Variety (Apr 1939)

Wednesday, April 1939 LEGITIMATE VARIETY 89 N. Y. SUNDAY LEGIT COLD Segfeld Girk Youi^ Once More At Annual IKnner-Dance in N. Y. By JACK PULASKI The fourth annual dinner dance of the ZiecfeW Club, featured by a floor show staged by Ned Waybum, former director for the late producer, yfsa held on the Starlight Roof of the Waldorf Astoria, N. Satur- day (22) night The organization is composed of show girls who were in the Tollies' and other Zlegfeld mu- flcals. A flock of them showed their (tuff in the 'glorified' manner of the Zlegfeld displays, between numbers by former principals of his shows. Sophie Tucker, at her blondest, wowed the well-attended soiree. She proudly claimed she was in the 1909 'Follies' and made no mention Of liOave It to Me,' success in which the is currently appearing. Soph gaVe 'em part of her night club rou- tine, starting withUf e Begins at 40' and topping it with "You've Got To Be Loved To Be Healthy.' Songstress drew a laugh by mimicking the ihowglrl strut around the floor, tomethlng she 'always wanted to do.' Frank Fay was m.c., a Job origi- nally assigned to Dan Healy, whose duUes at the Top Hat, Union City, N. J, kept him away, along with oUier announced names, yet the show was still okay. Mentioning Healy, Fay said he Is the 'only man who works for ^ee more than I do.' Runner-up in the show was Nor- ma Terrls, who, after vocalizing %how Boaf numbers, was called back for encores, giving Impressions of players at a Louella Parsons ra- dio show. Her Billla Burke was In- timate and drew much laughter. Anent the coming of Patricia Zleg- feld, who was present, her ma was tupposed to have said, 'Doctor you fooled me; you said I had appendi- citis.' Miss Terrls also kidded the girls' by telling them, "You look younger than you really are.' Art Jarrett, who had completed five frolics at the Roxy, gave with two numbers. He cracked that he had a band 'until I gave it back to the union.' Hal Leroy, of the 1931 Tollies,' contributed dance special- ties; Bobbe Amst sang 'How Long Has This Been Going On'; Ada Mae appeared for a number a la Argen- tine; Mary Lewis warbled at the opening and closing, being intro- duced by Gladys Feldman Braham, president of the club; J. Harold Mur- ray sang The Rangers' from 'Rio ' Rita' and the theme number from that show. Beryl Halley was the (tar of the parade. Most of the Zlegfeld alumni Is Quite aware they have been out of the show-girl class for some time, but most of those who glided Sat- urday night to the melodies of Zleggy's productions are apparently •till ia the pink. The club bought a motor car which was raffled off. The Treasure Chest stunt was well patronized, prizes being contributed principally' by femme accessory firms. Mrs. Lcblang's Hnsbaod Bnmored Dropped As Estate's Attorney William Jasle Is reported out as attorney for the estate of Joe Le- blang and the Leblang ticket agen- cies. Previously unknown in show circles, he married Tillle Leblang, widow of the late ticket magnate, and assumed charge of her Interests. It's understood that one or two of the Leblang daughters, who have come of age and are he^s^ voted for change. Attorney Is said to have averaged around $25,000 annually in fees for his services to the estate enterprises. Jasle conducts a law office with a sou by a previous marriage. Erin Moore Leaves Hosp After 13 Wksi May Play Strawluits Erin O'Brien Moore, who Is re covering from third degree bums of the left arm and legs, was removed to her home Sunday (23) from Doc- tor's Hospital, New York, where she ^s imder treatment for 13 weeks. Still imder the care of physicians and with a nurse in attendance, it will be some time before the actress will he able to leave her bed. Possible that she will appear in summer stock later, however, actress' having re- ceived several offers. As previously . stated, her face is unmarked. Miss Moore was Injured when her evening frock caught fire in a cafe from, a carelessly tossed match, after the premiere of "The American Way," Center, N. Y., Jan. 21. Her condi tlon was critical for more than i month. Burns of the tjrpe usually re Quired from three to five months to JASIE REPORTED OUT CASTING MAY HOLD BACK LUNIS Originally BelieTed Agree- able, Local No. 1 of lATSE Votes Against Idea, Ne- gating Possibility of Sab- batb Shows This Summer —Managers Had Hoped for World's Fair Break K(]J[ B way Ticket Sibiash Steamed Up By Gillmore s Turn-Stile Theory; Referee s Report Vs. Acme Agency NEW TRY POSSIBLE Although Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne are scheduled to bring their 'Festival of Comedy* to Broad- way In the fall, there Is some ques- tion of whether they will finally do Stars are reported to be con- cerned with the problem of casting the various shows of the repertory. Figured 'Sea Gull' and 'Amphit- ryon' would be satisfactory with the present casts, while Tdlofs De- light' might also get by with the current company. But Taming of the Shrew' would require strong easting In the supporting parts and 'Reunion in Vienna' might also M' volve similar- problems. Lunts are known to be looking for ■ new play for fall presentation, but are not be- lieved to have found anything to suit them thus far. Pair are at the Nixon, Pittsburgh, this week, winding up their season there Saturday night (29). They expect to spend a major part of ttie summer at their Genesee Depot (Wis.) home. They were to have brought the Testlval of Comedy' to Broadway this spring, but cancelled the booking. Reason given was a recurrence of a rheumatic ailment of Lunt's. They are known to be greatly tired from their long tour, which began last Oct. 3 In Boston and has included many weeks of one-nighters. PERCY WILLIAMS HOME TO ELECT ON MAY 4 The annual meeUng of the Percy Williams Home takes place May 4 at East Islip, L. I., for the purpose of electing new officers, receiving re- ports from the officers, directors and committees. Present officers and directors now are: President, A. O. Brown; v.p., Walter Vincent; treasurer, Sam A. Scribner; secretary, Jacob I. Good- stein. Directors: Daniel Frohman, Richard Hemdon, Harry. G. Som- mers, Edwin Milton Royle, William Gaxton, Raymond Peck, John Hay- den, Edwin Burke. At the Williams Home there are now 38 guests. Superintendent of the . Home is Major Bernard A Relnold. Chances of playing Sunday leglt shows during the Worldfs Fair faded over the weekend, and th$ possibility of such performances ultimately coming was weakened by the New York local of the stagehands imlon. At Sunday's (23) nomination meet- ing, Sundays were considered, but defeated by a considerable margin. As other stage unions will not work on that day without extra pay, un- less all unions agree, the managerial hopes appear to have been ditched. The flip-flop of the stagehands came as a surprise to Equity and the managers' League of New York The- atres. They are on record favoring Sundays, having sent a delegation to Albany urging the governor to sign the bill legalizing such perform- ances, which .he did. Most deck- hands, singly, have favored the idea, yet, when in a general meeting, they followed their leadership, which was opposed to the idea. When Equity veered around re- cent on Sundays, it was strongly Indicated that they would be tried durhig the World's Fair. It was be- lieved tiie movement would readily get the support of the stagehands and musicians, the latter In fact assent- ing. At a meeting with the League, however. Local (N. Y.) No. 1 of lATSE demurred and It was Inti- mated the new unionists were some- what peeved at Equity for taking the lead for Sundays, dating back to the time that the actors virtually Invali- dated the law by Invoking double pay. That Sundays should be given. • trial is still favored, by some stage- (Continued on page 41) Hampden in Town* Kansas City, April 25 Walter Hampden has been brought In to play the lead in the Resident theatre's production of 'Our Town.' It's set for a May 1 opening. Play Is set for a 10-day run, but will likely run into extended time. Theatre is a 50b-seater scaled at 50c, 75c and $1. The organization has a subscription list of 1,800. PHILLY SEASON GETS RESPITE Philadelphia, April 29. Out of the proverbial clear sky, Philly's leglt season has been pro- longed and, at the present writing, anjrthlng can happen between now and the end of May. Last night (Monday) saw the opening of the tryout. The Brown Danube' at the Forrest, and a re- turn of The Women,' this time at the Locust Both engagements are listed for single weeks, but with no book- ings for either house, there is plenty of leeway for prolonging the runs. The Women' can stay any length of time, despite the management's deshre to get Into New York for the World's Fair. In the case of 'Dan- ube' It admittedly needs a lot of work and may be held here while the fixing Is done. The next show booked In here Is 'I Married an Angel,' skedded for May 8 and definitely set for two weeks. 'Yokel Boy Makes Good,' George Abbott tryout, is still In the offing. Mass. Nixes Juves Boston, April 25. The House of Representatives yes- terday (Monday) killed a bill to per- mit children of 14 years and under to play In legitimate productions. Bill was defended by Rep. Ernest W. DuUea of Boston, who said that okay on juves might open two Bps- ton theatres, now closed, because of the state restriction against children appearing In theatrical productions. G&S Influence The "Mikado* 'mo'tlf' inspired Broadway ticket brokers to refer to the shows currently leading in agency demand as the 'Three Little Maids,' trio being charac- ters in the season's most em- phasized Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. Attractions, all headed by feminine stars, are The Philadelphia Story,' 'No Time for Comedy* and' "The Little Foxes.' 'Story* and "Comedy* are topped by the two Kits, Cornell and Hepburn, while 'Foxes' has Tallulah Bankhead. All. opened after the first of the year, latest arrival being "Comedy,' which premiered last week. SUN. LAW CAN HIT FAIR SHOWS Issue of a seven-day week may intrude on the schedule of the New York World's Fair concessions It was Intimated by the office of the State Industrial Commission, which is charged with enforcing the Sunday labor law. Latter requires one day's rest In seven, specifically naming the legitimate stage and musical attrac- tions. State bureau declares It will check up on Fair shows which may be rated In that category. It's Indicated that Equity, In tak-. Ing jurisdiction over at least two' shows at the Fair, has .complicated the situation. Equity does not defin- itely classify 'Railroads on Parade' as legit but this attraction will oper- ate tmder rules made by the legit actors organization. Assuming that 'Railroads' Is a leglter. Equity claims the right to dictate the working con-' ditlons, since the attraction la not regularly presented on Broadway. Shakespearean tab In the Merrle England concession gained permis- sion to work the cast seven days a week. Equltyltes. who question whether the Fair rules are equitable, are agreed that the seven-day matter should be cleaned up. Pointed out that such shows as the Acquacade, which will show every day, places something of a handicap on 'Rail- roads': Latter Is slated for four times dally, admission being 25c. No leglter has ever used such a sched- ule, nor attempted to low an ad- mission, and It is explained that (Continued on page 42) EV MARSHAU BKPT.; LLABILinES, $17J83 Everett Marshall, actor, who lists himself as unemployed at present, filed a voluntary petition of bank- ruptcy in N. Y. federal court, Mon- day (24), listing assets of $400 (clothing) and liabilities of $28,318. The major portion of the liabilities is owed Carolina Segrera Marshall, his ex-wife, totaling $17,783, It's for alimony arrears. Among other liabilities are $4,000 in taxes to the Government, $750 to William Klein, $380 to the N. Y.'Ath- letic Club and $79 to the Lambs Club. Also listed as of luiknown worth among assets is a 12';^% interest in the W. S. H. OH Co., of Fort Worth, Texas. Marshall Is currently on the Coast headed for the Frisco Fair's 'Zlegfeld Follies' (Shubert). There were several developments In Broadway's ticket situation dur- ing the week.. Frank Gillmore, for- mer head of Equity, led with his chin in advocating doing away with reserved seats in legit; the referee, who took testimony In the restraint of trade allegations of the Acme Agency against the League of New York Theatres and Equity, recom- mended dismissal of the case, and the League, In demanding compli- ance bonds from two brokers who violated the niles, indicated a strict* er enforcement of the ticket code. ' Gillmore publicly abred his views on 'first come, first served' during a luncheon' address, but privately broached the plan several years ago. Idea of doing away with tickets calling for definite locations would eliminate ticket agencies, he figures. However, It might at the same time alienate that class of patronage that supports legit, according to showmen who regard Glllmore's plan as un« workable. Limited size of the average legit theatre In comparlslon to pictur* houses, most of which use the non? reserved seat system, would be a deterrent, they say. Gillmore argues that there would be no need to lower box" office prices, which Is being con- sidered in show circles, but man- agers, critical of the radical sug- gestion, declare reserved seats ar9 the backbone of leglt. Gillmore is quoted saying the plan' could be tried for some montha^in the event the Acme decision favored the agency, but along Broadway it was known that the militant broker- age had little chance to be favored by the referee. Gillmore claimed the agencies gouge $800,000 from play- goers annually, yet' managers who are striving to enforce the code, con- cede agencies are of value by sup- plying service to the public. Use of turnstiles In leglt lobbies was considered to be fantastic. It is pointed out that most Broadway film houses have reserved sections or (Continued on page 42) The Big No-Decision Of the Yean Critics Can't Pick a Winner Failure of the Critics Chrcle to de- cide oh the "best* play of the 1938-39 season brought much ](lddlng of tha reviewing gentry. Including observa- tions by themselvesi Four plays were considered, the critics stub- bornly sticking to their first cholcei^ 80 there Is no winner and no plaque awarded. 'Abe Lincoln In Illinois' was gen- erally regarded as the front runner for the critical nod, biit it was nosed out by The Little Foxes,* which got six votes against five for 'Abe.' There were two or three votes for 'Rocket to. the Moon' during the afternoon and two critics stuck to a short play, 'My Heart's hi the High- lands.' One of the reviewers com- mented about the latter play being considered, saying It looked like the Circle was trying to emulate former Pulitzer committees, which made such curious selections that the critics got the Idea they should do the picking. ' Believed the fiasco of their voting has resulted in the Circle losing face. Group was formed some seasons back and was patterned along the lines of I/indon's Critics Circle. Thereafter the scrapping and merg- ing of several papers reduced the number of reviewers and it was de- cided to make the membership more - elastic. ' Rules were amended and Instead of the membership being re- stricted to critics on the dailies (In- clusive of one non-theatrical trade publication. Women's Wear), reviewr ers- on certain weekllea. and even monthlies were taken in.