Variety (Dec 1947)

IfedncBdayf Decem1i«r S, 1947 LEGITIIM[AT£ 49 MuH More Flexible Press L^t; CnOman Says Cut Is&es No Sense' Proposed limiting of 9roadway4 opening-night Usts appears to'te in « state of flux, and while the num- ber ^f tickets given the press will doubtless be reduced, it's generally conceded that there will be a more elastic schedule arrived at than the managers originally announced. To- morrow (4) the board of the League of New York Theatres is due tp con- sider the suggestions for more elas- ticity made at a meeting, with press agents test week. It is likely that a revised' list will be submitted to manager-members of the League be- fore it becomes "oflticial." Along Broadway there was varied comment over curtailing the press list, opinion mostly favoring the press contingent although partial curtailment received the nod. League's plaint against "cold" open- ing nights could be blamed more on those first nighters who arrive late at the theatre ^nA are often inatten- tive, it is felt. Howard S. Cullman, one of Broad- way's most proline bsekers, .stresses, for instance, that tlie proposed press ticket slicing makes no sense. Those in the amusement business need the . a,:sistance of columnists, radio com- mentators, magazines and all .those that influence public opinion. It is inconsistent to ask for their asiilst- once through press agents and then deny them the privilege of covering the ^ows.'' ■ Proponents of curtailment among th* League's officers state that it is only flie flrst night that the limita- tion would apply and that those sup- posed to be scratched from the list 8r« welcome to attend the shows on the. second or some subsequent per- formance. EQUin OKAYS CUTS IN PAY FOR 'FANCY' It's unusual for a cut in salaries to be made at this period of the sea- eon but Equity okayed such an ar- T^ngement for "A Young Man's yancy?' after surprising figures were submitted. Comedy played through the summer at the Plymouth, N.Y., then moved to the Cort. "Fancy" is in its 32d week but indications are the show operates in the red from the start, it's slated to be $165,000 on the wrong side of the ledger. Play is presented by 3&enry Adrian' •nd it's understood the boo&ing con- tract. Stft the Cort calls for a guar- antee to the-house of'$3,500 weekly. ■Average gross has been around $7,- 000 but it's claimed the show, which has a number of juveniles in the cast, has been bettering an even break though that's hardly borne out by figures submitted when the salary slice was sought. . Adrian, whose previous tries included "Victory Belles," during the war, and "The Girl from Nantucket," a costly musi- cal which also flopped, was on the verge of closing some weeks ago. Stated at time of the intended fold that the authors "refused to cooper- ate," which revealed that the writ- ers declined to shave their royal- ties. "Fancy" was written by Harry Thurschwell, an. attorney, and Al- fred Golden, who burned when Adrian recently was reported say- ing Be wrote the play. Authors com- plained to the Dramatists Guild over non-receipt of royalties and script Changes without their assent ' Revival of "Burlesque," which has xun nearly a year at the Belasco, also has a modified cut salary ar- rangement, dating from the summer. Cut only applies if the gross drops under $14,000 weekly. The actors have been getting their contractural salaries through most of the fall, hoVirever, ' Fmian's' Book Pnzzled Brkisli, But Dances OK, Michael Kidd Reports Michael Kidd, dance director of the Broadway and London versions of "Pinian's- Rainbow," returned from England last Week just ahead of the news that th^ British edition would close Saturday (6) after onjy a seven-week run. The British found the elements of "Finian's" book too confusing, thought Kidd. They couldn't understand the specific U. S. parts, such as the Negro ques^ tion, and' the Southern Senator, and such American jokes as references to TVA and Sears '& Roelmck., But audiences went all out for the dance and musical numbers, he- claimed. This went, too, for the young people in the show. Dancers aren't as integral a part of English shows as in Broadway musicals, Kidd said. Their importance in a show like "Finian's" was relatively new. The dancers liked working in a U. S. show, because of the faster pace. The type of movement and expression was new. but intriguing to them, he added.' - A dancer with Ballet Theatre un- til his assignment to stage the dance numbers for the Broadway Finian's," Kidd has offers to stage dances for three forthcoming shows, including a revival of "Sally." He did the choreography for a ballet, "On Stage," now in the Ballet Thea- tre repertoire, and inay dance in the work during the current BT run at City Center, N. Y. This would be his first dancing since an operation on his heels last season. He has an- other ballet in mind which he plans worldng on this winter. Actors Fund Finds Itself Unusually Busy Actors Fund recorded one of its busiest periods during late Novem- ber through sudden deaths in the profession; it was much above aver- age. The actors* charity defrays costs of the burials. For the two weeks immediately prior to Thanksgiving arrangements were made by the Funt: to take care of 11 casualties, one ^rom as far off as St. Petersburg, Fla. Fund's annual report showed that during the 1946- 47 fiscal year ther^ had been a total of 74 burials by the Fund. . Among those who passed away were two oldtimers, William 'Wads- worjli and Charles E, Burrows; both over .80, but both of whom secured stage engagements unexpectedly in recent years. Wadsworth played the elderly doctor in "Three Is a Fam- ilr'' and scored the hit of his career, while Burro'ws appeared in a road ■company of the same comedy, pro- duced in 1943 by John Golden. There are a number of veteran actors who frequently visit the Fund offices and' chat in the "backroom." When Wadsworth and Burrows were engaged for "Family" it was an event that other oldsters consid- ered something of a miracle. Phil Dunning •btcrvM timl '"Somebody Always Writes About the Good Old Days'* * * * a bright featiir* in Iht 42d Anniveruiry Number of Om Shortly mfim Red in Fold Of 'Gaul' in Chicago Chicago, Dec. 2. Lambour and Golden, Chi pro- ducers, folded initial venture, "All Gaul is Divided," at the Civic thea- tre here after three-week run. Show, which opened Oct. 19 in Detroit, had an estimated loss of $90,000 despite several rave notices. JMTost critics were lukewarm to play about GI's in the black market. Firm already has a musical in preparation for spring production. 'Sons' Hops h Ou and Qints ''All My SonS!," slated to close in Chicago Saturday c8) at the Er- langer, after a disappointing three weeks there, is the second drama rated among Broadway's clicks la.st i'eason to have flopped in the Loop this fall, the first was "Another Part of the Forest." "Sons" played the stand under an arrangement with the Theatre Guild, the latter's sukscribers being offered "Sons" tickets at the usual price re- duction. Understood ■ that "Sons" grfass was only a few hundred dol- lars over the amount - totaled from subscribers, and it was felt that the postwar plcy would not successfully tour further without that support; "Sons" was accoladed by the N. Y. Critics Circle as the best play dur- ing 1946-47, and business at the Coronet, N. Y., spurted after the award last spring, spanning the summer, run continuing until re- cently when the play went to the road after -41 weeks, playing Roches- ter and Buffalo prior to Chicago. Pointed out that neither drama had stars in the casts nor name players, the possible reason' why the shows did not attract more than "moderate out-of-town grosses. However, when "Forest" tried out last-season excel- lent takings were registered in a couple of stands.. 11iaiib^WkT(Higb(^ AO Sbws Hii, But Weekend Better Xief May Baton in Dallas Dallas, Dec. 2. Arthur Lief has been offered the position of conductor of the 1948 season of operettas to be staged here by the State Fair of Texas, Lief would replace Giuseppe Bamboschek, musical director of the operettas Since 1943;' who plans to tour Brazil and visit his family at Trieste. Lief was associate musical director of the St. Louis municipal opera in 1946 and last season conducted the touring company of "Call Me Mister." Axel Yokel Dies at 61 In N.Y.; Newspaperman, Press Agent, Producer Death of Alex Yokel, who had been a Chicago newspaperman, Broadway press agent and legit pro- ducer, marks the passing of a color- ful figure among showmen. He died Thursday. (27) at the age of 61. Yokel got his show biz start in Chicago, where he had been inter- ested in road shows that played" smaller stands. He came to New York to become press agent for the late Sam H. Harris' attractions, and he Was highly regarded in that po.st. ,. Yokel clicked with his first Broad- way show as manager, "Three Men On a Horse" (1935> , in which he was backed by Warners. Comedy, by John Cecil Holm and George Abbott, ran for more than two years, and profits from its road companies were bi& too, but Yokel's share wasn't all gravy. He planned to protect himself financially by buying annuities but through manipulations by men he trusted the securities were never delivered, and he nearly went broke. More recently Yokel was asso-: ciated with the click "The Glass Menagerie," whicji brought Louis J. Singer into sho-W business as its co-- producer with Eddie Dowling. Singer financed the production. Yokel brought them together, in exchange for which it was agreed that he re- ceive 5% of each partner's share. At Yokel's suggestion "Menagerie" opened in Chicago, at the Civic the- atre, whei'e the critics hailed the new drama. Show sold out thene for three months before it was brought to Broadway (Playhouse), whore it was cited as the best drama of the season (1944-45) by the N. Y. Critics Circle. Yokel offitially was general man- ager of "Menagerie," During the Chi engagement, and thereafter in New York, he went through a series of wrangles with Singer. The latter allegedly refused to turn over to Yokel the agre^d-upon share of the play, although Dowling had readily done so. After months of contro^ versy the matter was settled. Yokel accepting $25,000. Joel W. Schenker, a businessman outside show biz, who was also suppcsed to be in on "Menagerie," also settled his claim out of court. This season Yokel produced "The Benchwarmer," with Bert Wheeler playing the lead, but the play was a flop in Detroit, where it ripened.. He had suffered from heart disease for some years; and that caused his death. ■ During his disputes with Singer, Yokel was advised by his medico not to take the witness stand because of hfs illness. Another' play which he produced but closed at ti-yout was "The Snark Was a Boojum," put on several years ago. He obtained the rights of "Love From a Stranger'? from Lon- don and was ,in on the American presentation, which did not fare well.. Other plays in which he figured were "Bufy the Dead," "The Song Writer-" and "Under the Gaslight." His widow is the former Mys, Rosalind Levy. Funeral services were held Sunday (30) in N. Y. Last year Thanksgiving week saw indications of a pre-Christmas busi- ness slide along Broadway one week sooner than usual, and the same ap- plies this season, although Turkey Day is supposed to see the peak of the fall period. A difference in con« ditions does not appear to count. There was a softcoal strike threat a year ago, and Broadway lights were dimmed to conserve fuel, yet that weekend saw the midtown jammed with customers. There was a like: influx last Friday and Saturday (28-29). Thanksgiving week started dis- mally with a torrent of rain, and the effect on boxofflces of theatres with- out heavy advance sales was im- mediate. Several shows got unbe- lievably small money, stated to be between $500- and $600 on Monday (24) night, while reports were that takings for two attractions were con- siderably lower. Attendance did not improve much up to midweek but the holiday matinees were generally satisfactory. Thanksgiving night was exceptionally off and, as one agency man put it, "you couldn't give tickets away." Rush theatre- ward the foUowing two nights saved even fairly good grossers from turn- . bling to new fall lows. Despite the holiday, declines in the weekly grosses were estimated at around $2,500, too much to pre- vent some shows from operating in the red. There were exceptions, of course, but the offisbness was no- ticed even with attractions that have consistently registered actual capac<^ ity. TJrop for those shows was dis- counted by the managers, who clrimed that takings were down only a few hundred dollars. One of the marked exceptions w^ "Ice- time of 1948," which was quoted ju-.tping $9,000 to $42,000, with one extra matinee (10 performances), although "Ice Follies" was current at Madison Square Garden. One'new. show, "Antony and Cleo- patra," entered' the list; two are carded to debut this week, the high- ly touted "A Streetcar Named De- sire," and the calypso musical, "Bongo." A dram.., "The Gentleman From Athens," and an intimate mu- . sical, "Angel in the Wings," are scheduled to open next weeki Next premieres thereafter are revivals of "Crime and Punishment" and "To- paze," dated for Christmas week, with the D'Oyly Cartes starting'New Year's week. Two and' probably ■■ three major musicals are on Jjunu- ary's incoming cards. Currently there are' half a dozen fewer shows on Broadway than in the same week a yedr ago, and so, r of course, there's no house shortage. Baggage Delay 'Lueasta' Preem Columbus,. O., Dee. 2. Opening of ^'Anna Lucasta" on Thanksgiving night (27) at the Hart- man theatre here was delayed until Friday (28) because the show's bag- gagecar got hooked onto a Chicago train in Cleveland and wound up in Elkhart, Ind. A virtual capacity opening-night house could not be notified, patrons arriving in the first full-fledged snowiitorm of the year. Only a few weeks ago Fred War- ing's Pennsylvanians had to borrow instruments- from the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra and play in Memorial Hall in" street and sport clothes because their baggage v/ent astray. . OUT SOON1 The 42nd Anniversary Number OF F^ims closing shoitly Vsonl Hdfeitismg rates pievoil Special exploitation advantages Copy and space reservations may be sent to any Variety office NEW YORK If 1S4 W. 46tli St. HOLLYWOOD 28 «311 Yhccmi ». CHICAGO 1 360 N. MicUgaa Av*. LONCON. W. C. 2 8 St. MarriM's Hom Trotaisar Sqaoir* ■ MARY MARTIN'S RAKE Exim cHi'Am&v Chicago, Dec. 2. Irving Berlin trained in last week to persuade Mary Martin into ex- tending stay ■ of "Annie Get Your Gun" at the ShtibeH past scheduled Jan. 10 closing date. Miss Martin had insisted she woiildn't stay.at any house more than 12 weeks because she wanted to play before audiences that had never seen her' before. Shuberts and Berlin, however, have , been awed by fantastic Chi grosses of "Annie," - . tJpshot of Bei-iin visit is tJjfit "Annie" stays until Feb. 28.' Miss Martin's old cont];act has been torn up for'a new one that brings her a hefty salary hike. ^ Treasurers' Benefit Sbw Gets $14,000 Treasurers Club of America, most- ly made up of Broadway legit box- office men, held Its annual benefit I Sunday (30) for the organization'* .sick and burial, fund. Extr^. per- formance of "The Heiress" at the tBiltoBore was played in aid. Of the fund but the actors were pa'id pro j rata, as usual, at the club's insist- ence. Top was $6 and takings ap- ! proximated $3,500. Real profit, how- ever, came from the souvenir pro- , gram, and between that revenue and show, club's fund added $14,000. Trea.<Urers' many-timed president, Allen Schnebbe, manager of the : Lyceum, again handled the program, '/ which contained 170 pages, with. Lewis Harris (Biltmorfe), current president, chiefly aiding.- Gross on the hook topped $16,000, while the eost o;f printing ^KS»~p!6i)!ati ^lii^