Variety (January 1914)

10 VARIETY MANY PLAYS PAST TWO WEEKS OPE NING O N BROADWAY New Year's Week Naturally Brought Out Big Business. This Week Awaited to Determine Hits. But a Couple of the Shows Looked Upon as Successes from the Start. Big Winter Garden Production Yet to Come. Last week was no criterion by which to gauge the general legitimate theatri- cal business in the metropolis owing to the New Year's receipts, which were uniformly satisfactory. Of the three new attractions open- ing last week, two may be said with reasonable certainty to be successes, while the third, "The Philanderer" (Little theatre) was pretty roundly scored by the reviewers as old-fash- ioned and unworthy of Bernard Shaw's present reputation. The other two are "The Girl on the Film" at the 44th Street, and "Iole" at the Longacre. The former is de- clared to have played to over $20,000 on its first week and to give every in- dication of being a success. "Iole" played to nearly $11,000 and on the Prst half of the current week business was believed to be quite satisfactory. Maude Adams in "The Legend of Leonora," a Barrie play, opened Mon- day at the Empire and she and the company received most laudatory no- tices, while the piece was declared to be hardly up to standard. There is small likelihood,* however, that with the superior management with which her metropolitan engagements are sur- rounded she will run her allotted three months' New York engagement to good, if not capacity, receipts. The Misses Mabel and Edith Talia- ferro at the Criterion, in "Young Wis- dom," were only fairly well received and will not likely remain for any ex- tended period. The piece is regarded as pretty and mildly humorous, but lacks the so-called "punch." "A Thousand Years Ago," the re- named "Turaiidot," opening Tuesday at the Shubert, is compared by some of the reviewers with the highly suc- cessful "Kismet," both as a spectacle and in the style of piece. Predictions are made it will equal its predecessor in receipts. William Collier in "A Little Water on the Side" is generally regarded as "just another Collierism," a little bet- ter than his previous piece of the cur- rent season, which was a failure, with the fate of the present vehicle still In the balance. "Eliza Comes to Stay" opened at the Garrick Wednesday night. "Kitty MacKay" started the same evening at the Comedy. "The Yellow Ticket," at the Eltinge, was postponed from Monday to to- night (Friday) and those who have witnessed the rehearsals declare it to be a very strong drama, full of heart interest. "The Whirl of the World" at the Winter Garden has also been post- poned from Monday to Saturday night and it is even possible may be shoved back until next Monday evening. Harry Lauder, for his one week's en- kagement in New York, at the Casino, opened Monday matinee to $1,500 and • he takings for the evening perform- ance were $1,960. Before the opening there was recorded the largest advance sale the Scotch comedian had ever en- joyed in New York, giving every as- surance of a banner week here. PRESS OPINIOiNS THE LEGEND OP LEO MORA. Not slnr# "What Every Woman Knows" ha* Miss Adams' bad so happy a part, and never has Bhe looked more charming.—Herald. Dut delightfully whimsical a* her (Miss Adams') Leonora is and charmingly as she acts It, the piece itself far from represents the Scotch dramatist at his best. To urge as much would be to do the.greatest injustice to one of the most fascinating pens that writes the English language.—World. The general result Is an evening of most ex- ceptional and charming entertainment.— Times. The humor of the play was Irresistible, Its subject never cast a shadow over the merri- ment and Miss Adams, whatever Leonora might be, was never more charmingly re- vealed to her admirers.—Sun. YOUNG WISDOM. In a delightful and original comedy "Young Wisdom." the engagement of Mabel and Edith Taliaferro In the Criterion gives promise of being highly successful—Herald. Charming and delightful comedy.—Times. A jolly little comedy full of laughter and amusement and with just enough moral -not to hurt It—Sun. A slender enough story and a theme that Is a bit trite and daring, but so skilfully has Miss Crothers handled It that It Is highly amusing.—World. A THOUSAND YEAAS AGO. "A Thousand Years Ago" Is as young In Ha attractiveness as any play of yesterday and a thousand times more novel and poetic than most of them.—Herald. And a most charming thing it proves to be, full of light and love and laughter, and en- riched with graceful fancies of a rich Imagina- tion.—Times. "A Thousand Years Ago" has every pros- pect of prolonged and deserved popularity.— World. A LITTLE WATER ON THE MII>E. It's too obvious.—Herald. The new play la not such an Improvement over "Who's Who" that It Is likely to bring the comedian the sucess he deserves.—Times. If one enjoys the agile methods of this most expert farceur, and many fortunately do, "A Little Water on the Side" Is a good chaser.— World. "REGAN" MOVING OUT. "General John Regan," which moved from the Hudson to the Liberty, will close its New York engagement to- morrow night, the Lieblers booking the show for the Studebaker, Chicago, opening next Monday. OPENED WELL AT GAIETY. San Francisco, Jan. 7. Will Phillips dropped out of the Gaiety theatre cast Monday. Bickel and Watson opened this week with the "Girl at the Gate," and scored from the start. D. V. ARTHUR ORGANIZES. The Playgoers Film Co., a corpora- tion with a paid-up capital of $150,000, has been organized by Daniel V. Ar- thur, who is to be its managing di- rector. Wall Street capital is interest- ed in the enterprise, which was pro- moted for the making of high class feature films. Several theatrical stars have been contracted for to pose and contracts made for the filming of a number of well-known plays, both legi- timate and comedy. Arthur will continue as general man- ager for the DeKoven Opera Co., and is also getting ready to present his wife (Marie Cahill) in a new musical comedy. "DON'T WEAKEN" AT ELLIOTT. Wednesday afternoon it was reported Arthur Hopkins' production of "We Are Seven" would be withdrawn from the Elliott Saturday night and Mon- day would be presented there by Wil- liam A. Brady and George Broadhurst, Walter Hackett's comedy, "Don't Weaken." At Brady's office this impression pre- vailed, but Hopkins claimed nothing had been settled and he would have to be first consulted. He added that *ome such arrangement might be ar- rived at, in which event "We Are Seven" would take to the road. RICHARDSON BACK WITH BRADY. Leander Richardson has resumed his former post of general press represen- lative for William A. Brady, succeed- ing Murdoch Pemberton, who has pone on tour ahead of one of the Brady attractions. Mr. Richardson left Brady's employ to become the general manager for Philip Bartholomae's productions, at which time it was understood Brady released him reluctantly and stated he would be pleased to have him return at any time. SHOWS CLOSING. "A Butterfly On the Wheel" (George Hopper, manager), under the Sidney R. Ellis-Adelaide French direction, closed its tour Jan. 3, in Germantown, Phila- delphia. The show is not behind on the season, but it was deemed advisable to close before losses were entailed. "The Master Mind" (Al. H. Rich's) closed Saturday night in Davenport, la., the Rich Producing Co. bringing the show back to New York from that roint. Wee & Lambert have closed "The Arm Of The Law" which they recent- ly organized for a tour of the Stair & Havlin circuit. "BONDAGE" JAN. 10. The opening of "The House of Bondage" has been set for Jan. 19, house still unannounced. Cecil Spooner is to have the lead. Her stock company at the Cecil Spoon- er theatre (Bronx) will be without her. Tully Marshall will stage the piece and play a leading role. Others en- paged are Elita Proctor Otis, Lucille La Verne, John Sainpolis, Ida Darling, Charles F. Miller, John Maurice Sulli- van and Jessie Wilson. If you don't advertise In VARIETY, don't advertise at all. "RED CANARY" KEEPS ON. The Shuberts have taken over "The Red Canary," which is to be revised and rewritten, then recasted and brought into New York. Lee Shu- bprt went to Boston to see the show and decided upon the deal on his re- turn. T. Roy Barnes, who made the big comedy hit of the show, is to be re- tained. The prima donna, Lina Abarbanell, will retire and is now seeking vaude- \ tile dates. "OPENING COLD." "The Whirl of the World" may open "cold" at the Wintergarden Saturday right, without any try-outs for a couple of nights on the road. The show is so heavy it was thought impracticable to cart the entire production up to Albany prior to its metropolitan premiere. At least, this was the feeling up until Wednesday evening. "OTHELLO" REVIVAL GOOD. Toronto, Jan. 7. William Faversham's production of "Othello" at the Royal Alexandra Monday evening was a brilliant suc- cess. R. D. MacLean plays Othello, Faversham, Iago and Cecilia Loftus, Desdemona. SKINNER OPENS NEW HOUSE. Victoria, B. C, Jan. 7. Otis Skinner, with "Kismet," open- ed at the new Victoria Theatre Dec. 29. The house cost $300,000, the money being raised entirely by local subscrip- tion. The opening performance was an im- portant social event in the northwest. NOT SEPARATING. A report got started that George Primrose and Lew Dockstader would come to the parting of ways at the close of the present season, but Earl Burgess, manager of the minstrels, says plans are going right ahead for their next season's tour. Primrose & Dockstader's is at the Bronx Opera House this week and the Grand Opera House next. While the blackface comedians are in New York their vaudeville date at Hammerstein's will be arranged. TRYING "THE BARGAIN." Detroit, Jan. 7. John Emerson's new play, "The Bar- gain," is to have its first performance on any stage here next week, when it will be produced by the Washington Theatre Stock company. Emerson is here staging the piece. If it shows any strength, the play will be given a legi- timate production for New York. ASSISTANT FOR PHIL KELLY. The New York Theatrical Protec- tive Union No. 1 has voted to give Philip Kelly, business agent, 'an as- sistant. He will be chosen at the meet- ing Sunday night. Harry Palmer, who was assistant business agent at one time before the position was abolished, will very likely be named as he is acceptable to the managers for his fair attitude in former controversies. No. 1 is to give a ball March 12, in Amsterdam Hall.