Variety (April 1926)

▼AKIETT LEGITIMATE Wednatday, April 7, 1926 2 BUZZARDS AND HOLY WE KEPT CHI BOXOFFKES LONESOME *Vor€" Leaves to $13,500—"Lore City" Cort Twins $16,000—"Louie" $28,000, and "Paree" Slides to $20,000—Chariot $65,000 in 3 Weeks UBd( Chicago. April f. Holy Weok and two blizzards ■aade the box office boys lonesome laat 'v^ eok. Window sales were at a Btxindsiill Tuesday and Wednesday DlKhts. The peculiarity of Booster Sunday nlf^ht sales, notsd in the last three years, af?ain manifested Itself Sun- day. Easter weeit, grenerally strong; In Boston and Philadelphia, haa been off In Chicago in recent years and the pace thus far this week Indicates there will be a repetition of the odd situation. The loop's lef:it trade Isn't fifrured to swing back Into real spring gait until a week or so after the baseball season opens. Then the musicals get It all. Tho in)i)ortant premiere of the week was at the Blackstonc laat ni«7ht. Society turned out for "Close Quar- ters" and because of the atmosphere of tho cast it's poAjjible the Sunday nights will be cut out. The aggre- gation of stars will hold here until their welcome is exhausted and the engagement will probably be the last of the season for the Black- stone, which has had a fine sea- son because of the phenomenal run of "The Dove." "Louie the 14th" Is continuing the ZleKfeld success of the present sea- son in Chicago. As long as "Liouie" can run the Illinois will be kept open. Perhaps It has been the most successful season In the history for this house. If the "Music Box Kevuot-"— escaped, It can be safely said the Illinois hasn't had a losing week. Chariot's Revue "Over** After last year's terrible existence at the Oarrlck, "Chariot's Revue" is now safely established in Chicago. The engagement Is now at the peak where a longer stay would unques- tionably place the trade in the $25.- 000 average gross class. A limited engagement of three weeks and other house bookings moves out the English co|npar.y to St. Louis on Saturday. f It la figured that the Twin the- atres lost a total niim of $16,000 for the four weeks "The Love City" remained. This is recktined on an averaged weekly deficit of $4,000 for both the Harris and Selwyn. For the first two weeks at tho Selwyn the total grosfl didn't figure higher than $7,000. In the two weeks at the Harris it did about $3,800. This is a new record for Chicago. Tho star (Hessuo Hayakawa) financed his own company, but outside of his own salary, the orfranizution didn't go hi}^h in expenses. The eni;agc- ment was on a straight sharing term basis. The Harris Is dark this week, awaiting "Duchess of Klba," opening Monday. This makes the Twins holding two Frohman office attractions together, "Naughty Cin- derella" at the SeJwyn and "IClba" at the Harris, with the same author (Avery Hopwood) for both pieces. "Castles in the Air" is very much unsettled at the Olympic becau.se of the way the trade holds under $20,000. "Gay I'aree" continues to driW the curious to the Apollo and with every dash of improved the- atre polnfj the blp capacity at the Apollo gives thin piece some cork- ing grosses. "Pair o* Fools" Isn't entrenched at the Studebaker. "My Girl" is nnished at the Salle. It Ih easy to flpuro that, with the •cnrcliy of shows, those which "land' In the next two or three weeks will last out the summer, and there's going to be considerable "cn'nui" hereabouts for attractions because of the way the big nuniber of summer conventions are already tooting their horns. Estimates for Last Week ''The Fall of Eve" (Adelphi. Ist week). New bill of thn Ancher's Mock presentation; present pace about $7,000, with prospects of bet- terment when tho hot weather way- lays touring organlz.itlons In the loop theatres. "Cap-Sized" (Rtudebaker, only yest»rd;iy's and TliurHday's nuitl- nos.v). This piece tried out in O.'tk I'iirk K( veral wceka a^o, with critics walking out. but young author (Frliz Block!) doing the present stunt on the strength of having rewritten plav. **Cloie Quarters" <Hl.ickstone, 1st Weok). Opened last night with spe- cial party included in openln;: nIglit'M audience; In for as lonj; as it can stay; "The I>ove" closed re- markable engagement to about |13.- 600. "Gay Paree" (Apollo, 8tb week). Draws four big grosses on the W{^ek, with others mediocre and matinees (undressed show) way off; missed 120,000. but figures profit. "Pair Feolt" (Studebaker, M week). Stop clause win probably be waived by both sides because of scarcity of shows; if any change of attractions is made this will borne April 24; figured aroupd $12,000. '"Heudi'ni" (Princess. Bth week). Versatile publicity continues, draw- ing *em In on all kinds of special $12,O00AVERAGEFIGURE IN BOSTON LAST WEEK stability of Biz Surprised— —"Jinks" $22,500—"7th Heav«n" $12,000 Boston. April 6. Much to the surprise of practi- cally everybody, box-office returns last week at every one of the legiti- mate bouses was above the amount expected to come in. The first of the week was quiet, but on Friday business was almost normal for that day of the week. On Saturday there was capacity in some instances. But one new opening occurred this week, that being "The Dove." at the Tremont. The house was dark last week. ''Ladies of the Evening" going out a week ago Saturday. The final weeks are announced for tickets; straight sale good enough to hoist gross up to around ff.OOO. , w . .i. ^ * '<K«mBv*> rr^ntmi Kth the shows. '•Rain" wlU wind i\empy^ icentrai. stn week).«.,„ i>.*ir *Kt. Tie-up probably makes cross of $3.- 200 show a profit, for they have a way here of functioning on right side of ledger, regardless of low trade; is mystery financial theatre of town. "ChaHot's Revue" (Selwyn. Sd«nd final week). Could stick longer on present pull; will do about $66,000 total gross on three weeks; this more than doubles the total gross for the three weeks laat year; Irene Bordoni follows. "Sport of Kings" (Playhouse, 3d week). Running along lightly, averaging $6,000. •*Pias" (Cort, 20th week). Is making run that should make book- ings easy to get hereabouts; storm cut into out-of-town trade, pulling gross down to $9,000. "Louie the 14th" (Illinois, 6th week). Running ahead of every- thing in town, with lower floor a full smash, but slow cal) in balcony and gallery; gross holds around $28,000, perhaps a bit higher, due to $5.60 scale Saturday nights; looks a cinch until Memorial Day. "Castles in the Air" (Olympic, 20th week). Has been under |20.- 000 for last five weeks; last week about $16,500; doubtful if money is made on gross lower than $19,000; will stick, however, anticipating the late spring out-of-town trade. "The Student Prince" (Stude- baker, 69th and final week). Has exhausted every angle of trade; didn't figure better than $10,000 last week. "The Miracle" (Auditorium, 10th and final week). Went off so fast last week that length of run con- sidered Just right; grosses of last three weeks lowered general aver- age, but total phenomenal. "My Girl" (LaSalle. 6th week). Didn't get over, deapite encourag- ing first week outlook; about $7,000 last week; "Betty Dear" next. up at the Park this week, with "£:asy Come. Easy Go" underlined and booked In for three weeks. It is also the final week of "Seventh Heaven" at the Hollis, and "Aloma of the South Seas** has two more weeks to run at the Wilbur, "with "The Kiss in a Taxi" booked to fol- low into the Wilbur. Last Week's Estimates Aloma of ths South Seas," Wil- bur (6th week). Did $12,000 last week, which was on a par with the business the preceding week. "The Judge's Husband," Plymouth (8th week). StlU running along fairly strong, with receipts last week about $12,000; same gross as week before. Rain," Park (final week). Cred- ited with about $12,000. Captain Jinks," Shubert, Sd week). Did $22,600, picking up $500 over previous week; remains only musical In town, and seems to be in for capacity and tumaway business this week. "Seventh Hesven," Hoi lis (Sd week). At reduced prices gross picked up to $12,000. as against $9,- 000 the first week here. "Abie's Irish Rose," Castle Square (27th week). About $9,000 for last week. Agencies' Commisk Claim Disputed by Choristers Chicago, April 6. Twc agencies are involved In dis- putes with chorus boys and girl.s now In Chicago. Hermine Shone of New York .wants to collect 10 per cent weekly from John W. E:arl. Thomas Dendy, Rosalind Baker and Mary Hntoheson of "Castles in the Air." The latter disclaim Mies Rhone's right to this weekly tithe Knd have apiiealed for protection to Kqulty. $4,800 with Union Support Low for Minneapolis Stock Minneapolis. April 6. BusiufHs skidded downward with a sickening th\id Holy Week. At the Shubert "Bum" Baln- brldge, heeding the pica of the com- bined labor unions, revised "The Fool," which gave his stock com- pany two capacity weeks last sea- son. The unions sponsored the pres- entation with the agreement that they would" share in the proceeds, but their ticket drive was a fiop. and the theatre had its first off H(»ly Week in three seasons. Ap- proxlmntely $4,800, as compnrod with over $7,000 for the correspond- ing ^eek last season when the of- ferlilW was "The Shame Woman," with Florene Kittenhuuse as a guest star. The crlticH, especially Carlton Miles ("Jt»urnal), kidded a musical comedy version of "Bought and Paid For" at the Palace (musical comedy tab) to a fare-ye-well, but the box office showed over $5,000, above the Mct.'all-Bridge IMayers' cxpccf ations. With "Laffln* Thru'" as Its at- traction. Gnyety (Mutual burlesque) sank to about $4,600. Metropolitan dark. L. A. Grosses Los Angeles, April 6. "The rat.sy," fourth week and in good order, seems set for a run. eiich week showing a gain in buni- ncss, last weok drawing $1.S,100. Wliother "Ro«»e-M;\rIe" will hurt tho Miiow Ih problematical. The Wlntx company of "Scan- dals' gained In its second and last wct k at the Blltmore, getting $12,- 000, as against $8,000 for the first week. Tho nth and final week of "Weak Sister.s" saw $4,500 in at the Ma- Je.«;tlc, while "Tho Outsider" got $4,800 in its second and final week. The eighth week of "Desire Under the Elms'* at the Orange Grove got $4,800 and the show goes out. with a locally built revue likely to follow. Tlio Midwest Concert Manage ment. Chicago agency owned by Roy Phillips, threatens garnlshee- ment proceedings against several of the beer mug-swingers with "The Student Prince" if they do not kick in. Ki^aity has also been appealed to In this case. Balto Liked New Comedy; *'Gi«at yttle Guy" $7,000 Baltimore. April 1. This town's legit season, which seemed on the verge of passing out completely a week or so back, ral- lied last week when the Auditorium and Ford's both housed prospective New York productions. It was the first real ahowing of a premiere^ or near-premiere, that the town has witnessed since the first of the year. The tryout thing has reduced this town's legit to its present low es- tate. Audiences simply won't turn out unless a show can display a "name." Consequently "A Great Little Guy," with only a week in Washington to Its credit, failed to hit any high pace at the Audito- rium, although it proved a great little comedy and pleased the cash customers. Henry Miller's "cold" opening in "A Stranger in the House" at Ford's drew all the first string crit- ics, bfit proved much of a dimip- polntment. A further depletion of the list of local theatres was threatened last week when a rumor gained ground that the Lyric was to be sold to non-theatrical interests. Estimates for Lsst Week Auditorium—"A Great Little Guy." Proved corking show and looks like Broadway; Lent and the near-pre- miere held down gross to about 17,000; deserved more. Ford's -- "A Stranger in the House." Drew Indifferent notices and didn't build at the box ofllce; week's receipts rather negligible. This Week Auditorium, "A Kiss In the Taxi"- i^5''^^:^"^' ^ 2 Equlls 6"; Ford s' "The Duchess of Elba," Balfour's Blood Poisoning William Balfour, Icgit actor, was removed to the hospital Monday suffering from blood poisoning; caused by an infected carbuiikle on the neck. Balf<»ur had It originally treated at a hospital but was tied up re- hearsing after and was unable to return for additiohul treatment. He attenipl»'d to treat it himself in- stead. Balfour had been reheartilng "The Gorilla" with the Hudson I'layers at the Hudson, Union City, N. J. He was^^^ have opened Monday as Mulligan, which he had played with one of the road com- panies of the piece. Sunday he re- ported for rehearsal but hl.s neck became so swollen he had to turn In the part and enter a hospital. Jack i^awrence, who had under- studied the role In New York was drafted Into the break and opened with the company MondTv ^ft*»^- noon. SPECIAL "GLORY" TROUPE A special company of "What Price Glory?" headed by Jack Hose- lei;,'h, is being organized out of New York for a spring .ind sum- mer tour of towns untouched by the otlicr companies. Several of the actors in the new cast are reported being financially Interested In the venture having made satisfactory arrangement with Arthur Hopkins to take over tho original scenic production. The piece went into rehearsal this week and opens the latter part of this motali. SHUTTA-OLSEN (Continued from page 1) attraction at the Pennsylvania hos- telry, doubling with "Sunny." Which brings the story to the new romance, although strictly not so new having been budding for some time between Miss Shutta and Olsen. And this in turn takes the ma^t'T Into ^ l^t stage of the forthcoming elopement and mar- riage between the principals which may have been consummated when this sees print or will happen in tho course of the week. Divorced In 10 Days Miss Shutta's divorce is one of the speediest on record. Exactly 10 days after Batchelor was served with tiio papers In the Hotel Black- stone by Mo.ses. Kennedy. Stein &, Bachrach, the Chicago firm of at- torneys who were acting as Windy City correspondents of Mr. Abeles. the comedienne uas given her de- cree. Ben Ehrllch represented Batchelor, but the divorce was not contested, the decree going by de- fault. The couple were married April 26, 1922. in Hammond, Ind., and have no Issue. Mi.ss Shutta alleged various acts of cruelty and desertion, specifically an occasion at a Cincinnati theatre; also non-support. Miss Shutta, following her mar- riage to Olsen. will probably re- turn to Louie the 14th" In Chicago, although only previously bound by a run of the play contract for New York. Olsen first came to attention with Eddie Cantor's "Kid Boots" show. He appeared in sub.sequont Zlegfeld producfionH, until switching to Dill- ingh.im for "Sunny" and "The City Chap." Cantor took Olaen under hia wing as a sort of protege and the special night at the Hotel Penn- sylvania was to do honor to the comedian. Although sitting In company with her lawyer, Abeles. Olaen's trips to tho Shutta table were frequent and marked by obvious endearing dem- onstrations. ''Doubling'* Did It It was a "doubling" quirk on both principals' part that started the ro- mance. Miss Shutta won consider- able publicity at tho time she was given speiial police escort from the Cosmopolitan tlieatre on 59th street where "Louie the 14th" held forth, in her race down to the New Am- sterdam to do a specialty In the Zlegfeld "Folliea" at that house. The "F\)llien" also wa.s one of the show.n Olaen and hla band were doubling with the "Kid Poets" show across the street, as the alternate stand. WRY HERRr GAINS IN HOLY WEEK Eva Le Gallienne with Ibsen, Holy Week Sensation in Phiadelphia "NANETTE'S" CLEAN SWEEP Waslilnpton, April 6. With the other two houses cloj^ed "No, No. Nnnette" back for a sec- ond vlait within 10 weeks, did ex- ceptionally well at the National. Did $22,000. It Is the Sanderson-Brlan-Crumlt- Munson company. This Week "The Oorllla" (rrturn). Belasco; atock In "The Alarm Clock," Na- tional; Poll's, dark. Philadelphia, April 6. The one feature of last week's business that had all the wiseacres gasping was the gross turned in by Eva Le Gallienne at the A(Uli)hi. Ibsen and Holy Week. That looked like a combination to kill almost any chance of real "biz." but in- stead the town took a sudden fancy to the supposedly "highbrow" offer* ings. especially "John Qabricl Bork- man." and the week's gross Jumped $3,000 over that of the preceding week, with the fortnight's engage- ment cleaning up considerably over $23,500. Otherwise business was spotty last week, with the Wednesday mat- inees all big and. as a whole, the first of the week better than the last. "The Grab Bag" did fairly well, though, of course, far from filling ' the large Forrest capacity. At- tendance fluctuated, but the week's gross probably grazed $18,000. "Princess Flavia," after starting tho week fairly well, dropped badly, and was under $23,000, with the an- nouncement it will go out In two weeks, being too expensive a show to be kept in trying to build up a demand, especially at this time of year. One show that boosted its busi- ness despite Holy Week was "Merry Merry," at the Chestnut. Word of mouth did it, although the week's gross was well under $12,000, tho improvement was encouraging. Uu- fortun.itcly this Is Its final week here. Another batch of openings kept the critics busy Monday. The moat Important and the one that got all the first string men was "The Green Hat," at the Lyric, suppos- edly for four weeks but really for as long as it can make money. Another opening was "A Great Little Guy," Joe Laurie's new com- edy, presented and written by Wil- liam Anthony McGuire. The-re was little advance for this show, and the first night at tho Adelphi was gen- erously papered, but the notices were great and it Is figured to build. Next week is light, with only the new Schwab-Manuel musical, "Queen High," opening at the Chestnut for a stay of about four weeks. On the 19th, "Countess Maritza" has Just l>een announced for the Shubert. while "Ben-Hur" starts Its stay at the Forrest, and Jane Cuwl In "Easy Virtue" comes to the Broad. Nothing else is otfi- clal, but there is a report that "Gay Paree" comes Into the Cheatnut about May 1, and the Walnut will I'ndoubtedly have something new before then. In Tact, aH eight houses will have at least two more book- ings after their present one*-:. Estimates for Last Week *'Show-Ofr (Broad. 2d week). Re- turn engagement started weekly with about $8,500 quoted. May pick up with Holy Week over. Jane Cowl next. "Princess Flavia" (Shubert. 4th week). Started to toboggan and laat two weeks now se*. with "Ma- ritza." succeeding April 19. "Fla- via" under $23,000 last week. Mask and Wig (Forrest, lat week). This year's show called "A Sale and a Sailor" virtually sold out for both weeks, as usual. "The Grab Bag." with Ekl Wynn. about $18,000 last week. "No, No, Nanette" (Garriok. 1st week). Return engagement for as long as it can stay. "These Charm- ing People." with Cyril Matide, only about $13,000 last week. "Merry Merry" (Chestnut, ad week). Final week for lively musi- cal show, spotted badly here. Staged gain laat week under $12,000. Should enter real money class this week. Can break at $10,000. "Blossom Time" (Walnut, Ist week). Opening of third vlait, lit- tle over half capacity, with advance not notable. "Magda" abou* $10,f»00 "Green Hat** (Lyric. 1st week). Had choice opening, and all first string critics. May atay Indefinitely, although four weeks listed. Cornell la popular here. House was dark last week. "Great Little Guy" (Adelphi, iFt week). New Joe Laurie comedy had papered opening, but got great no- tices. Lt» Gallienne In Ib.^en reper- toire sensation of laat week, espc- elaliv -'I'-orkman." In t\v.> wccUa she did better than $1.1.nOO. with .second weok $3,000 gain <»ver flrat. 25% SAIAEY CUT Members of the cast of "The Great Gatsby" took a 25 per cent, salary cut a week ago. All consented to the slash except Florence Eldrldge. leading woman, wlio left the cast and la being re- placed beginninc Monday.