Variety (March 1950)

Wednesday, March I, 1950 PfiRIETY The following are the comparative figures based on Variety's boxaffice estimates for last week (the 39th week of the season) and the corresponding week of last season: This Season 31 ,800 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 . ■<;; . $20,445^400 Number of new productions so far, . . 44 .. ROAD (Excluding Stock) Number of current touring, shoWs reported . 26 Total weeks played so far by all shows . . 747 Total road gross reported last week . v . $5 15,900 Season's total road gross so far . . : . .$15,342,900 ... Last 'Season 30 881 $743,300 $21,135,000 56 24 880 $526,600: $18,014,200 Chicago; Feb. 28. 4 Snowstorms caught b.o, ; here ^shivering, with only “Kiss Me, Kate’’ holding up strong all week. “Musical Depreciation Revue” got hit by weather. Spike Jones cut out midnight show, on Saturday, and. revue leaves March 11, on way to Minneapolis and easte a J mints. Blackstone. the magicia , ! n first week at the Erlariger, had a moderate turnout. . Ballet de Paris opens at the In 3d Date at Blackstone for two weeks~March: 6. “Madwoman of Chaillot” settles down for six weeks at the Erlanger after Blackstone. “Private ! Lives” will attempt comeback at the Harris or . Selwyn March 20, Until after 'Easter, the new crop seems light., “Lend An Ear” is headed this Way arid perhaps “Miss Liberty will pay a spring call. Estimates • for Last Week Blackstone; Erlariger (1 ,334; $2.50). Light $9,000. “Kiss Me, Kate” Shubert (23rd week) (2J100; $6.18). Extra Wed. (22) matinee boosted the Anne Jeffreys starrer to a lively $39,000. “Merry Widow,” Blackstone (2nd week) (1,358; $3.71). Closed Saturday (25) after murky two weeks; finale got $14,500. “Musical Depreciation Revue ,” ’ Great Northern (3rd week) ( 1 ,500; $3.71). Off to $19,100. “That Lady,” Harris (4th week) (1,000; $4.33). Katharine Cornell fans gave final week a moderate $17,000; show left to continue its tour. XEND EAR’ PERKS TO 522,500 IN Philadelphia, Feb. 28. J Philly’s faltering legit season peps again this week with two important musicals making their, local bows^ One — -Wintort, Freedley s, “What a Pay-”— -bows tonight (28) at the Forrest for three weeks. Tomorrow night (March 1 ) Menotti’s new musical, “The Consul” will have its preem at the Shubert. It will stay only 10 days instead, of the original two and a half weeks skedded. Meantime* the all-Negro revival 'of ‘‘Tobacco Road” is continuing for its second and final week at the Locust, which means that three of Philly’s four legit houses have activity this week. . Next Monday the Walnut Will also relight with “The Silver Whistle,” now starring Lloyd Nolan. It’s in for two weeks. This Opening, plus the start of a single week’s visit by “Private Lives,” with Tallulah Bankhead-, at the Locust, means that all four of the local legiters will be occupied. Only other official booking on the imme, diate horizon will be the . new Helen Hayes vehicle, “The Wisteria Trees,” opening at the Shubert for two weeks. Estimates for Last Week “Lend an Ear,” Shubert (3d week) (1,877; $4.55). As figured this musical picked up some with absence of much competition,. Reported over $22,500. “Tobacco Road,” Locust (1st week) , (1,580; $2.50). All-Negro cast in revival of this perennial got good notices, and biz was okay $9,500, for this low-priced show. ‘Silver Whistle’ NSG 10G in Split-Week Richmond, Va„ Feb. 28. Theatre Guild touring company of “Sliver Whistle,” starring Lloyd Nolan, drew meager $5,000 for four performances, Monday through Wednesday (20-22) at WRVA theatre. Play got another $5,000 the second half of the week at the Playhouse, Wilmington, giving it a pale $10,000 for the week. Company opened here as kickoff for tour. Minneapolis, Feb. 28. : Playing its third local engagement, “Harvey” grossed $11,000 at the 1 , 900-seat Lyceum for six nights and three matinees. S h o w was scaled at a $3 “bargain” price ton. James Dunn, who followed Joe E. Brown and Frank Fay in stellar role here, arid: supporting cast won critics’ praise. Attraction had to c omba t 19— beiow-zero temperatures. ■■■■■■ Katharine . Cornell in “That Lady” is in May 1-4, scale d at $4,20 top. “A Streetcar Named Desire;’ here for a return engagemerit, follows for seven days: at $3.60 top for its exclusive Twin engagement. TERRIF, IN 5 SPLITS .y; Syracuse, Feb. 28. -• Despite a d y e r s e weather and rough conditions brought on by the coal strike, Tallulah Bankhead in “Private Lives” wound up with a terrific gross nearing $28,000 for seven . performances in five engagements last week. With the baroineter hitting 15-below, show played the Avon, Utica, Monday (20) pulling in over $4,000 at a $4.80 top. Comedy moved on to the Strand, Albany, Tuesday (21), where despite a heavy snow, it took in almost $6,500 at a similar top. Shutdown of the General Electric Plant in Schenectady, because of the coal shortage, failed to put the damper on the Wednesday (22) evening performance at the 1,172seat Erie there with about $3,600 coming in, M o v in g on to the Strand, Ithaca, Thursday (23) show did close to capacity, $3,900. Week ended with play getting near $10,000 for three performances, Friday and Saturday (24-25), at the Emr pire here. ‘Madwoman’ Way Off. At $15,500, Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Feb. 28. “Madwoman of Chaillot” came a cropper last week at the Nixon, running into a unanimous set of bad notices which cut into a promising advance sale 'and held gross down to $15,500. More than half of that was in subscription money, fantasy being final offering of the season . under Theatre GuildAmerican Theatre Society. Broadway hit played here at $3.90 top (including Federal and city taxes) arid, got away fairly big, but window take went down, to virtually nothing after the reviews appeared. Martita Hunt, star of “Madwoman,”; fell ill at mid-week and was replaced Thursday night 123) by Eleonora Mendelssohn, who normally plays one of the minor madwomen. Her role in turn was taken over by Frances Hammond, a bit player. Nixon, which ended three weeks of darkness with “Madwoman,” is dark again, relighting Monday (6) with “Death Of A Salesman” for fortnight stand. March 20 is still open due to folding on road of “Detective Story,” with Ballet des Paris on 27th arid ?Lend An Ear” coming in April 3. 'i In Week at Detroit Detroit, Feb. 28. Publicity from Billie Worth’s tragic mishap opening night and the last minute addition of a successor, Helena Dudas, helped boost Civic Light Opera’s production of “Annie Get Your Gun” to a terrific $60,000 last week at Masonic Temple. It was the best gross for an eight-performance show this season. Top gross of $65,000 was taken by “Show Boat” in n i n e performances Christmas week, -V . Current Civic attraction, its lest of the season, is “Carriien Jones,” featuring Carlotta . Franzel, Le Vern Hutcherson and Urylee Leonardos and. some members of the original New York arid Chicago productions. Meanwhile, Miss Worth, who collapsed after completing her ■. opening night performance in “Annie,” was recovering at Providence Hospital. She gave birfh to a still s born three and a half months premature girl last week. The Cass opened its doors Monday (27) for the first time in a month to present “Madwoman of Chaillot.” Play* starring Martita Hunt, is in for fortnight. The Shubert Will present Blackstone the magicp for a week beginning March 19. Theatre has been closed nearly t\vo months* Hypo of Washington's Birthday pushed receipts up a bit last week on Broadway, However, possibly because of the brownout, effects of the coal shortage and the cold snap and snowstorm, the business improvement was spiriewhat less than normal for the holiday. . Attendance was; generally Offish .Monday night (20), was much better on the holiday eve, Tuesday (21); hit a traditional high on the holiday matinee Wednesday (22), and reacted downward that night arid Thursday night (23), Trade was up, as Usual, Friday night (-24) and at both performances Saturday (25). The week’s total gross for all 31 shows was 76.35% of capacity. Business is due to slip ■this week, ! “Alive and Kicking,” “Mr. Barry’s | Etchings” and “The Enchanted” I folded Saturday night ’ (25), “Rat j Race” Will ■; close next Saturday , night (4) and “Miss Liberty” , is scheduled to go on tour a week later, March 11. Three other shows are uncertain bets to continue. Estimates for Last Week . Keys: C ( Comedy ), D (Drama), CD ( Comedy Drama ) , R ( Revue ) , ~M—('Mtcsical-)~-0 (Operettarb Boston, Feb. 28. “The Heart of the Matter,” adaptation of the Graham Greene novel, with an ^ all-English cast, teed Off here Fn. (24) as the only opener in town last week. Got generally unhelpful notices and didn’t prove to be too strong at the b.o. despite the Rodgers-Hammerstein label and the Ian Hunter marquee appeal, “Wisteria Trees,” proving a powerful femm e attraction, remained in top gear as a biz-getter, as did “Streetcar,” while “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” faded at the Shubert. “Lend An Ear” returned to town last night (27) with a perilously high top ($4.80) for a show with a reputation but no names. Only other Immediately ahead is road company of “Mister Roberts.” Estimates for Last Week . “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Plymouth (2d wk) (1,200; $3.60), Second sesh found this one still doing nice biz, hurt only by a onenight blizzard, and taking fine $24,000. “NoW I Lay Me Down to Sleep,” Shubert (2d wk) (1,750; $3.60). This one didn’t catch on at all here, dropping to around $8,500 on its second arid final. “The Heart of the Matter,” Wilbur (1st wk) (1*200; $3.60). Opened Fri. (24) and was not too well liked. Did about $4,000 on three performances, which isn’t bad but ndt too good. “Wisteria , Trees,” Colonial (2d wk) (1,500; $3.60). They’re working hard on this one, holding it out of N. Y. at about a “lOOG refund or exchange for an additional three weeks. The show is a wow for femmes* the Hayes* attraction being plenty potent, and could clean up on the road. But its Broadway future seems uncertain at this point. Took a wow $27,000 last Week, however; O ther parenthetic figures refer, respectively, to top price, number of seats and capacity gross . Price includes 20% amusement tax, but grosses are net: i.e., exclusive of tax. “Alive and Kicking,” Winter Garden (6th wk) (R-$6; 1,510; $42,000). Musical never got started, folding Saturday night (25) after 46 performances; finale was meagre $18,500. “All You Need is One Good Break,” Mansfield (2d wk) (D-$4.80; 1;041; $26,000). Reopened meller started slowly, first full week registering under $5,000. * “Arms arid the Girl,” 46th St. (4th wk) (M-$6; 1,319; $39,000). With the expiration of the Theatre Guild subscription period, party bookings are starting, which will provide a hypo for some Weeks; $36,200. “As You Like It,” Coft (5th wk) (C-$4.80-$6; 1,064; $27,000). Katharine Hepburn show is building a healthy advance to carry it along when the Guild subscription ends; topped $25,100. •‘Bird Cage,” Coronet (1st wk) (D-$4.80; 1,027; $27,000). Arthur Laurents meller opened Wednesday night (22) to one favorable notice, six pans and one so-so; first five performances rang up over $12,700. “Caesar and Cleopatra,” National (10th wk) (CD-$4.80-$6; 1,172; $33,000). Lrint • Foritanne starrer making a healthy profit; $25,300. “Kiss Me, Kate,” Century (60th wk) (M-$6; 1,645; $46,700). Sticks around the capacity mark; $46,600. • . “Lost in the Stars,” Music Box (17th wk) (M-$5.40; 1,012; $26,600). Dipped slightly to $25,800. “Member of the Wedding,” Empire (8th wk) (D-$4*80; 1,082; $24,000), Ethel Waters starrer gets everything the house will hold; $24,400 again! “Miss Liberty,” Imperial (33d ‘ wk) (M-$6.60; 1,400; $44,500). Musical is slated to vacate, the theatre March ,11 to make way for “Heart of the Matter,” but is still making a modest operating profit; moved up last Week to over $27,500. . “Mister Roberts,” Alvin (106th wk) (CD-$4.80; 1,360; $34,300). Longrun leader and top straightplay grosser has piled up the greatest boxoffice record for any dramatic show in Broadway history;, juriiped to $33,300. • “Mr. Barry’s Etchings,” 48th St. ; (4th Wk) (CDv$4.80; 917; $23,000). Lee Tracy couldn't save it and neither could “twofers,” so it folded Saturday. (25) after 31 per MORRIS-'STORY* FOLDS ‘Salesman 20G, Col. Coluhibus, O., Feb. 28. “Death of a Salesman” did profitable at the Hartman here last week, taking in about $20,000. Drama is at the Cox, Cincinnati, this week. St. Louis, Eeb. 28. After a successful one-' stand ending Saturday (25) at the America theatre; “Detective Story” wound up its tour despite efforts of manager Paul Beisman to hold the piece for a second Week. Chester Morris; the drama’s star, arid the piece copped 100% raves from the crix. Gross was $18,200 for eight performances, with the house scaled to $3,66. House is dark currently but relights Monday (6) with a one-week engagement of “That Lady,” with Katharine Cornell, at $4.27 top. in . Keys: C (Comedy ) , D ( Drama ) , CD ( Comedy 'Drain#) , R (Revue ) , M (Musical), O (Operetta), “Cry of the Peacock” If))-— James Colligan & Donald Medford; Leonora Corbett, director. $30,000). With Lilli Palmer back in J her co-starring role, b u s i n ess j picked up the latter part of the; week; $21,400. I “Clutterbuck*” Biltmore (12th wk) (C-$4.80; 920; $20,500). Making a steady operating profit; nearly $13,700. 'j “Cocktail Party,” Miller (6th wk) (C-$4.80; 940; $21,600). Going clean at all performances; nearly $21,600. “Come Back, Little Sheba,” j Booth (2d wk) (D-$4;80; 712; $20,000). Riding on Guild subscription the first few weeks; thereafter, the performances of Shirley Booth and Sidney Blackmer will be the principal draw; first 1 full Week got about $12,000. ; “Death of a Salesman,” Morosco (55th wk) (D-$4.80; 914; $23,800), Makirig ample operating profit; nearly $22,800. “Detective Story,” Hudson (49th Wk) (D-$4;80; 1,016 ;m,10Q). Rose ! a trifle on the holiday ground • swell; almost $20,300. | “Devil’s Disciple,” Royale f 1st | wk) (C-$4 80-$6; 1,035; $27,500). i Shaw revival reopened Tuesday j night (21) to a fine advance, but the subsequent illness of Maurice Evans has hurt attendance; nevertheless, first seven performances grossed over $19,000. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” Ziegfeld (12th wk) (M-$6); 1,628; j $48,200). With the end Of theatre | parties, grosses should now hit i capacity (no standing room, is sold); I one party last week limited the : gross to $47,900. ! “Happy Time,” Plymouth (5th j wk) (C-$4.80; 1,603; $29,000). New i Rodgers-Hammerstein click, goes; along at capacity pace; topped ; $29 000 “Howdy, Mr. Ice of 1950,” Center (40th Wk) (R-$3-$2.88; 2,964; $58,000). Rose a bit with the field; over $31,000. “I Know My Love,” Shubert (17th wk) (CD-$4.80l 1,391; f ormances; finale but $6,000. ; “Rat Race,” Barrymore (10th wk) (CD-$4.80-$6; l,066f $30,000). Slowing down as it nears the end of party bookings; folds Saturday (4); still operating in the black at $16,200. “South Paclflc,” Majestic (47th wlc) (M-$6; 1,659; $50,200). This is getting monotonous; capacity-plus $50,600 again. “Texas, L’il Darlin/’ Hel linger (14th * wk). (M-$6; 1,543; $42,000). Registering a consistent operating profit; hopped to $33,500. “The Enchanted,” Lyceum (6th Wk) (D-$4.80; 990; $22,500). Never got going, and, folded Saturday night (25) after 45 performances; nearly $9,000 on the closer, “The Innocents,” Playhouse (3fi wk) (D-$4.80; 819; $18,700). Meller has been building steadily., with the advance sale now nearly $35,000; receipts climbed a few more notches to top $16,100. “The Man” Fulton (6th wk) (D$4.80; 966;' $23,000). Murder meller is uncertain to continue; $8,200. “Touch and Go*** Broadhurst (20th wk) (R-$6; .1,160; $34,500). George Abbott revue moved Monday (27) to the 1,900-seat Broadway, with a $4.80 top arid capacity of $46,300; last week got over $24,000. “Velvet Glove,” Golden (9th wk) (CD-$4.80; 769; $18,100). About the same; $10,100. “Where’s Charley?” St. James (71st wk). (1,509; $37,800). Bounded up again; about $37,000. Opening “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep,** Broadhurst (D-$480-$6; 1,160; $29,500). Elaine Ryan dramatization of Ludwig Bemelmans novel, presented by Nancy Sterin & George Nichols, III, with Fredric March arid Florence Eldridge starred; production was financed at $100,000, cost about $100,000 (including bonds), and will break even at about $18,500; opens tomorrow night (Thur ). Future Dates “The Consul,” March 15, at Barrymore; “Heart of.: the Matter” March 16, at Imperial; “Great To Be Alive,” March 23, at Winter Garden; “Wisteria Trees,” March 29; at Martin Beck “Cry of the Peacock*” April 6, at 48th Street; “Peter Pan,” April 9 at iirispeci-. fied theatre. • O At $28,000 to Pace LA. Los Angeles, Feb. 28. Ballet Theatre, with a new program each night for a six-day stand at the Bitlmore, paced the legit b.o. here last week. “The Banker’s Daughter,” m u si c a 1 adapted from Dion Boucicault’s “Streets of New York,’’ continues solid at the Globe. “Kitty Doone,” Aben Kandel's comedy about an aging film star, does likewise at the small Circle Playhouse. “Philadelphia Story,” openirig this week at the Biltmore, has a healthy advance sale. Estimates for Last Week Ballet Theatre, Biltmore, (1,636; $3,60) (1st week). Sound $28,000. “Kitty Doone,” Circle Playhouse (150; $2.40). Good at $1,200.