Variety (December 1914)

10 VARIETY MARINELLPS LONDON LICENSE AS BOOKING AGENCY REFUSED "Alien Enemy" Feeling Raised Against German Agent. Solicitors Have Hope of Winning on Appeal. Opposition to Marinelli Reported Emanating from Business Competitors. (aptcial Cable to Varibtt.) London, Dec. 9. The application of H. B. Marinelli, Ltd., for a renewal of its agency li- cense in this city was refused last Fri- day when the matter came up before the Licensing Board. The decision will be appealed from by the agency. The opposition to granting the Marinelli agency a renewal arose from the birthplace of the title holder of the corporation, H. B. Marinelli, now in New York. He is a German, al- ihough he left his native land when a youngster and has lived in France since then. It was brought out at the hearing that Marinelli applied last spring for naturalization papers in Paris, that he married a Frenchwoman and owned a home in that country, that he is not an officer of the corporation bearing his name, and that all stockholders in it, with one exception, are Englishmen. The exception is an American. Reports reached New York some time ago of a movement in London by some agents (Marinelli's competitors) there to interpose an objection to the Marinelli renewal. The "alien enemy" reason was not accepted over here, an impression getting around the motives were more selfish than patriotic. The Marinelli agency has been ad- vised by its solicitors that the license will probably be granted on the ap- peal, and the agency meanwhile, has notified its acts* not to be weaned away by other agents. PLAY PIRATING GOING ON. More complaints against the play pi- rates are coming in. Ed. W. Rowland, of the Rowland & Clifford attractions, has collected evidence in an effort to show that the Florence Johnston Co. is "pirating" the R-C show, "The Ros- ary," using the same title and billing without any effort to cover. The mat- ter will be taken up by the United Managers Protective Association. A company in the west is alleged to be playing "Bought and Paid For" un- der the title "The Price She Paid." If there is one play that is "pirated'' more than any other it is this William A. Brady-George H. Broadhurst piece. AWAIT JOHNSON DECISION. Washington, D. C, Dec. 9. Final argument in the Johnson- Hitchcock case was made in Equity Court No. 1 Monday, and decision re- served. Augustus Thomas, who had been recalled from New York, and Professor Wilbur, of George Washing- ton University, offered an analysis of the two plays, the former contending that they were entirely dissimilar, while the latter endeavored to show that there was some similarity between "The Beauty Shop" and Johnson's play, "Doctor Fakewell." In the afternoon R. H. Yeatman, counsel for the plaintiff, declared the whole case resolved itself into two phases: (First) the opportunity of Mr. Pollock to read and become familiar with the ideas contained in Johnson's manuscript while entered in the DeKoven Prize contest, and (sec- ond) through the medium of Mr. Hitchcock. UJ Renee Graatz Sails Home. Renee Graatz, who opened with the new Dillingham show, sailed back to the other side last Saturday. Gene Greene Got Hoarse. Chicago, Dec. 10. Gene Greene was forced to leave the stage of McVicker's last night after playing three shows through a hoarse voice. BARTON'S STAR, SCRANTON. Scranton, Pa., Dec. 9. J. D. Barton reopened the Star (former Progressive Wheel House) Monday with "The Froliques of 1914" having capacity at both performances. As has been customary since "Billy" Sunday visited here, the ministers were in evidence, but have not "talked for publication" as yet. Harry Storms, well known locally, is managing the Star. TOM RYLEY'S STAR. Thomas W. Ryley is to make a pro- duction this spring in which he is to star Isabel Lane. Miss Lane is at present with Mr. Ryley's "Trail of the Lonesome Pine" production. The new piece is entitled "The Lady From Abroad." MOSES IN PLAY FORM. Pittsburgh, Dec. 9. Charles Phillips, press agent, poet and now bridegroom, while visiting Pittsburgh with his wife, Ethel von Waldron, of the Fiske O'Hara com- pany, said he had written a three-act lyric drama entitled "Moses," in which ircidents of the law-giver of Israel are set forth in verse of great beauty and exalted dramatic spirit. Kellermann's "Girl Act." The set in use at the Palace this week for Annette Kellermann's diving act will be employed by T. R. Sullivan, her manager, and Rose & Curtis. Miss Kel- lermann's agents, to equip another turn having eight young women, who will sing and dance, besides diving. The act will be billed as "Annette Keller- mann's Girls" and be ready in about a month. JOE WEBEB'S COMEDY DIANA. Washington, D. C, Dec. 9. "The Fallen Idol," Joe Weber's new four-act play by Guy Bolton, had its premiere at the Belasco Monday, with a large audience in attendance. The piece is a combination of comedy and tragedy with a blend of the sex prob- lem that works up some interesting climaxes. Author Bolton was called to the footlights, but excused himself with a word of thanks. The play was staged by Fred G. Latham. Victor Valdecini, Italian musician, when nearing the pinnacle of success is overtaken by disease as the result ot marked dissipation. Gradual paraly- sis forces him to give up his music and the bitter realization strikes him that his wife, Christine, is bound to him by marital ties. He also sees that she is enamored of by a young sculptor. Suicide relieves him from further pain and worry. Bruce McRae was a splendid, vig- orous type of sculptor. He injected action and spirit into his scenes and carried his audience with him. John Miltern was the young musician, a character he admirably played and sustained with excellent thespian emo- tion. Alice Lindahl came up to ex- pectations in the role of the wife. Her emotional moments were well played. Virginia Pearson was exceptionally good as Cara Marx. Minor roles de- serving mention were held by Charles B. Wells and Robert Schable. A com- edy part capably and superbly han- dled was that by Marie Chambers. OH, YOU UNION HILL! Lew Dockstader is delivering a high- grade, blackface monolog in the char- acter of Roosevelt, in vaudeville. When Mr. Dockstader played Union Hill recently, one of the women in the Hudson theatre audience remarked she "never knew Roosevelt was so dark." Black Patti Co. Held Up. New Orleans, Dec. 9. The Black Patti troupe got as far as Baton Rouge, La., when it was held up by the Frisco Road for money due on transportation. The report reached here today the company has been un- able to proceed further on the journey. "SUZI" LEAVES SHORTLY. Lew Fields' musical comedy produc- tion "Suzi" will go on tour in about two weeks, making way perhaps for the Weedon Grossmith production en- titled "To-Night's the Night" which is due Xmas or New Year's week, al- though this English piece and people may go into the 44th Street. Charles Mason has been rehearsing for the Lew Hearn role in "Suzi" at the Shubert. He may go into the show Monday. Mr. Hcarn leaves it Saturday. The management has also been consid- ering John Slavin for the vacancy. TOM WISE BUYS PLAY. San Francisco, Dec. 11. Charles and Albert Kenyon's comedy drama, "Battling Bill," which was re- cently produced at Jie Alcazar for the first time on any stage, has been pur- chased by Thomas Wise. BEAT UP THE MANAGER Denver, Dec. 9. The stage manager of "My Best Girl" company, which passed through a period of difficulty here week be- fore last, beat up J. C. Ragland here Sunday a week ago, discoloring the manager's eye and changing the gen- eral contour of his face with the aid of a cane after the manager had pulled a knife. There was still $52 coming to the stage manager. There are yet three or four members of the company in town, but they have managed to go to work in various capacities here. The cause of the attachment made here by Victor Morley last week was the refusal of the company to continue playing while the management of the company had the handling of the funds as they came in at the box office. Manager Peter McCort of the Tabor Grand, where the attraction was play- ing, asked the star of the organization to take out the attachment to prevent the company from closing and dark- ening the house for the balance of the week. Manager McCort has made a state- ment to the effect that the star's at- tachment of the receipts on his claim of $1,754 due as back salary was active for but six hours Friday and was re- leased immediately after an under- standing had been reached that Mr. McCort was to handle the funds as they came in, and after musicians, stage crew and other sundry expenses were paid the remainder was to be di- vided pro rata among the members of the company. Mr. Morley's share in the final settlement was $90. This the comedian waived in favor of the more tieedy members of the organization. "ROBIN HOOD" AGAIN. Reginald de Koven's operatic mas- terpiece "Robin Hood" is to go on tour again. Adolph Mayer is organiz- ing the company, which is to use the production of the company in which Hegeman and Truss were interested last season. Those interested are ne- gotiating for the right to use the title of The de Koven Opera Company and they have secured a number of the principals who were with the organiza- tion last year. The opening date is Dec. 25. SOTHERNS RECOVERED. E. H. Sothern and wife, Julia Mar- lowe, who have been recuperating at their home up in Connecticut are both greatly improved in health and expect to return to New York for the winter within the next fortnight. DAZIE OUT OF "LUXURY." Mile. Dazie has retired from the cast of "Lady Luxury" and the manage- ment have taken Emelie Lea for the role. CAN USE MISS CLARK. An effort was under way Monday to engage Marguerite Clark for the Ruth Chatteron role with the Henry Miller Company of "Daddy Longlegs." Miss Clark is under engagement in the Famous Players, for pictures.