Variety (Jul 1939)

S2 TARIETV'S' LONDON OFFirK • St. MaiilD'* riitr«, TrafHijtar ttquar* INTERNATIONAL SHOW NEW0 •W* 4Mr*Mt TAItnnT, lOMIMVf London Agents Splurging in Legit Prod. Despite European Situash; 'Mice OK $6,000,'Com'N.G. 31/26 Bomb-Proof London, July 18. Tliere Is ho lack ot alibis why West End legit Is in a limping state. Big surprise is how quite a few of tliem manage to make some money. Biggest hindrance is still 'llie European situation,' with close on a million people ot both sexes hooked up in some form of military duties; while a similar number has prac- tically forsaken any form of entei'- tainment, confining itself to listening to news flashes on the radio, which, unfortunately, clash with theatre , hours. Same situation Is also re- sponsible for keeping out of England more than a half million European and American visitors. But with all the depression, it is surprising how 'the show must go- on,' with most producers readying themselves for the fall. Peculiar thing about next fall's line-up seems to be th t a good many venturers into the show field are agents. The biggest is Henry Sherek, who, while not forsakmg the 10% biz, is going in for exten- sive show producing. Seemingly the success of ^Idiot's Delight' has whet- ted' his appetite, while the flop of •Behold the Bride' hasn't stemmed it any.' Sherek's liiie-up comprises 'No Time for Comedy,' "The Philadelphia Story," with Katharine Hepburn: Clifford Odet's 'Rocket to. the Moon,' •Petrified Foirest,' and a new play by actor Robert Morley. For all these ventures Sherek is forming i pro- ducing company, with a hefty bank- roll. Charles 3ulliver, former vaudeville magnate, is likely to re- turn to show business as a director of (his corporation, with Tom Arnold another director. O'Bryen, Linnet & Dunfee, an- other concern of 10-percenters. will also . come in with ^Spotted Deck,' new Ben Travers play, for Alfred Drayton and Robertson Hare: also a new play, 'Saloon Bar,' for Gordon Marker, and 'Brighton Rock.' which they'll do in conjunction with Gil- bert Miller. Miller, incidentally, has another one In 'White Steed,' star- ring 'Wendy Hillier, which he is doing solo. Foster agency Is also venturing in the play field with one starring Bebe Danielis and Ben Lyon; while Charles Tucker and Montague Lyons, also agents, have There Goes the Bride," which is to star Naunton Wayne, and will open, in the sticks prior to its West End showing. Jack Buchanan still has two mu- sicals, one by Fred Thompson and Archie Menzies, a musical version of a P. G. Wodehouse 'Jeeves' series, and 'Divorce of Christobel." Walter Racket, who hasn't mani- fested this year, crops up with a new one by him, and will star his wife. Marion Lorne, as usual. It is still likely to be in association with Jack Buchanan. H. M. Tennent has three, the most Important being Daphne Du Mau- rier's best seller, 'Rebecca,* in which John Gielgud Will be starred. But prior to that Gielgud will appear in a revival of "The Importance • of Being Earnest.' 'Les Parents Ter- rible? from the French by Cocteau. completes the trio. Lee Ephralm still has 'Spring Madness,' the mu- sical which wiU bring back Bobby Howes, alUiough his co-starrer. Simone Simon, is now doubtful. Not ot the least importance are Noel Coward's two, 'Sweet Sorrow' and 'This Happy Breed,' which go to the Phoenix theatre, with the cast headed by the author-actor. • An- other Important event is 'Jupiter Laughs,' A. J. Cronin's first play elTort, which. Alec. Rea is sponsoring. Lead may be enacted by Ralph Rich- ardson. Then there Is 'Shadow and Sub- stance,* which Cedric Hardwicke is bringing from America, and in which he will play his original role. Also, Firth Shepherd's musical, which was to have been done early this year; and Leslie Henson in a farce^not musical show, as In former years when he returns from Africa in Sep- tember: Stanley Lupino In Buddy de Sylvai's "Take a Chance.' with Gene Sheldon In support; and 'Cheque-Mate.' new olav with music by Romney Brent and Eddie Horan, with Pat Home, wealthy man about town, angeling. Estimated Grosses, $5 to the £ 'After the Dance,* St. James' .(4th weeky. Never got going and not likely to duplicate Terence Rattigaii's previous effort, 'French Without Tears.* Is attracting fair white shirt audience, but top-shelfers not inter- ested. Averaging $3,250, at which figure barely breaking even. Will linger for a while, then transfer to two-for-one spot. 'Allen Corn,'Wyndhaih*s (2d week \ Got mixed reception, which is react- ing on intake. Last week barely bettered $3,500, at which figure just getting by. Not likely to succeed, with approaching holiday season bound to hinder. •Black and Blue,* Hippodrome (17th week). Dropped to $13,500 for .12 shows weekly, after doing over $18,000 many weeks, biit even at that figure still yielding $3,500 profit, 'Band Waffeon,* Palladium (2d week). In for indefinite run, to be pulled if grosses fall below $12,500. Bettered $20,000 in its first week, which is plenty gravy for sponsor Jack Hylton, who is in on guarantee and percentage. Good for 10 weeks, to be followed by 'Crazy Show.' •Corn Is Green,* Duchess (40th week). Has made plenty of money for authorractor Emlyn Williams, and is still cashing in even at $4,000, as overhead is light. Will probably vacate soon, as Williams may want to take vacation after strenuous season. •Dear Octopus,' Queen's (41st week). Another one of the money spinners, although dropped from $8,000 to $6,500 on departure of John Gielgud from cast. Still making money and good for some time, as getting out figure is not far above $5,500. 'Design for LIvIn;,' Savoy (23rd week). First time Coward show ever stooped to cut-rate, with customers aware of it, as intake under cheaper stubs is more, at $6,000, than It grossed at full prices during its Hay- market theatre run. Looks like lengthy stay. •Farjeon's Little Bevne,' Little thea- tre (10th week). Author has made reputation with this type of enter- tainment and has good following. This is third of series and still making money. Averaging $5,000, which is very profitable for this small capacity house with little over- head. Good for entire summer sea- son, providing European situation does not get worse. 'Gate Revue,' Ambassadors (18th week). Has made money, grossing as high as $6,000, but now down to $3,500. Still showing slight profit, as cast and theatre overhead not heavy. Likely to fold shortly. 'Grouse in Jane,' Criterion (8th week). No big overhead and can manage to linger \^ith small intake. But grosses now around $3,000, which means red light. Bound to fold soon. 'Of Mice and Men;*-Apollo (7th week). Started as one of season's smashes and still one of the most talked of olTerings. Reached $8,000 first few weeks, but now dropped to nearer $6,000. At that figure still showing $1.000.profit and bound to stay sometime. •Rhondda Roundabout,' Globe (6th week). Never got going, despite good Dress. Was threatened with closure, but given last minute reprieve. Barely touching $3,500, which is far below even break. •Sprln; Meetin;,' Piccadilly (38th week). Here at cheap rates, after healthy run at Ambasadors. Still do- ing $4,000, which shows profit. Only in for four week."!, after which will be replaced by 'Man in Half' Moon Street.' 'Only Yesterday,' Playhouse (6th week). Surprising how this one keeps going week after week, as In- take hardly above $2,000 at two-for- one. Bound to be on losing side, even at salary cuts. 'Me and My Girl,' 'Victoria Palace (2d year). The daddy of them all and weakening slightly with old age, but still showing good returns, even at SIO.OOO per, as getting out price is well below $7,500. liooks good till end of year and may even go into 1940. 'The Dancing Tears,' Drury Lane (15th week). Started at low pace and looked like folding. Suddenly spurted to $17,500. at which figure it kept for weeks. Now nearer $14,000, but still in the money. At this rate could go for some time. The Man In Halt Moon Street,' New (13th week). Faring badly after a few good weeks. Not exceeding $3,500.. Closing here to play Golders Green week of July 24, with Streat- ham the following week, after which goes into Piccadilly at cut-rate. The Women,' Lyric (10th Week) In the smash class, with opening weeks exceeding $10,000 for several weeks. Then dropped to $8,500. Bettered last week to over $0,000. The Gentle People.' Strand (1st week). Got away to terrific press, and getting plenty of word of mouth compiliments.- May finally land in same hit class as its confrerers. The Women' and 'Of Mice and Men.' 'Tony Draws a Horse,' Comedy •(29th week). Originally opened at Strand; then transferred to Criterion, and now here as two-for-oner. Not exceeding $3,000. which barely covers overhead. Will fold soon. •Under Your Hat,' Palace (32nd week). One of the outstanding hits of last season and istill holding Its own with the best of *em. Has grossed as hi^h as $20,000. but now nearer $16,000, which is still plenty nrofltable. Good till end of year at least, and may even pass Into 1940. -- Mexico City, July 25. Novelty, In the form of ultra* modern, trend-of-the-times thea« tres, is the opening in Jalapa, capital ot Vera Cruz state, of Mexico's only subterranean pio theatre. It's the Cine Victoria. It's 50 feet below street level end is advertised as being 'saf« and sound.' Noel Coward Woos Scribes in London; Once His Pet Peeve London; July 17. Noel Coward has eased up on his antagonism to newspapermen. In the book of his life, he explained his prejudice against the journaljsts, saying they were anything but en- couraging at the time he started his career. Last week Coward actually as- sembled the press boys and made a 'personal appearance' in order to tell them he intends to present himself in two new plays of his own at the Phoenix theatre, Oct. 16. Prior to that he will take them or a provin- cial tour, opening in Manchester Sept. 18. 'The plays will be presented at the Phoenix on alternate nights throughout the London engagement. One is a comedy titled 'Sweet Sor-. row,' and the other a drama called This Happy Breed.* ■ Asked by one of the press men about his change of attitude toward them. Coward replied it was the re- sult ot their kind assistance to him with his charitable work in connec- tion with the Actors'. Qrphanage, of which he is president. . ICE SHOW FROM S. A. HAS B. 0. IN AUSSIE Melbourne. July 5. Tom Arnold's Switzerland. Ice Show looks like doing a season of good biz for Williamson-Tait at His Majesty's; Cast includes Phil Tay- lor, Eddie Marcel, Elsie Heathcote, McKlnnons, Diana Grafton, Rita Bramley, Russell & Marconi, Hal Scott and Thelma Grahame. Show moved In from Soulh Africa and opened at $1.50 top. Interesting to note that the title. Australian-New Zealand Theatres, has now been removed from all newspaper advertising covering legit attractions booked in here. Unit has switched back to Williamson-Tait control, with E. J. Tail as chairman of directors. 'The Women,* minus majority U. S. players imported by ANZT, Is playing short repeat run here for W-T. Show will later hit the road. Current London Plays (With Dates When Opened) •Me and My Girl,' Victoria Palace —Dec. 16. '37. 'Dear Octopus,* Queen's—Sept. 14, '38. The Corn Is Green,' Duchess — Sept. 20, '38. 'Under 'Jfour Hat,' Palace—Nov. 24, '38. 'Design for Living,' Savoy—Jan. 25, '39. Tony Draws a Horse,' Comedy- Jan. 26, '39. 'Black and Blue,* Hippodrome — March 8, '39. 'Gate Revue,' Ambassadors — I^3rch 9 '39 The Man'in Half Moon Street,' New—March 22, '39. •Dancing Years,' Drury Lane — March 23, '39. 'The Women,' Lyric—April 20. The Little Revue,' Little-April 21, '39. 'Grouse In June,' Criterion-May 16. '39. 'Of Mice and Men,' Apollo—May 24, '39. 'Only Yesterday,* t»layhouse—May 25,. '39. •Rhondda Roundabout,' Globe- May 31, '39. To Kill a Cat,' Aldwych—June 7, '39. 'After the Dance,' St. James—June 21, '39. 'Juggernaut.* Savov—June 28, '39. •Spring Meeting,' Piccadilly—July 3, '39i ^^JAlien Corn,' Wyndham's^uly 5, •The Gentle People,' Strand^uly 6, '39. ' . 'Devil to.Pay,' His ftlajesty's—July 20, '39. VaudeviDe 8 Svenska Haven; They Go For Acrobatic Acts and U. S. Jazz M Debuts Mildly London, July 23. Dorothy Sayera* 'Devil to Pay,' originally produced at Canterbury Festival, proved another morality sermon In Its debut at His Majesty's Thursday night (20). It was politely received. Commercially, It might have a short run due to Its novelty. GERMANY, ITALY STILL MUM ON FESTIVAL Paris.' July 18. . Fifteen nations have already an- nounced their intention of partici- pating in the International Cinema Festival at Cannes, Sept. 3-17, according to George Prade,'director- general of the Festival. The nations participating will be the United States, Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, Roumania, India, Egypt, Russia, Norway and Sweden, and two South American countries, supposedly Argentine and Brazil, Invitations sent to Italy and Ger- many have not yet been answered. Prade denied that the Cannes Festival was to be considered an 'instrument of war' against Italian tourism or th« Venice Biennial in August He added, that in view of the fact that the United States and Great Britain had announced that they would not go to Venice this year, that it would 'have been stupid to let such .a chance pass by and perhaps let some one else, profit by the strained relatiori's between the Italian and American- film in- dustriea. We lost the chance to profit on Salzburg. We didn't want it to occur a second time.* LONDON COUNCIL NIXES HOTEL'S FILM LICENSE London. July 25. Savoy hotel's request for a permit to play films was nixed'by London County Council's licensing commit- tee. There Is no appeal to any higher authority, so, except for occasional licenses which LCC indicated it might allow for special occasions, the hostelry is licked. Great play was made ot the fact that granting a license would be a precedent which would entitle other hotels, taverns and niteries to horn in on film exhibition, which would have hurt theatres, particularly the many In the central belt that now concentrate on newsreel programs. Arthur Moss, ot Associated British, who pleaded the opposition, estab- lished that previous newsreel shows in the Savoy had been presented under conditions far short of those Imposed by the LCC on the regular theatres. E. J. Tait Resumes As Chairman of ANZT Sydney, July 25. E. J. Tait has resumed aii chair- man of the board of Australian and New Zealand Theatres, Ltd. Stan- ley Crick and George Dean have re- signed and Frank Tait has taken over their duties. Firm will open "Under Your Hal,' London success, Aug. 12 in Mel- bourne. Edwin Styles, English come- dian, will have the Jack Hulbert part; Marjorie Gordon will do the Cicely Courtneldga role, while Billy Holland, Eileen Murphy and Paul Vernon will also be In the cast. Par Marking Time Hollywood, July 25. Paramount is awaiting Ij.o. returns from Mexico and South America be- fore Investing any mc^re money in Spanish language pictures. Tito Guizar, singing star, has been dropped from the Par contract list pending financial reports on the five Latin-American pictures hie made. By FRANK VREELAND Rattvik, Sweden, July 15. The answer to the' query, 'Wher« did all the old vaudevUIians go?', ij 'Sweden.' They have all the stand- ard acts of the variety houses here, in great plenty. Featured among them are various turns, principally dancers, who are billed as 'the great- est American team.' They seem American enough, but the avcraga Broadwaylte never heard of them. The regular theatre here has hit a slump the past few years, though during the season just over- then seemed signs ot a revival. The rea- .sons for the toboggan were practic- ally the same as In the U. S.—1«igit prices ot tickets and competition from the screen. To overcome th« first drawback some ot the house.i have Instituted certain days each week when students and others can get tic|iets. ,At low prices for good seats." The revival seems to have re- sulted from that. Still, It doesn't seem enough to overconrie the draw ot the cinema, which as you know is very big here. The Swedes crowd the film theatres particularly dur- ing the long winter evenings, to keep from staying at home and coddling their neuroses. One result ot this is that the num- ber ot legit actors have dwindled, and the Swedish film studio in the outskirts of Stockholm has only about 100 trained thespians from whom to draw their talent Conse- quently they have 10 take a number from acting schools, or let tha screen-struck aspirants—and thesa form a very large percentagie—work themselves upward through the ex- tra mill. #» i wi m i » ti The main dramatic theatre here' l:i so little used in comparison to earl- ier times that they even turn it Into a-turnverein hall—at least it will house performances by some ot tha gymnastic teams for the forthcoming Lingiad in July. The brother ot (3ustav Molander, Sweden's leadinif film director, used to be connected with the management ot this thea- tre, but he now finds It more profit- able to turn to scre^ work. The Craddocks' V, S. Switch The only shows that flourish are the vaudeville theatres and tha cabarets. The variety acts are of tha type and standard seen at the Pal- ace in New York years ago. They include fire eaters and sword swal- . lowers, jugglers and acrobats. Tlia Craddocks, who scored with their tumbling at the French Casino in New York, dressed in French sailor suits, have been featured In Stock- holm lately, this time in American gob uniforms for a change. Th« Swedes are particularly devoted to acrobatic turns, due to their own gymnastic training. These acts ara watched intently by 'Swedes, who seem to be studying them with % view to duplicating them, maybe as soon as they get home. The tumblers are the featured ptrformers on any bill, and get stormj of applause re- served in America only for 4th ot July orators. Saw une act, the Hun- garia Troupe, mostly young boy.» and girls, who appeared at the open- air amusement resort near Stock* holm (Tivoli), and who were as good at balancing oh the head man's up- side-down boots as any troupe that have played the big circuses In America. They even drew out the freakf and dancers from a sideshow to giva them a big hand. The latter in- cluded a colored dovie dancer. Col- ored performers,. especially ot tlia dance variety, go very big here. But the real passion ot the Swede* is American jazz. The jazz bands here are remarkable for their adaptability to American rhythms. They can play sweet or hot with equal facility. And they're nativa musicians, instead of Imported bands, with a few exceptions. Tha Swedes have an unusual feeling tor music and tempo, and even the most untutored do the American step.i with expertness. For tnar matter, they love to dance to any tune, espe- cially in large crowds, and they swing, back Into petisant polkas with great vivacity. The most popular places at the open-air parks are tha dance platforms, where the Swedes pirouette around vigorously till the watching visitor grows dizzy—^bul never the Swedes.