Variety (Sep 1938)

VARIETY LEGITIMATE-CONCERT Wednesday, September 28, 1938 FMFs 'Gettysburg Fails to Impress As Native Opera in ffwood Preem Hollywood, Sept. 27. First performance of an original American opera, 'Gettysburg,' was staged last Friday night (23) in Hol- lywood Bowl before a disappointing turnout of 5,000. Although sheeted with applause at its spectacular finale, consensus among music critics and the picture industry's opera de- votees was that it lacked spark and punch to qualify it for lasting fame. All were agreed, however, that it was the most ambitious effort of any Federal Music Project Composer Morris Hutchins Ruger and librettist Arthur Robinson have given a symphonic treatment to the tragedy of the Civil War. Colorful in its presentation and staging,. 'Get- tysburg* embodies a. lyrical plea for peace. Set to music are Lincoln's Gettysburg . Address and the Lord's Prayer. Spiritual chants are inter- spersed. As an impressive pageant the opera makes its boldest appeal. The Ruger-Robinson duo tackled too tough a job since the theme is ex- tremely difficult to melodize. Singing leads were taken by Anne Jamison, Tandy MacKenzie, Coe Glade, Charles f ■» la Plate, Kenneth Spencer and Emery Darcy. Gastone Usigli conducted 75 in the pit and a mixed chorus of 200. Production ol Isaac Van Grove was inspired and highly effective. Awan's lighting and scenic effects rate kudos. Opera was presented for one night by FMP in conjunction with Inde pendent Publishers, Authors and Composers' Assn. It's pl-nned to show it in San Diego and San Fran- cisco and then tour it cross-country for a stand in New. York. CHI 4,000-SEATER TO BE USED FOB LEGIT Chicago, Sept. 27. Use of the mammoth Auditorium as a straight legit house will be attempted by Max Gordon when he brings the New York cast of 'The Women' into the house on Nov. 6 for two weeks. 'Women' had- a success' ful stay in the Erlanger here last season with a second company. Aud has 4,000 seats and question is how a theatre that size will work out for straight legit. Following 'The Women,' house will get 'I'd Rather Be Right' for three weeks. Acquisi- tion raises the number of available legit houses to a half dozen, with the regulation-size Blackstone back on the list following two years under WPA. Others on the regular list are the Grand, Erlanger, Harris and Selwyn. Expanding Strawhat Boston, Sept. 27. Monomoy theatre, strawhat, at Chatham, Mass., will resume next season, according to plans of Mary B. Winslow, producer. Miss Win- slow, who completed her .Irst sea- son of strawhat producing at Chat- ham Labor Day week, has purchased the theatre and is expanding its fa- cilities for next summer. Plans are to further establish M'onomoy as a permanent summer theatre and ultimately continue it through the winter as a sto-:k com- pany in some New England crty. PONS Will OPEN CONCERTS IN ATLANTA Atlanta, Sept. 27. With 3,500 advance reservations made to date, all-star concert series will open Oct. 3 with Lily Pons. At- lanta's 6,000-seat city auditorium, un available for past three seasons due to WPA remodeling, plus roof that caved in under hard rain just before skedded opaning last year, will be scene of 1938-39 offerings. Sellouts expected. Series is sponsored annually by Atlanta Philharmonic Society and Atlanta Music Club. Marvin Mc- Donald, manager, has been booking three outside attractions each year to go with their nine home-talent shows. A 'non-profit organization,' series net, last year around $2,500, is split between two sponsors, Mc Donald drawing $5,000 per annum as manager. In addition to Miss. Pons, series this season includes: Helen Jepson and Nino Martini, Oct. 22; Monte Carlo Ballet Russe, Nov. 22; Jascha Heifetz, Dec. 15; Philadelphia Sym- phony, Eugene Ormandy conducting, Jan. 14; Josef Hofmann, Jan. 27, and Grace Moore, March 1. 'New World* May Come to Broadway This Brave New World,' presented In English in Paris earlier this month by Edward Sterling, is a pos- sibility for Broadway during the .winter. Play was dramatized from Aldous Huxley's novel by Louis Walinsky, teacher in a'/Brooklyn high school.. Latter has turned out several scripts; but EWorld' is his first produced play. Herman Shumlin was mentioned being concerned in the chances of •World' going on the boards over here, but states he is not interested in such a presentation at this time. Engagements Pete Clifford, 'Why Not Now.' McKay Morris, 'Herod and Mari- anne.' Henry Daniell, 'Generals Need Beds.' Mary Servoss, 'Dance Night.' Tess Gardell, John Hoysradt, 'The Flying Ginsburgs.' Mary Martin, Tamara, 'Clear All Wires.' Norris Houghton, Henry Oscar, ' Mariana Fiory, 'Waltz in Goose Step.' Solly Ward, Bobbe Arnst, Grace Valentino, Barna Ostertag, Ethel Colby, 'The Fabulous Invalid.' Robert Lindsay, Evelyn Byrd, Cl'edge Roberts, Frank Haring, " Philip Wood, Helen Shields, Charles Maxwell, j, Arthur Young, 'The Devfjj Takes a Bride.' Marg. Webster Slated To Direct 4 '38-39 Plays Margaret Webster will probably stage at least four productions this season. Currently directing the Maurice Evans revival of 'Hamlet,' she'll subsequently stage his 'Henry IV and one or two other produc- tions he plans this season. Has also been propositioned to do an outside directing- job, but that depends on whether she'll have time. Actress-director also hopes to get to London to see her play, 'Royal Highness,' which is produced there by Beaumont & Tennent, under Tyrone Guthrie's direction. Besides that, she's trying to complete a book about her family, for which she's finished gathering material, but has done little actual writing. Shows in Rehearsal 'Herod and Marlamne—Kath- arine Cornell, 'Victoria Reglna' (repeat ) i - Gilbert Miller. Td Rather Be Right' (tour)— Sam H. Harris. 'Case History 1 —Louis S. Bar- doly. . 'Window Shopping'—Thomas Kilpatrick. 'Dance Night' (June Night')— Robert Rockmore. 'The Devil Takes a Bride'— Montgomery Ford. I'm an American'—Vinton Freedley. 'Knights mt Sons'—Laurence Schwab. 'Great Lady'—Dwight Deere Wiman. the FabuUus Invalid'—Sam H. Harris. 'Abe Lincoln In Illinois'— Playwrights. 'Hamlet'—Maurice Evans. 'Generals Need Beds'—Cheryl Crawford. 'Madame Capet'—Eddie Dowl- ing. The Good'—Norman and Irv- ing Pincu& *Bloas»in Time' (road)—Shu- berts. 'Oscar Wilde*—Norman Mar- shall. 'Danton's Death'—Mercury. 2 Stows Scram 'Shadow and Substance' finales at the Plymouth Saturday (1) after a run of 34 weeks on Broadway, most of that period seeing the play at the Golden. Drama from England scored a distinct success in a moderately- sized theatre, averaging $11,000 weekly during the early months and running through summer, save for a two-week layoff. It goes on tour. SHADOW AND SUBSTANCE Opened Jan. 26, 1937. Only one dissenting opinion among the criticisms of the Paul Vin- cent Carroll drama which kept going for eight months. Robert Coleman (Mirror), s»fd, 'It is, we suspect, a play with an ap- peal for the few rather than the many.' Richard Lockrldge (Sun), commenting on Sir Cedric Hardwlcke's perform- ance said, 'His is fine playing in a sincere and moving play.' Variety (Hobe), 'At least mod- erate commercial success.' 'Come Across' disappeared from the Playhouse last Saturday (24), haying played one and a half weeks, It was the first show of the new sea- son and was also an import COME ACROSS Opened Sept. 14, 1938. Wasn't any doubt among the first stringers opinions, all turning digits down. John Anderson (Journal-American), tartly said, 'I shouldn't wonder if the sea- son outlasted it.' Brooks Atkin- son (Times), rated it, Thin and elementary make-believe/ Walter Winchell (Mirror), said, 'lis outstanding feature is that it's over in two hours instead of three.' Variety (Ibee), 'Pro- vides only a fair evening.' Natl Org to Back Radio Sponsors Who Push Classics and Curb Jazz Salt Lake City, Sept. 27. Radio sponsors, whose shows fea- ture 'appreciable music,' may receive record loads of audience mail from the large membership of the Na- tional Federation of Music Clubs during 1939. Federation, it was re- vealed by Mrs. Edna Evans John- son, president of the Utah organiza- tion, plans to distribute several mil- lion 'thank you' cards, which musi- cal persons will buy from state fed- erations to be forwarded to sponsors not stressing jazz. Mrs. Johnson, who, in 1937, gained national prominence by. favoring re- placement of honky-tonk tunes on merry-go-rounds with operatic arias, said the 'thank you' cards bearing the federal seal will be mailed to chain as well as local clas sical music sponsors. Each of the 48 state.federations of the national organization will di rect sales in its locality. Move is believed to be the first on a national scale by a well-known organization to curb prominence of the jazz idiom. There have been other similar, movements to solely plug long-haired cleffers and warb lers. * Federation's entry in the cam paign against swing is a potent fac tor, as clubs, in every sector of the country are seen as aiding the sponsor with the o.k. musical talent, in two- fold manner: loyalty in buyng that sponsor's products and personally tossing a bouquet via the 'thank you* cards. Inside Stuff-Legit Growth of the theatrical scenery and stage equipment business during the 1935-37 period was revealed last week by preliminary report on figures compiled in the biennial census of manufactures. Commerce Department • study shows substantial rise in the value of output, as well as rising em- ployment, with a marked lump over 1933. The 50 establishments, a rise of two in two years, and 10 in four years, employed 397 workers as compared, with 27,9 in 1935, and 312 in 1933*. Wages totaled $488,511, against $436,589 and $396,699 in the preceding years. Value of product bounded 38.2% above 1935 level, hitting $2,677,549. Comparable figures were $1,937,004 in 1985, and $2,643,785 in 1933. Cost of materials, supplies, fuel and electricity likewise shot upward, total of $1,188,779 being 58.7% higher than 1935, and 92,7% above 1933. More than 800 mail reservations for tickets for Helen Hayes' return engagement in 'Victoria Regina' have already been received by the Gil- bert Miller office. Great majority of the orders are from out of town. There is a possibility that it will be extended beyond the scheduled four weeks. Production opens at the Martin Beck, N. Y., Oct. 3. Miss Hayes and the producer are to confer this weekend about an extension' and possible future plays for the star. Actress denies reports to the effect that her decision not to present a: 'Merchant of Venice' revival for a regular Broadway run this season was influenced in any way by the Jewish question. The drama has long since become entirely innocuous in that regard, she feels, explaining that several managers who are members off the Jewish faith have urged her to do the show this season. Her reason for not doing it, except at possible special matinees, is principally a desire for a rest, she indicates, Elissa Land!, will speak Oct 8 on 'The Difference Between Stage and Screen Acting* at Amos Eaton Hall on the campus of Rensslaer Polytech- nic Institute, Troy, N. Y., under the auspices of the R, P. I. Players. She has been booked as one of two outside artists to appear in connection with the celebration of the Players' 10th anniversary. Blanche Yurka, who has been giving recitals in college and other auditoriums for several seasons, will be the second attraction, on Jan. 14. 0 The R. P. I. Players also have scheduled five productions during the year, the climax of the anniversary being the presentation of an alumni piece in June with members of the Players from 1929 to 1939 in the cast, Shuberts are profligate in billing their musical shows, current instance being 'You.Never Know,' at Winter Garden, N. Y. Cast is not large, but all the players are either starred or featured. Clifton Webb, Lupe Velez and Libby Holman get top billing, The Hartmans, Toby Wing, Rex O'Malley and June Preisser are featured in the program in the same sized type accorded those starred. In smaller type, Charles Kemper, The Debonairs, Dan Harden, Roger Stearns and Truman Galge are named. For the first time, the presenters announced the show as being by the 'Messrs Shubert in association with John Shubert.' Latter is son of J. J., under whose direction the show was produced. Elizabeth B. Ginty, secretary to the late David Belasco, and whose 'Mis- souri Legend,' based on the life of the midwestern bandit Jesse James, opened at the Empire, N.Y., last week, has always been interested in criminal investigations. This led her to delve into the depredations of the James Boys, also their home life. Miss Ginty spent an unusual length of time in research anent the outlaw's background. She has never said whether she collaborated with Belasco in his numer- ous revisions of plays. Known, however, that she stopped writing when he died and did not take up her pen until three years after his passing. Storm that hit the New England coast last Wednesday (21) hurt busi- ness at both 'What a Life' and 'Whiteoaks' in Boston. Despite heavy can- cellations for the Wednesday performance, the week's gross for 'Life' topped that of the previous stanza. Business for the week for 'Whiteoaks* was likewise better than expected. Ethel Barrymore, star of 'Whiteoaks,' had di iculty getting to the theatre for the Wednesday night performance, requiring 45 minutes to go the seven blocks. Skylight was blown off the roof of the Plymouth theatre, but it was covered over and the performance began at 9 p.m. Audience at the closing performance of 'Sing Out the News' at the For- rest theatre, Philadelphia, last week sang 'The Star Spangled Banner* after the final curtain. Did not prove very impressive, however, as too few of those present knew the words. Idea was suggested by Jack Kelly, local Democratic politician and member of a Pennsylvania organization to encourage the public singing of the national anthem. Kelly is a brother of playwright Jack Kelly and actor Walter J. Kelly. Katharine Cornell was marooned at her country place at Martha's Vineyard, Mass., during last week's storm. Her husband, Guthrie McClin- tic, reached the spot Thursday (22), going to Boston by plane after being unable to reach the star by telephone. Couple again went over the script of 'Herod and Mariamne,' which will bring Miss Cornell back to the stage after a year's retirement. They journeyed back over the weekend, play having started rehearsals Tuesday (27) in New York. Thanks for Tomorrow,' comedy which was slated to open last night (Tuesday) at the Bayes, New York, played a preview performance Sat- urday (24) inght. Tickets were turned over to an agency in exchange for $900 worth of advertising. Management asked Equity if such a deal was to be considered as a paid preview and the reply was affirmative. Under the rules the player must be paid for such showings. George Nicholai, manager of the Plymouth, New York, is recovering from a nervous affliction which cropped up when he visited Detroit last month. Showman has theatre interests in that city. Manager occasionally attends to business but during his indisposition Dave Finestone, of the Shubert office, is handling the theatre, which relighted last week when 'Shadow and Substance* moved from the Golden. George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart have another show in mind to follow 'The Fabulous Invalid,' but haven't put anything on paper as yet. Neither one has any film plans. Hart explains that he prefers working in legit rather than for pictures and* will never go to the Coast 'unless I get too hard up.' The official report of the West Virginia state penitentiary for 1933-37 gives a classification of inmates by "given occupations," and only three have been listed as actors in that period, all males, received during the year covering July 1, 1934, to July 1, 1935. Stephen Haggard, English actor seen in New York with 'Youth Comes of Age' in 1934, and last year in 'Whiteoaks,' is the author of a novel, 'Nya,' which Little, Brown will publish Oct. 10. He's a grandnephew of late H. Rider Haggard. Wells Hawks, who was a topper among press agents, is reported in' good condition after a long illness. He is still staying at home of Mrs. William Potter, Pomona, N. Y.