The Billboard 1921-05-28: Vol 33 Iss 22 (1921-05-28)

The’Billboard ENTHUSIASM EVIDENT AT ANNUAL MEETING OF A. A. F. Reports of Officers Show Organization Is in Excellent Shape—James W. FitzPatrick and Harry Mountford Tell of Good Work Done During the Past Year ” New York, May 23—The American Artistes’ Federation, the vaudeville actors’ branch of the Four A’s, held its annual general meeting on Thursday morning of last at one of the bizgest Broadway hotels. The meeting was well attended, and members evidenced a remarkable spirit of enthusiasm and appreciation as the reports of the progress and financial status of the organization for the were presented by various officers. There was no election of officers at this meeting. The officers of the Artistes’ Federation serve for two years and they were all elected at the previous annual meeting. Their term of office does not expire until May, 1922, The treasurer’s report was presented by Wil week, past year its American liam P. Conley. Upon its acceptance the auditor’s report as well as the report of the auditing committee, who had examined the books, was read. The financial report showed the organization to be in a healthy condition with most of its reserves invested in Liberty Bonds. Among things, the treasurer pointed out that over $5,500 had been loaned to members within the past year and that all but $550 re other mained unpaid. The charity dispensed by the organization was also favorably commented upon, The president, James William FitzPatrick, in his aunual report, laid great stress on the work done by the organization, which he said had been accomplished quietly but effectively. He pointed out that it was only thru orgamzation and the assistance of the profession that apy good could be done for the profession, and confessed his amazement Classes of performers Wandeville artistes, asp a vaudeville artiste he such a class of persons, In presenting report Secretary Harry Mountford drew attention to the good work that had been in the past year by the attorreys of the organization. He drew particular attention of the Messrs. Lowenthal and Munns of Chicago, which was at certain persons or who call themselves admitting that in his time had never seen his done the to telegram read at the first open meeting at the Bijou Theater, in which the attorneys reported that within the past four years they had recovered over $50,000 in cash for members of the vaudeville actors’ union from defaulting or obstinate managers ard agents and pointeq out that was good enough to more than justify the existence of the American Artistes’ Federation. Mr. Mountford dealt extensively with the inner works of the organization for the past year and thanked the members for their loyal support, One of the members present pointed out that no were due thanks were due to the offi thanks to them, as really the ers, or, as he put it they were the doctors and the members were the patients, and the patients usually thanked the doctors, not the doctors the patients. In reply Mountford declared that all the members of the organization were doctors and that it was the profession that was the patient, and if the doctors cured the profession the doctors were removing disease from themselves. In view of this fact he asserted that the thanks of the entire vaudeville aeting Profession were due to the members of the American Artistes’ Federation. and that withOut co-operation of the members of that organization their assistance, moral and financial, it would be impossible for the actors’ union to exist. Following Mountford’s report it was moved, seconied 2nd carried unanimously that a letter embodying a certain proposition be sent to B FP. Albee, head of the B. F. Keith Vandeville Exchange and president of the Vaudeville Managers” Protective Association. This let » ter is published in this week’s Billboard and will be found in full on another page. Some of the members advanced the opinion that Mr. Albee would not accept this offer, but it was pointed out that if Mr, Albee didn’t it would show conclusively ta every actor that the National Vaudeville Artists’ Club was not to remove abuses from which the vaudeville actor suffered and that it was not to help the actor. There was an extensive discussion on certain problems concerning the organization in its re “VAUDEVILLE The Latest News and This Week’s Reviews managers promised to do all in their power, and on the day following the names of the cast appeared on the billboard in front of the theater and a new edition of the program was run off, which also gave space to their uames, On investigation it was found that a young lady employed as “office boy’’ in the press department of the Palace had clipped their names from Monday's program in order to make rvom for an ‘‘ad.” In addition to Miss Victor the ‘‘Juliet and Romeo’? act includes the following players: Harry C. Power, John F. Webber, Marion Dyet and William H. Barwald. LOEW INTERESTS Said To Have Secured Long Lease on Seattle Orpheum Seattle, May 20.—From reports coming from a seemingly reliable source, the Marcus Loew interests have secured a long-time lease on the Orpheum Theater Building at 3rd avenue and Madison etreet, and will move the Hippodrome Shows from the Palace Hip Theater, 2nd and Spring, to the Orpheum about June 1, It is understood that Thomas Wilkes will occupy the present Palace Hip Theater at the opening of the new season with his Wilkes Stock Company, just closing a run of over ae hci aa ois ello ie hab cad ee 2 eee BUNDLE DAY A CHANCE FOR SHOW PEOPLE Last week, under the heading, “Clean Out Your Trunk,” The Billboard published an appeal to its readers to rally to the support of the National Theatrical Committee of Near East Relief in its plea for castoff clothing. The result has surpassed our expectations. week in June was designated for the sending in of contributions, bundles are already literally pouring into the committee’s warehouse, at 5 West But there is need for still more. of thousands of little bodies will perish of exposure if their cries are unheeded; hundreds of thousands of eyes are turned toward us in pathetic 30th street, New York City. expectation. don’t hesitate. The Billboard feels as a privilege and opportunity go clean out their trunks in this great cause, SESS SSSSSSSSSSO OS OOF SO OOD OG646464646464565664646466664 The committee, of which John Drew is chairman, hopes that every amusement enterprise in the country, from Coast to Coast, will participate in making BUNDLE DAY a nation-wide demonstration of the kindheartedness of our profession, and, inasmuch as it asks not for what you need, but only for what you can do without, it should have many friends and no enemies. “Any kind of warm clothing or material is acceptable, but such things as veils, chiffons, silk tights are useless, The first week in June has been set aside for receiving offerings, but if your show is closing and it is more convenient to you to contribute now, Tho the first 4 4 4 4 4 4 ‘ : 4 4 4 7 c Hundreds > 4 4 . 4 4 ¢ 4 . ‘ ‘ 4 4 ‘ sure that its readers will regard ‘t > ‘ lation to certain other bodies, and at 2:30 p.m. the meeting was adjourned, Afterwards a luncheon was served in the hotel at which many of the members sat down. The next open mass meeting of the American Artistes’ Federation will be held on Thursday night of this week at the Bijou Theater. The meeting will get under way at 11:45. The list of speakers includes James William FitzPatrick, Grant Mitchell, member of the Council of the Actors’ Equity Association; Peter J. jrady, president of the Allied Printing Trades Council; William Berol, vice-chairman of the International Artisten Loge; Harry Mountford and others. PALACE ACT COMPLAINS When “Office Boy” Takes Names From Program To —— Room for an New York, May 21.—The RBillboard’s review of the Palace show last week pointed out what, in the opinion of the critic, was an injustice to the members of the Josephine Victor “Juliet and Romeo,’ whose names failed to appear on the program. “In view of the very capable support given Miss Victor,’ wrore ine act, critic, “by the other members of the cast, it seems only fair to them that their names be mentioned in the program. When audi nces witness really good acting they like to know who is doing it.’* The next day the members of the act called on Lewis and Gordon, their managers, for an explanation. The manacers sfited that a complete set of billing matter had been sent to the theater. The members insisted that recoznition be given them at once or that the Office staff coulg play the act that night. The five years in this city at various theaters. Tf there is no hitch in the arrangements, the Palace Hip will utilize a picture program from June 1 until time of opening of the Wilkes season, KEITHS ACQUIRE RIVIERA Take Over New Brooklyn House Which Will Open as Neighborhood Theater Labor Day New York, May 21.—The B. F. Keith interests this week added the Riviera Theater, St. John’s Place and Kingston revenue, Brooklyn, to their string of ‘‘neighborhood’’ houses, ghe Riviera was planned and nearly completed by the Trinity Photoplay Company and will be opened under Keith management on Labor Day. It is a two-floor structure with a seating capacity of 2.500. It will play two shows a day and the bill wil! be changed semi-weekly. Six acts of vaudeville together with a feature photoplay will constitute the program. NEW BUTTERFIELD HOUSE At Lansing, Mich., Doing Large Business—Checkroom for Babies a Popular Feature —_—_—. Lansing, Mich., Strand May 20.—The handsome new Arcade Theater, which was recently opened here by W. 8S. Butterfield, is doing a large business even with the approach of warm weather. Six high-class being offered with vaudeville acts are emi-weekly changes, Two performances are given daily. A popular feature of the theater at the matipees is the nursery where the women may check their babies while they attend the performance. Fllzobeth Lucas ts in charge here. VAUDE. MUST CLEAN up, Says E. F. Albee, or Censors Will Take Drastic Measures New York, May 21,—Fearing that New York State, which has just passed a motion picture * censorship bill, and other States as well, will take legislative action in censoring vaudeville, Mr, BH. F. Albee this week issued a warning to variety performers in which he points out that if vaudeville performers do not voluntarily clean up their material and keep it clean the censors will do it in a more drastic manner than the vaudeville managers ever dreamed of. “Don’t blame the manager if something drastic happens,” Mr. Albee says. ‘You will then have no one but yourself to blame. At the Present time you condemn the managers if, in their interest and your own, they cut certain remarks, suggestive songs, etc., which ehould have no place on any bill,’’ Mr, Albee also quotes from a letter addressed to him by the Anti-Blue Law League of Ame-ica in which its secretary, A, P. Daniels, says: “We cannot too forcibly impress on your mind that the so-called ‘Blue Laws’ are very dangerous, and if we do not get together and oppose them they are going to censor every theater and take any act or show off the stage that they consider immoral or improper for the public to listen or look at. “The Blue Law agitators have opened five different well-equipped beadquarters in Washington with unlimited finances. And there has been some quick work done on our part by getting to the Congressmen and heading off any proposed laws. But we cannot do this without a big organization behind us. And we ask you to get in the trenches and help us fight. SOPHIE TUCKER Opens This Week at the Hotel Shelburne New York, May 23.—On Thursday evening of this week Sophie Tucker will open an engagement at the Hotel Shelburne, Brighton Reach, as previously mentioned in these columns. Miss Tucker will be assisteq by her Five Kings of Syncopation and will be heard in a repertoire of new songs as well as many of the old favorites—including several of her own composition. Miss Tucker and her Five Kings of Syncopation will appear twige each evening with general dancing between the performances. Arthor Lange’s Santa Monica Orchestra will furnish music for dancing each evening and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from four o’clock till closing. MILLION DOLLAR THEATER To Be Erected in Louisville by the Keith Interests -_— Louisville, Ky., May 18.—A million-dollar theater and officd building will be erected here by the United Theater Company, owned by the Kelth interests, it has been announced by Ben Heldingsfeld, president of the Cineinnati-Louisville Theater Co. Three sites are under consideration and 48 soon as a decision is reached the project will be pushed as rapidly as possible, The building will probably be ten or twelve stories tall. The Keiths are completing a new Dullding in Cincinnati and have others under construction in Columbus an@ Dayton, 0., and two ip Cleveland. DOMINION CLOSES SEASON Ottawa, Can., May 19.—The Dominion Theater, running Keith Vaudeville, has closed 8 doors for the summer season and the regular yearly renovation will soon be started for its opening, some time during the month of August. A decidedly successful season, both financially and artistically, has favored this popular house for the past year. CHILDREN IN NEW ACTS ———" New York, May 20,—Children, selected from the National Ballet and Toe Dancing Exposition, held recently in Carnegie Hall, will 8p pear in vandeville shortly in two acts, which the International Producing Company will present, called “The Juvenile Follies’ Revue of 1921,” and “The Dancing School Act.’? Both acts are in rehearsal under the direct super: vision of Harry Schulman and Jack Blue,