The New York Clipper (August 1919)

36 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER August 20, 1919 STAGE HAND STRIKE FOR ACTORS MAY BECOME NATIONAL '(Continued from page 35) ; ' .- '' an, purported to come from the chorus of "Zlegfeld Follies" and the "Midnight Frolic" and, signed by all the girls, expressed their great Indignation in King's English at the -way to whi* thf dally newspapers have dwelt upon "alleged distressing Indignities" 'that the girls of the chorus had to suffer. The statement completely exonerates Zlegfeld who. It says, "provide* everything.** Marc KLaw. In a statement on Sandfly, claimed that Samuel Cntennyer, who gave a legal opinion upholding the actors, had done so because he was anxious to get Into the limelight. Klaw said that some of the play- ers were' "suffering from acute paranoia di- rectly attributable to the falsehoods that have been poured into their ears by men who should and do know better." Upton Sinclair, following the suggestion of Charles Rann Kennedy, has offered the use of four of bis plays, without cost, to the actors, wiling this offer from Pasadena, Cali- fornia. "The walk-out on the part of the mu- sicians and stage hands could not have been called at a more suitable time for the man- agers," was the way Charles Coburn ex- plained the situation. "The present month Is looked upon in the theatrical profession aa the 'off season/ and together with the subway and elevated tie-up there would have been few persona attending any of the per- formances bad the theatres, not already closed a a a- result of the strike, been open. "The managers are standing side by side, determined to stick together until the end." continued Mr. Coburn. "Had the Equity waited until October, when every theatre in the city would have been open and scores of new productions awaiting an. opportunity to begin their New Tork runs, the story, might have bad a 'different ending." 'Granted that the closing has resulted In the loss of - the reported hundred thousand dollars," explained another of the managers, "It la not the producer who la losing, but the actor who has walked out, for the simple reason that the minute he left the theatre his salary stopped. "The theatres are rented by the managers on a yearly basis, in which Is considered the fact that a majority of the playhouses axe closed at least two and in many Instances three months out of the year. Many of the producers own outright the theatres and con- sequently only have their taxes to pay." CHORUS IS ORGANIZED The chorus folk of the various shows held a meeting in Amsterdam Hall, where a branch organisation of Equity was organized for them. Marie Dressier was elected'by ac- clamation first president of the new organisa- tion. Her election followed an address. she made to the assembled chorus folk In which she told how she had once been a chorus girl herself and received $8 a week salary at that time. '.'I didn't have much of a face to look at," she said, "and you can't imagine what a struggle life was for me in those days. I learned to know the managers and I do know them, but I'm not going to tell you about them now; you'll read all about it In the book I'm writing." At first,'Miss Dressier refused to bead the new organisation, explaining that abe pre- ferred to see somebody who la now In the chorus server as bead. But the Insistence of all those present, that she serve-tended to overcome her objection and she finally stated that she would do so. Following the election of Miss Dressier, W. I. Rubin, the labor organization attorney who was conducting the proceedings, stated that nominations were In order for a tem- porary committee, which would frame the new organization's constitution and by-laws. He suggested that one member of the chorus from each musical show represented at the meeting be chosen. The suggestion waa adopted and-resulted In the election of the following people to serve on the committee: George J. Sifter, of "Oh. What a Girl," elected secretary; Ethel Hallor and Lee Os- borne, Ziegfeld's "Follies"; Louise Owen and William Morgan. Hippodrome: Gladys Lee. "Passing Show of 1919"; Nellie Moore and Arthur Freeman. "Oh, Lady I^dy"; Fay Tunis, "A Lonely Romeo"; Dorothy Castle, "Sometime": Kitty Astru and Frank Craw- ford. "Oh, What a Girl"; Mildred Johnson, "Monte Cristo. Jr.**: Hilda Smith Fisher and Kny Kendall, the latter not a chorus man at Sresent, who at first refused to serve bnt nally consented: Mule Cart ell, "Just a Mlnnte": Marie Frauds, "She's a Good Fel- low" : BIrtlne Farnswor th, "She's a Good Fellow": MaUie Capper and Jack Hughes, "Oh. Look": George Rove, "Simplicity"; Grace Ramsaye and Harry KIrby, "May- time" ; Ethel Sadler, "Listen Lester"; Gerard Gardner. "Going Up"; Mabel Benelisha, "Scandals ot 1919." After the committee waa elected and seated, the matter of annual dues was taken up. Several amounts were suggested, ranging from $1 to JJ10 a year, hut SI waa finally voted as the nominal amount, for the present at least, of yearly dues; It being explained that this amount was meant for all those who Joined during the strike, but that those who came in afterward would have to pay 93 a year. CHICAGO ACTORS WALK OUT Chicago, August 18.—Clarence Darrow. the nationally famous labor lawyer, has been retained .by the Actors' Equity Association to represent' the- local striking actors, fol- lowing the announcement late this afternoon by Master In Chancery Stgmnnd Zlesler that the players In "Up in Mabel's Room." who walked out of the Woods Theatre Saturday night, despite a restraining order Issued by Judge Walker tbat afternoon, were In con- tempt of conrt. He ordered all the striking players to return to work in "Up In Mabel's Room," In conformity with Judge Walker's order, telling them that they had no legal standing until they obeyed t'|ie- order.- The Master In Chancery announced bis rtlon after a lively verbal tilt with Henry Shabab. representing Daniel Lv. Crulce. the labor lawyer who had been substituted In place of Attorney Levi Falter after the latter had advised the actors to obey Judge Walker's restraining order. No formal an- Douncement of Mr. Fuller's withdrawal hav- ing been filed in court, the Master In Chan- cery refused to take Judicial cognizance of the withdrawal, all of Attorney Shaoab's protests being Ignored. The Chicago Federation of Labor, which, through its secretary, Ed Nockels, who or- dered the walkout, might be held directly responsible for the disregard of Judge Walker's.order, was severely criticised-by the Master in Chancery, who characterized their act as anarchistic Walter Jones, one of the players in "Up In Mabel's Boom" who appeared before the Master In- the contempt proceedings, abso- lutely refused to testify at the hearing, claim- ing that he was without counsel and that he would say nothing until he was legally repre- sented. Adolph Marks represented the man- agerial Interests before the Master. At the request of Darrow, the hearing be- fore the Master was adjourned until Wednes- day morning at ten o'clock. But, whether the players In "Up In Mabel's Room" will return to work remains to be seen. Just now they are not taking the contempt pro- ceedings, which may ultimately land them In Jail, seriously. Following the lead established In New Tork, it Is" expected that within the next • twenty-four hours the Chicago Federation of Labor will call ont every stage band, musi- cian and motion picture operator employed in any theatre controlled by the managers against whom the actors are waging war. Besides the cast of "Up in Mabel's Room" which walked out Saturday night, forcing the management to return more than S2.00U to an audience which packed the house, there are two more houses which have been forced to remain dark through the walkont of strik- ing actors earlier in the week,- These are Cohan's Grand Opera House, where the cast of "A Prince There Was" walked out, and the Cort Theatre, where "Cappy Ricks" failed to show by reason of the walkont of the players. Court action has been taken against the players of the latter two shows mentioned, but the matter Is still undecided In the courts. Ada Meade and Ann Warrington, both of whom walked out of the cast of "Angel Face," George Lederer's show, at the Colon- ial, early last week, will probably return to the cast, it was said, because George Led- erer's show, which did not close following their walkout, la considered immune from interference by the Equity, Lederer not being a member of the Managers' Association. The Howard Brothers were ordered 'by the Equity to leave the cast of the "Passing Show," but they refused on the ground that they had contractual obligations with the Shuberts which they Insisted they would not break. "— Incidentally, it may be mentioned that, last Saturday night, when the "Up In Mabel's Room" players walked out at the Woods Theatre, the audience there was Informed that their tickets would be honored that same evening at the Palace Theatre where "The Passing Show" is playing. TROUBLE IN BOSTON ALSO Boston - , August 15.—The three principal players In "Buddies." the Selwyn attraction at the Park Square Theatre here, all went into the theatrical producing business this week on their own account, if It Is true, as announced, tbat they bought the show from Arch Selwyn for $150,000. It may also be pointed out that by so doing the players, who are all Equity members, have been able to evade their organization's strike edict and are enabled to continued playing here. The show's new owners are Donald Brian, Wallace Eddinger and Peggy Wood, and their acquisition of the play followed the efforts of Arch Selwyn to obtain an Injunction re- straining the cast from abandoning the piece He gave up his recourse to the courts though when be found that selling the play, nominally, if not In fact, as is Intimated by striking: actors, would have the effect of keep- ing the show running. - It Is freely stated here that the acquisition of the play at this time by Brian, Eddinger and Miss Wood, is merely a subterfuge de- signed to keep the name of Selwyn and Com- pany, who are members' of the Managers* Protective Association, from appearing In connection with the piece. This belief Is strengthened by the failure of any of the parties concerned to give details of the pass- ing of ownership transaction, beyond the mere announcement that the price paid was S150.000—an unprecedented figure to be paid by players for a show they are appearing In. And It Is further pointed ont that no men- tion was made of how the $150,000 was paid by the new owners, whether In cash, promis- sory notes, or by giving a chattel mortgage which might be the means through which the Selwyna will ultimately re-acquire the prop- erty. Acting for Selwyn and Company and Henry W. Savage, attorney Thomas J. Barry obtain- ed from Judge Lawton In the Superior Court, what Is considered to ■ be one of the most drastic restraining orders .ever Issued In: a -strike situation. The injunction temporarily restrains Echlin Gayer. Equity representa- tive who arrived here from New Tork early this week for the purpose of calling out the Equity players here, from carrying out his plana. '•• The Injunction obtained In behalf of Henry W. Savage restrains the Equity representa- tive from interfering with or the players from leaving Savage's "See Saw" show, play- ing at the Tremont _,_ The management of the Wilbur Theatre obtained an Injunction in the Superior Court, which, for the present at least,, will, keep the Comstock and Gest "Oh, My Dear" show running at that house. Copies of the court's order restraining the players from leaving were served on the following principals in •' the show: Hal Forde. Juliette Day, Florence Johns, Francis X. Conlan, Douglas Stevenson, John A. Butler, Victor Leroy and Joseph Allen. . - OWEN DAVIS SHOWS NOTHING NEW IN HIS LATEST MELODRAMA SHOW RAISES $6,000 The actors show to raise funds to carry on the strike had Its premiere presenta- tion at the Lexington Theatre on Monday- night and will continue all week. It .raised nearly 16,000, It was said. The house was jammed to the doors, persons standing In the rear about ten deep. It was not a crowd of Broadwayites that had assembled, but real-honest-to- goodness common folk who had braved the rain to see Ethel Barrymore, Eddie Cantor, Ed Wynn. Lionel Barrymore, Frank Tinney, Pearl White and numerous other stars ap- pear at popular prices, with tickets ob- tainable at the box office and at no other. "All the bill appeared according to pro- gram, with a couple of acts thrown In for good measure. Usually, at a benefit per- formance, the reverse condition Is the case, but the Equity lived up to Its promises. The show was opened by Marie Dressier and "her" chorus. Miss Dressier creating a big laugh while she tried to learn the new tangled chorus steps. Aside from this act and the Brandon Tynan finale to the show, ' there was no attempt to burden the audi- ence with strike propaganda. It being the intention of the actor-managers to give a clean-cut, one hundred per cent entertain- ment. Eddie Cantor scored big with his charac- teristic songs and confided to the audi- ence that he was surprised to. find how much pep he had. considering that he would not be paid for It- But, he added, "the one consolation Is that Ethel Barrymore isn't getting any more money than L" Ethel* Barrymore was a pronounced hit In the role of Marguerite Gautier, In the second act of "The Lady of the Camellias." She was supported by Lionel Barrymore as Pere Duval, Conway Tearle as Armand and Doris Rankin, Florine Arnold, Charles Cogh- lan and Laurie Mackintosh. W. C. Fields was the orator of the oc- casion and introduced the performing strikers. There was Ivy Sawyer and Joseph Santley, who sang and danced; John Steele, who -aang. accompanied at the piano by Lieutenant Gitz-Rice; Charles Wininger, who delighted with his specialties, replac- 'ing Blanche Ring who was ill; Eddie Foy and the-Foylets; Van and Schenck; John Charles Thomas: the new team of Frank Tinney and Pearl White; and, last but not least, Ed Wynn. who, being enjoined from "appearing on the stage" talked to the audience from his orchestra seat. Silvio Hein and Charles Prince shared the baton In the orchestra pit. The General Stage Directors were George Marlon, George Howell, Frank Mc- Cormack. Percival Knight and Hassard Short. This quintette also acted as scene shifters. The stage management was In the able hands of Arthur Keith. Amelia Summervllle was In charge of the sale programs and favors. She was assisted by Joseph N. Spence, Denham Maley and an army of girls including Sarah Edwards, Ethel Jennings. Rose Bur- dick, Madeline King. Alberta Brittain, May Rossmore, Winifred Harris. Thais Lawton, Grace Atwell Mordant, Jessie Glendennlng, Diantha Patterson, Grace Williams, Helen Trainor, Mrs. Dodson Mitchell, Gertrude Maitland. Jeanette Hor- ton. Margaret Lyndon, Beth Franklin, Nancy Fair, Vuirtnla Kissinger, Lois Arnold, Cora Bennett, Hazel Brown, Valerie Bergere, Clara Balog, Alma Chester. Dorothy Betts, Alice Cole, Frances Carson, Fern Gardner, Jane Haven, Leona Hogarth Susan Chase, Lillian Clalrem, Jane Castle, Claire Ames, Marjorie Hoffman, Cora Witherspoon. Ethel Intropide, Edna Kuehne, Myrtle Murray, Ann Mason, Julian Winters, Mabel Norton, Blanche Savoy, Celeste Scutter, Lavina Shannon, Pauline Potter. Rose Rolando, Marjorie Sidman, Gretchen Sherwan, Mrs. F. Soule. Ruth Towle. Edith Tressitter. Helen Vallely Mra.8 Ralph Whitehead, Harriet Worthlng- ton, Sallie Cohen. Edna Walther, Mary Mc- Gregor, Ruth Vivian. Mary O'Bourne. Norma Wallace, Franceses Rotterly, Marjorie Green, Margaret Brady. Mar- garet Tindale, Leonora Novaslo, Ruby Hoffman. Olive May, Margaret Forest, Blanche Noyes. Grace Lynn. Beth Martin. Elaine Benton, Talulah Bankhead, Ruth Mathews, Lillian Cane, Flora Finch, and a host of others. :"TBOSE WHO , WALK IN DAB C ■ NESS."—A melodrama la three .acts and foor scene* by-Owen Davi»; found- ed on a novel by Perley Poore Sbeeban. . Presented at tb* Forty-eighth . Street Theatre by the Shoberts, Thursday evening, August 14, 1919. CAST. N'el»on'...'..." '..'..:.....L. J. O'Connor Dowd ,...;..' -.-.:...Percival Renter* Bob '....Alfred Knight "Doc" Hedges .Howard Kyle Alec Breen ....... .Arthur Shaw Mr*. Moss Helen Tracy Mr*. Spencer Millie Freeman Bafos Underwood.. Donald Gallagher A Girl ...;........• ....Mabel Manrel Sally Katfaryn Sheldon Viola Swan Laura Walker Dr. Bradford Everett Mllbnrn Jeasle Scbofield Consoela Bailey Mrs. Alma Jenvey......».'....Amy. BIcard Judge Joel Kennedy George W. Wilson Andy Jenvey :.. Godfrey Matthews Some plots never grow old. Give them the slightest kind of a new twist. Invest them with new titles, and. behold, Broadway hails each as a dramatic success. There Is nothing new in the dramatist's theory that the country is synonymous with Innocence and purity while the streets of New Tork just reek with temptation and moral dirt How many stage heroes have come to New York as country boys? How many stage heroines have been girls of the street who, finally, finding the "one" man. decide to go "right, and hide their past until the climax In Act 3 when, to save some younger girl, they bare their shame to a hor- rified husband and an Interested audience. But everything comes out O. K. as In all well-regulated stories. All these bromides are employed in Owen Davis' new play. "Those Who Walk In Dork- ness," to good effect. It Seems as if audi- ences will never tire of trying to help the young girl of the play to live down her dark past only to have It crop up again twenty minutes or so before the final curtain. We can't blame Owen DavlB for giving the pub- lic what It demands, but. at the same time, we cannot be driven to enthuse over his oriel- nail ty of plot For those who enjoy melodrama. "Those Who Walk in Darkness" will furnish an eve- ning of thrills. Most of the emotion and tear-demanding lines are given to Laura Walker, who plays the role of Viola Swan, the girl who went wrong and later went right She acted a difficult part well, with rare enunciation and a keen "Interpretation of the character she portrayed. Howard Kyle, In a role similar to "Bill Jones*.' In "Llghtnln'," tried hard In a role that la not altogether suited to him. In view of the present actor's strike, the lines brought a laugh that bad not been Intended when he said: "There is plenty of work for them as wants It" Donald Gallagher, as the country boy, gave a good impersonation of a rural lover. Other well acted roles were played by Ar- thur Shaw. Everett Mllbnrn. Consuela Bailey, George W. Wilson, Amy Rlcard, Kathryn Suel- don and Helen Tracy. FILM ACTORS AID Los Angeles, Aug. 13.—While Cecil De Mille, director general of the Famous Plsy- ers-Lasky studios, was giving assurances that no strike would occur in the theatres here, and' that the action of the Actors' Equity Association would.not affect play- ers, local motion picture stars at the Goldwyn studios subscribed a fund amount- ing to $1,000, which was forwarded to New York, where it will be used to. aid the striking actors. It^is said by picture men that a total of $10,000 has already been subscribed by motion picture actors here in aid of the striking actors in New York.'. MINSTRELS POSTPONE OPENING San Francisco, Aug. 18.—The opening of Sam Griffin's Minstrels, scheduled for !its premiere at Liver more, Aubust 7, has been indefinitely postponed. Mr. Griffin, after a full dress rehearsal, felt that the company was not up to standard. He has settled, up all bills and is paying all the cast two weeks' salary. VIOLA FREE TO PRODUCE London, Eng„ Aug. 14.—Viola Tree bas announced that she will begin to produce plays at the Aldwych next October, with the permission of Charles B. Cochran, to whom she is under contract. She will not appear in these plays until her contract .with Cochran expires. Captain Basil Dean is to produce for her. The first production wDJ be Arnold Bennett's play "Sacred and Profane Love."