Variety (September 1919)

B U Y BO N D S ALL-AMUSEMENT mu ANCE TO CARRY C LAIMS T O CONGRESS Proposed Unity of All Branches of Stage and Screen Industries to Make Possible Solid Front on Congi^s- sional Protests At Capitol—New Plan Both Feasible and Economical. An informal but important meeting was suddenly called Tuesday afternoon by the United Managem’ Protective Association, president Marc Klaw pre- j siding with the idea of‘'forming a close alliance between the U. M. P. A. and the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry. idea is that when matlters per- taining to the whole field of amuse- ments arise, such a proposed alliance will be able to show a united front and sameness of purpose, instead of at- tempting to obtain results through sep- arate. channels. It was the sense of the meeting that it was time that the various divisions of theatricals get to- gether; that the ; divisions combine;, that it is wasteful and might be futile to seek remedy as individual bodies, legitimate, vaudeville, burlesque or pic- , , tures, 'when the interest of one is nearly always to the interest of all. The meeting was deemed important in its endeavor to effect concerted strength at a time when Congress proposes to increase admissions taxes. The $8,000,000 revenue bill up to the j Senate for final action now holds _ a schedule of 20 per cent, for all admis- sions. Representatives of the several theatrical sections were in Washing- ton recently attempting to secure a modification. Reports have it the mo- tion picture people made a bad impres- sion before the law makers. It is claimed that some picture men advo- cated the -20 per cent, for application to the higher priced theatres, feeling the public would be forced to turn to picture houses for amusement. It is felt that representatives of th'e aniusement field in total will be able to present to the lawmakers now and in the future a stronger argument for protection and would enjoy better chances of success with the proposed coalition becoming effected. Washington, D. C, Sept. 25. The revenue bill is before the Sen- ate for final passage. Theatrical men arrived here Monday to present to the Senatorial Committee reasons why the admissions tax should not be doubled, as now provided in the bill.- Although the upp^r house does not often change . provisions as incorporated by the House, it is reported here- that there is a chance to change the 20 per cent, clause. In other lines- of industry when taxes have been raised, it has been suggested to the industries tjiat they raise prices. Such a move is not thought possible, however, in the amusement field, as the rate scales ' are about as high as possible now. Experts who have given the tax mat- —ter consideration as far as the^ricals go are pointing out that the -20 per cent, clause is not going to affect the moderate price class of houses. They say that when the 10 per cent, tax went into effect many theatres took ..occasion .to increas a reason that such a move wofild elimi- nate the use of pennies. ' Some picture houses are now. charg- ing 30 cents, whereas they formerly charged a quarter and likewise many charge 60 cents, whereas the old price was, SO cents. The managers of such houses when accused of really colledt- ing 20 per cent and turning 10 per cent, over to the collector, Ireplidd that -they had raised prices. WitiT the old admission prices in effect the impos- ing of 20 per cent, would not change the^ present scale in many of the mod- erate priced theatres. Many houses are charging 85 cents for the former 75 cent tickets, and there again an extra price or increase of 2 cents (over the actual tax) is reaped by such houses. Any number of theatres are reported to have increased their scale a great deal more within the past year.; It has been suggested a sliding scale be, substituted for the straigjht 20 per cent, admissions tax, if the increase is upheld by 'the Senate. This sugges- tion has in mind the impost of 20 per cent, on the moderate spts, since there would be no actual increase in the present rates or at least very lit- tle, and as the„ prices go higher the percentage to be lessened. This would make forvbut a slight advance oyer the present tax bn $2 and $2.50 admissions. WILLIAM C. THOMPSON DIES. Chicago, Sept. 25. William C Thompson, head of the Hagenback-Wallace show, one of the best known piress agents in the coun- try, died of pneumonia at the Amer- ican Theatrical Hospital Sept. 23, aged 47 . Thompson was a newspaper man in New York, press agent for Pawnee Pill’s Wild West, the Far East show. Miller Bros. 101 Ranch, Barnum & Bailey, the New York Hippodrome, etc. He is survived by a widow in New York. The body was shipped to Nor- wich, Conn., for burial. AGREEMENT ON “RESERVES.” At the invitation of officials heading the fire department, managers at- tended a downtown meeting regarding safety condition# Monday. The managers were asked if they were satisfied with the presence of police reserves in the theatres. While there was no serious objec- tion, several regulations were outlined regarding such service. It was agreed that not more than one reserve officer was to be assigned each house and in the even.t of the reserve not ap- pearing, the managers] are to call up the nearest police station. The managers were also advised to reprimand reserv,e officers if they be- come obstreperous. MAY RUSH “THE CHEAT’ IN. William_„A, Bradys’ production of Willard iMack and Hector Turnbull’s adaptation of Turnbull’s photoplay “The Cheat” will have its tryout at Atlantic City the last half of this week, with Mary Nash and Jose Ruben starred- The principal support includes Frederick Truesdell apd Kenneth Hill. The piece had a preliminary canter this summer at Long Branch and As- bury Park. It may be brought into New York next Monday. The deal wagn’t^eompleted the‘ fore part=of the • current week. PRODUCING FILM AS COMEDY. It is reported that Klaw & Erlanger have a former film play, “The Haunted Pajamas” in hand, to be rewritten and produced by them as a comedy for the speaking stage. COMBINATION^DS ALLOWED. Chicago, Sept. 25. For the first time in Chicago history the newspaper have consented to pool- ing of ads in the daily display col- umns, . The K. & E. houses now run m a string, headed as “leading attractions,” and ^th a warning aganst buying seats from scalpers, while the Shubert theatres lead off with the names of their owners and also claim to be the best in town. . Some years ago, before the union of the syndicate and the opppsition, demands were made on the papers to permit this system, used in New York, and the papers refused^ holding out for each ad as individual, graded _an position according to the respective space taken. ■ . . NoW they allow the combined ads and grade them for . position according to the average of agate lines taken by each combination. This still gives an opportunity to put a small ad above a large one inside the borders of either .combination, leaving the way open for complaints of injustice apd discri- mination on the part of the producers whose shows are playing in those houses. y COLLIER-HOFFMAN RACIFIED. The difference between William Col- lier and Aaron Hoffman, star and aur thor, respectively, of “Nothing But Lies,” have been settled. The show is now in 'further rehearsal, pending filial changes, and is due for the Long- acre before 0(ft. 15. Mr. Collier threatened to leave the show,if his ideas were not carried out, and the author took the stand of put- ting the piece on janyhow with an- other, stpr. . The show fits Collier and part of the changes are being made. Out of town.feports predicted a hit for it on Broadway. •' , V.. MAUD FULTON’S THEATRE. San Francisco, Sept. 25. Maul .Fulton, in association with George Ebey, recent manager of the McDonough, Oakland, have leased the Bishop Playhouse, Oakland. The name of the theatre is to be changed to the Maud Fulton Theatre. Miss Fulton opened her season Sun- day in “Mary, a String of Beads,” and will follow with “The Brat,” and other plays from her own pen. BAYES SHOW CHANGES. According to reports from out of town there will be some changes, if not already made, in the Nora Bayes show, “Look Who’s Here,” produced by H. H. Frazee. Those reported as going out are Arthur DCagon,_ A1 Fields, Lew Cooper and Vibla Cain. Bill^ Kent and Florence Morrion, with Miss Bayes and Irving Fisher are scoring the,, hits of the piece. It is said Ha/ry Bulger may join, to replace Deagon. “GLORIANA” IN LIBERTY? , Philadelphia, Sept. 25. The people of John Cort’s “Gloriana,” which opened here Monday, seem con- fident the show is to take its New York bow at the Liberty in that city about Oct, 7. TRYING OUT “TORONTO.” Joe Weber, who controls the Amer- ican rights to “The Man from Toron- to,” is trying the English piece out this week in stock at the Hud^n, • Union Hillr under the. pL.. . T^ Maid, the Man and the. Money. NOT MARRIED—TO ANYONE. More to quiet reports than establish the fact she still remains single. Mane Astor, with Hammerstein’s new “Some- time,” states she is not married, to anyone, BOX OFFICE FIGHT. Within the locked box difice of the Riviera, which the Shuberts lately took over for booking, there occurred a miniature battle royal Saturday night. Manny Cancer, the house treasurer, was pitted against J. J. Shubert and Benj. Mallam, the latter beii« the Shuberts’ private detective. Cancer had been accused by the visitors of having ' tangled accounts, and when Mallam suddenly pinioned the trcasur- ~er’s arms. Shubert struck Cancer in the face. Cancer unable to use his arms, kicked Shubert in the groin, broke away from Mallam, whom he .j thrust against the wall, took another thrust at J. J. and exited from the . box office. ' The affair is reported to be the out- , j come of certain operations by Mallam, who became peeved at Cancer, it is said, because the latter refused to aid i him. Cancer had forced Mallam out > i of the box, office some days ago and handed in his resignation to Lee Shu- bert Thursday, last. The latter told him to return to the job and pay no attention to the matter. Sunday Mr. Luisi, representing the Ocean Accident & (Suarantee Co,, , which bonds the Shubert employees, was on hand with an accountant to check up the statements, and the eount-up resulted in showing that the treasurer was $3 over. / . ^ Cancer is generally well liked and regarded as. efficient. He placed the entire matter before his attorney, Nathaii Burkan, with the avowed in- tention of starting action. “DOING OUR BIT” CLOSING. Cincinnati, Sept. 25, “Doing Our Bit” closes .here Satur- day, the company returning to New York. It is said to be the first big Winter Garden attraction to flop so early on the road. Business has been bad and never did recover after the weak finish of tjie Chicago stay, where the run was suddenly terminated early in August. Business in Chicago grew steadily worse after the accident to Frank Tin- v ney, but the failure there was mostly credited to the steady newspaper at- tack following the feeling between the • show management and Charles Collins, dramatic editor of the Chicago “Post.” The breach between the newspaper ,? and the Shuberts is still open. JOE HOWARD TRYING ANOTHER. ^ Joseph Howard is to produce an- ^ other musical play called “Spring Love” and due on Broadway," Dec. I. He is at present in vaudeville. His “In and Out,” tried in the summer h^j|^ 1 ’ been definitely stored. Howard is under contract with Charles K. Harris for the publishing . of his songs and every time Howard puts on a piece it costs the publisher .money. “In and Out” stood Mr. Harris $1,500, which represents the cost of publishing the song numbers. . 4 During the last 21 years Howard ; has received $125,000 in music royal- ties from the Harris concern. ( GOING IN FOR DRAMATICS. Flo Zeigfeld, Jr., is to seriously try his hand in the production of drama, having already two pieces in prospect for this fall. The first to go on is "By .4; Pigeon Post,” running in London since the first of the year. It is by Austin Page. When it opened at the Gar- - rick, London, it was described as a play which “thoroughly delighted a laughing audience.” Madge Tither- adge is at the head of the English York and casting for “By Pigeon Post” has started. The second play is The^ Little Clown,” in which Billie Burke is to oe starred. It will come later, as Miss Burke’s picture contracts call for her appearance in the filming of • Good Gracious, Annebelle.”