The New York Clipper (December 1919)

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6 B. COCHRAN, HERE, TO SEE FO UR SHOW S PRODUCED Has Contracts With A. H. Woods, &Ja*co, Shubert*. Expect* to Make Arrange me nU to Bring Over "Maggie" and :':\ ■ Z V 'Otfeer London Successes. The arrival here last week of Charles B. Cochran, English producing manager, means that at least four of his London successes will he produced here within the next two months, aside from his negotia- tions for a fight between Dempsey and Carpenter. Already one of his plays has been pro- duced in this country and is scheduled to reach New York within the next few weeks. This is the musical revne called "As Yon Were," which was presented ont of town recently by Bay Goetz in association with A. H. Woods, and in which Sam Bernard and Irene Bordoni are the featured players. Probably this week, Cochran stated on Monday at the Hotel Knickerbocker, where he is stopping with his wife, the Shnberts will place in rehearsal "In the Night Watch," a three-act drama from the French of Claude Farrere and Nepoty, by Michael Morton. Through an arrangement with A. H. Woods, "The Great Illusion." is scheduled to go into rehearsal shortly. This is a three-act comedy from the French of Sacha Guitry, the American version having been written by Avery Hopwood. David Belasco has practically con- tracted - to produce, in association with Cochran, "Deburau," a three-act fantastic comedy in verse, which Granville Barker, who arrived from London last Sunday on the Adriatic, translated from the French of Sacha Guitry. In addition, Cochran stated that he hoped to arrange for the early presenta- tion here of "Maggie," a musical comedy now running at one of the Cochran the- atres in London. Thompson and Maltby wrote the book and lyrics, respectively, and the score was composed by Marcel Lettes. It is quite probable that "Afg&r," the Moorish extravaganza, with music by George Cuvillier, book by Fred Thompson, and lyrics by Morton David and Douglas Furber, will be produced here.shortly by Mr. Cochran himself, he stated. He also expects to produce, through some local manager, "Eclipse," a farce, with music by Melville Gideon'and Herman Darewaki, the play having been written by Fred Thomp- son and E. Phillips Oppenheim. Commenting on the proposed Dempsey- Carpentier fistic encounter in London, Cochran stated that he has a definite agree- ment with' Carpentier for the latter to fight Dempsey, not an option on his services, as the news reports have it; and that last Saturday he forwarded a bona fide proposition to Dempsey which, up to Monday of this week, had not bees an- swered. He stated that at the recent Carpentier- Beckett fight, which he promoted at the Hoban Stadium in London, the top price charged was approximately $125 and the minimum was $17. At these prices, a packed house greeted the event, and while he refused to tell the gross that was re- alized, some idea of the money taken in may be gleaned when it is considered that the Hoban Stadium contains 20,000 seats. However, he expects to stage the Dempsey- Carpentier fight in a London arena, which seats upwards of 22,000 people, with prices ranging from $17 to $125 for ringside seats. Following a trip to Philadelphia last Monday, where he witnessed a performance of "As You Were," Mr. Cochran and his wife, left for Florida, where they will re- main two weeks. From Florida they will return here, where Mr. Cochran will acquire several American plays for produc- tion in London, previous to sailing for home. Incidentally, he stated that when "Afgar" is produced here, Mile. Delysia, the featured player in the show now run- ning in London, would probably appear in the leading role. NEW ORLEANS OPERA BROKE New Obxeass, Dec. 28.—The New Orleans Grand Opera Company is in a state of financial collapse, it was an- nounced here this week. Subscription funds have been practically exhausted, and whether or not the local season comes to a speedy close depends entirely on the at- tendance of the general public at the next few performances. - Coming as an added announcement to the company's financial troubles, is the statement that Mrs. Oscar Hammerstein, widow, of the late impresario, has for seme weeks past been, negotiating with the focal organization in an effort to secure them- for - * New York engagement at the Manhattan Opera House. It was also stated that if the present opera season proved a failure, plana for the rebuilding of the French Opera House would be dis- continued. When seen last week by a Curm rep- resentative, Mrs. Hammerstein stated that she was negotiating with the New -Orleans company and admitted that if the season Should prove a failure there, she hoped to bring the organization to New York. BENNETTS ARE RECONCILED The divorce suit filed by Mrs. Delia Bennett against her husband, David Ben- nett, employed as producer by Comstock and Gest, has been withdrawn and, last week, both settled their marital differences and went to live together at their home in Bayside, L. L The Bennetts have been married nine years. They have no children. Last No- vember Mrs. Bennett filed a suit for divorce, through her attorneys, H. J. and F. B. Goldsmith, in the Queens County Supreme Court, the action being based on statutory grounds. — - • -"-"-=" >*-"* In the latter part of November, Mrs. Bennett made, a motion for alimony and counsel fees and on November 24, Judge Fawcett signed an order directing Ben- nett to pay his wife $50' a week, and allowed her a counsel fee of $200. "WELCOME. STRANGER" WILL DO RocHXsm,! N. Y., Dec. 25.—"Welcome Stranger," Aason Hoffman's latast play, ■produced by Sim H. Harris and which had its "initial presentation here at the Ly- ceum Theatre, this week, is a comedy with all the earmarks of developing' into , a popular success., The piece is patterned along the lines of the eminently successful "Turn to the Right" ■ and j? The, Fortune Hunter," its story being one that is pleas- ant and easy to follow. f' . The Story concerns a Hebrew, Isidore Solomon by name, splendidly portrayed by George Sidney, who wandera into a little New England town and decides to settle there. The welcome he receives from the townsfolk ia anything bat the kind that cheers and encourages. For one thing they are prejudiced against him be- cause of his race, which, added to the fact that he comes there a stranger, has the effect of. arousing a positive antagonism toward him. However, true to his racial instincts, he sticks and becomes a partner of the town's principal failure, an electrician who has dreamed of founding an electric light and power plant in that New Eng- land hamlet. Together, they continue dreaming and planning. And, finally, within a year, in fact, their dream comes true and the town loses a great deal of its provincialism thereby. Solomon and his partner then become the roost affluent citizens in the 'town, the former also earn- ing the respect and devotion that had been denied him as a stranger. George Sidney received excellent sup- port from the! fine cast that Sam Harris has provided and the staging, too, waa ex- cellent. The players include Edward L. Snader, best lemembered for his playing of the role of} Joshua Whitcomb in "The Old Homestead," Edmund Breese, Charles L Schofleld, Ben Johnson, John Adair, Jr., David Higgins, Frank Herbert, Margaret Mower and Mary Brandon. Although "Welcome Stranger" is her- alded here as a new three-act comedy, the fact is it was presented heretofore last Spring, to be exact, following which it was withdrawn for the purpose of re- vision, it being reported at the time that the play read too much like Comstock and Gest's "The Five Million." It is further reported that George M. Cohan touched it lightly here and there, with the result that "Welcome Stranger" now has become a play that will probably achieve success on Broadway. TEN MANAGERS ARRESTED Saw Francisco, Dec 26.—Ten motion picture theatre managers were arrested on Sunday evening, charged with violating the city ordinance requiring the aisles to be kept clear during performances. Those arrested were Harry David, of the Cali- fornia; Dan Clement, of the Portola; Leon Levy, Thomas Cohen -and Arthur and Her- bert Webber, of the Imperial; Cecil Gris- sell, of the Strand; Burt Leonard, of the Central and John Claxton, of Pantages. All were released on bail. AISTON GETS OUT Arthur G. Alston who, for two years, has managed the tours of Robert Downing, evangelist-tragedian, has severed bis con- nections, with the. latter. Aiston was presenting Downing in a re- vised version of "Ten Nights in a Bar Room," a copyrighted revision having been made by James W. Castle. The severance of relations came abont at Norfolk, Va., where Downing opened his southern tour. Last season he played thirty-five weeks with the show, despite the flu and other handicaps, and this year had fifty-two weeks booked, when, Aiston says, Downing developed temperament and de- cided that he wanted to run things him- self, whereupon Aiston relinquished bis in- terest in the show. MORE MATINEES FOR FUND Washington, Dec 27.—The committee of the Actors' Memorial Fund organization are pushing the drive in this city. On Jan- uary 27. special matinee performances will be given for the fund in the New National, Poli, Shubert, Garrick. and Belasco theatres. WANGER RE-NAMES HOUSE PKTT.APEUHIA, Dec 30.—Walter Wan- ger. New York producer, who several weeks ago took over the Little Theatre, has rechristened the playhouse, and here- after, it will be known as The Philadelphia. George' C. Tyler's production of "On the Hiring Line," opened the house last night Wsinger has announced that the Philadel- phia will present an all-comedy policy. "JOAN" GOES INTO CENTRAL "Joan of Arkansaw," the new Arthur Hammerstein musical comedy, will open at the Central Theatre Monday night, replac- ing "The Little Bine Devil," which goes out Saturday evening. Oscar Hammerstein, grandson of the late impresario, wrote the book and lyrics. The music is by Herbert Stodhart. SELZNICK PIECE "SLAP STICK" Atlantic Cmr, Dec 26,—Louis Selz- nick entered the, add of legitimate drama producers'last nig It at the Globe Theatre with the offering of "Bucking the Tiger," a play . by May Tally, founded on the novel of Achmed Abdullah. It la called a "melodramatic comedy," .which, seems to be a proper title. The lines' are funny and the jutoatloas are strictly of the "ten- twenty-thirty.'* -Things are wholly improbable in this story, yet there are lots of laughs. The acting reminds of the old days of the Rogers Brothers, bat it is enjoyable, largely because there is a very capable cast and most of the people are type parts. Tile play needs lots of shortening and ironing out, but there is a fine road career ahead of it. Its Broadway success ia doubtful. The first night audience, well stocked with Christmas cheer of a sober kind, reveled in its improbabilities. Butte, Montana, is the location. In a run-down hotel, where six wastrels are gathered, the action takes place. There is a talkative Englishman, a Frenchman, a western bronco buster, a Charlie Chaplin insurance agent, another Englishman with- out bravado and a young man with run- down hopes. Into this mixture comes a girl of the streets and a girl with an un- blemished reputation and no work. They organize a suicide dub among the wastrels, until the adventure of a real estate shark and his son pat another atmosphere on things. The wonderful things that happen belong to the movie comics. Much of the style of acting belongs there also. It Is what we commonly call "slap-stick." Nevertheless, the audience liked it. They laughed, sensed its impossibilities and took it for just what it was, a gala western episode which Butte, Montana, would consider a slander. In the cast are Forrest Winant, as the hero who has phenomenal business sac- cess; William Meehan, the life insurance agent, who was exceedingly comic; Will- iam Fitzsimmons, as an elderly hotel keeper; Benjamin Krauser, Ben Hendricks, Ryder Keane and Waiter Kingston] and Cyril Chadwlck, as the two Englishmen. Fania Marinoff plays the tough girl, and Regina Wallace the virtuous young lady. The cast is the high point of the play's achievement. t MRS. BECK LEFT $7,714 "• When Mrs. Sarah Sonneberg Beck, wife of Martin Beck, managing director of the Orpheum Circuit, and niece of Morris Meyerfeld, president of the same organiza- tion, died intestate, January 20 last. She left a net estate of $7,714.40, it waa dis- closed in the Surrogate's Court last week, through an order signed by Surrogate Cohalan, exempting the property from in- heritance taxation. The gross estate left by Mrs. Beck amounted to $9,480.55. Because of her failure to leave a will, her husband takes $2,253.18; while two infant children. Josephine S.. receives $2,227.34, and Helen M. Beck, $2,733.88. ARRANGE BIG PAGEANT New Obxeans, Dec 26.—More than five thousand children will take part in a ipacent-spectacle showing the history of New Orleans and the State of Tunisians, which will be presented here in April under the direction of Ben Handley. NO ONE SUCCEEDS CAMPANTNI Chicago, Dec 28.—The executive com- mittee of the Chicago Opera Association has announced that nobody will be named as director of the association for the re- mainder of. the season. The name of Cleofonte Campanini, general director, with the word "deceased," will be kept on the programmes and literature The details of the work done by-the late meastro will be assumed by Edward John, who will be the head of the association's operations. Alexander w«Vii who was per- sonal secretary to Campanini,. will also re- main throughout the Chicago and New York seasons. GUILD PICKS NEXT PLAY The Theatre Guild will present shortly, as their next production, "The Power of Darkness," by Tolstoy. BROADHURST REHEARSING "The Wonderful Thing," the new play by Mrs. Lillian Trimble Bradley, which la being produced by George Broadhorst, went into rehearsal this week. Jeanne Eagles is beading the cast, in which she is supported by Gordon- Ash; Henry Duffy, Alexander Onslow, i Eric Maion.. Eva Boyne, Olive Temple and GeraMine Beck- with.