Variety (Oct 1928)

50 VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, October 10, 1928 Shows in N. Y. and Comment Figures estimated artd 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. Clasi^ification of attraction, house capacity and top prices of the admission scale given below. Key to classification: C (comedy); D (drama): r: Crevtie); M (musical comedy); F (farce): O (operetta). Ailmission tax applies on ticletn orpr ?3. *A Connecticut Yankee," Vahdor- bilt i^Oth wcok) (M-382-$r),il0.y. AVodd's scrii'H crowd of some bonr ertt last wi'ck, ospeci;illy to musi- t\>l sliows; "Yankoe" has another \v«»t'k or two to f<o; aroimcl $15,000. "Adventure," Ropublic (3a weekV «..'-lt01-j»). Created Utile com- ment and wont into Cut raitvs soon afttT opoiiiiij,'; probably won't stick. ... •BiHie," KrlanK«^r (2(J week) (M-1,- 52a;-|".sr)jii Off to excellent Htart: flrst week's takings bettered, $27.- 000; T;i)t niuoh under capacity; season's run predicted, "Blackbirds," I.il)prty (23d week) (lt-1.202-$3), Paoklntj tliem iii; remarkable business for colored revue, wlileh is breaking .records . ov»'i' $23,000 claimed last week; moves to Kltinjre next week, fol- lowed liere by "Mr. Moneypcnny." "By Request," Hudson (3d week) (C-1.01)-l-$3). Not exceptional but climbed; first full week . better than .$9,000; will, probably, last well into winter.: "Chee Chee," Mansfield (Sd week) (M - 1,050 - $5.50). Management, hopeful of recording an unusual hit: . despite decidedly .wavering ivotloes, la.st week's takings ap- proximated, $24,000. "Courage," Uifz (Ist week) (D-a45- $31i. Presented by Lew Cantor; written by Tom Barry; regarded favorably out of town; opened Monday. "Cross My Heart," Knickevbock'?r t4th week) (M-l,412-$4.40). Took quite a junu); second week's gross clainu'd ovrr $20,000; got its share of baseball bugs. "Diamond Lil," Iloynle (27th week) »(.M)-1.117-$3). Publicity altfud- ant on arr.'. t of "Pleasure Man" cast to«»k in Mae \V«'.'«i's "Lll": business lip ♦!> $!5,0ViO. "Elmer the Great," i.><»Mrt si «.»d week) t(--;».">7-$3). BaSOb;i:l MllLV in world's i-«'rles town did sonu*- whal l.elt.'r ut $S.000 l;ist we»'k. but ]>liMity of room ^for improve- mont. •Eva the Fifth," I-ittle t7tli week) (C-.'):50-$3). doing along to mod- est nmney: not v^lKHleU to l:».st throuvrli autumn; c^tim.ited around S.'i.oOO. ., "Fast Life," l«"orre.st i5d wei-ki (1>- 1.01.'. $31. Moved here ."rom .Vm- 1 assiidor. though first .inni.uneed to closi-; slops Sat.; "Tli.- Com- mon Sin'.' next \\eek. "Faust," C.uild (1st week) iO-014- $:■.), Presented by Theatre (lulld •»nd nr**t oli'erlng of new. s'-:if'»n; ad:tt>tati(in of <ioethe's classii- In (traiiritii- form; open'-d Monday; iiild litis :innoun<ed set-und ai- Wiiigs Over Kurope. Thnv!' S<iu;ire <9tli ■-$:5 sr !♦ Nothimj in ,.,'uusj«v.l lMib»r; MIS".; WsUi "Front W«'<'-'i, 1 ' < ■ ! sight 111 tii)i u> snia.'^h 'nUMj:> vvi't'Uly tjroKs o\^ i $!l tM •G^ng War," S:un 11. 11 week) (Cl)-1.051-$). M.i. vjl;-! ' M'.nday from Moi-osco; jui berui temporary; hou-'^e due for n«;w attt letmn next month; $!>.00i> to $10,000. "Gentlemen of his Prflss," 4Sth St. 7th w<'ek) (C-5*09-$3). Moved here from Henry :Mlller's Monday, 'vn; be largelv out rated: In-st weoii betweon $.'i.OftO and $6,000. "Coin' Home," Masauo (8th week) (ri)-7in)-$3). I'rolvahTy wMfT last nnu'h longi-r and may be with- drawn Saturday; rated $3,000. to $4,out), "Good Boy," IlahiiiVi-rstfiu's (Gth Wi-i'k) iM-l.t(tO-$t;.tiO). (Sot sh.>ri.v o;' 'iiascball buslne.«:.'< Thursdaj and esthnatt'd near $30.- 000; an iuspri v*meni. •Good News," ^(MunlnV 5^:h St. ir.sth w.M'kl iM-l.ll3 $'".')). V:-- Itors pla'yed. this oni- \'>v a favor- ite; over $21,000. ])est in some tlnn.-. •Heavy Traffic," Kmi)ire nJth w-eki (t."I)-l.i!9!)-$3,s,)). Will move tt> Henry Miller's, "(^lynii)ia" eoinin^' in hero next week; '•Tradii:" slipped a bit; $10,no0. "Hold Everything," l^roadliui-st (1st week) (M-l,118-$.=;.50). PresmLMl by Aaron.s and Frecdley; new nm- sicnl opened raggedly out of town, but has been whipped into form and touted a winner; opens to- night (Oct. 10). "Jarnegan," Longacre (2d week') J Cj)-l,019-$3.86). Lower door and ~^bal C(:w"^gooar'""t'lrtual- = seli-o u t downstalr.s; second week minus the premiere compares aa well with first; $12,000 or better. "Just a Minute/' Ambassador (1st week) (M-l,200-$4.40). Presented by new managerial team, Morris and Green; one of four musicals entering this week; opened Mon- day. "Little Accident," Morosco (l3t week) (C-898-$3). Presented by Cro..<bv (lalge; written by Flo.vd Dell lind Thomas Mitchell; very well liked- in try-out- tovvn-^.; opened Tuesday. "Luckee Girl," Casino (4th week) fM-l,477r$4.40).; Does not figure to cost nnicli to operate; produc- tion expense certainly light; busi- Ines.s moderate to date; $16,000 estimated last week. "Machinal," Plymouth (6ih week) (D-1.012-$3). Agencies doing well with this unusual drama, and bal- cony business through box office very good; too; $14.rvi)0 last week and'may go lilgher. ^'Night Hostess," Martin Eock (5lh week) (CD-1.13!>-$3). Trade fair^ 1 J' good; has been nia,king money .^inee opening; lust week quoted - between $10,000 and $11,000. "Paris," Music IJox (1st week) (C- 1.000-$3.S5). Eight attractions ar- riving on Broadway this week; this one stands out because of big business it drew in Pliila. last spring; presented by C'rilbcrt Mil- ler and 10. Hay Ciootz; opened Monday. . "Pleasure. Man," Biltmore (ClJ-1.- lHli-j:{i. l-'oreed-off at lU'st Wed-, nesday inatinee last w^eek when police arrested playerl?. 'author and director; a box lOtflce riot while it lasted. "Possession," Itooth (2d week) (CD- 70K-$3). Won.. fairly favorable notiee.s; regardecl . as feminine draw with indications of cHekl.ng; in seven performances $8,000 or bet^t'r, "Rain or Shine," fh-orge M. Cohan (.3()thweek» «AT-l..'!7i-$.3.50). With cleanup trade during series gani<^s gros.s went .lip a noteh; bettered $3i;,000. • "Relations," Wallaek's (8th week) tC-77it-$3). Wee.k to week with slim trade, prlneipally from cut ral«'s. •■Rosalie," X.-w AmsK.-rdam (40tli •a"»'::) (M-l,7t)2-$.>.<>i)). Listed to niii'U o'lt of tow n in :i f(*w weeks; T'.if. bf'n lietl»v iisj; .?3i).000 of late; n-At .".ttiae»n>n ' \Vli )opee," prob- .ibly l.ite viY N'uyen\hi'r. •'Scandals," Apollo kJAtli week» (U-: l.l(;S-i;:;.iji)), Indhation^, 'ire lor ><t'a:«»ii < i-in; ciji-irlty since t^i■" I start, weekly pace bettering $49,- 001). 'Straight Thru the OoOr," 4;>th Si, • 2d week) <C-7<)S-$.! i. Opened late '.i.rf w . r«'vii»wi'rs h irdly liki'd ihis I'll,. ;t](;,i)UKh Willian. Hodge's driw may Uepp it In for a timi-; "Show Boat." Zi.'ui'Hd i43d wet-ki • .M-l.:."»0-$»i.t;(i>. Ita.ted the u:reat- est of all musical comedies; ha'-- e>i'r:. il.'ing rea.son for Its eon- ♦iiiiie.l liMdi'ivhip; over $50,000. "Skidding," ISayes t21st week) (C- Si;o-$3». Manngi-mi-nt elaims a urotU liow«»ver small; in roof b.iMi.-." It i-; ;?.Mting by at esti- mi'"il p.iee of $4,(»0() to $5,000. "Strange Interlude." .Tohn (l<dden t37tii w.'.'k) <I>-9()0-$4.40». Pre- ; <li<'«;i»n ii f.)r s un to last into next , >{e';:'yr. 'IK rii*rformanee weekly • ij't\*!"»• ■^••li'* oct with regu- The- Bac„ „ , i.'{;ld w.<.;:i 11». Father." P,.>lasei> week: a hit 'fr^r ^'^ "Whoopee" Murdered Ziegfeld's next attraction labelled for the New. Amster- dam as "Whoopee" which is to be "Rosalie's" successor, may arrive under a new title. It is reported the producer regards "Whoopee" as becom- ing passe on Broadway and even the burlesque shows are using It. Eddie Cantor is the star of the new .show, due next month. into winter: last w»'«>iv hoime will be d.irk ifven moving to another tlioatre where show has chance at, transients; moderate to date; last week around $9,000. '•This Thing Called Love," Muxine Elliott (4th week) tC-912-$3.35). Started well enough, business principally on lower floor; rhaj- improve; $8,000 Estimated. "Ups-a-Daisy," Shubert (1st week); (M-1,395-$5.B0). . Lewis E. Geii- sler's first production; opened in Philadelphia where numbers were regarded giving new musical a 'good- chance; opened Monday; $20,000 in Newark last week; "Vanities/' Earl Carroll (lOth week) R-968-$7.70). Slipped a bit but as a rule sells out and iivera.ge weekly grosses have been around $40,000. "White Lilacs," Jolson's,.(5th week) (O-l,776-$5,50). Moved here from . Shubert Monday; operetta ex- pected to be cut- rated in' this large capacity house; last week $20,000 estiihated: Special Attractions "When Crummies Played," ClarricU (2d week). Expected to be pait of season's repertory; current show has all English cast; w-ir probably get class draw; "The Light of Asia," Walter Hamiv- den's. Opened Tuesday. Civic Repertory, i4th Street: 'L'ln- vitation du Voyage/' "The Woiild- Be Gentleman/' "Hedda Gubbler." "The Cradle Song." . "La Ivocan- dlera." ADVANCE FOR WRItANA'OK Lookj Like First j36ston Prospect <'or st.ige prep.iralion for* Mima Beia.Hfo's next. "The Big Fight," M.vjostic nth ' w eelv) (rTt-T,T7>; "S'tv I'Mnnl wppk: .Ia<'k Di'mp.xey - l-J.^iielh* Tayh)r Nhow was oh?.i. Huted. four Wt'».'lrs'; business fur in big house; goe;- on tour, lioston the Ih-st st.md . out. •'The Command Performance/' fCIaw I 2d week) U>-S30.$3) W-.-a good notiet'S a,'5 .1 whole, a eoiip^e of crifli's di-;Hi-iuing; Im.si.nvsv start- off promisingly, ooi) In live '>i»if';r!Vv.snci>.s indleates a $14,000 li.ie-v . "The Common Sin." i'.:«rest. psi rtn'tl iiMxf v,f'k. I'lit Life" mo\<-i| bi-re M<in>l;ix, but m!f<"- elixi'. ur -suiii b ;i:{raln "The High Road/' K-ilion i5tb we.'ki (C-itl3-?3.s.">). ()nt« of the new hits, plass show :;i>tting smart dr.-ivv through agi'neies; has been nljproKlnitUing $1S,000 weekly. "The Ladder," I'ort flO.'Jd week) Cl)-l,iiy l-$3). Only a few weeks more. "The New Moon," Imperial Mth yreck) 1 >I-1.4i)i)-?.';.50). A hit; up _ a£;un_to_o^ev $40,0()0. _ "the Royal Family,^ S\^wyri""T-l-iT week) (C-1.0()7-$3.8.'>).. Lcavinn after another we(>k; last season">' eomedy smnsb has been- goin?: fairly of late; around $11,000. "The Three Musketeers," Lyric (31sl week) (M-l,305-$6.60). Class of this musical hit sliown by holding over through summer and coming back with grosses rated over $36,000, -The War Song," Xaiinnal (3(1 week) (CU-l,l()4-$3). Talk , of BobU*! Oct, 9, Things iVere no .bctt-».»r last W '.'.. The aggregate grosiies Were $10.()ij(i under the week before. Last wi-k seven houses did $*J3,000. A show that is admittedly far from ready, "Hold'E'/crything," did best. It is at the Shubert. and helped by the reputation of '•Go(»d News," by the same people, a hit at the hoqse last sea.son. On top of the low gross f.ietor came the sivutting down of the Tre- mont for three" weeks. It was hoped house might be kept Open by a last minute booking, hut noth- ing developed. . "BlackbirdM" is tentatively booked three \ve>-ks hence. :. "Hold Everything" waa a two- woek surprise. Starting off the first night to a sell out it grossed $20,- 000 for the first week and the see- on«i w?ek did $21,000. It start< d w'.''*^''0 off last WPi-k by a. 14.000 house at Marx Bros J37,000 PhOly Smash; 'Tourself Also Big first night, touched almoBt the same figure for the-second night (Tucs-. day) and then slipping off . a bit came back strong for the end of the week to hang up. $13,000. Thurston at the Colonial did about the same,^13;000. In the final week at the Tremont ".Just a Minute'' another one of the new musicals which has hit this town so far this seaison. did about $2,000 less than it did the previous week. It wasn't a strong musical as it showed here but has a couple of saving bits. Needs bolstering up before it can run in fast company. "Paris Bound" at the Plymouth was off. to $10,000 as against $21,- 000.. No mention yet of departing; "The Beilamy Trial" al the Cop- ley theatre iead.s non-musicals. This show is now on the eighth week here on stock basis a-nd has made real money every week. The Repertory theatre ^—^ subsidized to some extent by the City' ot Boston ■^opened Monday night but is not expected to affect the Copley. - Two openings occurred here this week with "Americana," the .T. P McEvoy fast one at the Colonial and a thriller. "The Silent House," at the Majestic. "Amerit;ana" ought to get the big money tliis week as last season, when McKvoy's show was a- hit at the Wilbui*: For next week the town gets the Denipsey show, '.'The Big I"'ight" at the Bostort Opera House for a week at a $3 top; . Last Week's Estimates "Take the Air" (Wilbur—last two weeks). Did $14,000, same as week befbrc. Expected to keep up thid pace for the balance oC the run liere. "The Queen's Taste" . (Shubert— second week). Not so good in the (ii'St .week w'itli the gross around $12,000. Opened .here after a short tryout out of town and is not ready, (.""hariges may include the name. "The Silent House'' (Maicstic— .first week). L« expected to get some of the thriller business which "Dra- cula" got last week. In final weoii or "Hold Everything," this musical did $21,000, was $1,000 better th.-in flrst week and which was by far the besl biisiiK'ss in town. . "Paris Bound" (Plymouth — 3d week); . Did $10,000 last week, oft about $2,000; But even at thi.s fig- ure It is a good bet for the liouse "Dracula" (ll->li::'- second we-'k). ftad. a .strong opening, doing $1,500 the opening ni>;ht. repeating it on Tu'-.Mhiy and winding, up ibe week sirotif,. Hits aiiolher week, after this.. "Americana" <C o I a n i a 1 nr.st week). The .agency buy an;! the Wise money should, go to liii;?, the first real worth while fittractlon so far. It: eom!(>s With plenty of fav- orable comment. In final week at the house Thurston did $13,000. AHEAD AND BACK Arch MqCSovern, Klynn, back; road "niarkbird.<." ahead; . Leo <'ompany of GERMAN LITTLE GROUP •I not ■ is .erit, f.'ir man .t $3 top and to'fV^rti the end of the gi'ti..''. Wi"*!* tilted to W.50o It was boy.s hero '**"» run from tli»» /'ullegc Thl» l»>:rv*^=j t^'-^ jmi>?d out; "The Queen's T.rito, -"iOiU?* in m strong at the Shubert a. " tl*e Air/' the Will Mahohey . In at the Wilbur. This litl- showing fltr.i'n ot long engagen "The Queen's Taste" was from a hit opening wc^k. Despite good notices, an estimated j;ro.<>! of j $12,000 Is generous/ It follow. -I. "Golden Dawn." in at the house and ! eoulda't have suffered from that.) It is in at the Shubert's best ht)use | for a musical ond has been wei'; h,ahdled. It is .still .being work<Mlt *-'er and i.i stlil consid(»red good ni:\te":>tl by the Shub'^rts. wh.» are producing It. , ,,.../«! Ono of the 3u»pr{^.t>«« w.is (he! "•^'''^' What is described as a g»-oup of professional German players has imdertaken. a sea.son of .standard fJerman authors in the tiny play- house at 137 West 3.Sth street, bc- irinnhif? Oct. 18... Org.anizatlon will I op.llod the (;erm'<.n ' Dran\atlc nc, with (iretc pr'>Mi,t£>)\t John I'dlstel as ''•r.:,!df nl: The:wJii..v»> t'hri.st J i-i'.itea lue i»< •^jPlayera' Club. Ir * • il'^ver a* t)r'>Mi,t£>»\t Initial \. "Das Weil> holds mo. ■•>»!< <; id(>. as tjv;«htirei\., luf 11 ftjDno I'r.tnK'j. PhiladiClphia, Oct. 8. The presence in toWn of the bank- ers' (bonVention la.it week tended to Improve business In the legit.houses!' Most of the influx .went to couple of show.s. "Animal, Crackers," the Alarx Brothers' show, which would have done a' big ^yeek's busine.s.s anyway, was most in demand.,With its $3.85 top-show claimed around $37,000 at the -Shubert. It now looks almost certain that 'SAnimal Crackers" will slay ' longer than its originally- pianncd three weeks. It will move either to the Erlanger .or to Keith's next Monday. "Submarine," a feature-film, is be- ing used as a stop-gap at . the lOr- langcr right now,, due to. the flo])' ping of "Pi-esent Arms." Keith's was to have had Philip Goodman's "Rainbow" next week, but this booking has been canceled, the show understood as far from ready. With .: a $3 top, "Hello Youiseir also cr.ashed into some great busl- nciss last week at the Forrest thea- tre. (Jeorge Choos. has decided to keep it in for five weeks instead of moving at once to New York. "Golden Dawn" showed real strength in the start of its return engagement, gettlnp about $25,000. Looks lik<i six weeks. , "Interference/'' up at the Lyric, got great notices, but started llght- l.v. How:ever. showed pick-up dur- ing the week, and $12,500 reported. .','l<3xccss Balggago" went put Sat- urd.ay night, getting around $7,000 in its last week at the Walnut/ "Shannons of Broadway" also de- parted Saturday with around $5,500 in. its final week at the Adlephi. "Air. Moneypenny" nose dived to $10,000. In its second week at the Garriek, where it is using a $2.50 scale. "Headin" South," with Mclntyre and Ileath, opened Wednesday night at Keith's and received mixed no- tices. It looked very shaky in. Its first four diiys' business. "Girl Trouble," dramatic tryout at the Broad, was generally well liked and may have a chance, but hardly in Philly, The gross under $7,000. - This week h.is only one new show, "The Sciuealer," which opens Thurs- day at the Adelphi for.ten days only. Estimates of the Week ."Girl Trouble" (Broad, i2d week) —Tryout comedy generally liked, but not much business. About $7,000. "Animal Crackers" (Shubert. 3d w«'k)—The .smash hit of the town, with $37,000 reported last Week. Is <>xpected to move to another theatre, "Submarine" (Krlanger, 1st week) fl''llm)--l;ookod in suddenly as s(oi>- g:ir> whe.n "Present .Arms" (lopped. "Present AftuM" down to $1.1.000 hist week. "Interference" (Lyric, M •.••■eiek)— Splendid notlees, but not a Ki*C!»t deal ca.«!h. However, pick-up during the week was prornlslng. $12,600. VThe Squealer" (Adelphi. 1st week) —Opens Thursday for 10 days only. "Shannons of Broadway" got around $5,500 last week. "Hello Yourself" (l-'orre.st, three weeks)—This collegiate musical has caught on solidly and will run out Its five weeks here, and m.aybe more. $2!>.000. '•Headin' South" {Keith's. 2d week)—Jlelntyre and Heath musical comed.v opened AVednesday with only fair business. "Golden Dawn" (Ohestnut. '2d week)—Operetta look«'d strong In stni'ting return engagement here, $25,000. ^ - "Mr. Moneypenny" (G.-iri'lck, three Weeks)—('banning Pollock play got .around $10,000 In second week. The Walinit 4s dark this week, with "Grand Street Follies" cotrilng In n"Xt Mond.'iy. "VZwohh Baggage" <h 'w le.- s/ifi.in $7,0'in In la.^:t week. in at POST'S CAST I.os A ."ele.-:; ,i.-it suppi'cMng Guy )» •The Play's the Thing,' tlie niliniore. Oct. '2(», Whitmore, liionel hu.slness of "Drieula." thi- :Vi.in','V! ^hirvin Muir, A. .1. Herbert. (Maude ; ring Ihlen at the Hollls, Opene.l to $1.*«)<) tito'-^'Hster, lialph Nairn. I hearsal . -^AST CHANCES .Ia< k Cli" I. In-, (* V f f.j.,j=»il Katherini" . '•>.:, |,t! Kay john.s«»i.. * Little .» ' * vi;,.j <, ^^ llarohl Woolt, in "Sr.;l!. ei> includes j Im'< mit"-. st.ige ni.in;ig< r lor Jii. Belmore, j Harris .s''Md:»eli.»n "<'on,<, it' '^»ar- .M»"i'kt>n, now in le- Oi't. 9. »t<"« I'ost iinflfiiiiinnnnflflMiinnflnnliflniifliiBBiiiiiiBiiMiiflniifliinniinnnnnnBniinw