Variety (April 1922)

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1« LEGITIMATE Friday, April 21, 1922 1 SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT i,Figure8 estimated and comment point to tome attractions being successful, while the same gross accredited to others might suyyest mediocrity or loss. The variance it explained in the difference in house capacities, with the varying overhead. Also the tixe of show cast, with 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. ''Back to Methuselah," Can ick (8th week). Ajipt ared in cut rates late last week. That is somcthinsr G. B. Shaw probably doesn't know about. Another week of tourna- ment play, which has been cut, and Guild will produce "What the Public Wants." ''Blossom Time," Ambassador (30th week). Plans are to rarry oper- etta success into summer going; • may be accomplished with oper- ating costs put down to minimum. Holy Week takings little under $11,500, close to low-water mark of run to date. •*Blue Kitten," Selwyn (15th week). With operation costs cut, contin- uance to warm weather expected. Musical show that Is pleasing, though never contender with lead- ers. Off with others last week, takings around $11,000. ••Bull Dog Drummond," Knicker- bocker (17th week). Should run through May and has chance for June. Business between $9,000 and $10,000, with cut-jate aid counting. "Captain Applejack," Co! t (I7th week). Holy Week failed to hurt ; more than few hundreds, and gross about $15,500. Looks like fixture and should run through summer. ■>Cat and Canary," National (llth week). Mystery thriller getting big money, but last week went into second place to "Kiki's" lead- ership of non-musical offerings. Holy Week affected draw about $1,000 for gross of $15,500. •Chauve-Souris," 49th Street (12th week). W^iih four matinees this week Morris Gest's Russian nov- elty will establish now figures for house and run. Counted on to hold over for summer and only attraction getting $3 top now. •Csarina," Empire (12th week). Takings last week down to around $7,000. Nothing else li«tpfl fAr house, and present attraction Is to continue another month. Cut rates will aid, some lower floor section being allotted. "Demi-Virgin," Eltinge (27th week). Between $7,000 and $8,000 last week for much-discussed farce, which is making money and counts most successful of Woods tries this season. "For Goodness Sake," Lyric (9th week). Most of musical attrac- tions were dented upward of $1,000 Holy Week; no exception here. Gross under $8,000, with loss indi- cated. •^First Year," Little (T8th week). Last week this holdover comedy success got $6,500 or little more. No extra advertising has been used for it. Makes money oven with lowest gross of run. Will remain until summer. *First Fifty Years," Princess (6th week). Two-person play waiting for break, which may come this week. Takings have been around $2,500. which cannot make money for house, though attraction might have broken even. ''French Doll," Lyceum (9th week). Grossed under $7,000 last week, but made money, attraction not being geared expensively. Man- agement expects attraction to con- tinue another month or bit longer. ''Funmakers," Jolson (2d week). Commonwealth attraction opened Saturday with scale of $2.50 top. Biggest attempt of kind in years, with cast made up of well-known players. Show along cUib lines of old stylo, with draw quostionaVjlo for thi.-? house. "Get Together," Hippodrome (34th week). Final week for Hip. with nothing listed to succoc<l, alflioiiRh Sunday nights are hooked into May. Season live weeks Jess than last year. "Good Morning Dearie," (Hobo ('2'tih week). Takes Broadway loa<lcr- ship in weekly gross. 'Music I'.ox Revue" having dropi)«>,l t«> $4.40 top. "DOarie" tikc«'ts selling 1o July. Weekly takings .nnnmd $20.- 600; last week bit niidrr that mark, Mon«lay night n«>t goin^ clean, as with others'. "He Who Gets Slapped." Fulf.in (15th week). Droppe«l during Holy Week, with gross aroimd $9,000. May run through .spring. though another Theatre (Juild pro- duction pOH.sible before end of next month. "Just Because," Earl Carroll ('Ah week). Slipped further last week, takings of about $4,000, .Stronger this week, with over ir».000 indi- cated; loss for musical piece. "Kiki," Bela.'^co (21.st weckK Sure to be on sumnr\cr list. Deman«l continues, with show doing ca- ])aclty. Last week again topped al! dramas, and outstanding hit of Tion-musical attractions. Weekly pace. $lrt..')00. "Lady-Bug," Apollo (1st week). House went back into legitimate Monday, fresh production succeed- ing Griflith's "Two Orphans of the Storm," which ran 15 weeks. •T^dy-Bug" got under $3,500 in Brooklyn last week. "Lady-Bug" opened Monday, leaves tomorrow. Burton Holmes succeeds. "Lawful Larceny," Republic (16th week). Holy Week pace dented somewhat, but with business grossing around $9,000 this drama still shows class. Should success- fully run into hot weather. "Letty Pepper," Vanderbllt (2d week). First week. Holy Week, found only fair business; gross about .$8,600. Discounting period pace not promising for musical piece at $3 top. "Madeleine and the Movies," Gaiety (7th week). Corking drama, in Cohan's style and in normal go- ing would be with leaders. Beat- ing most of newer attractions at that. Last week around $7,000, Holy Week hurting about $1,000. "Make It Snappy," Winter Garden (2d week). Brought Garden back to revues, having o|>ened Thurs- day last week, with P^ddie Cantor starred. Comment gave show comedy strength. "Marjolaine," Broadhurst (J3th week). Slipped to $9,000 last week. That figure probably af- fords even break for musical play, reported having been pruned like others. "Montmartre," Belmont (10th week). Will move to Nora Bayes, roof theatre atop the 44th Street, next week. Co-operative prothiction may continue another month in new (iuarler8, principals taking equal share of net earned. "Music Box Revue," Music I^ox (31st week). Back to $4.40 top, scale when show opened last fall. Busi- ness continues capacity, with gross last week $26,400. Sure of sum- mer continuance. Extra perform- ance Monday. "National Anthem," Henry Miller (13tli week). Dropped further, takings last week approximately $5,000, lowest of run. Another week, with additional weeks if pace quickens. "Rose of Stamboul," Century (7th week). Wlietlie'r fault of Holy Week or not, pace slowed last week, with gross around $17,000. Parties this week will advance that figure. "Rubicon," Hudson (10th week). Dipped down last week, gross af- fected more than $1,000. and tak- ing^ between $7,500 and $8,000. That makes money for this show and may run until warm weather. "Sally," New Amsterdam (70th week). Final week;, opens Colon- ial, Boston, next week for run. Amsterdam goes dark until new ••Follies," early in June. 'Sally" got $22,000 last week. "Shuffle Along," 63d Street (48th week). Went under $8,000 last W'cek hnt came back stronc early this w«'ek. Colored revue nrnrvel; Is packing away weekly profit and looks ea.*»y into summer. "Six Cylinder Love," Sam Harris (35th week). Holy Week slump comparatively light for this time of run. Business close to $0,000, profitable. "Tangerine," Casino (37th week). Drop in takings Holy Week from figures of previous week not as much as for some other shows. Gross $10,800, claimed to give .show slight profit way now framed Will ride through May. "Thank You," Longacre (29th week). Another two weeks for comedy which will have attained c^'edi* of season's stay, although at first not indicating that strength. "(io Easy Mabel." musical show, duo week May 8. "The Bat," Morosco (87th week). Management intends to tiy for an- other summer's stay. Show not expensive to operate and low gioss jn.'iy ))ctniit it to ride, "The Blushing Bride," Astor (llth week). Moves to 44th Street at f nd of week. Musical show doiiig fair business, with added capacity and cut rate i)lans Jigm<'<i to fur- ther help after switch. Has been getting between $S.000 an<l $9,000. "Tho F'.ronx Kxpress" ..iiceeeds next week. "The Dover Road," Bijoi- (IStli week). Lowest gross of run last we«'lv when little over $7,uO(» was in. l^ri^ht conicily that fi.uine.s to come back this week and jidr- into snjniner, with moderate o]>oraiin!J: r'ost. "The Goldfish," Maxiiie Fllmtt (1st week). J''ir.st dramatic nilfiiiit.; in sevt'tal weeks. Marjorie K.-iifi- beau starred, with Wilton Lack- aye feature*!. Opened .Monday. Show lirst knowji ;is "I'p." tried out as •'.lenny .lon«s." then an- nounced here as "Her Three Mns- bands." "The Hairy .Ape," Plymouth (1st week). Kugene O'Neil drama that RAIN AND HOLY WEEK BLASTS CHI'S BUSINESS "Dream Maker" and "Anna Christie'' Open—"Lola" Closes—Angel Settles Chioago, April 19. Holy week put a rather sombre aspect on the local theatres as far aa business was concerned. Weather conditions, too. Rain early In the week and more of it later. Two shows made an initial bow, and each got over with the critics. William Gillette offered "Tpe Dream Maker" at Powers, where he will remain three weeks, while Pauline Lord made her debut here as a star at the Cort in "Anna Christie.' "Lola," which has had a turbulent time, managed to pull through its second week at the La Salle, on the commonwealth basis. The angel had sent on some money and George Stoddard, the author, was on hand to cheer the people along, so that they decided to go through, despite the gross Monday night, which was but $175. The show. It Is an- nounced, will continue this week and vacate Saturday, to make way for the opening of "Just Married,' Sunday. The Rur^sian Grand Opera Com- pany, at the Olympic four weeks, vacated Saturday and allowed May Robson to open Sunday in "It Pays to Smile.'' Grace George will con- clude her local engagement Satur- day in "The Exquisite Hour." Noth- ing as yet has been carded to follow the attraction in the Princess. Estimates for last week: "The Dream Maker" (Powers. 1st week). (Jillette scored personally, but critics could not see muc.i in play. Kiglit performances, no.Sun- day, over $12,000. Russian Grand Opera (Olympic, 4th week). P^inishing local engage- ment, close to $12,000, most profit- able to company and theatre. May Robson opened Sunday in "It Pay.s to Smile." "Bluebeard's Eiflhth Wife" (Gar- rick, 8th week). Close to $16,000. Matinees held up exceptionally well. "Ladies Night" (Woods, 4th week). Revamped to conform with local escaped from limited quarters of Provincetown Playhouse down- town. Considered one of most striking plays in years. Opened uptown Easter Monday matinee. "The Hindu," Comedy (5th week). Has been getting at'ound $6,000. with Holy Week affecting pace more than $1,000. Management boosting attraction; length of con- tinuance dependent on this week. "The Law Breaker," Klaw (llth week). Final week. "The Shadow" succeeds next week. New produc- tion under direction of Marc Klaw. "The Mountain Man," 39th Street (19th week). Another week to go, continuance In this house, where it moved Monday (from Elliott) probably figured to draw holiday trade. Gross under $4,000. "The Nest," 48th Street (12th week). This drama leader of Brady trio of current offerings, though not pulling big money. Last week affected like rest of list, gross lit- tle under $5,500. "The Perfect Fool," Cohan (26th week). New low gross set last week when takings were a.shade better than $11,000. Attraction said to have made money at that figure. Due to continue Into May. "The Hotel Mouse," Shubert (6th week). Dipped under $8,000 last week, drop being In about same proportion as other attractions. Better this week, but lucky to get even break for New York engage- ment. "The Pigeon," Frazec (12th week). Final weelt for revival, which moved up from Village about five weeks ago. "The Night Call" suc- ceeds next week. "To the Ladies," Liberty (9fh week). Clever eomedy, though not rated with dramatic leaders, is top|)lng second division of non-mnsieal offerings. Hurt last week, takings between $10,000 and $11,000. "Up the Ladder," Playhouse (Ttli week). Will probably be final at- traction for house this se.ison^ Has not attracted much attention but liked, and b\i.siness of around $3,000 may provide small profit. "Truth About Blayds," Booth (6ih week). Drop here about .same proptdtion as other dramas dur- ing Holy Week, draw being $l,ooO under i>revioua week for total of nearly $8,500. Profitable bnsl- n«'.s.M, rittraolion not being co.st]y to <»pf'rate. Houdini, Times .*=;quare (3d we»k). Doubtful if film will continue aft<r this week, with gross last week around $3,000. "The Charle- tan" listed to succeed next week, though Apollo may get attraction, in which case 'Lady-Dug' would be moved here. conditions. Bit tamed down, as was business. Gross around |11,000. ''Red Pepper" (Apollo, 2d week). Business catapulted considerably for Mclntyre and Heath, getting $14,800. Did VI 8,000 first week. Ziegfeld "Frolic" (Colonial. 4th week). Matinees off with nights holding up well. Show claiming $24,000 on week. •'Anna Christie" (Cort, 1st week). Royal reception from press. "O'Brien Girl" (Cohan's Grand, 2d week). Stood acid test remarkably well. Matinee business and that of evenings latter part of week very good, with show gett4f»g arounn $13,000. "Tha Exquisite Kour" (Princess, 4th week). Having added "Me and My Diary," Margot Asquith's work, as curtain raiser, Miss George fared bit better than she might have otherwise. Around •$7,000. "Lady Billy" (Illinois, 7th week). Doing mighty well. Run extended indefinitely with announcement Ed Wynn will not follow April 23. Be- tween $13,000 and $14,000. "The Night Cap" (Playhouse, l5th week). Finishing up fourth month. Though business has fallen off from time to time, is still showing profit. Between $6,000 and $7,000. "Lightnin*" (Black stone. 32d week). Matinees not affected last week. Claim close to $18,000 on completion of eighth month. "Lola" (La Salle, 2d week. Just cannot get started. Internal affairs turbulent. Below $3,000. Leaves Saturday to make way for "Just Married." which opens Sunday night for extended engagement. BOSTON'S WORST WEEK KEEPS UP ITS RECORD Holy Week Slams Theatres' Box Offices—Some Very Low Grosses Boston, April 19. The worst week of the current theatrical season has been passed— that is, it has unless some unlooked for calamity strikes the town be- tween now and June, when It Is doped all but one house will be dark. Last week every attraction in town lost money, and in one in- stance. White's "Scandals," the loss amounted to over $4,000. The en- gagement of this show was not a financial success from the start, yet there may be some good come of it, for It was freely stated around town the failure of the show to do busi- ness this trip was because of the sorry show White brought into town last year, with the regular patrons of the Colonial refusing to be again caught. Playing at a $3 top, it never had a chance and faded away until only $8,500 the final week. While the low grosses of last week were not entirely unexpected, still those Interested In theatricals locally felt that the Jewish Passover might to some extent stem the tide of falling totals that was sure to accompany the Holy Week. As far as could be judged when the re- ceipts were counted Saturday, the Passover did not help much. Without an exception the shows here last week were not strong. In every case thoy had been here for several weeks, and had been seen by most of those who patronize the local legitimate houses regularly. This also added to the low grosses. This week finds three of the local houses with new attractions, all presumably with good drawing power, the Colonial housing an amateur show, the "P. C. A." show. "Sixes and Sevens," wh' . has come to be considered locally as a sort of semi-professional, despite only talent from the store perform. "The Last W\altz" opened the Wil- bur again Monday, after the house had boon dark for two weeks due to the sudde.i collapse of '•Mfiin Street." "The Gold Diggers" came into the Tremont and played to capacity opening, due to stay at least five weeks, and "Smooth as Silk" opened at the Plymouth. It is claimed (he advance sale for "Sally" is one of the record-break- ing variety. This show comes into the Colonial next Monday at $3.50. the same i)rice the "Follies" played here corlier in the season. It will be the second show to hit town this se.ison which has tried to play at .such a top. Despite the large ad- vance sale, it ts claimed the .show will not be able to remain over four or five weeks at the most when the clientele for a show at this top will be exhausted. A.s it is said to be a money-ni.Tkfr only when playing to around $LM.0I10 gross, unless it de- velops exceptional strriigth. not looked for now. it will be under this figure by tho first balmy wrather. "Dulcy" is going to stick at the Hollis until the season clo.';os for til is house, probably three weeks or a month longer. The "Greenwich (Continued on page 28) M^M ^ iiOMiMMM^ k^^M^hrA^ ■■■■'■-=■» PHULY'S BIG BUSINESS; inJOM" A BIG SMASH Four Openings This Week—» ''Welcome Stranger"' foc» Returns; Jolson Opens Philadelphia, Apring. Renewed activity is the predoinin* ant feature of the theatrical situa* tion here and It now look.s as if at least tw© or three houses will be open by June 1. This week saw four openirf;;s, all looking very sweet for good business during their short runs, •lionibo," • at the Shubert stays the longest— three weeks. "The Varying ,Shore" Is In for two weeks at the Proad, Sothern and Marlow for two at the Lyric, and the Ma.sk and Wig's an- nual show for a single week at the Forrest. Business Is also very big at "Liliom," definitely one of tho sea- son's smashes and will go a long way towards pulling the Adt !!>hi's year's average up to a satisi.i.tory level. "The O'Brien Girl." in its last week at the (Jarrick, is taking a leap upward after sinking to a low level last week. "Angel Face" at $2 top at the Walnut, is the weak sist<'r of the current shows, and it is not be- lieved It will stay long. Good business during Holy Week and before has lengthened the sea- son here a little. The first of May will see all the houses with one pos- sible exception, open. William Gil- lette in "The Dream Maker" conies into the Broad May 1, and Grace George Is booked for the Lyric in "The Exquisite Hour" the same tlate. Both shows will probably stay two weeks. Next Monday has two opminga. one a return, "Welcome Stranger" at the Garrick. and the other Rus- sian Grand Opera Co., Forrest. The latter will stay two weeks. 'Liliom" is now set for seven weefts at Uast, and at present indications will stay to June 1. It Is a rather unusual fact the tail- end of the season here has brought most of the heavier stuff. After an earlier period of nothing but com- edies, musical shows and melo- dramas, the late months bring two Shakespearean repertoire companies, three dramas, Russian high opera, "Liliom" which Is hard to classify, and "The Circle." There has been some talk, as there was last season, of the summer en- gagement of glorified stock at the Lyric, with try-outs of plays which the Shuberts might want to produce In the fall. This is merely in the,, air as yet. One of the most surprising facts of the spring here Is the remark- able business done by both Shakes- pearean companies. It was pre- dicted because of the proximity of the two engagements, one would suffer heavily, and that one would probably be Mantell. In two weeks, one of them Holy Week, Mantell did as fine business as he has ever done here, grossing nearly $23,000^ The mail order sale In advance of the Sothern and Marlowe engage- ment Is said to be the biggest thos<i stars have ever had here. Estimates for last week: "The Varying Shore" (Broad. 1st week). Regular class patronage of house turned out to greet Elsie Fer- guson, not here on stage for nin» years. Big money looked for in two weeks* stay. Mantell's second week, while bit off from first, was big, considering Holy Week. Over $10,000. **Tell Tales" (Forrest, one weelj only). Mask and Wig show, bette^ than usual, will come close to *'ap« aclty for week as always. "Tip Top did over $18,500 last week, and mad* real money In four weeks' stay. Russian Grand Opera next week. "Bombo" (Shubert. Ist week). Al Jolson show in for only three weekf, and drew big house at opening. Figured to close house with bang* Shubert was only local legit th« atr« closed Holy Week because of flop of "Up in the Clouds.**' "The O'Brien Girl" (Garri. k. 9th week). Cohan show in finiil week. Good money-maker though way low last week. "Welcome Stninger' (hero in January) booked lia<k. "Angel Face" (W^ilnut, 2d u. 'k). Lederer production at $2 top limp- ing badly. Slammed by daili« -. got through first week with lew ^loss of around $7,500, with much p;iper- ing. Undecided whether n« w ^hoW will be brought in or house will <io.se for season. "Liliom" (Adflphi. 11 \\<<^)- .«!mash. Cdud Friday ni^'ht. >^''0W had virtual sell-out downstaiis and pace look.s good for some tin'.«" to come. Will probably ^:;ty "»"* June 1. Sothern and Marlowe (Lmi\ 1^* week). KnK.igement of two weKS. after whiclj stars close for ytor. ana will not ag.'jin play until 1''-*^--*; Big mail order sale. "The I'.r. le sank to low gross Holy Week a»o engagement here disapi)ointnv'nt. Everybody that went seem* d to like it, and dailies were more than k>na. but show never caught on. ^^^Kl i