New York Clipper (Apr 1923)

4 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER April 25, 1923 OlTEDdPR AMUSEMENTS TARGET FOR SC ORES OF LE GISLATURES Dozeiw of BiOs Aimed at Barring Outdoor Shows, Carnivals and Ez|iositions Introduced in Number of States—Canuval Mm Feel That United Actimi to Clear Up Situaticm b Needed The oatdoor show, including carnivals and fairs, and animal exhibitions, has for some reason become the target for ambi-, tions legislatnres and imless concerted ac- tion is taken by,the members of this form of anmsement, against the «aany new bills irinch have been introdnced in state legis- latnres tbroQghout the cbtmtry, there will soon be bat few states in wtuch ontdoor shows and carnivals will be allowed to play. The latest states in which bills have Deen brought up prohibiting carnivals, fairs, and traveling open-air shows,. are PcDnsylvania, Illinois and Minnesota. In the Peimsylvaiua Honse. of. Represen- tatnres, a bill introduoed by Mr. Edmonds, defines a "travelling carnival company," as "any itinerant organiiatioo or aggrega- tfca by whatsoevetr. name, moving about the. comtiy on raflroad c^, motor or bone-propelled vehicles, giving perform- ances or exhibitions for pay, in one,,or more tents, wagons or other taadosures, and having wi& it ooncessipn^ ] such as trfaat are commonly caUedjjdoll, 'blanket, Imife; umbrella and teddy, bear racks, ^ames of chance, or games of so-called science and skill, whether .'or not all or part of such shows.and devices are..under separate ownership,' or under one manage- . ment and controL This definitiofl is given -in section one of the bill, and section two isi.to the -fol- lowing effect": <!i "traveling companies are'«hCrd>y de* cleared to be .detriinental to*' the public peace; health and public morals,'and°<9tre Dereby prohibited from 'operating within fVwiliii/i nw mltli " . > 1' The penalty intthe Commonwealth, of.. Pennsylvania, to anyiperson,.'ccfriiora^oii, association or copartnersb^ ,'anording to the bill, is « . fine'of not len than one faimdred dollars or more than three-hun- dred doUan, or to midergo isbprisonment of not more than six months,.or bo^ or each offense. Each day a carnival'coii^' . pany is operated, is to be considered a separate and distinct offense under the pro- visions of this act, if passed. The bill also prbviHes'fEat 'all property, "of whatsoever kind,. or .aatore used in - the - operation or ■ coimected with the operation of any travel- . ing company, in violation of the provisions of this act is, and shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." If the owner' of thb property is con- victed, it will be sold at public auction, and the proceeds to be paid to the school fund in. the district of wherever the carnival wa^'operated. Another bill introdnced in the Penn- sylvania legislature by Mr. Kennedy, pro- h3>its 'shows whicK include racing of any character, whether "vehicles, or animals, or aiir craft, or water-craft, or to engage in or to promote any game or sport of any character 'whatsoever where a fee is charged for adnnssioo," on 'Memorial Day, May 30. One bill introdnced in Illinois, prohibits anifnal acts in theatres, parks or any -plea- sure resort; another bans all Stmday amuse- ments, and requires that all circuses,' car- nivals, fairs, parks and all forms of out- door, amusements and entertaininents be dosed on Sunday. Still another is directed against shell games, paddle wheels, or any other game or gambling scheme or de- vice at any carnival, circus -fair, or other like place of amusement. Possession of any such device at any such place, will be considered ^prima facie evident that' the possessor is violating; the provisions' of the act. A fourth bill calls for the prohibition of carnivals, fairs, or any other form of transient amusement in the entire state. The penalty mentioned in this bill is a fine from CS ,to $500, a year in jail, or both. A bifi introduced in the State of Minne- sota oils for the'banishment of all itiner- ant ^carnivals, -and-: declares them public nilisances. -Violations of-this act subject the operator- to a charge of being guilty of a misdemeanor. LAUDER FOR THE MANHATTAN ?'r Harry Lauder when he completes his American tour in New York next spring, prior to sailing for England, will' appear at the Manhattan Opera House, instead of at the Lexington Avenue Opera House, as heretofore. 'William Morris closed nego- tiatioas for the former place last wedc, as the future of the tatter theatre is nn- detcnnmed. 'When Lauder resumes his American, tour at_ San Francisco on October 16t]i, upon his return from Australia he will have two well established English acts added, to his supporting company. One of Aem; Edna Maude, a dancer is described as bong another Adelaide Genee, the pre- mier dancer. Miss Maude has appeared on numerous bills in England preceeding Sir Harry Lauder and at practically every ^low the cmrtain was held on the Scotdi onnedian until Miss. Mande had acknowl- edged munerous encores. The other mem- ier added 'is Olga Morselli, a 'violinist who faas achieved a repotation of standing in the English music balls. 'MOUNTEBANK" COMING IN "Ttie Moimtebank" a dramatization of 'William Jl Locke's novd by Locke and &nest Denny whicli was jiresented several weeks ago bjr'Frederic Mackay, manager of the Empire .Theatr^ at the Broad Street '^lrealt^^ Fhiladdphia will succeed lionel Atwill 'in "The Comedian" at the Lycenm Theatre on May 7Ql. 'When the Stay has its New Yort.presentation it will e sponsored by Charles Rrohman, Inc., in- stead of Mackay, as the former did not -want to lend their'mme to the attraction in tikC Uyuui stages. "HITCHY" CLEANING UP Raymond Hitchcock in his new revue,- "Hitchy Koo of 1923," has developed into such a bonanra throughout the middle' west, where it has been -playing split-week and one-night, that Messers. Jones and Green, producers of the show, are scram- bling about for additional time in the "stix." The present booking will keep the Hitchcock show going until May 1. It was tentatively decided to bring the piece into Chicago for a run after that date. But. Hitchcock's takings on the road have been so enormous that the management would prefer to prolong the road engagements before brin^g the piece- to either New York or Chicago for a metropolitan nm. TWO SUITS..AGAINST HOLTZ Lou Holtz,'.oomedlan, is made defendant in two activos started against him last week in the Third District Munidpal Court. One of the suits is for $1,000 damages, claimed by Charles Broda, who allegies he was injured as a result of being struck by an automobile being driven by Holtz re- cently in front of the Winter Garden The- atre. The other suit is for-^50.00, instituted by Hany Saks Hechheimer, attorney who alleges that amount is doe him for profes- sional services roidered. VAN '& 5CHENCK FOR REVUE Charles Dillingham has engaged Van and Schenck for the new 'Willie Collier and Sam Bernard revue which he will pre- sent at the Fnlton Theatre late in August ANDERSON TO DO NEW "FOLLIES" Whatever differences, if any, that may have existed between John Murray- Ander- son and Bohemians, Inc., producers of ''Greenwich Village Follies," has been amicably adjusted and it is announced that Anderson will direct the fifth annua l edi- tion of the "Follies." Anderson was the originator of this series of summer musical shows, not only haying been a founder of Bohemians, Inc., for he has staged the four annual pro- ductions of the series. According to re- ports, Anderson disposed of his interest ia-i< the corporation to Arthur Pearson, the burlesque' producer,.-after :the-'rfirst show, - ' his interest in the others beug in the na- ture of stage director. In addition to re- ceiving a-'weddy compensation'for" the re- hearsal and preparation periods Anderson has also been recdving a royalty of two and one-half per cent of the gross on all of the shows of the series. Anderson had a contract with Bohemi- ans, which expired with the-current edition of the revue. When approached for a-re-- - newal by Al Jones and Morris Green, man- aging directors of the corporation he is said to have titled his percentage terms. Later he bolted and formed the -Chelsea Producing Company, who are sponsoring his current musical production, ' Jack and JiU," at the Globe. Late list week An-- derson affixed his signature to another con- tract with Bohemians, arranging for his staging the forthcoming edition of the show. Ndther side, however, would dis- cuss the terms of the contract, but it is generally conceded that Anderson's terms were met. Anderson is constantly brushing up the "Jack and Jill" show and hopes to have it rumung smoothly within a fortnight, when he 'will set sail for London to line up novdties for the new edition of the Green- wich Village show. "PEPPER BOX REVUE" SCORES San Francisco, April 23.-^The latest production, by Ackerman & Hari-is "The Pepper Box Revue" was presented Satur- day night, April 14, at the Century The- atre to a big enthusiastic audience, and judging from the frequent applause and the laughter was voted a success,. and equal it not better than the recent otfer- ing of "Struttin' Along." Sophie Tucker, who is headlined and featured, recdved an ovation equal to any Grand Opera prima donna and deservedly so, for she more than pleased and enter- tained 'with her specialties, and found it difficult to retire, only after promising to appear later on the program. George LeMaire, William LeMaire, Joe ,< Phillips, Irma Merle and Jack MoxhA-, Connor Twins, W. C Hayes, Messrs. Dun- phy, Blake, Cunningham and Thomas, the quartette, all appearing as prindpals were recdved with much favor, and will become favorites. The production was staged by Fanchon & Marco, Book by George Le- Maire and the Music and Lyrics are by Fanchon & Marco. The set representing the Rose Garden and The Ritz Roof scene 'was espedally beaUtifuL The full stage numbers induded "The Bill Posters"— "The Shoe Shop'—"The Rose Garden"— "At the Dentist's"-"A Minstrel Satire"— "Salon Des Chapeaux"—"Shooting Gal- lery"—"The Powder Puff Girls"—'^At the Ritz Roof." Gilbert Green is the musical director. Will T. Goodman, stage manager and Harry A. Bailey, business manager. EQUITY MEETING ON JUNE 4 The annual meeting of the Actors' Equity Assodation will be held at the Hotd Astor on Monday, June 4. It is ex- pected that the possibilities of an extension of the current agreement between the Equity and the Producing Managers' As- sodation, regarding Equity Shop, will be the important topic of discussion. NEW PLAY FOR SCANLON Arrangements were conduded last week 'whereby Rida Johnson Young, will write a new romantic comedy, with music, to serve as a starring vehicle , for W'alter Scanlon, the Irish'tenor. If completed in time the show will have an early Suolmel- shonring out of town and will come to Broadway in the Autumn. S>HIfr-FOR CHICAGO SHOWS Chicago, April 21.—An lususual situa- tion faces three productions now playing here. Three shows are moving, but all three will remain in Chicago. "Blossom Time" which has been occupy- ing the Apollo will move over to the Great Northern to make way for '"The Passing Show" which opens there tomorrow ni^t. "Light Wines and Beer" will leave the Woods and go over to the Selwyn and Olga Petrova who is playing in her own production, "Hurricane," must vacate the Selwyn ,and will take possession of the Olympic which has been dark the past wedc All shows here are doing little business compared with this time last season. Wil- liam Hodge in "For All of Us" who has been enjoying a successful season of twenty-two weeks at the Studebaker is going along nicely, but may leave here on May 12, to allow "Lady Butterfiy" to come into this house on Mayl3. "Lady Butterfly" is a musical version of "Some- body's Luggage." "Cat and The Canary" at the LaSalle has- just passed its 300th performance in Chicago which is the rec- ord for this season. Frank Keenan in "Peter Weston" is still doing' the best business of any play in town at the Harris, .:although recdpts ■ at this' house could be better; "Up 'Sie Ladder". which is now playing at the Schubert Central is holding its own in this small house; "Loyalties" is still do- ing good business at Powers but must leave here in two weeks. George White's "Scandak" doses tonight at the IlUn'ois and this new house will remain'darlc for the present. There is a possibility of booking GrifiSth's picture "The -White Rose" in this theatre provided it can be ready in time. This is not definite' but ne- gotiations are on. This will make the sec- ond time this season the Illinois has played a picture. Griffith's "One Wonder- ful Night" was the previous offering of the silent drama. "Two Fellows and a Girl" is doing fairly well at Cohan's Grand;. "Peter and Paula" is doing nicely at the. Plaj^house; "Bristol Glass" remains at the Blackstone. The public has been curious about R. U. R. whidi. opened last week at thcrCort Good billboard advertising is doing a lot toward putting this play over here.; "Tan- gerine" looks like it will remain here' for the summer at the Garrick; Eugene O'- Brien in a new play "Steve" is attracting attention at the Princess and "Sally" will remain at the Colonial tmtil May 12 ac- cording to present plans of Mr. Ziegfeld. Woods theatre will offer a picture "The Covered Wagon" beginning tomorrow. The Moscow Art Theatre leaves here to- night after a most successful engagement at .the Great Northern. NEW THEATRE FOR GREAT NECK The Great Neck Theatre, a 1,200 seat theatre which Al. E. Aarons, general man- ager of the Klaw and Erlanger enterprises and George Duck, a motion picture the- atre manager of Great Neck are building -will be ready to open late in June. Aarons intends using this house as a showing house of legitimate attractions prior to their being passed upon for a New York presentation- It is said, all attractions seeking bookings through the K- and offices will have their im'tial showings at the Great Neck house. The theatre is only fourteen miles from Times Square and can be reached by train in 26 minutes. "CHIVALRY" OPENING POSTPONED Joseph E. Shea has set back the opening of "Chivalry." a play by Wm. Hurlbut at the Apollo Theatre, Atlantic City from May 7 to May 28. The company headed byr Irene Fenwick and Richard Bennett will begin rehearsals next Monday. The play will be kept out for two weeks and then will be taken off until August when .Shea will present it in a New York theatre. ANDREWS TO DO FOREIGN SHOW Lyie Andrews will next season present a fordgn musical piece called "The Danc- ing Dutchess." Charles Purcell will sing the leading role.