Variety (Nov 1938)

ifftdneBdaj^ Noyewibtr 30, 193t' LEGITIMATE GROSSES VAUETY SI Cohan s $43,200 in Chi Aultoiiuni Smashes Records; 'Susan' Again 19G Chicago, Nov. 29. • Ckorfie M. Cohan smashed all legit ■ flrofs marks for Chicago when he fanuned $43,200 into the Auditorium Krthe flrst weeK at Td Rather Be Right.' And there Is every indica- tion that the two remaining weeks of-the show will also stick above the 40 grand marker. It was. unques- iionably "the swankiest opening in years here, and that takes in even the opera. Continuous lines at the boxofflce, and there isn't a really ffood seat left for the remainder of the stay* Brokers are knifing each other to snatch oflE a pair of decent duCfits* Force of Cohan in the 4,500-seat arena dropped the Gertrude Law- rence show to a poor second in gross marks, but 'Susan and God' was nevertheless a wow in its own right with a $19,000 again, helped by the extra turkey day mat. Show will stick until end of year, though it could manage several mere months easily at the present pace. Foldie of the session is' 'On Bor- xowed Time,' which closes up shop in the Grand on Saturday (3) with the cast returning to New York. It'll be a generally mild four-week limp, though the final session is perking on closing notice. 'Of Mice and Men,' which startled the American Theatre Society sub- scribers and cohvinced them that maybe the legit stage is not as 'proper' as it might be, quit Satur- day (26). Show went on to Milwau- kee and points northwest Will lay off the week before Christmas and then open in-Detroit.- Replacing 'Of Mice and Men' in the Selwyn was 'Whiteoaks,' which opened last night (2&) for a three- week stint, and will be followed by 'Shadow, and Substance.' Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne will do four weeks of *Ann>hitryon '38' starting Dec. 5 in the Erlanger, the first two weeks for the American Theatre Society subscribers. And then will toss off a fortnight of 'Sea Gull.' ' Estimates for Last Week 'I'd Bather Be Kieht,' Auditorium (2d week) (4;50Q; $3.30). This may be a stadium, but there weren't enough seats, due* to the sensational demand for a chance to squint at Geo. M. Sold this house to the raft- ers for a remarkable $43,200. Show will do weir over $125,000 in its three weeks here. 'Of-Miee and Men,' Selwyn (1,000; $2.75). Pulled out of the burg on Saturday (26) after five meek stanza. Closing week's gross was $8,000. Off for additional midwest, time. 'On Borrowed Time,' Grand (4th and final week) (1,400; $2.75). Was a disappointment and will fold on Saturday (3). Better than $8,000 on the session, mostly from the upstairs customers. 'Sasan and God,' Harris (7th week) (1.000; $2.75). Extra mat meant an- other $1,500, driving the gross up to. near the $19,000 figure again. Sen- sational take and will stay to end of the year. 'Whiteoaks,' Selwyn (1st week) (1,000; $2.75). In for three weeks, and should do okay on Ethel Barry- more rep. Opened Monday night (28). WPA 'Prolotue to Glory,' Blackstone. 'The Mikado/ Great Northern. ItOAD' HITS BIG 15G IN ATLANTA; NEAR BAN Atlanta, Nov. 29. Tobacco Road' closed its road en- gagement at the Erlanger here Satur- <iay (26) after eight big days which ■ saw a $15,000 gross once it was clear of censors and courts thanks to heavy publicity. A week before show opened here City Council empowered board of reviews, usually confined to films, to P&ss on showing here. Group de- manded a preview and turned down the show. Manager secured a tem- porary injunction but court later jciade injunction permanent, holding that ordinance governing show was void. *Woiiien' Hits Okay 12G, St Loo, Despite Opposish St. Louis, Nov. 29. Despite stiff opposish furnished by a nve-night stand on Sonja Henie's lee revue and the annual Thanks- WvJng Day football game between Washington and St. Louis Univer- sities for the city championship, 'The women,' in 10 performances at the American theatre, the town's only legiter, did nicely last week. It was a repeat date. • . Mary Ellis, morals crusader, SkiV ^ *^^*» disapproved 'Women,' rLj"®,*he show got raves from crix ana theatregoers. Estimate for Last Week tiFi'v* W««>»e»»' (American) (1,707; fl.68). Collected $12,000 for 10 per- wrmances, nice considering stiff op- posish and two snowy days. 'Women' Registering In Gncr, 'Blossom' $7,000 Cincinnati, Nov. 29. Second biggest take of the local legit season is being registered this week by 'The Women,' which opened Sunday at the Cox for nine perform- ances at $2.75 top. Dandy advance sale points to a $12,000 gross. Estimate for Last Week 'Blossom Time,' Cox (1,335; $2.26). Petered out to a disappointing $7,000. lADir 12a IflIB, lANDSCAPE' Boston, Nov. 29. 'American Landscape' remains here until .today (30) and then the Hub will have a legit famine until Dec. 12 ,when< 'Merchant of Yonkers' comes in with Jane Cowl. No other, attractions set after that until Noel Coward opens his 'Set to Music,' starring Beatrice Lillie, Dec. 26. 'Landscape,' third of -the Play- wrights' plays this season, opened to a mixed press &nd tepid b. o. recep- tion. 'Great Lady,' a musical that has been undergoing pre-Broadway revision in road towns to the tune of tame grosses, was given a hearty press welcome and a very encourag- ing patronage by the showgoers. While 'C3reat Lady' now looks ready for a Broadway plunge, ''American Landscape' was' not ~in satisfactory shape by week-end, and the extra three days were announced. 'Charles Waldron, playing a lead matked by several long speeches, is reaping great credit for learning his part on five" days' notice, when Ar- thur Byron had to quit 'Landscape' rehearsals because of illness. EsUmates lor Last Week 'Great Lady/ ShUbert (1,590; $3.30). Accorded flattering reception by crix and tallied encouraging gross in its week of seven performances, without serious opposition. Football mob boosted Saturday take. Total around $12,000. 'American Landscape,' Wilbur (1,- 227; $2.75) (1st wk). Consensus here is that everything depends on wise revision and clarification. Some crix thought it preached too much. Improved steadily through week, and more changes will be ilnade dur- ing extra three days. Closes Wednes- day (30). Benefit Tuesday (22) for German refugees sliced $2,000 off the gross, making actual tally around $5,000; away under expectations. Tordibearers' $5,000 In Frisco Too Slim; Out San Francisco, Nov. 29. Torchbearers' folded at the Curran Saturday (26) after two weeks of disappointing business. Company, headed by Constance Collier, went to Los Angeles for two weeks at the Biltmore. WPA 'Murder at thje Cathedral' closed at the Alcazar the- atre on the same night as George Kelly comedy and moved to Oakland for two weeks' run in the East bay. Estimate for Last Week 'Torchbearers,' Curran (1,771; $2.75) (2d week). Revival of this comedy failed to set town afire and show folded after two disappointing weeks. Second week lucky to get $5,000. WPA 'Murder in the Cathedral.' Alcazar (1,269; $1.10) (2d week). Best thing the local Federal Theatre Project has done in a long time. Turnout from colleges and churches was fine and business was good. New Haven Has Seen Idiot'; Baker $2,500 New Haven, Nov. 29. First road stand of Phil Baker's 'Idiot's Delight' tour, at pop prices, drew small figure here last week- end. Mild b.o. attributed to the fact that the Lunt-Fontanne combo played the show here previously, also that Baker did his stuff at near- by strawhat during summer. Critical comment on production was favor- able both from press and public. 'American Landscape,' set for cur- rent half week, Nov. 28 to 30, was cancelled in order to shoot show di- rectly to Broadway. House has 'Lightnin" for Dec. 2 and 3 and no future bookings. Estimate for Last Week Idiot's Delight' (Shubert) (1,600; $2.20). Around $2,500 on four per- formances meant plenty of vacant spaces. WFERENT FOLDS TO $8,m WASHINGTON Washington, Nov. 29. Nobody is seriously blaming either the local critics or the local theatre- goers, but Capital Is bidding to ruin, its finally-recognized status as a swell try-cut town the first reason it is really capitalizing on it Out of nine weeks so far, six have been Kre-Broadway polishings, with three its and three flops. Although score apparently is even, what has boys worried is not only that last three tries have flopped, but that they folded here. Makes crticks about the graveyard of the theatre a little too easy. Sting is somewhat removed, however, by fact that all three flops were skedded to qUit even before they arrived. 'I Am Different' got usual swank first-night turnout, but word-of- niouth and disappointing reviews licked Tullulah Bankhead just as Ina Claire in 'Yankee Fable.' Katharine Cornell stands as only one of trio of femme stars whose personal rep could offset bad play, her 'Herod and Mariamne' collecting twice what Bankhead and Claire mustered. 'Golden Boy' comes in this week with 'Pins and Needles' to follow Dec 5 and 'Our Town' Dec. 12. Estimate for La«i Week 1 Am Different,' National (1,698; $2.50)—Tullulah Bankhead unable to offset disappointing notices and ditto word-of-mouth. Play folded here with approximately $8^000. wm mm, TOW PfllLLY Philadelphia Nov. 29. Two heavy snow storms knocked legit gross figures considerably un- der expectations. But all the houses reported okay patronage thanks to, the out-of-towners and the curiosity of those who were willing to take .ia chance on the-municipal snowbanks. Mask and' Wig Club's 51st annual production, 'All Around the Town' had a crackerjack week at the Er- langer, getting $27,500. Walter Hampden is in at house now for two weeks, starting with 'Trilby.' Biz was divided tietween 'Lightnin' at the Chestnut,' 'Our Town' at the Locust, and 'Shadow and Substance' at the Forrest. Box office activity wasn't unprecedented, but spread around there was money enough for. all three. Estimates of Last Week 'Shadow and Substance/ Forrest (2d wk.) (2,000; $2.85). Return en- gagement didn't touch try-out fig- ures, but went to okay $12,000. 'Liffhtnjn/ Chestnut (2d wk) (1.800; $2.85). Not what was expected, but plenty of help from holiday despite storms, $8,500. 'Our Town/- Locust (1st wk.) (1,700; $2.50). On subscription, and topnotch notices, $14,500. One more week. 'AH Around the Town,* Erlanger (1,800; $2.85). Wiggers got swell publicity and reviews. Ideal week for their show and despite bad weather, show hit $27,500. 'CAN'T TAKE IT' |6M K. C; 'JMENT' SET Kansas City, Nov. 29. 'You Can't Take It With You' in a two-day stand in the Music Hall of the city auditorium ran up a $6,500 gross with two performances Thanksgiving and an evening per- formance Wednesday. Total returns very satisfactory in the face of ex- treme holiday competition. Also, it's the second appearance here for the company, show having played a week last season. Heading west for dates in Tulsa, Wichita and Okla- homa City. •Resident Theatre's second produc- tion of the season, Elmer Rice's 'Judgment Day,' opened Monday night to a sell out house (500 seats) and had sell outs in advance for two following nights. ^ Play was original- ly set for 10-day run, but in view of the opening, an extended run is planned. Organization has a subscription list of 1,800 and individual admission is set at $1 per head. 'EDNA' OK' PORTLAND Portland, Ore., Nov. 29. Cornelia Otis Skinner rated a ter- rific advance sale for her two-day stand the Rivoli under the local management of William B. McCurdy. At $2.65 top, indications are for a heavy gross. Miss Skinner presents two plays, 'Edna, His Wife' and 'Wives of Henry VIII.' 6 way Mu^'cal-Minded with 'Leave It' Vellzapoppin' $31,1 'Syracuse $30;000; 'Hamlet' 19G Out of six premieres on Broadway last week the majority was disap- pointing, but a new musical standout proved the exception. One other ar- rival rates a moderate chance. Of the remaining quartet, two were quickly withdrawn and the other pair extremely doubtful of sticking. The new sock attraction is the mu- sical, 'The Boys from Syracuse,* which drew a strong press at debut at the Alvin, with some notices of the rave nature. After a clean-up' opening night, attendance jumped to standee proportions by the third eve- ning, and indications are the gross will top $30,000 this week (show opened Wednesday, 23). 'Syracuse,' therefore, assumes position among the list's .leaders. 'Leave It to Me' held the number one spot in point of gross, with tak- ings over $35,500, which Included standees for all performances during the second full week. 'Hellzapoppin' went close to $31,000 by playing two extra matinees, and indications are the big three will ride through the season. Last week started mildly, but what with Thanksgiving there were excel- lent grosses registered, even though heavy snow on the holiday night af- fected the final two days' business. 'Kiss the Boys Goodbye' topped $17,- 000, with 'Oscar Wilde' getting nearly as much, both playing nine perform- ances. 'Hdmlet' got its best take so for with more than $19,000. 'Abe Lincoln,' however, easily held the lead among straight plays with an- other $21,000 total. 'Rocket to the Moon,' Belasco; was best of the straight shows which en- tered last week. Drew a fair press at the Thursday debut, though ad- vance reports were hardly borne out, 'Gloriana,' at the Little, attd 'Glori- ous Morning,'. Mansfield, opened Fri- day and Saturdxiyv respectively, both getting thumbs down notices. 'Crodd Hunting,* Hudson, and 'Ringside Seat,' Guild, opened early in the week, both being Withdrawn. In'addition, 'Where' D^o We Go from Here' bOwed out of the Vanderbilt. Due next week: 'Here Come the Clowns,' Booth, and 'Spring Meeting;'^ Morosco, with a WPA'er, 'Androcles and the Lion' (colored) a possibility at the Lafayette, Harlem. Estimate for Last Week 'Abe Lincoln In IHiboIs,' Plymouth (7th week) (D-1,036; $3.30). ' Has gained such rnomentum that it's doubtful of being topped among straight plays this season; .$21,0(K). . 'American Landscape/ Cort'(CD- 1,059; $3.30). Presented by The. Playwrights; written by Elmer Rice; tried out in Boston; opens. Saturday (3). ' . 'Bachelor Born/ Morosco (45th week) (C-961; $3.30). Better here than at Mansfield; what with cut rates business topped $5,000; again due to move, this time Into 46th Street, next week. 'Beys from Syracuse/ Alvin (2d~ week) (M-1,355; $4.40). Drew strong press with some rave notices and built to capacity by third night; opened last mid-week; ekpected- to top $31,000. Gloriana,' Little (D-532; $3.30). Opened Friday and drew distinctly weak press; lays off balance of week for script changes. 'Glorioas Morning,' Mansfield (1st week) (D-1,097; $3.30). Opened Sat- urday (26); drew criticisms on th€'doubtful side. 'Go6d Hunting," Hudson. With- drawn after second performance last week, Tuesday (22). 'Great Lady/ Majestic (1st week) (M-1,717; $3.85). Presented by Dwight Deere Wiman; book by Earle Crooker and Lowell Brentano; score by Frederic Loewe; opens Thurs- day (1). 'Hellzapoppin,' Winter Garden (11th week) (R-l,671i ^3.30). Moved here Monday from 46th Street, where it played to standing room only; last week in 10 performances gross hit new high of nearly $31,000. 'I Married an Angel/ Shubert (10th week) (M-1,367; $4.40). Still commands excellent attendance with virtual capacity, despite new musical arrivals and agency call tapering; $26,000 claimed. 'Kiss the Boys Goodbye/ Miller (10th week) (0-944; $3.30). Went Over the $17,000 mark last week; played nine performances and will establish that policy rough the winter, starting with the holidays. 'Leave It to Me/ Imperial (4th week) (M-M68; $4.40). Leads the field with standees at all perform- ances; second week went over $35,- 500 mark. 'Lorelei/ Longacre (1st week) (D- 1,019; ^3:30). Presented , by Richard Aldrich and Dennis King in associa- tion with Cedric Hardwicke and Richard Myers; written by Jacques Deval: opened Tuesday (29). 'Knickerbocker Holiday/ Barry- more (7th week) (M'1,096; $4.40). Among the season's better musicals; draw is substantial, although not, ex- ceptional; around $20,000. 'Oscar Wilde/ Fulton (Rth week) (D-913; $3.30). Extra matinee Fri- day sent gross around $17;500; af- fected by weather several perform- ances, but among straight play lead-' ers. 'itlngrside Seat/ Guild. Taken off Saturday after playing one week; adverse press. 'Rocket to the Moon/ Belasco (2d week) (D-liOOO; $3.30). Opened late last week, draxving fair press; waj highly touted, but moderate engage- ment indicated.' 'Sing Ont tiie News/ Music Box (10th week) (R-1,116; $4.40). Con- tinues to profitable business; mati- nee weakness stops pace from mate- rial betterment; $16,000. 'Soliloquy/ Empire (1st week) (D-1,096; $3.30). Presented by Henry Weissman; written by Victor Victor; was . tried out on the Coast recently;' Opened Monday (28); panned. 'The Fabulous Invalid/ Bf oadhurst (8th week) (CD-1,107; $3.85). Has not climbed as hoped; around $13,- 000 last week, about an even break. 'Tobacco Road/ Forrest (260th week) (D-1,107; $1.65). Looks like' long run drama will pass the five- year mark; around $5^000, which is enough for small profit with low-cost operation. 'Victoria Begina' (repeat), Martin Beck) (9th week) (CD-1,214; $3.30). Another three weeks* for repeater;, still making coin with last week's gross again around ifie.OOO. 'What a Life,' Biltmore (33d week> (C-801; $3.30). Engagement slated until New Year's eve; will be fol-- lowed by 'The Primrose Path'; 'Life' drew comparatively good gross last week with $8,000 In 10 performances. 'Where Do We Go From Here?*^ Vanderbilt. Withdrawn last Satur- day; played one week and seven per- formances. 'You Can't Take It With Tou/ Am- bassador (103d week) (0-1,156;, $1.65). Laugh show is getting by to slight profit and may stick for the holiday trade; last \veek.-rated aroimd ^5,000. - ^Revival ^Hamlet/ St. James iUth week) (D- 1,520; $3.30). Bett^red'$l{|f,<H)0; Which was the best gross since starthig; cannot get much,more in.seven per- formances of full lengrth version; an^ nounced to continue into ' January. Added 'Pins and Needles/ Labor Stage (43d week) <R.5O0; $2.75). Passes the 3^ear mark this week; trade unionists' revue started as a week- end attraction then went on regu- larly; averages $6,000 weekly and okay. The Girl from Wyoming,' Ameri- can Music Hall (6th week). More of a stunt than a show; business fair' with sale of liquor probably keep- ing it going. WPA 'On the Bocks/Daly's; final week. 'The Big Blow/ EUiot mOEN BOY'$12,400 DESPITE BALTO SNOW Baltimore, Nov. 29. Town currently dark after ringin;. up nice $12,400 for 'Golden Boy' a Ford's. 'Our Town' due in neitt week has walloping advance sale chalked up already and looks headed for re- sounding take. 'Pins and Needles' set to follow. Estimate for Last Week 'Golden Boy/ Ford's (1,900; $2.75). Practically sellout trade for upper floors and good interest throughout week built to okay $12,400. Would have gotten even more but for severe Thanksgiving day snow. *Whiteoaks' Grosses Fair $9^00 in Ciiicy Cleveland, Nov. 29. Despite Community Fund driven Ethel Barrymore managed to k^ep,. the. Hanna s take from 'Whiteoaks'' up to a fairly good $9,000 for eight performances. Reviews fine.. Theatre dark this week. Next date is 'Shadow and Substance' for Dec. 5. 'Shayian cycle at Playhouse was. such a disappointment that leading rep theatre is yanking 'Heartbreak House' and 'On the Rocks' after one/ week, shoving in 'Yes, My Darling Daughter' to run opposite 'Tonight at 8:30' in its two auditoriums, ^timate for Last Week 'Whiteoaks/ Hanna (1,435; $2.7S top). Ethel Barrymore's flrst-visit in three years hurt by too many other distractions, yet $0,900 lets her break better than-even. 'Service' $2,560, Maplewood Maplewood, N. J., Nov. 29. 'Room Service' at the Maplewood theatre did poorly on account of the heavy storms during the week, the b. o. hardly getting $2,500. Current attraction <8 'Ths ?«:!tiJo' with Howard MsTrsh.