Variety (Oct 1938)

Wednesday, October 19, 1938 LEGITIMAT& GRidSSES VAitttTY. 51 Gert Lawrence Pacii^ Qii's Terrilic Legit Season with Capaci^ $18, Chicago, Oct. 18. Chicago's greatest legit season in years is underway, with the shews all 4oing flve-flgure business. 'Gold- en Boy' did four capacity weeks; *I Am Different' is completing lour strong sessions, and 'Susan and Grod' is doing absolute capacity currently. Gertrude Lawrence show is cracking records in the Harris and looks to stay until the holidays easily at ca- pacity pace. Tickets at a premium, with the show already booking $40,000 in advance sales. For the ninth time in 15 years Chicago 15 getting a showing of 'Blos- som Time,' which opened in the Grand Sunday (16) with Everett Marshall top-lined. In for a short stay,, however; 'On Borrowed Time' set for the house Nov. 8. WPA is having its most successful show currently, a modem version of •The • Mikado' bringing plenty of ac- tual cash into the Great Northern. Estimates for Last Week "Blossom Time/ Grand (1st week). Opened Simday (18) for short stay. Good returns indicated. 1 Am Dlllerent/ Selwyn (4th and final week) (1,000; $2.75). Going on a tour through southern territory, figuring on the Tallulah Bankhead moniker for box-offlce. Turned in ^ood $10,000 last week. 'Of Mice and Men' replaces Monday (24). •Snsan and God,' Harris (2d week) (1,000; $2.75). Dynamite. Shoehorn necessary to get 'em in; $18,000 for initial session. Other Attractions San Carlo Opera, Auditorium. Winding up three weeks currently and has done e:tcellent trade. House goes to straight legit Nov. 8 with second Chi showing of 'The Women.' WPA "The .Mikado,' Great Northern. Feaeral theatre has a winner in this Harry Mintiirn version of the Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera. Gross -of $3,500 is remarkable, considering the low tariff set-up. PhiDy HasPlenty Legit, but Spotty Biz; 'Right' 3% PhUadelphia, Oct. 18. Old times were recalled in the dailies last weekend, when no less than six legit shows were represent- ed in the advertising blocks on the amusement pages. That hasn't hap- f')ened here iis a blue moon, but the egit people have their fingers crossed. So far biz has been spotty. Season's first smash, George M. Cohan in Td Rather Be Right,' left town Saturday night (15) after two v/eeks of sensational trade at the Forrest. There was a long gap, though, between this one and the rest of the season's show crop to date. Next Indicated b. o. wallop is •Amphitryon 38,'' which opened last night (Monday) at the Chestnut Street Opera House to terrific biz. Show is likely to hit near capacity on its two weeks' stay, but actual grosses wiU be held down because of lower ATS subscription rates. Forrest is dark after first half of this week, but has another big one set for Thursday (20th) in 'Great Lady,' which is having its preem here. Engagement is set for two and a half weeks to give manage- ment chance to ^et show perfected. As predicted, Eddie Dowling will keep his costume try-out. piece, •Madame Capet,' at the Locust Street, not so much because of an over- whelming demand (although biz has been good) as to whip production Into smoother shape. Next Monday, Ethel Barrymore comes to the same house in 'Whiteoaks,' which will be followed by 'Golden Boy' Nov. 7. Erlanger last night got its second try-out in a row when Tom Kirk- patrick brought his 'Winfaow Shop- ping' up froiri Baltimore for an engagement of indefihite length. And, finally, to round up all the unprece- dented legit activity, the WPA's 'One Third of a Nation' relighted the Walnut Street, leased for a six months' period. Estimates for Last Week Id Rather Be Elfht,' Forrest (2d week) (2,000; $3.42). In second and getaway week, this Cohan vehicle mounted to $33,000, which meant virtual capacity. 'Great Lady' open- ing Thursday. 'Madame Capet,' Locust (2d week) (1,400; $2.50). Eddie Bowling's cos- tume production held for this week (3d), although b'z hasn't been sen- sational. Show is much better now, however, and rated as having an excellent chance on Broadway even though costumed. Claimed $10,000 last Week. High Tor; $3,000. Hat,' $3,500, Okay in B'klyn Brooklyn, Oct. 18. Good results .at Werba*s Brooklyn with 'High Tor/ and nice returns at Shubert, where 'Brother Rat' was displayed. Current attraction at Werba's 'Behind Red Lights' and Shubert is offering 'Mulatto.' WPA version of 'Mikado' is at Academy of Music. Brattlebofo theatre opens second season ^at St Felix Street Playhouse Oct. 3li with 'Conjur,' new opus by Waller Freeman, first in series of five new productions. Negro drama was optioned by Theater Guild last season. Estimates for Last Week 'HIeh Tor* (Werba's Brooklyn) (1,529; 55-$1.10). Received good no- tices in local gazettes and brought in okay $3,000. 'Brother Rat' (Shubert) (1,750; 15- 85). Familiar to fans, but still go- ing stxpng. Nifty $3,500. 'Sofiloquy Fair $7,500 in Frisco- Going to B way San Francisco, Oct. 18. Encouraged by excellent audience reaction; contradictory to most of the press notices, 'Soliloquy' will not fold here following. its run at the Curran Saturday (22). Instead, the company will open in Los Angeles at Biltmore, Oct 24, and will then jump to Chicago before hitting Broadway. Originally in three aets, Victor Vic- tor, author, has cut it to two and has eliminated some of the choppiness which marred its presentation open- ing night here.. Estimate for Last Week 'Soliloquy,' Curran (1,771; $2.75) (1st wk). Off to a slow start but word-Of-moiith publicity helped and biz picked up considerably at the end of the first week, with the advance sale on the second week way ahead of the initial stanza. Play has un dergone some rewriting and con- densed to two acts. John Beal clicks in the star role, with supporting cast unusually good. First week only fair $7,500. WPA 'A Moral Entertainment,* Alcazar (1.269; $1.10) (2d wk). Even the WPA crowd didn't go for this one, which had a bad second week. 'An- imal Kingdom' opened two weeks' engagement last night (Monday) un- der the direction of Walter Gilbert 'CAN'T TAKE' GETS NO PAY DIRT IN CLEVE., 6G Cleveland, Oct. 18. Outlook for this year's legit is far brighter than last season's, although •You Can't Take It with You' got Hanna's semester off last week on the wrong leg. First handicap was that it was third repeat for the Kaufman-Moss show. What hurt most was terrific, unparalleled competish of Frank Capra pix version at Warner's Hipp. Besides confusing theatregoers, situ- ation gave road-show slow start that held it down to $6,000. , ^ •The Women' doing much better currently at Hanna* which has 'I'd Rather Be Right' set for Oct 24. 'What a Life' follows Oct 31, then Katharine Cornell in 'Herod and Mariamne' Nov. 7. Cleveland Play House getting excellent trade with stocked 'Star Wagon' and 'Tonight at 8:30' in its two theatres. Estimate for Last Week 'Ifou Can't Take It with Yon,' Hanna (1.435; 50-$l-$l-50), Got bad breaks from warm weather ana flicker. Third engagement collected $6,000, about $3,500 less than last visit's gross^ Hampden 6G in Jersey Maplewood, N. J., Oct. 18. Walter Hampden in 'Trilby,' with Ethel Britten featured, did a fair week at the Maplewood, doing a little over $6,000 in nine- perform- ances, with a special Friday matinee. Current attraction, 'The Petrified Forest,' with Douglass Montgomery. Estimate for Last Week Trilby,' Maplewood theatre (1,420; 25-$1.00). Hampden followers turned out in fair numbers, b.o. reporting $6,000. leave It to Me' Itrisk $12,500 in New Haven New Haven, Oct. 18. Second attraction of Shubert sea- son, preem of Vinton Freedley's 'Leave It to Me/ did heavy week- end biz (13-15). In four perform- ances, got $12,500, which is aces here. Current is Ethel. Barrymore's 'Whiteoaks* (17-19), which packed the shelves Monday hut ran jsl light downstairs. House has booked Bal- let Russe for one night, Oct 31, and will follow with preem of 'Boys from Syracuse,' set for Nov. 3^5, Estlinate for Last Week 'Leave It Co MeJ' (Shubert) (1,600; 55-$3J0). Good word-of-0MMith, plus Yale-Navy football weekend, shoved figure to hefty ^12,900. B'way Biz Spotty; Invalid $16,000 And Bnikk, W OK $14,1 3 New Entries Exdient Press BRIGHT Um IN mm Boston^ Oct 18. Entirely new crop of shows came in this week, offering gdod diversifi- cation of entertainment. 'Shadow and Substance,' 'Golden Boy' and 'Leave It to Me' all opened yester- day (Monday), bringing out third- string reviewers for first time in a long while. Ina Claire opens tonight (Tuesday) in 'Yankee Fable,' which has been given a hefty advance bally here. Three quit town Saturday (15): .'Amphytrion 38/ 'What a Life' and 'Whiteoaks.' Miss Barrymore gave an extra matinee last Tuesday for. Actors' Fund. Federal Theatre opens winter sea- son Oct 24 at the Copley with "Haiti.* 'Boys from Syracuse' (George Ab- bott) and 'The Flying Ginsburgs' (Freedley) slated for Nov. 7 open- ings. Estimates for Last Week 'Amphytrion 38' (Colonial) (1.643; $3.30) (2d week). First of the The- atre Guild subscription series perked up in its final frame, with holiday and football hypos counting as rea- sons. Finished in blaze of b.o. glory, $21,500. 'What a Life' (Wilbur) (1,200; $2.75) (6th week): Okay $7,500 for final stanza of this George Abbott comedy, which garnered good word-of-mouth and press during its run. 'Whiteoaks' (Plymouth) (1,480; $2.75) (4th week). On the weak side after opening frame, but closer, $7,500, satisfactory. Leventhal May Lose Newark Shubert; Sixth Itoaf Repeat OK 7G Newark, Oct 18. Tobacco Road,' on its sixth re- turn engagement locally, did nearly $6,800 on the week, at the Shubert, splendid for this oft-repeated show. House is in darkness this week. Jules Leventhal, operator, is hav- ing difficulties with owner of the Shubert Prudential Life Insurance Co., in regards to down payments for house, there being a misunderstand- ing about the cash 'terms. Leven- thal's company was to pay $1,200 first of each month, and $500 each week, of which $385 was to be considered as rent Purchase of property from insurance company was set at $285,000., Leventhal claimed he did not receive proper written agree- ment and held up payment Insur- ance company claims terms of agree- ment were violated by non-payment, demand complete possession of prop- erty. Future of house is in doubt. Estimate for Last Week 'Tobacco Road' Shubert (1,940; 50- 1.50). Apparently there is a steady demand for this show, the supposed^ ly 'farewell engagement,' sixth, getting $6,800, good. mOEN BOY' TEES^FF DETROIT; HEFFY $18,500 Detroit Oct. 18. Although starting late, Detroit's legit season got 6ff auspiciously last week with 'Golden Boy* clicking off spiffy $18,500 at the Cass. Given hefty bally, especially on Frances Farmer, and nearly s.r.o. on most of nine performances. Current is 'Ycu Can't Take It With You,' which Dlayed here last season, at reduced prices. Top of $1.65 as compared with $2.75 for 'Golden Boy:' Cass is booked solid for next nine weeks. Estimate for Last Week .'Golden Boy,' Cass (1,000; $2.75). Ballyed nicely to get town off to late, but spiffy start About $18,500, hefty, for nine performances. Current: 'You Can't Take It With You.' Three attractions on last week's premiere card of five were accorded exceptional press attention, with only, few. critics dissenting and should land in Hie money. These shows, in addition to one possibility from the previous week, definitely mark the new season as progressing must faster thaih last year's. First lull week of The Fabulous Invalid,' Broadhurst, was quoted around $16,000 and agencies report active demand, with better weather probably sending up the pace. Oscar Wilde,' first of last week's crop to get the nod, started with a $14,000 week and looks set at the Fulton. Full length version of 'Hamlet,' a midweek debut at the St. James, and 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois,' which stirred first-nighters at the Plymouth Saturday CIS), comprise the likely new Quartet The earlier standouts onore firmly became established, 'Hellzapoppin' going to $23,000 and 'Kiss the Boys Goodbye' topping $15,700, both draw- ing capacity. 'Sing Out the News* was slightly up at $15,000; 'You Never Know' also so at $16,000, but neither is hot. Two other arrivals last week did not rate so well and one, 'Dance Night' at the Belasco, was yanked after two days. The other, '1 Have Been Here Before,' an English im- port, does not figure to stay around. Two quickie flops were registered, The Good'- disappearing from the Windsor and The Devil Takes a Bride' ditto at the Cort. Business was in and out genAkUy last week, with football crowds again helping in the latter days. Due next week: 'Madame Capet,' Cort; *Dan- t(m's Death,' Mercury, and something Called 'The Girl from Wyoming,' one of those night club mellers at the [ American Music Hall. Estimates for Last Week 'A W-eman's a Fool,' National (1st week) (C-1,164; $3,30). Presented by John J. Wildberg; written by Dor- othy Bennett and Link Hanna; opened last night (Tuesday). ' 'Abe Llacoln In Illinois,' Plymouth (1st we^) (D-1,036; $3.30). Opened with high promise Saturday (15); generally fine press with some raves and one adverse notice. 'Bachelor Born,' Cort (39th week) (C-1.050; $3.30). Moved here from Lyceum Monday; run comedy has been getting modest coin, but mak- ing some profit; rated over $5,000. 'Case History,' Lyceum (1st week) (D-957; $3.30). Presented by med- ical men under corporate title of M. D. Productions; written by Dr. Louis D. Bardoly; opens Friday (21). 'Dame Natorc,' Booth (4th week) (C-708; $3.30). Claims several thou- sand "oversubscriptions^- w~ h i~e h amount to about $6,500 weekly; an- other attraction slated in and 'Na- ture* may move. 'Dance Night,* Belasco. Opened last Friday; weak press; yanked Sat- urday (15). 'Devil Takes a Bride,' Cort With- drawn Saturday; slim trade; played one week and two nights. 'Hellzapoppin', 46th Street (5th week) (R-1,375; $3.30). Rated smash musical; nutty revue commands heavy call in agencies and approxi- mates capacity throughout week; up another notch to $23,000. 'I Have Been Here Before/ Guild (2d week) (D-914; $3.30). Opened last midweek to mild press; English import doubtful of sticking around. 'I Married an Aneel,' Shubert (24th week) (M-1,367; $4.40). Incomers have not dented musical, which is close to half year's run mark; line at box office most of the time; $28,000. 'Kiss the Boys Goodbye,' Miller (4th week) (C-944; $3,30). Season's first straight play sock; stronger as it progresses, with last week's tak- ings going to new high; quoted at $15,730. 'Knickerbocker Holiday/ Barry- more (1st week) (M-1,096; $4.40), Presented by the Playwrights; their second attraction; book and lyrics by Maxwell Anderson; opens tonight (Wed.). 'Kniirhts of Song,' 51st Street (1st week) (M-1,547; $3.30). Presented by Laurence Schwab; written by Glendone AUvine; Gilbert and Sul- livan cavalcade opened Monday (17); mixed notices. 'Missouri Legend,' Empire (5th week) (D-1,096; $3.30). Still disap- pointing, but management playing on with expectation of improvement; rated under $6,000. 'On Borrowed Time,' Longacre (38th week) (D-l,0l9; $3.30). Gees to road after another two weeks; jumped to around $9,000 last week on announcement of leaving. , 'Oscar Wilde,' Fulton (2d week) (D-913; $3.30). Following excellent press business built steadily during week and takings went to $14,000, indicating click. 'Our Town,' Morosco (38th week) (D-961; $3.30). Leader among strai£ht play holdovers is expected to last ^through fall; business ap- proximately ^,000. 'Siiiff 0«t the News,' Music Box (4th week) (R-rl,013; $4.40). Some flights very good, but has not built as expected; last week the take was "$15,500; fair for revue, at scale. The Fabulous Invalid,' Broadhurst (2d week) <CD-1,11€; $3,85). First fun week fairly sirong; agencies re- port improving ticket call and indi- cations are promising; approached $16^)00. Tile' Good,' Windsor. Taken off after last Wednesday night; played one week to lean trsAe; 'Run, Sheep, Run' jiext attraction. Tobacco Road,' .Forrest (254th week) <C-1,107; $1.65). With tow cost set-up may break run record; goes along to some profit weekly; '$5,000. Ifou Never Snow,' Winter Garden (5th week) <iR-l,671; $3.30). Claimed to be getting better than '$16,080, but said not to better .even oreak and maybe loss at that level. 'Victoria BeffMta,' (repeat) (Martin Beck) (3d week) (CD-i,214; $3.30). Climbed well over $18,000 mark and four-week -date extended; will stay at least two weeks beyond Oct. 29. 'What a Life,'. Biltmore <27th week) (C-991; $3.30). Semi co- operative, which is reason for show staying for time; business last week slightly over $5,000. 'Yen Cant ^Take It With Too,' Imperial (97tH week) XC-1,466; $1.65). Bounced upward last week when £Toss went around $9,000; im- usual fbr play which has been pic- turized; moves to Ambassador to make way for 'Leave It To Me.' ^ REVIVALS 'lAgbtahi,' Golden (6ih week) (C- 789; $3.30). One time run leader getting fair trade and may last through fall; rated around $8,000. . 'Hamlet,' St. James (2d week) <D- 1,520; $3.30). Drew, rave notices at opening laist nddweek; fuU-length version drawing capacity upstairs, with lower floor strong, too, ADDED 'Pfais and Needles/ Labor Stage (47th week) (R-500; $2.75). Holds its own against new season^s atttac« tions and may stick well into new season; making profit weekly at $6,000 and better. WPA 'One-Third of a Nation,' Adelphi (40th week); closing Saturday. 'On AelEtocks,' Daly's. 'Prokftne to Glory,' Ritz (27th week). Leaving in two weeks. The BIf Blow/ Elliot (3d week). Fair atendance for new melodrama. F.D.R, Bffi 186 DIWASH. Washington, Oct. 16. 'Knickerbocker Holiday' not only- gave Playwrights .group its second pre-Broadway success here in as many weeks, but got President Roosevelt to the theatre for the first time in five years. Coincidence is that F. D. R.*s last trip to only local legit spot was to see the same star, Walter HUston, in 'Dodsworth.' President notified theatre on Fri- day afternoon that he would attend last perf<^ance of week Saturday night (IS). Information leaked out at White House, although papers all followed tradition by not playing it up in advahoe. President laughed and applauded at satire on New Deal and incidents involving one of early New Amster- dam Roosevelts, staying throughout show and waving to cast as house kept curtain up with hefty applause for both show and guest of honor. Previous to 'Dodsworth," F. D. R. had visited National for 'When La- dies Meet.' Herbert Hoover never went to the theatre, although Wood- row Wilson, Howard Taft and Teddy Roosevelt were regular theatregoers. Walter Huston and Mrs. Huston were guests at the White House briefly after the show. Current is 'I'd Rather Be Eight* with plenty pointing to fact that this is only country in world where chief executive can be burlesqued by name in the nation's capitaL Next week is dark, with Ina Claire in pre- Broadway showing of 'Yankee Fable* due Oct. 31, and the Lunts in 'The Sea Gull' due Nov, 7. Estimate for Last Week 'Knickerbocker Holiday,' National (1.698; $3.30 top). Rave reviews and political interest topped by attend- I ance of President Roosevelt on last I night built to approximately $18,020.