The Billboard 1919-06-21: Vol 31 Iss 25 (1919-06-21)

10 The Billboard JUNE 21, 1919 BROADWAY BITS (Continued from page 5) Bee Palmer has left her stunning apartment on 72d street, and is vacationing at the Chateau Jaurier, City Island, where she is rehearsing with a jazz band for a whirl at vaudeville. ae . . Producers have their eye on Martha Pryor, of Ward and Pryor, and she will blossom out on Broadway next season, Mr. Hemberg, foremost firm man of Sweden, who bas been here a few days, saw Loew's Metropolitan Theater in Brookiyn before he sailed away, and it struck him dumb. He declares he wants to build a duplicate in Stockholm. The Swedish press agent, N, T. Granlund, for Marcus Loew, gave him a flash at the theater, which is the largest in the country. * * * * Mary Miles Minter is in Atlantic City, resting up before she starts work on her new contract, said to be the most remarkable ever given a film star. She motored down in her big car, shipped to her from California, e © a. s Helen Paine and Ara Martin were in Hanky Panky together six years ago. They are now together again in the revue at the Cafe de ‘Paris, Such is life. GEORGE MARLOW TALKS OF AUSTRALIAN THEATERS (Continued from page 3) try Mr. Marlow mentioned the tremendous ovation given to Guy Bates Post, who produced both The Masquerader and the Nigger in Melbourne. Max Figman was on the read to Australian success When the ‘‘flu'’ epidemic and the closing of the theaters for two periods of five and six weeks, with an interval of two weeks, interfered with his plans. Mr. Marlow spoke very highly of Muriel Star. an American girl, who bas been piaying in Australia for several years, and now at the Theater Royal in Melbourne, He expressed an opinion that she would become a Star in short order if given advantage of American theatrical opportunities. “The Iroquois fire of Chicago had a tremendons effect upon Australian theater patrons,” declared Mr. Marlow, commenting upon the fact that Australian fire and building regulations in regard to theaters were made more stringent and unusually severe immediately following this disaster, which kept the lovers of the drama out of the theaters for days after the cabled dispatches were received. All theaters in Australia now must be separated from other buildings on three sides. which makes a corner site necessary, and entrances and exits must empty directly upon the street instead of into some other part of the theater in order to make rapid emptying of the show houses possible in i case of fire. FACTS ABOUT DEMOCRACY (Continued from page 3) literature to be false. But in order that you may give a full statement to any one who inquires regarding those statements I deemed it wise to give you a full account of the matter. This is the more important because Mr. Pruitt handed the charge to the BLUE SKY COMMISSION. We were summoned before that body with the triumphant result which the enclosures indicate, “In reference to the article in question permit me to say that every essential statement bearing on the DEMOCRACY PHOTOPLAY CO, was false, either as to fact or as to implication. “It is true that I draw a salary of $100 per week, but there is no false representation in this—the literature states that I draw a salary as general manager. If there is any injustice in this it is to me—canceling a whole summer’s engagement in a contract calling for $165 per week, and working for $100. In addition to that refusing to sign a contract beginning in the fall at $200 per week and working for $100. “it is also true that we maintain offices in the WOOD TIIEATER ‘BUILDING. But since the law compels us to maintain offices somewhere is there any particular crime in having it in this Particular building? It is also true that we ef empioy two stenographers, who also act in the capacity of bookkeepers, accountants and literBe ary assistunts, ete., and they are both working a to the limit. and I expect soon to employ more. —_ OUR STOCKHOLDERS want their accounts kept —and kept accurately. They will not keep themselves. But the implication that we are reveling in waste and luxury and drawing illegal money ix utterly false, “It is not true that we are raising a MILLION as DOLLARS for this picture. The literature dis tinetly states that the BE RAISED IS $500,000." conclusions drawn from therefore false. E, article, : “It is not true that we are ‘Starting in the . a direction of The Birth of a Race’ project. Not ; to mention other things that company is alleged to have started off with $200,000 PROMOTION STOCK. We have not issued a dollar's worth of promotion stock, and by our very plan of organization could not issue any, “It is not true that Mr. Higginbottom is connected in any official capacity with the company. not that it would be any reflection on the eonpany. He is employed simply as sales man ager and in which capacity has done splendid work, : “It is not trne that R. Royce Hamilton is connected with the company, and his denial has alteady been published in The Tribune. ( “It is not true that a twelve-reel spectacular | production, such as -~we contemplate, ‘can be : produced for not to exceed $100,000,’ nor for « twice that amount. I wish it could. It could 4 mean a good many additional thousands of dollars in my pockets. If it could be done then I would begin to share in the earnings of the picture after I had returned only $100,000 to the stockholders, with eight per cent interest thereon, Now 1 cannot participate in the earnings ‘TOTAL AMOUNT TO All the inferences and this supposition are And that takes in most of the of the picture until after I have paid back $500,000, with interest thereon. And so it is more to my personal interest and the interest of my associates to cut down the cost of pro ducing the picture to the lowest possible amount consistent with efficiency, than to the interest of the stockbolders. Furthermore, we have a contract with our sales manager which enables us to stop the sale of the stock before reaching the $500,000 mark. should we deem a lesser sum sufficient to produce, release and properly advertise the picture. “It is not true that we ‘were refused a license in Wisconsin.’ We never applied in that State. We were ready to apply, but on learning that the laws in that State do not permit the giving of common stock as a bonus with the pre ferred stock, did uot tile our application. And, finally, it is not true that Mr. Higginbottom ‘pays some of his salesmen 35%.’ At least if he does he pays them far more than he gets himself, for he gets only 25% on stock sold in this State. as per ‘blue sky’ requirement. We have violated no law. We have made no false or fradulent representation. We are selling our stock wholly on its merits. “I am also enclosing from the Secretary of State a letter authorizing us to go ahead with the sale of stocks. And so it turns out that after operating for six months we go before the BLUE SKY COMMISSION and make a report of such excellence as few companies have ever attained and get from it a ‘clean bill of health.’ ‘Believing that Democracy Photoplay Company is stronger today and more worthy of public confidence than ever before, I am “Very truly yours, “LEB FRANCIS LYBARGER, “President and General Manager.”’ The letter is as follows: Democracy Photoplay Company, 56 West Randolph St., Chicago, Ill. Gentlemen—Pursuant to the affidavits filed this day you are hereby notified that the order to show cause why your license to sell securities in the State of Illinois should not be annuled, under date of May 27, has been fully satisfied, and the rule to show cause, discharged You are at liberty to proceed with the sale of your stock under the license issued to you under the present law, Yours very truly, (Signed) LOUIS L. EMMERSON, Securities Dept. Secretary of State. WRPE:AD We then received a letter, signed by Claude F. Smith, attorney for the Photo Democracy Photoplay Company, which sets forth his report of its affairs, and it is as follows: “President Lybarger has requested that I write you, as attorney for the Democracy Photoplay Company, giving The Billboard full details of the recent happenings with reference to said company for the benefit of your readers, some of whom we know are stockholders as well as yourself “This matter was called to my attention late Saturday, and I spent the rest of Saturday even‘ng, until 1:30 o’clock Sunday morning, the big best part of Sunday, and all Monday in a thoro investigation, not only in the hooks of the company, but all of its affairs, and from my investicntion I have prepared affidavits, which were sworn to by the president, Mr. Lybarger; Ethel Kessinger and Grace Royer, the young ladies employed in the office; I also bad prepared a trial balance and had said trial balance sworn to and a statement of stocks sold. commissions paid and cash on hand, and had same sworn to; and a statement of all corporate expense since the day of the company’s incorporation down to and including May 1. These facts, under oath, were submitted to the Secretary of State by me yesterday, June 3, and I am attaching hereto a copy of the letter. wh was given me by the Secretary of State, after he read these affidavits and gone over with me the trial balances and all the affairs of the company. This letter speaks for itself “Ip addition to this letter I have in my office files a copy of all of the affidavits submitted to the Secretary of State. Should you desire to know the contents of these affidavits 1 will be pleased to send them to you. providing you will agree to return them to me, as | must keep them for my office files. “Permit me however. to personally say to you that I can vouch for the truth of the bank deposits and all statements made to the Secre tary of State. With reference to the amount of money in the banks I had wires sent to the banks, and the amounts shown in these telegrams totaled to a penny the amount shown in our trial balance. The money of this company has come to it in the following way: All stock sold in Ulinois has first had 25 per cent commission deducted, and the remaining 75 per cent has been deposited either in the Mifflinburg Bank of Pennsylvania, or to its credit in the First National Bank of Chicago, or the Republic Trust Company of Philadelphia, Pa. “In my experience, extending over about fifteen years in the law business, I have never seen a company that has been organized and operated handle the amounts of money that this company has done that has been handled as cleanly, as honestly and efficiently. All the moneys received in the company, as hereintofore set forth, are now in these banks, with the exception of ap proximately $5,300, which has been spent in furnishing the office and for the salaries of help, stationery and for the carrying on of the Preparation of the scenario. You can therefore see that the management of the company has been very economical. “In conclusion permit me to say that in my mind and from my investigation there is no doubt but that the charges made against this company ate absolutely without foundatiun. “Yours truly, “(Signed) CLAUDE F. SMITH, — “Attorney for Company.” n¢, To The Billboard the sad part of this whole affair is the fact that an individual, by an unsupported statement, can throw sand into the machinery, which might have caused tremendous financial loss, inconvenience, delay and irreparable injury to reputation and feelings and do it without the fear of even being questioned or asked to give account of his acts. There are of course a great many trials and tribulations for all great ventures to face, and the Demorcracy Photoplay Company is no exception to this rule. The Billboard has no interest in this venture other than to see that it gets a square deal. So far as we can see from the affairs of this concern, and we have looked carefully into this, there has not been ever a ripple on the waters, and this company has not been even hesitated in its march towards completion of this play and its activity. Look thru the Letter List in this issue. VAUDEVILLE NOTES Vandeartists! —————— Save your money— Remember the ad-gyp press needs it. Remember the ad-gyp press is doing much for you. The ad-gyp press represents you with credit, with dignity and with a zealous and vigilant regard for your best interests. Have you never been bunked by the telegraft, shorn by the clippers, mulct by the mirror, stung by the star or victimized by way of variety? No? Well, don't worry. One new one has been launched and others will follow. And this is the “‘theatrical’’ press. What a commentary on American journalism. Would not “‘reptile,”’ “‘parasitic’’ or even “eootie”’ be a better term? And the responsibility! Does it not rest at least in part with the vaudeartists? At least some of them stand for M. Rose Longson, dancer, is preparing to begin a stage career. Frisco says the young lady can sure dance. Selznick gets Elsie Janis for pictures. “Our Elsie,” by the way, is now a ‘“‘Colonel’’ as well as a “‘Captain.”’ John I’. Harris, general manager of the Harry Davis Enterprises, was in New York last week arranging for acts for the Davis Theater in Pittsburg this summer, Vesta Tilley is now Lady De Frece by virtue of her husband, Walter De Frece, baving been knighted. Hie controls and manages quite 4a number of Ifndon music halls. 0. L. Hall, of The Chicago Daily Journal, saw Jack Osterman at the American Theater in that city Sunday, June 8, and this is what he said in part: ‘‘Toward the end, in the shining position of billtopper, came young Osterman. When he bounded out upon the stage the 32 candle power lights brightened into 64s. What happened during the twenty minutes thereafter was a performance suitable for any vaudeville stage in this wide land. third of an hour, but I was amazed at the Ufe and joy of it. Here was a dashing entertainer in the happy possession of youth, but with a mature and mellow sense of fun, with a good voice, with fresh and amusing material, with a happy flare of travesty. with a veteran's ease and assurance, and with a million dollars’ worth of what you and I know as personality." Vandeartists are doing a world of thinking these days. It is well that they should. Also it is well that they should think rightly and feel strongly. But do not let the pendulum swing too far. The powers that be are by no means the worst men In the world. Even Mr. Mountford does not think so, NOR DOES AF SAY SO. He is a very forceful writer, however, and by indirection his punch gives out that tmpression. If you have been viewing them as such take off your glasses and polish them up. Think a bit. Was not every one of them splendidiy patriotic during the war? Have they not striven hard to extend the vogue of vaudeville and thus widen the opportunities of the artist? Are not the Keith interests in particular entitled to munch credit for taking oldtime variety out of the dives, cleaning it up and making it fit for Indies and children to patronize? When you get right down to cases have they worked any stronger than the general run of men would have in their places? Would not lots of men have twisted the screws harder? What, think you, would have occurred if some of that Corn Product Trust bunch had had vaudeville by the throat, would have happened? And don’t forget the culpability of the vaude artists themselves. They not only played into the hands of the interests, but eagerly encouraged them by their mad scramble for individual preferment and egged them on to new exactions. There are lots of worse men in the world than the vaudeville managers, and even some of vaudeville agents. It is important that you do not let your indignation blind you to the fact. | Ada I foresaw a merry | CHILD LABOR LAWS DEPRIVE MARYLAND OF GOOD SHOWS (Continued from page 4) has been revoked or perhaps it was never grantei—lI don't know. At any rate, under no circumstances are eniidren under 16 allowed to appear on our stage; consequently we lose some of the sweetest most wholesome and delightful plays written and produced ‘Maryland's action qoes not keep chiliren of the stage; it merely keeps them out of this State, and that can be no possible benefit to the child. but ts a distinct joss to us It fs @ matter that could be very easily adjusted if the public would take concerted action, and express their opinion. “A play which depends upon a child for its message misses its point entirely when that child ts impersonated by an older woman—the illusion is lost and the whole thing immediately becomes fosincer>. here is addies. and Penrot, ang A Wrince There Was. and many others. all of which Baltimore must miss, so that no matter how brilliant the net season may be. it will necessarily be incomplete We will have the classics, the melodramas the farres, the sophistieated successes of Broadwar. but Baltimore is too moral and benevolent to witness plays where childrern labor (7) to amuse os We quite overlook the good which the kiddies might do our own souls in our mistaken efforts to save theirs."—B. B. FP. ANGEL FACE PREMIERE Most Important Opening in Chicago This Season Chicago, June 16.—The most important opening in Chicago this season occurred June 8, when Victor Herbert personally conducted the premiere of his new musical play, Angel Face. At the close of the second act he gave a curtain speech in tribute t Frederick Stock, of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who was present, and made some kind remarks about the possibilities of Chicago as a producing center, Some of the music is better and some is lighter than Herbert usually writes. One melody, I May Be Your Once-in-a-While, has all the earmarks of a season's popular song hit. Another song, Why Do They Make Them So Beautiful, is destined for equal favor. The orchestra score thruout is typically Herbert in style and the singing is all good, but not erxceptional. ‘Pe most daring innovation in singing was the use of three girls’ voices singing in three-part harmony. George Lederer evidently forgot that chorus ladies are selected for size and looks only, or else he accidentally found three among his supercoryphees who bad ununusual voices. The three girls received real and enthusiastic applanse. Jack (Jiggs) Donahue. Ada Meade and John Young fill up most of the individual time, assisted by Margaret Zander. Unquestionably Donahue is the stage’s greatest master of pantomimie dancing, for five miutes holding the audience with his specialty and giving @ laugh every five seconds without speaking a word. Meade neither thrills nor fizzles. John Young sings well and talks well, and Margaret Zander, working as ‘‘Betty,"” uses her baby face and charm of voice and manner in a way that augurs well for her future. Alan Edwards did well the limited duties assigned him, and Sarah MecVicker, with the spit curls and grandmother build and face, supplied some laughs. The Oakland Sisters contribute a dance specialty of little interest, except to emphasize the fact that the individual members of the chorus are considerably above the average of musical comedy productions. Eyvery girl is capable of speaking individual lines in an attractive way or doing some other specialty and putting it over. The staging is well done, lighting good, costumes stunning and plot clean and attractive. The stage manager comes so far out in the side wing that he is in view of the audience most of the time, performing what he considers his arduous and important duties, bur his noticeable presence detracted from the attention of the audience, which should have been free to rest upon the stage. Several changes have been mavle in arrangement of songs and order of rendition since the opening performance, What plot there is has to do with the searc! of the eccentric scientist, played by Carrick. Major for the Elixir of Youth. A baby also ia trudes and is welcomed. Coincident with this is portrayed the effort of Mrs, Zenobia Wise (Ann Warrington) to marry off her five daughters the eldest of whom—and the homeliest—must be married first. These stock musical comedy features still amuse theater patrons, so why devise new ones ?—LOUIS. COMMENTS Percy Hammond, in Chicago Tribune: ‘‘Irresistible tunes, color and beauty. Audience vociferous, Score pretty and well sung. Dancing graceful and animated. Clothes cheerful and becoming, and the libretto unusually inoffensive."* Amy Leslie, in Daily News: ‘Provides ao evening's entertainment of a most delightful kind, clean and wholesome. Good laughs. Pretty girls. Lively tunes and colorful costumes and settings."’ The Star Theater, Monessen, Pa., a motion picture house, was partially destroyed by fire rerebuilt with many improvein seating cently. It is Selng ments and an increase of about 400 capacity.