Variety (Jun 1944)

Wednesday, June 14, 1944 LEGITIMATE 45 Chi Sturdy; Mecca Ends Run, ll^G, 'Rose Marie lO^C, 'Yankee' H^G ,.. :v : Chicago, June 13. + Summer operetta. season at the Civic Opeva House got underway last Friday (9) with "Rose Marie." "Rebecca" called it a run at the Sel- wyn Saturday (10) and took $15;000 on its final week. "Connecticut Yankee" at the Stttdebaker and "Tropical Revue" at the Blackstone are pulling lip stakes next Saturday (17). "Let's Face It" opens at the Selwyn tonight (13). Estimates for Last Week ; "Connecticut Yankee" Studebaker. (2d week) (1,400; $4.20). Business disappointing. Closing next Satur- day (17). About $17,500.. ,.: "Kiss and Tell," Harris (57th week) (1,000; $3). Staying around $10,500, - •:• \- "Oklahoma," Erlanger (30th week) (1.500; $4.20). Sellout $30,000. "Rebecca," Selwyn (8th week) (1,000; $3). About same on last week to top $11,500. Closed Satur- day night (10). ;• : "Rose Marife," Civic Opera House (3,600; $2.50). Initial bill of 14-week operetta season under Shubert direc- tion. First three performances drew $10,500. "School for Brides," Civic (900; $3). Gained a little; $8,800. "Tropical Revue," Blackstone (5th week) (1,200; $3). Closing Saturday (17). Slipped to $13,500. "Uncle Harry," Great Northern (6th week) (1,400; $3). Dropped to $10,500. :...-..■'■■; INDIANS' $13,500 IN WASH. TRYOUT Washington, June 13. "Ten Little Indians," Agatha Chris- tie mystery thriller, grossed $1,3.500 in eight performances at the Na- tional theatre last week. Play goes to Philadelphia for further polishing, then New York. : "Tobacco Road" found such a healthy advance sale on its 10th visit that it accepted two extra perform- ances on Sunday (18), making a 12- show engagement. "Abie's , Irish Rose," which-follows, has tickets on sale for three weeks. Nothing has been booked beyond that date. ATAM Elects Five To Senior Standing Association of Theatrical Agents and Managers has elected five ap- prentices to senior standing at the recommendation of the union's press agents chapter, the quintet having completed three years as associates. Accorded senior standing are Joe Roberts, who is of the "Hats Off to Ice". (Center) staff; Stanley Seiden, Leonard Traube, Slater Barkentine and Philip Blum, latter duo being in the Army. While the listed ATAM- ers have senior rating, which entitles them to minimum salary of. $165 weekly, they may hot go to the road, being restricted to New York for three years. . Only new house manager elected is Al Rosen, formerly at Loew's State, N. Y. He recently went to San Francisco to enter the manufac- turing business but returned at the behest of his wife. ATAM's annual election was held Monday (12), regular ticket being unopposed, with Saul Abraham again re-elected president. Revisions in the basic agreement with the managers have about been agreed upon after more than a year of ne- gotiations. • ' Current Londoi Shows • . . / • : ■• -Lon<3oa,..June 13. ''Last of Summer," Phoenix. : "Arsenic & Old Lace," Strand. All Star Variety, Palladium. "Alice in Wonderland," Scala. "Blithe Spirit," Duchess. "Crisis in Heaven," Lyric. "Druid's. Rest," St. Martin's. "Dancing Tears," Adclphi. - ' "G'nite Ladles," Whitehall. % "How're They at Home," Apollo. "Ideal Husband," Westminster. "Lilac Domino," Majestys. "Lisbon Story," Hippodrome. "Love Racket," Princes. "Meet Me, Victoria," Vic Palace. "Mr. Bolfry," Playhouse. C- "Night In Venice," Cambridge. "Old Chelsea," Winter Garden. "Panama Hattie," Piccadilly. "Pink String," Duke of York's. "Quaker Girl," Coliseum, "Quiet Weekend," Wyndhams. "Shall No Night," Aldwych. ^Soldier Xmas," Vaudeville. "Something im Air," Palace. "Student Prince," Stoll. "Sweeter Lewer," Ambassador. "1» Little Niggers." St. James "Uncle Harry," GarricK. "While Sun Shines," Globe. Cooper-ScKeff NG - $4,000 in Toronto Toronto, June 13. • With everyone glued to the ^radio for invasion news, first summer the- atre production at the Royal Alexan- dra here nosedived for a bad $4,000 but saw weekend business zooming, with Saturday night a virtual sell- out. : ■ .-<••'■ V: '' : •*; Opener was Fredrick Lonsdale's "Aren't Wc . All." with Melville Cooper and Fritzi Scheff. v . • ♦Ladies' 15G, Detroit; 'Soak' Up to $7,500 Detroit, June 13, ' "Good Night Ladies" continues at a. good pace at the Cass, tucking in approximately $15,000 in the third w eek after maintaining a $16,000 level fox- the~lirst two weeks;—Top at $2.75. "The Old Soak," with Guy Kibbee, took a,lift in its final week, getting $7,500 at the Lafayette as compared to $6,600 in the third week. Top price hei'e is .$2:20.. House goes dark for a week when it.relights June 18 with "Kiss and Tell." ' ' ' .... 'LOVE ON LEAVE' NICE $10,000, BOSTON . Boston, June 13. Four legit stands opened, last week to good but not exceptional business, but figured plenty solidly for this time of year here. "Love on Leave' v opened Monday (5) and was branded "tasteless" all around, but belly- laugh humor is drawing customers. "For Keeps" maintained initial level and "3 Is a Family" likewise. Cam- bridge strawhat opened nicely and continues this week with '-Another Love Story," Madge Evans starring. Estimates for Last Week •: V "For Keeps," Plymouth (1,474: $3). Finished up two-week pre-B'way stand at nice estimated $8,800. Show substantially revised to contend. House dark this week. "Love on Leave," Wilbur (1,300: $3). Opened Monday (5) and al- though socked by notices seemed set with a good if not exceptional $10,000, estimated. Final week here current. '. "3 Is a Family," Colonial (1.500; $2.40). Still in the running on fifth week for estimated $8,000. No end in sight. ; ■ . . < -. ." ,: '• AAA Decides for Abbott On .Plaint By Backer Claim brought against George Abbott by Henry Sussman in the closing of the William Saroyan com- edy, "Get Away Old Man," was de- cided against Sussman by the Amer- ican Arbitration Association at. a hearing last Thursday (8). ., '- . Sussman, a limited partner in the Abbott production, which opened on Broadway Nov. 24, '43, brought suit when Abbott closed, the show Dec. 4, claiming "he hadn't received notice of the closing as per contract. Although receiving part of his investment, Sussman wanted back all of it, or $6,000.: '■ 'Marietta' to Open Grand Rapids Season -Grand Rapids, Mich.,. June 13. The Grand Rapids Municipal Opera Co. will bp^n its season at the Ramona Park theatre July 3, with "Naughty Marietta." Two Metro- politan Opera singers, Marita Far- rell and John Gurney, have been signed for the season. Others include Bernice Claire, Marie Nash, Lorna Byron, Melissa Mason, Jules Epinilly, Virginia Bolen, Ray English, Nils Landin, William Scully, Dean Dickens, Har- old Patrick, George Liptpn, Jann Moore, Rowan Tudor, Frances Corn- stock, Don Libcrto, Helen Lanvin and Helen Thompson. Eileen O'Con- nor Will be ballerina; Richard Gor- don, musical director, and Theodore AdolphiV3,.^(?nre dir.estaf^, ..„. v. Denis Du-For, production mana- ger, announces shows to be pro- duced are "Roberta," "Robin Hood," "Rosalie," "New Moon," "Hit the Deck," "Babes in Toyland" and "Vagabond King," last named to ; run two weeks, others one week. 'Abie' $9,000, Balto Baltimore, June 13. "Abie's-Irish Rose" making a b'e=> lated visit to Ford's here last week, ran into fairish weather, break of cooler temperatures to offset season- end cloth, winding up with okay $9,000. House will be given an overhaul- ing during the summer months after good season. 'Father'16€, Seattle Seattle, June 13. "Life With Father," scaled from $3 at the 1,450-seat Metropolitan, grossed estimated $16,000 last week, very good; Third time here for "Father." . ACTIVE PHILLY SUMMER; TAKE BOW' $18,000 Philadelphia, June 13. Indications for a more or less ac- tive summer legit season here in Philly have been further borne out by recent developments. First of all, "Ten Little. Indians," the mystery- thriller which opened last night (12) at the Forrest theatre, has had its run already extended a second week, sans benefit of local notices, etc. Show looked very good in Washing- ton, but producers (Shubert and De Courville) figure it heeds smoothing, hence" extra six days here. The Forrest is also now officially announced, to get the new Mae West musical, "Catherine Was Great," skedded on Wednesday, July 5, and set for two and a half weeks. An in- termediate booking (June 26) is still mentioned as a possibility. ' : . The Walnut and the Locust are ap- parently shuttered for the season, although the latter, which has a par- tial cooling system, may try another booking. City's next opening will be this week Friday (16th) when Theron Bamberger's Bucks County Play- house starts its third season in the ballroom theatre of the Bellevue Stratford hotel, where it went when forced by gas and tire rationing to leave its rustic New Hope home. First show is "There's Always Ju- liet," with Kitty Carlisle. Manage- ment is said to be dickering with Tallulah Bankhead for an early guest spot. "Juliet" will run a week and two days (11 performances); after that shows will open Monday nishis and stay a week. Last week found plenty of good trade in the three le^it playhouses, "Slao Happy" (now "Take a Bow:') got a Very satisfactory $18,000 in its third (and added)'session at the For- rest. That was very nice and ended a profitable run. but even more re- markable was the $8,800 turned in by "Tobacco Road" irj its 2d and final week of its 12th local engagement. House was the Walnut. v, Even "Slightly Scandalous," de- spite severe local panning, picked up a few hundred dollars to hit $4,800 in its 2d and last week of a tryout run at the Locust, Current Road Shows ... ; .-. (June. 14-24) "A Connecticut Yankee"—Stude- baker, Chicago (14-17). "Abie's Irish Rose" (1st Co.)— Ford's. Baltimore (14-17); National, Washingt6n (19-24). : ' "Abie's Irish Rose" (2d Co.)—Au- ditorium, Oakland, Cal. (14); Union High School Audi., Salinas (15); Junior College Audi., Ventura (17); Civic Audi;, Pasadena (19); Munici- pal Audi.. Long Beach (20-21); Russ Audi., San Diego (22-23); Loberto, Santa Barbara (24). . "Blackouts of 1944" (vaude)—El Capitan, Hollywood (14-24). "Good Night, Ladies"—Cass, De- troit (14-24). "Janie" — Geary, San Francisco (14-24).- —— — —r- "Kiss and Tell" (2d Co.)— Harris, Chicago '14-24). :' "Kiss and Tell" (3d Co.)—Shubert Lafayette, Detroit (18-24). -' ,, " is Kvs* Majesty's, 'Montreal (14-1 "Let's Face It"—Forrest. Philadel- phia (14-17); Selwyn, Chicago (19- 24). ■; ' "Life with Father" (2d Co.)— Strand, Vancouver, B. C. (14-16); Royal Victoria, .Victoria, B. C. (17); Capitol, Yakima, Wash. (19); Mar- low, Helena, Mont. (2i); Fox, Butte, Mont. (22); Paramount, Idaho Falls, Idaho (24). , .. —,"iove on Leave''—Wilbur, Boston (H-17). .V; "Oklahoma" (2d Co.)—Erlanger, Chicago (14-24). "Rebecca"—Selwyn, Chicago (14- i7). - ■ '••"■■»;.•*'.•■.- x "Teii Little Indians" '— Forrest, Philadelphia (15-24). .' \-, " : ' ; : "Three Is a Family" (2d Co.)— Colonial. Boston (14-24). , ; "Tobacco Road"—National,. Wash- ington '14-17). "Tomorrow the World" (2d Co.)— Metropolitan, Seattle (14-17); May- fair, Portland, Ore. (20-22); Senior High School Audi., Sacramento (24). "Tropical Revue" r^- Blackstone, Chicago (14-17). . : : BwayUp^IdDevfl'NSGW In 1st Week, Jones Soars to 30G, 'Decision/ Tomorrow? 'Dream Out Cooler weather and a favorable reaction following D-Day accounted tor some improvement on Broadway last week. Some shows could not recover enough and are on the way but. Others are going on a summer basis with players accepting salary cuts so that the runs will have a.bet- ter chance through the hot period. "That Old Devil" was the solo new entrant last Week and was thumbed- dowriv with chances doubtful. "Dream With Music" couldn't make it and stopped. Two new shows this week and three slated to debut next week. Estimates for Last Week ■ Keys.' ti (Comedy), D (Drama), CD <Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), M (Musical)^ O (Operetta). "Angel Street," Golden (131st week) ( D-789;$3.60). Weathering the slump fairly well: can get by to mod- est takings on summer basis; $6,000. "Arsenic and Old Lace," Hudson (CD-1,094: $3.60). Final - arid 180th week . (nearly three and one-half years) of hit, among longest runners in years; bit better with closing an- nouncement; around $7,000; "Love On Leave" will follow. ; "Carmen Jones,'.' Broadway (28th week). (CD-1,900; $3). Lowered scale saw favorable boxoffice reaction: higher gross with plenty larger au- dience; quoted over $30,000.,. ' "Chicken Every Sunday," (Ply- mouth (10th week) (C-1,075; $3.60).' Picture rights disposed of but will continue according to plans; better last week; around $9,000. "Decision," Ambassador (D-1,105; $3.60). Final and 20th v*:ck; fared moderately well but gross dropped to around $5,000. "Dream With Music," Majestic, Stopped Saturday after- three and one-half weeks; major musical dis- aster. ■ •:.' "Follow the Girls," 44fh Street (9th week) (M-l.509; $4.80). Spring mu- sical success moved downtown to horse newly equipped with air cool- ing; was getting big money at Cen- tury; last week over $38,000 esti- mated: ; ' ■ ' ■■ ■' "For, Keeps," Miller (CD-940; $3.60). Presented by Gilbert Miller; written by F. Hugh Herbert; opens tonight (14). "Helen Goes to Troy," Alvin <7th week) (0.-1,357; $4.80). Went up a bit. with takings estimated around $25,500; that figure regarded quite okay for operetta. "Jacobowsky- and the Colonel," Beck (13th week) (C-1,214; $3.60). One of the spring's most solid suc- cesses; back to around $21,000, vir- tual capacity; standees at night. "Kiss and Tell," Biltmore (63d week) (C-920; $3.60), One-set long runner'has been off but still should turn a profit both ways; around $8,500. , "Life With Father," Empire (240th week) (C-1.082; $3.60). Run leader slightly better and quoted over $11,- 6C0: run contenders wither but this one stays on. "Mexican Hayride," Winter Garden (19th week) (M-1.523; $6). Hasn't varied since opening; unquestioned top grosser, with highest scale on list; over $45,000 again. "Oklahoma," St. James (62d week) (M-1.520; $4.80). Business here is always the same—capacity plus stanOees with the gross at $30,000 every week. . - "One Touch of Venus," 46th Street (36th week) (M-1.319; $4.80). Some disaffection previous week hardly, noticed last week when the gross went to better than $33,000. "Pick-Up Girl," 48th Street (5fti week) (D-909; $3.60). Was over- quoted: last week approached $8,000 as against bit more than $5,000 the previous week; aims to stick; picture rights sold. "Over 21," Music Box (23d week) Although the pace **t!3W\i":h t luxu* weeks, intention is to span summer; quoted nearly $12,000, which is quite profitable. "Ramshackle Inn," Royale (23d week) ICD-996; $3.60). Slipping and looks doubtful to stay :much longer; around $7,000. "Slirbtlv Scandalous," National (C-1.154; $3.60). Presented by Charles Leonard; written by Fred- erick Jackson; rehearsed on Coast; opened Tuesday (13). "That Old Devil," Playhouse (1st week) (C-865; $3.60). Critics panhed compdy that was originally done on Coast, and first, week indicates weak chance; under $4,000. .',' : "The Donghgirls," Lyceum (76th week) (C-993; $3.60). Held its own by narrow margin and was quoted slightly over $10,500; new femme leads originally in Chicago company doing alright. "The Searching Wind," Fulton (9th week) (C-948; $4.20). Solid success with standees most times; Thursday night off but claimed gross around $20,000. "The Voice of the Turtle," Morosco V27th week) fD T 955; $4.20). Has not varied in any degree and with standees the gross is $22,000 and over. "Temerrow the World," Barry- more (C-1,064; $3.60). Final and 62d week announced, but there's a possi- bility of staying on; approximately $8,000. " '^The«-Two Mrs. Carrolls,"- Booth (45th week) (D-712; $3.60). Little change from lowered takings but better than $11,000 claimed, goodly money for this drama. ■ "3 Is a Family," Bclnsco (57th week) (C-l.007; $3). Summer con- tinuance depends on: weather from now one: rated around $6,500. "Wallflower," Cort (21st week) (D-1.064; $3.60). Not too strong but summer continuance intended; last week estimated around $7,000. ."■ 'Ziegfeld Follies," Imperial (62d' Week) (R-1,427; $4.80). Has fair chance to stick through July al- though pace down around $23,000. REVIVAL "Othello," Shubert (34th- week) (D-1,325; $3.60), Went off but still drawing remarkiible business with last week $20,000 or more; two more weeks after this. "New Mocn," City Center (4th week) : (0-2.963; $2.40). Somewhat better than estimated; wes held over and is dated to finale Saturday (17); $18,000. VAUDE-REVUE "Take a Bow," Broadhurst (1,160; $3). B'irst vauder this season; opens Thursday ' 15). . ■' ' ADDED:: '■' "Broken Hearts of Broadway," N. Y. Music Hall. Bcer-at-tables . joint with Old-style meller at pop prices; opened Monday (12). ' NEIGHBORHOOD "Janie," Flatbush. Brooklyn, "Early to Bed," Windsor, Bronx; bodtaed back for repeat. . "Blithe Spirit,?' Queensboro, L. L LA. LEGIT FLOURISHES; 'JANIE'ENDS WITH 1HG Los Angeles, June 13. D-Day effect upon legit boffos here was negligible, with most, houses holding up to standard takes, and overall business a little better than usual. "Janie" pulled out of the Bilt- more with $11,500 for the final stanza and a total gross of $25,000 for the two and one-half week run. Slated for revival at the Musart tomorrow (Wed.) is "Night Must FaU," with John Cousins putting the house back on a strictly professional basis after having little theatre policy. /'Personal Appearance" at the Ma- yan went for $9,000 on the first full week, and is climbing for a $9,500 on the second. "Surprises of 1944" at the Playtime also rounded out, its initial full period with a very good $4,100, and looks for a similar score, due to heavy window play this week. Announcing final two weeks of "Meet the People" brought in extra cash at the Music Box to the tune of .$6,600, and $6,890 is seen for the closing stanza. Ken Murrav's "Blackouts of 1944" at El Capitan rambled through Invasion week with a full house at $14,600, and has an eye on same for the 103d stanza. 'Face It' Sluggish $12,500 in Pittsurgh Pittsburgh,. June 13. "Let's Face It" ran into too many snags last week and finished off the Nixon legit season pretty sluggishly. Playing at $3 top, all it could do was around $12,500, despite first-rate no r ticcs from the local crix. Reviews would have ordinarily helped after the slow opening, but combination of the heat and D-Day put the crimp in musical at b.o., and, although it kept picking up a bit at each performance, show never actu- ally got started. "Face It" was to have gone from here to Philadelphia for two. weeks; but when Selwyn; theatre in Chi suddenly became available with closing of "Rebecca," musical cancelled Philly and went direct to Windy City, where it opens tonight (Tuesday). "Good Night, Ladies," which played here for two Weeks to excellent biz in April, is slated 'for the Nikon again some time in August, to re- open that house's 1944-45 season. .,' 'Open Road' 44% St. L St. Louis, June 13. , "Good News," presented in the Municipal Theatre Assri's 'al fresco playhouse in Forest Park in 1935 and 1940, is back again for another seven- night stand, opening last night (Mon- day) before a mob of 8,000 that grossed an approximate $3,500. "The Open Road," first piece of the 26th season, wound up its 11-night stand Sunday <11) with black fig- ures. Despite alternately hot and cool weather a total of 70,000 attend- ed the presentation and the gross was approximately $44,500.