Variety (Dec 1944)

4S LEGITIMATE Wednesdaj, December 20, 1944 inside Stuif-Legit Mike' Todd had nothing to do with "Spook Scandals," which yoiiuRer players or his shows produced and appeared in, very briefly, at the little President, N. Y., except pay the bills. Show closed after two midnights, at the sugeestion of Todd. To get the house, which usually has foreign films, he had to guarantee two weeks' rent. That with, other expenses meant a red of $3,200. . .. ■ j. It was planned to put the curious revue on at the Mahn studio, a smaller place, but the stage unions stepped in. and although they made conces- sions, a stagehand crew, manager and ticketsellers were-required. For instance, the agents and managers union put in one man at $15'per day, so he received $30 instead of $90 had the show run a week. Equity gave the event clearance, no pa.v to the actor.': being niaudatory since they were In Todd's shows. Evidentlv takins; the position that "The Voice of the Turtle." Morosco, N Y is a big financial wiiinor. Equity has refused permission to classify a special maiinee as a dress rehearsal, even though the idea was to afford , Betty Field an opoortunily of playing before an audience, prior to regu- larly entering the" three-p«rson cast. Elliott, Nugent, who has a piece of the smash hit, and Audrey Christie Ucre quite willing to appear gratis to aid the newcomer but Equity insisted they be paid an extra one-eighth.. The special matinee was given last Friday (15), with the audience pre- ponderantly in uniform, men and women, present on the cuff. Miss Field replaced Margaret SuUavan, who is ailing and who was co-starred with Nugent, on Sunday night (17), that performance being a benefit lor the Actors Fund. Miss •Field is now co-sUrrcd.with Nugent, Miss Christie being featured. Tickets tor "Turtle" are on sale up to late April. "The Perfect Marriage," Barrymore, N.Y., which' did rather well for a time with the aid of a flock of theatre parties and by virtue of tasteful presentation, is due to close soon. Some out-of-town dates have, been pen- "cilled in, but the show cannot tour very far from New York, unless Victor Jory, wlio is co-starred with Miriam Hopkins, is replaced. Jory is under contract for radio on Sunday afternoons and unless he can get back to New York'in time for.the broadcasts, he won't leave the city. "Marriage" played Philadelphia and Boston before coming in. but it is slated for Pittsburgh on Jan. 15, with Baltimore and iiqssibly Washington to follow. Next attraction at the Barrymore will be "Rebecca." Being dark last week was a two-way break for the Nixon, Pittsburgh, "Dark Hammock" had been penciled into town's sole legit house, but was cancelled out when a Broadway theatre, the Forrest, suddenly opened up for the Mary Orr-Reginald. Denham melodrama. Break No. 1 was Smoky City's failure to get the turkey, which, lasted only two performances in NY ■ ' Break No. 2 in being dark was the fact that the theatre would hav« been «Pfrating in name only since the Big Snow kept (Jolden Triangle looking like a deserted village all week. Ethel and Julius Colby, who cover first nights and review the shows for WMCA at midnight, refused to attend the premiere «f "Seven Lively ArU" at the Ziegfeld, N. Y. They retmned their tickets to Billy Rose. ' Explanation was that they didn't believe it patriotic to open a show on pea. 7 because it was the date (1941) of the Pearl Harbor disaster, and ttiey also thought the rate of $24 per seat wasn't just right, either. Mrs. Colby wai on the pavement outside the theatre on opening night and next day broadcast those portions of the notices which were unfavor- able; - . ■ ' " Written in farms of affection and friendship. Moss Hart byliried a story ttha Sunday (17) "flines ahout his brother Bernard Hart and Joseph M. man, who produced "Dear Huth," new hit at the MUler, N. Y. Humor- ously indicating his belief that the new managerial team is on Its way up, ki parenthesis several times was the admonishment, "And the Shuberts batter watch out." Moaa Hart, who staged "Ruth," alludes to himself, his brother and Hyman as being -sUgestruclc The Wilson, Detroit, an Independently booked legiter which may be- come the key house In a "third circuit," is owned by Mrs. Alfred G. Wilson, yridov of the elder Horace Dod^e, multi-millionaire automobile manufac- turer, but after New Year's theTiouse will be operated by James B. John- ■on, Jr., and p. D. MacFarlane, former being the husband of Mrs. Wilson's daughter Frances. Around 20 minutes of dialog have been sliced from the book of "Sadie Thompson," musicalized "Rain," Alvin, N. Y. and two new songs have been inserted. One Is rated a hot number and Is being delivered by June Havoc. It was'one of her contributions to the Banshees luncheon show In N.y. last Thursday (14). IK^—-^=S=SMHE^=-f : — [ Shows in Rehearsal vie Parlalenne"—New Opera' Co. Dal- 'Hope For the Best"—Jean rymple. Marc Connelly. 'The Overtoils"—Paul Czinner. 'Brief Holiday"—Jacques "Thiery, Joseph Viertel, "Central Park'*—Michael Todd. "Star In the Window"—E. Choate, Marie Louise Elkins. "The Tempest" (revival)—Cheryl Crawford, John WUdberg. "Good Night Ladles"—Howard Lang, Al Rosen, "The Toung Know Best"—Roy P. Stccklcr. ■Bonania"—Albert .Johnson. ^^^^^^ cv)t WITH GLASSES Dtinsliaw CONTACT LENSES gtTe you perTKt nriou wltliout Impairing rour looks. Invltl- blut ciro. prolectln. comfortable. Now worn by Dunr BlAFS lo tho ODtuscment irorld. Frc« louultallon, 0:30 to. n.-^o. Inrludlnp Batur- 4ar. MonOty 'till DUNSHAW CO. IM W. 42a< 81. Ntw V«fe 18, N.Y. WIUMlIn 7-4CM 17 A»d<m> 81. Ntwvkl, N.J. Mllelwll 3-H98 EXECUTIVE SECRETARY n'mited (or tb«atrlcal prodaotn otflce la Mew York; Exp«rieii<«d yoBilg lady, lBt«UI(ent and. alert, good Menca- raplier, Mate foil parikslnn, talar.v. IM 119. Vorioty 104 W. Mtb 8t.. New York'IS, K, .\'. SAMUEL FRENCH NINCK IBio Play Broken and Aulhon* ReprMCDtativce M Weft 4Mh mm*. TOrii HI Wm* «ik Btnat, Lm Aaiwtot Helen Bonfils' 40G To Univ., Tribute to Dad Denver, Dec. 19. . Helen Bonflls has given the Unl versity of Denver $40,(KI0 on behalf of the Frederick G. Bon&ls Founda- tion, the money to be used prin- cipally in acquiring property for the downtown university centlr, as well as .to assure the university of leadership in dramatic arts. These funds will make availa^e facilities for television, motion pictures and the stage. Bonflls was the late publisher of the Denver Post, and Helen his daughter, is. an actress and the wife of George Sbmnes, director. They produce in New York and both op- erate the Elitch stock comp^iy here every summer. Saes on prides' Charles' Sherman asked New York Supreme Court last week to vacate an arbitration award which gave him interest only In synopsis of the Broadway play, "School for Brides," Sherman asking to be declared co- author pi play. Claims he entered into oral agreement with two other writers, Milton Ijazarus and Edward Clarke Lilley, to ready the synopsis, with written agreement later made for one third interest each should play be staged. Sherman claims other- writers sold their Interest to Howacd Lang, who produced eomedy, with SSrank Gill, Jr., and George Carloton Brpwn listed as authors. Author's League of America awarded Sherman only In- terest in synopsis, which Sherman contests. Corrent Road Shows (Period CoveriJie Dec. 18-30> "Abie's Irish Rose"—Royal Alex., Toronto (18-30). "Blossom Time"—Hanna, Cleve. (25-30). "Brief Moment"—Wilbur, Bos. (25-30). "Central Park"—Forrest, Phila. (25-30): "Cherry Orchard"—Nat'l, Wash., D. C. (18-30). "boll's House"-Wilson, Detroit (18-23). "frrand for Bernlcc" — Nixon, Pitt. (25-30). Gilbert A Snillvan—Cass, Dct. (2S- 30). "Glad to See' Ton"—Op. H'se, Bos- ton.,(18-23). "Good Night Ladles" (1st Co.) — Locust St., Phila. (23-30). "Good Night Ladles" (2nd Co.)— Grand, Emporia (19); Convention H., Hutchinson, Kahs. (20); Miis. Hall, Kans. City (21-24); Arcadia, WichiU (25-26); Convention H., Tulsa (27- 28); Shrine, Okla. C. (29-30). "Goose For the Oander" — Shub.- LaF., Det. (25-30). "Harriet"-Par., Toledo (18-23); Cox, Cinn. (26-30). "Hasty Heart"—Wilbur, Bos. (18- 23); Ford's, Balto. (25-30). "Have • a Good Time"—Opera House, Bos. (29-30). "Hope For the Best"—Shubert, New Haven (28-30). "Kiss and Tell" (2d Co.)—Stude baker, Chi. (18-30). "Kiss and Tell" (3d Co.)—Russ And., San Diego (18); Municipal Aud.,-Long Beach (19); Civic Aud Pasadena (20); Coll. Paciflc Aud. Stockton (22); Sr. H. S. Aud., Sacra- mento (23); Geary, Frisco (25-30) "Lady of ?"—Forrest, Phil. (18-23) Colonial, Bos. (25-30). "Lite With FkVhtt" (2d Co.)—Vic- tory, Dayton (18-23); Davidson, Mil waukee (25-30). . "Many Happy Betnrns"—Plymouth, Boston (25-30). "Merry Widow" (New Opera)— Lyric, Balto. (25-30). "Merry Widow"—Erlanger, Buff, (25t30). "Merry Widow" (2d Co.)—Bilt L. A. (2B-30). "OkUhoma!" (2d Co.)—Erlanger, Chi. (18-30). "On the Town"—Colonial, Boston (18-23). "Othello"—Metro, Seattle (28-30). "Over 21"—Walnut St., Phila. (29- 30). "Porgy and Besa"—Wilson Aud., Detroit (18-30). "Bamshackle Inn"-rCurran, Frisco (18-30). San Carle Op. Co. — Convention Hall, Tulsa (18-10); Ritz, Muskogee, (20); H. S. Aud., Denison (21); City Aud., Wichita Falls (22); Aud,, Ft Worth (25-26); Aud., Dallas (27-30) "SlDg .Ont, Sweet Land"—Shubert, Phila. (18-23). "Sons O* Fan" —Aud,, St. Paul (24-26); Music H.,, Kans. C, Mo, (28-30). "Sophle"-T-Plymouth, Bos. (18-23) "Star and'Garter" — Blackstone, Chi. (18-30). ; "Stor In the Window"—Playhouse^ Wilmington (20-30). "SUr Time" — Shubert, Bos. (26 30). "Student Prince" — Mun.- Aud. N. O. (25-26); City Aud., Shreveport (27) ; Robinson Aud., Little Hock (28) : Aud., Memphis (29-30). "Tempest" — Shubert, Phila. (25 30). "Ten Little Indiana" (2d Co.)— Harris, Chi. (18-30). "Three's a Family" — Coliseum Sioux Falls (26); Aud., St. Paul (27- 28); Lyceum, Minn. (20-30). "Tropical Bevae" (Katherlne Dun- ham)—Locust, I*lla. (18-23). "Voice of Turtle" (2d Co.)—Sel wyn. Chi. (18-30), "Walt* KlBT'—Shubert, Laf, Det. (18-23) "Wlairoi Vlitory"-; Civic Op H, Chi (U-SO), «Y«u« ' Kmw Bm»" — Copley. Boston (aS-M). Hub Censorship Leglilatlon A move to end the Hub's book noisome censorship situa'iion came up here lost week when the booK- sellers of Boston (who have, to pro- tect themselves, been working what is called a "hidden censorship" rou- tine) proposed, a bill to be intro- duced in the state legislature in January, Idea is to wipe out the blue law elating to obscene books and re- place them w'tli new regulations dividing books into separate classes for children and adults. The new way would be to pi:ovide for legal action against a book, and not against the bookseller as is now the case; and that action could only be taken by the district attorney and not by the police. Following a heair- ing by the interested parties, the case could go - to trial, and the judg- ment of the court would be taken as a guide for booksellers, who would then refrain from stocking or selling the'book. As it is now, a. boolcseller can be nabbed without warning on the com- plaint of anyone, and must stand trial on a given passage which might be deemed obscene - notwithstanding the general moral tone of the book and without consideratipn of the fact that it is not slanted towards chil- dren. So the booksellers, on the tip that somebody has complained of a given passage, withdraw the book voluntarily from their shelves to en- force a censorship wlilch has no ofTicial standing. Literati t Book Firms Exceed Quotas Two book firms, charged with overusing' their paper quotas by 1,042,826 pounds of paper, have agreed to make it up voluntarily by a consent order reducing their con- sumption during the remainder of 1944 and all of 1946, WPB has an- nounced. . Firms are Literary Classics, Inc., of N. Y., and Boolcs, Inc., of Clinton, Mass. Unless there is a radical im provement in the paper situation, Literary Classics can't tise any paper until the beginning of 1946. Books, Inc., takes a slash of more than 300,000 pounds spread over, the quar- ters. "Each corporation," said WPB, had claimed to be the publisher during the base year of 1942 of a series of books known as "The Mas ters' Standard Library of - Classics," for which more than 2,000,000 pounds of paper were used. During 1943 and early 1044 et^ch corporation operated on the assumption that it was entitled to include this paper In its base tonnage. This resulted in the total over-consumption by both corporations of more than 1,000,000 pounds of paper.". • Joe Ravotto Dae Back Joseph D. Ravotta, vet correspond- ent and longtime "Variety" mugg in Paris, Rome, Madrid, Lisbon, etc., is due back for a year-end vacation, after a protracted stay with the Psychological Warfare Dept., start' ing from Algiers and winding up in Paris. He returns to Paris after a 30-day leave. - Writing of Paris, the seasoned newshawk observes: "Supetficlally everything is Uke it used to be, but when you peer beneath the surface there is plenty that has changed The shop windows symbolize Paris, They are loaded down with the things of the past, but when you go into the shop you find it empty and the shop window merely a'facade. There are many famUiap show biz faces; Lacy Kastner, Alan Byre, Bob Rlskin, BiU Paley, Davidson Taylor, both. the latter ex-CBS and now with PWD. Th« list of former news paper and mag . people is inuch too long to itemize." over to William Seabrook. ..ohn Wllstach, who was o.nr-the I'ngling Bros, circu-s slaft" with Wells Hawks and Guy Steeley, and is now at work on an opus on the history of the American Circus, was hired, in an odd arrangement, not to collab, but as 'a "circus consultant," while Seabrook did all the writing, the former being a kinda "Answer" man. It all . worked out fine, not only getting the entire yarn into print before Satevepost but with accuracy that hasn't l>ccn ques- tioned. Crime Play Anthology . Next play anthology which Vaii' Cartmell and Bennett Ccrf will edit for Doubleday, Doran' publication will cover crime and mystery mell- ers. Their "SRO" (from "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to "Oklahoma," i.e.. the all-time greats) was just pub^ lished, whereas the new one will in- clude plays such as "Within the Law," "Alias Jimmy Valentine," "Sherlock Holmes," "7 Keys to Baldpate," etc. Cartmell is editor of Garden City Publications (a- Doubleday, Doran subsid)' and Cerf, of course, is prez of Random House, a competitive fli-mi Stent, Carmer Hcadei Across Rex Stout'and Oarl Canner are due to visit England and France sometime early in 1945. They are respectively present and past presi- dents of the Authors Guild and chairman and member of the Writers War Board. .Other members of WWB who've been across the pond are Paul' Gal- ileo and Robert Colwell, both , now back home. / Beabreok-WUslMh's Deal The American Weekly, with i four-part story on the RlogUnK CIt' cus and the brothers, wu first on the hard luck angleis and (act mctcr rial, First bought from an m- BingUng p»;, thli wm «U tafMd CHATTEB Demetria Taylor appointed. home economist for Ideal Publications. Glover M; Young elevated to. ad- vertising director of Ideal Publica- tions. Marjorie Page in Hollywood on woman's page . interviews for the ' Boston Herald. Ted Saucier working on a book of Hollywood personalities with carica- tures . by Xavier Cugat. . Harold HefTeman, Hollywood cor- respondent for NANA, to Johns Hop- kins Hospital with eye trouble. Al Hill, fllm-player, has coriipleted his third novel, based on the specu- lative career of Nick the Greek. David Reed, screen actor, doubling as Hollywood correspondient for four weeklies back home in Oklahoma. Parkyakarkas winding up 10 years of work on his book, 'The Art of Mimicry," to be published in March. Robin Coons, AP Hollywood writer for 16 years, readying to sail to the South Paciflc as a war correspondent. Iiconard Sties finished his third text book on trumpet improvisation, to be published by Robbins Music ■Corp. Dan Mainwaring, alias Geoffrey Homes, sold Brazilian' rights to his novel, "Forty Whacks," to a pub- lisher In RiOv George Yates and GeoSrey Homes completed their mystery novel, "Fit to Kill," for publication by William Morrow & Co. Firances Whitware in Hollywood, on assi^ment by Life mag, to round up material for the life story of David O. Selznick. Dorothy Cartwright Roe, screen writer, awarded $1,000 as third prize in a short story contest conducted by Read magazine. Lynn Perldns resigned from USO- Camp Shows N. Y. publicity staff to -do photographic feature stories'for Photoplay mag in Hollywood. Adelaide Norris taking one day oft per week from Paramount acting to write a Hollywood column for her hometown i>aper in Jacksonville, Fla, Ersldne Johnson, Hollywood col- umnist, draws an elaborate plug in a 40-page booklet in preparation by NEA, to be mailed to every news editor In the country. Niven Busch advised by Appleton- Centiuy that the second printing of his novel, "They Dream of Home," is under way, after selling out the first edition of 20,000 copies. Book-of-the-Month Club selection for February will be "The Thurber Merry-Go-Routid" (Harper), collec- tion of James Thurbev's best writ- ings and. drawings selected by the author. Tim Cohane quits the New York World-Telegram shortly, where he's been a sfwrts writer, to succeed Frank Graham as sport writer for Look magj Graham is quitting to wtite sports books. ' . Life mag is prepping .a layout of photographs about the poll of liter- ary editors conducted by Frank Ross, producer 6i "The Robe," to de- termine casting, of the film, version of the Lloyd C. Douglas book: Franz Werfel's. "Between Heaven and Earth" being pubUshed this week. The bulk of this book was \(Tltten In America during the last two years. Book consists of three leettiTM,' which, though revlied.hav« orlglaidtar «tfB«M bi OtKBlti.