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

N ANT oe MARCH 22, 1924 The Billboard 59 a 800K SP Hil V8 eet as | BOON te (Communications to Our New York Offices) A MUSICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA ALDO SELDEN PRATT, who has already done some — work as musical editor of The Century Dictionary and the American supplement to Grove's Dictic nary of Susie has turned out a splendid reference work in THE NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MUSIC AND MUSICIANS. In this book of nearly one thousand pages an 9magirng amount of information has been packed, and the arrangement of it is excellent. MR. PRATT bas divided his we into three sections, the first of which deals with musical definitions and descriptions, second with biographies, the third with places, institutions and organizations. To exch of these ‘e has added an appendix, that following the first section being a bibliograph t d musical personages before 1700, and the third a jist of operas and oratorios produ Each of these sections seems to be very complete and the mekes it easy for those wanting fuller information on a subject to of attaching bibliographies to reference works were more generally addition of the bibllogranhy locate ft, if this practice followed, a gain would had all round. It was a happy thought to include ove in t volume, The department in this encyclopedia devoted ta definitions and descriptions revlly amounts to a dictionary of music and its terms. It is a remarkably fall one and, thumbing it thru I found no omissions of any importance. In fact, it s-ems t6 be more complete than one bas the right to expect. Add to that conciseness of des pitor od aeeuraey of expression and you may get a just idea of Ite wnl: to the bu , What I have said of the @ictiona of terms ‘ ‘Se Musicians Contemporary, as \ “ no lopger ve tion, Much of e material ia ti ellen hos been t ad uy te ; that is new. rtieiiarly the biograp of living 1 Prot the Most useful sect ‘ the omok, for, while there are worl 2 wi _— tion in the other sections, there is no book quite so complete and eal matter as t) one Lastty, the seciion devoted to localities famous as music nters, music institutions and organizations is most ifiteresting satter purpose bas been material. The use of it for the oe ifment jnavaluable as bibliographic ad and han _ by source If one can only f one musical re » volume on his shelves, I strongly recommend THE NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MUSIC ‘AND MU 1SICIANS for that place. It will hot supplant Greve so much as it will supplement that excellent work. I wish some one with the knowledge and industry of MR. PRATT would do a «similar work on exactly the same plan for the drama and theater. Such a work is even more badly needed in that field than in music. THE NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MUSIC AND MUSICIANS, edited by Waldo Selden Pratt. Published by The Macmil’an Company, 64 Fifth avenue, New York City. 36. “OUTWARD BOUND” One is filled with admiration at the skillful way in which SUTTON VANE has handled such a tricky subject as that which forms the plot of OUTWARD BOUND. In the hands of one less dexterous it might easily have been disastrous, As it is, MR. VANE has turned out ap extracrdinarily absorbing drama. I say thi® fortified not only by a reading of the play but by having seen the production of it now current on Broadway. In both cases one is interested from the first by the sweep of the play and the way in which the theme is hendled To a mixed company of people in the smoking room of an ocean liner, preoccupied with the petty problems that obsess all ocean travelers, get wrapped up in these on their merit alone and then be told that each of these folks is dead, @onstitutes as fairly directed a dramatic ‘‘punch’’ as I have come across in many a moon. The moment SUTTON VANE tells one that his characters are shades, destination, one is driven with all the force of accumulated association see bound to an unknown of ideas to foretell a gloomy play. It is hard to conceive of comedy being associated with death; of dead people giving one a feeling of pleasure. Before MR. VANE tackled this job one might have called if impossible. The facts are, tho, that he has been able to contrive situations that are mirthful, human and pleasantly interesting, participated in by recognizable and honest characters and welded in.o a play that is a distinctive creation. There is heart interest aplenty, good clean comedy, originality of treatment in this play, and, if it interests you, it is a play that pleases the great majority of those who see it. ; That also may be said of the book, I do believe. I cannot conceive of anyone who likes to read plays not being held by OUTWARD BOUND. In the printed form, even more than in performance, one is impressed by the distinction of MR. VANE’'S writing. He is a consummate craftsman, he can write pungent dialog, he gets movement into his plot. Not to read OUT WARD BOUND ix to miss one of the best reading plays that has appeared in print this season, OUTWARD BOUND, by Sutton Vane. Published by Boni & Liveright, 61 West 48th street, New York City. $1.75 Conducted by ALFRED NELSON (COMMUNICATIONS TO OUB NEW YORE OFFICES.) ent Miss Revell is conducting columns on The New York Evening Telegram and other publications, Life of Nellie Revell Nellie Revell was born in 1873 of a famous cireus family imported to this country by P. T. Barnvwm While a descendant of a family Miss Revell, the first woman publicity agent, which bad been for five generations famed in having entered the field wm ISO97 with Uncle circus history, Miss Revell was never a perDick Sutton’s Circus, has-been associated with former herself, Her mother, who died at the the advance staffs and publicity departments time of Nellie’s birth, was premier rider of of various circuses; was press agent at the the Revell famtly of daring equestrians. Miss old Olympic Theater, Chicag when that hisRevell’s association with the big tops was as toric vaudeville house was operated by Kohl & an agent or an agent’s wife. She was the Castle; was also director of publicity for Michiprotege of Mr. Barnum, and as a child romped gan, having been employed by the Chamber of about the lot w lephants and other animals Commerce to extol the virtues of the celery of the menagerie serving as playmates and fields, peppermint beds and ore mines of that the clowns avd canvasmen officiating as nurses, State. Miss Revell’s father was a well-known journalMiss Revell was for several years general ist. He conducted a paper at Springfield, IL, press agent for the Percy G. Williams cireult and was an editorial writer on The Ohicage of theaters, was press agent at Hammerstein’s Tribune Victoria, was director of publicity of Palisade Miss Revell began her newspaper career as 28 Amusement Park, and press agent of the Cengirl) reporter on her father’s paper in Springtury Theater and ‘“Che Century Girl’. She was fleld. In Chicago she saw service on the old business manager of the first “Passing Show” Times, Chronicle and Mail and also worked on to go on tour Among attractions she e%The Tribune and American. In New York she ploited on the road were Al Jolson on his first pas been on the staffs of The World, Mail, Evestarring tou As general press agent for John ning Telegram and Morning Telegraph., Other Cort she directed the publicity for such attrdepapers she has served are The Denver Post, tions as ‘“‘Listen, Lester’: “lio Flo", ‘'GlortButte Miner, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, San anna", ‘Fiddlers Three’ and “‘Roly Boly Eyes"’. Franciseo Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner For about two years and until she tired and and Cincinnati Enquirer. She was on the editorial staff of the old Show World in Chieago and later its New York manager. For a long period Miss Revell contributed articles on vaudeville to The Theater Magazine. At pres t returned to the newspaper business Miss Revell was a monologist in vaudeville. She was general press representative for John Cort at the, time of her collapse. Incidentally this was not the result of an accident, as many A LONDON LETTER Treating of the “Legitimate” By “COCKAIGNE” A Minor Slump ONDON, Feb. 27.—The strike of dockers has combined with the epidemic of influenza to create a minor slump in the West End this week, The less attractive shows have feit the effect and I should not be surprised if a continuance of the waterside stoppage, with its inevitable effect on trade (so soon reflected n the theater) and the vagaries of the nimble rerm, drive some of the less established plays out of the precariously held fastenesses, But flu and strikes can not prevail against ‘‘the goods’, and managers who have chosen wisely and courageously are finding that all's well, Notable among these is Nigel Playfair, whose little suburban (heater, five or eix miles from central London, is packed nightly by eager patrons who have come to see “The Way of the World’, which is also the way of showmanship and prosperity. “Havoc’’ at the Haymarket is another instance of wise selectioa and good casting, Nemesi is Justified i can’t help e1 ng a malicious chuckle en I hear how ‘“‘these present discontents are psetting the calculations dry m2nzr uts more favored financia than cere On of these gentry, more magnate than magnet, was bewalling bis hard fate to me this week. He had put up a “sob-stuff’’ show and heped to keep it on till the Wembley crowd came along. ‘“Colonial’ll swallow any thing. They'll eat this,’? was hi was not surprising to me the it may be to my readers that among the Colonials he included the annual cohort of good and critical Yanks.) He regards the dock strike as a visitation of the Evil One. From quite another point of view I’m inclined, on hearing that particular venture is likely to undergo early demise, te say with cynic Voltaire ‘Je crois ea Deu!” After all why should these (despised) Colonials (including the American contingent, who help to no small extent to keep our theaters open thruout the summer) have to put up with shoddy sentiment and leave England in the sure and certain belief that the judgment of such managers represents the intellectual level of the Mother Country? Good old Nemesis! Tenth Year for G. G. George Grossmith has just passed his tenth anniversary as a West End manager, and this year has also his thirtieth “happy returns’’ as an actor. Of these twenty-five have been spent as actor, author and producer for the Gaiety, since which he has had deservedly great suecess at the Winter Garden Theater. “G. G.” is one of the true breed of stage ‘characters’. A genius for light comedy, a pointed and opposite wit, a sound business head and a sincere and understanding love of the theater equip him for hig high position on the English stage. Jointly with J. A. E. Malone, is director of His Majesty's, finest of West End theaters. He is the Georgie Cohan of London, and of my own knowledge I can speak of him not only as a@ first-rate player and producer, but as a generous helper of his professional colleagues from the store house of his own experience and as a (It S opinion, this an he liberai-minded man of the world. A Theatrical Festival Some time ago, in referring to the British people suppose, but the outcome of a malady which had been developing for years. For four years she Jay prostrate in a hospital commanding the respect of the world for her rare fortitude, patience and courage. While in the hospital fat on her back in a plaster-of-paris east and similiar devices calculated to aid a refractory spine, Miss Revell wrote the book “Right Off the Chest’’, which derives its title from the fact that she was obliged to write it in long hand with a lead pencil on a pad of paper held across her bosom. “Right Of the Chest’’, because of its humor and philosophy and the powerful message it conveys to humanity, has leaped into tremendous popularity. Some of the biggest men and women in the country from President Coolidge down and some of the finest minds in the world have proclaimed their endorsements. It is a texthook In at least one university, and wounded soldiers have written the publisher telling how much it has inspired them. While a source ef wonderful inspiration to the ill, “Right Off the Chest’? has the same appeal to the well. It has been described by Fannie Hurst, the noveliet, as “a story of love, life and laugh ter.** “Right Off the Chest’’ can be had by mail by placing orders thru Walter K. Hill, Columb'g Theater Building, 701 Seventh ave., or p@rchased in person at the Harlowe & Luthers a Store, 46th and Broadway, New York ty. Drama League's proposed exhibition of the thea ter at Wembl I deplored the fact that the real drama was not to be represented. I am glad to be able fe that the real men of the theater have taken more practical initiative than t iia) b who control the league. During Ja: y Walter Pay chairman of the Society of West End Managers, wrote a letter to the Crit Circular suggesting that it should be po ‘ x tl Wembley season to give half a 1 pl illustrative of the development of our national drama. These. Payne t, should be cast from among our leading rers. He also hoped for the co-operat ading ; Ineers, authors and designers and for : s of lectures. Payne's proposals, which tally with my own suggestions in this column, have met with enthusiastie aereement in certain quarters and conferences are now to be held to give practical shape te them, eee and Greed T last fe ive been of unexampled econom ic vell as in country » grea competent players. b t ‘ f t the tates and elsew 1 Vest End fessional ¢ompaternity has ‘no hard hit \ud, of course, Actors’ A ation and Actors’ Benevolent Pund lit g ecuced with plaints of hard time Such being the ca ! ler what attitude the nnion will adopt in regard to the action of two ers of ¥ and estimation who are appearing in two current London produetions? ta Jerrold who jays Godfrey Tearle’s mother at the Apollo in “The Fairy Tale", dashes over to the Savoy to undertake a pres isely similar office of sentiment for Ian Fleming in “Lord O'Creatior Miss Jerrold was, I believe, formerly an A. A. councilor. Holman Clark play the first and Tast act of “The Rising Generation’’ at the Shaftesbury and appears, by taxi rushes, at the Playhouse in the middle of “The Camel’s Back’’. Both players ere, to judge by their oft-recurring engagements and position in the theater, prosperous and successful stars. Without detraction from ileir unquestioned talent, however, I cannot conceive that either are unreplaceable. It may be natural that managers are inclined to offer them parts in which their ability and reputation make them valuable, But their accepta double engagements at the present time and considering the financial state as well as the careers of other competent play = e 7 ; il lyr q » ‘J ers seems, to put it mildly, absolutely unpar donable. B. N. 0. C. A succcess season of Opera Cx ful British National end February 16 the mpany came re an when ‘*‘Pagliacci’’ and ‘Cavalleria Rusticana”’ were given before a crowded and distinguished audience which included the King and Queen and Vrincess The withdra mer visit of proposal for a sumna State Opera to Covent Garden leaves o1 pera house free for a long summer season of opera in English by English artists, It is to be hoped that the lack of competition will not lead to any slackening of effect on the part of the Nationals. Truth to tell, there is much room for improvement and had it not been that this is to be an Imperial Year ove would have regretted t! absence of the Viennese comp ors, Whatever singers and players they brought they would at least have shown the feeble acting and feebler production of our own folk. And why the B. N. O. C. has not already inciInded Strauss’ ‘“‘Rosenkavalier’’ in the program is a mystery —as well $a pity Pers [ nd anticipated that the Viennese descent would have acted as a long over-due fillip to the somewhat lethargic directorate of the English company. But cireumstance is still the mistress of the theater—and not always an attractive mistress Vienna Withdraws After long discussion and more or less vituperative con e % project of bringing the Vienna State a I : ha en dropped. The statem “owing to unsgurnountable l t \ management has dk 1 to p visit As a matte , Musicians’ Union has from the first <ted the importation of the Austrian players and the various theatrical unions have all been more or less overly hostile. The Britis) onal Opera Company objected (ce ued on page 208) of quitti ng business. heve complete Theatre xent for sale, whi “ : be sold immediately. . frst rved Will be sold at a bargain. les Simplex and Power’s 6-B Machines, Gardiner Gold Fibre Curtain, Compensare Blecttic |} etc, All in A-No. 1 condition If interested rop a line to the Palace Theatre Lawrenceburg, Indiana. po pene. + Aides ths Bao ane