Variety (Nov 1927)

LEGITIMATE VARIBTY BfAY^ LEGIT SLllP HANGS ON; FILM HOUSES DEFINITE FACTOR Absence of New Hito—Big Muticelt Slightly Di|^ -ToIIic*/' $44,000—"Mary Dugan," $24^000— ''BurleMiue/V $27,00fr—27 ia Cut Rates X3i-oudway'H unseasonable fall slomp» worn three weeks old, saw BO sisB of abatement up to Tues- ^y. Monday night waa as one of those diHmal evenings at the box offices, and, according to reports, not one attraction on the enttra Hat played to caiMtctty. * Indian summer weather, tlio stock market decline, higli admission ■cales are among tlie reasons as- cribed to the drop in legilimate patroiiftff^. But tho big picture Hi W ii es , staging Bevue-like shows at comparatively small prices, consti- tute a f.ictor, with those houses amassing enormous weelcly grosses, more than doubling anything in the legit houses. Also the ahseiiee Qt recent new hits Is to be considered. The current successes arrived early, and there lias been a lapse. New hits always invigorate Broad- way's list in general. Last week's new entrants saw no substantial freafa flare of a success nature. Near- est to Bcorlnj? is "Escape," a mid- week opening at the Booth which drew some rave notices, but with- out starting anything in tiie aK(n- cies. "The Love Call," latest o£ the operetta trys. opened poorly at the Majestic, jjTCttinK- around $15,000, which is about 40 per cent of ca- pacity at the reasonable scale. "The Mulberry Bush," which started last Thursday at the Kepublic, waa re- garded as having little chance to g^t in the money. "Immoral Isa- bella" was similarly regarded at the Bijou, while "If," at the Little, was weakest of the group. "The Wasp's West" started with a $6,000 pace at Wallack's, and that figure appar- ently was satisfactory In this house. "Burlesque" was but sll»?litly af- fected, getting close to $27,000; "The Trial o( Mary Dugan." at 124.000. and **Tho Command to Love," at $'23,000, are the next in line among the season's outstanding non-musi- cal successes. **Tho Letter** showed an off tendency, as expected among the shai'p-shooters, but got around $M,900; ^Porgy" stood up as well as previotisly at over $16,000. the subscriptions counting; "Interfer- ence** picked up, getting around IIMM with the aid of a lifted scale; "Broadw^ay" picked up a bit to |13,- ••0, "Dracula** going to the aame mark; "Road to Rome" slipped un- der that mark for the first time; ''Shannons of Broadway** claimed over $13,000: "Weather Clear, Track Fast" climbed over $11,000. with 'Hidden" almost as much; "The Baby Cyclone" and "Women Go On Forever,' $10,000; "The Spider" slipped under $9,000 for the first time; "Four Walls," around $9,000; "SpriniETboard" went to $8,500, with parties aiding; "Jimmle's Women" and "Out of tlie Night," lower. The "Follies" was off sliuhtly, but grossed $44,(too; "Manhattan Maiy" rated at $42.000; "Good News" stood up close to $40,000, as expected, with ' Kive o'clock Girl" and "Rio Rita" In the same class; "The Merry Malonps," over $30,000; *'8idewalks «»f New Yor k." virtually uiiaff* < led, $28,000; "Hit the Deck" held to over 126.000; "My Maryland" estimated around $2r».(»on; "rhauve - Souris," over $20,000; ' Desert Song," 120.000 ; "Just Pnncy" Improved slMHy, $18,000; "A NiKht in .Sp;un." $20,000 and leaving next we*l "Mikado," |1«,000; "Yvette,** about the same. "The Fanatics" will open at the 49th Street next week; "The Stairs' will come to the llijou, "Immoral Isabella" moving from there to the RitJt. where "White Lights" will • lose Ratmday: "NightMti<rk' will succeed "Pickwick" at the Solwyn; "<*oquetCe" will succeed "The House of Women" ai the Elliott; "And So to Bed" will relight tiie Siiuhert "Ijove in the Tropics" stoppe«l at Italy's ln<«t Saturday, the house be- ing due to rell;;ht Friday with "The AVieked Age." Agency Buys The number of attractions han- dled In the premium sgencles b>* ^nys was increased by one early this week. The total of 26 it*: "Manhattan Mary" f A polio); "Hit the Deck" (lieljiseo); "Rscape" t Booth); "Ju.st Fancy' (Ca.siini); "c;ood News" rChanin's 46th St.): ^'■Heboid tlv nr.nni'r ' (CorfC "Tn- t. rferenc*/' (lOnipire); "Th»' M^^ttt Miilonev ' f i:rl.'int'« r); ' The Five o'Clork Gill" <44tli St.): 'The 1f>ih Mole" (fJeorge M. Cohan); "Weathrr «1ear, Tra. k \\\<x" <Hn<is.ij>): 'M; Xlaryland' (Jol.«on*s); "The Side- WalkA rf New York" <Knleker- >o«k*.r): "The Cf.mmnnd to I.ove" <r>^ngacrr): -Hidden ' (Lyceum!: •The Love Cali' (.Majestic); "The Union and High School Clash Over Student Plays Mason City, la., Nov. 1. A six years' feud between school auiiiorities and the ninsi* ians and picture openitor and stJ^pe hands unions, came to a climax when a "call" was posted against the local high school for failure to employ union laboi*. Jajne» Kue. principal of the school, answered that he was running "an educational institution and not a theatre." The teachers contend that handling the stage scenery is as much a part of instruction as any other work in dramatics. F. X. Cota, secretary of the stage hands' union, said that organiza- tions, not alilliated with the school, should have been require«l to employ union crews and that had this heen done the union men would have donated their servlfCM AMr student' plays. New ftrm Stad» An outdoor st.idimii to seat at least 26,000, periiaps twice Uiat number, wfll b# httflt ' wIthMi the confines of Starlight Amusement Park in the Rronx. It is to be called the New Vork Coliseum. Capt. E. W. WMtwell, principal stockholder in Starlight Fark. is sponsoiinpT the jtrojeet. and will use it for open air opera performances and similar o^Nilta. Fre«* opera at the park la.st sum- mer attracted 145,000 jpeople in 10 performancea. . Judge Melody Play Ix>8 Angeles. Nov. 1. A play jury of (00 repreaentative theatrical men, society leaders and club women attended the perform- ance of "Luna, the Man in the Ifooa," *t Hm Hoil yi P B i o d Play- house, with a view of giving an opinion as to the popularity of the return of melody plays on the type that pravmllad MViml years ago. "Luna" was presented hy Robert Leonard on behalf of producers and managers. The book Is by Mrs. Alice Barney, society leadar of Newport and Washington, With music credited to Sol Cohen. SA£IC^$R'S MOBILE HOUSE Mobile, Ala., Nov. 1. Haielgh Dtli, of i)atia8» Tex., has been ma^ Manaicer of Saeng- er's Lyric, recently taken over here from M. A. McDermott and Eddie Walsh. This house Is play Ing all viaiting road shows and, during intervals, films. The reno vated Lyric opened under direction of Bert Bicker. ENGAGEMENTS Bobba Amst, recently with Rosa- lie Stewart's "A La Cane Rt viie," h.ia been placed by Ralph G. t^tr- num With Ziegfeld to a4)pear in the n. xt ^Inrilyn Miller-Jack Donahm^ .show. "Rosaline." Miss Arnst, a "cutie** comedienne, is slated to work opposite Donahti*'. Tiitii re- hearsals on "Rosalie" begin she is appearing at the Helen Morgan Cli>b. The American Theatrieal Agency. Chicago, made the following place- ments; Mark Haight. Willard Kent, Rose Dean, C. L. Smith. W. S. Hur- ley. Mary Kelly, Agatha Karlen, Keith Stevenson, Eloise Harvey. Oarrick, Madison, Wis.; Walter Wilson, Dorothy Schell, R D. Har- vey, Grace Edwards. Ktha Ramsdell, Francis Morrow, Kd Tannehlll, Jef- ferson, Hamilton, Ohio. Violet Bartelle. Curly Burns Show. Deeatur. III.; Gloria La Verne. Lyric, Birmingham, Ala.; Jnck Sacks, Dewey, Minneapolis, Minn.; Joella Marchante, Orpheum. (lary, Ind.; Olivette Florentine. Skeet Wagner and wife, Phil Young and wife, McCall Bridge Players, Min- neapolis, Minn.; Eunice Ri<'hards, Lyceum. Columbus, Ohio; Fllu Johnston, Jess Philips. Kate Parsons, Margaret Hall, Midway Hippodrome. Chicago; Ramon Kim?. Majestic, Bvansville. Ind.; Clyde Hodges and wife, Johnny Desmond and wife, J. J. Ulen Attractions, Cleveland, Ohio. The American Theatrical A^rt ncy. Chicago, made the following place- ments: Barton Adams, Francis A. Dai-row, Walter Wilson. Dorothy Schell, £. D. Harvey, Grace Kd- wnrds. Btha Ramsdell, Ed Tanne- liill, Jefferson. Hamilton. Ohio; Richard Allan, Virgil Pritchard, Mahells Carle, Charmer Bataon, Jock Doty. Ralph Cummings. Ix)ren Grimes, Richmond Kent, Dorothy Simpson, Ann Morgan. Bmplro. Birminpham, Ala,; Apatha Karlan, Mark Haight. W. S. Hurley. Mary Kelly. Keith Stevenson, Blolse Har- vey, Willard Kent, Rose Dean, Al Jack.son Players, Madison, Wis. Harry Dunbar with Maylon Brothers Players, Spokane, throimh the A. Milo Bennett Dramatic Kx- chaui^e. Tom Coyle, Otto K.iyne, Alex Mcintosh, and Ray Applehy with the Chateau Theatre Stock, Chi- cago. Harry Bannister, husband of Ann Harding, joins ''Trial of Mary Dugan." Dorothy Randal), for midwest *3roadway" company. Oct. 31. Frank Shannon, Beryl Mercer, Muriel KIrkland, lise Kohlmar. John T. Dwyer. Ada Ayres and Edith Shayne for "Brass Buttons' (Can- tor). The Masons (vaudeville) re- placing Begee and Qupee in "The Spider" (Music Box). Clay Hi'bbajrd With Quy tixim: Minstrels. Springboard" (MansfieUi); "The Hou.se of Women" (Maxine Elliot); "The I^tt»r* (Mon.mo); "The Spider" (Music Box); "The Trial of Marv Dnpnn" (National); "Zl*»*feld Follie.s' (New Am^^ter<^■tm»: 'lUir- :e«que" (Plymouth); "The Mulberry Bush'* (Republic); "Yes. Yes, Yvette" (Sam if. Hariist; "A Con- nectictit Yanke* • Oanderbilt); "Rio Rita" (Ziegfeld). Cut Rates ^The bargain marts listed 27 at- tractions early this week. Three of last week'H new show'^ are in the group, which is: "The D«>« 11 SonK ' (Century), "Alie« Oop" (hiirl Car- roll). "Ye.s, Yes, Yvette* (HarriM), "White Lights" (Hltz), JuHt Fancy" (Casino), "The I>ove Call' (Maje.«^tic). "A Night in S|)ain" (Winter Garden), "Her First Af- faire'* (Bayes), "Bahy Cyclon*" (Miller), "J 1 m m i e ' s Women ' (Frolic), "Pickwick'' (Selwyn), "Weather Clear. Track Fast" (Hud- son >. - "TlT- Sh.'iTiiions" (Martin Beck), "The Ivoiy Door ' (Hopkins). "The 19th Hole* (Cohan), "Im- rnor.'.l I-a».e|lii" *i:i.i..u), "The ^^ps> Nect" (W.lUi<kK>. "The Hpr^ttfrtn -fn ^-a" t .M.i nsfn U l t. ' The Sqi'an' ^4>^tlV SI ' "h<,\JT W.nli'^' (fiolden), ".*-p« akea-y * »Waldon\», "Women Go On Forever' (Forrest), nf tlw N r'lf 'T^!l.M »>-V "In Ahraharn's lio*"*.!)! (1') ovlnoetown », "The MuU>erry Push * < Republic!, "The Hou.we of W«*nien" (Maxine Rlllot). "The Spid'r* (Music Box>. "llod^o" (Madi»<on Square Garden). Stock Duo Cause Refund Seeking Marriage License Des Moines, la., Nov. 1. Several hundred patrons were re- funded their money Thursday mlirht ftfter beln^r told that Ralph Bell- amy, leading stock man, and Alice Delbridge, in cast, had failed to ap- pear for tba perfo r m ance. They apptured next day to ex- plain. A romance between the two led them to try to ohtain a marriage lecense and they went out of towti to get it. At Winterset, they were unsuccessful, it heing after hours for the court clerk. At Knoxville it was the same. They then started for Indianola. On the way motor trouble developed and the couple were unable to return here In time for the show. Neither would announce the time of the prospective wedding. FISKE-SKINNER MERRY WIVES' TOPS TREUWNV IN PHflilE 'This Dreamer'* Jumps to $18,000—Dramas Over- shadow Musicals—''Smarty'' Off, Bolow $20,000 --'"Golckii Dftwn'' Opms Well Auto Tax Changes Girl's Home, Canada to States Syrncuse.N. T , Nov 1. Refusing to pay the heavy duty demanded by the Canadian Govern- ment on her aute, Pauline Maclean, who went to Toronto at the close of the Wilcoxian stock season in Syracuse, N. T., to play with Mal- colm Faspett** company, hns quit the latter troupe and returned to the .States. Hal Brown, veteran Wilcox char- acter man, also In the Toronto company, solved a similar problem \>y taking out settler's papers. SHOWS CLOSING "Heaven and Hell, Inc.," f^K ired for New Yoric next week lins l>ei-n scrapped after Its tr>'out tour. The show sponsored hy fSarl Crawford, newcomer, drew mixed notl/« v A quiet i>as oxit was Htajr* d in Toronto h^aturday niglit by "A Har- gain's a Bargain," melodrama, wliich grossed $1,500 in I>etr(,it for a we» k and $1,100 for the Toronto •engagement. Two ^eeks wan enough for A. C. Bradley, tbe pro- ducer. rblladelphia, Nov. 1. Business Jumped aharply In the legit hoiist s lu i»' la.«5t week. One of best w» eks of autumn. The .Saturday matinee had to buck Penn-Navy foothall game. Even "Broadway," a delinite aeli-out, was off. "^^ Fi>i' oneo llie dramatic shows reiil- ly featured the bituation, although of course, because of house capacity and difference in scale, they did not lead in gross figures. "Rehold This Dreamer," with Glenn Hunter, " at the Broad, in Its second and final week Jtmiped to better than $18,000. A stn pi isinn f«'ature w;u» that both the North Broad street houses fared well. "Broadway,** tA Ita second week at the Lyric, went to $20,000 and appears set for a long run. Next door, at the Adelphl. "Co- quette," although grim tragedy, boosted its gross from not quite $10,000 to over $14,0(M). The fourth non-musical. "Two Girls Wanted." at the Garrick. didn't do as wall as the others, hut claimed almost 111,* 000, which Kpellcd profit. The only musical that regLstered a gain was "My Maryland," at the Chestnut Street Opera house, which, announcing final week, drew last- minute crowds. Operetta jumped to around $16,000. "Smarty** took another tumble at tho ShulMTt, h^M'ause word had got- ten around tliat ttiis musical net ded lots of fixing. At most of tho eve- ning performances up until Friday there were from nine to 12 or IS rows out. The gro.sa was reported under 120,000, even with the boosted scale and capacity Saturday night. "Crlss Cross" dropped to around flCt.ooo in its fourth week at the Kiianger. which at a $4.40 top (and lifttNl scale Saturday) and capacity of 1,700 and more, is not very en- couraging. It Is being held for two more weeks, but rather because of a niixup in bookings than because of any really heavy demand. "A Connecticut Yankee" about helds Its own at the Walnut in Its fourth and last wepk. Tho show was running smoothly and looked "set" when It left hers Saturday night. This week saw five openings, thriM> of tliem new shows, one a mu- sical comedy with a record of a Broadway run, and the other a fourth return engagement of "The Ktudent Prince." The llrst-string men all went to the Broad to see Mrs. Fiske and Otis Skinner in "The Merry Wives of Windsor." which Is in for two weeks only with 'a $3.50 top. The advance sale promises to break some house records and the mail-order demand was greater than that for "Tre- lawny" at the Oarrick last season. At the Shubert Is the big Ham- merstein operetta, "Golden Dawn," also In for two waeka only, on Its way to New York from tho west. At tho Adelphl is "Ain't Love Orand," musical, with Kdna l>edom and Dnnnld Urlan, whi( h may stay for a month. Down at the Walnut is "Bye, Bye, Bonnie," with Frances White and Fritzi Scheft featured, while "The Prince * is at the Chest- nut. Next week has no openings at all, hut on the 14th there Will t)e "The Wooden Kimono" at the Broad, probably for four weeks; E2arl Carroll's "VaniUea" at the Rr- j langer for three weeks; "The btudio Girl," operetta version of "Trilby," at the Shubert, and a new I booking at the Walnut, not yet an- i nounct'd. On the 21st L«aur<Hte I Taylor's neffM^Mlh^, "Delicate Jus- tice," will open at the C'.arrich. Estimstes of the Weak •*Merry Wives of Windsor^ (Broad, first week). Mrs. Fiske ajid Otis Hkinner had big opening ;ind boast a remarkable advance sale. "1^-hold This Preamer" jumped to b» tt^ r than $18,000 in la.st week. "Golden Dawn"—f .Shubert, first w<'ek). Ing liammerstein oi)er<'tta has tough opposition hero but .vlio »ld < lick in two wef'ks* stay. ' Sinariy ' repf»i ted under $20,000 in ! last V e|k despite boosted scale Sat urda V. "Two Girl^ Wsnted"—(fiarrick. 2d w«^k). tolden comedy doing neat business and. moderately hooked up, Klioiild make nice profit in four weeks' stay, I^ast week, xvith nid of j^-irties and Saturday el.iij,,«d $1 1,000. "The Student Prince"—(Cliesnut. flrft week). Fourth return en^aK' - I nunt. "My Maryland" Jumped ' irr .!/.lni;lj io 401I1 snd last we*k. "Bye, Bye, Bonnie"—^Waln-if j fifnl WPPkr. Musical comedy in fur two weeks only. "C^onneetlrut Yan- j k»-e." claimed .tioiitid $1G,OUO I week with no boosted scale Satur- day. Four we< ks' engagement here really profit aide. "Critt Cross"—^Erlanger, fdh ^ week). Not held ever because of demand, but beeause of bookings. Reported down to $2t,0H or less last w*eek. **Ain't Love Grand"~(Adelphf. lat week). Musical farce opened with just fair promise. "Coquette" Jumped to $14,000 or better in last week. *«Broadway"—(L.>-rlc, 3d wM). In second week this melodrama clalmeti ;iltnoHt $?0.000 and It la definitely the non-musical smash tfi town. TRINCESS' OFF HOOO; lANE,' $24,000 IN HUB Ethel Barrymore Starts With Capacity Plus—Competes With PauliAt Mri Boston, Nov. 1. The box office returns were rather spotty. Some of them wont over big, such as Karl Carrolls "Vani- ties" and the hJddie Dowling ahow. "Honeymoon Lane," while others showed weakness. After a couple of big, almost rec- ord breaking, weeks the Colonial swung bark this week to pictures/ with "Ives .MiHcna>les," but this pic- ture Is s(>heduled for only a week, with "Oh K«y" Uatad lor tho pomta^ week, - ' * Tiie moHt impttrtant arrival la Ethel Barrymore in "Tlie Constant Wife." at the Wilbur. This show had a strong advance sale, was ca- pacity Monday and sold out gener- ally ilor the first week. She cut Into the possibility of Pauline Lord, who opened at the lioilis in "Spell- bound," going ovair Mgr th# flnl we<'k, nt any rate. For the third time "Rose-Mafle" was brouglit into town .'»t the Boston Opera house. Downtown before. It was a big money-maker. Last Wsek's Estimstes '*Lea Mioarablaa," Colonial (1st week). Last week of *«Vaniti«a" was sell o\it, better than week before by $500 in standees. Show did $33,&00. ''Honeymoon Lsne," Tremont (7th week). Did $24,000. batter hy than week before. "Rose* Marie,** Opera house (1st week). San Carlo Opera Co. c to sad run last week with fl.OM to good M week previous. $21,000. ''Spellbound/* Hollis (ist weak). "Wooden Kimono" departed to tium of $R.500, up $r>0« on week before. "Cirous Princeaa,'* Hhubert (4th week). Off $4,000 to $}8,000. "Broadway," Plymouth (tth weak). Staved ev<>n for second week at $14,000. "Gentldfenen Prefer •londes*' (last week). Majestic, lioopad down 50 <Ho $10,600. "The CoaaUnt Wife,*' Wilbur (1st week), "ommr eipM, m $• $1»,500. , $11. Ill for Blinn Washington, Nov. 1. Holbmok BlInn In •The Play's tha Thing" brought Joy to the usually empty till of the Helasco with an estimate<l Intake of $11,000. Excel* lent BOtlcaa from all tha dallies. Poll's hfld advertised "Hend No Money." but the show didn't ma« terialixe, leaving the house darffw- The National had slim pickings with A new one ralb d "Hurmlse," In which I'auline Iiord is starred. Hera something like $6,iM fiiiay hava been realizeil. Currently Helasco offers "The Ilacket '; National, Walter Huston in "The Barkar,'^ !»« gt Fon t ft "Punny Paee." Toronto Grosses Toronto, Nov. 1. Kour musical outflU have taken over $100,000 In a month. Thara hnv»» be« ri a couple of flops, but tlie outstanding successes have been 'TPhe Vagabond King," around $30,- 000, nt the Rovnl, "Rose-Marie," $27,900 fflfth visit) ;il the same house; "Hit the I>erk." $26,800 at the I»rlne«.Ks. Mod "The Cocoanuts^'* about $2:.'.00O. at tlie h;jme house. All of these wmc s<nled at $3.10 top. the priee showm*>n said Can- adii foidd not or would not pay. Tlw Tti i/*' tir.p f:o ffir has been n'-:ir J 1.400 for "A Bargain's a Bar- giiiii.': ' "Every Woman Knows" Closss "Wli.t- F\*ry Woman Knows'* closed on tour lest week after m siege of four weeks of bad husl- *ness.