Variety (Aug 1932)

TacBday, Augiut 2, 1932 VAKiEtr &gfeU Aneedotes iTbe late Sam Klnceton was the most colorful ex^cutlTo on tie stall ©t the latePlo Zlegfeld. When Zleggy/was out of town Kingston received telegrams hoth voluminous and numerous. Not infrequently he wo\ild indicate a sheaf of such messages and declare he had not even read them/saving the wires merely to check the hill. Kingston was partial to blue serge suits and half a dozen hung in a cabinet in his ofDce. When Joshed about it he would open/the cabinet •nd display the clothes, once buying a .isray suit to fool a friend, ^ Zieggy's general .manager continued to occupy offices In the ninth floor of the New Amsterdam after the Ziegfeld theatre was buUt and the late yr&Vxt Kingeley held forth in Zieggy's quarters on the same floor. Coin- cidence was that both Kingston, and Kingsley died of cerebral meningitis ivithin. a compacatlvely brief Interval. . ; Klnsston bandied-all of Zieggy's accounts and hankrbllis and became a liaBt inaster at stalling creditors. It was nothing for him to gather up a bundle of billiB and statements and tear them up. Sam quit Ziegfeld io go with William Fox but returned after a year. Ziegfeld and Kingston were associates iuid- friends for many years. One of the latter's prized mementoes was a tintype of himself and Zleggy posed with small derbies, or 'iron hats/ and he never permitted it out of bis hands. •A Parlor Match' was not a Ziegfeld show. It was a Hoyt farce pre- sented by and acted in by Evans and Hoey. Show was played by them for a dozen {years and revived befoVe Anna Held appeared in it as an : added, attraction. Zlekfeld; brought Miss Held over from Paris but didn't know what to do with her. When Minnie French (Mrs. Evans) was ttdien iU, Miss Held stepped into the cast. 'Match' was originally a playlet called 'The Book Agent' and flrst showed at Miner's- Bowery. Nor wa^ Zlegfed concerned with 'The Pink Lady* which really was the most successful musical ever presented by Klaw and E<rlanger who were Inordinately proud of the show. Throughout the profession it was commonly believed that Ziegfeld was Jewish. He never bothered to comment on the matter one way or the . other.' Ziegfeld's father was a Lutheran and his mother a Catholic, as Is the widow, Billle Burke. On the Coast services were conducted by an Epis- copal clergyman^ ' Miss Burke remains at the Radio studio in Hollywood until the pio- turlzed version of 'A Bill of Divorcement' is finished. The suspense «£ the coming Journey back to New Tork is an added burden for her with no date for'the final interment in New York named as yet. The roof atop the New Amsterdam, the activities of which were especially Ziegfeld's, drew the classiest after-theatre patronage ever known to night clubs then or since. Called the 'Midnliirht Frolic' It offered a special type of revue for which there was a |6 cover charge. 'Follies' beauts appeared in the 'Frolic" and the roof brought out Xllllan Lorraine as a number leader. Prohibition took the roof out of the field as a late supper spot. About two years ago Zleggy attempted to revive the 'Frolic,' offering Paul Whiteman's band and Maurice Che- valier, but it was a losing proposition. To the roof, in addition to social reglsterites and. the cream of the show world, there nightly assembled In the old days a group of managers and newspapermen who always sat around a table in the back. The press .bunch felt the passing of the roof more keenly than the closing- of any Broadway spot that the dry law dried. ■ Ziegfeld was known as Flo, abbreviated from Florenz, but he was inxther sensitive about it and invariably advertised as F. Ziegfeld, some- times adding the Junior to his name. . 'Variety' made it easier by calling him Zleggy, to which he never objected. . Zieggy was the first manager to charger^B.BO top for his musicals, a price that doubtless led others into the revue field. He had opened most of his more veeent silows at $11 and .116.-60 top the first night. Others had the temerity tp top that golnig to $22 and $27.60, and one revue sold about 100 tickets for its-premiere at $100 each. The 'Follies' was originally priced at $2 top.' That was when' Ziegfeld moved into the New Amsterdam from the New Tork roof in 1014. At that time the 'FoIHes' opened in June and closed on Labor Day, merely a summer show; Sidewalk ticket specs had no trouble jgretting $6 and $6. for tickets whether it was hot or not. , - 'Variety' received not a few of Zieggy's lengthy telegrams which gen- erally took exception to some story or the estimated grosses on his shows. The wires were rarely answered in type. , His leading objection was a half hour phone call about Wariety's' notice on 'Rosalie.' He desired another review, claiming a bad break for a production that cost $230,000. No second review was written but his plaint was referred to in the paper as 'A $230,00j() Squawk,' and he giggled when he saw it. • The pass list was always a bone of contention between Zleggy and his various; p. a.'B. The producer was adamant against spurious gate-crash- ing, and always' cheeked up on his- publicity men via the company managers to see that the press passes, when issued, weiit to legitimate sources and not as pay-offs for pecsonal favors, etc. Bernard Sobol, Ziegfeld's last p. a., had finally gotten it so that the pass list was: not curtailed as stringently as in. the past; but as recent as 10 days before Zilegfeld's death Zieggy Iiad wired Percy Thomas, acting company manager of 'Show Boat' at the Casino, to keep strict tabs on the pass thing. Jlut Missed Hollywood, Aug. 1.. Emerson Treacy rushed Into the Hollywood Playhouse last week, asking for rental price, cost of stage hands and de-; tails of production, announc- ing that he had Just met a former schoolmate who was anxious to back a comedy the actor had written; Treacy didn't show Up again for two days, but when he did he said, the production died the moment the long-lost pal bor- rowed a 'dollar to wire east for the money. DEMANDS SAY ONCASHG Ted Healy's dlsajgreement with the Shuberts over a .supporting cast and other details concerning the 'Greenwich. Village Follies,' resulted in hiia temporary withdrawal from the rovue. The comedian's contract made him a partner In the produc- tion on a percentage-sharing basis instead of a straight salary. Healy's objections were chiefly to the cast proposed by the Shuberts. His contention was that as long as his salary would depend on the quality of the show he should have •a-say in the casting. After the comic's - contract tear ing, Healy's lawyer and the Shu berts made a new deal by which -tlie producers gave in. to the per- centage star's demand, An inserted clause gives Healy equal-say with the Shuberts In picking the-, east; Two vaudeville dates anrainged: for Heaiy between the Shubert can- cellation and nevr deail will be played. They are the week of Aug. 6 for BKO In Boston and the fol- lowng week for Loew at the State,. New Tork. - For '(Q.y.F/ the Shuberts guar.- antee HealJ' $1,000 a week single against 60% of the net and take care of his stooge payroll. hterests Ontskie llieatre Took iOegfelds 2 Fbrtimesr^^^M^ of Xlauns in Doubt 'MOURNINGMN MORNING Cleverand Plan for CNeHl Play^ Time Out for Lunch ■■■■——/ • ■ ■ .Cleveland, Aug. 1. Morning matinees for the stock presentation pf 'Mourning Becomes Elcctra,* with time out for lunch, is the wrinkle Robert McLaughlin will try out when his Ohio i!||r company pvits O'Neill's play on here Aug. 14. • McLaughlin plots to start his show at 11 a. m. with luncheon In- termission at 1:30, and evening per- formance beginning at 6 p. m. Alice Brady is slated for the lead with Walter Gilbert opposite, but pro- ducer plans to import another lead actress for alternate shows. Both will also appear In 'Rain* Aug.- 7. Blanche Turka,- for "Women of Destiny,' also signed for McLaugh- lin's stock program; Play, due to be produced late this month, was once optioned by Ethel Barrymore, who finally dropped If. Rights to it are how held, by Lee Shubert. Ernest True± ' la booked for 'Whistling in the Dark'; also Helen- Ford In revival of "Gingham Girl,' and FranCine Larrlmore in 'Let Us Be Gay.' Cleveland producer also dickering for James Cagney^ of pic . lures, offering him $2,000 a week for appearance in a new play. CIFADEOUTA »ERTW0RRY LESUE-mPORIED GIRL FACES DEPORTATION Unless, she can get a Job -within two weeks Viola Dobos, dancer, who lives in Astoria, will be faced with deportation to Hungary. The girl, who was brought over from Paris for a part In Lew Leslie's inter- national Revue,' has had several odd Jobs since the show closed. Miss Dobos is afraid to return to her native land for fear It would take another five years to olimb back to the place she had when the- show closed. She is also coincemed with the deportation as the Him- garian law forbids the issuance of passports to persons deported to that country. Ziegfeld had a-wealth of color. He was an artist in all essentials. He was addicted to Colored shirts, smoked cigars and was temperate, rarely Imbibing in public. His favorite drink was Napoleon brandy. Once, When coining from his Canadian camp, his private car was stoppecl. on the border and about 60 bottles of the prized booze were confiscated. His office contained, more than 100 statues of elephants, in ivory, jade, and what not. . .The late David Belasco had the same hobby. A radio memorial program to Zieggy was conducted by WMCA Friday night (29) through A. C. Blumenthal and Donald Flamm. A flock of Ziegfeld names went on the air including Helen Morgan, Peggy Fears, .Norma Terris, Harry Rlchman and Bert Lahr. An oldtimer supplies the following bill as presented by Ziegfeld at the Trocaderd, a Chicago music hall, in 1893, during the World's Fair: ^usa'e Band; Sandow, Lew Dockstader, the Flying Jordans, Wood and Shepard, Haesen Ben All Troupe and two other acts; AH for $1.90' top, Schwab-DeSylya Musical Is Miniis liOve Interest Lou Holtz, Ethel Merman, Mitzl Mayfair, June Knight, J. C. Nugent and Sid Silvers are among the prin- cipals lined up for the Schwab-De- Sylva 'Humpty-Dumpty.' Show goes into rehearsal Aug. IQ. Schwab and DeSylva are doing the book with Nacio Herb Brown and Dick Whiting attending to the score. Script will be mlmiB a weeping or fainting ingenue because there's no love interest. Chicago, Aut. 1. Lee Shutiert spent several days In Chicago. last week and l^t for N'^w Tork Sotuvdoy. He is due to return Thursday (4). Locally It is understood that Shu- bert is anzloiis that the Shubert power and. name shall not become obsolete In show business- and thai the brothers are Investing their own money to -that end. Kern-HanmiersteiD Cyde Of Theatre Historicals A cycle of musicals Inspired by 'Show. Boat' is being prepared by the authors, Jerome Kern and Oscar H^mmefstein, 2nd. Ektch will have theatre or show background which is the atmosphere of 'Boat.' First of the series Is tentatively called 'California,' having to do With the '49 gold rush and the thea- tre of that day.' The cycle in sub- sequent shows will treat of some other phases of the theatre, also an American historical background. It was the intention of the late Flo Ziegfeld to present 'California' at the Casino theatre, following the current revival of 'Show Boat.' He also proposed to present at the Ziegfeld another Kern-Hammerstein musical which is in the-making and which has the working title of 'Two Little Girls.' Latter is of the oper- etta type, with the chorus limited, and virtually detached, Leontovich for 'Bird* Hollywood, Aug, 1. Eugenie Leontovich returns to New Tork early in October for 'Fire Bird,' which Gilbert Miller will pro- duce. Gladys Cooper also shortly presents it in Xiondon. Miss Leontovich came here for a rest after a 20-month tour In 'Grand Hotel.' May do a picture before she retuijns east. LABBT BECK'S COLLAPSE Larry Beck, stage manager for 'Ballyhoo of 1932.' collapsed in his hotel room last week. He wias replaced by Dennis Mur- Harris' 2 Shows Haye Kaufman as Cb-Author Next two presentations to be pro- duced by Sam Harris will be non- musical, with George S. Kaufman as co-author. Plays are "Dinner at Eight,' by Kaufman and Edna Ferber, and 'Here Today,' by Kaufman and Georse Oppenheimer. "Dinner' is set for the Music Box, New Tork, Oct, 12. Cast includes Paul Harvey and Jose Allesandro. OSTEOW'S 3 OB OWN Dlmitri Oetrow, legit adaptor and stager, formerly with the Shuberts, is going into production on his own in the fall. He has three plays lined up. Optioned by Ostrow are an un- titled' piece by Jerome Dreifus, 'So This Is College,' by Fabian Mattey, and 'Censored,' by Conrad Seller. Flo Ziegfeld died a poor man, but he did not go broke In dhow busi- ness. He was twice a millionaire , until the stock market crashed. In- tuitively he-headed for the coast to be hear his wife, Billle Burke,, not only because of his desperate Ill- ness, but the weight of flhancial worries. ' ' ■ To what degree his family is pro- tected has'no^^ been detemilned, the mass of claims against the estate are yet to be scrutinized. It was stated that the Ziegfeld hoine at Hastinjss-on-the'^Hudson / wais in Miss Burke's name and that she mortgaged It to provide some of the money for "Hot-Cha,' the last Zieg- feld production; Ticket brokers also advanced money for the show. That Miss Burke is on the lot: in Holly- wood . speaks for Itself. The late showman had a Constitutional dis- regard for the prompt payment of bills and often allowed creditors to go into ceprt With their cla:ims. The Ziegfeld offices at the Zieg- feld ..theatre have been virtually shiit down. The switchboard-has. been disconnected and' but, one tele-', phone and one person remain, to re.« fer queries to the Casino, .where. 'Shaw Boat' and what remains of the staff are quartwed. Louis Levy Executor What the activities of the Zieg- feld estate will be appears to bei up to Peggy Fears' husband, A. C. Blu- menthal, who is In charge, although the executor named In the will is .Louis- Levy of the legal firm : ot Chadboume,. Stanchfleld & Levy.. Miss. Fears was once of. the Zieg<< feld "Follies.' Theire had been a long friendship between .the two couples, and it was iMiss Burke's, desire t^at JBIumenthal take charge. He was requested to do so by Ziegfeld, and te acting without remuneration. Plan now Is to tour 'Show Boat* In October, the revival doing well enough to stay on Broadway until then. Also, it is proposed to tour a combined. 'Follies', with bits and numbers from most of the revuea. Understood show would be backed by Blumenthal. but with Miss Burke declared in In return for the use of the Ziegfeld name. Aa for the. ma- terial, arrangement would be made With the- estate and -the estate of A.: L. Erlanger which has a one^ third Interest In the title 'Ziegfeld Follies,' on a royalty basis, 'Hot-Cha' was produced under the" name of the F-Z Corporation, and 'Boat's' revival had the same cor- . porate identity.. Tliat caused some confusion when 'Cha' claims started piling lip against 'Boat^ and hearly closed the revlvaL "When Blumen- thal stepped in a number of claims were set aside as . personal contrac- tions by the late producer, for which the corporation cannot be held lia- ble. . Some doubt about authors* royalties on 'Cha.' It appears the authors had agreements with the manager but not with the F-Z Corp. Total cost of 'Cha' was $179,000, which represents the. loss. Amount of claims against the show unpaid are said to be about $22,000. : . Patricia's Truti:<Fund Ziegfeld did not'owA'a share of the F-Z Corporation, all his stock being in the name at his dai^ghter, Patricia, who was to^ have benefited. Understood a trust fund for Miss Ziegfeld is the only material cash on band ojid is immune from claims -against the estate. . . The basis upon which 'Show Boat' continues to operate has the cast on a 25% salary cut. There were two reductions, the first averaging around 10%. Authors (Jerome Kern and Oscar Ham'merstein 2d) also reduced their royalties by one-quar- ter after Blumenthal stepped in. One exception in the cut is Charles ' Winnlger, who ref uised to take more than 10%. . Retained of the .Ziegfeld staff and now quartered . in the Casino are Mrs. 'Goldie' Stanton and Alice Poole, Percy Thomas is house man- ager. Sam Harrison, who handled the com)>any, withdrew when coni- pllcatlohs over 'Hot-Cha' arose. Nick Holde, general manager for Miss Fears' productions and. Blu- menthal is in entire charge at th<| Casino. Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., was said to have been bom « Catholic <Jn Chi- (Continued on page 49)