Variety (Apr 1939)

50 VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, April 12, 1939 Dilemma Facing '2-a-Day' Players; 'Swing HQiado' Commersh Deal On Hollywood, April 11. Whether to stick with Federal Theatre's Two-a-Day,' current at the Hollywood Playhouse, In the hope that the vaudeville cavalcade will be transfered to San Francisco for an engagement at Treasure Island early in May, or to. abide by contracts entered Into some weeks ago to work for J. J. Shuljert on the Island, is worrying the bulk of 13 people pacted for Shubert by Jack Laughlin. . . Laughlin, at the behest of Shubert. placed 10 professional acts in Two- a-Day' under year contracts, guar- anteeing each 20 weeks minimum employment during the year with Opera Festival Co., a Shubert pro- duction corporation. Contracts carry customary option renewals, in sev- eral instances running up to Ave years. Salaries offered rang ed from more than double the FTP stipend up to several hundred dollars each weelc . Last week execs of FTP ap^ proached members of the Hollywood Playhouse cast,, advising them they would have to determine Immedi- ately if they would stick for the Frisco expo hegira, otherwise neces- sary substitutions would have to be made. Position of several of' those hold- ing Shubert contracts is that if stick- ing with FTP they wiU be assured of their monthly stipend of $24 weekly, while if going with Shubert they have no assurance of work be- yond the 20-week minimum. Whether FTP will send Two-a^ Day' north is problematical. Coin for transportation of the production and actors is still not forthcoming from Washington, and unless bars are raised by Congress, with addi' tional appropriations, trick will fold here, Shubert contracts become opera- tive May 15, allowing producer four full' weeks after this in which to start rehearsals of his proposed re- vue for the Golden Gate Exposition. go on a commercial basis, the man- ager will have to guarantee certain assurances, including the minimum number of weeks the show will be operated. WPA cannot sell the set- tings nor costumes to a manager. It is said, so a new production would bb necessary. Plays on Broadway I May Sell 'Swing Mlksdo* The WPA theatre project in New York is considering turning over The Swing Mikado,' sit . the New Yorker, for commercial operation, it being proposed to tour the colored cast, jazzed version of the Gilbert ' and Sullivan operetta. Deal would terminate the conflict with the 'Hot Mikado,' presented at the Broadhurst by Michael Todd. Todd, Erik Char- rell and Ulilcb & Ericson, latter of Chicago, are stated to have made offers. All were mentioned previ- ously as having sou^t 'buying* the attraction. ' WPA appears to have changed Its attitude once again as regards ' 'Mikado.' Several times from Wash- ington it was announced that a com- mercial deal would be consummated, only to result in a final decision to bring the show from ' Ctiicago to Broadway under relief atispices. Un- derstood that criticism in Congress over WPA opposing a commercial attraction resulted in the order to accept a bona-flde offer. It appears to I>e a squeeze manou- ver which.may eliminate the reliefer from the. metropolis.' Under the law people on relief must accept private employment if the pay is higher than in WPA. Should the show go com- mercial, the minimum salary for principals would t>e $40i weekly, as against the WPA wage of around $21. Colored players in the. WPA ver- fiion will be placed in a peculiar po- sition should the - managerial offers go. through. Because the show orig- inated in Chicago, they are allowed $3 daily sustenance pay. That, with the security wage, is more than $40 per week. If they refuse the switch to commercial . management, they will be dropped from the WPA rolls. WPA states that should the show "STARS IN YOUR EYES" MgLt tMV ClA*TON_ The Flashing Stream Dmma In tbre« acta by Charles Morgan; prexcnted by Victor Payne-Jennlnga; atara GodCrey Teorle. Margaret Rnwllnga; fca- lurea Felix Aylmer. Anthony Ireland; ataged by Peter Cromwell; at the Blit- inoR>, N. T., April 10. '80; ♦S.SO top. Commander Henry Carr. Leo Cenn. Corporal Denham Roger Maxwell Lleut-Coni. Brieaing, R.N..Anthony Ireland Com. Edward Ferrers Godfrey Tearle Lleut.-Com. SandCord Laurler Llater Lady Helaton Patricia Godfrey Kear Admiral Helaton.. Palrlo Corwen The Rt. Hon. Harrowby Felix Aylmer Karen .Selby ...Margaret Rawllnga Capt. Winter .George Croaa Brought ov6r from London intact this drama was favorjjbly received in Canada recently, but that it wlU achieve similar attention, on Broad- way is doubtful. Limited engage- ment probable. Appearance of Godfrey Tearle and Margaret RawUhgs, who are co- starred, are more interesting than the drama though the latter Is techni- cally timely. Tearle impressed open- ing night as best in performance among a very good cast His re- markable resembliance to President Roosevelt was noticed by most first nighters. Locale is within an old fortress on an island in the Atlantic, where a staff of officers assigned by the Brit- ish Admiralty is working out the nfoblem of making the air safe from iMmbing planes. Mathematics largely figured, according to Charles Morgan, the London author-critic who wrote this play. The terms employed are understandable but there are times when the play Isn't dear in inten- tion. The romance element is some- what muddled, too. First two acts are too quiet, although the first part of the second did get favorable re- action. Some of the best writing is in the final session. Commander Edward Ferrers has been working on a formula that ap- proaches the solution but work is hindered when his collaborator dies. Latter's sister, Karen Selby, de- scribed as one of the six greatest mathematicians, arrives on the island to take his place. After some objec- tion to her being within the i>ost, she joins the staff and is quartered with Lady' Helston, catty wife of the rear admiral. "There is an affectionate bit with a lieutenant,. but thereafter Karen is definitely in love with Fer rers. Lady Helston later declares the same sentiment which explains their antinathy to each otjher. The admiralty gets the jitters be cause of the considerable time used in the experiments and a test of aerial toroedoes, called scorpions, is nushed ahead. It's described hiow the scorpions, controlled by wireless, follow' a bomber, vibrations from which are supposed to e:(plode the torpedoes. A plane and three men are'^ost in the demonstration, . . An investigation fallows. Evidence is that the detonators in the scorpions were not correctly placed and the reason is asked of Ferrers. If he admits an error in calculation the exoeriments will continue. That he refuses to concede and in^thfi third act the oarty packs w> to depart. The Lord of the admiralty comes to the island, however, and- despite pro- tests from the officers, declares he wIll- plKeon-hole -an adverse report end permit the experiment to con- tinue. Karen had declared she found an error in Ferrer's fii»i'rln«. Actually, she lies because ci her adnration for Ferrer. Tearle is a commanding. figure, His middle a<;e does not prevent the romance witli the youthful-lnoldng Mis.<; Rawlings seemimt unusual. To- wards the close, when, his mind wnvers. there may be some question «f performance, but it ' is made olausible enough. Mi.<s Rawlings has been seen to better advantage in the U.S. Felix Aylmer draws next bonors as lord of the admiralty and Anthonv Treland makes his lieutenant a smil- ing, likable ciiao. Others heln make 'The Flashing Stream' interesting in .some. ways. Yet its chances p'e not definite. Ibee. Jersey Spots Active Newark, April 11. David Rogers, manager of the Maplewood, Maplewood, N. J., an- nounces an ambitious program for the reopening of his playhouse after two weeks' darkness. Current attrac- tion is 'Little Women,' with Jean Muir and Owen Davis, Jr.; next week, 'The Torch Bearers,' with Alison Skip-; worth, and the following week, Phillip Merivale in 'Call It a Day.' Other shows scheduled are 'Our Town,' The Guardsman' and 'Ah, Wilderness' with Fired Stone; Tony Bundsmann is director., The Montclalr, Montclair, N. J.j started a season this week after a couple of years' darkness with Somerset Maugham's 'The Circle,' -featuring Rosalind Ivan,. Helen Craig, Grandon Rhodes and Alexan- der CampbeU. House is under the management of J. EUis Kirkham. Other attractions booked are 'Mrs. Moonlight,' with Dorothy Burgess, and "The Depression's Over,' by Jay Alden, said to be Kirkham himselt Ust Few Legits As Having Big Incimies in H Plays Out of Town NO TIME FOR COMEDY Indianapolis, March'^0. Surprise was expressed when in- dividual Federal income tax return figures of higher bracketed people for 1937, which were published last week, included very few legit names either from the stage or managerial end. Show business representation on the list, printed in the picture section, . holds but three stars- Katharine Cornell, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. While the earnings of stage people were not comparable with those in pictures, it is known that-others on Broadway drew down exceptional coin during that year, notably Helen Hayes. Omission of latter from published 'lists indicates that she, like many radio stars, was buried under some corporate tag. Not one producer's name was dis- covered. That is partially (explained by the fact that the figures given are salaries Reported by companies or corporations, rather than profits earned by the . controllers, or own^ ers. Showmen -^^ho were reputed to have had highly .successful attrac- tions during that year include George Abbott, Sam H. Harris and John Golden. Same applies to leading drama tists, whose earnings were in the form of royalty iiercentages, rather than salaries, except when paid fixed sums for picture work. Figured the toppers on Broadway were George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, who drew down big money with 'You Can't Take It With You.' Authors also had managerial interests in .the hit, .former owning 25%. and the latter having 15%. Sunday Night Varieties (BABBIZON-PLAZA, N. T.) The staid, conservative and plush- lined Barbizon-Plaza hotel, must have had a case of capitalistic jitters Sunday night (9) when the pro- letarian 'Sunday Night Varieties'^ got thi^ugh with the so-called upper strata. 'Varieties,' whose future is uncertain because pf rather nebulous bankrolling, is a soek addition to the meager Sunday night offerings in Gotham. A bunch of ams who go at it like Veterans, and ^ome excel- lent lyrics and sketches by Samuel Locke, Sylvia Fine, John Latouche and David Greggory are the main reasons for the excellent impression. Admish is $1. .. Compared to 'Pins and Needles,' which set the precedent in revues 'socially significant,' 'Varieties' can stack up well with' its predecessor in every department but the music. Best of 'the 23 sketches presented Sunday night was Alexis Rotov's 'Waltz,' a hilarious.study of a Nazi olTicer learning the Viennese waltz. Choreography, by Rotov, was excel- lent in 'Waltz,', along with the other dances which he conceived and exe- cuted.. His' 'Bolero,' with a pro- grammed apology to Maurice Ravel, IS swell burlesque.' He's assisted in this' one by Adele Jerome and Do- lores Irwin. Sharing tpp honors with Rotov, a film prospect, incidentally, was Dan- ny Kaye, an excellent comedian. A takeoff on cafe society, 'Blase,' main- tains the pace, with Kaye, Claire Vermonte, Mervyn Nelson and Peg- gy Craven taking part Latouche did the excellent lyrics. Neville Chamberlain gets taken for a ride in 'Down on Downing Street' words and music by Sylvia Fine, in Which Kaye plays the prime mln- -Ister. 'l:L.G7W;Ur—laispOBHg— Ladles Garment Workers Union and 'Pins and Needles.' Nelson and Sherle Hartt are a cou- ple of 'klUers' in 'Who Killed Vaude- ville,' another laugh bit In which they play a Series of vaude acts. 'Cock Robin,' also by Miss Fine, is well done by Kaye. Nat Lichtman designed and direct- ed 'Varieties' well, •'.espite the rather cramped quarters of- the Barblzon's stage; Adele' Jerome handled the ensembles. Comedy In three acta (two acenea) by „, K. Bchrmon; presented by Katharine Cornell and the Playwrlghta Co.; atara Katharine Cornell, Laurence Olivier. Mnr- ealo Glllmore; ataged by Guthrie McClln- tlc; gettlnge, .To MIelzlner. >t the Enj- llsh, Indlanapolla, Hatch 80, 'SB; «3.80 top. Clementine. .Geo Gee James Linda Eaalerbrook Katharine Cornell Phllo Smith .......John Smith Qaylord Eaaterbrook Laurence Olivier Amanda Smith Margalo Glllmore Robert.. Peter Robinson Makepeace liovell... Robert Flemyng Using the eternal triangle as a foundation, S. N. Behrman has neat- ly built a play within a play, telling the story of the sad plight which confronts an author who has a flair for writing comedy, but .who is moved by world discord to paint upon a larger canvas. Laurence Olivier is the playwright. Gay lord Easterbrook; Katharine Cornell ilays Linda, his actress wife, and (targalo Glllmore is Amanda Smith, the other woman. With three top- flight performers, the play can't fail to be entertaining;, yet, with the many platitudes aiid philosophical observations on world events which stud the dialog, in less competent hands the play might bog down in its verbiage. lEasterbrook is taken in tow by Mrs. Smith, whose hobby, is to bring out the 'latent possibilities' in young artists. Heretofore, Easterbrook had been content to write comedies as starring vehicles for 'Linda. How- ever, Mrs. Smith convinces him he's dissipating his talents on froth when the world needs guidance which he can give through serious drama. Writhing in the turmoil of creation, Easterbrook forsakes his practical wife to seek inspiration with Mrs. Smith. The second act includes the best scene, where Mrs. Smith and Linda engage in catty repartee when Linda seeks to win back ner husband. Par- ticularly indicative of the sparkling dialog here is Linda's remark to Mrs. Smith: 'Sleep with him if you must, but don't spoil his style.' Easterbrook, furious at Linda's in- terference, asks Mrs. Smith to jmarry him, and they plan to go to [Spain to live in a 'fuller' sense. As Easter- brook is packing Linda hits upon an idea for a new play, an idea for which Easterbrook had previously searched in vain. Why not take the actual situation, Linda and Mrs. Smith, and the dispute over the playwright and work out a comedy? They rtm through the fundamentals o! the plot together, but are stuck for an ending. At that moment Mrs. Smith phones, and Linda points out the third-act curtain must be de- cided here, with Easterbrook's de- cision forecasting the end of the plot Easterbrook picks up the re- ceiver with an agonized expression, but does not speak, as the play ends. The triangle upon which the play is founded is hiing heavily, with ob- servations about world events, mod- em ideas of sex and livmg, with much laboratory mind-probing con- ducted in the dialog, a scientific treatise overcome solely by the charm of the principals. The war in Spain, upon which a great deal of the plot hinges, came to an end on the day that the play world- premiered here, a disturbing thought to an audience that couldn't refrain froih thinkhig that the play was dated before It began. The heavy .laughs are garnered by Gee Gee James, as Clementine, the Easterbrooics' colored maid, who plays her role to the hilt and by Robert Flemyng, as Makepeace Lovell, the young friend of Linda, who gets in a few rib-ticklers with sophisticated witticism. The two scenes, the -living room in Linda's tower apartment and an upstairs living room of the Smltiis, are ex- ceptionally well done. Opening night audience gave a terrific salvo to Miss C-'nell, Olivier and Miss Glllmore, to whom, un- doubtedly, must go the laurels for the pace and charm of the presenta- tion. The small cast of supnorting players is excellent Kiley. IT SEEMS TO US Philadelphia, AprU 1. Revue In two acts (14 acencei ajMnaorod, State. County and Municipal Workers ot America, CIO: di- rected by Mitchell Grayson; dance dlrec- HM.-,^"*!?* """""B". William Holsmon, Morris Nnsolow; musip, Morton Sonnonfcid, Lou Lahr, Herman Stein, Earl noblnaon; lyrlca. Morton .SonnenCeld, Mort Kaufmann; at Towh Hall. Phllndelplila, March 31 end April I, '39; STc. top. Aimed by local CIO headquarters to succeed 'Pins and Needles' as a jrade unlwjsaait-grltten, piflduced. and acted by the union members, the CIO considered a run at a small midtown legit house. Both Town Hall performances were sold out mostly to union members, so it was a success as far as that goes. As straight commercial theatre, how- ever, it definitely has no chance. Principal difficulty, and where it differs greatly from 'Pins,' is that it forgets to put Its tongue in its cheek. 'Seems' takes itself seriously. Any- thing more deadly than an amateur, production that takes itself seriously is difficult to imagine. Mitchell. Grayson was Imported firom New York to direct He did as well as could be expected but the whole revue is lumbering anyway. There are a few good comedy black- outs and some bits of acting that stand out Production is glaringly fatal, with long stage watts and poor timing. All the turns, too, just fol- low each other haphazardly. Stand- out is the chirping of a Negress, El- ton Johnson, who does two numbers. 'Love on Relief and 'Poor "Lil Child,' Femme's attractive, has a pleasing personality and warbles in a melo- dious soprano. Pipes aren't power- ful, but with some coaching she' might be a swell bet. There is. too, some fairly worthwhile music in 'If I Had My Way' (by Mort- Kaufmann and Lou Lahr) and 'In Union There Is Strength' (Joseph Finegan and L&hr), plus the two witten for Miss Johnson. Interesting; although corny in spots, is the 'American Ballad' done by a choral group for the finale. Nice comedy bits are rendered by Sam Freas, as a six-foot-four baby in diaper and cradle, and Al Perisco, as an unemployed worker who gets shunted from the unemployment compensation office to the relief of- fice so many- times he's dizzy. Finally both come through with a check just as his former boss calls him back to work. Most of the other comedy, is heavy-handed in -writing and presentation. Herb. DANUBE' TO TRY OUT IN PnT; ATS' BREAK Pittsburgh, April 11. Sudden booking of 'Brown Dan- ube' tryout at Nixon next week* completed only yesterday (Monday), will eliminate necessity of refunds to local ATS subscribers this season. Show, produced by Bonflls & Somnes, plays here under subscrip- tion auspices and, with Lunts coming in following week, will round out society's six-play schedule. First time Nixon has ever tried to peddle a show on such -short notice. Staff t)ad all been vacaitioned on ac- count lOf expected three weeks of darkness and had to be-hastily sum- moned back in order to get ticket sale under way. 'Danube,* by Burnett Hershey, fea- tures Fay Wray, film actress, and Dean Jagger, and goes to New York fcllowing Its opening week here. tti>s try falls, far short of the mark. Allowing for the professional stag- ing and production,'Pins.' was given its success, "'It Seems to Us' still lacks much of the good mu- sic and talent of its predecessor. It also lacks the naive charm that made 'Pins' appeal almost as much to the economic royalists as to union mem. hers. TMAT—B.O. Men Plan was to present 'Seems' at 2,000-seat Town Hall for two nights as a tryout If It looked good there, front-running 'The American Way.' (Continued from page 49) salaries and $500 for attorneys fees. Dues .were raised to $3 some months ago, quarterly payments therefore being $9, plus $1.50 weekly from those in jobs. If members paid on that basis for a year the total would be $114, but It's pointed out that few in TMAT are employed on a yearly basis and, besides, the assessment is for a limited period, unless emerg- enples arise. - Proposed change in the basic agreement, which would strike .out arbitration and substitute mediation, was arrived at tlirough a somewhat complicated discussion which had the status of contracts as the basis, as all members are required to secure contracts. Believed that lA sug- gested doing away with arbitration, which process of ^settling disputes the stangehands have steadily refused to accept While other unions may take the same attitude, the managers cite Equity as having been satisfied with the adjustment of differences through arbitration for the past 15 years or more. Dispute between TMAT and the Theatre. Guild over the use of the latter's ticket sellers, when Guild show»-i>la^houses-other-than- -their own, is "still undecided.' Arbitrator is expected to hand down a ruling within two weeks, and in the mean- time a double staff of six are on duty at the Shubert, N. Y„ where the Guild's 'The Philadelphia Story' is playing. Usually legit houses have two in the b.o. For hits, a third seller Is sometimes used, as at the Winter Garden CHellzapoppin'). There are six at the Center for the