Variety (August 1923)

/>.;- ■ * ■ * »* ." .YiJS^:5^^'t.SK^ C AB LES •■^^^'teK^*'^^^ Au.u.t 2, i« -flir- CABLE ADDRESS, VARIETY, LONDON PERPETUAL HOME FOR AGED ACTORS . BEQUEATHED BY PERCY G. WHUAMS After Provision for Wife and Son During Lifje, Income Goes to Institution for Dramatic and Vaudeville Players—EsUte Over $5,000,000 Th« will of Percy G. "WllHains, dated in June, 1917, and filed In the •urrogate'9 court, Rlverhead, Suf- folk county, Long Island, yesterday, |v, leaves half the Income of his eatate to his wife and son during their life and half for the creation of the "Percy William* Homo" for the care and maintenance of old and In- llrm players of the dramatic and vaudeville stage. The value of the •state is estimated at over |5,000,- 000. Specific bequests amount to about $200,000, mostly in the form of trust funds for ilfe, reverting to the home endowment at the death of the b«nenviA/ies. The residue is divided into equal portions, half for the creation of the home and half for the use of the son and widow for their lives. Th« will expresses a desire that th« home be founded during the life of the son and widow, and that \fter their death it be located on the Williams estate. Pineacres, at Bast Islip. The executors, without bond, are William Grossman, for years P. G.'s legal advieor; Fred A. Rosebush, his secretary, and the King's Courr- ty Trust Co. of Brooklyn. The apeciflc bequests are as fol- lows: To Harold G. Williams, son, |26,- 000 in trust for life, the testator's yacht and other boats. To Reginald R. Williams, brother, $6,000 (the brother having died In . August, 1919, this bequest is changed, in a codicil dated January, 1921, to a legacy of $25,000 to his widow to be held In trust during her life and to revert at her death to the trustees of the home). To Fred A. Rosebush, secretary, $10,000. To Alwilda Richard, sister-in- law, $6,000 (the same codicil sub- stitutes $100,000 for the original provision. The will also directs (Continued on page 29) LEHAR'S TAGANWr HAS PAGANINt THEME World's Premiere at Vienna in Fall—Composer Dis- proved Bad Reports 'CIVIUAN aOTHES' ENDS IN 1 WEEK, £350 GROSS American Play Called Old Fashioned in London— Thurston Hairs Next Tjondon, Aug. 1. ••Civilian Clothes" closed Monday at the Duke of York's after play- ing one week to a gross of 850 pounds. The piece was regarded as slightly old-fashioned, but Thurs- ton Hall strengthened his position here through playing the stellar rolo. •The company wished to continue on the commonwealth plan, but Violet Mclnotte, proprietress of the theatre, refused to consent to It, although she originally financed the venture. Hall is making arrangements to produce another American play here shortly. Vienna, Aug. 1. Frans Lehar's newest operetta, which Wilhelm Karctag will pro- duce nt the local Theatre am Vien late this fall, fas highly praised as a novelty musical production in ad- dition to disflroving the existent impression that LehAr's type of composition is passe. The theme is written around Paganini, the great Italian violin- ist of *lie sixteenth century, said to be the greatest violinist of all time. The title is ateo "Paganini" and is based on the maestro's romantic career, as "Blossom Tithe" had the composer Schubert for a central motif. The production calls for the play- ing of a beautiful violin serenade off-stage by the "Paganini" char- acter,* and an accomplished techni- cian is therefore necessary. Broni- slaw Huberman will perform In the Vienna world'b premier^ and Jascha Heifetz ks being negotiated for by Felix Meyer, Karczag*8 American representative, for the New York production. It la generally believed Ih the Austrian capital that Lehar's "Blaue Mazurka" will never see production in the United States, although Henry S. Savage had the rights for over a year. Advices locHUy had it that Lehar is deemed out of fashion across the water. He dis- proved it completely by the success of "The Three Graces" and the "Yellow Jacket" musicals, composed by the author of the "Merry Widow." Yesterday, August Istj was iny mother's birthday, and I tuld tny mother about Dave Chas^n, w^ic wi^l soon be Chafeen home from London. When he inlays Chicago I can see him Chosen up to visit her with Harry AShton and a pint of ginger ale. August 5, Keith's, Portland, then back to Bob Murphy's farm. South Royaltoh, Vt., rfor two weeks; then Orpbeum tour, theh England, V^tn Harry Van Coven's brother, FRANK ' LONDON REHEARSAIr^UZZING ^ FOR NEW SEASONS OPENIl /.i Uneiidployables Among Actors Having Best Time-^ Managers IVefer September to Augiist BaaK Holiday is Season's Start ,..., $75 MGHTS GROSS, BUT $15 ALSO IN LONDON •'.»v . II III Five legit Houses Stopped Saturday — "Reggie" Got $75 Monday and "Tancred" ; : • $15Friday ^ ^ SIB CHABLES HAWTRET DIES London, Aug. 1. Sir Charles Hawtrey, producer, and England's leading comedy actor, died July 90 at the age of 66. He recently underwent the Steinach treatment for prolonging Ufe. London, Aug. 1. Five local legit houses closed Sat- urday, the productions termhiating. The closings Included "Oliver Croipwell," His Majesty's; •'Secrets," Comedy; "Keciiless Reggie," Globe; "Fanny's First Play," Everymans; "Tancred," Kingsway. Closing this Saturday arie "C.'.rnival," New; and "Success," at the Haymarket. "Reckless Reggie," Monday of the ^nal week grossed $75, and "Tan- cred" secured |15 Friday night. • ' "Enter Kiki" Now Named London, Aug. 1. "Klki" opens toni€rrow night un- der the title of "Enter Kiki," owing to the original title having been used for a touring farce originally named "Glad Eye." Trying Oiit ''Mary, Mary** . London. August 1. Harold Nallson, In association with Lady wyndham, will try out a new play next week by St. John Ervine entitled ''Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary," at Eastbourne. AUTHOR OF OBUMPT REPEATS London, Aug. 1. "Peace and Quiet," by Horace Hodges, author of "Grumpy," was enthusiastically received at the Comedy Monday. It contains a trivial plot with the author, who is playing the star part, endeavoring to create another eccentric character role like Grumpy, In which he but partially Succeeds. SAILINGS Through Paul Taussig A Son, 104 East 14th street: July 28 (New York to Lomlon), 'William Passpart. Bert and Betty Wheeler, Mosconi Family (Mr. and Mrs. Charles S., Mr. and Mrs. Louis, William, Charles C. and Verna) <Orduna). Aug. 1 (New York to I»hdon), Arturo Bernardi (George Washing- ton). Aug. 7 (London to New York), Paul Whlteman and band (Levia- than). Aug. 7 (London to New York) The Clintons (Leviathan>i Aug. 4 (London to New York) May Tully (BerenKaria). July 28 (New York to Berlin), Wllliflm Passpart (Oduna). July 28 (New York to London) Mr. and Mrs. I. R. Samuels (A<inl- tanla). July 26 (London to New York), Tom Terriss (Majcatlc). Aug. lb (London to Quebec), Woe CJeorgle Wood , (Einpiof^M of Bri- tain). CHARa MSCRIMINATION AGAINST COLORED BAM) SHUBERTS ACCUSED OF 2D UFT HtOM CHARLOrS LONDON REVUE ,*■ London, July 24. Every stage and every rehearul room Is at the moment full on ao« count of the preparations for thf autumn season, which begins Au^ gisst Bank Holiday, although the more cautious, managers nowadayt] wait until September before goii out. Despite this activity, the to' seems fuller than ever of unem< ployed who are genuine playemi- and quite a distinct crowd from the, unemployables who have be«i mooching around and telling hard luck stories from their youth up. This latter section of' the com* munlty have a much better tiiQ^ and get more money "on the ear^. than do most of their genuiae brethren by bard work When "The Cabaret Girl" flip« Ishes at the Winter Garden it will be followed by *'The First Prise.", book by George Grossmith, lyrlot by P. G. Wodehouse, music by* Je- rome Kern. The leading parts win be played by Leslie Henson«' Heather Thatcher and Dorothf Dickson. ^Joe Mackle, who has been posing as an agent, but who is really « laborer, has been sentenced, tQ 12 months at the Manchester Ak sizes. Advertising that he was a vaudeville proprietor, he got Into touch with the stage-struck, from whom he obtained money for train* ing. Messages from South Africa aoH nounce the success of the Moscow vltch repertory season. The actor will return to London at the eM of the summer to prepare for his production of "King Lear," which is due In the early autumn. Henry Lonsdale, a well-knowB leading man and for some years tbt star in the Melvllles' Lyceum pro^ ductlons, died during the week-end after an Illness of several weeka He was playing at Derby when 1M| collapeed In the middle of a per* formance. ^ . ' ^ Cochran Protesting Labor Ministry's Decision on Vodery Band London, Aug. 1. Charles B. Cochran Is protesting vehemently against alleged dis- crimination by the Ministry of La- bor, which refused to allow him to book Vodcry's Band for private entertainments and cabarets. The protest is based on Whiteman's permission to play everything and Specht to play the Alhambra and Coliseum In conjunction with Lyons' Cornerhouso Restaurant. No colored discrimination Is al- leged, with Cochran Informed the refusal Is based on the unemploy- ment of British musicians. The producer threatens that unless he is granted the permit he will close "Dover Street to Dixie," as the show is too expensive to continue throughout the summer. There is not suflficient profit to chance a hot spell, when the receipts might drop below the expenses. Cochran had planned to book the band and P'lorence Mills for private entertainments, which would have yielded him an additional profit of £400 to £600 weekly. '^BECKET" FILM ■;'< -4' Writer of '^Rato" Appeklt to English Authors' So- ciety for Protection and Redress Through Shu- bert's "Lifting" London, August t.— The Stoll Film Co. will produce Tennyson's "Bccket" for the screen with Frank Benson, the famous ShakrHpoarcan producer. In the title role. Pearl White in French>made Film London, Aug. 1. Pearl White will reappear In the films in a prodiiclJon to be made^n Paris. , , ; London, Aug. 1. Advices received here by Andre Chariot from the Selwyns in* New York say that the Shuberts are.re- hearsing another scene taken from Chariot's revue, "Rats," being played here. Charlof has accused the Shuberts of taking the "Seeing DbublO" bit from "Rats" for use In the current "Passing Show" at the Winter Gar- den, New York. The London pro- ducer has Instructed his attorneys in New York to take the necessary steps to prevent the Shuberts cpn> tlnuing the "Seeing Double" bit or producing the other 'lift*', from "Rats." , t Ronald Jeans, who wrote "Rats" has appealed to the Authors' So- ciety of England for protection and redress from the Shuberts for his stolen material. Variety last week reported the steps about to be taken by O'Brien, Malevinsky & Driscoll, New York attorneys, on behalf of Andre Char- lot, to enjoin the Shuberts' show at the Winter Garden continuing the alleged Infringment uipon Chariot's stage bits. Chariot Is due to open a revue in New York on New Year's Eve under the direction of the Selwyns. Into It will l>e incorporated portions of the several successful reviews Ch.irlot has produced in London. Through Broadway producers showing the Chnilot choice bits be- fore the original producer can pre- sent his play in New York, the hardship for Chariot in making a succefsful presentation In increased. It is reliably reported the Shu- berts never a^f>lIed to Charlct for permission to present any of hie stage i;n^terla1 over, here no^ did they offer to p»v Jot, f.he usf qf li. FRENCH COURT UPSETS MANAGERIALAUTHORITY Dismisses Cheusi's Appeal as Director Opera Comique - Paris, Aug. 1. The French high court has dis- missed the appeal of Cheusl, former director of the Opera Comique, who started an action five years ago against the minister of fine arts for his abi^'upt removal. ^ The preamble judgment reveals an evident embarassment of Ihe court in reaching its decision. The latter upset^ the authority of a^l managers of French State sub- ventloned theatres, giving the min- ister full power to cancel all con- tracts entered Into by the State theatres, an'd increasing the political influence relative to engagements entered for the subventioned houses. Clara Butterworth's part in Ti* lac Time" Is being played temx porariiy by Eve Lyn. .M Ben Milton, an Amerlcail Hebreif J comedian, opened at the Londotf | Shoreditch July 15 and his expert^ ence consisted of one consecutiTi night. The audience of this ball It mainly Jewish and they failed it see the humor In his comedy. »i ■ > Accordnlg to present plans, FYeA la Relne, Tex McLeod and Bobb^ Henshaw will sail for New York 94 the "Homeric" Aug. 16. "WHITE BOSE" AT TlVOn London, Aug. L Biram Abrams, who has been her* In the Interests of the United . Artists, Is believed to have closed 4 p deal whereby D. W. Grifflth's pro- duction of "The White Rose" will b* the Initial attraction at the neW Tivoli. At the Griffith offices in New York it was stated that they were not aware of any deal for the Tivoli The only Intimation of anything of thfit nature being a catJe received on Tuesday by Albert Gray from Ivor Norvello, who appeared in tb* picture suggesting it. DAIY*S TO AMERICANS London, Aug. 1. It is reported here that Daly'n theatre has been tAk«n over by an American m.inag^'ment. No con- firmation could be obtained nor could the names of the American man- agers be ascertained. HORDKIN AND TROUPE London, Aug. 1- Mordkin has contracted to danc* here with a troupe commencing J* September. WII.ETTF Ten Matinees for Dancers Paris, Aug. 1. Clothllde and Alexandre Sakhar- off arc to dnnce at ten special matinees at the Adelpbi, London. during October.' ' , ' KERSHAW OUARANTY TRUST CO. ^ E22 Fifth Avenug New ToQ "THTnLLER SCHOOLS^ OF DANCING 143 Charing Cross Road LONDON Director, JOHN TILLER