Variety (November 1923)

*rtF^*W32;'i 14 VARIETY LEGITIMATE Ffiric'^^n-**' Thursday, November 29, 1989 BELASCO'S PLAN FOR THE LOOP; MOP UP AND CLEAR OUT Four Weeks Long lEnough cording to Veteran Producer- Moon" Splits Up Critics—"Lady ' . Probably has nvcraped higher for tor UramatlC nay, AC-!„iay.>a run cnBaCemcU, including "Children Flops Chicago. Nov. 28. David Belasco hag got the right slant on booking conditions for dra- matic attractions In loop theatres. He believes In mopping up quickly and then departing. Four weeks are long enoogh for • dramatic offering In Chicago, »<-- cording to the Behujco viewpoint, except In the instance of extraor- dinary attractions such as "Klkl" or attractions which are handled In freakish campaigns. Belasco proved his assertion wiih "Laugh, Clown, Laugh," which ended a whale of a four weeks' stay at the Eowera Saturday. Capacity ruled for the greater "sfiiire' of (he" VTsU of the Lionel Barrymore-Irene Fenwick combination. Holding the time at the Powers until the arrival of his other show, "Klkl," Christmas week, the impresario could have extended the stay of "Lajigh, Clown. Laugh." But he didn't Ills belief was thai capacity ruled because the playgoers hurried, knowing the enKu««!ment was limited. It Is now reckoned that Belasco got just as high an average business in the four weeks for "Laugh, Clown, Laugh." as the at- traction would have drawn if the engagement had been prolonged, and Mrs. Flske In "Mary, Mary. Quite Ccntrary," which followed Monday, had been sent elsewhere. Local showmen realize there is a variation of conditions which makes posrlble the execution of judgment that Belasco has shown in the ful- fillment of the booking time he had at Powers'. Yet when the opportu- nity presented itself Belasco seized It. and with "Kikr' on the horizon. It's easy to reckon that this mag- ■nn'e will take record money out oi Chii'apo this season. >,'e<th<*r of ihft two premieres of the week made impressive headw.ay. Tho week's feature was tht contin- ued Improvement of "Best I'eoiilc" at t^e Illinois. The Frohman at- traction Is going to pull A. H. Woods out of a hole at the Adelphl. "The 7<ady" f"P a flop at the Adelphl. Searching around for an attraction to All the holiday time at the Adel- phl, WooCs succeeded In grabbing "Best People," forced out of the Il- linois because of David WartlcId'F contract there, starting l>o. "J. "Best People" Is an emphatic hit in Chicago, but what effect. If any. a transfer of houses will make remains to be .'een. Difference Over "Moon" "Children of tho Moon" caused flulte a disturbance of thought In It.-i premiere at the Playhouse. Such a varying array of dramatic reviews has never before been checked in Chicago. Butler of "The Tribune;" offered ecstatic ob.servationp. Sto- v;ens_ of the "Horald-Ex.imlnei" called Tt tTTe'crazjeVt IJTSy" o7"t"Tic year, adding cHcice slams at every chance. The afternoon critics were rnreful, mostly tame, yet keciiinp; the local playgoer, who Is guldi^d by rewspajior review:', perplexed. To add to the furore of thought, one of the editorial writers saw enough news in the varl.itinn of dramatic criticism to contribute an editorial. •♦rUiing- tlio only j>ra-l»owprtby-v*l» !n the thought that the piece was ■written by Martin Flavin, a Cliirago man. All this attention paid to the "Children of the Moon" hasn't thu.s far made the puhlln curious enoiicli to race to the box olTlce. It looks as if Lester Bryant Is In more trouble. | In writing his ou revoir story fnr last Sundfty's "Tribune" Bu'.ler ro- nialned loyal to his first thoughts of the I'lnyliouse attr.ai'tlon, thus in.Tklng perfect his batting average f"'r «il kImpwh tlt**t liH ve nppt-.'trt <1 ;il the two theatres In the Fine Art." building, namely the Studebaki;r .ind the lMayhon.«p. Ills caption on ],iit\ Sunday's "KPcnnd-thought" stor.v re.id, "One, Anyway, Liked the .. Moon." Cro7.eil Atherton?,". Mu( h )iropag:inda. separate from newjspa- per campaigning, will bo required to stir up Interest In the current I'l.iy hnuse attiaclioii. ^n Lo\e with Luvo" Was the ofhOT premiere which started off mildly. No sen.sational s.ales are anticipated for the new La Salle attra-^tlon, but It will hold nicely provided the fault of this theatre in not drawlnc; bal- cony businers Is Kornewhat over- come. Two departures were made P.itdr- ilay night. Another change of at- tractions hai)pened at the Cort, "The Rainy Day" leaving to make room for Harry Frazee's latest attemjit. "A King for a Day." The sensa- tional four weeks' stay of "I^augh. Clown, Laugh/' as described above, closed Saturday .'tf the Powers, with the last two performances practi- cally sold out as early as Thursday. Mrs. Fiske now occuiiics tho Powers until Dec. l'3d. when Lenore Uhlc comes for what is figured will be tremendous business for the Powers. The sensational way "The Fool" holds up is one of the season's sub- stantial records. There's marked decreases averaging 1700 In the drops in gross as the engagement lengthene, but the total average business done surpasses all expecta- tions even for this recognize^d hit. The feud between Ashton Stevens and Channing Pollock apparently ha« no end, for In nearly every re- view—5r"'ff "Tiffw—Mitrw Ttm&e-trr Stevens the critic takes a pointed slam at the author. "Merton of the Movies" Is going along nicely, being properly fixed now to face a long run. The big musical shows are running their own ways, with "The Music Box Revue" staging a great comeback after the perilous premiere week. "The Passing Show" is juggling prices, fearing the high scale at the start has kept patrons away. "Rise of Kosie O'Reilly" ha« been once more prolonged, not leaving now until Dec. 16. "The Gingham Girl' will also stick until Dec. 16. It isn't safe to write a line about the Studebaker theatre, for down there conditions are much up In the air because of court proceedings, and are apt to change before these lines get into print. Thanksgiving week will be feat- ured with ca{>acity «ales on the 1a«t three days. The start this week was light—Monday night going to sad depths. There's-a great line-up of shuns being arr.:;^necd for Christmas, and until then, follow- ing the Thanksgiving sales, there won't be much legit excitement hereabouts, merely everybody striv- ing to weather the pre-Xmas lull. Last week's estimates: "In Love with Love" (La Salle. 1st week). Will have to build up considerably and fast to swing along without worry over etop clause. Newspaper reviews offered no impression, yet they weren't harmful. Missed {8,500 on premiere week. "Children of the Moon" (Play- house, 1st week). Drew record variation of thoughts In critics' re- views, emphatically so from morn- ing newspapers—Stevens calling it the craziest play of year, Butler praising It with his beat superla- tives since succeeding Percy Ham- mond. Doubtful if $9,000 wae .^cached. "Best People" (Illinois, 2d week). Bounced Into hit class, drawing fine houses after Monday, with tickets hard to get for balance of week. .l;:igucca.arojW(J JJ.4.5n.Q. MaxfiS-OVfr to Adelphl Sunday, with David Warfield arriving for limited two weeks. "Laugh, Clown Laugh" (Powers. 4th and final week). Slightly bested figure of $65,000 made for eng.age- mcnl after premiere week. Limited Ktay was attraction's strong point. Belasco takes up his contracted time at this hou.«e with Mrs. Flske in '•'Mary, M.wy,- ^uK-e Gantrary." aw-, other limited four weeks' engage- ment before "Klki's" arrival Christ- mas week. "The Lady" (Adelphl, 3d week) Flop. Wasn't given anywhere near a chance after the way received at pi-emiere. Goes out Saturday, with ir.est People" moving from lllinoi.i ["Lady" failed to hit $S.O00 despite S\K;day start -of lUtlc over $V,ft<W i;ro.s^j. plus nearly the some gross Saturday iiiglit. "Home Fires" (Central, 2d week). Cndtr $5,000, but operating cx- pen.ses, forgetting rost of fixing up theatre, keei's total loss down better than business done would indicate. Great run being made on cut rates. "The Rainy Day" (Cort, 7th and final week). House has lOFt the rec- ord "pimch" It hel<I for long time for no other nnpon than not get- ting shows that kept "that punch" intait. "Day" went on gross below $6.S00, with "A King for a Day" row m.iking trjout of Fr.izee workshoj). "The Gingliaii Girl" (CJiurick. 13th week). Tarries, awaiting ar- rival of "Chauve Mouris' Deo. Ifi. Little over $H.OOO. 'Girl" «ill leave town witli most prontable engage- PQcnt, for record . figures were reached on first seven weeks of st.ay. "Rise of Rosle O'Reilly" (Cohan's Grand. 9tli week). Oft from terrlfl- demand of e.arly weeks, but splen- did at $;i3.000. and should bold until Deo. 16th. when succeeded by "Nel- lie Kelly." "The Fool" (Selwyn, 12th weoh). !>' -,f ! N'ew York, omitting Increases gained " ' ;>y extra matinees. Sticks until Dec. :9. when house offers its first mu- sie'al show — Duncan Sisters in "Topsy and Kva." Grossed little under $15,000 last week. "Passing Show" < Apollo. 2d week). Management getting se.ired of high prices for extra emphasis made in newspaper advertisements on scale of prices for remaining weeks. Slowing up In demaihd, but "buys" will protect at least three weeks •mbri- tor big business. Figured around $30,000. "Tho Music Box Rovue" (Colonial. ■Ith week). Stiff scale holds gross high, close figuring marking it as $27,000. Running even with Apollo attraction except for bigger "buy" handled for opposition attraction. "I'll Say She Is" (Studebaker. 6th week). Didn't get pushed out Sat- urday beciu.'e of court ruling, yet uncertainty of things at this theatre. opening Sunday, slowed up every- thing. Holding stop clause average of $14,000. "Merton of the Movies" (Black- stone. 5th week). Seems impossible for this comedy to draw decent bal- cony business. Little under $1,'>.000 "Old Soak," Princess (5th week). Holding nicely, although inclined to depend wholly upon the last three performances of week and the Sun- day sales to keep gross up to be- tween $12,000 and $13,000. NO MUSICAL AT BALTO. Town Had All Legitimate Plays Last Week Biutiinorc. Nov. 28. Baltimore theatres had good aver- age business la.st week. With "Loy- alties" at Ford's and "Partners Again" at the Auditorium. Academy dark and "Unwanted Child " in sec- ond week at the Lyceum, the musical attractions were not here. Business at the Lyceum fell oft considerable, proving again that Baltimore is not a two-week stand. However, "The Unwanted Child" la distinctly a road show. This week the Lyceum has a really good box- ofDce attraction, with William Fav- ersham's name in electric lights out- side, and 1b doing nearly capacity business. The balcony and gallery were filled at ,llie opening, and only the back few rows empty in the orchestra with a good advance sale. The Auditorium grossed $14,000 or $15,000 with "Partners Again," and "Loyalties" was not far behind "The Silk Stocking Heview" at the Palace grossed about $8,000, the usufvl business for this burlesque house, and the Maryland played ca- pacity all week. FULTON'S LOW GROSS Did $5,000 With "Punchinello"- "Scaramouche" first week, $12,000. ■ San Tvaifciscij;- Kov." it. ■ ■ Maude Fulton with her new play "Punchinello" at the Columbia did but $5,000 last week, while "Scara- mouclie," the film In Its first week at the Capitol, did $12,000. At the Alcazar Belle Bennett In her second week with "Halt a Chanco" did $5,000 and "Blossom .TiKxc'.'.a-t. Uie .C'^uraajdid .US.OOO Tlie Monte Carter Musical Come- dy at the Casino in "My Home Town" and Its final week, after a peck of trouble all around, did $4,000. Current at the Curr.an Is "Blos- som Time"; Columbia, "The Per- fect Fool"; Capitol, "Scaramouche," and A'caza.r, stock, in "ilary and lohn." Cafliio. dark. SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figures estimated and comment point to eeme attraetiona bairifl successful, while the same gross accredited to others might^euggMt mediocrity or lost- The variance is explained in the differene* in house capacities, with the varying overhead Also the size o» east, with conseauert difference in necessary gross for profit. Varianee 4n business necessary for.miuicsl attraction •« against dramptlo play is also considered. $24,500 FOR RUSSIANS' Alice Brady Did $14,500 Last Week in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. Nov. 28. "Ch.auve-Seniris" at the Alvin last week broke all box office rec- ords for the se-OKon with .a gross of $24,500 for the week. "Zander the Gre.it " at the Nixon after a slow star'- picked up the last two days and did $14,500 on the week. "The Cat and tho Canary" held over at tho Pitt for a second week did much better than some of the previous, phows at .t.tiat. house .and netted a little over $9,000. The Aldlne, with "De.slrc." topped all tho picture houses ag.ain with $9,175 for the week. The Grand fell down to $8,200 while the Olympic gbt close to $7,000. "Abie's Irish Rose," Republic (80th week). Many attractions lofted scales for Saturday night (army- navy football game), and some boosted for Friday night also. "Able" held to usual prices. Gross remained the same, about $13,600. Adrlenne," Cohan <27th week). Another two weeks to go, Werba's musical then going to tour after excellent run of seven months. Business last week around $13,500. "Artists and Models," Shubcrt (15th week). Shuberts' much-discussed revue classes with the big money- get,ters and probably will remain through winter. Pace last week around $26,000. Aren't We AH?" Gaiety (t8fh week). Capacity rule still. House comparatively moderate In ca- pacity, with nightly takings about $1,666. Lonsdale comedy getting holdover attraction. "Casanova," Empire (10th week). Final week. When romantic book play opened It was rated having great possibilities, and though Broadway opinion did not gee with road business first weeks were big, though not capacity. Only fair business at $3 top and t -oduction counts a loss. Last week $9,500. "Chains," Playhouse (11th week). Drama of considerable power, and though never has drawn better than mediocre business, has made some money. Ulg seller in cut rates. L,a8t week up and better than $8,000. "Chicken Feed," Little (10th week). Spotted In the right house, the Little being B20-seal«r. Business good, and though running slightly under capacity, figures to remain through winter. Nearly $10,000 last week. "Cyrano de Bergerac," National. Forced to stop Wednesday of fourth week, when Walter Hamp- den broke bone In foot in leaping /rom balcony. Attraction was do- ing fine business—around $17,000 two weeks iigo—and perhaps would have gotten $19,000 last week and this. Will resume. "rollles," New Amsterdam (6th week). Zlegfcid show now set. Since opening there were changes, .with new people added; also ma- terial. Business capacity, never- theless, and will continue so. Aimed for all season, with new features Inserted occasionally; $42,000 and over. "For All of Us," 49th St. (7th week). Opened modestly, then • started climbing, with business apparently firmly established now. Ho<ige play should reifialn until spring. Last week It got $10,300 or better. That Is considered very good in this house. "Go West, Young Man," Punch and Judy (3d week). House secured for four weeks and management . ^.tl'Slpya...to .remain doii^ile..Jhat time. Business reported" smali. House Is a 299-seater. "Grand Guignol," Frolic (8th week). Final week. French players failed here because real cast of Guignol di(X not appear here and perhaps settings were as much«off. At- traction going to Canada for three weeks. Was to have remained here 10 weeks, but last weeks can- • cerretr. - Bufenie'^sg s'cm-iea kt rr.Eao"^ dropped to $5,000 and less. "Greenwich Village Follies," Winter Garden (11th week). Another month to go, leaving for road af- ter Christmas, house getting new "Passing Show" around first of the year. Village "Follies" doing good business, though not framed for so big a houte. Recent pace $23,000. "Hamlet," Manhattan (1st week). John Barrymorc returns for three weeks in great success of last sea- son, when Harris takings wp-e consistently over $19,000 weekly. Scale $3, and business should be excellent. Student trade Kought for balcony and gallery. "Helen of Troy, New York," Times Square (24th week). Final week. "Helen" first rated as summer mu- sical, but held over and made good run, though business fiiictuated considerably. Jane Cowl In "Pol- Icas and Melisande" succeeds next week. "In the Next Room," Vanderbllt (1st week). Wlnthrop Ames and Guth- rie MeCllntic prcsopt this play, brought in as quick successor to "The Camel's Back" (lattCV piece st.ired bot two wcdes). New drama opened Tuesd.ay. "Laugh, Clown, Laugh," Belasco (1st week). Second Belasco production this season to arrive on Broadway. Cast headed by Lionel Barrymore and Irene Fenwick. Was given a limited Chicago date because of extension of Mrs. Fiske here. Pr»<' miere last ni^lit. Les Ballet Suedois," Century (lit week). Only In for one week, Swe- dish dance organization then go* Ing on tour. Under direction oC Richard Herndon. House will go dark while "The Miracle" being prepared. "Little Jessie James," iKingacr* (16th week). A money-making musical that has fooled the street. Tajeings have been going upward lately after show eased oft, which Is exceptional for a mu.;>cal. Last week gross went well over $13,000. "Love Scandal," Comedy (4th and final week). Moved here last week from the Ambassador, wher* it had been spotted for two week*. Comedy taken under $4,000 guar« antee, which Is. exceptionally high for small house; $5,000 last week. and less this week. Hjuse prob« Ttrny jrarsr. "Little Miss Bluebeard," Lyceum (14th week). Looks like happleat play Irene Bordonl has had for years. Business remains at profl- ta'blc figure without much change and held own when others dropped. Last week about $ll,S0Oa "Lullaby," Knickerbocker <llth week). Dramatic punch holda business of Florence Reed piece up ts wonderful figure for A drama. Pace last week quottd around $18,500. Figures as on« of most successful dramatic pro« duotlona bv Charlea Dillingham. "Meet the Wife," Klaw (let week). Good reports on this comedy pro- duced by Rosalie Stewart and Bert French. Has been trying to get in for some time. Opened Monday to favor.able notice*. Fair pace Indicated. "Music Box Revue," Music Box (10th week). Scale for "football night" up to $7.70. which largely nccountcd for. takings going to $31,&00 laet w?ek. Some of tb« lifted price tickets were sold at reduction by brokers, who wero forced to get from 'jnder. "Moscow Art Theatre," Jolson'a (2d week). Announced for four weeka only and sure of big buslnesa, thoug'h second engagement not sensation of first appearance hurt winter. First week reported off. "Mr. Battling Butler," Selwyn («th week). George Choos' muatckl jumped In last month. Last weak W«nt to better than $18,600, top money since It opened. Likely to land for winter stay. "One Kiss," Fulton (1st week). 'Wai give Charles Dillingham four at- tractions on Broadway. "KiS8",ia baeed on "La Tabouche," ' a Parisian musical, but entirely re- written. Opened Tuesday. R»- garded having fine chance. "Out of the Seven Seas," Frocee (M week). Final week. Opened last week with mixed comment result- ing. Little business and not enough to justify continuing un- der guarantee. House may bO dark next week. Popf-yT^ Apono"'(i;;Tfi "weeK);* WIT Goodman's musical is leading tba list of attraction^ at $3 top. Laat week with $4.40 charged Friday aii? $5.50 the gross was $23,S0O. Nothing can stop this one stick- ing for a run. "Queen Victoria," 4Sth Street (t& week). Equity Players eleoted costume play calling for ezpen- --•i-ve. , jjcodufttton Wiui.... ..good. notices in dailies, but very nttia business thus far. Last week re- ported hardly $5,000, and weekly loss on house and show^ will meao that much loss. "Rain," Maxin* Elliott (56th week). Great dr.iw of this dramatic suc- cess as incessant as rainfall ta "Poga Poga." New hits have ar- .rivcdln 'own. hut'there Is hardly any difference In the gross, which Is always around $15,000, and generally much over the mark; $S00 better last week. "Robert E. Lee," Ritz (2d week). This house had attraction getting $ll,0u0 to $12,000 weekly and m.iking mon<y. ' I.ee " with elab- orate production forced out "In Love with Love," but "Lee" hard- ly stands chance; First we^ about $6,500 (seven perform- ances). "Royal Fandango," Plymouth <«« week). Final week. Ethel Barry- more will take to the road soon In "The Laughln' Lady." In which she scored last season at the Longacre. "The Ro^al F.xndango" got under $7,500 last week; It is of the n.ame (allures that feat- ured November. House will get "Tiin Potters" Dec. 10. "Runnin* Wild," Colonial (5lh we4lt). Got more money than ever knotsn on Broadway for a colored ahow for first month. It may not have run of "Shuffle Along," but is a money-maker here and on tOVr< (Continued on page 16)