Variety (July 1924)

CABLE ADDRESS, VARIETY, LONDON p A R T F ^ 8 SL Martin's Place, Trafalgar Square \^ ^\ O l^ iL> iJ VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE ^ 2096-3199 Regent Wednesday, July 2, 1924 REVIVING EMPIRE AS MUSIC HALL, AHEMPT BY SIR ALFRED BUn London Manager Hopes to Restore Former Pres- tige—Reopening This Month—Has Been Play- ing Pictures and Musicals London, July 1. Sir Alfred Butt has hopes of bringing back the Empire to its for- mer standing and prestige as a music hall. Sir Alfred's effort will commence during this month, prob- ably the 15th or 22d. A diversified vaudeville bill will Inaugurate the attempt. On the pro- gram will be a Ben All Haggin ta- bleau, produced by the New York artist, who is arriving here today on the "Berengaria." Nora Bayes also may be in the first show. Of recent seasons the Empire, held by Sir Alfred under lease, has been Intermittently playing super-pictures and musicals. The EUnpire stood for ye'ars as the leading music hall of Europe. Sir Alfred would like to see it restored on that pedestal under a similar playing policy, but most likely with- out the "promenade" adjunct the Empire was equally famous for in those days. FAY COMPTON'S $500 A DAY BIGGEST SALARY Working in "11th Command- ment," George Cooper's Picture London, July 1. George Cooper is not having too bright a time with the Gaumont people, owing to time limits and such, in his production of "The Eleventh Commandment." This picture may easily be his last with the firm. It is said his leading lady. Fay Compton, is drawing $500 a day. If this is so, it ij far and away the biggest salary ever paid to a British arthBt. AUSTRIA'S PRIZE BANDIT WANTED FOR PUBLICITY On Trial for Many Murders, Caruga Receives Offers from Commercial Firms, Etc. London, July 1. All of Europe, but more particu- larly the Central Empires, is talk- ing about Caruga, a brigand on trial in Austria charged with a long string of murders. Caruga, described in the dis- patches as "a kindly brigand," Is being sought by many big concerns selling widely advertised merchan- dise on the Continent. The firms want him to recommend their wares, boots and shoes, perfume, bath salt, chocolate candy and similar things. The value of Caruga as an ad- vertising medium doubtless will fce capitalized. There is no chance of his escaping the death penalty, it is said. The newspapers are bartering for the story of his life and the inner details of his rem;'rkable love affairs, while the advertising men ore fighting for the publicity. BOOED "MR. GIBBS" AutKior Claim* Show Distorted— Chance for Run Dubious PEGGY O'NEIL'S DRESS Firm Sues—Peggy Counters, and Both Win London, July 1. Peggy O'Nell underwent the "or- deal" of trying on a costume be- fore an austere Judge in the King.s Bench Division last week during the trial of an action against her by the liquidator of the firm of Peron, Ltd., for $600, the value of the moleskin costume. The court Insisted that she be properly chaperoned during the fit- ting, and counsel explained that Miss O'Nell would not be called upon to remove her clothing. Peggy retaliated by asking dam- ages for a moleskin costume left by her with Peron and not returned. A hat also had been left. Peggy's maid said she had to stand on a chair to help her mis- tress don the coat. Peggy couldn't sit down for fear of splitting the coat. Both sides won, Peron being awarded a judgment and Peggy be- ing given $90 for her iinrclurneil things. London, July 1. It is doubtful if anything can be done to save "The Other Mr. Gibbs," which opened at the Gar- rick last Wednesday. The gallery "booed" the piece at its conclu- sion. The offering is an old-fashioned farce with too many soliloquies and "asides." Will Evans, author, said that the play had been well received in the provinces, but had been changed for the London presentation. He added that he will apply to the courts to enjoin the producers from distorting his play. Among the cast were Robert Hale, Kate Cutler, Pollie Emery and Harry Taylor. TEARLE RECONSIDERS London, July 1. Godfrey Tearlc has reconsidered the offrr made him by Al Woods, and will go to Ntw York to rii)i>car In "Tlio Fake.' The play 1h approaching the end cf its run here. ROBERT EVETT RESIGNS London, July ]. R'^berf Evett has resigned the manai^ing directorship of the Gaiety. THE TILLER SCHOOLS OF DANCING . 14S Charing Crot* Road LONDON Director, JOHN TILLER SUMMER REVIVAIS Paris, July 1. Paul Geraldy's "Si Je voulais" terminates at the Gymnase after a shorter run than expected, and is being shortly replaced by a re- vival of "L'Ane de Buridan," in which Victor Boucher will hold the lead for one week and then be replaced by Ville, who will also appear in the revival of "l*s Vignes du Seigneur" this summer. Max Dearly will resume "Men Bebe" (his version of "Baby Mine") to complete his summer season at the Ambigu whe i he finds it neces- sary to withdraw "J'ai une idee" ("Tons of Money"). "TONI'S" ROAD COMPANY London, July 1. A road company will open in "Toni" Aug. 4. The original rc- main.s a hit at the Shaftesbury with Jack Buchanan and June in the leads. C. S. Melvin and Dainty Dorip will have the leads in the No. £ show. Jean Middleton, Jean Middleton, Jean Middleton, Jean Middleton, Jean Middleton, Jean Middleton, Jean Middleton, Jean Middleton, Jean Middleton and JEAN MIDDLETON Direction EDW. 8. KELLER U. S. Lines Pay $548 A checik was forwarded this week by the U. B. Lines to the Actorsr' Fund for $548.26. It rep- resented the fund's share of con- tributions made on the ships of the Lines during April and May for the concerts, provided mostly by professionals. The Actors' Fund, by its presi- dent, Daniel Frohman, requests of all professionals on ocean-going ships wlio take part in the con- certs, wherever bound, that they demand as provisionary for their appearance one-third of the pro- ceeds of the benefit (seamen) ooncert be turned over to the Actors' Fund of America. IfHITE CARGO'S" VAMP NAKED; LICENSE REFUSED tHASTENING", Lord Chamberlain in London Censors Two Americail' Plays—"Cargo" Also Ordered to Tone Dowi^ Dialog—"Chastening" to Be Performed Privatelj; ROUMANIAN QUEEN IN HER OWN PICTURE Has Written Story and May Personally Appear in the Cast GIRL'S SUICIDE CAUSES DRAMATIC COURT SCENE Drina Strange Takes Her Tife Over "Swanker" Who Mis- represented Himself WILL TEST "AMERCLA" London, July 1. ^lt id understood that D. W. Grif- fith'.s "America" will be tested in several smallor towns before it is shown here. This i* to be done to determine its fitness for London. Opinions differ as to how the pic- ture will be received. London, July 1. Tensely dramatic scenes attended the coroner's inquest into the death of Drina Strange, 22, professional singer, who committed suicide shortly after discovering that a man with whom she had become infatu- ated was married. The parents of the girl created a sensation in the courtroom. Sidney Klbby, clerk, and employed by a dairy company, met the girl and posed as the managing director of a company with a salary of $50 a week and the use of an automo- bile. Drina'B father met the fellov.-, decided he was a fraud, and warned his daughter to dismiss him. The father later taxed the girl with the liaison, and Drina pro- fessed her love -or the man. The father sent for Kibby and warned him to leave tie girl alone. Before committing suicide Drina wrote pleading with her father J '. to molest the man. Drina's mother testified to an in- terview at whi-^h Kibby and his wife were present. Mrs. Kibby turned on Drina, the latter's mother testified, and Drina was "stabbed to the heart" by the woman's words. Klbby took the stand and pro- duced a letter in which Drina wrote that she prayed the Klbbys would be reconciled. The coroner censured Kibby, as- serting Kibby wa.s morally, it not legally, responsible for the tragedy. At the close of the testimony Drina'B mother deipanded that Kibhy be taken to the mortuary to "look on the ruin he had caused." The coroner said he could not com- pel this. "Ifcnctforth," Drina's father shouted, shaking his fist at Kil)iby, "you and I are mortal enemies!" Police escorted the two men out of the courtroom. • London, July 1. There is a possibility that the Queen of Roumania may appear in the cast which will play her story before a camera under the title of "The Voice on the Mountain." It is a certainty that, at least. Her Majesty will be on "location" when the unit starts work. As regards publicity, and should the Queen make a decision to actively enroll herself with the play- ers, it will surpass any previous means of press stuff that filmdom has known, although the Prince of Wales appeared in a patriotic drama during the war, , - The cast for the picture has not definitely been decided upon, but it is probable that Gladys Jennings will be offered'the lead, as she is the outstanding feminine luminary for screen work on this side. Manning Haynes will direct. OPEN AIR DRAMA Abel Rubi's Spectacle at Avignon, July 7 DOUG IN SCANDINAVIA Berlin, July 1. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford passed through here last week,fComlng from Nuremberg, and en route to Copenhagen. The trip to Russia and across Siberia has been abandoned. ' ' Bcrnhardt's Granddaughter Divorced Paris, July 1. Mme. Louise Verneull, wife of the actor-playwright, has been granted a divorce. 8he Is a daughter of Maurice Bernhardt, and a grand- daughter of "the Divine Sarah." The defendant Is touring with a Roumanian actress. Paris, July 1. The cast of Abel Rubi's "L'Ara- gonais," the new 3-act play in verse, to be produced on Monday evening, July 7, before the palace of the popes, at Avignon, comprises Valbel, r. Bella, Oettly, Dubosq, Chabrier, Mmes. Colona Romano, Marcellu Frappa, and Anne Devll- liers. The author traces the resistance of the last occupant of the palace at Avignon, Benedict XIII, known as the anti-pipe, when ordered to abdicate in favor of the rival pope at Rome. The subject, founded on historical facts, although many scenes are imagined by the playwright, lends itself for a big spectacular show. There will be BOO persons engaged in the performance. 1 I«ndon, July 1. | Two American plays for produce tion over here have received ceo^ soring attention from the Lor4 Chamberlain. His heavy hand, descended upMt "White Cargo" with instructions to the management for Mary Clare t<^' wear some clothes. " With the Charles Rann Kennedy piece, "The Chastening," the Lorff Chamberlain refused permission fojij its performance in public. PrlvaMi performances will be given wlUi the author and Eldith Wyno4 Mathison in the leading roles. A further order for "White Car* go" was to tone down on its dialofr^ which has been ilone; also Miss Claire obeyed the orders aboui more clothes on the stage. Miss Claire is a native vamp and is said to have been in this plec« about the most naked woman evec seen on a local stage. i "THE RUE DE LA PAR" TITLE FOR NEW m% I Opening in N. Y. in October- Grock, Maurice and Hughes and French Midgets Billed ,] 'i London, July 1. 1 The Rcquel Meller show to be peow duced in New York next October will be called "The Rue De Lit Paix." Besides the Spanish girl ae lt4 star, the production so far haJ| signed Greek, the clown; Maurice and Leonore Hughes and the FrescM Midgets. ! Maurice and Hughes opened last Thursday night at the Embassy Club here. They did very well witB their dances. k "ARCHIE," NEW AND MUSICAL Ixindon, July 1. Herbert Clayton and Jack Waller will produce a new musical play entitled "Archie," at the end of July. The cast includes Paddy Duprez, Henry Lytton, Jr., Norman GrifTin, Hebe Bliss, Maidie Andrews, Gaby Fay and Eileen Bostock. The book is by Worton David and George Arthur, with music by Hadyn Wood and Jack Waller. AMERICAN DANCERS APLENTY Paris, July 1. Many American dancers are - on the bills in the cabarets. Florence Walton, with her hus- band, Leon Leitrim, is at Rector's Club, where H.-irry Pilcer is also dancing with the Palm Beach Five orchestra. Donald Sawyer, Marguerite Rob- erts, Billy Revel and Betty de Lnune are at the Abbayc de Thelmc. LEWIS DIVORCE CASE London, July 1. Mrs. Phil Lewis, wife of the mu- sical director of "The Co-Optimists," Is suing her husband for divorce in an undefended suit. The co-respondent, Lillian Davies, stepped to fame from the chorus of "Polly," when Nigel Playfair last year ppet her for the title role. COBURN'S AMERICAN RIGHTS London, July 1. Charles Coburn has acquired tM American rights to "The Farmer'iJ Wife," current at the Court. Coburn sailed en the Aqultanl4 Saturday for New York. ,i SAILINQS ^ July 30 (Vancouver to AustraJlafi The Lampinis (Niagara). f ' July 24 (London to New York)] Harry Lester. • , July 19 (London to Africa) Bei< J Errol (Persic). } July 0 (London to New Yorll)) - Charles Dillingham (Majestic). ;| July 8 (from San Francisco fo£ ./• Australia) Hadji KaCar Troupe. July 5 (New York to PlymoutWj Harry Tozcr (Belgenland). July 5 (New York to SouthiOnp* ton) Lionel Atwill (Bjrgenland). July 5 (New York to Paris)", Olga Worth ("Paris"). July 2 (New York to London),- Mme. Olga Petrova and husband (Dr. John D. Steward); Dorothy, Clark. Gipsy O'Brien ("Maure^ tania"). June 28 (New York to London^ Mr. and Mrs. Sam Kingston, Adel* ^ (milliner), Caroline Blaney (MM Jeslic). June 28 (London to New York), Martin Beck, Charles Coburlj | (Aquitanin). "; June 26 (London to New York) Harry Mundorf (Levialhan). London, July 1. Bentham Acting for Butt M. S. Bentham, the New York agent, now over here, is acting for Butt in the new policy planned. Bentham booked Bayes and Haggin. He is also reported to have cabled offers to Belle Baker and Frank Tlnney, among others. OTHER CABLE NEWS on Pages 3 and 4 fl WILLIAM MORRIS I AOBNCT, nVC. Patnam Bide, 1403 Broadway, lACkawanna 1140 N«« V*rk CklttH Lm AsmIw L«i<m f, Few t«J#