Variety (November 1918)

VAUDEVILLE WILL ME ET WITH PUNISHMENT Full and Fair Investigation of AH Complaints to Be Made by _ V. M. P. A. Wrongful Bookings, Cancellations and "Walk Outs" by Agents, Booking Managers or Acts to Be Tborougbly Looked .;|.Into. Agents Accepted ' . Authority for Acts. . < i<: The Vaudeville Managers',Protective Association determined this week to " incorporate a wide scope for the in- ' vestigation of all complaints lodged \vith it.by acts playing, in the theatres of its members or cQmplaififs made by its members against acts. The investigation in each and every complaint is to be thorough, fair and equitable, with both sides to any charge allowed full opportunity to set forth its claims or defense. / One of the first moves made by the V. M. P. A. in this- direction was to . • rule that thereafter all recognized representatives of vaudeville artists will be deemed to have full authority to act for their turns in-the niatt;er o£ engagements . and contracts unless notice from the act has been filed with the V. M. P. A. that the agent has not been authorized to execute contracts. The rule was made effective to prevent' shifting di blame. It has been agreed by^'the members of the V. M. P. A., when an artist shall be adjudged at fault and a fine im- posed, that such fine shall go to the Charity Fund of the N'ational Vaude- ville Artists. As the complaints against managers are mostly for the recovery of salary through lost dates, amounts decreed owing to artists by manager- members of the V. M. P. A. for that reason will be paid direct to the artist- . complainant. If, however, the man- ager is fined, without the artist claim- ing direct recompense or damage, the amount of the manager's fine will also be added to the same fund. All attending circumstances to a complaint will be taken into considera- tion by the V. M. P. A. If it is proven > to the satisfaction of the V. M. P. A. Committee, headed by Pat Casey, hav- ',■■' ing these matters of investigation in charge, that the act's representative provoked the misunderstanding,, the act and manager will be held blame- less, and the agent ordered to pay any amount found due or adjudged as a fine. In two recent' cotnplaints requests ' were made to the United' Booking Offices for payment of lost time, in each instance ordered paid immedi- ately by E. F. Albee. The V. M. P. A. investigations decided the acts' repre- ' sentatives and the .bookers of the the- atres-involved were equally at fault, with ffach directed to refund through the V. M, P. A. one-half of the salaries. . The cases were Clara Howard (Temple, Detroit, and'Charles Bierbaurer, agent) and Dugan and Raymond (Keith's, Cleveland, and ■ Harry J. Fitzgerald, agent). After the investigation of the Dugan and Raymortd complaint it developed the act had."walked out" of the Fifth Avenue, New York. Investigation of that charge was followed by the im- position of a fine of $50 against the turn, which Dugan and Raymond paid into the N. V. A. Fund. Another "walk out" by an act now under investigation by the V. M. P. A. ,:-.:Js/.tbat of AUen* CHfQrd.and Bar^ three girls, who left the Harlem Ojiefa House bill through having been as- signed the opening position oh the program. The act was booked by Pete Mack. It has entered a defense. At the V. M. P, A. offices it was said thi.s week »c^s no^ wanting tp appear in certain positions' on the bill would have to make thai condition before closing the contract. The Dugan and Raymond cancella- tion at the Sth Ave. was inr September. One of the prates holding the act's prop auto was not off the delivery truck at 11 a. m. In openfng the crate later, Dugan slammed back the cover, striking the property man in the leg, the latter crying out in pain. William Quaid, ■ manager of the theatre, was back stage at the time and requested Dugan to be more careful and quiet. Dugan remarked he would leave the bill and did so. STRANDED IN SOUTH AMERICA. The N. V. A. has received a commu- nication from Miss EJmina and Olga< De Costa, now stranded in Buenos Aires, South America, where they were appearing on the Sequin Circuit of theatres. The complaint states that they, have no more wot'k in sight and although possessing passports, cannot return to America as they have no fuiids for transportation. It was understood by them when they signed their contracts for a tour of the South American theatres that the money for their return transporta- tion was deposited with the Secretary of State, by the circuit engaging them. They are calling on the N. V. A. to investigate the matter and for any other relief the association can offer. NEW "SINGLE" EAST. Next week at the Bushwick, Brook- lyn, a new "single woman act" will appear—Esther Walker. Miss Walker is new only to the East as a single turn. She has ap- peared West and.was favorably re- ported from that'section. Miss Walker employs restricted and/ published song numbers in her turn. ' LAUDER COMING OVER. Harry Lauder is to arrive in New York about Nov. 29 for a tour of the country under /the direction of Wil- liam Morris,, Several weeks ago the Scottish comedian was called for army sei^vice, but with the coming of pe&ce be ,was released from service. He opens at the'Lexington, Dec. 9. . Jo Paige Smith Leaves an Trip. Last Saturday Jo Paige Smith sailed from New York for New Orleans,, where he will take the Sunset route to Los Angeles. Mr. Smith, one of vaudeville's se- nior agents, was recently, ill. He is going westward for a rest, following .^his recovery. Bobby Matthews Left No Will. The estate of the late Bobby Mat- thews, a well known and popular vaudevillian, amounts to about $10,000, mostly in cash on deposit in New York banks in his name. Jhe deceased left no will. There is a widow and some immediate relatives. Fiire «V Wolpin'i.'^""~"""'"T" A fire broke out at 2.30 a. m., Nov. 12, at Wolpin's restaurant, corner of 47th street and Broadway, and burnt the kitchen and a part of the upper dining room, Jhe damage w^i ^PPnt ViaORY FESTIVALS. Next week will be known as "Victorv Festival" week in several of the small time houses booked through the U. B. O., in and about New York City. A change of policy in the way of added features to the programs without increase in the price of admission will be the attraction. The 5th Ave., which has heretofore played eight acts will play ten acts the first and last half or a total of 20 on< the week. The Harlem opera house will play 16 acts on the week, eight acts each half instead of the customary six. The Greenpoint will play 14 acts instead of the usual 12 on tlfe week At Keith's, Jersey City, the bill will have 16 acts on the week instead of the usual ten splitting with eight acts each half. At this theatre it will be "Anni- versary Week," jelebrating the fifth, anniversary under this management. The Prospect, Bronx, Theatre (B. S! Moss') will have a Winter Circus for this week end as a special attraction. THE CONCERT WAY. Fr^da Windolph, professionally known as Frida Benneche, an operatic and concert singer, has instituted suit for $1,000 against Mrs. Antonia Saw- yer, a concert manager, in the Aeolian Building. The plaintiff alleges that according to a contract entered into by her and the manager, Sept. 1, 1916, the de-, fendant was to be her sole manager for a year, and receivft 15 per cent, of the artist's salary, besides ^ ,000 in cash. The manager was to secure at least ten engagements for Miss Ben- neche during the year, each paying not less than $100. On the $1,000 account. Miss Benneche paid Mrs. Sawyer $500, with the un- derstanding that should five engage- ments for her not be available before Dec. 1, 1916, or three months after the date of making the contract, the plain- tiff would bc-under no obligation for. the other $500. Miss Bennecne' alleges no engagements at all were secured during the year. The defendant, answering through her attorney, Alfred Beekman, claims that since the artiste made a similar contract with a. rival manager, M. H. Hanson, for a same period if time, without her permission, she was ex- cused froth fulfilling her obligations. TIME TA9LE SUBSTITUTION. Next week the Riverside will have a "Time Table" bill, with, the billing announced in order of appearance of the turns, at the moment they are due to walk on the stage. . < The "time table" was accepted by Eddie Darling as the solution of the "headline" complication that otherwise could have arisen. In the Riverside program next week, among others, are Laurie and Bronson, Frisco, Eddie Leonard and Lucille Cavanagh. NOW 'TOUTHFUL MOTHER." In the new act produced by Luba Meroff, in which she appears, Miss Meroff has for assistants her son, agie 18, and daughter, 16. At the '^conclusion of the turn her children introduce Miss' Meroff as their "youthful mother." Northey Loew's Hamilton Manager. Hamilton, Ont., Nov. 13. Robert F. Northey, of Atlanta, for- merly associated with the Loew South- ern interests, is to succeed Fred Turner as manager of Loew's, this city. Mr. Turner is to look after the 'LoiW-interest^ -elsewhere/■-■^-^•-••■--"•'-■-•■•" EUROPE READY NEXT SEASON. ; The Continent and England will be in readiness to present the bctore-the- war style of shows again, about next September, said H. B. Marine Hi Mon- day. Mr. Marinelli is the foreign agent, who was very active in sending artists across the ocean, both ways, before hostilities commenced. > With the commencement of next sea- son, Mr. Marinelli stated, he expected to see theatricals again in full swing in Europe. Importations will be lively, Mn Marinelli, added, by May next following the peace signatures. In his opinion peace will be finally de- clared around March 1. . America will send over the vast ma- jority of imported turns with the re-, generated order of affairs in Marir nelli's opinion. He does not look for any considerable number of turns to immediately come to America from the other side. Europe however,'the book- ing man says, is badly and sadly in need of stage material of the kind we have, and the demands on the Ajner- ican talent will be heavy, THE V. M. P. A. DINNER^ i SI The second annual dinner of' th« •. Vaudeville Managers' Protective As« sociation was held W-ednesday night ' at the Hotel Plaza, New York. The: dinner was limited to members of the Association, and the affair ^was alto- gether infprmal. , Some of those present 'made ad- dresses, all bearing upon the affairs of the organization.' Members and managers of theatres" aligned with the V. M. P. A. came from all parts of the country to attend the "dinner. Many of the western, mem- bers reached here Monday, remaining over until the, end of the week. STAGE JOBS TAKEN. S In Washington the committee hav- ing in charge the placement of wounded soldiers and sailors in posi- tions following -their-retum from-the-- other side thought there were all kinds of jobs awaiting them in the theatres ' and more particularly so in the line of picture machine operating and stage work, but the committeemen have been notified that >yhat places are available are only open to the stage employes and operators in the service. Representatives of the L A. T. S. E. were in Washington last week and in- formed the committee there were 4,000 ; members in the service. ■ - .;■ 4 M ■•■■■•••3 ,^ '■■•■■■■i m COLLECTING "DUMB" ACTS. Several o& the vaudeville agents / started immediately Monday to sei- . cure the* dumb acts over here for on the Continent. Several of the big time agents also commenced getting together severalv^ dancing features which they intend to ' send to England. The engagements are dependent upon the individuals obtaining passports. ,. .. No Vaudeville at Miles, Cleveland. The reopening of the theatres in . Cleveland brought with it a notifica- • tion to the ^Marcus Loew booking agency that C, H. Miles did not in- tend .to resume vaudeville at his the- . atre, the Miles, in that city. The abandonment of the policy was stated by Miles to be temporary. It •, was the only house in Cleveland booked by Loew. Joe Schencic Due Back Monday. Joseph M. Schenck, of the Loew Circuit, who has been on the Coast a month or longer, is expected to re* turn tp New York nm Mpn4»y. Harry Singer Returning to Chicago. Chicago, Nov. 13. It is expected that Harry Singer, noV in the Orpheum headquarters, New York, will return here in a week ■W so to re!naiti"xinti!:the^-Ri;wStfl*c».^ lake Theatre is completed. Mr. Singer will give all of his attention while here to the construction of that building, now well up in the'air. V»»ll«ylllf» » tfrtll* (l«rt|I for CHA?, ALTf10''fi