New York Clipper (Mar 1923)

March 14, 1923 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER cot, mw voMt I to UB by nmdi PidiU^ad by tfa* OJPPER OORPOItATKMf Orland W. Vtoghan....Freiidait and Secrctair Fndcrick C, Mnllcr •Treunrcr 1658 Broadwar, New York Telephone Circle 9113-91U WALTER VAUGHAN, EDITOR New York, Wednesday, March 14, 1923 Entered June 24, 1879, at the Pott Office at New York, N, Y., a* lecond clai* nutter, nnder ths act of March 3, 1879. THE CLIPPER U iuued every WEDNESDAY Forai* close on Monday at S P. H. SUBSCRIPTION One year in adnnee, $5; iix montba, $3.50; Iktca montht, $l,2j, ranina and foreign poitage ■EUa. Single copica will be sent, pott paid on receipt of 15 centa. ADVERTISING KATES FURNISHED ON AFPUCATICm Chlago Office—Snito 636, Sute take BIdg. Phone Dearborn 1776 D. Manager San Fnndaco OiBce—Snita 631, Gillette Bldg. 830 Market St. Phone Kearny 3361 Rdbb CoBKif, Manager Address all communications to THE NEW YORK CLIPPER Room 3*7 !«• Bie^way, New York Rttitltrti Cable Aiirtn: "Authoiitv." Tbb Curraa caa as oaraiNen wbousalk ann ■BTAIL at our agents, Gorringe American News Agency, 17 Green Street, Charing Croaa Rnad, Landon, W. C, England;- Dawa, 8 Eagle Place, Piccadilly Circoa, London, S. W., England: Brentano'a Newa Depot, 37 Avenne de rOpera, Faria, Fiance: Cordon & Cotch, 123 Pitt Street. Sydney, N. S. W., Anttralia. UNCLEAN PLAYS The theatrical profession, fighting for its rights, is being subjected to attacks from evei^ side and it is at this time that certain unthinking, to put it kindly, producers choose to put forth plays that bring the stage into disrepute and give the reformers and pseudo-reformers weapons against which the theatrical cohorts are powerless The craze for realism is at its peak, but when a manager believes that in order to pander to this desire it is necessary to show the inside of a brothel and the life led by the unfortunate denizens of the underworld it is time to appoint a commit- tee of alienists to pass upon his sanity. When it becomes necessary for the Grand Jury to indict fourteen i>eople asso- ciated with a theatrical production because of the vulgarity and alleged indecency of such production it is time for the managers themselves to take a firm stand, and for the theatre owners to refuse to let their play- houses for the showing of such offenses against good taste. True, the theatre owner is looking for profit, but there is profit in a good many illegal acts and it is no worse to aid and abet boot-legging, robbery or the white-slave trafGc than it is to allow your theatre to house a flagrantly salacious exhibition. It is difficult to conceive a play of popular appeal that does not contain some element of sex but there is nothing; wrong in. the sex question of itself. Since the begin- ning of all human life there have been men and women who have mated and be- gat offspring. That is life. On the other hand for thousands of years there have been brothels, with women giving them- selves up to the lust of men. That is filth and filth has no place on the stage under any conditions. Surprising as it may seem to a few managers the majority of people in the United States are dean- minded and should the wrath of this ma- jority ever become aroused by the frequent recurrence of plays that "stink to hi^h Heaven" theatrical people, despite all their charitable endeavors and religious efforts will again find themselves where they were fifty years ago when they were regarded as moral lepers by society in general. A Play Jury, composed of managers, laymen, clergy and dty officials was formed some time ago to pass on complaints a^inst productions of the salacious type hut the oomnuttee must have been asleep lately to permit the shows spoken of ahove to go on. Plays of the type mentioned have been presented with increasing frequency lately and it is rumored that one is about to be presented that will surpass them all in smutty degradation. The last few years have seen "To-day," "The House of Bond- age," "The Lurci" "The Demi-Virgin." "Aima Christie" and "Rain" each come in for their share of public criticism but when plays of the type of "The Rubicon," which^ was dosed by the police in Cin- cinnati, "Reigen" which is stirring tip im- wholesomc publidty at present and "The God of Vengeance" several members of which are under indictment, are put forth to "up-Iift" the drama, positive st^s must be taken by all right-minded, decent mem- bers of the profession in order to protect the thousands of theatrical folk from the threatened blight. Answers to Queries Rialto Rattles DE KOVEN ESTATE SUES SHUBERTS Harry H. Frazee last week instituted suit, as assignee of the executors of the estate of Reginald De Koven, against Sam and Lee Shubert for $10,000 before Su- freme Court Justice Taylor at White 'lains, the Shuberts moving to. have the suit dismissed. According to the papers the latter entered into a contract on October 2, 1902 -where- by they agreed that if De Koven woukl erect a theatre they would lease it until Dec. 31, 1924 and pay him 10 per cent of the net profits. According to the alleged comract De Ko>en would also be allowed to produce in the theatre one of his compo- sitions each year during the period of the lease. De Koven died before 1921 and Klein, for the Shuberts, maintains that a man's earning capadty ends with his death. Henry S. Barrett appeared for Pranzee and Justice Taylor allowed b<^ sides a week within which to siibmit briefs. "NAUGHTY DIANA" TO TRY AGAIN A. H. Woods will not discard his musical production of "Naughty Diana" as bad been reportetL Instead he will have the libretto revised and will send it out again early in May. The differences with Charles Rugsles, who was featured in tiie cast, whidi were said to have predpitated hs early dosing, have since been readjusted and Ruggles will be with the muacal com- edy yrhoi it goes out again. Otto Harbach has been called in to revise the libretto and as soon as he has compltted his task the piece will he placed in rdiearsal. Woods plans to have the show in proper shape to send it in to New York or Chi- cago for a Summer run. A NEW TAX ON AMUSEMENTS ^Reprinted from tlie World) The pleasing suggestion comes by way of a bill fathered in Albany by Assembly- man Miller that a state tax of 6 per cent shall be levied upon the price of tickets to various amusements. There is already a fiederal tax on amusements running to 10 per cent. From $5,000,000 to $7,000,000 a year, it is estimated, can be collected from baise- ball, theatres, movie houses, skating rinks, prize fights, basketball games, horse races and the like, with the usual exception of benefit performances for church, charitable and educational purposes. The state may ne«l the money, especially if it decides to try to rebuild its hospital plant without a bond issue, but the people are not going to be enthusiastic about any proposal for new taxation. As the war re- cedes into the limbo of the past giving to the tax-gatherer "imtil it hurts" ceases to seem a patriotic duty. The mandate of last November at the polls hardly induded a 6-per-cent amuse- ment tax. If ^e two parties agree upon sharing the odium, they can do without a mandate. But some day or another they will be obliged to answer the query: "Why not try economy and retrenchment?" T. D.—He was obliged to show his whole hand. Actor—Forbes Robertson presented "Caesar and Qeopatra" at the Savoy, London, England. Pop—The Chadwick Trio played a full week at Worcester and a full week at the Nelson, Springfield, during that season. C. M. G.—"The Talk of New York" was presented for the first time in New York at the Knickerbocker Theatre, Dec. 3, 1907. Victor Moore played Kid Burns. WilUam—Harry La Rose died at Wil- liamsbridge, N. Y., in 1908. He was well known-as Leo Dervalto, spiral ascensionist, and was married to Jennie Coulson. R. H.—Heinrich Conried was director of the Metropolitan Opera House. K. E.—Charles M. Harris, a nephew of Maggie Mitchell, succeeded W. L. Walter as Messala in "Ben Hur" during the Cin- cinnati enngemcnt. T. M.—-Mabd Carew and Gertie Ha^^s appeared in "The Mad Stampede" with The Bohemians at the London Theatre, New York. Centre—Bert Baker, Nick Glynn. Charles Barton, Alf P. James, Annie Dunn and Kate Prior were with the Rice and Barton Big Gayety Co. at the Murray Hill The- atre, New York. Tent—The Norris & Howe Circus and Hipiwdrome opened in San Francisco, Jan. 11, 1908. Among the performers were the Potters, Herzog's Horses, Hadj Tahar's Arabs, the St Leon Family, George Hol- land, R. H. Dockrill and Rose Dockrill. O. K.—Fiske and McDonough and Wdsb and Maitland were with the "Van- ity Fair" company the same seasoo. England—Cecelia Loftus and Lawrence lyOrsay were co-stars in "The Lancers" (formerly "The Passing Regiment") at Daly's Theatre, New York. Prince—^"Lonesome Town" featared Kolb and Dill and Maude Lambert. They opened at Albany, N. Y., in 1907. Picture—"The Warrpis of Virginia" cast induded Frank Keenan, Emma Dunn, Charlotte Walker. Cedl De MiUe. Mary Pickford. Isabel Waldron, C. D. Waldron, Stanhope Wheatcraft Ralph Kdlard and others. Scot—Tames H. Stoddard died at Se- waren, N. J., two years after he retired from the stage in 1905. He appeared last in '"The Bonnie Briar Bush" at Galt'OnL.^ Canada B. R.—Clara Bloodgood committed sui- cide by shooting at Baltimore, Md. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Marie Wainwright appeared in "Shall We Forgive Her?" at the Columbia The- atre, San Francisco. Lina Pantzer, Carl Damami Troupe, George W. Day, Mathews and Harris, and .^. C. Lawrence played at the Orpheim)^ San Francisco. Etienne Girardot appeared in "Mfas .Francis of Yale." Lillian Burkhart assisted by Caiyl Wil- bur, presented "The Lady of the Rowan Tree" at the Bijou, Philadelphia. Hart and DeMar, Smith and Campbell, Ed Latell, Blocksom and Boms, the News- boy Quintet, Alice Raymond, Metropoli- tan Three, John Kurkamp, Ford and Dot West Kurtz, Four Lnders, Dunbar and Zames, Sig. Nuttini and The Paynes were also on the bill. Wm. J. Scanlan died in Bloomingdale .Asylum. White Plains. N. Y.. where be had been confined for six years. J. Austin Fynes resigned from the staff of B. F. Keith and became general man> ager of the F. F. Proctor houses. John J. Burke and Grace Forrest were in Australia, under contract with Wil- liamson & Musgrove. "Break the News to Mother" was sung by Julie Mackey at Koster & Bial's, New York. "The Moth and the Flame;" by Qyde Fitch, was presented at tte Chcstaut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, with Herbert Kdcey. Edmimd D. Lroai, W. J. Le Moyne, Bruce McRae. EHie Sbaimon. Mis. Le Morne and Georgia Bnsby in the cast HOW SHE DID IT A dancer who oooe todc a chance And with nothing to wear did a dance. Was caught in a raid- And for raiment she prayed Then was dothed. for her breath came in pants. ON THE HIP Tut: What have you got on your hip ? Tut Tut: (Who is an acrobat) Sloan's liniment Tut: Give me a drink of it Tut Tut: I can't but I'll let you lick it FLOPPED IN NEW BRUNSWICK Lew Dodatader. who was badly injured by a fall on the, icy sidewalk m New Brunswick, N. J., a few weeks ago, is wdl again but has not been seen on Broadway. In a letter to friends the comedian wrote: "I am staying off Broadway for the presoit. I haven't the nerve to go along the tag street and hear someone say, "nere goes Lew, did'ja hear how he flipped in Jersey?" ARE YOU LAUGHNGr During the' seasoo of the British Na- tional Opera Company in the Olympia. Liverpool, recently, the organizatioa gave a performance of an opera called "The Ring." A passerby, seeing the electric sign, walked up to the box office, deposited a half-crown for a seat, and asked "Who's fightin' tooigbt?" SPLASHING SUCCESS Even the out-of-town critics who be- lieved "Rain" was all, wet must now admit that it is a splashing- success. NOT A PUZZLE "The Crooked Sqiure" is not another Sam Lloyd puzzle. It's a new play by Sam Shipman. AUMONY NOT EXEMPT Alimony is not exempt from year in- come tax. This will- imdonbtedly be good news for many gents with polygamous tendendes. Lack ol space prevoits inint- ing the list HIS WAS THERE "Do yoa believe there is any money in horse racing?" "All mine is." THE HOOSIER GIRL He met her for the first time at a Bor^. and KTOping about for something to s^ asked: "You are from the West, arcm^ yon?" "Yes. from Indiana," she rei>Ucd— "Hoosier girL "Why—why. really," be stammered. "I hardly, know; yoa set, I haven't quite decided yet." THIS IS THE WEEK This is the week that Uncle Sam gels his. BOOTLEGGERS' UNION "Baltimore bootleggers form tmioot— News item. It is safe to assume that it is one tmion that will never go on strike. I4EVER WAS GYPPED A songwriter noted for his wit. or per- haps it is sarcasm^ was loimgiiig in a publisher's office when be overhead some- one bragging about never being "gypped" "Never was gypped?" queried the song- writer, "then start writing songs." FIELDS SUES 'VOH BON BUI»V' CO. Eddie Fldib filed snit last wcdc aniut tlie Boa B<n Bndd(r Gaapanr and AUnd C Davi]^ ia cffoit to iccover die tam of $155. albged to be doe him for a wedc nd ahalf salanr.