Variety (Nov 1932)

46 VARIETY LEGITIMATE Taesdaft November 8, .1932 Plays on Broadway CHRISTOPHER BEAN Comedy In three acta preschted at Henrj' Mlllor'a by GUUert Miller, Oct. 81; ytrH- teu by Sidney Howard from the orlelnul •Prenez Garde a la Pelnlure,' l>y Rene FaurhoM; Pauline Ijord starred; staged by the producer. Dr. UaRsett Walter Connolly Sunan Hassett., .Adelaide Bean Abby....i ' ...Pauline Lord Mra. HoBKett Beulah Bondl Add, Hagijelt v.; Katherlne Hlrsch ■Warren Creamer,.William Xawson Tnllnnt .George Coulourls Rosen., .Clarence Derwent Davenport ^ Ernest Lawford Gilbert Miller has a liair for presenting comedies which appeal to class patronage and in that sphere is Sidney Howard's bur- banked comedy from ;Jhe French, liooks like 'The Late Christopher Bean' would repeat the success of last season's 'The Good Fairy' and 'There's Always Juliet,' both Im- ports also. 'Chris Bean' Is not strictly a for- eign adaptation because Howard is credited with thei writing, and it is Indicated that little more than the plot Idea of the original wias re- tained. As for the characters, there is some similarity between people of certain rural sections , of France and the Yankees resident in small New England towns. Both are. canny. Howard has written plays about Yankees before, but not In the strain of 'Chris Bean,' . Gilbert Miller's selection of Pau- line Lord arid Walter Connolly as the leads was matched by his skill In picking the other players. . There are nine In the cast and the show has one set, so that the venture should be profitable. It is hardly a hilarious farce, but' it is well worth while and an excellent set of notices should help the boxofllce. Miss Lord has been given some queer stage parts, psirtlcularly so In 'Distant Drums', last season when called on to enact a romantic nit- wit of the covered wagon era. In the new play, she is a iiiald in the home, of Dr. Haggett, a country doctor. Abby Is far from bright as a servant who had been In the same job for 15 yeara She Is rather one of the family which Is far from cultured and that takes Ih the dOc himself. Abby is leav- ing the Haggetts having been sum- moned to Chicago by her brother, Whose wife had died suddenly, leav- ing four youngsters. Stolidly she goes to drudge for the kids, although fortune is thrust into her lap at the close. Miss Lord played Abby admirably. . Wa^er Connolly looked the part of the easy going rural physician, roused from a placid routine by visions of sudden wealth, A kindly man, he had sheltered the late Christopher Bean, a victim of con- euiiiptlon who had passed on 10 years before. Connolly's playing provoked most of the laughs. Chris Bean was a penniless artist Dr. Haggett not only treated him, but artist lived with the family. They thought his paintings worth-, less, as witness one canvas being used to keep the rain out of a leaky hen house. But a decade after his death Christopher Bean is 'discov- er od' by New York's art sharps. That brings two tricky dealers upon the scene and strange things hap- pen In the doctor's living room, none in the family suspecting what It's all about until an honest, art critic explains. All of Bean's works are eventually salvaged and put In appreciative hands, while the doc- tor, who was at peace with the world until people tried to force money upon him for no reason he could understand, goes back to his old routine With the memory that he nearly became a rich man. There are some stretches which (Continued on page 54) There Must Be a Rea- son If Such Prominent People Carry Annuities: JACK DEMPSEY W. C. FIELdS WILLIE HOWARD JOHN CHARLES THOMAS BILLY JONES and ERNIE HARE HAROLD LLOYD J. HAROLD MURRAY "BABE" RUTH WILL ROGERS "CHIC SALE VIVIENNE SEGAL NED WAYBURN BERT WHEELER It would pay you to consult us before biiying new Life Insur- ance or Annunities. JOHN J. KE M P 551 Fifth Ave. N. Y. C. Phones: Murray Hill 2-7838-7839 Dutch 'English' The new Aarons & Freedley musical, 'Pardon My English,' starring Jack Buchanan, with Jack Pearl, Lyda Roberti and Ona Munson featured, will have two Bavarian novelties. One is a troupe of 12 German Schuhplattler Dariciers and the other Karl Weiss and his Ba- varian Peasant Band. Georgci S. Kaufman will stage Instead of Ernst Lubltsch, ^5^0 is abroad. Show goes Into rehearsals In three weeks. BROWN TO COAST AHER NAMES, MRCH'PAUSES Pittsburgh, Nov. 7. Brown & Henderson's 'Forward March,' closed at Nixon Saturday night for revisions, and is to reopen in Boston in two weeks. Brooklyn date, set for this week is can- celled and Broadway opening Nov, 22 has been set back as result. Lew Brown left here by plane for coast last Wednesday In.an attempt to land Frank Morgan and Charles Buggies for the revye." Laurel and Hardy also being considered, but doubtful if Hal Roach will .let them go, and radio team. of Stoopnagle and Budd definitely engaged. Smith and Dale, who Joined the show in Washington and played here, will be out when piece re- opens. General opinion is that com- edy Is the only thing lacking to make the piece a*^ Broadway bet. Sure-fire stuff in; all other depart- ments,. particularly dancing .en- sembles of Seymour Felix and a great score by the producers. . mCEON' CAST EAGER OVER PAY, SHOW FOLDS 'The Surgeon' was abruptly closed at the Belmont last Wednesday (2) and though It played less than a week there was plenty of trouble. The. cast had waived th6. salary bond guarantee . and igrew uneasy upon noting the dlim attendance, .When the actors iasked for salaries which were due the previous Sat- urday, Anthony Young, the pro- ducer, caustically answered that If that was the first thing on their minds, he'd close the show, and he did, • The Mirror Productions, a new group, was programmed as present- ing the 'Surgeon,' a long affair that was rated amateurish. Young au-- thored it. , After the panning given the show the house owners were anx- ious to get rid of the attraction. Latter, however^ had paid rent advance. While , wrangling was in progress. Young ordered the closing. When the show was announced Equity became Interested and Y9ung explained that the cast was made up of amateurs from across the bridge, known aa the Brooklyn Guild. Equity was skeptical about the show's chances and agreed to accept membership applications from the 'actors,' with Young guaranteeing initiation fees and dues—provided: the play continued. It was the first case of the kind considered by Equity. Plays Out of Town Pasadena Litde Theatre Becomes Break-in House Pasadena, Nov. 7. Losing its Identity as a little the- atre, Pasadena Community Play- house may become just a break-In house for professional productions through Its tie-up with the newly formed Theatre League. Playhouse will not lose its ama- teur standing entirely, still produc- ing plays with non-paid casts, but will be overshadowed by the League Which Is patterned after the The- atre Guild of New York. League will pick Its own plays, product them at the Playhouse, and then roadshow them on the coast. Casts win go on salary after the Play- house showing. 'Brief Moment,' by S. N. Behr- man, is first of four plays picked by the League. It Is expected the League will bring a professional aspect to the Community Playhouse, which Is now one of the foremost little the- atres on thie coast. Officers of the League are Bradford Mills, presi- dent; Charles Levlson and J. Fran- cis Smith, vice-presidents. Benny Friars'Victini As Rib Season Opens The Saturday Nlte Boys of the Friars swing Into action for the sea- son Nov. 19 when a chill and spa- ghetti dinner will have Jack Benny as the guest of honor and Joe Cun- ningham as the toastmaster. Tick- ets will be two bucks, with an extra nick of a dollar for guests. •The. Friars board has been peti- tioned to consent to a Saturday night at which George Burns and Grade Allen will be the honor guests. It win be: the first time In 16. years for the club to, have a woman guest. ;C6ntatlv6 date of the Burns and Allen event Is Dec. 3, with Middle Cantor the toastmaster. Saturday night affairs will be held in the Monastery Hall on the sec- ond floor hereafter. The celling Is being lowered to improve the acous- tics. Allen White Coast Stock Los Aiigeles, Nov. 7. Allen White, formerly Allen White's Collegians, is here looking over talent preliminary to opening a stock venture In Fresno, where he now operates a dance hall. Change of show weekly with a 50c top Is thd plan. Ahead and Back Beverly Kelley from, the Ringling show succeeded William Fields ahead of 'The Green Pastures,' El- liot Foreman also agenting. Fields goes with new Laurence Rivers show, untitled. Jack Welch booking 'CamlUe.' Bob Rltz and James Vincent the Alvln's new box office staff, Norman Plncus house manager. Helen Dcutch p. a. for Gilbert Mnier. Boris Kaplan, general manager for Arch Selwyn, now associated with Robert Stephens. They will pi'oduce legit shows. JesSe Long msCnager of 'Tell Her the "Truth,* Dick Maney, p. a. Lat ter also agenting 'Dangerous Cor- ner.' Marc Lachman p,. a. 'Walk a Lit tie Faster,' Courtney Burr produc tlort. Ed RosenbaUm back with "Little Jesse James,' William Wllklns ahead. Egan as Show Window, Plan of Theatre Guild Los Angeles, Nov. 7. Los Angeles Theatre Guild has been organized by Haven and E^rl MacQuarrle for the announced pur- pose of operating a show window In which to exhibit the wares of legit actors before studio execs. Outfit takes over the Egan next week. Lucme rAVeirne wlir appear in the first play, either 'Sun Up, or 'Merchant of Veiilce.* Maude Fulton will be among the Guild's stagers. Engagements Eda Heinemann, Patricia Calvert, Florence Edney, 'Autumn Crocus.' Reginald Mason, 'Firebrand.' Katherlne Alexander, Ross Alex- ander, Rachell Hartzell, 'Honey- moon.' Pedro de Cordoba, 'Dark Hours.* Oswald Yorke, Walter Arnum, Wilfred Seagram, Lionel Pape, Wal- lace Widdecombe, Leonard Wiley, Richard Whorf, 'Red Planet.' John Barker, 'Face the Music* Frank Conroy, Josephine Hull, Alfred A, Hesse, 'Encore.' Ruth Fallows, Emily Ross, Staple- ton Kent, 'The Barrister.' Ross Alexander, Rachel Hartzell, Jos. Sprln-Callela, Katherlne Alex- ander, 'Honeymoon' (complete cast). Hugh Miller, 'The Dark Hours.' Grace Moore, Howard Marsh, Robinson NewbOld, Pert Kelton, Marion Green, Max Flgman, Nana -Bryant, Percy Warrarn, Helen Ray- mond, John Clarke, Lolita Robert- son, Joyce Coles, Harold Crane, Craig Williams, 'The Du Barry.' (Complete cast.) Edna M. Holland, Harry Hol- brook, Joa. N. P. Wilson, Alma Brock, Edna English, Norman Dug- gan, 'Moral Fabric' Violet Kemble-Cooper, Rex O'Malley, John Halloran, Cynthia Rogers, Pierre Watkln, Raymond O'Brien, Harry Elerbe, 'Mad Hopes.' (Complete cast.) Blanche Yurka, Joyce Carey, Chas. Waldron, Pedro de Cordoba, 'Rape of Lucrece.' Siegfried Yumann, Hergert Brag- glottl, 'Encore.' Two^Man Claque An opera troupe touring the sticks has figured a way to beat the claque thing. Had to have one to appease the sing- ers and couldn't hire one everywhere for fear of giving the snap away. Also couldn't afford to tow along a group of hand-warmers. So they carry only two men whose assignment is to keep shifting seats and, while per- ambulating, keep their mits working. HUNTER COLLAPSES; NEGRI-McLAUGHlIN? Cleveland; Nov. 7. Nervous breakdown by Glenn Huiiter, who fainted backstage 10 minutes before the stocked 'Health Is Wealth' was to open Sunday (6). at Robert McLaughlin's Ohio, forced the producer, to postpone the open- ing performance, and turn away a full bouse. Physician and McLaugh- lin claimed that the actor's collapse was caused by the strain of memor- izing his part in a week's time. Hunter, co-starred with Queenle Smith In show, declared he was ac- customed to having longer rehears- ing, period and worried over not be- ing up on his lines. A little worried oyer weak return on his stocked 'Man Who lieclalmed His Head* at Ohio,. Robert Mc- Laughlin la hoping to off-set it by producing Gladys Unger's 'Nona,' with Pola Negri In title role that Lenore Ulrlc did on Broadway. Cleveland prodiicei-'s now dickering with Negri and plans to stage piece In early December. ' Original plans were to road-show 'Man Who' over the McLaughlln- Manheim Inter-State circuit, but they've put It on; Ice. Although Jacob Ben-Ami in lead and revolv- ing stage production erot good critical notices, even low price of $1 top failed to pull 'em In. Theatre's advertised money back offer to any who didn't like show, failed to have any takers. 'Jesse James' will be the fourth attraction for the iManhelmer-Mc- Laughlln coterie. Other Bhows are a revival of "The Merry Widow* and 'The Man Who Reclaimed His Head/ Dates for the Cleveland enter- prises are being made through the United Booking Ofilces. It was In- timated last summer that an Inde- pendent mid-west circuit would be formed but not enough attractions were secured by Manhelmer-Mc- Laughlln to make It feasible. Union, Star Troubles Eiid Du£fy Coast Tour Oakland, Cal., Nov. 7. Henry Duffy road-showed 'As Husbands Go!. into the Auditorium with more grief than profit. The battle started with the stage hands and musiclEins who had definite Ideas as to how many should be hired and what they should get finished with dissension on the stage. Pauline Frederick objected to the replacement of Bramwell Fletcher, as juve, by Ronald Telfer. The squabbling prompted Duffy to cancel the, rest of the tour and close the show after the Oakland week. Grand ftapids Stock Grand Rapids, Nov. 7. Clayton Hoffman and F. A. Wurz- burg have taken a lease on Powers' theatre, under lease to Butterfleld for years. Wright Players, stock has come In. Atlanta Stock Lead Eleanore Flynn, with Fred Stone for several seasons, has Joined the Permanent Players, stock company in Atlanta, Her first part la the lead in 'Death Takes a Holiday.* Root Back With Play Wella Root returned to Hollywood from JUCexico City last week after six. months there writing for 'For- tune' and Time.* H« also pounded out a plajt. Cyrano de Bergerac (MUSICAL) ■ Providence, Nov. 4. Cyrano Producing Company, Inc., pre* sents the musical version o( 'Cyrano d« BorRorac' (Edniohd Rostrand play), with music by Samuel T>. Pokras, book and lyrlca by Charles O. Locke', produced ud> der the supervision ol J. J. Shubert. Cyrano de Berserac....,.w.Qeorge Houston Christian de Neuvellette, Allan Jones Ragueneau Oeorge Hassolt Roaxanne Gladys Baxter The Little Musketeer ..Nick Long, Jr. Richelieu John Goldswbrthy This musical version of Bostand'a romantic, drama 'Cyrano' has all the ear-marks of a hit, providing the producer, J. J, Shubert, does plenty ot pruning before h6 takes his pro> duction to Broadway . The first night audience remained until midnight tO see this colorful but unwieldy production. Shubert has mounted this piece lavishly, and because of the limited space of the Carlton theatre stage It was impos- sible to place half the elaborate scenery for the first night jjerform- ance. The musical 'Cyrano' is really a fine show in the making. It has the verve, pageantry, the heroics and the poetry that any presentation of 'Cyrano' should have. In many re- spects It Is done in an impi-esslve maimer. Samuel Pokras has given It a musical setting that Is generally robust and satisfying, but he missed out In several numbers for the chorus. A chorus-line of girls In soldier costume doing a tap dance with Cardinal Itichelleu looking out a balcony window seems pretty far- fetched,: Also there is a good; deal of comedy Injected which seemed out of place. Such allusions as 'What this country needs is a good five-centime dumping,' and such phrases as TU knock thee for a row of graveyarda' do not fit the spirit of things. The producer has made light ot many conventions in the staging of this piece. In some Instances he has done well, while in others he has gone too far. Alteration of many small but important details which do not fit into the traditional pic- ture of this 36-year-old play la needed if Shubert expects to win over many 'Cyrano' enthusiasts who cherish sentiment above many things. Naturally the first thing the pro- ducers had to look for when they set about casting this show was a good, all-around Cyrano, and It does seem that they had pretty good luck when they got hold of George Houston. He can sing, and he can act, and he can put Into the char- acter of Cyrano a lot of genuine and Intelligent feeling. Shubert has surrounded Houstoa with a capable company of 160 peo^ pie. There Is a male chorus of 100 voices, most of them top-notcb vocally. 9 PINE STREET Philadelphia, Nov. 7. Understood that this play pro* duced by Whlttaker Ray and Mar« garet Hewes will be withdrawn after the local engagement for much re« casting, new direction and some re- writing. That's a wise move as it is a valuable piece of property which doesn't stand a chance in its present state. William Miles and Donald Black- well, the young authors, have done a good job. on the whole, but the first act can be sharpened and clari- fied. There Is no denying that there is a great deal of exposition to be done to get the plot started, but not quite as much as Miles , and Black- well employ. Second act picks up after an uninspiring first five min- utes and from then on '9 Pine Street* Is consistently Interesting—or would be If better acted. The last act la by far the. strongest of the piece and (Continued on page 47) CARROU nCURING ON REVAMP OF'VANITIES' A new edition of 'Vanities' is to be announced shortly, Earl Carroll con- sidering changing the cast by en- gaging new people. The withdraw-' al of Will Fyffe and Keith Clark leaves but two foreign players In the show, Edwin Styles and Andre Randell. The imported Jackson girl dance unit also remains. Carroll appears to have aban- doned plans for producing In the Manhattan (formerly Hammer- stein's). Deal made for the house was signed by hla brother Norman Carroll, wVilch supplied the out for Earl. Carroll had offices In the Man- hatta;n, but moved to the Broadway last week. Arrangement with the Manufacturers Trust, which took over the Manhattan through fore-, closure, called for the bank to get a percentage of- the gross. 'Black Water,* shelved. Is still announced .on t&9 canopjr.