Variety (October 1922)

i^ ytrrriijf • J|.|*iJWyUW««» iiiiiji»« •'» WP'Sy-TT! Friday, October 20, 1022 LEGITIMATE ft *■ ■- CHICAGO IS WALKING OUT" ON BROADWAY'S BIG HITS Neither Critic Nor Producer Influencing Windy City's Theatre Trade—Noticeable WalRaway From Box Officec—Scales Mean Much Chicago, Oct. 18. .lark Frost tantxlized tho legiti- mate inanagcrH mid-wcck. Ho walked right in. doffed hi.«i fur headgear for the first visit of tiio year, turned around and walked right out again. This- happened Wedii^aday and Thiir«day. His presence boonted tr.:de. iioth ends of the \seek car- ried an ovordb.rn of rain, with Sal- mUay l;et\vven 5 and 9 o'clock wot- tins tlie populace wiJh kucIi hi\'iltliy steadineEM that a portion of Chi- r-uRo's alarnnin^sr uncertain husinea.i of the present hour can l-e blamed to the erratic jus^TlinR of tho w\-ather dispenser. Those who want c:\ alibi can pro- tect. themselves bj- d'-awin?r in the weather chart. SeuHibl'^ chroni.'lersJ Jgnore weather eonditlims in ad- vAncinpr the claim that even Jack Fro^'t'.s perman<;:it r.tay won t help to relieve tho I»op the;itrical iMtua- tlcn of f:omo of it.s deadly cause.'? lor bad buainei-s. I^ogii- encoura-TC^ fir-.noeimR indivldnalH to predict that the magnates in New York must stop believing Chicago rday- sroers "will go to yo.e anything at .iny price' provided it holda that "lonT run "Broadway trade-mark.' .%« immediate expo.'-e of this belief, with the magnate:? eventually con- cluding they have Chicago sized up wrong in the present era of theat- rical changes, is predicted will de- velop more level-headed campaigns to dfaw Chicago patronage. Iti plain vernacular, the theatrical owners in New York are essaying *to "hog" the Chicago market. In other years "the hogging" was suc- cessful. But of late the Chicago playgoers have raised In protest, and no better proof of this can be secured than by a glance at the box office statements of the weeks al- ready gone into history for the new season. "Good Morning. Dearie." a smash hit on Broadway, came to Chicago with elevated prices. "Pombo," far from the hit that the Dillingham show was in New York, gave more attention to the existing Chicago situation in the matter of prices, with tl»« result that the local playgoers upset the expectations of the magnates with record trade for the Jolson show and terrific losses for the Colonial theatre engagement. Chicago likes "Good Morning, Dearte." but the playgoers here are publicly stubborn against the high prices, and this can be gained by sticking around the box oflflce window of any Loop theatre for half an hour before curtain time. The walk-aways this fall at the Chicago box offices are unbeliev- able. The cleverest treasurers can't hold the trade with "cuts" via ex- changes. There Is Just that Impor- tant portion of the public which re- fuses to go to the hotel stands for the good seats that have been de- livered on the outright "buy." To thof^^e here on the ground who have studied the situation the cause for the '•(lop" of the Dillingham show is visible, yet those who could make a change are inclined to criticise Chicago's tastes, according to^trict Chicagoans. "LIghtnin's" system at the Rlackstone is the sample that can be used in proving nothing falls business in Chicago if tho playgoers are made happy. Hotel brokers are forced to accommodate their patrons on orders left at br phoned to the box ofllce, giving those who don't like the idea of visiting hotel stands the first chance at the best seats by applying at the box ofilce. The Bacon show has received a heap of liopularity throtigh this system. Tluro's no denying tho fact that ' r..ightnin's" long stay here has been helped l.erau.'-e of it. Managers In town realize it, and t'. ere are some of the manag.'»r}^ who go furtlier bj' Iiretlicting that the Blackstone sys- tem will be' in Vx)guo all over town Ix'fore anotljer sra.'^ion. On lop of the ('i:Jin;il i)li'.',ht of feve;\U iinpo: (iint ; hl»vv^•. tlio sujMcm ••xit notice for "Tlie iilll of Divmee- njeuL" earrie.'. f:ff th- hUie ril>boii of the >ea«?on thus fur. The critie-i r.iV'Ml over the Ti:llfK:; i)ieee. Xot n <ll>:.sci;ling "ord was writ ten.'sa\>' ill c)n<' instance ' V. here :i critie re- poi-ird fiti imevi -.1 cuA for tlu- i'l;iy. The onetiinr^ a week n'rV^ Sunday ''if;bl \ ;i.sm'i :i (Np;-^.'!! I'owr:; tiie- • •111' .iiiili'iiei'. pru'.,.'blj li.'c;ii. e it 'VMM a >Sun(i;i\ ni.:ht l■^>(■r.iln.^ I'.iis nie>.; dropped Willi ,t thud .'^loi'.d i\ niid kept \vreti'lv(ll\ low all v.etk. 'lb" INiWeiM in:'.ii.<;.;.nnMit aet'd MOi'!-!>•. so the .st.iv of tlie l^midon hit. wliieli had ;i liv- m«»ntlis iim in .\'< w V(rl{, is clM-<-:;e<l for r.\ o we,ks ill Chicago. "Tlie Coyrish," -TIk' Dfivcr K'.ad" :iiid "To ilic Ladies," not overlouking "The Rubicon" went out t»iftelhef Saturday. The biggest surpriao was "To the Ladies." wUi^h never got started at Cohan'.s Grand, and grew worse as it was kei>t until the Fair- banks p'cture was ready. Not in the history of Ccdians Grand has a play shown v.eak drawing powers 0)1 "To the Ladles" on top of the way it v.as received by the critics. Both "The Goldfish" and "Ladier." commanded favored attention from the critics wl)ile other shows now in town and which will stick for a-mo extended period had to Over- come poor notices before they got st.arted. liven the tritics are puzzled by tb.o erratlcne.s.j of the trade this fr.II, once again proving that the public Js luddins the local situa- tion in its grayp. not being guided either by the producer or critic. The Twin Theatres are leaping into (heir own although there^ i.? i'«>ntuUerable surprise over the poor jnatinees at the Harris for "Six Cylinder T^ove." McGuire's play is u crackcrjack for the Saturday and .'-'imday patron;-. "The Circle" is just ihe reverreii, for at the Selwyn th? ThurFday mntinee is easily a sell-out and tho Saturday matinee v.ould be likewise if the manage- ment realised that-Chicago isn't a $3 Saturday matinee town. The hotel brokers hoM the Batuj;^ay matinee $3 tickets for the Selwyn. and they got stuck with the high priced seats last week. Shows in town featuring $2 for the Saturday matinee are selling out. Again the prices ccme to tho fore. "Bombo" still leads everything In town, and for that matter has set a record that few. if any, attractions will equal this season. VA Wynn'a happiness continues at the Blinois. "Under False Pretenses' hasn't "caught on," but wjeeacrcs predict a climb for "The Green Goddess" at the Great Northern*. "The First Year" enters the Woods Nov. 5 with "The Guilty One" hold- ing' on until that date. "Partners Again" Is definitely set for the Selwyn. Nov. 13. with "The Cricle" cancelling the one nights en route to Minneapolis, and routing to Detroit for a return engagement, with Cleveland. Cincinnati. St. Louis and Milwaukee to follow. Surprises have been pouring: forth in galore fashion here abouts and unless Jack Frost returnr and stlckM. there is apt to be another full measure of upsets on the local calendar before another week rolls around. Last week's estimates: **A Bill of Divorcement* (Powers, 1st week). Failure after being termed "the best play the season has brought thus far" by the critics. Goes out Saturday with Irene Bor- donl in "Tho French Doll" to follow. Struggled for 16,000.^ "Good Morning De'arlo" (Colonial, 7th week). Another loss wallop for both show and house with business holding around |16,800. This house's usual box ofllce lino after 7.30 at night has been completely missing for this engagement. Prices alone massacred It. •To the Ladiea" (Cohan's Grand, ]st and final week).^ Biggest loss this house probably has ever suf- fered, for attraction was kept long after time when public interest waned. Closed for $5,000 with Fair- banks' picture following Sunday night. "The Guilty One" (Woods, 8th week). Will stay until Nov. p, opening date for "The First Year." Cut rates and brokers buy helping to keep down loss. Averaging be- tween $10.OOP and $11,000. "Six Cylinder Love" (Harris, ^d week). Capacity audiences Satur- day and Sunday nights held the Mc- Guire play in profit column. Mat- inees still off with considerable wonderment why. Smashed $L',r>00 SiUurday night, bringing week's gro.-^s to $14,800. "Bombo" (Apollo. 4th week). Just slifilit notice of brokers havin.-r their lir.>-l ditlictilty in dl.'posing of full qiiot.'i. Doesn't efiet-t attrac{u)n. Aiiother thnnderotis week compiled, with $3t!,(*0U serving as t<>v,ii;j r<>co:-d. '•'Under FalEO Pretenses" <l.n Siillf. L'<1 \\'e«k). Jlitlliiig to ^! t into bit <'Olumn and v. hether or not own- er:; hive lost faltli for .':ta.\', by ;ui- Tumnciri-r ;nilln'i- will li:ive Mooller I 'V.- pl.»\' fo:* Mitriehstein. only an- other forfliigiit will 1(11. Keptui' d .'it $S.."itM».v "Th3 Circle" <ii]\\'\n, AWt wc-li. (rfltitu; h!< ndy patroiia^'M lioni 'hit-'h dtrov.f-" in town. I'niisual ;< ;,'ht fif \vitne.^sln;r evening drc-s i!i bulcony li'a«le. Tliursdiiy niatirie<' s« 11-otit. Not a Sunday nigUt show, so biisTrusH that nighi kept lli: 4 week's gross at $14,200. Saturday matinee prices to high for sell-out. "Tha Cat and Canary** (Princess, 6th week). Sitting nicely for long, successful stay here. With better weather conditiona will probably ascend higher than $15,800. Busi- ness again proves ^hat Chicago loves mystery play. "Thank U" (<Jort, Ct^i week). This well-liked play will run course on average of $11,000, good profit for house and show. •'The Green Goddess" (Great Northern, 3d week). Not drawing anywhere near worth of attraction. How long $8,000 gross will keep this high quality play in town will be found out this week. "The Perfect Fool" (Illinois. 7th week), flipped trifle, but no matter what happens In remaining weeks of engagement, Wynn will depart with big Chicago triumph. Katl- mated at $20,500. ♦*The Goldfish" (Studebaker. 7th and final week). Lost a plenty on ■sta*-. going out with barely $8,000. •'Anna Christie" opened Sunday for limited two weeks. Then "Hairy Ape" for what Mel Raymond Is can\i)aigning for long Chicago run. "Lightnin"' (Blackstonc, 68th v.'cek). Drew $1,600 at Wednesday matinee and then sold out Wednes- day nitJht; combined with other good business, gave week fat $16,000. Fritx Laiber (Olympic, 3d week). Continues to get full play from siudcnta of Shakespeare. (Joes out Saturday, with Zoe Atkins' new comedy. "Greatness," with Jobyna Howland, to follow. "RuBlcon" (Central. 7th^and final week). House went dark Saturday with departure of Estelle Winwood am>bition.s. Made game fight, but Chicago has reformed, with play- goers refusing to get excited over plays of irtnd. Took away $5,000 for final count-up. "T»^e Dover Road" (Playhouse. 4th week). Made quiet exit Satur- day, with "The CharlaUn" opening Sunday night. House management needs immediate good "break," and if Chicago runs true to form anent mystery plays the Klauber show will turn tho tide for Lester Bryant. Departing show drew $6,300. • - NEW ORLEANS PACKED Sending Box Office Groasep Up. American Lagien Convention New Orleans, Oct. 18. The De Wolf Hopper opera com- pany in its second week at the Tu- lane will do $12,000; "The Prisoner of Zenda" (film) will do around $8.- 000 at $1 top in the St. Charles, and the Orpheum (vaudeville) la having a twice dally turn away, all through an American Legion convention in town thia week. John Pollock flitted in and out last week, stopping long enough to replace Frank Bishop aa company manager for Hopper with Elliot Foreman. SI Goodfrlend waa re- tained In advance. ( ONE-NIGHT ATTEACnONS Chicago, Oct 18. An Idea of the few attractions playing onei-nlght stand cities is given to the Oladmcr, Lonalnir. Mich., a nice theatre in a rood tewn, which is the capital of the State. Oct. 25—Walker Whiteside In "The Hindu." Nov. 1—"Sue Dear.- ' * Nov. 6—"Intimate Strangera." Nov. 26--"Just Marrled.- Dec. 5-6—"Chu Chin Chow." * ' Dec. 11—Mclntyre and Heaths Dec. 15—United Statea Opera Co. Feb. 7—Mltxi Hajos. Feb. 10—Flske O'Hara. Feb. 28—"The Hairy Ape.- SHOWS IN FRISCO Saft Francisco, Oct. 18. Tom Wisp In "Three Wise Fools" opened at the Columbia Monday and received excellent notices with business only fair. "Take It From Me." at the Cur- ran last week, failed to arouse any particular Interest, with the gross on the week going to $9,000. LEGIT ITEMS T'red l-'leck has been appointed company m.anatrer of "Abie's Irish Il'.-.e," at the Republic. , BROADWAY STORY (Continued from page 13) play this season. Cu.siness though was completely the reverse and an- other attraction will take the house next week. "The Faithful Heart." In order to try further, must guar- antee the MaxIne Elliott, to where it will move Monday. This week's premieres were but two, because of tiie "Music Box" postponement. W. A. Brady offered both play.s. "Swifty' opened at the Playhouse Monday but was not re- garded having much of a chance. "To Love'* with Grace George won fine mention at tho Bijuu and looks like a success. Next week's new ones will lead off with tho "Music Box Bovue." The Shuberts will bring "The Sprin'Ttimo of Youth" Into the Bruadhurst. It Is of foreign adaptation and has won very favor- able advance comment. W. A. Brady will present "Tho Insect Comedy" at the ,''»9th Street (name of Jolson's is being dropped). It Is also of foreign origin and carries with it conf-it\'rabl«» Interest. "Blossom Time' which l»as tenanted the 59th Street for a month moves into the Century, left open through the can- cellation of "Hltchy-Koo'' which looked i).id at Itsl^hlladelphia show- ing. The Selwyns will bring "The Fool" to tho Times square, and will close "The Exciters" despite the latter having drawn $8,000 last week. 'The Last Warning" com- pletes tho premiere llr.t. It will be prescTited by new producers at the Klaw. dark this week. "Tho llevue Ruisse" v/ill be,moved from the Booth after another week and {♦o to Chicago (La Salle). Its place will be taken by "Seventh Heaven" Oct. 30, tlvxt attraction openinj; cold here. "The Bat" recently completing a two years' run at the Morosco, started something en the subway circuit last ./eck. H drew $15,700 at the Blvlera (97th street), and was hcM over a tecond week. Cuta Top tha Buya The liflt of attractions offered in the cut-rate agency topped those under buys by two thia week, with the advance price agencies com- plaining; about bad business, while In the cut-rates business was a bit off. but it was steadier than it had been earlier In the seaoon. One of the freaks in the cut-rates Is the moving of Arnold Daly in "On the Stairs" from tho Playhouse to Dnly'a 63d Stj'tot theatre, with the cut-rate sales Jumping almost double toAvhat they were for the house further downtown. On the buy list there arc * "The I^i(Jy In Ermine" (Ambassador), "Klki" (Bcla.sco), "llevue Russo" (Booth). "The Gingham Girl" (Car- roll). "Sally, Irene and Mary" (Casino). "East of Suez" (Eltinge), "La Tendresse" (Empire). "Orange Blossoms" (Fulton). "Loyalties" (Gaiety). "White's Scandals" (Globe). "It's a Boy" (Harris), "So This Is London'' (Hudson). "Yankee Princess" (Knickerbocker), "Spite porner" (Little), "Rose Bernd" (Longacro), "The Awful Truth" (Miller's), "Zlegfelil Follies" (Am- sterdam), "The Old So.ak" (Plym- outh), and "Passing Show" (Winter Garden). In the cut rates the offerings comprised "Daffy Dill" (Apollo). "East Side-West Side" (Bayes), "Kempy" (Belmont). "The Faithful Heart" (Broadhurst). "Queen o' Hearts" (Cohan), "Revue Russe" (Booth), "Thin Ice" (Comedy), "Captain Applejack" (Cort). "On the Stairs" (G3d Street), "Her Tem- porary Ilusbond" (Frazce), "White's Scandals" (Globe). '^ "Fantastic Fricassee" (Greenwich Village), 'It's a Boy" (Harris), "Blossom Time" (Jolson's), "Shore Leave" (Lyceum). "Swifty" (Playhouse), "The ICvergreen- Lady" (I'unch & Judy). "Abie's Irish Jtosc" (Repub- lic), "I'.anco" (Ititz). "I'artners Again" (Selwyn) and "The Ex- citers" (Times Square^. "fJreatncss," by Zoo Akinr. liad iLs pr- '"' d.iv .'it Dayton. f>hlo, TH . . ; : tiun ».f Ctllbcrt MlTTerT Tlie show f<atures Jobyna llowland. C.NTtl Ivfightly Is the male lead. "(Ireiitness* will bow into the Olym- pic, Chicago, next Monday. John R. Rogers Is managinj; TliC Z;'n(ig.«t, mlnd-reskjers. SHOWS IN PHILA (Continued fiom i).ige ID in coming in during an off week, theatrieally. thus catching some first nigljlers and critics. A I'^StO t(»p is being tried, with a big play am'>nr^ college and school Htud«?nts. Next week wdl see another influx of openinj^s. thus carrying out what serms to bo tho hoiisom's delirulo program-a lean week, and then a fat one. Walter Uarnpilen opens a tuo v.rfHc.s' eng;ir:«nient at ,the Walnut. j;tarting with '•.Ma«;hetl»" find fcllow.ng with ".\I''i: l-ant." tbu-< savin;: In:; real novelties.. "(Ubello" and "A New Way to Pay C>ld Ixbt.s'- try-out, alnc9 It opened only la:,t week In Brooklyn. It will come to the (Jarrlck. which has been apc^lal- izlng in this kind of playa this sea- Bon for two weeks only. "Jilos.som Time" is In at the Lyric, and The Hotel Mouse " at the Shu- bt rt. The latter Is tho only one of the Shubert bookings which has been announced a month or more In advance and which has been kept intact. More proof that Phllly is rapidly becoming a "dog'' is shown In the booking of Nov. C of Dillingham's 'I'unch and Judy" for a first per- formance at the Garrlek. T^ils will • •pen in opposition to Frank Tinney at the Shubert. and between the two they ought to make "Sally" hustle a bit. The latter show is still featur- ing its "strictly limited engagement" line jn program and ads. but is now figured pretty definite for six week.^ at least, with "Good Morning Dearie" promised next. The only other announced opening is "Nice People" at the Broad, Oct. 30. this being the only opening on that date. It's a bold show indeed this year hero that attempts a scale higher than $2.50. "Wally" decided against $•1.40. and apparently hit the right figure with a $3.75 scale. "The Demi-Virgin" ia tho town'a bargain sb.ow. asking only $2 a night, with $1 top bargain matinee Thursday and $1.50 matinee Saturday. The Broatl and the (Jarrlck, -no matter what the attractions, stick to the $2.50 scale, which »vas deflnitely a succe.ss last year. Estimates for last week: **Tha Caarina" (Broad, 2d week). While still not up to Ita re^ulur business last season, this house showed definite signs of finding ita stride with thia Doris Keane show. "The Czarina" is in for three weeks only, and should thua escape tho fate of "Dulcy." which fell heavily In a four-week stay. Did about $10.— 200. "Nice People," Oct. JO. "Hitchy.Koo of 1922'* (Shubert. 2d week). Thia new one, hastily shovfed in for a two-week run. proved abnormally lon^r and un- wleldly, lasting until 12.30 opening night. Tuesday. Not arfthuaiastlcal- ly received, but accorded a flghtin^ chance by most. $9,600. Show cost $17,000 weekly to operate. "Hotel Mouse" In next, also for two weakat ''Sally" (Forreat, 3d week). No sign of abatement in buaineaa. I>e. spite twrf musical shows opening, standing room sale Increaaed aev- eral nighta loat week. Played to $88,000, complete capacity, without any particular effort being made. Harry Laudar (Walnut, lat week). Single week engagement, aa usual, with Scotch comedian. Success of "Up the Ladder," which cloaed 5»aturday very gratifying. Sh6w demonstrated building power and last week's gross, between $8,760 and $9,000. wa.i best of stay. V/al- ttti- Hampden next. "Rain" ((iarrlck. 2d weak). Hailed aa a wonderful show by the critics, though )>opular appeal still in doubt because of gloom and much pro- fanity. However, after much paper- ing c|>ei^ing night, groaa ahot up until by Wednesday it waa double that at opening. All kinds of space in Saturday and Sunday editions figured to give second and final week a better business than first, which hovered around $8,500. "Mor- ton of Movies" next. "Demi-Virgin" (Adelphl. 2d week). Season's opening for thia houaa satisfactory to all. Grossed $11,000 with a $2 top, which looks aa if show had caught on for run of month or more, long this year hero. However, some dissatisfaction at taming down of risque stuff. "Roaa of Stamboul" (Lyric. 2d week). Looked least prosperous of week'a fiva openings, and gross of $9,000 not considered satisfactory for a show with this expensive pro- duction. "Blossom Time" next week, JAS. W. CONWAY BOOKING Managar of Grand, Toronto, for 22 Yeart—Mayor Preaenta Watch - Toronto, Oct. 18. After 22 years as manager of tha Grand opera house, James W. Aon- way has resigned, to become tha booking manager for the T^awrenca Sel.nian thctarea in Ontario. After the first act of the Whyto muslca' show Saturday night Mayor Maguiro presented Mr. Conway, on the stage, with a gold watch and % gold-mounted cane, the watch from rho theatre rttaches and the cana from frtcnds. -«*r until l.U'T in llio wfel<. or for tJ:e second week. 'J'be bofdun;; fif Mar- j<Mie li.irnbeau in 'Tb*' (Jold Fisit' is ivou s;l for this liou:,e starlio;.: N(.v. «. Tlie n^o.st intere.'-tin;: oiKniim n- xt. Moiida.N i.^ ' .Merlon of the Movies," wlii'It \'bile not a lir.sl -nii'ht, is mill K'li'eUiing in the nature vt a FRANCES DEMAREST IN LEAD II. ir. Frazee this week engaged rrarcos Demarcst as the loading woman for the niusicallzcd version "( 'My Lady I'riend.s." with the .score row being written. No other t r.g igementa for tlie production, whicli will go cut under another title, liave been reported. "Man Who Came Back" in L. A. ■. Los. .\ngelcs, Oct. 18. Tlie Willl.tm A. Br.idy production Th.? Mm Wlin Cnme Back." opened ,'it tl:e Mason here rather light Mon- tl\y night. Tlio .s1h»w got away in gieat slinpe, however, :tnd a strong advance «ale started Tuesday. !% ■■;y ■.;t:| 4 t ■; ;i i '■ ■\.3