New York Clipper (Apr 1923)

4 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER April li, 1923 PICTURE THEATRES BIDDING HIGH FOR OPERA AND CONC ERT SINGERS Radios HurtiiiB the Bunness Greatly in Central-and Western Fart* of the Country—Picture No Longer Strong Enough and Audiences Are Partial to Artistic Singers. Open and concert artists are very much in demand by large motion picture theatres througfaont the Central and Midwest to bolster op business. The theatres in tfaat section of the country have been depending mostly.for the past few years on their feature pictures, large orchestras and flash vaudeville and dancing turns to draw in the trade. This sort of policy of late seems to be worn out with the owners of the theatres attempting to devise other features to bring in the patronage. Last week Charles R. Hammerslougfa, business manager for Mme. Matzenatier, the opera star, declined .$10,000 for the services of the star for a period of eight days. The offer was fitMn F. L. Corn- well, owner of the Lc Claire Theatre, a new motioo picture palace in Moline, III., who wanted her for the opening bill for the theatre. The offer was declined due to lime. Matzenauer having concert en- gagements to fill. According to K. V. Fuller, New 'York representative for Comwell, the latter is willing to pay the sum offered to Mme. Mji,»iuii«i to recognized opera and con- cert sneers for his theatres in St. Louis and Molme. For the St Louis house Corn- well lias already engaged. Herman Wer- rmrath, Amu Case and Louise Gravnre. He says that negotiations are pending now with several opera stars who recently dosed their engagements with the OiiagD Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York. With the advent of the new McVidcar's Theatre into the field in Chica^, Balaban and Katz and Lubliner and Trinz, who control a large number of de luxe motion picture theatres in that city have been sounding out the operatic field for possi- bilities. They say that this style of the- atre has educated its patrons into being music lovers due to the large orchestras that are used in them. The liking for music has caused the patrons to shtm various types of-vaudeville flash and dance offerings that have been offered them with the result that the managers feel that now is the proper time to continue their musical education and likine by bringing on a score of opera stars who can be heard for a nominal price of admission. Not alone in Chicago but in a score of Western cities which have the larger pic- ture theatres the patrons seem to be de- serting the theatres due. to the jack of what they term "substantial and high class" en- tertainment. The ballad singer and music plueser are no more tolerated or engaged, as the patrons through the means of the radio are able to hear the voices of some of the most celebrated opera stars. Through the radio craze the picture houses have ^len off in patronage and the own- ers feel that with the opera stars having a six-month or so vacation they can use their services to advantage at a substantial outlay which would be warranted by the business whidi would accrue by the appear- ance of big stars in their theatres. PROTEST ON "NW GAL SAL" TITLE Ednard B. Marks, the music publisher, has ' threatened injunctive proceedings zffuast the Melboume-Arden Produc- tions, Inc^_ to restrain the producing firm from ri-Hiiininng with' theiT contemplated musical comedy, "My Gal SaL" Marks maintains that die appropriation of the thie is an infringement of the cop3rright of the late Paul Dresser's ballad classic of the same titles He has cotnmunicated his views to the producing company, who have placed the matter in the hands of their attorney for readjust- ment. Maries further avers that the title rights of "My Gal Sal" is duly protected ODder copyright, not only as a song but as a title for a play or motion pictures, and tibat before he will_ permit the pro- dnetioa to be launched its sponsors must make the necessary arrangsnoits with the heirs of the late composer, whom he represents. M. H. Arden, managing director of the producing firm, stated bist week that he waa gomg ahead with the details of the production pending the de<3sion of his attorney. ROBBERS GET KEITH PAYROLL Chicago, April 7.—Tim Keeler, asso- ciated with C S. HnmphrCT in the B. F. Keith offices was retnniing from the Lake- State bank whidi is situated on die second floor of the State-Lake building and while riding b e tw e en the second and fifth floors of the building he was jostled by five men and teUeved of the Keidi pay roll con- taining nearly one thousand dollars. The Keidi ofiSces are located on die fifth floor of the -State-Lake bnflding. Keelo- did not miss the money until be arrived in die office, a few seconds after leaving die elevator, but was too late to apprehend the men. who made a quick get-4way. ACTTRESS LOSES BIG SUIT June Avis Evans, an actress, who filed a claim against the estate of the late Dan R. Haima, alleging that $17,500 was due her according to a promise of Hanna to give her an annuity of $15,000 had her complaint dismissed by Surrogate George A. Slater in White Plains, N. Y., on die ground that it was improperly presented. The Surrogate ruled that a compulsory accounting should be first demanded of the executors and then the claim should be presented. Counsel for Miss Evans said they would take that course and push the claim, which will be opposed by the heirs of Hanna. In the complaint Miss Evans alleged that Hanna made a setdement in her favor, for life, in May, 1921, upon her promise to marry him. The agreement was later modified, being changed that she received money monthly instead of quar- terly, and on October 14, 1921, it was agreed that it would be continaed for life, . when she acceded to his request that their engagement be terminated. Counsel for the estate say the claim is oudawed, as it was not presented three months after Hanna's death, which oc- curred on November 3. 1921. RAYMOND McKEE MARRIES Raymond McKee, screen star, and Mar^ret Conrtot, screen actress, were married at the Little Chnrcfa Around the Corner on April 4. The couple were diilifiiood awcethearts, having been broogfat op togetber in the same town in' New Jersey. NO ALIMONY FOR DANCER llano Paulo, who appears as one of the Samoan natives in "Rain," and who is known in private life as James C. Pall, frustrated a claim for alimony and counsel fees brought by Mrs. May Myrtle Pall last week in the Supreme Court. Mrs. Pall admitted that there had been no ceremony but brought the action as the common law wife of the actor, whom she said she met white touring with a drcus last year. She is a dancer and is said to be earning $75 per wedc, while Paulo's salary is given as $45. Justice Bijur refused to sustain the action. ACTORS' FUND ELECTION MAY IS The annual meeting and election of the Actor's Fund wilt take place on Tuesday afternoon, May 15, at the Hudson The- atre. Daniel Frohman, who has been president of the Fund since 1904, was nominated for reelection at a director' and trustees' meeting held last Thursday night Besides Frohman the nominating committee consisting of Robert Campbell, Hany Har- wood and Bernard A. Reinold, slated the following for re-election: F. F. Mackay, first vice-president; Charles B. Wells, sec- ond vice-president; Samuel Scribner, treasurer and Walter Vincent, secretary. For the three-year term as trustees they nominated, James L. Lasky, Henry Da- zian. John Cope, Walter C Jordan Robert T. Haines and Edmund Breeze. The lat- ter is to take the place of Blanche Bates whose term expired. For a two-year term to succeed Joseph Herbert, R. H. Bum- side was nominated. Due to the illness of iMessrs. Frohman and Mackay, second vice-in-esident Wells presided at the meeting. 'He announced tfaat in conformance with the will of Dora Goldwaithe, an actress of a former generation, a bronze tablet had been made by Tiffany setting forth diat Louis Atdrich was the founder of the home. Ttie tablet will be placed in the Actor's Fund Home on Staten Island this week. The tablet, reads: "Louis Aldrich, Projec- tor and Founder, 1901." Widi die erection of the tablet the Fund gets $5,000 for use for the home and $5,000 additional to be used for charitable work of the home in aiding destitute performers. Ralph Delmore, one of the trustees of the Fund was reported as being seriously ill at the Staten Island Hospital from a complication of diseases. Four guests of the home were reported as having been in that institution within the past month widi all of them returning to the home but Mrs. Alice Adams who is said to tie seriously ill. A report was made that big results are expected from the benefit perforrnance for the fund which will take place in Boston on April 27. ARLINGTON SUES LEDERER George W. Ledercr is made defendant in an action begun in the Third District Municipal Court last week, by Paul Ar- lington, costumer, who sedcs to recover the sum of $1,000 on the grounds that the producer fraudulently misrepresented certain facts to 'htm. In his complaint. Arlington alleges that Lederer was president of the. Pelen Producing Co., Inc., which put out the musical show entitled "Peaches," and that a bill for costumes was incurred by the organization. On February 17th, 1923. while "Peaches" was playing Bt Ford's Theatre, Baltimore, Arlington claims that he attached the box offices ro- ceipts_ of the house for $1,400, 'and was prevailed upon to withdraw the attach- ment by Lederer who told him that A. L. Erlanger was going to interest himself finanaally in "Peaches," and diat Sri- anger's representatives would pay the mon^ due Arlington by the 20th, of the month, three days later. Erlanger failed to interest himself in the show as Lederer told him he would. Arlington further complains, and had he not withdrawn his attachment, would have received $1,000 which was in the box office. EQUITY HELPS STRANDED SHOW The Manhattan Players, a travelling rep show stranded in Beaumont, Texas last week. The Actors' Equity Associa- tion forwarded two hundred dollars upon request of the deputy, Frank Gallagher, to relieve distress among the members of the company and furnish them with transportation. MEEHAN WRITES MUSICAL PLAY George H. Cohan has accepted from John Median a new musical comedy which he will produce next season. Meehan wrote the book and lyrics and Ray Per- kins supplied the music MRS. CARTER BUYS HOME Mrs. Leslie Carter has purchased a home in the suberbs of Los Angeles and vtrill take up her permanent residence there. She leaves for the Coast this week. Mrs. Carter who appeared in "The Grde" with John Drew on tour this season will prob- ably star in "Lillies of the Field" on tour next season. CHICAGO SLUMP CONTINUES Chicago, April 7.—One new play is promised the playgoers this coming week. "Bristol Glass," a new comedy by Booth Tarldngton and Harry Leon Wilson will move into the Blackstone Monday night following "The Last Warning" which will wend its way westward after tonight's performance. Few shows are playing to even a fair business at present. "The Crooked Square" with Constance Binney will leave the "Princess" tonight after a brief run of only four weeks and this house will remain dark next week pending the arrival of "Steve" in which Eugene O'Brien is featured. "The Cat and the Canary" still holds on at the LaSalle. "Sally" is doing good business at the Colonial, but not up to ex- pectations. "Peter Weston" with Frank Keenan, is doing the best business of any dramatic show in town, playing to good houses at all performances at the Harris. "For All of Us" at die Studebaker is holding its own, going into its twenty-sec- ond week and establishing a record this season at this house. Next week will see the end of "The Rear Car" with Taylor Holmes at the Cort which has had a poor run during the six weeks of its engage- ment here. The Geor^ Cohan comedy, "Two Fellows and a Girl" is doing nicely at the Grand. Only three weeks more for "Light Wines and Beer" at the Woods when this house will play pictures. "Blossom Time" is not doing good business at the Apollo. George White's "Scandals" is holding up at the lUincris. "Up the Ladder^ which moved over to the Sbubert Central is trying to establish itself in this little playhouse. "Peter and Paula," which opened this week at the Playhouse has taken hold of the public and diould be good for a fair run. "Tangerine'' now at the Shubert Garrick is doing only a fair business. "Hurricane" with Olga Petrova at the Selwyn got a break with the critics and should prosper for a while. "Loyalties'* received splendid press criticism, although only booked for a short run should do well here. "Thurston," who always enjoys a following in this dty is doing his share of business at the Olympic The Moscow Art Theatre has taken this town by storm and doing big business at the Great North- ACTRESS WAR CLAIM SETTLED Barbara Allen appearing in "Secrets" at the Fulton Theatre last week settled a claim against the German Government for losses she incurred when the 'Arabic was sunk in August, 1916, by a submarine. Miss Allen was on the steamship re- turning to the United States to resume her role in "A Pair of Silk Stockings," when the ship was torpedoed during the night off the Coast of Ireland. Miss Allen es- caped in the last lifeboat wearing her night clothes and a sealskin sacque. After eight hours at sea the occupants of the life boat were picked up by a mine sweeper and taken to Queenstown. 'Miss Allen lost all her belongings and baggage including a quantity oi jewelry. She made out a claim of her losses at the time to the British Government and last week was notified by the British Consulate that a setdement had been made on her claim by the German fovemment Miss Allen will receive $2,- 50 for her losses. SUES NOVELIST CAINE Supreme Court Justice Newburger granted an attachment arainst the property in this country of Hall Caine, the novelist, to Harv«- K. Fly, of 9 Barrow street, on a claim filed by the latter for $5,000. Fly stated that Caine commissioned him to sell the film rights of "The Master of Man" and says that the Goldwyn firm tiought the rights for $50,000. He contends diat $5,000 is a reasonable commissiotf SHERMAN FOR "CASANOVA" Arrangements were made last -week by Al H. Woods whereby he will loan the services of Lowell Sherman, star of "Morphia" to Gilbert Miller next season. Miller will present Sherman in "Casa- nova," an adaptation of a Spanish play by H. Lorenzo Agurtis.