Variety (Jul 1946)

WpJnegJay, July 3y ^946 LEGITOfATB 45 Bankhead-Trivate lives' Gross 11G, Conn. Strawhat Record, at Greenwich Greenwich, Conn., July 2. ♦ A record for summer stock in Connecticut, cradle of the strawhats, ^rumed'by .Tallulah Bankhead in -Private Lives"'here last week. Estimated take in WO-seat Greenwich Playhouse, for eight performances including two weak matinees, was si 1 000 Gus Schirmer, operating inverted.Aim hoase with Marjorie and Sherman Ewing, booked her for two weeks at outset but with- held announcement of a second week until Thursday (27). In 1931 Jane Cowl grossed $9,000 in "The Man With a Load of Mis- chief at the Langners' 499-seat Westport Country Playhouse for a Conn, record not topped until now. Miss Bankhead was in on a guar- antee of $3,000. This is no new high for her, since Trieron Bamberger and Richard Skinner offered her a similar figure to appear for them in their summer stand at Bellevue- Stratford hotel, Philly, two summers ago. Actress declined, commenting she "couldn't sleep in a theatre, of act in a hotel;" The Conn.. Ooce-Over. New Haven, July 2. An early-season tour of nearby strawhats reveals a mixture of vet and newcomer operators at Ivory- ton, Clinton, Guilford, Indian Neck and New Milford. At Ivoryton, Milton Slietel un- corks the 17th season of the Ivory- ton Playhouse this week with Gloria Swanson in.''Goose for the Gander." Next week brings John Carradine in "Arsenic and Old Lace," and others on the Are are Dame May Whitty in "Night Must Fall" and Edward Everett Horton in "Springtime' for Henry." House, closed during the war, has been enlarged. . At Clinton, Sam Wasserman is now in his second season as impresario at Clinton Playhouse. Last week's opening bill of Nancy Carroll in 'Two Mrs. Carrolls" drew fair biz. Current is Ralph Forbes and Adri- enne Ames in "When Ladies Meet.". Freddy Bartholomew, is due for an early date. Guilford's Chapel Playhouse is being run this year by a group headed by Lewis Harmon. Spot opened June 29 with Roger Pryor in "Goodbye Again." Jean Parker is set for next week, Diana Barrymore (Continued on page 46) NAGEL, IRENE HERVEY TOP 'STATE' ON COAST Hollywood, July 2. Conrad Nagel and Irene Hervey draw top roles in "State of the Union" Coast company, slated to open Aug. 19 at Bi It more theatre here. Leland Hayward is producing Howard . Lindsay-Russel Crouse legiter, which will play five-week engagement in Los Angeles. it) luity Rules For Swim Show Olsen-Johnson Mull 'Different' Type of Show When and if Olsen and Johnson appear on Broadway again it will be in. a . different type of show than "Hellzapoppin." They concede that the revue formula is about washed up as far as they are concerned. The same type of routines the team used in vaudeville was expanded and re- sulted; in "Hellz" being a fabulous success/Then they cleaned up, along with the Shuberts, with "Sons O' Fun," using similar material, but when used in "Laffing Room Only," it was soon evident that the roughv house-and-pistol stuff had worn. thin. "Fun" had a comparatively mild run on Broadway. Although it got big grosses on tour, when the show re- cently closed it had just about recap- tured the cost of production', around $300,000. . "LafTing" may . lour to the Coast next season but O.&J. are mulling an idea to enlarge it for bookings in arenas such as Madison Square Garden and- the Chicago Stadium. For such spots the stage would be a raised platform in the middle of the arena, with ramps leading to and from dressing and prop rooms .un- derneath. There is some question whether that, manner of presentation would be practical but the outfit would be made adaptable for show ing in auditoriums, too. Many promotional ideas are being considered, some including local par- ticipation. Figured that an arena tour could not be readied this . side .of Christmas, and it's more likely some- time next year. Johnson, who has an antipathy for the stage during, the summer, is oc- cupied with his dairy establishment, Winter Garden Farms, Carmel, N.Y. He is also opening a cafe, which puts him on par with Olsen, who has been running* a bar and grill on 40th street, N.Y.. for several years. Lat- ter is not doing too badly either, hav- ing made a realty deal recently that netted him , he says, around $160,000. Antoinette Perry Dies At 58 of Heart Attack; Star Stage Director Antoinette Perry, one of the most successful woman stagers of plays, died of- a heart attack early last Friday (28) in her Park avenue.N. Y. apartment. Her direction of the current "Haryey" for Brock Pem- berton was a major factor in the play's success. Miss Perry, in private life the widow of Frank W. FrueaufT, mil- lionaire utilities official, had been ailing for the past two years. She had been active, however, until early last week, when an asthmatic attack kept her. at home. A Christian Scientist, she declined all medical, attention. . The day before she passed away was her 58th birthday. Miss Perry, who was independ- ently-wealthy, came of a Denver Socialite family. Her husband had left a large fortune to her and their daughters, Margaret and Elaine Perry, both former actresses who re- tired- from the stage upon marriage. During World War II the crack director was constantly busy con- ducting the affairs of -the American Theatre Wing and its Stage Door Canteens. Titular head of the Wing was Rachel Crothers but Miss Perry was the motivating spirit of the overall theatrical war-service or- ganization, which continues function. Miss Perry and Pemberton lunched together almost daily at Sardi's, teaming of the director and producer over a period of years be- ing as unique as it was successful. She invariably owned a conservative share of the Pemberton attractions. While "Harvey" was their top success, there were others which rated among Broadway's bests, such as their first dual try, "Strictly Dis- honorable." That performance de- pended on timing and; Miss Perry's judgment of pace was unerring. For instance, a small green lamp was placed in the footlight trough, Miss Perry telling , the actors that if . the light was' turned on they would know the pace was wrong. She sat in the balcony with an electric light button in her hand at the premiere, but never did flash the lamp. Others to their standouts included Bway Loses Another Legit House, Golden Leased for Foreign Films LAUGHTON AS GALILEO IN TODD B'WAY PROD. Hollywood, July 2. Charles Latightdn, will top "Gali- leo," to be produced by Mike Todd on Broadway from a story by Berthold Brecht. Drama will be Laughlon's stage appearance in 10 years. first Legit Managers Face Five Pact Changes in Fall Before Broadway managers start concentrating on next season's new productions, they are scheduled to adjust five s^ts of contractural re- visions. One deals with the Drarha- to tists' Guild, while the other four con- cern that many theatre unions, so it looks like a busy summer for the League of. New: York Theatres, through which all such agreements are cleared and clarified. All the unions involved want more money, the latest to seek increases being the. treasurers and ticket- sellers, who ask for a 20% tilt Treasurers get $90 weekly, assistants $70, latter having been increased* $5 about two years ago. Basis for the boost is the rising cost of living. Waiting to negotiate for higher pay also are the Association of Theatrical Agents and Managers, the. Ushers' and Doormen's Union and that of the cleaners and porters. ATAM asks for a virtual 50% +■ Broadway Is losing another legit theatre, the John -Golden having been leased for five years by the Shuberts to new exhibitor, interests specializing in foreign-made pictures. However, there are plans for build- ing three houses in the Times square zone on the old Hippdrome site, now a parking lot. Leasing of the Golden is held by some to be Lee Shubert's reaction to the new Dram- atists Guild: contract, but recently, when provoked oyer he author's proposed revised terms, . the' mana- ger muttered a preference for rent- ing the firm's houses for radio useage. Lesse of the Golden is Marcello Girosi, head of the Supercinem'a Corp., backed by Paolino Gerli. who is in the silk and textile business. Deal was handled by Berk & Ki urn- gold, theatre realtors. House, which was first called the Masque, is one of the smallest on 45th street and is opposite the moderate-sized CBS playhouse, originally known as the Avon, but used for broadcasting for years. Idea of building on the*Hipp' site on Avenue (Sixth) Of The Americas, between 43rd and 44th streets, is dependent upon availability of build- ing materials. James W. Gardiner, young actor-manager, is named as principally interested in the plans, which call for a legiter for musicals, one for dramas and a moderate- sized concert hall. He is of a wealthy, oil family and fellow Tex- ans are said to be associates. Gardi- ner was co-producer of "Arc You With It," in association with Richard Kollmar. ■ '. Show closed at the Shu-, bert Saturday (29). There probably will be no change in the theatre lineup for 1946-47 '■ other than the Golden leasehold. The Playhouse is to be remodeled and enlarged, the policy of stage plays to be retained by Ben Marden, the new. owner, who was first re- ported having bought the property for television. Similarly, the Em- pire, which passes to' new owner- ship this month, is slated for plays percentage . sought. Anna Rosen- berg is to mediate that part of con- wiLiuueu ,tract revisions, as well as the man-■ >F „, "Kiss The Boys Goodbye" "Personal j agerial demand that the union make indefinitely. »o Mistress Mine Appearance" and "Janie." They | provision for new members. Medi- checked for the house last winter were best at light comedies, some I ator win be given, a fee, amount of , and is expected to continue through dramas, such as "Ceiling Zero," which will probably depend on the j nex t season, having played to ' length of time the negotiations con-Standees from the opening. It is sume. Cost of her services will be n0 w vacationing, split between the League, and the , Another ' dea i Was made whereby press agents and company man- lne A]vin wiU rcmajn . on the , jt agers' "Mr. Winkle's Holiday," the stage and swim show at the open-air Aquaretta, on site of the former N.Y. World's Fair grounds, is under . Equity's jurisdiction at the request of the management, although during the Fair Billy Rose's Aquacade, which was the same type of per- formance, operated under the rules of the American Guild of Variety i Artists. Some time before "Holiday" j opened Elliott Murphy asked Equity c to classify .it as legit, as the stage J portion of the show has a book, j It appears that Murphy wanted J Equity "protection" because last j T h er e are tentative plans for year^ when a. similar aquatic combin- "Polonaise" to resume on the road, anon was presented, divers "held ; witu Coast territory to be included, mm up by demanding $100 weekly j Production is in St. Louis, where the salary, or else, 15 minutes before the I operetta closed after a varied tour snow started. The divers in. "Holi- |. that included temporary stoppage in oay were required to. join Chorus I Chicago; Ja n Kiepura, who' co- ■'"'«?««' h , has 8 miniml,m -Pny.!starred with Marta Eggerth, would n J =. PC ^ L « ads in tne s | a Ke | again be the male lead. Musical re- ??^. a I < :. E< ' ult y ites bllt specialty acts ; cenl , y foIded far in lhe red . P)ans union. which appeared to have been, ahead if its time, hot getting across. In her teens Miss Perry was in- genue to David Waifield in "The Music Master" and was on her way to stardom when she wed FrUeauff in 1909. Her husband was a partner in Cities Service, a large gasoline and oil concern. She returned to the stage after his death and in 1924. ap- peared jn "Mr. Pitt,", produced by„ Pemberton. After appearing in sev- eral more plays, in 1927 she was given the lead in "The Ladder," Vinton Freedley, back from the which played two years but charged coast after having .engaged Thomas no admission. It was produced by I Mitchell to stage "The Temporary Pemberton for the fabulous Edgar jj,. s B. Davis, whose "hobby" was the Lnba Malina Doesn't Want to Be Mother Of a 17-Year-01d Gal 'Polonaise' May Be Resumed on Road list for the next five years although it was purchased by CBS last winter after its radio theatre at 53rd and Broadway (formerly Hammerstein's) was acquired by Howard S. Cullman and a coterie that planned its re- conversion to stage plays. Last I week a five-year lease on the Alvin was given to Cullman by the net- work with the stipulation that CBS continue to use the 53rd street house, which is around the corner, for a Smith," his first production i similar period. Understood there next season, now faces a casting j will be no actual rent paid in either problem which he thought had been :instance.. Transaction appears to be solved. ° {beneficial to both principals, since . . „ ,CBS does not have to make over Luba Malina was set to star m fof stu(Uo u and ■ ^e play but appears to have changed hfi ■ ^ . , er 52 TV^^- m <L .„ •■ '£! stree * house . the profit chances are didat think hat Mr.. Sm th. thej beUer j '„..,. ...... ..... mother ol a 17-year-oitl girl, wouia | e .,„„ : herself as a musical comedy come- , dienne. Last season she appeared : in "Marinka" and previously • in areAGVA. Because it is classed as legit and Plays Sundays, "Holiday" cannot give t Monday performances, that being a i stipulation in the state law that pro- , vidcs for Sundays on Broadway.' The kink in the statute has never ' been straightened out, so ail other ^Pes of attractions that play on the j Sabbath have no such restriction and do not include Harry "Bloornfield as presenter. Actor claims amounting to $700 against Bloornfield. who had op- erated the musical, have been liqui- dated by Equity, manager okaying payment from funds he had on de- posit with the union. Bloornfield, however, is contesting an arbitration therefore "are at Tn'VdTaVtVRe'over ! award of $2,500 paid by Equity to legit shows. "Icetime " the new skat- Curt Bois - who/was the show s comic, ing show at the Center is rearded Award was made in Chicago and « a Broadway attraction but docs !■confirmed by the Federal court, but not operate under Equity rule* and i it 's contended that was improper be- usually skips Mondays to give the callse of a technicality, skaters a rest. Legit regulations I . There is still $1,390 of "Polonaise" for eight times weekly but salary guarantee money in Equity's possession, that money being in contest between Krdcra) attorneys and those representing Kiepura arid Harry Bannister, who had percent- age - of - the-gross contracts with Bloornfield. Government claim is based on tax liens. study and belief in reincarnation, theme of the play. Miss Perry's eldest daughter. Mar- garet, who replaced Muriel Kirkland in "Dishonorable," is now wed to I Paul W. Fanning, having previously been married to Burgess Meredith. She "was at her ranch in Idaho when L , ■ , - u ■ . -,,„li; c i,„j i her mother died but planed into . ^Jfe 10 ?. 1 ^l'. ^.^'"f.!'^!.™ I Baby" closed. New York. Elaine Perry was stage manager of "the Barretts of Wim- pole Street." with Katharine Cor- „ w . ., „ .veil, when sent to the foxhole cir- I Mexican Haynde. cuit by the Wing, retaining that j Freedley claims Miss Malina has position when the show yas revived - a contract to appear in the play on Broadway two seasons ago. Last and on.that ground may prevent her year she married Herbert B. Stran- appearing in any other show or in ahan, former Army officer whom : pictures. Understood the actress says, she met . in Rome when 'Barretts" it was a verbal agreement and that played there.. Also surviving is she signed no contract with the Miss Perry's mother. Mrs. Minnie' manager. Hall Perry ScSoto, who resides in j "Mrs. Smith," - written by Jac- • Denver. queline . Susann and Beatrice Cole, Riles were, conducted at the is going into rehearsal next month. Unitarian Church of All Souls, N.-Y. I cast including Mischa Auer, Nicholas Tuesday i2>. the edifice being | Joy and Millard Mitchell. Thomas Alvin went dark Saturday (29), when "Billion Dollar Old Vic Set For Australian Trek jammed. There were three score of honorary pallbearers, including lead- '; ing managers and all rcprescnta I lives of show business. call _, o „ v w "Holiday" does hot" altrmpt 'aft'cr- "oons and is on a six-p;rformanct basis. _ On Monday (1), Grace Moore, In concert, was. the Aquaretta alt ac - with an orchestra background OI 50 pieces. Prep 'Colony' Revival Manteo. N. C.. July 2. Playwright Paul Green is here conferring'.with officials of the Roa- noke Island Historical Assn. on preparations for the revival of his drama. 'The Lost Colony." Greeii came here direct from Hol- lywood, where he has been script- in;;. He will discuss details of an- other historical '.play he had been in- vilod to write, ricpicling the' estab- lishment of the first permanent Eng- lish settlement at Jamestown, Va. Mitchell, vet film actor, has not been around Broadway for i.boul 10 years; he was then an actor rather than a stager. Billy Gilbert was first men- tioned to . direct. Mamoulian Forced To Nix Broadway Musical ^Hollywood. July 2. Rouben Mamoulian . h;.s had to turn down director job on "Happy Birthday," show lie v. as slated to pilot for Broadway. Mamoulian was lorccd to cancel out on the lofjl chore, when extra filming lime was allotted to "Sum- mer Holiday." music! remake "of "Ah Wilderness" at I'.elio. Sydney, June 18. Report that, Laurence Olivier and Ralph Richardson will bring the Old Vic company to Australia shortly : is viewed here as part of move to ! rebuild legit biz Down Under.. Ex- ■ pected that the government will toss [but any irksome restrictions now. > hindering importation of plays and ' players from Great Britain and the Old. Vic troupe likely will be dated via- Williamson-rait setup here. I Plane travel makes the legit biz ! easier today, with four days' flying ' time from London and three from Sin Francisco. It's-this, fast-travel that's the main appeal to ace talent -.from overseas. Fullers expect to get bark into legit biz within the next few months ' with plans for opera and revue, r.s wc,ll as legit. Sayville's 'Angel On July 9-14 the Sayvill'e tN. Y.) Playhouse shows "Angel Street" as its third presentation .of the season.