Variety (September 1924)

14 VARIETY LEGITIMATE ■ .Wednesday. September 3, 1884 INSIDE STUFF ON LEGIT Owner* of the New York dallies win watch the progress of the open feud between W. R. Hearst and Bernarr Macfadden. Macfadden springs ate iftw picture daily. "Evening Graphic," about Sept. 10. His editor le M. H. Gauvreau. At the sum time. Hearst will put out hie new revise «f "The Smart Set" magazine, which will be a close copy of Macfad- den's "True Story Magazine." It la said that last fall Macfadden made the assertion he would soon he "the king of the popular magaaine field." At one time his "True Story" had a run of 1,250,000 copies a number. Tbla has fallen off to 000.000, It Hearst hired the editor of "True Story" away from Macfadden, but the editor didn't suit Hearst after he had gotten out five or six dummies; and another man was brought It. He faded quick, too. About a fortnight ago still another man was Installed. Macfadden's boast annoyed Hearst, and Hearst decided to go after the physlcaP«ulturlst who Is said to have oieaaed up $2,000,000 in three years with his magazines. ■ The Players Company, Inc., with headquarters at the Lenox Hill the- atre, disclaim all responsibility for "The Wonderful Visit" at the Princess, the play having gone under control of Equity through claim of non-payment of salaries. The play was originally produced by the Players at the Lenox Hill in February, and closed there after some weeks. Prior to resumption at the Princess in May. the production had been transferred to B. T. Hardcastle and has apparently been under his direction since then. v i On the advisory board of the Players Company are Zoe Aklns, Margaret Anglln, David Belasco, Willa Sibert Catha, Gilbert Emery, John Henning Pry, Arnold Genthe, Alice Kauser, Deris Keane, Mario Korbell, John Luther Long, Edward Sheldon and Constantlae Stanislavsky. Henry Still - saan and Benjamin Kauser are the stage directors, and Donald Johnson Is executive manager. The Gay Toung Bride" was written 11 years ago by Captain Leslie Peacocke with Julian Eltinge in mind. A. W. Woods paid $500 advance royalty, but Eltinge rejected "The Fascinating Widow," and the piece re- verted to Peacocke* where It remained In his trunk 10 years. Last season the "Gay Toung Bride" suddenly appeared as a special stock presenta- tion with Tommy Mattel le, the impersonator, as the feature. Martelle has been playing stock houses with the show ever since.' A demand for the play also came from England, where Herbert Clifton has been touring the pronvince in It since last October/ and Is to be presented in London' as "The Bride." A year ago Peacocke was on the point of tearing up the script Samuel French is handling the play. Variety has been requested by so many aewapaper men to run a depart- ment with news of the newspapers, syndicates and periodicals that this paper may shortly inaugurate that department. Newspaper men say •ware Is little attention given to the real news or Inside stuff of the newspaper world; through the close association of theatricals and news- papers, they, believe such a department would nicely fit Into Variety. A further argument and of some weight is advanced by the newspaper men, that as Variety is now being read not only by dramatic critics of the dailies but by city end frequently managing editors all over the wsuatry, such a departmeat If Installed would immediately get recogni- tion from the entire craft. It was common knowledge during the days of the "Times Square Daily" that it's largest circle of readers in any one place around Times square was in the Newspaper Club. "Bye, Bye, Barbara," the co-operative musical show at the National, originally presented in Hartford last spring as "The Go-eJetter." fidnwtg Price annually produces a show there for the benefit of the employes in a large Insurance company. The shdw has been considerably changed since the Hartford-showing, and Is said to have bean a better entertainment originally than now. "Barbara" was put on with a short bankroll, the principal backing com- ing from a Hackensack, N. J-, woman, who Invested $10,000. The play- ers were reported having also invested, but that is said to be Incorrect, their part of production being an agreement to take no salaries for the first eight weeks/unless the business warrants. > The striking off ofJBthel Shutta's name from the billing of the "Mar- Jswie" show Is claimedVo have come about through her signing with ategfeld while still under the LeMaire-Krakeur bar.ner. , As the story goes, Flo Zlegfeld was out front during one of» the early performances and immediatelly sent a representative a wire to see the girl. Miss Shutta Informed her present employers of the offer, was told to wait, but passed up the advice and signed. *: • Under a run of the play contract Miss Shutta must necessarily linger with "Marjorie," but the news of the prospective departure was sufficient to reduce the outside personal billing altogether. Louis Sherwin, former New Tork dramatic critic and scenario editor, has, for the past two weeks, been in Ludlow'street Jail, New York, for refusing to pay alimony. He is preparing to remain in the "alimony eiub" for three months and may have to remain, a "guest" for six months. Last week a friend sent him a large basket which included food- stuffs, fruit and blankets. The gift was at Sherwin's request. While the Jail house supplies bed covering, he figured extra blankets might come in handy during the fall. BROADWAY STORY (Continued from page 11) dropped under $15,000, "Marjorie"* under $12,000; "No Other Girl* got about $8,500, "Keep Kool" around $11,000 and "Plain. Jane" $7,500. Five additional -premieres axe carded for next week: "Rita Revue," at the RiU; "High Stakes" (the Wiliard Mack play first called "Lace Mols" and since then given halt a dozen titles), at the Hudson; "Thor- oughbreds," at the Vanderbilt; "Conscience." at the B e lm o nt , and "Le Coq d'Or," a Russian revue, at the Frasee. There were no definite closings listed up to Tuesday night, although "Sweeney Todd" will quit the Frasee, the management claiming another house for it. "Bye, Bye, Barbara" is In doubt after this week at the National, and "The Wonder- ful Visit" will finish up at the Princess this week or next. A number of shows gambled with t lie weather and gave special Labor Day matinees. Only the leaders ap- peared benefited by the added per- formance and grosses generally this week may not be benefitted thereby. Buys for Seven Arrivals Seven of the new plays arriving this week will have buys from the premium agencies, sd" that the first week of the season of 1924 -26 will at its close find the brokers with 1C buys listed on their books. Of these three are those that have been standing through the summer, name- ly "Geo. White's Scandals" (Apol- lo). "The Follies" (New Amsterdam) and "Kid Boots" (Selwvn), -where it moved to from the Earl Carroll this week, the buy being cut down about 60 percent under what it was at the house further uptown. An- other attraction of la A ■ season, "Stepping Stones" (Globe) received a renewal of the buy on its reopen- ing this week, this buy running to about 400 a night. Of the current week's arrivals those that will have buys are "The Tantrum" (Cort), "Be Yourself" (Harris), "Rose-Marie" (Imperial); "Pigs" (Little); "Vanities" (Music Box), "Top Hole" (Fulton) and "The Passing Show" (Winter Garden); for none, however, has a definite amount of seats been settled op. Of the late arrivals last week "The Werewolf* (49th Street) got a buy of 200 a night for four weeks with 25 percent return. Others com- pleting the list of buys are "Danc- ing Mothers" (Booth); "The Best People" (Lyceum). "No Other Girl" (Morosco) and "Marjorie" (Shu- bert. Two Openings in Cut Sates Two of the attractions whlvh opened on Monday night had seats on sale in the cut rates for the first performance. They are "Nerves" (Comedy) and "Havoc" (Maxine El- liott). Whether they will continue in the cut rates is a question, but with the heat as high as it Is the chances are that they will hold. The cut, rates ran a neck and neck race with the buys by also having i« shows which they offered at bar- gain prices. The list in addition to the new pair mentioned contained "•Keep Kool" (Carroll), "White Car- go" (Daly's), "Plain Jane" (Eltinge). "The Werewolf (40th Street), 'Sweeney Todd" (Frasee), "Fata Morgana" (Garrick), "All God's Chillun Got Wings" (Greenwich Village), "Strange Bed Fellows" (Miller's), "No Other Girl" (Mo- rosco), "Bye Bye, Barbara" (Na- tional), "The Wonderful Visit" (Princess), "Marjorie" (Shubert), The Easy Mark" (J9th Street) and "Chariot's Revue of l*g4" (Times Square). Martin Beck states the report his new West Side theatre would be under the direction of A. L. Erlanger during the engagement of Its debut attraction. " M ad am e Pompadour." Beck makes It clear he will manage •he house himself and, following "Pompadour," has scheduled other pro- ductions for the West Side, all to be under his management. The pro- duction of "Pompadour," however, will be Jointly presented by Beck and C. B. Dillingham. Few persons appear to understand the change of title of "So This Is Ramies" at the Henry Miller to "Strange Bedfellows." The latter is a contraction of the phrase: "Politics makes strange bedfellows." It Is likely, the new title lends the Impression that the show is a bedroom farce aad It may account for the 100 per cent betterment in business since the new label was applied. In any event, the present title is much better than the o'ry "politics" name. Mrs. Clara Fargo Thomas, wealthy society woman who designed the lor "The Best, People," and who stated at the time that she to quit mlllloaalrlng to get out and work, has also designed e of tTM sets tor "Grounds for Btvoroe." another Ffohman production, nd Sovey did one of the scenes for "The Best People." Wells Hawks baa begun a series of press agent experience In Collier's a' Magaaine, the first appearing In last week's Issue. In these yarns he de- tails- Dig own theatrical history since being a $12 a weear dramatic critic on the Baltimore "Sun" to the present time. The first story relates numerous phoney yarns pat oyer with the aid of animals. % Two musical successes classed as Independent attractions are housed in theatres outsjde those owned by the "powers" (Shubcrts and Erlanger) ' and are spotted side by side. They are "Scandals" in the Apollo and "Kid j sjoOt s " now in the Selwyn, having moved there from the Carroll Monday. "•Boots," like "Sally, is controlled by Zicgfeld alone, although Erlanger Is eqaaliy With him In the <"Fonics." KILLING THE SUMMER N. Price Dishing Sodas— George Duplisses Dodging Baseballs St John, N. B., Sept. 2. From the stage to the dispensing of Ice cream sodas is a far cry, but the leap has been made successfully by G. M. Price, for more than 15 years a member of legitimate and musical productions. Price, who states he was with one of the "Thank You" companies touring the Bast last season, has been serving sodas at a local ice cream fountain. He says he likes the occupation, and when his stage career is at a close he will revert to this side line for Jceeps. George Dupltssee, portraxer last season of minor roles with a stock organisation here, has also been gar- nering some, lucre this stason in a unlqire- way. He ,r.a3 been esconced in a barrel at picnics, carnivals, fairs and outings, painted grotesque- ly and billed as Bill Hohenzollern. Every time one propels a baseball that collides with "Bill's" belfry the accurate shooter receives one Havana de Cabbage. Duplisses is supposed to bob his skyplece in and out of the barrel. Thus far he has escaped the. hospital. ) , " ' Conparatire Business Statistics of Scenic Artists ad LSttographers for 1921-1923 Washington, Sept 2. There were 17 establishments producing theatrical scenery and stage equipment in 1923. These produced.sets and stage equipment valued at $1,625,668. an increase of $$■• per cent over 1921. The figures are made available through the biennial census of manufac- turers no " being carried en by the government. Of tho 17 establishments reporting for 1928, seven were located In New York, three In Illinois, and the remaining seven in Connecti- cut, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Missouri. In 1921 the Industry was represented by 18 establishments, the decrease to 17 being the net result of the omission of two establishments which had gone out of business prior to the beginning of 1923 and the inclusion of one new establishment. In 1923 there were 278 persons employed in these ^establishments, against 230 in the IS reporting for 1921. There were eight pro- prietors a.i'i firm members in 1923, against six in 1921. The salaried employe* numbered <0 In 1923 against SB in 1921, while the wage- earners bad an average number of 210 In 1921, against 1(9 In 1021. The largest number employed in 1923 was during the month of September and the lowest number was in February. In 1921 the largest number was employed in May and the smallest in July.. Salaries and wages paid for 1923 totaled $596,653. This divided into $165,881 for salaries and $249,772 for wages, These figures for 1921 were $131,748 for salaries and $361,302 tor wages. The total wages ana salaries paid in 1923 exceeded 1921 by 20.8 per cent. Con- tract work was considerably reduced in 1928, the figure reaching but $4,080 against $13,894 in 1921, a reduction of 70,6 per cent. Production costs Jumped 29.1 per cent In 1923. It cost the makcro of sets an.' equipment for materials $634,622 for 1923, against $491,- 682 for 1921 . w In the lithographing industry, so closely allied to the amusement end there was produced in 325 establishments lithographs valued at $91,050,585, an increase of 14.6 per cent over 1921. Of the 326 establishments, which employed 16,177 people, 112 were in New York and 39 in Illinois, while the rest were scattered through- out the entire country. The lithographers pale $24,779,793 in salaries and vrages for 1923, which was an increase of 17.5 per cent over 1921 when this figure reached $21 085,435. -*. McSTAlTS TITLE San Francisco, Sept 2. William R. McStay, formerly gen- eral press i epresentative for the Lurie, in Oakland, is occupying a similar position with the Pacific Steamship Company, making his headquarters In Los Angeles but spending a great deal of time trav- eling up and down the coast upon the company's ships. Among his confreres BIH, who formerly - held the honorary title of "Colonel," has been promoted and is now generally addressed as "Admiral" McStay. AHEAD AND RACK • Charles McClintock, ahead of "Grounds for Divorce" (Charles Frohman). ' John B. Campbell, company man- ager, De Wolf Hopper Co. Charles Bogart, formerly with Wagenhals A Kempea, has suc- ceeded Mr. Nelms as manager of the "Keep Kool" company. The latter goes to the Constance Binney "Sweet Little Devil" company. With the reopening of* the' Ful- ton, New York, with "The Top Hole" as the first of the season's at- tractions, James N. Vincent is back in the box office as treasurer with Howard E. Young his assistant. Miss Justin is ahead of "Meet the Wife," with George E. Deer special agent, and Herman Lewis, company manager. Harry Lambert Is in advance of "On the Stairs," with Barnes Barnes back. They Joined the show In Chicago, the road season opening in Cincinnati the latter part of this month. Richard Kline has gone ahead of Hurtig & Sean.on's "Just Married," which ij booked for a Southern tour. Frank E. Gwnh has taken the advance for the new Frederick E. Bowers show that * <. 3ns this month. Dan Slattery is ahead and Nat Roth back with "Sally, Irene and Mary," which featured Eddie Bowl- ing and is Jumping from New York to Lps Angeles. Roth was handling "Marjorie," which berth Sam Ta'uber now holds. Col. Hlnton is going ahead of "Aren't We all," switching Ja4er to the agent's berth with "The Stepping Stones," when that attraction goes on tour from the Globe next month. • Eddie long, .house manager for a number of Shubert theatres former- ly, has been assigned to handle the Imperial, New York. Last season Long was house manager for the Globe, later going to the Crotona for William Fox. John Osborne, who managed the Imperial last season, will confine himself to the Shubert' offices as formerly, assistant to Gea- MA nm*r Balph Long. ,. BELASCO SIGNS For the first time in years David Belasco baq consented to let one of his plays be turned over to another legitimate producing concern for road production He has signed a contract with Leffler A Brattpn for the latter to cast and route a com- pany in "Klkl." The agreement provides that the Leffler A. Bratton company of "Klki" must be approved by the lie- lasco offices. The show will open the first week In October and will play all city time not played by the Ulric com- pany. Shows in Rehearsal "In Dutch" (Jones A Green), Maennerchor Hall. "Rain" No. 2 (Sam H. Harris),- Gaiety. "Schemers" (Herman Timberg), Bryant Hall. "Greenwich Village Follies" (Bo- hemians, Inc.), Colonial. "The Purple Cow" (Musical Com- edy Guild), Carnegie Halt. "Meet the Wife" (Hurtig A Hea- mon), Palm Garden. "Just Married" (Hurtig & Sea- mon), Bryant Hall. "Ma Adams" (B K. Bimberg), 53d Street. "Made for Each Other" (Harry McKee), 42d Street. "Tarnish"-No. 2 (John Cromwell), Playhouse. "Tha Magic Ring" (Henry W« Savage), Knickerbocker. "Lollipop" (Henry W. Savage), Tecumseh Hall. "High Stakes" (A. H. Woods), Hudson. "Oh, Oh, Madeline" (A H. Woods), Eltinge. ' "My Son" (Gustav Blum), Prin- cess. SHOWS OPENING The John Cort offices have "Three Canaries," a new show -by Billy King, the colored comedian, under production prospect for the fall. "Meet the Wife," direction Mary Byron, opened its road tour in Lakewood, N. J., Aug. 29. i SHOWS IN N. Y. (Cntinued from page 13) week). Earl Carroll's second pro- duction of revue which last season played his own theatre. Sophie Tucker and Joe Cook featured. Premiere Thursday night. "White Cargo," Daly's 6Sd St. (44th week). A holdover drama with engagement indefinite. Last week estimated between $7,000 and $8,- •00 with previous week claimed to have been $9,000, which was exceptional. Attractions Outside Times Square— "Grand Street Follies," at the Neighborhood Playhouse; "All God's Chillun Got Wings," Green- wich Village. , ..