Variety (March 1922)

M LEGITIMATE Friday, March 31. 1922 1 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, witli consequent difference in necessary gross for a profit. Variance in business necessary for musical attraction as against dramatic play is also to be considered. These matters are included and considered when comment below points toward success or failure. "Anna Christie," Vaiulcrhilt (22(1 week). Cloijing with a rush with business last wook 50 per cent better than prevlon.? weelc. for a jrross of 19,000 or better. Will lay off next week, house going dark and reopening April 10 with "I^etty Pepper." "Anna riiristie" opens samo date Cort, Chicago. "Back to Methuselah," Garriok (^th week). The llrst section of the repeated cycle last week drew the best gross to date, with I'J.jOO in. It has been decided to give the cycle a third time but it is to be completed in a week (two days for each performance). ''Blossom Time," Ambassador (27th week). Ootting bettor support than most of newer musicals. Operetta should last out the sea- son. Picked up last week after Wednesday, getting over $13,500. "Blue Kitten," Selwyn (12th week). Buildcd too somewhat for latter part of week. Making a little money: last week about $14,500. "Bombo," Jolson's (26th week), lias one more week to go. Ifou.'^o will berth commonwealth revue, "Hop- per's Funmakcrs," aimed to open April 22. "Passing Show ' plans off. "Bull Dog Drummond," Knicker- bocker 114th week). As with other shows, business not strong early days in week, but this melodrama is a consistent money maker; using cut rates for upper floors. "Captain Applejack," Cort (14th week). Around $2,000 nightly with week'.? gross about $16,000. This comedy is one of the town's BOSTON'S SOFT SPOT SHOWED THIS WEEK Business 'Way Off—"Green- wich Follies" Drops to $16,000 from $29,000 leaders, demand. ''Cat and week), mystery strongly through with, excellent agency Canary," National (8th Hroadway's new thriller play which Is pulling so that it should ride hot weather and beyond. With $17,700 quoted for last week, business ..as close to absolute capacity for all performances. ''Chauve-Souris," 49th Street (9th week). The Russian novelty smash continues to attract class houses for capacity for all nine performances (three matinees). Balcony scale tilted upward this week. "Czarina," Kmpirc (9th week). Pace a bit slower last week, the gross being around $10,000. Scale has been dropped to $2.50 top, with no non-mu.slcal attractions now over that price. ("Back to Methuselah" is counted a special showing. Tickets in cycle of three perform- ancos aro 1990 or $3.30 each.) "Demi-Virgin," Eltinge (24tli week). Farce leader moved up somewhat last week, getting $9,200. Some cut rates allotted Monday of this week, which will provide addi- tional revenue. "For Goodness Sake," Lyric (6th week). An even break is about all this musical show has been able to pull. Cast expensive; gross last week around $12,000, an Im- provement over previous week but still much under expectations. "First Year," Little (75th week). Moved ahead a bit, though man- .igement has not adverti.si d down- ward revision of scale, v.hich is now $2.50 top. Last work nearly ^ 18,500, which Is good ligure for ^^ small cast comedy in small house. ^P Has chance to run into summer V and longer. r "First Fifty Years," Prinross (3d week). A two-person play said to be carried interestingly through- out. Business under expectations with second week grossing about $2,500. With small operation cost and 299-soat house that might mean an even break. "French Doll," Lyceum (6th week). Clood matinee attendance pulled this comedy up to bettor figures last week, gross going to noarly $8,300. .Should run into May, with a moderate profit weekly. ■ "Get Together," IIipi)odrome (31st week). Decision at mooting of directors Monday as to closing time for big house. Planned to keep going to latter p.Tit of April, with another throe woolvs assured. Gross dived to $20,000 zone last ''Good Morning Dearie," Globe (22d week). Draws $29,000 atul more weekly, with only the "MiL-^ic Box" equal- to business. Dillin;;ham .smash sure to ride into sumnior and might slay until road season opens. "He Who Gets Slapped," Tnlfon a2th week). Druj>poil about $600 last week from previous wcok'.s gross, the takings about $10,600. This iiUihX attraction ligures to last until warm weather but is not rxpectod to continue into summer. •'Just Because," Karl Carroll (2d week). A play with musi<'; opened Wednesday last week and re- garded as liaving a chanoo. Busi- ness moved upward following premiere. "Just Married," Nora Bayes (49th week). Now sure of a year's run. Farce has shown a prolit right along, with liouse making even more because of its roof location and theatre downstairs plus Little Club. Slipped down to $5,000 last week. "Kiki," BelascodSth week). Chances for this attraction running through summer as good as anything in non-musical division. .Still selling out for all performances with gross around $16,50() weekly. "Lawful Larceny," Republic (13th week). Moved upward again, showing its strength last week when gross went to $11,300. Best draw house has had in several seasons. "Liliom," 44th Street (2d week). Will resume tour at the end of week, having been brought in for a repeat engagement which gives show 40 weeks in all on Broad- way. Business grossd $10,500 last week, liouse rented for private affair, dark next two weeks and lighted third. "Madeleine and the Movies," Gaiety (4ih week). Appearance of George M. Cohan in cast has counted much in show homing up to good takings. Around $10,000. which is l>rofitablo for this attraction. "Marjolaine," Broadhurst (10th week). Last week's ousiness found no material change; gross was $11,000 or a little better, which is under pace of pre-Lenten period. This musical play has never hit capacity gait but has pulled comfortable business. "Montmartre," Belmont (7th week)7 Box olllce trade has climbed and cut rate allotment lias been re- duced. Last week gro.ss went to $5,200 and co-operative attraction has a chance to go for a run. "Music Box Revue," Music Box (28th week). Scale goes to $4.40 top after another week, manage- ment revising on box ofllce opin- ion. Record at $5 top. Business a little over $29,000. A cinch through summer. "National .'.nthem," Ilonry Miller (10th week). The drop in busi- ness here since start of r..ont a disappointment. Takings are around $7,000, which is consider- ably under cxpectaiions for star- ring offering. "Rose of Stamboul," Century (4th week). The building \ip of the lower floor sale last week proved the merit of show, one of the finest productions at $2.50 top. Went to $19,000, with upper part of house drawing nothing. "Rubicon," Hudson (6th week). Again moved up, gross Koiiig to $9,700. For piece of this kind that makes money for both sides. Cut rates helping. "Sally,". New Amsterdam (67th week). Musical woiidor has been olT since start of Lent, but it fig- ures to recover and fill out the lime until new "Follies" is ready. I^ast week about $21,500. •Dearie" and "Mu.sic Box" only are beat- ing it. "Shuffle Along," 63d Street (45th week). Business claimed to have picked up further last week, with the gross $10,000 or better. For all-colored attraction this i^ a marvel, with new record estab- lished. Love," Sam ll.jrris Went into «ut rates with tickets there as soon as offored. (Jross naturally moved up, takings lofting $11,000. "Tangerine," Casino (3'lth week). This musical shpw lias displayed reversal of form for last month or so. About $10,000 for it last week. Faster may liven draw again. "Thank You," Longacre (26ih week). This comedy started weakly, fought itself out of cut rates. Last week it was again on sale, and that aid sent takings around $8,- 000. Should stick another month and may last longer. "The Bat," Morosco (S4th week). Has boen in the $8,500 groove late- ly and still making money. Man- agement figuring on show running \nitil summer, and it may last through hot months. One road company closed last wook, three continuing on tour. "The Blushing Bride," A-tor (Sth week). Around $10,500 last week. Not a big musical show, and it is olaiinoil to hotter than bro.ilc oven. That is iiossiblo if hous«} sliaic is conr^idt red. "The Dover Road," l^.ijou (l.'.th wo<'l<>. Capaoity pace of ovor $10,000 the tirst throe moiifli". A little off oarly In the wotk. >vith inosont gait bettor ihan $!>.000. Attraction is framed to run into liot woatlnr. "The Hindu," Coinody (2d wck). Won I'.ivorablo connnom iron) re- viewers and box olllce call dcvol- opod immediately. Sale if for lower floor mostly, with snccoss- ful engagement in«licatrd. Got $7,000 in five days (oponod Tii' s- day la.st week). "The Law Breaker," Tinv?? S.inaro (8th woek). Final weok; to be succoe«led next weok by Miur.N lloudini plus a special film nunb Boston, March 29. The anticipated soft spot looked for by those interested in the legiti- mate houses in this city made its appearance during the past week. Business was off, way off, at practi- cally every house. This despite tbe fact that four new shows opened here last week. But one of the new arrivals showed signs of gaining strength as the days passed, and that was *'Dulcy," at the Hollis. From a weak start the first of the week it built up until it closed Sat- urday to big business for the two performances on that day, which play held over for this week. The good sliowing of "Dulcy" was enough to make the local engage- ment an indefinite one, and as it is near the end of the season It may have a chance to stay in the house for several weeks to come. Probably to the Lenten season can the let-up in patronage be blamed. The pick-up of business week before last is explained by the fact that there were several shows in town winding up, and if those interested wished to see them they would have to go during Lent. Therefore they went. There was but one new play this week, at the Selwyn. Following the rather disappointing showing oT "The Circle," "The Emperor Jones * was booked in for an indefinite en- gagement. The interest in the open- ing of this play was big, it being a benefit performance to the manager of the house, Fred Wright, and the first showing here on the profes- sional stage of O'Xeill's w^ork. The association of the Provincetown Players with this show also helped out. Estimates for last week: White's "Scandals" (Colonial. 2d week). Did not go across very^ heavy: gross for first week in the neighborhood of $16,000. This show is in for two weeks more. "Dulcy" (Hollis, "tld week). Start- ing off very poorly, came strong toward end of week, and ended up with total of $11,000. Indications are this figure will be bettered this week.; $11,000 for dramatic show here considered good business. "Welcoma Stranger" (Tremont, 2d week). In city where It was ex- pected show would go over strong, business first week was something of shock. Gross about $8,000, about $2,000 better than "The Grand Duke" did previous week at same house. It will not take much more did about takings of of a drop to bring the total down to where the low record for busi- ness for the house this season will again be touched. "Tha Emperor Jones" (Selwyn, It week). Big oi)ening, drawing cream. In final week "The Circle" $10,000, dropping below prcvlou.s week. Never did as well as expected. "Greenwich Village Follies" (Shu- bert, 3d week). Big business of previous week not in evidence last week, and house Is credited with total of $1,000. While this is as good as White's "Scandals" did playing one of opposition houses, it is quite a fiop from total of the previous week, $29,000. "Main Street" (Wilbur, 2d week). Under $10,000 for first week; not so good. "The Gratn Goddess" (Plymouth. 8th week). Off about $1,000 to $14,000. but still strong attraction and good for long run. with TWO OF FOUR SHOWS GET OVER IN CHICAGO "Frolic"' Set—"Ladies Night" Harshly Panned and Does Business 1st week). Grace George was unabl# to register play as anticipated by W. A. Brady. Miss (Jeorge prison^ ally and Norman Trevor did. On th« •edge of the "loop" $10,000 fairly good. Shubert, Central — Dark, nothing announced. "Lady Billy" (Illinois. 4ih wetk). With arrival of Ziegfeld "I'^rolic" musical patronage has gone to lower portion of loop. Mitzi hold out fairly well, getting around $17,000, drop of several thousand on preced- ing week. "The Night Cap" (Playhouso. ]2th week). For length of time Ik ;o Is doing exceedingly well. Around $8,- *500, which shows profit for house and show. Studebaker—Dark. Possibility of new show being selected lo open about April 16. "Lightnin"* (Blackstone. week). (5oing along at steady witn indications of lengthy With business off all over town ihis attraction affected. R^nrhcd around $17,000. drop from $20,000. "The Silver Fox" (La Salle. 5th week). Carded to depart, litt'o ox- tra advertising brought around $S.- 000 on next to last w^ek here. Leaves Saturday to make room for "Lolo." which opens Sunday-. "Six Cylinder (32d week), last week, pnapi>ed up by him. called "The Man from Beyond." "The Mountain Man," Maxine El- liott (16th week). Stays in this house until May. "Jenny Jones" was listed to succeed, but latter .show closed after tryout. "The Neat," 48th Street (9th week). Holding to recent pace; last week the takings grossed about $6,800; matinee trade strong for this of- fering. House and attraction un- der same management, with prob- able profit attained. "The Perfect Fool," Cohan (23d week). A musical comedy favor- ite that is expected to last out the season. Broadway date has been successful from start. Last week $14,000, which is profitable. "The Hotel Mouse," Shubert (3d week). W^ent to around $11,000 last week, with quick cut rate sales a feature. With production pruned here and there it may show a return on the right side, though takings much less than musical production should draw. "The Pigeon," Frazee (9th week). Arrangement when revival moved up from Village was for four weeks. A succeeding attraction being sought after another week or .so. "To the Ladies," Liberty (6th week). Agency call good and gross stamps show a comedy success. Last week it grossed $15,500, which is smart money for non-musical pipce. ''Up ,the Ladder," Playhouse (4th week). Beports on this show fa- vorable, just missing a twist that would have landed it among the drama leads. It is pulling falrlv. "Voltaire," I»lymouth (2d woek). Littl'* <'hanoe for this play, v.hich is tnlky and minu.s action. "Truth About Blayds," Booth Od wcfk). (Jioomtd to promising business for its second week, with night pace latter part of w<ek nround 11.400. (Jot $10,000 and , better, which is good business in this house. Is a Milne play, which won rxofllrnt notiros. "Y«.ur Woman and Mine," Klaw (.*)th uioU). ('o-oi)fratlve dr.nma inovod forward again, gross going to $5,- 000. whivh is over 100 per cent, better than opening pace. Cut lates and call ^^rnt balcony to big :it tendance. "Orphans of the Storm," Apollo n.Tth wrrk). (Jrilfith picture got $11,000 last week. Chicago, March 29. Four now plays opened here last week and the Bussian (Jrand Opera Co. also reached town. Of the new plays two give promise of remain- ing for an extended period, while the others are i)robably but transient. Ziegfeld's "Frolics" was the first of the quartet to land. From ap- pearances its stay hero will be un- limited. Monday "Ladies Night," "The Exquisite Hour" and "Inti- mate Strangers" were revealed for the first time, as well as the opera troupe. "L^hlies Night" took an unmerci- ful paroling from the critics, who simply said it was crude and un- funny, but cash buyers believed it was just what was wanted, and they patronizing it most generously. From indications It can hold on for a considerable period. Saturday "The Tribune," in a scathing edi- torial headed "Good Night, 'Ladies Night'," denounced the Woods' pro- duction, but the attendance on the matinee and night was not affected, both performances being sell-outs. "The Kxquisite Hour," Grace George's new starring vehicle, alighted at the Princess Monday evening. The populace and critics were delighted to see Miss George again, but did not seem to enthtise much over her play. Billie Burke, with Flo Ziegfeld (himself) on the side lines, began a three weeks' engagement at the Powers in "Intimate Stingers." Here again the folks and critl. s were glad to welcome the star, but were not so smitten with the play as to Indorse it In unqualified terms, was presumed business would be exceptionally good during the week all around. But weather and local conditions were not just right. Dur- ing the fore part business was away off at most of the theatres, with "Bluebeard's Eighth W^ifo" the only one to stand on its own and measure up to the previous week's intake. This being non-musical and an es- tablished attraction here, much comment was made about the "loop" regarding the stability of the piece. "Lightnin'." considered the season's leader, dropped to $17,000. Estimates for last week: "Intimate Strangers" (Powers, 1st week). Billie Burke's new starring vehicle, though not asserted by critics to be most commendable one for her, will sufilce for three-week staj'. Around $15,000, considered most satisfactorily. Russian Grand Opera (Olympic, Ist week). Commonwealth artists, Petrograd, struck local fancy. $3 top, with daily change of repertoire, eight performances, getting between $16,000 and $17,000 opening week. May remain six weeks if it keeps up at present gait. "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife" (Gar- rick, 5th week). No stopping this French comedy, with preference heavy on feminine side. Business ran close to preceding week, with intake above $18,000. Lo.^al engage- ment may extend into summer. "Ladies Night" (Woods, 1st week). This much-promised Hop wood crea- tion arrived, was grilled by ihe local critics, but brought in $14,000. Cast considerably altered since New York encrrlgfment. Ziegfeld "Frolic" (Colonial. 1st wcf'k). Will Rogers and his mob no doubt will hold forth hore for un- limited engagement. .Show liked here as well as "Follie.<:." but as Boper.s .«:ays "must make Its reputa- tion." r;ettlng $3.^.-) top for most of lower fioor. with house holding al- Jllo^'t caj>arity at all ])rrformancos. Around $2S.OO0 o)>eninir w*.ek, show- liic big iirofit for Ziegf«''d. "Nice People" (Co.t. 2:d work). Businrs.^ not as nice as ir was in brginning of run. patronage bp'im ac; or<b(l rlsrwhfrr». Bei^lnning last two wef'ks hero to maKo way for ".\iin;\ Chrl.'^tic" April 0. Around $7,000. "Little Old New York" rCohan's Grand. I'Jth ,w«-'fk). On noxt to last weok held up in good style, around $10,000. I,ravrs Sattirdnv to make way for 'The O'Brien Girl," which opf?is Siindnv. "The Exquisite Hour" (Princess. % 29th gait, stay. BUSINESS' BAD BREAK; ALL PHILLY'S SHOWS OFF "Circle" Only Openinq This Week—"O'Brien Girr' Still Leading Philadelphia. March 29. Selwyn's "The Circle," with John Drew and Mrs. Leslie Carter, had the field all to itself this week, and drew a big house to the Lyric for the opening. The breaks here are better for this than some other places, as it is the only thing of its' kind in town, except perhaps 'The Grand Duke," light conu'dy. at the Broad. Next week "Liliom" comes in next door at the AdelphI, thus jiroviding more of a t« si for the Maughan play. Business has been .sadly off here, after holding up gamely at the beginning of Lent. Cohan's "O'Brien Girl* at the Garriok shared the fate of others, but remains the best local money-maker. **Tip Top" while not doing what it has in previous years at the Forrest, is making money, and "Letty Pepper" claims o be doing nicely at the W'alnut. A flop was *'Tho Chocolate .Sol- dier," beautiful revival, which died miserably at the Lyric in two we^ks. Critics concurred In praising this musical piece, but house starved and audiences seemed dead and unap- preciatlve. With big expense of production, probably lost a great deal and future problematical. Next week. In addition to "Liliom," Mantell comes into the Broad, open* ing with "Richelieu." Will be fol- lowed April 17 by El.^ie lYrguson in "The Varying Shore." April 17 Sothern and Marlowt reach the Lyric for two weeks, open- ing with "Merchant of Venice." •"Bombo" with Al Jolson comes into the Shubert, and the University of Pennsylvania "Mask and Wig' show^ formerly booked there has been switched according to present plans, to* the P'orrest. The "Perfect Fool** was understood to be bound for this house, but may come in following week. No successors to "J^etty Pep- per" which ends run at Walnut, April 8, or "Liliom" whose stay at the AdelphI seems unlimit«<l, have been announced. Estimates of week: "The Grand Duke" (Broad, 20th week). Lionel Atwill praised far above play. Show below average of house for .season, but not flop here as elsewhere. About $10,000. Man- tell next Monday. • "Tip Top" (Forrest. 20th week). Opened here last year, not ur to standard of former years, but doing nicel.v. Watched closely with fear that four weeks may bring slump an basis of recent business of ex- cellent shows here. Abotu $23,000. "Upjn the Clouds" (Shnbrrt. 20th week)."" Compared favorably to "Take it From Me' and received ploa.sant notices. With low over- head show got $11,000. •Bombo' April 17. "The O'Brien Girl" •Garrhk. 6th week). Cohan show off with the rest, though still leading in itroiior- tion to size of house and inn. I'x- pcctcd to come back in end L»f last week but failed to do so. About $1C..000. "Letty Pepper" (Walnut, 30th work). Morosco people and house claim keen satisfaction .)vrr show- ing of new Greenwooil show, ^\^l'^''| stays another we<'k aftf-r ilii-^ •'^f" then go(M to New Yorlc. l»id>it iiuite touch $1.1.000. ' No und«M-1inrr. "The Circle" (Lyric 1st \vo«k). Fiohl to itsilf Mond;iy and big audiince resulted. In for three wcrk.^ :it $2.50 top. tiii.il j roof no managir «l;n«s try $<> on straight show i.i riiilly under |)n's-'?it « ";^"\' tion«. 'The <:^ho«'ol.i:p .Suldi«r, grossly imaiti)reciat« «1, did :<Mrcely $n,0l»6 last week. . , "The White Peacock" •.A-Mphl. 2d werk). House has lr»n doinK wtakiy since end of "The 11;.fs' run. and last wrok was no r-v* .ption thouRli dalli*'s were Kind to r«:»ova. About $0,750