Variety (Nov 1927)

f" 48 VARIETY LEGITIMATE W«inMday, NovMaber 9, 1927 .4. • 1, ■4\ r p. 1- 1^ ■ SHOWS IN N. Y. ANDCOiWNT Mtim«tM< and oomm«nt point ft •©«•• attrMtlMit Mnj TSbite ftiM Mm« oroM •€cr«d Ud to others might auggost mo'SSSSy ^ 1^.1 T'rvJrTonco i. oxploinod^m th. diff.roncoJ« S|J"J2I«iiowl dWoronco in nocossory grow profit. Vorianoo IM buolnoot nocootory for immM •ttrwtfon |» aininot drom.tio •dmiMion teoto gJvon bolow. Koy to eloMificationi C (comody); v.. ' ' ■•A 0»tlH00 t i0l it Yonkeo/' Vander- bilt (2nd week) (M-771-$5.60). Oponod Uito last week (Thurs- tey>; oritleal commont strongly iQ favor and ticket demand nat- UMlUr heavy Friday and Satur- SvBn«ttW mm 9M9L^ •'And So to Bod," Sbubert (1st w—k) (C-l.m-iJJ<M. Presented by Shuberts: Mod o«i dlAry of Samuel Pepys by Janes B. Vacan; opens tonight (Nov. 9). ''Alios Oopv" Carroll il6tb week) (R-9«7-94.40>. Final week: goims OB tour; revue did moderately woU witli Averago takings ar^imd I14.0M weekly; - Spellbomidj" first eallod "Surmise," next week. "Broadway," Broadhurst (ftOtli week) CCD-1.148-98.S6). Affected by autumn slump but still holding to profitable business and oxpocUd to run into spring; $ll.09i^ ••■•hold This Dreamer," Cort (2nd woek) (CD-1.04S->8.tO). Crittcs divided on opinions; those favor- ably disposed rate play as fan- tasy; busineas after premiero not «p to azpeetatloiis; arouad 910.000. "•urlosquo,** Plymouth (11th week) iCD-l.oa.H.40). With Broad- ways baslBM vndoniably under normal, trade for comedy leader oootinues to virtual capacity; M«imd IIT.OO0 again. ''Draoular Fulton (Oth week) (D^ m-M<10). standing of molodra-^ Ktte thriller aaiqu«sUon6dj not ta fmash class but drawing sub sUntial trade to good profit; last week I1S.000. ^Esoapo," Booth (Srd woek) (C TOi-|S.SO). Looks like dramaUc (inMh; capacity since opening; gross last week around $11,000. About all house can get at scale. *Pivo o'clock Qirl * 4Uh Street (5th 'Week) (M-1.926-I6.B0). Agency call eaccellent, tndleating s e a s on 's stay; getting around 110,000 weekly, hlgnvK Afuree evfr in . this hoWNL''' "Follies," New Amsterdam (12th (R-l,702-|e.C0). Most of aoeeted OMM < or less within past month: last week again around 144,000, top money « fimst. •Teur Walls," John Golden (8th week) (CD-700-ia.SO). Trade not at BOM OT anticipated but en gagement expected to last well into winter; IS.OQO to lO.OQO. *Qood Nevve," Chanln's 46lh Street (10th week) (M-1.413-SS.50) Weather nor other factors cannot affect this one, standout musical; eapacttv all performances; $40,000. «Her nret AfTalre," Bayes (12th week) (C-860-IS.80). Management states several cast changes to not antldpatO toiirlat MM ilMit en- gagement here indefinite; $5,000 to |$,000 and making ^money, ^ mmSi^ Lyceum flfeik) iD-9S7-$8.85). Management con- ideht of building business to suc- esss fttt prop o r t toae; estf* adver- tising used; picked up wesk by week; $10,000 to $11,000. *Hit Hit Deek," Belasco (Sfth week) (M-1.000-$3.85). Summer venture that turned out smash and aimed for year's stay or longer; getting ofcr $26,000 right along in house new to musicals. *lf," Little (3rd week) (C-B30- $3.20). Slated for another week; although co-operative attraction can hardly last longer; btttlMti estimated under $8,000. 'Immoral Isabella," Rlts (Srd week) <C-»45-$2.20). Moved here from BlJou where It got a mild start: one of thoRe shows rated airound $5,000. if they get it; eRttOMMtil under that mark Inst week. Ink," Blltmore (2nd week) D-951- f|jt>. Reviewers spoofed Ht newspaper drama written by Seatem newspaper man: will be ken oft Sttaiwri ^niM Mir- <lVise" next week. "^terferenoe," Empire (4th week) (C-1.099*$4.40). Aided by agency buy, business downstairs virtunlly capacity, also boxes: Improve- ment upstalMi would mean run: 918,000. •JImmle's Women,** Frolic (7th week) (C-602-$S.30). Moved to roof house, probably under rental arrangement; trade fair at about $6,000 with cut rate support. ••John," Klaw (2nd week) (C-820- $8.90). Premiere postponed from Wednesday to last Friday: critics regturded serious drama as excel- HBt uwmwiiluu; UtUt lutmif caH- ifade tim lieavys $40,000. "Mikado," Royale (9th week) (O- 1,117-98.90). Doing business, but not equal to early expectations; "lolanthe"* will be revived for Mondat nights. "Mikado" playlaB balance of week; $15,000. «<My Maryland," Jolson's C9th week) (O-1.T7T-99.S0). Agency buy has- three weeks more to gfo; sales in premium offices have been alug- gish tr^ mmni ettlMaitd pace. $26,000. "Night in Spain," Winter Garden (tStli week) (R-1.499-99.50). Final week; made good run of it, play- ing through summer at 44th St.; "Artists and Models" next week. "Nightstick," Selwyn (1st week) (C-1.067-$8.80). Presented by Ctosby Qalge; tried out under tltlii of "One of the Finest." title used some ^ime ago; opens Thursday (Nov. 10). "Out of the Night," Liberty (4th Veck) (0-1,202-99.90). Some im- pwyemeat wltk removal hero from Lyric; last week approxi- mately $G.OOO; may be profitable for ohow but hardly for house. "Porgy," Guild (5th week) lC-91t $9.90), WUl move to Republic after another treek here; standees for most performances slnoe start, with weekly Uklngs better- ing 910.099: "Th» — Dilemma." Nov. 21. "Rio RiU,*! Zlegfeld (4l8t week) (M-1.710-99.90). MtMover mu- sical hit slipped more last week, as with other long run shows; taktagi Mre estimated under $32,000; lowest figure to date. •Road to Rome," Playhouse (41st week) (CD-l,B90-9tJ9>* Trade last two weeks between 912,000 and 919,000, low mone y for hold- , over wMMi tvght 9a ttiM hMk, however. ^ "Sldewaiks of New York," Khlcker- boeker (Oth week) (M-i.412- 98.85). Getting $24,000 consist- ently, quoted figure being above actual gross; last week around $28,500; little drop because of whether; among winners. "Bpeakeaey," Waldorf (7 th week) Pete Rice's 77Ui Peter Rice, who oelebrated his 77th birthday Monday and who Is one of the oldeet Friars, was given a surprltt parly at the Monastery. A birthday cake with the requisite number of candles was built for him. Around it were spread all the toys two of the hoys could dir it|i» Bt the nearest S-lOc store. Appropriate cards were at- tached to each and Peter had the laugh of y< LA GroMM IxM Angeles. Nov. 9. liSglt grosses for last week were conventional In the main. The Mitzi show, "Madcap," copped 914,900 at the Blltmore. okay feg MM Bad tjrpe of attraction. "Broadway" continued to smash trade at the isolated Mason. The town is go:ng strong for the Dun- ning-Abbott opera. Fourteen thou- sand four hundred dollars for the sixth week la UMt ^mt. it ira- mendous. Fourth week of "Twinkle-Twin- kle" at Mayan figured around $12,000. Fifth week. "Devil's Plum Tree" in next-door Belasco gathered $11,500. Hollywood PlayhoiuM. sec- ond week, "Meet the Wife," $9,900; Morosco, "Night Cap," opening week. 95,800. "The Patsy," nearly through, at the n Chpltiui. 99.100. "Young Woodley," Ilai9 «rttk. around 99.000, m local flop. Bttl TIMea, tennis champs In "They All Want Somethlnpr." around 00 at Hollywood Music Box. as yet "Just Fmnoy,". Casino (5th week) (M-l,477-$5.50). Better weather may jump pace further: business has bettered slowly, but attraction requires bigger money for run; 919,099 or bit more. «99ailliattan Mary,** Apollo (7th Wttk) (M - 1,199 - 95.50). Rainy Wodaetday afternoon accounted for gaps In many Broadway hootet last week, same here; (CD-l.lll-$3 30). Final rated 95.000 and less since open- latft "Vake the Air." Gene BlMk*s new musical, next week. '•Springboard,'* Mansfield (5th week) (CD-1.097-$3.80). Final week; going to Chicago (Blackstone); figured having chance for mod- erate money but failed to pick up enough during slow going; "The Marquise" next week. "Take My Advice," Belmont (2d week) (C-&lS-$3.30). Seems liked by audiences and may buUd; first week rather light, with $5.50 opening night takings in seven performances about $4,500. "The Arabian," Bltinge (2d week) (CD - 892 - $9.90). BBMtia^nt limited to about six wieip; trade first week estimated at 90j09; may be even brealc ••The Baby Cyclone," Henry Miller (5»Lh week) (F-946-$3.30). Good draw for lower floor, but weakness upstairs hat ktpO ■tom i t i» ~ paratlvely moderti around $10.000« "Ths Command to Love," Longacre (8th week) (D-1.01»-$4.40). Slight revision ol text has not affected performance; continues to sell out, averaging over $22,000 weekly; biggest money yet for this house, with high scale counting. "The Coquette," Maxine GiUott (Itt week) (D-024-$8.85). ~ ' * by Jed Harris in association w^ Crosby Gaige; written by George Abbott and) Ami nrettoh Hodgers Helen Wm ittffIWi; tjpiMi Tuesday.' "The Desert Song," Imperial (60th week) (O-1.446-$4.40). Moved here from Century, where business around $20,OU0: will pro4>ably stick until same firm (Schwab St Man- del) are ready with "The New Moon." "The Fanatics," 40th St (Ist week) (CD-708-$8.8^). Presented by A. H. Woods; well regarded out of town; first slotted for RiU, but more Intimate house desired; writen by MUet Malleson; opened Monday. "The Ladder," Lyric (89th week) (D-l,406-$3.30). Farce to continue show playing to audiences of dosen and a hal ' people or less; Just a millionaire's whim. "The Letter," Morosco (7th week) f D ' 8 08-$ 8.85). —BueineHS slipped, with agency demand off. too. last two weeks; started off like real smash; still getting profitable trade, however; last week esti- mated at $19,000. "The Love Call." Majestic (3d week) (O-l,80O-$3.85). Second week lit- tle better than first; estimated at $15,000 or slightly over; little money for blR operetta. •Tito Merry Malonet," Brlanger's (7th work) (>r-1.r.iiit-M 40>. Crn- eral class of Cohan musical kept 4. PHILLY'S SLOW WEEK; DRAMAS BEST WWS Skinner • Fiske Rbvival. Did $20,000—"B'way" Big at $17,000 in 6th Weeic Philadelphia, Nov. 8. Although five new attractions were in town last week, legit busi- ness did not begin to really pick up to normal proi>ortlons until Fri- day night, because of the sluggish, warm Indian summer weather. Even with these handicaps, some of the attractions turned Ih eacel- lent gros.ses for the week. The dramatice lead the musical shows by a wide man^ The Broad had the Otis Skinner-Mrs. Fiske revival of "The Merry Wives of Wfadscr" and sold oat through- out the week in the balcony and gallery. Downstairs was rather disappointing. At $9.99 top gross was reported at 920,000. Very good, but by no means cim>aclty at this top. The other outstanding dramatic was "Bi*oadway." but this melo- drama 9ook a tvmhle up at the Lyric and grossed just over 917.000. Attendance in the next three weeks win largely tndlcaii the lei«th of the engagement. Of the musicals, "Golden Dawn." at the Shuhert, M fht list, al- though this tremendous production did not begin to show its real strength until late In the week. Few shows have had the enthusiastic notices accorded 'tSolden Dawn" by the teoond string men here and the critics echoed theiiv senti- business up, while others eased off more;, tfor ^999^090; tiaeh flor sftast^n, *nhm hiutberry ■ush," Repubttc (8d week) (C-8ul-$3.30>. Final week; had afency caii, but that doeen't Bi i ta anything; hoott Itfh atxi week, with "Porgy" OMtlllS dtwa from Quiki Nov. ^L nho 19th Hole^" Cohaa C9th week) (C-l,lll-$3.30). Floor business o. k., but upstairs trade slack for giU conedy; last week saw some improvement; around 910,000. The Shannons of Broadway," Mar- tin Beck (7th week) (C-1.198- 93.34)). Expected to stick int. winter; fairly good business; with balcony cut rated, tgadt ap- proximately 919,000. "The Spider," Mutie Box (84th week) (D-1.000-$3.85). Dropped uader $10,000 recently and now oat latads. haa-offioo aeStag for another four weeks, however. "The SUirs," Bijou (1st week) (D- 605-88.80). Presented by Throck- morton, Light and Rockmore; original by Rosso Di San Secondo; opened Monday. "The Squall," 48th St. (59d week) (D.099-98.80). Last two weeks announced; scheduled to.start on tour next Monday, but date switched; around 99,000. "The Trial of Mary Dugan," Na- tional (8th week) (D-l.194-98.95). Dramatic tBMth; only "Barlesque" topping grosses, with latter show at higher scale; beating $28,000 right along. "The Wasps' Nest," Waliack'a (3d week) (D-760-$3.30). Mystery piece opposed near-by by "Out of the Night," at Liberty; doing well enough apparently at $6.ooo. cut rates aiding both attractions. "The Wicked Age," Daly's 6Sd St. (9d week) (D-1.178-$l80). An- other opening late last week; drew second-string men. who rated Mae West show peculiar mixture. "Weather Clear, Track Fast," Hud- aon (4th week) (C-1,094-83.30). Given weather break, should settle down to moderately good business, despite matinee weakness; $10,000 la.st week. "Women Qo en Forever," Forrest (Oth week) GD-l,015-$8.80). Rated among new season's moderate money shows; around $10,000 re- cently; using cut rates upstalna "Yes, Yes, Yvette," Sam H. Harris (M-1.051-$4.40). Withdrawn Sat- urday after surprisingly short en- gagement of five weekt; honse OuUide Timee Sq.—Little—Special "Taming of the Shrew." in modern drees (8d week). Ganick; won good notices and doing fair trade. "An Enemy off the People" (Oth week). Hampdens; Ibsen revival scoring. "Chauve-SouHe" (9th week. C!os- mopotltan; Rosglan novelty troupe getting better business than pre- vious appearances; rated around 819.000 last week. Civic Repertory (3d week); 14th Street; again attracting attention and goo d b us in ess reported. Muse? (8th week). Manhattan O. B Italian repertory. "in Abrohsm's Besom," leavet Prov- Incetown for tour after another week; "The Ivory Door" (4th week), Hopkins, plaving four mat iness this week; "The Belt,' final week, New Playwrights, then "The Centuries"; "Bare Facta," Trlan gle; "Much Ado About Nothing," American Laboratory, opens Frl day (Nov. 11): "One Shot " ' Mayfair, opened Mondajpt. 13 Gifl SHOWS AVERA^ $16^620 "B'way/ $20,500, Crowds OulJChico^io' meata wtth soms even |kigher words of pratoe in lha aecond thought col- umns Sunday. Word of mouth, too, was of a wildly laudatory na- ture. Right now everybody Inter- ested in the theatre here in Phllly is talking about the big Hammer- stein's "music drama." Fred Stone's show. "Crlss Cross," took another sharp drop at the New Erianger la Ita fifth week. This musical comedy was in at least three weeks too long here, and will have to rustla to show any kind of a profit. *3ye. Bye Bonnie." charging $8. as against $2.50 top asked by "A Connecticut Yankee," last at .the Walnut, got around $14,000 or $15,-' 000 in ita first week. Moderately hooked up, this musical shows profit in two weeks here, although not enthusiastically hailed. The new Schubert musical. "Ain't Love Grand." started mildly at the Adelphi. The booking Is for four weeks, believed by some to be rather long for a new sh6W hi this thea- tre. But the notices were excellent and the show was well received. It is really a farce with music. This week has no new shows whatsoever, the second time this year this situation has ocenrred. Next week there will be four open- ings. "The Studio Girl." Shuhert operetta based on "Trilby." at the Shuhert; Earl Carroll's "Vanities" at the Erianger; "The Silver Cord at the Walnut and "The Wooden Kimono" at the Broad. Nov. 21 "Delicate Justice." the new Laurette Taylor play, comes to the Garrick; Nov. 28 Jeanne Elagels in "Her Cardboard Lover" arrives at the Adelphi; "The Show Boat" reaches the Erianger Dec. 6; "Half Moon." Chesnut, Dee. 19; "Scan- dals.'* Shuhert. Deo. 19. and "The Barker." Broad, D^ 12. Estimates for Last Week "The Merry Wivee off Windsor"— (Broad. 9d week). First week very good but little disappointing down- stairs. Gross $20,000* With capacity upstairs. "Qolden Dawn" — (Shuhert, 2d week). This big Hammerstein operetta enthusiastically roeelvod. First week slow la ttarUas hut re- ported at $29,000. 'K#rles Cress"—(Brianger. Oth week). Dropped again with only $24,000 claimed. This Stone show at $4.40 top held In too loilg. "Two Girls Wanted"—((HuTlck. 9d week). Moderately geared show' making profit with over 99.900 last Week. Parties and benefits helped. "Bye« Bye, Bonnie"—(Walnut, 2d week). In for two weeks. Fairly good last week at $14,000; $8.80 top. "Broadway"—(Lyric, 4th week). Took drop last week, but still big at $17,000. "Ain't Love Qrsnd"—(Adelphi, 2d week). New Shuhert musical com- edy started mildly, but received nice notices and may click. la for four weeks. "The Student Prince"—(Clksstnut. 2d week). Fourth visit here and claimed $16,000. Gk>od, but ahow is STOCK COVERS 4 T0WH8 Frank F- Miller is opening a com- pany at the Coliseum, Toledo, O. Nov. 17. It will ohaago bttl weekly playing four days In Tq|edo, Thurs- day to Sunday, and filling In the other three days between Napoleon. Defiance and Bowling Qroea, Ohh>. JjAtt That Off" booked through Chicago, Nov. 8. All esoept the two capacity au traotlaat dropped last week. Shrink- age was slight, though, and the sea- son's excellent average was main- tained. Combined grom of 9919 J09 oa thirteen shdwt, aa averase of 919,920 a show. "Lulu Belle" and the Theatre Guild with ''Doctor's Dilemma" as its fourth bill continued sellouts. "Desert Song" suffsred a 92,800 de- cline, but came up closely behind. Shortage of theatre parties during the week is the reported ttate for the operetta's decline. "The Spider" said goodbye at the Olympic Saturday, and "Chicago'* QUlU at the Haaris the ead of the current week. Both were the sea- son's early hiU. '"The Spider" tAiveled at a terrific pace until the last warm spell but failed to re- cover after that and was doubly smothered by Internal dissention. With "Chicago" it*s mootly a case of too much "Broadway." "Broadway" feU only 9900 away from Its 921,000 average and stm 'looks good. "Road to Rome" showed its true color last week aad proved ftsett an artistic rather than a money piece, as predicted upon open ng. "Saturday^ ChlMrMi," irtOeh should be an outstander. Is buried down at the Princess and the box oflloe la weeping accordingly. If * more favorable spot can be procturod this one is the logical occupant. "The Ramblers" and "Queen High," similar musicals, were about the same In tally, while "Tommy" and "Hooalers Abroad." similar farces, were also business twins. Very little exploitation around town about any of the four. The Woods bade farewell to "The Patent Leather Kid" (film) and re- turned to legit Monday with "Hit • the Deck," a potential smash. An- other new one this week is "Countess Marltsa" at tlpa OtyBspla. BtUmalst Jf^ Laet Week "Broadway* (Mwyn, 8th week). Retains major portion of premium demand; ageaciee report "Broad- wa3r" and "Lulu Belle" as best buys; former's $20,500 denotes box office is also busy. "Chicsgo" (Harris. Oth week). Competition of next-door neighbor now shown; down to $14,099 aad will leave end of this week. "Countess Maritza" (Olympic. Ist week). Opened Sunday. *'Dssert Song" (O. N., 10th week). Declined $2,800 on week, but leads nearest rival for musical honors by $10,000; theatre parties, mainstay so far, geting shy; location will hurt when parties depart; $91,000. "Doctor's Dilemma" (Theatre Guild) (Studehaker, 9th week). Guild's fourth of play series upheld regular gross, $20,800; repeaters In majority; this one out after durrent week and "The Guardsman" revived for two days completes Guild's stay. "Hit the Deek" (Woods, 1st week). Opened Monday, marking theatre's return to legit; musical not con- ceded New York success hereabouts. "Hoosiers ^Abroad" (Blackstone, 7th week). Down $500 from pre- vious surprise week; hotel trade not tipped off to value of lightweight piece* so chancing it; good income from that source; $8,000. "Lulu Belle" (Illinois. 4th week). Claims town leadership at $32,000; that figure Is capacity. . "Queen High" (Four Cohans, 4th week). Unpretentious musical can prosper with $20,490; not trouhled getting that sum. "Rsfn" (Central, Oth week). Opened as a MIntum stock but de- veloped into regular legit class; low nut keeping it in line with rest of street; $6,500. "Road to Rome," (Adelphi; 4th week). Dropping otit of money clatfs. as expected; will have difficult time maintaining $19,000 pace. "•aturday'a Qhiid^oi^ (PHaeeot, Srd week). Lost in the jungles of non-theatre district; $0,800 Is much below deserts. "The Ramblers" (Garrick, 5th week). Still out in the cold without build-up; above $20,000. "The Spider^ (Olympic. 12th week). Closed Saturday; started Mke whirlwind but finished weak; could not come back after heat took toll; $10,000 for final week. "Tommy" (Cort, 11th week). Can be considered lucky; this house has unusual power to force weak shows; getting most of late Randolph street shoppers, also overflow from picture houses; $8,500. ' y IIATWBI0HX8' SSCOra The second production of the New Playwrights theaUe opens Nov. 88 at the group's lUtle play honat ta Greenwich Vltlagab It It - .^>,„^v. ^..y,^.. by Em Jo Basshe. JiVank O. MiUer Is the opeaUis MU4 "The Bfit" ooacliades Nov. ii^