Variety (Jun 1945)

Wednesday, June 27, 194S ...... ^». LEGITIMATE hslde Staff—Legit Equity's annual meeting early this month was claimed to have been serene, but that was inaccurate, for there were flareups over the contested election, Philip Loeb, who heads the independent ballot, being the pro-and* con target, it's now revealed. Peggy Wood, one of those opposed to his re-election, was quite loquacious, saying she had intended remaining out of the campaign, but was aroused over election .literature distributed. Miss Wood, the only one of the council members who resigned about" three years ago when dissatisfied by the nominations, at the meeting de- manded the names of members who opposed Loeb last year on alleged religious or racial grounds. Loeb's defeat last year (although he was ap- pointed later) was "a fate not unknown in democracies,' remarked Miss Wood, who also demanded documentary proof that some members are anti- Semitic, as charged. . .. Loeb again denied he is a Communist or that .he considered the nomi- nating committee anti-Seriiilic. or that he ever brought charges" against anyof them, although he did believe there -was intolerance among the membership. Loeb said he could not supply the. names asked for by Miss Wood, unless he received permission from, his sources of information, but that the names would be supplied if a board of inquiry was appointed. Former college football star and boxer, Edward Roecker of the St. Louis Opera, who is taking time out to play Francois Villon in Ernest RaWley's revival of "The Vagabond King" at the Royal Alexandra, Toronto, i.s caus- ing an occasional casualty because of his exuberance. Reluctant to use buttons on the foils in the;first-act duel scene, because this would modify the realism, Roecker stabbed Michael Ames through the right hand on opening night. This put Ames in hospital here for a week while he under- goes penicillin treatments. Ames played the third act, but., by that time, infection had set in. Ames is currently replaced by Ruper MacLeod, with salary and hospital bill covered by theatre insurance. Maida Reade, character woman; who is tossed over a barrel by Roecker in the play's action, had her shoulder thrown out of joint; she is now playing the part with her arm, in a sling—much tc the bewilderment of theatregoers, who have seen "Vagabond King" before. .'•'; Setting for "The Wind Is Ninety," which opened at the Booth, N. Y., last Thursday, was designed to work on a revolving platform, rolling part way around 1 to display miniature scenes. The device called for additional production expenditure of around $9,000, but when the show came to New York from Boston, Lee Shubert, who presented the drama with Albert de Courville, ordered out the platform because it made for a stop-and-go performance. It was the second teaming within a year of Shubert and de Courville, who scored last summer with "Ten Little Indians," Plymouth. "Ninety" drew some strongly laudable notices, but the press generally was mixed, .. • Play was written by Capt. Ralph Nelson of the Army, script being awarded a prize by the National Theatre Conference. Premiere curtain was necessarily delayed when a rainstorm prevented a number of first nightcrs from reaching the theatre on time. League of New York Theatres had a table for the dinner tendered Gen. Eisenhower at the Hotel Waldorf-Astoria last Tuesday (19), and there was a scramble among managers to be present. When the showmen had been seated a message from Mike Todd's secretary, Belle Postal, stated that he was taken ill while dressing for the victory feast. Other managers couldn't be quickly reached, but Margaret Pemberton was contacted at the Mer- chant Seaman's Club, where she's head woman, and-she eagerly accepted the invitation. .. '.'"'.._. Show crowd went all out in its enthusiasm over the general's speech praising of USO and show people generally in their contribution to Gl entertainment. Todd recovered and late last week planed to Chicago, training to the Coast from there. Monte Proser, himself a saloonkeeper, meaning he's the successful nilery operator of the Copacabana. N. Y . is writing a guest column for George Jean Nathan in the N. Y. Journal American, while the latter vacations, and therein boniface-showman Proser deprecates the . "saloon" conno- tation. He stresses that most musicomedy comedians (Berle, Niesen, Gleason, Kaye, et al.) and many another straight legiter was spawned in the cafes. Proser avers that since the demise of vaudeville there's nothing like the niteries as a training ground for the so-called legitimate stage and Hollywood. Jane Ball, whom he married a week ago, and who then had to quickie back, to the Coast and her 20th-Fox contract, is also a product of the ffoorshows. Proser this fall will co-produce Milton Berle's next starrer, "Springtime in Brazil," with the Shuberts. Warner Bros, is behind "Marinka" with an ample bankroll. Jules Lev- enthal and Harry Howard are said to be sponsoring, but lavish expendi- tures arc keeping it .going. When the show played Washington Harry Stockwell went in Saturday matinee and played Saturday evening. He Wore the costumes designed for Jerry Wayne, which were much too full. Two new scenes went into the book after the Saturday performances and the script is being revised. Show is lull of Viennese music, with plenty of love songs, but the book carries no suspense. Barney Klawans went to Washington to look after Warners' interests;? and show may be kept going in Boston until script revisions are made and 1 the show is lighter for Broadway. Attorney Francis S. Levien, counsellor for John Wildberg, and backer of Broadway legits, stresses in a letter to "Variety" that "your story in the June 20 issue entitled 'Memphis' Crisis on the Sliding B. O.,' unfortu- nately conveys a mistaken impression.... .While it is perfectly true that the cost of 'Memphis Bound- exceeded the original anticipated production costs, nevertheless it is equally true that, the production was most favorably received by the majority of the critics and was a production of which ■ny producer could and should be proud....I never did intend 1 to criticize Mr. Wildberg in any respect with this production, nor has any "crisis' arisen between us. . '.." USO-Camp Shows' legit depl. had a visit from the N.Y. police last week. Someone heard a femintlu: voice screaming for help from the Edison hotel on West 46th street about 9 p.m. Wed. (20) and called the cops. Meantime, a crowd of about 150 gathered outside, with rumors spreading that a couple of sailors were molesting the woman. The cops traced the noise, not in the Edison, but next door in a rehearsal hall''on the third floor. When they broke in they found a legit unit rehearsing "The Front Page," with' Maria M'anton (Mariene Dietrich's daughter), enacting the second-act cli- max where, as Molly Molloy. she denounces the reporters for grilling her crook-boyfriend. Cops made the actors close the windows'before they could continue. _ Legit musical producers on the Coast are up against a shortage of femme singing leads, a curious predicament in wartime when a lack of male voices would be more logical. Regardless of the war's drain on young manpower, numerous capable male warblers have been developed in the last two sea - •Sons, but not femme songbirds. Not only arc distaff leads rare, but efficient understudies are more so, while the gals in the chorus offer little relief, although they have been given plenty of opportunity through repealed tests. Producers are using what material they have, and hoping. ':■ Latest form pf ticket bargain i.s being tried with "Foxhole In the Parlor," Barrymore, N. Y. Slips are being distributed calling for a reduction of $1 «u the boxoffice price, show being $3.60 top. Persons presenting the slips ** 'he-theatre are required to pay the 20% tax on the established price, s <> that the reduced rate is $2.60 per ticket. It's Getting Monotonous To Say 'Okk!' Sells Out Philadelphia, June 26. There is no question but that "Oklahoma!" has overcome its big- gest handicap—Philly's tropical sum- mer heat—and there appears to be no reason why a capacity pace is not maintained right through to the end of the stay, which is now officially and finally set for Saturday, Sept. 8. The only difference is that seats are not -being sold quite so long in ad- vance as they were. Sale right now is on for entire month of July, with last six weeks not due for sale until later. Biz only varies in matter of stan- dees with show getting between $37.- 400 and $37,500 weekly. Forrest's cooling system has been functioning smoothly, and naturally management is emphasizing its presence during these torrid days. No other bookings are announced and it's pretty definite that there won't be any for six weeks, but a couple are mentioned, unofficially, for mid-August. . 'Marinka' Rosy $21,000, Boston Boston, June 26. . Continued heat wave not so good for biz this past week. . Slam notices hurt •'Snafu" at Colonial but "Ma- rinka" dazzled the critics at Shu- bert and b.o. looks rosy with promise of extended engagement. "Good Night, Ladies" rolls along at Plym- outh. ,-'• • World preerti of "The Passionate Congressman" at Cambridge Sum- mer Theatre drew a big advance for this Lee Hanson Fox play, open- ing Mon. (25). Bass Rock Summer Theatre. Glou- cester, opens July 2 with "Blithe Spirit." which is feverishly making rounds in New England, Lilian Har- vey, Jasper Deeter and Billie Spar- row being featured. Milo Thomas is managing director, taking lease, for six years oh theatre in Moorland Casino. Estimates for Last Week "Good Night, Ladies," Plymouth (1,400; $2.50). Fair $9,500 for 12th week here. "Her Cardboard Lover." " Cam- bridge Summer Theatre (400; $1.80). Satisfactory $3,500. ' "Marinka," Shubert (1,500: $3.50). Good $21,000 for first five days. Opened Tues. (19). "Snalu," Colonial (1.500: S3). Light $6,000 but due to stay some weeks longer. 'Jones' Cracks Record For LA. Season, 49G Los Angeles, June 26. Blasting an all-time, all-high fig- ure for grosses at the Philharmonic Auditorium. "Carmen Jones" hit a peak $49,300 for its third and final week here. Show broke the record last week with $45,000, which topped the figures set by "Lady in the Dark" and "Song of Norway^" in years pre- vious, when latter two pulled $44,- 800. House was scaled for $4.20 top for "Jones." Total take of "Jones" for the stand was $138,800. Advance sale of $80,000 has already been- rung up for "Rose-Marie," which comes in Monday. "Ten Litlle Indians" hit $11,000 for its final week at the Biltmore, rating $34,500 on the three weeks. Ken Murray's "Blackout of 1945" hit the usual $14,800 in 156th week at El Capitan and rolled into its fourth year. "Honey in the Hay" took in another $3,000 at the Musart for the 25th week. "School for Brides" got a so-so press for its opening at the Mayan last Wednesday night, With no grosses announced as yet. Broadway Slides Further; 'Carousel' Takes Over Lead From 'Central Park' With 48G, 'Brother' NG 4G, 'Wind 90' 5G "Kapers in Khaki," all-GI show at Fort i_e\vis, Wash, training center, includes following show people: Cpl. Gene Markley, T/5 Lloyd Pinckney, T/5 Nils Fihberg, Pvt. Ted Haley, Pvt. Roy Berman, Pvt. Ray Gerber, Downward trend along Broadway became more pronounced last week, affecting evert some high-grossers surprisingly, mostly among the mu- sicals. "Central Park" slipped while "Carousel," which was battling for high money honors, came out'dis- tinctly as the leader, its comparative" newness being a factor. Five shows departed from the list, which was not unexpected, and more will drop out from now on, it having been clear that too many attractions were trying' to enter the summer period. A brace of new plays came in last week. " The Wind Is Ninety" was easily best, though drawing divided notices business was fairly promis- ing. ''Oh Brother!" looks like one of those things/ and if staying for three weeks that merely establishes it for pictures. ' .' .' ' ■', Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedo-Drama), R (Reuue), M ('Musical), O (Operetta). "A Bell for Adano," Cort (29th week) (D-1,064; $4.20), Will take summer layoff after this week; mid- week matinee bit over; quoted around $20,500, which is great for drama; picture version opens at Mu- sic Hall. Radio City," for run, but play dated to resume Aug. 13. "Anna Lucasta," Mansfield (43d week) (D-1,041; $3.60). Another standout with some matinee attend- ance drop due to weather mostly; approximately $19,000. "Bloomer Girl," Shubert (38tb week) (M-1,328; $5.40). Ending ninth month and business almost as strong as when musical hit opened; $33,000. "Carousel," Majestic (10th week) (M-1.681; $6). Another musical smash that should be among strong- est grosses next season; getting all big house will hold: went into clear leadership last week by topping $48,000. "Common Ground," Golden. Closed last Saturday (23) after playing nine weeks; business never strong; dipped to aroimd $4,000. . "Dark of the Moon," 46th Street (J4th week) (D-1,319; $4.20). Eased off under $17,000, which is under stop .limit, and may have to vacate house, although profitable. . "Dear Ruth," Miller (28th week) (C-940: $4.20). One of the top com- edies, cleaning up here and in the Looo: rated over $18,500. "Follow the Girls," Broadhurst (63d week) (M-1,179; $4.80). Was maintaining excellent pace until last two weeks, then slipped, as did other musicals; rated around $20,500. "Foxhole In the Parlor," Barry- more (5th week) (D-1,096; $3.60). Weakest draw on list, but manage- ment still hopeful: estimated consid- erably under $2,000" (seven times): guaranteeing house. "Harvey," 48th Street (34th weoto (C-925: $4.20). No deviation for some standouts, of which this is one; every ticket sold for all per- formances: $19,000. "Hats Off to lee," Center (52d week) (R-2,944; $1.98). Completed year's stay, not including May lay- off: ice show in Radio City reported making goodly profit; $25,000. "Hollywood Pinafore," Alvin (4th week) (M-1,357; $6). Started fairly well and should play through sum- mer or beyond: but dipped to $25,000 last week; profitable. • • "I Remember Mama," Music Box (37th week) (C-940; $4.20). Among hits in big demand by visitors, and cinch well into next season; well over $21,500. "Kiss and Tell," Biltmore. Called it a run last Saturday, playing more than two years (118 weeks); slipped to $5,000. . „ „ "Kiss Them tor Me," Fulton. Dropped off the list, too, on Satur- day after playing 14 weeks; grosses so-so. "Lairing Room Only," Winter Gar- den (26th week) (R-1,522: $6). Dipped further; estimated around $23,500: recently switched to Sun- Chi Hefty Despite Weather; 'Ruth' !, Tather 15G, Turtle 17V 2 G days but those performances-discon- tinued. .' "Late George Apley," Lyceum (31st week) (C-993; $4.20). Will lay off for four weeks starting Saturday (30): will resume July 30 and should play well into next season; slipped -to $10,000. ." '.'.. "Life With Father," Empire (290th week) (C-1,082; $3.60). Expected to continue into autumn; run leader should pick up when list shrinks further: $8,000 estimated. ; '' "Memphis Bound," Belasco. Taken off Saturday; played four and one- half weeks; did well at start (then at the Broadway) but dived when moved here. "Oh, Brother!", Royale (1st week) (C-1,084; $3.60). Opened Tuesday of last week and drew thumbs down; around $4,000 in first seven perform- ances.' ■.•■: :! ; ;:•'-. "Oklahoma!", St. James (117th week) (M-1.505; $4.80), Nothing ever seems to affect popularity of this run musical, and there's gener- ally the limit of standees in; $31,000 and over. " "On the Town," 44th Street (26th week) (M-1,462; $4.80). Heat first half last week and heavy rain at curtain time slowed pace; takings around $30,000; still okay for this musical. "Schools for Brides," Ambassador. Closed last Saturday after playing 47 weeks; down under $4,000; opened on subway circuit Monday (25). "Song of Norway," Imperial (34th week) (0-1.427; $6). Chances are Coast-made operetta will be among the top grossers next season, as now; eased to aroimd $39,000 for first time but comparatively little off. "Ten Little Indians," Plymouth (51st week) (D-1,075; $3.60). Has completed year's - stay, being first success in 1944-45 period; has been slipping; under $7,000 laSt week. "The Glass Menagerie," Playhouse (12th week) (CD-865; $4.20). Top drama among spring arrivals should maintain capacity for many months; over $18,500. "The Hasty Heart," Hudson (25th week) (D-1,094; $3.60). Has run half a year and while about break- ing even may pick up as number of shows decline; $7,500. "The Overtons," National (20th week) (CD-1,164; $3.60). Moved here from Forrest, new spot having cool- ing system; dropped under $5;<KH); must do better to stick. "The Voice of the Turtle." Morosco (72d week) (C-939; $4.20). On Saturday will lay off for eight weeks, zs it did for past two summers: re- lights in August; looks good well into 1 next season; still big last week, over $18.600.quoted. "The Wind Is Ninety," Booth (1st week) (D-712; $3.60). Opened last Thursday (21); some Strong notices but first-night opinion generally di- vided; around $5,000 in first four tipies. "Up in Central Park," Broadway (21st week) i O-1.900; $6). Did great business first., week . after moving from Century but dropped sharply jy^St week; $41,000. VAUDE-REVUE "Concert-Varieties," Ziegfeld (1,- 626; $4.20). Closes Thursday (28), when four-week date' wlll"ei)«;"weak business; house goes dark; no plans. NEIGHBORHOOD "Good Nitht, Ladies," Flatbush, Brooklyn. "Abie's Irish Rose," Windsor, Bronx. Frisco Opera $29,600 • San Francisco, June 26. It was almost capacity at 1,776- seat, Cur ran theatre ($3.90 top), where San Francisco Civic Opera grossed $29,600, while boxoffice re- ports '"Carmen Jones", sold out, solid Cor fortnight, ■ Next door, the Gladys George-Vic- tor Kiiiari revival of "Rain" sagged to poor $7,100 in 1,550-scat Geary theatre ($3 top). Chicago, June 26. Lotsa buyers, but only three shows. The beaches and golf links are strong compctish; still, capacity $20,500 for "Dear Ruth." ascending $14,500 for "Life With Father," and oreepin' up $19,200 for "Voice of the Turtle" ain't hay. • • Estimates for Last Week "Dear Ruth," Harris (10th week) (1.000; $3.60). Sellout $20,500. „ "Life With Father," Erlanger (4th week) (1.500; $3). Best week yet with over $15,000. "Voice of the Turtle," Selwyn (38th week) (1.000; $3;60>. Gained to nearly $17,500. 'Fortune Teller' Rig ROOO'in St. L. Bow ./ St. Louis, June 26. A modernized version of Victor Herbert's "Fortune Teller" 1:eed off a seven-night run in the Forest Park al fresco theatre last night (Mon- day) under sponsorship "of the Mu- nicipal Theatre Assn. In. spite of overcast skies and showers in the afternoon the opening night mob to- taled 9,000 and an approximate gross of $4,000. . .• "The- O'Brien Girl," the Frank Mandel-Louis Hirsch musical, wound up its first local presentation Sun- day (24); Lull in cold and rainy spell resulted in accelerated turn- stile activity. A total of 48,000 per- sons attended the seven perform- ance's. Gross was an estimated $37,000. ".,; 'Vag. King'?10,800, tight, in Toronto Toronto, June 26. Holdover of Ernest Rawley pro- duction of ' - Vagabond King" saw light second week gross of $10,800. with Royal Alexandra (1,525) scaled at $3 top. Current is "Anything Goes," with Vicki Cummings and Arthur Max- well.