Variety (Jan 1929)

00 VARIETY LEGIT I M A T E ' Wednesday, January 9, 1929 Shows in N. Y. and fommenl Fieures cstihiatec and comment point to some ^''"^ .uccessful, while the same gross accredited to others •"'9jtjuggest med.ocr.ty or .oss. . The var.ahce .8 exp.a.ned^.n the d.fferencejn house capacities with the varymg pverhead Also with consequent difference »n necessary gross of profit. V^^ance in business necessary for musical attraction ■? against dramatic play IS also considered. »ua ■ C^ass.ficatron of attraction/ house "Pa«'*y^ ■ P-^^^'J^^*?? admission scale given belovy. Key to classificatipn: G (comedy), D Tdra^a); n (revuej: M (musical comedy); F (farce) ;0 (operetta). A(Jvi1ss:ioiit^ tax; applies 07i. tickets over^Z. "A Most immoral Lady," t^oivL (i tli wciuU) ■ (C'.U-J,0!)4-.$3.85); , Broad- ■w-ivy (leniuioa .(j£ pi'oductions; roc ord i)iin\l)ei- o£ closinRs; New year's week no bolter tliiin pre- • dieted; -^Liidy"-, did fairly well "Angela," . Contary .(M-U,«90-f-1.40) Closed suddenly last Saturday .plav'ed live .weeks; first tliifC :U Amb^l.,ssadpr; ■ just; a- cut rate' musical. ■, , ■' ■ , "An mal Crackers," 4-llli Kt. Ulitli week) (M-1.323-$6..C0).. Btood out • again among leading ■ mumeals; '<;trengtlT o£ mailneos last week a ■ feature; around $40,000., ; ■ «Back Seat Drivers," Wallack s (C-770-$3). Was taken off la.sl • Saturday; played two weeks to . small pie.klngs; house dark. '('Blackbvrds,',' Bltinge .(36th week) ■(R-S!)2-$3).- Colored revue ratet. among iit-ason's musical Irits: although' It, opened last sprln^. . real trrtde has been draw^i since ■Labor Day; , ov«r $23,000 lasi week, creating new house i^ecord. "Brothers," 48th St, (3rd week) • (CD-^fiO-.$3)., Nothing to brag about;-paced over. $8,000 with cut rate aid. . ; "Caprice,:' .tluild (2ud week) (L. 914-$3). . Guild's .newest .<;omedy • hailed as- a hit; first Ayeek's tak- ing}! around $.1 (),000; includes, sub scrlplion coin, but' is' capacity ■ pace. "Congai," Sam H. Harris : (7th wfiQk) (]3-l,507-$3.85); Perhaps not a smash, but a real coin get ter that .sho^ild; last into springl . last week agiiiin ovev $l'8,000i •'Couraoe," Ritz (14th week) (D- j)l5-$3;8i)). Quite satisfactory; wavered; like the pthera, but esfabllshed • a reputation, with special, feminine draw; la;st week -.nearly $14,000. . "Deep Harlem," Biltmoro (R-1.000- $3). Colored sh6\y hot heard about heretofore; indiependently TSvesented; opened Monday night "LTamond Li I," Roy ale (40 th week) (CD-l,117-$3). Final week; made oxeellent run of it, standing up well until recently, dropping to $9,000; 'Treciotis" :s\'ill follow In next week. . ~. "Fellow Thru," .Chanin's 46th St. (Ist week) .(M-1,4.13-$D.50).' Pre sented by Schwab and Mandel; musical highly regarded out of town; opens tonight (Jan. 9). "Front Page," Times Square (22nd week) (C - 1,057 - $3,85.). . Other c(nncdic5i and dramas arc top ping this early hit; still Inakln coin,' however; $15,000 or more. "Good Boy," Hammerstein's (19th week) (M- 1,400 - $0.60). .. .Came back to .previous pace of about $26,000; at that figure both house and show (musical) make a profit. "Gypcy," Klaw (C-830-$3). Pre mioro postponed until next^week "High Road," Fulton (19th week) (C-9l4-?3.85). Final week; Eng- lish comedy did very well most of the engagement; lasit week $15, 000 olaimml; could stay, but lim ited out-oC-town dates because several in cast are then returning to London. . . "Hollo, Daddy," Mansfield (3rd week). (M - 1,050 - $5.50). Some (luestion as lo oh.mccs because of divided opinion about nc^v musi- ' -Oal; last week- $24,000 . e.^ttimated. "Hello, Yourself," Casino (11th week) (M -1,477 .-$5.50). Final , week; moderate run to fair busi- ness considering scale and hook- up; rated around $20,000; "liooni, l'oom" due, next week.. •H.-.ld Everything," Uroadhurst (.Mth wee.k) (J\I-l,47.7-$5.50).. Only '.'Wlioop'ec"; \ai>pears to be in hlghor demand;. , capacity ■; agixln . last: week- l^or another great gro.s.s • ■ over ' $35,000, •Holiday/' Plymouth (Tth week) (CD-1,012-$3.S5). Stand-out show of the current comedies'; one added performance la.st week; that and New Year's Eve sent taking.s to $25,000. •Jarnegan," Longacre (16th. week) (CD-l,019-$3.85). . Due to tour after one mbi*e< week; did very well during fall, easing off a bit too much lately:, $11,000. "Jealousy," Maxihe Elliott (12th week) (D-l»24-$3). Two-person drama has made the gi'ado and • will continue for a time; husl ^ Tic.ss^jus^,under $7,000 hio tVwe^k. ^but satisfactory. .. ' "Lady Dedlock," Ambasai^dor (2Jid week) (D-L200-$3). ITardly fig- ures to remfiin, though removal • to another house rei)t)rted after next week; road dates more likely; "Little Accident" will moyr here from Moro.sco. "L'ttle Accident," Moro.<»co (14th week) (C-898-$3). About six wr>oks more for well IJkcd farce, •which will go to Ambassador .Tan 21: "Serena Blanlsh" will follow here on lhat dato. •Mima," Jiclasco (6th week) (D- 1,000-$5.50). Wth.nvatineefi t'oing to capacity last week, dramatic leader hit a new high mark of $26,700;- .exct-piional ))0X oJficc strength. " , On Can . Girl," Waldorf. Closed .yudderily last .Saturday; pUtycd nmc weeks on cut rate baMis, with takings $4,000 to $5,000. . "One Way Street," George M. Co- han (3rd week) (D-l,371-$3.). Business moderate at from $6*000 to . $7,000; that pace not- sati.sfac- tory to house', which Is seeking another attraction. "Paris," Music Box (14tli week) (C-l,000-$4.40).. .Was affected be- fore holidays, but came. back, to substantial, business and . figures to last well .into spring; $18,000 last week. .' ■ .'. ' "Polly," Lyric (1st week) (M.-1.406- $5.50). Preaented' by Arthur Hammerstein; Gijy Bolton, George Middleton and Isabel . Leighton, the book; Arthur Caesar, lyrics; Herljert . Stothart and . Philip Charig, music; openied Monday. : "Potiphar's Wife," Craig (CD-l,434r $3>. Closed suddenly last Satur- day; ptay^'d two weeks weakly. "Poppa," Hudson (3rd week (C- l,094-$3). Moved : here . . fro.ih Biltmore, Monday, after nllm showing; under $3,000 e.stlmitted "Scandals,"' Apollo (28th week) (R-'l,16S-$5:50). Newer musical.^ . have the call, this one having been off for some time; last week estimated around . $30,000; . miay go to road before long. . ' * "Show Boat," Ziegfeld (55th week) (M- 1,150 - $6.60). Also applies here, but wa9. the leader for nearly a year; will probably last into March, then the road;: $35,000 estimated last week. "Skidding," . Bayos (34th week) (G-861-$3).' Endurance of this, one explained by modest operat- ing cost; cut rates have given it $4,000 to $5,000 weekly. "Strange Interlude," John Golden (50th week). . (D - 900 -$4.40). Nearly a year and expected to last through season; last week bufrine.ss again . approxiniated:; capacity; $16;000. . 'JStreet Scene," Playhouse (1st week) (D-879-$3). Presented by Williani A. Brady; .written by Elmer Rice; opens Thurs. (Jan. 10). Street Wolf," Garrick (D-537-$3). Taken off last SaturdJiy; played one Week, . • "That Ferguson Family," Little (3rd week) (C-530-$3). Due to move to " iGarrlck next week, although last week's takings estimated at $3;000; .'.'House Unguarded'.' comes here next week. "The Age of, Innocence," Empire (7th week) (C-l,099-$4,40). Sub- stantial success Indicated, having done good business from the start; estimated pace about $17,000. The Jealous Moon," Majestic (8th week) (CD-l,776-$3), Playing to moderate trade; business last week between $10,000 and. $11,000. considerably under expectations. "The Houseboat on the Styx," Lib- erty (3rd week) (M-l,202-$5.50). Claimed over $18,000 last wieek by virtue of big New Year's Eve at- tendance; must show strength to remain. 'The Kingdom of God," Ethel Bar- rymore (D-lvl00-$3.85). - ^: ■ . "The Marriage Bed," Booth (1st week) .(C-70S-$3). Presented by Sam H. Hdrris by arrangement with Felix Young; adapted from Ernest Pascal's novel of same name; opened Monday. "The .New Moon," imperial (17th week) (O-l,i05-$.^i;50). One; of the- ■ musical leadens; operetta cam" back with arrival of holidays: . better than $38,000 cl.aimed; "The Red Robe," Shubert (3rd . week) (D-l,395-$5.50). Regarded having very good chance; wa? ' ktept on tour quite a time-while b<iing fixed up; l.-ist week $36,000 estiniated. "The Sign of the Leopai-d," National (5th week) (D-l,164-$3). Pih.al week; business light, on cut rate basi.s- from start; "Zeppelin" will arrivo hoi'O ■ next week. "The Skyrocket" (l.'^t week) (C-95r- $3.85). Prosdnted by Gilbert Mil- ler in n.ssociation with Guthrie McClintic; writl en by Mark Heed; =^due^Fi.lda^^(^r{iM:^14^.T ^- -.-r= =.^=. "The Squealer,?' Forrest (D-l.Ol!)- $3). Closed sud<lt.'nly last Satut from now on will indicate run chancea; last week estimated around $40,000. ^ "Tomorrow,^'' Lyceum. Closed sud- denly last Saturday;, played a week and two days; "The Sky- rocket" booked in this week. . , "Tonight at Twelve," Hudson .((:- 1 904'-$3). ' WAS taken off last Sat- urday, too; played eight weeks, starting fairly^ but slipped stead- Ily; "Poppa" nioved In from Bilt- more Monday. , T "Treasure Girl," Alvln (M-I.400- I $6.60). Closed last Saturday aftei playing nine weeks to moderate trade for a major musical; house :] : dark; may get '•Loving Ann" a bit l»i't€*r "Three Cheers,'* Globe (13th week) (M - 1,416 - $.6.60). Another •. big money musical from the start; paced arOund $40,000 . again last; week; should last out the season. "Vanities," Earl Carroll (22nd week> (R - 968 - $'7.70). Improved last week, $30,000 being claimed "Floretta" mentioned as possible successor in four weeks, although another house -also jnentioned for that show. "Vermont," Erlanger's (1st week) (D-l,520-$3).: Presented by George M. Cohahr written by A. , E. Thomas, Who appears in cast opened Tuesday. : "White Lilacs," Jolsoh's (17th week) (O-l,776-$5.50). Final Week; op- eretta averaged. $20,000 for a tlm<f but never got real . grosses; "Chauve-Souris," new edition, Jan. 22. • "Wings Over Europe," Martin Beck . .(5th week) ,(P-1^189-$3). Business to date satisfactory, assured Dy subscription^ which extend six weeks; about $16,500. Whoopee," New Amsterdam (6th week) (M - 1.702 - $6,60). . More standeesthan ever liast Week; is musical smash of seia.<3on; close to $50,000. . "Young Love," Masque (lUh week; (CD-700-$G.6()). Final week; got $7,500 last: week, extra matinee getting coin, but llttle trade at; nothing booked to follow. Special Attriactlons^Little Theatres I "The Guinea Pig," President (for- merly Totten); opened Monday. . "Macbeth," Knickerbocker (8th week); revival; goes out Satur- day; "Wayburn's Gambols" next "Major' Barbara," Republic (8th week); revival moved from Guild, around $9,000. "The Perfect, Alibi," Hopkins (7th week); capacity In 300-seater.. "Falstaff,", Coburn; taken off last Saturday; \ two weeks; Coburns 1 resume Thursday with "The Yel- low Jacket." "The Wild Duck," 49th Street (8th week); revival; will be followed by "The Lady from tn? Sea." "Cyrano de. Bergerac," Hampden's (3rd'Week); revival ^'Singing Jailbirds"; resumes at Cherry Lane. Civic Repertory, 14th street; Eva Le GalHenne's company. Ruth Draper, monologs, Comedy: -will continue through .Tar.ujTV. "Sun-Up," La Verne; revival. "S. 8. Glencairn," Provincetown; revival of O'Nell sea plays. Holiday Weeks N. S. G. For PMBy's Legits Joe Cook's Sbow's Big Start Was hternipted day; played eight weeks; did fair business at first, then dipped do^yn under $6,000. "This Thing Called Love," Bijou (17th week) (C-0S5-$3,S5). Final Week; going on toUr; did fairly well first throe month.s, later dropping to $7,000 or . less; hou.se probably dark. "This Year of Grace," Selwyn (10th week) (R-l,167-$6.60). Has been up. In the big money to date; pace Boston, Jan. 8. With extra performances at most of the theatres because of New Year's, last week was one of the biggest from a box office stand- point that the town is liable to have for quite a while. Town nice- ly balanced aa far as. the musicals and dramatics were concerned. One of the few tough brea,ks was at..the ; Shubert Where the Joe Cook show, "Rain or Shine," had to close after Wednesday, because of the sudden sicknesa of Cook. ThI.s show ;w6uld. have been the biggest money maker in. town if it hadn't been for the Interruption. Cook returned last (Monday) night. "Marco Millions," at the Hollis. was thei strbngieat in the dramatics. Did $24,00d last week. . At the Maijestlc TrInI In "Cafe de Dah.sc" was' not a very hot proposition, about $li2.000 for th*> week, while at the Plymouth "And So to Bed" grossed about $11,000. The Chicago Opera, In the first week at the Bo.Tton Opera House, got about $11,500. Estimates for Last Week "Blackbirds" (Colonial, 10th wook J—$27,000. "Rain or Shine" (Shubert, ,3rd week)—Did $24,000 for part of last week. "Cafe de Danse" (Majestic, .3rd week)—Not very strong; about $12,000. - _=j«T=he=Royal-Famil.yy=C-Wlll>u»-T-3i-<l= week)—With Nine performances $in,000; good. . "Marco Millions" (HolllM, 2d week) — Topped dramatics with $24,000. . . ' "And So to Bed" (Plymouth. 3d WO(i]c)—Fairly well with eight per- formancos; $11,000. Chicago Opera (Boston Opera house, 2d week) — First week grna'^ed $11,000, "Billie" (Colonial, 1st week)— Final week of "Jim the Penman" did $14,000. .'■ Philadelphia, Jan. 8. • Holiday weeks have gone, with generally devastating results for PhlUy's legit theatres, although two or three of the 10 houses managed to di.sregard. tho slump almOst en- tirely. „ . ' The biggest surprise was "A Con- necticut'" Yankee" at the Walnut. This musical opened last fall at the same hcwtise and did three good weeks. . Many .wefe skeptical as to its strength oh a return visit. 'The doubters were confounded when "The Yankee" , got about $20,000 Christmas week, without extra per- formances, and last week jumped to over $29,000, With the aid of the boosted scale New Year's Eve, and one exti-a matinee. The actual leader was/'The Three Musketeers," at theHrlanger. Never hit a complete capacity stride but did over $38,000 Christmas week, and about $44,000 last week with the aid of a $6 top New Year's Eve. No extra matinees. . "Boom Boom/' the try-out which came into the. Forrest Christmas night, frost from the start. . Dramatic attractions made pitiful records. Mrs. Fiske's revival of "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Broad wa.s a fiasco frOm the start despite critical raves. This week.has four dramatic and two musical atti-actions bowing in. .Next week was to have had only one operiirig, Carroll's "Floretta" at the Erlanger,- but recent develop- ments have added two more. The departure of Ned Wayburn's "Gam- bols" this Saturday,, a week earlier than expected, resulted in the book- ing of "The High Road" at the Gar- rick next Monday, and the flop of. "Bopm Boom" has caused the sud- deri booking of Fortune Gallo's "Yankee Doodle" at the Forrest the same evening. The week of the 21st will , bring "Jarnegan" to the Walnut, "AH the King's Horses" (tryout) to the Broad, and "Rain or Shine" to the iShUbert. ... . Estimates for Last,Week "Serena Blandish" (Broad, 1st week). New Jed Harris tryout opens Wednesday. Mrs. Fiske's re- vival of "Much Ado About Nothing" pathetic flop. ' : "Luckee Girl" (Shubert, 7th week). Strong musical opposition hurt during holiday weeks but prob ably still profitable.. Claimed $23, 000 last week. Wayburn's "Gambols" (Garrick. 2d week). This revue got mixed notices but with boosted gcalie New Year's Eve, when it opened; grossed between $25,000 and $26,000. "High Road" nex:t week. "Lady Fingers" (Keith's, 1st week). New musical try-out with Eddie Buzzell highly touted in ad^ vance. "Mary Dugan" stayed too long. "Well, Well, Well" (Chestnut, lat ■week). New musical comedy In for limited stay. "Boom, Boom" (Forrest, 3d week) This Shubert musical try-out a flop and leaves Saturday. "Yankee Do.odle" substituted. '^Gentlemen of the Press" (Wal- nut, 1st week). Newspaper comfedy in for two weeks. "A Connecticut Yankee" broke all existing housa records last week, between $29,000 ' and $30,000 last wieek. "The Three Musketeers" (Er- langer, 3d week). Ziegfeld oper- etta led town in grosses last Week due to high scale. Almost $44,000; "Exceeding Small" (Adelphi, 1st week). Actors' Theatre production in for limited stay. "Marriage Bed," with three matinees, got. around $15,000 last Week, a gain of about $6,000. . "Burlesque" (Lyric, 1st week)- In for run. "One Mile Tip," despite pretty good notices, got less than $12,000. .Very Weak Christmas .week. XOQUEHE' CHI DRAMA LEADER Frisco Grosses San Francisco, Jan. 8. New Year's week spelled prOflt for most of the legits, only attraction not showing unusual strength be ing Shubert's "Gay Faroe." . Nance O'Nell opened a three weeks' engagerhent at the Geary in "The .Silver Cord," to excellent .Both ibuffy attractions clicked I solidly. "Lombard!; Ltd.," with Leo I Carlllo, took top honors, but only bv a few dollars over "This Thing Called Love," at the President. Return engagement of "Mary Du gan," at Columbia, proving satis- factory, second week jumping up three or four grand over Xmas week. ' - Estimates for Last Week Currari — "Gay Paree." $25,000. Two more weeks. Geary—"Silver Cord." First ap- pearance here of Nance O'Nell in .several years. Six .days bettered ^ri jiQO^^...^^._ _ _j Columbia-"-"Mary Dugan." CJreat oast (coast) helped to around $12,- 000 on 2nd week. Alcazar—"Lombardi, Ltd." Wound ui) 7th week, to $7,10.0. End not yet In' sight. President — "This Thing Called Love'-; 2nd week healthy at $7,000; Run is looked for. . Green Street — "Ea.sy For Zee Zee." Combination midnight show, with dinner and dancing thrown in, helped gro.ss to above $3,000, Nice pro lit. Chlcgav. .Ian. 8. With holiday ;festivitles . ovej-, le- git niaha'gers are. beginning to- sharpen pericils for. some tall .fig- uring. New Year's Week was prof- itable for neairly a,ll concerned, what With extra shows, increased prices and general gala spirit. From now on it's something elsfe again. Exo- dus has already, begun. Pour shows went out Saturday night, leaving as many dark houses, while four more are due to go next week. However*, there are.new shows on hand ro try their luck. "The Scariest Woman"! moves into the Cort Jan. 13, while the Woods relights with "This Thing Called Love", the next day. "Hello, Your- self," will occupy the Grand after •Tan. 15, and "Music in May" is un- . dei-lined for the Great Northern the 20th. Ziegfeld Will bring in "Rosa- • lie" to the Illinois Jan. 21, while George Arliss in "The Merchant of. Venice" will replace '.Blossorii Time" at the Studebaker the same d&:y and remain to Feb, 4, when the Stratford^Upori-Avon Players are at home In the house. Out of the list of openers Je.S3el'8 • "War Song," "Coquette" and "Bach- elor "Father" received the gravy.^ ^ Jessel was the only thing approach- . ing a sell-oUf Xmas Eve,; doom night ■.■■„ of the year. Nine shows gave extra : mates New Year's Day, while.the Shu- .. berts pulled the only inidntte show with "Lovely Lady," getting a $7.70 top for. the performance. "Redemp- tion," in for two weeks at the Woods, finished to fair returns. •Played in Germian, the show dre-^ the class first rilghters, later drop- ping to an almost exclusive foreign attendance. Estimates for Last Week "War Song" (Harris, 2d week). As expected, Jessel is drawing ex- tensive Jewish trade.. Should go big for the next five or six weeks; $231000 last week. "Coquette (Selwyn, 2d week). Helen Hayes attracting class of town. Leads all non-mu,f)icals with .. $26,000. "Redemption" (Woods,. 2d, last)» (3ritics raved about Moissl, though; most of them failed to understand the Gernian lingo. .Figured around $40,000 for the two weeks. "Bachelor Father" (Blackstone, 2d week). Got, Off tO great iatart and looks big enough to continue at steady pace. Pulled $22,000, "Front Page" (Erlanger, 6th week). Picking up and. going along nicely. Eliminated Wed. mat* last week, but still got $22,000. "Mary Dugan" (Adelphi, 20th week). Will hold on until March, according to plans; $16,000 Okay. "Blossom Time" (Studebaker, 7th ■. week). Two more .weeks for this one. Originally figured out by that time. . In the holiday melee got around $16,000. "Aiipearances" (Princess, .2d week). Treated kindly by the crit- ics, with Jolson anid BelasGO names: linked as sponsors' of the author. Didn't help any. About $5,000. "Lovely Lady" (Garrick, 2d week). With three mats and extra mldnite show New Years', chalked up better than $35,000. Next cOuple of weeks will decide. "Abraham's Bosom" (Playhouse, 7th, last). Mild exit at around $6,000. "Shannons of Broadv^ay" (Cort, 9th week). Ready to depart next week. Hit about $10,000 last week. "Rio Rita" (Illinois. 13th week). Last two weeks; then "Rosralle." $11 gate New Year's eve rocketed gross to around $42,000, "Golden Dawn" (Grand, 7th, last). Wound-^up a disappointment. Wcntl • out to $20,000. "My Maryland" (Great Northern, 17th. final). Closed after Saturday matinee to about $16,000 on tho week, - . ■ "Desert Song" (Majestic, 2d week). Looking for repeaters. Exr pected to. pull out in a few weeks with . "Jufrt a Minute" to follow. Got around $i8,00't». LL Grosses Loa Angeles,; Jan. 8. "Front Page," at Bela.sco, was the . town wow last week, gathering $18,- 000 w>?h the aid of a midnight per- formance New Year's eve. Runner- up was tho Lupino Lane Revue at Hollywood Music Box, with $14,000. Of this sum approximately $7,000 came in on the two Now Year's eve shows. Stratford-on-Avon Players. In their first yveek at Erianger's Ma.son had an Increased pace of the boli'l'i^y sW.?o1f^\vTOra~repb"rl^^^^ The Biltmoro, first weeking with "The 19th Hole," pretty good at $11,- 600. "Iter Cardboard Lover," at Vine Street, around $7.300.. Holly- wood Playhou.<=o got $5,900. on third week of "Daddie.s." El Capitans third week with "So. This Is Lon- don" grossed $5,200. > "Beggar's Opera," the old perennial, was, worth $0,400 to the Figuerora Playhouse in Its sec- ond week. "Take My Advloe. at tne Pro.«<idcnt, reported $4,800.