Variety (April 1924)

[V^ednesday, April 30, 1924 UEGITIMATE VARIETY 11 MASK AND WIG SHOW IN PHILLY DID NEARLY $45^ LAST WEEK [fopped Biggest Gross of Any Regular Musical Revue—*Topics" Got Panning—"Keep Kool" Has Even Chance — ■---—- — Philadelphia. April 29. The arrivjl of the Euster week attendance boom, plus continuing cool weather, resulted in a numljer Of last moment bookings, and, r'ri'- Vided they are not changed or can- celled, as would not be unlikely, it looks as if the keys and camphor balls will not bo used until June. There w:is only one cipacity in the city, llie Mask and \\ ig (I'ni- versity of I'ennsylvania) hIioiv at the Forrest. Hard to get a real lint- on this bi;; .'imateur attractiori, but with the i:;.'-'^ lop, capacilv crouds all week. i!|)st.Tira and down and standing i.ium jammed In ni^',liily. 'That's 'J It;'I" must have passed $40,000 l>> r)nsiilurablo, perhaps ..p- proachin,- Sl.'p.OOO. At any rale, one thing is siu\^, no revue, not i'\en the "Follies," bis loiiched the .Mask anil Wig gross. This yens r'lrformanct- was Hie most Slice ' sfdl they ever bad, oclil)»ing (•. en the busines.') of "Here's Ib.v.a-" last year. As a re- sult, one < \tra performance. (I a led for the At .l.'iny l'"riOay, w.as li.und not to be I ii'ui;;h, and three mare perform.'! >-.- Hvo iiigh'.s ar.l .a matinee. Ia\^- been an!:i'unic>! im the Broai ((iosed for the s'a.scn as far .a-^ l li-- legit Is conci-ii.cd). May 9-10 That makes I'J loca! ap- pearances. i\liii-h with the v.e^;ert! trip and ll.-' i-xn.i New ^orl: "imv.- Ing, gives t:i:s year's Mask ard \\'<:: the largo: i umber of pcrCoriMaines in the histi'i;. of the club. It is fuel;, admitted, des[ijte i!ie absolute il!--.niilarit.'i in t.vpe,-. iiia! the MasI; an,I Uig's prc,sen< ;• luirt the businc-s of Jane Cowl in ' ibi- meo and .la ic-i'' at the Adelplii hio- clety alwa. s turns out en masye for the Wig^oi^' shows, and cspociall.v Monday ii j;l!l was their absence noticeable a I I he much-heniUled Shakerpcar.'.in revival. In f.icl. the business f>ir 'Uomeo" was not up to expect.!tion.'). The late date, fol- lowing: so tnai\y other performances of the t'anl s iilays, is undoubtedly responsible. The critics were both highly laudatory and geneious in •pace, and Miss Cowl and Hollo Peters received considerable e.ttra J>ubllcity in connection with a trip they made .tn the Kdwin I'orrest Home on Shakespeare's anni\er- •ary, but there was rowhere rear the jam at the box odice Ih.al made IBarrymorc's "Hamlet" a nctabio jlocal eng.'i^ement. , The "Romeo and ,Iuliet" t)us:tiess has been t.mly i)rofital)le, however, inore th.an cnuld be said of War- deld's "Merdi.int" or the Sol'iern and Marlowe w'eeks. "Topics' with Dely."*!! has a mod- erately goo I week at the Shubert. but was i;eiier,ally panned bv the ferities, ai il Ih hardly likely to .sot any bridge., on fire now tbat the after-Lent' n reaction ha.^ I'ogtin to , wear off. The lobby comment was hardly embus. .istic, "Keep K'.iul." the mu.^ical comedy tryout \v!i:eii came Into the tlar- rick, was t ledited with has ins a erood chaiae by most of the (lities. and survi\c I probably the most un- fortunate first night any new show ever h.ad here. Mechanically, evcrythins; that could go wrong, did, and "Ke!*i> Kool" is. unfortun'itely. a rather t'imi)liealed and ambitious show in reuard to staging, wnuh made m.i'.ters worse. The critics spoke of the show's iiO\elt;.- in sketches ail .-vrrangements. A great deal of papering was done, espeeiallj- ai tho opening, but even at that I i;ioss of $1,300 w.is re- ported f.ir the lirst night, and $10,500 (M 1 little belter for the week. "Tlie Kroiil/er Sorat.a" suirvivod the bomb.n I'merit of sarcisti- com- ment in the dailies, and with K:i- Hch's big following which folUe.ved her here fiDm her usual ai)i;ear- ances on the Yiddish theatre stage on Arch sireet. held up to its lirst week's ti^uie, or close to it. ".Sally. Irene and .M <i\" gained .slightly at the Lyric, but It became evident as the week p.issed that this Ions- stayer was not destined to reg.-iin its earlier paie, and the end of its run was s t for Saturday of this week. Katliei- iinexpectedl.\', an un- derliner xns announced, the same |>Olng "'lop Hole." with T,;.i.ii" Ot'ermann. Tlius. ".''ally. Irene and Mary" dbj n.x rpiile fiilhll it- threat of Ia.=(tini; leit the season al liiis North Hr.iid street house. "Amerie.i ■ yiiineil considciab! .• at the Che'.tnui. and with the .lal of several cie^.M- |)ub!ieity sMinls, iri- cluding 1 c.imposition pi i.»e f'lr school rhilrlTTin, it appeirs to have steadied .lown to such an ex'ert that the oii.;ir.-i! Intention of si ly- ing into ,lnne may be accompli.^lled. No picluie or legit attraclion either ever has h i I tlio army of publicity expert.s thi' this one has seen so S^ar. K'.er^ '.voek iievr ones arrive from New York, The advertising and publicity angle must have coat a pretty pen for "America." This week's openings were "The Thief of Bagdad," at the Forrest, and 'I'll Say She Is" (return), at the AValnut, The picture will stay as long as it can realize a profit, and it is hoped that that will mean late June or even July. At anv rate, it looks as if the Forrest will have one of its latest closing In many years. A big campaign is being staged for the Fairbanks special, and its open- ing was in the nature of a notable lirst night. "I'll Say She Is" is .sure to stnv two weeks, and may linger three al the Walnut. The show i.s being changed and readied fur Xew York, and the debut on Ilroadw.iv will de- cide the leni^th of .stay here. U did walloping big business hist summer, but whetiier it c.'.ii repeat is a m^s- lery. It ought to catch a cerlain clientele the lirst week of those who returned ba the city last fall too late to catch it then. After tiiat, i4s draw is proiilemaiie. Ne.xt week will tco an iinusnally large array of entries for so lute in the season. U is doubtful if a .May week ever had us many as f,.ui openings at (.lae ever bcf.ire hcia'. In addition to tlic new slue.v, "Top Hole," at the Lyric, ".Nancy Ann," with Fruncitpi> Larrimore, i.s sched- uled for the Ad(l|>hi. "Itunnin' Wild" at the C iirick, ard "Innocent 10ye.H," return engagement, at tiie Shubert. ' Xancv Ann" has the lime originally announced for "The Moon Flower." while "Innocent I'^yes" has the tmoUin;? intended for "Mary Jane McKane." As far as is now known, the above attractions will end the season at their respective houses, although, of cour.'je. there is always possibility of last-minute changes. Rumor has it that a picture, probably "Beau Brummel," will following "Runnin" Wild" into the C.arrlck. The only likely novelty for the weeks of May IL' and 19 is some- thing at the Walnut on the latter date, although nothing Is set as yet. Plans for a summer show .at this house have been held In complete abeyance. Estimates for Last Week "Topics of 1923"' (Shubert, id week>» Better business Ihan this big house succeeded in getting willi either week of the "Chauve Souris," but nothing sbarfling for Kaster Week, Clocked at around $15,000, and severe panning in the papers will probably dent gross this week. "The Thief of Bagdad" (Forrest. 1st week). Big opening MoTiday night with $l,6n'.', and largest advance .sale any film has had in Philly in long time. Mask and Wig had house solidly packed. Cross estimated at considerably over $40,000. "Keep Kool" (Carrick, 2d week). Despite toughest set of mechanical breaks at opening, show won en- couraging notices, nnd is being rap- idly whipped into real shape. Gross of $10,500 reported on week. "America" (Chestnut, 5th week). C.rltnth idclure succeeded in pulling up considerably, and right now is making big play tor school children, which may keeo show going until June. Composition contest is one of stimts, "I'll Say She Is" (Walnut, 1st week). Return engagement for this musical comedy, which lasted through last sum.'.aer at same house, is something of experiment. Will stay two weeks and iiosslbly three. "Kreutzer Sonata" claimed" $10,000 last week. "Sally, Irene and Mary" (I^yric, illh weekl. I'inale for this show, which did not fulfill prophesy of closing house. Business, while showing: slight gain last week, did not climb back anywhere near for- mer pace, and management decided edge was definitely olt. Reported at about $1»,500. "Romeo and Juliet" (Adelphla. 2d week). Not big Shakespearean win- ner Barrymore's "H.amlet" w.as last winter, but this was expected, con- sidering time of sea.son. With boosted scale, claimed $13,000 on week. WEDS 3 DAYS AFTER DIVORCE Syracuse, April 29. After receiving his final decree April 19, Ccoige N. Crouse. Syra- iiiso mtllior.iir'^. married again April 22. The wedding look place secretly. Janelte Ten Kyek, da'igh- ter of Crotise's political associate, former Sh«»riff IMw .r.J Ten Kyek, it* the bride. Crouse bean his action after finding his wife, Rita Knight Cronso, In a Montreal hotel room with » .=!yr »< use b.i.seball player last year. BOSTON Wni HAVE EARLY SEASON CLOSING Only Two Incoming Announce- ments—Present Crop Leaving Eoslon, April 29. Running true to form the week following Kaster was u very good one for the attractions playing this city, with one exception. That ex- ception was the new show "The Rabbit's Foot," Opened cold at the Plymouth It failed to register, doing just about $7,500. The other four shows got away to flying starts and in crwh instance had an advance sale to protect them against weather breaks. "Chauve Souris" held at practically rapacity for the week and "The Cinghani Clirl," which must now be rated as on»f of the best money makers of Its class to play this city, sustained full houses. 'The Chan.fTclinKs." with the all- star cast at the llollis. also did a whale of a businc-s on its first week and indjeatioiis are tbat business «ill continue. It has one week inoic of local booking. The piasrnl outlook is Ibat the end of the scas^on, for the legitimate bouses, is in sigbl Signs point that way as the sh.o.',-: now pl.iying mo due to leave at tlrC end of the week .and there lri\;> been but two new altra(tions aniioiitacd. (jne is "The Hream Ciil," due into (be Willnu after 'The Ciieiliaio Cirl," for an indc Unite en;;a^oTne! I. Anotlier Is ■■'riinia ton" who is due Into the Sclw\ii a; liie end of Ibis week to leiil.i.c Ololl in '"i'hc He.ul of Paddy Whack." Outiud. of thc'.e armouneeaients the legil futuie !oo!;s lallier dark-.'ind llicK- will probably be a siiuldowii ni,an.\ weeks atiead of tie lenuiar time Just what the fiiture of the .M.a- jeslic will be for the summer is nueslioii.able. (Iriffiiirs ".America.' whiehc has bcai riinnini; at the bouse for several weeks. s|>rutig u closing announcement this week and as f.ar as it is known the annoiiiuc- meiit means what it ti,ajs. As f.ar as can be ascertained (he plans do not include the booking iiilo the house of a legitimate altr.action. This week the Colonial is housing the Filene amat, iir show. "The Caddie (Jirl," which has the hour.i for a week. No matter how big a business this show diK-s it can t clear expenses and isn't put on as a money making proposition. .\'ed Wayburn has htid the dancers of the show under his supervision for several weeks. After this week the house win h.ave the Fairbanks' picture. "The Thief of Bagdad " Last week's Estimates "The Changelings," ll(dlis. CJnd week). Drew to good business, close to c.apacitv, for the first week "The Heart of Paddywhack," Selwyn. (2nd week). Show did a bit belter than $10,000 for the first week. "Chauve Souris," Shubert. (2nd week). Did the best business In the town the first week to the tune of $22,000. "The Gingham Girl," Wilbur. (5th week). Cli ibed close to $1G.000. "The Rabbit's Foot," Plymouth. (2nd week). Opened very slow, with business about $7,500. I'nder jircs- ent title not looked upon as a money m;iker although those who have seen the show like It. L A. GROSSES "Lightnin'" Almost $6,000 in Lead Last Week Los Angeles. April Ti. Business held up fairly well In the local legit houses la«l week with "Lightnin"' in Its sixth week at the Biltmore, leading with, $14,000. Robert B. Mantell's second week In the Mason brought $6,000 while "All Alone Susan," third week at the Majestic, got $8,200 In Its first week at the Morosco "Shore Leave" regiatered $5,000. "The Invisible Husband" trailed everthing in Its third week at the Grand avenue wllh $2,600. $13,000 FOR "MR. WU" Whiteside at Curran, With Colur bia Dark Last Week San Francisco, April 29. This Is the second week the Co- lumbl.a has been dark. Last week It heliied Walker Whiteside in ".Mr. Wu" at the Curran to a $l3,0n0 grosi. Last week .also and al the Alcazar I.*o Carrillo In his run of "Lom- bardi, Ltd.," droidicd to $C,SO'l, still a good gross for this slock lioiise. This week at the Curran Is "Just MariieJ," with Donahl I Irian arid Vivian Martin: Carrillo lir)liling over In the same piece, with Fen Is llartman and Myrtle Dingwall In '.'^woethearts" .at the Capitol, tied the Ca;iino li-iMinj bur'.es'iue. P, M. A. MEETING <Continucd from page 1) 1921' reported Its proposed agree- uienl with Kfiuity, Only two man- a'4:ers spoke in f.ivor of acceptance, they being Leo Shubert and Arthur llammerstein. The proposal was then voted on and acceptance denied. The issue was on closed shop alone, other features of the agreement's concessions not being considered. Arthur Hopkins then introduced Ihe resolution to arbitrate the mat- ter, lipon the acceptance all com- mittees were discharged. The isso- lution was: "Whereas, The Producing Man- agers' Association believes that the proposed Kqulty Shop carries with it grave elements of danger in the future conduct of the theatre; and "Whereas, The Actors' XOqulty As- sociation believes that the organiza- tion cannot remain vigorous and ef- fective without the proposed lOqulty .Shop; be it "Resolved, That the Producing Managers' As.socialion and Actors' I'Iciiiity Association submit to an I'mpire or Board of Arbitralion the problem of devising a [dan that will fully protect the Actors' i;quUy .As- .sociatioti without resort to Hqulty .Shop; and be it "Itesolved, That the Producing .M.aiagers' Association will nbide fiir.\ by th" fhidlngH of said I'mpire or I'.oard of Arbitration." The hottest topic along Bro.adw.iy is tlic I'lquity situatiiui with its (di.aiuas for a strike June 1 or a .--<lllemcnt at the last minute. The ilis;iute between the actors and Producing Managers' Association Is .aha. ilr.awing attention throughout the country, with the strilte set- tlcnienl of 1919 (onlract ha\ Ing but one nionlli to go. -Mmnsi daily in the iiast week In- dications for agreement belween the factiofis have produced contra re- porls One day's argument that everything would be fixed up has been succeeded by declarations that the man.'igcrs would surely go to bat with I'lquity, Such ft nuize of leads cropped up that an I'Jqulty leader admitted no later than Sunday that he did not know what It was all about—so far •as tin- status of the strike is con- cerned. The climax of the situation was expected to crop up yesterday at a gei'.eral meeting called by the I'. M. A. Al that time the "lUeering Com. millee for 1924" made its report, without recommendation. That meant the pro[>osltion to make an agreement with Fquity was thrown into oiien discussion by the meeting. L.ate last week It was confidently stateil by a producer who favors si;;nlng with Fquity on virtually the hitter's own terms that the proposal of last fall would almost be sure to pass at the m.anagcrial mceling. The basis for th.it expectation was the elimination of the "disalTected" clause which was termed conspiracy in the opinion of cx-(ioveinor .Nathan Miller. In lis .stead a clause calling for guaranteeing 80 per cent. Fquity casts against 20 per cent, independent players has been in- serted. It was known In advance, how- ever, th.at the "round robin" man- agers would not accept the terms. That group feels lOquily should re- cede from Its arbitrary position in light of the concessions already of- fered. The round robins say the per- centage idea is closed sli(»p In prin- ciple, if not wholly so, and at last reports refuse to accept it. Protecting Equity The round robins substantiate their position by pointing out they have offered to guarantee no Fquity member shall be engaged unless in good standing. They believe that It is the strongest kind of protection for Fquity, financially and as an or- ganization. Those managers, how- ever, deny the right of ICquity to say that no member shall be per- mitted to resign. If such members are willing to pay the equivalent of Rquity's dues to charity In lieu of rctalnltig meml>er3hlp, the round robins cannot Interpret the Inside reason other than I-Jqulty craves the whip power In the profession. John Fmerson is alleged to have told a manager last week that: "We are not fighting the managers; we're after the actors. They must be forced to pay dues, otherwise the organization Is cold." The round robin t^roiip continued boMing sessi'ins in the olliee of ,'s,ain H. Harris as l.ate as Mond ly after- noon. DiscusHiotis are said to li.avc touched On the everitual status of managcr.s who may si,-n Individual agre'-nienis with Liiuity at tho end 'of May. .^o far no such ai^'recments aro known to have been made. It is understood that any such Individual signers wiiold leie all standing in the 1". .VI A, Tiifc organization has LIONEL'S GROSS Take* Baltimore's Top Barrymore Figure li.iltiinore, April 2'J. Tlie lights were turned oft at tna Auditorium list week, but the cur- rent w.as onco more on at Ford's, where Lionel Barrymoro opened a. week's engagemcn in ' I.augh Clown, Laugh." Business declined slightly towards the close of the week, but the show grossed $15,500, the best business any of the Barrymores have ever done ia Baltimore. "Plain Jane" had Us lirst metro- politan showing at Ford's Monday. Petrova in '"Hurricane" follows. New York wires that there will be at- tractions for the two weeks follow- ing, bringing the definite bookings of this bouse up to the last Of May. The Auditorium was reliSTite<l Monday with "The Passing Show." .\ special crew of mechanics had tho thtwtre last week. Revue la popular in Baltimore, but a show of this tyi)0 must gross heavily to show any real profit. Advance satisfactory. Jane Cowl In "Romeo and Juliet" follows: Cancelling of Sothern- Marlowe makes this the only Shake- spearian presentation of the season. "Sally, Ireni' and Mary" follows. "Katlnka," by the local Paint and Powder Club, drew well at the Ly- seum. This is an annual charity event and the town is always well solicited In advance. Tho week saw over $10,500, The Lyceum reverted to the pro- fcKslon.'il legitimate this week when "The Deml-Vlrgin," with Olive Tell in the lead, began an indefinite en- gagement. MYSTERY SHOW SURPRISES "Cat and Canary" Did Nicely at ^ Adverse Period Washington, April 29. "The Cat and tho Canary," in Us third week at the Belasco and a lo al affair, "Cherry Blopsom Time," at the National tend to make Wash- ington grosses for the past week b.'irely worth reporting. That Is an angle, though, that should prove of Interest, namely the stay of the John Wlllard mystery play at the Be- lasco. Tho show throughout the worst period of the theatrical sea- son played to good business and even on the final and third week secured what may be termed a half- way decent bualnesa. "Cherry Blossom Time," at tho National, got it all within the first two nights, Kstlmates on last week: "Tha Cat and tha Canary," P^las- co. $6,000. "Charry Bloaaom Time," National. $4,000. IOWA OWNERS TO UHITE Des Moines, ta., April 29. Theatre owners from u\\ over the State here last week, took up the proposal to unite the 601 owner." in an effective organization. The association, now temporarily organized, has 250 Inrolled, with J. C. Collins, president, and K. P. Smith, secretary. Member.ship requirements are a small amount of screen advertise- ment of the State association and its luirpose. repeate<lly gone on record 100 pec cent, ag.ainst closed shop. The round robin group are producers who havo not receded from that viewpoint .and therefore are regarded the backbono of the P. M. A. Further discussions took ui> the status of attractions which would remain open. In the event of a strike and individual settlements by cer- tain managers. Opinion appears to be divided as to whether Eciuily members forced out of engagements would not demand the other houses go dark nnd actors walk out In syin- palhy. In the 1919 strike several independent attractions continued as "exempt," but the situation appears to be different now because It is known that not .all of Equity's peo- ple Oivor the closed shop Idea. Stage Hands and Musicians The anticipation of the sta.'fe hands nnd musi(;lans participating In an actors' strike, should it occur, is not a settled fact. Reports early this wec'k were to the effect that those unions would not subserll* to a strike this summer and that they did not care to participate. .Should that attitude become a def- inite fact. It will release the musie.il show filans of a number of m.'ina- gers who contend they could pro- ceed without Fquity peoiile should there bn no ngitation among (be back st.ige workTS. No further plans of closing down all r,u lions have followed the Xiei.- feld deLlar.ition of stopping 'Kid Boots' and not going ahead wi'Ii .i new "Follies." "The Miracle" U reported a possibility for g oing dark M.ay 31 if the stiiKe (omes. Mollis f!<st refused to comment farther than to s.ay be would bo iailueneo 1 by David llel.asco, a iiromlnent fa - lor In tho roiird robins an! wlio b.is sloppcvl all thealrieiJ .a.-tivity.