Variety (Oct 1926)

VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, October IS, 1926 SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figure* estimated and comment point to tome attraction* being ■ueemsful, whil* the cam* gross accreditee! to others might suggest mediocrity or loss. Th* variance ia explained in th* difference in house capacities, with th* varying overhead. Also th* size of cast, With consequent difference in necessary gross of profit, in business necessary for musical attraction as against play is also considered. Classification of attraction, house capaoity and top pries of th* admission scale given b*low. K*y to classification! C (comedy); D (drama); R (revue); M (musical comedy); F (fare*); O (operetta). * "Abie's Iri.h Ros*," Republic (230th week) (C-901-$2.20). Business last two days of past two weeks aided somewhat by crowds here for world's series games; run leader always gets share at $11.- 000 and better lately: business generally not up to form. "Americana," Belmont (11th week) (R-515-$5.50). Small house seems to have little trouble approxi- mating capacity and summer revue dated indefinitely; esti- mated around 113,000. ■A Night in Paris," 44th Street (40th week) <R-l,326-$5.50). Moving to Jolson's next Monday; business ranging from 118,000 to (20,000; "Katja, the Dancer" next week. ■An American Tragedy," Longacre (1st week) (D-1.019-$3.30). Hor- ace Liveright produced this drama based on Theodore Dreiser'* noted novel; out of town showing cre- ated favorable impressions; open- ed Monday.. "At Mr*. Beam's," Gai-rlck (26th week) (C-537-$3.S0). Moved here from Guild with Lynn Fontanne again in ca*t; few week* and then revival of 'Tygmallon," Eng- lish show; 16,000 to (7,000. "■lack Boy," Comedy (2d week) (D-882-$S30). Opened Oct. « with notices favorable; too early for Indications. ■Broadway," Broadhurst (4th week) (CD-l. 118-13.85). Scale went up last week with gross going to $28,- 000; puts smash out In front of non-musicals. •Castles in th* Air," Selwyn (6th week) (M-1.067-t5.50). . Little doubt about this musical comedy having caught on; though not really doing capacity, trade holds to good figure; $25,000. "Countess Maritza," Shubert (5th week) (O-l.395-J5.B0). Regarded substantial hit, operetta having strong agency demand and ap proximate gross 832,000. "Cradle Snatch*!-*," Music Box (58th week) (C-l,0O0-|S.I0). One week more with following attraction not definite, but "Th* Gentle Grafter" likely; "Snatcher*" b*t- terlne $11 000 "Criss Cross'" Glob* (1st week) (M- 1,418-86.60). Fred Ston* etarred In C. B. Dillingham's first of sea- son; charging a top price of 86.60 Saturday nights; opened Tuesday. "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," Times Square (3d week) (C-l.057-83.85) No doubt about this being money ahow, though agencies may be overloaded- with balcony stuff last week rated around 824,000. "Happy Go Lucky," Liberty (3d week) (M-1.202-J3.85l. Oft to moderate start; last Week around 814,000. Unless business jumps materially new production will follow soon. "Henry—Behave," Bayes (8th week) (C-860-83.30). Grosses claimed to be $5,000 and-bit over; may turn a small profit at figure. "Honeymoon Lane," Knickerbocker (4th week) (M-l,04>$3.86). Do- ing pretty good business though hot as much as notices would In- dicate; rated around $18,000 weekly; should be o.k. •If I Was Rich," Mansfield (6th week) (C-l,0»7-$3.30). Will move to Eltlnge next Monday under 10- week rental agreement; trade bet- ter lately at $6,000 or over, •lolanthe," Plymouth (26th week) (O-l,043-$3 30). All long run ■hows on list affected last week, with no exception here; picked up late In week for approximately $11,000. "Fanny," Lyceum (4th week) (C- 957-$3.30). Belasco seems to have faith In Fannie Brlce show land- ing for run; business not big but promising at $12,000. "Deep River," Imperial (2d week) (M-l,446-$5.50). Given great first night but business thereafter not exceptional; started with $11 opening; gross first week approx- imated $20,000. "Juarez and Maximilian," Guild (1st week) (D-914-$3.30). Theatre Guild's first subscription produc- tion this season; dnimatlc pre- sentation of early Mexico history; opened Monday. "Just Life," Henry Miller's (5tti week) (D-946-J3.30). 'With Rross around $10,000, producer hopeful of making run with Marjorii Itambcau. "Laff That Off," Suddenly closed at Wallnck's after 50 weeks, Home of which played In another house; had been getting about $5,000 weekly; stopped to make way for "They All Want Something." "Loose Ankles," Biltmore (9th week) (C-944-J3.30). Ought to go through fall: opened like real hit but dropped oft in last few weeks; last week $11,000. "Lulu Belle," liclasen <3(ith week) <D-1.000-$3.85). New hits have not affected Belasco see; hovers around $20,000 weekly. "Naughty Riquette," Cosmopolitan (5th week) <M-l,500-$4.40). Mltzl expected to carry show to Thanksgiving; business not ex- ceptional but profitable with esti- mated $15,000. "Queen High," Ambassador (6th week) (R-l,168-$4.40). While not capacity this musical should land for run; last week with scale boosted, gross approximated $24,- 000. "Red Blind*," Maxine Elliott's (3rd week) (D-924-$3.30). Final week; no agency call for English drama and forced closing In Newark be- fore premiere here did no good; "God Loves Us" next week. "Sandalwood,". Gaiety (4th week (CD-808-83.30). Final week; failed to draw real money; $8,000 to $9,000; "On Approval" named to follow in next week. "Scandal*," Apollo (18th week) (It-1.16H-J5.50). Balcony prices for first six rows now $5.50. mat- inee up to $4.40 and house scaled to limit. Last week through price boost gross went to $427000. which topped the list. "S*x." Daly's (25th week) (D-1,173- $3.10). May run well Into winter period; holding to between $9,090 and $10,000, and making money both ways. "She Couldn't Say No," Rltx (7th week) (C-946-$3.S0). Moved here from Booth Monday; latter house booked for limited period: busi- ness very good at start but oil upstairs; around $9,000 satisfac- tory, however. "Sunny," New Amsterdam (56th week) (M-l,702-$5.50). Should run until first of year or longer; little drop In pace regardless of new musical successes; rated at $41,000. "Th* Blond* Sinner," Frolic (14th week) (F-602-$3.30). Four-week period expires this Saturday and similar rental arrangement may be entered Into, although show hardly making money at $6,000 last week. "Th* Captive," Empire (3rd week) (D-1.099-J3.30). Sensational In theme, this drama from French packing them In and one of three leading non-musicals; last week, first full week, $22,000. "Th* Donovan Affair," Fulton (7th week) (D-918-$3.30). With "Num- ber 7" closed and "The Ghost Train", leaving town, this mystery play alone in field: not as strong as opening weeks but making money at better than $11,000. "Th* Qirl Friend," Vanderbllt (32d week) (M-771-J3.85). Starting as a summer musical this one has made surprising run; still making money both way* with average weekly grosses around $12,000. "Th* Ghost Train," Eltlnge (8th week) (D-892-J3.30). Final week; English mystery play could re- main longer but going to Chi- cago; averaged between $9,000 and $10,000. "Th* Good Fallow," Playhouse (C-879-J3.30). Closed after Mon- day night's performance; opened Tuesday of last week; reviews not encouraging; house listed to get "Daisy Mayme" after another week: played just week. "Th* Great Temptations," Winter Garden (22nd week) (K-1,498 $5.50). House will probably get another attraction before holi- days; revue highly rated, but business not up to expectations; estimated $26,000 or bit over. "Th* Horn* Town*r«," Hudson (8th week) (CD - 1,094 - $3.10). "The Noose" listed to open next week; another theatre will be allotted "Home Towner*," which has been doing between $10,000 and $11,000 lately. "Th* Immortal Thief," Hampden's (3rd week) (D-i,473-$3.30). Wal- ter Hampden's first try of season does not appear to have chance and will probably not be around long; new show went into re- . hearsal last week. "The Jewel Tr**," 48th Street (2nd week) (CD - 969 - 83.30). Weird drama of early Egypt; attraction guaranteeing house and also fig- ured shortly to disappear. "The Judge's Husband,". 49th St. (3rd week) (CD-707-83.30). William Hodge has certain fol- lowing and getting fair trade; rated around $7,000. "Th* Little Spitfire," Cort (9th week) (CD-1.046-J2.75). While cut rates used, agencies have sup- ported comedy, making some money: average $9,000 weekly. "Th* Ramblers," Lyric (4th week) (M-1,40(1-$5.50). Playing to standee trade nightly, with mat- inees bit oft": gross between $34,- 000 and $35.00(1; rates with three leading musicals. "The Shanghai Gesture," Chanin's 46th St. (32nd week) (D-1,399- $3.80). Could run Into spring at average of $15,000 weekly If man agement so decide*; strong sales agency without buy. "Th* Shelf," Morosoo ($rd week) (D-893-J3.30). This week will de- cide whether engagement will continue; paced under stop limit of $10,000; little call In agencies. "Th* Vagabond King," Casino (56th , week) (O-l.447-J5.60). Holdover success may last through fall; business not big at this period of run, but show still making money; estimated $16,000 to $17,000. "Th* Woman Disputed," Forrest (3rd week) (D-l.000-J3.30). Ought to land among successes; good call for drama in agencies; sec- ond week's pace about $14,000. "Th*y All Want Something," Wal- lack's (C-770-J3.30). Came In on sudden booking. "Laff That Off" taken off; Bill Tllden, tennis star. In cast; opened Tuesday. "Treat 'Em Rough," Klaw (2nd week) (C-880-$8.80). Another of last week's crop not rated having much chance; Brat week Just about $5,000. "Two Girls Wanted," Little (6th week) (C - 610 - $3.30). Claimed slowly climbing, with last week's gross quoted over $7,000; may make run after slow start "Vaniti**," Earl Carroll (8th week) (R-998-86.60). Strong box office show from first; average weekly trade estimated around $29,000; rep of show should carry It through season. "We Americans," Sam H. Harris (C-1.051-J3.30). Sam H. Harris' dialect comedy tried out early in summer; opened Tuesday. What Every Woman Knows," Bijou (27th week) (C-605-$3.10). No signs of weakening; bettering $8, 000 and Harrie revival will go through fall. Whit* Wing*," Booth (1st week) (CD-707-$1.10). Wlnthrop Ames' first production this season; spot- ted In Ames' house before "She Couldn't Say No" opened; pre- miere Friday. "Yellow," National (4th week) (D- 1.164-J3.30). Call for tickets In agencies reported Increasing; melodrama not big, but getting by at claimed pace of $11,000. Outside Times Sq.—Little "The Humble," postponed at Greenwich Village, opens this week; "The Straw Hat," also de layed. opens at Laboratory theatre Thursday night; "BareFacts" closed at Triangle; "Th* House of Ussher." Mayfalr; "Secret Sands," Totten; "Buy, Buy, Baby," Princess; "The Lion Tamer," Neighborhood. (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) WASHINGTON HAILS NEW LAURETTE TAYLOR PLAY on, Oct 11: President "Th* Kiss »ED-J0LSON BUT $500 APART IN BOSTON Several Drawbacks Last Week —3 Shows Opened This # Week Boston, Oct It. Two days of very warm weather at th* beginning of last week; the Brockton Fair, which had a decided influence; the World's Series, and a few other minor things resulted In business in the legitimate theatres In this city being below par last week. There are three openings this week. "The Enemy." at the Plymouth, supplanting "12 Mlle*- Out." San Carlo Opera Company at the Boston Opera, house for two weeks, and "The student Prince," at the Majestic, return engagement. For coming attractions "The Wis- dom Tooth" la booked for the Hollls for Oct. 25, with "The Butter and Egg Man" at the Plymouth same date. Lsst Week's Estimate* "Th* Follies," Colonial (3d week). One of two leaders. $32,500. "Big Boy," Shubert (5th week). With "The Follies" this show Is do- ing bulk of business. $32,000. "Honor of Family," Hollls (2d week). Got away to fair start last week. $12,000. "Th* Enemy," Plymouth (l*t week). Final week of "12 Miles Out" not productive of big business. $7,600. "8tud«nt Prince," Majestic (1st week). Gross for final, week of "Daring Duchess," which was shift- ed to this house for a stay of one week. $8,000. "Craig's Wife," Park (2d week). With rest of shows opening last week did but fair business. Well liked. $8,000. "Last of Mrs. Cheyney," Tremont (2d week). Getting society play. $14,000. "On* of th* Family," Wilbur (1st week). Opened off. with business picking up somewhat but unable to make much progress against handi- caps. $10,000. "San Carlo Opera Company, Bos- ton Opera house (1st week). (Copyright, 1928, bj Variety, Inc.) Washington It was an Interesting contrasts. "Th* Patsy," with Claiborne Fos ter, cam* In to the Belasco hailed as a New Tork success and did a near flop, while Lauretta Taylor, at Poll's Introduced a new piece, "Her Cardboard Lover," and drew more money than th* already listed suc- cess. The Taylor play has every ear mark of being a success, with Miss Taylor set for all kinds of praise. All local reviewers agreed In this. The stock at skidded somewhat In a Taxi." Incidentally, the Shuberts and the local Hearst paper, the "Times," have settled their differences, a battle that has extended for a year, beginning with the cutting down of the usual allotment of seats to that dally by th* Belasco. Negotiations for terms of peace with th* "Star," however, hav* not yet reached a successful conclusion. Estimates for Last Week Belasco—"Th* Patsy" a disap- pointment; $6,100. Pali's—Laurette Taylor and "Her Cardboard Lover" (as the billing carries it) did possibly a little more than $6,000. Excellent for a new one. President—"Th* Kiss In a Taxi." Failed to equal gross of "What Price Glory" the preceding week. Got something near $4,300. This week: Belasco, "Laff that Off"'; Poll's, "Howdy King"; Presi- dent, "They* Knew What They Wanted"; National, continuing with film version of "Ben Hur." (Copyright, 1928, by Variety, Inc.) L. A. GROSSES Los Angeles. Oct. 1$. Ninth week of Olsen and Johnson at the Majestic, $7,300; fifth and final week, "Butter and Egg Man'! at Mason, tumbled to $5,500; sixth, final week, "Know Tour Onions" at the Orange Grove, $5,500; second week 'Bride of Lamb" at El Cap- itan. $6,300; second and final week at Morosco, "Not Herbert," $5,100. . BALTIMORE'S FLOP "Youth B*tray*d" Panned at Pr*- mier and Takings Ar* Low Baltimore, Oct. 11. Th* town's legit was handed Its prize premier bloomer at Ford's last week. "Youth Betrayed," ad vanced as something both highbrow and daring, proved to be dull and uninspired. Was generally panned and after Monday It was a total loss. The Auditorium with "Laff That Off" had a pretty good week. It was & good audience show, but no outstanding cast names, and stiff movie opposition held down re ceipts. Estimate* for Last Week A u d i t o r I u m—"Laff That Off.' Opened to hot weather and had gala reopening of two Loew picture houses as opposition. Cooler weather and favorable reception aided the b. o. later In week, and the finish was satisfactory, with around $9, 000 In. Ford's — "Youth Betrayed." Got the critical fraternity Monday and fair house. It was thumbs down after the opening performance and th* b. o. remained open balance of week Just from force of habit Re. ceipts, if any. were negligible. This week: Auditorium, "Her Cardboard Lover"; Ford's, dark. (Copyright. 1926, by Variety, Inc.) Clair* Hooper In Road "G. V. F." Claire Hooper ha* been signed by Jones & Green as lead In the road "Greenwich Village Follle*." Miss nooper Is th* wlf* of Charles Burgess, manager of Hose- land ballroom. New Tork, SWEARS OFF RED INK Tom Wilkes Pay* Up R*nt and R* San Francisco, Oct 11. Thomas Wilkes has liquidated^!* Indebtedness to Louis R. Lurle and has resumed his lesseeshlp of the Wilkes Theatre here, which Is cur- rently doing smash business with the Ruth Chatterton company in "The Green Hat" Wilkes Is under- stood to have owed Lurle, owner of th* house, about $15,000 back rent. Dean Worley, Wilkes' San Fran- cisco representative, having been kidded by Tom Hodgeman ("Ben- Hur") over being associated with so many flops, last week sent Hodge- man a bottle of .red ink with the statement he would have no further use for it. "PHIVATE JONES" EXPANDED "Private Jones," a skit by Rich- ard Schayer, brought out some months ago at an entertainment of the Writers' Club, Los Angeles ,1s to be expanded into a three-act comedy by Warren F. Lawrence. Albert Lewis will produce It In association with Sam H. Harris. - $20,000, PHU1VS BEST LAST FK 'Wild Rose' Loses 1 Show and Does $17,000 Philadelphia. Oct. 11. Business was generally off at th* beginning of last week In the legit houses. After that attendance picked up In most cases, the Improvement being particularly encouraging at several dramatic shows. For example, there were at least four non-musicals last week which turned In nice grosses out of a pos- sible five. "Young Woodley" claimed to top $16,000 last week, beating Its own record of the previous six days and marking a steady pick-up from the opening. "Abie" hit between $15,000 and $16,000 again at th* Adelphl, and "The Butter and Egg Man" developed af lively trade, al- though spotty In nature, for $10,000, which satisfied everybody concerned. This Kaufman comedy has two mora weeks to run at the Lyric. A third dramatic attraction which kicked In was "A Lady's Virtue" at $13,600 In Its first week at the Wal- nut. A big Wednesday matinee helped, and the notices were more vorable than expected. It looks set for a good month's engagement. "Pigs," in its first week at th* Garrick, did about $9,000. It was helped Monday night when the per- formance of "The Wild Rose."- around the corner at the Forrest, was suddenly cancelled due to Ill- ness of Desire* Elllnger. "Pigs" is In for four week* and must step lively to get away with a profitable engagement although unduut.' able to make mone over $7,500. One attraction that nose-dived was "The Wild Rose." With th* Monday shbw out as explained, this new musical only got about $17,000 In its third and last week at th* Forrest. The try-out had remark- ably lucky breaks at Its opening, due to absence of strong opposition, but the general complaint of those who went was that the show wasn't by any means "fixed" as yet, and the drop resulted. Strangely enough, th* Incoming musical, the new Shubert operetta. Importation, "Katja, the Dancer," didn't fare well either, being the only one of the four attractions at Shubert houses here to disappoint. The gross was only about $15,000, and probably, not that. Many be- llove that the engagement of so hlgh-brtfw an attraction as "Deep River" opening the season at this house drove away, temporarily, some of the theatre's regular pa- trons. The only musical which hit on all cylinders was "Gay Paree," which boosted Its gross in Its third week at the Chestnut Street Opera. House, getting almost $20,000, thus leading th* town. The net result was an unusual week. There were few bad flops, and yet the leader for the week failed to hit the $20,000 mark. . This week Is being watched be- cause of the presence of the Amer- ican Legion convention. Louis. Werba's new musical, "Twinkle. Twinkle" opened Monday at th* Forrest. The other opening show Is also a try-out. It Is "Gentle Grafters," Owen Davis' latest, and it is booked for three weeks at th* Broad,' unusually long for a new show without big names in the cast. So far this season real smashes, but has above the average in all-a business. Estimate* for Last Week "Gentle Grafters" (Broad, 1st week). Owen Davis' latest In three weeks' try-out; "Young Woodley"- contlnuned big In last week, gross-" ing better than $16,000. "Katja th* Dancer" (Shubert, Id week). Disappointing attendance for Imported operetta, which however, pick up this week; $16,000. "Twinkle, Twinkle" (Forrest, 1st week). Musical comedy opening here and figured to get some of Le- gion convention trade; "Wild Rose," with one show out due to Desires Elllnger's illness, and drop at other performances, got only $17,000, If that. * "Pig*" (Garrick, 2d week). Not as good as other non-musicals, but figured nt a few hundred dollars under $9,000, which spells profit. "Bay Psree" (Chestnut, 4th week). Most successful Shubert revue to visit here In several seasons; sur- prising, as It is a try-out; about $20,000. "A Lady's Virtue" (Walnut. 2d week). Another of non-musicals to get real business: Wednesday mat- inee especially big; gross of $13,500, excell ent. ' "The Butter and Egg Man" (Lyric, 3d week). This one picked up nice- ly with $10,000, or close to -it; in four weeks' stay should make a profit. "Abie's Irish Rose" (Adelphl. 6th week). Continues between $15,000 and $16,000. (Copyright, 1928, by Vsriety, Inc.) '