Variety (Feb 1947)

Wednesday, February 5, 1947 Oi Biz Strong; lute M, flamy 216, Taiila'lIG/NsrwiylSG/HafOI LBGimiATB 89 Chicago, Feb. 4. f Maybe the nety trend is to keep warm in the theatre instead of at home. Whatever it is, bad weather made no dent in last week's biz. "Student Prince" hit /its highest mark in 15 years of Chicago playing with a last week of capacity. Only show not to hit the high • notes was "Springtime Tor Henry," in its first week at the Selwyn, but low-price scale had a lot to do with it Blackstone blacks out for a week until "Three to Make Beady" re- places "Prince." Estimates for Last "Week "Harvey," Harris (26th wk) (1,000; $3.60), Increase over last week to $21,000. "Lute Song," Studebaker (2d wk) (1,246; $4.20). Best biz this house has seen in a long time, $20,000, "Magnificent Yankee," Erlanger (2d wk) (1,334; $3.60). Not too mag- nificent, but very pleasing $17,000. "Song of Norway," Shubert (9th Wk) (2,100; $4.80). Humming along at $36,000. "Springtime For Henry," Selwyn (LQ00; $3). Opened Sunday! (26) to warm crix. Low topper holds' gross down to $12,000. "Student Prince," Blackstone (3d wk) (1,358; $4.20). Last week was by far the best here with $26,000. Closed Saturday (1). Park' 35a Phffly; lucasta' $17,500, Bergner $10,(1 Philadelphia, Feb. 4. "Up in Central Park'' led the legit parade with nearly $35,500 for its sec- ond and final week of its return en- gagement at the Shubert. That rep- presented absolute capacity all week and proved management's first idea otji longer booking (three or four weeks) would have spelled plenty of firofit. Also "Park's" sensational biz ogether with fine trade done by "Bloomer Girl" a month previous disproved old' theory that Philly won't go all-out for return engage- ments. , • Biz was generally good all around 'last week with "Anna Lucasta" get- ting $17,500 in its sixth week at the Locust. Trade for this one has been so big 'that length of stay here has three times been extended, first from six to eight weeks, then to 10 and now—although this hasn't been offi- cially announced'—to 13 weeks, The double bill—"Miss Julie" and "The Proposal"—got a fair $10,000 In its second week at the Forrest and that was due almost 90% to pulling power of star, Elisabeth Bergner. Plays themselves weren't much liked here. "A Flag Is Born," last week's only opening, did moderately well at the Erlanger with first week's gross esti- mated at around $15,000, which was far from capacity for this big house. Propaganda play now in final week. Sensational advance for "The Red Mill" is now the talk of the rialto. Victor Herbert revival is already sold out for first two weeks and en- gagement is virtually set to be ex- tended beyond four-week period originally announced at the Shubert. In fact as house has no immediate bookings and as there are no musi- cals on the horizon, "Mill" can stay here indefinitely. 'Blo$som' 20G, D. C, V Washington, Feb. 4. "Blossom Time" held well for its second week at the National with better than $20,000 chalked up to its credit. Extra Sunday performance helped hypo returns. "Glass Menagerie," ATS play, bowed in yesterday (3) for its skedded fortnight, with "State of the Union" following for a three-week ■stint. LA. LEGIT BRIGHTENS; 'SUERATT' UP TO I4iG Los Angeles, Feb. 4. Legit looked brighter here last week than it has in some time. Practically every house showed in- creases for the seven days. Ken Murray's "Blackouts of 1947" had another $17,000 frame at El Capitan, where it played its 241st week. The Biltmore offering, "The Story of Mary Surratt," finished its fortnight with $14,500 for the final week and $26,500 for the run prior to bowing in New York. Belasco climbed up with the fifth stanza of "She Doo-t It in Dixie," claiming $10,500. "Pinafore" played to $6,500 for its first stretch at El Patio, putting the company in the black for the first time since the Gilbert and Sullivan shows opened three weeks ago. Current Road Shows 'MILL' BOFF 33G, BALTO. Baltimore, Feb. 4. Absolute capacity was the s'tory here for 'The Red Mill" at Ford's last week with a bango $33,000 the C,Ount. House was practically sold o'Ut in advance. In currently is revival of "Craig's Wife," with Judith Evelyn given top billing. ZaSu Pitts, in "A Dangerous Woman" is set to follow. 'Menagerie' $8,500, Buff. Buffalo, Feb. 4. "'Glass Menagerie," in five shows last week at the Erlanger, at $3 top, grossed neat $8,500. (Period Covering Feb. 8-15) "A Dangerous Woman"-~Shubert- Lafayette, Del (3-6); Ford's, Balto. (10-15). "A Flag Is Born"—Erlanger, Philly (8-8). "Ann* Lucasta"—Locust, Philly. (8-15). "Anna Lucasta" — Geary, Frisco (3-15), "Apple of His Eye"—English, todnpk (8-5); Hartman, Col. (6-8); Cox, Cinoy (10-15). Ballet Theatre — Lyceum, Mpls. (.4-1); Aud., St. Paul (8). "Blackouts of 1947" —El Capitan, Hollywood (3-15). Blackstone—Cox, Cincy (3-8). "Blossom Time"—Rajah, Reading (3); Mosque, Harrisburg (4); Karl- ton, Williatnsport (5); Strand, El- mira (6); Aud., Rochester (7-8); Shea's, Erie" (10); Colonial, Akron (11); Park, Youngstown (12); Michi- gan, Ann Arbor 0-3); Palace, Flint (14); Keith's, Gr. Rapids (15). "Born Yesterday"—American, St.' Louis (3-8); Cass, Det, (10-15). "Call Me Mister"—Shubert, Bost. (8-15). . . "Brlgadoon"—Shubert, N. Haven (6-8); Colonial, Bost. (10-15). "Carrot and Club"—Walnut, Philly (8-15). "Chocolate Soldier" — Forrest, Philly (6-15), "Come On Up"—Curran, Frisco (3-8); Biltmore, L. A. (10-15). "Countess Julie"—Plymouth, Bost, (3-8); McCarter, Princeton (10-11); Lyric, Bridgeport (12). "Craig's Wife" — Ford's Balto. (3-8). "Bear Ruth"—Coliseum, Evansville (3); Aud., Louisville (4-5); English, Indnpls. (6-8); Town Hall, Toledo (10-12); Hartman, Col. (13-15). "Eagle Has Two Heads"—Hanna, Cleve. (3-8); His Majesty's, Mont'l (10-15). "Darling, Darling, Darling"—Wil- bur, Bost. (5-15). "Hamlet"—Lyric, "Vancouver (3-4); Temple, Tacoma (5); Capitol, Salt Lake City (7); Aud., Laramie (9); Aud., Denver (10); Aud., Boulder (11); Chief, Colo. Spr. (12); Aud., Pueblo U3); Aud., Topeka (15). "Harvey"—Harris,'Chi. (3-15). "Lute Song" — Studebaker, Chi. (3-15). "Magnificent Yankee" — Erlanger, Chi. (3-15). "Oklahoma!" — Cass, Det. (3-8); Davidson, Mil. (10-15). "Parlor Story"—Playhouse, Wil. (14-15). "Pygmalion"—Iris, Mex. City (3- 8); Curran, Frisco (10-15). "Song of Norway"—Shubert, Chi. (3-15). "Springtime for Henry"—Selwyn, Chi.-(3-15). "State of the Union"—Conv. Hall, Tulsa (3-4); Aud., L. Rock (6); Aud., Memphis (7-8); Temple, Birming- ham (10); Aud., Nashville (11); Er- langer, Atlanta (12-15). "State of the Union"—Aud., St. Paul (3); Omaha, Omaha (5); Music Hall, K. C. (6-8); Radio, Des Moines (11); Orpheum, Davenport (12); Pal- ace, So. Bend (13); Parkway, Madi- son (14-15). "Student Prince"—Davidson, Mil. (3-8): Parkway, Madison (10); Voca- tion N. S„ La Crosse (11); Lyceum, Mpls. (12-15). "The Glass Menagerie" — Nat'l, Wash. (3-15). "The Glass Menagerie" — Music Hall, Houston (4); Texas, S. Antonio (5); Paramount, Austin (6); Melba, Dallas (7-8); Worth, Ft. Worth (10); Majestic, Wichita Falls (11); Conv. Hail, Tulsa (12); Conv. Hall, Norman (13): Aud,. Stillwater (14). "The Bed Mill"—Shubert, Philly (3-15). "Three to Make Ready"—Black- stone, Chi. (3-15). "Up In Central Park" —Opera House. Bost. (3-15). "Voice of the Turtle"—Nixon, Pitt. (8-15). La Bankhead 'E&gW Soars To 121,000 in Pittsburgh . ■ Pittsburgh, Feb. 4. Tallulah Bankhead is still , potent .p. She proved that last week at Nixon where "Eagle Has Two Heads," despite a panning from all three critics, got close to $21,000 at' $3 (without tax) top. Entire draw can't be attributed- to star, however. Boxoffice men, who can hear those things, claim that a good bit of trade came from bobbysox follow- ing of Helmut Dantine, making his stage debut in John C. Wilson pro- duction. Nixon currently has "Voice of the Turtle" in for two weeks, and then Gets ZaSu Pitts in "A Dangerous Woman" and following that Eliza- beth Bergner in her two one-acters, 'John Loves' 15G, lister' $33,000, Apt' 12G, Hub Boston, Feb. 4. Three openings here this week all as of Monday (3).. "Up in Central Park" at the Opera House, "Darling, Darling, Darling," at the Wilbur, and "Miss Julie" and "Marriage Proposal,' double-bill, at the Plymouth. Openers last week were "Wash- ington Square," originally skedded for two weeks but closed out Sat. (1) following cool notices all around, and Jooss Ballet at the Copley, in for four performances. This was not greeted too kindly by the ballet crix, either. Other shows remained good money getters, with "Call Me Mister" still phenomenal at the Shubert. "Brigadoon" is next at the Colonial, coming in on the 10th, same night as "Importance of Being Earnest" opens at Plymouth. Copley theatre gets film "Stairway to Heaven" on road- show basis Feb, 7. Estimates for Last Week "Apartment 17-B," Wilbur (1,200; $3.60). Second and final week jumped to estimated $12,000 okay. Leaves here known as "It Takes Two." "Call Me Mister," Shubert (1,690; $4.80). Ninth week still drawing big biz with estimated huge $33,000. "John Loves Mary," Plymouth (1,- 200; $3.60). Second and final week up to estimated $15,000, very good. Jooss Ballet, Copley ,(1,000; $3.60). Four performances only, and not too enthusiastically received in press. Did an estimated $6,000. "Washington Square," Colonial (1,- 500; $3.60). Failed to take either with press or public and washed out on first week with an estimated $2,- 100. Closed Sat. (1). La West Does 15G, Frisco; 'Lucasta' Strong $20,000 San Francisco, Feb. 4. Mae West wound up the first week of her "Come On Up" at the 1,776-seat Curran with a gross of $15,000. Last week, Maurice Evans concluded a three-week run in "Hamlet," with a strong pickup to $27,000. "Anna Lucasta." in its second week at the 1,550-seat Geary, did a nice '20,100. 'Born' 17G, St. Louis St. Louis. Feb. 4. Garson Kanin's comedy "Born Yesterday" was bad for the first of a two-week stand from a b.o. stand- point but a 100% click with the crix, all of whom tossed raves for the piece and cast. The first session, eight performances, wound up at the American theatre Saturday (1) with an estimated gross of $17,000. The 1,700-seat house is scaled to $3.66. ' 'Pygmalion' 22G, Cincy. . Cincinnati, Feb. 4. Pegged as one of the country's poorest legit towns. Cincy nullified that rating last week by supporting "Pygmalion," with Gertrude Law- rence and Dennis King, to better than $23,000 in the 1,300-seat Cox at $3.60 top. Standee and turnaway biz was reg- istered from Wednesday matinee through Saturday night. 'UNION' ZBG, MPLS. Minneapolis, Feb. 4. "State of Union," with Neil Ham- ilton, Erin O'Brien-Moore and James Rennie, despite near-blizzards, sub- zero temperatures and icy thorough- fares, zoomed through to smash $28,- 000 for six nights and two- matinees at $3.60 top in the 2,100-seat Lyceum. Weekend performances were sell- outs. Iniiwaj Iz Stl fcreftig; • 'Swetlieiils 32S, "Rambow 9 42^G, 'Beggars 32^G, 'Sons' W/fi in 6 'Hamlet' 15G, Seattle Seattle, Feb. 4. ■ "Hamlet," with Maurice Evans, got capacity for five performances, one a matinee, at the 1,450-seater Metropolitan', with a $3.75 top. Engagement rang up boff $15,000. Broadway continues to flourish, and good business generally should prevail through winter, although the peak of that period is generally reached on Washington's Birthday and Lent has not materially affected attendance for quite some years. Grosses in holding to profitable lev- els are bad news only to those man- p^ers waiting to find berths on the main stem f~r new production. Re- liable reports of sliding business in some out-of-town cities is not ap- plicable to New York, where how- ever, ther are trends of reduced spending in the amusement field. Temperate weather held throughout test week, which was April-like rather than January. : "All My Sons" had the first-night spotlight Llone last week, drawing violently opposed notices, but very promising business, takings being around $14,500 in the first six per- formances. Three plays were added to the list this week. Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), M (Musical), O (.Operetta). "All My Sons," Coronet (1st week) (D-1,095; $4.80). Sharp difference of opinion expressed by the critics but the boxoffice did lively business; $14,500 in first six times, including a preview. "Annie Get Your Gun," Imperial (38th week) (M-1,427: $6.60). Musical competition has arrived, but the capacity pace of the list's leader un- affected; nearly $45,500. "Another Part of the Forest," Ful- ton (11th week) (D-968; $4.80). Picked up slightlv with several par- ties a factor and the gross approxi- mated $21,000. Beggar's Holiday," Broadway (6th week). (M-1,900; $4.80). Business for one of season's best regarded musi- cals has been substantial; $32,500 in big house. "Born Yesterday," Lyceum (53d week) (C-993; $4.80), The'gross for the week is usually computed be- fore Saturd-v and the count always comes out artund $21,000; all it can do. , "Call Me Mister," National (42d week) (R-l,)04; $6). Aimed into summer and will last longer, accord- ing to continuous capacity attend- ance; close to $33,000. "Carousel," Majestic (94th week) (M-1,667; $6). Approaching the two- year mark and looks sure go on beyond then; profitable business rated around $33,000. "Christopher Blake," Music Box (9th week) (D-979; $4.80). Variable, and without theatre party support, takings are easinp downward with last'week somewhat under $17,000; about even break on operation. "Finian's Rainbow," 46th Street (4th week) (M-1.319; $6). Click of this new musical undoubted, and road company being planned; $42,- 500. capacity plus standees. "Happy Birthday," Broadhurst (14th week) (CD-1.160: $4.8,0). Sells out all times and there* are no theatre parties; takings close to $30,- 500. "Harvev." 48th St. (118th week) (C-920; $4.20). Popularity of laugh show carries to virtual capacity business right alon.s and last week's gross approached $19,000. "Icetime," Center (33d week) (R- 2,994; $2.40). Somewhat overestimat- ed but still eemmartds profitable business and is slated into spring; $27,000. "It Takes Two," Biltmore (C-920; $4.20), Presented by George Abbott and Richard Aldrich; written by Virginia Faulkner and Dana Suesse; opened Monday (3). "Joan of Lorraine," Alvin (llth week) (D-1,33;: $4.80). Looks like the play and it's Coast star Ingrid Bergman will figure in the spring's prize awards; always capacity plus; over $32,500. "John Loves Mary," Booth (C-712; $4.80). Presented by Richard Rodg- ers and Oscar Hammerstein, 2d; written by Norman Krasna; laugh play liked out of town; opened Tues- day (4). "Life With Father," Bijou (374th week) (C-613; $3.60). Up a bit more last week when the run leader ap- proximated $9,000; some profit at that level. "O Mistress Mine," Empire (CD- 1,082; $4.80). Played 42 weeks until forced to suspend when Alfred Lunt was operated on; slated to resume next Monday (10); Ruth Draper fill- ing in with monologs. "Oklahoma!", St. James (206th week) (M-1,509; $4.80). Will com- plete four years at the end of March and people will start collecting long distance bets; plenty good; up further $28,500. "Present Laughter," Plymouth (14th week) (M-1,063: $4.80). Fooled some managers by holding to profit- able business longer than expected; improved to very good $17,500. "State of the Union," Hudson (64th week) (CD-1,057; $4.80). One of the most consistant big grossers on Broadway with takings still around capacity; $25,000. "Street Scene," Adelphi (4th week) (M-1,434; $6). Drew followup accolades and should command big money for some time, with takings around $40,000. "The Fatal Weakness," Royale (llth week) (CD-1,025; $4.80). Has eased off somewhat but a money- maker for first three months; eased off: dipped under $16,000. "The Iceman Cometh," Beck (17th week) (D-1,213; $5.40). Whether profitable pace will continue through spring questionable for lengthy drama; $17,000 estimated. "The Story of Mary Surratt," Mil- ler (D-920; $4.80). Presented by Russell Lewis and Howard Young; written by John Patrick: comes from Coast to open Friday (7). "The Voice of the Turtle," Mot osco (147th week) (C-939; $3.60). At- tendance improved further last week to around $11,000; okay for longrun three-person play, "Toplitzky of Notre Dame," Cen- tury (6th week) (M-1,712; $4,80). Must find another house after next week as Shakespearean repertory advertised to open here Feb, 22- musical improved to $24,000, "Years Ago," Mansfield (9th week) (C-1,001: $4.80). Should play into warm weather; has fared much bet- ter than indicated earlier and the g-osses lately have approximated REVIVALS "Bloomer Girl," City Center (4th week) ■ (M-2,693; $2.40). Somewhat improved to around $26,000 but at- tendance for the return date under expectations; another week, then ballet. ''Burlesque," Belasco C6th week) (C-1,077; $4.80). Has teen, getting excellent money with r; ' t per- formances virtually se»>kg out: rated around $20,000. '.' "Henry VHL> "Wm Every Woman Knows," "Jo?".! Gabriel Borkman" and "Androefcs and the Lion," International Ojth ' week) (1,172; $4.20). Picked m and rated around $18,000; "Andwiclc ' Vill be given more performane,tban the other plays until "Tf»4!«»\v Jack" bows in Feb. 27. "Lady Windermere's ttm," Cort (16th week) (C-1,061; $4.29). One of the standouts amtBi;,- revivals and getting about top money in that division; improved to oven $21,500. "Cyrano de Berge«„».•' Jforryrnore (17th week) (CD-yga; $4.80). Still attracting attention and goodly busi- ness with last week- iwnptng to $19,500, „r s , w ^ he £ r !Y-,' %»bwt (2d week) (M-1,382; $4.80)., -Fin-< full week estimated over $32,t»s i'„ rrl j s capa- city in this house at 1.1 .;*k4p„ Wolfit Co. Hits 117,200 la 2d Toronto Week Toronto, Feb. 4. On holdovei last week at the Royal Alexandra, Donald Wolfit and Rosalind Iden, with their London company, grossed an excellent $17,200 with 1.525-seirter ,««iled at a light $2.50. First periurmance in Canada of "Volpone" for two performances bumped the gross, with Wolfit omit- ting his "Hamlet" in the second stanza. First week did $15,800. ' But more important is the recep- tion accorded the London visitors who are currently dividing the week in such adjacent drama-starved cities as Hamilton, London and Brantford, where the first British troupe to come to Canada since 1939 has sold out almost on mail order sales alone for a current week's gross of $21,100. This confined to the Wolfit company's repertory of "King Lear." "Hamlet." "As You Like It" and "The Merchant of Venice." Capacity advance sales were: Palace (2,007 seats), Hamilton, three performances, $9,000; Capitol (1,630) Brantford, one performance, $2,700; Grand (1,200) London, four performances, $9,400. AH theatres scaled at $2.50 top. Prior to going into the Century, New York, week of Feb, 18 the i Wolfit company will complete its six- iweek Canadian tour with a repeat engagement at the Royal Alexandra. Toronto, where heavy mail order sale for this final engagement is al- ready evident. •Carrot'-4y 2 G (4), N. H. New Haven, Feb. 4. Preem of "Carrot and Club" failed to stir b.o. interest at Shubert last ' weekend (30-1). Lack of cast names, plus so-so press, added up to an es- timated $4,500. On four shows at $3 top (tax incl.), this meant plenty of vacant pews. Current is breakin of "Brigadoon" with heavy advance already in the till. Here for last half (6-8).