The Billboard 1923-03-17: Vol 35 Iss 11 (1923-03-17)

ach 17, 1923 The Bi llboard 239 he connected with one of the carnival je Or the «Central States. apanes “oEA-SPEISS—Almeneo Canzaneiia, ae alt 4 ) pehter, and Selma R. Speiss, art ) were married in New York arch > 2 » the amp ypy—Walter Febl, leader of EHL-MO + the Melbourne, St. Louis, and ‘y, of the vaudeville act of Moody ; pun were married in St. Louis + KPiIRAN—Frank Funes, of the Jane , *R and Juliet’’ Company, and . H Kubran, Viennese dancer, were ots » New York City recently. +e RAY—William Harris, motiqn er of Australia, and Marie actress, living at the Hotel Fian‘New York. were married in New York farch 8, Both bad previously been married and voreRY nerip—W. R. Henry, of Birmingale i Baby’? Reid, daughter of Mrs. pa. A "i ‘of Chicago, were married in the ¢ » recentl ter aS ERWIN—James Jolly, actor and atrial manager and Jeanette Sherwin, who “a leading role in ‘Loyalties’’, at the edt Theater, New York, were married in q “ty ty Mar h 7 The ceremony was perPed in the Church of the Incarnation, with fifty friends and relatives present. Col —— Knoeppe » former adjutant on the stat Si neral Ludendorff, acted as hest man. ‘erp wInN-TALLMAN—Harry Pat Kerwin and coer Tallman, partners in vaudeville, cqunrried in Michigan City, Ind. March “Miss Tallman was recently divorced from er first hushand KLINE SMITH —Lonis C Kline, of 837 8. venteenth street. Newark, N J. and Rosaline nith, chorus girl, of 320 S_ Seventh ‘street, vwark, were married in that city Maseh 5 WARGETSON IFOULD—Arthur Cc. Marget“actor, of 54 W.. Fifty-fitth «treet, Now tk, and Kosmond B. Ifonid, of the same ‘irses. were married in the chapel of the funicipal Building. New York, March 5 MEYERS FURNESS — Edward R~ Meyers, esman, of 567 W. 173d etreet, New York, nd Eva L Furness, actress. of 599 W. 173d treet. that city, were married March 5 PLOHN HARRISON--Edward Ploha, general anager for George M Cohan, and Mrs. Mil; Beam Harrison, formerly in musical comdy under the name of Sunny Harrison, were irried September 5, 1922, it was learned last eek on Broadway LUNKET’ RAY—James M. Plunkett and ence B. Ray, both prefessionals, were mar/ in New York City March 8, @RSELL-TOMLINSON — David E_ Pursell, ¢ Reading, Pa. and Sarah E. Tomlinson, a alist, of Williamsport, Pa, were married in ew York City March &, SEWELL H/FFMAN—Charles S Sewell, of e Motion Picture World, and Irene Hoffman, f Passaic, N J. were married February 1¥. WESSON-EDWARDS—Chariles, son of Frank Tesson, steward of the’ Burlesque Clud, New rk City, and Alice Edwards were married larch 4 Roth are membere of the “Big mboree’’ Company, on the Columbia Bursque Circuit WHITNEY-MACFARLANB — Clifford Whity end Elsa Macfarlane, both members of “Co-Optimist’’ Company, in Londons, were married recently WILLIAMS BARBEAU—Fred X. Williams, tiensively known in outdoor show circles us oncessionaire and who has been connected th the Big City Kennels, with poultry shows od with trade journals, and Annette Barbeau, for several years cashier at a theater in Montreal, Can, were married at St. Michel's “‘hurch, that city, March 4. XOMBARGER-ROTESE—Ava P. Xombarger, singer, of Ft. Worth, Tex, and Philetta J. fo-ese, pianist, of New York, were married ye latter city March §. ZWEIFEL-RUSSELL—Fred R. Zweifel, manger of Ed Wynn's “Perfect Fool’’ Company, nd Grace Russell, one of the same company, ere married in Roston Jast week. Mr. weifel is widely known in theatrical circles, having devoted himself to exp'oitation work aod management of various amusement enterDrives for the last twenty-five years. He has managed the Ed Wynn shows for the past four ePasous COMING MARRIAGES In the Profession Marguerite Courtot and Raymond McKee, both prominent in pictures, are, it ie said, to be married in April. Mr. McKee and Miss Courtot co-starred in the film ‘Down to the Sea in Ships’’, __furtis Wo Johns, opera singer, of Dodgeville, is, and Edna &. Rohn, also an opera singer, St. Joseph, Mich, obtained a marriage license in New York City March 8 The ceremony is to take place the latter part of month Miss Rohn was divorced from Arthur Ferrero, in Los Angeles, in 1921. Jessica Brown, American dancer, now in Lon don, it is reported, will marry Lord Northesk in June or July Miss Brown has bven ill With appendicitis, D rng an engagement at the Orpheum TheAter, Jollet, TIL, last week, Bobby Folsom, in Private life Marguerite Baldwin, the dau hter of Dro ad Me. BL BL. Baidwin, of Joliet, anne ned ler encacement to Harold Kemp, ‘w Yo . boo ing a ent. The wedding iv to tke plue in Jollet in the midsummer. DIVORCES In the Profession ©. D. Thomson, moving picture machine operit Was cranted a divorce recently from ee ‘homsen, chorus girl, it is reported Non Thomson was formerly known as Bobby | fod Hobby Beardmore, and has been with Ae * Musical Revue and similar at leabetie Green, in private life Mrs. B advises that she has started suit ‘ivorce from Berney Smuckler, promoter bazaars and style revues, in Tt Of indoor An.eles, but that she will not ask for alimony. Mrs. Green says that she is at gresent working in pictures on the Coast Yvonne Gardelie, dancer and actress, has filed suit for divorce in Los Angeles from Cariton Gardelle, sculptor. Their real names, Alice Y. and Clyde A’ Gurdner, were u-el in the complaint Mra. Margaret Jessi: Har ey, nat onally known as Jessica Curran, vaudeville dan er, has entered a plea for divorce in San FranCisco against Joun Harris Harvey, well-known auto salesman Mes, Harvey. who expressed willingness to waive ali ricits to alimony, charges her husband. with neglect and deser BIRTHS To Members éte Profession To Mr. and Mrs. Newton Liwson. at their home. 251 Lewitt street. Buffalo, N \, February 12. twin boys Mr and Mrs. Lawsva @re well-Kiown concessions ires. To Mr and Mrs. Matt Kohler, at their home in Cleveland, ©., February 27, a daughter. Mr Kobler was formerly proprietor of the Hanoah Hotel. Cleveland, but is now working = the stage of the State Theater in the Forest ity To Mr. and Mrs J. S Cavanaugh, at Swinton, Mo. March 1, @ ten-pound daughter. Mr Cavanaugh is manager of the Cavanaugh Vaudeville Medicine Show. of Bell City. Mo To Mr and Mrs Joel Friedkin. at E! Paso, Tex, February 2, a six-pound daughter, christened Anna May To Mr and Mrs. Edward M-Cauley, last week, a son. The father is Philadelphia manager for Jerome H. Remick & Co. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Broening, at St Vincent's Hospital. Hollywood, Calif, March a son. The father is chief camera man for Mack Sennett, while the mother is a motion picture actress To Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Harris, at Stern's Sanitar‘um, New York, March 7, a daughter. Mr. Harris is manager of “The Love Child”, which is now playing at the Cohan Theater To Mr and Mrs. Tom Howard, a son, March 4, at the Howard home, 1154 E. 13th street, Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Howard is a mem>er of the vaudeville team of Howard and Lyons To Mr and Mrs Ralph Graves, in Hollywood, March 9. a baby bor The father is a leading man with the Mack Sennett prod1ctions, and the mother is a motion picture actress. EQUITY COUNCIL FORBIDS NEW YORK SUNDAY WORK EXCEPT FOR CHARITY (Continued from page 19) shows is the relizious aspect of the qnestton, and among the other arguments advanced were that the actor is entitled to a day of rest each week, that it is not possible for him to give his best to the public if forced to work continuously without relaxation that no one wonld profit from Sunday shows because the minute they are instituteq the rent and overhead expenses of theaters will rise, and, finally, that Sunday is the only das on which the actor can resume a normal relationship with life. One member sugge-ted that it was up to the ublic to decide, that since the actor is a pubie servant he must do as the public wishes. The general retort to this was that even servants have their day off each week However, in view of the opposition anticipated at Albany, passing of the motion aforementioned was deemed a necessary and effective safeguard, inasmuch aa, whether or not the bill in favor of Sunday shows passes, the new Equity ruling will make it practically impossible for such shows t» be given A committee was appointed at this meeting to prepare the annual election ticket which is to come up in May. The threaymembers chosen by the counctl for this committee are Fritz Wiliams, Jobn Willard and Helen MacKellar, and the remaining six necessary to fill the committee will be chosen from the following members who were nominated and voted upon at this meeting William Clerk, Lawrence Grant. William Ingersoll, Purnell Pratt. Jack Devereaux, Wil liam David, Emma Duan, Lillian Albertson, Dudley Digges, Robert Erwin. Harry Ford, Donald Hall, Amelia Summerville, Thomas, Findlay, Charles Tinney. Ned Sparks, Maclyn Arbuckle, Ferdinand Gottschalk, Johan Westley, Lucille Webster, Morgan Wallace, Marion Ford, Bertha Mann, Sam Hines, Fred Rolland, Pearl Sindelar. Grace Filkins, Morgan Jones, Robert Kelley. Robert T. Haines, Sam Hardy, Fred Eric, Charlies Trowbridge, Robert Tawlor, Dennis Murray, Jobn Craig, Victor Beecroft, Theresa Maxwell Conover, Laura Burt ang James Gleason” John Emerson presided at the meeting, and Paul N. Turner, counsel for Equity, gave the members some hints and advice in preparing income tax returns, INDEPENDENT PRODUCING MANAGERS’ COMBINE (Continued from page 19) the high weekly guarantees demanded by the Shuberts for theaters this season and also the scarcity of available theaters on Broadway when the season was at its height By forming this combination they will be more able to couse theie attractions, and at reasonable terms. The Selwyns, Sam. H. Harris and Arthur Hopkins formed a combination last season, tak. ing the Cort Theater ened under a_longerm rental arrangement. : The Soaependent. producers without theaters of their own, such as Brock Pemberton, Mindlin & Goldrever and others. are expected to throw their forces in with this proposed combine on the proposition that they could expect more protection than from the syndicate. Independent producers who tried out shows on tour this season often had to close them, of lose a great deal of money before bringing them into New York, because they could not obtain houses. They found themselves shunted around for weeks from one try-out stand to another by the bookers, until they were 80 financially exhausted they. were forced to take ateve terms were offerea or = cione. withe theaters which would be involved in this combine are; The Sam. H. Harris, Music Box, Apollo, Times Square, Setfwyn, (ort, Daly’s 3rd Street, Belasco, Lyceum, Empire, Plymouth and Lougacre While the Shuberts and A. L. Erlanger are involved in u-crangzements tor the joint booking of out-of-town theaters, and are accredited with planning t «=$00,000,.000 theater-owning corporation, their ways in New York City are definitely separate, This was particnlarly evident during the recent Producing Manazers’ Association meetings to consider tie plan for @ consolidated ticket office, when neither Erlanger nor his associates, Ziegfeld and Dillingham, were present Erlanger, it is reported, looks with, favor ape on this combination of New York producers. GOING AHEAD WITH NEW WAGE DEMAND (Continued from page 19) tion to take the place of the M. M. P. U.. are Scorning the accepted rules of union musicians, the case of the recular ‘0 se orci: sta of Shubert Theater, which has been s perseded by ‘ther men for ths *Pee Gynt’ engagement just beginning being citei as example. The regular house musicians are not all being used for this attraction, the orchestra from the Garrick Theater taking their places. A. F. of M. Seeks Injunction An interesting development of the week past was the filing of a motion for an injuction against the officers of the M. M. P. U. by several mem ers who are also minor officials of Local 802. At a previous meeting the M. M. P. U. adopted a resolution calling upon all such memDere to resign their official positions in Local 892 on penalty of suspension A number of these Local S02 officials handed in their resignations, but some of them did not Henry Kielgast, who submitted the motion for the injunction, is a member of the trial board of Local 802. He asks that the M. M. P. U. be enjoined from suspending him and other memers who are officers of Local 802. This motion is to be argued before Supreme Court Justice Mullan this week. At the meeting held in the assembly hall of the M M. P. U on East Eighty-sixth Street last week an important resolution was passed which forbids any musical leader or contractor to engage in the direction of more than one theater orchestra. Thig resolution makes it impossible for general musical directors of theater circuits, such as Keith's, w's or Shubert’s, to engage musicians for all the theaters under their charge. Loew Director Warns This resolution was inspired by a letter to all the orchestra leaders of the New York theaters ordering them to organize their men with a view to combatting the M. M. P. U., which wae written by Ernest Lutz, general musical director of Loew's, Inc. The sentiments contained in this letter were subsequently rep-diated by Nick Schenk, general manager of Loew's, according to President Muligri. Schenck ig reported to have informed the M. MM. P. U. that the circuit bad no desire to become involved in the factional musicians’ differences. Lutz's letter read as follows; “To the Musical Dire tor: “So that you and your men may not misunderstand the musical situation and the propaganda of the M. M. P. U, formerly Local 310, let me give yon the following racts. ‘Our theaters are at the present operated under contracts which do not expire until the first week of September, 1923, with the American Feleration of Musicians, Local 802, and the A. F. of M. and Loca! 802 mean to respect their contracts, and any man leaving his posttion at the instigation of the M M. P. U. or contrary to agreements and by-laws of said Local S02 will be liable to expulsion from A. F. of M, Local 802. “There can be no doudt that the present propaganda of the M. M. P. U. is simply. carried on to get money out of the musicians now plasing in New York City and any threats that they make have no meaning to the present musical situation in New York City. “Make this quite clear to all your men, at the same time get acquainted with the personnel of your orchestra, for it is possi>le that in our leniency we have re-engaged some of the instigators of our past troubles If so. I would advise you to get organization necessary to avoid a repetition of this rotten politics that is being played in New York just now by certain members of our profession to keep the musicians in an unsettled frame of mind and separate them from their hard-earned money. “] expect an explicit report from every leader at our meeting next Wednesdy. March 7. “Yours very truly. * ERNEST LUTZ, | “General Musical Director. Loew's, Inc. PROPOSED OUTDOOR SHOW BILL IN MICHIGAN MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT (Continued from page 19) been modified by agreement until Mr. Johnson said it will not affect the carnivals on its passage. W. B, Burris, secretary of ¢t Jackson (Mich.) Fesir, and Harry Barton, of the Jefferson Concession Company, Detroit, the latter gentleman being sergeant-at-arms of the Michigan State Legislature. are concertedly battling for a fair showing for the outdoor shows. Mr. Johnson tolted with : ——J 4 fair secretaries in Michigan who we Lansing and who told him that their fairs simply must have midway attractions, rides and concessions. One secretary teld him that last year when his fair had no such attractions a number of patrons Gruanted thet their admismion price be refunded to them Several managers of parks told Mr. Johnson the same thing. The next State capital the legal adviser will visit will be Springfield, Ti.. where two bills are ready for examination and which are deemed highly dangerous. They will be promptly met with intelligent argument the proper time. “the deowmen's Legislative Committee is a busy body these days and the campaign is well under way. Almost daily it amplifies its work as its members proceed. By the time this story is in print the mayors and chiefs of police will all have received a letter from the legislative committee vouching for all shows that have signed the pledge printed in The Billboard last week. Also by that time all of the fraternal and secret societies will have received anotlier letter from committee describing ifs aims anc unctions and tendering its good offices when the question of auspices arises or in any other matter in which the cdmmittee can serve the interests of such societies, One of the strongest, most definite and courageous documents that the legislative committee has thus far sent out is a letter to all show owmrs. In it the committee states its position iW the most convincing and positive terms. The letter follows: “Chicago, Ill., March 6, 1923. “TO THE OWNERS OF CIRCUSES, CARNIVALS AND ALL OUTDOOR SHOWS AND AMUSEMENTS: “The time has come when we must take a determined stand in favor of clean, wholesome outdoor shows and amusements and make of it a business that will be respected by the* entire public. There are millions of dollars invested in outdoor shows and amusements and it would be unfair to expect the men who have their ALL invested to stand idly by and allow a few undesirables who are now in the outdoor show business to conduct their shows in such a manner as to bring shame and disgrace upon the entire profession, “It is needless to recite the various attacks made in the legislatures of the States where bills are pen@ing. If we fail to take a definite stand the citizens will be perfectly justified in passing laws prohibiting all outdoor shows from 4ntering their States. “We want your support and you need our Support and assistance Enclosed you will find several copies of the pledge; sign one and return it immediately and get your friends in the show buyiness to do likewise. A number of show owners have already signed “The names of all the signers of pledges will be printed id The Billboard and other theatrical papers, showing that they are the men backing this,movement for clean shows, both morally and physically Letters will be prepared and ot to the mayor and chief of police of eac§ of the towns where all carnivals and circuses"are showing, advising them that our committee will stand sponsor for the men a their sh whose names appear on this is’ “If a person fails, refuses or neglects to sign this pledge, he will be compelled to conduct his show in a clean, wholesome and moral manner, even if it be necessary to appeal to the mayor, chief of police or to the public press We also propose to establish a press clipping bureau and will receive clippings of each and every show, irrespective of whether they have signed this pledge; all criticisms will be investigated. If any one signing our pledge refuses to conduct his show in a good, clean, moral and wholesome manner, his name shall be withirawn from the list and he will forfeit all rights and benefits derived thru this committee, “So sign and return this pledge immediately and become one of the prime supporters of this organization. Sincerely yours, “THOMAS J. JOHNSON. “General Counsel " It is but fatr to say that the momentum inspired by the legislative committee has developed a speed that is astonishing. The most widespread respect seems to have been generated by the fact that the showmen's own organiz:tion has gone,on record with such unqualified vigor to restyre the carnival business to a Sane and proper basis Mr Johnson: has pointed out that the job is &@ vast one. but that nothing can possibly head off or nullify the work of the legislative committee now because it has already developed Proportions tbat are beyond the stultifying effect of any hostile ageacy. Mr Johnson specifically calls attention to one factor whick might cause confusion in the committee's work There are said to be a Dumber of groups of showmen in different parts of the country who have united toward the same end$ that the committee is seeking. While, ae Mr, Johnson said. the legislative committee is seeking the co-operation of any or all-of these bodies, the fact remains that the legislativ® committee is the central and only source of authority having the ciean-up campaign in charge. The greatest care must be exercised to avoid the confusing of issues and working gt cross purposes. Ail showmen interested in,better things are urged to give the legislative committee their loyalty and co-operation On the other hand they are urged to aveild any action that might embarrass the legislative committee which the showmen have brought into being for a definite purpose and elothed with full anthority. The greatest prudence and sober thought is vitally necessary tothe cause just now. It is believed and hoped that all showmen working for the common cause will keep in touch with the Showmen's Legislative Committee, in Chicago, and be guided by that committee’s action and advice, FRAZEE SUES SHUBERTS New York,: March 9.—Harry Frazee, as ase signee of the executors of the estate of the late Reginald’ De Koven, brought suit Tuesday for $10,000 against Sam and Lee Shubert in the Supreme Court at White Plains, before Justice Taylot. It is alleged that the Shuberts made a contract on October 2, 1902, whereby they agreed that if Mr. De Koven would erect a theater they would lease it until December 31, 1924, and pay to the noted composer and critic ten per cent of the net profits. Mr. De Koven would also be allowed to produce in the theater one of his compositions each year. The composer built the Lyric Theater on Fortysecond streey The suit i¢ brought for ten per cent of the net earninge of the theater from July 1, 1921, until June 36, 1922, which total about $100,000 This percentage, it is charged, the Shubert: have failed fo pay to the De Koven estate. “STOPPED” THE PLAY Chicago, March 8.—When a quantity of fiase light powdery in the wings of the Blackstone Theater became ignited and exploded yesterday afternoon at the matinee, it stopped the show literally and figuratively. The performance wag stopped and exchange tickets given the patrons. One electriclar, Martin Myers, was slightly injured by the explosion.