Variety (January 1950)

WA^esday, Jaaiiaiy 11, 1950 UBCITIMATB S7 Tlie following' are the corhpaTative figures based on Vapiiity'S hOxoffice esiirridtes for last weeh (the 32d week of the scdsori) and the corresponding week of last season: .This-. ;• Last BROADWAY Season . Sfason Number of shows current ; v,.. >.. r., ^^ ■ 26 33 Total Weeks played so far by ail shows.... 585 685 Total grost for all current shows last week $625^600 $637,800 Total season’s gross so far by all shows ..,, $15,525,800 $16,209,200 Number Of new productions so far 27 41 "■'v'-" ^-.-ROAD r (EXifiMdmg^ Number of current touring shows reported' 29 / • ^ Total weeks played so far by all shows. . , 534 \ 686 Total road gross reported; last week. , ^.. . $515,700 $586,600 Season's total rbad gross so farv .; ...;.. $11,234,800 $15,912^400 : / Ghicago, Jaii. 10. Chi legit bOxOffice took a: sjpili after the holidays,; but with the furniture eonvOntiori moving in fhis week followed by six more weeks of similar large gatherings, business looks for an upturn. Mov- ing in next week> both on Jan. 15, are ‘Xight Up the Sky” at the Studebaker and “Blossom Time” at the Great Northern. Making way for the newcomers are “Student Prince” -and “Yes, MXbrd.” Ad- vance on the new arrivals seems moderate. Estimates for Last Week Ballet Theatre, Givic Opera House (2d week) (3,800; $3.71); Fin- ishes two-Week stay with moderate $40,000. “Death of a Salesihaii,” Erlanger (leth week) (1,334; $4.33). Stick- ing; but disappointed at $13,000, “Detective Story/' Blackstone (10th week) (1,456; $4.40). Skidded Into the red again; $10;500. “Goodbye, My Fancy,” Harris (2nd Week) (1,()00; $3.71). Making a fight of it On weekrto-week basis; $ 12 , 000 . “Kiss Me, Kate,” Shubert (16th week) (2,100; $6.18). Hit one of its low points with $39,000, although still profitable. ; “Student Prince,” Great North- ern (2nd week) (1,500; $3.71). The old faithful Shubert cohorts were scarce; $11,000; “Yes* M’Lord,” Stiidebaker (2nd week) (1,237; $3>^1). Guild sub- scribers helping here with nlod- erate $12,000, ; Jlh Robert^ Sets K^cee Record, $48,500 m 10 Kansas City, Jan. 10. “Mr. Roberts” was near capacity in the Music Hall, Jan. 2-8, for a house record on a non-musical play. Seven-day riih with 10 per- formances chalked up $48,500, great money for arty kind of a slioW in this big hall (2,572 seats). It’s one of the very few nori-musi- cals with strength to play the Hall for a full week. Play also hit a fecord for a Monday- Saturday week with $38,000 through Satur- day night. . Next on the John ■ Antoneilo agency schedule iri the Music Hall is Ballet Theatre, Jan. 19-21. Testerday,’ Can. Revue, $5,000 in Ottawa Week Montreal, Jan. 10. “There Goes Yesterday,” a re- vue covering the first half of the century and headed by comedians John Pratt and Murray Mathespn, grossed a hear $5,000 last week in Ottawa’s Little Theatre (489) with a ;$2 top. Opening in Montreal at His^ Majesty’s (1.579) during the holiday week between Ghristmas and New Year’s, this lO-playcr company did $13,500 with prices scaled to $2,50; Following a two-week layoff, Company will risk gains made in east for a trip on the western cir-r Cuit Drawing entirely oh Cana- dian talent With the exceptiph of Matheson, this new group has at- traGted favorable press attehtiph plus certain New York interest. 1st Toronto Panto; in 15; ; Yrs. 42G for Pohnighl ; Toronto, Jan. 10, Hew Play Society production of “Mother Gopse” at the Royai Alex- andra d,525), first English panto-; mime here for 15 years, saw a ter- rific fortnight’s gross Pf $42,0b0. An acknowledged experiment oil the part pf Earnest M. Rawlcy, manager of the Royah first week’s engagement, commencing Dec. 26, saw six daily matinees sold out a Week ahead ‘and the night per- formances; Capacity for a. $24,000 gross. Second week (Jan. 3), saw turnaWay business for the three matinees, plus heavy night busi- ness for aii $18,000 gross. Scale was a heavy $2 top, With decision that, because of heavy postwar British immigration, Xmas Sad‘Story,' $9,000, Pitt; Jan. 10. Holiday season at Nixon was a mixture of both good and bad. Fort- night was divided between two! re- vivals, “Philadelphia-Story,” which died, and !‘Man Who, Game to Din- ner;” which did landoffice biz. playing here last week, Sarah Churchill-Jeffrey Lynn version of Philip Barry’s “Story” started slowly and never got going after the set Pf adverse' nPtices came Put, Had to be content ! with a measly $9,000, Show is laying off this week, but- jumps tP Seattle next week, with Lewis &-Young taking over management frPm the Theatre' Guild/ ; Oni the other hand* the Monty Woolley ‘‘Dinner” show- which pre- ceded it, gave house biggest firsts night;; since ‘‘Mister Roberts” and went steadily on from thPre to foil up $20,700, being helped some by capacity New Year's Eve crowd at advanced prices. Nixon currently ha.s pre-Bfoad^ way tryout of Kermit Bloonigar- deh’s “The Man,” under subscrip- tion auspices, arid will -follow it with another riew one, Katharine Hepburn’s ‘‘As You Like It.” Susan Peters in “Barretts of Wiriipple Street’’ , coiries in Jan. 23. Philadelphia, Jan. 10. With legit biz locally very much on the bullish side, Philly’s four regular houses are coritinuing to a pile up bookings Which now carry holiday season lor a: ©n until mid-February with quite a possible four-week run. Boston, Jan. 10. Four shows in town last Week but all did pretty well, with “Brigadoon” at the^^ColpniM | ' sprinkling of tryouts and preenis included. This week’s lone opener was “The Madwoman of ChaillPt,” which opened a two weeks’ stand at the Shubert last night (9) on the ATS subscription program. Ad- vance sale was good, Odd angle is that “The Enchanted,” new play by the same author (Gifardoux) opened at^'the Walnut last Monday, beat- ing the Broadway hit here by a week. It got fairly good notices but hasn’t bet^n doing too well at the boxoffice.. Next week brings “The Merry Widow” to the Forrest Moriday (16), Maufice Schwartz to the Wal- nut Tuesday (17) with hi$ Yiddish ahead. “Merry Widow” at. the Opera House Sagged arid “Dance Me a Song” at the Shubert never really caught on in its second Week. “The Happy Time” opened at the Plymouth last night (9) and “Design for a Stained Glass Win- dow” bows , toriight, with “Arms and the Girl,” Les Ballets de Paris, “All Old Beat-Up Woman” and “The Madwoman of Chaillot” di- rectly ahead. Estimates for Last Week Need Is One Good Break” to the Locust Thursday (19). On the 23d, Les Ballets de Paris is skedded for the Shubert for two weeks, and “Yes M’Lord” comes to the Wal- nut. Estimates for Last Week* “Arnis and the Girl,” Forrest (2d week) (1,766; $4.55). Illness of Na- nette Fabray, femme star, caused cancellation of Saturday matinee. Biz Was very strong for this The- atre Guild musical which preemed “Brigadoon,” Colonial (2d week) : 0 last (1,500; $4.80). After its wow holi-I day week take of $32,000, this ope ^od WeeL (l"877^$%*5)^’Th^^^eVu^ dropped on the second week to i jfdHeek) (1,877, $^^^ just under $27,500, which is still; *1^000 in Its ^second last the biggest thing in town. . ' ?14,()00 in its second and last “Dance Me a Song,” Shubert (2d week) (1,750; $4,80). This revue, which didn’t get any too helpful polices, hasn’t displayed much b.o. strength with its second week take arbund $16y000. Final w^eek is Week. “Streetcar Named Desire,Lo- cust (2d week) (1,500; $3.90). Re- turn of this Tennessee Williams prizewinner has been quite Success- ful; $23,900 in its. second session. . “The Enchanted/’ Walnut (1st 13Gm4; '.r New Haven,. Jan. 10. healthy advance on preepi of The Happy Time”, at the Shu be ft last week (5-7) was augmented by dqop.i)at|^ej,|jjg proportions wlien ^ord got around of show’s click. Final result was four capacity houses at $3.60 trip: for a fine Current week has an all-Negro cast in one night _b£ “Tobacco Road” (11), then “Merry Widow” for . the last half (12-14). Next Week gets tryout of “An Old Beat- UP Woman” (19-21), then a full stand of “Lend An Ear” (23^28). ‘Like It’ Hi Cleveland, Jan. 10, curfent. I week) ) 1,340; $3.90). Fairly good “Summer and Smoke,” Wilbur notices for this new Girafdoux fan- (2d Wk) (1,300; $3.60). Winding up' tasy, but disappointing biz; $(3,500. its tour here, the Tennessee Wil- • ; ■■ ■ liairis drama -fihaled with a ..bpe ,.] Vat’l 'Streetcar’ IS^G M«rry vfiaow,’’ Opera In 7 With Four Stands House . (2d w’eek) (3,000;. $3:60). Norfolk, Jan. 10, Drbppied off last, week after a nice National cbmpaiiy pf “Streetcar i start;: $15,500/ Hamed pesife,”, starring Judith i .) Eyelyri, had moderate pickings in ; / four stands last Week, ending Sat-1 • urday night (7) at ' the Genter. herel 1 ! Total take was about $15i5()0 for .‘ seven perforriiartGes. •j ^ Most profitable staiid was here, ' where the Tennessee . Williams ■ ,, . YT u drama collected almost $8,OOO for Katharirie Hepburn, -.rtarring jp • showings. Previous dates ' the Theatre Gu ; Were Sunday night (1) at the ] You Like It, grossed a healthy ■ and apthe MunicL : ,.$21,600 : on subscription , at the ! pal auditorium, Savannah, and Nar 1 11,440-seat Hanna here i^t week.^ , N. C. currently, gqes to PiXtsbur^h n^ V Bj^CggyQ I week and IS due Jan, 2b, in JNCw, i t i a - ‘ Richmond, Jan. 10,. j . Harry . Blackstone ran up a neat; I iJ OAA C F gross Of $4.50Q with four perform-; *Okla> ! $33,ZUU, anpes at the WRVA Theatre (2-4)' San Franciscri, Jan. 10. [ with the house scaled at a $1.90 Final Week of “.Oklahoma,”, at top. , ' the 1 775-seat Currah, showed a Opening, performance was at- ' stronger third stanza, tended by representatives pf_ama- ' Musical chalked up a fine leur magician’s groups throughout $33,260. 1 the state. As expected, legit attendance on Broadway last week reacted sharp- ly from the holiday booiri of the . prey ID us . stanza. Except for the very few solid sellouts,/all shows felt the boxoffice sag. Theatres playing special matinees Moriday (2) got lively patronage, but fe- ceipts skidded thereafter. Trade began recovefirig sUghtly late in the week, and indicatioris az’e that it wull pick up further this 'Week, reachihg generally profitable level next week; arid eoritiriuing fairly consistently through Febru- ary.- •• There were two Clbsirigs last week, two more are listed for this week and another pair for next Week., Art influx of new shows, be- gins next Tii^dayi 17). / / Estimates for Last Week ; Keys : C {Comedy) , P ( Drama ), CD (Coniedy’prama), R (Revue ) , M (Musical) ,\p (Operetta), Other parenthetic figures refer to seating capacity and top price, including:. 20% afniisevient tax. However: grosses are het; i.e., exclusive of tax, ♦ “As the Girls Go,” Broadway (51st wk) (M-1,900; $6); Michael Todd hiusicai will close Saturday night (14) after exactly a year’s run (excluding the nine-week layoff last summer) and won’t tour; reacted to the trend; about $21,000. “Caesar and Cleopatra,” Nar tional (3d wk) (CD-I,172; $6). Shaw fevival felt the 1 general slump; following a fine $28,000 on the holiday periody gpt a nice $22,200 last week. “Clutterbuck,” Biltmbre (5th wk) (C-920; $4.80). Also joined the downtrend; almost $13,500. . “Death of a Salesman,” Morbs- co (48th wk) (D-914; $4.80)., Ebbed a little under capacity; $23,500; “Detective Story,” Hudson (42d Wk) (D-l,015; $4,80). Also felt the general conditions; $19,500. , , “Diamond L’il,” Plymouth (21st wk) (GD-L063; $4.80). Mae West starrer shutters Jan. 21 to go bn the road; topped $17,000. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” Ziegfeld (5th wk) (M-L628; $6). At- tendance remained capacity, but the regular scale reduced the gross; over $46.9d0. “Happy As Larry,” Cbrohet f 1st wk) (M-998; $6). . Musical fantasy opened Friday night (6) to seven raps and one favorable notice- folded Saturday (7) after three performances; $4,700. “Howdy, Mr. Ice of 1950,” Cen- ter (33d wk) (R-2,964; $2.88), Af- ter a record-setting $75,000. gro.ss for 14 performances on the holi- day week, the . skating spectacle went back to its usual nine-per- forrriarice schedule, with feceipts reflecting the ‘ general trend at $32,000., “I Know My Love,” Shubert (10th wk) ((/D-l,391; $4.80). Has been getting the attendance limit, and the regular scale brought the gross $33,200. “Kiss Me, Kate,” Century (53d; wk) (M-1,654; $6). Trifle under capacity at $45,100. “Lend An Ear,” Mansfield (56th \vk) (R-1,041; $6).. After more than a year’s run, the longrstaying tuner will close Jan 21 to go on the road; almost $15,000. “Lost in 'the Stars,” Music Box (10th wk) (M-l,012; $5,40). Con- tinues at capacity attendance; over .$26,000. “Madwoman of Chaillot,” Roy-1 ale (46th wk) (CD-I ,035; $4,8())., Werit dark Saturday night (7) af- ter 368 performances to tour; $17,300 finale. “Member of the Wedding,” Em- pire (1st wk) (D-l,082; $4.80). Premiered Thursday night (5) tb seven pros and a single con notice; first four showings got. $12,700, plus',$3,100 foi' a preview. : “Miss Liberty,” Imperial (26th wk) ;(M-1,400; $6;60). Also felt the : po.st-holiday offbeat; about $24,300. “Mister Roberts,” Alvin (99th wk) (CD-I,360; $4.80). Reacted from the . holiday bonanza, but bettered the pre-Christmas figures and .should get. back to normal, pace this week; $29,300. “Rat Race,” Barrymore. (3d wk) , (CD-l,p66; $6). Was also hit last week; tooped $20,000. “She Stoops to Conquer,” City Center (2d wk) (G-3,025; $3)/ F^irst bill of the eight-week revival series closed a fortnight’s run Sunday night (:8,) and Will be. succeeded tonight (Wed.) by “Corn Is Green.”: AfteF a fine $35,00,0 bn the holiday session “Stoops” hit the jackpot! la.rt vi/eek at $40,000. “South Pacific/' Majestic (40th '(vk) (M-1.659; $6). Never the ' Slightest variation in the etandee-, • limit attendance of this Rodgers- [ Hamriierstein smash; back to ihe regular $50,600 pace. I “Texas, L'il Darlin,” Hellirtger ! (7th wk) (M-1,543; $6). Had a cbuple pf losing weeks’ operation during the lull, but should how' get an operating' profit; $21,40p;; “That; Lady,”' Martin Bisek (7th wk) (t)-l,214; $4.80). Next few week.s, will probably tell. whether the Katharine Cornell; Stari:er will be able to stick thfough the,/ re- tnainder of the; season or go oh. tour this spring; $16,500. >“rhe Father,'’ Cort (8th wk) ; (D-li064; $4.80). Was doing: fairly i well until the pre-Christmas slump, but has since wilted; will close Saturday night (14). Slim pickings last week at' $7,000. : “Touch and Go,'’ Broadhul’St (13th wk) (Rrl,160;;$6); Was doing ; close to capacity business until the pre-Christihas slough, and should make a comeback; $26,000. “Velvet Glove,” Booth (2d wk) (D-712; $4.80). Next few weeks may, be the deterihining ones for this Grace George-Walter Hamp- den starrer; bettered $9,000. • “Where’s Charley^” St. James (64th Wk) (M-1,509; $6). Was getting capacity trade before the shopping-season lull, and is rated a cinch to continue into the summer; $31,800. Opening “Corri Is Green,” City Center (D-3,025; $3). . Eirilyn Williams drainai the .secorid bill in the eight- week revival series, opens tonight (Wed.) for a fortnight’s engage- ment; production cost about $30,- 000, and can gross around $35;000i Future Dates “Alive and Kicking,’' Jan. 17, at j Winter Garden; “The Encharited,” Jan. 18, at Lyceum: “The Man,” jJan. 19, at Eulton; “Dance Me a Song,” Jan. 20; at Royale; “Cocktail Party,” Jan. 21, at Miller; “Happy Time,” Jan. 24, at Plsmouth; “Devil's Disciple,” Jan. 25, at City Center; “As You Like It,” Jan. 26. at Cort; “Mr. Barry’s Etchings,'* {Jan. 31, at 48th Street, “The Iniib- 1 cents,” Feb. 1, at Playhouse; “Arms ' and the Girl,” Feb. 2, at 46th i Street;. ‘Carte 8G, LA. Los Angeles, Jan. 10. Po.st-holiday period has perked up legit business around here ever .so .slightly, with “Inside U. S. A.” still the biggest thing in town at the Philharnionic Auditorium. “Kitty Doone,” at the small Circle Playhouse, goes along at good speed, with “Honest John,’’ Buddy Ebsen’s new comedy at the. Las Palnias, also doing okay. Estimates for Last Week “A la Carte,” El .Capitan (1,142; $3.60) (8th week). Poor $8,000 on final week. “Honest John,” Las Palmas (388; $3.00) (2nd week). Healthy $4,300, ' “Inside U. S. A.” Philharmonic Audi. (2,670; $3.60) (3d week). Good, at almbst $32,000. • “Kitty Doone,” Gircle Playhouse (150; $2.40). Still holding .up well at $1,500. < Lush $29,000 h in Ft. Worth, Jan. 16. ; . “Private Lives”, reaped a harvest in Texas last week, piling up a lush, gro.ss of $29,000 in .seven perfoimahces in Houstoh,. Sari Antonio and here. That \vas a hefty jump over the holiday week previous% When the Tallulah Bank- head. .starrer cbllected •$22,000 in eight performances at the Pbehe, •New .Orleans. . i. Revival is splitting this! Week between Dallas, Shreveport, Little Rock and Memphis. 51Gin4,Birff Buffalo, Jan/ lO- : Kermit Bloomgarden’s n e w thriller candidate, “The Man,” collected a mild $5,500 in four per- formances last 'ITiur.sday-Saturday night (5-7) at the Erlanger here. Mellef is in Pittsburgh this week and opens Jan. 19 on Broadway.