Variety (May 1946)

Wednesday, May 8, 1946 LEGIUMATB 57 Season Barren of War-Theme Clicks; Tolerance Dramas Also Mostly Hops With the season approaching its* annual technical May 31 closing date, It may be significant that no success- ful war drama was developed. Most of the post-war plays had intolerance as their themes, gen- erally with mixed casts, and all but one failed. The trend mny ex- tend into next season but seasoned showmen are unlikely to present such dramas, regarding them as too hazardous. The so-called tolerance plays have dealt with racial problems. Most of those that didn't elicit were lauded both by the press and audi- ences, but there weren't, enough of the latter to keep them operating for more than brief interludes The tolerence dramas were presented by. newer showmen but it's questioned it their motives were altruistic,, al- though the • backers rnay be so credited. General opinion appears to be that '■such shows do not deliver diver- sion, as reflected by meagre box- office reaction. Noticed that ex- perienced producers didn't touch those . scripts, feeling that, too few theatregoers. support "movements" and would decline to attend dramas that aim to solve racial, problems. A playwright of note, in discussing the failures, said there was no logic to the theory that patrons will pay three or four dollars to witness dis- cussions that they read about almost daily in the newspapers^ for five cents. "Deep Are The Roots" is the sole winner among plays dealing with controversial questions, probably be- cause it was more cleverly written, presented and acted than the others, Although it is a hit, the play how- ever does not compare -.villi the popularity of the season's clicks of lighter stage forms. "Roots" has white and-colored players. Other mixed-cast plays which flopped in- cluded "Job," "Strange Fruit," "Walk Hard" and "A Young American." "On Whitman Avenue," also with a. mixed cast opens tonight (8), being the last of that type in sight. Another drama with a racial theme was the war-play "Hom2 of The Brave," which fared better than the others but ended in the red. During the war there was a trend toward anti-Nazi dramas,, with some notable .flopperoos. Exceptions were "Watch On the Rhine," rated the best on the theme, and "Tomorrow The' World" which also ;scored, while "Margin For Error" fared only fairly well. Jelin Helps ATAM To fractional' Wage Win Although the League of New York . Theatres stymied the Association of Theatrical Agents and Managers' first proposal for salary increases, the union reports that Max J. Jelin has agreed to pay the house manager of the Belasco at the scale sought for Broadway, and ATAM claims a fractional win. Jelin, who. leases the house and was dispossessed last year but regained possession, is not a member of the League. Union figures the arrangement for the' theatre is an omen in its favor, because the Belasco figured to. be a key house when ATAM battled the managers for the acceptance of its first basic . agreement about eight years ago. Manager's salary has been increased from' $115 to $150 and will be $175 should a mu- sical be booked in. Godfrey Not Expected Back for 'Ready* Revue Arthur Godfrey, who was forced out of "Three to Make Ready" and ordered to rest, may not rejoin the revue. Early morning radio com- mentator was m.c. in the musical and the dual job led to collapse from loss of sleep, his duties in the. show keeping him at the theatre until after 11 p.m. Godfrey was hospital- ized, which prevented him going into a new radio program late last week. He is due to leave for Vir- ginia to recuperate. His part in "Heady," which moves from the Adclphia, N. Y. to the Broadhurst, will be temporarily filled by Bob Hawk, also from radio. Ballets London Trek at 60G Loss Ballet Theatre, going off next month to London for a six-to-eight- week season In the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, won't be the first American ballet troupe to go overseas (Catherine Littlefleld's Philadelphia Ballet did it in 1937), but it will be'the first ballet group from America to be engaged by the famed London theatre. ' Company of 50, Including full troupe of 40 dancers, two conductors, technical crew, company mgr., co- directors Oliver Smith and Lucia Chase; and gen. mgr. Peter Law- rence, will leave June 20 on Queen Mary, with season's length-depending on boat connections. Max Gober- man is leaving the Broadway musi- cal, "Billion Dollar Baby," to be one of the ballet conductors. . Company will include Andre Eg- levsky, Jerome Robbins, Nora Kaye, Janet Reed, Alicia Alonzo, John Criza, Michael Kidd and other prin- cipals. Repertory of 20 ballets, in- cluding "Fancy Free," "Pillar of Fire';" "Romeo and Juliet" and ''Blue- beard"—none seen as yet in England —will be taken along. Group will be following the Sadler Wells Ballet, which just finished its season, into Covent Garden. Tour will be primarily a prestige venture, since it's estimated the trip will cost Ballet Theatre between $50,000 and $60,000 above receipts. Miss Chase, the ballet's "angel," is expected to cover the deficit. Company signed basic agreement with the union (American Guild of Musical Artists) for the 1946-47 sea- son last week, and can now negotiate with its. dancers for individual con- tractg for next season. Present con- tracts end in October. Lieberson's 'Dress' to Show "Dress of the Month," piay writ- ten by William H. Lieberson, exec ed of comic book dept. of Fawcett Publications, has been acquired for Broadway production by Charles Stewart. A three-act farce comedy, "Month" is scheduled to go into work early this summer, Co-producers with Stewart will be William C. Lengel, exec ed of True Confessions Mag, and David N. Edel- stcin, asst. U. S. district attorney. B way Legit Biz a Moot Question; Travel Tangle Looms From Coal Strike Pulitzer Choke ICS In 'States Win When "State of the Union" was named the 1945-46 prize-play win- ner' by the Pulitzer committee Mon- day (6), that group of Columbia University selectors slapped down Broadway's drama critics by indirec- tion, it was figured in show circles. N. Y. Critics Circle nearly chose the Howard Lindsay-Russel Crouse comedy as the best play of the sea- son, giving it seven votes instead of a required 10, because some review- ers back-pedaled by handing in, no award ballots. So the aisle boys fumbled by not making a choice. Circle originally started naming bests because dissatisfied with the Pulitzer selections and the Colum- bia team has been in better form ever since. Lindsay and Crouse sent .word from the Coast that the 500 bucks that is the Pulitzer prize is .small change but they felt gratified at be- ing honored. Broadway it es say that the L&C win has been long over- due and that the collaborating play- wrights should have copped with "Life With Father," which is still around. When that run record com- edy was shoved out of the winning circle it was ■■ because of Pulitzer rules. Authors are on the Warner lot su- pervising all shots of the "Father" picture, objecting principally, to be- ing forced to get up early In the morning. L&C flouted the sugges- tion that they might really get to like Hollywood by the time the pic- ture had been completed, probably in August, and want to know why they can't have standins. Authors are committed to write "Life With Mother" for Oscar Ser- lin,' "Father's" producer, but have no other writing Dlans for next sea- son. . There's a "State" on Broadway, one In Chicago, and a third Is slated .for the Coast in the fall. They'll settle for that and "Mother" for 1946-47. Keaton East For 'Lambs* Repairs As Murphy Exits Pittsburgh, May 7. Ralph Murphy, co-author with Lew Lipton of new. BonAls-Somnes show, "Lambs Will. Gamble," with- drew, from his assignment here at Nixon last week and George Somnes, co-producing with his wife, Helen Bontlls, took over. At the same time, Buster Keaton, who co-authored the - original story on which Murphy and Lipton based the play, flew in from Hollywood as a result of hurry-up call from the sponsors to see what he could do with the script. The local critical opinion was "not much." 'Bad Man'Revival With Tamiroff for Autumn A revival of "The Bad Man" is planned for early fall by Saul Abra- ham, an executive of USO-Camp Shows, and Harry Lee; manager of the N. Y. company of "Anna Lu- casta." Negotiations for Akirn Tam- iroff arc reported, the Coastite being first choice for the name part, "Bad Man" was origihally pre- sented at the Comedy, N. Y. fsincc raided) . in 1920, melodrama having a fairly successful engagement with the late Holbrook Blinn in the lead. PILGRIM PLAY FOR FAIL Elmer Harris and Esther Forbes have written a play entitled "Love and Obey," which Jean Dalrymplc will produce in the fall. Play is concerned with the quaint marriage customs. of the early Pil grims, especially the institution of bundling. . New Opera Unit Sets 20 Weeks, U.S., Can. New touring opera company. Opera for America,. Inc., has been formed for next season; with James W. Cox, well-to-do textile engineer and director of the Metropolitan Opera Guild, as prez, and Reginald S. Tonry, asst. house mgr. at N. Y. Met, as gen. mgr. Company will tour Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly" in English, starting in September, with 20 weeks already booked in Canada and U. S. by CRA Artists, Ltd. Company of artists will total 22, mostly young singers, some of them Metopcra au dilion finalists. Orchestra of 28 will accompany. Nicholas Rcscigno, Connecticut Opera Co. conductor, will be mu- sical director, and Elemcr Nagy, stage director. If tour is .successful, company plans doing two operas following season, to include N. Y. appearances. Grace Moore 'Contemplating' Rome, May 7. Grace Moore, vet Met Opera so- prano who arrived here last week for series of six concerts in Italy, has stated she was "seriously con- templating" becoming a Catholic. She had an audience with the Pope Saturday '4), which led to: reports she would be received into the Church before returning home. Singer once taur'ht Sunrfiiy school in the First Bap: 1st Church in her home town, Jcllico, Tcnu. OLD VIC GETS GALA O. WELCOME; MAY TOP 300G Except for klicg lights the Broad- way premiere of "Henry IV," Part I, by Vic company which clippered in from London last week, resem- bled' a Hollywood opening at the Century, N. Y., Monday (6). Entrance to the theatre was banked with non-ticket holders, present to lamp well knowns alighting from motors and taxis. Microphone under the canopy was in action for the British Broadcasting Co., some first nighters being asked to speak when the'.commentator was not chatting for a transcription that was designed for broadcast to London. Practically the same exterior scene was enacted Tuesday (7) when part two of "Henry IV" was given. Plays will alternate through the starting week of the six-week season. News photographers were bunched around the theatre entrance and all watched for the arrival of Vivien Leigh, ailing mate of Laurence Olivier, but she was supposed to have entered the theatre by the stage door. * Possible gross for Old Vic will lop $300,000, it is rsti'malcd, which would mean a weekly average of more than $50,000. If that pace is maintained it will top Broadway. Actors Next Year Indications arc that there will be less difficulty in securing out of town hotel accommodations fov tour- ing companies next season, what with the cooperation of out of town managers. . More than 200 letters from localities have been received in response to requests for-such aid from the United Booking Office, at the behest of producers and Equity. They promise to secure reservations in advance upon receiving advices from agents " traveling ahead ' of shows. In addition, conferences with the Travelers Aid Society appear to have been fruitful and the problems of transient actors will be on the agenda when TAS holds its, con- vention this month. That organiza- tion has been asked to obtain special housing data for colored actors who complained this season that, accom- modations were virtually impossible in some stands. That is why rail- roads have been asked to assign sleeping cars for the entire itinerary of "Carmen Jones" starting in the fall. Latter show completed a highly successful four-week return date in N.Y. at the City Center Saturday (4). Experiences of the "Shootin' Star" company in Boston and Phila. in- dicate the difficulty ■ show people sometimes have -in getting into hotels/ Stated that 35 reservations at the Hotel Statler in the Hub were cancelled, presumably because they were in a musical show; at- least that was the only explanation given. Several who did register there were told they could not remain more than three days and were forced to find other quarters for the balance of.the. week. Conventionites may have been the reason for pressure on the hotel and also in Philly. In the latter city two chorus girls returning after night rehearsals were forced to give up their room at 1:30 a. m. . Reserva- tions for some of the "Star" com- pany were made at the Walton hotel but ~the room clerk said there were none, although the press agent insisted names he submitted had been accepted at the desk. Broadway managers, usually keen observers of boxofflce trends, appear to be in quandary over business chances during the coming summer. Principal present factor is that of transportation to and out of the metropolis, two threats to rail travel looming on the eve of vacation and buyers influxes. Dual hazards are the soft coal shortage, due to the bituminous. mine strike, and the . scheduled walkout of trainmen, which could happen at the end of next week. Hotelmen report that reservations for summer are heavy but are subject to cancellations. While motor car travel has steadily increased in the year since the .war ended, its volume cannot compare with that of railroads. Same comparison applies to plane travel which too. is steadily climbing. If the coal situation is not clarified soon, N. Y. may be forced to curtail power and light services as has Chicago. Tugboat Strike Lesson Broadway hasn't forgotten the complete shutdown over Lincoln's Birthday when the tugboat strike provoked a coal shortage, and if a similar situation arises it may be for a much longer period, which would blight all theatres. Orders for train curtailment have been issued. Re- duced schedules in the midwest are bound to affect' Chicago, now on a brownout, power- rationed basis. Managers with, shows in the Loop , were in a dither over the weekend. They, too, . have worries about shows on the road being able to make jumps and some may be forced the curtail their seasons although the number of attractions on touv is dropping. However there are nearly two dozen troupes that may be called in or forced to delay dates if rail transportation continues to be con- stricted. A number of grosses dropped sharply last week because the Easter' holidays were over, the coal strike not being a contributory cause. There are 30 Broadway attractions playing, same week last year having three more, but several exited shortly thereafter. New shows during sum- mer is something of a question mark. Agency people will welcome new musicals, two being in the offing, first to arrive being "Annie Get Your Gun" , next week, put of the 11 shows holding over from last year, five are musicals.. Kantor's 'Honey' in Preem By Louisville Stock Co. Louisville, May 7. Preem of "Lady Honey," new play by MacKinlay Kantor, author of "Voice of Bugle Ann" and other novels and magazine stories, was set for presentation, by the Blue- grass Stock Co. tonight <7), at the National. Kantor has been in town all : week arranging, details of .the opening,' accompanied by his" wife, Coal Strike Snarl Nay Snag Circus Moveout Office of Defense Transportation order issued Monday (6) that cir- cuses.and carnivals are not to travel by railroad,, because of the coal situ- ation, may prevent the Ringling- Barnum and Bailey show from mov- ing from Madison Sq. Garden to Boston next Sunday (12). RBB is concluding its highest grossing sea- son at the Garden and the directive came as a wallop to the big top. Pointed out that the outfit which moves in 100 circus-owned cars in three sections, would not entail the use of coal for the Boston jump. New York, New Haven and Hart- ford line is electrified to New Haven and Diesel locomotives are generally used for the balance of the jump. When that fact was called to the attention of ODT, the reported answer was no dice, but circus peo- ple, are expectant that the present impasse will be clarified by Thurs- day (9) and plans for the Hub date have not . been revised. Surprising angle of the ODT order, is that RBB traveled during the war when trans- portation problems were the tough- est Whether the big top will be im- peded when and if the coal strike Is and has lent technical assistance to j settled, is a guess. RBB is due un- Howard Into Production Wilhc Howard and Lester A. Neu- mann, a Chi mag publisher, have formed a new producing company with plans to stage several plays oh Broadway next season. Lined up so far is a play by Rudolph Field, "Goddesses in Slacks," which will be put oii next fall. ■ Outfit Is mi , "'"P plans to revive "Girl Crazy." v ' '. starred Howard several sca.sons ago. William Hodapp, production direc- tor. Kantor. who spent two years liv- ing and flying in England with the 'ifllh Air Force as' Satcvcpost cor- respondent, has dedicated his play, Ijis first published, depicting be- tweeri-missiohs relaxation of Amer- ican and British flyers, to Lt. Wil- liam R. Bailey, of Lexington.' Ky. lost August 24. 1944 on a bombing mission over Germany. Play is based on story of an Eng- lish woman Kantor met abroad. dcr canvas in Philadelphia after the Boston engagement. Frisco On Its Toes Sah Francisco, May 7. The San Francisco Civic Ballet Assn. has just been : reorganized in an effort to promote local ballet to the prestige, level of the Frisco sym- phony and opera groups. Ballet Assn. was started in 1941, but dropped temporarily following Pearl Harbor. The lady was host to the flyers, and , c . turned her estate over to them for! Willam Chrislcnsen, local ballet a rest place. Hodapp read the play - school head, who left today i7) to when he was a major in the Air ! direct the Pittsburgh Light Opera Force and was given first claim on ' Assn. for the summer, has been ap- it after it was cleared by the War j pointed ballet director. Larry Allen; Dept. censors. I Inc., will act as business manager.