Variety (Feb 1937)

Wednesday, February 10, 1937 L ECIT I MAIE VARIETY ST Loops Sock Biz Continues, 'Waltz $am Tollies''Eyre 21G's Chicago, Feb. 9. This will go down in history as one of the loop's greatest b. o. sea- sons. Shows *i« doing remarkable business. Last week there were five of 'cm, and all capacity or near- capacity. The repeating 'Great Waltz,' which snatched a good $23,500. at $2.20 top at Qte mammoth Audi- torium. This was the. second showing here for 'Waltz' and, could have stayed another week or so, but scrammed after Its scheduled 12 per- formances. Went to St. Paul, and comes t>ack to Milwaukee before heading east Two capacity shows left town Saturday after long money stays, 'First Lady' out of the Harris, and 'Jane Eyre' out of the Erlanger, with «You Can't Take It With You' re- placing at the former house on Sun- day (7), while the D'Oyly Carte troupe arrived yesterday (Monday) at the latter. Advance sale oh both houses is tremendous. Gilbert <& Sullivan troupe is in for four weeks only and looks a cinch. Estimates for Last Week •First La*y,' Harris (l,000r$2.75>. Quit town after six capacity weeks, taking better than $15,000 last week. Could easily have stayed longer. ' 'Great Walte* Auditorium (4-000; $220). In and out after 12 per- formances on this repeat showing. Did a stdong $23,500 last week for total over $30,000. in 12 times and could have: stayed a week longer without any trouble. 'Jaae -Eyre,' Erlanger (1,400; $3^0). Scrammed after four weeks, hold- ing over one week beyond the orig- inal date. Better than $21,000 oh its finale, great. Business capacity throughout, despite weak press, "teanmg «a fcetty/ Selwyn (1,- 000; $2.75) (12th week). Into spring without trouble; business holding to excellent gross week after week; consistently hitting around $13;000. •You Can't Take It With You,* Har- ris (1,000; $2.75) (Ist^veek). Opened here Sunday (7) to big advance.- Looks for a long money stay. 'Ziegfeli Follies,' Grand (1,300; $3,05) <6th -week). Beginning to ad- vertise 'last weeks' but still in big coin class. Above $27,000 last week, excellent Other Ataractions D'Oyly Carte Gilbert &. Sullivan Bep., Erlanger. , Opened yesterday (Monday) in this 1,400-seaterfor a month's gallop. Advance excellent WPA . . 'O Say Ca« Y»« Sing,' Great Northern. Musical holding to good money pace and fine customer trade in 10th week. 'Within These Walls,' Blackstbne. Last half of a fortnight's try for this monastery play. 'In the Good Old Summertime': replacing. mm mn Philadelphi , Feb. $ Big smash of the week in legit here was, without any doubt, 'Idipt's Delight.' Theatre Guild production started off a two-week stay at the Forrest with a few empty seats Mon- day and a few more (very few) Tuesday. After that it was a case of try-and-get-in. Tough part of it for the producers and the local Shubert office was that the show was on.sub- scription (ATS's sixth and final show of the '36-'37 season); Having been pnce promised, the Guild didn't want to go back on its word, so the next- best, thing was done by moving the engagement. • from the Chestput (where other,, subscription' shows have played) to the larger-capacity Forrest. Even then the subscription scale held the gross down to $23,000, whereas, with a normal $3 top in this house, it could have iled up plenty ..more..' This week the show has something of another bad break with Pbilr adelphi Forum having taken oyer the house last night and tonight (Tuesday). This will further cut down the gross, with plenty of turn- aways assured all week. •'A Point of Honor,' costume try- out at the Erlanger, drew tough no- tices .and dismal biz on its single week. It ; opened Tuesday and didn't hit $3,500 in seven performances. 'Hey Diddle Diddle,' . Ahnfe' Nichols' try-but at the Locust, also in for one week only, was equally sad. with less than $4,000 at a $2 top. On the other. hand, 'Reflected Glory' did rather well in the latter part of its second week at the Chest- nut and reported $11,500. Tin's week's newcomers are 'Glory for All/ George Jessel's comedy pro- duction at the Erlanger (one week) and a return to town of 'Pride and Preiudice,' which plays two weeks at the Chestnut at $1.50 top. Also originally skedded to open at the Chestnut was 'Mulatto,' until 'DEAD END'FINE $9,000 ON 2D WEEK, DETROIT Detroit, Feb. When a play can stick for two ses-. sions .in this town, in face of coin scarcity caused by prolonged strikes, and still keep in the black, it's man- bites-dog. Which is just what 'Dedd End' did last week at the Cass, snar- ing $9,000. Extra week's boojcing, occasioned by the fact the Tilay was routed into Cincinnati, where floods prevented showing, also proved a gift to' the Cass, which fortunately was minus a booking for the stanza. It would otherwise have been the house's lone dark session this season. ' . Currently is ^Oh Your Toes' at $330 top, pretty stiff with conditions as-they are; -' Estimate for Last Week 'Dead End' (2d week) (Cassi 1,400; $2.75 top). Good $9,500 for second session, in view of prolonged strikes here. Dailies' rave notices opening week and after play's extended run. here, due to flood in Cincinnati, helped matters along. ON YOUR TOES' SMASH IN London, Feb. 9. 'On Your Toes' opened at tkie Palace Friday (5) and was immedi- ately established as an unmistakable smash. It'll do good "business here for quite a spell, if first-night reac- tion and next-day daily criticism mean anything.: Lads here took to the American musical with a ven- geance. Individual hits, were scored by » Jack Whiting, Gina Malo, Vera Zorina and Olive Blakeney of the cast. 'Because 4 We Must* opened at Wyndham's the same night It is a domestic comedy of feminine disil- lusion, splendidly acted, but doubtful for biz.. Written by a new dramatist, Ingaret Giffard. 'The Orchard Walls' opened at the Saint James Wednesday and folded Saturday (6). Politely received by the first-nighters, but panned' bru- tally by the critics. Was adapted by Mertbn Hodge; author of 'Wind and the Bain/ from a Hungarian play by. Ladislaus Fodor. ' 'Night Alone' at the Embassy, opened Tuesday (2). It is an amus- ing, but transparent comedy,, excel- lently acted. C. B. Cochran's newest flash revue opened Tuesday (2) at the Adelphi. Tabbed 'Home and Beauty,' it is a spectacular show and was splendidly received. Written by A. P. Herbert, with music by Nikolaus Brodzky and Henry Sullivan. John Murray An- derston staged it, with (Gitta Alpar, Binni Hales and Nelson Keys starring. Cohan $7,000, Newark . Newark, Feb. 9. George M, Cohan in "Fulton of Oak Falls' did a fair week at the Shu- bert Theatre last week* hitting ap- proximately $7,000. .' Critics. mentioned, long-windedness of the play, which Cohan is pruning hard for. Broadway. B. o. came to. life at the end of. the week, with good word-of-mouth. Mayor Wilson entation. . Gielgud's 'Hamlet' comes , to the Forrest next Monday for a single week and another try-out, .'The Meal Ticket,' arrives- at the Erlanger. . Estimates for Last Week 'Idiot's Delight' (Forrest, 1st week). Riot,, with $23,000 grossed despite, the fact show is on subscription. Ca- pacity after Tuesday and this, week will be just as big. .'A Point of Honor' (Erlanger). Opened Tuesday- (2), got razzed and didn't get over $3,500. 'Glory for All,' another try-out, this week,-.- 'Reflected Glory' (Chestnut, 2nd week). End of week brought the gross up to a nice $11,500 for an okay engagement, 'Pride and Preju- dice' this week. 'Hey Diddle Diddle' (Locust).. An- other try-out nixed at the b.o.. Scant $4,000..; D'OYLY CARTE MERELY S0-S0 $20,000, PITTS. ■ r Pittsburgh, Feb. 9. Take of the D'Oyly Carte troupe at the: Nixon, last week was a bit dis- appointing, hitting only around $20,000, or considerably under the gross the Savoyards ran up here two seasons ago. Gallery and balcony- seats went, fast, but plenty of empty rows in the orchestra. General consensus was that this year's repertoire isn't quite as at- tractive as the 1934 lineup and even matinees, with 'Gondoliers'' . and 'Iolanthe/ didht sell out as expected. Stay was profitable, however. Nixon has 'Dead End' current at $2^5 top. Opened to big advance: sale, despite the fact that there isn't a single name-in the/cast. Estimate for Last Week D'Oyly Carte Opera Co, (Nixon; 2,100; $3.30). Not up to the gross of two seasons ago, but fairly profitable at $20,000. HAMLET BIG , Lbs Angeles, Feb. 9. Leslie Howard's long-awaited en- gagement in 'Hamlet'got'under way Friday (5) at the Biltmore where it sticks until next Saturday night (13). Shakespeare opus got under way tq a. smash start and,' with advance heavy for the rest of this week, should do right smartly on the brief sojourn.. Henry Duffy folded 'Petrified For- est' after two weeks at the El Capi- tan, with the house temporarily dark. Estimate for Last Week 'Hamlet,' Biltmore,, Los Angeles (S-1,656; $2.75) (1st week). With sellouts Friday and Saturday nights and near-capacity Saturday matinee, Leslie Howard venture into the realm of Shakespeare brought a nifty $6,000 on the two days. 'Petrified Forest/ El Capitan, Hol- lywood (D-1,571; $1.65) (2d, final week). Stage version couldn't com- pete with the trade garnered by the film recently, so folded after a sec- ond week at $4,500. WPA. 'Habit,' Mason. New murder mys- tery by Charles Conger Stewart debuts today (9) for the customary two weeks' run. Walter Bernard di- rected, with the cast featuring Philip Dakin, Moselle Kimbler, Walter Mar- shall and George Barnes. •Revfce «f Reviews/ Hollywood Playhouse. Musical show continues to draw and will stick until Feb. 21, then probably moving to the Mayan, downtown, •Boaring Girl/ Mayan. John C. Mofnt's drama of the press, opened Thursday (4), showing promise. Is tentatively set to rim to Feb, 21. 'Help Yourself/ Musart. Winds up next week-end, making way for 'Lars Killed His Son/ opening Feb. 18. MASQUE GOOD $17,000 IN HOB Boston, Feb. 9. Practically sold out before it opened, John Gielgud's version of 'Hamlet' took off from a single frame at the Shubert Monday (8). Geil- gud and company are doing a solo this week and there is some wonder- ment that the extra^seats of the Opera House were not used for the engagement. Next week 'Brother Rat' the Plymouth has the town to itself. 'Idiot's Delight' comes to the Colo- nial Feb. 22 under auspices of the Theatre Guild. WPA 'Help Yourself* stays for a fourth Week at the Copley. Last week 'Masque 'of Kings' ended a two-frame date at the Shubert with. a very satisfactory take and a condensed script. 'Pride and Prejudice' quit , the Colonial after four okay weeks, Sat- urday (6). Estimates for Last Week 'Masque of Kings' (Shubert; $2.75, 2nd week). Maxwell Anderson's blank verse play with Dudley Digges, Henry Hull, • Pauline . Frederick and Margo, received warm critical rer ception.' Built up to dandy $17,000 for final: stanza; ' •Pride and Prejudice' (Colonial; $2.75; fourth week). Extended be- yond usual two subscription weeks (Guild), this, one drew enough extra trade in the final two weeks to make the hang-over worthwhile. Finale, about $8,000. Generally Good, But Lent May Hurt 'His Excellency/ satire by Leonard Reade, to be shown by Bushar and Tuerk. Direction by Edward Clarke Lilley.; There are 31 attractions on Broad- way's list this week, about par with the same period .last winter. Fact that there have been few closings recently attests to the strength..of legit theatre patronage, which has supported the- weaker shows ./in enough measure to hold them. : Business eased off somewhat last week," but not enough to really dent grosses. Hotels report heavy book- ings and there, are many buyers in the metropolis, most of them spend- ing money freely. If that condition continues, Lent, which started today (10), will have even less effect on business. However, the income tax deadlines will probably .bring box- office headaches. : Two attractions which opened last week may be among the season's successes. One,' revival, /King Richard ' (Maurice Evans) at the St James, which has not been seen in New York for over 50 years, drew rave notices after Friday's (5) debut. Other, 'Frederika/ drew mixed no- tices but its Chances are fairly good. 'And Now Goodbye,' which lighted the Golden (Masque) appears to be in doubt. 'Behind. Red Lights' a recent entrant, is gaining at the box office, with last week's gross around $9,000 or more. Although its. busi^ ness was cot strong, Tide Rising,' moved , from the Lyceum to the 44th Street, .after being announced to fold. THowdy Stranger' moved from the Longacre to ; the 46th Street. Both houses are large and both shows can cut-Tate to a large extent. Incoming next week: "Having Wonderful Time/ Lyceum; 'Glory, for All,' 48th Street; "Marching Song,' Bayes <roof); 'An Enemy of the People' (revival), Hudson; 'London Assurance' (revival), Vanderbilt. Only one attraction is slated off Saturday, it being "The Country Wife/ which extended its engage- ment. /Thirsty Soil'will either close or move from the 48th St.. 'But for the Grace of God*, is slated off the middle of ttext week. . Estimates for Last Week 'And Now Goodbye/ Golden (2d week) (C-789-$3:30). Drew in and out press; indications are. for modest money; first week estimated around $5,000. . 'Be So Kindly,' Little (1st Week) (CD-532-$3.30). Presented by Rich- ard Skinner and Hope Lawder in as- sociation with Aldrich . and Myers 1 ; written ,by Sara Sandberg; first called In Gold We Trust'; opened Monday , 'Boy Meets Girl/ Cort <«4th week) <C-l,059-$3.30). Hooked up.to oper- ate to profit at moderate , coin; last week around $8,000 and okay. "But for the Grace of God,' Guild (5th week): (D-«14-$3.30). Due off next Wednesday (17); estimated around $11,000, slated following at- traction is 'Storm in. ■a. Teacup/ 'Behind Bed Lights/ Mansfield (5th week) (D-l,097-$3.30). Improved again* with gross now around $9,000; strong, at boxofflce and figures, to stick* 'Brother Bat/ Biltmore (9th week) <CD-991-$330). Eased off somewhat last week, but dearly in the "hit class and good for rest of season;. $13*500. 'Call life Ziggy,* Longacre (1st week) (C-i,019-$3,30). Presented by Michael Todd; written by Dan Gold- berg and. presenter; opens Thurs- day (11). 'Dead End,* Belasco (68th week) (CD-99l-$3.30). Slated .to stick well into spring; getting around $7,500; turning weekly profit. frederika,' Imperial (2d week) (0-l,468-$3.85). Opened late last week; notices somewhat mixed, but indications favorable for moderate coin. Tulton of Oak Falls/ Morosco (1st week) (CD-961-$3.30). Presented by Cohan and Harris; written by Parker Fennelly; George M. Cohan starred; opens tonight. Wgh Tor/ Beck (5 th week) (D-l,214-$3.30). Getting excellent at- tendance," last week's pace moved forward agai and approximated $16,000. 'Howdy Stranger/ 46th St. (5th week) (Crl,375-$3 30). Moved here from the Longacre Monday; better- ing an even break, with. gross close to $5,000. , : 'Masque of Kings/ Shubert (1st week) (D-l,382-$3.30). Presented by Theatre Guild; written by Maxwell Anderson; opened Monday. *Point of Honor,' Fulton (1st week) (D-913-$3J30). Presented by Luther Greene; written by Jo Eisinger and . Stephen Van Gluck; opens Thurs- day (11). 'Red, Hot and Blue/ Alvi (16th week) (M-l : ,355-$4.40). Holds to ^ex- cellent takings, with gross around $28,000; looks set well into the spring. 'Show Is On,' Winter Garden (8th week) (R-l,671-$4.40). Still out in front of the list and may rug into the summer; pace approximately $38,000. 'Stage Door,' Music Box (17th week) (Crl,012-$3^0). Holding to real money, with last week's takings again around $16,000; among the sea- son's good things. 'The Eternal Road,' Manhattan O.H; (6th week) (M-2,780-$4.40). Eased off last week, with gross around $25,- 000;. some downward revisi operating expense necessary.. The Wingless Victory,' Empire (8th week) (D-l,099-$3.30). Again around $17,000 for dramatic hit: Katharine Cornell will add 'Candida' soon, appearing in it three times weekly instead of 'Victory/ . 'The Women/ Barrymore (6th week) (C-1,048-$3J0). One of the strongest draws in town; virtual ca- pacity at all performances, with pace better than $20,000. Tide Rising,' 44th St. <3d week) (D-l,325-$3.30). Was slated to close last Saturday, but moved here from Lyceum Monday; around $4,000 last '. 'Thirsty Soil/ 48th St (2d week) (D-969-$2.75). Opened,, last, midi, week, drawing a negative press;, chances not so good. . Tobacco Road,* Forrest (166th week) (D-I,017-$l.«5). Has been running ahead of estimated figures,. with grosses recently: going arOund. the $8,000 mark; amazing vitality. 'Temght at 8d0,» National (12th week) (C-1,132t$4,40). Length of en- gagement not definite, but may stick another mOnth or so because of clean-up business;: $25,000. Tovarieo,' Plymouth (18th week) (CD-l,036-$3^0). Another hit con- sistently . getting smash business every week, with gross over $21,-000, 'Victoria Begtaa/ Broadhurst (re- sumed en.) <50th week) (D-1,110- $3.30). Holds to excellent flgures, with last week's takings again around $18,000. , 'Wifaite Horse Inn/ Center (20th. week) (M-3,321-$i«5). Not much change, but slightly under previous week, with gross close to $3.3,400;: looks sure through the. winter. Tes, My Barlteg Ds«eMer» Play- house (1st week) (C-878-$3.30). Prer sented by Alfred de Liagre, Jr.; writ- ten by Mark Reed; first , called 'All About Love'; opened Tuesday. <Y+u Cnn't Take It with Tm/ Booth <9Ui week) <C-704-$3^0>i Ad- vance sale extends into June and all performances to standee attendance; over $15,000. Kevirals 'King Richard 11/ St. James; opened Friday (5) and accorded rave notices. . •The Country Wife/ Miller (lUh week) (C-94t-$3J0). Due off this week; last week around $7,1500; next attraction will be 'Now You've Done it' .. . : "Naaghty Kdutht,' American Musie Hall; doing very well. ^tt Caai Hmvpen Bere/ Adelphi; final week again announced. ♦Dr. Fa«t«»/Maxine Elliott, ^Bassa Mmu,' Daly's 63d St 'Sweet Lsai/ Lafayette, Harlem; SOCK IN Washington, Feb. 9. . With matinees sold out cold and nights building toward almost SJLO. on final performance, John Gielgud'* 'Hamlet' rolled up approximately $26,500 at $3.30 top last week at the National 'Reflected Glory* is current -at the National, with Tallulah Bankhead, daughter of the Speaker of ihe House, knocking the carriage trade for a loop. Next on the docket is 'Dead End.' Fact that *Dcad End* cast includes several players under 18 years of age, but over 16, brings to light a quirk in the local child lab'T law which permits children over 16 to appear only iip to 10 p.m. Curtain will be rung up at eight sharp to get the youngsters off by the local cur- few. ' • " ' v ' Frisco's Own 'Hannibal* Under $5,000, And Out San Francisco, Feb. 9. 'Return of . Hannibal,' new local show, did miserable .: xz at the Geary Theatre, where it had its world, premiere last week. Without exception, all the crix panned it uri- : mercifully., Despite the presence of Elaine Barrie Barrymore in the cast, show folded after six days. 'Battle Hymn',(WPA) at the Co- lumbia, on the other hand, was wide- ly acclaimed by the press, but the public is showing little interest. Rairi perhaps accounts for the lack of at- tendance. Estimates for. Last Week 'Return of Hannibal' /Geary) (1st week) (1,500; . 2.50), —fortunately, cost of production was shaved down' on this, otherwise the loss would be far greater than it is. Claim to have taken in $5,000, but it was below that. Folded Saturday night (C). WPA 'Battle Hymn' (Columbia) (2d wk> (1,500; 50c). Very disappointed at the pull of. this one.. Hope for biz. pick-up now that the marine strike has been settled. Maybe $2,500. : '-