Variety (August 1925)

,■% Wi . 'V , #* 1^- .• - «t Wednesday. Augutf It, IttS LEGITIMATE VARIETY IT F-P MAY TAKE imANS^ANADA mm Booking Problems Killed Profito Hat tf- Tb» Trani-Canada Theatre* cir- r^Mlt may shortly be abaorbed by ''Vamoui Players through Its cor- W porate Canadian branch. A change |n control or ownership has been landing tor some time following an v^'arder of liquidation filed during the "uprins. With the small houses as a nu- etou* the Trans-Canada company /formed a coast to coast circuit, but : |U said to have been a profitable en- 'terprise. Difference In managerial l^eaa between eastern and western t^uM owners precluded harmony in^ ^ the organisation. Reports of dis- .- 'Agreement in policy have come from % Montreal from time to time. 'tr. The principal factor in the failure \Ppt the circuit appears to have been f the boolcing problem. There are but -.» few high spots for legitimate at- > tractions and Broadway producers !' 'refused ta play the balance of the t'route. That situation developed !;'^(ter American managers dlscov- 'h Ared New York successea were fp- t'^uently dlsUlced by Canadian pa- >'trons. ':' For the past season or two the ; Trans-Canada company bought the 1>ominlon rights for Broadway hits :: "mad , toured companies under their . j»wB management. However, in dis- r. posing of the rights the producers .. •ometimas held out Toronto and ^«MoQiireal for their own touring ; companies, which made the prob- : .l«m harder for the Canadian show- ,. vaea. AUTO CRASH Nlok Elliott and Wife Injurwl In Franklin, N. H, Mishap PrankUn, N. H., Aug. 11. Serious Injuries were suffered by Nick Btliott, manager of the Winter Oarden. New York, and his wife when the auto in which they were riding hit a tree at a curve near here Saturday. Claude Oolden, owner of the machine, was driving. The Bl- liotts were en route to visit their sons, at a camp at Bristol. Oolden said the accident was caused when another machine forced him off the road. He was only slightly injured. Mr. and Mrs. EMUott were removed to a hospttaL MKS. G. LEDERER WANTS ROYALH FROM "K.KX" Alleges Ruse in Sale of Her One-third Interest—Exami- nations Before Trial MANHATTAN 0J1.F0RSUBWAY CIRCUIT Hurok Propotet Playing Broadway Shows at Pop Price* NEW FLORIDA RESORT VIU. HAVE INNOVATIONS Davis Island to Have Open Air Glass Dance Floor and Night Golf—Also 3 JOO Seat Thea. Preparations for the opening of J>avis Island, a new florida resort •ituated in the bay of Teunpa and connected with that city's main jitreet by a direct roadway, are be- ing rapidly completed. In addition to the Isham Jones orchestra the Symphonetles have been engaged. f he latter is a novelty band con- iduoted by Edgar Russell Carver, Who won attention as the arranger for Hugo Relsenfeld. The Symphon- •ttes will play at the Country Club. The dance feature will be the Al- bertlna Rasch ballet, at present in ''Soandals." The ballet will not tour With the revue. A S,700-seat the- atre, to be called the Coliseum, will have have a vaudeville and picture poUoy, with also a season of light •vera. There is some doubt atK>ut the 8an Carlo opera company ap- pearing at the Coliseum, although that bdoking is pending. The house is expected to draw from Tampa as .well as the island's visitors. An open air dance floor will be laid with glass, sai^ to be 14 inches In thickness, submerged with col- ored lights. The ceuhtry||lub will also offer night golf, olalmed to be feasible. The holes will be but SB yards apart for the night game, call- ing for the use of mashies and put- ters only. Dean Deltrich, general manager of the theatre and club, has gone N^Oouth, accompanied by A. W. Brown, assistant manager. Deltrich will return to complete the booking of attractions. . "SUZAHHE" musical by >■ OORT'S "Busanne," a musical by John - Hunter Booth, William Cary Duncan and Harold Orlob, is being cast by John Cort and goes into rehearsal la two weeks. The piece is a mu sloal adaptation of John Hunter Booth's comedy, "Rolling Home," produced in Chicago the season be- fore last with Donald Brian as star. The musical version will have '' Ehitast Olendennlng in the Brian role and will also include Mildred Keats, Wayne and Warren, Doris EJaton and Joe Donahue with others to fill. The piece is HCheduled to open tt at an undetermined stand. Leon De Costa. Elizabeth C. Stevens and the Arch Productions, Inc., must stand examination In the suit' by Jessie L. Lederer against them in order to permit Mra Lederer to gather facts sufficient to frame her complaint. The suit con- cerns "Kosher Kitty Kelly," pro- duced by the defendants, and In which Mrs. Lederer, the wife oC George W. Lederer, claims a one- third interest. Justice Phoenix Ingraham, in the New York Supreme Court, originally ruled that DeCosta and the others must be examined, ordered that all books, papers, etc., be produced. When the defendants appealed and also asked for a stay of the exami- nation this was again denied. Jus- tice Ingraham opining that It De- Costa et at. persist in their claim that Mrs. Lederer has no re«uK>nable cause for action, they oaa contest that point when a formal complaint is drawn. Mrs. Lederer alleges fraud and de- ceit, claiming she was induced to sell out her third Interest for $250 to Miss Stevens (a co-defendant) on De Costa's allegation he was dis- posing similarly of his two-thirds interest for )S00. He pleaded he was forced to sell out because his wife was seriously ill and he needed all funds for medical attention which statement is branded as false In Mrs. Lederer's affidavit. Allege 8a>e a Ruse It is alleiged that Miss Stevens Is a close friend of DeCosta's wife and that the supposed sale of the "K.K.K." show to her was a ruse to get Mrs. Lederer out of It. DeCosta was partially examined July 84 and he testified that H. Robert Law, the scenic man, owned part of the show for his investment of\he properties in addition to a purchase of stock, as did a Mr. Sullivan, Miss Stevens and an actor In the cast who is paying off for his stock on instalments. Miss Stevens is alleged to have invested $1,000. DeCosta's contention also is that Mrs. Lederer's one-third claim In the royalties from the show, if true,' really concerned only his interest as the author and had nothing to do with the other earnings. This ar- gument was advanced bo as not to have the Arch Productions, In^., books examined, but the answering affidavits interpreted the "royalties" In a show to meaS full Interest In all income from pictures, road, stock, and other rights. NO. 2 "MT GIRL" The road company of "My Qlrl" which Nicolai and De Milt have or- ganized will get under way at Sar- atoga, N. Y., Aug. 16. The com- pany will play a tour of one and three nighters and a few week stands in territories which will be untouched by the original Lyie An- drews production of the piece, now in Boston. The oast Includes Leslie Jones, Katherine Morris, Alma Lane, Vera Thomas, Vera Rial, Pearl Htght. Mildred Oillars, EJdwln Oould. George Phelps, Alfred Knight, Jose- phine Mann, Fred Fairbanks and Oeorge Maoteli. BRONXVILIE'S LEOIT HOUSE necause of the rapid growth of the White Plains, Scar»dale and Bronxvllle sectton«, a legit house for Bronxvllle will be built shortly by D. Krafft, of that community. It Is the plan to utilize the Bronx- vllle theatre for break-In date*. 8. Hurok. the concert manager ajid lessee of the Manhattan Opera House, is working on plans where- by that house will be utilized as a subway circuit unit for the play- ing of the larger musical produc- tions at /educed prices following their Broadway runs. The Shuberts will handle the bookings if the plans materialise and the outlook last week was that a definite announcement would be made shortly. Hurok recently re- moved his office from Aeolian Hall to the Opera House building. It is expected he will play his own larger attractions, such as Anna Pavlowa, etc., in the Manhattan as in the past, while the legit book- ings of the larger shows Is a new project. The other subway houses In New Tork. the Riviera and the Bronx Opera House, have not the capacity at their scaJa to draw the bigger musicals—hence the Manhattan scheme. UETTER CARRIER'S SHOW Mika Cooper Offers to Produce L. A. Postman's Show Los Angeles. Aug. 11. Harry T. Johnson, a letter carrier who delivers mall to the downtown theatres and theatrical offices, turned author-producer this week when he staged and presented "What Next." a three act farce, for the Benefit of the Holy Name Society. Johnson, a postman for 15 years, had no previous stage or writing ex- perience. While the play wsui in re- hearsal. Mike porper, manager of the Majestic, offered to produce It at his house durlngr the fall and If It hit will try Cor a New York pre- sentation. NO BOND UP FOR JANNEY SHOW '!*>►. Only One Legfit House for Indianapolis This Season ^ Indianapolis, Aug. 11. Announcement here last week that the Valentine Amusement Co.. lea sees of English's Opera House, has assumed control of the Mnrat the atre for the Shuberts, who hold a 10 years' lefLse on the Murat, was taken to mean Indianapolis will have legitimate attractions In but one theatre this seeuMn. The combination of the Valen- tine Interests probably is the result of poor business done by both houses w\en In oppositioh to each other. The understanding here Is that Nelson Trowbridge, manager of the Murat for many.years, and with the Shuberts for 14 years, will be trans- ferred elsewhere and Ad Miller, manager of Bnglish's for the Val- entine company, will be placed In charge of both houses. The Murat, it Is understood, will be used for music and rented for amataur at- tractions. English's will play the Shubert shows. Ad Miller and Lee Boda, president of the Valentine company, are un- derstood to t>e going to New York this week to work out details of the arrangement with the Shu- berts. Elita Proctor Otis in Court After Defaulted Alimony Los Angeles, Aug. 11. Bllta Proctor Otis has filed a suit in the Superior Court against Wil- liam C. Camp, her former husband, to comt>e1 him to pay her |200 monthly alimony. ^ The alimony was awarded her by New York courts when she obtained her divorce six years ago. At the Hime of the decree. Camp deposited $1,500 with a trust company to In sure payments. The fund was de pleted in seven months. Since, the former Mrs. Camp claims to have been unable to collect anything. ((' Hamlet" at Hampden's The Colonial, Broadway and 6Sd street, leased by Walter Hampden, will be renamed Hampden's theatre Karly in October Hampden will open with "Hamlet" HiTCHT's cm. OFEimro Raymond Hitchcock in "Service for Husbands" has started rehear- sal in New York. The show will Jump direct to the Cort, Chicago, where it opens next Sunday night. Production is being nponsored by Robert McLaughlin, who gave it a stock test with Hitchcock as guest star at the Ohio, 'Cleveland, three weeks 'ago. The piece had previously tried out last season as a prospective l^ebtele tof^Joha Cumberland. ''Graphic's*' Wilson Serial Througli Broicen FUth Washington, Aug. 11. ^The WashingtOB "Post" is to run the recently announced serial, "How Woodrow Wilson. Defying Death. Became a Moyle Fan." as a Sunday feature over the protests of Robert B. Long, manager of the local Rialto. «^o was "the man who showed pictures dally at the White House," as the "Post's," announce- ment read. This serial has not been authorized nor has permission for publication been given by Lon^. The "Post's" quarter page spread on the serial had not been seen by Long until questioned by a Variety reporter as to Its authorship. The theatre manager immediately pro- tested to the local daily, explaining it was the speolfio request of the war President's widow, now In Bu- rope, that nothing bo written on the showing of the pictures and the many heart-rending and tragic Inci- dents Long encountered at the White House. As explained, a newspaperman was recently taken into Long's con- fidence and together they were get- ting the data for the purpose of Long's pxjblinhlng it In book form, should permission ever come from Mrs. Wilson. Long states the news- paperman has broken faith with him. Today he has been in confer- ence with attorneys to devise means to stop publication of the seriaL It was stated at the "Post" that the serial is being syndicated by the New York "Qraphic" (Maofad- den) and that Long's name is men- tioned in the text of the advan^p proofs. It is set ,to "break" here thta ooming Sunday. Long wtui presented with an en- graved wrist watch by the late President in "appreciation of the daily showing of the films at the White House and later at the Wil- son private residence. Sanderson-Cnimit Replace Lean-Mairfield in 'N Aette' Cecil Lean and Cleo Mayfield, oo- starred ta tho PhiladelDihla com pany. "No, No, Nanette," retired from the show Monday night and were succeeded by Julia Sanderson and Frank Crumlt. The Lean-Mayfleld combination is reported as heading the new show Oeorge Stoddart is vrriting, entitled "The Love Doctor," reported as headed for the Knickerbocker, New York. The southern company of "Nan nette," rehearsing in Unity hall. New York, has SVederio V. Bowers as lU star. This show opens Sept t In Wilmington, Del., playing some one nighters t>efore hlttii^g week stands in the big southern towns. Two weeks are scheduled for New Or leans, however. ;rhe New York State company, opening in Poughkeepsie Sept 1, will later hit Canadian time. The Boston company is now booked to open its New York en- gagement at the Olobe Sept It. CHORUS GIRL ARRESTED Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 11. Ruth Lee, S4, former Milwaukee chorus girl and more recently an en- tertainer on the Lake Michigan ex- cursion steamers, was taken into custody after a week's hunt on charges of larceny. The former chorister was found when detectives heard violin music emanating from a cabin and upon forcing thoir w«y into the com- partment found M1.SR Ivce where she had boon in sficluslon «in,r/i,..Jhe search started. The girl Is charged with having stolen clothing valued at $500 .She Is being hold In the county jalL Equity Warns Players o| Producer's Financial. Status ' Russell Janney's production BC the musical version of "If I Wero King" may establish u precedent la being the first Independent legit at- traction not sailing under a com- monwealth basis-to reach Broadway without being bonded at Elquity unless the latter organisation flnda other than available means to step in and stop it. The piece has been in rehearsal two weeks without a bond being posted and with IQqulty having nothing but Janney's promise that the bond would go up this week. Bquity accordingly advhMd Its members two weeks ago tmtt soour- ity was lacking} and also advised them not to rehearse with the pieces Despite this admonition the east has stuck and^ls still rehearslnCi Elquity washing its hands of tho matter as far as responsibility for unpaid salaries Is concerned. Produoor Called by Equity Two weeks -ago. when Bquttr ieairned that Janney was aasembllas a cast the producer was called to Bquity headquarters and asked about his flnanolal responsibility. Janney at the time Is reported hav« Ing - told Bquity officials the bond would be posted when his "money man" got b^ck from abroad this week. He was then advised not t* go Into rehearsal since a walkout of the supposed "angel" would en- tall hardship on the cast of t09 employed In the show and likewis* place him In bad standlog am a vro« ducer with Bquity. Janney evidently elected to takS these chances, and later the same week it was found that Janney had put the show Into rehearsaL Jamea O'Neill, acting for Elquity, attended the next rehearsal and addressed the company as to Janney's statu* with Bquity and advised them not to continue rehearsing until tha bond covering two weeks' salaries had been posted. When O'Neill left It Is said that Janney also addressed the company and after his talk the players afrood to gamble along with htm. Action Surprising The action .on the part of the oaal was somewhat of a surprtno ta Bquity especially sine* tt carries a numbor of "names." At any rat% Janney may run up against a snac from the chorus girl angle, whor% In all likelihood, the - smaller sal- aried people will not be so sangulna to take chances, or else he may at« tempt an out In posting a bond OOT* ering the chorus salaries. Listed among the principals ard Dennis King, T.ras FIgman. H. H. McCollum, Julian Winter. Bdinund BIton. Charles Holloy. Herbert Corthell. Caroline Thompson, Jano Carroll, Olga Treskoff, Katherlno Hayes, Charles Carver, John Hutoh- 1ns, Leon Cunningham and Walker Moora. ; Janney's Ad This week Janney ran a disirtay advertisement on the theatrical pag* of tho "New York Times" offerin* for sale one-half or one-third Intor- est in the show. Equity has ao- cepted this as Janney's means of raising the bond money and other finances to float the production. The piece is listed for New Yorl^ opening at the Casino on Septeiii« ber 14. ■1 EaUTTT CHORUS SCHOOL } A voice culture school has beea opened by the Chorus Elquity Asso- ciation for the primary purpose ot fitting members of that branch wltk elocutionary training. The new class is under directio* of Grant Stewart with sessions held on Tuesday and Friday afternoona ICATHBTN Arlington, Inc. 233 West 52nd St. NEW YOHR crrr I'hoo* ColnmbM 484S-4MS COSTUMES M