Variety (December 1914)

8 :j VARIETY THE ONLY WAY The article appearing in last week's edition of Variety, under the caption of "Na- tional Guard of Actors," did not go unnoticed. Many letters have been received commenting on same. Some of the letters of comment came from actors who re- ferred to the article as "splendid." Several letters received" from managers stated that they approved of the organization of actors as represented by the White Rats, but that there was no truth in the statement made by actors and actresses that the cutting of salaries at this time was unwarranted. It was both natural ami expected that the actor and actress should feel pleased with the article as it dealt with the subject that is most vital as affecting his and her business; namely, the question of salaries. The many abuses that may exist in the theatrical profession, perhaps the actor and actress have been a party to, but cutting of salaries—no. You are hitting below the belt when you touch one's pocketbook and it is not human to agree to the cut without a loud, long protest. A prominent artist arguing the other day, said: There is no one in or about the theater, with the lone exception of the artist, who has had their salary reduced. Even the price of moving pictures paid to the film exchange is the same. He further went on to say that for years the theaters have been coining money. Managers have become wealthy and suddenly along comes what the manager claims is hard times and he immediately wants to cut salaries, demanding that you share in his losses but never suggesting that you share in his profits when he is making a profit. Within the crowd where this discussion was taking place, was a booking manager who took exception to what the actor said. His contention was to the effect that the actor has raised his salary to such a figure that it was impossible for the manager to live, hard times or no hard times. He said that salaries must be adjusted or man- agers would go bankrupt. The actor in reply asked the question, if that is true, why was a certain act paid $900 in excess of what they had been receiving the very week the managers had written letters to all agents that their acts would have to cut their salaries. No, said the actor, artists are not overpaid. All this talk of fabulous salaries being paid to the actor and actress is "rot." There may be a few over-night novelty or freak acts in vaudeville that for a few weeks receive large salaries, but the standard, bona fide act in vaudeville, legitimate or circus, is worth every dollar he or she receives. To the group assembled, a member of the White Rats who was one of them, asked, "Do all of you boys belong to the White Rats?" Among the group were some who admitted that they did not belong but could give no good reason why they were not members. "Well," said the White Rat, "I have listened attentively to the discussion, pro and con, and my opinion as to the solution of the problem is for every man and woman appearing on the stage as an actor or actress, to join the White Rats. When all are in, a committee can be formed of prominent players in all branches of the pro- fession, players who are unbiased and who will recognize the managers' as well as the players' rights and who will place before the manager the cause of the artist in a dignified manner." "Why," said the White Rat, "do you know that the White Rats have as friends who are willing to lend their aid to the White Rats in bringing about a settlement of differences between the artist and manager, such men as Hon. Frank Walsh, personal appointee of President Wilson, who is Chairman of the Industrial Commission, Hon. Seth Low, President of the Civic Federation, and Hon. Samuel Gompers, President oi the American Federation of Labor? These men," said the White Rat, "are big public spirited men who want harmony, who want to help right a wrong and they are willing to help us. "In conclusion, let me say," said the White Rat member, "do not stand around knocking the manager, knocking the agent and knocking the Rats. Get in. Join the White Rats. Make known your grievance with the managers and if you are against having your salary cut, which undoubtedly you are, why through the Organization we can take up with the managers this great vital matter. "The managers are human. They will meet us. They respect our Organization as we respect theirs. If our Organization becomes a tower of strength through a great membership and our demands are fair, there will be no need of any drastic action; so you who do not belong to the White Rats—join. As an individual (of course there is an exception to the rule) you can do nothing. Through Organization much good can be accomplished." WITH THE WOMEN By Thm Skirt WHITE RATS' THANKS. On behalf'of the White Rats and their friends who attended the Scam- per held at the Club House, Wednes- day evening, Nov. 25, we wish to thank the following artists who helped to make the evening very pleasant: Miss Irene Franklin, Mr. Burton Green, Mr. Harry Houdini, Mr. Willie Weston, Mr. Bert LaMont's Cowboy Minstrels, Rathskeller Trio (Messrs. Mitchell, Garron and Leo), Mysteri- ous Capt. Spaulding, Martin and O'Hare. Very little sense to the serial picture "Zudora," and the audience at the American thought so too, for it was roundly hissed Wednesday afternoon. Evelyn Cunningham appeared early on the bill showing a pretty cloak and white dress. The dress was trimmed in black velvet and fur. Miss Cun- ningham sang four songs. Flester and Edwin are man and woman with the man in sack suit and the woman in evening clothes. It is not a good com- bination. Miss Edwin wore a white and black dress, changing to a black one for the last song. In a sketch called "The Tangle," the woman wears a boudoir costume, consisting of a white pink silk petticoat, jacket, and cap trimmed with white lace. The woman of Barton and Lovera appears in a purple velvet cloak, changing to a Spanish dress of red, draped with a yellow shawl. She does an Isadora Duncan snake dance in a white dress, trimmed in yellow fringe. "On the Riviera" has four girls dressed con- ventionally in evening gowns of no particular date. Grace Field, the charming young president of the Dance Club holding nightly meetings in the main restau- rant of the Hotel Claridge, is one of the most devoted worshippers of "Dame Fashion." Her wardrobe seems to be inexhaustible. One evening she appears in a simple little white gown, sleeveless and very low-cut, the next is a black one, a gorgeous creation, lightly girdled near the arm-pits with tassled cord, falling in straight cling- ing folds, then again in a smart gown of her own design, quite individual, of turquise blue muslin de soie that clings to her splendid figure as she danced an old "polka" to the huge delight of the members of the club. The "Ginger Girls" show at the Co- lumbia this week goes in for eccentric dressing. The chorus didn't wear one conventional dress. The nearest was the opening number, when the larger girls wore black dresses dotted in sil- ver sequins. They might have been discarded also for they were cheap looking. In fact the entire production doesn't represent much money in clothes. The girls looked particularly well in the "Tipperary" number, all in Scotch kilts. Jane Le Beau is featured over Augusta Lang, but only on the program, for Augusta has it over Jane in looks and voice. Miss Lang, a good looking brunette, dresses very well. Her first gown was perfect in detail. The foundation was pink satin covered in gold lace. A cape effect was done in brown net. A black lace dre^s was equally good looking. For "Carolina" Miss Lang wore pale blue. Miss Le Beau might be forgiven if she would select songs suitable to her voice. Her first dress was her prettiest. Tt was black and white striped satin, outlined in brilliants, made trouser fashion The waist was rose color, the cape of the stripes also lined with rose. A ha* of white wings was becoming. An Ind'an number was done very well by Miss Le Beau. Leah La Ray, a soubret, makes several changes all on the same lines. Not very pretty were Miss La Ray's clothes, but they went with the rest of the show. Lois Josephine received over the footlights Monday matinee a doll dressed in duplication of herself. It was a pretty idea. At Hammerstein's this (her second) week Miss Josephine is wearing a new wardrobe. A dress of white lace ruffles with sapphire blue sash was the first. A lace hat with blue velvet crown added to this pretty frock. The second change was also of lace, but had underbandings of green. An old fashioned crinoline was of three flounces of net with taffeta bodice. All Miss Josephine's dresses are daintily made and trimmed with tiny chiffon roses. Adele Ritchie is getting her money's worth out of the green vel- vet dress and cloak. Several weeks ago this outfit was worn by Miss Ritchie at the Colonial. It must have seen ser- vice over the circuit. Mine. Sumiko wears several handsome kimonos, as do also her little dancing geishas. Flo Irwin in a corking good sketch is dressed becomingly in navy blue chif- fon over white. Her hair was care- fully coifed. With Miss Irwin is Janet Findlay, dressed exactly as Anna Arline (Adler and Arline) was last week at this same house. The girl of the Conlin Steele Trio was stunning in a riding habit made on boyish lines. It was a pale buff in color. It is surpris- ing how little these costumes are em- ployed on the stage, and yet they are becoming to almost any one. A change is made by the young woman to a pink chiffon dancing frock having a bodice of brilliants. A cloak with diamond straps is also worn. Rita Gould (at the American last week) was dressed in style a little ex- treme for this house. The women in front couldn't quite make out what Miss Gould was really wearing. Louis Pin- cus solved the problem for them. He called it a night gown trimmed in fur. It was a straight dress from neck to hem, trimmed around the skirt and neck with white fox. An ermine coat and cap went with it. The woman of Powell and Howell, on the same bill, was prettily dressed in black and white. The St. Nicholas Ice Rink is open. Many professionals attend, among them Dazie, the famous little dancer, who is going in for skating this win- ter. She has found it a wonderful exercise to keep her muscles in con- dition. Dazie has a beautiful skating suit. It is a French model coat sweater, sash and toque. She antici- pated the indoor ice season by secur- ing the costume while in Europe last summer. If more of the women of the stage adopted skating for a pas- time they would find it doing them a world of physical good. It wouldn't be long before they could walk the street against a light breeze without demanding a fur coat, real or imitation.