Variety (Aug 1935)

70 VARIETY Wednesday, August 21, 1935 OBITUARIES WILL ROGERS "Win Rogera, 66, was Instantly killed last Thursday (15) when a plane In which he was tour- ing Alaska with Wiley Post, 'round- the-world flier, crashed In a few feet of water at a point 16 miles southwest of Point Barrow, Alaska. Latter was their destination for the night. Post, close friend of Bogers, was 36 years old. He had made two plane trips around the earth, flrst In company with Qatty, and in July. 1933, alone. Rogers funeral Is set for to- morrow (Thursday) in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Calif. Details of his career will be found In the Pictures department of this issue of Varibtt starfng on page 2. WILLIAM SOMERS William Somers, 87, inventor of the 'Ferris Wheel,' <Hed Aug. 15 at the home of his daughter, in Vine- land, N. J. Somers set up his amusement en- terprise 44 years ago on the Board- walk between New York and Ken- tucky avenues, using his 'Ferris' wh6el which he then called, an 'Observation Roundabout.' He later Buperintended the installation of wheels at Asbury Park, Coney Is- land, arid Rocitaway Beach. Ue was asked to construct' .a wheel at the World's Pair In Chl- TO WILL ROGERS "the door of a strange world swings Wide . . • Oh, may you pass in peace." HARRY cago in 1893, and while preparing foj; the trip. West learned that one r- was" already In operation there. He Bued and Was awarded Judgment 'for . broad Infringement," but the defendant djed before any settle- ment could be made. The' Inventor was. i-lso a pioneer In the motion picture Industry in South Jersey, operating 'the flrst picture theatre in Vineland In 1905, .opening ixnother house In MiUvllle, ■•N. JF.,. three; years later. Survived by.two sons, two daugh- ters, a brother and sister, 12 grand- children' and six great-grandchil- ar^ri,' all living In South Jersey. The funeral was held Saturday (17) in MillvUle. LEIGH LOVELL ^elgh Loveil, .English actor-man- ager, best known on this side for his work as' Dr. Watson In the NBC radio dramatization of 'Sher- lock Holmes,' died Aug. 3, at his borne In England. It was he who persuaded the Lord (Chancellor to permit 'Ghosts'' to bo done in England after he had barred it. He played It for 4" weeks in London and in the prov- inces. For the following 11 years he maintained stock companies in Ibsen and Shakespearian reQ- ertory. He came to New York fol- lowing the war, playing for Sothern and Belasco, and in 1929 ho took up radio. His widow survives him. addition to her brothers she Is sur- vived by her husband, a son, Rob- ert; a daughter, Elizabeth, and her father and three sisters. Z Interment at Lexington. WINFORD H. LINTON Wlnford H. Linton, 69, Utican active In theatrical enterprises for 35 years, died Aug. 12 In a Utica hospital. He was organizer of the Llnc.-o- phone Company, Inc., of which he and his son, Evan, were the active directors. The company makes talking picture equl.-)nient. He was former owntr and man- ager of the Olympic theatre and Ins predecessor, the Hippodrome in Utica, and the Gem theatra and Skinner Opera House in Little Falls. Surviving are his widow who was Addle Peavey, his son, Evan, and a daughter, Mrs. John Stafford, of Little Falls. RACHEL BOYER Rachel Boyer, veteran tof the Comedie Francalse and since her retirement in 1919 president. oZ orphanage for children of deceased theatre folk, died Aug. 10 In Paris after a' long illness. She joined the Comedie Francalse in 1887, and played aoubrette parts. During the .War aind after she dis- tinguished herself in charitable work, and was one of the best loved members of the profession in France. She wad an 'o cer of the Legion of Honor.' burlesque attractions, died at her home in Franklin, O., August 2, fol- lowing a lingering Illness. Burial was locally. FLORENCE ARLINGTON Florence Arlington, 46, died In New Tbrk Aug. 18." She had scored in a number of Broadway produc- tions, including 'A Lady's Virtue,' with Florence and Mary Nash. Her last appearance was In 'Her Man of Wax.' She was the widow of Frederick IC Latham, who died last year. ANNIE LEAF Mrs. Elizabeth Annie Grant Fal- lowes, 80, professionally known as Annie Leaf, died in Durban (Natal), July 14. Was the widow of the late Grant-Fallowes, business manager for the late Leonard Rayne (doyen of South African managers), for 20 years. MRS. ANNA WHITE Mrs. Anna White, 93, for 38 years wardrobe woman for the Barnum show, having been hired by Bar- hum himself lii 1872, died In New- ark, Aug. 15. She Tetired from the show In 1910. Third of Barnumis old timers to die within a. fortnight E. L. SCOUTON E. L. Scouton, 66, musician and only son oic William H. Scouton, cor- netlst composer and bandmaster, (lied at a sanitarium at Green Springs, O., July 28. Burial In Plndlay, O., July 24. Survived by his father and one sis- ter. JESSE L. OBERDORFER jTesse L. Oberdorf6r, 60, In his early years associated with the Shuberts and at one time manager for Edna May, committed suicide by drinking poison at his Syracuse home, Aug'. 19. Obsfrdorfer, in later years, had been Identified with the M. L. Ober- dorfer Brass .Co. 'In early January he had filed in bankruptcy with liabilities of $298,409 and assets of $10,465. Surviving are his widow, a brother, two sisters and his mother. MABEL E. HUMBERSTONE Mrs. Mabel E.'' Humberstone, 62, former stage actress, died Satur- day (17) in Los Angeles after a long Illness. She was a niece; of Edwin Booth and understudy to Maude Adams In 'Peter Pan.' She also was one of the leads for a production of 'The Two Orphans.'' She is survived by a. son,'Bruce- (Lucky) Humberstone, film director, her husband and a daughter. Fu- neral services and Interment Mon- day (19) In Hollywood. DANNY SMALL Danny Small, colored hooter, died in Baltimore, Aug. 14, at the Pi'ovl- dent Colored hosplta'l from a perebral hemorrhage. He was stricken at the Paradise nltery, which he opei-ated. Small was a native of Charleston, S. C. Started out as a child in show business, appeared in dance flashe;? In vaude and also In 'Shuffle Along," colored musical, in New ITork. He made his. home In Harlem for years and at one time owned the old Cjara- toga Clulx About a month ago he bought the Moonglow nito spot in Balto, which he renamed the Para- dise. Survived by a brother, David, of 'N. Y. Interment in New London, Conn. ELIZABETH ERB MOSS Eli-abeth Brb Moss, wife of the music Jirr.angor at .Radio Music HaJ'."^Ied In the Polyclinic hospital. ' N;^\y.>';. July 29, of pnounionla fdlliw'ihSr'an .qperation. " 'Before her marriage: Mrs. Moss was pianist in various of the the- j> atres 'tipsratod by the Phoenix Amusement Co., oi; |Le.\-Ington. Ky.. and hor four'brothers .are atlll pro- f- Jectljnlsts for th»» ,, concern, in JOHN TILLEY John Tllley, 37, variety and radio comedian, died In a London hospl tal, Aug. 3, of cancer. After a varied career of army and commercial life, he found fame at the Windmill the- atre in non-stop revue, where he be came permanent comedian. He. then essayed straight roles, after which he became a popular feature of the British Broadcasting Corporation. Survived by his widow, whom he married in 1933. ^ MAUDE RYAN 'Maude Ryan, of the former vaudeville team' oC Innes and Ryan, died In the French hospital. New York, Aug. 15, of a complication of diseases. She had been in the hos pital only three days, but had fre quently been in the hospital In re cent years. Following her retire meiit from vaudeville, she did a gossip column for VAniisTT arid for other papers. She was burled, from Riverside memorial chapel Aug. 19 Survived by her husband and a brother. JOHN A. McLACHLAN John A. McLachlan, 75, train master for the Barnum and later the ningUng shows for 50 years died In Bridgeport, Aug. lb. It'was the first summer he had not been nn the road. ' EeCore going to Barnum he had been with the Sells anf' the Fore pau.qfh shows, always on trans portation. MRS. EDWARD RUPPERT Mrs. Edw.nrd Ruppert, 72, mother of H.azell Chamberlain, formerly a wisll known prima donna and In genue In tabloid and In lato years wardrobe mistress and special' num b^i-a producer with F;re!(i. .HMrley's SAMUEL DALLAS Samuel Dallas, 27, manager of the Valentine, an independent house .at Defiance, .O., was drowi>ed In the Maumee river, August 8, when his motorboat capsized while trying to navigate in the flood waters. Burial was.in Defiance. ARTHUR GIBSON Arthur Gibson, 64, manager since 1924 of the Royalty theatre, Lon- don, died Aug. 17 as the result of an automobile accident several months ago' and from 'which he was unable to rally. LAURA ADELAIDE LIEB Laura Adelaide Lleb, 46, in mu- sical comedy on the colast for years, died Aug. 16 In Los Angeles. She retired trom the stage. seven years ago. Her mother survives. MARIA SERRANO Mrs. Alex Bo'wma.n, known to the concert and-operatic stage as Maria Serrano, died In New Yrtrk Aug. 18. survived by ' her husband, whom she Aiarrled recently. W. C. GREENFIELD W. C. Greenfield, 52, manager of the Paramount, Manchester, Eng., died Aug. 5. He leaves a widow and two sons. Mother, 69, of Leslie Adams, pro- duction manager, KIEV, Glendale, Csil., died Aug. 14 that city. Equity Silent (Continued from page 63) tered votes making suggestions on the issue. That is almost exactly the result of a vote on the issue at the annual election late in May. That thei-e were apparently no more votes cast on the referendum In which the total membership par- ticipated than at the annual meet- ing further indicates that Sundays are of Interest only to New York actors, of which there are a limited number. Coast members were not especially Interested and apparently dldn"t bother voting. However, Equity people claim that actors are skeptidal of mana- gerial moves concerning Sundays. They fear that In some way the showmen would be able to oventu.- i^lly void, the new state law that calls for' one night oft each ■\vcek. and that they would find tho.TiKelves working seven nights weekly on a six nights' basis. That idea Is claimed to be based on former methods of managers concerning playing In Chicago and on the Coast. According to this theory, n $100 per wek actrtr would bo given a contract- calling for $82.50 and 'guara'nteed" nine perrormances, wh:ch would give hUn tlio full fig- .ute oh the we?k. Actor.'J ahviiys were resentful iof that' scheme and Kqulty leaders give that ns an <?x- planatori of the vote for double imy. Equity execs, in declaring, that actors are essentially opposed to Sunday playing, are.- ;not. borne out Summer Theatres DOOLEY CASHES IN (Continued from page 62) uge. Harassed no end, he supplies the family with clothes and a car, buys one-tenth Interest In the apartment building from Mendle- baum, hires a maid, and retains a lawyer; Silverman, to oversee his interests. Jimmy Is In love with Peggy Doo- ley but she does not return the af- fection. She's oft the deep end with Cheltenham, who, with his suave manner and ready line. Inveigles Dooley.to invest some of his mo.ney in a 'pill' food company. Zack Doo- ley, 17-j'ear-old son, has been cut- ting capers with a young chorus girl. One night he wrecks the car, breaks' his leg and disfigures his girl friend. Her father s'ues Dooley. Mortgagees foreclose on the apart- ment house and Silverman cheats him out of plenty coin, what with fees, taxes, Insurance, etc. Dooley's wife, Sarah, goes to bed with a nervous breakdown; Chel- tenham seduces Peggy and wants her to got him $100,000 from her father before he will marry her. Finally he absconds with the :3tock money. Zack arid Marie make lip and get her father to settle for half the original amount he wanted. Dooloy lays down the law to iSll- verman and gets Mendlebaum to give him his janltorship back again with a flve-year contract for his services. Jimmy opens a garage with his share) of the winnings and comes around again to see Peggy. She. goes for him now. So at the finish, Dooley has his Job again, a little rrioney left, and everyone seems, happier. Richmond Cooper Is excellent as Dooley. Helen Royton as his wife, Sarah, Is .effective. Evelyn Wade Is splendid In the difficult role of Peggy. Given half a chance,, she'll go higher. John Balmer turns In a fine performance as the suitor. Des Keese Is credible as Jimmy, and Sterling Mace warms up to his part as the. show progresses. Another worthy bit is contributed by Wil- liam Valentine as' Silverman. Bartholomew. The King's Messenger (BEECHWOOD THEATRE) Scarborough, N. Y.. Aug. IB. Play In three acts by Frederick Jackson. Pro:luced by the author and ' ataRed hy Wyllo Adams at the Eecchwook Theatre. ScarborouRh-on-the-Hudson, N. Y., week ot Aug. 12, '35. Inkceper. 'Tnyior <3raves Innkeeper's Wife Eleanor Daniels King's Messenger Leslie Adams Harlot Ann Me.ion Priest '. ^ouls La Bey Diplomat Leslie Austen Wife ..' ;..Louise I'russing Tenor. ' Paul. Kaye nich Man St. Clair B.-!yneId Daughter Rosalls. I'orke Doctor. Larry 'Williams Secretary E:il:;abcth Kendall Kcardo.... Mortlmtr Welldon Dispatch Rider William Nic'iolls 'The. King's Messenger" is -an allegorical fantasy assumedly de- signed to express the author's ideas on life, death, the hereafter and subsidiary subjects. Incidentally, a hopeful conclusion Is reached. It is the sort of play that would ap- peal to the members of the Women's Intellectual Circle of Centralla, Kan., by the fact .that any number of them are quite willing to appear on the sabbath In picture houses, where the policy is rour to five per- formances between early afternoon aixd midnight. No less than three managerial huddles this week are not expected to effect any vital change eitfter in pay for rehearsals or the Sunday situation. Showmen got together Monday to prepare for a committee meeting with Equity's Council Tues- day and will go into session today to discuss yesterday's (Tuesday's) results, if any. Managers appear particularly bit- ter about rehearsal pay because of the manner In which Equity puf it across. They concede being licked on the Issue—until it is proven that such .idded production costs will have decreased the number of show.<i presented. Equity says that it will, bo willing to revise the re- hearral pay schedulo 'if that even- tuates. But until such a situation comes about no concession will even be considered. Eel'ore the managers and actors talked it over, therefore, it was evi- dent that the showmen's mission to the actors' headquarters would be pracUcally fruitless. As fpr Sundays, Equity is quite posi'iive that its members no ll!:e, law or no law. Man.n.srors will have to verJfy if that is as deiiiiite among legit 'people as the association claims. It Is, oC course, known that Homo Equity leaders favored .Tivlng Sundays a trial. "That was a ycnr' or so a,?o, but they ostensibly have changed their-minds. and kindred organizations, but Is not of the sort that makes successful entertainment appeal to the masses of Main streets. It does, howisver, contain provender for contempla- tion and if is surmised that after a half dozen hearings an iaverage auditor might become sufllciently acquainted with Its Import to be- come somewhat Intrigued. For no particular reason that is ealsily discernible the entire action takes plape in an inn on the border betv/een France and Italy on a night In October. The Innkeeper iand his wife are bewailing the lack of busi- ness when a loud knock comes to the door and enter the 'Messenger.' By bribery and threat he takes possession of the place for the night- and after instructions as to accom- modations he requires he departs to- return shortly with the entire cast. These folk, representing a cross-- section of humanity, it is explained, have been kidnapped from the mid- night express ostensibly to recover from one of' them some 'missing -papers'—symbolical. Each is ques- tioned in turn by the messenger and it is during these Interrdgations and replies that the motif of the piece is worked out. While the messenger steps' oiit of the room momentarily one of the characters attempts escape to spread an alarm but retribution In the shape of a slug .from a rod overtakes him. No 'papers' being forthcoming, tha messenger dooms all to die at day- light, for he is convinced that soma one in tiVe party has them. Then, in the final act. Is shown the re- actions of the various characters to tl;ie prospect of approaching death. The tenor and the harlot knock oft' U couple bottles - of wine a:nd are three-quarters In, the bag aa the end draws hear. The sec. puts on. paper her regrets, remorses and' repente'ntahce. Husband and wlfo forgive and forget. The rich man" niidltates. The priest prays. The lovsrs grieve that life is so short. At last the shootlrig begins. Men first. The doctor and priest go outside in turn.. Two shots aro heard. Then the dispatch rider ar- rives and proclaims that the papers •have been found. The death'sen- tences are annulled. It turns out also that the two taken out were not shot after all. Maybe that means don't worry. although even death Impends. It's' all pretty much Involved. Members of the cast have ho" chance to show whether they are good or bad actors. Leslie Adams • has the talklest part. He is much subdued in manner. The character rates- it. The others are stooges for him. Crawford. JANE'S LEGACY (OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE) Ogunquit, Me., Aug. J9. ■ Comedy In three acts by Eden' Phlllpbttf.' Presented by Walter HartwiK and the Man- hattan Repertory. Theatre Company. Scenery by .Sidney Bedlsh. At the Otrun- <iult Playhouse, Ogunquit, Me., week Aug. 12. Ivy Mortlmore Lygla Bernard Jack Mortlmore J. Malcolm Dunn Scrgt. Merry weather Chugg..A. J. Herbert John Ford Frank Roberta Ned Thorn Joseph Curtin Mrs. Susan Thorn Daisy Athcrton Emmelene Coode Sally Osmun Jnno Mortlmore Molly Pearson Tom Sparrow Howard Phillips Samuel Duncan Baldwin Daisy Fortl Lydia Fuller Rupert Sparrow W. Grnfton Nealley The Rev. l>hlllp Rylo DovM Orrick The 'And of Providence 'Violet Desson Fir.st presentation in America of this Phlllpots.whimsy found tho.se In front wondering as to Its accredited English vogue; Its story Is as old as the theatre Itself and the scrint gabfi;! to an extent of sheer wordi- ness. Popularity must have re- dounded on the other side to an ex- ploitation of types, or through a star-studded cast. In America middle class English types are Just so much humanity.' A Lord or a Duke or a Lady might cause them to sit forward expect- antly for a trice, but second string British, never. Three scenes of 'Lady Jane's Leg- acy' are In Jack-M-6rtlmore's cot- tage. Jack I.s brother to' Jane, who is supposed to have inherited money, and is an old .iane, as Janes go. An pldle ot a sergeant proposes ,ind is accepted. Jane bestows some of her. In-the-ofJlng cash to a niece, who Is also sought colnwlse by two blades. They Indulge In fisticuffs over her hand for.a noisy second act flniile of a tea pnrty which would yawn'them up tho r.islCR in New York. Ill the end Jane does not get the money and Is aired pronto by all save her doting brother. Plots like this one .sliould ne'-'»';r take the boat. Comnnny strugglr's her;;ically with it, but"In vain. Molly Pearson, brought in for the ro."-» of Jane, is the sweet, trustinir Ivpe Cashlopod by the author. A. J. Her- bert runs up ,1 noat score as the Serge-int and Malcolm Dunn does the pjpe-pufTmg brother quite vora- ciously. Remainder oC the company thoroufThly adequate. 'Jane's Legacy' will hardly resale Broadway. damueU