Variety (Apr 1939)

50 VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, April 5, 1939 GoDege Shows FAIR ENOUGH (COLUMBIA VAKSmr SHOW) Munlciil comcdv In two acts, nine ecAnes; book nnd lyrics by I.A.Ii. Dlamoml; mualc by Lpc Wnlner. Herbert C. Splaelninn, Alon (inlilbr"Kr, Julian JlfiberU. Albert Sher- iTln lilclmnl Del Nunzlo. Robert Sberwin, Huricy Weeniun; directed by Paul J. Wlo- kopji: ordiesira directed by I^e Wnlner; dancea, l-"mnk Gncen. At Hotel Antor, N.V.. March .10, "TO tlilnl find Inat per- formance at Wood Auditorium, Mt. A'ep- ron. April- 1. '30; $2.30 top. Plrnt l.lbrarlnn Julian Boblnowlti Head Mlirarlnn. Kenneth Frlou Jane Turner Alexondcr McAIIIMer^ Woman PWIIP Hobel Second Woman.... ..Myron Hroun Han Wllllom Coldwntor Barbara Turner Gordon Kent Communlat Harold TIelz Larrv Aldrlch Andrew Aprfa Second Librarian John Hanaon Nancy Carter John Bnteman First Reporter Irvlnff Llebermon Second Reporter.: -.Oeorge Verdono Pbotoempher William Goldtrnter Buddy Carter William Jack Close Patriot ......Seymour Alpcrt WPA Foreman Anthony DImIno Mossenger Boy '..William Goldwater Alexander Hamilton John Barry George Woahlneton Harold Stenberg Couvomeur Morris Charles Plotz James Mndlaon William Pfelter Thomas Jeffei'son.... * James Rhea iWalter Hladky T^uls'Moreno Roman Sietcewlcz John Jay Kenneth Rellly Robert Livingston Edward Weinberg Ben'anili. I'Vanklln. Daniel Stowens John Hancock Henry MIneur Announcer James O'Connor F. Donald Carter Arthur Benson Florence Carter Philip Hobet Slapsy Robert Davis Third Reporter ..Jean Eosin Fourth Reporter John Fonsera Auctioneer ..Jean Sosin Third Vice President Georse Daniel Second Vice President Seymour Alpert EIrst Vice President Aaron Frankel Martha Waablneton,...Orlando Stephenson G-Man Uartln Dies Captain of the Guard. Guard Attendant Grover Whalen.. Georse nallup... P.1U1 Revere Ring Geome. ...William Hubbard ...Philip Van EIrk ,...Alfred Bodenlos George Knight William Goldwater Sidney Luckroan Charles Bennett Aaron Fmnkel .Georg« Daniel Queen Elizabeth ....William Sleeper Columbia University trots out Its best braces ot muBcle-knotted legs for its annual varsity musical conv- edy, but the satirical extravaganza, with the exception of its music, and notably the lyrics, falls far short of recent Columbia productions. The boys look nice as girls; the ensemble dancing is in the Russell Markert manner, except in execution, making It doubly hilarious; the production calibre is as good as the limits ot a school show permit,' but the book, dialog and humor fall far short of high-grade lampooning according to recent college show standards. Tersest diagnosis is that I. A. L. Diamond, who wrote the book and lyrics, failed to concentrate on one subject Instead, he ribs President ment coming with There's Some- thing of the Hyde in Me;' Sid Luck- inan, star of Columbia's gridiron squad for three years. Is cast as Grover Whalen in the dosing por- tion and gets by. . Gordon Kent (sporting the best femnie makeup and gams in the show) and Andrew Aprea uncover fair voices as the romantic team. Alexander McAllister, a shot-putter, playing Kent's husky sister, fur- nishes some nice- light comedy, im- pressing his fellow-sluidents in the audience most of -all. ^ ^ ,, ■ P.a. system in the .Astor hotels grand ballroom was faulty, the stage mikes not being set so as to pick up all voices Some parts of the audi- torium- were absolutely dead on re- ception. , J, ^.j Show played Thursday and Friday (31) at the Astor and its final per- formance was at the Wood Audi- torium, Mt. Vernon. N. Y., Satur- day (1). Scho. FAIR ENOUGH (Hasty Poddlne Clnb) (HABVABD) Boston, March 30. Jluslcal comely In two acts, 11 scenes, nresented by the Hastv Pudding Club of Harvard University: directed by Edward Clarke Lllley; choreograpby, William R. Holbrook, ' musical direction. Richard Ijowlne; book, Alan Lemer, Morgan Pres- ton, J. Dnvid Preston: music, Alan Lemer. Francis Lawrance. Elliot Forbes, Sherwood Rollins: Ivrlcs, Alan Lemer, Vlhton Frced- ley, Jr., ifarvln Scalfe. J. David I,annon, Sherwood Rollins: orchestrations, I.eRoy Anderson: sets, Calvin Elliott. Howard Turner, Panl HoUlster and George SmKh: at the Copley, Boston, March 30: 13.23 top. Coake Barter....: Bayard Clarke Mayor LaOuardla Henley Dillingham Homer Letand Roger Lapham Ned Holden .Da,vld Sheppard Greta Grant Donald Thurber Tim Bj'nn..i '........P. Loring Reed Mrs. Ryan ....Charles D. Dyer, 3d Sheila Ryan Bayard Dillingham Huey Thomas Richmond Holder Torpedo RonianI Antbony Butler Mayor of Blomey John Lewis Murphy Murphy Richmond Holder Ballin Russell Bowie Scarlet O'Hara John Grant Judge John H. Lewis Gentlemen ot the Jury—S. Rollins, L. Bannister, L. Mosley, J. Parker, B. Clarke, J. F. Brooks. H. rrvin, B. Davis, P. Sco- fleld, A. McDonnell, R. Groves, Joel Gold- thwatte. Gentlemen ot the Ensemble—Lemuel Ban- nister, John V. Brooks, Robert Grove-s, An- gus McDonnell, George Mosley, Samuel Reed. Sherwood Rollins, Bancroft Davis, Ladles ot the Ensemble-Wolcott Day, John Giant, David Ives, John Johanson, Jobn Parker, Francis Scofleld, Theodore Sharp, Robert White, Bayard Clarke, OMAHA DAILY SPONSORS ROAD GROUP'S PLAYS Omaha, April 4. The Omaha World-Herald will, sponsor stage plays of the Legitimate Theatre Corp. here next-fall and winter, according to an announce^ ment Sunday (2). Scheduled thus far are 'What a Life," by Clifford Goldsmith, produced by George Ah-- bott; Clifford Odet's 'Golden Boy,* Group Theatre production, and 'On Borrowed Time,' Paul Osborn's com- edy produced by Dwight Deere Winian. The fourth presentation will be a choice of two Ibsen plays, 'The Mas- ter Builder,' or 'Hedda Gabler.' Two are scheduled before Christmas, two after. The plan to guarantee cities a pre- determined number of road' show at- tractions was brought to World- Herald by Arthur M. Oberfelder of the LTC. Fortune Gallo* of the San Carlo Opera Co, is associated with him. The plays will probably be pre- sented in' the Paramount theatre, city's biggest house. The World- Herald presented opera here last winter. Campus Coincidence Remarkably coincidental is the same title used by Harvard and Columbia Universities -for their annual varsity shows in Boston and New York, respectively. Tlie title is Tatr Enough.' Both themes, too, deal with the New York World's Fair. and Mrs. Roosevelt, the New Deal, Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, presi- dent of the university; the Dies Com- mittee, Grover Whalen and the U.S. Constitution, with the result there's a wandering of purpose, and the book is still going in circles at the final curtain. The humor is of the •Why did the chicken cross the street?' variety, and the dead spots are many and long. On the other hand, Diamond fur-, nished excellent lyrics for the songs, a few of which impress as having commercial possibilities. These are "You Satisfy,' 'The Song Is the Same,' •My Four Star Thrill,' 'Nature in the Raw' and "Thfere's Something of the Hyde In Me.' Latter two are of the double-entendre, nitery variety, with 'Hyde' wholly credited to Paul J, Winlcopp, the show's alumnus di- rector. 'Fair Enough's' chief saving grace Is the 16-boy line, the coryphees' clumsiness in huIa-huIa and pre- cision dances getting more laughs than the gags. John Bateman is out- standing as a licentious debutante, the big football tackle's biggest mo In setting up the target for the barbs of this year's timely Hasty Pudding show, the boys passed up the dicutors and other such sorilid subjects and selected the impresario of the New York World'is Fair, Grover Whalen, Even FDR escapes a ride this year. A thin story in- cludes raising dough for the Fair through a lottery, an investigation by a d.a. named 'Huey Thomas,' a wrong-way flight to Ireland and some sash^ing by the usual love- sick couple. The music rates above average, with these best bets, in order: *I Just Gotta Make IjOve,' 'I Dream of You,' 'Blame It on Chichita,' "Home Again' and . 'Lottery Blues.' As in recent years, a big lift is given- to the production by the support of a Ruby Newman orchestra. . LeRoy Anderson, who conducts the band, has turned out a sheaf of swell arrangements. Standout is his 'Dream of You' orchestration Charles D. Dyer, 3d, as the buxom, matronly mate of Tim Ryan, the big- time politician, easily cops first honors. Dyer, in his makeup, loolcs the typical dignified dowager, and because of this startling effect, scoops up many laughs when he steps off the high, horse to make i coarse remark or cavort in a lu- dicrous dance routine. Anthony Butler, as Torpedo Ro- manl, is excellent as a strong-arm lottery-promoting mugg, and a wise- cracking witness' in court Donald Thurber Is okay as the secretary of Homer Leiand. A screwy delivery of 'Red Riding Hood,' by John Johanseh, followed by his hoofing routine with a stage horse, cllclcs bigL Marvin . Scalfe registers solidly with his blues singing: John Parker does well in a waltz clog specialty, and Robert Jenny gets ex- tra bows for his drum solo, even though he hits the groove infre- quently. Bayard Clarke satisfies on radio Impersonations. William R. Holbrook rates special mention for working out chorus rou- tines that go over big though they are within the limits of an amateur performance. A miniature night time set for a waltz number is ef- fective and the masks ot famous per- sonalities in the opening scene are exceptionally well executed. Fox. Extend '2-a-Day* Hollywood, April 4. The local .closing of the Federal Theatre Project's Two-a-Day,' origi- nally slated for April 1 after 23 weeks, was postponed to April 30. Vaude cavalcade's proposed trip to San Francisco is still in doubt, due to failure of transportation to come through from Washington. Play on Broadway Shows m Rehearsal lb* Brown Danube'—Bonflls tc Somnes. •The Mother'— Victor Payne- Jennings. 'Wntherlng Heights'—Chaney, Aldrich St Myers. 'The Happiest Days'—^Courtney Burr. The Qalet City'—'My Heart's in the Highlands'—Group. , Lenore Lonergan Vera Allen ....Katharine Hepburn ...-.Dan Tobin Owen Coll Forrest Orr Shirley Booth Van Heflin Philadelphia Story Comedy by Philip Barry In three acta (four scenes): presented by the. Theutre Guild: staged by Robert B. Sinclair; set- tings, Robert Edmond Jones; under super- vision of Theresa -Helbum and Lawrence Langner; at Shubert, N. V., March 38. 'SB; '$3.8S top. Dinah Lord. Margaret Lord... Tracy Lord Alexander Lord.., Thomas William Tracy... Elizabeth Imbrle. Macanlay Connor. _ George KItttedge Frapk Fonton C. K. Dexter Haven £,•".'"' Edward 'J?." ' .'^'V" Seth Lord iy^^'i."^' ilK May .Myrtle TannahlU Qlsle I.ormlno Bate Mac Hayden Rorke The Guild finally has a hit in the new Katharine Hepburn comedy, a brilliant modem society play by Philip Barry, up to the best stand- ards of his 'Holiday' and its kindred style of fashionable folk comedy. It permits Miss Hepburn, repatriated to Broadway from the films, to per- sonate a gay, suddenly free soul whose ultra-modem concepts of worldly standards are amusingly projected by herseU and an expert supporting cast For Miss Hepbum it more than vindicates her trial and error when she fell into "The Lake' some five years ago. In and out of pictures in the interim, save for a three-month road tour for the Theatre Guild in 'Jane Eyre' last year, her Broadway comeback is fraught with all the electric achievement for which any star would wish. The saga of 'The Philadelphia Story,' which is localed in a fashion- able Quakertown suburb—its chief distinction, according to Barry, is that it's the most important city nearest to New York—covers a span of two days, on the eve of Miss Hep- burn's second marriage to an up n' coming young tycoon. Or, in other words,-he's a nit of a stiffola. Due to the importance of the occasion Des- tiny mag (obvious twist for Fortune) assigns special writer Van Hefiin and candid cameraiste Shirley Booth to cover the shindig. Heflin proves the whyfore of Miss Hepbium's spiritual and physical re- awakening although she leaves the romantic newspaper couple to their oWglnal designs and remarries her first husband. Latter is iuavcly trouped by Joseph Gotten (on loan from the Mercury Theatre group to the Guild), Frank Fenton handles the successful young American type with the proper shading, not over- doing au assignment that included such possibilities. Eleven-year-old Lenore Lonergan, of the veteran Lester Lonergan tribe, is acceptably precocious and makes much of her many fat lines. Dan Tobin as ther brother, Nicholas Joy as her father, and Forrest Orr in a meaty Uncle Willie assignment, give sturdy support to Miss Hepbum. But primarily it's her show, and she makes the most of her ooportunltles, ■ Save for the Introductory act, necessarily lethargic to set the prem- ise, Robert B. Sinclair's direction is smooth and properly paced for con- trasting moods. Robert Edmond Jones did the two sets, a properly stuffy Interior that goes well with the family tradition, and a softer but equally substantial porch exterior. Play Abroad THE DANCING YEARS London, March 24. Musical' In two acts (IS scenes) by Ivor Novello: stara' Novello, Mary Ellis; pre- sented by Lcontlne Sagan: staged by Miss Ssgan; -lyrics, Christopher Hassall; dances and ensembles, Freddie CBrp<>nter: produced by Lenntlne Sagan; at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Goetxer. Stephen Jack Poldl .John Palmer Rudolph leber .' Ivor Novello Grete.. Roma Beaumont Hattio Watney... Minnie Rayner Franxel. Peter Graves Plrsl Otncer...; Hilton Porter Maria Zleglcr Mary- Ell s Princes Charles Metterllng.Anthony .NIcholla Cacllle Kurt Olive Gilbert Otto Brcltkopt.. Fred Heame Cerutl.' .' Dunstan Hort Countess Lotte Frances Clare Officer. Fred Nye, Girl of High Family ...Florence Chumbecns Flapper Hilary de Charvlllc Governess Irene Bushy Toy Vendor Arthur Budd Flower Girl Dorothy Davles Modiste Diana Gnrdlnnr Roue , ..Fred Heame DIentsman Victor Bogettl inference or titular switch, to Henry R. Luce's three publications—Time is Dime, Fortune, is Destiny, and Life is Spy — but rumored invidious- ness, as regards the nublisher and/or bis nlaywrighting vife. Clare Bobthe Brokaw, are seemingly figments of imagination. If anything, it's a bit of a trailer for Luce's mags. Miss Hepbum owns the screen rights to 'Story.' with Intention of re-creating her role In celluloid, ItH make a good picture. Abel. In his curtain speech at the Drury Lane premiere of this musical, Ivor Novello led Roma Beaumont , to the footlights and declared her to be a new star. She registered probably the -most applause ot the evening with an exquisitely graceful dance. Novello has written, composed and is starring in 'Years.' Mary Ellis as the prima, is competent as usual, and was in excellent voice opening night. However, the one most responsible for the undoubted success of the show is Leontine Sagan, the pro- ducer, who has given the musical art excellent production. Much bigger and more pretentious shows nave been staged at Drury Lane, but few have been more pleasing. Her stag- ing stands out as a result of carefully conceived color schemes and the han- dling not only of the. principals but of the crowds. Even on opening night the .show was tunning smoothly. The show is set in the gay Vienna of 1911. Young composer (Novello) has had his piano moved out in the garden, and his door locked for non- payment of rent He sits playing when the star of the opera happens along, hears him, and, well, the rest is obvious. True love, even in ro- mantic musical plays; doesn't always run smootiily—certainly not since Noel Coward wrote 'Bitter Sweet'— and in the end Novello and Miss Ellis are parted through a misunder- standing. Jolo. AGMA and Concert Mgmt Sign; Commission Teniis Five-year contract with the two major concert managements was signed last week by the American Guild of Musical Artists. Pact cov- ering singers limits commissions, regulates a number of booking prac- tices and contr61s the operation of. the community or civic concert courses of Columbia Concerts Corp, and NBC Artists Service, which be- tween them handle nearly all the leading concert and opera artists. Terms of the contracts are sub- stantially as outlined in Variety two weeks ago. Exceptions are clauses covering commissions and endorsing the 'proper extension' of civic and community concert activi- ties as beneficial to th^ artists, man- agements and public. Scale of com- missions is as follows: 1. Concerts other than community, or civic, 20% (except that artists earn- ing less than $7,500 annually-from these concerts pay only 18%)'. 2. Community and civic concerts, 15%. 3. Guest radio bookings (single, or series of not more than three), 15%. 4. Series radio dates (more than three), 10%. 5. All opera, 10%. 'Bom Gay^ at Harvard Boston, April 4.. the Harvarcl DFamatlc Club pre-, sents an American premiere of 'He Was Born Gay,' by Emlyn Williams, a* the Peabody Playhouse here May 3. John Glelgud starred In this pro- duction in London in 1937, when it was presented by the author, who also penned 'Night M-ist Fall.' It's a romantic version ot the legend about the lost Dauphin, son 01 Marie Antoinette anc' Louis XVI FROHMAN TO KEEP HIS mEATRE HOME Reaction to press attention given the possibility of Daniel Frohman losing the apartment atop the Ly- ceum theatre, N. Y., which has been his abode for 35 years, resulted in assurances from two directions that the veteran showman and head of the Actors_Fund can remain as long as he wishei. "An official of the Bowery" Savings bank, which holds' the first mortgage on the property, announced that Frohman would not be ousted and that the apartment would bo serviced with heat Since, the - the-. atre closed, Frohman has been living in a hotel with bis sister. It developed, too, that the bank set back foreclosure proceedings and there has been revived interest in holding title to the property by own- ers, particularly the estate of Charles Frohman. The others Interested are Daniel Frohman and the William Harris estate. When It was empha- sized that the assessed valuation ot the property is almost double the mortgage indebtedness, which was definitely placed at $226,000, owner- ship representatives decided it was worthwhile attempting to hold the Lyceum, - There Is a possibility that the building, which extends froiT\ 45th to 46th streets, east of Broadway, will be sold, in which event it is likely to be razed. A new rental deal is be- ing sought, and from that end, too. It was stated that Frohman's tenancy of the apartment would not be disturbed. Frohnian, alluded to as the 'grand old man ot the theatre,' calculates his age at .88 years. ,^ Loots to Giye Pitt SeasoD a Breather . Pittsburgh, April 4. The shortest legit season hiere in years will get a brief respite week of April 24, when the Lunts come back for second time this year .to split eight performances between "Sea Gull' and 'Idiot's Delight* As re- cently as a few days ago, it appeared that curtain had already dropped with ICnlckerbocker Holiday,' but Lunts* booking will give house a breather. As it is, house win. be -dark for next three weeks.' 'Idiot's Delight* opened here thre* years ago before going to New York, but played' only four performances, run being interrupted by big St Patrick's Day flood. Lunts will play under ATS auspices, giving subscrib- ers all but one ot their six promised shows, which mean; refunds will be necessary. Week of May 1 house gets Pitt Cap and Gown musical, 'At Your Serv- ice,' and unless deal for McCoy-Wee $l-top shows is made in meantime hotise will shutter May 6 for four and a half months, giving Nixon ex- actly 24 weeks for 1938-30 season. Rocket' Drops Oot 'Rocket to the Moon* was with- drawn from the Windsor, N. Y., yes- terday (Tuesday) after an engage- ment that approximated 18 weeks. Recently it was alternating with 'Awake and Sing.* which now goea on regu'arly. 'Rocket' originally opened at the Belasco. being a mod- erate money show, averaging $8,500 in earlier months. ROCKET TO THE MOON BUxed orltlcal reception greet- ed this Clifford Odets drama. Lookrldge. (Son) wrote; It has some ot Odets' best 'writing, It It not hU best play.' Watts (Herald Trlbnne) said: 'A play decidedly worlli seeing.' Wlnchell (Mirror) declared It 'probably will be of greater Interest to the students ot the theatre tban to tbe general, pnbllo.' Brown (Post) called li the most exasperating kind ot tallore, a play whioh bas so many good things In It that there seems to be no exonse for It be- ing as nnsatlsfaotory as it vlU- mately proves to be.' Variety (Ibee) predicted, at- shonldf fare moderately welL' IJEW LITTLE TKEMKE Tyler (Texas) Little theatre will complete in the next few weeks its $30,000 playhouse and workshops. Early -May premiere is planned. Group is meanwhile readying a production of 'You Can't Take' It With You.* -