Variety (May 1941)

50 LEGITIMATE Wednesdaj, May 21, 1941 Plays Out of Town Women Aren't Angels Puree In Uirce uciB I'y Vornon Sylvaine, prewentcu by Leo Bphrnlm. cllrectnd by Harry WnKsiaff Gribble, with aellInK by Frederick Kox; ai Wilbur, Bonton, $2.76 top. Mny lil. '-ll. Mrs. FenlheriJiunc Olive noevett-Smltb Mncfnrlnni' WnUer Burke Wllnier PopdHy Bobby Clark Alfred Bnndle 'Melville Cooper Kraiikle Elizabeth SutberlanO Albert Uulch Rofcer Smith Sydney Bnlch Chnrles Frnncefl HI»u TrcUow Cynthia T^^ilham Thelina Dnntre 'Bertlui Deln^ore Ell7.nbetb PopdHy Velmn Royton Major Caunl A. P. Kaye Mareelle Marcelle Journet Olgn Jeraldlne Dvorak Special Constable Ltbnel Incc Military Policeman Byron RuBsell An import from England, 'Angels' Is one of those screwy farces with 14 people anil eight doors, all swing- ing franf -ally. For the playgoer who, just wants to collapse, let his hair down and gaffnw at any silly thing that happens, this, one supplies a rich evening. For the Bobby Clark and Melville Cooper fans it's a glori- ous holid&y. But it will not rouse much interest from anyone who likes his -comedy smooth and. smart. It all adds up to a show that has a good Broadway chatice because there are plenty of Americans who seek such complete release from the cur- rent struggle. Until one ■ becomes reconciled to Clark in a non-musical farce, with two shapely girls for foils, he ap- pears to be overdoing his role; but from then on one Eas to admit that his role of the breezy, zany Ameri- can might as well be played to the limit And even up to that point there is always Cooper, right along with him, doing just as swell a job In his own more subtle way. First act is the weakest of the three, while situations are set up and characters established, but the sec- ond stanza is one of the zippiest ses- sions of whoop-de-do seen around in years. A touch of mystery, two girls Intruding into bedrooms of Clark, with his pants ddwn, and Cooper, in bizarre pajamas; and two wives busting in on their husbands at U>e wrong moment would ordi- narily be about enough with which to work. For good measure, though, Clark flits about with a rug wrapped around him. Cooper sports a corny, but dazzling, hunting rig, then both go purely burley by dressing- up in women's military auxiliary uni- forms. In a way the plot doesn't matter much, but it's a pretty good one at that. Harry Wagstas Gribble just uses it as'a springboard for the ac- tors, add they take his direction •ptly. Cooper, as an Englishman, is visit- ing his country place with his Ameri- can friend, Clark. First a young thing of Cooper's Immediate past shows up to spend the night. Then a bratty kid evacuee from London Is dumped Into their bps—then his father'—^plus a deserter from a Scotch regiment (Clark gets into the ' kilts before the night is over). Other flies in the ointment Include a horsey British major, a mysterious femme with a figure and French accent, a gassy housekeeper and a constable— not to mention the grim wives of Cooper and Clark, and' the jealous husband of girl number one. Supporting cast is satisfactorily competent and agile, but special nods go to Berlha Belmore as a menacing, husky wife; .Charles Frances In minor role of detective; A. P.-Kaye as the very British major; Jeraldine Dvorak as a. warm and whimsical spy; and Velma Royton, Marcelle Journet, Lionel Ince and Olive Reeves-Smith. Gribble has some tightening to do in the two remaining weeks here. The duplex setting gets a hand for its. attractiveness when first viewed, and proves its worth as the players romp up and-down stairs and dive in and out of doors and windows. Fox. GAY DIVORCE (BEVIVAL) Boston, May 13. Having met with some success in iheir revivals of 'Blossom Time' and 'Rose Marie,' the Shuberts now bring back 'Gay Divorce,' with Dorothy and Paula Stone, Luella Gear and Charles. Collins. Miss Gear, more recently in Broadway's 'Crazy with the Heat,' has relatively little leeway for her talents as the friend of the divorcee (Dorothy Stone), but plays a good foil for Cyril Smith, as the loquacious waiter. The musical is having its revival break-in at the Shubert the- atre here. Both Miss Gear and Smith cllc^ in their specialty numbers, Smith in a recitation of 'My Lord, the Car- riage Awaits' and Miss Gear with 'Mr. and Mrs. Fitch.'. Dorothy Stone and Charles CoUins ;o over best in their dancing, though loth also sing, and carry their lead- ing roles with assurance. They have played this show together be- fore, and Miss Stone has also done it with Fred Astalre. Paula Stone, as the breezy flirt, handled her lines and business with plenty of punch. She also dances. Archie Robbins, in recent years a busy m.c. on the night club circuit, ?;oes over as the lawyer fixing the ake bedroom scene preceding the divorce. His partner, Stan Ross, Is also In the show, playing a bit part as a turbaned gentleman's gentle-' man to Dorothy Stone. Robbins and Ross, iii a specialty taken out of their nitery act, are mopjper-:up- pers when they duet on Hollywood mpersonations.' Nino Ripeppi plays the professional corespondent.' This version Is staged by Edward J. Scanlon, with scenery by Watson Barrett and dances by Edward Sin- clair. Incidentally, Scanlon and J. J. Shubert whipped up a very creditable production with only one week of rehearsals. 'The Continental' and 'Alpha to Omega' are lifted from other Cole Porter shows and Injected into 'Di- vorce.' Fox. JACK DURANT NOW IN 21ST WEKK FMttaivd In GBOBOK ABBOIT'S "PAL JOEY'» Barrymor* Thaatre, New York EDDIE GARR CO-STABBINO IN RECORD BREAKING "HELLZ-A-POPPIN" OM TOITB • . Mat.1 WM. KENT 1776 B'way. New York SMART—Naw and Slightly used Erening Clothes and Acoesioii«f ▼efy JceasoBsble vrioM THRIFT MART, INC. ' 13 Weat 66th StrMt Naw York City Play on Broadway 2 $2-THEATRE IDEAS FOR N.Y. hade Stnif-Legit Two plsns for a $2 theatre on Broadway are In the making, one being more or less definitely formu- lated by the Theatre GuiW. The other has to do with the use of the Adelphl theatre, now in the posses- sion of a group of metaphysicians which renamed' the house Radiant Center (it was originally built as the Craig). J. B. SchclTer is the main man of the cult, which was scrutinized some months ago by authorities over membership didoes. Understood that the cult is receptive to offers to take the theatre off its hands, spot ap- parently not being satisfactory, for its activities. Performances are given there occasionally, members only being admitted, while the players appear gratis for the cause, House is larger than.the average legiter and could draw enough coin for a popular-priced venture. It was tried out twice, with shows moving there from theatres within the thea- tre district, admission being dropped to $1.10 from $3.30 for 'Abe Lincoln In Illinois' and 'See My Lawyer.' New plan, however. Is to. present new plays In the west 54th street house, located several blocks north of the show zone. Guild's idea Is to present revivals of its former successes at. $2.20 top in addition to the organization's scheduled subscription season. Re- vivals would then be sent on tour. No stock or. repertory is intended, the visiting star, system being pre- ferred. Guilders figure that the newer generation would be at- .tracted to the Revivals. John Ryland, colored attendant at the Empire, N. Y., who died about three years ago. Is burled in 'Woodlawn cemetery, though few along Broad- way are aware of It. Matter came to light last week'when Al Thomas, who also was'employed at the Empire, sought donations for the care of Ryland's grave. 'Thomas is now In the Gilbert Miller oflice. Understood that Ryland had been promised a resting place In the plot of AI Hayman, iot whom he worked. While there was provision .in the showman's will to that effect, coin for upkeep was not taken care of. Jayne Cotter, general understudy In The Happy Days,' the Zoe Akins play which opened last week (Tuesday) at the Henry MiUer, N. Y., got the job through a booklet she and other glrl$ from the Rehearsal Club, N. Y., sent to producers, agents .and talent scouts to Introduce themselves. She was also tested last week ^y RKO and. If not signed by that studio, will be tested by Columbia. She appeared in summer stock and film shorts and has d^ced professionally, but never before on Broadway, EQUITY DROPS CHARGES AGAINST EMILE BOREO ^en 'Life With Father* closes at the Walnut Street-theatre, PhlUy, on May 31, it will break a house record of 133 years' standing. Oscar Serlin's play will have had a run of 13 consecutive weeks, tops for any production since the house opened In 1808. The Walnut is claimed to be the oldest English-speaking theatre in North America. 'Father' is believed to hold the modern record for a long run of any legit production in Phllly. Sam Beckhardt, ticket broker who passed away recently, was virtually penniless, though formerly fairly well fixed. That he was well liked was shown when a purse was raised for the widow, collection - amounting to $1,750. Contributions came from other ticket agency, men and ^xoffice treas- urers. A son, around 14, also Survives. Entire company of 'Hellzapdppin' is burned up plenty at the Shuberts for failing to take care of the body of Frank Jerome, a performer who died in Minneapolis two weeks ago. Though the Shuberts had promised to handle the burial details, they did not do so. Theatre Authority' finally had to Intervene and take over the j^b. Antoinette Perry Is walking with difficulty after being abed with a wrenched back, the result of a strange incident. Some time ago during a snow flurry she helped push a taxi. Friends joshed her, saying it might have been worse—if she pushed a truck for Instance. SEAHLE OPERA SO-SO Martinelll Date Not WeU Exploited In Northwest Metropolis THE HAPPY DAYS Comady in tbre* aotj, adapted by Zoe AkIns from orlslnal rrencb of Claude- Andre Pugret; euged by ArUior KIpley; ■ettlng. Raymond Sovey; presented by Ra- fihael and Robert Hakim., at Renry MU- er, M. T., Uay U, '41 i at |S-30 top. FVaoclne , ..Barbara Kent Marianne...' Diana Barrymora Oliver ••••.Frederick Bradlee- Pen)ette..^^,\^ Joan Tet2«l Bernard Peter .Scott Ulctiael Edward Aebley Charges filed with Equity against Emile Boreo In connection with a benefit performance given in Nassau, Bahamas, were dropped last week, when the council was informed there was nothing Improper with the ar- rangements for the show. Boreo was. in the Latin Quarter, Miami nitery show for the benefit which Alan Corelll qt the Theatre Author- ity did not 'clear.' Others in the floor show were not members of Equity. Equity sent word to Boreo to ap- pear before council to explain why he disregarded TA orders not to play the benefit, but the registered letter never reached the actor. Corelli, however, saw Boreo in Chicago re- cently and was informed that the actors were paid for their appear- ance at Nassau and the TA head then, requested the charges to be dis- missed. Duke of Windsor was in charge of the show, ■ benefit for the British War Relief fund. First-class transportation and hotel rooms were accorded the visiting profossionals. " One of those well-intentioned, slim and rather foolish little plays that seem to pop up almost from nowhere every spring. The Happy Days' Is too fragile to last long. Broadway first-nighters, who hadn't had an opening to gawk at In weeks, were tolerantly attentive during Its garru- lous first act, but the increasing silli- ness of the next two stanzas had the spectators either yawning or titter- ing. It's all pretty Ineffectual. Zoe Akins, who wrote 'The Old Maid' and then an embarrassing ode to the late Marie Dressier, called 'O Evening Star,' adapted this valentine to youth from a Parisian success by Claude-Andre Puget. It marks the Broadway production debut for Ra- phael and Robert Hakim, whose chief distinction is that they made the French film, 'Pepe Le MoMa.' 'Happy Days' Is about two sets of children left without adult super vision in a house in the Thousand Islands when the parents of three of them go away to attend a fimeral. They get their puppy-romance rather Involved, but are finally straightened out without seriotis casualty by an aviator whose plane Is forced down, nearby. Next time he'll probably find it simpler just to plunk into the river. With little mettlesome material at their disposal, the' young actors try to. make up for It with zeal of per- formance. Naturally, they don't suc- ceed. There are occasionally appeal- ing moments, but frequently the strenuous playing merely accentuates the play's weaknesses. That applies to Diana Barrymore and Joan Tetzel as the more Impetuously romantic of the girls, Frederick Bradlee is almost too realistic as • fatuqus j^ovingster, and Peter Scott Is at least unostenta- tious as the only other boy. As the adult who innocently gets involved in all this, Edward Ashley redeems a treacherous part. Barbara Kent, an English ingenue making her American debut as the only reason- ably sensible one of the children, has llttle^to do, but she is self-possessed and has the looks to merit Hollywood attention,' Arthur Ripley's direction keeps the actors constantly on the move, as though he had been afraid the audi- ence might be golijg to throw things. Raymond Sovey's single setting gives a realistic impression of in- terior permanence. Hobe. College Play BUT NOT FOR LOVE (TALE DRAMA DEPARTMENT) New Haven, May 16. Comedy In three acta (Ave scenes) by Charles Rablner. Directed by Frank Mc- MuJIan: settings, Peter Wolf. Presented by Yale Department ot Drama at Uni- versity theatre, New Haven, May 14-16, '-•1. Cast: Kathleen Jobnson, Charles Suggs, Norman Holland, Frank Qaunt, Virginia Dorrls, Grace Bailey, Richard Fleischer, William Nelson, 3etty-Lou Evans, Lawr- ence Dobkln, Lucille Clarke, Joseph Marra, J. Donald Flak, Eldon Winkler, Mortimer Llchtensteln, Raymond Lannlng, Stophen Brad ley.- One ot the best productions in some time to come out of Yale's workshop was tossed across the foot- lights in the form pf a comedy deal- ing with playwrights,' actresses, di- rectors and their romantic entangle- (Continued on page M) Seattle, May 20. The huge civic auditorium which seats 7,000 was used last Wednesday night for Giovanni Martinelll In 'II Trovstore' which ' made the small audience that turned out, look much smaller. The gross', at $2.30 top, estimated aroimd $2,800. La Scala Opera Co. promoted the event, which had tough competition from the 'Ice Follies' next door. However it Is figured promotional work for •Martinelll was way below par, which is the major reason this top tenor didn't get the cttentlon he should have had. Myrtle Leonard, In the Azucena role and Crete Stuekgold, were other standouts in the cast. Sidney-Adler to Play 'Golden Boy' at Mich. U Detroit, May 20. Sylvia Sidney and Luther AdIer, currently touring 'Accent on 'Youth,' will do 'Golden Boy' at Ann Arbor, part of the annual festival at the University of Michigan, scheduled for Commencement 'Week, June 17-21. Others signed for the festival in- clude Leon Ames and Ruth Matte- son in their original roles of 'Xlte Male Animal,' and Mildred Natwlck in 'Ladies In Retirement.' The other two offerings will'be 'Skylark' and 'Man and Superman.' Lou Kaliski vice Cohen For Shuberts in Chicago Chicago, May 20. Shift in the Shubert setup here intends, with Lou Kallskl slated to come in from Detroit to replace Abe Cohen, who has been repplng the Shubert houses along with Sam Gerson. Cohen is leaving to take over the Dallas shows for the Shu- berts. With the Selwyn, Studebaker and Harris theatres fated to go dark in a few weeks, Kaliski may postpone his Chi entry untU the faU. Meet the Judge Los Angeles, May 20. Voluntary bankruptcy petition was filed here by Hollywood Theatre Al- liance, Inc., producer of 'Meet the People.' Liabilities are listed at $28,574 and assets, at $30,511, consist- ing largely of the book value ;ot props and other equipment. Company owes state of California $3,077 and New York $1,467 for state unemployment insurance. - MANAGERS-DRAMATISTS MAiONG MORE PROGRESS Further progress In revising the amended baslo agremient between the authors and managers was re- ported Tuesday (20) when a second session between representatives ot the league of New York Theatres and Dramatists Guild met Most of the remaining. points at issue were disposed of, but agam it was neces- sary to refer the issue back to the boards of the respective organiza- tions. / 'It may not be until fall that the pact will be gotten into final form, but it was agreed that all contracts between produpers and authors made up to that time -are to carry riders. Latter will stipulate that the contracts are to be subject to any revisions still pending. Understood that around 40 contracts for new plays due next season have already been signatured, and it Is likely the rider provision wUl be made retro- active to include such plays. Uct,l LOV OLATVOn NORMAN • HARRIS and SYLVIA SHORE HanaBoiMiitt WH. KBNT tin Broadwsr Naw Xwk ROSALIND IVAN in "THE CORN 18 GREEN" NATIONAL -THEATRC N. Y.