Variety (Sep 1939)

Wednesday, September 27, 1939 LEGITIMAtE VARIETY 49 Thomson Vice Gillmore as 4 As Head Appears Unlikely Just Now; 'One Union Has Several Hurdles Report from the Coast that Frank Gillmore may retire as executive eecretary of the Associated Actors and'Artistes of America, in favor ol Kenneth Thomson, who holds a simi- lar post with the Screen Actors Guild, was regarded as an inspired etory in Four A's circles. When Gill- more withdrew aa president of Equity to take over the Four A's post, he was given a five-year con- tract, term having about three and one-half years to run. Gillmore receives $250 weekly and Thompson gets a salary of $300. Ac- cording to the report, if Gillmore withdraws he would be pensioned. Combined salaries of the two ap- proximates $28,000 yearly and It is authoritatively stated that Four A's Is not in a position to carry that much of a financial load. Thomson has been a pillar of the Four A's and made frequent tv.ps from Hollywood during the investi- gation of the American Federation of Actors and the struggle between the actors and stagehands, which nearly brought about a strike in all branches of .show business. Believed, however, that with the emergency over in stage union ranks, Thomson 5s needed more to handle the affairs of SAG than the Four A's. 'One Big Union' Hurdles The move to formulate 'one big »mion' may bring about the reported proposed changes, but ju.st when an amalgamation will -eventuate is un- certain. Principal objective Is the I.ssuance of one card to members working In two or more fields. Cen- tralization of offices, telephones and accounts for more economical and effective operation is the general Idea, but there are a number of hur- dle.i to be jumped. That autonomy of the various Four A's affiliates would be dispensed with Is doubt- ful, and it is pointed out that the legit end could hardly handle other amusement activities with which it Is unfamiliar and the same goes with the other xmions. One of the points to be cleared up before the big union is actually formed Is a legal problem." So far as New York is concerned it is un- derstood that the state law does not permit associations and corporations tc merge. Equity is an as.sociation, while some other Four A's affiliates are incorporated. SETTLE SUIT VS. 'JUMBO' FOR $500 Suit of George L: Bard and Ro.<;a- llnd Mia Copping, against Billy Rose, Billy Rose's Jumbo, Inc., John Hay Whitney, Ben Hecht, Charles Mac- Arthur, Jimmy Durante, John Mur- ray Anderson, George Abbott, the Texas Centennial Live Stock and Frontier Day Exposition (Ft. Worth) was settled In the New York Fed- eral court Monday (25),. Action charged the plagiarism ol ihe plaintiff's Hungarian play, 'A Cirkusz Csillaga' or 'A Star of the Circus,' in 'Jumbo.' Settlement pro- vides for payment of $500 by the de- fendants. Surry Incorporates Albany, N. Y., Sept. 28. Eurry Players have been chartered to conduct a theatrical business; with Katherine Emery, Shepperd Strudwick and Helen Wynn as di- rectors. They do not hold any stock, but one share Is Owned by each of three subscribers, David Klinger, Sanford H. Bolz and Howard A. Seitz. Capital slock is 100 shares, no par value. Surry group is scheduled to pre- sent Chekov's "The Three Sisters' on Broadway in Oct. Todd Seeks Players, Material for Revue Mike Todd, who'll tour the 'Hot Mikado' when.it closes at the N. Y. World's Fair the end of October, Is looking around for players for his projected 'Bring on the Dames' re- vue for Broadway. 'Dames' was originally produced, by Todd as a picture theatre unit, but he's only retaining the title for legit purposes.' Besides talent, he's also in the market for songf and comedy material. IINCOIN' MAY BE START OF $1 THEATRE 'MIKADO' IN SEATTLE Seattle, Sept. 26. Quickie booking of 'Swing Mikado' into the Metropolitan, local legit hou.se, is announced by new house manager, M. D. (Doc) Howe. Date Is for eight days starting Sept. 30 Colored troupe just closed seven weeks at San Francisco expo. . Al Wilson continues as treasurer at Met, with Frank McFarlaiid on advertising. With 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois' mov- ing from the Plymouth, N. Y., to the Adelphi next Monday - (Oct. 2), at which time the ticket prices will be lowered from $3.30 to $1.10, the Playwrights, through Elmer Rice, one of the group which produced 'Lincoln,' indicated It might be the start of a $1 theatre. Rice has been a proponent of this idea for some tirne. Theatre on West 64th street, which was originally called the Craig and which never had a suc- cess other than WPA Federal The- atre Project shows, several of which also used a top of .$1.10, is under a rental to the Playwrights, who may cancel at any time prior to Jan. 1 Author-managers believe the draw of 'Lincoln' can extend indefinitely on the theory that many playgoers in the metropolitan area, who could not afford the original scale, will attend 'Lincoln' in the. new spot comparatively limited -balcony of the Plymouth Indicated demand for cheap tickets was never exhausted. The Adelphi date is in the nature of an experiment in another way. It will be the number two 'Lincoln' at the Adelphi, Attraction was slated to go into Southern territory, but rather than take a chance on whether there is a draw there for the drama, it was decided to first test out the pop price idea. Number one 'Lincoln,' with Ray- mond Massey back in the lead, is dated to open in Boston Oct. 23. Byrd's 'Address Unknown' Earn Byrd, Broadway player and producer, has acquired Stage and screen rights to 'Address Unknown,' which was first published in Short Story two years ago and later was syndicated. Story, in the form of letters between an American and a relative in Germany, was written by (Miss) Kressman Taylor. Dramatization for Byrd was done by David Sentner, International News Service correspondent. LTC's 4 Shows Start Rehearsals; 100 Weeks Booked The Legitimate Theatre Corpora- lion's four-attractions, which will be sent on a projected tour of one- nighters during the season, are now all in rehearsal, under stagers se- lected by the original producers of the respective plays. Estimated that 100 weeks have already been booked for the venture ' headed by Henry Oberfelder and Fortune Gallo, which means that each show will average 25 weeks and bookings are still progressing. The L'TC attractions will break in at the Adams, Newark, the first play to go on being 'What a Life' next Monday (27). House was formerly called the Shubert and os now op- erated by Sam H. Grisman. Other LTC attractions will open there during the month. In one or two instances, there is a lapse be- tween the tryout date and the tour's start, but Equity ruled that there can be no interruption of salaries once the shows open up. LTC is seeking other bookings to take up the intervals. TWO MORE LEGIT TRYS IN LA.; REVIVE'WIDOW' Los Angeles, Sept. 26. Legit, after being dormant locally for past month, was partially re- vived over la.st weekend with two revival ventures making a bid for late summer patronage. Federal Music Project presented "The Merry Widow' at Hollywood Playhouse with cast of around 100, under the general direction of Julian Fowlkes and John Cousin, screen and mag writers, produced co-op version of 'Night Must Fair at Musart theatre. Latter features Howard Johnson and Phyllis Cooper. Paul Anhalt di- rected. 'Widow' is in for tentative two weeks, imder sponsorship of Junior Chamber of Commerce Mu- sic Foundation. Stooges May Leave 'Scandals' for Film Three Stooges, appearing in -Scan- dals,' Alvin, N. Y., may leave the George White revue at the end of October. Although under a run-of- the-play contract, there is a provi- sion permitting them to make one picture in Hollywoou, 'io being un- der call by Columbia to report Nov. 6. Should the Stooges leave the cast it's expected their skits will be prin- cipally handled by Willie and' Eu- gene Howard. Junior Lcagne Sponsoring Spokane, Sept. 26. The Junior League here is spon- soring four plays sent out by the Legitimate Theatre Corp. Within a week after tickets went on sale it was practically a sellout for the 2,- 251-seat Fox, controlled by the Ever- green Theatres. Tickets were sold on season basis for all four plays: 'Golden Boy,' with Eric Linden, Ber- nice Claire and Robert Leonard, Dec. 8; Eva LeGallienne in 'Hedda Gabler- or 'Master Builder,' Jan, 19; Jackie Coogan and Mary Brian in 'What a Life,' March 1, and 'On Bor rowed Time' with Taylor Holmes and Tommy Lewis, March 29. Scale for tickets to all four ranges from $3.15 to $10.50. Spokane has seen maximum of one play a year, sometimes less, for past six years. No theatre but the Fox being avail- able discourages most troiipes. Can't Escape 'Lincoln' Hollywood, Sept. 26. Raymond Massey resumes his stage role in 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois' Oct. 25. Actor takes a short vacation fol- lowing completion of the RKO 'Lin- coln' Oct. 15. League Sips TMAT Deal, Averting B way Strike; Equity and lATSE Were Not iu Favor of Walkout Stymied Press agents, company and house managers assembled at the offices of the Theatrical Man- agers, Agents and Treasurers union Friday afternoon. (22) sub- ject to strike call. They were to have picketed legit theatres had the agreement with the pro- ducers not been signed. Several Jewish members present, how- ever, said they could not go into the picket line that evening be- cause it was-the start of Yom Kippur. 'There was little discus.'sion over the point end the poker game proceeded. rnvs' aosiNG MAKES 247 JOBLESS Clo.'iing of 'The American Way' Saturday (23) at the Center, N. Y.. to standee attendance was regarded as a tragedy among profe.ssiona1s. There were continuous lines at the boxofflce throughout the week and the gross k>pped Broadway for the week, as It had earlier in the en- gagement. Takings approximated $34,000, or more than $10,000 over the previous week's mark. Virtually all of the l^nal eight per- formances were sold out, with extra chairs spotted in certain parts,of the big house. At $2.20 top, which was the reduced scale, possible capacity was around $40,000. While earnings from the patriotic show's operation did not win back the co.st of pro- duction, coin from the picture rights is said to have evened the budget. There were 247 persons on the stage during the big scenes, inclusive of the parade bands, and that many persons lost their 'obs. Crew and orchestra were also populous, but were hardly affected, since the Cen- ter will house the San Carlo Opera Co. for an 11-day date starting Wed- nesday (28). Reason for starting the operatic attraction in the latter part of the week is explained by the fact that five days were needed to move out the 'Way' production and the stage put back in regulation usage. 'Way' management is said not to have attempted to extend the date because of the booking contract held by Fortune Gallo for his opera troupe. . Colored swing version of 'Midtum- mer Night's Dream' is slated lor the Center later in the fi)ll. Picture Cos. Set to Go on Legit Financing Soon As Autiiors Agree The new. pact expected to bring back Hollywood financing of Broad- way stage production is still being negotiated, but it is Indicated that more than one picture concern is 'ready to go' as soon as the agree- ment is signatured. There is 'a gen- tleman's agreement' to desi-st from legit backing entered into in 1936, when the major film companies .walked out in protest over a new set of conditions imposed by the authors. There is no document covering that move, nor any manner of forcing ad- herence. It would appear that those picture people particularly favoring resurnption of relations with Broad- way regard the verbal deal with the other coitipanies as being obsolete In light of the new; pact huddles, though they decline to specifically say so. A meeting was held with the coun- cil of the Dramatists Guild by picture repre.<;cnlatives last week, when it was' possible to as.semble only eight of the authors' controlling body. An- other session is carded for Friday (29), when it is confidently expected that jeveral points not Ironed out will be mutually adjusted. Princi- pally remaining to be settled arc the percentages the picture companies are to pay on the basis of the weekly grosses. One Pic Co, Ready One film office is known to have incorporated a company for legit production purpo.ses, although those in charge are cagey in admitting such activity. Explained that the com- pany was formed in anticipation of the pact being soon entered into. Same film concern frequehfly par- ticipated. In stage production pre- viously and has been actively advo- cating pact between the faction.s. A leading producer, who in the past received all the backing for his productions from the same Coast in- terests. Is believed to have' already arranged for blanket financing of his entire schedule this season. ' Show- man, however, refu.sed to concede that the coin comes from Hollywood, although he declared his attractions were 'entirely financed.' Recent re- port to the effect that a picture firm was 'partially' Interested in a show now In rehearsal drew no denial from either side. Another strike on Broadway wa» narrowly averted Friday (22) when the cohnpany, house managers and agents were prepared to walk out in protest over a delay in securing an- other basic agreement with the pro- ducers. It was doubtful that the Theatrical Managers, Agents and Treasurers Union, sans the Treasu- ers, would have had the support of other theatre unions, but the League of New York Theatres signatured the pact late in the afternoon, fol- lowing a long session during which points in disputa were clarified. Know that Equity was not in favor of the TMAT strike and word was sent to all legit players in current attractions tol crpss the picket line, if formed. Stagehands were re- ported taking similar precautions against the interference of perform- ances and the seceding boxoffire men were also told to stay on the job. Equity leaders stated that so long as the agreement with the showmen was in the hands of the lawyers there appeared no valid reason for a walkout. TMAT, however. Insisted that the League was stalling and that there was an attempt by some producing managers to disrupt the union on the giounds that the treasurers group had gone over to the Inter- national Alliance Of Theatrical Stage Employees. . It was also contended that the League is dominated by the Shuberts, which, other showmen de- clared was not correct, although a Shubert lawyer, Milton Weinberger, is also counsel for the League. J. J. Shubert, who caused a rumpus at a previous session between the league and TMAT bargaining committee, was abs'ent Lee Shubert was on hand, but wade but a few quiet comments. There was plenty of loud speaking, but ipostly by tho.«e who wanted to be heard, rather than actual wrangling. Principal Issue Principal issue was the demand that the union make provision for new blood and that the way for ap- prentices be devised. TMATers present conceded the contention thiit the union has among its membership (Continued on page 52) EDNA JAMES SUING CHAPPELL FOR DIVORCE Delos Chappell, Denver showman, and his wife, professionally known as Edna James, are divorcing. Lat- ter filed application in a Colorado town last week, alleging cruelty. Couple, who are socially prominent, were wed in 1920. They have two children, aged 16 and 12, and Ihe wile seeks their custody. Miss James was one of the young- sters in The Betrothal,' which Win- Ihrop Ames presented as a sequel to 'The Bluebird.' While she made other occasional stage appearances .she did not permit the theatre to in- terfere with her socialite activities. Her husband had offices in New York, but they are now . closed and he has no. definite production plana for this season. Chappell's most recent effort was 'Father Malachy's Miracle,' whj(ch drew press attention. The play was abandoned after dress rehearsals and the couple quarreled over that move. At her insistance, it was pre^ sented at the St. James, N. Y., where it had a sizable stay, but ended in the red. Nearest to a success was his revival of 'Camille' with Lillian G.ish, attraction first being shown at Central City, Col., prior to Broad- way. Couple is reputedly wealthy. Miss James' father was a western indus- trialist Coast Stage League Plans Cowl Revival Los Angeles, Sept. 26. Patricia C>'Callaghan, recently seen here in Stage League's presentation of 'Outward Bound,' has been named assistant to Russell Lewis, director; by that group. ' Sherman Sander* will be stage manager. Stage League plans a ravival witl^ Jane Cowl as the second < f the win- ter, series.