Variety (December 1952)

ffic<lnes<lay» December 10» 1952 lEOITOIATB 65 Chi B.O. Belies Pre-Christmas Lull ‘Banana , ‘Country’ Chicago, Dec. 9. - Pre.Chrlstmas lull hasn't really we the Chicago boxoffice. In fact, flL current shows are hitting new S s -Top Banana" is touch better tiff week than the opening stand tal f ‘‘Cigi" in Its fifth- week, was »ld Wednesday (3). by the maUnee and night Chicago and wanston Drama League parties. ‘Stalag 17" is just on the right side of the-ledger, in its 15th week. •‘Country Girl” in its first week has the Theatre Guild subscription help. Estimates for Last Week “Country Girl," Blackstone (1st wk) ($4.20; 1,535) (Robert Young, Dane Clark, Nancy Kelly). Promis- ing $20,600 for first week on sub- scription. “GigiHarris (5th wk) ($4.40; 1 000) (Audrey Hepburn). Lush $20,900 with SRO Wednesday matinee and evening. "Stalag 17/* Erlanger (15th wk) ($4.40; 1,334). Holding fairly well with $14,300. “Top Banana," Great Northern (2d wk) ($6; 1,500) .(Phil Silvers), passable $36,500 for this musical. ‘SHRIKE’ $22,600, PITT; ‘JUAN’ $24,600 IN SPLIT Pittsburgh, Dec. 9. Word-of-mouth, on top of unani- mously good notices, sent Van Hef- lin in "The Shrike" to SRO down the stretch at the Nixon last week and enabled the Pulitzer Prize drama to leave town with nearly $22,600. More than half of that came on the final three perform- ances, with both shows on Satur- day (6) virtually going clean. At the same time, Bernard Shaw’s “Don Juan in Hell," play- ing 3,800-seat Syria Mosque, did $18,500 for four performances. Show had been here a year before but only for one night, and with Charles Laughton instead of Vin- cent Price. Take of $3,200 for a Friday night (5) performance at the Stambaugh Auditorium, Youngstown, and $2,- 900 more for a single stanza Sat- urday night (6) at the Memorial Auditorium, Canton, brought the week’s gross for the four-star Shaw bill to $24,600. ‘Okla.’ $31,600 for Nine In Pacific Coast Trek , , Portland, Ore., Dec. 9. Oklahoma" scored a $9,900 gross Saturday night (6) at the Civic Auditorium as the start of a four-performance stand through last night (Mon.). The 3,400-seat house was scaled at $4.20. ° r , the early part of last week, Oklahoma” drew $7,500 in two performances Sunday (30) at the Metropolitan, Seattle; got $6,500 In three more shows Monday-Tues- da y 0-2) at the Capitol, Yakima, and added $7,700 in another two Wednesday-Thursday (3-4) at the Temple, Tacoma (the show spent r riday en route here). That gave Jf a total of $31,600 for the nine- performance week. ‘Paris ’90’ $10,900 for 7 In Four-Stand Split •<n , • ,«„ Kansas City, Dec. 9. in +? all J 90 '”. in a four-day stand in the Fox Midwest Orpheum here ift waek * Thursday-Saturday (4-6) grossed $5,000 in four perform- S ’m ncludin 8 a Saturday mat- inee. Top was $3.66. noii irS rw art of the week the Cor- fnn a 0tls Skinner solo drew $2,- nt opO'Oighter Monday (1) lahnn? Municipal Auditorium, Ok- nmS™ a Clty; $M00 for a single thp °£ ma nce Tuesday night (2) at 5?® Arcadia, Wichita, and $2,000 nieht a ?<?f hl e p one-shot Wednesday toriinr. 3 rr at t ! le Hi Sh School Audi- Tllat 2 ave her a formance string/ 01 the Seven ' per " Ozarks’ $7,300, Cleve. n ew 0 span^ en * e ^3™®®^ < ^ 1 * > ^ I ^' on ihe hi,P er c ? tlc s ^ circus-sheet- OzarkJ» ? r -°i u ® tion of "Maid in in g itc’ TT wl tb Bert Wheeler, dur- town + stand in his home “ brutaiivlf las £ weeki Show was a poor 7 onn* and came up witb fiQoes ^ ,30 ° in eight perform- Uns week, ^nna reopened Shrike " Wlth Van Heflin in “The Ballet Theatre $38,300 As Boston Week’s Loner Boston, Dec. 9. Legit was at a complete stand- still here last week with all down- town houses dark. Next entry sked- ded is - Paul Gregory’s "John Brown’s Body," set for a single performance Dec. 17 at the RKO- Boston. "Paint Your Wagon" is set for a two-weeker at the Shubert starting Dec. 22, while Rex Harri- son and Lilli Palmer unveil the new comedy, "The Love of Four Colonels," Christmas night. Ballet Theatre, at the Opera House, at a $4.80 top, pulled a satisfactory $38,300 for a week’s stand. It’s playing splits this week. ‘PACIFIC’ SOCK $67,500 FOR LITTLE ROCK WEEK Little Rock, Dec. 9. This home town of Nellie For- bush, the show’s heroine, turned out virtually to the last resident last .week for "South’Pacific." With the loc§l citizenry rocking the house nightly as costars Janet Blair and Webb Tilton got off the joke about "Small Rock," the Rod- gers-Hammerstein musical grossed over $67,500 for the eight-perform- ance stand at the 3,000-seat Robin- son Memorial Auditorium. The town is rarely good for more than a one-night stand for most shows. Bard Gets Record $9,400 In Three Hartford Shows Hartford, Dec. 9. Two-day, three-p erformance showing of "An Evening With Will Shakespeare" set a new record for the New Parsons here Friday and Saturday (5-6). Gross of better than $9,400 was realized. A terrific downpour opening night kept the receipts down. However, house played to better than normal matinee the following day. Prices were advanced from the usual $4.20 to $4.80, with the tax depart- ment declaring the event tax-free Actors, including several top flight names, worked for minimums plus expenses. House was donated for the event, which was to raise funds for the proposed Nutmeg state Shakespeare Festival & Aca- demy. Latteb has no* site as yet but will be located sqmewhere in Fair- field County, Conn. Expected that the Shakespeare project will receive at least half of the take, and perhaps more. Lawrence Langner skippered the showing. Lawrence Farrell was company manager; Reginald Den- enholz, press representative, and Thelma Chandler stage manager. Presentation received an excel- lent advance and followup press here. ‘Return’ OK $28,900 D.C.; ‘Wagon’ 25G in 2d Week Washington, Dec. 9. First week of "Point of No Re- turn” chalked up a fine $28,900 at the National Theatre here, and on the basis of advance’ sales, the current week should do well over $30,000. Performance of Henry Fonda and remainder of the cast got a fine reception in the local press which was, however, luke- warm about the opus. At the Shubert "Paint Your Wagon" played its second $25,000 week. Last night (Mon.) the Char- tock Gilbert & Sullivan troupe moved into the Shubert for a two- week stand. Early sale on this has been only mild. ‘Intruder 5G in 4, ‘Grey’ SG ( 1 ), Philly Philadelphia, Dec. 9. Stage business continues in December doldrums, with, three new attractions all failing to click. Of the newcomers, "Grey-Eyed People" looked best, but still far from good. "Bagels and Yox’’ died on return at the Shubert. % Shubert brought in ‘‘Paint Your Wagon” last night (Mon.) with ad- vance sale promising an okay two- week . stand. Heavy mail order sale is already over $60,000 for "Call Me Madam," which starts a four-week run at the Forrest Monday night (15). Estimates for Last Week "Summer and Smoke," Academy Foyer (3d wk) (350; $3.25). "The Intruder," Locust (1st wk) (1,580; $3.90) (Eddie Dowling, Mar- garet O'Brien). Got off to late start due to illness, and cast change. Drew three poor notices. Week $r,000 for four performances. "Bagels and Yox," Shubert (1st wk) (1,870; $3.90). Yiddish-Ameri- can revue, only show to play full week, rated dismal $6,000. "The Grey-Eyed People,” Wal- nut (1st wk) (1,340; $4.90). Com- edy got mixed critical reception,’ 1 one good notice and two so-so; but lack of names hurt boxoffice pull. Dull $8,000 for seven perform- ances,) plus cutrate preview. ‘Bell, Book’ Gets by With . $13,300 in Milwaukee Milwaukee, Dec. 9. The touring edition of "Bell, Book and Candle,” with Joan Ben- nett and Zachary Scott costarred, just about got by last week with a $13,300 gross at the 1,500-seat Davidson here. The John van Druten comedy started slowly, but picked up the last two days for about an even break on the stanza. B’way Spotty, Little Slump So Far; ‘Ginger’ 18G (or First Full Week, ‘Sixpence’ $15,900 (7), ‘Jaguar’ Flops Broadway reacted relatively mild- ly last week at the start of the tra- ditional pre-Christmas slump. In general, attendance fell off only a moderate amount, with no severe drops, and for three of the hits the week’s gross actually went up. Four shows went clean at all per- formances; "Dial ‘M’ for Murder," "Evening with Beatrice Lillie," ‘‘Millionairess’’ and ‘Seven Year Itch." Of the week's openings, "I’ve Got Sixpence” drew a generally unfavorable press and made a mild b.o. start, while "See the Jaguar” got a panning and folded Saturday night (6). "Two’s Company," the Bette Davis revue, cancelled its scheduled Thursday preem be- cause of the star's illness, and will premiere later. The French repertory company headed by Madeleine Renaud and Jean-Louis Barrault will close a limited engagement Dec. 20 and "Mrs. McThing" ends a long run Jan. 10, to tour. No other closings are announced. Business for the current week is expected to feel the season decline more severely than last week, thus repeating the pattern of last year, when the traditional slump really took effect the final fortnight be- fore Christmas. On that basis, grosses next week will sag even lower than the current stanza. Re- will pinch-hit starting next week for Miss ’Scott, with a stand-in to be selected for Preston. "Millionairess,” Shubert (8th wk) (C-$6-$4.80; 1,361; $39,000) (Kath- arine Hepburn). Almost $39,500 (previous week, straight play house record at $40,047); closing Dec. 27. "Moon Is Blue,” Miller (92d wk) (C-$4.80; $21,586) (Donald Cook, Barry Nelson, Janet Riley). Nearly $10,600 (previous week, $13,300), "Mrs. McThing,” 48th St. (35th wk) (C-$4.80; 925; $22,927) (Helen* Hayes). Almost $17,300 (previous week, $19,400); closing Jan. 10, to tour. "My Darlin' Aida,” Winter Gar- den (6th wk) (0-$7.20-$6.60; 1,- 519; $51,881). Almost $36,000 (previous week, $37,000). "New Faces,” Royale (30th wk) (R-$6; 1,035; $30,600). Over $27,- 200 (previous week, $27,600), “Pal Joey,” Broadhursb (49th wk) (MC-$6.60; 1,160; $39,602) (Vi- vienne Segal, Harold Lang). Nearly $34,900. Previous week, $35,700. "See the Jaguar,” Cort (1st wk) <D-$6-$4.80; 1,056; $27,700) (Ar- thur Kennedy). Opened Wednes- day night (3) to unanimous pans; drew $7,000 for first five perform- ances, plus one preview; closed Saturday night (6) after five per- formances, at a loss of around $80,000. ceipts were reportedly off for most i chmxrc Mnnrlav niaht (R). hilt the ‘ i.^3, 523,228). Over Chartock G&S Slow $12,000 in Balto Run Baltimore, Dec. 9. They didn't get too excited about S. M. Chartock’s Gilbert & Sulli- van troupe at Ford’s here last week. In spite of rave reviews by local crix and extra-curricular pub- licity help from the daily press. Managed to inch out a $12,000 figure. There's nothing current, with Edwin Bronner’s "The Intruder," starring Eddie Dowling and Mar- garet O’Brien, set for Dec. 15. ‘Colony’$110,500 in ’52 Greensboro, N. C., Dec. 9. "The Lost Colony," North Caro- lina outdoor drama, took in $110,- 500 during the 1952 season and made a profit of $3,625, according to figures just released by the state auditor’s office. Show has state sponsorship. Total income of the pageant ran $7,360 ahead of 1951, but the profit was $263 behind. The net profit, report said, does not include a depreciation charge for the use of the amphitheatre and the associa- tion’s other buildings. When these items are deducted, the slim profit becomes a deficit, it was pointed out. Maude Franchot, who last sum- mer operated the Niagara Falls Summer Theatre at Niagara Falls, Ontario, for a 10-week season, has skedded another 10-week season next summer. ‘Madam’ 371G, Toronto Toronto, Dec, 9. On its only Canadian date, "Call Me Madam," With Elaine Stritch and Kent Smith, grossed a smash $37,500 here. Royal Alexandra, 1,525-Seater, was scaled at a heavy $5 top. All nights were advance sellouts, but Xmas shopping dented mati- nees, though Saturday afternoon was big. ‘Man’ $11,700, Frisco San Francisco, Dec. 9. "I Am A Camera," with Julie Harris, opened last night (Mon.) at the Curran. "Strike a Match," with Eva Gabor, Pat O’Brien and Richard Egan, follows "The Sec- ond Man" into the Alcazar tonight In its second week, "Second Man," with Franchot Tone, Irene Manning and Betsy von Fursten- berg, did a fair $11,700; previous week, $11,400. lambkin Les Kramer recalls soma Lambs Tales a bright byline piece in the upcoming 47th Anniversary Number of P^fUETY shows Monday night (8), but the recent increase in advance buying is continuing. Estimates for Last Week Keys : C (Comedy), P Drama), CD (Comedy‘Drama), ft MC (Musical Comedy), &D • Musi- cal Drama), O (Operetu -L Other parenthetic designations refer, respectively, to fop prices? number of seats, capacity press and stars. Price includes 20 r .b amuse- ment tax, but grosses are net: i.e., exclusive of tax. "Bernardine," Playhouse (8th wk) (S-$4.80; 999; $21,500). Nearly $14,300 (previous week, $16,000). "Deep Blue Sea,” Morosco (5th wk) (D-$6-$4.80; 912; $26,000) (Margaret Sullavan). Over $25,700 (previous week, $26,000). “Dial for Murder,” Plymouth (6th wk) (D-$4.80; 1,063; $30,495) (Maurice Evans). Over $30,200, with party commissions limiting the gross (previous week, $30,600). "Evening With Beatrice Lillie,” Booth (10th wk) (R-$6; 900; $24,- 184) (Beatrice Lillie, Reginald Gardiner). Nearly $24,600 (pre- vious week, over $24,500); has been underquoted recently. "Fourposter,” Golden (59th wk) (C-$4.80; 769; $19,195) (Betty Field, Burgess Meredith). First week at this theatre, almost $13,- 000 ^previous week, $15,300 at the 1,060-seat Barrymore); lays off next week, with Sylvia Sidney and Romney Brent due to take over as stars when it resumes Dec. 22. French Repertory, Ziegfeld (4th wk) (C-$4.80; 1,628; $38,750) (Madeleine. Renaud, Jean-Louis Barrault). Last week’s "Hamlet” drew nearly $28,000 (previous week’s split between "Occupe-toi d’Amelie" and "La Repetition, ou L'Amour Puni” got $36,700); cur- rent week, dual-bill of "Baptiste and "Fausses Confidences"; closing Dec. 20^ „ Greek National Theatre, Hellin- ger (3d wk) (D-$4.80; 1,507;. $40,- 113) (Alexis Minotls, Katina Paxi- nou). . Holdover split between "Oedipus Tyrannus" and "Electra" drew almost $20,200 (previous week, "Oedipus Tyrannus” got $32,700); closed Sunday night (7) after 22 performances. "Guys and Dolls,” 46th St. (107th wk) (MC-$6.60; 1,319; $43,- 904). Reached $42,200 again. "I’ve Got Sixpence,” Barrymore (1st wk) (CD-$6-$4.80; 1,060; $28,- 000) (Edmond O’Brien, Viveca Lindfors). Opened Tuesday night (2) to one favorable notice (Mc- Clain, Journal-American) and four pans • (Atkinson, Times; Chapman, News; Kerr, Herald Tribune; Watt, Post), with one no-opinion (Haw- kins, World-Telegram & Sun) and one yes-and-no (Mortimer, Mir- ror—hated it but called it a hit); grossed $15,900 for the first seven performances and one preview. "King and I,” St. James (89th wk) (MC-$7.20; 1,571; $51,717) (Yul Brynner). Nearly $51,100 (previous week, $47,900), "Male Animal,” Music Box (32d wk) (C-$4.80; 1,012; $25,903) (Elli- ott Nugent, Martha Scott, Robert Preston). Just topped $15,500 (previous week, $17,300); Buddy Ebson will sub as male lead, be- ginning Dec. 21, -while Nugent takes time off, and Nancy Coleman 0 a week, $23.6001. S&itfstie 0.90th L659; $50,186) •Jettrge Kritton). •vious week, $38,- $23,4(H "Sow** wk) c„ . < Martha Over $30 000 ). "Til**? c~. Cuckoo,” Empire •8th ^-$4.80 : . L.082; $25.- 05$) Booth) Wer $24,300 v.eefc, $23,900).. “Time Out for Ginger,” Lyceum (1st wk) (C-$4.80; 995; $22,845) iMelvyn Douglas). First full week, nearly $18,000 (previous. week, drew $15,900 for first six perform- ances and one preview). "Wish You Were Here,”* Im- perial (24th wk) (MC-$7.20; 1,400; $52,080). Almost $51,800 (previous week, $50,100). OPENING THIS. WEEK "Whistler's Grandmother,” Pres- ident (C-$3.60; 300; $7,000) (Jose- phine Hull). Anthony Parella pro- duction of play by Robert Finch; opens tomorrow night (Thurs.). ‘State’ $12,900, LA.; ‘Camera’ $27JO Los Angeles, Dec. 9 . "I Am a Camera" hit the best gross of its road tour last week, racking up $27,200 for its second and final frame at the Biltmore. Tally gave the show a two week total of $48,300. House is dark now pending the arrival of Cor- nelia Otis Skinner Christmas night. Elsewhere in jtown, however, th# standard legiters' began to en- counter Yule shopping competi- tion, but the Dancers of Bali, in for a split session of eight pei> formances, chalked up near ca- pacity business. Estimates for Last Week "Affairs of State,” Carthay Cir- cle (9th wk) (1,518; $2,40). Down to $12,900, but will keep going at least until New Year’s. Dancers of Bali, Philharmonic Aud (1st wk) (2,670; $4.80). Just about capacity $45,100 for eight performances. Grossed another $7,100 and $7,800. in one-nighj; stands at Pasadena and San Diego resnertivplv "I Am a Camera,” Biltmore (2d wk) (1,636; $4.20). Jumped to an unexpected $27,200 for the second and final frame. Fortnight's total of $48,300 represents an operating profit of around $16,000. "Philadelphia Story,” Las Palmas (1st wk) (400; $2.40.) Revival drew a pallid *$500 for its first two nights (opened Friday) and n.s.g. notices won’t help, In for two full weeks, its prospects are dim. ‘Robert** 17G, Winnipeg Winnipeg, Dec. 9. _ "Mister Roberts" pulled a snap- py $17,200 for seven performances last week at the Playhouse here. . Because the house had a previ- ous non-legit booking for Tuesday (2), the Thomas Heggem-Joshua Logan hit had to lay off that night.