Variety (February 1921)

Friday, February 25, 1&21 LEGITIMATE IS ... „.. INSIDE STUFF ON LEGIT It la an open secret Max Marcin la on ths ouU with A. H. Woods. The playwright—now producers-is under contract to tha manager, who has first call on his writings up to May 1. next. The agreement calls tor the manager to pay the writer $500 for every script he submits, should it be rejected, and $1,000 as advance royalties when accepted. Thirty days for the producer to accept or reject. Written into the contract is a provision all scripts must legitimately be three-act plays, the manager thus protecting himself against being prof- fered one-act plays by the author and the demand by the Utter for ad- vance royalties. Marcin contends the clause was a "out" for him In doing "The Night Tap," which he wrote in collaboration with Guy Bolton, and which he says i» legitimately a two-act play. The writers are producing it them- selves, though Samuel Shipman and Aaron Hoffman have declared them- selves in on it NEWS 0* THE DAILIES Alleging $10,000 Is due him in royalties, George Barr McCutcheon. author, has sued Karl Carroll, Inc.. as his share of "Daddy Dumpllns." Smart musical comedy books can get a look-in from producing man- agers any old day now. Alkihe producers ask is novelty of attack. They don't even care whether the story is new. Lots of librettos bicycling from office to office, but the plots and methods are of the dog-eared variety. Snap is the slogan of the minute. So driven are producers of this sort of material that the dust is being brushed from the old yellow- backs of the play publishers. The trend of the public is for more story than was the fashion even two years ago. Lots of character, lots of plot, plenty of incident—that's the managerial order. Kighteen and twenty numbers weren't too many to consider tw j seasons ago. Now, eight will do, if the story is thero. Grab your*hero- ine with a sure touch is the first axiom of producers. A librettist with an -"Irene" can walk right into a bank president's income. But there are no "Irenes" knocking about. The composers—and Broadway has slews of them, gifted visionaries of sound—are desperate for books. Where in recent years a librettist whose name wasn't riding on the bill- boards of the big theatres had to wait his turn in the' line, sometimes for a fortnight, to get a hearing for his work, now he's invited right in. The producers are afraid a live one may slip through their fingers. The producers are even going farther. They're suggesting old pieces that xn'ght be musicked. They point out that "Irene" was first an Irish comedy drama, "Irene ODare," "Going Up." the comedy. "The Aviator"; "The Sweetheart Shop," the French farce, "The Matrimonial Bureau"; "Sally," "Polly with a Past"; "The Honey Girl," "Checkers"; "The Rainbow Girl." "The Lady Blantock"; "The Velvet Lady." "A Full House"; "The Merry Widow," a Viennese farce; "The Night Boat." "A Night Out"; "Very Good Eddie," "Over Night"; "Madame Sherry," first "My Uncle's Will," next "Lend Me Your Wife," next "Jane." Another quitter, caught In a jam and accused of trimming the Hotel McAlpin. whined in a New York court: "My downfall was due to the girlies. Chorus girls got me and got me right." He indexed himself, however, when he said: "Dad will fix it. He's big in society out Mich- igan way." The old man probably was tired, though* as h« refused to pay for a long-distance phone, and also gave out the information he had paid $10,000 for his son In a few months to protect the family name. The quitter is said to have passed bum checks on numerous hotels. Toscanini, now touring with the La Scala orchestra of Milan, denies he will, have a company in the Manhattan opera house In 1922. Dorothy Seltzer, who has played in vaudeville sketches, was shot in the shoulder and abdomen by a jealous admirer and died in Knick- erbocker hospital Monday. The shooter was arrested. More than 2,000 of New York's most beautiful girls rioted at the Hotel Pennsylvania when time came to select 200 for a fashion revue. They staged a free-for-all before the committee, headed by Frank Talbot. Ben Welch last Friday night 81 aged a dramatic and pathetic scene when he had the Mayor of Providence burn an insurance pol- icy which would have given the blind comedian $10,000 in a lump or $75 weekly so long as he lives. He declined to collect the policy, because it would have meant retire- ment from the stage and, under the "total disability" clause he would have been prohibited from writing acts, songs or other material. The dailies made much of the Drama League's annual dinner to the season's theatrical notables, following the discovery that Charles Gilpin, a colored player, was running second in the voting, which is the system of determining the ten guests of honor. Gilpin is in "Emporer Jones" at the Princess. The piece is by Eugene O'Neil and started as a matinee attraction. Gilpin was cast for the lead role and jumped into fame over night, as he is the only colored dramatic star on record. Gilpin himself said nothing while the pot boiled in the dallies. State- ments of persons who were listed as guests stirred up the matter but it wai reliably said that Gilpin was running second In the voting. The Drama League finally announced that Gilpin was one of the guests chosen and would be invited. The colored star finally consented to attend the dinner, briefly, though he will not sit down at the table", and in no case would he attend unless the other guests desired it. The dinner It scheduled for March 6 at the McAlpin. The Russian Isba troupe appears to have been scattered again after having revived itself at the Lexington three weeks ago. It was in for a week under a guarantee arrangement, and with the aid of the Red Cross, which participated, some money was made. The Lexington man- agement then permitted a second week under a sharing arrangement. But the troupe continued for the second week only after internal dis- sensions, mostly concerning Serge Borowsky, the baritone of the com- pany. Serge likes the lime light and he managed to get into the picture no matter who was doing a number. Smirova, who was of the Russian "Battalion of Death," a regiment of women who (ought in the war, and who has been giving recitals here, was in the Isba show for the first week but then withdrew. It is known she supplied financial aid when the show hit the rocks before. Some time ago Smirova opened a tea room on Broadway, near 72d street. She calls it the "Isba," but admitted to friends that was a mis- take, for it attracted a lot of Russians who had no money, while others, who can pay, have stayed away. "The Great Adventure" will be presented tonight (Friday) by the Neighborhood Players. New York Times prints a de- spatch from Denver (press rate five-sixths of a cent per word) about a young man, alleged forger, who wooed a blonde named Mildred and wed a "double" who says she is "Dolly." The Times story de- clared they're both yearning to wed again because the girl's wedding the prisoner under an assumed name "amounts to an annulment." The general impression among stu- dents of Blackstone has been that persons, not names, are joined in wedlock. A mix-up of suit cases almost landed Bill Norton, company manager for "Nice People," in the police court at Providence last week. Sam H. Harris and Sam Forrest, his stage director, were at the Crown Hotel, being in Providence to look the show over. Mr. Harris asked Norton to go to his room and pack his bag, being in a hurry to catch the train. Norton in mistake went into the adjoining room, which was Forrest's, and packed the latter's effects. A few minutes later Forrest sent a boy to pack his bag, end when the kid appeared, Forrest made claim that someone had gotten away with his property. Norton was easily identified and the house detective beat it for the railroad station, when, after Nor- ton proved his identity, everything was squared. In an appeal by Mrs. Joseph X Ryan for appointment of a tem- porary administrator of her hus- band's estate, It was put up In court that she has been amply provided for by her late husband's father, Thomas Fortune Ryan. Dorothy Lucille Whiteford, formerly of "The Royal Vagabond," was chief bene- ficiary under Mr. Ryan's will. The Paris opera house, seeking an additional 700.000 francs subsidy from the government, in order to raise the pay of its dancers, has been turned down. The govern- ment declared it could not raise the pay of dancers while soldiers, war widows and orphans are suffering. It's all right for a person to have liquor in a safety deposit vault or other storage place, according to a new ruling by the Internal Revenue department, but he—or she—must drink it in his own home. This is a blow below the belt for the hip legger traffic. Lou Wiswell, general manager for H. W. Savage, is again losing bets to box office men with glee. Last spring the treasurers at the Knicker- bocker "won" suits of clothes and shoes when "Shavings" hit $14,000 and $15,000 per week. Two weeks ago "Lady Billy" at the Liberty went to $20,000, and the box office men were given $100 each to buy themselves clothes. Wiswell offered as a prize to each this week an overcoat, pro- viding the Mitzi show did $22,000. With the Washington Birthday mat- inee and holiday prices Tuesday night, it was figured the overcoats would bo won hands down. German music is acceptable to j the French, but the language, even in songs, is barred. An audience In Paris this week walked out on a Polish soprano who tried to sing German songs and only returned when she agreed to switch them. AMONG THE WOMEN. By THE SKIRT. Clare Kummer has never written anything funnier than "Rollo's Wild Oat," now running at the Punch and Judy theatre. Even the ushers are funny la their short knickers and blue skirts, attached to tight bodices. The entire performance is a scream from the rise of the curtain ta the fall. Roland Young has risen to stardom, and deserves it in this comedy. Shakespeare Is the finest butt for travesty, but this play takes Hamlet by the throat, and, even Eddie Foy coiddn't be. funnier tha?! Mr. Young am Hamlet. Marjorie Kummer as Rollo's sister wore a one-piece putty-colored dress edged la a fancy braid and blue trimming. The skirt, plaited la fine plaits in fvont, flared to large ones at the hips and back. The long narrow girdle ended in tassels. A party frock of light blue taffeta was long-waisted, with large flowers around the figure. The skirt was full, with a turned-in hem having panel sides. The evening wrap was of gold-colored velvet, lined in gold lace. A finch collar with strap across the back, with a huge tassel at each side, made this wrap costly looking. A one-piece dress of rasp- berry cloth was made straight and plain, with a cross over belt, and had for trimming on the bodice cut-out figures of grey velvet. Lotus Robb, pretty enough to satisfy any film fan, has the same trick of Laura Hope Crewes in squinting her eyes when she smiles. It's very nice. Miss Robb seemed very mourning-like in her black dress in tha first act. The dress was made in bands of black satin and chiffon, with a satin underskirt. The collars and cuffs were white. The second act had Miss Robb in a grey chiffon over yellow. As Ophelia Miss Robb couldn't have been prettier in her own brown hair, although I doubt tha long braids. A blue jersey coat and skirt with a white vestee was tha costume for the last act. Edythe Tresslder and Grace Peters in the second .act wore black, rather rusty in appearan:e, and Miss Peters' negligee-like gown of grey satia covered In chiffon proved this play has had a long run. "Mary" at the Knickerbocker theatre and with several road companies enjoying success, makes one th nk the public needs little to be pleased. "Mary" may be a grand old name, out Irene goes it one better. la "Mary" everyone danced, even tite servants. It's strange the furniture didn't da a little trotting. Georgia Calne is the one exception— she didn't dance, She just played one of those mother parts and said funny things. Miss Came in the first act wore a good-looking evening gown of grey chiffon crusted in crystals. The paneled front and back was caught to- gether at the sides with many tassels. Narrow fringe banded the hem. Miss Caine's second gown couldn't possibly have come from the same shop as the first, it was so ugly. It was white lace fitted tightly over a green lining. All around me I heard women saying, "Isn't it ugly," "what a horrible dress," etc. Florrie Millershlp puts the part over with her dancing. Her first dress was of black net and jet, the design being sort of a sunburst. She carried a green fan. Her second dress was of rasp- berry chiffon having taffeta tabs around the skirt. The short Eton-like jacket was edged with a grey fur. It was too bad Miss Millershlp didn't put on grey slippers and stockings with this drees, aa the black ones, even in the first act, didn't look well with the raspberry chiffon. Janet Velie, a wholesome-looking brunette, was "Mary," and she waa gowned in grey in the first act. The dress was just one of those full skirts with three tucks and a plain bodice having a square neck with white collars and cuffs. Her second dress was a very deep pink silk, made with a lace apron and trimmed wiCh dull blue velvet ribbons, There were two acts and three sets of costumes for the chorus ladles. The first act ones were just ordinary party dresses in assorted colors. Tha second were afternoon dresses and hats assorted as to colors and design also. Nothing startling. The third set found the girls all alike in -full pink skirts and simple bodices and long white lace panties. There were three sets of specialty dancers, but who they were I couldn't tell from the program. Then there was also a Lillian McNeil. These miisical sh6ws generally have one pair of dancers, but think of having three sets thrust upon you. Nevertheless the special dancers, at least the girls, dressed far better than the company. Morris Gest has moved his office from the Century back to the Princess. He has not occupied quarters there for several years, variously head- rUMHttfUd Hi fhfi Manhatsan or the Century-daring the peilod fce /WH l active in preparing the four huge spectacles which Comstock & Gest has produced. There is an elderly Salvation Army "lassie" who has held the tam- bourine outside the theatre for every attraction with which Joe Weber has been connected with for the last 20 years. She is known by the Weber office as "Alma Where Do You Live?" When the show of that title was opened by Weber the lassie, who speaks with a traee of dialect, predicted it would be a success, and so the blue-caped woman became known as Alma. Last Saturday she was «iven a pass to Weber's "Honey- dew," at the Casino, asking the manager to permit her seeing the show before it want on the road. Homo Broadway producers believe ihey have a complaint against tuKyklng agents wim have written players In their shows. The producers bay the agents pr.mi. -• to secure the players more salary than at present received and ask that bhey sign no future engagements before seeing the Agents, one agent who looks for much of this line of bookings, when asked if he had written players In legit shows promising more money, replied no With emphasis, lie added he had not gone crazy, vm. < .»* * V "The Broken Wing." now running at the 48th Street, is one of those plays forgotten as soon as seen. It is a simple little thing, with but one thrill. An aeroplane crashes through the roof. Inez Plummer was well liked by a matinee audience. As a Mexican miss her deeply tanned skin and bobbed hair made her very attractive. The play calls for gingham frocks, of which Miss Plummer wears two. A tan skirt and shirt waist had a sash of striped silk. For no reason at all Miss Plummer dons a Lucille evening gown, beautifully made, of crystals with wide fringe at the hem. Myrtle Tannehill Wore a simple blue serge dress, buttoned down the front. The collar was of grey and the skirt was gathered quite a bit below the waistline. Her double cape was of tan edged with fringe. Grey shoes and a small hat added the correct touch. A decision In favor of Willy Pogany against David Belasco and others was handed down in the Appellate Division of the N. Y. Su- preme Court. Pogany alleged be had been libeled in the play, "Call the Doctor," and sued for $200,000. The defendants, Instead of answer- ing the suit, demurred, and Pogany got a verdict In the lower court. Hkc- d^JEaadwnt* thru ' appealed. Cinder the new order, they are given the right to withdraw their de- murrer and answer the original suit, which would then go to trial on its merits. This probably will be done. I can't hand the picture version of "The Concert" so much. In the first place Lewis Stone, who did such remarkable work in "The River's End," was sadly miscast. Mr. Stone neither looked nor acted the part. In the play Janet Beecher as the wife helped make the offering *he success it ; was. Myrtle Stedman as the wife in the picture looked well as to her clothes, but never once meant anything. Miss Stedman wore one dress of satin, made with a tunic effect. The round neck was banded In jet j and the sleeves and hem in fringe. A girdle encircled the waist. A break- fast robe was of figured cloth, having a panel at the back forming sleeves, Gertrude As tor. as one of the pianist's followers, has an unnecessary bit. The scene is a svnken bath tub with Miss Astor apparently naked floating about. If this picture was censored it doesn't seem possible It could have been overlooked. Many of the captions were risque enough to deserve the blue pencil. R. H. Burnslde. general stage manager for Dillingham, is due back in New York the latter part of this week, having sailed from Liverpool on the Carmania. During his trip abroad he has visited Lon- don, Paris, Vienna and cities In Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Holland. The estate of Frank Wenr.el, original Mr. Peek in "Peck's I'.ad I Soy," was valued at $501. Mrs. Grace Jackson, an actress, of L'51 West Seventy-fourth street, (Continued on page 24.) "Black Beauty" at the Strand is going to be as big a draw for children as grown ups. The picture is beautifully done, with a true English at- mosphere. Black Beauty and the other horses show more intelligence than some people. The period of the picture Is many years back, show- ing the characters In crinolines. Jessie Gordon, played by Jean Paige, looked sweetly pretty In a head- dress of curls and dresses made full In the skirt, with long panties under- neat A party dress was a full crinoline, with the silken material puffed from hem to waist. The outstanding feature of this picture s the chase. It was very ezclti g. CANADIAN KIDDIE" SHOW. WALTER HAMPDEF LAID UP. Toronto, Feb. 23. The 'Winnipeg Kiddies," an all- Canadian revue with a cast of young people, was the regular at- traction last week at the 'Irand. With a top of $1.50 the attraction fared excellently. The success of the kiddie show is said to have resulted in offers f<»r American time Baltimore, Feb. 23. Walter Hampden, who was to have opened up a week's engage- ment here Monday at the Lyceum Theatre with "Hamlet," is reported ill in Philadelphia. Mr. Hampden is reported to be suffering from slight affection of his vocal cord* and fever, which nccessLL»4i£$ • short resL