Variety (Nov 1938)

Wednesday, iNovember 16« 1938 LEGITIMATE GROSSES VARIETY SI B^way Musicals* Upbeat (Continued from page 47) of $21,000; 'Bliss the Boys Goodbye' and 'Oscar "Wilde,' also sellouts, got $18,700 and $18,300, respectively, for iner playing 10 tiroes and the latter " having one added matinee; 'Hamlet* Awent to best money, approximating $19,000; 'The Fabulous Invalid,' -which is virtually , a musical, got $15,000; among the other plays which im- proved was *Our Town,' which rated good $11,000 and is going out this week. Next week, marked by Thanksgiv-. Ing, may have half a dozeni pre- mieres, but two are stopping -after tryout dates Saturday (19). Katharine ■ Cornell's 'Herod'and Miriamne' will b^ shelved after four weeks on the , road and same goes for 'The Flying Ginzburgs.' Openings scheduled; 'The Boys from Syracuse,' Alvin; ■ 'The Rocket to the Moon.' Belasco; 'Geod Hunting,' Hudson; 'Gloriana*' Little; 'Glorious Morning,' Mansfteld, in addition to which there are several puppet shows carded. Estimates for Last Week 'Abe Ltkicoln in Illinois,' Plymouth <5th week) (D-1,036; $3*30), No extra matinee, yet top takings since debut; capacity attendance throughout last week for $21,000 total. nEteehelor Born,' Mansiield (43d week) (C-1,097; $3.30). Still on the move; switches next week to Moros- co, where it originally opened; $4,500 estimated. *Danten's Death,' Mercury (^d week) (D-660; $2;75). Business just fair, first full week beit^ estimated around $4,500; somewhat under ex- • • pectations and attendance this and , next week will indicate length of stay: • 'Helizappopinv' 46th Street (9th week) (R-1,375; $3.30). Got best ■ money last week by virtue of an extra matinee and holiday prices; rated over $29,000. •I Married An Anpel,' Shubert (8th week) (M-1,367; $4.40). Leadership contested by 'Hell^;' and the new •Leave It to Me'; run musical slightly under previous pace, with takings of $27,000. •Kiss the Boys GflOdbye,' Miller - (8th week) (C-944; $3.30). New high for comedy leader, which grossed $18,700; two extra matinees for total of 10 performances last week. . •Leave It to Me,' Imperial (2d week) (M-1,468; $4.40). Indicated new leader of list; great break at premiere with strong press result- ing; $27,500 in first five performances • and should reach $35,000 this week. %orelei,' Lohgacre (1st week) (D- 1,019; ^3.30). Presented by Richard Aldrich, Dennis King, Cedric Hard- Wicke and Richard Myers; written by Jaques Duval; opens Thursday (17). •Knickerbocker Holiday.' Barry- more .(5th week) (M-1,096; $4.40). Not materially changed ftom start- . ing pace; without extra matinee tak- ings werfe quoted close to $20,000 .mark, • , ^ 'Oscar Wttde.' Fulton (6th week) (D-913; $3.30). Also went to new high ' last week when nine performances • were played and the gross was $18,- 300. . • 'Oiir Town,' Morosco (42d week) (D-S61; $3.30). Final week; goodly run to profit right along without drawing .exceptions^ grosses; went up last week with takings quoted around $11,000. •Ringside Seat,' Guild <D-014; $3.30). Presented by Rufus Phillips; written by Leonard Ide; slated to open Saturday (10). 'Bun, Sheep, Bun.' Windsor. Closed Saturday after playing one and one- half weeks. •'Sine Out the News,' Music Box (8th week) (R--l,013; $4.40). Getting good night business,- with last week showing some, further improvement; gross over $16,000; turning an operat ing profit. 'The Fabulous Invalid,' Broadhurst (6th week) (CD-1,116; $3.85). Classed among the .musicals because of fre- ' quent numbers in stage cavalcade; business around $15,000, also means operating profit. 'Tobacco Road.' Forrest (258th week) (D-1,107; $1.65). Long stayetr sticks by virtue of low operating nut and no telling how long it will run; around $4,500 to some profit. . 'You Never Know,' Winter Garden (91h week) (R-1,671; $3.30). Due off after another week, with 'Hellzapop pin' moving In; some cut-rate aid, with grosses around $16,000 esti mated. " 'Tictoria Reglna' (repeat), Martin Beck (7th week) (CD-1,214: $3.30. Announcpd to conclude Dec. 17 which will give return engagement stretch of 11 weeks: goes to road for several dates after Christmas; business holds up strongly; $17,000. 'What a Life,' Biltmore (31st week) (C-891: $3.30). With aid of cut rates .and two for ones takings went over $5,500 last week; cast on sharing ar raupement with profits pro-rated. •Where Do We Go From Here?' Variderbilt (1st week) (C-800; $3.30). Presented by Oscar Hammerstein II and Dwight Taylor; written by William Bowers; opened Tuesday (H). . 'You Can*i Take It With Yoo,' Am bassador (101st wepk) (C-1,156 $1.65).. Takings somewhat up over previous week; quoted around $6,000 date' indefinite, what with new at- tractions sparse. Bevlval Camlet,' St. James (6th week) (D- 1,520; $3..30). Climbe.d almost as much aa expected, with, gross approaching $19,000 level and advance sale as strong as ever; only weakness was Wednesday, attendance because of switch to full-length performance. Added 'Pins and Needles,' X.abor Stage (51st week) (R-500; $2.75). Close to full year's run mark and when new numbers go in engagement will be further strengthened; approximates $6,O0O pace but slightly last w^ek. •The Girl From Wyoming,' Ameri- cs^n Music Hall (4th week). Night club meller got Sunday-show section break; faring okay ifor novelty spot. WPA 'On the Rocks,' Italy's. 'The Bif Blow,' Elliot. Boston, Nov. 15. Three new shows came, in last week. 'Boys from Syracuse' drew rave press and word-of-mouth is building it up to important tally. 'Flying (ainzburgs,' comedy brought in by Vint6n Freedley, is a later pos- sibility but 'Blackbirds,' colored revue presented by. Lew Leslie, shows nO promise. Latter folds here Saturday (19), 'Ginzburgs' also clos- ing that date for repairs. 'Shadow, and Substance' and •Lightnin" bowed out Saturday (12) after four and two weeks, respec- tively. In the offing are: 'American Land- scape,' by Elmer Rice. Nov. 21; 'Great Lady' and 'Faustus,' Nov. 28; and 'Set to Music,' by Noel Coward, star- ring Beatrice Lillie, Dec. 26. Bstimatcs for Last Week 'Boys from Syracuse' (Shubert) (1,590; $3.30) (1st wk)!—Not record- breaking, but gathering momentum that should bring important tally for second frame. First week, $17,500. 'Shadow and Snbstance.' (Wilbur) (1,200; $2.75) (4th Wk).—Had a good run here and woUnd up with okay $10,500 for fbiel- stanza. 'LiKhtnIn'' (Colonial) (1,643; $2.20) (2d wk).—Never in the big money. Took around $5,000° for second week 'jnackbtrds' (Majestic) (1,667; $2.75) (7 performances).—Sixth edi tion of Lew Leslie's colored revues of same name looked hopeless open ing night and it closes Saturday (19). Meanwhile, it's very pallid b.o., about $3,000 for first week. •Flyinff ' Gldzturts' (Plymouth) (1,480; $2,75) (4 performances). — .Awarded . encouraging press, but needs speeding up. Garnered about $5,000 for first week. Will stop here Saturday (19°) for repairs before go- ing jto Wvfay, Cohan SRO $15,000 In 4 Ind^. Shows Indianapolis, Nov. 15. George M. Cohan's 'I'd Bather Be Right' put the English .well into the black. Tickets were practically all sold out on mail-order .business, with box office opening only a cbiiple of hours Saturday (5) to dispose of rest. Playing three evening performances starting Thursday (10), plus Satur- day matinee, engagement clicked off socko $15,000, with more than $500 of the total paid by standees at $1. With Columbus takings, week's grosses around $28,000. House will be dark until Dec. 1, when 'Blossom Time,' with Everett Marshall, comes in to be followed by 'The Women' and 'What a Life.' Cor- nelia Otis Skiriner, playing one night (8). got nice $1,300 on 'Edna His Wife.''here for the second time. Estimates for Last Week I'd Rather Be Rirhl' (English; 1 - 500; $3.85). Probably biggest of the year for four performances in three days: terrific $15,000. •Edna His Wife' (English) (1,500; $2). Nice for a repeat trip at $1,300. BARRYMORE'S PfTF B.O. WEAKENS, ONLY $9,500 Pittsburgh, ^ov. 15. Ethel Barrymore's draw isn't what it used to be here, 'Whiteoaks' dem- onstrated pretty conclusively at Nixon last week. Take of $9,500 was not so bad, and even slightly profitable at both ends, but not within a mile of big grosses star has been accustomed to rolling up in these parts. Mats and opening night pulled it through, first performance having been, sold, out completely as benefit and drawing biggest and swankiest audience of year. Notices were lukewarm, star com- ing in for fairly generous praise, but vehicle got a spanking and nights were way off. consistently, star's femme following, brhiging the after- noon shows up around par. Small cast and one-set, however, make it an easy attraction to' get by. Nixon has Lunts in 'Amphitryon 38' current under ATS auspices and then rims into its first dark week ot season since opening Oct 3.. Thanks- giving, week is proverbially one of the best here, but no' show is avail- able. House reopens Nov. 28 with 'Pins and Needles' and follows with 'Golden Boy,' last definite booking to date. Estimate for Last Week 'Whiteoaks' (Nixon; 2,100; $2.75). Ethel Barrymore's marquee magic isn't what it used to be aroimd here, but ^rtill potent enbugh to account for fair $9;500, which is slightly profit- able anyway. Better part of gross was representied by sellout betteSt opening and big mats, evening trade being way off. Chi Legit Eases Off; 'Mke Annoys Femmes, N-C. $11,000, M Big 19G 'Hour' Bright $3,500, *Conjur' N.G. in B'Wyn Brooklyn, Nov. 15. 'Children's Hour,' at the Shubert brought good resiilts. Second and last week of 'Conjur,' at St. Felix, produced by Brattleboro, was unex- citing. Current attraction at Shubert is 'Strictly Dishonorable.' Brattleboro reopens Monday (28) with new com- edy, 'H You Get It, Do You Want It,' by Leonard Weil and John Becker. Estimates for Last Week 'Children's Hour* (Shubert) (1,750; 25-85). Good production and good notices brought nifty $3,500. 'Conjar' (St. FeUx) (287; 50-$1.50). Second and last week. Meagre $250. cmm «MD $9,500 Cleveland, Nov. 15. Being figuratively a sacred cow who could do no wrong here, Kath- arine. Cornell over-shadowed critical aspersions cast at her, 'Herod and Mariamne' well enough last week to collect $9,500 at Hanna in four per- formances. . . Figure was extra good for a split- week attraction, particularly for the first half, which is usually slow, but not up to her usual mark. On her last Cleveland visit in 'Wingless Vic tory,' she reaped $14,700 in same number of shows, 'Herod' fared equally as well in Buffalo 'the last half, week's gross being around. $19,000. •Pins and Needles' for .current stanza is going full speed, with first two sponsored nights getting standees. Etliel' Barrymore in •Whiteoaks' is slated for Nov. 21. Estimate tot Last Week •Herod and Mariamne,' Hanna (1,435; $3 top). Although not a credit dramatically- speaking, to Cornell's record, fine $9,500 in four shows is very consoling. $9,000 in Iftqflalo Buffalo, Nov. 15. Four performances of 'Herod and Miriamne' grossed nearly $9,000 at the Erlanger, figure representing about three-quarters capacity busi- ness. PBfllY BIZ Off ; mm life' Pratty DoH hi Cncy at ROOO 'Rat' Bright $5,000 Maplewood, N. J., Nov. 15. •Brother Raf with Leon Janney and Mary Mason featured, did sur- prisingly well at the Maplewood, getting over $5,000. Abbott comedy had played nearby Newark twice before and the film version was competing, with the third engage- ment. Current attraction is 'Yes, My Daring Daughter,' wth Frances Starr. Estimate for Last Week 'Brother Rat,' Maplewood (1,420; 25-$I). Patrons go for comedy here and the b.o. did fine $5,000. Cincinnati, Nov. 15. Legit biz comes to life locally dur- ing the last half of this week when George M Cohan's Td Rather Be Right' tenants the 2,500-seat Taft auditorium for-four-performances at $3.96 top. Early demands point to a take of not less than $17,000. Last week's 'What a Life,' third full week offering - of the season, fetched lukewarm leturns, same as its predecessors. Estimate for Last Week •What a Life' (Cox; 1,336; $2.75) — Received swell reviews and audi- ence reaction, yet suffered for lack of names and because of heavy ad- vance sale on *I'd Rather Be Right' Disappointing at less than $7,000. 'Pins'll4,500, Detroit Detroit, Nov. 15. Succession of hits continues at Cass here as legit-season gathers steam, with 'Pins apd Needles' gathering in surprising $14,500 last week on nine performances at $2.75 top. Garment Workers union offering got general rave, notices, including coupla editorial plugs, and hit stride above general expectations. Current • is Ethel Barrymore's 'Whiteoaks,' which opened week stand last night (Monday). Estimate for Last Week 'Pins i^nd Needles.' Cass (1,500; $2.75). ■ Got rave notices and clipped off nice $14,500, well above expec- tations here. Philadelphia, Nov. 15. There were tiiree legit houses open here in Philly last week, but the trio of attractions turned ■' in nothing startling in the way of biz. Houses lighted were Forrest, with final week of 'Groat Lady'; Erlanger, With 'Brother Rat's' second week» and the Locust Street with the first of two weeks for 'Golden Boy* on ATS ,sub'-' scription. Chestnut Street Opera House was dark after three highly profitable weeks with the Lunt& in 'Amphitryon 38' and 'The Sea Gull.' •Box office activity was sluggish in all cases. The subscription basis held; up 'Golden Boy' to a satisfactory- $12,000 in its first week, at the Lo- cust, but there was very little .gen- eral public sale at the b. o. . Odets drama will, however; abcomiilish': a nice two weeks' stay here.' 'Brother' Rat,' with plenty of cut-rating, pitiked up so consistently • at the Erlanger that this comedy (repeat) is holding' for a third week. . 'Great Lady,' an.imprpv.ed nftusioal show, but still needing repairs, h^rdr ly held its own in its second full week at the Forrest' (sh<jw-opened on Friday night previous' ahd'so got fortnight and three performahces" in aU). This week's openings can v hardly be called newcomers... One; is-'Fred Stone's revival of, 'Lightnin' the Cheistmit, and Ihe other is a re-, turn of last season's' dramatic hit; 'Shadow and Substance,.'-at the For- rest Both are in for two'- Weeks.. Next Monday (21) 'Our Town'makes its bow at Jthe .Lo<;us!t pn ' ATS sub- scriptibn and the Mask and Wig Club's new show.' 'All. Around the Town,* starts its week's stay at the Erlanger. Dec. 5 'The^ Merchants of Yonkers,' Thornton iWilder's- new play to he directed by Max Reinhardt and >produced by Herman Shumlin, will >bow in at the For- rest Orson Welles and the' Mercury Theatre will offer their-'condensed version of Shakespeare^s historical plays, 'Five Kings,' at the Chestnut on Dec. 19, and a third tiy-out, 'Swing to the Left,' Vinton Freedley musical, is now set at the Forrest for Jan. 2. Other bookings in(ilude 'What a Life' at the Locust Dec. 26; Helen Hayes' return in "Victoria Regina' at Forrest same night, and John Bar- rymore and his wife, Elaine Barrie, date and theatre not set. Estimates for Last Week 'Golden Boy* (Locust) (Isl week) (1,400; $2.50). Notices were not as wildly enthusiastic as expected. Sub- scription foundation held up biz to $12,000. One more week then 'Our "Town,' also on subscription. 'Great Lady' (Forrest) (3d week) (2,000; $3.42), Musical try-out never did really get to ''rst base here, al- though admittedly now a much im- proved show. Final week, $12,000. Played two weeks and three per- formances. 'Shadow and Substance' this week. 'Brother Bat* (Erlanger) (2d wk) (1,800; $2). Comedy (repeal) im- proved steadily with two-for-ones and is staying third week; $7,000, Princeton Mask and Wig show in Monday. Chicago, Nov. 15. Loop eased off last week despite the presence of several New York hits. Though they smashed 'em on Broadway, the looalites didn't seem to find 'em worth the price of admis- sion. Worst headache is the brutal reaction to 'Of Mice and Men,' caus- ing-plenty of headaches to the Amer- ican Theatre Society, which has the show in here on subscription. ATS office is flooded with letters of protest from subscribers, nearly all femmes, complaining that the show should never have been presented under ATS auspices; some of fenunes stated they couldn't sit through the show. This reaction has even hurt 'Dame Nature,' third show on the ATS list; the finicky gals being afraid that this show will also chill 'em. However, word-of-mouth is indicat- ing to them that the show is airy stuff and play figures-to build, espe- cially due to excellent party trade arranged by Thoda Cocroft, ATS chief here, for the third week. Two other opcnerfi last week are only fair niazuma-makcrs. 'On Bor- rowed Time' is garnering a fair level of eustomers, but may build in the next week or so. 'The Women' re- turned to town, this time into the mammoth Auditorium at a low top. Started slowly, but is climbing. One smash in "the list continues, with 'Susan and God' accounting for the sell-out. Gertrude Lawrence* cracked the line to a new high last week due to the extra matinee for Armistice .Day. Considerable bittemes£t among legit men over the booking of the 'Pro- logue to Glory' into the Blackstene by the Federal Theatre. They feel that bringing this show in from .New York, and then plastering the dailies " with 100 and 200-Un6 ads is going overboard for a governmental pro- ject in competition with the pro- fessional, theatre. Next shows in are Td Rather Be Right' Auditoritun, M<}nday (21), and 'Whiteoaks,' Which replaces 'Of Mice and Men' in the Selwyn, Nov. 28. Estimates for Last Week 'Dame Nature/ Erlanger (2d week) (1,300; $2.75). Third Show of ATS season got away to. a slow s^rt, primarily on reaction 'Of Mice and Men* dLsappointment '-to . subscribers. Managed meek •$8,000. in initial ses- sion,, more than 50% of which was subscription coin. Will l)uild id third week on flock of parties sold by Thoda Cocroft 'Of Mice and Men/ S^wyn (4th week) (1,000; $2.75). Bitter disap- pointment, with the cuatomers walk- m^. out on show a$ too strong .for their stomachs. Catholic element and Christian Science group snubbing it. Off at $11,000. One more week. 'On Borrowed Thnc,' Grand (2d week) (1,400; $2,751. Took $8,500, fair enough, for ^ort week-after Tues» day opening. Had good advance build-up and may get going to better results. 'fiosan 4md G«d/ Harris (5th week) (1,000; $2.75). With an added matinee zowied to better than $19,000, re- markable. Will be here until turn of the year -easily. 'The Women/ Auditoritun (2d-final week) (4,000; '^1.65>. Despite low tariff and large seating capacity is not attracting trade that had been •expected. Around "$10,000, mildish. Figures for better coin currently on pre-sales. WPA 'Preloeae to Glory/ Blackstohe. Brought in from N*w York, but not indicating any real trade. 'The Mikado/ Great Northern. Col- ored swing version still a winner. Future Play •The Rivals/ by Richard Sheridan, which will achieve a London pro- duction next month, is a next season possibility for the schedule of Jud- son O'Donnell and Clay Shaw, who are currently presenting Cecelia Loftus in a series of Sunday night impersonations at the Vanderbilt. Rehearsals would begin in August, followed by a 10-week road -tot r prior to a Broadway opening Um 'mi' FUES HKH IN WASH., $25,000 Washington. Nov. 15. 'The Sea Gull' got raVe reviews and the usual Lunt-Fontanne gla- mour packed the National last week. Biz warranted extra Friday mat, Current is- Katharine Cornell's 'Herod and Mariamne,' with heavy advance sale as always oh Cornell appearance here. Word came through Sunday (14) that show would fold after run here, but critics agreed to lay off announcement until Wednes- day. Show marks second time in three Weeks that pre-Broadway en- gacement has been begun ..with un- derstanding show womd duit here. Ina Claire's 'Yankee Fabfe,' which was booked, cancelled and then isooked again for week of Oct 31, was the other and took, terrific nose- dive stfter opening night Talliilah Bankhead, in 'I Am Dif- ferent'' comes in week of Nov. 21, giyin^ Cap fourth pre-Broadway try of current season. Estimate for Last Week •The Sctf Gull' National (1.698; $3.30). Sock reviews'and Lunt-^Fon- lanne draw drew th0 carriage trade and forced extra mat; around $23,000, excellent