Variety (Mar 1949)

S2 UBCITIMATE Wedncsaay," MarcU- 23, 1949 Phys Abroad The Bugle in the lllood OuMin, March 15. Le Sili^Mtee. ■■de "'la- M«^r : - (Silence of iheSca) Paris, March 1. Natianal Theatre production of tragedy i pjerre Beteille presentation of dram» in three acts by Bryan M«cMahon. Staged j„ v«rcors. adapted by Jean liy Rla Mooney. Set by Vcre Dudgeon. At Edouard VII, Paris. At Abbey. Dublin. March 14. 49. uncle Constant Rcmy Maroya Trimble B'J?,„?^yfiJ.^ Young Girl. .. Chrlstlane Barry Josepli Trimble i*J o-NMll Werner von Ebrennac,.. .Pierre Blanehar Andy Trimble ^^'"m?!,.? Tnnl German Soldier Maurice Chevlt &y cS ; •MiohaeY''i:''Dll'Si 2„d. German soldier Michel Nartorg Circus Jack ............ waMer^*^^^^^^ Vercor's famous Story has Mrs. Monahan Eileen Crowe , rgagjied the footlights" In a remark- ' able adaptation by Jean Mercure. Bryan MacMahon, already well- (It also will soon be seen on the known here as a short-story writer scr^een.)^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ shows himself as a fine playwright ] (,ff^cer quartered in the home of a in the Sean O'Casey tradition with this first effort for the Abbey. It is another tragedy of Irislj political life — the inspiration of much Abbey work^centered on a small- town family whose eldest ^son, in Frenchman and his niece, and the wall of silence they rigorously maintain against him, until, dis- illusioned by the actions and atti- tude of the Nazis, he announces his request to be transferred to, DOLIN, MARKOVA OFF ON SOUTH AFRICA TOUR Anton Dolin, Alicia Markova and their personal manager, Alfred Katz are flying to London today .(Wed.) enroute to Johannesburg, where the; dancers open a South African tour April 4. They'll tour South Africa for two months, under local management of Alex Cher- niavsky. Dancers are due: in Lon- don for the Harringate Festival in August/ then make a British pro- vincial tour until December. Katz will be back in the U. S. in mid-June. Play Out of Town Plays on Broadway jail for a political offense, has gone j,the Russian front. Only then does on a hunger strike. ' " The mother will not write to plead with her son to give up his strike at one time a common device by prisoners held on politi' cal charges. Her younger son, • Andy, is the white-headed studious boy: her daughter; deserted by her husband, is pregnant and bitter; Joseph Trimble, her husband, is an invalid who longs for the end of political bitterness. The hunger strike ends in death and the bring- ing back of the youth's body to the town. This event causes more strife and the rising up of the • studious son, only to end in suddeh tragedy for him, and fresh tragedy for the family. •Tragedy, momentarily relieved by the natural comedy of; the peo- ple,: demands a great deal frdm its cast and reveals a fine standard of playing by Brid Lynch, Brian O'Higgins, Michael J. Dolan and Walter Macken, who carried the main: burden of the story. Jack McGowran's Indian peddler, Rab, is a clever character sketch from : a young artist who is particularly promising. The author shows a fine sense of the theatre and a natu- ralness of dialog which provides :. Ria Mooney with an opportunity ' of producing an Abbey play, which will go a long way to re-establish- ing the famous standards of the Irish national theatre. Mac. \,,v..;:_.TIIt'-:-l^iiu ,.«nd:; !■ V^'-- New Stages presentation of comedy- i-iip f»ifl hrpfllt -the silence with a J in two acts and prolog by Barrie l"9 M ■ - - ^'^Ji—Stavis. Directed by Boris Tumarlri. Sets faintly whispered Au revoir. - - I ^nd lighting. Robert Cundlach; costumes. Since the piece is practically a i Grace "Houston. -At-^-NeviP^tagfisi Ni -y.; monolog by the German, it is a : March ^; :'>^ _ _ . ; ■ silver tour de force on me part of the! zebuiuh . Maurice shrog . it dramatic. In I Reuben. i . . ..:.■.Ben Irving 1.. . , . .. . n j ■ 11 uiaiHunw. ill I si„,e„„ _ revuB to cUck oji Bpoadway. Tongue lift Cheek Hollywood, March 22. ROSS Huntei; and Jacque Mapes pres'cn» tatloH of musical revue In two acts (21 scenes). Word* and muslo by. Jlsii;!. Br*nt. Sketches' by Charles Faber. Additional words and music by Buddy Pepper, pi- racted- by Hunter. Production under supervision of Harry Zevln. Dances and musical numbers staged by Lester Horton and Bella Lewltzky. .Costume direction; Maria Donovan, Musical direction, Paul Owen. Production design by Mapea. Duo pianists, John : Latimer. Edljvard GKeen.. Opened at Las Pahnasi HollywooclivMar(;il 21, '49i $3,60 top. „„„ Cast: Arlen Allen, Earl Barton. Wllda Bleber, Kenneth Brewer, Libby Burko. Jcniha CarroU, Joyce Elaine. Hoy Fltzell, Sandra Gnuld, Dick Huihphreys. Ross Hunter, Frances Irvin. Janl Lawrence, Vivian Lloyd, Patricia Lynn. Peter Mar- Shall, Bert May, Danny Scholi, Roberta Stevenson, Gloria Stone. Jimmy Thomp- ■son.. adapter to make it dramatic. Encouraged by the success of "Lend An Ear," which bowed lo- cally nine months ago, Ross Hun- ter and- Jacque Mapes have come. Up with what they obviously hope will be the second HoUywood-orig- this he is wonderfully assisted by 1 ^™?»» ^ h^^j^ . ^ , . ^----^ DfuV. ,;.-.V;;;.\"\\\\\\'.jMando?ph!it's a vam hope. Although pre the remarkable acting of Constant Remy and Christiane Barry, who | Naphtaii Jack Manning Richard KUey , , - . , .Peter Hobbs silence tense and moving. | Asher:.,...,....... ... Louis HoUlster There's only one set, the interior ; JPfJP"™;. h»V o.K^'t^T^wiS of a French country house, tyjo\%^^^^'',''':'/-^^^^^^^^^^ minor characters and three major l Arran. . ;. . Peter Capeii roles. Pierre Blanehar as the Ger- Executioner Me^rufE* Joe's man gives a fine performance. He | prttiphaV.". .'.'.VMartin Tarby is not the typical villainous Nazi, I Harpist;. ... .Michael Howard succeed in making their very j ^"jachcr but a man confused and disoriented by the ideas with which he has been indoctrinated, in which, be- cause at heart he is an idealist; he loses confidence. Fred, Interdit au Public (No Admittance) Paris, March 2. R. p. Chamby and Maxime-Fabert pro- : duction of comedy In three acts by Roger Domes and Jean Marsan. Set by Philippe Hoffenbach. At the Comedie Wagram. Paris; . . Gabriellc Tristan..Mary Marquet Glsele Montagne..,.,.,.., .Nicole Vervil Nicole Gulsard............ Jane Longuet Francolse... ......i......Clalce Neuville Berve Montagne:.....,...Jacques Erwin Jean Bayard.. :; . . .Robert Favart Robert Gulsard.. i,........Maxine-Fabert Plerre—Montagne .- Hubert Noel Stage Manager ........../Christian Gallo Nous Avons Tons Fait La Meme Chose (It Gould Happen to Anybody) „ : Paris, March 15. Martlne de BreteuU production of comedy in three acts.by Jean.de Letraz.- Directed by de Letraz. At Theatrt de. la Potinierev Paris. Catherine:. ......Martha Sarbel Mme. Delmet............... Mady Berry Stephane ..Pierre Louis Nelly,..:................Helene Ronsard Armande Luce Feyrer Remi. .Henri Gulsol Yvette . Huguette Vcrgne Asenath.:............:.. ... .Florence Luriea Rakaph.,,..,..... .. . i... Mort Neudell Pharaoh .,,........ .. ....Kermit Murdock Footwasher..... u.... .Sharshees ..:. i; i.;. i. Shilah . Michael Howard An Engineer........ .. William Brower A Warrior ........Frederick de Wilde First Guard : Eugene Paul Second Guard Salem Ludwlg Big Worker William Brower 'Trouble is," says the hero of this amusing comedy,."a woman came into my life before another one had time to get out." And Armande, Remi's mistress, sets her foot down in no uncertain manner as soon as she finds out about his marriage to Nelly. In fact} she prevents its completion and tells Nelly that she is prepared to fight for him. As a result, the disil- lusioned Nelly decides to throw herself into: the arms of the first comer, who happens to be a young lawyer. Needless to say the two fall- -in - love, but the- lawyer also has a mistress. He, however, makes a complete break and is prepared at the end to ■hxarry Nelly once her partial marriage has" been annulled, and It is pre- sumed that Remi and Armande, his mistress, will be reconciled. The first act is slow, but the opening : scuttlebutt conipared it favorably to "Ear," the only thing the two shows have in common is the ■ theatre in which they : pre^ mierecL . ■. Hunter and Mapes lisve beeil; two years in getting: "Tongiie" <ih: the boards. Production coin; was: more readily f orthcorning after "Ear" lent an impetus to Coast pror duction. But "Tongue" proves once< Louis Hoiiistet' | again .that material which is hilari- wiiiard Swire I ^Y^^ Beverly Hills circuit ijs not necessarily commercial; - , . ; "Tongue in Cheek" is an ambiT tious formula revue which has lit- tle to distinguish it: None of its tunes is anywhere near Hit Parade: caliber, and only one o!r two .Of its 20 production- numbers £oilid be salvaged for Broadway. The comr plete Tevision necessary to insure even: a limited: Gotham, rttd amounts almost to an entirely . ne^ 'pFOdUc- tion. .-:•:■::.■■,'■'■ The show is peopled by energetic unknowns, some of whom show promise. By far the standout of the cast is Sandra Gould, who reeently has been devoting mostof her time to radio. A clever comedienne, iihe is far better than her material, and : This behind^he-scenes comedy concerns a successful playwright, his present non-actress wife, his ex-wife (a famous actress), her present film-actor husband, the grown actor .son of the first mar- , , riage and his fiancee, a budding I -second gathers momentum and the actress. The actress agrees to star i third is firstrate comedy. The au- in her ex-husband's new play, but ingeniously repeats in this becomes furious when her son's I ^.'^t' almost word for word, the fiancee steals one of the big scenes, I first-act scene in which the worldly and refuses her consent to their I Armende tells off the naive Nelly, marriage. In her. rage she goes on ^P" ^^fPeats all her arguments . stage and Improvises a big scene IJ^"®" she herself is faced' with the of her own, and having won back 'awyer s fiancee, Yvette. her public, graciously changes her . "elene Ronsard, as Nelly, carries 'IThe Sun and I;" variation of the play written by ,Barrie Stavis and his late wife, Leona, which the Federal theatre staged in 1937, Is-^ an interesting, though not success- ful production. Appealing for its sub,iect matter, approach and per- formance, it fails becau.se of its confu.sed thinking; talky rambling, and lack o'f humor. But it was worth New Stages' re-staging. Play is a modern telling of the Biblical story of Joseph in Egypt. It tries to pi-each that force can--, , . .. . , not be used as a weapon of faith,' to give the show its few hiind and allows the fiancee to take a bow with her. It is all very theatrical, frequent almost the entire weight of the play and turns in a fine perform- ance. Luce Feyrer as Armande is while seeing an analogy to present times in its story of the struggle of freedom against power. The analogy of the dictator-motif is a little too strained. So at times is the colloquial quality of the dialog. The King James version is still better; For a serious subject, too, chacacterizations and situations border occasionally too dose to the .ridiculous. Performance and staging is quite creditable. Karl "WJeber handles the many-sided, difficult jrole of Joseph satisfactorily. Kermit Mur- dock' portrays Pharaoh 'with dis- tinction. Nancy R, Pollock occa- sionally makes the role of Vash- nee a confusing contradition of simpering fool and sagacious poli- tician,- but on the whole gives a telling performance. Peter Capell makes a strong, impression as the philosopher - statesman, Arrafi. Martin Tarby is ainusing as a fool- ish Potiphar, .Merrill E, Joels is .satisfactory as the .lealous Malfi, highlights, Co-producersdirector Ross Hunter appears in several numbers (a la Bill Eytbe in "Ear"), best of which is "The World's Oldest Boy Vio- linist;" and makes an okay impres- sion. Brought in for $29,000, "Tongue" has only a fair chance of earning back its production co.st, local in- terest being-what it is. However, in this tiny (388-seat) house, it means a near .capacity run of about six months^and the final weeks are undoubtedly going to be tough sledding :even with the emphasis on local jokes to intrigue HoUy- wDodites. Kap. College Show All Thai: laitiers Willidmstowiii> Mass.> March 19. i „ „ , „ Cap and. Bells-CWJlllams College) pro- supporting cast adds ^{■^'^iLen iondTet^' Adap'[eJ" t^T'^B^l good bits. Bron. ly to the point of caric'alure,"¥u"t j ^^Imi^ ulu^^S^un'lv ^ tL®^^^^^^^ nevertheless quite funny. Jacques I Madv Ber v pSp t m.Tf nnrt X\l^^.tt^'Vn^'''l',^S{ HugSetfe^%-gn^e'Trl ^r^oit eiiy Domoasnc and egotistical, supporting roles. The single set- tiiig of a country-house living room isi bright and tasteful. Comedy has prtssibilitieis for ah American pr6- ductiqn. . Fred. Haydon Switches Role Reno, March 22. Julie Haydon opens tomorrow (Wed.) for three days ait the Civic Auditoriuin in "The Glass Menage ene." This is first time she's play- ing the mother role after playing the daughter part for two years on Broadway. ■,•";■,..-';'■'■■'■■■:.■■-':■•■■■ •-.■■■■■-.:■' Charles Dunleavay of Detroit is the producer-dit-ector. i ' ■: - - and egotistical. Mary Marquet plays the actress with a hard authority, pointing up her comedy lines in a masterly fashion. The rest of the cast gives solid backing to the two stars, particularly Nicole Vervil as the not too mousy wife of the play- wright, and Claire Neuville as the fiancee, whose success turns her from a shy debutant actress to a temperamental fledgling star. A film version of the play is in preparation. Fred. SAMUEL FRENCH SINCE mo . Play, Brokefs and Authors* Representatives : SO West 4!)lli Street, New Vnrk leZS Sunset Blvd., Uollvwnod 4(i. Oal, Johnny Cas«y The New School's Dramatic Workshop offered a confused and ineffective work in its production of "Johnny Ca.sey," which opened i-'i""-''*'■'"''''weeinent with'.samuei French Friday (18) as the latest in its | f„U'^ CsV;'"$T2o''iip."'''"'''''' gar on IIor.seback" by George Kaufman, and Marc Connelly. Directed by David C, Bryant, assisted by James Van Wart. Scenery and co.ntumcs by Otto W. Sle- bert, n. Piano accompantnients by Gerald F. O'Brien and Sondlicim. Musical num- ber "Drink; to Zee Moon" written in col- laboration with Alice ■ Hammerstein, Special dance by Ida Kay. Produced bv Author Alfred Golden Suggests $2 & $5 W For Legit Financing New York Editor, Variety: I have been at work on a plan Which would enable yoii to step inside any ticket broker agency on Broadway, consult listings of prospective plays and players, and place a bet (pardon me, I mean make a small investment) of $2 oF-$5,-or even as much as $50 on the production of your choice Within five or six weeks—after the New York critics' reviews have ap- peared—you would learn whether you had drawn an also-ran or have backed a winner destined to bring you a return anywhere from 100% to 1,000% on your money. And even if you ^on't make a million you'll have a. lot of fun. Here you will have a steady stream of capital flowing into the theatre, bringing to light new plays, new talents, and glowing re- vivals of oil' plays. With worry, free producers doing shows they really war.t to do—and not just to please a few big investors—the theatre is bound to take on a zest and excitement unknown to these times. I have my plan worked out in detail, and ,as my contribution to the legitimate stage I stand ready to turn the whole thing over free of charge to a responsible group of theatre people representing the- atre ■: owners, producers, play- Wrights, actors and ticket brokers. From' representative workers in ' the theatre there will be formed a non-profit organization to super- vise all productions offered to the public for backing. Legal require- ments will be met and regulations established to protect the public. Only responsible producers will be permitted to 'participate, and all dealing with the public's money will have to be bonded. Every con- ceivable precaution will be taken to see to it that you get "a run for your money." My plan envisions not only in- creased employment for actors and theatre technicians, but the dis- tribution of profits for each play produced successfully. First there - will be profits to* those who invest- ed in it, then' there will be a fair share of profits to the producer who guided the play to its success. There will be additional income to ticket brokers, but what is moiit important of all, a share of the profits will go directly into a fund; providing for the subsidization of playwriting and acting talent; the- atrical instruction and research. A : portivn. will be- donated-directlyr to the coffers of theatrieat charir ties. Alfred L, Golden. ^ Xaligula' in Coast Bow Hollywood; March 22. : "Caligula," Albert Camus' French hit, will get its U. S. pre- miere March 30 at the Coronet theatre as a production of the Circle Players, local legit group. Producer Jerry Epstein has set Al- bert Band to direct. \ „ . - . James Anderson top^'the cast which includes Terry Kilbuni, Naomi Stevens, Mack Williams and Strother Martin. FOR RENT ii;qufty Summer Theatre in N, 3, 40 Miles from N, Y.; Shir 8,vstem Only; Fully Ukiulpficn: Write to RICHARD STEVERS IIS Montross Ave., Itutherford, N. J. THEATRE '49 'STOOPS' Dallas, March 22. Theatre '49 opened its seventh production Monday (21) with a re- Ivival of "She Stoops to Gonquerj" , by Oliver Goldsmith. The play will run three weeks in the Gulf play- '.house. Directed by Margo Jones, the . play will present the entire perma- nent troupe of actors supplemented ; by four local college drama students. repertory productions at the Presi^ Neu McHae dent, N. Y. The Franklin Irving S^^iJ/'n?!;"'" play about a baseball player who is a 'fanatic about the game is tedi- ously paced, with muddled char- acters, limp dialog and perplexing plot. The production has a few in- dividually good ,scenes, among .which a takeoff on • the announcing of a ballgame is standout. ■ Cast consists of Dramatic Work- shop alumni,: who give capable, though not exceptional: perform- ances. The title role s handled by AI Henderson, with Robert McCrane, James WaLsh, Anne Cer- valo and Sara Farwell in subordi- nate parts. Williams- ..., Ronald Molr. Jeannette Foisey Albert Rice ............ .Howard Krskine Mr. Cady.................. Martin Luth.y Mrs, Cady ............. ^Caroline Bldwell Gladys Cady —. Betty Dlsell Homer Clidy James DlseU Secretaries.Ted Farrow. Charles HoUerith Poet John LaseU . Kaplan Joins MCA Harriet Kaplan, formerly in Metro's play department in N. Y. : and later with Michael Sloane- Paula Stone legit production, lias joined the musical comedy casting and script department oi Music Corp. of America. She ^yas also casting director with Mike Todd for a time. Dorf man Due Out of >Hosp Pressagent Nat Dorfman is ex- pected to leave Mt. Sinai hospital, N. Y., within a few days and will recuperate at home from peri- tonitis, with which he was stricken last week. Ailment resulted from an accidental perforation of the stomach. Pending his return, his associ- ate, Mary Ward, is handling pub- licity for "Born Yesterday," at the Miller, N, V. 'Cap and Bells of Williams Col- lege has come up with an enter- taining production. Although the 1924 George Kaufman and Marc Connelly comedy, "Beggar on Horseback," on which this is based, seems dated, musical is profes-^ sional and" funny. The original text is followed in its entiretv, satirizing the Babbitts, with a semi- ballad pantomine substituted for the pantomine of the original play. The substituted pantomine, based on the moves in a chess game, with Ida Kay as: the featured dancer« slows the pace set by the previous scenes. The music and lyrics have been composed as an integral part of the play, and Stephen Sondheim dis-^ plays great potential ability as a lyricist-composer. Broadcast Mu- sic, Inc., has published an album of five of the show's tunes—"When X See You," "Let's Not Fall in Love." "I Lov« You, ¥:tc.,"."I Need Love" and "I Must Be Dreaming." The Show's outstanding number, however, is "The Bordelaise." Great credit goes to director David C, Bryant and his a.ssistant James Van Wart for obtaining the results they do. Talent, with very .slight singihg ability, is selected from the student body; the femme contingent from the wives of the students (G.I.'s) and the local vil- lage. Bryant displays a flair tor inventive business and the han- dling of crowd movement. Several of the embryo thesps come up with standout per- formances. This is particularly true of James Disell in the part ot Homer, showing a fine scn.se oi timing and characterization. Howr ard Ersklne as Albert R'ce plays a professional versatility. Martin Luthy handles the satirueo Mr. Cady with humor. Ted tar row and Charles Hollerith are ok4jr as the secretaries.