Variety (December 1921)

W II -i Variety's Chicago office Friday, December 2, 1921 STA^E-LaKE THEAT life' 6UILDING 1 9 LICENSE FEE TO COST ALL CHI THEATRES K OF GROSS | PRESCRIPTION MATINEE i Karr Amendment to Existing Ordinance Proposed— Slipped Through During Police Hearing—Would Cost Managers Additional Million Every Year Chicago, Nov. SO. Whin nniy «-° 8t t no theatre own- era ami managers of ChleaKO an additional $1,000,000 a year came to light with the Introduction of a reso- lution in the City Council calling upon the Committee on Finance to have its Huh-committeo on revenue draft an amcmlment to the existing ordinance providing for a license IVc for all place.- of public amusement and entertainment, exacting three per e»nt. of tho gross receipts of the amusement plares for a lheiise fee. This resolution was introduced by the Alderman from the o4th "Ward, ami was slipped through at the meeting during which the entire tlmo "• tlu.- Council was giv>-u to a dispute let ween Chief of I'ollce Fitznmriis and Staters Attorney Kol>< n C;•«•»•»■»'. None of tin- Ahh-i*- i i.?i*n:ii.tie(l un pug " ' HARPER'S $24,000 RENT Theatre Lcuce Changes Hand*— Bookings Stay With W. V. M. A. Chicago, N<>\ . ::•'. Lev. M. ..ml Max Guldbertf. own- ers «i the Harper theatre, l-'ifty- thinl sli-i-et and Harper Avenue. have leased the liom'.e to Nonis, Walsh \: IModna for five years at a rental of $M.00O a year. For the good will of the business $30,000 was paid to the (Joldberg brothers. The W. V. M. A. will continue to supply the hoUBc with five acts »»f vaudeville, which is used on the split week policy. Lew M. Cohl- berg. who is an agent on the W. V. M. A. ihtor, will Hupervine the book- ing of acts for the theatre. A fea- ture ietnre is run in addition to the vaudeville. Ray West's New Job Chicago, Nov. r,o. Hay West, treasurer of the A. IC. Woods since tho house opened, re- signed his position to take a ]»ost with a commercial concern. SH0RETRIAL Black and Tan Defendants Held Chicago in Chicago, Nov. 30. I/.zy Shore, owner of the Enter- tainers' Club, a "Itlack and Tan" resort, which was raided on the complaint of the Committee of Fif- teen, with Shore- and 38 of his em- ployes arrested on the charge giving a lewd, obscene ami indecent performance, will be compelled to Mand trial in the- Morals Court on that charge, according to^ the de- cision of Chief JuMice Hurry Olsen of the Municipal Court, w^io refused to dismiss the complaint. The first of the defendants wilt go to trial next Monday before .fudge Heap, and on the outcome ol litis ease tie trial of the other defendant. 1 -: will depend. A pet i; on signed by I'L'.OaO resi- dents « ; the Second Ward protest- ing against the i.pcration of black a n\l tan cafes war, presenteil to Mayer W. J I. '''it'aripsi :> :•.: d the City (.'onneii us a jesulr of the iaid | on Shore's establi-hnn id. The petition name.s tin- Kntertain- ers" (Mub, Suns*-: Club and Paradise dardens as behj- unfit places to have in this community. These places art; all located r^t Thirty- fifth si reel near Calumet avenue. The petition cites that property values have greatly decreased be- cause of the existence of these cab- arets and that it is unsafe for chil- dren to walk on the streets after dark because of fha-nt. Springe Waggish Publicity 8tunt for "The Bat" Chicago, Nov. 30. James F. Kerr, manager of "The Pat," came along with a now one last week when an announcement appeared in the daily papers that, he would give a "prescription matinee" on Dec. 21 at tho Cohan Grand. The invitation, which is extended to physicians only, says that any doctor who will present a nego- tiable prescription for one full pint at the box office will be given an orchestra seat. Kerr said that dur- ing Christmas week "Tho Bat" and the members of tho compr.ny are bound to need a stimulant, so he figures rather than stand tho "gaff" of ^ailing in the doctor at $3 per he will give a special performance and get tho script with the physician paying war tax. Kerr was sponsor of the "Give Overcoat" matinee, where all tho* n . .who gave an overcoat for needy ex- of ! service men received a seat. More than 200 coats were obtained in this manner. )'u JONESES TOGETHER Harry O. Jones, 20, Reunited With Wife, Released Under Bail MATCH Your Coat and V«$t With NEW TROUSERS Bring or Mail Vest or Sample to Edwin WcLskopf MATCH PANTS COMPANY ROOM 705 36 W. Randolph St. V CHICAGO NOTE: Dress Trousers a ialty. FRANCHISE FOR KE0GH Chicago. Nov. 30. Ez Keogh, ''who has been with the Hurt Cortclyou agency, has re- tired from the agency and has been granted a franchise to book on the W. V. M. A. exchange. Chicago, Nov. .'JO. Fl.iviv <>. Jones, 20-year-old son o? Louis o. Jones, manager of the t!," k.trxlolph theatre, win. was eorn- ' in it»id to the Psychopathic Hospital (at the instigation of bis father for 'an f.xamination as to his sanity, was released from the* Institution .'.ml reunited with his bride of two ] months, who hail been arrested on a charge of perjuiy growing out ol an alleged false' statement whioh Is ! paid to have appeared on the mar- ! riagc license. | At the time Jom s was released his wife was also released from custody on bonds of $2,600 to ap- pear before Judge Newcomer Dec. 1!5. County Judge Highcimer or- dered the release of Jones from the hospital. The couple who immediately aft<*i their marriage eloped to St. Louis were brought back from that city last week and taken into custody. The complaint filed against Mrs. Jones was sworn to by Walter II. Moore. The bride says she does not know him. HODKINS DISCUSSED . BY NEVER-AGAINS Acts at Picture House All Com- plain Chicago. Nov. SO. Patrons of tho .Forest Park the. at re. a picture house on the out- skirts of the city, have been seeing vaudevillo shows every Thursday night, with from eight to 12 acts appearing, for the past three months. All of these acts have been sent to the house for showing pur- poses by Charles Hodklns, personal representative of Alexander Pan- tages here. The acts before going to the theatre were told that Hod- klns and various Pantages agents would come to the theatre and aee their acts there. Sometimes some- one came, but the percentage of routes that were given from this house was very small toward the number of acts that had been show- ing. There was no financial re- muneration for tho acts appearing here. Some of them were compelled to pay for the cartage of their bag- gage to the theatre as well. It is said that one big act had a transfer bill of $$. r ) and that after appearing twice In mie evening they were noti- fied that Hodklns could not come out that evening, but he would sure- ly appear the following Thursday. Thanksgiving Day the manager of the house calculated tlwit it would be a good idea to run con- tinuum- from noon until mldniglK and that he would give a big vaude- vill show all day long. Hodklns got busy ar.d on that day 18 acts reported to tho manager of the | house. These acts were paired off Into shifts and at some shows as many as ten acts appeared and at other performances never less tlian seven were on. After each show the performers went out front and asked whether Ilodkins or someone from his office had reviewed the show. They wore told "not this show, but the next." This answer was given at each of the perform-' ancea and at the end of tho day neither Hodklns or any of tho men from his office had put in an ap- pearance. The performers returned to the city that night in a body and held an Indignation meeting in one of the "loop" hotels where they voted Never Again." ! l__ SCHALLMAN REINSTATED Alexander Pantages Wires Agent He Is Not Barred Chicago, Nov. ,'hl. Sidney Schallman, the independ- ent agent who was barred from the Pantages office here last week by Chas. Hodklns, pergonal representa- tive for Alexander Pantages, for barring tho act of Slmlol and Tor- tonl, received a telegram from -Alex- ander Pantages notifying him that the floor privileges granted to him by the head of the circuit had not been rescinded. The wire told Schallman that he was not barred and that he should show the wire .to Hodklns. Hodklns, it is said, is bitter regarding the revelations printed ki Variety last week with reference to the Schall- man incident. He issued a state- ment the agent had given the story of his business dealings with the circuit to Variety. That was not the fact, as the story was obtained from other sources, tho matter being common gossip among all agents in the city. Schallman is said to be one of the best independent *.;jents doing business with the Pantages office. At one time he was connected with the William Morris vaudeville ex- change here and he left there to go to the Pantages office with J. C. Matthews. During the time he has been with the Pantages Circuit Schallman has been the means of g: ting some of the biggest head- liners that played the time. CHICAGO A. M. SHOW OFF Marie Dresslsr Couldn't Lose Biswtjr Sleep Thanksgiving- Day New Shubert Music Head Chicago, Nov. 30. Walter Hlaufuss, a local musical director and composer, has been placed in charge of the orchestra department of the Shubert Western vaudeville circuit. with head- quarters 1.. Chicago. Arthur Linick Alone Chicago, Nov. 30. Arthur Linick has severed his connection with the Blair & Linick agency, independent agents, and is going it alone now in the inde- pendent field. BETTER THAN THE BEST SHOW IN TOWN FRED MANN'S RAINBO GARDENS BIG BENEFIT MATINEE Chicago, Nov. o<>. At a monster benefit matinee given at the Colonial theatre. Sun- day afternoon, for the purpose of filling tho Christmas baskets of World War veterans and their fam- ilies, $6,300 was realized. The pro- gram was promptod and arranged under the personal direction of J7red Stone, star of "Tip Top," the current attraction at the theatre Har.*y J. Powers donated the house for the performance. Among the acts which appeared were Hooney and Be*t. Frank Paeon, Ceorge White, Aunt Jemima. Savoy and Hrennin. Duncan Sisters, Six Hrowu Brothers, Slxieen London Palaces (llrls from '.'Tip Top" and Fred Stone. Hollo Tlmponi, man- ager of the theatre, was in charge of the executive arrangements and the sale of programs. NEW FIRE-PROOF PROCESS Chicago, Nov. ao. The I'.ihric Studios, Inc., have opened their own four-story scenic plant at West Van Huren and South Kedzlc avenue. In the lire-proofing department an innovation is introduced. Linings are placed in a vat containing a fire-proofing solution where they are soaked and then dried and ironed by automatic mangles. The executive offices of the concern will still be maintained at 177 North State street. Chicago, Nov. 30. . Endeavors were made by the Shu- " berts to give a special matinee per- formance at the Apollo at 11 a. m. on Thanksgiving Day and heavy newspaper advertising waa .done announcing the fact, HowrjV«r v when tho acts were consulted tfca first to balk waa Marie Dressier, who said she did not want to get Into bad habits by having to get up "so early in tho morning." Other actji on the bill on learn- ing of the Dressier ultimatum, de- cided to> rebel also. It is said the New York office directed the special l>erformance to be given, not being aware that Chicago folks tako their turkey at noon. There waa only a sligh advance sale for this per- formance and the mon ; was re- funded. BECKER BROS. SCENIC STUDIO 2321 Wabash Ave., Chicago ALL KINDS OF 8CENERY I'hone: VleTOUr ;i(t CLARK at LAWRENCE. Continuous Dancing — Vaudevi lie. Prank VVr*lpliul and liiiii.lm OrHieMrn. Amateur TllvatgW'ill Ni»«- l\»r\ t'ri<lti>. t rnlii\ . ST. REGIS HOTELS MARION 516 N. Clark Street CHICAGO 505 W. Madison St. PROFESSIONAL WEEKLY RATES CHANGE OIT RATES: ulttinnt bath. . . BM.OO anil Tn.on Thoroughly modem. Nfivly fornlnhed. Convenient to nil theud-rN. Hlna-I ............ Double, without llath . . SlO.r.O nnd * itt. einwle. with llath ■ lO.ftO and f 12. Double, ulth llath. . . .$14.00 nrd $10.UO Free rehenraal hall. WE SOLICIT YOUR PATRONAGE NEW YORK COSTUME CO. f'fiVSTfTIMWl LARGEST COSTUME fOWMS! tUMUWr^ MANUFACTURERS IN WEST l 'V" iy7> 137 N. WABASH AVE., CHICAGO Central 1801 HARRIS BAND WRANGLE Chiratfo, Nov. 30. I>avc Harris and his hand are not to continue a tour of the Ori heum circuit, it 1h said, due to Internal differences in the a^RrcKation. Two o' the men quit the act when It concluded its en^a^'ment at the State-Lake last Sunday, nnd two others are s;ihl h> have h.irnh d in their not ire*: to becomi* «. ffe.'tiw in Kansas City Dec. 1, >. ASKS LE MAIRE TO STICK ('hieatf.t, Nov. ;;*.». ' ;■ ■ k< Le Mail e. who \\ its lo have hi" I. ii:' ( a.^l o: 'icnrm' White's •S<■aiwIaH" ai tin- Illinois last ww-k Was r».-|lK.Meil t<» I'i'llUlin with the ••how ilnriiiK t li.* I.alat, ^ o! it-- t'hi- r..t'i i i ■: 11. v\ ' i :> n i < -t'liu n i *• m > i i ■ -c YOU'VE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST "THE 13th CHAIR* "PETE" Sot^ros Next Door to Colonial Thoatro 30 W. RANDOLPH ST., CHICAGO THE FOLLOWING HEADLIWERS ATE HKRK LAST WRF.Ki DOOSTUR9 FOR STEAKS Walter Brewer. Frmnci* Renaalt, Jack Inalls, Frank Tan Hoven, C ourtney sutrm, •limmr Lucas aad Franelaa, Bex Adam* aad Vera Thonm* i%n«l Kniuly. PAINTED ( '..'I' a. i■•■ - I > IKE BLOOM'S "MID-NITE FROLIC" Ci P'.-rfurmj!ici«. Called Off I '. . '. . ' in l ' -' ' >l ' ' i ■«' i \ av -i " i-'.'.f < r /.' \<\ • in'." at t lie ■ a i . . i i . "i i 11 I't'i n'ln - r . ■ in i.. • •■ .\i" I'la ..■ Iii^'ht . ■ .i • i. , i it'll ill i : • I ■ I t n '< • I - , . . y i ■ !■.'. .: :.. : I • Ti. ■ <1 t ' l i. jTIi' 1 "ee. V. [\ I ■ I ! " ' ! i • ' " J ' \ • ■ ■!'« 1 • .. a;.,- • ■-■• . fabric SCENERY A NEW DEPARTMENT In order to assist our customer- w i- liavt' secured the services of FREDERICK J. IRELAND a-* Director of Productions .ir I. ■!•■.• n>l :■ :i 1 ■.:. n r';-"* with i'^a,nii( .u. ii . Ii :. ■.vi'.i.tli i/f |il-- im .'i\ Htr.Ko rraftory in ;• i i .'riiui'lii'i of t lm rrtift"«slnn, Ineludtng y«:ai'• ;i»- a I», rce I «• e i>f Moving l'i«lurcn. Ifc will :nl Vl-'.- V< .1 I.H \ ) III'. J.ivpi ; AMi Jltt^-tK, ai.'l Hi" 'i ' * ; ■ ' :■ " n ■ I t ■ • ■ 11, THIS SERVICE WITHOUT CHARGL THE FABRIC STUDIOS, Inc. 177 North SUte Street (Opposite State-Lake Theatre) CHICAGO