Variety (Sep 1942)

We^esdaj. September 9t 1942 uroixnuTE *t Ned Wayburn, Top IHiracal Stager OfZiegfeldEra.DiesmN.Y.atli8 By JACK PULASKI Ned Wayburn, a well known In theatricals during another era, died in his Riverside Drive apartment in N. Y. last Wednesday (2). He was known to have been asthmatic and it was stated he was ill for eight months. Given age was 68, though general impression is that the stager was somewhat older. Wayburn was closely identifled with the late Flo Ziegfeld for a number of seasons, dating back 20 years and more, but he was a pro- ducer on his own in legit and in vaudeville's sunnier days. His school of dancing was established shortly after the. turn of the century and proved an ace in the hole. He was closely aligned, too, with Klaw & Erlanger when they came among the toppers in show business. His contributions to the musical comedy stage were many, but Way- burn will always be identifled with developing the tap dancing style of ensemble prancing. Girls had to be good dancers to get the nod in any of the numerous musicals he directed. The combination of step- ping ponies and a line of showgirl lookers went far in establishing Ziegfeld'a 'Follies' of 1916, 1919, 1922 and 1923. Somewhat similarly. Way- burn Inserted his formula in The Passing Shows' for the Shulierts. ..Alfred de'Courville sent from Lon- don for Wayburn in 1913, but the first musical he staged over there was booed off the stage and so was he. De Courville had faith in Way- burn, however, and, having taken over the London Hippodrome, en- gaged him to stage 'Hello Ragtime.' London Click When English audiences like a show they say so With enthusiasm and they certainly liked 'Ragtime.' Curtain after curtain rose and fell to acclaim, but there was no Way- burn. He had gone up the street with the crack: 'Tell 'em to go to hell.' They lured him back, however, and he was accorded an ovation that he never forgot. In the show were Ethel Levey, Lew Hearn, Bo- nita and Willie Solar, all from this side. Wayburn was one of the first, is not the inventor, of ragtime on the piano in vaudeville. About 20 years ago Wayburn'at- tempted to establish a dancing school in Chicago. He made the mistake of selling the idea in the dailies, saying he'd spend $50,000 to get the school started. It seems that the several leading schools there had mobs in back of them and word went around to keep Wayburn out of town. Rents quoted him were (Continued on page 43) Colder, Barke Team Up To Produce Stage Plays Hollywood, Sept. 8. Lew Golder has formed an asso- ciation with Melville Burke for pro- duction of stage plays. First off is Fred Niblo's comedy, 'It Happened Upstairs,' which gets a Frisco break- in this fall before being taken to N. Y. Leads in the piece will be cast from Hollywood talent. Op^ettas Got Big B.O., but Backers See No Profits Season of operetta revivals at Carnegie Hall, N. Y., which closed last Sunday (6), appears to have stirred up more diiTerences among those on the managerial end than first reported. Understood that despite the lusty business drawn, t^e statements do not show'a profit Lowest gross was $14,000 or bet- tei-, and, even at that figure, those who know about operetta revivals cannot figure how anything but a profit could be registered. High takings were $20,000 or more. Dur- ing the Hall's first attempt at legit, 'The Chocolate Soldier' played three weeks, 'The Merry Widow' stayed five weeks and "The New Moon,' which concluded the season, played thiee weeks. Joseph S. Tushinsky and Hans Bartsch presented the revivals until 'Moon' started, when it was re- vealed that the latter was out, though retaining some financial in- terest. Bartsch is a foreign play broker and he is reputed to tiave complained when not receiving roy- alties. Eyans Yke Jaffe Placing of Reynolds Evans, who was cast for a small part. In the lead of 'Franklin Street,' being produced by Max Gordon, with George S. Kaufman directing, was something of a surprise. Sam Jaffe started rehearsing, but wanted to scram and the withdrawal was stated to be by mutual agreement. Part was originally intended for Groucho Marx, Ed Wynn also having been mentioned. Lead character is that of a veteran actor who retires to open a school of the drama in Philadelphia. Musiciaiis Win Raise After Strike m Detroit Joe L Brown's Stance MAY MEDIATE ATAM WAGE TIFF WITH MGRS. TWO OUTDOOR WASH. VENTURES LOST $20,000 Two open-air .<;how ventures in Washington's Watergate Park on tVie Potomac were financial flops, mostly because of adverse weather. It took 12 days for the San Carlo opera troupe to give six performance.^, with the result that Fortune Gallo dropped about $8,000. He then acted as landlord for a two-week season of operetta revivals, but threatening or wet weather afleclcd that attendance also. Red for that outfit was around $12,000. On good nights, attendance of 8,000, close to capacity, was drawn. Hans Bartsch, who was interested in the N. Y. Carnegie Hall operettas, arranged for the Watergate show- ings. Daniel Silberman, a zipper manufacturer who is in show busi- ness on the. side, was the backer. He and L. Daniel Blank presented 'What Big Ears' at the Windsor, N. Y., last spring, that show losing about the same amount as the Wash- ington try. They are currently readying a revival of "R.U.R.' Be- fore the operetta company went to the Capital there was some Equity trouble, an error being made in of- fering a post-dated check to guaran- tee salaries. Equity turned back the paper and stopped rehearsals for a time. Charles Burke was in advance of the San Carlo trick, then agented the operettas, thereby acting for both the 'house' and the attraction. Watergate 'stage' was an old scow, only set pieces of scenery being us- able. Another scow was used for the orchestra. Spot is imder the control of the Government's Depart- ment of the Interior. Indications are that increased pay scales, the main issue between the the legit managers and the Asso- ciated Theatrical Agents and Man- agers, will be mediated. It has been virtually agreed that Max Meyer act as mediator. He is vice-president of the Sterling National Bank, N. Y., and a member of the state Board of Mediation. A list of six names had been submitted. First proROsed that a panel be formed to select the mediator, but that plan was discarded. Possible that mediation may be arranged through the federal board, or that arbitration, provided for in the old basic agreement, will adjust the matter. Neither the League of New York Theatres nor ATAM seem to desire arbitration, which is final, at this lime. 'Road' Reopens in N. Y. To OK Biz; May Stick 'Tobacco Road' made a fast re- entry on Broadway, opening at the Forrest Saturday (5) after but three days of preparation. Seems that Lee Shubert, having nothing at pres- ent for the house, suggested to Harry Oshrin that they take a chance and pool the takings for a repeat date. First five performances the takings were $5,600. approximately 90'';' of capacity at the scale. Show is priced at $1.10, with $1.65 applying Satur- days and Sundays. Forrest is the same theatre in which 'Road' made most of its runs that lasted seven and one-half years, a record that will probably never be equalled. John Barton, who played the lead on the road, heads the cast, his nephew, James, having enacted the part longer than any of the other half dozen actors who bandied the Broadway assignment. 'Road' Is booked to open in Detroit Oct. 12, but If it clicks in N. Y. again, the tour will be set back. Detroit, Sept. 8. The Detroit Federation of Musi- cians clapped a picket line on the Lafayette theatre here last week when a new contract wasn't forth- coming and a settlement was reached after Joe E. Brown, starred in 'The Show-Off,' threatened to re- turn to Hollywood rather than cross a picket line. On the first night of the picketing. Brown entered by the stage door and was unaware that % strike was on until volunteers took up the chores of the stagehands, who went out in sympathy. When BTown noticed the absence of the stage- hands and orchestra, he prepared to pack up, declaring the people in the company would not find It pleasant to walk through picket lines. Jack Ferentz, president of the mu- sicians local called out the men when negotiations became deadlocked on a 10% raise for the six men in the pit. Orchestra had been on a $70 weekly scale, which went to a $77 figure in the new agreement. The house has been doing capacity biz all summer at a $1.50 top and David Nederlander, the manager, in- sisted 'that, with the low admission, the advance was too high and that no music was needed for a play like 'The Show-Off.' At the present time Nederlander has a suit pending in the Michigan Supreme Court con- tending that last year's contract was signed under duress when the musi- cians' union threatened to close the theatre unless a contract was signed. At one time he put the musicians up in a balcony box to indicate how little they were needed. Only 41 New Plays in Strawhats This Sununer, With None OK for Broadway Duffy's Tatsy' Musical Into Wilson, Detroit Detroit, Sept. 8. Henry Duffy, who has transferred his producing from Frisco to Detroit for the duration, is expanding his ventures. Settled at the Lafayette, where Joe E. Brown in "The Show- Off' is current, Duffy will occupy the Wilson theatre Oct. 8 with a muscial comedy, "Life of the Party.' The musical originally was Barry Conners' comedy, 'The Patsy.' The score was written by Frederick Loewe, with lyrics of Earl Crookers. Dorothy Stone and Charles Collins will be co-starred in the new ver- 'ARSENIC curs $21,600 MELON FOR 2 MONTHS The more than a score of 'Arsenic and Old Lace' backers received Labor Day spending money late last week in the form of more profit checks from Lindsay and Crouse, who cut up a neat $21,600 among them. That was for two month.'!, but there wasn't enough real coin earned in July, .so no divvy fcr that period. But for heavy transportation costs of the^riginal company, which played Los An- geles for two weeks and is con- li:iuing the b.o. cleanup currently in San Fianci-sco. there would have been more shekels to disburse. Crouse. in transmitting tFfe profits, ccmmcnted to the effect that 'we arc b:'ck on the cold standard.. .it ain't hay and it ain't platinum,' and went or to dangle the lure of more earn- ings to come from the N. Y. (Ful- Ir.n) and touring companies, plus fresh picture coin. Selznick NibUes At 5006 and % For Tather' Pic Dailies gave considerable attention to an announcement from Oscar Ser- lin that the picture rights of 'Life With Father' were on the open mar- ket for $500,000 plus percentage, offer being accompanied by iinusual provisions. Comedy is nearing the end of Its third year at the Empire, N. Y., and last season there were two companies on tour, both netting fine profits. At least one film producer expressed willingness to buy 'Father' at the terms offered, he being David O. Selznick, who turned out 'Gone With the Wind.' (Further deUils on high prices for film rights to plays and stories are on Page 3.) Serlin, who produced 'The Moon Is Down' last spring, and who promptly sold the film rights for $300,000 when the play did not come up to expecta- tions at the boxofflce, said that $500.- 000 was the lowest figure he and his associates would consider, plus a per- centage of the gross takings, any picture arrangement to be a partner- ship deal. Understood that Mary Picleford offered the price last year without percentage, the offer being rejected. If the rights are sold there will be a stipulation that the release date be held off until late in 1944, thereby giving the stage showings on Broadway and the road another two years. Mrs. Clarence Day, widow of the author of the stories, which appeared in the New Yorker and which How- ard Lindsay and Russel Crouse adapted into the hit. would have editorial rights over the film script along with the playwrights. Radio, mechanical and television rights are retained by them, and the film is to be restricted to the material in the play, no material from other Day stories being permitted. Among those financially interested with Serlin, who owns around 40%, are John Hay (Jock) Whitney and his si.ster, Mrs. Charles (Joan) Pay- son, represented by Wharton St Gabel, their share approximating Serlin's, Howard Cullman. Dr. Irving Somaeh, Hume Cronyn, Ned Lehac and Edward Serlin, brother of the producer. Casting Winninger Role Stalls 'Show Boat' Trip Metro'.s Broadway stage produc- tion ol 'Show Boat,' scheduled for Aiming following a New York show- ing, i.s being held back indefinitely becau.se of difficulty in finding a suitable player for the part of the captain (played by Charles Win- ninger in the original Flo Ziegfeld production). Casting of the singing leads pre- .sents no great problem, with plenty 0^ capable youngsters on hand. 'Show Bo.nf will be the first Broad- way production in which Metro will be openly billed as producer, com- pany executives having arrived at the conclusion that sinte the studio picsents no productions a year on ths screen, many costing more than stage production, there is no rea-son why M-G .should not be identified with legit ventures. 'Wine, Women' Re?iyal Cned By 'Garter' Biz The .^mbas.sador, N. Y., legiter will be used for a vaude-burlesque revue as reported some weeks ago, the title "Wine, Woman and Song' dating back to another generation. That .show was something of a sen- sation at the Ci'cle. (later the Cos- mopolitan), at Columbus Circle, three players starred being Bonita, Alexander Carr and Lew Hearn. One of the bits that aroused atten- tion was a raid scene. New show was evidently inspired by 'Star and Garter," Mu.sic Box, which has Gypsy Rose Lee and Bcbby Clark as toppers. Latter is $4.40 top, but 'Wine' is scheduled for two or more performances daily. Jimmy Savo and Margie Hart are to be the leading people in 'Wine,' former being a name stripper. I. H. Hcrk, Lee Shubert and Max Lieb- man are named as being interested in the new outfit. As there were approximately 50% fewer summer stocks this year, compared with last season, there were fewer new plays tried out. Up to Labor Day (7) there had been but 41 new plays shown in the country show shops, with four or five more due, number being clo.«e to the estimate early this summer. Ltst season there were 104 tryouts. In addition, there were three quasi tryouts this summer season, two revivals, a couple of plays which had been revised since pre- vious showings and another duo which were trotted out under changed titles. Not one new play is rated a defi- nite Broadway possibility, the first time for such a deficiency since the boom in rural theatricals started. Last year 14 shows out of the big crop were figured having some de- gree of a chance at regular pro- duction. Some were shown on Broadway, but none made the grade. Indicating again that summer stock showings of new plays are nearly always doubtful of quality, mostly because they are too hurriedly shown and the scripts are usually In need of revision. ' Like last summer, a revival stands out clearly, it being 'Othello' with Paul Robeson, whose performance In Margaret Webster's version of the Shakespearean tragedy was sen- sational in Cambridge, Mass., and Princeton. However, because of the star's concert dates, the time of its showing on Broadway is -indefinite. The other revival this season was 'The Duenna' (Jimmy Savo). In 1941 the sock from the straw- huts was 'Porgy and Bess,' which arrived on Broadway in the late fall after scoring at Maplewood, N. J.. It is now nearing the end of its run at the Majestic, N. Y., and will soon start on a long tour. Six PosslbllHIes There are six plays which may reach the main stem if and when the scripts are rewritten: 'Malice Domestic,' 'Afton Water" (Saroyan), ■The Rich Get Richer,' 'Child's Play* (Catholic University tryout), 'Eve- ning Rise' and 'Storm,' supposed to be revised by Gladys Hurlburt. It is possible that some other sum- mer shows will turn up. They in- clude 'Town Meeting,' shown but once in a Washington ballroom; 'Quiet Wedding," shown here, al- though the British film version has been released; 'Happy Ls the Bride,' seen in Brooklyn; 'Maggie McGilll- gan,' which was shown before as 'Aggie Appleby,' and 'It's High Time,' put on before as 'Second Helping* and 'Fair Exchange.' From N. Y. to the Coast there were approximately around 10 other tryouts which were not covered by eastern scouts. Talent and material scouts could not cover the field completely, espe- cially on the eastern seaboard be- cause of gas and tire rationing. Same applied to 'Variety's' cover- age of the summer stocks. LEGIT MGRS., MUSICIANS REACH N.Y. AGREEMENT What first loolfcd like the most difficult labor problem for the managers has been settled, the mu- sicians coming to agreement with the League of New York Theatres before several other pacts have been ne- gotiated. Union won a 10% pay boost as announced, but its demand to lift minimum number of men in the pit was dropped. Musicians were granted a conces- sion, however, applicable to dramatic houses. If a house has an orchestra under season's contract, full pay shall apply if a show is booked that does not want music. Previously in such instances the men laid off at half pay. Guild-ATS Set for Chi Chicago, Sept. 8. Theatre Guild-American "Theatr* Society show schedule here is pretty well set for the season, opening with 'Junior Miss' in the Harris on SepL 21, followed by 'Spring Again,' which lights the Selwyn Oct. 12. Others listed IncMf Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontani^in The Pirate,' end Philip Barry'c 'Without Lova' with Katharine Hepburn.