Variety (Sep 1942)

Wednesday, September 28, 1942 LEGITIMATE 49 Big Gross by the Pound The late Ned Wayburn's first school of the dance occupied two or more floors in a building at e2d street and Broadway. In addition to himself he had hall a dozen instructors. One of his rules was that all girls and women taking instruction or reducing exercises must weigh in at every session they attend and weigh out upon completion of the class. That meant a nickel in the slot twice for everyone, or 10c 'side money." Every time he emptied the weighing machines it meant a hatful of coins, said to have added up to such a sum that his over- head, including the pay of the Instructors, was thereby taken care of. Not a few of the Waybum clients were socialites and his courses cost as high as $1,500. Believed that he made more money from the school at that time than from his stage activities. HORSE' FINALLY GIVING N.Y.A STOCK CO. stock companies on Broadway, which have often been mentioned but rarely tried except In repertory form, will eventuate at the Forrest with the revival there in two weeks of "Three Men on a Horse,' which will be on a stock basis. It is believed the success of stock in cities outside of N. Y. during the summer crystal- lized the plan. There are half a dozen stocks still operating in city stands, and some are indefinite from present indications. Several stock managers readily concede that they have made excellent profits. By Equity ruling, there's no limit on the playing time of a stock com- pany, but a second play must be presented witih at least six of the original cast. 'Three Men,' which scored a long run on Broadway, will again be pre- sented by Alex Yokel, with the re- ported backing of the Shuberts. Original show, staged by George Ab- bott and written by Cecil Holm, had the backing of Warner Bros. It was that show which planted the film firm in the legit field, and they financed other Abbott shows, also buying the Biltmore theatre with him, Warners having the operating end. Number of players who were in ■Three Men' during its run at the Playhouse have been engaged for the revival. Mentioned are Billy Lynn, Teddy Hart, Kay Loring. Sid Stone (Sam Levene part), Horace Mac- Mahon, Asher Smith, Fleming Ward, Jean Castro and Shirley Booth. Lat- ter in the original cast and will re- appear If she can get a release from 'My Sister Eileen,' Beck. Admission scale will be $1.65 top, as against $3.30 for the original. The cities where stock Is spotted include Utica. Providence, Newark. New London, Philadelphia. Washington. Buffalo, Toronto, Detroit, and most are still playing to real business. Sam Gris- man, Interestec) in the Newark stock with Russell Mack, planned a mid- western rotary stock on a split-week basis, but Equity ruled that all city stocks must operate full weeks. Sinclair Lewis Doing Two Plays at U. of Minn. Minneapolis, Sept. 22. Sinclair Lewis, Minnesota novel- ist, here teaching at the University of Minnesota, will direct two plays, 'Candida' and 'Dodsworth,' for the Wesley Placers, professional little theatre group housed in a church gymnasium. Feminine guest stars will be imported for the produc- tions. 'Candida' is scheduled for Oct. 7 and 'Dodsworth,' rewritten by Lewis, follows seven days later. ARBI1KATI0N OF CLAIMS VS. JESSELISDUE TWO TLUr REVIVALS DUE FOR BTO BATTLE 'FREEDOM' SET BACK; CAST,DlREaORSHIFrS 'Let Freedom Sing,' which was slated to open at the Longacre, N. Y. Monday (21), has been put back until next week, that being decided upon after a preview last week. There were several let-outs and a change In directors. Joseph Pevney, being replaced by Bob Gordon as stager, although he was recently wed to Mitzi Green, show's top name. At ' least some of the others in the in- dependent revue are amateurs or semi-pros. One oddity In connection with the show, which has a youthful player setup, is that the salaries are par- tially guaranteed by Lee Shubert and partly by J. J. Leventhal. Players replaced were given two- weeks salary, a^ required by Equity, Known that the bankroll for 'Sing' is not robust and it is believed that some money from subscriptions .has been used for the financing. Show rehearsed six weeks up to Monday '21) and the company has been under full pay since last week. Collette Lyons Sought For Stromberg Film Colleltc Lyons, who opened in New York yesterday (Tuesday) in the legit 'Vickie.' is being sought by Hunt Stromberg for a role in his torlhcoming picture, 'G-String Mur- der.' Film Is to be made for United Artists release. Arbitration of claims against George Jessel by half a dozen prin- cipals who appeared in 'High Kick- ers' was due to be heard today (Wed.) afternoon, but, with the comedian appearing at a matinee of 'Show Time,' vaude-revue click at the Broadhurst, N. Y., another date may be fixed. When "Kickers' 'eft Broadway, expectations for better business on the road quickly evap- orated. Jessel wanted to close in Boston, but other players bolstered the bankroll and the musical went to Chicago, where it didn't do so well either. When the show folded there with- out the ghost walking until money was sent on by Equity, it was al- leged that 'Kickers' stranded. Man- agement countered by saying that couldn't be true, since salaries and return transportation was guaran- teed. Thereafter there were argu- ments over the pay-off, inspired by those players who loaned money to the show in Boston and claimed they should be repaid from the salary bond. After a flock of lawyers en- tered the picture the salary claims were paid, while the loans were made a matter of arbitration. Lat- ter could not be held up to now be- cause of Jessel's appearances out of town. Jessel states that Sophie Tucker, who was co-starred with him in 'Kickers,' suggested that she and the others take half pay and perhaps make it up when the show reached other stands. Also claimed that the money was in the guise of loans. Ex- act amount involved appears indefi- nite. One estimate is around $6,000, while Martin J. Desmoni, Jessel's at- torney, figures it slightly over $4,000, 'Kickers' lost around $146,000, in- cluding the original cost of produc- tion, rated around $80,000. If it is indicated the claimants took less than their contractual salaries without advising Equity, and thereby violated the cuts rules, they may be asked to explain to the association. Meyer Davis' Son An Actor in let's Face It' With two theatrical firms announc- ing they will do 'R.U.R.', it is pos- sible that Broadway will see two re- vivals of the robot play. Theatre Guild, which originally put it on, has the show on its production schedule, while L, Daniel Blank and David Silberman, a comparatively new managerial duo, insist they have a contract for the U. S. and (janada from Paul Selver, acting for the es- tate of the lat« Carol Capek, Czecho- slovak author. If there are two concurrent show- ings of 'R.U.R.' it will not be the first time on Broadway. In another era that phenomenon occurred three or more times and in those instances the plays in question were in the public domain, so it was a question of which show beat the other to it. Henrietta Grossman once appeared in 'Mistress Nell' at the Savoy, while Klaw & Erlanger presented the same play at the Knickerbocker. Latter firm put the pressure on after Miss Grossman got the better notices and the play was forced to move to the Bijou. All three houses disappeared long ago. Two managers vied with each other with 'Quo Vadis,' which op- posed each other at the Herald Square and the New York, also razed. More spectacular was the battle between two managements who presented "The Devil' day and date in different houses on Broad- way, but both companies made money, not a few playgoers attend- ing both performances to see which they liked best. George Arliss was in one of the 'Devils' and that ap- pearance attracted considerable at- tention to him on this side. Garry Davis, son of Meyer Davis, society band maestro, has stepped into one of the three male leads of 'Let's Face It,' Imperial, N. Y., re- placing Jack Williams, who is ailing Young Davis, who recently enlisted in the Air Corps and is awaiting in- duction, took the part on two hours notice. His sister. Virginia. Is now touring with Ilka Chase's troupe In 'Susan and God.' Preminger's B'way Play Hollywood. Sept. 22. Otto Preminger, currently as- signed to direct and act In 'Margin fo: Error' at 20th-Fox. returns to stage production on Broadway this winter with "Seventh Cross.' Director-aclor has bought drama rights to the new book, authored by Anna Scgher.s, and has signed Viola Brothers Shore to write the play. Several Legit Producers Fitting Army Uniforms Legit producers are vulnerable to the war along with actors and by the first of the year half a dozen are likely to be in uniform. Those in the services, or about to enter, are of the younger group of showmen. Maurice Evans, actor-producer, is in the Army. Richard-Aldrich is a Lieut. Comdr. in the Navy. Oscar Serlin is slated into service soon after 'Strip For Action' opens in N. Y. Herman Shumlin expects to be in uniform by Dec. 1. Warren Munsell, general manager for the Theatre Guild, who was in the avia tion corps in the last war has been called by his old colonel for duty in the administration arm of the pres' ent flying service. Edward Duryea Dowling, stager of Shubert musicals, and Fred de Cordova, stage manager, are aimed for captaincies in the Army's Special Service division. 'Heels' Coming to B'way 'Heels Together,' intimate musical tried out by the Olneys at Scarsdalc, N. Y., last week, is slated for Broad- way soon, according to reports. Some cast changes arc necessary, but Joan Roberts, in the lead. Is slated as a fixture. Show is the former 'Little Jessie James' by Harlan Thompson and Harry Archer, brought up to date. Book was partly revised by Tom Johnstone. Current London Shows London, Sept. 22. 'All's Fair,' Whitehall. 'Belle of N. T.,< Coliseum. 'Blithe Spirit.' St. James's. •CUudIa,' St. Martin's. 'Dancing Tears,' Adelphi. 'Doctor's Dilemma,' Haymarkct. D'Oyly Carte Opera, Princess. ■FUre Path,' Apollo. 'Fine and Dandy,' Saville. 'Fall Swing,' Palace. 'Gangway,' Palladium. 'Get « Load of This,' Hippodrome. Int'l Ballet, His Majesty's. 'Light and Shade,' Ambassador. 'Macbeth,' Piccadilly. 'Belle of New York,' Coliseum. 'Man Who Came to Dinner,' Savoy, 'Men In Shaddw,' Vaudeville. 'Morning Star,' Globe. 'Morder Wlthont Crime,' Comedy 'Night of the Garter,' Strand. 'No Orchids tor Blandish,' Wales, 'Quiet Week-lilnd,' Wyndham's. 'Rebecca,' Lyric. 'Rose-Marie,' Stoll's, Russian Ballet, Cambridge. Sadler's Wells Ballet, New. 'Salt of Earth,' Vaudeville. Wild Rose,' Prince. 'Warn That Man.' Garrlck. "Watch on the Rhine,' Aldwych, 2d Ave., Ytddish LegifV'Broadway,' Will See Only 1 Theatre This Season; 10 Houses Set for 5 Cities, 6 in N. Y. War Breakdown Hollywood, Sept. 22. For first time in its 25 years of operation, the Pasadena Com- munity Playhouse will have Sunday shows in response to requests by defense workers. 'The bluenoses were overrtiled when It was emphasized that's the only day the factory workers have for play-going. WEEKENDMOBS HYPO SUN. LEGrr If there was any doubt about Sun- oay legit performance opportunities, a gander at the crowds in Tim : Square, particularly at recent week- ends, would quickly dispel it The jams approach the size of those on New Year's Eve. It's certain that there is no longer any hesitancy on the part of Equity -' its members in regards to Sunday appearances. Such performances are a matter of selection on the part of the managers and some announce the playing schedule prior to open- ing, others sometimes switching to the Sabbath after debut, which usu- ally means ''ropping Monday nights in conformance to the state law en- forcing one day's rest in seven for legit per.'r-.-mers. New regulation on curtailment of inxis went into effect Sunday (20) at midnight, one-third of the various fleets being ordered off the streets. Ir dependent cabs are restricted to six days per week, with the day they are not permitted to roll painted on both sides of the hood. Drivers are undisturbed over the limitations, which also prevent cruising, admit- tmg they are doing within 80% ': New Year's Eve business. ORIGINAL TATHER'Wni START ROAD TOUR JAN. 4 Pittsburgh, Sept. 22. Original Broadway company of "Life With Father,' headed by Howard Lindsay and Dorothy Stickney, will go on tour after the first of the year, opening at Nixon here Jan. 4 for three weeks, Oscar Serlin, producer, told Pittsburgh newspapermen while in town for tryout of 'Strip for Action,' his new show. At that time, Serlin added, one of the road troupes, topped by ,Louis Calhern and Dorothy Gish, who are now play- ing 'Father' in New York while Lindsay and Miss Stickney are vaca- tioning, will take over at the Em- pire (N.Y.) Theatre. "Father,' with Calhern and Miss Gish, played Pittsburgh for fort- night last season at Senator, ordinarily a picture house, grabbing great $45,000 for engagement and could have stayed longer. Lindsay and Miss Stickney plan to travel for at least six months, covering many cities previously visited by one uf two touring companies. Production Personnel Charles Washburn, 'The Damask Cheek" (tryout). Harry Shapiro, back, 'Priorities' Hour). Dorothy Johnson, p.a., 'Life With Father' (tour). George Atkinson, agent, Gilbert and Sullivan (tour). Peter Dat'ls. Mary Ward in ad- vunce, 'The Corn is Green' (tour). Al Spink, ahead, 'Lady In the Dark" 'tour). Lawrence Farrcll. back, 'The Pi- rate' James Proctor, agent, 'Let Free- dom Sing' Gil Haskell, manager, 'Hcllzapop- pin' (tour). By NAT KAHN The rialto of the Yiddish legiti- mate theatre. New York's lower Second avenue, has apparently reached what may well be its mil- lennium. The coming season will see only one house in operation along the street, which in better years found as many as four theatres functioning to big boxoffice. It sounds another gloomy note on a once important phase of show biz, a field that a dozen years ago saw about 22 theatres presenting Yiddish- language plays in a dozen key cities. This season five cities will witness only 10 resident companies. Where there were as many as 14 Yiddish legiters in N. Y. during the hey-day, this season will see only six. The only Second avenue the- atre to survive, find this despite many managements over a period of years, is the Second Ave., which this season is being run by a company headed by the veteran comedian, Menasha Skulnik. A big hypo for the field will be the return to the Yiddish boards of Molly Picon, possibly the outstand- ing comedienne in the annals of the Yiddish stage. Occupied with radio and English-speaking vaudeville of recent years, Miss Picon will be mak- ing her debut under the manage- ment of Edwin A. Relkin in a bio- graphical musical, 'Oy, Is Dos a Leben' COh, What a Life'), written by her husband, Jacob Kalich, in which he will play himself. Joseph Rumshinsky has done the music, and the debut is slated for Oct. 12 at the former Jolson theatre on Seventh avenue, which has been renamed the Molly Picon. The Skulnik troupe, which will also feature Michael Michelesko and Miriam Kressyn, is opening at the Second Ave. in 'Be Happy,' by Wil- liam Siegel, on Oct. 10. The Picon, and Second Ave. will be the only legiters operating in Manhattan, with the other four being divided between the Bronx and Brooklyn. Feld's Troope At the Hopkinson, Brooklyn, Itzik Feld is toppdng the troupe there, while the other Brooklyn house, the Parkway, will be under the reins of Nathan Goldberg and Jacob Jacobs. The Hopkinson reopens Oct. 9 with 'General Fishel Duvid,' a musical comedy ' by Oscar Ostrov and Ilya Trilling, with Max Wilner and Sania Rubina heading the cast. The Bridegroom Regrets,' by Louis Frei- man, opened Monday night (Yom Kippur), -with Goldberg and Jacobs featured. Other Yom Kippur open- ings were 'Forgotten Women,' by William Siegel, which opened at the Bronx Parkway, with Dinah Hal- pern, Judah Bleich and Wolfe Bar- zel heading the troupe, and "The Boy from the Argentine,' by Max Kled- der, at the Bronx Art. Out-ot-Town-Spots Out-of-town theatres are the Met- ropolitan, Newark; Metropolitan, Cleveland; Peoples, Detroit, and the Douglas Park, Chicago. Films with Yiddish vaudeville will be run at the National, former legiter on Second avenue, and the Clinton, both N. Y. Bernard Elving and company will hold forth at the Met, Newark, with traveling troupes every week; Benny Adler is heading the outfit at the Met, Cleveland; Menachem Rubin and Edmund Zayenda- are topping the Chicago layout, and a 'literary theatre' presenting Jewish classics will comprise the Detroit setup. The Vaoders Jack Rovenger is operating the Clinton theatre vauder and Irving Jacobson continues as the head man at the National, both of whom are showing the top names in the Yid- di.<;h theatre on weekends only. Three traveling units also com- prise the Yiddish legit scene. One, headed by playwright Louis Frei- man, will travel the New England area, playing Boston on Sundays, and the adjacent areas the rest of the week. A .'second will lake the upstate New York and Canadian route, alternat- ing between Toronto. Montreal, Ro- chester and Syracuse. The third company will perform in the St. Louis vicinity.