Variety (Sep 1941)

Wedoesday, September 24, 1941 LEGimfATE 51 Plays on Broadway THE DISTANT CITY Driinm In three nets by Edwin B. Seir, presented at llie LunKacre, N. T., Sept. '41, by Jdin Tuerk; Gladys Georice elarred; stiiced by Edward Byrou: Bettings by Samuel Lcve; $<'t.30 top, Mom (jiilKlcy Gladys Georire Pelo QulRley Uen Smith Kdn.i Scott Gertrude Flynn David Harket Robert Vivian Mm. Beatrice rrenllus West...Merle Muddern Rev. Jona.«» AVcst IjPC Baker 1.ester Prcntlse Lcona'rd I'enn "Mrs. Laura rrcnti.ta Loulae Stanley Serf;eant McKlernan T.,«n Doyle I'ollcrman Gilbert MorKun Chnplaln Mork-an Farley Wardim llurke Clarke Guard Larry Hugo This play has a distressing story, Ineptly written. Might just as well be put back in the box, but fast. There are any number of scripts going the rounds that are better than "ITie Distant City,' so its pres- entation Is one of those mysterious happenings that speck every season. Difference of opinion has occasional- ly sent some plays out of managerial ofTices, only to bob up as successes in other hands. But that doesn't go for 'Ci'.y." Gladys George has been somewhat choosey in accepting parts since she scored in 'Personal Appearance.' She, too, guessed wrong on this one. At the opening she enacts a crippled old hag, seated Id.. a chair attached to the wall about three feet from the floor, so'that she cannot hobble about. "That is the only novel fea- tu-e of the play. Story starts in a tenement, where Mom Quigley and her grown son, Pete, live together. The illiterate lad is a garbage collector, the reason why comely Edna Scott has accepted his adoration onl^around the edges. She is a maid in a clergyman's house and Lester, the cleric's step-son, is the gtiy responsible for her coming babv. L:..na conies to the Quigley's place, cc^ifesses her condition and pleads with Pete to marry her. He cannot see being papp.y to some other fel- low's brat, until Mom tells him he's that kind of offspring, too. She doesn't even remember who the father was, having started out as a hustler after being kicked out of her Krntucliy hillbilly shack. So when Edna threatens to tell Lester's bride what he did to her, that swieet young man strangles her and then blames it on Pete. His mother swears she saw the murder from her window. The last act is in the warden's offlce, Pete being due for hanging in the morning. Just before the curtain Lester's ma tells the truth and Mom changes her mind, and says there is a' God. The drab yarn is slightly leavened by lurid terms now and then, but to little purpose. First-nighters were polite, tittering but once over an un- nc;essary line. Miss George plays the old girl well enough, but it's the kind of a part that gets little audience'sym- pathy. Husband, Leonard Penn, is not so good as Lester. Ben Smith is much better as Pete; Gertrude Flynn is okay as Edna; others in- clude Lee Baker, Robert 'Vivian and Morgan Farley. /bee. Cuckoos on the Hearth Myptery comedy In three acts and proIoK. two scones, by Parker W. Fennelly; staged by Antoinette Perry: settlni;, John Itool. Presented by Brock Pemberlun at Moro.sco. N. T., Sept. 10, •il; $3.30 lop. Amos Rodlck Walter O. Hill Lulu Puns Janet Fox Charlotte Carlton Margaret Callahan Donald Carlton Carleton Young Bherlrt Preble Percy Kllbrldo Kadoc Grimes Howard Freeman ■Doc' Ferris..' GcorBc Mathews The Professor Frederic Tozere The ncv. Dr. Clarence Ilnderhlll Howard St. John Peck James Coots Dr. Gonlon Henry Levin A Stale Trooper Arthur Hughes It's hard to imagine how this script fooled Brock Pemberton. He tried it out at Bass Rocks theatre, Glouces- ter, Mass., last July as 'Two-Story House,' and that should have been the convincer it was not for Broad- way. But he brought it in, and he'll probably take it out before long. As a mystery all it holds is a conundrum on just who in the cast is a homicidal maniac on the loose from a sanatorium. As a comedy it IS thoroughly inept, laden with fa- miliar, tired gags and only a master- ful acting job by Percy Kilbride is able to inject some humor. But when Kilbride is not in sight, which Is often, the play bogs down in a welter of unfunny material and, at times, bad acting. Another negative factor is the in- clusion of a character, played by Howard Freeman, that is evidently OjClose takeoff on Alexander WooU- ceTt. It's a copy of 'The Man Who Came to Dinner' even to the extent that Freeman also is an unwelcome guest. Freeman, Janet Fox (a 'Din-, ner' alumna) and George Matthews are in for laughs, but the script is too much of a stumbling block and they manage a few chuckles at most. The plot is simple. It iwrolves a maniac and three spies who barge in on the lonely Maine farmhouse tenanted by an inventor, played by Carleton Young; his wife, Margaret Callahan, and Miss Fox, as a distant relative and maid. Young goes to 'Washington and it becomes a race between the ipies, who ara trying to get a fo-mula on poison gas, and the strangler, who wants to eliminate the two women. Who the strangler actually is only the final curtain re- veals, A prolog, with Walter O. Hill as an amiable commentator, lets the stage for the happenings in the Maine farmhouse. The second act concerns how Freeman, a whodunit writer, pictured it; the third Is an exception of the actual events. That makes it two mysteries and two anti- climaxes; even that's not enough, commercially, for Broadway, Pemberton worked out something of a country store bally for the play, patrons depositing their ticket stubs in a barrel from which winners of prizes would be chosen. It's the first time dishes are being given away with legit, but this one needs it. Antoinette Iterry's direction was not always smooth and swiftly paced, the first act being a complete lull. Performances are also ragged, especially that' by Frederic Tozere as a spy. Margaret Callahan looks good, but doesn t always perform as well; Howard St. John is adequate as a foreign agent masquerading as an evangelist, while George Mathews, as a Brooklyn gangster working for the spies, is thoroughly hurt by his material. Carleton Young hasn't very much to do, but manages nicely. Others are in for bits. Scho. LegH FoHownp I PAL JOEY (REVISED CAST) As a tuneup for a scheduled road tour for this Rodgers and Hart click of last season, George Abbott is cur- rently presenting 'Pal Joey' for four weeks at the Shubert, N. Y. Musical reopened with a Labor Day (1) ma- tinee, with several important cast replacements. George Tapps, who is to play the title part on the road, has succeeded Gene Kelly in that role. With the exception of Jean Castro, who was replaced in the could- hardly miss part of the- reporter- stripper last week by Mildred Todd, the same cast will apparently remain intact for the tour. Most vital change is that of Tapps for Kelly. When the latter first de- cided to leave the show for a pic- ture contract, Abbott was going to cancel the road plans, on the theory that Kelly's presence was essential. However, he subsequently cast Tapps for the tour. Whether he can get away with it appears questionable, at least on the basis of last Tues- day night's (9) performance, Tapps' first in the part. That doesn't neces- sarily reflect on Tapps' ability—it's just that he Isn't right for the part, while Kelly was one of those phe- nomenal bits of casting that rarely happens twice. In fairness to Tapps, he had only a couple of weeks' rehearsals and no performance in the part prior to the show caught, wheras Kelly had the regulation rehearsal, plus several weeks' performances out of town be- fore being seen in New York. Also, this is Tapps' flrst speaking part, whereas Kelly had lines in several previous Broadway shows. And, on top of everything else, it's always difficult for an actor to follow an- other in a part, particularly when the latter has scored a personal hit in the role. Kelly .iust personified Joey, In ap- pearanc. voice, manner and out- (Continued on page 52) Teople/ $15,500, Still Growing in Detroit Detroit, Sept. 23. With pleasant fall weather in town, 'Meet the People,' for the third successive week topped the pre- ceding week's gross. Got estimated $15,500 last week, its third. Revue was originally inked in for four weeks at the Cass, but if the show continues at its present level the run may be extended before it moves on to Philadelphia. 'Theatre' 7G in Bnff. Buffalo, Sept. 23. Cornelia Otis Skinner, in 'Thea- tre,' teed off local legit season at Erlanger last half of last week to tune of estimated neat $7,000 at $2.75 top. All advance indications point to legit getting its full share of the important defense industry coin which is being spilled all over this town and which has been keeping the picture house wicl^ets humming for months past. Nearly 20 shows are skedded or penciled in for next few months and subscription lists are substantially the heaviest in many seasons. ICE FOLLIES' SPEEDS TO $28,000 ON COAST Los Angeles, Sept. 23. Shipstad and Johnson's 'Ice Follies of 1942' grossed near capacity, $28,- 000, last week at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium. Biz, since opening Sept. 4, has hovered around that figure, which just about fills the 5,100-seat arena. The show breaks Oct. 5, opening jn Tulsa for a six-day stand, after which it plays Chicago Oct. 15-29. 'M a m b a' s Daughters,' starring Ethel Waters, is holding to. fair $7,600 at the Biltmore for its second week. Duke Ellington's 'Jump for Joy' fell off to $6,000 at the Mayan in its' ll'th week and folds Satur- day (27). 'The Man Who Came to Dinner,' featuring Laird Cregar, opened the long dark El Capitan, scheduled for four weeks. B'way Holds Up in High TempeFatures; 'Cuckoos,' 'Merrier/ Each Get $5,000 'CLAUDIA' FINE $14,000 IN 1ST CHIWK. Chicago, Sept. 23. "Claudia* came to town last week as the flrst of the two John Golden presentations, and the first of the ATS subscription series, and looks to be on its way to an excellent and long run. Show was well received. 'My Sister Eileen,' currently in its final week after a stay of seven months, on Saturday (27) heads out for a tour that will take it through the entire new season. Harris stage will be taken over Sunday (28) by John Golden's second show of 'he season, Cornelia Otis Skinner in 'Theatre.' Estimates for Last Week •ClandU,' Selwyn (1st wk) (1,000; $2.75). Only the subscription rate held down this gross; came through with strong $14,000. One more week under subscription. 'My Sister Eileen,' Harris (31st wk) (1,000; $2.75). Has had a re- markably fine stay here and will leave Saturday (27). Bounced up into the bright money levels, top- ping $12,000. CORNELL, 27& GREAT IN pnr Pittsburgh, Sept. 23. Although originally booked to tour only as far as Chicago in mid- November, Katharine Cornell in 'Doctor's Dilemma' may continue all season, actress-manager indicated hei'e last week. Change of mind was probably due to sensational biz 'Dilemma' has done in its two weeks out, in Philly and Pittsburgh, rolling up record grosses despite heat in both places. Miss Cornell got the legit season at Nixon off to a flying start last week when she rolled up sensational esti- mated $27,000 in 'Doctor's Dilemma.' Playing at $3.30 top and in pretty warm weather at that, actress played to virtual capacity after flrst couple of performances and by week's end SRO sign was out. It was biggest biz Miss Cornell has ever done at Nixon, where her previous high was $23,500 for 'Winged Victory.' Only play of hers here to top 'Dilemma' was 'Barretts of Wimpole Street,' but that was at old Alvin, where she did around $28,500. Nixon has Ed Wynn's 'Boys and Girls Together' current and follows with 'Native Son,' which was defi- nitely set only last Friday (18), just giving house time enough to get out weekend ads and billing. Bedroom Tinge Gives Kooms' 9G in Wash. Washington, Sept. 23. 'Separate Rooms,' in for week (15- 20) at National, was met by expected reaction on all counts. Critics pasted the comedy, but all noted it a bed- room farce. Result was approxi- mately $9,000 in the till, at $2.20 top, plenty profitable considering low operating nut of the play. Current (22-27) is Katharine Cor- nell's production of Shaw's 'Doctor's Dilemma.' Paper Mill Playhonse, Millburn, N. J., strawhatter which recently closed out summer season, begins its felthat session Oct, 13, presenting 'The Merry Widow.' House will re- main open for about eight weeks and will feature musicals, mostly light operas. 'Arsenic' Sock $8,500 In 3-Day N. H. Stand New Haven, Sept. 23. Shubert hit the heights and the depths last week. First half (15-17) jammed them in with the road break-in of 'Arsenic and Old Lace.' Comedy thriller pulled a hefty esti- mated $8,500 at $2.75 top. La.<:t half brought in the preem of Gladys George In 'Distant City.' Unfavor- able word-of-mouth and lukewprm press left plenty vacant pews. ' Ap- proximate gross on four shows at $2.75 top was light $3,800. Ballet Russe in for one perform- ance Monday (22) caught healthy es- timated $2,500, despite,curb on biz due to Jewish holiday. House has a big lineup of legit for November, but will fill in with new vaude-band-pix policy on open dates. First such is the coming Sun- day (28-1), when Tommy Tucker breaks the ice ,on four-day stand. Ella Fitzgerald follows at a later date. 'Arsenic' cleaned up in Hartford and other one nighters, grossing over $20,000 last week. HAYES, $24,500, SMASH IN HUB ^Boston, Sept. 23. , 'Candle in the Wind,' new Max- well Anderson starrer for Helen Hayes, copped top coin last week by a wide margin, and Al Jolson wouifd up his three-week stand with a sweet gross that placed second among the four shows current. Last night (Monday), in one-night stand at the Metropolitan, Providence, 'Hats' grossed estimated $5,700, very neat at $3.30 top. 'Native Son' received a fairly warm press reception last week, and 'Mr. Big,' the new Sheekman-Shane farce, is improving daily through rewrite and George S. Kaufman's injection of daffy gags. ''Viva O'Brien,' new musical, will preem here Thursday (25). Michael Todd's musical, 'And So to Bedlam,' is slated to open here some time next month. EsUnutes for LAst Week 'Candle In the Wind,' Colonial (1st wk) (1,643; $3.30)—Built to standee calibre in its initial week to ^24,500, with advance sale indicating better than that for second stanza. Thea- tre Guild subscription list is biggest in history here, and that lielps. One more week. 'Hold On to TOUT Hats,' Shubert (3d wk) (1,590; $3.30)—Final week held up to close to $20,000, with management claiming $63,000 for the entire run here. 'Native Son,' Majestic (1st wk) (1,667; $2.20)—Getting big play from the balcony contingent, adding up to around $11,000 for first frame. One more week. 'Mr. Bif,' Plymouth (2d wk) (1,480; $2.75)—Still getting a work- over here before it is shown to Broadway. Second week's $8,500 not very encouraging. One more stanza. 'HELLZ' GETS RECORD $86,000 IN 3 S.F. WK^. San Francisco, Sept, 23. Sold over-capacity for three weeks solid, 'Hellzapoppin' is believed to have broken past records for a three- frame stand at $3.30 top, accordinc to Curran theatre - manager Bill Zwissig. First week got estimated $27,000; second week took $28,500. and, with an extra matinee, the third frame picked up approximately $29,- 600, or a total of $86,000 on the run. 'Tobacco Road' moved into Curran Sunday (21) for three weeks, to be followed Oct. 20 by Dante. Jam-up of bookings moves 'Mamba's Daugh- ters' with Ethel Waters to the Geary, opening Oct. 6. Henry Duffy's production of 'The Male Animal,' with Otto Kruger top- ping, pulled estimated $8,300 on its second week at the Alcazar. First week of five days got okay $5,500. Lavin on His Own Jerry Lavin is out of Music Corp. of America, .where he was a legit and film agent. He also had a piece of 'Native. Son.' Lavin is going into business on his own, Leaders stood up well enough last week despite return of hot weather at mid-week. 'Lady in the ^Dark' increased its leadership margin. Broadway still awaits arrival of new sock shows. EstlmaUa for Last Week Key: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD {Comedy-DTama}, R iRevue), M (Mttsical), O (Operetta). 'Arsenic and Old Laoe,' Fulton (37th week) (C-938; $3.30). Capacity through the week; rated the most consistent high grosser in long spell; over $16,500. 'Brother Cain,' Golden (1st week) (D-789; $3.30). Another version sup- posed to go on this week, but chances seem slim; takings indicated to have been under $1,000 last week; title may change to 'Blue Coal.' •Clandia,' Booth (32d week) (CD- 712; $3.30). Chicago company re- ported off to excellent start, while original continues good draw; rated around 10,500. 'Cockoos on the Hearth,' Morosco (1st week) (C-939; $3.30). Press not favorable, but management rates, newcomer an audience play, with business picking up after second night; estimated around $5,000 in first seven times. 'Hellzapoppin,' Winter Garden (156th week) (R-1,671; $3.30). Man- agement can't figure this one out; ended third year Monday (22) and still flourishing, with gross last week over $22,000; 'Crazy House,' now called 'Sons o' Fun,' slated suc- cessor, in rehearsaL 'It Happens on Ice,' Center (2d re- peat engagement) (10th week) (R- 3,027; $1.65). Virtually no change in excellent pace of rink revue, which was quoted around $25,(KK) again; at. present gait new edition will be set back. 'Lady In the Dark,' Alvin (re- sumed) (24th week) (M-1,375; $4.40). Let out another notch, which carried gross to around $31,000 level; that means capacity; standees in even at last midweek matinee, despite scorch- in;; heat. •Life With Father,' Empire Wtfi week) (CD-SOO; $3.30). Picked up last week, indicating the holdover's in indefinitely at the same stand; bettered $14,000. ' 'My Sister EUeen,' Biltmore (39th week) (CD-991; $3.30). Held its own, with $11,000 again the gross; good enough to hold in holdover well into fall period. 'Pal Joey,' Shubert (resumed) (37th week) (M-1,372; $3.30). Turning a profit and start of road tour said to have been set back; where this one will move, if staying, not decided; $14,000. 'Panama HaUie,' 46th St. (47th week) (M-1,347; $4.40). More than held its own and should play through fall; rated around $24,000; year's run mark approaching. The Corn b Green,' Royale (43d week) (D-1,047; $3.30). Another stayer that is slated well into autumn; estimated around $10,500 again; quite profitable for one-setter at that level. "The Distant City,' Longacre (D- 1.016; $3.30). Presented by John Tuerk; written by Edwin B. Self; opened Monday (22); panned. 'The More the Merrier,' CotI (1st week) (C-l,0e4; $3.30). Attendance not so ^ood sifter doubtful press; quoted slightly over $5,000, but takes more to break even. 'The Wookey,' Plymouth (2d week) (D-1,075; $3.30). First full week's takings approximated -$14,500; light at matinees, but good in evenings; strongly favorable Sunday press should help season's first play rated having chance. 'Village Green,' Henry Miller. Final and fourth week; never picked up ?fter weak start; around $4,000. 'Watch on the Rhine,' Martin Beck (25;h week) (D-1,214; $3,30). Holds to very good money, although under the fine gait of earlier months: may play into winter or longer; $16,000. Jooss. Ballet, Elliott. First dance group to open; limited engagement. WYNN, $16,800, BALTO CLICK DESPITE HEAT Peggy Carroll, chorister suspended in 1934 for appearing in an non- Equity show, has been reinstated by the union. Penalty was two weeks salary. Baltimore, Sept. 23. Ed Wynn's 'Boys and Girls' ran into some extra torrid temperatures at Ford's here last week, but ac- cumulated- a pleasing figure estl- mated at $16,800 for the week. In at a top of $3.33 at the l,900-$eater, musical built steadily to almost ca- pacity on end of week. 'Separate Rooms' is current at Ford's, with Helc . Hayes, in 'Candle in the Wind,' set to follow as the first of six subscription plays spon- sored by the American 'Theatre So- ciety ard TT^eatre Guild. Subscrip- tion this season biggest since its in- /'■•^'/■rr, 1—e ffnir yesrs-ego, •