Variety (Mar 1946)

67 Oii At Extremes lafing' Bagging 336. Covns' LoW$2^ Tolonaise' OK 27G Chicago, Maich 26. " Gl omes l anccd air the way . from J^h probably «he Wst m 10 for any show—$2,500 lor He- ?,«en C«vei^-lp <33.000 for /'Laft- Ronm Only." "Covers" w-as vL^nk«l sSluJday (23) with the an- r^liy oil llic .•!tcm, and tht Apnl 13 • tlosiiiK fiale bluib \vas what helped vmis Sca.Hon" al.so folded BatMr- riay .W) :>ncr a pi-etty |ood$lS^. hTst-ininule lash to see Ethel Barry- more b*inK ihe i>eason for the $1,500 hnoVt o\ cr la.-it .stanza. Closiflg an- n^ncrmonl i.lso boosted "Polonaise" 7 anJJhor $1,000 to $27,000. it moves on Apr I 13. as does ' Laff- "nfr " • Paik of the Moon" quits ''^"'lie'p" Me llie Boots" followed "Siason" into the Solwyn Moiiday (2.5) with swell 912.000 advance Otl)er.<! due in .Ire "Oil the Town," Anril 1: --Up in Central Park," April 1«- "Day Before Spnnc." Apnl 21; ".Stale of tlic Union," April 'J.2: "Laiira, " May 20; "Merry Wives of Wiiid-<«i'.' May 27. and "Harvey" and •Bloomer Gill." Labor Day or tlici'eabouts. Esttmates for Last/Week ./•Anoa LucBsU," Civic (26lh week) (900: $;<.C0). StiU $16,500. "Between Cevera," Great Noithem a.425: $3.00). Folded for repairs Satui-day 123) after a dismal week: only $2,500. "On the Town" comes . irt Monday <1). . •qiark af Ihc Hora," Blackstoiie rsth week) a.360; $3.60). Okay '$14;OO0. Clo!;cs April 12, and "State of thf Union" relights April 22. "Lairiuc B«am . OBly." Sbubcrt r27th week) i2,lC3; $4.30). Got swell $33.(100. Moves to philly April 13. .nnd "Up in' Central Park" opens the IClh. 'ir*loiuij)c.*' Sludcbaker <.3d week) 0,246; $4.«0). Crept up to near 4.'nparity $27,000. Starts tourine Ainil 13 and -D«v Before Spring" springs up April 21. "The JayMs Sea-saif." Selwyn (lOth week) 11,000: $3.60). Got ok.iy $15,500 in closing stanza. "Doep Are the Boots" opened Monday (25) with line $12,000 advance. "The LalC' Gcaric Aplcy," Er- lan;jcr <4th week) (1,400; $3.60) Upward is still the word here. $23,300 (his time. "WiiMiy mil." Harris (3d week) (1,246; $3.60). Status quo $15,000. mVEr fflTS LA. FOR SMASH 60G ADVANCE ' Los ADgcles, March 2G. SI ill no sijyis of Lent at local lcr;it boxofncc<:. altliough tlicre should be sotne inroads by now. Night and d.iy. lines are forming outside the Biltinore Ihcatre for "Harvey," where- a first-week took in $26,500 and an adv.-ince of $60,000 was runs up beftire the curtain was. Ken Murray's "Blackouts of 1946' rambled IhrouRli the ie«h frame a. El Capilan. pulling standard $17,500, . which is capycity.. "K's for Free in Fiji," currently in Its seventh stretch at the Mayan, was the only loser this past week »lid»n« down tof $7,500 but still in tile black. "Two in a Bed'' coasted through the fifth frame with a neat bundle at $4,300. IHiss Jones' Meets Warm D.C. Welcome for 22iG Wa.'.-hinston. March 26. Miss Joiie.s. ■ Ruth (kirdon's auto biojiraphicil comedy, had wai-m re caption hcie with $22,500 for last \v«;k.. No dissenting voice in favor- able reviews and personal popularity «t ihc Kanins in this town hclpetl Groat interest in "West of the Moon," Louis Bromfield-Laslo Vid nay produrt. Bona fide preem j i-arity in these parts, and advance putiUoity and interviews with Brom- neld. who checked in latter part of \v«:k. assured good advance sale. ..Di""^'' "•''''crs in two weeks of Blossom Time." 'jBily'H700inN.Ha?eii; 'Annie' Beats Gon as SRO New Haven. March 26. . Mild reaction to premiere of "Judy O'Connor" was reflected in so-so boxofflcc results last, weekend (21- 23) at Shubert. Four shows at $3 Unci, tax) top brought an estimated not good, not bad $4,700. A two-weeks ■ advance sellout greets opening of "Annie CSet Your Gun" this week (26-30). .M highest top used here t$4.80 incl. tax), there's not a . ducat to be had. A musical spring is on tlic horizon here, with ' Shootin' Star" bre;<k-in following "Annie" next week (April 4-6) and "Windy City" preeni sol for April 18-20. In between comes "Hamlet" (Maurice Evans) on April 8-10. Veloz-Yolanda $4,500 In Single at Indianapolis Indianapolis, Mardi 26. Sidney Page and Cecil Byrne, who have booked wide variety of road attractions into Murat, former Shu- bert house here, in past two seasons,, announced they have secured ex- clusive booking rights for the thea- tre for next season from local Shriiicrs. Firm presented Veloz and Yo- landa's "Oansati(>ns" at Murat Wednesday (20) for bang-up $4,500 gross at $3.60 top in .^single. Also has added concei:;t by Sammy Kaye April 17 and return engagement of Victor Boigc April 21 to this sea- son's card. Broadway UpsF^^ SkuiM; 'Slapped' Chances Good, 1AeIt'Uiu;ertani,'FU 'CarroUsVConals 20G In Fme Seattle Week Seattle. March 26. . .Tavo Mr.s. CaiToUs," with Eliza- bcui B<!rener. did almost sellout lin riL"'*''' and oke matinees, to hit ««,ooo gro.ss in week's engngement ? =A,r*''™P"''*<'>h. House. seatiiiL' 1.5O0. was scaled from $3.75. This IS first Theatre Guild spon- sored show into Seattle. Subscrip- tions have .<;old at fair pace, but not qvntc up to tiuoUi originaUy set 'BLOSSOM'S^ BUFPAIO BOFF ,.„, ''BufTalo, March 26. Hlcesom Time," back for its P^fcnnial stint at the Erlanger last weeit. developed surprising ainottnt ot b.o. luie. At $3 top .nnd with cast minus names, marker for four-day showing lopped sturdy $]0,000.'- Cohrent Road Shows (Period Coiieriiio Mnrcd 25-Aprii 6) Anna liocasta" — Civic, Chi. (25-6). Anuic Get Toar Gan"—Shubertv New Haven (25-6). 'BlBck«iits •! 1S4S" — El Capitan, Hollywood (25-0). BUckstonc — Cox. Cin. (25-30); Arrier., St. Loiiis il-6). Blosssm Time"—^Temple, Bing- hamton (25): Capitol; Scrauton (26); Capitol, Wilkcs-jSarre (27); Lyric, AUentown <28); Playhouse, Wil- mington (29-30); Nat'l, Wash. (1-6). "Call Me Mbter"—Forrest. Philly (25-30); Erlanger, Philly (1-6). <H;»rDcn Jones"—Shubert, Philly (25-6). "Dark af the Me«B"—Blackstonc, aii. (25-6). 'Dear Bu(h"—Aud., Boch. (25-27); Strand, Ithaca ('28): Erie, Schenec- tady (29-30); C.np., Wilkes-Barre (1); Temple, Sci'anton (2): Temple. Bing- hainlon (3): Avon, Utica (4); Strand, Elmira (Q-Ci). "De«r Ruth" (2d Co.)—Texas, San Antonio ('25); Mus. Hall, Houston (26); Aud., N. O. (28-29); Aud., Jack- son (1); Aud., Shreveport (t2); Aud., L. Bock (o); Aud., Memphis (4-0). "Deep Arc the KooU"—Selwyn, Chi. (25-6). "Desert Sont"—Erlanger. Buff. (2.'i-2«): Aud., Roch. (29-30); Nixon, .Pitts. (1-6). "Harrey"—BiUmore. L. A. (25-6). "Judy O'Connor"—Copley, Bost. (25-C), "lAtllnt Room Only" — Shubert Chi. (25-6). "Late Gcorce .*ple)" — Ei-langer, Chi. (25-G). "Ufe WIUi Father"-Karllon. Wil- liamst>ort (26); Strand, Albany (27): Avon, litica (28); Strand, Elmira (29-30): Erlanger. Buff. (4-6); Co- lonial, Akixin (5); Park, Youngstown (6). "Love In the Snow"-Shubert Bos- ton (2.'i-.')0): Forrest, Phila (l-6)r "Merry Wives of Windsor"—Locust St, Philly (25-30); Colonial, Bost. (1-0). "Oklahoma!"—Curran, S.nn Fran-, Cisco (25-6). "On the Town"—Cass. Det. '25-30); Gt Northern (1-6). "Polonalse'-^Sludcbaker, Chi. (25- 6). • "Salute to Murder"—Shubcrt-L.a- faycltc. Det (25-6). "Schaol foi; Brides" — Davidson, Milwaukee (25-30). "ShootlBR SUr"—Shubert. New Haven (4-t>). "State of the Union" — Colonial. Boston (25-30): Hanna, Clevc. (1-6). "St«deDt Prbicc" — Ni.von, Pitts. (25-30): Ford'.s, Balto. (1-6). •;TWs l>a Shall Pass"-M(:Carler. Princeton (5-6). "Two Mrs. CarrolLs" — Lyceum. Minn. i28-'30); .^ud.. St. Paul (1-2); Aud., Dos Moines (4); Mus. Hall, Kansas City (5-0). Veloz and Tolanda—Royal A!cx., Tor, (25-30). "Volte of tlic Turtle" — Geary, Frisco (25-6). "Voire of the TuiUe" (2d Co.)— Plymouth. Bost (25-G). "West of the Moon"—Nafl. W.nsh., (2.>-30): Wilbur, Bost. (1-6). "Windy Hill"—ll.nrris. Chi. (25-()). . "Womau. Bites Doc '—Ford's Biilto. (25-30); Walnut St, Phila. <l-(i). Huberts Scare Boston Critics; 'State s %% Boston, March 26. Legit pictui-e remained staunch last week despite lull all arouncl, with "State of the Union" remaining prize breadwinner of recent encumbents. Demand during three-W(iek run is suilicicnt to keep the play here well into summer if show hadn't been otherwise coniiiiitted. Opieiieris were "Bemadctte," which skiddeil at the Wilbur and folded on. Sat. '23). and "Love in the Snow," operetta at the Shubert "Bernadette" got curiously cautious notices on its religious aspects' but obviously crix didn't care much for it, while public stayed away despite stiting Catholic majority hv city, rea- .soQ seeming to be that nobody felt it could come up to the film. "Love in the Snow" drew most equivocal notices ever .seen in town, nobody e\prc3.sing any opinion at. all and one critic explaining she was writing, "at her own periU" • Reason was the recent banning by the*Shubei1s of a couple, local crix. The aisle viewei? here- figure it's easier to get around the situation, by reciting the plot and making no com- ment at all, since being banned is an inconvenience. As a result, ads for the show carried'quotes taken from society editor's coverage. "Judy O'Connor" debuts -at the Copley tunighl; "Annie Get Your Gun" is next at the Shubert on April 2, aiul "'Merry Wives of Wind.sor" opens at the Colonial same ni.ght EstlauUcs far Last Week "L«ve In the Snow." Shubert (1.- .^iOO; $4.85). Operetta vn the Romberg vein, this item got curiously luiin- foimaiive iK>ti(^ but n^anagcd to draw a good audience of the "Rose Marie." "illerry .Wi(iow,'' "Biossom Time" cu.stomers and touched a nice estimated $26,000.' Second week cur- rent "Annie Get Your Gun" follows April 2, "Sour of Bernadette," Wilb(U- (1.- 200; $3.60). Religious play opened Mon<lay but vva.snt reviewed until Tuesday by trix, who cautiously praised religious a.spcct, but were generally cool to the drarnatizatiou and playing. Never did biz, toucliing an estimated $5,000 in eiijht per- formances, and dosed Sat (23). House dark this week, with "West of the Moon" set for April 1. "Stale of the Uitlon," Colonial (1. 500; $3.60). Finitihed on top as it be.!!an, touching estimated . $26,600, v.'hich is lop at scale. House dark this week, with "Merry Wives Wind sor" next on April 2. "Votee of the Tnrtle," Plymouth (1.300; $3). Remained phc:iomcnally steady on l:Hh week, stiyini; at $17.- 000. only a G below top avrrage tor this long and liiglily proQlable run. No eiid in sight yet SAN CARLO llVaG, BUFFALO BliHalo. March 20. San Carlo Opera O. in five per- formances. Friday through Sunday, III the ErUnngcr la.st week, allraotcd gnillrying $11,.')00 at $3 lop. Ttnth's' Curran. So-So Toronto Toronto. Mfiroh 26; "Do.ii' Riilh" did a so-.so $13,000 at ( the-KDval Alrxaiidra herr. v. i'.h l,. . etiuaiuiig 525-.sciilcr .scaled at $:i.50 top. I.high. bad another previous Broadway further improved last week. While' some run attractions are approaching their Anales, there are no definite indications of tlie slump feared by snowmen several weelcs ago. The steady stream of visitors and conventions continues to jam the hotels. Sti'aight plays picked up more than $1,000, and grosses for musicals advanced considerably more last week. Among the trio of new attractions the revival of "He Who (Sets Slapped" e.-isily has the best chance. "I Like It Here" has but a miW chance, while "Flamingo Road" was yanked after seven pcrlormanccs. Three more shows arrive tliis week. Estimates for Last Week K«v.s;.C (Comedy), D (Z>raina), CD (COKiedw-Drnma), R (Revue), JH (Musicol), O (Opereftit). .\nna Lueasts," Mansfleld (e2d week) (D-1.041; $3.60). Has drawn many repeaters and looks sure through another summer; last week's takings were well over $17,000. "Autigone." Cort (5th Week) (D- 1,064; $4.80).' Improvemeiit hei-e, (oo, with takings estimated at around $16,500; revival of "C:andida" will start next week as an altei:nate at- traction. "Apple •( His Eye," Biltmore (8th week) (CD-020: $4.20). Couple of more parties hiked the gi'oss to bct- te'r than $12,600, best, count so far. Are To» WUh nr. Century (20th week) (M-1,712; $4.80). Operating profitably right along, and while not capacity this musical has fared satis- factorily; $28,500 estimated. BUItan DiriUr Baby," Alvin (14th week) <M-1,3S7; $6). Another musi- cal holding to strong pace; better last week, with gross around $35,000. BiMMer Giri," Shubert (79th week) (M-l,3«; $5.40). Slated for the road April 27, with long tour routed; better last week, $23,000 ap- proximated. Bom Tesierday," Lyceum («th week) <C-993; $4.20). Stronger de- maud for this comedy . in agencies than any other show on list; capacity all times; over $20,000. > "Carmuel,'' MajesUc (49th w^k) (M-1,695; $6). Eased somewliat for a couple of weeks but commands great .business, last week's count nearly $46,000. "Day Befbre Sprlnc," National (IBth week) iM-1,164; $C): Will go to road after three wec^s;'"CalI Me Mister" mentioned to follow; up to ¥21.500. : . "Dear Rath." MiUer (67th week) (C-940; $4.20). Picked up fairly well and rated over $12,500; slated into waim weather. "Dee* Are the BmIs." Fulton (25th week) (D-963; $4.20). Bit better but not as much improvement as mcst others; taking.s approximated $15,000. "Dream Girl," Coronet (15Ui week) (M-1,0»; $4.20). Picked up smartly despite change in fcmme lead; takings approached $24,500; vii-tually capacity. "FUmiBfo Road." Belasco (D- 1,077; $4.20). Panned plenty and taken off Saturday (23) after seven performances. "Song of Bernadette" hastily booked in but."Woifian Bites Doj;" also doe liere next month "Follow the. Gtrb," Broadhurst .(102d week) (M-1.179; $4.80). Exccp lion; takin;,'s around $22,300,; about 'same as previous week. "Harvey.- 48th Street (73d week) (C-925; $4.20). Tickets always in demand, ancl business continues to capacity: $19,300 quoted. "Ibialet," Cohunbus Circle (ISIh week) (1.173: $4.80). Getting ready to Inur; "last'WC^s" announcement improved business to around $20,000; house may get new musical "Dat.'i Oir to Ice, Center (89th week) (R-2.994; $1.98). In its final weeks although rink revue is stUI making money: new show in early summer: $24,000. "I Like It Here," Golden (l.st week) (C-709; $3.W)). Opening post- poned until Friday (22); drew mixed notices; better line on chances this wnck. "I Remember Mama," Music Box (86th week) (CD-979: $4.20). Picked up as did mo.st other run leaders, and the gro.ss approximated $19,000. "Life W th l?a«)er," Bijou (329lh week) (C-614: $3.(>0). Run leader up as much as slvaitiht tihow.s, and the count w.-is around $9,500. "Lute Son^r," Plymouth (flth week) (D-1.063; $C). Two performances Sunday bolstered takings further, with gro.'s going to $24,500. "O Mistress Mine," Empire (9th week) (CD-1,082; $4.80). Among the lop money straight shows, with stnudccs at all iicrfonnances; $24,500 estimated "Oklaboma!" James (IJiOlh we«k) <M-1.5()9: $4J)0). Never varies nKl(^h, regardless of conditions, ca- pacity gait of $30,500 registered la.st week's ' irr.i vcy" I week: starts fourth year Monday (1). fliii> to sli"hllv i "Song of Norway," Inmoriar (83d " ' week) (0-1.427; $6). If mu.sical I stayer moi'i's to the Broadway. 'Annie Oct Yonr Oun" wiU -follow 'ROOTS' SUCK %\%m IN PnT; NOTICES STRONG Pittsburgh, March 26. Nixon clocked a slick $18,500 last week with "national" company of "Deep Are the Roots" at $2..')0 top. If.s top coin since the tour's start. Town's only legit house lias "Stu-. drill Priiicc" this week and then gels another oldie. '■De.^ert Song.' T^ear Ruth'* comes in for two wtK;ks. April R. with Charles Co- burn in —Merry Wives of Windsor" following. Turtle'in S.F. 23GSR0; "Oklahomar Wi)w 40G San Francisco. March 26. : '•'Voice of the Turtle," opening .it , Gr;uy last week, rang up $23,000 'capacity business: It was lower than prcvioiis gro.ss, but this is lower house scale. "Oklahoma!" in sixth week nt the i the season's smashes cleaning up here and on the road; $241500 quoted. "St. Loals WMun,". Beck (M-1,- 214; $6). Presented by Edward Gross; music by Harold Arlen; lyrics by John Mercer; book by Ariia Bbh- temps and Countce- CuUem; first colored, musical at$6'top; opens Sat- urday (20). ."The Glass Mcnaeerle,'*. Playhouse (51.st iveek) (CD-865; $4.20). Except for Wednesday matinee, , bounced back to capacity, with gross quoted over $18,000. "The MagniHcent Yankee," Royale (9th week) (CD-996: $4.20). Picked lip very well and back around $20,- .SOO; among the list's drama stand- outs, "The Sang e< Bcmadfettc," Belas* (ib (DVi,077; $3.60). Sudden booking after "Flamingo RoUd" flopped out; draniali/.ation of Franz Werfel novel by Jean and Walter Kerr; opened Tucsd.iy (26). The Voice at the Turtle," Mo- rosco (103d week) (C-930; $3.60). C^ame back to nearly $16;000; great for long-running play with three characters. "Three ta Make Beady.*? Adeiphl (3d week) (R-1,434: $4.80). Up a bit and great gross approximated $38,- 000; due to niove down to Shubert . late next month; Old Vic company from London opens here. "Uv In Central Fark," Bro&dway (60th week) (M-l.'OOO; $6). Goinffto Chicago in , mid-April; has made plenty iii long run; better last week; . $23,000. ^ REVIVALS "Skow Boat," Zicgfeld (11th we^V (M-1,620; $6). With gro^ bettering $47,000 right sdons, show is a clean- up, especially for theatre. "Hie Be« iwm," 48th St (22d week) (M-1.319; $4.«)). briproved, and midweek matinee again big, wiUi takings appi-oachirig $36,500; virtual capacity. "rysmalton," Barrymore (12th week) (C-1,115; $4J0). Aimed into ' summer; very stfone demand for tickets at boxofflcc and agencies, takings nearly $26,500. "He Who Gets Stapled." Booth (D-7I2; $^.20). Opened last mid- week and drew enthusiastic press; should play into :nTarm weather; got $10,500 in first Ave times. OFF BBOADWAT "Walk "Hardi" Chanin Auditorium (D-300; $420). Presented by Gus- tav Blum; dramatized from novel by Len Zinberg; mixed-cast drama opens tonight (27). lefryri?cs'20% %ter' Soek ZSG, 'CariMB' PliBy Philadelphia. March 26. Last week saw four legit openings heie. and the cvix cracked down on two of them, but in one case their adveise notices didn't noticeably affect biz. This was the Theatre Guild's second Shakespearean re- vival of the season. "The Merry Wives of Windsor." which, ae«)ite the crix reception, got a robust S20.,'i00 ill its first of two weeks at th'e Locu.st. .,1 First-string reviewers mostly at- tended "Twilight Bar" at the Wal- nut Monday although in a couple ol , instances they also covered "Merry Wives," having caught the Baids play in WUmington. "Twilight Bar • 'got one favorable notice, one luke- w;(rm and two vigorous pans. Play- goers stayed away from the Walnut in droves and the liianagement v/i.scly decided tcwithdraw the Ar- thur Koestler fantasy Saturday night Week's giOBS was around $4..'«)0. Monday's third opening was "Car- men Jones" ill for a return engage- ment here of three weeks, this time at the Erlanger. It started right in where it left off two years ago at the Erlanger and iimg up a sensa- lional $32,500. which will undoubt- edly be its pace throughout local visit despite fact it now has strong inii.'-iciil compcti.sh, "Call Me Mister. " opening Tues- day, at the Forre.st. drew rave no- tices from one and all, the most en- thusiastic fir.st-uight response given to any Iryout here in a lone . time. The new GI revue got $26,000 in seven performances despite matinee weaknesscss (getting to be chronic for musicals here). In fact, at pres- ent writing, management is virtually set to move to the indie Erlanger for another local week instead of going west to Detroit. wow $40,000, stanza's new hern: operetla rated around $33,500. "State of the IJnlun," Hud.son (19th week) (CD-I,0(54; $4.80), ^ne of 'Desert Song' 28G, Balto Baltimore, March 26. "The Desert Song" played a re- peat at Foi-d's here last week and nmopcd up at $28,000. In currently is "Woman Bites Dog," new play by Sam aiid Bella Spewack. presented by Kiirmit Blounigurdcn.