Variety (May 1946)

60 IAGITIMATB Wednesday, May 1945 Plays on Broadway Honrv IV. Pari 1 (BEVIVAL) O'M Vie Tln-niie Co." |i|iiilm-ii<ui nudity revival in Hirer, iii-l- l»> Sll«ll0K|ii-are. KlnBfl li> tuini'N, Rater l-'iu: r»f ilrn- Willlnnl .Mm II11111IU ''<"■■ ; si-oi»t>'. timi-ei- Pnr!is: IlKhllm:. 'John willlvini; lii-.M.- •'< >ntii;e<l l-i reicl- rnpley. .Mimli- .!■>• Herlierl .Meime*. wliu ouii'lni-H-il- sponsor May W11; <-i..i-.i . .Tin ml Ai Oeniury. N. Ulli^lllllR ItlKllI 1 -' Klli« llrni-y IV. Henry. I'rlnee oi John «.r I.ri m■ !■ -1. Kali of MVmihoi Earl «.r Warwlcl; Sir Wall.-r Itlmil . Kiirl in' Uoivi wi El'ui of Nnrlhnnil.' Henry r<-r.-> tl lolMiii.n. I,or<l Miirlliiier. v Owen IMi'iul.iwiT Kurl or l)iiiii!lii.» : ■■ Sir Rli-hanl V.-r. i.... i Sir .N1I111 1'iiIni:iIT ■'• Ttarilolnh. .. .'. polns .' • •_• rvin .......... MiiliVN. tiuli kly-. ...... Lnily IVivy Lntly Morlimvr-....... ■ Sorvnnl A Travelerl Another Trnvi-li-l'. ...... Franelf...; > • Vintner • • • Slieriir il 'flic nire ; Im-. . .Vn')i..l!f.« llnnneit Xli.llnVl While i;< l.ln Lloyd lVler Copley .Kenneth IMwar.lK .......Civil Wl|lter UeniTO Rolph ... ..NHI.'N Mullej'iin .. l.aiiieni r Olivier IhivM K.mlHli . .-.Harry AnilroiiK William Monk ..,, .Kr.nik Puiiiyin .Ralph KIcliiinlM'ii . ..Miiliael HiiKli'iu siilney Taller . .-. .llroive Rose Kn':l lllinill ,Mni'Cari-l Ij-lKhloll .... .Ulann .Mailihx Joseph .lii>""- < Vimk Ham-ill ... .'William Soplre ...:.'.. lohn Cal-lry .Kenneth K.ivvar.'.s \Vllll:m> Monk George Rclph's Worcester, Diana Maddox's brief bil as the Welsh- speaking Lady Morlimer, Harry An- drews' Glendowcr. and the others. John BurreH's staging Is remark- ably fluid; Gowcr Parks' sols are simple yet eye-flllinc. and Roger Fursels costumes match. John Sul- livan's lighting, too, is most effective. Old Vic, British non-profit rep- ertory company and England's near- est approach to a national theatre, is being sponsored during a six-week repertory of five plays in N. Y. by Theatre, Inc., itself - u non-prollt venture. Broil. This* Too, Shall Pass Rlrlin.M- Krakcur ami llnyM Shay pro- dURtliin of ili-finri 'In three no!* l>v lion Appel.. Feature,. Itulph Morgan. Kalhryiv Clvney, Sinn Wniiiiniakor. -lih-CviOil . hy Appel; 801 by Rnyihulitl Snve'y. At lli.lnsco, N. V.. April Ml. 'it: $;l.W lull. Juliet Alexander... 'Marllift Alexander... 11l\ Sloven Alexalldi i Mne" Sorrell Ruddy Alexander.'... .. ..Inn SlorllllK .Kalliryn Civney ... r.al;.li. Morgan >'nm Wiinapinker .. Waller SunKcy Opening of Old. Vic's six-week repertory season Monday (6> at . the Centurv. N. Y.. with Shakespeare s "Henry" IV." Part 1, before an au- dience of notables, society, stage arid film folk, was not. only a distin- guished event but an artistic tri- umph. The Britishers measure up fully to their advance notices (no mean achievement these. high-pressure publicity days). They make Shake- speare breathe, come alive again, on the stage. They fuse talents to- gether in an ensembte work that is remarkably smooth and polished, and that gives off glow and excite- ment which is the essence of. thea- tre. This Old Vic company is rare indeed, as rare as old wine. "Henry IV.'WParfc 1. not seen in N. Y; since Maurice Evans' 1939 Presentation, is hard stuff to make elievable on a modern stage. Strug- gle of the various factions against King Henry is confusing; the battle scenes are thin; the juxtaposition of low comedy scenes with. Falstaff against dramatic scenes of King vs. Hotspur are too constant and abrupt. It is a measure of Old Vic's bril- liance that it brings .the play off so well, to make it so vivid, exciting and credible. Great part of the success lies in the portrayals of- Falstaff and Hot- spur, which here, as tuken by Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier respectively, are superb. Olivier's Hotspur is quick, tempestuous, stut- tering in his anger, and as volatile in his love-making, for a dynamic performance. The farewell scene, with his wife (beautifully played by Margaret Leightoni is remarkably tender; the. parley scene before the battle is eloquently bitter; the duel with Prince Hal is tensely exciting. Olivier makes a terrific "Hotspur; when on stage he overshadows everybody. Yet the virtuoso performance Is Richardson'^, as Falstaff. The make up is a wonder in itself, gross, mis- shapen, almost grotesque; the por- trayal is vulgar, swaggering, gusty, • yet always human and real.. The speech about honor; the rich tavern scene, with Falstaff's alternate gloat- ing and contrition; the robbery — these arc highspots in a performance always fascinating, and certainly un equalled in our day. But again it is the ensemble work, the full cast, that truly makes Olc. Vic. as in Nicholas Hannen's King Henry, Michael Warre's Prince Hal APPLE HILL CAMP Ckildren 6.12. July * Auiilit. 38 ml. N. W. Boitul. Clurmlnt tld Itrmitond It wrtlng for this prtgrtulvo eamo. Emphuli m ptr- tlclpalion, courleiy,- uMrlimaniMp: ■•Imnlni, cram, dramatics, mo- nliln cunplni. Fm 1250. Write far btoklet. Apple Hill, E. Peppered, Maw. "DRAMATIST. EXCELLENT. RE- VIEWS ACCORDED LAST FLAY, ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A WRIT- ING JOI," ROX 10M. VARIETY, 154 W. 44TH ST., NEW YORK It. Private Detectives Confidential Invntigatiem I. Personal and Indutlrlal Berlin Investigation Service 60 Wall Street, New York S, N. Y. Suite 803 WHltekaU 4-7942 Don Appel's new play on bigotry in a midwestern town is an earnest endeavor at an honest theme. Play- wrightihg, however, never reaches level of the theme, and play never >ets off the ground. Its chances are imited. The play, though oflcn melodra- matie'does have the merit, of never being cheap.. It also: has a couple of good performances, and one or two stirring scenes, to commend it. But the work as a whole is pedes- trian, with dull, talky stretches and moments that arc- contrived, to. ne- gate its persuasive quality. The scripting just isn't there.. The story concerns two ex-GIs re- turned from the Pacific. One, a New York Jew, has saved his Gentile comrade's life. The latter invites his buddy to his home, where father, mother and sister receive the Jew kindly, warmly. The Jew and the sister have been corresponding: for three years and are in love: it takes them just a short while to discover this, and to decide to marry. Then latent anti-Semitism in the . mother comes to light, and she tries, to pre- vent the marriage. Result is the death of her son, estrangement of her husband, flight of the two lovers, and complete breakup :0f the home. If scripting at times is too pat, act- ing .of most of the characters is as often too arch. Appel's direction Is similarly high-strung. Sam Wana- maker, as the Jewish boy, gives a warm, restrained performance, while Kathryji Givney, as the mother, is also quite good. Raymond Sovcy's set makes a handsome addition. Bron. successor to Anne's chamber; the revealing of Squire Simon's parent- age of Nell Gaddls, Anne's maid of admitted loose morals—all leave the audience with the thought that play- wright Nash believed that while the connubial life of the Shakcspcarcs was of hectic nature they, were still much in love with each other. The wandering, age-fearing tempera- ment of the immortal bard would not jell with that of his acrid, shrewish, jealous bctlerhalf. Acting credits must go to the en- tire 'cast. Chattcrton and Thomson, make a very flue acting team and bring out all the possible nlinnccs of the parts of Will and Anne, Their duo appearances on the strawhat circuit before the war years hold them in good stead. Ralph Forbes as . Lewie, a farcical-tinged role, makes a fine foil for the leads. If special honors are in line, they go to Elizabeth Eustis as the wanton Nell. Richard Dyer-Bennet lends a pleasing tenor voice to the roll of the Ballad Seller. As the production now stands, n speeding up of the first act; a less farcical tendency in the second' and a good deal of cutting in the third, will result In a production that can make its way dn smart lines, good acting and. production, if not on his- torical facts. Rtiss. Play Out of Town Second Best Bed Schenectady, May 4 Ruth CImUerlun nml John llunliiiKlon pro'ducllon ot conieily In tliroc uels by N. Klchurd Nash. Slnr.s Ruth Cli'ull»i-lon: Con- turoa Harry Thomson; Kalph ForhOH. KII211- beth Euntlx, RJehanl Temple ami lllehanl Dyer-nennol. SUikoiI l>y -MIhb Cliatiorton 11ml Nnsli. HolliMK an,l roHliilncH liy Mullcy. Opened Erie. Sehenoilnily. Mwy '-III. Halldd Sollor Uii-hanl Dyer-Bonnet X C || Kllx.ilicth KudII: Fenny .".1'olor Boyno Yorlek Ralph (Julllnnn Anno. Kuth Chatloilon Lewie Ralph ForlioK Squlro Simon... Rlehanl Tomplo Win Unrry Thnmwin Master Karma- John Mi-Kec Knrmer I^sfte.... JefforMn (•ui.les Mlrhncl ■■■■ llulph Bon : Suinpler ..John Uay SAMUEL FRENCH 8INCI-: isso Play, Brokers and Authors' Representatives ta Wnt 4Mb Street, New York Sll Went Hh Strret, In Angele* N. Richard Nash, screen writer of Bing Crosby's film "Welcome Stranger" and future releases for Jack Benny ("Dark Eyes") and Ann Sheridan ("The Sentence"), has provided a comedy of successful possibilities for Ruth Chatterton and Barry Thomson. However, before these possibilities are realized, much cutting and tight- ening will be necessary. The pro- ducers, Miss Chatterton and' John Huntington (raised in Schenectady) backed by Jules Leventhal. have as sembled a cast that gives full inter- pretation to the, various characters of Lancashire folk in the turbulent life of Shakespeare and Anne Hath- away. In addition Motley has pro- vided a most .effective setting for Anne's cottage in Stratford and suit- able period costumes. Possibilities for the screen are slim as the third act exposure of the Bard's sex life could not pass the Johnston office. The use of Web- ster's polite terminology for a com moh four-letter word would be necessarily eliminated, resulting in the loss of some of the best comedy lines. Nash's play, winner of a Leland Stanford. University award several years back, depicts the tale of Anne Hathaway's final decision to have done with the immortal poet in favor of Lewie Pogges, a local light seeking the bailiff's post. - The bless ing of the souire of. the parish has been obtained and the future is rose- colored, when the Bard returns from London on one of his infrequent visits to rhrnTP t^e complexion of the plans of the shrewish Anne. A nHht of r".irtering at the local tavcri bv rhr> Mbuloiis Will; the con^eaiie^t tirdning of Lewie as his Wodehouse Explains Continued from page 2 were in some way pro-German, if not actual German propaganda. In fact, they were merely a humorous description of camp life, designed purely to amuse my American read- ers and could have been printed as they stood in any American, or Eng- lish paper. In support of this statement I should like to quote a letter I re- ceived this-morning from a man in England, a stranger to me, who said that he had been a prisoner-of-war for two and a half years and that it was reading my books that kept up the spirits of the men in his. camp. He says:— "I would like to tell you that hav- ing read your broadcasts I cannot see how anyone could possibly sec anything in the slightest pro- German or anti-British in them. But I will not give you my own opinion, I will tell you that of the late Air Marshall Boyd. I was his personal, assistant and we were pris- oners together in Italy. He read your broadcasts and gave them to me saying, 'Why the Germans ever let him say all this I cannot think. They have either got more sen.sa of humor than I credited them with or it has just slipped past the censor. There is some stuff about being packed in cattle trucks and a 'thing about Loos jail that you woidd think would send a Hun crazy. Wodehouse has probably been, shot by now.' " I think the opinion of a British Air Marshal who knew what was in the talks ought to carry more weight than that of British newspaper men who didn't, But unfortunately - it was the views of the latter that reached the public, • When, after the liberation of Paris, I notified the British author! ties of my address and my desire for an investigation, they sent over a Home Office official to whom I made a long statement. It was after ex- amining this statement carefully that first Mr. Anthony Eden and later Sir Donald Comervell, the At- torney General, stated in the House of Commons that the Government had nothing against me. Unfor- tunately in addition to my statement the Home Office official took back to -London with him my only copy of the broadcasts with the exception of the second talk, the one that deals with Loos prison (where '. spent the first week of my intern ment)i and it seems impossible to get hold of them. On Feb. 22 this official wrote to me that he was making enquiries of the appropriate authorities, but no dice as yet. But I do have the second talk, and propose to give it to Mr. de Belx (Vaiubtv's Paris correspondent) to forward to you, in the hope that you will see your way to print it. The other talks were exactly similar in tone. My internment took the form of a week in Loos prison, a week at Liege barracks, Ave weeks at the Citadel of ,Huy in Belgium, and about 10 months at Tost. in Upper Silesia, and I gave one talk to cover each phase, starting with a descrip tion of my arrest and joirrney to Loos. I think .when you see this Loos prison talk' you will agree with Air Marshal Boyd that it is pretty harmless stuff. • ♦ ♦ I wrote the above yesterday, and in the night watches I got a much better idea. I have written to my friend Scott Feldmari (address given) to take his copy of my camp book to you. Then you will be able to read that second chapter much bide Staff-Legit The Viking Press has published "The Portable Woollcott" (Alexander* with an admirable introduction by John Mason Brown. Volume include the former critic's "White Rome Burns" and "Long, Long Ago" series ? of yarns. Brock Pcmberton reviewed the book for the N. Y. Times Sun! day (5), his article being more'one of reminiscences than evaluation We called attention to the time Woolicolt was in Moscow and covered "Romo and Juliet," saying that the comment of 1032 would be just as timelv had it been written currently. The .paragraph, "Comrade Woollcott Goes to The Play," read: "It was Akimov's direction of Ophelia's mad scene which made mo rccoc. nize hini as a '..man who was playing a system—and not him alone, but all these Krcinlinitcs who with the grim relentlesshcss bt Calvihisls,' still have a great milling multitude-in .thrall. .1 suppose we arc all holding our breaths with some prayerful anxiety, mind you, because, for weal or woe, the outcome concerns.us all. The least .'we' can say is .that the'han. less Russians are: guinea pigs of a great scientific experiment, and'whether we are to.profit from it by positive example,'whether the remedy discov- ered .by those doctors be a deadly poison or another, insulin, is the ques- tion to which only children yet unborn will really'know'the answer," Ruth Chatterton, in. a backstage interview wlth-N. Richard Nash. Hollv. wood screen writer and author of "Second Best Bed," from the Eric the- atre, Schenectady, May 3, over WTRY, Troy, said that she did not plaii to bring the play about Shakespeare and his - marriage into Broadway "until early autumn." The informal interview was conducted by Mary Elizabeth Gaynor on her regular WTRY participating program for women. Miss Chattcrton said that the production would be presented in Boston and Philadelphia, after which she would take six weeks' vacation in the moun- tains of Canada. The N. Y, premiere would follow! Miss Chattcrton and Nash (who is under contract.to .-Paramount aiid has been with Warner Bros.) stressed that "Second Best Bed" is "authentic,'' even to the costumes. They made this point to assure Shakespearean, lovers. They touched on Shakespeare's only mention of his wife Anne Hathaway, in his will: "I give unto my wife my second best bed." When Broadway producers and the Assn. of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers had their first huddle ancnt salary boosts, the union pro- posed that company managers be under pay from the first day of re. hearsals.. Showmen objected to that idea arid' Arthur Hopkins asked what were the union's grounds for the proposal. Milton Weintraub ATAM sec- retary, responded by saying he wouldn't care to insult the producer's in- telligence. .Hopkins rejoined with: "Go ahead; insult me some more,'', and the point was not pressed. It appears that younger producers have been, in the habit of asking company managers to report to their offices, using them as general man- agers. Experienced showmen say the only duty for a company manager that much in advance of opening, is to make up rehearsal payrolls! Trip west of the Lawrence Langners, who left N. Y. Thursday (2) for thretb weeks, was largely oil Theatre Guild rather than Westporl (Conn!) Playhouse biz. On Coast, Langncr will complete casting of Eugene O'Neill's "The Iceman Cometh " which will, be Guild's first production next season, as well as finish casting on O'Neill's second play, "A Moon For-The Misbegotten." He'll supervise two Guild radio programs cmanat- ing,fr.om Coast, "They. Knew What They Wanted" May 12 and "Payment Deferred" (19). Agenda also includes discussions with Homer Curran on Coast Guild subscription plans and confabs with Guild authors. The Langners attended opening of "Oklahoma!" at Biltmorcy L. A., Monday (8). . Emil Friedlahder, who'started with Dazian's as an offiqe boy 40 years ago, has resigned as prcz of the theatrical fabrics Arm. George Weinberg is his successor. Latter who also has been with the company for sortie time, was in the plane that , crashed near Atlanta several years ago, when Eddie Rickenbackcr was critically injured. While Friedlander is still active in the business, he has figured in major realty deals recently, one 42nd St. property having been disposed of for $1,600,000. He owns the former Princess theatre property on 39th street, which will., be used by the American National Theatre and Academy ; and also for John Goldcn's talent auditions. American Veterans Committee, formed for. the purpose of helping to solve problems , of men and women In uniform during World War II, will have a theatrical chapter. AVC's sponsors State that the new crop of veterans has a. different agenda than the American Legion. Veterans Memorial Theatre is the latest group to be formed by. ex- servicemen. It's proposed to acquire a Broadway theatre for next sea- son for shows to be presented not more than seven nor less than three weeks, according to present plans. Those named in back^ot the idea are Larry Robinson, John ' Beal, Tony Ross, Erik Rhodes, Ray Hinckley and Leon Askin, Award of $1,000 has been granted Arthur Laurents, author of the play. "Home of the Brave," by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National. Institute, of Arts and Letters. Laurents' radio script "As; slgnment Home" previously was winner of a Vaiiiktv Award. His prize was one of 23 in literature, art and music handed out by the two insti- tutes in recognition of creative work by American artists. Annual grants were boosted from the perennial 18 to give special kudos to members of the Armed Forces, included among the winners were Langslon Hughes, author of the play "Mulatto," .playwright Irwin Shaw and composer Marc Blitzstcin, and Norman Delia Joio, ballet composer. There, was a colored actor and understudy in "Flamingo Road" which recently .flopped at the Belasco. N. Y. When the play tried but in . Wil- mington most of the cast checked into-the' duPont hotel, where it was politely stated that while there were no reservations for the colored play- ers, accommodations had been secured for them elsewhere. One of the principals declared that what was good enough, for Negroes was good enough for him, but when trying to sign in at a colored hotel, with them, he was ,told that whites were not permitted. Actor went back to the duPont and slept on a sofa. "This Too, Shall Pass" drew mild grosses after opening al the Belasco, N, Y.,.last week; but the first presentation by Dick Krakeur and David Shay is getting moral support and word of mouth should improve the box- office. Understood that $5,000 was gratuitously offered the management for the purpose of keeping the sh^v open. Stated that, the Anti-Defamation League contributed $1,000 for thai ob * jectivc, after noticing the doubtful press drawn by the drama. sooner than if I gave my copy to Mr. de Beix and he mailed it to- you. I would like you, if you have time, to glance through the whole book, as It will give you an excellent idea of the -matter of the broadcasts. There is not a word that I spoke on the radio that is not in the chapters that deal with Le Touquet, Loos, Liege, Huy and Tost. All that has happened is that I elaborated the material of the talks for book form. That is why I had no copy of the broadcasts. After writing up the stuff for the book I didn't think I would need more than my original copies. Will you please consider yourself free to use anything from the book that you think would in- terest and amuse readers of Vari^ A good specimen of the tone of the talks is Chapter 5 of the book, V»«. one that deals with Loos Prison, »r. it runs along quite straight and » self-contained. The same thing ap- plies to Chapters 6 and 7. The stun in my last talk, about Tost, is spottea about, a bit here and a bit tneie. through the- later chapters. But i repeat: if you read the book, J ou - will have read my broadcasts. P. C. Wodcltolis*.