Variety (July 1923)

It LEGITIMATE Thursday, July 1», 192S 1 SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figures «stimated and comment point to somo attraction* being •ucceeeful, while the same gross accredited to others might suggest mediocrity or (ose. The variance ie 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'e Irish Rose." Kcpublic (61st week). Fair neath*»r ruJod last week and liioadway's buslnoss ran bit under w«ek of Fourth. GrossCH less, as holiday of previous week permitted higrhtr acules for lay. •Abie" held It.s own; around |8,000. •Adrienne," Cohan (8ih week). Lit- tle di/Terence in takings, nightly average about same. Saturday afternoon away off and for every' attraction on Hroadway. Business totaled shade under $15,000. Hhow making littie money and should jump. ••Aren't We All," Gaicly (9th week). First two days of last week very weak, but both Friday and Satur- day nights saw capacity for lead- ifs, which applied here. Going to better than $11,000 pace, excellent at this lime of year. •Fashions of 1924,'* Lyceum (Ist week). Alexan<ler Leftwlch's tlrfrt try as producer. Is staged fa.shloii «how. In which he has specialized. Premiere postponed from Monday until la.st night (.Wednesday). •Follies," New Amsterdam (59th week). Draw amazing and shorw lopping Broadway, just as it did in height of regular season. Vis- itors appear to give It !rst choice, .»«» revue is seasonal summer event. I^st week takings, |36,000— »i;200 4jrtder previous week. ' r "Helen of Troy, N. Y." Selwyn fSth week). Last week found sharp «)rop. gro.ss totaling around $12,000. •Helen" rated excellent entertain- ment and drop flgiired as freak. *j\ighi to puii up nievly stai'tiiig jiext week, when buyers start arriving. "Merton of the Movies," Corl (3<th week). Indications now are for Tyler show to continue until fail holiday.^, having good rating among expected holdovers. Pace around $8,000 and should not dip under that mark from now on. "Music Box Revue," Music Box (39th week. Little difference in business, takings between $13,500 and $14,- 000. Revue will likely be played through summer. Though not making money now it should jump several thousand weekly when buyers arrive. "Not So Fast," Morosco (9th week). Still in going, latter part of last week llnishing better than week prevlou.s. Atundance fairly good, but mostly cut rates. About $4,000. Another we*'k. management seek- ing to establiHh play for pictures and stock. ^Passing Show," Winter Garden tiJth wetk). harden doing busi- ness but has nut agency demand of "Follies" and ".Scandals." Busi- ness approximates that of latter show. ••Rain," Maxine Kllioit (37th week). Karlier ia.st week pace slackened ••onsideraWTy*, but standees present by Friday. (Jross equaled previous week for total, however, of nearly $13,000. Leads non-musicals in busine.sa. "Seventh Heaven," Booth (38tli wef-k). l>«'tt«ird pace for latter part of last wi-ek noted here simi- larly, alitndance being capacity l-'riday and strong Saturday. • ;ro.-«. $10,000 or little over. Dif- ference bit ween week of Fourth mostly in holiday scales. •'Scandals." Globe (.jth week). Show looks .so n»'ij;li(y New York book- jtjg in:iv ••.Mend w< 11 Into fall. Last Week betworn ll'G.OOO and $27,000. "The Devil's Disciple," Oarrlck (13th w»'"k^. Thf^.itrw Guild'A revival looks sot to compl»ne summer. No rent <harged and company opera- tion down to minimum. Business r'laiinf'd profitable at abont $4,000 last week. "The Fool," Times .Square /39th week). Will virtually have jfrar's run to ci« (lit when starting for load Lal>»jr Dsty. Sensational busi- ness getter dui ing season. Better- ing even break, with no rent • haru^d and gross about $6,000. *Two Fellows and a Girl," Vander- biJt (1st we»/h >. (iforge Af. Coh.-m ♦lecided to op»*n <ar!y, and comocly j.«i slat^'d to d# Vtijt here Thursd;iy (tonight). Spring attraction in Chicago. •Vanities," Karl Carroll {3d w^ek"). I^\st week llrst full-week takings between $18,000 and $18,a00. Con- — sidered having chance for run, and management expectant of playing through fall. House can do $24,000 at ,soale of $3.50 top. "Wildflower," Ca.««ino (24th week). Very little difference from week previous, when gross $16,000. I>afit week only few hundred less. Ought to better present pace, which prof- itable, and expp<'tatlon Is for con- tinuance through fall. "You and I,*' Belmont (22d week). Final week. Management would have Piked to continue until mid- August, but leads desire vacation before road season starts. Last week $5,500, which afforded little more than an even break at this time of season. "Zmnd9r the Great," Empire (15th week). Doubt of running through summer, but last week's business around $6,800. which was profit in oCf-re^t season. Will play through August "Sun Up" making little money In Provlncetown Playhouse. Aimed to stay until fall, with Broadway house booked then. NEW COMEDY ON COAST Los Angeles, July 18. "Man of Action." a new comedy by Biadley King and Krnest Wilkes, was given its premiere at the Ma- jestic theatre Sunday. The local critics panned it rather mildly. The second act of the piece is rather Interesting, but the others are tame and uninteresting. The plot is noth- i.'ig unusual, being that of a rich mans son trying to make good In business for the sake of a girl. ^he best performan<"e of the cast Is given by Margaret Meader and Pranklyn Pangborn as underworld characters. Ivan Miller, brought here from Denver, failed to impress. There was perhaps too much stress laid on his work, but he flivved. •ROSIE O'REILLY" KEEPS ON ,. .. • Boston, July 18. '•Rise of Rosie O'Keilly" continues to be Boston's sole legitimate at- traction, and nothing In sight for oj>ening this month at least. Bdsinesa fluctuates but little with the weather conditions, the gross every week touching nearly $19,000. when the weather is exceptionally warm, and going to the $20,500 mark with a better break. SMC LEG^"™! CHICAGO RUSINESS DISCLOSES "Dew Drop Inn** with James Barton will reopen at the Astor. New York, July SO instead of July 23, as Intended. It will remain at the theatre until Sept. 1. when the picture (Universal) "The Hunch- back of Notre Dame' will take the house. - .. Charles Dillingham is at French Lick Springs^ Ind. Tom Broadhurst. manager of the Broadhurst theatre. New York, la seriously ill with .9toma^ troubl<^ in a private sanitarium. The writing of "Louis, the Four- teenth," to be produced by Le Malre & Jessel. will be divided between Ballard Macdonald on the book and lyrics, with Louis Silvers cou)i>08- Ing the music. .. , . Ethel Clifton, author of "For Value Received," produced last sprhig at the Longacre, New York, has taken over the production rights ef the play and will send It on tour, o|>ening the company in the mid-west during September. Ba.sii Broadhurst Is in charge of the dramatic casting department of Mike Connolly's Metropolitan cast- ing offices. New Y'ork. Moffatt Johnson, now appearing in "The Devil's Disciple," will direct the rehearsals of "Windows," to be brought out by the Theatre Guild early in September. H. H. Fraree will place the musical comedy version of "My Lady Friends" for a run on Broad- way in the autumn. The new ver- sion represents the collaborative ef- forts of Otto Harbach and Vincent Youmans. Georgie O'Ramey and Zoe Barnett are the only players thus far contracted to app^r in it. Kilbourne Gordon will send four "Cat and Canary" attractions on tour next season to cover all points in the United States and Canada. The first of the companies to open will start at Colorado Springs Aug. 10 and then cover the western ooast " CHARLES E. MARTIN Managing and Dramatic Editor, Athens, Ga., "Banner-Herald'* Charles E. Mai tin, who admits he was born as many years ago as his picture Indicates and glories In the fact that he Is a "Georgia Cracker," as Georgia is his native State, Is the managing and drafhatic editor of three papers, "Bannrr," the morning paper; "Herald." the evening, and the combination of the two, the Sunday Issue. He Is a graduate of the l.^niversity of Georgia, and ser\-ed ov*>rseas as a captain in the * Sightseeing Sixth" Davislon of the U. S. A. in the World War. Since having college he has been In the real estate business, interested In pictures and the newpaper profession. Mr. Martin Is a full-fledged member of the "Bachelors' Club," past president of the Klwanls Club, and a member of the American Legion. In addition to all of the above he is a?so the correspondent for Variety at Athens. (This i» thr (urntiz-fouith ef tht tet-itM of photcgraphg oml hrirf ^kctrhra of the ttiotnatfc rdifo'S of thr t:cvr>try.) . . suRPRisiNC suime jun ^''.■.-■ '.?■; ULJ>t 'Taising Show*' Stops for Two Weekt, Leaving I Apollo Unoccupied for Preienl—"Up the La^' ^ der" Changes Mind About Closing Again territory: The second wiU get un- der way at Newport, R I., Aug. 31 and gQ to Boston, where it will open Labor Day. The third company, which will cover all points through Che middle west, will beginjita sea- -•on at Peoria, 111., Sept. 9, wbile the fourth, which yvill open in upper New York state about the same lime, will cover the territory un- touched by the other eastern com- pany. There will be two companies playing the piece in the provinces of Great Britain next season, one company In Australia, and the T. Daniel Frawlcy . stock giving it in the Orient. . With Lee M. Boda, mnnag;ing di- rector of the International The- atrical Association, and Ralph Long. a member of fhe labor board of the organization, boih on their vaca- tions, no meetings will be held until early in August to discuss new working and wage conditions with the stagehands' and musicians' rep- resentatives for the legitimate the- atres In New York and with travel- ing attractions. ■i George M. Cohan will reopen his musical comedy, "Little Nellie Kelly," at the Forrest theatre, Phila- delphia, on Labor Day. Elisabeth Hines. Charles King and the bal- ance of the compajiy which ap- peared In the offering at the Lib- erty theatre. New York, last season, will gp on toiir with the attraction. Madame Odelle deB. Bailly of Boston, known In musical circles, recently sailed for Bordeaux, France, her native country. Aft^r a visit with her friends in Bordeaux she * will go to Lourdes and from there* to Pau to join a niece. Madame Bailly will sail for home on Sept. 18 from Cherbourg. William A. Brady is ronnding up a cast for "The Little Bigamist," the Barry Connpr play tried out earlier this season by AVilmer St Vincent. The piece has since been revised and will now be given another try under the Joint auspices of Brady and its original producers. "The J-Vame-Up," a tabloid melo- drama, which served as a starring vehicle for Mark Linder. the pro- tean actor, for several season's is being elaborated into a three-act play, with Linder in his original role. The second*company of ''Abie's Irish Rose.** which opened at the Orpheum. Montreal, Includes Marty Ford, Lew Welch, Henrietta Vaders, Guy D. Emmery. Harold Schubert, Evellyn Nichols, Ryobert Lowe, Theodore MacFarlane. "Forgotten Sweethearts." a new comedy drama in three acts by James Kelly. >vill be the first pro- duction to be brought out by the newly organized Rialto Producing Co.. of which William liappc Is managing director. The Playwrights' Society .will hold an open meeting July 20 at 8:80 in Parlor A of the Hotel Clarldge, New York. Several papers will be read. There is a possibility that "Good Gracious Annabel," the Clare Rum- mer comedy of some seasons past, may return to the stage again, this time in the gui.'je of a musical comedy. John Fowkes Spicer, known in theatrical circles as a manufacturer of stage clothes, left a net estate of $9,757.10 when he died at West Haven. Conn., June 23, 1922. Under his will, executed June 18, 1917. Hattie Minnie Spic( r, his widow, of 84 Woodbine street, Brooklyn, re- cedes $9,342.30, and his daughter. Harriet, who was nine years old April 20 last, $41480. which he held in trust for her. :; • ■■ -^-^ . . Chicago, July 18. .% The blgge.st news on the street for one of those funny weeks was the announcement that Eugene an<| Willie Howard in the ' Pa.sslni Show" will close at the ApoliT Saturday (July 21). lay off a weei In Chicago, then Journey to Detrc rehearse there for a week, then oj their season's tour Aug. 6. Putting It Just that way sounds much eaaiet than announcing a two weeks' lav off. ^ ' This is the first year the Apollo has been vacant, and from what iba cards read it won't be vacant long, as "Battling Butler" is s< heduled to open there in August. - 1 ^ The Howard Brothers deserve i, i world of praise for the tremendous > business that they havo done here. In the 13 weeks they will have aver- Jl aged around $18,000. This was in J direct competition to "Hitchy Koo^ | and "The Dapcing Girl." ,> The announcement of the Howar4 )^ Brothers going away might be tlU "^ forerunner of the closing of the Col- ''l onlal. which Is now housini? "Th# ^Dancing Girl." but working the last two weeks from week to week.;c,,« The only other excitement on th* ''i otlverwise dead Rialto was the pecu-* I liar jump of business. Matlnef i business, wherever played, becam^ * sell outs, while the night business' f. also proved exceptional. It helpe^ J change the minds of the manage* ^ ment of the Eugene O'Brien comr -^ pany and "Up the Ladder." "Blossom Time," with an inferior -/^ cast, is fooling all the wise crackers by running on and on with an abso<* lute sell-out on Wednesday matinee^ at the Great Northern. "This house since it has been taken over by th^ Shuberts has never played 18 w^eks with one show until '"liioy.som Time*, came along. li There has been some phenomenal . pres.s agenting and press work for thL«i musical show, and although none of the loop hounds recommend it, it manages to survive. "Up the Ladder" probably holds the record % for putting up the notice of more last weeks than any other show that's ever played any legit house here, but it is continuing to prosper and let Bryant and Turek, "the management." get a break one day a week io^ures the show of staying another week. The only hope for the critics, playgoers and Variety representa- tives is the bright outlook of the • coming attractions. Last week's estimates: ''Dangerous People** (Cort, 2d week). With short cast and spurt in business, making plenty of money on $9,000. "Steve" (Princess, 12th week). Another boost with another week "^ tacked on to" sweet, little run, and got away with $9,200. **Blossom Time" (Great Northern, »^ 18th week). Still hajigs on io be- tween $R.500 and $9,000. "Passino Show" tApollo. 12th week). Went to $13,500. and when last week is announced probably will Ko to $15,000. "The Dancinfl Girl" ^Colonial, «th week). Bettered $13,000. and with Apollo closed should add few thou- sand to weekly income. "Up the Ladder" (Central, 15th week). Maintains $5,000 pace; me.an.s everyone sitting easy. '.) H "Chains" (Playhouse, 8th week), f Got away with almost $7,000. which nets enough profit for Liester Bryant to almost buy new machine. •SAYS WHICH" IS COLORED "Says Which," an all-colored pro- duction with 26 people, 1% to open at the Lafayette. New York, in two weeks. It Is presented by Ja«k White and Mark Marks, with a book by the latter and lyrics and music by Billy Farrell. Eddie Staf- ford Is the comedian. ( After two weeks at the Lafayette it is to go on the road. \ ■ •■... ■ that house Apens its season. Harry Benson remains as *<reasurer and William Munster a;8 house manager. Sam Spachner, formerly treasurer of the Park, la substituting for hfs brother Leon at the VanUerbilt. i Sammy Turner, for:nerly assistant treasurer at the Globe, New York, will be assistant at the Fulton when Nydia d'Arnell, prima donntj, Will bo the only new member of the cast of Ed. Wynn's "The Perfect Fool* company when It goes on tour next month. She will replace Janet Velle. "You Know Me Al," 27th division soldier'show, is being re\is'>d and •/ will be sent out as a road kIjoW earTy in .•^e^jitemrer. > • V-; .