Variety (December 1925)

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12 ■■.«»»^:^£2C=-w VARIETY Wednesday, December 30, 10:?5. SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figurea tatimatea mno commant oomt to tome •ttractiont b«ing •uccesttui. whil* th« ■amt gros* accrad'teo tc «th«r« might •uggatt mediocrity or loss Th* variance i% axoiainao m th« diffaranc* ir hou«« capac'tios. with th« /arymg ovarhead Also th« siza of cast Kwith conaeauort diHereoca ir necessary gross 'or orofit Va-<anct III ousihess necessary tor fttusicai attraction as agamat dramatic »iay •• also considered i— 'A I'Jl (Business last week would not furnish normal eatimate$ of i/roa$cs. For that -eason the av- erage takings are estimated for the most part). •Abie's Irish Rose," Republic (189th week). Ilun Icuder broke world's non-musical record during (all: well Into fourth year and expecl- •d to go Into fifth season; aver- aged over $12,000 during fall and beat that figure often. fAi:aa the Deacon," Ui^ison (6th week). Can't figure this one,out; umler name ot "Weeds" it started aoniethlng in Boston, but here as . "The Deacon" it has not beenable to do business; new title agiin now and switch io house; under to.000; management still hopcfiil. *fA Lady's Virtue," Bijoxj (6th week). Smarted out ar gait of I'J.OOv) to $10,000. If that paoe can be mdin' tained after New Year's wiU, ride through winter. "Androcles and the Lion," Klaw (6th week). One or Theati-e Uiil &^ successful 8haW revivals; avef- ai^d <12,000 weekly;'a double bill, bhaw's "The Man of Ue8i,iny'' comp:ctlng show. **Arnfis and the Man," Garrick (i6th week). Started oft over $1^,100 to excellent money at Guild', moved to IClaw, where did well; . af^er moving here petered out and will sogn go off. •Artists and Modsls." Winter Gar- don (28th week). Led Droadway ■'during summer, when weekly pace • went to $l2;eoo or more, then Set- tled down to $38,000 gait; o(t about $10,000 lately. "Beware of Widows," Maxl^ie El- liott (3th week). Have not got- ten definite line on this attrac- tion; averaging about $5,000; go- ing after first will tell story. •By the Way," Gaiety (1st week). English revue with Jack Hulberi and Cicely Courtneidge; opened in Brooklyn fast week; premeire here Monday. Captain Jink*," Martin Beck <17th •^week). Opened at $4.40 and dropped to $3.85, settling down afier star name added with av«r- age grosses then bettering $19,000. •^harlot's Revue," Selwyn (8th week). London revue opened to great business, getting over $32,- 000 first weeks; after Thank<!giv- Ing the pace was between $26,000 and $28,000, which is rated real money; will remain through win- tor, then tours. •Chivalry," Wallack's (Jd Week). Opened in slump period and first week of about $5,000 may not be indicative, although little call re- ported nround agencies. •Cradle Snatchers," Music Box (17th week). The stand-out comedy success of season; averaged $21,- 000 through fall and topped non- muslcal field stnce ThanksRivinEr. tapering very little; cinch all sea- son or lontrer. •Craifl's Wife," Morosco (12th week). Cllmbrd to average of better than $12,000 weekly; figures to hoUl to pace or better through winter. •Dearest Enemy," Knickerbocker (16th week). Lower floor draw, operetta has not played to excep- tional buslne.»s; averaged $1,'?.000 to $14,000; net expected to stick throuirh winter. I •Easy Come, Easy Go," Biltmore PdOlh week). OJd buslnesH rec- ord: started off ir<c smasli, grosses up and down; since moving here from Cohan takings satisfactory, around $9,000. •Easy Virtue," Bmpire (4th week). St.Trted off at $14,000 pace, and naturally eased off an holidays np- Pproached; better line on show after first: got $12,500 second week, but must beat that pace to i! prosper. ' •roola* Bells," Criterion (2d week) Second production of Elliott, Gal- Inher and Mechan to reach Broad- Ij way; same firm sponsored "The ■i: Gorilla"; opened Dec. 23. i: •Gay Paree," Shuhert (20th week) ji I averaged $22,000 to $23,000 tlr.st |i:, three months then dropped con- f j, Biderahly. but revue has been money maker; due to leave in an- other week. •Greenwich Village Follies," Chan- In's 46lh St. (2d week). Bohe- "i mlans. Inc. (Jones and Green) "t produced seventh annual edition rof revue, which debuted Christmai" Rve. •Hamlet." Modern dress version J Btlll sticking around, hut moved to Hecksher theatre, a little uptown h !l) .■4 r i house: this la eighth week and fourth house. Houdini, National (3d week). The magician played two weeks at the 41th Street as a sop-gap. getting around $9,000 the first week, when it was decided to move here for a week: goes on subway circuit. "In a C»rd»n," Plymouth (7th week) Started off moderately well with a pace of $11,000, then dropped off to between $7,000 and $8,000; has turned a profit, but length of stay depends on trade alter Ihla. "Is Zat So7" Central (53d week). This season's average business was around $11,,<?00 weekly; fluc- tuation above, and below that rtiarlt, which is strong enough to keep It going through winter; re- cently under $8,000. "Laff Tha' Off," 39th St. (»th weekV. Final week; moved here from Wallack's after losing engage< menc: house is to be torn down; Is pooling with show. ^Mayflowers," Forrest («th week). Musical comedy of moderate rat" Ing; business estimated around $11,000 mark. Indicating a run un- likely. "Merchants of Glory J* Guild (3d week). Guild appAira to have picked a lightweight; will Just about go the aubscrlption period, but won't get money; started at $8,000. "Merchant of Venice," Hampden's ' (1st week). Walter Hampden and Ethel Barrymore's second co- starring offering this season; opened Saturday night. "MWrry, Merry," Vanderbllt (IBth week). Intimate musical won ex- cellent notices, and although busi- ness not up to expetcations It is rated a success; average over $11,000. "Morals," Comedy (5th week). Ac- tors' 'Theatre picked a bad spot to open, and papers were not so ^ood to show; however. It ia rated a laugh attraction and should pick ■p; approximately $5,000. "Mnacow Art Musical Studfo," Jol- aon'a (3d week). Started with "Lyslstrata." with "Zol Perichole" the second wefk; "The Daughter of Madame Angot" ia current; draw la not exceptional at $5.60 top. as indicated from first week's gross of About $27,000. "Naughty Cinderella," Lyceum (Sth week). Opened at a $14,000 clip and held to goud money until last two weeks, when it dropped to $10,000: aure to come back and go through winter. "No, No, Nanette," Globe (l«th week). M.nintained a weekly pace between $^1,000 and $32,000 until pre-Chrlstmas slump, then eased off to $26,000; should go through sea.^'on. "Oh, Ch, Nurse." Cosmopolitan (4th week). Final week; a musical comedy along old-fashioned lines: opened to less than $10,000 and dropped under $7.Ono second week; guaranteeing house. "One of the Family," 49th St. (2d week). Opened last week to fairly good notices, and this week should give .lohn Tuerk's first show promising start. "Open House." Daly's e3d St. (3d week). Indications not favorable for a run; Marjorie Bambeau to follow In "Antonla," which she re- sumed Monday at the Windsor (Bronx). "Princess Flavia," Century (10th week). Perhaps the costliest pro- duction of the season and strongly plugged, but apparently failed to reach business proportions ex- pected; opened around $35,000. but oft at least $10,000; half the ca- pacity of house; scale of $5.50 top may have held business down. 'Rose-Marie," Imperial (70th week). Win leave after another two weeks; oparettia smash of last season pile<t up plenty of profits during the summer and fall, aver- aging $26,000 to $79,000 until scale was reduced, then $24,000; lately down to $20,000 or less. 'School for Scandal," Eltlnge (10th week) Closed at the Little and was supposed to have stopped; opened two week date here Mon- day, g\iarantoeing house. •Song of the Flame." 44th Street (1st week). Artliur ITammerstein's new operetta rated highly out «f town: opening night and New Tear'.'j eve topped at $11. •Stronrer Thin Love," Bclasco fist week). First Attrartlnn not a Bo- lasro attraction ever hooked Into Belosco: Curl Reed has new show starling Nance O'.Nell; .t aleo won exceptional priiiso out of toAU. "Student Prince," Ambassador (57. week). Vied with "itDse-.Marie" as operetUi success of last sea- son, but somewhat behind in ac- tual gro.sses; averaged over $J1.- 000 during fall: moved here two weeks ago. getting onl" $12.COO "Sunny," .N'ew Anisterdar.i (I Sth week). Mu.sical snuish of the ae:i- aon: never varying over a couiile of hundred dollars weekly: bet- tered $-13,000 even last week. "The Cocoanuts," Lyric (4th week). Marx Brothers' smash musical: off to great start and raLsed sc.ilo to $5.50; no slump iiere, despite period of opening: $31,000. which is oapnclty: more this week. "The Enemy." Tlrn$s Square (11th week). Channing Pollock's con- tribution to (he season's di-ama; excellent production by Crosby Oaige; wont as high as $14,500. and held to $10,600, even during slump. "The Green Hat," Broadhurst (16th week). A. H. Woods started his season with sensational business via this .Michael Arlen play: av- eraged over $23,000 first three months: eased oft lately and down to $18,000. "The Jazx Singer," Corl (16th week) Showmen did not know how to rate this drama, but try o' iK .- ing summer waa the tip-ofi; It built to better than $15,000 week-' ly: off to $11,000, but should come back. "The Last of Mrs. Chovney," Fulton 8th week). Ix>oks like a sub- stantia) hit; operilng week went ever $20,000 "and pre-hollday ■- Ing did not materially hurt; $18.- 000. "The Master of the Inn," Little (2nd . week). Robert Loralne feritured In this new drama, which drew a panning. "The Monkey Talka," Sam H Har- ris tipt week). Arch Selwyn spent plenty on dr.imatfc novelty which opened .Monday; It ia In the air that show is a success. "The Patsy." Booth (2nd week) I'l.iycd Chicago early In the ae;i» son. and was well rc'a.ded there: opened here I.Tst Wednesday. "The Poor N -t," 18th Street (36th week). Average business '•wing fall lietweon $ in.000 and $ll.nnO: eased off under $8,009: p.ice after first will determine length of -n- gagenient. "The Vagabond King," Cisino (16th week), ist.irted well and got blT- ger. wltli sc.Tie lifted to $5-50 top: business avernged $?5 000 to ^26- 000 nnd occasionally higher: oiierctta hit. "The Vortex," Henry ^.lller (16th week). Kngllsh drainn accepted enthusiastically anu played to ra- pacltv (over $15,500) for a time: has been s!lp,)ing list six weeks, going under $10,000; m.TV come h.Tck. but long run not imb.-ihle. "Tip Toes." Liberty fist week). Alex Aaruns and Vinton Freedley pro- dur'ed new mus'cal comedy, which won high praise and exceptional business out of town "Twelve Mi'es Out," Playhouse (7th .week). Melodrama which .ought to prove a winner: hasn't done hip bu.slncss. hut trade bettered dur- ing slump period to br'ween. $9,000 and $10,000. "Vanities." Rrirl Carroll ('26th week) New edition put on Mond-vy and expectation is for contlnuan'-e well Into snring: during fall the avemge takin-rs. «19.000.tQ $21,000. "Young Blood," RItz (fith week) Won't get real rating on this comedy until after 1st; only light cill In n'-epciea after first weeks "YoUng Wood'cy." Relmont (9th wee';). Ou?ht to run into snring period or longer: business not far from Tip.icity. takings bettering $10,000. O^rts'de Times Sq.^—Little Theatres "Tlie .MaUropoIoua Secret" O'lened at the Charles Hopltins (i'unch and Judy); "The Dyhbuk" looks like a ALAN DALE Dramatic Critic, New York "American" BACKED WITH OUR REPUTATION • ►<CO«PO»»ATCO nill.ADin,PlllA: Banker* TtmI Rvltrflac AOVERTieiNQ CURTAINS—OROPI NKW VOHK (ITT: u* vi>«t 4(rd aueet ;—8CCNERY Heres Alan Dale's reply to Variety's request for data concerning him- self: -Born in Birmingham. England. Educated at King Edward'^ School in that city. Passed Junior nnd senior Oxford local examinations. First started newspaper work on the Now Tork 'Times.' Became critic of the New York -Evening World' in 1887 and critic of the New York 'Ameri- can In 1895—where I have been ever since. -Have published 14 books and have had two plays produced. Guess that lets me out." Rather a modest summary ror tTie dean of the Now York critical crew and the best known theatrical reviewer in the world. While the circu- lation Of the New York "Amexlcan" has been diving for some time It's safe to say that ^ny of the class readers of that Hearst dally are held by the Dale dramatic opinions. Mr. Dale may be credited with knowing what he Is writing about One of the very few dramatic writers with no stage experience who docs In hfa many years of reviewing Dale has uttered many comments that either became by-words or were acknowledged to be of the highest tvno of constructive criticism. ^'^ Alan Dale has been known as a caustic and sarcastic critic. In the days ago he may have quite frequently reached afar for a renvirk that had the element of a 'wise crack" about it. but withal he never had b^-en denied acumen in hi-i stage lore. Of later years Dale has gone In for more sedate reviews, growing a bit mellower in his writings b4it retaining a large following. " "Alan Dale" ha. sent terror Into the he.Trts of more than one producer and many more actors in his long day. He m.iy have brought many a tear but he as often brought Joy—and his business has been criticism not foriMir|pr.'itlon. I>al«) has had his knofk.t, nnd mostly knocks. HIh early years over here were not of the gayest, snd his slight allusion to himself as above tells nothing but the record. There is much beyond that. Alan D.iie Is entitled to everything he has gotten, In prestige and reward. He might have had far more had he accumulated the present day Ideas of aome of the younger critical gentlemen of the press. hit at Neighborhood Plriyh )uso; "The l''ount;iin." (JrecMwich V'i la^e; "The Man Who .Never D.od," Pruv- inceiown; "The .Master CuKde-." now regularly presented at the Princess: "The Good Hopo" mo\ .'J into Cherry Lane from tlio Triangle; "A .Man's .Man" moved back to ii.nd Street: "Cousin Sotiia" sttiycd an- other (3''<i) week at CentiMl i'a k; "U'iae-C'rackcrs" !:to[)pcd Fiflli Ave. nue Playhouse, first called the 66 Theatre. $25,000 'PRINCE'S' CLOSINa May Return to Frisco—Two Duffy Houses Total $10,500 San I'Yanclsco. Dec. 28. "The Student Prince." In its final week of a six weeks' run, coIh'c;ed around $25.0C0. After a few utl.er bookings, first of which Is "The Go- rilla." "The Prince" will try for more local money. , Henry Duffy and Dale Winter In "The Song nnd Dance .Man" were nround $6,000 at the Alcakar, and Duffy's'other house, the President, looked to be under $ t.SOO on the final week of "Spring Cleaning." "Thank You," produced by Duffy and with John O'Hara featured, will follow at this house. •Ko.sher Kitty Kelly" will try for a run at the Capitol. It opened on Christmas. Duffy's "The Best Peo. pie" is playing a special en^rngement at the Columbia for three days. This piece gave 238 frolics at the President, closing six weeks ago. hut requests are res|)unsible for its re- apj»earance. Robert Mantell Is un- derlined to follow "Best People." MILWAUKEE AS ROAD STAND Milwaukee, Dec. 28. Musicals have proven the big hit* of the season to date at tiie i):iv.d- sun theatre, .Milwaukee, with the Duhcan Sisters and their "Topsy and Eva" registering high figures for a $3 lop. Their gross totaled $29,000. "The Student Prince," run- ning true to form, in spite of the fact that the Chicago company waa playing 85 miles away, had a ca- pacity week. Among the non-musicals, "The Ilivals" was easily the favorite, fol- lowed closely by "Ij«dies of the Evening." "Candida" did not fare as weli as hoped for. Other at- tractions to date which had an av- erage business were "Larr That Off," •The Gorilla," "Service for Hus- bands," "Cobra." "The Lady Next Door," "Applesauce." "While Cargo" and "Aloma of the South Seas." Bookings for the hal.Tnce of the season look promising and it looks as If Milwaukee's only legitimate house will have a flourishing time of it. NEW 'TfANlilES" AT $11 The new edition of "Vanities," formerly opened Monday night at the Earl Carroll, with the admission scaled at $11 lop. The show actu- ally went on Thursday night last week, continuing for the balance of the week at the usual $1.40 scale. Those performances were dress re- hearsals, similar to the road "Van- ities," which played the Carroll the first three d.iys, prior to opening In I'hlladelphla. There arc three featured players In the new edition of "Vanities." .foe Cook, lulius Tannen nnd F-'mnk Tinney. Cook was slated for the ro.nd company but refused to go out unl( ss he he the solo feature, as called for in his contract. Lester Allen, who Is with the road show* also had a contract stipulating fea- turing. Cook protested to Equity and the matter was thre.shed out with Car- roll. It sugTCsted Cook be used in the new edition nnd Carroll agreed, provided Cook would consent to the triple feature, including Tinney and Tannen. "Desire" on the Coast r \mh Angeles, Dec. J8. Thomas Wilkes will produce Eu- gene O'Xeii's pl.'iy. "Desire Under the Elms." at the Grange Grove shortly after the holidays. He has engaged Arthur Lubln for the le.TdIng ma', role. KATIIRYN Arlington, Inc. 233 West 52na St. NKW ¥OKK tlTY Phone ro!anil)aB 4843-4S40 COSTUMES