Variety (Aug 1945)

52 LEGITIMATE WtMliiesJay, August 22, 1945. Victory Night Nip& Broadway ffiz But B.O.S Rebowd Fast; 'Carousel' StiU Leads at 'Adano' 141/26 Tuosdiiy of last wenk, ■ when the + .^Japs siirrendfei'.ed, Bi'oadway pve- . Sented a siopne .that conipared tO' a: triple New Year's eve. Attendance was way . off as a result. The ceU'tjra-: ' tioii' :cpiitintied thi'OuSh .Wednesday ■iiiid.. Th ursday but' . on thp.se; afteii:-,. jvoiHva .ahri, eyenhiR.'i shows .\v.si'c :.jami:i.ied. Thoi'ea.ttrr. buStn slipped' ■ ,'agaip',..and although thi" holiday .spirit was present the citiyotuy went for othtfV diversibn^i'. 'Wiih gas TtitiDniiig dropped the weekend saw thousands ■■bt; cars on the roadways and at the ■■^beach^>s. ■ . . •; ' iSoine ititisiqals were OfT 'fcOm $2,000:' to $4.0(10, and several straight hit-~ were adected lor the first time. ■ ''Carousel" 1'ield its ,reniarkable>paco,' iJettcring $43,()00;agahi.': v Estimates for I^ast Week Keys:' C (CotuCdi/); D iDriuna'y. CD {Cditiedy-DrCiinai: ':R/. (Retn-ie*,' IW iMKiienl), 0 {Operetta). , "A BVIl for Adano," Cort (30th weeki iD-l.OBS; $4 301 Got 'olT to . good start upon resunipl'ioii though ,''.dipped .late in the: wfeek: gVbs.s Wa.s .'■tinder iexpectaftohs; $14,500; '. .-. :''Anna 'LucastA," Mansileld (.')lst week I (D-3.041; $3.60). Stilt gctlinf> real money as it completes a full •f year's iHili;, rated around $l,(i,OpO last' '' .week. " '; :' . ■ '.: -Bloomer Girl," Shubeit (46lh week) (M-1,328: $5.40). Not .nnich oft' and management expectant ot •the- run extending into, next sprina: $.?1.000. "Carousel," Maiestic - (18th weeki (M-1.681; $U). Held ils pace and again topped Iii48.0a0; last week's Ust- 'I'ng included a lesSer fl-gure throlig'h a typographical bull. "Dark of the Moon," 4Bth Street (22d week I (D-1.319; $4 20i. An ex- ception last week, when taking.s went around :$10.5Q0, -but mild money, in big house. "Dear Ruth," Miller (3Gth weekV fC-930; $4.20). Alwajs gets its share . o( patronage, which has been excels lent; rated, around $17,000. "Follow the Girls," Broadhurst (71st week) (M-1,17,9: .$4.80). Eased olT but still turning a profit; last week'.s pace e.stiinated at around $24,500. "Harvev," 48th Street (4'2d week) : (G-92o: $4.2()). No change in Capac- ity pace of .hil.that has approximated nine montlis and should double that length of stay; $19,000. "Hats Off to Ice." Center (i58th week ) .(R-2.944; $1.98). If the sum- mer pace js maintained skating revue will'.play throngh next winter: over $39,000,' *'l Remember Mama." Music Box (45th week) (CD-940: $4.20). Dipped somewhat t-T .$19,503. first time grcss. ■ has been under $20,000; slatfed I'ar into new season, however. ... : "Late George Apley," Lyceum (•25th week) (C-993: $4.20). Slaying quality ol resumed shows such as • thi.i one^.rnay depend pn strength of liewcoiners, . Which,. start arriving next month; dipped to around $1,0.000. "Life With Father," Empire (298th week! (C-1.0i!2: .i;3.G0». Run leader aimed Ihrougii another season; 'just about bettering even break at thi.'j time; $71000.. ■ . . ''Marinka," Winter Garden (5lh veeki (0-l,.')22, Si4 80). Doing fairly well lor operetta: takings .slightly up. with count, again approximating $2(i.000.- ■ "Oklahoma!." SI. James ' (125th veeki (M-I,.W9; $4.80). Neither , ' 'Change in conditions nor weather has atlectcd pace since the start; over $31,000 with jstandees. ','On the Town," Beck (34th week)" (!\r-l,2I4: $4.80), Fared betler than '.';.somii other musicals apd." the. pace , quoted as approximating ;$30,000. , "Song' (»I Norway," Imperial (52d week I (0-l,427: $6>. Celebrated year's run on Tuesday (21); still . .coinnianding big ' grosS.e.s .bCit ' eased, ofl;v'S^lightly iast'.w'eefc; -i$36;00t)v ( '7;f-;; "The Cila.'s Menagerie," PlaYhou.se (2Uth wecki (CD-860: $4.20). Sell- , iti^ out .rjght.along aild expected to ,; s,t!i..v' thrdugli new season; $18,50i) aiid" ■::ove!%. ■ ■ ■ .■■'■■".■ ■ "The Wuid Is Ninety," Booth ((Vh Sveeki (F-TIZ; $3.60); Doubtful Of • staying much longer; dipped laf<t week to around $5,000. "1,'p ill (Jenlral' Par&," Broadway (291 h week) (0-1,900; $G). . .FIuctu-■ ■,ates , soinetimes .and ..did ia.st .vvqek,' .'.-.whef! tbuhii wa.s ,'i!34i500; malces .big liiioncy ai thai level. ■ LAYING OFF "Th^ Voice of the Turtle," Mo- rosco 172 weeks) (C-939: $4,201, Re.' sutiies nexti'lMbnday {27). ,. vv; NFIGHISORIIOOD '■Jioldlcr'a Wife," Flatbush, Bi ook- -'"lyu,', ', ». '.','. . ■ "Over 21," Windsor. Bronx. 'Rose Marie' Capacity $36,500 in Frisco ; ;■ ' .' Sail Frant''..-co, Aug. 21. ' San Francisco's Civic Light Opera Co. revival of "Rose Marie," at 1.776- soat,' $4.2(1 lop Gui'ran Iheatrerplayed' to capacity $3fi„50(). last Week, : Leo Carrillo, in three day,^ of "Tlie Bad Ma))." at . l,550-st>al. $3 lop Gcaiv, next dooi, got salistactoiy $7,300. Tei'rific adyanoe sale was reported , at 'Gi^arv. for coming "Suds.'in Yoilr Eye." " ■ , "Strauss'Good $23,00!), Boston ■ Boston.. Aug. 21. "Mr, Strauss Goes to Boston'! had a rather isiiccessful .first weeki ' with gros.s around'$23:000} 'Pruning and rewriting b.obk of tHisvsumptuously staged musical at the Shubert has already progressed so that "Straus^" will be" in shape to debut at the Centurv, N: Y., two weeks hence. Slartiivg Sept, 4 at Shubert will be Katherine Dunham. :and "Carib Song.'' new. all-.Negri).>jn:usieal due for three weeks. "Ten Little In- dians,'' . A.yatha Christie thi'iller,' opijns, at Plymouth for fortnight;,Aug, 27. A new fantasy ,by'Eugene Vale. "Devils ■ Galoi'e." open.'i at Wilbur ,4ug. 28. to be toUo'wiea Sept.. to by "You Touched Me." new romantic comedy by'Tenncssee Williams and Donald Windham, . "There.se." with Eva-Le Gallienne. open.s at Pl,ymouth Sept. 10. under Theatre Guild auspices, and "Kmily," Colton-Harris p.s.vchologieal drama, is hunting a theatre'here for round Sept, 10. .' "The Ternpe.sl" returns to Opefa House for week starting Sept. 17. "Spring in Brazil,"'new musical (Milton Berle), . opens at . Shubert Sept, 17, and a new comedy by Clif- foi-d Goldsmith, .''Mr; Cooper's Left Hand,." opens Sept. . 34. at Wilbur. Robert 'F. .'Sherw(5Xid"S, fifst play iii five years, "The Ru,ggcd. Road," is looking for a local theatre for open- rng about Oct, J; and "Oklahoma!'; returns to Colonial Oct, 22, for eight weeks. -■ • ■ . 'Father' 2HG, Wash. ' Washington, Aug, 21.' "Life Willi Father" got nearly $21- 500.,on it.'= .secoifd week, and there is a'.vsii'.eaiyie sale lor the third stanza .of;'tht?;otigagemontv.' : "Emily,'', wittv Siijione. Siinon; iJue Sept 3. has been canceled, . Ttie: An.l6j4t'mi';''f hi>a .10,500 .sub.seript'io'ns .. h(^i;e iii. 'W'ash''' Ihgton. aiid 4,500. ill .Baltimore; This givPs ah,v-tittractibn playing here, a su.staining fund of $1,5,000 lor any play which appear.s tinder'the ATS auspaes and Theatre Guild sponsoi- siiip, :. ■ ''■'..'■"' :.:':' :■ 'BITTER SWEET' 45G IN ST. L ALFRESCO WK. A . St: Louis, Aug. 21. 'With radiO; instead , of newspa- peCs, ballyir.g Emmerich Kalnton's. "Sari'," last presented liere in 1932, the' pifecB. tped otT a seven-nighl run last night:.;(Monday) in' the; Muiiiei'7: pal Theatre ..An.ii;'s a'.. fresco Play- house in Forest Park, .fjespite thveat o.'t rain and: muggy ' weather, "a'i opei'ilng night .mob,.•bi'i lO.OSO' was 611. deck.: The gross v\'a^ approximately ■$3;5oo;, ■■ ■■':": " ■ "The newspaper cavricr-pre.s^-fly- b6y■:.sil^ike:'tha't. begk Is slill in 'firogre-sSj: hiit manager Paul.' Bei.siTian obtained gobs of cuff radio ume to kep.p iialiv.es informed of the current pres-efitation. ' Three new tace.i 'scored in their local debut: Dovbth,v Stone, ill: the top role; Mick .llarrell. baritone, and Charles Col- lins, ..Mi.ss Stone's dancing partner. IW'jmi Benzell, vocalist, a click in- "The Fortune Teller'' earjier .in the. .season, and William, Lynn; dimiiiu- tive comedian, Iprig a fave.here, also won tlie mob. Outstahders. in'support are Morton Bowe,; Earle Mac'Veigh, Leroi Opevti and Fred Harper.: Piece permitted Watson Earratt. to cook up some eyerfiUing sets.. Re- views of the piece were broadcast o\er KXOX. KSD. KWK and WEW rrhoi'ning after opening by studio crix. 111 absence ot regular newspa- per employees, . Noel Coward's "Bitter. Sweet" wound up its one-week stand Sun- day (19) with a neat b.o, score. The piece drew a total of 70.000 and the gross was-,an estimated $45,000, Crix had a chance to unload posies lor Norma Terris, Robert Cosden, Corn Tracy. William Home, Fred Harper, and Patricia Bowman betore the strike halted publication.; Chi Dips Slightly But Biz Good 'Ruth'$19,700,'Turtle'19G,'U(lies'12G 'Kingdom'4G, Toronto Toronto, Aug. 21. ' Becnvi.se,. of victory celebration.s, Fine'Jt Rawley production of "The Animal Kinudom," with Haila Stod- dard .starred, no.sediyed to. a poor $4,100. at the Ro.val Alexandra here,, with l,a25-.s«iler ,scaled at $2 lop. Cm lent is Lili-ni Harvey in "Little Miss Blitebeard." . Inside Stuff-Legit Theroh Bamberger is to produce Eu.genie Leontovictus hew pliiy, "Caviar lo the General." thiii fall' in association with Robert HenderSdn. "and,, not solo, .as reported elsewhere!' Henderson had original optioii on pla.V and was to do it alone, deciding later to turn'it over to Bambei ger while .shar- ing in the billing. Henderson wlU also.direct the play. Play, a comedy about ai) American who made millions in Russia, and a Russ general who's a womiin, is Miss Lcontovich's first since "Dark Eyes," hit she co*authored and . co-starred in with Elena Miramoya, .that was at the Belasco,. N, Y,. in '43. Playwright .wiU al.sb take the;:ie,a!l in her hew comedy, Bamberger ha.s been inactive as Broadway producer since his succe.ss.ful ".Tomorrow the World" (Barrymore>, '4'i.,' . ; v : . '. " Hpw :rn:uch will be. .salvaged from the. ihteriof of .the 44th Str.cel, N. :Y„ which ivS being razed by the N Y. Times is not evident. Shuberts operated the theatre but most of the equipment was owned by the Times., which bought the property a year or so r"!). Included wa.s a counterweight sys- tem backstage which the man- \ < are said to have bought from the wrecker-, lor $1 000, Similar backstage equipment costs around $10,000 when new.': . ■ ' ,.■ . ;''.1>."' . : '■*:■,'.■.'■ Work of tearing down the building is slower than expected and excava- tion may hot start for another nunii!:. .;''; V ;'' . ; , ^i- Army Sgt,-Brod Crawford, who.se last appearance on Broadway was a.s Lenny in "Of Mice and Men" (Music Box), is back fiom the wai> After lamping his wife, Kay Grift'iths, V;ho is in "Up In Central Park ' (Broad- I way), ho called hi.s mom, Helen Broderick, at her house in No, Hollywood, Ho tried lo disgui.-,c his voice but no dice. She started to cry. Finally he said, "Hey. mommy, while you're blubbcrin.i<, it's costing me money," According to the big guy, who dropped 37 pounds in Germany^ it cost him 90 buclcij to hear her weep with joy. i:.::Secbrtc!' in,4Ke.:'setHes;. bt publiiaijons -celpbi'atiing .the tJiiiyei'sity; Of ■;N^rth Carolina's Sesqujcentennial is "Pioncerin,;; a People'.s Theatre." which com- pletes 17 volumes of The Carolina Play-Book, a quarterly periodical founded and edited by the late Dr. Frederick H, Koch, lamed diiector of the University's Carolina Playmakei-s. Jusl off the pre.ss, "Pioneering a People's Theatre," commenlorate^ the work of Dr. Koch and evaluates the activities of the Playiriakei's tjyisr a perlpfl' of 2(5 ^years,' ' . .■ ^ The eonvalc.scent personnel out at:; 'VValtei-. Reed hospital.;, ■Wa.shingtph, fwere' viiiite^. Ojt:Thui'sday, by the ."Life ' With Father** east' playing ai. the Nation'al theatre. ' Visit was arranged by, the reepnstruction program' ur^it of the ho-spital ;Sta.fi' and was planned to consume'an hour; Instead it spread out fr_p.in 10:30 a m, to l p.ni, Carl Benton Roid and Betty Linlev and their ca'st associates not only presented excerpts from the play but went from there to unpack a varied a.ssoitrnent of individual specialties. Through an error of omi.^sion Loonai d L, Levinjion was hoi credited with haying v.iritteh the book of; "Mr. Straiu^s Gbes..t'(i).:.'B6st!)n;". iii the "Vaviety" Boston notice. Show opened, in. tlie Hub last week':and. he was credited in the advertising and the prO.crani, Levinson also wrote a show caltc'd, "Cuba...Libre,"', which . AleX; Ypkel plans to produce, but the nudiuger and writer have ilqi contracted as yet. 'Words/ 'Rebecca' Bow In L. A. to Hypo Season Lo.s. Angel,e.s, Aug, 21, '; Opoiiing.s at the Bilthiore and the PhillvHrmonic Auclitori.iim last night brought back liglvted ,niarqi:iee.s, to, a total of four, ill Ipwiv'aOd gave, L,iA',. soine show husiiiess in .ili'e.icgit; field after:, two weeks' pf'i.sllimp. "Song •Without Words'', .'preeined ..at ,the' Phiinari.npnie and '".Relieo(;a" made ;its.bow' at the-^iltniorK both' .with; good advance sales. . ■ . Last week's biz was bolstered b.y the advent. of pe'ave,. with, neither El Capilan nor the Mu.sart hurt; at. all. Ken Muri'ay'S' "Blaekouts of 1945''- raked capacity $14,800 tor the i:64th . fi'anie.'»t' El Capitaii^ Musart's ■ir»rd'stanza of ';Mod(>l Wi\'es''.' pulled 'iiv;\,v'' tip to:$,'i80b :with, 'only' I'Mcsduy night off capacity bi/,. 4 Openings Labor Day in Philly Pliiladcipiii.!. .\ug, 21, -Lpcal legit, booking situation i.s be- coming ipoi'e ovei'lpaded and coiii- plicated all the time. Right now four shows ar'c skedded to. preem. here on Monday, Sept. 10, which is one up on last week's three that were listed. ■ Additional entry. i.«t the.. Shubert. Gertrude Macy's production, "For- ever Is Now," with Vivienne Segal in her first ,non-hit,isical. vehicle; has' been switched tJrOni, the "Walmit to -the^Sl uibe-iit,.on--t,h e J 0 th,il 1 r w ill-ha-w- 6nly - a .single W'eek. in philly ' as ."Foolish Notion,", on, ATS subs'ci'ip- :tioriv.:.is set for tlie' l7lh.;. Sxibstitiite at the Walnut is due to be "Emily" (Shuberts in. association witli Albert de Courville), starring Suiione Simon, wWch is in'for. tVvo .weeks,' Locust's o.flering oh the ;JOth has had its name changed from "Walls of .Jericho" to "Deep Are the Roots." It's also a preeni and in for a fortnight, ''.'V ; ... ■ Fourth ' legitimate ' opening—and another , preein—Will . be, ..."The Ryah Girl!" at the,Forre.st, with June Havoc and Edmund Lowe, :This'one is ciUo mentioned for two weeks biit may stay loii.^er. Tlie local betting i.s that not inore than two ot the qUai'- tet vvill actually make their bows on Monday night; it's, believed ■ .pio- ducei's will ..stagger the iiewcoraers throughout the vvcek.:' ' ' . After "Foolish Notion" on the 17th, there will be. a'pair on the 24 th-™' "Thereso" at the Locust aiid"Fla- mingo Road" . at, the "\^a)nut, , "The ' Hasty Heart" (ATS) comos to the Shubert in. 0.('tobc.r aiid the .season".s fU'.st niusioal. "Gii'l from Nantucket,"' is now listesd at the Forrest on Oct. 8,. : "Oklahotiia!.".. n.ow iir its final three weeks, i.s going along with hardly any fluctuation. Again hit over $37,- 000 last week with only war-news conditions cutting in. Guild musical finishes 19-week stay at' Foi-'re.st on Saturday. Sept. 8. Only pre.-Labor Day opening hefre will be "Make Yourself al^ Home." which . preems next Monday (27th) at ,the Locust; where it v\ill slay two weeks. Show —a straight comedy—is getting some attonlion on film name of .slai-, Sally Eilers. Week of Sept 3d brings nothing new—al'lei' that the deluge! Current Road Shows (Period Coreriiig Any. 20-Sept. I) "Blackouts of 1945"—El Capilan, Hollywood (20-n. Blackslonc—Grand, Loiidon, Can. ;,(.3o-i),,,,', ■ '•'■■■'■^■■■":''','.,":.'";::; "Carib Song" — Shuberlj Haven (30-1). ;'.' ■'' "Curnicn .lones"—^Aud, St . (;21-23);'Eriahgei:,'Chi, (25-1 ).' .; "Dear Ruth"-—Harris,.Chi (20-1). "Devils Galore" — Shubert, New Haven (23-251; Wilinir, Bost. (27-1), "Good N'ite Ladies" — Blackslone, Chi',(20-l:'i: " ■„:.' , ■ ':■:' '■■,■,',■"■,;■".■' :; "Life With FaWicr" (2d Co.)--Nat'l. Wash.: (20-25); Ciilonial.lBost. ,(27-1),^ "Make Yoiirsrir at Home"—Locust St.. Philly (27-1) "Mr. Strauss Goes to l^oslon''- Shubert, Bost, (20-1). : ' , " '. :p ' / "OklaKoma" (2d Co ) — Forrest, 'Philly (20-l.).v"'' ',', ■■",':' ■ "Overtons" — Shubert - Lafayette, 'Detroit (^20-1): -:':r '.^ "Kelicc-ea"—Biltmprc. L. A. (27-1). "Ten Little Indians" (2d Co.)— Mct.'.,,Seattle (20-21.).; Capital, Yakima. ; ('22); Wilma,. Mis.soula (2!!); Harlow, Helena::(24); Fox,, ;Butte. (25); Ly- ceum. Minneapolis (28-1). "The Bad Man" — Geary, Frisco (27-1 ), "Voire of Turtle" (4d Co.)—Sel- wyii, Clii (20-1). New Paul Chicago, Aug, 21. V-,T Day and the humidity were responsible tor .small drop in grossed for long-termers ''Dear -Ruth-'- and "Voice of the Turtle''. Ihisi tiW, at-' t.ho(igh "Good:Niglit, Ladies", heiri up- to the $1,2,000 mark :it set for ;itselt ^opeinng: week; Looks, like a 'fairly^ respeefable run ^or the •la;fter, albeit notliing like the 100-week ;.jt>cord';'-.^^^^ chalked up back in '42-'43, '1 Thiiigs 'are, pieUih^:;Up in "the Sd- vance dept, meanwhile, and pros- pects are bright for 'Carmen Jone.s," opening for an indefinite , period at Erlanger Saturday (251, and "Over- tons." bpwihk at Great , Nortliertv Sept. 3, That early September .Open- ing for "Lalliilg Room .Only", at: tlia New Shubert (formerly Maje.slic) has been moved back, with 110 date set at all at present writing. renova- tions being slowed up bv various ■lUnksv. ,' ' ■ ■;" :" Kslimalcs for Last Work "Dear Ruth." J-larris fIStli week) (1,000; $3.ti0i $19,700 wa,sn't bad, and bi?,, what w^ith lit.tiiig of gas 'I'itibii- ing', etc., looks .brbniisins here a.4 well as tor other'legits,: -' '. ' • "Good NiRhl, Ladies," Blackstone (2d week) (],20l»; $3) Status quo at $12,000 (house Ls scaled lor $18,200) "Voire of the Turtle," Selwyn (4f{th week) (1,000; .$3.(>0). $19,000 was .lust $1,600 under sellout. Play Out of Town Snnit Without Worils Loii Angelo.s. Aug. 20. ,..:Xtioutlni;(?;;-.K!M:'lu,iih,4t.iuM'.---f,-r>d—!Ta>t>i>^t-^-~ l>fl..|iHl), :I)i'rului'lh.ii' i.r 11 t»'(i-ii,'l 'DoSvlta (tlVl' ..SI'lMll'Sr C«'illUI'l'» Mill'nil HlllifM' il!liUl',1 SfV«',-ll. iOlir lllni'o sni.l htili^r luUl,>i.'''itl,'i Mia MU'Veilak;!, liDiili, l''l','iliM'i.'k. ,liU'U,si,M iusPii .on a siui.v i,i,'ii:i,y .M.iiH'i,,. nju'inii:,,, r,,„„ nil' ,>lil^,<iil,- hi .|lii, lll'i' uf I'MiM' llyili* T.-ii'liaildiH'slv.v: l.\t'li.s; Kiirni;iri . Kl'.nvii •' iiln- nil'. T.sc'hiiiliiiw,m,,\. ]nlapiii(l ln> li'i'.iiia Sil.'iiviiiBi'i:; Sliitiril In- I'lU'odcli,.' ;m.-lu'ii. hPlnif)-; i')l(ii'foRl:ii|i|i,\': Uy Aolnii W»Un; .fi'iMifi'.v. ViaiT.v [>(viirk.ni.;.. )mi,HUaiJ (■liiMliii-. Inr, l''lHll'>. ..Sle.iiihtKtM'-; oi'f4lP«l):U'i,'.ns hy Kiir K.clsl: cliiii'iil ilir.'i'ti.in. thiiii, ,si i c|iij.oi'; Ijiuil, (llhvl IciM li.v William. ,\ilaivil: i'lisliinifs. )l.V' Alviil Crill. ()in,|i,>il. .111.: 'fliilli'iiiniM.ic :'.^lli1il"i iiria, J,.i» AliKl'lps', AilK,' 211, l',l|.',; *:i.«il Inn. ■;. Miiii.ia 'IC.ii'afav . ,,. ,t.,i'ari.ii'e I!aS l>«" l'i'li'in'al,i. .,.'..., ,., .. . ..jiiliji ivil . 1,1..Ciiinil. Nl.'fl'an (llVK,.i,.vil.li:,l,i». .\.-wcH IVIi'i-r.si'lrailviHvsKs, .liihn .M.'i'avi-il llavra KalliH'fua.: )'i'liu'p.ss DiilKcil'ulii, .l>i<ll'i l.lnd I>cai(.'e A rial,.;,,'..,.u.v'»il'Ktt^Mwr: Clairja.,, .Maaiu'i Ihi!,.. . . .; , ',, , ,■, ;|,)Vli' : Itkila AfialliU, l>..\).,rllr(., (•Hl,.( nr .Kh. Palis ' (M.'tMUt'. . ,,,..,;'., ,'', . ; . , Ma rilena, ChauH'.w A ana. (IcI I'livili'li,KaI lii'tfina Unlriir: I 'za/' .Vli'.vauiii',r i I . V, . ... . . .Ml.arm,: .\j ialll,0« What pi'omisod to be woi thy suc- cessor to "Song of Norway" fell flat on il.s tace at Philllarmonic Audi- torium tonight. Mounted layLshly, fioin musical as w(;11 as .stagecraft .standpoint, "Song Without Words," operetta-biography ot an episode in the lile of Peter llyilch Tschai- kowsky. ha.s book that imisl have been dead for the same period as the composer and as casl of charac- ters as defunct as the .yai:n., Theodore Baclienheimer and .Tames A. Poolittle sank plenty of cash into the production, which tells story ot compo.scr's romance with opera singer Desiree Ai'tot. Welded, onto thi.s. is grabbing of gal by an army lieutenant friend of Tschaikow.sk.v'.s, composing of a ballet for the C7.ar".<i birthday', ,a secondary' i-omance bpr tween two young.s-1.eis, as plot to get rid of one of czar's girl friends; and ,some alleged comic horseplay by two antiquated (;omedians, Stol-y never fall.s together; it falls apart.- Mumming through Frederick .Tack- son's book were .Tames Newell. Mar- :git Bokor, Delia Lind, Lenore Rae 'and ■ John- Pell.. w'lio had to do most of the vocal choi cs. Not only weia they . practically: incomprehensible; but what little could be h^ard was more harsh than-happy.. : .Tohri Maxwell Hayes had the com- poser's .spot but -no- thrushing to do, lor which he seemed grateful. Eric- Blore and Max Willens had comedy chores.and'proved be.yond doubt that- both, book and direction by: Witliam Alland was exceptionally light- weight. Anton Dolm's choreography was iniimaginalive and was pf!''- 101 mod by a group'of i'nept terpci'v save tor graceful presence of Mia Slavenska. who alone .seemed -at home before an audience. Alviti Colt'.s co.slumcsand Harry Dworkio'.? sets were tastefnl and beautifully created, . '. "'■.:■" : - :..' ";. . Franz . Stcininger's ma.yniiieent adaptation and direction of T,^cliai- kpwsky's music ranked as a top fea- ture of the entire production Ent'rt' show should be rewritten, recast: ai'd 'given ; new ballet before it: ever P taken out of town, because it defi- nilely is not goocj «>iiough to faw Bi'Oiidvvay or local audleiice.s in its present cotidition.