Variety (Jan 1947)

IgjTF Aunieertary mmTmA'm Plays Out §f liwn Sun fvancisco, Dec. 30. Ilii^i.<n t.cwis !tTiil Hotviu'rt ^omiB pruduc(luii i.f iii:iuiit in llu'fe nets (nix Bi'cm>.s) by Joliii I'liu li K. .stius DoTOtKv Ulsh and KfiM Mmilli; ri'iitun« Kllxubeth IXnua, James MuMl;-" Jli<li!ir<l .^^iiii'lPis. Havlim llilssn, j!i)ll!iini--\l'>nlK. JiiTHtuHl Tbomos. SttiKWl I'iidu lvl wrilnKs., Muliiiit'I J'Pve. OlM'ni'il Ki Ccaiy. .^itrl'Viinwwfr, De«i 3(>, 'w; $3.tI0 .Anna Slin-.itt.. Mary .siirratt.. ...... ljiitll» «(il(hi)iliiv.... <!i.«ii;<i A U» Hiiiu . . . . J).IVlll Ilt'llllll.. ...... John Kuniitt Jolin "tVllkcs Hwiti. Jjani.s L'jiyni' (iiiicral llolikn A\>i, »tiirn*-tt "<•!'■ llnilU'i,. Mu.i. AVidliMf.. IliiJ. (li-n. Kiiufy..... Hrlu. ficn. J'ljsliT. . . J-riK. (ii'n. Hiildn . . . *><■"■ . Iliin-l.f.. . t'.it. 'IViitUiti !».•*-. ...... <'(il. Clinirte'nnin .. ('ii|H. Wlllliiili Snillli. . . . . . iBlteatteth Boss ..Dorotliy Utsh . . . licl'illirit ThoihJis XtU'hary JlerKt'r , .\Ji(*hacl . . .. . .llitUiinil Moiri.s ........ .1 umt's Monks ........ .Don Kbellon lUi'hiurU S:ln(lfiis . ..DmlKlMS McKaclUn Kilwurd Tluvvey ttobpit Ni'ff .Tliimins Glynn .........Dnlliis BoyU . . . . . Wkllfu-p KttbfHs . . . Frank MfFarln nd ,( . ... . r*pe. Malbournc ...... Avlhiir HlpnniKK ,<_'nibun JJpntim I'lDViiKt .Miii-Wia) Tmii Duly MiiJ. Wcniy l!!ilbb<MW tionlon Banicn I.icuh Ilfiirv \'<»n .SKMinioliPi'. . .Bill Hltfh Fallun WiRrt lUrbin, HvlKgs Con. ,TuIi,-il Itrnncy .Tohn Tliilpy JScVM-ily .liibnMin Kent Smith \\\ K. I)iks(ci HuBh Mo.shor Dr. .'iiiinucl .Vliiilil Tom. .T. .A(v<}ivrt-n Krlwnrd SimnKli'i r.ydiin Uitbln.«m Wiihael <)'l,:mfibnn ..pUl Rpynnlds KinnuPl Amuld . . . . ............. I..iu-iy J(>hn.s Stagecraft is also displayed by Klizabeth Ross, as Anna Sunatt, young daughter of Mary. The supporting cast is completely equal to its job, and the direction by the author, aside from a few momentary understandable opening night rovigh spots, is effective. So are authentic sets by Samuel Leve and lighting by Girvan Higgins. Ted, B<>^8i of !$|iif lis Hartford. Marjoi'Ie ;mi(1 Shfrnian Kwinjif ni'odm-tion tit cunuHly in llil-ct' acus (f=i-\ f^tx-ne.s) by Mai'l>'n <'ob'inau. Fc.-it art's Dorutby Stickncy, lUfland t'alvrr. .Sliij4t-<l hy .Jerome t'or.'iy. .SctliUKs. Itaynaind .Sovpy; roslnmes, ICnieline li-jcho. t)in.'ni'd: at Jblhbliell AK*nlo rliil, Hartford, Jan. .Mr. Uadd.. fJurah Thack(-r. . . . . ICItty ThacM-r. Aunt <'ora . . , . , .... (irdriny Mrs. Iliirrla... CalMiiln ■ U'atllf. , . . DwiMbt Uolaii't.... 3. •* U ivv. , ...lEabib CulUnan ....... ..Janet Tylfl ..Dcirolby Sticknsy .l.inda t'ai-bm Iteid . . . . . Daisy Jlclinore . . . . . I.nciilo Jt('nK<in RtiiiUKi i'ulvpr ..... TlioniaM Oaley While the "iSfory of Mary Sui-ratt" reaches several high-points of dramatic intensity in its three acts (six 'scenes). eiJpecially in its eisjellently , jiortrayed military courtroom .scene, tlie play as a whole lags behiiid the characterizatfons by Dorothy Gish and Kent Smith, This is probably inevitable in an hi.stoi ical drama the chief personalities of which are the offstage Lincoln, and a John Wilkes Booth, who appears in jtist the first act, rather than the pathetic wisp of an unfortunate rvoman who is caught up by fate, victim of the hysteria of the times, and dragged to doom on the gallows. Inevitably, too, the leading character, in the person of Dorothy Gisbt stirs t)ie audience to pity much as Joan d'Arc and Mary of Scots have stirred audiences time-out of mind, except that in "Mary Surratt" the figure is of lesser stature. The play, too, is of lessed stature than the classic successes which have dramatized Joan and Mary of Scots, though It is still good showmanship. The portrayal of Mary Surratt by Dorothy Gish is sympathetic and trenchant, with emphasis on a welcome underplaying of the character. Miss Gish painstalcingly avoids the inany opportunities for cheap his, .trionics and leave.s a mellow etohina of a Eiifieiing mortal, completely ©verw hehMe<) by the tiele ot events. Kaiit Smith does an ej^cellent job lis the childhood sweetheart re-t<«nea to defend her life. Firist rate "Best of Spirits" needs extremely skilled play doctoring if it is to survive. Scheduled for a Broadway opening Feb. 3, exactly one month from its .preem, the plav should , debut with a new body and face, I (g-lg") ^Current Read Sbws ^Period Covering Jan. 6-18). "A Dangeroim Woman" — Erie, Schen't'dy (17-18). "A Flae Is Born" — Studebaker, Chi. (6-18). "A Young M«n'» F»Mcy"— Copley, Host. (.6-18). "Anna Lueasta''^Locust, Philly (6-18). "Anna tucasta"— And., Qkla. City (6)-, Mem. Hall, Joplih <T); Cons. Hall, Tulsa (8-9); Arcadia, .Wichita (10-11); Aud., Denver (13-14); Aud., Pueblo tl5); Aud., Boulder (16); Lincoln, Cheyenne (.17); Aud., Laramie (18). "Apple of His Eye"— Erlanger, Chi. (6-18). Ballet Iheatre— Aud., St. Louis (18-20). "Best of Spii-its"-.^Plymouth, Bost. (6-18). "Blackouts of 194*"— El Capitan, Hollywood (6-18). Blackstone -- Town Hall, Toledo (6-8); Park. Youngstown (9-U); Colonial, Akron (13-14); Shea's. Erie (15-16); Shea's. Bradford (17); Shea's, Jamestown (18). "Blossom Time" — Opera House, Bost. (6-18). "Born Yesterday" — Wilbur, Bost. (6-11); Nixon, Pitt. (13-18). Call Me Mister"-^Shubert, Bost. B way iii Sptty; hme Swprises; ■ Icetime 58G, in 12; lilia/ lU; ■ Jim Mlm^^^^^i^ Low pulse of a n?ar corpse is kept beating by injection of good acting and clever dialog. , Show opens with a dead first act. Second .stanza shows some signs of life and in closing slot it has become fully activated. But much rewriting remains to be done. Play deals with a romantic lady dealer of antiques, Kitty Thacker (Dorothy Stickiiey). A widow, she has become so worried about the future of her beautiful and intellectual daughter that she has taken to drink. From her many bottles emerges a Genii tagged Captain Wattle (Roland Culver). Like the mystic servant of Aladdin's lamp, Culver aids in carrying out wishes. Here he helps in arranging a match for the daughter. In the meantime, the widow and Genii fall in love, with the widow losing out on her new love after sacrificing the Genii .so that her daughter's marriage might be culminated. However, he reappears as a psychiatrist who has been hir'ed to persuade the widow to go into his asylum for a Cur^. The love vaccine takes again. An infusion of new comic situations would help considerably, several of those used falling flat. A few good comic stances revolve about the hectic situations that are the. result of the Genii's machinatiohs.,,'; , Excelleftt perfoi-rhances ane turned in by a, more than competent acting cast. Culver, -wTell known British film and stage actor, here makes his (Continued on page 290) Chi Legit m Hi^ Gear; 'Norway' SM], 'Flag 23G, 'Apple' 20G, 'Pygmalion' 24G Chicago. Legit situation couldn't be much better than it was last week, with some shows doing capacity even the day before New Year's Eve, at Which time everything in town went SRO. Top price for Eve shows was "Song of Norway," ducats going at $7.20. "Apple" and "Flag" saw no price boost, with all others going to $6 per for the good ones. Biz prior to holiday was unusually good, and price boosts along with that factor made for great week. Estimates for Last Week "Apple of His Eye," Erlanger (2nd week) (1,334;" $3.60). Fine $20,000 with up in holiday price. "A Flag Is Born," Studebaker (2nd week) (1.246; $4.20). Stayed at $4.20 but brought $23,000. "Harvey," Harris (22nd week) (1,000; $4.20). Just like opening week again with $25,000. "Pygmalion," Selwyn (5th week) (1.000: $4.20). Up with the others with $24,000. "Sons of Norway," Shubert (5th week) (2,100: $4.80). Highest groSs yet is Sweeping $50,000, which included a $10,000 capacity New Year's Eve.. . "Stale of the Union," Blackstone 135th week) (1,358: $4.20). Took a Sudden scoot to, $25,000 for hangup ■week.. I Remember Bobby ; Continued from page 265 ; younger boy.s played only two weeks out of every three. Bobby was very pleased with himKcir whew he reached the age when he could alternato between these two parfK, It wasn't long, however, before noticed that the weeks when Bobby was playing "Whitney," the older boy, he played the part with great gu.sto. but the weeks when he played "Harlan." , the ! vi.sible. younger boy, he was playing it with a sense of shame. He no longer enjoyed appearing in public wearing kilts and rebelUng over eating his oatmeal. So we had to call a rehearsal for Bobby. The day of the rehearsal, some one of the company told him to be careful to stand by for his cues — that the rehearsal had been called especially for him. "What!" cried Bobby. "Called especially for me? Don't they know I'm the one that doSsnt like to rehearse?" , Bobby grew up so fast that he finally had to be supplanted. It Was a bad moment for Bobby. It had to be explained to him very carefully that it wa.sn't because he wasn't wanted. After his la.st performance, he came into my dressing-room to say goodbye to me. Now that our association was over, he felt that he could recognize my existence and I think that he was rather grateful to me, for pretending that he didn't exist during his time in the company. He was sorry to go, and I was sorry to see him go. Recently Russel Grouse and I appeared on the radio program, "We the People.'' When I turned up at the Maxine Elliott theatre , five o'clock on a Sunday afternoon for the rehearsal, I tan into Bobby waiting at the stage door. He Is now a young man of 14 and we had a fine man-to-man talk. He seemed very glad to see me. He is planning to become an actor. I a.sked him if he were on lh<.> pro.t!'ram with me and he said no. he had .itist come around there to get aiitbgraplis. I never felt'iio flalterecl. I was reaching ioi my fountain pen when he adde<l; "I'm .iu.'^t waiting here for Larry Parks." So we .'iaid goodbye to each other. At lea.st I was no longer in "Come On Up"— .'Vud., Des Moines (7); Omahn, Omaha (S); Music Hall. K. C. (9-11); Aud., L.Rock (13); Aud.. Texarkana (14); Aud., Shreveport (15) ; Majestic, Ft. Worth (16); Melba, Dallas (17): Con.: Hall. Tulsa (18). "Countess Jnlia"— Playhouse, Wil. (9-11); McCarter, Princeton (17-18). f'Dear Friend" — Opera House, Newark (6-11); Walnut, Philly (ISIS). ■ "Dear Ruth"— Drake, Oil City (6); Shea's, Bradford (7); Virginia, Wheeling (8); Aud,. Charleston (10); Aud., Danville (11); Carolina, Greenville (13); State, W. Salem (14); Aud., Asheville (15); Carolina, Charlotte (16); Carolina, Durham (17); State, Raleigh (18), "Dream Girl"— Walnut, Philly (611); Ford's. Balto. (13-18). "Eagle Bampant"— Forrest, Philly 6-18). "Gentle Ghost" ~ Gieary, J'risco (6-11). "Hamlet"— Curran, Frisco (6-18). "Harvey"— Harris, Chi. (6-18). "John and Mary" — Shubert, N. Haven (16-18). "tlUle A"— Ford s, Balto. (6-11"). "Lute Sons"Biltmore, L. A. (618). "Magnificent Yankee" — Cass. Det. (6-18). "Oklahoma!"— Nixon, Pitt. (6-11); Hartman, Col. (13-18). "Pygmalion"— Selwyn, Chi. (6-11). "Rope" — Shubert-Lafayette, Det., (6-18). "Sign of the Archer"— Shubert, N. Haven (9-11); Colonial, Bost. (ISIS). "Song of Noo-way"— Shubert, Chi. (6-18). "Springtime for Henry" — American,, St. Louis (6-11); Cox, Cincy (13-18). , "State of the Union"— Aud., Stockton (6); Aud., Sacramento (7-8); Aud., San Jose (9); Aud., Oakland (10-11); Aud.. Fresno (13); Aud., Pasadena (15); And.. Long Beach (16) ; Lobero. S. Barbara (17-18). "State of the Union" — Blackstone, Chi. (6-11): Davidson, Mil. (13-18). "Storv of Mary Surratt" — Geary, Frisco (13-18). "Student Pirince" — Hanna, Cleve. (6-11); Blackstone, Chi. (13-18). "Sweeihearts"— Shubert. PhUly (618). ■ ' "The Glass Menagerie" — Temple, Saginaw (6): Palace. Flint (7); Michigan, Ann Arbor (8); Michigan, Jackson (9); Keith'i!, Gr, Rapids (10-11); Hanna, Cleve. (13-18). "The Glass Menagerie" — Hippodrome, Marietta (6): Weller. Zanesville (7): Victory. Dayton (8): Aud., Lexington (9); .'Vud.. Louisville (1011); Coliseum. Evan.sville (13); Aud., Memphis (15): Aud.. Nashville (16); Erlanger, Atlanta (17-18). "Up In Central Park"— Nat'I, Wash. (6-18). "Voice of the Turtle" — Attd., Montgomery (6); Temple, Birmingham (78); Aud.i Nashville (10): Coliseum, Evansville (11): Aud.. Lexington (13); Aud.. Louisville (14-15); English, IncTol."!, (16-18). "Voice of the Turtle"— Royal Alex. Toronto (6-18). Broadway fared better than expected on New Year's T^e despite ■Che, high prices for that performance but some attractions didn't share in the cleanup. Business on the holiday was not so good but that was generally discounted with unforeseen inclement weather art attendance deterrant. General result was that while some shows went up on the week, most attractions approximated the grosses counted on Chri.';tmas week, Jammed Chfistmas week openings panned, out to be as indicated with "Beggar's Holiday," "Burlesque'' anij "Toplitzky of Notre Dame" the best draws. "Wonderful Journey" was withdrawn and the sarne went for "Love Goes To Press," only premiere last week. Newcomers which got some benefit from the holidays are. still of doubtful rating : and may join "Made In Heaven" in exiting Saturday til). Three new shows this week: "Fihian's Rainbow," "Street Scene" (both musical) and "The Big Two." Estimates for Last Week Keys.: C (Comedy), D {Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama). R (Revue), M (Musical), Q iOpereita). "Annie Get Your Gun," Imperial (34th week) (M-1.427; $6,60). With the Eve performance at $9.60 takings went up to around $47,000 for front ranking musical. "Anotber Fart of the Forest," Fulton ;(7th week) (D-968; $4.80). New Year's Eve balanced any easing on the holiday: same for other shows; around $21,000 again. "Beggar's Holiday," Broadway (2d week) (M-1.900; $4.80). First full week indicates new musical's goodly chances when the holiday eve helped to approximately $40,000. "Born Yesterday," Lyceum (49th week) (C-993; $4.80). With the .scale up for the five perforrnttrice, longplaying click went up to nearly $22,500. "Call Me Mister," National (38th week) (R-1,104; $6)i Capacity revue bettered its gross by virtue Of the holiday scale with the eounl around $35,000. "Carousel," Majeiitic (90th week) (M-1,667; $6). Still up in the big money with takings about the same as Christmas Week: $40,000. "Christopher Blake," Music Box (5th week) (D-979: $4.80). Slipped to around $18,000 as expected when theatre parties were linished. "Finian's T ainbow," <46th Street (M-1,319; $6"). Presented by Lee Sabiniion. and William R. Katzell; book by E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy; music b.y Burton Lane; lyrics by Harburg; opens Friday (10). "Happy Birthday," Broadhurst (10th week) (CD-I. 160; $4.80), Has b^en virtually selling out since opening antt takings last were estnnated over .$30,000. ' "Harvey," 48th St, (114th week) LA. Legit Is Lush, With 'Haralef aOiG, 'State' 18fi Los Angeles.' Tremendous upsurge in boxoffice take registered here over New Year's week when all houses went deep into black with extra performances. "Hamlet'' at Philharmonic Auditorium .snagged ."630,500 for one week run of Maurice Evans starrer. Ken Murray's "Blackouts of 1946-47" climbed to tremendous $24,600 in 237th week at El Capitan, Biltmore (jni!.-hod second stroteh of "State of the Union" with«*l^,000, giving total of .$29,500 fo^ fortnight. "Lute Song" bOK£,4i'in thi.s week with $22,000 ..dvance for two-week stay, thanks to Guild .-subscriptions^ "She Did It in Dixie" took in mighty $12,300 at' Bela.tco. surprising management plea.'^antlv. El Patio climbed with fifth frame"Macbeth" to $3,000 for flhal week and $16,600 on run. ireadway Ahead Continued from pa,ge 269 ; the list, and "Desert Song," which tarried briefly. QuaUty of the plays for 1946-47 has not been on a much higher plane than the musicals. Observers on the skeptical side wondered when and if there would be a real dramatic or comedy click comparable to 194546, and it's now iiiaicated that the shows rated as successes so far this season do not measure up to the standouts of last .season, which attractions are still commanding, virtiutl capacity. It's clear that the holdoVer standouts have a much better chance for continued popularity than most of this season'.s productions. Same appears to be true in London. I 10 Others Due | In addition to this week's three premieres there are approximately 10 other new shows due thisrmonth, and during the late winter or early spring rnore clickeris are possible than those to date. 'The established hits are prospering more because of the paucity of real .sock successes. I For instance, it there actually were 1 bets that "OkUihoma!" would enter ; the fifth year ()n Broadway, those who I .said it \yQuld are eerlaih to collect It's a cinch that -thC! hew song and I dance .shows haven't got what I takes, and: that gcies for most I drama"."■-.„ ; li i.s Certain JAlsfthe interest ih I show business hasn't dimmed; in : fact, it seems to be growing seasoni ally. Last Summer it was feared \ that backers from outside show busiI nesis would be hard to get. but indications are there, are as many las before. Predictions are that there I will be a long, prosperous era, and that ).s good new.'! for show bitsiness. (C-920; $4.20). Holiday scale and capacity through last week accounted for gross aRproximately of $20,000 again. ■ "Icetime," (ienter (29 th week) (R-2,994; $2.40). Biggest figure of all, what with $4.20 on the Eve and 12 performances; the gros-! figuring around $58,000, Joan of Lorraine," Alvin (7th week) (D-1,331; ;f4.80). Top on the holiday eve as high as for, musicals and the gro.ss went over thS $37,000 mark; biggest figure for straight shows. "Life With .Father," Bijou (370th week) (C-613; $3.60). Used a moderate scale for the holiday performance with takings round $10,000; had 3,000th performance Sanday ,(5).^ "Love Goes to Press," Biltmore, Opened Wednesday last week; adverse press; yanked Saturday (5); h()use dark. "Lovely Me," Coronet (2d week) (C-1,095; $4.80). Moved here Sunday (5) from Adclphi; one of three■shows that opened the same night; around $7,500 estimated: "All My Sons" hooked hei'e late in month. ' "Made in Heaven," Miller <C-940; $4.20). Final and 12th week;, did fairly well with average around $10,000 of late aild goes to Chicago. "Little A" next show, due next week. "O Mistress Mine," Empire (41st week) (CD-1,082; $4,801. Should be cinch into warm weather; had : eased a bit then bael to approximate capacity; over $24,000 estimated. "Oklahoma!" St. James (202nd week) (M-1,309; $4.80). Well up in the going as it has been except for couple of pro-holiday weeks; around $30,000. "Present Laughter," Plymouth (10th week) (C-1,063; $4.80), Did very well and while not' selling out is rated good money maker; $18,000. "State of the Union," Hudson (60th week) (CD-1,057; .$4.80), Holiday eve tilt to $9.60 (same as musicals) sent gross to around $27,000. "Street Scene," Adelphi <M1,434; $6). Presented by Dwight Deere Wiman in association with the Playwrights Co.; book by Elmei Rice; score by Kurt Weill; lyrics by Langston Hughes; opened Thursday (9). "TopUtzsky of Notre Danie," Century (2nd week) (M-l,7i2; $4.80) Despite mostly doubtful pre.s.s drew strong holiday business; around $25,000 estimated. "The Big Two," Booth (C-712r $4,80). Pi-esented by Elliott Numtl and Robert Montgomery; written by L. Bush-Fekete and Mary Helen Fay; well regarded out of town: opens Wednesaay_(8). • • "The Fatal -Weakness," Rovale (7fh week) (CD-1,025; $4.80). Did quite well during early weeks. with theatre parties the factor; dipped to around $15,000: "The Iceman Cometh," Beck (13th week) (D-1,213; $,5.40J. Ea.sed off somewhat and although the eve performance scale was tilted, takings approximated $21,000. "The Voice of the Turtle," Morosco (144th week) (C:939; $3.60). Picked up somewhat by \'irtue of the eve performance with gross around $12,000. "/Temper the Wind," Playhouse (2nd week) (D-865: $4,80). Extra space ads express management confidence in drama's chances: first full week around $8,500. "Years Ago," Mansfield (5th week) (C-1,001; $4.80). Although not capacity, has been registering excellent gros.ses and last week's takings approximated $22,500. Wonderful Journey." Was taken off last Wednesday (1) at the Coronet after playing week and one night. . REVIVALS "Bloomer Girl," City Center (M2.693; $2.40). Return date of sixweeks started Monday (b)-: "Burlesque," Bela.sco (2nd week) (C-1077; $4.80). First lull week was icstimatcd around $23,000 with aid of holiday eve; very promising and stay expected . "Henry VIH," "What Lye'V Woman Knows," "John Gabriel Borkman," and "Androcles and the Lion," : International i9th week) (1.172; ■ $4.20 ). American Repertory Theatre doing fairly well .MUlfou'r rotating plays, '■'f'arovipSHprgiooO la.st uoek. ady Windermere's F.ui,' (12th week) iC-1.0(H: S4 2(r>. Onfk thu most Kuec<.-s.'-ful of the Seasoi?* revivals; la.st week moie ihdn $21, COO indicated. "Cyrano de Bcigcrac," Bnirvmore (13th week) iCD-1.09(i; .'?4.80 ). ' Came back stronger tluiii exported getting bi,g play from students S22,00Q estimated. . "The Red Mill." Shubert <(;2nd week) (M-1,,382: .$4.80). Gave an extra niatin(.'e at 46th Stictt last week and Wf'nt to $35,000; best fifuie for long time: moved here Monday 16),