Variety (February 1921)

▼^ mm m c 14 LEGITIMATE SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Is a last Be- . Over Thus very week. "Afgar," Central <l3th woek). Should run until mid-April, Pact now between $ • 4 nut* and S16.UUU weekly. Management figures Alice Ptlysia to be a big draw on the road "Bad Man," Comedy (22d week). When the warm weather arrives this comedy will be at 111 in the running. Is holding consistently to $12,000 weekly with the demand linn. "Broken Wing," 48th St. (9th week). Skipped over the $11,000 mark last week, a Monday benefit aiding and matinees heavy. Gross Is excel- lent for this hoiiHP. Good Tor a run. ^Cornered," Astor (9th week). An- other notch in the pace last week with the takings going to $15,400. This drama looks set for a run until spring or later. ••Dear Me," Republic (3d week). Hetter than held the pace of the first week by jumping $500 and going to $11,704 last week. comedy novelty and should for a run. "Deburau," Belaseo (7th week) lasco class in production stamps this adaptation. One of the pro- ducer's best trys which is bring- ing capacity business of over $17,- 600 and a big advance sale. "Emperor Jones," Princess (1st week). First week of regular presentation. Was put on by Provincetown Players downtown. Moved up at holidays for special matinees and moved here Satur- day last for at least four weeks. •Enter Madame," Fulton (25th week). Extra matinees continued through January gave this hit a bigger gross than in the fall $16,000 again last week. "Erminie," Park (5th week), far this revival has done well. It drew $16 000 last Management, however, figures the road a better proposition and will leave Broadway at the end of February. Phila. the next en- gagement. No attraction listed to succeed at the Park as yet. "First Year," Little (16th week). There Is little difference in de- mand between this comedy, **The Bad Man" and "The Bat." Size of house holds down the gross in comparisons. Played to $12,812 last week with an extra matinee. "Gold Diggers," Lyceum (70th week). Is getting more at $2.50 top than any show in town with the exception of "Welcome Stranger," a this season offering in a bigger house. "Gold Diggers" drew $14,500 last week. Capacity. "Good Times," Hippodrome (26th Week). Big house is running along to form expected. Is * magnet for visitors, the continued out of town publicity counting. •Greenwich Village Follies," Shu- bert (U3d week). Around $18,000 weekly. Date for going out lei March 6. Management figures show to"draw bigger business on tour. •Her Family Tree." Lyric (6th week). Getting fair business, bu* production costly and there is lit- tle howay at present pace. May withdraw for road; nearly $14,000 last week. "Honeydew," Casino (22d week) Jos. Weber will take show to the road after two we< ks more. Pace indicated run could have lasted until after Easter. "Blue Eyes' will cceed Pel . 21. "In the Niqht Watch," Century (2d week). Melodrama originally put on abroad. Premier*' Saturday night last. Opinion divided. Is in cut rates. "Irene," Vanderbilt (63d week) No doubt about this one sticking for a full two season run. Sure to break Broadway's record for mu- sical plays. Business still around capacity. "Ladies Night." Eltlnge (2Cth week). Looks safe to run out the season and may last well in the summer going. Pace since raise of scale holding up with gross around $14,000. „ "Lady Billy," Liberty (8th week). Continued strength of this savage musical play a surprise to some of the Broadway wiseacres. Over $18,000 weekly. Should run to :itt<r Easter with ease. "Little Old New York," Plymouth • L'L'd week). Prediction that this comedy would run into the spring acting holds strength. Better than . _V!-00<» last we.):. With h< }\,:■'.;:<• • draw/' } etUi.Trtrf ,■» season here. "Lightnin'," Gaiety Little difference In of the run leader. S79 last week with nee figuring. "Mary," Knickerbocker MGth week) Strength shown at end of fourth month Indicates good chances for continuance until summer. Boad shows appear to Affect business little. Over $20 000. "Mary Rose," Empire (7th Week). Little under $12,000 last week. Barrio play timed to run about five weeks more. ♦•Meanest Man in the World," Hud- son (17th week). Although George M. Cohan Is out of cast, this com- edy should continue until summer. Last week the t ikings dropped a peg without the star, but was well up In the going with $lf»,000 in. •Miss Lulu Bett, H Belmont tfith week). Chances of this comedy (125th week), the great pace Played to $i:..- an extra mail- landing now good. Business since the opening week after which show was changed (last act) steadily picked up. Got over $7,500 last week, not much under capacity. "Near Santa Barbara," Greenwich Village (1st week). Willard Mack's play with himself and Ckira Joel star/ed. Opened Mon- day night. Was out under title of 'Poker Banch," also "Her Man" Succeeded "The Beggars Opera." "Prince and the Pauper," Apollo (14th week). Pace improved for the second week of the switch over from the Booth. Drew bet- ter than $12,000 last week. "Passing Show of 1921," Winter Garden (6th week). Pig house is not going clean on the lower floor but is playing to big business. Should run into the summer. "Rollo's Wild Oat," Punch and Judy (11th week). No question of this comedy having landed. Last week with a" little over $6,000 the pace was biggest yet, barring New Year's week. Virtual capacity. "Sally," New Amsterdam (7th week). Leader in the demand. That is true in every agency. Talk now of the show running through the summer, with a house picked out for it when the next ready. Getting $35.- '©•0 weekly "bk.r. v ," Bijou (16th week). Is making the best run of the English importations this season. Playing along to $8,000 weekly. "Samson and Delilah," 39th Street (12th week). Demand for this star-lead drama, with nearly $11.- 000 ip last week. Upstairs trade steadily big. Indications for a run into the spring, "Spanish Love," Maxine Elliott (26th week)', Management pre- dicts this dratea lasting the sea- son. Playing to $11.000 weekly and better. "The Bat," Morosco (24th week). An extra matinee .nscrted last week, with $1,500 drawn. This sent the gross to nearly the $20,000 mark. Leads the non- musical division with no con- tender. "The Green Goddess," Booth (3d week). Not an unsold seat since premiere, with standees in for most performances; $13 TOO the pace, with an indefinite run in sight. "The Tavern," Cohan (19th wcekL Arnold Daly returned to lead again last week, succeeding John lfeehan who succeeded Brandon Tynan. Pace dropped somewhat but should recover with Daly. Got Sll.TicO last week. "The Mirage," Times Square (l?th week). Road time for this drama, laid out, has been set back three times. Played to $11,000 last week; management plans con- tinue until spring. "Thy Name Is Woman," Playhouse (12th week). Better pace held true last week, with the takings again going to around $8.f>00. Figures to continue Into April; pace a money maker with the small cast. Grace George in "The New Morality," the matinee offer- ing here. "Tip Top," Globe (18th week). A sell-out at every performance with Standees in most of the time. Getting around $27,000 weekly. "Three Live Ghosts," Hayes (19th week). Business holding to over $8,000 earns a tidy profit for this small cast comedy. Run may con- tinue until spring. "Tickle Me," Belwyh (36th week). Has another week to go with Philadelphia the first road stand. "Prince and Pauper" may succeed Feb. 17. "The Champion." Longacro (5th week). Counted as a hit with $13,000 weekly, the pace at $2.50 top. Is a sell-out except for the gallery, which Is true of two ether successes, "Transplanting Jean," Cort (5th week). Business fell off markedly last week, and show due to leave at the end of next week. Laur- eate Taylor In a revival of "Peg o'Mv Heart" will succeed., "Wake Up, Jonathan!" Henry Mil- ler (3d week). Business for sec- ond week held up fairly, the pace being around $11,000. Mrs. l-'cke, the st;ir. the strongest feature "Woman of Bronze," Frazee (22d .week). I Nt urn to form during •• January i o fluke Taklm?« again jutojKcl with the gross going well over $11,000 la.-I week. Good business for this house. "Welcome Stranger," Cohan A Har- ris (21st week). Another show to hetter its pace. I.;ist week drew 111,291 That leads the straight comedies. The |2.50 top thing turned the tlick. "Way Down East," 41th Streel (23rd week). Running oionu between fiC.OoQ and $17 "oo weekly now "Over the Hill," Broadhu si I ' week). "MECCA" GETS $44,000 IN 7 PERFORMANCES Easily Takes Lead in Chicago Houses At Fair Prices. "Welcome Stranger" in England. Arrangements were completed ti>i* week by cable for the presentation in England of "W« looms Strang* r." with Harry Green In the prln-Ipal role, played heme by «*,«•'. . •• Kidney. Lewis &• flordon placed the p!< in Great Britain through Brae si Edelsteru Friday, February 4, 1921 NEWS OF THE DAILIES The China relief benefit in New York Sunday brought In more than I18.U00, and one given for New York's East Side poor dr?w $12,000. Chicago, Feb. 2. "Mecca," with its force of press agents, headed by Will A. Page and Nat Koyster and the personal pres- ence of Morris Gest, got the edge, as far as newspaper display, on all the other stellar attractions here. Every critic was profuse in praise of this mammoth production. And though the show will not gross weekly what "Aphrodite" did, it will play to more people. Down- stairs prices on week days are $2.60, boxes $3.00, while Saturday and Sunday downstairs prices go to $3.50. Matinees Wednesday and Saturday, top $2. The show should do in its six weeks a quarter of a million, and is to be followed by a return engagement of "Aphrodite." Only one attraction, "The Bat," will have a special matinco for Automobile * "Week, though several houses, especially those near Mich- igan avenue and catering to the hotel trade, will raise their prices. Among the four leaders, "Irene," "Follies," "The Bat," and "Happy- Go-Lueky," the box office barometer has not moved $400 either way in the last four weeks. Estimates for the Week. The Son-Daughter/' (Powers, fifth week), $17,100; getting strong downstairs play with capacity the last half of the week. "Fanchon and Marco Revue," (Olympic, first week), $16,000;' plenty of money being spent in all newspapers, though the advertising and cuts looked as if they were gotten up for the one night stands. Badly scaled if trying to remain eight weeks. House on rental basis of $4,000 a week for four weeks, with an option of four more. Should play $2 top. "Irene," (Garrick, ninth week), $20,000; no end in sight with de- mand as big as its first week. Everyone singing the praises of Helen Shipman. the able handling of the show by Harry Jackson, and James Barton, and the irresistible story. "Way Down East," (Woods seventh week), $18,000; fell off a lit- tle from last week, but bound to pick \\p with Influx of visitors. "Follies." (Colonial, sixth week) $40,200; some of the scalpers badly hit the early portion of the week, and hustling around the front of the theatre trying to get from under. Tickets have been offered a passerby for a dollar a throw on the sidewalks. "Smilin' Through," (Cort. fifteenth week), $13,900; with only three more weeks to go, this Is the longest run show now on the boards, and with the last three weeks announced will jump back to capacity. "The Hottentot," (Cohan's Grand, eighth week), $14,300; giving way to a special company of "The Tavern," opening Monday. "Guest of Honor," (LaSalle. ninth week), Little better than $10,000, which means money to both the show and the house. "The Bat," (Princess, fifth week). $20,602; the only show in town giv- ing special matinees for Automobile week; also the heaviest box office advance sale of any show running. Can easily stick till the hot weath- er. "The Half-Moon," (Illinois, fourth week), around $11,000; taking the air to give way to Otis Skinner in 'At the Villa Rose." "The Charm School," (Shubcrt- Central 1st week), $4,800; with only one more week to go. To be fol- lowed by Jack Norworth in "My Lady Friends." The Central does not seem to be able to catch on. due to its out-of-the-loop location, poor bookings or upstairs seating problem: anyway, it does not ee m .: blS ?<> hbld II -' <T\\ ! . "Happy-Go-Lucky," (Playhouse 13th week). $11,400; the Second longest run now in town. This house, opening the same time as the Central, similarly located, has l>< • n just, the opposite. Happy bookings have put this bouse theatrically on the map, gaining an immediate nlehe in the hearts of the theatre-goers. "As You Were." (Htudebaker. 4th reek). Less than $i2,000; never teemed to match on; In Its last ,v'k, to he replaced by M Flor\>dorn." "Mecca," (Auditorium, 1st week). $44,000 in seven performances: rale being handled exclusively through tho box offlee, scalpers sneaking 'erne. Bure to do capacity on its ".x we«ks. Publicity marvelous* "The Famous Mrs. Fair," (Black- stone, 5th week). $15,000; with an A hearing wiU be held F . 7 of the objections raised by three nephews of the late Dr. M. J. 1 iter, Hippodrome animai trainer, against the probating of his will. Dr. Pot- ter, who was' burned to death in a fire Die. 2, last, left his estate to his widow. A Are in Richard Canfleld's former gambling salon at 5 East 44th street Saturday morning, caused firemen to batter down the famous bronze door which had defied numerous police raids. The flames caused damage of about $50,000. Among the notables arriving from Europe on the last trip of the Aqui- tania were Misa M. P. M. Forbes- Robertson. daughter of the actor; Princess Bibesco, wife of a Rou- manian and daughter of Margot extra heavy advertising campaign to push it over this mark. With the two stars and all around high- priced cast, not considered big money these days out west. BOSTON'S BUSINESS NICELY HOLDING UP Five Musical Shows and Four Straight Productions Running. Boston, Feb. 2. There is no sign of any letdown in the business done by the big houses since the first o~ the year. The five musical shows and the four straight productions are doing nicely, with the only falling off at any in the .first two days of the week. "Week-end capacity houses rule with a big sell out for Satur- day night. No new openings scheduled for Monday but there are four due next Monday. The Boston opera house will open again with a legitimate attraction after dark, except for occasional concerts, since the English Opera Co. closed there. "The Return of Peter Grimm." (Tremont, 2d week). Last week of Warfleld with draw of $1.9,000 for the first week, about as good a break as he ever got here. One of the few houses which did not have a little slump at the beginning of week. 'Must Suppose" next week. 4 Ed Wynn'ft Carnival/' (Colonial, 2d week). Return here, show pick- ing up good money. Opened last year on one of the worst nights of an exceptionality bad w'ntcr and did good business then. Between $17.0(10 and $18,000 last week. "Clarence," (Mollis, 5th week). Drawing regulation Hollis audience with two weeks more to runT$l 1.000 for the Week, very fair draw for the hous-'. "Honors Are Even," (Park Square, 5th week). About $12,000 on week. Plenty of conservative advertising. "Midnight Rounders," (Majestic, 6th week). Eddie Cantor drawing bitf with collegians at Harvard, show selling out praetically every week. In foTs^hree weeks more with $18,000 about figure for last week. "Love Birds," (Shubert, 2d week). Went over bigger than most antici- pated. At $2.50 top did $13,000 first week and opened strong Monday this wok. /^Rock's Revue," (Wilbur, 2d week). Didn't get over as well as might have. Wilbur does not often have shows of this charaeter. Last week, show then on tour. $9,000 for week. "The Purple Mssk," (Plymouth. 0th week). Pinal week. $10,000 last week. "It's Up To You." (Globe, 5th week). William Moore Patch he- hind the show, getting more public- ity out of it than any of the cast Show started off to airold start an<l shortly after opening had to intro- duce the "souvenir" gag. Now • • ma to he getting the business and is due to stay at least two weeks longer, $u top, "Way Down week, and wont long ;is present our. $2. Th< re are five East," (Tremont itOW o,t inn 20th be sent away as patronage holds new shows listed for the coming Monday, "The Maid of the Mountains," a musical com- edy that is said to have gone hii,' in England, will come into the Boston op< rn house and will stay there un- til 'Aphrodite" coin's in; Nanee O'Xeil comes to Boston for the first tune in years, appearing In the Plymouth In "The Passion Flower," .lust Suppose," with Patricia Col- linge will come into the Tremont; the "Broadway Brevities" Into the Shubert and the Colonial will have another "return" show. "Mary." It is most Unusual for the Colonial to get a "return ' show during the sea- son and this tt tract inn following on the heels of 'Ed Wynn'a Carnival." which also went big here last sea- son, is noti< « abi' . Asqulth; Giorgio Polacco, former Metropolitan conductor, here in rel spon.se to a summons from Mar* Garden; Henry Cohen, of Metre Sir Philip Gibbs, Sir Ernest Shack* leton and Vice-Admiral H. M. p Huse, who will take charge of tke New York naval district, ^ Two women "missionaries" from Zion City, whteh Dowie founds? have arrived in New York to reform' eform ii. Jazz has percolated through ths Vanderbilt portals on Fifth avenue. Gen. Cornelius Vanderbilt and Mrs! W. K. having had Paul Whlteman and his band for concerts they gave recently. The Hempstead home of Christian Krlens, violinist, was robbed of vio« lins, music and silver valued at sev* Oral thousand dollars and liquor val* ued at (?). The latter cost Kriena $400. ~ The Priars have revived the Frolic, .and their first of the new series is scheduled for Sunday Feb. 6. n Mayor J. Hampton ("Hample") Moore of Philadelphia, a former newspaperman. Is on the verge of establishing a censorship over than atres and picture houses. Florence Easton jumped into the role of Isolde at the Metropolitan; when Mme. Matzenauer was unable to appear, and scored a triumph. 1— •• i "Chu Chin Chow," running h\ London 4% years, has ha more. than 2,000, consecutive perform- ances, arm has been seen by, more- than 3.000,000 people. 1 ™ ■ i SBBJ Arthur yron is credited wit* saying, in an interview, that tk« present day star-manager system is undermining the theatre. Emmanuel Lasker, German chess champion, has been denied permis- sion to stop In the United States otr his way to Havana, where he is o play Capablanca, the young Cuban wizard, for the world's champion-* ship. Fred Corwey, .the Hippodrome's musical clown, has received his 47<H American patent on instrument e has invented. Corwey, graduate of a Viennese technical school, makea the drawing, models and the instru-* merits themselves. Mrs. Edward Ferris, formerly si bearded lady freak in eftrcueee, has had herself sentenced to jail so she may permit her head to gro^ rut again. She shaved it off some years ago when married to a glass blowr. Not only did Jane ITerveux, a via* Irix. fail to get married, but she al- most lost her bankroll when- a Brooklyn youth, signing the nnmt of her missing fiancee, sent her a telegram asking her to send him money. James K. Hackett.. wiUMb ' the London production of l>i-;nkwater*a play, "Mary, Qu*en of Scota" The seventh season of the Pas- sion Play at Union Hill, X. J., opene Feb. 6. Margaret Anglin delivered an ad» dress and read a poem at the Ander- son Galleries Monday, at the first meeting of the Union of East and West. Rabindrath Tagore, East Bast Indian poet, also rend some of his own works. In addition to Olive May. who has just obtained a divorce from Lord Victor Paget, other actresses seek- ing freedom in London are Iris Hoey, from Mux Leeds, **ctor; Lily St. John, from Major T. (Iran, pioneer airman; Muriel Piatt, trom W. Bridges-Adams, Shakespeariai producer; Margaret u unerm*J*< from Pal Somerset, actor. Mme. EHse Kutcherra, Belgian in una donna, now living in NeW York, declares a story Hhe had com* mitted suicide in V;< una \\w years ;igo was part of a plot by her di- vorced husband to collect insurance money. Htidyard Kipling, whose "LighJ That Failed" w;is dramatised but never made much of a success, has anally capitulated to the illms, ac- COrding to a statement given out by Pathe. Paul Rru'nct, president Of Pathe. says he has the- e S<'• nariOf From the famous Englishman. Louise Bwanson, a musical com* edv girl, figures as "Annie Laurie, and Allison M. Coon, a Worcostjj Mass.. business mnn. as "Little t>er Blue," in a diary Coon's wife intro- duced as part of her evidence in (Continued on Page 24. Frank Cassassa and Hick Me* Kenna, detectives, who were ap» pointed to the New York j.ol'ce force by Theodore Roosevelt in 18M» and who arrested Gyp the lficod, '•Dago" Frank, and "Lefty Louie* in the Rosenthal murder case, have been retired from service.