Variety (Dec 1929)

Wednesday, December II, 1029 LEG1TIM AT E VARIETY 65 Literati Another Source Dwindles Bloom seems off the syndicate Once the most prosperows of rackets for writers with name value, It now falls to pay some of these names, who consider their time at ♦he rate of $5t)0 a day a minimum. Five years ago |$00 or fl.OOO a •week was commdn enough for big time eyndiciat? writere. With New York In, a weekly feature could fig- ure on $100 to 1300 from that source alonei and by the time the mat serv- ice reached Tucson, Ariz., where jiates run as low as $1 a week, the SoBB was 6ure to be over $500 Weekly. Those sani# -^nTlters, though their "Post" and "CosmopoHtan" checks may now be, much bigger than they were five years ago; find that their isyndlcate checks hafdly pay the month's light bill. One writer, who gets $3,000 a story, having had. two raises the past year for good miagazlne work finds his syndicate checks only rim iiing about $150 a week, and that In dudes a daily Illustrated wisecrack as well as a weekly feature. In fact, the syndicate word thmg has become sO bad that no syndicate will take on a writer oh a guarantee basis. They work now only on a percentage, with the writer getting 60 or 60% of the gross, or In the case of a' writer transferring from one syndicate to another, he might be allowed 80% of whatever papers of the whole string follow him in the transfer. But In a cut price miarket with no fights for circulatiqn, due to mergers the syndicate writer finds percent- age mere chicken food. Cut Rate Femme "Experts" Sharp competition 16 forcing the literary "experts," who "criticize" manuscripts at so much per thour sand words, to reduce prices. One feminine expert, in Wheeling, W. Va , win criticize any story up to 8,000 words for $1. Another In Birmingham, Ala.,'advertises: "Send one, two or three Abort poems and $1. A pleiasant smrprise" awaits you." Another lady In St. Paul, who says she is a former maiiaglng edi- tor of "The Farmer's Wife," is a little more expensive. Her rate Is 60c a 1,000 words. She advertises: "I am competent t6 'finish' a manu- script In aU matters .of spelling, punctuating, paragriaphlng, etc." The word "finish" 1$ In quotes. She has a sense of hunior. Still another in Santa Bai'bara, Cal., who claims to have authored 18 published books, undersells St. Paul. Her rate for criticism is 25c a 1,000 words. Literary "experts" of the male sex are fewer in number, maybe be- cause they haven't as much nerve or can't operate as cheaply. Authors' Lieague of America has not as yet displayed any interest In the literary "experts." the ads In box form, holding that it cut into- the regular biz realized when producers went individual. Association told American, flatly other pa.pers had okayed the cluster and the morning sheet would be as out of luck as the Journal, which took a stand on high rates several years ago and lost' out. The American then slipped oft its horse and is following the course set by Its contemporaries. "Low^y" in 1733 London, No'v. 25. Editor 'Variety; - Tour publication being a con-, firmed slang-whanger, glossogra- pher, verbarlan, etc., with an -ar- tillery of language abusei, might be interested in the fact that -when in 1733 Handel and his orchestra was invited to Oxford University, one of the.,critics of the time, and a.mem ber of the university at that, re- ferred to him as "Handel and his lowsy crew." Beat that, you lexicographists. : Jolc. Hollywood's Reading Hollywood, Dec. 10. (Consensus of best sellers by Hollywood book stores.) Fiction "Farewell to Arins"—Ernest Hemingway. ^'Sincerity"—John Erskine. "Ex-Wife,"—Ursula Parrott. "Galaxy"—Susan Ertz. "The Good Companions"— 3. B. Priestley. "Lewis Beretty" — Donald Henderson Clarke. . Non-Fiction : "The Incredible Borgias*'— Herbert S. Gorman. "July 14"—Emll Ludwig. "Henry the Eighth''—Francis Hackett. "The Incredible Marquls"-r- Gorman. "New Worlds to Conquer"— Richard Halliburton. More Anagram Stuff Silas F. Seaiaier's Aniigram book was released last week by Simon and Schuster. The preface" men- tions Alex Wopllcott "having ini- tiated the charming ciistom of pub- I'-jhing Interesting anagrams that were occurring in contest at Wits? End, his town house, and at Nesh- obe Island^ his rustic hideaway." This is the first complete com- pendium of America's newest pas- time, contaiining 1,001 word puzzles, including the bfflclal code of the Amateur Anagram / Society. Each book is equipped with a cylindrical fiap on the book cover. RITZY Atwill's Engagement She may soon inaugurate the in- evitable dramatic department. $150 for 75,000 Words . Street and Smith pays $150 for the 75,000-word novels which It publishes in book form under the imprint of Chelsea House. It's an outright purchase. Another reason why writers die early, in one way or another, with starvation seemingly the most fre- quent if not popular way. Marion Gering, producer of "Broken Difehes," is. writing a book on the psycliology of acting. Title is "Acting Is Behaviorism." Macfadden, Up or Down? A report around the Bei'riarr Mac- fadden oflices is that the publisher has acquired "Plain Tialk," but no confirmation. Also, that the inag, edited by G. D. Eaton, with Burton Rascoe assisting, will continue as a separate Identity and will remain where It Is, Instead of moving to the upper Broadway oflicea of the Macfadden group. If true, it may have been Mac- fadden who inspired the essay con- test on the subject of sex, rioently inaugurated by "Plain Talk;" The n-.ag Is an iconoclastic publiration, whatever that is, and has never been sexy until now. Boberta Thornberg is picking manuscripts for Alfred A. Knopf. And what an officel Homer Croy left for Hollywood, last week, to complete a new novel while there. No film offers as yet Lionel Atwill is expected to marry Mrs. Douglas MacArthur on - New Year's Day. The son of Alfred At- will studied to be an ai-chitect, but acted In London in "The Walls of Jericho" in 1905. Ten years later he came to America with Mrs. Langtry Remaining here, he was engaged by David Belasco as leading man with Frances Starr, next starring In "Deburau," "The Grand Duke" and "The Comedian." Divorced by Phyllis Relph, ac tress, he married and divorced Elsie Mackay, actress. Miss MackAy eloped with Max Montesole, actor, who deserted a wife and children In NeiJyr York, having had two previous -wives. The wealthy Mrs. MacAr- thur first divorced Walter, B. Brooks, Jr., and then Major General Doug las MacArthur, both of Baltimore. She Is a daughter of the fabulously rich Mrs. Edwaid T. Stotesbury, of Philadelphia, and the late Oliver Cromwell. Mbtlxer of two Brooks children, she Is the sister of Oliver Eaton Cromwell (who was divorced by Hope Beale and married to Kath erine Dahlgrep, who divorced Rich ard S. Emmet) and of James H. R. Cromwell (who was divorced by Delphine Dodge, who married Ray mond T. Baker, who . had beien di voiced by Mrs. Alfred G. Vander bilt). Delphine Dodge is a daughter of the late Horace B. Dodge, autp- mcbile millionaire, and stepdaugh- ter of Hugh Dillnaan, actor, who was divorced by Marjorie Rambeau Edward T. iStotesbury is the father, by his first wife, of Frances Stotes- bury, wife of J. Kearsley Mitchell, of Philadelphia and New York, friend of Dot King who was mys teriously murdered. P.aramount at Astoria, A relative, Jan Boisseviain, married Charlotte Ives, the actress, who changed her name from Danziger. Charlotte was escorted In turn by Scotti, the opera singer; E. F. Hutton, the financier, and Frederick Havemeyer. Last named society man finally married Mrs, Ralph Crane, known oh the stage ajs Leona Morgan, Mrs. Jan Boissevaln, wha has a villa on the Riviera, is-in New York for the winter. - After 27 Years After 27 years squabbling over the price, Frank Harris and Tauchnitz have finally agreed and Harris* "Un- pathed Waters" has just come out abroad. Tauchnitz is the German publisher who turns out 50-cent paper-covered English volume:; for continental trade only. He has an extensive list bf hundreds of authors a,nd thousands of titles. Prestige gag catches most of his authors. Joan Sawyer, Defendant Mrs. Georgie A. Rentschler, re- membered as Joan Sawyer, the dancer, is being sued by Paul Weig- land for the alienation of his~wife's affections. Years ago Miss Sawyer, who danced with Maurice, Valen* tino, and others destined for fame and fortune, started In the chorus of "The Pink Lady." At the height of her success she was constantly escorted by Foxhall keene, society man, and the late Jeannette Gilder, literary woman. Geot-ge is a brother of Gordon S. Rentschler, president of the Nation- al City Bank. Sports Libel Action Last month a libel action of K. O. Phil Kaplan against the New York "Evening Telegram" and its sports expert,. Joe Williams, occupied four days in a New York city court, but not a line about the case was no- ticed In any of the dallies. Kaplan asks for $100,000. The suit Is based on the daily's streamline story that Kaplan should be ruled out of the ring for life. The story followed Kaplan's fouling of George Goui'tney during, a fight at the Polo Grounds. In a previous en- counter Courtney fouled Kaplan. It seemed to be a matter of whether either or both fouls were deliberate, but to fans they figured the boys . were even. . ~. The jury disagreed, but Louis Scadron, attorney for Kaplan, says the case will be retried. 6 in New House Trio each from Macmillan and Doubleday-Doran have quit their respective concerns to organize a book publishing house. Company is called Richard R. .Smith, Inc., with Smith, formerly of Mac- millan's, as head. James E. Toot and Ray Gritchlow, also of Mac- niillan's, are with him. Other three in theoventure are Charl'-s; W. Fer- fcuson, riarence C. Ditimer and ^arry^Gr DoU dr-a U-of^whom^ivent over from Doubleday, Doran. "American" Goes Classified The Theatrical Managers Pro- te(,'tive Aps'n's (leci.slon for clr<ssifle<3 show advertising in Now York dai- lies is reported overcoming even adverse Hearst interests. American i.« cited as the daily '\vhicli first refu.sed acceptance of Welcome, Welcomel Vivian Guy, the Prince of Wales' artist, has. arrived in Hollywood to sketch the colony's celebs for English publications. Paris Critic's Book Florence Gilliam, dramatic critic of "The Boulevardler," Paris, and wife of Arthur Moss, its editor, Is In New York to peddle her tome on the European theatre. While In New York, for two months, she will write a Broadway letter for "The Boule- vardler." Another contributor to the Paris monthly publication, Mrs. Grace Loan, came over with Miss Gilliam. Special Prof. Critic The Minhea!p61is Star had. per- forh.iahce of Morris Gest's "The Miracle"' there reviewed by Dr. Le Roy Arnold, professor of English literature at Hamllne University in place of its regular critic. Dr. Ai-nold's review^ appeared on tlie front page under a three-col umn head. First Novel Advaiice One of the book pubiisnei-fl (Har per t) faced with a great shoi tage of material for its spring Ust, is giving advances to first novel writ- ers on acceptance of the story's out- line, hitherto unheard of thing eX: -cept.in=^tlie.jcase^.JTa.mos,^,^v^-^__,^,, How. tmusual that is may be judged from the fact that many publishing houses won't even read I first novels when submitted. Long Suit Judgment Chicago, Dec. 10. Ending of the suit for $120,000 filed by Edith Ransome several years ago against Thomas Wilkes, Inc., was a $20,000 Judgment last week on Miss Ransome's claim that she was thro-wn out of the cast of "White Cargo" and forcibly ejected from the theatre. This when "Cargo" played the former Wilkes theatre. Superior Judge P. R Parker handed down the decision. AL ST. J6hN Iir PPEEETTA Hollywood, 3>ec. 10. Al St. John sighed as comic for the operetta "Bamblna," now re hearsing to open at the Curran, San Francisco, Jan. 12. P. E. Browne Well Again Norwalk, Conn., Dec. 10. Porter Emerson Bro-wne; play Wright, has fully recovered from a long Illness which kept him In an Arizona sanitarium for five years, and has returned to Norwalk, Conn., where he made his home for many ■years. • . During the playwright's absence in the west his daughter Suzanne has -grown up and has played on Broadway in several productions, The author is living with his daugh ter here. "Woof-Woof Opening Demarest and Lohmuller's "Woof Woof" winds up its Boston run at the end of this "week and opens at the Royale, New York, Christmas night. Show lays off next week. L. A. Repertory Los Angeles, Dec. 10. Civic Repertory, organizing under the direction of Simeon Gest, will get started Jan. 20. It will quarter at the Hollywood Music Box. Estate Settled Estate of the late Mrs. Arabella Magee Boisfeevain was only recently settled. Amounting to $1,204,086, all but a few thousands goes to the son, John Ma'gee Boissevaln, whose fath- er, the late G. Louis Boissevaln, from whom the mother was long separated, was conspicuous In so- ciety in New York and Newport. John married Estelle Carroll, whose father was connected with a riding academy In Brooklyn. Es- telle did extra work In pictures for Cecil Cowlea' Musicajes This winter, as during the sev- eral past, Cecil Cowles Is giving musicalc^ at her Park avenue apart- ment with fashionable dowagers pi-esent, she having especially cul- tivated the good will of Mrs, Drexel Dahlgren, Mrs. Schuyler .N. Warren and Mrs. Horatio N. Slatef. For several years Miss Cowles, who hails from California, has been on the verge of having a light opera produced, and is always ready to 'play over a ntimber from my operetta." For a long time she has been escorted by Ford Huntington, unde of Mrs. Vincent Astor, who graduated from Yale In 1891. Big Social Event A great social event was the re- , cent marriage In England of the Hon. Diana Sackville-West and Baron Romilly, one of the richest bachelors In Gre?it Britain. Bride Is a daughter of Lord Sackvllle, who was Sir Charles" Sackville-West when attached to^ the Brltis^i Em- bassy In Washington. His present wife was well known (Continued on page 66) ' WANTED A Sucker With $100,000 Millions upon millions have been lost on Broadway by wealthy men—not all vieitore, eitliei^-who decide to go into the show bueines* (usually to give some little girl a hand). Stephen G. Clow, the author, tells how It'e done, -and-also relatea-«ome. of the experiences of th.e_gpeJlteW_on this list of easy-marks. Mr. Clow knows his Broadway, having worked on "VAfllETY" for some time, and hi» intimate exposure is bound to be fascinatirig reading to every member of the great theatrical profession. Read all about it in ALSO Coast "Belle" Off Los Angeles, Dec. 10, "Lulu Belle" is off for Dec. 22 at the Mason. Star of its all-colored cast, Nina Mae McKinney, is working for M G-M. BROADWAY ANGELS By STEPHEN G. CLOW BAWDY BOSTON By WALTER W. LIGGETT A true'picture of tiie Boston under prohibition that resulted in screaming headlines in every Boston paper last Monday - morning. A story of corruption unequaled, in the annals of the city that barred "Strange Interlude" and "An Amer- ican. Tragedy." THE TRIALS OF A TAXI DRIVER By STANLEY JONES Some of the experiences of a man who drives one, and how pretty women beat him out of his fare and college boys take him to breakfast. SPIES ON OUR TRAIL By RUTH FINNEY Larry Hilary Hornihal, who s'.r.s poetry, playleto and so on to "Har- per's Bazaar"' and other mags of tht •■•ame ilk, is editing the JU.vl ffhf.]- ton's giveaway, "The .=?poiligbt." Checking Press Waste JV\^ith:, alvii^_. ta. gr«Sie^^^ liciency,. Paramount has sent out a questionnaire to 1,€00 -yndlcates, newspapers and oth<r sources using news and rhotograi-he to determine '.vhat's wanted. ArriOiJnt of waste will 'j'- jL f -ijt'td" ^y ti'Jt answers. What the government is doing to catch criminals, that will amuse, interest and excite. yoU. A story READ THEM ALL IN JANUARY PLAINTAL^ Now on Sale at All Newsstands, 35c