Variety (March 1921)

. f < • PRICE 2« CENTS Published Weekly at 164 West 46th St.. New York, N. Y., by Variety, Inc. Annual subscription $7. Sinai* cop'.ea. 29 beat* Entered as second class matter December II. l»t§. at lbs Post Office at New York, N. Y., under the Act of March I, lift. VOL. LXII. No. 5 NEW YORK CITY, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1921 48 PAGES EQUITY'S CLOSED SHOP ON PAULINE FREDERICKS SIGNED BY WOODS FOR LEGIT IN FALL Rush of Picture Stars and Players to Get in Broad- way Plays—Alma Rubens Sent for by Shuberts for Spring Comedy Production. , Pauline Frederick has signed with A. H. Woods to appear In a light play next season and Alma Rubens h&a been sent for to study a leading role in a spring production to be put out by the Shuberts. These moves together with the intimation Lillian Gish will shortly be seen on the big time vaudeville stages in a tabloid version of •'Broken Blossoms," now being writ- ten for her, are the high lights in a noticeable rush being made by picture stars and players to get back on the speaking stage pay- rolls, apparently on the assumption they are in better condition than those at the studios. Inquiry along Broadway revealed, however, that they are meeting with no particular success except as noted above. Plans for starring William S. Hart next season have been broached in the past, but noth- ing more definite about this scheme has yet been announced. Efforts to sign Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks have not yet been suc- cessful though it is said the two have not readily waved aside prof- fers made them. The play Miss Fredericks will re- (Cor.tinued on page 4) DIVORCE COURT ACTS CONTINUE PLAYING Desertion Charged In Two Cases—Business As Usual. LEGIT B 0 0 K E R SI SWIMMING POOL AT GARDEN OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS Handlers of Non-Equity Engagements Banned —T. M. A. Chief Says He 'Has Applications Enough to Fill 30 Com- panies—May Require Bond from Players. PARLEY SLATED Largest Indoor Pool—Bands, Tearooms and Conces- sions—Annual Summer Attraction—Will Not In- terfere with Athletics or Circus. Chicago, March 23. Divorce actions here by two vaudeville acts, of which the princi- pal members and. parties to the suits are men and wives, contain charges of desertion though the acts are continuing to appear with men and wives in them. Harris Waiman of Waiman and Berry has been granted a divorce from his wife and partner, Irene Berry. Desertion was charged. The aet will continue unchanged. Oscar Lorraine has sued Marion Stilltnan, his wife and vaudeville partner, for a divorce charging de- sertion. The act remains intact, with Mr. and Mrs. Lorraine in it and is also playing engagements. Attorney Ben Bhrlich represent? both husbands. Chicago, March 23. The various agencies booking legitimate actors have received no- tice from, the Equity headquarters that all players booked for legiti- mate shows, musical comedies, etc., must have Equity cards and receive contracts. Any agency that books non- Equity contracts will be barred from handling Equity actors, and the ones they have booked will be forced to leave their employment. MRS. LESLIE CARTER RETURNING TO STAGE Living in Paris Since Retire- ment—Selwyns Have Play for Her Mrs. Leslie Carter Ik to return to -ftaw -York from Part* in the fall and will appear in a play which the Selwyns will produce. Arch Selwyn, "Who arrived last Saturday in New- York after a several months* trip to Europe, stated he had made ar- rangements with tho former BelaseO star. Mrs. Carter has been living in Paris since retiring from the st;igc "*out six years ago. She is said to •• in excellent health, but anxious Jo return to the American stage, ^he Play in which Mrs, Curler is to appear here will have three-name feature players. No one is to be ■Jarred ERLANGER'S PRODUCER Ira Hards has been selected to stage the future .Erlangcr shows from now on, following the death of Herbert Gresham, two weeks ago, who formerly held that posi- tion with the Erlanger corporation. The "Equity Shop" becomes ef- fective next season, in accordance with a resolution adopted a week ago by the Actors' Equity council. It is understood the resolution met with opposition, ~ut was finally passed after discussion, in which Bruce McRae, Ceorge Arliss, Bran- don Tynan and Katherine Emraett figurcC as the chief opponents of its adoption. One dissenting vote was cast against the placing in effect (Continued on page 8) STOCK ENGAGED FOR 8 WEEKS PLAY EACH DAY CABARET PRIMA DONNA SELECTED FOR MET. Even Darle Engaged for Opera Next Season Evon Darle, formerly of the floor shows in Healy's Golden (Jlades and the Palais Royal, has been en- gaged to sing with the Mettopoli- "tan opera company next season as one oC the coloratura sopranos. Miss Darle began her stage career as a chorus girl during the summer of 1913. At that time she left this country, in a group o' 80 girls, to appear in London with the revue "Come Over Here," staged by C C. Fisher. Following her debut as a member of the chorus and about two years later Miss Darle was as- signed the leading feminine role in the road company of "The Lilac Domino," which played in this country. She next came to he of note when at Healy's 66th street establishment and from there the Palais Royal secured her services. Miss Darle's voice had been recognized as possessing unusual qualities and to further develop her natural gift she undertook vocal lessons for a year under the tute- lege of William Thorner, who was responsible for bringing out Rose Ponselle ir.to operatic circles. Miss Darle li at present in New York but will sail for Italy next month for "farther study before opening here in the full. CHORUS BOY WITH A MERCER. _ A new chorus boy has joined 'Sully" ;it t; u . y-,. v/ Amsterdam. lie Vies to th* th»»ntre in hi* own Mercer. Jack Bessey's Company of 15 Principals in Dramatic Repertoire Opens at Lansing, Mich.—Daily Change Guaranteed. Lansing, Mich., March lM. .Monday at the IJijou. th»* Jac] Bessey Stock of IS people, In dre« matic repertoire, opened an engage- ment of eight weeks, With an an- nouncement that, ■mounts to s guarantee the company srlll present ,a different play ever) daj during Jits run. The com pan) is playing (1 which closed 1 its vaudeville en percentage and at ;t scale of prices. season •pop itai ^ Motion Picturs Pages 12 to 47 Plans are under way .ailing for the transformation of Madison Squa.-e Uarden into a huge indoor amusement resort, sltnila.- i idea to the summer parks and seashore re- sorts. The Garden Is to be ready for the innovation around June. The entire arena, following the depart- ure of the Kingli Pros Barn urn Circus, about May 1, is to be ex- cavated for a swimming pool. This will vary In depth from " to 30 feet. At the 4th avenue side will be a waterfall effect. Around the sides of the swimming pool i walk will be constructed, with possibly a small strip of sand for atmosphere. There will he a couple of bauds, tea rooms and the usual concessions ranp< d around the pool. Diving and swim- ming contests by professionals and amateurs will be regular features. The pool will be permanent. It he- ing the intention of Tex Rickard and associates), sponsoring the idea, to use the Garden every summer here- after for the JncToor summer park idea. A number of violet ray ma- chines will be installed in connec- tion with the swimming pool. These will be used to purify the water. It will bo tho largest indoor pool in the world when completed. Fresh water will be used at first. Salt water is to be substituted lat^r, if it is found possible to pump it In, a plan now being prepared to that end. It is unlikejy there will he another (Continued on page 4.) STATE-LAKE ON "VELVET" In Two Years Drew $2,500,000; Earned $1,275,000. Chicago, March -3. The .State-Lake theatre was two rears old St. Patrick's day. Offl- eial figures were withheld, but un- official climates place the gross re- ceipts during the 24 months' life of this unique house at $2,000,000. and the profits at abont half that figure. During tlie two years. Which In- cluded evry season and every pos- sible sort of weather, the State-Lake has never known one empty seat in its l,6#t at 2 o'clock of a Monday afternoon or at 8.16 of any night, it has paid for itself In two years. The house plays a big-time vau- deville policy, three shows daily. with feature film. MARYLAND FILM HOUSE CUTS TO 5 AND 10 CENTS Maryland, Colonial and Nix- on's Academy Slice Scales in Hagerstown. T Hagerstown, Md.. March 23. A cut in admission to the Mary- land Theatre Co.'s three local the- atres has Nixon's Academy, playing pictures and road combinations, re- ducing its picture prices to five ■Rd 10 cents. The Maryland with five acts of vaudeville and short run pictures has reduced to 35 cents top, phi * war tax. The Colonial Is • now charging its pre-war prices, 11 cents, plus war tBX. The new scales went into effeoV this week.