The Billboard 1923-08-18: Vol 35 Iss 33 (1923-08-18)

AUGUST 18, 1923 bs te The Billboard 123 Robert Campbell, Gus Hill, Jos, Gaites, Max Piobn, George M. Gatts and many others. Anothr meeting will be held next week by the mansgers and some definite action taken in regard to devising ways and means of taking the additional burden of the increased wage sale of their shoulders and allow them to send shows out this fall. ICATIONS POINT en TO BEST S. L. A. DAY (Continued from page 5) tohnecon, dated July 12, stating he had already the name of the league from his tod sa tionery and that as soon @s he used up some } ds bearing the name of the league 1 send out no more letters of that type aud id use the new letterheads instead. nmoTiON PICTURE PRODUCERS’ ASSOCIATION TO DISSOLVE (Continued from page 5) movement designed to effect reasonable restrictons of censorship. l hastily ealled meetings were held and wove to be seeret—the first at the Ambassador ii and the second in Hollywood. An executive representative of almost every picture jscing corporation was present. The eause which brought about the incidents dates to the beginning of the Motion Picture Industrial Exposition. The Motion Picture Producers’ Association is understood to have rl | certain powers in the care of its secretury Mr. Reynoids, and he exercised these | which were of a financial nature, The € tion closed in bankruptey. The money v wd, as did very large sums of Mr. Reynolds’ own personal fortune. The financial failure of the exposition left the Motion Picture Producers’ Association, as weil as every member of the association, facing a_ large debt—a fact realized in the past few days. The meeting August 7 lasted late into the nicht and during this meeting Reynolds presented his resignation, which was accepted. The facts of the indebtedness of the expositin were gone into and it deteloped that a dtermined attempt would be made to shift the burden of debt on the Motion Picture Producers’ Association, then pro rata assessment would be made upon each member and would mean the expenditure of thousands of dollars hy each producing manager. Out of discussion came the decision to dissolve the association ond that legal dissolution would be necessary. include the shifting of all burdens of the association, the Hays organization Picture Producers and Inc. Further problems financial known as Distributors p.ans and excepted, to the Motion of America, At the second meeting in Hollywood there were present, in addition to the producers, Courtland Smith. secretary of the Hays or ganization, and Frederick Beetson, assistant to Hays. The plans of the previous meeting were laid before the Hays representatives. They stated the matter would have to go before Hays for consideration, that it cou'd not be done thru the mails, and that Mr Smith would leave immediately for the East. In the meantime, it was decided, plans for the dissolution would go on. The principal matters which the Hays association will be asked to assume index, confidential and usefal information pertaining to actors’ salaries and matters for exclusive use of proCreers, a charities group to distribute all charity money for all picture organizations and the matter of admitting strangers and outsiders to studios, now being handled by each studio, The censorship matter was left open. The plans also include an organization which will assist rather than be opposition to existing censorship methods, it is said. AMUSEMENT WORLD PAYS TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF WARREN G. HARDING (Qontinued from page 5) only of about twenty-four automobiles, with employees of The Marion Star, the newspaper owned by the late President, marching in the rear. In the huge mass of floral tributes from orGralsstions and individuals in all parts of the ‘nited States and various sections of the universe, however, many indoor and outdoor amusement enterprises and individual showfolk were represented, VDresident Harding having been personally known and highly esteemed by an army of theatrical, film, circus and carnival magnates, actors, artistes and performers. Gus Sun, head of the vaudeville and tabloid circnit bearing his name, was among the theatrical men on hand at Marion for the funeral. are a secret card All theaters and parks in the Cincinnati district remained closed until 5 p.m., August 19, as a mark of respect to the memory of the late President. It was the first time that the Queen City and nearby towns were without amusement since the ‘‘flu’’ epidemic of a few years back. Similar observance theater owners and amusement Louisville, Ky.; Indianapolis, Springfield and Columbus, O., as well as in Marion, where all business and pleasure was suspended for the day, and other places in Ohio and neighboring States. _ Besides reports publisheq elsewhere in this issue the following concerning special memorial services have been received: New York, Aug. 11.—Broadway was dimmed last night in respect to the dead President. ‘The millions of incandescents which give the world’s play street the name of the Great White Way were for the most part dark, The side streets, which comprise the Roaring Forties and which are usually aglow with multi-colored lights, were plunged into darkness, With the exception of vaudeville and motion picture houses no theater in the theatrical district advertised its attraction last night, as ‘greed by the Producing Managers’ Association earlier in the week. Outside of the thea‘ers mentioned only a few commercial electric signs remained lighted. Most of fhe restaurants nd supper clubs were closed and those that remained open posted notice that there would be no dancing, was held by managers in Ind.; Dayton, -Two Times square vaudeville houses, the Palace and the State, were the scenes of memorial services yesterday afternoon. At the Palace the services were conducted by the New York federation of Churches. <A vested choir drawn ‘rom the various city churches sang favorite hymns of the late President. The theater was filed to its utmost canaeity. Later in the afternoon more than 1,500 people gafaered in Loew's State ‘Theater to pay their final respects to the dead Vresident. The entire service was broudcasted by the theater radio station WHN, ‘The program there consisted of Massenet’s ‘Elegie’? and Gounod’s “Ave Maria’, “‘Abide With Me’’ and ‘‘Calvary”’. A simple, solemn atmosphere enfolded the Rialto Theater Friday afternoon, when tribute was paid to the memory of the departed President. The services were held by those engaged in the motion picture industry in New York, under the direction of the Motion Pieture Theater Owners of New York State. The theater was fully filled with mourners, a large number of whom were theater owners. For the time the services occupied the Rialto was a religions edifice, not a theater. The musical program, under the direction of Dr. Reisenfeld, included ‘“‘Agnus Dei’, by Farrara, violinist; ‘‘Ave Maria’’ and ** . Kindly Light’, by Gladys Rice, soprano, and ‘‘Largo’', by Max Block, tenor. Senator James J. Walker delivered a eulogy of the late TDresident His words were few, and their sincere sorrowfulness was deeply expressive of the occasion. Memorial services were also held at the Plaza Theater ut Madison avenue and Fifty-ninth street and at Loew's Metropolitan Theater, Brooklyn. All vaudeville and motion picture theaters in Greater New York were closed yesterday afternoon, but opened in the evening The legitimate theaters remained dark thruout the day. New York’s musicians did honor to the late President from in front of their headquarters, the Mutual Musica] Protective Union, in East Eighty-sixth street, yesterday afternoon. A great crowd of people gathered to listen to the band of more than 390 pieces which played the dead President's favorite hymns. ‘‘Taps’’ was sounded by a bugler from the baleony of the building. All of Broadway paused yesterday afternoon while the caket holding the dead President was being lowered into its grave in Marion, O., and with bowed heads prayed for the repose of the Nation’s late Chief Executive's soul while buglers sounded ‘‘Taps’’ from the square facing direction of Prof. prelude of Victor Boenlin, rendered a religious music during the assemblage of the mourners from 4:50 to 5 o'clock, and also accompanied the sathering in the singing of the late President's favorite hymns, New Haven, Conn., Aug. 11.—Poli’s Palace Theater bere was closed Friday afternoon as a mark of respect to President Harding. The theater opened for the regular performance at six o'clock. In closing during the hours of the funeral of the Chief Exeentive of the nation the Palace joined with all tle other houses on the Poli Cirenit in paying this respect to the memory of the late President, instructions having been sent from here Wednesday which closed every Poli Theater in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. —e Rock Island, Ill., Aug dent Harding’s death preceding the Palmer School of Chiropractic benefit show at the Fort Armstrong Theater too late for a cancelation. Dr. B, J. Palmer, head of the school, however, took his place at the console of the house organ that night and as he began the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’’ the house lights were lowered and a flagdraped picture of the president revealed. It was an eloquent and touching tribute. Preceeds of the show went to the sick and needy 11.—News of reached here the fund of the chiro school. Troy, N. Y., Aug. 11.—The Troy Theater, one of the Mark Strand chain, was selected as the place for the community _m morial services for the late President Harding Friday afternoon at five o'clock. INJURED IN AIRPLANE MISHAP — a mechanic, sustained a fracture of the right leg, and Jack Stinson, a pilot, euts and bruises when an airplane in which they were riding plowed into the ground Frank Anderson, in making a landing and turned over on its back at Curtiss Field, Long Island, last week. E. H. Jordanoff, who is said to have piloted the plane, escaped with seratches and a shaking up. The plane was wrecked. AN ACTOR, A MASON, A MAN By W. FRANK DELMAINE memory knew him intimately, who was proud to call him friend and brother. life's grief intimately was unbecoming a Ti: humble tribute to the and obstacle along sorrows, I knew ran. He every condition tion and fortitude. submission and with thoughts, desires and eapable of word or action to a fault, often depriving himself to ¢g Privations, humility. hopes heart and mind, incapable of baseness or depravity, he suffering Tis the words act in all that the his part, the last imply. is over, final of J. Fred Anger is written by one who He faced unflinchingly with determinaand joy were met alike in Christian the lefty paths along which his indeed one of nature’s noblemen, inman and a Masonie brother. Charitable ve to his fellow man, moral and clean in was my friend and brother here below. He has played descended, and my friend has journey was great eurtain has traversed the hot sands of the desert of life into the great oasis of peace and love in that wonderful Temple of Eternity. better and cleaner if there were more valued and loyal member of the that Fred could have left made the world better by having lived in it. lives of his friends as long as memory endures, ness will ever glorify the The men like Actors’ to his sorrowing wife would be most loved profession, Fred Ar He was also a Association. The greatest legacy (Mattie Ziehlke) is that he has His gentleness, goodness and sweetFarewell world, our b rer. Equity until we meet again beyond the Crystal Sea. the Times Building. Where a moment before all had been bustle and bustle, a great peace reigned. broken only by the mournful notes of the bugle . . . a whispered prayer... an audible and embarrassed shuttling of feet and the crowd moved on again. Out of respect to the memory of President Harding the Columbia Building was closed tight yesterday. Tom Miner and Barney Gerard, of the Columbia Circuit Producers, had intended calling a meeting of producing managers of Columbia Circuit for yesterday for a final gettogether conference prior to leaving en tour, but the memorial services interfered with their plans, and for the most part rehearsals and other activities were suspended for the day. Worcester, Mass., Aug. 11.—By agreement of the managers of the Worcester theaters all houses were closed until 6 o’clock Friday out of respect to the memory of President Harding. At first it was planned to close the theaters vntil 5 o’clock, but at the request of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce ‘t was decided to extend the time one hour, as the burial in Marion, O., took place at three o’clock, which by Worcester ‘‘daylight-saving’ time is 5 o'clock, By extending the closed period until 6 o'clock no theater in the city was open during the funeral ceremonies The amusement concessions at Lincoln Park and White City were also at a standstill for the same period and the Friday night dances at the lake resorts were also called off. This movement was originally started in Worcester by S. Z. Poli of New Haven, Conn., in a letter to his managers in Worcester and other managers fell into line. Oklahoma City, Ok., Aug. 10.—All of the moving picture theaters in Oklahoma City were closed all day Friday out of respeet and as a memorial for President Harding. Memorial services were held at the Empress Theater at 3 p.m. to a capacity house, Ex-Attorney General Prince Fielding delivered the principal address. Appropriate musie was played on the organ and religious songs were sung. The theaters closing were the Empress, Criterion, Capitol, Rialto, Isis, Majestic, Liberty and Orpheum, Rome, N. Y¥., Aug. 11.—Community memortal services for the late Dresident Harding were held in the Strand Theater here Friday afternoon. The Strand Theater orchestra, under the David Belasco Has New Method of Stage Lighting New York, Aug. 9.—A new method ef stage lighting that promises to revolutionize the science of theatrical illumination bas been perfected by David Belasco, it became known recently. A story of the rainbow suggested the possibilities of this new lighting system as a practical, satisfactory and_ svientific method of stage illumination, according to Mr. Belasco. The new lighting equipment has been installed in the Belasco Theater and will be used for the first production that comes to that playhouse this season. Mr. Belasco believes that the ing, vital and potential production — aside from acting —is lighting. Heretofore, color lighting on the stage has been accomplished by the use of gelatin mediums, The new which is based on reflection of light instead of direct rays, he claims, will make the gelatin form of lighting extinct. Lights of high candle power, from 500 to perhaps 1,000 watt, are projected onto reflectors of silver. The silver sheeting is dyed to obtain the various colors and is glued to a board backing of about a half-inch in thickThese boards or slides fit into an adjustable frame in front of the lamps and are regulated by pulley. At the point in the flies where the first border hangs, just back of the concert strip, are six large, high candle-power lamps, facing most interestdepartment of play system, hess. the front. About two feet in front of this and at a slightly lower elevation hangs an immense framework into which a _ slide of silver sheeting fits. The lamps project their white light upon the color wanted in the slide, reflecting whatever hue is used on the elide to the etage below. The framework into which the silver sheeting slides ft is hung in such a manner as to obtain any angle of light by tilting or setting it. When seen in the Belasco Theater it was struck at such an angle as to throw the light on the stage in much the same manner as border lights now de with the use of gelatin. Proscenium spots, baby spots on sides, up and down, and even ‘“‘foods’’, are used in the same manner. On the sides the spots are faced from the stage to piay upon a strip hanging a foot or two above it, so as to reflect the Nght to the stage or wherever it is wanted. On the board backing which fits into the grooves provided for it is pasted the silver sheeting. The space allotted to each color— blue, red, amber, green, straw, purple, rose, ete.—is about a square foot for the baby spots, but for the large floods and the lights fronting the back of the proscenium arch the space ‘allotted to each color will, of course, be of larger dimension. The slides are operated by pulley, some from the switchboard, others from their individual posts and locations. When a Dilend is desired the pulley will be manipulated slowly, thereby going from red into blue, vice versa, or whatever blend is wanted, instead of dimming out red and coming up on blue, as heretofore has been done with the use of gelatins and dimmers. When a subdued light effect is desired the dimmers, of course, will be used as heretofore, diminishing the strength of the ray of light upon the reflectors. With an intricate lighting plot, in the first place, a great amount of money would have to be spent to provide for all the various colors, effects, blends, ~etc., slides having to be constructed in such a way as to give access of ‘‘green into blue”, “blue into red’, ‘“‘red into green’, etc. In other words, “‘every color of the rainbow into every other color of the rainbow’, and vice versa. There will be no way to remove ‘‘red” which on the board may be pasted next to ‘‘green’’ to supplant it for “‘tlue’, if an effect of blending blue and green is called for. Gelatin is very cheap—four or five eheets for a dollar—and each sheet will fill about four border lights. Silver sheeting will be much more expensive and large amounts of it will be required, depending, of course, upon the intricacy of the lighting plot. The ordinary gelatin size for border lights, strip lights, baby spots, foots, etc., is about 6x6 inches. In using the new method larger dimensions will be necessary, for the light from the iamps to the reflectors is thrown from a distance of two or more feet. In that distance light spreads and therefore more epace is necessary to take up the ray projected. Silver sheeting no doubt will last longer than gelatin, for gelatin gets hot from close contact to the bulbs and cracks very easily, thereby letting white beams of light thru. ty the new Belasco method a white light can also be thrown upon two or more different colors, reflecting them all together. The hances are there will be effected a much better blend and better mixing of colors on the entire stage than thru the method used in having several borders or strips turned on, as they throw their individual light directly and not into one another. Lights heretofore bave been mixed to a fairly good degree of satisfaction thru the use of baby spots, floods and the like from the sides, floor, files and other points of vantage, but upon extremely minute scrutiny the direct rays of these vartous lights can be discerned. Whether light can be thrown from any angle by manipulation of the pulleys and reflectors by the new method to obtain a harmony of color, various tints and shades, etc., as nature lights a landscape—without visible effects—is yet to be seen. Whether Belasco’s new method of stage lighting will revolutionize the industry depends largely upon the success of its tryout when Belasco’s first production comes into the Belasco Theater this fall. If it proves guccessful, the same system will immediately be installed in the Lyceum. The adoption of the new system—if successfnl with Belasco—by other theater owners will no doubt depend upon its cost of installation and the cost of operation in excess of that used now—the gelatins. Next Week THE LIST NUMBER Next Week *