Variety (November 1922)

Friday, November H i0g| LEGITIMATE '*M •7..' 18' ' Respite opposition at Colonl&l, rat- tlinir fitt ItS.OOO, most phenomenal : in any way one wants to reckon it. : Promise noir of cn^jage^ment con- tinuing over the Yii. ' dc. "False Pretenses" < J. v Salle, 7th and final week).— Fiiiccl to carry through splendid nevvsi-:- .or atten- ' tion given it, departir.g with |6,500. '* William Hodge opened Sunday in ^ "One of Us." "Green Goddess'' (Great Northern, ■* 7th week).—Didn't respond to splen- did campaign, so goes out Saturday, with "Greenwich Village Follies" to follow. On strength of business • done Aitlss show would have re- mained longer if originally booked on Randolph street. Reported . around $10,000. ''Bill of Divorcemenr (Central 3d week).—Quietly entertaining spe- cial clientele of playgoers helping Allan Pollock to successful function independent move that Chicago will support this play well into winter. Hovering between $5,000 and $6,000. "Hairy Ape" (Studebaker. /3d week). Leaves in time for both hou3e and ahow to holu profits. Sensational appeal at start di«d out, but succeeded in reaching $12,000. Jack Lalt's "Spice of 1922" to open Dec. 3. "Lightnin"* (Blackstone. 63d week).—Averaged $1,100 for the best portion of week, Anally shooting to $11,000. With Frank Bacon's death Sunday, all performances were can- •elled until Wednesday. BIG AND SMALL GROSSES ^ IN BOSTON m WEEK I.', San Carlo Opera Co. (2d Week), $38,000—"It's a Boy," $5,000—Picture Opening at Selwyn- WhUe's **ScandaIs" Starts to $24,500 ? Boston. Nov. 22. For a long time to come thor-e connected with theatricals in >'iis city will talk about the business piled up by the San Carlo Opera COm in the second wqcU cf its stay here. It did $38,000 Kros.'?, bettcr*n:» the flgnre (( th'? previous v.eo': by $2,000. While booking arrangemonts called for the company to leave and the open time the house now has couldn't be taken, there isn't the slightest doubt but what the com- pany could have gone over with a cmsh for a third week at the Bos- ton opera house. The secret of the succes.s of the opera company wHs that it played at prices which made it possible for the ordinary lover of opera to see and hear a perfornriance. The opera company that Boston had at its own many years ago—and to the failure of«^vhlcli the present Opera house stands as a monument, fell because the personnel of the company was surh that high prices had to be charged. Subscription by the society element was depended upon to put the company over and the result was a tidy deficit all the time until the venture was given up. Early in December the Russian Grand Opera company is due at the houA for a limited stay. They also will play at popular prices and a whale of a business is looked for at that time. If such is the case there is a good possibility of a local company being organized for next season to play the house at the prices that prevailed for these en- gagements" and the "white elephant" may have a chance to get into the class of paying theatres. at ;iV t tho Hollis nor "Anna Christie" he Plymouth got away very well last week. It was admitted around I indefinite stay, and 'La Tendres town the pu1)lic was passng up a ' which Is in for two weeks only MOWS IN PHULA (Continued from page 121 is veiy doubtful If tc has broken even either of ita two weeks. The Walnut showed distinct im-' provement with "The Goldfish" and, even with a slightly disappointing house'at the end of the week, turned In a gross of very dose to $11,000. Uneven business has marked the run of this Marjorie Kambeau drama, but the indications are now that it will complete its allotted four weeks to a very tidy profit. The Syndicate houses weren't so foftunate last week in business. That of "Nice People" dropped to next to nothing at the Broad in its third week, probably the poorest week this house has done in a^couple of years. "Sally" at the Forrest went out with flying colors, though even the last minute rush did not prevent a regular nightly occur- rence of three vacant rows down stAlrs and holes upstairs. "The Bunch and Judy." has done very little to date, the theatre-goers evidently preferring to wait until this new Dillingham musical comedy has been "flx^d" and "readied." The third week, which at the last moment was decided on, was more to* allow time for changes in the .-how. "^ Three openings Monday, with the promised fourth, "Molly Darling" at the Garrlck held off for another week. V The new ones were "Tangerine" at the Sliubert for what is adver- tised as a limited run: "Good Morn- ing, Dearie" at the Forrest for an La Tendresse" at BROADWAY 8T0RT (Continued from page 11) total to If. The agencies all were complaining of a lack of business; but for the Saturday night perform- ances the premiums at which seats for the hits w^re held would seem to be sutflcient to reimburse them for any losses sustained earlier In the week. The prevailing price is $16.50 for the Music Box for that night, and hits such as "Rain" are pulling as high as $7.70 a ticket. A complete' list of the buys In- cludes "The Lady in Ermine" (Am- bassador), "Klki" (Belasco), "Aimer" (Bijou). "Springtime of Youth" (Broudhurst), "The Gingham Girl" (Carroll). "Sally, Irene and Mary' (Casino). "The Love Child" (Cohan), "Merton of the Movies" (Cort). "Rain" (Elliott). "East of Suea" (El- tinge), "Whispering Wires (49th Street), "R. l^ R." (Frazee), "Orange Blossoms" (Fulton). "Loyalties" ITOod'bct in not seeing "Christie." htjt when tho count came up at the finish It wns found the show had not gros.sed over $9,000 for the week, which i» several thousands less than It should have done. At the Hollis "He ^Who Gets Slapped" was Iqw; fh fact, the total takings were in the vicinity of $8,- 500, not good business locally for the Broad. This lattef will be the only play in town. The preponder- ance of musical comedies and farces of late has been unusual: last week there were four musical comedies, one farce, and two light comedies. Indications are for good business this week by all three openings, and "Tangerine" is'expected to break, for once and all. the hoodoo which oven a dramatic production. Both »»^*^.^!?""8 over the Shubeft this year . t .. * . '\fr«1Iv F>firHnfi'" will nn^n nA»t shows are on the last two weeks now, and while there is hope that VAnna Christie" may yet develop strentftjj there is little chance of the other show perking up much. The last two weeks Is announced for the Eddie Cantor show at the Shubert. and then the house will be taken over by Frank Tinney. Last week, the second the Cantor show played here, the business was off about $5,000 from that of the week before, but the drop was not enough to scare those with the show and it was believed the opening of white's "Scandals" was responsible. White is having better luck with his show Uils year than he did last. In fact, n^ did the best business around the town in the le^^itimate attraction line, rolling up a gross of about $24,600 fpr the opening week. Estimates for last week: , ''Make It Snappy" (Shubert. 3d week).—Hung up gross of $18,000: off $5,000 from the business of the previous week. Cantor qan figure on big business at the end of w«ek, but is finding going rather hard for WitJ) the exception of the big l^us- opening days, about same condition Iness registered at the Opera house ^ existing for all attractions. Also things were about normal around town, except that "It's a Boy," at the Selwyn did such poor business Sam H. Harris and associates were convinced they had a show the pub- lic did not care for and the pro- duction will be sent to the store- house at the end dt this week. The failure leaves the^ Selwyns without ^ny legitimate attraction to put in>o their Boston house. As a result it will take a film in there next week, to stay for four weeks. If the business is done. The house will be taken over on a rental basis by the picture people, guaranteeing the house some profit. It is un- fortunate that this house should break down at this time for last season was a poor one, from a finan- cial standpoint, and great Joy was expressed at the beginning of this season when "Shuffle Along" ran so long. It was figured the present season would be a money maker btit it Is diflflcult as the Selwyn people well know to get the people coming again to legitimate attractiops to a theatre that has housed a picture in mid-season. The death of Frank Bacon in Chicago means a lot to the Hollis theatre people here. "Llghtnin* ' was due into this houge on Christ- mas Day and the dope was that with Frank Bacon this show would run there for the balance of tho reg- ular sea.son. It was figured to be good for many months of big bus- iness and it was just tho sort of a' show that is best suited for the the- atre. The death of Bacon com- pletely changed the compI*»xion of thing.s. The ahow could not pos- sibly stay longer than a fow weeks with the handicap of somebody else in Bacon's phle and such a thing as an extended run is out. Tho Holli.s i.s tho only one of the old school of thtatroM loft in this —Ctty. It Is tn a rlars \ry ftfvlf nnU needs eithor ii tried star or sonio attraction that has oarnod a big reputation on it.s merits to bring the poopio thor'. It hardly ovor ven- tures into the muHii;il floUl - and , then with only small suuress. and h(» far this .season has been trailini; 'along wjlii pt»lii*- t-omediefi v.'aitinj; for tho big crash that was felt to .'iriivod. had some sizable opposition in "Scandals." . Cantor show is figured to do at least as well if not a bit better this week. "He Who Gets Slapped** (Hollis. 2d week).—Nothing to keep this show here longer than now booked for. Business off last week, In vi- cinity of $8,500. This is on par with business all shows at this house so far this season have done on open- ing week, and if it follows the reg- ular run of things It will slip off unitl it reaches $7,000 at the close. ^ ''Anna Christie" (Plymouth. 2d week). Not registering as well as it should. Grossed about $9,000 for opening week. Proves again that in cit^ where he should go big O'Neil is not such a hit His "Emperor Jones" when it played the Selwyn last season also foil below expecta- tions, and it is doubtful now if evyi his "Hj^Iry Ape" could get away with it.big. Hope is held out that business may Improve, for "CJhrls- tie"' show deserves better support. "White's Scandals" (Colonial, 2d week).—First week this ehow got away with $24,500; good business, even though not complete capacity. House not as strong for the first of wc^k as it might be, and that is where weak spots are showing, but strengthens toward the end, with I'Ylday and Saturday very big. Counting this week show has three more to stay. "It's a Boy" (Selwyn, 2d week.) — A fiop. Did not do $5,000 first week, literally starved. As result show Is to be scrapped. House is to be turned over to pIcture.Vmatter of ..r'r:r.f{ loc.aily. "Captain Applejack" <Tremont. 2d week).—Work of counting up'at the Tremont i.sn't half the task it has been. From grosses of over JL'O.OUO, whieli featured the "Kelly" show tho hox-offlco reading ha* dropped to $11,000. which wuh tho biis^tioss done last woelt witlr the eomedy rnw pla.Ning there. "The Bat" (Wilbur. 12th week). —Still holding on to hu.^inosH and prospeets for extond'-d run mtih better berau.se of "lAi^htin' '• mixup. This was the only show on the horizon that would come into a syndicate house and give "The Bat" a nib for business. Better than Molly Darling" will open next Mondaj-, presumably a^l by itself, although there is a strong possibility "Just Married" will wind up, and something new come into the Adeti)hi. "The Guilty One" with Pauline Frederick, and "The Cat and the Canary" are the two under- lines at this house. Dec. 4 the openings are "Abraham Lincoln" at the Broad (return visit) and "Anna Christie" at the Walnut. The latter is a four-week engagement. Other bookings at the Walnut in the near future are "The Dover Road" and "The Monster" and the Shubert is to have "The Passing Show of 1922." The Lyric has no und'.-rllnes which is presumed to mean that "Blossom Time" is set for a run. It haa been a Shubert policy here for several seasohs to pick one bright possibility <and boom it for as long a run as the patron- age will stand. It is, of course, ex- ceedingly unlikely that "Blossom Time" will achieve anything like the twenty weeks run up by "The Bat" last season, but it is likely to complete eight to good business. Estimates for last week: « "La Tendresee** (Broad. 1st week). Opened well, and only drama in town, ought to get steady draw for its two weeks. Getting best breaks of any show here this year. "Nice People" did under $4,500 in final week. ''TanBerine" (Shubert. 1st week). Despite opposition of "Good Morn- ing, Dearie" got off to fiying start. House helped by Tinney show, and usual clientele seems slowly drift- ing back. "Tangerine" in for about four weeks. "Daffy Dill" started last week off slowly but picked up. Gro.ss, $13,000.' "Good Morning, Dearie" (Forrest, Ist week). Succeeding "Sally" and advertised as that show's twin. Watched very closely by manage- ment. "Sally" came close to $28,000 in final week. "Tha Goldfish" (Walnut. Srd week). Last week good gain over opening, and indications are now it will stay above water nicely for four weeks. Spotty business, with some close-to-capaclty nights brought gross to just under $11,000. "Bunch and Judy" (Garrlck, Srd week). Decision to keep it here third week caused by need of chang- ing show. Will gt> to New York Saturday, exchanging places with "Molly Darling" which seems to be going to open all by itself next Mon- day. "Just Married" (Adelphl. JTd week). Business claimed better than first week, but that wasn't much. Hovered around $5,500. which isn't hopeful for 15 weeks* stay claimed. Two underlines now mentioned. "Blossom Time" (Lyric, 5th week). Great business continued despite very weak Monday evening perform- ance. Gross of aboiit $17,000, with trade evidently building through word-(jf-mouth. World Wc Live In" (Jolson's), "*rhe Yankee Princess" (Knickerbocker). "Little Nellie Ke:iy" (Liberty). "Tho AwfuhTruth' (Millers). "Mutiic Box Revue" (Mu^ic Box), "Folllea" (Am- sterdam). "Up She Cy»e8' (Play- house). "The Old Soak" (Plymouth), "The Fool* (Times Square), and "The Passing Show" (Winter Gar- den). Equity Show in C^t Rates Beginning with the current week tiM Bquity placed the seats for their attraction. "Hospitality," at the 48th Street* on sale in the culf-rate agen- cies. TIk' greater part of the lower floor as well as the balcony loca- tions were available a halt price. All told there were 19 shows at bar- gain prices, including five add^d starters entered this week. The complete list comprised: "Virtue" (Bayes): "Thin Ice" (Belmont), "Springtime of Youth' (Broad- hurst), "Blossom Time" (Century), "Love Child'- (Cohan). "On the Stairs "(Daly's). "Texas Nightingale" (Empire). " Hospitality' (48th Street). "Molly Darling'* (Globe). "Fantastic Fricassee" (Greenwich Village). "The World We Live In" (Jolson). "Yankee Princess" (Knick- erbocker). "Shore Leave" (Lyceum). "Why Men Leave Home'' (Morosco). "Up She Goes' (Playhouse), "Abie's Irish Rose" (Republic), "Partners Again" (Selwyn). "The Fool" (Times Square), and "Passing Show" (Win- ter Garden). STOCKS . After a 27 weeks' trial, part of which was &t the Cirand last season, the Drama Players' stock will close its engagement at the Empress. Kansas City, Nov. 25, and go to Oklahoma City for a run in the Liberty "theatre there. The com- pany is composed tf Theodora War- field, Arthur Vinton, E. Garfield Gast. Thomas Pawley, Robert Bay- ley, Arthur Kohl, Joseph Stanhope. Carl Collins, Alice Mason, Mary Hill. William J. Mack is the dU rector, and J. L. Adams, manager. ;v 3 Ben Erwa)[. formerly juvenile at the Alcazar. San Francisco, haa Joined the Wilkes Players at the Denham stock, Denver, in "The Beautiful Liar." Erway takes no one's place in Denver, but is simply an addition to the company. (Gaiety). "Hamlet" (Harris), "Spl/r. . •'- This Is London" (Hudson), "T\)>b^ The Bijou-Arcade at Battle Creek, Mich., opened Sunday with vaude- ville after a season of stock, a Butterfield house. It is *-^ "Getting Gertie's Garter," which will end its eighth week at the Ly- ceum, Baltimore, ^aturday. haa made enough money for the Geortfe Marshall company and the man- agement ' of the theatre to enable them to outline a most ambitious group of plays to be presented in the near future. "Oertle's Garter" opened to a fair week, with a greas of $5,200. It can be figured that $3,000 means an even break for the houae and the show. The following week the groaa took a jump and continued to do ao until election week, when the peak was reached with $8,600. The average gross for the eight weeks haa been betweea $7,200 and $7,100. Next week will come "The Night- cap." with Harry Mlntum featured and Sue McManamy among those present. $7,000 FOR FILUN "Bringing Up Father" in New Qr- leans—Stock Will Get $6,000 • LEGIT ITEMS James Hughes, formerly assistant to Joe Flynn of the Shuber;t Vaudo- vlllo press department, has beeu appointed treasurer of Poli's, Wash* ington. New Orleans. No^. 22. Filling in at the Tulane for a show that closed some weeks ago, "Bringing Up I'^other" will do $7,000 this week. The "Father" show was framed for smaller towns. At the St. Charles the stock in "East Is West" will get $6,000, and would have bettered that gros.s had not the Inclement weather the early part of the week hurt the takings. "11 Is the Law," a new produc- tion by Samuel Wallnch, openM last week in Wilkes-Barre and waa well received. "The Whole Town's Talking' is tho title of a new piece put on by A. H. Woods and produced outside New York this week. v • ^ .V '■.f.'f: TWO FRISCO HOLD-UPS San Francisco, Nov. 22. The local iheaitres were turned oft on Saturday and Sunday night. The net haul on the part of the rpb- bers was about $2,100. The Saturday night job was a most si»ectacular one. The robbers entered the Rivoll, where the Ferris Hartman stock is playing. Turning off the electric lights in the entire be at hand when "LIghtin Neither "He Who Gets Slapped" $15,000 last week. MITZI CLEANING UP t»an l-'ranci.s "o. Nov. 22. . Mit/.i is (leaning up in the South- west. After hating drawn $18,000 for a single week In Los Angeles. the show got $4,900 In two days at San 'Diego, and Is due here at lh« Coliiitibla next week. "The Skin Game," at the Colum- bia last week, played to $5,000. darkness, and got away with $1,200. The Lyceum theatre. In Che Mis- sion district, had Its safe looted on Sunday night of $900. / MUSICAL "LONELY WIVES" "Lonely Wives," tried out by A. H. Woods early in the season, is being made over into a musical comedy and Is expected to reach the boards about i\^e first of tho year. The play was first called "Who's Who." Cyrus Wood 4s adapting it, but the identity of the score composer is being held under cover for s<»me reason. Wood.<i will produce the musical version. George McClellan Is said to be lnt«r»^ted. A new legitimate producing i^lt is the I'nited Amusements, Inc.f of which T. C. Coppicus is the head. He also is conducting % musical bureau. Two musical productions are in s'ght, the pieces being adap- tations from the German. A. P. Waxman, formerly* press agent In the Dillingham ^nd Frohmah of- fices is handling the publlc'.ty for the new production Arm. ' ^." > MINNA OOMBEL'S HUSBAND Albany. N. Y.. Nov. 22. "All I want is a square deal." Ferdinand Eggena, husband of Minna Gombel, former feading lady of the Proctor's Players at Hdr- manus Bleecker Hall, pleaded thus yesterday afternoon following h'.f house, they entered the box office, i ^ . .. m. stiipk up those In charge In the+*'"'»""»«"^ in police court oi»» ,'errt Sunday night in a new f»lay Fiaril* Dazey entitled "I'eter CRITICS UKE "WESTON" .San r'ranciaco. Nov. 22. Frank Keenari appeared as the star at Ttrir hmd of the Atrazar I'iay t>y i''iarii» i>azey Weston" Tlie piece Is Intended to serve Ivecnan as a starring vehicle In the lOaxf. and he in to ko I<» Broadway [or a production in it in I'nv Ileal Tut tire. The play v\'as !iUed l»v llu- I'»r.il drama tie erlllvs charge of grand larceny, m.ide against him by Dr. E. W. Hannock of Albany. "I gave "Dr. Hannock the check so he'd have first call on the money 1 madd selling the new hot water bottles," he said. "I never said I had ^any money In the bank. Ha was to keep the check as security. It was just a business deal." ^ Eggena was sent back to jail bjr Police Judge John J. Brady yester- day afternoon after his attorney* Herman Diekman. had made a vain attempt to obtain ball for his client. Eggenas wife failed to come to his assiHtance. Eggena said she was "busy rehearsing in New York." MJms Coin'uel itt Ct&sl III "Gringo." Judge Brady postponed hearlnir of Fggena's case until Thursday, when it was called yesterday. Dr. Hannock'.s complaint alleges Kggcna pave him a check for $1,500. recelv- int: $1,32"! when he started on tk" tup to sell Thirty-Hour Hot Water Butlles." \)r. Hannock. It is alleged, severed liu.siiio.'is n lations with Kggena after a motor lar purchased by tno "nrm" had l)een smashed whlla l^ggona waM *lr:vlng it near Pough- Ifeep.sie. and .swoVe ou> t':«.grao<k lan-eny Prtnij»l.'<int„