Variety (Jun 1944)

Wednesday, June 21, 1944 LEGITIMATE 49 Conclaves Up Chi; 'Rose-Marie' 25^G, Chicago, June 20. ♦ Conventions helped grosses at most houses last week, a couple: of attractions making substantial gains. "Rose Marie," first of the summer series of operettas at the Civic Opera House, led everything with $25,500 and business perked up for the last week of->'Connecticut Yankee'' at the Studebaker, $19,700. The col- ored trade flocked to the Blackstone for last week of Katherine Dunham dance troupe and -upped receipts to $18,000. House will remain dark until July 11, when Gloria Swanson comes in with "A Goose for the Gander."^ ■ : ':-'.-■.'.'■.' .;- : .''.-'V-v "Let's Face It" practically opened cold at the Selwyn Tuesday (13) and is having trouble getting started with an approximate take of $10,500 for seven performances. Estimates for Last Week ; "Connecticut Yankee," Studebaker (3d week) (1,400; -$4.20). Closed Saturday (17) to perked-up $19,700. "Kiss and Tell," Harris (58th week) (1,000; $3). Steady at $11,000. "Let's Face It,'' Selwyn (1st week) (1,000; $4.20). Not doing so well. First seven performances took about $10,500. "Oklahoma," Erlangcr (31st week) (1,500; $4.20). Sellout $30,000. "School for Brides," Civic (3d week) (900; $3). Hovering around $8,500. - \ V v :>■:,■: "Rose Marie," Civic Opera House (3,600; $2.50).. Led town with $25,- 500. Av'.v-■>-•'••'•. V .".■;.', "Tropical Revue," Blackstone (6th week) (1,200; $3). Closed Saturday '..■(17)'tis near-capacity $17,000. ; • "Uncle Harry," Great Northern (7th week) (1,400; $3). Garnered $12,500. 'NORWAY' DRAWS RAVES, 42G IN L. A. PREMIERE .: ':'• Los Angeles, June 20, Three openings and two closings featured legitimate activity here last week. "Song of Norway" premiere at the Philharmonic overshadowed most other footlight news, and the new operetta not only drew rave no? tices from the press but $42,300 at the boxpffice with a capacity $43,000 •" expecteti'"" this'- weekr—"Ntpht- -Must Fall" was revived at the Miisart Wednesday (14) and pulled $1,900 in the 389-seat house for the half-week and $3,000 is in sight for first full "The Family Carnovsky," For Keeps Gllltfnt Jllller in-mlm-lion of ihreo-ael roineuy (one. sot 1 !!*) by l'\ Mu^h .H<'rli*'ri. KeaLures. l-'vank (.Vn'roy. lVl rieia Kjrklana.' .hllle'-Wlu'wri, Donald Murf&y;, singed. Uy ptTsfntPf : • nHthiK. ■ Itftyinojid Sovf-v: opcntij. .Miller. is. V,. Jiine .H. ''44;. H:u;n loi>. .Wins -\hixwell. Anna . . .. . . Haul VuUds Mr. . Reamer. .*.':,. l'a.:nela- Valuta... .Tune. Jimmy Mi-Carey, Xaiwy. Vuhda,... Charlie......;., Frank....., Norma. i Torry .Zolya Talma .... :■..JOllen M.ahai; . .'.,'■. . Krank Convoy . -'. . .'Geoffrey l.uml) .... . . Julie Warren „A . ..Xnrnja r.|rrc .'POnnU Murnhy .1'Hil'iciij Kirklaiwl .JiiKepfa H. (Jariy .. .tlrovet:. JiurKesK . .;..;T«nn Wetni'Mr ..... .George JJaxler Sometimes playwrights repeat, but not frequently, This is one of the negative times^ Gilbert Miller invested "For Keeps" with an imaginatively de- signed triplex apartment setting, but this comedy by F. Hugh Herbert, who clicked with "Kiss and Tell" (Biltmore, N. Y.) as one of the best laugh-getters in years, is unlikely, boxoffice. ..;'■:'.': 'There is no similarity in the two comedies except that adolescence again has its fling. Author tips off what's the matter with the play by one penchant statement. That's when the young hero tells the heroine: "You talk too much." Nancy Vanda is 15, daughter of Paul, an artist now wed to Pamela, a young woman with whom he isn't getting along well.. She is his fourth mate. The kid falls for Jimmie, a marine soon, to shove off to war. Nancy tells the boy she is 18. Of course, Jimmie finds out. but there is promise of marriage when she's a bit older. Young Miss Vanda proceeds to shoot off her mouth, tells lief daddy where he gets off, utters opinions, if not sage comments, on life in general that would- more properly come from a woman of experience. For the last half of the first act and virtually all the second the. part is ;close to being monologistic. Third act sees a pick- up, but by that time the play is defi- nitcly in the mediocre cla ss.- There are some chuckles but nary a real laugh. ■'.'•.■' : . ■' v ■ : i ■ r ■ ■' :' ' r - Anyhow, the play does well, by young Patricia Kirkland, daughter of Jack and his former wife, Nancy Carroll. There is no doubt that she is of the theatre, and for a first time on Broadway Miss Kiikland gives 'Ladies' Brisk $14,000 In 4th Detroit Week Detroit, June 20. "Good Night Ladies" continues its brisk business at the Cass, garnering approximately $14,000 in the fourth week. Comedy, which has a top of $2,75. is only $2,000 away from its first two weeks' $16,000 level as it heads into its fifth week. • , The Lafayette, dark for a week, relit Monday night with "Kiss and Tell" which played here earlier in the season. Top of this will be $2.20. Newcomers Disappoint on B'way; 'Scandalous Folds Fast; 'Othello' ; Vaude Eyes This Wk/s B.O. 'FAMILY' OK $8,000, HUB; 'LOVE' NSG 71G Boston, June 20. Two stands kept legit burning in the Hub last week. "Three Is a. Family" continued to hit its average $8,000 on its sixth stanza, and Will remain so long as this profitable level holds at the Colonial. "Love on Leave" faltered in second week at the Wilbur, dropping to an estimated $7,500. Tryout moved out Saturday (17). . ■.,;.' ■ ■ ■ Cambridge strawhat, meanwhile, doing heavy business in Harvard Square's Battle Hall, touching ca- pacity grosses both weeks so far. Tryout of "Goose for the Gander" here this week with Gloria Swanson and Ralph Forbes, extra matinees set. Still some doubt about "Catherine Was Great" here. Possibility show will ;open here after all at Ihe 'Shu-' bert, the question of air-conditioning holding up final decision. None of Boston's legit stands is conditioned; a fact hurting v local bookings throughout the summer. Plans are under way in most of them for unit installations, but hard to see how they'll do it under present circum- stances. Film houses okay in that respect, however, and all have suf- ficient supply of refrigerant on hand to see them through the summer. 'Kiss' 15G, Montreal Montreal, June 20. Seven nights and two matinees of "Kiss and Tell" with Violet Hemin-J at the 1,565-seat His Majesty's, scaled at. $2.65 top, grossed an estimated $15,000, very good after a ■ fine weather week and a heat-wave over the weekend .'■' -, ;.-'• Reviews were very favorable and crowds, ran near capacity towards end of engagement. stanza all-Yiddish play, bowed into the Bilt- more Sunday (18) with sellouts for the first two nights and $14,500 fore-j performance worthy of an experi seen on the week. '/ ; | enced actress. She handles a long "Personal Appearance" at the | part without a slip, which is really Mayan took a slight dip to $8,800 be- something for a newcomer, cause of Bond show at the Holly- Frank Conroy as the rather also wood Bowl, but advances will bring turns in a good performance, find it back to $9,000 for the third full when he unbends, showing affection Week. Ken Murray's "Blackouts of for his daughter for. the first time 1944" continued at $14,500 for the and asking her to remain with him 103rd week and will try for $14,700 i and Pamela, rather than her flighty on the final seven days of its second year, which It hits the 24th. ' • - "Surprises of 1944" ignominiously folded up at the Playtime while "Meet the People of 1944". shuttered for a summer Vest Saturday night (19), at the Music Box after 10 months run. Final week was strong $7,000 and show will open on a road tour in San Francisco in late August or early September. 'Abie' $7,800, Balto Baltimore. Juno 20. "Abie's Irish Rose," at Ford's wound up. legit season here last week. Perennial held its pace set two weeks ago when it got a nice $8,500. garnering some $7,800 for its BrVaJ session. - ••',■•■. , -: -Na- Fix Up San Antonio Theatre ■ ' San Antonio, June ,20. The Sunken Garden theatre, un- used for several seasons, will be rer habilitated at a cost of $14,300. and made available for outdoor show- ir.gs. . • . ;'■'•."•,■': ~r ";- Current London Shows London, June 20 "Last of Summer," Phoenix. V "Arsenic & Old Lace," Strand. All Star Variety, Palladium, , * " V-cis in Wondcr3ann7* Scala. "Blithe Spirit," Duchess "Druid's Rest," St Martin's. ' "Dancing Years," AdclphT. '■ "G'nite Ladies," Whitehall. "Gypsy Princess," Saville. "How're They at Home," Apollo. "Ideal Husband," Westminster. "Mrs. Cheyhey," Savoy. "Lilac Domino," Majestys. "Lisbon Story," Hippodrome, "Love Racket," Princes. "Meet Me, Victoria," Vic Palace "Mr. Bolfry," Playhouse, "lytht In Venice," Cambridge. "Old Chelsea," Winter Garden. "Panama flattie," Piccadilly. "Pink String," Duke of York's "Quaker Girl," Coliseum. "Quiet Weekend," Wyndhams. "Sh»fl No Night," Aldwych. "Soldier Xmas," Vaudeville. :•••."', "Something-in Air," Palace. "Sweeter Lower," Ambassador "M Little Nirsers," St. Jam' i "L'ncle fUrry," Garrick. "WMIe Son Shines," Globe. "Zero flour," Lyric. mother's home, the play gets a lift. ; But it's too Unci- Julie Warren is ah attractive blonde, and is like- able as Pamela, that, loo, going for Donald Murphy, who promises his young bride-to-be not to get .hint, when he goes overseas. . Jbee. Slightly Seandalous Cliarlfs liPoiini^y piiHlmiion tin 1 itkli. \',-itll Tl^mmn M' Qfiillnn) (if i : i:l- ,>,ly n Xlm'f il^-tN hy 'Kl'ffflfJfifU .liit'Kson. I<:lsi-d mi, lilea by llolund Hutliimlpv. ' HCitf.l hy. aiHUoi;. snirs .lanrl. lieoi-hpr. .Kef hy ll:u'ry Owiirkin. Op^filifl at Natinnn 1.-N.Yi. fune 44: sn.cjy t<.n f$i.N« pin>nin« niyhi). Uaviil .-^lu: Walter Slu.arl.;., Jailf Connie. j.-ihips \Vitlou^<il>; Klancps Sniarl.*.'. ^lillicent. Siuart.. l'Mu'rinl ifoi'f-uw Jr. Ar,hie Calupliell. WuiTPf of I'Viralc.. . . . ,,. ft*'ii?vhl (If'cirffpjl Hi^ainl; .1 a n 1 .Pl za rol 7.si;o ; /. Kir .M i'ehael. Xorman... . .... .Mrs; lloiiry J. i'rr-\yt:. i.. l>K]>linp Ci'ewe. .Xinn Pjiiltoilp .'.Williain HerciiH ..U«i)-nllis Vnukhd" .;.. KHznlwOi Hurl Paul. Mi Vpy ......la net ppPiher ...Annp. lfPn.lprsfin . ...Mii'Jiaci Xloi lliin'. .,. Marry ArM nihun ...... .Tien 'Shaw ..Jinn tii' llria" ......ttejV' Uai-v ., : :. . Royrl Davis ,>*!"( OPP« .<'.'( ...JlKi'ikP Slian" "Slightly Scandalous" brings Janet Beecher, ba.ek./o .Broad.wav Kj^e.;- !2 year's" VI "tfclTywoofr!' Sor "served little else. The Frederick Jackson piay is a feeble comedy built around one amusing' idea stretched pretty thin over three acts of dull dialog and uninspired situations: There is never a semblance of wit. Its Broad- way chances are nil. Miss Beecher plays a famed novel- ist-lecturer, the mother of three chil- dren. Two of them are about to marry. When the prospective in- laws inquire about the absent father, Miss Beecher lets her kids in on something. She's never been mar- ried. Furthermore, she's had each kid by a different father—by a French officer, ah English baronet, a Polish pianist. She is willing how to conventionalize the matter by marrying one of her -oldtime lovers (strangely enough, all gathered in this country and unmarried), and invites them to her home for the kids to choose a parent from among them, , What Noel Coward might have done with this idea is pleasant to think about. There are only occa- sional bright bits by a few of the performers. The talk is Hollywood- Current Road Shows . (June 21-.7ulii 1) ' "Abie's Irish Rose*? (1st Co.) l'ional, Washington. (21-1). . "Abie's trlsh Rose" '2d Co,)— Municipal Audi., Long Beach (21); Russ Audi.,^an Diego (22-23); Lo- i berto. Santa Barbara (24). "Illackouts of 1944" (vaude)^El ] Capitan, Hollywood (21-1). "Family Carnovsky" — Biltmore, j Los Angeles 125-1). v "Good Night, Ladies"—Cass, De- troit (21-1). '■••;', "Jfanie" — Geary, San Francisco (21-24); Civic Audii, Sah Jose (25); Carmel Audi., Carmel (26); Salinas Audi., Salinas; Lobero, Santa Bar- bara (28-29); Junior College Audi.. Ventura (30). "Kiss and Tell" (2d Co.)—Harris. Chicago (21-1). • "Kiss and Tell" (3d Co.)—Shubert Lafayette. Detroit (21-1). y - , ' "Let's Face ft"—Selwyn, Chicago (21-24). . "Life With Father" (2d Co.)—Mar- low. Helena, Mont. (21); Fox, Butte (22); Paramount, Idaho Falls. Idaho (24); Ca'Ditol, : Salt Lake City (26); Colorado Springs <W; tf\9 SuS?? forium, Denver (30-1). "Oklahoma" (2d Co.) — Erlanger, Chicago (21-1). : ■', "Ten Little Indians" — Forrest, Philadelphia (21-24). ;■.;.■>'■;■■ . ' "Three Is a Family" ^2d Co.)— Colonial, Boston (21-1). *., "Tomorrow the World" (2d Co.)— Mayfair, Portland, Ore; (21-22); Senior High School Auditorium, Sac- ramento (24); Geary, San Francisco (25-1). v. ■;.-.'; ; ian and dull. The direction, by the author is stolid. - •*."•.• Miss Beecher is gracious and charming in a part that also makes her appear at times uncomfortable. Gene Gary and Jean De,Briac con- tribute some amusing moments as two of the parents, while the rest of the cast runs from fair to .poor. Harry Dworkin's setting is attractive. .',',■. Bron. (For ihe record; show vtdted June 17, 1944, o/t!er seven performances.) Post-season arrivals on Broadway have been uniformly: disappointing, as indicated by the number of clos- ings during the first half Of June. Business for a number of / shows slipped last week though a few claimed some improvement, with others about holding their own. . Last week's arrivals: "For Keeps" evoked divided opinion and is in doubt; "Slightly Scandalous" was panned" and yanked; "Take a Bow" ("Slap Happy") vailde-revue re- ceived divided opinions.. ! Estimates tor Last Week Keps.' C (Comedj/), D (Drnmn), CD (Coraea»;-DroiTia), R {.Revue), M (Musical), O (Operetta). :. "Anrel Street," Golden (132(1 week) (D-789; $3.60). Down to around $5,000 but intention is to play well into the fall. "Carmen Jones," Broadway (29th week) (CD-1,900; $3). Lowering of scales appears to have turned the trick in attracting larger attendance; again around $30,000. "Chicken Every. Sunday," Ply- mouth (11th week) (C-1.075; $3.00). Plans to playing through summer; moderate grosses; around $9,000, couples of parties helping. : : "Follow the Girls," 44th Street (10th week) (M-1,509; $4.80). Off to fine start in new house; standees nightly and Only Wednesday mati- nee somewhat affected; $36,000, or virtual capacity. "For Keeps," Miller (1st week) (CD-940; $3;60). Got two favorable notices with other reviews adverse, and so chances rated questionable. "Hats Off to Ice," Center (R-3,438; $1,98). Presented by Sonja Henie and Arthur M. Wirtz; third skating revue by them in the Radio City house; opens Thursday (22). "Helen Goes to Troy," Alvin (8th week) (b-1,357; $4.80). Has been getting very good money but not selling out; figured around $25,000. "Jacobowsky and the Colonel,' Beck (14th week) (C-1,214; $3.60) One of Broadway's popular draws and will hold over into new season; bit off last week, $19,600 quoted. "Kiss and Tell," Biltmore (64th week) (C-926; $3.60). Shaded off .somewhat to low at $7,500," but made money, both ways; slated to stick, "Life With Father,?' Empire. (241st week) (C-1,082; $3.60). Change in leads made Monday (19) but that probably Will not dent the : run; quoted over $11;500. "Love on Leave," Hudson (C-1,094; $3.60). Presented by Charles G. Stew- art and Martin Goodman; written by A. B. Shiffrin; looked okay out of town; opened last night (20). . "Mexican Hayride," Winter Garden (20th week) (M-1.523; $6). Still tops all on list in point of gross and should play far into new season; very little off; nearly $45,000. >, -■ I "Oklahoma," St. James (63d week) (M-1,520; $4.80). . Playing nine per- l loimances but extra Tuesday mati- i nee exclusively for Army and Navy; | $30,600. capacity. -■ "One Touch of Venus." 46th Street (37th week) (M-1,319; $4.80), Hold- ing to great money but off some- what late last week, when weather hurt; bit under $32,000. . "Over 31," Music Box (24th week) (C-1.001; $3.60). Went up slightly last week, quoted over $12,000; very good for comedy of its type/ one of season's hits. "Pick-Up Girl," 48th Street (6:h week) (D-909; $3.60). Claimed prot- itable with some cutrate aid and in- tention is to play through summer; $7,500. . "Ramshackle Inn," Royale (24th week) (CD-996; $3.60). May play neighborhood, houses soon; engage- ment exceeded expectations tor mod- erate success; $7,000. "Slightly Scandalous," National, j Yanked Saturday (17); panned; played only seven performances. "That Old Devil," Playhouse. Taken ^S'.S^i'A-eAws "f ^r two mild 'Ziegfeld Follies," Imperial (63d week) (R-1,427; $4.80). Has been oft* but figures to perk back when sum- mer influx; starts; rated around $22,- 000: REVIVAL "Othello," Shubert (35th week) (D-1.325; $3.60). Jumped back to- wards capacity again,, with last week's gross topping $22,1)00,- engage- ment ends after another week. "NeiiuMognjlCitv Center (0-2,963; $2.40). Final and sixth week; stayed longer than slated to fairly good money until last week, when around $13,000 estimated. VAODE-REVUE "Take a Bow/' Broadhurst (1.160;-- $3). Opened last. Thursday (15); drew only fairish notices; better line of vauder's chances this week. ■ ' *>;■■■ ADDED . -•'. "Broken Hearts of Broadway," N. Y. Music: Hall. Melodrama and vaude in East Side beer hall; rather mild press. ; . ■-' NEIGHBORHOOD "Tobacco Road," Queensboro. L. I. "Janie," Windsor, Bronx. "Decision," Flatbush, Brooklyn. The Doughgirls," LvCeum (77th week) (C-993; $3.60), Downward trend reflected by business ofj long runner: .dipped to around $9„50O but stay indefinite. . . "The Searching Wind;" Fu|ton (10th week) (C-948; $4.20). Stand- out drama holds to capacity pace, with standees the rule nightly; over $20.000., "The Voice of the Turtle," Morosco (28th week) iD-955; $4.20). Will suspend after this week . nl though gratis performances for soldiers and sailors next week; $22,000 and over; standees always. "The Two Mrs. Carrolls," Booth f46th week) (D-712; $3.60). Another click that will take a summer layoff after next week; around $10,500, still very good and should last through fall: :. ■ "3 Is a Family," Belasco (58th week) (C-1,007; $3). Shrinking of list may help this stayer, which was rated around $6,000 last week. "Wallflower," , Cort (22d week) (D-1.064: $3.60). Now on summer basis and should stay on; hardly bet- ter than even break at around $7,000. INDIANS' $10,500 IN WEEK AT PHILLY Philadelphia, June 20. "Ten Little Indians," new mystery- me.ller which opened last week at the Forrest, got great notices and since its producers, the Shuberts. to- gether with England's Albert De Courville, figured show needed extra tightening and sharpening, it was no surprise when a second week here was added. As a matter of fact, local fortnight should be highly profitable with last week's $10,500 virtually sure to be topped in this, the final semester. 'Road' Wow $17,000 In 12 at Washington Washington, June 20. . "Tobacco Road" in 12 perform- ances at the National theatre col- lected $17,000, phenomenal for $1.50 top, with the play on its 10th visit here. Oddity was .that second bal- cony seats at 50C went begging. Usually, with high grade attractions the peanut gallery goes first. "Abie's Irish Rose" is in for four weeks at popular prices. When first presented here "Abie" ran 12 weeks at . the President theatre on Penn- sylvania avenue. No play, before or since, has approached that record. 'Vag. King' in 3|/ 2 G St. L. Bow ; 'News' 42G Rudolf Friml's "The Vagabond King" has been revived for the current one-week stand by the Mu- nicipal Theatre Assn. for its alfresco theatre in Forest Park, After a week of torrid weather mercury dipped and topcoat breezes lured out an: opening night mob of 10,000 last night. (Monday). Gross was esti- mated $3,500. "Good News" wound up a ohc- week engagement Sunday (18) with a nea b.o. record. Piece drew 63.000 and an approximate gross of $42,000. Schirmer's Name Stock An auspicious scaison of "name" attractions has been set by Gus Schirmer, Jr., music publisher scion, for his strawhat. season at the Strand theatre, Stamford, Conn. '•Spanning an 11-weck season, which started Monday (19) with Tal'ulah Bankhead and John HoysraA So, "Private Lives," are Gloria Swanson and. Ralph Forbes in "Goose For The Gander," June 26; Constance Bennett in "Without Love," July 3; K. T. Stevens and Libby Holman in "My Sister Eileen," July 10; Mad-;e Evans in "Little Women," July 17,. and others. Miss Bankhead, incidentally, lea ves for the Coast directly following this week's appearance,- to Star in' Ernst Lubitsch's production of "The Gzrr- ina" for 20th-Fox, . 'Tomorrow' 8G, Seattle • '/.' . v Seattle, June 20, "Tomorrow, the World barely grossed $8,000 in week at Metropoli- tan. Hoase seats 1.450; scaled from' $3. '■ Hugh Beckct, manager, reports two cancellations: "Over 21," and "Ar- senic and Old Lace" wihch was to follow' "Tomorrow." "Over 21" was due for July. So house is back for interim on pix policy, until "Janie" opens July 14.