Variety (Apr 1929)

VARIETY L E G I T I M AT E Wednesday. April 3« 19S» Shows in N. Y. and Comment Figures ettimatecS and eocnmani point to (omo attraetiont being •uceeieful. while the same greti aecredited to others might suggest mediocrity or less. The vananee is explained in ths difference^ln house oaoaelties with the varying overhead Also the sin of east; with eonse^uent difference in necessary gross of profit Variance in business necessary for musical attraction as against dramatle 'play IS also considered. Classificiition of attraction, house capaelty and top prices of tho admission scale given below. Key to classification i C (comedy) i O (drama): ft (revue): M (muiicai eomedyti F (farce)! O (operetta) AdmisHon tax applies ot> tickets over $3. "A Most Immoral Lady," Cort (leth week) (CD-l,094-$8) Holy We«U buBlness a Burprlse, grosses hold- ing up to the previous levels, some shows even better; "Lady" $8,000; may leave soon. "Animal Crackers," 41th St. <24th. week) (M-l,323-»6.60). Pinal week; was slated to move; business was better- with the aid of some cut rates; about t?4,000. •Appoarancoe," Hudson (1st week) (CD-l,094-$8). A play by a col- ored bellhopi Garland Anderson; was shown atop the New Amster- dam several BeaBoii3 ago,. unsuc- cessful; opened Monday In revised form. "Blackbirds," BlUnge (48th week) (R-892-$3). Colored revue will soon celebrate a year's run; looks good Into warm weather; little difference In pace; - tlS.OOO las^ -BM in Hahd," Booth (C-708-(8). Presented by the Shuberts; writ- ten by John Drlnkwater; English oomfwny brought here Intact: opens Thursday (April 4). ■'Brothers," 48tb St (16th week) (CD-969-$3). Expected to extend ' lAt6 summer period; business profitable right along; averaging better thSn |10,000. with some cut rates. ''Caprice," Guild (14th week) (C- 914-18). Noi dokt in trade here . last '«^eek at all; played nine per- iormanoes and again got close to »21.000. -,*%on1liot," Fulton (4th week) (CD- 1^14-18). Resumed Monday after .j.^ylng oft Holy Week; revised in fljaterlm, story being somewhat j.' changed. fX^ourage," Ritz (4tli week) (CD- '. 946-.$S.86). Theatre parties aided last week, thai being bo with a number of attractions; business Jtfmj^d; over tH.liOO;' good through spring.' ' "Dynamo,^ Beck (8th week) (D- . .I,18?>t3« Final week; business ' slipped as expected; about |10,000 las.t, week; house dark next we^, then gets ''Camel's Through a Needle's Eye." fFtorotta," Earl Carroll (9th. week) <M-etf8-|7.70). Btm getting a good play though olaimed to be . expensively hooked up; estimated at $84,000. "Follow Thru," Chanin's 46tb St. 13th week) (M-1,418-»5.B0). Re- garded the actual muelcal leader because .of dontlnued top ticket demand: goes to standee trade all performances; olose to 841, 000 Weekly. "front Page," Times Square (84th week> (C-l,067-$8.86>. Goes to enbway cironlt" after next week; got )9,E00 last week and made money. . "Qood Boy," Hammerstein's (25th week) (M-l,<00-86.e0). Pace re Gently has been around $17,000 mark; show .can break about even; should pick up. "Harlem," Apollo (7th week) (D l,168r$3). Colored drama is get . ting class play on lower floor and to regarded set through spring; $12,000 which Is alright for show of this kind. , '•Hello Daddy," Cohan (16th week) - (ld-l,871-$6.B0). Held up very ■wen; used cut rates but that goes - for others too; last week's takings claimed well over $17,000. "Hold Ev^tythlno," Broadhurst ' (S6th week) |M-1,118-$6.E0). One case where Holy Week trade-was •otter than the lirevloua week: Iiad dropped a bit but got almost ' $88,000. •Holiday," Plmouth (19th week) (C-1,012-$3.8B). Virtually no let tip in the oorklng business this one has drawn from the start over $20,600 last week, "Indiscretion," Mansfleld (6th week) (D-1,060-$S).' Will close unless some last minute change is de- cided on; business has been wound $6,000. •Journeyo End." Henry Miller's <8rd week) (D-948-$4). Newest dramatic hit judged from first full ' week's business when $19,000 was drawn; demand In ticket agencies i;<|ulckly jumped to first place. "KIbltxor," Boyate (7th week) (C- l,ll£-$3). HOs been getting money; favored by theatre par- ties, which Is one reason; last week's gross ot tlBmV included . Several s^ch block ticket sales. ■tady ■ Fingers," Liberty- (lOth bere from Vanderbllt Monday; In- - dlcated pace had been around $14,- - 000; more expected here, "tet Us B« Gay," LttUe (7th week) ; (C.C80-t8.86). Gross was higher -, than estlntfited;' last week with Itn extrft natfiiee It was $14,600 . and more, the iirevlous week, olso . tiihe pierformances; two added matinees this week. "Little Accident," Ambassador (2eth week) (C-l,200-$8). Counted among the most consistent of the season's comedies* pace lately, has beeh oVer $18,000. "Man's Estate," Blltmore (1st week) (D-l,000-$3). Presented by the Theatre Guild; written by Bruce Gould and Beatrice Blaokmar; opened Monday night. ■"Meet The Prince," Lyceum (6th week) (C-9E7-$8). Doing moderate business; recent pace has ap- proximated $8,000; should pick up and may stick for a time. "Mima," Belasco (17th week) (D-1,- 100-$6.60). High scaled drama eased off somewhat but still among the leaders; last week esti- mated around $14,000. "Music In May," Casino (1st week) (O-l,477-$6.60). Presented by the Shuberts; well regarded out of town; several new names apiong authors: book by Fanny Todd Mitchell, score by Elmily Berte ' and Maury Rubens; lyrics by J. Klem Brennah; opened Monday. "My Q?rl Friday," RepubUo ^7th week) <C-901-$8). Using cut rates; business claimed to be sat- isfactory with the Indicated tak- ings $9,000. "Mystery Square,"^Longacre (let week) (G-l,019-t8). Independently presented^, written by Hugh A. Anderson and George Bwnnan from Robert I<ouls Stevenson's "Suicide Club"; opens Thursday (Apra 4). Pleasure Bound," Majestio <7th week) (R-l,775-$6.50). LitUe or no difference in trade Holy Week; one~ theatre party only; takings around $86,600; some cut rating. Security," Maxlne Elliot (2nd week) (D-924-$4). Opened Thurs- day (Maiyih 28); first nighters differed as to chances; critics ptoked on it. "8<««na Blandish," Morosoo (11th week) (C-l,893-$4.40). Book play has fooled some of the talent; a class . draw; Still making some coin; tl2,0(IO. "She Got What She Wanted," Wal- lack's (6th week) (C-776-$8). Im- vroved further; with Uberal- cut rating takings went to about $6,- 000; playlncr daily matinees this "Show Boat," Ztegfetd (e7th week) (M-lAe0-$6.60). Picture version of "Show Boat" starts in two weeks, but Is not expected to affect pace of Zleggya production, which while off slightly got nearly $82, 000 lASt w^olc* "Skidding,? Bayes (46th week) (C- 861-$8). On« ot the best out raters on the list, where It has been from the start: figured be- tween $4,000 and $6,000, and prof liable. "8»-infl Is Here," Alvln (4th week) (M-l,887-$6.60). New musical slightly up and due to spurt this week; estimated around $30,000 or a bit more. "Strange Interlude," Golden (e2d week) (D-600-$4.40). Slid off last week, only to be expected at this stage of the run, but -got $14,000. which'Is plenty for six-perform ' once weekly attraction. "Street Scene," Playhouse (ISth week) (D-873-$8.86). The dra- matic leader; even matinees sold out last week: takings over $21,- 000^ house record expected this week, when dally matinee will be Riven. "That Ferguson Family," Masque (16th week) (CD-700-$8). Pro- ducer looking for another house, but no reason; gross not $2,000 "The Devil's Mistress" due to fol low next week. 'The Age of Innocence," Empire (16th week) (C-1.099-14.40) fev» weeks more, -after which Katherlne Cornell will call it season; to tour next season; $12, 000 lately. "The New Moon," Imperial (29th week) (0-1,44(1-96.60). Another example of Holy Week's excep- tional business; got over $36,600, which bettered previous week. "The Red Robe," Shubert (16th week) (O-l,896-$6.60). May be moved to Jolson's soon for In tensive cut rating; business around $19,000 lately. "The Whispering Gallery," 49th St (8th week) (D-708-$3). Theatre parties aided last week, when the takings were claimed to have bettered $7,000; previously did little. ^ i^.Three~Cheer8,tt-Globe^(26th-week) (M-l,418-$6.60). Going out after another week for limited engage- ment In. the larger cities, except Chlcogo; last week about $84,000. "Whoopee" New Amsterdam (18th' week) (M-i:700-$6.60). Brood way's leader In no Way affected last week; well over. $48,p00; aV' eroge since opening has been $48,600. 4 Tryonts Abandoned; Town's Woman" Dispute "The Town's Womaii," which closed aftQT two weeks at the Craig, but.which expected to resume hero: or in CUcago, is definitely finished. Mooney and Burtle, who- authored and. presented it, intended trylnff the road but the b. r. failed. . On top ot that they bad other troubles, one being a oledm .^f plagiarism filed with the Dramatists Guild by Fred Ballard and Charles Bickford. The latter wrote a play called "Curbs Cruisers" In whtoh a woman Is tarred and feathered.' In Town's Woman"-'a bunch of Klux- ers threaten to do that The mat- ter is being arbitrated and tn the meantime the sale of the picture Ights Is being held up. Last Saturday's try-out closings Included "Bedfello'ws,'' offered, by Bernard Levey who formerly was interested in "Town's Woman." Bedfellows" played two and' one- tuxlf weeks. Claims for salaries were filed by several in the cast on contracts guaranteeing at least four weeks. ^ Penthouse" stopped at Jackson Heights after playing two weeks. The oast ;walved the usual..«alary guarantee. Show was presented by Lubetty and Bllven. 'Castanets" was abandoned after rehearsing 10 days. Two weekn salary ' was paid. The show was backed by W. P. Tanner, said to be a wheat merchant. ''Congai's** Late Date Baltimore, April 2. While an audience sat In the Mitryland Theatre here from 8:30 to 9:68 waiting, for the curtain to ring up on "Congol," when the con- ductor's muslo supply was ex- hausted spectators adjourned to the :Johby and sta'^ed the money-back act. The trouble was due .to someone slipping a cog in New York. The show. laying off Holy Week, was billed to open here Saturday night When It tailed to arrive Saturday, Leonard B. McLaughlin, house man- ager of the Moryfand, -got busy with the long distance. Show was still In Manhattan. It was hurriedly loaded, but the scenery-didn't reach the stage door until after 4 p. m. The tempo of the show was quickened to beat the witching hciur, and the audience, sensing this, gave .the performance a good-natured > xz. Margaret Wycherly. RIcIiard Nlc oils. Phyllis Joyce. Qwyneth Gor- don, H. H. McCullum. LyIe Stack- pole. Horace Pollock. Leslie King, Oscar Berlin (Ben Stein, producer), Wilfred Lucas, Eileen Culshaw. Margaret Pitt. ^'Confiiet" Lewis Leverett "The^Sea Oull." Gwyneth Gordon, Richard Nlch' oils. LyIe Stockpole and Horace Pol lack for "Jade God." Harry Beresford, "The PeMect Alibi.'* out ot cast tluree months, 111- Shows in Rj^earsal "Congratulations" (liawrenee Shubert), iBarrlak. '| "Marry the Maii" (C^yde EI- Uott). Knickerbocker. "Little Show" (Broidy. Wi- man & Weatherly).' Muslo Box. "Before You're 2S'K (Law- rence'Boyd). Booth. "The Camel Thru tha Needle's Eye" (Theatre OuUd). Guild theatre. Veiller Suit to Triad Bayard Veiller seemingly has a good cause foi^ action against the American Play Co. and A. H. Woods as producer of "Mary Du- gan," but ^Justice Sherma^ ' ad- vised his attorney, Joseph P. BIcIc- erton, Jr., to curtail. his elaborate bill of complaint and boll It down to a simple action for an s^ount- ing. On the other hand, the play broker's motion Uy dismiss ^thr suit was denied. . That means It win go to trial. Some years . ago, .when Veiller was' bToke, the Amerlcaii Play Co. advanced him sums of money. Veil- ler- now objects to a 20 per cent, kick-back to the company, al- thoujgb okaying 10 per cent As a result, the remaining 10 per cent difference is being held- in escrow for future adjudication. This sum now totals $7,694. As far as Velller's latest play is concerned, he has transferred all rights in "The Trial ot Maiy Du- gan" to his wife. Cast Changes "Silver Swan," musical presented by Herman Oantvoort—Charle^ Purcell for Laurence Wolfe; ^nny Emery^for Suzanne Keener; Franker Woods for Lee Daly. St6cKS OPENING Kenneth Burton has taken ^over the Baybnne^Opera house for stock. The first production Is now casting. Howard Hall, the former operator of the hoiise, suddenly idlsappeared and ca^ be located. The theatre was to opeh last Mpnday under Hall's management with "Over the HUU" but Hall didnt show up. FIRM READY TO SERVEANGELS Claiming that the Producers Cen- tral Bureau, Inci, with ofllces In the SardI Building, offers a com- plete service to these planning legit producttonsi William P. Famswortli, manager of the organization, at tho same ti^e denied that his ofilce was a clearing' house for "angels" anxious to brealc into show busi- ness, Associated with Farnsworth, who last seSiBon. produced "The Big Pond," flop' comedy, are Jo Mlel- ziner, scenlo artist; Marian Flor- ance, costume designer; and Harold VTJ Haymah; busiiless manager. The^ orguilzation, according to Farnsworth, operates like a depart- ment store for new leglt 'producers, passing en scripts, costing, engag- ing a director, renting theatres and handling all preliminary details In- cident tp staging a play. All this for a flat' guarantee and a percent- age ot the profit Farnsworth will pass on all plays submitted, Hay- man win handle the financial de- tails, Mlelzlner will take pare ot the settings and--lighting effects,' Miss Florance will .dress the show and Howard Benedict will dispense publicity for the novice prodJcer with ajbank rolL i Although the bureau began busi- ness late last week, Fams'^orth claims one ot the first callers was a inoney man anxious to.,produce a friend's play and, ready to lay $:0,000,on the line for the produc- tion. Convinced that the script held slight hope of success, Farns- worth says he turned down the 'angel's" offer. His logic in leav- In'^ him at the mercy of some sharp-shooting producer who might take him for a grand or more, wa^ that the next time he felt the pro- duction 'urge sneaking up on blm he would come to the Producers Central Bureau for advice and guid- ance, because of that offices hon- esty regarding bis Initial effort AHEAD AND BACK Edward B. Mullen, press work, "The Jade God," also Princess the- atre. Mike (3oldreyer, both Co. manage- ment and publicity, "Mystery Square," Longacre. A. W. Bachelder In Pittsburgh In advance of Chicago "Good News" company, Alvln, April 8. Larry Nelms, manager, "Zeppe- lin," subway time. Charles McCllntock, ahead 'Taris" (Irene Bordonl), on tour. Actor Immunity Fails Albany, N. T., April 2. j^semblyman Langdon Post's measure, a proposed amendment to the Wales Padlock law, which would eliminate summary arrest of actors in plays charged to be immoral, was snowed und<>r in Senate committee as the Legislature adjourned last Thursday. Miich other legislation was also side-tracked. Move to remove the odium of the patrol wagon from the stage door Is not d^d, however. Post bill,, having passed the Assembly unani- mously. Is In line for consideration by the senate at the next session. John Halloran, "The Whispering Gallery." 'Dorothtr Humphreys, "The Little Sho.w." , Ritz Quartet, "Whoopee." Joanna Roos. "Hallday." Special Attractions—Ljttie Theatres "Mrs. Bumpstead-Leigh," revival, with Mrs. Fiske starred; present- ed by George Tyler: opened Mon- day, Klaw. "Paolo and Franeesea," revival, starring Jane Cowl; two weeks only announced; opened Monday matinee, Easter, Forrest "Under the Gaslight," revival; opened Tuesday, People's Bowery (renamed from People's); pre- sented by Larry Fay and Alex Yokel. "He Walked in Her Sleep," force by Norman Cannon; opens Thursd&y (April 4) at Princess house was called Lucille J-£ Verne, but reverted. ' "The Perfect Alibi," Hopkins; little theatre hit. "The Lady from the Sea," revival; BlJou; final week. "After Dark," revival; RIaltot Ho- boken. "The Black Crook," revival; Lyrio; Hoboken. French Musical Comedy Co.| Jol- son's;. fifth and final week. "Cyrano de Bergerac," revival; Hampden's. -Trip—'•to--'Scarboroughi"—Jltney- Ployers; moved from Cherry Lone to Provlncetown.' "Bare.- Facts," Triangle. "S. 6. Gleneairn," Oarrick. Civic Repertory Co., 14tb Street,'. Eva. Le Galllenne's company, Ruth Draper, monologs; Comedy. Fay Marbe, specialties; Belmont. Dr. M. Sayle Taylor, sex lecture; /Sel-wyn. Mimi. Meets Opera Nut Minneapolis, April 2. ' Clilcago Grand Opera, company's four performances drew approxi- matfely $90,000, but there was prac- tically no profit for Mrs.. Carlyle Scott, local manager. Thirty^Jndividuals and business concerns had ^pledged $90,000. It was the. second successive season of grand opera in Mlnneajiolls and the guarantors were not called upon either time. Both seasons have gone over the top. Another season is assured for next year. Brady-Wiman's New Shares Albany, April 2. A change has been made In the capital structure of Brady & Wlman Productions (stagers of leglt plays on Broadway), capital having been increased from 100 shares to 6,600 shares,- ot which 6,000 are preferred and 1,600 common. The preferred' shares have a par of $100 each, while the common have no par value. Notice of change filed with the Secretary of State by the theatrical corporation's at torneys. Erasing Goodman Name (Chicago, April 2. Erected in 1926 by Mr. and Mrs, Willia m O. Goodman In memgJx^qf their playwright son, Kenneth Saw yer Goodman, and presented to the Art Institute lof Chicago, the Good- man Art theatre will now erase the name of Its donors. Art Institute lias decided to change the theatre's name to Art Institute of Chicago Civlo Bejier' tory theatre. SISTEBS' TEAMWOBK I Los Angeles, April 3. When Olive Tell -withdrew from the cast of "The House of Women" at the Flguora Playhouse, her part was transferred to her sister. Alma. WagstafPs Five Year Centraet Joseph Wagstaff has l>een signed by Fox for five years through Max Hart » Wagstaff Is a legit Juvenile, last In George M. Cohan's "Blllie." Bernard Replaces Doty Benny Bernard .has replaced Dan Dotjr as runway producer at the Mutual (the former Shubert), Ja- maica, L. I. B'way Theatres Rebel (Continued from page-l) plaint from one honest gal. - "I paid $1.39 Cor these stockings," she said, "and If you give me a dollar ril call it square." Astonished man- ager paid. ' The Palace Theatre feels that a good many complaints received are prearranged. However, they have made good op stockings and are al- ways fixing ladies' high heels torn off on the theatre steps. But when it comes to women Insisting that they got chewing gum on their dress when no chewing gum can be Jiimid^ pj-thcjeat or falling >,do\Kn In theatre and ripping their clothes they call a halt Patrons also often Insist , that ar- ticles like eyeglasses are stolen from tholr.pockets by theatre employees and when a pocketbook is lost the patron is always jcertain that the employees have found It and are keeping it