Variety (June 1952)

60 UCffTIMAfB ?«dAeadaj, Jiihe 25 , “Sing $20,700, ‘Fourposter’ $17,300, ‘Camera’ $14,400, Big 3 Still Solid i Legit attendance . on Broadway last week followed the traditional pattern fox' the season* slipping a bit below the previous stanza. Trade started a bit more slowly than the week before, but varied normal summer conditions by Pek- ing up briskly on the weekend, when the weather was cool and threatening, Several tinder “Capac- ity .di'aws, notably "Top Banana and the closing “Stalag 17, had tui’naway houses Saturday night (21). "Guys and Dolls," “King and I” and “Pal Joey” continue as solid sellouts. The total »rros* for all 15 shows last week was $409,600, or 78% of capacity. Week be- fore last the total for all 15 % % entries was $416,400, or 79 of capacity, a jump of 9 from the preceding week. A year a*o last week the total for all 20 shows was $536,600, or 74%, a drop of 2% from the week before. Last week’s sole closing was "Stalag 17.” Future scheduled closings are “Point of No Return” Saturday (28) and "Mrs. McThing,” July 19, both due to reopen. "Wish You Were Here” opens to- night (Wed.). Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), MC (Musical Comedy), MD (Musi- cal Drama), O (Operetta). Other parenthetic designations refer, respectively, to top price; number of seats, capacity gross and stars. Price includes 20% amuse- ment tax, but grosses are net: i.e., exclusive of tax. "Fourposter,” Barrymore (35th Wk) (C-$4.80; 1,012; $24,996) (Betty Field, Burgess Meredith). Over $17,300 (previous week, $17,600). "Guys and Dolls,” 46th Street (83d wk) (MC-$6.60; 1,319; $43,- 904). Same as ever; $44,400. "I Am a Camera,” Empire (30th wk) (CD-$4.80-$6; 1,082; $24,908). About $14,400 (previous week, $15,- 100 ). "King and I,” St. James (65th wk) (MC-$7.20; 1,571; $51,717) (Ger- trude Lawrence). As usual, over $51,700; (Celeste Holm takes over as star next Tuesday (1) for six weeks, while Miss Lawrence vaca- tions). "Male Animal,” Music Box (8th wk) (C-$4.80; 1,012; $25,903) (El- liot Nugent, Martha Scott, Rob- ert Preston). Nearly $17,900 (previ- ous week, $19,600). "Moon Is Blue,” Miller (68tli wk) (C-$4.80; 920; $21,586) (Don- ald Cook, Barry Nelson, Maggie McNamara)* About $11,600 (prevL oqs week, $12,30Q),. . "Mrs. McThing,” Moi*osco (18th wk) (CD-$4,80; 912; $26,800) (Helen Hayes). Almost $21,800 (previous week, $22,600); shuttering July 19 to play an engagement at Central City, Col., after which it will re- sume its Broadway run. "New Faces,” Royale (6th wk) (R-$6; 1,035; $30,600). Off slightly at the midweek matinee only; $30.- 100 (previous week, $30,800). "Of Thee I Sing” Ziegfeld• (7th wk) (MC-$3.60; 1;628; $31,000) (Jack Carson, Paul Hartman). Nearly $20,700 (previous week, $19,700). * "Paint Your Wagon,” Shubert (32d wk) (MC-$6; 1,361; $41,770) (Eddie Dowling). Over $26,200 (previous week, $27,800). "Pal Joey,” Broadhursl (25 th wk) (MC-$6.60; 1,160; $39,602). Over $40,000 again. "Point of No Return,” Alvin (28th wk) (D-$4.80-$6; 1,331; $37,- 924) (Henry Fonda). Over $23,200 (previous week, $23,500); shutters Saturday (28) for five-week layoff. "South Pacific,” Majestic (166th wk) (MC-$6; 1,659; $50,186) (Mar- tha Wright, George Britton). Near- ly $44,100 (previous week, $44,600). "Stalag 17,” 48th St. (59th wk) (C-$4.80;. 12; $21,547), Almost $13,600 (previous week, $13,600); closed Saturday night (21) after 471 performances (financial de- tails in separate story). "Top Banana,” Winter Garden (34th wk) (CD46.60-$7.20; 1,519; $51,881) (Phil Silvers). Over $32,- 600 (previous week, $33,100). OPENING THIS WEEK "Wish You Were Here,” Impe- rial (MC-$7.20; 1,400; $51,847). Le- land Hatyward & Joshua Logan production of a musical version of Arthur Kober’s 1936-37 hit, “Hawl ing Wonderful Time,” adapted by the author and Logan, with songs by Harold Rome; venture financed at $250,000, production cost about $230,000 (plus about $20,000 in bonds and deposits; operation about broke even on three-and-a- half weeks of paid previews, for a total of about $80,000 gross) and has a break-even’ point of around $30,000 grdss; opens tonight (Wed.). 'Moon' Frisco Legit Operation San Francisco, June 24, Year-round legit operation will be launched at the Fox West Coast United Nations Theatre July 8 by Alcazar Theatre Associates, who will offer “The Moon is Blue” as the initial venture of the booking- producting combine. "Moon” is •slated for a five-week run. Houses wiH resume the name Alcazar which it bore in the days before World War II, when it was a legiter. Reconversion of the 1,* 147-seater now is underway. Randolph Hale, head of ATA, currently is in Hollywood attempt- ing to line up talent for produc- tions which the group will essay. H; already has a commitment with Edward Everett Horton for “Nina.” Dat OF Summer Misery Hits Chi; ‘Guys’ $48,600. ‘BeD’ 14‘^G, “Moon’ Folds 'Italian' $700, Brattle Boston, June 24. “The Italian Strawhat” ended its second week Saturday (21) at the Brattle Theatre with a miserable $700. House, a 454-seater, is scaled at $3 top. "Liliom” bowed in last night (Mon.) for a fortnight. Incidentally the stock spot has been overquoted recently, Strawhat season got underway here last night with “Carmen Jones” bowing in for two-week stint at Boston Summer Theatre, and “Annie Get Your Gun” prying the lid off the South Shore Music Circus, Cohasset, Mass. Plays Abroad Continued from page SB ‘Porgy’ Record $93,042 In Dallas Fortnight Dallas, June 24, "Porgy and Bess,” the Blevins Davis-Robert Breen revival of the George and Ira Gershwin-Du Bose and Dorothy Heyward folk opera, broke all boxoffice records for the* Starlight Operetta series here last week, getting $50,327 for the sec- ond stanza of a fortnight stand at the 4,000-seat State Fair Auditori- um. Added to the unprecedented $42,715 opening week, that gave the‘show a total of $93,042 for the stand. The production opens tomorrow night (Wed.) at the Civic Opera House, Chicago, then plays Pitts- burgh and Washington before going to Berlin and Vienna under State Dept, sponsorship and then to Lon- don for an indefinite run. Members of the Pelican Players Equity company at Panama City Beach, Fla., are William J. Hara- han, Barbara Howe, Marjorie Klbville, Peggy Lippe, Ted Nord- man, Luke Bragg, Ted Gunther and John Aldrich. DE LYS THEATER CORP. ‘ presents Dial yV lor Murder cast bring a sense of realism to the plot. Jane Baxter gives a smooth and satisfying performance as the wife; Eirirys Jones plays the husband with polished conviction, changing his mood from the crafty schemer to the solicitous husband with easy facility. Alan MacNaughton, as the lover, Olaf POoley, cast as the hired murderer, and Andrew Cruickshank, the detective, round out a good compact team. ' Myro. Hamlet Dublin, June 10. Dublin Gate Theatre (Hilton Edwards- Michael MacLiammoir) production of Shakespeare tragedy, staged by Edwards. Settings, Mlcheal O’Hcrlihy. At Opera House, Cork. Hamlet Micheal MacLiammoir Claudius.. Hilton Edwards Ophelia Eithne Dunne Polonlus Christopher Casson Gertrude Coralie Carmichael Horatio Dennis Brennan First Gravedigger Gerard Healy Laertes Patrick Bedford 'SALLY' NICE 37G, ST. L, DESPITE MIXED PRESS ' St. Louis, June 24. Despite mixed reviews, "Sally” wound up its one-week frame Sun- day night (22), at Municipal The- atre Assn’s Alfresco Playhouse in Forest Park with a good b.o. rec- ord, Fine'weather prevailed. Seven performances drew 53,000 payees and a gross of approximately 5 ) $37,000 for the fourth local revival of piece. Jerome Kern’s "Cat and the Fid- dle” started a one-week stand last night (Mon.) to a draw of 7,500 and an estimated gross of $3,000. + _ , Chicago, June 5 , In contrast to the AmerL Medical Assn, convention K previous week the American j£? mture meeting here last week ml * complete dud lor lS with the delegates doing most k) the spending in “strip* All local shows took a dive wiS sultry weather also withering bull ness the early part of the week F nal notice went up on “Moon Is Blue/’ with the comedy due to end a 61-week run' next Satui'dav Osi "Porgy and Bess” opens tomoV row (Wed.) for a run of three-and- a-half weeks at the Chicago Civic Opera House. After that, nothin? more is scheduled until Sent i when “Stalag 17” is pencilled‘for the Erlanger. Estimates for This Week "Bell? Book and Candle,” g e i, wyn (17th wk) ($4.50; 1,000), Still drawing well at over $14,500. "Guys and Dolls,” Shubert (17th wk) ($6; 2,100). Has eased lately but still plenty potent at nearly $48,600. "Moon Is Blue,” Harris (60th wk) ($4.40; 1,000). Closes this week after a bonanza run;- has withered lately, with a meagre $7,400 last week. v by JOHN HUSTON music by IRWIN A. BEZELON cliorcograpli.T by VQNN HAMILTON miMlcal illroeilmi by ED SAFRANSKI THEATER de LYS 121 Christopher St., N. Y. 14, N. Y. Call: WAtkini 4-B7»2 Sept. 29-Oct. 25, 1952 Admission by membership only MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE NOW! Invited by the Danish govern- ment to present “Hamlet” in the courtyard of Kronberg Castle at the annual Elsinoi'e Festival, June 12, for 12 performances, Dublin Gate Theatre is trying it out here and in Limerick before the Denmark date. Production is fiven a rapid pace in a simplified setting of two side screens, with a platform be- tween, and steps beside and before the platform. Despite this economy and speed, every scene is clearly registered by players who react well to pace which director Hilton Edwards gives the piece. Edwards himself plays a gx’oss, vir- tue-lacking Claudius, while co-pro- ducer Micheal MacLiammoir’s Ham- [' let is in the classical tradition, with the, actor making it clear that he W,as distraught but not mad. It’s one Of the finest performances he has given in the role. It’s matched by rriost of the other players skedded for the Denmark tifp, particularly by Eithne Dunne, whose graceful Ophelia, without props or trim- mings, carx'ies the tragedy of her pai’t to its fullest point. Stage groupings and closing of play on “Good-night, sweet prince,” line are most effective, with audi- ences chilled to silence by the playing. This is unusual for Cork, whei'e “Hamlet” has never before been moi'e than a split-week pres- entation. SRO notices went up each night. Mac. 3 Openings Perk L, A.; ‘Norway' $53,200 Finale Los Angeles, June 24. Legit biz pei’ks here this week with three new shows arriving in the biggest splurge of activity in some time. One, “Christopher Cor lumbus Brown,” all-Negro musical fantasy which opens tomorrow (Wed.) is a premiere. Others are “Call Me Madam,” which bowed into the Philharmonic Auditorium last night (Mon.) as the second show on the Civic Light Opera season, and “Stalag 17,” due at the Biltmore Thursday (26). Civic's initial musical offering, “Song of Norway,” wound Satur- day (21) with a close-to-capacity $53,200 for the final frame, giving it a hot $207,600 for the four weeks. Over 60% of the take was on subscx'iption. Show goes to $an Francisco and then takes to the road for a brief tour. London ‘SP’ Grosses 840G in 32 Weeks; St. John Out London, June 24.- “South Pacific,” riding along to mop-up business at the Drury Lane, has piled up a gross of over $840,000 for its 32 weeks through June 14. It shows no sign of taper- ing off. Betta St. John, who leaves the cast this week because of the re- fusal of the Labor Ministry to re- new her working permit, will be succeeded by Chin Yu, a British subject who understudied her in the oi'iglnal Broadway company. Miss Yu signed for the run of the musical here, plus eight weeks on tour.' Archie Savage is also leaving the cast and his part is being written out. Other U. S. members of the show are expected to be allowed to remain. Application for renewal of their permits has been made, and the management expects no hitch. It had previously been feared that, .except for Mary Mar- tin, the star/permits for the others would not be renewed, and the show might be forced to close. ‘Pacific’ Hefty $38,200 In Repeat Week, Omaha Omaha, June 24. “South Pacific” played a potent repeat stand at the 2,800-seat Para- mount hei'e last week, grossing nearly $38,200 for eight perform- ances. Opening night came directly on the heels of the hottest June weather on l'ecord. ‘.Temperatures topping 100 degrees daily for a week had people in anything but a theati'e mood. Opening night was played to a little over 1,700 people. But starting the next night the weather chilled and ti'ade zoomed thereafter. Top was $4.40. 'Blondes’ $41,800, Wash. Washington, June 24. ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” wound up a three-week stand at the National Theatre Satux’day night (21) with a strong $41,800 for the finale. Take built during each week of the stay. National is dax’k until late July. They Liked ‘Madam,’ K.C.; $32,600 Gross in 7 Perfs Kansas City, June 24. Five-day engagement of "Call Me Madam” in the Fox-Midwest Orpheum Theatre was sock all the way, to Wind Up last Friday (20) with over $32,600 gross. Five nights were virtual sellouts, while Wednesday and Thui'sday matinees had heavy play. Top was $4.88 for nights and $4.27 for matinees. Musical is the only legit ■ the town has had in many weeks, with nothing upcoming. The 1,900-seat house went - dark following this date, likely to remain so until fall. FAIRFAX BURGHER "The Secretary ef State" in "CALL ME MADAM" Philharmonic Auditorium, Los Anjelei ASCAP Writer wants pro- ducer for unusual, inoxpon* sivo, "dark Kors*" play* CflH Col. 5-7750 Ext. 1203. Barter’s ‘Kilgo’ Preem Abingdon, Vt;, June 24. Bartei'^ Theatre here will present a premiei’e next Monday night (30) in Arnold Sundgaard’s “The j Kilgo Run.” Richard Carlyle and ^ Brooke Fleming will play the I leads. i Comedy, staged by the author, 1 will run a week. , Pocono Playhouse, Mountain- | home, Pa., under management of Rowena Stevens, was selected by the Voice of America for a broad- cast on conti'ibution of strawhats to smaller communities. Tape i'e- cordings wei'e made last week. SIBYL BOW AN ST. LOUIS MUNICIPAL OPERA St. Louis, Mo. JOB OPPORTUNITY II ,, „ Richmond, California, rapidly expanding, preprestive eemmunlty ef 100,000, } #c , a * in ,, San Francises Ray Area, seeks top-netch manater with plenty ef “knew-how" and "iiai , tlon te eperate meet beautlful and functlenal auditorium In the West. An all-purisosn terlum with a eeatinp capacity ef 3,800, facilities we prevlded te serve a wide varies oultura! and reereatlenal uses. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Five years* experience In puhlti relatlens »f pronmlio" Werk In the entertainment field, »r three years e/% an. Assistant Auditorium Manajcr. SALARY: Open—Minimum $500 per mjnth, APPLY: Roem 328, City Hall, RUhmend. Callfernln, Mfere iuly II, 1*52. . -