Variety (Oct 1928)

VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, October 3, 1928 Shows in N. Y. and Comment Figures estimated and comment point to some attractions being successful, while the same gross accredited to others might suggest mediocrity or loss. The variance is explained in the difference in house capacities with the varying overhead. Also the size of cast, with consequent difference in necessary gross of profit. Variance in business necessary for musical attraction as against dramatic play is also considered. Classification of attraction, house capacity and top prices of the admission scale given below. Key to classification: C (comedy); D (drama); n (revue): M (musical comedy); F (farce); O (operetta). Admissioji tax applies on tickets over ^3. "A Connecticiit Yankee," Vander- bilt (Ami week) (M-S82-$5.r)0). 2)ue . for toiir iii another three . woek.sv bettering $.14,000; "Amer- icaiia'' possible successor. "Adventure,'' Rei)Ublic (C-90;-$3). Not so hot; opened Hopt, 25; re- vii'w.s unfavorable; little afjoricy call. "Biilie," Erlaneer (1st week) (M- l,G20-$3), Presented, by George M. Cohan; written and composed by same; highly rated in Phila.; opened Monday. "Blackbirds," Liberty (22d week) (A-l,202-$3). Will move next door to Eltinge after another week; routed out but trade so strong run continues until Jan. 1 at least;. $22,000 and better. "By Request,'? Hudson (2d Week) (C-l,094^$3). Opened Sept, 27; favorable notices; figures lo get fairly good grosses.'. "Chee Chee," Mansfield (2d week"* '(M-l,050-$5.50). Some diversity in opinion, but feminine draw in- dicated; capacity in final days last week with gi'oss claimed bet- ter than $28,000 in seven perfbrm- , ances. , "Cross IVIy Heart," Knickerbocket (3d .week) (M-1.412-$4,4Cl). Cast change made with aim of bolster- ing performance r got off on wrong foot, smothering excellent reports from Boston; second week $15,000. "Diamond Lil," Royale (26th week) ■ (C]J-l,117-$3). Climbed again last week, newer entrants not affect- ing trade; went to $14,000 and run into winter indicated. "Elmer the Great," Lyceum (2d week) CC-957-$3). X>rcw good notices, but agency.call light; box i office sales better; first week's . pace estimated at $7,000. "Eva the Fifth," Little (Gth week) (C-530-$3). .Slipped instead of Improving; may continue few Weeks, but has not shown ex- pected strength; rated under $5,000. , "Fast Life," Ambassador (2d week) (D-l,2P0-$.3). Going ofi: Saturday; prenfilere disappointing. a,nd drew general paiining; making grade; opened Sept. 20; no agency buy. "Front Page," Times . Square (8th week) (C-l,057-$3.86). : They all talk about this shown pro and con, but it's getting the big ttioiiey, bettering $24,000, weekly. "Gang- War," Morosco (7th week) (CD-898-$3), Will move to the Harris next week; doing pretty well, with last week ai-ound $10,- 000. an imi..;ovement; "Little Accident!' listed for next week. "Gentlemen of the Press," Henry Miller (6th week) (C-946-$3). Eased off somewhat last week at approximately $7,500; expected to move to the 48th Street next week. "Goin' Home," Masque (7th week) (CD-700-$3). Moved here from Hudson last week; business still weak; riot much over $3,000. "Good Boy," Hammerstein's (5th week) (M-l,400-$6.60). Started okay, but slipped off; especially last week when gross estimated less than $30,000; should be stronger for musical. "Good News," Chanin's 46th St (M-l,413-$5.50). Producers work- ing on new musical expected about ThanksgivTng ftmn; liotd-' over still getting some coin; $20,000 and better. ''Heavy Traffic," Empire (5th week) (CD-l,099-$3.85). Moderate trade iso far; la.st week again a bit over $11>000; will probably move to Millbr's Oct. 15 when "Olympla" due here.. "Jarnegan," Longacre (2d week) (GD-l,019-$3.85). Appears to have good chance; first week's pace clairried over $1.3,000; $5.50 pre- miere for $3,100 aiding talking about it. "Luckee Girl," Ca.sino (3d week) (M-l,477-$4.40), One of new mu- sicals that does not appear to have landed; second week's pace estimated around $15,000. "Machinal," Plymouth (5th week) (D-l,012-$3). Improved again, though business generally off; . quoted at $16,000, exceptional for this type of show; dxcellent bal- cony business tip-off. weight Hostess," Martin Beck (4th , week) (CD-l,189-$3). Climbed with faSings'going "iir^^ 000; ought to go through autumn; iagency sales rather good. "Pleasure Man," Biltmore (1st week) (CD-l,189-$3). Pre.sented by Carl Reed; authored, by Mae West; created plenty of interest past two weeks in neighborhood theatre; opened Monday; cast ar- rested after premiere. "Possession," Booth (Ist week) ^ (CD-708-$3). Presented by Edgar Selwyn; written by him; ex- oHlont oa.st; opened at sfta.«;horo to much "promise early In sum- nier. "Rain or Shine," Giforge M. Cohan (35th week) (M-1.371-$5.50). Eased off somewhat along with most of,field; at $33,000 last week got its share; very strong for holdover. "Relations,," Wallacks (7th week) (C-770-$3). Tough time sihce opening; guaranteeing . house in order to stick; $2,500 estimated. "Ringside," Broadhurst . (C-1,118- $3). Closed Saturday; hou.se has given notice but business mod- erately good; $1.0,000 last week; ■ reopens next week \vith "Hold Everything." , "Rosalie," New Amsterdam (39th week) (M-i,702-$6,60); Made run of It, . always .strongly supportei by agencies; claimed profitable; recently over $3,0,000; due for road soon. "Scandals," Apollo C14th week) (R-l,16S-$6,60). Only one other revue in town ("Vanities") and both selling out; $49,000. "Straight Thru the Door," 49th St. (1st week) (C-708-$3). Pre- sented by William Hodge and written by him; has played out of town; opens Thursday (Oct. 4). "Show Boat," Ziegfeld (41st week) (M-1.150-$6.60). Jumped to lead in agency demand and gross get- ting better than $50;006 now; an- other "Show Boat" for road is off; this one will doubtless hold through season. "Skidding," Bayes (20th week) (C-860'$3). Small cost show claiming indefinite " engagement; last week $4,000, doubtful but may let show by. "Strange Interlude," John Golden (36th week) (D-900-$4.4d), An- other holdover smash; $16,000. "The Bachelor Father," B e I a s c o .(32d week) (D-l,000-$3.85). Leav- ing after another week; doing very well, but Belasco . wants to house his new "Mima" here; "Father" around $14,000. "The Command Performance," Klaw (Ist week). (D-830-$3). Presented by Herihan Shumlln and Charles K.. Gordon; showed In Phila. to promise; opens tonight (Oct. 3). "The Big Fight," Majestic (3d week) (CD-l,776-$3). Just going along; leaves for road after another week as announced; second week's gross possibly $20,000; consider- ably under capacity. "The Big Pond," Bijou (C-605-$3). Closed Saturday, probably going to Chicago; did well enough on lower floor, but could- not pick up enough; played six weeks; about $7,000; house dark. "The Great Power," Ritz (C-945-$3), Taken off Saturday after three weeks; relights next week with "Courage/' "The High Road," Pulton (4th week) (C-913-$3.85). Regarded hit, drawing smart audiences via agencies;, approximately $18,000 again last week, not much under capacity. "The Ladder," Cort (102d week) CD-l,094-$3.) Just hanging around waiting for rental period to end; floppiest of all runs; not $500. "The New Moon," Imperial (3d week) (M-r,400-$5.50). Off to ex- cellent start and regarded as cinch- for run;- second week al- most all it could get, around $39,000. "The Royal Family," Setwyn (4ist week) (C.-l,067-$3.85). Another two weeks before touring; still making some money and road should be clean-up. "The Silent House," Sam H. Har- ris (35th wedc) (Dt1;051-$3). Final week; mystery play ap- proximating $9,()00; "Gang War" moves from Morosco next Monday. "The Song Writer,'^ 49th St. (C-969- $3). Shut suddenly Saturday after floundering for seven weeks; indi- cated gross under $4,000. "The Three Musketeers," Lyric (30th week) (M-l,305-$6,00). One of very best; agency demand picked up smartly of late and con- tinuance until first of year antici- pated; $35,000 and better. . "This Thing Called Love," Maxino Elliott (3d week) (C-912-$3.85). Agency sales helping a bit, but little heard about show and could Improve plonty $8,000 . estimated. 'iThe-=War_-^Song/i ^Nrttional=^(2d„ week) (CD-1.164-$3). Got rather good break from reviewers; busi- ness fir.st week not big but East Side should support this ono as it did "The Jazz Singer"; over $10,000, "Vanities," Earl Carroll (9th week) (R-968-$7.70). Getting big money and has from start; average Weekly groB.so,s rated ai'ound $40,000. "When Crummies Played," Gftrrick (Jst nook; i('-.".:;7-$:!). Pn-sentr-d "ROAD'S" CHANCE (Continued from pa^e 1) over. 300 plays Is turning to the hinterland for his field. He will produce at least three and probably four plays this season with the New York engagements considered sim- ply as q, part of the soa.son and hot the aim or meo-sure . of the production's success. Organizing Audiences The fimetlon of the National The^ aire. Foundation is to . "organize the audience" in 20 major, cities. With cities like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indiapalols, Buffalo, Providence and Milwaukee as a nucleus. oE.lull week "guarantee" engagements it will be possible, Tyler believes, to fill In the split weeks and one nights $uch as Worcester, Des Moines, Omaha, Akron, Wilkes- Barre and thereby present an in- ducement for other .producers, now ignoring the road, to give It atten- tion. . National Theatre Foundation will not Interfere with existing channels for legitimate bookings. Local com- mittees will be solely for th§ pur- pose of delivering the necessary number of subscribers. Committees will not be concerned with nor will they have. jurisdiction over con- tracts, to be made . In the regular way between theatre and company. '■■ Details of the subscription plan call for a guarantee of $1,700 for one nighters, $5,000 for split weeks and $10,000 for full week engage- ments.' The local committee Is to work out with New Tork office In- cidental details as to number of selection of attractions for the sea- son. The Church and Drama League is' actively campaigrning on behalf of the program. Rebates Top price of $3 Is set as the av- erage scale. School teachers and pupils are to be rebated In bulk so as to encourage this type of support. Tyler renounced Broadway last season after losing a fortune on new plays. He also has concentrated on all-star casta In classic reylvals and it is this type of play he has in mind ;for the "organized audi- ence." Ames and Hampden will send out their own type of show. . Tyler's "Macbeth" , opens Oct. 29 In Philadelphia with Margaret An- glin, Lyn Harding and William Far- num. Later on Tyler will produce In association with the Players Club an all-star "Bea.ux Stfateerm." The ground break for National Theatre Foundation was. done last season. The system Is still In the bud but Tyler states "very encour- .aglng." Tyler. disavows any con- fllctlon with the Theatre Guild. "It amounts simply to this," Mr. Tyler stated, "New York Is not America and the type of play that suceeds In New York In these thrlllr jaded days will not succeed In America as a whole, for the rea- son that the rest of the country will not accept Invective and vul- garity as drama." . Harris Pays $600 Sylvia Sidney accepted two weeks' salary, $600, in settlement of a claim against Jed Harris who had engaged hiir for "Rasputin," a play due this month. It has been Indef- initely set back. The matter wjis arranged _through Equity. ■ ' Miss Sidney was under contract not only for this season but had other contracts for two succeeding years. It was agreed that since there was no fulfillment of the first contract whatever obligation there waij on the others would he satis- fled by settlement on the original. Chi Booms; 10 Shows Average for Wynn; Guld Again, "Big Pond*' Rushed Into Woods—Figure Six Will Stay Until Pre-Xmas Slump—■"BurlesqueV Ads STOCK IN W.-V. HOUSES Two of Wllmer & Vincent houses will play winter stock. Colonial, Norfolk, opened last week with the Doyloart Players In "Baby Cyclone." The second, the Lyric,. Richmond, Va., opens in two weeks with an- other Doyleart stock. Both are pro- moted by James C. Doyle. by Charles L. Wagner; play Is an !blnglish comedy; house policy Is —aKaln~along-=rep-lines, "Whits Lilacs," Shubert (4th week) (0-1,395-$5.BO). Moves to Jolson next week; about $19,000 esti- mated and not hot; "Ups-a-Daisy" next week. Special Attractions "The Would-Be Gentleman" Mon- day and "L'Invitation du Voyage" Thursday opens the new Civic Kepertory peaaon. "The Light of Asia," Walter Hamp- d'-n'.'s; po.stponed until next we»»k, Chicago/ Oct. 2. Receipts in last week's legit trade suggested improved c o n d 11 Ions. From now until the pre-Xmas lull,, the important coin Is on tap. Ten attractions gave the town an! aver- age gross of $20,l}0O, "Manhattan Mary" leading and "Arms and the Girl" (Theatre Guild) holding aloft the mediocre gross pullers among the non-musicals^ Two important houses, Illinois and Erlangur, were dark. Theatre Guild drew the important attention of the Week. It was ca- pacity at the Blackstone and will hold because of the tremendous foundation molded via the subscrip- tion lists. The Blackstone figures close to $25,000 capacity at $3. The Guild's gross for the initial week only varies from what subtractions are made I'rom the systont of charg- ing for the season tickets. The scheduled two new openings, plus a list-minute booking, gave the calendar a new twist this week. "Red Robe" had a clear field Sun- day, selling out at the Majestic due to the Shubert offlces concen- trating here. The Amerlclan Opera got under way at the 13rlanger. Ad- vance reservations gives this house a rosy outlook for the .limited en- gagement. The Woods' drew "The Big Pond" for a Monday opening on a last-minute notice. Heaviest campaigning Was done for "Burlesque," placed in a quandary a.t the Harris. That the Hopkins piece was one of the leading non- musicals oh Broadway last year means nothing here. An outside chance remains for "Burlesque" to grab the spoils .and the brokers have taken a hand, returning to the Harris after the flrst "Week's scare. Toward the week-end the show commenced to attract attention. If "Burlesque" gets set there are six attractions on the local calendar that should last until the pre-Xmas period. This Is a good average con- sidering the topsy-turvy situation for the past year. "Queen's Hus- band" has an outside chance for a surprise run at the Cort. The critics, in their second thoughts, gave the Cort piece just what it needed. "Command to Love" will s:o be- yond all expectations If the news- paper ad campaign for the balcony seats bring results. The Stude- baker Is a. solid lower floor hit every night and this is a Christmas at- traction without question. "Mary Dugan" had to bow to the Theatre Guild for the lead among the non- musicals, yet the Adelphla still rings the capacity bell. Brokers have "Dugan" in the palm of their hands, cleaning up with, much care shown by tho management not to have them overrun the situation. "Manhattan Mary" will pick up close to capacity coin at the Grand and "My Maryland" was picked by the Shuberts for a successful stay, but nowhere near the pace It tabbed after the first week. There's no chance for "Red Robe" to cut Into either "Mary" or "Maryland," since both are now running on their own. This caused the Shubert offices to get back of "Robe.". "Good News" is right up there, although down about $4,000 to $5,000 from the gait of the early weeks. "News" holds the $4.40 scale record for this town. Record for the Twins is 47 weeks for "Topsy and EvA" and 49 weeks for "Nanette," but both shows played at $3f30, ^ — ■ ..i Com weather had much to do with Improved conditions last week. Managers realize the fat weeks of the year are with them and they lare making the most of it. Estimates for Last Week "The Big Pond" (Woods, 1st week). Six weeks in New York and rushed here apparently as filler; costly transportation gamble; nieagro take on opening Monday; heavily papered and no advance "The Red Robe" (Majestic, 1st week). Chance of being worked Into important coin; Word out for Shubert strength at stands to plug here with "Maryland" act; "Night in Spain's" final week fattened total to $84,000 for four w*'<.'U«' engage- ment. American Opera (lOrlanger, 1st week). Opened Monday with "Faust." first half; "Butterfly," laist half; activities suggest organiza- tion smashing fat grosses for four weeks of split offerings. .Xfieaire^GMjId^ (Blackstone, 2d week), ('apacity at $3 apprfia:rhe^^ $25,000; only variation the. dcduc- lion.^ from the subscription lists. "Burlesque" (Harris, 3d week). Coiiipletc revl.«tIon of campaign, title submerged, into almost agate type to overcome similarity of cam- paigns for local stock burlesque companies; spotty Improvement but far from succcps of Broadway gro-MHep; will vary around $16,000 undl fate is aotually dotermlnod. "Command to Love" (?tiidobaker. Bth week); Illgh rating substan- tiated; holding around $18,000 with spurts, depending upon general conditions, bettering this figure; balcony shaky,, and plugging being .done in , ads featuring balcony prices. 'Trial of Mary Dugan" (Adelphia, 6th week). Holding to sensational pace with specs handling the heavy stock ahead of everything; people going up In second balcony who were never there before; can be labeled $23,000, or thereabouts, for another dozen weeks. "My Maryland" (Great Northern, 5th week). With variations consid- ered, is now stamped at $30,000 and higher, bettering this figure when special parties are hurled into the weak Monday-Tuesday perform- ances; picked for profitable busi- ness, but gait since opening beyond expectations; with operating line- up, season't best killing for Shu- berts. "Queen's Husband" (Cort, 3d Week). Getting fairly good busi- ness with outlook to hold, as mod- erate pull; around $11,000 satisfy- ing; received valuable second thoughts from critics. "The Silent House" (Garriclc, 6th week). Hitting $12,600; not a big success hut profitable. "Good News" (Selwyn, 33d week). Nothing interferes with general sales; weekly grosses around $23,- 000 and better; will hold for year'.s run. "Manhattan Mary" (Grand, 3(1 week). Town's .stiffest scale at stands and sailed Into important money at $34,000 or little stronger; strength back of advance salts. "Broadway" (Central, 3d week). Keeps pegging away around $5,000, pushing net figures into profitahle column. Frisco Grosses San Francisco,. Oct. 2. "Good News" had little difficulty topping the town last week. "The Royal Family," at the Geary, was disappointing. Customers could not seem to get enthused. Guy Bates Post , made an exceptional Amerl. can return In "The Play's the Thing" at the Capitol and the ad- vance sale seems to Indicate a long healthy engagement. Henry Duffy scored another hit In presenting Marjorle Rambeau in "Antonia" and his "Daddies," at the President, held strong, demonstrat- ing the drawing power of Robert McWade. Third week at Over $5,000 Is Immense. "Easy for Zee Zee" continued to click at the Green Street with In- dications this French farce will b» here for a long time. Estimates for Last Week "Good News" (Currari). Musical seems to have caught on; second week firm at $23,000. "Play's tho Thing" (Capitol). Guy Bates Post not forgotten; scored decisively and bettered $13,500 first six days. . "The Royal Family" (Geary). Though highly praised by critics, failed to catch on; second week around $10,601) a disappointment. "Antonia" (Alcazar). Duffy picked a winner; Marjorie Rambeau at her best and sale picking up; first week passed $6,500; considered big. - "Daddiis" - (Pfesident). - Another big week; Bob McWade has firmly established himself with clientele; topped $5,500,. exceptional. "Easy for Zee Zee" (Green Street). Sid Goldtree hasn't any cause for worry; building right along and last week bettered $2,300, a substantial profit. • . Heavy Opposish for Minn. "Friends" Under $5,000 Minneapolis, Oct. 2. I^git houses were badly hurt last week by the terrific opposition from the radio show, the vaude' and film theatres €uid the visit of Governor Smith. Although the critics were unani- mous in praising the play and com- pany, and despite that one paper even urged attendance editorially. "Whispering Friends" was estimated under $5,000 at the Metropolitan. Trade also fell off sharply at tho "Shuberty^^^where =^the=--Bainbrldgft^= Players, with IGdith Taliaferro fea- tured, wore around $4,500 with "Two Girls Wanted," a drop of fully $500 from the previous week. Musical comedy tab vcr.slon of "Bachelor Brides" brought about $4,200 to the Palace, where the Mc- Call-Brldge Players hold forth. Aided by special boxing and wres • tllng nights, the Gaynty. with "Stov Lively, Girls," Msi(u;il ljiirl*'.siiU'\ clos« to $4,000,