Variety (Jan 1933)

Tuesday* January 31, 1995 LECITIM ATE VARIETY SI '(4it and Fiddle At $2 with Biz Convention's Help Chicago, Jan. 30. Cannere' convention last week may have helped a little. 'Show Boat' got a big buy Thursday night on Its way out at the Auditorium, and 'Face the Muelc,' also wash- ing up, got a portion of the canners' dough. This week the automobile ebow Is In session. Town, generally speaking, is slug- gish, with Jew causes for Joy. Er- langer lost 'Sign of the Cross' and Its advance legit booking at the game time. 'Mademoiselle' with Grace George and Alice Brady will not reach Chicago, for the suffi- ciently logical reason that 'Made- niqiselle' folds at Boston. 'Plxle on Parade,' locally pro- duced colored revue, opened Sunday at the Garrlck. Estimates for Last Week 'Cat and the Fiddle,' Apollo (M- 1,500; $2.20) (6th week). Had to refund difference between advance sale at $3.30 top and new scale at $2.20 maximum starting last Sun- day. But cheaper prices seem to be catching on, and excellent houses have been reported all week. At- traction carried cinema-size adver- tisements in dailies for several'days selling the public on price. Re- sponse encouraging. Around $17,000 last week, and with 'Face the Music* and 'Show Boat' scramming will have things much to itself during automobile show week. 'Family Upstairs,' Cort (C-1,100; $2.20) (6th week). Not far short of $4,000, with nice proflt for house and attraction at that ilgure. Build- ing as a family clientele enter- tainment. Same show played Sel- wyn three years ago and was a quick flop. Cheap prices under cut rates plus nice Leonard Doyle pro- duction explains growing popularity. '36no of the Flame,' Civic (O- 3,900; $1.66). Reported having trou- l>lcs with musicians' union last week, but rated having a chance to .groove if it can take the flrst bumps. 'Desert Song' delayed for week and 'Song' held over for re- ported reason couldn't get right tenor. 'Desert Song' not considered good choice by showmen, as tabloid version played Chicago, Tivoll and Uptown recently. Figured around $7,000. STAGE RELIEF PASSES $20,000, DESIGN' HELPS Total contributions to the Stage Relief Fund are estimated over $20,000, there being several Items due in addition to the moneys listed below. The Fund is to get half the receipts of the opening night of 'Design For Lfving,' which had an $11 premiere and the takings from a Sunday night of 'Autumn Crocus* are also forthcoming. The clothing department now has 12 persons collecting and distrib- uting, all being volunteers without pay. A direct line telephone has teen installed, contributed by the Theatre Assembly. It is Bryant • -8293. Cleaning service is donated fcy the Newark Cleaning and Dye "Works. Department is supplied with the requisite motor car service by the Treasurers Club, which pays unemployed box oflUce men to drive cars, also taking care of gas and «il. There was no benefit show last Sunday in deference to the Actors' Fund show. Next Sunday (6), how- ever, the 'Depression Gaieties' with many well known professionals participating will be given at the Imperial. Proceeds will be divided between the Authors' League relief fund and the Stage Relief. Tick- ets are $10 top. Other benefit shows arranged are 'Alice in Won- derland,' Feb. 10, matinee. New Amsterdam, and 'Dinner At Eight,' Feb. 12 (Sunday), at the Music Box. Contributions up to last Fri- day (27): Previous Contributions $15,401 Florence Reed 120 George Abbott 25 Philip Dunning 25 Gilbert H. Montague 20 Frank Gillmore 12 Mrs. A. G. Davis 10 Mrs. John Magee 10 Nettie Raymond 6 Charlotte Muller 5 Marion Hood 5 Agnes McCarthy * 4 Other Contributions 228 Total $15,871 HALF-WEEK BOOKINGS MINNEAPOLIS TONIC Minneapolis, Jan. 30. Manager B. O. Tunstell of the Metropolitan thinks he has solved the legit problem here. It's to aver- age one or less high grade attrac- tions a month, hold the scale down to $2.76 top and book 'em for a half instead of full week. Utilizing these methods, the Metropolitan grossed $8,000 for four performances of 'Good Earth,' last of the Theatre Guild series. This followed on the heels of $4,600 for Cornelia Otis Skinner (four per- formances) and $6,000 for 'Rhapsody in Black' (five performances). 'Stu- dent Prince* and 'Blossom Time' underlined. The Bainbrldge stock at the Shu- bert pulled a fair $2,600 with 'The Only Son.' Gladys George is back this week in 'The Marquise.' Tashman's $6,000 Week In Frisco Satisfies Shows in Rehearsal 'Both Your Houses' (Theatre Guild) Guild. 'East River Romance' (How- ard Inches) Mans&eld. 'Hangman's Whip' (W. A. Brady, Jr.) St. James. 'Alien Corn' (Kathartne Cor- nell) Belasco. 'Forsaking All Others' (Arch Belwyn) Times Square. 'Our Nell' (Shepard Traube) Booth. ■ 'Sunday Afternoon.' (Peters and SplUer) Unity Hall. 'Before Mornins' (Bannister and Norman) LiOtigocre. 'Strike Me Pink' (Brown and Henderson) 44th Street. 'Four O'Ctoek' (Charles Hen- derson) Little. 'A Story of Love' (Peggy • Fears) Alvln. Design' Points to asR'way Grosses Go to Jan. Peak; Agency Week-EndDemand Tops Supidies San Francisco. Jan. 30. Lllyan Tashman in 'Grounds for Divorce' had a neat opening week for Henry Duffy at the Alcazar. The blonde picture player has been drawing heavy matinees with plenty of fems dropping in for a peep at her gowns, and although rains materially affected grosses, the $6,000 take was satisfactory. Stays another week, then on to El Capitan, Hollywood, with Alcazar probably darkening for a short time until Joe B. Brown can get here for 'Elmer the Great.* 'Another Language' has been pull- ing good comment for Its Geary en- gagement, while biz was of getting- by caliber at $6,000. Another week to go. Barbara Stanwyck and Frank Fay open tonight at the Curran in 'Tat- tle Tales' with good run anticipated. *Too True' in 4 Times Good Portland $5,000 Seattle, Jan. 30. Maurice Colbourne-Barry Jones In Shaw play, 'Too True to Be Good,' at Metropolitan, grossed close to $6,000 last week In four perform- ances. Good. Company, piloted by H. L, Hill, continues route east through Can- ada after engagement this week In Portland. On Feb. 20 open at Thea- tre Guild, in Boston. 2nd Am. Cure (Continued from page 48) elements called for in Yiddish mu- sicals. It has the one scene back in the small Russian town; it has frus- trated love, a villain plotting plots against the heroine, and the event- ual happy ending. It also has plenty of songe, most of them very remi- niscent, but songs nevertheless. Lebedeff is chief among the ac- tors. A curious lad, this Lebedeff. He likes to be known as the 'Che- valier of Second Avenue.* He has quite a voice—from a volume stand- point—and a pleasant personality. They like him and have for many years; so many years, in fact, that he no longer mentions his age. Leon Blank, a yeteran scene-chewer, has a considerable rep for straight legit. Here, In this troupe, he han- dles the sympathetic old men parts, generally. All Yiddish musicals have a sweet old rabbi In the back- ground somewhere, and Blank does them excellently. Currently, he's an aged and nice American business man, which isn't so good, but he tries to do it convincingly. Yitz- chok Feld, comic, is a very small person with a considerable Itnowl- cdge of stage technique. He knows all the tricks and takes advantage of them all. The rest of the cast is equally capable. Songs in 'Honeymoon for Three' are better than usual, though Her- man Wohl, the composer, really ought to take a bit more pains in hiding the sources of his material. I He doesn't steal tunes any more ' than a lot of more famous compos- ers, but he's a bit more obvious about it. Lyrics by N. Stuchkoff are not up to those in the show preced- ing this one, but satisfactory. One outstanding number is called 'The Eternal Immigrant,' which has defi- nite sales possibilities as sheet mu- sic, phonograph record, or other medium—If anything of that sort still exists. Call ;t a naive evening at the the- atre, if you will; it's an entertain- ing evening, and well worth experi- encing. KauJ, Film Names Do $6 JO, Bullish For L A. 'Bridal' Los Angeles, Jan. 30. 'Tattle Tales' scrammed town Saturday (28) after two weeks at the Hollywood Playhouse following a fortnight at the Belasco down- town, Final week got slightly un- der $8,000, which means red Ink. Beset by trouble since It opened, revue represents $20,000 of the Frank Fay-Barbara Stanwyck bank roll. Before leaving here Fay took over the Interests of Felix Young, original producer. Miss Stanwyck goes Into the show for the San Francisco run. 'Bridal Wise* at the El Capitan opened bullish, getting $6,200 on the initial stanza. Lois Wilson and Tom and Matt Moore In the cast getting credit for the draw. "Love's Pass port' continues at the Egan with the Los Angeles Theatre Guild, pro- ducer, using the play as a training school for amateurs. Last week got $800, enough to show a small proflt: Estimates for Last Week . 'Bridal Wise,' El Capitan (1st week) (C-l,571-$1.65). Better than average opening week at $6,200 es- timated. Only house getting party business. 'Love's Passport,' Los Angeles Theatre Guild, Egan (5th week) (CD-334-$2.20). Continuing more as a school than a legit theatrical offering. Last week's take of $800 satisfactory. 'Tattle Tales,' Hollywood Play- house (2d and final week) (R-1,103- $1.66). Blew to an estimated $8,000, with Fay hoping the San Francisco and subsequent engagements will pull him out of the red. Cleveland Try-Outs Cleveland, Jan. 31. 'Brain Sweat,' new drama of Negro life, by John Charles Brow- nell, author of 'Nut Farm,' Is being premiered here by Gilpin Players Jan. 31. Brownell taking trip from New York to attend opening. Another new play by Albert and Edwin Barker, labeled 'Middletown,' to be tried out by Play House Feb. 16. Both authors, who are Chicago newspapemten, elated to be here for premiere of piece which deals with town of Middletown, O. Broadway has a new leader In 'Design for Living* which, true to form, opened to smash business at the Barrymore last week. In the first seven performances the gross was $24,500. Actual figure was higher, what with an $11 top pre- miere, but half the flrst night's take went to charity (Stage Relief Fund). Playing to standing room, 'Design' points to $29,000 this week. That will doubtless beat any of the musi- cals, only one of which is paced any- where near that gross. Show, which has a three name draw (Noel Coward and the Lunts) Is the only drama at $4.40 top. 'Dinner for Eight' has led the non-musicals since it opened, over " three months ago, and still maintains a great pace at $22,500. That show Is one of the few which has not lowered its top of $3.85, the only high scaled drama this season until the advent of 'Design.' January business among the legits steadily improved through the month, the season, such as it is, being In full stride. Saturday night saw capacity in about half the thea tres operating. It was better than the previous week-end. Ticket brokers said, for the first time this winter, they had more customers than tickets. First full week of 'Pardon My English,* at the Majestic, was claimed satisfactory, though not big, at slightly over $20,000. 'We, The People' did somewhat better at the Empire than indicated, with takings over $7,000, but that Is not proflt able for large cast drama. 'Mara thon' opened late last week at the Mansfleld with little chance indi- cated. 'Pigeons and People' did not fare as well as most others. It moved from the Harris to the Lyceum, and stands a better chance there. 'Alice In Wonderland,' which stood out among the new plays by the Civic Repertory, moved from the 14th Street to the New Amsterdam Intact Monday, going on a pop prices. Most promising premiere this week is 'Evensong,' with the origi- nal leads Imported from London. It opens tonight at the Selwyn. No deflnite closing this week, except the revival of 'Whistling In the Dark' at the Waldorf, which gets 'The Monster,' also a revival. 'Mel- ody' may come In also 'One Sunday Afternoon,' 'Before Morning,' 'Four o'clock' and 'Sickness of Youth.' Estimates for Last Week 'Alice in Wonderland,' New Ams- terdam (1st week) (C-l,702.$2.20). One of Civic Repertory's new shows given occasionally at 14tl\ street; moved here with company intact Monday; moderate scale conforms to prices downtown. 'Autumn Crocus,' Morosco (12th week) (CD-893-$3.30). Playing three matinees weekly; sole Shubert attraction making some money with over $8,000 indicated. 'Another Language,' Booth (41st week) (C-708-$l:65). Held over; flnal week again announced, but en- gagement may be Indefinite; low price scale increased attendance; about $7,000. 'Bad Manners,' Playhouse (1st week) (CD-893-$3.30). Presented by William A. Brady; written by Dana Current Road Shows Week Jan. 30-Feb. 4 'Abbey Irish Players,' Broad St., Newark. 'Another Language,' Geary, San Francisco. 'Blossom Time,'- Grand Opera House, Chicago. 'Bringing Up Father,* Williams- port, Pa., Feb. 2, 3, 4. 'Broadway Rhapsody,' Morgan- town, W. Va., 30, 31, 1; Clarksburg (repeat) 2, 3, 4. 'Cat and the Fiddle,' ApoUo, Chi- cago. 'Caponsacchi' and 'Hamlet,' Ma- jestic, Brooklyn. 'Cavalcade* (film), Majestic, Bos- ton. Cornelia Otis Skinner, Lyceum, Rochester, Jan. 30; Court Square, Springfield, Mass., 31; Ford, Balti- more, Feb. 2, 3, 4. 'Counsellor at Law,' Chestnut St., Philadelphia. 'Dixie on Parade,' Garrlck, Chi- cago. 'Ed Wynn,' Erlanger, Buffalo. 'Green Pastures,' Forrest, Phila- delphia. 'Melody,' Nlxoa, Plttoburgh. 'Of Thee I Sing,' National, Wash- ington. 'Of Thee I Sing,' Shubert, Cincin- nati. 'Rhapsody in Black,' Carlton, Providence. San-Kar Dancers, Garrick, Phila- delphia. 'Sign of the Cross,' Biltmore, Los geles. 'Springtime -for Henry,' Broad St., Philadelphia. 'Vanitiesj' Auditorium, Shreve- port. La., Jan. 29; High School Aud., Little Rock, 30; Auditorium, Memphis, 31-Feb. 1; Ryman Audi- torium, Nashville, 2; Memorial Auditorium, Louisville, 3, 4. Coast Routes 'Another Language,' Geary, San Francisco. 'Bridal Wise,' El Capitan, Holly- wood. 'Grounds for Divorce,' Alcazar, San Francisco. 'Louder, Please' Croad co.), Com- munity Playhouse, I'.isadcna. 'Love's Passport,' Egan, Los An- geles. 'Tattle Tales,' Curran, .San Fran- Cisco. Burnet and WllHam B. Jtttt«S opened Monday. 'Biography,' Guild (8th week) (C- 914-$3.30). Guild readying other shows but current success liable to stick through sea^og here or an- other theatre: credited with $16,000. 'Criminal at Large,' 48th St. (17th week) (D-893-$3.30). Moderate money sticker; around $6,000 or bit more seems enough for smajl cast mystery piece. 'Dangerous Corner,' Fulton (16th week) (D-913-$3.30). Paced under $5,000 but comparatively good proflt for show and date indefinite. 'Design for Living,' Barrymore (2d week) (CD-l,090-$4.40). Hit capacity right off; with strong box office notices and name draw high scaled drama got $21,500 In five days and looks like $29,000 this week. 'Dinner at Eight,' Music Box (15th week) (C-],000-$3.85). Seems as strong as ever with steady line at box office; takings up last week, bettering $22,500. 'Evensong,' Selwyn (let week) (D-l,067-$3.30). Presented by Arch Selwyn and Sir Barry Jackson; written by Edward Knoblock; prin- cipals brought over from London; opens tonight. 'Flying Colors,' Imperial (20th week) (R-l,016-$2.20). Getting by at about $14,000; deal with cut rates should Improve the pace of first musical top chop prices. 'Gay Divorce,' Shubert (10th week) (M-l,39e:$3.30). Jump In gross accompanied ticket reduction; last week's business up again to nearly $16,000. 'Goodbye Again,' Masque (6th week) (C-700-$3.30). Moderately geared comedy holds to proflt with moderate grosses; about $7,600 or bit over last week. 'Honeymoon,' Vanderbllt (Hh week) (C-771-$2.20). Coats little to operate and both house and show satisfied to go along to about $3,000. 'Late Christopher Bean,' Miller (14th week) (C-946-$8.30). Extra matinee added last week; afternoon prices reduc£d and gr >ss Improved to $10,000. 'Marathon,' Mansifleld (2d week) (D-l,050-$3.30). Opened late last week and drew a general panning. 'Music in the Air,' Alvln (13th week) (C-l,397-$3.30). Ticket scale revised from $4.40; business profit- able right along, however; about $22,000. 'Pardon My English,' Majestic (3d week) (M-l,700-$3.30). First week topped $20,000; reported prof- itable both ways; plays extra mat- inee Thursday with night show out. 'Pigeons and People,' Lyceum . (3d weeit) (C-957-$2.20). Switched here from Harris; moderately paced at $6,000; missed Saturday's perform- ances when George M. Cohan strained leg tendon. 'Sickness of Youth,' Bijou. Vil- lage product announced, but date set back. 'Take a Chance,' Apollo (10th week) (M-l,270-$4.40). Best figure since opening last week, when tak- ings went to $27,000; night admis- sion scale same, but matinee prices cut. 'The Dubarry,' Cohan (11th week) (O-l,300-$2.76). Perked up smartly last week, with the gross going to $13,000; instead of moving may stay here. 'Twentieth Century,' Broadhurst (6th week) (C-l,118-$3.30). Has built up- steadily and last week's takings close to $16,000; Saturday night capacity again. 'Walk a Little Faster,' St. James (9th week) ^R-l,520-$2.76), Another musical benefited by lowering prices; Improved again and grossed $17,000; should go through winter. 'We, the People,' Empire (2d week) (CD-l,099-$3.30). Chances still doubtful; upstairs trade mostly, with little or no agency call; rated bit under $7,500 flrst full week; not profitable at pace. 'When Ladies Meet,' Royale (18th week) (C-l,118-$2.20). Popular price tickets sent pace ahead further, and the takings were over $12,000. Other Attractions 'Face the Music,' 44th Street; brought In from road for repeat date. 'Oliver Twist,' Rltz; dollar top series oi)ened Monday. 'Whistling in the Dark,' Waldorf; revival closing this week; 'The Monster' nr-.Yt week. Shakespeare Theatre, Jolson's; .Sliakc-speai'can revivals. 'As Husband Go,' Forrest; revival. 'The Show-Off,' Ilud.son; revival Italian Marionettes, Lyric; indel^ nite.