Variety (May 1925)

t'Y>: h* 'V^' VAR^^ETY LEGITIMATE »3^^ Wednesday, May 2(^ 1925 SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figures ••timat«d and oomm«nt point to oomo attniotiona boinfl •uceoMful, whilo tho aam* grw acoroditod to othora might auggoat madiocrity or losa- Tha varianca la axplainad in tha. difFaranoa in housa capacitias, with tha varying ovarhoad. Aiao tha aiza of eaat, with consaquant diffaranea in naoaaaary gross for profit. Varianoo in businaas naeassary for muaicai attraction aa against dramatis play is also oonsidarad. / Eatimates for Laat Waal< "Abie's Irish Rose." Republic (167th week). Run leader creates new American record Saturday night, when It completes 1,292 ' performances and actually begins fourth year on Broadway. Busi- ness holding to $12,000 and better. 'Alonia of the South Seas," Lyric tth week). Cast change had lit- Ue effect on pace, regarded satis- factory at around 112,000; lobby photographic displays helping box \^ office. ^Artists and Models" (1924), Casino . (>2d week). Ends run next week ' and goes to Chicago direct; busi- ness approximating $18,000 re- oenUy; house will get "8ky High" V from Garden June 1. '< ''Caasar and Cleopatra," Guild Tbe- jt atre (6tb week). Regular sub- Bc)-lptlon season ends this week; to date trade excellent at about $16,000; pace hereafter dependent on summer continuance as at- traction expensive to operate. f'iDasira Under tha Elms," Karl Car- roll (28tb week). Under $9,000, atop limit; both bouse and show, however, can make money; Car- roll's new summer musical due next zQonth. v;*Folliaa," New Amsterdam (48th ii; week^. Getting ready for summer edition, which will go on during June; business still at over $30,- < too last week, which Is said to *. prbvide ample profit both wafs. *ls Zat So?" Channln's 46th -St. (20th week). Getting close to $31,000 with only matinee trade lightening last week; remarkable oomedy success sure through summer at this house or another. *Hall'a Bella," George M. Cohan (16th week). Management Intent on carrying comedy well into summer; buslneaa reported around $7,000. '"His Queen,"! Hudson (2d week). Opening week estimated about $6,000, which is quite mediocre money for show with star (Pran- olne Larrlmore); doubtful of con- tinuance. "Lady of the Rosa," 4»th Street (1st I week). Added starter In house booked with many attraction ^ daring spring; premiere Tuesday; i authored by Martin Flavin and t? produced by Jacob Welser. t *Lady Be Good," Liberty (26th If week). Last-week's business car- '•> rled pace well enough; gross i again went close to $28,000 mark; > still making profit, but business within next month will Indicate summer holdover. ! "Ladies of th'e Evening," Lyceum ^ (22d week). Reputation of this show carrying along aatisfactor- Uy, though agency call quite or- dinary now; indicated pace $11,- 000 or a bit mora. _ "Louie the 14th,". Cosmopolitan t (12th week). With Leon Errol Starred, this Zlegfeld production splurge 'has drawn real trade to Columbus Circle; pace now under first two months; last week $28,- 000, but ought to stick through summer; visitors supporting It. "Loves of Lulu," Ambassador (2d week). Shunted here from next 'i door at 49th Street, but for what reason Is mystery, since drama f^om German heavily panned and buAinesrbad: estimated $3,000. "Man or Devil." Broadhurst (1st week). Third show this season starring Lionel BArrymore was slated to start last week; post- wtnA/l until 'PVMi,.a,Y«v TUitfn 9lW :^k= •la aaay yai Biaka winner out of this eomedy, well regarded by authors ganerally. Outalda Times 8q.r-LiHU Thaatraa "Tmv for Love." at Greenwich Village, now around $6,600, which is aatlafaetory; "The Critic," at Neigh- borhood Playhouse for two weeks, extended until "Grand Street Fol- llaa" Is ready; "Rosmersholm" to be sneoeeded at 62d Street by "Bn- gaced": "Wild Birds" closed last week at Cherry Lane, but la claimed raopenlng uptown In falL poned until Thursday. May 21 "Mereensry Mary," Longacre (6th ! week). Looks like continuation Into July, if not further into sum- mer; takings, $12,000 and over, claimed satisfactory; show and house under same management. ^ "Mikado," 44th Street (6th weclt). ^ Rated among revival successes, with buRlnesn holding to excellent figure thus far; last week esti- mated around $18,000 mark. "Mismste^" Times Square (6th week). Gross better again last '-■ week, with count approximating $6,600; cut rate allotmentsvwere Increased, which figured in the increased gross; probable profit ii "My QiH," Vanderbllt (26th week). ^ Somewhat better last week, when gross went to $10,000 or over; slfttcl to remain throueh July. •Old English," Rita (22d week). One week more to go. George Arllas then sailing for English holiday; should be clean-up on tour next season; last week nearly $11,000. •Plga," Little (88th week). Pinal two or three weeks indicated, though may last until Jnly 4; now geting around $6,000; a drop un- der $5,(100 will see finale. "Pffneaaa Ida." Shubert. Withdrawn Saturday after playing five weeks; produotion rated highly, but }usl- never profitable; started week with takings $86,000 to $S6,- 000, best gross on Broadway. "Student Prince," Jolson's (26th week). With Uklngs now under $30,000 reports that Shtiberts plan moving opereta downtown at reduced scale with idea of keeping It going into next season. Chanln's 46th Street mentioned getting "Prince." "Sky High," Winter Garden (13th week). Went upward to $18,000 mark; figured having good chance for summer going after removal to Casino after another week here; new musical now called "Artists and Mpdels" will follow. "Tell Me ^lore," Gaiety (6th week). Trying to fix up book; appears to be Tower fioor draw and has not built to profitable proportions aa yet; estimated $11,000. "The Big Mogul," Daly's 6Sd St (M week). Flske O'Hara's first try ftt New York; light trade Indicated with first week around $6,000. 'H'ha Bride Retiree," National (Id week). Premiere postponed until last Saturdajr; LIU Lee featured; Henry Barron produced It, show being rated raw and Uttla call Monday in agencies. "The Dove," Kmplre (16th week). Best dramatic prospect for sum- mer and fall continuance; bual- ness coatianes excellent with Ttr- tnal capacity save gallery: $17,000. 'n'ha Fall Quy," Kltlnge (11th week). Indications are thla com- edy will'hold up Into July and may stick until "The Green Hat" begins Woods new season; $9,000. "The^ Firebrand," Moroaco (SM week). (^t*rating now and .-eve- nue from that source should carry run through June; Improved to $11,000 or over. "The Fourfluahar," Apollo (Otb week). Various cut-rate ticket selling is-helping, and with strong attendance late last week the gross went to $0.000 o» better; profitable. "The Guardsman," Garrick (SSd week). A Theatre Guild hit which flourished uptown (Booth/ during winter, and has returned to Guild's first house for summer stay; over $6,000 quoted. GoriJIa." Selwyn (4th week). Mystery laugh show has excellent chance for summer; buslj^sss last week -again improved fo around $12,600. which is stronjr figure for $2.60.top show at this time. "The Harem," Belasco (26th week). Question if cast change meant much, tui show has been easing off for some weeks; takings last week around $9,000. "The Love Song," Century (19th week). Plans call for summer try; k roof revue .mentioned as a draw to aid operetta down- stairs; reduced scale figured In last week's takings of 118.000. •<The Night Hawk," Bijou (18th week). Able to moke some money; got $4,600; takings are principally derived from cut rates. ~The Poor Nut," Henry Miller (4th week). RatM doing profitable business and claimed better than $12,000. "The Rat," Astor (16th week). Moyed here from Daly's and started with $600 bouse; improved thereafter a hundred or two nightly via outs; indicated gross $7,000. "The Show-Off,' Playhouse (68th week). Booked until June 20, but m%y stick another two weeks; de- pendent on business In next week or so; quoted over $8,000. "The Wild Duck," 48th St. (ISth week). Isben revival still making money, but nearing .end of stay; Actors Theatre also presenting "Bit C Love" by Galsworthy as; special matinee show. "The Witch Doctor," Martin Beck. "PRINCE" AND •^TS" DIVE INPHILLY Cai^or Show Around $26,000» All Down but "Nanette" NEW SHOWS GEITING MONEY IN CI; COLD SUNDAY MPED ALL Grace George Show and **Lady Next Door" Drew Well—"Student Prince" and "Rose^Marie" Demand Easing OS "1 -J DUNCAN SISTERS GOT $20,000 1ST WEEK, HUB Showing of "Topsy and Ev^ Better Thdn "Music Box Revue" at Higher Scale »» Philadelphia. May 19. Bnaluuai eased oft considerably laat week except at "No, No, Nan- ettiL" wblcli actually registered a BBdktvaln. The worat aufferer waa "The Stu- dea Prtaee," which alld off ao alarm- ingly that the "last weeks'" an- Bomoeueat waa made In Sunday's papers. The report circulating wsis tJmt thla week would wind up the local run. but Indications are that U win stay at leaat one week after thla. The alnmp in baloony trade waa eapeolally disoouraclng. al- though thla oontinuea to be the Btrongeat in box office play. Another ahow that allpped awa; waa "Broke," the Jamea Beury try out at the Walnut: It will be re- written and will not try for Chicago thia aummer.'as Intended. The house win be dark this week and next, but ^ to reopen June 1 with the new Beory summer musical, "When You SmUe," which. It Is hoped, will ride through until August when still a third Beury-sponsored production, aa operetta, will come In. "Quaran- tine" was another aad affair In its seoond and final week at the Broad, "(^ndlda," while not holding to its opening week's grass, managed to get between $22,000 and $28,000 in two weeks, something to brag alKtut thla time of year. Thurston held his own and possibly registered a email gain at the Chestnut. Magician may laat four to five weeks. "Kid Boots" Tumbles "Kid Boots" took a bad tumble and a fois to mlddlln' engagement waa tume4 Into a positive disap- pointment "Nanette," despite lower scale, claimed to beat it on week by margin o^ several hundred dollars. An Intensive advertising campaign was started late last week to bolster stay, which ends this Sat- urday. This New York hit made a real miatake In coming into Pbllly so late In the spring with a $4.40 top. This week sees the Lyric and Walnut dark, with the fomlter prob- ably staying so, although th^e are stin rtmiors of a new booking. The Adelphl, next door, gets a brsfnd new Ruth Chatterton tryout ,"The Siren's Daughter," this week (two weeks quoted for it), and then fol- lows "Tho Mud Turtle," with Helen MacKellar, written by a local man. If the (Chatterton pi^ce holds up. "The Mud Turtle" may be switched into the Lyric The two late book- ings at the Adelphi will carry that house up to the middle of June—un- precedented for the house. The Broad has two weeks of Olga Petrova in "Hurricane," beginning thia week, and then probably goes dariL Neither the Shubert nor the Forrest has further iMokings, and the Chestnut will probably call It a season after Thurston. Boston, May 19. vThe three musicals last week got a good break, as all three came with reputations. Weather condi- tions ajso helped. The nune musicals remain in town for this week with an added starter, a new Alice Brady play, "Oh, Mamma," at the Plymouth lost night. Another opening for next week, Bert and Betty Wheeler In '"The Brown Derby" for the Wilbur. "^opsy and B2va" (Duncan Sis- ters) at the Colonial sort of sur- prised the local talent by the splen- did way they went over the first week in town. Tlie show did close to $20,000 at $2.60 top. The "Music Box Revue" at the house Just be- fore the sisters and at a much higher top had difficulty In hitting ^thls figure. "Topsy and Shra" Is y* 'running very strong. i "Rose-Marie," In at the Shubert, is getting more money than any other attraction In town, with the show selling well in advance. The ad for the show at present carries a line that seats are on sale for eight weeks In advance. "No, No, Nanette" at the Tremont and the second week did about $23,000. This Is not aa favorable as the previous week; but it la still In the big money. Last Week's Estimatee "No, No Nanette," Tremont (3d week). Did $28,000. "Rose-Marie," Shubert (6th week). Biggest money maker in town, $i7ioo. "Topey and Eva," Colonial <2d week). Seems to be well set and turned In nearly $20,000 first week here. "Oh, Mamma," Plymouth (1st week). Opened Monday to good business. Supplanted "Badges," $7,000 last week. 18th week; supposed to have stopped three weeks ago, but Beck attempted continuation; opened as "Cape Smoke.*' "They Knevw What They Wanted," Klaw (26th week). After easing off prise play Jumped and is again among the leaders, with the tak- ings $18,000 to $14,000; intended to run through summer. "Three Doors," Wallack's (2d week). Opened and closed at Lenox Lit- tle Theatre, then brought down- town last week (Thursday); Al- bert von Tilser backing show; company commonwealth; critics aaked-to look akow over again. "What Price Glory," Plymouth (88th week). Fall dramatic smash has good chance at summer going to comparatively moderate trade; recent pace has been $8,S00 to $9,000; all right as show and house under same management. "White Cargo," S9th St. (81st week). Agreement when moving show here was for continuance into June; business about $5,000; may around $12,000 and went to $10,- get it by with salary cuts. MO- Qilbert and Sullivan revival 'White Collars,' Sam H. Harris needed better trade. (18th week). Business last week Hoes Mar'T." Imperial (88th week). beat $6,000, which is said to give Surely boldliur It* o^^^ ^'^^ show an even break; Anne N'ich- Eatimates for Last Week Was taken off Saturday at end ofL "Hurrioans" (Broad, 1st week). Olga Petrova drama opened Monday In for two weeks. "Quarantine" did little in fortnight's stay, being quot- ed around $6,000. probably less, in last week. "Kid Boots" (Forrest, 4th week). Cantor show has been something of a flop here, certainly a big disap- pointment. Last week reported at slightly over $26,000. "The tiren's Daughter" (Adelphl 1st week). New show opened tl,/ week. Fortnight's stay listed. "Can- dida" beat $10,000 In second and last week. "No, No, Nanette" (Oarrick, 12th week). Still holding up and bet- tered last week by a couple of hun- dred. $27,000. Thurston (CHiestnut, td week). Second week slight improvement over first. $12,000 claimed. "The Unbeatable Game" (film). Had disastrous single week at Lyric, with less than $600. House dark. "BrokeI" (Sd and final week at Walbut). Down to lesa than $6,000. House dark until June 1. "Student Prince" (Shubert, 9th week). Fortunate to top $18,000. 'Wajr off. r 'FRISCO GROSSES San Francisco, May 19. Columbia—Henry Miller in "Em- bers," $2.60 top, third and last week held up ble:Ker than second week, getting 916,600. Same company, con- siderably enhanced by presence of EHsle Ferguson appearing opposite Miller, opened Monday night in a new one, "The Grand Duchess and the Floor Walter," rights for which were secured In Paris recently by 011i>ert Miller expressly for his father. - Capitol—"White Collars," $2 scale, passed its 2l8t week Saturday, with the managament claiming $6,668 as the week's gross takings. This Is best week since Baster. Boost ac- counted for by Intimation in ads of run soon ending, although no defi- nite date for stop yet set. Aicszar — Henry (Terry) Duffy Players in "The First Year." proving as^blg a winner as the two former productions staged here. Did $7,886 last week. Considered great busi- ness with $1.25 top. President (Old Savoy, thoroughly rebuilt inside by Henry Duffy)— Opened Thursday night with "The Last Warning." Same caliber of company an Duffy's Alcaear aggre- gation. Three days' gross went to $3,717 St $1.26 scale. Shows in Rehearsal (AND WHERE) "When You Smile" (James Beury) Casino. "The Mud Turtle" (Rlskln Productions) Bryant Hall. "Scandals" (Oeorge White) Apollo. "Who Cares" (Earl Carroll) Carroll Studios. "Chatterbox Revue" (Will Morrlssey) Bryant Hall. "Odd Man Out" (Mkshael Mindlln) Booth, 'temptations" (S h n b e r t s) Winter Garden. X, i Chicago, May 19. An needs to be done In Chi is for the producers to send In the right show and heavy grosses result Ihereof. "She Had to Know" and "The Lady Next Door" made timely bookings at the Studebaker and ■■ Cort, respectively, last week, each drawing profitable grosses. •> Both of last week's premiere at« -^ tractions drew l^ne "breaks" from the newspaper critic^ They also • were helped along with their high ' grosses through good colls for the matinees, evidently gained from the feminln^ atmosphere of the titles of the two plays. Grace George'* gross at the Studebaker was reck- oned as being the highest this star has drawn In Chicago for some time. Her losses at other timeo were blamed on mediocre plays. "She Had to Know" appears to have struck Chicago right, and because ' of the prevailing call it is possible Miss George's engagement will be extended beyond the four weeks. Rambsau Vehicle Weak Marjorle Rambeau's personal fbl« lowing will have to keep business going at the La Salle. "The* Green Hat" again aalUed high with an average of around $17,600. Both "The Student Prince" and "Rose-Marie" have eased up con- siderably in the mad call that fea- tured the early weeks of both these engagements. Probable July attractions among the shows now In town aren't even guessed at. It's j»ositIvely certain that "Rose-Marie" can last out the summer at the Woods provided the house share doesn't become alto- gether too small. It's a high per- centage the attraction is drawing at the Woods. "The Student Prince* con run through to Labor Day it the Shuberts so decree. The expense is protected at the Great Northern^ "The Green Hat" is a big gamble In reckoning how long it can remain ' at the Selwya. Last Week's Estimates "Cheerio," La Salle (Ist week). Opening night's audience didn't find much drama in this new piece, ex- tending all enthusiasm toward star (Marjorle Rambeau), making her first visit here In the legit in three years. "White CacBO," Princess (let week). Return engagement after the long run at the Cort. Probably will be fired Into the cut rates im- mediately. Looks as if gross of be- tween $6,000 and $6,000 will satisfy everybody. 'Ubst Married," Central (lat week). Here's another return en- gagement that expects to survive because of cut rates. "Rosa-Maria," Woods (15th week). Looks as if will hold $25,000 aver- age for month of May per week. "Spooks," Playhouse (6th week). Running wild with the cut-rate hounds, filling up every night, get- ting plenty of publicity, word-of- mouth, thereby. Figures around $6,000 gross—great. "Is Zat SoT" Adelphl (18th week). With the house rent probably paid up for the season, the slip to the average $8,000 still gives house good profit. "I'll Say She Is," Apolto (tth week). Hasn't quite, come up to expectations despite return engage- ment, bat drawing profitably at $17,000; stickhig until May 30. "Student Prinee," Great Northern (13th week). Noticeably off In the hotel and "specs" call, but stin drawing a good trade from middle class of out-of-towners. Estimated down to around $22,000. "Be Yourself," Harris (6th and final week). Never caught on, final decision to close coming after In- ability to crawl above the $12,000 gross average. "The Green Hat," Selwyn (6th week). With a sell-out Monday and increase at several other per- formances rose to close to $18,000. "New Brooms," Blackstone, (8d week). Swung into a call at the ticket brokers, quite uitusual for $2 shows, adding to the general de- mand. Figured up to around $9,000. "She Had to Know," Studebaker (2d week). Got away to a surprise start, holding high throughout week, striking $13,000 gross. Went Into good advance sale after news- paper notices appeared. "The Lady Next Door," Cort (9d week). Checked out profitable premiere week, $9,000. "BEGOAS" LEADS L. A., |6,200 Los Angeles, May 19. The final week of "Beggar on Horseback" at the Majestic topped the leglt grosses of the town with 16,200, nosing out "Cobra* which got $6,100 at the Morosco on Its first week. "Meet the Wife" chalked op $5.-' 800 on its getaway week at the Orange Grove, with "Manna," at the Philharmonic Auditorium, taking the low gross with $3,100.