Variety (Jan 1942)

Wednesday, Jannwy 28. 1942 LEGITIMATE 51 Chicago Very Breezy; Hattie' Opens Big at HQ, Xm Pleniy Green, 14G Chicago, Jan. 27. •Panama HatUe' came Into the Irlanger last week and drew excel- {St noUcej, proceeding to gamer Slstactory business. Tffls wllTmake it three longruns Ij a row for B. G. Se^lva. While 'Hattle' probably ^onh touch the great 14-week mark of XoUlslana Purchase,' it will do well enough. On the same night 'Com Is Green' opened at the Harris and drew rave notices, and with strong American TheaUe Society subscription backing to start It off. this looks like another bans-up coin item. Tal Joey' built w U In Its second week at the Grand Opera House and Indicates ablUty to stick around tovi^ for several weeks. On Sunday (25) the Studebaker reUghted with an Import from the Coast, *Tbey Can't Get You Down,' hoping to hit the lame audiences which made 'Meet the People,' a similar-type revue, a long-run winner in the same house. '—KMmtertot Last Week 'Clsndla,' Selwyn (IBth week) (1,000; $2.76). StUl getting flnte profits. WIU leave here Feb. 14. T^ok $6,500. T»I Joey,' Grand. (2d Veek) (1300; $3.30). Outlook bright, taking tlT 000. 'Fahun* Hattle,' Erlanger (1st week) (1,400; $3.30). Started out sharply and will be here a long time following hearty initial ■ session at $21,000. The Com Ii Qreen,' Harris (1st week) (1,000; $2.75). Held down only by the low-rate subscription ducats but still a mighty entry at $14,000 on its first week. 'CANDLE'BRIGHT $20,400, PHILLY Philadelphia, Jan. 27. There were no complaints to be heard last week at the legit b.o.s. "With one of the three houses dark, the other pair clicked solidly, grtii.i.. tor Last Week 'Heilupoppln,' Forrest (5th week) (1,800; $3.^). SUU traveUing at ca- radty at $32,500; stays through February. 'Candle In the Wind,' Locust (2d week) (1,900; $3). Fewer ATS sub- scriptions, but more public sales. Result^ $20,400, giving show two solid weeks of profit despite luke- warm press. CORNELL-'BURKE' f18,500 IN FRISCO San Francisco, Jan. 27. With the world preem of Katha' rine Cornell's 'Rose Burke' at the Curran and 'My Sister Eileen' at the Geary, town is doing biz again. Although 'Burke' opened so heavy that theatre telephoned pass-holders and asked them to come the next night so their seats might be sold, poor word of mouth has hurt subse- quent biz. Cornell opus jumps to the May- lair, Portland, Feb. 2-3, thence to Metropolitan, Seattle, Feb. 4-7; Ly- ceum, Minneapolis, Feb. 11: St Paul Auditorium, Feb. 12; Davidson, Mil- waukee, Feb. 13-14 and the Cass, De trolt, week of Feb. 16. Estlmatca for Last Week 'Rose Burke,' Curran (1,600; $3.30) (1st wk.). Opened big but fell off. Wound up with $18,500. 'My Sister Eileen.' Geary (1,286; $2.75) (1st wk.). Packing *em in. Did socko $12,000. AFM-Theatre Fead Can't Nix Playing Of Anthem in MVkee Milwaukee, Jan. 27. Feuding between the Davidson theatre (UBO) management and the Milwaukee musicians' association. Local No. 6, American Federation of Musicians, took a new turn this past week when Sol Shapiro and his string sextet were forced to play 'The Star .Spangled Banner* in the theatre's cellar in order to get a hearing. Compelled by the imion to em- ploy an orchestra at $285_a week, aTthOugS'iEe" liand 'ls not" permitted" to go into the pit or play a note during the presentation of dramatic shows, the "theatre suffered a tem- porary defeat during the engage- ment of 'Arsenic and Old Ijace' when Vollmer Dahlstrand, head of the mu- sicians' organization, insisted upon compliance with a union ruling that the national anthem be played at every performance. When 'Native Son' came into the theatre the fol- lowing week, however, the orches- tra pit was needed for the court- room scene, the stage was too crowded to leave any room for the niusicUms'and for a time It looked as if the national anthem would have to be omitted. But the union chief was insistent,, so it finally was ar- ranged that the bahd play in the basement under the stage, with the doors to the pit open. Audience smiled, but stood up re- spectfully wliile the antheiii was played, and some of them even sang to the music of the unseen but clearly audible orchestra. HOUSE-GARR-mLZ' WHAM 36G IN BALTO Baltimore, Jan. 27. 'Hellzapoppin' was terrific at Ford's last week, banging out ap- Sroxlmately $36,000 for 10 shows, illy House-Eddie Garr version came in at $3.33 top for the $1,800 seater, with only eight shows originally scheduled. ■ ^ First day of seat sale brought $11,- 000 over the window, with $13,000 more on hand in advance mall orden,. Raclcs were completely clean for the week after the opening night's show, with the decision to do two extra frolics Sunday (25) bringing an im- mediate response. A $2,739 matinee and $4,044 on the night were the smsKho closing day's figures. Cnrrent Road Shows (Jon 28-Feb. 7) TLOWERS' FADES IN WASHING^ f 7300 Washington, Jan. 27. 'Wilting' and faded' were ad- jectives unanimously applied, in effeit at least, by critics to Tlowers of Virtue,' and so new Marc Con- nelly ' play, presented by Cheryl Crawford, managed only a meager $7,500 approximately at National last week (19-24). . Current is Tobacco Road,' with John Barton, in for eighth time. 'Student Prince' OK $14,000 in Detroit Detroit, Jan. 27. Holding up strongly in its second week through local interest in a na- tive product, Barbara Scully, starred, . "Student Prince' came through with $14,000 at the Cass in nine perform- ances at a $2.75 top. It gave the house an approximate $29,000 for the two weeks. This week saw two houses back in operation here with the CasS having Louisiana Purchase,' opening Mon- day (26) for two weeks and the Shubert-Lafayette resuming Sunday (25) with 'Native Son.' Latter house win follow Feb. 1 with Ann Corio in ^hitc Cargo.' 'Blitz' Ritzy $5,200 Toronto, Jan. 27. At $1.50 top, -Rltzin' the Blitz,' all- services musical revue, chalked up a fine $5,200 at the Royal Alexandra M preliminary to trans-Canada tour. JJroceeds are going toward the re- ■ucf of families of Canadian casual- ties In Hongkong and to bomb vlc- °nis in Britain. • - 'Arsenic'Big $23^00 In 4 Towns, 10 Shows Minne/.polis, Jan. 27. Including two additional perform- ances, Sunday matinee and night, in Milwaukee, 'Arsenic and Old Lace' grabbed off estimated $23,200, ter- rific, for seven-day 10-performance week divided among four towns. Milwaukee take was $3,600. Madi- son, Wis., matinee and night, yielded $2,600. A one-nighter at the St. Paul Auditorium was good for $3,600. Here at 2,200-seat Lyceum, scaled at $2.75, show'got dandy $13,000 in four nights and one matinee. K. C. Holds Over 'Arsenic' Kansais City, J^n. 27. 'Arsenic and Old Lace,' set for two days hi the Music Hall, is being held over for a Sunday afternoon per- formance Feb. 1. Advance sale in- dicated by last Saturday that the three performances would not ac- commodate trade. Two performances were requested for Sunday but com- pany will be forced to leave early Sunday evening to make an towa date the following night. Music Hall is entering one of its most ambitious months bookings with 'Claudia,' Feb. 5-7, and 'Life With Father,' Feb. 11-15, following 'Arsenic' 'Spirit's'Chi Co. Okay $13,000 in Pitt Break-In Pittsburgh, Jan. 27. , Break-in of Chi company of 'Blithe Spirit' at Nixon last week was okay estimated $13,000. Ck)mbo of cast names and fact that it's the briskest comedy hit on Broadway counted. Playing at $2.75 top, show opened slowly and built gradually. Critics liked the play, but wcren t entirely satisfied with company. Performance was generally pretty rough, people continuously going up in their lines or being Inaudible in large (2,100-seat) house. ^44rs$nIo and Old Lace' (2d Co.)— Paramount, Omaha (28); Shrine Aud., Des Moines (29); Municipal Aud., Kansas City (30-31); Iowa, ^(3edar-Rapids-(2);-Orpheum,-Daveh- port (3); Orpheum, Springfield, 111. (4): Virginia, Champaign, 111. (5); Lincoln, Decatur, 111.. (6); Shrine Mosque, Peoria, 111. (7). <BU(he Spirit' (2d Co.)—Amer- ican, St. Louis (28-31); English, In- dianapolis (2-4); Hartman, Columbus, O. (5-7). . 'Blossom Time'—Biltmore, Los An- geles (28-7). 'Candle In the Wind'—Nixon, Pittsburgh (28-31); Masonic Aud., Rochester, N. Y. (2); Empire, Syra- cuse, N. Y. (3); Strand, Ithaca, N. Y. (4); Erlanger, Buffalo, N. Y. (5-7). - —<Glsudla>--'(2d-Co.)—Selwyn,-Ghi cago (28-7). •ClandU' (3d Co.)—Temple, BIr mingham, Ala. (28); City Aud., Jack- son, Miss. (29); Aud., Memphis (30 31); Robinson Aud., Little Rock, Ark. (2) ; Shrine Aud., Oklahoma City (3) ; Music Hall, Kansas City (5-7). 'Com Is Greco'-Harris, Chicago (28-7). -'Heart of a City'—Shubert, New Haven (5-7). 'Hellzapoppin' (N. Y. Co.)—For- rest, Philadelphia (28-7). 'Hellzapoppin' (2d Co.) — Com- munity, Hershey, Pa. (28); Lyric, Richmond (29-31); Aud., Raleigh, N. C. (2); Carolhia, Durham, N. C. (3); National, Greensboro, N. C. (4); Academy of Music, Roanoke, Va. (5)'; State, Wlnston-Salcm, N. C. (8); Aud., Asheville, N. C. (7). 'Junior Miss' (USO)—Camp Davis, WUmlngton, N. C. (28); New River Marhie Base, N. C. (29); Camp Croft, Spartanburg, S. C. (31-2); Ft Jack- son, S. C. (3-6); Charleston Navy Yard, S. C. (7). •Life with FUher" (2d Co.)— Fisher, DanvlUe, 111. (28); Shrine Mosque, Peoria, 111. (29); Coronado, Rockford, lU. (30); Pabst, Milwaukee (31-7). XUe with Father' (3d Co.)—Aud., Abilene, Texas (28); Majestic, Wichita Falls, Texas (29); Shrine Aud., Oklahoma City (30-31); Aud., Stillwater, Texas (2); Convention Hall, Tulsa, Okla. (3-4); Paramount, Joplin, Mo. (5); Arcadia, Wichita, Kans. (8-7). * Xoolslana Purchase'—Cass, Detroit (28-7). 'My Slater Eileen' (2d Co.)— Geary, San Francisco (28-7).. 'My Sister Eileen* (3d Co.)—Wil- bur, Boston (28-31). 'Native Son' — Lafayette, Detroit (28-31); Royal, Alexandra, Toronto (2-7). 'Ont of the Frying Pan' (USO)— Ft. Bliss, El Paso (28); Naval Train- ing Station, San Diego (31); Camp Callan, Cal. (2); Camp Haan, Cat. (3); March Field, Cal.' (4); Camp Cooke, Santa Maria, Cal. (6); C^amp San Luis Obispo, Cal. (7). 'Pal Joey'—Grand Opera House, Chicago (28-7). •Panama Rattle' — Erlaiiger, Chi- cago (28-7). 'Plan M'—Playhouse, Wilmington, Del. (7). 'Rose Borke' (Katharine Cornell) —Curran, San Francisco (28-31); Mayfair, Portland, Ore. (2-3); Metro- politan, SeatUe (4-7). San Carlo Opera—National, Wash- ington (2-7). 'Student Prince'—Hanna, Cleve- land (28-7); Shubert, Boston (2-3). •Theatre' — Hartman, Columbus, O. (28); English, Indianapolis (29- 31); American, St. Louis (2-7). They Can't Get Yoa Down'— Studebaker, Chicago (28-7). Tobacco Road' — National, Wash- ington (28-31); Ford's, Baltimore (2-7). Veloz and YoUnda — Royal Alex- andra, Toronto (28-31). •White Cargo' — Colonial, Utlca, N. Y. (28); Erlanger, Buffalo, N. Y. (29-31); Lafayette, Detroit, 2-7). Torgy/ hdicating $2S,000, Looks Like N.Y. s Newest Hit; 'Rivals Fair 14G, 'Angel' Hefty $13,000 Business more than held Ita own in most Instances, with declines con- ceded -for some N. Y. shows which are not among the best draws. Dif- ference of opinion expressed over majority of newcomers last week, but 'Porgy and Bess' looks like a real click. One new play, 'All in Favor,' was panned and stopped. - Estimates tor Last Week Keys: C. (Comedy), D {Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Retme), M (Musical), O (Operetta). ^ 'AU in Favor,' Miller (C-940; $3.30). First-nighters didn't think much of this comedy and after lamping the notices the management thought' the same; closed Saturday (24) after seven; times. 'Heart of City* next show. ~ ' 'Angel Street,' Golden (7th week) (D-789; $3.30). Claimed capacity through last week and no doubt that it's a money show, although limited size of house prevents big grosses; over $13,000. 'Arsenio and Old Lace,' Fulton (54th week) (CD-938; $3.30). One of the standouts that moved upward and was quoted around $15,0()0; not materially under capacity at the level. 'Banjo Eyes,' Hollywood (5th week) (M-1,563; $4.40). Big gross- ing musical that advanced towards capacity jaark jai\4_auoted_6l.Q.5e_t!9- $34,500.. 'Best Foot Forward,' Barrymore (17th week)' (M-1,104; $4.40). Slight- ly better; not so heavy at midweek matinee, but night performances vir- tually sellout; approaches $21,000 mark. ' 'Blithe Spirit,' Morosco (12 week) (CD-936; $3.30). With another com- pany doing well on the road, original holds to fine takings with gross well over $17,000. •Brooklyn, D. S. A„' Forrest (5th week) (D-1,195; $3J0). Business ap pears to be grooved around $5,500 gait; can't make profit at that figure- 'CUndb,' Booth (50th week) (CD- 712; $3.30). Improved further to around $9,000 and is aimed l>eyond Washington's Birthday; has made ex- cellent profit and road shows okay. •Clash by Mght,' Belasco (5th week) (D-1,000; $3.30). SUpped last week, with claimed takings nearly $12,000; will join list playing Sun- days. •Crown Cafe,' Cort (CD-1,064; $3.30). Opened Friday (23) last Week with divided notices; second night, however, well in four figures. •High Kiokera,' Broadhurst (12th week) (M-1,142; $4.40). Making some operating profit with aid of re- vised downward costa; rated around $18,000 again. It Happened on Ice,* Center (re- sumed engagement) (61st week) (R-3,027; $1.65). Claimed to have Improved nearly $3,500 even with Sonja Henie show at Madison Square Garden against it: quoted over $24,000. In Time to Come,* Mansfield (D 1,050; $3.30). Final and fifth week; drama well regarded, hut failed to climb; operating loss of several hun- dred dollars weekly; $6,900, - 'Jason,* Hudson (1st Week) (CD- 1,094; $3.30). Opened Wednesday (21) last with some notices widely divergent; quoted about $5,000 in first five performances. 'Junior Mlas,' Lyceum (10th week) (CD-1,004; $3.30). One of the sea- son's standouts and should run into summer; gross aga'ln close to $17,000, which is about tops among straight plays. 'Lady In the Dark,' Alvin (re- sumed) (42d week) (M-1.387; $4.40). Opened a year ago, but there was a summer layoff; business again better and approximated $25,000. 'Uly of the Valley,' Windsor (D- 873; $3J0). Presented by Gilbert Miller; written by Ben Hecht; opened Monday (26); doubtful press. 'Let's Face It,' Imperial (13th week) (M-1,450; $4.40). Likely to play into next season; no letup in ticket demand and, with standees in, gross over $34,000. •Life with Father,' Empire (115th week) (CDt1,082; $3.30). Among the shows that picked up last week, when takings were quoted over $13,500. 'My Sister Eileen,' Biltmore (57th week) (CD-eOl; $3.30). Also went upward, with the count around $8,500; looks like engagement will extend into spring. 'Papa Is All,' Guild (3d week) (C-956; $3.30). Claimed to be doing fairly well, with the gross over $9,500 helped by subscriptions; will play Sundays. •Solitaire,' Plymouth (CD-1,075; $0.00). Presented by Dwlght Deere Wiman; written by John Van Drutcn from bo6k by Edwin Corle; opened yesterday (Tuesday). ■Spring Again,' Playhouse (11th week) (CD-865; $3.30). Mentioned for road in sprmg; pioderate money draw that has been averaging around $8,500 recently. •Sons o' Fan,' Winter Garden (Sth week) (R-1,510; $4.40). No musical in years has drawn such high-money weekly; continues at S.R.O. pace; over $40,000 claimed.. 'Watch on the Shine,* Martin Beck (43rd week) (D-1,120; $3.30). Per- formed in Washington before Presi- dent Roosevelt ■ Sunday (25) for paralysis fund; another three weeks and then to road; $11,000. Bevlvals •Macbeth,' National (10th week) D-1,162; $3.30). Leaves on tour after another four weeks, but continues to turn weekly profit; around $14,000, very good for Shakespeare. T^e JUvai»,l_S.h.uheEt :i2d...3Kfiek) _ TC-r4bi; $3.30). Not as strong as ex- pected for name revival, but claimed $14,000 first fuU week. 'Porgy and Bess,' Majestic (1st week) (M-1,175); $2.75). Looks like big money; revival of George Gersh- win colored cast musical opened sen- sationally; can gross $25,000 and should get it; debutted last midweek and got $14,000 In four times. 'GUbert and SnlliTan Jooss Ballet,' St. James (1st week) (1,520; $2.20). Double bill opened Wednesday (21) and drew fairly well thereafter. 'Hedda Gabbler,* Longacre (D-1,- 016; $3.30). Drama by Henrik Ibsen revived by Luther Greene; opens TKUftaay-(2ff)r: " — mEErfops HUB, $11,500 Boston, Jan. 27. 'My Sister Eileen' copped the best biz in town last week, so- the man- agement set four more stanzas to make an eight-week run. .Ann Co- rio, starring in 'White Cargo,' did okay in a single week and came off wiu very encouraging jiotices. Ka- Una Paxinou, in 'Hedda Gabler,' also won pleasing attention from the press, but the Ibsen play was not so forte at the boxoffice. Future book- ing slate in the Hub ,l8 bare. Estimates for Last Week •My Slater Eileen,' Wilbur (4th week) (1,227; $2.76). In for a good run. Bostonians Uke the road com- pany and the comedy. Last week, $11,500, and slated for four more frames. White Cargo,' Plymouth (one week) (1,48Q; $2.20). Ann Corlo is a big fave with 1he hurley fans here, but a lot of strange faces and stiff shlrta came in to logle the stripper in the more respectable environment Tallied $8,400.- Playing Utlca and Buffalo this week before gohig to Detroit. •Hedda Gabler,* Colonial (one week) (1,643; $2.75). They aren't buying this one this season, but the Greek actress was rated highly here. Garnered $7,000 for single week. Opens In N. Y. this week. TURCHASE/ »7,000, WHAM IN ST. LOUIS St. libuis, Jan. 27. liOuIsIana Purchase' closed a one- week stand at the American Satur- day (24) with a sock b.o. take. With the house scaled to $3.80, eight per- formances grabbed estimated $27,000. House had been dark, for tWo weeks and Xife With Fathe*' a block away stood up very week, getting $15,700. In three and one-half weeks total was $53,000. Noel Coward's comedy, 'Blithe Spirit,' opened, one week stand at the American last night (Monday). House is scaled to $2.80. "THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER" "YOU'RE IN THE ARMY NOW" - WARNER BROS. Mat. LOU CLAITOM