Variety (Sep 1942)

WedneBdajt September SO, 1942 P^RIETY LEGITIMATE 49 'ArmyV Other Benefits Estimated that This Is the Army's' nightly turnaway at the Broad- way, N. Y„ greatly benefited other Broadway shows, particularly 'Sons o' Fun' at the nearby Winter Garden. Estimated that that revue has averaged $10,000 or more weekly from showgoers who failed to get into the 'Army.' The soldier show having gone to the road, pace of 'Fun' is expected to drop. Latter slipped considerably last week end the boxoflice started chopping prices, which it had not done for the past two months. Phenomenon of the 'Army* turnaway accounts for the sensational spurt of Tun' recently when the gross hopped to around $37^000. Gait was much under that mark last week. Several years ago, when 'Hellzapoppln' opened at the 4eth Street and climbed to S. R. O., 'Oscar Wilde' in the limited capacity Fulton was tteneflted as much as $4,000 weekly for a period of 20 weeks. 'Hellz' was then moved to the Winter Garden and the gross of 'Wilde' dropped sharply. 'Anny Takes Protective Measures To Balk Tidet Scalping on Road Gallant gesture was displayed In Monday's (28) N. Y. dallies when an ad to the public rea* 'Army Emer- gency Relief thanks you, for support- ing Irving Berlin's soldier show, This Is the Army.'' Show ended an ex- citing three-month engagement at the Broadway Saturday evening, and de- parted for the National .Washington, where it opened last night (30). Nearly all tickets for the 11-day date in the capital were sold in advance. The People's Show' will not accept mail orders, it has been decided, and, unless there are unforeseen condi- tions, that policy will be maintained on the tour. There will, however, be civilian committees which will be or- ganized in advance by Col. Charles F. H. Johnson, a reserve officer. Such local committee will be asked to han- dle certain blocks of tickets, expect- ed to be purchased by officials and civic leaders. Idea of people buying their own tickets at the boxofflce is expected to place them outside the hands of pos- sible gyps, and it is felt that mail orders would open the way to dig- gers. 'Army' is carrying its own portable ticket booths, leaving the house boxoffices to handle sales for current shows and those to follow •Army.' Latter carries its own ticket staff of six. headed by Corp. George Handy, all in the service. Recount on the 'Army' total gross in N. Y. for 12 weeks and one night (opened on July 4) was $590,025, an average of $47,300 weekly. The net, however, is placed at $780,063, which is inclusive of a $250,000 advance on the picture rights. There were aux- iliary soiu-ces of revenue, topped by donations, which totaled $26,272, plus program advertising, souvenir book- lets, sheet music, etc. Cost of pro- duction was $19,176 and the total ex- pense was put at $90,723, including rent. There will be nine advance or press agents, in units of three, all being in uniform. Staff will be head- ed by Nat Dorfman, civilian, who is working without compensation, as during the Broadway run. He will journey to various stands. Agents: Corp, Ben Washer, Sgt. Dave Wurzel. Corp. Reginald Denneholz, Pvts. Nathan Schenker, Alfred Palca, Max Gendel, Thomas McDonnell, Max Wilk, Jules Levene. Sgt. Carl Fisher remains as com- pany manager. Tom Bodkin, repre- senting the corporate presenting out- fit, and A L. Berman, general man- ager and also civilian, will travel back and forth arranging ticket scales and other details. Uncle Harry' Going To London for Tennant London rights to "Uncle Harry," thriller by Thomas Job at the Hud- son, N. Y., have been sold to H. M. Tennant, Ltd., for immediate West- End production. Clifford Hayman, producer of the show on Broadway, will be associated in the London presentation. Negotiations are under way with several Hollywood companies for ths sale of the 'Uncle Harry' film rights, for which $100,000 is the ask- ing price. Republic has made an of- fer involving Joseph Schildkraut and Eva Le Gallienne repeating their stage roles in the screen version. It would be MLw Le Gallienne"s Picture debut. One difficulty over a filmization of "Harry" is the fact 'hat in the play the murderer is nor apprehended. TTiat would have *o be altered to meet Hay."! office f.equiremenis. Toledo Decides 1943 Operetta Should Wait Toledo, Sept. 29. The Toledo Civic Opera Associa- tion, which offers al fresco enter- tainment at the amphitheatre of the Toledo 2teological Park each sum- mer, has elected Sydney D. Vin- nedge, department store executive, president to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Percy C. Jones. Other officers elected are Daniel J. O'Brien, president of the Commodore Perry hotel, vice presi- dent; Judge Rol>ert C. Dunn, secre- tary; and D. N. Dresser, banker, treasurer. Preliminary discussion for re- sumption of light opera next sum- mer led to the conclusion that it is yet too early to decide definitely on the length of the season. No offer- ings were presented during 1942 be- cause of numerous factors, after four successive summers of productions. $1 TOP. 1-WK. LEGIT IN CINCY Cincinnati, Sept 29. Opening of an extended season of week engagements for road shows at $1 top is set for Oct 5, ^ith Fred Stone starred in 'You Can't Take It With You.' The 2,300-seat Emery auditorium, on Walnut street, four bloclcs from the theatre district, has been engaged for the venture. Sea': L3 25-30-40-50-75-$! and policy calls for Monday night openings and Wed., Sat. and Sun. matinees, with closings 01 Sunday night. Top for matinees is 50c. Hugo Schaaf Is resident manager for eastern interests backing the endeavor. He recently was manager of a Major Bowes amateur unit Other shows under consideration are 'Escape Me Never,' with Eliza- betli Bergner; Ruth Chatterton in 'Private Lives,' Helen Gleason in 'Merry Widow,' with Frances Led- erer, Florence Reed, Jane Cowl, Henry Hull, James Barton, Glenda Farrell, Nancy Carroll and Gloria Swanson listed as other possibilities. The last bid to offer pop legit here was made in 1934 at the Cox. Sev- eral other midwestern cities were looped in a circuit which folded after several weeks. Cincy's first legit engagement fo" the 1942-43 campaign is for the last htlf of this week with Lunt and Fontanne in The Pirate' at the Taft theatre. Top is $3.30 for three night performances and $2.75 for the single matinee, Saturday (3). Bealt«r-Backer Isaac Scherman, N. Y. and Cin- cinnati realtor, is behind the Cincy $: top legit venture. Carleton Miles is the p a. ' Emma Otero to Star In Revival of 'Firefly' Emma Otero, concert singer, who ha;: her own spot on NBC Sunday matinee.s, has been signatured to a two-year stage contract by the Shu- berts. She will be starred in a re- vival of 'The Firefly.' The locale of the revised book, by Roland Leigh, will be Cuba, and the .irnre will include five c(jmpo.>!itions by Leopold Spitahiy, NBC musical di:ector. Hellz' Postponement Night Crowd in Pitt Pittsburgh, Sept. 29. Hundreds of 'Hellzappopln' ticket- holders who turned up at the Nixon last Monday night (21) for the show's opening here refused to leave when they were told that the revue had been postponed for 24 hours. Most of 'em laughed at the an- nouncement printed in the lobby, figuring it was a typical 'Hellz' gag, and several hung around for an hour or so, sure that something was going to happen. One even asked manager Sam Nixon: 'What do we do this time, go in through the stage door?' First time 'Hellz' visited here, Billy House, then co-starring with Eddie Garr, was suffering from arth- ritis and had to be wheeled from his hotel to the theatre. He was pushed in through the lobby, In Intense pain, but determined to appear if even briefiy for opener. Crowd hee-hawed the scene as a 'Hellz' gag, too. However, it was no gag. Latest edition of touring revue, which launched its tour here, simply couldn't get ready in time. That was discovered too late to make the Mon- day morning and early editions of the afternoon papers, so most of the first-night crowd showed up. Re- hearsals lasted all through Sunday and by S a.m. only the first act had been completely gone through. It was all the company could do to whip it into shape for following night Press announcements said de- lay was because scenery hadn't ar- rived in time. JESSEL MAY SmiE 'HIGH KICKERS' CLAIMS Arbitration of claims by half a dozen principals in 'High Kickers' has been deferred a second time and a settlement may be agreed upon by George Jessel. Case was to have been heard last Wednesday after- noon (23), but it was discovered that Jessel was unable to appear, there being a matinee of 'Show Time' in which he is appearing at the Broad- hurst N. Y. Monday (28) when the arbitration was slated again. It was called off b:cause some of the claim- ants were not in town. Matter was threshed out during a meeting in Equity's offices Friday (25) and it is understood that Jessel presented certain evidence that sup- ported hi&- side and somewhat questioned the strength of the claim- ants' contentions. Reported that Jessel was advised that he would be permitted time to pay off If he conceded the money was due. Known, however, that the comedian feels aggrieved against the players, figuring the loans payable out of operating net if earned. If that idea does not hold and Equity rules that the 'Kickers' people took a salary slice, they would be subject to discipline, Jessel included, on the grounds that the rules were breached. Matter dates from the time "Kick- ers' played Boston, following N. Y. Jessel wished to close the show there, but according to reports at the time, the others felt that the revue would click in Chicago, where Sophie Tucker (co-starred with Jessel) was figured to have a per- sonal draw strong enough for a run. When the Loop date flopped and the company returned to N. Y., those who put up the coin In Boston turned over I.O.U's to Equity to be collected against the bond. That held up the salary payoff until the arbi- tration method was agreed on. Current London Shows London, Sept. 29. 'All's Fair," Whitehall. 'Belle of N. Y.,' Coliseum. 'Blithe Spirit' St. James's. 'Claodia,' St. Martin's. 'Dancing Tears,' Adelphi. 'Doctor's Dilemma,' Haymarket. D'Oyly Carte Opera, Princes. ■Flare Path,' Apollo. 'Fine and Dandy,' Saville. 'Full Swine,' Palace. 'Gangway,' Palladium. 'Get a Load of This,' Hippodrome. 'Man With Red Hair,' Ambassador. 'Macbeth,' Piccadilly. 'Man Who Came to Dinner,' Savoy. 'Men In Shadow,' Vaudeville. '.Morning Star,' Globe. Wide Interest in Equity's Stock Rebirth Proposal; See H wood Co-op Shuberts Get Cla««y Shuberts have ordered front of the house men to don dinner clothes for evening performances in their Broadway theatres, the more or less evening attire be- ing tlie rule In former seasons. Managers and treasurers espe- cially will be required to wear tuxes. B.O. people have the edge be- cause they are not visible below the waist and only a dr#sscoat is necessary. BARNES 1ST N.Y. CRITIC ON PK-LEGIT An innovation In amusement cov- erage so far as N. Y. is concerned has been started by the Herald Xcibune, which has assigned Howard Barnes to cover both legit shows a d pictures. Outside the metropolis -° ii generally the rule for an individ- ual to cover both fields, there being comparatively few stage attractions. Decline in the amount of legit production in recent seasons may have given the critics something to think about, especially in the spring period when there are few new shows, but the theatre and film C~- partments kept their identities until the Trib coupled its flrst-stringe'-. Barnes is familiar with review- ing shows and pictures, having covered first nights either as seconcU stringer or for radio. Richard (Dick) Watts, Jr., who he succeeded, is similarly equipped and, before he took over the drama upon the death ol Percy Hammond, was the Trib's film reviewer. As there are vastly more pictures to cover, that assignment is the heaviest and Barnes will have t o assistants. In addition to reviews, he writers a syndicated general story v/hich has a Tuesday deadline. In last Sunday's Trib drama section Barnes devoted most of the space 'o the drama, but combined the picture end. Watts is with the Office of War Information and is abroad. He had a I^ondon theatre story in Sunday's Trib which was syndicated. He is slated to regularly send articles fro i Dublin. Trib, in announcing Barnes' dual job, said: 'In combining the films t i dramatic department the Herald Tribune recognizes the close alliance which in rc:ent years has developed l>etween the two mediums, with tl' ■ same actors, writers and directors frequently working in both.' Welfe Kaofman Deobles Chicago. Sept 29. The Chicago Sun and Tribune swapped music critics, Claudia Cas- sidy going to the Trib and Felix Borowski coming over to the Sun. Miss C:assldy did both music and dra- matics on the Sun, but Borowski wlU only handle mu' 'c. Wolfe Kaufman, film editor, takes on drama as weh. Yiddish 'Belinda' Goldt>erg & Jacobs' stock troupe at the Parkway theatre, Brooklyn, is preparing a Yiddish version of the English drama, 'Johnny Belinda,' presented by Harry Wagstafl Crib- ble at the Belasco, N. Y., a couple of seasons ago. The leading femme role, that of a deaf mute, will be played by Jean Piatt. The role was created by Helen Craig. She was followed by Lucille Piatt. Jean Piatt, sister of Lucille, subsequently took over the role. 'Harder Wilhoot Crime,' Comedy. 'Night of the Garter,' Strand. 'No Orchids for BUndlsb,' Wales. 'Quiet Week-End,' 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,' Garrick. 'Watch on the Rhine,' Aldwych. Equity's proposal to re-establish stock companies in various stands through the country, which is be* ing placed before leaders in show business, is attracting considerable Interest Basic advantage both to the Coast and Broadway is the de« velopment of talent and negotia- tions have already started with pic- ture interests. From Equity's standpoint it be- lleves support by the film companies of Initial importance at the start and, if Hollywood favors the idea, it will be placed l>efore the League of New York Theatres, whose members will l>e expected to figure in the estab- lishment of stocks out of town, if not under their individual direction. Among the picture leaders expected to okay the stock movement is David O. Selznick, who conducted a stock outfit at Santa Barl>ara, CaU last summer. Broadway may see two stoclcs op- crating this season. First is that dated to open next week at the For- rest with 'Three Men on a Horse,' the first play. "Die Adelphi, large capacity house on West S4th street which has l>een a problem, theatre, is named as a possibility for the second stock with Russell Mack the operator. He conducted stock at the Mosque, Newark, where the season closes Saturday (4), the house then reverting to concerts. The Mosque is owned by the Pru- dential Insurance Co., and Mack de- cided not to take another house in Newark, not carii^g to be figured op- position to those interests. He will book the Mosque's open weeks, in« eluding Christmas and New "Vear's, slating an ice carnival as one at- traction. From the actors' standpoint, a re- surgance of stock would be desir- able further than providing jobs. Anticipated that the ranks of play- ers is steadily being depleted by the war and the demand for replace- ments is expected to rise. In that event the minimum pay for stock would probably increase. Equity rules call for $4i9 minimum in stock, the pay having beeh raised when the production minimum went from $40 to $50. At that time managers said the raise would force smaller casts by eliminating bits both in straight plays and revues, but that situation did not eventuate. MATTER OF 2D FRONT NEW EQUITY TROBLEM' Equity's fall quarterly meeting at the Astor, N. Y., Friday (25) after- noon was a placid session. Execu- tive secretary Paul Dullzell read a report and was followed by Bert Lytell, association's president who spoke of the USO-Camp Show ac- tivities. The session then was thrown open for discussion and adjourned at 4:30. One proposal from the floor per- tained to the War's second front, but why such a problem should reach Equity was not explained. For some time attempts have been made to circulate petitions among actors demanding such action. Resolution introduced was to the effect that Equity back up the White House if and when such action is decided upon. There was also a suggestion that Equity start its own stock com- panies, an idea that will probably be shelved by the council Actors Fund Resnmes Meets; 'Star's' Benefit The resumption of the monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Actors" Fund of America will take place at the headqtiarters of the charity next Tuesday (Oct. 6). This, first of the meetings to be held by the trustees after the summer sea- son, is always an important one, for it will have to deal in great part with the financial status of the charity, and the findings of the Executive Committee which meets regularly once a week throughout the entire year. One of the announcements to be made at the meeting will come from Michael Todd, to the effect that a special performance of 'Star and Garter' will be given at the Music Box on Sunday night (11), net re- ceiots to the Fond.