Variety (February 1923)

Thursday, February 8, 1&23 LEGITIMATE 17 'MOLLY DARLING' SHOVED OUT WITH $21,300 ON FINAL WEEK ■ Present Booking Conditions Responsible for Forcing Out Hit in Third Week—"Just Married" Sur- prises Show Folk at Boston Boston, Feb. T. "Molly Darling" on the last week It played the Tremont did $21,300. This meant the house was sold out for every performance, matinees and evening. * Starting the four weeks' engage- ment with a gross of $16,000 the show bettered that figure by $3,000 the second week and on the third week shot up to $20,800. The final week's gross was better than the one before by $500. It is figured here the "Molly" show Wasr good for a run of at least 10 weeks, and possibly longer, and that it could have done real business during that period. Irene Bordoni m "The French Doll" which took over the house Monday is not expected to do any- thing like the business done by the former show, but that is not a re- flection on the worth of Miss Bor- doni's offering. It simply means that Jack Donahue, a local boy, had the Boston crowd coming to see "Molly" like Cohan gets them wlttThls 'shows and they were taking everything that they could get. It will go down in the records of the Tremont theatre as another big bunch of coin that is gone never to return and an- other regrettable angle of present booking conditions. Another feature for the week around town was the surprise given those on the inside by the business for "Just Married," at the Plymouth. This show did $14,000 last week, the third in the house and this figure Is better by $2,000 than was done the week it opened. .A substantial advance sale Is recorded for this week and the show looks good to stay for several weeks to come. There is no way of doping this out except through the fact that so far this season the run of .shows has* been either toward .the melodrama or the musical and that "Just Mar- ried" comes into town as the first farce for quite a while. Its bust- ness is building up daily and a show that was looked to for a couple of weeks of good business has now done excellent business for three weeks and shows signs of keeping up the good work. The figures at the finish of the engagement of the Chicago Opera at the Boston Opera House shows that expenses were cleared and that nobody will have to dig to make up a deficit The engagement was guaranteed by several prominent Bostonians and they promised to make good for any deficits. A sum sufficient to cover the expenses of the two weeks, if a single ticket wasn't sold, was posted in advance, underwritten by those who wanted at least two weeks of grand opera, no matter what the cost. The first week the gross was $60,000 and the second and final week $90,000. Ex- cellent business In this city and means that there will be a season of gand opera next year as those who stood behind the venture this year will be ready to back it again. Three changes in attractions at the legitimate houses this week. Ed Wynn in "The Perfect Fool" opened at the Colonial to a turnaway and Indications are he will draw quite well for the balance of his stay. ••Naughty Diana" opened at the Shubert, replacing "The Passing Show," In there for a three weeks' stay, and the change of bill at the Tremont. "Lightning" started the seventh week at the Hollis still running strong. It is reported there are no more doubts on the part of those connected with this show as to its ability to hold on at the house for the balance of the season. It ran to the regular figure $20,000 last week and should go to the same gross this week with any sort of weather break. "The Bat," which winds up at the Wilbur in a couple of weeks, clearly Indicates that the punch has been taken out of the business here for this attraction, as it is now grossing In the. neighborhood of $10,000. The run here has been real profitable and the stay of about four months was up to the best records for hang- ing on in the annals of attractions that have played this city in the past. Pauline Frederick in "The Guilty One" is finding the going rather difficult at the Selwyn. The show is the victim of one of those pecu- liar breaks of the show business, it occupying a house that is soon to have the Selwyns* latest sensation. "The Fool." This last named show is being played up to the limit both In the advertising and publicity line, with of course a natural de- traction from the show at the house at present. For this week the Opera house is dark, to be opened next Week with "Blossom-Time." When this show played here a couple 1 of seasons ago at the Wilbur, the house where It belonged, business was not up .to standard although everybody con- nected and close followers of theat- ricals felt that It was not being treated fairly. The Opera house, •because of its construction, fs a handicap at the start, but it would not be surprising, in view of the many strange things that happen in a season, to have it turn out a real money maker at the big uptown" house where it flopped downtown /on its first appearance. Estimates for last week: "The Perfect Fool" (Colonial, 1st week). Big opening. In final week "The Bunch and Judy" did $13,800, about $800 better than preceding week and considerable of disap- pointment. "Lio,htnin'* (Hollis, 7th week). $20,000 last week, same gross regis- tered for several weeks past now. Established hit. "The Guilty One" (Selwyn, 4th week). Less than $7,000 last week and not much pep left in business for comeback this final week. "Naughty Diana" (Shubert, 1st week). Strong opening. Final week "The Passing Show" did $20,000. "The French Doll" (Tremont, 1st week). Crowded out "Molly Dar- ling," showing added strength all time and which hit top figure of $21,300 final week. | "The Bat" (Wilbur. 23rd*week). Next week last for this show, which has done wonderfully well. Grossed bit better than $10,000 last week. "Just Married" (Plymouth. 3rd week). One of surprises of. season, grossing $14,000 last week and iooked to for stay of several weeks to good to fair business. SHOWS IK NEW YORK (Continued from page 16) Comedian," will follow. "Mer- chant" over, $17,000. "Merton of the Movies," Cort (13th week). One of Broadway's clean- cut comedy hits, with capacity registered for all eight perform- ances for gross that measures $16,600 regularly. "Mike Angelo," Morosco (6th week). Another attraction listed* to suc- ceed Monday, but time for "An- gelo" extended when "Hall and Fare Well" could not be readied. Latter show now scheduled to come in Feb. 19. Moscow Art Theatre, Jolson's 69th St (5th week). Sensational Rus- sians are repeating "Czar Fyodor . Ivanovltch" this week. Business for "The Three Sisters" last week as great as prior week and tak- ings almost $44,000. Papers con- tinue to rave and comment on Art Theatre's work. "Music Box Revue," Music Box (16th week). Exceptional re- building of agency call within past month one of features it second Music Box show. Again hit $29,000, which race should be carried close to Easter. "Passions for Men," Belmont (10th week). Going to road in another week or so; smart draw but not enough in It; about $6,500. At- traction has been expected to rate with money getters. Original title, "Fashions for Men," supposed to have hurt chances. "Peer Qynt," Garrick (1st. week). Theatre Guild had house dark several weeks in preparation of Ibsen presentation, regarded as Guild's weightiest production this season. Opened Monday. "Polly Preferred," Little (4th week). Out of this list through error. Rates as one of Broadway's com- edy hits and last week Inserted extra matinee, while scale was lifted from $2.50 to $3 top. That gives capacity in nine perform- ances, about $12,000? "Rsin," Maxlne Elliott (14th week). One of Sam H. Harris' hits; hold- ing Its leadership of dramatic field in point of demand, perhaps only equalled by 'The Fool." Takings Of $15 300 weekly about $1,200 over capacity and Indicates that much standee trade. "Romeo end Juliet," Hpnry Miller , (3d week). Surprise success of the Shakespearean presentations. Failure of Ethel Barrymore in "Juliet" cast doubt about chances of Jane Cowl, but latter is de- veloping one of the finest draws »n Broadway. Takings last week $12,500 and capacity likely this week. "Rose "Briar," Empire (fith week). Looks»llke a month or so more for Billie Burke attraction. Pace last week off $1,000 for gross of be- tween $10,500 and $11,000. "R. U. R.," Frazee (18th week). Guild's novelty drama playing to fair business now but probably making some money. Pace be- tween $7,000 and $8,000. May stay until Easter. "Sally, Irene and Mary," 44th St. (23d week). Moved up from Ca- sino Monday to permit entrance of "Wlldflower." Three titled mu- sical has been real money maker from start. Will be cut-rated here and should easily remain until Easter. Around $13,000 recently. "Secrets," Fulton (7th week). Eng- lish play, like "Loyalties" of like origin next door at Gaiety, pulling excellent bu lness and takings last week little under $14,000. Re- garded as set now until warm weather. * "Seventh Heaven," Booth (15th week). If there is any degree of difference in demand for tftls drama with that of other leaders, very slight. Business better than $15,200 right along; that figure possible in this house only be- cause of extra matinee Fridays "Six Characters in Search of an Author," Princess (15th week). Cannot be classed with other hits starting with* "S," yet has made a name in tiny house ahd will remain until Easter, according to plans. Under $5,000 weekly. "So This Is Londonl" Hudson (24th week). George M. Cohan's com- edy hit, which actually leads field in class and has maintained that pace through winter. Over $17,000 in eight performances. "Square Peg," Punch and Judy (2d week). Little attention given this drama, but business indications fair. Doubt if it can stick. House precludes other than small gross. "Sun Showers," Astor (1st week). House returned to legitimate Monday with musical show pre- sented by Lew Cantor, heretofore vaudeville producer. Won fair notices. . "The Clinging Vine," Knickerbocker (7th week). At top of $2.50 mu- sicals; going strong for virtual capacity all performances and takings of nearly $18,000 weekly. "The Dancing Girl," Winter Garden (3d week). New contender for top money honors among Broadway's musical attractions. Remodeled house makes it one of finest in country. Show went to over ca- pacity late last week and takings approximated well over $80,000. "The Fool," Times Square (ltth week). Selwyns' dramatic smash playing extra matinee and going clean for all performances. $20,- • 000 weekly, beating all dramas ex- cept "Hamlet" and Moscow Art. Special company opens in Boston next week. "The Gingham Girl," Earl Carroll (24th week). Success registered by. this musical makes season's run more than likely. Rated with best In class at $2.60. Weekly, tak- ings around $18,000; "The Humming Bird," Rita (4th week). Developed no draw, but management still hopeful. Has house for six weeks more; a suc- cessor mentioned. Still under $5,000 weekly. "The Old ftV>ak," Plymouth (25th week). Arthur Hopkins brought this comedy hit in early; not ex- pected to class with leaders, but it landed quickly and looks good for rest of 'season. Over $13,000. "The Love Child," Cohan (13th week). Has done far better than first indications. Last week, while not quite up to mark of earlier January, was profitable. About $10,500. "The Masked Woman," Eltinge (8th week). Drama has attracted at- tention and pulling big matinee trade. Business last week about $11,000. Like others, bad weather hurt one or two performances. "Up She Goes," Playhouse (14th week), indications house is set for season, with first musical it eyer had. Well liked as show. About $10,000 and profit both ways. "Whispering Wires," Broadhurst (26th week). Shubert's mystery play has done very well since moving from 49th St. Was money maker from start; last week tak- ings again around $10,000. Routed out, but likely to stick for time. "Wildflower," Casino (1st week). Arthur Hammersteln's new mu- sical comedy won excellent re- ports In tryouts on road. Opened last Wednesday night, "Sally, Irene and Mary" having moved to 44th St. New show at $2.50 top figures to have great chance. "Will Shakespeare," National (6th week). Management appears set on trying thoroughly with this one; although got fine notices business never big. Around $8,000 lately, hardly better than even break. "BAT" LEAD N FRISCO San Francisco, Feb. 7. "The. P.at" in Its second week at the Curran got the big money of the town, $lfi,000. At the Columbia May liobson played to $7,000 on the week. "Struttin' Along." all-colored, at !he Century, drew $Q 500 from the opening Saturday up to last (Tues- day) night f CHANCE FOR MYSTERY PLAY GOOD NOW IN PHILADELPHIA "Cat and Canary' 9 Falls in Right—"Peaches" Picks Up—"Perfect Fool" Falls Down in Final Week— "Blossom Time," $15,000 in 15th Week Philadelphia, Feb. 7. Anything that even faintly re- sembled a mystery play woufS probably clean up here these days. The craze which everybody thought had exhausted itself with the 20- week run last year of "The Bat" is now at its peak. Some doubt as to "The Cat and the Canary's" chances after the sensational business done by "The Monster" at the Walnut. Nobody professed to- feel sure as to what the result would be, but by Monday the trend was seen, and by, Tues- day it was evident "The Cat" hit town at the right time. The Adel- phi can do just about $19,600 at the scale used by the "The Cat and the Canary." Last week its gross missed $19,000 by only a few dol- lars. There were a few seats out on Monday, and Tuesday night was again slightly off. but thereafter sell-outs were the rule,. That In- cluded the gallery as well as down- stairs. It has been a long time since they have been clamoring for seats way up top here, an'" this is taken to forecast a long run. It is understood that there are no conflicting bookings, and claims that "The Cat" will be on deck in April, or even'until the end of the season, are common. Its notices were tip-top. It is not questioned that this house, which has beer ex- tremely spotty all season, with a couple of flops, will largely recoup with "The C .:." Incldentt .y. "The Bat" completed its long run at the same theatre. Business was good an along the line last week, the best level being reached since the holiday Influx. The house that was being watched the closest outside of the Adelphi was the Walnut, where "The Mon- ster" had gone out to capacity to make room for "Kempy." The Nu- gents' comedy won splendid no- tices—probably the best of any comedy here this year, and Phila- delphia has had a number of mighty good straight comedies-^ and business heir* up splendidly^ with every Indication a boost of $2,000 will be registered this week. It Is commonly stated that "Kempy" would prove a real builder If h. for a run instead of two weeks only. This house Is getting a regular cli- entele now, with plenty of society theatre parties, and it is not be- lieved It will revert to its former policy of sandwiching in musical shows, as its best seems to be in combating the Broad's class pat- ronage. "Blossom Time" dropped about $1,000 last week, but with a gross of $15,000 still remained with the leaders. This is the 16th week of this Schubert operetta at the Lyric and that It will pass the 20-week mark is not doubted. It is reported that it will depart when it sinks below $12,000 gross, but many claim it could get by at $10,000 or a little over. There are no bookings ap- parently at this house, which causes, for the first time in a long time, a- settled situation on North Broad street. In their ads the Shuberts have been using a list of other recent long runs by musical comedies, In- cluding "Very Good Eddie" in 1917. at 11 weeks; "So Long Letty" in the same year, 10 weeks; "The O'Brien Girl" last year, 9 weeks; "Sally" and "Mary" 7 each. "Blos- som Time" has been getting some bully publicity, once with a mar- riage of a member of the cast, and another time with a cantest to fin- ish the symphony used in the play. Big business was also disclosed for "The French Doll" with Irene Bordoni at the Broad. Its second week's gross passed the first week's by a substantial figure, and mounted steadily up to the departure Satur- day. It is said that this was one of the biggest matinee attractions the Broad has had in a number of sea- sons. The weaknesses were up- stairs. Ed Wynn's "Perfect Pool" after dropping somewhere around $4,000 in gross week before last continued to slip last week, and went out after four weeks with a pros* of about JRBOO. rjeorge Lederer's "Peaches." way off at the start, cnirve back stronply last week at the Garrick. and boat its opening week's gross of $11,160 by nearly $.1000 It Is now consid- ered to have a real chance, as there have been five or six changes In the 'cast, half the ftr«»t act Is new and there have b*en a number of weak songs dropped. This is its last week here I its three-week engagement at the Shubert, where it claimed to have averaged $13,000 a week. At thii figure, the operetta probably mad« some money, though it was never In on a strong demand, and at no time made a dent in "Blossom Time's" business. . Monday's openings were "Humor- esque" with Laurette Taylor at the Broad, and the return of "Moly Darling" to towi,, this time at the Forrest "Maytlme" was scheduled to return to the Shubert Monday, but at a late hour Friday night a delay was announced and it comes In Wednesday instead. Marion Green and Nancy Glbbs "are an- nounced as the leads in this en- gagement, which will last two weeks only and will be followed by "Red Pepper" for a single week. "Hu- moresque" stays only two weeks and "Moiiy Darlings" run is indefinite, with an outside possibility that it may remain four weeks, which will give it eight weeks in Phllly this season. J Next Monday's openings are "Six Cylinder Love" at the Garrick and "The Green Goddess." starting a return engagement at the Walnut. The first named is in for four or five weeks, and the Arlisa show stays two. Beyond these, no bookings are announced, conditions being un- usually chaotic for the early spring. "The Music Box Revue," for the Forrest. "Bombo" for the Shubert. "Captain Applejack"' for the Gar- rick, "Mr. Antonio" for the Broad, and possibly. "He Who Gets Slapped" for the Walnut, are men- tloped as coming soon. 4 Estimates for last week: "Humoreeque (Broad, 1st week). Opened fairly wen. without oppo- sition. In for two weeks only. "The French Doll" spurted and turned in big gain in gross for second and final week. Claimed $15,000. "Maytime" (Shubert, 1st week). Monday opening postponed to Wednesday; satisfactory advanced sale claimed. "Springtime of Youth" not far below $13,000 average in three weeks. "Molly Darling" (Forrest. 1st week). Opened with promise, but length of return visit not settled; may stay four, or maybe only two. Wynn's "Perfect Fool" nose-dived again, with gross reported under $16 000. "Peaches* (Garrick. 3d week). Rapidly whipping into shape and with big changes in cast and num- bers, beginning to catch on. Last week's gross beat $14,000. "Six Cylinder Love" Monday. "Kempy" (Walnut, 2d week). Won fine notices and business good, gross of $12,000, with prospects of gain this week. "The Green God- dess" Monday for two weeks. "The Cat and the Canary" (Adel- phi, 2d week). Caught on with bang and looks good for long run. After some small weaknesses Mon- day and Tuesday hit capacity stride and turned in gross of close to $19,000 with maximum figure at this scale In this house $19,600. "Blossom Time" (Lyric. 16th week). Off about $1,000 over pre- vious week, but gross reached $15- OQO. good profit all around and at least $3,000 over get-away figure. $45,000 FOR LAUDER AT L. A. Los Angeles. Feb. 7. Harry Lauder did a terrific, busi- , ness * at the Philharmonic audito- rium here last week, playing six nights and daily matinees. The gross on the week was about $45,- 000. During the last three daye the crowds were so great chairs had to be placed on the stage. At the Mason, Kolb A Din. in their second week, had a sell-out the same as the first week, eclipsing the local combination house record for a $2 top scale. HAYAKAWA WILL TRY AOADI Sanger A Jordan still Intend starring Sessue Hayakawa, the Japanese film star, in a stage play this season. Several scripts are being considered. Fred de Gresac's "Tiger Lily." which Hayakawa tried out last fall, has been abandoned. "Shore Lesve" Closed Frances Starr closed her road tour in "Shore Leave" in Cleveland "In Springtime of Youth" closed I la * t week,