Variety (Sep 1935)

"^edneedajt September 25, 1935 LEGITIMATE VARIETY 71 LEGIT BIZ START A SOCK My Suddenly Hot for Legit; 'Shrew' $15,l)i, 'Circle Holds Over —^EWla4elphla, Se.pt,.-24»-. Although admitted that it is much too early to form any definite con- clusions, general belief is telt among theatre people hereabouts that legit is definitely on the up- ward trend in Philly. Beason for the optimism Is not that the Liints have been doing a •whale of biz in 'The Taming of the Shrew,' but rather because two try- outs^ sans biO. names, have built steadily after negligible openings. First was A. H. Wpods" 'Night of January 16,' which had a couple of hundred dollars in the house on; its opening at the Chestnut .and was near-capacity by Saturday night. Week's gross, was close to $7*000, and that looked like smash figures alongside the figures which have been the custom here for tryouts during the past few years,. Iiast' week, 'Squaring the Circlie,' Soviet comedy, also not strong on cast namesj opened at the Broad, received good Tiotices, and, while not duplicating the Woods' show biz, did hit $6,000 and at midweek the» management decided to hold, it ^or "a second week, with indications pointing to a substantial b.o. jump. Only other - tryout this season, 'Portuguese Gal,' was adniittedly a bad. show, and, .although it re.- malned two weeks at the'Broad, it got just what It deserved, which was next to nothing. Likiely there will be a flock of new ones dumped in here now on the strength of what the earlier pair have done. First indication is an- nouncement of the Garrick's open- ing ■ next-Monday (30)-with Eddie Bowling's new straight comedy production, ,'Agatha Calling,' which was a sudden booking. That will make four houses open, with pretty - definite reports that Sam /Nirdlinger (who has the Broad) will relight the Erlanger in a couple of weeks. With the Wal- nut devoted to Jewish attractions, that would leave only the Shubert (dark for a year since burlesque was given up there) as a possible legit home. Leonard Bergman is booking the Garrick, with Tom Love as manager. This week Is quiet all along the llne^'with the storm, breaking next Monday, when four shows bow in. Besides 'Agatha' there will be 'The Old Maid' at the Forrest (A-S subscription), the two Odets plays at the Broad, and 'Blossom Time' at the Chestnut. All runs are sked- ded for two weeks except 'Agatha,' which stays one, according to present plans. That.means a light Monday on Oct. 7, with the Chest- nut going pix on the 14th. with •Midsummer Night's Dream' (WB). Forrest's next is Katharine Cornell on Oct. 21 and Broad and Garrick unknown as yet. Sam Harris' 'First Lady' on Nov. 7 at the Chestnut is the next tryout set. Estimates for Last Week 'Squaring the Circle' (Broad, 1st week). Hit $5,000 and management decided to hold it over. Prospects good after rave notices and favor- able word-of-mouth. Group theatre 1th Odets' plays next Monday. 'Taming the Shrew' (Chestnut, 1st-week). First ATS subscription show and big biz. Close to $15,000, With same .figured for this week. 'Blossom Time' in next Monday fcir two Weeks. ^howirin Rebearsal The Strip Woman'—L. Lawrence Weber. 'Ascend! ragon,'—Camllp Al- <[ao. yuliet'—Katharine Cornell (road). 'Scandals'—George White. 'Venus in Silk'—Schwab and Mandel, 'Rose / Sweet'— Shuberts (road). 'Bright Star'—Arthur Hopkins. = 'Jumbo'—Billy Rose. 'Triumph'—Elizabeth Miele. ^Blossom Time'—Shuberts r(rbad). 'Most of the Game.—Dwlght W. Wlman. 'Sweet if e'-^Herman Shumlin. 'Rorgy and Bess'—Theatre Guild. 'Agatha Calling'—Eddie Dowling. 'Achilles Had a Heel'—Walter Hampden. 'The Student ri nee'—Shuberts <road). 18 Gs for'Goes,' 4th Week in 1. a:, 'Ode/ $9,500, Out Los Angeles, Sept. 24. After.getting away to a good start a couple of weeks ago, local legit began to ease up last week. Ina Claire departed from the Belasco after two weeks run In 'Ode to Lib- erty,' due to necessity, of being in New York to go into a ne\y Guild production, 'Anything Goes'' continues to run merrily at the El Capltan, where biz is holding consistently strong. Only other legit In town is 'The Kiiig Sleeps' at the Vine Street, where It has been coasting alone at pop prices. It folds next Saturday (28), with, no immediate successor in sight. Estimates for Last Week 'Anything Goes' (El Capltan, 4th wk.) Henry Duffy musical con- tinues to hold strong and fourth week brought a nifty $18,000, which is mighty. Figured good for two or three more weeks at least. - 'Ode to Liberty' (Belasco, 2nd., final wk.) Smart comedy with Ina Claire perked up late In week, but management held to original Inten- tion and folded after two profitable weeks. Take on second stanza a neat $9,500, which was oke all around. 'The King Sleeps' (Vine Street, 3rd. wk.) Geared at $1 top. opus has been doing fairly well, serving its purpose to try out the Jiew comedy and afford actors few weeks work. Second week satisfactory at $1,200. B.O.'!IBEIira Chi 'Tobacco' Stroffig Pace at 13G Albany Stock Albany, Scjpt. 24. Albany's biggest theatrical white elephant and worst gamble, the Capitol theatre, reopened last night (23) with one of the dozen or. more different policies this originally de- signed legit house has had In recent years. Now it's draniatio stock, n. policy which cost the sponsors plenty about five years ago. Guy Palmerton's Manhattan Play- ers re-lit the Capitol with 'Her Master's Voice.' Top prices arc 50 for matinees and 75c. at night. Nancy Duncan and Frank Lyon are the leads. Others in the cast arc Emily Smiley, J. Harrison Taylor, Helen Bennett, Byrd Bi-uce, Erford • Gage, Charles Harrison and Charles Berre. •Stock gives Albany Its siecbnd stage show In three weeks After about eight, months of only films. Palace began vaude two weeks ago.. Future Plays 'Play Genius, lay' ('Prodigy'), by Judith Kandel, to be produced by Lew Cantor with Warner Bros. Rehearsals start soon under .direc- tion of Jo Graham. 'Lawrence of Arabia,' by Mary K. Brooks, skedded for Kouncel Productions. Hopes for Ja/i. prod, with possibility of Leslie Howard in stellar role. 'Strip Woman,' by Henry ROsen- dahl,. about a hurley queen. L. Lawrence. Weber produce.*?. 'Cast- i now. Mayo Methot has lead. 'Singing City,' by Deborah Belne, under auspices tff Arba Blodgett. John D. Williams will direct story of East Side life. Due invNovem-. ber. 'Siorm Child,' by John Houston and (3riff Morris, Jr., for the Stage- Crafters. 'Eight Hours a Day,' melodrama about a department store, by Sam- uel Greenfioi^i, fr>v Bornpy A. 'JTon- sching. Even Shows with Moderate Press Notices the Money-—Fight Mob Help-^ ing This Week but Rise in Attendance Figured to Stick ~'Murder' $11>000, 'Night' $9,000 'ABROAD' $41,000 Broadway feela that the new sea^ son win see materially improved theatre attendance * and tbere arie a lot of Indications supporting that optimism. There have been Dredlc7 tlons of an - upward swing for some time, but with the new shows flnalr ly arriving, figures show that the forecasts were, not exaggerated.' Attractions which drew moderate notices are faring much better than usual. Box oiS.ce strength, last week especially, is the most en couraglng sign, that going for most of the holdover attractions. For- mer playgoers are again visiting the theatre zone, holdovers getting the 'break, because up to this-week, com- paratively few new productions opened, Cafes near-Broadway have noted the return of patronage that was absent for two years. Proprietors are asking how many hits are ex pected, crediting theatres for the re claimed business. Night clubs are flourlshinsr be ybnd expectations and hotels are .Jammed. . Spending wave can hard- ly be credited toi the crowd In New York for the Baer-Louls fight.. That throng from all points of the coun- try did not really become an Influx until Sunday. Fight--tans came heavily heeled and played the night spots Monday, rather than theatres. With the arrival of eight new at- tractions this week, Broadway will catch up wth last season In the number of shows oh the legit list. By third week In September last fall several shows bad already flopped out. First big money show of the sea- son came into the Winter Garden, 'At Home Abroad' drawing over capacity on and after last Thurs- day's (19) ataxU At the pace the revue is going It should top $41,000 weekly. That duplicates the flying start of 'Life Begns at 8.40' last sea- son in the same spot. Two new straight shows are rated as moderate successes already—'A Slight Case of Murder', which was quoted around $11,000 its first full week at the 48th Street, and 'Night of January 16', which approximated $9,000 at the Ambassador,' with a lower ticket scale. Four others which came In up to Monday night got divided or adverse notces and are classed as doubtful—'Life's Too Short', Broadhurst; 'A T'ouch of Brimstone', Golden; 'If This Be Treason', Music Box and 'Few Are CJhoseh', .68th Street (foi-merly Golden). A dramatic hit Is awaited and this week may see the entry of more than one success. 'The Old Maid' ends its riin at the Empire Saturday (28) at Virhich time the resumed engagement Of 'Awake and Sing', plus 'Waiting For Lefty' tours from the Belasco. Next week the premiere card Is short but should bring in something good, list including 'The Taming of The Shrew' (Lunts). GuUd; 'Most of the Game' (English Import) Cort and .'Squaring The Circle', Lyceum. Matter's preserjt tenant, 'Moon Over Mulberry Street', Is slated to niove. Estimates For Last Week 'Anything Goes,' Alvin (^Sth week) (M-l,326-$4,40). Holdover musical riding along profitably; good share of improved trade; stays another month or so in anotheir house; esti- mated around $20,000. 'At Home Abroad,' Wihter Garden (2d week) (R-l,493-$4.40). Op'ened midweek and clicked, with standee attendance all performances; pre- mTefe'nrs.SO top;, indicated weekly pace over $41,000. 'A Touch of Brimstone,' Golden (1st week) (CD-l,15(S-$3.30). Opened Sunday (22), drawing mixed no- tices; presented by John' Golden; written by Lenore Kaghan and Anita Philips. <Blind -Alley/ Booth (1st week) Xurrent Road Show Week Sept. 23 ^Anything Goes,' El Hollywood. 'Jubilee,' Shubert, Boston. 'King Sleeps,' Vine Street, r wood. Shakespeare repertory ( Cooper), Shubert, New Haven. 'S.quaring ' the Circle,' Broad, Philadelphia. 'Taming of the Shrew,' Chestnut, Philadelphia. 'Three Men on a Horse,' way, .Denver. 'Three Men ,' Harris, Chicago. 'Thumbs Up,' lexandra, Toronto. 'Tobacco- Road,' Selwyn, Chicago. (CD-:704-$3.30). Presented by James Oilman; written by James War- wick; first called 'Crack-Up'; opened last night (24). 'Children's Hour,' Elliot (45th week) (D-929-$3.30). Cinch to pass the year mark; moved up again with most others last week; takings estimated around $10,600, 'Dear Mr. President,' Mansfield (1st week) (CD-l,097.-$3.30). Pre- sented by Irving Cooper; written by Doty Hobart; postponed from last week; opens Saturday (28). 'Few Are Chosen,' esth - St. (2d week) (D-900-$2.76). Drew weak press and doubtful: of lasting; starting pace indicated less, than $3,000. . '.If This .Bo Treason,' Music Box (1st week) (D-l,000^$3.30). Pre- sented by Theatre Guild; writte.i by Dr. John Haynes Holmes and Reg- inald • Lawrence; opened Monday (21): anti-war propaganda drama. . 'Life's Too Short,' Broadhurst (2d week) (D-l,il6-$3.30). Opened late last week; divided opinion, with most notices not favorable. 'Moon Over Mulberry Street,' Lyr ceum (4th week) (D-957-43.30). Low grosser but getting by at around $3,000; moves to another house aft- er this week, probably 49th Street; 'Squaring the Circle' follows. 'Night of January 16,' Ambassa- dor (2d woek) (D-l,156-$2.76). Drew fairly good press, with etari- ing pace indicating at least mod- erate success; first week approached $9,000 mark. 'Paths of Glory,' Plymouth (1st week) (D-l,036-$3.50). Presented by Arthur Hopkins; written by Sidney Howard; based on book of same name; opens Thursday (26). 'Old Maid/ Empire (38th week) (CD-l,000-$3.30). Final week; Pul- itzer prize winner closing to excel- lent money; $15,300 last week (ex- tra matinee added); ' right Star/ Oct. 14. 'Personal Appearance/ Henry Mil- ler (50th week) (C-944-$3.30), im- proved more than others last week when the gross went to $11,OUO; should last through fall. 'Remember the Day/ National (1st week) (CD-l,164-$3,30). Pre- sented by Philip Dunning; written by Philo HIgley and the producer; favorably reported at dress re- hearsals; opens Wednesday ..(25). 'Sketch Book/ Majestic (17th week) (R-l,770-$3.30). With scale slightly revised, summer revue do- ing well enough in this spot; picked up to $14;000 last week. 'Slight Case of Murder/ 4Sth St. (3d week) (C-969-$3.30). Although notices were: temperate, business very good, with first fUH week quoted at around $11,000. 'Three Men on a Horse/ Play- house (35th week) (C-860-$».3(l). Still the comedy Icaaer; got $14;- 000 last week; Monday was capac- ity; Bacr-Louls-fight fans attenacd. 'Tobacco Road/ Forrest (94th week) (C-1,017-$.1.65). Approach- ing two-year mark; attendance has been picking up right along; la.st week about $9,000; big at ecjile. 'Winterset/ Martin Beck (1st week) (D-1,214-53.30). Presented by Guthrie McClihtlc; written by- Maxwell Anderson; was ais(j called 'The Bridge'; opens Wednesday (25), Other Attractions 'Othello/ Barrymore; Gladys Cooper and Philip Merlvale reper- tory r ' acbeth' to follow; opens Friday (27). 'Awake and Sinfl/ Belasco; re- sundcd engagement terminates Sat- urday (28); goes to Philadelphia with 'Waiting for Lefty/ one-acter. 'Kind Lady/ Longacre; resumed engagement has another week to go, then tours. -- GhioagOr Sept.-24.—_ Chicago legit is now readying for additions and subtractions In Its llne-up. 'Three Men on a Horse', whch has broken every drama run record of the past decade in the loop, Is now advertising 'last weeks' after a six-month gallop. Will stick around until close to Nov. i before decamping for "a tour- of the mid-, west. ... 'Horse' Is doing well at this time, could stick longer on its gross, .but, managers have their eye on the hew shows, 'Dodsworth', 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Thumbs Up' and 'Anything Goes', which are a cinch to drain most of the town's biz. 'Dodsworth' comes In Oct. 21 at thie Erlanger, with 'Romeo and Juliet' slated for the Grand ».n Nov. 21. 'Tobaco Road' Is. galloping along In Its fourth .Week and looks set for a run. 'Road' and 'Horse' are really aiding ea,cb other's gross oy playinff right next door t(^ each other. Only retarding business factor laet week was a return of summer weather., Estimates .for Last Week 'Three Men on a Horae% Harris (1,000; $2.76) (26th week). Around $8,500 last week, a powerful'take f6r the length of run. Getting a. lot of people who are waiting and who are now rushing to get In under the wire. 'Tobacco Road'^ Selwyn (1,000; $2.75) (4th week). Holding to a pace Just under capacity. Stumbled a bit - by the hot weather last, week, but camd through for a mighty $13,000. SHAKESPEARE BIZ OFF AT HUB B. a Boston, Sept. 24. 'Jubilee' not. only, opened to capacity-plus on Saturd&y (21) night but looks like a solid eeat-flller for the rest of the run, which ends Oct. 2, a:t the Shubert. Lot of the right word-of-mouth around Hub on this Cole Porter-Moss Hart pro-, duction. I Bard dramas ('Othello' and 'Mac- beth') at the Plymouth ha,d slim pickings during Its brief run at the Plymouth, and left^Saturday night. 'Porgy and Bess' opens at the Colonial for One week Sept. 80, for a world premiere. 'Great Waltz' Is coming to . the Opera House, Oct. 3. 'Ascending Dragon,' a new mystery starring Cardlnl, opens at the Plymouth, Sept. 30. Mary Young and stock company open 'Post Road' at the Copley. New Theatre players had trouble with 'Stevedore' at the Repertory last week. Most of the principals "were ERA players working In the rugged play as a sideline. Friday night (20) they ^yere called off to work in a show In Saugus, Figured by. some as an attempt to close the radical show. Fred'Rlnisjel, direc- tor, rushed to New York, dug up some more cast, rehearsed them on the train and the show went on again Saturday night. Estimate); for Last Week 'Othello' and 'Macbeth/ Plymouth, second week. Not so heavy oh the draw, despite Merlvale r Cooper names 9.round.^5,.'500, Thumbs* Oke in Utica Utlca, N. Y., Sept. 2^. The Majestic played to a cap f;ity house with, Eddie Dowllng's 'Thumb.s Up' Wednesday night (18), It was the -flist road 'show here this season and one of only' a few the old legit house has had In several ycar.s. With a $3 top and consider- ing J)oii«-lou-good local conditions, packed hou.se wa,s a distinct sur- prl.se. Mrs. Emily Harrlcal, wardrobe, mistress of 'Thumbs Up,' was in^ jured on the head by a trunk which hit her when It fell from -a pile, of «' baggage in the theatre. She was able to leave with the company next morning.