Variety (June 1921)

10 BURLESQUE Friday, June 3, 1921 1 COLUMBIA HOUSES & PRODUCERS OFHCIALLY DECLARE OPEN SHOP National Association of Burlesque Theatre Owners and Burlesque Producers' Association Issue Statement Defining Position—Point to Need of Protection. The National Association of Bur- lesque Theatre Owners issued the statement below last week, officially announcing that the theatres com- prised In its membership will be operated on the open shop basis next season. The greater part of the houses listed following the statement, as holding membership In the N. A. B. T. O. played the Columbia wheel shows last season, and will play them this season. Bi^ou, Philadelphia; Haymarket. Chicago; Gayety, Baltimore, have flayed the American wheel shows lor several seasons past. "The burlesque Interests of the United States have with the ut- most reluctance been forced into protective associations in order to avert pending ruin. The National Association of Burlesque Theatre Owners, operating 60 theatres in the United States and Canada, are unanimously of the opinion that the only way thlc can be done ia by taking over control oX their properties and removing their business from the arbitrary and unreasonable domination of the leaders of organized labor, which waa lost during the prosperous times Incidental to the inflated business, due to the world's war, and which now, in the reaction,- ' has become a hardship. One full theatrical season under •onditlons such as were exper- ienced during the latter half of the one just passed would wipe eut a business it has taken a life tixne of the present theatre own- ers and show producers to estab- lish. Owing to other lines of the- atrical entertainment reducing their prices of adxnissJon, the burlesque theatres have besa forced to reduce their prices In order to meet this competition and Bscure their share of patronag*. Theatre owners have been asked*to increase terms and stand additional expenses In order that the shows may live, and have agreed to do so, but when they ask the unionized stage hands and musicians, who have shared ^ith them the brief prosperity they have enjoyed, to co-operate with them in meeting the changed con- ditions for one season, they are met wiih insolence, threats of pen- alties of even higher wages and more exacting working condi- tions unless contracts are signed Immediately. To do so would be business suicide, and the theatre owners with their backs to the wall in defense of their business have been forced to declare the Open Shop policy for the coming sea- . son. ;•■■ '^ ,/■;;.. The wages paid will be more than the living wage paid for sim- ilar services in any line of work, and there will be no discrimina- tion in the emploj-ment of either stage hands or musicians Union men who desire work will be given It, ex-service men always being given preference. Many union men in our employ have come to us privately and stated that they do not consider our request for a cut in wagoa fcr tVi^ eornSrift: ^vtiSOTj linrra-soryoblf^, as they are aware of the serious slump in our business, but they are howled down and browbeaten by their leaders if they dare make any suggestion tending to relievo their employers. The dorlaratlon made at the musicians' meeting in St. Paul that "rather than consent to a cut in wages, the musicians would close every burlesque the- atre in America, is an evidence of their selfishness and attitude not only toward their employers, but also the performers who bring Into tho theatres the money with which Ihcy are paid. The story appe^rlnR Iti some of the trade papers of last \v«ck that the Columbia Amusement Com- pany had subscribed fiTtOOOO to a defense fund ami that the chorus girls' salary was to be fixed at $25 was without any foun- dation In fact. How«^'ver, all the burlesque theatre owners have pledged thcmisclvcs to dcfina their properties with their entire resources if necessar>'." By U. Clay Miner. Columbia, New York. Casino, Brooklyn. Empire, Newa^'k. Casino. Philadelphia. Hurtig & Sea- men's, New York. Orpheum, Paterson. Majestic, Jersey City, Empire, Providence. Gayety, Boston. Grand, Hartford. Miner's 149th St, New York, Empire, Brooklyn. Peoples. Philadelphia. Palace, Baltimore. Gayety, Washington. Gayety, Pittsburgh, Star, Cleveland. Empire,^ Toledo. Dayton. Olympic, Cincinnati. Columbia, Chicago. Gayety, Omaha. Gayety, Kansas City. Gayety, St. Louis. Star and Garter, Chicago. Gayety, Detroit. Gayety, Toronto. Gayety, Montreal. Gayety, Buffalo. Gayety, Rochester. Empire, Albany. Casino, Boston. Star, Brooklyn. Gayety, ' Brooklyn. Bijou, Philadelphia. Haymarket, Chicago. Gayety, Baltimore. Lyric, The following statement, offlcially confirming published reports that the shows playing the Columbia wheel houses next season would operate on the open shop basis, was issued last week by the Burlesque Producers' Association: "At a meeting of the Burlesque Producers Association, which em- braces producers of the attrac- tions playing the Columbia Amusement Company theatres, Friday, it was decided to adopt for next season the open shop policy with regard to stage hands and musicians. "Under the present conditions the producers have come to the realization that it is impossible to operate the attractions with any degree of success from a financial standpoint. The stage hands' union and the musicians' union have continued year after year to impose conditions of a serious nature that have been un- fair to ths producer, and the added burden has r«ached a point where the producer had to call a halt. The majority of shows have just completed their financial statement for the fiscal year as of June first and find that they have incurred losses amounting to thousands of dollars and also find that the gross business taken in at the box o3l:ce has already re- turned to the pre-war level and have found it necessary to read- just their business to conform with the pre-war times. The stage hands and musicians' unions, however, while their salaries have mounted with the conditions prevailing during the war, have evinced no desire to meet the producers half way in trying to effect a readjustment. It has therefore been resolved by the producers of this association to declare an open shop policy and engage people on terms mu- tually satisfactory without inter- ference or dictation on the part of Individuals not direct parties to such actions. We have always endeavored to treat our workers fairly and honestly and we expect to continue to do so." At a meeting today there was a full attendance and the owners of of the following shows were pres- ent.: .,5 ••Bostonlans.** "London Belles." - "Twinkle Toes." "V "Peek-a-Boo." "JJngle Jingle." "J^y Bells.'*^ "Town Scandals." "Bon Ton Girls." . * "Abe Reynolds' Revue." "Tick Tack Toe." "World of Frolics.'* ' "Cuddle Up." "Bits of Broadway.** "Harvest Time." "Follies of Day." "Flashlights of 1922." Lew Kelley Show. : • . "Step Lively Girls." "Girls de Looks." "Sporting Widows.** "Maids of America." ^ ^ Dave Marion's Show. Jack Singer's Show. "Folly Town." "Big Jamboree." ' "Keep Smiling." "Hello 1922." . ; Sam Howe's Show# Hasting's "Knick Knacks." Billy Watson's Show. "Strolling Players." "Sugar Plums." "Big Wonder Show." "Greenwich Village Revue." "Odds and Ends." "Girls From Happyland." _ "Bowery Burlesquers." At the headquarters of the I. A. T. S. E. (stage hands) it was stated that in the event of the Star and Gayety Brooklyo, Gayety, Balti- more, Haymarket, Chicago and Bijou, Philadelphia, which play the American shows, operating on the open shop basis, next season, the five houses mentioned would be placed on the "unfair list" and "road calls" issued against them by TAMEO KAJIYAMA "WILL POWER EXPERT" '•'"—*«»f.,"jT,' Tlu' iiis'it is Baron Shid«>hara. Japan's Ambassador to «h*^ I nited States, to whom Knjlyania Is d«'hionstratlng his system for dual conefU- tratlon, possibly to be adopt«Ml in the schools of Nipi»on. If .lapan'a foremosf'diplomat evinres such interest In Japan's fore- most showman, it Is but natural that th( atregoors will do likewise. The I*.aron is but one of the many notables intensted in Kajiyama's marvelous work. This week (May 30) COLONIAL. NKW YORK; then In the fol- lowing or<lfr: iiarniU(»n and Foidham, New Yorl?; Orpheum. Brooklyn; iiuyal, .New York; Ktitli's, iioston; Riserside and Bushwick, New York. '^LUE STUFF" USERS ALLOWED TO REMAIN JEAN BARRIOS Who closed his successful season of 42 weeks at Henderson'^. Coney Island, last week. Mr. Barrios will leave for San Francisco. Calif., this week (June 30) for the entire sum- mer, at home. ^ Than'its to ROSE & CURTIS, Representatives. the union. This means the union stage hands and musicians would simply lay off during the week the American shows played the five houses mentioned, but would resume with llie show at the next I stand, providing it was a "union" house. COLEHAN aUITS HASTINGS. Dan Coleman, featured comic with the Harry Hastings show for sev- eral seasons past, severed his busi- ness connection with Hastings at the expiration of the season, and will not appear in the Hastings show next season. The Hastings-Coleman contract had a year yet to run, but was ter- minated by mutual consent. ANNUAL MEETINOS The annual meeting of the Co- lumbia Amusement Co. and its sub- sidiary corporations was scheduled to be held Thursday (yesterday). The annual meeting of the Amer- ican l^urlesque Association will be held Friday (today). Miss Williams' Nsw Title IfoUIe Williams' Columbia Wheel attraction for next season will be retitled and called "Comedies of 1921." A book with special lyrics and music Is now being written by Stern, Marks and Haymond. The former appellation was Mollie Wil- liams' Own Show. Amphion's Stock Closes The burlesque stock company which had been playing the Am- phion, Brooklyn, for the paist four weeks, closed Saturday. Columbia People Relent—Two Stars Violated Regulations. Officials' of "thd Columbia bur- lesque circuit have decided to give the two stars of the wheel In dis- favor last season through the use of blue material, another chance. Both will be listed among thoss present when the bell rings for the coming season. Both of the artists iii question have promised to observe the stan- dards set by the wheel in the fu- ture and wilt eliminate any mate- rial objected to by the circuit Cen- sorship Committee. The offenders were warned re- peatedly last season no laxity would be allowed, but continued to insert the "blue stuff." At the end of the season it was decided the two people would bo dropped from the wheel. An appeal followed to the heads of the circuit and upon their promise to abides they were both allowed to remain. BlTRLESaUE CLUB KF.HF.AHSAL The Jamboree of the Burlesqus Club, to be held June 12 at tha Columbia theatre, will have a for- mal rehearsal day June 6 at tha Columbia theatre, when the matter of th^ public performance wi.l bo discussed by those who are to take part in it. It will be the first time a general assembly has been called for the Jamboree and it is expected to work out for the betterment of the show. ''Psek-a-Boo's" Second, $11,000. The second week of Jean Bedinili summer show at the Columbia brought $11,000 into the box-offlco, "Hits and Bits" Renamed. Arthur Pearson's "Hits and Bits" (Columbia) will be reUtled "Bits of Broadway" next season. BUBLESaUE CHANGES Irving Becker, last season man- ager for "Naughty Naughty" has been engaged as manager for Rubs Bernstein's "Broadway Scandals," next season. "Broadway Scandals" (American) was known last season as "Follies of Pleasure." Eddie Shafer has retired as gen- eral manager of the JBarney Gerard burlesque enterprise*. Shafer will devote his time to producing tabs for vaudev^le. For the Cortland stock. North Bergen, N. J., Matt Kennedy, Billy Wallace, Bella Costella, Laura Hous- ton, Charlotte Stockdale, Jules Jacobs and a chorus of 12, havs been ergaged, with Kitty Warren, Union Square stock. '•• '. • INCORPORATIONS. Baltic Amusement Corp., Manhat- tan, make tllms, 190,000; I. and M. Gordon, D. Kraus; attorneys, Gor- don. Tally & (J>ordon, 347 Fifth ave- nue. Oswego Theatre Co., Oswego, $50,- 000; C. Sesonske. H. B. Morton; at- torney, J. McCaffrey. Oswego. 8ebern Amusement Co.» Queens moving pictures, $10,000; J. and E. Segal, J. Bernstein; attorneys, Telt- elbaum & Janowsky. 305 Broadway. New Navy Theatre, Brooklyn. $10,000; J. Delia, C. A. Wachter. G. Pfeiflfer; attorneys, Davenport & Comer, 375 Pearl street, Brooklyn. Knickerbocker Theatre Co., Man- hattan, $10,000; V. Kavanagh, T. L. Allen, T. Dixon; attorney, J. J. Qucncer, 1151 Broadway. Nepperhan Amusement Co., Yon- kers, $50,000; M. N. and F. Christ- mos. I. A. Roth; attorneys, Rollin, Beckwith & Edie. Yonkers. Ludwig Film Corp., Manhattan, motion pictures. $10,000; .S. I^udwig, R. Rosenthal. T. Keppler; attorneys, Keppler & Hichman, 233 Broadway. Moore Megley Co., Manhattan, theatricals and vaudeville, $15,000; M. E. Moore, M. M. MeRloy. M. Ke- roff; attorneys, Thomas ^ Friedman. 2 Rector street. '^'.M.C: Amusement Co., I?rook1yn, motion pirtnre'3, $H).00(i; (}. M. and K. Cohen. H. JSciiupper; attorneys, L. & M. lilumb'^rg. 922 Broadway. Latin Quarter Productions, Man- hattnn. theatricals. $200,000; A. L. .Tones. M. Green, H. Lev»ne; attor- ney. L. Rosenberg, 116 Nassau street. Little; attorneys, Lansing & Hof^ kins. Geneva. Shubsrt Vaudevills Exchangsb Manhattan. $10,000; M. Klein, H. B. and A. Diamond; attorney, W. Klein. Westchester Dodgem Operstind Co., Manhattan, amusement park devices, $20,000; B. Greenberg, N. Paulson, L. Rittenberg; attorney, B. Rogers. DELAWARE Kiibourne Gordon, plays, ballet or dancing ideas. $350,000; Corporation Trust Co. of America, Wilmington. Outdoor Motion Picture Corpif films. $100,000; Colonial Charter Co., Wilmington. Mayflower Photo Play Corp., $t6.« 000,000; John W. McKav. Urook^yo;. K. A. Morlssey, New York; IMerrS Dupont Loucks, Oradell, N. J.; at- torney. Delaware Registration and Incorporators Co.' Paramount Pictures Corp., $100,- 000; Corporation Trust Co, ©» America, Wlimingtun. v Sherry Pictures, Inc., $4,125,000; Corporation Trust Co. of America, Wilmington. Destruction of a Nation Co.f films, $1,000,000; Delaware Regl«- tralion Trust Co., Wilmington. Temple Photo Play Co., Genev.a, th»^ntriealH and pletures. $100,000; H. D. Marshall. A. G. Rogers, H. L. Hazefton Theatre Co., 1275000; attorney. Corporation Guarantee A Trust Co, Philadelphia. Willa Villa Amusement Co^ $120,000; attorney, Delaware R^K* latration Co., Wilmington. . Miami Studios, pho!nprni>hI<* films, $1,000,000; Corporation Trust Co. of America, Wilmington. /