Variety (Aug 1937)

56 « VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, August 11, 1937 Summer Theatres AT THE THEATRE Ogunquit, Me., Aug. 5. [ the three casket trick iii the 'Mer- i chant of Venice.' Again, to show how far from orig- (•iin)(><iy In tiiree mia {four_wone:«) hy | inality the piece is, an eclipse of the • JJiirt- e,,n ie iicorl fn awo +hA Or!«»ntalc into 1.iiinvlir> Taylor, preseiiled by AValtoi' win- ,ii ^'oliit))- theatrp, OBUnqult. Me.. Aui?, r>, Hi.:y[-it J.nurelle Taylor. DlreciPil iiy Jn(<ii rcirktiulrick-. Sots, David Ashei'm;ii». Mhi-Io .SxnrDrrt , Laurctle Tuylor 'Arlhm Asliloy , ..IjlUlan l'\>.sl.->r .I.it k |:(..s:u-r ..Stlnno Braefflol11 Vliliviij-d Siiillh.'!<)n AVUllam .Swcilan<l Kliliiinl 'rt'sKjLfi- ......Curl BciUon (iolil Mull Siii'iiri« ....Damlan O'Flynii Airi-.^'dii I.ojeuiie. Lang-aon Clpcr Shiii -.William Roehrlilc Hi-l.Mip Evelyn ClievUI'Jt ("liuiifii»ur , FlBke Onvt'. I):M>liiie Jinnvn I'hylU.s Thaxler Frances lOdKurd. Eloise KhWiloii JaineH Morroii...; Bobln Thoniaa Miiiy Huliies. ..Olga ]>esohey Jji i-ksou Tftwne Harold AVti x ■\ViHluiii .Sl.ivrfit... Peter Carhaiil ]';j|-/SHiit>(li Atiiion ..Madelcln(> Hoolpy Ot4ier Ulrl JlU aieni Laurette Taylor has a rich theatri- cal experience behind her. It is . not surprising, then, that she can turn sun is used to awe the Orientals into a frame of mind that permits Mvhat happens to happen. Which was done in Marie Twain's 'Connecticut Yankee.' ■ Considering all this, it is safe to surmise that 'Princess Turandot' will not go fir, nor tarry long. Bunch of mountebanks from Italy, headed by none too devout a priest, are pinched in Peking and sentenced to have their heads Chopped off because they are Christians. Wily priest , is somewhat of an astronomer and plans to make his appeal to the em- peror just at the time of the eclipse. He puts on a show that convinces the emp that he is the McCoy. Royal household embraces Christian- ity, the fakers are elevated to high . , .... ~, J .position, and they set to work to get out a delightful comedy which affords the man-hating princess to wed be- several players very tasty roles and fore the old man kicks off. offers to prospective producers 4 she rebels, but consents to accept piece that, with proper casting as her consort a blue-blooded guy should garner important money at | ^an answer three riddles she the box office. This one will almost | proposes, with the proviso that un- certainly reach Broadway. | successful contestants forfeit their Combining the technique of a noodles. Right away the gates of the play-withm-a-play, with the love tri- - •> ■ ■- this, they become state's evidence and upset Charlie's story completely. So the murderer is saved only by the confession of the wife of the slain man, who cannot^ stand to see an innocent man convicted. Balance of the play is devoted to proving and" disproving conflicting theories outside tne court room and the matter is finally settled when old Judge Livingstone, who always sends flowers to his dead horse when tight, learns that the the last such occasion was the night of the murder and that he was accompanied by Charlie. Charlie's part 'is the meatiest in the play and requires an expert. Character roles offer opportunity for Elenty of real work, but Percy Kil- ride's work is distinctly outstand- ing. Play looks very definitely like Broadway material and flexibility of pl6t, which would allow for any amount of building, shaping and add- ing to, makes it a natural for pic- tures. Posey. angle, and sonie juicy characteriza- tions added for spice^ 'Theatre' is a charming, casual comedy, loaded • with ' bright, refreshing humor and wit that thoroughly sustains avid in^ terest. Opening scene is a bare stage -with Producer Tessler (Carl Benton Reid) chattiag with Playwright Ed-. ward Smithson (William Shetland) over a revision demanded by the temperamental star. Arline Ashley (Miss Foster). Marie Sanford (Miss 'Taylor), an associate director and head of a junior group of players, puts, in an early appearance and conducts an audition of the appren- tices. Obviously, this is little more than an excuse to give the appren- tices of this strawhat colony an op- portunity to appear with profession- als, and their several little skits, while okay, contribute nothing to the city become decorated with the heads of those who tried but failed. Eventually a former mysterious riiember of the original gang floats in and, through the. connivance of his buddies, solves the riddles. Princess tries to squeal out of'the compact at first, but after the play- wrights get through with her she tumbles head over heels in love with the puzzle-solver, who discloses his identity as a prince of some foreign land. Star part is a natural for Anna May Wong, although she is a little awkward at times, both as to action and expression. There is np adverse criticism for the balance of the cast, even though some of its members lean strongly to the burlesque side in their comedy. Sets, designed by John Koenig, are unusually elaborate for the poison plot. Only one of this group blends j ivy circuit. Chinese costumes are into the main plot, in a bit part near \ worn by all the characters. Craw. the finish. Note to film scouts: Give Phyllis Thaxter (an apprentice) the o.o. as a new face possibility. Story concerns Marie and Arline, two actresses who have been friends since childhood. Arline is all set to marry, her leading man, Jack, when he chances to fall in love with Marie. Marie, bluff and hardboUed, cannot help feeling an answering emotion, but she keeps it hidden and puts up an elaborate pretense of being en- gaged to another man. Eventually Arline sees throufth the ruse. Taking a firm hold on herself, she gets over her infatuation for Jack, runs off to Paris and buys herself a gigolo. Now that Arline is • satisfied. Marie con- fesses her love for Jack and agrees to marry him. Not a novel yarn, particularly, but the dialog, fresh and fimny, and the ■ human characterizations of the two actresses help immeasurably. Of course the theatre atmosphere is perfect, and the naturalness carries over into- most of the acting. Miss Taylor, in fact, seems not to be act- ing at all. Her Marie is a grand performance, and it is complemented . by the shrewd trouping' of Lillian Foster as Arline. The pair of them together are a perfect team. Stiano Braggiotti is thoroughly satisfactory in the not too taxing assignment of Jack. William Swet- land, as a harassed author; Carl Ben- ton Reid. as a director, and a num- ber of other adept players, including Damian O'FIyrih, Langdcn Geer, William Roehrick, Phyllis Thaxter and Madeleine Hooley meet slighter demands adequately. John Kirkpatrick has done a nice job of directing against bright sets by David Asherman. Fox. MISCAST .Buck Hill, Pa., Aug. 6. .'V. drama In thrae act.s by Cornelia Stab- ler GItlam; directed by Ralph Pendleton arid managed by William l<\ I.iaporte, Jr. Presented by the Buck Hill playem in the auditorium oC the- Inn at Buck Hill Falls, Pa. Mrs. Snowden. Sally Thompson Rufe .Malcolm Laws Mr. Norrls Louta Uay Robert Tyler Frank Webb Paul Wnrren..' Arthur Weld Julie Tyler -...Nell O'Dity Sum Herman George' Ijlnton Patay Paret.., Polly Wood- David Weeton John Becker Princess Turandot Mt. Kisco, N. Y., Aug. 5. Trunftd'y buHed on old play by Carlo doy.y.l. In Uvik ucta (alx Scenes) by John Oeranl and Ti*wreii('e Tjitn^ner.' Presented by llHy * Skinnpr, u-ndor direction"TJTD(iy Tullle' ni WeaicUeiiter i'laybouse, Ml. Kincu, N. V., Auff. 2. '.-IT. Piiiilalonn , ...Predferlo Toners ; Kitli-r ltlcrl ; Ted Tenjey | Biiml»Hrdi>n 31. C'lair Biiylleld | Hixrli'qiiln Jjtck Col^' • CDliiinbine VlrBlnla iMIll.'r ' Yuan JuK^s Schnddl ! I'lxMi'ui lolKM- Riiy. J.^.'iinlM 1 ..Mdtuni, ]<;ini>priir ot China..McKuy Mtinht ; Tm-Hiidnt, hl.s dauKhter... .Anna May Wtm^r Zrllina Phyllis linii;;iiT A'iRliiia. AnKU ICuc/.nU | Citlav ...Vincent i'rii-M i I'HI'll ■ Clarence I>i>rwcm Si tilrlna ,. DAY IN THE SUN • Mt. Gretna, Pa., Aug. 5. Play In three acts by Kdward Sanimis and Krnest V. Heyn, directed by Hlchard Rankin; aet. Jack Boigler; presented by K. A, Scott at. Theatre In the Woods, Mt. Orelna, Pa. U'i^'U* .^."'^l"*'" • ^'"fy Kilbride Kd. JHubbell Halph Chambers *'<^rt Hubbell Melba Palmer J. p.- Cralwhaw i^uls Tanno Brickie Hubbell Warren Bryan Ann Sujnner Beth Marion Gloria Crabshaw Patsy Light Judne Llvlnustone...... Phil Tead J<5hn Handfoid Dick Blanchard Jack Easton Mai lin Mallon Richard Rankin Howard .Klsk *",".f • .Tack Boyd XuZ^T^ A' ^ary Bear Jll.-^s McCIean jean Arden This play, first by a team of au- thors w. k. in other fields, is well plotted, arid although sketchy at places, is well sustained by beauti- fully written dialog. Lines through- out are splendid. Aimed at the deep, low laughs, of the more sincere na- ture, they click throughout, . Acts one and three can't be im- proved upon, but the second act is too light and allows the play to sag. In itself, it is smooth enough, but doesn't have sufficient punch. Au- thors, however, have gone into hid- ing and will probably emerge with a new act two. Revised version may include a court room scene, although the authors made a .special effort to keep away from, that; Story centers around the efforts of Charlie Sumner to demonstrate that it IS possible to retire without funds on the good graces of a brother-in- law and sister, provided you retire : in a small town, own the house in which the family lives, and are pretty good at contests. Charlie's yen for entering con- I tests, though- never winning, led i him to keep an accurate record of ; the whole string and enter them in a ledger. Record, in turn, leads him I into the most shining spot of his ! career, chief defense witness for a I man accused of murder. I Latter, arrested for a murder that I had occurred a year and a half ! earlier, said he could not possibly ; have been at the murder scene be- cause, oh the given night, he was in the little town where Charlie lived reading in the public library. Charlie said he remembered the man and orfered his recollections of the occa- sion to prove the alibi. He had been Cornelia Stabler Gillam, who last year gave us the humorous 'Where's the Fire?' brings forth a sterling drama with enough comedy if or bal- ance and plenty of punch all around. Although all the actioa takes place in one setting, one never tires of the same scene, so expertly does the plot unfold and the interest mount. Rather than a stage production of any duration, one envisions for this neat little trick some Hollywood in- terest, so diversified are its ramifica- tions. At the death of Robert Tylei-'s mother, the domineering house- keeper, Mrs. Snowden, assumes full authority in the managing of. the farm. When Robert marries the actress Julie and brings ■ her home to the farm, great is the indignation of Anna (Mrs. Snowden) who is secretly in love with Robert and considers Julie an intruder. Taking advantage of every opportunity to browbeat and undermine the morale of poor Julie, Anna's malicious nature is especially evident in her unkind thrusts at Julie'^ inability to be a mother in the true Tyler tradi- tion. Julie's spirit cracks under the strain and she suffers a breakdown, during which convalescence she writes a play. Robert, deeply in love with' his wife and oddly un- aware that Anna is carrying the torch for him, secretly negotiates to have the play produced, -the financ- ing of which to come from the sale of his highly valuable antiques in which his farmhouse abounds. Anna discovers Robert's intentions and also that his house guest, Paul Warren, is in love with his wife and has been meeting her clandestinely. In a scene fraught with emotion she forces Julie to promise -to leave her husband and return to the stage after the tryout of her new play. The ancient Tyler temper asserts itself with Julie's play a grand suc- cess and with Anna's complete capitulation. So instead of running away, Julie remains as mistress of her ■ estate. The capable cast was especially enhanced by the excellent portrayals of Mrs. Snowden by Sally Thomp- son; Robert Tyler by Frank Webb; and Julie Tyler by Nell O'Day. Miss O'Day .of stage and screen successes will soon appear at Newport opposite Alexander Kirkland. Jaye. up a contest. that evening in the library preparing it g. His diary backs tip the .Rachel Sewajl i finishing l'rlt«.Mt .liRninr (Mark I anrf Cii.iida.. ..William Browning:, Krod >fi.Mshii I . ,. ...^jV.^^ A-Hiniluger-i ...G. Ogsbury, P. Klavuii • mailing. ^ ^ . story and he becomes the man of the Look.<; like William Shakespeare 'lOLir. basking in the hotel in the has a clear case of plagiarism against ,* bounty seat at the defense's expense, Goxzo (1720-1806) et al. Unles.s. .-l. . , . as may be the case, they all got their ideas from an ancient scripter lost to pop fame in the obscurity of an- tiquity. Anyway, 'Turandot' re- minds amazingly of 'Taming of the Shrew, for the story of the present play concerns the transformation of a Chinese princess from a man-hat- ing and obstinate child to a kind and loVins sweetheart and docile daugh- ter. Likewise, a la Shakespeare, her suitor is selected by a variation of being interviewed and creating all of the uproar he had always yearned lor. This is a bit irksome for the biother-jn-law and sister, who have no fondness for Charlie's contests and not much more for Charlie him- self, so- they check his story and de- cide that the night of the murder was not the night Charlie finished the contest in the library but the niifiit he ate too much fried chicken and fell oft the couch. Armed with MANY MANSIONS Stockbridge, Mass., Aug. 8. T)ran>a In two acts, fifteen scenes by Kckert Goodman and Jiile.s Ktrkert Good- man. Musical score c.ompo.ted by Milton JiUuk; staged by Wm. Miles; .tetlinga by ('harl».«i Hold«n; t>)-e.<iented at the Berkshire Playhouse, under the direction ot Wllllain Miles, at Slockbrldge, Mass., Aug. 7, '37. .V2.4r. lop. / Peter Bi-ent , Alexander Kirkland Rey. Roger Crandall Gage Clark Fldgar .Brent J. Barney Klelnschmldt Mcs. Brenl.. Arlene HoiTman Martha Brent George. Grahniu... Dick Barton Jo.-^ii Hollld. .lack Worlhlngion Bob Kdinond.s H:irvey Philips... Spencer WInlon Morgan Grange.' Dea n Kediiiond BHhop (iraves.,, Mrs. Roberts r>r. Josiali Ward Rev. Charles Haiinnond Whitlaker. ICiy UllH IVtrosinri Inspect or Wnrren , Miss T.Hwreitce Bishop .lordaii.. Kll^ubelh Young .... .Theodore Henry .Alexander Claris .....T'Mnra Campltell ...Peter Van Buren ... i. .Stanley il-lonlsn Maurice tjister Hunt .... (MiiU'les yed Wick T)udley Darling Robert Allen ,. ,. Robert M. Horris Klleii Hall IjAwIs Murliii ...Kdninnd (leorge .(.Charles Northrup 'Heleii 'HiDolvs .Mancv 'Donaldson Ilobi'i l Allen .... Illclmrd Abert , Mary Wickea .Charles S->d3«'lck Clerk .lohn .Miivliew Already slated for Broadway this fall, 'Mansions' Will doubtless niake a big splash on the Big Stem; will probably be acclaimed by press and public alike. Viewed at this strawhat on clos ing night of a week's .tryout, this piece looks ready to be ti-ansported almost intact to the big boards with every assurance that it will remain there for a good, solid run. Commercially its only handicap Is that it deals with religion, but a barrier that will soon be surmounted when the word-of-mouth gets around, for, although religion is its theme, and the authors have an axe to grind, it is so supeibly and plausibly writ- ten that it will appeal to both church- goers and agnostics alike. Further, it carries a wallop, is spiced with good comedy relief, and is made of the stuff that should encdurage table talk and drawing room -discourses on its merits. Aiming at no particular denomina- tion of the church, 'Mansions' traces the exciting career of a young mdn who 'gets the call,' enters the church almosi against his own will, tries to practice the teachings of Christ as he interprets them, runs afoul , of stodgy, conservative superiors, is. un- frocked, but remains unshaken in his fundamental faith in the need of liberal interpretation of God's word in a modern world. 'When Peter Brent (Alexander Kirkland) confides in his friend, Rev. Robert Crandall (Gage Clarke) that he has decided to study for the clergy and is ready to make any sacrifice, the young minister asks: 'Even martyrdom?' 'Yes, even martyrdom, if necessary.' 'Well, martyrdom is not needed. It's the petty thing$ that will bother you,' replies Rev. Crandall. The ad- vice is souhd. His wealthy father disapproves of his decision, his mother is lukewarm, his sister somewhat encouraging. These are relatively unimportant, be- cause he cannot resist the urge to enter the church. However, bidding Joan Hollis (Flora Campbell), whom he loves dearly, goodbye for the three years he will have to devote to theological study, is very impor- tant.' The strife between his noble sincere intentions towards the'church and his love for the girl supplies the theme for a beautiful, believe- able love story through the play. The petty things, the politics and the materialistic ramifications of ec- clesiastics soon manifest themselves in theology school. There is Spencer Winton (Charles Sedgwick), called 'Stinky' by his inates, with reason, who tattles to the dean. There is the dean, himself, who rules with an iron hand, and whose idea of justice is to pray for the y'oung student who gets drunk under the strain of cram- ming for exams, then dismiss him from the school. In befriending his schoolmate, Peter loses a chance at a scholarship, but he sticks by the guns, ■ , In a bull session at divinity school he hears from one of the boys: 'We get up and preach this stuff, but we know there's a lot of bunk in it.' And this theoi-y: 'Usually a fellow goes to divinity school because he seeks a safe, soft -job, pr because of family tradition, or because he is. sexually queer and seeks escape.* By the time Peter has graduated, Joan has married a mutual friend. He grits his teeth and digs Into de- veloping a career. Seeking to attract young men and women back to the church, Peter. arranges a dance at one of his early churches, but arouses the ire of his superior, Dr. Ward (Lewis Martin) who has him trans- ferred to another parish. His modem ideas do not blend with those of any of his other senior pastors, and he is transferred several times be- fore he opens up a mission in the slums of a city. When he befriends an innocent girl, the police report him to his bishop and arrest him for obstructing justice. This leads to his unfrocking, but not until he has blasted the static administration of the bishop and the 'brotherhood of pious mouthers of words.' At a trial before the elder clergy, Peter, now disgusted with his' inabil- ity to practice Christianity without compromising and kotowing to vestrymen and monied subscribers, says nothing in rebuttal to charges (some true, some untrue) made by his former superiors. But when Rev. Crandall breaks in on the trial and voices his confidence in Peter's lib eral philosophies, the unfrocked cleric finally shoots the works in a smashing scene that closes the play with a bang. Brilliant playwriting; ace direction, inspired acting all combine to make this production ring true. Kirkland has a firm grasp on his powerful, sympathetic role, all the way; Miss Campbell scores heavily as the girl; Clarke is entirely con vincing as the understanding con fldant; Maurice Lister Hunt is very good in the role of a slightly cynical divinity student; Sedgwick is okay as 'Stioky'; Robert H. Harris makes 'em writhe at his interpretation of the bishop who advises the graduating theologs to bring new blood into the church, then practices the reverse theory; Lewis Martin is very good as a crusty, hypocritical pastor; Ed mund George is excellent as i shrewd, fairly regular minister who plays politics and compromisejs often to seek the path of least resi.stance In the administration of his parish. Eden Hall, in a minor role of a f emme parishioner .seeking more than just consolation and advice from the handsome Peter, supplies a highlight in the production. Incidental music, written for the electric organ by Milton Lusk, be- tween- the la episodic scenes, is ex- cellent, and well played by Hans Hanke. Fox. All of a Summer Evening HolyoHe, Mass., Aug. 5. Farce in three acta (four scenes) by- Homer Llttlfl and My)a Jo Clusaer: pre- sented by I'^ederal Theatre Project at Mt Park Casino, Holyoka, Mass., Aug. 4, '37* Staged by WlUard Dasblell, Set, Antdoiiy Schael'er. Junior ...Peter Cuito Fergus .Sidney Manstteld Zoe Drake ....Grace O'Leary Peter Drake, Sr Frank Chariton Babs Walker Kleanor Klemmer T..enny O'NeJl Frank Sulllvua Hiram Holl..... Frank O, Mayo Blrbal .Charles TaglLivlni Ban Bonaparte .Robert Burnsi Ann., Cella Hart The Lion ...Jaclt Langlol'* 'Summer Evening,' premiered in an amusement park (25c. top), is only spasmodically sustaining in this environment. It is not likely, there- fore, that the piece -would have a chance with the $3.30 mob, unless &6me smart producer uses it as a book for a rnusical. In that direc- tion lies hope. Basic idea is very good and bulg- ing with possibilities: a rib of .the big game hunters. Authors hardly scraiiie the surface, unfortunately, and they try to stretch out one comic incident into an evening's entertaih- ment. Roughly, it's this: Peter Drake, Sr., retiredi famous big game- ster, has a husky, capable wife, Zoe, and an aesthetic photographer for a son. Hiram Hall, a second-rate, phony, jungle trekker, visits 'Jungle- ria,' the Drakes' Connecticut esUte. Drake will put up $20,000 if Hall will call his next African jaunt the Hall-Drake Expedition and take Junior along as cameraman. Drake wants his boy to carry on the Drake name in . the tropics, and this looks like the opportunity to make him give up photographing bees, birds and flowers. Just as the deal is set, and Junior finally agrees to join the expedition, an animal trainer from a nearby circus bursts into the trophy room, seeking the aid of Drake and his friends in the capture of an escaped lion. With much flourish, Drake or- ganizes a party for the search, and with an 'On, safari!' leaves Junior behind. Needless to say. Junior, cap- tures the lion on his own back porch, whil$ the synthetic safari -flounders a round the underbrush of the neigh- borhood. There are a few clever lines, io.sh- ing the big game business, and the posing of the two hunters are at times humorous, as well as their petty jealousies and constant delight in relating jungle experiences, but a great quantity of the keenest wit will have to be injected into this ahaemic structure of words before it begins to breathe. Standouts in the cast are Grace O'Leary, as the explorer's hefty mate; Sidney Mansfield, as Fergus, the family retainer who' shot most of the big game on the Drake ex- peditions; Frank Mayo, as the rival explorer; Frank Charlton, as the great "Drake, playing the role with just a bit too much restraint; and Peter Curto, as Junior, convincing most of the way as the pale youth who shows distaste for the raw meat lore of his parents.- Miss Klemmer in a principal role (an ebullient, obstreperous young woman crowding Junior for ro- mance) handles her lines like a dra- matic school studeht, retarding the already lethargic pace.' Fox. ACCIDENTAL FAMILY Dennis, Mass., Aug. S. Comedy in three acta by Seymour OSross; Julie Haydon featured; staged by Arthur Sirconi: sets, Kugene C. Fitscli. At Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Mass., Aug. 2, '37. Moinaij^ ..."Blvelyn Vai^leit Poppy Walter N. (Jraezin, Julian ....Norman Stuart r^any Reed McClelland Sylvia Strong .Tulle Haydon Charlie Richard f'ai'Ison Iris Martha Scolf. Butch Otto Hulelt Orncer Kdwards Bdward Butler .1 hi) .Fred Sear.< Clancy Dudley Hawlej' For a first try, 'Accidental Family* is not at all a bad job. Author Sey- mour Gross has worked up a light comedy with many funny situations, but it will need much revising be- fore anything can be said about Broadway. Revision will have to come in the first and third acts. In the first act the author is rather vagUe in motive. Audience is kept preoccupied, al- most up to curtain time trying to find the motivation, when it should be concerned with getting a full measure of laughs out of the brittle dialog. Third act looks as though it fairly races to the climax, when a more leisurely pace and a clearer exposition of situations would be more effective. Story stems from the adventures of five unemployed actors who take over the town house of A wealthy family in the West Fifties, in New York, and proceed to make them- selves comfortable while waiting for Lady Luck to smile again. ' Quintet includes Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gibbons, husband-wife-team. Former is Poppy to the other mein- bers of the accidental family. He i3 a loquacious, but likeable person. His wife, Mommy, is continuously strutting, living in the glories of tha past. Then there is Julian, an em- bryonic playwright with radical ideas. Larry, the other male mem- ber of the family, is' a song-wnter and always talking about that musi- (Continued on page 58)