Variety (March 1921)

VARIETY'S SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE &an Jf ranxitfco Friday, March 11, 1921 PANTAGES THEATRE BUILDING PAN ACT TROUBLE AT FRISCO; RUB1NI REVUE HINTS PLOT Three Attractions Quit at Oakland—One to A»k Contract Ruling, Another Refuted to Accept Cut —Labor Commission "Sicced" on Latter. San Francisco, March 9. The Novell© Brothers, on the Pantages time, did not play Los An- geles last week as routed, through some misunderstanding of the "or more" part of the Pan contract. One of the hrothers .made the trip to Los Angeles to intorview the head of the circuit while the other brother remained here awaiting the Terdlct. The Noveiles did not play San Francisco, switched to Oakland to accommodate the Ruhini revue act. The latter turn also had some diffi- culty with Pantages and finished at Oakland last week. "Salvation Molly," ,a Chinatown act With three people, closed at the Oakland Pantages Feb. 19 after three days' notice from the circuit, according to Frank Belmcnt, man- ager of the act. No definite reason for the closing was giveu, Belmont states. The Rubinl revue, containing ■even Juveniles, closed at the Oak- land Pantages last week, ostensibly as the result of trouble caused by the Labor Commission following re- ports made that two of the juveniles had been keeping late hours. One, a girl reported to be but 16 years of age, is in reality 18 years. Despite the difference with the Commission, it is claimed Pantages was behind the closing action and that an effort on his part to cut the act from $600 to $500 per week was met with unsatisfactory results. The act rehearsed in Los Angeles for ten weeks and then opened at the Los Angeles Pantages, where Pantages himself viewed it and voted it a salary of $600 weekly, at an understood indefinite run to fol- low San Francisco and Oakland. Last week it was proposed the $100 cut be made. Miss Rubinl is cred- ited with having spent $2,000 getting the act in order. The act will re- turn to Los Angeles and probably be reorganized. PAFTAC^ES, FRISCO. San Francis*co, March ». Pantages this week has two ani- mal acts and an Arab turn which give the bill a circus effect, but It is good entertainment. Madame Bedini's Horses head- lined splendidly, the horses and madame herself presenting a pretty picture. Hamid's International JWne made a corking closing act, while Sir Victor's Dog and Pony Circus, the third of the "sawdust" numbers, was a strong opener. The clown In this works hard throughout, but might be suppressed a bit. Paul Rahn and Valerie Beck, a handsome team, destined for bigger time, were the class of the bill. Their opening as u canary and a crow proves a good novelty, as does their special drop of "Wonderland." Both possess excellent voices. Browning and Davis were the comedy hit next to closing, with blackface comedy, conversation and songs. Diehl, Crocker and Dielil did well In second position. A Scotch num- ber by Miss Crocker and their im- pression of tough kids at the finish «"©rr h>g appfcuse. ■ - • • CALIFORNIA DRIVING OUT TENT SHOWS License Fixed at $500 in One Town, $100 in Another. MEDBURY QUIT S FRISCO. Writer of Vaudeville Comedies Lo eatee in New York. San Francisco, March 9. John P. Medbury, feature writer for the San Francisco Call and au- thor of several acts now playing the Orpheum an,d other time, as well as {he author of several of Will King's best productions, Is now In New York City where he will be con- nected with the King's Feature Syndicate as a feature writer. He will be on the staff of the New York American or the Journal. Medbury is known for his "Mut- terings," "Nimbles" and other com- edy features. San Francisco, March 9. That the days of tent shows in this state are numbered is evidenced by action being taken in small towns of the state. Stock com- panies which have been touring California and playing the small towns Under canvas are now meet- ing serious opposition by the perma- nent theatre owners of the respec- tive towns, who threaten to drive the tent show industry away 'jrever. In Modesto last week the city council passed an ordinance regu- lating the license of such shows at $500 per day, an exorbitant price which deems it prohibitive for the tent show owners to appear. In Turlock, a much smaller town, a similar ordinance was passed fixing the license at $100 per day. Other towns are now contemplating such action, which means the passing of tent shows surely. NANCY FAIR IN STOCK. San Franciscc, March 9. Nancy Fair opens as leading lady with the Alcazar stock March 15 in "Forever After." Ellwyn Harvey closed Saturday. The leading part in this week's show is being taken by Nina Guilbert. Miss Fair is accompanied by her mother. = TAFT, CALIF., TOUR B TOWN. San Francisco, March 9. Taft, Calif., a live oil center, has been added to the "Tour B" Acker - man-Harris-Loew Circuit and will Immediately institute regular Tour B shows in addition to the present Loew acts which have been playing at the Hippodrome. ROAD SHOW SEASON IN ALCAZAR, FRISCO Stock House Productions Pending Curran Opening. San Francisco, March t. When Homer Curran vacates his present theatre Sept. 1, the Alcasa*. at present the home of dramatic stock; will play the road attractions pending the completion of the new Curran theatre on the site next to the Columbia. As the result of this decision final work on the new house will be rushed through in order to save the Alcazar a long lapse of the stock company. At that time it Is expected George H. Davis, former manager of the Alcazar and of 'ate identified *ith the motion picture industry, who ar- rived home from New York last week, will again take over the man- agement of the house Davis entered the state rights film field a year ago with "Confes- sion." He now controls the rights to. "Isobel; or The Trails Eni\" by James Oliver Curwood, which opened here last Saturday. ACTOR SAVES ORCHESTRA. ■ ■—■ ■ ■ - . "Frivolies" Pianist Pinch Hi' 4 When House Leader Is Stricken. San Francisco, March 9. Caesar Brand, who & few weeks ago announced his resignation as leader of the Orpheum orchestra in Fresno and Sacramento, is. back on the.,.«pb. replacjng Eugene Brqwn, seriously ill at his home. Joen Richman, pianist for Sea- bury's "Frivolies," playing the vaN ley when Brown was stricken, tern- porarily handled the orchestra and made possible the regular music. FRISCO NOTES. San Francisco. March 9. Eddie Mitchell, for many years connected with various dramatic stock companies in a managerial capacity, has taken a lease on a the- atre in Astoria, Ore., which opened this week with dramatic stock. Alice Joy?e is the leading woman. Bob Manning and Melba Palmer are with the company. Ed Redmond has gathered to- gether a musical comedy company to open at El Paso April 3. • ELEPHANT FOR MIDGETS. Three-Foot Added Pachyderm Will to Singer's Act. Be CURRAN FUTURE IN DOUBT/ San Francisco, March 9. The future policy of the present Curran theatre is still in doubt despite the many reports circulated. A. C. Blumenthal and Cal Heilig are said to be'interested with Louis Lurle In the new lease which begins next September. ORPHEUM, FRISCO. San Francisco, March 9. The Orpheum's current bill is not so big as some that have been of- fered lately, but has several inter- esting acts, and is kept alive with good comedy ' a little touch of melodrama. This latter is provided by "Scarlet," a Jack Lait playlet In which Valeska Surratt and Co., the headliner, appear. "Scarlet" starts and finishes with a high mark, and the typical Lait underworld chatter goes over with a bang, especially with the wiser element. Miss Surratt's name and wardrobe created the usual Inter- est among the women, ami she de- livers her lines in telling style; but Eugene Strong, admirably cast In a big part, keeps well in front. Jack Collins, Grant Sherman, Chas. Norman and Lorraine Landee give excellent support. Johnny Burke panicked them next to closing, his talk on war and the draft bringing riotous laughs for the hit of the evening. He finishes strong with his piano playing. Flo Lewis, "alone," is of stunning appearance, and with her neat ar Levey Circuit Adds New Ones. San Francisco, March 9. New theatres added to the Bert Levey Circuit recently are the American in Ventura and Palace, Santa Barbara. Colorado cities include Walsen- berg, Trinidad, La Mar, La Junta and Pickford. Ratoon, New Mexico, was added last week. San Francisco, March 9. For a reported sum of $5,000 Frank Morshek, stable boss for Singer's Midgets, last week pur- chased a three-foot high baby ele- phant recently imported from the Congo country by Frank Buck, ex- showman. The animal will soon be added to the act. Lou Jacobs, formerly identified with musical comedy as manager and actor, is now connected with the Durant Aircraft Corporation at Oakland Monte Carter Quits Stage. San Francisco, March 9. Monte Carter, veteran actor-man- ager and producer of musical com- edy shows, who recently closed at the Majestic, has forsaken the stage and purchased a half interest in a large Los Angeles shoe concern. Ed Levy will go to Salt Lake City to supervise the opening of the new Loew-A-H theatre, which occurs there in April. Irving C. Ackerman, of the Ack- erman-Harris circuit, returned from New York city last week after a visit with the Marcus Loew officials on business. Irene Heineman. former Winter Garden girl with Monte Cristo, Jr., show, sails for Honolulu from this city March 1. - • Jess Mendelson returned here from Seattle last week. Ted Lewis st Palace Hotel, Frisco. San Francisco, March 9. Through an arrangement made last week between the hotel and the management of the "Greenwich Village Follies" Ted Lewis and his jazz band are appearing nightly FangemenY'of material scored'sub- | after 10:8 ° o'clock at the Palace Ho- stantially In fifth place. Though *©!• .she is billed alone, a colored maid is in the comedy. Grey and Old Rose, with stage drapes and costumes fitting their billing, offer some neat dancing, in- jecting patter and songs that do not lessen the value of their act. They made a fine impression. Harry Kahne,. "the Incomparable mentalist," reads, writes, talks, spells and adds a column of figures simultaneously/ This, with his up- side down and backward writing, won him appreciation. Rice and Newton win instant fa- vor. The man is a clever dry comic and surprises with some nifty acro- batics, including a "slow movie" impression of a hand somersault. The girl is an excellent foil. Th*y went over big. * Bert and Florence Mayo gave the 9how an opening thrill with fast work on the swinging trapeze, and Albertina Rasch, holdover, held the audience with her dances in clos- ing- spo4, - .-••.■ Fifth Fuller House in Sydney. •" ' San Francisco, March 9. Ben & John Fuller, Ltd., of Aus- tralia, have completed the purchase of another theatre site in Sydney on which they will build a theatre of American design In the near future. This will be the fifth Fuller house In Sydney. Florence Bain on Way East. San Francisco, March 9. Florence Bain (Raymond and Bain) returned East this week after an extended stay in this city. AC. BLUMENTHAL & CO. •Inc. REALTY BROKERS SPECIALISTS IN THEATRICAL FINANCING. LEASING AND CONSTRUCTION IN THE WEST. 58 SUTTER STREET SAN FRANCISCO When in SAN FRANCISCO YOU'RE si III- TO MKKT Til KM AT OOOD FOOD — POM UK PRICKS ANNA LANE, Between POWELL oiul MASON 8trct« CONTINENTAL HOTKL LOU IIY PAUL HANSEN, Mgr. 129 ELLIS Street. HIP, FRISCO. San Francisco, March 9. ''Buzzin' Around" was the big card for the Hippodrome this week, proving the best girl act seen here, and received its reward in applausp. The act :iia.3 good principals ai.d* big-time material, but the girls and the costumes are small time. Jack Hallen is a clever light comic, but the clever acrobatic dancing of the girl principal is the outstanding feature. Fred and Elsie Burke have an en- joyable act. The talk is handled cleanly, with good results, and the goofy comic dancing and peppery stepping of the girl get over big. Billy and Moran, a black and tan mixed team, gets laughs with old gags. The woman's voice is good and she registers with a ballad, the man also doing better with his songs than his talk. Billy Kinkaid started things off in good style with balancing and cannon ball juggling. LOEWS CASINO. San Francisco, March 9. Five acts of vaudeville, a Consoli- dated comedy picture and the Will King show make up an attractive program at the Casino. The vaude- ville section is*an improvement on the past few weeks. Norman and Jeanette opening, start with a little talk, do a little dancing and then get down to business with some real work on the rings where the mixed couple display skill and 'excellent muscular development. They also make a fine impression with phy- sical culture poses in which the wo- man runs her partner a close second. Willie Norton and Ethel Wilson in No. 2 position start slowly with some uninteresting talk as a bridal couple. Their act picks up with the prim and sedate dancing of the girl who looks attractive in a fetching costume of black. They are at their best with lively numbers. A Yid- dish number by the man fell flat and his other attempt in th i char- acter line, in an Oriental number used to close, is saved by the girl who appears after a verse and chorus, with some more dancing in a pretty Oriental outfit. "Into the Light" which has Emilie Montrose in a protean offering is a clean-cut and Interesting turn. Her characterizations of various types of women on the witness stand are most effectively put over employ- ing a baby spot for all of the char- acters with the rest of the stage in complete darkness. She is assisted by voices which emanate from the darkness, representing a judge, op- posing council and jury. The little dramatic story, that of a woman on trial fo.- her life, is interesting and has a punch when it is disclosed at the finish it was only a dream. The act was very well received. Wells and Devera, a couple of men. registered strongly on their good singing voices. Their early talk with one of the men as a "wop" consisted of the usual "wop" gags and was weakly delivered. The Dancing Serenaders did not appear at this show. "Marry Me" was the King offering. After an absence of 22 years Wil- liam A. Brady is visiting here again. He arrived last week accompanied by his wife and Jack S. Connolly. Washington representative of tha picture industry. Charles H. Newman, treasurer of the Curran, is recuperating at his home from a nervous breakdown which caused him to leave his post at the theatre for a hospital bed last week. Harry - H. Campbell, local Or- pheum manager, is spending a short vacation at his Russian River coun- try home. Colonel Charles E. Bray, Orpheum's western representative, is managing the house during Campbell's absence. R. H. Sarsfleld arrived here from Australia on the Tahita Feb. 25. Ha has been on tour in New Zealand. Schiller Back From Honolulu. San Francisco, March •• E. A. Schiller, Loew's Southern representative, arrived here frosm Honolulu March 1, and after a con- ference with Ackerman-Harris de- parted for the South. NOTICE!!! THE FORMER YE LIBERTY Playhouse, Oakland, Cal. 18 NOW KNOWN AT THE Mac ARTHUR THEATRE "headquarters W» !! f! GREEN ROOM CLUB Thespians 9 Rendezvous Supreme Cafe Marquard COLUMBIA THEATRE BIG REVUE FEATURES SAN FRANCISCO and GEARY MASON SCENERY BY EDWIN H. FLAGG STUDIOS sin