Variety (Dec 1929)

Wddnepday, December 4; L E G1 TIM A T E VARIETY 53 Shows In N. ¥. andXonunent FlaurM •Btlmated'and OQinment point tQ soma attractions being ■uceMsful. while the aalne Oroii j(eoredited to ethers mioht sujgaest mediocrity or loss. The variance re explained In the difFerence in house capacities'with the varying overhead. Also the size of cast, with consequent difFerence In necessary gross of profit, variance In business necessary for musical attraction as against dramatic Dlay Is also eonsidered. ^ ^ \. ^.^ Ciasslfioation of attraction, house capacity and top prices of the ■dmisslon scale given below. Key to classification: C (comedy) i D^^CdrVmAt R (revue); M (musicalcomedy); F (farce); O (operetta). Admission tax applies on tickets ooer $3 M3erkeley Square," Lyceum (5th week) (C-967-|4,40). Holiday = week (Thanksgiving) aaw good t>usiness for the good things, with soiiie disappointing figures. Trade generally expected to slip ©ft from now to Christmas; "Berkeley" capacity at $19,600. f^ird in Hand," Barrymore (36th week) (CD-l,099-$3.85). Played one extra performance with tak- ings apjproximeting $13,000; looks set for well Into winter. P>Bitter Sweet," Ziegfeld (6th week) (M-l,622-$6.60). Going along to great ljusiness and rated the best thing of its kind from England; groas" more than $50,000. PBroken Dishes," Ritz (5th week) (C-945-$3). Went upward last week to about $9,500; profitable both ways, and should stick to moderate money. #>Candle Light," Empire (10th week) (CD-l,000-$3.85). A bit more than $12,000 last week without an added matinee; not up^to ex- pectations. ^•Cross Roads," Royale (D-i,il8-$3). Due to close tonight (Dec. 4), en<; gagement being but three weeks. •►Follow Thru," Chanln's 46,th St. f48th week) (M-l,413-$5.50). Goes to the subway circuit after two more weeks;: lays off two days, rpsumlng Dec. 25. Will approxl mate a year's run; had been get- ting $23,000 lately. ^Fi-fty Million ' Frenchmen," Lyric f2nd week) (M-l,406-$6.60). One of two major musicals which opened last Week and were hailed as hits; this one started on Wednesday, af $16.50 top, getting $34,000 in first .five performances. >'G-?-ibling-," Ful'ton (15th week) M-'D-913-$3.85). Should be ( inch to l£ts4 until "Washington's Birthday; business profitable from ■ he start; over $14,000. ^H-ndquarters,'^ Forrest (ist week) rCD-l,150-$3). Presented by Al- I'rcd E. Aarons; written by Hiigh .'Lange, whose "Veneer" is also f'Orrent; opens tonight (Dfec. 4). ••Hends Up," Alvln (4th week) (M -'?:57-$5.50). Off to , very good start and should last until warm "•v'.ather; new musical improved o $34,000 last week.. *K: i Chocolate," ' Hudson (25th ^v?ok) (R-l,094-$3). Colored r^ vue leaving after another week; a'1 out an even split around $11, OftO: "Broken Windows" due ' iiistmas week. "Houseparty," Waldorf (13th week) <D-l,101-$3). Sticking it out after tepid beginning; may be pont to Chicago before long; $6,- 000. estimated. •How^s Your. Health," Vanderbilt f2nd week) (C-771-$3.85). Notices s-emed okay,- but business under ' Tnactatlons first week; got a " t over $6,000 in jeven perform- •It. ::cver Rains," Republic (3rd week) (C-901-$3). .May stay through month; house reported seeking another attraction; this ore mild; probable $5,000 pace. •Jenny," Booth (9th week) (CD- !)46-$4.40). Has been doing very well, although not among the leaders; $14,000 and better; very s" rd for moderate capacity house. •Journey's End," Miller's (38 th Ave?lt) (13-946-$4.40). ■ Held to ex- f'^llent trade last week, with gross oucted at $16,900; holdover con- ti'iues to top most of the newer . si- ows. •Jur" Moon," Broadhurst (9th wopk) (C-l,118-$3.85). Again hit abnormal flg.ur6. with an added tnatlnee and holiday pirlceg; gross ■ ^«nered $30,000. •Ladios of.the Jury," Erlanger (7th week) (C-l,520-$3). Mrs. Flske drawlr? very good money in first new play .ghe has had in years; about $1 4,000 last week. "Let Us Be Gay," Little (42d week) (C-,'530-$4.40). Going to the road after another week; Weld over during summer for excellent run in small capacity house; dipped to 'S.OOO, but last week better. •<Many Waters," Times Snuare filth week) (CD-1,057-$3.R5). Moved here from Elliott Monday;- had ;been announced as leaving when business Improved; $12,000 and over but expens5ive to operate. ..=^.jyien<i5j,^.^lnfi.,L'^Harc-is^a2d^.w^ek) <C-l,051-$3.85). Drew good no- tices and biislneps after premiere promising; first week . approxl- mated !tl4.000. Primer for LoverE," Lonpacre (3d week) fCD-1,019-5.3). IMay move to anotber spot, as this house ffcts "lK!\dora" next week; bus! ne.ss not so hot at $6,000 for "Primer." Rope's End," Maxine Eiliott (12th week) (Dr924-$3). Moved here from Masque Monday; had been getting, around $8,000, probably profitable for small cast English meller; a couple of thousand bet- ter last week. ' "Salt Water," John Golden (2d week) (C-900-$3). First nighters liked this comedy hut business could have been better after the premiere; between $8,000 and $9,- 000. Some New Shows With Chances to Land on B way Opened Last Week FRISCO'S HIT JACK POWELL "Jazz in a Kitchenette" "Scandals," Apollo (11th week) (R- I Appearing nightly at County Fair, l,168-$6.60). With scale advanced 54 East 9th, a club for smart New all of last week gross was expect- I Yorkers. ed to soar; up a little, the count "We predict that there will be a being a bit under $40,000. thousand imitators of Jack Powell "Sons of Guns," imperial (2d week) by morning."—Gotham Life. (M-l,400-$6.60). New musical | Direction LEQDY & SMITH smash indicated;' notices all favor- able and buisiness claimed to be capacity; first seven performances over $43,000. "Sketch Sook," 44th St. (23d week) I Greenwood Show Clicks, But Flops (R-l,386-$6.60). Moved upward; | Surround It holiday scales aided in gross ap-r proximating $40,000; highest .fig- I San Francisco, Dec. 3 ure In some time. Legit business generally poor last "Street Scene," Playhouse (48th week. Henry Duffy's President with week) (C-879-$3.85)» Close to a Charlotte Greenwood In "She year's , run and ought to liist into Couldn't Say No," only winner, spring period; business eased pff Greenwood clicked , from the Jump slightly but came back last week and has been drawing limousine to better than $17,000. trade which ordinarily goes to Cur- "Strictly Dishonorable,'! Avon (12fh ran- In second week about same week) (C-830-$3.85). For the Stobb as^rs^ |7,000. at $1.25^ top second time a gross of $23,000, a L Mae West's "Diamond LU '' at figure never before In this house; Curran keen^disaOToIntment.^Cus- nine performances and holiday tomers didn't go for it as expected prices Around $11,000. "Subway E)tpre88," Liberty (llth I "Freiburg Passion Play»' at Geary week) (p-l,202-$3). Many mys tery plays came early In season; only, a couple remain; this one . one; fair trade at $12,000. "Sweet Adeline," Hammerstein's stayed over four days, closing Thanksgiving, and took additional $3,000. "Remote: Control" at Alcazar did sudden nosedive! after several weeks (14th week) (M.-l,265.$6.60). The I of satisfactory^ t^^^ musical front runner until "Bitter 'l:?""-^^ / i „ Sweet" came; last wefek again to 1^ Columbia, d^l^ for^many_weeks big gros but not capacity early in 5^°"5^^*" week; aided by extra matinee. Timers Jn tidia." Got $7,000 first flhrtiit 24^ 000 week at $i top "The AmoriT"Antic," Masque (1st ■ "The F,at Tire," at Green Street week) (C-700-$3). Presented by dropped to about $1,300. but can Sam H. Harris; written by Ernest | "^'^e money at that figur e, Piascal; out of town reports It na,Ughty but funny; opened Mon- day. "The Channel Road," Plymouth (8th ^^^^^ k'^^^'^^'^^^v: ^ ^*r^^ I San Pranclaco. Dec. 3, week; aided by agency buy during ^ . West's husineaa on the coast engagement; average $9,000; fair Li^tf ^Smdnd Lll-^^ n^it^wLr"^^ ? Tisappo?n?^^^^^^ ^She "inte^dT tS "The CrTmi^al Code," National (10th ^^^^^^o^^^^^^ the Los An- week) (D-l,16_4.$3), . Has "sed | ere^«^«^«"gf ^^^l^^^^j^^ ^j^^ WCoaslFlop With Thankisgiving and the foot- ball influx, Broadway legits of the favored group had excellent grosses last week. Usually this period is the high-water mark, with a gradual slump up to Christmas. Figures show the grosses of . election week somewhat topped last week's. Trade was not so good up to Wednesday. Of last'week'is premieres two mu- slcals stand out. "Sons of (Suns" ("Carry On"), at the Imperial, bet- tered $43,000 In seven performances, while "Fifty Million Frenchmien," at the Lyric, got over $32,000 in five performances. In addition, the re- vival of "Sherlock Holmes" : wfent over to capacity at the New Amr sterdam, where $31,000 was regis- tered; "Mendel, Inc.." seems to have a good chance at the Harris, ap- proximating a starting pace of $14,- 000; "Silver Swan" was liked'at the Beck and is favored to land; "Game of Love and Dieath," at the Guild, Is a subscription affair; "Salt Water," Golden, moderate at $8,500; "How's Tour Health," Vanderbilt, likewise, about $6,000 in seven pierformances; "Young Sinners," late entrant at the Morosco, may do something; "The Patriarch," 49th Street, closes this week; slJnilar indications, for ^'Humbug," at the Ambassador; "Top 6' the Hill" did little at the Eltinge. .Musicals The season's llriiited number of musicals is still led by "Bitter Sweet,-'again topping $50,000; "Sons of Guns" rated next, with "Sweet Adeline" third, getting $32,000 In nine, performances; ^'Sketch Book," up to $40,000; "Scandals" slightly less; "Heads Up" .Improvied to $34, 000; "Wonderful Night," about $30,- 000; "Street Singer," $28,000;."Little Show" back to $25,000; "Follow Thru" about the same, and "New Moon" over $20,OOOi both of the lat- ter leaving soon. . "June Moon" went past $30,000 for the second time^ playing an extra matinee; ''Wise Child" nearly $24,000; "Strictly Dishonorable," With an added matinee, again hit $23,000; "Berkeley Square" $19,600; both holdover dramas, "Street Scene" and "Journiey's End," ap- proximated $17,000; "Gambling" $15,000; "Jenny" and "Ladles of the Jury" about $14,000; "Bird In Hand" $13,000; "Criminal Code," "Candle Light," "Subway Express" and "Many Waters" $12,000; "Rope's End" $10,000; "Broken Dishes" $9,- 500; "Let" Us Be Gay" $9,000; "Your Uncle Dudley" $7,000; "Veneer" $6,- 000 with the others less. Out and In Leaving and due in: "Th6 Chan-r nel Road" closes, at the Plymouth; some cut rates but highly regarded ran. It goes to Lo3 Angeles direct tragedy making the grade; can ^""^ stick another month or so, hen'^™™ "The G^me "?f *l^ie''and Death," I '^MIKACLE'S" ADVANCE Guild (2d week) (D-914-$3). Crit- St. Paul, Dec. 3. ICS didn't like Guild's second pro- Morris Gest's "Miracle" has duction offering; is to be moved bankroll of $3.0,000 from advance to another house Dec. 17 to fill out sales against the $100,000 nut it subscription period; "Meteor" fol- will pile up during 18 performances lows here. at the municipal auditorium start- "The Humbug," Ambassador (2d ing tomorrow night, week) (D-l,200-$3). Difference of Edmund A. Stein, local im- opinion over this melodrama; presario, representing the producer, opened middle of last week; may hired a bank building for a ticket close Saturday. | office. "The Little Show," Music Box (32d week) (R-l,000-$4.40). No extra matinee last week; summer revue [ has been getting excellent money; jumped ■ back last week to over $25,000. "The New Moon,' Casino (64th week) (O-l,477-$5.50). Leaving I after another two weeks; longest ruii show on list; recently paced around $20i000 and somewhat bet- ter during holiday going. "The Patriarch,'? 49th St.- (2d week) (D-708-$3), Will be taken off | here; well over $23,000 last week but no added matinee. "Wonderful Night," Majestic (6th week) <O-l,776-$6.50). Rather a lightweight In agency ticket de- mand but has been doing well enough; last week best gross at $30,000. "Young Sinners,'* Moroscp (2d week) (CD-893-$3). Opened Thursday last week; critical opin- ion sharply divided over risque lines Saturday; regarded well but no «Your Uncle Dudley," Cort. (3rd business "The Silver Swan," Beck (2d week) (O-l,189-$4.40). Operetta some thing of a surprise to first night- ers; reviewers impressed and ex pressions favorable; opened mid die of last week. "The Street Singer," Shubert (12th week) (M-l,395-$5.50). Not as strong as first indicated, although doing weir to profit; holiday pushed pace up to $28,000. "Top o' the Hill," Eltinge (2d week) (CD-892r$3). First nighters thought this worthy drama but business for initiai week discour aging; $4,000 "Veneer," 48th St. (4th week^ (D 969-$3). Cast change of featured player (Henry Hull out) won't do this one any good; trade about Sfi.Opo^l^ast week^ _ "Whiripool," IBIltmbre " (ist" weisk) (D-l,000-$3). Presented by a new week) (C-l,042-:$3). Having a hard time getting started; fsecond week around $7,000 and! must imr prove to la,st. Special Attractions—-Little Theatres "Sherlock Holmes," New Amster- dam; revival with William Gil- lette off to excellent start with first week approximating $5l,000; engagement of three weeks may be extended to Christmas holi days. "The Living Corpse," 14th Street; revival by.Civic Repertory; opens Friday (Dec. 6). "The Merry Widow," Jolson's; re- vival;" opened Monday for two weeks. "After bark," Rialto, Hoboken; revival stopped last Saturday; 51 "Capoha'acehi," Haffipdra'?T"r^ The Patriarch," ditto, 49th Street; "The Silver Tassie" stops in the Village; "Cross Roads" closes to- night at the Royale; "Chai-m" lasted but three days at Wallacks; "Caponsacchi" wltlvdraws again from Hampden's; "After Dark" and "Shoestring Revue" both closed last Saturday in Hoboken, as did "A- Ledge,"' Assembly. "Family Af- fairs" . comes to the Elliott next w^ek, "Rope's End," which moved there from the Masque, again moving, to the Royale; . "Isadora", comes to the Longacre, "A Primer for Lovers" moving or closing; "The Novice and the Duke" also due next week. Plenty of Cut Rates More shows are available at cut rates this week than at any time to date this season. At least five of last week's hea"vy Incoming card went Into the bargain mart, with others slipping in tickets at the last minute. The list: "How's Your Health" (Vanderbilt)i "Salt Water" (Golden), "Top o' the Hill" (El- tinge), "Humbug" (Ambassador), "The Patriarch" (49th St.), "It Never Rains" (Republlw). "Primer for Lovers" (Longacre), "Candle Light" (Empire), "Your Uncle Dud- ley" (Cort). "Rope's End" (Elliott), ^'Houseparty" (Waldorf), "Criminal Code"^ (National), "Silver Tassie" (Greenwich Village), "Many Waters" (Times Squarfe), "Winter Bound" (Garrlck), "Veneer" (48th St.), "Hot Chocolate" (Hudson), VNew Moon" (Casino), "Wonderful Night" (Ma-^ jestlc), "Follow Thru" (48th St.), "Broken Dishes" (RItz), "Ladies of the Jury" (Erlanger), "Jew Suss" (Yiddish Art), Burlesque (Colum- bia), "The Ship" (Gansvoort), "The Merry Widow" (Jolson's), "Let Us Be Gay" (Little), "Jenny" (Booth). The Buys The agency buy-outs continue to be considerable in number, bearing : out the claim that the season has been as profitable ad ever for the pt-emlum brokers. The list: "Heads Up" (Alvin), "Scandals" (Apollo), "Strictly Dishonorable" (Avon), "It's a Wise Child" (Belasco), "June Moon" (Broadhurst), "Candle Light" (Empire), "Laidies of the Jury" (Er- langer's), "Sketch. Book" (44th St.), "Follow Thru" (46th'St.), "Gam- bling" (Fulton), "Sweet Adeline" (Hammerstein's), "Mendel, Inc.," (Harris), "Sons o' Guns" (Iniperlal), "Berkeley Square" (Lyceum). "A Wonderful Night" (Majestic), "Jour- ney's End" (Miller's), "Young Sin-, ners" (Morosco). "The Little Show" (Music Box), "The Channel Road" (Plymouth), "The Street Singer" (Shubert), "Bitter Sweet"^ (Zieg- feld). ''GreatIdeas'' of Wm* M Critic- Promoter, End in 10-20 Year Stretch Pittsburgh, Dec. S. Stormy theatrical career of Wil- liam Moore Patch, promoter and former dramatic critic of the now defunct P'lttsbm'gh "Dispatch," came to an end last week In Philadelphia when he was sentenced to serve 10 to 20 years in the eastern peni- tentiary after pleading guilty to nine counts of forgery and fraud. Patch has been associated with probably more flops than any one else ih show business, and is reported to have cost his backers millions at different times. Patch came here several years ago from Lebanon, Fa., and through Chi- cago and Pittsburgh capitalists, be- came head of a theatrical corpora-, tion which t"ok over the Kenyon theatre, which he later renamed the Pitt. It is now owned by the. Shu- bert.s. Under hi.^ direction, the the- atre was made over into ah artistic creation designed to appeal to a high-class trade. At one of the premieres, the house was made a bower of exotic plants and cut flowers and the usherettes were garbed In the riiost expensive eve- ning gowns. The venture, after expenditure of a small fortune, proved a dl-smal failure and other succes.sive pro- closes Saturday, independent group (American I "Winter Bound," (3arrick. Playwrights)- written by William "Charm," Wallack's; revival; closed Jourdan Rapp and Walter Mar- last Saturday; three days, quiss; opened Tuesday. "The Shoestring Review," Lyric, "Wise Child," Belasco (18th week) Hoboken; closed last Saturday. (C-l,050-$3,85). Belasco opening "The Silver Tassie," Irl.sh theatre a new one ("Broken Windows") (Village); closes this week, out of town this week while his "A Ledge," Assembly; closed last comedy hit continues to capacity I Saturday. ductlons under Patch's guidance met similar fates. At the end of a, year, the theatre was closed for non-payment of rent but 'the capitalists Interested took their losses without a squawk and ini- medlately divorced themselves from the energetic Patch. . Patch next embarked In the In- sui-flnce business, also on a lavish scale. He rented an ehtire flbor here In the Arrott building and em- ployed a b|g corps of expert agents. This quickly proved another flop and cost his new backers -several thousands. Then he disappeared from.here, only to turn up in Phila- delphia a few months later to em-^ barU on a publishlhg cireer. He bec<.\me editor of a theatrical niag-. azlno known as "Patches" in Which he Interested Thomas McKean, wealthy PhilaUelphlan. McKean did not realize how deeply Patch had Involved him un- tll a chieck-up a year later revealed : he had parted with an amount esti- mated from $300,006 to $1,000,000. Patch was arrested on charges of fraud and forgery and succeeded In escaping sentence until last week because of Illness. Hauled Into court finally on a stretcher, the 10- 20 year sentence was pronounced. present, but especially at the holiday time. Sent to any p^rt of the world. FOR YEARi $10 FOREIGN (Outside U. S. A.), $11