Variety (Feb 1927)

VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, Fet>ruarj 88, IMT St. . SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT cVilJfiftitr'Jf^-ctlon. houM capacity and tcp pric« ot thj •iAM«'s Irish Rom," Republic (249th week) (C-901-12.75). ThU week marked bj Washlngton'a Birthday to furnish Msses: last week off again nearly Sk around but "Able** appronehinff •dvettt of sixth year ott MaAway went over IIS.OOO. •American Tragedyf" Longacre <20th week) (D-Mlf-11.11). Has made a good run and is expected to go waU Into spring; last weak estl- BuMtei aMitBOi«.Hik MM b#t- taia4 aven break* •Broadway," Broadhurst (tSd week) iCD-iaiS-l4.40). WiU play two astra matlaaas for total of ten performances this week; agency people had to do some sacrificing last weak but dramatic leader easily sold everything in box of- doe and again around $30,000. «0falhers KaramaiSbv" and "Pyg- maUon." GuUd (14th week) (D- Theatre Quild's alter- show rated much better than business, both in writing and piaylBir; ttadsr IlLOoa. excellent I «<0h Kay," Imperial (l«th week) (M- 1,44«-|6.60). Was off somewhat first days of last waak, but came back to form as true of other class musicals; estimated around ISS.OdO. "Oh Please,". Puxlon (lOth week) - IS.60). Final week; could hava remained a bit longer, but Chicago booking required leaving at this time; last weak, |17»000; average over $22,000. "Peaoy-Ann," Vanderbilt (»th week) M-(97-$4.40). SlighUy affected too, but regarded a musical hit; last week with over $17^0; bUlU- ness quite good. "Polly of Hollywood," Cohan (Ut week) (M-l,lll-$3.86). WUl Mor- rlssey's latest musical effort; pre- sented by Harry L>. Cort; opened Monday night, house rayarting from pictures. l^enHnr" Sett $32,000 Hinaaapolla, Feb. St. In its second and final week *^n- Uur** (pAiotoplay) oo&tlnuad its re- OMurkmMa hit rlgiht from tha geu- way and netted tha Metropolitan a trifle more than tha $16.00e. The Ifortnight'a total waa la tha nalffh- borhood of |ll,oee, a rseet€ far road-showed ploturea hara. Svanlnga ware oompleta oapaoity a 91M tap. lie aUraetiOA tttia »U-$3.30). , Bating system working out very «Pirates of Penzance,*' Plymouth well both here and at Golden; (i2th week) (O-l,04l-$I.I0>. GU- *'Karamazov" last week over $13,- OOf. *Bye, Bye, Bonnie," Kits (7th week) (M-946-$3.85). Well liked musical bert and Sullivan dassto held to] normal trade, advance sales cov- ering it against Saturday's I weather; around $15,000. aomedy of modest proportions; "Puppets and Passion," Masque (1st getUng $14,000 and mora with some cut rate support. «(6liioaoa»" Music Box (tth week) (CD-f4S-$3.30). Storm on Satur- day affected trade in all houses; BO axoaption hero but with $14,500 or better last week, good profit 4^ made by both house and show, l^ma," Batlnge (1st week) (D-892- r|s.8S). A. H. Woods figures to ; ^^hava a winner with melodrama br ^iiUBmy Shlpmaa and John Hymer; highly regarded in Phila- delphia; opened here last night (Tttssday) fCriss Cross," Globe (20th week) : (M-l,41$-$5.50). Agency demand ^ appeara to have slipped but house still pulling real trade with estimated around $30,000. ^ayatsaa MaHtaa," 44th Btraat (S4th week) (O-1.32<-$IJ0). Reported away off whlah would place the erwe huK waik mAst IIO.OOO; might come back and ought to laat into warm weathar. ^Oib*' Katioeal (M wtk} JD- l,m-$3.S0). Mystery drama of siting; week) (CD-800-$S.3O). Naw the- atre used principallr to tTF out Chanln Brothers prodojctions will open Thursday (Feb. 24);^ahow,_ , adapted from Italian by *mest|*T^f^«^ny Boyd. 'Quaoii HifK* Ambassador (21th 1 week) (M-l.lfl-$4.4e). Oaa of a] brace of musical successes from (M-l.l of mu tha oiBoa of Schwab and Me94al; j ''QuaoB^ rated orm |tt,eM right weak) along. •'Rio Rita," Elagfeld (4th (M-^7M.t».ie). Xisadela in tna agencies and inlaying to! oapaoitj all performances; tnird woik wae $46,500 and last weak] Just as big: legda Broadway. Roadl to Roma," Plajrhouao (4th week) (D-TSMtJf S QetoflCtoa] smasn start and figures to bold excellent pace for balance of son; estln^ated over $14,000. ''Saturday's Children," Booth (8th week) (D-707-$3.30). Getting $13,000 weekly, which is all boQso | wUl hold; thia week with two ex- tra matinees gross will easily better $16,000. *gyy ^f^ I "Bcandals," Apollo (37th week) (R- , ^ I 1.16«-$5.60). Reported mated nearly $11,000. "Qiv Parse." Winter GardOB (Ifth vesfc) <R^1.4H-|i.M>. Waat bito get rates jecently and reported ivo to take to road In another ihoBth or ee; estimated under $26,000 last week; "▲ MSgbt In Spain" may follow. "^SBt l ewew Prefer Blendeo," Timea Square (22d week) (C-l,(re7-$tJi). Another big money show using Bomo out iBleet leat week approx- ImaUt lli$Mim-r0im '■QeKe^^^ Bayee aithweek) (C-see- $3.30). Claimed to be making some money by grace of wide dis- tribution of twe for one IMMe; maybe $6,000. 'Honeymoon Lane," Knickerbocker (Mweik) <ai-l,e4S-$sJf). stands out as one of the leading musical blUi of the e sa s oa; gross r^ntly has gone ersr |n,eee marks re- learkable for scale "Nener ia Damne4»" Morosco (5th Miller (17th week) (CD-f46- $3.85). Stands out among leadws. getting betwesB fit,eH and lll- 000 weekly; no qu%stlon about going through balanoo of season. "The Ramblers," Lyrlo (23d week) (M-l,400-$5.60). Should go into May: stuck with musical leaders through fall and winter; off aomewhat like moat otiMfg laet week; about $27,006. "The Scarlet Lily," Comedbr (|^ week) (D-eit-flje). Leoke Juet like a cut-rater, but probably hooked up cheaply ond able to get by in thif .fceoaa; $1,006 or less, estimated. "T!?*,. J!"^?r ^^Sf J''**^ 1 •«a»on. perhaps, haa been more Cobb's Daughter," John Golden I heavily advartleod or better Cietb week) '{0I>.|66-$3.S6>. First pie^d VriSSSi beokSSpT pr- named play, regarded as best of | vented the offerteg fieii Mdlag the Guild's productloB sea s oa,lover Indeanltely. waa prseo Bt e d teal week, wttb At the eaibe theatre *X3eBUemoh over $13,006 g ro ss ei. | Prefer Blondes" opened to a good- •The Strawberry Blonde," Bijou (3d •*«•* ?»*eday night, with In- week) (C-50l-$3.36), Pinal week; | MewleBe pointing to a profitable 'little trade for UUe ene^ beekeA. by downtown money; second I T*'*^'*^"'*^®? '^f^J*' week approximated $3,000. with »«}.*>«»P^ the business of heavy loss ladleated; AU Do" alated for next week. SSS^wii ftfi J^JSS^. ^' w-pk. •-...II f» A»*%. a* /i«*t. _^,,v I moee loro. Jiair" drew $6,506. T*!? Sa^JlHTA^^'^J?** yA tabloid musical comedy version (D^60-$3.S0). DramaUc strength of 'It Paya to Advertise" kept tB woriced paoa up from moderate MoCan-Brldge Playeni at tha Pal money to good flgurea; has been ace above $5,000. getting $13,600 and better in nine | Aided by a professional wrestling match OB ono of the orenlngs, *Xand "The Virgin Man," Princess (6th I of JojT (Mutual Wheel burlesque) week) (D-296-$S.S6). A ahow | Put over $4,50e into the Gayety box- that wouM have stopped two weeka ago if police had not at- tracted attention to it by classing it dirty and arresting players; small mohey and cut rates^ BBPn way; maybe $4,006. 'H'ommy," Gaiety <7th week) (C- Ml-$t.t6). Slippeg last to around $10,066 after having] climbed; ou|iit to oome baok this BBd emk for • ttine, of the Wells," New Amsterdam (4th week) (G-1,702- $3.31). AU-star revival a high light of the winter; drawing big money and should maintain pace for a few weeks; last week, "Twinkle Twinkle," Liberty (15th week) (M-1.2S4-$4.40). A spring edition announoad for some reaaon; unusual for musical comedy, but now numbers are to t>e inserted; rated over $18,660. "Twe Qirle Weiited," LIttIa (lith week) (C-530-$3.30)^ With a six moBthsT run aceomplialied this oomody should go weu Into eprtag period; average oTsr $3,000. "Vanities," Bari C^arroU (26th week) (R-698-$6.60). Johnny Dooley and Dorothy Knapp aad bow material announced to replaeo Chariot people and skits, a supposed new "edltioB" was carded Monday; busineae dropped te greimd IM*" 060. (CeiiyrIgH IW, br Verteljyb Ine.) $174NN) for'^astkB''; Alcazar Okay with $9,1( San Franclsoo, Feb. St, PHDIY DROPS: lAYlE $6,(100 Phlladeip^ Feb. U. n wasB't te be espeeted that the boom iB U^it buslBoss would holA OB indefinitely, and ao nobody was surprised at tha general downward tsodenoy laet week that iaeliaded all but twe er three etiraetloee. Straageisr eaough, the musicals were particularly hard hit with ono notable exception in "My Mary* land,*' which shows every lBdiea« tlon of being ono of the most sue- oessful of all the Sl^ubert operettas* Ik Its foiartk week at the Lyric thle operetta again beat $27,000. The show is getting a great campaigB IB tha daillea with historical da^ ups and such. Easy to predict a. rua until early summer for thia *^turaL- The other musicals tumbled. ''CoUetta," with the storm knock«^ Ing spots out of the Saturday busU ness. hardly grossed any more In eight performancea than It did tha first weak la five ehowe. It haa been decided not to try to send It into Now York as yet. C^t changea and e bow chorus are among the remedies. This, the third and laat week of its engagement, ia also tha last week In tha extotoBOo of the Forrest theatre. Work of demolish- ing this house will start next Tues* day. rma Vagabond King," by Its record last week, must be definitely classed as a disappointment in thia Two otttstaMlBg hlte of tho week elty« aad tts laat wooka at the Shu« bert were announced In Sunday'i papers. Tho engagement was origi* nelly BSt for eight Weeks, four hava been played to date, and business haa been sliding steadily. There Is avery likelihood that *The King*' were ''Cities in the Air" and the San Carlos Opera. The rest, road and stoek. Just ordinary without any senaatloBal tBtStigt legit drama. Estimstes far test Week Wilkes — "CasUes in the Air" 1WIU go out after six holding on splendid^; backed by I BOthing ia in sight to succeedL the liberal assistance of the preas. I Another disappointment has been managed to hit $17,900; means I *'A Night in. Spain.** The crltica profit to Bd Smith, proauepr, and I liked "Spain." but It U believed house. I too artistic and" subtle and high- Curran — Annual engagemeat of class for the patronage of the house, the San Carlos Opera is an event, | 'Xlreat Temputlons" is booked both socially and musically; $14.- 600. considered very good. Columbia — "Loose Anklee** Isn't doing so good; $7,006 at the finish attests to that Capitol-—Dark at present, to be followed with a film. "Alaskan Ad- ventures" for a short run. Alcasar—"If I Was tllch* SlighUy af- fected early last week, no esoep- | «what Aiine Brought He«M»* Wal- 81" ) (Cl>-tft-$l.tO). Waa ahead up to Saturday's storm; getting moderate money with a probable profit at around $8,100. *l Told You So," Chanin's 46th St. mweek) (M.1.366.$4.40). WaJttda I returaetf to eket dfter **The Raged Edge" flopped In Chicago: she replace MUe Chappy; show BBder oute feto gearaetee got over $17,500. "In Abraham's Bosom," Garriok (8th weifc) (lM80-$3.30). Moved hero from Provlncetown Playhouse last week but was offered in cut rates and the appieiliMHe greee under $5,000. "Judy." Royale (3d week) (M-1.200- itiiO>k Leeke lllie a medtocre money show; pace of $11,000 to $12,000 about same as first week. "Lady Alone," Forrest (6th week) (D-l,000-$3.86). Drawing fair business, but finds no rating with the leaders; estimated between $9,000 and $10,000. ''Lady in Love," Lyceum (1st week) C<'ff7-$3.36). The Rlskln Broth- ers presenting this comedy which haa Peggy Wood and Sydney Groenstreet in tke leede; opened Monday night "Lulu Belle," Belasco (56th week) <D-1,000-$S.85). Draw is presumed to principally depend on out-of- towners; recently trade has been ggpr^ttaaetliig |II,oet ead profit* •Now^ York CMSIiengeb* 49th Street (ttk week) (D-7O8-$3.S0). Sur- prleed some first nlghtero by etieking this long; using cut rates wldi eetkBatei tekiBge H^OH or less <^ Kt^'VaymoBt^. TakoB off last tion from the other leaders; gross, however. estimated well over $40,000. "Sex/* Daiys (44th week) <D-1.173- $3.30). PubUclty of court trials and arrests of players naturally booated box ofllce demand; ostl- mated takings lately $14,000. "Sinner," Klaw (3rd week) (D-880- $3.30). One of those in between plays, well played and with a chance for moderate run to eUnl- lar trade: last week $8,000. "Set a Thief,'' Bmplre (1st week) (D-1.099-$3.30). Mystery play which opened out of town with tho title of 'The Triple Cross;" spotted here when ^The Captive" was forood off; opened Monday. The Barker," Biltmore (6th week) (CD-l,000-$3.85). Rated with the non-musical leadera. with weekly average quoted around $17,000; strongest at night performancea The Captivo," BmpUra* Waa with- drawn frote boards after Tuesday night's performance last week; management offered to dose when court'bearing started on chargea of immorality; played 21 weeks to big business and profit; house reopened Monday with "Sot Thief." The Constant Nymph," C^ort (12th week) (D-1.044-$3.85). Out to go well into spring period; not big aa antlclpataed on popularity of book, but profitable right along; last week, $13,000. The Constont Wife," MajOne Elliott's (13th week) (CD-621- $S.8S). Has been averaging bet- ter than $19,000. biggest money ever drawn in this house; scale higher than other prevtoue e«c- cesses here. *'The Desert Song," Casino (13th week) (O-1.044.$6.50). Fhrst of Broadway's musical successes this season to be done in Liondon; due there in sprtBg; bttslBoee better than $32,000. The Ladder," Waldorf (19th week) (D-1.142-13.30). Not much money claimed for this piece; with house under rental, show is taking loss; approximately $B,000. The Nightingale," Jolson's (8th wftftk) fQ-i,77g-$ s.so>. Never lack's (Ist week) (C-707-$3.30). Bari Carron takse aB occasional shot at BOB-mueleala; tkle ono ox>ened Ib kekee leeeed by kkB Monday. "Window . Panes," Mansfield (1st week) (CD-1.200-$3J0). Presented by Charles I* Whgner. who has suocess iB "The Barker" across tho street at tho BUtmore; play by Olga Printxlau Opened Mon- day, five March 81. but the betUng la thera will be something shoved in before that time. As a maUer of fact, "A Night in Spain" is now a corking good revest and ia getting better every day. "The Qlrl Friend" dropped another notch at the Adel* phi. and tho last two weeks wore announced early last week. 1*0 ages to hold on to very good bos- | gross was not over $10,000. prohebly ness; caught $9,100. I under that flgura. President — "The Little Spitfire"! Of the non-musicals two clicked closed to $f.lOO; followed by "Tho 1 nicely and the other -faded away. FeaUly UpelBlrB." I The last-named was "Daisy Maymo,** fOiitfrlefiL IflJ. ky Veriely. Ine.) M^''^^'^^}^ under $6.ooo in lu third other hand, "The Crimo W\avo" got "PIOKWiCir NEAR $15,000 I SMniSliJ''"* " **" Hun^JUp Remarkable Fij|uro for Fieee In \ilfeeliliigesn Washington. Feb. 22. The Reilly production of Dickens* "Pickwick." with JOkB Cumbertaad. upeet an predictions running up a remiares being on card nnal gross totaling Just under $18.- day, five prea that evimr. "Wooden Kimono,* Martla Beck (9th week) (D-1.089^83.30). Com- petitloB in mystery playa Biay have aftected this one; now three on list; last week claimed $12,000. "Yours Truly»" Shubert (5th week) (M-l.Sf1-88.60). Felt depression somewhat first half last week but big buslBOSs later and gross eiakBed at IttMO is bli. •peelel Attreetlons and Rep. "Right Tou Are If You Think You Are." a Pirandello play presented by Theatre Guild at the 0\ind, spe- cial matineen^ startlkg te4iy (Fsb- ruary 23). "Rose-Marie." return engagement. Century, another week; cut rate support but doing well at over $20,000. "Tho Dybbuk" will be supplanted by "PInwheel" at the Neighborhood Playhouse for the time being, start- ing Tbttredey. Civic Repertory. 14th Street the- atre. "Cradle Song." "John Bork- man," "Twelfth Night" "Three »s- tors," "Master Builder." Laboratory Theatre attracting at- tenUon with "Qranltek" also "The Straw Hat* "The Night Hawk," revival. Frolic, Indefinite by liberal out rating of Uckets. "CaponsacehU* Watter Hamp- den's, indefinite. "Spellbound," Klaw, special mat Inee attraotloe cteeed. Outelde Timee •guere—Utile "The Devil In the Cheese," playing extra matinees. Is going very well in Charles Hopkins, a 808 seater; 000. Though with a $3 top. the figure is exceptional for a new venture here^ particularly at the Belasco. Chief attraction is with older ele- ment who still love their Dlckena ChtrroBtly this house haa "The Heaven Tappers" offered by the Shuberto and Edwin Carewe^ An- other BOW one. (OliPrjp t't, 1027, by Varie ty, Ino.) tiige May Be Rortid Bl Woods at $60,000 Fer BMlly In the money; picked up eittrs advertising might have helped; Somewhat after first weeks, but claimed 87,000 pace; "Lally," Green- reported slipping back; $18,000 or less estimated. •The Noose," Hudson (19th week) (D-1,084-88.80). DramaUo win- ner, but Bot big money ehow; last week estimated around $10,- OOC; has been using cut ratee for some tioie. *TN We tke TMng," Hewy| (Cepyrigk^ HB^ by Vgrie^, IneO wich Village; "Orpheus," first half and "La Flnlta," Mayfair; "Amer- ican Grand Gulgnol" Grove Street; "Stigma," Cherry Lane; "Babbling Brookes" opens Friday, February 26, Edith Totten; "1928," a revue InUmato Playhouse; "Possibilities,* matli and claimed 818,000 or better on tho week. )yord-of-mouth put thia one over. "Cradle Snatchers" felt the week- end body-blow from the weather but gross for the week at the Qerrldt again was big. This week has two newoomors: Mrs. Fiske In "GhosU," in for two weeks only at tho Broad with a fino advance sale, and "Pickwick," at tho Walnut, indefinitely with what la claimed to be almost a record mall* order and early advaaoo sale. ^ Next liAonday has only one novel* ty, that being "The Crown Prince,* a try-out at the Adelphl, with Basil Sydney and Mary Bills. On March 7 Dillingham's big musical. "Lucky," comes Into the Oarrick for two weeks only, and "The Jazs Sin^rer" arrives at the Broad. These and "Temptotlona" are tke only Marek bookings set Eetimatee for Last Week Ghosts" (Broad. 1st week). In for fortnight only; "Daisy Mayme" piti- ful at about $6,000 last week; "Jazs Slngrer" next "The Vagabond King" (Shubert, 5th week). Engagement a real dis- The Eltlnge^ New York, may be leased for six years by A. H. Woods to the Lambert CorporatioB. which | ePPointment with business dropping represents newcomers into the the- atrical field. The annual rent is placed at over $60,000. with a sub- stantial sum for an option paid, the | balance due April 1. The principals in the Lambert company are Charles Conrad and Bdward Ia Barbour, both reektentl at the Yale club. They are said toj be the backers of Letter Bryant Chicago, 8ho8rman whose produc- Uon **Fog" Ui at the KaUonaL The show is technically presentefi ky tha Lorton Productions, Inc. each week; lucky if $22,000 wae reached; hard to see how operetta will stick for allotted eight weeks. "Collette" (Forrest 3d week). Final week for musical and house, which Is to be torn down; ehow has stunAbled badly; hardly as much in eight shows last week as in five the week before; scarcely $19,000. "Cradle Snatchers" (Garrlck, 8d week). Didn't please some of the critics, but tho public Is flocking to It; last week somewhere betweoB 818,000 and 819.000. •'A Night in Spain" (Chestnut Sd week). Despite glowing notices and "Crime,** a new Woods produc- general opinion that It Is the best tion, openM at the Bltinge Tues- day. of revues house haa had this sea- son, busfnrns slipping; only gbout $17,500 last week. " Pickwick (Wemut, let week). Run of this dramatisation of Dickens* novel believed indefinite; advance sale fine; "The Crime Wave" picked up remarkably last week despitft. weather and claimed over $48,000. "My Msryland*> (Lyric, 8tk week). Virtually only show In town not feeling effects of snowstorm; got capacity again at over $27,089. "The Girl Friend" (Adelphl. 5th week). Final week for musical, which has slipped steadily: around Aclort' Fund Quotas Dayton. Feb. 18. *The sum of'H;efe.l4 has been set as Dayton's quota In the Actors' Fund endowment campaign, it has beoB advised by DhBlsl FrbhmaB. Campaign will be dlreeteA by R P. Stine. Other Ohio quotas set are Hamilton. $1,000.44; MIddletewn, $1,800.44; Columbus. 8ie,000.H ekd I $10.000"Cresm Prince" next week. CteekuMtli |lfd00e,44i I CCepyHgMb 1IV»ky Vgriety. Ine^