Variety (May 1923)

14 LEGITIMATE Thursday, May 24, 1923 ENCOURAGEMENT FOR CHICAGO m CONVENTIONS' BUSINESS [COHAN'S NEW SHOW OPENS TO TURNAWAY AND BIG ADVANCE Gross Noticeably Improved- Woods—"Cabinet Girl" Bros. Got $26,000 Last Week Adelphi Reopened by at Colonial—Howard I $24,000. I out at Lester chance which Chicago. May L'3. li lust weik was u criterion of what the arrival of the record of conventions due here next month Will accomplish for local theatrical business, there's much encourage- ment for the theatres which intend to house attractions for the hot months. Intermingled with surprise pa- tronage from local playgoers was a heavy "draw" from two large con- ventions last week, noticeably im- proving the box office receipts over many previous weeks, and giving the majority of the house manager! their first smiles in many days. "With five theatres closed, the play- goers had to pick their entertain- ment from a limited area, swelling the contention of those who main- tain the number of theatres in the loop increased faster in the last three years than did the clientele to patronize them. In reckonlnK that perhaps 16 to 18 theatres would easily be supported during the height of the regular theatrical season, the manager* probably overlooked the rapidity with which theatrical patronage was being educated on the north and Kouth sides. The elaborateness of the activities of the dance hall and movie house managers on the north and south sides will undeniably be a thorn in the sides of the loop the- atre managers until the present situ- ation undergoes a thorough process of elimination. With the opening of the Adelphi. under the management of A. H. Woods, the loop field will become greater complicated, placing on the horizon a situation that leads the Wfse ones to forecast at least 1hree theatres, now considered in the backward class, relinquishing their rights to be classed as legit theatres. In this respect the Olym- ?)ic took the initiative by contract- ing for burlesque next season. It may be stated that the "inde- pendents'* line up stronger in <"lii- < ago than they do elsewhere. With Sam Harris and the Sehvyns con- trolling the Twin theatres. A. IT. Woods directing the Apollo, the Woods and the Adelphi, '.Sport" Herrmann at the Cort. and Geo. M. Cohan at Cohan's Grand. Lester Bryant the Playhouse and Central. Gaxznlll «fr Hanks the Studebaker, the independent flavor of the Chi- cago situation considerably Inter- feres with the direct workings of the Shubert and Erlanger-Powcrs forces. There are abundant inside angles to the local legit field which fcive ri^c to the above thoughts, strngthening the possibility of an early elimination of obstacles that divides the spoils of a recognized food theatrical city. From the Powers last Saturday went Equity's play, "Why Not?" making dark all house s under the control of the Erlanger-Powers offices. It was figured that a small gross would make it profitable at the Powers for "Why Not?" but the town didn't even take a meager in- terest in this attraction. Of the four Erlanger-Powers houses, the Colo- nial will be the only one standing a chance of being kept open. This he- came positive by the strange book- ing which will bring "The Dancing Girl" to the Colonial, under a Shu- bert booking. June 3. "The Dancing Girl" was originally headed for the Apollo to follow "The Passing Show," but the Howard Brothers have done the unexpected, and will he kept in town longer than planned because of the sensational business they are landing. Under present sj»ns. "The Passing Show" will out- live the three musical shows now on the bulletin board for June. "Hitchy- Kco," "The Dancing Girl," and -Blossom Time." "Hitchy-Koo," opening at the Garrick last Satur- day night, didn't produce the Hitch- i ock punch of old, but the Shuberts hulel "Blossom Time" in reserve- fe^r a transfer from the Great Northern in tin Garrick in case e>f a dan <'«is flop of 'llitchy Koo." The stereotyped line-, "in a bias* of glory," can be' held at Frank Keenan's departure with "Peter Weston" at the Harris. The final ueek of tlie Harris hit was good for almost $5,000 gain in the> re <•♦ ipta <\<i the previous week-. Only erne' other show this season ("Thank-C" .it the Cort) reaped the benefit of a last week noth'e such a^ "Peter VVesfr..." eiid. "RolUnj Home" sue- VHMU-drP.cJer Weston" at the HaV- i is, wWi Ihe premiere night enthu- siasm Indicating the Harris is §e1 light for the summer season. With Sam Harris b< nding his p< r- Monal stage director, Sam Forrest, to hiok at "Peter U'oKin," it's pOW assured that th* Harris <• fli< * has plane to make a New York premiere e.f the Keenan pie < c m th« fall. For hav< York favored hearing, made in reel i*- r« pot ttel te. "WestOtl" for a New with several minor change* the manuscript. Throughout the Chicago run "Weston" maintains an even average business, with the mat- inee trade exceptionally good. The Gazzolo-Hanks management is still angling for an attraction to follow William podge's big hit, "For All of Us," leaving Saturday, June 2. The Hodge show is making an unusual splash of advertising for the final weeks. When the season's achievements are recorded, "For All of TV will easily be at the top of the heap. "Steve" is keeping well above the losing line at the Princess with a feature of an "O'Brien" night now announced. All the "O'Briens" in Chicago will gather for a par- ticular performance of Eugene O'Brien's play, already stirring up the interest which keeps a play popular in chatter. "Light Wines and Beer" again bettered its previous week, gaining another $1,000, and 5f !her« was a matinee draw to this comedy, the weekly gross woulel lead the town for non-musicals, A. H. Woods has positively a Broadway hit In the Hoffman comedy, the only drawback it has received here being the title. The Se'lwyn attraction received a big play from the convention vis- itors. There's no danger of "Light Wines and Peer" being withdrawn at the present clip it is going, indi- cating that the Twin Theatres now have a chance of being both kept open until the- new season starts, since "Polling Home" at the Harris loeiks strong enough to summer. "It. U. R." will he kept on at tin Cort. since it is reported "The Voice" isn't ready for Chicago. "Two Fel- lows anel a Girl" made a substantial gain over the previous week, and the Cohan piece !| now considered good ui til the third week in June. "The Passing show" improved $-.- 000 over its previous high mark of "Peter and Tauln" went the right time, now giving Bryant and John Tuerk u to gamble with "Chains," opened Monday night. "Up the Ladder" held moderately well at the- Central, considering that the low expenses can bring a profit. If the present lineup of attrac- tions in the loop aren't disturbed there'll be profits for all for at least the- ne xt six weeks. The hurry in of 'The' Dancing Girl" to the Colonial promises to have some effect on the business in the musical play field, but it won't effect "The Passing Show," which could stand an all- summer run here if the Howard Brothers were so inclined to exe- cute same. Last week's estimate*: "Up the Ladder" (Central. 7th week). Getting good "forcing" via cut rates and late calls at the Cou- thoui stands. Hit $6,000. "Passing Show" '(Apollo, 4th week). Best hit Howard Brothers ever made here. Climbed to $26,- 000. "For All of Us" (Studebaker. 27th week). Expected to better $9,000 on final two weeks, ending June 2. Phenomenal engagement. "Blossom Time" (Great Northern. 10th week). Interesting high school pupils for Schubert week. Reported around $11,000. "Peter Weston" (Harris, . 12th and final week). Slightly below $13,000. great for final week. "Roll- intc Home" opened Sundav. "Light Wines and Beer" (Selwyn, 9th week). Another improvement to little short of $10,000 on eight performances. "Two Fellows and Girl" (Cohan's Grand. 10th week). Went to around $10,500. "Why Not?" (Powers. 3d and final week). A flop. Failed to reach $5,000. House dark for sum- mer. "Steve" (Princess, 5th week). er the ' " jkos ^ 00( 1 Profit on $8,500. Spe- i rial stunts helping. "Peter and Paula" iPlayhouse, 7th week). Estimated close to $6,500. chains" opened Monday. "R. U. R." (Cort. 5th week). With indefinltencss of "The Voice's" ar- rival this attraction will be kept Reported around $8,000. "Hitchy-Koo" (Garrick). Opened Saturday to capacity. SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figures estimated and comment point to some attractions being successful, while the same gross accredited to others might suggest mediocrity or loss. The variance is explained in the difference in house capacities, with the varying overhead. Also the size of cast, with consequent difference in necessary gross for profit. Variance in business necessary for musical attraction as against dramatic play is also considered. "Abie's Irish Rose," Republic (53d week). Swung into second year with "first birthday" celebrated Tuesday. Business last week held to at ti action's May pace, with $11,500 and better grossed. "Aren't We All?" Gaiety (1st week). House relighted Monday: Cyril Maude again starred in English pieep uhieh Succeeded short liveel If Winter Comes." Agency call for it Tuesday. "Barnum Was Right," Cohan (11th week). Final week, "Aelrie line •' succeeds next week. "Barnum" will not be toured; goes into stock. "Blossom Time," Shubert and 44th St. Hst week). Return engage- ment fe»r most successful oper- etta In years. Played .simulta- neously on Broadway in two house s across the street from each either. First time- attempted. Moderate* grosses Indicated. '"Bombo." Winter Garden <L'd week). Ai Jolson proved wonderful draw by pullinv great business opening week of month's re-engagement, charging $:t..'»o top fe>r gross <>f $:r.!,(ioo. "Caroline." Amba sador < 17th w< < k). Looks like> this operetta will last through June. Aide te> average nearly $8,500 last thr<< weeks and lipure' sal Isfactoi v. "Cat and Canary," National <r,th and final week). Continuance of second engagement was depend- ent on how long rut rating w IS able to holel up. Busim - dipped undo; $r>.. r »00. New May "Cold Feet," Fulton (1st week) Fred Jackson farce, with Yokes in I. .-.d. ; • Rooked likely out of town. Opened Monday, winning mixed comment. "Dew Drop Inn," Astor < LM week) Shuberts' musical, originally pro- duced with Pert Williams, opened Thursday last w«ek. Look* prom .sing "Follies," New Amsterdam (51st week) Aitei anotherweek,which gives "Follies" new Broadway record of year's run, "new ver- sion" planned and some cast Changes, with summer continu- ance expected. Around $30,000. "For Value Received," Rongacre (3d week). First part of last week looked promising with "two for ones" in quantity. Total on week about $5,000. Show believed to have chance and will move to 42d street Monday, getting the Apollo "Give and Take," 49th St. (19th week). Arrangements eall for show ex te n d ing we n into June, Which woulel give it another three or four weeks. Weather depend ent, however. $5,000. "Go Go," Daly's 63d St. (11th week). Musical Which has done well with cut rating counting. House nnel show under same management and takings of aremnd $9,000 sat Ir-factory, "How Come," Apollo. Colored mus- ical suddenly closed Saturday; stayed the- weeks, Is much "in the box," business never showing profit. Rest it has gotten was $4,900, nieist Of Which went te> house. 'For Value Received" move s down from Longacre Mon- day (Jot $3.S00 lasr week. "Icebound," Sam Harris (15th Week). Will get musical fe>r sum- mer try, "Jack anei jiii" moving from Globe at end of next W< < k "icebound," Pulitzer prize- win- ner, teieik jump last We. |< and will move to Vanderbilt, how dark B< iter last week; cross over $s 000, "Jack and Jill." Globe dOth week) A ft rr moving 1 tfl IIaViIm June 2 Globe will probably be dark sev- eral weeks before White's new "Scandals" comes in. "Jack and •lill" between $17,000 and $18,000. Little Nellie Kelly," Liberty (Mth week), Figured .to hole! its own against summer musicals, which Mart arriving June- 2. 'Kelly" continues to £rah big business; a "Rise of Rosie O'Reilly at Tremont—"Lightnin' ■ Closes Run — Other Shows Depart — "Resfe Reilly" Looks Like Assured Hit Boston, May 23. With Geo. M. Cohan's new show opening at the Tremont and "Liza" billed into the Wilbur next week, the summer seaeon in this city takes on the same complexion as that of last season, when a Cohan show playing the same house and "Shuffle Along" at the Selwyn divided the Interest and the profits for tie summer season between them. The opening of the Cohan shov Tuesday night was along the same line that characterized the opening of his other two shows in this city. When the curtain went up on his latest offering, "The Rise of Rosie O'Reillv." the house was capacity and had been sold out since the middle of the week. There was a big turnaway at the box office dur- ing Tuesday afternoon and night and it is claimed the show has at the present time one of the biggest advance sales that has ever been recorded In this city, fully as large as the advance sale that prevailed a* the time that his previous show, "Nellie Kelly," played here. This time Cohan has guarded against the fate that overtook him in the previous two seasons and has booked the Tremont until Oct 15. He was forced out with th*> shows playing at between $20,000 and $22,000 laet year and the year before, and this time is taking no chances and has booked the time In advance It was said after the show opened Tuesday night that Cohan had another winner. Whether "Liza," coming Into the Wilbur next Monday, will be able to develop the strength that char- acterized "Shuffle Along" Is prob- lematical. Since "Shuffle Along": there has been a surfeit of colored shows. Several have been booked into tho Arlington, a pop priced house, and have fiivved, and even "Shuffle Along" played a return engagement at the Arlington at popular pricee. It was decided at the end of last week fca have "Molly Darling" re- turn to the Colonial when Mitzl de- parts at the end of this week. It played a return engagement which ended last Saturday at the Tre- mont to about $14,000 for each week. The show was then sent out on the road, with Portland as a terminus, and is to come back for an indefinite stay. It fsXhought by those who planned this move that there will be a big nightly turnaway at the Tre- mont from the "O'Reilly" ehow and that this turnaway, coupled with the natural drawing power of Jack Donahue in his home city, will amount to enough to put the show over X*» a few weeks more at the (Continued on page 15) < | • bit off early in week. Got $20,500 last week. "Mary the Third," 39th St. (16th week). With hits close by doing turnaway business, "Mary" has good chance to keep going until hot weather. Averaging close to $7,500 and profitable both ways. Last week $7,000. "Merton of the Movies," Cort (28th week). Tyler's summer candidate. Has won world of publicity out of town and sure to get quota from visitors. Around $14,000. Moscovw Art Theatre, Jolson's (l3t week/. Return engagement of two weeks. Russians' first date was 12 weeks, although first an- nounced for eight. Attraction re- ported having made a quarter of a million. "Music Box Revue," Music Box (31st week). Was off in balcony early last week, but came back and by Friday attendance was of standee proportions. Takings last week close to $22,000. "Not So Fast," Morosco (first week). House dark last week. Taylor Holmes features new card, flr3t called "The Blimp." Opened Tuesday "Polly Preferred," Little (19th week). Rates among best selle-s in agencies and looks like sure summer stayer. Business aroun.l $11,003, which means virtual ca- pacity in email theatre. "Rain," Maxine Klliott (29th week). Good bet this one will run throrgh next season. Outstand- ing dramatic, success of season and certain to last year. Capacity still rules, with gross Invariably over $15,100. "Romeo and Juliet," Henry Miller (18th week). Jane Cowl's "Juliet'* has beaten all run records for Shakespeare m this land. Busi- ness last week $10,000, which is stop limit, but rent period off and another month likely. "Sally, Irene and Mary," Century (38th week). Reported ready to leave two weeks age), but weather extended engagement. Takings around $10,000 and under, with most of support from two-for- one«. "Seventh Heaven," Booth (30th week*. Rates second to "Rain" in season's smash dramas. No tremble hitting capacity with ex- ception of extra matinee Friday. $14,500 "So Thk Is London!", Hudson <39:h' week,, indications Cohan coitiimK hit will rieh- until July 4. which gives it another live- weeks, one of beet money getters and win- ners of theatrical year. About $10,0( C now. "The Clinging Vine." Knickerbocker (L'L'el week). Cut-rating this rnu steal fe.r final weeks, with seasoi date.", to ''ml early in June, Paisi- ne-ss between 110,000 and $il.ooo. "The Comedian," Belasco Mlth week). Pinal week for Guitrj drama, which has Lionel Atwill sfarreel Ihisine •>« average e>t p<>- twe.-n fm.OOft and $ I 1,000 While at Lyceum, moderate in comparison With leaders. "The Devil's Disciple." Garrick (5th we*k) Will extend beyond su'>- BCriptlOn period from present in- dications and. Theatre Guild will start it as summer candidate. Business quoteel over $7,000. "The Enchanted Cottage," Ritz <8th week). Final week. Pinero play not highly rated. Average $6,000 weekly, with drop last week sig- nal for discontinuance. House goes into dark column. "The Fool," Times Sq. (31st week). Busine.se last week about $10,000. Profitable both ways, though show'* gait moderate from sensa- tionil winter and spring figures. "The Gingham Girl," Central (39th week). Getting around $9,000 or. little over since moving from Earl Carroll. Claimed making money, with some cut-rating. Reported possibility for Century and two- for-ones there. "The Mountebank," Lyceum (3d weekj. If thle new show can turn even slight profit can remain for time. Indications are for short stay Business about $6,000. Cut* rating being tried. "The Old Soak," Plymouth (40tli week). Approaching end of run without having had losing week and always making moderate good profits. About $6,500 last week Quick eeller in cut-rates. "The Wasp," Selwyn (9th week). Two more weeks expected. Since moving from Morosco business better to some degree, with sup* port from cut-rates developing. Lost ground last week with others; $6,000. "Up She Goes," Playhouse (29th week). Brady's musical aimed for Fourth of July and will etay longei if it can turn even small profit. House and 6how pooled. "Uptown West," Bijou (5th week). Attracted attention and some business last three weeks. Ar- rangements permit show's indefi- nite continuance at moderate pace.' $4,500 "Whispering Wires," Broadhurst (40th week). Down around $5,- 000 for several weeks. Rent pe- riod off and operating cost small, which explains continuance. "Wildflower," Casino (16th week). Going at top speed. Last week again grossed $20,500. Business is testing capacity, which has some bael locations. Topping the musical list In demand and sure pumme'r stayer "You and I," Belmont »14th week). One of smartest comedies of sea- son Flarvard prize play contin- ues to pull capacity trade on lower tlexir. Getting nearly $'.»,000 and over, big for house. „. "Zander the Great," Empire (7th week). Agency accepted new buy, which extends until July 4, prov- ing lively call. Getting $11,000 anel liable fner, '*The Rivals," cast revival week. Kiving Eepiit v X. II e.f week at 4Mli ment figured to stiek through sum- Star Karl Carroll. holding over this it three weeks in all. Plavcrs ope ned "Sweet Old Drury" Friday last Street, wit h engage- fur five-week sub- scrlption period. R< vival, however. regarded. ■The Apache was withdrawn at tin Punch and Judy after two weeks of renting (reported nut at end of first week). •«;eei of Vengeance" is off. Engagement stopped Monday of last week, although adverUged. Illness of Rudolph Schildkraut reason feu- closing, "Sun-Up" pre- sented at Provincetown Playhouse this we#k is co-operative.