Variety (Feb 1947)

Wednesday, February 5, 1947 LEGITIMATE S7 Slswii in Tito Throws Support To , lep Grmp for Precedent in Legit Immediate and material support* accorded the American Repertory theatre when it appealed for aid, ■which came from show business and outside of it last week, was a revela- tion. Equity's unprecedent grant of $5,000 was followed by a midnight rally at the International, N. Y., where ART is presenting drama classics, and additional money was raised by well-known actors. At its own expense the Theatre Guild cir- cularized its subscribers asking them to attend the ART plays. After learning the situation from the dailies, a firm specializing on adver- tising space in advertising at rail- way stations, gave three sheet boards gratis for a month to the rep outfit. ART announced the "last 22 days of repertory," under its present schedule. As of Wednesday (29) ■ last week there Were seven per- formances of "Henry VIII," to be given while "Androcles and the Lion" was allotted 16 times, indicat- ing again that it is the best draw of the four'plays presented to date. The last four times for "John Gabriel Borkman" and two final matinees of "What Every Woman Knows" are set, all being prior to the revival of "Yellow Jack," which starts a four-week engage- ment Feb. 27. The money from Equity was not sent ART directly but given to the American National Theatre and Academy, a non-profit organization, which will turn the grant over to., the rep office. That procedure was followed because Equity cannot directly subsidize a commercial ven- ture such as ART and the money can be charged off in income tax de- ductions. Money from Equity came after Helen Hayes addressed the council and the star headed the fund raised at the actors' rally, she giv- ing $1,000. A similar sum was credited to Katharine Cornell, con- tributions from the players including Maidy Christians and Jose Ferrer being made directly to ART. According to operational figures from the rep office it costs more for the stagehands and musicians at the International than the payroll of the actors, latter getting $4,200 which is slightly less that stated heretofore, while stagehands total $3,200 week- ly and musicians $1,200. It is fig- ured that when "Yellow Jack" opens the number of men in the crew and pit will be pared down- Weekly cost of running the theatre approxi- mates $6,000, but the actual rent is placed at $2,200 for the four walls, ART paying for the staff, heat, light- ing, advertising and general em- ployees. Publicity accounted for a betterment in business last week? but only a small profit was netted. A meeting was held Monday (3) between ART and the stage unions for the purpose of agreeing on con- cessions so that repertory would be able to operate successfully season- ally. The session developed into one exploiting ANTA and its aims, one- of which is to aid ART, which was a secondary factor during the meeting. Lab to Do Taycock' Los Angeles, Feb. 4. Next legit production by Actors' Lab will be the Sean O'Casey play, "Juno and the Paycock," to be directed by Whitford Kane. Current Lab offering, a quartet of one-acters, will close Feb. 8 when Jessica Tandy, Vincent Price and Art Smith will return to their film .chores. SHOW BOAT' TO TOUR ALFRESCO CIRCUIT Los Angeles, Feb. 4. "Show Boat," which played to full houses for a year on Broadway with out paying dividends, is going on the road for another year under the banner of Oscar Hammerstein II and the Jerome Kern estate, in the hopes Of catching up with the Broadway investment. Leighton Brill, Hammerstein's Coast representative, announced that the legit musical had been sold to the Dallas and St. Louis Municipal Opera companies for two weeks each as a starter. In these performances the choruses will be supplied by the municipal outfits. After the Dallas and St. Louis stands, the principals will move to New York's City Center theatre, where a chorus will have been in training for a tour. Eight weeks are slated in New York, after which the entire troupe will shift to Chicago for an indefinite stay, followed by a *our of municipal and other specious auditoriums in key cities throughout the U. S. Brill has started auditions here for the principal roles, and Hammerstein is due in March for the final casting. • . Prodiioers Dood If Up Brown in LA. Los' Angeles, Feb. 4. Most involved legit booking com- plication in the history of this town confronts Jack Present and Harry Zevin, who are wondering where they will park their production, "She Dood It in Dixie," after April 1. That day the Belasco thea- tre, where "She Dood It" is cur- rently showing, will shift to a mo- tion picture policy, leaving Present and Zevin up against the prospect of sub-leasing the Musart, on Which they hold the master lease. When the co-producers took "She Dood It" into the Belasco they sub- leased the Musart to Arman de Castro for two years. De Castro opened with "Shared Wife," which perished in two weeks. Threatened with a dark house, de Castro sub- sub-leased it to Stage, Incorporated, a new stock company which pro- poses to run a series of serious' plays. Other legit houses in town are tied up for long periods, so Present and Levin may be compelled to rent their own theatre on the third bounce. Eigfiitttii Arena Looks Good to Longhair Biz; CC Lines 20 Features Columbia Concerts, which decided to go into the lecture business this year, has now lined up a list of 20 attractions. Lecture division, in charge of Edna J. Gieseh as director, started_ selling its list a week ago, lining up some spring dates but con- centrating on the 1947-'48 season. Columbia, largest of the concert biz managements, has made intensive plans for invading the gabfest arena, and has 33 representatives now out selling lectures, four salesmen- handling, this line exclusively. Trade is varied, embracing town halls, forums, colleges, chambers of* com- merce, women's clubs, etc. Already signed by Columbia, in field of current affairs, are Quiricy Howe, CBS commentator; Eric Seva- reid, CBS' D. C. bureau head; Rob- ert Aura Smith, N. Y. Times Far East specialist; Dwight Cooke, CBS producer; Saul Padover, Howard Pierce Davis and Alpheus Thomas Mason, writers; Thomas Dodd, law- yer in charge of Nuremberg trials legal staff; Paul Fitzpatrick, Ameri- can Arbitration Assn., and Merryle Stanley Rukeyser, economist. Cheryl Crawford, legit producer; John Selby, former AP music editor now with Rinehart's; actress Lillian Gish and Dan Cooper, interior deco- rator, are in the arts division. Miss Crawford has been sold for 10 dates this spring, and will be available for all next season. Bureau will also have an entertainment list, to include Polgar, mentalist; Robert Dudley, legit and pix milliner; Wadeeha Atiyeh, song recitalist: Bernice Kamsler, singer, and Anna Ricarda, ballerina in dance program. Last-named was feature dancer with Markova-Dolin troupe last season. Howard Blakeslee and Oscar Junek will talk on scientific subjects, and Austen West on illustrating. Miss Webster Offers 'Nuts' Margaret Webster, director of the American" Repertory Thea- tre, writing of its problems in the Times Sunday (2), answered "certain Hollywood columnists who have prematurely and somewhat gleefully announced its (APT) demise, I can only answer in a succinct and famous phrase: 'Nu:s'." Using a collec- tive "we" to include Eva Le Gal- lienne, Cheryl Crawford and others associated with them in' the venture, she, said: "We . . . ■ ill . . , recoup to re- turn to the repertory attack next Season whether in New York, on the road, on a European tour ... or all three. For despite set- backs, mistakes, discourage- ments and very substantial financial losses, experience has taught us that the repertory principle is sound, full of health and vital to our theatre industry and the playgiing public . . . perhaps the public for our type of theatre is a minority public. If so it makes up in devotion and enthusiasm what it lacks in numbers." ' ANTA Emergiig as Production Prop; Starts Fund Drive With Plly Meet 'TYCOON' FOR B'WAY Hollywood, Feb. 4. Dramatic rights to the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, "The Last Ty- coon," have been bought by Martin Gabel for legit production on Broad- way next autumn. In addition, Gabel will stage an- other play based on' Arthur Train's fictional character, "Mr. Tutt." Astor Deal. Ciies . ^wery he Slilert Freres Future Predicated upon reported realty deals westward of Broadway and the Hotel Astor, N. Y,, there is specu- lation whether the Shuberts intend to continue active in show business before or after 1950. They have not been prolific producers for years, their participation principally being the operation of legit thea- tres. Lee Shubert is in his 72nd year, J. J. is 67, according to the records, and both are believed to be millionaires. The flock of theatres on 44th and 45th streets are part of their string of legiters. Observers figure that with realty at the crest the time for liquidation is in sight, and if the ground leases on the theatres on both streets from the Astor to the Lincoln hotel expire in 1951 as re- ported, the disposition of' their hold- ings prior to that date is regarded as logical, " ,.* The future of the Astor is vari- ously reported and if that parcel is acquired by the Loew-Metro in- terests, the hotel would not neces- sarily be razed. One idea is to re- construct the interior with present suites made into smaller rooms, and part of the site nearest the Shu- bert and Booth theatres becoming a picture theatre. Work on razing the former private dwelling at the west- ern end of the hotel stopped weeks ago, indicating that new plans are being considered. Metro Film City? Reputed purchase of the Astor for the start of a Metro development akin to the Rockefeller Radio City is said to have no connection with the Loew's office building on 57th street west of Seventh avenue, al- though the Loew-Metro interests are virtually one ownership. Excavation on the 57th street site was com- pleted months ago but the site is now boarded up, it being claimed however that the stoppage came about because steel for the building could not be obtained. Last week it was reported that the Chanin brothers were contem- plating building theatres again, with possible sites southward of Colum- bus Circle, probably near the pro- posed new Madison Square Garden, plans for which call for enormous construction. The Chanins erected five houses, starting with the Bilt- more and Mansfield, with the Majes- tic, Royale and Golden (Masque) following. They exited from the Broadway scene by selling the thea- tres to the Shuberts, deal including the former Century theatre, above Columbus Circle, that site being an apartment house which the Chanins also built. If and when the Astor is disposed of, the name is expected to be re- tained for a new hotel said to be planned for Madison avenue in the upper forties or lower fifties. That construction is about six years away. Semi-Pro Viewpoint "Point of View," a play about col- lege life, opened a limited engage- ment at the Chanin Auditorium, N. Y., Monday (3). Drama is a one- setter, with the cast semi-pros and therefore non-Equity, Play, written by Alan Sherril, an indicated pen- name, calls for a cast of seven. The little theatre atop the Chanin office building was rented by Charles F. Willis for the show. Backer is said to be an importer. Raitoailk Deferred by ICC Increased cost of theatrical trans- portation which was scheduled to become effective as of last Saturday (1), has been called off until Aug. 1, following a protest from managers who went to Washington last week and objected to the Interstate Com- merce Commission. Latter bureau immediately ordered the railroads to cancel the tariffs which called for a 12'/i% boost in fares for shows using one or more "free" baggage cars. Same percentage . of tilt was supposed to become effective when special trains were used by road shows. ■ Although the proposed increases were postponed for at least six months, there is to be a hearing be- fore the ICC March 12, at which time tfie League of New York The- atres will object to rail lines upping the present tariffs. The several pas- senger agents associations formally notified the League Monday (3) of the cancellation order sent them by ICC. All shows which jumped from one stand to another over the week- end had already paid the 'increase, however, but it was said by the rail- road agents that the respective managements involved would re- ceive_ refunds. Proposal of the Southern Pacific and other western lines to boost- the special train tariff, requiring the purchase of 150 tickets instead of the present 100 tickets, had previ- ously been set back by ICC until Aug. 1. Eastern lines had announced the requirement of 125 tickets for specials but that has been set back also. Informed Alienee Poll ' May Take Hi Permanent Status If Slant Works What started as a press stunt but could become a general survey of audience opinion began Monday (3) with patrons of "Joan of Lorraine" and "Street Scene and will continue for two weeks. Short questionnaires in the programs are designed to find out what proportion of the patron- age resides in New York and what percentage out of town. Also sought is the factor that influenced the audience to attend, whether it was advertising, word of mouth or the critics notices. Third question has to do with the preference of patrons between stage shows and pictures and the final query is whether there is a preference as to- starting time between eight and nine o'clock. Musical shows usually ring up at 8:30 with straight plays starting from 10 to 15 minutes later as a rule. This season, because some critics suggested earlier first-night curtains, a number of shows have rung up approximately at 8 p.m., the actual start being 10 minutes or more after that hour, subsequent performances starting at the usual time. Two of this week's premieres were announced for 8 o'clock and because only four reviewers are concerned it is still questionable whether early curtains are desirable, Data obtained from audiences of the two shows may not be conclusive but it's pos^ sible that a survey of all legit audi- ences might result in interesting information, if the answers should be deemed important to show busi- ness. A clearer outline of the purposes and scope of the American National Theatre and Academy was de- veloped during the past week when a drive began for funds to per- petuate the non-profit project.- ANTA, as one of its major aims, has mapped out plans whereby worthy professional productions in need of financial aid will be supported, or subsidized to some extent. Experi- mental theatricals in New York and outside will be given attention and encouragement, in a financial way, it is hoped, Indications are that under the direction of skilled showman; ANTA will develop as one of the most im- portant organizations to figure in the future of the stage. It is operating under a Congressional charter granted in 1935 at the suggestion of the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt but has been virtually in- active because the original aims set forth weren't bel'eved to be feasible. This season a gioup of theatre folk headed by Vinton Freedley became active and decided that the first step was to establish a fund, to be raised nationally. First concrete assistance was in- stanced last week when ANTA was named to act as a clearing house" to aid the American Repertory Thea- tre, Equity making a grant to the latter through ANTA. Stated that one or two dramas that wilted this season would have been directly aided by ANTA had there been funds available, and some out of town projects are already earmarked for attention when money is raised. ANTA is working closely with Ex- perimental Theatre, which is being sponsored by four commercial man- agements. Drive for ANTA funds started promisingly in Philadelphia last Friday (31) when a flock of Broadwayites were in attendance. Philly Quota Set at 99G Philadelphia, Feb. 4. The first mass meeting to get sup- port for the American National The- atre and Academy (ANTA) was held Friday night (31) at the Art Alli- ance here before a capacity audi- ence that required the use of two auditoriums, the speakers appearing in relays upstair and downstairs. An appeal for funds was made, and membership applications were dis- tributed. Chairman of the rally was Vinton Freedley. Speakers included Mar-, garet Webster, Col. Laughton Camp- bell, George Freedley, Jo-Anne Sayres, Rosamond Gilder, Blanche 'Yurka, Peggy Wood, Mary Morris, Philip Loeb and Jean Muir. Also on the platforms were Gilbert Mil- ler, Robert Green, Lee Simonson and Sam Jaffee. The speakers pointed out that the idea for the national theatre move- ment originated in Philadelphia, as they urged both financial and moral support for the ANTA. Miss Yurka, in a stirring plea on behalf of the movement, cited the recent closing of "Temper the Wind" as an example of the kind of drama that could be aided through a national theatre. Massey 0 discussed the training and recruitment phases of the national theatre, stressing the fact that ANTA would in no way disturb the present drama schools and colleges, but that it would serve as a post- graduate course for youthful writing and acting talents. * Philadelphia's quota was sfet at $99,000 in the organization's national goal of $5,000,000. EQUITY GIBSON RULE STIRS UP JJ. SHUBERT J. J, Shubert complained with some heat to Equity over its ruling on his complaint against Harry Gibson, the council not having sustained charges that the actor breached his contract by walking ou on "Come On Up." Manager appeared to have disregard- ed advices to that effect from Equity and demanded the $600 fine levied against the actor for not following Equity rules. Shubert thought the money should go to him rather than Equity's emergency fund. Actor had testified that illness caused him to quit the show, which stars Mae West. He offered to re- join, but the manager declined to re- sign Gibson. Show is now in San Francisco at the Curran. It originat- ed on the Coast, then toured to the east, but did not come to Broadway.