Variety (Dec 1942)

sa UGITIMATE P^BStffff Wednesdaj, 'Deeember 2, 1942 Inside Stutf-Legit Several limes when 'The Pirale" was trying out on the road it was questionable whelher the show would be brought to Broadway, where it opened at the Bock last Wednesday i25). Showmen not connected with the management saw perfornMnces and voiced negative opinions, offering the comment that the play wasn't .iood enough foi the starred Lunts. They almnst sold the management the idea of scrapping the 'Pirate' until one of those interested in the production declared, without equivocation, that it was valuable property. Sustained heavy boxofTice thus far has backed up that estimation. Press accorded 'Pirate' was sharply divided, no such spread of opinion being evidenced in seasons. Morning notices were jubilant, while the aft- ernoon reviews, with one exception, were pans. Number of script revisions were made by S. N. Behrman, although the original dialog was highly regarded. John C. Wilson remained with the play for weeks working on the direction with Alfred Lunt. The Play- wrights and Theatre Guild, who present the play, took some time to classify the 'Pirate,' then settled for the term extravaganza, meaning cither musical caricature or extravagant drama, or both, but Rrsl night impres- sion was that in es.sence it is romantic comedy. It cost around $50,000 to produce, around one-halt of which was recaptured by out-of-town show- ings. The Cullman brothers have become established as the most 'consistent Investors in Broadway shows. Howard is the Cullman generally men- tioned as a backer but his brother Joseph is his 'downtown' partner. Most of their shows have been winners. Last season they were in on 'By Jupiter.' 'Arsenic and Old Lace' and 'Let's Face It,* but previously took a piece of 'Life With Father.' which whetted their appetite for show business. Current new shows in which they are interested include 'Beat the Band,' 'Strip For Action.' 'The Eve of St. Mark' and 'The Pirate." Latest buy of the CuUmans is 'The Wife Takes a Child.' Mrs. Howard Cullman has a small piece of 'The Skin of Our Teeth,' her husband being among the horde of possible backers who nixed the play. 'Wife,' being produced by John C. Wilson, is now in rehearsal, with Henry Hull, Evelyn Varden and Nedda Harrigan in the leading parts. Something of an oddity in play reviewing was indulged in by Bui-ton Rascoe, who recently supceeded John Mason Brown as critic for the N. Y. World-Telegram when the latter went into uniform. There was no publi- cation on Thanksgiving Day (26), and in Friday's paper Rascoe combined the notices of 'The Pirate." Beck, and "The Great Big Doorstep,' which opened consecutively-on the two previous nights. He is oire of the after- noon critics who had dissenting opinions on 'Pirate,' though he did make some laudatory mentions. Rascoe gave a distinct edge to 'Doorstep' in comparing the plays, curious angle to the lengthy coverage being that there is no semblance of similarity. Joseph Pihodna, incidentally, of the Herald Tribune, has been elevated to second stringer to Howard Barnes who is covering Alms and plays. Two weeks of J. J. Leventhal bookings in Brooklyn and the Bronx washed up 'Three Men On a Horse.' which was unsuccessfully revived at the Forrest, N. Y.. recently. Gross for both weeks was about $4,500, un- profltable. so a plan of the Shuberls to tour the play was dropped. 'Three Men' may have been booked out .of town anyhow but for a legal complication. Alex Yokel, who presented the comedy, had an arrange- ment with Leventhal for compensation regardless of the business. Yokel had been backed by couple of Stamford. Conn., munitions makers who thought themselves entitled to a share of any money Yokel got in con- nection with the play. Papers were served on the show when it was at the Flatbush, Brooklyn, by the backers. 'Quicksilver,' the much-discussed novel (Harcourt, Brace & Co., $3), by Fitzroy Davis, offers one of the most authentically atmospheric pictures of backstage life of any book in recent years. It is much more grease- painty, for instance, than 'Bethel Merriday.' the Sinclair Lewis theatrical novel of a couple of seasons ago. Davis was on the road with the Orson Welles revival of 'Julius Caesar' and with the Lunts in 'Idiot's Delight,' and his account of the tour of a femme star's "Romeo and Juliet' produc- tion reeks of footlights, dressing rooms, road city hotels and sleeper jumps. His plot structure is weak and his story far too long, however. According to insiders, all the characters in the book are drawn from life, so show business readers are likely to find chief interest.'and possibly amusement, in identifying the people, most of them easily recognizable. Shows io Rehearsal 'Cry Havoc' — Lee Shubert, Harry Kaufman. •Wife Takes a Child'—John 0. Wilson. 'Flare Path'—Gilbert Miller, 'You'll See SUrs' ("Star Bound')—David Cramer. 'The Russian People'—Theatre Guild. 'Something or The Girls'— Michael Todd. ■Doughglrls'—Max Gordon. 'Johnny Belinda' In Yiddish With Gentile Femme Lead Clicks By NAT KAHN r)r;ima In Hfis 10 Mfcnos by I'.lmor lliirris: iicl.iiili'il Inn. Vlilillali by li"!- >|.«i>» I.nsh: pioonli'il nt llir IMrkway ItlOy. iiliv. llriMiklyn. N. Y.. bv .S:illliin cbiMbr^ iinil ,l:i<-nb .hKOltn; MiiuOil b> Jonn I'bilt. with .Mir*..* I'Inll f«virunMl: MCllillKS. Snllz- n)Hii nios.: iipi'iiHiI Noy. 'I'-: *-I*!' .Inbn Mi Diiiialil Siilbiiii (liiMbpiK nolln.la I<'"i> I'l-i" situation which brings down the sec- ond act curtain, are notable for their spice. "The baseball atmosphere is deft throughout, and sports experts may look in vain for technical er- rors. Moreover, the production, in- volving 12 scenes, is smoothly wrought and moves much faster than the play itself. All the expositional material needs more wit, and all '.he action more pace, but the main thing out of balance is the characterization of the heroine. This is not only due to the actress's conception of it, but to the role itself The first nighters, obviously con- sisting in great measure of baseball enthusiasts-:-and Boston is notable as baseball town—were generally pleased with the play, and such audi- ences may well insure the success of The carriage trade, however, will expect a little more sustained com- edy. Elie. .Maui Dr. Jai-k l>iiyt.l,"tn. . . . l.iM-ky MrKiM-nili k. .. . Slplln .Vll''in:il .Mi.'<. Lull .Mr». .MiKc.. tlcyorenil 'I'i.liiiai .sli. .. I'nriiuell Jlininy DlnKwrll Kb.yil ItPi-l"!- Ilrfi'nin' ('oui!^-'! nintrlyt AHiMiMV .Tudiso Itimo r,iiIiIlH-i'i: t;u>«(av HiTKCr Ilaylil PiiPltiT .CharlcUli' (ioblHli'ln il bv .MuiK-l CiubiT ...litinna Hitllnndor lirllv Jnf«ri„( >ul9 lliii'kshllzky I,*iiai- Ary»» . . . ..larob JncoliH . . \'ii-tiir Marr'llrt .Il.-iiny Si'tOiiinn iHanf Ar('ii .l,>j.i>|ili SliHi-nuin .lli'iniv Soblntan . I.. Malion H""* -M-'"'- The cast of 'Claudia.' playing an extended repeat date at the Forrest, N. Y., where it recently moved from the St. James, was invited to the matinee today (2) of the newly revived "Counsellor-at-Law,' Royale. Host is John Golden, who's presenting both attractions. The actors heard of the good attendance at 'Counsellor" and decided they v.-oi.ld see the latter if permitted to buy their own tickets. Latter comedy does not play mid- week afternoons because of Sunday performances. At the regular monthly meeting of the Actors Fund Tuesday (1) in New York it was revealed that the stage charity organization had taken care of the burial of seven indigent professionals during the month of November. Also that 344 persons had been given financial aid during the 30-day period. Plans for the next annual benefit performance, a Hxlure since 1882, were discussed. Within a week after he hopped oft, Brooks Atkinson, N. Y. Times critic, who has turned war correspondent for that daily, sent a story from an air transfer base somewhere in Africa. After several days there he took to the air again, his second story by wireless, delayed, appearing yester- day (1). That yarn was mostly about the ravenous appetite of one Sgt. Baer Gilbert, the writer being surprised at the good grub himself. Out in Brooklyn, at the Parkway theatre, the Messrs. Goldberg and Jacobs have come up with an enter- prising drama in Yiddish. The play. 'Johnny Belinda." will be recalled, of course, from its English version a couple of seasons ago on Broadway, with Helen Crai« in the lead part of the deaf-mute. The Yiddish produc- tion features Jean Piatt, who fin- ished up as the lead in the Broad- way presentation and also played the main part on the road. "The drama has also been staged by Miss Piatt. With plenty of word-of-mouth the play should do well at the Yid- dish b.o. Harry WagstafF Gribble"s original production of the play has been fol- lowed minutely by the Yiddish pro- ducers, and Miss Plait's staging has kept out much of the highly geared emotionalisms that are part and par- cel of the Yiddish theatre. Thus is it acceptable for both Yiddish-Ameri- cans and also those who like their dramatics in large \oKs. With about a half-hour's pruning. 'Belinda" would be one of the better bets in the Yiddish theatre. The story, of course, will be re- membered as the one about the deaf- mute, Belinda, who is raped and ultimately has a child. Through the kindness of a young doctor, she has learned to read and write. Eventu- ally she must stand trial for the murder of her malefactor, who had tried to steal the child. The acquittal, of course, brings with it the play's climax at the curtain, when, over- whelmed by the decision, she is able, while clasping the child to her, to speak for the first time, uttering the name of the child, Johnny. Miss Piatt does a workman-like job of the lead part, a feat that's particularly difficult since she doesn't know the Yiddish language. Notable among the rest of the cast are Nathan Goldberg, as John Mc- Donald, the father; Gustav Berger, as Dr. Jack Davidson; David Popper, as Locky McKormick; Charlotte Gold- stein, Mr. McKormick's wife; Hannah Hollander and Betty Jacobs, as gos sip-mongers. The production suggests it would do well for other Yiddish producers to look to the Broadway stage for plays they might readily adapt into their native language, instead of pre- senting many of the current-type of dramas which have long since seen their best days. THREE CURTAINS Wilmington, Del.? Nov. 28. Tbrci* nno-act playu: *Tlie Mnn of JIph- tliiy,' by llPorRe Bernar4l Sbaw: *Tlie Olil Ijiily HIiowH Her MrdnlH,' by .sir nmtx .M. Barrip. and 'Plityca«r»,' by Ar- Inir Winn IMnorn; t^o-xtnrK Gloria Sw.iii- siin anti I*rniicl8 I.^ilprpV; hIukpiI and prp- nlpil by Harold J. KPnnpily. at tbp Pliiy- b.msp. WllnilliRlnn. Did.. Noy. i'-'lH, '4-.': 10)1. u The Man of Deiitlny' lusfppp l,pn|iold Ba.lln i'ii«ral lloniuatrte Franrla r<pilorpr l.loiilpnnnl llaroUl .1. Kpnnpily I.ady (.Iloria Swanson The Old Lady Sliowi Hrr Medala' i. I>t)u-cy UliM-ia SwunMon .Mra. 'I'wyinlcy Maldiu Heade 'I1i<^ JblKKerly WonlHl T,Milan Bvtinson -Mrs. .Nlrktohani l*hapbe ftfavk.iy Mr. Wllllnua Harry Npvilla lv<-nni>ih liowoy Francia I,o<b'r'*r 'I'layKoen' Inpin Harold J. Kpnnpdy Thp .MaiitPr Krani-la I.piloryr Thp MlHlrpKt Gloria Swnnpon The rook Malillp Keadi' Thp KllrhPnmald Kllipl Hp|in>lr.K The I'orlourinald Belle Gardner Thp Hnuttpmnid fhnebe Mackey The I'HPfiil .Maid I.llllan Brunson Olsen & Johnson's idea to produce wacky legit productions for arena audiences is thought to have originated in Bi/ffalo. Last spring O & J brought 'Hellzapoppin,' augmented by numerous stars to Buffalo for a showing in the huge Civic Stadium for Army Relief. Attendance, which went to overflow, was clocked at over 40,000, aiwl- the performance was notable for lighting, acoustics and smooth runoff, with Winter Garden, N. Y., and Shubert crews in charge backstage. O & J were known to be enthusiastic over the setupr at the time. Maurice Evans will be commissioned a captain in the U. S. Army. Gen- eral Fred H. Osborn announced that the Shakespearian star will be taken over from the Army Specialists Corps to continue the work he has been doing, creating entertainment in those areas which are remote from the USO-Camp Shows, Inc., circuit, and which seldom see a professional show. General Osborn also stated that gossip to the effect practical theatre men in the Specialists Corps would be taken over en masse to run the camp theatres was not founded' upon fact. The Camp theatres are now operated by officers who have had experience in show business. Drama critics of San Francisco's four daily sheets remained status quo during the first 11 months of the war, but now the second one is on his way into the service. Kevin Wallace, of The Examiner, is wearing a Navy Air Cadet pin and reports for duty January 15. John Hobart, The Chron- icle's man, is already In the army. He was replaced by Dwight Whitney. The remaining vets are Fred Johnson, Call-Bulletin, and Claude La Belle, News. MYERBERG APPOINTS STEIN 'SKIN' AIDE Ben ■ Stein has been appointed company manager of 'The Skin of Our Teeth,' Plymouth, N. Y, When the play tried out, Michael Myer berg, who produced it, was also back with the attraction and remained in that post after Teeth' premiered, He appointed Stein when the pres- sure of details piled up after the show's click. Myerberg contended he had the right to be producer and company manager of his Own show, which the A.ssociation of Theatrical Agents and Managers disputed. Point was arbitrated and he won through wrinkle in the ATAM rules, per milting showmen to act as their own managers or press agents If having produced between 1935 and 1B38. Union alms to have the rule voided, Plays Out of Town sCoBtlnatd from page SO; THE SUN FIELD The libretto has been tossed into the can and the story now pertains to Axis and FBI operatives. Some comedy bits from burlesque have also been tossed in. As conceived at pre.sent, revival of 'The Firefly' is neither fish nor fowl and there doesn't seem much hope of developing anything profitable out- of the setup. J, J. Shubert is here trying to doctor the show. Only original busines-s retained concerns the heroine shipping as a cabin boy,' and that's the part entrusted to Emma Otero from the radio networks. Given starring stature she doesn't measure up in handling lines and falls short in the vocal assignments because of lack of amplification. Two mikt-s are planted here in the foots, but it's not enough to do the trick and con- stant spotting in front of them makes for stilted playing. Her voice is ordinarily good, but entirely too small or too restrained for this as- signment. Good comedy by Jack Good, ably sparked by Ruth Bond, helps the general setup considerably, and the original Friml tunes are given au- thenticity by highly capable voice of Perry Askam, who knows his way around and handles himself accord- ngly. A promising comedian is Bobby Morris, but his interpolated bits are out of place in this particu- lar show, although very funny. The old pill switching business; a com- edy prize fight and a dissertation on strip teasing would have its moments in a revue, but not here. Other performances of some merit are turned'in by Leonard Ceeley, as the heavy; Helene Arthur, in the secondary femme singing role, and Olive Reeves Smith, as a social climbing dowager. Staging by Barrle O'Daniels was s -mewhat incohesive due to cuts and switches. Boots McKenna's dance routines and ensembles are okay. Same goes for musical direction ot Irving' Actman. Production Is nicely mounted and costuming is in good taste. Biirm. Some yeoman work is still to be done on "Three Curtains,' a combina- tion of three one-act plays by top- flight dramatists. Co-starring Gloria Swanson, one time film star, and Francis Lederer, also a Hollywood name, the production generally is disappointing. The stars appear ill at ease through most of the program and emerge as personalities to be reckoned with n only the second one-acter—Bar- rie's "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals.' Here Miss Swanson, as the old lady, and Lederer, as the sol- dier home on furlough from World War I, play their roles In excellent mood. However, they fail to hurdle the obstacles of Shaw's over-talky Man of Destinv' and Pinero'a sup- posedly satiric Playgoers.' In its present form "Three Cur- tains' is hardly Broadway calibre. Given sufficient rehearsals and a general tightening up the produc- tion's best chances are as a road show, with Miss Swanson and Led- erer as the draw. The supporting cast is generally satisfactory, with Harold J. Ken- nedy, who also directed, and Belle Gardner outstanding. The playbill opens with 'Man of Destipy,' a typically garrulous Shaw piece. It is an incident in the life of Napoleon, and Shaw has him prance around the stage talking about every- thing under the sun. Lederer gives a hesitating interpretation of iMapo- leon and Miss Swanson fails to im- press as a mysterious lady. Ken- nedy, as a lieutenant, docs the best bit of the play. Both the stars and production come to life in the Barrie one-acter of the pitiful London charwoman who adopts a soldier. It Is the only play of the trio which commands full audience attention. Maidie Reade, Lillian Bronson, c|nd Phoebe Mackay are okay as sister char- women. The final play, 'Playgoers,' is weak and a confused method ot presen- tation left most of the audience won- dering what It's all about. Klep, THE FIREFLY Baltimore, Nov. 26. MuNlral comedy In three apln, preaenled by the .shubprlR; book and lyrlra by Otin Harbnch; muffle by Rudolf Frlml; ataRed by Rarrle O'Danlela; dencea and enfipinblea by Boota McKenna; munlcal dtre<-tlon by Irvine Actman; nl Ford'a, Baltlniore, Nov. ■a. '42; »2.78 top. Mrs. Van Dare Olive Iteevea Smith Sybil, her daughter Ruth Bond Opratdinp. her niece Helena Arthur I'leutenanl Jack Temple.. .Gordon Qirrord Kogpr Thurston, Jack'a Uncle..Perry Aiiknm Jenklna Jack flood Doctor Frnnz I.,eonard Ceeley Chlpa, a nervous aallor Bobby Morria Dolnrea Naomi Sandem Pedro. NIna'a FaUier Seymour Tenxner Nina Emma Otero Tony Colombo Ruth Mllchpll Captain of Thuraton'a Yacht. .George DIM Pollip orncer Richard Worth farliitta Dorothea MacFailand Mr. narry George apelvin Diana Thuralon Barbara RIalnp Slugger, Thuraton'a Traln«r..Ulchnid Worth Wlhna Ijnralne Jacqueline Suanan Mrs. Barry Helena Lebcrthun nozo, Chlp'a aecond Jessie Cembcrg N. Y. JURY MAY REVIEW WINE, WOMEN AND SONC A request by Defense Attorney Arthur Markowitz that the jury witness a performance of 'Wine, Women and Song' is expected to be made today in N. Y. General Ses- sions Court, where the show's pro- ducers are on trial for allegdly pre- senting an indecent performance. Yesterday's testimony included mostly a description by George A. Timeone, a lawyer, of the stripping performances in the revue by Margie Hart, Noel Toy and Scarlet Kelly. He appeared for the prosecution. The State rested its case yesterday (Tuesday). Any re.<;emblance to the original 'Firefly' and the Frlml tunes Is, no doubt, accidental In this version. Seattle Grosses □ ContlDueii from page 8 with school vacation helping materi- ally. Last week, same opus garnered *" LIbVrtf ?j & vH) i\m: 40-50-65) Never Lovelier' (Col). Plenty of plugs for Astaire and Hayworth. Giant $10,000. Last week, "Sister Eileen' (Col), $4,800, big tor half ot seventh week. Music Box (H-E) (800; 40-50-65 - 'Major and Minor' (Par) (5th wk). Great $5,800. Last week, magnificent **Muslc Hall (H-E) (2,200; 40-50-65) — Springtime in Rockies' (20th) and •ManUa Calling' (20th). DayiO""-- dale with Paramount. Smash $9,500, and new mark since house reopened. Last week, 'Bambi' (RKO) and Ald- ri:h Editor' (Par), big $6,800. Orpheum (H-E) (2,600; 40-50-65)— 'Desperate Journey' (WB) anil •C^mes Love' (U). Big sag trom last week, but forte at hangup $16,01)0; Last week, (50-65) 'Girl Trouble (20th) plus Tommy Dorsey band. Band combo set town on its ears with terrific $23,800.- Palomar (Sterling) (1,350; 40-50- 65)—'Old Homestead' (Rep) and Smith Minnesota' (Col) plus vaude. rolid $10,000. Last week, 'Holmes Secret' (U) plus Ted Fio Hito, band getting credit tor boosting business to big $11,300. Paramount .H-E) (3,039; 40-50-65) —"Springtime in Rockies' (20th) and ■Manila Calling' (20th). Day-and- date with Music Hall. Immense $15.- 000. Last week, 'Thunder Birds (20th) and 'Renaults Secret' (20lh). nice $11,300. Boosevelt (Sterling) (800; 40-50- 65)—"Pride Yankees' (RKO). Re- turn engagement, after five weeks in town previously. Big $5,000. Last week, "Flying Fortress' (WB) and 'in Groove' (U), (2d wk), good $4,000. Winter Garden (Sterling) (800; 20- 30)—"Pied Piper' (20th) and 'Lady in Jam' (U) (3d run). Trim $4,500. Last week, third run ot 'Above AH (20th) and Pardon Sarong' (U), nice $4,100.