Variety (December 1922)

Friday, December 8, IWt LEGITIMATE BS ,"■ ' ' '■■ "'..vC 19 9 TWO MUSICAL SHOWS IN PHMY PLAYING TO EVEN GROSSES 'Dearie" and 'Tangerine" Both Got Around $25,000 Last Week—"Blossom Time" Run It in Eighth Week—"Gold Fish" Jumps Up Philadelphia, Dec. «. The neck-and-neclc battle of buHl- ress between "Tangerine," at the 8hubert. and "Good Morning Dearie," At the Forrest, was one of the most interestlne features of Thanksgiving week. Neither show achieved a general sell-out record, but both boosted their first week records by a couple of thous^and dollars. Whatever weakness "Dearie" had was In the balcony, while with "Tangerine" It was an occasional break downscnirs. Without an extra matinee "Tanger- ine" did about $25,000. while "Dearie." which had an extra mat- inee Thursday, went Just above $26,500. The latter was a gain of about $3,500. The advertisements now have "Tangerine" leaving after another two weeks, which will b-ing it to Dec. 16, and will proba"bly mean that the Shubcrt will be dark the week before Christmas, as it was last year. There is a chance "Tanger- ine's" run may be extended to Dec 21. "The Passing Show of 1922" is the Christmas week booking. "Good Morning, Dearie." which eame in at the same time that "Tan- irerine" did, Js likely to run until Christmas (five weeks in all), when "White's "Scandals" comes in for a two-wock stay. "Scandals" has not done so very well the last two year's here, and the short booking Is be- lieved to be the result of hesitation to take a chance on the usual For- rest engagement. The big surprise in town is still "Blossom Time," now in its seventh Week, with business still good and • advance sale encouraging it. It was Reported that this musical show would quit after another two weeks, but many of the wisearfres now say It will run until after the holidays. At all events, it will beat "Sally's" ■tay by a couple of weeks at least, though of course the money taken in is much less In a smaller house. A claim of $21,000 was made by the show for last week, but it is not likely it quite reached that figure, which would mean ultra-capacity for a house which is not supposed to be able to do more than a few hun- dred dollars over $20,000. At any rate, that figure was passed, with the aid of an extra matinee. "Blos- som Time" has gained in gross dur- ing each week of its stay here. A pick-up was also shown at the . Walnut, where "The Goldfish" t>Iayed its fourth and final week. The stay was considered too long for this Marjorie Rambcau comedy, and the third week saw a big drop, but with the holiday crowds (and without the aid of an extra matinee) business went up from a scant $7,000 to over $9,000. The reason for this decided Jump is hard to say, as the show had apparently worn out its word-of-mouth advertising appeal. The Broad with "La Tendresse," Sione too well treated by the critics. In its second week, saw little or no fluctuation in the business. An ex- tra matinee was given, and the iweek's gross was about $11,000. This business, while not what Henry Miller and Miss Chatterton were ex- pected to bring here, is about the best the house has had this season. •*The Czarina" had a couple of good weeks, but "Nice People" was a ter- rible flop, and "Dulcy" had only one week out four at real money. Ac- cordingly, the Broad, which had a big season last year, has been a weak sister this season. The Garrick, which had last week's only opening, "Molly Dar- ling," paper heavily Monday night (in fact, reported to have turned away about $500 because of that), showed some encouraging signs during the week. The critics were surprisingly kind to it, both in their reviews and in their Saturday chat, and that, together with an exten- sive billing and elaborate exploita- tion. It is fiKured this one will build for its four weeks. "Molly Darling" and "Tangerine" are playing at a $2.50 top, while "Good Morning. Dearie," is $3. This week saw a new complcxton on things theatrical. After a month or more with six nf the seven houses running musical shows or farce comedies, three dramas opened Monday. The critics almost to a . man chose "Anna Christie" at the _ Walnut, although "Chris." from which it was made over, played the Broad here a couple of years ago. "Christie " is in for four weeks, and there is a great denl of sppculation concerning its success. It la felt that if it slumps In its third week (Just before Christmas) that the holiday infiur will keep the average up. "The Monster" is the next booking at this house. "To Love" opened at the Lyric Monday, and would normally have drawn the critics and much of the attention. As it is, it h;^d to battle for notlcs, Ths length o£ ruQ for this Grace George play from the French has not been announced. It Is being watched with Interest in view of the engagement of "La Ten- dresse," another French play at the Broad. The third opening this week was a repeat—"Abraham Lincoln" at the Broad. This engagement Is for only two weeks and is another large question mark. Following the custom this season of first a feast and then a famine, next Monday will see no opening:i whatsoever—the second time this has happened within two months. Dec. 18 Mantcll is booked to open his annual engagfemcnt at the Broad. Dec. 25 there will be at least three openings (possibly more if "Blos- som Time" ends its run" or "To Love" finds the going hard), and they will restore the preponderance of light shows. In addition to "Scandals" at the Forrest, this date will see "The Passing Show" at the Shubert and "To the Ladles" at the (Jarrlck. which thus reverts to the non-musical after seven weeks of musical comedies. "The Perfect Fool," v.'ith Ed Wynn, is announced for the Forrest Jan. 8. This was ad- vertised for last season, but never arrived. Estimates for last week: ''Tangerine*' (Shubert, 3d week). This show has finally lifted Shubert from slough. Business shot up last week around '$2!>,000. Doubtful whether show stays more than four weeks. "Abraham Lincoln'* (Broad, 1st week). Opened to fair house, with prospects doublfuL In for two weeks. "Good Morning, Dearie" (Forrest, 2d week). Encouraging signs shown, apparently Ju.stifying heavy papering Monday night, when house was Jammed. In for four weeks, considered by many too long. Fine notices. "Anna Christie'* (Walnut, 1st week). Opened well, with fashion- able house and all the regular ortics. "Goldfish" went up to something Just show of $9,500. according to house ofllcials. "Monster," "Dover Road" and "Green Goddess" (return) announced. "Blossom Time" (Lyric, 7th week). Big bu.slness goes on for this oper- etta; advance sale causes manage- ment to be doubtful about setting end for stay. With extra matinee last week's gross went up close to $21,000. Remarkable for this house. "To Love" (Adelphl, 1st week). Opened fairly well, and absence of real dramas lately figured to help business. Length of stay not an- nounced. "Just Married" did about $5,500 in last week, a slight gain, .but not much considering crowds on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in most houses here. $9,000 FOR "VILLAGE FOLLIES" New Orleans, Dec. 6. "The Greenwich Village Follies," at the Tulane this week, will get probably $9,000 on Its reputation, about all it brought to New Orleans with this production made up for the road and such towns as this. The stock at the St. Charles this week looks to be going at about a $6,500 pace with "The Broken Wing." SHOWS IN CHICAGO (Continued from page 14) week). Just can't seem to draw matinee business, but most satisfac- tory with $13,500. Should hold at least until middle of January. "Lightnin'" (Blackstone, 66th week). Greatness of run injured with sadness of lYank Bacon's death. This expected in town where great actor died. Not expected to be felt as much In Boston as here. No attemot to check business. "Thank-U" (Cort, 14th week). Stepped over $11,000 once more, and holding around this figure gives both house and show big profit. Harry Lauder (Studebaker, 1st and only week). Did the usual by crowding 'em on the stage at i'"rid;i.v night's performance. Wontltrful week for the new house owners, for $24,446 was ch»?cked off. "Spice of 1922" opened Sunday. "Kempy" (Selwyn, ad week). Went strong at week-t-nd, but not enough to overcome full force of Monday-Tuesday slump in order to hit higher tha^; $10,500. House get.s first good booking "break" Dec. 24 with "I'artners Again." "So "yiis Is London I" (Cohan*.-? Grand, Id week>. Not fully in j throes of usual Cohan ."bang suc- cess," but Hurry Hidings working hard on it. Hit off $l3.60a and popularity spreading fast "For All of Us," (I.A Salle. 2d week). Made sensational spurt and SYRACUSE.MINUS; LEGrriNSlUMP Mrs. Fiske's 'Taddy" Fails in Draw—"Marjolaine" Starved .. Syracuse, K. T., Deo. 4. Theatrical patronage In this city. as far as the legit Is concerned. Is mostly minus. Since "Blossom Time" played the Wletlng, there has been a downward slump in patron- age. "Marjolaine" at the Wi#ting for the first half of the week starved, in spite of generous advertising and even more generous publicity. John Henry Mears, owner of "Marjolaine" was quite outspoken in his dis- appointment. On the heels of "Marjolaine" came Mrs. Fiske in her new play "Paddy," also booked in for three days. It opened Turkey Day to two light houses, and business Friday and Saturday was equally disappointing, in spite of the lure of the Fiske name. "Paddy" was not very kindly re- ceived by the local critics, although they warmly praised Mrs. Fiske for her delineation of the morphine fiend. The play is tragedy in spite of its grim* humor, and ranks with Nance O'Neil's newest, "FiiHd of Ermine," also seen here recently, as quite disgusting. CHI'S "DEMI-VIRGIN" Woods Determined Chicago Shall 8e« It Chicago. Dee. f. Chicago "Tribune's" editorial of the yesteryear notwithstanding, A. H. Woods Is going to make another Chicago "try" with one of his risque discu.s8ed plays. This time it will be with "The Demi-Virgin." How the piece will be campaigned hasn't been decided. As the booking now stands In Its tentative arrangement, the LaSalle gets the Woods attraction. It was originally scheduled for Dec. 17 pre- miere on the theory that the Hodge show at this house wouldn't last. The Hodge show has overcome a bad start and poor newspaper no- tices, sailing strong at the present time for a Chicago stay. It is re- ported Hodge objected getting out of the LaSalle as long as he was protected with the terms of his con- tract. It now looks as If the Woods show will be delayed until Hodge Is given some protection by a booking at some other Shubert house In town. This would Indicate "Demi-Virgin" won't come until either Christmas or New Year's. But Woods, who was here last week. Is determined the "stripped poker scene" will be observed by the loop, despite the tirade waged against "Ladles' Night" by the "Trlbune." CAHT LOCATE KAHAOEK Chicago. Dec t. H. R. Socman, manager of the Toby Wilson Co.. applied to O. H. Johnson, who operates a dramatic agency In Chicago, for an Ingenue. Bessie Brooks was submitted. The agent was authorized to book her for the engagement. The contract was executed and she was told to report at Salina« Kans., for re- hearsals Nov. 26. When a telegram was sent to See- man, he could not be located and to date nothing has been heard of the manager or the organization. ran into $11.R00, fooling everybody and fighting hard to stay instead'of giving up house. "Deml-Vlrgln" booked for Doc. 17. but will prob- ably be post|)oned until Christmas or New Year's. "Bill of Divorcement,* (Central. 5th week). Went along its quiet way, making Just enough profit to .'latlsfy Allan Pollock. Reported between $5,000 and 16.000. "At the End of the World" (Play- h'>imp, fir.st full and final week). Failed to make any response to campaign; going out Saturday night with "He Who C.ets Slapped" open- ing Sunday. Another record brief engagement for this house. Report- ed around $r>,00n. "Greenwich Village Follies" (firoat Northern, Ist week). Went intr) big call for premiere, drawing $.^,,600. but slumprd with thud until Tliank.'^giving businesH rallied trade f<»r a $18,500 week. This house is hard to size up. fooling the checkers. "Cat and Canary" (Prlnres.i. I3th wf'ek). Punched out gross of $17.- 00 and will continue high for holi- day season, for is "set in" as firmly UK any show la town, seeking long run, BEOADWAT 8T0RT (Continued from page 18) Ermlns** sprinted to $10,000. Of the $2.50 musicals "The Olng- ham Girl" went into the load, with over $20,000, Its best week. No ex- tra matinee was played, but the scale was lofted to $4 top Thursday night and there were two $3.50 per- formances. "Sally, Irene and Mary" responded and took an amazing Jump In business for about $18,000 on the week. "Blossom Time" had another big profit week with be- tween $19,000 and $20,000 at the Century. Preparatory to the new attrac- tions dated for the holidays, half a dozen Broadway houses will go dark starting Monday. "Orange Blossoms" will depart from the Ful- ton, "The Yankee Prince^" will stop at the Knickerbocker, and "Ro.se Bernd" at the Longacre, lights going out In all three houses. Next week will be the final here of "The Torch Bearers" at the Vander- bllt, which win be dark a week. "The Romantic Age" quits the Comedy Saturday and will be suc- ceeded by "Gringo", the only pre- miere in sight for next week. The holiday card Is lighter than last year, a sign of the presence now of more substantial attractions. Christmas Day promises "Johannes Kreisier" at the Apollo, "Glory" at the Vanderbllt. "The Clinging Vine" at the Knickerbocker. "Romeo and Juliet" at the Longacre. "The Tid- ings Brought to Mary" which is to succeed the present "Lucky One" at the Garrick, "Secrets" the highly touted £>ngllsh drama ^t the Ful- ton, possibly a new attraction for the 48th Street and ope for the Broadhurst. It Is likely the latter house will get "Will Shakespeare" the Winthrop Ames production on a timely subject, due Jan. 1. One of the Shakespearean productions ar- riving in advance of the pack Is '^The Merchant of Venice", succeed- ing "Shore Leave" at the Lyceum after another week. The Moscow Art Theatre will debut at the 44th Street Jan. 8. and Jan. 4 Balieff's "Chauve-Souris" at tlio Century. Roof will offer a fourth program. This week's premieres had "Our Nell" at the Bayes and "LlstenVng In" at the BlJou. both Monday night, and both regarded with favor. "Fashions for Men" a new Molnar play bowed Into the National Tues- day and won fine notices. "The Doormat' 'an added starter for the week was listed for Thursday night at the Punch and Judy. "Irene" made the best showing last week in the subway houses, pros^g its class at the Bronx opera house by getting $13,500. compara- tively better than the excellent tak- ings at Newark the week previous. "The Hotel Mouse" terminated Its tour at the Broad Street, Newark, getting $11,600. "The Monster" was profitable at the Rivera with about $10,000 grossed. In Brooklyn ''The Dover Road" got about $9,000, and "Nobody's Fool" under $7,000. Most of the outlying houses played an extra matinee. The Buys and Cuts A complete list of the buys In- cludes "The Lady In Ermine" (Am- bassador), "Klki" (Belasco), "The Seventh Heaven (Booth), "Aimer" (BlJou), "Springtime of Youth" (Broadhurst), "The Gingham Girl' (Carroll),*"Salfy, Irene and Mary" (Casino), "The Love Child" (Cohan), "Merton of the Movies" (Cort), "Rain" (Elliott), "East of Sues" (Eltlnge). "R. U. R." (Frazee). "Whispering Wires" (49th Street). "The Bunch and Judy" (Globe). "Loyalties" (Gaiety), "Hamlet" (Harris), "So This Is London" (Hudson), "Little Nellie Kelly" (Liberty), "Spite Corner" (Little), "The Awful Truth" (Millers), "Music Box Revue" (Music Box), "Follies" (Amsterdam), "Up She Goes" (Playhouse), "The Old Roak" (Plymouth). "The Fool" (Times Square). The attractions at bargain prices numbered 20, with the Shubert unit shows at the Central also offered there beginning late last week. Those attractions offered are "Our Nell" (Bayes), "Thin Ice" (Belmont), "Springtime of Youth" (Broad- hurst), Shubert units (Central), •Blossom Time" (Century), "Love Child" (Cohan), "The Romantic Age" (Comedy), "Liza" (Dalys), "Texas Nightingale" (Eimplre). "Hospitality" (48th Street), "Fan- tastic Fricassee" (Greenwich Vil- lage), "The World We Live In" (.Jolson), "Hoso Rernd" (Longacre). "Shore I^eave" (Lyceum), "Yankee Princess' (Knickerbocker), "Why .Men Leave Home' ^Morosco), "Up She C.ocH" (Playhouse). "Abie's Irish Rose" (Kopubllc), "U Is the Law" (Ritz). "The Bootleggers" (3Dth St.). ERLANGER GOES WEST; WORKING ON "BEN-HUR" May Suspend Producina for Present—New Houses on ^ Coast • A. L. Erlanger has gt)ne to Los ''. Angeles to superintend the plctur- lt.itlon of "Ben-Hur." which Gold- wyn win produce. Prior to bis de- parture he ordered the closing of "The Yankee Princess," which goes to the store house from the Knicker- bocker. New York, at the end of ths week, and other Indications are that he win not be concerned with fur- ther legitimate producing until lats In the season. In addition to ths "Princess" ven- ture Erlanger is reported to b« Jointly concerned in "Orange Blos- soms" with Charles Dillingham, al- though that attraction Is presented by Edward Royqe at the Fulton, New York. It was first said that Royce would have ready another musical show to succeed "Orange Blossoms" at the Fulton, which Is supposed to have been leased to him by Erlanger, and remodeled for th« purpose of being made a permanent musical comedy house. "Blossoms'* leaves for ths road, and the houss after being dark two weeks will get ''Secrets,"' an English play, which !• highly regarded. Sam H. Harris win produce "Secrets.** The Ssl- wyns sought It as ths next attrac- tion for the Selwyns, but Erlanger Is said to havs Insisted ths attrac- tion be booked into ths Pulton. Whether Roycs wlU try another musical Is undeolded. The "Ben-Hur" Aiming is ths first Important picture project to gala the personal attention of Erlanger for a number of years, although th« picture rights to many of the attrac- tions controlled by him and by ths Kiaw & Erlanger firm luivs been disposed of. Klaw & Erlanger went into pictures on a large scale through Biograph and tied up about I500.000 In the making of medium length film. The venture with Biograph occurred when featured of five and six reels sUrted to bs recognised as the standard feature length. Ths K. & E. films were of 2,000 and I.OOt feet, and most havs been on ths shelf since making, Ths ons ex- ception noted was ths rslease of "The Fatal Wedding.". Some of tb« K. Jb E. subjects ars said to bo i: sought after for re-maklng. The writing of ths scenario for "Ben-Hur" is ths Joint work of Er- langer and Juno Mathls. who cams east to confer with ths producer. Ths picture rights to ths Wallace classic, which toured for 20 yean^ were purchased about two years ago by Erlanger. Zlegfeld, DllUngham and Robert Ooelet (who owns ths Knickerbocker building theatre) from Marc Klaw, the estate of Jo- • seph Brooks, the Wallace heirs and 'I- the publishers of "Ben-Hur" in book form. The Erlanger Interests ars to receive 60 per cent of the profits on the picture, and a large sum has been paid In advance by Goldwyn. While on the coast Erlanger will arrange for several new theatrea He win sell the Mason Opera House and the offlcs building adjoining la Los Angelea A new theatre Is planned next to ths Alexandria Hotel. He may also erect a new the- atre in San Francisco. Ths lea<is on the Columbia held by J. J. (3ott- lob expires next season and a re* newal is not Intended. -^ ADE PIECE FOR MEIGHAN ChU'ago, Dec. 6. George Ade Is to write a play for Thomas Melghan. A Thank<<glvlng r^onsultatlon »\as hr>ld at White Sul- phur Springs. W. Va.. which Is the former home of Oscar Price, promi - nsnt In the movie world. WERBA'S S£C0HD Louis F. Werba wlU havs two productions ready shortly aftsr tho first of the year. His production of "Bamum Was Right," which won favor at ths try-out recently, will go into rehearsal again next week. Some changes In ths script havs been worked out by John Meehaa, who will direct, ths fresh presents^ tlon. The show is dus for Broad- way Jan. 8. The manager Is also readying a musical comedy called "Adrlenne,** for which Seymour Brown wrote book and lyrics and Al Von TUzer the score. ROOF CONYERSIOH The Nefr Amsterdam Roof, which was long the locale of Zlegfeld's"'" "Midnight Frolics," Is being con- verted Into a theatre as planned, and has tx^en offered for regular presentations beginning Jan. IS. The house is open for rsntsi, or terms. With the Century Roof also * theatre and the Bayes made over - several years ago, Broadway is now without any roof «nter|»rlss-.whlch fiourlshed before prohibition. . ^>i.