Variety (April 1924)

Wednesday. April 2, 1924 LEGITIMATE VARIETY 15 GENERAL SLUMP HITS . 'BEANTOWN'S LEGITS *'Merton" Rated Remarkable with $14,500—Six Houses Gross Only $76,200 Boston. April 1. The business at the It^gitimate houses In this city last week showed a distinct Rlump. which was more or less general at all of the sl;c houses which are iit the present time hous- ing legitimate attractions. The general imi>ression around town, among showmen, was that the full effect of Lent was heing felt and that the shows that wore runninir last week with some exeei>lioj!s did not come ui> to tlie .standurd 'desired by local theatregoers after a Fe>- son that lias Ijeen noticeable for good i)i.iys. In the regular course "of event.-' eight houses in the town have legit- imate attrartiuns. IJut at present two of them .ire housing lllnis. th Tremont and the Majestic, and h ive been for the past three weeks. Tliis make-- it p(>tsil)Ie to compare tho total gross of all the house.^ for last week. $76,200. with the grosse:< of the iireceding two wefks. Two "weeks ago tho^otal gross of the si.\ houses was .$98,000. anil the week before that it totalled $100..'>J0. The show which is .-howing tlif stronp.est tendency in business just now ix ".Merlon"' at the HoHis. It i8 now on tlie third weelc and has two irwire weeks to go here. I'nsi- ness has bien building and last week the gro.ss at the lioiise was $14,500. Tlif sliow has really had the comedy ilrama field to itself for the pa.^t three werks. bi.t with the return of (iram .Mitcludl in "The "Whole Town's Talking" to the Ply- mouth .some competition will l>c en- counlered. "Topics of 1!>'J3." idayiiig the Shu- bert. is credited with good business for the first week. The sliow is re- ported to hiive grossed $2."!.000. which is tlie same business that was .done by the "flreenwlcli Village Follies" in their last week at the house. "Topics" is due to stay at this house for two weeks more and really has the musical Held t< itself, for "One Kiss" at the Colonial has faile dto come through in a satis- factory manner. After "Topic,"," the "Chauve-Sourls," at $3 top. is booked for the house for a stay of three weeks. "One Kiss" at the Colonial did Just a bit better than $13,000 last week. This musical fell sharply as . concerned that which had been done by "The Music Box Revue." It is said the public hasn't gone strong for it since the opening with the critics, those who do attempt to re- view, no*- being enthusiastic and a pessimistic tip oft going the rounds. "You and I," which finished up at the Plymouth last week, never re- covered from the poor business which characterized It at the open- In>i;. Never did the show gross bet- ter than $10,000. and in the final week the best that could be done was $7,500. With Grant Mitchell in •The "Whole Tdwn's Talking," the Shubert interests expect -better re- sults. This show is in on a repeat engagement, having been at the house for a couple of weeks about » month ago and doing a whale of a business, with the final week show- ing a gross of $16,000. Just how much of this business the show can pick up remains to be seen. "The Gingham Girl," which played this city last season, opening at the "Wilbur under the title of "Love and Kisses" and then going to New York tinder the present title, returns to the Wilbur, opening there on Mon- day night for three weeks. The house is scaled at a $2.50 top for the run, with the future doubtful. As "XjOv« and Kisses," the show never was a sensation, but with the other title and the New York and Chicago run behind it another story may be told, "In Love With Love." which finished up at the Wilbur Saturday night, never beeame very strong, finishing rather lamely with $3,000. William Courtenay's new show, "Dangerous People." turned in a very fair first week at the .Selwyn. everything considered. It did a bit better than $10,000 for the week and got a break from the critics. Being a crook comedy, of course, the show is up ag.iinst the effects of the grist of such shows th.it have been put into I?o-ton this and List season, with the indii iitiiin.=< beint; th.xt the public has InJ iinilo enougli —of this s<.>rt of fare f'»r tlw time be- ing. Last wek's estimates: "Topics of 1923" (Sliiil.ert. Cnd Week). Tool; up the pace non the first weel; jii.^' where tlie (lieen- wich "Village Follies" left off, with a gross of $23,000. "On« Kiss" (Colonial, 2nd week). Not such a big hit horo. Credited with but $13,000. "Dangerous People" (Selwyn, Ind week). Credited with $10,000 for the first week at tlie house. "Morton of the Movies" (Hollls. 4th week). Did $14,500 last week, which while not so strong as that of the week before was recorded as splendid for a comedy in Boston at this time. "The Whole Town's Talking" (Plymouth, lit weeki. In final week "You and I" did but $7,500. "The Gingham Girl" (Wilbur. 1st week). "In Love With Love" on final week did $8,000. "IRENE" DID $12,000; "RIVER'S END," $2,500 Capital Back to Theatres With "Investigations" Quieting Down \\':lshiIl,^lllll. April 1- After the "hustle and bustle" of previous woel<.s with events tutn- liling all over each other in such iMpiil succession as to have the Washingto'i members of the re- porUT clan working some 26 hours ibiiiy. things rather (|Uie'eil diuvii ui,h the risit;natio!i oC llnriy .\1. Daugherty and left the theatres a <haiKe to siiiM>ly 'he "tlitills.' ICven this iihuse was somewhat dis- counted by the cuntiiiu nice of Lent, but the two mu.-li'al shows In tewii have little to complain of at that. Mitzi in "Tlie Magic Hiii«" had .r constantly nnuinling business kit t week. ■Irene" h.as been liere so often the grosd registered. although not .startling, shuiild be set down by tho.se sponsorir-g the sliow as just what Washiii.Ht'iM will ilu wlien something "tried and true" eoines this way. Kstimates for the weok: "The Magic Ring" — .National. I'e.ached .abiiiit $17,500. "Irene"—Poll's. "Steentti"' visit with one of the reviewers "panning"' the cast for the Indifference and mechanical performance given. About $12,000. Should be fiatlered. "The River's End"—New and un- tried venture, which always means nothing here in the majority. No exception; $2.o00. This Weet< National, Margaret Anglin in "The Great Lady Dedlock"; Poli"a. "I'll Say She Is"; Belasco. Mrs.- FIske in "Helena's Boys" (newi. Garrick h.ad brief return with film Sunday night played by the Moscow Art Theatre Company, "PASSING SHOW" GETS SEASON'S BEST RECORD TREASURERS' BENEFIT Howard Bros.' Show in Los Angeles — ''Naught Nice Girl/' $1,700 and Through Los Angeles, April 1, -Vfter playing to $1,700 gross at the Grand avenue on the third week. Wilson Collison closed "The Naugh- ty Nice Girl" Saturday. It is under stood that the cast of the piece were paid In full and the house will reopen this Saturday with "The invisible Husband." a comedy by Vincent Lawrence, which was produced in New York under the title of. "The Twist." Other legit hatipenings here were the hanging up of the sea.son's rec- ord by the "I'assing Show" with Hiiwurd brothers, at the Mason, wliieii grossed around $25,000, while "I.iglitnin.." at the liiUmore was close behind in its second week witii about $22,000. ""PoUey."" at the .Maje.--tic. claimed $7,000 on its initial, week, with '".Not So Knse," playing the Morosco. tail- ing $.'!„-.00. FRISCO RECEIPTS "Sally" Did $62,000 in Two Weeks— "Magnolia"' Gets $7,400 S.m rrancisco, April 1. The I'Mo Zlegfeld production. ■".Sally,"" proved a cle.'xn-up at the ('oiunibia here last week, the re- ! ceipts lojiping the initl.al week of the fiirtnlglit'.i engagement by $4,000. The first week was $29,000 and the .seiiiTid $:13.000. the show getting $52,000 on its two weeks. Leo I'.arillo In "Magnoll.a" ,i' the AU'.'i'^nr came next, doirr.^ $T !0(>, while "Whispering Wires" al ttic Curian pulled $5,000 on its 'econd week, a drop of $1,000 uriiler the first week's receipts. The final week of the Ferris Ilartman musical stock .at '' sino was a presentation of "Ka- tlnk.i." to $3,500. I'"or the current week the a.irn.-- tion)< are: Columbia. Robert P.. M.in- tell': Ciirran, "Passing Show." with Howards, while at the Alcazar Carillo In "Magnolia" holds over. SHOWS IN NEW YORK (Continued from Page 14) and the volume of business for top scale. Locations continues. Remarkable gross weekly of $45,- 000. "The Nervous Wrwsk," Sam H. Har- ris (26th week). Still one of big money getters. Should -outlast most of field and logical candi- date to ride through summer. $15,000 now. "The Outsider," Ambassador (5th week). Bigger house m.ay send takings on par with dramatic leadere. Nearly $13,500 weekly at smaller 49th St., having moved Monday. "The Potters," Plymouth (17th week). Another attraction with chance to run through summer. Built up to big money .after moder- ate beginning. Hitting around $14,000 right along. "The Shame Woman," Comedy (25th week). Accomplished six months' run, although first in- dications against more than moderate stay. Gait now about $5,000 or little less. Cast co- operative. "The 8how-Off," Playhouse (9th week). Regarded as one of great- est plays based on American life. Sell-out attraction and should ex- tend well into next season. $14,000 weekly. "The Swan," Cort (24th week). One of most successful comedies of foreign origin developed in years. Business continues at corking pace; gross bit under previous going, but excellent at $14,500. "Vogues of 1924," Shubert (2nd week). Opened Thursday to ex- cellent notices with call fairly strong. Chance for big mnney. attendance <]uickly rising to capaeity by .S.aturdav ni;4ht when $4 000 was in. "Welded," P.Oth S". rSd \veek< Final week. This drama started well; eased f'ft" seeond w^ek when gr'is> around $7,000 and in,ana;,'ement ai>i)arei;tl V .le, i.|i.,i to tak- no ch.inee.s, ( I'-'sn.^ "lis week, "S-*"eet .Seventei-n" iii.iy move In. "White Cargo," D.ilys «:!d S' i22i,d week I, Gettifig nieirly $10 0i)0 weekly. That lig.ire r-'itn^ mIuiw with suceesses; liiriiing jirjii". both wi.\s r;;! ', along. SHOWS IN PHILADELPHIA (Continued from Page 14) ing, or else not caring for the sa- tirical thrusts, appear to enjoy the show for the dancing. Much of livst week's Jump is attributable to the glowing second-thought com- ments in the dallies. Although It never was able to reach the figure here that It did in Boston, "The Whole Town's Talk- ing" did an excellent final week's business at the Adelphi and sur- prised by going clean on Saturday night, while several higher-gross shows failed to do so. The Grant Mitchell play, after a slow start at the Walnut, picked up nicely in its second week and then slumped sharply on the first week after Its tran.sfer to the Adelphi, following^ which It again took a turn for the' better. If it had stayed in the Wal- nut, there is little question but that it would have run up nice figures in its last two weeks- "Sftlly, Irene and Mary" drppped another notch at the Lyric, having been as hard hit as any show in the city by Lent. There is now very serious doubt if this show will be able to last through the spring sea- son and until the house closes for the year. In fact, several possible successors have been mentioned In rumor which may or may not be- come actuality. The Lyric was one of the hou.'es which did not touch capacity Saturday night. "Chains" failed to quite hold Its own at the Walnut, and "The Ging- ham Girl" in Its farewell week at the Chestnut showed very definitely that Its demand was finished. Tti» Broad was dark after the two weeks of "Across the Street." which were said to be about the poo^<^st the house has h.ad In recent years, with the exception of la,»t year's engage- ment of Mantell, The final week's gross in-^lead of reaching close to $4.000.as estimated. Is said to have been only about $2,200. The three openings this week ought to liven things up. but onlv , two of them are llgiire'l for re.il money. I'.ii ryinore should do a bit; two weeks" leislnes.s at the Hroad. ,ar:d it ;-■ c.inlidentiy exiiectej Hint Gridiili's •■.\merir,V will be a big draw here, lietuiise of hi-^loric tie- 'ip, it is S'-t at the Chestnut until th" hot w < -all er uiik '.-;s liuMi:ess llumnioxes, TTTe ni'irJ"i7|)ei'.liig. j i e l!igln\a> man," with Joseph Schild- Urailt, lias little or no adv.anoe --ale bu'. i" still hopeful of drawing a hi.,' •virdow business bo-ansn of t' • puji 1. iri'y of the scar. It will .'i,i'. ■■ 35th Annual Sunday Night at the Hudson The SJth annual benefit perform- ance of the Treasurers' Club of America will be given at the Hud- son Sunday night. The affair, as formerly. Is in aid of the organiza- tion's sick and lurlal fund. Bin Norton ai d Lep Solomon of the Music Box are in charge of the progr.im, which contains a list of big naniijfj, all guaranteed to ap- pear. On the bill are Douglas Fair- banks and Mary Plekford, Kdille Cantor. Olsen's Hand, Bert and Betty Wheeler. Florence Moore (mistress of ceremonies), John Steele, Solly Ward, Phil Baker, Santley .and Sawyer, Charles Co- lumbus and I'uena Vista, Frank Tintiey and Hugh Cameron. "Jessie J.ames Boys" (Band), Fannie Brlce, Clark and .McCullough, Hal Sher- m;in, O'Dennishaw n and Snow. Julia Sanderson, J.ack Buchanan. Willie Solar. Jack Osterrnan. Billy Glason. and the Avon Comedy Four. INSPECTORS AROUND Find Fault with Shubert and House Signs .\ health inspector investigating liacksiage at "\"ogues" at the Shu licit reported conditions were un- .anilary, the place overcrowdetl, there were too many persons dress- ing in the same mom and the wash- ing f.acilitics inadeiiiiatc- Now some of the chorus boys are dressing in the lllh Street, directly across the street. X few d.ays following the argu- ment with the health Inspector a building inspector found the elec- tric sign over the mari|iiee in front of the Shubert stii-k out several inches too f:ir. Other Shubert iiotises were examined and the s.ame fault was found with their signs. "GARDEN OF WEEDS" CAST Leon Gordon"* "The (Jarden of Weeds"" went into rehearsal Mon- day. The drama is scheduled to open cold at a Broad w;iy house April 28. The cast includes Robert T. Haines, Mary .N'ewcomb, I,Iyan Tashman Ituby Gordon, I,ee B.aker. Norman Hackett. Warburton Cum- ble. Clarence Werwent and Maxine Flood. The company manager i^ Henry Cunningh.am. The jiiece will be pro- duced by Gordon. SELYWNS' NEXT The only spring production an- nounced by the Selwyns, "IXancIng Mothers," will be pl.iced in rehearsal this week. Mary Young. John Hal- Ilday and John Craig are among those signed for the show. Edgar Selwyn and Edmund Gol- dlng collaborated in the production of the piece. BROOKLYN'S UY OUT Showing How Keith's Orpheum May Play Legit Louis Werba will fake charge of the Crescent, Brooklyn, May 1, the house p.assing to his control from that date on for 10 years. ^ The Crescent, controlled by Shii- lierts prior to Werba securing It, has one of the best possible locations, but, somehow, has not been partic- ularly successful the List few years, it will play K. and K. combinations. The house will be dark Holy Week, with "Irene"' and "Peg of My Dre.ams"' listed among the shows due before it changes management. Werba is manager of the Montatik, the latter an Brlanger house. No plans have been announced for the Montauk for next season, and it is possible it may be torn down and an office building put up on the site, also a good location in the down- town business section of Brooklyn. With the opening of the new Albee in Brooklyn about October 15, the Keith people will transfer the big- time shows from the Orpheum to that house. It Is hardly likely pictures or pop vaudeville would be placed In the Orpheum, as the capacity Is about 2,000. Lioew's Metropolitan, a hloek or two up the street, has a capacity of 4,300, The Orpheum would more than likely become a legit combination house for the Erlanger shows If the Montauk, which has been housing them heretofore, is torn down. "EVENING POST'S" STAFF A number of switches and changes have been made in the theatrical department of the New York "Kvening Post." The dramatic e,(iitor's desk is still occupied by Charles I'ike Sawyer, who has charge of the whole amuse- ment department, and J. Ranften Towse is the dramatic reviewer. A new picture editor and critic has been called from the coast In K. S. Colling, who will have a daily "Subtitles" column on the dramatic page. Another dramatic para- grapher will be John Anderson with "Two on the Aisle." N- W. Llobler has resigned from the "Telegr.am-MaH"' to take charge of the amusement advertising on the "Post." Brown's Road Shew Closes Los Angeles. April 1. The Brown Brothers' road show, with Julian Eltinge. closed March 22 at St. Joseph. Mo. The Browns went to Chicago, while Eltinge mi- grated to New York. The others. Including Jacques Pierre, company manager, and Ed- dle.Pomeroy and orchestra returned here, where the show was organized. ENGAGEMENTS Milton P.eick, for "One Kiss" I tab). William Balfour, Fred Rogers, Irene Taylor, Welford and Kearney, "Over the Border" (vaudeville). Crisp Sisters, Tidbits of 1924" (vaudeville). BENTEL BADLY HURT Los Angeles, April 1. George R. Rental Is in a serious cuoditlon at Pasadena as a result of having been struck by a motor- cycle at the Ascot Speedway. It is feared that in addition to a broken leg Bentel sustained both spinal and Internal Injuries. Bentel Is the presliieni of the .S[>eedway, .also of the Morosco Molding Company. NEWARK'S CUT RATES Newark, April 1. The Broad has tried out half rale tickets for Monday nights but the management has not been favorabli impressed by the results. They have been used for "Chains, riie Lady," and "You and I.'" Tlie slic- ing drew a full house on Mondays but failed to Increase the business the rest of the week. JOHN GOLDEN BACK John Golden returned from Cuba j-esterday (Tuesday) and will shortly begin assembling a cast for a new play by WInchell Smith, to be given an early spring showing. DAVIS' "FIND THE WOMAN" "Find the Woman," by Owen Da- vis, will be produced by Lewis & Gordon ak«ut April 21. John Cumberland will iirobably be in the lead. tough sledding, however. In the next three weeks. Next Monday hasVinly one open- ing li>'ted, a return engagement of the "Chauve Souris"" at the Shu- bert to Last two week.i. On the 21st the ".Mask and Wig" and Jane Cowi in "Romeo"' will arrive. "Topics" is now limed for April 28. "The Pot- teiH'" is rumored to come to the Lyrli*. though no olfieial vei ilir.ition Is forthecirning. and it is ."aid some- thing will fiilhiw "Topics" at the Shiibeit. Vfi: I''oirest Was reported to have a pi. ture after the "Mask aial Wig."" Inn now there is tall; ot a nm-.il al ..^how ti.\-oiit there I'er- sisteii'. riitiiori have (>)wl vwitt Ip-d '.'» an'iilnr and Larger house, bit this Io'jLs iliipos-bl" righ'- now. INtimate.- i)f tlie week: "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" (I'.ii.l tils' we'ki Two weei.s i>i!|\ . 0|i-i TT aig, :i> ,.s .-.lie. iii.'ive dm L !.i-' we-k .fte;- tlop of '-.Xft. -< tlie .-'•re.-f " "Music Box Revue" il'oire-'! sc- ■•nd Weeli,, \\ei:i|:eSM II |1S'a i .'■■) lieiil J^o^■> -b.-vri -a 11 jey,' !,ii' ..:(he<'ia. after Monday night, went clean with exception of last two rows, (blow- ing notices ought to increase pace to capacity. $26,000. "Rise of Rosie O'Reilly" (Garrick, third week). Got going after a-eak start and looks now as if it would live up to advanee piophesics. Jumped to little over $19,000. "America" (Chestnut Street Opera House, first week). Mneh expected of this (Jriflltti lilin. Opening was big. "Citigh.im Gill" in lasr week down to be|.,-.v $!».O0O. but mile Una rei ord here in long sf.ay, "Chains" lU.alinit, thlid week). Al'hoiigh on'y d ania'lr own, thin ope d|ih;'i. ihipw any gain, in fact, I'ell o!T .'■hglitly. gt'i-i :iig barely SS.iiOi) "Sally, Irene and Mary" (Lyric, Till W'el^l. 1 Hopped some tnoite l.ist Weel;, ,T.isf.- ti.iii'liing $14,000 mark. ■M .y I ol lUh nul t^ei -ijli !ifeC6 its ttt>\l l,elM---,d. "The Highwayman" (Adelphi. first week). Weak or>ei ing. 'VVhole Towns Talkir.i;" piill',1 up to ne;u-iy $10,5'>0 ;•! lis' Weelt,