Variety (July 1942)

52 UGITIMATE Wednesday, Jolj 8, 1942 'Garter $24,000. Newest B'way dick; 'Jupiter $27 JO, Now Tops List Visitor Influx over the Fourth was mostly by train and bus. The better hotels did not fill up as expected. Most legit shows dropped, tradi- tiooally, over this holiday, two musi- calj getting $4,000 less than previous weeic 'By Jupiter' leads the list; 'Star and Garter' is a real winner; 'Stars on Ice' also looks lilte a click, while 'This Is The Army' should be • cinch. The vaude shows skidded. Estimates for Last Week Keys: C ^Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy-DTama), R (Rcvue>, AI (itfusical), O (Operetta). 'Ansel Street,' Golden (30th week) (D-789; $3.30). The run shows were on the down side last week; no ex- ception for Imported meller, rated around $8,500. . 'Arsenic and. Old Lace,' Fulton (76th week) (CD-838; $3.30). Dropped to'$10,000, or less, which was new low mark for holdover nearing the year and one-haU mark; still figured to stick through summer. •Blithe Spirit.' Booth (35th week) (CD-712; $3.30). Not oflf as-mach as some others; takings around $10,000, which is also a new low gross level; also expected to stick. 'Broken Joamey,' Miller (2d week) (CD-940; $3.30). Hardly expected to play after this week; takings rated .under $3,000, which indicates slim chance for betterment. 'By Jupiter,' Shubert (5th week) (M-1,325; $4.40). Newest Broadway leader; sold out all performances except n^atinees aiid thea not ma- terially off; quoted at $27,200. 'Gnest In the House,' Plyniouth. Yanked abruptly Saturday (4), after playing 19 weeks to moderate, coin; ''lately away under normal. 'Junior Hiss,' Lyceum (35th .week) (CD-lfiM; $3.30). Dipped to around $11,000, -which is lowest gross mark lor straight play leader; not worry- ing about this one, however, and should pick up by middle of month. •Life With Father,' Empire (13Bth week) (C-1,082; $3.30). Long stayer also slipped and was quoted at $9,700; also a low for show, which should bounce back and is expected to play Into, new season. •Let's Face It,' Imperial (36th week) (M-l,45i(); $4.40). Was socked, dropping to $23,500, with manage- ment disappointed after holding to big .money for long period; lays off for monthj starting July 16. •My Sister Eileen,' BUtmore (80th week) (CD-891; $3.30). Went off with Held; takings approximated $7,<X)0; lowest figure since opening; also figured to come back and sticli. 'Sons o' Fun,' Winter Garden (31st week) (CD-1,S19; $4.40). Another musical ' that marlcedly slumped; gross was estimated around $23,000 for revue, which was once Broad- way's topper. 'Star and Garter,' Music Box (2d week) (R-991; $4.40). Looks like good .thing; standees at most peir formances last week; takings slightly over $24,000, which is more than capacity; was bit oft at Thursday matinee liecause of heavy rain 'Stars on Ice,' Center (M-3,000 $1.C5). Opened last Thursday (2) and drew strong press; Saturday matinee was a seUout and indications are new skating revue will duplicate •It Happens on Ice,' predecessor. 'Dnole Harry,' Broadhurst (6th week) (D-1,142; $3.30). Started as a moderate grosser and still classed that way; dipped last week, when the gross was estimated around $9,000. Added tbit Is the Army,' Broadway (R 1,942; $4.40). Opened to a $40,000 take Saturday (4); that figure in eluded ticket donations; top was $27.50; close to sellout Sunday; can gross $46,000 weekly if capacity is ■ drawn. 'Claudia.'. St. James (return en- fagement) (6th week) (C-1,520; 1.65). Few weeks mere the,-i starts for Coast; business, for repeat date at low scale has been satisfactory; rated around $8,500 last we^k. Vaude-Revnes •Laufh, Town, Laugh,' Alvln (1,- 357; $2.20). Slipped to $17,500 or less; Sunday attendance was particularly disappointing; newest vaude outfit expected to pick ujC. 'Priorities of 1942,' 46th St. (15th week) (1,347; $2.20). Rated around $15,500 last week; low for engage- ment,'but management expects sum- mer span. Revivals •Porgy and Bess,' Majestic (24th week) (M-1,774; $2.75). Hit skids for first time and was estimated around $14,000; at that level profit was prob- ably earned, however; ticket sale better early this week. 'Chocolate Soldier,' Carnegie Hall <2d week) (M-2,760; $2.20). Getting real money in spot outside theatre district; after fine starting week of over $20,000, paceeased to $16,600 the.second, week; The Merry Widow* follow& next Tuesday.. , , . WE,' GOOD i&M HELPED BY SUN. IN HUB Boston, July 7. 'Watch on the Rhine' showed good strength in its second week here, and 'My Sister Eileen,' given a shove by the Colonial's new cooling system, continued at a handy pace. 'Eileen' is in its sixth week and is slated to remain until July 18 Estimates for Last Week ■Watch On the Rhine,' Majestic (2d week) (1,600;,$1.65). Perked up by good Sunday night sendoll for sec- ond frame, hltUng about $8,500. ■My Sister Eileen,' Colonial (5th week) (1,650; $1.65). StiU doing all right as a summer show, at popular pnces. Went to $7,500 • last week with two to go. 'CAFE'. $8,000. SLOW IN CHI Pby on Broadway STARS ON ICE Ic» akatlnff revue In two parts pr«Mnt«d nt th« Center, N. T.. July 2, '-12. by Sonja Henle Sc Arthur M. Wlrti; executive direc- tor, William H. Burke; mualo by Paul McCmne: lyrlce by AI Stillman; ataged by Catherine LIttleneld; akatlne direction by May Judela; coetumei by Luclnda Ballard; settings by Bruno Maine; |1.6S top. . Chicago, July 7. 'Cafe Cro-wn' got away slowly In the Selwyn last week, with the no- tices mixed and without any selling points. 'My Sister Eileen' was also off a bit last week, but that is to be expected after 40 weeks In town, seven weeks on this return visit Estimates for Last Week 'Cafe Crown,' Selwyn (1st week) (1,000; $2.75). Opened on Tuesday (30) and on short week managed so- so $8,000, most oh opening night and July 4 weekend. Doesn t figure to stick. Good Night Ladles,' Blackstone (12th week) (1,200; $2.75). There are only a few empties on Monday and Tuesday; rest of the week is solid and turn-away. Smashed through again at $16,500. •My Sister Eileen,' Harris (7th week) (1,000; $1.65). Dipped a UtUe bit more last week, but still good at $8,500 and lowered admission. No in- dication of quitting the burg. 1 Vander OK $16^00 In UL, But Ken Murray Phis Gilbert N.G. ROOO Los Angeles, July 7. Vaude-revues are in two out of the three lighted legit houses h^re, with Fred Finklehoffe's 'Show Time' two- a-day at the Biltmore continuing a steady pace to tab estimated $16,500 in third week on 16 performances. The Ken Murray-Billy Gilbert 'Blackouts of 1942' is heading for only $7,000 on second week at the new El Capitan in Hollywood, at- taining that figure mainly on holiday biz over weekend. Healthy 13th week for 'Life With Father.' at the small-capacity Holly- wood Music Box, hit approximately $9,500, with ads calling last times; but biz good 'enough to go at least another week. Closing notice has Ijeen posted for past tour weeks, but management will hold on as long as piece continues to catch customers. Liter a ti Play Out of Town COCKTAILS, 5 TO 7 Detroit, July 7. Shuberts' mualcal comedy In two acts book and lyrics by Rowland Leigh; music by Jeon Schwartz; staged by Leigh- dances. Booth McKenna. At Cass, Detroit July 0, '42: $2.75 top. Cast:' Ruth Bond, Jack Good, Bobble Morris, Vlckl George, Loralne DeWood, Chet Brce, Morton Bowr, Cbarmalne, Jack Coyle, Hal Conklln, Betty Lou, Charlotte Lansing, Evelyn Oaks. Wtth plentv of room and reason for trimming, as well as the use of a little soap, 'Cocktails, 5 to 7' can turn into a smooth entertainment. With Charmaine moving out of the grind houses, Michael Todd was Just a . leap ahead of the Shuberts in bringing burlesque into the higher- priced, circles with this musical comedy. Opeping ran until close to midnight and can be peeled down, like. Charmaine, with equal results. It could be a nice rowdy romp and probably will get closer to that ideal when the book, particularly at the end of the first act, is tightened up and the. comedy emerges more from the story than at present. Firstniphters relished the strung out spicy plot which has Vlcki George as the mistress of a New Orleans cafe and Morton Bowe, banker- philariderer, as her backer,. Along comes Hal Conklin, naive writer, who (ancles her pure as a lily; then (Continued on 'page 55) •.f «<l-i .1- ■>' ! The Center was a problem theatre around Radio City until Arthur M. Wirtz, Chlcagoan teamed with Sonja Henie, came #long with 'It Happens on Ice,' an ice skating revue that played on and on except for an In- terruption or two. They now come forth with a new rink show that is distinctly ahead of its predecessors, both in production and in skating ]>erformance, with indications that it; too, will turn the trick indefinitely. During a preparatory period of some weeks, G. S. Eysse}!. managing director of the Music Hall and the Center, enlarged the ice surface and Installed a new decor for what would be the proscenium arqh, also attrac- tive niches for the show's singers at the sides on the balcony level. Wil- liam H. Burke, \Jho is quarterback In the Wirtz setup, was in charge of rehearsals. For a time, when 'It Happens' wasn't doing any too well, the head men huddled and decided to establish a scale at $1,65 top. Same price prevails now, except at week- ends, and theory that the natural draw of Radio City would ensure Center patronage proved correct. Stars* is a talent- show with a flock of specialists in action. First night performance was overlong and one or two specialty turns could go out, but there Is so much good stuff in the performance that It shouldn't miss. Catherine Littlefleld, who fig- ured as stager in the previous Center ice shows and in World's Fair spec- tacles, has delivered another excel- lent Job. Miss Littlefleld's staging stands out first in 'Juke Box,' an ensemble nov- elty with several featured leads. An- other attractive ensemble group is a fox chase, with line boys lifting girls over fences and such. 'Jack Frost Reverie,' first part finale, is one of the excellent production numbers. ^Opening the second part. 'Pan- Americana' is quite close to top mti^cal comedy production numbers. 'Autumn Leaves' and 'Smart Set' are still others, while 'Victory Ball,' the finale, is most striking both in color scheme and splendid costuming. A novelty production number is a bow to the gin rummy craze. For the production numbers, Vi- vienne Allen is the songstress, not on .skates, and sometimes duets w^ith Jack Kilty. Mary Jane Yeo, fi:Uie skater'who was in the last show too, has some warbling assignments. The orchestra is in action almost through- out and. figures prominently in the going, with David Mendoza baton- mg. AI Stillman and Paul McGrane supplied the score and have got something in 'Jukebox Saturday Night' and "There WiU Be a Big Broad Smile.' Stillman did some of the lyrics in the previous ice revue also; he's a sort of poet laureate around Radio City, where he's on the Music Hall creative staff. The standout skaters are Carol Lynnie and Skippy Baxter. Miss Lynne's first appearance is with a Russian routine which stamps her quality. She clicks with Baxter in the autumn number, crack work for both. Baxter and Hertha Grossman team excellently, too, in the JacK Frost number. Gracefulness-on- steel-runners-department has such performers as Edwina and Cliff Thaell, Bob and Peggy-Whight, Helga and Inpe Brandt, Doroth-y Caley and Fritz Dletl, Mayita Montez, who clicks with a samba in the Pah- American number, Dorothy Caley, Buster Grace and Charles Slagle, Alex Hurd. Senorita Montez is de- scribed as the first big time skater from Argentina. Standout comedy single is Freddie Trenkler, who speeds all over the ice and cuts up the surface with his fancy stops. Trenkler was with Miss Henie's 'Hollywood Ice Revue' two years- ago, but broke a leg and was laid up for repairs last season. The Four Bruises, former English hockey players, are, back, down next to closing ^gain to a big score. "The boys are Sidney Spalding, Geoffrey Stevens, Monte Scott and Buster Grace. There is a new cornedy trio called the Three Rookies who were line -skaters last season. They framed up a comedy soldier turn which scores early, the lads being Donald Arthur, Meryl Baxter and Neil Rose. Trenkler and Dletl (later a stilt skater) team up for a comedy num- ber billed as Southern Caners, for- mer, being a. Topsy, and It Is okay, but Dr. A: Douglas Nelles, with a single comedy, turii, didn't get across. * Surprise performance comes-from a kid, called Twinkle Watts, a blonde girl o'f seven who does most of the feats on skates that adult skaters ac- complish. Tot comes 'from Florida, but she learned to 'skate in New York. They thought so much of her that she is on for a solo and per- haps is on a bit too much. At tunes Miss Watts works with Paul Castle, a comic who is but four feet high, Just p llttlQ higher as the cracker Ingersoll's BUat After keeping personally mum for weeks on his local Selective Service Board's decision- to draft him, Ralph IngersoU, editor of PM. opened up with at least one barrel Monday (8). Paced by Walter Winchell'i announcement, Sunday night, of a story concerning In- gersoU's drafting to break In Tu^- day's PM, the editor called about 15 of New York's radio commen- tators together Monday, answered all their questions and gave them gal- ley proofs of a 4,000-word letter to the draft board pointing out, via their own words, prejudices ex- pressed against PM. Ingersoll, set for a bearing before the board last night (Tuesday), asked that the members disqualify themselves and let a less prejudiced board decide the case: He added verbally, -to the commentators: 'If I were on a board hearing Capt Patterson's appeal, Td certainly dis- qualify myself.' (Patterson is pub- lisher of the New York News, Isola- tionist tab which has ' repeatedly struck at PM and Ingersoll). IngersoU cited one - member of the board as rhetorically querying him: "Don't you think It would be a fitting climax to PM's career to have It end with your being dratted Into the Army as a private?' and 'Wouldn't your, competitors laugh if PM went out of business as a re- sult of your being inducted?' He in turn demanded of the board in his letter: 'Were you thinking of your country then? And of -how your your decision might best serve It? Or were you thinking of using your position-^nd my position—to put the newspaper PM out of business?' Commentators at the Interview Monday were almost unanimous In urging that IngersoU let go both barrels by looking Into the back- groimd of the board-rwhich he has refused to do. Two of the mfen re- vealed that they had personaUy done some Investigating and of- fered -facts that would definitely mark the board as prejudiced against the newspaper and Its editor. SEP Going for NovelettcB Saturday Evenlng^Post proposes entering into a new policy In coi;i< nSction with stories. Understood the weekly will soon start using one- shots, novelettes of betweoi 20,000 and 30,000 words. New management evidently wiU adapt the Idea of some other magazines, which found one- shots to be circulation builders. SEP originaUy built its reputation and circulation upon serials, but the power of such insertions to maintain reader Interest appears to be topped by complete stories. Post is reported to have purchased four novelettes. Remuneration to authors ranges between $2,000 and $10,000 and It Is figured the average price wUl be around $5,000. - Picture and other rights are retained by the writers as in the past, although SEP frowns on the radio use of yarns by iL<: contributors. Florida Dally qnlU Florida State News. TaUahassee morning daUy, has suspended publl. cation for duration. Publisher John Tapers said 'advent of the war pro. vided- the finishing touch,' foUowinj two years' financial losses. He credited suspension to decreased revenues and Increased production costs. Daily Democrat, pubUshed by Capital City Publishing company also owner of State News, will ab- sorb discontinued daUy's staff. LITERATI OBITS Mrs. Sosan B. Eppea, 96, author of two books after the age t)f 75, died July 2 in Tallahassee, Fla. Lnolen . Frank, 87, purchasing agent for the New York Times for the past 29 years, died July 2 In- tJew -York. Dr. Charles Flelseher, 71, lecturer, - writer and former editor, died July 2 In-New .York. He had once been' editor of the editorial page of the former N. Y. Amerclan. His early activities also included radio work - as a commentator over CBS. Dr. Fleischer was origlnaUy a rabbi at Temple Israel. Leon Dandet, 75, French author and formerly co-editor of the Royal> ist newspaper. L'Actlon Francalse, died July 1 In Salnt-Remy de -Province. . France. Known as a fascist,' Daudet died while at work on his 40th book. Joseph S. Base, 52, Prince Albert, Sask., newspaperman, died there June 28. James Bailey Crosby, 87, former newspaper publisher, died Jime 29 in Los Angeles.after a long Illness, Deceased published the. Irvlngton (N; Y.) Courier for many years and organized one of the first newspaper syndicates in New York State. Thomas J. O'Neill, 68, newspaper* than for over 30 years, died June 23 In .New Brighton, S. I, Once co- owner of the Austin American, Aus- tin, Texas. O'NeiU bad helped found Newsdom,- a' publication for news* papermen. He. had served on the ad< vertising staffs of the World, The- Globe and The American In New York and had been advertising man- ager of the old New York Evening Mail. Boy E. Norton, 72, author, explorer and playwright, died June 28 in Freeport, L. L ' Bnth Bnrr Sanborn. 47, noveUst and short story writer, died June 29 in Southern Pines, N. C. Thomas H, WeUon. 75, editor of the Plattsburg Dally Press for over 25 years, died June 30 in Plattsburg, N. Y. John Mills Imrle. 68, who retired last fall as managing director and vice-president of the Edmonton Journal, Edmonton. Alberta, died in his sleep Jime 19. Marian ^pltier Hag-Wrttlng Marian Spltzer, who lately devoted most of her time -writing tor radio, is again active In scripting for the magazines. Her latest story, 'Memo to Maggie', has been accepted by Good Housekeeping and-will appear in an autumn issue. Writer Is also working.on a serial . In collalMration with Elliott Ar- nold, -former N. Y. World-Telegram by-liner now In uniform, MUs Spltzer wrote 'The Mystery Caravan,' de- signed as a musical picture not yet secured by a studio. Miss Spltzer, formerly on the staff of 'Variety', is Mrs. Harlan .Thompson In private life. She's also doing an Irving Ber- lin for next Sunday's (12) N.Y. Times captioned Twice In a Lifetime,' re- fering ig both soldier stage shotvs written by Berlin. CHATTEB Irina Skari^tina en route to Rus- sia to cover for Collier's. Lifeut Robert Eisner, Free French soldier, has finished 'Libyan Retreat,' a tale of desert warfare .In North Africa. ' Stephen Longstreet's novel, The Gay Sisters,' has been serialized In 612 newspapers as a plug for War- ners film veriilon. Curtis Slodmak. currently script- ing at Universal, ^ned out a nenr mystery novel, "Donovan's Brain, for pubUcation -by Knopf in au- tumn. Charles Bennett wUl edit the mc^ tion picture section of New World -Encyclopedia when he finishes his screen writing Job on 'Rurales' at P^ramoimt ,. "Junior HIbs' Suit LilUan Day, writer, has filed suit In N.. Y. federal. court claiming plaigiarism against SaUy Benson, author of 'Jtmlor Miss', publisher Random House, Inc., together with Max Gordon, producer of the cur- rent Broa'dway stage hit and the adapters, Jerome Choderov and J0> seph Fields. I'he action seeks a restraining order and accounting of profits. - Miss Day's complaint aUfeges the book and the play Infringed on her series of eight copyrighted stories which appeared In. Photoplay, a Macfadden pubUcatton. between September, 1038 and November, 1940. Miss Benson's book was pub- Ushed by Random House In May, 1940. • ■ ■ ■ 1 1 11 l\l I .>|.>.- ... • ...'.(;>. - mCAR' SWEET 19iG IN 1ST 10DET.DAYS Detroit, July 7. Topping aU previous grosses on bargain-rate drama, BUlIe Burke in 'The Vinegar Tree' clicked through for estimated huge $19,500 in the- first. 10 days at the Shubert-La- fayette. The. comedy stUl Is big as It heads into its third week at $1.50 top. Season still continues late here, with the Cass relighting Monday night (6) with the premiere of the Shuberts' 'Cocktails Five to Seven'. New musical, with the libretto by Rowland Leigh and music by Jean Schwartz, fgrmerJ^.w^-title^ 'Mar'" .(Jra^*, ., :..--v.-7<'.''!? • ■ • '