Variety (Jul 1946)

52 LEGITIMATE Wednesday, July 17, 1946 Strawhat Reviews Drums of Pca«c Woodstock, N. Y., July 12. WooiIhiocI; riaVliouse production of play In ihivi- ails (nv<- ai-enes) liy Kiln-aril !,->■ miiiI Leonard Mlns: directed by Mary Munis: sellings by Albert Heath. Ai Wood- si.vk, N. Y.. July 11, '10. SuiiliiK von Uulzkow Tiiirtl... .:. FIlHabelh JaeKCI' ... iliiK'i Honckendorff Theodorp Itruce KrlrliJaeger • ••■ Richard Woodruff...... « id. Tom Hulchlnaon.. H»lnrlili l.lnitau. '.. S»l.. Kilwnnl (Si-een..,.. l.i. James Harris Capl. Cieors l'allvoc l.i. Prank Daniels..... ...Virginia Downing . ..Naomi UcschtinK. Irtla flair , ..Clnrenco Dei-went ..'.Houston Richard* ........'..Robert 0111. ..Stephen Klltott Michael Sivy ,.'.Alexander "Ivo. Arthur Owens ..Robert Carlisle :ll6bert Alvln ...Keith Thomas Helen and Mary Continued from pare 1 Written by two men who met in the line of duty during the war, and who seemingly shared the same mis- givings about 'the peace, this new drama sounds an earnest warning against the dangers facing American occupation' authorities - in Germany. Unlike the average summer-tested - script,'"Drums of Peace" is far from being the theatrical equivalent • of hammock reading. It is a product of intelligence and thought, and re- quires an. audience willing to hear hard truths for the good of its own soul. Woodstock Playhouse patrons show a disposition to tag along with the authors; too, the production and act- ing command respect. If "Drums" fails in achieving full dramatic im- pact, it may be because its message— however important—is not exactly novel, nor are. its Nazis, Nazi sym- pathizers, anti-fascist and business- as-usual Americans a particularly fresh set of characters. In addition, the thwarted romance between a State Department man and an essen- tially decent German woman is touched on perhaps'too casually for real poignance. To judge by reports from the oc- cupation zones; conditions are prob- ably even worse than portrayed here, with such right-thinking guys as the hero, Richard Woodruff, all too scarce and carrying less, weight than the playwrights indicate. This need not, of itself,' invalidate the show's theme, for the exhortation that we wage the peace as efficiently as the ■war is the important thing. Whether quite enough theatrical excitement shines through the sober talk is a more pertinent question in trying to gauge this material's chances for Broadway. Cast, headed by Clarence Derwent as a plausible German industrialist, is generally good, and Mary Morris, in her direction, has pointed up speech differences between Germans and non-Germans without resorting to phony device of making-krauts use accents in conversing among themselves. Stephen Elliott is pleas- antly forthright as Woodruff, Vir- ginia Downing etches a Prussian aristocrat sharply, .Lois Clair carries conviction, as the\ womani once en- gaged to Woodruff and now unhap- pily married to a Nazi; Robert Gill Is persuasive as her fanatical hus- band, Houston Richards combines cupidity and stupidity as a cartel- minded Chicagoan, and there are okay contributions by Alexander Ivo, Robert Alvin, Michael Sivy, Arthur Owens, Robert Carlisle, Keith Thomas and Naomi Heschong. Al- bert Heschong's settings are above the usual strawhat level Built up as a kind of latter day •Watch on the Rhine," "Drums" might not be without possibilities for pix, though, being so highly topical, it would seem to call for Immediate attention. Paul. the father), cast to type as the mother's 16-year-bld daughter, made a promising footlight debut with her mania in a revival of J. M. Barrie's comedy, "Alice Sit-By-The-Fire,"- at the Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope. As be, fits any play; in which Miss; Hayes appears, it was the star's night, but. daughter wasn't far be- hind. '■'■'.. Starting a five-week strawhat junket, "Alice" is Miss Hayes' first new role since "Harriet." Although the part of a flirtatious, gay wife, who leaves three kids home in Lon- don while she stays with her colonel spouse in India, is hot tailor-made for Miss Hayos. she brings to it all her usual skill and charm. Her per- formance is easily the outstanding distaff acting job on the summer cir- cuit, and it worthy addition to her Barrie - repertoire of "What Every Woman Knows" and "Dear Brutus." Miss MaeArlhur. a charming blonde with lucid eyes and an expressive face, is a head taller than her illus- trious mother. She gives the role of hypnosis. Claire Carlton turns In a lusty bit as a loud blonde. Jack Hayes, as a minister, and Gcr- ild Oliver Smith, as an English fop, turn in good supporting parts as do Lynnc Lvolis, Virginia Belmont, Kathleen McGuire and Frank E. Bris- tow. "Mary Had a Little" has little enough, but It will get by as lighter fare if competition isn't too keen. Ted. Allee Slt-hy-the-Flre Theion Bamberger-.prcnents rcvlvnl of "Allri'-Slt-by-llH-Klrc." comedy in 'three nets by James M. -Karric. with Helen llayc9 slnrrril, .lulin YViMlamy featured. Singed by Joshua.' l.ox»n: sohIuks by .Herbert llrod- klii; costume* by l.u'-tndn Jtallnrd. Opened in Hacks I'onnty I'liiyhouye. New Hoi»e, Ph.. July -IS. AG: top. Tho l'laywrliilu ...Russell Collins Amy t,;n-y '....Maty MucArthur t'osino t.;iey....: Charles Nevlt Fanny ,... I................ .Mary Itear Glnevra Dunbar..'. rtethel Leslie Nmne.:..'. Viola Roachc ,Mis. Clrey Helen Hayes l ol. Cray.. .John Williams Stephen Holla Donald Murphy lib hnnlMin Patricia Klrkland the romantic, theatre-struck young- ster an authentic ring, exhibiting a noteworthy lack of stage-fright. Miss MacArlnur's sense of timing will no doubt improve with subsequent per- formances. Possessed of a high-pitched, yet pleasant voice, she Is we'll cast as the moonstruck daughter, who imagines her parents are involved in "the eternal triangle" she has witnessed in five West End plays, in one week. The novitiate , is at her best in her third-act scenes with her mother. The mock-heroics of the bemused kid are nicely balanced by her real- istic finale when she "reunites" her devoted parents. • . Production is out of the top drawer. Joshua Logan's direction is expert; although present pace is far from uniform, it will no doubt smooth out John Williams, as the understanding father, and Patricia Kirkland, as a slavey, are notable in a cast which includes Donald Murphy, Bethel Leslie, Charles Ncvil, Mary Bear and Viola. R'oache. Principals will troupe with Miss Hayes at future stands. Logan added Barrie's charming stage direction to the production via the role of a com- mentator, played with quiet, excel- lence by Russell Collins. Lucinda Ballard's colorful and imaginative costumes,. plus . Herbert Brodkln's two atmospheric . settings give the presentation physical quality. Jake. Satan's In the Pantry Clinton, N. J., July 15. Hunterdon Hills Playhouse production of comedy in three acta- (four scenes) by Ted Tiller: presented by Tiller and Peter Harris. Kluxeil by Day Tuttle; sotting*. Marshall Kalhnn. At Hunterdon Hills' Playhouse. (.'Ilnton, N. J., opening July. 9, '-10; $2.-10 top. Airs. Splppln.. .. ,'Reta Shaw JtlossenKer Boy Handcll Henderson Mr. Splppln.:. Maurice Fitzgerald Bob Splppln. Pryor McFadderi Esme........... ........ .Anne Ives. Taxi -Driver....... Leonard .Lesser Mrs. C^eorge P. Morrison.... ..Natalie Core Belhle' Morrison ,.Janet Durlls Brenda Murdock Trevn Fra7.ee Mi-. Cummins James MacOulre Klr» Chief..-'-.' .Leonard Canst Kxprefl.vmen. Postmen, etc.: Leonard Lesser. Gordon Rlgsby, Fi-Ancls Olds. "Satan's in the Pantry," comedy by Ted Tiller, co-manager of the lo- cal Playhouse,, which deals with the American/.domestic scene, has no chance for Broadway.: On the style of "You Can't Take It With You," but with none of the artistry of the Kaufman-Hart' hit, "Pantry" is a polyglot of characters and situations. Basic story deals with the uproar that, ensues when a mother and her spinster daughter guest at the home of relations who are in the throes of their own do- mestic difficulties, no less of which Is the fact that their two. spare mat- tresses had been sent away for re- stuffing. That gives an idea of the whole clambake. ' James MacGuire, Anne Ives, Reta Shaw and Natalie Gore get the ma- jor laughs. Play Out of Town Mary Had a Little San Francisco, July 15! Al Rouen j>i ; (Hlii'-lii>n uC fxrce-comeGy In <wn urts (ilv»» yC4>neH) liy Muriel Herman, Arthur IJ e izuk ■>"() Honen. Features Ed- mund I .owe. .Mnry Hrlun, Claire Carlton Kred Shet-mnti nud "Oerntd Oliver Smith Slatted by J.tnn Eirol. At Geary. San FtHnclHco. July l.\ Mtt: $3 lop. UoHitvh McQuHde. Ahiry While, Thymns Oaniun. . Dr. .lamca jVlmnltloii., Ksiher S.uiRi L..... Heiiy ;... .Mih. UniMey .liiiie^.. . .-.'.Claire- Carlton .. -. Mary Brian ..;.. Kdmund Lowe Fred Sherman .......Lynne Lyons .Kathleen MaRulre .Virginia Be^mon ,Mrn, Ifwy liell....... ..Jean Dean PrlnooHH Olfffl Komanot. Lori Irving. HfiMil Bollomlcy . . . .Orald Oliver Smith MlnlPier. •..... John Hayes Max, a Waller...........Frank E. Brlstow Play on Broadway Maid In I he Ozarks priKluctliiii of |>1»>- 111 lliifi" 1 )■>■ I'IrIiv l'm-j-lsli. -uiisiied July 1.1. 'Jtl: (S.Wi t«ii. Krvll'Hiiri ......... i.. I Mvvy Slipi-nmn .Jnck >fullilo^n ^ ■ ..Julin I>ntld .^hiipe -NVJllhima i.;' .Jon Dhu'mou CUoi-Ih Humt»hroy.s .niii-mnn ltoilcl Kvi-lyn Wellii l-'ni-Kn .l-ectlp ile lan-:i.H ......... . .Mait clle Oltmlcl JulM l'telffor net. tone Hi-cne HelniK-o. N. \., Oiiint ('Bllionii. 'rh:iir'f'»lhoun. .Molmwlf'. I..... Urirl Calvm.. yOlii Tolllwr. Tcnttile t'nlltiui lancos Ti'lllvi- "yl'rrii* yoKHK- \my, Tount; Uiiliy-llelle.'.-.-. >thit I'IccUlt. '. An inkling of how low in stage fare "Mn'id in the Ozar.ks." rates was jjlcaned through Ben Fielding, license commissioner, sitting in at the. open- ing. A friend murmured : to him: "This doesn't concern your office: it calls for the Dept. of Sanitation." That about rates the smelly turkey that has been tramping through the hinterland on and off for five years. Play was brazenly heralded and critics defied in advance, manage- ment bcuig confident that the show would draw customers who go for bargain "entertainment." A carload of tWo-for-ones was scattered around the metropolitan area before "Maid" opened. It was claimed that out-of- town audiences roared with laughter but that certainly didn't happen at the Bclasco Monday. There have been many mediocrities in the house during past seasons, but nothing more distasteful than the. current 3 "Maid" is ah exhibition of hillbilly filth. Locale is the Ozark mountains of Arkansas. Leads are two boys, lazying in a shack, proud of their grimy bare feel and lice in their hair. The granny who tends to this oafish brood is as much . a character who occasionally combats bedbugs and the Ku Klux Klan. ' Eldest of the hillbilly boys has the fancy label of Temple Calhoun, a moonshiner who picks up Lydia, a comely waitress, at Little Rock and offers marriage. The femme and her sister Frances, an attractive redhead, supply the romance. Lydia- has been mixed up slightly in bigamy and other extra-curricular events and in the end goes for an artist who paints her in the nude—offstage. Comedy stew scene is carried by Burman Bodel, only one of the cast when "Maid" was two-, three- or four-for-oned in Chicago, he then being billed with handle of Boots. Most of the players appear to have emanated from nondescript stocks. Johnee Williams and Gloria Humph- reys, who look alright in shorts, did some modeling. Evelyn Wells Fargo, as a shrewish, skinny hillbilly wife, could develop as an eccentric come- dienne. Understood the play was known as 'Blue Mountain" \vhen done in Hol- lywood at the little Footlight theatre around 1940, where it ran for more than a year. No stager Is credited but the play is given by arrangement with C. B. and H. R. Woolever, a couple of San Francisco printers who bequeathed it to Pfeiffer. Ibee. MARRIAGES Judith Anderson to Luther Green, New York, July 11. Bride is legit and film star; groom is legit pro- ducer. Nancy TCenyon to Henry J. Zaflan, New York. July 14.. Bride has role in "Show Boat." Vilma. Kurrer to Richard Barron, Chicago, June 30. Groom was in "Laura" there, bride having been in "Wallflower." Both now In sum- mer stock. June Boyle to Bill R. Riggs, Se- attle, June 30. Bride is secretary to Bill Hamrlck, supervisor for Ster- ling Theatres in that city. Madeline Carroll to Henri Lavorel, Paris, July 12. Bride is screen star. Siobhan McKcnna to Denis O'Dea, Galway, Ireland, July 7. Couple are Abbey Theatre and film players. OBITUARIES VERNON "BUD" OBEY Vernon "Bud" Grey, 53, veteran press agent, died in Birmingham, Ala., July 9. Long affiliated with show biz, Grey began his career at the Metro- politan Theatre, Boston during the Publix regime. For several years he agented Major Bowes units, later joining the exploitation staff of RKO in Dallas: He .spent two years with Paramount working out o( At- lanta after which he went out ahead Of a skating production. MICHAEL RUSSELL Michael Russell, 65, former stat- in Dion B.oucicault metiers at Dub- lin's Queen's theatre, died In Dub- lin, July .4. ' In later years he turned to script- ing shows, promoting amateur in- terest in theatre and stage-manage- ment. Funeral was attended by Eamon de Valera, Irish Prime Min- ister. • Survived.by his widow, son and two daughters.' BURT TATLOR Burt Taylor, 57, former legit and circus advance agent, died July, li in Corpus Christi, Tex. He had done press work for Ring- ling Bros, and Hagenbeck-Wallace circuses arid also for many touring legit companies. He also produced and managed "Frisco Follies" some years ago. Survived by widow and two daughters. HARRY GOTTLIEB Harry Gottlieb, 52, film salesman, died in Des Moines; July 5. He was senior salesman for 20th Fox ex- change in that city for 20 years and was former president, of the Iowa Film Salesmen. " \ Survived by his widow, Dorothy Day, adv. manager of Central Slates Theatre Corp., and a son. FLORENCE SHORT Florence Short, 57, former stage and silent screen actress, died July 10 at her home in Hollywood, On the screen Miss Short played opposite Lew Cody, John Ince and other stars of a bygone generation. On Broadway she appeared in "Everyman" and other productions of Henry W. Savage. Surviving is her sister. Gertrude Short. . BILLY BLEACH Billy Bleach, 58,. vaude booker died in London, July 11. For many years he was booker for Stoll Circuit, and before the war was manager for Tom Arnold re- vues in Australia. Survived by widow and two sons. MARGARET MORAN Margaret Moran, 58, singer.' 'and mother of actor Jackie Moran, died of a heart attack July 15 in Holly- wood. Husband, son, and daughter sur- vive. ; Mother, 87, of Arthur Leplante, St. Louis city salesmen for Columbia Pictures, died recently .in. Man- chester,- Mb., from injuries suffered in a fall. : Mother, 72, of Louis de Rochemont, 20th-Fox producer, and Richard de Rochemont, producer of Marcff of Time; - died at Cambridge, Mass., July 15. Mother, 70, of Johnny J. Hughes, of former vaude dance team of Adelaide and Hughes, died in Brook- lyn, N. Y., July 5. William R. Potter, 58, former stilt photographer, for Paramount Pic- tures died last week in Washington,' D. C. Plays Abroad : Continued from page 12 ; Summer In Nohant clashing inextricably In futile amours. Chopin himself, except for one brijf entry in act two, does hot ap- pear at all until act three, but Don- ald Eccles,. an ex-Fleet Air Arm officer making his comeback, to the theatre, shows fine perception in the role. Laurence. Payne, the son, has a. profile and dash which should make him a good bet for films, and Lally Bowers as George Sand gives a performance of cool, masterful competence that takes every line of a clever script and sets it quietly blazing. . Ebet. in touch with a big banker, played by Duvaleix, thus making her lover, acted by Paul Derenne, very jealous. Latter finally gets back his mate, the banker pairing off with another ac- tress (Maria Hotine). . Louisard, as the chief of police, stands out in a cast that has little to do in the way of comedy but vocal-, izes chiefly to music batoned by Pierre Pagliano. The score is okay but the policemen's tune is the only catchy one. Nice production is likely to give the show a fair summer run. ' Moxi. This potpourri of corn and bed- room claptrap is more akin to bur- lesque than to drama, but it should dp at the boxo'ffice.' "Mary Had a Little" is about as subtle,as a red light but opening night customers howled at the - inept though risque situations which among other clumsy things involved the use of hypnosis by a doctor to perfect a painless childbirth. . Mary Brian, taking the 'part of a naive dame, and Edmund Lowe, play- ing the rake who's mixed up in the lives of all the femmes in the pro- duction, turn in earnest if loose jobs, both being handicapped by poor dia- log and dehydrated gags. Fred Sher- map 'as doctor is effective, and Lori Irving provides a hilarious striptease while, under what is supposed to be BIRTHS Mr, and Mrs. Andy.'Frain, son, Chicago, July 6. Father is head of Frain Usher Service. ; Mr. and Mrs. . Harold Weinberg, daughter,. Montreal, in June. Father is general manager of El Morocco, Montreal nitery. ■Mr. and Mrs.-Hal Hartley/ son, Montreal, July-9. Father is. orches- tra leader at El Morocco, Montreal nitery. Mr.-and Mrs. Van Heftin, daughter, Hollywood, July 14. Father is Metro star. Mr. and Mrs. Hal Kanter, daugh- ter, New York, July. 12. Father is radio writer. Virginle Dajazet Paris, July 8. Van Farys production ot operetta In three scenea. Book by Jean Marsan and Ruy- mond Vogel; music by Gcorgea van Fary-t. Dlreotod by Jacques Henry Duval. . Sets and roatumcs by Blanche van 1'arya. Star* Panely Revoll: features Duvaleix. Gabriel Couret. Francois Richard, I^ulsard; Hub- ert Hominet. J. J. Lecot, l'aul Derenne. At Theatre des Champs Elysees. Jnlv ll. Vlrxnle Dejazet ....fanclv ltevoll Jules Clnmand.: i.DuvHlelx Ludnvlc Hurlcbols ...tiabrlel Cnuiel I'eralKny. Francois Hlcliurd Raniadou I.oulwird I.otlls N'apnleon Bonaparte.. Uoberl llonimcl Almond de Monsller..! :J. J. l.ecol Arthur Bcrtroud Puui Deronnp I'OUl" .....Alain 'I'hety I.lselte. Jacqueline .lcbnniiniir l-'rotillon , . .Mnrlna Hnllnp rollcomvn: rti.hind Iri-licrl. ItoKer C'arcll. Jlentl Silent, Maurice Delalaudre. Two things stand out in this show. First is a very catchy tune sung by Louisard, as chief of police, at the beginning of the second act; which with the support of his policemen winds, up in' a quintet that is sure to find its way on wax and air. Second is Marina Hotine. who plays a sup- porting role to the star and steals the sliow. She can sing, act, and Is a looker. Show has been well produced, at a reported cost of $30,000, said to have been partly financed by-picture dealer Georges Hermann, who han- dles the paintings of Mrs. van Parys, designer of. the sets and costumes, and wife of the tunesmith. Music is published by latter's firm, Editions Philippp Pares. Costumes and sets, of the 1940 pe- riod are very good and in sharp con- trast with most- of the current shabby productions.: First set is a private dining .room In the then fashionable Maison Doree: second is a terrace on top of Montmartre somewhat similar to the w.k. "Louise" operatic set, with Paris seen below, and the third shows tMe inside of the Theatre des Varjetes. Play Is built around Fanely Revoil, as the popular Varietes star Virfiinic Dejazet. helping Prince ■ Napoleon, then exiled, to tool the Louis Philippe politfe. She arranges for him to get Fatigue Paris, June 25. Jacques Valola production of three-act comedy by Ferny Besaon. Features (.'ecllla Jnffray and C'hrlailan Delaunay. Directed by Christian Delaunay. At Theatre de ritumotir. t'hrlailane .' .Cecilia Jaffray I'leiTc. Christian Delaunay nosiave ; .Xavler Renault Olaa Yvonne Bermont Mih. l->ubi-pull Cierninlne Sal7.y ('ol. Dobi-euil. Dcllgny Alain : rierre Fntitnlne Uabctte Frauclne Darlots The play is noteworthy in that it introduces physical exhaustion due to overwork as a factor interfering with the sentimental happiness of an otherwise loving couple. However, it is inexpertly written and is slow. Cecilia Jaffray is the loving wife of a professional man. She Is, a doctor, too, and devotes so much energy to her work that Christian Delaunay, her husband, finds her rather unresponsive to his loyemak- ing. More trouble is caused by^a woman friend, who is interested in her husband, and by her mother-in- law who can't sec her son married to a career girl. The pair misunder- stand each other and get a divorce, Two years later they make up, when they better understand each other. It's as simple as that. ■ Production, in one set, is simple. Ev4n the finest talent could not do much with such a script. Yvonne Bermont, as a moid, is. given a chance to Inject some comedy. Cecilia Jaffray. as the physically tired wife, is okay, but Christian Delaunay overacts. Mart., 'Heart' to Hit Coast Los Angeles, July 16. Russell Lewis and Howard Young will produce last year's Broadway hit, "The Hasty Heart." on the Coast, openfng Aug. 16 in Santa Barbara. Cast will be headed by Erin O'Brien-Moore, Dean Heron, Whit- ner Bissell, Gilbert Frye, Michael Garrison. Charles Waldron and. Vernon Steele.