Variety (Feb 1948)

Wednesday, February 25, 1948 LEGITIMATE 'JohB-Maiy'(M $ia<l in Chi; 'AM'$51,0iAgaiii.Liints$2(l3O Chicago, Feb. 24. Chi legit continues strong here^ (geispits the Lenten season and light convention trade. "Lady Winder- mere's Fan" finished powerfully at the Erlanger and "Annie Get-Your Gun" has every seat sold for its final week.at the Shubert. "Red jiill," "O Mistress Mine" and Kath- terine Dunham's "Tropical Revue" will close March 6. "Sweethearts'' opened last night (Man,) at the Erlanger, "Showboat" docks next Monday (1) at the Shu- bert, "Burlesque" arrives March 8 at te Selwyn and "Sleep It Off" lights e same night at the Blackstone. EtHi)iat«* f«r Last Week ''Annie Get Xoor Gun," IShubert aeth' w^ek) (2,100; $6.18). Closes Saturday (28), all seats have-been $old out for a month; magnificent $51,0P0 last weelc. Katherine DniduuB) Studebaker <3d week) (1,246; $3:71). Just aver- age $14,000. "J«im Love* Mary," Harris (2d week) (1,000; $9.71). Catching the public's fancy with boll $18,000. "Lady 1VUiderBiere>s Fan," Erlan- ger (6th week! (1,333; $3:71). Closed Saturday (21) with good $17,000. "O Mistress Mine," Selwyn (15th week) (1,000; $4.93). Play shutters March 6; just a few matinee seats UDSold'tiU then; terrif $20,5001 "Bed Mill." Blackstone (4th week) (1,358; $4.40). ExceUent $22,000 for the fourth week. ~" "SweetbeaHs," ErlAnger (1,333; $4.33), Opened last night (Mon.) to l(E>od house. HAMA'NICEISG^DET. Detroit, Feb. 24. Det):oit Civic Light Opera grosses .tkiddbd again last week in the face Of competition from Sonja Henie's ice revue at the 13,000-seat Olympia and a concert by Stan Kenton under the same roof one night. The oper- etta offering "The Merry Widow," got raves from the critics. "Music in the Air" is the current offering. TaUulah Builchead in "Private Lives" (^nedHiast night (Mon.) for a two-wedc run at the Cass. Char- lotte'-Greenwood closed a healthy three-week run Saturday (21) in "I Hemember Mama" at the Shubert- Lafay^tte, and Edmund Lowe opened there last night in "Mary Had a Little." With auto plants back in full blast after a three-week layoff, at- :tendance is eicpected. to bouuco up . ■.again. ■ ' Estimates for Last Week "Burlesque," Gass (single week) (1,432; $3.60). Bert Lahr in revival of the popular play gi-os.sed $18,000; profitable, but disappoinUng. "I Remember Mama,". iShubert- Lafayette (3d week) (1,950; $3.60). Charlotte Greenwood's flniil slipped to $15,000, after a slight gain the previous week. "The Merry Widow," Masonic Temple (single week) (5,000; $3). Excellent support in spite of heavy competitioni'netted $40,000; compared to $42,000 for- the previous week's productioh and $55,000 for the opeiier. 'Sleep' Modest $10,000, Week's Tryoul^ Seattle Seattle, Feb. 24. After premiering in Oakland, Cal., "Sleep It OfE" had a second tryout at the Metropolitan here last week. Critics favored the show, but said polishing is required. Jackie Cooper, Ann Corio and Vince Barrett were co-starred in the Lyford Moore-Har- lan Thompson, comedy. Estimate for Last Week . "Sleep It on," MetroDolitan (single week) (1,500; $3.25). Nice uitercst for a newcomer, and the gi-n<!s for Jjhe stanza was a moderate $10,000. 'Sweethearts' OK $26,000 For Fnll Week in K.C. Kansas City, Feb. 24. "SvVeot'.iearts" played a full week »n the Music Hall und.er A & N Presentations last week". Evenings went at $3.66 fop and mats at $3.05. inowboat" plays the house for three days and four nerformances, Thurs- oay-Saturday (26-28), ' Estimate for Last Week "Sweethearts," Music Hall (sinsle ^eek) (2.572; $3.66). Bobby Clark back for the first time in 10 years S^Oto ™^ Anm; grossed a fair Wolfit 20(i Jancottver _ Vancouver. Feb. 24. .Mrgest gross for any Shakespear- . ean repertory ever presented here y'as chalked uo last week (Feb. 9- 1^) at the UOO-seat International compShy '^^^^'^ Wolflt's English The week's total was. $20,000. Inspector' Mild $10,500 Despite Critics, Cleve. Cleveland, Feb. 24, What mystified manager Milt Krantsi of the Hanna more than the J. P. Priestley whodunit, "An In- spector Calls," was the lack of pub- he interest in the show. First-night and week-end perfoi;mances'd r ew nicely, but the interim was just bru^ tally low in attendance, notwith- standing flattering notices. Dark this week, the Hanna is rout- ing its booking of Mary Martin's company of "Annie Get Your Gun" into the 3,200-capacity Public Music Hall next week. Advance sale is such a wow that a possible sellout is in the wind. Estimate for Last Week "An Inspector Calls," Hanna . (single week) (1,340; $3.70). Mys- tery drama tagged only $10,500 in eight performances. 'Shyiock' m, Washington, Feb. 24. Although it brought Peggy Ann Garner back to her hometown, "PickrUp Girl" failed to generate much public excitement last week at the National here. House did considerably better with a special Sunday (22) matinee and evening booking of Maurice' Schwartz and his Yiddish Art version of ''Shylock and His Daughter." . Boris Karloflf opened last night (Mon.) at the National in "The Lin- den. Tree" and next Monday night (1) brings "The Chocolate Soldier" for a fortnight. Estimates tor Last Week "P»ck-Up Girl," National' (single week) (1,680; $3). Thin melodrama did a thin $12jOOO. "Shylock and. His Danrhter," Na- tional (two performances) (1,680; $3.60). Maurice Schwartz troupe got a fine $5,000 for a matinee and evenmg. 'BLOSSOM'NICE {13,000, 'SOLDIER' NOW, BALTO Baltimore, Feb, 24. "Blossom Time" built to a pleas- ing figure here last week at Ford's. "Chocolate Soldier," the current tenant, has a good advance. There are no bookings dn the horizon. ■ Estimate for Last Week "Blossom Time," Ford's (single week) (1,500; $3.02). Started slowly, but managed to mount a nice $13,000. W Big $16,000, LA; 'Menagerie' Opens Wefl Los Angeles, Feb. 24. Near-capacity biz last week^helped offset the fact that only three houses were open. Newcomer, "The Glass Menagerie." produced -by William Eythe, opened at Las Palmas to raves and ducats began to vanish immedi- ately. "Deep Are the Roots," kept up its hot pace in the fifth week, and arrangements were made to continue at least until April. . o Nothing is coming in this week. . ' Estimates for Last Week "Blackouts of 1948,^ El Capitan t296th week) (1,142; $2.40), $17,000 again. "Deep Are the Roots," Belasco (5th week) (1,061; $3). Held to its $16,000 figure for tlie- second week. "The Glass Menagerie," Las Palmas (Lst week) (388; $3). Boll opening Wednesday (18), with all seats at $3.60 and close to capacity for rest of weqK. added up to strong. $3,400 for the first four days. 'Prince' Strong $18,000, 'Blossom' Current, Pitt Pittsburgh, Feb. 24. Show business perennial under- graduate, "The Student Prince," came back to the Nixon last week and put another healthy entry in the house's profit sheet. It demon- strated that as long as there .are houses to play it, the Heidelberg Kid will have a steady welcome. Word- oi-rtiouth can't be discounted itias- much as most of the reviewers passed it up. "Blossom Time'! is current. Estimate for Last Week "Student Prince," Nixon (single week) (2,100; $3.25). There's appar- ently no end to this hardy operetta, which grabbed around $18,000, or $5,000 better than it did a year ago, tfrhera it also miide money. 'Boat' $37,000, Cincy ; Cincinnati, Feb. 24, "Show Boat" cargoed jackpot biz at the Bnjery auditorium last week, equalling this season's local high set in the same house a fortnight earlier by "Oklahoma." Current legit fare is "An Inspector Calls," in the Cox theatre at $3.60 top. Estimate (or Last W^ek "Show Boat," Emery Aud. (single week) (2,100; $4.20)i Near capacity $37,000; only Monday night and Wednesday matinee failed to go clean. SI 11011611$' Newest B way Smash, SRO; '8:30' Has Mixed Press, Gate QiaBges, 'GaUer' Replaces Panned 'Gliosts' TeirmHub; 'R(miance'$2ii Muns' $10,500 Boston, Feb, 24. Hub legit season came back last week with four openers. Of the crop, the Shaw revival, "You Never Can TeU," got the strongest notices and hit the top immediately as a Guild-American Theatre Society offering. ' "My Romance," likewise was well liked, with "The Hallams," getting mixed, but generally favor- able reviews. "Shyloek's Daughter," Yiddish play, did well. There are no openers this week except the Markova-Dolin ballet for one performance. "Carousel" follows Monday (1) for two weeks at the Opera House. There's nothing much beyond that date. Estimates for Last Week "My Bamance;" Shubert (1st week) (1,700;. $4.?0). Revival won critical prai.se and biz went to a big $24,000: here for three weeks. "IShyiock's Daugjiter," Plymouth (single week) (1,300; $3.60), Yiddish play got a reasonably good $10,000 for the one week stand (.^even per- formances). "The Ballams," Wilbur (1st week) (1,200; $3.60). Opened Tuesday (17) and was liked enough to give it an average $10,500 on seven perform- ances; this week is the finale; "You Never Can TcU," Colonial fist week) (1,500; $4.20). Guild- Theatre Society offering got raves and pulled a great $22^000; current week is final. 'JOY'(lAY P,^ IN 4 SHOWS, NEW HAVEN New Haven, Feb. 24, A healthy Saturday night window sale gave a substantial boost to the, b.o. figures on the premiere of "Joy to the World" at Shubert last.Thurs- day-Saturday (19-21). Advance was only fair asid notices were on the, so-so side but the final gross wa.s satisfactory. There's a three-day stand Thurs- ■day-Saturday (26-28) of Ilka Chase and Robert Alda in a breakin of "There Goes The Bride," a road version of the George Oppenheimer comedy, "Here Today." Following a couple of weeks of lUms, tho house hits legit again with a full stanza of "Carousel," set for March 15-20. "Hold It" is due in for three days, March 25-27, then comes "Pick Up Girl" for a last half beginning Apr. 1, Estimate for Last Week "Joy to the World," Shubert (4 performances) (1,700; ,$,3.60). Mod- erate start came through on the homestretch, with an approximate overall $9,300 meeting with general approval. ' 'Norway' Sings $24,000 hi Repeat Week, SL L. St, Louis, Feb. 24. The second ono-week stand here this season of "Sons of Norway" proved that natives still like the mu- sic of Edvard Grieg. The crix again were lavish. Bert Lahr and Fay McKenzie head the cast of "Bur- lesque," which opened a- one-week engagement last night (Mon.) at. a $3.81 top. Estimate for Last Week Song of Norway, American (1,700; $4^45). Eight performances grossed an estimated $24,000; compared to $32,000 for the first visit last Octo- ber. 'Harvey' Strong $20,000 In Return Date, Indp!%. Indianapoli.s, Feb. 24. "Harvey" got a break in the weather and had another big stand in its return to the English last week. There's a good advance for "I Remember Mama," which opened L-sst night (Mon,1 and ''Burlesque," March 1-3. Booking of "Student Prince," March 9-10, and "Mary Had a Little," March 11-13, runs English string to nine shows in seven weeks, by far the best of the season. Esthnatc for Last Week "Harvey," English (single week) (1,500; $3.60). Bouncey $20,000 re- turn engagement, against $24,000 -for a weels last December. Business along Broadway tapered generally last week. No particuhir reason was apparent, but the lull may have been natural during the days leading to Washington's Birth- day weekend. Weather was mild up to that time and there was excellent business on Monday (23), when the holiday was celebrated. There were 20 matinees that afternoon. Lent does not appear to h u r t, but the approaching Federal income tax deadline may become a factor. "Mr. Roberts" is Broadway's new- est smash. First-nighters and critics raved over the comedy-drama of the war.. It grossed around $22,000 in the first five times and its pace is almost certain to top $33,000 weekly, the limit of standee.s being present after the opening. First bill of "To- night at 8:30" was coi-dially received at the theatre, but .staying chances are doubtful. "Ghosts" was thumbed down and has been replaced this week by "Hedda CJabler." "The Old Lady Says No," got mixed notices and very little business. It was also on for one week. Dublin Gate play- ers trying another play currently. Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedu), D (Drama), CD {Comedy-Drama), R (R«vue), M (lHu.<itcal), G (Operetta). "AlleBTo," Majestic (19th week) (M-1,695; $6). Loolcs sure of entering summer period wi h grosjics still the best on the list; eased to $45,500 la^t week. "Angel In the Wings," Coronet (11th week) (R-998; $4.80). Most per- formances capacity-plus (standees), but Wednesday (18) matinee was off somewhat; yet big takings close to $27,000. "Annie Get Yonr Gun," Imperial (93d week) (M-1,472; $6.60). Long- running musical still rated the best show of its clas:»fteation in years; $40i5e0. "Born Yesterday," Lyceum (107th week) (C-993; $4.80). Attendance for this comedy stayer varies only with trends and continues:. to excellent money; well over $17,000 last week. "Brieadoon," Ziegfeld (50th week) (M-1.628; $4.80). Run musicals felt the offish going and the gross here dipped to around ,$34',000. "Command Decision," Fulton (21st week) (D-968; $4.80). Has started playing. Sundays, with Monday night and midweek matinee scratched; cased to $16,000. "FiUiaa's BAittbow," 46th Street (59th week) (M-L319; $6). Another run musical that .slid a bit, but still grossed a big $38,000. "For Love or JWoijey," Miller (16th week) (C-940; $4.20). As with ipost others, business tapered last week when the gross approximated $13,- 500; making good showing. "Happv Birthday," Plymouth (69th week) (C-1,063; $4.80). House is making some money, and indications are that the show is bettering an even break; over $17,000. "Harvey," 48th St. (174th Week) (C-902; $4.20). Plenty of life in this longest-running straight play, with expectations of engagement playing into next season; $14,080. "Hlch Button Shoes," Shubert (.21st week) (M-1,387; $6). Comedy fea- tures of this musical keep it a favorite and summer stay looks set; nearly $38,000. "Icetime of 1948." Center (39th week) lR-2.994; $2.40). Skating re- vue still faring well as it enters the last month of its season; rated around $34,000 again. "Loafe Ma, I'm Dancin'," Adelphi (4th week) (M-1,434; $4.80). An- other musical strong in' the comedy department and at the agencies, with gross over $38,500; great in this spot. "Make Mine Manhattan," Broad- hurst (6th week) (R-1,160; $6). One of the li-st's strong musicals, with standees in most times and gro-ss around $.36j,500. "Mt and Molly," BelaSco (C-1,077; $4). Presented by Feigay, Smith. Kenwith and Cummings; written by Gertrude Berg; liked out of town; open.'* tomorrow (Thurs.). "Mtster Bob*rts,'^ Alvin (1st wi»10 fD-I.331; $4.80). Acclaimed: . with 100% press, newest smash is aimed for long run; first five times ap- proached $22,000; will top $33,000 weekly. "Oklahoma!", St. JamCs (263d week) (M-1.505; $4.80). Vitality of record run musical established lopg ago and it will complete five years on Broadway at the end of March; over $21,000. "Skipper Next to God," Playhouse (6th week) (D-865; $4.20). Experi- mental Theatre production is mak- ing good, with profitable pace around $15,000. i "Strange Bedfellows," Morosco (6th week) (C-935; $4.80). Picked up, with a theatre party the prob- able factor; $16,000; should span the spring, "Streetcar Named Desire," Barry,- more (12th- Week J 00-1,064; H80); Click of "Mister Roberts" will not affect the gait of this dramatic sock, which continues at capacity; betters $27,500. "The Heiress," Biltmore (21St week) (M-1,505; $4.80). Holding to excellent money after starting as surprise success; bit off, but plenty okay around $21,000. "The Win-glow Boy," Empire (17th week) (D-1,101; $4.80-). One of the few imported plays to make the grade this season; not big, but jhak> mg money both ways; $15i000 estii- mated. REVIVALS "Antony and Cleopatra," Beck (13th week) (D-1,214; $4.80). Has broken the record for Shakespeare's tragedy and played 100th perform- ance last Saturday (21); going on tour soon, but still excellent: over $21,000. ' • D'Oyly Carte Co., Century (8th week) (0-1,670; $4.80). "Pinafore" ;s .repeating this week; last week The MilMdo," for second time, scored with great $43,500. Dublin Gate Theatre Co., Mans- field (2d week): (997; $4.80). "The- Old Lady Says No" was taken off alter one week; around $8,000; Where Stars Walk,"' third show, opened last'night (Tucs.). "Hedda Gabler," Cort (D-1.064; $3.60). Replaced "Ghosts," which was yanked after one week follow- ing adverse notices; $7,000, "^Man »ai Suyerman," Hudson (20th week) (CD-1,057; $4.80). Gross here is much under the pace at the much larger Alvin; takings last week estimated around $21,000. "Meiea," Royale (18th week) (D- 1,025; $4.80). Is laying off to give star (Judith Anderson) a ctiance'to rest; has played approximately 18 weeks, but last half of last week was dark. "Tonlffht at 8:30," National (1st week) (1,064; $4.80), Opened last Friday (20). to mixed notices; sec- ond trio of Coward playlets started Monday (23) and bills will, alter- nate. ADOED "The Bes»e«tfal ProstHnte," anS "Church Sti«et," New Stages. Plans are being made to move the first- named short' play uptown wiib ■ probable replacement for "Street." f IdbWinla; Karlef f $5,500 Philadelphia, Feb. 24, Philly's legit biz', for the most part, dropped another peg or two last week. The only exception was the comedy tryout, "Me and Molly," which . staged a neat gain over its first week at the Locust. Despite good notices and the name of Boris Karloff, Priestley's new play, "The Linden Tree," fell off in its second and final week at the. Walnut. "Car- rousel" skidded in its fourth week at the Shubert. Hetiu-n engagement of " the ' "Chocolate Soldier" had the management pretty unhappy all week. Two newcomers tliis week are "Pick-Up Girl." starring Peggy Ann Garner, opening yesterday afternoon (Mo0.) at the Locust to catch holi- day crowds, and "Joy to the World," tr.vout comedy, bowing, in last night at the Forrest. Next Monday (1) the Guild's '-You Never Can Tell" reviv- al starts a two weeks' stand at the Walnut, and "Blossom Time" comes - into the Shubert for two weeks, The new mu.sical, "My Romance" starts a three weeks' stay March 8 at the Forrest and "The Glass Menag- erie" starts a two weeks' run.at the Locust. Latter is a la.st-minute sub for "There Goes the Bride," former- ly booked but shifted elsewhere. Helen MacKellar is playing the "Menagerie" lead that Philly saw Pauline Lord do la.'st season, "Har- vey" with Frank Fay, opens March 29 at the Locust for a runj Katharine Cornell's "Antony and Cleopatra" reviv.ll arrives the same night at the Forrest for two. weeks and the ne-w- revue, "Inside U. S. A." is due simul- taneously at the Shubert tov three weeks. Estimates for Last Week "The Chocolate Soldier," Forrest (2d week) (1,786; $3.00). Return of this revival hobbIed.-a little past the $21,000 mark. • "Tbe Linden Tree," Walnut (2d week) (1,340; $3.89), Despit*. critiMl praise and Boris Karloff as star, this tryout eased off to $5,500. "Me and Molly," Looust (2d week) (1,580; $3.^5). This tryoUt reversed the trend by gaining in its final ses- sion; hearty $11,000. "Caro«sel," Shubert (4th week) (1,677; $5.20). Eased off to $29,000; : current we6k is the final.