Variety (Aug 1944)

S6 LEGITIMATE Wcdnc^idaT, August 2, l^dt 6'way Continues to Show Upbeat; 'Jake'Holds to Fine $18,000, liss' 7G, Tick-Up'7G.'Wy $16,500 Bi'ood'.^'a.v last ueok held to tho> impiovcd pace oi Ihe lS(St luU of ,U\\\' with iliBlit increases here and theie TliJt business should rem.un ;.t{TOd, ;in Jaoe of a iresaiti.ed,;,heat ,v\'av.e season which, howcvei, will not reacfi stride until »onie weeks attei Labor ,Day;.. ■ . ,. • '■ , ■ .• • ■ i^o mdi:e inMii.e'dVate,clogipgS ilmQ ' the>OT:V:ivars^'are. ; anticipa^ fi ve premieres are, car'decj tiefeire' the • end■■^(^tho^ mohth;,.,'"CatheriiH Croat' and "School tor Budcs duiw the entics fioiii their hideouts this' wee'c One ueu show stated next wet', and two moie aie due the v\i'tk' OI Ai,^ 28 E^timatcs foi Last week Kens C (Conu'dyi. D (Diniiini. CD (C(iiiied!/-D)«iiia) R (Kernel W (nftiMcoi), O (Opeietfd) •'\iigel Stieet." Golden < 138th *e"t'l;,) (t)-?,(!9; ■?i3,,,0d:);,.-.Sirryiv':inS' an-; v otliej'summer. :En,glish' iiieller ;^ be.llet even :breaK.at'ai^0tin'd;?5,W^^^ ' L. A. Gets Five Openers; ladies' Closes at 18G Lo^ Angeles, Aug 1 HeT\ V legit opening .schedule: b.ringsvWBr ■jihe-liflhts- in ;ave;'locations, thi^ week, Willi la>t nisht seeing, three of the quintet launched Alei 1 \ WidOAS'" tools ovei the Shrme Auditoiium and "Tomorrow the Woild bowed into the Billmore, vvhilV the 'Pilfirimage .Play , began .its itin at the Pil.;iiniaKe Bowl m the HoUjwood Hills Tonight sees the curtani up on a new comedy at the Bela«co FamiU Man" and Thurs- dav will ll^he^ in anothci comedy, I'Too Manv Sjiom'Js" at the Musk t Box, f,'V ''Cobd Nii!ht,.Ladios,.'vloft ,the. BiWi. Imoie Satuulav ni?ht (29), with $18.- lOOO in the kick lor the tourth and 1 final week taking a tptal bE $(17,000 tor the lun 'Blackouts of 1944'' did Tamily' Snappy $8,000 in 12th, Hub ■■Catmen ,I«nes." Bioadwa\ "'.oih U14 goo loi the 109th week at the El weelfi (CD-I 9(10 S3). Supposed to l^^ The IWusart oflenng "Night tout m iall but suth new mu»icaN Uj^jj^^ $2,900 in its seventh nO,t comim; in ioi about two months ] ^eek -Big Little Show' made $3- •«(ii,(ii"(5'tt(i,.WaJ}'; Sjiclv longer:.-,than' ex-■|,2()o\:,fof' the. :secbnd; week- 'at,,the: Asr, Playhouse,, : and "i.ve it $3j50O for. Boston Aus. 1 M.untdinini! as' it did a snappy plu- 'S8,0OJ on Us 12th week at the Co- lonial '3 Is a family" is staying on seveial weeks moie to keep the nalto flies buinim; until the new ciop begins to come in Au? 21. "Family" has been a steady biead- winner all alony and us incieased takine-^ la.-t week can onl.'y be con- sidcied colossal in view ol the weathei despite the an-conditioned theatre.' Ahead beKinni.u \\\<< 21 at the Pljmouth, is'The Last Stop Other piospects include "Calico Wedding' at the W)lbur, Aug 2»; "Life With Fathei ' Colonial Au',. 28, "Wall- flower.' Plymouth. Sept. 4; the Sea,' Wilbui, Sept 11, 'The Perfect iVJairiase." Plymouth, Sept 18, ''Othello," Shubert, Sept, 11, • Mama's Bank Account " Plymouth Oct 2 and ' Hau let." Colonial, same night ''^^'v-' '"v'-'.^'V'"'' ■.-.'V',■■:„.■■■ "Little Foxes' diew a yood esti- mated s:!,300 at Cambudge itiawhat last week This week "Ileie's to Us" new comedy b\ Shiiland Qutnn with Jean- Muii- .starring, ■ ■ • . Inside Stulf-Legit "Oather'nie Was Gieat." ShuDCit (CD-I 382. '!54 80j Piesented b> Michael Todd with a musical-show scale wiitten b\ Mae West who stais: opens tonight i2 .'. , " "Chicken Ever\ Sunda.v " Plym- outh (17th week I (C-l.OVi, S.3 60) : Glfrflwsd'tf'bit ma.re^^ being S8')00: mav stav until theie is :new:S;lio,iv.\pv.essiirt>..vfa^^^ "lollow the OirN," 44th Stieet (lOlh week) (M-1463: $480),,Going along cxcellenllv. with last week's gioss seeing anothei till, $34 000 :.qu'otedj;\:''^V'- -'.-f: ■'■ ■ "H.its Oft to Ice." Centei (6th week) (Pi-2')0-i 51981 Standee pio- ■...pot'tioris ,of: audiences for' .;night. ber-^ foimahces an eveopenei, pLned 10 times' $43 000 claimed. ".laCobowskv and the Golonel." Beck ('20th weeki (C-1.214 $3 60i Holding to takings which spuiled last half o£ July the gross again ap- proximating $18,000. I "Kiss and Tell," Biltmoie (70th wecki (C-926. $3 60). Plan^ still call foi engagement to extend beAOnd I^aboi Day dependent on expected climb in attendance: $7 000 "LHe With Father," •'.npire (247th weelO (C-1.082, "i'l.BO) SomLwhot impi'oved again, run leader being ttuoted ovtr $10,600; that figuie much bettei than othei straight-play sui- VI vol s "Mexican Ha\ride," Winter Garden <2Cth wcekl (M-L-ViS, SO). Mostpei- foimances selling out. has pa.ssed six months and lil;el\ to play until flist of year; $43,500 "Oklahoma." St .Tames (69th week) (M-1..520, $4 801 Cast changes have not impaired the remarkable draw, with standees in all times and the gioss ovex .$30,500 "One Touch of Venus." 46th SHeel (43d week) (lVI-1.319. 1.4 80) An- othci nius eal hea^'yweight that hold-, to gieat itioncj. standees 111 again at midweek matinee; over $29.Q00 "Pifk-Up Girl," 48lh Strjjci (12th week! (D-BOO S3 60) Bettei gioss •■ tifere. a.s,' indicated, .and the taldngs' weie quoted we'i ovei $7 1)00 appai- eiillv profitable "Sehool for Brides." Royale (C- 990. $3 80) Presented b> Howaid Lang, wuttcn b.v Frank Gill. .)i and Geoige Cailcton Blown; Chicago took It, opened last night (1) "Ten Little Indians," Bioadhuist (5th week) (D-1.160: $3 60) Com- mands Veiy profitable altendanie ■., and should. last well into: new, sea-: son; estimated o\or Sli.OOO "The Searrhini; Wind.' Fulton (IGth w^eeki (C-948. $4 201. Not much change heie. spring d.-ama standout 01 edited with S16 ,"0fl lug mone^ tor ' this one "The Voirte of the lurtl^." Morosco (C-893: .$4 201. Laying oft-afttr play- ing 2S) caoacitv weeks; boKOftice open.' ■,■ „';■■■'■ ■ "The Two Mrsi, t'ari'olls,!' Booth (D-712; $3 (iO 1. Laying oft alter pl.i\ - niu nealh one year (48 weeks); bo\- - Vi>ii')Ce.0Pi!ji.v" \. '•'',";•''•'■■■ Neiiihborhoods . ■ "Wallflonei," Windsoi. Bionx "Unrle llarcy," Flatbush. Bi-ook- Un "¥es. Mf Oarllns Daughler." Queensboro. L, T. ^ 1% a Farail,*',"' Strand, Stamtoi'd. Conn sistan'Ge,' :' .League growing i^alos may the prei«ifit period Los Ang<?l!SS Civic Light Opeia Co, wound up its nine-week season with a total gioss of $372,000 for four sliows ol which 'Sonu of Norwa.\" drew $231,300 during, its six weeks' playing tirheVberera San-Fraifc; ci.sco Net proht foi the season will be somcwheie between $35,000 and' $40,000. basr-d'on the es(i1iings ot three operettas exflut-ive of 'Noi- way ' 'TOMORROW ENDS FRISCO RUN, $9,500 San Francisco. Aug 1 'Tomoiiow the Woild" ended its run Saluiday (29) at the Geaiy theatie with estimated $9,500 Next door, at the Curran, Paul Small.s new vjude show. ' Stai Time,' giosbed $2f) 500 in its opening week, "Good Night. Ladies opened at the Geaiv last night (31) to fllled: house with excellent reservation de- mand foi the first W£e!s Cleve. Civicers Buy Theatre for $60,000 Cleveland, Aug 1. CiMC backeis of Lake-Wood's Rep- ertoiv Theatie, upon hearing a film exhibitor ivas dickering for their binldnigi have, bought it themselves loi a lepoited $60,000 ' Purchased, from the. Mutual Bene-: fit life Insuiance Co ot Newaik. N J, two-sloricd business block will enable 14-year-old community playhouse to finally start its war- delayed expansion plans XATHtRINE' NOT SO GREAT 14G, PHILLY Philadelphia Aug 1 ' Torrid heat here all last w'eek', again beat down gios~ ol Miclia 1 Todii's. pi-ddltd,tio.ri::6f "Catherine Was.'^ Gieat which slumped to SJ4.000 in its third a nd ■ fi nSl staiiza at,;f ho: Fpr,-'; rest. Kngagenien; had v s'.arted (ror bii.sfly,Onfc reasoli given'jfpr -the steady lailmg otl lothei than the weather) was that pations at the' earliei pertoi mancei. were'' disap- pointed because show w-isn'f in nioie of the- Mae West groovc'^too much histoi V and not enough ' Come up and see me" Latoi peifoimancos found show broadened plcntv but adverse word-ol-moiith had sptead 'jPhiiiy'i^ftlaygoers; 'didii't'/'iwapl 'JtusV' Siah history "ill liiidsummet.-.':.:,'-/ Foi rest icceivcd a new occupant last evening (31) when "Eaily to Bed" opened what is being consist-.- ciuly announced . as . a twio-Aveek .Tun' heie Geneial imoies ion however still remain.s th a:t '. Ricli;;i rd Kollmar'S: musual will stav at lci~i anothei ' week and peihaps two That would, still give management a chance to; close the house foi quick ovei haul- ing week bcioie Laboi Div Booking has, been ' ofticially ...an- nounced loi the Locust on Aug 14, This is. "Lower North" described as a comedy-drama ot Navy life Try-, out , IS skodded for two weeks. Lo- cust has a naitial cooling system The Bucks County Playhouse re- bounded last week with "Little' Women " This was the sixth oHeimg ot the Theion Bambeigei-New Hope group in its temporary Bellcvue- Stratford ballroom homo, and Madge Evans and Julie Haydon weie both featured as guest playeis. Cunolme romance defied heat to get $7,700.: 'Papa Is All." oiiginally produceil by the Theatie Guild, is this week's Ai thill Hopkinsr-i iarently_ active m directing stage-succe->ses on %diV);.- stated in the Nr Y. Times Sunday (30) magazine section, that whilg fhjB- American commercial theatre has been contracting lor the last 20 y^^'S, it will bo . revived and that the theatre of the luture will dofiniitily lie., the people's theatre. Showman i.s convinced that radio and televisiipii. tiijn help re.slore and expand the legitimate theatre, lie itaimchly lefittcs tfi^-., pessimistic ideas ot some, wlio .predict the demise ol the stage. : Hjjyfjw'' now." Hopkins states, "the demand for the thcat»e is jgrowinei ■£)ii''tlii^ ■ means ot supplying il are diminiishing—giowing fai b(l>ond the clifiaeily;;' of Broadway to sati.siv it." '[ : Hopkins' reason the theatre is sufTormg Irom its 'piescnt state (>£ rnal- ; ntltrition'' is because, ,.of its ''economic burdens—oppre.stue icil' cslatG taxes, arduous union conditions it is being starved b\ pioductuin ^costs that prohibit that venturesome, otten doubtful expelimentatioii whi<ih ^h'ti.s, always been the great source tit the theatre'.s vitality . , but .• . the ■ theatie will not die because it is the brfiad of the spiut. the st.-ifV'df tli**: inner life It is cs-s-ontitil to the continued expansion of oui culture bccaiisy Men to I ol its powei to loi m the thinking and chaiactci ol the people" He sa\s that Rus..ia was the first countrj to evaluate the'powci ol the theatre on the citr/.enrv and it was to the everlasting cicdit of Lcniiik (when he fiist became head of that nation) tlwl there was the cst!il>lisli4 ment ot theatie groups throughout the shatteied empire '. , he ordei'ciS''.- the drama, opeia and tlie ballet to be made more fuHy a part of ppopJe*s' lives , an idea that probably would startle our political leadcp. maivv' ot whom look with diidain on such 'tomtoolery' Th(i..hinited v ievVi oui- own government-has of tije thoatre. was oxomplificd bv the i ithctic: WpA theatre proieet (cost S20.000,000)...-. Administered with anv dosno to malve: a cont;ibution ot ladling" value, the WPA might easily have cioatiid.! 5(1 permanent conTinunuy. thcatreis that by: this-time would bo opeiating on,, scli-i-ustaiiiing basis" '■';. '.■■'v; ■;■ Hopkins believes that before Broadway is restored to its I'lghtful itositiijti-:. as the ration's theatie centei theie vvilt bo a vast <lrovvth ot vbiiat-.he'" terms, profe.ssional' community theatres wilhm the next tCl^\ vejus-.,' \SiiBh ■ pvotect's'-1WH probably' bei established by immicinalities, cu ic bocliOK and'; pisivate. groui'Ts. ' ..Nucleus to.' those ventures may be found in artTatCLif.. groups; scarce 30 years ago, but ,now: numbering more than 2.50-00p.','tl(pp,*, kins also beheves that his ladio piogiam ol plavs will stnmilate t'le.eom- 1 munity theatie movement and help create adult auditnccs loi theliii:-'' I and eventually Broadvwiv Showman finals with ' "When.our cities take as great piidt; in (he theatie.s as the\ do in th^ir ba.seball teiiins. America wilt be growing up culturall.v and spuUuAlly;':'■ Leo Shull who heads Genius Inc. has jgain appealed betoie a commit- ,teG,; rcprdsent.iii,g''t,lve, ■stage' unions,;'suggestiiw'tb.at-^ ppiiit:' bi)e of' tl'icit - officeri;Ho:,sit;:i(i ^or'-jbiri .tiiSv-^advigisry^ people nixcd the idea on the theoi v that such pai ticipatio.i might result in a letdown m: ininimum-wage rcquii'ement.s or coneossions in working conditions Unionists said it wa* okav foi the Shull jjunch to give perloimances, but under manv restiictions Theie mu.st' be no admission chaige. no tickets, no advertising.: nor experimental showings: of-plavs loi comnieieial manageis ot then agents Gonlll^ cannot makt costumes oi sellings and no, pertorniance can be given until a run-through i.s witnessed b\ a union committee: No plav can be giv:en more than si.x ,1,1 mcs. 11. anv script is regulai h pioduced then Gcniii- must pay a -^uni equivalent to the eo'-t of a- union, stall, jjuclr mo.ncv ,'lo go :to, theatrical charities. Gooigt S Kaulman will stage Teiancc Ratuan's pljj ''While the Sun Shines," which goes into rehearsal in about two week- and opens at the Lyceum,.N;, Y;. ,next, month. After absorbmg the, original ,scri;)i, Kaulman sent word to-the authorm England asking him to rewiite ceiiain poitioiis as being bettei suited to Amoiican usage Ratigan cabled back suggesting that Kaulman do the revision hini'ieU That was jntferpreted to'be an invitation to paiticipale in the ro,v allies "Sun" Scored a hit in London.' Oflice of the New Opoia Co. state"; that ifs "Tho^Mcuv Widow*" did much beltei business in San Francisco than indicated Fust and thiid week-, at the big-capacitv W^ir Memorial auditoiium topped $47,000, while the second weeks takings weie quoted at S49,894 "Song ot Norway" hart been reported pacing Fiisco.vvith $30,000 at, the Curran 'Widow ' which was one of the sock revivals in, Broadway:- last sea.son; now in Los Angeles. Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce has disli'ibul(>d thousands of so- called wampum eeitilioates in "denominations" of 1 000 down to 25 'bucks' attraction, Wadv Chiistians and Call I plugging the sale of wai bond- and the show ''Oklahoma' cinient at Ihe Benton Reid are cofeatured.: Bookings aie alieady being an- nounced lor fii«t ot next month with indications -that thiee legulai legit houses will all be lighted by Laboi Day Negro Comedy for BVay Stephen Kelen-dOxvlion has ac- quired 'Polk County.' a comedy (with music) ot Negio life in a saw- mill camp, written- by Zora. Neale lluiston and Dorothy Waring, which he expects to produce on Broadway in eaily fall Casting will begin in late August. Romberg's 'Maryland' Fair $12,000, LVille : ■ 'Louisville. Aug. J. : ■ ■ Sigmund , Romberg s ' My Mary- land;" revived for current presenta- tion, by J. J;.Shubert at lioquois Amphitheatre, had the benefit of eoQl w6ather, doing lair $12,000. ■ "Wlldflowei" is cuiient. Chi Looks Up; HVidow' 'Goose'SlOM'Brides'lOG/lnn'UyjG St James., N. Y. The cerliticates are redeemablem "SooMer" ho.spilalitv ne.\t , year at the nvidwesterii citv, wUiich boasts it lias developed "trom tepees to toweis in aO yeais." Harry Kaufman, in.'Doctcft:s-hospital. N'.y;, with a liver condition, report- ed improved. He surpri.se.s VLSitors by attending; to production details ot tiie. forthcoming Olsen and Johnson "Laughing Room Only';' bv telephone .with ■ John. Murrav Arider.son. Although reported convalescing elsewhere, .the latter i,s m the same hospital, where his gall bladder was rcniovod. ' The Hot Air club, veteran group ot company managers and advance men, held its annual rlambake at the Engineers club. Roslyii. L I, Sunday (30), It was a quiet event; interrupted by a- storm; and .so the boys went liome ■ early; Howard; Heri'ick, was; named president for the commg year. ; Gu.s Scbirmer. ;Tr. general, director of Stamford. Conn , strawhat season; at the SI land theatie has been acting bit paits in most ot his pi oduttioiis Music scion-producor had his first stage bit at 15 in Leonijrd Sillman's "New Faces." on Broadway, m 1934 SAMUEL FRENCH > IX< I' l!,.'.tl Fla> Brokei-it ailcl /iiithors' Reprrscntatitre te.-! tVe-l 4.i(li strwl. N«u \oi). Mil U'iKt 'itit Strvrt, l«« Ansele* 'Bed' Good $17,000 In Week at Wash. Washington. Aug. 1,„ Competing against bad notices .ahd a week ot temperatures in the 90s. Eailv to Bed' grossed estimated $17 000 in eight performances at the National theatie last week. , This is con-idercd veiy good for a house not ail -cooled. "Kiis and Tell" ai rived last night (31) to a busk demand Lila Lee toined the compatiy, replacing Violet 1 leming. "tJncle Harry," with Luther AdlersBeth THern'll and A. P. Kaye, is the ftist booking ifoi August National will undergo some repairs while keeping open Up to now when big musicals arrive the house has been-obliged to kin first row. snnit '17 scats. Repaiis will cut the stage back to the, proscenium and stijel curttitn, Ihiis allowing some 24 nui!>icians in the pit. Chicago. Aug 1 .All gios-,c-. perked up heie last week, with 'Meiii' Widovi;," at the Civic Opcia Hou.se hitting a terrific $22,000 as against last week's "Wild- flower." Its predeces.sor, which grossed $16,000. Studebakcr reopened .la.st night with Gladys George m "Personal Appearance." "Oklahoma' continues to sell out with $30,000. - -.. Estimates for Last Week "Goose for Gander," Blackstone (3d week) (1.200; $3). Fair $10,600 from $9,000 last week "Kiss and Tell," Hairis (64th week) (1,000, $3> Good $11 500 alter so-so $9,500 last week "Oklahoma," Eilangcr (37th week) (1,500; $4.20).. Sellout $.30,000. "Ramshackle Inn,'* Selwyn (2d week) (1,0)0; $3) Good $11,500 fiom opening week's $10,500. "School for Brides," Civic (9th week) (900, $3). Show closed Salur- dav (29) to fair $10,000, "Mervv Widow," Civic Opei'a House ^3,600; $2.30) Operetta hit .lackpot with $22,000 attei bad $16 000 last week with "Wildjlowci," ''Widow" opened last S^uiday ni{}hl. Current Road Shows (Peiiod coi'O'iiig July 31-4110. 12) "A Goose for the Gandei"—Black- stope. Chicago (31-12) "Arsenic and Old Lace"-^Mosque; Ncwaik (31-0) "F.jrlv to Bed"—Foil est, Philadel- phia (.31-12). "Good Night, Ladies"—(2d Co )— Geary, San Fiancisco (31-12J "Kiss and Tell" (2d Co.)—Hariis. Chicago (31-12). "Kiss and Tell" (3d Co.)—National, Washington (31-12) "Merry Widow"—Shi ine Auditor- uim, Los Angeles (6-12), "Oklahoma" (2d Co.)—Ei'langer, Chicago (31-12). "Personal i^Ojkearance" — Stude- baker. Chicago (31-12). ; "Ramshackle Inn";— Selwvn Chi- cago (31-12). "Stan Time"—High School Audi- toiium, Saciamento (12i. "Three Is a famil>'' — Colonial. Boston (6-12). "Walti King"—Philhaimonie Audi- torium. Los 'Angele.s (6-rjl). "Tomorrow th* World"—Biltmoie. Los Anselcs (31-12). IRENE' SOCK $3,000 IN OPENING AT ST. LOO St, Louis Aug 1. "Irene," musical comedv revival, i'- the current oflering of the.Municipal. Theatie Assn. m its al tie.sco play- house in FOiest Paik. The piece teed oft a seven-night stand-last night (Monday) with 9,800 custom- ers on deck. The gi'oss was estimalea at $3,009. Cooling breezes aided in luring out the payees. Maureen Cannon and Robert Bvin the lattei from "The Connecticut Yankee" ca.st on Bioadwav, have the lead roles. Outstander.s in suppon , are William Lynn. Zamah Cunning- ham Jack Sheehan Earle MacVaigh Al Downing, Leioi Operti, Caiolyn Glenn Inez Goiman and Trudv Brooks Dance directoi Dan M Eckley kicked in with his ovfn tap loutine Sigmund Romberg's 'Maytime" wound up Its one-week engagement; Sunday (30), with the prospect of a swell b.o. lecord clipped by a ram and vvindsloiiii a short while bcfoie curtain tune Satuiday (29) Drew 0.').000 customers and a fiioss of ap- IM'oximatelj $45^000 foi the week.