The Billboard 1924-03-22: Vol 36 Iss 12 (1924-03-22)

~ 20 The Billboarad MARCH 22, 1924 THE THESPIANS STAND BEHIND ACTORS’ EQUITY Are Wholly inSympathy With Equity Fight, Says Phil Sanford—Membership Growing— Smoker Contemplated EW YORK, March 15.—Officers of The Thespians, a recently formed fraternal order for actors, emphatically denied to a Billboard reporter this week that there is any foundation to the current rumors attacking the organization as one which will no of an actors’ strike. It was said that some of the dailies had mentioned The Thespians in their Equity stories as a probable stronghold of the managers and that it was just possible that they were endeavoring to wean members from the Actors’ Equity Association and thereby break the morale of Equity. This was denied by Phil Sanford, who was instrumental in the organization of the actors’ lodge. According to Sanford, The Thespians stand behind Equity at all times, are wholly in sympathy and accord with Equity’s fight and there is no chance of its members being ewayed by the managers or anyone else in the event of a walkout. It was said that the sentiment of the membership of The Thespians is 100 per cent Equity and that 99 per cent of those who have joined the organization are Equity members in good standing. Frank Gillmore, executive secretary of the Actors’ Equity Association, Sanford stated, recently gave The Thespians his good wishes and in a recent letter had said: ‘Long live The The pians.” The membership of the organization, it was said, is climbing at an average of fifteen actors each week and that the membership now numbers 146. It was explained that the mombership would have been more than 1,000 by this time had every applicant wishing to join the organiza tion been accepted by the Membership Committee. It seems that the policy of the fra ternal order is to have quality rather than quantity. The Membership Committee, it was stated, had strict instructions to investigate every actor who made application for membership and not pase on him unless his morai standing in the theatrical world as weil as his standing as «an artist withstood rigid exIn other words, Sanford explained, they did not want any of the so-called riZ-rafl amination. of the theatrical industry in their orgzasi atica It is contemplated to give a smoker ie solarium of the Elks’ Club, Wes a street, some time soon. The Elks’ | s willing to donate the solarium to The Thes wheuever they want it, Sanford stated, FRANCISCO SEEKS HALT OF CARLTON PRODUCTION New York, March 15.—Hale Francisco will ask the local United States District Court for a preliminary injunction restraining Carle Carlton from further presenting his production of ‘‘Paradise Alley’’ pending the settlement of the equity action against him, according to Francisco's council, Edward M. Evarts. Argument on the motion for a prel injunction, said Evarts today, is schedu March 25, a day after ‘‘Paradise Alley'’ opens at the Shubert Theater here. Fede-al Bondy order extending Carlton's time to file an answer to Francisco's complaint until Mar¢h 25, In his su Francisco seeks to restrain Carlton from producing any part of or any work bearing the name of ‘Paradise Alley’’, recovery of an assignment of the certificate of registration copyright on the musical comedy’s book held by Cariton, payment of $3,900 alleged to be due him for revision work on the book and an accounting of the profits gained in the produetion of *‘Paradise Alley’’ minary yesterday issued an two seasons ago SHUBERTS LOSE Attempt To Foreclose National Theater New York, March 15.—Without handing down an opinion in the case, the Appellate Division of the Sup-eme Court yesterday denied the appeal of Sam and Lee Shubert, Inc., co-defendants with others, from the lower court's decision in the $90,000 foreclosure euit, involving the National Theater here, brought by Katie Patton Il’atterson, Holding a third mortgage of $100,000, the Shuberts had songht to vacate Altho the house is owned by the Sanjor Corporation (made up of Sanger and Jordan interests), the Irving BankColym!ia Trust Company holds a first mortgage of $510,000 and Mrs, Patterson @ second for $00,000 on the house. the -receivership of-the house. doubt figure prominently in the event’ Ahn WAR ON MOVIE MASHERS Cleveland, O., March 15.—Organized motion Picture exhibitors, thru Samuel Bullock, director of the public service department of the Motion Picture Theater Owners of Ohiv, announce that they strongly object to the im pression that unescorted women were unprotected in their theaters, The notion, Mr. Ihullock stated, is unfounded. Safety Director Edwin D. Barry states that an organized hunt for men who annoy women in theaters would be tarted here, It also is announced that the Woman's Protective Association had planned to co-operate with the police. PARAMOUNT TO ERECT A THEATER IN DENVER se To Cost $1,000,000 and Be One of Finest Film Palaces West of Chicago Denver, Col., March 15.—The Paramount interests are to build a motion picture theater here, costing at least one million dollars and surpassing in size, equipment and magnificence anything between Chicago and the Pacifie Coast. It is to be the home of P.ramount pictures, succeeding the Rialto and Princess in housing the more pretentious photoplays. Work on the structure will begin just as soon as a site can be chosen and plans drawn. Definite announcement of this decision was made by Homer E. Ellison, president of the Mountain States Theater Corporation, which owns the Rialto and Princess theaters, on his return from New York City, where he was in conference with Adolph Zukor, Jesse L. Lasky and other officials of the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation, The site has not been selected and neither is it known as yet whether the theater will include an office building. There will be at least 2,000 seats. Every innovation in the field of picture projection, stage presentation, lighting, musical equipment and safety will be embodied, it is said, $50,000 BOISE THEATER FIRE Boise, Id., March 15.—The Strand, motion picture theater, and Manitou Hotel recently were damaged by fire to the extent of $50,000. “SALLY” GIRLS AFTER A SWIM played Salt Lake City. Fair Utahans had a number of attractive rivals when the ‘‘Sally’? Company recently After a long train ride, and as a surcease from travel, an automobile trip to Beck’s Hot Springs was planned in their honor. the girls ecjoying themselves at one of Utah’s wonder pleasure resorts. The picture shows some of They termed the swim in the sulphur waters one of the most delightful of their lives. ALLEGED SHOW PROMOTER HELD Salt Lake City, Utah, March 13.—W. A. Kimball, who says he is a show promoter, is in jail here pending investigation by city detectives of his scheme to stage a show at a theater here. The arrest resulted from the molaint of a girl who said she answered an ad in a local paper by Kimball for girls to travel in his ‘‘theatrical company’’. The girl said she answered the advertisement and was told she would have to deposit a $100 cash bond. She beeame suspicious and informed the who took Kimball into custody. Kim ball stated he arranged to present the Princess ] rs in “The Divorce Question’ at a lécal cater and had printed tickets for the perrmance, some of which were sold. MINORS EXHIBITED IN SHOW; OHIO PRODUCER FACES CHARGE March Cleveland, 0., 14.—Three warrants charging Norman Kendall, theatrical producer, with exhibiting minors have been issued here. The warrants were sworn to by Mrs. Gertrude Weaver, inspector of the State Industrial Commission, who alleges that Kendall exhibited three girls under 14 years ef age in dancing or singing acts on February 18. SIR HARRY SAILS MARCH 29 New York, March 15.—Sir Harry Lander will concinde his American tour at the Academy of Brooklyn March 29 and gail immediately thereafter for London, where he will appear for a thort engagement. He will then rest up at his estate in Scotland before starting out on another world tour PORTLAND'S CHILDREN Barred From Sunday Morning Movies Portland, Ore., March 14.—As the result of an agitation begun here by the Portland Ministerial Association, a committee of the Oregon Motion Picture League voted not to admit children to any motion picture theater on Sundays before 12:30 p.m. Ministers complained that the children were kept away from Sunday schools by the movies. “RIVER'S END” ON TOUR New York, March 15.—Daniel Kusell has deeided not te unfold his latest play, “The River's End"’, ia New York until next fall. After the showing in Atlantic City this week the produc. tien will be sent te Philadelphia ang Boston Included in the company are Mary Brandon, George Probert, William H. Poyd, Dodson Mitchell, George MacQuarrie, May tates Moore and Mona Kingsley. ‘‘The River’s End" is a dramatization by Kusell of the Oliver Curwood stery of the same mame. EDMONTON LIKES MANTELL Edmonton, Alta., March 13.—Evidence of {ncreasing prosperity for theatrical business in Western Canada is reflected in the announcement that during his three-day engagement here last week Robert FB. Mantell'’s receipts were within $700 of what the company netted in a week at Winnipeg. The gross the Inet night, ‘tis reperted, was $400 greater than en any performance given by Mr. Mantell since entering the Dominion. Collins, SNOW CAVES TENT THEATER IN TEXAS Damage to Kell’s Comedians Is $3,000—Show Continues With Wortham-Loaned Top Paris, Tex., March 13.—Damage estimated at $3,000 was caused equipment of Leslie E£ Kell's Comedians last night by a six-inch snow fall. The show ts playing here for the weet and will continue under a 70x120-foot top, kindly loaned by the John T, Wortham Shows wintering in Paris, without losing a perform ance. The snew fell so heavy and fast that cor stant removal was impossible, and, after r ping seams and lacings in the canvas, whi was practically new, and causing the quarter poles to give way and the four large center poles to snap, there was a collapse, Instru ments used in the Valpo musica) act were broken, some of the ladies’ wardrobe was ruined by the wet snow and newly painted scenery was crashed into pieces. tennle Stokes, trombonist on the show, yesterday suffered a fractured collar bone and wa* removed to the local hospital, where Ruth Wesley, another member of the Kell organization, is critically ill, she having been placed in the institution today. SAILINGS New York, March 15.—Several prominent personages in the theatrical world are included {n the passenger lists of the White Star liner Cedric and the Cunard liner Aquitania, which left New York today for England. Gilbert Mil ler, accompanied by Mrs, Miller, sailed on the Aquitania for London, where he will see “The Mask and the Face”, a play which he proposes to produce in this country. Before returning to New York in May Miller will go to Budapest to see Ferenc Molnar and Ernst Vajda, both of whom have plays produced bere under the Frohman Company management. Avery llopwood, playwright, also departed on the Aquitan'a, and others who sailed on the Cunard vessel are Mme, Margaret Matzenauer, of the Metropolitan Opera Company, accompanied by her daughter, Adrienne; Ethel Leginska, pianist, and Mrs. Helen Teschner Tas, who will give concerts in France and Holland. Among those who sailed on the Cedric are Maude Adams and Frank Smyth, stage @irector of the ‘Charlot Revue’’. GRACE GEORGE INJURED New York, March 15.—Grace George, co-starring with Laura Hope Crews in “The Merry am", suffered painful cuts on the face and hands Thursday night when ap automobile crashed Into her car at Central Park West and Ninety-sixth street, Despite her Injuries Miss George appeared in the cast last evening and will continue to remain with the production during its run at the Henry Miller Theater. CHORISTER SUES THEATER Wives of Got! Wichita, Kan., March 15.—Snit for $10,000 damages against the Wichita Theater Company las been filed by Zoe Carland, chorister, who recently appeared at the Crawford Theater with the musical comedy, ‘Hello, Poosperity’. Miss Carland alleges that stairs leading to her dress ing room ut the local theater were faulty, causing her to fall and suffer several broken ribs, also that due to confinement in a hospital she lost her position, ETHEL LEGINSKA GOES ABROAD New York, English March 16.—Ethel Leginska, pianiste and composer, sailed for Europe yesterday. She announced that she bas arranged to conduct thirty symphony coacerts in Germany, Austria and England this spring and in the antumna will return to the United States. In January she will act as orchestral conductor for the American orchestra and will tive a series of symphonic concerts in Carnes! Hall. ° ACTOR AWARDED DAMAGES Paris, France, March 15.—Georges Berr, member of the Comedie Francaise, has been awarded fifty-seven thousand francs damages against & Paris manufacturer for injurles sustained in an antomobile accident. While not serious the iDJuries were sufficient to prevent the appear ance of the star ip some of bis principal roles GEORGE SWAHN, NOTICE! A letter to The Billboard, signed by Girlie Swabn, states that the mother of George Swahn died March 9, and request is made that he write Girlle Swahm at once, Oper Deurat and t l * ! Mrs,