Variety (April 1953)

FJEGITIMATE 73 ^tdntsda.y, April 29, I95S Chi Spurts, Wi y Hayes Fast $25,800, ‘Murder $13,900 Chicago, April 28. With only three shows available, and assists from the weatherman and the convention bureau, busi- ness perked in Chi' last week. All , shows were ahead of the previous ' stanza, with mail orders also pick- . ing up. „ , . . °New Faces’ opens tomorrow (Wed.) at the Great Northern and ♦hen the rest of the season’s en- tries -pile in, starting with “Maid of the Ozarks” at the Selwyn, May 3’ Betty Hutton-into the Shubert, May 4 for two weeks; “Deep Blue Sea” at the Blackstone, May 8, and “Pal Joey” at the Shubert, May 20 There’? talk of “Goodnight Ladies” in July, but not much else until fall. "Male Animal” folds here this YV cciv* Estimates for Last Week Dial M for Murder, Harris (14th wk) ($4.40; 1,000 (Richard Greene). Brighter, nearly $13,000, with fine matinee trade. Male Animal, Blackstone (5th wk) (4.20;535). (Buddy* Ebsen, Martha Scott, Charles Lang.) Mild $9,900; breaks up here next Satur- day (2). Mrs. McThing, Erlanger (3d wk) ($4.40; 1,353) (Helen Haves). Wednesday matinee SRO helped this to over $25,800. <n n y it (Mo JAii In St. L Repeat St. Louis, April 27. “South Pacific,” here for a re- turn week in the opera house of the Henry W. Kiel (municipal) auditorium,* grossed $78,400 at $4.27 top for eight performances ending last Saturday night (25). Manager Paul Beisman rented the auditorium space, which has 3,400 seats, to accommodate the demand. More than 50,000 customers had seen the musical in 14 perform- ances on its previous engagement at the downtown American Theatre in September, 1950. "Fourposter,” with Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn co-starring, opened a one week stand at the American last night (Mon.). Show is scaled to $4.27. It will be the last presentation at the house, which will be razed with activities moved to the midtown Shubert. Curtain for the season was rung down Sunday (26) at the Ansell Brothers midtown Empress with a one week frame of “Biography,” with Jane Wyatt the visiting lead. Although piece drew plaudits from the crix, natives did not respond and the gross for eight perform- ances with the usual $2,50 top was a fair $9,000. Extends Detroit Stand Detroit, April 28. “South Pacific,” due May 18 at the Shubert, was originally sched-i uled for six • weeks, hut is now I being extended to nine weeks as result of phenomenal advance sale. More than $200,000 mail-order is biggest advance in Shubert history. Only a few cheaper seats are still available. Meanwhile, mail orders still flood in and the management will announce next weekend that the Rodgers-Hammerstein musical has been extended the three addi- tional weeks. Sullavan Mild $15,600, ’Deep Blue Sea/ Cincy Cincinnati, April 28, Margaret Sullavan in “Deep Blue Sea” grossed a fair $15,600 last week in the 1,300-seat Cox here. Top was $4.31. Play was seventh In Cincy’s eight-play Theatre Guild-American theatre Society subscription season. No scheduling as yet of show to fill. If it is not hooked, the cur- rent season is at an end and sub- scribers will get refunds. ‘Volpone/ Comic Opera By Antheil, Set for N.Y. Bow “Vcflpone,?* new comic opera in two acts by George Antheil, will he given its New York premiere July 7 in a production by Punch Opera, Greenwich Village organi- zation at Cherry Lane Theatre. Opera will open a IQ-week sea- son, with performances six even- ings each week, Tuesday through Sunday. General director is Nel- son Sykes. Rex Wilder is music director and conductor. Cast will include Willard Pierce, Gordon Myers* Robert Falk and others. Tandy-Cronyn $24,100, 8-Performance Split Columbus, O., April 28. “Fourposter” got a nice $17,800 gross in seven performances at the Hartman here last Tuesday-Satur- day (21-25). Top was $4.35. Last three nights were sellout. Month's run of the film version of the show at an art house here preceding the Jessica Tandy-Hume Cronyn stage production failed to hurt. $6,200 Night, Toledo Toledo, April 28. “Fourposter,” with Jessica Tan- dy and Hume Cronyn, pulled $6,- 300 gross for a ojne-nighter last Monday (20) at the 3,400-seat Par- amount here. Show was scaled to $4.20: FONDA POTENT $28,500, W $15,800, FRISCO San Francisco, April 28. Legit was perky here last week, with both the Geary and Alcazar holding strong for their third and second weeks, respectively. “Point of No • Return” showed strength in spite of going off Theatre Guild subscription for the third frame. Estimates for Last Week * Point of No Return, Geary (3d wk) (D-$4.80; 1,550) (Henry Fonda). Held to strong $28,500. Previous week, big-$29,600. Gigi, Alcazar (2d wk) (C-$3.6<>; 1,147; (Audrtey Hepburn). Over $15,800; previous week, $14,300 fSr seven performances.. ‘Guys’ Torrid $55,973 In Wow Denver Week Denver, April 28. Pulling out all the stops on pub- licity, A. M. Oberfelder, who brought in “Guys and Dolls,” piled up. a huge $55,973 gross last week at the 3,000-seat Auditorium here, at $4.80 top. With all the higher priced seats sold for every per- formance, the only place the mu- sical missed out was in failing to sell a few balcony and gallery seats. The show received a fine press. “Top Banana” is at the same spot this week. Current Road Shows ( April 27-May 9) Constant Wife (Katharine Cor- nell, Robert Flemyng, John Emery) —Lyceum, Minn. (27-2); Wiscon- sin, Madison (4-5); Davidson, Milw. (6-9). Deep Blue Sea (Margaret Sulla- van)—Davidson, Milw. (27-2); Aud., St. Paul (4-5); Wisconsin, Madison (6-7); Blackstone, Chi. (8-9). Dial M for Murder (Richard Greene)—Harris, Chi. (27-9). -Evening with Shakespeare (Mar- garet Webster, Eva LeGallienne, Faye Emerson, Basil Rathbone, John Lund, Viveca Lindfors)—Na- tional, Wash. (27-9). Fourposter (Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn)—American, St. L. (27-2); KRNT, Des Moines (4-6); Para- mount, Omaha (7-9). Gigi (Audrey Hepburn)—Alcazar, S. F. (27-2); United Nations, S. F. (4-9). Good Nite, Ladies—Royal Alex- andra, Toronto (27-9). Guys and Dolls—Fox, Spokane (28-2); Strand, Vancouver (4-9). I Am A Camera (Julie Harris)— Her Majesty’s, Montreal (27-2). Maid 1 in the Ozarks—Nixon, Pitt (27-2); SOlwyn-, Chi. (4-9). Male Animal (Buddy Ebsen, Martha Scott, Charles Lang)— Blackstone, Chi. (27-2). Me and Juliet—Hanna, Cleve. (27-2); Shubert, Boston (5-9). Mrs. McThing (Helen Hayes)— Erlanger, Chi (27-9). New Faces — Great Northern, Chi. (27-9). Oklahoma — Colonial, Boston. (27-9). Pal* Joey—Shubert, Wash. ^(27- 2); Shubert, Phil. (4-9). Point of No Return (Henry FOnda)—Geary, S-. F. (27-2); Bilt- more, L. A. (4-9). South Pacific (Janet Blairf Webb Tilton)—Coliseum, Evansville (27-> 2); Quimby Aud., Fort Wayne (4-9). . Stalag 17—Erlanger, Buffalo (27- 30); Aud., Rochester (1-2); Hanna, Clevei (4-9). ‘ Top Banana (Phil Silvers)—Aud., Denver (27-2); Capitol, Salt Lake City (4-3); Memorial Aud., Sacra- mento (7-9)* Schwartz $2,600, L. A. Los Angeles, April 28. Maurice Schwartz’ Civic Play- house rolled along on an even keel last week, still the only legiter in town and still doing satisfactory business with ’’Hard to Be a Jew, Tally was off fractionally for the third full week at the 376-steater, but the gross reached 1 $2,600. Figure represents an operating profit of around $1,000 for the pro- duction. ‘Can-Can’ $49JO, Distinction’ 4G, Borge IOC, Phila Philadelphia, April 28. I Fqr the first time in five weeks “Can-Can” failed to go capacity 'here, being $800 off at the Wednes- day (22) matinee. The Cole Porter- Abe Burrows musical continued in the smash category, however, and began the second added week of its extended run last night (27) to sock business. It’s a cinch to break all local b.o. records. I Victor Borge’s solo appearance at the Forrest was well ^received, although far from sensational at the boxoffice. “Men of Distinction” failed to impress for the third stanza at the Locust; and “Mas- querade” gave up all pretensions Saturday night (25) after a futile 12 - performance stand at the Walnut. Estimates for Last Week . Victor Borge, Forrest (1st wk) (1,760; $4.55) Excellent reviews, femme trade and TV pull helped this show to neat $16,000. Men of Distinction, Locust (3d wk) (1,580; $4.55) (Robert Preston). Farce about the N. Y. vice probe never caught on here, getting* mixed notices and comment. Dismal $5,000. Can-Can, Shubert (5th wk) (1,870; $6.50). Musical dipped slightly tor first time, but still terrific with $49,200. Current week is final. Masquerade, Walnut (2d wk) (1,340; $4.55) (Veronica Lake, Charles Korvin). This one reached the season’s low, financially, as well as otherwise. Sad $3,000. “Faces’ OK $28,400, ‘Okla.’ $26,800, Hub Boston, April 28. Biz held to a strong level last week with the annual visit of the Met Opera pulling its customary sellout houses for each of the nine performances. “Oklahoma” into the Colonial for its eighth time around, was surprisingly big and “New Faces of 1952” wound, three-week stand at the Shubert in the chips. Heaviest avalanche of mail or- ders in years is reported at the Shubert boxoffice prior to “Me and Juliet,” which bows May 6. In de- ference to local crix, who feel musi- cal deserves more time between closing curtain and dailies dead- line, opening night curtain is slated for 7:30 p.m. Estimates for Last Week Metropolitan Opera, Opera House ($8; 2,600). Went clean, at $146,500. New Faces of 1952, Shubert (3d wk) ($4.80; 1,700). Final week held to neat $28,400. House is dark. Oklahoma, Colonial (1st wk) ($4.20; 1,500). Pulled a very happy $26,800. Final week is current. ‘Stalag.’ Modest $13,300 On Second Pitt Week Pittsburgh, April 28. “Stalag 17” didn’t quite hold up in second and final week at the Nixon, getting $13,300. Engage- ment was a disappointment. * On hit’s showing elsewhere, it was ex- pected to get close to' $40,000 on the fortnight, but drew slightly over $26,000. No accounting for it, either, since everything was going for “Stalag.” Local eritics had seen show in New York nearly two years ago and their raves were used in the advance stuff; It got another great sendoff from them on the opening here; word of mouth was excellent and press support -con- tinued all through engagement. Patrons just wouldn't come, how- ever. “Maid in Ozarks** current on re- turn, and last-minute booking: of “Tobacca Road-” next week will extend legit season a bit; Perky B’way Defies Seasonal Wane; “Hazel’ $50,200,Wish’ 48G,‘SP.’ $37,709, ‘Picnic’ 28G, ‘Itch,’ ‘Angels’ New Highs Attendance generally held up well on Broadway last tfeek. With the exception of a few' shows that felt the declining boxoffice pres- sure of the waning season, there was a moderate pickup in most cases. The newcomers continued to have rough going. “Pink Elephant” was a quick flop-out, with “Date with April” also quitting after-a week-and-a-half try, and “Mid- Summer” folded after 14 weeks. “Misalliance,” trying .the two-for- one hypo, got an immediate b.o. response and is a prospect to ex- tend its run thereby. Following last week’s three clos- ings, the parade continues this week with the folding of “Four- poster,” and the subsequent exits of Emlyn Williams in his Dickens readings, May 9; “Love of Four Colonels,” May 16; “Evening with Beatrice Lillie” and “Time of the Cuckoo,” May 30. Vacating town temporarify for road engagements will be “South Pacific,” May 16, and “Guys and Dolls,” June 27. The arrival tomorrow night (Thurs.) of “Men of -Distinction” leaves only two more incoming productions for the balance of the season: “Can-Can,” the Cole Por- ter-Abe Burrows musical, May 7 at the Shubert, and “Me and Juliet,” the new Rodgers - Hammerstein tunefest, May 28 at the Majestic, Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), MC (Musical Comedy), MD (Musi- cal Drama), O (Opera): 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;. * Camino Real, National (6th wk) (D-$6-$4.80; 1,172; $30,000.) Al- most $15,000 (previous week, $16,- 500). Children’s Hour, Coronet (19th wk) (D-$4.80; 1,027; $28,378). Near- ly $12,600 on twofers (previous week, $12,500). Crucible, Beck (14th wk) (D-$6- $4.80; 1,214; $31,000). Almost $18,- 900 (previous week, $19,800). Date with April, Royale (2d wk) <C-$4.80; 1,035; $27,000). (Con- stance Bennett). Under $5,500 (previous week, $5,200 for first five performances); closed last Satur- day night (25). after 13 perform- ances, at a loss of about $55,000. Dial ‘M for Murder, Plymouth (26th wk) (D-$4.80; 1,062; $30,377) (Maurice Evans).' Nearly $30,100 (previous week, $30,000). Dickens Readings, Bijou (1st wk) (CD-$4.80; 618; $14,000) (Emlyn Williams). Initial week drew al- most $5,600 for eight perform- ances; three-week engagement ends May 9. Evening with Beatrice Lillie, ’Booth (30th wk) (R-$0; 739; $24,- 284) (Beatrice Lillie). Over $20,- 200 (previous week, $20,400); clos- ing May 30." Fifth Season, Cort (14th wk) (C- $4.80; 1,056; $25,727) (Menasha Skulnik, Richard Whorf). Over $24,900 (previous week, $25,200). Fourposter, Golden (79th wk) (Ct$ 4.80; 769; $19,195) (Sylvia Syd- ney, Romney-Brent). Over $7,800 on twofers (previous week, $7,400); closing next Saturday night (2). Guys and Dolls, 46th St. (127th wk) (MC-$6.60; 1,319; $43,904). Drew $37,200 (previous week, $34,- 400); closing June 27 for six-week road engagement, but resumes here Aug. 10. Hazel Flagg, Hellinger (11th wk) (MC-$7.20; 1,527; $53,000) (Helen Gallagher, Thomas Mitchell, Ben- ay Venuta, John Howard, Jack Whiting). Over $50,200 (ntevious week, $49,600). ^ King and I, St. James (109th wk) (MC-$7.20; 1,571; $51,717) (Alfred Drake), Nearly $47,200 (previous week, $43,900), Love of Four Colonels, Shubert (15th wk) (C-$6-$4.80; 1,160; $29,- 500) (Rex Harrison, Lilli Palmer). Almost $18,000 (previous week, $26,500 at Shubert); closing May 16,' for brief road engagement. Mid-Summer, Vanderbilt (14th wk) (D-$4.80; 720; $18,500) (Mark Stevens, Geraldine Page). About $11,300 (previous week, $10,300); closed last Saturday night (25) after 109 performances, at a loss of about $50,000. . Misalliance, Barrymore (10th wk) (C-$3; 1,060; $24,996), Over $13,-' 100, with twofers used beginning the latter part of the week; (pre-: vious week,' $12,400). ' Moon Is Blue, Miller (112th wk) (C-$4.80; 920; $21,586) (Donald Cook* Biff McGuire, Janet Riley), Nearly $10,400 on twofers (pre- vious week, $9,000). My 3 Angels, Morosco (7tli wk) (C-$6-$4.80; 912‘ $26,000). Drew $23,931, new high for the run (pre- vious week, $22,800). Picnic, Music Box (9th vvk) (CD- $6-$4.80; 1,012; $27,800). Got $28,- 021, neW high for the run (pre- vious week, $27,500). Pink Elephant, Playhouse (1st wk) (C-$4.80; 999; $21,500). Opened List Wednesday night (22) to unanimous pans (Chapman, News; Coleman, Mirror; Fiinke, Times; Hawkins, World-Telegram A Sun; Kerr, Herald Tribune; McClain, Journal-American; Watts, Post); first five performances drew $6,- 500; closed last Saturday night <25).at a loss of about $75,000. Porgy and Bess, Ziegfeld (7th wk) (0-$6; 1,628; $48,244). Over $36,600, excluding tax (previous week, $36,500). Seven Year Itch, Fulton (23d wk) (C-$6-$4.80; 1,063; $24,400) (Tom Ewell). Hit $24,746, another new house record for a regular week (previous week, $24,700). South Pacific, Maiestic (210th wk) (MC-$6; 1,659; $50,186) (Martha Wright, George Britton). Over $37,700 (previous week, $35,- 100); closing May 16 for five-week road engagement, but resumes June 22 at the Broadway. Time of the Cuckoo, Empire (28th wk) (CD-$4.80-$6; 1,082; $25,- 056) (Shirley Booth). Nearly $20,- 900 (previous week, $18,400); closing May 30. Time Out for Ginger, Lyceum (21st wk) (C-$4.80; 995; $22,845) (Melvyn Douglas). Over $15,000 (previous week, $14,200). Wish. You Were Here, Imperial (44th wk) (MC-$7.20: 1,400; $52,- 080). Almost $48,000 (previous week, $44,300). Wonderful Town, Winter Gar- den (9th wk) (MC-$7.20; 1,510; $54,173) (Rosalind Russell). Over $54,200, with party commissions limiting the gross (previous week, $54,000). OPENING THIS WEEK Men of Distinction, 48th St. (C-$6-$4.80; 925; $23,800) (Robert Preston). Chandler Cowles arid Martin Gabel production of play by Richard Condon; opens tomor- row flight (ThursJ. Cleve. B.O. Record Cleveland, April 28. A sellout from the start, “Me and Juliet,” the new Hammerstein- Rodgers musical, played to standees at all its first eight performances at the Hanna last week. Tuneshow about backstage life zOomed to a record $45,525 at $5.55 top in the 1,530-seated house, which expects to garner $92,000 for the two-week premiere stand. Schedule was revamped to in- clude one Sunday performance, plus two on Friday. That com- pensates for fact that the troupe has to close run here Friday night ,(1), in order to have time enough to set up scenery in Boston’s Shubert next week. Headed by Isabel Bigley, Bill Hayes and Joan McCracken, the company of 70, plus technicians and musicians, is the biggest ever assembled by Rodgers and Ham- merstein. ‘JOEY’ NICE $31,000 ON FIRST WEEK IN WASH. Washington, April 28. Riding a wave of sock reviews, “Pal Joey” racked up a good $31,- 000 last week fqr the first half of its fortnight stand at the Shu- bert here. Business for the musical has con- tinued to build, with the indica- tions that this week will be eveif better. ‘Banana’ $29,000 in K.C.; OK Reviews, N.S*G. Biz Kansas City, April 28. “Top Banana” got good notices, but receipts registered a • disap- pointing $29,00ff last week at the Fox Midwest Orpheum here. Top was $4.88. Orpheum is dark until “Four- poster” arrives May. 11. Meanwhile a road company, of “Tobacco Road” is playing this week in the K.MBC- TV Playhouse at. $3.66- top*