Variety (February 1924)

CABLE ADDRESS, VARIETY, LONDON 8 St. Martin's Place, Trafalgar Square CABLES • VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE 2096-3199 Regent Thursday, February 7. 1924 DEMONSTRATION AT HOUSE OF M OVER RAYNAL'S FORCED-IN TRAD Verbal Assault From Audience—Objection Also to Bedroom Scene Given in National Playhouse— Squabbling Over Comedie Francaise Management Furls, Feb. C. Causing a verbal disturbance that assumed the. proportions of a small riot, Paul Baynal's new ,throe-act tragedy entitled "Le Tombeau sous l'Are de Triomphe" had its pre- miere Feb. 1 at the Comedie Fran- caise. The. excessive dialog preconlsing the younger generation's prepon- derance was the cause of the dem- onstration with the audience tak- Ig side for and against the author's doctrines. Many also protested the presentation of the bedroom scene in the National playhouse. The reading committee of the or- ganization formerly refused to ac- cept the play for production but political influence was resorted t<j to secure a showing for young Hay- nal's philosophical symbolism that played as still being too lengthy and lacking in action, despite con- siderable pruning. The theme Is timed during the late war and tells of a soldier who obtains a brief furlough to visit his father and sweetheart, toiling them the strife is almost at an end. Suddenly recalled to the front, the girl offers herself, without mar- riage, and the second ait takes place In the bedroom after the con? summation, The boy there info; ins his fiancee the end of the war Is not yet in sight, .whereupon the disillusioned gnl recrots her action anil dot lares l.cr love has dimin- ished with her sacrifice, having been only an outburst of spon- taneous and patriotic folly and she reproaches her lover's absence from the trench's. Follows a confession by the ey- nsperatcd youth when he tells of obtaining his furlough through aving volunteered to undertake a dangerous mission that means cer- tain death and after which he ten- derly appraises the girl's remorse, weeping aloi.o while she sleeps. The following morning discloses the situation to the father. lie upbradds his son for abusing his sweetheart's confidence, whereupon the youngster violently reproaches his aged father's military Immunity, alleging the youth of the country Is doing the lighting while those of maturity are reaping the benefits. Aude, the girl, arranges a con- ciliation through expressing her love for the boy and promising to wait for his return and he departs Into the darkness. The title refers to the grave of the unknown soldier under the Trlomphal An h on the Champs Klysees and is symbolical of the Eoldiei'B destiny. Leon Bernard Is the father. Alex- andre the soldier and Mme. Ven- tura the girt. In relation to the difflouiti's this piece had In acquiring an opening there is still much Ink being spilled concerning the tecent squabbling at the House of Mollere over the nomination of new aocietaires and the resignation of others. The elevation of Huguette Duflos Is much commented upon, although her husband withdrew from the position to make room for her. The public fears that Mme. Weber mav be treated in a similar manner next year and asked to depart wh' n the promised societaire's place for Herve must he found, Sylvaln remains but his wife is definitely out and she continues to prosecute her action foi damages against tlie administrator. JOSH BALDHEADS ARTHUR COLLINS RETIRES Succeeded by Bas.l Desn At Drury Lane London. Feb 6. Basil Dean has succeeded Arthur Collins as managing dire, tor • f Lm ury I~ine. Collins lias been connei ted with the historic theatre in a managerial capa/lty for 2.1 year". If health Is amMiinml as tie ira- eon for Mr. Collins' resignation. Some thlnle Collins retirement was hastened by frequent disputes with Sir *'fred Ttntt. Beth held cuuai iikuu iik managing uirecturs. Spectator in Danzig Places Them to Form Pattern Danzig, Feb. C. Bald-headed men occupying par- quet seats in a Danzig theatre con- tributed unconsciously to the amuse- ment of spectators in the galleries recently as the result of the whim of tho ticket seller. It is customary in Central Europe for the men to remove their hats upon entering shops or theatre lob- bies, and the ticket seller took ad- vantage of this practice to use the bald-headed men to carry out his joke. He drew a picture on his seat chart and then disposed of certain seats only to bald-headed men. As the parquet filled and the "bald-heads" took their respective se its, it was seen by the remainder of the audience that they had been placed to form the outlines of a bird. It did not take the audience a minute to catch on and the house was soon in an uproar. RENE ROCHER'S FARCE FRENCH COSTS UP Substantial Increase in Living Ex- pense During February Paris. Feb. C. A substantial increase in the cost of living through a rise in all com- modities is exported during the month. Newspapers are increasing their selling pi ice five centimes (25 per cent) and the trade papers are ;ii'.- ing their advertising rates. Permission has been granted the Comedie Francaise to raise the price of certain seats by two francs. The Comedie, however, re-mains the cheapest scaled Mouse of its class in the capital. French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick, Ind. - Here I am having a little rest and riding horseback in tho morning and evening clothing it at night, while SOME ONE ELSE does the work. I'm not going to play my fiddle all the time, giving someone else a chance. I sent out thirty thousand blotters. I go to New Orleans soon, then to Havana, and little later to dean ole London (I shall tell you about It), and then Paris and home. I shall be a very busv little fiddlest. JEAN MIDDLETON P. S. Eddie Keller's Biggest Lit- tle Act. 'SOME DRAMATIC OPINIONS' Sydney YV. Carroll's Vigorous Boo!< Published 4-ACT HISTORICAL DRAMA Paris, Feb. 6 Barge rat's four-act historical drama titled "Plus que Heine' 1 ("More Than Queen") was revived at the Mogadcr Feb. 1 and favor- ably received. Mme. Cora Lapnrccrie was east as Josephine for an adequate por- trayal, while Colin was opposite as Napoleon. The reproduction of David's pic- ture, the coronation of Napoleon, was splendidly staged. HEAVY REP AT OLD VIC London, Feb. 6. At the Old Vic in the Waterloo road, "Henry VIII" is being played. It will be followed by "The Tem- pest," and in the near future the theatre will give "Coriolanus," "The Merchant of Venice," "Hamlet" (in Its entirety), Sheridan's "The Riv- als," the old morality play of "Everyman," anel a new English version of Goethe's "Faust." Some line learning ahead fcr the hard working company. London, Jan. 30. Under the title of "Some Dra- matic Opinions.' Sydney W. Car- roll has fathered a volume of essays selected from those he penned while dramatic critic of the "Sunda) Times" 191S to 1923. The book ipublished by F. W. White >t Co.) is well named for the writer is decidedly opinionated, lie- is a vigorous scribe who belabors heartily where he does not approve. Without doubt tho cudgel of Car- roll, together with the personal pro- noun of St. John Erv.n", did much low.nils dCodorJsiasT tho rubbish heap left upon the London stage by the war. The;/ were contemporary critics during the lean years, and now Ervine hftS written an intro- duction to the volume of his co-eval. Can ell's collection of articles is largely devote^ to grievances, griev- ances sui h as the inability of many players to make themselves heard. He advocates a brighter Sunday bj the opening of theatres anel makes various In teres! lay. speculations re- garding the stage and drama of the future. WINTERED O'CONNOR BURNED London, Jan. 29. Franci 0 Laidler's pantomime at Prince-:, Bradford, Is having a par- ticular.y unhappy time First the principal comedian, Jack Pleasants, died shortly after the production, I and now the principal girl, Winifred ! O'Connor, has been nearly burned | to death. She was shampooing her I hair with spirit mixture assisted by her mother when the stuff caught i fire, setting the room in a blaze. The screams of the two women brought their landlord to the room, and he flung a carpet over them. Winifred O'Connor was so seri- ously burned that it will be some time before the can returns work. 4 HIMMELFARB SENT AWAY Paris. Feb. fi. Hlmmelfarfe, founder the FYanco- Ameriean Cinematograph "bubble," was sentenced to two years in prison on a charge of embezzlement, while Deloncle and Blessy, his as- sociates, received 18 months as their respective poitior.s to !«.- served. The defendants technically de- ! faulted in declining to plead assert- ! Ing that a court without a Jury was 1 Incompetent. ' CAMELS BACK 1 ' PLAYED Londor, Feb. ?• "Camel's Pack," by Somerset . Maugham, at the Playhouse, is finelj . acted by a brilliant company. The piece was well received anil ! teems to have a reasonable chr.n • WOODS BUYS 'SOUTHERN LOVE' London, Feb. 6. The ivty Blyhe "Southern Lav" picture made over here by Graham Wilcox, hM been sold to A. H. Woods for the American and C.iii- n/llfirt rlchtQ, a. li ftoeut *li» a I'aru. DISCOVERS WELSH ACTORS London, Feb. 6. Nigel Play fair hU discovered a band of native Welsh actors and playwrights known from the place of the.r origin as the Portmadock Players, He it bringing them to town at the end of February when they will appear at the Lyric, Hammersmith, In a program comprising 'The Man Who Was Born to be Hanged,'' "The Poacher'' and "The Cloudbreaker." Conventional Story Liked at Paris Premiere "HAVOC" CATCHES ON London, Feb. fi, ' ILwii-.' 1 the -i.ir play at the Hay- market, nas caught on. Business on the second nifcht was only $nuo, but the piece is now ploying to capacity. The author, Harry Wall, Is new- 'nnier and las already sold n sec- ond play to a London manager. •LEAP YEAR" REVUE ! .01 di n, Feb. 6. Ti,' 1.1 ? t revue- at the London Hippodrome will be appropriately called 'Leap Vcflr." George Robey ret/rcll to M.-at fcftHte as principal bUiliVuAuii Paris, Feb. 6. Bene Recher presentee! at his little Theatre Caumartin Sunday a three-act comedy (or farce) by Andre Birabeau and George Policy entitled "La l'leur d'Orangcr'' ("Orange Blossoms"), fairly re- ceived. The story is that of a magis- trate's son who secretly manic-- the Stenographer previous to his fa- ther's arrival. The parent's appear- ance on the scene is the signal for the young couple to act ns sweet- hearts until the father consents to tho betrothal and the truth is revealed. Bignoret gave an outstanding performance In the cast, which in- cludes Etchepare. Armand Morin^, Germaine Riese, Marguerite Pierry. Mady Berry and Andree Guize. JEWELS AND PUBLICITY Faris. Feb. 6. Mme. Maria Kousnezoff is known to America as the star of the J. r ' topped Shubert "Revue Russi." which played for a week at the Booth in 1922. Sho Is the star of. a new show- hero and Herbert J. Deutz, dress importer, Is suing her for slander. First, Mme. Kousnezeiff accused him of attempting to deprive her of a necklace worth $500 000. Deutz got hold of the necklace through some pawn tickets, given him, he says, as security on $1,250 which he paid on a loan which Mme'. Kousnezoff had paid. Deutz is quite perturbed, says she is causing all the trouble to get publicity for her show and thai the necklace wasn't worth nearly as Mme. Kousnezoff pawned the Jewels when she was in Paris s- v- eral years, ago. shops would give was $!'."..POO f:anc«. 5 BARRIEREVIVALS NEW RISQUE COMEDY REFLECTS PARIS SOCIETY But "Is Fortunately Extremely Exaggerated"—Two "Bed- room Scene'' Acts Pail* Bel 6. ■\vc* Mirar.dt's new three-act risque comedy, which underwent a series e>f title variations previous to opening, .finally premiered at the Theatre de Capuelne." Feb. 2 under the banner of "L T ne Petite Une- |>eu La. The piece made an indifferent impression with two of the three a<ts 'bedroom scenes." The book concerns itself with a deml-mondalne named Kiki, who has three lovers, including Totor, a youthful and rich protector whom she deceives with the elderly and Impecunious Marquis until the former discovers the affair. The roles are reversed after the Marquil borrows funds from Totor, offering his uncle's inheritance as security through an intermediary, who claims Kiki's affections as his commission. Tho MarquW retires from the field upon his uncle's death, leaving Totor imagining himself as Kiki's possessor. The play, as a whole, is an un- complimentary portrayal of modern Parisian society, but is fortunately extremely exaggerated. Maud Loty sustains the role of the crafty Klki, Berthez is east as the Marquis, Ste- phen impersonates Totor, and Louvijmy gives prominence to the part of the intermediary. OVER-DRAMATIC COMEDY i"Le Bien A.ire" in F'e^cH—Story as Ycu Suspect Par>, Feb. C. Following 1 i- success at the Marlgnv, Jacques Deval placed his three-act comedy, "Le BJen Alme," at tile Theatre de :.i Renaissance Sunday for .1 favorr.b.'e reception, The play .see:.-.s ;.j suffer from an overdose of dramatics in the las: act, eliminating whatever pos- sibility there was of classifying it 1 as a complete success. The story is of a fculptor who I abandons his mi-stress to marry an "LONDON CALLING,'' FOR N. Y. i aqaorpua young ►■'•• The former London, Feb. 6, With Barries 'Alice-Sit-by-the- Fire" at the Comedy, there are five of the Scotch dramatist's plays run- ning at the same time In London, the others being "What Every Wo- man Knows," "The Will," "The Little Minister," and "Peter Pan." They are ail revivals, making this an unique record. London, Feb. C. Andre Chariot is readying a new edition of his revue "London Call- ing," which wiil premier in about a fortnight. William Berry and Teddie Ger- rard are to be added to tho cast and the piece groomed for a New York appearance. "PAYS TO ADVERTISE," HIT London, Feb. 6. Another American comedy scored a hit Saturday when "It Pays to Ad- vertise," the English adaptation of Rol Cooper Megrue's play, opened at the Aldwych. It was presented by a remarkably effective English company. ENGLISH GRAND GUIGN0L London, Feb. 6, Another Sunday play producing society has arrived the English Grand Gulgnol. Performances are given at the Century, a small-house In the oppressive euburb of Bays- water. Plays presented are the one-act horrors similar to those given at the Parisian theatre after Which the so- ciety Is named. VICTORIA-PALACE'S 20'> London, Feb. 6. A dividend of 20 per cent for lost year, the net profit amounting to $100,000, has been declared by the Victoria-Palace, Ltd, vaudeville, Sir Alfred Butt, chairman. Although the profits were slightly less than during the previous year. considering the adverse conditions, the results were more satisfactory, REWRITING "THREE GRACES" London, Feb. (,. "The Three Graeost" opening di - couragingly the the Empire, is to be rewritten, Arthur vVimperis and Harry Vernon have ben called in. Cicely Debcnham will replay Sylvia Leslie in the show. becomes ...1 and regains the fickle lover, persuading an elopement, but tlie v.,f- follows and ultimately .retains her husband. The cast includes Falconetti, as the wife, and Germaine Dcrmor, the mistress Charles Boycr is ths man. and Arquilhercs was promi- nent sis a family frie ne?. "ANAGLYPKES" FILM SHOTtfN Paris, Feb. 4. John Arlington presented yester- day a picture which possesses tbs third dimension of depth at Folies Bcrgere named, "Anagiyphes." DEATHS ABROAD -, Taris, Feb. I. Jean DeMerry, theatrical Jour* nalist and former secretary of ths Casino, died here Feb. 1, aged If- Arthur Mayer, editor of the Paris "Dally Gaulois," died Feb. I as » result of Influenza. He was TI years old. SAILINGS Feb. 6 (London to New York) "Wil- ton Sisters (Bercngarla). Feb. 4 (New Y'ork to Paris) Eugene J. Zukor, Mr. and Mrs, Arthur Loew, Raoul LeMat, June Ma this. Feb. 2 (New York to London), Mr. and Mrs. Charming Pollock and daughter (Helen), John Barrymore, Albert Morris Bagby (musician), I Nlckolal Sokoloft (conductor), Wal- ter Wanger and Justine Johnstone ; (Mrs. Wangn>, Mabel Terry Lewis ("Aren> We A)!'' \ C. Aubrey Smith. All of the Outdoors Outdoor amusements thorough- ly covered in the news in "THE CLITPER" every week. 10c. THE TILLER SCHOOLS OF DANCING 1'3 Charing Cross Road LONDON Director, JOHN TILLER w II I.TTi: KERSHAW .a.. "iwll