Variety (Jun 1946)

We<ln«Ml>7< June 26, 1946 LEGITIMATE 59 Strawhat Gleanings Conllnncd troin page S8 nroductions overseas during the war One of these is Delin Rudd, ex-WAC, who was reputed to be the most pholographed member of thet corps while in Europe. The other two area summer Ihea- Vres the Olney in Maryland, and the ' Cross Roads- in Virginia, are no\y in their second week of opera- tions. Spa In 'Sprlnftime' ' Saratoga Springs, June 25. The Spa Playhouse opens under the managements of Jewell Stevens with "Springtime for Henry" to- night (25). Ten-week season will include a neW play, presented prior to the Broadway premiere. Mary Shephard, one of the Play- house principals, confirmed .same in an interview over WTRY, Troy (21). She and Ferdie Hoffman, who played the male lead and directed "Springtime;" were giiests on Mary Elizabeth Gaynors afternoon pro- gram for women. Hartford Takcii Doabl* Stack Hartford, June 23. First postwar summer stock in the. Hartford area got underway Mon- day (24) at the Grand theatre hete. Today (Tuesday) another acting company. Canton Show Shop at nearby Canton, got its feet out for a 10-week season. ' . Grand theatre opened with a reg- ular stock policy. Will rotate weekly. First three weeks of operation have already been lined up. Show playing this week is "Pursuit to Happiness," with Freddie Bartholomew. House plan$ a six-day policy, with Wednes- day and Saturday matinees. Fred Sears is hotise manager.' At Canton, a prewar strawhat, the Show Shop Is being operated again by Mr, and Mrs. Stan Cobleigh. This Is the first time that company is op- erating Equity.' Coblelghs had oper- ated for a couple t)f seasons under ■ tent' in West Hartford, across the line. MaH. Strawhat Eat Boylston, Mafs., June 25. Boylsioh Summer Theatre, under management of Alan Gray Holmes, will open 'season at this central Mass. mountain spot July • with rrhe Philadelphia Story." Don Richardson-to be resident di- rertor. C«(blaB Ta Mca»Mi Past Harrisburg, June'25. Charles F. Coghlan, director of the Gretna Playhouse strawhat troupe, currently engaged in a 10- week season at nearby Mt. Gretna, will be director of the Memphis Civic Theatre, Memphis, Tenn, dur- ing the coming fall and winter season. Goghlan recently resigned as director of the Harrisburg Com- munity Theatre. Coghlans post as director of the Harrisburg group will be filled by Richard North Gage, of Youngstown. O., who has been director of the Youngstown Playhou.se. LVIIIe'i Jair t OpcBiBf Louisville, June 2,V Iroquois Amphitheatre will reopen Tuesday, July 2, after a season shut- down due to wartime transportaUon dilflcuHies. Repertoire will include Girl Crazy," ' Sally," "Rosalie," and ?abes in Toyland." Season will open wilh Sigmund |lomberg'.s "New Moon - with Waller Cassell and Manta Farell heading cast. Technical staff includes Wiiliam ^arsons, musical director; Theodore ri.rif "^"^ director; Edward ^lark Lilley, dialog director: Rudy ^rpoks, stage manager. Denis Du- "r w managing director, and Rollo "ayne, scenic artist. Deertreei U Tee O0 . Harrison, Me.. June 25. j,.T„ l^^^u'^'''''"' w.ll open here w J k "^J"" Shining Hour." win J^'**^" Roberli directing, and ilw 7c- • "Post Road" w p^'^fM "' New York" will fol- l?r^i P^««"t ^ mu- sical program. ri,^."n^ company will In- ^ude Paula Stevens. Donald Peters. Helen Patterson, Sandra Holman and Mdy Grove. Enrica Clay Dillon will nandle mu.sicals direction, with Me- nu Bomhaid as conductor. Plttsford Debut _ Rochester, N. Y., June 25. Plttsford Summer Theatre is opening here lor first time, under direction of John Tutllo. Lloyd Hub- o<ird, Wilford Scott,; William Andia and Jack.Lavery. "Slvow-Off" will start season, June 27. Tuttle and Mae Hoch.stein will play leads, with Hubbard directing. Carrent Road Shows ■fPeriod Coueritifl June 2i-July-6). "Aniw Lucasla" — Civic, Chi. (24-6). • "Blackantu of 1»46" — El Capitaii, Hollywood (24-8). "Bloomer Girl" — Philharmonic, L. A. (24-6). "Ceme On Up"—Cass. Det. f28-6). "Follow the Girls"—Forrest, Phila. (1-6). -Ijiura"—Harris, Chi. (24-6). "Meet (he Wife"—Shubert-Lafay- ette, Det (24-29). "Merry Wives of Windsor" — Geary, L. A. (24-6). ."Obicssion" — Curran. Frisco (24- 25); Mayfair, Portland (27-28); Met., Seattle (29-6). "Oklahbmar — Billmore, L. A. (24-6). "PariaH af Happlneti"—Shubert- Lafayette, Det. (1-6). "State of the Union"—Blackstone, Chi. (24-6). "Up In Ccotrai Park" — Shubert, Chi. (24-6). "Valec af the Tarlle"—Aud.. San Diego (24-27); Aud.. Long Beach I2t>; Lobero, Santa Barbara (29); Aud., Pasadena (1); Aud., Fresno (3); Aud.. Stockton (4); Aud., Sac- ramento (9-6).' "Veke af (he Turtle"—Nat l, Wash. (1-6). 8UMMEB STOCK "ABfci street"—County, Suffern, N. Y. (25-30). "AbIbbd CracHR"— P 1 a y h o u s e, Ogunquit, Me.. (1-6). "BUthe Spirit"—Cragsmoor, Crags- moor, N. Y. (24-29). "Blithe Spirit"—Surry, Surry, Me. (24-29). "Gaadbyc AfalB"—Chapel Play, hotisc, Guilford, Conn. (29-5). "Hapa far tha Beat"-Mountain Park Casino, Holyoke, Mass. (24-29). "JvBlar MU»"—Guild Playhouse, Stamford. Conn. (24-29). "Kh« and lell"—Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope. Pa. (24-29). "MarauMa 8lBfInr"—Elitch, Den- ver.(24-29). "Mtoa LbIb Beti" — Playhouse, Woodstock. N. Y. (29-30). ^Oar TawB"—Playhouse, Worces- ter, Mass. 124-29). "Over ir—Cape, Cape May, N. J. (24-29). "ParaaH of Happlncu"—Grand, Hartford (24-29). "Py«a»«lloB" — Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Mass.. (1-6). "The Philadelphia Story"—Music Hall, dlinton. N. J. (24-29). "The PhlUdclphIa Story"—Bolton Landing, Bolton Landing, N. Y. (24- 29). , "What a Life"—Casino, Newport, H. I. (24-29). D Indies Ask Say CoBtlBaed from pace 5 dies. Stern said the court's findings contained many points favorable to the exhibs, but didn't go far enough in a number of cases. Interpreters saw a greater cleav- age growing up between indie and affiliated. operations an a result of the decision. "They pointed out that some aspects of the industry's me- chanism formerly in favor of affil- iated circuits, now were changed to favor the indies and they insisted it is more important than ever that the independents .<:taiid together against houses controlled by the ma- jors. Thealremen. in closed session from which all but indie e.shibs were bar- red, also went into the problem of 16m competition. They were advised by Allied leaders that wherever pos- sible they ought to head off narrow- gauge competition by going into the nield themselves in anjy' likely areas in, their territories. Election of officers Thursday (20) resulted in naming o( Edward Lach- maii, of Boonlon. N. J., as. president to succeed Harry H. Lowenslcioi Newark. Lowenstein rtfused to be a candidate for reelection. Simon Myers. Moorestown. N. J., and Sam Franic, Hammonton. N. J., were named : v.p.s; David Snapcr. New Brunswick, N. J,, treasurer; Morris Fogelson, Dehville. N. J., as.<;islant treasurer, and Joseph Siccardi, Plainfield, sergeant-al-arms. , Directors elected for one year terms were Louis Gold. Newark; Ralph Wilkin.s. Piimiin: Wilbur Snapcr. South River: John Marwan. Ml. Ephraim, and SicCiinli. 'Obsession' 20G, Frisco; 'Windsor' Grosses 22G San Francisco, June 25, "Obsession," with Basil Rathbone and Eugenic Leontovich, opened Sunday (16) at the Curran to only lukewarm reviews, but grossed $20,- 000. New play is here for only a 10-day run, to be followed July 1. by the Civic Light Opera's "Fortune Teller." . ~ "Merry Wives ^5f Windsor," at the Geary, opened Monday (17) to all- over raves, with particular emphasis on Charles Coburn's performance. Show grossed $22,000. It's here for four-week run. Chi Grosses Up; ?ark*42G, Topper Chicago, Jun^ 25. Cool weatKer during most" of the week sent Chi legit boxoffice takes to near-capacity. Mike Todd's . "Up in Centdaf Park" still heading the list with $42,000 after slipping to $40,000 previous week. "State of the Union" doing capacity biz with'a terrific $27,500. "Anna Luca.<tta" up to $11,000 aft4;r a one-week drop. "Laura" did a hefty $18,000 and should jump way up next week when Friday and Saturday jjer- formances v/ill have a $4.20 top. Play also adding a Sunday night show. Estimates fw Last Week "Abba Lacasta," Civic (39th week) (900; $3.60). Up to a fair $11,500. "Laara," Harris (2nd week) (1,- 000; $3.60). Terrific $19,000. "Slate af the Ualon," Blackstone (9th week) (1,360; $4.20). Steady capacity at $27,500. . ; "Dp la CcBlral Park," Shubert (10th week) (2,163; $4.80). Top- grosser in town with healthy $42,- 000. %sy'Opens to 4G,Sl L; Rain wots Prior IMary' St Louis, June 25. "Gypsy Love," set to Franz Lehar music, last presented in the Munici- pal Theatre Assn.'s al fresco play- house in Forest Park in 1927, began a seven-night run last night (Mon- day). Cooling breezes brought out an opening night mob of 10,000 that laid approximately $4,000 on the line. A newcomer,' Biriita Ramoska, soprano, shared top honot-s in the warbling stint with Mack Harrell, Met baritone. Rain on two nights forced delay of presentations of "Mary" and clipped b.O; activity for the piece which wound up its one-week en- gagement Sunday (23). The piece drew 65,000 payees, with gross esti- mated at $4,000. Gloria's'Goose'Cooked Id Boston; Folds to 7G Boston, June 25. . "Goose for the Gander," with Gloria Swanson, folded Sat. (22) after three feeble weeks. Average weekly take was $7,000. "Ten Little Indians," at - Cambridge Summer Theatre, picked up biz for $3,000 total. Boston Summer Theatre, under Cambridge management, opened auspiciously Mon. (24) with Dame May Whitty in "Night Must Fall." Cape Ann Players opened strawhat in Bass Rocks Theatre Mon. (24) with "Arms and Man," for benefit of Bedford Veterans' HospiUl. Alan Gray Holmes opens Boyl.ston Sum- mer Theatre in Boylston, July 8. Turtle'li^WD.C, To Open 4-Week Stand Washington, June 25. Unusuially heavy advance sale in- dicatt;s that "Voice of the Turtle," now in its second week at the Na- tional here, is due for an unusually successful four-week stand unless the wavie of hot weather continues. Heat will slash the National box- office since the theatre is not air- conditioned. First week's take bettered $25,000, which is more than good for the house on a $3.60 top attraction. Play is cashing in on smash reviews in all the locar dailies, plus, consider- able, word-of-mouth advertising around town. La West's 'Come On' Weak 18G (2 Weeks), Seattle Seattle. June 25. Mae West in .second week of "Come On Up." at the Metropolitan, grossed light $7,.i00. making it weak- ish $18,000 for the two weeks.-1,500- seater scaled from $3.75. Brisk seat sale is announced for Basil Rathbone in "Ob.session." op- ening June 29 for a week. "Merry Wives of Windsor." with Chiirlp.'^ Cdburn, opens July 15 for a week, with "Voice of Turtle'' (ollowihg July 22, lor two weeks. B way Easing in Seasonal Dip With Some Musicals on Doubtful List; Icetime' 22G in 4; 'Mister Up 32y2G This is the time of the year when actors take a salary cut to prolong the engagements of not a few attrac- tions on the list. As expected, at- tendance tapered last week and will continue to do for the.next three weeks, an upturn not being expected until around July 15. The Louis- Conn fight saw business somewhat off last Wednesday (19) evening but the top shows were unaffected. "Icetime" opened at Radio. City's Center theatre and drew a generally favorable press, there being a few dissenters.. "Mr. Winkle's Holiday;" a combination stage and water show in the opien air, started Saturday (22). "I Remember Mama" winds up this week and so does "Are You With It"; "This, Too, Shall Pass" faded. Estimates for Last Week 'Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drnmo), CD (Comedv-Drama), R (Revue), M (Musital), O (Operel(a). "ABDa Laeatta," MahsAeld (95th week) (D-1,041; $3.60): Down around $10,000; planrted for summer holdover with the Chicago company being routed to the road. "AbbIc Gel Taor Gub," Imperial (6th wk) (M-1.427; $6.60). Musical, which hit the Broadway buU'.seye, is destined to run all iiext season or longer; $45,000 plus. "Are Taa With It?" Shubert (1,- 382; $4.80). Final and 34th week: was doubtful of sticking aud dipped to $16,000. "AroBBd th« Warld," Adelphl (4th week) (M-1,434; $6). With theatre now equipped with cooling system, new musical has fine chance o' stay- ing iiito next season; strong except '.or midweek matinee;. $34,500 esti- mated. "BllliaB ballar Baby," Alvin (27th week) (M-1,331: $6). Has been taper- ing for some time and is on week- to-week basis; rated around $20,000. "Boni Testerday," . Lyceum (21st week) (C-993; $4.80). Max Gordon's biggest click (he owns most of it) sells out all performances and tops $21,000. "Call Me HbUr," National (10th week) (B-1,142; $6). Many parties arranged which heightens demand for tickets; no parties last week when best gross of )^2,600 was registered. "CaraucI," Majestic (62d week) (M-l,6«7; $«). Figures to run well into next season, and if house were not so large would be selling out completely. B.o. big as it is; $40,000 estimated. "Dear Hath,". Miller (80th week) (C-940; $4.20). Tickets on sale through July; down around $8,500, but evidently bettering even break. "Deep Arc the Baoto," Fulton (38th week) (D-968: $3.60). Varies some- what but still turning a profit for show and house: $10,500. "Dream GlrK" Coronet (28th week) (CD-7.037: $4.80). Eased off again last week when takings approximated S13.000, but an operating profit at that level indicated. "Harvey," 48th Street (86th week) (C-925; $4.20). Turned 'em awiiv last week even on fieht nijiht iWed.). proving strength of draw; over $9,000 weekly. "I Keracmbc.' Mama," Music Box (CD-979; $4.80). Final and 89th week; scored great run and .should repeat on the road in the fall: $12,- COO: Kurt Katch replaced Cscar Ho- molka. "leetlme," Center (1st week) (R- 2.994; $2.40). Opened la.st midweek: skatinc revues have kept this Radio City house lighted for years and looks like another run for this new- est, mostly strong press: over $22,00U in first four times. "Life With Father," Bijou (342d week) (C-614; $3.60). When visitors strcEm to town the run leader gets a share of that patron? ee; $8,500. "O MlHtreas Mtiie," Empire (2Ut week) (CD-1,082: $4.80). Will lay off after this week: resumes end of Au- au.st; standout comedy around $24,- 000. "Oklahoma!", St. James (169th week) (M-1,S09: $4.80i. Rarely is a boxoffice line absent for this one of greatest musical successes on record; apnroximately $30,000. "On Whitman Avenue." Cort (7th week) (D-1,064: $3.60). Cut-rate tickets zoomed attendance and num- ber of two-for-ones reduced: toler- ance drama improvement a surpri-se; eased a bit: $9,500. "SoBf; of Norway." Broadway ; (96th week) 10-1.900: $4.8(1). Doreen . Wil.son has replaced Irra Pctina who is on vacation: 'ong-run operetta estimated around $2.S.00O. "State of the Union." Hudson (32d .wcek) (CD-I.0.')7: S4.80i. Tickets iust as much in demand now as e;irly in the run; again ihe lop straight plav grosser; over S24..')(!0. "St. Louis Woman." Beck (I2th week) fM-1.214: $8): Some down- i ward revision of .ojjcrating nut and may be breaking oven, Ihoush dinbed to $19,000 last wi-ek. "Swan Song," Booth iHV'h week) (CD-712: $4.20). Takinfci claimed to have again approximated $6,500, which approximated an even break. "The Glass MeBaceric," Playhouse (64th week) (CD-86S; $4 20). Around $9,500; • move's' to Royale next Mon- day (1) when Laurette Taylor re- turns to cast, and should pick up: "The Voice of the Turtle," Mo- rosco (il6th week) (C-9.19; $3.60). Quoted around $11,500; which earned some profit for three-person come- dy. "This, Taa, Shall Pass," Belasco. Closed last Saturday i22) after play- ing ei^ht weeks to tepid takings. "Three to Make Ready," Broad- hurst (16th week) (R-l,ieO; $4.80). Management figures intimate reveue will play well into next .season; far- ing well at around $21,500. ■•▼'▼•is "Show Beat," Ziegfeld (24th week) iM-I, 628; $6). Expected to play well into next .season; some- what under winter and sprihe levels but rated Over $42,500; excellent at weekends. ::The Red Mill," 46th Street (35th week) (M-1,319; $4.80). One of the most successful mi'sicer revivals ia steady; takings $29,500 quoted! Nclchbarhoa4 "Gaod Nlfbt Ladles," Flatbush, Brooklyn; opened Tuesday (25). "Mr. Wtekle's BaBday." Aquarct- ta, Flushing Meadows; combination stage and water musical in open air on site of WorM's Fair; opened Sat- urday at $3.40 top. 'OKLAHONATSSGINUL; /BUCKODTS'MSTHYR. Los Angeles, June 25. Only three houses were lit for the full seven days last week, but the coin was still in pretty good shape at spols open. "Oklahoma" re- peated $38,000 for the .seventh stanza at the Biltmore. Ken Murray's - "Blackouts of 184*"' wound up its fourth year with $17,000 in the till for the 209th frame "Tobacco Road" took a nick at the Mayan to come- up with $6,000 (or the fifth stretch. "Bloomer Girl" bowed into the . Philharmonic last night (24) for four weeks. "Lady Godiva's Horse." which got a rapping from the press, took over at the Husart Wednesday (19). "All W«men Are——" lighted up the Belasco, Thursday (20) and drew faint praise. Bocks Playhouse Off To Boff5i€(2Wks.)Start New Hope, Pa.,*June 25. Bucks. County Playhouse in ils first two full weeks did bonanza biz, grossing about $5,500. plenty o.k. for 476-seat*r which has been dark for four seasons. Producer Theron Bamberger so optimistic he is planning to extend season through September if bills and stars can be found. Bamberger is searching fot a new play. Next week (1) and 'week after will star Sidney Blackmer in "You Touched Me" and "Chicken Every Sunday," both new to Philly- area. First two bills, "Blithe Spirit" and "Jason," proved s.r.o. last three nights of week and mid-week mati- nee, other performances three-quar- ters capacity. Complete s.r.o. indi- cated for Helen Hayes and Mary MacArthur in preeni of "Alice-Sit- By-the-Fire" (15). Philly Slate Blank, But 'Girls' to Usher in Summer Philadelphia, June 35. PhiUdelphia legiters were all dark last week, in some .ways a tough break as the weather was cool and almo.st fall-like until the week-end. Activity is renewed next Monday (1) when "Follow the Girl.s" re- lights the Forrest for what is dis- tinctly advertised as a limited en- gagement but which may span two months and bring house up to regu- lar fall opening. First show of the 1946-47 sea.son officially announced is "Voice of the Turtle," which bows in at the Locust Monday, Sept. 2 (Labor Day) for an extended stay. Van Druten comedy with oncinal cast was a .sen.sation here at Walnut during try-out three seasons ago. 'Maid' Snags lOG, Bake Baltimore, June 25. ■ "Maid in the Ozarks" completed a .second week at the Maryland here with a reported $10,000 for nine shows. In on a four-wall rental deal lor three weeks, opus has been sell- ing .strong and two-for-oncing liber-, ally. Hou.se. just changed over from pix, will, go dark for balance of summer, with no future p'iins an- nounced.