Variety (Jul 1939)

«2 VARIETY LEGimiATE Wednesday, July 19, 1939 Radio l^msored Strawhat Aidioiigh Air Ph^ Not New Litchaeia, Conn., July 18. Believed-be the first strawhat commercially sponsored on the air, the Lltchfleld 11018 theatre of this town has contracted with Henri's Bieaufy SalOB Ot Waterbury tor a summer series o| w eekly air dram- atizations over VTBRY in Waterbury anid New Haven. First play Is to b« presented l>y the players ^roup on next Monday (24>. an original, 'Dark Is the Ni^' by De Witt Copp, tCiddlebury, Conn., freelance writer. Success of the venture is expected to open a new field of revenue for many cowsheds next summer. Ex- pected also to bniig up a new prob- lem for the AFRA. Litchfield. Players group for the present: is. to receive no compensa- tion tor its work, except publicity. Later on this 'season, accot^dihg- to Allan Fox, publicity and business manager, a talent fee of some kind wjll be worked out with the beauty saloa Nutmeg strawhats have for years allied' thentselves wiOi Connecticut radio statiens on sustaining pro- grams fov publicity putposes. Ma- jority have been one-shot inter- views .with guest stars. On several occaisions the strawhats- have, allied thentselves with commercial ven- tures on-onetime programs. Ivory- ton and Clinton Playhouses h^ve both put on dramatizations over WnC, 50,000-watter, pn the. Helen's Varied Hour. - Neither have had a ctmslstent policy In ^s reqjtecL WNBC, Hartford; is at present lin- ing .up a series of programs with Stony Creek to be commerciaUy sponsored this summer and to be presented, from the auditorium of the Brown Thompson department store in Hartford. Litchfield series officially got underway last night (Monday) in a half-hour peo^am during -n^iicb sevaal members of the company were introduced and their .back- ground as well as that of the thea- tre expounded: Madame Tara- sova, Russian'contnBto, who is ap- pearing In this week's presentation, 'Yoii Can't Take It With 'You,'sang a couple of selections. Herbert Newcomb, one of the seven co- operative owners of the theatre, was emcee. S»ies was lined up by the station and the station's owner, Waterbury American and Republican. Drama- tizations wUI be presented each Mon day night at 7:30 o'clock for a half hou*r< Herbert Newcomb will direct >&- plays are to be originals by OieWitt Copp. Original plans were to put a wire into the theatre and broadcast di- rect. Dress rehearsals were to' have been i>ut on the air. However, in- ability to secure releases on royalty and excessive royalty, demands in- duced management to put on orig- inal plays from the station's studios in Waterburi^ before an'audience. It at any time plays can be gotten at a minimum fee or royalty; tree they will be presented from the play- house. Fox reported that as high as $1,000 has been asked to- release ra- dio rights. WBRY has facilities for taking care , of radio audiences up to 250 persons. Both the stati«m and the paper are plugging the sponsor- theatre program. The sponsor is to hftve three cemmercials on the show. One> at opening, closing and midway. . On Monday night's show the fol- lowing put in mike appearances: Roger Fox,' Charlie Furculowe, Ran- dolph Carter, co-director of the com- pany; Jack Warren, Judith Magee, Augustln Duncan, Mme. Tarasova and' Herbert Newcomb. Shaw Festival Philadelphia, July 18, Hedgerow theatre opens its sixth annual Shaw festival Monday (24) with its 76th perfortnance of 'Can- dida' in 16 years.- It was the first show given at the theatre under Jasper Deeter's management. Next Wednesday (26), in honor of Shaw's birthday. Hedgerow will do the en- tire tour acts of .'Man and Super- man,' with the curtain going up at 7:30 p.m. It will be repeated on Thursday and Saturday. Play Is new to Hedgerow, making the 135th addi tion to its repertory. ' Other plays tor the first week of the Shavian shindig, which lasts im- (Continued on page 43) Richari Gaines Gires Diff^ent ConcepHoB Of WTlranMassey Richard Gaines, who on Monday (17) undertook the assignment of replacing Raymond Massey in the title role of 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois/ at the Plymouth, N.Y., gives the Robert E. Sherwood drama slight but nevertheless distinctly different flavor. Its his first regular chance at the role, although he lilayed it for one-night when Massey was un- able to return from Montreal in time. He's now in tor the balance of the Broadway run, while Massey makes the film version. Instead ot stresstaig Lincoln's per- vading sadness, Gaines gives him a recurring witty twinkle. His play- ing is less debberate than Massey's. His climactic scenes are played ait a higher pitch, where Massey's had a steadily deepenhis Intensity. Par- ticularly ill the-debate scene and the final speech from the trahi plattonm, they are now virtually orations rath^ than the quietly-stirring ut- terances of an agonized being. To spectators who saw Massey s performance, the eflect is less satis- fying, although Monday night's audi- ence was' generously responsive. In appearance. Gaines is not as suitable for the part as was Massey. He's shorter, not so gaunt or rugged, and his jCacial characteristics don't as nearly resemble the popular concep- tion, of Lincoln. But as fine as Massey's performance was, and as rentarkably as his appearance suited the role. Gaines' playing demon- strates that the play and the- title part are greater than any' perform- ance or actor. The Pulitzer Prize- winner is not as eflective as it was with Massey in the lead, but it is still an Irresistibly moving drama— a rich,, emotional experience. Some of the supporting pertorm- ances have detenwated, while re- Slacements are not up to the orig> lals, but EYaak Andrews, Lewis Martin, Calvin Thomas, Howard da Dilva and Lillian Foster retain ad- mirable authenticity. Adele Long- mlre has improved'since the opening and Muriel Kirkland is again giving a persuasive portrayal of Mary Todd. After the extensive publicity of Massey's performance, his absence will undoubtedly hurt-business, but 'Abe' still seems powerful enough to carry through until October, when it's slated to tour. Kobe. CHARLES ALTflOFF In Lew Brown's YOKEL BOY . MAJESHC THEATRE ffEW.YORK Among Men ■ Who Know Comedy Best COODHAN ACE aarst "A loond HABBT W. CaSS mr*: "Sai*- On cMMdr tit <W7 thorfra." HBNNT YOVNGMAN mr»t "The kwh Ut at Um ahaw." Principal Sfarawhat BiDs TmS WEEK •Bne with a DUIereDce' (new) (Ilka Chase)—Red Barn theatre, Locust Valley, L. I. •live Life Again' (new)—Civic V. Summer theatre, Syracuse, N. Y. 'Satan's In the Pantry' (new)—Farragut players. Rye Beach, N. H. 'Hero Come Home' (new)—Coach House theatre, Oconomowoc, Wis. 'Onr Town' (Eddie Dowling)—Westchester playhouse, Mt. Kisco, N. Y. Ikmlng of the Shrew' (Jean Muir)—Mohawk Drama festival, Schenec tady, N. Y. 'Seventh Heaven' (Charles Farrell, Louise Piatt)—Chapel playhouse, Guntord, Conn. The Circle' (Florence Reed)—Country playhouse, Westport, Conn. 'Oar Town' (Thornton Wilder)—Soutti Shore players, Cohasset, Mass. 'Spring Meeting' (Gladys 'Cooper, Philip Merivale)—Cape playhouse, Dennis, Mass. •No More Ladles' (Helen Twelvetrees)—Lake Whalom theatre, Fitchburg, Mass. Tclvate Llves^ CViolet Heming)—^Bass Rocks theatre, Gloucester, Mass. 'Pride and Prejudice' (Edith Barrett)—North Shore players, Marblehead, Mass. 'Easy 'Virtue' (Jane Cowl)—Berkshire playhouse, Stockbridge, Mass. 'SprlDgUme for Henry' (Edward Everett Horton)—Deertrees theatre^ Harrison, Me. 'Anna Christie* (Glenda Farrell)—Theatre-by-the-Sea, Matunuck, R. I. Tonight or Never' (Kitty Carlisle)—Olney (Md.) playhouse. 'Shadow and Substance'—Monomoy theatre, CHiatham, Mass. 'Payment Deferred' (Donald Woods, Jane Wyatt)—Elitch, Denver. SmmnerTryoiits Rue with a Difference Locust Valley, N. Y., July 18. Comedy In thrm acta and ono Kena by TbonuiH Job. Staged by Elinor M. Well; aettlns bv David Twatehtman. Pra- s«ntad by tb» 'VaDcuard Th«aU« Joly 17, 'S9, at the Had 3ani, Locoat Valley, N. Y, Arthur Gordon Aldennnn 1>oiiiltla nka Oiiaie QuIntUB-Terentusi G. Albert Smith 'n'idow Rice Zamab CuaolDiiham Her DauKbtar ...Helen Many Marcos ....Ernest Woodvard- Blodnan... Dorothy Newman Hunferth Gay Spaall Sentry Fraderlo Warner Bntler Edtrard Bradley I..laatenaBt , Brooka Weat Ktaaenscr ;JaaaB Futnen Soldlera: Keith Palniar, Donrlaa .Pattl- aon, Stanley Pletmckle, David Forbea. Cltliana: Kathleen Jobnaoa Barbara God- frey. Oladcle Penney, Ce<>IIo deLucaii, Leonard Grarby. Prentice Bill, Robert Met Culchtn, Aside from the entertainment value of watching Ilka Chase through three short acts (the whole business consumed only about 90 minutes' act- ing time), this opus offers' no en- ticement to the average theatregoer. The action of 'Rue With a Differ- ence' takes place In the ^year 410 AJX In a single setting, the courts yard of the home of QiUntus Teren- tus, governor of a district on the east .coast of Britain. It revolves around an invasion by the Germans, led by Hunferth (Guy SpauU), and the - verbal adulteries of Domitia, Terentus' wife, Arthur (Gordon Alderman), a pet- W Briton chief, is on the make for Domitia (Ilka Chase) and the two of them seem to be making some headway, until the arrival of the Teutons upsets the peaceful routine of the govern(M's home and garri- son. Then the wiles of Domitia, strangely enoiigh at Arthur's sug- gestion, are turned toward luring Himferth into a compromising situa- tion, thus affording Terentus a mo- tive tor killing the invader chief- tain. • But Terentus, being more British in his manners than Roman, not only fails to revenge himself upon Htmterth, when he finds him forcing his attentions upon Domitia, Play OuNf'Town LABOR PAINS Hollywood, July 17. Musical revue In three acts presented by InternatloDal Ijadlos Garment Worken Union ot Los Anceles at Mneart theatre, Los Angeles, July 14,. '39, at 12.76 top; written by Ben Barman; lyrics, Sol Barz- man; music, BUI liind; atased by Max Pollock; dance direction, Jacoblna Caro; sets and lights. Roual Manl. Cast: Bill Slade. Wally Casta), Herb Smith, Danny Wall. Frances Pullara, Don Meyer, Ted 'Varnlck, Dan Frsnkel, Claira Greenaeld, Esther Boris, Eva B'Renco, Stella Martin, Virginia Sherburne, Abe Tamarln, Sid Spencer. Dorothy Havens, Phil fastel. Mllt Katz, Fadle Mason, Hy 'Weltzmnn, Alice Reltzen, Helen Valle, An gela Uregory, D. Sodlowe. NEXT WEEK 'Yon Can't Eat Goldfish' (new) (Ruth Chatterton)—Theatre-by-the-Sea, Bi&tunuck, R. L It Shoaldnt Happen to a Dog* (new)—^Masonic temple. Long Beach, L. I. 'Both SMcB Buttered' (new) (Frances Starr)—Wharf theatre,'Province- town, Mass. Indian Snmmer' (new) (Jessie Royce Landis, Fay Wray, Owen Davis, Jr.)—Lakewood theatre, Skowhegan, Me. 'Ghost TownT (new)—Bass Rocks theatre, Gloucester, Mass; 'Not for Children' (new)—Stony Creek (Conn.) theatre. .'Ducks and Drakes' (new)—Coach House theatre, Oconomowoc, iyis. (opens July .25). 'An American Romance^ (new)—Cape theatre; Cape May, N. J. (opens July 25). We'll Take the Highroad' (new)—Barter theatre, Abingdon, Va. (opens July 27). The College Widow' (SallyTEUers)—Mohawk Drama festival, Schenec- tady, N. Y. (opens July 25). The Lata Christopher Bean' (June Walker)—Ridge way theatre. White Plains, N.Y. 'Hay Fever* (Alison Skipworth)—Plymouth playhouse, MiUord, Conn. Tonight or Never' (Helen Gahagan)—Spring Lake (N. J.) Community playhouse (opens July 26). 'Bnrleaqae' (Libby Holman, Clifton Webb)—South Shbre players, Co- hasset, Mass.. •Springtime for Utaty" (Edward Everett Horton)—Cape playhouse, Dennis, Mass. 'Brief Moment' (Madge Evans)—Ogunquit (Me.) playhouse. They Knew What They Wanted' (Richard Bennett)—Bucks County play- house. New Hope, Pa. 'Spring' Heetiiig' (Gladys Cooper, Philip Merivale)—Casino theatre, Newport, R. I. (opens July 26). 'Petticoat Fever* (Dennis KingX—Olney (Md.) playhouse. ' 'Snsan and God* (Donald Woods, Jane Wyatt)—Elitch,. Denver. ^ .When the garment workers pro- duced a hit play in New York a couple of seasons ago, tiiey seem to have started something the finish of which is not yet in sight Here is the newest repercussion, an L. A. version of the piece. It is not at all bad and should get a fairly good run at this little 20(r-seater. 'Labor Pains' has the same naive and native quality of home-spun charm (it home-spun is not too for- eign » word to use in connection with distinctly citified work such as this.) that put 'Fins and Needles' over. The boys and girls in the past and two ot the three writers actually are garment workers. They're not at all professional, and sometimes this is painfully evident. But Ifs all in fun, and everybody has a good time. This goes for the audi- ence, too, it the audience is not too choosy and critical. There is only one really outstand- ing piece. ot talent connected with the show, the lyric •writeir, Sol Batz^ man. Look for his name on the title page ot.a lot ot sock tunes in the future. The kid has got what it takes. His brother, Ben Barzman wrote the book and is badly in need of a kick in the pants tor thinking he knows how to write comedy. He doesn't. But his serious skits (three of them) show a lot of latent talent, even though they don't fit In this type of production. The kid who wrote the music is Bill Lind. He is the member of the trio who is not actually a clothing worker, but grew up in Oregon with the Barzman brothers. He has a good ear and a good memory, but not any more then that, it this show is any evidence. Some of the sketches are fun, some are a bore. Th? theme is too con- stantly the same—Hitler, Mussolini, anti-labor nuts, agitators, etc. Some of the actors have talent, some have not. For tyros they are very good. Outstanding are Virginia Sherburne, a cutie in any man's theatre; Fran- ces Pullara, who can sock over a song on occasion: Wally Castel, a good-lookhig youth who can handle straight lines: Stella Martin, who has a nice, set of pipes, and Alice Reit zen, a clever comedienne. . Max Pollock, who was a director tor the FTP out here tor the past couple ot years, staged and got' every"iing possible out ot the yoimg- sters. but even manages somehow to apolo- gize for the entire affair. Hunterth then kidnaps her, while Terentus merely deddes that the best course one of patience. Throughout the piece, an effort is made to tie-in the-events of 4io A.D. with present world conditions The Romans are pictured as a peaca- and beauty-loving people; the Ger- mans as destroyers. 'This is rubbed on pretty thick by the end ot the third aict. Helen Marcy as Carldwen, a local Briton girl, is cast tor comedy re-' lief in the' part of a stupid country girl who is raped regularly by each invading group of Saxons. Ernest Woodward as Marcus, captain ot the garrison, elves a sincere portrayal- Dorothy Neumann as Blowdien. his wife, is good in the difficult role ot a silly and simpering woman. G. Albert Smith does very well as tha governor and (^rdon Alderman makes an acceptable Arthur. Guy Spaull overplays Hunferth. The setting, costumes, and lighting were- adequate, but the production, as a whole, lacked professionalism. The plot is Um thin and insufficient tor a drama, and the dialog lacks sparkle. . The opening io minutes w-sn't helped, any by the clumping ot the socialite late arrivals on the un- carpeted wooden floors. Audiences here habitually disrupt opening acts; no matter how late the first curtain is held. Possibly It was this annoy- ance which caused Miss Chase to seem to assimie a what-the-hell at- titude throughout the remainder of the play. Ctlb. LIVE LIFE AGAIN Syracuse, N. Y., July -17. Drama In threa arts, by Dan Totheroh. Produced by Civic Summer Stock Co.. di- rected by Sawyer Falk. scenery designed by James Russell, technical direction by John Uoe; at Civic University ttieatra, Syracuse, N. T.. July 17, '80. Saul Orme ....Wilson Ashley Mark Orme John Moa Hilda Paulson Martha Whila Old Man Spiers Barney Goodman Judith Solera .-.Jean Grant Nathan Spiers Cordon Keldar Dr. Bush.. Daniel Garllner Preacher Hill Robert Hnhn Mrs. Hansen Muriel Scbnartss (»fe«r : Alex SchuliK J?« : Arthur Earlo Voice.....; Thelma Lamphera Sister Rose Sue Ann Xouns Hainlet, with an Oedipus complex, stalks the grim wheatflelds of Ne- braska in Dan Totheroh's -'Live Life Again', which made its first appear- ance here Monday night (17). Cum- bersome, sometimes hammy, as pre- sented by the semf-pro cast ot the Civic University Summer Theatre, Totheroh's new play ot the boy driven crazy by his mother's death, only to find himself after he had killed his father, tantalizes with the promise of what polish and editing may do tor it. It certainly has power and its verse form at times endows it with real beauty. With better handling ot crowds and elimination of some of its long-windedness—the author is seldom content to convey a mood ex- cept through elaborate staging—'Live Lite Again' may miake the grade in the Broadway presentation, which, it to claimed, lies ahead. So#. HILDEGARDE Fox Theatre, Philadelphia! "Hildegarda, radio chanteuae and famme of '99 Men and a Girl,' give* a brilliant account of herself via • grajid piano and a gifted set of vocal chords."— PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS Per. Mgr^ANNA SOSENKO Ex. R«p,r-JACK BERTELL ERNEST C ROLLS Vresenta VIOLET CARLSON A8 TITE STAB ot bla Naweat Sanaatlonal Hit Show Tha Famous I.ONDON CASINO REVVE Now Pbylnc His Majesty'* TbaaM*. HelboariM, Australia