Variety (Dec 1942)

Wednesday, December 16, 1942 LEGITIMATE 43 Chi in Slump; Torgy' Down to 12G, rriorities $15M XIaudia NG 6G Chicago, Dec. IS. Transportation difficulties, cold weather and the usual pre-Chrlatmae slump, combined with a drop of out- of-town visitors due to ms ration- ing, put a crimp In boxofffce receipts last week. 'Priorities of 1942' - is stiU the leader, with 'Porgy and Bess* and 'Good Night, Ladies,' running even for second honors. Estimate* far Laat Week 'Good Night, Ladles,' Blackstone (35th week) (1,200; $2.75). Did $12,- 000, okay. ■Janior Mlsa,' Harris (12th week) (1,000; $2.78). Announcing Ita last weeks. Will probably end run Jan. g. Down to $7,900. 'Mali In Oaarka,' Great Northern (12th week) (1,300; $2.20). Held to $5,000, still plenty of profit. 'Porgy and Bess,' Studebaker (6th week) (1,400; $3.30). Beginning to feel drop. Will stick around until Jan. 2; $12,000 last week. •Prierltles,' Erlanger (0th week) (1.300: $2.75). Will lay oft Dec. 21 through 24 to give players rest, with two shows New Year's Eve and extra matinees during holidays. Did $16,- 000 with Argcntinita out of cast. 'ClaaMa,' Selwyn (2d week) (1,- 000; $2.20). Not doing so well. Man- agement has chopped a week off en- gagement and tours after this week. Low of all houses with $6,000. hYov-KDow-Wbat,16G Id Wash, at %1 Top Washington, Dec. 15. Max Gordon's production of 'The Doughgirls' grossed $16,000. stout business ^or the National theatre's $2 top. Comedy was well received by the critics and sold out from Wednes- day on. Comedy is believed locally to have an excellent chance to make the Broadway grade after George S. Kaufman completes the polishing. Lively interest in the Theatre Guild's production of The Russian People,* In which 20th-Fox has a $17,- 500 slice. Film company does not acquire screen rights for this invest- ment, since Metro and Paramount are interested in the Konstantin Skmonov script. 'Arsenic and Old Lace,' with the original Boris Karloff company, comes in after 'People' has completed fortnight's engagement. Some talk, but no booking yet, of a tryout week for 'Ziegfeld Follies* before it opens in New York. lADY IN DARK'SUNNY AT 25^ IN DETROIT Detroit, Dec. IS. Despite the onset of heavy Christ- mas buying here, Detroit's rlalto stays brisk. Gertrude Lawrence in the second week of "Lady In the Dark' bettered slightly the big flrst week's figure with an approximate $25,500 tucked in for the second week. Musical goes a third week before ZaSu Pitts comes in with 'Her First Murder' on Dec. 25 to keep the Cass bright on the holi- days. 'Lady* figure for the Cass now r OTW"\.ie $50.uOO marK"Idf"fWo weeks. Lafayette did profitable trade with an estimated $10,000 for Walter Hampden and Cissie Loftus in •Arsenic and Old Lace,' which goes at a $1.65 top at the house. Run will continue for the holidays but the flfiure wasnt up to the weekly gross of 'Tobacco Road,' which preceded it for two weeks. Wilson also will relight here on Christmas night with Edward Ever- ett Horton again dusting off 'Spring- time for Henry,' which had a long run here last summer. Shows in Rehearsal 'Dark Eyes'-^ed Harri.';. Thla Little Hand'—A. H. Woods. 'Sweet Charily'—Alfred Blooming- dale. 'Cry Havoc'—Lee Shubert, Harry Kaufman. •New Faces of 1943' ('New Shoes' —Leonard Sillman). 'Wife Takes a Chlld'—John C. Wil- son. 'You'll See Stars'—David Cramer ii^Cll"' *F"^' (foad)—Play; 'Spring Again' Fair $6,500 in Buffalo Buffalo, Dec. 15. Guthrie McCllntlc production of 'Spring Again,' with Grace George and C. Aubrey Smith, did only a fair $6,500 in four days at Erlanger last week, despite assistance of subscrip- Uon list. House was scaled at $2.75 top. Coast LegK Off 30%; Gas Jolts H wood Hardest Los Angeles, Dec. 15. The play is not the thing; it's gaa, Paraphrasing of the Bard's immortal line Is true, anyway, of Los Angeles' plays, which, since advent of fuel rationing, have been socked some 30%. It can't be the plays, 'cause they are good, or, at least, commer- cial, having been tried, tested and passed boxofflce muster—until Uie 'A' book boogie bowed in. Hollywood, with 'Cry Havoc' at Music Box and 'Blackouts of 1942' at El Capltan, is hardest hit. Combina- tion of pre-Xmas slump and ration- ing Is leaving definite scars on 'Havoc* which, until that time, had been building nicely since graduat- ing to big time from Beechwood Lit- tle Theatre. 'Blackouts' has advan- tage in long-standing reputation, plus better location, but is also suffering, particularly on matinees. Both are saved by weekend bell. Around $10,- 500 for 'Blackouts' last week. 'Havoc' did $4,000. 'Hey, Rookie,' Army show at Be- lasco downtown took a sloughing during flrst week of couponing for only $9,000 on the week. However, as with downtown film theatres, it came back this week after initial drop, though not fully recovering, and looks to enjoy continued less hurt than Hollywood. Advance sale at Biltmore for 'Choc- olate Soldier,' opening Xmas day. further f^ubstantiates impression that downtown is better off, management reporting strong interest in revival that will reopen house. 'JUNIOR MISS' PICKS UP, \m IN BOSTON Boston. Dec. 15. Return of 'Arsenic and Old Lace,' with Boris Karloff company, at the Colonial, is bolstering trade some- what here this week, but biz is not any too powerful although it's a lit- tle better on a pro rata basis than the film houses. Surprise was 'Fire- fly,' which hit $10,000 on second frame and is staying for another. 'Angel Street' dwindled after Cocoa- nut Grove fire and closed Saturday (12), while 'Junior Miss' recovered at the Wilbur and stays one more, closing 19th. 'Something for the Boys' debuts at the Shubert Friday (18). Estimates for Last Week 'Angel Street,' Plymouth (1,400; $2.75). Never i-ecovered after Grove ft.<-e, .fin)shlaf,Ji«r.jit.^''.200 'Firefly,' Majestic 11.667: $2.20). Gained all week, finishing with ssti- matcd $10,000. One more to go. » 'Janlar Miss,' Wilbur (7th week) (1.227; $2.75). Picked up where it left off, advancing to estimated $10,500. Defer Don Clarke Til mw' Spot's Filkd Milwaukee, Dec. 15. Donald Clarke. 28. cenor lead in 'The Merry Widow.' was rccla."isi- fied from 1-B to 1-A by the San Diego (Calif.) draft board on Nov. IS, biit owing to the show's fre- quent jumps notiflcalion of the change failed to catch up with him until this past week at the Davidson theatre. After a complicated ex- change of telegrams, jurisdiction over the actor's status was trans- ^ ferred to the Milwaukee draft board | and Friday (11) he wa.s O.K. d foi- | army service. His induction was deferred, how- ever, until the end of the troupes curiont week in Cincinnati to en- able J. M. Grossman, company man- ager, to get a new man up in the [ 'ARSENIC POOR |12>000 IN PinSBURGH RETURN Pittsburgh, Dec. 15. 'Arsenic and Old Lace,' with orig- inal Broadway company headed by Boris Karloff, didn't do so well last week at the Nixon, getting only around $12,000, a big disappointment and lowest figure that attraction has hit yet. It was a return eifgagement for show, although the Eric Von Stroheim company played it here a year ago, and the Karloff troupe had been expected to top previous gross for 'Arsenic' Didn't even come close, however, the show getting $35,- 000 in two weeks last season. The gas rationing was held mainly re- sponsible. Second return hit In a row to take It on the chin at the Nixon, 'Watch On Rhine,' having died the week be- fore. Only 'Claudia,' flrst of three shows in succession to come back, got a presentable week, 'Arsenic' had same scale as before, $2.75, but on previous occasion played under subscription auspices. House has 'Spring Again' current, a Theatre Guild-American Theatre Society offering, and goes dark next week for flrst time this season, re- opening Dec. 28 with Boston Comic Opera. Co. in Gilbert and Sullivan repertory. CURTAINS FOR 'CURTAINS' IN PHILLY.SG Philadelphia, Dec. IS. The Boston Light Opera Co., pre- senting Gilbert ii Sullivan repertory at the Locust street theatre, Jumped a notch in its second week to reach $9,300, and it was decided at mid- week to hold the much-praised outfit for a third. Last weeks figure was considered very good for a $2 top. City's other legit offering last week, 'Three Curtains,^ at the Walnut, did not fare any too well. Just grazed $5,000 in single week's stay. Crlx liked one of the three plays (Barrie's 'Old Lady Shows Her Medals'), but couldn't warm to the Shaw or Pinero one-acters. Acting of Francis Led- erer and Gloria Swanson created a difference of opinion. Philly gets the biggest array of hol- iday show bookings this year that it has seen in a decade. Following Katharine Cornell's single week en- gagement in "The Three Sisters,' which opened at the Forrest last night, lineup of legit bookings Is as follows: Dec. 21, 'Sweet Charity' (one week only) at the Locust, and 'Doughgirls' (also one week only), at the Walnut; Dec. 25, 'FuU Speed Ahead' (musical) at the Forrest and running through New Year's week, and on Dec. 28, 'Junior Miss.' at the Locust (for a run) and 'Dark Eyes.' a Jed Harris tryout at the Walnut for two weeks. Latter will be followed on Jan. 11 by a return of 'Arsenic and Old Lace.' All shows except 'Sisters' are charging $2.50 top; Miss Cornell's is $3.50. 'Sweet Charity' is the only one actually debutting here. Estimates for Last Week Boston Light Opera Company, Lo- cust (2d week) (1,600; $2). Company giving Gilbert St, Sullivan repertory hit S9.300 and was held for a third week. "Three Curtains,' Walnut (one week only) (1.700: $2). Tnis novelty, con- sisting of three one-act plays, didn't fare well. Scant $5,000. €anip-tegitei^Kept Within 8-Perfonnance Schedule By Equity Looks definite that USO-Camp Shows, Inc., will keep its legit at- tractions within the eight perform- ance limit. Equity's council having definitely rejected the proposal to permit performances 12 times week- ly, or twice nightly. It is okay with Equity if more than eight perform- ances are given, providing the actors are paid one-eighth for eaeh addi- tional performance, as is the general rule. Understood that stagehands and other unions concerned with camp legiters take the same stance as Equity. USO says that the legit shows in the camps average six performances weekly, that only at some camps or naval stations would two showings nightly be asked, and that its bud- get would not permit paying for ad- ditional performances. Vaude shows and units regularly play twice nightly in the camps but those shows are 'streamlined,' averaging about one hour and 15 minutes, or -..-..1 I..;-- ■■ - '— Broadway Off; Jupiter/ love Top List, 25G, Others Close; 'Son' Only 7G Despite Bally; 'St. Mark' $17^00 Pre-Christmas decline on Broad way was more marked last week, and so the list sagged, as expected with the exception of the new lead- ers. Some attractions will lay off a portion of next week, holiday falling on Friday. Another brace of incomers last week. One, 'The Sun Field,' was yanked pronto while the other. The Willow and I,' drew mixed notices and Is continuing. No new attrac' tiona for the current week. EsUiwUes for Last Week Kei/s: C fComed«J, D (Drama), CD (Comedv-Drama), R (Revue;, M (Musical), O (Operetta;. 'ABfCl Street.' Golden (S3d week) (D-789; $3.30). Not as much vari ance and claimed to have been not much under $9,000. 'Araenle and Old Laee,' Fulton <90th week) (CD-893; $3.30). Was socked, with takings reaching about the lowest level since engagement's start; $7,600 approximately. 'Beat the Band,' 46th St. Closed last Satturday (12) after playing eight weeks; never climbed over around 30% of capacity and lately dipped to $14,000. 'Blithe Spirit,' Booth (StOi week) (CD-712; $3.30). One of the hold- overs ^t has been doing well right along; went oft with field last week but not much under $9,000. •By Japitar,' Shubert (2«th week) (M-1,32S: $4.40). Slipped for flrst time since early summer; gross ap- proximated $28,000, about best among the musicals, 'Great Big Doorstep,' Morosco (3d week) (C-939: $3.30). Doubtfully received and business reflects that; rated around $7,000, which may be even break. 'fenle.' Miner (14th wedc) (C-940; $3.30). Has been easing off, and when takings dipped imder $8,500 (stop limit) house promptly served notice, wanting tenancy for 'Flare Path,' due next week; comedy moves to Bilt- more next week. 'JnUor Mlas.' Lyceum (SSth week) (CD-1,062; $9.30). 'Doughgirls' takes over during New Year s week with 'Miss' slated to move to big 46th Street after Sunday (10); around $9,- 000; will lay off four days before Christmas. 'Let's Face It,' Impaial (55th week) (M-L3a6; $4.40). Went off an- other couple of Gs, with takings around $23,000; still okay and should come back with arrival of holidays. 'Lite With Father,' Empire (160th week) (CD-l,0e2; $3.30). While far- ing better than other long stayers, run leader dipped appreciably last week; quoted close to $11,400, plenty. 'My Sister Ellcea.' Broadway (103d week) (CD-LSIO; $1.10). Got around $6,000 at Ritz, from where It moved Sunday (13), with scale cut again; new spot more than double the capacity. 'Rosalinda,' 44th St. (7th week) (0-l,37S; $3.30). Has been operating at profit since opening but slipped last week to around $17,000; should do better after next week. Skin of Our Teeth,' Plymouth (4th week) (CD-1,075; $3.85). Audiences controversial over play but business continues to great figures; nearly $23,000. 'Sons o' Fu.' Winter Garden (54th week) (R-l,5ie;$4.40). Again dipped but that was expected in pre-houday going; estimated aroun<t $22,500 last week; should soar after next week. Star and Garter,' Music Box (25th week) (R-Oei; $4.40). MaUnees off slightly but not enough to dent pace .of-zevue,. wlui:^.ge&«EJilly_iurvi%. night business of standee propor- tions; approached $24,000 again. 'Stars on Ice,' Center (Zld week) (R-3,C0O; $1.63). Got as much as any of the regular musicals on Broadway; strong Saturday accounted for gross near $25,000. 'Strip f«r Aellea,' NaUonal (Uth week) (C-1,162; $3.85). Has been slipping lately, and last .week's ap- proximate $13,500 was low mark to date: announced to close Jan. 3. 'The Damask Cheek,' Plymouth (8th week) (C-895; $3.30). Went off sharply last week without party sup- port, takings approximating $7,500; should rise with holidays. The Eve of St. Mark,' Cort (10th week) (D-1.064: $3.30). Among strongest straight plays and has not been affected by the slump; gross quoted at $17,200, capacity. "The Pirate,' Beck (3d week) (C-1,214: $3.85). Riding for a run; nearly $23,000 and will go higher; as much as most musicals. 'The Sun Field,' Biltmore. Opened last Wednesday '9); weak press; sent to storehouse Saturday after five per- formances; 'Janie' moves over from Miller. ■The Willow and I.' Windsor (1st week) (D-873: $3.30). Opened late la.?t week: notices were mixed, some enthusiastic; indicated pace $6,000; parties should help this week; may push it. _^Uncl^jrrjj^judso^29tl^eelO profit right along including last week when takings eased to estimated $8,500. 'Withoot Love,' St. James (5th week) (C-1.S20; $3.30). Quoted close to $25,000, top money, or nearly that, for entire list; sale extends to mid- February; continuance thereafter in doubt. 'Tankee Point,' Longacre. With- drawn Satturday night after playing to mild business for slightly over three weeks. Added •Claudia,' Forrest (return engage- ment) (original date 56 weeks) (28th week) (C-1,105; $1.65). Expected to go along through holiday period for ime^pectedly lengthy repeat; around 'Native Son,' MajesUc (return date) (7th week) (D-1,715; $1.65). Uproar over closing notice- which was taken down brought publicity but not boxoffice rush; $7,000, may- be even break. Revival 'Connscllor-st-Law,' Royale (3d week) (D-1,047; $3.30). Faring very well so far, with business around $13,000; quite profitable and should improve after holidays. Vande-Bevae 'Shaw Time,' Broadhurst (13th week) (1,142; $2.75). Went off to approximately $17,000; said not much profit at that level but sounds very good for vaude. Oreenwich VllUge 'Winter SoMlers.' Studio theatre. 'Only the Heart,' Provincetown Playhouse. 'SISTERS'26G IN BALTIMORE Baltimore, Dec. IS. 'Three Sisters,' with Katharine Cornell heading a star-laden cast, last week drew some negative notices from the local crix aimed at the talky script, but wound up with a resounding $16,000, nevertheless. At a top of $3.39 for the 1,900-seat Ford's, upper floors sold out in advance and orchestra built steadily to capacity on closing night. Current is Max Gordon's produc- tion of 'The Doughgirls,' by Joseph Fields and staged by George S. Kauf- man. Advance reports of its racy contents attracting a healthy pre- opening ticket sale. 'ROAD/6DAYSJ7,400 IN 4TH L'VILLE DATE Louisville; Dec. 15. Tobacco Road,' with John Barton starring in the Jeeter Lester role, one of the few legit attractions to visit this town during the current season, wound up a six-day engagement at the National, 2,400-seater, which has been operating under a vaudfilm pol- icy for the past month, to a good $7:400. Gave a midnight show Sat- urday (12) to good biz, with prices ranged down from $1.50. Company moves to St. Louis, opening Monday (14). This was the fourth engagement -iotimrwi th-riffsinnBriiTtiiwsfr^piBr and gave the town's defense workers a chance to gander a stage play for the first time. Xom' 20G, Seattle Seattle, Dec. 15. Second legit show of the season at the Metropolitan, scaled from $2.88, found Ethel Barrymore in 'Corn Is Green' doing fine $2»,000 here last week. On opening night 25 seats were sold In the pit. 'Corn' played eight nights and two mati- nees In the 1,500-seater. Company arrived seven hours late due to train delay, hitting Seattle at 1:40 p.m. With matinee due to start at 2:30, show went on regardless. •Wid^' T'/jG, M'w'kee Milwaukee, Dec. 15. Blackouts are still enough of a novelty in Milwaukee to keep people at home, and the third one this town has experienced, even though of brief duration, is blamed in part (zero weather and Christmas shop- ping season are other factors) for the fact that business was not more profitable for 'The Merjy Widow,' here with Muriel' Angelus for the week ending Saturday (12). Gross estimated «t WJiflfl In th^