Variety (Nov 1935)

54 VARIETY L E€i ¥ I M AT E Wednesday, November -13„ 1935 Plays Out of Town FIRST LADY Philadelphia, Nov, 11. Comefly by Knlhaclne Dayton and QeorRe S. Kautmiin. Produced by'SnTi H. 'Harris; Biased by Mr. KauCtnnn; settirga by Don- ald Oeniilager. Presented at. the Qarrlck theatre: .■ - - Sophy Prpscott lantha Pdttlson Bmmy Paige... .Helen Brooks L'ucy Chase Wayne. Jane Cowl Stephen Wayne........... .>Sia6Iey RIOrce Bel'.s -Hardwlclti... .iv, ... .Jeaela--Busier Mrs, Ives .R'eglna Wallace Ann Forrester........ .Rita Vale Mrs. Crcevey -...Ethel WUsion Senator Keanc .Judson Lalre Tom Hardwlck .Thomos FIndlay 'Ivvcrr ,Hibb(iid-;T.-...,.. . , r.. .>! rilly SahtH Carter HIbbard.......... .i^.-vOaw.ild ytirhp George Mason; .... Frank . Dae Ellworth T.■Qannlng,.Flotenz Ames Jhson Fleming................Don Beddoe ,H(srbert Sedgvvick........... .George Parsons Charles James Seeley Regliia Wallace, Tom FIndlay, Ethel Wilson and Judson Lali-e. Donald Oehslaeer has provided two extra-flhe , seta and, entirely outside the writing, it should be stated that Kaufman has secured a maximum effect in his direction,, both In this crowd scenes (there's a very big cast) and his itibre in- timate scenes. - Hai'd-^o see where. Sanv: Harris can fall with this one and It shouldn't be Just a moderate suc- cess either, liooks like it's In the bag' for a hard, punchy, walloping ROSMERSHOLM All • fears that too-high- expecta- tions would be followed by at least a partial disappointment were com- pletely and hilariously set at rest last night when 'First Lady' opened a two weeks' engagement here. In It George Kaufman proves conclu- sively that Hollywood has not In. any way affected his trenchant .powers as a writer of dialog, crea- tor of character and concelver of sure-flre situations. In it, also, Katharine Dayton, author of inr numberable pungent and witty magr azlne articles, and Kaufman's cur^ rent collaborator, .makes a highly auspicious debut Iri the theatrical field. Setting an almost prohibitive pace in the lirst half-hour, 'First Lady.', does the Impossible by keeping that pace without any serious lapses right up to the final curtain which, last night, was at 11:15. It should be easy for Kaufman to cut'the play fifteen minutes, although there were only a couple of brief moments when the action seemed to drag. On the whole, it is in, a typical Kaufman vein of biting, brittle irony and, of course, it is crammed full of wise-cracks which are up to the. minute in every particular. On the other hand, it develops some' serious moments that are quite sin- cerely serious and completely lack- ing in satiric Import. • In the end, being first;. last and always a" good showman," Kaufman has seen to it that he and his col- laborator have provided a trick, if hoke, ending. It may not be en- tirely plausible but it gives the piece a fast and exciting finish and doesn't insult anybody's intelligence. Play deals not with the Presi- dent's-wife or any President's wife, •but rather with the wife of a Sec- retary of State, presumably some time in the future. She's proud of .her Influence over Washington so- ciety and has only one serious rival in that influence. That rival is the .wife of a Supreme Court Judge. Rivalry between tlje two started when one stole the other's cook, but It has reached a piolnt where they battle royally over rising young senators from the west and im portant diplomats. Irene HIbbard, the Judge's wife, becomes a patroness for Senator Keane and it is bruited abroad that she Intends to put him into the White House.' Lucy Wayne, tlie Secretary's wary mate, realizes that if her plan goes through, this arch rival of hers will ditch the Justice and . become the First Lady. This will never do and, in desper- at.on, Lucy starts a campaign to put Justice HIbbard at the Nation's helm, thinking that this will distract Irene from her purpose but never dreaming that the boom will bear serious results. It does and Hubbard Is'extended an invitation to become the party's candidate, a post which S.cretary Wayne has aspired to and heartily deserves. Lucy is heart- broken at having thus unintention- ally double-crossed her husband, for there Is nothing of the cheater or two-tirner about her. It looks hopeless, since she can- not get anythihg serious on the old Judge, but she finally, does get something—a. Juicy divorce mlx-up —on fi'leiid Irene. . In a final bitter scjene behveen the two, Irene idmits that she's licked and her hubby has tu 'change his mind' and declare that, for reasons of health, he will not be able to be a candidate.' As In all pln'"s In which Kauf man has J.ny hand, no synopsis can begin to give an idea of the values. This one has lines that hit orchestra 'and gallery alike for laughter; It has a couple of scenes between the, two slittrp tongued women that are not only hilarious but very pertlr nent, Njobody/will have to seriously bother wTteLlier Mrs.. Longworth or Dolly (iiuin dr. any other actual W^atJhlngion personage Is intended. Characl-.C'rs may be taken on their fictional value and they'i: set play- goers r.ilidhg. Jane ''Jijwi, apparently, revelling In lici" vi>lo. gives one of her top-* noicli- \ii)s\X'. comedy^., performances and I^ily Cahfll. a?» her rival is right. \ at her lict-ltii ''/'hen there is a grand perforjij.'uwro by .Tessle Busley as a •w'.se' ■ old Whshington' ca,mpalgner, gomt *;(jtitrlli!(rio»s by Stanley Ridges anil O.'jwald .Yorke as the two hUKba(ids,.A heat and more seri- ous portrayal by, Diantlwv Pattiaon ana'fifobd' work by fielen Brooksi: (Eva Le Gallienne) Baltimore, Nov- .; Drama Iri four acts by Hendrik Ibsen, .idapted by Eva I..e Gallienne; .costumes and scenery by Irene Sharntt: staged and pre- sented by Miss Le Gallienne at Ford's Bal- timore. • _ . ^ „i Rebecca West .Eva Le Onlllenne Madame Helael .............Leona Roberts Professor Kroll Ayerell Harris Johannes Ro."mer..........Donald Cameron Ulrlch Brendel; ..Hugh Buclder Peter Mortensgard. . , .Walter Beck It has been ,25 years since this play, one of the lesser labors of the great Norwegian dramatist, has been produced in New York professional- ly (with the late Mrs. Fiske in the lead), and after watching it unravel today the natural reaction of the average theatregoer is to^wonder why it was exhumed. There is, per- haps, a place for 'Rosmerdholm,' but on the bookshelf; not on the boards. A psychological problem play, it Is. in the current modern manner of viewing life, as dated and 'unexcit- ing as the horsehair sofa.prop used. Since Ibsen always made hJs iron- strapped law of dramatic evolution the inevitable developrhent of char- acter, his relentless march of fate In 'Rosmersholm' seems weak and the sort that could easily be sidestepped In the light of present-day thought and standards. What caused Rebec- ca; (Miss Le Gallienne) and the man she deliberately wronged only to subsequently fall in love with him (Cameron) to snuff out their lives in what today the tabloids term a 'dual suicide pact,' might evoke no more than shrugs from counterparts of the same characters ir the world to- day. This seems to be one of the Ibsen works which can't stand the gaff when stacked up against anno '35 dramaturgy^ The faultless, implac- able technique that distinguished tho author is there, backed by a very literate a'daptatlon by Miss Le Gallienne which removes most of the stilted speech usually encoun- tered in translations; the acting by tho small cast la oke, with the star turning In a swell performance by all standards; what limps is the play Itself. Start. is very stodgy, and first act should either be speeded or cut. Sets are in keeping with the spirit of the piece and look very authentic for the period depicted, half a century ago. but perhaps a brighter layout could help vitalize the. play. Miss Le Gralllenne establishes something of a record for femme legit satellites with this one. She is producer^adapter-star-stager, and it's a four-square achievement. 'Rosmersholm' is part of the reper- toire she is touring this season through the hinterland. Scharper. In comparison and Duse's. perform- ance (in Italian) also seem Just okay In comparison. McKay Morris, playing the role ■of th«-very stodgy and.dull. Pastnr Manders, is outstanding; best thing he has done in a long time. Harry Ellerbe, back from pix, is a capital Oswald, perhaps no bet- ter than Theodore St. John of the Fiske company, but in every way emotionally effectlvei Ona Munson, In her sefeond straight rolo- here, shows-much Im^ provement and, with good direction, mav click In her new metier. Ray-, mond O'Brien Is an okay Bngstrand. NeviT- translation-la used-Jn. this, one, no programmed credit being given. On the whole it's a very big improvement, although some ex- pressions such as Mrs. Alving!s re- Ifeftt^'a -atescrtptlon or her Jote hus*- band as a .'rotter,' seem a bit Odd-. Mysticism of the piece 1? restralrned, with both translation and direction emphasizing a rational exposition of this very somber theme. , Final scene of Oswald's calling out 'The Sun; the Sun' does not seein quite as well staged, more or. less in the grouping of characters, as some of the predecessors, but vel'y few of the play's values are missed, Stage set Is excellent and lighting, espe- cially towards the end, is capital. 'Ghosts' Is too Important a revlyal to. go skating around the hinter- lands. It presents a great Ibsen exponent in one of her greatest roles and deserves a place on Broadway. Waters. GHOSTS (NAZIMOVA) Philadelphia, Nov. 7. Drama by Henrik , Ib.oen. Revival pre- sented by Luther Greene, .directed by .Vladame Alia Nnzlinova; settihgs by Phil- lip Gelb. Pre.'entod nt the Garrick thcitrc, Phllndeli>hla, Oct. C. "ia, Reglna Ona Munson Engstmhd. Rayrhond O'Brien Pastor Manders....McKay Mov.i-ls Mrs. Alving :. .Alia Nazlmovn Oswald Alvlne '...Harry Ellerbe KATY DID—SO WHAT? Boston, Nov. 7. . Farce In three acts and four Introductory scenes by Mary . "Young. Presented by" John Craig 2d. Directed by Miss Young. At Copley thoatre, Boston, Nov, T. Ellse Darrell.; ..Marjdrlu Clarke Leslie Elwood .i G. Albert Smith Herbert Darrel., Edgar Mason Wanda Elwood -Elaine Barrle Olive ^Norman, Mildred Dana David Normsn.....' ....Eric Kalkhurst Kate Tarquln .Mary Young Larry Van Dqi-en...... .........Robert Obcr Nora Barbara Jarvis Virginia Farraday........Margot Stevenson Leon .Roy Erickson Bailey . ,... .Richard Heath Street Singer^.- ...Prentiss Pendleton This revival came In here more or less on tiptoes following all the fanfare of trumpets that greeted the Theatre Guild's 'Love Is Not So Simple.' it was postponed until Tuesday night at the Garrick, with the reason given being that of the need for new furniture. Actual opening faced a terrific handicap in that Republican head quarters were Just, around the cor ner in the rear and when, early In the evening, It became evident that a Republican Mayor would be elect- edi brass bands started to bray, Xolse, especially for those in the rear, was terrific and even those in front and the players got plenty. Another 'handicap was' the de- cl.s'ion—hard to figure—of the star or management (or both) to com- bine the first two acts, lowering the curtain for Just a moment and omit- ting any Intermiisslon. That meant something like an hoUr and a half of uninterrupted, undiluted Ib.sen and that is pretty tough, even for ■this magniflcerit revival.. " One in termlssion' fpllowed—twelve min- ute.H between 11 and HI acts. Final curtain* fell at 11.47—amazing; for an Ibsen nlay. Mme. Nazimova, who has been seen hero in a number of other For several reasons -this produc- tion rates more than a glance. The star, Mary Young, wrote and direct- ed it; it contains a few uncommon and perhaps unprecedented tricks of staginig; it has in the cast Elaine Barrle, whose name should make news, but whose splashy publicity has been deliberately side-tracked by the p. a. and director. Neither is she prominently billed, nor are there any obvious and framed cute lines for extra titters. It is a good play for what, it is— an unpretentious light comedy loaded with laughs. And. it is well acted and commendably directed. In fact, the acting in. this obscure piece, staged in a side street house wquld put to shame son/e of the stuff sent into this to\^ tnis season under the steam of hlsn-pressure bally. Theme is SEXT, spread on gener ously with a broad grin. To the in frequent theatregoer it might carry a wallop; while the more blase may yawn and claim it's old stuff. There were both kinds in the audience when caught, but. a majority had a swell time laughing at it. For this burg it's sure-fire. in the 'Grand Hotel' manner, four opening scenes start the ball rolling. In these bri'ef sketches it develops that two husbands are dickering with each other's wife.'- Also re- vealed Is David Norman, Ideal hus- band, leading a safe and sound ex- istence with a colorless mate. Then, too, Kate Tarquin is clearly pre- sented as a divorcee who might have something to do later on in the play. She does. At a house party she gets a load of Norman constantly being propped up .on a pedestal by his proud 'wife. He looks too good to be true, so ICate sets out to whittle him down, but only as a gag. Really mad about him is; 'Virginia Farraday, who has ideas' that don't tune in with Nor- man's. \yhole thing leads up to a second act bedroom scene, packed with situation and dialog guffaws. Ag- gressive Virginia wP-lks into Nor- man's room while his wife is play- ing bridge and tries to sell Him an idea. He repulses her (from his pedestal), and In the mechanics of this brush Ing aside falls onto a bed with her. Wife walks lii, cllmaxinB in a fine scene bringing in alf the principals, who whoop it up for a ribbing parly, with' Norman in the middle. When they leave (with the AvlfeV, Kate slips In from the next roorn and has easy going with the .steamed husband. Next ;morning they're all. back to normal except the Normans. Kate lets liini down like an hchor by telling iilm she only wanted to see what made hlni tick, which paves the way for a reconciliation between him iahd his hysterical mate. Play closes with all the house guests hustling off tor a boat, through! the lUdience One noteworthy touch of direc- tion: two conversatiftns audible simultaneously In a large group on staije. A blp bow goes to Mary Youn<i -■jtarred' in-the billing, -who- cleverly blends herself in the plot so that ^rlc Kalkurst as the boy scout hus'- Mlldred Inside Stutf-Legit Everett Marshall Is provoked because George White has been sending press releases to. the dallies that the. baritone will be in cast of the forth- coming 'Scandals'^ when the. revue opens in Boston. When closing last week as headllner of a vaude bill at the Hippodrome; Baltimore, Marshall went directly home for several weeks' rest, then will head to the Coast. Avers positively he will not play In 'Scandals,* and is not under contract fo*^ WHtfe. ' ■ ■:•' - ■ ■ ' Marshall was featured in a recent Warner release, 'I Live for Love^ hut is not under contract to the picture company. He is not under sig- nature to: any-studio: at present, but !b figuring .on .landing a chore-ott the Paramount lot. , Baritone's turndown of a whack at legit this year may be, perhaps, motivated by the fact last season.he received an offer from Darryl Zanuck Just preparatory to -his signlns. with -Lew -BrswR. foi^ •tha-rs\nje', ■'Cajling All Stars.' Lost- an opportunity In pix at the tlmie, and 'Stars' promptly flopped when brought into New-York. Proposed ordinance to require sellers to show location of seats offered by. means of a diagram Is a partial return to 40 or 5Q years ago. Then boxoflice.s! were provided with a separa.te seat diagram for each perform- ance, with seats already sold cliecked off. Purchasers could make their own selection from the diagram.: Later this was discarded in favor of a permanent diagram under glass a,t the boxofflce wlndp-w, on which the location was pointed out to the prospective purchaser. Daly's theatre, N. Y., used a small model of the house, showing every seat, set into a recess beside the ticket, window. Treasurer lised a small pointer to Indicate exact location offered; Bill rady, 22-year-oid baritone who Joined 'Scandals' in Boston Mon- day (11), taking the part originally intended for Everett Marshall, less than two months ago was studying Jourhalism at (3fe.prge "Washington U.i Washington.- Jack Pomeroy, agent, sponsored, his pro debut at Leon & Eddie's, N. Y. nltery. He remained at the latter spot! 10 days and then went into the Pai-adise, on Broadway, closing there last week. Metro grabbed an option'on. Brady during his fourTweek stay at tiie Paradise cabaret but relinquished its immediate rights so that the singer could, accept the 'Scandals' bertii. He'll be tested after th& show opens in New York. Thonrias Mitchell, who Is staging 'Stick in the Mud,' is expected to play the lead, originally assigned to John Wray. Latter walked, out after dif- fering with Frederick Hazlett Brennan, the author, over ,the characteriza- tion of a retired ship captain. Brennan Is a short-story writer. His play 'Battleship Gertie' was withdrawn from the Lyceum, N, Y., last season after two performances. Curtis and Hoagland will present 'Mud.' Reported that Warners and Charles Harris are also Interested. Ticket agencies on Broadway say things are better with them this season. That takes In Leo Newman's place, where a watch repair and small Jewelry concession Is out after a year or so. Broker found that although it helpc-d pay the rent it interfered with counter sales. When Newman tried, to get the fellow to move it Was found he had the privilege of serving notice of .discontinuance, not the ticket man. It was necessary to go into court and . an ouster order was granted on the grounds that the contract was not equitable. Theatre Guild's dual scale for 'Taming of the Shrew,' Guild theatre, N. Y., is off, subscription period being over. Show is ?3.30 top but was $2.20 to subscribers. Latter also paid the same price for 'Porgy and Bess' which has a top of $4.40 at the Alvin. Subscription period for 'Porgy' expires this week but the same top will be retained for the first 12 roWs, Guild clalining show could not break even otherwise. Mezzanine and balcony spread, is from ^3.30 to $U0 for the same locations, subscribers getting the benefit of the lower price. Group Theatre, which closed its road season abruptly In Philadelphia and returned to New York to ready two new plays, usually rehearses eight weeks, twice as long as usual. Equity rules are that players rehearsing more than four we«ks (i(lv« for musicals) must be paid full salaries. That doesn't go for the GrouR except in instances of players who are not niembers of the organization. Members draw a fixed sum each week throughout the year. Philip Dunning has fitted up a play room under the stage of tiie Na- tional, N. Y., for'the youngsters in his 'Remember the Day.' Kids call it the Young Troupers Club. They usually come'to the theatre after school for understudy rehearsal, then to the ciub. Room is fitted up with radio, billiard table, ping pong and reading matter. Well known cosmetician is sjionsorlng new little thieatre production on Coast In which players are being paid off in glory and experience. Despite fact that play is laid in beauty parlor, featuring cosmetician's products, and some of lines are out and out plugs for product, actors get no coin, each lias to seiU five tickets to. his friends aiid bring supplies for feeds which are tossed for cast and audience after final curtain. At the Lambs Gambol held at the clubhouse Sunday (10) for members and male guests only, one skit which stood out was radioing of a prize fight from ringside. Act will doubtless be in the public gambol dated for Dec? at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York. Sketch has the announcer detailing a fierce coi are putting up the weirdest kind of non-contest. Joseph downing, appearing in 'Dead End,' elasco, N. Y., 'was in 'Ceiling. Zero' last spring. . At the time he received a hurry call to the Coast, supposedly for 'Dr, Socrates' ("VVB) recently released. Arriving on the lot he was Instructed to report to. the ladles' wardrohe department. Nearest he got to playing a tough guy'was to drive the mobisters* In the film. Jimmy Durante foregoes the $2;500 per week rehearsal pay for tho past three additional weeks of 'Jumbo' preparation at the Hippodrome, N. Y., in lieu of the $2,000 paid him for the radio broadcasts. Understood the comedian was paid for two rehearsal weeks, balance being due after the show opens. Ib.?en plays, has never been finer um; nanvuioi. mc uv^ than as Mrs. Alving In thl.^ revival. I band gets the ace - spot She ihakes the later Mrs; Fiske palfr Dana a« his wife la also- excellent, Not generally known that Moss Hart and Cole Porter haVe some of their money in 'Jubilee' at the Imperial, N.. Y., sharln 20% between themselves. Miss Barrle is good as one of the erring wives, and .Miss Clarke is ditto ill a ditto role. G. Albert Smith and Edgai' Mason as the playful husbands are well cast, and that goes fov the entire troupe. Robert. Ober as the man- of-the-\vorld love interest for Miss Voung, Js thoroughly suited to the assignment. Fundamentally ?Katy Did' is a reverse English of the Bard'.s 'Rape of Lucrece.' It was tried out at Prov- incetoWn and Scarlsdale last sum- nxert but has been gre:atly revised since. Fox. SHAEFER AT VINE ST. Hollywood, Nov. The Vine Street theatre goes un- der long lease to. George ShaeCer, former operator of the Victoria an Pitt theatres in Pittsburgh. Planning a aeries .of N, Y. produc-. lions, with eastern • casts. 'The Lady la Left,' by Rlcardo Cortoz, will be produced by Barry Townley late in" December. Now casting.