Variety (May 1918)

12 LEGITIMATE. EMPIRE CUTS DOWN OLD LfST FIRST NIGHTERS FOR WAR TAX Alf Hayman Reported Ordering Opening Performance Guests Reduced One-half. Many Old Empire Stand-bys Passed Up. Empire's System Obliges War Tax on Free List to Be Prepaid by House. The opening night list at the Em- pire has been cut to one-half its for- mer si/c. it is said. Old stand-bys of the theatre who have received their opening performance scats for years among those excised. Alf Hayman is reported to have given as the reason that he did not want to pay war tax besides giving away seats. The first ;:ight coupons have always been mailed with tax prepaid. HARRIS-WALTER-HART. A new theatrical producing concern, consisting of Mrs. Henry 13. Harris, Eugene Walter and Max Hart, has been organized and will commence producing in the fall on a scale as large as that undertaken by the late Henry B. Harris in his heydey. Under the plan laid out, Walter will have complete charge of productions and while he will assist authors whose plays are accepted, in shaping them for production, his name will not ap- pear as collaborator, no matter how much of that kind of work he puts in on scripts. "Nancy Lee." the present Harris- Walter play at the Hudson goes on tour next season, having been booked up for a solid year. The show is about breaking even here, but building up a solid reputation for its provincial tour. A special corporation was formed by Walter and Hart for this production. Lewis Stone, leading man, leaves the cast at the conclusion of the New York run and returns to pictures. CLARENCE WEIS IN CHARGE. Though the death of Albert Weis removes the senior member of the fam- ily firm conducting the theatrical act- ivities uf the American Theatrical Booking Exchange, the offices will continue to do business as heretofore with the deceased broker's son, Clar- ence, handling the books. In recent years the more active work of the Weis Circuit was handled by Clarence Weis, so liis taking full charge will not en- tail much harder work than he has been looking after with his southern con- nections. The funeral of the senior Weis was held last Sunday, with all the members of the family present, one son, Sidney coming from San Antonio and another Fred, coining from Dallas. DISCHARGED, THEN TAKEN BACK. Last week J. J. Shubert, becoming displeased with Milton Isaacs, a cousin who has been working in the Bijou box office, discharged him; four other relations who were on duty in various Shubert houses were also dis- missed. The next day, however, Lee Shubert hired them all back but Mil- ton, who will be sent to Boston, where everything shuts down at eleven o'clock. Others who J. J. descended on were Herman and Norman Light and Sidney Brody, who has been detailed to the 39th Street theatre. That makes five relatives of the Shu- bert s among the attaches at the 39th Street. In addition to the manager, the treasurer, ticket taker and two back-doormrn arc in the family. TRYING LAIT'STLAY IN CHICAGO. Chicago, May 8. Mitchell Limbi. vaudeville manager and owner of the Wilson Avenue thea- tre, who is experimenting with high- grade dramatic stock, has taken a flyer into producing for the two-dollar field. He will give "The Bohemian," a new drama by Jack Lait, its first showing on any stage at the Wilson June 1(>. Should the piece be a pro- nounced success, he will book it un- der the title of "The Scalawag" at regular houses. The Wilson is in the same ward where Lait was raised and where he has lived for the best part of his life. Olive Templcton will play the lead in the try-out. and Licalzi, who thinks that he has in her a Broadway "dis- covery," plans the Lait play as a ve- hicle for her in expanded fields under his management. PRODUCING "OVER THERE." Chicago, May 8. "Over There," a war play produced by Gazzolo-Gatts-ClifFord, will see its premier Saturday at the Princess. The play was written by Howard McKcnt Barnes. Julia Dean will have the leading role. The play tells the story of a self- expatriated American family whose home is in France, in the path of the German invasion. In support of Miss Dean are Marie Wainwright, Rodney Ranous, Harry Stubbs, Marjorie Davis, Henry Gsell, Arthur De Lord, Gordon Morris, Arda La Croix and Ray Simmons. A. E. A. CHICAGO MEETING. Howard Kyle, corresponding secre- tary of the A,ctors Equity Association, leaves for Chicago this week to con- fer with western managers and attend the A. E. A. meeting, May 17, just a week before the general meeting takes place in New York. There are several changes in the form of contract which will be adopted for the Chicago managers, whose attrac- tions play mid-western time, where different conditions arc met than in the cast. "BIRD OF PARADISE" CLEANS UP. Two companies of "The Bird of Paradise" have cleaned up a profit of $110,000 between them this season. The first "Bird," which stopped two weeks ago, netted $68,000, it having been out A2 weeks. The second company closes next week and up to Saturday night last was ahead $42,000 at the end of the thir- tieth week. The play has been oi. tour for five seasons. Two companies will be sent out again next season, starting in August. SHUBERTS AND ATLANTIC CITY. Atlantic City, May 8. A. H. Wood's musical comedy, "See You Later," was booked last week at Keith's Garden Pier theatre, and it was stated by the management of the house that for the next six weeks the Shubert shows will remain there, in fact, until the regular Keith's season opens, then they will move to the New Nixon. This finally settles the rumor of the past few weeks, that the Shubert and Stanley interests have combined to utilize the above two theatres, drop- ping the Apollo altogether where here- tofore all the Shubert productions ap- peared. SHANNON SUES NORWORTH. Sam Shannon, who was interested with Jack Norworth in "Odds and Ends," start- ed a legal action for recovery against Nor- worth, the latter being served at the Stand- ard last Saturday. Trouble arose through the alleged failure of Norworth to turn over to Shannon the lyrics, book and rights for "Nic-Nacs of Now," a new revue which Norworth had written. It appears that when the partners split, Shannon turned over to Norworth his stock in "Odds and Ends" under an agree- ment that he receive the "Nic-Nacs" show and that Norworth assume all debts of the former attraction. Shannon now claims the "Nic-Nacs" rights are being withheld from him and sues to cancel agreements with Norworth and obtain back the stock in ''Odds and Ends." SELWYNS OBTAIN LOAN. Owing to the present generally un- settled financial conditions the Sel- wyns experienced some difficulty in se- curing a suitable building loan on their theatre construction operations on West 42nd street. This has now been adjusted by the Fleisehmann Construction Co., which has the erection contract, taking over the building loan. OPENS IN WILMINGTON. The new version of "The Melting of Molly." under the management of Frederick McKay and the Shuberts, opens in Wilmington next Monday night. The piece opened in that city just about a year ago with Vivian Wessels in the leading role and she subse- quently married a multi-millionaire and retired from the stage. Florence Nash now has the name part. AUSTRALIANS HERE. Messrs. Tallis and Smith, represent- ing J. C. WilliamsQn, Ltd., of Australia, arc here to look over a number of le- gitimate and musical plays with a view to securing them for the Antipodes. Tallis is understood to be at the head of the corporation since the demise of Williamson. Among other plays they are especial- Iv anxious to secure for Australia is "Polly With a Past," for Muriel Starr, who, according to all reports, has scored a personal triumph there. The two men will return via Japan. YEAR'S STEADY PLAYING. Columbus, May 8. "The Passing Show of 1917" closed Saturday, production and company re- turning to New York. The attraction played a year and one week without interruption, the road season having run 27 weeks. It was at the Winter Garden for 26 weeks. Broadhurst's Farce Opens May 20. The next new production by George W. Broadhurst will be called "What Could the Poor Girl Do." It is the same farce by Mark Swan first an- nounced as "His Wife Believed Him." The play opens in Wilmington May 20 for a try-out and by the time it reaches Broadway in the fall, another new title may come with it. Al Lee With Chamberlain Brown. Al Lee, the former professional, is now business manager for the Cham- berlain Brown agency, having suc- ceeded Elliott Foreman this week. Mr. Lee severed relations with Hitchcock & Goctz about the same time Ray Goctz withdrew. "David's Adventure" Going On. "David's Adventure," a drama by A. E. Thomas, will shortly' be placed in production by Cohan & Harris. The piece is said to be along the lines of "Pollyana." The cast calls for two crippled children characters. FREE ENTERTAINMENTS. A daily program of amusements has been prepared by the War Camp Com- munity Service, Unit No. 5, for the men of the services who are visiting New York. There is no charge for these entertainments. "Your uniform is your pass." Last night (May 9) Eli Benedict gave an illustrated talk, the subject being "Building the Victory Ships." There was also a "May Party" dance at the United Club. Tonight "Stuy- vesant Kiddies" will give a novel entertainment at the Y. M. C. A., 23d street branch. Tomorrow the regular Saturday night "Khaki and Blue" dance will be held in the 71st Infantry Armory, Park avenue and 34th street. Partners are provided for the men by the Social Department, or they can bring them with them. The Sunday program includes sight- seeing bus rides around New York in the morning, a vaudeville show at the Astor in the afternoon and a further entertainment at night at the Playhouse. The headquarters of No. * Unit is 49-55 West 27th street, New York. "DRY TOWN" FOR CHICAGO. "A Dry Town," the second produc- tion by William P. Orr and Jack Welch, will open in Detroit May 27, going into Chicago from there, probably at the Cort. The show, described as against pro- hibition but for temperance, is said to be a comedy of merit. It was written by Louis Ely and tried out in stock in St. Lbuis last season. "LOYALTY" THIS SUMMER. The Elliott, Comstock & Gest pro- duction of "Loyalty," with 67 princi- pals, is to open May 20 at Baltimore. After a couple of weeks on the road, with the second period likely at Provi- dence, the production is due to come onto Broadway for a summer run. The theme and the, title are thought most timely and strong enough to carry the piece over the hot term. VERA LAMAR SHOT BY OFFICER. Los Angeles, May 8. Lamira V. Kendig, stage name Vera Lamar, an actress, was shot and killed by G. L. Stowe, a policeman, who af- terward killed himself. Jealousy is stated to be the cause. WEBER MARRIED? It is reported L. Lawrence Weber is married to Edith Hallor. The cere- mony is said to have been performed over four months ago and since then covered with much secrecy. Miss Hallor was in "Leave It to Jane," but left that show in Chicago about a month ago. "MARY'S ANKLE" TOUR. "Mary's Ankle," direction Sam H. Blair, which went to the Coast with Harry Leavitt and Sam Cunningham as agent and manager respectively, has booked up time that will keep the com- pany out there all summer. SHEEHANS DIVORCED. With the return of Kay Laurell to this season's "Follies," it became known that some weeks ago Miss Laurell obtained a divorce from her husband, Winnie Shechan. Field's Minstrels Closing Season. Zanesville, O., May 8. The Al Field's Minstrel Show is scheduled to close this week after ap- pearing at the Camp Sherman theatre in Chillicothe, O. Morley Leaving Production. Before the Shuberts' production of "It Pays to Flirt" reaches Broadway Victor Morley, the creator of the ju- venile role in the piece, will have left it.