Variety (Dec 1948)

Wednesday, December 8, 1948 UBGITIMATB 51 Total Broadway Grosses The following are the comparative figures based on Variety's boxoitice estimates, for last week' and the corresponding week of last season: This Last Season Season Number of shows current Z6 29 9otal weeks played so far by all shows 536 601 Total gross for all current shows last week $644,700 $638,000 Total season's gross so far for all shows $12,918,500 $12,782,400 Number of new productions so far 28 27 IHedea' $27,000, Extended in Oii; 'Shoes' Up to SP/jG, 'Streetcar 20G Chicago, Dec. 7. -f /air weather plus three large convet^Uons helped combat the pre- Christmas b.o. slump here last week. Holiday season; finds four of seven current productions remaining Into new year, as ''Command De* cision" leaves Studebaker Dec. 25, ditto for"High Button Shoes" at Great Northern. "Heiress" pulls out of Selwyn Dec. 18, to make room for "Red Shoes" film Dec. 23. New York City Opera Co. settled into Chi Opera House for 19' performances- Wed: (1) while"Man and Super- man" opens, day after : Xmas at Great Northern. "Ed Wynn's Laugh Revue" follows "Man and Bergner's NSG $14,700 TorontOi Dec. 7. Elisabeth Bergner in "Escape Me Never" revival did a disap- pointing $14,700 at the Royal Alexandra (1,525) here at $3;60 top. I After week of Dec. 6 at His i Majesty's, . Montreal, troupe lays off two weeks and then goes into the Studebaker, Chicago, week 'of Deci 27. On first ad in dailies for VAnnie Get Your Gun," in for week of 'OKLA.!' moo IN 2D WEEK IN ST. LOUIS St. Louis, Dec. 7. "Oklahoma!" the Richard Rodg^ ers-Oscar Hammerstein 2d musical, wound up its two-week stand at the American theatre Saturday: (4) to smash b.o. After a socko gross of $30)000 for the first stanza of eight performances, the piece snared $38,000 for the second and final session of nine performances. House was scaled to $4.58. "The Desert Song" opened a one-week stand at the . American Sunday (5). $34,700 in Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, Mich., Dec. 7. Normally a one-nighter, this town spread itself last week for ''Oklahoma!" packSng Keith's for a gross of $34,700 for eight perform- ances. B'way Pre-Xmas Slump Increases; Boyer Gives 'Gloves' SRO Start W $54,800, love Life $35JOO Dec. 13, mail orders alone totalled SGplrman""into"Great Northei-n 1 «ver $30 000 at Royal Alexandra .vrt.inH .Tnn 9fi whiia "Fininn'Q '''fre. With 1 ^25-seater scalcd at $4.80 top. Second ad Saturday ground Jan. 26, while "Finian's Rainbow" bows Jan. 10 at Shubert. Estimates for Last IVeek (4). wiped out the few: remaining "BriTaS/' Shubert (5^^ ^n""" (2,100; $4.94). Conventions helped | ■ h till fihnwlni; sweet. I 'Kate Kissed For Philly Opening ; , Philadelphia, Dec. 7. > .With :''«iss; Me, Kate" already in the sellout eategbry at the Shubert, the ' iriahaigemeiit 'of' 'the town's Other musical- tiyotit, "Along Fifth Avenue," at the Fflri*est, has de-: cided to hold: this Willie Howaird- Nancy Walker tunei- here for an- other, week, ^yhich will talce its run UP to :Saftirday, Ijec. 20-^r three weeks ih'all. "Fifth Avenue" got'a: socking fro hi most of the crlx and is suHeping from Illnesses of sev- eral of its players, namely How- ard, and ttieahtirhe is under'gbing plenty of doctoring. ' "'j..'.'^ ' : Extension of ''Fifth'Av»fettile?'!run means that the Forrest's next book- matinees with till showing sweet $36,000. ^Command Decision,^* Stude- baker (4th week) (1,237; $4.33). Air Force drama eased to $12,800. "High Button Shoes," Great Northern (29th week) (1,500; $6.18). Climbed back to $31,500. "Heiress," Selwyn (6th week) (1,000; $3.71). Fair $14,300. "Medea," Blackstone (2nd week) (1,358; $4.40). May stay beyond ^our^week engagement, with upped: $27,000. ■ "Mister Roberts," Erlanger (13th week) (1,334; $4.33). Near-capacity biz at $28,600. New York City Operas Civic PpSra House (3,800; $4.94). Opened Wed. (1) and chalked up $36,000 for four performances. ^'Streetcar Named Desire," Har- ris (Mth week) (1,000; $4.33). Off a trifle to $20,000. W SOLID $23,000 IN BALTIMORE TRYOUT Baltimore, Dec. 7. Playwrights Co. production. of Maxwell Anderson's "Anne of the Thousand Days," in associa- tion with Leland Hayward and star- fing Rex Harrison, built very sol- dly at .Ford's here last week, wind- ng Up over $23,000. : In currently is the Theatre Guild's "Make Way for Lucia," by John van Druten, first of five:sub- scription, plays. Guild : has- 4)207 members on. the books, more than last season, thanks to additions ! from nearby Washington, now : closed to legit because of the Negro-segregation issue at the Na- tional theatre. v'Boston, Dec. :7;...'",,- "Lend an Ear," though seen around here in various forms since 1941, proved a sleeper at its Hub opener last week to draw unani- mo^s raves, first show here to do so this season. Intimate musical went to the Wilbur, first musical in this house in many years, and. did great on its first tour per- formances. "Allegro" returned for I a run at the Opera House and, ' though it was never too well liked i in the Hub, did well. Other offer- ings were off except "Red Gloves," which puli.ed out three days early but Was SRO when it did. Openers this week are "Jenny Kissed Me," last night i6)»at the Plymouth, and "Payment De- ferred," tonight (7) at the Copley. Next are "Make Way for Lucia"- at the Colonial, Dec. 13, for one week; "Blackstone" at the saine house beginning Dec. 20; "Don't Listen, Ladies," at the Wilbur, Dec. 20; "Leaf and Bough," at the Plymouth, Dec. 27, and "The Em- peror of China," at the Colonial, Jan. 10. ■ Estimates for Last Week ■; "Allegro," Opera House (first week* (3,000;; $4.80). Return of this item not kicking up too much stir; ing will be due the 22d, but from $2M12, but may build, indications now the hpuse will be "Finian's Rainbow," Shubert dark the week before Xmas and re-1 (7th week) (1,750; $4 80). Dropped light the week of the 27th with! sharply last week to an estimated something as- yet to be announced, i $25,000. This is posted as fmal This will mean that three of I week but It'll stay one more. Philly's regular legiters will be I "Harvey," Colonial dlth week) Broadway's annual pre-Christ- mas : boxoffice slide began to be seriously felt last week. Attend- ance was down again from the pre- vious week's dip, with virtually all shows affected to some extent. Even at the solid SRO smashes the standee volume has tapered off to some extent, and at the below-ca- pacity presentation$ the drop is becoming painful. - Last week's only opening was "Red Gloves," "at the Mansfield. This week brings the dual-bill "Me- dium" and "Telephone" to the City Center and "Anne of the Thousand Days" to the Shubert. Next week's sole preem will be "Lend an Ear" at the National. "Magdalena" folded Saturday night (4), there may be at least one clos- ing this week and "The Play's the Thing" and the twin "Respectful Prostitute" and ''Hope Is Thiug" are to shutter Dec. 18 Estimates for Last Week : Keys; C (CometUj), D (Drama) , CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), M (Musical), O (Operetta}. "Anne of 1,000 Days," Shubert (D-1,387; $4.80). Maxwell Ander- son historical play, presented by Playwrights' Co.,. opens (Wed.). '^Annle Get Your Gun," Imperial (134th wk) (M-1,472; $6.60). Slack- ened off again in the general down- beat; went to $27,800. "As the Girls Go," Winter Gar- den (3d wk) (M-1,519; $7.20). One of the smashes that's aoing almost solid capacity, with only matinees a trifle light; $54,800. "Born Yesterday," Miller (148th wk) (C-940; $4.80). Garson Kanin's longrun laughi-getter nearing the three^year mark and stitl piling up profits; eased a bit to $13,000. "Bravo," Lyceum (4th wk) (CD- 993: $4.80) Edna Ferber-George S. Kaufman piece is getting fairly good business; helped by theatre .parties; may have a chance if it !can hold on until the Christmas- New: Year upturn; $16,100. "Edward, My Son," Beck (lOth dark the pre-holiday week, and that all four of them will get new attractions either on the 27th or during that holiday week. Last night (6), "Oh, Mr. Meadow- (1;500; $3.60). Next-to-last Week dropped to $12,000; imal weelf cur- rent. "George and Mary," Copley (1st week) (1,200; $2.25). Third offer- 'Jenny' NSG $6,300 In New Haven Bow brook." comedy tryout with Ernest i ing of the Boston Repertory Co 'I'ruex, opened a two-week run at | not too strong an attraction for the Walnut^ and "O Mistress Mine," I a house trying to buKld a follow- ing, and the e.stimated $3,000 is with John Loder and Sylvia Sidney in the Lunts.' roles, began a two- v. eek occupancy of the Locust. Although indications are that the pre-Holiday period may be: even worse than usual, there will be one only so-so for seven performances. "Payment Deferred" opens to- night. "Lend an Ear," Wilbur (1st week) (1,200; $3.60). Revue drew wk) (D-1,214; $4.80). Another of '. (29th the powerhouses that draw stand- ees at every performance regards less of prevailing conditions;'$28,- 500 again. "Goodbye, My Fancy," Morocco (3d wk) (CD-931; $4.80). Standees again at.all performances for this Madeleine Carroll starrer; topped $24,000. "Harvey," 48th St. (215th wk) (C-921; $4.20). Broadway's longest- running show is getting a .steady, though modest profit and is appar- ently set to continue in the spring period; about $9,500. I "High Button Shoes," Broadway I (61st wk) (M-1,900; $6). Holdover ' song-and-laugh show setting a 1 precedent by:getting bigger grosses I in its second year than in its great . first; slid to $41,200. | "Howdy, Mr. Ice," Center (24th wk) (R-2,964; $2 88). Skating re- , vue hit a soft spot after the holi- ■ day surge, slipping to $37,000 on a regular nine-performance week I "Inside U.S.A.," Majestic (32d I wk) fR-1,659; $6). Arthur Schwartz production is feeling the general monotonous, though probably not for the management. "My Romance," Adelphi (7th wk) (0-l,434; $4.80). Romberg tuner immediately felt the effects of its move from the . more accessible : Shubert theatre, besides sharing' in the general business ebb: but $21,500 was okay, in: vie-w or reduced scale. "Private Lives,'* Plymouth (9tK wk) (C-1,062; $4.80). Tallulah Bankhead click has eased below capacity in the general downtrend, but is getting juicy profits; $23,700, with cancelled matinee Saturday : (4) a factor. "Bed Gloves," Mansfield (1st wk) (D-920; $4.80). Jeah-Paul Sartre play opened Saturday night (4); Charles Boyer was praised, but show was. panned; nearly. $4,000 on the preem, with Sunday night the i5) a sellout; house can gross $28,- 000 with standees. . , . :, . "Respectful ProstlfuW .and "Hope Is the Thing." (Cort <|3tf wk) (D-l,0e4; $4,20). One motet. week for the New Stages twin-bill, then goes to Chicago after a week's layoff; almost $10,000. "Silver Whistle," Biltmore (2d ^ . ., , wk) (CD-920; $4.80). A.k. comedy tonight is apparently the Theatre Guild's ' first hit of the season; $18,800 for first full week is capacity; house can gross $22,500 after the sub- ': scription period. ■ .: . ' i "Small Wonder," Coronet (12th wk) (R-99a; $6). Intimate revue has felt the seasonal. slide, ^ but'. should climb after the pre-holiday ; lull; $17,800. "Streetcar Named Desire," Bar* ■ rymore (53d wk) (D-1,064; $4.80). Still accumulating SRO weeks as it starts its second year; reached $27,000. ' "Summer . and Smoke," Musid Box (9th wk) (D-1,012; $4.80). Ten- nessee Williams' second current drama continues a strong evening . j draw, but light at matinees; $18,- I 500 is ample, and show should con- 1 tinue into the spring period; paid I a second 10% Installment to back- ers this week. I "The Play's the Thing," Booth New Haven, Dec. 7. Preem of "Jenny Kissed Me" at Shubert last weekend (2-4) drew fairly encouraging comment but not too much biz. Top of $3.60 brought an: estimated $6,300 for four performances in this 1,600- seat house. Spot hits a /egii mu loi- ii^al | f^y,, performances. With rav couple of weeks, the only other ij^pg ^^^^ word-of-'mouth December booking, as of now, be- ing the breakih of Garson Kanin's "Smile of the World" for the Play- wrights' Co,, Dec. 23-25. Jan. 6-8 sets the premiere of the Theatre Guild's "Emperor of China." with Jean Pierre Aumont and Lilli Palmer co-starred. sure exception. "Kiss Me, Kate," i sock notices and got an estimated wk) (CD-712; $4.80). Mol- nar revival has one more week, closing Dec. 18; lays off a. week, then! tours; satisfactory at' over $10,000. ^■■v:-, "Where's Charley?" St. James (8th wk) (M-1,509; $6). Another of the neW season's musical clicks,' continues at near capacity; $36,500. "Young and Fair," Fulton (2d wk) (D-966; $4.80). Mild $6,700 for ; second week for N. Richard Na.sh drama; probably closing next Saturday night (11), having played out the three weeks required for the management to share in any film. sale; house switches to films : with th^.showing of "Joan of Arc." WYNN REVUE SOLID 21G, 'ROOF 12G IN FRISCO , San FrancLsco, Dec. 7. - Two houses were darkened Sat- urday (4) when "Ed Wynn's, Laugt Carnival" moved from the Geary and "Raze the RoOf" left the Xivoli for Detroit. -, ,. . ^ -,- —- — , "Carnival," with Ed Wynn, Phil decline, but still profitalile at last | Baker and Allan Jones, showed a weeks $36,600. . soij^ $21,000 for its fourth and Liilc With Mother," Empire fmnl wprk at the Gearv (1 550- 17th wk) (CD-1,082; $4,801 Doro after one of the most enthusiastic batches of notices given to ^ any show here in a long time, Jumped to capacity Saturday. Estitnates for Last Week "Kiss Me, Kate," Shubert (1st week) (1,877; $4.55). Opened c u-i , „.» 1 1, 4, „. I Thursday, and got $19,800 in first Spot hits a legit lull for nextif^,,,, i^prformances. With rave no- , new I Cole Porter musical; lis 'a. surfe $!ell- : out-; for entire three and fa half i weeks", slay. V;,V: ^ ' "Along Fifth Avenue," Forrest (Ist, week) :(1.766; $4.55). Opened I Tuesday to nii.Ked notices, adverse 1 ones predominating. Got $24,300 I in .seven performances, hot too good. . .. ■. ■ "Make W'ay for Lucia," Walnut ■ 2d week) (1.340; $3.90). Fairly good $15,300 in second and final week.- ATS sub.scription . helping quite a lot in this case. $9,600 on four performances with a big advance for second and final week, now current. "Red Gloves," Plymouth (2d week) (1,200; $3.60). This one had to pull out Wed. (1) after four per- formances of second week, but was SRO $11,600. $3.60). "Roof," With Jerry Lester, Chalked up a fair $12,000 for Its llth week at the Tivoli (1,400; S2 88). Show Boat" hit a fine $22,000 G&S 12G, Mont'l Montreal. Dec. 7. The Breden-Savoy Gilbert & Sullivan Comic Opera Co. grossed a poor $12,000 last week at His Maj- esty's with a house scaled to a $3 top. The three offerings, "The Mi- kado," "Pirates of Penzance" and "H.M.S. Pinfore," usually surefire in any Canadian theatre, received poor reviews; were shoddy in both sets and costumes and below aver- age in all vocal department. Criti- cal praise, if any, went to the "Pirates." 'Born' lOG, Columbus Columbus, O., Dec. 7. The touring company of ''Born Yesterday" interrupted its string of palatable road stands with; a tepid engagement at the Hartman here last Week. ■ Take for eight performances ' was only $10,000. - ' 'BAGELS' QUITS L. A, 'EAR' OFF TO $6,100 IaOH Angeles, Dec. 7. "Bagels and Bows" finaled at the Coronet Sunday 15), leaving only El: Capitan and Las Paimas alight and no newcomers due bei- fore Christmas. Yule shopping is hurting. Estimates for Last Week .. "Bagels and BpWs," Coronet (2d wk) (255; $31. Finaled Sunday with .$6,000 for 12 days, "Blackouts of 1948," El Capitan (337th wk) (1,142; $2 40). Still off, around $16,200. . "Lend An Ear," Las Paimas (2,^th wk) 1388, $3). Still sliding gently downward. About $6,100, marginally profitable. May pull out after New Year's for a west- ern road tour. thy Stickney and Howard Lindsay 'are getting capacity houses in this . foUowup click; about $24,000 again !wk)^^D^m^v^*4fl};^"M„? ^i^' =>"°w «oai nil a nne :>^^,uou l^hnw hi,' ^h=.l,il°^- Moss Hart's , for its second week at the Curran .show biz charade was another n 77fi- «i fini smash that failed to go clean at i ' ' * ' I the midweek matinee, but $26,300 was virtual capacity. I "Love Life," 46th St. (9th wk) I (M-1,319; $6). Musical comedy his- tory of American marriage has slipped a trifle, particularly at matinees; off to $35,700 last week. "Magdalena," Zicgfeld (llth wk) (0-l,628; .$6.60). Final week brought an upturn for this Heitor Villa-Lobos musical, but the b.o. Legion's Dillingham Post Setting Up GI Workshop ■■ An: . experimental theatre and workshop for war veterans is being set up by the Capt. Charles B. Dil- lingham post of the American Le- gion at: its clubhouse off Times damage was done; clissing semester i Square, N. Y. Post, named for the was $25,000; show folded Satur-' lste theatrical producer, is embrac- day (4); "Rape of Lucretia" is due at the house Dec. 29. "Make Mine Manhattan," Broad- hurst (47th wk) (R-1,160; $6). Hyman & Hart intimate revue is finally winding up its run Jan. 1 ing the idea as a showcase for GI talent iiri acting, playwriting and: allied arts; It's planned to give weekly performances. There will be both invited and commercial audiences at each production, with with Bert Lahr coniing in as star ] part of the subscription take (in- i?Ll}%ii^^J^^^^^- ^"'^ slead of admi.ssion fee) being dl- , Clined the road; dipped to $19,700, „:,,„., .hp nlavers and wel- ! "Medium" and "Telephone," City VJir^u^ nf tZ nn«f Center (0-3,025; $3). Twin-bill of i ^""^„°f '''^^rPo ' i u* 'Gian-Carlo Menotti operas, opened Saturday night last night (Tues ) "i.-cn^u i ^j^j ^^..^j^ ^ ..Q^y Nineties Revue,'* ; "Mister Roberts," Alvirt (42d wk) compri.sing ca.st of oldtime perform- I (CD-1,357; $4.80). Always standees . ers and younger GI's, under di- al this Thomas Heggen-Joshua rectipn of Murray Brown, man- ' Logan smash; $35,000 is becoming aging" director of the project. -.