Variety (March 1921)

Friday, March 25, 1921 VAUDEVILLE MID-WEEK MARKET RALLY CARRIES FAMOUS ABOVE 70 Amusement Stock Leader at Best Price Since Autumn—Loew Participates in Betterment— Orpheum Reactionary. DIVORCE ORDER REVOKED. Clifford C Fischer Cannot Examine Co-respondent Named. Famous Players-Lasky stock led the amusement issues on the New York Stock Exchange in a brisk rally Wednesday when it jumped nearly three points between the pre- vious close and the end of the first hour of trading to 70%, its best price since immediately after Elec- tion. The new hig'.i for the year was established in spirited trading Up to noon when business slackened and the prices receded slightly to 69 V* closing. The strength of Famous was com- municated to Loew, wl- h recovered some of the ground lost in the pre- ceding session, moving up to 18Vfc. 'It was evident the Loew perform- ance was inspired by Famous, for the Loew stock had opened frac- tionally off from the previous float Orpheum was recationary all week, getting down to 25 Tuesday as against its 1921 high of better than 28. It seemed as though Orpheum was pressed for sale. Comparative- ly large blocks came out oi. the re- cession. From March 17 to 22. both inclusive, the turnover totalled about 3.500 shares as compared with a normal aggregate for the same period of from 500 to 700 shares. No intimation of the source of this selling is to be had, although it is a fair presumption the sale repre- sent real liquidation rather than short sales. It is known Orpheum is too closely held to encourage bear operations on any considerable scale. It is characteristic of Or- ,pheum. however, to move against ,$he other amusements. All data I which has come out concerning the »company has been favorable and ■this week's offerings may represent only transactions to raise cash by minor holders. The strength of Famous Wednes- day may have been inspired by bull alysis does not culculate the item of net tangible assets per share of common stock outstanding, but un- officially, on the basis of the state- ment it is between $75 and $79 a share. Taking into consideration the presumable caution in reporting the finances for their effect on the tax return, holders of Famous argue that this calculation does not tep- resent as favorable a side of the condition as would otherwise be the case. The reporPlast week that Loew, Inc., (the stock listed on the Ex- change), had deelared an extra div- idend of 1% per cent., in addition to the regular quarterly disbursement, proved to be an er:or, although it was published generally in the com- mercial and financial repoits and got on the ticker. The extra was declared by Loew's theatres, the Boston concern allied with the pa- rent company. This issue is reg- ularly dealt in on the Boston Ex- change, wheie it has stood im- movable at 10 for over six months. After the dividend action it moved up to 12 on m!*»or transactions. Loew's Inc., directors have derlared the regular quarterly 50-cent divi- dend payable May 1. The error over the Boston com- pany's extra dividend gave rise to a report on Broadway that Loew's, Inc., would direct an extra payment, but this was denied at the company's headquarters this week. Up to Wednesday the market had been a drifting affair, a trading af- fair with narrow price changes. Famous ^layers advanced March 16 to 69 7-8 at the high. This was the last day the stock carried the $2 quarterly dividend. Selling "ex- dividend" the following day. It about held its own, closing at 67#. Loew got up to 18% Saturday, then ish-partisans of the stock basing, reacted to 18 ur ' tn the Wednesday their dealings on an upturn in the m ^ m , whole list. Everything moved up shortly after the opening, but a spe cial consideration applying to Fa- mous Players may have been the analysis of the annual financial statement given out Tuesday by Dominick & Dominick. the under- writers of the $10,000,000 of Famous preferred, which declared that the profits for the early part of 1921 were in excess of those for the same period of 1920. The apalysls in the form of a circular to the brokers' customers gave the net tangible as- sets Dec. 31, 1920 (good will ex- cluded), I as $253 a share of pre- ferred outstanding and net current assets at $124 a share. Last year's earnings, the circular says, were seven times the dividend require- ments of the preferred. The cir- cular also gives a discussion of the "inventory'* item in the statement, explaining that "pictures are de- preciated in value automatically on the books as released until at the end of three months they are car- ried at only 50 per cent, of their cost and at the end of two years arc carried at $1." "The corporation has acquired a whole, or part interest," the cir- cular adds, "in 147 companies, in- cluding all three branches of the 1 uajnesa — producing, distributing and exhibiting—and employs 8,800 persons." The statement also is made that receipts last year in the picture theatres of the United States were four times as large as those of all other theatres* The financial statement has been argued to a farc-ye-well both ways by the Times square amateur econ- omist.*, but the figures baffle clear understanding of the inwardness of the company. The two items which the bullish followers of the issue emphasize are the showing of $".,- 000.000 cash in bank and bills re- ceivable and, most important, the item of $2,200,000 paid in Federal taxes. The argument is that this tax figure must represent the low- est and-closest possible estimate of 1920 profits, for no matter lew much the official! of the company might want to make a favorable showing to the public, they would never g" so far afl to pad out a statement which would represent excea lv< payment of tax*»s. The Dominick & Domini k an- rades of 100 shares each in Goldwyn at the old price of 5V4 made up the only activity on the Curb. The summary of transactions March 17 to 23 inclusive is as fol- lows: STOCK EXCHANGE. Thursday— Sale*. High. Fam. I'lay-L. 4O00 C8 Do. pf 100 8L»T4 r.oewr. Inc.... 3»00 18 Orpheum .... 300 liflfc Friday— Fam. Play-Ti. 2800 08 Do. pf 100 8214 I.oewr, Inc.... 700 18% Orpheum J8O0 2614 Low. Last.Chg. 06* 82% lTfl mk 00 Vi 81"* 17*4 25tf 07*+ K 82%- M 18 + 8 2614+ H at; i— % 82Vi- % 1H'4+ 14 In the divorce suit of Rosa Fischer (^rofesaionally known aa Princess Rajah) against Clifford C. Fischer, Justice Erlanger last week granted the plaintiff's motion to set aside a previous order for the exam- ination of Saul Gianettlno. a pro- fessional, named by the defendant in hi», cpunter-cMrjre* .Qf adultery against Princess Rajah.' Mrs. Fischer began the action May 27 last, naming Alice Jennings. | In his defense, Fischer named Gianettlno, who appeared at the' Bushwlck, in Brooklyn, last week. Both Gianettlno and the plain- tiff, in affidavits, deny the counter- charges. Mrs. Fischer's affidavit in substance says: "I deny that I ever committed adultery at any time or place with the said Sol Gianettlno or with any other person or persons whatsoever. I allege that the examination of the said Sol Gianet- tino Is not sought for In good faith but for the purpose of harrassing and annoying me that he is seeking this method to humiliate me , and to cause me additional trouble and expense." The couple were married May 25, 1913, in London, England. CAFE ORCHESTRA LEADERS FEATURING OWN COMPOSITIONS Dance Placet Reported Suffering from Leaders* De. sire for "Hit"—Popular Dance Music Cast Aside for Personal Benefit—"Hit" Doesn't Result. DALE WINTER, INCOG, SENSATION AVOIDED PROTEST CARNIVAL. Middlewest People Claim Carnivals Are Immoral. Kansas City, March 23. From present indications it looks as though the going for carnival at- tractions, in and around this city, was going to be bad th's season. Two weeks ago the council of In- dependence. Mo., a suburb of this city, granted permission for a carni- val show to exhibit on a lot in that city, week of April 25. The Parent-Teachers' Association has taken the matter up and, de daring that carnivals are immoral, has made a protest to the council and will attempt to have the permit revoked. BAYES DECLINES 2-A-DAY May Go Into Shubtrt's "Whirl" in New York. It was reported this week Nora Bayes had turned down her pro- posed engagement for vaudeville, de- Rpite the quoted salary reported to have been $2,500 weekly. Miss Bayes has now abandoned the idea of appearing in the twice dally houses. It was stated Miss Bayes has a proposition before her to hereafter perform under the Shubert banner with the probability being that she will be included in the cast of "The Yihirl of the Town," the Shubert show scheduled to enter New York for a summer run. Unique Delicacy Prompts Silence, Disregarding Big Publicity. Chicago, March 23. One of the finest instances on rec- ord of respectful consideration for an artlHt was accorded by the man- agement of "Irene" here when it purposely passed up a sensational advertising stunt in tribute to Helen Shipman. the girl who has scored ho triumphantly in the title role here. Miss Shipman was taken ill last week. A substitute was sent on from the comdany In Cincinnati. Announcements stated only that Miss Shipman was II] and would be replaced by an understudy. To the amazement of the. know- ing few, they found the substitute to be Dale Winter, the widow of "Big Jim" Colosimo, the Italian cafe owner and politician who was mur- dered in a vendetta at the height of his honeymoon with Miss Winter, who had been the "queen" of his cabaret. Miss Winter shortly after- ward renounced any claim on any of his estate and went east incog- nito to seek work. She got it as prima donna of a road company of "Irene." The whispers of her presence did not get much circulation before she left here and returned to her own company. The management was asked by Variety why it had over- looked so marvelous a publicity item. The answer was it had not been overlooked, and that Miss Win- ter's identity had been kept silent so as not to cloud or disturb the popularity and the serenity of the favor of Miss Shipman; that if Miss Winter were advertised a great many people would come because they were Interested in her individ- ually, and the management was satisfied to have only patrons who were interested in "Irene" and its players, not In its personnel or their private identities. • Boston sold 100 Orpheum at LtJVi. Chicago sold 100 at 25'fe. Saturday— Fum. IMay-L. 100 07<4 G7>4 Do. pf 000 83 v.. Ix)ew, Jnc 3300 IH% IS 1 ,* Orpheum 'MO M 25V% Chicago sold 20 Orpheum at 20. Monday— 1100 100 S700 07'*+l Ml + % 20 + % Fam. Play-L. Do. pf Loew. Inc.... Tuesday— Fam. I'lay-L. Do. pf LotW, Inc.... 07% M2 18% or, 4 ft) 18 or, 4-1 s2 —1 13 - % 07\-H'4 84fc+2H 18 2000 67% Ofl'i JMM) 84 If S3 1 »<>0 18 18 orpheum mm L',-,4 10 Chicago »'>ld 40 Orpheum at 25'gC Wednesday - Fam. Play-1.. 10100 70\ OS OOVH l\ Do. pf J!**) 87 84V4 K0%+1* Lo«W, Inc 4200 18-\ 17% 18'i+ \i 2 orpheum 000 23 V» 20)4 -~' l *+ V« THE CURB. Friday— Kales. High. J.»\v. Last Chg\ Ooldwya 100 5!4j 5'„ &'* Tuesday— goldwyn 100 51* 6ft 5V4 Orchestral leaders of many of New York's dance places are giving their own compositions the prefer- ence, it is said, In the dance music provided for patrons. Disregarding the admittedly popular dance music, some of the orchestra leaders, striv- ing for a "dancing hit" in music, have composed any number of in- strumental numbers and feature these unknowns in the repertoire of the places, to the detriment of the patrons and the management. That this practice is growing too prevalent has been noticed by res- taurant managers of late, according to the report. While there have been several "notices" handed out on the ground the band combina- tion was inferior, the actual reason is said to have been the restaurant manager heard complaints from patrons of too much unknown and "original" dance music being tried out on them. So far no New York leader has produced a hit. The stimulus to the orchestral leader with a strain or two in hia mind is from the lurge number of songs that haye found their way to popularity via the cabaret There are several prominent dance or- chestras that can "make" a melo- dious instrumental number by con- sistent plugging in a comparatively short while. Whereas a few yeara ago the cabaret waa frowned upon by music publishers aa an asset to their music, it la now sought, through having been found the cab- aret has been the medium of push- ing quickly to the fore aome of tha best sellers of the past two years. With the weekly oalary of nine and ten-piece orchestras advancing from $600 to 1600 a week to ¥1,400- 11,800 and up to $2,500 for restaur- ants, with the music at present fig- ured as the principal attraction, through its dancing quality, res- taurant managers are more observ- ant of the music than in the daya when the boys passed the bucket for contributions. It is this study of their drawing cards that attract tha attention of the proprietors of the dance places when the popular tunes are not heard as often as they should have been. It is said any music publisher In New York can furnish a long list of orchestra leaders who think they are better composers. JACKIE C00GAN, HEADLINER Los Angeles, March 23. Jack Coogan, Sr., who is in New York, has wired to the coast he has completed arrangements whereby Jackie Coogan, his son and the co- star of Charlie Chaplin in 'The Kid," is to be seen in vaudeville as a. headline offering for the big time. The opening is supposed to be set for New York some time next month. - :'*?-: . ■■■: SANTREY-SEYMOUR NUPTIALS. Henry Santrey, headlining on the Orpheum Circuit, and Anna Sey- mour, booked over the same tour with her brother Harry, will be mar- ried in NeW Orleans the week of March *S. LILLIAN WALKER BOOKED. New Orleans, March S3. Tie- Orpheum Circuit has engaged Lillian \VaIker, tha picture star, a* 1 headline attraction on Ms lime. Miss Walker will appear here [the Orpheum early In April, 4 * ~ J0LS0N REJOINS SHOW. Chicago, Marcli 18. "Sinbad" with Al Jolson reopened Monday at Sprin^.leld, Ml., after a lay-off of three days, due to Jol- son's illness. VIOLET BARNEY Miss Harney, a cousin of th" Duchess of Marlborough, was formerly J with 'Parlor. Bedroom ami Hath" under lh* management *>\ \ II. Woods. I ai <i is now playing her 86th areek with V'ALlJKli: \:\:\:ci:\\\-:, al th^ KIVKR8IDK. NK\v YOKJv. this week (March 21>, Orpheum, Brouklyi next wreak 1 March 2*>. RUSSIAN OFFER TO DUNCAN. Paris, Marc. 23. Isadora Duncan, who la conduct- ing her studio here, has received an offer from .he heads of tha Russian Soviet government. It is understood she has b( n in touch with Trotsky, who is desirous q/ Miss Duncan's services. The i Ian calls for the training in special dances of 1,000 young Ku.i- slan girls. Thrmn Mousqustsirea Aa Opera. Paris, March 11. A musical version of the "Troia Mousquetalres," la six tableaux, by Henri CaiTi and T.oufs~Pay>n, mu- sic by Isidore de Lara, has been pro- duced at the Casino, Cannes (France). The famous book of Alexandre Dumas pcrc, adapted for the stage by Auguste Maquetm, Is now In the form of a comic opera, sung by Mmes. Marthe Chenal. Ray- monds V'ecart, SImayne, Messrs. Maguenet, baritone (as d'Artignan); Trantou! (Duke of Buckingham). San '"ranclsco. March ft. Arrivals on the S. S. Sonoma fronr. Australia March 15 included Mrs. Hugh D. Mcintosh; Mrs. F.lmer Helinlck, wife of the H»m producer. and 11 \. Bheppard. Tohi Moore and wife arrived hen Honolulu »n the Malsonia imsi 1 * • , I from j week.