The Billboard 1925-01-31: Vol 37 Iss 5 (1925-01-31)

== eTTreé norton January 31 1925 FUND BENEFIT NETS $25,000 Stars Make chk hail Event Notable and Profitable Occasion at Jolson Theater New York, Jan. 24.—In a show that lasted from until 6:30 o'clock stars from al] walks of the theater combined in their efforts to make the 43d annual benefit performance for the Actors’ Fund of America a memorable and profitabie one yesterday afternoon, More than $25,000 was netted as a result of this whole-hearted co-operation. Every possible foot of space was occupied at the Jolson Theater by generous patrons who contributed lavishly to make the affair an overwhelming success. Dear Yesterdays, the official Actors’ Fund song, written by Channing Pollock and Ted Barron, was sung for the first time by +s d'Alvarez, with the ser at the piano. Coe ollowing this 14 of the best known songwriters seated at as many pianos played in ensemble and then singly, each one doing his most popular creations, Harry Archer, Percy. Wenrich, Fred Coots, Charles Rosoff, Irving Bibo, Hugo Frey, Abe Olman, Ciiff Friend, Howard Johnson and Ray Henderson were among those appearing. Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Hotel Biltmore Orchestra made a pronounced hit with the rendition of several jazzy airs of the day. As a follow to this Frank Crumit put on several of his dry, humorous melodies with words that caused quite a stir among many of the “400" who were on hand to see this aggregation of headliners, A Lambs’ Gambol piece, written by Howard Emmett Rogers, entitled The Intelligentsia, dealing with an ice man and a street cleaner, played by Walter Wilson and Herbert Corthell, created a riot of fun, Their discussion of the opera and drama was suddenly interrupted when two silk-hatted gentlemen, played by William Boyd and William David, passed by going deeply into the subjects of baseball and prize fighting. The contrast brought forth a full round of appreciation In an interesting short sketch called Five Minutes From the Station, by Elaine Sterne, dealing with suburban life, Paul Harvey, Henry Hull and Genevieve Tobin made quite a hit. Florence Reed, in a short bit entitled Tinsel by Reginald Goode, depicted the part of an actress who learns on the opening night in the role of Cleopatra that her child has just died. The heavy scenes in it are overwhelmed, however, when she uses a number of comedy lines with Alfred Shirley. Expressing gratitude on behalf of Daniel Frohman for the support given the fund, Blanche Bates addressed the as‘emblage. S. Jay Kaufman followed this distinguished actress with his sketch in nonor of David Belasco, which deals with the sanctity of this well-known producer's offices. The piece mocked at the peculiar atmosphere that surrounds one upon his arrival in these chambers, Should She Inoe win In, by F. P. A., was also well iked. Boreo, the composer of The March of the Wooden Soldiers, contributed several songs from the pens of European comPoses that lent a foreign touch to the Eddie Cantor and George Olsen's band ye on several hits from id Boots, while o Carillo in 10 different dialects showed his versatility. Richard Bird and Pauline rd were there in an English sketch that was also quite pleasing. Elsie Ferguson and Helen Westley, assisted by Sidney Blackmer and Pedro de Cordoba, in Mary Stuart, were well received. The Duncan Sisters in bits from their present show, Topsy and Eva, added to the many who distributed long and lingering bits of humor Frances White and her pianist, Billy Joyce, created a stir with songs that can only be one by Frances. The bill was .. sy em even gt, that the wealth ¢ at atten was asking for more on the final curtain. Dancer Awarded $400 New York, Jan. 26.—Annabelle Jeanhette, musical comedy specialty dancer, Who injured her leg while playing the part of an extra during the filming of The Sainted Devil, a Famous PlayersLasky production, was awarded $400 and Medical costs today. aX doctors in ail examined the young dy and while no visible injuries were Tevealed either with X-ray or doctors’ efforts, Commissioner Fay. of the Workte Compensation, asserted that no ‘lieved that injury had been done so Made the award. The accident happened November 11 and it was pointed out that Miss JeanRette would have been entitled toa greater amount jf she had been hurt while danc as that is what Equity insurance ‘overs for her. Miss Jeannette worked in the picture ring her spare time while she was Waiting for an engagement in musical smedy. John Searles, Eoulty counsel, traded the case for her and it was thru eloquent efforts that any award was forthcoming. AOS, The Billboard American Plays Daring. Sit Alfred Butt Think: London, Jan. 24 (Special Cable to Tre Biliboaids: —Siy ifred 51 Teturned yesteiday on the Mauretania He stated he} r Lad seen such theatrival prosperil as has ben recently witnessed in the States He aseribed this to industrial prosperity in America generally, not to the outstanding merits of plays presented. Sir Alfred evidently had an eyeopener, for, accord ng to press interviews, he thinks that the daring, outspoken nature of the majority of Amerivan pl'vs will bring into beinz American censorship. The ecninion is expressed over here that ‘tis a pity other managers do not visit the States and become infused with the same vitality as American impresarios, a Uttle of which would work wonders in London, especially in the choice of plays. Plan Auditorium in Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. Jan. 24.— Definite movement for the erection in Pittsburgh of a centrally located auditorium where large theatrical productions, operas and conventions can be staxed bas been started by the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. The organized effort has been started with the naming of a Town Hall Committee, which took a number of Pittsburgh munic'pal officials and prominent citizens to Cleveland to view the audito.ium, with a seating capacity of 14,000, in operation. The trip has resulted in enthusiastic support of the plan for this city. Plans of the committee would be to float a bond issue within a year and start immediately upon the erection of the structure, which would be fully as large as the one in Cleveland. Actor Refuses $5,000; Now Must Take $3,050 New York, Jan. 26.—William Gaxton evidently didn’t know when he was well off, for he refused to accept the $5,000 offered him for cancellation of his cone tract with Betty Lee, by Rufus LeMaire, who produced the piece, and took the matter to a court of arbitration, which awarded the actor only $3,050. Gaxton was engaged at the outset of the musical comedy for the duration of the show, but after numerous rehearsals LeMaire decided that the play was not exactly suitable for the actor. The next move was a notification from the producer to Gaxton which stated that the contract was canceled and that $5,000 would be forthcoming to belay the time and energy wasted by the former if he would settle the matter amicably. This Gaxton refused to do, and in turn notified the Actors’ Equity Association, which appointed a court of arbitration. Oscar Hammerstein was named in defense of LeMair, James Gleason for Gaxton and O A. Brown, former Shepherd of the Lambs, was made umpire. The findings of the court are considered of utmost importance to Equity for its counsel, John Searles, entered the findings on the official records of the Supreme Court. More Theaters for New York New York, Jan. 24.—Fox is making Plans to erect a new theater to replace the Academy of Music on 14th street. The new house will seat 4.500 and will be the largest on the circuit It is intended to build the theater across the street from the present academy, which will become the property of the Consolidated Gas Company for commercial purposes. Razing of the buildings on the new site will begin in February Actual construction of the house will probably occupy one year. — Sol Brill is planning to build a $250,000 house at 130 Dyckman street, according to a report which has been denied at Briil’s office, Rochester, Jan, 24.—The University of Rochester practically controls the picture theater field in Rochester, having added the Regent and Piccadilly_ houses to its chain. The university owns the Eastman Theater. Extensive Theater Chain for New Orleans New Orleans, Jan. 23.—The first step in plans for an extensive chain of suburban or neighborhood theaters was taken Wednesday when a site was purchased on Washington avenue near Broad street, by the Centra) Enterprises, Inc., which will erect a 2,000-seat theater at an estimated cost of $65,000, with a regulation stage and sereen, a double-manual pipe organ, ventilating and heating syst ms und modern equipment. The Broadten. the name of the new theater, will house first-run productions. It will be ready about September 1. or earlier, if the contractors can complete the structure. The Central Enterprises, Inc., operate 18 theaters here. SHUBERTS LEASE THE NEW CHANIN Forty-Sixth Street Theater Is Unique and Novel in Several Ways---Cost $1,200,000 New York, Jan. 24.—The new theater being built on Forty-sixth street, just west of Broadway, by the Chanin Construction Company has been leased by the Shuberts and will be opened in a month or so as Chanin’s 46th Street Theater. The new playhouse is unique in that it has a stadium-like orchestra, the rear rows being sharply elevated. The capacity of the orchestra is 850, the bautcony 640, and there are eight boxes. Another novelty is the location of the foyer and the entrances to the orchestra. The foyer is directly under the orchestra and entrances to the theater proper are made from either side. The main entrance is on 46th street and leads directly into the foyer, which extends the whole width of the house. There are three large ornamental arches in the front of the building, and the marquee is long enough to-allow four carriages to’ empty their charges at the same time. The art effect is after the Italian Renaissance period, the color scheme being gold and red and the walls, which are lined with marble and gold leaf decorations, are impaneled with silk and fresco murals. All the chairs are the last word in comfort and design, and in point of comfort the players themselves have not been overlooked. There are private rooms for 16 principals, as well as five triple-sized rooms for superlatives and a chorus. A back-stage elevator runs five flights to reach these different rooms. The entire structure cost more than $1,200,000. Herbert J. Krapp is the architect. Sheriff To Collect From Producer for Salaries New York, Jan. 24.—The 10 days’ stay of execution in the judgment obtained by the <Actois’ Equity Association of approximately $2,400 against Louis L Isquith, producer of The Regular Girl for salaries due the cast, is up today and the matter has been placed in the hands of the Sheriff for collection. Isquith produced Plain Jane and August 8 he gave a list of his holdings in a sworn statement to Equity, which showed him to be worth about £60,000. When he was ready to cast The Regular Girl he gave a check for $1,000 to Equity, which was returned marked “No funds,” for deposit required for actors’ salaries, He explained that he could not advance more than this amount and that the cast had agreed to take a chance on the remainder. When Equity realized that Isquith was without funds it took action and stopped the show from rehearsing further September 5. The association inquired from the secretary of State at Albany into the status of Louis I. Isquith, Incorporated, who informed John Searles, Equity counsel, that there wasn’t any such corporation. Searles then instituted suit January 13 against Louis I. Isquith personally and received a verdict in the Third District Court, Justice Murray presiding, for the aforementioned sum. Isquith’s attorney asked for a stay of 10 days in the judgment, saying that he would like time to appeal the case. Searles informed The Billboard that he had not received any notification from the Appellate Court so had turned the = over to the authorities for collec in. Sherry and Lavene Bankrupt Buffalo, Jan. 24.—Alfred R. Sherry and Jacob Lavene, former operators of the Academy Theater, have filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, listing $8,453.14 liabilities and no assets Among debts listed are: Arcus Ticket Company, Chicago, $196; Naiional Vaudeville Association, $150: Gus Sun Booking Agency, $200; Independent Movie Supply Company, $105.35. Owen Nares Makes Hit , in “Grounds for Divorce’ . London, Jan. 24 (Special Cable to The Billboard).—Owen Nares was a great success this week in the new St.. James Theater production, Grounds for Divorce, which went with a swing and promises to become a. major. attraction. Madge Titheradge is as charming as ever as the neglected wife. If bright dialog and resourceful acting _can maintain popularity this piece should go splendidly. Prize-Play Contest Philadelphia, Jan. 24.—J. Howard eber, care Plays and Players, 17 Delancey street, this city, is chairman of a prize-play contest in which prizes will be offered for one-act and three-ormore-act p'ays. For one-act plays $50 will be the first prize, $25 the second and $10 the third. For a play of three or more acts the prize will be $100. The contest will close April 1. Eddie Cantor in Court for Being Good Fellow New York, Jan. 23.—It doesn't always pay to be a good fellow. Eddie Cantor, well-known champion benefit performer, has found that out. Cantor gave a benefit for a Boys’ a at Madison Square Garden a couple of Sundays ago. To help make the affair a success he sang and clowned a bit. But his performance didn; please Sergeant Patrick “yan, of the East. 22d Street Police Station, who was tipped off to the affair by the Lord’s Day Alliance, and he forthwith served the Kid Boots star witha comune for violation of the Sabbath aw. Before Magistrate Vitale in ‘he Yorkville Court yesterday Cantor pleaded not guilty. The magistrate asked him if he was willing to sing then and there, as evidence. “Sure,” said Cantor, “if you'll sell. tickets.” 250 at F. P.-L. Meeting Held in Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 24—With more than 250 officials, district managers and theater managers in attendance, the second annual convention of the theater division of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation was held in the Atlanta Biltmore Hotel from Monday thru Friday. One of the features of entertainment for the guests was a special performance Monday night in the Forsyth Theater, the theater men attending in a body. Officials and delegates came from New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston, with smaller delegations from _ other cities all over the country. The Savannah group was headed by Arthur Lucas, of the Lucas Theater. Among the high officials in attendance was Jesse L. Lasky, first vice-president of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation; Eugene Zukor, assistant to the president; Sidney R. Kent. general manager; Walter Wagner, general manager of production; John Arthur of the Famous Players-Lasky Corpo-ation; Dr. Hugo Riesenfeld, famous music director, and Harry Reichenbach, special exploitation representative for the corporat.on. “Theater managers of the South are in for a big year,” said Harry D. Goldberg. “We of the home office and the producing and distributing ends of the motion picture business know your patrons from what you have told us at this meeting. You have told us what Atlanta amusement patrons want; what they ask for in Miami and Augusta. You are going to get what they want, or at least as nearly as possible.” Intensive study of the public’s desires was the keynote of Tuesday afternoon’s session, at which Mr. Goldberg, several years ago manager of the old Criterion Theater here and now executive secretary to Harold B. Franklin, director of theaters for Famous Players-Lasky, presided. Individual ideas and opinions of managers of Southern theaters in the chain of the great theatrical organization were heard. One of the interesting talks of the meeting was made by Ed Olmstead, publicity director of McVicker’s Theater, Chicago. Radio, much discussed in its relation to publicity and the theatrical business, was his topic. Atlanta’s theatrical colony made gala preparations for the entertainment of the theatrical leaders. Managers of local theaters affiliated with Famous PlayersLasky are Howard Price Kingsmore, of the Howard: W. T. Murray, of the Rialto; Montague Salmon, of the Lyric, and Martin L. Semon, of the Forsyth. All theaters prepared special offerings for the week. Strand, A. ae To Be Known as the Palace Atlantic City, Jan. 24.—Announcement has been made here by the heads of a theatrical chain that the Strand Theater, down-town photoplay house, will be completely renovated before being opened to the public under the name of the Palace. The new theater was recently taken over by S. W. Toth, who is associated with Elias Jacobs and others interested im several theatrical enterprises in the resort and vicinity. The name of the Strand will be employed for the old Criterion on the Boardwalk, opposite the Steel Pier. This house is also undergoing extensive changes and will be opened in several weeks. The interests of Toth and Jacobs are allied with those of Max Weineman and George F. Weilland, whose houses are under the direction of P. Mortimer Lewis The complete chain now includes six houses in Atlantic City and Ventnor, and one in Ocean City. “Thief” Big Draw in Seattle Spokane, Wash., Jan. 24.—A fourth of the 110,000 population of this city witnessed The Thief of Bagdad at the Liberty Theater during the 10-day engagement recently closed, Manager R. A. Grombacher announced. The picture broke the house record when it opened December 31.