Variety (January 1953)

Wednesday, January 28, 1953 PfiswEi r Rosy Hue Colors Legit B.O. in Chi; ‘Madam’ $32,900(7), Banana’ $31,500 ■Wilt Chicago, Jan. 27. Legit picture is taking on a rosy liue. "Call Me Madam’’ opened last week to fine notices. "Top Banana" also got brisk window trade from Home , Builders & Houseware convention delegates. “Constant Wife’* and "Gigi" ended strongly. . Chicago is getting more show’s this and next week than it has had within memory. "Dial M for Mur- der" opened Sunday (25) at the Harris with a' heavy advance; as did "Point of No Return” at the Erlanger last night (Mon.). Estimates for Last Week “Call Me Madam," Shubert (1st wk) ($5; 2,100) (Strich-Smith). Ex- cellent reviews helped this one to splendid $32,900 for first seven performances. Guild is also aiding. “Constant Wife,”. Selwyn (5th . wk) ($4.40; 1,000) (Katharine Cor- nell, Robert Flemyng, John Emery). Closed Saturday (24) with smash $24,900. “Gigi,” Harris (12th wk) ($4.40; 1,000) (Audrey Hepburn). Also shuttered Saturday with nifty $19,- 300 .. “Top Banana,” Great Northern (8th wk) ($6; 1,500). .(Phil Silvers). Conventioneers gave this a nice play for $31,500. ‘GUYS’ S0CK0 $42,800 IN SECOND PITT WEEK Pittsburgh, Jan. 27. Second week of “Guys and Dolls" at the Nixon went to $42,- 800, topping the first by nearly $5,000, and on basis of advance sale, j,t looks as if .the musical will hover around the same figure for the remaining^ two stanzas. Show got * healthy local publicity break when Sam Schwartz, a Pittsburgh boy, came on from New York to replace Julie Oshins in the role of Nathan Detroit after the latter took over for Sam Levene in the Broadway company. “Guys" stays through Feb. 7, and will be followed by "I Am a Camera,” "Country Girl” and Jose Greco. ‘Country Girl’ Fair $15,000 Columbus, Indpls. Split Columbus, Jan. 27. "The Country Girl” came through with a "not-so-hot" $8,000 in four showings last week at the Hartman here. Due in for four performances Feb. 19 is Julie Harris in "I Am A Camera.” 7G In Three, Indpls. Indianapolis, Jan. 27. "Country Girl" was clipped by inauguration fever in a three day stand at Murat here Jan. 19-21, grossing only $7,000 at $4 top de- spite good reviews all around. Many of the theatre’s regular cus- tomers were in Washington, and others stayed glued to TV. House now is marking time until "I Am a Camera," Feb. 16-18, next booking. ‘Stalag’ Good $20,200 ‘Dial’ $16,500, Detroit Detroit, Jan. 27. • "Stalag 17” grossed a very good $20,200 in its second week at the Shubert. Theatre now goes dark with nothing scheduled for the 2,- 050-seater until Feb. 16, when "Guys and Dolls" makes a repeat appearance here. “Dial ‘M’ for Murder" did $16,- 500 at the Cass. Current is "Coun- try Girl," starring Sidney Black- mer, Dane Clark, and Nancy Kelly. It’s booked for a fortnight. ‘Camera’ 26G, Mpls. Minneapolis, Jan. 27* "I Am a Camera,” at $3.60 top in the 1,859-seat'Lyceum, enjoyed one of its tour’s very best weeks, grabbing a stout $26,000 for eight shows through Sunday (25). Even the Wednesday matinee was hefty. Current is another Guild sub- scription show, "The*Shrike,” starv- ing Van Heflin, and scaled at $4,20 top, > • ^ ‘SP’ $59*700 in Split Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Jan. 27. South Pacific!’ continued its cleanup last we£k, putting together a total gx’oss of over $59,700 for an eight-performance split of two stands. Musical drfeW: $38>500 in four, performances the first half at the Auditorium,. Daytona Beach, -and added $21,200 ; the second half at the Auditorium here. . •» : •Rodgers-Hammerstein smash is at Miami Beach all this .week. Fonda ‘Return’ in Cincy Season High With $29,100 • Cincinnati, Jan. 27. Henry Fonda in "Point of No Return" set a seasomhigh gross for a play here with a smash $29,100 last week in the 2,500-seat Taft Theatre. Top was $4.92. Fonda registered a similar record at the same house two years ago in "Mis- ter Roberts." Cincy’s next road show will be "Good Nite Ladies,” opening a three-week engagement Feb. 1 in the 1,300-seat Cox Theatre at $4.31 top. ! ' Stage, Inc., local cjivic theatre group, tenants the Cox the last half of this week for four per- formances' of No!rman Krasna’s "Small Miracle" at $2.75 top. It is the third play of the season for the group directed by Paul Fielding. ’ ^ r* ‘Oklahoma’ $22,200in LA.; ‘Affairs’ Winds 17-Week Run With Fine $15,100 Los Angeles, Jan. 27. Henry Duffy launched his sec- ond production Sunday (25), less than 24 hours after winding up the 17-week run of "Affairs of State" that marked his return to local le- git after a long absence. Despite costs of a hefty promotional cam- paign and excessive advertising during the early part of the . run, to reawaken a consciousness of le- git with the local populace, Duffy came out on the black side of the ledger with the show, and unusual feat for a local production, - "State" grossed $222,100 in its 1,7- weeks at the 1,518-seat Carthay Circle, ending with a fine $15,100 for the final frame. Take repre- sented a production • profit of around $7,500.- - ' Town’s only other incumbent last' frame was "Oklahoma,” which’ pulled through the* first of three frames with^22,200-in the till. Fig- ure is right around the break-even point and the gross for the cur- rent session Should be^much bet- ter—very good..for a show which has been here three times before for an aggregate gross Of close** to $600,000. RUSSELL-LESS‘TOWN’ 33G FOR 7, NEW HAVEN New Haven, Jan. 27. Breakin of "Wonderful Town” at the Shubert last week (19-24), was virtual SRO, despite absence of Rosalind Russell from the cast for six of the seven performances. Cancellation of Tuesday’s show, due to star’s illness, set the over- all take back approximately $5,500 but balance of run, at $5.40 top, pulled a handsome'$33,000. Two attractions this week split the time, Jose Greco Spanish Bal- let (26-28) and "Bell, Book and Candle" (Joan Bennett, Zachary Scott) (29-31). "Touchstone," unable to get a Broadway house following its Philly preem, made a fast book- ing here for Feb. 4-7. Following week gets a full session of "Mag- gie" (Feb. 9-14). ‘Picnic’ $14,500, St. Loo; ‘Run’ Spurts to $9,000 St. Louis, Jan. 27. William Inge’s "Picnic,” with blessings from local crix, closed a good one-week frame at the Amer- ican Saturday (24). Eight perform- ances, wit|i house scaled to $3.66, grossed approximately $14,500. “Josephine," authorized by Sally Benson, former native, opened at the American last night (Mon.), with a $3.66 top. "See How They Run,’! with Sally Forrest and Jeffrey Lvnn in top roles, wound. up an eight-per- formance stand at the Ansell Bros. Empress Sunday (25) with gross of $9,000, at $2.50. top. Biz, .though good, was hampered ‘ by \teek of bad weather. "Tobacco Road,” with John Carradine,. tees gff a week’s stand at the Empress to- night (Tues.). ‘Degree’ 4{G, Mo ^ Baltimore, Jan. 27. Don Swann’s Hilltop Theatre-in- the-round at the Sheraton Belve- dere Hotel here tried a new play last week'in "The Fourth Degree," a mystery drama by Jane Hinton, with Haila Stoddard and Chester Morris in the leads, and ran Into mild reception from local crix and customers as well. It grossed an estimated $4,500, and made clear to. Harald Bromley, who is aiming at Broadway, that there is much to be done with his property. "On Approval," starring Arthur Treacher and Paula Laurence, is current, against "The Fourposter" at Ford’s with Jessica Tandy <and Hume Cronyn in the leads. laggie’ $23,000, ‘Hazel’ 30G, PhiDy . , Philadelphia, Jan. 27. Legit business picked up last week, with trade kept home by car strike catching up with shows. Boxoffice was brightest at the Shubert, where "Hazel Flagg" topped its first week substantially. "Touchstone,” new drama which preemed (22) at the Locust, got good notices but - little ’ play at turnstile. - Estimates for Last Week “Maggie,” Forrest (lst wk) (1,- 760; $5.20) (Betty Paul-Keith Andes-Irene Bordoni). Musical re- write of "What Every Woman Knows" drew lukewarm press and public reception about same. Mild $23,000. “Touchstone,” Locust (1st wk) (1,580; $3.90) . (Ian Keith-Paul'Mc- Grath). New play by William Stucky drew reviewers’ praise, but lack of marquee strength hurt. About $3,000 for four perform- ances, Play opened Thursday (22). . “Hazel Flagg,” Shubert (2d wk) (1,870; *. $5,20) (Helen. Gallagher- Thomas Mitchell-Jphn . Howard- Benay Venuta). Although far. from sock, new musical upped score in second stanza, tallying okay $30,- 000 . “Mister Roberts,” Walnut (2d wk) <1,340; $3.90) (Tod Andrews). War play still packing plenty drive. With - no- transit problems to buck, comedy drew solid $20,- 400. GRECO CUCKO $63,350 FOR N.Y. FORTNIGHT Jose Greco Spanish Ballet wound up a two-week stay at the Century, N. Y.. Saturday (24), with a boff $63,350 for the fortnight. First week’s gross was $27,000; second week’s, $36,350. Saturday night’s closer was SRO, for a house record of $5,637 at the $4.80 scale. Take was hypoed by fact that capacity has been upped with addition of 45 chairs put in for the incoming "John Brown’s Body,” with the Greco troupe the gainer thereby. ‘Poster’ Hits Biggest Take With $32,300 Week in D.C. Washington, Jan. 27. Washington, last week handed the road company of “Fourposter” (with the original Jessica Tandy- Hume Cronyn cast) the biggest boxoffice week the play has yet had—either on Broadway or the road. Interesting gimmick is tljat the play was facing opposition from the film .version, "Four Poster,” which is having an ex- tended run here. The play, scaled to a $4.20 top, grossed a boff. $32,300 for its sec- ond week here, slightly above the previous record, which had been made in L.A. Credit for the record cannot be entirely attributed to the inaugural week crowds who packed Washing- ton, although they probably helped. For “Josephine,” playing a second week at the Shubert Theatre, took in only $15,500, a little better than its initial stanza. Equity Show (Jan?- 26-Feb. 7)' "Ah* .Wilderness" Lenox Hill Playhouse, N. Y. (28-1); De Witt Clinton H. S., Bronx (6-7). ‘Bell’ 19|Gjn 3 Stops Providence, Jan. 27. “Bell, Book and Candle," with Joan Bennett- and Zachary Scott costarred, grossed a nice $19,500 last week in eight performances over three stands. John van Druten comedy drew $10,500 In four per- formances Monday-^Wednesday (19- 21) at the Court Square, Spring- ' field; added $2,800 on a one-nighler ' Thursday (22) at the Auditorium, Worcester, and got $6,200 in three, performances Friday-Saturday, (23- 24) at the Metropolitan here. Shepard Traube production is splitting this week- between Hart- ford. and New Haven. j . LEGITIMATE 59 b way vii, vespite 4-rreem riurry; (ft •! 1 JiMniAA /a\ (rwi-.l lmt /a /r<\ la-Summer 7G (5), Hat’ Ditto 0) Business generally tapered off a bit last week on Broadway. Condi- tions were offish through the week, blit took a dive at the matinee and to some ‘ extent the evening per- formance Saturday (24), presum- ably as a result of the hours-long downpour in and around New York. Trade is expected to pick up this week. Of last week’s four openings, all drew more or less likely boxoffice notices, but two started slowly and the others are not yet certain. "The Crucible" and "The Fifth Season” have had lively window trade, but "The Bat" and "Mid- Summer” have not yet caught much public interest. There were no closings’* last week, but "Male Animal” is slated to fold Saturday (31). The lineup of incoming shows resumes next week. Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), MC (Musical Comedy), MD (Musi- cal Drama). Other parenthetic designations refer, respectively, to top prices ; number of seats, capacity gross and, stars. Price includes 20% amuse- ment tax, but grosses are net: i.e., exclusive of tax, “Bat,” National (1st wk) (D- $4.80; 1,172; $25,500). Opened Tuesday (20) to five affirmative reviews (Atkinson, Times; Chap- man, . News; Coleman, Mirror; Hawkins, World-Telegram & Sun; McClain, Journal-American) and two pans (Kerr, Herald Tribune; Watts, Post); grossed about $7,000. for first seven performances. “Bernadine,” Playhouse (15th wk) (C-$4.80; 999,-$21,500). About $8,000 (previous week, $10,400);. must move or close. March 2 to make room for "Certain Joy.” “Children's Hour,” Coronet (6th wk) (D-$4.g0; 1,027; $28,378). Al- most $14,500 (previous week, $17,- 400). . “Crucible," Beck (1st wk) (D-6- $4.80; • 1,214; $31,000). Opened Thursday (22) to five favorable notices (Atkinson, Times; Chap- man, News; Coleman, Mirror; Hawkins, World-Telegram & Sun;' Watts, Post and two pans (Kerr, Herald Tribune; McClain, Journal- American); grossed nearly $18,100 for first four performances and two previews. “Deep Blue Sea," Morosco (12th wk) (D-$6-$4.80; 912; $26,000) (Mar- garet Sullavan). Over $18,500 (pre- vious week, $23,300), “Dial ‘M’ for Murder," Plymouth (13th wk) (D-$4.80; 1,062; $30,495) (Maurice- Evans). Almost $30,700 (previous week, $30,600). "Evening With Beatrice Lillie,” Booth (17th wk) (R-$6; 739; $24,- 184). (Beatrice Lillie). Nearly $24,200 (previous week, $24,600). "Fifth Season,” Cort (lst.wk) (C-$4.80; 1,056; $27,700) TMenaslia Skulnik, Richard Whorf). Opened Friday night (23) to five pro notices (Atkinson, Times; Sylvester, News; Coleman, Mirror; Hawkins, World-Telegram & Sun; McClain, Journal-American) and two cons (Kerrj Herald Tribune; Watts; Post); drew $13,500 for first three performances and two previews. "Fourpo$ter," Golden (66th wk) (C-$4.80; 769; $19,195). Sylvia Sydney, Romney Brent). Almost $9,000 (irevious week. $10,100)! "Guys and Dolls,” 46th St. (114th wk) (MC-$6.60; 1,319; $43,904). Reached $41,600 (previous week, $42,500). "King and I," St. .James (96th wk) (MC-$7.20; 1,571; $51,717) (Yul Brynner). Nearly $49,700 (previous week, $50,300); Alfred Drake will sub as star next sujnmer while Brynner vacations. “Love of Four Colonels,” Shu- bert (2d wk) (C-$6-$4.80; 1,361; $39,000) (Rex Harrison, Lilli Pal- mer). Almost $37,000 (previous week, $24,800 for first four per- formances and a preview). “Male Animal,” Music Box (39th wk) (C-$4,80; 1,012; $26,903)'. Over $8,600 (previous week, $12,300); closing Saturday night (31)- “Mid-Summer,” Vanderbilt (1st wk) (D-$4.80; 720; $20,000). Opened Wednesday (21) to five positive notices (Chapman, News; Coleman, Mirror; Kerr, Herald Tribune; Mc- Clain, J oumal-American; Watts, Post), ode negative (Atkinson, Times) ?nd one on-the-fence* (Haw- kins, World-Telegram & Sun); got about $7,008 for first five perforin*'' ances; Mark Stevens and Geraldine Page lipped to- star billing this week. “Moon Is Blue,” Miller (99th wk) (C-$4.80; 920; $21,586) (Donald Cook, Barry Nelson, Janet Riley). Nearly $8,700 (previous week, $9,- 900). “New Faces,” Roygle (37th wk) (R-$6; 1,035; $30,600). Almost $23,- 000 (previous Vve’ek, $25,700). “Pal Joey,” Broadhurst (56th Wk) (MC-$6.60; 1,160;. $39,602) (Vivienne. .Segal,* Harold Lang). Nearly $32,000 (previous week, $35,900). “Seven Year Itch " Fulton (10th wk) (C46-$4.80; 1,063; $23,228). Over $24,000 (previous week, $24,- 000). “South -Pacific,” Mqfestic (197th Wk) (MC-$6; L659F $50,186) (Martha Wright, George Britton). Almost $34,700 (previous week, $34,800).* “Time of the Cuckoo,” Empire (15th wk) (CD-$6-$4.80; 1,082; $25,i 056) (Shirley Booth). Over $22,- 700 (previous week, $24,100)', “Time Out for Ginger,” Lyceum (8th wk) (C-$4,80; 995- $22,845) (Melvyn Douglas). Nearly $17,000 (previous week, $18,500). “Two’s Company,” Alvin (6th wk) (R-$7.20; 1,331; $47,167) (Bette Davis). Almost $45,900 (previous week, $46,200). “Wish You Were Here,” Im- perial (41st wk) (MC-$7.20; 1,400; *$52,080),,' Over $51,200 (previous week, $52,000). Time’ 5G (4), Hub Boston, Jan. 27. Hub legit season is moving along at a neat pace, with two newcomers this week resulting in five theatres alight. "Wonderful Town” moved into the Shubert Monday (26), and Emlyn Williams in Charles Dickens readings re- turned for a week’s engagement at Plymouth same night. Estimates for Last' Week “Maid in the Oz?»rks-” Majestic (1st wk) (1,100; $3.60). About $17,- 500. “Mrs. McThing,” Colonial '2d wk) (1,500: $4.80). Tasty $28,000 for first full week. “On Borrowed Time,” Wilbur (1st wk) (1.200; $3.60), Opened Thursday (22) to nifty notices and nabbed nice $5,000 for four per- formances. ‘WAGON’S’ 28G SETS NEW WILMINGTON B0. MARK Wilmington, Jan. 27. •The Playhouse set a new boxof- fiee record last week with a $28,- 000 gross for "Paint Your Wagon.” Musical played a full eight per- formance week, with standee trade for all but the Monday night (19) performance and the two matinees. Top was $4.80 through the week and $5.10 for the weekend. Burl Ives is star of the show. There's good advance sale for another musical, "Gentlemen Pre- fer Blondes,” which comes in Friday (30) for three perform- ances, At present pace, this will be the best season in the history of the 1,223-seat Playhouse. Ballet Theatre $36,000 For 7 in Split Weeh Ballet Theatre rang up an esti- mated $30,000 for seven perform- ances trouping the south last week. Group played Knoxville Monday (19); Birmingham, Wednesday, and Florence, Ala., Thursday, all on guarantees. Nashville Tuesday date grossed $4,450, and three per- formances in Memphis Friday- Saturday brought in $13,600, Management reports takings on tour this season as showing a 50% increase over last year, with troupe running steadily in the black ever N.Y. Thi? week, it’s still doing ever since Its September opening in split dates, starting with two showings in .New Orleans .Sunday (25). ‘Paris’ 16£G, Frisco San Francisco, Jan. 27. $ “Affairs of State,” with Marsha • Hunt and Otto Kfruger, opened at 'the Geary last nighv, (Mon.). "Paris ’90," at -the Geary in its second week, with Cornelia Otis Skinner, moved up to a strong $16,500. — I