Variety (February 1925)

80 VARIETY L t'fy'fTIM ATE ''r-^'i^-. .^7Avr^•^ ^.•.■tu'i7w Wednesday, February 18. 1929 m SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT I !* ^ k Estimates for Last Wssk 'AbU's Irish Ross," Republic (144th week). Bad weather break Lin- coln's Birthday hurt matinees, but extra performances and holiday scales rounded out another highly prosperous week. "Able" always g«t8 its full share. Over $16,000. •Artists and Models" (1924). Casino (19th week). Moved here from Astor last week and will probably stick into spring. Extra matinee with takings about the same at $21,000. "badges," Ambassador (12th week). Moves to the Broadhurst next week and thence to the road. Again . round 19,000 last week. "The Vir- gin of Bethulla" (Bernstein's "Judith") next week at Ambassa- dor. "Batty' Lee," 44th St. (9tb week). Held to eight performances, but beat previous week considerably, takings going to $16,000 or more. Engagement ^ indefinte and will probably extend through March. "Big Boy," Winter Garden (5th week). Al Jolson's return started with three lienefit performances and business oq week as big as before show laid off. Gross over $40,000, rating attraction with best on Broadway and biggest business (or Garden. "Candida," 48th St (7th week). With an extra matinee added Bernard Shaw's light comedy went to $1S,- 600 last week. "The Wild Duck," tilso a revival, succeeds next week. No house secured for "Candida* 'up to Tuesday, despite success. "Cape 8m«ke." Martin Beck (1st week). New producer (Charles K. Gordon ) and new playwright. Drama won attention out of town. Opened Monday night. "Chauva-Souris," 49th St. (6th week). Class of Morris Gest's crack Russian troupe is putting it across to great money. Takings around $15,000 mark right along; big in this house. "China Rose." Laying off this week after playing a month at the Mar- tin Beck. Will resume next Mon- day at Wallack's. Business $12,000 the last week. "Dancing Mothers." Maxine Elliott's (28th week). Holiday going shot takings of this dramatic success upward, the count being $13,500. 't'layed nine performances. / "DesiM Under the Elms," Earl Car- roH (15th week). Four matinees last week and some this week l>e- cause of attraction's afternoon strength. Best gross to date last week, around $14,000. "Episode," Bijou (3d week). Final we^. Was lightly regarded. Last week, which was first full week, business around $5,500. "The Night Hawk" will succeed next "Follies," New Amsterdam, (35th week). Regarded as holding up to big business for this stage of run. Takings are approximating $33,000 weekly. Should last into spring. Material from "Comic Supple- ment" to be inserted for spring edition, dated March 2. "Good Bad Woman," Comedy (2d week). Opened mildly, but raw show controversy provided front page newspaper publicity, with at- tendance big late in week. Prob- aMy $8,000. "Is Zat 8«," Channln's 46th St. (7th week). Jumped to head of non-musicals last week when with extra matinee the takings were around $26,000. Virtual capasity. First time "Grory's" pace has been topped. 46th St. is big capacity house. <■ "Hell's Bolls," Wallack's (Praxee) (4th week). Original booking for (our weeks; notice by house be- cause of "China-Rose" which fol- lows in. "Bells" lays off next week then reopens at Daly's 63d St. Takings last week with extra matinee a bit under $8,000. "Houses of Sand," Hudson (Ist week). New producer offering this drama of Orient. O. Marlon Bur- ton, author, also new on Broad- way. Opened Tuesday night. "Kid Boots," Selwyn (60th week). Pinal week for Eddie Cantor show, which tours with a great record behind it Averaged over $29,000 weekly at the Carroll and over 130.000 at Selwyn. "Two By Two" "Lady Bo Good," Liberty (12th week). Strength of this nxusical makes it candidate for entire neason and probable summer con- tinuance. Hueinesa last week quoted over $28,000 with no extra matinee. "Ladies of the Evening," Lyceum (9th week). Held to eight per- formances, but through extra holi- day prices several hundred added to gross, which was $17,700. "Milgrim's Progress," 39th St. Was taken oft Saturday after playing eight weeks, spotted In three theairea durinR that tttne. Businca.s ordin.iry. "Tanjrfotoe«" succeeded Monday. ^ "Mrs. Partridge Presents," Belmont (7th week). An extra tfternoon added last week, stronf matinee support being true fioro the start. Takings over $9,000. Joth show and house profltlng; limited ca- pacity. "My Girl," Vanderbilt (13th week). No extra matinee, but business laet week best since show opened, with takings $15,500; excellent for musical comedy of its type. "My Son." Bayes (23d week). Claiming better business than re- ported with the average trade re- cently, around $5,500. Roof house making money, and so is show, which has moderate cast. "Music Box Revue," Music Box (12th week). Switched usual Wednesday over to Thursday (Lincoln's Birthday). Takings about the same, with a slight In- crease through holiday scales; $31,000, or near it. "Natja," Knickerbocker (Ist week). An operetta that attracted atten- tion in Philly, through light busi- ness there. Opened Monday night Produced by the Whitneys. "Old English," Rltx (9th week). Inserted an extra matinee and went to best gross since opening, takings bettering $18,500. Gale- worthy piece commands strong demand in agencies and at box offlce. "Othello," Shubert (7th week). An- other week to go. then "Sky High." which has Willie Howard as the star (Eugene now in a managerial capacity) will suc- ceed. Walter Hampden's latest Shakespearean appearance suc- cessful in a moderate way. Last week $10,000. "Pigs," Little (26th week). John Golden'fl winner this season. Not a big gross-getter here because of limited capacity, but set for the season. Around $10,000 with ex- tra matinee. "Processional," Garrick (6th week). Final week. Dramatic attempt to the "rhythm of Jazz" provoked critical controversy, biit not a Broadway candidate. Will be succeeded next week by "Ariadne." "Puzzles," Fulton (3d week). Dfl- lingham's revue has caught ii(h Second week bested initial going and went to $24,0(K>. Big money at $4.40 top in this house. "Quarantine," Henry Miller (10th week). Bright little comedy rated among successes. Business last week quoted around $12,500, the holiday aiding. "Rose-Marie," Imperial (25th week). Inserted an extra matinee and sold out In nine performances the gross was well over $41,000. Nothing on the list is stronger in demand and money total only beaten by larger capacity houses. "Sssniaya Ptitza," Frolic (8th week). Looks another week here. Plans are to move to Manhattan at low prices. Business has been between $5,000 and $6,000. "She Had to Know," Times Square (3d week). No extra matinee for the new Grace George attraction, but pace some^liat ahead of first week. Figures to stick. Over $12,000. "Silence," National (15th week). "Clicking to corldng business with takings around $15,000 weekly. Fine pace for drama that classes with best of its type. "Student Prince, Jolson's (12th week). Operetta smash. Great grosses in out of way theatre. Get- ting $42,000 to $43,000 weekly and piling In big profits. "Tangletoes," 39th St. (Ist week). An added starter this week, hav- ing replaced "Milgrim's Progress." New show has new producer in person of Edmund Plohn. Good reports out of town. Opened Mon- day. "The Dark Angel," Longacre (2d week). Opened Tuesday night with critics expressing favorable opin- ions and attraction rated having a gpod chance, despite mild start of about $7,000. "The Depths," Broadhurst (4th week). Final week. Jane Cowl at- traction started moderately, but failed to climb. Takings approxi- mately m.OOO, with a distinct drop last week. "Starlight" mentioned to succeed after "Badges," which moves in for one week. "The Dove," Empire (2d week). Opened Wednesday. Some notices were critical, but new drama looks iHce it had fine chance. Takings first six performances approxi- mated $12,500. Agencies handling entire lower floor, also balcony. "The Firebrand." Morosco 19th week). With holiday matinee added takings went to $18,500 or a little more. Is rated with the leaders and cleaning up. "The Grab Bag," Globe (20th week). Although reported due for the road next month date is under- stood to be indefinite. Gross last week quoted above $22,000. "The Guardsman," Booth (19th week). Nine performances for this hit last week sent Kress to around $14,500. One of Theatre Guild's two Hroadvv.nv inonev shows. "The Harem," Belaseo (l2th week). Held to usual eight jierformances. hut extra hc^jIc for lioliilay boosted usual flKurc to $18,50U. One of Broadway's liest tilings. "The Love Song," Century ^6th week). Has been leading Broad- way (or the past month, which is surprising because Offenbach operetta is spotted out o( the beaten paths. $4$,000 to $44,000. 'The Piker," Eltinge (6th week). Moderately successful, though not among the top gross getters. Tak- ings last week quoted better ihan $10,500 without extra matinee. "The Rat," Colonial (2d week). Opened Tuesday with the first week estimated between $6,500 and $7,000. London run of same show looks Impossible here. "The Show-Off." Playhouse (65th week). A wosder. Last week ex- tra matinee, with gross between $10,000 and $11,000. Sure into warm weather. "Ths Undercurrent," Cort (3d week). Pinal week. New producers un- lucky in choice of attraction. Ap- proximately $6,00« pace. Will be succeeded next week by "White Collars." "The Youngest," Gaiety (9th week). Rated "bs having scored, though not among the money leaders. Business for the past month has bettered $10,000 weekly. Making money and should remain for some time yet "Thsy Knsvtf What They Wantsd." K:«w (IStb week). Added an extra matinee, which shot the gross to best figure to date, $16,500. Draw- ing capacity trade. 'Ths Vallsy of Content," Apollo. Closed last week; played five weeks to moderate business. Ex- tra matinee meant little, takings being about $8,500. May tour. "Quo Vadis" (film) succeeded Sunday. "Topsy and Eva." Sara H. Harris 9th week). Seems to be steadily growing at $19,600, which is top money since opening here; nine performances last week. "What Price Glory," Plymouth (26th week). Drew slightly under former pace, last week's gross being about $18,500. "Is Zat Sor* now the non- musical leader, but "Glory" still a sweet money maker. "White Cargo." Daly's 63d St. (68th week). Is due to move into Times Square district after another week, though no house secured as yet. Talclngs around $9,000. Outside Times Squars and Littis Theatres "The Small Timers" continues at the Punch and Judy; reported clos- ing was in error and Art Theatre, Inc., has added "Nocturne" as special matinee card; "Exiles' opened at Neighborhood Playhouse; "Difrent" and "Triumph of an Egg," Province- town; "Loggerheads.' Cherry Lane; "Patience," "Emperor Jones" and "The Dreamy Kid." 62d Street; "The Crucible." "The Triangle," "The Way of the World," Princess. 'STEPPING STONES" GOT $200,000 IN SIX WEEKS AT PHILADELPHIA Show in Forrest Drew Season** Heavy Receipts-^ All Shubert Houses Fixed with B. O. Winners— "Blossom Time" Big at Chestnut Street PhiladelphU, Feb. 16. For the first time this year all the Shubert houses here are sitting pret- ty at the box office. The Lyric, with "Dixie to Broadway," looks good now (or several more weeks, al- though the show has already been in a month and has been going to big business. Last week It did $17,- OOO, which pleased everyone. At the Shubert "Swaet Little Devil" turned In its second big week. The gross was $21,600; big, and although a drop of $1,400 over the week before, nobody kicked. A bad storm Wednesday is undoubt- edly to blame for the drop. "Devil" will go four weeks sure and will give the house some of its best profits to date. At the Chestnut Street opera house "Blossom Time," on its 'steenth re- turn visit, played to plenty of mati- nee standees and a good night busi- ness. The gross was $16,000, almost amazing, considering this show's long run here and the present low scale. "Minic" at the AdelphI was last week's laggard among the Shu- bert list, with $8,000. This week, however. "Grounds for Divorce" Is in and began well. This attraction, with Ina Claire starred, is in for four weeks. The notices were glowing. "Stepping Stones" last week was the money show, however. In its sixth week at the Forrest It did $36,000 and on the total engage- ment it played to around $200,000 or an average of $33,000 weekly. This troupe has played to the big- gest receipts of the season and their loihl draw could have stood two more weeks. The other two syndl cats houses, Garrick and Broad, dropped ribticeably with tryouts last week after having sensational busi- ness with "The Swan" and "Rain." "NatJa" at the Garrick ended a two- week stay very mildly, while "Moon Magic" at the Broad drew mixed notices and fair business. It closed Saturday i)ight for fixing. 'BEGGAR" $14,000; MARX BROS. $^1000; ZIEGGirS TOLLIES; $31,000 Uneventful Week—"G. V. F."i Holds Pace With $22,000—"Cargo" Strong at $12,000—"Meet the Wif^" "New Brooms" 'and "Grounds for Divorce" Bunched Boston, Feb. 17. viewed from every angle condi- tions were normal last week. There wasn't any surprising done by any of the shows one way or the other. Just an ordinary week devoid of features. The only resemblance to a sur- prise was the way In which "I'll Say She Is," in at the Majestic on a repeat showing, cleaned up. This shew did Just a little bit less than the "Greenwich Village Follies," at the Shubert, and it had the local showmen wondering where all the customers came from. Ziegfeld's "Follies" is on the final week at the Colonial and is still out ahead of the other attractions in the way of business. It has gone along at a $30,000 pace for the entire stay. "Be Yourself," which closed the local engagement at the Tremont last Saturday, showed signs of wan- ing strength in its final week. The attraction had a certain class of pa- trons similar to those that patron- ize the Cohan shows. Non-Musicals Of the non-musicals "Beggar on Horseback." which opened at the Wilbur last week, did the best busi- ness. The nearest competitor was "White Cargo." at the Selwyn. This last show seems to be building up in business as it goes along, with plenty of talk being heard on the street about it. Non« of the other dramatics were able to better the $10,000 mark last week. "New Brooms." at the Park, was credited with the same figure quoted for "Meet the Wife," at tho HoUis (where it closed locally last Saturday), and "Grounds for Di- vorce" was also In this group. The Park, .a new house in the legitimate ranks thi.<! .season, keeps coming all the time, and at present is getting a more consistent ^play from the best patrons of the theatre In the city than any other theatre in town. All this house seems to need to be a big money maker is the booking in these of some show, preferably one that has a big wom- an star, which has gone over big in New York. There were changes In attractions at three of the local houses this week. "The Swan" came into the Hollis, with a very fair advance sale recorded; "Simon Called Peter" opened at the Plymouth, and Mari- lyn Miller in "Peter Pan" at the Tremont. Last Week's Estimates "The Swsn," Hollis (1st week). Opened with a good advance sale following "Meet the Wife," which closed with $8,000 being recorded. "White Csrgo," Selwyn (5th week). One of the strongest of the non-musicals. Keeps -picking up business, with a big woman play noted. Last week show is credited with $12,000. "New Brooms," Park (3d week). Gross for last week estimated at $8,000. "Peter Pan," Tremont (1st week). Town is showing much interest in this appearance of Marilyn Miller. In final week "Be Yourself" did $15,000, the lowest figure It touched during Its long stay here. "Simon Called Peter," Plymouth (Ist week). In final week of "Grounds for Divorce" the gross was $9,000. "Ziegfeld's Follies." Colonial (final week). Show etill leads the town In bu.'ilness, with a gross last week of $31,000. Off about $3,000 from the week before. B.'SRcr business ex- pected for this week, as many late goers will be on hand. "Greenwich Village Follies," Shu- bert (5th week). Went along at about the sarnc paco last week, $22,000. "Beggar on Horseback," Wilbur (2a week). Got the best gross of The Walnut, after its troubles, excitement and smash business with "Simon Called Peter," did (airly with "Conscience," which beat $8,600 on its first week and which is expected to profit by the benefit of the critic's notices on Lillian Foster—who drew raves, and plenty of them. This week's openings arc: "Vanl* ties" at the Forrest, "Grounds (or Divorce" at the Adelphi. "Plain Jane" at the Garrick, and ne^t Mon- day "The Best People" omes Into the Broad for two weeks, and Sally, Irene and Mary" starts its third local engagement, this time at the Walnut March 2 the "Follies" comes to the Forrest for a lortnlght. and "No, No. Nannette," irrivcs the same time at the Garrick for a run* Estimates for Last Week "Sweet Little Devil" (Shubert, Sd week). Has caught on beyond all expectations, being listed at $21,500 last week with aid of benefits and parties. One bad storm prevented it from equalling previous week's g;ross. ' - "Moon Magic" (Broad. 2d week)* This try-out did fairly well and waa received kindly by the critics. Busi- ness, however, was spotty, and $7,000 on the week holds it "Ths Best People" succeeds Monday. "Vanities" (Forest, 1st week)* Opened with big fuss on censor- ship question. "Stepping Stones" tremendous in last week, going to $36,000 with aid of extra matinee ot nearly $200,000 on six weeks stay. "Plain Jane" (Garrick, 1st week)< Opene^ to good business. "NatJa" wound up two-week stay; wltK mediocre attendance, under $8,000^ which Is poor pickin's for this siz«« able house. "Conscience" (Walnut, 2d week)'* Critics liked Lillian Fost<)r but weren't enthusiastic over' play. Business around $8,600 on wedc with good chance, however, for nice gain this week. "Blossom Tims" (Chestnut, Sd week). Ciahned $16,000 on week with walloping matinee trade. En- gagement indefinite and likely to last into March. Low scale doing the trick. "Dixie to Broadway" (Lyric, 6th week). Show now sure of sticking six weeks and almost certain to make it two months. Last week not far under $17,000, which repre- sents a fine flgiu-e. Balcony and gallery sellouts, but downstairs un- even in the extreme. "Grounds for Divorce" (AdelpbJ^ 1st week). Opening papered, but with real money in the house, too. In four weeks. "Minick" way under in second and last week, less than $8,000 being grossed. $14,000 TOPS BALTIMORE , Baltimore, Feb. 17. The annual engagement o( ths Chicago Grand Opera Company overshadowed the legit theatre at- tractions last week, even if ths eclipse was not so apparent in th^ box offices. The type of bookings current wa«, not calculated to attract opera-' goers, and that worked both ways. "Sally, Irene and Mary," at ths Auditorium; "Runnin' Wild," at Ford's, and "White Cargo" attracted a public that would tune out Mary Garden on the radio, anyhow. ' The opening of "White Cargo" at the Lyceum was the dramatic event of the week. Presented by De Witt Newlng and Frederick C. Schan*'; berger, Jr., by arrangement wltli. Earl Carroll (although Carroll Is. given solo program credit), it Is a production that will stand favorable' comparison with the original. '■ A capacity audience was on hand^ Monday night expecting a repeti-' tion of the sex sensationalism of "Seduction." This waa hardly realized. Business eased off some' what around mid-week, but picked up nicely thereafter, and, with a gross of about $10,000, exceeded the opening week of the phenomenal "Seduction" run. The engagement is indefinite. "Sally, Irene and Mary ' is repeat- ing at the Auditorium. The pro- duction played a week at the fag- end of last season, and is now, of course, heating those figures with a very satisfactory gross of $14,000. Down at Ford's "Runnin' Wild," the season's second colored show, played a succes.sful week. The two upper tiers sold out nightly and the patronage dowhstalrs was en- couraging. the non-muhlcals, doing $14,000 for the opening week. "I'll Say She li," Majestic (2.1 week). On first week of repeat showing liere this musical went over big and got $21,000. ~