Variety (February 1920)

KiWBllWii LEGITIMATE !Rl^i?ft K i| SHOWS IN NEW YORK AND COMMENT gf >t,': v* 7 ' >v£ : -,:. ■V' !> " •V. ^Abraham !1ncoln.» Cort (11th Week). Continues as the money leader of all non-musical attraction on Broadway. Regular pace last week found the gross well over $16,000. With a $3 holiday scale _going for the extra performance Washington's Birthday (Monday) - business for the current week again assured of over $18,000. "Adam an* Ere," Longacre (24th week). Ranks with the season's comedy suc- cesses and Is now traveling at better than a $9,000 Dace which'figure turns back a fair profit. Regarded as safe for balance of season. «Aiw«,« Yon." Lyric (8th week). Addi- tion of Irene Franklin to cast a clever move. 'Show goes to the road Satur- day and the Franklin name-makes prospects of tour bright. "George Washington," the second' history-hero play of the season, the succeeding at- • traction. "A« Ton WereT* Central (6th week). Is going a great pace. Last week was the first regular week since opening. In that conditions were normal and there were no extra performances. Gross was 116,200, which Indicates the show's pace. That figure Is virtual .capacity. "Aparodit*v Century (18th week). Al- though this house passes to control of the Shuberts, who take title within the next week or so, arrangements have been made for Morris Gest' to continue with "Aphrodite" until the end of the run. Plans arrived at late last week also Include (Jest's presen- . tatlon of "Mecca" here In the fall. - "Apple Blossoms,'* Globe (21st week). Has settled to a pace of nearly $18,000 - which places It among the. musical leaders. Sure for balance of the sea- • 'son.-. "Beyond the Horlsoa," Criterion (4th week). This tragedy la still pro- voking much comment and praise but house pressure prevents Its regular presentation. Moved over for special matinees from the Morosco. "Baddies," Selwyn (18th week). Re- garded as one of the best profit mak- ers among current attractions. - Last week the takings were over $14,000. "Breakfast In Bed," Eltlnge (6th week). Business has picked up with this Woods farce and show now figured to have a good chonce. "Clarence/* Hudson (23d week). While this comedy slipped In pace over the ■ great business • of the first four months. It continues to stand out and should have no trouble finishing out of the Season. Around $12,000 last , "Declasse*," Empire (21st week)* Re- mains with the season's dramatic leaders In business and demand, averaging between $14,000 and 116,- 000 weekly. Should hold up nearly as well during Lent "East la Went," Astor (68th week). Not far behind "Llghtnln' In point of run-length and 'ahead of that ahow In aotual takings. These two attractions the only hold-overs from last season now running, "The Jest" having been withdrawn last week. "Richard III," gremlere at the Plymouth, has been ut back until March 6 (Saturday). "Famous Mu. Fair." Miller (10th week). Figured with the comedy successes and stands up well with attractions arriving around the mid-year holt- days. Has been drawing from $1,400 • to $1,700 nightly. "Frivolities of 1020,** 44th St. Theatre (8th week). Going to road Saturday. Show started like a big winner and although It has been playing to fair takings, size of attraction calls for big takings. The only chance for a real break is on tour where produc- tion cost may be salvaged. Suceedlng attraction at 44th Street Is "Look < Who's Here," next week with Lean and Mayfleld. "Gold Diggers," Lyoeum (22d week). Regularly plays to better than* $16,000 weekly with standees In at practically every performance. Being one of the brightest comedies In years, It Is ' strong enough to run through the summer if management cares to do so. "Happy Days," Hippodrome (27th week). Last week's business went to $69,600 indicating big playhouse is still go- ing at fine pace. Started current week off with $18,900 on Monday with ma- tinee record broken (Washington a Birthday) the new figure being $9,- 181.60. "He and She,** Little (3d week). Hadn't caught on up to Btart of the week. Last week's takings around $3,600. If pace does not quicken another attrac- tion will come in during March. "His Honor, Abe Potash," Bijou (20th week). Woods looking for a larger theatre. Scale at Bijou still $3 top and capacity of house does not per- mit offering of cheap V**** , Show has been .doing around $8,000 lately, that claimed to show a fair profit, "Jane Cleg*,?* Garrlck (1st week). New- eat production by Theatre Guild. Is . •. • ■/ v .' , .;■■ „.. I • ■•;,:; _■•_,... , v.,--...' a - • ' j " '.'.' ■* :.■ • .- .,:■ . a play by St John Irvine and has a short cast Opened Monday. "Irene/* Vanderbllt (16th week). Looked on as the "sweetest" attraction among the musical shows. Still playing to standing room with the weekly pace around $16,600 or better. Several companies framed for next season. "Letter of the Law." Criterion (1st week). Opened Monday night'starring Lionel Barrymore. Is Brleux's "The Red Robe" and out of town reports good. Mixed opinion In New York. "Little Whopper," Casino (20th week). Every time this show dropa to the danger point (stop-limit of $10,00) a holiday break saves it, since attrac- tion has a two week clause. This week Washington's Birthday gives It another lease of Uf"• "Uaatniny Gaiety (76th week). The run-leader and still going fast. Gross consistently beating that of other shows listed as success this season. "' "Magic Melody." Shubert (17th week). Will leave after two weeks more, go- ing to Boston for a four-week engage- ment starting March 16. "The Blue Flame," with Theda Bara will suc- ceed. "Mnminn*« Affairs," Fulton (6th week). Figure • mentioned last week waa a misprint Show got $12,000 upon switching over from Little. Went to nearly that amount last week, which is considered very good. Show counted among the successes. "Midnight Whirl," Century Roof (10th week). Continuance of this after-the- ater offering Is In doubt. Considering its handicap location la drawing fairly but not to a profit. May be withdrawn, though "Aphrodlto'* la continued downstairs. "Midnight Frolic," New Amsterdam (22d week). Claimed that prohibition has not hurt admissions and $9,800 given for last week. Takings from catering naturally hurt New "Nine o'clock" revue postponed until Thursday night of next week. " H ,t'V t i^ ut Beanealre." New Amsterdam (12th week). Only slackening felt has been In the upper portion of the house. Drew $16,100 last week. Among the musical leaders. "My Lady Friends," Comedy (13th week). Ib a comedy that could not be stopped by bad house handicap. Is running along at a $11,000 pace an ought to stick until season breaks. "My Golden Girl," Bayea (4th week). Haa shown nothing exceptional but has been playing to fairly good busi- ness considering that Bayes is a roof theatre. The pace is around $10,000. "Night Boat," Liberty (4th week). Pace at present makea It the leader of the musical shows. Around $21,000 last week. Started this week with Indica- tions of going to $24,000 or better. "One Night In Rome," Cohan (13th week). Final week, going to the road. William ■ Collier in "The Hottentot" succeeds next week. Massing Show of 1010," Winter Garden 19th week). Opinions that this was the best of the "Passing Shows" series appears born out. Business still big and succeeding show not talked of until late spring. "Ruddlgore," Park (6th week). This Is the 20th week of the soason for the American Singers season. The suc- cess of the revival of Gilbert and Sul- livan's "Ruddlgore" may prolong the comic opera season, for the attraction Is placed among the best offering In town. Is the first revival by this or- ganisation to run more • than two weeks. "Sacred and Profane Love,** Morosco (1st week). Starring Elsie Ferguson who returned from the screen to the spoken drama. Is the same play as now run- ning in London. . Produced by Alt Hayman but Famous Players-Lasky are Interested. "Scandal," 39th Street Theatre (24th week). Stands up with the comedy successes of the season and may out- last the majority. "Shavings," Knickerbocker (2d week). A type of play of Cape Cod atmos- phere; regarded as having a fine chance. Played to around $11,600*for . opening week, the gross Jumping as much as $500,nightly. "Sign on the Door," Republic (11th week). Has been playing to profitable though not big business and manage- ment expects It to continue until the break of the season. "Smllln* Through." Broadhurst (9th week). No doubt abo'ut this show having caught on. Last week It went over $13,000 again. Producers cancelled road time arranged for it starting next month, figuring show can stay for balance of the season. "Son Daughter," Belasco (16th week). ' Has settled to a pace of better than $14,000 weekly and Is regarded as one of the season's best dramas. In busi- ness It ranks with the leaders and should easily last out 'the season. "Tick Tack Toe," Princess (1st week). Herman Timber it's revue. Opened Monday night. Production cut down to fit small house. . "The Acquittal," Cohan and Harris (8th week). Counted as one of the best liked dramas of the "season. Played to around $11,600 last week, a very profitable pace. "The Cat-Bird," Elliott <2d week). Show liked and has a good chance. ' Is starring John Drew. Arrangement for limited engagement accepted with no other house In sight. May switch* over, since "What's in a Name" is due for this theatre late In March or In April. "Cat-Bird" got nearly $9,000 last week and ought to hit $11,000 this "The Passion Flower," Belmont (7th week). Moved up from Greenwich Village Monday, replacing the Isba Troupe (Russian) which is now play- ing the Manhattan. Nance O'Nell starred over "Passion Flower" title. Show went to around $5,600 last week In the Village. "The Purple Mask,** Booth (8th week). Starring Leo Dltrlcheteln, Classed with the best of the offering which bowed in with the first of the year. Face is better than $11,600 which Is not far under capacity. "The Storm," 48th Street (22d week). —Another attraction which has held true to predicted form. Last week the takings were close to $10,000. Show has been a conslstant profit maker. Should stick until warm weather. "The Wonderful Thing," Playhouse (2d week). Show panned by the critics but showed steady improvement at box office. Opened Tuesday last week, getting $6,600 for five days. Figured to have a good chance. "Wedding Bells," Harris (16th week). Aided by new ticket selling plan, shows' pace haa been bolstered. Around $9,000 last week. SHOWS INCHICAGO. Chicago, Feb. 26. "Hello, Alexander," Garrlck.—With Pearl Regay, a hit In Esther Walker's place, the Mclntyre and Heath show has nevertheless continued to drop in re- ceipts: $14,600 on the week (11th week). "Follies," Colonial.—Got $37,000, vir- tual capacity. Marllynn Miller dropped v out of the cast a couple of shows on account of Illness, but Is back again. "See Saw" comes In March 7. (10th wssk) "Welcome Stranger," Grand.—Main- tains its pace as the unquestioned come- dy hit of the town: $18,700 (9th week). "Clarence," Blacks to no.—$13,000 plus, and looks good for like trade for some time to come (8th week). "Oh, My Dear," La Salle.—Lukewarm all during Ita engagement: $10,000 this week. Leaves for Murat. Indianapolis, next week (6th week). "Rose of China" comes In March 2. "Tiger, Tiger," Powers.—The Frances Starr show took a slight tumble this week, but totaled almost $14,000, much hotter than the first few weeks of the run (6th week). "Mis' Nelly of N* Or- leans," with Mrs, Flake, comes In March 1. "A Volee ta the Dark," Woods.—The 39-stage-hand melo got almost- $13,000, with indications for $1*4,000 for next week, when It closes to make room for the Winter Garden extravangansa "Monte Crlsto, Jr." (6th week); "Slnbad," Auditorium.—Uncertainty of Jolson's appearance hurt business; about $28,000 on the week (6th week). "Oenr Me." Cort.—The La Rue-Hamll- ton show seems a neat winner; $12,000, with some trade at cut rates (3d weok). "Betty. Be Rood," Princess.—Light but not unprofitable; $8,600 (3d week).. "HitcKT-Ko»." Illinois.—Regarded as below the average of last season's re- vues, and It Is reported Hitchcock will have the show bolstered up; got under $16,000 (2d week). Thornton, Olympic—With a scale Of from 26 cents to $1.60, the magician got $10,000 on his opening week,/with indi- cations of $12,000 for the week to come. Regarded as extraordinary business for this type of show (2d week). Southern and Marlowe, Studebaker.— Drawing patronage from the elite of thje town, the Shakespearean* grossed over $22,000 on the week. "Sometime," with Frank Tinney, comes In February 29. la danseusTeperdue. • Paris, Feb. 14. The Frenzied Dancer would be the title In English of the charming 8-act comedy by Rene Fauchols which Sacha Gultrv presented at his little chic The- atre dee Mathurlns on Feb. 4, as already reported by cable to Variety. It Is not the usual style of Fauchols, but It seems to be liked better than his former seri- ous efforts. Yamoula (Betty Daussmond) is a dancer at the Opera-Comlque. richly supported by an exotic prince (Cande) awaiting a throne. A timid young man Is madly In love with her and arranges with the servant (Ellen Andr£e) to let him In the apartment.as the electrician called In to repair a short circuit He Is named Edmund (well sustained' by Etchepare) and like the real members of the corporation he makes the Job last three days, to be near the girl he adores. He finally has to confess his real stand- ing, but is so eloquent that Yamoula reciprocates his love, allowing him to return to see her the next afternoon. In the meantime she receives friends, who much admire her pearl necklace, which she carelessly places on a small table; her good-for-nothing' father Is also introduced. Later when alone she discovers the necklace Is missing; the police are Informed, and the quasl-eloc- trlclan. suspected. When he visits Ya- moula next day he Is diplomatically questioned and in the meantime his home searched. The necklace Is not found but a quantity of other Jewelry. So Edmond Is arrested, much to the grief of the dancer who Is aghast at the idea she is in love with a thief. In the third act It is proven Edmond is a Jeweler and a straight boy; that the shady father is a gambler and stole the necklace. The comedy terminates by the visit of the- Prince who Is called home to reign; he provides handsomely for Yamoula and commands her to take only Edmond as her future friend, the so-called dancer not desiring anything better. The.play ensod; tno scene where the police, drags slightly at moments and could be as usual, Jump too readily at conclu- sions and get on a false track, is' too long. The role of the Commissioner of Police Is admirably acted by Juvenet; Montel, formerly a vaudeville performer, is splendid as the aggravating father 'whose main idea la to raise the wind at his daughter'a expense. Ktntrew. COMPARE LE REWARD. Paris, Feb. 14. This farce, which Is said to have so amused Goethe that he translated It Into Gorman, was dug up and remodeled by Georges Poltl at the Theatre de la Renais- sance for a matinee of the Art et Action theatrical society, which was founded ■ by Mme. Lara. Like the modern work of Rostand, "Chanteclair," the characters are animals The old poem describes the crafty work of the fox, probably repre- senting certain personages of the time Its was written. Mr. Fox has put Mrs. Wolf on the wrong path, and murdered' Mrs. Hen. Judge Lion, on the evldenoe of Wolf and Boar, condemn Fox to death; but even at the foot of the gallowB the prisoner Is foxy enough to save his neck, and succesds In having the trial re- vived In the form of a duel with Wolf. To accomplish this he tells Judgo Lion he knows of a gold mine which he will point out if he la spared, in tno duel, known In those ancient times as a "Trial before God," Fox bites Wolf to death, and Instead of being hanged the wretch Is glorified. This ironical crltlo of mid- dle-age politics, but which is not so antiquated after all, Is amusing; It was also well played by the Art et Action stage club, Dolphin, a midget actor pretty. well known In Paris, holding the crafty role of Mr. Renard (fox). The resusci- tation of the works of our forefathers la always Interesting, though not always suitable for the modern general playgoer, Kmdrew. LES PETITESCURIEUSES. ■ ;:■■ .... ' ■< 8 Paris, Feb. 14. - The new 8-act comedy by Tristan Bar- nard at the Novelty, now Theatre des Boulevards, Is mainly composed of froth. It Is a charming little play without much -plot but witty sallies. It concerns a man who persuados his sweetheart not to be frivolous: he wanta to know her seri- ous, sedate, - chaste. But when that transformation takes place she la de- Iirlved of her usual charm and he no onger desires her, The girl also finds the young man distasteful when he no longer has any particular Tad to com- plain about, and so mutually they drift apart, the place being filled by a friend. Germalne Rlsse plays the reformed sweetheart; Clara Tambour that of the girl who replaces her at the end. The show commences with ft good a sketch, "Le Cabinet Noir." by Lucien r r Besnard, portraying the watch a valet has kept on his master, so that when the old chap dies the servant Is able to In- '■:■ form the family, on a commission, where the money has gone. A part of the for- ■•■■: tune haa been given in bonds to the 5 master's mistress, and the family Is mean enough to compel the woman to restore after death what the lover gave her during his life. It Is a nasty sub- r Ject, but may forewarn some people what they -can expect from a selfish family. Both plays were well received, but with no particular "enthusiasm. In fact no bouquets were banded out Kendrmt. SHOWS IN SAN FRANCISCO. ■ g Alcazar—"The Woman in Room 13" (stock) with Belle Bennett & Clay Clement.' ' Casino-Will King Co. (40th week) P'l and A-H vaudeville. Curran-Kolb & Dill in "Wet & Dry" (1st week). ■';-M Columbia—Dave War field in "The ...->' Auctioneer" (2d week). Majestic—Jim Post and Tom KellyJj§| musical comedy company (stOClc).v-.:?.'^|| Maitland Playhouse—Stock. ?S<?| Princess—Bert Levey vaudeville. Wigwam—A-H vaudeville. ,§j| Savoy—Grossman Yiddish Players (Friday and Sunday nights).