Variety (Aug 1932)

Tuesday, Augost 30, 1932 I. EC IT IM/^TE VABIETY Equity-Backed Rotary Stock Idea May Be Equity Produdiig Wedge FoselbiUty of Equity embarking upon a iproducinff venture was rer vealed In a statement by Frank Gill- more a few days ago during an In- quiry on another matter. , Tentative Idea, at present Is to make the first ovfirture in the rotary stock field; with further extension Into New York with a resident cohir pany If the first test proves success- ful. From that, showmen argue, It would be but a step' into play pro- ducing. Equity angle would be the value of the enterprise In providing engagements for members. Qlllmore was approached with an Inquiry as to the possible affiliation of National Plays, Inc., with Equity. Concern, recently chartered to pro- duce aU types of plays, ha^ among its Incorporators Paul Turner and Mrs. Emily Holt, both Equity at- torneys. <3rllImore stated that Na- tional Plays is in no way asso- ciated with Equity. It was In this connection that the Equity presi- dent enlarged upon the chances of the organization going In for j)ro- duclhg on its own. Free to Act Equity Is free to produce plays or to be Interested Iri. such activi- ties, members assenting, according to Gillmore. At the annual meet- ing lii May the members endorsed the Idea of rotary stocks which Equity proposed^ and yoted to ap- propriate $6,000 toward the experi- ment. However, the Council up to date has taken- no definite action. GUlmorei states it may do so this fall or may postpone the plan. It would not be the first time for Equity to figure in a managerial and prbductlonal capacity. Some seasons ago an organization called Equity Players held forth iii the 48th Sti'eet thea.tre. While this venture was separately incorporat-. ed. Equity was among the guaran- tors. After a ^ther promising start Equity Players seemed to go to seed, partly because ol poor play selection and possible internal dls- sentlon. Most active were actors prominently Identified with' Equity. A list of guarantors was built up, contributors being socially or finan- cially noted. After, several, success- ive flops the organization died put. By then Equity had withdrawn its name from the group which was changed to the Actors Theatre. Cleveland Stock Would Plunge on Musicals , Cleveland, Aug. 29. Encouraged, by success of his stock company at the Ohio, Robert McLiaughlln is preparing to revive 'Merry Widow' Sept. 4, the fltst mu-: slcal of his season. Donald Brian, the original Prince Danilo, and Virginia O'Brien en- gaged to play lead in the Xiehar operetta. Bebe Barrl, back from European trip, is staging dance rou- tines with Liouis Rich as band leader. . McLaughlin also planning to pro- duce 'Irene,' with Helen Ford, and is talking about trying 'The Miracle' if Rosamond Pinchot <»in be had for the role of the nun. Erianger Estate Case Up in Court^ Sept. 14 Further hearing of. objections to the accounting of the A. L. Erianger estate has been set for Sept. 14 by '.. Surrogate O'Brien. By then Max D. Bteuer, who represented Charlotte Fixel in h6°r successful contest to be recognized as Erlanger's common- law wife, is expected to have re- turned from abroad. Claims against the estate may ap- proximate 18,000,000. Miss Fixel, having-the right to contest for one- half the estate, is apparently the largest creditor. Elitch Does 90% of '31 Denver, Aug. 29. ; Elitch theatre closes after 11- * week season, with receipts off 10% from last year. Opening week with •Blessed Event,' turned in best gross, with 'Applesauce' second. Prices were cut the last week from $1.25 to 7B-cerit top. Attend- ance improved, but not gross.. BOOKING IGNORES UBO Fears-Ulric Play Goes to Miller Despite Booker Desire . Expect 2 YnTonr For Intact for Road Although the date of departure of 'Show Boat' from the Casino, New Tork, to the road has not yet been sett guarantees approximating $26,000 weekly have been received. Cleveland, Richmond, . Va,, and Waco, Tex., are among the townfs seeking the- show on that basis. Operetta may also be'th« opening attraction at the new opera house in Providence;, E;cpected that 'Show Boat' will tour for the next two years. First season out will be in the larger stands, including spots where it originally played. Second season will see it in one, two and three nighters. Cast figured to remain as at present throughout the coming season. ! Stock for Akron . Akron,- O., Aug. 29. A Tf yival of dramatic stock will be attempted at Civic Playhouse by the Gordinier Players Sept. 3. Cur- ley. Burns' musical tab troupe has been occupying the local playhouse. Dramatic stock was attempted early in the season by the Civic Playhouse group, but the company closed after eight woeks.' Minor Turns Playwright Worthington Minor, director, is turning playwright for the next Crosby Gaige production, 'Angel.' It's a Hungarian piece which'Minor will stage so he's adapting it him- uelif. This i.<3 the play origihally ins. Keman Ba&o Houses Sold, HcLangUm G. M. Baltimore, Aug. 29. liConard B. McLaughlin becomes general manager for the former Kernan theatrical properties, the Auditorium and Maryland. The hotel attached goes under the direc- tion of Joe Kernan. This is the new setup arranged by the Penrt Mutual Insurance Com- pany, which has just bought the theatre. McLaughlin taJces this post after having been with the Fred Schan- berger interests here for 27 years, latterly as publicity director. According to the plans laid out by McLaughlin, the Maryland former two-a-day vaude but lately In legit, will be the legit house. Will' be booked independently, the rival Ford's being the .TJBO spot. Besides the road attractions, Mc- Laughlin is now negotiating for the return of° the University player.-! company, which had an 18-week stock stay last season. This com- pany, now in West Falmouth, Mass., has recently undergone a label cWnge to Theatre Unit, Inc. .*f this group comes in, the cast will be regularly supplemented by name imports from New Tork. Auditorium in Films Auditorium disposition is indef as yet, though Its most likely that this erstwhile legit spot will seek to es- tablish Itself as a road show picture house, figuring on taking the two-a- aayers as 'Life Begins' (WB), 'Sign of the Cross' (Par), and 'Strange In-: terlude' (M-G). House , last year played 'Grand Hotel' (M-G). If not road shows, the house will neviertheless be plciures. McLaugh- lin fiits to New York this w6ek tD line- up product.. If second-gr.ade film product, rtiay niean vaudfilm here. Later posaibillty due to the acknowledged heavy taste for vaude locally, three city spots now carry- ing, vaude stages. 'Nona,'in which Peggy Fears will star Lenore Ulrlc, will be housed at Henry Miller's theatre,* opening on or about Sept. 26. , The booking was made direct, being confirmed by cable from Gil- bert Miller. The United Booking Ofllce sought to spot the show else- where. Miss Ulric,, however, favor- ing the Miller booking. mtRA' TWICE DAILY IN CLEVELAND STOCK OM iflaiigers Feud Hampers UBO Framing Opposition-Proof Route tended for Ina Claire and now ivret tJoncd for Elissa Landl. H ' tation. Part for Pauline Lord Gilbert Miller wants Pauline Lord for a new French play he has in prospect for New York in a couple monthig. It's called 'Wet Paint; though the title will probably be changed. Sidney Howard wili do the adap- Cleveland, Aug. 29. Morning matinees 'Mourning Be- comes Electra' tried out for first tinae in stock by Robert McLaugh- lin's rep condpany at $1 top clicked and O'Neill's flive-hour marathon is doing a sell-out second week. Early bird shows begin at 11, with Clara Joel in lead and time out for lunch at 1:30. Novelty is drawing out-of-town crowds, many brlngimir lunches with them. First matinee .experiment did a capacity, Inspiring McLaughlin to run a S., R. O. ad In all sheets., Alice Brady took her original New York role in evening perform- ances while Clara Joel did three matinees weekly. Rest of cast had a fburteen-hour shift With grab- bing meals on the fly, catching 43 winks and reheairsals for next shows, half of company claimed they were on verge of a break- down. Louise Dresser Star m Los Angeles, Aug. 29. Louise Dresser will be starred in a road production of 'A Plain Man and His Wife,' which was tried, out at the Pasadena Community Play- house earlier this seasoit with Miss Dresser in the top ispot. Show will be produced by Acorn Theatres Enterprises, composed of £«n Jacksen, James Hanley and Harry Cort. Play is from a 'Sat- evepost' novel by Sophie Kerr. Opens In San Diego early In Sep- tember and, after local; showing, heads east. ' Minneajpolis alt; Split Minneapolis, Aug 29. The Metropolitan theatre, housing legitimate tourlhg attractions, will open its season Sept. 26 with 'Cy- nara,' presented by a cast including Philip. Merivale, PhoebQ Foster, Adrianne Allen and,Ilenry.Stephen- son, fhfe engagement will be for three days. It is announced lle- unlon in Vienna," with Lunt and Fbntanne, has been booked for three days in October. By playing attractions for three nights instead of a week as former- ly, the Metropolitan last season showed a profit. The second week in September has been fixed for the reopening.of the Sbubert theatre dramatic stock under A. 6. Bainbridge, Schore Back; To Produce William Schore, legit stager, is back from Hollywood after six months on the Paramount lot and is ready to go producer on his own. He has a new play by Aben Kan- del called 'Hot Alaski," which he wants to produce. 'Six Beds' for Erianger Hollywood, Aug. 29. . 'iSIx Beds,' new play with all male characters by Howard Enimett Rogers, has been optloifed by Er^ langer's for fall production In New York. GONILAI) IN <MABCH' Eddie Conrad will Join 'Forward March.' - This Brown & Henderson.musical is said to have the same financial backer as 'Hot-Cha,' which, under Ziegfeld auspices, had its song- writers, Lew Brown and Ray Hen- derson, In on the financial enh along with the backer. Mason Peters III Mason Peters, press, agent for the late Henry Savage and later per- sonal representative for former Sec- retary Lament, of the U. 3; Com- merce Department, is in the Naval Hcspital, Washington^ He is suffer- ing from a breakdown. Jail Pair oh Charge Of Gypping Jobless Milwaukee, Aug. 29. Claiming to have authority to hire nien as advance agents for the 'Ber- nard Shaw Players, Inc.' of St. Louis, Carol Turner, alias Carl E. Roberts, 26, of Des -Moines, Iowa,, and Kermit Housh, alias Kenriit WatsOn, of Murray, Iowa, were ar- rested here charge*! with attempt- ing to fleece Milwaukee jobless out of $10 each. Police say the prospects were asked to pay |10 as a bond pre- mium, the promoters agreeing to contribute an equal ainbunt to the bonding company. In their rooms were found 1,000 contracts printed by a Milwaukee printer. A Milwaukee detective, posting as a would-be ojdvance man, applied for the job. Inyestlgatj[on failed, to show .any. 'Bernard Shaw Placers, Inc.' in Sti Louis. Stone's Show Tonight Opens Receiyers' Try To Go Through Season First presentation this season by the receivership of tiie Shubert Theatre' Corporation wilt be' made tonight (Tuesday), when 'Smiling Fates' opens at the^hubert. New York. By producing the receivers hope to Aetter the flnances of the estate. If several-outstanding suc- cesses are staged during the fall, there is a chance of the receiverr ship going through the season, oth- erwise the ■ receivership woiild face liquidatibn: In the spring when the receilvers sought and' obtained permlsi^ion 'bf the court to continue the business, financing productions by disposing of ' receivers ° certificates to - the amount of $30O,O09 to (400,000,, It was set forth that forced sale at the time would net four cents on the doliar -to the creditors. Some of the certificates have been sold, the iden'^ tity of the buyers not being dis- closed. Idnderstood a coneern new- ly Incorporated by the Shuberts' br their associates is buying the cer^ tifieates which are a first lien on the corporation's assets. The receivers have had to spend little, fresh money in ^Smiling Faces' (Fred and Dorothy Stone) because that musical was put oh last season and kept on tour. Show did rather well in most stands, but it was rated doubtful for Broadway at that time. Three' new Reason's shows^ so far are owned entirely or in part by the receivers, the • others being 'Americana,' a revue, and 'Best Years/ in which the corporation lias a 60% interest, Elizabeth Melle owning the other half. It opens at the Bijou next week. 'Americana' was to have gone under the title of 'The Forgotten Man,' but the orig- inal name will be retained. The 'Passing Show,' which is in rehearsal, is not a receivership at- traction, the Shuberts personally having it. Revue Is a revised ver- sion of 'Hey, Nohny, Nonny,' but only portions of that show are re- tained, it is said. FRISCO GROUPS' HOME San Francisco, Aug. 29. Reginald Travers has lined up mo.st jbf the local little theatre groups for future productions at his 5ho%Ttihop In the Fairmont Hotel where he will reopen Sept. 12 with his own bunch In 'Frisco's first legit double bill. Travers will do 'The Bells' and •Tonight We Rehearse.' Other grbups to follow are the Golden Bough Players from neighboring artist colony of Carmel, Lucille Gordon Repertory Players, Eva Smith Hackett Players, Theatre Arts, Inc., and Fredierlck Stuart Smith. Heretofore CJommunity Playhouse has gotten most of these players. The United Booking Office, com- bination of 6ut-pf-toWn . theatres owned or controlled by the Shu- berts and Erlangers, has still to solve house problems at several points. Its principle of eliminating opposed bookings by withholding attractions from all but a restricted list of theatres, has already aroused managers left out. The sore spot in tho U.B.Q. set-up, is' Philadelphia, where the Ga,rrlck has already grabbe'd some potential- ly good things in the way of book- ings. The house is owned by Sam- uel Nirdllnger iand is regarded as one of .Philiy's most, advantageous legit spots. Feeling between Nird- linger and Erlangers is believed to have caused tlie Garrick to be left off the U.B.O. . books. Pittsburgh UnaettM Pittsburgh is another controver- sial point with the same showmen figuring. U.B.O. was to have used the Nixon: and shelved the Alvln, but the contracts issued to date call for 'either the Alvin or the Nixon.' Latter Is controlled by Nlrdlnger. The house was undeir leiise to Er- langers in association with Warners, the leasees having an option to buy the house. Warners are said to have paid Nlrdlihger 1100,000 for a rel^e of all liability. Ttie option to buy has expired and the contest appears to be over new leasing '' terms. ' • In Chicago, where more Wgit the- atres have been left out of the U.B.O. than were selected, the sit- uatioh may be acute as the seaGjon progresses.' Understood that two of the five houses selected: (Selwyn and Harris) have not bebn signed up. Leasing arrangements v^-ere com-' pleted, but attorneys for the "Shu- bert receivership, which Is con- cerned, are reported holding up th0 deal, The twin theatres-reverted to the owners, the Selwyn' Interests and the. Shuberts dropping about $400,000 each. When the Selwyns re-leased the houses, the Shtit>erts were declared in. : . U.B.O.'a Final Autiiority Booking matters. In the.,U.B.O, are relegated to the chjief bookers.. Jules Murry and AiigvstjUs Pitou, ac- ' cording to whether:a Shubert otr Hn Erianger iiouse . is., booked. Deci- sions, however, are. supposed to be made by Marcus Helman, head of the U.B.O., but it is Indicated that either Lee Shubert or Judg« Mit- chell Erianger passes on Helman's rulings. : Cleveland, Aiig. 29. Fall legit season at Hanna, which will be .U.B.b.'s local stand, will open Sei>t. jll .with road company of 'Of Thee I Sing.' John Hale Is Bucceeding Ansley Wbittendale as manager.. House Ja dropping its permanent pit band, formerly conducte4.by Louis Rich, using one only for musicals. Buffalo, Aug. 29. Legitimate season gets ofC to an early start Labor Day with the hew Chicago Company of 'Another Lan- guage' opening at the Erianger. The cast includes Thomas Powers, Frances Fuller, Enid Gray, Philip N. Faversham, son of William Faver- sham. . widespread Interest In the book- ing due to tie-in:.with Amer'caa' Theatre Society^ Which has been: sor llciting subscriptions under direc- tion Mrs|. Pascal Franchot all sum<-. mer, with about 1,000, paid up to date. Last week judgment was taken a'gainst C. B. Dillingham for more than $600,000. While he was co- endorser with Erlanger's on notes totaling that sum, bank's action Is believed to be a move to clear the way to proceed against the Erianger estate and Saul Baron, administra- tor. Dillingham has been financially embarrassed and lost possession of the Globe which he conducted for 26 years. Concert Star for Stage Hallic • Stiles, lyric soprano from concert, has been signed for the new Jerome Kern?HammersteIn operetta which reggy Fears and A. C. BIu- menthal will do. ' NEC Artists' Bureau set . Mies Stiles in. Pix to Road Shows Youngstown, O., Aug, 29. The Park, controlled by Fclber *^ Shesi, will again play road shows several of which have already beew booked, according to Joe Shagrin manager. ' House was recently reopened witt" a . policy of, cxcluclve, Fox pictures in Younpstown. First road show Is Oct. 17, Walter Hampden.