Variety (Aug 1939)

^Tednesday, August 2, 1939 VAUDE—NIGHT CLUBS VARIETY 4S Brandts N. Y. Vaudeville Plans May Touch Off Rivalry mK9, Loews Reopening of four New York Brandt theatres to vaudeville this fall may touch off the first lively stage show competition between an indie chain and major circuits in years. All Brandt houses are in op- position to RKO or Loew's theatres, and^ in a couple of spots conflict with theatres of both majors in one nabe. First Brandt house to reopen will be the Flatbush, Brooklyn. This spot is only a couple of hundred feet from RKO's Kenmore, once a leading Brooklyn vaude, and a few blocks from Loew's Kings, which was a presentation house. j. Brandts' Audubon, on Washington Heights, Manhattan, resumes sUge sliows Sept. 28. It's only a half-mile from RKO's CoKseum and less than that from Loew's 177th Street the- atre. In the Bronx, the Brandts' Wind- sor, which also starts Sept 28, can be considered opposish ■♦o RKO's Fordham and Loew's Paradise. In Jamaica, also opening Sept. 28, the Carleton is just a. te.\t.blpcks from. Loew's Valencia. Among vaudeville showmen in New York, the irnpiression exists that the major circuits, if their b.o.'s are in any way affected, will resume vaude if only to kill off the Brandts' ambitious venture. The indie chain's vaude splurge is based chiefly on its inability to get 'A' films, and it would be hard-pressed if RKO and Loew's couple vaude with topflight films to battle the BrandU- in -the various 'iiabes. A similar situation existed last sea- son in Newark, N. J., where a cou- ple of indie showmen leased the Shubert theatre for a name-band policy sans films. The Adams' Para- mount at that time was in a straight- picture policy, but, feeling the in- roads of the Shubert, started book- ing name orchs also. The Par had pictures to go with the stage end, . and, after a few weeks, the Shubert operators had to bow out with a loss, ' although the first fiew weeks of the latter" operation, were reported as very profitable. Since then, Adam A. Adams bought the Shubert and will rent it as a legit spot this 'fall under a new tag, the Adams. 1RENF TAB, D. C. HIT; MAY GET ADDED TIME First Locw-prodiiced stage show In several years, tab version of 'Irene,' current at the Capitol, Wash- ington, has apparently surprised cir- cuit officials by its excellence. Sid- ney Piermont, Loew's booking man- ager, is going to Washington to look at the show and it may be given extra time in some of the Loew houses now in straight picture pol- icies. 'Irene,' cut to 7.S minutes, wos staged by Harry Krivit under the production direction of Gene Ford, Loew divisional manager. It has a non-name cast, phis a male chorus of 12 and 16 line girls. Idea originally was sti'ictly for a one-week production shot to break up the monotony of straight vaude shows. WHITE ELEPHANT Gaby's Aide Wins, But Now Doesn't Know What to Do With Speedboat Joe Kotalik, midget with Frank Gaby, who opens tomorrow (Thurs- day) at Loew's State, New York, is now the owner of a swanky out- board motorboat which tie doesn't know how to pilot. Boat cost Kotalik exactly 50c, though its value is $250, the midget winning the craft in a raffle con- ducted by a Port Jefferson, L. I., garage. He and Gaby stepped into the garage on the way back from a fishing trip to ask directions and, not wanting to leave empty-handed, they both bought tickets. Gaby lost, but Kotalik needs him to run the boat Walton Roof, Ace My Nile Spot, Loses Liquor OK Pierson't 'Eclipse' A 'discovery' was made Ijy Wayne Pierson In a Long Island tavern, entertainer being How- ard Price, colored comic and hoofer, but for professional pur- poses he was given the name of Total Eclipse. He was used in a television program last week, the whole visio crew laughing heartily. Several stage bids were made to his agent as a re- sult. Noticed that Total Eclipse, a horse,, recently Won three straight races. Philadelphia, Aug. 1. License of Jack Lynch's Walton Roof nitery, Philly's ace spot, was lifted for 60 days by the State Liquor Control Board on Friday (28). Lynch was charged with selling liquor alter hours. Similar suspension was drawn by Frankie Bradley's Ruman- ian Inn, while the permits of four other places outside the mid-city area were suspended for 15 to 60 jwilfpray allnal'week aT"the days and two smaller joints had | state-Lake, Chicago, and then dis their tickets revoked. bands. With N. S. Barger, MarcuS- Although Quarter Sessions court will put 'Night in Moulin Rouge' here on the same day reduced the I into production, consisting of 100 penalties previously meted out by people, and is dickering for Helen the liquor board to three other niter-! Morgan,, Toby Wing and the Rita ies. Lynch said he would not appeal, i R'o band for names. He will not shutter his spot, but will I 'Moulin' will go. on road in early take the alternative granted by the ; fall. Schedule will include Palomar, board to pay a 510 a day forfeit for 1 Seattle, for one week; ditto for each day of the suspension, letting l Oi^Pheum, Portland, and then one- A^. Marcus Spokesman Says 'Stranding' Was A Gag to Trick Japs Seattle, Aug. 1. . A. Coleman, speaking for the A. B. Marcus Shows, denied 62 actors and chorines, who arrived here en route east, were broke, stranded and refused permission to land in Japan three, weeks ago. Coleman claims it was a gag that saved the show plenty of coin. When the troupe got to Yokohama it received notice of cancellation of its Tokyo engagement, no play no pay, and that they would be stuck for 11 days in Tokyo paying board and room. They put their heads to- gether and decided to tell the Yoko. homa police they were broke and stranded, outside of the U. S. tick- ets taking them home via Victoria, B. C. Japs believed them, (Toleman said, and made them camp on board ship, where everything was cuffo until they left for Victoria. When asked if .the bunch was broke, Coleman said they were leav- ing via train for Chicago, where they expected to get affairs straight- ened out Troupe did not spend much time here. The Marcus troupe, consisting principally of 40 American gals, has been 30 months in Australia, New Zealand and the Orient. Com him out with $600. Lynch was the Object of both amusement and surprise when he told the examiner for the liquor board at the hearing on his suspen- sion that he had a 'special permit' to remain alight after curfew. The ex- aminer asked him to produce it, but it was not forthcoming and the sus- pension follo^yed._ License for his night stands in the northwest JESSEL WINS; RULE ORAL CONTRACTS N.G. lA-AFA vs. 4 As Seen as Damper On Stage Shows Making Headway In'39-40 Until It Straightens Out Growing struggle between Asso- ciated Actors and Artistes of Amer- ica (Four A's) and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Em- ployees (stagehands) for Jurisdic- tion over vaude and nitery perform- ers is being viewed with alarm by circuits and indie theatre ops using, or contemplating, stage shows. In- ter-union strife, evolving from ■ the Four A's revocation of the Amer- ican Federation of Actors' charter, is expected to put a complete damper on any new stage show plans for next season. lATSE's move In granting the AFA a charter on Monday (31) brings theatres face to face with the most serious union situation since the White Rats strike in 1916. With the cooperation of the lATSE, now the AFA's parent' union, the AFA can now enforce 'closed shops' in theatres, something the White Rats failed to achieve because the stage- Rose Takes Step To Pay Aquacade Rehearsal Coin Los Angeles, Aug. 1 Oral contracts for theatrical en- gagements are nix, according to a cabaret is in the name of Evan Bur- decision by the State Labor Com rows Fontaine, former dancer and close friend of Lynch's. Judge Raymond MacNeille sub- stantially reduced Liquor Board penalties in three cases he heard. He had previously reduced other.':. The mission, which decided in favor of George Jessel against the Edward Resnick agency in a suit for $3,600. Ruling was made under sections 1642 and 1644, dealing with theatri- cal bookings. It prohibits an agent new cuts were on Ike Beifel's 1523 i f''?'" entermg a deal with a client Club from 60 days suspension to 35 i « contract settmg days; Stamp's-on-the-Delaware, from I ^» working and financial con- Ed Seay Upped to Roy's Aide at Rainbow Room Ed Seay has been upped to gen- eral assistant to John Roy, managing director of the Rainbow Room and Rainbow Grill, the two Rockefeller nlteries atop the 65lh floor.. Unof- ficially Seay and his superior hud- dled on the talent standard of the cafes, although technically the for- mer was only publicity director. Seay continues in charge of ex- ploitation .and press relations, but will also be in charge of the two rooms more or less at night when Roy isn't around. Latter is from the Rockefeller Center realty interests originally un- til asked to also run the niteries. Spy had a touyh ^i^oblcm in 'hiiman- King' the two Hainbow spot?, which at first were handicapped by a stuffed-.shirt aura that didn't tend to encourage mass patronage. Now. both rooms gross $80,000 lo $100,000 a month—and a $1,000,000 annual business Is nothing to be sniffed at even by the Rockefellers. 90 days suspension to 50 days; and Little Harlem, from revocation to a 90-day suspension. Harlem case was the first of its kind fo come before the board. It was charged with selling bottled goods in competish with the State Stores. . It is alleged to have sold 11,000 pints in the first four months of this year and to have done a $32,- 000 business in bottled goods last year. Liquor was all sold at State Store prices, but the cafe bought it on a wholesale discount Benny, the Bum Appeals Decision on the appeal taken by Benny the Bum's from the booze board's revocation of its license is now pending. Benny Fogelman, op- erator of the spot, also appealed the forfeiture of his" $2,000 bond, which was ordered. Counsel for Benny ad- mitted sales after hours and on Sun- days, but claimed the penalty was too severe. He said that the tre- mendous investment Would be lost and 80 employees thrown out of jobs. Judge Harry S. McDevltt declared he wasn't interested in Benny's invest- ment but the possibility of so many employees being affected may have some bearing on his decision. Decisions on appeals from 90-day ditions. Resnick will appeal. New 1,500-Seat Seattle Spot Is Riviera Replica Seattle, Aug. 1. The Show Box, Seattle's newest night spot built at cost of about $100,000. opened July 24 with a seat- ing capacity of 1,500. It's ultra- modern and claimed to be a replica of Ben Marden's Riviera in Engle- wood, N. J. Dancing is on tap from noon eac>i day until one in the morning. Eddie Zollman furnishes the music on the Wurlitzer afternoons, with Jimmy Murphy's orch dishing out the tunes for night gliding. The opening show is headed by Jack Russell as m.c. Others are George Lyons, harpist; Warner and Margie, dance and dog act; Ray and Bee Gorman, comedy; Earl, Fortune and Pope,.ballroom trio. Mike Lyons is managing the spot. Columbus Cafe Reopens Columbus, O., Aug. 1. Its liquor permit restored, Tom I Jones' Arabian Supper club, shut- suspensions are also being awaited , tiered three weeks, has been reopened by three other important mid-city | with usual floor show policy and spots, the Embassy, 20th Century dancing. Tavern and Little Rathskeller. J Spot has been renovated. As per arbiter Walter Winchell's decision last spring, Billy Rose Monday (31) placed in escrow in the Chemical Bank Trust Co., New York, $22,000 in rehearsal coin for sorhe 209 chorus people and swimmers in the cast of his New York World's Fair Aquacade. Money is deposited to each individual's name and will be paid after the water show closes at the end of the Fair's first season (Oct. 31), but not until after Win- chell examines Rose's books to see if the showman's tyoflt is sufficient to warrant such a disbursement. On the basis of business to date, it's figured Rqse's net profit for the first year of operation of the Aqua- cade will amount to around $750,000. The amount of money each play- er will receive varies, as some were in rehearsal five weeks and others six, but the average will be slightly over $100. Their strike last April, after most of the swimmers and chorus people joined the American Federation of Actors, threatened to tie up the show around 10 days be- fore the Fair and Aquacade opened. Arbitration finally gave the players a $5 weekly boost in salary to $35 and permitted the show's profits to determine whether rehearsal pay would be forthcoming. In placing the money in escrow. Rose is living up to his agreement with the AFA and apparently stand- ing by that union's contract though it's understood that most of the show's people involved have moved over to the American Guild of Va- riety Artists, union chartered by the Four A's following its revocation of the AFA's charter a couple of weeks ago. Committee of Aquacade perform- ers made known Monday that they will take steps to force Rose to pay rehearsal coin lo those who have dropped out, or will drop out liefore the show closes. About 15 have already left. Rose has indicated that only those who stick to the finish will receive back rehearsal pay. K WORTH CASA PULLS $20,000 IN 1ST WEEK Fort Worth, Aug. 1. Casa Manana here, during its first week, took in $20,000, clearing all expenses with some to spare and topping the first week of last year. Biz is building, too. Abe Lyman and his orchestra and Kenny Baker are due tomorrow to go into show Friday night (4), when Ray Bolger, Frances Langford and Russ Morgan bow out Baker is in for onljr one week. Martha Raye starts two-week engagement Aug. 11. Gracella trio and Trixie, juggler, also Join show Friday (4). i hands (and musicians) refused to Walk out in a sympathy strike. Until the American Federation of Labor's executive council, which meets in Atlantic City Aug. 7, rules on the matter, it's stated that the major circuits are holding Jheir fall stage plans in abeyance. Union negotiations and difficulties have al- ways had great bearing on the amount of vaude playing time in re- cent years and it's expected that theatre ops will now wait for a clear-cut clarification of the inter- union scramble before making fu- ture committments. Few niteries are Immediately af- fected by the lA'TSE-AFA tieup, as only in rare instances are sufficient stagehands employed to tie up op- eration, in .the event of .a dispute. In most cases, the niteries merely employ one or two electricians to handle the lighting, though sizeable crews are used in such production spots as the International Casino and Paradise on Broadway, and Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe, in the Paramount hotel, N. Y. In its statement on the granting of the lATSE charter, the AFA de- clared: 'Leaders of both the AFA and lATSE see the attainment of a joint goal—100% unionization of the en- tertainment world—as a natural outcome of the alliance of the two groups. 'In the past, as an affiliate of the Four A's, that AFA was hampered by the Four A's lack of interest in the V3riety field, its refusal to ad- vance funds or make loans to fur- ther organization of these perform- ers, and by its general apathy.' AGVA Rushing Ahead On Organizing Drive Amer.|can Guild of Variety Ar- tists, the recently-chartered Asso-. ciated Actors & Artistes of America affiliate covering vaude-nitery-circus performers, is rushing ahead with its organizing drive pending a decision in the injunction suit before N. Y. Supreme Court Justice McGoldrick. Maida Reade, Equity council mem- ber, was last week named temporary executive-secretary and offices were opened adjoining the Screen Actors Guild's eastern headquarters, at 11 West 42d street. New York. Injunction action was brought the previous week by the American Federation of Actors (vaude-nitery- circus), whose charter was revoked by the Four A's. Suit was aimed to halt AGVA's organizing drive aiid set aside the charter revocation. Ar- guments were heard and briefs were filed, but Justice McGoldrick may not hand dowrt a decision Intil later this week. Meanwhile, AFA has been chartered by' the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Em- ployees (stagehands), which may- complicate the injunction action. Claimed that AGVA now has 2,400 applications for membership, most of them from the AFA ranks. Such a figure is considered an excellent showing, particularly considering the fact that at the present time of year a large percentage of the performers are not in New York. Cast from the Aquacade, at the New York World's Fair, is said to have signed up 'nearly 100%,' Meeting of the group was held last Friday (26). and plans were mapped for pushing the ori ganizational drive as well as outlin- ing future moves against Billy Rose, operator of the Aquacade. Appointment of Miss Reade as temporary executive - secretary of the new union'occasioned a fiurry of criticism on the ground that her membership in the Equity council might involve divided loyalty. Equity is already on record as opposed to such a setup in the case of George Heller, treasurer and associate exec- utive-secretary of the American Fed- " eration of Radio Artists. However, Miss Reade has indicated that as long as- her AGVA post is merely a temporary appointment she will re- tain the Equity connection. She added that in any matters concern- ing AGVA or its jurisdiction, she would ab.sent herself from the Equity deliberations. Her AGVA job pays $6,000 a year. [More lA-AFA-AAAA news ■ on Page 1]