Variety (Dec 1934)

I Tueflday, December 18, 1934 LEGITIMATE YARJETr S3 Sliows in Rehearsal Philadelphia, Dec 17, ^ot much, improvisment shown: In Philiy's legit, but now the; blame-is *Sn« put on the normal pre-Chrlst- mafl depresfilon, May or may not be ^■Eddle Dowllng'9 'Thumbs Up' re- wo Isn't doing what It. rates at the Forrest; First night, with Demo^ irats back oif him and out in force, ^ifl big. though .not the^expected •elUiut by nearly lOO s^ats. Biz there- after was disappointing with only 116 000 grossed; on the week; Show Seeds around 128,000 to break. Gen- %n\ consensus is that Dowling has a BDtentlal smash, although first night was far too long, Fav6rabl& word- ofrmouth should, build seconicl week's ^'Tettlcoat Fever,' another trydut, «ot decidedly mixed notices after its bpenlng at the Chestnut, and, al- thbugh helped by subscription, didn't get over :$6,B00. On the Other hand, 'Stevedore,' in for, two weeks at the Garrick, got off to a whale of a start; with local union forces vir- tually buying out the first night. Thereafter trade slid Off somie, but still plenty good, and 110,000 report- ed at a $2 top. . \. ^ - The-Pursult of-Happlness' -finally wound up its stay at the Broad, get- ting IB weieks in all and |8,000 on the final week. The Milky Way,» at the' Erlahger, slipped so decidedly that It called It a run after two weeks Instead of trying for four. House Is diurk; thjs week, Tcppening Christmas night ^Ith 'Kill That Story.' ■ ' - ■ -..'Slightly Delilrbus' folded suddenr ly before last Monday's performance, and 'W^aliiut; is dark. Reopening promisbd on Christmas with Bill Bryant's Showboat-OUtflt. This week's only newcomer Is •Piper Paid,* tryout In fojr single week at the Broad; with the man- . agement declaring definitely It is using the 40% pass-tax or cut-rat Inp systems, . . Next week brings the D'Oyly tdrte: company to the Forrest. Mail . order sale by Sa.turday was . over $16,000, unprecedented and figrured as some kind of a modern record for Phllly. The G. and: S. operas will play here th^ee ^eeks. Chestnut gets 'Li.vlnp . Dangerously on /.Christmas Eve. Two weieks on sub .ecrlptlon tor this Shubert tryout. Broad has 'One Sunda:y Afternoon Christmas Eve and the: Erliahger •Kill". That Story' on; .Ghrlstmias night. Garrlck is. dark Christmas week, but has the Abbey- Players New Year's week. 'Point Valaine .comes to the Chestnut on Jan. .7. -Estimates .for ^l.aBtJV«^^ 'Pursuit of Happiness' (Broad, IBth and final week). Great run ended, $6,000, remarkablei. 'Piper ' Paid' .thlBrTV^eefc"Tnid""'Qne "Sunday Afternoon' Christmas,: : 'Petticoat Fevei^ (Chestnut, 1st : week). Mild tryout, starring Dennis King, $6,600, mostly on subscription •Living Dangerously' follows on Christmas Eve. •Thumbs Up' (Forrest, 1st week) ■Eddie Dowling show has A fort , night's engagement. Figured poten tlal smash, but bl2. not what It should be with 416,000. D'Oyly Carte with terrific , mall order .sale next •Steve"dpre' (Giarrlck; Ist week) Fortnight's run should be highly -T)ro fltabl c ;. $1 0^000—lajst-weel top.. Abbey Players on New Year's, 'Milky Way' (Brlanger, 2d week) • Closed Saturday instead of making , . a . month's; full - stay.- Somewhere around $4,000; House dark this Week. 3/Carlo $12,000 , Des Moines, lav, Dec. 17 More than 15;B00 persons polld eippvoxlfnateTy $12V.0.0.0_tQ_o.t.tejid: four performances of . tho Sari Carlo grand opera company at the Shrine auditorlurn.. Attendance was hbtcha diespite the bad weather and snow-blocked ■ TOads.'V:.; Correht Road Shows Week' Dec. 16 7-V. *Ah- WilderhMSi' Erlaii^ cago.;-''^ ' 'Follies,? Metropolitan; Minneapo- lis.. ;■ J r'::.,/.'-'V--i' Kathairihe Cornell: Repertory, Royal Alexandra, Toronto, 17-18; 'Ode to Liberty/ M^rvl^nd; Baltlr more, ■ 17-18.''r, ;■ ;■■ 'Petticoat Fever,' ChestnutV'Phila- delphia.,. - 'Petrified JForest,' .Parsons,. Hart- ford, 20-22. J 'P>iper Paid/ Bi-oad, P'hll^deiphla^ 'Rain From Heaven,' Plymouth, Boston.:' ■ ■ ■ ■■ "'■■'^ 'Roberta,' C^s,! Detroit, 16-19. , . 'Romarice/ Biack^tpne; Chicago. , 'Stevedore,' Garrlck, PhiladieipW 'Thumbs iJp,' Forrest, Philadel- phia.:;-.;^;. ■ ;" 'Vanities,'Joplln, Mo.. 17. ; v .Walter Hampden Repertory; CoIQt nlal, Boston. ^Battleship :Gerile', GourtnOy.. jBurr.- ■ 'Accent On Youth' (Old iibve'), Crosby Galgid.: 'Little Shot', Pearson and Baruch. \ ■■ /' 'Living Panserously', Sbii- ■ berts.; .;';■ \.' 'Old Maid', ;Henry Moses. 'The O'Flynn', Rusiaell . Jan- ney.; :■;/.';'. 'Baby Pompadour', .a^d Gerhbardt.'!;. 'Mother LodeV. Busher tuid ;'ruerk;>:r.;' ;^''.:■.- 'Point Vaiaine', Noel Cbwardi J. C. Wilson. 'Birthday', Harmon and Ull- -'.man...' . ' ^ . ■ 'Labu'rnurh Grovie', Gilbert: Miller iaLnd Shuberts. "//:.. 'Fools RMth In', Leonard Slll- ' mail. ■■ ■• . .'M.usic Hath Charms', Shu- ■■'•bertis.'', Biyay Faces Biggest Opening Iii 51^ riper'$3,500 on Balto Break-In; Indie Marylanc Getting AD the Acdoii $10,000, PITTS. .; Pittsburgh, Dec. 17. Big balcony and gallery trade gavo Katharine Cornell's production of 'Romeo and Juliet' approximately $10,000 on Its three-day stay at the Nixon last week; Downstairs was way off, due to $3.30 . top, highest ever charged for Shakespeare around' here. Acting and production both drew .fine notices from cricks, but couldn't overcome that stiff tariff. . Saturday matinee was virtually a sell-out and upper two fioors were near capacity at all four perform- ances. Generally, agreed that It \^as finiest presentation .of Bard's classic to hit town • Within recent. riieniiory. Nixon is dark again, and looks as If will remain that way for some time. ..' 'Gather Ye Rosebuds,' which was to have come in next week for a hlne-day-^tay,—has- been - cancelled,' and there's not a thing In sight. Only definite bookings are 'As Thou- sands Cheer* and D'Oyly Carte Opera—Co., but no datea~lfave~yet been set for either. s $9,800 Start Rates Okay in Boston; Tursnit; $3,200, Quits k at $2- the. ] Boston, Dec. 17. Heaven,' starring John Halllday, at 'Rain From Jane Cowl and p: town,. garnered most Of the spare coin from the Christmas shoppers with a $9,800 opener. . 'Pursuit of Happiness', at the Hol- 11s closed six and a half weeks with a satisfactory finale.. House goes dark until Christmas night, when Blanche Ring opens In. 'Her Mas- ter's Voice.' • Walter Hampden, presenting a week's repertoire, opens at the Co- lonial today (Monday). Lurit and Fontanne come • Into. -Golonlar - in 'Point ' V^lalriie' Christmas night. Then, Jain. 14, the D'Oyly; Carte company opens for four weeks of Gilbert-SuUlvah. ■Ply Awajr Home,' Theron Barn- burger production, with Tom Mitch- ell, , opens at the Plymouth Dec. 27. Baltimore, Dec. 17. 'Piper Paid,' In Its break-in week at the Indie Maryland, approximated $3,500 at $1.B0 top, Maryland, which .Is independehtly booked by resident general manager, Leonard B. McLaughlin, Is hogging the spotlight as regards what is due into town from now on. UBO ;house, Ford's| Is s1it;ouded and has nothing Inked in, tiiough It might possibly secure an attraction for Xmas week. Ina Claire, In .'Ode to Liberty,' opens tonight (Monday) for two days at $2.75 top. Played last week at the National, Washington, UBO site; arid fact that McLaughlin seized it for an Indie spiottlng: here iias caused quite some talk. The piece, -which opens Dec. 21 at tlie Lyceum, N. Y., has rolled up sizable advance, and looks to sweep the ticket shelf clean for the two performances. McLaughlin packed up the four local newspaper crlx late last week and took 'em to the Capital so they could review the play In advance and have their ho tlces in print today (Mond^)rahead of the show's opening here. New angle around these parts. .. Maryland won't .have _ any_Jeglt. show Xmas week, though it will illumine for a single evening when the Princeton Triangle annual mu- .slcal,. this - year—tagged-- Stags -at Bay,' comes In at. $2.50 -top; House Si being taken on straight rental asis. ■ ' .:;-;' J New Year's week may possibly .ffnd something at Ford's, but the Maryland will show 'The Old Maid,' Harry Moses presentation,- co-star- ring Judith Anderson and Helen Menken. Top will be $i2.75, save New Year's cfve, when will be shot up to $3.30, which will be tallest figure asked for legit around here In more than a year. Mail orders to date have nearly exhausted the opening holiday performance. yland-has a furthipr hnnking- on Jan. 14 when a new opus, 'The Private Road,' breaks In for a week prior to Broadway. Play, authored by John Carlton, will star Berilta Hume. Harold Berg and David Le- clerman. doing 'Piper Paid' under the corporate title of Harry Albert, will present. New plays will gang up on Broad- way next, (Christmas) y?eek, there being .12 bt- more arrivals carded. Ten new productions, plus several special attractions, are listed. It is the heaviest holiday card in five years, five premieres being slated for Christmas night. In addition, Revenge With Music,' laying off two weeks, will resume at the New Amsterdam on the eve of the holi- day, -r'. ... . '.. . ■. Fail drop In theatre attendance, which annually sets In after Thanitsglving, caused heavier de- clines in grosses last week than Usual; Not more than half a dozen attractions, held their pace and only two approximated capacity. Calling All Stars,' niajor musical which arrived last week at the con- verted Warners' Hollywood, drew an unlucky firs^-nlght break, with an adverse press resultlrig. 'Nothing seemed to go right back stage and the light cues went awry, too. By Sunday (premiere was; Thursday, 13), when a benefit performance was played, , the revue ran smoothly and was so much improyed that Lew Brown, its producer,. wlirinvlte the critics to take another look. Standouts in business last week were 'Anything' (5oes,' which topped $32,000, and 'Personal Appearance,' again capacity at $15,000. Shows which held their own Included 'The Farmer Takes a Wife* and 'Page Miss Glory.' 'The Great Waltz' dropped to $36,000, which was top money oh the street but the lowest mark for the show since the open- ing^ while .most other shows went to new lows for the. engagement Two other openings last week were 'Valley Forge,' Guild, which drew, a good press, but run chances of which are not definite, and 'Siail ors of iCattaro,' a non-profit jprdpa.. ganda" drama, which will probably not stir from 14th street. Three other scheduled premieres were pOstponed-r-'The Sky's the Limit, moved to this week's card; 'The O'Flynn.' now due next week, and 'Bright Star,' off Indefinitely;. Next week's premieres: Tl^lh from Heaven,' Golden; 'Accent on Youth' ('Old Love'), Plymouth; 'Piper Paid,' Rltz; 'Fools Rush In,' Playhouse; 'The O'Flynri,' Broad -way.;.:31r±hday,L.iith.^lreei;_JMuslc. Hath Charms,' Majestic; 'Baby Pompadour,' .Vanderbllt; 'Slightly Delirious,' probably - the - Morosco.' 'Thums Up' -postponed—until—early January at the St. James. In addition Walter Hampden opens in rep' at the 44th Street, and Ruth Draper will appear at the Bar rymore. "'■ •So Many Paths' stopped at thg Rltz, but may resume next week at tho Ambassador; 'The' Night Re- members' folded at the Playhouse, 'The First Legion' picked up, and engagement at the Biltmore was ex tended another three weeks.- > Estimates for Last Weefc 'Anything Goes,' Alvln (5th week) (M-1.35^-$4.40). Exception to the rule; Ikst week, when most shows skidded, new musical smash over capacity nearly all shows; $32,000 'Bright Star,'Plymouthi Postponed Indefinitely; house gets r'Accent- on Youth' ('Old Love') next week. 'Calling All Stars,' Hollywood (2nd week) (R-l,607-$4,40). Mis Blizzard Crii^ Eva LeGalliBniie brings ' L'AIkIuii' to the Shubert for week of Jan. 7. Estimates for Last Week . 'Rain From Heaven,' Plymouth- Shaping up into above average con- versational piece. with . Continental background. Jane Cowl starred, supported by John Halllday and competent cast. Opening week satr isfactory; $9,800. 'Pursuit of Happiness,' Hollis— Final stanza of six and a half weeks got fair $3,200 for the bundling marathon. cues opening night resulted In ad- verse notices; after ragged premiere performance smoothehed and next week should get into running. . 'Children's Hour,' Elliot (5th week) (D-929-$3.30). Pace aimed - around $14;000 mark; exceptional drama looks set for- real run. " 'Dark Victory,' Little (7th week) ' (D-632-$3!30. Little change; should get share of holiday coin on strength of star's name (Tallulah Bank- head); around $5,000. 'Dodsworth,' Shubert (36th week) . (resumed . engagement) (D-1,386- 113.30). Last month announced; iioldover hit slipped to around M2,000 last week; lowest gross of ; engagement. . '■ ■ 'Farmer takes a Wife,' «th St. (8th week) (C-l,376-$3.30). Another exception; typie comedy held to Its $12,500 gait and is turning weekly profit.: . 'Gold Eagle Guy,' Morosco (4th : week); (D-9Bl-$3.'30). Suspends Thursday (20). and moves to Belasco ^ for Chr-istnias resumption; pace of 117,000 should materially improve. 'Life Begins at 8:40,' Winter Garden (17th week) (R-1,498- i;4.40). Front-running revue slipped lately, but should bounce' back at holiday tiirniB next week; under $30,000 last week.. • . J: 'Merrily We Roll Along,' Music Box (12th week) (D^l,013r$3.8B). Dipped under $1B,000 for first time and, like other leaders, sure of holiday support. 'Mother Lode,' Cort (1st week) (D-l,059-$3.30). Presented by George Busbar aind Johh Tuerk; written by Don Totheroh arid George O'Neil; opens Sa.turday (22). 'Odis to Liberty,' Lyceum (1st: week) (CD-957-$3.30. Presented by Gilbert Miller; adapted from the French by Sidney Howard; opens Friday (21). 'Page Miss Glory,' Mansfield (4th week) (C-l,097-$3.30). Laugh show should build after this week; start- . InK pace of: $11,000 indica,te8 good Chance; also held pace last week. 'Personal Appearance,' \ Miller (10th week) (C-994-$3.30). This comedy hit and 'Anything Goes' standouts in business last week; 'Appearance' again got $15,000; cEtp£tcity« 'Post Road,' Masque (3rd week) (D-789-$3.30). Comedy meller should climb after this week; starting pace of"$7;000""IndrcaterriiX)derateiy^ood- trade chance. 'Revenge -With. M usie,'. J^ew. Am ? - sterdaro. Will resume Monday (24) night; iaylrig off two weeks becau;se of injury to Chirles Wlnniger. : 'Say When,' Imperial (7th week) (M-1.468-$3.85). New musical ar- rivals appear to ha've reacted on trade here; eased off under $20,- 000 last week. 'Sky's the Limit,' Fulton (1st week) (C;-913-$3.30). Presented by Raymond ^Golden; written by Pierce Johns and Hendrlck Booream; opened Monday, - • - : . 'Small Miracle,* 48th St. (13th week) (D-969-$3.i30).. Cast took 25% cut; business eased off; around -$6;(j00 ; was' fir^st-flgured in the big money. 'So Many Paths,' Rltz. Closed Saturday; due to resume under dif- ferent management at Ambassador Chrlsfriias Daiy; . '.'■' 'The Distaff Side,' Booth (11th week) (C-918-$2.75). Smart comedy still doing well.; although running . under figures of first; two months; $8,000 estimated. 'The First Legion,' Biltmore (12th week) (D-991-$2.75).. Extended an- other three weeks, with-attenWanee- jumpihg; . quoted- ar.6und^ '$^ last week. •The Great Waltz,' Center (13th week) CG-3,433-?f3.30). /Dropped , to around $3C.0O0, lowest figure since opening; list leader sure : to come back next week. : 'The Night Rememhnrs,' Flay- L. A. SEPIA REVUE ' Ean Dancer Readying it for Mayan After Holidays ! ; - ■- • Los Angeles, Dec. 17. Earl Dancer is planning a colored revue to open at the Mayan after the holidays. Piece will have Har^ yey Brooks, Otis and Leon Renee and Ben Ellison working on ttie book, lyrics and music. Same combo did 'Lucky Day.' Cast will Include Alex Lovejoyi Eddie Anderson and Jeannle Le- Gon. Latter, 10 - year - old colored Blnger, Just signed by Radio. : ' ;: .'No Mind of Her Own,' comedy by Turner Bullock, has been bought by Dmitri Ostfov', who will produce When casting Is completed. Hdibpden in Worcesljer Worcester, Mass., Dee. 17. Vaudeville &t the Plymouth was Interrupted last Thursday night (13) long enough for Walter Hamp- den ohd compay to offer 'Richelieu.' Balcony was fairly well filled, but customeris downstairs were few and far between. -. Chicago, Dec. 17. Pre-Xmasi. week is here again. One play will call a recess for the session, while the other shows in town decide to, struggle through. 'As Thousands Cheer' lays off cur- rently after a fine six-week run and will resume on Dec. 24 to stick until until Jan. B . when 'Roberta' is skedded to arrive. Blizzard hit the legit biz la.st week, especially Mbridaiy (10). Flock of refunds and stayraways hurt everything, particularly the George M. Cohan 'Alv Wilderness' opening. But Cohan show is perking and will, go through to a fine run at present indications. Opening ses.sion dia- played strength In the lesser priced seats, but some weakness In the orchestra and lower balcony. This Is the first of the American Theatre Society's subscription, plays. ; Sec- ond'arrives Monday (24) at the Har- ris. 'Petticoat Fever' with Dennis King. Will make two ATS. sub- scription sliows running at the same time. ■' Estimates for Last Week , 'As Thousands Cheer,' Grand (1,200; $3.30) .(7th >veek) (lay-off.).— Resumes Monday (24) to complete eight-week stay.:: Hit good $20,000- last week despite weather dis- advantages. «Ah Wilderness,' Erlander (1,200; $2.85) (2d week).—Opening week hindered by blizzard. Top price of $2.75 also seemed too high for Chi- cago, with the- higher .priced seats lacking capacity. . Hit. $16,000, ex- cellent on Initial'session. : . 'Petticoat Fever.r Harris (1,000; $i2.75).—-Second! American Theatre: Society show opens next Monday (24). ;.■■■.;■ ' ■■;.■, . '■ 'Romance,' Blackstone (1,100; $2.20) (4th week). Ruhnlnp nicely at $6,000 last week. Will stick around awhile. 'Stevedore,' Selwyn (1,000; $2;76) —Opens Monday (24). house. Withdrawn Saturday, after playing three tepid: weeks. . 'The O'Flynn,' Broadway.' Post- poned again; slated to debut next 'Tobacco Road,' Forrest (54th week) (C-l,107-$3.30). Longest run attraction on list still making profit; busines lately $6,000 or more. 'Within the Gates,' National (9th week) (D-l,164-$3.30). Slipped, but also figures to get in the holiday money; unBer.$10,000; O'Casey play slated for Boston soon. Other Attractions - 'Romeo and Juliet,'. Martin Beck; Kathai-irte Cornell opens repertory season Thunsday (20). Civic Repertory, BrbadWurst; lay- ing off this week; resumes Christ- mas with 'L'Aiglon' for final two weeks. 'Sailors of Cattaro,' Civic Rep theatre (14th street);, peace propa- ganda drama drew fair notices.