl} *Best~ Man, Morosce C8 164th: p Wrightson). |.wk; 504: p).-'$6.90-S7 50. 999, $41.J. —_ ‘}000) (Lee Tracy, Frank Lovejoy. ee “ smhATFORD. CONN, : Previous week, $17.470 Ton Gori: ‘Shakespeare Festival :$6: 25; “J..:man succeeds Tracy next Saturday 479:.. $54,568).. -Macbeth-As ‘Youi41) and. Arthur Storch succeeds ” pike’ It (Rép-L P).:3d. wki.Previous} Lovejoy the following Monday < cr ‘Last’ week, . $17.732. “lweek, $33,866" after’, ‘$31, 450 for initial week, | Bye Bye Birdie, Shubert. (MC: _.Last week, ‘$41, 478. . (62d wk; 487 £i'$8.60 $9 40; 1.453. : . |}$61T.0002,. Previous week, .$44.438 STRATFORD, ‘OnT: a ‘for seven performances. F , Sakespare Festal ($5;. 2.258: ; Last. week, $52,411. 64.600'. Coriolanus-Henry VINE r MC) 1291 tie Labour's Lost (Rep-LP) “Ist. wh: met is0.40, 1.626, 514.00 ‘t 4 7 . Cy ‘Last. ‘week, $46,631 for seven jrevjous week sacouo, ues ‘performances on a potential capac-; Dy ast week, $84,199. ity gross of. $56,553 for three per-’ [: : a formances of Coriolanus and tuo Carnival, Impenal ‘MC: 41th wk: 84 p! ($860, 1.428, $67,432» [panna Maria. Alberghettn. Previous week, $66.710.Oakdale. Musical Theatre. Guys; ast week, $67,195. Tena Dolls.:\MC-TS!-:Tony Martin, Come Blow Your Horn, Atkinson ' Jaye: P.. Morgan,. Alan King).. Pre«Ci .«18th wk: 141 Pp ($6 Ht) $750; vious: Week: Show Girl: ‘Carol Cran-; 1,090; . $43,522), Prevjous week. “ning, $26.900. | $25-218. . . -Last week, $25: $16. ~ Tnside: Stuff—Legit cd see eS i. first-string New York déama critics, Henry Hewes, of the Saturday Jer's. portrayal of ttie title role in “Becket” as the 1960-61 Broadway season's best. pe:fo:mance by the male dead in a straight play. Hewes actually, picked Olivier's performance: as King Henry II .in the same . play, as the season's best. Due to that and another miscalculation Oliv: tier's portrayal] of Becket was rated the winner, whereas. his tharacteri zatian of the King received the most votes. Robert. Coleman. of ‘the N-Y. Mirror, has asserted in a recent column ‘that although he was reported by VARIETY as having made no choice in‘the best leading actor category, -he: actually selected Olivier’s per “,dormances.as both Becket and the King: As he makes clear, he declined to. ‘express: a. preference for either characterization. Since the ballots i, (ie cto the various critics specified: that only a single. sclection ‘should be::made in’ each category, Coleman's split. chaiwe was disal‘lowed: A paragraph explaining the situation was unintentionaliv omit[ted from last’ week's published story of the ‘poll. Pe An any case.the final choice. of the critics would :not have been changed. Olivier’s performance ‘as Henry II. was the winner, ath five ‘Votes. Zero’Mostel was Tunner-up with three votes for Ins periozitsance in “Rhinoceres’ and Olivier .was third. with two yotes for his 4 portrayal of Becket..A hall-vote for Olivier for gach performance nee “not: have: affected the ‘order of choices. Louis R. Lurie, San Francisco realtor theatre owner and show bat ker, “hecame a Doctor of Humane Letters last ‘week at the 75th commencement of-the National College of Education, Evanston, I) Hong:arys degree was conferred on Lurie ‘in absentia) by college president K Rich. :ard Johnson, Degree, in part’ cited: Lurie “for his active pariimpation _ and contributions aS a patron’ of the arts,” Pal are .s¢ heduled to close next Satur-! The list-of shows will also! ‘be reduced the next two weeks. “In the listing of individual: ballots in the recent Varrety poll of the * “Majority. of Oie, Geary. (C-RS).1° (3d: wk) 1$5.40-$5. 95, 1.550; $50,000) i (Gertrude Berg... Cedric. -wicke!... Previous’. wéek. : : $42, 619. ’ with TG: ATS ‘subscription. Hard} 7 _raeeias Marquee. 161i closes ‘Sun~ ‘da 2 a, os _ “ _ St. Marvy’s. Catholic. Church. th ‘Greenwich: Conn, hae a painting of we St. John. the Divine. Oddtty is that it was ‘posed by a onetur.e Ziecteld New: York “theatre party: avent;showgir].. Bettie “Macdonald ‘Mary Elizabeth Young) She. Icft “tare ; Elsa Hoppenfeld is” at: “Memorial : for modelling. and posed ‘for’ artist A. A Anderson shortly, ‘before Ler Previous Week, S47 035 Last week, $31,324 Evening With Mike Nichols and ‘Elaine May, Golden Ko 3.ih wh; 298 p! «$6 90-$7 50 LT She 4.48, Previous week, $27 TST Cle ce uest Saturday -14 Last week, $29.443 + Far Country, Musa Bow 2) itth wk; 95 p? -$690-$7 O00 Lilet. we} JOT) Rim Stanles © Steves: 2fed, iSam Wanamaker! P evipus week, $24. OO Last week. $25 463 Fiorello, Broaadaay Veo eed “Wk. 651] pi $5-$7 00 2900 Sod ta 103, Previous week, S384 Last week, $40593 Irmia La Douce, Pivieutls VC) 39th wk, 308 po SB GO, AYO S48 2. Elizabeth Seal Dems Quittes) Previous werk $34 743 Last weck. $36 181 | Mary Mary, Hayes -Co ltth wk: 124 p) ($690 $7.40. 1.184 $438 230) i (Barbara Bel Geddt)s Batty Sie son, Michael Renme: Previas jweek, $37 330 for seven porlerme _ianres Last week, $43.170 with partics, "Miracle Worker, Pliaohouse =i) ‘Hith wk: 692 ps SE90Ge ak 944: "$36 5003. Previous week, $87 402. ‘Clases next Saturday ile Last week, $18 762 *My Fair Lady. Helhoger -ViO) 078th wk. 2190 p: “$805. 2°": $69.500) (Michael Allison “Man got -Mosert, Previous week, $47,103 for seven performances Last week, $54.52! Rhinoceros, Longacre (1) :24th wh, 192 p $690; T.01. $37,000) ‘hli Wallach, Zero Mowtel. Iae‘yious week, $21 853. Last weck. $23 386 ; Sound of Music, Lunt Fontanne “MD: -80th wk; 636 pr “$9 60; 1.407, $75.000' (Matty Martin). Pies vious week, $72,005 afte: the deduction or refunds to those ho didn't attend the June 13 performe ‘ance because of Dilackout conditions that night. Lays off following fhe evening performance next Saturday ‘It and resumes July 17. i; Last week, $75,664 i *Taste of Honey, Booth (DD) 48th Wh, 303) pt $690, 807. , S30 560) HNermionne Baddeler. Krab rs Cue ha Previous week, $1% [ Last week $15.7452 nw nsinkable Molly Brown, Winter Garden ¢MCt ‘34th ek. 68 pp) 7 * 860-89 40) 1.404, S68 Gun bacteay "Ghimest Previous seek £64 993. { Last week, $65 106: Closed Last Week Happiest Girl in the World, Beck “MCr (12th wk; 96 p: $8 60 S&S 60; 1280: $62,805) «Cyn Kitchards. Previous week, $32 161 Claced last Saturday +24) at an estuaated SA00Q000 Joss ons £85000 1 nvestment Last week, $34,272 Pal Joey, Cily Center uk 31 opr $395 3 090 Catal Bruce, Boh buos-e Bond, Harvey Stone: seck $39,252. day -2%1 Last week, $44,814 wee Mc: 4th $60,000) aa Pie sue Chesed Jast San Cliburn Plays ‘Polonaise’ To Help Relight Aud., Chi Chieara, dune 2% Yan OClbasny daa ‘Thvasedaxs 22) sened fhe first mucaeal to-ande im 20 sears to come fron the stare of ‘te Auditorjum ‘Téeatre the fanes. dark local bawse noted for ste fee HOC ONGLZES Fhe ¢8igee ated fereg few tows of teats were distod off a cs) audionce of Eaamee cases cte ce rem bess and the preset ord jihe fdateet ss porformecnes af C+ ae pons "Polonare” oa ge ture on nis part te ely dlautet) a ore tozae on fund drive far <3 006 Gon A ole proup calling ate the! Soditorium Theslre coume t votes Vedighted by 196% _ Last-. “week, $45.2(09. Closes” ‘next : “Hospital, N.. ¥, Tecuperating:! ‘from -death..n 1953 at: age 42: Her. .mother: Vis. Charlotte Yours figures to ave the howe renavated ond Saturday. aay in. Seattle. Be rs ae | surgery... ithe: choice ‘of: model ‘highly unusual, considering. the subject