Variety (Jun 1947)

Wednesday, June 11, 1947 LEGITIMATE 53 Plays Out of Town Dark Memory Bridgeport, June 6. Edith Gordon Production of melodrama In two . acta (four scenes) by Herman Boxer, based on short story In The New TorUer. Features "Charles Dingle and Mary Anderson. Staged by Charles K. Freeman; setting, Samuel Leve; costumes. Rose Bos- danoft. At Lyric theatre, Bridgeport, June 0 '47: $3 top. Abby Cooper Kathryn Grill Oeorge Prlncey John Forker Willlcent Frlncley Mary Anderson Oliver Wltherspoon ....Peter Brocco Cant. Ned Kndlcott Stephen Courtleleh Mr" Prlncey..... .....Charles Dingle Matt Carver Arthur Hunnlcutt "Based on a short story in The New Yorker" tells«the score of "Dark Memory.," Melodrama has short story •written all over it, from the time treatment to the finish twist. Play- ing and direction are above par, and presence of Charles Dingle and Mary Anderson may help, but in today's market the piece doesn't appear to have enough for Broadway. Its a definite screen potential, however. Overall span isn't 100 minutes and there's room for tightening. Under such circumstances opportunity for character play is limited, and audi- ence is left feeling that it would like to know more about author Boxer's people. This is particularly true of the Anderson role. . The Princeys are a father, adoles- cent daughter and son, first family of- a Massachusetts small town in 1906. Parent is selfish' and domineer- ing, persecuting the girl because she reminds him of her long-dead mother. It is suggested that hitter's death by drowning was not an acci- dent and that the daughter was a witness. . . , • Determined to get the girl out of the house, the father tries to bulldoze the local schoolmaster into a marriage agreement. The spineless fellow rebels, and the daughter, in a fit of temper, kills him. Princey attempts to frame a sea captain-neighbor, who was loved by the dead wife, as the murderer but his scheme goes awry, in typical short story fashion. Dingle's long experience as the cruel head of' the~hovree- serves him as the venal Princey. He has to do his dirty work within a matter of minutes, arid you get the feeling that he is operating under pressure. Miss Anderson's assignment as the mentally-tortured Millicent Princey is much more difficult. She hits the highs of the role, and she is good to look at. Stephen Courtleigh is properly up> right as the sea captain. Peter Brocco makes an artful shoelicker of the schoolmaster. John Forker manages to put some decency into the Princey son. Arthur Hunnicutt's constable is standard. The part of the house- keeper is competently played by Kathryn Grill. Charles K. Freeman's staging is al- together superior in the first act. The second half is the one that will need the work. Good early-century Yan- kee interior by Samuel Leve. Elem. Margo Jones Troupe In Dallas Preem Dallas, June 10. Margo Jones' new repertory com pany here, called Theater '47, is presenting its initial production, ''Farther Off from Heaven," by Wil- liam Inge, for which Miss Jones has imported some New York people, namely Carol Goodner. Performance Is at the Gulf Oil theatre on the State Fair Grounds. The Inge play is a story of serious mood involving a family of frus trated adults and children who aban don their characteristic spatting when drawn together to a new understanding of their mutual dependence and need. It is laid in the early 1920's in a small Kansas town. Miss Goodner is outstanding as the mother, and Miss Jones has staged. sorts of highly unfunny results. The neighbors protest. The sister has callers, which suggests to the pure- minded neighbors that something -unsavory is simmering. They have the home raided. Everything is straightened out, of course, and lots of people are properly embarrassed- including the audience. Dialog, situation, acting and di- rection seem to vie with each other in being the most tedious. Even Mary Boland, back on Broadway after five years, is subdued by the play, only occasionally flashing her oldtime comic skill. Joyce Mathews (Mrs. 'Milton Berle), playing the sister, is very decorative. So is Leo Kerz's set. . All else—cast or production—is as nothing. Bron. Closed Sat. (7) after seven per- formances.) Rigo «Iancsl *>.-;' Budapest, May 29. Operette Theatre production of oi>eretta In three acts by Iletvan Bekeffi from novel of Sandor Lcstyan. Directed by vilnios Tlhanyi. Music by Szabolcs Fcnyes. At Budapest, May 28. '47. Balazs Balogh Kalman Rozsahegyi Mnrisl$a Mai-git Dayka Rigo Jan'csl." .".".trr.. nT.TTTrrJanya Saitly- Flcsur Kalman Latahar Count Chlmay Ferenc Zcntay Countess Cliimay Anna Nadassy Lisett* Rouskl Cslkos King of France Gyorgy Gozmany U-ilos *.Jozsef Bevky Gyula Andor Heltay Elemer Janos Balassa Bela Jozsef Antalfty Director Gusztav Partes D Play on Broadway Open House Rex Carlton production of comedy In three acts by Harry young. Stars Mary Boiand. Staged by Coby Rusktn; set, cos- tumes, lighting by T*o Kerz. At Cort, N. Y., June 8, '4V; $4.20 top. Mrs. Barrett Mary Boland Glenn Stewart John Harvey Lee Elkins Don Gibson Olivia Corey Augusta Roe'.and Eipressman Sammy Schwartz Mrs. Corey Ann Dere Fio Elkins Joyce Mathews M 'he .Dave Tyrrell Joe . .. Steven Gethera Bob n e i Hughes Jennie Dulole Cooper I-etter Carrier Harold Grau Uncle Wottcrson -..Curtis Cooltsey g°f*f ....Ben Loiightln Policeman Dennis Bohan Mr. Weslcott William David I hotORrapher Forrest Taylor, Jr. Pllsudskl Will Kuluva Mr. , This is an open and shut case. _Open House," which opened last Tuesday (3), should be shutting its doors any edition now, taking in its very unwelcome mat. It's that drab and dull. The play deals with an addle- pated widow, living in a restricted residential section, who takes in a couple of homeless ex-GIs (and the sister of one) as roomers—with all Operette Theatre has really pro- duced an operetta comparable with those of Lehar's and Kalman's, - Play opened big and cr'ix. unanimeusly praised it. This romantic love story of Rigo Jancsi, noted Hungarian gypsy mu- sician, -and Countess Chimay of France, a sensation of the 80s, will be made into a picture by Para- mount, it was revealed after open- ing. Story by Istvan Bekeffi follows the career of Rigo Jancsi, the role played by Janos Sardy. Although starting out in a small Budapest cafe, Sardy attracts enough attention to gain an engagement in Paris' most exclusive nightclub. He's an instant success, and his attentions are sought by Paris women. Despite this popularity with femmes, he ignores them for his fiancee back home. That is until Anna Nadassy, as the Countess Chimay, comes to his nightclub. Sardy falls madly in love with her. Ferenc Zentay, the count, discovers one of their rendezvous in Sardy's apartment, but doesn't do anything about it. Instead he plans to trap her when he learns that the king also is interested in the countess. Plot falls through, but Sardy and Nadassy, the countess, flee to the U. S. Sardy learns that his old band has arrived in N? Y., but faces a shut- down unless he is able again to play with them. He refuses until the countess learns of the situation. She returns to Paris, leaving the expla- nation that he must return to his first love, music. Sardy rejoins his outfit and his former fiancee, Margit Dayka. After having had no operatic prima donna, save for Hanna Honthy, for nearly 30 years, Hun- gary apparently has found one in Miss Nadassy. Although this new- comer is only 21, she has a clear, beautiful voice. Miss Nadassy still is a bit light in thespian ability, but appeared a real find on opening night. . . , Sardy, as the gypsy musician who captivates femme hearts with his charm, is not as satisfying as his comely heart interest in this produc- tion. His voice doesn't appear okay at all times. . , Margit Dayka, who is his fiancee daughter of "the gypsy leader, is ex- cellent as always and looks to be the greatest Hungarian actress of pres- ent day, whether in operetta or French farce comedy. Kalman Rozsahegyi is brilliant as the elderly gypsy band leader. Kalman Latabar seems to have ample comedy oppor- tunities as Ficsur, and is as popular aS Rozski Csikos. "Ihe soubrette, is sweet; Zentay is good as Count Chimay while Gyorgy Gozmany re- veals new charm in role of King of France, who visits nightclubs and likes pretty women. He has ad vanced in his singing, too. The four gypsy musicians, Jozset Berky, Andor Heltay, Janos Balassa and Jozsef Antalffy, are fine, and their special gypsy dance is superb. The music makes one recall the good old davs before the war. It ap- pears that neither money, talent nor production was spared to make this a strong offering. Gaat. 'okla; opens to weal advance in philly Philadelphia, June 10. Philly was without legit entertain- ment last week for the first time since August of last year, but activ- ity is resumed, at least temporarily, this week. "Oklahoma!" opened its return en- gagement at the Forrest last night (9) with an only-{air advance sale. Management is admittedly worried and all ad copy is now emphasizing "strictly limited engagement" fea- ture, with all original talk of 10 weeks, or the entire summer, now being subdued. lute Song' Strong $21,000, Washington Washington, June 10. "Lute Song," in its second stanza at the National, continued strong with $21,000 in the till, despite an unusually heavy dent made by ATS- Theatre Guild rates. Show holds for third, non-subscription week be- fore pulling up stakes and disband- ing. No booking announced to fol- low, but National still plans to remain open major portion of summer. Meantime, newspaper ads for the legit.haxe dropped the_ controversial legend which warned ducat holders" that "ticket is sold in compliance with known policy of this theatre..." and went on to state that no refunds would be made to persons "not con- forming to this policy who present same for admission." Yanking of statement from ads hints that National is beginning to conform -to policy laid down by Equity, which, in giving theatre a year to drop its race discrimination policy, suggested it gradually and quietly make the adjustment. 'Desert Son^ Neat 54G In Pitt Operetta Bow Pittsburgh, June 10. Second season of summer opera at Pitt Stadium got off to a flying start last week, "Desert Song" doing around $54,000. Attendance was <:lose to 40,000 despite threatening weather at least half the time. At- traction didn't miss a performance although rain came down during a couple of them, and Monday's (2) was finally called off during second act but past the refund time. Get- away attraction co-starred Edward Roecker and Margaret Spencer. Advance for current show, "Cat and Fiddle," is terrific due to presence in cast of Allan Jones. Budget for outdoor enterprise this year is much higher than last, with around 45 grand a week necessary to break even. 'Norway' 41G, Frisco San Francisco, June 10. "Song Of Norway" with Irra Petina chalked up a hefty $41,000 for its third week, with a $4.80 top at the 1,776 seat Curran. "Anna Lucasta" at the 1,550 seat Geary hit $10,500, slighty under last week. B'wayki Slight Boost; Dozen Shows Due for Summer Fade; 'La. Lady,' 'House Exit Fast; 'Annie' Leads, 45G 'STATE,' 'MAMA' FOR DALLAS Dallas, June 10. Interstate Theatres has booked two road shows thus far for the fall season, While no definite dates have been set, "State of the Union," which had a successful run here last season, will be repeated in November "I Re- member Mama," with Charlotte Greenwood possibly in the title role, is scheduled to be here in December. Broadway legiters were slightly improved last week when the sum- mer influx of visitors began. Num- ber of attractions will decline stead- jly, arid during June and July a dozen of the 24 shows current are likely to drop out. Survivors should fare well if as many out-of-towners reach the metropolis as heretofore in the summer. That is virtually as- sured by numerous conventions. Two shows ventured to open last week, both proving duds and frowned upon by critics and first nighters. "Louisiana Lady" was yanked after four performances; "Open House" got a similar recep- tion and closed Saturday. "The Medium" and "The Telephone" was announced to close but attendance jumped and is likely to stick for a while longer, at least. Estimates For Last Week Keys: C (.Comedy), D (Drama) , CD (Comedy-Drama), R (.Revue), M (Musical), O (Operetta). "All My Sons," Coronet (19th week) (D-1,095; $4.80). One of a number-of" attractions whose -cast- changes make no difference in at- tendance; well over $20,000. "Annie Get Your Gon," Imperial (56th week)) (M-1,427; $6). London presentation opened last Saturday (7); road outfit being readied (Dallas debut in fall); original still drawing standees; $45,000 plus. "Barefoot Boy With Cheek," Beck (10th week) (M-1,214; $6). Seven musicals on the boards; this one has fair chance well into the summer; did a bit better last week,. $21,000. "Born yesterday," Lyceum (71st week) (C-993; $4.80). Champ grosser among comedy stayers; getting tick- ets is still not so easy; gross approx- imates $21,000. "Bripadoon," Ziegfeld (13th week) (M-1,626; $4.80). One of three musi- cals selling out and should maintain that gait well into next season; tops $43,000. "Call Me Mister," National <60th week) (R-1,104; $6). Still commands fine draw; schedules matinees on Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanks- giving and Christmas: $25,500 okay at this period of run. "Finian's Rainbow," 46th Street (22d week) (M-1,319; $6). Every week the statement shows takings of $42,000, of which $500 represents standees. "Happy Birthday," Broad- hurst (32d week) (CD-1,160; $4.80). One of the current clicks that should be among the fall listings; around $24,000. "Harvey," 48th St (136th week) (C-920; $4.20). James Stewart steps into Frank Fay's place July 14, and film star should give laugh show a new lease; is doing very well; $16,500. "Icetime of 1948," Center (2d week) (M-2,984; $2.40). Skating re- vue figures to prosper, as did last season's edition; around $33,500 first full week. "John Loves Mary," Music Box (18th week) (C-979; $4.80). Among the shows expected to be running well into autumn; attendance ex- cellent; $21,000. "Life With Father," Bijou (395th week) (C-613; $3.60). Around $7,000, better than previous weeks; cele- brates new record Saturday (14) and moves to Alvin next week. "Louisiana Lady," Century. Lasted only three days; closed Wednesday (4); panned; moderate $3.60 top for musical didn't help at all. "Open House," Cort. Panned and taken off Saturday (7) after seven performances. "Oklahoma!", St. James (217th -week) (M-1,505; $4.80). Grosses are moderately big, and profitable oper- ation every week since opening over four years ago; well over $23,000. "Portrait in Black," Booth (4th week) (D-712; $4.80). One of the newer plays doubtful of spanning the summer; melodrama rated around $8,500, an improvement. "State of the Union," Hudson (82d week) (CD-1,057; $4.80). Erin O'Brien-Moore, Neil Hamilton and James Rennie replaced regulars (on vacation) last week and currently; takings up,.somewhat;.around-$18,000. "The Medium" and "The Tele- phone," Barrymore (6th week) (M- 1,064; $4.20). Operatic playlets were announced to close last week, but takings jumped to $11,500; rainy Saturday (7) accounted for $4,000 on day. "The Voice of the Turtle." Morosco (165th week) (C-939; $3.60). Louisa Horton, Boyd Crawford and Peggy French now constitute the three- person cast: around $10,000 last week with cutrating. "The Whole World Over," Bilt- more (11th week) (C-920; $4.20). Another play that looks doubtful through summer; modest takings through bargain tickets; $8,000. "Young Man's Fancy," Plymouth (6th week) (C-1,075; $3.60). Doesn't cost much to operate; also on two- for-one basis; dipped to around $6,500. REVIVALS ,', "Love for Love," Royale (2d week) (C-1,035; $4.80). Announced as lim- ited to five weeks, expiring June .28; English troupe doing very well; $19,000. "Alice In Wonderland," Majestic (9th week) (CD-1,667; $4.80). Hooked up exceptionally high and, despite goodly takings, making very little profit; eased off; $19,500. "Burlesque," Belasco (24th week) (C-1,077; $4.80). Set into July and may play longer; laugh show claimed to have picked up to $18,000. "Sweethearts," Shubert (20th week) (M-1,382; $4.80). Holds fine pace; musical favorite should be on hand after Labor Day; $28,000. 'Carousel' Paces Brisk Chicago At 42G, I28,lister'28,Tours,"Laura'NSG Chicago, June 10. ■*■ Unusually brisk activity took place here last week at houses showcasing musicals, with top grosser, "Ca- rousel," garnering a very big $42,- 000, "Red Mill" overquoted the first week picked up to $28,000 and "Call Me Mister" kept solid with $28,000. The two newcomers, "Accidentally Yours" and "Laura," showed a very slow start but healthy advance for the latter this week indicates a more jubilant future; "Accidentally Yours" didn't get much and goes off. Estimates for Last Week "Accidentally Yours," Selwyn (1st week) (1,000; $3.60). First seven per- formances mild; under $7,000 indi- cated and slated to fold Saturday. "Born Yesterday," Erlanger (15th week) (1,334; $3.60). Fairly brisk at $17,000. "Call Me Mister," Bleckstone (4th week) (1.358: $4.80). Popular musi- cal with a solid $28,000. "Carousel," Shubert (2d wk) (2,- 100; $4.80). Topping the list with al- most capacity business for $42,000 "Laura," Harris (1st week) (1,000; $3). Take for first eight perform- ances about $8,000 but biz perking for second frame. "The Red Mill," Civic Opera House (2d week) (3.800; $3.60). Take in- creased over first week but at $28,- 000 is disappointing; can gross $60,- 000 in big house. Novello Musical In . St. Loo Muny Teeoff St. Louis, June 10. The 29th season of the St. Louis Municipal Theatre Assn., sponsor of al fresco entertainment in the Forest Park playhouse, teed off Thursday (6) with the American preem of Ivor Novello's English musical, "Dancing Years." Despite threats of rain and lightning flashes through- out thVevening, a mob of 7,000 paid an estimated $3,000. Crix blew hot and cold on the piece, which has 11 scenes in two acts and dragged too much at the opening performance. The combo of operetta and drama is new to the al fresco customers but they gave the cast a warm reception at the windup performance. Wilma Spence, the prima, clicked in the chief warbling role, and Rob- ert E. Perry, .stage director, doubling as Prince Metterling, and Eduard Franz, as the composer Rudi Kleber, also scored. The piece runs 10 nights and will be followed by "Nina Rose" Monday (16). 'Bloomer" HG, Denver Denver, June 10. "Bloomer Girls" packed the muni- cipal auditorium for $21,000, three nights and a matinee, with 3,271 seats and a $3.60 top. BOLGER-'READY' WOW $26,500 IN BOSTON Boston, June 10. "Three to Make Ready" returned to the Colonial last week, where it preemed last season, and got the best notices to crop up here in a long time, with Ray Bolger, Boston boy, getting every adjective the aisle- sitters could think o r . Biz could have been better at opener, but it picked up immediately, and the estimated $26,500 at $4.20 top is wow for the Colonial. Show's in its final week here. "Anna Locasta" at the Plymouth did well enough with its reduced price last week to stay another, fin- ishing up on the 14th, Did estimated $10,000 at $2.40 top, great considering this was its eighth week. "Dark Memory" opened at the Wilbur last night (9) for a fortnight's run. Meanwhile, strawhatters are an- nouncing bills, with the Boston sum- mer theatre teeing off June 23 at New England Mutual Hall with "Joan of Lorraine," Madge Evans in the In- grid Bergman role. On June 30 Cam- bridge bridge Summer theatre fol- lows with "Glass Menagerie." Word is thaf John Gielgud returns to the Shubert on July 21 with "Love for Love." 'Rosalinda' 42»/ 2 G Windup, •Barretts' 29G in L. A. Los Angeles, June 10. Only three legit houses open last week all reported lush business, with town's total take reaching sweet $88,500. "Rosalinda" wound up three-week stand at Philharmonic Aud with juicy $42,500 to enrich Civic Light Opera Co. coffers by $127,000 for the visit Aud is dark this week, await- ing arrival of "The Three Musket- eers," June 16 "Barretts of Wimpole Street" fin- ished its two weeks at the Biltmore with a neat $29,000. Booking totaled estimated $56,000. "Bloomer Girl" bowed last night (9). Near Hollywood and Vine, Ken Murray's "Blackouts of 1947" round- ed out its 259th frame with the usu- ally solid $17,000.