Variety (Sep 1928)

Wednesday, September 19, LEGITIMATE VARIETY 48 26 Theatres Still Dark on 6 way; Trade Indicates Healthy Pick-Up The jump In Broadway grosses during I^abor Day week was evi- dence that the new season .Is alm<'d ?or better times than indicated **Warm weather affected busIneMs eomewhat last week. Business gen- erally was fairly good, but In ticket r rc es there is little enthusiasm. That is because of the meagre nuin-; b^r of stand-out successes. In the case of some highly lauded pro- ductions among the new-comers^ it is tlgured they will develop in -Oc- *°jfehearsal halls are working over- time with new shows, but there are still many dark spots along Broad- way This week there are 26 the- atres without attractions. The ten- dency among managers is to dodge the usual early season inrush on the theory that some shows must neces- sarily be trodden down. That may have added to the chances of some early arrivals, yet those which did hot click are having just as hard a time of it as though more strongly opposed. . . Last week's. premieres were top- ped by "The "High Road" at the ■Fulton; with takings .quoted at better than $19,000; "Night Hostess" at the Martin Beck started at mid-week, improving promisingly and reported to have a good agency call early this week; "Machinal," raved oyer by the critics, claimed over $11,000 for its first week at the Plymojith and should, stick; "Trapped" was rated around $3,000 at the National and will close this week; "White Lilacs" didn't start anything at the Shubert and will probably be moved to Jolson's for a cut rating run; "Luckee Girl" opened Saturday at the Casino and won little favor despite good out-of-town reports; "Heavy Traffic" got $12,000 the first full week at the. Empire; "Big Boy's" first full week at Hammcrstein's grossed $36,000, not far from ca- pacity, and is an indicated musical hit; "The Great Power" started poorly at the .RItz. Nothing in the dramatic line is comparable with the draw of "Front Page," over $24,000; "Strange Inter- lude," capacity, $16,000; "Bachelor Father," $15,000; "Diamond Lll," $14,000, both strong; "Ringside" claimed $11,000, but may be dented by "The Big Fight," which opened Tuesday; "The: Royal Family," about $11,000; "Gane "War" and "Silent House," $9,000; "Eva the Fifth" and "Gentlemen of Press," $7,000; the others down as low as $1,500. Musicals The musicals, with the addition of "Good Boy," are unchanged; "Scan- dals" tops at $49,000 through the big agency buy, but the real demand is for "Show Boat," $45,000 and bet- . ter; ".Vanities," selling out, $40,000; "Rain or Shine," $35,000; Three Musketeers," $33,000; "Rosalie," $30, 000; "Good News," $21,000; "Black Bird.s," over $20,000; Connecticut Yankee," $.15,000. Little competition frdm the new musicals as yet. Next week "The "War Song" sue ceeds "Trapped" at the National; "Elmer the Great" reopens the Ly- ceum; "Jarnegan" reopens the Longacre; "Adventure" will follow "Porgy" into the Republic; "Jeal- ousy" relights the Eltinge; "Fast Life" gives the. Ambassador its sec- ond tenant; "By Request" follows "Coin" Home" at the Hudson, the latter show possibly getting another house; "Ghee Ghee" reopens the Mansfield; "He. Understood "Women" stopped at the Belmont; "Guns" stopped at Wallack's; "Volpono" ends at the Guild. Warners' Ambitious Talker 'The Jest/ With Barrymore "Warner Brothers have selected "The Jest" for their first all-dialog class ambitious talking picture. It will star John Barrymore. "The Jest" was stage produced by Arthur Hopkins some years ago and had a long Broadway run. So far the "Warners' dialog films have been of the underworld or thriller type. With "The Jest," they probably intend notice to the other companies of an all around compe- tition In the new wave. Providence Pays Only $8,200 for "Mary Dugan" Providence, Sept. 18. Pictures continue to garner the bulk of patronage here in spite of "Mary Dugan," which did only fair business at the Opera House at r)0 cents to $2.50 with good company. Two good stocks here, AJbCc and Modern, probably have effect on touring legits. Albee is holding up well with '.'Yellow," but probably will make way for vaudeville in October. This is the first time this house has con- tinued stock past Labor Day. With bolstering in places the Modern company will be able to hold forth for the winter, as the regular faris are rallying round. Fay's is the only hou.=e. showing, vaudeville at present and business here, as usual, is great whether any- thing particular is showing or not. The Carlton, with musical comedy tabs, has fallen off a bit and can't go into a marathon. Estimates Last Week Opera House (Ind.) (1,300; 50- $2.50). Road company in "Trial of Mary Dugan." Business none too hot. $8,200 would be liberal. Modern (Fay) (1.400; 35-$l). "Wooden Kimono," mystery show, good stock bill. Good for $7,000. . Albee (K-A-O) (2,500; 20-$l), Following record-smashing "Abie" business held up with "Yellow." Arcund $10,500. Carlton (Fay) (1,600; 15-75). Pop- ularity of condensed music shows falling off, but better than old policy of vode and movies. About $5,000. Fay (Fay) (2,300; 16-60). Only vaudeville in Providence. Cleaning uii. "The Supper Club," dancing cocktail O. K. Biz around $10,500. YORK and KING Now at the Wilbur Theatre, Bos ton. featured in "Take the Air." The Boston "Globe" said: "York and King flt easily into the play. Their comedy is btight and snappy. Mr. York- as Sergeant Mooney makes the most of the military background and Miss King, a conie- dienne who never misses a point, is vastly amusing." Direction: Misses Marlowe, Pinchot As Spielers for Smith Actors and actresses will figure in the national eanipaiKn for prosident, according to Senator Millard E. Tydings, who heads the speakers' bureau of the National Senatorial Democratic Committeo, headquar- t«.red in the General Moter.s Build- ing on Broadway. Democratic po- litical speakers will swing Into ac- tion late this month. Among those already pledged tp speak on behalf of Governor Al Smith's candklaey are Rosamond Pinchot and julia MarlpWe. . Miss Pinchot, who. appeared in "The Miracle," is now enlisting other prominent memberB of the profes slon to rally around tho Democrallc banner. Miss Marlowe, noted for her speaking voice, will be among the first of the prominent professionals to be sent out, by the Speakers' Bureau when the Democratic oani palgn get.H under way about Sept 25. ■ MAE'S MALE SOPRANOS ARE ONLY ATMOSPHERE RALPH G. FARNUM 1560 Broadway $60,000 Husband Lost "Caravan" Doubles Up Five Shows Out said this "Gai-avan" folded at the Klaw, New York," after three weeks last Saturday and a loss of $60,000 In. an ill-fated attempt to establish Vir- ginia Pembcrton as l-iglt lead tim- ber. The show, which lasted four weeks in all, including the bireak- in week at the Windsor, Bronx, was financed by H. C. Pemberton, hus- band of the "lead and wealthy stock broker. Although produced by Rich- ard Herndon, the latter was not in financially, with the "angel" guar- anteeing three weeks rental at the Klaw. Although figured , a chance on its I atmospherical surroundings and I seml-muslcal background, the show never bettered $1,000 weekly and practically halved this amount for the last two weeks. Several additional new shows fiopped out Saturday and others are on the ropes with bankroll weakne.S3. Including the two sud den closings, there Will be five at tractions off the list by Saturday at which time more may escape. "He Understood Women-', stopped Saturday,, but it was not until Mon- day the box office shut down. Michael Kallesser, who wrote and presented the show, had guaran- teed the cast a minimum of $25 weekly and a percentage of the gross. Last week . that was about $1,600. None of the players got a cent Saturday. Equity stepped in, setting, the tinae limit of 7 p. m. for payment, not forthcoming. Ob- ligations due the house also were not met. The show stayed five weeks. A process server, dl-sg\nsed by two pups, gained admis.'^ion to Mae West's dressing room and sev^^?d her with a summons a few nighta ago. A Variety reporter had called upon Mae to ask her about the rumor that she Is dragging "The Drag" into lier new show, "I'leasure Man!" After the doorman had told Variety to go on into Miss West's room, an unsuspicious looking youth clutching two minute blaek and tan dogs in his* arms trailed the reporter. When Miss West's door was opened the youth with the dogs thrust a summons into MlsB West's hands. . Mae took the papers and You didn't have to come way." While the Ingenious process server stood in the stage entrance, a number of the performers had petted his dogs and he had mur- mured something about showing them to Miss West. The process server had mentioned the name of, a Mr. Dodge in connection with the papers served. It was Wendell Philips Dodge, Miss West's former manager, suing her for. something or; other. Miss West Says that there is nothing, of "The Drag" in "Plea.s- ure Man." Her new play, she .says, is a story of . a gay back stage Lothario and his numerous love affairs. "i have a couple of female im^ persoriatbrs in 'Pleasure Man,' but that is supposed to be their stunt as. vaudeville pcrtormerfi,',' said mLss West. AHEAD AND BACK , HE UNDERSTOOD WOMEN Opened Aug. 15. Anderson (Journal) opined: _ "tawdry, foolish and stupid." Gabriel (Sun): "no hope at all." Variety (Ibee): 'Mittle chance." /'Minute" Ahead in Boston Boston. Septi 18.. The Brae Burn national open amateur golf tournament and the third installment on the income tcix . probably had something to do with a general falling off in business ai almost all the houses in the city. "Just a Minute" still holding a:t the Tremont was high with about $17,000 .and Coh.-in's "Whispering Friends," closing at the Hollis, did but $8,000. Estimates for Last Week " Golden . Dawn " (Sliubert, 1st week). Hammcrstein's operetta with good music and comrrient, $15,000; $3.R5 top. "Take the Air" (Wilbur, 1st week). With Will Mahoney; $M,000. "The Great Necker" (Majeatie, last week). At top of $2, $10,000. "Hold Everything" to sueeoed next week "Excess Baggage" (Plymouth, last week), $8,000. Colonial closed this week, opening next with Thurston. Des Moines' Stock Des Moines, la., Sept. IS. President theatre now houiSes the riement-Wal.sh stock company. Troupe comes -here from Omaha. Among the principals are Fanchon Everhart, Alfred Cross, Dora (Elem- ent and' Geoffrey Bryant. Thomas Van Dyke, appointed gen- eral press representative for Sam Harris. " °. jack Charlsh, publicity for Ed- ward Clark's "Relations." Henry Pennypacker, ahead; Bob Evans, back, "Rose-Marie." Frank Cruickshank, ahead, "Good News" (Boston). John Campbell, advance. "Trial of Mary Dugan" (opening in Provi- dence). D.ave Kaufman, back; William Gohrman, advance. Four ' Marx Bros. Charles Vion, back, "By Request (Chicago). Sam Cunningham, back with Cohan show opening in October. Leon Friedman ahead and Fred ZwWcl l)acTc" w^^^ Spencer Bettelheim of the Music Box, New Y'ork, box office, is com- pany manager of "Women" for its try-out date in Philadelphia. L-ep Solomon, treasurer of the .same house, is managing "Gentlemen of the Pre.ss," but: both will return to the Music Box, which relights with "Paris," Oct. 8. Sol De Vries and others of the Winter Garden box office staff, will switch to the 44th Street, the Gar- den going over to Warner Brothers for talkers. Abo Halle will be treasurer of the Garden. George v^uttoti, managei-, ■ Lew Fiold.s' "Pl-osent Arms" (Chicago). Frank P.. HiH. company manager with-Hubbard Nye ahead, "Slmba," Martin John.son's African hunt pic- ture, I'aclfic coast company. Charles Salisbury, company man- :i"er for"(iood News" at the Cur- ran, San Francisco. Phil Bruner .LnveiTdT"""" McGuire's Defense Is No Pay Off for Him Florenz Ziegfeld and William An- thony McGulre must furnish the W. A. M. Personnel, Inc., of which Thomas P. Kane, also president of the Century Play Co.,'is the chief officer, with a bill of particulars concerning the contract they allege. W. A. M. . Personnel, Inc., which borrows McGuIre's initials for its corporate name, is suing both for a full accounting of all royalties due McGuire on his libretto con- tribution to "Three Musketeers." McGuire's defense is that, under a contract with Kane, the author was to receive $100 a-week salary for 10 years, or an alternate of • 25 per cent, of all net profit, in con- sideration for the W. A. M. Per- sonnel, Inc., dl.sbursing moneys to pay off McGuire's liabilities, judg- ments, etc. The playwright avers that Kane, and his plaintiff corpo- ration breached their contract by failing to do so, hepce McGuire and Ziegfeld (the latter Is taking Mc- (laire's ^side- in " the matter) both deny obligation to W. A, M. Per sonnel, Inc. "Guns" also Independently went oft at Wallack's Saturday, sticking six weeks, for little reason. The cast had waived the usual salary guarantee. When the/house got its share; about $200 was left to spilt among the playersi GUNS Opened Aug. 7* Debuted during reviewers'.vacations. Variety (Lait): "won't last long." "Trapped," offered by the Shu berts, will go off at the National this week-end. It opened last week when the takings were hardly over $3,000. TRAPPED Opened Sept. 11. St. John Ervine (World) reported audi- ence "appeared to enjoy the play." Mantle (News) doubted if authors would find many people interested. A. T. A. M. Circular In an Intelligently written circu- lar letter to theatrical producer* the newly unionized Association of Theatrical Agents and Managers sets forth its alms, disclaiming any Intent save that ol working for th« good of the show business. The recognized right to seek col- lective bargaining Is the given rea* son for the formation of the A. T. A. M.. but at this time there Is no Intention of setting a - minimum wage or salary, the circular claims. It is maintained that the salary paid advance agents and company managers compared to the gross in- take of each unit is the, lowest cost percentage of any comparatively Important department. in the com- mercial world. Tlic A. T. A. M. rates its work as that of a sales and delivery department. Touching on the matter of itfl affiliation with the American Fed-^ oration of I^abor, it is stated there Is nothing that Infringes upon th« question of loyalty to the employer. The association guarantees that any member found guilty of disloyalty to his employer or who betrays the confidence of Intimate business re- lationship will be discharged from the A. T. A. M. and his rights as a member taken away. With changes in offices In the Theatrical Press Representatives, Lorimer (Sonny) McLaren, re- signed from the Telegraph, is press representative for John Golden. George Dfgnon ahead, and Con I.lttlP Ixick with "The Desert Song.'' George Ashby back, and Al Canby ahead of "Hit the Deck," city company. Minneapolis Business Minneapolis, Sept .18. "Dawn," . the photoplay, twice daily at $1 toji night.s. and 50c mat inees, failed to exhibit great box office strength at the Metropolitan, grossing under $4,000. "Wanted," which ran only two weeks in New York, was well liked and gave the B.alnbridge Players a good week. In the neighborhood of $5,000. , , A tabloid musical comedy version of"Tlic Butter and Egg M.an".by the McCall-Bridge Players did around $4,800' at the Palace. "Moonlight Maids'v (Mutual) did about $3,500 at the Gayety. "Legacy" Off "The Ijegary." presented by A. iMo'j<]s n.nd- Gilbert Mljler, will bo taken off in Brooklyn, N. Y., nuxt week. It opened at the Windsor, Bronx, Monday. Florence Reed is starred. It Is understood Miss Reed Ifl not satls- fled with the role and another lead will be chosen when the show again reaches the boards later In the fall. "Volpone," Theatre Guild attrac- tion, closes at the Guild after play- ing 20 week.s; The show main- tained a goodly pace during the spring and was able to span the summer to -moderate weekly grosses. "Porgy," al.so a Guild attraction; leaves the Republic for the road. After an excellent .showing last .seaison, the colored drama toured and was brought back for a repeat date, "Relatlon.s" nai-rowly hnissed closing Monday, the Masqtie man agcment requiring a partial guar- antee deposit, which Avas not po.sted until 8 p. m., the doors opening after then. Kddie Clark, who wrote, produced and is, appearing In the show, inserted ads In the New York dailies appealing to the public and stating he was spending his last few Viollars in publicity in an effort to win box office support.. Business has been very bad, but the cast whlf:h waived salary guarantor, is sticking With Clark. .Erlanger^Back A. L, Erlangor returned from Eu rope Wednesday after being aljroad four months. It wa.s the long<'st stay over.seas the veteran ,«<ho.wman has ever m.ade. He la reported In excellent condi- tion. feeling between that association at the A. T. A. M. has apparently become dissipated. Beauvls Fox is president of thc,T. P. R.. succeed- ing Edward Pldgeon. Walter Kings- ley has replaced Theodore Mitchell, On the board of directors, Frank Payne, Victor Kiraly and Bernard . Sobol have succeeded Edgar Wal- lach, John J. Glllmorc and Lode- vick Vrooni, respectively; The retiring members retain their standing in the T. P. R. Helen In- gersoJl has replaced Maxwell Joyce as secretary, the latter withdraw- ing through illness. He is under treatment in a IXitroit hospital. Mae West's Latest Jam "I'lea-sure Man," the new Mao .West opus which bowed In at the Bronx Opera House, New York, Monday night, ha.s already attract- ed official atlcntl<m that may pre- cipitate considerable cen.soring If not dosing. Acting on reports publislied m the--Bpoiix=-Homo-=KcwA..Jj:mi^th^ premier Monday night. District At- torney Mcf Jeehan of the Bronx stat- ed he would attend a performance last (Tuesday) night and take of- ficial action against Carl Reed, pro- ducer; Mae West, author, and all others concerned. If necessary.