Variety (Jul 1939)

Wednesday, July 19, 1939 LEGIHMATE GROSSES VARIETY 4S Banymore, $11000, All Alone in Chi Loop; 'Heaven Vary Nb $8,000 Chicago, July 18. Only on« show remains in .the loop eurrently following the foW- up of "One for the Money* after six weeks in the Harrir. However, though out of the loop, the Civic has caught on in a hefty way with revival of "Seventh Heaven,' star- tlBg Francis Lederer and Margo. Oiiginally in for a fortnight, the show win hold for an additional week and close Saturday (22). Could stay longer, but Lederer is due east to go into 'No Time for Comedy. 'Mv Dear Children' remains as the- loop legit attraction. In its 10th week. It perked a bit last session. Nothing In the oSing now until autumn for the loop houses, and the town will have to rely on the Civic stock productions to keep in legit acfion. EsUnwIes for Last Week 'My Dear CUIdren,' Selwyn (10th week) (1,000; $2.75). Lifted some- what to $11,000 last week and en- couraged to stick around town for addiOonal time. . „ . „ „„„ •One for the Money,' Harris (1,000: $2.75). Show folded Saturday (15), Had a good stay here, though the gross never really got into the upper brackets. Word-of-mouth ex- ceUent; folded to $7,500. BEVIVAL •Seventh Heaven,' Civic (2hd week) (800; $220). Caught on sharp- ly and held to excellent $8,000 last week. Wiir sUck for an addiUonal session and could go more. 'CHILLUN' ENDS RUN ON COAST, 2GWK. Los Angeles, July 18. Winding 4ip solid year's run, first as Federal Theatre Project venture .and more recently as commercial, •Run LitUe CliiUun,* with all-negro cast, folds at Mayan (23). Aside fron couple of weeks at San Dieeo and Long Beach, -enttre run was in Los' Angeles, long-run record for many years. Long-dark Musart, taken over by BlU Arms xeliahted a4) with local (Garment Workers' Union legiter, •Labor Fains.' Booking is for 12 weeks, but no telling how much of this will -be played. BUtmore relidits (24) with Helen Hayes in •Ladies and Gentlemen' after eouple of weeks breakin at Curran, San Frwcisco. Proposed relighting of El Capitan, with 'Mikado in Swuig' 'as commer- cial venture after rehearsals under ITP auspices, was halted through failure of Alexander Leftwich, FTP state director, to secure clearance from Government permitting outside sponsorship. Estimate for Last Week •Baa Uttic CtaUtan,' lilayan>-(1,492; $1.'65). Second week nothing big; around $2,000. Kiss Boys* OK $4,«00 In New Jersey Spot Maplewood, N. J., July 18. Frank McC^y and WiUiam J. Alex- ander had . another splendid week at the Maplewood last week when 'Kiss the Boys Goodbye' hit the b.o. for $4,600, topping 'The Women' of the previous week. Current attraction: Ethel Barry- more in 'Whiteoaks.' Estimate for Last Week Viss the Boys Goodbye,' Maple- wood (1,460; 2S-$1.0O>. Second week of., new seaiwn' even stronger than first, doing $4,600. Beach Spot Strong ■ Brooklyn, July 18. ■ Contintied strong biz- at' Ijcslie SpUler's Brighton theatre near the Copey waters. Last week's produc- tion, •Of Mice and Men', drew steady patronage for matinees and evening performances. Current The Women'; next 'Prim- rose Path.' EsUnate for Last Week 'Of Mice aoA Men* Brigbton (1.400; $1.00). This was second production at recently opened house and snared strong $5,000. Elitcli Good ^,D0O Denver, July 18. With grosses at Elitch running over last year, and three sellouts last week, biz is plenty gratifying. Season ticket holders are picking up their reservations more regularly and win- dow sales are also vp. Estimate for Last week •Michael and Mary' EUtcb (1,525; 35-$1.25). With nine performances Wd three sellouts, tM gross was ^,000—$300 over the same week last . year. Current Is "Payment Deferred.' L'Tiile Docks Top-Price Seats; Roberta,' |10,500 Louisville, July 18. "Roberta' was the operetta staged by the Sbuberts' for the second week of summer .show.s at Iroquois Amphitheatre,' drawing good houses fbr opening night Mdnday (10) and closing Saturday (15). Biz let down slightly on the in-between perform- anoes, top priced seats being abput half-fllled. Gross on the stanza was approximately $10,500. Opening night of "Roberta' a wood wing fell into the orchestra pit, striking Ted Otten, drummer, on the head, and knocking him unconscious. Accident occurred between acts, when set was being struck. Estimate for Last Week •Boberta,' Iroquois Amphitheatre (3,400; 35c to S1.50) .(2d week). Mon- day .and Saturday (opening and closing) shows drew good houses, but -other performances had few empty sections, bulk of biz being in lower and medium-priced sec- tors. No shows missed on account of weather and returns holding up okay, although slightly ofl from opening week at $10,500. Coin Minimums (Continued from pbge 41) mum for the screen rights under the proposed pact From the.picture end, however, the rights might be se- cured for one-third as much. In ad- dition to the advance rights money, the picture backer would finance the production, costing as- much -or more, BO that the investment would be around $35,000 per show, (^nsider- ing the percentage of stage failures to the total of seasonal productions, Hollywood regards such investments as too costly. The re^t would be that the su- ture backer would be placed in virtu- ally the same position as is the legit manager. In other words, instead of taking a chance, the inclination would be to exercise caution in back- ing plays which would not be rea- sonably sure of clicking. Hiat would hardly help Broadway, in the opinion of showmen who have reflected on the proposed new agreement Some opinion in legit circles If that the film' end does not have a.<! much perception in conceiving the merit of scripts and .the possibilities both for stage and screen as does the average legit showman, lliat opinion may explain why picture people favor tying up with Broadway. How- ■ever, it is a well known fact that not a few plays are 'made' in re- hearsal, if not from the suggestionf for rewriting from the stage pro- ducer. Such skill or Intuition from the later is doubtless the explanation of why certain' managers deliver .a majority of Broadway successes. Yet none can show a record without goose eggs and not a few call in other showmen, on the chance tlieir judgment may be wrong, or the bankroll weak. 1M% Fllm-Flnaneed Under the proposed pact the 'inde- pendent producer' will not be re- quired to put up his own cash, but the percentage of his ownership rights would be a matter of nego- tiation with the backer. "The mini- mum is . 10%, but that Is another question to be ironed out the main hurdle at present being the 'front' coin -for the film rights. In addition, the backer (picture end) will pay to the film, arbiter 10% of the first $5,000 grossed week- ly, 19% up to $10,000 and 20% on all over that level. Figured out that the backer would pay $1,650 weekly on plays which grossed $12,060. Should the show miake a run of it the film rights money would run to fancy fig- ures. But there are deduction.s to be made in favor of the film end. Hav- ing a percentage of, the profits, which would in any 6vetit be 20% and possibly 30% of the film rights share, such money would be re- funded to the Iwck^by the arbiter. In addition, the backer's end of the stage play's profits could materially reduce the money actually invested.- The pact will come up for discus- sion among the managers generally this week and further parleys with the picture people will follow. Pale |6,600 Teemg Off Memphb Memphis, July 18. The New Moon,' opening operetta for Reginald Hammerstein's first summer at the Memphis Open Air Theatre^ did a surprisingly low $0,600 in eight-day run despite per- fect weather. Gross was about the same as last year's best for alfresco amphitheatre, but. disappointing In view of lipped budget for current season and anticipated normal in- crease. Weekly nut onfive-week season is $9,000. Competition .of all-star baseball game and local first place ball club's first "Men's Night' with all males .admitted free and drawing . 13/M)0 customers, undoubtedly hurt'Moon's* draw. •Roberta' opened last night (Mon- day) as second attraction. LTC MAY GIVE Pin LECIT comfnsH • Pitsburgh, July 18.. Nixon theatre here may have legit competition next - season for first time since old Alvln was converted in(0 a film spot five years ago. It's understood newly-«rgatilzed Legiti- mate Theatre C:orp. is considering in- vading this city in thevfall, although nothing definite has been lined up yet Inasmuch as no regular house is available, possibility looms that LTC would pla^ 'its attractions at 3,600- seat Syria Mosque, town's leading concert hall, but hardly the most satisfactory spot for a theatrical at- traction. ' It's known that the LTC execs have been in communication with May Beegle, No. 1 music impresario here, who places all of her attrac- tions at the Mosque, with an eye to having her manage the shows: The Beegle concert subscription lists would be invaluable for such an en- terprise. Project however, hasn't gone beyoiid the talking stage. Tltree plays on LTC schedule, Eva GalHenne's 'Hedda Gabler,' 'Gold' en 'Boy' and 'Wliat a Life,*' have «!• ready played.PlttsburghattheNixoa Air Strawhat (Continued from page 42) tn Aug. 19, will be 'Arms and the Man' on Tuesday (2S)«nd 'Androcles and the Lion' on Friday (28). Wcstport B.O. Ferks Country playhouse at Westport Conn., which bad a mild ORCoing week with Glenda Farrell and Nance O'Neil in 'Anna Christie;' perked considesably last week with Ruth Gordon. in 'Here Today.' Comedy about a Dorothy Parker-Ilke charac- ter was a hit with Wes^rt audi- ences, and business built satisfactor- ily through the week. Miss Gordon's performance drew praise, whUeJEthel Wilson, Helen Brooks, King Calder and Emmett Rogers were admired In supporting parts. Production was an exchange from the Berkshire' playhouse. Stock- bridge, Mass. With Florence Reed replacing Miss Ciordoa as the star, the same troupe Is this week offering The Circle.' Will take the Somerset Maugham play back to Stockbridge next weeli. •Divorcee' Toppers Mt Klsco. N. Y, July 18. Esme O'Brien, . New York deb, gels a principal part'in *Ihe Gay Divorcee,' first musical to be done here. Charles Walters, late of 'I Mar- ried An Angel,* will be in. the Fred Astaire role, with Mildred Natwick and John Hoysrodt in the parts played on Broadway Jby Luella Gear and Eric Blore. Bnek* CoiiDtv's Added Hot New Hope. Pa, July 18. Bucks County Playhouse here bi- augurated a Saturday matinee this week in an endeavor to lake care of the overflow auflience that hos pat- ronized it from it's start three wGCk.<! ago. Wednesday matinees have been presented rj.eht along and will be continued. Ciirrrnt show Is 'Boy Meets Girl,* wilh Florcre McGec, the. brat of 'Children's Hour,' who Is a localite. B'way Bouncing Out of Slun^; TarisOK$mTokelBoy Moderate $13>500t Imcoh' ISG Sherwood Back With 'Abe' Screen Script Robert E. Sherwood, 'playwrl^t returned from Europe Monday (17) with the completed picture adapta- tion of his tilay, 'Abe Lincoln in Illi- nois.' .Autlaor. did some work on the script while abroad and leaves for the Coast tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss the picture with RKO Ra- dio executives. Sherwood conferred with English' playwrights and discussed proposed international agreement of dram- atists in the U.S. and Europe with Maj. Gen. Ian Hay Belth, president of'the Dramatists Club in Loiuion, Nothing concliisive arrived .at'due to complete concentration of the British with the war scare. lAMES'SMASH 28GINERISCO San Francisco, July 18. Helen Hayes and Herbert Mar- shall in the new Charles McArthur- Ben Hecht play, 'Ladies and Gentle- men,' are playing to s.r.o. biz at the Curran. Demand for tickets is so great that extra seals are being put in wherever possible all over the bouse. Playing its' fourth and last 'week. Tobacco Road' has managed to pick up some of the overflow from the Curran, Tourists in town also have helped Tobacco Road' considerably. •Cavalcade of the Golden West* and 'Folles Bcrgere' are sUll the two leaders at the GoMen Gate Inter- national Exposition on Treasure Island. Estimates for Last Week •Ladles anid dentleflMB,' Curran (1,770; $3J0) (1st week).—Interest in Helen Hayes and Herbert Mar' shall Is terrific, resulting in smash biz in the nabe of $28,000. IKrikaecA Bwid.' (^eary (1,550; $1.85) (4th final week).-^n view of pan notices on cast and general 'prO' auction. "Road' has done remark' ably 'well. Final stint reported to be $7,000, which is plenty good. Trcaswc blaad •Cavalcade of the OoMca West.' Cavalcade (.SfiOO; $!.!«) (2eth week). Still doing okey. Got about $22,000 for the 20th stint •Folles Bcreere,' California Audi- torium ($3,300; 75 eeaia) (13tb week).—Expo buying display space In the dailies and also billboards on 'Bergere,' which is still one of the expo's best biz getters. Last week, $21,000. Beer Garden Abnesphere Clicks for Cleve Symph Cleveland, July IS. Turning civic auditorium intd a garden setting with- dining table seats at a $1 top,'Rudolph Riogwald's Cleveland summer orchestra of 78 pieces started pop concert series by pulling 5,500 Into 10,000-seated hall on a hot night Second two went even better than that in attendance. Symphony group from Severance Hall is giving nine more concerts with Ida Krehm, 'Virginia Johnson. Henry Pildner. Muriel Dickson and Jean Tennyson as guest soloists. 'Victor Kolar and Burle Marx also- slated to take over baton as'guest conductors 'in Anal August .sessions. Richard Bennett will appear next week in They Knew. What They Wanted.' Chatter John Beal will play the Leslie Howard part in Robert E. Sherwood's "The Petrified Forest' the week of July 31 at Stockbridge, Mass...Re- vised version by Anita Loos of her •(Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' will be offered at the New England play- house, Ridgefleld, Conn,, for two Weeks beginning July 31, with Marie Wilson, picture actress, starred. The comedy may tie brought to Broadway in the fall. . . . Hunter (Sardner 'Will play Pastor Manders in 'Ghosts' at Mt Klsco. N. Y., the week of July 31 and at Westport Conn., the folr lowing week. . . Kitiy., Carlisle will tryout an untitled new play at the Spa theatre, Saratogo, N. Y., the week of Aug. 21. BiUie Burke is. being sought for "The 'Vinegar Tree.' Broadway bounced back last week from the deep dnllnesB «f the Fourth of July week, but grosses did not Teach the levels prior to the holiday dive, except in two or three in- stances. Present-going is pivotal in boxofflce trends and, while gradual betterment Is anticipated, August is Indicated to be the period for- snb- stantial business. There may be a sudden spurt how- ever, what with startiing Wall Street activity. Upturn in sVoeYi Monday. (17), when soine seeurities- jumped four and ntore points, with hea'vy in- crease in trading them and-on Tues- day, should portend better times and may react favorably on Broadway. Sraberage offices seethed with ac- tivity and all 'Scotch leaves' were rescinded—employees who bad -been laid off on the. stagger system, being called .back. 'Yoklil. Boy', the newest musloal, fared nuiderately, getting $13,500 for the first full week at the Majestic. Cooler weather which arrived over the 'week-end was expected to better attendance.. 'Hellzapoppin' picked up to $27,000 and 'Streets of Paris', now the runner-up, got -ever $18,000. Suspension of 'Leave It To Me' may help the other musicals. Best pick-up among the dranjas was by 'Abe Lincoln' which topped $15,000. probably because it was the final wieek lor Raymond Massey, who went to Hollywood. ' 'No- Time For Comedy' .approximated the same gross; •Philadelphia Story* moved up- ward, holding tiie straight show lead- ership with $18,500, while "Little Foxes' also got substantial atten- dance. The American Way' relighted at the Center Monday (17) promisingly, box office spurting for the event Fleck of parties have been booked for the near, future. Withdrawal this week of 1 Must Love Someone', Vanderbllt and 'Out- waird Bound', Playhouse, wIU lower the legtt list to 11 attractions. Next shpw due in Is 'Scandals', which opens in Atlantic City July- 31 .and comes -to ihe Ahrln about Aug. IS, house gettlpg a ceoUng system before then. ^nthnatrt tat Last-Week •'Aha LtaisalB.tai mUnb.* Plymouth (40th week) <I>-l,e3e; $3J0). At- tendaaee pMied up -during final we^ lor RayEoond. Massey; takings shading "(UtOOO: should plav through balance of summer; Richard Ciaines now playing lead. 'BeUsa^eapla,' Winter Garden (3601 week) <S.1.671: $330). Easily holds list leaderdiip with most per- fonnances selling out; picked up after Fourth' ^rop and bettered $27,00(r. 1 Must Love Semeone.' 'Vanderbilt (24th week) {OMO; $3.30). Final week; away fai red dienilte length of engagement; around $4,000: house to be used'for broadcasting (NBC) for next three months «r more. '^a TIaM far CaiMdy,* Barrymore (14tb wedc) (CD.l.flM; $300). Three matinees, but no Saturday perform- ances; Improved ' considerably last week with gross-quoted over $19,000. •StreeU ef Parts,' Broadhurst- (5th week) (R-l,llfi; $4.40). Substantial business with takings up somewhat; around $18,000; laugh revue has matinee weakness, but okay nights. The Aaaerlcco f?ay,' (Center (D-3.433-$3JU)> (resumed engage- ment) (21st week). After leaduig list for several months suspended for five weeks; relighted Monday (17) with fair advance sale. The LttUe Foxes,' National (23d week) (D-l,ie4: $3jaO). Along with other leaders business recovered after the hollAiy week dip: last week over $12,500. The nilUdelphIa Story.* Shubert (17tl) week) (€-1,367.; $3.30). Sum- mer going featured by matinees, when standee* are .drawn: ud some- what last week; around $18,500. Tebaeoa Btiad,' Forrest (293d week) (D-U07: $l.CSf.- Jtoad show 'San Francisco) doing" prsA^le business; gross here around $3,500, which is even break; aiming for run record. 'Tokel Boy.' Majestic <3i week) (M-1,717: $3.30). First full week drew moderate attendance; gross ap- proximated $13-500; lower price tickets mostly In demand;, better weather will help, BEVIVAL •Ontward Boond.' Playhouse (31st week) (D-873: $3.30). Final' week; busJAess off; irequent cast withdraw- als; slight profit at $5,000. . ADDED 'From Vienna,' Music Box (5th week). Refugee revue needs better grosses if sticking; has been sup- ported partly by fUftd raised by sppjv^rs; $4,000. •Pins and Needles.' Windsor (85th week). Some imorovement with gross approaching $7,000 mark; labor unionists revue has modest operating nut and turns weekly profit