Variety (August 1924)

VARIETY lecitimatC •iWWyjfMi wravV;^' (» «» !■ I ■' a ' i* ^ Bm¥ PICKED DP LAST WEEK WITB* FOLLIES'' $40,500 LEADING FIELD Xy.-r 'f:}\. •••x. •-ScandaV at $30,200—'ICid BooU," $^,500— ''Abie's Imh Rose," 3d Y«ur, $12,900—"Show- m;* with $9,000 La«t W«ek, Indicate* Two- S^Mon Hit ■PMdlnr up Of prodnetloa tw Ui« new SMMon wa« markedly «vid«ne«4 la th« )«at two ire«ki. Tta« out-of-town promlere Uat la ji«Avl«r this weok than at any tlmo during th« aunuaor. Tb«r« la Uttlo doubt tha partial adjnaunant of tb* time, haa but on« moro w«ak at the Wlntar Garden and will be aucceeded Labor Say by tba saw "Paaains Show." ■•.•^.«w*».H! "Abia" Mil LaiMnna. "Ablani Irlab Roaa," tba run leader, Ja, too, the .nonay leader among the non-muaicala. Laat week Bquity Bltuatlon will react on aluf-i it got |12,«00, an aatoniahing groaa ~for an attraction which haa atarted giab iproduotlon programa. Tha new aaaaon, however, la plainly running bahiiid other yeara Aa predicted, Broadway'a abow ahopa will not be entirely lighted uiUll lata Beptamber, poaaibly be- yMi4 than. Five new'attractiona arrived laat wart and two more bow la this week, with an additional pair racnmiag angagamenta There are M attraetioaa in all on Broadway aalEfklaat t4 for tha corraaponding weak laat Anguat Fii|e attracUoaa wiq be added next week and half a doaan or more lAbor Day, but the new aaaaon'a grab-bag wUl not be flilad by any maaaa. The ahlfting around of emraat attraetiona aAd tha bookara* ability to, take care of oM ahowa raanming, for September •tt laaat, ia IndleaUva of the tlmea. "Marjaria'a* Chanea Of tha new playa entered last waak "Marjorla" at tha Shubert haa tha. beat ohabca. that mnaioal eom- ady getting 115,000 for tha Initial weak. "Sandag Mothera." tha llrat new eomady dnuna of th^ aaaaon, atarted promlalngly at tha Booth, with the initial taklnga between |>,B00 and $10,000. "No Other Qirl," a mualcal comedy tried out laat •eaaon aa "The Town Clown," got about 17400 in five Oaya at the Moroeco and ia not highly rated. The other pair are outright flopa. "I>r. Davld'B Dad" atoppad after three daya at tha YandarbUt. and "Kaay^ Street" wUl elosa Saturday at the aoth Btraat Kach had a weekly pace of about $3,M«. Thia week'a pi^amleres are "The Beat People," which did well in Chi- cago during the aprlng and which opened at the Lyceum Tuesday, and "The Dream Girl," opening Wednea- day at the Ambaaaador, it alao hav- ing a good out-of-town reputation. "The Miracle" relighted at the Cert- tury Monday, pUying at «.30 top, comparatively a popular price acale, ainea tha original 24-week engage- ment waa priced at 16.50 top. "All God'a Chilinn Got Wlnga" also re- •umed at the'Greenwich Village. Next Wealc'a Next waek'a ahow card haa "The Baaay Mark," aucceeding "Easy Street" at the SOth Street; "laaie." succeeding "Beggar on Horseback" at the Broadhurat; "Be Yourself," succeeding "Plain Jane" at the Har- ris ("Jane" moving to the Bltlnge); , •«nnd the Man" (which waa "The SWerwoIT') at the 49th Street, while "*T*e Swan" resumes at the Empire. It la tha Urat of the strike-closed ahowa to napen. Two others. "The Stepping Stonea" and "Rain," will reaume at the Globe and. (Jalety re- spectively, along with tha Labor Day entries. At that time "Kid Boota" Will move from the Carroll to the Selwyn, which will aend >Charlot'a Revue" back to the Times Square for a final three weeka. The ' Carroll may get "Keep Kool" -aa a atopgap, that ahow being forced to vacate the Globe. Buainaaa Improvement Cool weather laat week and early this week permitted little grounds for complaint and business im- proved all along the line. There has been no change among the big money ahowa, the "Follies" leading tka Uat «lth $40,500 laat week. "Soaadala" holda to capacity and groaaed $30,200 at the Apollo. "Kid Boots" appeara aa strong aa ever With a total of $29,500 to its credit. ff\M latter two attractions are the leading candidates for run contlnu- aaea through the fall among the musicals, with "Fll Say She Is" next in Una. The latter got nearly $19,000 agstb at tha Casino and appears set Vntn Ohrlatmtia. ' •itJharlofa Rfcvue" »est%l tMe $l«,IHX»'n>iarl<'laat ■lanocent Kyea," aagging for on lU third year. "The SJtdw-OfT' contlnuea to act like a two-season comedy. Its groaa of $9,000 laat weak placed It among the beat. "Bxpreaslng Willie" got nearly $7,000, good weather beneflting the show mora than $2,000. "Cobra." which moved Monday to the Long- acre from the Hudson, satisfied the BuTnagement with $7,000 gross or better. "Strange Badfellowa" (for- merly "So Thia la Polillca") jumped at the -Henry Miller, get- ting $8,500, which waa the bett fig- ure 'ainee opening. Jt i» expected to run through September. T^t applies to "FaU Morgana." still making money «t the Garrlck, paced around $6,000. "White Cargo" clalma an increaae of $2,200 laat week for a gross of over $7,000 at the Sixty- third Street '•Kaahioo" wiU leave the Cort after another week. Business since moving up from the Village has been quite modeat and the house lust managed to ke^ open during the laat month. "The Tantrum" will aucceed Sept 1. The Vander- bllt religfata'^Sept $\ with "Thor- oughbreda," triad out last aprlng aa "The Hose Thief." On the Labor Day card are "Vanitlea," at the Music Box, and tba "RiU Revue," at the Bits. SnUKE LOOMS Ul» ^ FOR PillLUrSJPPNG New Season $et to Start Aug. 2&7rUnofnctal Uyout for Seven Houses . Hlood of Plays The market is literally flood- ed with plays. Kvery playhroker in town has been sending out more ^han the usual niunber of man- uscripta'to be read. It is now estimated that oyer 200 pieces ara floating around the varioua managerial ofllcea, and aside from that mqre than 250 pieoaa have been announced for pro- duction by the othera. Most of the playbroker'a ma- terial la written in a comedy vein. One manager, to whom many of the.pieces liad been aulmiitted, said Ibat they were moatly Inlutlve and cheap, a atrohg "Abie's Irish Rose" sentiment throughout the ma- jority. Pbiladatphla. Aug. 10. One waeik firdm Monday will'aee the start of tha 1924-25 legU season in Philly unleaa unforaaaen events, iaelndliw the aerlonaly threatening atrike of Bta«e haaAa aad musicians, interfara. Aa unofflcially Ibied up, and with- out considering posatbllity of the strike dlarupting tha opening (as feared by'■soma) the aaven legit houses wU) begin their new aeaaona aa foUowa: The Forreat will open on Labor Day with Philip Goodman'a new muaioal comedy, "Vanity Fair." The Garrirck, contrary to previous in- tantlona, will not open until one week Uter, "Tha Grab Bag," with VSA Wynn. being the attraction. The third of the syndiicate bouaea will not get under way until tha 22d, when the Broad announcea "Hell Bent fer Haaveo." The Walnut has 'In the N«Kt Room" down aa ita opaning attraction 'and la the only houTaJMiydlBg arouad press copy at this writing. Labor Day ia the date hare, toa The Shubert Is expected to begin with "Wildflower," booked for ate week, commencing Labor Day. "Th« Goose Hanga High" is reported as the Adelphl's first ahow, though there ia aome queation, Sweat Little Devil" also being mantioned. The date ia not an- nounced. The Lyric is rumored to c«en wA "X4ttle Jaa^ James," The Chestnut Street Opera House's first show la not known. The Walnut has "Slttln* Pretty" aad "Tarnish" lined up, according to tha dope, while the new Shubert operetU, "Heidelbere" and "Ar- tlsta and Modela'' ara reported for' tha Shubert, which will alao get "Cniarlot'a Revue" in November or December. "Fata Morgana," "Cobra" and "Tha Outaider" are mentioned for the Adelphl. which Is sure to get a long engagement of Hodge'a new play, which may frecj^e aome of thk others out. Tlie Broad haa "The Swan" coming In in October. Meantime, while the legit aitnatlon is marking time, the feature picture, burlesque and vaudeville houses are showing activity. "The Sea Hawk" gets under way at the.Aldlne Aug. SO, "The Covered Wagon" opens at the Globe on the same date (second run here), while Faya' debut cornea next Monday, and the other vaude- ville houses are expected to Join tha Bwlm Labor Day. The CUuino (burlaaque) opened Monday, while tl^e Trocadero and Gayety get under way this Saturday. JANET OF FRANCE Don't miss her—ahe'a bang uBrto- dateu As a draw and attraction she's great Kow's your chance; don't be slow in a big Broadway show—A SEN8ATIONAX. SUCCESS SHITD CREATE.—THE CRITIC. "BEWITCHECrjiEUD OVER Tried Out by ClavalaiMl Steek. '- '•haMoit'a Drama Cleveland, Aug. 19. "Bewitched," a drama "by Edward Sheldon, tried out laat week at the Ohio, is so well regarded it is being held over for another three weeks. Tho play is founded on a dream story. The showing of 't^witched" here ia virtually a regular presentation, a complete production bavin;} lean sent en; also the three leading play- ers, who are Jose Rubin, Floronce Eldredge and Glen Anders. John Cromwell and (Tbarlea Miller produced ''Bewitched." They also control "Tarnish," which Cromwell produced last season -aa the first show OB Its own. That play had been previously rejected by Bqulty Players. Favorable re|k>rts jn "Be- witched" led to offers both from the Brlanger and Shubert offices to han- dle the booking and spot the show on Broadway, ^ Edward SheMon, tha author, haa been bedridden for the past tb^ee y '^: AIHA L&UOHIIR OT COMEDT Ayia Laughltn will htar under the direction of Lewia A Gordon In "Please to Meet Tou," a tabloid comedy, by Elaine Sterne. The sup- porting cast Is now being esaembled, and the piece will go into rahearaal next week under the direction of Bert Robinson. "WELCOME STRAHGER" Opening at Central, Chiaago, Sep- tember 7 Chicago, Aug. 19. "Welcome Stranger" will be re- vived for Chicago and open at the Central Sept T. , , Several people who were in the original caat have been engaged. Carl Barrett, manager and lessee Of the house, int<>nds sending the ahow on tbe road ahould it prove auccessful here. "On the Stairs." in its fourth month at the Central, will atop Sept (, having hooke4 out of town opening in Cincinnati, followed by St Loula and other dtiea. KDITH ELIIS' THEAmS Los Angeles, Aug. 19. The Gamut Club playhouse is to hi reconstructed as a new theatre for production of plays under the direction of Edith Ellis, author of "White Collars." Work ia to atart shortly on the remodelling. WASHINGTOH BUSINESS Washington, Aug. 19. <'The <3at and the Canary" helped the stock last week. Mot good week, but about $4,000. De Wolf Hopper at Poll's, last week with 'El Capltan"; around $9,100. EBLANGEB'S COLOHIAL STAFF The Colonial, New Tork, which opens Labor Itey under the direc- tion Of A. L. Erlanger, will have Tommy Naymack as hpuse man- ager. Mike Donovan, formerly treasurer of the Colonial, Chicago, will be in the box office, with Harry Snowden as assistant The opening attraction win be "In Bamvllle," colored attraction, which has played out of town for about SO weeka. Waggoner's '^Georges*' Rod Waggoner, who ia going on the road ahead of "Bat- tling Buttler," once more flnda himself on the payroll ot a George in the legitimate pro- ducing game. Waggoner was with George Lederer when the latter had "Madame Sherry." He was '^ith George Broad- hurst when he produced "The Storm." The next George was George Oatta, Waggoner hand- ling Eugene t O'Brien in "Steve." Then came "Little NelUe Kelly," R. W. being with Ctoorge Cohan, and now cornea the George Chooa connection ahead of "Battling Buttler.", "HONEY" DELAYED PKIDRE OPERAIORS V VOTEnmSTON Authority Given to. Order Strike Sept. 1-4No Situa- ^^ tion Change i «Fi^ Boston, Aug. 19. At a meeting yesterday members of the Boston Moving Picture Opar* atora' Union, Local 182, voted unan* Imously to grant the wage confer• enca committee authority to order a atrike at any time thia oommltte* conaldeiFed auch action advisable. There were but two membejrs of the union absent at the special meetlns. It was stated by union ofllclala the special meeting and the strike Vdt*' were made necesaary by the breaklniF ot the contract under which the mf|ti« hers of thia union are working ^*$ a number .of theatres, with the managers using the theatres ead moving picture machines to braUc In new men to fill the places ofjtib* regular operators In the event ibajr refuse to appear for work on IjijbaV, Day, when the preaent contract8;,ai(T p-re. . I ij ■ In the llat of theatrea within MM Juriadictlon of Local 182 of the PIb> ture Operatora' Union are ISC houMNi within 40 milea of the State Hoiffe in Boaton. The operators of picture machines in this State must be M« censed, but on the llcanae Is a quSIl-' fylag clause which states that the licensing authority does not guara^ tea the operator ae a workman. Fred Dcmpsey, head of the T^Sr atrlcal Employees' Union, said Men- day that as far as bis organisattoA was concerned they were stttlns tight and expected to win shortly* - ' A report was circulated during \M week that the managers of the wmX houses had withdrawn the ultiauk'* turn they Issued, last week to th4 unlont; stating that they would pro- ceed to employ paraona to fill the plaoea of their iweaent union can- ployes on Aug. IS It an agreemeot had not been reached before that time. Thia report waa denied tiF the managers, who are holding dAttjr. meetinga in conaection with tl^ poaalble criala. FiiMitcial Connectiena Getting Soma AUantion 'S2 ONE FRISCO SHOW LAST WEEK San Francisco, Aug. 19. "Romance," with Doris Keane, the only legit In town last week, did $12,600. I Thia week! with the othe> houses du^k, the Curran haS Miss 'KM«t« in "The Csarina.'-' TKED MeOAAC ON "BULLETIH" Fred J. Maclsaac, dramatic editor of the Boaton "American," haa been appointed dramatic alitor of the "E<vening Bulletin," succeeding Joseph Fleissler, who has held the post since the paper started several weeks ago. The proposed road premiere of "Honey," a new musical framed by tha Southland Corporation for the Howard. Washington. D. C. has been deferred until aome new finan- cial connections are Ironed out It is the ahow that Miller and Lyiea wrote the book for and which the producers a~ie underatood to have paid $8,00U fbr and which did sot have anything to do with equip- ment or costuiclng. J. f orter Grainger, Bob RIcketts and Joe Trent, the colored men di- recting th3 destinies of the' Rain- bow Music Company, collaborated upon the music and lyrics. Among the players engaged as principals, "Dodo" Green, the -col- ored comedian, Is to be featured. He was formerly of the "Lisa" and "Dinah" ahowa. WEBEB AND FIELDS' BOOK In book form will appear the serial of Wet>er and Fields' career, written b;- Felix Isnuin, and ap- pearing in the '"Saturday Evening Posf- '■' ' ■■ '■ ' ■ < " ' '' ^■^•^' -^ Boni a Livarlght wUl pubUsb. Marilyn Miller on Way Eaat Los Angeles, Aug. 19. Marilyn Miller, accompanied by her husband. Jack Flckford, left today for New York, where she will begin rehearsals Sept. 1 fn the title role of "Peter Pan," to be pro- duced by Charles B. Dillingham. In an effort to bring about acB' amicable settlement of conditions la Boston, a committee from the Bos- ton Local No. 9 of the Amerlcap' Federation of Musicians, headed by Carl B. Gardner, president of the Hub local, came to New York yes- terday (Tuesday) to confer with » representation of Boaton managers before Prealdent Joseph N. Wabar of the A. F. of M. With Mr. Gardner came Joaapb Bedard, chairman of the committea^ and Messra. George Bettoney, Wll« liam Sullivan and Carl Leitsingesv The union musicians from Boston bad been here Monday, hoping Uf have the conference, but for aome reason none was held and the men we^t back to the Massachusetts city. President Weber told a Variety representative he Vas using his office to do everything possible te effect a satisfactory settlement, XhMJt,, things were deadlocked on Boston pi'esent He stated, however, tl be was entirely In accord with movement of the Boston muslciai to ask for more money, as they werS' conaiderably below the salary acalap In other'Sitles. At the International Allianoe iieadquartera, in the aame buildlias with the'A. F. ot M.. the Variety man saw Prealdent William Cans^\, van« who. had heard nothing firoif|^ Boston regarding present condltiong other than meetings were being ar- ranged with the managers with the desire to adjust everything satisfac- torily. So far the Alliance considers tlM 'Boston situation One purely local lit nature and no direct appeal baa been made to the Alliance executives for assistance. Fred Dempaey, la charge of the stagehands and oper- ators in the llub, is first vice-praal- dent of the I. A. t. S. E. The musicians in Boston are as much In the deadlocked crlsla thcrrs as the stagehands, with the cabarets and park musicians affected. Boston Local No. 9 of the Musi- clans* Federation has a membersh^ of 3,000 men and is considered Sat of the strongest in the country. '^he Brida" Reopening in N. V. Peggy Wood in "The Bride" will rebpen for a aupplementary aeatfon at a New York house bAure gWlrig to Boaton fer a run. "DUTCH GIEL" BY NEW FUUI Wells Hawks, like many other press agents, has at last entered the producing field. With Raymond O. Brackett and Thomas W. Ryley as his part.iers. he will produce Efa- merich Keilman's latest operattit, "Das ' Hollbndwetbchen' . (Dutch Oh^l). Caatlrtg lion now undW the I direction of Mr. Ryley.