Variety (Dec 1941)

80 UEiBiTiMATE Wednesdaj, December 10, 1941 Equty Members Get Copies of Anti-Ism Amendment; Schedule Vote on Jan. 9 Copies of the endorsed antl-ism amendment to Equity's constitution have been mailed to the Equity mem- bership and will be voted on at the next quarterly meeting, Jan. B. Re- gardless ot whether it Is accepted by those attending, indications are that the amendment will go to referen- dum for final disposition. Measure was okayed by that means recently, but that action did not malte it part of the constitution. Part of the membership does not thinlt it, important that the amend- ment be adopted, at least at this time, so Oiat the vote is bound to be split Anticipated that 750 seniors in good standing will not be present at the meeting to molce the amendment official, and, under Equity's rules, the council can adopt or reject, al- though it is' doubtful that that body would go against the majority, al- though that has happened Ijefore In this situation.. If the amendment is voted affirma- tively at the meeting, 100 members opposed can force an amendment vote by petition. Should the measure be nixed, 100 of those in favor of the amendment have a similar right to petition for* referendum. Vote of two-thirds present at the meeting is necessary to adopt, yrhile a simple majority applies to referendums. Amendment names as objectionable th^ Communist party, National So- cie'llsta (Nazis) and Fascists, and any allied groups which have policies 'in- imical to and conflicting with the best interests of this association (Equity).' If any officer or employee of Equity does not leave such groups within 30 days after warning by council, upon a two-thirds vote he shall be subject to ouster or disci- pline. The term 'sympathizer" is not spe- cifically mentioned, but a relative clause Includes: 'Any person who publicly, knowingly, or willfully ad- vocates, advises, teaches, or abets the doctrine, duty, necessity or de- tlrablUty of overthrowing the gov- ernment of the United States. . .by force, violence or unlawful means.' ShouQd any officer be ousted by the MuncU, he shall have the right to ap- peal to the association, presumably at ona of Its general meetings. 'That section sets forth that persons "may be removed or otherwise disciplined for caueie appearing sufficient to the council after charges have been pre- ferred in writing and after a hearing «n which at least seven days notice hat been given.' Talu, Recuperating inA.Ci, Anxious to Resume 'Clash' Atlantic City, Dec. 9. Tallulah Bankhead, recuperating here at Hotel Traymore, following severe attack of pneumonia, said last week she was 'still a bit wobbly, but terribly anxious to get back on the slage again.' Miss Bankhead was stricken the night she opened Clifford Odet's play, 'Clash By Night,' in Philadelphia three weeks ago and since that time had been confined to Mount Sinai hospital. Upon being discharged from there Saturday (6), she came to this re- sort to rest. Miss Bankhead added that she will return to N.Y. in about two weeks, if improvement continues, to re- hearse the play for Its opening Dec. 27 at the Belasco,' N.Y. Because of Miss Bankhead's ill- ness, Billy Rose has cancelled the resumption of 'Clash' in Phllly start- ing Dec. 15. WellsHawksDies At 71: Was Noted As Show Biz PA Plays on Broadway 'Sunny River'May Result in Curb On Long Rehearsals Behearsals ot Max Gordon's 'Sun- ny River,' which opened at the St James, N. Y,, last Thursday (4), were high-pressured to such an extent that there niay be repercussions. Operetta tried out for three days at New Haven, then brought back to N. Y. for finishing touches. Jolin Murray Anderson was called in and although on the job but three days. Is programmed as having supervised the production. Because of his ac- tivities, preiniere was put back one night 'Company rehearsed through Wednesday (3) night players being dismissed at five a.m., but called for a dress rehearsal at one o'clock the same afternoon. The audience con- sisted of players in other shows pro- duced by Gordon, The afternoon performance was considered unusual lor a musical. At intermission of the debut showing, Muriel Angelds, (how's prima donna, almost passed out from fatigue. . f Equity limits-the hours of rehears- al except for the week prior to opening. When actors are kept at it for extended periods - Equity may take action upon complaint of those rehearsed to the limit of endurance. The actors appear to have been too tired to file complaint day after the oi)enlng, but it is indicated that some way will be sought to prevent slmt lar conditions. Equity cannot revise rehearsal rules, having recently en- tered into a ^0-year agreement not to change regulations during that term. Wells Hawks, 71, whose boast was that he had been a press agent for everything from 'elephants to battle- ships' (which was literally true), died in the U. S. Navy's sanitarium. Pine- hurst at Pomona, N. Y., Dec 4. From the turn of the century until the mid- twenties. Hawks was an outstanding figure as press representative for numerous theatrical and film enter- prises. High point in his career was an appointment as lieutenant com- mander in the Navy, assigned to public relations during the first World War. Hawks' earliest training was in newspaper work,. and tor a short period he was editor of the Baltimore Herald. The theatre, however, ap- pealed to him'and he became man- ager ot the Academy of Music in that city. He attracted the attention of Charles I^ohman through the un' usual use of publicity channels he had developed In Baltimore. FrOh< man Induced him to come to New York to handle national press rela' tlons for his numerous stars and at tractions. CnlUvatcd Newspapers Hawks _ generally Is credited as being one of the first theatrical press agents to thoroughly cultivate the newspaper field for promotional pur- poses. Most expenditures by man- agers was in outdoor billing,, an adaptation of circus, ballyhoo. Hawks encouraged the use of newspaper ad vertising space for his shows. In halt a dozen seasons on tour he brought newspaperthen into close association with theatre people.. He was among the first showmen to develop and modernize the use ot expensive cuts and photographs for theatre sections of the newspapers. Major enterprises he promoted in- cluded the New York Hippodrome, where he established headquarters tor visiting out-of-town newspaper- men and their families; Luna Park, at Coney Island, and Ringling Bros, and Barnum Se Bailey Circus. He was connected also with the publicity department of the Metropolitan Opera House, and tor a short time was personal representative tor Mary Pickford. Failed Navy Physical Exam Hawks' term of service with the Navy in charge of press relations during the war was punctuated with many incidents ot effective promo- tion quite in contrast to the tradi- tional conservatism ot the fleet. Never one who went in for physical culture. Hawks was reported to have failed in every physical qualification tor active duty. Notwithstanding, his papers were hustled through. Presi- dent Wilson, according to report, cut the red-tape. Hawks substantiated the account of his enlistment and commission by pointing to his selec tlon as a member ot the President' SUNNY RIVER Orcrollo In '»■« «<='• pr««onlca at the St. JnmM, N. T.. Doc. H, '41, by Mux Oonlon; Iwok nnO lyrlM by Oscar llnimneniteln. 2nJ: muiilc by SnKinunil Rombere; Blagfi by Hnninicr»lcln; Bupcrvldod by Jobn Slur- roy Ana«r«>n; clnncos by Curl nnnilnll. aoltlngn by dlownrt Cbnnry; coHlumw <1«- Blgnwl by iMiie Bharnrr; $.1.S0 top. Chllilron .lohn Shophcrd iKilwIn Urui-o JtoWow Old Henry nichnrd Iluoy Arl»tldo Ownr Po k O.tbrlcl Gervala AInswortb Arnold Molher Ooi-vala Iv/ Sroll Joan Gervala )>"!) I^.^'I^"''" jIn, Donold Clark Hnrry • CeorKO HolmoH Kinll. .Oonlon Dllwiirlli Kmma VIcVI Chnrlcn Uilltii EthPl Irfv»y Oeorh-e Marslmll Dudley CUmfnta Judk-e Poiw Murllncnu Frulcrlc Pcreaon Mario Suuvlndl MurlPl Anip-lu« Unnli'l Marahall 'J'om Kwoll Coi-IKe Marshall Helen C airo Watctinian Byron MllllBun Madeleine Caronne -loan Rnborte Jfarlha PcBSy Alexander Harlequin -laelt Columbine. Miriam Lovoile Achlllo Careeae William Q-Neal Drunk. - Ifoward Freeman The Doctor Kenneth Tobey A little more time for preparation might have made 'Sunny River a better show, and while it is question- able whether New York will support the familiar type ot musical called operetta as it formerly did, new en- trant should do fairly well. River' possesses the best warbling of any musical in years. It has a lively second act that nearly equal- izes the drag of the first portion. Seems to have a fair content ot scor- ing comedy, too. Comparatively new faces and voices head the cast. Costuming is colorful, settings cer- tainly adequate, so It the show does not get across the fault is hardly on the production end. First act should have been cut 15 minutes. Story Is localled in New Orleans, which was Its title when 'River' was presented - outdoors In St. Louis last summer. Dated I806-'1S, but the tact that it is a costume show should not be a mitigating factor. It tells ot ro; mance, one which is never consum- mated b(|7ause of trickery by the girl the hero married. He is killed In the battle ot New Orleans and the show ends on the sombre side, which is unusual tor or<>~etta. Jean Gervais, progressive son ot an aristocratic family of French origin, falls In love with Marie Sauvinet singer in the establishment of Lo- llta. where fastidious males may im- bibe, gamble or perhaps select a comelv Creole. Marie, however, is unsullied and Jean selects her in lireference to Cftcilie, daughter of his boss, an attorney. It Is Cecllle who interrupts the ro- mance, lying to Marie ot an affair with Jean. Marie abruptly departs for Paris with a purse raised by the bloods opposed to .the love match. Returning after five years,-she is the star of an opera company. Jean and Marie are about to resume the ro- mance that never ended,' although he is wed to Cecilie, but she again comes between them. It being indi- cated she Is to bear a child. The two women meet five years later, one a sorrowing widow and the other still 'a star ot the opera. No finer feminini voice outside the operatic stage has been heard on the stage than that displayed by Muriel Angelus. who charmed despite the strain, of excessive rehearsals on the eve of the premiere. Miss Angelus is from England and she appeared first in 'The Boys From Syracuse,' but that score had little opportunity for such a warbler. F^r a, couple of sen<!ons she was In Hollywood. Teamed on the vocal end is Bob Lawrence, sterling baritone. He also attracted some attention in 'Syra cuse' and 'Jumbo.' He lands with 'My Girl and I,' at one reprise get- ting a rousing hand. Miss Angelus^ too number, is 'Call It a Dream.' Their standout duets are 'Along the Winding Road' and 'Let Me Live To day.' Atmospheric scenes are the patio at the cafe and a reception hall. In the former, Ethel Levey, who was In the St. Louis showing, delivers the number 'Sunny River' with an en- semble background, and first-night- ers greeted hpr warmly, it being a reaopearance on Broadway after many seasons. Another back on the mntn stem ntter years In Australia is William O'Neal, whose part Isn't big but who does very well vocalizing 'Duello.' O'Neal, too, is of the St Louis lineup. Most of the comedy comes from Tom Ewell, who has had plenty of norts but no chance. such as In 'River.' Playing a lad who sows his first wild oats and then goes on to be a younir 'man about town, Ewell is gcnulnelv funny.- Whatever the out- come of the engagement his work In 'River' put? him In the limelight as Inside Stutf-Legit Max Gordon is Interested in five or more shows on Broadway Instead ot foiur, as previously indicated. Now generally known that Gordon is in on 'Blithe Spirit' selling out at the Morosco. He has been interested in other Coward shows, an arrangement entered into some time ago when Gordon was in London. Others are in on 'Spirit' in addition to Its presenter, John C. Wilson. Same goes tor those shows with Gordon's name at the top: 'My Sister Eileen' (BUtmore), 'Land Is Bright' (Music Box), 'Miss' and 'Sunny River' (opens St James, Thursday (4). Sally Benson, whos-2 stories In the New Yorker furnished the material for 'Miss,' sought to buy in on the show. She wanted to invest $1,000 just to have a' rooting interest, as she explained it Deal never went through, writer being told there were too many 'pieces' around, including Moss Hart, who staged 'Miss/ and Jerome Chodorov and Joseph Fields, who dramatized it Episcopal Actors Guild held a memorial service for members who died during the past year at St. Thomas' church, Fifth avenue, N. Y., Sunday (7^. A stirring address was made by Walter Vincent, head ot the Actors Fund. Others who spoke were Rev. Randolph Ray, of the Little Church Around the Corner, and Rev. Roellt H. Brooks, rector of St. Thomas. Tliere were 14 on the deceased list Including Daniel Frohman and Isadora Witmark, who belonged to the. Guild, but were ot the Jewish faith. Other professionals memorialized: Hugh Cameron, H. Dudley Frawley, Evange- line Irving, Ernest Lawford, William Parke, Ida Waterman, Madge Wood- ruff, and F. Howard Schnebbe, a manager. I,ay members: Mrs. John B. Horton,.John C. Hughes, John R. Strong and Dr. Alfonso Castelll. Robert Sensenderfer, drama critic for. the Philadelphia Evening Bulle- tin, doubles In that assignment and as the paper's sports editor. Sensen- derfer has become one ot the most itinerant critics in the country, fre- quently going to Baltimore, Washington or other eastern cities to see try- outs not scheduled for pre-Broadway engagements In Phllly. He also makes numerous trips to New York to see shows on his day off (Thurs- day). He has an extensive theatrical library and collection, which legit press agents occasionally consult tor background, material. Hugh Cameron, a leading legit comedian who died recently, remained an actor to the very finish. He was chatting with friends in the living room ot his apartment then excused himself, bowing out backward as though leaving the stage before an applauding audience. Cameron then went to his bedroom and literally choked to death, a victim of throat cancer. He was popular in the Lambs Club, where his passing was deeply mourned. Production cost of 'Hope tor a Harvest,' Guild, N. Y., is said to have been virtually earned back before the show opened on Broadway. Drama played out of town last spring and again before coming to town. Business was consistently strong and the Guild figured it had a standout until given lukewarm notices by the metropolitan critics. Word-of-mouth may figure in 'Hope' making a good showing. a comic. He also was in the outdoor outfit, as were Helen Claire, good as Cecilie, and Howard Freemen, who plays a stew, One ot the lighter and enjoyable parts is nicely handled by Vicki Charles as a P-t tty minx. Os- car Polk, colored comic, is okay per usual. Ibee. own peace party aboard the George Washington. ' He was author ot numerous short stories and wrote a series of circus yarns entitled 'Red Wagons.' He also wrote a book of mountain stories en- titled 'Moonshine Strategy' and was one ot the toimders of tl^e Friars, ANGEL STREET Melodrama'In threo acta by Patrick Ham- ilton. Staged by ^hepard Trsube; aeltlntr and costuroea by Ij«muel Ayet«. Presented by Shepard Tmubo. In aBBOClallon with Alexander H. Cohen, nt John Golden the- atre, N. T., Dec. 0, Ml: tS-80 top (M.40 oponlnir). Mra. ^fannlnRhnra Judith Bvolyn Mr. Mannlnsham Vincent Price Nancy BlIzatKth Buatls Elizabeth )F*lorence Edney Rough Leo O. Carroll Having finally gotten to Broadway, Patrick Hamilton's London scalp- tingler should have a profitable stay. Terror-melodrama was originally called 'Gaslight' and was strawhat- tested a couple of years ago at Sara- toga, N. Y. It was later presented at the Hollywood Playhouse, where Shepard Traube saw it Latter gave up a directing stint at RKO to pro- duce (in association with Alexander H. Cohen) and stage the play on Broadway. He also changed the title several times, finally choosing the present 'Angel Street* Show is a simple one, both as to script and production. It has a straight-forward plot only five char- acters and a single setting.. All those aspects add immeasurably to the play's chance.<;. Story sticks to a direct line, with all the action cen- tered on the key characters and the audience compulsion built on the basic situation. From a business standpoint, the small cast and single setting permit a modest nut and, with any kind of-a gross, a handsome mar- gin of profit. Yarn deals with a homicidal maniac who, having murdered an old lady philanthropist 15 years before, has returned to the same house under a different name. He is bigamously married and, under the guise ot kind- ness, is driving his wife to distrac- tion and insanity. Into this situation enters a whimsical, rather eccentric detective who uncovers the vital evi dence on the killer and effects his capture. Despite such slim story material, aU thts is projected with a curiously menacing concentration of suspense. Although the explanation la revealed almost from the first, there is until just before the end a disquieting pos- sibility that the apparent detective may actually be another maniac, or at least an accomplice. And while the ending is apparent long in ad- vance, there is a stunningly effective. hysteria scene by the wife at tM curtain. Show's undoubted click Is more than anything else a personal tri- umph tor producer-director 'Traube, as the script was available for several seasons and was, in fact, read and turned down by a number ot Broad- way managements. But more than that, Traube's staging is a vital factor in the play's slow crescendo of ter< ror. It seems over-deliberate at times and at others lacks pacing, but in Lemuel Ay«rs' gloomy setting and with Feder's atmosphere-creative lighting, the performance builds a wealth of intangible detail Into a gripping climax. Individual performances are lii:e- wise enormously helpful. Judith Evelyn, making her Broadway debut after appearing extensively In Lon-. don and doing this same play at the Hollywood Playhouse, scores a solid personal success in the exhausting part of the frlghtened-to-a-frenzy wife. Vincent Price in the restricted role of the handsome fiend, is quietly and expertly sinister, while Leo G. Carroll gives one of his most engag- ing performances in the rewarding part ot the detective. Florence Edhey underscores the integrity of the loynl maid, and Elizabeth Eustis is plau- sible as a strumpetlsh serving girl. As the first engrossing thriller- melodrama since 'Ladies in Retire- ment,' and one ot the most authentic audience-scarers since 'Kind Lady,' the show should fill a definite niche on Broadway. It's also a natural for touring and offers possibilities for Hollywood. Hobe. GOLDEN WINGS Melodrama In thi-oe acta preaenled at the Cort. N. T.. Deo. 8. 'il, by nobort Milton; written by William Jay and Guy Bollon; •Ineod by Milton; aetting by AVnlBon Dor- mtt; fi.m top. Pant Marmot .*!tflvonRon "esale... Valerie Conaart John Lou-ell Ollinore Jane Cathlrcn Coi-<Iell Joe Kdmond .Slovens Oooffrey Hughle Grc^n Babe Peler noyns Wnke ■William Itykey Norman '....Qernid Savory nex „....Lloyd CouBh Tom Gnrdon Oliver Judith Signe Hasso Kay Vny Wrny WIng-Commondor Forltos Kvan Thomna Hunt Vllllnm Pai-ker Dillon J, w. Aualln Jepson Lon Mcncc Under the title 'R.A.F.', this play was mentioned for presentation by several showmen. They let it slide to Robert Milton and are probably luckier than he, for 'Golden Wings' Is too mild a melodrama for Broad- way, even though it has to do with flyers in Britain's Royal Air Force. Play is set In the lounge of a ser- vice club, close to an airport and, while there Is an offstage bar, there is little over-indulgence. Authors aim for jpmance rather than the limited . diversions that are more probably the lot ot the R.A.F. One has his wife aroimd, another's fiancee, Kay. turns up, and also Judith; girl flyer In the ferry service, who becomes the cause ot several ructions. Flight Lieutenant Hex figures Kny doesn't much care anymore and goes on the make for Judith, whom' pilot officer Tom saw first Rex and Judith go off for a nlRht at the town tavern and then the flyer goes on a bombine expedition and is believed (Continued on page 62)