The Billboard 1921-12-31: Vol 33 Iss 53 (1921-12-31)

DECEMBER 31, 1921 The Billboard CHICAGO GRAND OPERA CO. GUARANTY PLAN CONTINUES “Grand Council” So Decrees After Scrutinizing Budget Showing Exact Cost of Maintaining Season of First-Class Opera— Now Up to the Public Chicago, Dec. 24.—The ‘‘grand council,’ invested with plenary powers to decree the life or death of the Chicago Grand Opera Company, sat in extraordinary sess.on yesterday evening and, after due de‘iberation, decreed that the guaranty plan heretofore agreed upon shall on and that the rest of the huge undertaking rests squarely on the public, go Mary Garden, director-general, and Clark A. Shaw, acting business manager of the opera company, had been instructed by the executive committee to submit a joint budget showing what apparently hag never been shown before—the exact cost of maintaining a season of first-class opera. It was this budget that the committee above mentioned scruti nized before issuing its mandate. The men on the committee are practically world figu.es in finance, being Stanley Field, Samuel Insull, John J. Mitchel, John G, Shedd, head of Marshall Field's, and L, B. Kuppenheimer, This body announced that it was convinced that opera could be carried on in Chicago at a deficit of less than $500,000 a year, and the budget was, therefore, approved by the committee as a whole. There has been apprehension in artistic circles that the men above named might apply business principles to their problem with a hand so exact and ruthless that the delicate tentacles of art involved might shrink and droop in the auditing process. But rather the opposite appears to be the truth. There fare some now who believe that big, constructive brains in the audience, who like opera without actually being technical musicians, are an invaluable aid in making opera go over sensibly, systematically and with a minimom of friction. Reports that Mary Garden will, and will not, be director-general next year all reach one focal point, namely, that it is purely up to the diva-director herself. In euch esteem is Miss Garden he'd by the entire committee and so great a factor has her magic personality been in the great enterprise that it is genera‘ly agreed that her word alone will settle her future with the company. It is also the general belief she will continue as directorgeneral. So, the committee says, it is now up to Chi cago. If Chicago wants the company to continue, Chicago must raise the other half of the five hundred guarantors of $1000 a year The committee seems to think this is feasible. Much work lies diréctly ahead for the opesa association. Contracts with artists must be closed, a new lease taken on the Auditorium, vast warehousing facilities must be secured for stage equipment and a multitude of other details are to be taken care of, and soon at that. Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. McCormick, for ten years the princely sponsors of the opera com each for five years. NEW MOVIFE-VAUDE. HOUSE OPENS EARLY IN JANUARY Rochester, N. Y., Dec. 25.—Leon Lempert announces that the new Lafayette Square Theater, of which he is the architect, wil! open its doors early in January. It is a magnificent house, costing $1,250 000. It was built for the Monument Amusement Company, of which M. Slotkin, a veteran theatrical man, is president, and stands on the site of the old Lyric and Family theaters. The house will be devoted to 8 r-photo plays and vaudeville. “AIN'T IT THE TRUTH” MOVES New York, Dec. 24.—‘‘Ain't It the Truth," the musical comedy which is being presented this week at the Manhattan Opera House, under the auspices of the World War Veterans, will not close its engagement tonight as originally intended. Instead the show will be brought to the Republic Theater, where it will play during holiday week. The opening there is announced for next Monday night. RIZZO’S VIOLIN STOLEN Chicago, Dec. 24.—A_ violin belonging to Anthony Rizzo, leader of the Woods Theater orchestra, was stolen In full view of the audience yesterday afternoon. The unknown person strolled down the aisle, picked up the instru ment and made his way out of the house unmolested, pany, in stepping down from their niche as fuancial supporte:s, have donated a final gift to the organization of vast value. They will turn over scenery, costumes and other assets to the company that have cost more than $5,000,000, and which will become the property of the association if the remaining guarantees are signed up. While the committee did not make a statement to that <fcct, the report persists that this body has reached the conclusion that a 85 per cent cut in overhead can be effected without in any way impairing the artistic worth of the opera company. That cuts will be made in the amounts paid to artists is f:eely predicted by persons on the outside of the association but evidently conversant with its plans. The Metropolitan Opera Company of New York not alone cut such salaries last Season, but it is said is contemplating addi tional reductions on next season's contracts. CHALIAPIN ENRAGED BY CALL FOR A REVOLUTIONARY SONG Detroit, Dec. 23.—Fedor Chaliapin, great Russian basso, fled from the stage at Arcadia Hall Tuesday night at the end of his concert, incensed at the request of his countrymen to sing a revolutionary song, the name of which Was shouted from a box, Chaliapin had finished a humorous satirical song, which brought forth a storm of applause, and returned to the piano, where he pluced a tattered sheet of music. Pending over the Piano and without changing hig pose, he turned his head scowling over the heads of the great audience that crowded the aisles to get closer to the stage, snatched the music from the rack, turned with a shrug, raised his hands in char. acteristic gesture and strode from the stage. A tumult followed his exit. The audience shouted, applauded and pushed the rows of seats into a huddled mass in their unsuccessful effort to recall Chaliapin. The concert was one of the most brilliant in many seasons. Chaliapin sang fourteen songs. PLAYERS ENTERTAIN AT UNEMPLOYMENT BALL Duluth, Minn., Dec. 24.—Players from the Orpheum and New Grand theaters gave a free performance last night at Duluth’s big unempleyment ball. Fully $3,500 was raised above all expenses to be used by the city to pay unemployed men for future work in extending the boulevard in the city. Mayor Snively and Mrs. George S. Richards led the grand march and 75 musicians furnished music free of charge. Mrs. Richards is a prominent impresario in the concert field. “CHUCK” WHITEHEAD’S DANCE ORCHESTRA Now playing at Whitehead’s Dancing Palace, Spokane, Wash. Gaining popularity with people all over the Northwest, and the source of much comment on account of the style and class of its music, SPOKANE CHANGES THEATER FEE Spokane, Wash., Dec. 24.—Increase in the annual license fees of six theaters is provided and the fees for five houses are lowered in an ordinance passed this week by the city council. The license fees of the stock and road playhouses remain unchanged. The ordinance was introduced by Commissioner Argall upon complaint of small house owners about being overtaxed. By the new order all theaters with a seating capacity of less than 500 pay a flat fee of $50 a year and 20 cents for each seat. Houses with more than [00 seats will pay an annual charge of $80 and 20 cents for each seat. Only one theater manager, said Mr. Argall, objected to the new licensing plan, which will net an increase of $300 in the city taxes for 1922. “DARDANELLA” TROUBLE SETTLED _ Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 24.—‘‘Dardanella,”’ the musical comedy show attached bere last Saturday night for wages alleged to be due to an advance man and another member of the company, left the city Monday after a satisfactory adjustment was made in the local court. The company, props and all paraphernalia reached Jackson, Tenn., in time to make the night performance Monday, after which the show closed. “BILLY-BOY” New York, Dec. 23.—A_ new musical play, with the title of ‘‘Rilly-Roy,"’ has been written by Charlton Andrews, with music by Jean Schwartz and lyrics by William Jerome. It will be produced shortly after the holidays. This is the first musical play Chariton Andrews has written, he having been identified with farces heretofore. “FOLLIES” AID POOR KIDDIES Detroit, Dec. 24.—The Poor Children’s Christmas Fund realized $3,500 from the midnight performance of Ziegfeld’s ‘‘Follies’’ at the Detroit Athletic Club Thursday. Members of the company donated their services and the local club paid the producing expenses. Similar performances were given here by the ‘‘Follies’’ on two previous occasions. DENIES IT AGAIN _-_— New York, Dec. 23.—Many people here have Marilynn Miller, starring in ‘‘Sally,’’ engaged to be married. In fact, the latest rumor has her married and the groom named as Jack Pickford. Miss Miller will have none of it tho, and denies strenuously that there is any truth in the tale, saying she has a career to Make and won't think of marriage for a long time to come. EXTRAVAGANZA FOR GEST New York, Dec. 26.—Mo-r!ls Gest may produce another extravanganz. tefore tong, notwithstanding his protestutivng that he would never do s® again. This time it is a play made from t>» Arabian Nigats and will have music by James L. Shedrer, who has written Bome popular songs and at ore time had a music publishing firm of his own. RETURNING TO STAGE ———s New York, Dec. 25.—Juliene Costa, who since her marriage to Charles M. Hinton has been in retirement, will return to the stage shortly. Miss Costa has appeared in musical comedy and was at one time with the Aborn Opera Company. She married on June 24, 1920. ILL AND INJURED At the American Theatrical Hospital The following are patients at the American Hospital, Chicago, under the personal care of Dr. Max Thorek, Mrs. I, I. Stary, Bonita Theater, motion pictures, has undergone an abdominal operation and is doing well. Maudie Armstrong (Mrs. Will Armstrong), possessor of the $1,000 ankle, underwent an operation; doing nicely. Marjorie Smith, of the Harrison Dean Show, has been operated on for blood poisoning, Agnes Wineman, also of the Harrison Dean Show, under medical care. Mrs. Charles Dale, of Waterson, Berlin & Snyder, operated on for tumor. Was critically ill before operation, but doing well now. Ed Walker, advertising man for the Blackstone Theater, at the hospital suffering from rheumatism. Mrs. Joe Rome, of Rome & Gaud, under observation, nervous breakdown. Gypsy Myers, in vaudeville, has been operated on for tumor and is doing well. Mrs. Eileen Thomas, with ‘‘Sweet Sweeties,"* operated on for appendicitis. She has left the hospital in splendid condition. Glenn Coulter, stage manager for Margaret Anglin, treated for trouble with his eyes. Ime proved. Rhea McKee Scott, in vaudeville, was here under medical treatment. Left in good condition. Mrs. Henrietta Quinlan, wife of Edward Quin. lan, of the State-Lake Theater, who was operated on for gall stones, has left in good condition. Miss Cailless, grand opera singer, under mede« ical treatment and improving. NEW PHILA. THEATER PLANNED Philadelphia, Dec. 22.—Plans for a sixteenstory theater and office building to be erected at the corner of Sixteenth and Market streets’ have been filed at the bureau of building inspection by the William Fox Entertainment Corporation of New York. The building, designed by Thomas W. Lamb, will cover the entire lot, fronting 129 feet on Market street and extending to Ludlow street in the rear. The corner was acquired on a fifty-year lease, The rental is to be graduated at five-year intervals, starting with $60,000 yearly and reaching $100,000 at the end of twenty years. The rental for the remainder of the term will be on a five per cent basis, altho never less than $100,000 annually. The office building and theater are to be completed within two years. ELMIRA (N. Y.) THEATER LEASE NEGOTIATIONS P —_—_—__--s. Elmira, N. Y., Dec. 22.—Negotiations are under way between a group of citizens and the owners of the Regent Theater to take over the lease of that playhouse. George VanDeMark, one of the men mentioned as furthering the enterprise, was formerly owner of the Happy Hour Theater here, later going into the automobile business. He recently sold this latter concern. Sale of the theater would involve about $250,000, Rumors have it that a stage for legitimate plays will be built. NEW DANVILLE THEATER IS TO COST $180,000 Danville, Va., Dec. 23.—Announcement has been made by J. C. Hester, secretary and treasurer of the Southern Amusement Company, that the contract for the new Palace Theater has been awarded and work will be started at once. The theater will have a seating capacity of 2.000 people. The cost is estimated at $180,000. MOVEMENT TO REBUILD FRENCH O. H. TAKES SHAPE New Orleans, Dec. 20.—-The movement to rebuild the French Opera House has taken definite shape. In addition to numerous block parties and the like, 200 society men and women will take part in the filming of a scene at the race track by the Pyramid Producing Company, entitled ‘‘My Old Kentucky Home.’’ The proceeds of their day’s work will go to the building fund. DOUG. AND MARY IN CHICAGO Chicago, Dec. 23.—Douglas Fairbanks and his wife, Mary Pickford, together with a party of relatives, arrived in Chicago yesterday for a brief stay in the Blackstone Hotel. ‘‘Doug.”’ gave an impromptu performance in his room for *“*Bob’”? Beban, the seven-year-old son of George Beban, the actor, DELAY ARBUCKLE TRIAL San Francisco, Dec, 24.—It was announced yesterday by Judge Lyle T. Jacks that he had been informed unofficially by District Attorney Matthew Brady that he would not be ready to proceed with the second trial of Roscoe Arbuckle on January 9.