Variety (Oct 1938)

50 VARIETY IiEGITIMATE Wednesday, October 19, 1938 Broun Blasts Blasters (Continued from page 47) which Broun heads. He wrote un- der his columnar head 'It Seems to Me": You might not mind so much if your sister married one of them, and two or three asked in after dinner would not for a certainty spoil the party, but taken as a group the dramatic critics of New York are so much suet pudding. n really isn't safe to trust an art to the judgment of a body which every other year goes out and votes a prize to Maxwell An- derson. This may be the bitter- ness of an old man who once was privileged to touch the hem of William Winter's mantle and to catch the epigrams of Alexander Woollcott as he delivered them in person. It is true. Your Worship, that I have seen better days,, and did not always press my nose against the pane of passing | limousines in an effort to find someone to buy my violence. Possibly the fault lies not with the presfent generation but with the very nature of the craft of criticism. Though you deal him from the top of the deck or the Broun's Rave Hey wood Broim, although he smacked the critics last week, reverted to type and his yester- day's (Tuesday) column was a rave over ■ 'Abe I<incohi in Illinois.' John Mason Brown (Post), hammered the play but Broun said, 'It' is the great American drama. And it is the flnest^iece of propaganda ever to come into our theatre; Bob Sherwood did not write to-lay a wreath at the tomb of the mighty dead. This is the tale, of days which are gone but also of days which are to come. Here is the living Lincoln whose soul goes marching on'. . . Column was somewhat longer than his usual daily, contribu- tion. Auatrailian und New Zealand Tti«a- trek, Ltd., Mannirii? Directors' ITrank S. Ta«, a. S. Crtrk, G. B. r>enti. VIOLET CARLSON lit* tlif star of "KOSEMARIE" KWS-Ah TKJSATRIC SYDNET, ArSTK.^MA bottom, the critic remains a kibitzer. One need- not be a- hen to know, good eggs from bad, .but things enter into the philosophy of an omelet which are never dreamt of by the man who downs it. Just Try It on Qim The cry of the critic is that he wants novelty in the theatre, but he will slap down any author who - utters a sudden boo in- his.-good ear. Look how little- he did, for The Cradle Will Rode.' The ex- planation lies somewhere within the works of Sigmvmd Freud and Karl Marx. I'm not 'sure which one of these $ages said it, but no man can as&ociate < with stuffed shirts over a period' of seasons without coming to take on some- thing of the outward manifesta-. tions and the inner spirit of the species. I defy any stranger at a first night to distinguish the tired business men from the critics.. During the first intermission of the first show of the new theatrical year I ran- into a revie\Ver. He yawned and said, *How I wish the season was. over!' Anybody who knew the poor fellow's background could not possibly blame hiin. He had just returned to town after a summer spent in lecturing to women's clubs on 'The Development of the American Drama.' There are . those, I understand, who find this column dull, but I only wish they could have caught a load of it in my chicken salad days when T, too, v/as • engaged in carrying culture to Columbus. It embitters the mihd. And it isn't the sleeper jumps so much as the old' ladies who say, 'Tell me honestly, what is Tallulah Bankhead like in private?' Also Soft-Hearted Not for a moment would I sug- gest that the critics of today are cruel sophisticates. On the con- .trary, their approadi to. an art form has all the naive cheerfulness of Little Audrey. It was Little Audrey, wasn't it, who thought that Rex Beach was a summer re- sort? Well, I know a critic who thinks that Clare Boothe is a dramatist. Modern criticism is indulgent without being generous, It neither i bums nor blesses. Indeed, most i of the reviews are written in the mood which Percy Hammond once described as 'praising with faint damns.' The theatre can be killed by 'yes men' and mdimed by those who must say 'No.' But the crud- est and most lingering death to which the stage can be exposed is to pinion it upon an ant heap and leave it to the attrition of 'yes £^d no.' The theatre can give out emo- tion only w:hen it faces those capable of receiving it or of chucking, it back. There should be a brick wall behind the stage and not in front of the footlights. Let the boys bring either bombs or bouquets. Not even a 'Fabulous Invalid' can long survive the ministrations of the man with the feather duster.' Critics-Know Broiin Most of the critics have known Broun ovet a period of years and they say that he is probably up to his 'old tricks' of column-filling. Re- called that when on the World he would spring some pointed comment that would excite enough response through the mail from readers to supply source material for several days. For instance, he once wrote that all people of a certain race were cowards and bingo came scathing replies, which he used as he wished. That is why nearly all the critics- were amused and said they wouldn't even blush, much less give Broun material to make his columning easy for a spell.. The reference to Clare Boothe may be- a bit of pique, since a character in her new hit, 'Kiss the Boys Good- bye,' Miller, N. Y., was recognized as caricaturing Broun. Woollcott was a former criti'c, too, withdrawing to become an author of books, actor and radio personality. One- critic did mention that as a columnist Broun is a pretty good actor, that meaning his appearance in 'Shoot the Works,' a revue which he bankrolled some seasons ago. Reference to Maxwell Anderson, who formerly wrote editorials on the World, may be somewhat personal, but the Critics Circle did vote in Anderson's 'Wintersef and 'High Tor' on successive seasons. Press on The Cradle Will Hock' was favor- able, but the attraction did little bet- ter than break even. 3 Shows Out There were three fast, flops on Broadway last week, all drawing an adverse press. 'Dance Night,' which opened at the Belasco Friday (14), ■ was < withdrawn the following night. DANCE NIGHT Opened Oct.' 14, '38. CrlUcs didnt like It. Anderson (Jour- nal), 'There's simply'no play to sustain the whole business.' Coleman .(Mirror),- 'Negative ballot.' 'The Good' stopped at the Windsor Wednesday (12) after playing one week. THE GOOD Opened Oct. 5, '3S. Critics unanimously accorded it little chance. Whipple (World-Trie), saidr 'Badly written, stiff; lull of cliches, and tedious.' Atkinson (Times), 'Do 1 ef nl d rani a.' Variety (Ibce), 'Will follow others of its ilk-^ut.' Current Road Shows (Week of Oct 17) 'Amphitryon'—*Sea Gu\V (Lunt and Fontanne), Chestnut St., Philadel- phia. 'Behind Red Ligrhts,* Werba, Brook- lyn. •Blossom Time,' Grand, Chicago. 'Candida' (Ann Harding), Bilbnore, Los Angeles. 'Circle,* (G»ce George), Queens- boro, Elmhurst, L. I. (16). 'Golden Bey' (Luther Adler- Frances Farmer), Plymouth, Boston. 'Great Lady' CTuUio Carminati- Irene Bordoni-Norma Terris), For- rest, Philadelphia. 1 Am DilTercnt' (Tallulah Bank- head), Selwyn, Chicago. ' I'd Bather Be Btffht' (George M. Cohan), National, Washington. 'Leave It to Me,' Shubert. Boston. 'Madame Capet' (Eva Le Gallienne), Locust St, Philadelphia. 'Of Mice and- Men,' Nixon, Pitts- burgh, 'Pins and Needles,' American, St. Louis (16). 'Shadow and Sabstance' (Sir Cedric Hardwicke), Wilbur, Boston. 'SoUloQny,' Curran, San Francisco. 'Susan, and God' (Gertrude Law- rence), Harris, Chicago. 'Tobacco Road,' Playhouse, Middle- town, N. Y, (17-19); Playhouse, Wil- mington, Del. (20-22). 'What a Life,' Royal Alexandria, Toronto. 'Whiteoaks' (Ethel Barrymore), Shubert, New Haven (17-19); Ford's, Baltimore (20-22). 'Women,' Hanna, Cleveland. Taakee Fable' (Ina Claire), Co- lonial, Boston (18). Tou Cant Take It With You,' Cass, Detroit (le). Shows in Rehearsal 'Lorelet'—Richard Aldrich. *The Flyfaif GItesberffs'—Vin- ton Freedley. *B*y9 From Syracuse'— George Abbott. 'Run, Sheep, Rnn'—Blackwell and Curtis. 'Herod and Marlamne'—Kath> arine Cornell. •Waits in Go«Be Step'— —Julien Chatiueneau. 'Too Much Johnson'—Mer- cury. 'Danton's Death'—Mercury. IINCOLN' OK $6,500 IN 4 BALTO SHOWS Baltimore, Oct. 18. Town's belated seastm of legit got underway last week, with bullish do- ings marking openings of both 'Abra- ham Lincoln in Illinois,' at Ford's, and 'Window Shopping/ at the indie booked, Maryland. Lincoln opus, in for only four shows, built strongly with s.r.o. for closing night (Wed.). Rave notices and quickly spreading comment started steady march on b.o., with regrets all around that booking didn't run for entire- week. 'Window Shopping,* with George Sydney featured, pre-Broadway try of new farcQ by Norma Clark,- drama crick of lo^l News-Post, and Louis Shecter, also local, opened big and held up s^idly throughout week. Ethel Bartymore's 'White Oaks' is in at Ford's last half of this week, with Tobstcco Road' slated for third return week, Oct. 24, at same house. Estimates for.Last Week 'Abraham ~Llncoln~ 'In Illinois,* Ford's (half week) (1,900; $2.78). Chalked, up one of biggest grosses for tryout in house history, with steadily buildine biz to'complete sell- out closing night <Wed.) and strong $6,500 in the till^ *Window Shopping:,' Maryland (1,750; $2.22). Nicely received by ca- pacity house opening night and steady play thereafter to $5,400. Good comment for pre-Broadway tryout by Norman Clark and Louis Schecter, localite's. 'BLOSSOM' IN Pin FADES TO $8,000 Pittsburgh, Oct. 18. Second week of legit , season here found the brakes still on. 'Blossom Time,' coming into Nixon right on heels of 'You Can't Tbke It With You,' failed to turn on steam neces- sary to start a new year properly, and operetta, playing its 'upteent^ visit here, floundered around to me- diocre $8,000. Started off terribly, but picked up slightly at the finish, balcony selling big on Everett Mar- shall's draw, but more expensive pews goings begging. Nixon has its actual getaway cur- rently, with 'Of Mice and Men' launching A'TS season as well. Looks bri^t from this point on right through to holidays, with 'Herod and Miriamne,' 'I'd Rather Be Right,' 'Whiteoaks,' 'Amphitryon 38' and 'Golden Boy' following in the order named. Estimate for Last Week 'Blossom Time' (Nixon; 2,100; $2.20). Too many visits for this one and it's just abbut worn out its wel- come. New blood injected this time, however, iii person of Everett Mar- shall, and that's the only thing that gave aging operetta a moderate break. Little better than $8,000 and there's no balm in that for a new seaon on heels of previous $7,300 with 'You Can't Take It With-You.' THAT, LEAGUE SET SCALE FOR 3 (MS Committee from the Theatrical Managers, Agents 8c Treasurers union and the labor committee of the League of New York theatres have agreed on out-of-town pay in three o.ut-of-town cities. Those con- cerned are house managers and box- office staffs who are reported getting comparably the same scale as in New York. Reason given was that some stands have short 'seasons, or fre- quent dark weeks. However, scale in Philadelphia, which was agreed on some time ago, is virtually the same as Broadway and TMAT has used it as a precedent. Scales for Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Cincinnati were arranged last week, but the committees are at odds over Boston, while local groups in Baltimore and Washington have not signified their ideas on salaries. Complaint was made that the Shu- berts had placed a number of their office staff in house managerships* including a booker and a play reader. They were accepted for membership some time ago, however, and no ac- tion is expected to be taken. Pro<Ain Stock Permission .was .granted a stock operated at Short Hills, N. J., for the use of amateurs who will ap- pear with professionals. Manage- ment explained it wished to fill out casts from among local highschool students. Otherwise regular Equity condi- tions as to pay and performances are observed. 'The Devil Takes a Bride* was yanked from the Cort. Saturday (15) after playing one week and two nights. THE DCVIL TAKES A BRIDE . Opened Oct. 7, '38. First stringers didn't waste many M'ords in negrative reviews. Waits (Herald Trib), 'Will hardly snffice.' LeckrI dffc (Sun)-, Tonderously funereal.' Variety (Land), 'Limited to a short stay.' ; LI. Harding's 'Candida' Grabs $10,500 First L. A. Week Los Angeles, Oct. 18. Ann Harding's revival of George Bernard Shaw's dated comedy, 'Can- didav* opraed fairly strong on its two-week stand-and, aided by heavy matinee biz, got arouind $10;500: Company barged in after two weeks in Ftisco and breaks up following the local run, nixing a New York stand. Estimate tor Last Week 'Candida,' Biltmore (1st week) (C-D-1,6S8; $a;50). Ann Harding's personal following* overcame mixed press notices and. aided by picture turnout on opening night polled $10,300 on the week. 'Soliloquy* comes in Oct. 24 for two weeks. WFA 'Rnn Little Chillun,' Mayan. Sold out three weeks in advance and may hold through the holidays. Now in 13th week. 'Two-«-DAy/ Playhouse, cavalcade of vaude comes in Oct. 29 for a run. House- dar k for two weeks in prep- aration of FTP gigantic. 'Alien Corn,' Belasco. Opened (14) and stays for two weeks. 'Volpone' next. Inside Stuf-Legit Charles Collins, former dramatic critic now writing the column 'A Line O' Type or Two' in the Chicago Tribune, ventured in last Wednesday's contribution to observe: 'Perhaps the neglected drama is coming- to its own after the seven lean years* (in the Loop). The comment concerned, the draw of 'Susan and God,' at the Harris, and he wrote that one disap- pointed patron turned from the boxoffice and remarked: 'Apparently you'va got to talk to God before you can see Susan.' Claimed that the advance sale is something of a record for the Chicago house, columnist crediting John Golden, whom he- said had been 'fertilizing* the road with 'Susan' publicity for nearly a year, also mentioning national salesmanship. John Pollock, former Orpheum Circuit press head, is chief. p.a,'for'Susan.* " - 'Man of the Year,* contributed by the colored contingent in 'Sing Out the News,' which is the most animated number in the revue, clicked so strongly last Wednesday night (12) that it actually stopped the show. PoUowing skit started with Philip Loeb impersonating Groucho Marx as president, but plaudits- drowned out the dialog, until Rex Ingram came on in a dressing gown and quieted the audience. Loeb drew a laugh by cracking: 'Well, Ingram, you finally made the White House.' Bell-ringing 'Man* number, which celebrates the naming of an infant pickinniny as F. D. Jones, was originally in the first section of 'News,* which was the best part of the show. As presently routined, the second half tops. 'Bachelor Bom' moved from the Lyceum, N. Y., where most of its goodly run was made, to the Cort Monday (17), but will shift again next week to the Mansfield, according to present plans. Former house to get 'Madams' Capet* presented by Eddie Dowling, who appears to have preferred the Cort over the Mansfield, which was announced to get the Eva Le Gallienne show. It will be the fifth spot for 'Bachelor,' which war originally at the Morosco. During the illnes?. of Margie Ann Kaufman in Philadelphia last week, Louise Beggs replaced her for four performances in 'A Woman's a Fool— to Be Clever.' Miss Kaufman then returned to the cast. Miss Begg& is the wife of David Stern, 3d, v.p. and general manager of the Philadelphia Record and New York Post, and son of J. David Stern, publisher of the two papers. Before her marriage Miss Bieggs was a lead- ing player at Hedgerow theatre, Moylan-Rose Valley, Pa. Her appearance in 'Woman' was her pra debut. Will Geer, who is m 'Sing Out The News', Music Box, N. Y., was wed Saturday (15) to Herta Ware, young actress whose mother has been active in the Communist party for years. Known as 'Mother' Bloor, she made any number of fiery speeches around the country, for which she was under arrest at various points. Geer was of the Actors Forum, militant group within Equity that is supposed to have dissolved. HENDEBSON IN ALBANY Albany, Oct. 18, Robert Henderson, founder-direc- tor of the Ann Arbor Drama Festi- val and stager of road productions of Noel Coward plays, is resident di- rector under the new setup at Fa- bian's Harmanus Bleecker Hall. Paul 31aufox Js ,pg:od)}(cer„ Jane Broder is given program listing by the Playwrights Co. as casting assistant for 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois.* at the Plymouth, N. Y.. She was also given program credit by Jed Harris as casting, director of 'Our Town,' Morosco, N. Y. Agent didn't ask for such credit in either case, although it is considered rare for any percenter to be accorded such recognition. Olsen and Johnson now insist on six personal seats for 'Hellzapoppin.* Can't start getting them until next week, but due to demands from visit- ing. Coast friends, and others, the stars of the vaude-revue decided on that with Harry Kaufman (Shuberts). Capt Jack Potter, formerly connected with the late Charles Diliingham, is back on Broadway, being company manager of 'Lightnin'' at the Golden. He was with NBC's program department for several years.