Variety (July 1923)

?.--^ 4 ■ ■'*:(•" •.f.i.'^tdt^K.Lf-r*'' IS tl .r-M'.- i hf ■'(■ 1?»f^ft LEGITIMATE ■r ;^>v^ ■:;r" Thursday, July 2^, 1923 m THOUSANDS OF BUYERS IN N. Y. MEAN BETTER SHOW BUSINESS Merdhandise Men Arriving at Rate of 1,000 Daily- Freaky Along Broadway Lane Last Week—Four New Shows in Sight for August 6 Week Broadway «tarted off the week moat promisingly, and Indications ar« the army of buyers Invading the city for the National Merchan- dise Fair wUl prove a windfall for most of the list. The largest volume of Tuesday btMiness wa« registered since New York was deluged with heat waves. Nln« Columns of arriving buyers were tabulated In the dailies early tbUi week, the estimate being that the merchandise people were piling up at the rate of 1.000 a day. How Iwig the influx will continue is prob- lematic, but double the average to- tal of ether seasons is anticipated. Last week was a freak along Broadway. Business started off ahead oi the previous week and con- tinued up to Wednesday. Torrid temperaturcd from then en was im- mediately reflected at the box offices, and Saturday found Broadway "ehot" Even the leading musicals were dented, while leading non- muslcals registered the lowest tak- ings of the SI- imer for the Saturday performances. The Leonard-Tendler fight Monday night did not affect the rialto. Cool weather counted next, to the visltora The off business here because of heat this summer appears In no way different than in London, the S,000 miles of ocean meaning nothing. But while in one week 13 London theatres were forced to Ahttt down; Broadway'* list man- aged to stand Intact. Last week's two new shows se- lected dates late in the week for pre- miere. Qeorge M. Cohan's pre-sea- correct on warm evenings and few believed a show of its type could open in the summer and draw real business. The English play was a flop in London, paving been with- drawn after a short run. Its pres- entation here, however, is entirely different from that abroad. Last week the attraction was hit hard on Saturday, but was so much ahead earlier In the we^ that it held Its average of $11,000 weekly. "Aren't We" is sure for next sea- son continuance. "Rain** commands leadership among the non-musicals, howevec Its business fluctuated somewhat on account of the weather conditions and that wae true also for "Seventh Heaven." "Rain" got |12,000 last week and "Heaven" a little under 110,000. "Abie's Irish Rose" the run leader, proves a wonder draw. Last week It got 18,600 at the Re- public. "Merton of th^ Movies" got about 18.000. All five are candi- dates for running well into the new season. The "Folllea'* and "Scandals" hold leadership among the musi- cals both in demand and business. Business was somewhat off for both last week, when the hot Saturday crimped the matinee tr4de particu- larly.- The "Follies" takihg a $1,200 drop beat $35,000, while "Scandals" went off $1,000 for a total of $2&,- 000. The "Mueio Box" slid down under $13,000 for the first time and all other musicals dropped off from the previous summer going. One attraction will withdraw this VIOLIN NOT SAWED, KNOCKS OUT ACTOR Comedy Business That Wasn't --Frank Leslie Now • Wears Heavy Wio ; Prank Leslie, of "Vanities," was treated for a head wound after last Friday night's performance, when a break-away violin wielded by Jimmy Duffy failed to break upon collision with Leslie's head. The stage carpenter neglected to saw the violin. Duffy belabored Leslie acrosNS the head In one scene, inflicting a nasty wound and knock- ing Leslie unconscious. He was flxed up in time for the next show, but is not taking any more chance on the stage crew forgetting and is working with a heavy wig on in the violin-breaking portion. GERTIE VANDERBILT OUT Replaced by Juliet Day in ''Battling Butler"—Other Chengea The George Choos production of the English piece, "Batlling Butler," ran Into trouble before fairly in re- hearsal. Gertrude Vanderbilt disagreed with the management and retired, with Juliet Day assuming her role. Howard Langford, in the male lead, also left, with Frank Sinclair, who had been rehearsing another xart, given the* lead. " ' 'v ' . The latter event Is reported to have ruffled William Kent, engaged tor the second male lead. Kent is said to have notifled the manage- ment he would depart, but Choos caned upon Equity to hold Kent to his contract, with the outcome un- settled. ^00 KNOW ME, AL" IS AGAIN GOING OUT Popular Service Show Touring Under American Legion Auspices "Tou Know Me, Al," the service show presented at the LezingCon theatre, Ne# York, during the war. will be sent out as a regular at- traction by Scott Moore, said to have been associated with the Shuberts in several ventures. The book is being rewritten by Hugh Stange and a new score being com- posed by Harry Von Tilser ard Ekl Hallihan. Rights to the title have been secured from Ring Lardner. *'A1*' will tour under the au8pl6e« of the American Legion and a per- centage of the profits will be de- voted to the mountain camp estab- lished this season for veterans and located In the Adirondacks. Charles Emerson Cooke will have charge of the attraction. ' When the show was originally presented at the Lexington it grossed $60,000 In two weeks. Plana call for the, new version touring In the fall with a New York set tentative for the first of the year. Btange Is the son of Stanislav Stange, who wrote "The Chocolate Soldier," "The Dancing Girl," ''The Fortune Teller" and "Dolly Varden." FIVE CHICAGO SHOWS 8e>#eral Hang on in Spite of Clos- ing Notice PRESS MAN'S PLAY Frank L. Beer Tume Out Piece on Congressional Life DOROTHY DILLEY of SNOW, COLUMBUS and DILLEY Who scored a sensational hit with her 'Ringing and daiK^ng at PALACE, CHICA€SO. Return datp, this week (July 22). Direction—HARRY WEBER •on entrant, ". wo Fellows and a Girl," got off to a good start. Though some of the notices were unfavor- able, most praised the comedy, and box ofHce rcHulta indicate a run. The piece opened to $2,000, with $1,200 drawn on the socond night, and a puce of $12,000 indicated for this week. Monday night heat four fig- ures, Tuesday got $1,800, which is capacity, and there was over $1,400 in at Wednesday's matinee. "Fash- ' lone," the style revuo at the Lyceum, la playing to fair business, but trade —ttpetairs is away off. The house is not fashioned for a musical show, and the draw m ill mostly come from buyers. "Fashions" was designed for a short summer run, though it was hoped to land it as a regular attraction. The surprise of the summer sea- son Is "Aren't Wo All" at the Caiety. Managers have strolled into the house frequently to see if the "house sold out' signs were week, "Not So Past" which has been wavering at the Morosco foi some time. The As^or will relight next week with "Dew Drop Ujjn" which will play four weeks before going on tour. Will J^rrissey'a ''Newcomers" is mentionexl for en- trance at the 39th Street Mond. y, but the engagement was In doubt up to Wednesday. Four attractions are listed for entrance the week of Aug. 6 when "In Love With Love" relights the Rita, "Thumbs Down" at the 49th Street. "Whole Town's Talking" (also called "Yours Truly ") at the Rijou and "Goo<l Old Days" at the Broadhurst, although the latter date is not definite. Washington, July 26. Another accomplishment of Frank Ij. Baer, handling the publicity for Keith here has been uncovered inasmuch "'tis Baer has written a three-act farce on WashingtcHi's oongression^ life With a center character much like the newly elected senator from Minnesota, Magnus Joh'nsonk Raer came here from Chicago some few years ago and was made dramatic critic of the "Post" which desk he held for a little over two years. With tho death of Whitman Osgood, he took over the publicity woik of Keith's. Chicago, July 25. "Blossom Time" left the Great N<Mthorn Saturday night and Wil- lie and Bugene Howard in "The Passing Show" left the Apollo at the same time, which leaves Chi- cago four legitimate shows and one musical comedy—"Chains," "Up the Ladder," "Steve," "Dangerous People" and "The Danclng^Glrl." There has' been notice up for "The Dancing Girl" for some time, but the show hangs on. Decision to end the sUy of "Up ^e Lad- der" has been reached several 41mee, but business always brightens up when at a Idw ebb. "Stevo" was to have gone from Chicago, but other bookings "penciled in" did not ma- terialise. "Chains" has ' een Ulk- Ing of going, but arrangements were finally perfected for it to remain. BRYANT TAKES CENTRAL IN cm FROM SHUBERn Leases House Shubert Cou Not Put Over—Rented It for "Chains," Current Hit ^' t n ■n FAIRS HELD FOR SALARIES Los Angeles, July 25. Nancy Fair and her mother, Ada Fair, who produced the "Demi- Virgin," which went on tho rocks after the San Francisco engage- ment, were sued In tho Superior Court here last week for unpaid salaries. The claimants are Beulah Mon- roe, I^ilUan Hackett, Aimce Tor- rianl, June Do Vcre, Emily Pinter, Richard Brayden, Kleanor Marry, Wheeler Dryden, Taylor Graves, Kichard Allen. Total amount around |1,200. SELWTNS LEASE DRESDEN Contracts ^re signed last week between A. L. Erliinger and the Selwyns, whereby , the latter will take poasession of the New Dres- den theatre, on the roof of the New Amsterdam, for ten weekp beginning October 15, to present the Ouignol Players of Paris in repertoire. Should the project prove success- ful the Selwyns have the option of a ten-week renewal of the lease. Miss Carter Appearing in Own Play Ix>uine Carter, In vaudeville, will appear In the fall in "Mother Ann." a play she recently wrote. It will bo produced under the direction of Hkigar Allen. . *....>. •'DANCING GIRL'S" GIRLS HURT " Chicago, Jul^ 26. Conchlta Plquer, principal, and two chorus Kirls, Dorothy Marion and Agatha l^liiUips, of "The Danc- ing Oirl." playing here, were In- jured In an aiitd b\i8 accident. Though neither is soriounly hurt, all aro tcmjiora-'lly nt American Theatrical Hof<pilal here. •' , ■ CHILDREN OF K. C. "Journal-Post** Prints Names and Pictures of Natives on Stage Kansas City, July 25. "Ace," dramatic reviewer for the "Journal-Post," ran a full page fea- ture story in Sunday's paper headed "Stars Who Call Kansas City Home." The story was illustrated with pic- tures of Jeanne Bagels, Grace Kel- son, the Craven Twins, Harrison Ford, Sammie Baird, Mile. Khea, Alice Joyce, Helen Staples, Mary Hall, Bobby Carlton, Jimmie Cooper and Frances Reveaiix. ^^.—..TTi, Many other stage and screen stars were ci*edlted aa residents of this town, which has given so many of its sons and daughters to the amuse- ment world. Chipaffo. July 21. i Zjester Bryant, lessee-manager ol the Playhouse, has acquired thl^'j^, Shubert-Central from the Shubert^ ^| taking over the house next week fer a period of seven years. The lease has two yeara more to run, wit . an option of five bey6nd that. Bryant, who branched out as a producer with -Chaine,'* and who owns a substantial piece of "Up the Lad- der," at his'new house now. feels encouraged to announce that he wUlu make his own productions at the Central. ■ vtH The theatre is about half a stonf up from the ground, and slightly ^ outside the "loop" proper. But the location Is an excellent one Xpr through traffic lines and Is withjn' half a block of the Playhouse aLt* Studebaker and just through the alley from the nilnols. The house has an Interesting history, jn which it proved that people will patronise it when It hat the goods. It was here when t^ house was the Whitney, that "Three Twins" ran two years. B. C. Whitney made it a theatre from an old hall. He later leased It to i the New Theatre movement, which ' failed. Thereafter It ha<l an up and I down career. It seats 865 and can play almost any ordinary show on its stage. Bryant intends to go the Harvard^, prise play idea considerably better, by getting annual prize plays fron Northwestern, Chicago and Illinois^ universities. He proposes about five productions a year and may go through with' it plan of subscrip- tions In advance for the set He le operating the house now, as the 8hut>erts had no faith in ft summer showing of "Up the StigUrs," and he rented. Bryant Is known as a courageous showman, who takes a chance where others turn deaf ears. The Chicago newspapers are with hiA and the public is friendly, too. \ "SHUFFLE" INJUNCTION Argument It Coming Up at t# Rights Next Monday (July SO) lias been set for the argument of an injunc-* tlon which Shuffle Along, Inc., is asking against George White and Miller and Lyies, who contemplate producing a new edition of ths "Shuffle Along- show with a 1911 appendix to distinguish it from a road show which the Sisirte and Blake faction Intend producing. George White has Miller and Lyles under contract and is said to have the financial backing of ths Salvins. Miller and Lyles wrote the "book" of "Shuffle Along" originally and Sissle and Blake the score. ThS success of the colored revue haS been conceded due to the expert musical score, which was enough to make the .shoestring production a sensational success and start a coN ored show cycle. ! LARRIMORE-MEEHAN COME TO KANSAS CITY, FAM Kansas City, July 26. "Never has there been a season so devoid of good-looking bathing suits. It hi a sad state of affairs ^hea we scour the shops and re- turn home to resurrect last year's creation."—Pam in "The Stylish Side"—Variety. Pam never would have written the above had she seen the beauties shown by the "Flickers" In the bathing revue at Electric F»ark this season. The nu »ber, produced and designed by Roy Mack, ie Just about the limit in daring as to feminine display* but tho bathing suits are both original and beautiful. W. H. MURRAY'S PROMOTION V Chicago, July 25. W H. Murray, widely knuwii In his capacity as assistant general passenger agent of the Union I'a- clflc Railroad System, has been named as general paBsenger apent, replacing A. L. Cra^^^, deceased. Mr. Murray has many friends in tho tlu>atrlcal profcssinn ami hTs' advancement Is an announcement which is KivinfT a!l his well wishcrp extreme pleasure* ^ Marriage Two Weeks Ago of Couple in Two Plays in Chicago Chicago, July 15. The wedding occurred two weekit ago of Barl Larrlmore and OlivS Meehan. A nephew of Laura Hope Crews and a sister of John Meehan, the youngsters don't know just how their professional relatives will view the marriage, as they were wed without consulting any rela- tives. Mr. Larrlmore is with "Steve" at the Princess and his wife is with , "Chains" at the Playhouse. BARlfES' DAUGHTER ON STAGE Chicago. July 25. Stella Frances Barnes, only daughter of Frod M. Barnes, fair aKcnt, i» entering upon a stage career and will be with "The Paas- Ing Show" (Willie and Eugene Ho- ward) when it reopens in Detroit as Kcneral tindcrstudy. MiHs Barnes has a good voice and 1h a nice dancer and it in freely predicted that she v;ill be h^ard from in ilie field of endeavor which she has chosen. . .;