Variety (February 1924)

1« LEGITIMATE Thursday, February 14, 1924 CHI'S CURRENT CALENDAR "FL0PS1DED," HEAVY DRAMATICS TAKE SUDDEN DROP Musicals and Comedies Getting Big Play— Shows Changing Houses—"Old Soak" Leaving With Season's Record 17 LEGIT IN LOOP Chi ergo, Feb. 13. Out of the 17 legitimate attrac- tions in the Loon theatres last week only two musical offerings and four comedies held up. The heavy dra- matics went to the depths. Reck- oning grosses the local calendar is "flopsided." A surprise shuffling of attractions takes place this week-end. "Caro- line" is a failure at the Uarrlck and moves out Saturday night. "The Lady In Ermine" hopes to stem a downward tide by going over to the Garrick from the AikjIIo, and "In- nocent Eyes" will take up the time at the Apollo. Walker Whiteside is in the throes of difficulty at the Playhouse and the engagement has been limited to four weeks for "Mr. Wu." "The Lullaby" about reveals the fact that local theatregoers are determined to prove to New York producers that this type of play refuse's to stir 'em up. Coming on the heels of "The Lady." this decision will probably be considered emphatic for the time ait least. Sir John Martin Harvey's experiences at the Great Northern are pathetic. Margaret Anglin comes to the Blackstone, but noth- ing is mentioned for the Illinois at this writing. One point is certain from the way business sizes up. Local playgoers want their entertainment served to them In a frivolous manner. Think- ing plays are having rough going. Complimentary notices by Chicago critics don't seem to help the plays ■which the critics claim' "people ought to see." Four comedies—"Abie,™ "Kikl," . "P.est People" and "Give and Take" ■—are going along in pace-making channels. "The Nervous Wreck" re- mains unsettled. "Give and Take" keeps from higher figures through lack of capacity. "Abie" is just wild, that's all. "Kiki" has shown a ten- dency to slip, but the Belasco office, following a close study of Chicago conditions, announces the last four weeks for the Powers card. This promises to shoot "Kiki'" back to ca- pacity immediately. "Best People" was only approximately $1,500 from the previous record week. "The Old Soak" has run its full course at the Princess, leaving the end of the week with the town's record on length of run for the season. "Ke<l Light Annie" succeeds the "Soak' next Monday. "We Moderns" is git- ting a heavy battering at Coban'i Grand and increases, slight as they may be, give added confidence on this one. 'The Business Widow" surrenders at the Cort Sunday night to "Pea- cocks." This will give Lewis & Gordon two shows in the Loop close to each other in location, the "Nerv- our Wreck" being the first. There should be an added punch for the "Wreck" the week th.it Vivian Tobin and June Walker exchange their Chicago and New York roles. "The Follies" go into their last two weeks at the Colonial, thence heading for Milwaukee. White's "Scandals" will be the new attrac- tion at the Colonial, arriving at a time when local conditions, viewing musical competition, will not be so stiff as is usually the case when this presentation premiers. The Mistinguett show gets a sjart of a fortnight at the Apollo on "Scan- dals." with much stress being placed by the Shuberts that it marks the first time a Winter Garden show- has appeared here previous to its New York dates. What sort of a boomerang this will prove to be. If any. is arousing the curiosity of the insiders, "Topsy and Eva" Runner Up "Topsy and Eva" is the runner up to the "Follies" in just missing an- other capacity week, which wa^ mainly due to the blizzard prevalent Tuesday night and which also in- flicted its effects on the following evening. At the time the storm was at its height Monday night. "Topsy" had the best house in town through having attracted the full member- ship of lie Exeeutive Club. Tlv Selwyn Is specialising on Monday stunts to hold up the weak night The show is actually beyond all reckoning. Desperate co-upci.itirir. by the Ilum an sisters with the pub- licity department served as a gnat anchor at the start. Now the show is growing in strength by constant rehearsing. Just an oddity with great work by the Duncans is the way wise showmen put the reason for the draw. In seven weeks the third quarter of the Loop season will be checked. Meanwhile premiers are popping up fsuStr [linn were marked off at the same time last year. If the shows that come with a strong New York hit mark could hold up there would be steadier bookings. Local critics have used up considerable si>a.ce of late commenting upon Chi- cago sending plays to New York only to fail, and vice versa. In "Spring Cleaning" and "Best Peo- ple" local etudents of the checking up system believe Chicago has the edge on New York in the season's summary. "Best People" is yet to be seen in the east, but the betting is stronger in the play'a favor for a New York success than even was the enthusiasm for "Spring Clean- ing's" chances. Last week's estimates: "Mr, Wu" (Playhouse, 1st week). Melodrama starring Walker White- side. Off to slow start, not match- ing premier strength of house's pre- vious attraction, "The Highway- man." In for four weeks. House again safe on $6,300. "The Nervous Wreck" (Harris, 7th week). Hung around figures that will probably hold the piece here until spring, if not longer. Grossed $14,000. "We Moderns" (Cohan's Grand, 6th week). Little stronger than $11,000 with plugging campaign promising better. "Best People" (Adelphl. 14th week). Holding up remarkable average for length of run. Just un- der $13,000 and about $1,600 off from the previous week. "The Business Widow" (Cort, 4th week). Finishes Saturday with "Peacocks" essaying to break house's string of consecutive flops. Dltrichstein's vehicle totaled $7,000. Despite low grosses at this theatre, management shows weekly profit because of expense tieup. "The Changelings" (Blackstone, 3rd week). Final week, with one week chopped off expected stay be- cause of grosses being exceptionally opened Monday In "A Woman of No Importance." "The Lullaby" (IMInota, 3rd week). Decision made to take it out Satur- day. Reported piece left Knicker- bocker, New York, on gross of $16,- 000, but this town has turned back on the type of play for the last two years. Under $8,000. "Honeymoon House" (Central, 7th week). S:Uo« never exceptional, but combination expenses met through cut rates. Can stick a long time on $5,600. Puzzling many how Les- ter Bryant does It. "Give and Take" (La Salle, 3rd week). House considers present booking easily set for balance of' season. Hit again for around $12,400. "Abie's Irish Rose" (Studebaker, 7th week). Hovered around $22,490 and constitutes the dramatic lead of the town and would have gone higher except for blizzard. Big capacity of Jiouse permits high gross at the scale. "Kiki" (Powers, 7th week). Last four weeks now announced. Went to little over $18,000 and should return to capacity with farewell weeks announced. "The Old Soak" (Princess. 21st week). Leaves Saturday with run record of season by five weeks. Stay will probably be challenged by "The Best People." At present "The Fool," with 17 weeks, is the runner- up,. "Soak" checked for $8,000. "Topsy and Eva" (Selwyn. 6th week). Keeping up furious gait, getting stronger In performance strength, and threatens more freaky records. Showed showmanship pre- vailing. Figured $20,500. "Ziegfeld Follies" (Colonial. 7th week). Two weeks left of excep- tionally successful stay. Ziegfeld campaigning this year stronger than ever with newspaper advertisements Estimated gross of $35,004). "Lady in Ermine" (Apollo. 2nd week). Considerably off from sales premier week Indicated, but move to Garrick Sunday will probably settle into surer gait. Went to around $J4.500, "The Breed of the Treshams" (Great Northern, 2nd week). Sir John Martin-Harvey changed bill in midweek from "Oedipus Rex." Piti- ful grosses. No checkup made. Goes out Saturday. Basil Sydney small at all times. Final figures opens next Sunday in Theatre Guild under $7,500. Margaret Anglin productions. OVER $80,000 IN 3 PHILLY WEEKS; "INNOCENT EYES" CLEANED UP SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figure* estimated and comment point to some attractions being successful, while the tame gross accredited to others might suggest mediocrity or loss. Th* variance is explained in the difference in house eapaeities, with the varying overhead. Also th* sis* of cast, with consequent difference in necessary gross for profit. Variane* in business necessary for musical attraction as against dramatic play is also considered. , Cohan's "London" Did $17,000 Last Week Despite Critics—"Covered Wagon" Called Sensational at Forrest With $19,000 PhiladclhpU, Feb. 13. With an excellent stretch of weather, a good variety of shows and, generally speaking, the right shows in the right houses, last week was one of the best-rounded weeks of business the legit theatres have had here this year. All eight attractions claimed at least an even break, and, except in one case, there Is no doubt but that a solid profit was recorded. The only opening of the week, Cohan's "So This Is London," re- ceived some rude bumps from the critics, but the crowds appeared to cat It up, and the advance sale in- dicates that what the reviews had to say made little or no 'mpresslon on the buyers of orchestra seats. It has six weeks at the Garrick, its successor being a matter of much mystery. Cohan is trying to get the house for "Hosie O'Reilly," but, apparently, from present Indi- cations, falling. If "Jo This Is Lon- don" grosses big in its six weeks' stay. It will be an excellent indi- cation that the admiration Phllly theatre-goers hold for Cohan far outweighs their acceptance of the critics' Judgment. "Little Nellie Kelly" was a tremendous success at the Forrest at the beginning of the season, Its demand not being I ardly scratched after four weeks .vhen bookings forced It out, and I'ohan himself drew absolute ca- pacity at tin' Garrick in "The Song and Dane* Man'' later in the fall. In fact, since "Mary'' stood them up at the Garrick three or four sea- sons ago, Philly has the distinc- tion of never turning down, or even being lukewarm to a Cohan show. Otis Skinner in "Sancho Panza." considered by some Skinner admir- ers not so entertaining as a num- ber of the star's recent vehicles, but welcomed by the critic* and the highbrows as the finest thing Skin- ner has done for years, did a very big week's business at the Broad. The Forrest again Jammed them to the doors with "The Covered Wagon," undoubtedly the most outstanding film engagement at a legit house the city has ever known. The Walnut, with the third and last week of the Theatre Guild, had a spotty record, though the sum total meant a real profit. There seemed no way of explaining why one night should be very big and the next night poor, but that is what happened. Contrary to some previous engagements of this or- ganization, "The Devil's Disciple" was the outstandingly popular offer- ing. Not only has the engagement proved successful for itself alone, but it is generally believed that It has helped the house Immensely and reclaimed a certain high class car- riage trade which It had last year, but which was lost by such attrac- tions as "Red Light Annie" and "The Good Old Days." The four Shubert houses had varying success, the leader among them being ."Innocent Eyes," the re- vue with Mistinguett, at the Shu- bert. This was the first musical show which has done really big business at this house all season, but with "Greenwich Village Follies" and "The Passing Show" to follow, the Shubert ought to win back its former place as the city's second best bet for revues and musical shows. The success of "Innocent Eyes" came through word of mouth largely, as it had no reputation when it came here and was not any too well treated by the critics. "The Gingham Girl" dropped an- other notch last week at the Lyric, hut, inexpensive a show as it is, is (Continued on page 17) "Abie's Irish Rose," Republic (91st week). The "Miracle" of comedies, likewise envy of producers and authors. Instead of being affected by road companies, business here jumped of late; pace $14,500 last week. "Artists and Models," Shubert (26th week). Will probably earn more money than any of this season's musicals. Reported having netted profit of nearly $200,000 already. Low cost of operation revue; last week off—$18,300. "Beggar on Horseback," Broadhurst (1st week). Much attention given this satirical dream play In out- of-town stands. Showmen say It will be no half-way attraction, Either landing for big money or not at all. Production cost amounts to $50,000. "Chariot's Revue," Times Square (6th week). English revue hit looks like great money-maker for Selwyns and Chariot. Business last week grossed $20,600;' best figure for eight performances. Scale up Monday to $4.40. with Saturday matinee $3.30 and night $5.50. "Cyrano de Bergerac," National (12th week). Walter Hampden fully ex- pects to run out season with "Cy- rano"; balance of subscription plays off. Business approximately capacity latter portion of week. Quoted at $18,600; previous week over $19,000. "Follioc," New Amsterdam (17th week). Ziegfeld promises new "Follies" for convention next sum- mer. Present show expected to remain until then. Weekly pace tops musicals, with better than $40,000 claimed. "For All of Us," Ambassador (18th week). On way to beat strong Chicago run of last season. Mov- ing Hodge from 4Sth Street jumped business, with greater capacity for cheaper seats. Recent pace $12,000: last week few hun- dred less, due to bad weather. "Gypsy Jim," 49lh Street (5th week). Management undecided about this piece; commendation from patrons encourage continuation. Last week started at better gait, but total takings about same, $4,500. Must Increase to stick. "Hurricane," Frolic (8th week). An- other week sure, and Mme. Pe- trova attraction may remain long- er. Already doubled original booking. Pace around $5,000 ap- pears to afford some measure of profit for show, guaranteeing roof. "In the Next Room," Vanderbilt (12th week). Winthrop Ames' win- ning mystery piece, and only drama of type on list this season. Business holds to attractive figure weekly, with last week's takings again close to $12,000. "Hell Bent for Heaven," Frazee (2d week). Considering change from special matinee berth, this drama's first week regularly moderate Takings about $5,500, but this week started excellently. "Kid Boots," Karl Carroll (7th week). Eddie Cantor cleaning up with this musical comedy class show. Capacity for all perform- ances, with specs getting big prices even for balcony locations; $32,200 right along. "Laugh, Clown, Laugh," Belasco (12th week). Management expect- ant this one will last out season. One of season's most successful dramas. Weekly pace about $15,000. "Little Jessie James," Little (27th week). Claimed to be profitable at $8,000 pace, which explains re- moval to small capacity theatre from Longacre. Last week's gross quoted between $9,000 and $10,000. Living Mask," 44th Street (4th week). Griffith's picture, "Ameri- ca." will take over house aftC" Saturday. Another house will possibly be secured for "Mask," and special matinees of "Six Char- acters in Search of an Author." "Mask" under $6,000. ■Lollipop," Knickerbocker (4th week). Rated best musical pro- duction from Savage office In years. Excellent entertainment, and all indication* point to run until summer. Cot $19,400 last week and sure to jump this week. 'Mary Jane McKane," Imperial (8th week). Rain storm hurt business generally last week, but a party held pace up here. Business about $17,500 last week, which figure profitable for 1 lammerstoin musi- cal. Meet the Wife," Klaw (12th week). Standing up nicely, and counts as one of season's lointily successes. Weather hurt bit early last week. hut week's total not far from $12,000. 'Merry Wives of Gotham," Henry Miller (5th week). Though get- ting cut rate support, Henry Mil- ler's attraction growing and might land. Business last week went to nearly $12,000. Expensive to operate and no profit yet. "Moonlight" languor* (3d week). Last week first full week for new Weber musical. Strength of score outstanding feature and giving attraction some draw. Claimed $13,000 last week; satisfactory. Moscow Art Theatre, Jolson's (5th week). (Second repeat.) Book. Ings for road start after another two weeks. Russians demonstrate amazing ability to draw paying business. Popular scale doubtless counts In favor this trip. "Mr. Battling Buttler," Selwyn (20th week). Certainly carving way to record for success on Broadway. Steadiest of musical comedies and figured real money maker on tour. $17,500. ''Mr. Pitt," 39th St. (4th week. Get- ting good attendance by virtue of lively cut rate trade, but grosses under the guarantee figure to date. Not over $3,000. "Music Box Revue," Music Box (22d week). One of Broadway's big five, that group made up qf "Miracle," "Follies," "Stepping Stones" and "Kid Boots." "Muafc Box" one of classiest revues of type, getting over $28,000 weekly. ' "Myrtie," 52nd St. (2d week). When Oliver Moros^o opened attraction house title changed from Berkeley to the 52nd. So small only slight grosses can be drawn, and "Myr- tle" has not started anything. "On* Ki*s," Fulton (12ih week). Final week. Small cast musical with class and pretty score. Never capacity but profitable until re- cently, when pace dropped to $10,000 or under. "New Toys" ft 11 ( v t' OOll K "Outward Bound," Ritz (6th week). Now rated dramatic hit. Lauded at opening and promising busi- ness from start, weekly pace bet- tering, with last week's gross go- ing to nearly $15,000. "Poppy," Apollo (24th week). Never any doubt about th! I musical, which always rated with lead el's of class. Weekly p-ait since New Year's between $18,500 and $19,000. Ought to run through spring. "Rain," Maxine Elliott (67th week). If convention going does not in- clude Harris's dramatic gold mine it will surprise talent. Continue* close to capacity, over $14,000. "Rise of Rosie O'Reilly," Liberty (8th week). Went upward last week, gross hitting close to $21,000. Cohan, however, will take it to Philadelphia after another four weeks, counting on run there until hot weather. "Runnin' Wild," Colonial (16th week). Any colored attraction that can run half as long to as good business is to be considered a success. This one look: like it will continue until spring. $12,000. "Rust," Greenwich Village Theatre (3d week). Village house claim* getting little money. That should place pa^e at better than $3,000. Little danger of moving uptown. 'Saint Joan," Garrick (8th week). May be moved uptown March 8, Theatre Guild then resuming with another new production. Guild claims "Joan" most successful of Its presentations,- with capacity for all performances. Over $8,000; house limited. "Seventh Heaven," Booth (68th week). John Golden's Broadway gold getter has lots of life yet. Playing to between $11,000 and $12,000 weekly, good figure In thl* house. 'Song and Dance Man." Hudson <7th week). George M. Cohan thought of appearing for about eight weeks on Broadway with this sure hit. He will probably continue until after Easter, no substituting player being in sight. Cross around $16,000 weekly. 'Spring Cleaning," Eltinge (15th week). Some doubt among critics about English comedy clicking, but Broadway sharps figured It could not miss. $14,500 weekly now and set until spring. "Stepping Stones," Globe (14th week). Continues to pile up big- gest grosses in history of house bv virtue of $5.50 top and great draw of Fred and Dorothy Stone. Quoted at over $34,000 weekly. "Sun- Up," Princess (38th week). Lucky for Princess this drama came along; admirably suited for liny house, and at approximate salt of $5,000 weekly profit turned both ways. "Sweet Little Devil," Astor (4th week). To have been switched to Central because of picture book- ing, but latter shifted to Lyric. "Devil V business held up well last week, gross little under $14,- 500. "Tarnish," Belmont (20th week). One of strongest of season's dramas. Might attract bigger grosses in larger house, but lure looks as- sured of season's run with weekly gross over $8,500. "The Goose Hangs Hiqh," Bijou (3d week). Highly touted and started (Continued on page 17)