Variety (Apr 1944)

Wednesday^ April 26, 1944 LEGITIMATE 39 Chi Steady; 'Rebecca Strong $16,000, m'lli/2G/Kiss$16mmia;30G Chicago, ApiU 25. Local legit field has been cut down to five attractions but all are doing exceedingly well. Town's newest fiiti'y, "Rebecca," is practically sold out for the first three weeks under the auspices of the American Theatre Society and Theatre Guild, did $16,- (100 the first week. "Abie's Irish Rose" picked up to $11,500 but is cut- ling its run here on May 6. "Okla- homa" continues to sell out at the Filanger to $30,000 and "Ki.ss and TcU" at the Harris spiu-ted to $16,200 '.'Blossom Time" garnered'$18,500 in its third week at the Blackstone, Estlm»te.s for last Week:. " ".'Vbie's Irish Ros^," Studebakcr (5th week) (1>400; $3). Closing here ■ in two weeks. Gained for total of $11,500. -"Blossom Timei" Blackstone (3d week.) (1,200; $3.60). Held up to $18,500. "Kiss and Tell," Harris (50th ^\celO (1,000; $3). Doing well enough. Around $15,000. ' •'Oklahoma," Erlanger (23d week) (1,500: $4.20). Sellout $30,000. "Rebecca," Selwyn (1st week) (1000; $3). "Practically, a . sellout. First eight . performances took .1:16,000. BRIDES' 14i/g6, FRISCO i^s __" San Francisco, April 25i: ' Howard Lang's "School for Brides" ■ broke in for estimated $14,500 at the Geary last week. ■ : Olsen and John.qon's "Son.'! o' Fun" clid a smashing $29,700 at the Ciirnin. DON'T NEED SPECTACLES! Don't you h«to to w»«r thoto ditfiquring ipvc- Jo^i . t*el»«7 Thomind* of ^ o t In r >—I e t o r », «cfr*)t«t, othlctM, inuiici«n*, men anJ woman in public -ttfo — h«y» loiirntd to proiorvo thoir natural good look* and itill havo- excallent vition through CONTACT LENSES "Invisible GLASSES Contact Unset are inviribU. . They are unbreakable. They replace an- noying, unattractive, «ft«n unsafe eye-glasses. Comfortablo, easy to wear, almost' never need to be re- placed.' ■ Come in and talk to one of our eX" pert technicians. No obligatien.. E<sy time payments. DUNSHAW CO. 130 West 42nd St., New York, N. Y. *ii Bloc/c /rom Times Squai e Wisconsin 7-4680 Ojieii Monday Evening Till 8 30 "Far and awoy the best ^ about factual Mdnhottan chf ■. oclers ... A sort of real' )^ equivalent forDamon Kunyon s - wonderful imagined denizens • of the jungle iust off longocre . Square . .; Full UOt *xci«na'; I anecdotes about, .every: one. I from Henry tuce and Hqrry jConover to Jack Whit*i Lou I Wolters and Mrs: Roosevelt," . tucius Beebe. . N.y.lierdlc/Tribune Current Road Shows (April 26-Maj/ 5) "Abie's Irish Rose" (Ist Co )— Studebaker, Chicago (26-5). "Abie's Irish Rose" (2d Co )— Mayfair, Portland (26);.MetropoUtan, Seattle i27-5). ^'.\rsenic and Old Lace" (2d Co )— Mosque Newark (26-30). "Blackouts of 1944" (vaude)—El Capitan Hollywood (26-5). "Blithe Spirit," National, Wash., ington (26-29), Walnut, Philadelphia a-5). "Blossom Time" (Ist Co )—Strand, Victoria, B C (26-27), Royal Victoria, Victoua (28-29); Capitol, Yakima, Wash (1), Fox, Spokane (2); Wilma, Misioula, Mont. (3); Marlow, Helena (4); Rainbow Great Falls (6). "Blossom Time" (2d Co.)-—Black- stone, Chicago (26-5). "Connecticut Yankee" — Colonial, Boston (26-5). "Corn Is Green"—Locust St, Phil- adelphia (26-5). "Dougheiils" (2d Co) —Shubert Lafayette, Detioit (26-5). "Dieam with Music" — Shubert, JSoston (26-5 ). ^ _ "FamUy Carnovsky^'^Forrcst, Phil- adelphia (30-5). "Gay Nineties Revue" — Memorial Audi . Dayton (26); Audi, Louisville (27-28). Gilbert anil Sullivan Repertory— Boston Opera House, Boston (26-5); "Good Nieht, Ladles"—Nixon, Pittsburgh (26-5). "Ice-Capa«e« of 1944"—Pacific Au- ditoiium, Los Angeles (26-5). "Janle" (1st Co.)—Walnut, Phila- delphia 126-29); Ford's, Baltimore "Junior Miss"—Hanna, Cleveland (26-29); Royal Alexandia, Toronto ■■(■1-5) ' "Kiss and Tell" (3d Co.)—Forum, Chicago (26-5) "Ki« and Tell" (2d Co )—Forum, Wichita (27). Shrine Audi., Okla- homa City (28); Convention Hall, Tulsa (29), Music Hall, Kansas City, **°Kis8 uid Tell" r4th Co.)—English, Indianapolis (26-29); Hartman, Co- lumbus (30-5) „, ^ , "Life with Father" (2d Co.) —Bilt- more, Los Angeles (26-29); Lobero, Santa Baibara (30); College Audi., Ventura (1): Civic Audi, Pasadena (2); Russ Audi., San Diego (3-4); Municipal Audi., Long Beach <5)- ; "Lovers and Friends"—Plymouth, Boston (26-5). "Oklahoma" (2d Co.)—Erlangef, Chicago (26-.)) "Old S«ali"-R05al Alexandra, Fo- lonlo (26-29); Eilanger, Buffalo (l-5> "Pickup Gnl"—Wilbui, Boston (26- "Rebecca"—Selwyn, Chicago (26- ^) "Rosalinda"—Forrest. Philadelphia 126-291, Nat onal. Washington (1-5). "Same Time Next Week"—Shu- beit New Ha\en (4-5) .San Cailo Opera Co.—Park, Yburig.stown,-Ohio (26-29).. , :: "Eiomethine for the Bojs"—Cais, Detroit (26-'29) '■>■■ "Soils o' F«n"^6ui^rah,. ,Sai3, ftan- tisco (26-29): Civic-Aiidt;, ;iSan: JoSe: .(30);-. Audj.,, Oakland; (l).;,.Me;m,Qriiil Audi.. Sacramento (2); Audi, Port- land. Oie (5) "Student Prince"—Civic Audi.; Pai-adena (26): Municipal Audi, Long .B«ich' ;(27):: -Ruis:'Audi,, San Diegc) (28-29); Biltmore. Los Angeles (30-5). "Three'-, a lamily"—Cox, Cincm-: njiti '(26-29): M>.Ghigah,. J^ Palace Flint i2), Temple, .SaginaW • Mici;iK;in. Lansing i4); Kcilh'Si Grand .Rapid-" i5). ; "Tomoirow the Woild" (2d Cp.)— Apitncan SI Louis (26-23) Cass,Dep frolt. 1-1=5 ■ "Tropical ■Revue"—Shriiie. Aircli; 'ti)riun<;^GkljihbiTia -Cily, Giaa,..if )< if'' 1 (iO»** ?2.75 «. f. OliTTON- 'Kiss' 15G, St. Loo ■■■■ •■' ■:^'"■,■-'■St; i^WJS Apri]'25.. V Gebtge'-. Abbatt.'.s; "Kis.s , and . Tell':, wound up its,threeVwcelf stailcl at inc AmericiaH; Satiirday^- i,22|.;\vith;. swell ■515 000 ,. „ , ■•Tomorrow thie Worldl'.' willv Paul. IVtcGfjith arid Editli Atwter ..in .lop tolfiS:'rfcturnca. to' thS:'Afnerre^^ night. (Monday). for, its ...second, oncy.,, ,S\''eefc,:eiigagement ..pt' ■ 'FAMILY' 6G, INDPLS. ■■ ■ ■ ' ■ .■ IndiaiiaiJoliS',;April ■ 2.5';..''. . ■ ■.'.'TtuTee^ Is ',:ft' FaraiTy," ■:grpss'(;d::.fair ■56 000 at S2 50 top in four Dcrform- innccs at the Englikh (1.560), April ;;-20-22. V. V '.'^.f ■." ' ■,^-■■■.^■.'■•■'.'■ .-.fV:'" ' San C.'ilo Opcia Co took $5,000 in j l\u) peifoimances at the same housfi, I same top. April 17-18. 'JR. MISS' $10,500 IN REPEAT AT PIH PitKbiirgh, .'ipiil 25 "Junioi ]\Ii!,b' didn t do so well on its second visit to the N'xon last week, getting only around $10,500 at ?2 50 ($3 with tax:) top. Comedy hit had a bang-up engagement here last season but: couldn't duplicate it on return despite fact that Patricia Peardon, original Judy of Broadway production, headed the ca.st. Cora Sue Collins, former child film star, was in. it a year. ago. , , . Crix also felt that previous com- pany was much superior to the pres.. ent one, whicli may havemfluenoed th J returns somewhat.. Nixon cur- rently has "Good Night Ladies" for two weeks, then gets Guy Kibbee in "Old Soak," followed bv "Slap- Happy." !Dreain Musk' Wow 28G, Hub Boston. April 2,5. "Dream With Mu.sic' and "Connec- ticut Yankee" were the only legil .shows in the Hub last week, and both made a great shoAVing. "Pick-Up Girl," Wilbur, came in Saturday night (22) foi a >.ellout premere. and this wcelc again finds all regular stands lighted. "Lovers- and Friends" having gone in the Ply- mouth on Monday i24)tind the Btirn- side Gilbert and Sullivan company back for a stand at the Opera House same night Spring season continues to bur- geon, the list now reading "Some Time Next Week" (Plvmouth, May 8); "Three's a Family" (Colonial, May 8); ''Career Angel' (Wilbur, May ;ll);"Stovepipe Haf (Shubert, May 22), and 'Corn Is Green" (Wil- bur. May 22), This makes it the biggest IVIay in. years, and plenty of- prospects are rumored ahead. : Estimates for Last Week "Connecticut Yankee," Colonial (1,500; $3.60). In on Theatre Guild, American Theatre. Society billing; going nearly clean all shows for a great $24,000; estimated, less Guild .discount. , "Dream With Music," Shubert (1,- 500; $4). First week hit top for esti- mated $28,000. with advance okay. "Pick-Up Girl." Wilbur (1.300; $3). Opened Saturday night (22) for socko notices. Sellout opener. Orig- inally set for opening this week, Sat- urday opening cojning as surprise. 'CORN'SOCK $25,000 IN WEEK AT WASH. Ethel Barrymore, having resumed her tour in "The Corn Is Giecn."one of the .season's most consistent high gro.ssers out of town, was in Wash- ington last week for approximately $25,000 for the show. Star, who in- terrupted, her road appearances to appear before the camera in Holly- wood in "None But the ■ Lonely Heart'' for RKO. will conlrnue play- ing dates until June 3. She is slated for Fianz Wti lei's "Embezzled Heaven," schcdduled by the Theatre Gxnld in the fall. Miss Barrymore toldv Herman Shumlin. to."l^eep-the production of 'Corn' in cellophane,'' .iiist .iil ease •'Hea\fn' i.s vet b.ick Sl.ii expressed her desire to. tour further in "Corn,", if not .some time next sea.son then some time subsequentlyj . Indicated the pla's' could be trouped for an* other'twrb years. :.,■:'■ ', ■, '■' 'j:, ..; 'Boys' 26G7Vanities' 29G, 'Doughgirls' $12,000, Del :. -Detroit; April 25.. Grosses continue healthily, with all, thi-B!; !(;gitim.ate '.hciuses. back,- in: opera! ion. "something for the. Bo-ys"; at the Cass did gieat t26 000 in second week at, $3:60 tijp . to ; bettt-'f first week's strong $21,000. It continues for aoothei week "The Doui;hHirK' also lifted shghtly at the Lfliivcife where, in its .Second ueek fit the new "fligh" price ($2 20) toi the pop-prlccd house. 'It; gir<).ssgd; ^I2.0O():,' 'It' ^CPM-' tinues t-irec moie weeks when Guy Kibbee in "The Old Soak' moves m. Eail C:u toll's V.iiities.' which telit the ■,Wil!ib,ri. ,with .Bert: Wheeler, Jftcl< -Dutant ,and, the Muriah Si.sters as ■ t6i> ii ariio.s.. f(jnovv.-;!.}. iap tlie. pd.tent fust .'('Or-, SJ3.000 with S29.000 for the second session at a $3.60 top. rng'TcTN. H. .':NeM':Ha^(-i;rti V^:pril.'2S; : Hesumpliot! ; df- . '.'HigMarid, Fling," after a six-week lajofl, brought tavdcable- notices •■bijt .,firily:' .,so-.sd iAz to Shuber't last weekend 120-22). Drew: appro:!{.irnat#''$6ipOp' 'Ort .four -shows^.^t 53.top., ■': .:/.':.'■ a;:'-:,-:'. ;if.: Broadway Tapers Off But Still Good; *ADah,' *Sheppey' Uncertain, 'Helen Good. 'Girls SRO 391/2G, W 20G Broadway tapered oft fiorn the figures registered dining Easloi week but for the most part the grosses last week weie sub.stantial Managers of long-staying hits had only minor complaints about busi- ness while. the sock successes un- failingly were SRO. Flurry of April openings is .sub- siding. Three new shows opened last week, . one,; going off pronto, the others being more or less in doubt. Two premieres this week but none next week. ' Estimates for Last Week Keys: C fCo7nedi/), D (Drnnio), CD (Comedy-DrniiifO, /? iRcnie), M (ilftisical), O (OpcreC-i. "A Uiehlaud Fline," Plymouth fC-1,075; $3 60). Presented by George Abbott; written by Margaiet Curtis; opens Fiiday (28). ."Allah Be Praised," Adelphi (1st week) (^-1,434; $4.80); Opened late last- week; drew mixed •notices de- spite: elaborate production; - better line on chances this weelc. "Angel Street," Golden (124lh week) (D-'789, $3 60). Among gioup of long stayers with seemingly un- limited. draw; around $9,000 and loaks"like another summer. - "Arsenic and . Old Lace," Hudson (172d week) (CD-I 094. .$3 60). Still getting real money; not as much as- previous week but very, good $11,500. "^But Not Gocdbye," 48th Street (2nd week) (C-908; $3.60). Liked by audiences but stiU looks doubtful; around $5,000 estimated; Harry Garey o-it of cast definitely.. ; "Carmen Jones," Broadway (21st week) (CD-1,900; .$4>80). Getting big money but not selling out; last week eased to estimated .$:i3.000 for colored-cast musical novelty. - ''Chicken Every. Sundav," Miller (3d week) (C-940; $3.60). Slipped to around $13,!>00 or bit more; while gross sounds okav, operating nut above normal;-dickering to sell pic- ture rights. ^Decision," A m ba s 9 ado r (12th week) (B'l,105; $3.60). Faring well : enough though; not . with:: leaders; rated around $11,000; parties' still helping. "Early to Bed;" Bro.idhurst (45th week) (M-1,160; $4.80). Due lor road late next month; has made real run and should do okay out of town; $20,000 estimated "Follow the Girls," Century (2d week) (M-1,713; $4 80). New musical has some parties, and is among gross leaders; rated at $39,500, virtually capacity. .... ■ "Helen Goes to Trov;" Alvin (O- 1,357; $4.80). Presented by Yolanda Mcrio-Irion for New Opera Co.: in nature of revival; first called "La Belle Helene"; opened Monday (24); strong press. "Jacobowiky and the Colonel," Beck (6th week) (CD-1,214: $3.60). Commands sellout attendance and is Theatre Guild s third hiit on current list; $21,000. "Kiss and Tell," Biltmore (57lh week) (0-020, $3 60) Still ,n the money and expected to go throuph another summer; rated around $13,- 000. "Life With rathei," Empire (330th week) (C-929, $3 00) Quoted at $13^800. plenty good fx>r run leader. "Mexican Hayride," Winter Gar- den (12th week) iM-1 42S <>6) Holds position as top-gro.ss-gettcr and at;ain registered takings over $45 000. ''Mrg^ Januar.y and Mr. Ex," Belas-^ CO (3d week) (C-1,097; .$3.60> Dipped under $10,000, not enough for two- star show (Billie Burke and Frank Craven), "Oklahoma." St. James (55th week) fM-1,520; $4.80) Hit of hits con- tinues to be number one show among visitors and plays to standing room every performance; $30,000. ; v "One Touch of Venus," 4«th Street (29th week) (M-1.347, $4 80). Top- flight musical also commands . ca- pacity business and betters $34,000' light along. •: "Only the Heart," Bijou (3d wrcK) (C-608; $3.60). Around $3,000, little chance indicated. "Over 21," Music Box (16th week) (C-1,001; $3.60). Eased on to around $18,000; was going along to capi>i.ity lor more than thiee months and should ride through summci "Pretty Little Parlor," IMational. Drew weak press and was yanked Saturday (22); one .Week. "PubHc Relations," Mansfield i3d week) (C-1,001; $3 60) Among low- "est grossers; less than 000 Hick- 01 y Stick" slated here May 8 "Ramshackle. Inn.'V I!oyaU^ (16th week) (CD-996; $3"60) Dipped to es- timated $13,000 but ligurcs to ride out tiie season. "Sheppey," Pla^fhouse (1st week) iCD-865; $3.60). Opened hist mid- week; drew divided notices: better line on chances this week. "The noughjirls/' Lyceum (69th week) (C-997; $3 60). Hi-ld to excel- lent- business with gross bit under previous-week but close to $16,000. "The Searchine Wind," Fulton (2d wieek) (D-948; $420). Newest high- money drama l!ro'ssing'ar6iincr'$2(IS. 000 as. e.stimated; flock of -sellout parties will keep show, at capacity. ''The Voice of : the Turtle," MorOsco (20th week) (D-995; $4.20) Stand- out thuee-person comedy, sells out lAl performances, with weekly gross $22,000. f "Tomorrow the World." Barrymore (54th week) (D-995; $3 60) Went off somewhat, but held most of the upped pace ot-hoUday week; quoted.; around $13,000. "The Two Mrs. Cai rolls," Booth ■ (38th week) (D-712; $3 60). Con- sistent strong grosser again bettered $14,000; virtually capacity here. - "» la » F«mily," Longacre (50th week) (C-1,108; $3.60). Soon will pass year's, run mark-and still turn« -fngj weekly proflt; with gross last week around $10,000. "Wallflonicr," Cort (14th week) (D-1.,064; $3.60). Claimed somie im- provement last week; is among sub- stantial moderate iucces-scs; $12,500. "Winired Victory," 44th Street (23d week) (D-1,409; $4.8p). Still selling out; is in final four weeks of tu- umphal Engagement; over $35,000 "Zieffcld: FoHleit," Imperial: (55th week) (R-1,327; $4.80). One of the topflight musicaLs and still making goodly profits; rated around $32,000 last week. REVIVALS "Merry Widow," Majestic (38th week) {D-l.fl85; $3.60). Another month or so, if not going into sum- mer; but hous* reported: getting sn- ' other musical; $20,000. "Othello," Shubert (27th week) (D-1,32S; $3.60). Ticket sale extends into June and another possible sum- mer stayer; bit under previous week but great $22,000. 'Blossom Tune' $23,000 In Week at Seattle Seattle. Apnl 25. "Blossom Time" m eight davs. with ; tw'o matinees, grossed estimated $23,000 at the Metropolitan last week Sellout prevailed except the first throe days. House scaled liom $3 25. Manager Hugh Bcckel icpoits Metropolitan booked solidly until June 19. AMERICAN BEAUTIES One Sot Comedy B MEN ■ - 10 WqMEfi l)yiinnff«^t'ivtiirrfHiii«'—M*««p»ll«nKl ASDEESS BOXhiSO Mew ICmrh City Itf.lN. Y. 'JAKIE' 6G, BUFF BuOalo, April 25 Second ■-'l.inz.i of "Janie''- at tne Erlangei. it S1.80 f«p, last v*eek I cached pl|anng $6,000, PefiMtaUfC Applications,Identifications, Greetings! miniRTURE PHOTO sttmpf SOiortI trnDflint-^THJeor. sharp reproduction) of your : photogroplr-^OvmrMil, perforoted itamptr^ •xoct $iz« Of thown ot l«ff—fifty of Ihem for only SKOO. Manyip«opl« ord«r^-200 or 300 ot a tiffl*. Um Ihffirt on oH your moiH-orettlno : cordi—applteotfonil'Allow .thre* wetlii fo; fill 6f'd«rK Mail your photoflroph. witK chcclt or.- monoy ordcrf to ' ' STRAWBRIDGE & CLOTHIER Pbtla4*l|ihia (5), Panniylvania