Variety (March 1921)

It LEGITIMATE Friday, March 4, 1921 I : —i. CALL FOR $250 BOND FOR ALL ACTORS SENT FROM NEW YORK *•. » V > v Actor V Equity Backing This nnd QJ»Wx .Restrictive. Legislative Measures Before Law Makers—One Demands Dressing Room Reform. GEORGETTE COHAN WED DOODLE" BOY The Mood of legislative measures now pending in the law-making bodies of the States of New York and Pennsylvania, which has for its collective object the imposing of a wide range of restrictions on show business in general, has been in- creased by three new bills, of a pro- posed restrictive nature. The three new measures introduced are New York State bills, one sponsored by Assemblyman Ueilly, and the other two by Senator Farrell. All three measures will have the backing of the Actors' Equity Association, that organization having gone on record as desiring such legislation and being credited with inspiring it. The third bill, regarded as the most important. < ffered by Sen. Far- rell, calls for the enactment of a law making it mandatory on the part of any manager sending a company out of the State of New York to file a bond of $250 for each member of the company, as a guarantee that in the event of the troupe stranding their fare will be paid back to New York. This bond is to be filed with some authorized officer of the State. In the case of a manager sending out a musical show with 75 people it would be necessary to file a bond tor $18,150. A producer sending out five musi- cal shows with an average cast and crew of 75 people, would have to file a bond for $93,750, and so on, ac- cording to the number of attractions and the number of the cast of each fhow sent out. It is understood a penalty is to be provided for in- fractions of the law, if it is adopted. The law would also operate against the producers of 80 burlesque shows. It is understood the Producing Managers' and Touring Managers' Associations will vigorously oppose the bond bill. The Reilly bill calls for all theatre dressing rooms to be above the street level, with an independent exit leading directly into a court or street, with ventilation by means of windows in external walls. .11 win- dows must bo arranged so they can be opened and none of the windows in outside walls shall have fixed sashes, iron grills or iron bars, a - cording to the piovisions of the proposed bill. The bill further pro- vales that every person, firm or cor- poration owning, managing or con- trolling a theatre shall provide a sufficient number of safe, clean and sanitary dressing rooms for theatri- cal performers appearing thereat. The bill gives the Labor Commis- si icner power to make rules and reg- ulations covering the section de- voted to the sanitary condition of dressing rooms and the number deemed as sufficient, likewise giving the commissioner authority to make inspections to see the law is car- ried out, as regard! these conditions. The Ueilly measure is an amend- ment to Article Two, Chapter 36, «ntit!ed "An act relating to labor, constituting Chapter 39 of the con- solidated laws." It has been re- ft i red to the Committee on Labor a id Industries. The other Farrell bill, which is an amendment to the Penal Law of New York State, would make it a misdemeanor on the part of any person, Arm or corporation owning, managing, operati: g or controlling a theatre or other place where the- atrical performances are given for an admission fee to have an under- study in the east of a show unless the fact of the substitution is an- nounced to the public by means of a sign, placard or poster placed in a conspicuous place at the main en- trance'of the theatre and likewise at or near the box office, in such man- ner as to be conveniently read by the public. This understudy matter is cov- ered by the section of the bill which states such signs, placards or post? ets must contain 'hereon a cast of the principal performers or partici- p: fits in such theatrical perform- a. cc. The giving of a performance without all of tbe nanus contained on the signs nt the entrance or at or near the box oll'n e would consti- tute a misdemeanor The bill fur- ther states nothing contained in it, however, shall be deemed to prevent the temporary change in a cast, provided such change be announced from the stage or a notice affixed to o. in the prograr . of su -h per- formance. There are also pending in the New York State Legislature bill calling for a tax on outdoor advertising signs such as electrical ads for shows, a bill calling for the creation of a censor boan. for motion pic- tures, with a tax pro vision for each reel of film inspected, and a bill to license dance halls. In Pennsylvania a bill 1s pending that would impose a tax of 1 per cent, on the gro;s receipts of any performance such as vaudeville shows, plays, circuit.?, pictures, w .d West, athletic exhibitions given for an admission fee. Another Pennsyl- vania bill forbids any place of amusement to increase its prices of admission on any particular day of the week. Clovernor Sproul of Pennsylvania recently recommenced that a law be enacted placing a tax on billboards. STEWART BACKS OPERA. Season in Los Angeles and Coast Tour Announced. Los Angeles, March 2. G. W. Stewart, formerly at the Hippodrome and Capitol in New York and more lately at the Cali- fornia here, has promoted the Cali- fornia Opera Co. here for a season of revivals of light opera at the Philharmonic auditorium beginning March 7. The initial offering will be "Iolunthc." Irene Pavloaka, mezzo soprano, antl Basil Ruysdale have been angaged. Stewart was the founder of the Commonwealth Opera Co. in New York. The organization had a brief season at the Park theatre. The organization here was started some timo ago and was to have opened its season late in* January. At the last minute the underwriter who guaranteed the financial backing for the project fell down on the job and then Stewart undertook to ob- tain the necessary backing for the venture. Among the revivals that are promised by th;> company are "Robin Hood." 'The Fortune Tel- ler." "Serenade," "Fra Diavalo," "The Bohemian Girt'* and "The C usha." After th;> Los Angeles en- gagement the plans Include a tour of the Pacific Coast. Elopes with Scion of Wealthy Albany Family. Theatrical circles Were completely surprised by the announcement j from Palm Beach. Fla., Friday, of I the elopement-marriage of Miss | Georgette Cohan, daughter of George | M. Cohan and 'Sthel Levey, now ' Mrs. Claude Graham White, to J. j William Souther, of Albany, N. Y., son of a wealthy paper manufac- turer. The fact that Miss Cohan had taken a "Yankee Doodle boy" for her life partner was particularly pleasing to her father. In her wire to her father notifying him of the marriage, Georgette* said: "I've married a Yankee Doodle boy—wave the flag." The telegram brought this pa- ternal reply from America's famous theatrical prot'icer: "I don't know him. but I'm strong for him because he's an American." Mrs. White refused to make any comment, but her stepfather, fa- mous English aviator, declared: "They have our blessing and seem very happy. Yes, it was a complete surprise to us. No, there is noth- ing to say. He seems to be a very nice young chap." The bridegroom's parents, Mr. ar.d Mrs. Souther, who are wintering at Bellaire, Fla., were taken as much by surprise as were Mr. and Mrs. White, who were in Miami at the time of the elopement. Mr. Souther left Palm Beach Friday and passed the week end with his parents at their winter homo at Bellaire. Miss Cohan and Mr. Souther, ac- cording to dispatches from the win- ter resort, slipped quietly away Thursday night to West Palm Beach, where they were secretly married by Justice of the Peace George II. Smith. NEW HUSSEY SHOW MAR. 7 "Whirl of Town" Opens at Capital- Combination Show KELLY OFF TO AUSTRALIA. Los Angeles, March 2. William J. Kelly, the noted stock hading man, aeeompanied by Garry McGarry, arrived here last Wednes- day on their way to San Francisco. The two spent several days here visiting the studios and renewing friendships with players now on th»» coast. Kelly sailed from San FranciSCO for Australia yesterday. McGarry is returning to Los Angeles, w Inli- ne will remain for a short time before returning to New York. * The Whirl Of The Town" is the title given the new revue which the Shuberts are sending out with Jimmy Hussey in the lead. The attraction will open at Washington in xt Monday night. The show is a combination of "The Nine O'clock Revue," at the Cen- tury Promenade and Hussey's "Tattle Tales." However, it is said l)iit two secnes of the latter show are to be used. Harold Atteiidge and Jean Schwartz wrote the 'Whirr' BhOW.. FRANK MILLS INSANE Well Known . Leading Man Com mitted to Asylum Kalamazoo. Mich.. March 2. Franck C. Mills, for twenty years a leading man in Broadway legiti- mate productions, was sent from here to the state asylum for the insane. COPLEY COMING DOWN. Boston. March 2. The Copley Theatre in this city, which houses the Hen.'y Jewett Players, a company made up for the most part of Hnglish actors, is due to be torn down When work on constructing a new Street starts in the spring. The company Will probably select some other house, as they have quite a following. A siii: li theatix is nec- essary for them, and nt present there isn't another house of this charac- tei in Boston. ALIMONY FOR MRS. KENY0N Los Angeles March 2. Charles A. Kenyon has been or- dered by the courts here to pay his wife $73 a week alimony pending trial of her action for divorce. Mrs. Kenyon .originally filed suit in San Francisco, but the action was trans- I ferred here for trial. The playwright was also ordered 'to accept responsibility of indebt- Icdnees of $600 Which was contracted by his wife. « Byron Changes Plays Arthur Byron will retire from the cast of "Transplanting .ban" at the end of the current Week In Phila- delphia and go into rehearsals at or.ee with ■ new play hy Vincent Lawrence entitled "The Ghost f'.c- tween." NEW MARY NASH PIECE Mary Nash, who is playing the Subway Circuit in 'Thy Name Is Woman," will take her entire com- pany to the coast at the eonelusion of her tour In Greater New York. Ouring her engagement In the west she will try out a new piece, written by her husband. Jose Ruben. New Farce For Miss Risdon Klizabeth Risdon will !>«• featured in -The Night Cap," a farce hy Cay Bolton and Max Marrih, which will be produced by Marvin. 'BAD MAN" TO SING SING Whole Show TraVtla to Amuse N. Y. Convicts At Siag Sing last Sunday night a special performance of "The Bad Man'' vas played before the in- mates, the production being carried to Ossining from the Comedy Theatre. Prior to the arrangement being inude for the special showing, a bit of uncommon humor came the way 'oV f»oNaY<>'tViY s Klnr/»: ftho Vtar.5 hi tfrtf piece. It was in the form of a let- ter from a lifer at Sing Sing. The convict explained there wasn't a chance lor him to "beat the stretch," that he was alone in the world and that he would appreciate it if Blinn would send him some cigarettes. The letter was signed "from one bad man to another." Blinn raised $30 among the com- pany and matched that amount himself for the purchase of smokes for the lifer. PLAN TO BRING WHOLE VIENNA OPERA HERE Project for Whole Organiza- tion to Cross. "LIGHTNIN'" ROAD CO. AVERAGE $18,000 WK. Three-Day Stands Spread Out to Seven. The road company of "Lightnin' " is establishing a record fo.* non- musical attractions in the south. For the entire territory covered the piece has averaged $18,000 weekly. The strength of the piece is such that recognized three-day stands in the central west are being booked for a full week. There is but one "Lightnin'" on tour. Milton. Nobles is in the lead role. His son Milton Nobles, Jr., is in "Happy New Year," a new com- edy which John Golden will open at Atlantic City Easter Monday. A project is on foot to bring over to this country the Vier.csse Opera Company, from Austria, in the near future. .Whether the ventare will prove too large an undertaking is a fact being reckoned with by those contemplating the attempt before any definite action is taken. The plan calls for the company to open lure in either the Manhattan or the Lexington. If the Ausirian organization, which is su].ported by go\ernmer.t subsidies in a manner similar to i.hat which upheld the famous Russian Ballet, is rrought over it will cross intact, including an orchestra of 125 pieces, scenety, costumes, execu- tives and stage crew. Inasmuch as the government supports the sing- ers u Is Lc'nevea that the passage would be made aboard a ship be- longing to the republic. Plans, for the carrying out in full of the enterprise, are still i. their infancy with much to be done before their completion. However, .. is not beyor.d the realm of possibility that Vienesse opera, ia the original pres- entation, will be* seen here within a year. "SCANDALS" HIT SLUMP. George White Show Meets Water- loo in Philadelphia. CLAIM AGAINST CORT Nathan Burkan has started suit for the H. Robert Law Scenic Studios agair.st John Cort for $929. According to the complaint the Law studios submitted models for the scenery for "Roly Boly Eyes," which were made by Van Acker- man, then in the employ of Law. Later Ackerman left Law and se- cured the contract for painting and building the scenery for the pro- duction. The $929 asks for repre- sents the cost of making the models. Philadelphia. March 2. George White cut his appearance | in his "Scandals" nere when busi- ness dived. He is on for the last few minutes of the show, but last week remained in New York. An attempt to bolster patronage by cutting the scale failed. It is claimed this is the only important stand where the attraction has fallen down. "Scandals" went to "Washington, White again going into the show. ''Turn to Right" Opens Veak. New Orleans, March 2. A rather below average company opened at the Tulane Sunday to the smallest house attending an opening this season. The company is veak and it is doubtful if itr. takings will reach $6,000 on the week. SWEETHEARTS" OFF AT PARK; CARROLL AND FOX IN JAM Show Set, but Called Off When Author-Manager and John Zanft Clash—Piece Goes to Storehouse —Park May Present Pictures Balance of Season. "His Sweethearts" with Louis .Mann was suddenly booked into the Park late .last week and was adver- tised to open Monday. Saturday, however, before the contract was signed the deal was called off and Earl Carroll sent the piece to the storehouse. A wordy battle oetwee i the author-manager and John Zanft of the,William Fox offlce led to the cancellation by the latter just prior to signin ; the contract. Fox secured the Park under an arrangement with Lawrence Anhalt calling for thirty-one weeks, which is the period yet to go on the An- halt lease of the house. Fox will present pictures at the Park or sub- lease it for similar exhibition. With TTnonth open before a feature was ready "His Sweethearts," which opened at the Bronx Opera House last week, was accepted, *he piece to stay at least two weeks. The Carroll show had been booked Into the Majestic, Brooklyn, but "Thy Name Is Woman" was sent there in- stead, which left the Park the only available spot. "His Sweethearts" is the rewrit- ten "Daddy Dumplins" which Car- roll ai.d (Jeorge Barr McCutcheon wrote aiid which ran for about six weeki at the Republic. With Sweethearts" bavin;, been out but one Week, Carroll must pay salaries for this week, the cancellation cost- ing him around $.1,500. A royalty suit was report ft 1 with McCutcheon as eomplalnat.t, ihe • lory being thai the i ew show 'played to 1120.000 and that $10,000 was due. Carroll explained the ac- tion as having been started by San- ger & Jordan, without his collabo- rator's knowledge. The royalty due McCutcheon actually grossed some- thing like $1,750, of which $500 was paid In advance ar.d the balance waived. "PENR0D" CATCHES ON. Los Angeles, March 2. Lee Parvin is handling the pub- licity *hera for the Frank Hgan presentation of "Penrod" in which Wesley Barry is starred at the Little theatre. The piece has caught on very well and indications are that it can remain for_o, rup. The .bouse, has a small capacity but business is almost at the $5,000 mark weekly. HILL TRIES PHILLY MET. Philadelphia, March 2. Gus Hill has rented the Metropol- itan Opera House here for two weeks as an experiment, and will Open with "Bringing Up Father." He formerly played his shows at the old Walnut Street and is charging the same price—25 cents to $1. STOCK EVICTED BY FILMS. Boston, March 2. At the end of this month the sto k company playing at the Maiden Au- ' dttOrlum will cease. The house hn ; been tak. n aver by a film concern, and, as there is no other theatre available in the cit\, the stock com- pany Is out of luck.