Variety (Jul 1944)

Wednesday, July 12, 1944 LEGITIMATE 41 Producers Cautioned Again Anent Advance Parting on Sets, Costumes Producers of shows for next sea-4 son are again cautioned to coordin- ate the dates of opening perform- ances with the actual start of mak- ing scenery and -costumes. Because of restrictions on materials it will be necessary to order settings and cos- tumes at least four weeks before be- ginning rehearsals or eight to nine weeks before first showings. As soon as new attractions are mentioned in the dailies, accessory - people imme- diately advise producers of probable delays, unless orders are given well in advance. •.':■'.• Showmen had been told that scenic conditions were such that it will be mandatory to start work long before initial presentation, and now the situation in costume plants has become jammed because of union restrictions. Upon the incarceration of Louis Hollander for extortion some months ago, the Theatrical Cos- tume Workers sought affiliation with some other theatrical union but Wil ]iam Green, the American Federa lion of Labor head, ruled that TCW affiliate with the International Ladies Garment Workers Union ILGWU is not familiar with show business with the result that people in costume shops are limited to 35 hours per week, with overtime pro hibited unless absolutely necessary. Costumers asked for the same sched- ule as in Hollywood, where 40. hours and eight hours overtime are set by the union, but ILGWU rejected the proposal. Costumers propose that e.v-N. Y. Mayor Jimmy Walker arbi trate a working agreement between the operators and costume workers. Stated that costume workers ob lained a 29% pay increase in the last two years and seek another boost of 15%. Indications are that because of the restrictions in hours and possible wage tilt that production costs will jump, with musical shows likely to average around $200,000. ZaSu Pitts-W Dae For Run in Chicago "Ramshackle Inn," ZaSu Pitts' starrer which wound up its New York run Saturday (8), will not be given a whirl around pop-priced sub- way circuit but will be roadshown instead. Comedy opened at National, Washington, Monday (10) and will jump from there directly to Selwyn theatre, Chicago, for a run. "Inn" had previously been considered for the subway loop. John Golden's "3 Is a Family," which also wound up New York run Saturday, will traverse subway cir- cuit, having opened last night (11) at the Flatbush, Brooklyn, and goes to the Windsor, Bronx. Other cir- cuit houses follow. '<...' Kettering Eyes Kibbee For New Chi Comedy Ralph Kettering, Chicago legit producer and operator of the Civic theatre. Chi, is set to do a new com- edy, "The Girls He Left Behind," in Chicago'next season. Currently angling for Guy Kibbee, who recently closed in revival of "The Old Soak" for Frank McCoy and is reported interested if film commitments permit.' '." y B'way Speculates on Possibility Of Having Its 'Worst' Summer Stafford, Munson Star In Soap Opera Satire Los Angeles, July 11. New comedy, ribbing radio's soap operas, opens at the Bela.sco theatre July 31, with Hanley Stafford and Ona Munson as co-stars. Stage piece was authored by Francis Swann who will co-produce with Zion Meyers., \ SET I. K. DAVIS PLAY Irving Kaye Davis and Victor Hugo Ridal have pacted whereby the latter will produce the former's new play, "Last Stop," on Broadway. Play is Davis'60th. : .' v . Playwright is husband of Elsa Shelley, who clicked right off the bat with her first play, "Pick-Up Girl," produced by Mike Todd's staff and current at.48th Street theatre, New York. kale Staff-Legit Changes in "Follow the Girls," 44th Street, N. Y.. indicate the operating nut will b«e cut but not to any great extent, since Equity rules stipulate that when the management gives notice the replacement actor must get as much salary as the original. However, in the case of Frank Parker he quit the show on his own and Bill Tabbert was engaged to take over his part. Parker thought three months in the same job was about enough, being used to changing programs in radio, and he also claimed he had to go back to his Connecticut' farm to attend to the vegetables, not being able to get enough .help. • f '•...'; • •'.' .... Toni Gillman also gave her notice and the matter of salary for the re- placement is between the latter and Dave Wolper. the producer. Wolper gave notice to the Di Gatanos. but the dance combo will not be replaced. Subway Circuit Doing Good Biz Subway circuit, consisting of the- atres in the neighborhoods of New York, is again affording welcome summer engagements for actors, tak- ing up the slack in summer stock jobs. Contracts are given players for at least two weeks, but attend- ance has been favorable enough to repeat the bookings in several in- stances. ■;•:.."■'•'. "" "'..'"?''; '■'.!'&'■': J. J. Leventhal and the Brandt brothers are teamed in operating the Flatbush, Brooklyn, and Windsor, Bronx, for legit, and while casts were formerly asked to take salary cuts for neighborhood dates, understood there has been little slicing this sum- mer so far. In addition to the above outlying houses, the Queensboro is also in on pop legit, under different management, and Leventhal has taken over the Garden Pier theatre, Atlantic City. ' ,! ~ Neighborhoods are getting mostly shows which played Broadway suc- cessfully during the past season. Best gross was drawn by "Early to Bed." which started with a $17,000. week and was repeated in Brooklyn and the Bronx. "Porgy and Bess"' did alright too, $16,000. "Arsenic and Old Lace" netted a goodly re- turn with takings of $10,000, and "Tomorrow the World," which also recently closed on Broadway, had a quite profitable date in Brooklyn last week. Other Broadway shows used were "Mis: January and Mr. Ex," "Janie," "Decision" and. "Blith e Sp irit" (re- Vived for stoeE7r"~"TrIree HTa~Fam- ily " which closed at the Belasco Sat- urday (8), moved directly into the neighborhoods Monday (10). Cowl Unavailable, Drop 'Yonkers' Tour Proposed revival of Thornton Wikler's comedy, "The Merchant of Yonkers," which Fred Morand in- tended reviving, With Jane Cowl starred, for. whirl around N. Y. sub- way circuit and road tour, has been set back because of inability to pact Miss Cowl, who has other commit- ments. Morand says he'll do it later if he can sign another name. "Merchant" was originally pro- duced on Broadway some years back by Herman Shumlin. Back-Pay Delay- Stars Stagehands Muttered indications of a strike were heard in New York stagehand circles because of a week's delay in payment of retroactive wages or- dered by the regional War Labor Board. However, at a meeting be- tween Local 1, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and the managers on Friday (7), the showmen agreed that the lump sums would be forthcoming the next day, and payment was made. During the session there was bickering, union men being somewhat agitated over points questioned by the managers! Another confab is due this week. To be ironed out is a union idea of paying all men while the settings are being lighted. Managers pointed out that only operators were re- quired for the lighting and said it was an imposition to pay the bal- ance of the men who had nothing to do. WLB's instructions as to re- troactive coin to heads of depart- ments who are on the job 46 weeks is still, not clarifi ed hut it was con- ceded that comparatively'Tew dec^ •f Broadway and London's West End have sagged with closings in the past two weeks but for entirely different causes. Over here the slump in busi- ness came as a result of various rea- sons, while over there attendance dived because of the Nazi robot bombs (further details on Page One). Five Broadway closings last week and the drop in grosses all along the line gave rise to the opinion that this will be the "worst" summer in years. Borne out is the prediction last month of uncertainty and indi- cations that \ attendance chances . looked doubtful. Present condition of the boxoffices indicate that the estimate of 15 shows going through the summer locks high. 80% Admish Tax Viewing the casualties of the past feu: weeks, Broadway managers are of the opinion that the doubled ad- missions tax of .20% is a contributing if not a strong factor in skidding re- ceipts. During April, when the fed- eral nick was boosted, it was not immediately recognized as a real deterrent, because" many tickets were ^bought in advance at the old 10% rate. :''.--..-:'. ',';..':>•:..',"•■. It is quite clear that playgoers haven't as much money to spend as they did during the season, and the- weekend influx to New York has evaporated for that reason, too. Be- cause of the slim bunch from out of town, Sundays are not so good, as shown by the fact that only three shows give performances, Exception is the new "Hats Off to Ice" (Cen- ter), when the matinee goes clean; Another heat wave hasn't helped cither, despite cooling systems, while the appeal to the public by Wash- ington not to travel is still, another thing that's the matter with busi- ness. Managers say there will be an upturn soon on the basis of hotel reservations from mid-July on, and those with shows still lighted ar» hoping that will prove true. General Henry H. Arnold, head of the Army Air Forces, and his wife, visited Moss Hart at. the dramatist's country home in Bucks County. Pa., over the weekend that preceded D-Day. Of course, there was no hint of the invasion from the AAF commander, but other guests later commented on the casualness. of the general, who was in on so vital a secret. Hart wrote "Winged Victory" at the request of General Arnold, through whom he visited the flying fields in a bomber before starting the epic drama, now being filmed on the Coast. Report that "Victory" would not tour was scotched by an announcement from Hollywood to the effect that the service show would open in Los Angeles Oct. 9, as originally scheduled. Play ran for over six months on Broadway (44th Street) to virtual capacity. According to reports, Ruth Gordon offered to give up her entire salary and skip royalties from "Over 21," at the Music Box, N. Y., one of last week's closings, to keep the comedy going for the sake of others in the j cast. Max Gordon, who produced the show, decided otherwise, feeling that the actress-author should rest before starting on tour in the show in I August. . - . '.'"•'...■■•:.. ' "■ ",. ':.'','■ House management also figured in the show's exiting gross having! dropped. to $7,000, considerably under the estimated figure. Box is one of j the most attractive theatres in town but will probably be dark until fall. Paul Dullzell, executive secr« tary-treasurer, has joined the board of the American Arbitration Assn., but will not serve as an arbitrator. If he was to do so every actor with a claim, it's held, would ask him to serve. Dullzell's position on the AAA . board is virtually an honorary one. 'Equity strongly supported the Assn., and <by having its members' claims adjusted by arbitration, many cases were kept from the courts. In recog- nition of its action the AAA invited Dullzell to join and Equity's council assented to his acceptance. : ■ ' .'■'.■ ' -: . : ■ , -.' LOSES FIRST STEP ON 'MERRY WIDOW RIGHTS Attorney Daniel L. Brown, son-in- law of the late Henry W. Savage, last week lost the first step in a court fight with the Shuberts. over the rights to "The Merry Widow," which originated in Europe in the 1860's. Judge Charles E. Wyzanski of the federal court, Boston, ruled the book of the operetta to be in the public domain. Savage obtained the American rights to "Widow" from the late George W. Edwardes, Lon- don producer, whose "new version," dated 1907, was used fn the U. S. Court ruled the American copyright had e\pired in 1935. The Shuberts were enjoined from presenting "Widow'' last year by the Savage estate. Both Lee and J. J. Shubert were examined in Boston some months ago before trial. Claimed that the copyright on the lyrics was renewed and certain parts of the third act revised, which will b» brought out in appeal of the Wyzanski ruling. This version was used in the New Opera Co.'s hit re- vival of "Widow" on Broadway • Majestic) last season, show having opened on the Coast, Monday (10). Despite the decision Brown avers he owns the "Widow" rights, ac- quired from the Savage estate and, curiously enough, claims the book was never published in America nor copyrighted here. F. Hugh Herbert, who wrote "For Keeps." which closed at the Miller, N. Y., Saturday (8) and which was produced by Gilbert Miller, had a 20% share of the show. Authors highly successful "Kiss and Tell" is in, its second summer at the Biltmore, V Herbert's earnings on "Kiss" have been exceptionally high: for one month during the past season, it amounted to $25,000, there being three "Kiss" companies on tour in addition to the original. . J. Pat O'Malley was brought on from the Coast to appear in "-—But Not Goodbye," whic)- was withdrawn last spring soon after Harry Carey was forced from the load through illness. Under the contract John Golden, who produced "Goodbye," was obligated to pay O'Malley's transportation back to Hollywood. ' ,' ; v. ' . ':• ■ : ■/, .■ '';"'■ Equity riUed that the manager is not now liable for the fare, O'Malley having opened in "Ten Little Indians," Broadhurst, N. Y.' \ ;'>•:.: More or less of a sudden closing last week was "Wallflower" at the Cort, N. Y. Meyer Davis, who produced it, declared himself out after Saturday •8), but it was proposed to continue under "different" management. Cast had been working under cut salaries for a month and when the leads declared themselves through, it was finally decided to fold. Recast play may show in neighborhood houses. ' .". " .' • 7'C hands would be affected, because the relatively small number of at- traction's.-"that play that long on Broadway. On Saturday (8) crews received 23 weeks' additional pay, retroactive to Feb. 1. Heads got $241.50; curtain and flymen, $171.60, grips and clear- ers, $160.56. There Was some vari- ance on the matter of holiday per- formances in the interim and all sums were subject to 20% withhold- ing tax plus social security deduc- tions. In houses where there are one-set shows with five-man crews, total cost to the theatre topped $1,000 but the amount actually paid was $835, what with the required deductions. , New scale for heads is $98 weekly, flymen getting $69.44 and grips, $64.96. Sleek'Waltz King'To Reopen in L A. Aug. 7 Los Angeles, July 11. Streamlined version of "The Waltz King" will open here at the Philhar- monic Auditorium Aug. 7, with Richard Bonelli in title role. After three weeks here, the op eretta is slated for two weeks in San Francisco, followed by a road tour including Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, Denver, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Kansas City and St. Louis. 'Over 21' for London "Over 21." Broadway hit, is to be staged in London. Max Gordon is now drawing up the. papers for the Ruth Gordon comedy's English pre- sentation. .:'.'■': Hugh Beaumont is the London producer. :•; :,':.■ '■■.. BE LIAGRE DUE EAST , ,'' Hollyvirood, July 11. Wi th HUgh Marlowe and K. T. Ste- vens pacted for Chicago company of "Voice of the Turtle," by Alfred de Liagre, Ji\, latter leaves for N. Y. next week. He is still looking for a femme to put in the third spot, the Audrey Christie role. r\ ' MCA's Legit Revamp Switch of Phil Bloom of Music Corp. of America's legit department to the Coast, to handle company's film clients under Taft Schreibcr, cued MCA into dividing his duties between veepee Charlie' Miller and Ben Krariz, stage manager for Lillian Hellman's "The Searching Wind," doubling as an agent at MCA. Edith Van Cleve continues in the leg/t department. In^OTfflrStiB Debate 2 Points Broadway producers and the Asso- ciation of Theatrical Agents and Managers are still to reach agree- ment on two points before the five- year basic pact is actually accepted by both sides. ATAM-ers asserted that the matter of "new blood," or additions to the membership,, has. been settled but the League of New' York Theatres people declare this is not a fact. Latter expected the Union to submit its version of the membership-qualification section in the "agreement" last week but no word was received. . - : :'.. ATAM insists that no new press agents can be admitted unless by the three-year apprentice method, pro- ducers saying that is not satisfactory. Up to now producers could get new publicity people into the union on the ground of unusual ability, and they aim to keep that avenue open, agreeable to the stipulation that not more than five such admissions be made yearly. ATAM aims to lock that door to membership, effecting a closed shop. There is some talk of an apprentice idea for company and house managers, however. The other point to be cleared up is stock, union wanting provisions lor that field and the League saying its showmen are inactive in that direction. ATAM wants the pact to include stock, just in case some pro- ducers do go into stock, so that pro- posed rules would generally apply. GREENFIELD SERIOUSLY ILL Jean Greenfield, president of the Hebrew Actors Union, is in Poly- clinic hospital, "N. V, with an acute •anemic condition. . \ ' : •. He has had more than a score of transfusions but is still seriously ill. Forrest Orr replaced Russell Col- lins in "Goose for the Gander," which opened at Biackstone theatre. Chicago, list night (11) for a run. Deal With Sfanberts For ladies' in N. Y. Detroit, July 11. "Good Night Ladies" will finally reach New York. Show, which had long Chicago run and good stretch here, will close following this week at the Cass to be reccst in four weeks. It is understood that only Skeets Gallagher will be carried over from present cast. Present plans call for taking the comedy into Washington, then Balti- more before hitting Broadway. Al Rosen is reported making a deal with the Shuberts for the New York ap- pearance. : 7>" ; -''v