Variety (Nov 1948)

60 IJ[GITI9fiiTB WctWsday, Novcinlwr 10, 1948 Plays Out of Town isa Wynnes Laugh €aru1%'al San Francisco, Nov 7 Paiil Small production of musjcal rcvuej Ctais jEd W\nn J'liil Bakei. Allan .lone-. Pat Boonev, Metty HeUly, SW Silvei s, Ditk and Sot Itemy, Mauon Harrln. Ji . th*" Hermanos Williams Trio, I,ola Kendiick Zell Russell *nd Jijan Spanglei Opened at CMlian tlicatie, San riancisio Nov 7. '48 "Ed ^VJ.nn's Laugh Cainival" points out what is meant bv "the food old days at the Palace" usco laughed itself sillj and cjied into its nostalgia right up to the brim as "Carnival" peeled off iindei the comic wizardry ot Ed Wynn Wynn himself sparks the entne peiformance with wit and kno^v- how The Paul Small melanKC is definitely set for a heft\ lun the next three weeks Word-ot-niouth will spiead quickly that the Cui- ran has a bit, good news tiavels fast m Fusco, which remembeis its own "orpheum days" with a soft : glow. '■'■y' ■ ■■:y%-'- , Opening the "Laugh Cfirnivai" vit'i his traditional tomf<Joleries, outlandish costumes and all, Wynn quickly takes the audience ovei with his hokum and then bows in the Ilemanos Wilbams Trio, who score solidly with their rhythmic acrobatics and smart costuming. Second to take the spot is blond Bettv ReiHy, billed as "the lush Senorita," who has more than ade- quate singing appeal, plus a sur- plus supply of chic and vitality Phil Baker and Sid Silvers, do- ing the VaUde standard which sfeVved them two decades ago when Baker was billed as "a bad boy from a good family" and Silveis was one of the best singing stooges in the business, come up thud to panic the customers. The old corn, even though somewhat wom around the edges, still has enough to ronvulse the seat-warmers n'hroughout all of the foiegomg, and for the remainder of the show, Wvnn weaves m and: out among the acts; seasoning them, highlighting ■ them, -giving tliem ; added tone and color Wynn's sentimental biinc;- ing-on of Pat Rooney Sr, evokes an ovation for the dancer, and his three items, including ' the daugli- tei of Rosie O'Gradj " shakes the J afters A joint comedy bit bj Wvnn and Rooney is a further bell- iin£(er As a strong closer to the first act. Wynn turns m his old re- liable "costume designer" routine witli the aid of three long-legged models. ' The, second half of the ' Carnir val." is as good show biz as the fu st. Opener of stanza lias Wynn and his "inventions." which sock the customers plent% Then Allan Jones, well tailored and singing stronglv clicks wilh "This Is the Moment," ' Bcgume " "Whiffenpool Song" and "Donkey Seienadc" "Pagliacci" encore is a flash clo.ser that brought a big hand. Nostalgia, touches another high point when Phil Baker brings on Waiion Ilarus, Ji for vi'hoso mother. Baker; in the ■ "good old days;" purportedly wrote the song. ' Did You Mean It," which the younger Miss Harris and Bakor. with accordion,, sing together m the exact manner of Marion Ilai i is Sr and Baker in the musical "Lady m Spain" 20 vears ago. Miss Ilaujs in teiufic blue gown and singing with sparkle m spite ot some opening-night nerves, showed much savvy and promise. TJie "roU-m-the-aisles" point ol the show comes when Wynn:m ihe costume of a physicpl culture in- structor, loins with Dick and Dot : Remy, acrobatic specialty, in a Wildly hilarious sequence of hoko It is Ed Wynn of "peifect tool' fame who turns in this socko buflooneu and it's gieat vaiide to the hilt Bit by Wvnn with Jones \Mth Wynn at mobile piano Is a plea.sing closer, and Wynn. Willi 'Good Night" candle in hand and m darkened house, does a soit finale pleaser. Vaude scenic drops are colorful. I and fiebh looking Pacing and pro- duction are excellent Music is neatly handled bj Jerry Freeman ' Ted tiaplicl Princeton, N. J,,,Nov. .6.; , .loHu .Yorke prdutllon of conied.v in tlii-ce acts, (one' scene) by .Hon.Tld, iclfer , and ' Pauline. .Taincr.son. Stars . firnc:,! 'J'l'ue.vi features Vicki Cummings. StaKed by Harry JSUerbe; setting and costumes, Wolfgang Kotli. At McCarter theatre Princeton,, ,1*?. Ji, iNov Cionstauce V.ve,.. ..:, Ilalland V>e Sophie MucDonald ,. ,.lapliet iMeadowtirook Nei^ta Madrigale.;..... Jainei IIowclls 6. '48; $3.60 top. Oiace McTainalian . . .Judson Laire Sylvia I icld El not liuex 1 . . Viclti CuinminKs ,Morton L,, Stevens As theatrical fai'e "Japhel'f rates one long yawn, ttollywood chances aip equally slim What boxoifice this production enjoys win come primarilv from tlie iine acting ol Linest liuex and Vicki Cummmgs. whose performances were, enthusiastically received opening night.: But even Tiue\ and Miss Cum- mings cannot fully compensate for the shallow, slow-moving stoiy, overladen with boudoir innuendos that somehow fall short of creat-, ing that smait, sophisticated Noel Cowardish touch attempted. The I incongruous yarn concerns- a mid-, I die-aged male virgin from England, I one .laphet Meadowbrook. Japhet I takes; the advice: of his London 1 psychologist and comes\ to this I countrv to sow a few wild oats. I First stop: Connecticut home ot a playwiight-pal wheie Japhet im- mediately becomes involved with ' pal playwright's wife, her house- keeper-companion and a charming, beautiful voung trollop. Complica- tions Tarise when all three women, each with her own good reason, beat a path to his bedroom door. Despite , the . handicap of the sciipl, Tiuex turns in a warmiy, humane : and believable character- ization. His portrayal of the mil- quetoastish Japhet meets With ready audience sympathy. Miss Cummings scores heavily as the' gal few men care to resist. Grace McTarnahan makes a good Connie Vve. and Judson Laire registers as hei pla\wiight-husband Syhifi Field also impresses, : Staging was at times imagina- tive. : and also cumbersome, but tormer had the upper hand. Set and costumes were competently handled but lighting was still I m the experimental stage when I caught the stalie, and two grown sons whom mama has always been in- clined to baby in a frantic en- deavor to conceal her own advanc* ing year.s Hubby can always get an en- gagement because he has talent, but the wife, \\}\o is strictly a ham, novel gets a tumble, which is a source ol continual irritation to the stage - struck and attractive matron. Tins causes frequent marital fiiclion although the hus- band is portrayed as sincerely~in fact, passionately—in love with his vvjie. When the, boys go into tile army, Mama bums anew, and when they maiTy, she has a fit. Climax is reached ^^ hen she learns that she is to become a. grand^i mothct Best peiformance is by Molly Picon who doesn't arrive on the scene until Act II but easily dominates proceedings thereafter Nancy Carroll, as the stage-struck \Mfe IS less happy, although ex- tremely easy on the eyes. She was \eiv lagged in hei fiist-night per- tormance but seemedj to improve in her later scenes, especially those with Miss Picon An impoitant if entirely ex- traneous character, IS that of an aged and slightly balmy grand- lathei who imagines himself as Lmcoin tand other . historical per- sonages), St Clair Bayfield does a nice job by this role, which, of course, reminds one of the relative m "Aisenic and Old Lace" who tancied himselt to be Teddy Roose- velt, Some of the youngsters are appealing, particularly Peggy Ro- iiiano Margaiet Draper and Mai ion Russell, and Richy Shawn rates a hand as the son of the waidiobe mistress Harry Wagstaft Cribble who once directed another play about a screwy family (Noel Coward's ' Hay Fever"), makes something of the second act scenes but it's a pretty hopeless job Wateis. Legit FoUowup Vnr Heaven's Sake, Philadelphia, Nov 2 David Kar production of' comedy m two acls Csix scenes) by Julie. ;Be:rns. Stars Nancy Carroll and Molly Picon. Sid„ed b\ Hair\ Wagstaff Gubble set tini! and liBhtinK, Leo K«rii> At Walnut St. I'Hcatre. Plvdadclphia, opening Nov. 2, '48. llenr.V: Wheeler.. Bob Lawrence Dick Lawrence .. Lucmda Lawrence Ldward Lawrence.. Lavinia , .■. . . . ... .lack :Warren.,'...— Dcedee .Warren ,... Susan Beresford,. Einilv . Hlnnd ..; ■.. Milton Hubin., .loe Ketieaghan.... ■Chauffeur;..., .,:..: Policeman......... iVIrs. RUbIn;;;...... bai-a Louise .. .,... St. Clair B.iyficid .;.. , Alfred: liaiT ... Charles Colby ... ,Nancy Carroll . Herschel Benllcy '. Jacqueline Andro , .Stiano Bragsiotti , .. .Peggy Romano ..-. :Marian Ru.ssell . .L Jean Pugslev Richv Shawn .,'.. .led Plunnner ;Tom Kemp ., Dennis Dentiate ;. ..., .Molly Pu'on . .Margaret Draper I NEED PLAYS nRXMV>. AMJ tOHjeiMl •> ,l'or Picture ?taiuus New York iinil (;lilcaKO' 1*r04lii>.ti,ii)«- l»oine ftir.rond tours,;ivltlijt'^'iiv likier: HAR Y MEYER At JJIOJt'S KM'JCW M \int .117 MUllition Arrnne : Met JItli & 4Wli Ken lorl.-i;, N Y Mlrrui mil i-'tmi ; Philadelphia which doesn't have ; loo manv non-musical preems: had 1 one at the Walnut St. theatre to- night (21 that had the firsl-nighl i audience gasping, but definitely i not with enthusiasm. Julie Berns' I conlod^^ wound its tortuous way lor ] moi-e than three and a half hours. 1 with the final curtain very close to midnight By that time a lot oi I the capaeit.Y house had breezed out 1 to gel election returns and missed I some of the show's few, redeeming i' scC'nes.','.,, ■ ■''■• I Act i of Mi.ss Berns' opus is al- ; mosl a total loss from anv view- ' point, and it's hard to see how even the most ngid kind of piuning and doctoung can bring any kind , ot 01 del out ot this theatrical chaos; "For Heaven's Sake. iVlothcr IS a muddled, contu.sed play With a fairly good—if famihar —idea as its basic theme, and a couple of interesting characters. It s the story of a zany Larchmont lanulv consisting of a father who IS a faiilj successful acloi, mothei circa 40 who was once a choius- girl and >vho wants to return to llapii^' Birlli«lay (NATIONAL COMPANY) (Biltmore, L.A.) Los Angeles, Nov 2 Last jeai, coast producers Rus- sell Lewis and howard Young se- tuied the load rights to "I Re^ membei Mama," inked Charlotte Gieenwood ioi the stairing role in an inspiied bit of casting, and piompth lacked up a neat piofit. This ^eai they've giabbed oft the lights to 'Happ\ Biithdav" for a similat- tour with Miriam Hopkins stalled Ihe lesults wont be any- wheie neai the same Success ot "Biithday" on tour \Mll rest squaiely on the personal' diawing power of Miss Hopkins, .lust as Helen Hayes was the po- tent draw in the oiigmal The piece Itself, whihj diverting, is too flimsy to hold up as an attiac- tion particulaih at a time when Icu.stomers are shopping so care- |fullv Aliss Hopkins gi\es the role of 1 the Newark sumster-librarian a I ' broad ti eatment but fails to put I into it the underlying sympathy it I demands Best peiformances are ' ituined in b\ Margaret Irving and I Lnid \laikc\ both ol the original I New ypik company, and effective isuppoil is deliveied bv Philip i il'a.orsham as the bank cleik David Giav's direction lollows the i)atlein set b\ Joshua Logan on ! Ujoadwav and the production I benefits tiom the ouginal set bv Jo iMiel/mei Kap. Play on Broadway !^el My l*t>o|»Ie Free Tlicatre Guild (AUyn Rice, associate produiiierj production, of drama in three acts (10 scenes) by Dorotliy ifeyw.wd. rcatui'cs 'luano Hernandez, .Canada Lee, Mildred ,Snilth, Blnine tovdner. Franic Wilson. Lclgii Whiplier. Directed by Mar- tin Kitt: settings, K!ili>h Alswangi cos- tumes; Krjnesl, Schraps; choral direction and arrangements.',)oshua .Lee. , .\t Hud- son. N. V:. Nov. 3, '-la; Sl.BO top open- .ing).'' ,',.. '•:, ,,;■ George Wilson Canada Lee Ro',e . , Allidittd Joanne Smitii Denmaik Vesey Cal>t. Wilson,..:. PhvlUs , ICti/a Wilson . . Gullah Jack Tiadei Ileni I Morris Brown.:; . Fatrohnan. ......', I he Mauma ..,. Ponipe.v,.'. ...;,.. liiia Aneas..........., Pharaoh Benbow. . .,..■; . ,;'.. Rachel Adam.........., V. Cuppv;.,.......,. Bcllcisle . , , Lot ,1eniniv;. ......,. Small Blanche.;......,.; Peter 'Povas. ., Jesse Blackwood Ned Bennett. KoUa Bennett Monday Gcll Pcrault Pnoleau Mingo Hartli.... Bluid Philip.. Frank Ferguson Juano Hcrnnnde't Blame Cordnci' .Marion Scanlon ... Gail Ciladstone ... .:;l:.eiKli Wliipper ...'. Sotner Alberg .. l^ ranlf, Wilson '. .^I'vler Carpenter Bcitbi T Powell ... ' Alon'/o Bosan . Editli .Atuka-Rcid . ;Williani Warliold . .Wmiani IMcDaniei Wan/a 1 King , . ,]>'redve Marshall Meiiitt Smith .. ,.1;heodorc limes ,;. Harry Bolden 1 ouis Shaip ;.. .C^eorge 'Dosher Musa Williams .: .Urvlee Leonardos . ...;Earl. Sydnor I .Thomas Anderson Eail Jones WJiham Mai shall C ha lies McRae . . John Boule .,,, ;Eric ,,Burroughs .Uarold Des Verney Richard Silver EQUITY AGAIN TURNS DOWN MARCH OF TIME Council of Actors Equity Assn. declined again yesterday (Tues.) to permit-Its members to contribute ! their services for a March ot Time documentary film dealing with the preparation ot a typical Broadway production MOT appealed the union's .recent decision involving a project newsreel based on the Playwrights' production;; of Max- well Andei-son's- ' Anne of; the Thousand Days " Equity leaders explained that in previously agreeing to allow pay- ment of the Screen Aotois Guild rate of $45 a da>, thej weie al- ready making a concession from the regular Equity scale of one week's, salary for each day's shoot- ing. Drummers .-.Samuel Brown, Moses Mianns The Theatre Guild's flist presen- tation of the season is an honest, dignified drama about an aboitive slave uprising in Charleston m 1822. It starts promisingly enough, but never really catches fire and finally sputteis to a weak ending. It may have a inodeiate run, but is an unlikely bet to repay the cost ot the six-set production.' The play suffeis fioin the fact that. it : is based on history. For instead of going through with the Molence presaged bj the using events of the fiist and second acls. It must cling to the actual lecoi-d, which was that the slaves' plot was discovered at the last minute and the msuiiection suppiessed This not only deprives the drama Of its logical climax, but provides an un- satisfying iate loi tlie heio The action covers a 12-year pe- iiod fiom the fime Denmark Ve- sey, a selt-educated tormer African tribal prince, renounces personal security and marriage in slavery, to the. hitter deteat oi his planned revolt and Ins capture by the mili- tia Paiticulaily thiough tlie earh scenes, as Vesev has the; dream of mia.!' 44G in Atlanta; $42,600 in Worcester Atlanta, Nov. 9. Theatre Guild's original com- pany of "Oklahoma!'"' drew-a power* till $44,300 heie last week, with an extra performance Friday (8) matinee It was the biggest week's take in local niemoiy. $43,600 in Woicester Worcester, Mass.. Nov. 9- National company of "Okla- homa'," playing a full eight per- torniances here last week, giossed a sock $42,600, Gosch Seelis Allgood To Costar in 'Bridget* Martiii Gosch, wlio's leadving « Broadway production of "Budget," bj Herbert Cobey, goes to the Coast next week to sign Sara All- good as costar for the plav He hopes to get Ceraldine Fit/geiald tor the other star pait and, while in Hollywood, sign a diicctor for the show Presentation will be in associa- tion with Eunice HeaIc.^. Jed Harris, Staging Jean-Paul Sartre's "Red Oloves," ordered Horiiicc MacMaiiDii to #ow a inus- taciie,: it'S; claimed, :tecause he's ■'such a: jnan-abotiRbwH aM: ha^^ been seen in so many fe plictures" . Equity Library Theah e w^ll • Miuucrts, who lecentU acquned torpid words. Juano Hernandez Is fine m the dov\nhiU pait of the Negio who sees himself as a modern Moses His vlgoious peifoimame gives i f"?„ ^^"^ '^ "f-"?}'""^ diive to the plav and his arlinp il"^'^ Y. \vhich thev opeiate . diiye to the play, and his acting combines diiectness, versatility and authouty Canada Lee has more the Bclasco, N Y last week piu- chased the plot ol gioiind on the northwest cojnei ot Seventh ave. and 58th st, adjoining the Cen- tiouble with the complex and rather {i!^ vVl^^t^l static narl nt th» clavo « hno.o i "'s Mite Longhair Shorts static part of the slave whose con flictmg; loyalties doom tlie rebel lion and destroy him. Mildi ed Smith is appealing as the taithful stave whom Vesey gives up to devote himself to the cause, while Fiank Wilson regis- teis as a Negio pieaihei, Leigh Whippei IS impiessive as a conjur doctor and Blame Cordner Margaret Suna\an is being sought to co-star with John Gaifield in the new CliffQid Odets plaj, 'The W A N T E D REPUTABLE PRODUCER TO PRODUCE A comedy drama, tolling a story of a loui in travail. A great aspiration in jeopardy, A ptrion going through the fisry .ordeal pf trial and error/ to the blazing illumination of •elf-realization, FOR STAGE OR SCREEN RECOMMENDED by MR. ELIA KAZAN and PROF. KENNETH ROWE (of fka Uiilversity of Michigan). .: 0. Ziich*rman, ;2M5 Valentine Ave.,'BronXi 'N.' Yt : Gene Aslilcv, tcnoi who was for- meily a tlieatie manager (Hams, N Y) and ownci (Butke, Bronx), back in N Y altei a concert toui ol occupation zones; and signed to do a seiies ol tele film shoits . . . Peter Diamond, asst directoi of Netheilands Opeia in N Y to line up talent loi the Holland Festival at Aiiistpidam and Schevenigen next veai (.June lo-July 15) . . , Dons Doiee, loimei Met soprano, who's been singing last two sea- sons at Covent Garden, London- due m N Y end ol month, and giving lecital at Town Hall Jan 23. Fritz Busch is due in on the Jutlandia I'liday C12) to conduct JS Y Metopeia opener, "Otello,' Nov 29 ... Richard Korn con- ducting Geishwm's "Ameuean m Pai is" and Copland's "Appalachian Spung in Rome . , . Richard Monti featuied singer m "A Flag Is Boi n" tvv 0 seasons ago on Broad- wav, to be soloist with Interna- tional Symphony in Brooklyn to- mouow (11) ... Ann Ayars, foimei D' Kitdaie series starlet, doing five lead roles during cur- lenl N.Ti. City Opera Co, season. plausible as the kindlv but smug mastei Maitin Ritl s staging lacks variation and tails to oveicome the ineitia of the final scenes, although seveial of his gioup scenes are el- fective The choial backgiounds aiianged and directed bv Joshua Lee piovide helptul atmosphere, and Ralph Alswang's settings are simple but decoiative. Hobe. Shows in Rehearsal "AIon« Fifth Avenue"_Ai thur Lessei "Jenny Kissed Me"—Michael El- lis and .lames Russo, Alexander H Cohen Oaience M Shapiio "K\st Mc, Kate"—\inold Saint- Subbci iL Lemuel Ayeis "Lend an Eai"—William H Kaf- zell William Eythe, Fiankiin K, Gilbert "Make Way for Lucia"—Theatre ■'.Guild;. . "Tlie Young and Fair"—Vinton Fi eedle.v Edward Morley, co-author and co-star of "Edwaid, My Son" at the Martin Beck, N Y is woiking on a new plav . Kdwaid Knill vyill be general manager and Ward Bisliop stage manager of "Kiss Me, Kate" Knill is alieady gm foit John C. Wilson's revival of "Pri- IS ^'^^^ Jk'^^^" • • • Helen Talbot, foi- mer film actress-wile ot a Gl stu- 'Annie' 35G in SpHt I-, , Akion Nov 9 CRoijd companj of "Annie Get M.;"nftft'"/ P""<^'* « total gloss ot $3^,000 last veek in split-week dates in ( mnnnati and here YoStolvn?^'"*' '"^ ^" dent at Notre Dame will stai m a production of "Guest in the House" at Turner Little Theatie, South Bend, Friday nlglit (12). Deal IS on for Walter Abel to dQ a guest-star engagement m "TJie Beaux. Strategem" with the Rollins College theatie .... The Albu- queique Little Theatie wants th« same actor to guest in its produc- tion ot 'The Win.slow Boy" next spiing .... Blanche Ynrka is be- ing sought to play the lead m the loppka (Kan) Civic Theatie pio- duction of "1 Remembei Mama" next Aplil .... Max Gordon has invited the staff of the Ameiican National Theatie & Academv to attend tonight's (Wed) pieview pprfoimance of "Bia\o,' new Ddna lerber-George S Kaufman play whic'h preems tomouovv night at the Lyceum, NY VVinston O'Keefe, who oiganired and dnected the Ameuean Theatie Wing GI piogram, was noted a resolution of appiedition by the Wing board last week on leaving lor his New Stages managing post . . John Marriott, last on Bioad- wav in "Respectful Piostitute,' v.ai tested Fiiday (5) by 20th-Fox foi a lote in "Come to the Stable," due loi lensing next month , Leo Robin, composer of numei- ous film scores, ai rived in New York last week on the lookout foi a,legit musical comedv book for which he would like to wiite the score He's also seeing tlie Broad- way show*.