Variety (Jul 1941)

Wednesday, July 16, 1941 Variety 55 London Amusements Socko ; Continued from page I; with their showmlndedness, custom- ers have .become more critical, and will not be palmed off any turkey that comes along; Tops are still George Black's two shows, 'Applesauce' with Steady in- take of $18,000, at the liOndon Pal- ladium, and 'Black Vanities,' star- ring Flanagan and Alien with Frances Day, at Victoria Palace, around $16,000. Both, are near ca- pacity, with former having edge due to its bigger size; Firth Shepard also operates two musicals which have made consist- ent money for him for some time. These are 'Shephard's Pie' at Princes, and 'Up and Doing' at the Saville. Former haa shot its bolt and at $4,000 is folding, to be re- placed by ' new dish, 'Fun and Games,' the purveyors of wliich are Manning Sherwin, an American who prefers to stay here and face it, and Douglas Ferber (English). Cast is strong, including Sidney Howard, Vera Pearce, Artbnr Riscoe, Rich- ard Hearne and Carroll Ray, a new- comer of whom great things are ex- pected. It opens middle of August ' after tryout in the sticks. .Up and Doing' is.still way ahead with over $10,000, a^ which rate It is good for many more months. Tennent Baa Tbree H. M. Tennent, Iitd., which works in conjunction -with John C. Wilson from New Yorki have three: The Light of Heart' at Globe, 'No Time for Comedy,' Haymarkfct, and Noel Coward's 'Blithe Spirit' at Piccadilly. 'Heart,' which has come back to the Globe after profitable toiir in the slicks, is new version which stars Emlyn Williams, the author. Most people prefer original version with Godfrey Tearle. Show has grabbed as high' as $3,000. but now near $2,000, and folding shortly. Will be replaced by The Kutmeg Tree,' by Margery Sharp, English, who wrote it in American vein for Broadway consumption, where it played a sea- son ago as 'Lady in Waiting' with cast headed by Gladys George. Show has been rewritten for ISngland. S. N. Behrman's 'No. Time for Com- ' edy' is still making moneyi.at $3,000, although it has often exceeded $4,- 000, and is staying on. To date the author has contributed over $8,000 to British war charities. Coward's 'Blithe Spirit,' just opened at the Piccadilly, has all the earmarks of a hit. Two weeks' tryout at Manches- ter ,and Leeds brought in respec- tively $10,000 and $7,200. New revue that's season's click- eroo" is 'Rise Above It,' by Leslie Julian Jones, with numbers by Man- ning Sherwin and Val Guest. It's plenty blue in spots, with some ma- terial already ordered out by the Lord Chamberlin. Killick and de Lion are presenting it at the Com- edy, and raking in the shekels. Started" to- $4,000, which means plenty standees, and dropped, to $3,- 500, which still gives, it hefty profit. Looks good for 12 months, and even longer with new edition. Two opera seasons are playing si- multaneously in the West End and both doing well. These are D'Oyly Carte at the .Savnv ai\^itfi_tf;MIC^df iiewew. Former has been as high as $9,600, but heat has downed it to $8,000, which is •till good. Season has been extend- ed. Wells Opera folding this week after eight weeks, averaging $4,000 weekly. Theatre opens with fort- night's revival of 'King John,' then Sadler's Wells Ballet returns for run, with house using orchestra out of profits made from opera and ballet season Just terminating. 'Cottage* Moderate Revival of 'Cottage to Let' at Wyndham's is doing moderately, never exceeded $4,000, and now closing to less. O'Bryen, Linnet Sc Dunfee, presenting 'Cottage,' are bringing 'Quiet Weekend,' sequel to Quiet Wedding,' by Esther Mc- cracken, who authored both, to this house after provincial run. 'Me and My Girl,' just revived at Coliseum Mter prflvincial run, will gross $8,000 which, with cheap cast, is still profit-yielding. , Resides the aforementioned new wiephard musical, only other leg. enow scheduled for West End is'the Jack Hylton-Stanley Lupino-BiU MoUison musical, "Lady Behave,' whith Is jiaviog its tiyout in Man- chester and is due at His Bfejesty's jnjddle of July. From reports, show ^ best thing Lupino has done to oate. a M, Tennent, Ltd, Is also «een on presenting Vivien Leigh in we West End, and wonld like it to Be in 'Claudia.' Tennent is awaiting word from John Golden and Rose «anken, producer and author, re- spectively,, pf the current Bropdjypy hit. If show does ntaterialize, it will be done in conjunction with David Henley, local head of Myron Selz- nic)c office. Bound to have provin- cial tryout before hitting town. Minor happenings are another re- vival of 'Chu Chin Chow' at the Pal- ace; also talk of Payne-Jennings & Killick's revival of Ered and Adele Astire's 10-year-old musical, ,'Lady Be Good';. Eugene O'Neill's 'Desire Under the Elms,' which Rosalinde Fuller intends to- try out- in the stciks before venturing in the West End. Kunneke's oldie, 'Cousin From Nowhere,' -is also' being tried out by Bruce Carfax, with Xiondon as its final destination. With all show biz's activities in the West End, it seems surprising that vaude has been cold-shouldered in the last two years, with not . a vaude house open. Jack Davis, local 10%er, has been trying hard to per- suade Tom Bostock, head of the Adelphi, to reopen this Strand spot with variety, but Bostock's experi- ment a few season^ ago with such a policy under the aegis of George Black is- far from a pleasant mem- ory. Now Lncien Sammet has an idea he might try this policy at the Phoenix, figuring he Is about ripe for a hit after his many flops. 'Gone* Tops Fix There's nothing outstanding in picture theatres to counteract the heat wave, with attendances off. Only house withstanding adverse condition^ is Metro's smaRie, Ritz, with 'Gone With the Wind,' now in its 74th week in the West End, in- cluding eight weeks at Metro's other house. Empire, _and seven at. the Palace. Still displaying 'house full' signs, twice daily, tQ $6,000 per week. Ritz is very much behind on quota, and to catch up is including 'Busman's Honeymoon,' Metro-made' English epic, and another English film. Upshot of it. is, last house customers are given over seven hours of celluloid, which is proving trying too many. Paramount's 'I Wanted Wings,' having' dual prenuere at Par's Plaza and Carlton, is expected to last four and eight weeks, respectively. Ini- tial stanza, despite aJl drawbacks, grossed, respectively, $12,000 and $8,000. If intensive heat gives out it's likely to comply witli^schedule. Metro's 'Men of Boys Town' at Empire, is in second week, with first week's intake below $14,000, which warrants holdover. 'Nice . Girl' (U), at Odeon, was in for two weeks, and stretched another week on Its own. legitimate pull. Copped average of $9,000 in three weeks, good. Could have stayed fourth week, but house committed to 'Pimpernel Smith' (British National). Gaumonf dis- playing 'Western Union' (20th), to mediocre response. Once ~ again proving that West Enders not inter- ested in American biographies. Pre- vious flops were 'Union Pacific' and the Edison series, although in latter cases there were star values in Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney. Not likely to exceed $5,000, if that .Wi^ J^ondoner.' having, experl- •y!0'^f/6^.r^TlBhlffjr''''alefK; one would imagine that lull time would be made good use of to catch up on wakeful nights. But judging from business done at hotels and bottle parlies, Londoners have either got out of the sleeping habit, or are too hot, under present heat wave condi- tion, to sleep. These niteries are still filled mostly with men about town, with only difference they are now in uniform, instead of civvies. Also goodly portion of butter and egg men who, although not making such fabulous fortunes as in the previous shindig, have plenty to spend, with heaps of time in which to spend it Most of the latter, unlike in the last war, have no family or wifely re- sponsibilities, most of these having been evacuated abroad or far from the ° metropolis. Result for the stronger sex is ennui and loneliness which they try to drown'in these night spots, and some of them are succeeding admirably, although the process is making big dents in their pockets. Rationing Important thing that's helping the hoteU is rationing scheme, which has made eating at home anything but a pleasure. Places such a^ the Savoy, Berkeley, Dorchester, Grosvenor House and Piccadilly hotel, don't need floor shows to entice 'em. Best Inducement is now the menu and smokes, which may be imobtainable elsewhere, bu( always to be gotten at hotels. Savoy and Berkeley, for old time's sake, have cabaret once per week, and do a capacity trade. Only place tha^^ has nightly ;floor. show Is Mayfair hotel, and stlU claims it's an Inducement. Bottle parties are doing better than ever. The 400, once the acc of fhem' all, has decl&ted in favor. Some claim it's due to death of its host, Martihus Poulsen, - who was very popular among the nigbt hawks. This spot has been replaced in popu- larity by lie Suivi, a comparative newcomer, which is drawing all the town's socialites. The Cpcoaniit Grove, operated by 'Diana Ward, has steady clientele who go there in either civvies, soup and fish, and even battle dress. Run on strict lines, with leg show and Miss Ward often entertaining. Nut House, in which Al Burnett entertains nightly, and has a third interest, is doing even better since it was blitzed out of Soho into Regent street. It's 32 feet underground and is never so quiet that one can hear a bomb drop. It's making easy money for Alma Warren and Burnett, partners in the venture. If further proof is necessary that bottle parties are making plenty ieck, best evidence can be found by fact there is quite a few reopenings down for consideration. Most im- portant is the Embassy, due for re^ vival in early August by same man- agement as the 400. Another is the. ritzy Gargoyle, operated by the Hon. David Tennant Spot has been closed since last September. The Paradise club, shuttered by the police over a year, is another due for a comeback. 'Goodie' Godfrey, who used to op- erate the El Morocco, is looking over the once-famed Silver Slipper, in Regent street, which in its declining days was renamed the Slip In. But the above' do not complete by any means the spots for pleasure- seeking Londoners. Dog-racing takes place daily, with most days two tracks at least with six on Satur- days. It's amazing to see the many thousands at every track, 'with every race track jamn\^<}. No sign of war; only fights to' get to the' Tote' to strike the bet before the dogs are 'off.' . The nightly gambling parties are still more rampant than ever, al- ways in the neighborhood of May- fair and Belgravia. Many a big- shot has been reputed to have lost as high as $50,000 at one sitting. But still the game goes on. EX RINGLING EMPLOYE CRUSHED TO DEATH -Worcester, Mass., July 15. Ringling circus pulled out of here early Friday (II) morning for Hart- ford with plenty of headaches— brought about by the death of a former employe, serious injuries to a current worker, a shortage of ex- perienced labor and a delayed matinee. Thomas Puckett, 28, of Clarendon, S. C, was crushed to death while the circus was loading to leave. He apparently was attempting to cross a flat car to another string of freight cars when he was hit by a rolling wagon loaded with poles. Alex Kaiier, superintendent of horses, said Puckett had left the big top in Cincinnati a month ago. William ■> -ilkU' -'■ 51, of Decatur, Ind., with the organization for 20 years, suf- fered severe back injuries when he fell in the railroad yard as train was leaving. He was taken to hospital. Train was three hours late reach- ing Worcester from Fall River, Mass., a hop of only 55 miles. Cars were shunted to siding so U. S. de- fense trains could have right of way. As result, matinee was delayed more than an hour and it was well after 6 p.m. before audience left the tent More Rodeo Beefs Buffalo, July 15. When Dick Ryan and his partner, Joseph Demarest, rodeo promoters, both of Hollywood, were arraigned in city court here on a charge of larceny for selling tickets to a wild west show which did not put in an appearance, a number of additional warrants sworn out by purchasers in connection with other ticket sales were served upon them. Both pleaded innocent and a week's adjournment was taken so that all complaints may be disposed of at the same tiine. Everett Balston, arranger for Or- rin Tucker, left to join Army, neces- sitating a trip from Totem Pole Ball- room, Auburndale, Mass., where band closed, to Los Angeles, where h'e registered. His home is in Rock- fo^d,lU.., , , . .. UA's Theatre Circuit i Continued from page Ij sum was sufficient to buy into a tremendous number 'of houses, as there could be additional local financing. Reason for the all-out campaign to obtain theatres, Kelly indicated, is VA's difficulty in obtaining sat- isfactory playing time in suitable houses. 'Sometimes we resent the runaround,' he remarked. 'We feel,' he declared, 'that we can show our pictures to better advan- tage than other exhibitors. We know the product and can give it the proper treatment for best re- sults.' UA, once before in its 22-year ex- istence, was tied up with theatre operation. That was in the United Artists Theatre Circuit, although Kelly carefully differentiated be- tween tliat and the present setup. UA as a company had no interest whatsoever in United Artists "Hie- atres, he pointed out. Its only in- Music Hall—UA's 1st Ruit In making his announcement of United Artists theatre-buying activity yesterday (Tuesday), Arthur Kelly hedged on com- pany's intentions about obtain- ing a first-run on Broadway. 'We. already,' he remarked facetiously, 'have a first run— the Music Hall.' He said that the Rivoli was available for pur- chase but indicated UA wasn't interested in it Possibility is seen that one of the minor (Brandt) houses wiU be acquired and rebuilt, as Kelly stressed that only 1,000- 1,200 seaters are desired. solidating its interests in the 250- theatre Odeon Circuit in England. Activity in this regard will consist of seeing that.it is properly financed, as mortgages are required and war conditions make it impossible to- float them publicly as before. UA directors have also ordered ■ survey of South America, Kelly said, with the aim of widening theatre op- erations down there. CARRMIO M.C.S INTl SHOW IN NORTHWEST terest derived from the fact that some of its owners were also large investors in the circuit. On the other hand, it will actually be UA itself which now goes out and ob- tains houses. Buckley to Operate Harry Buckley, UA v.p. and a former theatre man, will be in charge of theatre operation for the company, Kelly said. He asserted that the intention is to obtain as many first-runs as possible as show- cases for UA product but where necessary to get proper representa- tion in key cities UA will also take second and subsequent run houses when the circuits being 'acquired own them as well as first-runs. UA may not operate the theatres itself in every case, Kelly said, but in the majority of situations is seek- ing managing and operating control. However, in some spots 'where we believe in the exhibitor,' he said, 'we may buy in only to the extent of 25%.' Circuit will not go into competi- tion with RKO, Loew's and other major chains, UA mahatma stated, or wherever it feels it b now getting a fair break In the exhibition of its pictures. 'We will feel justified, however,' avowed Kelly, 'in making inroads in those situations where we cannot get satisfactory runs.' Eztcndei H'luia Houses acquired, so far as pos- sible, will be small ones of about 1,200-seats, said Kelly. Desire is to get theatres with low operating overhead so that maximum possible runs can be milked from pictures, he explained. Some of the theatres obtained will be rebuilt, Kelly indicated, while others may even be built from the ground up by the company. Stress- ing the aim to keep 'em small—1,000 seaters in some cases—he declared: 'We don't want to build memorials to ourselves.' Policy will be single features wherever competition makes it pos- sible, said the exec, and use of UA 'product 'exclusively as far as feasible. Shortages and double-fea- ture situations will naturially make some outside product a requisite, he explained. UA owners have been figuring for a long time on theatre acquisitions,. Kelly disclosed, and even tried to obtain the United Artists Circuit. This was given up, however, when it was ascertained that management control couldn't be had because of partnership deals into which the cir- cuit had entered. Worldwide Bldg. Along with the domestic theatre plan, Kelly disclosed a quickening of exhibition activity around the world. In addition to the theatre in Cape- town, South Africa, vhich UA an- nounced last week it would become ^ partner in, Kelly said UA,,Jf con-^ Portland, Ore., July 15. Leo Carrillo is here as m.c. of 'International Fiesta,' three-day ' jamboree for annual convention of Pacific Coast Law Enforcement Of- ficials. Show opened yesterd-ay (14) with a parade at noon, Carrillo as grand marshal. Multnomah Stadium, big downtown field, is stage for three nightly performances by Ca- nadian, Mexican and American tal- ent Program under direction of Ted Gamble, owner-manager of Capitol theatre, and Police Chief Harry M. Niles. Took a lot of personal goodwilling by Chief Niles to get the Mexican entourage out of Mexico City. Seems the police there are also army men and they didn't want their army traveling. Niles made a per- sonal call on the Mexican president and he - got the famous Mexican police-army. 'Their daredevil motor- cycle riders stopped the sh<5\v. Canada sent Air Raid Precautions Wardens from British Columbia, who had been trained under real war action in London, to do a turn in a mock air raid when planes from Portland's army air base 'attacked' the stadium. Rest was an international variety show. Tourest Influx : Continued from page I; plenty of coin, all right, but in,the process they are losing vacations and much of the time they would ordi- narily have «S. Result is seen in the abnormal pattern of what influx there is to the city. Wheireas it used to be a seven-, day affair, business is now strictly Saturday - Sunday, We^days are painfully slow, while the weekends are tremendous. Unfortunately, how- ever, two days can't make up for what used to be done in seven. Two of the surest checking points on tourist biz are Radio City and the Empire State Building. Strange phenomena were that while they ex- perienced 15% more patronage-dur- ing May of this year than they did last season, June was off 26%. There has been an upturn in July which it is hoped may bring tourist biz at the two points up to that of 1940. Figures take in the $l'trip to the top of the Empire State and the NBC (50c) and Radio* City ($1) tours. Rubberneck agencies, a n o I h e r standard checking point on tourist biz, are 'said to be doing 30% less than last year. They're doing bet- ter than the pre-Fair seasons, how- ever, and hold that biz isn't so bad considering. Jesse Lasky ; CoDtlnned from pace la had spoken to them. And every biography in sight was being of- fered him for production. A couple years ago, the vet pro- duction exec's friends recalled, Lasky to Hollywood was a 'has- been.' After 25 years In films, most of it in charge of production for Famous Players-Lasky and Para- mount Publix, producer attempted > comeback via 'Gateway to Holly- wood' radio show, searching for filjn Ulent. Now, with the words of Holly- wood's oldest adage ringing in his ears, ''Vou're as good as your last picture,' Lasky is in great demand. His 'Sergeant York,' an Idea which he had nursed for years, is in high gear at the b.o. and has been almost universally okayed by the critics. Lasky returned to the Coast from New York last t^eek 'with fi nancin g for three' more pictures. Whether he will continue with WB, which la re- leasing 'York,' or- will change bit affiliation, will depend upon the of- fers, Lasky said, although he would D^ef^r 49 rep»jin,.wittij Wf^f'JV.'i'i -w