Variety (August 1917)

10 LEGITIMATE. NEWS FROM THE DAILIES (Bolow is now moitor not cotloctod by Vaubty but rowhtton in condonstd form from tk$ itoms rotating to thootricols of footing in tho Now York daily nowofaforo botwoon tho dotos of Variety's wookty issuos.) William M. Gray Is to manage the Washing- ton Square Players this fall. Seven were fined Monday for having smok- ing motors. Flske O'Hara, in "The Man from Wlcklow," opens next Monday night In Oswego, N. Y. The title of the Edward B. Perkins musical show Is to be "The Red Clock," staged under the direction of Frank Smlthson. " 'Twas One In May," which the Shuberts are producing, is to be the opening attraction of the season at the Casino. Summer opera at the Columbia University ended Tuesday. Members of the Met forces took part. Olive Murray Is now playing the Helen O'Neill role In "The 13th Chair," 48th Street theatre. "The Very Idea" opens at the Astor Aug. 0. Dorothy Mackaye Is the latest addition to the cast selected by Anderson ft Weber. When "A Tailor Made Man." with Grant Mitchell In the title role, opens It will have Helen MacKellar as the leading woman. Ray Wellesley was engaged this week by Comstock A Gest to be the main feminine sup- port to Alice Nielsen in "Kitty Darlin." Decided that James Montgomery's play, "The Aviators," will be known hereafter as "Going Up." Cohan A Harris have It listed for pro- duction. "Mary's Ankle" is to be produced by A. H. Woods at the Bijou theatre on Aug. 0. "Busi- ness Before Pleasure" opens at the Eltlnge Aug. 15. The Oyster Growers' Association of North America in convention in New York this week went on record as saying that the price of oysters In bulk would be advanced 25 to 35 per cent next season. One hundred members of the crew of the U. 8. Battleship "Recruit," the landlocked vessel at Union Square, attended one of the matinee performances, "The Warrior," at the Criterion last week. Prior to opening his tour In "Mister An- tonio," Otis Skinner and family have gone to Estes Park, Colo., to spend the remainder of the summer, with a ranch trip to Montana on the itinerary later. Flske O'Hara will open his season at the Olympic, Chicago, for a two-week run Aug. 12, traveling from there to Minneapolis and St. Paul. His new piece is called "The Man from Wlcklow," written by Anne Nichols. Margaret Owen, prima donna, formerly with the Chicago Grand Opera, has been placed under contract by Max Rablnoff and will be a member of the Boston Opera Company for the coming season. Despite extreme heat the concert for war funds at the Manhattan Monday night drew well, the receipts going to French mothers and disabled American aviators. The big feature was Mme. Bchumann-Helnk. "The Man Who Came Back" passed its 400th performance at the Playhouse last week, hav- ing opened there Sept 2, 1010. Seats are sold for 8 weeks In advance, a special matinee be- ing scheduled for Labor Day. The choirs taking part In Billy Sunday's evangelistic campaign In New York, In charge of the original Homer Rodeheaver, will be the singing feature of a big outdoor affair at Ocean Grove, N. J., Aug. 20. Madison Corey has concluded arrangements for the production of "The Grass Widow," a musical comedy by Alexandre Blsson which had a Paris run under the title or "La Peril Jaune." It will be produced early In Sep- tember. The A. H. WoodH office announces as prin- cipals of the "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath" company that opens In Chicago Aug. 16: John Cumberland. Florence Moore, Lowell Sherman and Sydney Shields. A. J. Lefflngwell. who Is In Chicago in ad- vance of "Upstairs and Down," has been ap- pointed Chicago roprcnrr.tatlvo fcr Oliver Mo- r^mco He sveedp. Wilbur 9»lhprt, *?+)a 1» to •gent a Moroseo show out of New York. It was so blistering hot at the grand opera performance In the Columbia University gym- nasium Tuesday night many of the male pat- rons sat throughout the show with their coats off. "Daybreak," the second play by Jane Cowl and Jane Murfln, will play Asbury Park and Long Branch this week and go from there to Stamford, Conn., for its final out-of-town showing prior to Its opening at the Harris theatre Aug. 13. George Broadurst announced Wednesday he had leased the new house now being built by the Shuberts on 44th street and In addition to calling It the Broadhurst, would open It with a new play with William Faveraham as the star. The house will be ready about Oct. 1. More scandal In the police department. Now the Society for Prevention of Municipal Waste Is out with an allegation that New York police- men are betting on the races. A number of vaudeville acts claim to have known that for a long time. The Charles Frohman Co. haa engaged 81g- nor A. Comelll, who dealgned costumes for the Gaiety and Adelphla, London, to design the wardrobe for the new Julia Sanderson, Joseph Cawthorn production of "Rambler Rose," listed to open In the fall at the Empire. Much stress played up In the Sunday papers over the fact that the American soldiers are singing as they march to and from work In Intensive training. The soldiers are now beg- ging for all kinds of songs to be sent them from the States. "Mary's Ankle," new play by May Tully. scheduled to open at the Bijou Aug. 6. Direc- tion, A. H. Woods. Mae Melville, formerly Melville and Hlgglns and Melville and Rule, and who also did a "single" In vaudeville, Is In the cast. "Poor Butterfly" Is the title of a four-act drama by Lem B. Parker which will be tried out In stock at St. Joseph, Mo., by the Dub- lnsky Bros, stock organisation. If the piece Is found worthy It will be rearranged for pro- duction purposes with an opening scheduled for the middle west. Hippodrome rehearsals are In full sway. The press bureau sent out all kinds of stories. One was that the refrigerating plant over there was making the preliminary work a delight these terrific days. In an evening pa- per a picture of one of the chorus girls was shown eating an Ice cream cone and cooling her Clnderellas on a basin of Ice. Madison Corey has completed arrangements to produce "The Grass Widow," a musical piece by Alexandre Blsson, which enjoyed a long run In Paris. The American adaptation was the work of Rennoid Wolf and Channlng Pollock. Louis A. Hlrsch has completed the musical numbers. The piece Is to open in New York In October. The former Camllle Clifford Is to marry again. She was wed to Capt. Henry Lvndhurst Bruce, eldest son and heir of Lord Aberdeen, in 1006. He was killed In battle In December, 1014. The groom on this occasion, which Is to take place on Aug. 0, Is Capt. John M. J. Evans of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, winner of the Military Cross. The Billy Sunday tabernacle at 168th and Broadway Is being dismantled and removed to the site of the Bronx International Ex- position, which purchased it at the time the reverend William wound up his evangelistic meetings. Foster Whitsett, aged 45, a work- man, fell from the roof of the tabernacle Monday and was severely Injured. Edgar MacGregor Is paying no attention to the heat these days. In addition to getting "Friend Martha" ready for Us New York premiere at the Booth Aug. 7, he has grabbed the producing rights to two new ones, namely "The Adorable Pest" and "My Hero," both by Charlton Andrews. Yes, the latter Is a war play. New announcements from the John Cort office this week have "The Knife," the Eugene Walter play that was at the Bijou last season, playing a six weeks' engagement at the Cort, starting Aug. 13. By opening with "The Knife," the Cort has delayed the opening of "Mother Carey's Chickens," in which Edith Taliaferro will appear. A brand new one, "Who's Looney Now?" with Violet Hemlng, Jessie Ralph, Harriet Sterling, Edgar Atchlnson Ely, John M. Mac- Kr.rlnne. Peter Raymond. Albert Phillips and Herbert S«JH/»g^r, d'rTtlnn of thn Sbuberf". had Its premiere at the Palace, Washington, Monday night. of the Jacob Gordln estate and will shortly appear In one which has not aa yet been staged in English. The adaptation has been made bi George Foster. Plait. Gordln .will bo re- membered as the author, of "Kreutser So- nata," Id which Kallch appeared a few years ago. «, _ .^ The cast supporting Al H. Wilson in his new play, "The Irish 15th," includes Laura Lemmers, Margaret Vollmer, Mare Reels, Ade- laide Goundre, Harry Cowley, William S. Gill, Milton Nobles, Jr., Frank Frayne, Warren W. Krech, William Fields, and Ernest Gargonl as musical director. The show opens at Reading, Pa., Sept. 3, carries four acts and Is written around the present war. United States Attorney Caffey Issued a gen- eral warning last week to restaurant and cabaret proprietors regarding the illegal wear- ing of the United States uniforms by the en- tertainers appearing In their establishments. The order will prohibit the wearing of the uniforms of the Army and Navy by all caba- ret performers. Stage productions are ex- empted from the order. The Coney Island Mardl Gras, scheduled to run Sept. 10-15. Inclusive, Is now being pre- pared by the busineaa men of that community. The program will be shortly announced. A large expenditure Is to bo made on the cur- rent season's festival, tho cost of labor and material having gone to such a height to make an additional expense of large proportions In order to keep the affair up to its established standard. Selwyn A Co. have engaged Architect George Klester, to draw plana and specifications for a new theatre at Nos. 220 and 231 West 42d street, adjoining St. Luke's Lutheran church on the east, there being at present on the pro- posed site, a five-story office building. It's a 170x100.5 foot kite, owned by Mary L. Cas- sldy. The house Is to seat 1,100. Mention of the new Selwyn house was recorded in Variety some weeks ago. There's a "Modern Eve" In Denver and she has yet to receive a stage offer. Agnee Lowe, styled the Rocky Mountain National Park's beautiful "Modern Eve," planned to «pend seven days In the mountains, living In a prim- itive state and hustling for food as did the aborigines of centuries ago. She lasted one night. Perhaps she may as long In vaude- ville If the chance comes. Emphatic denial by Raymond Hitchcock that when the Century reopened Sept. 24 he would be one of the stars. Aug. 27 the Hitchcock show moves from the Cohan A Harris theatre to another Broadway house where he may re- main until Thanksgiving or later. Hltcby plans to go to London early next spring to show, as he terms, what Americans do to an English revue. The Dillingham A Zlegfeld offices announced Hitchcock as being at the Century. The dallies Tuesday brought reports from other cities that they, too. were being cooked. Chicago reported 08 degrees; Boston, 08; New London, Conn., 06; Concordia, Kan., 106 (the hottest on the map) ; Cleveland, 105; Omaha, 104; Albany, 100; Philadelphia, Washington and Baltimore, each 06, and almost as high In many other cities. Only in the northwest, the Northern Lake regions and Maine did the heat show signs of moderating. Natural Inference that the shows, especially the film hou3es, suffered as a result. June 26 last the Actors' Fund and the Metro- politan Museum of Art learned that the Pro- bate Court at Zanesvllle, O., had held that John Hoge, who had died and willed the Fund about $600,000 and the Museum property on Fifth avenue valued at about $1,000,000, was of unsound mind when he made a codicil favoring the institutions herein mentioned, and that the property would go to a nephew, residuary legatee. The Museum started suit Tuesday In the Supreme Court to enforce the millionaire's codicil. The Fund Is also out with an action to recover Its bequest. Bertha Kallch has acquired the producing rights of six Gordln plays from the executives Carolina White, the prima donna, who has been singing in t'ue opera at Ravlnla Park, Chicago, claims the loss of Jewels valued at from $10,000.to $15,000, taken by burglars, who entered her room at Highland Park early Sunday morning. The songbird believes the robbers came from New York, they having followed her when attracted by the Jems. It seems her husband, Paul Longone, the Italian conductor, was awakened by the Intruders, whom he successfully chased. Mmc. White says she slept soundly through the affair and awakened only when the police arrived. She thlnkB It very lucky not to have wakened, since she would have screamed and that, she seems certain, would have ended her operatic career. A reward of $1,000 has been offered for the recovery of the jewels. FROHMAN WILSON RIGHTS. A controversy has arisen over the rights to the piece in which Francis Wilson was to have been starred by Charles Frohman, Inc., the coming sea- son. It seems Mr. Wilson wanted a cer- tain leading lady for his principal suo- nort, which did not meet with Alf Hay- man's approval, whereupon the Froh- man contract was cancelled and both I arties now claim the production rights to the play. SHOWS IN CHICAGO. Chicago, Aug. 1. The weather Saturday was abnorm- ally humid. At five in the afternoon the temperature stood at 95. It was little less than that throughout the evening. Such was the atmospheric setting for the local premiere of Arthur Hammerstein's delightful jnusical piece, "You're in Love," at the Garrick. A corking house attended and while the audience's collective right arm waved fan or program ceaselessly throughout, but one person was seen to leave the house before the final curtain, and he a critic. Without doubt the play was ac- cepted as one of the best Chicago has had for quite a spell. There have been several cast changes over the New York run, but the new faces seem to be for the better. The individual hit fell to Lloyd and Wells, the dancers, Gil Wells' stepping forcing the house to drop fans and recall them several times. Marie Flynn and Josephine Harriman shared feminine honors.. The chorus besides being youthful is an excellent singing bunch, which is im- portant since Freml's musical score was the feature most enjoyed. Sunday the temperature was even more torrid, the glass showing 96 de- grees. Naturally all attractions were badly hit, the worst houses of the sea- son being drawn. So far this week the heat has kept its high gait, as well. Jack Welch's "Oh, So Happy" is now in its third week at Power s, breaking even, which is considered good with the weather and the fact that the show is not yet a finished product. There have been several changes made in the sec- ond act and two new numbers inserted this week. "Dew Drop Inn" closes at the Illinois Saturday. It played to $90 gross Sat- urday. It is not certain whether the company will continue elsewhere. "Pals First" arrives at the Illinois Aug. 11. Tuesday "Turn to the Right" at the grand played its 258th time here (29th week). George Kingsbury made capi- tal of it by inviting all men who were called for first army draft with that number. The "Wonders" show sticks to profitable business at the Palace, but no big houses are looked for before it departs three weeks hence. SHOWS IN SAN FRANCISCO. San Francisco, Aug. 1. "So Long Letty," featuring Charlotte Greenwood, opened at the Cort to a capacity audience on its return here, the initial impression scored last sea- son practically guaranteeing a profit- able engagement for its current run. "The Boomerang" coming in with wonderful advance reports from the east filled the Columbia from pit to dome, the house management finding it necessary to add additional chairs in the orchestra. This is a singular week in legitimate theatricals here, both houses carrying banner drawing attractions. The Alcazar in its final week of stock is drawing right up to the standard, having gone through a rather good season considering condi- tions. SHOWS IN LOS ANGELES. Los Angeles, Aug. 1. Al Jolson is packing them in at the Mason at $2.50 per seat. This is the first time such a scale of prices was charged here for a musical show. The advance sale for the second week is very big. The company will lay off here for three weeks. The chorus girls have been engaged for picture, work during the vacation. Trixic Friganza, a favorite here, is drawing well at the Orpheum an its headljjier Fanfares' and the Hippo- drome are doing fair summer vaudeville business. The Burbank and Omar are breaking about even with combination vaudeville, burlesque and pictures.