Variety (July 1919)

m mm .irW m::' •'*/'. -•-r-.;r->y,- r? T,,-.; :.;.',. $p? Arllno Fredericks has been engaged by the shuberts to play a "vamp" part. Edgar Selwyn will return to the stage early in the fall In "Pierre ot the Plains." "'/tame. Yorska sailed June 28 for France. She will return to tbe V. 8. In the fall. |9&» - '. .'/The opening of the Shuberts "Gaieties of \ 1019" has been postponed until July 7. 'Report from California that his wife Is seeking a divorce are denied by Al Jolson. " i''. The summer concert season In the stadium on the City College athletic fields opened June 30. kittle Will Archie has been engaged to Play in one ol «A. H. Woods forthcoming produc- tions. ; : Comstock & Oest have signed a new contraot with the Dolly Sisters.- They will star in "Oh/ Look;" on tour until February, ■i 1 A new comedy by Salisbury Field, called Wedding Belle," will, be Presented In October .by Selwyns. . '• . ; "Radium," a play by Ernest Howard Cul- bortson, has been accepted by A. H. Woods. It is In four acts. ' LEGlti .//.^V;'/ ■ NEWS OF THE DAILIES The producers of "La, La, Lucille" have completed arrangements for another musical farce by the same author, Fred Jackson. ' 0, Dlero has been placed under contract by John Cort for next season and will be given | a role in "Just a Minute,' . Virginia Fox Brooks will collaborate with .Maurice Donnay, author ot "LysUtrata," on (an English adaptation of that piece. ;. A. L. Erlanger arranged for the American rights to "Chouquette et Son," a farce run- ning in Paris. . "The Man Outside," a comedy by Kllbourn Jordon and Ward Howe, was produced last week in Detroit. Margaret Lawrence will be featured in "Wedding Bells," by Salisbury Field, to be produced by the Selwyns the coming season. p r Stage Women's War Relief, 866 Fifth ave- nue, New York, is in need of discarded men's clothing, also children's garments. "Blnk's Baby," a farce by Sydney Stone and Eleanor Maude Orane, will be produced in August In Atlantic City by Arthur Klein. "Three's a Crowd" is the title of the com- edy by Earl Derr Blggers and Christopher iMorley which John Cort will produce with Helen Ware. :■■'":' Neal R. O'Hara of Boston, who has done some vaudeville writing, hecaume attached to' the Evening World, New York, staff this week, to contribute a humor column. the Gyp Producing Co. about Sept. 20. The play will open Tbe Selwyns have placed "Wedding Bells," a new play by Salisbury Field, In rehearsal. Margaret Lawrence Is featured In "Wedding Bolls," which is scheduled to reach Broadway early in September. '-.- Norman Trevor has been engaged for the leading role In "Up From Nowhere," a new play by Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson which John D. Williams has lust placed In rehearsal with the Intention of plac- ing on Broadway late next month. With the recent arrest and Indictment ot two theatrical ticket agency men, it became known that another crusade against alleged speculators had been begun by Asst Distrlet Attorney Edwin -P. Kilroe. The two men ar- rested were employed by Leo Newman, 1482 Broadway. •■ Application for a writ ot mandamus com- pelling the Players' Club to reinstate him as a member was made by Robert B. Kegerrels before Justice Hendrlck in the Supreme Court He complained that the club suspended him without cause and that tbe suspension has interfered with his getting a part The case was adjourned until July 21. Peggy Wood will be a co-star with Donald. Brain and Wallace Bddlnger In George V. Hobart's new play, "Buddies," to be pro- duced by the Selwyns. Rehearsals began last week on "Bee flaw," . musical comedy by Karl Derr Biggs, which Henry Savage Is producing. The muslo Is by Louis Hlrsch. Richard Q. Herndon announced June 80 that the French Association will bring to tbe u. S. this season the company from the Gaieto Theatre in Paris. , The Realty Associates in Brooklyn an- nounced that tbe Crescent, Brooklyn, had been leased to the Shuberts. It Is understood that the annual rental will be $25,000. John D. Williams has exchanged contracts with Anne Crawford Flexner for the produc- tion of a play entitled "All Boula' Eve." The Piece, which is In three acts, will be produced by Mr. Williams early In the fall. The Americanization of Henri Bernstein's "La Orlffe" and of "In the Night Watch," European importations whloh the Shuberts have listed for the coming season, has been entrusted to Matthew C. Woodward. A marriage license was issued June 20 to Mabelle Thomson Christy, former wife of Howard Chandler ChrlBty, the artist, and Leslie Canfleld Ferguson, a lawyer: of 65 West 82d street, New York. "The Bashful Hero" is the new title of a farce by Harold Brlghouse which A. H. Woods will present at the Bijou about the middle of August, 'it was formerly called "The Ban- tam, V. C." Dlam Wilson has been engaged for the Australian production of "Llghtnln"' and sailed for the Antipodes July 2. Upon her re- turn to New York she will originate a leading role m Zangwill's new play, "Too Much Money." •- . A new play, entitled "Gyp for Short," writ- ten by Charles Bradley, baa been contracted for by a syndicate organized at the offices of the American Theatre Exchange, Inc., as LEVY'S CHILDREN'S THEATRE. "Oh, Mr Dear," which opens its road season here at the Globe, Atlantic City, July 14, has Douglas Stevenson, Juliette Day, Francis Conlin, Jennifer Sinclair, Harry Browne, Hal Forde, Joseph Allen, Quentln Tod, Claire Lor- raine and Evelyn MoVey. After the local engagement "Dear" goes to the Wilbur, Bos- ton, for a run, opening July 14. The International Grand Opera Choral Alli- ance have .entered into a settlement with Her- bert Johnson, of the Chicago Opera Association, whereby the male members are to receive $35 weekly and female members |82 weekly, and while traveling $7 towards their expenses, and for rehearsals prior to the-, season they are to receive 818 weekly. A. H. Woods has obtained the rights to about 500 plays by over a dozen Jewish, play- wrights presented on the Yiddish stage In New York in the last ten years. By the terms of the arrangement he also contracts for the . entire output of the Yiddish theatre for the next ten years. These plays will be pre- sented by Mr. Woods either on the English speaking stage or on the screen. William Raymond Sill Is again batting with the Broadway press agents, having taken over the publicity of "A Lonely Romeo" for Lew Fields,, for whom Sill has been a sort of perennial. booster. BUI conceived and placed into motion a stunt in aid of the "Candy Jag" finish of the second act the show's best hit Two hundred pounds of "boose" candy have been delivered at the Shubert Theatre, and during the number the company tosses out the tid-bits to the audiences. The' candy is what is known as cordials, being flavored with gin, Scotch, rum and rye. Since the candy was ordered prior to June 80 its distribution is within the law no matter whether the wind blows "wet" or "dry." CRITICISM. 9:45. A melodrama in three acts and five scenes, by Owen Davis. At the Playhouse, June 28. It Is a better play In kind than 'The Blue Pearl," and not so good a one as "The Thir- teenth Chair," with whloh it will doubtless find general comparison.— Timet. The directness with which the story was told and the briskness with which It was acted were commendable features of a piece which undoubtedly has the elements of pop- ular success.— WorU, .-.- JUDGMENTS., Judgments filed in the County Clerk's office. The first name is that of the Judgment debtor, the second the Judgment creditor, and the amount of Judgment. William J. Gallagher (Film Cafe); I. Mager; $135.20. i Albert Gran; Cbns. Frohman, Inc.; $188.38. Armand Vecsey; Musical Courier Co. $301.31. / SATISFIED JUDGMENTS. Columbia Qraphophone Co. Leo Feist, Inc.; $106.70. BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS. William James Morrlsoy, 285 West 71st; liabilities, $24,214; no assets. The building and conducting of a children's theatre in New York, an idea which Bert Levy has fostered for the past dozen years is reaching con- summation and from present^ indica- tions Mr. Levy's plan will be in actual operation next season. This plan not only includes the giving of plays for children but the'training of child art- ists for these performances. "Kiddie plays" of fairy lore and others "of a poetic nature will be sought after. The . work which will entail much detail will / however, not interfere with Mr. Levy's appearance next season in the Hippo- drome performance. Mr. Levy intends taking in charge a number of child artists, they to be taken care of en- ' tirely during the period of training and they will be chaperoned by Mrs. Levy. In such cases where parents are unable to afford it, there will be no charge whatever. It is intended to-give per- formances late in the afternoons after the public schools are dismissed and there will probably be additional short performances in the evenings when adults . may accompany children pa- ,. trons. > -..' j '. '. '•• '.. Within' the* past few months Mr. Levy has interested a number of wealthy persons not only in New York but in Philadelphia and Baltimore. While some were skeptical as the feasi- bility of the idea there are a, dozen who have promised financial support, the ultimate plan being to have one hun- dred subscribers. About $50,000 will be needed to start the children's thea- tre ' movement and as soon as $20,000 ' is pledged Mr. Levy has the promise of an additional $30,000. He will sub- scribe $5,000 himself. His many chil- : dren's shows gave the artist the basis of his present idea. ''•':' f'\.' '• Mr. Levy has taken in association with him Jack Goldberg who has had experience in handling kid performers.- CENTURY AND MANHATTAN SET. The season for the Century and the Manhattan Opera House has been set and at the first named house the sec- ond edition of "Ghu Chin Chow" will open Aug. 4. Actually the show is the same as the original "Chu" but the forthcoming production will be a "new costume edition." "Aphrodite" is due to debut at the same theatre Nov. 1, and is figured to run three months. "Mecca," another of/the new importa- tions by Comstock & Gest, is sched- uled to open at the Century Feb. 6. The Manhattan's season starts with a popular priced run.of four weeks with "Friendly Enemies"'late in Aug- ust. That is to be succeeded Oct. 6, with the English Melodrama, "The Luck of the Navy." It is to be brought here with cast and production intact. The piece is now running at the Garrick, London. ENGAGEMENTS. Dorothy Mortimer, Rexford Burnett Cyril Raymond-"Nightle Night," DEATHS. Nellie Harlan. Nellie Harlan, died June 27 in Belle- vue Hospital, New York, after a short illness. The deceased for many years appeared in Henry W. Savage produc- tions. SOUTH LOOMS UP. '. The coming season in the South looms up as particularly good with business better than last season, which was one of the most successful in years below.the Mason-Dixon line. A continuation of prosperity in that it&~ tion is founded on 32-cent cotton and. since May futures for 1920 are selling at that figure and even better pros- perous conditions in the cotton coun- try is bound to continue. There was a time when the planter's dream was 15-cent cotton and 11 cents per pound was considered a good price. The war is responsible for the present top price. Business in Southern cantonment towns will be expected to fall off with ■the closing.of the camps, but while the men in training did bring considerable" money into the section it is stated that much of that money did not circulate, being taken in by cafes and industries which kept the backers too much em- ployed to spend money. The continuance of a number of vaudeville theatres in the South dur- ing the hot months. is an ' indica- tion of good times," though legiti- mate houses have shut down for the summer as usual. To be reckoned in the routes of attractions touring .the South is the string of 13 cantonment theatres to be built along the Mexican' border in time for the assembling and training of the new peace army. , v ■m ^8 MURIEL STARR MARRIED. Muriel Starr, the American actress who is turning Australia at the head of her own company, has been married. The name of the bridegroom is John- son, and he is connected with the Wrigley Chewing Gum Co. He lives in Chicago and is wealthy. Precise details could not be learned this week as Fania Marinoff, to whom Miss Starr has communicated the glad tidings, could not be reached. INA CLAIRE STARRED. Washington, D. C, July 1.4J; Ina Claire is starred in the new pro- duction by David Belasco of "The Gold Diggers." It js a play by Avery Hop- wood. The show opened at the Bel- asco, going over to a delightful suc- ; cess before a capacity house. v Miss Claire scored tremendously in a role full of opportunities. -Opportuni- ties, however, have been liberally dis- tributed by the author for several mem- bers of the cast. Jobjna Holland was another who did particularly well in a well fitting part for her. Bruce McRae and H. Reeves Smith, Beverly West and Ruth Jerry, likewise excellent. Lillian Tashman and Pauline Hair are among the other players. "Trie'Gold Diggers" is looked upon here as a cer- tain Broadway hit. LEDERER'S WINNER. "■■;■' Chicago, July 1;.;. % Reports all agree George W. Lederer' has a winner in "Angel Face," now-at the Colonial. The show opened in Chicago for a summer run and at once jumped into' popularity. Last week the gross reach- ed its highest point thus far and at the same time took the summer house rec- ord for receipts at the Colonial.' ii.i'i '• ? ■■ ■ ■ "VOICE" FOR BROADWAY? ">'- A. H. Woods ordered "The Voice in the Dark" closed in Boston at the Park Square Saturday. The play was brought to New York with the idea of showing it on Broadway shortly. The "Voice" is one of the mystery plays that are evidently to be a great vogue along >the Main street next sea- son. ssAssasa W? f*l • M ''il m '.Wj -,. ■.. ' - ■■'.' tt NEW SHOWS FOR BOSTON. | Boston, July 1. It is announced Henry W. Savage will put a new musical show, "See- Saw, into the Tremont Aug. 3. It is adapted from Earl Deri Biggers novel, "Love Insurance." When the Park Square opens again Aug 12, a new musical play called "Bud- dies," starring Donald Brian and Wal- lace Eddinger, will be presented. Enjoining White and Holtz, v McCarthy & Fisher, the music pub- lishers, started an action in the United ": States Court this week through Nathan Burkan asking an injunction restrain- ing George White and Lew Holtz from . the singing of "You don't Need the Wine" in the "Scandals of 1919" show. The publishers maintain they gave the sole production rights of the number to Florcnz Ziegfeld, Jr., and that he is using the song in the "Follies." Holtz, who has been singing the number in the White show (and before that sang ^^~ it in vaudeville) interposed a defense t^ , that he had verbal permission from thr publishers. Judge Hand reserved deci- sion. :*# Vvip-