Variety (September 1925)

Wednesday, September 9, 1W5 LEGITIMATE VARIETY tl SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Fi9ur«s ••tiMatMl and eonmnant point to aomc attractiona baing auocaaafMl, whila tha aama grea* acoraditad to otKara miQht auggait madiearity or loaa- Tha vananaa la axplainad in the diffaranca in houaa oapacitiaa, w«th tha varying avarhaad Alao tha aiza of eaat. with oonaaquart diffaranca in -nacasaary groaa for profit. Var'anoa in buamaaa ne«aaaar> tor muaical attraction at againat dramatic play «a alao oonsidarad •Abia'a Iriah Roaa," Hepubllc (17Sd week). Kerord run leader Jumped recentiy, bettering pace of any n«w non-ztiuxical; tvenl to 112,000; onlv "The Dove" Rot biRKor pross. •AH braaaad Jp," Eitinfje (tst week). One of a flock of elghi new nt- • tractions for Ijiibor Dp week; opened out of town iiniinpres.sive- ly; ia third A. O. Woods produc- tion this season. "Aloma of .he 3out>i Seas," I.yric (tlat week). Another three weeks ' or so, tten Koes on tour; a spring offering that foaled the >lent by I running throuRli s.injmer; |8,C00 and over right along for i-ofit. ■•Artiita and Models," Winter Gar- den (12th week). Leading money- getter on Broadway and rated best revue in years all around; should fun through new season; rerent pace $38,000. •Big Boy," 44th Street (11th week). Al Jolson getting about all house ' will hold at $4.40 top, estimated f gross $31,500; report.s of star ■ limiting run to four months de- nied; can remain all sci.son. "Canary Dutch," Lyceum (Isi \ eek). I<''li;st new Belasco production to arrive; 'ormerly known as "Alins Santa Glaus"; out of t- wn reports conflicting: openefl Tuesday night. "Captain J ink/," Martin Beck <l.st week). la mu.--lcal ver.<iion of "Captain Jinks of the : orae Ma- rines"; produced by Schwab and Mandel; well regarded In Philly; opened Tuesday night. *Clouda," Cort (2d week). Got off to bad start Wednesday of la.st week, reviews and plnygoera comment Indicating new dram? haa little chance. "Courting," 4»th Street (Is*, week). Scotch i)lay with Scotch cast im- ported by the Sliuberts- due to open Saturday niclr "Cradle Snatchera," Mu.^ic B< (Ist week). Fir.st production of new season .by Sam H. Hirris with Hassard Short; initial non-musi- c;U for Music Box, and off to big Htart Mon''ny night. ■Daai«"e Under tha Elma," Cohan (44th week). Will continue until "Ben-Hur" (film) is ready n No- vember, which will complete a year's run; may move tc another — 'house then; frst conpany going on road wlUi another playing here; $7,500 or more. •Follies," New Amsterdam (64th week). One week more to go, opening tour in B«istoii: business around $35,000, very big for long run rerue; "Sunny" foMows Sept. 21. •Garrick Gaieties," larrick (14th week). Younger players oi" The- atre Guild have won plenty of at- tention, as liave the authors; pel- ting about $C,000 weekly^ and mak- ing money. •Gay Parco," Shuhert (4th wtok). With a number of spicy siiits do- ing big businesi? on lower floor rtt $l>.50 tot>; balco'iv trade soinewiiat affected by high sciile, but $20,000 means real Iride. •Is Zat So?" Chaiiin's 46th St. (37th week). Bu.siueas jumped Vist week with taklr.ga again around $11,000; about half capacity in this house, but profitable: Indefinite. •June Days," Central (6th woek) Moved from Astor en Monday; mediocre musical judging from business of $10,000 to $11,000 and very light agency sales; Astor now playing picture ("Phantom (* the Opera"). •Koahar Kitty Kally," Times a'quare (13th week). Final week; show taking to road with Cort Chicago, first stand; bUKlnesa around $6,- 090. has shown nonie prolit. "Tlw Pelican" next. •Lady Ba Good," Liberty (41st week). Wnal week for smart mu- BicaJ comedy among the best of last sea.son's productions; around $1<,000 now, but averaged 124,000 during the seiison; house dark a weeJc, then the E;;iglish "A Night Out," Sept. 21. •Louia the 14th," jsmo oliUn (2i>th week). Ziegfeld planned running - this musical through the fall, but reports are It may go out soon; takings .Tround $20,000 Indicate no better than even break. "Love's Call," 39th Street (l.-'t week). New firm, Totten and Sim- mons, produced this piece added to the week's premieres; may open Thur.Mtlay, maybe later. "Oh, Mamal" Playhou.so (1th week). W. A. Brady appears to have a good chance with I''"rciich farce starring Alice Brady; lnj.'<ines."i lii.st week estimated $8,500 to $9,000. "Mr, Pie Eye," National. With <,lr.iwn. Philij) Gnodinati priiclMcc<l fiijoe ))y Doti Marqui.'i, (ho now.'!- p;tIM>r Ininiori.st who wrote "The Old So.ik"; listed to open M:)n- day, but manager decided it had 'lo ch.inee ;md .•■.iielved show. ■ "Roae-Waric,"' linpi ri,'i.l (64ih week). Mary lOlIi.s out of cust for sntnc time and may not return; De.sinie KMIni:er simting ilif le^d; no dif- ference in trade because of cast (OtU this re- may but change; $26,000 or more. "Scandala," Apollo (12th week). Agencies report only light call for revue tickets which had to be pushed by brokers from the start; averaging $-4,000 weekly; noticed in cut rates early this week, "Student Prince," Jolson's (4l8t week). Show's rep is responsible for good draw; increase in busi- ness sent gross to $20,000 and more. "Spring Fevar," Ambassador week). Moved from Klliott ueek instead of last as flrat I>orted; paced about $5,000; improve in larger house, chances dubious. "The Book of C4«arm," Comedy ('Jd week). Opened Thursday of last week; critical comment favorable with one or two exceptions; too tarly to r.ate show's ch.ances, though no exceptional busiiiess re- ported. "Tha Bride Retires," Maxlne El- liott's (18th week). Moved from National Monday; Frenchy farce had started slipping but still making money; maybe $8,000 last week. "The Dagger," Longacre (1st week). l*rodu:ed by L. Lawrence Weber, who chose a strong cast for the drama; ooonr tonight (Wednes- day). "Tha Dove," Empire (21st week). Third week of resumed engage- ment, drawing excellent business for this time of the year; $13,000. "The Enchanted A-^-il," Moro.sco (3d week). I,ool;s ilite ptay Just mi.ssed; is rated a fine production well played, yet lacking; second week approximately $6,000 or a bit less. "Tha Fall of Eve," Booth (2d week). Heviewers did not take to Emer- .son-Loos comedy, though play is considered entertaining; first week saw moderate trade; around $5,000. "Tha Family Upataira," Gaiety (4th week). Plugging comedy written by Harry Delf, but business only fair at $7,000- agencies have buy but no real demand. "The Gorilla," Selwyn (20th week). Laugh mystery .show holding its own; not big but continues to make money here and out of town; $9,000. "The Kisa in a Taxi," Rltz (3d week). On last week's form this Woods attraction has best chance of arrivals yp to Monday; busi- ness around $9,000, with agency sales increa.sing. "The Mud Turtle," Bijou (4th week). Special publicity drawing atten- tion to drama that looked good out of town; business dl.stlnctly light; mayl>e $4,000. "The Poor Nut," 48th Street (20th week). Best of late spring en- trants is regarded having good chance to hold through new sea- son; jumped over $1,000 last week and approximated $10,500. "The S«a Woman." Little (3d week). Little heard about melodram."i, which appe.irs to have slight chance against inrush of new shows; $1,000. "They Knew What Thay Wanted," Klaw (42d week). Theatre Guild's ace of last season still making money and figiyes to continue through fall period; quoted at $8,000. "What Price Glory," Plymouth (n4th week). Final week; out- sianding comedy dramatic smash of last aeason, leading the list for months at $19,000 weekly and more; lately about $7,500. "The First Flight" next week. "White Cargo," Wallack's (97th week). House rented so this holdover drama could continue to stay; moved from 39th S:reet last week; Indicated pace $4,000 to $5,000. "White Collara," Sam H. Ilarrlh (29th week). Uchoarsals for "Pup- py Love" on; will follow "Collars," which has been getting around $5,000; n hit on coast but loser heiV; should recoup on tour. "Vanities," Earl Carroll (10th week). I'roduccr's night club atmosphere the main Idea for good lower (loo,- draw; estimat»vl $18,000 to $19,000 Outside Times Sq.—Little Theatres "Outside Lf)oking In," a play of liobo life, opened Monday at tlx Greenwich Vlll.isro: "Grand Street l-'ollies" still good .at Neighborhood Pl.tyhotise; "The Little I'oor Man," I'rinci'ss. MACY and SCOTT THE RADIO ACES These two boys would be great in any man's musical comedy. Advi.se production managers to see them in their first New York app«^arance Sept. 10-11-12-13. Jefferson, New York. Kelth-Orpheum, Morris A, Fail. Production, Macy and Scott, N. V. A. Club. N. Y. "PUZZLES" BRINGS $25,000 GROSS IN CHICAGO'S HOTTEST WEEK Five Openings in Chicago Sunday and Labor Day— "Grab Bag" Leader at Start — "Naughty Riquette" Off Upstairs—"Fall Guy's- Chance NANETTE aOSES IN PHILLY TO $2i000 *t. Capt. Jinks" Quits at $18,000 — 6 Openings Due in Next 2 Weeks Loop's Clean-Up Cliicago, .Sept. 8. . Tlie Loop wa,s (ieltiged with visi- tors over Labor I>ay. giving amuse- nieiit.s and c.ifes a Mirprlsin'.::ly liig liie.ik. An idea of the, crowds downtown may be had by the fact tl>at a nuni- l)cr ot restauruiit.s ran short of food. I'hiladelphia, Sept. 8. The pastponcment of "Sunny" from Monday until Wednesday oi this week relieved the press ot the season's ollicial Labor Lay opening. It means three shows to be covered this week, unusual here. Monday the choice lay between the English musicAl comedy, "A Night Out," at the Garrick, and "M.v Son," at the Lyric. The majority of the first-string men went to the British Importation. The delayed debut of "Sunny" helped the sale of '•A Night Out" considerably, and the fact that it aucceeds the long- staylng "Nanette" gives It a lucky break as far as the hou.se is con- cerned. Another "first night" will come when Earl Carroll's "How's the King" opens at the Chesinut Street Opeia House Saturday night. Un- like most of the early season try- out.s, this ODe Is li.sted for three weeks at the Che.stnut, "The Love Song" having been postponed untH Oct. 6. Three shows are li.sted for next week, all of them scheduled for Sept 14. "Desire Under the "IClms" gets the Adelphi, "Hose-Marie" bows in the Shubert for the new season, coming in from Hartford, Conn., and "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" succc^eds "When You Smile" at thf Walnut. Hot Weather Didn't Hurt De.^.'iite plenty o' hot weather here last week business In two of tiie three legit houses open was re- markably fine. "No. No, Nanette," in its a7th and final week, almost reached its original pace. It jumped from around $19,000 to .ibout $24,000, perhaps a little over, that figure representing capacity, or plose to it, from Wednesday on. Although "Captain Jinks." the Schwab and Mandel tryout, did not hit such an S. U. O. gait, ft did bet- ter than its first week's pace. In its 18 |>erformance8 here (two weeks and two nights), "Jinks" did about $42,000. "When You Smile" dragged miserably, failing to find Itself with the he.avy opposition. Its run at the Walnut ends this Saturday and after which Is planned a tour. Estimates of the Weak "Sunny" (Forrest, 1st week). Opens Wednesday, postponement being ascribed to transfer strike In New York. $4.40 top. "Spring In Autumn," operetta, to follow Sept. 21. "My Son" (Lyric, 1st week). This druina.opened Monday to fair house. In for two weeks, with "The l''irebrand ' to follow. "A Night Out" (Garrick, lat week). English ni sical got lucky l)reak due lo "Sunny's" postpone- ment. "No, No. Nanette" in 27th and last week Kot remarkable tnoney, better than $:;4,000; almost tiack to its original jiace. "When You Smile" (Walnut ]r,lh week). Business dwindled. Lu<'ky if it hit $«>,r>(l(). 'I'liis is last woek, after which it will try a short tour, with < losing fKi.ssihle, "How's the King?" (Chestnut, 1st wo-U). Otii.-Ms lliis S^i till day, liuune heint; <1aik first five d ays of week. "tTapiain Jinks" rt-KisliT-od cb'an ;,'ain, hoatiti" $ix.(i"'i ni.irk by go<)d No. 2 "Topsy" Opening Sept. 13 ^.'hicjigo, Sept. 8. The Second company of "To|)«y and lOva" is doe to open al Wauke- gan, Wis,. Sept. 1». Chicago, Sept. 8. One can never tell what's going to happen in the way of legit l>ox oUke trade In this town. As lati as 6.30 Sunday afternoon and three important openings on tap. The managers arp moaning because of the oppressive heat wbich is mak- ing low all the advance sales. The hotel "specs" are idle, reporting prospective poor trade for ihe open likgs. Then with a .snap of the finger there comes a parade of sephyrs oft Lake Michigan, causii^ record l>ox office window line*! and piling up an unusually high gross business for the first night of the recognized first week of the new season. Temperature of a few degrees lesr than 100 and humidity of the worst stifling sort denied tlie grosses around town last week. It was considered the worst heat of the whole summer. The torrid condi- tions are back in town at this writ- ing, but the sudden and brief switch late Sunday afternoon shot the new attractions off on the right foot and helped the hold-overs to pick up surprisingly big trade. "Grab Bag" Leads in Call The earliest and biggest call for the new attractiona (live in all. three opening Sunday, two Monday) went to Hd Wynn's "Grab liag.' The Illinois attraction is bidding for business at a $3.30 top. This fig- ured liitle less than $i,OUO fuc the opening gross at the full capacit.v. MitKi, playing hor first i)ert'oriniuice under the Shubert maiiagemeiu in "Naughty Itinuette," at the Apollo drew a big lower floor, but the up- stairs sale was light, iiuth of these aitractions are classed in the $24,000 gi-oss pace unless the unexpocteci happens, '"The Kail Guy" Is in the "air" for business at tlie Adelphi. Kunny bow new shows get talked about even before they arrive in this town. "Ladies of the Kvenlng" and "Can- dida" were last night's openings. Where the latter Is going to draw its clientele, with the summer cot- tages of society still In full swing. is hard to figure. "Puzzles' Week Ahead "Puzzles of 1925" (Harris) stole in one week abend of the official flock of new shows, gaiuing a g(»od foot- hold at about $25,000 gross. The second week started off with full capacity, around $3,100 at $3.50 (op. When "Kosher Kitty Kelly"" comes to the Cort next Monday, "Tell Me More" to the Selwyn Sept. 20 and "Kid Boots"' to the Woods Sept. 27 the local legit calendar will be in- tact with the now .•attractions for the new season. It's the most inviting list of .«»hoWB Chicago has entert-iined at the start of any season, in facjt the c<mipe- tltlon is HO stilt that one or two sur- prises m«iy t)e anticipated in the way of certain shows not reaching the grade expected. Chicago's Broadway and 42d With the acquisition of the Hirrls and Selwyn, the Krlanger offices win be In the thick of the activity at this spot, now considered the Broadway and 42d street of the town. It"8 probable "It.iin" will fol- low in "I'uzzles" at the H«/rris, Last Week's Estimates "Easy Terms" (I'lnylwuKe, Ist week). Opened Saturday with critics difterlng greatly. Don't look as If It will linger long. "Grab Bag" (Illinois, 1st week). Sold out'openings Kiguied to get big money. "Naughty Riquatta" (Apollo, 1st week). If "draw" can bo made for biilcony trade, gross will be o. k. Opening night showed balcony weakness. "Ladies of the Evening" (Black- stone, Isl week). $2.50 scale, smart move; "The Fall Guy" (Adelphi. 1st week). Given season's oiienfng be- cause considered "sure-fiie" for Chi. "Pwizlea of 1925" t Harris, 2d week). Got away to sl.ishing lower floor trade, piling up $2.'>,000 gro.H.s. High scale only dubious fact in prc- di<-ting repetition of first week's gross clear through eng.igement of four weeks. "Topsy and Eva" (Selwyn, S8th week In Ciucago, lllh week of re- turn ong.igement). M.itinees still full c.ip.-icity. I'rifle off al ni^llls Ahoiii $1.'>,000 In.si w«'ek. "Service for Husbands" (Cort. 4!ii "week). )''ailed to regl.sfer. Goes out this week. "Kosher Kitty Kelly" follows. , "Mercenary Mary" UJarrick. 4th week). I''i^;urc.s on strcnKlh of cdin- Iielition In town will fiold .iroiinil $1 i.OoO .ivei.iwi'. "The Patsy" fL.i Sille. 4tU wdo lOvcrything iioinis this one will move along .snioiithly. mcrciisinu ;iteyent giit of $K..',00 .(veiMge. with h (tci tbeitre wither Northern. 29th week). Marvelous pace. Will outlive all summer at- tractions. Heat affected gross over previous week, but magnificent at around $22,000. "Rose-Marie" (Woods, 31st week), l''in:>l week"8 annotmcement." hurry- ing late comers, with gross prom- ising to hit close to capacity again. About $2C.000 last week. "Why Men Laav* Home" (Central, 4th week). Final performances this week. "Old Soak" next. u.. GROSS AT BILTMORE Los Angeiea, S«pt. 8. "LAdy Bo Good" still leads the town and in its 10th week, a gross of $15,100 was piled up. in line with the averac^e receipts. This was the only big money show in town. The other attractions were produced locally. Of them "Play- things,"' at the Orange Grove, got $5,000 in its fourth week. "The Sap" opened at the week and got $5,500, Got to Have Money," and final week at checked to $4.SO0. "Smiling Danger," Frank Koenan's new production at the Biltmorc, dropped out of Right with $2,000 re- ported as the gross. Majestic last while "We"ve In Its second the Morosoo, »th for $4,000 FOR CARTER Han Francisco, Sept, Estimates for Last Waek Curran—("No. No. Nanette." week), with closing date set Sept. 26. Returns to Los Angeles for 7-week engagement at the lUlt- more. $2.60 top. $17,500. Columbia—Dark. Lole Fuller and Dancer opened Monday. Capitol—(Carter. magician. 2d week), very poor bu.sinesa. $1.50 top. Only holding this one on ac- count of coming Jubilee Week when out-of-towners are expected to flock in. $4,000. Wilkes—("White Cargo." 3d and last wet>k of return). Holding up fairly. $2 top. Alice Gentle in "NarciKsa" opened Monday. $6,700. Alcazar—(Henry Duffy's "Uttle Old New York"), got good piny but not pulling anything like other at- tractions h^e. $1.25 lop. "Cobra," with all-star cast S«pt. 13. $6,600. President (Duffy's "The Best Peo- ple"' still non-musical hit of town. IZih week). No closing date set. $1.25 top. $9,200. BROADWAY STORY (Continued from page 19) torpid under $6,000; so was "Tho Saa Woman," around $4,000; "The Family Upstairs" is breaking even or better, but unimpressive at $7,« 000; "'The Mud Turtle" Is not given much chance, maybe $4,000 last week. Three now shows came in last week—"The Fall of Kve," which drew mixed comment, at the Booth, and a gross of al>out $6,000; "Tlie Book of Charm," liked at the Com- edy, but also with a difTerence of opinion, and "Clouds," an added starter, at the Cort, where It was generally panned. "Artists and Models" remains well out in front of the musicals, with the groas about $38,000; the "Fol- lies," which ends its longest Ntw York run next week, claimed $35,• 000; "Big Boy,'" p big thing at $31,- 00. Trailing the three le-.iders vero "(jay I'aree," considered very good at $-'6,000; "Sourdals.*" possibly $24,000; "Ko.w-Marie." $'i« 000; ".Stu- dent I'rinco," $20,000; "Louis." $19,- 000. nnd "Vanitie.H." about the same. Two new shows opened on the subway circuit last week. "Cradto Sn.ilchers"" tried the going .it Wer- l> I's. Brooklyn, but the lioiuie was niiicb too big. Tiikinns of about $ri.r>00 therefore Hi.iiplied no real line iiK proven by the sin.ii-'h ofien- ing at the Mjsie Box Monday. '"C'inary Dutch"' approximated $ri,- 000 in Newark but w.is liked hy tho t ilrtnl. Two closinjT.s are lifted out for i;;.! I ill-day. "Wb.nt I'rice Glory?" lei VIS for the rond after hetroring 1 ye.Tr's st'iv. while "L,Tdv Be Good" U-nvH after a li^ng nnd prolltihle "The Student Prince" infun.