Variety (June 1949)

%2 IJEGITIMATB Wednesday, June 29, I 949 Strawhat Review Prelly Penny New Hope, Pa., June 20. Leonard Field produrtlon of revue in two acts 117 scenes), with sketches h.v Jerome Chodorov, music and lyric.s by Harold Rome. Staged by George S. Kauf- man: dances and musical numbers staged bv Michael Kidd: settings. Paul Morrison: costumes. Kenn Barr: musical direction. Harold Rome. At Bucks County Play- bouse. New Hope. Pa., June 20i '49; $3 top. With David Burns, Lenore Lonergan, Marilyn Day, Barbara Martin. Carl Reiner, Michael Kidd, George Keane, Diane Sin- clair. Ken Spaulding. Peter Gennaro. Jay I.loyd. Wana Alli.son. Phyllis Gehrig. Wayne Lamh. Barbara McCutcheon, Ii\e- lyn Taylor. Robert Morrow. Onna White, W'illiam Skipper, Bud Sweeney. John Hen- son. Walter Scheflf. Barbara tVeaver. and pianists George Davis and Joseph Antman. This intimate revue, excellent fare for strawhats, is doubtful ma- terial for Broadway, unless it can be enormously punched-up and tightened. It’s figured that the pro- duction can be brought in for $100,000. which should improve the chances of getting the backing and make it a more likely bet to pay off. Even so. in its present state, the show lacks strong enough ma- terial or persuasive enough per- formance to rate as a prospective hit on Broadway. The general idea of “Pretty Penny” (and at the moment it’s kidding-on-the-square) is that the show is being done as an audition for potential backers. That makes possible the elimination of elabo- rate scenery or costumes. It also Involves rather artificial introduc- tions to the first few scenes, the second act and the trite finale. But since the revue itself Is in the fa- miliar pattern of topical satire, it’s probably as good a “theme” as any. When caught at the Saturday matinee (2.5) there had already been several changes, and numerous others were contemplated. But on the basis of the show at the mo- ment. thei^’s more material that needs change than there Is that’s useable. And there’s need for not only more emphatic performance, but at least one magnetic person- ality. As it is. there’s not one real .sock sketch or standout song in the show, although several of the dances are good. One sketch. “Meet the Authors.” makes moderate fun of luncheon speeches by bestselling writers, but is overlong, lacks a surprise finish and is only ade- quately played. “Death with Father,” a travesty of “Life with Father.” “Death of a Salesman” and “Streetcar Named Desire.” is a tired treatment of familiar device. “Rome Rides Again” is an un- inspired rehash of the old lampoon- Hollywood idea, in this case show- ing how “Julius Cae.sar” would be filmed as a musical we.stern. “Life of a Salesman” is a too obvious comment on the changed conditions in the auto market, “Operation Television” extracts mild laughter out of a telecast of an appendec- tomy, and there’s a so-what bur- lesque of film O.scar awards. There’s a desperate need for at least one convulsing .sketch. Of the songs. “Stop Walking Around in My Mind” and “What Hit You?” are fair ballads, the for- mer providing the music for an ac- ceptable dance routine. “Small World.” “I Never Leamed to Waltz” and “Up North American Way” are primarily dance numbers, with little apparent commercial quality. Of the comedy songs, "din Rummy Rhap.sody” makes a large fu.ss over a small point, “I’ll Trade My Dreams" (“I’d Rather Be a Rich Man with a Million Dollars Than a Poor Man with a Pocket Full of Dreams”) is an amusing spoof of philosophic songs. “Cry Baby” is : a chuckle at cheer-up songs. “In- vestigation” fails to do justice to a gravely absurd theme, “French Without Tears” might be a sock jape of parle-vous chantoosies if it were more skillfully projected, and “The Fair Sex” is a pallid edi- tion of the Rodgers-Hammerstein hit. “Nothing Like a Dame.” Of the performers, the principal comics are David Burns. Carl Reiner, George Keane, Lenore Lon- ergan and Barbara Martin. Most . of the songs are sung by Marilyn Day. Miss Lonergan, Walter Scheff and Miss Martin. The notable dancers, besides Michael Kidd, are Diane Sinclair, Ken Spaulding, Peter Gennaro, Jay Lloyd, Wana ' Allison. Phyllis Gehrig, Wayne Lamb and Evelyn Taylor. As a bet for Broadway, “Pretty Penny” inevitably suggests com- parison with “Angel in the Wings.” which Paul and Grace Hartman tinkered into boxoffice stature dur- ing a preliminary strawhat tour two seasons ago. With inspired fix- ing, “Penny” might be vastly im- I proved. But it has no one to com- pare with the Hartmans, or even Hank Ladd. Hobe, FOR SALE Om of the two houses in the New York area designed by FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT 3 Ix-iiriHiittM. 3 biitliN, rMiilniit hrutlnK. •l*‘tHrhr(l llolthy on 1 < lirMiili- riilly lHnil«rH|>«*(l onti u<NMii>tl hit*** wUh linvikpi. In tlie N«*« JerNr.v IiIIIm. Kxi'<‘llrn( rnniiniitinc to »M' York. fHfl.nOO. I'liiiini'iitK i<rninfr<‘«l. CARL H. SOOTH, Realtor lt<-rniir<iNy illf*. N. ,1. TrI.: Il.*rn. l»-l «77 SAMUEL FRENCH KINCK 1830 Play, Brokerg an<l Aiilliorg* Repregentativeg tH West 4.MI1 SIrrol, Nrw \ ork 7023 giin^rt Itltd., llollv\v<KMi 46. Cal. 2 CHARMING HOUSES FOR SALE In iM-iiiitifiil Tiirtli* liny ftHnlens. K\- rrllfiit ii«>iKlil>orli<Mnl, ron»<<ni«‘n( to tliriitrcx, s!io|i:>, trnnxiNtrtntion, tinxl iMIli .Niroct. For itnrtlriilnr.x, Mrltr: MABEL DETMOLO 23(1 Fiikt 4Utli St., or fall FI.. II-I92H tion for this type of thing Mas sharp and gave all possible action. Presented as a curtain-raiser was a “song-play” by Marc Blitzstein. A socially-conscious item labelled ‘T’ve Got the Tune,” the half-hour of music and story proved highly disappointing in both departments to tho.se familiar with Blitzstein’s “Cradle Will Rock” and other works. Presented in the same man- ner as “McKeever." and with a piano accompaniment by Joan Slessinger, yarn is of a Broadway lad with a tune in his head to which he tries to get various people to fit lyrics. None suits him until he comes on a group of uhat appear to be May Day marchers. Both the idea and its execution are pedestrian, labored and obvi- ous. Herb. Strawhat Briefs Continued from paie 50 “A Murder Has Been and “Voice of the ber Mama,” Arranged,” Turtle.” Season ends Sept. 5. The Woods decided against op- erating the Playhouse in 1949. owing to limited capacity, which made it difficult to show a profit. They have announced the upstairs spot will be enlarged to 45U for 1950. Texas It Tops A nevN' musical. "Texas Is Tops,” which does no more than to tell its audience that Negro discrimi- nation is prevalent in the Lone Star state, was presented by the Empire Players at the Master thea- tre, N. Y., for four performances, June 22-2,5. Jerry Altars provided some listenable music, but the ^ juiy **. ana lounnx i-iayi-is u lyrics by Will.son Whitman and Ed-j Larchmont. N. Y.. at Belknap Re ward Barry are ordinary and on ; citation Area in Gilford. July the whole, unintelligible when N. H. Season Promisinr Concord, N. H,. June 28. The strawhat theatre circuit in this state has been busy Mith prep- arations for what promises to be a prosperous season. Scheduled openings already an- nounced include: Hampton Beach Playhouse, Hampton, with Patrick Hamilton’s “Rope,” June 29; Mer- rimack Drama Festival. Hopkin- ton, George M. Cohan’s “Pigeons and People,” July 6; Keene sum- mer theatre, Keene, “For Love or Money,” June 27; Windham Play- house, Windham. “Candlelight,” July 4. and Touring Players of Assn. Award, engaged as membem of Robert Porterfield’s Barter at re, Abingdon. Va. Supporting Florence Reed in “The Importance of Being Earn, est” at Berkshire Playhous^ Stockbridge, Mass., this week are- William Roerlck, Kendall Clark* Jane Du Frayne. Richard Abbott* John Straub, Michael Dreyfuss’ Barbara Brady and Mary Ellia- beth Aurelius . . . New York Pro- ducing Syndicate has taken over the Bridgeport summer theatre established by Cliff Self, and will spotlight 10-week season with a new' musical “Brave New World.” 19. The •l^iurnpy of Simon Sinfile performance presentation by the National Council of the Arts. Sciences & I Professions of Arthur Laurents’ dramatiza- tion of the novel by Albert Maltz. Direc- tor, J. Kdward Bromberg. At Cargenie , Hall, N. Y., June 21, '49. , Simon McKeever Elliot Sullivan Narrator Frederick O’Neal Woman Virginia Downing , Pavolsky Salem Ludwig , Peake Leo Frome I Driver Charles McCrae Harold Curt Conway I Audrey Madeleine Lee Mr. Cooley Steve Hill Mrs t:ooley Sally Cunningham Dr. Amelia Baizcr ... Hester Sondegaard The National Council of the Arts. ! Sciences & Professions, in the na- ture of a protest last week, pre- sented a 45-minute dramatization I by Arthur Laurents of Albert ; Maltz’.s. “The Journey of Simon McKeever.” This is the novel for I w hich 2()th-Fox paid $35,000 re- cently and then two weeks later announced that it was shelving. Studio took no trouble to deny the obvious: that it had erred in buy- ! ing the properly inasmuch as Maltz ; was one of the “Hollywood 10” who 1 was on a blacklist growing out of : contempt proceedings brought by j the Hou.se un-American Activities j Committee. j Single performance of "McKee- vci ’ (it was also done once on the C’oast a few' weeks before) was staged by the ASP to launch its new “cultural centre.” This is not a thing of brick and mortar, but apparently a fund to subsidize and aid tho.se writers such as Maltz (or workers in any cutural field) who can’t get jobs becau.se of political or social beliefs. Carnegie tiall was filled solid for the event, with several hundred more persons on the sidewalks trying to get tickets, .lohn Mat tin, dance critic of the N. Y. ’rimes, chairmanned the ses- sion. Whatever the purpose of pre- senting the “McKeever” dramati- zation—whether as a cultural or lund-raising event—it also served to dramatize the fact that Maltz here had written nothing that could lay him open to the leftist label which had been hung on him by the Un-Amcrican Committee. As it came out in Laurents’ ab- breviation. it is an intensely human and moving composite of laughs, ti agedy. despair and hope. It is the story of a 73-year-old inmate of a home tor the aged. He’s crippled with arthritis. Hearing of a w'oman doctor with an almost-miraculous cure .some 400 miles away, he starts to hitchhike despite the fact he can hardly walk and has but a few bor- rowed coins in his pocket. He meets various people, .some kind and helptul. others disillusioned and mean, hut he goes purposefully through with his mission, carried on by the rainbow at the end of a , quick cure he thinks will enable him to regain his pride and self- respect by being able to work again. The heartbreaking end of the Journey is to find that there is no miracle cure—in fact, no cure at all—for his type of arthritis. Simon is momentarily let down. Then he realizes that this will give him the ' chance he’s always wanted to write ! a hook and he takes ‘ for the Home in a blaze of hop . i I’rcsentalion was wit». costumes and props, hut no .sets. Elliot Sul-' livan was touching and .sincere in the “McKeever” role, while Fred- erick O’Neal did a top job of nar- rating the intro and linkage from a lectern at the side of the stage. Rest ot the cast was likewise able, while J. Edward Bromberg’s direc-i sung by th‘* members of the cast. However, "Don’t Try to Tell a Good Man’’ was a standout tune. Characterization of a southern senator was iiandled capably by John Faulk. Choreography by Sybilla Fort was commendable despite limited space. Irving Dobbs direction was okay, and the lack of sets did not impede the production. Her Kxrellenrv London, June 23. Val Parnell and .lark Huibert produr- tlon of new musical pla.v in three act.x by I Archie Menzies, Max Kester; music by I Manning Sherwin. Harry Parr-Davies. Di- . rected by Jack Huibert. At Hippodrome. { London. June 22, ’49. I Lady Frances Maxwell Cicely Courtneidge I Senor Riaz/a Au.stin Trevor Jimmy Denham Thoi lev W.ilters , Margaretta Ria//.a .Sandra Martin Martin Na.sh Patrick Barr . Mary Cres.set Margaret McGrath I Counsellor Blore John Stevens i Miss Fotliergill Dorothy Stuart , Mrs. Payne I.elty Craydon ‘Belvedere’ Boons Denison Granville. O.. June 28. “Belvedere,” which opened Deni- son university’s summer theatre sea.son, boomed attendance to with- in 31 of the alltime high for any one week. A total of l.(>88 atlend- ed during the first week. Denison also reports 575 season tickets sold for a gross of $4,400. as compared W’ith a gross of $2.9()0 for the en- tire season last year. “January Thaw,” liy William Roos, played last week, and .1. C’. and Elliott Nugent’s “The Poor Nut” is now showing. Memorabilia Continued from page SI and Thomas Mcighan were in the cast 11914). Gus Hill’s Minstels played all Policemen’s Benefits (19‘20). The "Cohan Revue of 1916” had Harry Bulger, Jim Marlowe. Eliza- beth Murray, Fred Sanlley. Rich- ard Carle, Valli Valli, Charlie Winningcr. Miss Juliet, Harry Delf in the cast. The “Century Midnight Whirl of 1920” had in the cast Winona Win- ter. Jay Gould, Felix Adler and Frank (Harvey) Fay. Gertrude Coghlan (Mrs. Gus Pilou', Charles Withers. Henry E. Dixey, ail on the same bill (1914), Orpheum Circuit. Walker Whiteside played “.Mas- ter of Ballantrae” with May Buck- ley and Sydney Shields (Mrs. Ed Robins) in the cast (1919). Sprightly musical built around Cicely Courtneidge’s inimitable personality, this shows her as an ambassador sent by Britain to con- clude protracted meat negotiations with South America. F'irst tw'o acts are slick and amusing but it fails to keep up its opening brisk- ness. Too much is put on the star’s shoulders, supporting characters I being negligible, and while music is tuneful, there is too little of it I to liven stereotyped plot of in- trigue and misunderstandings of the heart. Miss Courtneidge's fans will i love it and. if able to overcome ; handicap of early heat wave may ‘ have run. Her mixture of clowning and sentiment sometimes is embar- rassing. Background is South America I where the British Embu.s.sy is over- whelmed by unexpected arrival of female amhassadoi', w ho through . various humorous situations and improbable circuiuslances proceeds to inveigle the local iieei baron into clinching the deal. He succumbs to ^ her wiles, but mistakes her tele- ' phone acceptance of a social date for an agreement to accept his suit. His public annouiu-enient of their ; betrothal blights liei’ new romance with the Ameiican Ambassador. W’ho is also a I'ival for the I’oveted meat contract. Bui love triumphs eventually. i I Highspot of Cicely’s fooling is a mock bullfight, nimbly danced by ^ a specialized chorus, acclaiming' ' her as a conquering matador, Thor- ley Walters has two of the best ^ I numbers as the emotionally in-1 volved young attache, and Austin ' Trevor displays coloi* and fire as the amorous cattle king. Margaret* McGrath and Sandra Martin make ! good contrasts as the young things entangling the diplomat's love life and Pati'ick Barr brings dignity ' and sincerity to the role of the U. S. envoy. Jack Hu I belt’s direction shows his u.sual deftness and made one wish for his piavsence in the cast. I Cion. I Ventura College’s Strawhat Hollywood. June 28. The Penthou.se theatre, non- Equity group, which has been giv- ing arena theatre productions for the past five years in Alladeha, Cal., will operate as a sumnuM’ the- atre at Ventura junior college, Ventura, Cal. Season begins July 4 with “Petti- coat Fever.” which will be followed by “Hay Fever,” "Claudia.” “The Late Christopher Bean. "The Ro- mantic Young Lady” and “Papa is All,” A resident company of 12 has been recruited from the regular Penthouse staff. Legit Bits Continued from page 30 1-Act Drama in Debut “Wliole Hog or Nothing.” one- act drama by Theodore Ward, will be premiered starting July 12 by People’s Drama, new non-Equity group in New York Companion-piece will I;r “Plant in the Sun” another one-acter done two sea.sons ago by the Experimen- tal Theatre. ‘Firefly’ as Cain Park Ozoner Cleveland. June 28. Cain Park opens strawliat sea- son tonight (28) with “The Fire- fly” and then does Shaw’s “St Joan” starting July 5. Elena Mira- mova will play “Joan.” Other shows include “Girl Crazy.” “New Moon.” “Blithe Spirit.” “Look. Ma. I’m Dancing.” “Countess Maritza” and "The Poor Nut.” ‘Eileen’ at Matunuck “My Sister Eileen.” under direc- tion of Billy Gilbert, w ill be I he opening bill at the Theatre-hv- the-Sea, Matunuck. R. I.. July K) Bill Pierson and Susie Scotl.‘who have been appearing in the Broad- way production of “High Button Shoes,” joined the cast this week. Betty and Jane Kean will have the leading roles. Darthy Hinkley. big favorite last year at White Barn theatre, will stay there this season only for first two shows. She’s leaving to go into rehearsal for Eva i,e Gallienne’s touring strawhat of “Corn Is Green.” but comes back when “Corn” quits end of August. Newsman’s Toledo PrQ^m Toledo. June 28. Richard Pheall, formcrlv as- sistant city editor of the Toledo Blade, is author of “City Desk.” Strawhat Jottings Adele Thane took over the direc- torial chores at St. Michaels col- lege. Winooski Park. Vt Pro- ductions for the season at the Kennebunkport (Me • Plavhou.se will be directed by Arthur' l,ewis with Alex Anderson designing the .sets .. North Shore Players. Mar- blehead. Mass., will offer “Up to Now.’’ new revue starring Paul and Grace Hartman, the week of Aug. 22 . . ^Dayid Fiteison, 15-year-old i .son of William Fiteison. atlorney; for the Theatre Guild, is appren- three-act play which will he pre-1 at Westport (Conn.) Playhou.se miered in Doermann theatre at the Management of the Keene (N - 1^*-' swnf^nier theatre taken over by Fred Emmet, of the Repertoire Beatrice Booth Colon.v. Entire staff theatre, will direct. He and the au- retained and Kurt Winters an- old'^Tnio’Hn T ""( *^0 pointed business manager and old ToU do The^lre C o , local pro- treasurer. Rudolph Purliese and fejional slock icepeny 20 ^i-ars, Mar, Louise OeSl-hliuk "Tuners oi the first annual Virginia Drama lanlic City. under a different title Ken Englund leaves today (W’ed ) for ilhe C’oast to huddle with Leo MeCarey on a screen writing a.s- signment. He’s due back in several w eeks . . Pressagent Ted Gold- smith. recently back from repping "Finian’s Rainbow” on the road, will substitute as associate of Karl Bernstein during the vacation of I Mary March P. a. Samuel J. j Friedman has bursitis of the right i at in. Basil Langton, British act or-di- rector who has been lecturing at ' C'atholic Univ., has gone to C^leve- land to stage a local production of Shaw’s “Saint Joan,” guest-starring Elena Miramova. He may next stage a production of “Arms and the Man” tliere . . . Louis Lotito. president of City Playhouses ana manager of the Martin Beck thea- tre. hack from trip to England and Krance . . . Producer Joseph M. Hyman staying in Philly during the “Miss Liberty” tryout to offer an assist on revisions . . . Shortly before the closing of “Along Fifth Avenue,” James P. Davis succeeded Horace McNabb as pre.ssagenl Reuben Rabinowitz to the C’oast, where he’ll start pressagenting the lour of “High Button Shoes." . . . Lester Carr playing the son in "Happy Journey” on the subway circuit . . . Tlio.se familiar with the writing of Richard Watts. Jr., are puzzled at his increasing crabhi- riess. as evidenced in his column.^ in the N. Y, Post. His “medita- tions” in a recent editioq. tor instance, containel 13 sar- castic references and only five more or less pleasant ones . . . Producer Leland Hayward and his partner, director - author Joshua Logan, are having a powwow' in Paris. Frederick Cook’s Broadway col- umn in the Evening Standard of l.ondon is now* being carried in 192 papers in the British Empire . . . Broadway scouts in I’hilly for tile “Miss Liberty" tryout have been melting in the uncooled Forrest theatre there . . . Johnny C’all, back from playing the first gravedigger in the Pa.sadena pro- duction of Percy MacKaye’s pre- "Hamlet” tetrology, will play fea- tured comedy parts in St. John Terrell’s under - canvas operctla.s this summer at Lambertville. N. J. Univ. of Texas drama depart- ment soliciting new scripts for production next February at the college theatre in Austin John Toohey, pre.ssagent for the touring “Brigadoon,” taking a six-week ra- tion in Maine, with Edgar Wallach subbing. James Miller is company manager.. Milton Baron is com- pany manager and William Fields pressagent of “Miss Liberty” • William Norton Is company man- ager and Gertrude Bromberg P-.®- for the .second company of "Kiss Me. Kate” ..Barney Klawans. house manager at tn^ vacationing in Ai- Warners’ Biltmore. N.