Variety (May 1946)

Wednesday, May 1, 1946 LEGITIMATE 67 TarkV Heady $43,000 Offsets Oris Nose-Dive; Springs' Droopy lO^G Chicago, April 30. t Everybody expected grosses to war ii'«ht after Easter; instead of that, they dipped in the^case of the tour long-runs-"Anna Lucasia to •14 000, -Deep Are the Roots" to J12200. "The Late George Apley" ?o $15,000, and "Windy Hill-to $18,- 100 "Apley" closes May 18 to make way for "Merry Wives of Windsor," and >t looks like "Hill" will be mak- ing way for "Antigone"-"Candida" about May 27. ■ ■ ■ ■ '.' •Day Before Spring," with an advance of $15,000; did a disappoint- ing $10,500 in its first weefc^-danger- ously low for r musical, and in the face of good notices, too. "Up in ■Central Park," however, .got off to a great $43,000 against capacity of. $46,000. and "On the Town," in its last stanza;'had-a last-minute rush that poosted.it up to $22,000. "State of the Union," cheered by the crix, aLso did okay in its first eight per- formances, take being 119,500. Estimates for Last Week "Anna Lncasta," Civic (31st week) (WO; $3.60). Dull week; $14,000. "Day Before Spring," Studebuker (1 246: $4.80). Despite good notices, got only $10,500 and closes Saturday * 4 "'nerp Are the 110048," Selwyn <5ih week) (1,000; $3.60). Parties helped, and $12,200 wasn't too bad. "Ob the Tawn," Great Northern (4i:v week) U.425; $4.80). Folded Saturday (27). Fine $28,000. "State »f the Union," Blackstonc (1,360; $4J0). Fine $10,500.for flrst eight performances. "The Late George Apley," Erlang- er (9th week) (1,400; $3.60). Nsg $15,000. Moves out May 18. "Up In Central Park," -Shubert (2nd week) (2,163; $4.80). Smash take of $43,000. "Windy Hill," Harris (8Jh week) (1,246; $3.60). Uh-uh $13,500. LA LIGHTS UP FIVE HOUSES;'HARVEY'26iG Los Angeles, April 30. All live legit houses are open here this week and the pickings arc healthy. Heaviest coin collector is still "Harvey" at the Biltimore which rounded out the sixth week with lush $26,. r >00. "Over 21" bowed into the Mayan Wednesday and was good for $5,500 for four days. Key Murray ; s "Blackouts of 19411" stood to its capacity $17,500 for the 201st frame- at El Capitan. "Holiday Liidy" repented a weak $3,200 in the fifth week at the Belasco. Musorls "Two In a Bed" had about $3,300 for (he 10th stretch which wasn't too good. Tolonaise' Twin-City Ron Nets $19,000 in 8 Minneapolis, April 30. "Polonaise." with Jan Kiepura, but minus Maria Eggcrth, Curt Bois and Harry Bannister, did a good $14,000 at $3.60 top for four nights and two matinees in the 2.100-scat Lyceum. Attraction was well liked here. In St. Paul for two nights show got satisfactory $5,000, giving it $19,- 000 on week. Friday night was out here because theatre had previously been leased for Durante-Moorc radio show broadcast, but show got in eight performances by playing Sun- day night in St. Paul and two Min- neapolis matinees. Bergner's 25G D.C. Repeat Washington, April 30. Elizabeth Bcrgner in 'Two Mrs. Carrolls" was very solid in second stanza within year at National, with over $25,000 for week. "Merry Wives of Windsor'.' is bound to register with Ouikl subscriptions plus steady clink at boxofficc. Charles Coburn will be ballyhoocd by Metro with no result- ing harm to. show. - Katherine Cornell's twosome, VAn- tlgone" and "Candida," splits week starting May 13. 'Song' 17G, Mil'kee _ Milwaukee, April 30. The Desert Song," with Harry Stockwell starred, came up with a $17,000 week at the Davidsdn thea- tre. Unseasonably hot weather, fol- lowed by a sudden return of win- ter, cut into business, and so did the competition of Paul Robeson, Negro singer, whose concert drew more than 5,000 to the Milwaukee Audi- torium Monday (22). 'Ruth' Sturdy 15G, Indpls. Indianapolis,.-April 30. c,-™i u '. Ruth " grossed a sturdy •J'9-000- in six days at the English 'l.-iOO) at S2.50 top April 22-27. as 1.1st new show presented at- house sii>:;e mid-January. Advanco. was fair on "Goose fur Ji>e Gander," opening 28th lor a loiir-day run. English now will stav open for Maurice Evans in "Hamlet;" set for May 23-25. 'Goose' Hangs Fairly High In St. Louis Stand at 13 jG St. Louis, April. 30. Harold J. Kennedy's comedy, "A Goose For the Gander," In which the playwright and Gloria Swanson head cast, closed a- successful one- week stand at the American, Sat- urday (27). With the 1,700 seat: house scaled to $3.05, the esti- mated gross for nine performances was $13,500. Crix went overboard with posies for piece and cast, "Dear Ruth" opened'a return one- week engagement at the American, Sunday (28). Leads in the cast are Philip Ober. Marjorie Gateson. Ran- dee Sanford and Russell Hoyt The house is scaled to $3.05 and » fair advance has been, rung up. Current Road Shows (Period Couerinp April 29-Mav 11) "Anna Lucasta" — Civic, Chi (29-11). "Annie Get Taur Gun"—Shubert, Phila. (30-11). "Antlfohe"-"Candlda"—Court Sq„ Springfield (6-8); Aud., Hartford (9- 11). • "Around the World" — Opera House, Bost. (.29-4); Shubert, New Haven (6-11). Ballet Ross* de Monte Carlo- Opera'House, New Haven (6-11). "Blacken!* »f 1946"—El Capitan, Hollywood (29-11). • Blackstone—Colonial, Bost. (29- 11). ' "Bloomer Girl"—Shubert, New Haven (29-4); Shubert. Bost, (6-11). "Dark of the Moon"—Cass, Det., (29-4); Royal Alex., Toronto (6-11). "Day Before Spring"—Studebaker, Chi. (29-11V "Dear Ruth"—Amer., St. Louis, (29-4). "Dear Ruth" (2d Co.)—Met., Providence (29)f And., Hartford (30- 1); Academy Mus., Northampton (2); Lyric, Bridgeport (3-4). "Deep Are' the Roots"—Selwyn, Chi. (29-111. "Desert Sonir"—Temple, Birming- ham (6); Aud.. Montgomery (7); Aud., New Orleans (8-11)". "Goose for a Gander"—English, Indianapolis (29-1): Town Hall, Tol- edo (2-4); Mem. Hall, Dayton (5); Hanna, Cleve. (6-11). "Hamlet"—Locust St., Phila. (29- 4): Ford's Balto. (6-1.1). '"Harvey'"—Biltmore. L. A. (29-4); Aud., San Diego (5-6); Aud., Long Beach (7): Aud., Pasadena.(8); Aud., Fresno. (10): And.. San Jose (11). . "Lading Room Only" — Forrest, Phila. t29-ll). 'Lambs Will Gamble"—Nixon, Pitts. (29-4); Walnut. Phila. (6-11). "bate George Apley"—Erlanger, Chi. (29-11). "Laura"—Walnut. Phila. (29-4); Wilbur, Bost. (6-11). "Life With Father"—Hanna, Cleve. 1.29-4). "Merry Wives of Windsor"—Nat l. Wash. (.29-11). "Oklahoma!"—Curran. San Fran- cisco (29-4); Biltmore. L. A. (6-11). "On Whitman Avenue"— Shubcrt- Lafayelte, Det. (29-4): "Polonaise"—Davidson, Milwau- kee (29-4): Amcr. St. Louis (6-11). "School for Brides"—Royal Alex., Toronto (29^4). "Second Best Bed"—Cass, Detroit (6-11). "Slate of the TJnion"—Blackstone, Chi! (29-11). "Two Mrs. Carroll's"—Ford's, Balto. (29-4); And., Hartford (6-7). "Up In Central Park"—Shubert, Chi. (29-11). "Voice of the Turtle" — Geary, Frisco (29-11). "Voice of the Turtle" (2d Co.)— Plymouth, Bost. (29-11). "Windy City" — Shubert, Boston (30-11). "Windy Hill"—Harris, Chi (29-11). fives'Takes It on Chin In Pitt With Slim 8G Pittsburgh, April 30. Shakespeare took it on the chin last week at the Nixon, where' Theatre Guild's "Merry Wives of Windsor" with Charles Coburn never got started and wound up with miserable $8,000. Was about half what Guild's flrst Shakespearean production, "Winter's Tale, did at beginning of season, but it was on subscription, and "Wives" wasn't. Nixon has a new one, "Lambs Will Gamble," this week and then goes dark, reopening May 13 with Mau- rice Evans' GI "Hamlet." Nothing booked after that and it may close the season. 'Ozarks' Weak in Mont'l Montreal; April 30. . "Maid of the Ozarks" did weak $9,200 in 1,850-scatcr His Majesty's after severe ripping by the local crix for its "bad taste." Of the play, which closed, week's run Saturday (27), one aisle-sitter said, "'Maid of the Ozarks' should have stayed there."' ■■■'.' 'Hamlet' Fine 22G, 'Laura' Fair B 1 /^ Philadelphia. April 30. Three of Philly's four legit attrac- tions hit on all four cylinders during the expected Easter week boom; the fourth was a bad also-ran. Leading the town by a wide margin was the Olsen and Johnson musical, "Laffing Room Only," which reported an edge over $34,000 in its flrst full Week at the Forrest. Show still looks good for six or more weeks although management is ad- mittedly worried . over unexpected competish of "Annie Get Your Gun" this week and next. Olsen-Johnson sale did slacken, but show should clear this hurdle without too much trouble. Last week's other tdp-notcher was Mike Todd's production of Maurice Evans' GI "Hamlet" which socked away a very healthy $22,000 in the first of two sessions at the Locust. Plenty of empty seats opening night on lower floor had some of the crix and first-nighters surprised, ' but Locust ha6 an exceptionally large orchestra and nobody was crying about attendance for week. Figured to beat last week's mark in get-awag stanza. "Laura" got divided notices, but its first of two weeks at the Walnut saw a very pleasant $13,500, name and rep of show (as a dim) and names of featured players probably turned trick. Show's chances con- sidered uncertain. "Windy" Weak-Sister • Last week's weak-sister was "Windy City,", which opened Tues- day at the Shubert and got the most adverse set of notices given any musical here this season. Word-of- mouth was unfavorable too and this "play with music" stumbled along for an unhappy $10,400 in seven per- formances and was glad to get away Sat. (27) to make room for "Annie." Management' apparently figured "City" may do better, given a clean slate up in Boston, although its chances look feeble. Entirely outside of the ticket tempest stirred up by. a local daily (Record), the big news of the occa- sion is "Annie's" unexpected book- ing due to unreadiness of Imperial, its N. Y. home. Announced in news columns Thurs. afternoon. Rodgors- Hammerstein production didn't start to advertise until Fri., but by Sat. night had an advance of over $21,000. Musical looks like a cinch sell-out even in all probability including 'its opening tonight (30), whereas Philly has been in the habit of waiting un- til after musical openings before planking down their do-re-me. Splurge over ticket-speculator al- leged grab broken by Record (with big front page story) won't hurt "Annie's" chances here. Next week brings two openings; "School for Brides" at the Locust and "Lambs Must Gamble!' at the Walnut, both in tor two-week en- gagements. On Tues. (14) Orson Welles'. "Around the. World" (with the producer-director playing a part) comes to the Shubert for five days (seven performances); Tues. (21) a new George Abbott melodrama, "The Dancer," is skedded at the Walnut. Locust and Shubert will also get bookings that week anyway, as yet un-namcd. "Second Be t Bed." Jose Ferrer's "Cyrano" and "Follow the Girls," arc listed for late May or June. B'way Biz OK With Many B.O.'s Uppsd; %terV Botf $2S,500 First Full Week; 'Carousel' 0/fi Tops, 'Carmen' 36G Broadway's business last week was okay and many goodly' in- creases were noted. There ware few extra matinees on Easter Monday (22) but those given easily sold out. Number of shows in rehearsal have steadily declined of late and there are. no summer musical plays an- nounced. One of the new musicals week when takings approximated $30,000; real coin for colored musical. "The Glass Menagerie," Playhouse. (56th week) (CD-865; $4.20). Still commands excellent business but not selling out; around $17,500 estimated. "The MagnlBcent Yankee," Royale (14th week) (CD-1,025; $4.80). Under pace of winter period but still mak- ing some coin; perked up to $17,500. "The Voice of the Tartle," Morosco ("Shoptin!'Star"), folded at tryout, U08th week) (C-939: $3.00). About BALLET 166, TORONTO Toronto. April 30. On second stanza of fortnight's engagement here of Ballet Russe dc ' Monte Carlo, troupe picked up. but still did a disappointing $10,000 at the Royal Alexandra (1,525), scaled at S3 top. First week's gross was poor $12,000. 'Lambs' Lies Down in New. Haven with 2G for Four New Haven, April 30. . Boxofficc till scraped bottom at precm of "Lambs Will Gamble" last weekend-(25-27) at Shubert. A t;ikc of approximately $2,000 on four shows at $3 (lax jncl.) top was strictly n.g. Lack of cast names, plus negative press and word-of-mouih, I was the answer. I "Bloomer Girl" holds the boards for ;i TiiM weoU <•:". 'v i2!M). 'Next v. •'•*• i- 7-11 1 "Ar: :■■'.'! ' «■ V7 • '■ '" cl Rus.sc" 'plays two niijIiUi U4-1&). relieving the booking pressure "Call Me Mister" the latest re- vue click, was close to capacity. De- layed debut of "Annie Get Your Gun" meant that no new .show's opened last week. "This Too Shall Pass" is the solo premiere this week, but coming next week are London's Old Vic in repertory and "On Whit- man Avenue." Estimates For Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), M (Musical), O (Operetta). "Anna Lncasta," Mansfield (87th week) (D-1,001; $3.60). No striking increase over Holy Week but gross picked up to better than $15,000. "Annie Get Tonr Gon," Imperial (M-1,427; $6.60). Backstage mechani- cal defect caused opesing to be set back for around three weeks; show was sent to Phila. in interimr "Antigone'' and "Candida," Cort (D-1,064; $4.80). Final and 11th week; was fairly strong; approached $18,000; dual bill goes to Chicago; "On Whitman Avenue" next week. "Apple of His Eye," Biltmore (13th week) (CD-920; $4.20) Definitely not for summer holdover; due to close in another two weeks; likely suc- cessor is "The Dancer." "Are Ton With IM" Shubert (25th week) (M-1,382: $4.80). Moved here from Century Tuesday (30); after six months' engagement, and sum- mer stay expected; jumped to $24,- 800. "Billion Dollar Baby," Alvin (19th week) (M-1,331; $6). Has been sturdy grosser from start and figured well into summer; $33,000 again. "Born Yesterday," Lyceum (13th week) (C-993; $4.80). No other, show in stronger demand in the agencies; shades $21,000, capacity. "Call Me Mister," National (2d week) (R-1,142; $4.80). Due to clean up; GI revue claimed capacity all performances and first full week around $28,500. "Carousel," Majestic (54th week) (M-1,667; $6). Jumped into lead again and registered $47,500. "Dear Ruth," Miller (72d week) (C-940; $4.20). Perked up more than most other- and claimed more than $14,000; whether it can stick through another summer is questionable. "Deep Are the Roots," Fulton (30th week) (D-968; $4.20). Improved to some degree; takings rated around $13,000;. not indicated as summer stayer. " "Dream Girl," Coronet (20 th week) (CD-1,037; $4.80). Went to $23,500 which is virtual capacity; Haila Stoddard now playing the Betty Field part: "Follow the Girls," Broadhurst (107th week) (M-1,160; $4.80). About an even break lately but improved to $21,500 last week. "Harvey," 48th Street <78lh week) (C-925; $4-20). Played extra per- formance and takings went over $21,000; steadily sells out and should maintain capacity indefinitely. "I Like It Here," Golden tC-769; $3.60). Final and 7th week; started mildly, perked a bit then slipped back; up, $7,000. "I Remember Mama," Music Box <91st week) (CD-979;. $4.20). Will continue until stars go on vacation; tours in fall. Up last week, over $17,500; not certain if house will be open through summer. , "Life With Father," Bijou (334th week) (C-614; $3.60). Went up to $10,000; excellent Sunday business a factor. Run leader will play through summer. "Lute Song," Plymouth (13th week) . (D-1,003; $0). . Cosily to operate but novelty has attracted at- tention and. should fare well on forthcoming tour; picked up to $20,000. • "O Mistress Mine," Empire (13th week) (CD-1,082; $4.80). One of the favorites sought by agency patrons and could play through into next senson but summer layoff due; $24, 500. "Oklahoma!" St. James (161st week) (M-1,509; $4.80). One of Broadway's wonders; this musical continues to clean up for backers: takings around $31,000. "Sonf of Norway," Broadway (88th week) (O-1.900; $4.80). Jumped but not certain of summer span be- cause of high operating cost; up ; S5.000 to $35,500. I "State of the Union." Hudson (24lb I week) (CD-1,057: $4.80). With road (company planted in Chicago, one of sca-''>n'.s favnriles: is Hearing six moplhs' ma.rk. Approaches $25,000 v ('■!>•. capacity ' "S\ Louis Woman," Beck <4th 'week) (M-1,214; $6). held its own last week takings ap- proximated $14,000; road companies in Boston and on Coast okay too. "This Too Shall Pass," Belasco (D- 1,077; $4.20). Presented by Richard- Krakeur and David Shay and written by Don Appeli: Liked out of town; opened Tuesday (30). "Three To Make Beady," Adclphl (8th week; 1,434; $4.80). Picked up smartly and went to $35,300; among musical leaders. REVIVALS "Show Boat," Ziegfeld (16th week) (M-1,628;. $6). Still a great grossing musical with last week's takings again quoted well over $47,000. "The Red Mill," 46th St. (27th week) (M-1,319; $4.80). Increase here best on list last week when takings approximated $40,000; played an extra matinee. "Pygmalion," Barry more (17th week) (C-1,064; $4.80). One of the strongest draws; continues to capa- city- with takings around $25,500. RETURN ENGAGEMENT "Carman Janea," City Center (3rd week) (0-2,692; $2.40). Claimed new record for house last week with tak- ings quoted over $36,000; goes to road again in fall. 'World'Bright In Hub; 2 Flop Out Boston, April 30. Three more legit -attractions took off last week, two of them faltering, the third still an unkown quantity but attracting—what with Orson Welles in the foreground — plenty of comment and commensurate biz. First was. "Bigger Than Barnum," feeble farce attempt, which ran into cross reviews and never made. a bid. Second was "Shpotin" Star," only moderately well liked by aisle sitters arid possibly coming too close to "Annie," also on the western theme, which just finished sock three week engagement. Third is "Around the World," Welles' super-production which in- cludes everything from a Couple of film projectors to a slide-for-life wire from second balcony .to stage. Originally set for Fri. opening but pushed ahead to Sat. (27), due to production difficulties. Ahead are "Bloomer Girl" at the Shubert, May 6; Ballet Russe at the Opera House same night, for .a week; "Laura" at the Wilbur, May 6; "Dark of the Moon" at the Opera House, May 13; "Second Best Bed" at the Wilbur, May 20, and "Oedipus Rex" and "The Tinker's Wedding" at Agassiz theatre, Cambridge, May 9, offered by the Harvard-Radclifce drama clubs. Estimates for Last Week "Around the World," Opera House, (3,500; $4.85). Opened Sat. night (27) for a house estimated at $5,000. Great advance on super-production and house can get about $7,000 a performance at scale. "Bigger Than Barnum," Wilbur (1,200; $3.60). Farce no go here with very low estimated $4,500. Closed Sat. (27). Blackstone, Colonial (1,500: $2.40). Second week of. magic show remain- ed at very sturdy estimated $14,000. "Shootln* Star," Shubert (1,590; $4.80). Musical failed to gain any . interest following poor notices and and highly successful run of "Annie." which more or less cov- ered the western theme for the season. Closed Sat. (27) after an estimated $15,000, lowest Shubert gross of season. "Windy City" opens here tonight (30). "This Too Shall Pass," Copley (1,200; $3.60). Final week of drama maintained even keel at $6,500. about what it did throughout run. "Voice of the Tartle," Plymouth (1,300; $3): Old faithful gained lo estimated $15,800 on 19th week. Oklahoma!' 40G in 11th, Turtle' 23G in 6th, S. F. San Francisco, April 30. "Oklahoma!," now in the . home stretch in its 11th week at the Cur- ran, is stiH a sell-out. Record-break- ing show, due to shutter here May 4, grossed its usual tremendous $40,000 last week. "Voice of the Turtle."' now in its fith week at the Geary, is still play- ing to .capacity houses. Last week, a Bit up last whooping $23,000.