Variety (May 1922)

Friday, May 19, Ij SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figures •stimated and comment point to som« attractions being tucce&sfui, while the eame 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 a profit. Variance in business necessary for musical attraction as against dramatic play is aisc to be considered. These matters are included and considered when comment below points toward success or failure. 1 ^ ''Advertising of Kate,** Ritz (20 week). One of six fresh offforings that came in last week. House has been dark six weeks, lle- Ilghting failed to arouse much in- terest; indications against show landing. First week under $3,000. ^Blossom Time," Amba.ssador (34th week). Descent of t^-klngs which marked Broadway business again last week not felt as much here as with most others. One of few long run attractions not in cut rates. Grossed $11,000 last week. ''Bronx Express," Astor (4th week). Management anxious to try with this adaptation from Yiddish. Business to date not strong. Has not beat $6,000 yet. ''Captain Applejack,'* Cort (21st week). One of leading nt»n-musi- cal attraction.". La.st week tak- ings dipped under $14,000 for lirst time, but excellent money for this time of season. •'Cat and Canary,'* National (15th week). Anothfr dramatic leader and like them will be .sent throaiRh Fummtr. Dropped under capacity draw, last week between $!.'{,000 and $14,000. Most successful mys- tery try since "The Bat," which is still going. "Chauve-Souris," 49th Streot (16th week). Only $5 top attraction on Broadway; getting more repeat- ers than any attraction in town. Russian novelty being moved to the Century Roof In two week.s. New bill to be put on by Balieft then. "Czarina," Empire (16th week). An- * other week to go. Money maker, though after first weeks it did not - hold up with leader.. Should make strong attraction on road with Doris Keane. "Demi-Virgin," Eltinge (31st week). About another month for farce which led Broadway for its class of attractions. Is another show that figured to get big money on tour next season. ''Fanny Hawthorn," Vanderbilt (2d week). Plenty of interest at- tached to opening Thursday last week. Piece formerly called "Hindle W'ake.s" when llrst pre- sented; at that time claimed show was showing good promi.se, but for .some reaaon was taken off. "For Goodness Sake," Lyric (13th week). Final week for this musi- cal comedy, which while liked was? not able to pull smart money. House goes into spcciMl T)icture showing. "Nero" opens Sund ly. "First Year," Little (82d week). Summer stay possible if hmise and attraction pool. Comedy leader of list, only "The llaf beating it. Last wo*^k pro.-.s went under $6,000, said to h( less than even break. "French Doll," Lyceum (nth v.e<.k). Cirosses moderate Ihroughout. but attraction on right side. De- clined with others In last month. La.st week approxim. ed $5,500. Two weeks or fio more. "Good Morning, Dearie," Clobo (29th week). Last week first time this smash dropped under cai)aeity gait. Takings off probably $l'.000 with gross about $26,000. Noth- ing appeared stron enough to stand off slump. "Go Easy, Mabel," Longacre (2d week). Farce with music starring Kthel Levey. Opinion not flatter- ing and run chances not strong. First week claimed over $9,000 at $2.50 top. "He Who Gets Slappe:?," Fulton (19th week). Theatre Ouild at- traction will be moved back to Oarrlck Monday. "What the I'ublic Wants" going off. "He" and "Liliom," the successful Guild shows this season, to move onto ' Broadway from fJarrick. with [ "Liliom" outstanding success. "Ho" started with rush, but pointed off to average of 410.000 to $11,000 weekly. "Kempy," Belmont (1st week). Only premiere of week. l*lay written by J. C. and Elliott Nugent, with three Nygents, Ruth also in cast. Opened ]Monday, winning praise from reviewers. Figures to land. "KikI," Belasco (25th week). Sea- son's outstanding dramatic suc- cess. Getting more money than any of non-musicals except new- ly arrived "Partners Again," which Is now money leader. ."Lawful Larceny," Republic (20th '»■ week). Will extend run into ' June. Counts with successful dramas, busines.j averaging $11,- 000 weekly. Takings of late down around $9,000 or bit under. "Make It Snappy," Winter Garden (6th week). Bad going of last week didn't permit newest of ^; musical successes to escape. But i this musical attrudion reputed getting as much money as any- thing on Broadway. ^"Mariolaine,'' Broadhurst (16th ^ ,week>. Approocl^iM tud of etay here and another week or two will see closing. Last week business dipped under $7,000 for first time. "Montmartre," Nora Bayes (14th week). Final week for co-opera- tive attraction which moved to roof house after 10 weeks at Bel- mont. Business here dropped in- stead of picking up as expected with more capacity for cut rate schemes. House goes dark. "Music Box Revue," Music Box (25th week). Off a bit early in week, but held steady after that. Gross about $25,500. First time attraction has failed to go clean since opening. Can get $26,500 at $4 top, including standing room. "Partners Again," Sehvyn (3d week). Selvvyns came through for their second dramatic success of jiea.^on, "The Circle" having been the first. New P. & P. piece is heading entire non-musi- cal bunch. Second week approxi- mated $18,000. "Rose of Stamboul," Century (11th week). Notice has been posted for closing in another week, but show may continue longer, notice protective. Biisincvss, hpwever, weak for show of this size. Re- ported around $12,000. "Rubicon," Hudson (14th week). lUisiness dropping here as for ail others. Gross went below $7,000 last week and extra advertising resorted to, unusual for thi.s time of season. Russian Grand Opera, New Amster- dam (2d week). Ir ported sing- ing crowd did not live up to ad- vance expectation. After opening dates it picked up briskly, ' th about $15,800 for week. One mati- nee. Scale $3.50 top, so that pace is less than half capacity. "Shuffle Along," 63d Street (52d week). Completes year's stay at end of week. Management now using two for one system of ticket distribution. Scale advanced from $2 to $2.50 partly compters reductions. "Six Cylinder Love," Sam Harris (39th week). Ought to stick into June or about another month. Little under $8,000 last week, showing decline as with others. "Tangerine," Casino (41st week). ClflCAGO iJGHTNlN'" MAY NOT RUN A YEAR This was first successful $2.50 top musical attraction to arrive last summer and has been money- maker until last two weeks. Tak- ings last week around $9,000, with short time to go. "The Bat," Morosco (91st week). Last week was first time tickets for run Iculer wore j)l.ice(l in cut rates. Allotment for balcony, about $1,C00 extra being derived. Gave show between $7,500 and $S,na0 on week. ''The Blushing Bride," 44lh St. (13th week). Since moving over from Astrtr this musical piece has more than held i)ace, going to $9,000 for time, meaning profit. Two for one a feature. Slid under $7,000 last week and will probably go to Chi- cago after another two weeks. "The Charlatan," Times Square (4th week). New mystery play figures to stay another month unles.s busi- ness takes jump. Some changes in book being made. Last week little under $6,000. Probably means profit, however. "The Dover Road," Bijou (22d week). Attraction hooked up so that cost of operation is moderate. Man- agement expects continuance through June. Last week around $6,000. "The Goldfish," Maxine Elliott (5th week). Dramatic attraction that has made money since opening, though business not exceptioual. Slump affects it, but f;iirly good takings for this time of season; last week $7,500. "The Hairy Ape," Plymouth (3th week). Off early last week, but held pace for balance of week. (Jetting more than most of dramas and with weather break ran go into summer. Last week $7,000. "The Hindu," Comedy (9th week). Final week for this drama, which went into cut rates last week, with little aid there with so many to choose from. "The Nest," 48th St. (16th week). Is on vveek-to-week basi.s, with pace now under $4,000 and likely with- drawn any time. "The Perfect Fool," Cohan (30th week). (Jrossed little over $9,000 last week, but advertising- may pull up gross; extension into sum- mer to be tried for. Went into cut rates for first time Monday. "The Hotel Mouse," Shubert (10th week). One more week to go. Pace under $5,500 last week, low- est since opening. May be sent out of town. • 'The Night Call " Frazcc (4th week). Final week. Presented by Players Assembly, co-operative. Gro.<is under |2^00. "Billeted," revival. Now in 37th Week—May Not Stay Muoh Longer—Gloom Hovering Over Legits Chicago. May 17. "Old Man Gloom" !« quite evident on the Chicago theatrical horizon. Even though there were only 10 le- gitimate houEes operating during the week, the returns were quite dis- couraging to the attractions which have passed the Initial week here. The intake of none approached that of the preceding week, and the most noticeable decline In business was that of "Llghtnin*" at the Black- stone, where It completed Its 36th week. It seems that this attraction, heralded as sure for a solid year or two. Is destined to depart from here prior to Its 52d week through lack of business. The weather probably has something to do with the falling off. as the days and evenings were humid throughout the week. Two new attractions entered the legitimate field, with one new house added to the group for the summer. The new house, Palace, is housing Moore & Megley's summer revue, "Molly Darling," which opened on Tuesday night of last week. This revue looks as though it is a staple summer product. The other attrac- tion, which made its debut Monday night, was "Liliora," at the Garrick. It scored and its business exceeded that of all non-musical shows, equaling that of tire leader of the musical attactions. "The Nightcap" was withdrawn Saturday after 19 weeks at the Playhouse. This theatre will bo dark for two wcekF. reopening with Will Morrissey's "Hollywood Frolics," be- ing organized and produced here. Though there are nine houses op- erating this week, it looks as though that number will be decreased by one or two in the next two weeks. "Red Pepper." at the Apollo, and "It Pays to Smile." at the Olympic, are playing to discuuragln? returns and are only being kept until other attractions may be found to replace them. Estimates for las* week: "Lilies of the Field" (Powers, 2d week). Doing remarkably well. Get- ting lot of press stuff and stunts over in dailies. Will probably stay indefinitely. Around $10,500, profit- able to all. "It Pays to Smile" (Olympic. 4th week). Still lingering, without prospect of becoming winner. Cut rate tickets don't help. Business very poor. "Liliom" (Garrick, 1st week). Should pi-ove to be guest for entire summer. Dailie? paid it royal trib- ute. Clo'--o to $14,500. "Red Pepper" (Apollo. 6th week). Rusiness mo.^t disappointing, -ihow has share of business already and looks as though gross will fall grad- ually if kept on. Believed it is being kept over until another attraction can be found. Skirted over $10,000. "Anna Christie" (Cort, 5th week). Getting wonderful break, even though business fell off all around town. This show hit over $8,000. "O'Brien Girl" (Cohan's Grand, 6th week). Zealous work by house management keeping this show up in business. Leader'of the musical shows here, around $14,500, which seems to bo satisfactory. "The Nightcap" (Playhouse. 19th week). Entry of Charlotte Learn into ca^t in final week stimulated business, as many large theatre par- ties were given in her honor. Show got $5,600, which allows for it being a winner on every week of the local engagement. House will be dark un- til May as. when "Hollywood Frol- ics" oomea In for summer run. ''Lightnin'" (Blackstone, 86th week). Smallest groM ilnce here. Local folkfl hav<e given it good play, with only prospect of buslneaa now convention transients. Carried Sun- day advertisement which indicated Ita stay it limited. Got $14,000, fall- ing ott of $8,000 from ita highest gi^oss. '^Juit Mirried" <I>ft Salto. Sd week). Standing up very well under circumstances, with reference to business in general. Did remarkably well, getting $10,500. "Molly . Darling" (Palace, Ist week). Started off at good gait and gives promise of being here for in- definite period. Opened to capacity an^ kept close to that figure throughout remainder of week, get- ting $12,500 at 12.50 top, after open- ing on Tuesday night. JOLSON CLOSES 'BOMBO' IN PHILLY TO CAPACnY But Three Houses Open After This Week—"Letty Pep- per" Returns moves up from Greenwich Village theatre Monday. "The Red Geranium," Princess (2d week). Probably will stick it out for another week, attraction hav- ing arrangement for three weeks. First week's business reported under $2,(»00. •To the Ladies," Liberty (13th we<>k). Pusiness clnimed not have dropped considerably last week with several parties in. gross ap- proximating $9,000. Another month or bit longer. "Up the Ladder," Playhouse (11th week). This attraction running on weel:-to-week basis. It has been favorite in cut rates and re- puted to possess dramatic value. "Truth About Blayds," Booth (10th week). I'ointed for another month or up to end of June, though sum- mer run not ejcpected. Has done fairly good business for this sea- son, making money yet. Last week $7,000. "What the Public Wants," Garrick (3d week). Final week. Theatre Guild withdrawing English play. ••He Who Gets Slapped" will move back from Fulton next Monday. "Billeted," Greenwich Village (2d week). Revival liked and spon- sors will try it uptown. Moves to Frazee Monday. "Silver Strings," special film .show- ing bcg.-^n at the Apollo Wednes- day. Feature first announced as "Across the Rainbow," an "Over the Hills" type of picture. Philadelphia, May 17. Three houses open, and one clos- ing Saturday, is the legit situation here. The Shuberts got out the moth balls Siiturdav when Jolson's "Pombo" left the Shubert. An- nouncement of another week (the fifth) for this show was made, but on the following day withdrawn, although absolute capacity was the rule every performance except Wednesday matinee. Then, Friday night, the ads and announcements of this week's Shubert vaudeville bill were withdrawn and the entire bill cancelled. The three remaining shows, are "The Dream Maker." completing a very successful tvo weeks at the Broad Street; "Welcome Stranger," which is still profitable at the Gar- rick. and "Letty Pepper," back at the Walnut Monday. It is now reported the Lyric will try two weeks of films, and the Garrick will also make that at- tempt. The latter la a popular house for pictures, but the Lyric, on North Broad street, is consid- ered an odd choice for such a pur- pose. The Broad will house ama- teur and semi-professional perform- ances for a week or so, and then dark. The attempt to run "Letty Pep- per* four more weeks at the Walnut is being ivatched. The advance sale was excellent, and the fact that the final week of the first run of this show here in March was big is leading the W^alnut people to be confident of a.good stretch of bvisi- ness up to and into June. That would go a long way to counteract the flops of "Angel Face" and "Haunted." The latter ended a miserable two weeks at the house Saturday, with still some talk of going into New York. Changes in the construction were contem- plated, but it is imderstood that the author, William Hurlburt. would not agree. Estimates for last week: "The Dream Maker" (Broad. 2d week). Final week of this house, which has had only two definite flops during the year, "The Bill of Divorcement" and "The Grand Duke." Gillette has done fine busi- ness, with downstairs draw espe- cially big. Cleared $12,000 last week, and may repeat. Three ama- teur organization shows, including "lolanthe" by Savoy company, booked In. ^Welcome Stranger" (Garrick, 4th week). Consistent money- maker. Understood to have stop- clause of $7,000. and has so far beaten that mark right along. May stay another week or so, as show has no more bookings this spring. Pictures to follow, rumor says $8,500. "Letty Pepper" Walnut. 1st week). Return of Greenwood .show well received, and advance sale promising. Has four weeks, and without opposition has good chance to last through, making this only legit hou.se open in June. "Haunted" never caught on here, but cast still talking of Gaiety In New York. Jolson's "Bombo." which closed .Saturday, again touched capacity, with slightly smaller number of standees and some room Wedne.s- but '. gross of will Four weeks of the Shubert theatre day m.'itinco, over $30,000. "Bombo" put definitely on for the year. winning side of ledger I KOLB & DILL BAD ON EETURNS San Francisco, May 17. Kolb and Dill playing return dates on the coast in "Givo and Take" arc fiopping. Stockton, where thf y drew $2,900 on their first appear- ance, gavo them but $1,200 on the return date. In Fresno Kolb and Dill pulled $5,700 on their first ap- pearance of three days but when they came back, a two day's en- gagement drew but $1,700. * "Give and Take" with these pop- ular coast comedians is scheduled MALE STAR DEFEATED BY FEMALE OPFOSITIOII "Ust Waltz" Drives "Choco- late Soldier" Out of Boston —"Sally" Still to Capacity Boston. May lY. . of "The Tavern" t( which Cohan hni the entire summer, with the producer himself playin* the lead, was the feature of' thla week In the local legitimate The house was The opening the Tremont, taken over for fleia. capacity for the opening with cnly the customary courtesy paper. It is good for tt least two weeks of big buslnese. By that time Cohan will probably have decided when he wants to break out "Pretty Nelly Kelly," the show he is to open here for the summer run. The musical piece will start rehearsals immediately. As far as can bo seen now, no other house than the Trenibnt will be tenanted this summer, unleat "Sally" and the "Last Waltz" fed the dope. As far as "Sally" Is con- cerned, the business last week was on a par with tha. of the previoai two weeks, capacity, and the regu- lar gross fo $32,800 was registered. This is all that the house can hold and Is the reason it remains the gross. The house is sold out for the first half of this week, and as yet no signs of weakness have been detected. In regard to the "Last Walti." . this show has developed strength that surprised even those with it. Last week it put "The Chocolate Soldier" out of the running, causing the Shubert to join the list of cloj^ed houses. It was a piece of peculiar booking to have two shows by the same composer, and Straus at that, playing agairtjt each other in the- atres situated directly caress the street; but then it was done, and the show with the woman star. Pay Painter, survived. It was thought that Donald Brian's personal popu- larity here might put "The Choco- lae SToldier" over, but it melted. The passing of the show also demonstrates for the second time this season Bostonians are not keen for a male- star in a musical show, as was evidenced by the dismal failure of John Charles Thomas when he showed at the Tremont earlier in the season. "The Gold Digger.s" closed here Saturday and the company dis- banded. For three weeks it did only fair business with a steadily drop- ping gross. "Smooth as Silk" is due to finish at the Selv.yn this week, leaving that house dark, ac- cording to indications. •Ladies' Night" Is running better thin ex- pected and will remain for two or three weeks longer at the I'lymouth. A stop mark of $7,500 has bc»n set for this show, and as long as the gross stays above that figure it will remain* Kstimates for last week: *-Sally" (Colonial, 4th week). Still running exceptionally strong, with records for business broken weekly as sho progresses. Gross cf $.'^2,- 800 last week on a par with those* of the previous weeks. >^ "The Tavern" (Tremont. 1st. week). Classy opening with Cohan* in person for first time in 10 years i locally, nouse well patronized by/ clientele that looked like dyed-in-f the-wool Cohan followers. "The. Gold Diggers' did about $9,000 in, final week. •'•■ "Smooth as 8ilk'» (Selwyn. 6th week). Posted for last week.' Strength this show displayed when- it first opened here developed soft- spots last week. It is said about- $6,600 was gross. "The Last Waltz" (Wilbur. 5tli week). In what was regular show^j down between this show and "The Chocolate Soldier," playing acrosa the street, first named came out with colors flying. Buried other show from publicity standpoint lor' one thing, did much better business for another and caused such a flop of patronage across the street the revival was .pulled suddenl.v. a*- shown by Sunday papers carrying" pictures in cut display and reading, notices, but no ad. .^ "Ladies' Night" (Plymouth, Sd week). Doing well, as well as can. be expected, and little bett.r than' looked for. Will stay on indefl- nitely. until mark of $7,500 is struck, and then—curtains. 1 FRISCO BAD "Passing Show' Docs $25,000 in Two Weeki—On One-Week Basis to close I t>:i(ro^, San Franci.sco, May 17. > San Francisco theatergoers nre balking at $2.50 shows, evidenced by the business of "The Passin?r Show**- .•It the Century. It drew l.^fs than, $25,000 on its two weeks crT^-ase-, ment, and last week a clc.siiitr noticei was poBtrd carrying a i)rovi."<» that, the players may remain on .i weck^i to-week basis. There is also a report tlu^ mem- bem of the "l\assing Shvw ' a.ccpt- . ed a 25 per cent, cut In salaries. , "The Pa.ssing Show" rxp<«t'<l to, do over $30,000 on its first w«tk lO; Frisco. ^~""^-»^.