Variety (Oct 1926)

VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, October 20, 1926 PANNING SLOWS UP "VANITIES", BOOMS "MAN'S WOMAN" IN CHI. Revue Opens to $5,000, Ends Week With $17,000; Gets $13,000—"Cocoanuts" in at New Ones Flop and Blow Chicago, Oct. 1*. Ifa beyond any of the Chicago left-It managers to recall the equal of such consecutive nightly grosses, between $200 and $300, as were checked last week. In one spot a gross of $100 wasn't reached In three nights of the week. One matinee didn't touch $75. An- other matinee (and there were two critics In this theatre reviewing the attraction) figured no stronger than $00. The reviewers had a field day for panning. One of them, growing fatigued before all the new open- —I were covered, turned over his in to a second string man, un- . In this town. The shows struck were "Vanities," "Square Crooks" and "Honest Liars." •Crooks- didn't last the week out, The ^wulir this and cancelling the Saturday per- formance. The Playhouse is dark this week. "Alias the Deacon" moves in from the Studebaker. which houses the Insull plays, in another week. Advance Sale $28 "Honest Liars" dlsa'ipears week. The slse of t" can be estimated on Hie basis ot the $28 advance sale reported after the Saturday countup. This piece runs second to "Crooks" for being the prize nop. They drew a $5,00< miere at the Apollo fur "Vanities,' but trade thereafter was sad. The bombardment from the critics sur- passed the ammunition hurled at "Crooks" and "Honest Liars." It's been many a day since the critics in Chicago were so unanimous in "One Man's Woman" prospered on W.w Anuterd™, 'ft&W Hats. Wee. * Sat. I H DUnaskui a SuslaM. Ma Da StaSM onxnaauus nn m MARILYN MILLER --'SUNNY' £S BBABON'B LAUGH BBNBATIOXI LOOSE ANKLES biltmore s^-rins «s7l WVM tm. w. w a h i* I n AUU. WeA. as* SaL l a JAMB W. ELLIOTT'S GLORIOUS CASTLES in the AIR With Tlvteane Bejrml, Bernard Grin villa J. Harold Murnu. Thais Lawtea nit. a. l. GAIETY T »»' B " w *' •» «. niurw VaAIt 1 X juu. wed_ sal. «je 'ON APPROVAL' A C*me«r by rRBDSRICK LONBDALM with WALLACE EDDINOEa VIOI.KT K KM HI It COOPEM KATHI.KNK MArDONNBXL sad HCOH WAUflELD a DAVID BELASCO Presents LENORE ULRIG as LULU BELLE VANDERBILT ft*55 "THE GIRL FRIEND" QE0EGE WHITE'S APOLLO *i$ POFOLAh MATS. WED. A SAT., 1:11 GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS — CHARLES #>f f|BF TIIlTIi LULL UNO UAM'3 \»AMOC Mlb Bt » Ww „ Bhrea. 1:11. Mala. Wet. * SAL. i ll CHART.— dillinoham pnseats FRED STONE la a New Maalcal Comedy "CAISS CROSS" with DOROTHY STONE Knickerbocker A, U Eddie Dowling CoiM4y Honeymoon Lane abuse. Capacity ruled at the Cen- tral, where II.li is high, because the players are delivering, doing the Her drama with all frankness. The urtaln of the second act is a "wow" for daring. It's a constant line at the Central boxofnoe and clean sweep waa made last week, giving the house a record groaa of $13,000. One of -the critics observed the talked-about scene "burned the as- bestos curtain." Despite the low grosses cited, nothing ailed the general theatre- going. It waa Just that a bunch of bad shows got Into town at the no time. "Cocoanuts" failed of an impressive premiere gross, but t Is happens to the beat of 'em when they have a Monday opening. Cocoanuts" la solid at the Brian- ger, with the pace of the first week so furious It's a bet that the attrac- tion will take away the town's lead for musicals from "Affairs" this week. They are charging $4.40 and $5 50 Saturday-Sundays at the Br- langer. with the scale probably tching $$8,000 for full capacity The Initial week's gross figured around $29,000. "Affairs- waa 'way off at $25,000. with one more per- formance on the week than -Cocoa- nuts." The latter attraction omits the midweek matinee. PHILLY'S CONVENTION TOLLED' LEGIT HOUSES Philadelphia, Oct, It. complete rout here laat in the legit theatre, proving for the thousandths time that, al- though conventions bring crowds to city, they axe not good tor the theatres. The American Legion owned the place, and especially Broad street, which was roped off every night for the legionnaires. That meant bands and parade and general racket. Among the shows which suffered moat was "Kntja," completely sub- merged. This fairly likely looking musical had two miserable weeks at the Shubert despite the very evi- dent satisfaction of the few who did pay to see It, Saturday nlgbt saved the day for a number of attractions, and must bo figured as a big factor from now on. with the football crowds out to civirirtc Mala, We*. A Sal. at 1:1* t CHARLES FBOHMAK THE A P T I V E BX BDOUARD BOURDBT — With HELEN MENKEN. BASIL, RATH BONE HORACE I.IVKHIOHT Prcientt THEODORE DREISER'S AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY Dramatlaed by PATRICK KEARNET I nliriPDC Th., W. 41th. Eva I II LUNUHl/rlC Mats., Wed. And BAL W. 44th SL Sm I II Wed. And SAL 1:14 FULTON T Miia "The finest of mystery melodramas." DTHE ONOVAN AFFAIR ■1" HARRIS at 1:10 Sharp. THEATRE Wwt lied StrMt Ad. A SAL. t:t» "We Americans" ~1 QUEEN HIGH with CHARLES nuaai.ES. FRANK MOINTTRB. LUKLLA GEAR A 44 Others NOW1 A WOW I AND HOWITI 2 GIRLS WANTED LITTLE Went Uth St. Evea 4:14. U&tA Wad. A SAL At 1:10. • Mats. Wild. A SAL At 1:44 FANNIE BRICE a* "FANNY" A plAr wrlttAS expressly for her By WlllArd Mack sad David BelAAM THE SENSATIONAL HIT! B ROADWAY lfatlneee. We*. A 44th St. Ht« Sal. I ll PltUe Geeaati preeeata til teaeleet weiltej Aw la aw littery el Ike Aaertaaa Theatre CLARK and McCULLOUGH in THE RAMBLERS Ait* MARIE SAXON lad i Reaaitaete Cart LYRIC THEA Siaa4Rpa, i:i4. 9HO0O ill Two Weeks George J easel's Mass Singer" has raced far Into the lead for the non- musicals at the Harris. A total of J34.0O0 gross has 1mm tabbed la too first two weeks. The first week was little better than $14,000, Instead of the reported in.000. and last week the piece jumped 13.500 with the Sunday and climbing trade, particu- larly at the midweek matinee, which waa a sellout at f 1 top, "Alias the Deacon" Is a disappoint - meat at the Studebaker, but It's going to be further nursed at the Playhouse in another week. "First Lover fell off another } 1,000 at the Selwyn. not living up to the pros- pects of a strong premiere. So It goes out this week. "Bubbling Over" (musical) moves Into the Sel wyn, adding to the musical play competition. "Poor Hut" has lost some ot its gait at the Cort, now holding around $10,000. but this Is big profit, go" figures between $7,000 am at the Princess, enough to hold it In are always la its favor to •Tip-Toes" moved slowly at the Illinois, finding stiff competition at the ho tel. stands from "Cocoanuts' and "Affairs." "My Country- went to the storehouse after ? 1 at the LaSaUe, which Is week. The sail for Army-Nary tickets, the Utter I month, ts already big. Laat Week's Estimates* "Kitty's Kisses' (Olympic, 1st week). First new attraction at this house la 4T weeks "Castle* in th* Air" occupied the house until lately. No advance sale cheeked for "Kisses" opening. gross The Oh est Train* (Adelpbl, 1st week). Hah the mystery play Sold to Itself. Came In quietly. "Honest Liars" (Four Cohans' 2nd and final week). Draw abuse from critics. Not more than 10 pat- rons at midweek matinee and- eight performances didn't figure {4,000 gross. Advance sale for this week reported at $J8. "Princess Fiavla' opens next week. "Square Crooks" (Playhouse, one week). It was Impossible to find the sponsor for this one after the pea red. "My Country" (La Salle, dosed Saturday). Sunday's gross waa II.- 100 and then the flop to $i»0 Mon- day with the balance of the week keeping under |300. Last week's reported gross of $8,000 was an error. Never passed $5,000 weekly gross during engagement "Vanities" (ApoUo. 2nd week). Drew capacity for premiere which Is little better than $5,000. but after the reviews appeared went to pieces. Not a critic missed panning. Re- ported gross of $17,000 proves slow gait after opening night's figure. "Coeosnuts" (Brlanger 2nd week). Opening night's call was slow but swung Into high gear midweek and Is easily set for big money until Xmsa, Figured slightly under $29,- 000. "Tip-Toes" (Illinois, 2nd week). Hasn't struck a sure gait, hut should climb, receiving good notices. Figured $::.ooo gross on first week. "Affairs" (Woods, 16th week). Was off more than at any time, but man off more than at any time. $25.o»o "One Man's Woman- (Central. 2nd week). Word got around town that they're playing this one for all it's worth, drawing capacity. Several of the critics helped along ths causa to $13,000; a whalo of a lot of money at this house. "Jses Singer" (Harris, 3d week) A surprise capacity midweek mati- nee plus the attraction getting "set" brought out a gross of approxi- mately $19,600. On the first 17 per- formances this gives the attraction the non-musical play record of the new season at about $34,000 total gross for two weeka "Alias the Deacon* (Studeoaker. 3d week). Hasn't struck the local fancy as expected. Hovers $10,000, but apparently not enough to seek another house Among the dramatic attractions which felt the blight were "Gentle Grafters," the new Owes Davis how, which opened at the Broad; Pigs." the Golden comedy at the Garrick; "Butter and Egg Man." at the Lyric, and "A Lady's Virtue, at the Walnut. Ail of which leaves "Able" going serenely on 1U way, as much of a 'miracle show" here as elsewhere. Last week, to bo sure, saw a drop of about $500, which pulled the gross under $16,000; but that's pica- yune beside the flops of ths other non-musicals here. "drafters," although given great notices, probably got leas than $8, 000 at the Broad, and "Pigs," after showing signs of picking up, fell down badly at the Garrick until Sat urday night, and waa under $9,000 Twinkle. Twinkle," $18,000, of which " on Saturday night. Phllly has been a funny town to figure this season. Leaving "Able' out, local theatregoers have warmed to only "Young Woodley" among the non-musicals, although attendance at "The Butter and Esc Man" has been by no means bad. On ths other hand, such New York successes as "LalT That Off" and "Figs" have gone begging here, also the Nash sisters In the Crothers* play. This week has only a single new comer, "Oh, Kayl" ths Gertrude Lawrence musical comedy with George Gershwin music, opening for two weeks at ths Shubert. Monday "The Qreat Oatsby" Estimstss for Last Week Grafters" (Broad, 2d weak). All g rosses Jolted by con- vention, which turned downtown a^one grand >>urly-»<> This nei excellent $7,600. "Oh, Kayl* (Shubert, 1st week) Only opening this weak. "Katie" failed to draw. Probably under $13,000. "Twinkle, Twinkle" (Forest. 2d weak). Started weU * like others, a day. In bet' Lucky If $13,000. "Pigs" (Garrick. 2d week). This New York success never cot started here. Last week again missed $9,000 "Gay Pares" (Chestnut, (th week) Stay again lengthened. Consistent In business, between $19,000 and $20,- 000 claimed. ■A Lady's Virtue" (Walnut. 3d week). Limping along, except at matinees, when feminine trade helps a loU "The Butter snd Egg Msn" (Lyric, 4th week). Setting fairly consist- ent pace, but like rest last week. Hardly $8,600. "Abie's Irish Rose" (Adeiphl, Tth week). By far best of dramatics, although off last week. Little bet- ter than $14,600. (Copyright, 1920, by Variety. Ins.) POOR START FOR HOWDY KING' hi/ if 1/1, iixnu Anne Nichols' New Piece Neglected in Washington Washington. Oct- 19. Nothing exciting last week In the three legit houses. Anne Nichols* new one, "Howdy, King" by Mark Swan, was given the usual absent treatment ac- corded new ones here. The piece s not received at all well by the scribes, although the Nichols pro- duction was commented upon. In Pittsburgh this week, future of the play Is doubtful, or at least this was so when finishing here Satur- day night, "Laff That Oft" did fairly well at the Belasco, while the stock produc- tion of "They Knew What They Wanted" jumped business $1,300 over the preceding week. "Kiss in a Taxi" at the President. Estimates for Last Week Belasco —"Laff That Off" (Earl Carroll). Moderate week for house: $7,000. Poli's — "Howdy. King" (Anns Nichols). Couldn't have done much worse, but then such Is ths usual treatment of new offerings; $3,000. President—"The Kiss In a Taxi" (stock). Jumped takings to $6,600 at $1 top. This Week Belasco, Bertha Kalich In Magda"; Poll's, "The Challenge of Youth" ("Gay Pares" originally booked, but canceled): President, stock la "Parlor. Bedroom and Bath." (Copyri ght, 1828, by Varie ty, Ino.) 'BLONDES' ONLY $8,000 IN 3D FRISCO WEEK 'Deacon" Clicks from Start at President—"Easy Come" Improves Too Late San Francisco, Oct. 19. "The Green Hat" continues In the lead. Around $14,000 last week. "Qentfemen Prefer Blondes" weak and a disappointment since open- ing. Third week around $(,000. "ESasy Come, Easy Go" started to pick up a little at the Alcazar, but Is scheduled for road after another week, with "The Poor Nut" to fol- low. "Easy" will leave with six weeks to Its credit Not what was hoped for this comedy. The President appears to he set with "Alias the Deacon," which clicked from the start. Around $8.ooo last week. The Columbia win have "Monkey Business" for a short engagement. Richard Bennett will succeed "Hat" at Wilkes when run is completed. Bennett win do "The Creole" and "They Knew What They Wanted." Ths Curran will get "The Butter and Egg Man" after "Blondes." the limited four weeks engagement "First Love" (Selwyn. td and final week). Between $9,000 and $10,000 gross, which Is not strong enough for this house. Moves to LaSalle next week with "Bubbling Over" substituting. "Coal Oil Jennie" (Blackstone, Tth week). Scarcity of shows best ob- served by the holding In of this weak gross puller. Hard to figure better than $6,400. "Sweetheart Time" (Garrick, »th week). Losses continue to pile up for the Individual promoter but ns a suggestion of moving out About $18,1100 gross. "The Poor Nut" (Cort. 8th week). Has encountered the Monday-Tues day nights' slump grosses and last week they were severe but managed to hold around $10,000, which is big profit both ends. "Kongo" (Princess, Tth week) Grosses of between $7,000 and $8,000 bring the profits which will hold In this one for long run. Like all others had a thin Monday gross. "Vsgsbond King" (Oreat Northern Tth week). Nothing disturbs this one still sailing along at the fine clip of $28,000 and sure of big money for weeks to come. (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, inc.) PLAYERS IN LEGITIMATE JOHN BY AM MANAGEMENT MAX HART FLORENCE MOORE CLARENCE NORDSTROM in "QUEEN HIGH" AMBASSADOR, NEW YORK HELYN BY-ROCK "HONEYMOON LANE" KNICKERBOCKER, NEW YORK MARIE SAXON WITH "RAMBLERS" LYRIC THEATRE New York City PHIL TEAD PLATING I.HAD IN 'Easy Come, Easy Go' ALCAZAR, SAN FRANCISCO, Cal.