Variety (May 1921)

Friday, May 8, 1921 VAUDEVILLE SECY MELLON INTIMATES TAX ON THEATRES WILL NOT CHANGE • - • -. Recommends "No Reduction" to Congress, but Does Not Specifically Propose Higher Rate—Man- agers Somewhat Relieved. Managers were somewhat relieved this week when Secretary of the Treasury Mellon's report on revenue and tax matters was given out. The Secretary's comment, however, did not entirely dissipate the ticker re- port of last week hinting at an in- crease in amusement taxes. Mr. Mellon said there would be no re- duction in admissions or amusement taxes. He did not state specifically whether he favored an increase or not. This practically settles the matter of reducing admission taxes for the present at least. With the change of Federal administration there was some hope of wiping out amusement taxes, but no direct promise was ever recorded. The Secretary favors the repeal of "nuisance taxes." Included in this are the petty charges for ice cream and soft drinks. It is generally be- lieved these levies, extracted from the public by small merchants, goes into the pockets of the latter and the government appears to be of the same opinion. JACK LAUDS W00DR0W. Comedian Spies Ex-President Washington Keith Audience. in Washington, D. C, May 4. Wilson, the actor, paid Wilson, the ex-President of the United States, a beautiful tribute at Keith's theatre Saturday night. For the second time since his illness, and but a' week from his last visit to this theatre, Woodrow Wilson, with Mrs. Wilson and party occu- pied seats in the last row of the orchestra. His presence had been noted by but a few, when Jack Wilson turned to his straight man and in a little speech, which rang with sincerity, praised the work of the ex-President, stating that Woodrow Wilson had built for him- self an everlasting monument with his deeds and accomplishments. It took quite some time for the audience to get the import of his remarks, but when it did dawn upon them they applauded for a lull five minutes. N. V. A/s PRESIDENT RESIGNS THIS MONTH Edwards Davis Going Into Stock Brokerage Business. According to report Edwards Davis, president of the National Vaudeville Artists, will resign some- time this month. Mr. Davis is to become associated with Harry First, in the Times Square branch of M. Stleglitz & Co., the downtown brokers, who are establishing an oflflce in the new Loew State build- ing with Mr. First in charge. Mr. Davis entered vaudeville some years ago, coming from the pulpit. Later he left the variety stage and has since appeared on the legit boards, also before the screen. Following the expiration of his term as prompter of the Greenroom Club, Mr. Davis was elected pres- ident of the N. V. A., after Willard Maok's tenure of that office ended. No mention is made as to the identity of the next N. V. A. pres- idential chair warmer. AVON COMEDY FOUR. Joe Smith and Charles Dale With Shuber-u Another Year KRAMEE AND BOYLE FLX UP Kramer and Boyle have settled their differences and will not separ- ate as vaudeville partners, as agreed by them last week. They resume May 9, at Proctor's, Newark. The decision of Kramer and Boyle to •tick together automatically calls •ft the teaming up of Kramer and Mayo, (Allman and Mayo), which was to have followed the dissolu- tion. The passing of the Avon Comedy Four, for the present at least, is in- dicated in the signing of Joe Smith and Charles Dale with the Shuberts for another year. The pair are the original members of the quartet and recently closed with "The Pass- ing Show of 1919," their contract expiring about the time the attrac- tion was withdrawn. In the show the Avons worked as a quartet and in individual bits. Both players will appear In "The Belle of New York." Smith Is to go into the former Dan Daly role, although another player was an- nounced for the part Dale is to play the role done by David War- field in the original "Belle." MISS GLAD MOFFATT "THE GLAD SINGER OF GLAO SONGS" (Dilllns* Reslstered) April 13th. "The Press," Houston, Texas, said in part:— SPARKLING LITTLE GIRL CHEER3 MAJE8TIC CROWD Miss Glad Moffatt, "The Glad Singer of Glad Songs," is the star that brings the keynote of honest- to-goodness beauty to the Majestic stage this week. There is hardly a trace of makeup about her. She's a whoiesome American girl, with sparkling talent. Little Miss Moffatt wears two charming dresses during her act— a robin's blue taffeta with lace and rosebud trimmings, and a white creation beautiful in its simplicity. • • • * It . Now Playing Interstate Tour, Personal Direction, HARRY WEBER LEAVES STAGE FOR RING Oscar Lloyd Is Now Terry Lloyd, Bantamweight. From vaudeville to the Drize ring Is the metamorphosis of Oscar Lloyd, formerly a member of the Billle Shaw dance act, who went into training this week on Long Island prior to his advent into the professional prize ring in the ban- tamweight class. Lloyd is an ex- tremely likeable chap and among other things has been amateur ban- tam champion of New England. He has been playing in cabarets the past few months. Sunday night he decided to conclude his engage- ment as the juvenile lead in the revue at Somers Gardens. Brooklyn, and go in for prize-fighting profes- sionally. He has adopted the ring moniker of Terry Lloyd. SONGWRITERS' LEAGUE MEETING DECIDES AGAINST AFFILIATION Victor Herbert Presides—Arbitration Pending on Min'mum Royalty Between Writers and Pub- lishers—W. B. & S. Writers Still Out «#««.•-.*. ETHEL LEVEY LEAVES, FULL OF GRATITUDE Benefit for Disabled Soldiers Gets $7,000— Returns Nov. Ethel Levey and her husband, Claude Grahame-White, the noted aviator, sailed Tuesday on the Aquitania for England, where Misa Levey will take up a contracted vaudeville tour, probably to be followed by her engagement in an English production. Before leav- ing Miss Levey stated that she ex- pects to return here in November, accompanied by her husband who has concluded to dispose of his English interests and thereafter make the U. S. his home. "I am full of thankfulness" said Miss Levey, "through my benefit Sunday night at the Sam H. Harris theatre for disabled soldiers. It took in $7,000. Please do thank all who so kindly helped me out in it. I would write them personally but I have not their addresses. They were so nice. "My engagements in vaudeville over here have been so pleasant and ASKED TO CUT IN EAST. MSRSSBMSBSHB| Bobby Time Withdrawn When O'Neil Declines. HUBBY ENTERS OBJECTION Teddie Tappan and Helene Arm- strong separate this week in Wash- ington. The act is .dissolving owing to Miss Tappen recently marrying Frank Sabini, who objected to his wife leaving New York, he having been engaged for the summer show at the Columbia. Tappen and Arm- strong I.ad a route over the south- ern and western Loew time which would have kepi them away for several month*. Los Angeles, May 4. Bobby O'Neil and his "Four Queens and a Joker" act were In- formed last week while playing the Orpheum here that five weeks of their eastern time had been cut from the route and that the turn would close in Chicago Instead of playing through to Boston. A refusal to take a cut in salary for the eastern time is said to be the reason. BACK TO VAUDEVILLE. Potfy Moran and Eunice Buraham to Make Essay. Los Angeles, May 4. Polly Moran is going to do a vaudeville comeback. So is Eunice Burnham, who was of the team of Burnham and Greenwood some years ago, and maybe yes and may- be no for Roscoe Arbuckle. Polly Moran is having an act framed now. Miss Burnham like- wise, and with a tryout framed under the direction of Manager Raymond of the Orpheum here at one of the smaller houses with the promise of an Orpheum date if the acts show the goods. ETHEL LEVEY I must thank Mr. Albee for that It has been the most delightful en- gagement of my career. "And I want to extend my whole- souled thanks to Mr. Harris who not only gave me the theatre Sun- day night for the artists to play in but swelled my fund with a chock. And also as well those connected with the Sam H. Harris theatre have my best appreciation. Mr. Hassard Short kindly offered me any assistance and I am deeply grateful for his courtesy." Miss Levey played about nine weeks in vaudeville while here. She reached New York la January, after an absence of seven years, during which time she grew to be a popular stage idol In England. It is understood that upon her re- turn to the States, she will appear in a Broadway show. While at Palm Beach vacationing during February, Miss Levay pur- chased r* home. At the last meeting of the Lyrlo Writers and Composers' Protective League Tuesday evening at Keen's Chop House, it was decided not to affiliate with the American Fed- eration of Labor pending arbitration between committees representing the song writers and the music pub* Ushers in their battle anent a mini- mum royalty contract. The song- writers' committee, Oene Buck, Joe McCarthy and Raymond Hubbell. will meet E. C. Mills and a com- mittee representing the Music Pub- lishers' Protective Association at m date to ~\>e further decided upon. Victor Herbert presided at the Tuesday meeting at which 100 or half of the song writer union's mem- bers' were present. Following heated discussion and proposals to ahlliate with the A. F. L., that mat- ter was tabled for the time being. Nathan Burkan, the theatrical at- torney, who Is acting in the in- terests of the songsmith's' league, then stated that the music pub* Ushers were in a concilatory frame of mind and were receptive of most anything excepting the three cent minimum royalty demand which, he quoted, was their contention as being too harsh and exorbitant con- sidering the present trend of the times towards a reduction in the retail price of sheet music from SS and 40 cents to SI cents per copy, which would bring the trade price down proportionately. Mr. Burkan stated that the writers' other grievances were sus- ceptible of settlement without dil- cultles as well as the formal recog- nition of the L. W. A C. P League by the publishers. The** other grievances consist of a minimum mechanical royalty percentage — they ask for SO per cent.—end a "cut in" on the mechanical receipts where a medley record is made. Ordinarily the writers of the title song receive the royalty and the authors of the "Introduced'* song or songs get nothing. In the meantime, members of the League are pledged not to give any of their wares to publishers at less than the minimum royalty de- manded. Since the publishers in general are all stocked up with manuscrlps this makes little dif- ference to the trade at present, from both angles, and does not give any "edge" in favor of the non- union writer. Talk of a general strike last week was reaching considerable propor- tions although from the looks of things such a drastic move will not be necessary if the arbitration pros- pects go through favorably. But last week it was all framed for the support of those members who re- quire temporary financial support until their royalty statements nre due next July. Also, Albert Von Tilzer was proposing to secure theatres for a series of benefits. The seven or eight songwriters whose drawing accounts have been discontinued by Henry Waterson are still out of Waterson, Berlin A Snyder's. Mr. Waterson says he is saving over $1,000 a week in ex- penses. Hailed With Delight At All Stops Along The Orpheum Route IRENE FRANKLIN Now on the way down the coast. With BURTON GREEN, she will play two weeks in San Francisco (May 21 and 28). and after a week in Oakland will begin a two-week engagement at Los Angeles. After the latter date, they will sail for Honolulu for a six weeks' vacation ac- companied by their kiddies. ATLANTIC CITY'S NEW PARK Atlantic City, May 4. Rendezvous Park, Atlantic City's three -UltfttOH - doimr aiMUJJs"Qiejll venture, is to open May 28. The park covers 40% acres, fronting on the Boardwalk, and continuing back to Pacific avenue, with entrances on the Georgia avenue side of the Pennsylvania excursion lines and the Mississippi avenue side of the Reading lines. The park, with Its many conces- sions, is remarkable for the high- priced ground it occupies, and the many attractions bunched In the exceptional amusement park loca- tion. Oscar C. Jurney, formerly of Luna Park, is manager. Bessie McCoy In Nsw Act. Bessie McCoy returns to vaude- ville shortly with a new musical sketch. The act will have a cast of six and '.a now readying. BONNIE GAYLORD'S RETURN Bonnie Gaylord and Iva Lancton have again Joined hands and will be *#MH>- 1r vnew. .offering,.shortly The pair worked together several years ago, Miss Lancton retiring af- ter being married and Miss Gaylord working with Bertie Herron. FRANK J. C0NR0Y WRITING Temporarily retiring from the stage to do authoring, Frank J. Conroy, who is of fame as a black- face comedian, will have as his writing associate, Frank J. Duncan. Frederick Smith, assistant man- ager of the Colonial, Is responsible for the innovation at the theatre which Installed a laundry for the use of the artists. The outfit, which includes electric washing machines, irons, etc., is complete and will be operating next week. * t « • - 4» The annual election of officers which was to have taken place at the Tuesday meeting of the Music Publishers* Protective Association did not come to pass owing to the concerted discussion on divers top- ics ranging from the songwriters* royalty demands, to preventing the adoption of the behind the counter demonstration idea. With the resignation of P. J. A. Forster Music Co., A. J. Stasny A Co. and the Joe Morris Music Co. from the association's ranks, there is talk that the Utter two are in favor of the demonstration system so prevalent before the organisa- tion of the M. P. P. A. That this will not come into popular favor Is home out .by. the fact that. .Kress, and m Kresge, the two largest syndicate system of stores, do not want plug- gers and demonstrators behind their counters. The matter of retail price was discussed individually by the var- ious members and not by the Asso- ciation as a body in keeping with the spirit of the Federal Trade Commission laws against price-fix- ing. The general discussion, cen- tered about that with the majority in favor of keeping the prto* of music where it is. A letter written by Mr. Forster was Introduced in which he answers the Kress and Kresge arguments for a retail price t eduction to the "two bits" figure with the statement that the thirty cent price was Just coming buck to the normal. tf