Variety (Aug 1932)

36 VABIETY. EDITeil I AC Tuesday, Auga8t-^3*-l932:- . Trad* Hark Rcxtoterad PabUshed Weekly TABIRT. 8ld SIlTarmaa, PrMldaet 1>4 Weat 4«tb Street Hvm Tork CItr SUBSCRIPTtOM: Anniul ForelgD.... IT QlDSla Coplas... IS Centa Vol. 107 30 No. 11 15 YEARS AGO (From 'Tariety' and'Clipper*) Harry Weber and. Max Hart (palmed Blossom Seeley. act. Book- ing office refused to Intervene, so they flipped a cola and Hart won. ' Allen enemies holding permits to enter the Chicago Xo(^ told they could hot visit shows and mansigers warned not to admit them. ; Shubert advance men'told not to take their wives along when they went ahead ot a show. Family jars had caused trouble the previous reason, ■ ■ Martin Beck ordered new faces for Orpheum shows. : Tired of the same acts year after year. . Aibertlna-Rasch ballet booked for BernhardVs tour: around the world, but pulled by Booking Office on a prior contract Only one troupe then. Cotton was brlngrlng 2( cents a poiiiid down south and business was up. I^elped. by training, camps In many spots. Following year.staple was down to 10 t^to i^nd- planter^ were frantic. (It's now 7c.) Now it was a shortage of baggage cars for tiieatrlcal transportation that was headachlng the managers. r Equity was , campaigning cleaner dressing rooms. for - Soldiers were kicking at being called Sammies In pop songs. Tin pan alley was strong for the. Idea, but the unlfot^ed men no likee. . Sam Trigger gave tip office In the old exhlb organizatlph to promote a new one. N. V. A. took over the White Rata elabhouse. 50 YEARS AGO iFrom 'Clipper') t 'Old' Jo^n Robinson offered the orphans In a home In Tallejo, jCal., a visit to his. circus. ^Managers of the home did not approve of any amusenieiits for the kids. They didn't go. W. C, Coup's circus in a crash bear Cairo, HI. Engine of secortd section telescoped the coach on the rear of the first section, killing three and Injuring 26. John Worland, a leaper, adver- tised his willingness to contract that he would do a triple somer- sffault over an elephant at each per- formance the following season. Mike Teller opened his new hotel In Philadelphia. liOts of oldtlmers still talk about Mike. A character. London theatre architect was planning, a house with three stages Madison Sq. theatre, N. T., had two, idea was to do away with stage walts^ but that was not popular with the men In the audience. French dwarf, 17 years old and only 21 Inches tall, was sold to a Pcu:ls showman for exhibition. Lat- ter conceived the idea of an act Painted cats to resemble tigers and had the boy go into the cage. Cats almost clawed the unfortunate .to death. inside Stoff—Pictiires After years of open antagonism against theatres and ainiisements generally. Downtown Association of Los Angeles has done a complete sbout face. Association's August bulletin devotes nearly half a page to extolling RKO's 'Greater Show Season,' and the beneflta to be derived therefrom by business in generaL Association takes the stand that while primarily It must be admitted that RKO Is Interested In filling the chairs of its theatres over the period, that the downtown merchants should profit materially cannot be denied.' Heretofore the association has objected to various types of theatre exploitation and many members were loath to tie up their stores, or give window space, being Influenced by the stand of the merchants' body. Bulletin directs attention to statistics proving that when a theatre has ia particularly appealing picture or show on its scheduUi the business done hy, area merchants increases in proportion to the increase In theatre crowds. Likewise, poot attractions curtail downtown crowds. Error of a secretary to an editorial head in a major studio cost a couple of young authors .at least $1,760 On the sale of their story. Sec- retary had returned the script to thom with a rejection slip after a pro- ducer had been assigned to It. But some one on the lot tipped an agency oft to the mistake. Agency, which was representing^ one of the writers, told him they bad a spot oifer of $860 for thia story to be used a^ a play. Couple of days later suni was cut $100 and the story sold to an attorney. Following week the agency man appeared on the lot and decided the story was worth $20,000. Studio story head burned, as to how and wbere a cog slipped that the yarn got away. Sent for authors and was told transfer had been made for $760, less 10% agency commission.. So the studio exec told the. agent he had the Inside on the deal and said he would. absolve him of any intrigue it the story were turned over for $2,600, which was done. Indie ptoducer who made a picture of Harlem with colored players, and unused to the regular distribution systenis of the industry, is at- tempting to get off the nut by offering the film on a percentage basis to exhibs with the condlUon attached that if the film doesn't gross satis- factorily the first week, exhib gets film for a second week gratis. One exhlb took advantage of this clause In a manner that has set the producer thinking ahout changing his selling system. Particular exhlb spotted the film in a 500-seater for the first week's showing and packed 'em, but claimed 'uhsa,tl8factory biz,' although playing.to around $2,600, an unusual figure, according to report. With no out for the producer on the exhlb's claim, film got a second week gratis in the. exhlb's bigger house. Biilld-up for Dorothy Wilson, Radio studio stenographer who was top spotted in 'Age of Consent,' is to be followed by teaming her with Joel McCrea, studio hoping to develop another Gaynor-Farrell combination. Several wrlteris and the story department have been assigned to con- coct Cinderella stories with this pair in mlnd^ ■'■ Result of the exploitation for the 'find' resulted in Miss Wilson being billed above the picture in ads during the Los Angeles showing, cJthough she previously had no fliih experience. Amount of plugging may- be gleaned in that, during the two weeks preceding the . opening of 'Consent,' dippings from newspapers on the girl far exceeded the total publicity of all the names on the lot, including Constance Bennett and Ann Harding. Whales were having tough times 60 years ago,. too., One was In hock for about $900 worth of Judgments. 'Clipper' told' an inquirer that .marionette phows Were on the Wane and advised against purchase of one for $1,000. New Portland (Me.) theatre one of the first to dispense with private boxes. Never profitable and re- moval gave 76 more orch. chairs. Paramount is thawing out all frozen d^>Ital represented la emergency manuscripts. Where a year ago it had on an average of throe stories for every feature on the release schedule, tliat figure has been cut to slightly over one story per picture for'32-'33. As a part of the lesser library policy Par is also letting fewer options oh stories lapse than before. This means that ones money is advanced for a story every effort la exerted to make the themo qsable. At the same time the politiy calls for keeping stories closer, to actual production progress. This signifies that the story department cannot get more than about five stories ahead of the studio. In past ye4rs this company, as well as several others, thought little of lining up from 16 to 20 stories In advance of actual, camera work. Edgar Hart, just appointed to a managerial Job in Spokane, is one of the champion long distance leapers in the business. Originally manager of a theatre in El Paso, Tex., he went to San Diego, CaL, when changes were made on the former HuIsey^Clrcult. He was no more than settled when he was whisked across continent to take a Job with the Black New England circuit in Augusta, Me. Later he -v^as transferred tb Portsmouth, N. H. When Paramount took over the Black houses, he went back to his home in San Diego and then up to Astoria, Ore. Lately he got out there and headed back to San Diego, barely ar- riving before he was given the Spokanei Job. Hart is an old-time actor. Protection fight in Kansas City is held by Industry heads as an old story. Current trouble lift not Inspired by the success of Sam Horwltz's Cleveland Indle delegation with the Hays Organization, but they hold that this has become an annual event In K. C. since the distributors ruled out zoning regulations two years ago. Last year, film officials claim, the Indies hired R. R. Brewster, attor- ney, to see tha,t protection would not exceed that Instituted originally by the zoning laW. This year, they state, the Indies arc making the same move and will protMibly make out the same sis In '31-'32. In other words, distrlbs figure that it the Indies press the litigation issue sufficiently they will win. Many squawks from the New Tork picture reviewers at the annoyance of the tax thing On their press pausses. The scribes don't mind the pen nies as it's the nuisance of standing In line with the rest at the average grind openings. » The Broadway legits are absorbing the tax themselyes; ditto the sports' Impresarios.. Film reviewers holding press passes opine that It wouldn't be placing too much of a burden on the industry if It did likewise, what with the difference in admission scales, and with some system to take care only that way of the wbrklng press. Former publicity man In a major studio, advanced to production exec, Is finding himself in a tough spot. After seeing thO'first horse opera turned out by an indie producer for the compa.ny at a cost of $60,000, former p. a. went to his superior and advised'hini that he (the former p. a.) coxild turn out''better pictures for the same money. Indie producer's cohtract thereupon was cancelled with the former p. >h. handed the Job. On his first, the nut wats close to $40,000 before turning the camera. Exec la now on the fence, trying In 'round about fashion to have an other indie bid to make his westerns. So far^the studio is sitting tight. Henry Millers' theatre In Phila- delphia went electric. Two out front land one In the lobby. Four years ago a story head at a big studio tecommended that a novel by ^ famous foreign author, In the public domain, would be perfect for the ace femme star. No one paid any attention to the suggestion; But with a new contract signed by the star. It Was reported, that her first picture would be a story with the same name as the novel. Checkup disclosed that characterizations, locale, etc.. Were'similar to the novel, and that the studio had bought It as an- original from two bside Stnff-L^ George S. Kaufman, Morrlo Ryskind, George and Ira Gershwin who wrote the book, lyrics and music of 'Sing,' are not apprehensive of the outcome-of Walter Lowenfel's plagiarism action, recently filed in court but they are somewhat put out over the cost of defending the suit Similar case is that of Georges Lewys who sued Eugene O'Neill, averring that his 'Strange Interlude' was ah idea lift from her book 'The Temple.c^ Pallas Athene.' O'Neill won and Miss Lewys was ordered to pay ttie costs. , it cost O'Neill $17,000 to defend the co^e which sum he seeks from Miss Lewys. Judgment -was taken against her for that amount,-but-at a; hearing last week, the girl, who has -written several books, testified she has no money^ and her assets consisted of her 'genius uid her debts r Case was put over until Sept 8. Miss Lewys had. asked $1,000,000 from O'Neill, the Theatre Guild wiilch produced 'Interlude,' and Horace Live- right-who published it in book form. Lowenfels claims that Ryskind had the script of his play, 'U. S. A.' a year or so before 'Sing* reached the boards. Ryskind denies that lie ever read the Lowenfels book. Originally the latter intended suing .only Kauf- man and Ryskind, but the Crershwlns are now coupled In th^ complaint Daniel Blumenthal, attorney for Lowenfels, Stated he took the case on a contingent fee basis. :George Antell, who <;omposed part of a score for the Lowenfels piece wrote the (Sershwins exi;>lalnlng that he was in no way/concerned with the suit and would not participate. Screen stars and players of silent days, as well as some who have made a go of it In talkers, are willing to take peanut wages today for stage engagements—when and If they can connect. In caJstlng plays for the Coast the occasional producer is setting $200 weelcly as top for his lead with wages for supporting principals grad* uatlng down to $76 and $60. Sandwich money is accepted. In most cases, for Coast dates only, with a boost wrlten ln for possible engagements in New Yorfc These seldom materialize. Lawrence Langner's Country Playhouse, Westport, Conn., stands out among summer show places through the presentation of two hew potential Broadway plays. Shows are 'ChrysaHs,' which will open at the Beck, and 'For Husbands Only,' tried out last Wednesday (17) and deemed to have a good chance by showmen who saw it. Latter piece was Ostensibly authored by Basil Lawrence, Langner's pen name. It is a five people, one set show. 'Clirysalis,' written by R; A. Porter, anew playwright. Is a melodrama calling for a large cast After its original showing at Westport it drew capacity. Although options rarely give a playwright the satisfaction. of seeing his brain child produced, they do provide lham and' for the writers. One author, who has been identified with both legit and screen fouhd/ln a check of his ledger, that during the last five years Broadway producers have handed him $22,000 In option thoney with nine of his plays never reaching production. On one play, now scheduled for Los Angeles producnon~wltb~ a cast of film players, author has received $3,800. irom six: producers. Busy Bobby Connolly will hot stage Schwab'& DeSylva's 'Humpty Dumpty,' George Hale being suddenly called in last week by Schwab.' Schwab told Connolly last week he would have to get oh the Job or else. It was a matter of Connolly complying or walking out on 'Ballyhoo of 1932,' in which Ta,e Is a partner with Lewis Gensler, Norman Anthony and Russell Patterson. Connolly remained in Atlantic City where 'Ballyhoo' held over a second week for revamping. Mrs. Robert Ilenry, Jr.,'daughter of Madame Louise Homer and Sidney Homer, Is a member of the executive committee of the Green Room Club, recently organized as an adjunct to the Lake George (N. T.) Repertory company (a professional group recruited in New Tork city). The club^ which has oh Its membership a number of the younger society set of both sexes, summering at Lake George, was formed to push subscriptions for the theatrical season and to supply extras for the plays. In 'Domino,' New Yorkers see another play that pleased Europe. Show drew poor notices -with those that read the scripts of the play in both languages, or saw the play in French and English, Insisting that pro- ducers on Broadway constantly and merely translate foreign plays rather than adapt them. Lodewlck Vroom will have Bertram Harrison as an associate in pro- duction during the coming season. Vroom recently took over Erlanger's theatre after the house was permitted to revert to Vincent Astor who^ owns the ground.. ' Name of the theatre was changed to the St James. With Laurence Schwab teamed with Buddy De Sylva In the produc- tion of 'Humpty Dumpty' the managerial duo of Schwab and Mandel appears definitely split Frank Mandel is to produce on his own. Mandel's maiden effort is slated to be an operetta by Sigmund Romberg and Otto Harbach. Looks like Arthur Hopkins will start the season with 'Master Melody,' by Barton MacLane. Ruth Fallows has been signed and rehearsals may start any day. ■ l Meantime Hopkins is holding up the two plays for Hoi>e Williams and Ethel Barrymore pending the actresses' availability. Miss Williams' play, •There Was I,' wlU go jnto work in October, while Miss Barrymore's opus, the Sheridan GIbney play, 'Encore,' depends on when the Barrymore clan is through picture making for Metro. , _ i . _ women, one the wife of a director and the other related to a scenarist Studio paid $10,000 for it McVlcker's and United Artists reopening In Chicago, as extended ruh houses, will be pegged at 76 cents top. That's inclusive of tax. Scale will be 36-66-76. Two houses -will be closely watched in the Loop as barometers for th^ new season. It is figured that straight pictures will be on trial con-: trasted 'wlth which the deluxers continue to use stage names and elab- orate presentatiohs to fortify the screen. Former price of 86 cents fdr the extended run pictures was believed too high in these days of careful arithmetic '" ' ■■*. ". ■ f . " Warners drew a call in the east from the Hays office on Its billing for 'The! Crooner.' Officials resented the term 'heliotrope' as applied to these radio, singers. Film company's reply is said to h&ve been that, "heliotrope' didn't necessarily imply what they took it to mean, ther^ also being various ways to term a 'sissy.' Company has tied with a firm manufacturing those Bronx cheer blow- ers to peddle outside theatres playing the picture, idea "being .for prbs- pectlye patrons to drop In and hang 'the berry' on the principal character thereoL ■•■ -