Variety (Jan 1927)

VARIETY LEGITIMATE SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT 1 FigurM estimated and comment point to »ome attractions being auoceesful, while the eame groee aecroditod to others might suggest modiooHty or lots. The variance is explained in the difference in house capacities, with the varying overhead. Also thesixo of cast, with consequent difference in nsoossary grots of prollt. VaritnMi in butinoss necessary for mu^isil attraotitfi M •••in«t dramttio play is also considered. . Classification of attraction, house capaeity and top prieo at tht admission seals fivsn below. Key to classification: C (comedy); O (drama) f R (r«vua)» M (musical cofnady)i F (far^o)i O (oporotU). I •Aftla%1rlali ftoso," RepubUo (24Sth week (C-901-12.75). Idea of run lofider'a renewed strength indl- Mitsd by btttlnest latt week; wont to capacity both performances Wednesday and got over $13,500 Ott weok; business better last week thkn during the auto show. ^Americana," Belmont (26th week) (K-515-I5.&0). Going out after ianothor week; starting u ■ ■. summer rOYue, made very good run; indi- eated around $10,000 or under. "American Tragedy," Longacre (16th week) (D-l,019-$3.85). Man- agement looking forward to con- tinuance for balai!^ of soason; pace strengthened sincf holidays to better tlian $12,000. V 'Betsy," New Amsterdam <5th week) (iM - 1.702 - $4.40). Final week; musical flivver in dialect; paced around $22,000, including cut rates; small business for this bouse; "Trela^ney of the \ycll8" revival next week. 'Broadway," Broadhurst (19th week) (CD-1.118-$4.40). Leader- ship undisputed and doubtful if any attraction will contend for honors this season; nearly $10,000, amazing in sustained big money for drama. 'Brothers Karama^ov" and '*Pyg- ..malion,'' Guild (10th week) (D- .fl4-$S.S0). First named play given last week by Guild Repertory Company for third alternate week. Got %i%jmi' ^igiBwmiitpi^' ibit week. 'Byf, Bye, Bonnie," RiU (Srd week) *(M-946-$8.86>. Figures to get . acme business agencies reporting -fairly active call last week when . ' gross about $14,000. i •Chicago,** Music Box (5th week) . (D-l,000-$3.80). No doubt about this drama having caught on; rated another Music Box hit; last week approximated $20,000, ca- pacity at scale. •Criss Cross,*' Globe (16th week) > <M-l,410-$5.50). Capacity rule; i%#Uv tlum $36,000 weekly. Countess Maritza," 44th St. (20th week) (O-l,826-$5.S0). Moved here ' from Shubort Monday and will ' doubtless remain well into spring, JANE COWL'S NEW PUY $18,000 IN WASHOiGTON ARLISS $20,000 IN L A. "Dovo" $18,000 in First Waak— "Amorican Tragedy" |18jOO0 far 7 Partarmanoaa Washington, Jan. 25. Jane Cowl in the new Robert Sherwood comedy, ''Tha Road to Rome," upset all previous traditions as to try-outs and did a week's Los Angeles, Jan. 26. George Arliss again led the legit attractions. Tho final waak of 't>U busiiTess at\ho imi-sistor Beuiaco I ■ntUah." at the Biltmora. dr«# «• that necessitated extra chairs in the | estimated, $20,000. **Poggy-Ann,'* Vanderbilt (5th week) (M-997-$4.40). Intimate musical looks set for season here; busi- neaa climbed and gait tstimatad above $17,000. "Piggy," Royale (3rd week) (M- l,200-$4.40). Title changed to "I Told You So" and scale reduced from $5.50 this week; some bet- terment but under $15,000, not real money for this show; given notice to leav^ i^ext week. "Piratoa of Ponsanoo," Plymouth (8 th week) (O-1.043-$3.30). Climbed last week as did per- formance of *lolanthe," givon Thursday nights; gross estimated bettering $16,000, excellent con- sidering scale. ^ "Praying Curve,** Eltinge (1st week) (D-892-$3.30). Drama by Martin Brown opened out of town under title of "It Is Love" independently produced; opened Monday. ''Quoon High/* Ambassador (21st week) (M-l,168-$4.40). Popular musical comedy set for season with pace steadily holding to 000 and over. "Sam Abramovitch,** National (2nd waak) (D-1,16M3.30). Expensive production of serious play which did not meet favor with critics; management, howoTsr, hopafuf; opened Jan. 19. "Saturday*s Children,*' Booth (let week) (D-707-$3.80). Actors The- atre production of a play by Max- well Anderson; follows short- lived revival of "Honor of the Family"; opens tonight (Wed.). "Soandals,** Apollo (33rd week) (R- 1,1«8-$B.50). Getting world of money with capacity business at all performances; $43,000 and weekly right along. "Sex," Daly's (40th week) (D-1,173- $3.30). Elarly in fall management claimed run would continue through season and looks to have good chancy for that goal; $11,000 indicated last waak. Haavtty cut rated. "The Barker," Biltmore (2d week) (CD-l,000-$3.85). Got off to good start last week, critics voting it hit. Very good trade on follow- ing night; In aavan parfonnances. $14,000. house on I<Yiday and Saturday nights as well as laat matlnaa. Re- viewers hail it as a smash. "Cradle Snatchera," too, did well at tho National, While **Ching-a- Ling." the Chinese revue played by Chinese and William Collier, strug- gled through tho waak at Poli'a, with small takings at the box office, but plenty of work, in the form of re- hearsals, for the east. Estimates for Last Week Balaaeo—^Jane Cowl in "The Road to Rome" (Brady-Wiman). To get the business this one did in this Right behind came "The Dove," which got $7,000 in tU flrat four performances and flnishc vl the waak to over $18,000 at the Belasco, tre- mendous business. The Music Box Revue picked up In Ita aaml-llnal week and about edged over the $14,000 mark, while "An American Tragedy," in at the Vine Street (Wilkes), waa around $lt,000 in seven performances. The Belmont, neighborhood house, had "I'm Sitting Pretty," and got CHISHOTHERED BYSAMEIHREE LEADERS 'Nmnelte' to SlordiottMh^ Alto Quitting^* particular house assurance of real » ^fj^?^ — ~- 'in four performances marked **The Ghost Train's"' entrance into the Majestic. "Easy Come, Easy Qo". hovered dosa to |5,200 at the Morosco. A two-for-one ticket policy rolled "One Man's Woman" to a reported $5,000 at tha Orange Qrova. <f■jWilj i ^P m Virit y^ Inc.) pulling power. $18,000 at IS. National ~ "Cradle Snatchers" (Sam H. Harris). Bringing in orig- inal oast and tha rap. of tha place set $13,000 down as conservative. Poll's—"Ching-a-Ling," with Wil- liam Collier (I^rono, Saabury & Garson). Novelty here but needs a genius to realize on it. Said to have a chance. Did laaa than $4,000. which figure make the house with its 2,400 capacity look empty. This Week Belasco, *'Wild Man of Borneo*' (Philip Goodman); National. "On Approval" (DiiUngbam); Poll's. Student Prince,- with I>aWolf although buatnaaa reported .eased 1 "The Captive," Empire (18th week) ott Jrom aarty promlaLig smaah praportiona; about $tl,O0O« *'Kat k'*-^k»aad to $12,000. <*Da1iy Mayma,'' Playhauaa (14th .week). (CD-879-$3.30). Final week; going on tour after mod- arata ran ta avar««a bttamaai of . $8,000; "Road to Roma" with Jane Cowl next week. mtiMf^ tha Taara,** GarMar''t8nd *Waek) (D-567-$3.80). Impression- litlc drama opened Friday, while • a itr it a d aa prodoetion, play rated having no chance Md . Will 'bo taken off Saturday, may Parao," Winter Oardan (18th week) (O-1.498-$5.50). Frenchy . reyue attracting comparatively ffood trade, though not contandar ' for money honors; eatlOMltad about $27,000 last week. ^'^mtiAlhm^in'Prt^t Blondes," Times - Square (18th week) (C-1,057 , $8.85). One of leading laugh shows though business slipped under high marks of first months; estimated now around $16,000. Gertie,'* Bayes (11th week) (C-880- $3.30). Getting more money than first indicated, but mostly by Half a dozen regular productions , will close this weelc In addition Hopper Ilse Maryenga and Halfrad Uw* ravivala and a foraign attrac- (C^nJ^^^m \^ V...i.»v The latter is the (Copyright. 1927, by Variety, Inc.) | Habima theatre of Moscow. The ... ^ r.. ,^ I revivals are "Ghosts" at the Mans- l';*T/*2..?"l^*!!!?~L.'*':?.?*'iJ^.1t^i I llald ^ •^BayaM t%a HarlM** at out of cut rates and by playing I TuZ^r^H^, extra matlnaa grosawf lirmind ^l^^V; ^ ^ . ,k ,^ a $14,000. "Betsy" prduced at the Now Am- "This Woman Buainsss." WaUack'a 1 aterdam by Flo Ziegfekl will close (18th weak) (C-707^:it). Still | after flva waaica. Pw a aMjar mu- holding on, though expected to sical show it is an important and close last week; co-oparative; | costly flop. Business betwaaa $82.- (D-1.099-$8.8S). Second place re garding weekly gross among non- musicals; over $22,000 weekly. "The Constant Nymph," Selwyn (8th week) (D-l,067-$3.85). Busl ness very good considering mild start; $15,000 last week again that figure being quite profitable; moves to Cort next week, Selwyn going ovar to pleturaa mad Vita- phone. Tha Constant Wife," Mazina El liott's (9th week) (CD-921-$3.85). In height of popularity, best thing Ethel Barrymora haa had in many seasona; ratad araund capacity, $18,000. "Tha DMart Song," Casino (9th week) (M-1.447-$5.50). Another fixture for balance of season, good agency shoW with gross virtual capacity at $30,000. "The Galloping Sheik/' Cort (3rd week) (C-1,044-$8.S0). With out rate support business Jumped somewhat following change in title from "An Arabian Night- mare"; must find another house as "The Constant Nymph" moves over from SalWyn next M6ndiiy; $6,400. smi^ Rionay. "Tommy,'* Gaiety (3rd week) (C- 808-88.80). Bettormont claimed for seaaon week, aapaclally in agency sales; estimated golBSr be- tween $8,000 and 88,000. 'O'winklay Twifikia/* Ubarty (11th week) (M-1.284-$4.40). Popular musical comedy that ahould go through apring; huainaair last week quoted over $28,000. "The Red Lily," Comedy (1st week) (D-882-$8.80). Addad to waak*a premieres upon sudden withdrawal of "His Own Way"; Indapandantly prodaoad; o|(aiia Jan. if (Tlitaw^ day). "Two Girls Wanted," UtUa (21st week) (C-B80.M.88). lUrnrad to go through season: doing well in I ^^^^ small theatre with.average grosses recently over $8,000. "Vanities," Earl Carroll (28rd week) (R-998-$6.60). English skiU in- aartad recently poor ploldaga; revue, however, drawing on strength of girl numbara; esti- mated over $25,000. "What Never Dies," Lyceum (5th week) (CD-957-$8.80). Final week; picked up somewhat laat week to over $9,000. Hardly qualified for run; "The Dark" next week. "Wooden Kimono," MartUi Beck (5th week) (D-1.089-$3.30). Bet- ter trade here also for mystery piece; with cut ratig gMti ap- proximated $18,500. "Yours Truly," Shubert (1st week) (M-l,895-$6.60). Gene Buck bows in as producer with Leon Errol 000 an4 $25,000 weekly. • "two for ones;" lately $7,000 and mj,,; Lsddsr," Waldorf (16th week) over claihied. •His Own Way," Comedy—Taken ott Saturday at end of fourth . week; originally called "Padre" and opened at Ritz; "Tha {iad Lily" spotted in house. •Honeymoon Lane," Knickerbocker • (19th week) M-1.042-$3.85). Eddie ' Dowling's musical hit getting vir tual capacity at around $28,i cinch for balance of season. •Honor Be Damned," Morosco (Ist week) (CD.808-$8.SO). Wtllard Mack drama produoed by new independent manager, Sydney €?ohen; well regarded at tryout; opens tonight (Wednesday) •Lady Alone," Forrest (2nd week) (D-i.ooo-$3.30). Alloa Brady'a third try this season; less prom ising than others from indications among flrat nightars; opened Jan. 20. •Lulu Bella," Belasco (Slst week) (D-1,000-88J5). Belasco's hit of last season continues to attract ' visitors; should complete second season; around $15,000. •New York Exchange," 49th St. (5th week) (D-708-$3.30). Ap- pears to draw fairly good money though light agency call; asti- — mated at fii.ooo, ——— •Oh Kay," Imperial (12th week) (M-l,446-$5.50). Little variance last week from capacity trade ba- fore. Around $41,000 stamps at- traction as smash musical. •Oh Please," Fulton (6th week) (M- |,913-$n.50). Though not smash continues to get good money; smart draw should carry it ' through wintar; fgtimattd at WW. (D-l,148-$8.80). Under strong financial backing this play due to continue anothe r month ^ buai: pace nronnd $7,000. ''Tha Little Spitfire," Klaw (24th waak) (CD-880-$2.75). Ona week more to go; has drawn moderately well until moved here last week; "Sinner" next, Feb. 7. "The Nightingale," Jolson's (4th week) (O-l,776-$5.50). May pick up after light start but unlikely in this spot; e;*timated at $18,000 _o r under that mark. •Tha Nooso," Hudson (16th week) (D-1.094-13 30). Should ride well into spring period; not exactly among leaders but making money ri^ht along; aatimated ovar $18, 000. "The Play's the Thing," Henry Mil- ler (13th week) (CD-946-13.85) Agency demand steadily increas- ing with excellent grosses of $18, 000 weekly; Cloneviove Tobin re placing Katherine Dale Owen in oast this week, "The Ramblers," I^yrlc (19th week) (M-1,400-$5.G0). One of best mu- sical winners of season; consist- ently drawn real grosses; $32,000 last wpck: sf»CTns as strong as ever. "The Silver Cord" and "Ned Mc- Cobb's Daughter," John Golden (6th week) (CD-860-$3 30). First named play presented again last week, shows alternating as at the Guild; "Sliver Cord" rated very good; $14,000 including subserlp- tions. "The Squall,'' 48th St. (18th week) . (D-80f-$3.30). Now elaaaad wiU Chicago, Jan. 25. Convantion patronage waa miaa« ing laat waak, yet tha high groaa pullera displayed slightly greater strength than on the previous weak. Tha town atill knowa only thraa shows, "Shanghai Gesture," "Cra- dle Snatchers" and "Tha LAst of Mrs. Chasmay," and tha call feraaob of this trio remains sensationaL "Butter and Sgg Man," which hold tha front Ilia at tha hotal atanda for six to eight waakib lMg haaa iM^t In the shuffle. Tha past waak was featured wltli the departure of "No, No, Nanette,** for the storehouse. "Yes, Yea. Yvetta" la atttl atrii^llig to mold it- self into popular favor. While tha trade has been satisfactory it hasn't been of the brand that assures local popularity. It's the Intention of the management to turn the local stay into a aurprtea, and tha alHaioaa M« good. The Playhouse Joins ttia him world next week because of "Trial > Divorce" falling- by the wayside. ■ "Twelve Miles Out" got off to a fln© atart at the Cort. "Woman Dis- puted" is doing fair business at tho Olympic. Ziegfeld's "Follies" da- partar tMs iPtaK and **AMi" aia» leaves. Estimates for Last Wssk "Abie's Irish Rose" (L* Salle. 7th and final week). One spot whera the big coin-puller wasn't able to . repeat for reepectabia*cfoari|#a; baV* ered around $8,000. "Vagabond King" (Qraat Norths ern, 21st week). After weeks of sensational trade can now be con- . sidered grossing between $18,00t and $20,000; record in itself for length of stay; good chanca q£ pl<^« ing out season. " ^ ' "One Man's Woman" (Central, 15th week). Drew increased patron- age over pravioua waak; with all sorts of campaigrns probably struck - $11,000; no inkling this one will stop before apring becauaa of cut rata* and low operating expenses. '^Shanghai Qaatura," (Adelphi, 8th week). Strong oapa«lty aiai, giving! house highest gross pulled sinca under legit regime; averaging be- tween $22,000-and $23,000. ''Cradle Snatchers" (Harris, 5th week). Has grabbed non-musical gross flgnr^ raoard for haiiia; |ft,« 000, with waaatB patrons appar- ently not gattlng enough of it; get- ting repeats. "The Laat of Mrs. Cheyney" (Blaclcstona, 8tb week). Third of dramatlo g roaa getters; a bit oft in balcony, always the trouble at this hoiis^ gSd^lmmanaa^^piunii tiSS ends. "Twelve Miles Out" (Cort, 2d week). Got box office praise from all critics, and promises to stick in $11,000 class for weeks to coma;. splendid prospacta of ransalntaff lui* Daisy Mayme," presented at the til spring because of operating ex- ••BET8Y" Opanad. Daa. tt. Likad by Coleman ("Mirror"), Winohell ("Qrsphio'O and Oala ^Amsr- ican"), tha latlar daaienatino it as 'f^tm^J^M^ g lr as t stand - arda" Variety (8ime) aaidt "Laaka like Feb. 15. Funny how Dil- lingham dated hia Whitaman- Eaton ahaw far tha dam." What Never Dies" presented by David Belasoo at the Liycaum I aftar iva waaks aC light hiwi ness. Weekly grosses were around $8,000 although the count waa battar than that last week. «n¥HAT MiVM Dili" Opened Dec. 28. Hammond ("Herald-Tribune") and Vree- land ("Telegram") liked it, but Atkinson CnTimaa") sUted "Seems long and forced," and ^s"tt^ia^a^*riii W ^nin u ilf^ cle. Variety (Ibee) said: "ChttHaaa are against, but on tha raad play ia • ainah.** star; musical comedy got big I Playhouse by Rosalie Stewart, goes i>en8es on both ends to meet any "Tuaa- [to tha taad aftar playliig M waalwi poaslbia slump; window call im- money aut of tawBt day. Special Attractions and Rep. The Guitrys returned to "Mosart" Monday, after playing "L'lllusion- iste" two weeks; demand for first play excellent and French stars should remain another four weeks. Mrs. Fiske in a revival of "Qhosts" will be followed In at the Mansfleld next week hy "Battar ar Wofgt^" a new play. "Rose-Marie" returned for a re- peat date at tha Century Monday. "Castles" closed to $17,600 last week. The Habima playera from Moscow will finish at tho Cosmopolitan this week and will be followed in by an English company headed by Matheson Lang, who will offer "The Wandering Jew." Civic Repertory, 14th street. "Cradle Song,'* a new play, added on Monday. Neighborhood Playhouse^ "The Dybbuk." Closing Wednesday until after "Pinwhoei" opena Baxt waak; will then alternat'3. American LaboMory, repertory. "Beyond the Horizon," revival. Bijou. Will leave to make way for "The Wild Man of Borneo" next week. / "Caponsacchl," Walter Hamp- den's. Outsids Timss Squsre—Little Grand Ouignol Players, Orove street, getting some attention, with business reported climbing; "The Virgin Man," Princeas, rated very poor; "Courage" at matinees in same house; "La Plnita," Mayfair, well regarded; "The Devil In the Cheese," Charles Hopkins; "The Great Adventure," Totten; "In Abraham's Bosom," Provincetown; "Where's Tour Husband?" Green- wich Village to moderate business, around $8,000 WPMy» •«DAISY MAYME'» Opened Oct. 25. Rejected by four of 11 senior critics. Anderson ("Post") quoted "Peacefully amusing," but Vreeland ('Tslegram") thaufht "Not such a daisy." Vsriety (Abel) said: ''Does not mean mudk MyiMi • erata frnth" "Damn the Tears." independently presented at the Garrick, will be taken oft Satt^Mgy* It opanad last mense and specs can't get 'em back at this window—the only house of its kind in Chicago. "Butter and Egg Man" (Selwyn, 10th week). Grabbed all important money first eight weeks, considered the limit stay for comedy of ita kind; probably makes money ba* tween $9,000 and $10,000 but dia* astrous for house; one week to go. "Temptations" (Apollo, 8th week). Holding between $28,000 and $30,000; although not mentioned Jolson la due in six or seven weeks. "Yes, Yss, Yvette" (Four Cohans, 9th week). Just missing popularity so still working on a new score; everything favors long run sinoa $18,000 to $20,000 is encouraging. "Follies" (Illinois, 6th and final Friday and WM rhtad having no week). Good engagement for Zleg- chanca. I feld offices; trade hasn't varied much; will probably show average of $32,000, or little higher. "Trial Divorce? (Playhouse, 8d week). Decision made to call it off next week; everything done by local friends of Judge Sabath to put it across but has missed; house takes film Feb. 6. Harry Lauder (Ek>langer, 1st week). With "No, No, Nanette'a** ^ . . . ^ , low grosses sending piece to stora- •Hls Own Way." produced by the house, Harry Lauder took up week'a Shubarta as "Padra," oloaad at the | time to be followed by "On Ap- proval" next week; Laudar proBlM to hit high gross this week. ''Woman Dispu t ed" (Olympic, 8d week). No signs of drawing big money irrespective of worthy caat, holding around $10,000. (CapyHght, 1«7, hy Varlaty, Ina.) "DAMN THE TEARS" Opened Jan. 2f. Took a lac- ing from all the scribes. Wooll- cott ("World") brandsd it as a 'Usable, fumbling tragsdy," and Gabriel ("Sun") dismissed it with "wild-ayad traah." »TM» PAPHKW Opened Deo. 27. Not well thought of with most of tho second string msn sssigned to review it. Vsriety (Abel) said: "Long csst and limited appeal do not waH.** (Copyright. ItCZ, by Variety, Inc.) weeks to poor business. SHIELDS-ROBINS MARRIAGE Sydney Shields and Edwin H. Roblna wara qulatly mm^ Dae. Comedy Saturday. It playad flTa I tl at New Hochalla, K. T.* tha •5 mayor offlciatinip.