Variety (May 1947)

52 LEGITIMATE Wednesday, May 1 4, 1947 Plays Out of Town Louisiana Lady New Haven, May 8. Hall Shelton production o£ musical 1 comedy In two acts, 11 scenes. Features Charles JuUels, Edith Fellows, Olga Bacla- 9»va, Ray Jaequemot, Victoria Cordova, Henry Laseoe, Lou Wills, Jr„ The, Hot- sliols. .Book by Isaac Green, Jr., and Eugene Berton"; lyrics and music by Monte,. Carlo Snd Alma Sanders; staged Ly Edgar Mac- Oregor; dances by Felicia Sorel; settings by "Watson Barratt; costumes by Mary Grant; lighting by Leo Kerz; orchestrations by Hans Spialek and Robert Bennett; conduc- tor and vocal arrangements, Hilding Ander- son. Opened at Shubert theatre, New Haven, May 8, '47; S-i.20 top. e El Gato ~.Rny Jaequemot Joe .T.Patrick Meaney Michel Lou Wills, Jr. Sarah.... Tina Preseott Corriue Ann Lay Germnine Pattl Hall Annette Angela Carabella Suzanne Paul Kingsley Marie-Louise Edith. Fellows Charley Howard Blaine Chrlslophe. .Wm. Downes George, a bartender Ameil Brown Hugo. Genevieve.......... Madame Corday.... Pierre. Marquette ..,... Merlucbe..* Alphonse............ teiesle .............. A Drunk Hoskins.,.......... Janet............... Golondrlna Chico, a bartender. Gaston Mrs. Banforth.. ..Lee Kerry ..Isabella Wilson . .Olga Baclanova Ken Bond .Robert Klmberly Henry Lascoe ... .Charles Judels .... Bertha Powell .. .George Roberts ....Berton Davis ...Frances Keyes .Victoria Cordova . .Michael Landau Bert Wilcox .Ann Viola Singers: eight girls,, eight hoys •Dancers: nine girls, six boys As a swansong for a busy (21 breakins) season here, Hall Shelton has presented a tuneshow that is moderately diverting in its present state, but which will need every pos- sible boost it can develop in order to compete successfully on- Broadway. It's going to mean midnight oil to prepare this one as a bright lights candidate. Potentialities don't indi- cate smash proportions, but there's more than just the core of summer entertainment here. A real smart guy is one who, when he has a lemon handed to him, takes it and opens up a lemonade stand. To some extent, this applies to the un- ' veiling of "Lady." When something called "In Gay New Orleans" met a quick tryout death in mid-season, m a salvaging attempt certain of its trappings were offered at a bargain. A new set of backers bought some of the sets and costumes f<Jr a song— which they amplified into a more or less complete musical. Preem revealed melodies, terps and costumes as top assets revolving around a mediocre book of the buttonshoe format. There's a fairly interesting idea (based on a Sam Stiipman opus of a generation ago) m the theme of slave-running back- ground of 1830, but development of the story never gets beyond the ordi- nary stage. Script probably was typed on cellophane—it's that trans- parent. ,. _ Carryovers from the "New. Or- leans" fadeout are Watson Barratt's sets,' Mary Grant's costumes, Felicia Sorel's dances. "Sets are a combina- tion of outstanding craftsmanship, in some instances, and fugitives from a Shubert storehouse in other in- stances. Costumes are rich, even dazzling, on the whole and paint at- tractive apparel pictures despite be- ing worked-over material. Dances are excellent, but take up too much of the production's time. A second- act opening MardI Gras ballet is longer than a filibuster. On the score, melodies outdistance the lyrics. There's quite a variety of cleffing, most of - it pleasantly wend- ing its way into receptive eardrums. Standouts are "That's Why I Want tp Go Home," "When You Are Close to Me," ."A Little Bit Naive," "Louisi- ana's Holiday" and "The r Night Was All to Blame." Score gets an able assist from-choral groups as well as some good vocalizing by soloists, sans mechanical amplifiers, incident- ally Charles Judels is top-featured and he's a lifesaver onitaugh end. He has resurrected some material from the dark ages, but it .drew chuckles from auditors catching it for the first time. Edith Fellows offers personality, plus vocal volume that belies her 83- pound physical structure. She's first- rate on tone also. Olga Baclanova, taking over at short notice when Irene Bordoni stepped out, puts ani- mation into her role as hostess of a carriage-trade pleasure house. Roy Jacquemot has the build to "ac- company a booming baritone, result being something for femme orbs as well as male ears, Victoria Cordova's fiery senorita is. a cast asset, her "Cucacheena" number being a flashy contribution. Henry Lascoe does well as a heavy. Lou Wills, Jr., throws a red traffic- light into proceedings with some sen- sational stepping, and Bertha Powell (another fugitive from "New Or- leans") gets s healthy hand for a vocal solo. The "Hotshots" (Wm. Downes, Ameil Brown) do some fast dancing, which is good, per se, but in this particular type of production their style of challenge hoofing is out of place. Troupe boasts a plenitude of lookers. . Direction has produced a better first act than second. It's this last half that wiH-cause stager consider- able aspirin consumption. Bone. «. :— ^ Portrait in lilaek Wilmington, Del., May 9. David Lowe and Kdgar F. Luckenbach production of drama in three acts (five scenesi by Ivan Uoff and Ben Roberts. Staged by Reginald Denham; setting and lighting. Donald Oenslager; costumes su- pervised by Helene Pons. At Playhouse, Wilmington, Del., May 9-10, '47; $3 top. Tanis Talbot Claire Luce Uracie MCPhee Mary Michael Peter Talbot David Anderson Winifred Talbot Dorothea Jackson Cob O'Brien Barry Kelley Rupert Marlowe ....Sidney Blackmer Dr. Pn'ilip ' Graham Donald Cook Blake Ritchie Thomas Coley This psychological murder mystery was tried out last season but didn't reach Broadway. It still isn't main stem fare. While there is a sock ending nothing much happens in be- tween the. first and final curtains. The play's pace is strictly pedestrian, a fatal error in a mystery play. The curtain rises on the widow of a shipping magnate who with her doctor lover has brought about hub- by's death. They believe them- selves safe until a letter arrives con- gratulating them on the murder, Aware their secret is shared by an unknown third party they begin sus- pecting, everybody in sight. This leads them to kill* another ex-lover of the woman only to find" he was innocent. Things go from bad to worse until the surprise ending, which discloses the woman as a complete hussy. As sidelights the authors have the woman's! stepdaughter fall in love with a union organizer; a butler whose sinister attitude makes him a suspect for two acts', and a boy who joins the others in complicating, the* plot. As a study in feminine psy- chology the play has some interest but at present it's too thin and arti- ficial to attract paying customers. The cast is well chosen and the three leads turn in commendable performances. Claire Luce, back home after a long and successful career in London, makes the widow a glamorous and attractive figure. She appears in a series of stunning black gowns created by Helene Pons. Sidney Blackmer has a thankless role as the ex-lover who gets killed .off in the second act, but.he knows his way around a stage. Donald Cook is the doctor lover, and he plays with authority. In the supporting cast Barry Kel- ley is excellent as the butler who is next on the death list because it ap- pears he knows too much. The step- daughter is well acted by Dorothea Jackson, and Thomas Coley im- presses in his brief appearances as the union boss. David Anderson is likeable and natural as the boy, and Mary Michael brightens the stage as the housekeeper. Donald Oenslager's living room setting is in his best tradition, and the same goes for his handling of the lighting effects. Reginald Den- ham's direction good considering material at hand. Ktep. have done well to remember an old New England adage, "Never- wash your family linen in public." , "Fable" is the story of Matthew Quince, widower, who returns to his farmhome after a spree in Provi- dence with $4,000 and a new wife. She's a flashy piece 6f baggage who believed his wild yarns and saw in him another victim for her profitable alimony racket. He was just drunk, Quince's in-laws by his first Wife plot to murder him before he can ■Sign a new will leaving his money to his son and the family maid. Wife number two adds her dose of arsenic to the coffee cup. But the maid had put sugar, in the arsenic can and the poison in a precious sugar bowl that wasn't to be touched. And sinc_e the conspirators ignore Matthew's orders and use the bowl, New England jus- tice triumphs. They manage to stay alive via the stomach pump method, but the kid dies of natural causes, which tees off a charge of neglect against the maid. She's found innocent in time to hear Matthew's declaration of love before they both rush home to the milking. As a slice of New England' life, "Fable" could hold up well if it weren't for maundering, meaning- less lines which were thrown in in a desperate effort to get laughs. One good bit about a sleeping defense at- torney in the courtroom scene is ruined by consistent milking. Ruth Covell -is generally credible as the maid and Dabbs Greer turns in a neat performance as the family lawyer. Direction was spotty. Two striking sets greatly enhance produc- tion, In one. respect, "Fable" lives up to its name, since Webster describes the word as something not to be believed. As a professnonal job, this is cer- tainly unbelievable. Kap. Actorsfund Again Operates in Black The '65th annual meeting of the Actors Fund was held at the Empire, N. Y., Friday (9), when treasurer Vinton Freedley's report was that for • another consecutive year the Fund had operated out of the red. Surplus of the 1946-47 period is $32,505 as compared to $73,740 the previous year, which was excep- tionally successful financially. In- come from all sources totaled $246,- 526 and gross expenditures amounted to $213,933. Fund's annual benefit show brought in $14,971, and performances of legit shows earmarked for the actors charity brought in $39,498. Direct aid was given in 14,716 cases during the fiscal year, those outlays amounting to $125,365, average cases being 283 weekly. Home ui the Fund at Englewood, N. J., is filled, cost of maintenance being $46,476, and 31 cases are being cared for in hospital and nursing homes. Burials of 74 indigents were made in ceme- teries in Brooklyn and Kensico, cost being $9,284. Frank Fay, invited to be present, donated $5,QO0 to the Fund, largest contribution made hy^an actor in- dividually, and he also entertained the assemblage. An invited speaker was George Sokolsky, columnist for the N. Y. Sun. In addition to Freed- ley being reelected as treasurer, Walter Vincent, was renamed pres- ident, Harry Somers, Katherine Cornell, vice-presidents, and Robert Campbell, secretary. SAMUEL FRENCH SI3SCE 1830 Play, Brokers and Authors' Representatives is West 45th Street, New York 7«SS Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 46, Cal. A Yankee Fable Pasadena, May 8. Pasadena Playhouse production, of two- act comedy-drama (five scenes) by Guy Andros, Staged by Gilmor Brown and Jack Harris; settings, Rita Glover. Opened at Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, Cal., May T, '-17; $2 top. Suzy Smith Ruth Covell Mickey Quince. A.. Augusta Stone........ Timothy Stone........ Judge Parker. Matthew Quince...... Venida Quince........ Doc Weed Judge............. .... Prosecuting Attorney, Detenae Attorney..... Court Attendant..,,.. Clerk , Foreman of the Jury. .. .John Cordell Clay ......Anne Diamond ..Samuel R. Herrick .........Dabbs Greer ..Russell Gold ........Jan Marshall Marvin Press ........ ..John Weems .Robert Rockwell .Vincent Y. BowdltcU .......Alton Sullivan ......... James Rojas ......'.... .George Miles Connelly ti fate Continued front page 51 Margaret Phillips, a British actress, who was given one of the $500 arb M annually granted to the best supporting actress and actor by Equity pre™ Clarence Derwent, has been given permission to 1 appear in a revival nt "Berkeley Square," slated for Broadway this summer. Miss Phillips' nri«I was granted on the strength of her- work in "Another Part of the Forest-* while Tom Ewell also got $500 for his performance in "John Loves Marv " "Berkeley" is designed for a limited date, Miss Phillips being due to torn.' in "Forest'' in the fall. Also due in the revival are Bramwell Fletcher- Horace Braham, Louis Prussing, Jean Marmont and Richard Newton Long before he was considered as head of Equity, Derwent established a fund of $25,000, earnings from which are to be devoted to^autstandinir * unfeatured, supporting players. This is the third year of the Ash prize*' Sale of his Pulitzer prize novel, "All the Kirjg's Men," movie rights to Columbia on a cash and 1 percentage deal, expected to yield more than $200,000, has been made before Robert Penn Warren, the author, a pro- fessor at the University of Minnesota, has disposed of his play of the same name. Situation is unusual because the play was written before the novel and the latter was adapted from it, reversing the usual procedure. The University of Minnesota Theatre gave the play, Warren's first and only one so far, its world premiere this month. y Prof. Warren and his wife depart next month for a year's sabbatical leave to be spent in Sicily. It was awarded him by the Rockefeller Foundation. Brock Pemberton considered continuing "Harvey" in Chicago through the summer with a name replacement for Joe E. Brown, who goes to the Coast May 31 for a film chore, but since another comedian would not be available by that time, he decided to finale the Loop date upon Brown's departure. Show will lay off during summer and is dated to resume on the road in Detroit early in September, with Brown again starring. Frank Fay will go on vacation from the Broadway "Harvey," planning a four- to-six week rest. Last summer, when he took a month off, Bert Wheeler stepped in. Whether he'will repeat is not definite. Managers are wondering whether or how much performances, in theaters on 44th street will be affected when the new publication plant of the Times facing the Shubert and the Hotel Astor, is completed. The daily's delivery trucks will be fed by a battery of chutes above the new loading platform Up to now the trucks have been loaded on the 43rd street side of the plant! Special brick paving has been installed for the trucks, which usually wili arrive and depart with first editions before the finale curtains in the theaters. Showmen recently visiting Dallas were regaled by Ned Alvord, who waved a many-paged last will and testament, signatured 1 by half a dozen witnesses. It's a new document, the cutaway-suited agent explaining that nearly all the original legatees had "pre-deceased me." Result was that a couple of a.k.'s, who suspect they might be mentioned in the will, have written Alvord requesting that they be "included out" upon the theory that thereby they may prevent the bell tolling too soon. Alvord is pulling up stakes and going to the Coast, saying it's too gosh-darned hot in Texas. Sallie Kusell, formerly of show business, a sister of Milton, Dan and Buddy (Harold), known in legit and films, has become an artist in oilt and water colors. Although she is an amateur, "Shantytown," one of her works hanging on the wall at home for a couple of years, was entered in an exhibition of professional artists at New Rochelle, and to her sur- prise it won first prize. She hadn't seen the show, and they had to call her up and announce the win. Geraldine Brooks, youngest daughter of Jimmy Stroock, of the Brooks costume plant, has been upped by Warners on tha strength of her per- formance in ^possessed," to be released soon. Starlet will have the femme lead in "Mary Hagen," due to start production this week on the Coast, Story by Edith Roberts was first called "The Hagen Girl." make a special classification for the Detroit venture, Two young showmen, William Merrill and Richard Charlton, who got their theatrical experience dur- ing the war in the services and sum- mer stook, head the new drama project. Charlton was connected with a Connecticut stock last season, while Merrill conducted the Willa- way Playhouse in suburban Detroit. Plans include booking occasional road shows in the Hall, house for- merly offering touring attractions when known as the Wilson. Cuiled from court records and family folklore, "A Yankee Fable" represents, according to author Guy Andros, events in the lives of some of his distant relatives. He would 3 TOM WEATHERLy Personal Publicity • for * Prominent Players 152 West 54th Street, New York CO-5-7640 Abbott, Donald Oenslager, John Mason Brown, and'others. When Harvard refused to grant funds suf- ficient for proper enlargement of his department, Prof. Baker accepted Yale's offer and switched to the latter. Drama 47 is a course for ad- vanced students, extending into graduate school. Connelly will teach two days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, leaving room for his legit work, He has two projects on for the fall, a revival . of "Green Pastures" with Jean Dalrymple as co-producer, and himself directing, and a new play he's working on. "I don't know What my qualifica- tions as a teacher may be," said Connelly, "but whatever experience I've had that may help the students I'll try to put at their disposal." IswiSty Schedule 5S Continued from page 51 —; Watson Barratt Objects To Mistreatment' of Set Watson Barratt, who designed the setting for "Heads or Tails," play recently put on at Cort, N. Y., by Your Theatre, Inc., has written the producers, through his attorney Benjamin Starr, objecting to treat- ment of the set. * Designer claims that drastic changes were-made by producers without his consent. Claims he de- signed the set, then went to Cali- fornia. Without his knowledge, and in violation of designer's standard contract, the producer, Barratt says, subsequently cancelled some of the props he selected, threw ou^the fur- niture he picked, and otherwise "ruined" the set. Attorney now re- quests producers to replace the orig- inal, set, or remove designer's name from the program. H. J. Langsfelder, representing Your Theatre, denies any changes made in set. Said that the set didn't fit when it was hung, and was al- tered only for size. Barratt was away-and couldn't be reached. Pro- ducer resents Barratt's charge and has retained Howard Reinheimer to protect his interests". to secure some talent of professional calibre from Detroit, Chicago and community theatre circles. Because of the unconventional setup, so far as the performance schedule is con- cerned Equity • has been asked to Krakeur Charges Pact Breach, Sues for Prod. , ' Co-ling on 'Portrait' Seeking to compel his former asso- ciates, Edgar F. Luckenbach, Jr. and David Lowe, to honor an alleged contract made last Nov. ; 18, Richard Krakeur obtained a snow cause' order last week from N. Y. Supreme Court Justice Benjamin F. Schreiber. He claims that his suit rose "out Of 8 deliberate and concerted breach of contract for a joint venture." Krakeur, it's alleged, became ac- quainted with Luckenbach last November. Complaint adds former left a lucrative post with Vinton Freedley .to join. Luckenbach at 11 salary of $200 per week and 50% of the producers' share of the profits as co-producer on plays they might present.' Under the pact, the pair agreed to produce "Portrait in Black"„ with Krakeur furnishing his professional advice and services. ■ With "Portrait" due at the Booth, N. Y. tonight (14), the complaint states that only Luckenbach ana Lowe are billed as producers. Kra- keur claims that he should hatfe co- producer billing. As a consequence of his failure to receive proper credit, plaintiff wants an injunction to re» strain Luckenbach from breaching performance of the Nov. 18, 1046 con- tract. He also seeks to restrain th« defendants from disposing of nlS alleged share in the production. In Luckenbach's affidavit, he ad- mitted a one-year contract w»n Krakeur but described it as purely an employment contract. Defendant denies that Krakeur was to have re- ceived any billing, or that his nam* was tij-have appeared on any pro* duction as co-producer. Kiel Aud's 42G Deficit St. Louis, May 13. The Henry W. Kiel (municipal) auditorium operated at a deficit of $42,858 during the 1946-47 fiscal year as compared to an operating deficit of $102,190 during the previous fiscal year, SKUINIK SIGNED Menasha Skulnik will stay on as Star of the 2d Ave. theatre, whion William Rolland will operate as a. legit Yiddish playhouse next season. Rolland returns as producer-man- ager of that East Side house after an absence of three years.