Variety (Apr 1927)

VARISTY rEGITIM ATE Wtdnatdi^i SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT FtfiirM MtimaUd and comment point to torn* attractions boing •uceaatfulf whila tha aama groaa aoeraditad to othara might augflaat madiocrity or loaa. Tha varianoa ia axplainad In tha diffaranaa In hauaa capaoitiaa, with tha varying overhead. Also the size of aaati with eonsaquent difference in necessary groaa of profit. VaHnnaa in business necessary for musical attraotian aa agalnal dramatla play is also oensidered. Claetification of attraction, house aapaaity and tap price of tha admission acala given below. Key to claaaiflcation! C (comedy); D <drania)i II (r«vua)| M (musieal comedy)i F (fsrce); O (operetta). ^Abie's Irish Rose/' Republic (256th ■ week) (C-901-12.75). Passed S.lOOth performanea laat week. Nearing: world's run mark of *'Chu Chin Chow"; $8,000 laat week: Holy Weak mpfiiitm wlU send list downward. ^'American Tragedy," Longacre (S7th week) (D-1.019-$3.85). Final week; booking extended through Holy Week probably because of terms ooncaaalon; fS.OOO to |9,000 lately, but rated among sea^on'a auccesaes; "The House ot t3had owe" to follow next waalL ''Broadway," Broadhurst (30th week) (CD-1,118- $3.85). Though Tha Spider" setting bigger gross. "Broadway" still regarded most substantial success of sea- aon; agency call dropped off; window sale took up slack and at batter than 126.000. cloae to ca- pacity laat week. "Bye* Bye, Bonnie,** Cosmopolitan (X4th week) (M-1.493-|3.86). Cut rataa reaponalble fai^ holding moderate musical in; guarantee from Lieblang ovar, but, continu- ing; laat ^iraak agAlii sMnd lis.ooo. "Cherry Bloaaoms/' 44di Streot (3d traak) (0-l,tlf-|S.«i). Doea not appear to be In money; some cut- rating last waelK with aatimated groaa |1S.00#. "Cbicago,** Music Box (Kth week) (CI>-l,OOl-|3.S0). Agency buy axplraa. r«fl«ctad bjr laat w^ak'a gross, around $U*ff9 JMifltriVtb- ably profitable. "CHmmr Tlmaa BqtHtre (8th waak) (D-l.057-13.85). Off to strong atart; while buslneaa did not eUmb aa expected, trade appeara aatiafactory; over $15,500. '^untaaa Maritza,** Jolson'a (Slat .iraak) (O-l,776-$8.60). Third liouse to offer operetta and beat muted to It; not only ia perform- %aoa batter her«. but attraction lifted out of loalng atraak; laat waak, $24,000; management aor* priaed at reveraal of form. Tog," National (10th waak) (D- l,161-$3.80). Moderate money mystery play seema to be getting by and may laat tlwoiigh spring; racent takinga bttWtMi IM«i and $7,000. "Fog-Bound," Belmont (84 waak) (D-516-$3.30). Bitter ending changed and more aatiafactory nnala might help; first flA waak poor; not over $3,000. •Oarila,'* Bayea (22d weak) (C-8$0- ••M. JfMMWMMt aapaMiit of B8m Into warm weather with cMunp cut-rater; claimed to have avaraged $6,000 and mora lately. Hearts Are Trumpa," Moroaco (2d week) (C-890-$8.80). Unfavorable break from erltltt} And flrst- "^Sjt^": opened TL^rtl f i»lth light trade ainca. 'Mar Oardkaard Lover,** Empire (4th week) (CD-1.099-$8.85). One of new non-mualcal l^era; ovar $81.0M: whtla aomawluit under third week, close to capacity. Heneymaon Lana," Knickerbocker (80 th wa«k) (M.1.412-$3.86). Making excellent run and aure to f®*2jo ^jrnj weather; not much ■■Miad dvrfng Lent with pace around $22,000. Wow,** Masque. Carded for wla Waak, but withdrawn for re- writing:: "The <>>nte** opana nazt week instead. "••••Jr;* ftoyala (loth week) (M- l,100-$3.30). Appears low among WWjl^Js; pace around $9.ooo or alt more; eknt probably t<»ok sal- arv out. "LaMaira^a Affaire," Majestic (2d W*Ok) (R-l,745-$5.f)0). Socond week claimed to have slightly battered first, which had high- fldtfad pramlare; $34,000. *Ulaky," New Amsterdam (4th week) (M-1.702-$6.60). Scalo for rear portion of lower floor re- vised downward to $8.80 as an- ticipated; not capacity hut impor- tant money last week at $40,000; quesUon if profit oan be madd at that figura becaiiae of haavr dast aalaries. "Marinera," Plymouth (Srd week) (D-l,047-|3 r?0) Taken off Sat- urday; second week estimated un- der $7,m. "Oh Kay," Imperial (23rd week) (M-l,448-$5.60). One of class musicals of 8ea.««on; still drawinK real trade; somewhat ofT a.s lOaster approaches; lawt week $34,000. "One Giorioua Hour," Selwyn (D- 1.087-$S.80) (let week). Pre- sented by Murray Phlllfp.q; odap tat ion from German; opens April **Rio Rita," Zie^feld (11th week) (M-l,75U-$5.50). Heavy advance sales taking up variation in de- mand at this time; undisputed musical leader; over $46,000. **Road to Rome," Playhouse (lltb week) (D-879-$3.80). Ending three months to capacity busi- ness; little or no dlfrar«!ica la pace of $17,000. ''Saturday'a Children," Booth (12th week) (D-708-$3.30). Played first three months to capacity; no let- up. Claimed last week over $13,000. "Scandals," Apollo (44th week) (R 1.168-$5.50). Sure of a year's stay; trade recently over $36,009; atiU one of gross leaders. "SinnaV (lOth week) (D-88O-$8.S0) Moderate gross attraction making some profit though trade not what expected; about $7,000. "Set a Thief," Lyceum (8th week) (D-957-$3.30). Cast not co-oper- atlTo aa reported; myatery play unable to climb; management probably taking loss; $4,000. ^'Spread Eagle," Martin Beck (2nd week) (CD-I,189-13.85). Producer expected to start something but first week did not promise real trade: about $12,500; at scale too hi^h for show of kind, could more than double figure. "The Barker," Biltmore (13th week) (CD-1.000-$3.85). One of those shows that started off with rush, then tapered off; making money and will finish out season here; $12,000. <«The Conetant Nymph," Cort (19th week) (D-1.043-$3.30). Final week; going to Boston; fairly good run of It to moderately good money; "Love Is Like That" next nrha Conatant Wife," Mazlne Kl- Uott'a (30th week) (CD-f84-$S.85). Felt pre-Easter depression some- what but not much under former $8^ FOR STOCK PLAY Edith tillaferra m Minindpniii Minneapolia, April IS. Phenomenal bualnaaa ia being done by the Shubert (Bainbridge dramatic atock) ia tha face of genarally bad tlmaa and I^ant. With the acale boosted to $1.11 for the entire lower floor and 99e for most of tha baloony, not onoa during tha past four weeks baa tha gross at this theatre gone undar $7,8Q0--a record fOr thia town. "Aloma," with Miss TaUaferro in tha Utle role, last week ahalkad up tha high flgurea of $8.tM. Btary Toung opana mast Sunday in "The Outrageoua Bira. Palmer." Tha Caaey Playera (dramatic atook), at tha Praaidant Tbaatrau ln St. Paul, also are about to inaugu- rate a guaat atarring aaaaon, with Martha Kadman aa thm rialting player. Lent and tha general buaineaa de- pression hava not bean hurting the McCall-Bridge Playera (musical comedy tab) at the Palaoa to any marked extant. "Tha Ohoat Train," set to music, gave this popular organization around $8,000 laat week. "Kuddling Kuties" (Mutual) did about $3,500 at the Oayety. (Copyright, 1027, by Variety, Inc.) LA. GROSSES '^UNNTHrr mOOO IN 8 SHOWS DURING GHASHY LOOP WEES Hurt *^ PImm," Another Chi Hit—"Donovan Af. fair" Die* in Selwyn; Buried in Storahouae— "Niiiil H«wk" LmImI 6 Wealcs, dodiig to $5»S0O pace. Betterad $17,000. "The Crown Prinaa,*' Forreat (4th week) (D-1.01S-$8.80). Question If thta tragedy can last; lower floor call indicated with groaa aatimated around $0,000. Tha D aaart Song,** Casino CMth week) (O-1.477-$5.50). London roporta aay azoellent operetta acorad haavlly thara laat week; still doing well here too, though under pace ot early months; last waak bit orer |2t,000. "The French Kise,** Central (5th week) CC-922-$S.S0). Thuraton bookad nara next waak; backers of Louis Mann show not decided whether to move or close; $6,000 doubtfuL *«The Ladder,** WaWorf (2«th week) (D-1.142-$$.S0). With offer to refund monay t» thoaa not aatla- fled with play, tickets removed from cut ratea laat week; atill looka Uka $4,000 or laaa w«akly. 'The Legend of Lenora," Ritz (CD- 946-$S.86). Taken off after Mon- day night's performance, having played two weeks to llerht trade; •*Tha Thtef," also revival, ^with Alloa Brady, next week. "The Mystery Ship,** Comedy (5th waak) (D-682-$8.l0). Moved here firom Oarrick Monday; through low cost tie-up can proba>)ly go along to proflt at $4,000 to $6,000. "Tha Play'a tha Thing," Henry Miller (24th week) (CD-946- $3.86). Holding up excellently; last week's gross better than $15,- 500; easily finish out soanon. "The Ramblers," Lyric (30th week) (M-l,400-$5.50). Bxpected to go through May, but dependent on pace^fter ;5j^lter; last week esti- mmS' Mitween $20,000 and $21,000. "The Second Man," Guild (D-914- $3.30) and "Pygmalion" (13th week). Theatre Guild's final pro- duction; opened Monday and will hereafter alternate with revival of Sli.iw comedv. "The Silver Cord" and "Ned Mc- Cabb'a Daughter," John Golden (14th week) (CD-900-$3.30>. "Mc- Cobb's. Daughter" last woek: standing up well; over $11,000 claimed. "The Spider," Chnnln's 4r,th St. (4th week) (D-1.413-$3.85). New dramatic sensation: novelty my.s- tory play bettered remarkable pace of second week, nearly $30,500. "The Squall," 48th St. (23d week) (n-9fi9-$3.30). Management well satisfied; has houae aa well as show, and with averapo trada Of $9,000 lately neat profit. "Tommy," Eltlnge (I4th week) {C- 892-13.30). Modernt<» money com- edy moved from Gaiety Monday —and—i^Tpftrtad—to—laat ♦fc>^"gh 'Peggy-Ann," Vanderbilt (l(5th week) (M-771-$4.4U>.. Holding up azoaptionally well during Lent; axpacted to stick into aummar; •round $16,000. 'Quaen Hjah," Ambassador (82nd waak) (M^l,108-|4.40). Figures to coast for another two months or loagar; Uvaly trade from cut " 1: ovar 114.000, sprinEr; inexpensive to opl^rate: around $8,000 lately. **Twa Qirls Wanted," Little (32d week) (C-530-$3 30). Holding up to $8,000 and better; suri)rlsinR. registering after bad start; good until aummar. "Vanitiet," Rarl Carroll (83d week) (R-998-$6.60). Tickets being sold for next two weeks, but nothing Los Angeles, April 12. Buaineaa took a alump all round last weak. Biltmora lad tha town at aa aatlmatad $17300 with I^t of Mrs. Cheney.** "Is Zat So?" feU to $18,M0 at the Belaaco, whila tha Hollywood Music Box, tuOmg '*Cbimt^ M Its attrao- tion, only hit around $8,000 after a sensational atart two wrgakg pcaoad- ing. . Bl Capitan, raopanlng to |i.N top, using a trio ot atara, Ian Keith, William Famum and Ethel Clayton, hit on all cylindera with "The Fire- brand" getting $0,000. Thla, Jnol- denUlly, gava tha 81 OB|^lta» lM«M leadership in Hollywood. "Aliaa tha Deacon" skidded to around $6,600 at the Hollywood Playhoiia% whHo 'Tho H oooaf got about $7,000 at the Vine Street. "The Patsy," at Moroaco, figured over $4,000; "OorUla," la lU final waak at tho Majaatio, approximatalsr same amount. "One Man's Woman." la Utst week at tha Orange Qrova, atiU at 8- for-1, only did about $2,800. "So Thla U h& Um r at tha Bal- mont, hardly raa<Mii OMtt haCoro passing out. (Copyright, 1«27, by Varioty, Ina.) definite as to continuance of show thereaftar; aatlmatad $18,000 to $10,000. ' "What Anne Brought Home," Wal- lack'a (8th week) (G-770-$8.80). Moderate money show playing nine performances weekly and getting $6,000 to $6,000; satisfac- tory through light operating cost "Wooden Kimono," Fulton (l$th week) (D-91$-$8.80). Mystery play making'neat profit to date and haa chance to laat through season; pace Jumped i-OOoatlF to around $11,000. "Yours Truly," Shubert (12th week) (M-l.S95-$8.80). After first few weeks to big trade, takings eased oft: last week about $88,000; doubtful if breaking: oven, hVi should pick up after Easter. Special Attractions and Rep "Right You Are If You Think You Are** presented at special mati- nees at Guild moved to Qarrlok, there to be regularly presented; will alternate weekly with revival of "Mr. Pirn Paaaaa B^/r Ofonliig next week. "Big Lake" added to repertory of American Laboratory theatre; also "The Sea Woman's Cloak" and "The Trumpet Shall Sound." "Cradle Song** added matlnaea out at Civic Rep. 14th street, through throat affection of Ehra Le Gal- lienne; balance of ottrd Includes "Inheritors," "Threa Sisters,** "Master Builder" and ''Jahn Bork- man." "La Fiesta." carded by Now Play- wrights. 52d Street, was post- poned and probably olf until next Heason. Lyric bill of drama Including '*Commedia del I'art," Neighbor- hood Plavhon.se. "Caponsacchi," highly regarded, originally Intended for Walter Hampden's repertory, but is making run of it. 'The Night Hawk,*' revival. Frolic, down to $S.000. ——Outside Times Sq^Llttle ''Rapid Transit,*' Provincetown Pliiyhoiise, mixed comment; "The New Yorkers,** Totten. with "Joan of Arc** at special matinees; 'The Devil in the Cheese," Hopkins; "Savages Under the Skin," Oreen- wich Village; *'Qranite,*' Mayfair; "Rutherford and Son" opened Tuefl- dav. Grove Street. (Copyright, 1027, by Variety, Inc.) Chicago. April 18. If ever there was spotty trade in Ohl'a laglt thaatrea It was lagt weak Tramandoua loaaaa pradomlnatad. Scaled at a aUff $5, "Sunny" m eight performances circled around $38,000. drawing a smash opening gross night. In tha faoa of ap- proaching competion. plus the scal- ing of "Big Boy" at $4, the present phenomenal call for the Illinois at traction will be watched after the fourth week. A pencil and some pa- per will tell the insider that "Sun- ny" in its present lineup muat get around $2$,000 as the company share, standing still, to make a Chi- cago engagement profitable. Next to "dunny'a** prosperous first week, the outstanding feature waiT the farewell of the 41 weeiu of the "Vagabond King" at the Great Northern. The long stay made a lot of favorites in the caaa of "King," and eloaa to capacity waa the rule at tha majority of tha par- formancea. "Oh. Please" aUppad haeausa Of noticeable weakness in the balcony. "Sunny" cut into the hotel sales of "Please" on the week end. ottljr tha early sellout at the Illinois haiplBg the EIrlanger attraction. Outside of the above, the legit calendar was shot to pieces. Every- thing was at a standstill during the entire week, the combination of a hectic election and Lent »»»fti*ing theatregoing out of thought. The Donovan Affair," which after the first two performances was tabbed as a wrong booking for the Selwyn, probably didn't do $4,000. It went to the storehouse, and the house la dark this week, awaiting "The Nooae." which opens Sunday. "Night Hawk," "12 Mllea Out" "Mc- Cobb'a Daughter," aU three figured extremely low grosses, each turn- ing over their raapactlva houaaa to new ofteringa. The 10 weeks' record-breaking non-musical leaders, "Cadle Snatch- ers" and "Shanghai Gesture," were waylaid by the general conditions. The Adelphl attraction anaouaoad April Sd aa the getaway. Tha Har- rla attraction still hopes to reach tha June 1 mark, although tha alip to $ll,SOd huit waak eanaad not a little ^ncem. Another drop is ex- pected thia week for "Snatchera," and oobwabbad raoorda prova that dramatic shows in Chicago don't come back from $10,000 to $14,000 on 18th to 20th week stays. It will probably take $14,000 grosses to keep "Snatchera" in tiie Harris for the period planned. With five openings Sunday night there'll be a wild scramble for pop- ularity. Blackstone opening Mon- day for the limited nine perform- ances of "Trelawney of the Wells," local theatregoers h^va a fill of pre- mieres that mafca a now aprlng record. The "specs" are taking things easy, waiting for the "demand" which will come week-end, since there are no outright buys. If there were some outright bays around 100 tickets, such a thing wouldn't worry the Chicago speculator. It looka like a furious Easter Sunday the- atrleallr for <Hilcago, a town quite hoarse as vet since the election of "Big Rill" Thompson for mayor. Estimates for Last Waelc "The Student Prince" (Olympic)— Open.s return engagement Saturday matinee, with top $2.68. "The Nightingale" (CJreat North- ern)—Conie.s in Saturday, following six days of darkneaa for this houae, which compiled real profit from the 41 week.s of "Vagabond King." Pare- well partie.s for "King" made final Kro.ss look like $26.000,—phenomenal any way .sized up, "Sunny" (Illinois, 8d week)— Scaled at $5..';o top on main floor and several rows in balcony at this price went to aroiin<l S.'iS.OOO in eight perfo.mances. Torrific oper- ating expense of company makes capacity necessary at high scale. Onlv onf^ matinee hereafter. "12 Miles Out"—(Cort. 13th and final week). Drew real coin first seven weeks, then moderate for about tliree, after wiueh went to pl( ( e.s with general decline of'town. Didn t figure better than $6..'0 la.st week. "The Little Spitfire" will get the usumI capacity gross, quite an e.stabliHhed fart at this theatre for all o|>eninfrK. Sundav. "Night in Paris"-(Apollo. R(h and final week). I'irst four weeks exceptionally high, smashing revue records for matinee grouses at this house Close fipurine: makes It ap- pear an if usual percentage on $27,- 000 reuses loss. Will go out around $21,000. "Night Hawk"—( RIackHtone. Cth, final week). Never s-trrHx d'^mand. hut riit-r;it.« h..ol<s i tivl ..,| \n nrni this lielped. About $.'i,500. "Tre- lawny of the Wella," with aiffht scaled at $4 top and matlnoea at $3.60, expected to make record for house in nine performances. "Sweat Lady"—(Woods, 6th woelc la town). How far loacar It oaa U9 is doubtful. Came over from mi* nois. Original banlcroU exhauatad. Close figuring didn't giva It battar than $9,500. "Nad McCobb'a Dauehtar** — (Princeaa, 8th. final week). Km- phatlc appeals to attend on part of one critic furnished no responae. At ona time promiae for aucceaa. but this dwindled. Cloekad for M.Md groaa. "Shanghai Qaatura** — (Adelphi. 16th week). April 80, as mentioned In last week's report, now authentic for exit. Dropped with much gusto in last four weeks, now around $11,- 000 with little chance of making sensational farewell. Over-played Ita stay, but first 10 waeka of en- gagement pIlCKj up gross record that will be hard to beat at this house. ''What Every Woman Knows"^ (Pour Cohans, 4th week). Here's one bounding along through the slump period with forelbla algna of competing for high dramatic honors after Easter. Matinaa trada im- mense. Balcony groaa dlaoourag- Ing. Considered stronn $!•,#•# gro.ss in present popularity. "Oh, Pfaaaa^—CBrlangar. ^th and final week). Solid lower floor call, but weakneaa noticed In balcpny. MajrorfWaet Thomi»aon hroka up show when walking In night befora election. Struck hlgheat point two weaka ago. About $24,000 laat week. ''Cradle 8natchara'^(Harris, 16th week). Sama atory that Insiders know—when they start skidding, nothing stops 'am. Went down to $11,500, drop af nearly $8,000 over previous week. In face of approach- ing competition hardly possIi>le this record breaker will come back. In five weeks haa fallen fully $7,000 mainly because of dlaappearanca of ' specs" trada. "Katja" — (Oarrick. Sth week). Making nice campaign against big odds, but looka aa if the choice Shubert partlaa ara being toaaad into this one on off nights. Wr- pected to better $14,000 slump figure after the $16,000 td $17,000 opening week, when town raooTara from Lenten resolutions. "Lucky^ambo" — (La 8alla. ith week). Going along at popular prices with midnight show Satur- day feature. Hnsn*t Jumped to maka it better than $10,000, although may have been below thia figure laat wa«li. ainoa Sunday to Wedneaday trade ghastly. (CapyHoht* 1t87, hy Varialy, 4iia.) OFF NEW SHOWS Washington, April IS. Though local ravlawera treated "Lady Do," the new Karyl Norman mtisical, much more kindly than most new shows, the piece failed to attract bualnasa. That la true, though, of practically all that hava not yet received the Broadway stamp. Sometimes even when hav- ing that sfain|», tod. Kdgar MacOregor haa been called In to fix the musical up, scheduled to open at the Liberty, New York. ApHi 18. ^ "Loose Ankles" did fairly wall at the Belasco, though no letters home were being written in connection therewith. Something like $6,500. Management of "Lady Do" admlta no business, which cinches estimato of around $5,000. This Week Belasco. "Love la Like That** Cnew): Xiitional, "Ben Hur" (film, return); Poll's dark, April V7. Mitai in "The Madcap' (new). (Copyright, 1027, By Variatyt Inc.) (Copyright, 1W, by Variety, Inc.) Ro88-Cort Producing Cliuk Iloss and liany L. Cort liavo loimetl u legit producing »uirt«- nership to sponsor "Veneer,' by Hugh Stahlslaws Stange. The pi6ce will be given a late spring tryout an<l shelved until September. Stange's other play. "(;ianiuur," which tried out some weeks. ago and was withdrawn for revision, Is being rem St by Albert Lewis for another try. uai