Variety (July 1922)

16 LEGITIMATE Friday, July 14, 1923 rsr-r PRESENT CHICAGO AHRACTIONS WEATHERING BAD WEATHER Nearly All Legit Shows Make Good Showing — 'Tor Goodne«8 Sake" and ''Lilies" in Doubt for Longer Stay Chicago, July 12. True to 'form ran tho public Fourth of July in administering summer theatrical "breaks" >fvhf'n It doesn't rain on that day. The day was chol<etl with sunshine, com- pletely destroyinp the matinee busi- ness and only making the night trade what it would have been at the matinee if J. Pluvius had shot off some fireworks. The Shubert houses figured that the Fourth of July matinee would draw better than the usual Wednesday matinee, so called off the latter, only to draw poor results. Despite the disappointing Fourth and the usual slump the day after (Wednesday) the handful of shows in town struck an extraordinary week-end business. With the ex- ception of the I*owers and the Gar- rick, all shows in town slightly bet- tered their previous week, which proves that the Apollo, Blackstone, Cort and LaSalle need not worry during the balance of the summer, |-«howmen. for they all crawled through the specified dull week of the-summer season with slight gains. Chicago is experiencing a record drought, and the theatre managers are sharing the sadness of it with the farmers. Of the two big nights (Saturday and Sunday) the weather man has been somewhat lenient, with the conditions for Saturday night helping not a little. Except for two weeks ago last Sunday night, the Sunday nights have been featured with terrific humidity. Last Sunday was checked off as the hottest night of the year. Some pace "will have to be pfcked up this week if a respectable week end total will be reached. Sunday night's getaway business was the worst of the summer, with $700 fur- nishing the average business. The lowest figure was $325 at Powers. Predictions of several weeks ago that "The Hotel Mouse" would aver- age $12,000 in its weekly business for the summer run at the Apollo are turning out accurate. A healthy business was added last week, due to the small gain with the Fourth of July business. It is only two weeks • off before the augmented out-of- one night stand rights to the piece. If the Lloyd faction knew this a week ago they wouldn't have saved the situation. Not being showmen, they overlooked the important angle, since they had been persuaded to keep going at the Garrick, regard- less of the loss, with, hopes of pick- ing up the 'losses in surrounding territory after the Garrick stay. It appears Geo. W. Lederer, acting ,for Jones & Thurnrmn, with the Poughkeepsie money, bought the piece from the Aarons interests for $7,500, mentioning only 12 big cities and the Pacific coast time. Walter Duggan, who became manager after Lederer left, disopvered the joker and advised the Poughkeepsie men of the folly of keeping the attraction running at the Garrick at a loss, making valuable surrounding terri- tory for others. Duggan advised the show close next Saturday, if they didn't want to make a whole season out of their initial try as The one-night stand ^ ,, ^, , Learn (who joined the cast on a town patronage strikes Chicago I ^^^^ ^^^^^.^^^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^pj.^ ^„ rights have been offered to the Poughkeepsie men for $1«000, pro- vided the back royalties are paid up, meaning that Lloyd will have to pay over some $3,000 more to further the possibility of recovering the original investment, if the play happens to hit as a road attraction. The one night stand rights and the authors' royalties -are identical In the matter of financial headquar- ters. If the Poughkeepsie men ad- here to Duggan's . jadgment, they will close up their experience as showmen. They, however, api>ear to be gluttons for punishment. The pruning knife was plunged through the heart of the unneces- sary expenses. This week it is reported the show can break on $8,500. John Young took John S. Hazzard's place Sunday night. Edna Bates is now playing the Vir- ginia O'Brien part, while Ethel Wilson is in Marjorie Gateson's role. Johnnie Byams was engaged Monday for Vinton Freedley's part. Thus far the cast changes haven't decreased the show's strength. Down at the Powers the common- wealth workers, except Chaflotte ''SALLY" CLOSING Doing ^1,000 WMkly in Boston. Star WanU Vacation Boston, July 12. •*Sally'' closes Saturday. Marilynn Miller insists on having a vacation, It is said. The show is going along at a swimming rate now, and has been since opening. Last week the business was $81,000. Even though the Colonial is the only open legit thegitre in town, and has nothing more in the way of competition than a couple of stock houses, a mark of $31,000 for a show playing the sum- mer months in Boston has seldom, if ever, been equalled. The recent fuss on the oldtlme topic of the reported engagement of Jack Pickford and Marilynn Miller got a first page play from most of the local dailies and, being just clean enough to register, helped out the box office enough to hang up another big week's business. There isn't any doubt that the show could run for several weeks longer at a profit. The show may reopen Labor Day in this city. "Good Morning Dearie" is supposed to open on that* date at the Colonial. The closing of "Sally" makes things ideal for the opening of "Little Nellie Kelly." the Cohan show, due to pop out at the Tre- mont on the last day of this month. Cohan will ha\e the town for the month of August anyway. The only other showc in town will be "Shuffle Along," the colored show, due to open at the Sclwyn, uptown, on the same date. SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figures estimated and comment point to tome attmctiont being successful, while the same gross accredited to others might suggest mediocrity or losa. The variance is explained in th« difference in house capacities, with the varying overhead. Also the size of cast, with consequent difference in necessary gross for profit. Variance fn business necessary for musical attraction as against dramatic play is also considered. FRISCO GROSSES "Abie,** $9,000—-Mr. Pim/» $7,0<J0 Third Week—**Letty" Off and don't be surprised to hear of the Apollo attraction ascending io $14,000. "Her Temporary Husband" has steadied itself at the Cort, gaining some $500 over the premiere week. Jt begins to look as if William Courtenay has .grabbed an all- ;' season vehicle, for while the piece ' will only be kept here until Aug. 20, it will nowvdraw a New York hear- ing and. regardless of its fate in New York, the play will be given a road tour, thereby assuring Cour- tenay of winter activities. To the credit of "Just Married" goes the honor of the biggest profits of any show playing here in a dec- ade. For consistent business the LaSalle attraction is in a class by itself. All this happiness comes from good showmanship, and it now looks as if the worlds series will be a matter of history before this farce is asked to move. Nothing is marked ofC on the LaSalle books until October 10, and this date can easily be reached by the present laughable visitor. It's going to be a miracle if "For Goodness Sake" continues at the Garrick after Saturday. Up to yes- terday no notice, had been given for closing, but complications suggest the end will abruptly arrive. This attraction held its average of the previous week, and because of the .unnecessary expenses of previous weeks being completely checked, a small profit was in sight until the last moment, when an avalanche of bills contracted by the previous managers popped up, and were forced to be paid under threat of attachments. All were met with the exception of t>ack royalties amounting to some $2,000. Attor- neys for the authors were persuaded to hold off. inasmuch as the present management showed good faith by paying last week's royalty, reported ^to be on the basis of 7 per cent. The royalty went to Alex A. Aarons. New York. The biggest problem now con- fronting the Lloyd Intereata la the ^iscovery that they doa'l mm tb« the company's share of $4,960. There's still some money due the cast for the three weeks ago rum- pus, and each member is getting thfs by dribs and drabs. Clara Moores is happier than at any other time since the commonwealth ar- rangement went into effect, and Averril Harris holds strong the strength of the cast with Norman Trevor's exit. During this week "Lilies of the Field" will have to rip oft a better average for the remaining performances of the week than at any other time during the commonwealth period, because of the $325 start Sunday night. Expectations will probably be realised within the next fortnight relative to an arrival of at least throe shows for the new month. If they don't materialize, the present Apollo, LaSalle. Cort and Black- stone attractions will strike a gold mine during August—Pageant of Progress period. Last weeks estimates: ^ **Her Temporary Husband" (Cort, second week). If it hadn't been for bad slump Friday night. $9,000 would have been reached on week. So content is management, piece Is set for given time. Gained over previous week with gross of $8,530. ''Lightnin*" (Blackstone, forty- fifth week). Perhaps solid out-of- town audiences Fourth of July night. Went over $11,000. "For Goodness Sake** (Garrick, fifth week). Only $1,700 Fourth, with Wednesday night flop pre- venting all chances for first $10,000 week. If the attraction goes be- yond Saturday, jt will be a miracle, stopped at $8,740. The Hotel Mouse'' (Apollo, sev- enth week). Gained slightly over previous week, with corking Satur- day night and little help from Fourth. May have been failure In New York, but Chicago likes It. $18,087. "Jutt Married" (LaSalle. eleventh WMk). Fact it was known play's iwom would b« At l«Mt |8«0f« up San Francisco. July 12. Oliver Morosco's "Abie's Irish Rose" at the Century got about $9,000 during its first week at $1.50 top prices. The show pleased the majority of theatregoers. At the Columbia "Mr. Pim Passes By" remained a third week and held up exceedingly well, getting better thai) $7,000. "So Long Letty" at Morosco's Casino is-not holding up as well as was expected. "Canary Cottage" is being readied to succeed it, probably next week or the week after, "ck) Long Letty" did fairly well, but in- dications are that the run expected will peter out. «H£E FBEEN]), THE KINO'* Henry Miller, who returned from the coast with his special company, played a second try-out of "Her Friend, the King" at Stamford. Conn., last week. The play w&s considered the weakest of the trio of new pieces tried out last month in San Francisco, but the Stamford engagement was played before a final deciflion to shelve it was made. The piece will probably not be of- fered on Broadway. With Ruth Chatterton, Miller will open the Empire's season in "La Tendresse," said to be t^e most promising of his new playv. The Henry MiNer theatre will open with "The Awful Truth." Ina Claire and Bruce McRae will be featured. LITTLE THEATRES The Maitland PI house at Port- land, Me., the city's •'Little Theatre." opened Monday with "The Liars." The theatre, fofmerly a church, is under the direction of Arthur Malt- land. It seats 820. with scale $1.25 top. The company is headed by Katherine Gray. John Clubley. with Ralph Glover, stage manager. Reginald Travers, who has been the director of the Players' Club in San Fracisco, a semi-profes- sional producing organisation* has secured in association with William Rainey the Pacific Coast rights to "The First Fifty Years," which they plan to produce in San Francisco and send on the road. Lou Lockett has dissolved part- nership with Miss Linn. The danc- ers teamed for vaudeville, appear- ing first together last fall. Lockett has signed with "The Perfect Fool," the EM Wynn show, which reopens at the Illinois, Chicago, Aug. 2H. Lockett replaces John Dale. to Saturday night's business, checker-up kept away for estimate of week's business knowing pace continues with Joy for all. Going to be hard to get seats for this attrac- tion when the Pageant of Progress visitors start arrivinir. ''Abie's Irish Rose,** Fulton (8th week). Moves to Republic Mon- day, Fulton dark until fall. "Hose" got $6,800 last week, said to be profitable. Four figures Fourth of July night. •• "Captain Applejack/' Cort (29th week). In spite of fall holiday debut this comedy hit really has season's stay to credit. Aimed for continuance. Business on paying basis through hot weather. Last week down close to even break, takings under $8,000. ''Cat. and Canary/' National (23d week). Another attraction ex- pected to ride through summer and continue into fall. Only mys- tery play try that stood up in com- petition with ''The Bat," which rates peer of all plays of that ciass. $8,000 last week. "Chai^ve-Souris/' Century (24th week). Morris Gest's-winning wonder handled in most skillful fashion. Russian troupe making summer show,history by drawing capacity trade to roof, though above theatre zone. "Follies," New Amsterdam (6th week). Unchallenged winner of Broadway; playing to standing room right along, with nightly gross $5,000 and weekly takings hitting $37,300. "From Morn Till. Midnight,'* Frazee (3d week). Made little money by grossing $5,000 first weeks. Only limited date intended, but engage- ment indefinite. "Good Morning Dearie," Globe (37th week). Matinee Fourth went to capacity through theatre weather break. Bit under $20,000 for sea- son's worst week. "He Who Gets Slapped," Garrick (27th week). Theatre Guild show will probably ride out month. Get- ting enough business for little profit. Around $4,500 of late. Guild's most successful try this season. "Kempy," Belmont (9th week). Con- tinues to draw excellent business for limited capacity house. Late arriving comedy hit should hold over into fall. Around $8,000 weekly, not far from capacity. "Kiki," Belasco (33d week). Now on seven-performance basis for bal- ance of summer, Thursday mati- nee elinainated to lighten burden of star (Lenore Ulric). Broad- way's undisputed dramatic leader since opening. $14,000 last week; big for short-week basis. "Lawful Larceny," Republic (28th week). Final week. This drama rates with successes. Was. to have closed several weeks ago, out picked up. House changes con- trol to Oliver D. Bailey, and "Abie's Irish Rose" moves over from Fulton Monday. "Music Box Revue/' Music Box (43d week). Affected Monday of last week, when heavy downpour killed off box-oflflce trade. Gave matinee Wednesday instead of Fourth and sold out. Takings off from pre- vious week and but beat $20,000 last week. Lowest gross to date. "Partners Again/' Selwyn (11th week). Comedy leader stood up well for week of the Fourth, switching matinee successfully and drawing big holiday trade. Held approximately to mark of week previous, with about $14,500 In. "Shuffle Along," 63d Street (60th week). Another week for colored revue, which has set run record for atractions of kind to shoot at. Opens at Selwyn, Boston, July 31. Ought to clean up on road if given even booking break. "Six Cylinder Love," Sam Harris (47th week). Looks like a year's run now. On summer basis, with house and show making little money. l»ace very good consider- ing long stay. Last week about $6,000. "Spice of 1922," Winter Garden (2d week). Got off to a $6,800 pre- miere Thursday night last week; top $5. Ought to land real money for balance of summer at regular scale, $3, indicated pace being over $25,000 weeJ^Jbt I*iaycd to $1<).600 first four p§riormances. "Strut Miss Lizzie," Earl Carroll (4th week). Colored troupe at Times Square for three weeks fol- lowed "Pin Wheel," which clo.«?ed after staying four weeks. "Lizzie" moved here Monday. $5,900 last week, **Sue Dear," Times Square (Ist week). Bide Dudley's musical show, trird out several weeks ago on road, opened Monday at $5 top. Fixed up and restaged. Mid- summer entry and none other in sight. Notices very mild and show thought to have little chance. "The Bat,* Morosco (99th week). Now cinch for accomplishment of two years' run on Broadway. Mystery play is run leader and* takes second to "Lightnin'," which stayed three years. "The Dover Road," Bijou (30th week). One of few attractions giving matinee on Fourth. Ca- pacity drawn that afternoon and total on week went to little under $5,000. Probably pays, with show and house on sun^mer basis. "The Goldfish," Astor (12th week). Advanced nearly $1,000 last week, when total reached nearly $8,000. On summer basis profitable and attraction should hold forth until new season's arrivals. May move to another house, Astor being of* fered for pictures. "Silver Wings," Apollo (9th week). Film. "Nero," Lyric (8th week). Film. JUDGMENTS (First name is judgment debtor; creditor and amount follow.) Jack Wilson; H. F. Klemens; $224.95. Middletown Theatre Co.; Greciter N. y. Export House, Inc.; $2,071.62. La Verne N. English; Paramount Publicity Corp.; $93.23. Jewish Art Theatre, Inc.; U. 8. Fidelity & Guaranty Co.; $806.22. Acierno Amus. Co.; Industrial Commissioner of State of N. Y.; $94.80. Mildred Harris Chaplin; Chaplin<« Mayer Pictures Co., Inc.; $3,329.05. Lee and Olive Kraus; J. Goldie; $1,045. Lee Kraus; same; $1,690. Waiter L. Johnson; Republic Labs.. liil; $234.85. Don. C. Seitz; C. M. Hall; $539.40. Sarfle; same; $544.40. Jack Udel; Capitol Photo Supply Co.. Inc.; $158.77. Noble Sissle; R. G. Heron, Inc.; $176.66. Wid Gunning, Inc.; Travelers Ins. Co.; $482.08. Satisfied Judgments Philip ^ J. Bartholmae; E. J. Mc-< Gregor; $1,726.50; June 2. 1922. .Gustavo G. Gennert; Thames h Mersey Marine Ins. Co., Lim.; $272.03; Jan. 26. 1921. E. Ray Goetz; Stern Bros.; $230.« 90; Feb. 13, 1915. Edward Ray Goetz; E. Johnson;' $576.41; Aug. 21. 1918. Bankruptcy Petition Perlman Music Supply Home, 503 Fifth avenue. New York (voluntary petition). Joseph P. McDonough is the receiver. ABRAHAMS ICAKAGING COHAI Saul Abrahams, who has been manager of "The Greenwich Village Follies" for s'iveral years, has been appointed manager of the George M. Cohan theatre, now under the di« direction of Max Spiegel, who pur* chased the house last year. The house is in pictures for the summer and is being handled by the Spiegel office. Abrahams will be in charge when the legitimate season openfl around Labor day. The first at* traction will be "Queen of Hearts," Nona Bay a starring, which Spiegel is producing. Harry Davis, who has managed the Cohan for many seasons, has re- signed. It Is understood he will continue with th3 E^rlanger office. STOCK TEIES NEW PLAY Toronto. July 12. The Bobbins stock at the Royal Alexandria tried out "Tommy Comes to Town" by Roy Briant. Thomas A. Wise had the leading role, that of an elderly sedate Glens FallB, N. Y., man who is a stepper away from home and gets mixed up in Greenwich Village, New York, try- ing to untangle family complica- tions. There are laughs and dramatic situations in tho piece that made something of a local impression. r The Chicago Opera Association has made a motion^ set a.side the service and vacate t^e Judgment in a suit begun by Nicholas K. Roer- ich in the New York Supreme Court recently for breach of con- tract. Roerich, a Russian scenic arti.st, in M.iy, 1921, submitted ideaj for the production of "Tri.stan," which were rejected. He sired for $3,700 due recovering judpmmt by default. The Chicago Opera A.«?so- ciation was improperly served, it a'' leges, and wants service set aside.