Variety (Aug 1927)

VARIETY LEGITIMATE SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT FiaurM •stlmated and commant point to aama atlraetiens baing auccattful, whila tha aama groaa aaeraditod to othara miaht augOM* madioerity or loaa. Tha varianea ia axplainad in tha diffaranea In heuaa eapaciliaa, with tha varying ovarhaad. AUo tha aiza of caat, with coniequant diffaranea in necattary nroaa of profit. Vartanca in buainaaa nacaatary for muaicat attraction aa againit dramatio play ia alae oonaidarad. „ Claaailiaation of attraetion, houoo eapacity and top priea of tho admiaalMi aeala fliwan balaw. Kay to flaMificatitfht C (eema^)i 0^bWM>l l|(MviM)i M Oiiiialaglaama<y)t WVv—U O (ninM ' •V- '^Abia'a Iriah Roaa," Republic (276th week) (C-801-»l'.75). World's record run ahow Is breakins even and batter with.ehances of mukinR mttra g»anejr before it leaves in •notbar two montha or ao; $7,000; Broadway continued to set great break via coolest weather In mem- ory. "Afriaana," NaUDiwl (Klh week) <R-1,164-|2.7(>;. Moved here afti-r dlfflcultlea at Dal.v'.s 63rd Street with aalartes due; not biR. but colored revue haa drawn moderate . money; $8,000 to 11,000. "Allaz-Oop," Carrol! (5th Week) (R-997-J4.40). One of new revues that has fairly K'X'iI < li;ince to atick; weather pruWalily counting in, groKses holding to retipectable flgure; $16,500. "A la Carta," Beck (2d week) (R- 1,198-$S.86». Another revue that ought to come out on top; has world of talent; last week flrat fuU week with takings going to $lt,O00; rather good (or scale. "Babiaa a la Cart^" WallacICa <Sd weak) (P-T««i#«l>, ftert«raak; didn't mean muen altkengb With out ratea got nearly $4,000 laat week and may get another house; "Mister Romeo" next week. "Blood Money," Huiison (2d week) (D-l,406-$3.aO). nidM t-Ket breiik from critics but V)usino.s.s showed some promise, goinj^ over $9,000. 'Broadway," Broailhurst (Snth week) <CD-1.148-$3.85). Soon to rattle off year's run and on form ought to go right on well Into winter; close to top money among dramas; $16,000 again. "Burlatque," Plymouth (1st week) (CD-l,042-$8.t»). Much haa been aald of thia Mw »om»4f drwua whlcb opaiw4 ihtwHMr vmxby teat mantb; gpaM VhtiMaay aitht <8apt. 1), Arthur mukm gra- aaatlnf. "Mlloe,'* New Amsterdam (3d week) (R-l,702-$6.60). Demand for tickets enormous; none being held by brokers for price, with curious condition resulting from agencies* agreement with District Attorney Tuttle not to sell at over 50 cents advance; standees jammed house with second wecU'.s gross $48,200; leads all. "Footlights," Lyric (3d week) (M- l,4O(-$3.S0). Bettered $7,000 last week and uadar modltad eo-apar- atlva baala atel MW d t» have been ^ «, k,: ahttw and hotaa pooling. "Ormi Wkim PoHiaa," Uttio (I4th week) (R-S80-$S.30). Although mualcala are preponderant along Broadway nearly all are getting money; this ro\'ue in (-o-operative and at around $9,000 satisfactory; Indefinite. "Her First Affaire," naves (2d week) C-86O-$3.30). Sexy In dialog and that ought to give new comedy fair run; low cost sliow should make money at $5,000, even less. "Hit tha Deck," Hekuco (19th week) (Iil-l,000-$6.50). Can put stand- ing room only gtgli out for any and all partormanoag; popatartty of aoora flgurea to aead ahow well Into it not through now aeeaon; $26,500 or better. "Manhattara," Selwyn (Sth week) <R-l,0(7-$3.30). Making money at $12,000 lately; Ions stay not In- rticatoil. luiwi-vci-; houa* due to get "(i^u iicu <>i K,<ien" next month or early Octitlirr. * MerryiGo-RounH." Klaw (14th week) (K-Saii-$;i.«5). J^rawlng better trade dutins cool AuKust bit over $9.00(J'. not prodtabie evi n for intimate revue. Moves to llel- mont; "Creoles" coming to Klaw ■Night In Spain," 44th Street (Itth week) (R-1,S26-$S.S0). Changes ta cast appear not to have af' footed performances; revue going along to real money and only oS during few waYm weeks; rated at $20,000. "Padiocka of 1927," Rhubert (9th week) (R-l,395-$ri.50). Reported ready to bow out week ;il;o but weather break revived busine.ss. iMt week rati'il over yii.Uoo. "Peggy-Ann," V a ii .1 r r li i 1 t (;!6lli week) (M-771-t I.IU). StrenKth of some musicals in face of com- petition fe.'itureH month; this one, however, held to excellent trade during season proper; lately back almost to winter ilguree; $14,500. "Rang Tang," Royale (8th week) (O-l, l,tl7-$8.20). Best colored ahow In some time; appeared matter of weather, and when cool temperatures came, business Jumped; $14,000 and better; flgur- tng on moTlnff show to llajaatlc; — n i l » al ol "Mllfartn" du a h a r a Hupf $17,400, virtual capacity; amazing business at tiiis time of the year for drdma; looks good Well Into winter. "Saturday'a Childran," Booth (22d week). Everything en list aeema to have done buaineaa lately; thla comedy favorite sold out last week, bettering $12,500; $11,000 week previously. "Such la Life," Morosco (Ist week) (D-89J-$3.30). Shuberts' first of awakening new season; house re- verted to their control after 10 years under Morosco Interests; opens tonight (Wed.). "Tenth Avenue," £ltinge (3d week) (CD-892-$3.30). Second week of crook play which ran in Chicago before coming here, not Quite aa good as first week; estimated at $11,500, prolitable however. 'n'ha Daaert Song," Casino (4tth week). Comeback of operetta since theatre wetUher spread over August, greater In proportion than other musicals which had been off; bettered $23,000 laat two "The Ladder," Cort (46th week) (D-l,043-$3.20). Engagement ex- tended under increased guarantee through September; business around $1,000; heavy weekly loss. "The Second Man," Guild (18th week) (D-914-$3.30). More than double low gross mark recently In getting $11,500 and more; will easily ride throat September. Guild's new gMimi aburta aarly in October. "The Spider," Music Box (24th week) (D-l,000-$3.85). Out In front of dramas again; nearly $18,000 laat week; went clean Saturday night, rare in August; raining and all houaea benefited. "The Squall," 4$th Street (4$d week) (I>-»«*-$$.IO). Thought to have been about through when summer started but lately gained with other shows through un- precedented weather; recently claimed at $9,000. "What tha Doctor Ordered," Ritz (3d week) (C-918-$3.S0). Re- garded as risque with trade fair to date; estimated around $6,000. (CopyriBM> 1Mf> ky VarMy, Inc.) 11. •ma RMa," Stagfeld (Slst week), Olaag of thla Zlegteld musical should easily hold it In New York year; except during warm weeks of early July, virtual capacity; recently better than $4S,000 weekly; Walter Catlett replaced Jtobort Woolsey last night. to Roma," Playhouse ($l8t ' <M-1,7S0-$1.S5>. Right up GROSSES IN MINN. Minneapolis, Aug. 30. Opening the spoken drama season here the Balnbrldge Players, with entirely new personnel, excepting the director, Bernard Suss, made a favorable impression in "The L,aat of Mrs. Cheney" at the Shubert. In accordance with an annual ouatom, Buzi Balnbrldge, managing director, had Shrlners as his guests at the Monday and Tuesday night per- formances. With the two nlKhts out the frrosa was In the neighl>or- hood of J5.000. Tlie McCall-Brldge Players, pre- senting a musical comedy tabloid version of "Laft Tiiat OIT," managed to pull about $5,200 Into the box of- fice. With Its Initial stock burlesque offering, "Hello Minneapolis," Gay- ety, again under Harry Hlrsch's management, played to around $4,000 for the eiKht days. This week llie Shubert lias "T^^iose Ankles"; r.llace. "Is Zat So?" and nayety "Ail-Jazz nevue" Metiiipolit.m opens week after next with MItzl In "The Ma^drap." (Ca^lH IM'i by Varioty, Inc.) FRISCO GROSSES San Fraaelaeo, Aar. fO. All Henry Duffy agala teat waak. "The Alarm Clock" ia BtlU wound up tight enough to tick out batter than $6,000 at the Aleaaar, and ' I'wo Girls Wanted" opened well at the President with $5,900. Lurle had Johnnie Arthur and Alma Tell In "I Love Tou" at a buck and a half top at nIghL It didn't mean ao uiuch; only got $8,100. "Abie's Irish Rose" came back into the Capitol to try for a run of four weeks at $1.50. Got away to a good bouaa Sunday night and oanw dam aaac ta aalUas out at the WedaaaAar inat at $1 top^ The week gave it $(,800. Vhlch augura well for the weeka to oomo. With plenty of tourists In town and the cool weather coming on, plus the evening fog, "Able" ought to run the four weeks. At the finish lor the local engagement "Able" is set for Oakland for seven dajrs and then Into the north to rotum east via Winnipeg. (Copyright. IKT, fiy VarMy, Im) JANlS^mdOO COASISIART "Oh! Kay" Opens New L. A. MajMt uk BpaM of CjLgj f' . liOa Angelea. Aog. t*. The ICayaa and the Belaaeo. neighbors in an out-of-the-way dis- trict, copped first prize and runner- up for dough laat week. Estimates for Week Playhouae—"In Love With Ijove" (3d week). Eklward Everett Horton in one of hia periodic flyeia. $(,000. Vine Straet—"WUd WeatootU" (8d waok>. Moderate paoe tor new piece at Hollywood house. Plenty of oppoaish In the movie village. Around $6,000. Hollywood Playhouae—"If 1 Was Rich" (6th week). $6,200 about. El Capitan—"Laff That Off" (7th week). Henry Duffy'a troupe mak- ing a dandy run with takings $5,900 at pop prices. One more week tor this bdll. White elephant house definitely de-Jlnxed by amart San b'ranclscan. Meroaoo—"Laat at Mia. dMyaey* (2d week). MM* Mr MwMawn stock. Hollywood Musie Bok —"Elxpo surea" (5th week). WiU Morris soy's latest effort to put the ball in the pocket. Bettered HM*- Only one other musical in toMi SMng weakling Its chance. Orange Grove—"The Scarlet Vir- gin" (4th week). Two-for-ones al- most exclusively and $1,800 prob- ably a liberal estimate. Mayan—"Oh, Kay" (2d week). Around $20,000 for coast-produced musical with Blslo Jaala itaired Great ukinga and a whirlwind be- ginning for lAm Angeler newest legit theatre. B alaaoo "The Great Neoker" (l2tli week). $10,000. stiu atrang. (Copyright, 1027, by Variety, laZ) PHOIY NORMAL EXCEPT ''GOOD NEWS/' $31,000 Shore Reports Curtail White Show's Advance—"Speak- eaty" SurpriaM "Golden Girl" in N. H. New Haven, Aug. 20. The opening of Alfred K. Aarons" new operetta, "My Princesa," sched- uled for Monday at the Shubert. has been postponed until Wednes- day. The titk! of the piece has also iK-en changed to "My Golden (!irl." Ineludeil in the cast are Hope Ilainiptcm. Robert Woolsey, Ponald Meek and Leonard Cecley. On Labor Day Richard Herndon will present "Creoles," the new play by Samuel Shlpman and Kenneth Perkins. Helen Chandler will play the leading role. Natacha llambova, Allan Dineheart and Qeorge ' Nash are In the eaal laSffSEY SHOW KEHEABSINa The new Will Mahoney ahow, "Take the Air," which Oene Buck ie producing, with Mahoney the star and TrInI, Spanish prima don- na, the only principals announced by the Buck oflloe, went into ra- hearaal ia New Tork Tuesday. tTntil the opening Is set Mahoney win continue to play out Keith- 'Bonnie' in Boston, $16,500; 'Cyclone, 3d Week. $13,000 Boston, Aug. 80. Cold, wet weather last week re- sulted in the attractions getting a better play than expected. Tha only new entree, "Secret Service Smith," at the I'lymouth. got a rather bad break, not opening until Wednesday, the original date being postponed, as the show was not ready. "Bye, Bye, Bonnie," at the Wil- bur, atlll develops strength. It fin- ished last week to $1(,IOO, same as the week before. Very good going for a show at the Wilbur, which Is not a large house, and especially for a show scaled as this one Is here. "Half a Widow," although It has not shown any real strength since here will be held In for another Veek. This musical did $13,000 last week, about the same as the open- ing week. It Is not a big money maker at this ligure. "The Baby Cyclone' at the Hbllb is on the hut two weeka at the house. It has got over here as wen .1.1 could be expected, opening a liouse that has not been drawing them In very strong for the past few .sea.Mons. Cohan's name aloaa is enough to bring bualBogg to the house. No new shows thla week, bat aav- eral are on the list to como in. Start- ing next weeJt. Estimates for Laat Week "Baby Cyclone," Hollto <8d wedc). About $13,000. Two more weeka. "Bye, Bye, Bonnie," Wilbur (4th week). Making biggest money of any show in town; consistent box offlce performer. Last week. $16,600, bit better than week before. "Half a Widow," Shubert (laat week). About $13,000. Philadelphia. Aug. 30. Last week's weather's effect on ieelt business is interesting, but not easy to flgare. Rain and cold Fri- day, for example, undoubtedly kept a great many Philadelpblans from taking their weekly trip to the .*,hore, but. on the other hand, the terrific downpours In the evenlnRs kept a great many away from the theatres. Count it a toss-up and let It go at that. One show that wasn't affected aay way you look at it waa '*Qood Kawa." in lU third week at the Chestnut Street opera house. The tnrn-away for this new musical has been almost unprecedented here, and there isn't a shadow of doubt but that it could run pretty well up to the holidays. It's even got to the point where a few seals have Rotten In the hands of "specs.'* an unusual state of things in Philly and last remembered In "Lulu Belle." The total gross on the engagement will be around $120,000; laat week's was about $81,000. "Speakeasy" was a somewhat pleasant surprise at the Broad, where it grossed around $9,000 or $10,000 in Its first week, despite some damaging notices and others that were only lukewarm. Being, the only non-musical in town un- doubtedly helped. However, it will get oppoaltlon this week with "Rev- elry" at the Garrick. "Speakeasy" is In for three weeks and is rated aa having an outside chance. White Lights," last week'a other opening, proved ao badly in need of repairs that word got around town and trade wasn't so hot up at the Adelphl. The house has no other booking until Sept. 19. but It is hard to see how "^Vhlte Lights" can stay that long. At $2.r.O top this one pulled around $9,000. probably a lit- tle under. Next door at the Lyric. "My Maryland" was quoted at be- tween $15,000 and $16,000 and would unquestionably have beaten that figure with better weather at the end of the week. Last week was the Mtt ihr the original cast, which haa a two weeka' lay-off before opening In New York. The Atlan- tic City troupe came in this week and will stay until Oct 1. Two more houses opened Monday night. the Shubert, with George White's "Manhattan Mary," for a single week, and the Qarrlck, with "Revelry. - The top for tho White show ia $4.40 here. Adverse reports from the shore have kept the* ad' vance sale down, or maybe ifs the stiff scale. With so many showa getting In during August, the Labor Day rush will not be so noticeable. Next Monday haa three openings, all try- outs. "The Command to Love" opens the W:Unut'3 season for two weeks, the Chestnut has "Artists and Mixlels." which opens with a matinee, and tho Shubert gets "Strike Up the Rand." On the 12th, "niack Velvet" comes Into the Broad, and "The Sidewalks of New York" into the Oarrlck. On the 19th. "Our Hus- band." with Edna Leedom, another try-out. Is booked for the Adelphl. "The Tlger-EaUng Man," still an- other new one, comes to the Wal- nut, and "The Nine O'clock iJirl' is due at the Shubert. On the 26th, Bthel Harryaicire brings "The Con- stant Wile" into the Broad, and "A Connecticut Yankee" is scheduled for the Chestnut. Estimates for Laat Week "Revelry" (Oarrlck. 1st week). Opened this week with considerable Interest around because of theme and sensational publicity a)l>out novel. \ "Good News" (Chestnut, 4th week). Final week for this tre- mendous hit which grossed aroimd $31,000 last week: actual sell-out, "Speakeasy" (Broad, 2d wwk). Melodrama panned by critics, but fair busine.is. especially Wednesday matinee: between J9.noO and $20,000. "Manhattan Mary" (.Shubert, one week only). Opened Monday with .^dvance sale hit by adverse reports from shore; big house, however, anyway. "My Maryland" (Lyric, 82dweek). Ck>t between $15,000 and $16,000 last week, marking farewell of first company, which goes direct to New York; Atlantic City troupe replaces here. "White Lights" (Adeli*l. Jd week). New musical needs much fixing and that word went around quickly; poor at less than 88.000. tCepyngnt, • 8 CHI LEGITS SPUTJlOOa C«ftt Strife Hurts 'AfFairs' -"Yours Truly" $42,000 -•Spider $27,000 Again Chicago, Aug. 30 The entrants of the new leult sea- son, numbering among them • Scan- dals," "Yours Truly." "Affairs," "The Spider " and "Crime." endow tlie I.,oop with a likely start. If Jugt week is a precedent, 1027-28 wUI not he another 1926-27. "Yours Truly" ushered In laat week at the Four Cohans, opening aensattonally, while "Scandals" and "Tho Spider." previously opened, gontlnued the same way. The Oena Buck piece has ducats out for eight weeks In advance and looks tor a month of capacity at least. Itufus I.«Malre's second addition .seems under the bad Influence of Internal dissension, 1. e., too many "names" and too few "name" parts. Al Herman Is through this weak, and Harry Fox ' "nded In his no- tlce, to take effect in two weeks, ^z, working aa. master of cere- monies, will be missed more than Herman, who was burled in a sin- gle specialty spot. Last week's buy was sizeable, but not what a sec- ond week should be. "Gay Paree" dropped to $15,000 and coniede« defeat. It exits Sept. 3 for a Jaunt to the Coast. "Crime" continued big at the Adelphl. Thm scheduled crime influx has not yet reached town, accounting for thla show's singular position. Only "The Spider" topped it. "Tho Barker" maneuvered a jump to take third place among the non-muslcala. It's the town's veteran piece and doing nice business In spite of an out-of- the-way location. "Tommy," street's latest entry, premiered at the Cort Monday night. Eatimatea for Laat Weak "Crime" (Adelphl; fifth week)— Up to $1T,0M again after mUglA slump: appears to have sticklog qualities. "Gay Parse" (Garrick; 15th week) —Says "uncle" Sept. 3; losing money at $15,000. last week'a Rate; moved' back to Oarrlck, where It started; "Yours Truly" occupying Cohans. LeMairs'a "Affaire" (Woods; $4 week)—Inside misfortune proving harmful; grosses announced not ac- curate; 1st week $33,000 claimed; not over $25,600 in b. w; Zd week claim of $»7,ew>; probably bat Utflb over $20,000 last week. "Madcap" (Orea,t Northern; 17th week)—Did $10,000; MItzi slated to go last week, but staying another; very little b. o. business as far down as the a. N. "Scandals' (Erlanger; Sth week) —At $40JWO Is c«^eity; specs tak- ing all they can get, the surest signs. "Tha Barker" (Blackstone; 18th week)—Richard BenHet didn't think he'd be here thla long, and at money the. show has been getting; $11,800 grosses hurting neither house nor show. "The Spider" (Olympic: 3d week) —Novelly show "In" as far as Chi is CDMCeintxl; very big at $L'7,000 .OKain. "Tommy" (Cort; 1st week)— ■ Opened Monday. "Yours Truly" (Four Cohans)— Capacity first week; advance buy heavy; $42,000. all house can hold. (Copyright, 1927, by Variety, Inc.) Wash, Out as Dog Town Washington. Aug. 30. Appears the staid old capital Is no longer to be the champ dog town for the new plays. I.Ast year approximately 80 new ones were tried out here during the season. ' Currently nothing has been said as to the opening of Poll's. Belasco starts Sept. 26, when Helen Hayes, Washington girl, brings In her new play. "The Coquette." There Is a chance of this house getting under way a week earlier with a neW one, "The Command to Love." NaUoital starts Sept 11 with the film "Old Ironsides" for run. "lOTOlS" AT BELASCO Los Angelea, Aug. 30. The Belasco will play "Chauv"- Souria," opening Christmas week. Contract provides that Morris Ctast jhaa MNMllr P9m ta L«a Duffy in Ptld., Ore. Portland, Ore., Aug. SO. Henry Duffy has taken the lea«« from Warners Brothers on the Music Box, formerly a local picture house and an espeiwlve iloP IIW Warners. Warners' present lease has until May 1 next to run. Duffy will piV a monthly rent of $4,800 for the house. It ia costing the Warners about $7,000 monthly. Duffy will open tha Music Box " ipt. ♦ 'n I