Variety (Sep 1942)

S7 Rtdni^ From Left Fidd A pinball, canUv^ and pitchmen^s -weeltly, which broadly calls ItseM a theatrloai paper, has been struggling lor some semblance of digsity viUh more accepted amosement news. Ibe latest Is fte 'no opinion' ratings of ttie dramatic critics, prfaned obvloiidy to coinride wXQi Qte o^enlDg ol the new legK season. drama, critics' box iicot« -was created by 'Variety' in 1S23-24 and bas been an anmnl dqartment In this paper since. "Variety' was the first to point up the "no ctpinion' Jiablt among the dr«ma critics in (oimer years, on tiie premise, chiefly, that the average lay reader followis a critic—play, film or otherwise—lor a definite appraisal of the entertainment valnes, lUs bo opinion* problem bas long ceased to be one, and In the June appraisals of the 1941-42 season there was a minimum of this vaccilating. Wfaldi, of course, mAes the eamy gazette's story that much cornier, apart from being a deUberate lilt. Saroyaa Adks "Variety' to Name ffim ^GreatestJlaywri^* of 'Em Al By SACK rVUiSEl •Vrbf doesn't 'Variety' break «U>wn and sa^ BUI Saroyan is the greotert. playwrigfat of ttaem all?' asked Saro- yan witbsut the suggestion of a wink. When his two short plays, 'Across the Board on Tomorrow Morning' and Talking To You,' vanned from tite a e lasco, S. Y., after one lean week, a veporter re- moifced be bad hoped the attraction would fast becaase the auQior was; live copy. Author readily admitted that, last Saroyan was queried auout a re- port &at be would produce tiie ool- oi«d musical, 'Elmer and Llly^. *With what?' was his ^uick comeback. Tve got no money; only debts; now I want to get enough coin to pay oU with. Otherwise Tm just waiting around to be called in the draft. But I do wish to square myself with those I owe and also to pay taxes.' Indicating that l>e is all washed UP as a manager, but never as an author, Saroyan is vei7 touchy about Hollywood and squawked over an item in 'Variety' wiiich reported one company's message that it was not interested in any of his scripts. Saroyan cannot }iR^^9c:&j^jy^t?\. lywood will pay labulons money for Broadway plays, but passes up his; 'Time of Your Utf'. He mention^ tlie iact that 4t won the Pulitzer prize, but carefully fails to rec^' tliat when the ^,000 award was sent him he sent the ^leck 'back. Chances ot collecting 'Qie prize money now are not so good, yet it's an idea. Wbat'a n Ml Atont? Charles Stewart, who was the general manager of Saroyan's two- play production, earned ills salary last week running around and get- ting the accounts in order. Saroyan admitted he didn't know what tt was ■n about, so far the business end of his "preset' was concerned. There was an argument over production costs whichTntceedtu the bnaget ^nd estimates, so he fired the staff, but there w^re contracts which he had . to fulfill, so most of the people were retained on the payroll. Saroyan's manner generally indi- cates that be can take it, even from the critics who originally built him up. He first approximated his loss at $12,000, but ttaere was a recount and the red approximated $9,000. Understood that tbe plays ^>eFated at very little cost. Highest salary in either oast was $75 (weekly), thtft probably goaag to Casada- !«•, IJk colored actor who was the main man in both ploys. There were one or two $60 players, the balance get- ting $90, which is ftis S!<inlty min- imum. Fact that he engaged modQy people wlM never were on the -Stage h^ore explains why m many had contracts tor vnlnimmn. However, his idea was to raise the pay if tbe project clicked. Saroyan did that when his 'The Beautiful People' played the Lyceum. ItiBt was the time he gave patrons their money batik if they came to thb bexofflce and said fhey didnt like the ^w. Kicflcback lasted about two weite, these vcho aslced lor ftte i^und mostly -having sat In the gal- lery. Hollywood, Sept. L Fall production on Broadway ef mi^cal 'Stovepipe Hat,' goes in preparation with arrival there this week of Ray Golden, who stages, ami Harold Spina, conqMser of score.. Golden's last presentation here was 'Our Town.' 'Stovepipe' is slated lor.a Tbanks ^iqg opening in V. Y. WN DEMANDS SWAMP UIGIT MANAGERS Now a* tGraat' tevyaa BonywDOd, Sept 1. Hollywood has changed its opinion ot WlUiam Saroyan, at least at ^letro. Se was eased off the lot Bfter oollecting around $60|D00, but now lliey are readying the author's script 'The Human Comedy' and ex- pect it 1o be the top picture of the 1W2-48 season. Clarence Brown will direct when Howard ilstabrook completes some Association of llieatrical Agests & Jlsnageni went up against a stone wall when its committee met with -Sie managers last week in an effo rt to secure a pvy boost. Board of fbe V«»'.Tt>flt. J^»>qtrM.\nrti-. cated that liieBhowidwn ^htmght that, agents and nnanagrrs were being' paid wen cfioagh. Ibey ymtt <S| mere weekly. ATAM tliinkB dil- ietentty and will atten^t to cet action on Ibe clause of their jnst ex- pired basic Agreement, wtaidh stipu- lates that a huddle on Uie tilt would he in order if flie cost of living arose. It was agreed, however, tltat the old agreement should ^ ke^ in force nntn the issue is finally de- cided, but, if increases are finally negotiated, the changed scale is to be retroactive as of Lalxkr Bay (7). Neitber side appears to want arbi- tration at this time. ATAM Agures that any decision by tint reute would be .fin^ and is angling to use mediation, winch can be federal, state or private. Union Isvors tite latter. method, having in mind the right to later place the issue before the constituted state or federal boards. A panel may be named by Milton R. Weinberger and Sidney Cofan, who are r^>ectively attorneys for tite managers and ATAM. Panel would not settle the argument, tnit tts function would be to name the mediator. League and tiie musicians nnion made same progress in negotiating a new pay schedule. Union wanted a 20% boost and was oSered srennd 7%. Muaidans came back with a 1S% suggestion, with the matter set- tled by Sie offer and acceptance of 10%. 'New contract, however, has Jiot been completed. Musicians de- manded that 20 be the minimum number of men in the pit for houses of 1,000 seats or more, witii the msm- Bgers insistent 'fiiat tlie present figure of at least W men should be retained. Union eouBtered by dropping the 'demand to I'B men, with -ttie man- agers saying no again, so further negotiation is necessary. Treasurers and ticket sellers are also out for an Increase, that union liaving asked for 10% more. At the League's board meeting last week, most of the showmen present were producers and the ticSrot men's re- quest was not considered, as theirs is a matter strictly lor house owners or operators. Treasurers now get $85 weekly, with assistants getting $60. Ir4er Faces Cbifes For Tio1a&igN.T. Code; €flKL80Per(ir*Anny First sedODE case of N. T. agencies ^eCKdly overcharging In the sale of tickets is tieaig tharoogiUy in- vestigated by the enloroement l>eard of the legit tidBet code. Matter oon- oems the reported exaction af $&M eadi «n an unknown number of tidtets lor 'This Is the Army' at the Broadway. Whether the board has definite proof of the violatian of boSi the oode and 6>e state law, both limit- ing premiums to "Sc plus tax over the boxoiTice price. Is not certain, but a complaint was made. 'Amiy' has a t(9 of $4.40 at tt^ baxaffioe. Alleteedts ai ^tets are be made to overdai^e md tbat asendes pay ttc en each ticket beck to tbe bosnffioe, QuA coin gomg into ttoe Army Emer- gtnqf Belief Fmd. About a score of agemties were oilglnaUy allotted ^Anny' tidKts and, as there is so return piteQeee, it is vintoally a -%uy.' Bepoited that eight broken were dropped ti; 4ie sliow_3aan8e- ment for one cause or another. One agency said a pair of tii&ets to an- otiier ttiat was not on tbe 'Army' list and was est oiL Broker onder enspldon liaE ap- peared before the cede bcoo'd twice, accompanied b^ an attorney after -file first eesdon. Exai i tlBa tien was not completed tq> to yesterday <Taesday). Brc3cer in qaesQon dgned the oode, but the code peo- ple have net revealed Ins identity pending final disposition of i&e BlacEhaO Jaoies Afenoles Several Broadway agenrileB han- dling tictets for the Brooklyn (Oodgeis) ball games at £bbets Field have been having trouble with the maiagement thr o ug h arbitrary rules of Larry MacPlail, who oper ates the outfit Because some Brooklyn ^ecs overcharged, he or- dered that any Ian with tickets stamped by a brcdser be Kfused ad- mission. Harry Skack of the Rialto agency wiiieh is inteiwitad In fite ticket bOBtfti at Deitnianicd% is under re- puted cliaig e s in connectkm with <aie BrooWy n game s. $ra>e ftiej patron paid taace Hum TScftt^OBiom which the stipulation on Mx tidKts IB tiie ItseeA Umit or whetlier there wu a idanipin g trrcsfflarity, was net made dear. Big Legit B O. Season in Sight Everywhere; War Con Bin; %bice'toiLy.m LIStercis,kiX«tt Hollywood, Sept 1. Geoices Banyai goes east "ttiis weekend to ready a ai ' oadway pro- diiction ef Seep Your Olstanoe,' v^ch he tried out tiiis suuuuei at his Del Monte (Gal.) stcawhat ttiea- tre. K. T. Stevens and Ian Keith, who played the leads in tbe tryoat may do ttem in New Toik. revisions. Exec who originally rated the author's stuff highly therefore wins out, after some associates mas- terminded him out of the idea. miPioHAyE RECORD NO. QFANGEI5 Mn&nQumiNi unutxaTHacHT Minneapolis, Sept. 1 In 'the good old days' the legit season always started here the first week in Septeml>er and continued with litUe or no interruption throughout the fall and winter, Nuw Septen^r bas rolled around and Leo Murray has only one defi- nite and several 'tentative' bookings for his Lyceum, roadshow house a record low for so late in the year. Tbe definite booking is Ethel Barrymore in The Com Is Green' lor November. Tentative ones are 'Angel Street' and 'Watch on the Jttine,' also for well along in the winter. JAiis situation is oonSidered all the more 'Strang' in view of tiie fact that show business generally here is a; its highest point in more than 12 years Stage shows at the Orplieum frtA the night clubs have been ^chalking vp record grosses. Loop film theatres and niterles have not made so mudi money Since the 1928 boom times. Main reason for Uie excellent business is the fact that employ- ment is at an exceptionally high level and wages and salaries are hitting all-time tops. Another factor is the fine crops of tiie past several years, together witii the soaring farm prioes, which have increased entertalnnient purchasing power tre- mendously. 'Strip for Ac flo n ,' beinc prednoed by Oscar Seilin, Howard Lindsay and BuBsel Crouse, will «»tnKii«ifc a new high reoond lor tlie mimher of backers. Xbe bacloer-allitude mark is generally credited to. 'Ar' eenie and Old Lace,^ which lists 23 tting wecftcty statements and 3bb^ profit ehette. Hiat mopper- 'i9Per was pioduoed by Lindsay and Cronse. SerHn piodnced TMber' with Qie aid of-anound a doaen backers. Known that tiie 'Arsenic' angels axe in on "Strip' and ite atoted that some, if not all, of tbe 'Father' back- ers are also in on the. new comedy with music. That shouU place ttie' total of persons witii pieces of !Stiip' above tl^ 30 mark. •Strq)' is budgeted lor $60)080 in prodoctien money, doiriile' ' amount set iar -'Araenic.' BaAers ace weU amane &at because of large cast of Strip' the profits will not be as ~si«at as witii 'Father' or 'Arsenic,' granted tbat tiie new sliow clicks. 'Arsenic' bakers didnt get check last moi^, but a mdon lor August wiU be distribnted. Profit in Los Angeles is expected to better $15,000 and further. dates to be played out there look like plen^ of easy money. Before the show winds up aroimd New Year's, when the film version is due, there should be more healtliy profit che^ dis- tributed. More picture money is due and there is around $25,000 on de- posit as salary guarantees at Equity and other unions. On tlie basis oC reports and lacts from tbe Coast wihere two l^t diows are cleaning op, and Ibe monnting business on Broadway, 4>a mason of 1942-43 tm bi^ prospects of prosperity. Other points, too, are known to be diawiing them to 4te bOKOtfice. As for N. V., it seems oitly to be a matter of w^befliei Ibe lucujiung diows hOT% wlmt it Istaes, As indicated before, ttie class of plays being tvadied is distinotly «n tbe bri^ side. It app e m ' t that mon^ earned in jfiar plasts adod aBied industries is flnally getting into wide corovQation. Free spending has been aatio^>ated lor tbe past year,- 'but now it an actmlity. Tast sima are flowing from WnShlngtoB into a(D .types of pOants and to aB types of ^ratkers. At least a stdistantaal peraeiAaga of ttaoae oitloens are Agured to stasi- tate to the metPspaUs for varytaig periods. If not, ftey dniild flguse in tbeatne patronage lin fiieir looal <sam- mnnities. Siowmra bade Cram flie load soy that ppo^eots lor MiaH t Fl - oals out «tf town are even itaritfiter and mme definite Sian in K. T. ISieiie is an aiaeinplaymeilt prob- lem in N. Y. that dees not eaiiBt lOut rwa. Big aluies in .sonie eittes are adverting Inr faei^, no capest-' ence nwnniBwiy <or part or dnll-time jobs, doe to so nany of tlieir em- pk^ees liaving gone into w wfaene ilibe pay is Bven am- tels in dfiier cities are shont-banded •tor tiie same reason. Tlat exfOains why aervice is tasdy and mnder standard, waiters, letc, oipllaining they ai« over-woEked. In Coast -citleB it is mist idflfflcnlt to get botel accommodations. As lor restaurants, if persons do .not tenter by Ave in the aftemmm 'fiiey onnst wait lor long periods befose talng seatol, and then Hae lane dsiitt wOmt it should be. Even Army and Kavy officers have .been unable to get sleeping qiiartfrs and these are in- stances where tliey iiave s^pt on park Itenobes 9or eenetOl i«t^ti«T SuaineBs ■drewn tif tCtamdia' «Dd 'Arsenic and Old I<aae' an lies An- Celes and San Ilcanoisco, nespoc- tively, iias been itte ^flrst i^c-a^ener on what tbe new eeason poittends. Same goes lor other Coast Jhows, suidi as Sliow Tirnf' M3eai:0e;Je»el), vaudeville trick cnmsntty lin Sntsco and slated lor tte SreodtuiEst SI. Y, Sept i6; and 'Olackeuts <at OB/ vauder, in Hollywood. CUnago is doing aU riglit loo, and wben tiesh .shows reaxdi tbe Loop Aew sbtnUd get heavy grosses. Bwstow Wttk Sbubeits Chicago, Sept. 1. Dick Barstow, former vaude dancer, who has been assistant to Merriel Abbott at the Palmer House, producing the shows for the Bmpire Room, goes to N. Y. this week to Join the Shuberts. Barstow's first assignment will probably be to rehearse the chorus routines for the road company of 'Hellzapoppin,' which opens at the Erlanger here JSept 28. Tnie, Race aid Cui' Agn Joe flvwd, Is Dk for a Reraral Success^f the oldie 'Ladies Night' in Oiicago may have inspired the idea to dig up The Time, The Place and Tbe Girl,' whidi originated in the Loop. T^iat and other intimate musical comedies were produced by Mort Singer and the late Harry Askin, who presented those shows in Hie La Salle 'Oieatre. 'Hie shows were toured from there and wide territory was covered, but tbe near- est tiiey ever got to Broadway was Phfladelpbis. The managers had the idea fliat if Hie shows were good enon^ for N. Y. the critics might pull out 'flielr hammers because the shows were made by out of towners. Joe E. Howard, who appeared in the original Time' cast is to be starred in the revival. In 'Qie origi- nal oast with him were the late Cecil Cean and Florence Holbrook. Jules D. Gersene, former Parisian producer, is named as the presenter of the antic^Mted 'Time'. •Smui' It SeU Philadelphia, Sept 1. "Susan and God,' starring Ilka Chase, which opened. yesterday (Mon.) at the Bucks' County Play- bouse Bt the Bellevue-Stratford hotel, will be held over for a sec- ond week. It's the first time any play has received a holdover sesh at the Playhouse. PossUe Bove Siort«e ProDvtsShiikrislB^Ml Increasing business tempo tflong Broadway bolsters ttie idea Ibat some of tbe new season's produc- tions will not find tt ea^ to secure theatres. First indication of 'fliat possibility is that the Slniberts are again be<rfch:g the Hudson, wiiich ttey turned back to the baiik. Stated that although the firm was playing sale and attempting not to caught with too many dotk tfae- s on its hands, there was a string to the transaction of turning the house back to ttw mortgqge facMers,. so that the Shuberts recapture the booking rights. Deals wtth banks' call for the man- agers to guarantee tlie fixed Aaises and splHt the profits. That jAan is said to go for the Hudson, Belasco and Windsor. Belasco deal las sfbout expired,' but a renews! is Hkely. First booking for tiie Hudson ttls fall is "Uncle Harry*, which moves there from (he Broadbuist Sept. 14. nniERGEISENGUSi London, Sept 1. Gilbert MDIer has booi^ Anier< ican rights to Tiifeline,' which was produced here by Linnit tc Dunfee In association with David Hanley, EngHsh representative of Myron Selzniek. Miller intends staging It on Broadway this season witti Co- lumbia Picts'' bankroUhil. He has also cabled for script of 'Escort,' liy Patrick Hastings, Just produced by Alec Rea in assoclotlen with Jack Hylton and Basil Deoti.