Variety (August 1949)

Vcdn<»d«y^ Anguit 31, 1949 I^GlTllNiATB 59 Total Legit Grosses Thf foUounng nre the comparative figures, based on Variety's hoxoffice estimau>s for last week (the I3th week of the season) and the corresponding week of last season: BROADWAY Number of shows current Total weeks played so far by all shows. . .. Total gross for all current shows last week Total season’s gross so far by all shows. .. Number of new productions so far ROAD • (Excluding Stock) Number of current touring shows reported Total weeks played so far by all shows . .. Total road gross reported last week Season’s total road gross so far Strawhat Reviews ‘Advanced Thinking’ Of Dallas Casino Defended . Dallas. Aug. 30. uallas should be bursting with pride over the Stale Fair Casino and not grousing about a couple of shows it doesn’t understand,” says K. J. O Donnell, Interstate Theatre t ircuit v.p. and general manager. I here has been some beefs this seatum over "Look. Ma. I’m Dan- ein . ’ and "Pal Joey,” two "firsts” lor the summer theatre. O'Donnell has just returned from both coasts and cal Casino business.” ‘Consensus is that the Casino has e.xhibited more adaneetl think- ing than any other summer the- atre,” said O'Donnell. "St. I.ouis now believes Dallas Los Angeles us. ” B way Biz Eased, Despite Several Sellouts; ‘Anne $17,700, ‘Liberty 43G, ‘Fancy’ $11,600, ‘Madwoman’ $17,900 IS trips to slated that the lo- Ihe "talk of show is right and actually is imitating Toxafi^ Lri Darlin’ Westport, Conn., Aug. 29. Lawrenc* Dangner and assoidatvs pro- duction of musical comedy in two acts (12 scenes), with book by John Whedon and Sam Moore, music by Robert Emmett Dolan, lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Features Itenny Delmar. Elaine Stritch, Danny Scholl. Harry Bannister. Directed by Paul Crabtree. Choreography by Emy .Sf. Ju.st: settings and lighting by Edward T. Cooper. At Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, Conn., Aug. 29. '49; $3.00 top. Hominy Smith Kenny lam irewster Ames if c,. .. u Dallas Smith Elaine Stnteh Easy Jones Danny Seholl Harvey Fenwick Small Harry Banni.ster Benson f'j.y Robert Emmett Three Coyotes. Eddy Smith. Bill Horan. Joel McConkey Texans: Emy St. Just. Dorothy Hill. Diane Lsmont. Jean L4imont. Herbert Ross, John Ward. Ray Long. Betty Tyson. Ralph Patterson, Chilton Ryan. Gene Shewmaker. Don Falasco, Ned Wr’er- timer. AWen Aldrich, iecretarles: Elyse W’eber. Nancy Frank- lin. Jackie James, Georgeann Crabtree, Mary Anne Mattson. Anne Chisholm. Delmar Jared Reed Betty Lou Keim .. Fred W’avne previously proved his enthusiasm for covv-lan(i material. He has man- iiged to put a lot on and get a lot out of the limited space in this playbarn, even using slides efTec- ; tively to lead into the second act. Edward T. Cooper’s half-dozen sets help the action. Although politics has generally been a delicate subject for Holly- wood, some of the content of “Texas, Li’l Darlin’ ” seems even more suitable for the films than, in its present conditio*', it is for Broadway. Elcm. Up to intermission. “Texas. Li’l Darlin’ ” impressed as an unusu- ally strong Broadway potential. Not another “Oklahoma!.’’ nor any- where big enough for its title, but a bright musical with a lot of easy- to-take assets including the latest lyrics of Johnny Mercer. But it was a different story in Act II. The story foundered and the score added little that was fresh. By the late finish—the run- ning time at this catch was two hours and 25 minutes—“Texas, Lil’l Darlin’ ” had demonstrated it would have trouble opening even in Dal- las, let alone Broadway, until a major material renovation has been accomplished. John Whedon and Sam Moore, radio writers C'Great Giklersleeve.” currently "Hogan’s Daughter”* in their first legit collaboration, have an attractive idea in the campaign of a Texas back-country windbag for re-election to the State Senate against his daughter’s war hero sweetheart. The role of the Lone Star soapboxer is, of course, a nat- ural for Kenny Delmar, and he troupes through for all the part has. But the introduction of a Life mag-like publisher plotting a re- birth of the Republican party with the Texan as his White House stooge, changes the mood from comedy to a bad brand of travesty. The turns of the romantic plot are telegraphed far ahead, even to the kid sister bringing the lovers to- gether. Mercer, a lyricist whose thinking Is big enough for the state of Texas, brings forth one of his largest num- Mrs in “The Btg Movie Show in the "ky," which happens to be set in the same locale as “Riders in the Sky” but is nevertheless a stopper, and w’as at performance caught jvhen tenorized by Danny Scholl. Other noteworthy Mercer jobs arc y*e love ballad, “A Month of Sun- days,” “It’s Great to Be Alive.” the title number paced by Delmar. and some ingenious verbal exercises. Affable Balding Me,” a poke at « j .^ttce pubs’ inverted English, and 'Our Family Tree,” the sauciest point in the score. Robert Emmett Dolan’s music i.s i« iiw side, most melodious , nth of Sundays.” Dolan, in- ciaentally, was at one of the pianos opening night. The most ambitious SpPoe number is a brief ballet. Heights.” by Emy St. Just, ^nich contains little of distinction.' ohould the show make New York * are a number of principals. „ p^dition to Delmar, who have even if they haven’t the ®anie value. jlfine Stritch is alive and sharp Texas gal who helps pappy Ino^i votes, and her song sell- ana • *^^Poi’t in duets with Scholl ••p, ber soloing of the broad ble*?'* ^ Tree.” Scholl, a pleasura- tor K impressive ac- FrVfl\v retitent. any- of th u'Vn.vne scores a number laughs as the niaga/.ine disc overs the Texas tvniil7'^ and H.irry Bannister i*- PDhlisher. Betty Lou p a eompetent kid sist(‘r. ui Crabtree, the director, has Seplomlior Title Dennis, Mass., Aug. 22. Richard Aldrich production of drama b.v Daphne DuMaurier in three acts (live ■ scenes) starrinK Gertrude Lawrence. .Staved by Arthur Sircom, with sets by Euftene Fitsch. At Cape Playhouse. Den- nis, Mass., Auv. 22, '49; $3.60 top. ! Robert Hanson Edward Ashley Mrs. Tucket Mabel Taylor Cherr.v Jean Gillespie Evan Davies Peter Graves '.Stella Martyn Gertrude Lawrence Jimmy. John Kerr Paced by Gertrude Lawrence. September Tide” comes in largely because of the extraordinary illu- mination with which she plays the central character. She sustained It for nine months in London; there seems no doubt that she could do the same on Broadway. Daphne DuMaurier’s play has its points to begin with. 'The central theme is that despite the present generation’s cynicism, its iT'pudia- tion of moral values, its bad man- ners and brash iconoclasm, it can be brought back into the fold through a demonstration of love, of moral fibre, of the basic con- cepts of right and wrong. The demonstrator, of coursj?, is Miss Lawrence, as a radiant widow named Stella Martyn. To her Cor- nish home above the sea comes her daughter, a bright young thing of 22 or so, and her new son-in-law, an artist nearing his 40’s whose war-jaundiced eye is matched by a needle-pointed tongue. Stella, though long on gallant equanimity, is staggered to learn her daughter and son-in-law had lived together i some time before their marriage, and appalled at their matter-of-j fact ness as bride and groom. There presently develops a large hole in the artist’s cynical armor and Stella, the eternal romantic (and not too much his senior in years), unwittingly puts her finger in it. The result is an exceedingly ardent romance between mother anci son-in-law. The solution to this situation, which occjasionalty, has thc' atmosphere of Portia fac- ing life, is both neat and convinc- ing in a brilliant .scene involving, again unwittingly, Stella’s son. The factor th-at lifts this nol-too- excc'ssively British romance within hailing distance of distinction and gives it its American passport, is thc dialog. Even in the lusher mo- ments of romance it renuiins bal- anced. poised, telling, while in the crisp exchanges between, for ex- ample, the artist and Stella’s per-, ennial suitor, it has wit and sur- prise. Still it is. from the outset,) Mi.ss Lawrence’s play. She makes Stella a hypnotic character; it is hard to take eyes off her. While it is clear to everyone that .^he overdoes the inflection, the ge.sture, the pause, it is all part of the legend. There’s no denying she ! does make the character live. She i.s given superior support by Peter Graves of the London com- , (Continued on page 60) Chi Sked Perks; ‘Roberts’$25,500 Chicago, Aug. 30. Legit is perking a bit here, with Sept, openings eagerly awaited to end drama drought of the past few inonth.s. I “Kiss Me Kate.” opening at j Shuhert Sept. 22, has chalked up a terrif advance sale while Theatre ' Guild launches its .season with I “Summer and Smoke” opener at Harris theatre Sept. 5, followed by "Death of a Salesman” at Erlanger Sept. 19. Meanwhile. “Mr. Roberts” con- tinued to chalk up profitable , returns in its Slst week and will probably wind up its record run here in near-SRO fashion. Play ’ pulls out Sept. 17, with heavy road schedule lined up. Estimate for Last Week “Mr. Roberts.” Erlanger (.51st week) (1,334; $4.33*. Capacity again at $25,500. ‘Norway,’ With $51,000, Disappoints St. Louis St. Louis. .Aug. 30. “Song of Norway," the second most expcjisive iiroduction slagctl in the 31-year history of the Mu- nicipal Tlu'atre Assn’s alfresco theatre in Forest Park, proved a h.o. disatipointim'nt to the man- agement during the first week that wound up Sunday '29>. There is no indication tlial hi/ will ae- eelerate during the second and last session. Seven performanei's drew 71.000 payees and a gross of approximate- ly $51,000. despite the presence of I four of the original east. Helena Bliss. Robert Sliafer, R()hert Ber- ; nard and Sig Arno; raves from the crix. and an extensive advertising campaign and bally. Glenville to U.S.-Europe After ‘Double Bill’ Stiut; Has Two Plays Readying Peter Glenville, British director who’s staging the Maurice Evans production of “Double Bill,” in- tend.s to divide his time between New York and London henceforth. However, he figures on confining his activities to directing rather than becoming associated in man- agement. After the Broadway opening of “Double Bill.’i Glenville plans to return to London to arrange the' production of two plays by U. S. authors. He wants to do both in the West F.nd first, where costs are much lower, and bring them to America later, if they seem suit- able. He hasn’t revealed the titles of the plays or thc names of their authors, and he ha.sn’t yet started dickering for London showings for them. Although Glenville has staged numerous shows in r.<ondon. “Double Rill” will be his first Broadway assignment. He has full authority for the job, as the con- tracts of the author. Terence Rat- ligan. give him final say on casting, production details and perform- ance. Glenville .staged the original production of the Rattigan pieces in London. Tncldenlally, the au- thor will come to the U. S. to at- tend the “Double Bill” tryout in Princeton and the Broadway open- ing. ‘Crazy’$41501), ‘Shoes’ 501], LA Los Angeles. Aug. 30. Sweltering weather didn’t help the outdoor production of “Girl Crazy” at the Greek theatre in Griffith Park, and the stage debut of Buddy Clark has to be put down —at least for the first w<*pk of the show—as none too hot. Clark was treated wet by the critics for an easy manner onstage, but his pipes couldn’t get across to the poorly- miked vast ness of the amphi- theatre. "High Button Shoes.” in its sec- ond week at tlie Philharmonic Auditorium, dropped a little. “Blackouts of 1949^’ wound up its 375th and last week with the same near-capacily lake it has enjoyed for more than seve'n years. "Sugar Hill.” all colored revue at the Las Palmas, continues to do fair biz. Estimates for Last Week “B’ackouts of lf)4» ” El Capilan (37.5th wk) (1.142; $2 40*. .Solid $17,100. “(iirl Crazv,” Greek 'I'licatre (Lsl wk) (4.400; $3.60). So-so $41.- 500. “High Button Shoes,” Philliar- nionic And i2d wk* (2,670; $4.80). Down from first week, but still fair'v stronP at almost $50,000, “Sugar IIIII.” Las Palmas (7th wk* (388; $3.60*. Good $7,000. to ‘Okla.!’ $18,900, Monti. Montreal. Aug. 30. “Oklahoma!” paying a third visit His Majesty’s '1.579 .seats* did the usual sellout business, grossing $18,900 for four performances. The three-day stand was scaled to a $3 94 top. Company is in Ottawa this week for another three-nighter, moving into Toronto for a week opening Sept. 5 and then on to Hamilton R)r three days. Current Road Shows (Aug. 29-Sept. 10) “BHgadoon"— Int’l. Vancouver. B. (’. (29-3*: firand Calgary (.5-10'. “Diamond LH”—Lafayette. Det. (30-3*. “Death of a Salesman”—Cass. Del. 5-10*. “Finian’s Rainbow”—.Shulicrt, N. Haven *29-3*; Nixon. Pitt. (.5-10'. “High Button .Shoes”—Philhar- mon'n, Ij. A. (‘?9-i0). “Kiss Me, Kate’''—Curran, Frisco (29-10*. “Mr. Roberts” — Erlanger, Chi (29-10*. “Oklahoma!” — Capitol. Ottawa (29-3); Palace; Hamilton (1-3); Royal Alex.. Toronto (.5-10). “Stre^car Nam'd Desire” — Geary. Frisco '29-10). “Summer and Smoke”—Harris, Chi. '5-10). ♦ .Mtondance for most Broadw'ay shows eased slight 1\ last week from the hectic pace of the previ- ous wci'k. Hut conditions were still much belter than during the hot spell of July and early .August. Little ehango in thc pri'sent pace is due until afler l.alior Day. when the traditional climb he'*ins. .Althougli receipts for individual .stiows el)hcd a l)it last week, the reopening of “Anne of tlie Thou- sand D.iys” and "Madwoman of Chaillol” increased Hie list to 15 entries .-md Imosled the total gross for all hoiises. Next opening, ex- c’udiiu' "Blaekoiits.” the Ken Murray v.iiide sl’.ow, will he the re- turn of Mae West in ‘‘’)i.imond Lil.” due Sept. 7 at fl)e IMymoiith. No elosings are scheduled for the next few weeks. Estimates for Lust Week Kri/s: C (Conicd?/*, D t/)r(imn>, CD H'oinedy DranuO. It t Rerue), M ( Musical I. O ' O/x ref in *, Other parrnthi'tir thiiircs refer tn •' r • ‘'•(‘ill/ and ton price, including 20''r ainnscnicnt tax. However, estimated ornsses are 7iet: i.e., cxelusire of tax. “.\nne of 1.000 D;»vv- " Shuhert (30th wk) (D-1.3()l; $4 80*. Max- well Anderson costumer. pre- sented by thc IMaywrigtits’ Co., re- sumed last week aft''r a summer hiatus; started promisingly at $17,700. “Born Yesterday.” Milter (186th wk* (C-940: $2.40). Tapered off a l)it. hut still bettered recent weeks; $ 6 , 000 . “Nitrht in Spain.” Broadway (8th wk* (H-L9()0; $3.60*. Stianish dance-and-song stiow. formerly titled "Cabalgala,” rose a step to $18,800. “Death of a Salesman,” Morosco (29th wk) (D-919; $4.00'. .Another al'solute capacity week: $24.100 “Detective Storv,” Hudson (23d wk* (D-L057; $4 80*. Also slid a notch nr two, but plenty of profit at $21,500. “Goodbye. Mv Fanev,” Fulton (4()fh wk* (CD-3()6; $4 80*. Slightly affected hv the gtmer;)' trend, but ample margin at $11,600. “Howdy, Mr. Ice of 19.50.” Center (14th wk* (R-2.9fi4: $2 88). .Always a favorite at tract'on for tourist and family trade; $37,000. I “Kiss Me. Kate.” Century *3.5th j wk* (M-l,().54; $6*. Same every * week- all the house will hold at I .$47,200 “Lend An Ear.” Broadhurst (371*1 wk* (R-l.inO; $6*. Reacted to eener;il eondit'ons, but plenty profitable at $25,300. 1 “Madwoman of C’haillot.” Rovale (26111 wk) (Cn-1.03.5; $4 80*. Mau- : rice Valency’s adaptation of the j .lean fliradoux original, tircsented I by .A'fred dcLiagre, .Ir.. relighted I last week after an ei»»ht-w('ck re- ! cess; got away with a spurt; $17,- ' 900. ' “Miss IJberty.” Tmpirial (7th wk) (M-1.4()0; $6.60) i-'asixt just a trifle under capacity; $43,000. “Mister Roberts," Aivin (80lh wk) ((!I)-1..3.57; 4 80* C*imhed back to capacity-plus $34 500. .South Pacific.” .Majestic (21st wk) (M-1,659; $(i). Ab.'olutely th« limit, as always $50,(i00. ".Streetcar Named Desire,” Barrymore )91st wk) (l)-92(); $4 80). Ehhcd a couple of notches to $16,- 600. “Where’s Charley?” St. James 1 46th wk) (M-1.509; $6). Ray Bol- ger starrer is maintaining it.s great pace; capacity $37,800 again. Longhair Shorts Inside Stuff-Legit Variety’s issue of Oct. 30. 1929. carrying thc mcinorable banner, St I ivs An Egg.” is reproduced on the cover of the new Sep- VVall St. , *; F’icturc shows Bobby Clark, seated . h'il. pLintod sp.-etpcl.-s, holdinp -h- ,.,py o, _v.K,r:v. jeonj.. ,, nic-hard Jarmila Novotna, recently on tour with .Sigmund Romberg’s or- chestra. has signed with the San Franci.sco Opera Assn, for formances this fall in Frisco Ij. a. In “Don Giovanni,” "Faust” and "Tales of Hoffman” . . . Nell Rankin, young American contralto, parted by Zurich Stadtheater for opera appearances in (ierinan this si'ason . . . French conductor Paul Paray to open Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s 1949-50 season at Tel Aviv Oct. 4. Isaac .Stern w’ill make his fir.st appearance in Israel in September in pre-siuison concerts with the orch under Michael Taube’s tiaton. !Kate’ $41,300, Frisco; ‘Streetcar’ $24,000 San Francisco, Aug, 30. With two hot boxoffice draws in town, San Francisco continues to be a legit showman’s dream. Tht pace for both "Kiss Me, Kate” and j "Streetcar Named Desire” Capered abd ofY slightly la.st week, but condi- tions were still far better than lo- cal theatre men can recall In tho past. Estimatea for Last Week ' “Kiss Me, Kate,” at the 1.773- seat Curran, got a throbbing $41,- 300 at a $4.80 top for its third week. It will continue through Sept. 17. “Streetcar Named Desb-e,” at the 1.550-scat Geary, pulled a Juicy $24,000 at $4.20 top for its fifth week. It stays at least two more stanzas. battered of V.ARII.'Y. rciu'ar.sal lircak, .Avedon. Feature of the i.ssiii "Backward Glance; 1949; Years Ago.” is an article and cxten.sive pidurc Nostalgic Review of the Livelj spread titled Arts Twenty •BRIGADOON’ $29,000, SEA'TTLE Seattle. Aug. 30. Ten-day engagement of “Bri- gadoon” at the 1,500-seat Melro- polilan, scaled from $4.50 for or- chestra, hit close to fine $45,000, getting $29,000 of it last week. Shows in Rehearsal “Death of a Salesman” (road)^ Kermit Bluomgarden &i Walter Fried. . “Double Bill” —Maurice Evans. “Touch and Go”—George Abbott.