Variety (May 1946)

Wednesday, May V 1946 LEGITIMATE 65 To Cough or Not to Cough; Stromberg And PlJy Critic Tangle on Question Philadelphia, AprU 30. '♦■ Lenore Bushman, film editor and second-string drama critic of the Dally News, tangled with Hunt Stromberg, Jr., at the opening of "Laura" at the Walnut St. theatre last week, when the producer or- dered her out of the theatre. Row started after Miss Bushman had a coughing spell and left her seat and went into the lobby and purchased ah orangeade. She re-; .titrned'and sat in the last vow and started to sip the drink to allay her cough. At this point, Stromberg, who claimed she was making "too much noise" asked her to leave the the- atre and offered to refund her money. When the gal identified herself as the News critic, she claims that Stromberg called her abusive names and threatened to yank his ads from the paper if she wrote a review; He followed Miss Bushman Into the lobby during intermission, and according to Miss Bushman, "screamed that the paper would be forced to send another reviewer; that I would crucify his show." Stromberg claims. Miss Bushman said on leaving, "Wait till you see my review tomorrow." ' Stromberg then sent a telegram to Dean McCullough, News managing editor, stating . Miss Bushman had "coughed violently and munched orangeade and disturbed the audi- ence." He added that he felt Miss Bushman's review would be preju- diced because of her .threats. McCullough ignored (he wire. Miss Bushman's review (which inciden- tally was favorable) appeared in the ■ paper. Stromberg later declared that Miss Bushman was making so much noise sipping through an empty straw that "not one line of dialog could be heard." "It was she who called me abusive names," Stromberg added. He admitted sending a wire to the Daily News, stating that he felt Miss Bushman's "prejudice against me would sway her review." When it was pointed out to him that Miss Bushman's review was favorable, he declared that he was informed by his pressagent that Miss Bushman had written a scathing re- view and that it had to. be rewrit- ten by the editor. (This is vehe- mently denied by the reviewer.) Stromberg said that he was "ac- costed by Miss Bushman's brother" (Sam Bushman, local pressagent) at Station WIP after an interview and that the latter had called him "abusive names" and demanded an apology which he wouldn't give. "However," he says, "I regret the entire incident sincerely." Old Vic Advance Guard Heralds Air-Trip Era Part of London's Old Vic company, arrived at LaGuardia Airport, N. Y., Monday (29) morning, heralding the era when theatrical troupes will make international jumps by plane. There were 26 in the party headed by Laurence Olivier, others includ- ing co-star Ralph Richardson being due today (1) and during the week. The outfit will rehearse at the Cen- tury, where a six weeks' repertory (late will start Monday (6). Scenery for. the first two plays has already been hung, having -arrived on the Queen Mary last week. Pan-American Airlines had a col- lation including liquors ready at the field for the Britishers but they im- mediately asked for tomato and fruit juices, not available over there for six years. In talking with Richard Aldrich and Beatrice Straight of Theatre, Inc.. the sponsoring outfit, Olivier pointed but 'that arrange- ments worked out so well, that Old Vic could have closed in London Saturday and opened here on Mon- day. English star was accompanied by Vivien Leigh, his wife (not in the comn.w). who is recovering from a pulmonrry ailment. "Her.:y iy," Part One. will be the .".ttraction, premiere perform- ance starting-at 8 p.m. Top for the first nights, of which there will be four, is $12, with $6 applying oh other evenings. Despite the ticket prices Old Vic date does not figure to be profitable^ Word's Koberta'0.0. Robert Milford, manager of "Show Boat" at Zlegfeld, N. Y., planes to San Francisco Saturday (4) to o.o. Edwin Lester's revival of "Roberta" which opens there May 6. Origin- ally a -Max Gordon property, after the show does three weeks in Frisco and three more in Los Angeles, it may be brought east for the summer season. Milford, dividing his time between Frisco and Hollywood, returns after one week. Equity Salary Deposits' New High, $2,200,000 Breakdown of money deposited with Equity to guarantee salaries reveals surprisingly high totals. During the fiscal year that ended March 30 over $2,200,000 • was handled in cash and securities. That figure is approximately $700,- 000 more than during the previous year and around Equity the salary guarantees are: alluded to as its "banking department" Part of the money is refunded to producers, air though some managers keep such coin on deposit with Equity Indefinitely. Not a little was checked out by the association to actors, mostly in cases of out-of-town flops. During the 1945-46 period, guar- antee deposits covered . 130 shows, those on Broadway and on the road. Not figured are attractions presented by showmen who are exempt from posting guarantees. Excessive num- ber of. tryout flops and increases in salaries explain why the salary pro- tection fund went to a new high, costly payrolls being the pertinent factor. Total does hot Include one of the costliest musical flops that did not come to Broadway. Equity 1 rules stipulate that two weeks salary must be deposited. Bois Gets 'Polonaise' Billing—a Little Late Minneapolis, April'30. Height of theatrical Irony prob- ably was attained here last week when "Polonaise," playing the Ly- ceum, prominently billed Curt Bois in its newspaper ads and had his name in bright lights on the canopy, although he had left the company in Chicago prior to its Twin City engagement. What made the incident ironical, perhaps, as far as Bois was con- cerned, was the fact that when he actually was with the show he "very seldom got billing in ads," according to his complaint with Equity, al- though his contract called for fea- ture billing. Archie Thomson, stage manager, appeared before the curtain at each performance and, announcing "changes in the programmed cast," said the part of Sgt. Zapolski would be played by T. C. Jones "because Curt Bois is no longer with us, which none of us regrets." Patrons evidently took it that Bois wasn't loo popular .with, his fellow players because the "which none of us re- grets" drew a big laugh out front. Bois chose to take a. $2,500 Equity award instead of continuing with "Polonaise." He had asked for $5,000'. Jones, his understudy, elevated from the chorus, won the critics' plaudits for his performance in the comedy lead. 'Ozarks'Rons Into Rough Weather in Spgfld. Landing Springfield, Mass., April 30. Producer Jules Pfeiffer of "Maid in the Ozarks" got himself some bumps and some publicity this week when he booked the play into the Broadway for three days starting Thursday (2). Police chief Raymond B. Gallagher sent a policewoman to preview the Show at Utlca, N. Y., and. theatre editor W. Harley Rudkin cracked the; Pfeiffer knuckles in the Daily News. Rudkin noted that the play had a $3 top, only 60c less than Katharine Cornell is asking for her presenta- tion of "Candida" and "Antigone! 1 at the Court Square next week. Said Rudkin: "You should get a . first class sii dw. for that.". Rapping the tone of the "liush- hush" advance publicity, Rudkin said that Walter Merkel of the Worcester Telegram tcld him he objected to the • show there because. it was "full of double meaning and innuendo." "I have no battle with burlesque," Rudkin added, "when it is billed as such. The people who want this type of show know what they are getting Into. What we want here is a clear idea of what we are get- ting before we start buying tickets and planning to take the family. There is a definite line of demarca- tion in the field of theatrical enter- tainment, and the ticket buying pub- lic has a right to know where th;it line Is drawn." First three-day, four-run attrac- tion in several years has been set for the Court Square theatre. Kath- arine Cornell and Sir Cedrlc Hard- wicke will do "Antigone" Mon. and Wed. evenings, May 6 and 8, and "Candida", Tues. (7) night, Wed. (8) matinee. Derwent Awards Seen As When two $500 cash prizes for the "best unfeatured supporting ac- tress and actor" were awarded last week to Barbara Bel Geddes of "Deep Are The Roots" and Paul Douglas of "Born Yesterday," reac- tion along Broadway was that the committee that made the. selections had pulled a boner. ■"' .Neither player is featured but the criticism was that both are playing leads in their respective shows and have, been accorded considerable publicity. That they are not given billing appears to be an error on the part of the two managements. When Clarence . Derwent estab- lished the prizes, his purpose was to encourage minor players or those on their way up, rather than those who had arrived; Derwent, a fea- tured actor himself, explained this as the intent of his grant, after last week's winners were named. He has suggested that next season the com- mittee, which will be newly named, should use revised considerations be- fore selecting the winners. Incidentally, the committee did make up its mind, instead of ducking the issue as did the Critics Circle in refusing to name a best play this season. Two of the judges, Lewis Nichols of the Times and Ward Morehouse of the Sun, are reviewers, Nichols being among those who voted no award. Others were Bert Lytell, Gilbert Miller, Herman Shum- lin and Margaret Webster. Prizes will be given the winners at Equity's annual meeting June 7. Stage Flaw Delays 'Annie' 3 Week Interim Switch to Pfaifly Costs 50G Bookworm Friedhnder Emil Friedlander, chairman of the board of Dazian's, N. Y. theatrical fabric house, is building the "Fried- lander Library" which will constitute an exhaustive collection of books on design, display, decoration, scenery, stagecraft, costumes and fabrics. Library upon completion will, be Open to the public. June Duprez to B'way For Repertory Sked Hollywood. April 30. June Duprez. currently working in "That Brcnnan Girl." at Republic, shoves off for the east on completion of that picture to get a legit'work- nut with the American Repertory Theatre. Season opens Sept. 27 in Prince- ton, N. J.. with "Henry VIII," slated for Broadway presentation .Nov. 4. In this drama. Miss Duprez appears with such troupers as Eva LeGal- lienne, Walter Hampden and Victor Jory. Legit Birth Pangs Stir Nebraska's Capital Lincoln, Neb., April 30. First's big-scale attempt at legit- imate theatre enterprising here rc- l suited in the filing of articles of in- corporation for Circlet theatre and a factual community theatre for Lin- coln, with only one serious drawback —housing—a problem which is ex- pected to be solved shortly. This new project will see 12 shows with 12 performances each shown during, the remainder of 1946. The- atre director . Don Carter has ■•Springtime for Henry," popularized by Edward Everett Horlon, sched- uled for June 20. Tryouts for this first production will be held shortly. Patron memberships of $10 each and sustaining memberships of S25 or more will keep the venture afloat, it is hoped,, and the theatre expects to be in no way competitive with two college players groups, which have only .short seasons and cast only uni- versity students. Producers Deny ATAM Pay Tilt On %w Blood* Claim Association of Theatrical'.Agents and. Managers huddled with the pro- ducer members of the League . of New York Theatres last week for the purpose of seeking pay increases as of next Labor Day. The producers said that until the union makes pro- vision for more elasticity in mem- bership, otherwise referred to as the mooted "new blood" factor, they will not negotiate salary tilts. Advance men and company man- agers claim the cost of living on the road has. increased 72%, but over what period of time isn't clear. ATAM asks a boost from $165 week- ly, which is the minimum set forth in the basic agreement, to $200 for press agents in New York and $250 out of town? For house and company managers on Broadway the union seeks $150 for straight plays and $175 for musicals, as against the present scale of $115 weekly. Under- stood that most road agents and company managers are receiving more than the minimum, so that move for the sdught-for tilts is part- ly academic: , ■ There was provision in the agree- ment permitting producers to name five new members to ATAM annu- ally, but it is inoperative. Some producers have complained of in- competence in agenting on vhc road, seasoned advance men replying it is the showmen's own fault for per- mitting inexperienced assistant as- sociated with New York agents' of- fices to handle such assignments when experienced agents arc avail- able. There are factions within ATAM, road men being opposed to the mul- tiplicity of jobs by Broadway agents. Amendment designed to permit new blood into the membership was re- cently defeated, but the union has o committee working on an amend- ment acceptable to all ATAM groups. Session between the producers arid ATAMers was not exactly amiable, and when one showman brought up the name of Petrillo when the pay increases were outlined, the union group angrily denied using die mu- sician union head's methods. 'Central Park' Terrif Chi Advance Tops $150,000 Chicago, April 30. With a smash $28,000 in the till for the first half-week of play, Mike Tood's "Up in Central Park" had an advance sale of slightly over $150, 000 as of Tuesday (30). It's record for Chi—with one exception, same being, of course, "Oklahoma!" Let-up in congested travel condi- tions in the midwest—plus the pub- lic's yen for musicals—is seen as the cause of the huge mail order de- mand ; for ducats, which has forced the Shubcrts-to add three additional clerks'.to the staff at.the Shubcrt theatre, where the show's playing. Some of the terrif biz was one day s mail last week, containing 952 checks and money orders. Because of the theatre's limited b.o. space, tickets arc racked four weeks-in ad- vance only, but this will be stretched out with the addition of new racks this week. It looks like a real run t6v "Park." When a backstage defect at the Imperial, N. Y., caused a three- week premiere delay , of "Annie Get Your Gun" last Thursday (25), there was something of a furore around the theatre. But when the exciter ment subsided it was evident that ' playgoers would have to take the rap as much as anyone concerned, if not more. Patrons who had been standing in line for a week and a half buying in advance, would: have to do it all over again. It was natural for the box office to be thrown into confusion, because for a time no opening date could be set. The highly touted musical, which- was shipped to Philadelphia after the; N. Y. debut was delayed, is due to bow on Broadway, May 14 or 15. Problem of the boxoffice would have been tougher but for the fact there are no theatre parties for the show, such deals, having been publicly declared out recently by Rodgers and Hammerstcin, the producers. Day before the expected opening, while scenery was being hung, a sharp report above the stage was heard. It was the snapping of a .bolt, with the result that an. eye- beam which counterweigh lines and pulleys. There were weird reports of crashing scenery but nothing fell, nor was there any damage to the production. Rodgers and-Hammer- stein stated that it was fortunate that the incident occured prior to the opening since an accident dur- ing performance might have been calamitous. . Blame ' was a matter of specula- tion, the indications being that a thorough inspection of the stage be- fore the show was moved in may have disclosed the structural weak- ness. Imperial is a Shubert house and the firm has a maintenance crew. Claimed the production is un- duely heavy but Jo Melziner, who designed "Annie," stated 7 that were adequate lines and counterweights,. pointing out that the show played New Haven and Boston -without me- chanical difficulties. Some produc- ers, however, intimated that de- signers were inclined to prefer too solid settings. When most leglters were bmllt the gridirons were designed to carry 15 tons, according to back- stage crews, but some scene de- signers appear to . have gone Hollywood In the way of heavy productions. Reported that 60,000 pounds of "Annie Get Tout Gun" settings are hang by lines, Including ak unusual amount of electrical equipment. Stated that * contract for $8,500 for labor and materials was made to strengthen the backstage structure at the Im- perial for . "Annie," supposedly before the show came In from Boston. New Job Shocker Due Hollywood. April 30. "Dawn in Lyonessc," new psycho- shocker adapted by Thomas Job from III 1 Mary Ellen Chase novel, will be produced on Broadway this, fall by Paul Feigay and Oliver Smith. Job Wrote "Uncle Harry." License of the Imperial was tem- porarily suspended pending repairs and the problem of spotting "Annie" was solved by Lee Shubert. He ar- ranged to switch "Windy City" from Phila. to Boston, where a house was available through the fast folding of :'Shootin' Star" Saturday (27). Un- derstood he assumed the cost of the "Windy" switch, that musical hav- ing been booked in Phila. for a longer period than one week. Estimated that the cost of send- i ing "Annie" out of town would en- tail around $50,000, since actors, crew and musicians were under full . pay. Actual loss of any will be figured later since it is expected that "Annie" will earn a profit in Phila. despite the sudden date. If red is entailed in the operation it will be a matter between the Shu- berls and the producers. Show has an actors', payroll, of $30,000 weekly . but that is only part of the opcrat- i ing cost. | Request was made to Equity to ; permit a salary deduction for the half-week postponed preem, but that (was refused on the .ground that the ; postponement was not the fault of i the actors, as well as fact that the crew, orchestra and all others would , be regularly paid. "Annie" is wholly : backed by 20th. Annual inspection of theatres was ; pushed ahead because of the acci- ■ dent and it's, understood that other I theatres looked over by city authbri- | ties were okayed. Licenses are is- I sued on May 1 each year and a more careful inspection is in order before renewals are issued by the license commissioner. ,