Variety (April 1923)

5V' Thursday. April W. 1W8 LEGITIMATE 'i.- •^yv^i •f'.vpjT^ifXjf;?.-;^..*^: ,-'".F.- "^;;t>, 1 :^^ lAUONG OF SUMMER RUNS ^ M)N PHILADELPHIA Continued Good Busin^ta Buoys Hopes—Moscow i Art's Disappointing Start—Henry Miller's 'The J Changelings'* Catches On >r^^^^^^^^ |,-H" V v.: :\ Phil^elphla. April 25. :' It's little wonder that managers liere are contemplating early sum- mer continuance. Lai^t ^eek, in- stead of showingr the usuai falling hit following the Easter peak, a number of theatree here did corking big business, and the average was considerably higher than the preced- ing week. The tiy^atres cutting the melon most generously were the Broad and ^•the Shubert, with the Garrlck and " Che»tnut coming along not so far behind. Even "The Cat and the Canary" braced up In its final week at the Adeiphi and Just missed r 17.000. "The Changelings," with Its re- *. markable array of stars and near- r Stars, gave an awful black eye to ^ the recent slump at the Broad. Al- ^ though missing capacity the first couple of nights by considerable, due ' to hesitancy of local theatregoers to take a chance on new plays, it ; caught up In fine style, and Heats J were scarce at the end of the week. Society turned out en masse fop the Miller play, and theatre parties were .. numerous, while, on the other hand, " the balcony play was large through- ;^out the week. The notices, while "^"not without advttrse criticism, were In the main highly laudatory, and it is understood that Miiier and ' those connected with the show be- lieve they have a humdinger. "The Greenwich Village Follies" ■fell a great way from capacity at the Shubert and turned in (\ very uneven record of business, with only }ialf a house Wednesday matinee. : but with big grosses at the end of : the week It picked up, and manage- '^ ment claims 125,000 as a gross. The :; notice* for this review were extrav- ■ agant in their praise, and the second- V thought columns were Just as unani- ' mous in the Hind things they said. L The weaknesses that developed were ^ a surprise to all concerned, and this week's business is being closely watched. The house can do about ' 135.000 at this top ($3.50). The Walnut had Just a fair week with Fiske O'Hara. though, due to a ? Very large upstaini trade, the gross ' Was higher than some expected. - There wa« also a big matinee busi- ness. This Irish star is in for only two weeks and ought to clear a ' iwnall profit on the engagement. The Garrick continued to prosper With "Captain Applejack," althoQgh la very natural and normal decline from the previous High grosses de- veloped. Ev«n at that "Applejack" cleared $14,000 by a good margin, and is now definitely set for an ex- . tra week. "Blossom Time" had a poor week, - reported as the worst of its 16ng en- gagement, the same thing that was •aid of the preceding week. With ' this fortnight of Bad business the ^ announcement of the ena df its local run has been expected, l^t instead It is now stated that this Schubert operetta will stay on indeflniteJy at the Adelphi. to which house it moved Monday night to make way for the Russians at the Lyric. It's hard to see how "Blossom Time" is making any profit at its recent figures, and It seems likely that it had failed to break even, at least for a couple of weeks, but from present Indications It will apparently ride into May, thus J>a8sing the 80-week mark and sot- ting a figure for shows to aim at in Phllly. "Spice of 1922" apparently has an Inexhaustible puUing power in this city; and last week, its second in a fourth engagement here. It pulled a gross of about. $10,000. Wiseacres figure that no better play could have been picked to put the Chestnut In the running again as a legit house. This is its final week, with Eddie Cantor's "Make It Snappy" to fol- low. The latter Is slated for a. fort- night, with a possibility of a third week If business warrants. This week'.«i only opening was the Moscow Art Theatre, at the Lyric. The Monday night attraction was "Tsar Fyodor." and a Jammed house was looked for but did not material- ize. The entire sale is not so large as expected. "Tsar Fyodor" runs until Friday, when "The Lower Depths" is the attraction. The lat- ter runs until next Wednesday, when "The Cherry Orchard" is shown, and the fourth performance will be "The Three Sisters." Friday, May 4. Morris Gest Is reported as much disappointed in the reception jjlven tlie Mo.scow troupe in the new.^ col- umns of the dailies. He told a r»^- porter of one of the evcninff papt^r.- - that -Pl»^»»i>«lf^J|«h»a wfM* «h*» 4»nly city in th" Country which hadn't aoux .> .big cor|>«» (if phr)togra?>hf !•«' and rr- porters to welcome the Ilusslans when thoii' train arrived. Every day results, in .'\ new an- nouncement oil the .stibjecr of sum- mer 5 lutw.s here. General .nmar'"'- ment i^ cxprosyed at the prospect, with m-tnv pessimistic at the otit- come. However, no matter what the 3aB -.'■••* success bf the several ventures run- ning throughout the summer, it is pretty definitely settled that the local theatrical season won't come to a close until June, except possibly in one or two houses. Last year there was Just one house—the Wal- nut—open the last week in May. The most startling announcement of the week was that of the Phila- delphia Theatre Guild, a stock com- pany scheme, which starts at the Lyric May 7, following the Moscow Art. William Gillette and Lola Fisher are announced as the first visiting stars, the play to be "A Suc- cessful Calamity. Eight weeks are announced already, with Grace George, .Francine Larrimore and Nance O'Neill as the other stars. A low scale, with a $1.50 top is to be used, with plays changing weekly. This is an offshoot of the plan to have summer stock at the Adelphi, with Miltoh Shubert instead of Shu- bert Lawrence. "The other houses definitely set to ride late are the Forrest, with "Shuffle" Along," being primed to stay for four weeks anyway; the Walnut with the new Gaites revue, which will not open until June, and the Chestnut, with Shubert musical shows. This does not take into account the Garrick, which has Werba's musical comedy, "Adrlenne." for at least^two weeks beginning May 14, and wh)ch may have something to follow; nor does it include the Shu- bert, which will run the "Greenwich Village Follies" as long as possible, and may have a successor also. The Broad will keep "The Changelings" three weeks and is almost certain to close directly following the depart- ure of this all-star cast play. This house depends largely on a society draw which Is beginning to leave town already, and there are a num- ber of amateur organizations booked for single weeks at the Broad during May and June. The length of "Bles- eom Time's" engagement at the Adelphi is problematic. It is also reported that "Lady Butterfly," the Morosco musical comedy, is coming here this sprihg, though no house is mentioned. Im- mediate bookings have "Make It Snappy" at the Chestnut and "Kempy" in a return engagement at the Walnut, both opening Mon- day. The latter may, stay four weeks, though it is generally men- tioned for a fortnight. A surprise was the booking of "Liza" into the Dunbar, the Negro theatre In South Philly, Instead of a legitimate house, as was done with "SbufTle Along." "Lisa" is In for only two weeks, and so will not conflict with "Shuffle Along." Estimates for last week: ''Ths Changslinflt" (Broad, 2d week). Bang-up business, growing as we«k went along until it reached capacity. Stays three weeks instead of the expected two and should clean up biff money at $3 top. Last week gross about $18,000. ''Greenwich Village fToliies" (Shu- bert, 2d week). Received by critics with enthusiasm and generally called best revue evejr played here. Developed weaknesses, however, es- pecially at Wednesday matinee, when there wasn't half a house downstairs. Gross of $25,000, good way from capacity, but expected to climb this week. "Hunting Big Game" (Forrest, Sd week). Snow animal film did fairly good business in second week, show- ing effects of much good publicity. Last fortnight, with "Shuffle Along" to follow, May 7. ''Captain Applejack" (Garrick, 6th week). Length of stay extended by changing booking in Washington; efforts being made to get arfother week, bringing it up to opening of new musical comedy, "Adrienne." "Applejack's" business off, but rtill big, beating $14,000. "Spice of 1922" (Chestnut. 8d week). Final week for this revue in its fourth engagement here, and still pulling strong. "Make It Snappy" to follow. Few hundred under $10,000. "Land o' Romance" (Walnut, 2d week). Upstairs draw pulled this Fiske O'Hara play up to gross or $8,500. Matinee trade big, but some nights orchestra business pitifully small. Two weeks only, with "Ivompy" returning next Monday. Moscow Art Theatre (Lyric, firjft weei<). Opening not as big as ex- po ted. with no opposition. Sale for two weeks' stay" not u!> to ex- l>«(tatloiis, either, but, still, big for til is time of year. Can do around $41000 at tliis house. "Blo.«<fioni Time" had poorest week of 8ta.\ last week, hitting under $7,000. "Blossom Time" (Adelphi. first wick). moved here after 26 vrcekf at the Lyric, and may stay through into May, though it is hard to ,t«e SHOWS IH NEW YORK (Contnued from page II) can make Ilttje monejr. Listed for Boston this summer, but will probabl7 not he sent out until fall. "If Winter Comes." Gliety (4th w«ek). Started off with rush, but first week proved flash. May re- main few weeks more, but busi- ness much under figure expected. Last week about $8,500. "Jack and Jili," Globe (6th week). This class musical held up fairly well last we.ek. takings over $17,000. At $91.50 top, house can do over $29,000. "Kiki." Belasco (74th week). Run J^der will close for season aftdr another week, but probably could run into summer. "The Come- dian" will shift from Lyceum. AnnouncMnent of run's end lifted business to nearly $14,000 last "Lady BuHsrfly," Astor (14th week). One of low gross musicals. Busi- ness here lias been better than final weeks at Globe, though cut- rating figured. Little under $8,50<K "Last Warning." Klaw (STth week). Though down to the stop limit of $7.00C mystery piece will prob- ably run through Moy. with any profit made in that month counted found for house. Show can make money under the stop gross. "Laughing Lady," Longacre (11th week). Pretty sure to end season before May passes. Attraction is - best of trio in which Ethel Barryr mure was star at Longacre this season. Around $8,000 last week. "Littis Nellie Kelly." Liberty (24th week). Sudden descent of warm weather last week failed to af- fect rush here. Business around $22,000, which pace Cohan musical will carry into summer going. "Mary the Third," 89th St. (12t>i week). After running along at $7,500 gait for two months, this comedy jumped $1,500 Holy Week and has partly held that increase. Last week little under $8,000. "Merton of the Movies." Cort (24th week). * Tyler lUt Is counted on to stick right through summer and has good chance of lasting into new season. Business around $15,000 weekly. "Morphia," Eltinso (4th week). Drana with short cast. Permits pront on moderate gross $7,000. Another three weeks or more. "Music"Box Revue." Music Box (27th week). First week on $4 scale provided a big draw, with excel- lent attendance only slightly af- fected by Saturday afternoons heat. Gross over $24,500. "Papa Joe," Lyric (9th week). Go- ing along at small business in Princess; gross between $1,500 and as high as $3,000 claimed. Some.of cast Interested in piece. Moved Monday for cut rating, guaranteeing $3,600 a week. "Peer Gynt," Shubert (I2th week). Theatre Guild money maker aimed for continuance through May. Will likely be succeeded by "In the Moonlight." one of the new Shu- bert musicals. Held normal gross of little over $11,000 last weele "Polly Prsfsrrsd," Little (ftth week). Counts with non-musical hits and has been close to capac- ity from ending of Income tax period,^ Gross better than $11,000 weekly. House only holds 520 per- sons. "Rain," Maxlne Elliott (25th week). Sam H. Harris' dramatic smash; tops entire field in demand and oil performances drai^ Standee at- tendance. Business varies only in number of admissions sold. $15,200 weekly. ^ "Romeo and Juliet," Henry Miller (14th week). Holding pace. Last week $11,200 a^aln, which coimts very good In this house. Should stay another month and may last longer. "Sally, Irene and Mary." Centurj" (34th week). Moved here from 44th Street Monday. Pace there dipped under $10,000, tfut average of over $12,000 should attain here with two for one tickets counting. About one month more. "Secrets," Fulton (18th week). Climbed bit last week, when busi- ness just beat $10,000. Cut rates did trick. Engagement not figured to last more than three or four weeks. English play pleased and figures to score on tour next sea- son. "Seventh Heaven," Booth (2$th week). Hits only able to go clean Saturday afternoon when July warmth ruled. This was one, and gross again was around $15,000 Only "Rain" has better demand. "So This Is London," Hudson (35th week). Playing to excellent busi- ness, though edge has been off re- cently. Last week takings were $13,500. which indicates this com- edy has some distajice to go yet. "The Adding Machine." Comedy (6th week). Guild moved Elmer Bice's impressionistic drama up from Garrick Monday. Had been get- ting around $6,000. Doubtful If it beats that figure here. "The Clinging Vine," Knicker- bocker (18th week). Savage musical was bit under averaije p.ice la«t week, when taUrigs were .Thout $13 000. Good chance to last into June. "The Comedian," Lyceum (H\'. week>. IJel.Tsco will move Guitr>- drama over to Beliisco May "7 JOISON GETS RUNNING START; BOSMS BREAK LAST WEEK '.t.' ;*«'. :1> Holiday and Weather Makes Legit Situation Look ^ Decidedly ^ OpUmistic—Mitzi't New Shftw Got | $22,000 at $2.50 Without Extra Matinee ■.V :/^ ' ' ^^ Boston, April 25. With a good break In the weather and a holiday the Uieatrlcal business in this city took on a decidedly op- timistic aspect last week. All over the lot the business waff declared to be above normal for this time of the season. At the finish of the week the weatlier was exceptionally warm, a couple of days of j'ecord- breaking heat, and if It had not been for the fact ttiat there is a consis- tent advance &ale for the houses for the Friday and Saturday shows this weather condition might iiuve cut into them somewhat. As It was the advance sales took care or keeping that house open after "Klki's", long run. Lyceum will .get "The Mountebank." "Come- dian" about $10,000 last week. The Dancing Girl," Winter Garden (14th week;. Two weeks more to go. Show started out to great business, but tapered off quickly. Al Jolson will make return en- gagement starting May 14. House I wili have "Spice of 1923" for sum- mer attraction instead of a "Pass- ing Show." ^ "Ths Devil's Disciple," Garrick (Ist week). G. B. Shaw again has at- tention of Theatre Guild, which presented his play Monday. Final » production ot season here. AJx>ut five weeks counted on. 'The Enchanted Cottage," Rltz (4th week). Business Improved bit here last week. Agenples did bet- ter and cut-rate tickets provided strong attendance ia:e in week. Little under $7,500. About *«The Exile," Cohan (3d week). At- how present business Justifle*! this "Cat and Canary" did about $6,90n in flnai week in city. traction guaranteed house four weeks. Its chances are not godd, but investment might be saved by sale of picture righls. About $7,- 000 pace. Seeking another house after next week; "Barnum" mov- ing over from Frazee. "Ths Fool" Times Square (27th week). General falling off in Broadway attendance slightly re- flected here. Last week gros9 $16,000, atlll top money among non-musicals. ''Ths Gingham Girl," Earl Cerroll (85th week). Moving to the Cen- tral next week, cast changes oc- curring with the switch. Has had successful run here; considerably under $10,000. £!hange in houses hoped to better chances for sum- mer stay. "The Love Habit," Princess' (7th week). Was te have been taken off, but management decided to continue it. cast taking salary cut. Pace of $4,500 at BlJou. where "Habit" played six weeks, would have been profitable here. Last week considerably under average. "Ths Old Soak," Plymouth '(36th week). If this comedy success can outlast some of other attractions now getting mediocre trade it stands good chancp of staying in warm weather. Last week's busi- ness about sathe: under $8,500. "Ths Wasp,** Morosco (5th week). Nearly $S,000 la.st week. Improve- ment, part of which waft cut rates, encouraged management to oon- tinue. and Selwyn has been se- cured, show moving there Monday. OWver Morosco will open "Pride" here as successor hext week. "Up sha Qoss," Playhouse <25th week). Management's plan is for run extending another eight weeks. Pace has been between $7,500 and $8,000 since first of year Should be musical money getter on tour next season. "Uptown West," BlJou (1st week). Special matinee attraction at Earl Carroll. Moved in for regular presentation here, succeeding "The Love Habit." Not guaranteeing. Low stop ilmlt gives show a chance. * "Whispering Wires," Broadhurst (3«th week). Mystery play has best run of this season's ouput of such dramas, but due to fold up In few weeks. Last week $1,500 bet- ter than week before; over $7,500. "Wildflower," Casino (12th week), liommerstein's musical now solid hit. More than held Its own last week, going well over $18,500. Now floured for all summer. "Within Four Walls." Selwyn (2d week). Disappointment. Fi,rst week's gross about $4,500 (opened Tuesday), and little call. Will be taken off Saturday and ' Tlie Wasp" moves over from Morosco. "You sridH," Belmont (10th week). K. G. Ilerndon has class hit In Harvard prize play.. Call so good on lower floor top was boosted to $H .ifter opening.' nii«In.>ss well over $*<.000 weekly. Hou.<4e in of small size. "Zander the Great." Empire n<l weck>. Bco'jilwmy'a spiif\'< suc- cess. Secoml week about $12.500. BuslriO.^8 steadily imin*^'.lag. and managt-ment lOoklpg to holts'* re- malnlhg onen well Into summer. is'ew diuft tin- LUujpiie. ■. " ■' ■ '\ everything In splendid shape, and business tinished up strong. Al Jolson In "Bombo" did the big- gest business In town last week. Always a strong drawing card here. he came In without opposition to mention, the MItzl show being of a decidedly different type, and that the only other musical attraction playing the city. Starting off strong. Jolson packed them in right through the week, and it was reported the house record fdt this season had gone by the- boards by Saturday. % He has three more weeks to go, and in that period will probably repeat the business of the opening week and capacity houses should prevail. Jolson has here, as In other cities, ills own following, and with the rec- ord behind him of being about ths only single performer who ever put a cuimolty crowd Into the Boston Opera House, strong showing Is ex- nected. "Lig'htnln'" at ths HoUis dis- played considerable strength lasc week when It is figured the show is now on the 18th week. With an ex- tra matinee on Patriots' Day, the house cleaned $16,000 for the week. This is below what was,done the week before without an extra mat- inee, but it is flgured b{ those con- nected with the show that the shad- ing should be greater than was the case last week if the attraction is losing strength to any extent. If it can gross $14,000 on a week an at- traction such as "Llghtnln' ".la wel- , come to remain at the Hollls for an Indefinite period. As it is, there isn't a chance In the world for anything else to be booked into this house before the end of the season, and all plans have b«vn made with thai idea In view. "The Fool." playing the Selwyn, had another fair week. While the box ofllce receipts have never . reached the capacity peak, they ars strong enough to keep the show on here. It is credited with just a bit under $10,000 for last week. Tha ads are still of the splash type and arc now carrying a strong line to the effect that the show is endorsed by women's orggnixatlons. In the flrst week at the Colonial MItzl, in her new show, "Minnie and Me," did a vwy pretty business. Although all those on the inside say the present show isn't by any means as good as those that she has had of late years, there seems to be a strong public demand for her, just the same. She grossed $22,000 for the flrst week, without any extra matinee. Playing at a $2.50 to|K this is flne going, and it is now freely stated by those connected with fhe show and the house that with an even break she should do as bl|f^^ a business in numbeqp if not iQ«i^ money, that she iias done In other ' seasons played here, 'the show is of the t]r'pe tlMit should attract en- tire families, something tliat Co- han's shows do when they play tha city ,and already buys of that chat-, acter have been noted at the Colo- nial. The flrst week also showed considerable business from the com- muters, with the young people go^r ing very strong for her. This is the flnal, week of Helen Hayes In "To the Ladles" at the A\''llbur. It is currently reported that the actress, who was so widely touted here as the successor to Maude Adams when she plaj^ed last season at the Hodils, has not been a very big drawing card. Just why is hard to fathom, for the Wilbur is the perfect house of the Shubert string as far as a show of that lirpa is concerned. The Plymouth this week is hous- ing an amateur performance fol- lowing the long run there off "Just Married." "Ths Monster is dua there next week, and "Sun Showers" will replace "To the Ladies' at tha Wilbur. Estimates for last week: ''Lightnin"' (Hollis. 18th weekK. $15,000; considered strong and pay* . Ing business. "Minnie and Me" (Colonial, 2nd week). Playing eight performances without extra matinee, but getting beneflt of holiday, grossed $22,0«g arm week. "8ix-Cylindsr Love" (Tremont, 3rd week). Bettered business of week before by $2,000, turning in gross of $14,000. Looks good for couple of weeks more at least. "The Fool" (Selwyn, 10th week);;' Just under $10,000. "To the Ladies" (Wilbur. 4til' week). $6,900; no extra pcrlorm-, anee. —-^ "Gaieties of 1923- (Majestic). This Shubert-owned unit put in ex- tra performance for holiday and Just fell under $7,500 ($7,430), ... * Al Jolson ("Bombo") (Shubert," "fid weeK.», JoNon w.ih'ed an extrs»^ performahce that. w ould have ma«fj teriall/ increased gross, but got biff tlgure u{ $3J,90J .wiliout U.