Variety (August 1925)

» VARIETY LEGITIMATE .fi}'. Wednesday, August 5, 1929 SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT U' Figur** •atimated and oommcnt point to aomo attraotions baing auocaatful, while tha aamc o'^** accredited to others mieht susgaot mediocrity or losa- Tha variance is axolained in tha difference in house capacities, with tha varying overhead Alsoatha si«a of oast, with consequent difference in necessary gross for profit Var'ancs in business nacessar> tor ntusical attraction as against dramatic play ia also oonsidered. 5 4-, f. I ^Abie'a Irish Rose," Republic (168th week). New attractions starting to arrive, three opening this week; later in month will see actual start of new production season; business last week again comparatively good. "Abie" around $10,000. •Aloma of tha South 8aa:," Lorrlc <l<th week). Due In Chicago •ariy In September; last week yery gopd at quoted 19,200, but kouse angling for succeeding at- traction. ''Artiata and Models," Winter Gar- den <7th week). Broadway's lead- ing revue, which sMould easily go to tha first of the year and may run tbrough season; business up again last week; approximately $41,000. f*De8ira Under the Elms," Cohan .<t$th week). O'Neill drama hold- ing on vary well and plana call for continuing It Into fall In an- ather house (probably Dcly's <8d Streat); around $7,000 last week. ITollias,'' New Amsterdam (6»th week). longest running "Follies" «n Broadway; has baen rsvlaed three times and is now In bast form; getting big play from visit- ors, as usual, and groosing about $87,000 weekly. <^arrick 4Uiaties.'' Qarrick (Sth weA). Junior revue by Theatre Qulld; considered best thing of Its kind lyrically; co-operative, which makes pace of «7.000 weekly very good; some cut rates. ••Good Bad Woman," Playhouse (7th weak). Costs very little to oper- ate aitd will continue until new attraction ia ready soon; Mklngs approximately $4,00C. prlncipAUy from cut rates. •la Zat 6o?" Cbanln'a 4«th St. (aist week). Uttle difference In gross, which again went to $11,000, and Still top* non-musicals even though no matinees are being given; is expected to lost through fall period. "June Daya," Astor (Isi week). Musical version of "The Charm School," which «ame In from Chi- oago and Is due to open Thurs- 4ay; triad out several times CSchool Belles,' etc.); rated around $11,000 weekly in (Hiicago. f'Koahar Kitty Kelly," Times Sqwnre (Mh week)/a Comedy .nspired by "Able" has Interpolated songs, but certainly not a contender: business mainly cut ates; 1>eat $«,000 last week; prolltabl« both ways, however at this tijM. Good," Libefty (3«th COOL WEATHER IN LOOP GAVE BREAK •Tha, Gorilla," Selwyn (16th week). Rated successful mystery laugh show with sponsors confldent of holding on through first period of new season; up to $9,600 last week; cooler weather should mean a Jump to around 112,000. "Tha Morning After,*' Hudson (2d week). Another summervy that does not appear tt have much chance; critical comment mild with business the same; possibly $4,000; in October George M. Cohan's "American Born" is due. "Tha Poor Nut," Henry Miller (16th week). Another theatre (48th Street) has been allotted show, which stood up well during hot weather; last week estimated nearly $10,000; Miller to ret "The Vortex" next month. "They Knew What Thay Wanted," Klaw (97th week). Prise-winning comedy will hold over Into new aeason for a time at least; busi- ness continues nrofi' !e; last week estimated aronnd $8,000 again. "What Prica Glory," Plymouth (4»th week). Will complete a year and may run Jirough September; aronnd «7,600 lately; blOo aphical play on Andrew Jackaon (probably called "Old Hickory) will •noceed. "White Cargo," S«th Street iUA week). Has beaten $4.6( lately; at this money holdover inan^ cai make money on summer basis doubtful If It will continue after! this month, however. ■ "White Collara," Sam H. Harris (24th week). Has been boldin<r on, though business light from the start; arrangement calls for show sticking through Septambar; "Bd- gar Allen Poe" will probably fol- low. "VanHiea," Earl CarroU (6th week). A dame revue that Is getting strong play from visitors, buyers and the like; lower floor virtually capacity; pace elaimad around $22,000. Outaida Timea 8(|<—Little Thaatraa "A Uttle Poor Man," drama of religious nature, opened at the Princess this week; "Grand Street "Follies" reported capacity at Neighborhood Playhouse. TASSWG SHOW? $7^ n LOS ANGELES Legit Last Week in Chi- cago Did Good Sumr, mer Trade yat extremely wall dona. One of the biggest Itfugh soenea takes place be- tween Gulon and Sdna Ma> Oliver. Praise goes In trios—for the three wives, played by M<vry Boland, Edna May Oliver and MarKaret pale, were finished products. Sacb one got under her role as if living it for yeara Mary Carroll was also good in a smaller part, and the husbands, Ed- ward Fielding, Theodore Babcock and Homer Barton, were capably handNd. Two small bits went over well aa done by Martha Madison and Florence Peterson. "Cradle Snatchers" looks like one lof tha farca bits of the new season. Jforf Sineman, / , ■ «:1 S. .' Chicago, Aug. 4. Increas^A grosaea wera ancoun tared throughout the town's legit field last week. Cool weather fur- nished the magnet for brisk trade. Two theatres closed last week, but one reopened <Adelpbl) when "The Gorilla" made another switch. Stu- debaker and Garrick are n v dark. "LaK That Ofr* made a good leap at he Harris, saining In gross at nearly every parformaace. It- was the custonuu7 summer trade, however, In that box office re- ceipts always swell when such a "break" in the temperature comea as It did last week. ^n another two weeks (Aug. 1«) there'll be noted the baglnnlng of the shaping of the legit calendar for the new season. Signs now ara that three of the four present musicals will go Into the new season. Still chatter about "Nanette" returning, but^ it is di bt- fnl If it will go to the Harris, where Slsla Janta' musical place is due Labor day week. In all probability "Rain," long over-dua here, will fol- low the Jania piece t t ; Harris. Estlmataa for Last Week "Roaa-Mari«£LlWoods, 2Sth week). ON BROADWAY ^ SPRING FEVER OMoedy Ib iht— set* sod fonr scenes. prM«nt«d by Al H. Woods; directsd by Bartraas Harrison; wiitten by VInoent Law- r«M*; Jsmsa Rsmils fsstarsdi at Msxine BlllotI tbeatre. Jsek Keny .....JsmM Rennle Davia Waltsrs ...Jtoaeplt Kllsoor . Alll* Mont* MsrtoB Coskls y .^ , Harry Jobnaoa ....Hsnry Whitamor* Psal Tswksliary Leo Kenqedy Martta Ijomadoa Helen Carrlncton Straaser Fred Sutton rrank H<vt Wlltoa Leekaye, Jr John T. Dwyer. Von Turner, Charlea Pen- Btaa, Chandler HoasMon, Bd-rard Kmerson. Jme Starr, Kathryn Brown, Asatba Fred' erl«, FrancetU Mallory, A. H. Allen, Jr.; Stewart Beymore, BsuBett Ryan, J. Alden Ooek. '. *Lady Be week). Took healthy Jump re- cently and approximated $10,000; ^ listed to remain uaUl Sept. 7 at p least, an4 due to get "Mr. Pie f. Bye," which may be followed by *i ^gMsh musical, "A Nfght Out." |. *Louia tha 14th," Cosmopolitan (88d wa^). Slegfeld production hold- ■■: -lag MLS own and making some money at $22,000; figures to hold over inta new season. ^Mercenary Mary," liongacre (17th week). Final week; going to Chi- aago late spring musical which drew moderately well and has been breaking eveA of late at $8,000; average was $12,00< "Rose Marie," Imperial (49th'%eek). Malnt^ned remarkable lace until hot weather arrived- and still doing real trade at over $29KlOO last week; reputatK i guarantaa- Ing trade of visitors; Indefinite, l^andala," Apollo (7th week). Busl- aess fairly good tt $26,000 or over, but not capacity since first two *8tudent Prince," Jolson's (36th week). Like "Rose Marie," repu- tation of operetta still attracting a trade, though gross is compara- tively moderate; $17,000 to $18,000 however, considered very good for house location, ^ky High," Casino (23d T.eek). Due for road next month, with house probably getting "Jmie Days," Which opened 'his week at Astor, bat latter housa due for picture: $ltt.500. 'Vpteka," Cort (10th week). Final week here; co-operative show will move Monday to Daly's 63d Btreet; $4,000 claimed, which Is '•a. k. because ^ sharing arrange- ment between players; enough for full salaries last week. Itpring Fever," Maxina.- Blliott's 41st week). First production presentation by A. H. Woods, who *vill introduce four shows this - Month and next; was first called "Kelly's Vacation"; well rated on try-out. #nrha Bride Ratiraa," National ^lath ' week). Probably goes to r.oad at and of the month; has made some ^ nonay tbrough moderate oper- ating expense; last week first time battered $7,000; "Marge" listad to Tha Fall Guy," EHtinge (Hi week). Another week or so wHb aftew laying off and then, opening In CMkago; .house to be renovated to berth "The OreM Hat" next I XiOB . Aagalaa, Aug. 4. "Tha Passing 'Show" Incurred a "heavy loss here in Its aaoond week, playing to but $7,600 at tha Bill- more, while the town'a other mu- sical, "No No. Nanatta," at the Ma- aon. crashed In heavy once more and registered $18,000 in ita fourth week. "The Passing Show's" advent caused trouble when tha Shuberta took exception to a notice given it by Kenneth MacGaffey, of tha "II- Instrated News," the Vanderbllt Ublold. MacGaffey stated that It was a "turk." For this and other statements MacGaffey was barred from future Shubert shows. "White Cargo." at the Orange Grove." got $6,700 In Hs sixth week, while "The Best People" at the Morosco got $«>,800 in Its second week. Sidney Blackmer In "The Mountain Man" at the Playhouse, drew $8,200 in Its final week. ' "The Passing Show" will about Aug. 16, in Nebraska, oaryring 68 people. .^ Best week for^kr month. Around $24,000. "Tha Student Prince" (Great Northern, X4th week). Ayeraged nightly gross of around $2,600, at least two performances going close to J3,00«. Around $23,800, 'Topay and Eva" (Selwyn, 63d week in Chicago, 6th week %n pres- ent return. Held remarkable pace, $17,000. "Artiats and Modala" (Apollo, 10th weak). Picked' up good ahare of ex- tra trade for week in town, bitting' over $16,000. "Gorilla" (Adelphi, 11th week). Left Studebaker Saturday, making it third theatre played here. Just missed $11,000. one of the best weeks since premiere at Harris. "Laff That Off" (Harris. 6th weak)^ Bast waak'a groas ot m- gagament <$S400), getting good pub- licity through tla-upa on special newspaper stonta "Is Zat. Sor* (Princess, 24th weak). Afound $7,600, evidently profitable botM enda. "Lady Naiit Door" (Cort. }Sth week). Will stick until Aug. 16 when Raymond Hitchcock is due. Went up in gross last week with others. Around $7,800. "Cat and Canary* (Central, 6th week). Average gross of around $4,000 which splits a profit. OVrOFTOWN IT ALL DEPENDS close It Is $23,500 HIGH liGIT IN FRISCO LAST WEEK 4. San Francisco, Aug, Estimates for Last Week Curran—"No, No, Nanette"; 4th week, fivery night sell-out In high price sections. Matineea falling off slightly: $38,600. Columbia—Blanche Bates In "Mrs. Partridge Presents"; Snd and last week. Only $10,800 at $2.60 scale. CapHol—"Lightning"; at popokir $1.60 scale doing wall oonaidering long runs here two years ago. Second week. SSxpect to stick until Labor Day- $10,100. Wilhea—Lenore Ulrlo In "KIki"; second week of indefinite run. $2.50 top. Advance sale indicates this 9ie clipping; $13,000. Alcazar—"Irene" dropped to $6,800 for 9tb and Anal week. "Merton of the Movies," another Duffy produc- tion, followed it In. |l.26 top with 76c. malineeo; $6,100. President—"Tha Best People"; also Duffy attraction, getting big p^ay. Seventh week held up to reg- ular pace. Advance sale still strong. Ought to stay Ave or aiz weeks longer; fl 2B t«pii|S,:0«. 4abury Park. Aug. 1. An excellent cast acta excellently In this weU-written .play. Chief honors go to Katherln Alexander. Norman Trevor has little to do, though he does that little very well. The theme Is somewhat on the order of "Dancing Mothers," "The Goose Hangs High" and the other younger geAration stiecesses. A prologue is by far the best with a well staged bedroom scene be- tween Miss Alaxaader and Lee Pat- rick, "gold-digging" blonde vamp friend and gueat. In twin beda It Is made up af anappy discus- sion of flapper philosophy and of course about men. The' title may mean "It an de- pends whose mate la trifled with." This one-time farce, played as "Kelly's Vacation." ha.i been Al- woodsed Into a comedy success. The last act did It, plus one vital switch in the cast. Most plays wander after the sec- ond act curtain. This one does more than that—it leaps. And wh -e would it leap to. under Woods' manage- ment? Two guesses, and throw the second away: the first was right—It leaps into a bedroom. And there It ceases to be a farce and becomes a thrllUng. spine-titillating, though sweet, sex-urge romance, with a happy ending—THE happy ending, considering that it Is a honeymoon eve. When first played on the Pacific coast, with Robert Ames as Kelly, this was a straight-out golf <medy. It had Its points, but it got nowhere. Woods loved It, but nobody else could seelt much. So ':VooJs took Vln Lawrence, a .T'>n8oned and ex- pert playwright, '.klmself, out there and on the long journey they talked and talked and drank and ate and speculated and bit clfrars and were stumped. It was iate liito th^ flight. The colored porter was sleepy, and his drawing room party was still up. Woods was saying for the ninetieth time: "Vtai, sweetheart, what the devil can we do to that last act?" "AV answered Vln, "I'm dashed if I know." Just then the poriar bussed. "Coma In," called Woods to the parter, then turning to Lawrence, ha resumed: "If 'wa could only alderteck that third act to " "Beg pardon," .Id ^he "may Ah suggest tumla* clubhouse Into a bedrooni. menr' . Woods jimiped to his feat. Clubhouse! Bedroom! Tha -lecoiid act vas In a club- house. Turn It Into a bedroom. In- deed i Why hadn't h<, A Woods, thought of rriAT before? He smiled bi'oadly, gave the porter ten smackers and a pair of pink silk socks, rolled Into the hay and slept like a smiling child. His work was over. Lawreni 'b was Ju.. -in- ning. But the problem waa solved. No kidding—It really was. The open- ing at the Maxine Slliott proved it. The yam starts in a/warehouse, where the boss is as grouchy as the mischief because he has lost his golf stroke—he Is a super fiend. |Ie fires his hick shipping clerk in his peeve. The clerk talks back. The boss con- fessea The clerk turns out to be a great natural golfer. He gets a two weeks' £ard to the ^wellest club In town. There he meets the girL She is golf-mad. and he is love-struck. The porter, yare la- glrl does not let her golfltls oarry her as far as to take seriously tha honest, but crude overtures c' tha stranger. He is so smitten that his own golf sags, und he is eliminated in the tournament. He then blurts out to the " r1 that all he could sea waa her eyes. She raises him. iia exits to change duds and beat It back to the shipping room, where l.e belongs. Meanwhile the .'.ub champ, who has been courting the gal, has teased the young roughneck and got a slap In the kisser. The house committee Is sitting on the case. They rule that not only Is the visitor's card to ba taken up, but the >oss is to be asked to'feslgn for bringing In an unda« slrable. The boss is a duffer whosa game has perked up •. few strokes under the guidance of his vacation- Ing clerk, and when he realises he is to be robbed of his revenge on tha kldders, barred out of a tournament In which he now feels he may win a tin cup, he th.nks fast. He fakes up, a millionaire identHj for the stranger. Elveryone is im^ pressed, fiiostly the girl, whosa father Is on the flnan>.lal rocks. Tha committee retracts, the girl wires her father she is about to marry a multi-mllllonalra Then comes that act 8, after an this golf hokum and light stuff; Voila. Bedroom of swc hotel, brkla and groom enter with kidding, bell* hop. door Is locked. Girl confesses she cannot "go through." as sha married for hii money. He triea ta explain, but sha thinks he Is dolntf. a hero to make her "love him for himself." They start nndressinc (very well put on. with lights out^ after which girl In seductive pink nightie is b> the bed) and then tha boy makes her understand his real situation. She Jumps out of bed, orders him from the room, flares up. He givea her hell, starts to go, turns and says he'll kiss her goodbye, because that's what It Is to be. There are three , kisses—the second Is the bet kissed on any stage since the famous cur- tain kiss In "The Swan." He kisses her and draws back. She flings her arms arounfl him and kissea him. then starts to run. bat his strong arms nab her and ha kisses her and Mssea her as kisses were meant to be kissed. She files into the bed and hides under tha quitt. He whispers "Goodbye"—antf starts taking his coat off. Curtain. James Rennle Is Immense as Kelly and Miss Coakley, despite manner* Isms of enunciation (sometimes aa charming as at other times thr;' ara baffling) looks prettier than she ever did before and makes ^a part of tha girl charming, fingliiflr and convinc- ing. The rest of tha acting la }usf ordinary, which is all It's asked to be, except that Kilgour, in a part far from his accustomed heavies, gets comedy and reality Into the golf maniac. But batwaan Bennle and Mlsa Coakley tha teta of "Spring Fever'^ Hvaa or dies, and Monday night M Kved. and will probably live and proaper on. If ever a play was made sura flra from sure failure, this one was. antf by that third act. which will be ona of the talks of the to^. so romantic^ nicely-naughty and natural In It—« thotwh It leaps. But life leaps. If , ptits as here today and there to» Btgbt. Life doegn't follow the play formulae, and the best formnlaa for > plays Is that they follow Mfe. , It surely is natural that a bedroom shall follow a marriage—even If that marriage starts as a ^olf romance: or any other sort of romance. But very few would think c: It that way. ■ Al Woods, though, did. NataralT < Nothing could be more natural. "Spring Fever" smells of mone^ Golfers win r«lish an o: It. and non« golfers will understand all of It. Everybody witt "get" tha third eot* which is not In the language of «jy of the outdoor amusements. Th*^ comedy Is rich, the story Is cor*lngi the last act is exciting, an of tt W smooth and modern and pleasant. Should be good for a smart ma at ' important money as a draw for an classes. It brought out the fl«"st rep< resentatlve opening audience of tha year, and win putt the best pedpl« as they return to town. In additloa to upstairs trade on tnat 1 at act. Law. i .♦! c«(Adle snAtchers Atlantic City. Aug. 4. '^Cradle Snatehers." farca by Ras- s«U Medcraft and Norma MltchalU went over big hare, presented by Sam Harris. It Is a funny play, needing soma third act rewrltiac. but aside from that, sure hit mate- rUl. There is a big lesson packed In among the laugha for "Cradle Snatehers" tell the story of three wives who learn that their, hus- bands are flapper-chasing, with the result that they decide to hire young college men to act as their cake-eaters. It Is when the hus- bands break In on what appears to be a naughty party uat trouble beglna But the husbanda' "lady friends" also make an entrance. There is an unusual ending, keeping the ter- mination from being Just another one of those things. The big surprise was the work of Raymond Hackett. Humphrey^ Bofart and Raymond Gulon as tha cake-eaters. The rolea are dlfllcaU PUBLICITY PLAN SERVICE in' is a simple and inexpensive manner of keeping your name or business before the show business of the world each week. Gives displayed or pictorial publicity for 62 weeks each year. Amount may be regulated by the advertiser. Write or call at any Variety office: NEW YORK CHICAGO LOS ANGELES 154 W. 46th St. State-Lake Thea. Bldg. Chapman Bldg. LONDON, 8 St. Martin** PL, Trafalgar Square idttiMrriiiMi :Jr^ jiiiriiilMii ""^att