Variety (Jul 1946)

Wednesday, July 10, 1946 LEGITIMATE 53 Inside Stuff-Legit • Memories of Antoinette Perry." by Brock Pemberton, appeared in Sun- day's ii) -N. V. Times and was written in terms of an affectionate friend- shipih;vt spanned 25 years. The producer, who deeply mourned the pass- ing of the woman who staged most of his : hits, told of a chance meeting from which ripened into their managerial, association. It started when he was introduced to her late husband 1 , Frank Frueauff, who invited him -to have a drink. Pembcrlon recalls having phoned his wife, Margaret, who asked where he was. "I'm with a beautiful blonde," the produces/replied. Mrs. Pembcrlon then exclaimed: ''You come right home!" But it was the start of a long friendship between the two families. Wrote Pcmberton:- "Antoinette Perry had four-true loves—the theatre, New York, figures and human beings... .Figures were her relaxation and her .accuracy was the bane of company managers. .. .! heard her say many times she loved every stone in New York People-^nol stuffed shirts or phonies but human beings—she loved passionately... .Probably a third of her lite was given to our work, the other two-thirds to helping people individually or through the organizations she headed... .Money meant nothing to her. She was born with it, knew she'd always, have it and treated it with con- tempt. .. she could never pass a derelict without slipping him a bill... Once she handed me a. promissory note for $25,000, although I had never lent it to her, with the remark: "If anything should happen to me and you should be hard up, just present-this to my estate." Manager said that probably the most exciting 1 night of her life was the London opening of "Strictly Dishonorable," when, her daughter Margaret: made her debut at the. age of 16 to a cheering premiere audience. Elaine Perry, her youngest. daughter, is due to join Pemberton's staff as stage manager and eventuaJly to direct plays. Honorary pallbearers at Miss Perry's funeral last week totaled 45, repre- senting every branch of show business, the number being exceeded only when George M. Cohan passed away, ' - Brooks'Atkinson, former N. Y. Times drama critic back from Europe, has started a scries of articles on Russia for the daily, first having ap- peared Sunday .(7). He indicates an unfavorable impression of that coun- try. Drew Middleton, who succeeded him as Moscow correspondent for the Times, had a yarn in the magazine section on the same day, indicating he is fascinated by that city. In Monday's (8) contribution Atkinson wrote: "The general level of the theatre (in Moscow), art and. music is low—and I suspect that many writers, actors and musicians realize it On the whole there is no vitality in the arts;, they are reactionary and moribund. Under the dead weight of political control there is little opportunity .for individual enterprise and expedient It seems to me that Soviet art contains just as much hokum and bathos as ours, without producing occasional works of orig- inality that compensate for the failures. The combination of isolationism and totalitarianism has resulted in the death of new ideas." Atkinson's Russian views will be published in book form. Orson Welles'' capacity for continuous work has surprised the staff of "Around the World," and sometimes they arc unable to maintain the pace he sets for them. Recently, on his regular Sunday afternoon broadcast, Welles read from the Bible, without explanation, although the program is supposed to be a political commentary, After a Saturday night, performance of "World" he dictated copy for his talk which goes on at 1:15 p.m., but his secretary was 60 exhausted that, instead of typing .'the matter in the morning, he failed to awake until four o'clock that afternoon. Welles is an apt adlibber on the stage, but decided that wouldn't do for politics. So he proceeded to read passages from Genesis. Arthur Margetson, incidentally, who has been featured in "World," is now co-starred with Welles, who is thinking of putting on "King Lear" on off matinee afternoons.. Robert Trumbull, foreign correspondent for the N. Y. Times, surprised Broadwayites. recently by his familiarity, with oldtimers in show business. Asked how come he explained that his father, the late Oliver Trumbull, was professionally known as OUic Mack, of Murray and Mack, Irish comics who starred in "Finnegan's Ball" and "McFa'dden's Flats," among other musicals. Team also was standard, in bigtime vaudeville. Some of the team's scripts are still being sold for films, and the reporter recognizes radio gag he first heard in the Murray and Mack routines. Trumbull's next assignment for the Times is Singapore. He authored "The Raft" and "Silversides" novels^ Apparently the pans Charles Coburn and "Merry Wives of Windsor'! got in Pittsburgh last spring must bo still rankling the veteran actor. Recently . all the Smoky City critics got from Coburn a batch of "Wives" reviews from different cities in the country, star having hand-picked the favor- able ones, and attached to them a note saying "Somebody must be wrong." Pitt reviews on the show itself were not only bad, but most of them com- mented on the ineffectiveness of star's performance, too, Equity and its chorus branch, which helped bankroll the American Guild of Variety Artists, hardly expected the loans to be paid back, so when the legit unions received checks amounting to more than $30,000 it was. a surprise to the officers of both.' AGVA was far in the red several years ago but has built up a bankroll of around $200,000. Total refunded loans amounted to nearly $7.1,000, largest amount, over $40,000, going to the Screen Actors Guild. SKIN Slumbers With Good Weather; Icetime Hot $55,400, Mia.' 30G In 176th Wk/Aimie^G, iister32P San Francisco, July .9. "The Fortune Teller," third in the series of Civic Light Opera produc- tions, which opened at the Curran, July 1, looks .a smash hit. Played to capacity gross last week of $33,- 000. Show, however, is limited to a three-week run, when it moves on to Los Angeles. 'Merry Wives of Windsor," star- ring Charles. Coburn, now in third week of a four-week run at the Geary, dipped and chalked up $13,- 000 last week. CHIGROSSESDIP; 'LUCASTA'lOG, TARK' 38G Chicago, July 9. Large-scale exodus of Chicagoans from the city for the" four-day July 4 holiday weekend was responsible, for a slight drop in legit grosses last week. Biggest slip was registered by Mike Todd's "Up in Central Park," which got around $38,000. "Anna Lucasta," going into its last , week of its long Chi run, came up with a around $10,000. "State of the Union" continued to top all. . "Laura," which closed Saturday (6) wound up its four-week stay with $13,000 on the final session. Estimates for Lut Week , "Anna Lucasta," Civic (41st week) (600; $3.60). Good $10,000, closes Saturday. "Laura," Harris (4th week) (1,000; $3.60). Closed Saturday (6) with $13,000. "State of the Union," Blackstone' (11th week) (1,360; $4.20). Some drop but still tops for straight plays Temperatures were better during the holiday week on Broadway but biz certainly wasn't. Perfect weather on the Fourth of July was fashioned for the outdoors, reaction oii Broad- way beinfi just so-so for most attrac- tions, majority having switched reg- ular matinees to that afternoon. The several standouts held to form, protected by advance sales any- how, but the others dropped as ex- pected. -i "Icetime" is doing great business, but more amazing is that for "Okla- homa!" longest-run musical, which again went to virtual capacity. Pop- ularity of "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Call Me Mister," the new musi- cal clicks, is undiminished. "St. Louis Woman" dived and closed, while "Dream Girl" has suspended for two ■ months. Surprise entrant next week is "Maid of the Ozarks" with $24,000. "Up In Central Park." (12th week) (2,163; $4.80). to $38,000. Shubert Dropped L A. Hits 10SG In Wham Week Los Angeles, July S. Topping even last week's smash gross of $107,000 for three houses, same trio came back over the holi- day week and scored-again. El Cap? itan hiked its take to $18,200, thanks to extra performances of Ken Mur- ray's "Blackouts of 1946," now in the 211th week. "Bloomer Girl" en- cored $52,Q0O for the second stretch at the Philharmonic. "Oklahoma" repeated its SRO $38,000 for the ninth frame at the Biltmore. Take reached total of $108,200 for the week. All three other houses, Mayan, Musart and Belasco, did an el foldo within 24 hours of each other last week, due to weak offerings and weaker returns. Fred Spooner, a legit press agent in his spare time, has sold his Massa- chusetts farm for $10,500. He bought it for $1,500 and spent around 2 Gs fixing it up. Warren O'Hara, back with "The Voice of Turtle ' on the road, has bought in on a San Francisco cafe. He is leaving that show to become company manager of the Coast "State Of The Union." The managers last week agreed to wage increases for doormen, tickeU takers and ushers in legit theatres. Backstage doormen now get $34 per week, a boost of $7, while ticket takers are now getting $33, $6 more than previously. Chief Ushers' pay went up $4 to $24, directresses are now scaled at $20.50 and ushers $18.50, increases of $3.50. New scales arc re- troactive to last June 1. - Muriel Dickson, who came to New York 12 years ago with the D'Oyly Cartes, an English troupe that specializes in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, planed back to. London last Sunday (7). Soprano is the only member of the visiting players known to have remained over here. Miss Dickson has vocal engagements over there. Columbia Concerts booked her for recitals on this side. Geraldine Brooks, daughter of Jimmy and Bianca Slroock and whose name was changed when she signed recently, with Warners, may appear in the Ogonquit (Me.) tryout of "Balloon.'' Michael Myerberg, producing it, has asked the studio to release her for one month to appear in the play. Young actress.is in Warners' "Cry Wolf," her part having been finished, and she's likely to come east for the tryout New Hollywood theatrical group, headed by John Garfield, is reported organizing to present stage shows and take advantage of film acting talent. Idea is something on the order of England's Old Vic Co. Understood the project is in the nature of a workshop, but more elaborate than the Actors Lab, in which Garfield is currently interested. . Stage Relief Fund announces that eight performances were given for its benefit during the past season, gross having been $27,084, or an average of $3,498 per show. 'GIRLS'BRIGHT $30,000 IN PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia, July 9. "Follow the Girls,", re-lighting the Forrest after two weeks' idleness, was given uniformly enthusiastic notices and despite a lagging ad- vance sale came through with over $30,000 in its first stanza here. "Girls," despite heat, should hold that pace and, given a couple of weather, breaks, figures to up sev- eral notches. Nothing else announced here for the summer weeks with "Voice of the Turtle" opening at Locust Sept. 2 as only advance booking. 'Rosalie' 45G, St. Louis; 'Widow' Merry Successor St. Louis, July 9. Franz Lehar's "The Merry Wid- ow." another top coin grabber of the Municipal Theatre Assn.'s, rep- ertory, is back for' its seventh' one- week stand since 1923 at the alfresco theatre in Forest Park. Four new faces in the' lead roles, plus sweltering temperature and a swell bally lured out an over- flow mob of 10,400 last night (Mon- day). This hung up a new opening night attendance mark for the cur- rent season. The gross was an es- timated $4,500. "Rosalie" wound up its seven- night stand Sunday (7) and aided by good weather copped a profit. The piece attracted 75,000 customers who laid approximated $45,000 on the line. Current Road Shows (Period Cowering July 8-20). "Anna Lucasta"—Civic, Chi. (8-20). "Blackouts of 1946"—El Capitan, Hollywood (8-20), "Bloomer Girl" — Philharmonic, LA. (8-20). "Come On Up"—Selwyrt, Chi. (8-20). "Follow (he Girls"—Forrest, Phila. (8-20). "Merry Wives of Windsor"—Geary, L. A. (8-13); Met., Seattle (15-20). "ObaeMlon" — Lyric, Vancouver, B. C. (8-13); Temple, Tacoma (14); Pinney, Boise (16); Chief, Pocatello (17); Capitol, Salt Lake City (16); and Laramie (20). . "Oklahoma!" —Bilt more, L. A. (8-20). "Pursuit of Happiness"—Shubert- Lafayette, Det. (8-13). "State of the Union"—Blackstone, Chi. (8-20). "Up In Central Park"—Shubert, Chi.. (8-20). "Voice of the Turtle"—Mayfair, Portland (8-13); Lyric, Vancouver, B. C. (15-20). "Voiee of the Turtle"—Nat'l, Wash. (8-13); Cass, Det. (15-20). SUMMER STOCK "Aniel Street"—Playhouse, Say- yille, L. I. (9-14). "Apron Strings"—Spa, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. (9-14). "Blithe Spirit"—Riverside, Bridg- ton, Me. (9-14). . "Brief Moment"—Cape, Cape May, N. J. (8-13). "CaniHellfrht" — Chapel, Guilford, Conn. (B.-13). "Caprice"—North Shore, Beverly, Mass. (8-13). "Chicken Every Sunday"—Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, Pa. 18-13). "Kiss and Tell"—County, Siiffcrn, N. Y! <9-13). "Kiss and Tell"—Cobleighs,- Can- ton, Conn. (9-13). "Januarv Thaw"—Elitch, Denver (8-13). "Of Mice and Men"—Playhouse, Yardley, Pa. <8-13). "Over 21"—Playhouse, Kenne- buiikporl. Me. (9-13). "Papa Is AH"—Playhouse, Crags- moor, N. Y. (8-13). "Petrified Forest"—Chapel, Great Neck, L. I. (9-13). "Port Road" — Playhouse, Bolton Landing, N. Y. (8-13). "Soldier'a Wife" —P1 a y.h o.u s e, Keene, N. H. (9-14). "Springtime for Henry"—Play- house, Greenwich, Conn. (8-13). "Ten Little Indians"—Elitch, Den- ver. Col. (8-13). "The Barker"—Music Hall, Clin- ton. N. J. (8-13). "The Bishop MUbehaves"—Play- hoa>*. Pompton Lakes, N. J. (8-13). "The Hasty Heart"—Casino, Holy- oke: Mass. (8-13).. "The Hasty Heart"—Playhouse, Slockbridge, Mass. (8-13). "Ihe Late Georce Apley"—Play- house. Ogunquit, Me. (8-13). "The Male Animal"—Playhouse, Mt. Kifco, N. Y. (8-13). "The Milky Way" — Crest, Long Beach. L. I. <8-13). "The Philadelphia Story"—Play house! Boylston, Mass. (8-13): "The Playboy of the Western World"—Playhouse, Dennis, Mass (8-13). "The Vinegar Tree"—Drew, East Hampton, L. I. (8-13). "Three Men on a Horse"—Casino, Newport, R. I. (8-13). "Wlntersel" — Playhouse, Litch- field. Conn. (8-13). "You Can't Take It With You"— Playhouse, Stamford, Conn, (8-13). "Young Weodley" —. Playhouse Westporl, Conn, (8-13). at the Belasco. A yaude revue, "Tid- bits of 1946," opened Monday (8) at the Plymouth. Keys: C (.Comedy),- D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R tRevuc), M (Musical), O (.Operetta). Estimates for Last Week "Anna Lucasta," Mansfield (98th week) (D-1.041; $3.CO). Consider- ably down with the balance of the field but intention is to play through summer; quoted over $6,000. "Annie Get Tour Gun," Imperial (8th week) (M-1,427; $6.60). One of the sock attractions that agencies depend oh, for the summer: over $45,000. ' "Around the World," Adclphi (6th week) (M-1,434: $6): Went off fur-, ther; house location something of a handicap; estimated around $23,000 but should do better after next week. "Born Yesterday," Lyceum (23d week) (C-993; $4.80). Only show to play an extra matinee, except "Ice- time," gross for comedy smash, going close to $23,000. "Call Me Mister," National (12th week) (R-1,142; $6). Standees al- most all performances, takings again topping $32,500; draws repeaters. "Carousel," Majestic (84th week) (M-1,667: $6). Rated around $36,000 last week; at that level crack musi- cal holdover fared well enough for this stage of run. "Dear Buth," Miller (82d week) (C-940; $4:20). Last three weeks; dropped to around $5,500; company due to tour starting late next month. "Deep Are the Roots," Fulton (41st week) (D-968; $3.60). Engagement planned to continue until a new at- . traction, is booked in; approximately $6,000. "Harvey," 48th Street (88th week) (C-925; $4.20). Bit late in selling out night of the Fourth but capacity and turnaway the. following night. "Icetime," Center (3d week) (R- 2,994; $2.40). Played an extra mati- nee oh the Fourth; business for new skating revue went to. record $55,400 in 10 times. "Life With Father," Bijou (344th week) (C-614; $3.60). Run leader doing mildly, as expected, with tak- ings around $7,000, or slightly less. "Oklahoma!", St. James (176th week) (M-1,509; $4.80). Has proven strength of draw many times, last count bettering $30,000; virtual ca- pacity all times. "On Whitman Avenue," Cort (9th week) (D-1,064; $3.60). Mixed-cast drama getting mild grosses with the aid of two-for-ones; $7,000 estimated. "Song of Norway." Broadway (95th week) (O-1.900; $4.80). Last weeks announced; down under $19,000 for first time. "Slate of the Union," Hudson (34th week) (CD-1,057; $4.80). Among the few shows that sell out consistently; tops all straight shows with better than $24,500. "St Louis Woman," Beck. With-, drawn last Saturday (6) after busi- ness dived too much: "Swan' Song," Booth (8th week) (CD-712; $4.20). Claimed to have picked up last week with aid of two-for-ones; gross around $6,000. "The Glass Menagerie," Roy ale (66th week) (CD-1,025; $3.60). First week in new spot saw better busi- ness with Laurctte Taylor back; rated around $11,000. "The Voice of the Turtle," Moros- co (118th week) (C-939; $3.60). Three-person play aimed through summer; dipped like most others; $8,000 estimated. "Three to Make Ready." Broad- hurst (18th week) (R-1,160; $4.80). Expected to run well into fall: like must musicals business eased off but. pitched up last week; $21,000 ap- proximated. REVIVALS "Show Boat," Ziegfeld (26th week) (M-1,628; $6). Attendance should pick up for the balance of summer; slipped down to $35,000 last week. The Red Mill," 4C(h Street (38th week) (M-1,319; $4.80). Slipped to around $23,500 but is also expected to improve from now on. . VAUDE-REVUE Tidbits of 1946," Plymouth (1.063; $3.60). Presented by Arthur Klein and Henry Schumcr; opened Mon- day (8). NEIGHBORHOOD "On the Town," Flatbush, Brook- lyn. "The Late George Apley," Wind- sor, Bronx. LAYING OFF "Dream Girl." Coronet (CD-1,037; $4.80). Played 29 weeks. "O Mistress Mine," Empire <CD- 1,082: $4.80). Played 22 weeks. 'LADIES' 5G, TORONTO Toronto, July p. Booked in for two weeks on a partnership basis between Frank McCoy and Ernest Rawley, "Good Night, Ladies," starring Eddie Nu- gent and Allen Kearns, ran into the. heat and holiday competition. Show had a $5,000 gross at the Royal Alexandra (1,525), scaled at $2.40 top.