The New York Clipper (January 1920)

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THE NEW YORK CLIPPER January 14, 1920 ROAD MANAGERS AGAIN TRY T O FORM ASSOCIATION Stage Hand Demands and Other Difficulties That Confront Road Attractions Need Cooperation and Organization, Gus Hill and Others Believe. In an effort, to enforce respect for con- tracts between local managers and road attractions, and with the hope of better- ing road conditions, renewed plans for the organization of the Road Managers' Pro- tective Association were again taken up last week when the heads of traveling attractions and their representatives con- vened at the Friars' Club upon the re- quest of Gub HUL Plana for an organization to be affili- ated with the Producing Managers' Asso- ciation and other managerial organiza- tions were discussed and a committee named to represent the road managers at the next annual meeting of the Central Managers' Association this week. An out- line of the road managers' plans will be submitted to that organization in an ef- fort to enlist its co-operation. Named as the committee are Lou C. Wiswell, gen- eral manager for Henry Savage; Gus Hill and George M. Gatts. According to members of the new or- ganization, there will be no drastic or forceful methods involved in the "bring- ing about of a better understanding" between local managers and road man- agers, bnt a more subtle means of propaganda will be brought into. play. Local managers are canceling road at- traction contracts upon the least provo- cation, it was pointed out. To enforce respect for their contract and to put a stop to ruthless cancelation will be one of the aims of the organization. Among other things, the ever-increas- ing demands of the stage hands with road attractions will be included in the new organization's propaganda campaign. It is hoped to bring the stage hand "to his senses," to pnt a stop to the prevalent practice of engaging more stage hands than are really needed by an attraction, and to come to some understanding with the various locals throughout the country in regard to over-time demands. Among those who attended the prelimi- nary meeting were: John Courts, Max Plohn, Hugh Grady, John Leffier, E. J. Car- penter, E. O. Wee, Charles McCauL Ar- thur Alston, Gus Hill, Marty Sampter, Harry Mack and Lou C. Wiswell. Another meeting win be called follow- ing the conference with the Central Man- agers' Association, when steps will be taken to make the organization perman- ent. STAGE MANAGER HAS FIGHT Bihsclsgham, Ala., Jan. 8.—Donald Archer, stage manager of the "Kiss Burg- lar" company, which completed its engage- ment at the Jefferson Theatre, here, last Tuesday night, got into trouble with the local authorities following an alleged fistic encounter with Frederick Melville, of the same company. Archer was arrested on the complaint of Melville and allowed his freedom on the putting np of a ^25 bond for farther hearing. According to the police, the alleged en- counter took place following a heated argu- ment between the two which involved the relative merits- of each as a performer. Melville called at police headquarters Tuesday night and lodged his complaint Archer was taken into custody and his bond set at $25, which was paid by a negro professional bondsman. The accused placed the amount of the bond in his deliverer's hands, plus $5 for fee, and then disap- peared on the gray wings of the morning. Archer's place in the company has been filled by William Dunlay, leading man. LEXINGTON THEATRES SOLD Lextngtott, Ky., Jan 9.—The Strand and the Ben Ali Theatres have been pur- chased from the Berryman Realty Com- pany, of this city, by the Phoenix Amuse- ment Company, headed by John B. Elliott, for the sum of 9300,000, it was announced here yes t erday. This makes three houses in this city to be operated under the man- agement of the Phoenix company, which, tome time ago, acquired the Lexington Opera House. The Strand and Ben All will operate on a motion picture policy and the Lexington will continue its legiti- mate policy. The Phoenix Company, in addition to these houses, owns three in Winchester, two in Frankfort, two in Paris and two in Richmond. There are two other smaller houses in Lexington, the Ada Meade, de- voted to vaudeville and pictures and the Orpheum, showing pictures. NEW PINERO PIECE SEEN Bostoit, Jan. 9.—Sir Arthur Pinero'a four-act comedy "The Big Drum," was presented here last night for the first time on the American stage by the Henry Jewett Players, at the Copley Theatre. The piece, first presented at the St. James Theatre, London, several years ago, is a keen satire, true to life and with most effective lines. In a word, the play, is in the author's best vein. The stery is that of social life in the, English metropolis. Sir Handle FUson and Lady Filson are social schemers. Their daughter, who, some years ago, married a nobleman, is now a widow. Before her marriage, she once admired Philip Mack- worth, a novelist and, as a widow, she meets him at the home of a friend. Old relations are renewed and they are to be married shortly if Mackworth'a novel, "The Big Drum," proves successful. Mackworth learns from his publishers that the story is a success, and gives a reception in honor of his approaching mar- riage. The novelist's future brother-in-law, however, becomes suspicious of the .book's seeming success and does some investigat- ing, with the result that he discovers the sale is a "fake" and that the novelist's bride-to-be has bought up the entire edi- tion. This disclosure leads to a scene with many complications, but the deception is finally forgiven and all ends in happiness. This ending was not a part of the original version of the play, but has been added recently by the author, who, com- menting on the piece as it originally stood has written: "I made the alteration against my principles and against my con- science, and yet not altogether unwillingly. For we live in depressing times; and per- haps in such times it is the first duty of a writer for the stage to make concessions to his audiences, and above everything, to try to afford them a complete, if brief, dis- traction from the gloom which awaits them outside the theatre." G. J. NATHAN WRITES PLAY "Heliogabulus" is the name of a new play written by George Jean Nathan and H. Ik Mencken. It has already been sub- mitted to one producer, bat was refused on the ground that it would cost too much to produce. » The title is taken from the main char- acter in the play, a Roman Emperor. The play is a satire on Christianity. AVIATOR GETS FAIR CONTRACT S ajt Francisco, CaL, Jan. 10.—Ruth Law, the aviatrix, who is "«H"c a tour of the country choosing air trails for her world trip by air, visited here tins week. Al wilaen, formerly a lieutenant in the Army, performed some stunts in an aeroplane that so impressed her she wired the United Fairs Booking Association about them and was told to engage Wilson at once,, which ahead. u ~ MOROSCO PRIZE PLAY GOES WELL Pbovtoehce, Jan. 8.—One of the most interesting performances in the local the- atrical season took place hen this week when "Mamma's Affairs," the Morosce- Harvard prize play, was presented for the first time at the Opera House and Rachael Barton Butler was introduced as the. author. Miss Butler is a. most promising addi- tion to the small list of American authors of high comedy. In evident embarrass- ment and with evident joy she appeared for a brief moment following numerous curtain calls and continuous applause, and thanked every one for their appreciation of her work. - In concocting the piece she has assembled a group of distinct and well denned char- acters. There is some exaggeration at times about the qualities of the two mammas, but, for the most part, they, their affianced children and the doctor who dis- entangles the families' emotions, are human and living beings. It is these human qual- ities that keep the action alive and inter- esting. The story is all about a doctor's patient, the affianced daughter of a hypochondriac mamma. The daughter's whole being baa been absorbed into the miasma of nerves, doting love and emotional fondness of her parent. It cannot be determined whether or not she loves her long-haired lover. She appears on the verge of a nervous break- down, which comes at the end of the first act Her lover's mamma is likewise uncon- sciously selfish. In fact, both of them have sapped the energy and individuality of their respective offsprings. Miss Butler brings in the doctor to administer to the emotions of the girl's mother. The doctor transfers his medical attentions to the daughter. Kept apart from the disturbing older people and her fiance, she regains strength and independence and falls in love with the doctor. After much vacilla- tion on his part, he decides that he loves the girl. It would be invidious to select one from the cast, which includes Little Billy, George Le Guere, Ida St. Leon, Katherine Kaelred, Effie Shannon, Robert Edeson and Amelia Bingham as rising superior to the others. BONITA HEARN LOCKED UP . Charged with disorderly conduct and intoxication, Bonita Heara was arrested last week and locked up in the West Sixty-eighth street station. In her story, told to the court, she said that she visited her sister, Mrs. Oilie Atwell, of 49 West Sixty-third street and there a dispute arose which resulted in her leaving the apartment hurriedly. Then she discovered that a pin which she val- ued at $14,000 was missing, and she got the assistance of Patrolman August Mil- ler, and they both searched a taxicab in which she bad ridden. But the pin was not found. It was then suggested by the police- man that Miss Hearn, with Mr. and Mrs. Atwell, go to the police station and settle the matter. Lieutenant Ryan said that he tried to straighten the matter out, but that Miss Hearn became abusive and acted in a disorderly manner. Finally, when she refused to leave the station house when ordered to do so, she placed under arrest. ZANESVn.l.F MANAGER RETIRES Zawebvtxib, O., Jan. 8.—The manage- ment of the WeHer Theatre, this city, changed hands this week, with the aquiai- tion of the controlling interest by Charles Ransbottom, and the retirement of Joseph F. Wiest, senior member of Wlest and Son,.from the management. Ransbottom is'making his first venture into theatricals by this move and win have associated with him James Wiest, son of the retiring man- ager. Wieat senior is going on the road to take care of motion picture interests. JEFFERSON LEFT SMALL ESTATE When Joseph Warren Jefferson, actor and son of the late Joseph Jefferson, died on May 1 last he. left assets of only $389.99 and liabilities of $2/179.46, it was disclosed in the Surrogate Court last week 'when Edward G. Broenniman, his execu- tor, asked that the. estate be exempted from inheritance taxation. The assets consisted of cash, according to the executor, on deposit with the Guar- anty Trust Company, to the amount of $213.27, and with the Banker's Trust Com- pany to the amount of $101.72. In addi- tion to this, there was wearing apparel, valued at $20 and a watch, chain and seel ring worth $50. The liabilities, as set down in the ap- Snation axe $1,400 doe to Mrs. Blanche B, efferson, decedent's widow, as a loan; $1,265.71 due to Jackson and Curtis; $15.76 for his executor's commissions, and $197.99 for administration commissions. RUSSIAN ISBA COMING HERE The Russian Isba, a company organized and directed by Sage Borowsky, who is also the featured member, is expected to arrive in this country on the Royal Qeorpe on or about January 19th. The company contains thirty - five Russian singers, dancers and instrumentalists, with Serge Borowsky, Nina Sergueeva, Mrs. Kouz- nietzova, and Vera Zimeleva,' as the solo- ists and featured members. The theatre at which they will appear has not yet been decided upon. Mme. Norma Knupfel Lutge is to man- age the affairs of the company when they arrive. "LETS GO" RE-OPENS ^FTTT.AngrpTTTA, Pa^ Jan. 9.—John M. Sheesley, Inc., has reopened "Let's Go" St the Walnut Theatre. Gertrude Hutcheson heads the cast. The show, with lyrics and music by Edgar Yinal, and a book adaption by Harry Sedley, who also staged the show, is a cleverly written comedy, with several good musical numbers.' In the cast are Elizabeth Fox, Harry Clark, Hailie Randolph, W. T. Chatterton, Will. H. Malone, Clifton Lyon, Deil Evans, H. D. Ormonde, Gertrude Hutcheson and G. R. McWffliams. STUDENT COMPANY TO TOUR Los Ajjgeles, Jan. 10.—A company of advanced students of Marion Warde's Dra- matic School, known' as the Marion Warde Players, will go on a tour through Arizona and Texas this month, returning late in March, The company consists of Ruth Tweedy and Kenneth Chryst, who will play the leads, and Sara Peyton, Freda Fredericks, J. Newton Thompson and Murray Tweedy. Other members of the company will remain in Los Angeles to fin local engagements. GET BURBANK, LOS ANGELES Los Augeles, Jan. 10.—Fred L. Wolfe will succeed George Pelton as manager of the Burbank Theatre next week, having been appointed by the Goro Brothers, who take possession of the house. They have redecorated the place and installed a new lighting system. With the new management a new show is coming into the house called the "Arm- strong Baby Dolls." They have just com- pleted a run at the Casino in San Fran- cisco. MRS. BURLESON WRITES PLAY Wabhtngton, Jan. 12.—"The Gift of the Magi," by Mrs. Albert Sidney Burle- son, wife of the Postmaster General, will be presented Wednesday night at the Post Office Department building, under the aus- pices of the Federation of Dramatic Clubs. The Post Office Players will also give "The Add Test" and "Manikin and Manikin." WHERE IS MATTTE KEENE? We are resquested to inform Mattie Keene that her sister is dangerously 01 in a Boston hospital. • "THE GREAT ILLUSION" OPENING Washtkgtjn, Jan. 12.—A. H. Woods will present a new comedy in three acts en- titled "The Great Illusion," at the Shubert- Garrick next Sunday night. The piece has been adapted by Avery Hapwood from the French of Saeha Guitry. Included in the cast are Georges Plateau, Gall Knne, Gert- rude Yanderbilt and Ernest Lambert.