Variety (Aug 1939)

50 VARIETY Wednesday, August 2, 19.')9 INDIAN SUMMER Lakewood. Me., July 27. '■■iiii>.l)- III lliitv no(!< by Owfn I>avl»; ftfiii-A .Ii'ssii' Kii>i't' I..1111I1H. foiniire.'i Fay \\ i-n liy jiKh iHo Ilurlie: ki-IUiii: i>y I'-rUint. l*r.'htMllfl(l I»y IIU» I.:ik»>- \\ fill i'liy«'i> .11 L.iKo.\oii.l Tlienlre. week .iMlj Jl. I'.i::!i .. ...... Fiiiiii ri-.-iis Gt'.-iill Mlil» ..Josffift K'lyi'i* r.niiflls ... iMarKari^t Oiilliihiiii Jjliii I>rc\v Dovi^reaiix ,.... .lli'iirce M.li'roftily . I'.-i-sallilnp N(*\vi*oiiil>(i ....... ICuthryn (Jlviiey Vi\y Wray To.-4i>)))i Mnoitiila.v .... 1-1. \an Uurc'ii Aiiaik' .. . Jllll l.lKll.'.XI l..l-;v v:i)>)lr..i I .. Jill Kii.li'.xi l^.Mii r..>>fii'tn I;.II i..iii.-i.'-.T.... tiic> J:m1<I|i.-.III. )•: iiiiia I lit-U.-'.Mi.. l.iiM-i l.an.Mhloi'. J IK liifl(Kiin l*.iA K.il>in)<iiii... Lakewood patrons give every eyi diiice ot enjoying this comedy, and it is certainly superior to routine sirowhat fare. But whether 'Indian Summer' could achieve a run on Eroadway diirinp; the regular season, when critical standards are less re- laxed, is open to question. Owen Davis' newest play deals with old familiar drawing-room silu- •■ ations. setting them forth amiably if with no great freshness. Lucy Endi- cott.' New York matron recently turned 40, learns that her husband Jim has been unfaithful with Laura . Lancaster, wife of their good friend- Bill Lancaster. Bill, having found out about it, too, decides to sue Laiira for divorce, naming Jirh Endi- . cott as co-respondent. He plans to go ahead with this action at once, in spite of the fact that the Endicotts' daughter Jill is to be married in 10 days and a scandal at such a time would result in hasty publicity for the wedding. Lucy, smarting from the blow administered by her hus- band, strikes a bargain with Bill, whb used to love her years ago and im- a.!;ines he still does. If Bill will postpone divorce proceeding till after the ceremony, she too will get a divorce and run off with him.- Lucy's problem before the final curtain is . how to slip out of this bargain so as to remain with Jim, whom she has continued to love in the face of his infidelity. One of the script's weaknesses, in Its present shape, is that the antici- pated big scene in which Lucy lets Bill do>vn actually doesn't amount to much. She just acts sort of vague about it all and admits that maybe she was leading BUI. on for her own purposes, and the climax peters out. Other drawbacks prevent 'Indian Summer' from achieving maximum effect. Author tells us, for examole, that Lucy has. accepted her middle .-aged state gracefully, while Jim is fi.ghting against it; but little reason is given f6r Lucy being so serene about her advancing years, and as a mat- ter of fact her attempts to keep busy, her visits to beauty parlors, etc., suggest that she too has entered mid- dle age'under something of a strain. And when she tries to justify Jim's defection to herself, it is on the basis that she is no longer beautiful or ex citing and has let her figure go. As played by Jessie Royce Landis, how- ever, Lucy doesn't look her 40 years and happ'ens to have a most attractive figure. Which isn't Miss Landis' fault, of course; ijnd in every respect her performance Is a deft and charm ln.g one. But the effect is to. make the middle-age business seem artifl cial. Minor characterizations. In several Instances, are flat, with Lucys 'girl' friends—also middle-aged—and their husbands having little independent reality. And occasionally the impor- tant chpracters appear to be moving shout alter, the fashion of puppets obedient to a plot.. . Chief virtue of 'Indian Summer* Is Its consistent. Ingratiating good hu inor. someamusing lines, and an oc- casiop51/apt observation about mar ried As a showcase for producers who may be interested, the Lakewood .presentation is more than adequate from its attractive duplex apartment interior by Charles Perkins to Mel ville Burke's generally polished di rection. Fay Wray, in a blonde wig, does a nice job with the brassy Laura Lancaster. As Jim Endicott. Grant Mills is likeable and properly harafsed-looking. George Macready, as Bill Lancaster, and Margaret Cal- lahan, as Jill Endicott, also give good account of - themselves. John Drew Devereaux. stepping into the part of Jill's fiance, which had been meant for Owen Davis. Jr., is perhaps not quite the type for a dashing juve- nile, but turns in an ecceptable por- trayal. Poiil. on the way lo.baltle. The wartime hospitality of the chateau had an e.x- hilcrating climax — an unknown woman invaded hi.s room and bedded with him. Allhou^h he was too genteel to turn on the lights or de- mand idenliiication. he is, as the cur- tain rises, back in France 10 years later trying to locale the hospitable lady. In the household of llic chateau he spots thic6 candidate.-; for his profuse thanks: Mad<\ine Villicr, wife of the elderly chocolate mahuiacturer; Anne-Marie, her daughter, and now wife of a jealous gent named Boutet, and Raimonde. another Villier daughter. Carter, wants to believe Raimundu's confession she was the „ rl, but statistics show that she was only 10 years old at the lime. The other two women shift suspicion to each other Vvhile the husbands burn. Spectators in a mystery-solving frame of mind would note in the first act that the attractive maid men- tioned she had been with the family for 12 years and woiild not have been surprised in the final scene when she indicated she was the mid- night hostess. Actually, the whole business could have been clearied up iri less than an hour. Miss Coxe might whittle it down to a one-actcr, with better results. Brent Sargent is very satisfactory as the man-who-came-back and Kathleen Kidder is quite convincing one of the women.- Jean Paul King and Marjorie McCann, in minor parts, impress favorably. Muffing of many lines-by several players on the fourth night of the week was distracting. Roger Sher- man's formal drawing room set cre- ates the proper atmosphere. Fox. Hook, Line and Sinker Cumberland, R. I., July 27. fi.mody In ilinv ai'iM. ii>- Alh.'o li>'|ilMiiii; pri'K-iiii'.l \iv Tlio Miiiilu I'liiyr-: Mia^-i-.! U> (ieiM'K« j:ii-ii.ir.lKiiii: i»-t(liib-. I>l>'l< Kui- K''.-'h; at llti' l.liMilu l(ii>.uiv. (.'uiiibLM'laiivt, K. I.. «-».<k July L'l. ' Alilile Juni\s Jiilin JoiuvH .M.lry : 'nllv Twlililli'li-ifk.. Lilly Tw'iililliibaclt. 'riiiitnnH Willjon Iicun llo.-iti Peier lU*aii . UhiTH Wlilio JiililoM Fish ^*i^^;lllln .Slui-levaiu Kreticli. .Malilo.. .'Sillllo... IV^-ilft.. A'.i'-A H.^iliiiT-it ..- I<:ui;.'tie .M.iyli-nv. Mii.-i> l'a.MuUt> ... .M:iiiil.> Won ill llailiir.i .Mlll-i I..\lir-»n I\-il; oil Wou.N I-;.l«Mi.l Harlli'l l-:ve IWtw .... .i.:i»oi-i:,'> lliflrir,i-*oii- Frlilk MosliT i>t..-u r.uiv--** ..Doll -.. .\|arloii Tlioni|i.4im .. .1..-\u|-iMt KiMiyiiii \V I:* Viririilia F.-ilr Alblilu (Niiliiii .M'lili'loil Fiii-t.Mr.: I>orolliy Kan.la!! Alice Hepburn's Cno relation to Katharine) effort might'go in air.a- teur'theatricals or church socials but it has nothing to recommend it tor the professional stage. Billed as a comedy, the writing smacks more strongly of the nickelodeon melo- dramatic era. Age-old plot has a city slicker (Dick Burgess) selling phoney stock in to invention for pepping gaso- line. He talks a widowed boarding- house keeper, Abbie Jones (Miss Hepburn), into investing her mort- gage money and also collects from her guests. The suckers put the bottled pep into their auto gas tanks and the city slicker fa-des. Pursuit is frustrated by the pep in the gas tanks, which gums up the motors. However, some chorus girls, stranded by the slicker, had suspected his their New York apartment house, docs. Still, this does not pay for gro- ceries and rent. Gus McClurc, a more practical friend of the poet, induces him to rephrase some of his more romantic pieces and peddle them to the pulps. Grill'in hesitantly 'debases' himself for this experiment and Pomander Publications likes the stutT, giving him the noin de plume of "Mercedes Lamour.' Too ashamed to tell his wife. Griffin pretends he's writing under the name of Gunthcr Redfield ill the arty New Cry mag. The great impersonation is exploded in the llnal act when Redfield attends a lit- erary tea at the GrilTihs, but Mrs. Griffin survives the shock. In fact, Redfield himself is by that time plan- ning to make some folding money by writing under a pseudonym for Po- mander pulps. Scene in the publishing offices, with a phone operator diverting calls to the 'narrow escape department,* etc., of several mags, including 'Hotsy Stories' and True Tales of Ruined Women,' provides the most laughs. Balance moves at a fair gait. Character of McClure, a fast-talk- ing guy, is good, but overplayed by Craig Leicester. Hal Thompson and Clare Holman arc satisfactory as the poet and wife; Anne K. Blakely plays a role way beyond her years as the poefs mother-in-law, and Ruth Ro- goff registers spasmodically as a gum-chewing sister-in-law of the poet. Zenas Scars' bit is done well; he's the dignified Redfield. Another bit player showing commendably is Jan Miner, playing the brassy, gassy phone operator. fox. THE BO TREE Locust Valley, L. I., Aug. 1. DrAina In iwo acta jinil IH st'eii^^H by Fnink OabrielHoii: stncert by t^Iinur \Vel9M; iiectlnRS. David Twachlniith: preffentcil by the VaiiRunrd Theatre al the UcJ Barn. Locust Valley. 1.. I.. July 31. '3!). Voice ot the Cltalur. Arthur I.. Sacha Donald Bicklcy Oordon Aldennaii Elsie By HomeK Alary Sylvc:ner Dorothy .-s'euinaiin C'liai'les Jones Robert Conrey >lr. Jones i..nobcn. Chainnlnln Mrs. Jones Kllzalielb Goodyear Cynthia Weilse .Marsarot Oirtla Mrs. We.lge tiovothy Moliauchlln Mr. WedKo Herbert DuKy Francis iIaml:ov.-ikl.... .William Post. Jr. Mary MarakovskI.. ....Uoi-Is Flar-lier Mrs. MarakovskI Xainab Cunningham Kleanor Burkma Helen Marey Mr. Burkman Joseph Carry Mrs. Burkman .Irene Cattell Brother Jack T.eynolds.. lames P. itillis OUTDOOR SHOWING scheme, kept under cover and when 1 . niri »m oir ■ Atno the opportunity presented itself. WAKY IN Si LOUIS stole the money from the phoney, wUIU who went unsuspectingly on his way. He's later caught and the guests are so pleased with the gals that they decide to back a show for them. Ei?-y is too short, lasting little over an hour, and as Interpreted, much too noisy, with nearly everyone seemingly trying to outshout his neighbor. Don Lee. as James Fish, personal valet, is outstanding in a cast that does passably well. Malo. Hlft Brill Joe Barnes Eddie SinltiBlee Alllton Leibniann... Mrs. Lathrop Brother Hanley Brother Hack Siiiii Buck Ross Or.. Mason "... 7. Profesa-or Ciey .Hichard Wldmnrk Frederic Warner .-.Vincent .1. Doneliue Ell Wnlluch .Dorothy MrLaURhlln Alfred Ktoheverry Bronks West I.ylo Bettser Robert Chnmplaln U. Albert Smith Companion Unkown Provinceto\yn, Mass.. July 27. Comedy In three acts by -Rudolph [.othnr snd Hans Adler, adapted by Maria Co.ice; Bt.-iffed by RiibiTt Foulk; settlnff. -RoRer Kheiinan; Dreseiil.e<rby the -Wharf Theatre, Vi-uvlncetown,' Mass., July 27, '311.- Sirrot Jean Paul Kin? vllller .Ralph Morehouse ('harlolle Phyllis Joy I "al liorliie ; ftfnrjorle Me^ann Ann.!-Mai-le....,' ...Kathleen Kidder Iiouiet Nell MrFee Skinner Oliver Brent anrgent Jtainmnilo: Olorlti Blondcll Aiitolne William Challeo 'Companion' does not sustain in terest nor shnpe up as a Broadway possibility de/pite the fact that since it was presented as .'Honey' some 40 minutes have been sliced and dialog has been doctored. Robert Foulk's direction keeps his characters swooshing through the set like busy committeemen at an Elks outing. Oliver Carter, an American -war vet, spent a night at the Chateau Rondinet, France, with other officers Buddha Is said to have received enlightenment under the bo tree; hence the title for this episodic and, at times, graphic story of a large, cold university. Although the yarn is unwound through 18 scenes, actu- ally, .there's only one major set—the university campus—while the others are push-on affairs which rely upon careful lighting for desired effects. Action covers four years of college life. The opening and most expertly handled scene shows six students taking leave of their various homes for their freshman year. This is ac- complished neatly by placing the groups short distances apart on a fullstage and spotlighting each. Arthur L. Sachs Is the offstage commentator whose between-the- scenes monolog consists of reading the prospectus of Middlestate Uni- versity. The matter of tuition, study hours, social opportunities and the like explained before each scene and partially prepare the audience for what is to follow. Not infrequently, a'bit of irony is worked in. The play opens on a high and cheerful plane but grows depressing despite frequent highlights of com- edy. Tlie underlying theme is that a college education is not an 'open sesame' to financial success in later life, and this is hammered home in the characterizations of Biff Brill (Ri:hard Widmark), the highly-hon- ored grad who flops in business, and of Milton Liebmann (Eli Wallach), a student who goes left wing through frustration. Cynthia Wedge (Margaret Curtis) and Francis Marakovski (William Post. Jr.) are the mainstays of a somelm-ies wandering plot. Although they are in love, they are separated by their social positions. Both por trayals are excellent. Donald Bickley, played by Gordon Alderman, .gains sympathy as the cripple who becomes a poet and wins a teaching scholarship. Another fine performance is turned in by Robert Conrey as the carefree son of a suc- cessful insurance salesman. The Bo Tree' has many good quali tics but it's told in film script style- long shot, close up, middle shot— which gives the piece a jumpincss that detracts from its effectiveness. Also, there's a little too much of the blackout sketch idea for a well-knit drama. It could be made the basis of a swell 'B' picture, but it isn't ready for Broadway. Elinor Weiss did an adroit job of directing. Stage management, un- fortunately, didn't measure up for much of the scene shifting was vis ible to the audience through a gap ing proscenium curtain. Dialog Is well-writen. Gilb PUCKS AND DRAKES Oconomowoc, Wis., July 29. Comedy In three octs and one sooiie by Eleanor Carroll Chilton and Herbert Ad.ir- staged by Courtenay Savaee: setting Rob- en Huches; uieseiited by the fnaeh House Players July M. 'Sll. at the Coach House theatre. Oeonomowoo. Wis. Sylvia Montauue M.irnarcl -Waller John ^MontaKue Ha rold Doilclaa Syd Stokes Tom McDermott Jennie Thompson .Connie Wills Jpan^Montaitue Norma Ransom Kit Summers Florence I.nCour ■ • r>olph Nelson Karl Koroffsky d„„ Koehler Br>ant, a pollceinan Mul Stuart Although the Coach House Play- ers have been receiving a lot of hur- rahs in the Milwaukee and Chicago newspapers, this opus, a 'prize' play, proves that amateurs cannot become professionals merely by joining .Squity. ■> j ^ Playwrights Eleanor Carroll Chil- ton and Herbert Agar, her husband, misstep their calling brutally with this comedy. First act is too slow and the third is too often Injected with dramatic props. Second is best. Plot, however time-worn, is interest- ing enough, but it will take plenty of doctoring to make 'Ducks and Drakes* a Broadway possibility. Margaret Waller, as the mother of a 17-year-old girl, returns from Aus- tralia, where she has remarried her former husband, John, who desertetl her 18 years before. Upon arriving, Sylvia finds that her daughter, Joan, has given $100,000 to one Karl Ko- roffsky, a Russian scoundrel, to con- vert their home and grounds into a 'New World Colony.' Thereafter plot deals with the father's nipping of the scheme. Miss Waller tries vainly but 15 off- set by Harold Douglas, as John, who falters considerably. Rest of the cast, too, skids mostly, though Don Koehler, as Koroffsky, shows oc- casionally good playing. Tom Mc- Dermott and Connie Wills need more polish, while Dolph Nelson, in a bit, gets by. Courtenay Savage has directed nicely. Set is poor. Biz healthy due to society patronage. Weber. IS NOTHING SACRED? Cambridge, Mass., July 27. Force In Ihi-ce acta (four scenes) by Juines Ulllnan and Arnold L. S'-hcuer. Jr.; ataged by Robert. Warfleld; setllnKS. Iv.-nesllne Wcntworth; presented by the Straw Hat Theatre at the Strawhai, CainbrlOcc MaoM.. July 20. 'aa. Mrs. Vall Kllnnr Griff In I,. Dorothea St. Clair Hogei" Orirrin St Louis, Aug, 1. George M. Cohan's musical suc- cess, 'Mary,' which was a click when presented here in 1921, returned to the Municipal Theatre Association's alfresco playhouse in Forest Park last night (Monday) for a week's stand and heavy advance indicates swell biz. For first time in many years organization used teaser ads in all local rags for a week before start of 'Mary' and opening night, hypoed by swell weather, grossed approximately $4,500, one of best of current season. Lansing Hatfield, vig6rous bari- tone, a smash in 'Rose Marie,' open- ing piece of current season, repeats as Jack Keene. Hazel Hayes, prima donna sock in 'Queen High,* 'Waltz Dream' and 'Firefly,* is okay as Mary. Don Hooton and Walter Long, Jr., Broadway hoofers, the former making local bow, score In routines which include tap, baton juggling and lariat twirling. Line, which has more routines than In any other piece this season, clicks in a farmyard ballet, with the dancers attired as chickens, ducks, etc. Lester Allen, comedian, who estab- lished himself as a fave here for work in 'Rose Marie' and 'Katinka* and Charles Kemper, who appeared in 'Waltz Dream,' are okay in com- edy roles. Clicks in supporting cast are Helen Raymond, husky, voiced comedienne; Al Downing, Billy Tay- lor and Doris Patston. 'The Barteretl Bride,' with three Met Opera stars, Muriel Dickson, George Rasely and Myron Taylor, was floppo of season in seven-night stand that closed Sunday (30). Piece attracted only 49,000 customers and grossed approximately $30,000 for smallest take of the season. All lo- cal crix .contributed raves, advertis- ing budget was upped and other means used to bring out the natives, but it was n. g. It is evident that anything bordering on grand opera or other high brow stuff apparently won't do in Forest Park theatre. FTP Now Cold (Continued from page 43^ at midnight last night (.Monday), marking end ot project so Hz .-js Southern California is concerned. Quarters actually were vacated over weekend, with last ot skeleton forcj checking out late Friday. WPA heads have indicated ma- jority of relief clients on former FTP will be switched to WPA relief rolls as soon as re-registrations can ba made, but actors, directors and other personnel are liot very hopeful ot immediate action. Sen. Pepper Pulls Rider First opportunity to try and stop the execution resulted in no head- way. After pleading for continiianc« of the project. Senator Pepper Mon- day (31) withdrew a proposed amendment to the New Deal spcnd- lend bill, then under discussion, re- storing the drama activities. There was little interest sho\vi» tn his at- tempt to keep the FTP going and h* quickly acquiesced when Democratic leader Alben W. Barklcy lined up against the potential rider. Martin Popper, counsel of the Fed- eration of Arts Unions, has been in- dustriously button-holing law-mak- ers without much encouragement, while Hallie Flanagan disclaimed any connection with nioves to creata a group which would keep the pro- grai-n going as a non-Covernn-ient venture. Mrs. Flanagan said she has not joined hands with any outfit seeking labor union sponsorship and specific- ally disowned a prospective 'people's theatre' idea which bobbed up re- cently. Popper has sought the aid of union people in getting the law changed, but without arousing any notable interest. The labor chief- tains have many more important things at stake, particularly in clos- ing days of Congress ,and just can't be bothered. Miss Flanagan's Gov't Job Reported that Hallie Flanagan, who was national director of WPA'i Federal Theatre Project, will remaitt on the Government payroll as as- sistant to Aubrey Williams, who heads the National Youth Adminis- tration. People who have been in FTP circulated other reports, one to the effect that Mrs. Flanagan is ar- ranging to take over with her 'a staff that was under her during tha relief theatre regime. Figured that the staff would be supervisory and directional people, but whether a number of actors would also ba berthed with NYA was not indicated. To date only a small number in FTP have been berthed In other WPv\ projects. Senate, in knocking out the stipu- lation in the relief bill whereby fill persons who have been on WPA for 18 months must lay off, gave rise to another report that all those In FTP who were supposed to be dropped from the payroll Aug. 31 would ba kept on until the end of Sept. CoL F. C. Harrington, the WPA head, re- scinded the dismissal order, accord- ing to Washington advices, but no order had been received al admin i.?- tration offices ui) to yesterday (Tues- day), there being consitjcrable con- fusion attendant to the pas.siiig ot FTP. Clus McClure. Maybolle Vall Miss Dorauy. -Mr. Gooflfellow.... A lirlm r*idy Samson Pomander. Uunilier Itedllcld... .. Anne K. Blak'ly Clare Holiiiaji ..Janet ^laclni-hliin .....Ual Thonipsiili .....Cralx IjClcester Ruth ItoKOff Ian Kflner .\niliony Denle rnesilne WcntiVorlll- Ralph Morrison Zlmihs Sears Barely sustaining enough for sum- mer patronage, 'Sacred' is not a Broadway contender. It has, how- ever, a basic plot which someone like George Abbott might adapt into a daffy farce with the addition of more preposterous situations. Roger Griffin is a young married poet with lofty ideal about his art, and his wife, Elinor, encourages him In adhering to his search for 'cosmic freedom.' Editors do not appreciate Griffin's 'new art forms,' although a gushy girl, who lives downstairs In Zorina Will Do Legit For Wiman on B'way Hollywood. Aug. 1. Samuel Goldwyri will permit Zo- rina to do a stage, play for Dwight Deere Wiman in New York. I. Robert Broder, attorney for Zorina, is here conferring with Reeves Espy, Goldwyn aide, on the proposition; However, negotiations toward a windup ot her contract with Goldwyn which has 27 weeks to run. hit a wall, with the producer declaring he wants her for another picture. Troupe Settles Suit Greenville, O., Aug. 1. Beth Kinsey Ko'metly Co., oldest tent repertoire troupe in the middle west, will reopen shortly. Tent opera folded here two weeks ago wheii H. Ray Snedeker attached the show for $195, claimed due for back salaries for his dramatic com- pany traveling with the Kinsey troupe this season. Suit was com- promised and $50 settlement made. N. T. Office C'losei Last Thursday (27) the FTP of- fices on 23rd street shut down end a skeleton ciew moved over to the arts project administration quarters on Madison avenue. All hands were told it would be unnecessary to re- • port daily any longer and that pay checks would be mailed to their home addresses. Monday (31) 300 in the supervisory department were lot out. . Compared to the agitation that at- tended the FTP almost from tha beginning, there was little complaint from those effected. Some are still hopeful that ways and means will be found to somehow revive tha relief theatre .before the pay finally ceases. The relict. theatre started Ave years ago with a grant from the Civil Works Administration, later to receive aid from the New York city and state emergency funds. For the past three years it was a federal relief project that extended to many points throughout the country and entailed around $40,000,000. in . ap- propriations. That figure will prob- ably be exceeded when the account- ing Is completed. It was. however, but a small" percentage ot WPA out- lays and-Congress, by ruling It out of existe'-ice, was charged with de- liberate discrimination.