Variety (September 1919)

' ' V 1 * , S ^ u ■g i fc'- VARIETY NEWS OF THE DAILIES A. H. Woods has bought the stage righto to a play entitled "Torpedoed," The Selwyn, now complete, will open Oct. 2 with Jane Cowl In "Information, Please." San Carlo Orond Opera Co. has extended Its engagement at the Shubert for another week. Ruth Lee has succeeded Bleanor Fox In '‘Maytlme," at the Broadburet Theatre. David Belasco has a new play for Frances Starr, a comedy by Edward Knoblock, The piece will be pla\:ed In rehearsal shortly. Cyril Maude mode hts flrbt appearance In "The Saving Qrace" at Buffalo, Sept. 16. The play will be seen at the Empire, Sept. 30. After a tour of almost two years, "The Wanderer” will be brought back to the Man- hattan for one month, beginning Sept. SO. When "Turn to the Right” comes to the Standard next week Mike Donlln will be Slippery Mugga. "They Coma Back,” by Britton Austin, will be presented by Walter Hast at a local Shu- hert theatre next month. James F. Reilly, for many years a member of the Charles Ffohman business staff, has been elected secretary of the Charles Frohman Co.. Inc. ■ ' In the theatrical unit of the Police Reserve, William Fox has been commissioned a ma]or, John Zanft a captain and Harry C. Sommers a lieutenant. Edwin Carty Ranch, formerly dramatic edi- tor Brooklyn Eagle, has been appointed press repfesentatlve of the Greenwich Village The- atre. After Oct. 1 the Government virtually abol- ishes the code cable. All messages sent by cable must be In plain language. Nov. 1 the same order affects incoming cables. “The Love Cure,” a musical comedy, is being prepared for early opening by Jack B. Loeb, who, with Al. Sbean, wrote the hook; lyrics by Edith Jane and music by Leo Edwards. Cleofonte Campanlnl, general director of the Chicago Opera Association, has engaged for the coming season Giorgio Polacco, who was the leading Italian conductor at the Metro- politan a couple of years ago. “Betty at Bay,” a play by Mrs. Jessie Por- ter. will be brought from London by the Shu- berts and presented here next month. J. H. Bamee, who produced the play, will direct It hero and have a leading part. Smith & Golden will shortly produce a new play by Frank Bacon, co-author with Wln- Chell Smith of "Llghtnln'," entitled "Five o’clock.” It Is a dramatization of a story bjr Freeman Tllden. Anthony Paul Kelly will assist in making photographic records for the Bureau of Navi- gation of what our navy has accomplished since the declaration of war. He Joined the navy last June. be universal membership, which will include the renewal of the present membership and se- curing as new members all the available adult population of the United States, excepting men In service. CRITICISM. Wiliam A. Brady Is to present a melodrama entltl^ "Enemies Within,” by Kilbourn Gor- don and E, H, Culbertson. ford Harris, music by Harold Fraser-Slmpson, James W. Tate, Ollz Rice. At the Casino, An extended run In New York In one of the Shubert houses, starting early In November, is Included In the plans of Robert B. Mantell for the present season. William A. Brady has acquired for early pro- duction a romantic comedy, entitled “Peters Mother.” the work of Mrs. Henri de la Paz- teur (Lady ClllTord). The piece has been produced In London. The annual ball of the Screen Club at the Hotel Aster will be held In November, under the auspices of the Stage Women’s War Relief, with the co-operation of the picture Industry and the stage. The Hippodrome has been placed at the disposal of the Trustees for the Fund for the Welfare of the 185th Infantry, formerly the 60th, N. G.. N. Y., for a special performance. Sept. 22, for the benefit of the men now In France. Captain James R. Morrison, who played In "The 13th Chair,” has returned from the Plave front with decorations bestowed by the King of Italy. Sept. 16 he spoke In the Stage Wo- men’s War Relief Workroom, 366 Fifth ave- nue, New York. Shuberts Drop Name from Title,. .. Syracuse, N. Y., Sept. 18. Following the announced intent of the owners of the Weiting to take legal steps to force the Shuberts to discontinue the employment of the name of the theatre as Shubert-Weit- ing, the Shubert name has been dropped. A professional hlsser has been added to the cast of "Three Paces East.v He Is stationed In the wings, near enough to be beard on' the stage. When an actor has to say "Gott Strafe England or “Der Tag,” he hisses loudly and the audience soon picks It up. Oct. 1 the Government will abolish the custom of serving a la carte meals on dining cars, and the table d’hote plan will be substi- tuted. The charge tor luncheon and dinner will be $1. The plan oontemplates a standard- ization of the meals. The second Christmas membership campaign of the American Red Cross will bo held the latter part of December. The objective will STOCKS OPENING. San Francisco, Sept. 18._ The Sandusky Dramatic Stock will open an inde$nite engagement at Butte, Mont., about Sept. 22. MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS. A musical play In three acts, book by Fred- erick Lonsdale, lyrics by Harry Graham, Cllf- Sept. 11. The music was very pretty, and with a few needed touches in the singing and acting time of It the piece should gain immeasurably.— Herald, The humor of the piece, too, was of a sound old vintage, as was thef muslolanly score. It was a characteristic Elllott-Com- Btock-Oest production, which Is to say, that It was distinguished for the generous use of money. Inspired by good taste.— Times, CROPS AND CROPPERS. A comedy in three acts, by Theresa Helburn, at the Belmont, Sept. 12. There is material for admirable satire, and for an Inspiring object lesson. In the main situation of "Crops and Croppers."—Times. Miss Helbum’s comedy, though It has not much Buhstanoe, Is smartly written, with clever thrusts which border on satire at the young women who are struggling to Increase the Nation’s store of provisions. ANOTHER MAN'S SHOES. A comedy In three acts by Laura Hlnkley and Mabel Ferris, based on a story by Mias Hinkiey, at the .Iflth Street. Sept. 12. It must be seen to be understood, and those who like fascinating mystery complications will not fail to appreciate the simple explanation which the play divulges.— Herald. The best part of the play Is Its mystery.— Times, Lowell, Mass., Sept. 18. Henry Jewett, manager of the Col- ley, has announced the members of his company. He proposes to open the season next week. They are Essex Darre, Mercedes Dismore, Fred W. Permain, Montague Weston, Leonard Craske, H. Conway Wingfield, E, E. Clive, Nicholas Jo6y, B. N, Lewin, Gather Lexow, Viola'Roach, Jessamine Newcomb, William Podmore, Estelle Thebaud. AN IDEAL HUSBAND. A comedy In four acts, by Oscar Wilde, at the Comedy. Sept. 16. No one who cares for Intelligent wit and genlune gayety can afford to miss "An Ideal Husband.”— Times, "An Ideal Husband" la nicely staged and superbly costumed.—World. HUMPTTY DUMPTY. A comedy In four acts, by Horace Annesley Vachell, at the Lyceum, Sept. 16. The enmedy will go only as far as Mr. Skin- ner’s following will take It.— Herald. The play Is pleasurable, If only for-Us star’s finished and graceful performance.— 'World. THE GIRL BEHIND THE GUN, A musical comedy In three acts. Book and lyrics by Guy Bolton and x*. 0. Wodehonse, music by Ivan Caryll. At the New Amster- dam. Sent. 16. "The Girl Behind the Gun” made a perfect score.— Jerald. Military musical comedy up to the minute, with sltnaMons suggested from the other side, properly deplrved of all of war’s grim reali- ties, and dressed up In frivolity for Broadway, describes "The Girl Behind the Gun.”— Times. SOME NIGHT. A musical comedy In three acts, hook, music and Ivrlcs by Harry Delf. At the Harris, Sent. 16. The most Interesting things about "Some Nleht” were the elrls of the ensemble and the author. Harry Delf.— Times. Able Seaman Delf’s war duties may take him far from Broadway, but "Some Night” will undoubtedly remain In the Harris as ^Bsant reminder of him for some weeks to come.— Herald. THE UNKNOWN PURPLE. A melodrama in a prologue and three acts by Roland West and Carlyle Moore, at the Lyric, Sept. 14. The stage settings, necessary to the tricks of this queer play, are some of the best fea- tures of It.— Herald. Scenicallv the play falls Into the long cate- gory of pieces that owe their dramaturgy to "On Trial," and ultimately to the movies.—^ Times. SHOW REVIEWS. (Continued from page 18.) FIFTH AVENUE. Eleanor Gates’ Play to Be Rewritten. “Phoebe Pretends,” the new comedy by Eleanor Gates, has returned from its try-out tour, and it is said that it will be the first of the year before it will resume playing owing to the ne- cessity of rewriting before it can come into New York. “Melting of Molly” Once Again. The Shuberts have once more placed in rehearsal “The Melting of Molly," and the piece is scheduled for im- minent presentation out of town. the others, although the first number; “We Don’t Want the Bacon”'(Shapiro, Bemstela & Co.), was nicely filmed. The others were, “It He Can Fight Like He Can Love" (Feist), sung by Artie Mobllnger, and “When the Yanks Come Marching Home” (A. J. Stasny & Co,), sung by Harry Bernhardt. The Stasny num- ber got the worst of it, even though the fintsh- ' ing number. Several of Its moving: scenes were the same as In the Foist number, and the “Inserts” in both, of the several parades ini New York, also the U. S. cruisers, had evidently been seen often before and were quickly recognized. . The Contest held the bouse, and the applause sounded genuine for each song without a suspicion of a "clacque.” It did look as though the Waterson singer had ' a" “plant" upstairs, who took up one chorus.,for him. Now, If Bin McQuald, for the final 'next Tues- day night, win allow Mabel Burke to eing all the winning songs of this week,' tb'efe can be no partiality shown by the audience toward the voice or personality of any one or more singers the various publishers would otherwise send down to render the numbers. Miss Burke stands well with the Fifth Avenue patrons; she knows all about illustrated songs and how to sing them, and It would really bring.out the winner on Its pure 'merit, plus the excel- lence of the picture aside. But Bill la a manager, with an acute business sense. He may send along a bunch of rooters at the same time which would make the walls bulge through the attendance. . The show opened with Osakl ah^ taki, a Jap balancing turn, followed l^v^thC: Bherlook Sisters and Jimmie Foley. NbXt .wore Mason and Q'wynne, and then Doris,.Darn, all- under New Acts. It was only last week the Sher- lock girls were with Jimmy Casson. Mr. Foley was formerly of Foley and O’Neil, Bufifalo, Sept. 18. Dr. Peter C. Cornell, manager of the Majestic and Star, has announced the opening of the Knickerbocker Players at the Star Sept. 23. The first producr tion will be “The Brat.” Howard Rum- sey, who will manage the players, states that he has secured rights to some of the latest plays. The company will be under the direction of Ekmer Brown, and the roll is made up as fol- lows. Frank Wilcox, Julie Herne, Miss Mary Compton, Alice Colcord, Thomas V. Emory, Broderick O’Farrell, John Powers, Max Wiseman. No. 6 held Cook and Savo, who went to a stop-the-Aow finish, the first real big score. They have a “baby-boyibaby-glrl gag" that brought them a howl, and the turn has been considerably smoothed out since showing at the 23d Street some weeks ago. It still closes with the “Hula” business by Savo and that gave them the hit, although it’s not.a certainty the same result would come to them from a regular big-time Jiudlence. Though you can’t tell. It’s an act that will amuse mpre quickly the out-of-small-town audience than the blg^-> gest big clty.'. one,.. but .the. act will yet easily San Francisco, Sept. 18. The Denham, Denver, Colo., has, ac- cording to a report, been leased by Ernest Wilkes, for one of bis dramatic stock companies. Portland, Me., Sept. 18. Alice Fleming opened the season at the Alcazar Monday, the opening at- traction being “Johnny, Get Your Gun.” In addition to Miss Fleming, the com- pany includes Edward Everett Horton, Marie Curtis, Nancy Muston and Jessie Brink. shape up Into blg-tlme timber. Savo has certain funny ways; be Is fast learning how to handle to the best advantage, and when he Is set In that line their advancement for vaude- ville Is sure. Some of the talk Is still old In years and the cold feet conundrum Is a raw ’un for a red fire. Philadelphia, Sept. 18. > Stock will open at the Orpheum Theatre here on Oct, 7 under the direction of Frank Fielder. Mae Des- mond is to be leading woman, Ashton Newton being the juvenile. Boston, Sept. 18, The Castle Square Theatre will again bfifer a season of stock, the open- ing date being Oct. 12, C. H. Allen is in charge. Leo Parvin in Divorce Action. Chicago, Sept, 18. Lee Parvin, head of one of the “Friendly Enemy” road shows, has been made defendant in a divorce ac- tion started by Mrs. Gladys Parvin. Mrs. Parvin alleges cruelty and asks that Parvin be restrained from spend- ing several thousand dollars which she says he has in the bank. Next were the De Wolf Girls (New Acts) In a dressy turn that did not get much, for the same reason perhaps Cook and Savo got a / lot—the Fifth Avenue audience. Regal and "Moore, who were next, were another resound- ing hit, getting It on their finishing tricks. It’s under New Acts. v; . Harry Carroll was next to cIoBtng, singing, talking and dancing himself to a> riot closing. Mr. Carroll sang snn?e new songs of hts O'wn. One Is called “Mary’s Little Calf," comic, and another, “Dixie’s Military Ball,” a war num- ber. He said that as there was a war song contest to close, he might Just as well put over the winner before It started. Then ho sang the “Dixie” number. Harry also re- marked, “It Is pretty tough up here all alone,” but he didn’t mean It. for he was doing too well at the time. Then he added that, as one of the acrobats had done some “hoofing" In the Regal and Moore turn, there was nothing to stop him, either. After'tbe war song, he did a dance, not exactly like Emma Cams or Stella Mayhew, but an Imitation of both. Still Harry can hoof It a bit, but a little Is enough. He should be satisfied to be a song writer, and a good one. and an entertainer. Just as good. But Mr. Carroll doesn’t take himself, too seri- ously. Therein lies his chief charm'upon the stage. Bime. 81ST STREET. With a War Song Contest as an extra at- traction for the first five days of the week, starting Monday, the Fifth Avenue, Tuesday night, for the first half, held a vaudeville program of eight acta that did not call for any assistance. Nearly all of the turns were new to the house and New York, but they turned out dalrly well In the main, leading the entertainment In excellent shape. The program proper closed at 10.30, Includ- ing the Contest as the last number before a finishing picture, probably a Triangle comedy film. The house was big, following the Mon- day holiday riiah. If the Tuesday night at- tendance was above the average for that eve- ning, then the Song Contest should receive the drawing credit. It’s a nice diversion any- way from the regulation vaudeville program. It brightens up the finish of the performance, stirs the audience through seeing patriotic scenes and hearing patriotic songs at this opportune time after the long years of this wild war. Tuesday evening In the Song Cqnest, “Hello Central” (Waterson, Berlin & Snyder), with Harry Hart singing It, was declared the win- ner by the applause of tha audience. It didn’t require much time to decide the winner through the plaudits. “Hello Central" was the best known of the four numbers sung. Also Its animated plcturlzlng was much superior to At last the, 81st Street has changed the feature picture from the middle of the bill to closing. Whether this or the show for the first half was the direct cause for the big business Is not known, but the house was crowded at 8 o'clock Monday night.. Things seemed altogether different because of the change. The patrons knew they did not have to sit through the picture and still see the vaudeville show, A large percentage of the audience walked out after the vaudeville. The usual five-act bill was a pleasing one, and all the turns fared well. It Is also a much better arrangement for the acts. Robert Swan opened with comedy Juggling and did nicely. His work is the familiar routine, but combined With his comedy and dances, puts him out of the ordinary and eligible for the two-a-day houses. Goetz and Duffy (New Acts) followed and went over. Bertha Creighton and Co., In their comedy playlet, “Our Husband.” by Willard Bowman, ran about half way through before a laugh was scored, but after that they came a little faster. The piece Is a small time affair and will do there. Preceding intermission Corp. Derby Holmes, an added attraction for the evening perform- ances of the first half only, told about his experiences during the two years of service “over there.” He first told of thrills and then of the humorous side In the trenches. He was greatly liked, closing with a service poem and an appeal for smokes for the boys. Sam Hearn, “The Rube with His Piddle and Bow,” followed the Semi-Weekly News Pictorial, which Intercepted and stopped the show. Ho was a strong favorite and forced to return for a couple of encores. "The Shlel," an original fantasy featuring Lola Fatima and Ell Dawson, closed the show' and passed. About half the house remained seated for the five-reel feature, Bessie Barrlscale In "The White Lie." ■