Variety (Jul 1935)

Wednesday, July 24, 1935 I.EGITIMAIE VARIETY 55 hside Stuff-Legit Action taken on the Coast last week against Lewis E. Genaler, former Broadway producer, composer, and now an associate picture producer, concerns $60,000 advanced for the production ot 'The Gang's All Here' by l«e Shubert when that show, with Ted Healy starred, was at the . Imperial, N. Y., early In 1931. Show was In difficulty from the start and additional coin tossed In by Shubert Is said to have placed Gensler In the red for $86,000, At the time Gensler was associated with Morris Green who produced under the name- of Gregren, Inc. Pair had previously produced 'Pagan l,ady' (Lenore tllric) which was a money maker. Latter attraction had the backing of the late A. L. Erlanger. Green and Gensler's share, how- ever, was turned over to Shubert as security but that. Interest was not valuable, picture rights to the play having been sold. Green went through • bankruptcy-and satisfaction on the not6 Is therefore passed up to Gens- ler. Suit Is in the name of Edythe Rubens, said to be a clerk In the ce of William Klein, Shubert lawyer. Gloria Holden was acclaimed one of the summer season's finds at the opening of. Mildred Knopf's 'The Long Frontier,' for. Max. Gordon, at the Westport Country Playhouse, .Monday night (22).- Miss Holden, lately 'on-radio. Joined the cast in place -of Kutherlne Alexander -who could not come on from Hollywood because of retakes. Miss Holden has been around New York four seasons looking for a -chance In legit. She had followed the second lead in 'As Husbands Go' ■('31), and was a dancer In 'The Desert Song' and an understudy In •Royal Family.' Break for Miss Holden Is matched by that of her husband, Howard Winston, who has landed as-assistant to S; P. Schulberg at Columbia on the Coast. Heavy advance for the extended run of 'Tobacco Road' at the Holly- wood Music'Box-:has Producers Jack Kirkland-and' Sam Grlsman plan- ning •another .com pany'.'around James Barton. -With piece scheduled to take to the road Aug. 23 breaking the hop to Chicago, new company will -be recruited if the present biz continues. Hull goes on tour when he returns from the east where he was called on business. Barton, under contract to Radio pictures, is said to have studio permis- sion to double In. the stager as.' long as it sticks around. 'Road' Just passed Its 14th week, nine of which were at the-Belasco, L. A., giving It the legit record there since the depresh set In. Prelude to the annual Lambs' Wash, which was held at the Percy Williams Home, Amityville, L. I., Sunday (21), was a get-together at the clubhouse Thursday (18) with Bob Hague as honored guest again. For the occasion it was the 'S. S. Lambs' with all sorts of nautical insignia, ■etc. Hague drew a crowd on a hot night because they like him. Entertainment brought forth a new boy in the person of Johnny Boyle, Jr. With his pop the kid went through several dance routines and •clicked solidly. Lad is about 17 and seems pn the way. Premiere of 'The Beloved Rogue' at St. Louis by the municipal opera outfit Monday (22) attracted observers from -New York. It Is an operetta of foreign authorship, the score being by Robert Stoltz. Latter attracted attention with the melodies supplied several German fllmuslcals, partic- ularly 'Two Hearts in Three Quarter Time.' 'Rogue' was first known as 'Venus in Silk.' It is slated for Broadway In the fall by Laurence Schwab, who is directing the outdoor light opera season in St. Louis this summer. Joseph Verner Reed, who was teamed with Kenneth McGowan In legit production and wrote a book about it, recently chartered a private car and journeyed to Denver to visit his mother. Party consisted of his wife, four children and a retinue of nurses and governesses. His father was one of the organizers of Mid-Continental Oil Corp. Reed decided that being a manager was accompanied by too many vexations. Mc- Gowan previously withdrew and went Hollywood, Herman Liveright, son of the late Horace Liverlght, book and sometime legit producer, is conducting the summer theatre ford. Conn. He attended Carnegie Tech and specialized in iachool courses. Presentations at the Stamford spot have been regarded as better than thd average rural showing, but business so far disappointing.' publisher at Stam- dramatlc distinctly has been Insiders on the current Gilbert and Sullivan revival, at the Adelphl, N. Y., are taking advantage of a reported agreement between the pro- ducer and local G.&S. Society. Allows for a cut on each ducat sold a member of the outfit, or subscribers to the G.&S. quarterly published by the society. ENGAGEMENTS Ethel Barrymore, Walter Gilbert, Sarah Perry, 'The Constant Wife,' Anhalt New York Players, Old Say- brook, Conn. Leonore Ulric, Frederic Tozere, Franklin Heller, Cordelia Macdon- ald, Francis Pierlot, Betty Fouche, William Nichols, Georgia Graham, Eloise Eubank, Anthony Ross, 'The Road to Paradise," Stamford Sum- mier theatre, Stamford, Conn. Plillip Tonge, Harry Green, Van Heflin, Byron McGrath, Muriel Bpassler, 'Birds,' Ear Harbor Drama Festival, Bar Harbor, Me. Margaret Angli.n, Dorothy Black- burn, -li^orrest Orr, Dudley Hawley, Flora Campbell, Philip Huston. Eva Condon, Leonora Chippendale, Blos- som . MacDonald, Mary Sargent, 'Fresh Fields,' Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Mass. Joshua Logan, Kent Smith, Prank Conlan, t'luye Gilbert, Esther Mitchell, Hale Norcro.ss, Oliver Barbour, 'Caplain .A pplojaclt,' Coun- ty theatre, Suffern, N. Y. Carlylc Blackwell, Rosamund Birchby, 'The PIny's the Thing,' New Rochclle Playhouse, New Hochelle, N. Y. Katalie Schanffcr, P.itricl.a Mal- llit.son, Julie Gillespie, Martin Bur- ton, Ernest Woodward, 'Wliy Wc Misbehavo,' Wa.shington theatre, Doblj.s Ferry, N. Y. Leona Powcr.s, Walter Graeza, Mildred Wall, How;ird Miller, .Tatnes and Plillip Trucx. Margaret OT^on- nell, Shoutcau Dyer, 'Return to Polly,' Kcd Barn, IjocusfTVilley. L.I. Nance O'Neil, Al.in Buncc. Claire Oarleton. Gloria Holden. Je.ssic Gra- ham, Sydney O. Smith, Thom.is Findley, Chaile.s Henderson, Fmnk Fenton, 'The Long Frontier,' West- port Country I'layhouse, We.stport, Conn. Muriel Kirklund, .Shoppcrd Strud- wlck, Ellis Baker, Staats Cotsworth, Whitner Bissel, Gordon Orme, Deane Taylor, Mata Roudin, 'March Hares,' Oceanslde theatre, Magnolia, Mass, Mary Morris, 'Sweet Salt,' Hamp- ton Players, Southampton, -L. I. Clarence Rock,- John -E. Blight, Sterling Mace, Doris Lauray, John Balmer, Edward Brandon, Florence Burroughs, 'Take My Advice,' Paula Shay Players, Shawnee-on-Dela-;; ware. Pa. Robert Vivian, Estelle Wlnwood, Jil Miller, Crawford Weaver, Doug- las Garden, 'Sweeney Todd.' Rock- ridge theatre, Carmel, N, Y. . Edith Barrett, 'Trelawney of the Wells,' South Shore Players, Cohas- set, Mass. Earle Larlmore, Selena Royle, •Meet the Prince,' Berkshire Play- house, Stockbridge, Mass. Lanny Ross, 'Pursuit of Happi- ness,' Rockridge theatre, Carmel, -V, Y. O.sKOOd Perkins, Lora Baxter, Claudia Morgan, John Gallaudet, Franci.s Conipton, Tyrone Power, Jr., 'On Stage.' Beach theatre. West Falmouth, Mass. Edith Taliaferro, Ann Deighton, 'The Distaff Side,' Stonoy Creek Ihcalro, Stoncy Creek, Conn. Milzi Green, Howard Phillips, Cc- cille Wulff, David Orrlck, Daisy Atlierton, Llbby I-Iolman, J. Malcom Dunn, Edward Emoi'y, Lyda Allen, Violet Be,sson, Ernita 7>ascellc-s, Jo- seph Cui-lin, A. J. Herbert, Frank Roberts, Kathcrine Stewart, 'The Farriior's AVifc,' Ogonqiiit Playhouse, Ogonquil, Me. Eduavd Franz, Ethe.l 'Waitc Owen, Charlotte Ross Culbort.son, John Frost, Herbert Hadden,> (•, Pryor- Welch, Owen .Stuart, Augusta Fel- zo, Marie Felzo, 'Henry of Navarre,' Little Theatre Players, Oconemo- woe, Wi.sc. W. Elwood MacAlIstcr, Robert C. Currier, Sela Krebs, Janet Marshall, Robert Reed, F. Glenn Morris, Har- ry Tetelman, Leonard Tobln, George Nichols, Richard SuIll^^an, Muriel Pearce, Isabel HalUn, Rita Haskin, Miriam HurwItt Sylvia Benson, Dorothy Bourne, Betsy Byron, 'Mary Tudor,' Garrlck Players, Kenne- bunkport. Me. Moffat Johnston, Jessamine New- combe, Joanna Roos, Ben Lackland, Grant Mills, A. H, Van Buren, Ray- mond Bramley, John Hammond Dailey, Mary Rogers, Rose Winter, Sanford Cummlngs, Keenan Wynn, 'Aren't We All,' Lakewood Players, Skowhegan, Me. ' ' ' Mildred Natwlck, George Black- wood, Myron McCormick, 'Post Road," Westchester Playhouse, Mt. Kisco, N. Y. Flora Sheffield, 'Twelfth Night,' North Shore theatre, Whltestone, L. I., N, Y. Betty Lancaster, Gordon Rich- ards, 'Accent on Youth,' New York Players, Guilford, Conn. Mary Arbenz, Phidelah Rice, Jes- sica Rogers, Leslie Denison, Richard S. Bishop, Ingeborg Tilllsch, Robert Regent, Pllmore Sadler, Frances Swann, Frederick Wlnsor, 'The Bishop Misbehaves,' Vineyard Play- ers, Oak Blurts, Mass. Prank Lyon, Nancy Duncan, Charles Harrison, ..Efrod Gage, Helen Arlan, 'Accent on Youth,' Manhattan Players, Fltchburg, Mass. Marie Nordstrom, Don Dougia Chester Clute, '44 Below,' Lyric the- atre. Summit, N, J, - - Dorothy Burgess, Josephine Dunn, James Todd, Brandon Peters, Bruce Warren, Edmund MacDonald, Hayes Pryor, 'She Cried for the Moon,' Casino theatre. Deal, N. J. Katherlhe Warren, Alan Marshal, Wendy Atkln, Fred Leslie, Reynolds Dennlston, "Fallen Angels,' Mahopac theatre. Lake Mahopac, N. Y. Louise Prussing, 'Beginner's Luck,' Beechwood theatre, Scarsborough- on-Hudson, N. Y, Julia May, Arthur Bell, Marjorle Cameron, David Howell, Austin Huhn, Wllltam Sharon. Virginia Rubyon, 'All In the Family,'- Stage- crafters, Mllton-on-Hudson, N, Y. Franklyn Pox, Ethel Britton, Ef- fle Shannon, Virginia Smith, Pris- cllla Kno'^les, Alfred A, Hesse, Mrs. Pennington, Rudolf Brooks, Helen Hughes, 'Kind Lady,' Rldgway the- atre. White Plains, N, Y. Doris Dudley, Beatrice Maude, Bradford Hunt, Albert Hayes, Don Shelton, Mark Preston, 'The Ninth Guest,' Cape May Playhouse, Cape May, N. J. Harry Irvine, Ruth Gates, Walter Roach, Grant Gordon, Sara Foster, Betty Amlard, Donald Randolph, 'The Bishop Misbehaves,' Harbor Players, Boothbay Harbor, Me. George Macready, 'Around the World In 80 Days,' Theatre-by-the- Sea. Matunuck, R. I. Winifred Lenlhan, 'Autumn Cro- cus,' Kingston Playhouse, Kingston, R.L Norma Mitchell, "Post Road,' New York Players, Ivoryton, Conn, Summer Theatres (New^ Plays) 'All in the Family,' Stagecrafters, Milt.on-on-Hudson, N. Y. (22). 'Beginner's Luck,' Beechwood the- atre, Scarborough-on-Hudeon, N. Y. (22). 'Forever and Forever,' Barter the- atre, Abington, Va, (22). '44 Below,' Lyric theatre. Summit, N. .T. (22). 'Fresh Fields,' Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Mass. (22). 'Long Frontier,' Westport Coun- try Playhouse, Westport, Conn. (22). 'Look While You Listen,' Dela- ware theatre, Wlnsted, Conn. (27). 'Lovingly Yours,' Starlight thea- tre. Pawling, N. Y. (22). 'Mr, Borgia,' Maverick theatre, Woodstock, N. Y. (26). 'On Stage,' Beech theatre. West Falmouth, Mass. (24). -'On Stage,' Island theatre, Nan- tucket, Mass. (22). 'Return to Folly,' Red Barn, lo- cust Valley, L. I. (22). 'Road to Paradise,' Stamford Summer theatre, Stamford, Conn. (22). 'She Cried for the Moon,' Casino theatre. Deal, N. J. (22). 'Sweet Salt,' Hampton Players, Southampton, L. I. (24), 'To You, Farewell,' Napanoch Playhouse, Napanoch, N. Y. (26). 'Why We Misbehave,' Washing- ton theatre, Dobbs Ferry, N. Y. (24). 6'way in Better B.O. Shape This July Than Last Year; More Shows and CurroA Road Shows 'Three Men on a Horse,' Harris theatre, Chicago. 'Three Men on a Horse,' Geary theatre, San Francisco, 'Tobacco Road,' Music Box, Hol- lywood. MiSKY $11000 COAST SOCKO Hollywood, July 23. Hollywood went MInsky this week with the opening of Minsky's Music Hall (former Hollywood Playhouse) housing the producer's 'Life Begins at Minsky's.' In at $2 top the com- bination of burlesque . and revue clicked for first - four days of Its run, with two mats and two mid- night shows thrown in to take care of the mobs. Opus does not warrant the $2 top, it is generally opined, with much speculation as to how long the curiosity will hold up. Only other legit in town is 'To- bacco Road,' currently In 14th week In Los Angeles (Bth week In Hol- lywood) and BtlU going strong. James Barton replaced Henry Hull in top part last (Mon.) night. Estimates for Last.Week 'Life Begins at' Minsky's' (Mln sky's Music Hall, 1st week.) Open ing Thursday to turnaway. mob, biz held, strong 9.nd on . eight perform ances garnered close to $11,000, which mighty big in house of around 1,000 capacity. 'Tobacco Road' (Music Box, 4th week). Hot weather didn't hurt the Henry Hull draw to any great extent and hit around the $6,600 mark, for total gross in L, A, of approximately $104,000 to date. Luxembourg Cafe (Continued from page 1) similar idea for Luxembourg some time ago but chilled. Mills on his recent London so- journ ran Into a flock of royalty which gave him f e idea of a nlteiy idea for New York along 'royal box' Ideas, but not a gag version a la Joe Zclll. He sounded out a num- ber of ladies and also a lord who agreed to act as m.c. In the pro- posed swank nlle club. The angle hinges also on the ro- mantic in that the Britleh gals with titles might attract American so- cialties, as a reverse on the habit of American girls marrying foreign titles. mrse' $9,600, IVeascr $3,500; Frisco's Legit Business Very Okay San Francisco, July 23. Frisco still has two legits alight and both doing well. Geary has 'Three Men on a Horse' going into fourth week Monday (22) and Al- cazar has 'Pop Goes the Weasel.' "Three Men" did an . estimated good $9,600 last week, and 'Weasel,' which is using a variety of dodges, such as passes, bulk sales to organi- zations and other devices, keeps the gross up to a pretty fair approxi- mate $3,500. Chilled Houses (Continued from page 3) for a 10 to 15-degree reduction from street heat, had about hit a bull'e- eye, but nevertheless patrons have squawked that the houses are kept too chilly. In some Instances, It has been said that the sudden change from heat to cold, or vice versa, has resulted in nausea and other dis- comfort. Broadway managers and tech- nicians, however, declare they have taken those possibilities Into con- sideration In gauging their house temperatures. They purposely seek to avoid too sudden change by hav- ing the lobbies only a few dogreeo lower than the street temperature and letting the in.slde run eight to 10 degrees below the lobby mark. They graduate It thus to permit the p.atron to cool off gradually to avoid shocking change. At Loew'o .Slate the system Is re- ver.scd somewhat, with chilly blasts I'anned from tlie lobby to the marquee .area used as a ballyhoo The lobby Is warmer than the bally- lioo brecy.OH, but the Inside of the theatio drops below the iobl)y gunge, Oper.'itlon ot cooling syHtem^ boons to the bent weai-y and to bii.sl- riess pla'-(!s tMat cmi)l(>y them, h.aic been coming In for public criticism not only in the theatres, but also In reKta\jiantH and on aIr-c;ondilIonsd trains. Suggestion has been niadf that jnslead of keuplng tompcia- tui-es in these places at a fixed lcvc\ predicated on outside heat, thai thej be graduated up and down con- stJintly, to avert chlllirlg patrons too much to withstand the hl^fher hea' when tli'y leave the conditlonei.' premises. Heat , wave similar to that of last July finds Broadway in better form this summer both in the number of surviving attractions and the gross- es drawn. There were seven at- tractions during the same week last summer and five during the month's final week. There are nine shows current and it is doubtful if the list will shrink to the low mark of last summer. In point of takings 'Anything: Goes' Is doubling the pace of 'As Thousands Cheer,' last July's only musical. (There are three this summer, 'Sketch Book' and 'Gil- bert and Sullivan revivals being the others). As for the straight plays, five out of the surviving six are drawing more than double the coin coaxed in by the puny list of last summer. From four to six sur- viving attractions are fairly cer- tain of entering the new season and that, too, is distinctly superior to last season's summer stayers. Last August started with cool weather and. if weather -conditions similarly Improve In the coming few weeks, attendance on Broad- way will not only Improve but the dates for starting rehearsals of new productions would be set. Three musicals are slated to get going within 10 days. Picture rights of 'The Old Maid' have been sold to Paramount for $40,000. That materially u'pa the profit of the Pulitzer prize winner which jumped to its best business when the award was announced. 'The Great Waltz' is dated to resume at the Center Aug. 6. Some doubt about 'Sketch Book' con- tinuing after Saturday, there beintc no tickets on sale for. next week. Estimates for Last Week .'Anything Goes,' Alvln (36th week) (M-l,326-$4.40). Ethel Merman to CoEist, with Benay Venuta replacing Monday (22); Victor Moore 'and Billy Gaxton sticking, and date in- definite; around $22,000, and much the best on Broadway. 'Awake and. Sing,' Belasco (23d week) (CD-l,000-$2.76), Instead of folding as announced holds over; business improved to over $6,000; 'Waiting for Liefty,' one-act play, now added attraction. 'Children's Hour,' Elliot (36th week) (D-929-$3.30). One of dra- matic standouts expected to run into new season, business around $7,500 mark; Monday nights out; Thursday matinee added. 'Old Maid,' Empire (29th -week) (CD-l,090-$3 30). Slightly under $8,000, which Is quite okay, with show on six performance basis' (no Saturday performances); picture rights sold last week. 'Personal Appearance,' Henry Miller (41st week) (C-944-$3,30). Modern cooling system Installed should up business; turning good profit with the pace around $G,500. 'Sketch Book,' Winter Garden (8th week) (R-l,493-$3.85). Week to week, one of few legits with modern air-conditioning plant, but business • mild from start; around $14,000 light for summer revue. 'Three Men on a Horse,' Play-' house (26th week) (C-860-$3.30). Getting top money among non-mu- slcals; last week's takings slightly under $10,000 mark; San Francisco company getting about same grosses. 'Tobacco Road,' Forrest (86th week) (C-l,017-$1.65). While Coast company is making records, long- run drama la Just about getting by here; $2,500 to $3,pC0. Revivals Gilbert and Sullivan presentations at Adelphl (Craig) (2d week) starting pace of $8,000 at $1.66 top considered good in heat. CHI'S MEN'yi/zG INl-SHOWWEEK Chicago, July 23. 'Three Men on a Horse' has been around for 16 weeks already and hasn't needed Itn second wind yet. Has been pounding out big profit weeks, without a failure In sight. Only competition at present Is the weather man. Estimates' for Last Week 'Three Men on a Horse,' Harris (1,000; $2.75) (ICth week). Tho white hope of legit since It proves to the most dlsheartencfi leglt man- ager and producer that It ean bo done. Holding a remarkable paco for the run. Above $7,,'iOO Inst week, powerful for the lenu'th of the stav. Restore Katurday matinee this week. Other Attractions 'Crime at Blossoms,' Glencoc Audiloi'iuni. .Suburban summer ven- ture Koniowhat cIlHapjiolnting at thb Hate di-splte 1,000% newspaper co- oiXM'.'jLtidn. Showboat Dixiana, 'Only a Shop (;iri' Is the current attraction, Northside sht)wboat up in money vvilh the warmer weather.