Variety (March 1950)

LEGITIMATE WednewlaV, March 29, 1950 Arthur Hopkins, who died last* Wednesday (22) in New York at the age of 71, was a distinguished director-producer and one of the most respected figures : of the American theatre. Shy, modest,, sensitive, with a strong mystic streak, he was a lonely man who, had almost no close friends. Although his taciturnity was a legend on Broadway, he could be extremely articulate when he chose. The veteran showman, who had been planning the production of a hew play by Thornton Wilder next fall, had been in poor health for several years.: He entered . St. Vincentes hospital, N. Y., about a month ago because of a heart con-^ dition, but was released after two weeks. He suffered another attack about 10 days ago and, oil the advice of his physician, re-entered the hospital, where he died several days later. Funeral services Saturday morning (25) ait Madison Avenue Presbyterian church, N. Y., were attended by about 300 people from the theatre. Two brothers survive. 'The producer’s wife died in 1930. V Born in Cleveland in 1878, Hopkins became a reporter and then a pressagent, later booking acts in amusement parks and finally entering the New York theatre as a producer With “Poor Little Rich Girl” in 1913. His subsequent presentations, nearly all of which he staged and many of which were outstanding artistic and boxoffice successes, included the John Barrymore “Hamlet,' John and Lionel Barry*? more in “The Jest,” “Anna Christie,” “What Price Glory,” “The Wild Duck,” “Hedda Gabler,” Nazimova in “A Doll’s House, “ John Barrymore in “Richard III,” Lionel Barrymore in “Macbeth” and Ethel Barrymore in “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Among his other distinguished productions w e r e “On Trial/' ■Good Gracious, Annabelie,” “A Successful Calamity,” “The Beggar’s Opera,” “The Hairy Ape,” “The Old Soak,” “Holiday” “The Channel Road,” “The Petrified Forest” and “T h ev Magnificent Yankee,” the latter bein& his last Broadway hit. Besides authoring “The Fatted’ Calf” and “Conquest” and co-authoring “Burlesque” (with George M. Watters) and “A Gentle (Continued On page 72) London, March 28. Cast including Rex Harrison, Ian Hunter, Margaret Leighton, Isobel Jeans and Donald Houston Will head the London productio of “The Cocktail Party.” Henry Sherek presentation goes into rehearsal April 8, and will have a tryout tour before Opening at the New theatre here ; in June. Original edition of the T. S; Eliot play, presented by Gilbert Miller and Sherek, premiered at the Edinburgh Festival fast summer and played a tuneup engagement at Brighton, before being transferred to Broadway, where it is a current hit,-.: :V 3 IN SHUBERT Chicago, March 28. Jules Pfeiffer and Danny Goldberg are filing an appeal this morning (Tues.) in Chi Federal appeals court against Judge Philip Sullivan’s decision last week which ruled out the Select Theatre Co., the Select Theatre Operating Co., and the United Booking Office from $1,650,000 triple damage anti-trust suit which producers brought Jan. 21, 1049. Action claimed that the three dismissed defendants had conspired .with Select Lake City Theatres, an Illinois corporation, preventing the plaintiffs from obtaining product for Great Northern theatre, which they had under lease, and also refused them theatres to show their production, “Maid in the Ozarks,” in 28 cities. Judge Sullivan l’uiod that New York companies and their officials Were not, in the usual sense, ’ “transacting business” in the state of Illinois. Not dismissed as ; defendants in the suit were Select Lake City Theatres and L. A. B. office. Pfeiffer and Goldberg haye a similar action pending in New York courts; ; , Broadway will) get its fill of dance again next month, with both Ballet Theatre and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo skedded to appear in April, and Katherine Dunham and her troupe now joining the procession. The Dunham engagement is a two-and-a-half week booking, squeezed in following her long European stay arid before her South American tour. Troupe will open at the Broadway theatre April 19, to run till May 6. Company of 25 daricersy last seen on Broadway iri November, ’46; 'in a dance-revue, “Bal Negre,” will present a similar show, titled “Rapsodie Caribe.” More than half the show will be new, With some numbers from “Bal Negre” and the earlier “Carib Song” retained. Top will be $3,60, and there will be no Tuesday performances. Troupe has been in Europe the last two years, doing sock business everywhere.. It did a 90-day turriaway run at Theatre des Champs Elysees, Paris, and made two rectum French visits. During troupe’s stay abroad, a book by Richard Buckle, “Katherine Dunham and Her Dancers*” was published in England, and has sold well there and in France. Sol Hurok is managing the New York engagement and the South American tour that follows. Troupe has been guaranteed 'a 46-week minimum run in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela. Dancers are inked for their third engagement in London in March, 1951, and won’t be back in the U;S. again until thq fall of ’51, when they do a coast-tocoast tour. Sparked by increased public interest created by the click Broadway revivals of “Caesar and Cleopatra” and “Devil’s Disciple,” new editions of the two Bernard Shaw plays, with scene photos from the current productions; were issued last week by Dodd, Mead . . V Will of the late Brock Pemberton, who died /March 11, leaves all his “personal belongings” and seveneighths of the income of his estate to his wife, Margaret, during her lifetime. • Income from the remainder goes to the producer’s brother, Murdock Pemberton, and a sister. The estate was ; valued . at “over $20,000.” Mrs; Pemberton will Continue th e management of “Harvey” through the late producer’s office and staff. Composer Kurt Weill, in FlowerFifth Avenue hospital, N, Y., after a heart attack last ; week, is reportedly off . the critical list, but must remain in bed for about five weeks ... Equity, the monthly house organ of Actors Equity, -has a new cover design; in color, plus new style of type, new makeup and illustrations by members of the union . . . Michael Todd announces that his proposed revue, “Peep Show,” will go into rehearsal April 17, probably with Mitzi Green starred . . . Stanley Gllkie, a member of the Stage Relief Fund -executive committee, appointed vicechairman and treasurer, succeeding the late Brdck Pemberton . Louise (Mrs. Martin) Beck elected to the executive committee, of which Rachel; CrOthCrs is chairman, Austin Strong is secretary and Jane Cowl, ' Marc , Connelly .and Walter Hampden are members. Hall Shelton will operate his stock company again this summer at London, Ont. , but will not start the eight-week season Until Aug. 1, to escape the worst Of the hot weather. .,. Dennis Murray heads a committee seeking musical, dramatic and comedy material for “Talent 50,” to be presented April 28 by the Stage Managers’ Club,’ as a showcase for tyro perform^ ers. Monroe Hack is producing, Michael Ellis is general manager and John Cosgrove is in charge of program ads for the undertaking. . . . Harry Bannister has taken over the second lead in “House op the Cliff,” succeeding John Alexander, who withdrew to undergo an operation. Peggy Cass and Dort Clark have also joined the cast of the Fay Bainter-Ernest Tniex starrer.. . . Theron Bam berger will open his Bucks Country (pa.) strawhat June 2. Commenting on a Variety survey showing that be uses the firstperson singular pronoun In his reviews more frequently than any other New York critic, John Chapman, of the News, yesterday’ (Tues.) observed in his column: “Some writers use the editorial *we* — perhaps in the forlorn pretense that they have a mob With them. Others elaborately ignore themselves altogether and never use the first person singular, the first person plural or the third person frightfully ini, personal. “I use T not from egotism, for there is nothing deader than yesterday’s trained Seal. I use it to make clear there is nobody but me to blame This is handy for fan mail. An anonymous corresporiderit writing a postcard in block letters can start off by penciling ‘You louse*, . . . (if I used the editorial rive,’ he’d not be sure whether to start With ‘You lice* or ‘You louses/ And if I used the utterly impersonal form of writing the poor angry reader Would have to begin with ‘Dear It,’ which is awkward and not very satisfying.” Clarence Derwent, who leaves this Weekend to start rehearsals as guest star ini a Kansas City U. production of “The Merchant of Venice;” under the direction of Blevins Davis,, has placed the Shylock role only Once before in the U. S'. That was nearly 30 years ago, In a benefit performance for Mrs/ William Winter, widow of the drama critic. The late Mrs. Richard Mansfield (Beatrice Cameron) came out of retirement to play Portia; The Actors Equity president first portrayed Shylock in his native England, subsequently playing it in Belgium and Holland, in the language of the country in each instance. Illness Cancels Cornell Fort Worth, March 28. Laryngitis caused Katharine Cornell to cancel her evening performance last Friday (24) of “That Lady,” currently touring Interstate Theatres Circuit. Ironically/ the only competing Show in town was crippled in much the same way, but it played anyway* Uta Graf, playing the lead in the Fort Worth Opera Assn, production pf “Faust,” was laid low With a throat infection and had to imime her part while a substitute Voice did her arias from the orOhestra pit. Hammerstein to London For ‘Carousel’ Opening Oscar Hammerstein, II, will sail April 28 for London, to be present for the production of his and Richard Rodgers’ musical, “Carousel,” slated to open June 6 at the Drury Lane, following the closing of “Oklahoma!” there. Rodgers may follow later, if so in time for the preeni, Rouben Mamoulian, who staged the original Broadway edition of “Carousel;” probably won’t go over to repeat the assignment in London. Jerry Whyte, Theatre Guild musical production manager, will probably take over the stmt, with Hamtfierstein and Agnes de Mille, who did the original choreography for. the show, sitting in . The West End presentation will be by H. M. Tennent (Hugh Beaumont), in association with the Guild. Same setup offered “Oklahoma! ” there. While in England, Hammerstein (and Rqdgers, if he goes, too) will work on their proposed musical version of “Anna and the King of Siam,” which is slated tor Broadway presentation next season. Hammerstein’s departure will follow by four days the scheduled opening of the . touring edition of his and Rodgers’ smash “South Pacific in Cleveland. 44 Pittsburgh /Playhouse’s current click production: of the Samuel Spewack comedy,. “Two Blirid Mice,’’ has John Oleair playing the role of the U. S. nayy officer, Cominander Jellicp; In real life; Gleam is attached to another branch Of the service; he’s an . Army captain assigned to the purchasing division in western Pennsylvania area. Oleair has long had a hankering for the theatre arid went out to the Playhouse for an audition with director Fred Burleigh only a few, weeks ago. The part in “Mice” immediately followed. Story was a natural for the dailies — army officer playing a riavai officer— arid got Playhouse some good newspaper breaks. Robert E. Sherwood, who returried from a Florida vacation several days ahead of schedule to attend an Equity Library Theatre performance Sunday (26) Of his “Idiot’s Delight,” told members of the cast and audience that he had only one criticism of the production. That was that the leading part of the vaudeville hoofer, originally played by Alfred Lurit, was supposed to be. a second-rate performer, the author said. He added, however, that Gene Barry, lead of the ELT edition, was“too good” a performer for the assignment. After seeing the matinee performance of the play, Sherwood returned for the evening show and was introduced from the audience, after the final curtain. Katharine Cornell’s production of “That Lady” has about broken even on tour thus fan The, drama had a ; disappointing start in Chicago, grossing $17,000 its opening week, $19,100 the second week, $19,000 the third, and $15,500 for the final, for an aggregate loss of $4,100 on the engagement. It has since done spotty business, but made a modest profit in St, Louis and did fairly well last week in several stands in the southwest. Show represented a loss of $50,300 at the close of its Broadway run. . Picon’s: -Sadie’ , Return Molly Picon will return from a short vacation to reopen in her Yiddish musical. “Sadie Is A Lady” at the 2d Ave. theatre, N, Y.t next Monday (3). Brown,” new play by Theodore Ward, whose “Our Lan”’ was. presented on Broadway in 1947, will be offered off-Broadway by People’s Drama at its Eldridge St., N. Y., theatre beginning April 27 V George Bernard Shaw’s “The Shewing Up of Blanco Posriet” will be offered by the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, N; Y.j for five performances beginning Monday (3). Murray Druck’s “All-American” will be given its initial production by the Dramatic Workshop at the President theatre, N. Y., for two performances^ April 7-8 . . . Paul Green’s “Tread the Green Grass,” originally put on at Iowa U. in 1931, Will be offered by the Abbe Practical Workshop at the Master theatre, N. Y., April 19-21. Green is currently working on an adaptation of “Peer Gynt” for Broadway presentation next fall , . . “Come What May,” a new revue, will be but on by Chris Seibel and Michael Stewart at the Weidman theatre, N. Y., beginning next Wednesday (5). Irma Jurist and Leo Schumer did the music, while Stewart turned out the lyrics and sketches. Irvin Dorfman* associated with his. father, , Nat Dorfman, in drumbeating for “Texas, Li’l Darlin’/’ leaves for Europe .today (Wed.) to look over the play field for producer Anthony B. Farrell. While abroad, Dorfman, a ranking U. S. tennis player, will compete in a number of tournaments * . .“ Michael Ellis will : stage-manage the Surf playhouse, Atlantic City, tp be launched by Gail Hillson the of June 12 or 19. John Cameron to direct 1 8,-week season at . Mountain Playhouse, Jennerstown, Pa , opening June 3 with “Born Yesterday,” Producers are James Black Stoughton and Louise Stoughton Mausi. v Charles Strakosh, company manager of “Velvet Glove,” planed to Texas last weekend to take over as manager of Katharine Cornell’s “That Lady” production, succeeding William Tisdale, who is ill. Clarence Taylor has stepped in as manager with “Glove” . ; . According to word from London, Gladys Cooper will star in a production there of “Hat Trick/* by Thomas Browne. She’s also reportedly slated to have her own theatre in the West End, under Henry Scale for the original production of “Show Boat,” at the Ziegfeld, N. Y., |n 1927, had a $6 top, excluding tax, not with tax* as recently reported. That accounted for the show’s capacity gross of $52,000 for the first few months of the run. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” currently playing the Ziegfeld, is grossing a capacity $48,200 ait a $5 top, excluding tax. “South Pacific,” which will set an all-time gross record Of $2,635,000 for its first year at the Majestic, N. Y., draws k steady $50,600 a week, at a $5 top, excluding tax. William Saroyan has added another string to his bow. Now lie’s a songwriter as well as scripter. Playwright cleffed. one ditty, “Conic On-a My House,” for his play, “The Son/’ which world preems tomorrow (30) at the Circle theatre, Hollywood. Leeds Music will publish. Sherek’s" management . . . Ben Rosenberg will be company manager of ‘‘Miss Liberty” when the production tours. He’ll succeed Milton Baron, who’s remaining in New York as^ general manager of the Dorothy Willard presentation of “The Liar.” Former producer-manager Richard Herndon is living in Philly in retirement . . . Evelyn Laye arid Frank Lawton are touring the British provinces in Daphne du Maurier’s “September Tide,” in which Gertrude Lawrence starred in London last season . . . John Golden is reportedly dickering for the U. S. rights to “Carter Street Story,” Charlotte Frances drama iri which* American-born Frances Day starred on tour in England earlier this . season. He’s already talking to Rex Harrison about starring in a revival of “The Admirable Crichton” next season, provided the Barrie estate will agree to a royalty cut . . , Sarah Churchill, who closed in “Philadelphia Story” last week on the Coast; returns ; to Loridori Cynthia Risley, who. has withdrawn from the Broadway company of ‘‘Kiss Me, Kate,” is not being replaced . . . Virginia Conwell has . succeeded Barbara McCutcheon as a dancer in “Arms arid the Girl” . . . Normari Ginsbury has stated in London that no one has an option on the “American rights to his drama, ‘‘The First Gentleman,” which Jean Dalrymple had been reportedly planning for fall production . . . William Douglas Home, British author Whose “Yes, M’Lord” (originally “The 1 Chiltern Hundreds”) was preserited on Broadway last fall, is cbmpleting a new play about Field Marshal Rommel. ■ With Arthur Kennedy on vacation this week, Jariies Gregory is playing the role of the older son, Biff, in “Death of a Salesman,” at the Morosco, N. Y. Gregor^, assist ant stage manager Of the Kermit BloonigardenWalter Fried production, has previously subbed for Kennedy in the part. “Life Is A Dream,” Chaim Tauber’s . latest Yiddish drama, starring the actor-playwright, will open at the Clinton theatre, N. Y., this Sunday (2) . . . Parkway theatre, Brooklyn, dark for a month, reopens Monday evening (3) with “Forget Me Not,” a dramatization of Louis Freiman’s latest Jewish radio play of the same name. Hollywood Bill Henry and Nana Bryant top cast of ‘‘The Uninvited Guest. ” new Ramon Romero-Frank Hilliard play which tries out April 19 at the Coronet, Hollywood ; . . James A, Doolittle prepping a season of two light operas and two grand operas at Hollywood Bowl this summer „ . . Film interest already running high in William Saroyan’s new script “The Soil, (originally three, words longer' , wrhich will be world-pteemed t omorrow (30) by the Circle Players in Hollywood. Fritz Reiner, who guest-conducted the last three weekends, with the Chicago Symphony, is back with the Met and conducts “Rosonkavalier” Saturday (1) in Bostort . . . Bracha Zefira, Israeli folk singer; in farewell appearance at Town Hall, N, Y., April 6 . Cetra Records is issuing an LP album of “Falstaff ,” recorded in Italy, which coincides with this Week’s concert performance of the Verdi opera by Ar|uro Toscanim and the NBC Symphony 9rches‘ tra . ; Martha Graham will tour Eurripe beginning in June. Craig Barton, producer of programs , at Dallas’, radio station ‘VVFAA. will be her personal representative for the tour. ..