Variety (Sep 1942)

Wednesday! September 28, 1942 LEGiriMATE 81 Inside Stuff-Legit An almost entirely new second act went into new Howard LlnSsay- Bussel Crouse comedy. 'Strip for Action,' at Iftjion theatre, Pittsburgh, last Friday night (16) and general opinion waa that it ihould Increase ihow's chances immeasurably. Latest verilon eonalderably builds up role played by Jean Carter, burlesque atripper making her legit debut and hailed by Smoky City critics as a genuine find. Originally ahe ap- peared only in opening scene and reviewers eommented that it was a pity 'Strip' got rid of her so soon. Play was supposed to have gone direct from Pittsburgh -tryout to Broadway, but changes, producer Oscar Serlin lelt, required additional time so he extended out-of-town time to include four days In New Haven beginning tonight (Wed.). Show, however, ar- rived there Monday (21) and spent first two days of week rehearsing. Only one cast change was made in Pittsburgh, Howard Smith replacing Owen Martin, After rehearsing in 'Strip' for five weeks, Ross Hertz veteran legit actor, failed to open with show in Pittsburgh last week. Day before the new comedy preemed at Nixon, Hertz' N. Y. draft board exercised iU priority on him and he reported Monday (21) for induction at Fort Six. N. J. Legit circles are gratified by the USO decision to send eight plays into the camp bircults during the new season. Last season there was con- siderable feeling about disregarding stage plays, moat of the units being vaude and band shows. Result was that only two legiters played the camps. Bert Lytell is on the USO board, but not especially as Equity's representative. List of stage shows for the camps has not been definitely determined, but those virtually set are 'Arsenic and Old Lace,' 'Junior Miss' (repeat) and 'Angel Street' Proposed, too. at a board meeting last week to camp- tour 'You Can't Take It With You' with Fred Stone, who has been appear- ing in that comedy in stock. 'Janie,' a recent entrant on Broadway, was selected, but will probably be dropped, as the oast calls for a seven-year- old girl. Figure camp touring would be too arduous for a youngster of that age. Shows are slated for the camps in lata October or early November. Dealers in theatrical accessories have been hesitant at filing necessary forms in connection with materials which they will need and which are under priorities control. That is the report of the Theatrical Contractors Assn., a group of supply houses necessary to legit production. Indicated that the deaiers are somewhat apprehensive that if Government bureaus are acquainted of stpclcs on hand, there is a chance that some of their goods would be requisitioned. It has been suggested to the dealers, however, that if they explained that most of the stuiT on hand has been virtually ear-marked for shows to be presented during the new season, there would be little chance of interference. Priorities rules call for the filling out of what are known as PD-IX fomu, on which inventories are to be made. So far legit production has not been retarded by priorities, but that element may become pertihent when more shows are readied. Several years back, when the legit theatre code was being formulated. Brock Pemberton was panned plenty by the ticket brokers, who figured him chiefly responsible for the idea of controlling agency prices. He took it in good grace for a time, but finally spoke up among his friends, saying he was 'tired of taking the rap.' As a matter of record, the code was drawn up by a committee of managers and people representing Equity. Mostly l>ecause of his sense of humor, the ticket people changed their Ideas about the producer and rooted for his 'Janie' to click at the Miller, Indications being that they got their wish. In a personally worded extra space ad last week, ha mentioned Louis Schoncelt, who operates Mackay's ticket office. After playing the lead in 'Tobacco Road' on tour for five years. John Barton is making his first legit appearance on Broadway in the repeat date of the drama at the Forrest He is 17 years the senior of his nephew, James Barton, who enacted the Jeeter part in 'Road' in the same theatre longer than any of the other players who had the same assignment. Early this week Barton, the elder, invited a bunch of oldtimers to the play as his guests, asking the N.V.A. to submit a list. There were SO names given him, not a few of them famous on the stage of other years. 'Road' has another week to play at the Forrest, which will get a stock revival of "Three Men on a Horse* Oct. 8. Salary cut for 'I KUled the Count' Cort, N. Y., was finally agreed upon early last week and became effective on the payoff Saturday (19). Instead of the originally 50% slice, it was set for 25%. English meller, the first drama of the new season, was also the first show this season to reduce operating expenses because of boxofflce weakness. Show expected to play next week, but the house is slated to get 'Eve of St Mark' during the week of Oct 25, which was originally booked for the Royale. Agreement on 'Count' stipulates that if the gross reaches the $6,000 level, full salaries are to apply. Management stated the gross needed was for an even break. Helen Hayes presented Irving Berlin with a gold cigaret case declaring It to be 'crammed with the esteem, love and admiration of the American Theatre Wing War Service and the hearts of the cast and members of the profession,' as part of a luncheon salute to Berlin and 'This Is the Army' cast at the HotSl Astor (N.Y.) last week. Tonight (Wed.) at the Hotel Commodore, after the show, the Army officials are hosting the Berlin cast and author at a semi-official Army function. Legit theatres have been lighting their electrics early in the evening and pulling the switch at dimout time, but some heuses have been exceeding the limit, probably due to the rapidly shortening days. Same applies to some commercial establishments with Broadway fronts. Violations, inten- tional or otherwise, may result in police summonses and fines. N. Y. World-Telegram carries the time of sunset and the start of the dimout, usually one hour later, at the top of page one. Engagements Claiborne Foster, 'Mr. Sycamore.' Vicki Cummings, Ricnard Worth, Time, Place and the Girl.' ZuSu Pitts, 'Her First Murder.' Helen Gleason, Donald Burr, Everett West Elizabeth Houston. John Cherry, Paul Reed, Carl Nel- son, Roy Johnston, Henry Mowbray, 'Merry Widow.' Suzanne Jackson, Templeton Fox, Robert Breton, Richard Beach, Fred Howard, Louise Laarbee, Ellis Baker, Bruce Reilly, 'Guest in the House.' Flora Robson, Margaret Douglass, Leonard Elliott, Celeste Holm, Joan Tetzel, Zachary Scott Ruth Vivian, Mary Michael, Peter Fernandez Shows in Rehearsal 'LlUle Darling'—Tom Weath- •rly. 'Skin Of Tout Teeth'—Mich- ael Myerberg. •Mr. Syeunore' — Theatre Guild. 'Llh^ Of Hia Party'—Henry Dufty. ■The Damask Cheek'—Dwight D. Wiman. Time, Place and the Oirl'— Georges D. Oersene. 'Let Freedom Sing' — Youth • Theatre. 'Wine, Women and long'— Bhuberts, I. R- fterk. •Lite WHta Father' (road)— Oscar Serlin. 'Lady In the Dark' (road)^ 6am H. Harris tstat*. 'Spring Again'—Outhria Mc- Clintlo. •Papa b All (road)—^Theatre Guild. (complete cast). The Damask Cheek". Lew Parker, Jack Gleason, Hellz- apoppin.' 'Angel', $11,500, Picks Up in 2d Del Wk. Detroit, Sept. 22. 'Angel Street' the road show prepped here for a western tour, showed an Improvement in its sec- ond week. Picked up an estimated $11,500 in the second week, slightly over the approximate $11,000 of the first week. It was followed in Mon- day (21) by The Moon Is Down. Pop-priced Lafayette ($1.50) con- tinued to run at a strong level with Joe E. Brown in 'The Show-Off. Fifth week saw the comedy pulling strong estimated $9,200. with tickets on sale for a month more. •BEST FOOT 17G. mEEN* 8G. CHI Chloago, Sept 12. Following nearly a year's run, 'My Sister Eileen' bowed out ol the Har- ris. Business was never under $7,000 and this stage hit could have stayed longer, but had to bow out because Max Gordon needed house for 'Junior Miss,' which opened last night (Monday). 'Maid in the Ozarks,' which came from Hollywood, where it was re- puted to have made money, was torn to pieces by local reviewers and doesn't stand a chance. Manage- ment is fiooding town with cut-rate tickets. Estimates for Last Week 'Best Foot Forward,' Erlanger (2d week) (1,400; $3.30). .This show came through with $17,000 for its second week here, proving favorite with critics and pulSlic alike. •Go«d Night Ladles' (Blackstone) (23d week) (1,200; $2.75). StiU en- joying its phenomenal run, this favorite garnered a fine $17,000. •My SUter Eileen' (Harris) (18th and final week) (1,000; $1.65). This show bowed out with sock $8,000 and should have run indefinitely if house were not needed for 'Junior Miss,' which opened yesterday (Monday). 'Maid in the Oiarka,' Great North- ern (1,300; $2.20). Doing very badly; maybe $2,000 for awful opening week. 'PRIORITIES,' $23,000, NIFTY IN PHULY FINALE Philadelphia, Sept. 22. Second burst of activity in Philly's new legit season took place last night (Monday) with the re-lighting of the Locust with Emlyn Williams' "The Corn Is Green,' Ethel Barrymore starrer, in for three weeks as Amer- ican Theatre Society's first subscrip- tion offering, and Eddie Dowling in his double bill. G. K. Chesterton's revived 'Magic' and William Saroy- an's one-act curtain-raiser, 'Hello Out There,' at the Walnut for a single week. Last week, Philly's lone show was 'Priorities,' which, despite torrid weather, again grossed estimated $23,000. Show again gave four mat- inees in its second and final week at the Forrest XIandia,' 11^, Slomps In S.F.;'Arsenic'Big 21G San Francisco, Sept. 22. 'Claudia,' sagging in its seventh week at the Geary, will close Satur- day (26). 'Arsenic and Old Lace,' still going great guns, will also va- cate the Curran Saturday, to check in again at the Geary Oct 12. Estimates for Last Week 'Arsenic and Old Lace,* Curran (1.7774; $2.75) (3d wk). Terrific $21,000. 'Claudia,' Geary (1,500; $2.75) (8th wk). Suffered a slump to $11,500. 'Vickie' 6G in Balto Baltimore, Sept. 22. Pre-Broadway trial of Frank Man dell's 'Vickie,' with Jose Ferrer and Uta Hagen In the leads, at Ford's here last week drew mixed notices from the critics and fairish biz at es timated $5,900 at $2.77 top for the 1,500 seats. Very promising advance sale In the till for current 'Priorities,' essay ing 11 shows at $2.77 top. Cooler Temp, tips B'way Legit M; 'Janie', $12,500, Clicking, Vauders Okay 'Band' N.G. 9G in NJI. New Haven, Sept 22. 'Beat the Band' break-in last week fell below expectations following so- so notices. Drew an approximate $9,000 in four performances at $3.30 top. House has lined up 'Strip for Ac- tion' current last half (23-26);'Spring Again' for Oct. 1-3; 'Priorities of '42,' due Oct. 6-7; 'Mr. Sycamore' preem, Oct 9-10, 'STRIP'FAIR $11,000 IN 2D Pnr WEEK Pittsburgh, Sept 22. 'Strip for Action,' new Howard Lindsay-Russel Crouse comedy, in second week of Its tryout engage- ment here at Nixon, got estimated $11,000 at $2.75 top, just fair. Ad- vance sale indicated much more than that, but house, which has re- cently made it a policy of giving re- funds whenever they're requ^ed. turned back at least a couple of grand after the mixed notices came out Nixon currently has new edition of 'HeUzapoppin' and is booked solid for a month after, with Priorities,' "The Pirate,' This Is the Army' and The Merry Widow* set to follow. 'COUNT ME,' $25,000, SIM BIG IN BOSTON Boston, Sept. 22. 'Count Me In' is still hitting a good pace here. It's been playing "to standees'some performances since it opened Sept. U and having been pretty thoroughly tinkered with, is shaping up into a strong contender. Last week it grossed estimated $25,800. 'Rhine', $14,500 Fair InLA^Vaiide,14G Los.Angeles. Sept 22. At current pace Ken Murray's 'Blackouts of 1042' at El Capitan, Hollywood, will hold until first of the year. This week attracted esti- mated $14,000. 'Watch on the Rhine,* at Biltmore in Los Angeles, is not as strong as expected, getting $13,000. after open- ing Monday (14). 'Arsenic and Old Lace' returns Sept 28 for two weeks, and is followed by 'Claudia' for three weeks. Harry Abbott quick-switched title, prices and some of cast of his entry, trying it anew as 'Laffin' Thru' at the Music Box. Predecessor, 'Swing Shift Revels,' hit anemic $1,500 on second week. Lonts' Tirate' Gets OK B.0„ N.G. Press m Milw. Milwaukee, Sept 22. Opening of the legit season at the Pabst theatre with Alfred Luint and Lynn Fontanne in S. N. Behrman's new costume comedy, "The Pirate." was auspicious as far as boxofTice was concerned, with an extra Friday matinee added after the originally scheduled four performances were sold out. The half week ending Sat- urday night (19), grossed an esti- mated $13,500, at $3.30 top. Critics failed to enthuse. Richard S. Davis, dean of local reviewers, commented in the Milwaukee Jour- nal that the play was 'gay but anemic—a delight to the eye. but a pain in the intellect—a feeble and futile thing' in which 'the theatre's Apollo and Minerva are playing with paper dolls.' Saroyan, Chesterton Duo N.G. $8,000 in Wash. Washington. Sept. 22. Eddie Dowling's adventure in deep dish and culture failed to catch on here. Saroyan's curtain raiser. 'Hello Out There.' followed by G. K. Chesterton's short 'Magic.' drew es- timated $8,000. Poor business was not helped by lukewarm reviews. Max Gordon's 'Franklin Street,'at $2 top. is currently trying to catch some of the (Jovernment workers who won't go for the $2.50 scale. Without any outstanding name, pub- licist John Peter Toohey put the em- phasis on George S. Kaufman's di- rection. Humid weather last week luddeop ly turned autumn-cool over SundaT night and that should help N. Y. legit b.o.s. 'Janie' looks like the best of the new plays so far; The Mom« ing Star' seems to have a chanca. Of the new vaude-revues. "ShoW Time' (Gleorge Jessel) distinctly rated the best, but new 'Prioritief should get the money, too. Estimates for Last Week Keys: C. (.Comedy), D iDrama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Retme), M (Musical), O (Operetta). 'Angel Street,' Golden (41st week) (0-739; $3.30). Holdover meller looks aimed for late autumn if not longer; making money consistently] estimated around $10,000. 'Arscnie and Old Lace,' Fulton (67th week) (CD-803; $3.30). Only a few htmdred difference from pre- ' vious week and management expects run to stick until the picture version is released; quoted over $11,000. 'Blithe SpirtV Booth (45tti week) , (Cn}-712; $3.30). Another holdover, with an indicated chance into cola weather or longer; Imported comedy claimed more than $11,000 also. 'By Jupiter.' Shubert (16th week) (M-1.325; $4.40). <3oing strong with standees in at some performances; takings better than $27,000. which la about all show can do at scale. 7 KUled the Coant.' Cort (3d week) (Cn}-1,064: $3.30). May stay another week with operating nut re- duced; rated around $4,000, but needs more to break even; 'Eve of St Mark' booked in week of Oct. S. •Janie,' MUler (2d week) (C-B40t $3JO). Indicated to be season's com* edy click; first full week rated nearly $12,500, which is very good flgur* in this house. ■ 'Junior Miss,' Lyceum (46th week) (CD-1,004: $3.30). Playing Mondays again with extra midweek matinef out; getting nice profit weekly with pace over $11,000. •Life With Father,' Empire (14eth week) (C-1,062: $3.30). Quoted near< ly $12,500, which was about samf pace as previous week, not counting extra matinee (Labor Day) then. •Let's Face It,' Imperial (43d week) (M-1,4S0; $4.40). Run musical aturl in the big money end should easuy span fall with the pace up to $20,000 and more. •My Slater EUeen.' Beck (01st week) (CD-1,214; $1.65). May stay until The Pirate* comes In next month; run . comedy still maklnc money, pop scale the factor; dipped under $10,000 however. 'Sons •* Fan,' Winter Garden (42<I week) (CD-1,519; $4.40). Rush ot business to long-staying revue ona of recent surprises; jumped ta $35,000 and more. •SUr and Garter,' I^uslc Box (ISth week) (R-991; $4.40). Another musi- cal that is cleanhig up, with grosses $24,000 and more; good cbanc* through new tieason. •SUrs On lee,' Center (10th week) (M-3,000: $1.65). Was under-esti- mated Labor Day week, when gross was $40,000 in 11 performances; vir- tually selling out every show; arotmd $34,000 in nine times last week. The Morning Star,' Morosco (D- 939; $3.30). After mixed notices business was somewhat better than expected; takings quoted at $10,400, with heavy Saturdiay helping. 'Uncle Harry,* Hudson (17th week) (D-1,042; $3.30). Should go along to profit in new spot; talking of putung on another play on off-matinee afternoons for charity purposes; $10,000 estimated. •Vickie,' Plymouth (C-1.075; $3J0). Presented by Frank Mandel; writ- ten by Sid M. Herzig; drew favor- able attention in out-of-town try- outs; opened Tuesday (22). Added •This b the Army,' Broadway (R- 1,942; $4.40). Final and 12th week for soldier show, which has been packing 'em in since the start and could play indefinitely; $48,000; house may get 'Priorities' from 46th Street. 'Clandia,' St. James (return en. gagement) (17th week) (C-1,520: $1.65). Making a small profit, but intention is fb stick; proceeds for two weeics to go to Russian relief; $6,500. Vande-BcTaea •Show Time,' Broadhurst (1st week) (1,142: $2.75). Drew corking notices at midweek debut and should repeat the success on ihe Coast and Chicago; with five matinees, can beat $24,000. •Priorities ot 1943.' 46th St (Ist week) (1.347; $2.75). Press not so favorable, but business first fiv« days indicates possibilities; estimates are for $19,000 gross. Bcvlvals •Tobacco Boad,' Forrest (2d week) (D-1,195; $1.10). Another week and then to the road; bie at weekends, with gross last week rated over $5,000: fair for top: revived Three Men on a Horse' due here soon. •Porpy and Bess.' Majestic (M- 1.774: $2.75). Final and 36th week, which is record for revival on Broadway; pace again around $20,000 indicates It could have "layed Into the winter.