Variety (Jul 1939)

Wednesday, July 26, l93<> LEGITIMATE GROSSES VARIETY 81 Equity Pay Jump Still in Committee,! But Looks Unlikely to Go Through Proposal to raise the minimum pay of legit actors Uom $40 to $75 weekly is still in the hands of the committee to which it wai referred last spring. Those n-'. In favor of th.' plan are expectant that the re- port will not be favorable when tendered earl)r,Jn the fall. Some Eq^uity leaders wBb are opposed fear that such a radical move might not only lower the amount of produc- tion, but would also give, the asso- ciation plenty to worry about. What occurred In the Yiddish the- atre is cited. Unions virtually con- trol that field and there are now so many rules and requirements by the managements that this type of theatre has steadily dropped to- wards the vanishing point. Member- ship boplts are virtually closed and when newcomers are admitted to tlie _union they must await their tiirn7 for engagements in the Yiddish theatre are largely a matter of scnor- ily. Scions of leading Yiddish players were able to get some concession In the matter of appearances in the lower East Side theatres, but others tired of being on the waiting list. Tliey were so restricted that most entered the Broadway legit field, some reaching stardom on. strength of performance over which the downtown unionists shrugged their shouiders. Were the minimum in legit raised to nearly double, the present level, it is predicted there would be a rush of applicants to Equity from other fields where the wage is not comparable. Only way to prevent .such an infiltration would be to up the initiation fee, if not the dues, to such an extent that ringers would be stopped. Initiation to the stage hands union in New York is so dif- • flcult that is virtually impossible and thousands are on the waiting list. Percentage of unemployment is one reason, hew members not being wanted. Scenic artists employer- employee union also has an exces- sive rate, strictly regarded as pro- tective. Same applies to some other stage unions and in elTect they have closed shop; but Equity has gone on record as being against that policy. At this time, however. Equity can- not change its policy, having an agreement with the managers not to do so. Pact, however,' expires in September. Actors association has given no indication of renewal as- sent,,but the $75 mihimuni proposal will have to be decided on before extension of the agreeme:.t can be considered. 'Women' Hefty, B'klyn Brooklyn, July 25. Strongest attraction at the Brigh- ton since its opening was 'The Women,' which playjd last week to socko a';.endance. Current is 'What t Life,' with Ezra Stone getting top billing. •Primrose PatV due next week. ERtimmte for Last Week. 'The Women,' Brighton (1,400; $1). Best so far at this seashore house. Excellent $5,500. First Love HAYES' COAST TRYOUTB.O. SMASH Gilbert Miller's stunt of initially showing Hecht-McArlhur's 'Ladies and Gentlemen,' starring Helen Hayes, on the Coast, promises to be one of the most successful tryouts in years. . Attendance in San Fran- cisco indicates .that the four and one- half weelts booking in California ! will show a material operating profit, despite, the transportation cost from and back to New York. Inside reports from Frisco indicate a difference o( opinion over the play among showmen who witnessed a performance. That may be ex pliained because the type: of part played by Miss Hayes, who enacts, a pert girl witness at a murder trial, is widely divergent from the charac- terizations which have marked her stardom. Taymenf Poor $5^00 h Denver's Worst W'k Denver, July 25. Two sellouts saved 'Payment De- ferred' from a disastrous week at the Elitch theatre here last week. Play drew the lowest gross of the season 80 far. ~ Estimate for Lost Week 'Payment Deterred, Elitch (1,575; $1.25). Hot weather held gross down to $5,200. Current, 'Susan and God.' Drake Heads Copley Charles N. Drake, who took over the direction of the Richard Copley concert office in N. Y. following Copley's death recently, has acquired the business and will continue it under the old name. Drake and Copley were business associates for 25 years, both having been connected with the Wolfsohn Bureau before the war. Coates' Coast Concerts Hollywood, July 25, Albert Coates, English symphony conductor, is here for four appear- ances at the Hollywood Bowl, signed for a concert at Santa Barbara, Aug. 12, with Alec Templeton, Carrent Roadshows (Week of July 24) 'Ladies and Gentlemen' Hyaes, Herbert Marshall)—Biltmore Los Angeles. •My bear Children' (John Barry more)—Selwyn, Chicago. 'Tobacco Road'—Geary, San Fran Cisco. BIc Frisco Blx San Francisco, July 25, Legit is definitely on the upward trend in Frisco. Most striking ex- ample of the improvement is 'Ladies and Gentlemen," the new Ben Hecht Charles. MacArthur play, which closed to sellout biz at the Curran theatre Saturday (22), completing two of the biggest weeks this house has ever seen. Next door, "Tobacco Road,' sans b.o. names, has built steadily during its five weeks here after a negligible opening. It's slated to remain here until Aug. 7, when it will make way for 'Swing Mikado.' .'Swing Mikado,'..which played..to capacity business on Treasure Island until it was shuttered following the Government clamp-down of the Fed' eral Theatre, will be privately backed wheskit reopens on the main- land. Paul Posz, local impresario, handled the deal. 'Folies Bergere,' now in its 14th week in the California Auditorium on Treasure Island, leaves Wednes' day, Aug. 2, to make way for a new 'Folies Bergere' show direct from Paris. The current show is still do- ing a whale of a biz and could con- tinue for some time at the Fair. Estimates for Last Week 'Ladies and Genitemeo,' Curran (2d week) (1.770; $3.30). Standee attendance at all performances. Play Wrights Hecht and MacArthur have been trying to rewrite the ending so as to keep star Helen Hayes on the stage for the final curtain. Socko $30,000. 'Tobacca Boad,' Geary (5th week) (1,550; $1.65). Excellent $7,000, Play got some good newspaper publicity when management invited members of the local "Blindcraff organization to be its guests last week. TREASUBE ISLAND 'Cavalcade at Golden Weal,' Cava! cade (21st week) (5,000; $1.10). Pick- ing up. Got around $23,000, big. 'Folies Bergere,' California Audi- torium (14th week) (3,300; 75c) About $22,000. Hayes' 3«G In L.A. Los Angeles, July 25. With a virtual sellout for scheduled two week.s engagement, Helen Hayes opened the new legit season at the Biltmore here. Monday (24) with 'Ladies and Gentlemen." On basis of early advance looks like an easy $30,000 on the first stanza, with as much In sight for second week. First stock in Los Angeles in num- ber of years Is scheduled for Friday (28) when Henry W. Warner, lessee of Mayan, presents the Henry War ner Players in 'That Ferguson Fam^ ily.' New show is scheduled every two week!!, second on tap being 'It's a Wise Child.' Harviey H. Hart is manager-producer and Byron Aldenn, (Helen ' director. , ™ .. Estimate for La.st Week •Labor Paln.<!,' Musart (3S0-$1.65) ' Garment Workers Union leglter, got ! away to slow start for possible $900 lop fir.st .six days, but selloute to varl- ou.s unioii.s begin this week and take !\vill be upped.. San Francisco, July 25. Ben Hecht and Charles Mac- Arthur appeared in the Civic Theatre production of their 'Front Page' at a midnight performance at the San Francisco Press Club Saturday (22), Helen Hayes wit- nessed the play, which was staged following the final curtain of 'Ladies and Gentlemen,' in which Miss Hayes and Herbert Marshall were costarred here. Barney Gould directed the newspaper play, with Hecht and MacArthur playing a pair of leg- men. ' Fair s Visitors Stiff Boost B way; 'Abe' Dives to 7G, 'Hellz' Tops At 30G,W $23,500, taris'$23,000 Engagements Martha Scott,, Edward Everett Hortbn, Kenneth Treseder, Murial Williams, 'Springtime for Henry,' Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Mass. Gladys Cooper, Philip Merivale, Ethel Morrison, Edgar Kent, Esther IWitchell, Perry Wilson, Richard Waring, Wyman Kane, Philip Tonge, Newport Casino Theatre, Newport, R. I. , Jessie Royce Landis. Fay Wray, Margaret Callahan. Grant Mills] George Macready, Jessamine New-, comb, Kathryn Givney, Jo.seph Macaulay, A. H. Van Buren, Virginia Dunning, 'Indian Sy.mmer,' Lake- wood Theatre, Skowhiegan, Me. Joyce Arling, James McColl, Byram Shores, John Clarke, A. J. Herbert, Bernard Doriss, Charles Bolte, 'Boy Meets Girl,' Temple Playhouse, Greenwich, Conn. Harold Moulton, Ann Loring, Hal Conklin, Donald Foster, Eula Guy, Philip Truex, Nancy Kimberly, Barrie Wanless. Paul Talbot, How- ard Turner. Topaze,' Monomoy Thcalro, Chatham, Mass. Jamie Heron, Larry Gales, Betty Stewart, Bedelia Falls, William Hol- lenbeck, Erik Walz, Paul Gange, 'We'll Take the Highroad," Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va. Royal Beal, Phyllis Thaxter, Arthur Anderson, 'Bachelor Born,' Keene "Theatre, Keene, Vt. Robert Harris, James Todd, Wil- liam Mowry, Rosemary Carver, Bobby Readick, Sherrard Pollard, Blake John.son, Gene Kern, 'Ghost Town.' Bass Rocks Theatre, GlouceS' ter, Mass. 'Whiteoaks' Breaks Mark At Maplewood With T'/zG Maplewood, N. J., July 25. Ethel Barrymore in 'Whiteoaks' broke all house records at the Maplewood here, last week, with capacity houses at practically, all performances and standees at the matinees. Current is 'Seventh Heaven' with Charles Farrell. Estimate tor Last Week ■Whiteoaks,' Maplewood (1.420; $1). New high of $7,500 for eight performances. CHILDREN'OK $11,000 IN CHI Chicago, July 25. Last week the John Barrymore show, 'My Dear Children,' was alone in the Loop; this week it's alone in the entire city, for the Civic theatre stock has quit for at least four weeks, with the layoff reportedly caused not by poor business but by the inability to obtain suitable names. Civic finished three fine weeks with 'Seventh Heaven,' headlining Francis Lederer and Margo; House has been acquiring a steady patron- age and should pick up again where it left off when it resumes. The Barrymore show once more indicated staying power. Nothing else in the olTing for the Loop until after Labor Day from present, indi- cations, y Estimates, for Last Week IWy Dear Children,' Selwyn (11th week) (1,000; $2.75. Held to $11,000 again, fine considering the run and the weather. Revival 'Seventh Heaven,' Civic (800; $2.20), Folded Saturday (22) alter three excellent weeks, taking nilty $6,500 for the final session. Inside Stuff-Legit ■ Word from his farm in Wisconsin is to the effect that Alfred Lunt is recovering from arthritis, but he uses a cane except for short distances. Several years ago he suffered from the same complaint an arm then being affected. He and Lynn Fontanne were appearing in 'Meteor' and the star played with the painful wing in a sling. Audiences thought that was part of the business during the first act, but were puzzled when in the second act, supposed to be two years later, Lunt came on with the same sling. No attempt at explanation was made, but show's engagement was only of moderate length, it being one of the few exceptions when the Lunts did not appear in a long stayer. Lunts' plans for the fall are but partially set. They will start the The- atre Guild's subscription season in Washington Oct. 2 with 'The Taming of the Shrew,' going to the U. of Wisconsin, Madison, Oct. 9 for three days, then completing the week at the Pabst, Milwaukee. Only other booking is Baltimore, Oct. 16, requiring another jump to the east. Latter spot will also be on subscription, for the first time in four years. Erin O'Brien Moore, now fully recovered from burns sustained last winter, will make her first professional appearance since then in the Rudy Vallee radio program Thursday (27). She was due in last week's broad- cast with Lawrence Olivier, but the rights to a short story which was to have been enacted could not be secured from the Saturday Evening Post, which printed the yarn. Olivier went on with a substitute script. Also on this week's Vallee program are Alice Marble, the tennis star, who will be interviewed, and Carmen Miranda, the Brazilian chanteuse, nriaking her second appearance on the air. Sebastian (Bu.ster) Romer, who died of a heart attack at the age of'48 at his home in Alerrick, L. I., last week was among the most quiet but best known boxofficc treasurers on Broadway. He was at the Gaiety in the lush days of that former legit house, including the runs of 'Lightnin'' and 'Turn to. the Right,' after being transferred there from the New Amster- dam. When the Gaiety went into stock burlesque, Romer switched to the Fulton and was at the Center from the opening of "The American Way.' His son, Lawrence, is scheduled to be wed this month. Third week of July saw further improvement on Broadway. Show- men do not now figure the N.Y. World's Fair will depress survivors through the balance of the summer. Improvement accompanied the rise in Wall Street but the stock market was not a factor in the legit hike. That was proved by the fact that audiences were mostly made up of visitors. There are small ad- vance sales, usxial at this period, ticket purchases being rarely more than a day or two before perform- ances, since most out-of-towners are here for a limited time. There was one pronoimced drop, 'Abe Lincoln' diving from $15,000 to $7,000. That is explainable, by the withdrawal of Raymond Massey from the lead, star leaving for Hollywood to appear in the film ver- sion. Four ,shows out of the current 11 exceeded $20,000, while two or three others registered around $15,000, The resumed 'The American Way' got $23,500 at the Center and while that probably bettered an even break, more had been expected after the midweek matinee sold out. 'Hellzapoppin' returned to its standee gait, around $30,000; 'Streets of Paris" is credited with a new high, quoted around $23,000, $5,000 up from the previous week, and 'Phila- delphia Story' approached $20,000. 'Yokel Boy' picked up while 'No Time for Comedy' and 'Little Foxes' showed goodly profits. Saturday (22) trade was surpris- ingly strong, further proof that out- of-towners are going to the theatre. Weather was clear and cool, latter condition. being a favorable break. On that day 'From Vienna' drew its best takings and showed an operat- ing profit on the week. Estimates for La:,t Week 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois,' Plymouth (^l week) (D-1,036; $3.30). Gross dropped 50% after Raymond Massey left cast; that was the estimated de- cline; around even break at $7,000. 'Hellzapoppin,' Winter Garden >36th week) (R-1,671; $3.30). Back to capacity all performance/ with standees at most shows; rated over $30,000. 'No Time for Comedy,' Barrymore aSth week) (CD-l,0g6; $3.30). Francis Lederer replaced Lawrence Olivier (Katharine Cornell starred) Monday (24); takings quoted over $15,000, some betterment. 'Streets of Farls,' Broadhurst (6th week) (R-l,lie; $4.4Q). Runner-up to 'Hellzapoppin' among musicals; .spurted to around $23,000 last week, best to date. 'The American Way,' Center (22d w<.-ek> (D-3,433; $3.30). First week of resumed engagement encouraging, though not comparable with early portion of engagement; $23,500, sec- ond best gross on Broadway. ■Little Foxes,' National (24th week' m-l,ie4; $3.30). Saturday (22) attendance strong with cool weather a factor; approximated strong $13,000. ■The PhlUdelphls Storv,' Shubert (I8th week) (C-1,367: $3.30). Climbed again and in the big money; rated close to $20,000. Tobacco Road,' Forrest (294th~ week) (D-I,107; $1.65). Manage- ment expectant of show starring' into November, when 'Abie's Irish Rose' record woiild be reached; around $4,000 to sonte profit 'Takel Boy,' Majestic (4th week) (M-I,717; $3.30). Some improvement, but needs more to operate profitably; .second full week approximated $15,000. ADDED ■From Vienna,' Music Box (Oth week). Refugee revue perked some- what to around $5,000 and showed operating profit; previously,' spon- sors balanced the weekly budget; modest top, £2.20. 'Pins and Needles,' Windsor (aoth week). Went close'to $7,000, further improvement and fairly profitable for trade unionists' revue; $1.CT top. 'The American Way,' which resumed at the Center, N. Y., last week, has the same cast and ensemble set-up as originally in point of numbers. During the five weeks" lay-off 15 players accepted summer theatre jobs, but all were replaced. Cast leads, with Fredric March starring, are intact. Best attendance performance last week was Wednesday's matinee which has a $2.20 top. Out-of-towners were preponderant then and at night per- formances. Lois January, who is making her first appearance on Broadway warbling in 'Yokel Boy," Majestic, is a Texan, but was educated in California. First profes.sional work was in films, while her stage training was gained at the Pasadena Playhouse. Prior to the present engagement Miss January worked in the picturized version of "The Wizard of Oz' (M-G. to be re- lea.sed in late August. She is a cousin of May Wirth, former equestrienne star. 'The Boys from Syracu.ce,' which ran 29 weeks at the Alvin, N. Y.. gro.s.scd a total of $700,000, and its reputed net profit was $90,000. Had it played l>eyond June 10, the musical may have spanned summer, as busine.s.s took an upturn from then on. 'Syracuse' is due on lour in the fall with the original cast. mOSSOM HMEVNIFrY $11,500 IN LOUISVILLE Louisville, July 25. Winding up the third week of 1 summer operettas at Iroquois Am- phitheatre, 'Blossom Time' was rated the odtfitanding production thus far in the series. Leads were handled well by Char- I lotte Lansing and Roy Cropper. The role of Franz Schubert was sung by Clifford Newdahl. and Mitzi by Helen Arnold. E. Romaine Simmons staged. Estimate for Lost Week ■Bioi-som Time,' Iroquois Amplil- theatre '3,400; $1.50). "Thursday (20) ; performance rained out, but extra ' show Sunday (23) added and It was : well advertised on radio and in ' Louisville. Times. Good press reac- ; lion and word-of-mouth helped cx- ' cced previous week with $11,500.