Variety (May 1946)

Wednesday, May 22, 1946 LEGITIMATE 59 R.R. Threat Washes Out G But Tark' 45%G, 'State 24y 2 G; W 9G Chicago, May 21. ♦ Week started off good but threat of a railroad strike at the weekend scared a lot of suburbanites and other out-of-towners away. "Windy ritv" opening Thurs. (16) to no- tices' ranging from excellent to noor got fair $9,000 lor first four performances. ''Merry Wives of Windsor," under Theatre Guild- American Theatre Society sponsor- ship and the Ruth Chatterton- prod'uccd "Second JBest o Bed" had clash openings Monday (20), former having $11,000 in advance- sales, be- sides regular subscribers, and latter having $5,000. ■' . "Late George Apley" moved to Cleveland for its final week with $15 000 in the poke for final Chi's stanza "Up An Central Park" re- mains the town's champ, with $45,- 600 Others were "State of the Un- ion" $24,300; "Windy Hill," $13,000; and "Anna Lucasta" $11,000. . Advances for Katharine Cornells highly-touted two weeks of .-"Can- dida" and "Antigone" are fine, and growing, especially for the first week, inasmuch, as Sir Cedric Hard- wicke will be out of the cast the second. "Laura" replaces it at the Harris June 10. Estimates for Last Week "Anna. Lucasta," Civic (34th week) (900; $3.60). Off again; $11,000 this '.""Late George Apley," Erlanger (12th week) (1,400; $3.80). $15,000 for final stanza. "Merry Wiyes of Windsor" relit Monday (20). "State of Hie Union," Blackstone (4th week) (1,360; $4.20). Building right along. Hit fine $24,300. "Up In Central Park," Shubert (5th week) (2,163; $4.60). Town's top grosser did $45,600. "Windy City," Great Northern (1,425: $4.80). Opened Thursday (16). Fair $9,000 for first four per- formances. "Wlndv Hill," Harris 11th week) (1,246; $3.60). Tol'able $13,000. Folds here Saturday (25), with two weeks of Katharine ..Cornell in "Candida" and "Antigone" due in Monday (27). . Windy City (FOLLOWUP) Chicago, May 16. Equipped with a happy ending to assuage the payees' grief following that final-curtain . suicide, at the show's bow in New Haven April 18, "Windy City" (at the Great North- ern) has all the makings of a hit- lovely tunes, ingenious staging and lighting, lively terping, crack per- formances by a handpicked cast— but it still needs plenty of rewriting. There's plenty of doubt that 'the happy ending solves, the problem. Original idea of a "play with music" in which the characters are any- thing but admirable (successful in "Pal Joey," incidentally) is a good one, but having the lead, crooner Richard Conte, recovering in "County Hospital, that butcher shop down on Harrison st.,"~ doesn't send the customers out any more satisfied than they were before. Transition from unhealthy charac- ters to reformed ones in the last few minutes is too pat, too sudden, and totally, without basis in view of what's gone before. It's got to be re-done, because it's worth saving. Registering Individual hits are Susan Miller, curvaceous femme lead, torching "As the Wind Bloweth" and "Out on. a Limb"; dancer Jerry Ross, making a terrific flying leap onstage from a tram- poline and- mopping up in the weird Katherine Dunham-designed "Reefer Man" number, finale being his dis- appearance—to in ovation—through a trapdoor, and Frances Williams in a honkytonk (circa 1933) version of "It's the Better Me." Also Conte in. the mostly unsym- pathetic role of a guy who can't get away from the pari-mutuels: Joey Adams in a "Polish melodrama" right out of burlesque that has noth- ing to do with the plot but that gets lots of laughs; Jack Diamond as an- other burley character, and Loring : Smith and Al Shean singing the catchy "Gamblers' Lullaby" in their underwear. Dancers are all topflight—better, In fact, than most of Miss Dunham's choreography, which slows down the proceedings by reprising the plot, rather than furthering it. Edward Reveaux's staging is fascinating; characters freeze and are moved off- stage in almost full view behind a scrim. Hammond organ and a chorus in the pit are also used to good ef- fect—as is the flashback method, with Conte standing to one side to explain the goings-on, a la Eddie Dowllng in "Glass Menagerie." ' Walter Jurman's music- is better than Paul Francis Webster's would- be Cole Porterish lyrics. Settings and lighting, by Jo Mielzlner. arc breath-catchers. Philip Yordan's plot and dialog, however, sag all over the joint; it seems incredible that they're bv the same guy who W'Tte "Anna Lucasta." . Phi reviews were ext'fimely vaWcd, ranfinrr all the way from a rave by the Tribune's Claudia Cas- sidy to. complete pannings by Syd N. Haven Winds Up With Ballet $6,000, 'Cyrano' 7G New Haven, May 21. What may turn out to be the Shubert's Anal week of legit this season was split between a two-night stand of ; "Ballet Russe" (14-15) and a weekend breakin of "Cyrano de Bergerac" (17-18). Former came through with an ap- proximate $6,000 on two perform- ances al $3 (tax incl.). top. "Cyrano" received optimistic press but only fair biz, pulling an estimated $7,000 at $3.60 (tax incl.) top for three performances. House has pix currently but will bring in intermittent legit when, as and if. Next actual booking is Aug. 22. METOP GROSSES 103G IN FIRST ST. LOO STAND St. Louis. May 21. Three-night stand of Metropolitan Opera Co. last week, the first local appearance in 30 years, grossed $103,000, the largest take of any comparable stand during the current tour. Of the gross. 20% or $20,600 was taken by the Government for taxes, leaving $82,400. Of the remainder the; symph society received 20% or $16:480, leaving the opera co. a net of $65,920 for salaries, traveling ex- penses, etc. Mel'i 82G, Minn. Minneapolis, May 21. Recent Metropolitan Opera com- pany engagement at Northrop Aud. under Minneapolis Symphony Or-' cheslra auspices, group's second suc- cessive visit, grossed $82,102 for four perfomances and yielded a net profit of $8,172 for the "promoters." A. J. Gaines, orchestra manager, and J. S. Lombard, head of the Univ. of Minnesota artists' course, which also utilizes . the Northrop Aud. where, the opera company played, have been instructed to book the Met again for. 1947. The profit has been, placed in a fund to be avail able for next year. The 1945 en gagement here also netted a sizable profit. Current Road Shows (Period Couering May 20-June 1) "Anna Lucasta"—Civic, Chi (20-1) "Anllfone" - "Candida" — Nat'l, Wash. (20-25). "Around the World" — Shubert, Phila. (20-25). "Blackouts of 1946"—El Capitan, Hollywood (20-1). "Bloomer Girl" — Shubert, Bost. (20-1). "Cyrano de Berjerac" — Colonial Bost. 120-1). - "Goose for a Gander"—Erlanger, Buff. (20-22); Strand, Elmira (23); Erie, Schenectady 124-25); Royal Alex., Toronto t27-l). "Hamlet" — Hartman, Columbus (20-22); English. Indianapolis (23- 25); Cass, Det. (27-1). "Harvey"—Mayfair, Portland (21) Met., Seattle (22-1). "Laffing Room Only" — Ford's Balto. (27-1). "Late George Apley" — Nixon Pills. (27-1). "Laura" — Ford's, Balto. (20-25) Nat'l, Wash- (27-1). Markova-Dolin Co. — Cass, Det. (20-25). "Merry Wives of Windsor"—Er langer, Chi (27-1). "Oklahoma!" — Biltmore, L. A (20-1). "Ring Twice Tonight"—Aud.. Oak- land (20): Aud., Sacramento (21-22) Aud., San Jose (23); Temple, Ta- coma (25): Strand, Vancouver (27 30); York, Victoria (31-1). "School for Brides" — Locust St Phila. (20-1). "Second Best Bed"—Selwyn, Chi. (20-1). "State of the Unlon'^-Blackstone, Chi. (20-1). "The Dancer" — Walnut, Phila (20-1). "Up In Central. Park"—Shubert Chi. (20-1). "Voice of the Turtle" — Geary Frisco (20-1). . "Voice of the Turtle" (2d Co.)— Plymouth, Bost! (20-1). "Windy City"—Gt. Northern, Chi. (20-1). "Windy Hill"—Harris, Chi. (20-1) Cornell Double-Header Boff DC Draw, $27,500 Washington, May 21. Katharine Cornell's double-head- er, "Antigone" and "Candida," turned in a sock $27,500 lor. Its first week at -the National. Barring a heat. wave, the modernized versions are expected to do even better for this second and last week on the basis of advance sales. Both shows have pulled a chorus of raves from the local drama desks. "Laura" opens for one week starting May 27, to be followed up by Olse'n and Johnson's "Laffing Room Only" for a fortnight com- mencing June 3. 'Bloomer's'35^G, 'Moon'NG f)G. Hub Boston, May 21. Nothing new in last week but "Dark of the Moon," which was no go at the Opera House. Musical failed to draw on return engage- ment and'closed for season Sat. (18) to reopen on Coast in fall. Opera House figured a little too big, but fact that town is baseball crazy (and Braves play nights here now) and the circus in town might have had something to do with it. Show also hit by censors, but not enough to count.- ' „ ' "Bloomer Girl" remained sellout on second week, with tickets on sale to June 1. "Laura" good and "Voice of Turtle" still amazing the rialto. Only opener this week is "Cyrano de Bergerac" at the Colonial last night (20). Estimates for Last Week Blackstone, Colonial (1,500; $2.40) —Finished fifth week at estimated $8,000, and closed up for summer. Highly profitable : run. "Cyrano" here, now.- , „ "Bloomer Girl," Shubert (1,590; $4.85) — Wham estimated $35,450, SRO on second week; big advance. "Dark of the Moon," Opera House (3,500; $3.60)—Return visit failed to catch on what with baseball, circus "and Pops offering competition; es- timated $9,000, poor. Closed here for season. .■ "Laura," Wilbur (1,300: $3.60)— Second week nice $16,000 estimated. House dark this week. "Voice of the Turtle,*^ Plymouth (1,300; $3)—Still estimated $15,000 on 22d week,, unheard of. 'OKLAHOMA!' AGAIN 32$ 'KING'GETS 43iG IN LA. Los Angeles, May 21. Street-car strike is still keeping the lid on entertainment but there should be no complaining about the take, at that. "Oklahoma!" repeated $32,000 for the second frame at the Biltmore, and should hike up over that now the Guild subscription sea- son is over. "Vagabond King' climbed to $43,500 for the second stretch at the Philharmonic, even with the gallery seats not going SRO. "Two In a Bed" shuttered at the Musart after 13 weeks, with a final stanza at $3,600, giving the produc- tion $50,700 overall take. "Blackouts of 1946" at El Capitan felt a slight drop in matinees hut still took in $17,000 for the 204th stretch. "Tobac- co Road" bowed into the Belasco Sunday night 19) for a return en- gagement. Open-Air Operetta Sked for Hollywood Los Angeles, May 21 Greek theatre, city-owned, has been leased by the Hollywood Star- light Theatre for a 12-week season of light operas and musicals, starting in July with "Two Hearts In Three- Quarters Time." New group is headed by Andrew Perenchio, of Fresno, as president, and Gene Mann as veepee, Outdoor, seating 5,000, has. been leased for $20,000 plus a participation by the Los Angeles city park dept. Plans call for six shows during July. Aug- ust and September, including "Ro- salie," "The Wizard of Oz" and "Fledermaus." Harris (News) and Bob Pollak (Times). Nobody, by the way, took offense at the slurs on Chi's sleazy South Stale St.. setting of the show: consensus, rather, was that more potshQts could have been taken without hurting the feelings of the most avid Windy Citizen. Mtke, B ways Slip StiD Showing, Most BO.'s Off; But Old Vic lops $49,000 And 'Annie Gets 22^G in First Four Conn. Strawhat Nixed Bridgeport,. May 21. Reversal of position by property owners in vicinity snafued plan of Robert McQueeney and Byron Mc Grath to operate a strawhat at Pine Brook club in Nichols this summer. Although a majority of community dwellers originally endorsed enter- prise, -subsequent campaign turned tide the other way. 'BED' SAGS TO 8<x Toronto, May 21. With Ruth Chatterton and Ralph Forbes starring, "Second Best Bed" sagged to a disappointing $8,000 at the Royal Alexandra, with 1,525- seatcr scaled at $2.50 top. Piece is-presented by Miss Chat- The strike situation is a threat to Broadway and. a deterrent to mail orders even if the labor-manage- ment quarrels are adjusted. Busi- ness has been progressively on the decline, pointing to the end of the season proper, but no violent skid- ding occurred last week and some grosses perked.' Annie Get Your Gun" drew .a wholly favorable press/most notices being raves, and it should prove the musical smash of the season's prod' uct.. Because of the delayed pre- miere, the show was sold out at least four weeks in advance. Old Vic's second week was virtual ca- pacity. "Swan Song" drew a thumbs- down press. Except the Old Vic re- vivals this week, no new show is due' except "Around the World" dated for Friday . (31) next week. Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), -D (Drama), CD. (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), M (Musical), O (Operetta). "Anna Lucasta," Mansfield (90th week) (D-1,001; $3.60). Is operating to profit, although takings are con- siderably off from the winter; $13,000. Annie Get Tour Gun," Imperial (1st week) (M-1,427; $6.60). Opened last Thursday (16), being, accorded generally fine press; can gross $44,- 500 and should attain that pace. First four times around $22,500. "Are Ton With It?", Shubert (28th week) (1,382; $4.80). Has fared well, although grosses under first, months at Century; bit off, around $22,000. "Billion Dollar Baby," Alvln (22d week) (M-1,331; $6). Slipped fur- ther to approximately $27,000, but had been well over $30,000 for some time. " "Born Testerday," Lyceum (16th week) (C-993: $4.80). Hottest straight show in town; getting all house'will hold and should keep that pace regardless of conditions; $21,000. "Call Me Mlsrer," National (5th week) (R-1,142; $4.80). Tickets how being sold far in advance, the boost in scale after May 31 not denting the demand; picked up to $28,500. "Carousel," Majestic (57th week) (M-1,667; $6). While most shows tapered, this holdover smash picked up and approximated $42,000. "Dear Ruth," Miller (75th week) (C-940; $4.20). Easing downward. Will enter summer period with some cast changes. Rated around $9,500; lowest mark to date. "Deep Are the Roots," Fulton (33d week) (D-968; $3.60). Reduced the top from $4.20 this week, eased to around $10,000 but will enter sum- mer. "Dream Girl," Coronet (23d week) (CD-1,037: $4.80). Has been sliding for several weeks with last week's count around $18,000 but still quite profitable. "Harvey," 48th Street (81st week) (C-925; $4.20). One standout that doesn't vary, with the weekly gross close to $19,000 every week. "I Bemember Mama," Music Box (94th week) (CD-979; $4.20). Last weeks are announced, as expected; as yet no successor chosen for house for summer; $14,000. "Life With Father," Bijou (337th week) (C-614; $3.60). Always gets some business; last week around $8,000 again, claimed okay. "Lute Song," Plymouth (lfith week) (D-1,063: $6). Last weeks, announced for this one too; may re- capture some of the investment on road next season: $14,500. "O Mistress Mine," Empire (16th week) (CD-1,082;j$4.80). Advertis- ing tickets for fall; show to resume after a layoff; still reported selling out; $24,000. •Oklahoma!", St. James (164th week) (M-1.509: $4.80). Gold mine holds to virtual capacity; only re- duction in visitors will hurt; rated over $29,500. "On Whitman Avenue," Cort (2d week) (D-1,064; $3.60). Now play- ing Sunday performances; mixed- cast tolerance play may have opened too late in season: -$6,000 with parties. "Song of Norway," Broadway (91st week) (.0-1,900: $4.80). Long run operetta getting fair coin in big house; last week business improved to $28,000. "State of the Union," Hudson (27th week) (CD-1,057: $4.80). Like other standouts, should not be ma- terially affected from capacity-plus pace: nearly $25,000. "St. Louis Woman," Beck (7th week) (M-1,214: $6). Matinee at- tendance not strong but evenings excellent so far;' last week some what off; around $28,000. "Swan Sonr," Booth (1st week) (CD-712; $4.20). Opened last mid week and drew bad press: chances doubtful; fair $8,500 in first five times. "The Glns.s Menagerie," Playhouse (59th w-cV) (CD-865; $4;20). Not much change in stron* business which was quoted around $17,000 last week. "The Magnificent Yankee," Royalc (17th week) (CD-1,025; $4.80). Tapered' during spring but highly regarded; last week estimated around $13,000. "The Voice of the Turtle," Mordsco (111th week) (C-939; $3.60). Off further but with gross around $12.- 000 should be'okay for house and three-person cast. ."This Too Shall Pass," Belasco (3d week) (D-1,077; $4.20). Despite closing notice, decided to continue but rated under $3,000. "Three to Make Ready," Broad- hurst (11th week) (R-l.160; $4.80). Moved here from Adelphi which was too large for musical of its type; around $26,000. OLD VIC "Oedipus" and "The CrIKc," Cen- tury (2d week) (1,670; $6). Last additions to the repertory. "Uncle Vanya" arid "Henry" last week claimed capacity, with gross nearly $49,500. . . REVIVALS "Show Boat," Ziegfeld (19th week) (M-1,628; $6). With takings around $46,000, with "Carousel" still away up. Will now contend with "Annie Get Your Gun" for top rung. "The Red Mill," 46th St. (30th week) (M-1,319; $4.80). Held up rather well last week when most others slipped and was credited with close to $31,000. "Pygmalion," Barrymore (20th week) (C-1.064; $4.80). Another week to go for one of season's most successful revivals; rated around $25,000, Room' loUPhiHy Philadelphia, May 21. Although the reviewers were by no means 100% laudatory as they had been in .the cases of "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Call Me Mister," Orson Welles' "Around the World" became a' third sockeroo musical try- out in a row here in Philly, with over $27,500 reported in seven per- formances at the Shubert. Tipped scale Friday and Saturday helped attain that figure. "Laffing Room Only," after its sen- sational nose-dive following "An- nie's" sudden visit here, closed its local stay at the Forrest Saturday night (18)—a very sudden decision. That gave the O & J piece only four weeks (plus two days), instead of expected six. Last week's biz went up some, with about $18,000 reported. The Walnut, dark last week, re- lights tonight (21) with new drama, "The Dancer," a George Abbott pro- duction, which preems here, first leg- iter to do so since "Jeb" back in February. After that it's likely the. Walnut will call it a season. "School for Brides," now in its third week at the Locust, despite critical drubbing, may stay, longer. Last week's nearly $8,500 spelled plenty of profit for this modest budg- eter. EVANS' SMASH $26,000 WINDS UP PITT SEASON Pittsburgh, May 21. Maurice Evans in "Hamlet'' gave Nixon smashing $26,000 last week at $3.60 top (incl. tax). Terrific ad- vance "sale was boosted to virtual capacity just as soon as 4he rave notices came out. Good advance campaign produced results since even gallery, which is usually off at Nixon, particularly for a show like this, had a big play through the run.' Looks like 'Hamlet" will .be the season's wind-up with "Polonaise," due in this week, being cancelled out. Todd's Fresh-Air Dane Hollywood, May 21. Mike Todd will stage an outdoor edition of "Hamlet" in the Pil- grimage theatre, starting Aug. 17. Hitherto the open-air establishment has been devoted to religious spec- tacles. Todd also has a month's commit- ment on the Hollywood Bowl and fill produce either "Mexican Hay- ride" or "Up In Central Park" there in early autumn. 'Roberta' 36G, Frisco San Francisco, May 21. Civic Light Opera revival of Jerome Kern's "Roberta," with Luba Malina, at the Curran, did $36,000 with an extra Sunday show. "Voice of the Turtle," now in 9th week at the Geary, chalked up $18,000. . Mae West, in "Ring Twice To- night," at Oakland Aud., rang up $6,800 in two days.