Variety (March 1922)

16 LEGITIMATE ^ Friday, March 24, 1922 SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figures estimated and comment point to some attractions being successful, while the same gross accredited to others might suggest mediocrity or loss. The variance is explained in the difference in house capacities, with the varying overhead. Also the size of show cast, with consequent difference in necessary gross for m profit. Variance in business necessary for musical attraction at against dramatic play is also to be considered. These matters are included and considered when comment baiow points toward success or failure. ) •Anna Christie," Vanderbilt (21st week). Will hold over another week, thoufjh listed to leave Saturday. Business this week took pronounced spurt. Opens Chlcapo, April 10, "Letty Pepper" succeeding here. •Back to Methuselah," Ganick (4th week). Three-part cycle, neces- sary to present G. B. Shaw's long- distance play, began again Mon- day. Not decided if cycle will be played for third time. •Blossom Time," Ambassador (26th week). Moved up a bit, matinee support counting much in favor. Gross between $12,500 and $13,000. "Blue Kitten," Selwyn (11th week). Recovery in business marked froi.i Wednesday last week, takings moving upward $2,000 or more; gross over $14,500. •Bombo,'* Jolson (25th week). Dent- ed markedly since slump set In. Some recovery. Figures to run another month, with new "Passing Show" succeeding, proi>abIy in Alay. •Broken Branches," 3lth St. With- drawn .Saturday, having .stayed two weeks, but could not draw anything like guaranty of $3,500 weekly, which arrangement was supposed to have been for three weeks-. House dark. •Bull Dog Drummond," Knicker- bocker (13th week). Kn^lish melo- drama has had good going and will probably run well into spring. Business claimed $13,000, with cut rates helping. "Captain Applejack," Cort (13th week). Moved upward 1. s": week and went pa.st $10,000 mark. At- traction one of four leading non- musical shows, along with "Kiki," "Cat and Canary" and "To the Ladies" ♦. •Cat and Canary," National (7th week). Season's outstanding con- tribution in mystery plays. Tliriller drawing big business, with pace faster all last week. Gross went to $17,000, which leads non- musical list. "Chau ve - Sourls," 49th St. (Sth week). Going at capacity for nine performances weekly ^three mati- nees). This Russian novelty show, with Nlkita Balieff, n*'W comedian, as star, one of Broadway's favo- rites. "Czarina," Empire (Sth week). Busi- ness not I p to expectations of lirst weeks. La.st week found no im- provement over slump gross, tak- ihgH slipping little to $10.50(1. •Demi-Virgin," Eltinge (23d week). Some cast changes to set run througi spring. Pace around $8,- OOQ weekly; profitable, and ligure bettered last week. •For Qoodness Sake," I.yric CSth week). Around $11,000 last week, showing recovery In part. Though this musical attraction has not * hown strength. It will be tried out further, having had worst of breaks thus far. •First Year," Little (74th week). Last week first at $2.50 top since opening. Though the downward revision In scale was not adver- tised, comedy run leader wo . to around $8,200, jump of $1,400 for previous "Income tax" week. •First Fifty Years," Princes.i (2d week). Two-person drama that won favorable comment in dailies and could get across at moderate gross pace. First week not prom- ising, gross of about $2,600. •French Doll," Lyceum (Sth week). Ran slightly ahead going last week, with gross running better than $8,000. While that is little over half capacity, show probably turns profit. •Get Together," Hippodrome (30th week). Another three weeks or fio to go. tickets on sale up to Kaster. Last week third und final with Jack Demp.sey, takings claimed at $36,000. •Good Morning Dearie," (^.lol>e <21st week). Dillingham's musical smash which will ride into hot weather and may run throuKh f^umnier. Getting bettor than $'J?.000 v'm.h\. along. "Music Box ll»vu« " and "Dearh'" musiciil leaders, with no contenders. •'He Who Gets Slapped," Fulton (11th week). GuiM's Russian drama got off fo strong si art up town. Business recently dropped but with $11,200 in last we<k, still making money; also house. Will last until warm we.ather. •Ju©t Because," K.irl Carroll (1st week). New musical .show out for several wetk**. Opened Wednesday night succeeding "Bavu" whirh ran four weeks. ♦'Just Married," Nora llayes (48th week). Moved up over low mark of seeond week of I^ent, wi;h gross around $6.5oO Theatre party probaMy aided mostlv. "Kiki," Belasco (17th week). Broad- way's non-musical class lender. Demand as strong a.s ever. <»reat advanctt Ml«r and oaiiacity throughout week; gross around $16,500. ''Lawful Larceny," Republic (12th week). Figures to run through the season. Started moderately and climbed steadily on dramatic merit. Beat $11,000 last week. "Liliom," 44th St. (1st week). Brought back Monday for repeat of two weeks. Drama had great run at Fulton, leaving for road in February. After "Liliom" house rented for amateur performance. "Madeleine and the Movies," Gaiety (3d week). Featurea (Jeorge M. and CJeorgette Cohan, with father and daughter line-up providing Kuro draw. Takings of second week $10,500, which means profit. I'ace held uq to opening week, ex- tra premiere scale considered. "Marjolaine," Broadhurst (9th week). Better support here start- ing Wednesday last week sent gross to nearly $12,000 which measure.s normal pace of attrac- tion. Making money but not ex- ceptional draw. "Montmartre," Belmont (6th week). Attendance makes business look bigger than is; last week allot- ment to cut rates cut 25 per cent., thosj tickets recalled and sold at box ofiiee. Better than $5,000 last Week, which means money be- cause? show co-operative. "Music Box Revue," Music Box (27th week).. Stan(l<es no. much in evi- dence last week, but show went to better than $29,000. Ticket agency buy is 379 seats nightly now, allotment being cut down to provide ticket sale at box office. "National Anthem," Ileiuy Miller (9th week). Down to around $7,- 000. Play probably affected more than others by Lent because of star'.s <lraw. "Rose of Stamboul," Century (3d week). Draw to date mostly on lower floor. Second wec-k's gross around $19,000, promising Jimip over lirst week. Show is $2.50 top and has been since opening. House can get around $40,000. "Rubicon," Hudson (5th week). Pub- licity given this French adapta- tion over alleged immcjrallty of story favor to management. Show climbed, with business going to $0,500 last week. Good profit at that pace. "Sally," New Amsterdam (6Gth week). Picked up about $1,000, last week's gross being $22,000. That figure ixrovides no i)rofit, show probably taking slight loss but excellent money for ihis stage of ruu "Shuffle Along," 63d Street (44th week). Last week around $9,700. About $400 better than week i)re- viou.s. Management expects all- colored piece to run into summer. "Six-Cylinder Love," Sam Harris (31st week). Business dropped for leader through autumn. W^ent Into cut rates last week, which will ride show through balance of season. Business between $9,000 and $10,000. "Tangerine," Casino (33d week). A little better last week, gross go- ing over $11,000. Attraction has not gone Into cut rates. One of most consistant money-makers up to start of slump. "Thank You," Longacre (25th week). Weat back little further last week, with about even break afforded with little over $7,000. Theatre parties favor attraction, which should run past Easter. "The Bat," Morosco (S3d week). MyJstery i)lay smash of last sea- son is Broadway's run leader and will likely complete second sea- s«»n, with profitable busliiess right alon^'. $8,500 to $9,000 lately. "The Blushing Bride," Astor (7tli week). • As with other musical shows which fell away off. there was part recovery last ^^e(•k, with gross $11,200. Not proJitablo for musical attraction. "Tho Dover Road," Bijou n4th week). While a little off eaily in week, this comedy closed at ca- pacity ])aee. Takings $9,400 or little more last week, not far un- der house capacity. "The Hindu," Com'edv (1st w^ckV Succeeded "The White i'eacock" Monday. Walker W h i t e s i d e starred. Show on tour fur some time. "The Law Breaker," Times S«iunre (Tth week). Switch fi om 'I'imes square foun<l only fair results and new attraction will su<ceod after next week; Iloudini comes in, of- feiing illusions aloiitc with sjii cial Houdini film; will show at $2 to)>. "The Mountain Man," .Maxine ]:iiioit (loth w«>ek). iM.irjorie IJaml'cau with ''Jenny .Jones'* April 4.< "Mountain,Man" probably movhi;; to oDth Street; will remain until second week in May. "The Nest," 48th Street (Rtli week). Littio lu^er $7,000 in lilai week. 7 SHOWS LEAVE CHI AT END OF LAST WEEK Those Remaining Improve in Business—"Frolics" Opens Alone Sunday—Others on Monday Chicago, March 22. Seven attractions hit the "trail" Saturday. This is the largest exo- dus for any one week the present season. Six had been here for short engagements, the longest "The Claw," six weeks, and the others were here from two to four weeks, while the seventh, "The Hindu," wended its way through 10 weeks at the Shubert-Central, an unheard-of record for that house. Three attrac- tions showed an increase in business over the preceding one, on their final week, while four fell below the pre- ceding week. De.splte all of the attractions were outward bound and some got a play on their final week, attractions listed to stay picked up In receipts on their previous week's business. It seems as though the novelty of the Lenten season has worn off here and the theatre goers are Inclined to again patronize the local palaces of amusement. The patronage for the past two weeks has been prac- tically local, for the transient bus- iness has fallen off, no big bodies and organizations have been holding convlaves during that period. This business In the past has been most helpful and was greatly responsible for the large crosses chalked up for shows here earlier in the season, but at present they must go along on their own and depend for the greater portion of their income from the "home folks." Only one opening Sunday niprht. even though two had been scheduled. Zlegfeld's "Frolics" got off to a good start at the Colonial that evening and gives promise of remaining here for a prolonged engagement. The other, Grace George In "The Kx- quisite Hour." had Its premiere set back until Monday at the Ptincess. Three other attractions which rivalled the opening of the George show that evening were ''Ladies Night" at the Woods; Billie Burke in "The Intimate StranJ?ers" at the Powers, and "The Russian Grand Opera Co. at the Olympic. Tho other two houses, Shubert- Central and Studebaker at which attractions closed Saturday as yet have nothing scheduled to appear for the near future, but it i.s eaid they will be occupied within the next few weeks by shows which are headed this way. Estimates for last week: "The Easiest Way" (Powers, 4th week). Final week, close to pre- ceding one in receipts, but did not come near to expectations. Grossed, $S,500. Hillie Burke in "The Intimate Strangers" opened for three weeks Monday. "Only 38" (Olympic, 3rd week). Three weeks sufllclent for this Harri.«i attraction, though It was liked by these who witnes.sed it. business would not come. Receipts business showed some Improve- ment, helped by extra matinee. Draw not up to first promise, however. At pace profit probable for attraction. "The Perffct Fool," Cohan (22d week). Drew little under $14,000 which, while down from strong pace maintained for five months, is still better than newer musicals at $2.50 (not counting "Rose of Stamboul"). This attraction not expensively framed. "The Hotel Mouse," Shubert (2d week). Got off to fair start, first week grossing about $12,000; that pace at $2.50 fair. Went Into cut rates this week. "The Pigeon," Frazee (Sth week). In cut rates and getting fairly good play since moving up from Village, though not up to expec- tations. May be sent on tour. '•To the Ladies," Liberty (5th week). Climb in business again last week .sent gross to better than $1C,000. That places new comedy with non-musical money leaders. In house of limited capacity it would bo rated smash. "Up the Ladder," Playhouse (3d week). Kighth offering in Play- liouse this season. Drawing little, liberally cut-rated. "Voltaire," i^lymouth (1st week). Arthur Hopkins' production; re- lighted Plymouth Monday. "Truth About Blayds," Booth (2<1 weok), NVw Milne comedy opened Tuesday last we«k and climbed, finishing strongly for gross of about 17,500. That would mean pronta>>le pace of over $8,500. "Your Woman and Mine," Klaw (4th week). Management claims jump , of $J.O00 last week, althouph that would not i^laco takings over $."»,- 000. (^o-oprrative and betterment gives it chance. "Orphans of the Storm," Apollo (IL'th we<<k). Painted signs around iheatro district have helped lately. Business nearly $13,000 last week, beating previous week by $1,000. "Wild Honey," Central (4th week). Heli over another week; again uunounc^d for final wtek. for final week topped those of second week. Intake around $6,000. Russian Grand Opera, with daily change of repertoire opened Monday night for limited stay. ^^Bluebeard's Eighth Wife** (Gar- rick, 4th week). Hitting alongr at six cylinder clip. Dally papers runninflT big feature stories on Ina Claire and Arthur Byron, stars of attraction, with critics also calling attention to i^how. Got In the vicinity of $19,000. "The Varying Shore" (Woods, 4th week). Followers of Miss Ferguson thronged house on final week and brought gross to $13,500. "Ladies Night" opened Monday for indeter- minate engagement. "Two Little Girls in Blue" (Colonial. 4th week). Cruise ended here Saturday with log showing $12,000 for final lap. Zlegfeld's "Frolics" Sunday night. "Nice People" (Cort, 21st week). Looks as though days of riin are numbered as business Is on the wane. Neighborhood of $8,000. "Little Old New York" (Cohan's Grand, 11th week). Business picked up over previous week. Attraction starting on last two weeks of run as "O'Brien Girl." Arrives here April 2. Between $9,000 and $10,000. *'The Claw" (Princess, 6th week). Lionel Barrymore's stay was just two weeks too long, with respect to capacity business as this show skidded from $18,000 on Initial week to $12,000 in final week. Grace George In "The Exquisite Hour" opened Mondav. "The Hindu" (Shubert-Central). Walker Whiteside left Saturday with season's endurance record at this house. Business final week was not up to expectations, dropped to $6,000. House dark with nothing announced. "Lady Billyl* (Illinois. 3d week). Mitzl ha.s caught on with business coming up from $17,000 to $19,000 last week. Press work on attraction helped considerably. Remains here \intil May 1, when "The Perfect Fool" Is due to arrive for the sum- mer. "The Night Cap" (Playhou.se, 11th week). Mystery comedy again on incline with business jumping up thousand on previous week; $9,000 grossed. "Dog Love" (Studebaker. 2d week). Jumped in great fa.shion. getting $10,000. If Hodge had been inclined to remain another week or two. it is conjured he mlRht have increased gross over that of the pro- ceeding weeks. Closed Sunday. Nothing scheduled to follow. "Lighnin'" (Hlackstone. 28th week). Picked up $500 on week, getting $18,500. Kvcn these fli;ures exceed that of any regular week of tho Bacon New York engagement. Intake is big profit to show and til eat re. . ."The Silver Fox" vLa Salle, 4th week). Has two more weeks to go here as run was extended one week. (;ot $10,000. "Lola" with Helen Shlpman April 2. SHOW BUSINESS SKIDS AS LENT ADVANCES Philadelphia Affected, Despite Optimism—"Circle" Only Opening Next Week Philadelphia, Marrh 22. Business skidded sharply here just as some were beginning to think the Lenten slump would not hurt Philly as much as some other cities this year. Only Cohan's "The O'Brien Girl," at the Garrlck, eailed through the storm unscathed, and is now figured to run to the summer and close this house. Four opening this week. Only one, "Tip Top," is regarded as hav- ing great chances for satisfactory business. The others are "The (Irand Duke," reported to have flopped badly In Boston, but hopes to rever.se the verdict at the Broad here; "Up In the Clouds." consid- ered as a very doubtful proposition at the Shubert; "The White I'ea- cock." booked into the Adelphi in- stead of "Liliom" on very jshori notice after doubtful business on Broadway. Kvcii the Stone engagement, of which more i>J expected. Is In the nature of a repeat, since this show opened hero last year. As seen at the Forrest Monday night, it proved to Ije practically a new show. Next Monday sees but one open- ing. "The Circle." wl.ieh will ^ive this Drew-Leslie Carter hit the very best of breaks here. It will play at the I-ryric, for three weeks only, ii i.s saiil. Last week's bloomers were led by "Drifting." which .starved com- pletely at tho Adelphi. and was shelved for good Saturday. Tlu-re was nevrr a ehanoo for this Brndy melodrama to catch on here, and it is doubtful if it touched $5,000 in its l.j.st w«M-k. CJcorge Whitfj's ".ScandaLs" had a worse experience here this year than last, when it started well and only flopped when fresh opposition lilt the prolonged stay. The two weeks this season were off through- out, and there were all kinds of dis- sati.sfactlon rxpressei? by buyers, ^Oontiinicd on page 18) HUB DOING BUSINESS; ''GRAND DUKE" FLOPS Four New Shows Monday-* "Scandals" Opposing '^Village Follies" Boston, March 22. The business of last week showed conclusively that Bostonians will patronize the theatres where showi that have been heralded as true and tried successes are shown and will not support other houses. In a week when there was a general businest depression due to it being the third week of Lent, and a bad break in weather, two of the shows in town played to capacity while at one of the'syndlcate houses. Tremont, new low records for performances were hung up. the public completely Ignoring "The Grand Duke," and the houses only registering about $6,000 gross for the week. This is worse than any week this season, and worse than any week for some time as things go with that house. At tho Hollls a low figure was al.so recorded, "The White Headed Boy," only drawing $9,000 for the week. But on the other hand Arliss with "The Green Goddess" did ca- pacity at every performance, and "Tip Top" after a run of 15 weeks also piled them In and hung up a big gross for the last week making the show one of the very big money makers of this season, due to the big draw and the long engagement. four hew shows struck the town Monday, three going into the syn- dicate hou.ses and one into a Shu- bert house. "Dulcy" coming into the llollis; "Welcome Stranger." Tremont, and White's "Scandals." Colonial. The poor show White carried with him into the city last season was remembered here as it was reported mention of this was heard at the house when the advance sale started. "Main Street" came into the Wilbur, supplanting ''Liliom.' a show which got by as far as business was concerned, and did not do much better, although much was expected of it when it opened here. Just at this time there is but one change in sight and that is at the Selwyn where "The Circle." is duo to leave Saturday atul make room for "Emperor .Tones." The engage- ment of tho "Circle," has not been as profitable as expected. It Is com- mon knowledge that If this show plays under $15,000 It is not getting away and it went just imder this figure the first week and in the suc- ceeding weeks did not touch it even thougii two extra ma'inre?^ were sprung last week in the hope of catching romo of the automobile show crowd. When it leaves here "Tho Circle" is booked for Phil- adelphia although it w^.s planned to send it touring direct to tlie coast and then worjc back. Estimates for last week: George White's "Scandals" rCo- lonlal. 1st week). In for limited stay of three weeks and hoping to overcome bad "rep" of last season's show. Is in bad at the start, buck- ing "Greenwich Village Follies." In last 15-week stay "Tip Ti»p' did $26,000. '•Dulcy" (llollis. 1st week). Got society crowd for opening, despite bad weather break. Final wck Irish players got only $9,000. '•Welcome Stranger" (Tremont, 1st week). House not sorry to .^^ee departure of "The Grand Duke." for when only $C,000 Is gross for week at Tremont, one of Boston's oldest and most poptilar houses, under ordinary conditions, something radically wrong. 'The Circle" (Selwyn. 4tli and last week). Finishing up sooner than dope called for, due to la<'k of business. Name draw of John Drew and Leslie Carter did not pan out. With two extra matinees hou.se credited with $13,000 last week. "Greenwich Village Follies" (Shu- bert. 2d week). Did whale of bus- iness last week, playing to over $29,000 at 13 top. Hou.se capacity after Tuesday with only handful of vacant s'ats on that niglit. Mon- day night house weak due to open- ing of White's show and rotten weather. "Main Street" (Wllbtir. l?t week). Big opening Monday, but 'two for one" system brouglit into use for opener. ]n last week "Liliom," did $11,500 and supiiosed to arrive in New York after playing ihreugh New England cities for week. Dur- ing stay here show made money but did not pile up large surplus. "The Grcrn Goddess" (Plymouth, Tth wrek). Travelling just as .-strong now as when it flashed into town. Will probably ren^aln for the balance of current season unless some sort of booking jam prevents and wi'l '1^ big business all the time. Played capacity, around $15,500, last neck. Best this show ever did for a w»cK so far la $16,500 and the poorest ^ $15,200. I