Variety (November 1922)

iIn' LEGITIMATE Friday, November 24, 1922 «ifc SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figures ectimatcd and comment point to some attractions being successful, while the same grosn accredited to others might suggest mediocrity o« loss. The variance is explained in the difference in house capacities, v.rith the varying overhead. Also the size of cast, with consequcrt difference in necessary cross for profit. Variance in business necessary for musical attraction as against dramatic play is also considered. - . /' "Abie's Irish Rose," Ropublio (27th woek). Une of hardifst of hold- over.s, indications beiiiK that it will outdo irroat recoril anothei i company Is making on the coaHt, , wh*>re it is in its 3bih week. Pil- j Ing lip a big profit here. I^st j week nearly ^11.000, one of best : KTosse.- b.: !'c «!j«-Pi!Jc7. . "Banco," RItz. Fay Bainter an- nounooil for Ihid house Nov. 27 •Banco" taken off last Saturday after playing nine weeks. Had | been going along with pace of; 16,000 to 16.500, which was liardly \ more than an even break. House i dark. j 'Better Times," Hippodrome (12th j week). Business claimed to have I steadied and gross climbing; | though totals may not equal for- : mcr seasons when $2.50 top ap- plied, Is running well ahead of last season. Takings last week about $55,000. "Blossom Time," Century (56th | week). I^ongeat run among cur- j rent attractions. Operetta was hit ! of that class of attraction last Mcason, and since moving here has done \->y udl; cui-nit m-; hc-lju^ with big capacity providing un- limited cheap seats. Around the ! $14,000 mark. "Cat and Canary." National (42d week). Mystery play goes out after one week more. It held over through fall, as predicted, and has fine run to Its credit. Fell under stop limit last week, when $7.5U0 was In. "Fashions for Men" suc- rrods Dec. 4. ! "Chauve-Souris," Century Roof (43d i week), Balieff's Russian company \ still counts as remarkable novelty j and aimed for over year's run. ] I II- ("1 Ivivintr avera«icMl ov«t $17,000 weekly for entire stay to date. "East of Suez," KUinge (10th week). Woods attraction one of new sea- son's most Interesting plays. May be ready for road about first of year, and ought to draw heavily out of town. Takings heo havr been pood, with over $ll,0'.)ii "o'klv avcr.'iRo. "Follies," New Amsterdam (2jth week). Ziegfeld's wonder revue has already remained twico as long as any of the other produc- tions of the "Follies" series. Counts as a wonderful draw and lends Tiroailway. Last week around $34,000. Fxpectation is for con- tinuance until Washington's Birth- day. "49ers " Punc h & Judy. Closed Sat- urday. K-4'en di.sappointment to firoduccr and authors. Show held irilliant .'jatire from noted humor- ists, but had no chance In so small n theatre. First week was $5 and then reduced to $3. Attfaction ^va.« in two weeks. "Greenwich Village Follies," Shubert (11th week). Pace last week may have counted as reacting on .tpurt during eh-ction week. Busine8.s v..IS litUo under $23,000 and con- sidfTC'd strong. •Hamlet," Sam Harris r2d week). Arthur H^jpkins production with John Bnriymore as the Dane drew great notices and much interest is manifested. Ought to land for run. Business at box office Is ex- ceptional, buying being continu- ous. O. ned Thursday la.st week. "Kiki," Belasco (52d week). Com- j)]etes a solid year's run Sati^rday. Still stands up as one of the big- gest money-draw.s among New York's non-musical attractions. }■ \ ■ , -^ P"i-» r\'}H in show keeping its $15,000 gait. "Lady in Ermine," Ambassador (8th week). The most successful of the operetta flock this season thus far; produced by Shubert.s, who also have "Blo.spom Time." last h-eason's operetta hit, and still running. "Frmino" got $11,000 last week. "Last Warning" Flaw (3th week), flot off to .'^m.'^ational .start and figures one of likoly canddates for season's stay. Mystery play with novel feature.-^. Virtual capacity after W'ed!ie.«!d;iy, box olTlce pick- ing up any sslar^k In acrencies. f'.r(^.s;i last week about $12,300. "Little Ncine Kelly," Liberty f2d week). n«'orgo AT. Coh.in's mu- sical smash tliat sf-t P.ostrm agog and opened here In blaze of glory. Went clean in Kallery late in week, a true te.«<t of its power. Drew $21,000 first week, with call out- footing musical.-*. Creat dancing show ciue for long run. "Loyalties," Oaicty (9th week). A Dillingham n^e attraction; has bi'cn at caoaeity aImo;U from the .*itart and looks rasy for all .«?ea- — sun . Rtg rtemnnd, gro?is being all hon.oo ran hold at Koanething over $14,000 weekly. "Merton of the Movies." Coit (2d ,ve<k). Tli«^ rif u' cnrricily hit. Won uniform ?)Mnidit« from reviewers and prot off to excellent start, busi- T.i'HH being capac ity on low«i floor "[/-My Cafl.ng" f;lo^:o (l.^.tli week). Cues to jo.id Saturday, having LIVF7.Y WEEK-END IN PHILLY LAST WEEK Slow Start for Several Open jngs—^^Molly Darling" Next Week HUSIC BOX REVUr HIT LIVENS UP ALL CHICAGO moved over here from Liberty for, two week.**. "The Hunch and Judy," a new Dillinghau) musical show, con.es in next week. "Music Box Revue," Music Box (5th ' week). Has enjoyed capacity bus. I incss to dale. Some ag'Micies have \ asked for additional t'ckets, but ' there is plenty of trade via diiect sale at box office. Reputation of j revue and its extravagant produc- tion shoul.'l ride it through season. ; Last week $29.-400. | **0n the Stairs," Daly's 63d St. (9th : week). Regarded as sort of freak [ drama. Started at Playhouse; weaH^ly, but uptown business was : over $5,000, stop limit; sl:d under 1 that last week. "Liza," a colored _ show, ."uooeeds next week. j "Orange Blossoms," Pulton (10th I week). Scale for lowev fioor has [ been dropped to $3.50 top. That ; might aid in attraction sticking '■ until holiday?. Never a capacity j draw, but had enjoyed .'■mart at- , tendance. Between $13,000 and' $14,000. I "Partners Agm'in,'* Sehvyn (29th i week). Another week to go, P. &• P. laugli .show then playing briefly \ around subway circuit before en- trancing In Selwyn, Chicago, for Christmas holidays. House may take picture for a few weeks, as _ plan now Is to pre.sent * Johannes j Krelsler"' in Apollo, next door. I "Passing Show of 1922," Winter Ciarden (10th week). Leaves for tlie road at the end of ner.t week. Revue only won fair busine^'s and liouse blamed for falling off In p.itronage. Will be remodeled dui ing December, and takes a mu- si'-al i»lay about first of year. "Rain," Maxine Elliott (3d week). Sam II. Harris* new dramatic smash. Has biggest call in agen- cies of the non-musical.?. Ought to aid other attractions below 42d street line, as busines.s is a turn- away. Got $14,800 last week, which i.i far over capacity. "Romantic Age," Comedy (2d week). Opened Tuesday of la.st week, re- ceiving attention of critics. lie- garded as a mild comedy, but may win enough trade for fair run. Drew about $5,000 in five days. "Rose Bernd," Longacre (9th week). Agency buy expired last Saturday and was not renewed. Ethel Bar- rymore name should aid attraction to remain several weeks more. Reheari^als for "As You Like It." Mis.s Barrymore's next attraction here, not yet started. "Rose" got $9,000 last week. •*R. U. R./' Frazee (7th week). The- atre duild's drama of foreign writing moved uptown Monday. Business at Oarrlck was satisfac- tory, with takings $7,000 and over weekly. "Sally. Irene and Mary," Casino (12th week). On form this musi- cal play should remain until spring. It got off to great start, and while bu.siness dipped In last month, title should keep it alive to profit. Sharp reaction last week probably election aftermath. Gross $12,500. "Seventh Heaven," Booth (4th wei'k. BuHiness buildcd after ini- tial week and pace went to $10,- 000. That la not much under ca- pacity for this house at $2.50 Rcale. and dnima figured to stick. "Shore Leave," Lyceum (16th week). "The Merchant of Venice," with David Warftcld. will be the next attraction here, being due Dec. 18. "Shore Leave" won fairly good at- tendance. Last week under $9,000. Ought to do well on tour. "Six Characters in Search of an Author," Princess (4th week). A novelty drama with possibilities. Business around $1,100 or a little better. House a 299-8eater and big takings impossible. Can make a little money here. "So This Is London," Hudson (13th week). Also George M. t?ohan at- traction, and Is the U-adf^r of the non-musical.^. AV'ith "Little Nel- lie Kelly" It supplies two of Broadway's strongest offerings. Nearly $16,000 again last week. 'Spite Corner," Little (9lh week). Seoms to be holding its own at around |7,0U0 weekly. While that Is fairly good business In this lim- ited capacity house, it is rtit up to expectaticjns. Ou^ht to nlrk. "Springtime of Youth," Broadhurst (5th week). An operetta that came In from preliminary tour with excellent reports. Business, however, under proJi tabic pace until last week, when pace spurt- ed and takings were $11,000 or more. "The Awful Truth," Henry Miller <HMh we+'k). Oio of b)iKT>t*'st of early comedy .-iirnMls. l^ower floor with .smart <lraw practically capacity since opening, with f.iir atfciidanci- upstairs. About $1L',- 300 last week. "The Fool," Times S.piare (5th we»'l<). Looks planted for a run. I'lr-if-;: 1-1 c:. r )'■' .- ! -^rr. •■ in- «i c.•l.Mi^^. Fortir ici.iio v..»i:'li i:.k.r.!;M wifo iw^oriy $1 .'.."i;)i». ai- iliou^h williuui uddid inipkLu^ ul Philadelphia. Nov. 22. A mid-week pick-up, and sell-outs Friday and Saturday sum up the buKiness here last week. A general impiovement In the Shubert houses was a feature of the week, with only "Just Married" at the Adelphl failing behind the profession. Even here, a better gro.Ms than the previous week was c!aime«l by the company. Frank Tinney s "Daffy Dill" which started very disappointingly at the Shubert ended its two-week stay Saturday to a capacity house, chiefly aided by the crowds of foot- ball celebrators. Here, as In most •ill the Philly hox^oea. the* Monday night business was way off. This v.eakre.'s at the beginning of the week has been a strange feature all year here. "Blossom Time" started Just as poorly, but picked up and Ita gross v,aa a bit above $17,000. only a frac- tion below that of the pr?W)ua week.. This has made the Lyric, which was the Shuberts' one losing house last year, their best money- maker this season despite the flop of "The Hairy Ape" and the dis- .-»ppo:ntirig business of "The Rose of Stanboul." "Just Married" la likely to fold Its wings and flit any time. Its bus- iness has not been such as to en- courage hopes of a long run. and It j(Continued on page 13) election night. House cannot get more than $15,000 at present price tirrangemtnt. "The Gingham Girl," Earl Carroll (KUli wiel;). Musical play that came cai.y and ought to stay long. Stands out as one of the best of the $2.50 attractions of the class, and only "Sally^ Irene and Mary" has drawn better grosses. Be- tween $15,000 and $16,000. "The Love Child," Cohen (2d week). Opened Tuesday last week. Shows promi.se. but initial week's gross of $S.700 not Impressive, though for live days only. Did well at end of week. "The Lucky One," Garrick (1st v/eek). Is second production of Reason for Theatre Guild. Opened Monday. Guild Is having com- petition this fall in presentation of foreign novelties. "The Old Soak," Plymouth (14th week). One of the three Arthur Hopkins productions on Broad- way. Won reputation at opening, and that .should carry it through season at profit. Substantial mar- gin over expenses last week with gross at a little under $12,300. "The Texas Nightingale," Empire (Ist week). Zoe Akins drama re- cently presented in Chicago with Jobyna Howland heading cast. Called "Greatness" there. Opened Monday. "The Torch Bearers," Vanderbilt (13th week). Slipped down early last week and takings went under $7,000 for first time at this house. Strong Saturday trade helped. Management expects continuances until December holidays. "The World We Live in," Jolson's 59th St. (4th week). Brady's ad- mirable production of foreign "In- sect Comedy" showed life late last week, getting $1,900 Friday and $3,100 Saturday. Some Idea of clo.sing it a week ago, but at- traction now regarded as having chance for run. "Thin fee," Belmont (8th week). Moved over from Comedy, gross being $5,400 last week. Can re- main here for a time, the switch aiding attraction to the extent of several hundred dollars. "To Love," Bijou (6th week). Three- person play, with Grace George starred, will take to the road after one week more. Business last week with an extra matinee about $«,700. Management figures bet- ter takings out of town. "Listen- ing In" succeeds Dec. 4. "Up She Goes," I'layhouse (3d week). Musical play candidate. Minu» election day activity tak- ings for week were about 1R,500. At $3 top house could draw around $15,000. Off In balcony. "Virtue ?," Bayes (lid week). Opened Thur.sday last week, drawing neg- ligible notic••.^. Business hardly expected. House under a six weeks' rental. Takings for first three d.iys gross $1,500, "Whispering Wires," 49th St. (16th week) . My.«tery play which has stood up well in a moderate ca- pacity theatre. Pace fluctuates between $8,000 and $9,00(». Last weelc a little over the llrst-named tiKtire "Why Men Leave Home," Mnrosco (llth v.-cfk). Figures to remain until the holidays. Lust week taking's off from election week, with t'lie K'f'HB about $8,500. "Yankee Princess," Knickerbocker (^lli \v(ck>. One of tlie op«'rcttas ' ' '' '"' •"' ".1 '' "t f.M- •»»<-•'». tb'^n'rb ••• • ■••'••• ■• ■•••' . . ily »-. : ;. I..'.-. I ) ><'«y . V. A OhjiMUh.iM, AbOul il'o.- ^^^'^ :.:■:;.: ■:■ .. ./ ,,.,. Coloniars Smash Did $29,000 on Week, Opening Tuesday—Carried Up Everything Wilji It— •Tield of Ermine" Only Flop Chicago, Nov. 22. It'a usually the case In Chicago— When'some one Attraction of ex- traordinary worth strikes town, ere of the playgoers at th<» box oflle* window after the unfortunate man- ner in which the management's hands were tied as the result of atlng a mad rush for opening night i the Couthoui "buy" for "The Circle." tickets, the whole array of shows profit. New life seems to be Inserted Im- mediately Into the general atmos- phere. Just this happened with the arrival of the "Music Box Revue." From out of a slump, which was worrying the best of the optimists, conditions leaped with bounds for the better once the Colonial attrac- tion received its local baptiam—and what a glorious baptism it was for tho.se who like to observe crowds fighting to get Into a theatre like they have for the Harris-Berlin at- traction. At least thus far In the engagement the "Mualc Box Revue" has surpas.sed all scenes ever en- acted In front of a local box-office window. This goes for past "Fol- lies" engagements or ari^ others. It wasn't until Tuesday night the big revue got under way—the Mon-* day after the jump from Boston being utilized In properly finishing the job of arraying the stage for the presentation. It was. reported The present policy. If continued, and the chances of "Kempy" Increasing in popularity is the combination that is apt to turn the trick. "Kempy" started off this week with $1,900 Sunday night. "The First Year" Is a solid hit at the Woods. ''Thank-U" is running an even average at the Cort, and all signs point to it sticking well after New Year's. "Six Cylinder Love" is making good money, but the Couthoui "buy" still prevents the actual drawing power of this show at the box office being de« tected. No wholesale departure of shows as marked week before last is now in sight, but until Christmas there will be weekly departures because of engagements now being an- nounced as limited. "So This Is London" opened at Cohan's Grand Sunday night, returning the Clark street house to the legitimate after only a fair experience with the Fairbanks picture. William Hodge In "One of U.s" got a pre- I'^n ^^."""^r '"abasement was In some j - ^ ^j^ LaSalle Monday i.ight. $10 000 for stage^ neceaslUes prior ,j,^^ Playhouse's opening of "At the to the opening. Another $0,000 was ' j^,^j ^^ ^^^ World' was postponed consumed for railroad farjs arrivmg , ,,,„,orrow (ThurHduy;. here. Perhaps after all 'he show . , , # ,• • owners dldnt make such a big profit Jack Lait s big loop fol ow.ng was on the business gleaned from the happy to iiear of the switch of eight performances of the week. "Spice of 1922' from the Great Anvway. the "Music Box Uevue" Northern to the Studebaker for stands out as the biggest thing Chi- B«r. 3. "The Greenwich Village cago playgoers have ever wltnossod. Follies' takes over the Great North- Nothing backward wa.s noted in the ern with the exit of The Green efforts of the critics to convey this Goddess" Sunday next. Harry thJUKl.t to the public. The revic\\'s Lauder will follow. "Hairy Ape at were beyond description for making the Studebaker Monday, remaining ever/ man. woman ani child depir- for the week. ous of seeing the attraction during ' If the past week s conditions hold its limited eight weeks' engagement, tor atiother fortnight the loop will In brief, Sam Harris and Irving swing into its holiday trade with a Berlin smashed Chicago right on the strong financial front, and who nose with wbiit they offered. knows but what (..hicago will not Instead of killing business In the make dizzy chroniclers el.sewhere other houses, the Colonial attraction .with sensational gross receipts after increased the activities. Surprising some gloomy business during OC- above everything was the manner tober and the first week in Novem- in which Al Jol.son stood up under bor? There are reasons to claim fire of the increased opposition. Chicago is better off financially for Jolsons pace wasn't dented at all. show business than any other city tickets for his attraction being as in the country out.side of New York, hard as ever to get. but much of the success thus far And at the Olympic, "Shuffle has been missed through the pro- Along" knocked cold those who .said ducers attempting to give Chicago Chicago wouldn't make the fuss mediocre plays at elevated prices over this colored show in the same and then an ovirsupply of good lecord manner as other cities, things, when instead a close study "Shuffle" packed \'m right at the of local condition.<i would have had getaway, and it was difficult to get good reports coming out of Chicago seats on Thur.sday for the remain- from the very start of the season, ing performances of the week. 1 The fast trips that New York mag« None of the four attractions which I nates are making to Chicago of late completely changed the local cal-j convinces those on the Inside here endar was able to reach town for j that Chicago's situation is comincr Sunday night, making two Monday ; In for closer study from all con- night openings against the most brilliant opera opening at the Audi- torium the town has ever witnessed. There is an abundance of superla- tives In this week's box-offlce report from Chicago, but they are accu- rately switched into the story be- cause the town has struck Its theatregoing gait—at leaat It Is ex- hibiting thunderous show enthusi- asm at this hour. Whether it will hold is another Item. The opera, conducted under civic auspices, made Michigan avenue, in a driving rainstorm, look pic- turesque with the way autos were lined up. The cream of Chicago's society was there, hurting to a big degree the opening of Nance O'Neil's play at t!v Powers and "Kempy" at the Selwyn. Tuesday night that portion of society who cerned along Broadway. I^a.st week's estimates: "Music Box Revue" (Colonial. Ist week).—Given greatest newspaper reviews ever read here. Opened Tuesday night to little over $4,000 and gained Juicy $29,000 with help of extra Friday matinee. With full week this week will pile up new figure for this house. "Field of Ermine" (Powers, lat week).—Decided flop, opening light and barely hitting $5,000 on week. One performance went as low as $205. Goes out Saturday with Doris Keanc In "The Czarina' to follow Monday. **Kempy" (Selwyn, 1st week).— Holds outward signs of solid hit. opening around $1,000 in face of trrrific opposition, and Jumping at all porfoimances until Saturday were fortunate enough to get tickets 1 when sell-out brought $2,700. Big wont to see the Colonial attraction. ' advance sale. Around $9,500, with- Mayor Ilylan, visiting here, at-i out Sunday night. tended the "Music Box Revue" pre- miere with Mayor Thompson. These facts are dl.sclosed to enlighten all with the fuss that Chicago made over its big week of entertainment. Out of the brilliancy of the week onU- one miscuc happened, and that \va^ chalked up to "The Field of Krmine" at the Powers. Nance () Neill received glowing tributes both for her own appearance as well as for the play, but the public kept away, and kept away like Chi- cago playgoers can when no appeal for a presentation is offered. The size of the audiences at the Powers during the week would bo unbeliev- able if they hadn't been checked up. Over at the Selwyn "Kempy' biay.enly came to town de.^'plte the rhrkpd condition for .«im.ill town plot •'Cat and Canary" (Princess, llth week).—Sailed .along at usual gait, with add(d call from hotel stands. Can now be ciUed "smash hit" for is holding avrragc of $11,800. "Shuffle Along" (Olympic. 1st wcfk).—Made hit tho.«o who knew attraction had predicted. Without Sunday night registered $17,500, giving promise of doing $20,000 this week. Biggest money-getter since CJporge Wharton became manager of this hou.se. "The First Year" (Woods, 2d w»>ek). —Close to capacity ruling, with matinee trade making is pos- sible for $17,000 wcfk. Sold to pri- vate party Monday night for $2,000. Another $3,080 with sellout Satur- day night. ••Six Cylinder Love" (TIarri:?, 7th plays. Local playgoers evidently week).—Slipped tiiflc Tuesday night liked the NUtjent family's offering . buti anded in $13,000 class with for it* Is one of those attractions | $2,900 sfllout Saturday night. Mat- whi<h Is receiving strong street ' Inees growing better, boosting. Ag.iinst the biggest op-I "ThanU-U" ((."ort. 12th week)— po.vitlori of the year the Selwyn ' Pacing along at «-ven clip, usually gave-Kempy" a classy opening, with I going into SaMiidav's trade on tho tr.^do after the pr»miere indi- I $9,000 and with Siturdavs trade •' ' " •■'M'il i.c .1 ;•> ),r ry,:,'] .,, ■•.,-;• ••, ' T ' '/'^^ p-ark .".run ihi.s wo.-k. Thf. .'^oivy,, j., 'BciDo" ».M',>il.., IM , v,-.»-I;> — Uiai.a:g a b^ij l^l-iy ior haiisiactioii JanipcU buck iiuu at.i.'juliunal gait