Variety (May 1928)

Wednesday, May 30, 1928^ LEGITIMATE VARIETY 51 Dramatic Box Score For the sfeason considered ended lost Saturday (May 26). Variety's final box score Js based upon 199 new plays opening during the 27-28 period. That is exclusive of re- vivals, little theatre and repertoire productions. Of the strictly com- inercial plays and gauged as Var riety does by their box office life or value, 136 were outright failures, 25 were hits and 33 set down as Intermediate successes or moderate run shows. This gives a total of 61 successes, and continues the ap- proximate average of legit hits and flbps, oiie success in three produc- tions, c J. Brooks. Atkinson, winner this season, stood 9th on the final score of last season/ while his paper "The Times," without critic named, the eeason before (25-26) .was last in the box score. A year ago Mr. 'At- kinson's score was .631 from 107 new plays. Of that number_he was eon-ect in his opinion on 79, wrong 22 times, and failed to give a de- cided expression on six shows. In his present scare, Atkinson reviewed J4'ot the. new crop, correctly 81 times, missed on 12, and passed up but one. Percy Hammbndr, "Herald-Trib- une," fourth last season, leaps into second, place, > Mr.\ iHammond is. a most consistent reviewer. This season of 9S .hew. i3laya,..critlclzed, ■ he was accurate in his estimate oh 7? and erred in 16, without failing to give, a positive opinion on each —«ne.' Last season Hammond, sai* 93, guessed right 73 tlme^,-. wrong 17, days after the plays had opened. Mr. Coleman alleged illness, and it was known that he was conflned to his hotel for some time. His re- views, however/ appeared more promptly after he left the box score, and his record was continued. to completion, he reaching .740, but not included in the final score. Winchell's Case A similar occurrence'with Walter Wlnchell keeps Witichell out of the final compilation. "Winchell's score would have been .867.. He emphat- ically denied that he had picked hi;? spots in catching sho^ws .when Va- riety printed one oC the rtaso'ns he had been dropped. The other rea- son was that Wlnchell had been no- tified to reniain out of Shubort the- atres and was thereby unable to take" the run pf the new plays as they entered New York. Wlnchell as a, Broadway drifter is not unlike Vairiety's critics in procuring an advance line on in coming-attractions. But, unlike Va riety's critics,, who are assigned, Wlnchell has his own choice of se lection as dramatic editor of "The Graphic." The facts appeared to be a6;ia.inst him despite his,denial on the picking thing. Variety's Brutal Score Variety's standing for this season is brutal for a trade paper. Of 199 plays caught by. Varietyls mlscel Janj^ous mob of Verities". 27 were called wrong, an unholy number; perhaps accounted for by either golf or night clubs. ' It let Variety -^own to .814 as against .863 last season, not any too fancy, either. Three Box Score Winners '23-'24 CRAIG ("Mail") ) '24-'25 POLLOCK (Brooklyn ' •25-'26 GABRIEl- ("Sun") ... '26-'27 GABRIEL ("Sun") ... •27-'28 ATKINSON ("Times") SR. 'E^gVe^i 97 109 • ••••••• > •«•••••• 105 and slipped one over without let- ting the world know what he thought of it, Gilbert Gabriel, f'Sun," two-time winner in Variety's box score for the previous seasons, slides into third place this time. Last season Gabriel caught lOB plays as against 92 this season. Mr. Gabriel's un- matched record of twice forging ahead as the best season's fore caster in New Tork, holds janother unparalleled mark of hot having failed to utter for three successive Beasons a definite impression of •very show reviewed by him. Mantle Set .Dawn Burns Mjantle, "News," loses his lead this season as the tmflSt in- dustrious reviewer through seeing the most plays, with the late Alan Dale, "Amerjcart," topping the list in that respect with 122. Burns saw 111 this season as against his high of 148 last season. • John Anderson moved frohi the "Post" to the "Evening Journal" in ,. the. middle of the season. Leonard Hall, "Telegram,? Is a mid-season starter, having been called from Washington to "The Telegram.'" Alexander Woollcott, now of "The World," dropped to 8th position for this box score as against his final 7th position last season, with his . previous -percentage... .740, and h^ present, .673. E. W. Osborne. .''Eve. World.'^ele- vated himself by one spot for the current season with his percentage iBhowing, however, a much greater increase than, the single changed position indicates. Last seaaori Os-» borne concluded with .612, while now he has .709. Additionally to Mr; Atkinson be Ing the first critic of a morning daily to head the box score since it was innovated five years ago, his winning score, .862, is the highest ever achieved by a box score leader. Morning Dailies Messrs. Atkinson and Hammond as the first couplet oh the score disprove any belief that critics of the,evening papers may be able to use their later edition dailies to the disadvantage of morning brethren =--That-waa^a-belief-BO-firmly-ht!ld-.=tQ by Variety's scorers that two sea- sons ago Arthur Pollock of the Brooklyn "Eagle'' was dropped from, the box for the same cause, the same as Robert Coleman, "Mirror, was left out pf the score in the middle of this season for being tardy in turning^ in reviews. Cole ^, man's reviews were printed pro mlscuousiy and frequently several SShowsOut An additional attraction joined Saturday's closing list and at least two more will close this week. "Whispering Friends," presented at the Hudson by George M. Cohan, was withdrawn after 14 weeks. At- traction did not gross exceptional money but was profitable at ah average of |9,000 until lately, when it dropped under $7,000. "VVHISPERING FRIENDS" Opened Feb. 20. Most of the critics picked another opening (to George M.'s freely ex- pressed disgust). Osborn (Eve; World) who came voted it "oile of Mr. Cohan'^ happiest^ efforts." Variety (Ibee) thought: "Bright and funny with small cast and one set; ought to make the distance easily." "The Ivory Door," at the Charles Hopkins, by the latter, made a run of more than six months at the little theatre^ playing extra matinees for most of the way. It will close Thursday. "Marco Millions," presented at the Guild by the Theatre Guild, will close Saturday, its 12th »Bek The show has been alternating with "Volpone," the latter attraction "MARCO MILLIONS" Opened Jan. 9. Gist of com- ment indicated ,a beautiful production but rather dull drama. Littell (Post) was the >most outspokeni writing, "Sim- ple-mihdedr obvious and at times actually fooHsh." . Variety (Ibee) said: "Will add to the Guild's reputation for doing fine things-" ^ continuing regularly. "Marco" aver- aged'^over $16,000 for most of the distance, dropping to $12,000 lately. While its production cost was not recovered, the attraction figures to. ije a winner on tour next seasoni dally men are before Variety's com- bined score. About the only solace for Variety Is Jack Pulaski's peach record Ihee improved his percentage with the same number^ of plays caught this season as last, 65. This titae he nilssed on four, and last sea son muffed five, leaving his present percentage at .938, exceptional Abel Green, for Variety, catching seven more plays this season than he did in '26-'27, increased his per centage from .784 to i886, another remarkable percentage. Jack Lait, with .786 last season, dropped to .750 this time, with four less plays seen by him in •27-'28 than the-sea son before Variety appears to have gone wrong with Its Intermittent critics, those of the staff sent to review plays when there's a Monday night rush on A flash summary of this season's box score in Comparison with other seasons' would say that the New York -itlcs of the dallies are grow- ing more reliable In their reviews as to the- box office value of en at- traction Public Taste Variety's conclusions as to sue cess or failure of a legit show are entirely based upon the b6x office as the surest reflector of the pub- lic's taste in amusement, at any s As in other seasons and final scpres, Variety's recordier, with the assistance of two of Variety's best informed staff members on thei le- git, made up' the list of percentages for the critics, also selecting the successes and failures of the sea son. As customary, the box legit box score will be discontinued over the summer. . It will be resumed with the opening, of the new season, $5^00 for W.C. Fields Miss Garver in Talker Los Angolcs, May 29. Catherine Carver, in. the Coast company of "Hit. the .iOeck,^' has been signed by Universal for ono year; She will have a singing part in the film "Show Boat," which Harry PoUard will direct for U. OLIVER BAILEY'S PLAY Oliver D. Bailey, lessee of the Republic, New York, -will return to legit producing ranks with "Anna- belle's Ancestors." comedy, .by Frank Russell and Julian Thomp- son. . Piece now casting and due for out-of-town opening June 25. When the new Earl Carroll's "Vanities'^ goes into rehearsal Is istill Indeterminate, the producer scouting around for names. Beatrice Lillie Is cold for th6 revue. The comedienne Is currently In Paris She will study Maz.ie Gay's stuffr while abroad.. W. C. Fields, mentioned as CO star, has signed with Carroll at $5,200 weekly. Moraji and Mack alse go with the revue. Fields explained his odd-figure salary, saying he had heard some- one else had been engaged by Car roll for $5,000 wieekly and he de manded top money. It is the high- est revue salary for Broadway, al- though Al Jolson got double that In Chicago in 'fA NJght in, Spaiji.^;. and Mdrilyn Miller is gettiifig $5,000 and a percentage In "Rosalie." What with big cast salaries and record priced showgirls, Carroll Is said to have fixed the "Vanities^' admission scale of $11 top, but whether that price applies to the entire lower floor Is not definite. The revue is due Aug. 15 at the Carroll. Miss Lillie is reported to appear in "This Tear of Grace," C, B Cochran's smash London revue, which-Is to -be done In New Y ork by Arch Selwyn. Miss Llll.le Is In Paris at present going over the skits with Noel Coward, .Avho authored the "Grace" bits. Cowa-d or Jack. Buchanan, may appear in the American presentation of the revue, Gertr^lde Lawrence may be secured for the Selwyn jiresenta tion also. ':' ' ■ Otto Kahn Behind Provincetdwn Group? it is said Otto Kahn may back the Provincetown Players next sea son. Negotiations are on, and oh the strength of. them the Players have determined on an ambitious program for next season. . Thoy contemplate doing "LazarOs Laughed," costing at least $75,000 to put on. Ope of the girl workers of the Players will solicit funds "ovW"tW"Mmmer"frOth "all't est people in town whom, It is thought, are inclined to follow iii kahn's footsteps. To round out their present thcr atrlcal season, the Players are like- ly to attempt. the production of a satirical revue.. However, this is to be a decidedly inexpensive sort of thing, Advance Agents and Co. Mgrs. With A.FX. Ideas W'lth the idea of fonnins a union recognized by the American I'>d- eratioh of Labor, about 70 jidvance agents and conip:iny manasors as semblcd Sunday, and were aildrossod by Hugh Frayne, Now York state organizer for the A. F. L; It was reported that tho.sQ principally in tercsted In the forination of the new union ai-e company nianagera, not eligiblp to Thoatrical Prcsj? itepre.sGntatives of America mem bership. The latter's membership of 350 voted on the matter of unionization several months ago, the question I beiiig voted down throe to one. "T^ question of;^a; franchise froni the A. F. L. has not b.een thorough- ly gone into. If formed, the new "white collar" union may come within, the scope of the basic chat ter of the Four A's. (Associated Ac tors and Artists of America), which is supposed to blanket the a.muse ment field. The Four A's was forriied to take over the charter of the old White Rats'. Equity comes In under that charter, haying a franchise frpm the Four A's, as h^e .the Hebrew Actors' Union, the German Actors' Union^^^nd the present White Rats. There was some surprise that the A. F. L. was Interested in the for mation of the pre^s agents' union because of . its limited membership at bef5t tlmtmnM pay a per capita tax. !. ■ The t: P. R.' 6. A. cannot be unionized under Its present cpnsti- tution, which provides that It shall hot be affiliated wlth-.aaiy other or ganizatlon. Shuberts Win on Prelim Points in Waldorf Suits Shubert Theatre Corp. scored a point in their two suits against the Waldorf Theatres Corp. when. Jus tlce Valente sustained the Shuberts and ordered all counterclaims and defenses stricken out.. The counter claims totaled $500,000 on . foiii: counts for $125,000 each. Shubertf in one suit demand $50,- 000, allegedly their 25 . per cent in- terest in- tho profits of $200,000, based on-an agreement dated Oct; 18, 1926, and expirJl)ig.J.n„1947. Another suit is for the recovery of ^7,000, one of the Instalments on a $35,000 loan. made by Shuberts to Waldorf to be repaid in five equal payments. The Installment fell due Nov, 15, last. Shuberts';agreement with Waldorf, In consideration .for the loan . and other matters, provides for 25 per cent of the net profits and the privi- lege of booking the. house, with the specific proviso to examine the de fendant'S books to check up on the accpuntings. One of the counterclaims iritier- posed by Harry H. Oshrln, on behalf of the Waldorf theatre, alleged con- spiracy with the landlor<|,. the Mason :Realtx,jdp.; In^ -• ; v '-■ "CAPTlVr GETS SHOBERT HOHSE Stair Barred Play From Detroit, Is Report Detroit, May 29. Temporarily ignoring, protests against "The Captive," Lieut. Lester. Potter; chief police censbr . of De- troit, permitted the show to open.at. the Shubort. Detroit Sunday night in order to judge rea;ctlon. at the opening and see for himsoli; Potter had not viewed the show previous to its reaehlng here.' "The Caiptive" is prcscntecd. here by Slanheim Productions, it finally procured an open date in town at the Shubert Detroit after three other houses in which the Shuberts are interested in" were reported to have refused to play it. The thea- tres to turn it down were the Cass,. Lafayette and Garrlck,. in which the Shuberts are affiliated with B. D. Stair. The Stair people were rie- pprted as the objectors to the ishow. Stair Is not Interested In the: shu- bert Detroit, this :h6u6e being leased by pave.Nederlander whc Is In close, contact with the Shubert boys. Matter of Originals in Little Theatre Contest Walter Hartwlg, In charge of thd annual Little Theatre ■Tournaments on Bi-padway.; it,.8 sixth tourney oc- curring two weieits ago, is assem-' bllng the advisory council for the purpose of dlscussirig the problem of eliminating original playlets from future tournaments. The general low standard of the originals In the last tourney made It a ques- tion whether or not Samuel French should be allowed by the Judges to pay the two $200 cash awards In addition to publishing the prize- winning scripts. « Hartwig's Intention Is to permit only past-proved playlets among the entries. "CHOPIN" FOR SUMMEE "Chopin," the musical the Shu berts are about to produce, will probably attempt to remain in At- lantic City during July. JAP CO. IN HOLLYWOOD \,03 Angeles, May 29. With the Hollywood Music Box unable to secure a Icglt play to suc- ceed "Lazarus Laughed," Robert Sherwood, lessee of the house, made I a deal with the troQlie'of Japanese Players recently presented by Sid Grauman et al. at the Windsor Sfiuare at $5 top. The Jap engage- Iment will be a limited one, opening May 29. ''SHOW OFF" COAST EEVIVAL JLos^Angetes, May 29. Henry Duffy will producie "The Show-Off," by George Kelly at the Eil Capitan this fall, with Louis John Bartels and Helen Lowell In their original leads in the New York pro- I ductlcn. Guy D'Ennery of the orig- inal cast also will appear. Driunatic Critics' Box Score SEASON OF 1926-1927 The key to the abbreviations Is: SR (shows reviewed); R (I'tght); W (wrong); O (no opinion expressed); Pet. (percentage). Score as of May 28, 1927 GABRIEL ("Sun").......; WINCHELL ('^Graphic")' .i.... VREELAND ("Telegram")..... HAMMOND ("Herald Tribune") COLEMAN ("Mirror") ANDERSON ("Po*t") WOOLLCOTT ("WoHd")..... •. MANTLE ("News")..,. ATKINSON ("Times") ...... DALE ("American") 0SB(5RN ("Evening World")... Variety (Combined) PULASKI LAIT .. . GREEN ( (Ibee) (Thia score based on 195 openings.)