Variety (November 1922)

: fn^%/f3' c : T ^^■"" Friday, November 3 LEGITIMATE 'inr'Ttrw.* -.re _?"T^'- ■^•, LI.TiW."->\TTrflji wr J ^;jj».r^;'Tt>;-w ■«:, .«'7^'''^R»»wTf.;T"»r;iifi^' 15 a«3ic SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figur** MtimaUd and comment point to aomo attractions boing •uceoMful, whilo tho tamo groM accroditod to othtrt might suogost madioority or loos. Tha varianco it axplainod in tha diff«r«nc« In houM capacitiat, with tha varying ovarhaad. Alto tha sisa of cast, with consoquant difforanca in nocooaary gross for profit. Varianca in businsss nacossary for musical attraction as against dramatic play i* also consldsrad. r*^ PHDXY STILL OFF: "DEMI-VIRGIN'S" DROP «tAbio*s Irish Rosa," Republic (24th week). Certainly hardy specie weathering: well and looks set until winter. Oliver Bailey re- llnaulshed Broadway rights to •*R. U. R." Theatre Guild's new- est try. to continue "Able" In- dennitely: $9,000 or over-means good profit both ways. ••Bancor Rits (7th week). Moved up somewhat last week when business went upward to |G,500. That may be better than even break here. Further Improvement expected, though "Painted Lady" with Fay Balnter mentioned to Buceccd late this month. aBstter Times," Hippodrome (9th week). Big house off four weeks after opening, but getting about $58,000 weeklj'. That sounds like big money, though at $2.50 top Hip should draw $70,000 and over. ^Blossom Tims," Century (53d week). Moved from Jolson's 59th -^t. last week and with part of house cut rate is expected to run through fall. Nearly $20,000 last week, biggest gross for show to date. <«Captain Applejack,' Cort (45th week). Another week to go. first stand out of town being Tremont. ' Boston. "Merton of the Movies" succeeds Nov. 13. "Applejack* is ' closing strong, notice of final weeks livening business, •Cat snd Canary," National (39th week). This holdover will con- tinue through fall, according to present plans. Business moved upward with new season's start, takings not much under $9,500. flaking money. *«Chauvs-Souris," Century Roof (40th week). Morris Gcst petting ^■remarkable publicity for Balieff Russian show; still regarded as # great novelty, pointed through change of bill, which this is third. Nothing likely to stop im- " ported show running through season. "East of Suez.V Eltlnge (7th week). Maugham drama has developed strong call and is ready box office attraction. Looks set for run. Be- tween $11,000 and $12,000 last week. •Follies," New Amsterdam (22d ^'Merton" Disappoints in Gross—Four Plays Coming In Next Week ZOE AKINS' GREATNESS' DIES - IN FIRST CHICAGO WEEK inar profitable business; around $14,000 weekly. "Music Box Rsvus," Music Box (2d week). First week's gross $32,200, more than normal ca- pacity because of the $10 lower floor scale for premiere. New show figured to repeat record of last season. "On ths Stairs," Daly's 63d St. (6th week). Arnold Daly at Daly's sounds good enough to draw them up here. Business showed im- provement with over $5,000 last week. Management claims in- definite hooking now, although colored show was reported on the way. "Orange Blossoms," Fulton (7th week). Dipped down about $2,000 last week, when business around $16,000. Agency support through buy extends another week and attraction then expected to con- tinue until holidays. "Partners Again," Selwyn (26th week). P. & P. show pulling to some profit. Some cut rating and is easiest attraction to sell there. Will, continue until Thanksgiving and reaches Chicago after several "subway" weeks. $11,700 last "Passing Shbw of 1922," Winter Clardoii (7th week). I'lans call for revue playing through month, then taking to rood. New show being readied for the Garden in De- cember. "Persons Unknown," Punch and Judy. Opened Wednesday last v/eek and taken off Saturday (four days). *'49ers*' show of one acts by newspaper men and others will open h^re under CIcorge Tyler's management next week. "Queen of Hearts," Cohan (4th week). Developed no strength and will stop after another week. A, II. Woods' "The Love Child" will be next, due Nov. 1.".. "Rose Bscpd," Longacre (6th week). Matinee particularly strong for this drama. Gross holding to good figure, with last week again around $13,000. Six weeks more to go. Ethel Barrymore continuing here next, appearing in "As You Like It." "R. U. RV'C.arrick (4th week). For- eign novelty good draw, wih tak- ings around $8,000. Big business week). Broadway's business^ j^ Garrick. Moves uptown to ,.-^-_ X __. ...» t^vi^™- «♦▼ Frazee after another two weeks. Philadelphia, Nov. 1. Business was still off here last week, although the bhuberts met with their first real success of the year with "Blossom Time," which opened to fine houses at the Lyric. This musical comedy and "Sally" just about shared the business, with- the latter, of course, still in the lead. The first week's gross was close to $12,500. with every Indica- tion this operetta will do a neat business in three or four weeks. The reception of "Merton of the Movies." while enthusiastic in point of notices and applause, was dis- appointing at the box office. Despite cold weather and a fine Saturday business, the Garrick did several thousands under expectation, but is expected to boom this week. Another disappointment has been "The Demi-Virgin," which started like a whirlwind but suddenly col- lapsed, and goes out after this week. It is figured by the wise ones that this city has only a limited clientele for risque farces, and that they are the kind that flock to the opening week. That was borne out by an opening week's business that topped $11,000, with about $10,000 the sec- ond week and $6,500 last week. The Shubert continued to be a hoodoo house with a miserable week's business with "The Hotel Mouse," which hardly grazed $5,000. The two-week engagement will probably be about enough for this musical ^show. The Broad slid along to about the same tune it has had all year, send- ing "The Czarina" out to business that was a few hundred better than $8,000. The advance sale and open- ing night of "Nice People," this week's only novelty, was the cause of some encouragement. Next Monday there will be four openings. Dillingham's new musical comedy. "The Bunch and Judy," which makes the fourth new show of the year at the Garrick, will have its premiere on Monday. The Walnut will have Marjorie Ram- beau in "The Goldfish," for four weeks, with "Anna Christie" to.fol- low Dec. 4. The Atlelphi's attraction to follow »"The Demi-Vlrgln" will be "Just Married." with Vivian Martin, and the Shubert will have "Daffy Dill." with Frank Tinney. This show Is counted on to bring this house out (Continued on page ^6) Irene Bordoni Starto as Solid Hit—''Charlatan" Got $3,000 and Blew Out—Ticket Brokers Lost, Too •'":^:-V '•■^:'. > " .r: ' ^ '♦ . ■.--: TWO WOMEN STARS OPENINBOSTON Nance O'Neil and Doris Keane Against Each Other— Trade Pretty Good leader. Last week's takings at slight variance with preceding pace: with gross at $36,000 keeps attraction's leadership uncon- tested. "Greenwich Villsge Follies/' Shubert (8th week). Beads Shubert list In business. Reputation and smart- ness factor in fine takings. Last nfreek $26,000. »*Hsr Temporary Husband," Frazee (10th week). Another two weeks ' for farce which went along at mediocre business from start, as Indicated: House gets "R. U. R." Nov. 20. Around $5,000. •It's a Boy," Sam Harris (7th week). Going to Boston after an- other week, opening at Selwyn. Succeeding attraction Is John Bdrrvmore In Arthur Hopkins' production of "Hamlet." due week Nov. 18. •Kempy," Belmonl (25th week). Goes to Selwyn. /Chicago, after ■«inother week, although business • Improving. "A Clean Town" will succeed; also by Nugents, who * wrote and appear in "Kempy." •Kiki," Belasco (49th week). Be- lasco's smash drama in sight of \ year's run and now oprtain of •_ ruAning into winter, with strong • chance of ' playing out second ' season on Broadway. Sticks with non-musical leaders with draw around $15,000. •♦La Tendresse," Empire (Gth week). May play through to holidays; limited stay here was original ex- pectation; getting profitable though' no big business. With ,' Henry Miller and Ruth ChaUer- * ton. aimed for big road business. , Last w^ek $10,700 without agency buy aid. "Lsdy in Ermine," Ambas.«iador (5th v.-eek). Draw on lower fioor excellent. Balcony not up to iorm for show of kind. Improvement there perhaps with colder tem- per.! turoM. Last week takings wore $15,000. •Last Warning," Klaw (2d week). Surpri.so dramatic hit of I'.road- , way. My.stery play with novelties, r.ciit $1,000 at Saturday matinee and between $1,700 and" $1,800 in eveiiin;L?. ("all places it with three i'e.^t dramas in .i^^enrifs. Opened TiK.Mluy. getting nearly $10,000 in five da\.s. "Loyalties," (Saiety (6th week). ,, Drani.itie hit. with nothing .stror.ser in drniand. Sure for si;i- f-oiTil lun. r.usines.s rt'l viouse r;in liol.l; hptueon $14.000 and $14,500 wet'Ulj-. Hest lOnsUj^h 1>1.'»\ this seri.»5()ii. "Molly Darling," Liberty dOth < w(ek). .Mji.\ get another hou.se . here Nov. ]?,, George .M. Cohan's "Little Nellie Kelly ' siici-erdin;; Hi:a d.-ite. "Molly" has been tlo- "Sally, Irene and Msry," Casino (9th week). House looks sef with another season-long musical ^how as true for last several seasons. Is real money maker at $2.50 top. Last week at $15,000 was not as good as previous pace, but recov- ery figured after this week. "Scsndais," Globe (10th week). An- other week to go. White show then going on tour, with Boston first stand. Dillingham's "The Bunch and Judy" next attraction, al- though latter show may stay out several weeks. "Scandals" finish- ing well, around $20,000. "Seventh Heaven," Booth (1st week). Tried out in the summer. Opened Monday after private performance Sunday night. John Golden pro- ducer. "Shore Lesvs," Lyceum (13th week). Five weeks more to go, then to road. Last week about $10,500. Succeeding attraction will be Da- vid Warfield in "The Merchant of Venice." due Dec. 18.' "Six Chsracters in Sesrch of an Author," Princess (1st week). Second production this season by Brock Pemberton. Foreign adap- tation, dramatic novelty, with house especially chosen for pres- entation. "So This Is London," Hudson (10th week). George M. Cohan's great money getter. Easily leading non- musicals and sure of season. $16,600 last week, and close to that pace right along. "Spite Corner," Little (6th week). Business dropped off last week, takings about $1,500 under pre- vious week and gross about $5.- 500. * That may .make for even break in this small house, but show has been markedly under expectations and in light oC good notices. "Springtime of Youth," Broadhurst (2d week). Opened Thur.sdi^y last* week, winning praise from press. Agency call noted on following davs, with indications favorable. "Swifty," PlayhoUHC (3d week). Little business here, under $3,000 last week. Kept in to keep house lighted. "I'p She (Joe.'-. " P.radys musical production of "Too Many Cooks." sueeeeds r.ext week. "The Awful Truth," Henry Miller (Tlh week). Counts as one of best of non-musicals. Is a smart (om- edv with strong lirst lloor draw un\\ looks .set for run. lJuf.ine.«s last \\««k $13,100. "The Gingham Girl." I, ' r.iiiull (lOlli Wf<k>. lloiiis m.oil latiiiK as an excellent $2.50 niusir.al, an<l making money. I'.nsiness better- ing. $10,000. Show not costly to oper.'ite. "The Faithful Heart," Maxir.c Kl- llott (4th week). Final week. Business under $3,500 and no bet- ter here than at Broadhurst, de- spite good notices. Elliott will get "Rain," Sam H. Harris attrac- tion, which bows in next week. "The Fool," Times Square (2d week). Looks very promising, business during first week doubling takings of opening night. Nightly busi- ness leaped and the show pulled $9,500 on the week. "The Insact Comsdy," Jolson's 59th Street (1st week). Premiere post- poned and debut occurred*Tues- day instead of last Saturday. Most costly production try by W. A. Brady In years. "Tha Monstsr," 39th Street (13th week). Run will end in another week, thrill drama then taking to subway circuit. It ought^o do good business on road. About $5,500 last week. "The Bootleg- gers" may succeed, the Comedy Francaise also mentioned for Nov. 13. "Tha Old Soak," Plymouth (11th week). Ought to be fixture for balance of season. Stays with money leaders, with night busi- ness holding to virtual capacity, though matinees not strong. Last week gross was $13,500. "The Torch Bearers," Vanderbilt (10th week). Clever satire, which looked promising for big business. Consistent draw at around $8,000 which, while under expectation, is profitable. "Thin Ice," Comedy (5th week). Business here bit better, but pace does not appear to be able to bet- ter $5,000. and unless further im- provement is made, another at- traction soon Is likely. "To Love," Bijou (3d week). Grace George credited with draw to date. Business best house has had in some time. Last week $8,000. Show is French adaptation. "Whispering Wires," 49th Street (13th week). This mystery drama holds on to pretty even pace, with takings between $8,000 and $9,000. I..ast week got $8,500, .satisfactory for this house. ••Why Men Leave Home," Morosco (8th week). One of most amusing shows on ll.st. Balcony off and cut rates Iiave allo^tments in that sc Boston, Nov, 1. Thare were changes of bills at two of the local legitimate theatres this week when Nance O'Neil In "^leld of Ermine"' oiiened at the Plymouth for two weeks and Doris Keane came into the Hollls in "The Czarina" for a similar stay. In these openings the Shuberts and the syndicate people are really playing against each other, for, both being women stars and both in plays more or less of a romantic, dramatic type, there will be about aji even break. Miss O'Neil is, of course, known to an older class of theatre- goers, but the success of Miss Keane in "Romance" will do a great deal to offset this. The engagements of the pair fill in a gap for both houses. Following Nance O'Neil the Plymouth is due to get one of its best booking bets for the season with "Anna Christie." Following M4ss Keane at the Hol- lls will be a few weeks of "He Who (Jets Slapped." It is no secret that this house is being kept open with show* that Just about get by until the arrival here, in December of "Lightnin*." Then it is figured the house will be all set for the balance of the season. The other houses in town contin- ued to do the best that could be ex- pected. "Little Nellie Kelly" is going to close at capacity. That is as- sured now because the house is sold out for the balance of the run, which ends Nov. 11. Every seat Is gone and it is Just a matter of form to keep the box office open. Tho "specs" have picked up some of the seats and.are able to get fancy prices for them on the performances at the end of the week. It Is insisted that a bundle of money is being left behind by this .«fhow. but there seems to be nothing else that can be done. "Cap- tain Applejack" when It comes In will find the going rather hard if for no other reason than it succeeds such a winner. One of the local papers in the column devoted to press agents' stuff carried a single line about the "Kelly" show that was significant—" 'Little Nellie Kel- ly'_on the last two weeks—try and get in." And this just about ex- pressed the Idea. The "Music Box Revue" will evi- dently round out the balance of the local engagement—two weeks—to about the same gross that has char- acterized it since It came here. The business last week was on a par \\ith that of the week before. Business for "The Bat" continues to be capacity, The sale is eight weeks In advance all the time and everything points to the business keeping up for at least that period. The show is getting a great deal of (Continued on page 36) BERT SWOR'S OWN MINSTRELS New Orleans, Nor. 1. Al O. Fields' minstrels opened to nearly capacity at the Tulane Sun- day night. Indications point to a $12,000 week. The show Is glaringly removed from its predecessors. The after pieces do not keep pace with the first part, which Is a revelation In Its way. It is the swifest moving minstrel show yet produced, setting a record for speed. Bert Swor carries the comedy end and is the outstanding Hgure in the entertainment. Swor announced here he would tour next season at the head of his own org.anization. to be called Tlcrt Swor's Mastodion Minstrels. At the St. Charles "Nero." film, is attriicting but light patronage and will hardly do more than $5,000. LOS ANGELES LAGS Los Angeles. Nov. 1. I'.u.sitiess here in the legitimate tlu-atrCH has not picked up as ex- ection. which helped gross about ••"••;^'-» .V ,, , „ 7 Af m.^V^X.. $1,800 last week for total of P<'l''' ^^'f'^ t'^*^ advent of tho cooler nroutid $9,500. 1 weather. At the Mason 'The Skin '•Yankee Princess," Knickerbocker (:;ime" of)ened lightly with the rrith week). KrlangtT ot'^T^'Ha tloing f.iir business, with pace probably affording little profit, ll.'v^s not pulled as much as first indicati«)ns. Will probably rem.iin until holidavs. Iteported between $1:5,000 and $14,000. prtisprrt on the^ wet-k l»**ing artHind $0,000. At tiie .Morosco an IMajestic. with .'■tfK'k playing favorite attractions for a run, the business while good I is far from a sell out. Chicago, N^v. 1. ' Into six facts can last week's happenings in the loop's legitimate circles be summed up, arrayed as follows: — 1. Irene Bordonl's solid hit at Powers. 2. Zoe Aklns* comedy "Great ness" at the Olympic found want- ing in no unmistaken terms by critics. 3. "The Charlatan" falling to un- believable business at the Play- house. 4. Heavy losses by ticket brokers on all outright "buys." 6. Announcement of five closings for Nov. 11. 6. Chicago's defeat by Princeton killed an old-fashioned football night at the musical shows. Whether It is due to the fact that the news gleaners overlooked some good bets or merely encountered a calm before the storm—said storm of activities being headed this way for Nov. 12 and 13, when at least five changes will take place on the local boards—there was only one outstanding feature of the past we«k. That was a marked quietus everywhere. Bordonl's arrival Sunday night In "The French Doll" was the talka- tive Item of the week with tho newspapers giving the French ac- tress an ovation In superlatives that hardly could have laeen sur- passed, even If the prei^s agent had written the reviews. On the last visit here Bordoni and Ashton Stevens found themselves In a heated letter writing argument for public consumption, ^ut in captur- ing the town this time Miss Bor- doni took along Stevens in the ava- lanche of success, and at this writ- ing the foreign beauty easily walks away with "the solid star hit" of the season. The Powers engage- ment was announce das limited for three weeks—helping in no small degree to make the playgoers hurry to attend. If the pace continues "The French Doll" will have three crackajack weeks. On top of her successful visit this time, Bordoni will give a concert Friday afternoon at the Powers. Zoe Akins' play "Greatness" en- countered some harsh sentences in the reviews. More extra newspaper advertising than the Olympic gen- erally uses has been adopted in striving to overcome the reviewers' deadly attacks,, but it is said there Is a full realization now by those who thought a campaign would ele- vate the business, with the result that the play will stick merely to fill time until "Shuffle Along" ar- rives at this house Nov. 13. For consecutive low receipts "The Charlatan" gained a prize all Its own for shows in town thus far this season. The blow was so terrific the company was disorganized, re- turning to New York Saturday. If "The Charlatan" had arrived with the original cast ahead of "The Cat and Canary," as intended last sum- mer, wiseacres claim the Klauber show would have fared better. Les- ter Bryant's one remaining chance to overcome a wretched start this season rests with Maria Konsnc- zofF's appearance in "Revue Russe," which opened Monday night at $6.50 a seat. In the usual swing around to the theatres the newshound didn't find any ^mrticular varying of trade oyer the previous week, except that in instances where the ticket brok- ers still had "outright buys" the percentage of loss for the specu- lators Increased. Trying to ad- vance "The Circle" into six weeks of an "outright buy" was too much for the brokers, and a heavy loss was incurred except for the show owners, who stuck hard and col- lected, making a profit for both house and show. The same situa- tion was charged up to "The Guilty One." where only a big loss was saved for both ends (house and show) by the terrific play on cut rates for the balcony trade. An avalanche of "outright buy" tick- ets plus the normal stock of specu- lative tickets has placed every broker In jeopardy, and with con- ditions running as they are it is hard to predict where the losses will be made up. An eagle eye is being held out for the arrival of "The Music Box." but It is thought that such a direct attacic wili i)o rnrnJe li.v ll««r **!>«•« u- lators for tickf^ts for this show that 1n order to make up Io.hss suffered thus far the premiums asked will r.'iisf the prices to skj-high marks, rauMing disgust and luirting the at- trnciion like several in town have be en hur t in the last month, Chrdnl* hrs claim It \a golnj inter<'stiiig to wat'^h the <-limax of ilu;;^ ticket sr;»l|»ing situation in tha loot* this season. At no f)thfT time has lh<' situation for tlie welfare of (Continued on p.nu'- ?>(ii