Variety (Jun 1946)

60 LBGITIMATB Vedneaday, June 26, 1946 Plays on Broadway leetlne Scnija Henlp ana Arthur M, WIrlV. pi-nlurT tluii uf -ukiillnf; mvuft In iw'o parts-. (1.'4. *«n(>!i). Sinb'Ol l>y (.'dilhrrlnc Miilefloirt: jiroitiii'tlon (llrectloii by Wllllnin )l. Btiikc. <'u9tuin«!i li>- 1.011 Rliieltmill llllly LIvlnK- xionr: sanK.t by Jamoa I.KdPfldil anil James Kartiii:neltlriRS by Rilwunl Glllicrt; llRlit- JiiR by 'KuK«n» Bmun; akntr dlrfrllfin by Mtfv Juilfrla: coniliu'tor, Pavlil MoniloKa. Ononcil at Center, X, Y;. Jurte 20. 'Ja; I-.40 ti'i>. FeoliiroO nre: FrcdOIe Trenlcler.,Joan Hyl- ^nfi. Kitiiiilt iJIcleia, The Hrulso. The rt.il- iHiilH. Cir.ire and Slaele. Frll^. DIell. 1>.iul Castle. Chiire Dalton, Jack "Ileece. James C'aeui'. Patrick KazdA, Jap Mariln. DoiiLie BrlaliU. Shirley Welwr. Rlchart Crato Eve- lyn and. Jimmy Kenny. Chicago showmen again present the skating diversion at the Rocke- feller's Center theatre. They've been .doing plenty well for the past five ycafs and- now coinc up with "Ice- time," a rink revue with flocks of beautiful costumes. Sonja H^nic and Aft Wirtz are the presenters, with Bill Biirke head of production. New rink reviie should niakc a run of it. There are novelties, newcomers, reunited teams and prodiiction num- bers one after another, the perform- ance being one of continuous; motion. Sometimes the ensemble numbers seem a bit too long but the first show ran smoothly. There was only one fall and the routine is being tight- ened up by Catherine Littlcficid, who has staged other ■ Center ice diver- sions so successfully. Joan Hyldo^t, a little blonde of the Henie type, is the femme topper, coming, fromi the Hotel New Yorker 'ce floor show. She scores best near ,. he close in "The Dream' Waltz." partnering with Fritz Dietl who is not on stilts this time. . Miss Hyldoft scores again with "Loveable You," which has the stand- but new tune, warbled by Jay Mar- tin from one of the boxes used by a mixed quartet of singers: She hais her own style of spinning and does thai trick with exceptional speed. Helga and Inge Brandt are given more to do than heretofore and are excellent skaters, scoring with a mir- ror Illusion number. Florence and Robert Ballard arc standouts with adagio in "Garden of Versailles," one of the major production numbers. Jack Reese does what seems impos- sible on skates by accomplishing a complete somersault. He was with earlier. Henie-Wirtz skating shows here before going into uniform, but did no somersaulting before. James Caesar, in a barrel^jump- ing specialty, features "Cossack Lore," tlussian production number. Something, of a novelty are Evelyn and James Kenny, with the girl do ing toe work in ballet shoes, not skates. She was formerly in the bal let at Radio City Music Hall. Buster Grace and. Charlie Slagle are a duo on stilts. Another novelty is a duel on skates. Freddie Trenkler, speediest clown on ice, is easily the best of the com- edy contributors. He was switched from next-to-closing to a similar spot before ipterniission, the Bruises with their charwornen burlesque taking the late spot. That turn was broken lip by. the war, but In reforming only three arc in actionr the fourth member of the British comedy team being in other numbers. The lads with the mops and buckets are Monet Stott, GeofTe Stevens and Sid Spalding. Miniature Paul Castle is In most numbers. "When the Minstrels Come to Town" has some of the leads in burnt cork and there are memories of.Eddie Leonard from the singers. Claire Dalton graces that interlude as Lil- lian Russell. Most of the production numbers are glided to classic music, the ■■Nutcracker" suite being used for an ensemble waltz. There is an "Old King Cole" number, accomoanl- ment. being sung by Richard Craig,- Denise Biiault and Shirley Weber. Costumes were designed by Lou Eiscle and Billy Livingston.and come mostly from former Sonja Henie "Hollywood Ice Revue.";." but Bill Bui'kc so cleverly disguised the duds that tlicy seem fresh out of Brooks and Eaves studios. /bee. 'Exercise Bowler'Gets Good London Reception • London, June 25. "Exercise Bowler,", which opened at the Scala, June 19, was splend- idly received. , It was transferred firom the Arts Theatre club; Lobby Space Available Mldtewn hettl bm dnlrobl* ip«w«, sulrabi* for ttek*» o^Mcy. Apply MMOfitr, Hehtl VIcrerIa, 7th Avt- nat and 5lt» StrwI. Mr. Winkle's Holiday Klllott Murphy proiluclloii of "Anuarott.i*' In' t-\vo nctH and 6iKht HccnoM. Staged by At White. Jr.; water liiilleia by Klihiird Ibil- lon; dliiloi:. .Maiv (Janlcla: musical Huper- vl.ilon, Lehman Kni;cl; mualc and lyrli'», Herbert Klni!«l<fy; netllni;!). Kmll HdIhK: MiiHiK-lalo |prMiliii.''er.- John Moses. Oiiimed at Kliishlni; ^^Cll<^llW!• iimphUhOiitie, Kluahlm,', .\. -v.. June L'J, 'ill: lop." Cast: Irene Carroll. Iloberl Cosden. Roily rii'kurl. Jarl; lllaho. Dorolhy Johnmin. June KurlnK. I''. Steven rorncll. Mack ■ Triplets. Ilelene Whitney. Ted Cappy, Terry I.:i.sky. Fayne and hoster.^ U'lne and Cornell; 'J4 diini loB • I'horiiii. J4 awlmmlni; chorus'. inale awlnmilnK chnrus. 1-divcrp. New York City taxpayers will get some financial relief because of the Elliott Murphy operation of the municipally-owned Flushing Mead- ows amiJhitheatrc where Billy Rose during, the World's Fair parlayed, water spectacles into a sizable for- tune. • . Murphy is now staging; what he calls an "Aquaretta,'' a two-act land and water show, with the city, in on the . operation on a guarantee and percentage bcsis. Show: itself, al- though sub-standard, is seen as get- ting a terrific .return , because of its novelty and primary appeal to the younger set. Idea of possible .profits on the curr rent operation is glimpsed by the fact that with a $2.40 top, house is geared to gross $62,000 weekly, while oper- ating nut runs. around $18,000. It therefore takes ho genius to figure out that a few good weeks will put the entire operation of the: summer on the right side of the ledger. In case of bad weather,' Murphy won't sustain any loss becausis of the fact that he's covered by insurance. Last year, with a less pretentious display, Murphy made a. few quid, and this year he's set to exceed last season's take; This time Murphy is set with a book show, "Mr. Winkle's Holiday," based on the Rip Van Winkle legend, which -will probably force many fond parents to take the kiddies there in an effort to add to.their general lore, However, the bulky book, partic- ularly in the opening iact, and long stretches of tired dialog, get in the way of the genuinely- entertaining moments afforded by the comedy div- ing exhibits and some skilled vaude acts. Original score' by Herbert Kingsley is a perfunctory and un- distinguished job. Tlie water sequences have been In- geniously staged by Richard Bolton with June Earing and F. Steven Cor. nell pacing the aqua ballets. There are no startlirigly.new ideas in these: sessions, but there's sufficient nov- elty here to maintain interest. The comedy diving sessions offer stand- ard marine gagiing which are never- .thelc.ss productive of yaks. Punchiest- moment of all is pro' vided during the intermission when a pair of unbilled swimmers bur Icsques water races. In the singing roles, Robert Cos den and Irene Carroll can't rise above mediocre songs and gab to en- hance the proceedings. Roily Pickert, in St variety of small roles, gets a chance at puckish characterizations while Jack Riano does a. likeable job dressed in a dogskin to portray Rip's constant companion. - Among the vaude acts. Lane and Clare do their familiar terp turn in which they fight for the .coimic sec- tion; Fayne and Foster aid with a bellringing act, and the Mack Trip- lets hit it off well with their songs. Amplification system here wasn't in top shape opening night and in addition performers had to'fight the almost constant. drone of overhead planes since amphitheatre is near La Guardia field. But despite deficiencies of the pro- duction which far overshadow its virtues, there's every economic ■chance that the venture will get along handsomely. Jose Plays Out of Town All tVomon 2%re— Lps Angeles, June 21. J, llnrvcy 'I'hirkoll |ir(i(lii<-liun of n>yihni- luKiciil ni.viiii.-ry In ihrcc iiclM (hik ncohcy) liy Al Yoik^ l>if»i-M Ci'HfK UoynoMa: foiiiuros IVlor Cup,. Rulli Hi>mi(n. [)lro( tod by Hob J>u Roy: aruin^TM by nirhitrd JiK'lt.son: nownx by Dorothy IMiilllpH. Opened nl }lrl:iyio, J,oh An(trU-», Juiie lift. 'M>; %:\ top. lorry Wnlker. WiiUcr e* • MIriu \Vi>sli>n , Juno Stutirt Hdubi 1^<>:i(loM..., Cnrin Morltm Chrlw Uliickioii Kvo Sluuri.... Don Siufii'l ........ MK'Unel AVIlfv Dr. WIcvon CnilK.. Molly. .John <!ooi .I'hilip Cury Jones Vivian f'arli.*r Uuth nninnn ... ..(ieorkin C'a Inc .Louise Currl^' Wininm V.i\f\\ '■ Ignore Klliotl . Rlilon Westloy. . Peter C"o , rniljr Rpynoblf* . .Kvelyn Ulypham LAR&E SELECTION OF WARDROBE TRUNKS Bended Moving & Storage 40-09 B'way Atteria. L. I. RA. 8.6015 "All Women Are^—." which was showcased here some months back in r'little theatre, under the tag of "I Give Yoii My Husband," is still little theatre, no matter how big the house it.plays in. LightweJght show, has lit- tle commercial possibility, Plot con- cerns .a married woman who has been playing around with a jewel thief.. She dies from slow poisoning in the latter's apartment after desert- ing a theatre party composed of her husband and friends. Naturally, all the suspects; assemble . at the smoothie's swank spot and it takes an act and a half, to find out who committed the murder. What makes the Al York play so deadly is the excess amount of ver- biage tossed off to build up plot back- ground and to establish just how frightfully smart all the characters are. First aV:t is especially lengthy and almost kills the show before the faithless wife gels hers. After the lethal dose takes effect. "Women" speeds, up some, but the solution is a let-down. Dialog being what Jt Is, the per- formers don't have much chance to show any ability. Craig Reynolds appears to. the best advantage bat even he has to struggle; others In the 9,ast are 4ost.' Bob Du Roy's direction 'nmbt have helped the play if he had speeded the pace, biit he . didn't, thereby adding to the numbing over- all effect, u . : Second act set of a modernistic bachelor apartment is on. a par with summer stock sets, :although not bad- ly conceived. , Dorothy Phillips' gowns are striking and tastefully done, and arc tlie.one standout. Hills. Obsession Santa Barbara, June 14. Hotnpr C*iiii-iii) pi'odurtlon, <h ntuot'lutlon Willi ltU!l..:i>;r l.l'W'la nnd llow.lld YiiuilK. ciC thrco-ncl play (one act) by Loiila VprncuH. tidnpted. from tiio Krcnch by Jnne .HIiuod. .Sttira HasII linthbone mid KuKCnle. Leunto- vli-h. Stniro-(l by Kcglnnid .Dcnh.iin: RPtlInc and Hehllil.? by Stowiirl t*hn.npy: Kown« by Aflrliin. Oppiif'd At Ibe llrdiorn. SnnlU' liiir- burn, Cal.. Juut 1». '4(1; W.UU lop. Despite magnificent mounting, "Obsession" looms as an unlikely contender either for critical or box- office honors. The production might come off the nut handsomely in-, the one-night stands, but as a long-run- ner in the major (iities it doesn't appear to be a winner. The reason for the customers turning out at all will be on the. strength of the Rath- bone name at the boxpffice—nothing else. . Originally produced in Paris in 1927 under the title of "Monsieur Lamberthier," the play has under- gone a. switch to the tag of "Jeal- ousy" and hit. the boards here in the late 20's as a vehicle for Fay Bainter and John Halliday> Albert Basser- man played it in Berlin. Jeanne Eagcls, Frcdric, March and Walter Huston did if in V film b.v the title of "Jealousy"' in 1929. All this bespeaks a nifty history. But "Obsession*" now has . value only as a museum-piece, showing wherein lie the roots of "The 'Voice of the Turtle" .,atid "The Two Mrs. Carrolls," The Verneuil show, how- ever, lias none of the entertainment values of the latter two' plays. It lacks the humor and the character depth of the newer shows. It also gets pretty monotonous with two people trying to keep the audience amused through .three acts of telling what goes on offstage most of the. time. Both Eutenie Leontovlcb and Basil Rathbone do what any performer would try to do for the play, al- though their respective accents Some- times are hard to Understand. How- ever, coupled with Reginald Den- ham's fine direction, they turn in professional performances' with the iTiaterial . at hand Denham has worked especially hard trying to (ireate the idea of movement in the talky dialog. Stewart Chaney's sCt of a Paris apartment is lavish and in good taste, albeit reminiscent of "Voice of. the Turtle?" minu<! the kitclwn. The pro- ducers expended themselves, but this play isn't the thing Huts. Louis-Conn Waltz Continued from page an empty house because of a typo- graphical error in ils ads. Paid sijace, Inslead of coming out with the ad\/erli.sed $1.50 dinner, erroneously placed the figure at "from $4.50 up." Despite the fact llial U was an open- ing night,, habiluees stayed away for the .'dinner se.ssion, but filled to capacity for the supper show, when the supposed $4.50 nick was However, despite the fact that de- creased prices might mean a lift in overall grosses, such procedure isn't deemed practical now.. Price con- trol bill due to be passed by. July 1 would curtail the effectiveness of OP A. and increase prices in every commodity. Consequently price re- ductions may. not be forthcoming for some lime. • CENSORS TABOO HEIDEIBERG 'Vienna, June 18. The operetta "I Lost My Heart in Heidelberg" by Fritz Loehher has reappeared under a new title "I Lost My Heart in 'Weiner Wald" ("In Vienna Forests"). Several weeks ago tlie censorship office de- cided that no one is to Ipse the heart to a German town and cer- tainly not a university town. Production was discontinued. Nothing was changed, except the title and now everything is.okay. Plays Abroad lireen I..au|{hler London, June 14, Jii, k do l.ciiil pi'OHf'nlnlluii nt now plHy hi tlirt'** Hi'ta liy llimf Sliiiiti; 'Kohn. Dlm-letl by Jitfiu-y At t.'uiiie<ly llienlre, Luii- doii. HeiirlPt'ia.. ItiMli I'livi'inKloii.... P.liil . ('tu-rlilHIiiit.:... Jnyi-^ Altin Mui'l'ltf'. ..;Jn;illn P.lrlhiio ...Siinitt I>)-^.Hili*i .KiHlinily Ihiwlrcy , .. .I'.ltl'lrlii c:iyn Johii Sn-cel "Green Laughter." play authored by the Americaii writer, Rose Simon Kohn, has not yet been done in America. Play was tried out at an out-of-town spot .over a year ago. Locale of play, switched from Fifth Avenue to. Piccadilly, deals with mar- riage of woman past her youth with man who is an art-yalucr. With a small cast, this has ei chance for a fair run. Story shows he niarried her pri- marily because she owned several famous paintings. When he learns these paintings belong to her uncle, he turns on her and by continually harping on her homeliness forces her to find love in the street. Which is not difficult; with the street being Piccadilly. She finds herself a man who hap- pens to be an American interested In psycho-analysis. Gradually he builds tier up into, a glamtirous woman, with the rcsuit that the husband falls in love with her. Bi.it she falls for .the American, and filially leaves her husband, who says he is broken- hearted. ... Best performance is turned, in -by John Sweet, ex-GI, who has ap- pisared here in^ several plays for the American Army, and also played the milkman , role in Jed Harris" recent "Our Town." Sweet- looks set for bigger things here,, and may hit Broadway. » Sonia DresdeJ is convincing ,is the frustrated. woman, who finds haven in this'American. At times her lines arc hardly aiudible even in this small theatre. A sparkling bit is supplied by Joslin Parlane as' Henrietta, the maid. Miss Kohn, the author, also wrote "Pillar to Post,"", which Warners made into the picture, "Pillow to Post." Rege. 4«raDd IS'ailoBal IS'lghi London, June 1-3, H. M. Tmim-nl. <'liri preHem;illtiu by Diiixij by li nd t' b.v ClHud tluiaoy: Cei-Hid l'o.n*M.... HnUs t7uule;i...... .Morion.. .; riilllp Kiiiriiiii... .loyre 1*eni-u!4t.. ... Iluii:^ Dhi-IIdi: .... I>lnl(li> CidllOM lii^peeior AyllitK. Sergeant Ulbtion. Md.. Alri: H:ie H-nd I::. P. uf new play In llivpR hi-Ih 'ainpb<^ll <!hrlHtlf. Directed Al AiKillu lliealve. Leslie B.inkfl ....... Mormlone Bntldeley .-.. .rliarlPH Cnivei* Krederli'k I'.loyil i.... .UlBn Edw:ivdO!t .Vrehlbnid Ilully llt.rnllonp Bndiloley .. ..rfinipln-ll (*onellri ... .Vliicoiil Huliinin - Not a whodunit, but more of a gripping murder mystery! Good screen, material is indicated. Locale could be ch?nged a.s well as title, only reason for which is that eyenls happen' in the vicinity and night of the great race. Slar.s' popularity en- hance play's chalices. Should be a hit. After 10 years' rhisery with a dip- somaniac wife, a husband, thinks he; has killi'sd her in a struggle whcii she attacked him ° with a paper knifei^ She had returned unexpectedly at night from the race course. Believ- ing nobody knowj of her return, he lakes her body aiid leaves it in her car in Liverpool. It is presumed she was murdered for her winnings. All sorts of clues crop up as the police try . to break the husband's statement that she never returned to their home. They are convinced she did, but can't, prove it. In reality the wounds were superficial and heart failure was the cause of death. Staunch support to the husband's story. Is given by tlic old butler who, unknown 1o his master, is the only one who kiiew the real facts. Outsvitting the police oh every bit of evidence arouses the audience's sympathy, and the long suffering man linally gels away with it. Of the fiawless cast, Leslie Banks has the be.st role he has had for years, weaving skillfully in and out of the tissue of lies and awkward situations. Hermlbne Bnddcley has the double job of enacting-Iwo char- acters—the drunken, vicious wife, and subsequently, the bouncing good- natured sister. She handles both with realism. Ch'arles Groves grabbed laureU with his portrayal of the loyal-serv- ant who tells his story, and slicks to it.^ Oiga Edwaides gives a charm- ing portrait of the girl who loves the suspected man. and for whose sake he has risked so much. . Production is smooth after a pro- vinclal toMr. - Clt;7u. The Kin|ier«r . , Budapest. June 4. A ne\v plyy In lhr.ee' H('-(h by l.'ef-eiu- M«l- iiiir. Slar.i .Marlii 'Mcii'y iind lalvuii Hulnlo. Al the VIk llienlre. Kndiipe.^l. Beto're the fiist World War. "The Guardsman," the Molnar comedy, scored a worldwide hit. The same' general subject now has been trans- ferred by the author to the era of Napoleon: He has added a little un- derground touch, filled It up with gags, but on the whole it"s not strong enough - to exlciid over three acts. The opening act is okay. In the Paris of Napoleon, the stage of a the atre is shown with the star Dcsroses' idol of the citjy, extremely Indignatit because Napoleon has turned traitor to the revolution since crowned em- peror. His wife. Amelie, heroine of the company. Is .upset because' her son is missing. Violctte, the mistress of a friend of Napoleon, arrives to tell them that their son has de- nounced Napoleon and was executed Desroscs hears that an order for his arrest has also been issued. When he tells his wife the liews, she 6oes mad.. The next scene js in the cellar or 'Violette's house. Dcsroses and the other actors' are concealed there. Arhelie is- upstairs being cxarhihcd' by a nerve specialist. Expert tells Desroiies that her case is incurable Amelie keeps repeating her fixed de-* cisioh to attract Napoleon by her charms and then kill him. The troupe learns that the police have discov- ered their hiding place. The actors adopt disguises, Dcsroses making up like.Napoleon. He'confesses to Julie that he is preparing to'sacrifice him- self to cure bis wife.. . Greatest fault of the third act'is that it is too short, making it the weakest of the play. Dcsroses. dis- guised as Napoleon., enters the cham-' ber of his mad wife. He makes love to her, and she is pleased with the success of her plan. She draws ("Na- poleon" to her and uses the dagger. Amelie is happy for she thinks she has killed Napoleon. Then, the door to the room'is broken open by sol- diers in pursuit of Desroscs. They are horrified by the sight, thinking Napoleon has been, slain. The com. manding officer immediately arrests Amelie who is charged with the iniir- der, Then Julie explains the situa- tion. The soldiers can hardly believe their eyes. In spite of good performances, the ' play is not popular with either public or critics. Biit it has some film pos- sibilities. Iiiire. I/Annonee Valie a Marie (REVIVAL) Paris,' June 18. IjAuIh Jniivet. prodiirllon itf foiir-.oi-i.driima' b.v I'aiil C'lauilel. Directed by .lonvet. BIBI71 Jttiivet; ' Ceature.H Munlgnfl Mellnnnd nnd Wundii. Scls by iKdu'ni-de. An.Mbor.v: i-ov uiiiie!) by Ann-Jnen Can-nnn: innsle by' 'llenze Massnranl. Al llie. Allienee ibeulre. :.. Monlqiln ^lellnHiiil VIolulne IMerro de Cnum. Mai-.i ;. The Mother...... .\iine \'e**(*erM.... .Ini-Qiies Hui-y.... The Mnyo!-....... The Appi*cnticc.. ...'.lean I):ilninbt WnnilR. .'..'..Siiy.iipne I'ourial ; ..1.<iiil0 '..loiivet .l.eo T.apnrr.-i . . .lleni'Ke..* H:|<'(>lMiet .... JiK'ilues .MnuclHir This play -was taken by Louis..Ton- vet on his 1942-45 South American tour, and the revival' Is interrupting for a limited number of perform- ances the current run of the smash, "Folic de Chaillbt." This is in keep- ing with the policy 'of most theatres of crowding as many different offer- ings as possible here into June and July. It introduces South American back- grounding since Jquvel u.ses the Ana- liory sets, tlie Carcano costumes, and the Massarani incidental music. In- stead of the original Maria Sclber tunes, all brought back from South America, ■"The mediaeval play., including the Catholic title, is one of ClaiidePs ver- bose efforts to bring symbolism to the story of the jcialous girl who steals the prospective husband of her saintly sister. The enthiisiaslic re- ception is due mainly to Joiivefs ex- emplary production, which oozes showmanship from every facet. Jou- vel is magnificent as the old man. His daughter is impressively done by Monique Mclinand. Wanda, as the jealous sister, gives an equally good perXonnaiicc. Of the supporting cast, special credit goes to Suzanne Coiir- tnl as the aged mother and Jean Del- main as the architect. • Maxi. Chi Critic Continued from page 1 Crawfoi'ds live,' they removed the coUple's door and boarded up the space, so that they had to enter their third-floor apartment via the., nitery—meaning through', the bar bar 'and dining room; That, accord- ing to Miss Cassidy. was just to embarrass Iterself and husband into scramming out of the building, which the ops want all to themselves. Latter have petitioned the OPA a couple of times, with no luck, going to the extreme in their last plea of saying that "with all our v4iluable properly, we can't risk the danger of loss.occasioned by the Giawfoids, their servants and guests passing through our" club.". Pair got back from a two-week vacation in N. Y. last week, where they fled, Miss Cassidy told VAiunTir. to "get away from tht showers of . plaster with Which those decor.nlors are ruining everything we own, arriving after 3 a.m. Tlie linperlal. was closed.- Crawford called the po- lice. The cops got managernJcrry Poeggel. . Poeggcl let them '*' 5 a.m.