Variety (March 1921)

VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE 26 H ANWAY ST„ OXFORD ST., W. I. CABLES Friday, March h ii, m i I [IT IN LONDON; BUFFALO ALSO LANDS Edna Bett Haa Role Created by Ina Claire—"Savage and Woman" Success Due to Indian Star—. Maugham Sex Play Produced. London, March t. •Tolly With a Past," presented at m. James's, March 2, has gone over to a Dig success. The piece was given a magnificent reception on its opening night, and Edna Best, in the role created by Ina Claire In New York, gives a brilliant perform- ance. The rest of the cast is un- usually important throughout "The Savage and the Woman," which is reminiscent of Robert Ede- son's "Strongheart," also looks like a probable winner, principally through the personality of Young Buffalo, who is starred in the pro- duction. Opened at the Lyceum March 3, the show was greeted by a packed house, and at the end of the final curtain Young Buffalo was the recipient of an enormous ovation. The play is an old-fashioned melo- drama, full of sensational material. It deals With a red Indian's love for a white girl and her's for him. At the last it is discovered he is an English earl, so that the racial wrinkle is ironed out. The stag- ing is good 1 , but aside from the star the cast is ordinary. "The Circle," by Somerset Maugham, was given its premiere at the Haymarket, March t. It is a very nasty sex thing, and not any too well played. In fact, the first night audience several times ex- horted the actors to speak up. "Love," a very amateurish comedy in which a man hesitates between two women, opened at the Play- house, M-irch 5. FRENCH FARMERS FLAY PARIS MERRY-MERRY *SSJfiKi lv te000,000 ALLIANCE FILM UNDERWORK PLAY w * Heroine Is Murderess, Hero Detective Who Loves Her. SELWYN BUYS TWO. Announces Rights to "Daniel" and "Chasseur." Paris, March t. • Archibald Selwyn, here for sev- eral weeks, was seen at the press performance this week of "Lilas," and stated re has acquired the American rights to "Daniel," In which Sarah Bernhardt appeared here and which has been running for some time in London, and "Chasseur de Chez Maxim," now at the Palais Royal. Mr. Selwyn declared that Sam H. Harris is his partner in the deals. Both plays p.-obably will be offered in New York next season. So Deputies Fear to Subsidize Paris Opera Paris, Feb. 24. The French Chamber of Deputies (Congress) has rejected the pro- posed extra 700.000 francs a year for the Paris Opera, although having previously voted the additional sub- vention. The proposition was turned down by the Senate and when again discussed in the Chamber led to some lively speeches which led to the majority revoking the earlier de- cision. Maurice de Rothschild opposed the measure introduced by the Min- ister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts, attacking the management of the Opera by Rouche, referring to the late strike and complaining cer- tain singers had been dismissed though they had taken no part in the strike. Some rural deputies, favorable to supporting the Opera, feared to vote openly on the question, not to run the risk of being accused by their country constituents of voting money for keeping up ballet girls in the capital. The Minister In hie appeal explained the Opera is now being run at a loss of an average of 12,000 francs each performance, and that "Valkyrie" and "Faust" only brought sufficient receipts to cover expenses. If the extra subvention, now only 800,000 francs (never in- creased since 1871) waa not granted he thought it would not be possible to settle a dispute with the staff which might soon arise. His appeal did not avail. Revue Artiste in Legit Paris, March t. "Madame Sans Gene" is being re- vived at the Porte Saint-Martin the- atre this week, with Mme. Mistin- guett In the title role, supported by Pierre Magnler, Andre Calmettes, Daragon, Lucy Marell and Carletta Contl. Paris, March I. "The Heart of Lilas," a new drama of the underworld, written by Charles Henry Hirsch and Tris- tan Bernard, was nicely received upon its premiere at the Theatre de Paris on March 6. Leon Volterra is the producer, with Andre Brule the star and Madeleine Lely his chief support. The critics praise the work, which is a melodrama in three acts. It tells of an elderly man, accustomed to visiting women in Tenderloin houses, who is found murdered. The victim's foreman is accused by the authorities, who apparently are un- willing to reveal the dead man's private life because of the high standing of his family. Andre, a young detective, is convinced the prisoner is innocent, but thinks a girl named Lilas, previously arrest- ed and released, is Implicated in the crime. He obtains quarters in a shady lodging house, there mak- ing Lilas' acquaintance, and falls in love with her. She reciprocates his affection, and he takes her into the country, there proposing marriage. The girl accidentally ascertains An- dre is connected with the police and, in outraged indignation at what she considers his trickery, denounces him. She confesses the crime, de- clares it was committed inadvert- ently. He professes his love is un- changed, but the girl shoots her- self, leaving Andre broken-hearted. Volterra put the play on In suc- cession to the expensive "L'Homme a la Rose," and announces several new subjects that have been ac- cepted for future production at this theatre. One is a play by Pierre Wolff, another an English comedy adapted by Francis de Croisset and Robert de Flers. In addition, there are "Les Don Juanes," by Marcel Prevost; "Moliere," by J. J. Frappa and H. Dupuy-Mazuel, and Maeter- linck's "La Puissance de la Mort." APPEARS NEAR COLLAPSE London Staff Dismissed with Verbal Notice—Studio Employes Expect Same Fate—$1,000,000 Stock* Sale in Court Action. TWO BRITISH SHOWMEN COMING TO BUY HERE Laurillard Will Bargain For "Scandals." Edward Laurillard is due to come to New York from London shortly to negotiate for the English rights to a number of American legitimate successes. Among other produc- tions he will contract for are George White's "Scandals of 1920," taking over the production intact but re- cruiting an all-English cast. William J. Wilson has cabled he is coming over to have a look at George M. Cohan's "Mary," with a view to staging it in London for J. L. Sacks, who has the English rights. TRIX GIRLS REMAIN Conflict with Dolly Sisters in Sams Show Smoothed Out. GUITRY COMEDY REVIVED. "Berg Zoom" Given Good Reception at Bernhardt Theatre. IN PARIS By E. C. KENDREW Mme. Daynee-Grassot, the actress, aged 85, who recently retired, has been operated on for cataract. - Lionel Laroze and Jean Richepin are busy on a four-act play, con- cerning "Pascal." Trebor, manager of the Theatre Michel, has acquired the summer lease of the Ba-Ta-Clan, and will present melodrama, opening with Zola's "L'Assommoir." The recent action of Silvaln and Jaubert, Joint authors of a version of Eschyle's tragedy "Persians" against the Revue des Deux Mondes to constrain the publishers to insert their reply to criticism of the play, has been decided In favor of the plaintiffs. The ruling has come as a surprise in newspaper circles, and the critics threaten to ignore future productions by Silvain. who is the doyen of the Comcdie Francaise. As an author can now legally compel a French Journal to print his ex- planation when he considers the re- port as an adverse criticism, the question of reporting new plays until the law is changed is being discussed. The Syndicate of the Parisian Press is studying the situ- ation created by the judgment of the French courts, and a change of leg- islation is demanded. It Is possible a bill will be introduced into the French parliament modifying the law. "La Petite Mariee," the comic opera of Charles Lecocq, produced at the Renaissance in lt>75, has been revived at the Mogador, as already reported by cable. The \ ok by Leterrler and Vanloo bears a mossy appearance. San Carlo has had an amorous adventure with the wife of the local podesta in an Italian city, and the said magistrate Is deter- mined to treat him in the same manner when San Carlo marries. However he is disarmed by tb- art- lessness of the little bride (hence the title), and finally renounces all idea of revenge. Jay Gould, who is now personally at the head of the man- agement of the Theatre Mogador, formerly Palace (managed by Alfred Butt), has supplied a fitting mount- ing. Paris, March 1. The comedy of Sacha Guitry, **La Prise de Berg-op-Zoom," was re- vived at the Theatre Sarah Bern- hardt on March 2 with a cast in- cluding MM. Baron, Jr., Chamerory and de Couer and Mmes. Printemps, Jean Danjou, Gorgette Armand and Bailly. This play was produced some years ago at the Vaudeville, with the author in the chief role, that of the Police Commissioner, and now again meets with a flattering re- ception. The story of the married woman, who is courted by an ele- gant police captain and who finally promises him a tender kiss on the anniversary of the fall of Berg-op- Zoom (herself tearing off a few dates from the calendar to hasten the time) is wittily told. London, March t. "The League of Notions' will re- tain the Trix. girls, Helen and Jo- sephine, who have been the out- standing hit of that production, which also contains the Dolly Sla- ters, Jennie and Rosie. The two pairs of sisters were in a clash for a while, but are now reported to have smoothed out their differences. During the conflict the Trix girls gave notice they would not renew their contract with the Charles B. Cochran show. After peace had been declared the Misses Trix signed for another term. The Trix Sisters have grown ex- ceedingly popular in "The League of Notions." Besides having been called upon to appear before royalty numerous times, their services have been in strong demand for the mak- ing of phonograph records over here. ACTRESS WINS VERDICT Cecily Debenham Geta 500 Pounds Against Publishers BLUMENTHAL TO BERLIN London, March 9. Ben Blumenthal, foreign sales representative for Famous Players, expected here this week, went instead to Berlin. He left the Adriatic at Cherbourg and pro- ceeded at once to the German capi- tal. The exact object of his visit there is not divulged here, but it is believed to be for the purpose of arranging details of the deal be- tween Famous Players and the Unions Film Aktler.gesellschafft (UFA), whereby the two companies are to handle each other's products. London, March 9. The Alliance Film Corporation. the 15,000,000 concern whoso officer* and director* soon must appear In court in connection with charges in- volving approximately $1,000,000 of stock sales, is apparently on the brink of complete dissolution. Noth- ing but chaos exists at the head office of the corporation. Saturday, the office staff was given verbal , notice of dismissal by the secre- tary .of the company, and, while the . employes at the studio have not yet received their notice of discharge, all are standing around doing noth- ing and expecting to be out of Jobs most any day Only three directors of the cor- poration — Messrs. Hutchinson^ Raper and Henter—are in London at present, and they seemingly are without power to prevent the shut- down. The only person who could prevent it is a wealthy member of the board who has seen a lot of hit money wasted already in the enter- prise and is not likely to risk any, more. "Carnival," the massive produc- tion in which Matheson Lang Is starred, has been pronounced by all critics as one of the most perfect film features ever turned out In Great Britain, but owing to the muddled condition of Alliance's af- fairs, it is a question if it can be used as an asset for a long time to come. Contracts with British ex- hibitors for the display of the film have not been confirmed, nor have the contracts for foreign and other territorial rights. Harley Knoles, erstwhile Famous Players' director, who came ever here especially to make "Carnival,* is traveling about the country with a print of it, presenting it at trade showings only. But even if he Is successful in obtaining contracts for the film, it is questionable If they can be carried out, because the print he has with him is the only one that has been completed. When others will be made is a matter for the future—and probably, the courts —to determine. Sir Walte - De Freeoe, whose name was a powerful magnet In attract* ing investors to Alliance, and who is one of the directors summoned in the pending suits, is said to have put up th) mcr.ey for the trade showing here and in the provinces. He tried in this way to save the situation for Alliance but Is said to have refused to do more. "Nelly" at the Theatre de la Gaite seems to. have caught on, This musical comedy in three acts was known at the Oxford theatre, Lon- don, as "Maggie" by Thompson. Jacques Bousequet and Henri Falk have supplied the French book, while the music of Marcel I.attes, who conducted at the premiere, pleases the Parisians. London, March 9. Cecily Debenham, musical com- edy star, has been awarded a ver- dict of 500 pounds damages against a firm of newspaper publishers whom she sued fo libel. Evidence was introduced showing that the defendants published a photograph of the actress wheeling a baby car- riage, the contention being that the caption or. the picture gave readers to understand the baby was that of Miss Debenham. The actress is unmarried. May Ward has passed through Paris on her way for a rest In the South of France from London, ac- companied by her husband, Freeman Bernstein. She states she will be bark soon for a longer stay. She has signed to appear in a picture play in England, "Black, the Dog," in April. The death is announced of Arthur K. Droulflon, French composer, aged 58 j ears. NEW STAR AT ALHAMBRA. Paris, Feb. 23. Really for a try out a new Russian comedienne vocalist, Sophie Goloub, made her debut at the Alhambra this week, prior to going to London, where she is expected to open at the Coliseum. She made good here, sing- ing in Russian, but comprehensible to all by the manner she rendered her songs. Mme. Eugenie Fugere. who has been absent from Paris for years, appeared in the same bill. PEGGY (MIL SAVOY THEATRE, LONDON Fraticelli in Charge Paris, Feb. 24. M. Fraticelli, who has been man- aging an independent stage society here, has been definitely appointed stage manager of the Theatre des Champs Ely sees by Jacques Hebertot. B0ST0CK LEFT £81,000 Will of Menagerie Man Killed III Auto Crash Filed London, March f. The will of John WombeD Bostock, of Bostock's Road Men- agerie, who was killed in a motor accident some time ago, was filed for probate here this week. It was revealed by the documei I that the deceased, only SO year* old, died possessed of an estate valued at £31,000. IN LONDON By IVAN P. GORE London, Feb. 20. The slump has set in and scarcely any West End theatre is doing the business hoped, a sure sign of this being the diminishing crowds of devotees awaiting admission to the popular parts of the house. Mean- while rents continue to soar. Five hundred pounds is quite a normal figure and in one case where the rentage is a mere trifle of £350, ten per cent, on the gross takings is exacted by the landlord if the pay- boxes show £1.200. Therefore if the tenant plays to capacity and does £2,400, Mr. Philanthropist- Landlord takes £590 without any eapeltss; or risk. "The Garden of Allah" has broken dll records for Drury Lane, where previously the most popular spec- tacillar melodrama has had to eomc off to allow of the production of the annual pantomime. The three hundredth performance has n. taken place. When the Hltchens play does fiomh the old building will probably pass into the hands of the builders for big structural altera- tions. It is said that over £100,000 has been i pent by the management in bringing exits, etc., up to county council requirements. Dorothy Reeve, the cousin of Ada Reeve and the only member of the family to take up the dramatic side of the profession, has sailed for Canada as leading woman of the Percy Hutchison-Walter -loward company which will present such popular Lyceum favorites as "The Midnight Wedding" and "The Prince and the Beggar Maid" She has already played leads with Her- bert Sleath, WeedOtl (Jrossmith and the Brothers Melville. On this tour, which opens in Montreal Feb. 28, (Continued on p;;ge 22)