Variety (May 1921)

VARIETY'S LONDON OFFIC9 26 HANWAY ST., OXFORD ST., W. I. CABLES Friday, May 6, 1021 AMER. LEGION'S ACTION MAKES ANTI-FILM DRIVE NATIONAL Country-Wide Reports of Attempts to Shut Off > .German Eeatwresh^-Fir**, National Favors Impost —Riot at Local Post Meeting. The declaration of the American Region against the importation of German-made feature pictures, fol- lowing announcement Zukor had at least 129 for Paramount issue, has resulted in concerted action against them. During the past week it has rapidly assumed country-wide pro- portions. The Legion appointed a Vigilance Committee to follow attempts to buy and release these pictures. Those who present these pictures and those who go to see them, Le- gion officials declare, will be stig- matized as pro-German. Arneld Daly, William Elliott and Wallace Eddinger, who have all gone abroad, were also criticized for producing in foreign parts where costs are cheaper. Big pro- ducers and distributors likewise were put in the pillory. A local meeting of the S. Rankin Drew Post, however, resulted in a near riot, sentiment was so closely divided. Finally the motion to go on record as against importations was tabled. For First National. During the week John D. Wil- liams for First National declared for an impost, adding the best pic- tures from abroad were wanted and could afford to pay duty. Joseph M. Schenck at the same time de- clared against them. C. G. Burr and others saw in these pictures mainly propaganda. Meanwhile, France showed signs of readiness to place an embargo on importations from America as well as other countries and Lord Beaverbrook*s activities in England are causing mu^h concern to pra- ducers who earnestly wish.to pre- serve the foreign market. No concerted exhibitor action has yet developed, bat plans, it is said, are being laid. Los Angeles, May 4. The Hollywood Post of the Amer- ican Legion parades Saturday as a protest against the showing of Ger- man-made pictures in this country. The parade is the initial step in the active campaign the Legion is to make against these importations. The State Commander of the Le- gion v has given the affair aid sanc- tion/ "MARV SAFE IN LONDON Big Winner Predicted for Amer- ican Play of Cohan's. London. May 4. The George M. Cohan piece. ■"Mary/' opened a week ago to- night at the Queens. It shows every sign of developing into a big win- ner. The opening performance went very big. The production has an exceptional cast, with Bernard Granville scoring individually. TRIX SIS TERS ' REVUE Will Produce It in Present Cochran London, May 4. Helen Trix and her Bister have extended their contract with C. B. Cochran until August 15. After leaving the Oxford they will produce their own revue in the West Knd in September. It will'be called • Parlour; T* rek*/* The music is 1 y Ivor Novclio and Hilcn Trix. EDITH DAY NAMED Co respondent in Somerset Divorce Action London, May 4.—Ed'th Day was named as the chief co-rcsDondent in the divorce action of Margaret Bannerman against her husband, Pat Somerset. Somerset is the leadincr man in the London production of 'Irene." Miss Day was in that show. Her husband is Carle Carleton, now in New York. Miss Bannerman was granted a decree on evidence showing that Miss Day is at present living with Somerset at Torquay, a seashore re- sort. Miss Day sued her husband for alleged threats against her. The case was settled out of court. NO GULLIVER NOTICES Withdrawn With Whole Wage Scale Likely for Arbitration London. May 4. Notices to all employes have been withdrawn by Gulliver's Circuit. It appears the trouble was caused by the management's attempt to cut the men's wages 10 per cent. Con- cessions have been made >y both sides and the whole matter will likely go to arbitration later. TRISTAN AND ISOLDE. Taris. May 4. Following the very successful se- ries of Wagner's masterpiece at the Theatre des Champs Elysees by the Italian troupe from Turin, M. Charles Hebertot has continued the opera for a few nights giving the three-act version by A. Poolman. with the troupe from the Theatre Royal at The Hague. The visitors from Holland were warmly wel- comed. Liesbeth Poolman-Meissner (Isolde) and Jacques Urlus (Tris- tan), Kubbinga and Dirks being particularly applauded. FKTJTX ADLER FOR "FAUST" London, May 4. In the reconstruction of "Faust Up to Date," at the Gaiety, Felix Adler, the American comedian, may be inserted into the cast. Adler recently made a strong Impression here when appearing in vaudeville for his initial showing on this side. The music to "Faust" piece is being rewritten by Melville Gideon. The show as given is not a big hit and revision is necessary. Fall—Extend Contract ORDINARY COMEDY London, May 4. "Love Among the Paint Pots" at the Aldwych April 30 proved to be a very ordinary light comedy. Owen Nares, disguised as a house decor- ator, has little to do but sit around, look nice and listen to female char- acters rave about his good looks. Miss Sidney Fair brother was great as a middle aged, sentimental gov- erness. REWRITING GAIETY SHOW London. May 4. "Faust on Toast'' at the Gaiety has been closed down for general reconstruction and rewriting. J " SJ*—. MAY CLOSE DOWN ALL ENTERTAINMENTS Protracted Coal Strike and Conditions Suggest Drastic Remedy. London, May 4. » Or.'nE *o ^ndiUons..«r«>j)«;ra]ly an 3 the protracted coal strike, the gov- ernment is considering measures for the compulsory closing down of en- tertainments, although the managers are still offering to carry on their policy despite losses which must be considerable in most places. A shortening of the cinema tours is also being considered, and in some provincial centers matinees are al- ready prohibited. FROM WIFE TO WIFE. Last Shall Be First and Vice Versa the Idea. Paris, May 4, "Un Ange Passa," by Jacques Bousquet and Henri Falk," was pro- duced at the Potiniere April 28 and went over for a good reception with Belieres, Deschamps, Mmes. Betty Daussmond, Suzanne Dantes and Marie Laure in the leading roles. The plot deals with a man who marries an exuberant provincial girl, obtains a divorce, remarrying a sedate widow, only to regret his action and want his first wife back. The divorce is kept a secret from the family until the first wife's father during a surprise visit dis- covers what has happened and im- plores them to visit the grand- mother, Who is suffering from heart disease. During this visit the second wife flirts and elopes, enabling the hus- band to become reconciled to his first wife. "COUNT X" GETS OVER London, May 4. Earth," rechristened was a success at the is starting a rich run "Back to "Count X," Garrick and record. It burlesques the spiritualistic craze, cranks, mesmerism and psychic experiments. The seance scenes brought roars of laughter. The play had a particularly good reception. FRENCH "PINK LADY.* Paris, May 4. The French version of "The Pink Lady," called "La Dame en Rose." with music by Ivan Caryll and a French book by Louis Verneuil, got a good reception April SO at the Theatre des Bouffes-Parisiens. Henri Defreyn, Lucette Darbelle and Monna Givry were in the cast. Dufreyn's waltz song caught on. COCHRAN PRESENTING GILPIN London, May 4. Following the French season at the Princes. Charles B. Cochran will present Diaghileff's Russian Ballet. After that engagement the same management will have the ne- gro actor, Gilpin, in "The Emperor,'* both now appearing in New York. "POLLYANNA" NO. K. 0. London, May 4. The first presentation of "Polly- anna" here before a distinguished audience, including several royalties, did not create any furore. The last stow on the opening day was very poorly attended. Laddie Cliff for "Pins and alty. Laddie Cliff's Dances London, May 4. is Staging the dances Needles" at the Roy- • — LITTLE EXCITEMENT MAY DAY Paris. Mav 4. The theatres stayed open May l excepting the Varieties and the Bouffes. Several played without changing scenery, due to a days strike of thr* stage hand'. The cinemas suspended perform* ancea for a quarter if an heir dur- ing the matinees. Russian Ballets Si i go de to Reappcn r . Paris, Ma) 4. Dhiagilew has signed ^ contract with Bravard and Tra- rieux, managers of the Theatre de ja Qaite for his present Russian dancers to appear at this Paris house r.ext month for two weak*. The troupe it at present in Spain. THE AWAKENING OF RICE and WERNER IN LONDON IN BERLIN By C. HOOPER TRA8K. j Berlin, April 13. March K Max Reinhardt revived Shakespeare's ""Merchant of Venice" at the Grosses Schauspielhaus with great success. The production as a whole is not strikingly different from those he has been giving for years at the Deutsches, except that rLsrte«4d>o6'3Qlfr9dteS£3t4P9^ PteYin*? in New York) Werner Kraus was the Shylock. But that is some dif- ference. Schildkraut played serious- ly, heavily, venomously; there can be no doubt of the powerful-eensist- ency of his Jew. But the "Mer- chant" is a comedy, and this bitter note makes the Portia-Bassanio section seem unreal, almost ridic- ulous. The stark contrast in "Mac- beth" between the murder of Dun- can and the coarse comedy-of the Porter scene is one thing; direct opposites often heighten, but deli- cate fantasy, as in the Portia-Nerls- sa scenes is no stage mate for psy- chological tragedy such as the Schildkraut conception of Shylock suddenly plunges us into. The solu- tion (i. e.. a comic Shylock) is sim- ple enough and would have been found long ago had not the play been used as a vehicle to exploit the emoting abilities of a long line of male stars. At last, however, we have the Shakespeare Shylock; Kraus gives a Jew, short, fat, redhaired, rub- bing his hands, smirking, hating Antonio much more because he lends out money gratis than because he is a Christian. It is our sad duty to report that, brilliantly as he began, Mr. Kraus failed to sustain the note of ludicrous grotesquery, and in the "my duckets and my daughter" scene fell back a bit to the tragic manner. Too bad—but perhaps he will round it out later. A revue of this performance can- not be left without a mention of the supreme Launcelot Gobbo of Herman Thimig. This comedian, a cross between Jolson and Chaplin, finds himself very much at home on the huge stage of the Reinhardt circus; leaping, turning hand- springs, shouting with Gargantuan SENTIMENTAL "KNAVE" London, May 4. "The Knave of Diamonds" at the Globe proved an ordinary sentimen- tal melodrama. Viola Vanbrugh gave a tine performance and had a good reception. laughter, he always has his audi* ence just where he wants them. At the Metropolitan March tl "The Blue Mazur" under the per. sonal direction of the composer Franz Lehar. was given its premiere to a much expecting first night au-. di9noen*-jr-3tt«Vf.Arj. j**?*oun.din.g]yv 3», begin with the libretto: lemonade, 2.75 per cent, lemonade—stags counts and countesses—and Hol- land is so near! And the music! If the good Lehar thinks he can cover up his lack of ideas with a facile but muddy orchestration he is mistaken; not a burnable tune in the whole score! Vera Schwarz, middle aged, sungout. gallops through the leading role. Then there is Guido Thielscher, the eter,, nal Metropol comedian—perhaps he once was one. Direction: undis- cernible. Scenery: storehouse. "The True Sedemunds" (March 31, State Schauspielhaus) is rather an example of how not to write £ play. In this satiric-comedy the author, Ernest Barlach. a famous sculptor, has forcibly compressed together enough ideas to fit out a good round dozen of the ordinary market article, and the net result is —a single tantilizingly bad one. The direction of Leopold Jessner is, as usual, stimulating, and Lothar Muethal. Rudolph Forster and Frits Hirsch stand out of an exceptional ensemble. "SWEET WILLIAM" London, May 4. "Sweet William" will be produced by Courtneidge at the Shaftesbury, which he will take over for that purpose. HUNGARIAN STAR IN LONDON London, May 4. "The Gypsy Princess," now in preparation for the Prince of Wales theatre, stars the Hungarian actress Petrass in the title role. ELSIE JANIS' REVUE. Paris. May 4. Rafael Baretta has taken the Apollo and Elsie Janis will shortly appear there in a revue. EMPIRE WITHDRAWN London, May 4. At the public auction there wasn't a single bid for tho Empire. The theatre was withdrawn from sale. SAILINGS. May 2C (from New York for Lon- don).—Max Silver (Aquitania). May L'l—Olympia Desvall, S. S. Rotterdam for London. May 17 (from New York for Lon- don).—Ida Wynn Westcott (Car- mania). May 14 <from New York for Lon- don).—Novelty Clintons (Olympic). May 12 < from New York for Lon- don).— Morris Gept, Mary Garden, Margaret Anglin, Australian La Merts »Mauretanla). . May 7 <.(i;oni Vancouver to Aus- tralia ).- Joe. and Harry ReTsd '<Ni-*' agara). May 7 (from New York for Lon- don).— Brock Pemberton, Arnold Daly i Mauretania). May 3 (from New York for Lon- don).—Norbert Lusk, J. Gordon Ed- wards, Abraham Carlos, John Brad- don, Justine Johnstone, Willette Kershaw (Aquitania). May a (from San Francisco for Australia): Annette K«l!ermann. Stuart Barnes and wife, Tom Newall, Tom Donnelly. Bert Wig- gins, John 15.,).lay Quartette, Don Company, Andrew Kline, Dorothy .Summers, all of Miss K<11< rmann's company. Also "For Pity's Sake"' Company with Talbot H«t iforson, Peggy Alien, Ealina Hewitt, Walter Houle, Donald Kay, Man ella K< 1 J and I'au.ine Berry "Ventura). April 28 (from Vancouver for Japan). — Mme. Schumann-Holme (Empress of A^iaj. At the Deusches April 5 George Buechner's "Woyzeck" was revived under the direction of Max Rein- hardt. Buechner, although till late? ly little appreciated in Germany, is one of their greatest dramatists. This play, written in 18*27, is built along the most modern psycholog- ical lines. The theme is a study of Woyzeck, a poor weak fellow, used by a doctor to experiment upon, hounded by his master, played false by his sweetheart. In the end comes persecution, mania, murder, suicide. A powerful moving play, of interest perhaps to John Rarrymore or Ben Ami. Eugen Kloepfer is very fine in the title role. April Variety Bills. SCALA.—Original Samots, bicy- cles; Four Aregors, acrobats; Gui- seppina Vottini, singer; Albert Tou r louse, balancer; Ballett Charell. dances; Carl Reinsch, trained horses: Paul Goldier. comedian; Six Millorantes, acrobats; Three Arras, Australian tricks; Wassil- Jeff, singers; Van de Velde, acro- bats. Again a good bill this month and attendance better. The Ballett Charell has two good numbers, a top danee and a fantastic pantomime, Jimmy's Toys. The Wessiljeff Rus- sian quintet is superior stuff. Van de Velde (with a phenomenal girl acrobat), Six Millorantes, Carl Reinsch, all took numerous calls. Paul Goldier is an excellent eccen- tric dancer. A P O L L O.—Jne van Dressel, dancer; Heros, juggler; Five Pon- cherrys, acrobats; Rolf Hansen, magicians; A. and H. Bradna, bal- ancers; Four Perez, aeronauts; VTho Red Signal," sketch, Egon born director, Erra Rornar and Erich Kaise MBU £<- lured. A bad bill, very tlreWmc. The feature is a sen- sational sketch depending on the nearing express train effect used somo ten years ago at the Winter Garden, New York. The scene Is supposed to be laid in America, but one of the characters speaks con- tinually of going to the castle. Tho pronunciation of the heroine's name, Gladys MacCarty. is one of the few bright spots of the evening. The best on the bill is Heros, a strong: man-juggler, an original turn. WINTERQARf EN.—Three Car- teitas, jugglers; C. Torhay, shadow- graphist; Alfonso Saytm Co., con- tortionists; Alfred Heinen, come- dian; Duo Jaincziek. skaters; Sila- eara. female impersonator; Hegedus Sisters, violinists; Otto Reutter, comedian; Hormanowa - Darewski, dancers; Willuhn Brothers, acro- bats. The headliner, Otto Reutter, knocked this bill for a goal; com- ing on la to, a Single without cos- tume changes, he sang topical pong's «t»:oiii" for over t%ree-quar* te*s of an hour. T-ivi. IXegadus Si?r. ters, one of the few violin acts where musical violin playing is the feature, excellent, of the acrobats, the Willuhn Brothers have ease and finish; Three Carteilas do not de- serve relegation to the.opening po- sition. Coming Productions. Deutsches Theatre,—"Kean or Ge- nius and Passion," from the French of Dumas; by Cassimir Edschmidt; director, Reinhardt; hading role, Werner Kraus; May i. Clrosses Si hausj.it Ihaus.—Shake- speare's "Midsumiw t Night's Dream"; director, Reinhardt; lead- ing roles, Kraus. Thimig, Eysold, Hartmann, • Dietcrlo, Lange; April 19. Leasing Theatre.— The Marquise of Arris." from iln French <»f l>au- det, by Carl Bternheim; director, Victor R.»mow ski: lending roleSi Constantine Veldt, Strunsmann* Witt, Sucss-Eisenlohr. ■