New York Clipper (Mar 1923)

CopTriEht, 1923. and puUiihcd weekly b7 llic Qipper Coipontion. 16S8 Bnudvmr, New York. Entered at tha Peat OBm at Kaw Yaak, Jana 34, 1V9. a* ■ecoad dau mail maltcr oadcr act oi March 3, 1879 Founded by FRANK QUEEN, IgSJ NEW YORK, MARCH 14. 1923 VOLUME LXXI. No. « Price Fifteen Cents. tS.OO ■ Yor P. M. A. AND EQUITY APPOINT SIX TO CONSIDE R WORKING AGREEMENT Three Members of Actors' Equity and Three of Managers' Asso- ciation to Confer on Extension of Present Agreement Which Expires on Sept. 1, 1924—Theatre Men Declare Strike Fear Is Ended WiUi the appointment of a committee of six to represent the Producing Man- agers' Association and the Actors' Equity Association in a scries of conferences in- dications are that the Managers' and Actors' agreement of 1919 -will be ex- tended another five years after the present agreement expires September 1, 1924. Three of the members will be chosen by the Equity Association and the other three from the ranks of the Managers' organiza- tion. According to the understanding agreed upon at the meeting where John Emerson, president, and Frank Gilmore, executive secretary of the Equity, repre- sented the Actors' organization, this body will have full power to conduct negotia- tions, which it is anticipated will prevent a breach between the two organizations, such as the strike of 1919. The men chosen to represent both organizations were picked by Augustus Thomas for the Managers' organization and by Gilmore for the Actors' Association. Both these gentlemen are maintaining intense secrecy as to the identity of the men chosen for the conference and as to the <late of the initial meeting of the body. These plans were decided upon after the fourth of a series of meetings between the Managers' and Actors' representatives, which was held last Wednesday in the P. M. A. executive offices. Gilmore and Emerson were the only representatives of the Equity at the meet- ing, while Thomas and a score of man- agers were present in the behalf of the P. M. A. Though word had been passed along the Rialto that the Equity men woiild not even listen to any discussion that would extend the 1919 agreement, the relations between the two factions at the meeting were most cordial. Each side paid .' high tribute to the other. ' Both admitted that there were some minor matters that should be adjusted and declared that they would do their utmost to see that the other side got a "square deal." The Managers in their contention that the agreement be continued stated that to the best of their knowledge both actors and managers were benefiting as a result of the 1919 peace compact. They contended that Equity had been allowed every privilege that had been incorporated into the ar- ticles of agreement made at that time and that the P. M. A. had seen that its mem- bers did not discriminate against Equity members as the result of their activities during the strike of 1919. It was noted, however, the managers were stragetic in their manner of conducting the negotia- tions; they as well as the Equity men jockeyed for position in the hope of avoid- ing the deadlock which has prevailed ever since March 22, 1921, when Equity de- cided to enforce its policy for the "Equity shop." This decision at the time was greeted with the greatest apprehension by the managers, who foresaw, as they thought, what appeared to be a virtual dictatorial assumption on the part of Equity. Shortly afterward a meeting was held by both sides at the St. Regis Hotel and an extension of the existing status was agreed upon in the hope that the inter- vening time might bring forth a solution of the difficulties. Since that time a num- ber of discussions have been held without arriving at any definite answer to the conflictmg interests. On February 20, Augustus Thomas, as a representative of the Managers, appeared before the Equity council and stated the position of the P. M. A. in the matter. His arguments proved so interesting that Emerson and Gilmore felt that it would be their duty to pay a similar visit to the managers and set forth their side of the matter. It was felt by both camps that speedy arbitration would be advisable, if it could be accomplished, as the present agreement has only one year to run, and a failure to settle what- differences exist before that time would result in a repeti- tion of the strike of 1919. The result of the arbitration conference is being anxiously awaited by the Pro- ducing Managers. Several of the mem- bers of the organization feel that it will be the turning point in the affairs of the legitimate theatre. These men are keenly awaiting the result of the conference for the purpose of making their plans for the future. A few of them declare that in case no agreement is reached and the indications point toward a strike in 1924, they will refrain from making any new productions during the season of l>>23-24. They hold that should any productions they make during the next season prove box office successes, that any possibility of success for the subsequent season would be im- possible due to the stand that the actors would take for the "closed shop." They assert that the first season would, in case the attraction were a box ofiicc hit, pay the cost of production and probably net them a fair profit. When during the fol- lowing season fhcy would expect to clear a big profit by taking the attraction on tour, which would be prevented if there were any possibility of a strike. - One manager, who has options on the- atre properties in Boston and New York, which he will exercise in the event that an amiable agreement is arrived at, will, if the conference cannot agree, probably devote his time to producing his plays (Continued on page 23) "MUSIC BOX REVUE" FOR LONDON The original "Music Box Revue." -which • is now playing in Philadelphia, will dose its tour the latter part of April and on May 5 will be transported intact, with the exception of Willie Collier, to England, where it will be presented by Charles B. Cochran at the Palace Music Hall,. London. Hazard Short, who produced the show for Sam H. Harris and Irving Berlin, sailed for London - last Saturday to make preliminary arrangements for the presen- tation of the show there. The entire com- pany, including the chorus, will be taken abroad and a new comedian will be hired to replace Collier. "The entire set of scenic and electrical investitures will be taken to England, including the crew of master mechanics who operate the stage. The arrangements that Cochrane made . with Harris give him the privilege of keep- ing the company in Europe for an indefinite period, and should the theatre public mani- fest an interest in the American produc- tion he will probably take it on a tour of the English provinces and also take it to Paris for a limited engagement.- MOSCOW PLAITERS BALK Chicago, March 12.—Notification has been given to Morris Gest, to the effect that the Moscow Art Theatre, which is scheduled to open April 17th, at the Audi- torium, will not play in a house as large as the Auditorium. This news was given to Morris Gest over the long Hiotam-^ telephone by his brother Simeon- who is now in New York. Mr. Gest planned to return immediately to New York and talk to Dr. Leonid D. Lconidoff, business maioager for the Mos- sow Art players. Mr. Gest said that the two reasons for selecting the Auditorium was that he was eager for as many peo- ple as possible to see the players during the short stay and also to obtain the larg- est receipts possible. BURLESQUE AND STOCK DOUBLE Allentown, Pa., March 12.—A novel booking arrangement goes into effect at the Lyric Thiatre here next week. The Mutual Burlesque shows play the house on Mondays and for the balance of the Wedc, commencing Tuesday, March 20, 'Barry McCormack and his stock company will play an engagement The arrange- ment will continue until the end of the burlesque season, some time in April. Until then burlesque patrons can see their type of show on Monday nights, white the stock lovers have the balance of the week. THEATRES DROP TO 92.00 TOP Chicago, Mar. 12.—Following the an- nouncement of Al Ji. Woods, New York producer, that in future the top scat price at his theatre. The Woods, here^ will be $2.00^ the Playhouse makes a similar cut ill its prices. Next week the Owen Davis play, "Up the Udder," produced by Wil- liam A. Brady, will open at the Playhouse at the new rate. Other theatres, most of -which have been hadly hit this year by itoor business, are said to be seriously considering a drop to the old pre-war figare. NEW COHAN SHOW IS A HIT ' RocBES-TER, March IZ—George M. Co- han's new comedy, "Two Fellows and a Girl," a play in three '■ acfs by' 'Vincent Lawrence, scored a hit 'when "presented Thursday evening at the Lyceum'Theatre, with an. excellent cast that included Ruth Shepltfj'. -John Halliday,' -Allan Dinehoral. and others.. Although as Mr. Cohan, announced be- tween acts that the piece was still in proc- ess of being completed, the audience -was held every moment the play was on. "The first act was unusually interesting and clevel-, the comedy being of a high order. In this act two lovers are endeavoring to win the hand Of the same girl. Consider- able comedy arises from the situations com- ing fast on the heels of each other, as each lover bids the girl a last "good lught" only to return again in effort to outwit his rrvaL The characterizations are true to life, aod the love-making equally so. After each admirer returns again and again fN* a choice b^ tossing a coin. The choice stands -with the girl, tnt she has some remorse over the fact that the rejected suitor might be suffering. Five years later the action shows the couple in their narried life. Thca a sitnation al- ways interesting comes up, when the re- jected suitor arrives as a weahhy Inmtier- man, visiting his old friends. The former suitor, after creating considerable specula- tion in the milxls of the patrons, is forced to take an inconsistent step and at the eod of the play the couple are still happ3y married as shown earlier in the pby. As the show now stands, the hjt two' acts are not quite up to standard set hy the first one, and condensation may help solve this defect, for the show ran tmtil alQiost twelve o'clock. Neediest to say 'the' tan was perfect and worked smoothly at all times. Miss Shepley -was diarming a> the heroine^ John Halliday was the cufr- cessful suitor, and Allan- Dinehart tlM wealthy lumberman who- lost at the gsne of love. Claiborne Foster made a ncif e el flapper and Jack Bennett and George Smithfield completer the cast as of prm- cipals. Despite the imperfections that are bonnd to show at the first regular perfbnnnoe of a play, the show provided an euteiUlit - mg evening, with all of the action typics] of the George M. CcAan style. THREE BOOSTS IN SIX MCMmiS San FkANOsco, March 12.—The Qufaio theatre here playing Taudeville and piUui e ii has boosted its admission price three txaaa in die past six months. Beginning with a twenty cents admission price ^11 over the house at any time and 3Bf day, after a few months, the price -was rased to twen^-five cents and last mA -went -up to thirtv. The capacity- of Ifae house is over 2,700. "SLAVEMAKER" FOR CHICAGO "The Slavemaker." Sam Harris' latest production starring Mary Ryan, -which opened last -week in Baltimore, is scheduled for the Selwyn Theatre, Chicago, the latter part of the mooth. The play is a thriller based on a "iopt" story. COSTUMES S:iSSo'SSSi:S.V;r.^Sr!^SS-w7^^ BROOKS-MAHIEU R. Y. c.