Variety (Sep 1935)

72 VARIETY L E GIT IMA T E Wednesday, September 18, 193S Met Making Strong Comeback On B'way; Top Season Seen Ahead roadway Is set for Its heaviest ballet season since pre-war days, with the Monte Carlo grotip at the Met for a short fall season start- ing Oct, 9, the American Ballet signed to handle regular stepping chores for the diamond horseshoe addicts proper, a return of the; . Jooss.. ..trowe. .. .and . .th«... Arnerl<iaTi. debut of the Soviet Dahcers' (91), now in the dicker stage. Soviet ballet, oijerated as part of the U.S.S.R, Peoples' theatre. Is considered th^ survival of the fittest, according to balletomanlccs. A Inte spring date Is being negotiated. On top 6f this, N, Y. dance schools are orderiiig lots of new trunks, slippers, horizontal bars, etc., fbr Increasing enrollments.. There's new intereist being mani- fested also in several other branches of the dance biz, most radical of which Is Fowler & Tamara's forth- coming tourjis a concert attraction under Arthur Judsoh management. Team, formerly Identified with clubs,^hotels, revues, etc., is pioneer- ing in this field. It's th€i first strictly ballroom team to go concert. N'. T. date is plahred in Feb.. following a key city tdun. Dress rehearsal held Friday night (6) revealed the duo lA 12 numbers, starting off with some an^ cient dances aiid coming lip to the popular tango variations. Only. a piano accompaniment, but Ansley Dynaphone Is used effectively, for fuller orchestral volume. Undercurrent of ballet, .which has been smouldering for the past two seasons, is now coming to the sur- face. So much so, that Albeftiha Rasch^ aware of this, has upped her registration fees, the iChalif school is expanding and the Ameri- ■ can Ballet has practically doubled '' its enroilment. Other schools riih by Sara Mil- dred Strauss, Charles Weldmann, Ediwln Strawbridge, etc., all are em- ploying 1}allet with a. modem flour- ish. This Idea was first used in Hio Rita' (black und white ballet), •nd Ints since acquired widespread gfeneral popularity. No show on Broadway is complete now Svithout 4 pallet. Even such standardized hoofing establishments as Chester Hale, Jack Blue, etc., are incorpor- ating some fancy twists into thfelr classrooms. Up to this year, studios were tossing out instructions at approxi- mately a dollar a throw, and some less. Revival of dance interest (most of it's :ue to the 'Nijlnsky* legend), has made It possible for* the ballet maitres to lift their tar- iffs. Takes from three to five years to turn put a good dancer, Average rates are $35 motothly for dally training*. Private work gets as much as $26 per hour, according to the importance of the dancer or his purse. Fokine's ballet slumped badly at the Lewisohn Stadium this sum mer, but the vogue came back when the American Ballet appeared. Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis (now split) have been stunting in the dance catagory for some time. Shawn with an all-male company, which enjoyed its best receptions in London, and Miss Denis with 'spirit- ual' presentations, Avhich have been given in church pulpits during the past winter. Argentina, Spanish ace, has a big tour planned in the U, S, this year. 'Smile' Folds Suddenly; Ran Into Coin Trouble C.G.C. Drama Instructor Says Cops Beat Him Up failed to light up at the Fulton, N. Monday (16) and the box refunded on tickets, intimate revUe being d6flnlt61y Wttshed op tcfter- pteylTig- less than four Bankroll trouble caused the collapse. Cast was paid off at Equity with money from Leblang's, which guaranteed salaries but declared itself througii Saturdaiyi at which time, the chorus was Jjald by the managenient. Revue was priesented by Harold Berg, but several others were inter- ested. Reported that several toiigh 'SMILE AT lyiE'^ Opened Aug. 23. Onjy four first-stringers came out, after p.revious ..postponements to cover the actual opening^ and thefr reviews showed little compassion for' the season's first, musical. Gabriel (Amer* ican) said, 'We suffered through somethi entitlied 'Smile at Me.'- Variety (Ibee) sai istinctty doubtful.' parties frequented the front of the house and back stajge, one clai Ing to have bought in on the show. One actor complained thr.t he had been socked by one of the hard-boiled stra,ngers. Stated that $156 was extracted from the ensemble to pay their dues in Chorus Equity. Check for that amount bounced, however, and Dorothy Bryant, of thei chorine as- sociatibu, protested against the show continuing unless the money was made good. In the meantime the supposed new owners of 'Smile' failed to appear or post a salary guarantee and the show was called off. Syracuse, Sept, 17. Commissioner of satety txipp to- day (17) pressed on investigation into the case of James P. Corr, 67, New York actot* and tftage dh:ector, now serving as a Port Byrpn CGC dramatic Instructor, who was taken t6 St. Joseph's Hospital here: suf- fering from cuts and bruises of the head after he had been booked by ppTice "-a public "intoxluatloif charge. Acting detective Martin Kav- anaugh, who arrested the nian. In a stsitemerit to Chief of Police Carroll a.n4 backed, hy .tv(C Mtel fimp.loyp.es,., Denied, chargesi that he had iiged unnecessary/violence in making the arrest. Suffering from a gash on the.back of tlip head and blackened eyes and cuts on the nose, Corr charged, ac- cording to Commissipner Rapp, that he had been brutally beaten by the police officer without provocation. 2 SHOWS OUT FOR I-NITERS LUNT ON GUILD BOARD, WILL SHARE IN PROniS May Rsbson in "Kind Lady' For Homer Curran on Coast Los Angeles, Sept. liomer Curran Jias put 'Kind Ltidy,' current New York show, into rehearsal here with . May Robson ^tarred. Play la by Edward Chodp- rov, based on a Hugh Walpole story. 'Lady' is slated to follow 'Ode to Liberty,' current at the Belasco, and then goes to San Francisco. Schenectady 0. H. Dissol. Albany, Sejit. 17. Stockholders of the old Schenect- ady Opera House company, in an attempt to wind up its affairs; have filed a notice of dissolution witli the secretary .of state. Company has been in existence 48 years. It con- trolled the Van Curler Opera house, Scihenectady's first rekl theatre, ' which «tlU stands, although dark. Appointment of Alfred Lunt to the directorate indicates a change in the operation of the Theatre Giiild. Heretofore there were six on the board and it is understood the directors were deadlbcked in the selection of plays and talent. With Lunt siting in on the play and cast ciT/ferences as the seventh member, that sltuatlpn will be cleared up. Reported that Lunt was assured of being placed on the board last spring after he pointed out that Elisabeth Bergner had been starred in 'Escape Me Never' but that he and Lynn Fontanne had never topped the title in the various Guild presentations in which they ap- pear. Guild was forced to star Miss Bergner, that billing being condl ttonal upon her appearance here The Luhts are not slated to star In 'THe Taming of The Shrew,' Guild sticking to its policy of featuring instead of starring its leads. Lunt, hfwever, will participate in the profits. Others on the Guild board are Theresa Helburn, Philip Moellcr, Lee Slmonson, Helen ■Weatley,,Lawr renco Langner and Maurice Wert- heim. Miss Westley was the- only director active on the stage as a player, addition, of Liint now making two audi members. The .Lunts hive been Invaluable tc the Guild, appearing In such suc- cesses as 'Strange.. Interlude.' 'The Cuard.smari,' 'Reunion in Vienna' and 'Arms , and The Man.' Their present appeai'ance In a new ver- sion ot 'The Taming of The Shrew' Was hlchly regarded on tour la.st spring. Show opened In pjillailel- phin Monday (16) and is due Inio the Guild theatre shortly; 'Shrew' Is beln.ij presented In association with John C.. Wilson, who jis Noel Cow- nrd's manager. Last season the Lurits appeared In, and were as.so- clated in the presentdtlon of. 'Point Valalne' w^ith 'llson. Play ended in red. Miss Helbum hns announced a play which she -will present on her own. That does not set a precedent nmong the hoai-d membprs. Langner having produced .several plays ttvvay from the Guild. Two shows are Hitting the road early this fall, aimed at the Bmaller stands. Most widely booked of the brace is 'The Old Maid,' Pulitzer -prize winner, which .will maive an actual coast-to-coast tour, playing both, tanks and large stands. 'Maid's' first da.te out frona the Empire, N. Y., will be the Forrest. Phlla., opening. Sept. 30, there for two weeks. Upon returning. Its final stand will be at Richmond. Va- May 9. Five weeks are booked in Los Angeles and four in Chicago. Claimed that 'Maid' is the most ex-, tenslvely booked attraction, except 'The Green P4gturesi' within the pist 20 years. "JtVilliam Fields, In charge of publicity, has gotten out a booklet of the dates for the con- venience-of the players and theatre manager's. 'The Constant Wife,' which Steve Cochran is. reviving for the road with Ethel Biarrymore starring, will play small stands north and south this side of Ithe Mississippi. Show has been booked for 12 weeks but time may be extended. Opens at Princeton,-N. J., Obt; 7, and except for New Orleans, Minneapolis and St. Paul the show will play one- nighters. Miss Barrymore will travel in a special cai-. Inside Stoff^Legit Ivalry between prosecution and defense sides of cast in 'Night of' January IC,' courtroom- melodrama, reached climax last two performances of Philly engagement, Feature of play Is verdict of Jury picked from audJence^ rendered at close .of ..third..act. . Each.side tries to win- case, After Friday (13) night's 'guilty' vferdlct, count stood three to three for week. Saturday afternoon produced 'not; guilty' and prosecution almost broke its neck at evening show to pet conviction and even score for week. But jurors, again vdted acquittal, making defense lead five* to three for the engagement.. Al Woods plans bolEt€fflhg.-4!p either- side of .-rase running behind in verdicts. Jurors during week included number of local ccjebs, such as Captain 'Shdoey' Malone, ace detective of Ph.llly police; Harry Kaufman, former assistant district attorney, and nuniber of local lawyers, scribes and former actors. Names of Jurbra generally good for applause from audience, many pf whom^see celebs for flrst i:ime. '' Looks ■'iike "Sotft' Cehifury^l?'ojf Ts"! ot'^&nUary 16."' Arthur Hurley and "jpe Pihcus, of ftlm company's story department, both scouted show during Philly tryout Woods has personally pacted Doris Nolan, who Broadway debuted in 'January.' This followed summer film scouting bids for Miss Nolan. light Case of Murder,' which opened at the 48th Street, N. T., last week, is > the same play that Courtney Burr proposed to present this sea- son. Damon Runyon and Howird Lindsay, the collabprators, however, decided .they hadn't the time to work, on the second act and Insisted that Burr accept the return of $1,000 paid as advance royalty. Lindsay is the producer but it is understood that Jack Curtis Is also Interested. Reported too that Lou Holtz and Benny Davis bought in fPr ia piece. Jacob A. Weiser has CPmpleted a country-wide survey of the drama ih little theatres, colleges aind amateUr circles, Jprinclpal SbbJect being to tabulate possible sources of talent for Hollywood. The Jaunt required, a trip pf a:bout 1C,P00 miles. Weiser,, formerly Identified with legit, is with Metro for whom he will write a report on his findings; He .will again conduct a course of lectures on the stage at a N. Y. cpllege. 'Kind Lady^ announced fPr the Minneapolis drama season, has hot been so booked as yet. Potter and Halght, the show's producers, advised the Minne groUp that if the drama plays Chicago further dates ihlght.be booked. 'Lady' rPadway at the Longacre last week. Final report ph the bankruptcy of. Arthur J. Beckhard filed by the referee shows $3,481 In cash on hand. Attorneys for the creditors and the former manager claim fees of $600 and $500 respectively, with the Irving Trust claiming $117. ' Beckhard, who presented 'AnPther Language,' Emily Holt, formerly an attorney for Equity, Is visiting New York. With her husband. Harper ilolt, alsp a lawyer, she will sail shortly for Norway on a business trip. Understood Mrs. Holt has been commissioned to write a book by Covicl Friede, but it will hot be about show business. There are six treasurers at the Fultpn, N. Y., for 'Smile at Me' (closed) but not all. were In the boxpfhce wiitch is staffed by Buster Roemer and Tom Burke; Fortune Gallo, one pf the revue's backers, representing him at the front of the house. Although reported being in rehearsal several times, 'Scandals' has hot yet started. George White won't name the reason for the delay. Dissatisfied with choristers answering calls, White scouted the recent Atlantic City beauty pageant So did N. T. Granlund. Toronto Expects Best Season in Five Years Toronto, Sept 17. Best legit season up here in five years is premised for 1935-36. Philip Merivale and Gladys Cooper open here Sept 23 In the Crosby Gaifire production of 'Othello' and 'Macbeth.' After the Toronto date at the Royal Alexandra,, troupe plays Hamilton and Montreal and tlu'n goes into New York. Season starts off with 'Thumbs Ui>.' Other musicals scheduled are •Life Begins at 8:40," 'The Great Waltz.' 'Anything Goes,' 'Smile at M 'Earl Carroll's Vanities,' re- vivals of 'Rose-Marie,' 'Blossom Time* and 'Student Prince.' Another repeater will be "Three Men on a Horse.' Dramatic productions premlised Include 'The Old Maid,' 'The Chil- ditn's Hour,' 'Tobacco Road,' 'Petri- tiiiO Forest' and Walter Hampdeh in rtpertory, Stratford-upon-Avon Players, mar do a trans-Canada jaunt asain,, fol- lowing their successful tour of, two sen sons ago. Sari Carlo Opera Company is also sl.Tted for Montreal, Toronto, HaniT lUon, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Van- couver, with a poslblllty that other cir; in the Midwest may be In- Marionette bit in 'At Home Abroad', opening at the Winter Garden, N. Y., Thursday (19), included among the puppets a miniature of the late Huey Long. When the Louisiana senator was assassinated this puppet was yanked. Artie Hitchmari, fully recovered from a leg injury which required sev- eral operations, is. back on Broadway and has opened a ticket agency. He was formerly with the Leo Newman ticket office. Lee Tracy, Hayden East For Hopkins' 'Bright Star' Hollywood, Sept. 17. Lee Tracy and Julie Hayden pulled out for New York Friday (13) to start rehearsals for 'Bright Star,' play by Phillip -Barry, which Arthur Hopkins produces. They were in it when tried out a year ago. Play lis slated to hit Broadway early next month. Chi G&S. Season Chicago, Sept: 17. Click of the O'Oyly Carte iPlayers here last year is prompting Ralph flcJpprln to make plans to import another Gilbert, and Sullivan com- pany for the present season. Is mak- ing arrangements for at .least 10 weeks of the comic operas. Dickering now for either the Blackstone' or Studebaker theatre. Mary Young, Director Mary Young, actress, will take a fling at directing this season, tart- Ing Sept. 27 she will supervise a stock company at the Copley theatre In Boston for ioHn Craig, Jr., pro- ducer. Craig has taken a long-term lease on the theatre for the presentation of revivals. First on the boards will be 'Post Road.' Ringel on 'Stevedore* Restaging for Boston Boston. Sept 17. New Theatre group opens Its sea- son in Boston tonight (17) . at the Repertory with 'Stevedore,' which It plans to hold for two weeks. Cast is . native negi-o and directed by Fred RIngel. Rlrigel will inject new produc- tion angles Into the play, which WAS dPne on Broadway by the The- atre Union. mE'STARTS OMAHA ON SEASON OF EIGHT Ornaha; Sept. 17. Edward Stelnmctz, new director of the Omaha Community Play- house, has called rehearsals for 'Her Master's Voice,' by Clare Ktim- mer, which opens the Playhouse's 1935-36 season on Oct. 8) After the Kummer play the Play- house will do eight shows. Complete schedule: is: 'Kind Lady,'. 'Return of Peter Grimm.' 'Yellow Jack,' 'Hob- son's Choice,' 'Midsummer -Night's Dream,' 'As You Like It' and !Three Men on a Horse.' Shakespeare plays will be given a snappy version after the manner of the Century of Progress Globe thea- tre, and both will be given within the week.. Boai'd this year makes an Innova- tion by selling only season books and, abolishing single ticket sales. —No N. 0. Slock Niew Orleans, Sept^ 17. The New Orleans Repertory the- atre group has chucked its plans to present a number of New York, plays here this ,winter. Fniling to get sufficient response to its mem- bership drive, has decided to call it ott until next season. AI Lovejoy, one of the prime mov- ers In the guild, goes to Carnegie Tech, Pittsburgh, to direct five plays there this winter.