Variety (June 1950)

Wednesday, June 28, 1950 Js&RIEfrY LEGITIMATE Total Legit Grosses The following are the comparative figure 9 based on Variety's bo xoffice estimates for last week (the Ath week of the season) and the corresponding week of last season: This Last BROADWAY Number of shows current ........... % ..... Total weeks played so far by all shows.... Total gross for all current shows last week.. Total season’*'gross so far by all shows.. . $1,501,400 $1,375,700 Season : Season 19 18 81 55 $479,700 $458,900 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., 1, ♦ < M 10 34 $240,700 $884,165 0 10 38 $259,700 $892,400 Chicago, June 27. Furniture Market convention delegates gave Chicago legit a needed lift last week. All at- tractions felt the traffic, with “Oklahoma!”, being sold out at most performances. VLepd An Ear” and 'Two Blind Mice” held steady. With the opening of the : Chicago I.ake Front Fair last week, thea- tre operators are hoping for some trade from this source, with mail Orders reflecting this trend. Estimates for This Week “Lend An Ear,” Great Northern (13th week) < 1,500; $4.94). Break- ing even with about $19,000. “Oklahoma!,” Erlanger (9th week) (1,334; $4.33). Favorite of the out-of-towners, show rung up hefty $26,600. “two Blind Mice,’* Harris (7th week) (1,000; $3.71). Also getting by with mild $14,600. ‘Kate’ 37G, Hub Boston, June 27. “Kiss Me, Kate” moved into the Shubert last week with indications that an extended run is possible. “Mister Roberts” at Colonial con- tinued in its 16th week with prices reduced for the Summer, Estimates' for this Week “Mister Roberts’* (Colonial) 16th week) (1,500; $3.60). Off slightly but still okay at $12,900. “Kiss Me, Kate” (Shubert) (1,- 709; $4.20-Fri., Sat. $4.80). Well received by crix and public. Neat $37,000. 42G IN 10-NH3IT D.C. RUN Washington, June 27. San Carlo Grand Opera Festival at the Watergate, town’s Dutdoor amphitheatre at the edge of the Potomac,, scored, a critical ard b o. triumph with a sock $42,000 for its 10-right run. The 6.000-seat Water- gate was scaled to a $3 top, with packed houses most nights and brisk biz iii the higher-priced seats at every performance. Weatherman, as well as press and public, favored the* troupe, with only one postponement be- cause of forecast of rain and one near b.o. disaster. Latter was avoided when rain fell on “Aida” immediately after 10 o’clock, the deadline for refund of money, thus saving by minutes a $4,000 gate. ; Success of the series is prompt- ing impresario Fortune Gallo to explore the possibility of a light operetta session in August at the Watergate. Plans are in the work- ing stage. . Dorothy McGuire will star in ‘Summer arid Smoke” as the third attraction of the strawhat season at the La Jolla,’ Cal., Playhouse, fourth play will be “Arsenic and Old Lace,” hut the star hasn’t yet been set . .,. Scott Brady and Ralph Morgan open tomorrow (28) in “Heaven Can Wait” at the Laguna, Cal., Playhouse . . . Ken Burton, producer-director of “The Railroad Hour” on NBC; lias been inked to stage and direct the James A. Doolittle production of . “The vagabond King” in the Hollywood Bowl this summer. Alma Kline, publicity director tins season for Harry L. Young’s Brattleboro, Vt., summer theatre, ' v , as associated with, the County theatre at Suffern, N.Y., for 10 years. Latter strawhatter no longer operates. - * • ' . tr Parker, who played Huck Haines in “Roberta” in Pittsburgh outdoor opera last week, had to turn down a bid to do the same role in Dallas because final per- formances of the show Would over- lap on his starting date at the Palmer House in Chicago Aug. 1, Barbara Brady, granddaughter of the late William A. Brady and daughter . of . Katherine Alex- ander, ' will again be seen at the Berkshire Playhouse in Stock- bridge, Mass., this summer . . . Pog Crossfield will assist scenic designer. Donald Shirley at John Huntington’s spa Slimmer Theatre ln Saratoga Springs, N. Y. Show in Rehearsal Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy Drama ), R ! Revne ), M (Musical), O (Operetta L rn “The Live Wire” (C) — Mike Todd. In Kansas City Stand Kansas City, June 27. “Getting Married,” in its first major city stand, drew moderate | biz at the Fox Midwest Orpheum theatre last week (19^24). Big draw was the long list of names, includ- ing Cedric Hardwicke, Ralph For- bes, Judith Evelyn, Arthur Trea- cher, Dennis King, Mady Christi- ans, Colin Keith-Johnston, Mar- garet Bannerman, Mary Scott and Dora Sayers, while the play itself was figured by critics as a so-so magnet. Fox Midwest brought in the play in connection with the Cen- tennial celebration in full swing here up to July 4. With top price of $3.66, six nights and two mati- nees figured up to $12,000, medi- um money. Bernard Shaw opus is a special project of the American National Theatre and Academy, moving from here to the Coast where it Will spend the summer before opening on Broadway next fall. “ROBERTA’ TAKES IT ON CHIN IN PUT WITH 23G Pittsburgh, June 27, Second show of summer opera season at Pitt Stadium, “Roberta,” got a bad break from the weather- man and took it on the chin, draw- ing only around 16,000 people and $23,000 in five performances. Finale on Saturday night (24) was rained out completely and around $5,000 had to be refunded. First two evenings were bad, too, with overcast skies holding attendance down. Quite a deflation after “Kiss Me, Kate’s” inaugural take of nearly $67,000. Even . with better cooperation from the elements, however, it’s doubtful if “Roberta” would have been in the money, since general Opinion was that the Jerome Kern musical had been repeated too soon. It had already been done by an a! fresco group here twice already in the" first four seasons, and this Was considered to be the poorest of the three productions. Seems. to be a lot of interest, however, in the current attraction, “No, No, Nanette,” which has never been done outdoors here. Cast is headed by Evelyn Wyckoff, Jack Sheean, Imogene Coca, Johnny Downs, Muriel O’Malley and Nina Korda, Legit Bits .Continued from page 58 Los Angeles, June 27. “South Pacific” leaped up almost $3,000 last week, first frame in which it has been free from the cutrate subscription tickets to the 1T.A. Civic Light Opera season. House record during the run is doubtful since producers prefer not to sell a total of 70 seats they consider badly placed. “You Can’t Take It With You” wound up Sunday night (25) at Las Palmas after a three-week run that just broke even. It marked the end of the 14-week spring season of Footlights, Inc.-; which hopes to repeat in the fall. Biltmore rekindles tonight (27) with “Getting Married.” Estimates for Last Week “South Pacific,” Philharmonic Aud (5th wk) ($4.80; 2,600); Frame’s almost $57,200 topped the best of last year’s record-holder, “Kiss Me Kate,” but is still below the all- time house record of $58,000 set by “Annie Get Your Gun.” “You Can’t Take It With You,” Las Palmas (3d wk)) ($3:60; 388). About $3,000 on the eight-day Windup, letting production break even with a three week total of $11,000. The 14-week Footlights, Inc. operation represented a final net profit of $1,000, not bad con- sidering the size of house and pro-? ductions offered. gimmick called Ticket Speedo- Grani for ordering theatre seats, Roger Gerry, director at the Dallas Starlight Operetta the past three years, will spend the sum- mer in N. Y. working in television, and not with musicals in South Dakota, as reported . . . Diana Herbert, last seen on Broadway in “For Love or Money,” playing the subway circuit as one of the leads in “Clutterbuck.” ... Sylvia Siegler has come up with still another gimmick. She’s running Summer Show-Bus excursions July: 11, 13 and 14 to < Lambertville, N. J., with an inclusive price for two-way fare, dinner at New Hope, Pa., and ad- mission to St, John Terrell’s Musi- cal Circiis. She figures on running similar excursions to other straw- hats later . . . Shepperd Strudwick will play the male lead opposite Celeste Holm in Richard Kra- kauer’s production of Louis Ver- neuil’s “Affairs of State,” in which Reginald OWen will appear. John Haggott may direct ... Subscrip- tion sales are up about 10%' over Jast season at Richard Aldrich's Cape theatre, Dennis, Mass., and Falmouth playhouse, Coonames- sett, Ma.ss. Dalrymple Staging Debut Westport; Conn., June 27. Protected by' the biggest sub- scription since Lawrence Langrier started the Country Playhouse here in 1931, Franchot Tone in “The Second Man” rang up a strong $11,100 for the opening stanza last week. Mrs. John Davis Lodge (Francesca Braggiotti), Wife of the GOP gubernatorial candic v \ is chairman of the subscription com- mittee, which accounts tor 80% of capacity some nights in the week. Revival of the S. N. Behrman comedy was wisely directed by Jean Dalrymple in her first effort in handling a stage. Old Guild hit was in excellent shape at opening and looks set for a cleanup b4 the bam circuit. Tone, effortlessly en- gaging in the principal role, is ably matched by Margaret Lindsay of the films. Visitors from Broad- way were most enthusiastic about Miss Dalrymple’s production. Current Road Shows t June 26-July 8) “Death of a Salesman”—Geary, S.F. (26-8). “Getting Married”— Biltmore, L A. (27-8). . “Kiss Me, Kate’’—Shubert, Bost. (26-3). “Lend an Ear”—Great Northern, Chi. (26-8). “Mister Roberts” —• Colonial, Bost. (26-8). . “Oklahoma!” -r- Erlanger, Chi. (26-8). “Rose Marie** — Curran, S^F. (3-8). “South Pacific’* —-Philharmonic Aud., L. A. (26-8). “Two Blind Mice”—Harris, Chi. (26-8)* Business was spotty last week on Broadway. Trade was fairly brisk early in the Week, but sagged at most shows Saturday (24) as the summer pattern of weekend exo- dus began. The few presentations getting patronage from out-of-town visitors Saturday were the estab- lished hits, particularly those with stars. The influx of sailors "from Various warships in port early in the week was felt at certain shows, especially “Mister Roberts.” The total gross for all 19 shows last week was 79.55% of capacity, a decrease of 1.44% from the pre- vious week’s volume, “Madwoman of Chaillot” closed Sunday night (25). after a scheduled two-week stand and “Lost in the Stars” shutters next Saturday night (1). This Week’s only opening is “Peep Show,” preeining tonight (Wed.) at the Winter Garden. Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy) , D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), M (Musical), O (Operetta). Other parenthetic figures refer, respectively, to top price, number of sedts and capacity gross. Price includes 20% amusement tax, hut grosses are net: i.e., exclusive of tax. ■ ■ “Cocktail Party,” Miller (23d wk) (CD-$4.80; 940;. $21,600). Pre- vious week, $20,600; last week, $19,300, “Come Back, Little Sheba,” Booth (19th wk) (D-$4.80; 712; $20,000). Previous week, $13,700; last week, over $12,600. “Death of a Salesman,” Morosco (72d wk) (D-$4.80; 914; $23,800). Previous week, $13,800; last Week, $15,000. “Detective Story,” Hudson (66th Wk) (D-$4.80; 1,016; $23,675). With the Hudson becoming a television studio, the Sidney Kingsley play moves next week to the Broad- hurst; previous week, almost $12,- * 500; last. week, nearly $11,200. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” (29th Wk) (M-$6; 1,628; $48,244) Continues to go clean at all per- formances, but doesn’t sell stand- ing room, topped $48,200 again. “Happy Time,” Plymouth (22d wk) (C-$4.80; 1,063; $29,019). Pre- vious week, $26,500; last week, almost $26,300. “Kiss Me, Kate,” Century (77th wk) (M-$6; 1,645; $46,650). Previous week, $43,100; last week, $44,500. “Lost in the Stars,” Music Box (34th wk) (M-$5.40; 1,012; $26,600). Closes Saturday night (1) and will lay off for a month, reopening Aug. 7 On the Coast, previous week, $17,300; last week over $ 17 , 600 . “Madwoman of Chaillot,” City Center (C-$2.88-$3; 3,025; $42,000). Closed Sunday night (25) after scheduled two-week return date; previous week, $23,900; final week, $23,100. “Member of the Wedding,” Empire (25th wk) <p-$4.80; 1,082; $24,000). Previous week, $22,600; last Week, $20,800. “Mister Roberts,” Alvin (122d wk) (CD-$4.80; 1,360; $34,276). Pre- vious week, $27,400; last week, about $28,700. “Peter Pan,’’ Imperial (9th wk) (M-$4.80; 1,400; $34,500). Previous week, $34,200; last week, $34,100. “South Pacific,” Majestic (63d wk) (M-$6; 1,659; $50,186). As always, everything the house will hold, more than $50,600. “Texas, L’il Daflin’,” Hellinger (31st . wk) (M-$C; 1,543; $42,000). Previous week, $1.9,600; last week, \ about $18,000. • <■ “The Consul,” Barrymore (15th Wk) (M-$4.80-$6; 1,066; $28,200). Previous week, $28,900; last week, $26,700. “Tickets, Please,” Corbnet (9th wk) (R-4.80; 998; $26,600). Previous week, $21,200; last week, about $19,400. “Where’s Charley?” St* James (88th wk) (M-$6;^l s 509; $38,700). Previous week, $35,400; last week, over $36,100. “Wisteria Trees,” Martin Beck (13th wk) (D-$4.80-$6; 1,214; $33,- 000). Previous week, $21,700; last week, $18,700. ■> Stock “Julius Caesar,” Arena (lst wk) ■ (C-$3; 500; $10,600). Opened June I 20 to four favorable notices (Chap- ! man, Coleman, Garland, Pollock), I two mixed (Atkinson, Watts) and one pan (Barnes): first eight per- formances grossed over $8,800, in- cluding' $700 for a paid preview; continues through July 15. Opening This Week “Peep Show/* Winter Garden (R-$7.20; 1,519; $57,000). Michael Todd presentation was financed at $200,000 and cost about $200,000 Clicks at $8, (excluding $24,000 in bonds and deposit^) and can break even at about $30,000; opens tonight (Wed). Future Schedule Festival Theatre (opening bill, ^Parisienne”), July 24; Fulton; “Daphne Lgureola,” Sept. 18< Mu- sic Box; .“Seventeen,” Sept. 21. Broadhurst; “Southern Exposure,” Sept. 26, theatre unspecified; “Black Chiffon,” Sept. 27/ Mans- field; “Season in the Sun,” Sept. 28, theatre unspecified; “Affairs of State,’V Oct. 2, Royale; “Giaconda Smile/’ Oct. 3, Lyceum; ’’Legend of Sarah,” Oct. 11, theatre un- specified; “Curious Savage,”* Oct. 12, theatre unspecified; “Lady’s Not for Burning,” Nov. 6, Royale. Philadepliia, June 27. Philly’s ; 1949-50 legit season fin- ally came to a close Saturday flight (24) when Mike Todd’s “Peep Show” wound up its highly suc- cessful three weeks’ engagement at the Forrest. Third and final week, which was tacked on at a late hour because management realized the show needed more fixing, saw a sound gross of $35,900 achieved. This represented capacity at all per- formances except the two mati- nees. “Peep Show” is definitely not a matinee- attraction, being n.s.g. with the femmes. Unlike last year, prospects all point to an early opening next. fall. In fact, the Forrest is officially set to re-light Aug. .28 with the touring “Mr. Roberts” company which comes in for an extended stay. The next brings “Affairs of State” with Reginald Owen and Celeste Holm to the Locust, and the Shubert is set to open in mid- September with a tryout musical. $t. Louis, June 27. Drawing plaudits frofli the crix, “Rosalie,” the second presentation of the 32nd season of the Munic- ipal Theatre Assn., wound up its one-week 'stand Sunday (25) in the al fresco playhouse in Forest Park with a fine b.o. score. The piece drew 67,000 payees and a gross of approximately $47,000. Roy Atwell, with his mixed-up chatter; Walter Donahue, Doretta Morrow—new faces in the open- air enterprise—along with Helen Raymond, husky-voiced comedi- enne; Dorothy Keller, and Edwin Steffe scored. In support were Robert Dale Martin, Blaine Gard- ner, Evans Thornton, Leonard Elliott and Carolyn Tanner. “East Wind,” a musical pre- sented here three times previously* has been revived for the current attraction and teed off a seven flight run last night (Mond.) before a crowd of 8,800 and an estimated gross of $4,000. Marguerite Piazza* a newcomer here* Brian Sullivan, Buster West, Lucille Page and Mu- riel Bentley, in lead roles, clicked. The eccentric : dance routines of West and Miss Page were sock. ‘Streetcar’ In Subway Circuit Start “Streetcar Named Desire,” start- ing a tour of the subway circuit, grossed a nifty $15,000 last week in nine performances, through Sunday night (25), at the FlatbuSh, Brooklyn. At a $1,80 top through the week and $2.40 Saturday night, that topped the receipts reg- istered by any straight show, so far this season, including Tallulah Bankhead in “Private Lives.” The Tennessee Williams play* with Polly Howies, Richard Kiley* Norma Connolly and Harry Kersey in the leading parts, is playing th« Windsor, Bronx, this week. ‘Salesman’ 22VgG, Frisc0 Sari Francisco*. June 27. “Death Of A Salesman,” with Thomas Mitchell, town’*' sole legit- er, chalked up a fine $22,500 tot its second stanza at the 1,550-seat Geary. Show was Scaled to $3.60*