Variety (January 1924)

14 VARIETY L E U IT 1 M A T E Thursday, January 81,1M4 JOLSON LEFT LOOP WITH MORE RECORDS; "GIVE AND TAKE" LOOKS UKE LA SALLE HIT "Lullaby" and "Changelings" Starting—"Abie" Keeping "Kiki" Another Rvmner-up Have Hard Work to Capacity and ChlMlRt), Jan. 30. ^ Tlieio's a liit at tlie La Salle for the first time this season. At least the preinlpre week and the present steady call for "Give and Take" would indicate aa mucli. Uke all showa In town, the La Salle's new attraction iv<i» delivered a blow Monday uigtit <Jan. 21) by another intense temperature drop, but quickly rallied back to repeated niglitly grosses of around $1,800 with the help of good box-oRlce newspaper notices. There's a tie-up of expenses at the La Salle for both rcmpany and house that should keep "Uive and Take" in towu until way tate in tlie spring. Both of the other two premieres of the week are stepping along very lightly. "The Lullaby" and "The Changelings" are, respectively, In the need of much campaigning to stick beyond a limited period. The wom- en—and they are the ones who swell the matinee grosses—are a bit timid about the Illinois attraction. "The Lullaby" at present is in the same groove that "The tAdy" found itself on the Chicago experiment. When the Blackstone and Illinois attrac- tions do draw fairly good lower floor trade the balconiea are off Just enough to prevent a healthy nightly gross. "The Changelings" won't stay more than four weeks. That the playgoers made up their minds to disregard the promise of more Inviting weather than sub-«ero temperature to chaperon their feel- ings about going out showed It-self strongly after Tuesday oight. Zero weather continued for the entire week, yet there was strong theatre- going, starting with Wednesday's maitinee, particularly for tho rva! hits. Thtirsday night's grosses, usu- ally off, and neat to Monday night In low figures on the week, tooli big life for some unexplanatory reason, with surprise business resulting. Chi Is erratic at all times, and dicck- ing up the business around town has become a thrill instead of liard, grue- ■ome work. Starting this week the temperature took a big rise, nnd Sunday nl^ht was appropriate for Kandoljih street. It's auto week here, but the man- agers aren't banking much on it be- cause of previous flops in expecta- tions. There's a tendency at this writing, however, of this year's auto visitors being stronger theatregoers than last year. The story that "they can't come baci and repeat records In Chicago" was smothered by Al Jolson's tri- umph ou hia limited three weeks' st.iy at the ApoMo, An asgrcK.Tte gi-oss of $107,000 for three weeks isn't to be sneezed at. That's what .lolson did this time, anfl against niucli competition, primarily the se- vere.'it zero weather of consecutive iiichts that Chi has noted in years. I "The; Follies," at the Colonial (across the stretit), was the tiger opposition for JoJson, but the comedian, repeat- ing with the same show he played in here last year for 14 weeks for the town's outstandlug record of all times for high receipts, kept going on high, and his farewell Saturday night was an ovation quite Jinlike anything spotted here under similar circumstances. THEATRE GUILD IS "IN" FORPHILLYENGAGEMENT done. Four weeks more are on tap for Ziegfeld's attraction here. In all probability Collier and Bernard will remain the extra week, for it was understood that they had been engaged only for eight weeks. Against the strong opposition the crude but growing-to-be-liked-bet- ter-every-performance attraction of the Duncan Sisters in "Topsy and Bva" is making a record all its own. To hang around weekly grosses of $20,000 is splendid business. Before "Topsy anil Kva" would be ready for New York considerable cast changing would have to be done. But as it happens the Duncans are being worked to death by publicity promotion, and theirs Is the finish- ing touches with their own clever work in the performance. The In- dependent brokers beat themselves with this attraction because they dropped it after the opening night. With the rd.ih for tickets they can't get 'em. It's the most noted re- versal of opening night opinions fig- ured in the Loop for some time. The musical field holds the same this week, despite "Bombo's" exit. "The Lady in Krralne" took up the time at tlie Apollo. When "Chauve- Souris" <Iepartn from the Garrick Saturday "Caroline Girl" cornea in. so the musical plays number in town remains the same, too low for this time of the season, but advan- tageous for those present. Same for "Abie" It's the same story for "Abie^ Irish Itose," and It will bo the same story for weeks toscome. "Kiki" was inclined to be nffl several times last week, but the Belasco piece sUU awaits many big weeks here. "The Nervous Wreck" is doing er- ratic business, not as yet coming into its own, or, rather, the gait may claim it will when weather conditions become more stable. lister Bryant found reason for higher hopes with "The Honeymoon House," thanks to the eut-rates which get a big play at f.e Van Beuren strt^et house. "The High- wayman" goes out Saturda- at the Playhouse, with Walker Whiteside to follow in "Mr. 'Vn." "We Mod- erns" will need much nursing to reach a winnlns llgure at Cohan's Grand, but Jim Kerr is trying to do it. Last week's estimates: "Give and Take" (LaSalle, 1st week). Flaires as long stay attrac- tion. .Should do better than $11,400 (premiere week figure) once settled. "The Lullaby" (Illinois, 1st wieek). Opened Tuesday nlpht, doing around $7,500. New York presentation counted for aught here so far. "The Changelings" (Blackstone, l.'it wrpl<). "\V''.iit little stronger than $10,000, but interest not shown to h.Tve hiisincss improve on limited four wcol;.". "The Nervous Wreck" (Harris, 5th week). Attraction rated much stronger than groi^s of around $13,- 000, conKiderably hurt, like all dra- matics, by continued cold we.ither. Should step lively with better weather conditions. "Old Soak" (Princess. ISth week). Holds season's long run record of town. Special parties helping great- Joiron's Chicago Records ly to bold week's gross close to Jolson's Chicago records are de- *^ ' * ■.,,,„„ .. ^ « , sei-ving of the greater share of this) Bombo (Apollo, 3d and final weeks box-ofiJce news for the Ioa»n^«e'')- J""' """d clean-up for Al Surprised Natives Last Week, Did $15,000—"Covered - Wagon" Got $18,000 SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT FiBurea estimated and comment point to some attraetton* being auccassful, while the same gross accredited to others might suggest mediocrity or lots. Ths variance is explained tn th« 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 dramatis play is also considered. Philadelphia, Jan. 30. Houses which haven't been doing well all season jumped to sudden prosperity, and others which have had big money successes up to now did but mediocre business here last week. The Lyric's attraction was "The Gingham Girl," moved from the Shubert to this smaller bourse, and attracting good buslncfM. The surprise was the smashing play for the Tfieatre Guild at the Walnut. This repertoire organiza- tion, which has been gettii>g its bumps on the road, has appaiently fallen into a soft berth here. Another l>ox-ofIlca wallop that had an element of surprise was "The Covered Wagon," which opened at the Forrest Mdnday and jumped to capacity business after Tuesday matinee. The management axpectetl business, but figured It would take about a week to build to Its real strength. The other three attractions In town. "Zeno" at the Chestnut Street. "Thank U" at the Garrick, and "Merton of the Movies," while none In the actual nop claes, must be placed in the "just got by" class. Thl.? week saw two openings, Otis Skinner in "Sancho Panza" at the Broad (three weeks), and "In Ix)ve with Love" at the Adelphl (two weeks). Next Monday will probably have only a single opening, "So This Is London!" at the Garrick, unlese by some chance the Chestnut gets something to follow "Zeno." Katimates for last week: "Sancho Panza" (Broad, lit week). Three-week stay. "Tlie Covered Wagon* (Forrest. 2d week). Caught on with bang, reaching capacity by Tuesday night. Around $18,000. "Innocent Eyes" (Shubert, Jd week). That thl« show opened here originally last year under title of "Bal Tabarin" and was a flop diiln't appear to hurt. Better than $17,000 last week claimed. "Thank U" (Garrick, 4th week). City's longe.st stayer at present time has never set any bridges on fire. Last week gross reported under $10,000. "So Thle I« Licndoii:" Mon- day. "Zeno" (Chestnut, 4th week). May be breakini< even with Inexpen.sive ca^t at present gait, about $8,000. No saying how much longer it will stav. theatre Guild (Walnut, 2d week). Unexpectedly fine bii-sincss that wa?n't far from capacity last week, wlt'a little papering. Now confident of excellent profit In thiec-wock stay. Helped by uniieceseary two- for-onc and special rates for schools and colleges. About $15,000. "Tho Gingham Girl" (Lyrlr, 2d week). With Inexpensive produc- tion, probably been money-maker. Around $13,000. "In Love with Love" (Adolphl. 1st woeli). Opened Monilay. "Way ^ legit theatres. Oft to a flying start, with a gross of around $5,021, "Bom- bo" sidestepped the predictions of the wise ones and sallied upward for a flrst week's gross of $32,172. There Vv-as Bllll fear that tho attraction wmiJn't stand up, for after last year's record it was figured tho town was i.-Ieaned out of patronage. But .Tolson's personal magnetic drawing I.ower continued, eventually hitting off a second week's gross of $37,291. "With tho "final week" up. the pa- trons made It necessary for extra chairs to be placed In the Apollo, and this was done via the patriotic feel- ing the municipal authorities desired • o extend the comedian. At present there is a strict law ngalnst extra chairs being placed in lioop theatres, but Jolson got away with It, and this Incre.ose allowed the comedian to chetk a whirlwind farewell week's gross of close to $38,000. Consider Ing that "The Follies" is the hardest opposition In tiie country, Jol.son'."! record this yc.ir is groafcr th.an any threo weeks of l.i.><t year. Tlnisi 'lorn Jolson put a new Chicagr) rcronl Into his book of noiaiilo acliievemenls. Not even "Tho Follies" oscaiied the effects of the weatli?r Momlay nlghf, causing the week's ktoss to drop below the previous week. In Chic.igo at least tho appoar.inre of Willie Collier and Sam Bernard kept up the Strength of "The J\)Illos" to 4ruw ths record figdrcs already Jolson. Close to $38,000. "LAdy in Ermine" Sunday. "Follies" (Colonial, 8th week). Typical pace, with four weeks yet to go. Registered trifle over $39,000. Kiki" (Powers, 5th week). Mak- ing Saturday matinee $3 helps to swing gross to around $20,000 Highest price matinee for dramatic attraction town has ha.d for some time. "Abie's Irish Rose" (Studebaker, 3th week). Klgured around $20,000 and still solid rapacity call; great- est trouble town believes It Is sold out every p"r(ormance, m.aklwit it hard to dispose of tickets at curtain time. "The Highwayman" (Playhouse, 5th week). I,r.aves Satuiilay, with "Mr. Wu" to take up time. Around $t.500. "The Honeymoon House" (Cen- tral; Sth week). -Nice little profit on gio.ss of $(1,700. Cut rates still reigning supreme. "The Business Widow" (Corf, :d weeli). "i'e.icocl;s" ni'Mitloncd to open here In throe wi <ks, inakiuh- hrliof $7,E00 won't lieep DItrlchslein show In. "Best. People" fAd^l|>hl, 12th week). Ilelil around $11,000, good for length of run. "Chauve-Souns" (Garrick, «th week). Able to attract Inc.-eased Things llai)|)en" in week hit $12,000. tlilrd ami liiuil "SIGN HERE" BUCOLIC Whitney's Maeart Piece Full Human Interest and Humor of Atlantic City, Jan. $0. "Sign Her^' opened Monday at the Apollo, and nas the earmarks of a success. It's full of good human in- terest and humor, along tiucoUc lines, with William Maeart, co-au- thor, in a role not unllUe "Llght- nin.' " Ethelynne MacGregor is the col- Laborator for the comedy, produced by B. C. Whitney. Its story oft- times hits accurately at human na- ture. There are H prlmlp.ils. business via new program but held at $15,000. Leaves this week, witii "Crinolinu" to follow. "We Moderns" (CoTian's 'liaml. 4th week In tdwn). Jiit^t und^r $10,000. gaininsr stnofrtli liy .«wit, h of thefitfes—Coh.m's Grand being better located for window sales around curtain tiino than Ulack- stone. "Topsy and Eva" (Rrlwyn. 4tli week). Having sni.i.shed all nifrhtly and matinee hoiiKe gioss receipt records now out after wok's gross record ($21,500) lieM by "I'/irtiiers Again," promising to dnn^erously approach same this Vcek. /jist week $1»,«0«. "Abie's Irish Rose," Republic (89th week). Broadway's business last week saw little change, though some houses claimed slight bet- terment. Amazing pace*of run leader's Chicago company matched by steady excellence here. L.a8t week again over $14,500. "Artists and Models," fehubert »24th week). Recent going about 25 per cent, under normal pace during fall, when revue averaged $27,000 weekly. Present grosses approxi- mate $20,000, which still leaves good profit for both show and house. "Chariot's Revue," Times Square (4th week). Spoken highly of all around with agencies selli}ig this ticket briskly. Lower floiSr busi- ness capacity; balcony not us strong, but is building. Last week saw increase in pace to $18,000. "Cyrano da Bergerac," National (10th) week). Indicitions for con- tinuance into spring. Manage- ment abandoned subscription pro- gram framed' for season with "Cyrano" big success, and busi- ness topping non-musical bunch with between $18,000 and $19,000. "Follies," New Amsterdam (15th week). BI,™ call for Zlegfcld revue holds without wavering and Klgns point to running through 'spring as Intended. Business best of list at around $40,000; house size and $5 top counting. "For All of Us," Ambassador (16th week). Doing better since mov- ing over from 49th Street, Ambas- sador affording more moderate priced seats and chance to rut rate libd-ally. $11,500. "Gypsy Jim," 49th Street (3d week). Not able to get going in business way. Patrons commend piece highly, but box office does not seem to attract enough money to indicate continuance. Last week quoted bit under $4,000. "Hurricane," Frolic (6th wieek). Olga Petrova starring on her own. House rented and time extended; though busincLS bettered to $<,000. low operating cost may mean moderate profit. Engagement now indefinite. "In the Next Room," Vanderbilt (10 week). Jumped Last week, gross going to over $13,000. Aver- ago business over $12,000 and only my.stery play in town, has strong chance to finish season. "Kid Boots," Karl Carroll (Sth week). One of "scarcest tickets on Broadway, show among big musi- '■ cal four and aimed for run. Get- ting all house will hold at $5 top, takings $32,200 and over weekly. "Laugh, Clown, Laugh," Belasco (10th week). Settled down to solidly good bu.-^iness, rated one of most stircessful of season's dramas. Weekly pace around $16,000. "Little Jessie James," Little (25th week). Moved here from Long- acre, switch made to aooommod.ite "Moonligiit" in latter house. "Jessie" getting $1.'},000 weekly oC late, but cannot equal that figure at Little even if sellout is reg- istered, •Living Mask," 44th Street (2d week). IJttle line on this new piece, forced to suspend after openin;r last week until Friday night because of lead's ilines.s. Can only remain another two weeks or so and then mi st find another berth. $6,000 in four per- formances. "Lollipop," Itnlokerbockrr lid week). Opened to favoraljie men- tion and attained good aKcncy call during flrst week. lniti.il wee'.:'s gi. s $16,000 and should be exceeded by several thousand this week. "Mary Jane McKane," Imperial (Sth week). Making money at • pace though )iot rated with best musicals of class ($3 top). .Sale for lower floor l-Trge, balcony forcing locations Into cut rales, (iettint: around $16,500. "Meet the Wife," Kiaw tlOth w.rU). No doiilit ahout this farre h.avins caissht on nicely and thimch not capacity, weekly businr.ss reg- istered profitable for attraction and theatre. I'ace better than $12,000. "Merry Wives of Gotham," Henry Mill<r (.I'l wrrjlO. Opened under name of "Kanshastics," title «'hant!ed .ifter flrst few days liusliies.s weak despifo a.'cemy lui'' and last wccI.h figure about $7,y(lo gross. "Moonlight," Lonracre (1":f wenI;V I'roiiiiri'd liy T... l*a,'.vient »• Wilier and sent to Cl'.iciitiO, hut eii),'a.!',e- ment made brief. Opened h< re Wednesday. Moscow Art Theatre, Jolson's i lii week) (lind, r'^iie.it). S'nre re- turning for second ti)ne this f;r,i- son Russians have started moder- ately but picked up, getting $10,- 000 last week. A new play Intro- duced Monday ("Uncle Vanya") extended repertory expected to help. "Mr. Battling Buttler," Selwyn (18th week). Holding up fairly well in the face of new crop of musicals and will probably extend to I3ast«r. Business now around $17,000. "Mr. Pitt," 39th Street (2a week). M.ajorlty of critics gave this comedy favorable mention, but business for flrst week distinctly weak. Cut rates for entire bouse; (irst week under $4,000 (seven ;(eiformances). "Music Box Revue," Music Box (20th week). Perh.aps cla.ssiest revue of season with fine call at all times. Business vltrtually sell out for all performances. Pace of over $28,000 shows little varl- anco with fall trade. "Neighbors," 4Sth Street (6th week). Final week. Second try of Ekiuity Players this season and second failure. Takings quoted lowest of any of Equity shows. Indicated not better tlian $2,000 to $3.00« last week. "One Kiss," Fulton ilOth week). Went oft last week, gross esti- mated about $10,000 or little imder. At that figure show Is lucky to bre.ak even and may mean little loss, despite small cast. "Outward Bound," Rit» (4th week). Looks like English drama set for successful engagement. Started well and weekly pace $13,500. "Poppy," Apollo (22d week). Stood up strongly against new musicals. In this case musical shows In hotthes both sides of "Poppy," but (kiodman attraction stands out. Last week gross down slightly at $1S,«,'0. "Rain," Maxine Elliott («5th week). Holdover dramatic smash easily run out second season. Waveired when star (Jeanne Eagels) was out of cast, but business re- bonnded and Is excellent. Last week bettered $14,200. "Rise of Rosle O'Reilly," Liberty (6th v\%ek). Cohan's seasonal musical sucress, riding to corking business, takings around $22,000 right along. Strongly plugged in neighborhoods. "Roseanne," ^unch and Judy (Ith week. Rescued when about closed in Village and brought uptown but to small purpose. Business last week for some evenings quoted around $200. "Runnin' WiW," Colonial (14tk week). Colored show making run of It and may stick until spring which will assure It of road clean- up. Business last week $12,000 to $13,000. "Saint Joan," Garrick (Sth week). Rates a.s best effort by The.atre Guild this se.ison or last. Pace reported between $8,000 and $9,00« and attraction Is figured coming uptown after Washington's Birth- day. "Seventh Heaven," Booth (6Clh week). John Golden still cleaning up on holdover hit. Indications attraction will stick until warm we^ither. Business now around $11,500. "Song and Dance Man." Hudson (5th week). George M. Cohan only intended appearing for. about eislit weeks but business so good will probably remain until spring. I'.ace i."* $16,000 or better, virtual capacity. -Spring Cleaning," Eltlnge (13th week). Bettering pace lately which Is surpri.se. .Show money maker from start and ought to extend well after Easter. Aver- aging around $14,000 weekly. "Stepping Stones," Globe (13th weoU). Stones establishing bus- iness record that may not be equalled in this house. Great call continued .and weekly business of about $34,000. "Sun Up," Princess (3ith week). From Ktart this one sot, small ca."t piece m.aking money and at small urosfl. Pace here Is over that In out of w.Ty theatres which first lifid it. weekly takings around $5,- 000. .Should ai'compliah year's .stav. "Sweet Little Devil," .*plnr (2d weekl. Klrst muslr.-il Fhow pro- ilmid t.y I.,i\vTCiicc Schwad on hl.s. own Not ires favorable and firs'' wf.'k faiiiy goi«l, gross about Slli.iifiO. "Tarnish," B.lmont OSlh week). «;ii' oC Foasoii'.s dramatic smashes; K'ontiiiiie.l o)i page Ifp) DISK REVIEWS " BY ABEL IN "THE CLIPPER" Oul.r rflpT piitjIlBhinir critical f€Vi«Tr» if tiirrent uii<l(«.