Variety (Oct 1943)

Wednesday, October 20, 1913 LEGITIMATE S3 'Artists'Sock $31.(100 to Lead Nifty Hub Biz: Torgy' 26G, 'Patriots,' 14G Boston, Oct. 19". Paced ■ lay the whirlwind 'Artists aiid Models' lake, Hub legit grosses continue to startle as. Ove altrac-. tions ran up fanciful figures for last •vvcck. Onset of Indian, sunrimer ,and doc days Was not reflected in biz; on the contrary, the holiday and the siihshine brought, otit bigger crowds; tlian ever.. A Three shows got off the . mark sairte night (Monday, 11(h) as 'Ar- (ists' dsbut«d at the Opera House, ■'The Patriots' came into the Colo-, nial, and 'Porgy and Bess' relumed to the Shubert. < All. drew capacity audiences at opcninK, the nr.st men- tioned drawing-a 3,000 plus capacity Bt the big Opera House way uptown. •Kiss and Tell'and 'Uncle HJ^rry' re- jnained steady, but the latter moved GUI Sat. (IC) to Philly. 'Outrageous Fbrluiic' cairie in to the .sainc liousc Mon. .tia) for- a one-week stand. 'Blithe Spirit' follows on the 25th, 'Arsenic and Old Lace' comes to the Colonial on the I'st, and. 'Winged Victory' and..'Carmen Jones' follow . on 'the 2d. the Air Force show going . to. .the Shubert, the other to IhC' O^era House. ■ Estimates for Last Week. 'Arlbls and Models,' Opera House (3.400^ $5.50 opening, 54.40. Sats., .$3.30 other nights)—Gaiight cool no- tices but doing great biz, everything going but the cheapest seals; $31,000 estiiiiated,- 8; pcrforrnaiiccs. . - -Kiss and Tell,''Plymouth (1.424;. $2.75)—Fifth week remains staunch, $14,000 /jstimated. The Patriots,' Colonial. (1:4.17; lices,: and is drawing, prestige ■ audi^ ence foi: fair $14,500. 'Porgy and Bess,' Shubert .(L.^OO; $2.75)—Second visit, here in revival, and. doing an eixcellcnt estimated $26,000. Last week current. • 'Uncle Harry,' Wilbur .(1:300; $2.75) —Wound up third frfmic ;it a ulciis- Ing $14,000: estimated. 'MOTHER'S DAY' GREAT $15,000 IN HISW San Francisco. Oct. 19. With both 'Mother's Day' and 'Waltz King' in final .stanza. Curran and Geary,house grosses clin'ib'cd to sensational highs. .'Kiss and Tell' followed 'Waltz King' into Curran last night (Mon- day). Geary will be dark for a week, opening. 24th. with John Carradine and Shakespearean company. Estimates for Last Week 'Waltz Kins,' Curran (1.700; $2.75). Sold out. .S30.000; 'Mother's Day,' ■ Geary- ; $2;75). Terrific $15,000. ; ■Nocturne' $2,700, 'Fortune'$7,200, Balto Baltimore. Oct. 19. . Two'pre-Broadway workouts. Gil- bert Miller's production of 'Out- rageous Fortune.' by Ros6 Frankcii. at Ford's, and 'Manhattan Nocturne,' starring Eddie Dowlihg at the indic- booked Maryland, both drew un- favbrable reviews from the local crix here last week and sub.scquenlly mild biz. ■ Ford's starts its American Th.ca.tre Society-Theatre. Guild- subscription season of six plays this week with 'Blithe Spirit' the opening attraction, off . to an excellent advance .sale. Maryland had booked in a week of Cblumbia Grand Opera Co. rep. but cantelled out due to the sudden death of its impresario. Arniand Bagarozy. ih New York last week. E.stlniate$ (or Last Week 'Manhattan .Nocturne,' Maryland (1;290;-$2.22). Drey :& Brandt pro- duction, staged by Stella. Adier and starring' .Eddie Dbwling; .met with both critical and audience , coolness. Poor $2,700 reporled. , .^Outrageous. Fortune,' Ford's * l,430j $2.78). New Rose Frankcn. opus pre- sented by Gilbert Miller, and in- cluding Elsie Fergu.son'in a conic- back in its strong supporting cas!, did unexciting $7,200. 'Abie' 16G, St. Loo " 3t. Loiiis., Oct. 19. Although the ciirreiVt legit .season Is still in its infancy, it'.'} enjoying swell biz While the nicker houses have - been hollering murder .sjincc Sept. 1. Anno Nichol.";' 'Abie's. Irl.<h Hose, . making its first visit here, siiicc the revival, knocked off a nnat $16,000 for nine . performances rilurii'ig the fir.'it of a two-w(;ck stand. Even the lukewarm reception of one of the three critics did hot slow up b.rt. activity. The 1,700 scat house is scaled to $2.00: 'Jr. Miss' 7!.iG. Buflt • ■ • Bufi'iilo. Oct, 19, ... Despite the fact that it rained coii- Uniiou.sly during its three-day stay here,-'Junior Mi.ss'tallied a big $7,500 at the Erlanger last week. House was -scaled at .$2.20 top. Miss' played other' stands durin,^ fii'st half, . getting $13,000 on the •week. ■ 'Eyre^ 12G, L. A.. Maid' $6,500, Ice Follies 90G Los Angeles, Oct. 19. Cutting of gas rations for. western, motorists:nicked legit flgurcs'slightly. but hbu.sesrexpect to bounce up again after initial shock ds over. 'Jane Eyre' at the Biltmore pulled $11,000 its first full week'after getting $8,000 on four-day split week and should reach $12,000 on current .stanza. 'Maid in the Ozarks' at the'^Bclasco caiught $6,100 for its fourth week and: is looking for $6,500 oil the fifth. .: El Capitan holds - steady 'with 'Blackouts.of 1943' at likely $14,300 on 70th week - after -pulling same figure la.st week. . 'New Meet the. People' at the : Assistance League. Playhouse will draw $4,300 on its 13th week after $4,000 last week; 'Arsenic and Old Lace' finales at the Hollywood Music Box Sunday (24), after nine weeks and three days, taking estimated $7,200 . for, la.sl .stanza . aftcir same on eighth week. Hou.se . relights (28) with "Tons of Fun,' Je.sse H. Marfiii-Sani P. Norton prodliclion starring. Eddie Garr and Billy House. 'Ice Follies' is breaking ail^ its previoiLs records during current en- gagement.at the Pan-Pacific. ShoW, with capacity .of 53.000 seats on nine performances, I'oUed up 50.000 ad- missions last week, the third,' for estimated $90,000 gross. ^ Plays put of town -Continued (roni pace SO flight action is swamped by the avalanche of heavy.' draggy words. Cairl BchtoD rReid:- Glevelander who was in Tallulah Bankhcad and Bettei Davis versions of'Little Foxes,' returns toi his alma mater to turn in a powerful personation' of the cap- tain. His salty humor and flavorous acting gives play.a lightness it sorely needs. Impressive performances also given, by. members of Playhouse rep- ertory company, from Amy Doug-, lass, as. poisonous spinster, to. Florr ence ' Healyi as a cowed daughter, and Reigh 'Walston as a .flyer. Dark and stagnant atmosphere' of' old English home is typically Ibsen-' esque; Piillen. Iminortal 4>irl Los. Angeles, Oct. . . iriiW:i|-<l YitilllK I'll-dilurl Inii . Iif (ht'f-i'-iirt ('iit)ii'<l> •ilrHinit - (I'J weiiPH) . li.v 'M:irl;iin'i(-'' Hit'!.4.r, . ^itiu's WoMii'n Ili'Vtiiij-n^i Miii-tn ,Mi'lr<,vii-li. \>iiitn \'nriUin:'-rt';iUin'H Whira- inn <'liiiin|M>'rs, Ki-:ihk- MiMI;<i'<l. A/uhimy .ranistt, . SHiiffil l.y /..'kO'<'"liviiii; ns-st. lu'd- •lui-.pr, SJ:i|ik'>' . Hi'ij\\'n; .r'oulnt,'^. -SlPwitrl ("Iianp.y: liiuflir. ICi-i.' ^{ol.al; niiisli; Olroi.iiir. IIUKO ^^^^'**l'^^2<>^: J'j.'Jit i(.|>: oiioiifNl i),'t. 1". y.m. Kl WiLiliiii- KlicU ihcMU'c. I,. .\. Plays about religious per.secution (this one dates back to. Caesar's day).are not very:-palatable fare for theatregoers, already surfeited with, more modern harrassment of-minor- ities. Mariahna- Rieser. kin of the noted refugee writer, authored this piece: and tried: to make it .theatri- cal, with a story of great love and lightened by innocuous fiippancies. It's no go, however, .even though approving - audience , first-nighters, mostly elderly femmes and devout ehurchgders, found it to their liking: The dranria of. sub-dictator's conver- sion to Christianity, through love of an idealistic lady who. the legend goes, founded the first. Christian, church, was well enough pei-formied and ingeniously staged by Zcke Colvan, but the pl:enii.se i.s leo thi,n for any thought of .success. It's too meek for the professional trade and too strong for church auspices, what Avith coui'tesans bounding iii - and out boudoirs. Weldon Hcyburn is a good choice as Caesar's rugged headman... Mai ta Mitrovich in the title: role is per- suasive, though restrained, ahd looks promising.for an unknpwn to these ■ par:H^ :Veni.la Vardon, privately, Mr.s: Jack -Oakie, puts too iniieh emphasis on a minor part as a wily, scheming clothes hos,9.,who;lords it over the: hcadrnan|s extra, curricular amours. Wheaton Chambers, Frank Hilliard and Anthony. Caruso shade their performances to good effect. ' Scenery and costume designs b,v Stewart .Chancy lend an authentic touch. OfT-stagc,.niood and bridge music enhances the reality.' Howard Young, as presenter hoped, for a Broadway- pilch after a week's break-in here, but by now must have been di.ssuaded. It.s s.ilvatipn lies ill church or high sijhool auditorium stake-out; It may also take heart from .soon-to-bc-t.eleascd film ver- sion of."The Robc' a'iid. 'Quo Vadis," which have- parallel themes.' ■ . 'TOMORROW FAIR $10,000 IN CINCY Cincinnati, Oct. 19. Guild subscription support and swell notices prodded 'Tomorrow the World,' \vith Elissa Landi and Paul McGrath, to a' winner for an ap- proximate $10,000 last week in the .1,300-seat Cox at $2.75 top.. Local cricks went ga-ga over 12- year-old Dickie Tyler, who:s the Nazi brat in the p]ay. The Post de-' voted a fortr-cblumn, page 1 art and ■ news siiread to him in. his civilian role as. a Cub Scout. This smear popped eairly. in the .week,' when most helpful for the b,o: Legit is recessing here this week: Cox gets 'Junior Miss' at $2.20 top next week, with a Sunday (24) night opening, followed week oX Nov. 1 by Everett Marshall in 'Student: Prince' revival at $2.75. top. 'Genius'$181)0 Infeekai Pitt Pittsburgh. Oct. 19; The beleaguered 'Naked Geniii.s' was headed. for a $20,000:$21,000 week at Nixon, way above figures it reached in a Boston fortnight and a single .session in Baltimore, until >Gypsy Rose:Lee, the authoi-, hit town after the opening and told three interviewers from as many' different papers that: she thought: the play wasn't there: Couple of hours later, lines appeared at the boxoffice, but they weren't buying; they were ask- ing for refunds. : First day after Miss G. R. Lee's: in- . ter.views came out; around $800 was given back: and steady procession of refunds . continued rjght down the home stretch. Result was that 'Genius' had to be satisfied with $18,500, and everything .considered, that's pretty remarkable, indicating that Joan Blondell starrer may be one of; those freak attractions - on Broadway as well, kind' of a play that: gets panned but does big biz regardless. - , Heavy : trade . here— 'Genius' got best opening " of season at Nixon—generally credited to pull, of Mi.ss. Blondell. ■(jenius' built at each;perfortfiance'. and. was well on'the way to winding" up SRO when Miss Lee put. in an appearance and the dailies took her at her word. Author's statements co.st show at least three grand or more. 'Blossom Time' Sturdy $20>000, Washington; 'Oklahoma'58G Sellout Washington, Oct. 19, 'Blossom Time' : at $2.75 top equalled the $20,000 gross; for eight performances rung up at the Na- tional theatre in April,: when it played here as a $2 attraction. . 'Oklahoma' bowed . in: last night (Monday) with'every seat sold for the forlnight's engagement. It as-: surcs a. gross approaching $58,000, not couiifing 'standing room.-: Feat hasn't been duplicated since 1936 when Katharine Cornell sold out the" Belasco before arrival for "Barretts of Wimpble Street.' Attraction boosted . American Theatre Society subscription beyond the 10,000 mark. 'Sons o' Fun' arrives Nov. 1 for two weeks. Musical will Hold a tal- ent quest for Washingtonians w-cek before arrival. ' Best entertainers will be spotted in the show and may be taken to Hollywood. 'Son.s o' Fun' will play at $3.85 top. highest scale since 'This Is the Army' played here a year ago. B way Brisk; 7enus' Smash $33,500; love Story' 12)|G in 1 Showii^s; ic' Folds After 51/2 Weeks Most of the .standouts last soa.soil are drawing as heavily now as thoii and some are even better, indicating the general tone bi the Ihcatrc-.surgo .I'nd continual arrival of: visitor.- ■Weekend attendance could hardly be better,- judged from the number of shows drawing capacity, especi- ally-on Saturday nights. . , .'One Touch of 'Venus' lived 'up 16 advance advices and immediately look place among the list's bc.sf grossers. This week sees the arrival- of 'Othello,' sehsatipn.iUy roceiveil put of town, also/The Naked Geniu.<: which drew, fine' grosses at Iryou'ts. : Estimates for Last Week Kei/.s: C iConiedj/), D (Drnmn), CD (Coinedj/rDrania), R iflct-iit/. M (Musical), O (Operedn). 'A New Life,' Royale (5th week) <M-1,347; $3.30). Picked up to around $7,000 and sticks; .'Outrageous For- tune' booked here next- week can- celled. ••■ 'All for All,' Bijou (3d. \vcpk) iC"- 0.10; $3.30). Around $5,000 with some cut rate aid; attendance so stioii.u at week end .that management is hope- ful: of making grade.: 'Angel Street,' Golden (97th week) (D-789; $3.30). Another show men- tioned for this spot but business good enough to hold run mellcr in town with gross around $8,000. 'Another Love Slory,' Fulton (1st week )(C-938; $3.30): Drew dis- tihctly dissapointing press but busi-' ;ness much better thai) expected: attcr press sock; first seven performances got nearly $12,300. .'Arsenic and . Old. Lace,' ' Hudson (1.45th week) (CD-1,094; $3.30). In-, dicatipns. are for continuance until after first of year; business for run pomedy held to. better than $10,000.. "Early to Bed,'. Broadhurst (18th week), (M-1,160; $4,40). Moved up another notch and was pegged at more than $27,000;: that means vir- tual'capacity. 'Harriet,' Miller (24th week) (D- 940; $3.85). Has dropped Monday nights in favor of three matinees weekly; that schedule ,iffords -two day rest for star (Helen Hayes); quoted over $18,500. 'Janie,'Playhouse (57th week) (C- 865; $3.30). . Road company has opened and .■ original still indefinite here; making goodly profit margin with takings Over •$9,^00..' • 'Kiss and Tell,' Biltiriore (30th Week) (C-920; $3.30). Cleaning up here and three.road companies are making plenty; takings approached $17,000. mark last-week. . 'Life With Father,' Empire . (20.3d week) (D-l.OOO; $3.30r. One of the stayers further irnproving la.st ^veck^ run leader.qudted gctting:$14.700. 'My Dear Pufcillb,' 46th: St. Clo-sed Saturday (1,6) after playiiig. five and ■one-half week.s; slightly better at $14,000; heuse dark; due to got 'Rcsa- linda.' .'Oklahoma,' St. James (29th -week) (M-1.493; $4.40). .Played an extra performance last week : (Columbus Day)' .Which seiit the gross up to $34i500; .still in highcfet demand in agencies. •'One Touch of Venus,' Imperial fM-1,450 $4.40). Got $33,500 with the limit of 40 .standees in all per- formances; would have gotten $1,000 more but for two parties .sold at 10'.;, concession prior to opening. 'Othello,' Shubert (D-1.325; $3,30): Presented by Theatre Guild; Paul Robeson .starred in Shakespearean Chi Stays Sturdy; 'Kiss' Sellout $19,m'Ladies'$17 JO,'Prince'IIG Elmer Harris' New Play ' Elmer. Harris., who has larj»c' 'Vine .street (Hollywood) realty holdings, is around Broadw'ay with: a new play he i.s setting for production. tiis last work was 'Jolinny Bel- inda/, ' DET. OK; SWANSON GAY WITH $10,000 Detroit, Oct. 19. Therc'.s no sag in grO.sscs along the rialtp here. ; - Boston Comic Opera Co:, in its .second week of Gilbert &. Sullivan ■at the : Cass, rushed up to a grciit $17,500 at -the $2.75 top.. Ffivt. week got $M.500. 'The repei-toire .wa.s'fol- lowed Monday (1,8) by Ethel avry- niore in "Corn Is Green,''.set for two wcck.s before Katharine Cornoll premieres On Nov. 2 with iLox cr.-:' and Friciids.'' '. Gloria Swans'on in 'Let U.S.Be Gay' continued at a merry clip in thp Lafayette, where in the -third week al the $1.65 top the earnings stajcd slightly over $10,000, making the three-week stand $31,000 with; two' more weeks to go before Eiin O'Brien Moore comes in witfi 'Lil'ile Wo.'ncn.' ' : drama which opened sen.sa'tionally out of town; .opened Tuesday U9>. 'Rosalinda.' 44th St. tSlst week) (0-1,347; $3:30). Another of la.^t' .sciLson's products doing as well or' better now; gross last week one (if the best regi.stered without li'oliday price tilt; over $26,000. 'Somethine for the Boys,' Alvin !40th week) (M-1,337; $4,40), .Not' much 'difTerence/in pace last week when the gross \vas claimed: close to- $29,000. . - 'Slar.and-Garicr,' Mu.sic Box-(69th .wc(!k)'(R-i;0OOi $4.40).: Slated to re- main in this spot until late no.vt Mionthr .still tiirning good profit with gro.ss approaching $18,000. 'Stars, on Ice/, Center' (63d week) (repeat date) (R-3,O00r $1.65). Holi- day figured ill betterment laist week when the gross w-as quoted goihe to S31.000. : 'The DouKlieirls,* Lyceum (42d week) (C-997; $3.30). One Of Broadi- ' way's slauhchcst favorites with the' nick going elean of tickets all times, .save a few. tickets oh tojj shelf; clos to $17,000. .: . - 'Three's a Family/ Longacre 123d week) (C-1,Q16; $3.30). Looks like this entrant Ls .set well into: winter;. cOnmiands goodly business consist- ently; :$U,000. 'Tomorrow, the World/ BarrymOi'e (27th week) (Drl,064; $3.30): . Some talk of third company being.sent out; original away out in front; although not capacity, went up over $16,500; matiheis sometimes off. 'The Naked Genius,' Plymouth (C- 1.075;. $3.85). Presented'by Michael- Todd: written by Gypsy Ro.se Lee;- trybuLs pi'ofitable;; opens Thursday (21). ■ .'The Two. Mrs. Carrolls/ Booth filth week)..(D>712; $3.30). Indica- tions now are for a rim; attendance, continues at capacity with, the gross around $14,500: : 'Zleeleld Follies,' Winter Garden (29th week) (R-l;5!23; $4:40). Went. up to nearly $40,000; Saturday (16). night takings alone being $6,500;' previous week $5.50 applied nightly. ■ Revivals 'Merry Widow,' Majestic Ullh week) (0-1,695;.$3.30). Another at- traction that 'pro.spered further' la.st week when the .gross approximated $31,000; aimed: weir into new season. - .'Toba'cco Road/ Ritz (6tb week) (CD:945; $1.65). Going to tour after another week; business around even break; around $5,000; will do. better on road; 'I'll Take the High Road' to ' follow. Added. 'Laugh Time/ Ambassador (6(h week) (vaude-1,200; $2.75). Moved here :fi-om Shubert' Sunday (17); . drew another excellent gross'at lat- ter house last week;. $22;000. 'OTHELLO'$25,000, AMAZING, IN PHILLY Philadelphia, Oct. 19. Last week hit a new high for . Philly's already' highly-geai-ed legit .sea.son. The three houses open turned in records very close^ to capacity, with 'Sons O' Fun' leading becaase of scale ana si/.e of house, but 'Othello' perhaps recording an even more remarkable figure. The Olsen-Johnson musical again hit ssn.OOO in its .seventh week. af the Forrest, and that represented all the standees, the fire marshal would' iillow. 'Othello,' in its second and liiial week at the Locust, and ri'.'-ti ictcd: to some extent by bciiig on ATS .subscription; zoomed above the $25,()()U mark—^^arhazing for this ; heavy and not generally popular . ; trifgcdy of the Bard's. Right clo.se i behind. Came 'Blithe Spirit,' -which in its .second and final -stanzii at the Walnut hooked a beautiful $24.000.. Scale foi": the Noel Coward comedy hit was $2,85 compared to $3.42 (out- side of sub.scribcrs) for 'Othello' en $3,99 tor 'Sons O' Fuh.' Road 'Oklahoma' Great 13G in N. H. Weekend ,' New: Haven, Ott! 19. . . Koad.''ho<v preem of 'Oklahoma' i brought four .•iclloiits .in three-day . „ Chicago, Oct, 19, All attractions are drawing: fine groosiJs and. business generally cnn- liiuies to be on the .incrca.se: 'Kiss and Tcir liirned 'em away last week and played to absolute capacity of about $19,100. 'Good Night Ladies' took., second boxoffice honors with $17,200 and seieond week of 'iitudcnt Prince' drew, a healthy $17,000. 'Maid in. Ozarks' management says' ■^liow will slay until end of year, at Jca.sf; Business is tapering off but i.--- .••■lill plenty right with $9,000: Eflimates for Last Week l<il;md at Shubert last weekend (14- 'Dark. Eyes,' .SpiwynvCW woek i ; Kii. Gro.s.s approximated $13,000, at n.000: $2.75;. Gained a few hundrcti ! S:i.30 top, all the house could stand, for .$15,400. . Previous week (Oct. 4-9), at $2.75 : 'Good, N'itht, Ladies,' Blacksfone'l fop on eight . performan(:e.>i. .'Life (79th wc(;kJ (1,200;: $2.76). Climbed hWilh Father' (Harxv BannisterrJune to S17.200. . . . . I Walkcr) reached dlose to an eill- . .'Kiss and Tell/Harris (2.'?d v,cck):i mated $17;000; big. (1.000: $2.75i; Ab.solute sellout, over,I Current last half is third visit of $19,100.' :'Arsenic and Old Laice' (KarlofT) for : .'.'Maid; In Ozarks/ Great Northfrn ! Oct. 21-23. Next week brings 'Porgy (fitlth wpek) (1.400: $2.75). Dropping i and Bc.s.sl for four days (27-30) and off some in la.sl few weeks. Areund i.Nov. 4-6 has 'Voice of Turtle' preem S9.000. : i coming in. Following week (11-13) 'Student. Prince,' Erlanger (2d I'Blithe Spiirit'returns to the scene of (J,300; $2.75), Took . a fine its birth here. 'thcn comes 'Threc's o . woek) i .^17,000. Family': for three davs (1R-20V