Variety (May 1922)

Friday, May Jg, 1923 LEGITIMATE 11 !1HE BAF OYER THE SIMMER « WILL BEAT 2^1fEAR RECORD ^•genhalt & Kemp^'t Money Maker in Cut Rates This Week for First Time—Run Continued on Broadway, Lose or Win «The Biit" ^^'''* '*® continued through the Mimmer at the Morosco, w«w York, \V;igenhaI« A. Kemper, the producers of the Mary Roberts Binehart-Avery Hopwood drama, aiming the show for a toUd two years' run on 13roadway. The piece o:)3ned Au;?. 23, 1920. It {g now in it:^ 90f.. wt-ek. with li weeks to go in order to ac?ompli:'h the I01-wi^''c r?.-n a. That mark trill give "The Bat" a run second only on thin ilf^e of the water to •'Lightnln'.*" The nian;i?ers firpec:: to carry «The Bat" thraush the w.irm weather at a lo^a. or at beJit an even break. Tli • players will not be aaked to take ;K;iltiry cutH, the play having made a fortune for its mnn- agerfli. who Imve the l:nack of pick- ing stage winnefM, It was the same producing team^hicli put on "Pui»i m Full" and 'Seven Days." tho:-ie plays being such big money ma!:ers the eame managers retired. Two aeasone ago th?y emerged, immedi- ately coming tiirough with "T -e Bat," a short cast my.stery play. For the fir.-1 yoar "The T.at" av- eraged over $15,000 weekly. This season the takings have gradually declined, but the show ha.^ not had a losing weel. on lirondway. Last ■week's gross was around $6,300 and this week the show was offered in cut rates for the first Unu. Tliough balcony locations only were avail- able, the cut rate call was so strong the daily allotments were snapped up long before theatre time. It ia figured the cut rate sales will Jump the gross for next month and prob- ftbly carry the show into August. There will be six companies of PThe Bat" again sent on tour next aeason. Virtually the entire country Waa covered this season, when ."even companies were on the boards, in- cluding the original show at the Morosco, so that the coming season's routes will be repeats iri many stands. There is one company ro- inalning on tour at the present time, while the London production is in tot an indefinite run. The only important stand not yet played is Boston, which'wlll get the * ipriglnal company in the fall. That unit will also take up the subway time. NEW 'TOLLIES" TO HAVE $30,000 "LIGHT" SCENE Scale at Amsterdam for Zieg- felri's Show S4 40 Top- Has Eight Authors NAT% WASHmCTON, IN WRECKER'S HANDS The admission %< a\o for the next Zlegfeld "Follies" will be topped at $4.40. The producer revised the scale of last season. v*rhen the show opened at the C'.l«»be with a $5.'»0 top but went on tour at $3.50. plus tax. The revue, which will be the ITth of the "Follit's" series, will open at the New Amsterdam, New York, June 6, having an out-of- town premiere at Atlantic City the week previous. A total of el,*^'.* authors arc at work on the boolc. lyrics and score. The composer trio are Victor Her- bert, Louis Hir.Hh and Dave Stamper. Ring Lardner, Ralph Spence. Ned .loyce, Hoaney and Will Rogers are devising the scenes. Tl>e latter will feature the cast. Spcnce is doing mos. of the book writing. What will proliubl., be the most costly aingle scene in the "Follies" will be illuminated without lights. Scene anU costumes will be treated with a patentee, phosphorous paint device, which, when "charged" with spot lights, will glow brightly in the dark *or about 10 minutes. Re- charging the 8ceni» la a matter of turning on the lights. The idea is that of( the English designer Ford who is responsible for the i>earl .scene In the "Music Box Revue." The rights for the Ford idea were brought over by George Choos. The scene is being made by P. Dodd Ackerman. The paint used is said to cost from $200 to $300 a pound and the total cost of the scene i.s estimated at $30,000. Tiller (English) C}ir:s. who will be used in the "Follies" this season, will appear In the "cold light" scene. COHAN CHANGES Theatre Now K. A E. Bookc ' for { Spiegel ^•The George M. Cohan the.Ttro JjiMsed Into possession of the Max jBpIegel interests Monday. The liouse win continue to play leglti- tt»te attractions booked through * Iht K. & B. office. It was reported Itlie name of the house would be irtianged, but it will continue a.'< the iOohan. Cohan requested Spiegel to ■elect another name and the Com- modore was suggested. ITpon a request from Krlanj^er the name be retained during the life of a l)ook- Jng contract with the house, Cohan aoquiesoed. The Cohan was operated under lease, both Klaw * Erlanger and \ Cohan ft Harris bflng interested. With the passing of tlie lease, Co- han had in mind the withdrawal of his name for possible future use for a theatre of his own. Demolition Work Commenced, New Theatre and Office Building Replacing Theatre Washington, D. C, May 10. The old historic National is to l)e torn down and a $500,000 structure erected In ita stead. The final cur- tain on last week's attraction, "Nice People," had barely touched the floor when the work of demolition commenced. It is the purpose of W. H. Rapley, owner of the theatre, to have the new structure ready for occupancy with the regular opening of the fall season. The original walls are to be re- tained. With thLs exct'jHion the the- atre and building will be entirely new in every respect. The build- liiR plans, which were drawn by Warren & Wetmore. architects of New York City, include provisions for a large numln-r of ofTlces, al- though it is not believed that this portion will be completed with the coming of next season. The building is to be done by the Samuel J. Prescott Co. The seat- ing capacity will be approximate 1,900 and the bal-oni?s will be laid out in the more modern idea rather than the old horseshoe fihape of the present ones. To tell the history of this famous pioneer theatre of Wasihlngton would require a historian, Jenny Llnd sang there in the height of her fame, as did Wachtel, the great German singer. The list of the present-day stars who mj.'.' j their first appearances In this old house is a lengthy one. and to enumerate the famous personages who have viewed performances from ita audi- torium would create the belief that one was reading a history of the country instead of that of a theatre. The theatre has suffered several disasters, including two fires yeara ago. and has been reconstructed on numerous occasions. A collection of photographs of old- time players adorns the walls of the business office, thia collection being stated to be one of the most com- plete of any in existence. It is the intention of William Fowler, the house manager, to retain this col- lection and replace it In the now structure. P. M. A.'S SELECTED CONTROLLER MAY BE NAMED DURING JUNE By-Laws First to Be Amended—Charily Drives Be- fore Managers^ Meeting—Other Matters Go Over —Arbitration Board Continued PICTURES HOLD UP WHILE LEGIT FLOPS Pittsburgh's Resume on Dis- astrous Season—Big Films in Town Over Summer CHICAGO'S HIT "Mollie Darling" Looks Good for Summer Run at Palace SON OF HERENDEEN GETS PA/S BACKING "PASSING SHOW" LOSES Even^ at 75-25 Neither Show Nor Prisco Theatre Covered Exponse* San I'ranci.mo, M.iy 10. '"The PasHini; Show" at the Cen- tury last work fiilij to live up to its early promi><e. gro-^uug only 114.000. Even on terms of 75-i:5 tho «how did not make its operating cost. Nolth.T aid the th.Mtre. Tho week st.trtod with $»>.r.()0 f.n three nights nnd it wis estim il'-d it Would do $li».O0O on til' w»»'k. "^n All Ilug^in has compU't«d a h<^w pantomime called "The Clock." JuggGHted by Edgar Allen I'oe's Red Mask of Death." It calls for ** characters, Frank Darliug hav- . "S provided the Bcora, Chicago, May 11. The first Moore-Megley show pro- duction, "Mollie Darling," which opened here at the Pnlace to aim at a summer run, geems to liave gotten over with a bang fo.- an instantane- ous success. Chicago is the original producing home of Menlo Moore, where he started in ten years ago as .1 small time vaudeville manager. The indications are that "Mollie Darling," an enlarged example of the superfine taste which Moore has always shown in his presentations, and which led to his title as the "Ziegfeld of the A'est," should clean up with little opposition, as the mu- sical show competition right now and the prospects for if during the hot months are limited to a mini- mum far below what it has been in former years. J. J. Uosonthal started the show off with a blare of pre.'S work unique and sensational. At summer prices the show can play to $20,000 weekly in this intimate and perfectly lo- c ited theatre, which has boon iden- tified with nunierouH summer suc- cesses during tiio vaudeville lay-off pt'i-iods in the p.'i.st. IVIillionaire Milling Man Behind His Son—Geo. Stoddard » Partner his fh'iiC'* "T .i|»p";iring hero- cIo.Tinp! MORE 'BEST BETS" Kansa.s City. M ly l'». ' E. n. CJ." dr.'un.itic criti*- for Xhc^ K in.Mas City Star, siimmariz'-s- as follows rcp.H'lin.T plays and player.«», \\\ tho Mfason jii.-<t. Musical rnnu'll"i< \X from M.v" "ni> hi !ho C!on.Is"; .•omcdi.\'». "The l-amons .Mrs. Kalr." "Wake TJp .Jonathan." "Th" C.rfat Lover": drn/n is. ' Th<^ Passion Flower," "The Mira,'".' Hiood and Sand"; revues, ' Tho Passing Show." "Klsle Janls and Her Gang," •'Groenirlch Village FoIIlei." Chicago, May 10. Charles Herendcen, millionaire milling man. and one-time partner of Jo.seph W. Gaitcs, will back his son, Frederick C. Herendeen and Geoi'ge W. Stoddard In thj produc- tion of a musical play called "Sky- larks," to be put on in New York in the fall. It is stated that $50,000 has been pledged by the mill owner and other business men. Stoddard was author and part owner of "Lola," recer tly closed. The show would have continued had not the local Equity representative interferred. The morning after the piece was ordered off, the elder Her- endeen offered Stoddard a check for $r),000 which he had told the com- pany was forthcoming. The money was returned. Young Herendeen and Stoddard collaborated in book and lyric» of tw ) shows presented h'To at th" La Salic several .so.'sons it;o. The at- tra(tion« w<'re 'Movint; Fast" and 'You Said It." Plttslmrgh. May 10. A more or less disastrous legiti- mate llieati'ical season closes here Saturday, forcefully reminding mag- nates nnd managers their big and winning competitor for the year is the picture. The prophet who years ago predicted the picture house would give the legit theatre Its close-H battle for patronage knew whereof he spoke. A resume of the past sca.son here brings home proof of the convincing advantage pictures have accumulated In the favor of the local public. After the current week. In the two important sections of the city, there will be one twice-daily vaudeville house, four pop house.«i, and one burlesque in operation, as against a doBen picture houses In the same viclnltlfs, none with less than 600 seats The four pop houses also show feature films. Besides these, there are about 50 nelt^hbnrhood houses of over 500 seating capacity about the citjc. The most significant fact in fhii> connection is that during the last winter season, when conditions were at their lowest ebb. the film houses went along comparatively well, while the Nixon, playing legit, and the Davis with Keith vaudeville, were the only consistent winners among th« nun-i>4cture institutionM. As for the other legit stands, the Alvin did mostly negative businoHH, while the Pitt di«'«l an early death. The Nixon misht have con- tinued after the pie:'<ent week, when Otis Skinner finishes a week's I stay In "Bloo<l md Sand." but for a I <1earth of bookings of the better I grade. The <}ayety with Columbia burlesque had tough sledding e.ll season and quit thr*»e weeks ago. With several of the larger feature films about to be shown here In the next few weeks, picture people ex- pect to record a couple of big kill- ings, despite the oncoming heut. Sh«w men believe the next season here will see a turn for the better, but the legit theatre has a problem In facing the heavy exploitation of the larger films, with the probable solution one has advanced, to be found In a standard of reasonable rates and a high standard of really meritorious productions. Realisation of the necessity far a single controlling forcer in the man- agerial branch of the legitimate the- atre as identified In the ProJuolng Managers' Association, was on^ of tl o two important features of the P. M. A. annual meeting last Friday. The other was the re-election by ae- clamatlon of the same olDrers an'.l directors in charge for the past threo years. What the managers seek is a man who will decide big Issues, who will see that the will of the majority of the members is carried out. who will exact cohesion of action among the managers, even at the expense of securing the wilh<hawal from the P. M. A. of those who refu.se to act in concert. It is expected that such a leader will dominate the associa- tion, but with the assent of the P. M. A., ivhich will continue to vote on all questions of policy and iasue. The sought for loader will be askoa to watch closely all matters pertain- to the theatre, whether It be la* bor union affairs or railroads, and he will be expected to represent the P. M. A. at Washington when nec- et^sary. The vote of the n.embors In favor of the plan was 34 a^es, with on« member, acting for his principal. stating he was not empowered to g9 o record In such a matter. (Thirty- five members attended.) The P. M. A. in so neting is foHowlng the lead of baHoliall. which plucked a leader from outside the field (Judge Lan- dls), and the picture Industry, or a portion of It, which recently In- sUlled Will H. Hays as Its execu- tive head. The matiagers likewise want a man outside of theatricals to take the berth of leadership, but a man who Is acquainted with the theatre nnd its problems. It is sild the P. M. A. is ready to pay such a lender $35,000 yearly. A number of other Important mat- ters were tabled in order th.at the matter of deciding on the matter (»f seoking a leader be finished busines.*. Among the matters put over until the next meeting was that of cen- ■orshlp, the voluntary play jury, whlcb may become operative during the coming season. Jt will l>e ne«^essary to wait (Continued on pa^?e l'{> WM. KLEIN UPTOWN But Few Theatrical Attorneys Re- main Downtown William Klein, the Shui>ert8' at- torney, has established an uptown office in the Knickerbocker build- ing. Mr. Klein, in addition to his old Equltablo building office, also maintains a third office in the Cen- tury Theatre building. The Equit- able office will be given up ••vuntu- ally in favor of the Times squire location. With Ditlenhocfer Si Fi-Jud niov- \r\\i up to the I'ilzter.ild I>u;ldiiig last we.jk, aft*»r 6'> years downtown, j the thoatrlfal nUorney.=! remaining I downfown are few. Nathan Vid.ivei*, "BLUE KITTEN'S" ITEW CAST \-^' ^^''''7' '^"*'!'' vr'.'V';';!',.^''."'.!'" ±»±j\jx^ " v/ey, France ik .MicluM (^Sel^nlek s Arlhur Ilammernt -ifi'.-J The UltJ^ I .attorneys) are the best known, the K'itt"M," whi< it Miov.-J ivr^xn the Sc!- : f.,rmer also due l.^ iiiove tiptoWii 1.0 MARGIN'S FOUR Producer Preparing Plays Quartet of Max Marcin has a production pro- gram of four plays for next season, one or two to be tried out during the summer. "The Faithful H«»art," by Monckton Hof, reports secure.! by several other managers, will be done in association with Frederick Stanhope. The piece ran a season in London with (Jodfrey Tearle In the lead. Tearle will feature the preKcntatlon here. Marcin will also do 'fJiv»» and Tako," the Aaron Hoffman ronvdy, played in at the coast by Kolb and Dill, and he Is readying "Home Again," by Uuy Bolton. - Tim title for the fourth r»liy is not determined. ROOPS WILD WEST 'Tr'-n.'." "Tl!:." v.yn to the Karl C<iir.jll, .\"W York, list week, will tlose Saturday. When the swil<h wi.-, ma-le the ar- ran^'eirxut was for ! )or v. "•.k..*, but di(T< r«'n'MS i.«'lw«M-n the . Itow inm- a:;einent and the lif»u.^e resulted in a reqiu.-t for c iiu-rdlation. When the "Kitten" t.il'..H to the r...id i.'Xt s'.'asoa it ^v:il have vli- tually an all new cast. Jofltph Cav,thorne and Lillian Lorraine, featured now, will not be with tho attraction. H..1»,-rt Woolsey and Lorraine Manville aro reported to bo the only players In the present cast who tutve been re-engaged. .•^liortly. . Maxmi'ltan Harden to Lecture .Maxrnilliifi Harden. ih" eej"- lii.iied (ieini.m )• 'lurj-r and author of 'JJle oi' Iii.'tiiiur<k," a; w<ll as a contributor to many Ameri*^an new«<[iappr.i nnd rt\ii^\'/.U\f'.H on war tofdi's, will probably be •••een in America shortly on a lecture tour, now being arranged by Maerker Itranden and M. R. Bentham. Brander on a recent trip abroad secured Harden'a agreement to visit this oountrj. L Minskys Have Idea for Park'* RjoF —To have Midnight Show Min^.ky Broi. ate 'o iM<idu<:e a midnight performance for th»» roof of the Park, CoIumhiM circltf. m addition to the burl- vque show in the theatre juopor. Tiie roof Is now being altered and tho p<opie en- gaged. Th.' miilnight ahow is t* he called The Houndtip" It will conai.st of novidty weslern aot-^ lif athletic ralJbro. * THE ROTTERS" REVISED A special p"rforn»aiiee of 'The Hollers,' by H. K. Mali by. w»ui given Sunday evening at tlio JUlli St. theatre, Now York. The ploco was origiuilly produced in Chicago In 1918 and la to Imj re* vived by the author and Jack Mor* ris of th'' Bhubcrt oflElco.