Variety (September 1918)

VOL. LII, No. 4 NEW YORK CITY, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1918 PRICE TEN CENTS ALL WOMEN IN STAGE CREW BEING TRIED BY KANSAN MAN Roy Crawford of Topeka Engages Female Stage Crew Upon Union Men Demanding Increase of Wages. Claims Change Is Proving Successful. Local Theatri- cal Union People Profess Not to Take Innovation Seriously. The efforts of Roy Crawford to main- tain full stage crews of women in his Topeka, Kan., theatre playing travel- ing combinations is not taken seri- ously in New York labor circles in the belief that Crawford's action will re- sult in other cities following suit. Locjtl206 at Topeka recently asked for an increase, the carpenters asking $21 weekly over their former $17, de- claring that they could not live and support families on their old salary. All efforts by the Topeka stage hands and the Crawford house management to agree failed. The matter was taken up by Crawford with the U. M. P. A. in New York, with the Topeka local appealing to the Alliance for assist- ance. The Alliance executives agreed that the demand on the $21 basis was not unreasonable but Crawford refused to pay and the men went out, with the I. A. T. S. E. placing the road call on the house. Crawford then hired women to handle the scenery and baggage, with the Crawford office there maintaining the plan is working most successfully. BIG CAST FOR "VORTEX." George H. Brennan is assembling a company of importance for the pro- duction of a spectacular play, tenta- tively called "The Vortex," but the title may be changed. Among those engaged for principal roles are Wilton Lackaye, Khayda St. Albans, Theodore Kosloff and his bal- let, Henry B. Walthall and a host of others. They expect to open in New York Oct. 1—some say at the Manhattan Opera House. INVESTIGATING '-'SLUMP." Chicago. Sept. 18. The slump in business in Chicago caused the theatre managers in Chi- cago to get together for an earnest confab. It was decided to make a thorough investigation of the causes which enter into the" situation, and to act accordingly. The management at the La Salle an- ticipated action of the others by cut- ting their nightly top of $2.50 to $2, retaining the $2.50 top only for Satur- day night. This in spite of the fact that "Oh, Look" is one of the most profitable and popular plays in town. LOEWS, WASHINGTON, PICTURES. Washington, Sept. 18. The local show people were surprised at an official announcement made that the new Loew's Palace here, now near-: ing completion, will have a picture policy. It was expected that Loew would present a combination vaudeville and picture program in the new house. CORT OFF THE COAST. San Francisco, Sept. 18. What final theatrical hold John Cort had on the Pacific Coast was relin- quished when Homer F. Curran, man- ager of the Cort Theatre here since .its opening in September, 1911, took over the house this week and an- nqunced that the theatre starting next week would be styled the Curran: The Curran will continue road at- tractions booked in by the Shuberts. "LIGHTNIN"' AND BACON. It is said that the personal success of Frank Bacon in "Lightnin*" is so great that Smith & Golden will hold the production for him, not sending out a second company as first intended. The production has shattered all the firm's records. The receipts up to date are 25 per cent, greater than those of "Turn to the Right" in a corresponding space of time, at the same theatre, Gaiety. CHAMPION LONG TITLE. Chicago, Sept. 18. George Print holds the world record for length play titles. His latest pro- duction is entitled "Alone in a Great City Without the Aid of a Mother." If the play runs as long as the title Frint should make money. Watch for my (an barrage. CJJAS. ALTHOFF. RUSHING "THE BIG CHANCE.'^ A. H. Woods "The Big Chance" is spoken of as either succeeding "Where Poppies Bloom" at the Republic • or going into the Criterion. The piece is a drama with the story of a woman of the streets, who reforms through the conditions of war. A second company is now being formed, to be rushed into Chicago. The reason for that and the secrecy with which the play was tried out, is a play called "The Crowded Hour" of similar story and which the Selwyns have. The latter play was written by Channing Pollock and re-written by Edgar Selwyn. Mr. Woods is said to have suggested to Mr. Selwyn that they exchange manuscripts and whichever was con- sidered best, to produce it on a fifty- fifty arrangement. Reports have it that Mn Woods read the Pollock play and returned it, forgetting, however, to send "The Big Chance" script to the Selwyn office. Then the latter piece was quietly put on. Willard Mack worked on "The Big Chance" and staged it. The Chicago show will be staged by William H. Gil- more, Mr. Mack being prevented be- cause of picture work. WOOD'S WEEKLY PROFIT. A. H. Woods had 18 shows and six theatres in operation last week. Of these, 17 of the attractions made money and five of the theatres fared likewise. The Harris was the loosing theatre and "Why Worry," playing there, was the unfortunate attraction, totalling a loss on the two of $1,400. The show closed Saturday and is in storage. "Friendly Enemies" at the Hudson yielded a combined profit for house and attraction of $8,500; The Woods Theatre, Chicago, where "Friendly En- emies" is also playing, made $5,500 for both ends; the Eltinge, with "Under Orders," the two-people play, made $3,300; the Republic, with Marjorie Rambean in "Where Poppies Bloom," $2,500; "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath" in Boston made $3,200. "OVER AGE" AGENTS DREAM. One of the big time agents booking through the U. B. O., who admits he is over the Draft limit of 45, is expe- riencing a pleasant dream. The agent has proved to his own satisfaction that of all the big time agents in the east, but himself and an- other will be left after the Draft Boards get through with the others. He is confidentially imparting the se- cret to his friends, asking them not to tell the other agents who arc going to have their own worries when they are drafted. "HIS BIRTHRIGHT" SEIZED. New Orleans, Sept. 18. Naval Intelligence officers entered the Palace Sunday during the perform- ance and seized a film that was being shown, asserting it reflected on the navy. \ :-'■-• The picture, "His Birthright," was re- garded as a sequel of the opera "Madame Butterfly" and. told of the adventures of a United States naval officer in Japan, in its cast naming the officer Admiral John Milton. '' ■. - It is understood the seizure was made as the result of protests entered by the friends of Rear Admiral John B Milton stationed at the New Orleans Navy Yard. These friends resented the linking of the name with some in- cident of the plot. It was reported the film was seized on instructions from Washington, and that it had been shipped there for examination. Rear Admiral Milton was placed on the retired list in 1910, but was re- called for domestic service during'the war. • "His Birthright" features Sessue Hayakawa, produced by the Hayakawa Film Co. ■ ■ i ■ :■ •JSS I ; /■;■ --•••.■»; ; 1 ■ ■■■.; FOOD PRICES IN ENGLAND. London, Sept. 18. Prices for food over here do not strike the English as so very expensive under the circumstances. The retail price of beef, Scotch or English, sold over the counter, is 39c. a pound; fresh butter is 62c; home grown lamb and mutton, 39c; coal, $10.50 a ton. Fruit is dear. Peaches are 50c each. Apples, formerly costing 6c a pound, now 36 to 50c. Potatoes are abundant, 50 or 60 pounds for $1. Vegetables are also' plentiful; made more so through the many home garden farms. Scotch whiskey is high and hard to secure. It is now about $2.37 a bottle. Gin is scarce but can be had. LAURA HAMILTON HAS DIVORCE. Although the attorneys in the case refuse information it is reported that Mrs. Harold L. Atteridge, who was nee Laura Hamilton, secured a decree of divorce granted on. statutory grounds Sept. 12. The couple were, married May 26, 1914. Selling Amelia Bingham's Home. Amelia Bingham's home at 103 River- side drive, New York, is going under the hammer. William B. Ralston has been appointed referee to arrange for an auction and compute the charges in a judgment for $20,370 filed against Miss Bingham by Mrs. Sarah A. Jeffer- son. The Riverside home, formerly owned by Joseph Jefferson, was purchased by Miss Bingham seven years ago. :1i ■Li: .-■- T- 1 ■ \ : 4 ■ « :■ ■<;?; ■ i' v, t;.\ \