Variety (September 1921)

2 VAKIETY'S LONDON OFFICE 26 HANWAY 8T OXFORD ST W. I. CABLES - Friilay, September 2, 1021 cz:^ FAMODS PLAYERS SHORTS HIT; PAYJIP, THEN RENEW ATTACK |M> 0^4 $7,000,000 of Common Change Hani?8 in Record Dealings—^Talk of Anli-Trust Action by U. S. In- spiration for New Drive. More than $T,000,000 of Famoos ■'laycrH* common atock c)iens<^d hands 'luring the aix businesa scsiiiona up to Vcdncsday. In that tini* the qnotii- ons made a round trip from 54 1-2 to 1 and back to 54 3-4. Thin move- icnt represented the complete vic- )ry of inside company bulla over the rofesaional shorts who were hurrled- / "run in" and compo'lcd to cover all 'le -way from 55 to 01. Tlie covering movement b«fan Iftat 'riday and the squeeze continued uil- I the second hour Monday, irh«B tht ii majority of the bears having ' >ught their way out at a price, news <gan to seep through the finaiiokil Htrict that the Federal Trade Com- iasion was about to proceed afiinst \imous Players on charges ^of Tioll- ' )n of the anti-trust laws, and a new 'flilMrfgii of filing broke out. The covering of .shorts bad run the .-ice up from under 55 to 61, at which • vel the beara apparently had cov- ■ rtid. In the natural order of events 'e wiping out of the short account >uld have invited x^fim oelling anjr- ty and the reports from Washington ere made to order for the bear jside. '>ey made the moat of them for mar- t propaganda, and by Wednesday at ' m quotations were off about 7 ints from the high with prices rul- ; around 5«'i. Selling Thaatre? Hear traders sought to make capi- I out of rumors that Famous Play- -. had switched its policy and in- .id of buying into more theatre )perties, wns preparing to sell out ' theatre holdings it already has. course ,in connection with the re- ts of federal action against the •ipany, the inference was that Fa- ns IMuyers* managers were scok- ' to clear their skirts before the imission's investigation got under y. This interpretation apparently made -le heodway as reflected in the price •vement downward, but trade au- k >rities in touch with affairs within P > industry take on altogether dif- f ont view of thhi reported theatre "mg program. /'^amous Players is supposed to have "ontroUing interest in about 400 •atres. This equity in theatres puts > producing and distributing concern the position of exhibitors in com- ♦ition with the independent thentro ners with whom Famous Players R business as a renter of films, and M situation has given rise to a good 1 of bitter feeling toward the cnm- \y on the part of exhibitor organ- tiors a feeling that might easily be tly sinco Famous Players must do ^Iness with independent showmen. Half.Way Position "■our hundred theatres of its own is '' tniffioient ns an oiitlot for produo- is to make Famous riayors indo- idont of the outsido exhibitor, as Icncod by tho action of Adoli.li /ii- in liis' ofFortH to roiicili.'itr i\\r pro- fing Thentro Owners of Auierira b.v vin^ rr Ptitiition of lossos to in- dual exbibifors flnimed as nrisinj; \ prodiiorr-distiibulinR compoti- 'ui*^. in tho opinion of the trndo. ':or;f;c- monlionod. l'\'inuMis- IMiiy- is' ii* T) ii:vlrs:r:!b'f' lii'.'f \N:ty y>o- ■in. It inif^'it work itself out in r (lir<M'lli>n |iv itiiToiijin.^ it'^ iii^s to tlio poirt wlirro it would (ult i.rr'.driit iM" t1i<' conrr:'l oxliih- : lirM by i.:i\iii:: lis own- outlf^t, ly rrotliru* rid <.f it ■ tbr.-itrc liolil- ^ ruul ooir-(Mi' !-;itii:;^' nil th(^ buiiri' '- riiLilii: l.iiu'^ ;<' tl!i> wliolc tr.'iib'. iiT coiir^-''* WMiiIl imprMV(^ its [o ■\ n;' a jircd. !'<■;■. v.iii'r> the prf- '^it ui'.ti'Mi. jt.'irt. cxhilKtMr aii'l ['riil r 'o iji.lcpt injcril '^. ''1)1 -• two w:;y.-. (frrs ajii'nrfuf ly bclu vc tl,.:t n : is ;i r< (vi prosperity. The move might b« bet- ter interpreted as a shrewd maneuver to better the company's position. * . This la not the first time a com- pany's buainees policy hag inspired short selling, while at the same tinic it made the company's atock atronger and worth more money. In the roeh to cover Famous Play- era short contnicta late last week it was reported that Jesse Liv^rmorc had retired from bis bear position. He was reputed to have been a beav^' (Continued on page 0) OPENING OF MEW'S STATE (Continued from page 1) ^ i« DOMINO*' FOE CANADA New Syndicate Stiitof Orl«l8al Oast to Do«Mo« > ' - ■ London, Ang. 81. WUUam J. Wilson** prodactkm of "The LUae Dtaiino'* nils (or a tonr of CanidiBi catly In Octot^t, under the auspices of the newly formed Britsh-Canadian lyndicate. The company will comprise prac- tically the original cast, including Josephine Earle. Clara Butterworth, who wtis the prima donna of the com' patiy here, will not be with the or- ganization. I love to read the Artists' Furum. It fives mt a grojat kick; but if I ever get started on the fellers that SIA 4n me. Georn hi. Cohan can't a eatfttfh for me for giving him the Mea of Yankee' Doodle Dandy and DaiM Beiasco phons me daily, just bvcBoae 4t was me that pat Mm wise U WaHIdd when "Wnrry*'^ and I were dalikg a double and Mr. Albee calls on mc daily, jttOt because I put him wise to the little string of housea that he** rot. Itfs got so now that I have ta leave word that if it's Kd- die Pm ont. Edison Is on Ay neck constantly-^won't do a thing aniaas I Miy ''It's t>. K. Tommy, go ahead.** And Qua Sna wires me nine times a day waold I open Blkina, W. Va., Monday, split with Wheeling—**wira cotnfirmingT IsnH that rjkht Kr. Qollagbcr? Absolntdy, Mr. Hheaa. FRANK VANHOVEN. HBTTT KINQ $1,500 CONFLICT AT MLARIONY Paris, Aug. 31. Abel Deval Is an object of criticism within the municipal council which leased to him the Marigny, Champs Elyseea at a yearly rental of 45,0l)() francs. It is alleged he transferred his interests, in violation of the agree- ment, for UOO.OOO francs which is con- sidered excessive, and the authorities are considering the possibility of can* celling. Eaiiiah SfBgla Camlaf Over 8hibert9—Bogaany Traapa $1,000 Weakly. far CIRQUE PARIS OPSNS • Paris, Ang. 31. The Cirque Paris began Aug. 2Cth successfully with Orlando's eighteen horses featured. Robichon wns ap- pointed musical chief and ringmaster. lionden, Aug. 31. The engagement of Hetty King for Shubert vaudeville in the States is for 20 weeks at $1.r)00 weekly. Mlas King is shortly sailing for your side. Shb played over there some years ago. Another English turn booked by the Shuberts fs the .Toe Boganny Troupe of acrobats. Their salary is $1,000 a week. Baby Miaa Revival Paris, Aug. 31. The French version of Baby Mine (Mon Bebe), will be renewed at the Theatre des Nouveautes in September by Max Dearly, with Paulettc Noizcus as Maggie Scott. Croisset*s Revival Paris, Ang. 31. Francois de Croisact's comedy, "liC Coeur Di.spose," will be shortly re- nuscitatcd os the vehicle for reopening the Theatre Kdouard VII, with Andre Brule and Madeleine Lely. NEW FIRM London, Ang. 24. A new play producing firm has been formed. THie principal directors arc Captain John Hare, George and Harry Foster, theatrical agents. Ar- rangements for exchange are being made with an American firm. Harry Foster sailed last week on the Olym- pic . • All productions will be under the supervision of William J. Wilson. oc^mpaalats, and dreubed uud made up for the footlights. Will Morrissey officiated as the clown. He ran up and down aisleM, broke up several acts and burst in at apropos anri Indlcrously misfit mo- ments with a nmnlng aeries of hokum that always seemed to hit. He led the orchestra with atraina of familiar tunes to punctuate affairs, haDyhooed, and all but broke up Loew*a earnest speech. At. one time he cried out "Hurry ap, liarcus; there's a caatom- er in the store.*' He did a stage tarn of hia own, a topical song with Jioew and his new house aa the subject, get- ting hearty lai«hter. Flo Ziegfield*B contrftatkn was one of almost unprecedented gradonsness. Sending the entire 'Tolliea** beauty ensemble, and moat ef hia principals, he ^rr^nr the surprise of the night for a harrah finole. Loew and Wart^p^ both **worked" with the **Foltie«*' choiva behind them. WariBeld had )ed numhera wkh pretty nearly as beauti- ful ( Ib hia aaiiri^ daya, bat to Ijoew it waa at least an wnfiainiar sensstioa. B. r. Albee aertaadaJ the front of the hoaae thMogh hia Keitb*s Boys* Band, tlao * thought pi a ffte d by the highest eaorttay^ LobW*i ipeecfa #i8 dlgnllled, plhaa- aat and-atncere. Hrmade Httie of the financial magnitade of the event, bvt treated it aa the realiaatlo& of a aentt- ■lental dream and viewed It with pride abd Joy ftoi* the aaglaa of what it had brOBght Um Omt money conld aot^vy. He apoka with faaHig tboot Nick Scheack, Da>rid Warfleld, the Lambs, Albee and the Motion Pictnjre Chamber of Commerce. Several of tht stars and near-atars who performed vrere Loew acts of earlier days, and toward these, too, he ezpreaaed hia gratltade, as well as to the world at large, which had treated fim projection it Is Ideal. *rhe or- The theatre looked beautiful, t'or fil mprojection It Is ideal. The or- chestra is large and well organised, and the organ Is a masterpiece. For vaudeville shows the State will prove a little bard in some cases. The acoustics are good, but the house i^ Very long and th~ere Is n vast area of main floor under the Iwlcony over hang. However, turns which remember that they must reach and act in ac- cord with that knowledge, and those who know how to find a pitch and focus for their voices, will have no trouble. It will prove, like the equal- }y enormous State-Lake in Chicago, to be a house where acts that get to the corners get Over bigger than they ever will anywhere dse, spd those who fail to make the distance will perish. There was every outward Indication, in addition to the enthuoiastic spirit of the opening audience, that the State would be a quick and substantial INCIDENTS OF THE OPENING Joe Leblang and l.ee Shubert went over the house *>j?ethep and when their tour of inspection was completed both aaid "This is ab- tolutely the last word in theatres." RIgolettos In Paris. Paris, Aug. 31. Rigolctto Bros., recently barred by Knglisli variety artists, and tho Sisters Swausoii appir.'irtrd al tlie Aiuaiiilirii Aug. 2Gth and went ovor nicely.. Gultry aiid Caryll aiid caryii PiV^is. Aup. 31. ?artia Oiiitry 1s collal>ointiiip on an opciM'tta with Yv;in ('ar^il <lue for tin Thontrn KdouanI VII with (Juitiy himsrir and Yvonno l*ristoinps in the N'ads. Carjil sails Sept. 1 lili for Now York. The hou.se attaches had hard work keeping the small time agents from leaping into the lobby fountain and copping the gold flsh. The "Clown Conier" In the lobby of the State has already been selected and christened. It Is the divan on the right side of the lobby as one enters the theatre. Earl Carroll selected the spot and held court there until the show broke up when he triumphantly bore Le- noro Ulrir away on his arm, first, however, presenting her with a bouquet of rosea that he filched from one of the floral tributes on display in the lobby. Maro Klaw at Dieppe I*aris. Apg. 31. ^I:irf K'nw fs stoppinj: a>. Dioppo for a few il.iNM prior to goiti^ to lion- dou. Marciif* Loew held the center of the stape In tho lobby during the early part -of the evening flunked on ono side by David Warfleld and 6n -the othor by John J. Murdock. Both Mr. Warfleld and Mr. Mur- dock roseni])lo each other as far as hirstue adornment Is concerned when viewed from tho rear and more than one confiding MIsg had tho Keith mr.r, pointed r,ut to her by her escort as tho Belasco star. Tt's funny what a uiop of white hair will do for some men. specialty performances. A numbcr'^f them came properly prepared, with success, the crowning achievement of the amazing Loew career. — ^- •■ ^ State Last Word in Theatre Designing la the inner lobby stood Marcus Loew, paflng a cigar. The cigar, apparently, was the only thing of any consequence to Loew at the mo«j ment. Api)roaehed by a Variety re resentative, and asked if he was sa istie<l with his new house, 4)e repli laconicji *'If we get thje buHiuosH I'll satisfied. I thhak I got what I we' after in the way of a theatre now can only, hop^ .for the best." Tho re|ik>rter asked what it wi^ that Loew weat after and was fcrred to G. J. Fleischmann, Fleischmaan Broa^ Iwilders of edifice. **Qu8" FleischmanQ.ha^ little for interviewing. Jie bad been all Sunday night and worked rii through Monday looking after n^; d^'•'^ On the approach of acquaiataBce he furtively drew h: aaide •^••^ ...quired |f he had anyth on'hia hip. *^U8" Was fagged and needed a little stimulant carry him through the evening, aaid:... Laaw't laatricllMia. *^arcua. aaid ta .Tbii Lamb,, architect, and aa: HSoya, glre me finest there la asd apare ao expen We worked on the plana with La for aix iMnthaand eosaider the atre the llMet In tha cavntry. Housed may h% mare onate and em/jts more, bat we regard the State as. th||, finest house in the world. And a»« other thing, we finished it on tim% the delay in apening hot being dna to ns. There li not a aingle violatioii, of any kind.'* Asked how many theatres thit: Fleischmsnns had built, O. J. saii^ he didn*t know exactfy—somewhere between 100 and ITA), » . ;, Thomas J. Lamb, the architect* upon being oaked his. opinion, modeat«., ly regarded it as "a very niee house.'* ''Is it the »be8t (king you've eveii* done?" he was asked, to which ha, responded: "I think it is." Other theatre builders were presr cat St the premiere and were called upon for theJr opinions. Lee Shur* bert said: **It is the finest house In the counf try from every angle. Of course yoa couldn't play small dramas in it, but It would be great for big spectacles." "Do you consider.it finer than tik6\ Capitol r Saccassar to Hip? ^' "The Capitol can only be utiliz for pictures, bat -Uii*- Is a theatre. Some day it will take the place of the Hippodrome." B. ft. Moss suJd^ ^^ la as fine as anytl)iii|; in the cnuutry. Some n'»V^ think other houses are nicer, but that is a matter of- )>erV^hul; taste. It like building yoiir oWti'home, loa might think your home the finest* ever, while others would regird It' as atrocious." '^ B. K. Uimber^r''^! can't see an^ chance for improvement. It is the list word in tlr^a.tVe'building." William Brandt/ pt^esldent of th4l Theatre Owneirs,'CUtimlJer of Com-" merce of Greater ^V'ew .York: *'H«^a markable! It ija a monument tQ Marcus Loew." \ , lieuhen San'iuct^i-insurance hrokctjj; who jilaoes all the insurMnoc for the Loew houses, said:'""The lowest in* .'•-iiPiinro rate' on 'ft'ny piil>rii* Iniildinjfli Marcus Loexv stateft tliat with the completion of the new State he i' through building theatres. f>f course he doesn't mean that for he is still' building a hig hi^use In liOH Anpolcs, however, ho undohbtedly does moan that he will not take on any noTV Tlio » » w* o . 1 foHoNviti H I it of f 1;o ry 11'!I!; 'r . . ;■• ;ir'] :i si^ii of \V(>;.1 r.v.i)\.^ ri;i\ (M•.■■ Mnl a <1<' Mcrr'c ni- PEGGY O'NEIL SAVOY THEATRE, . LONDON SAILINGS : siiili:i^r^ v»^re ar IV.ul Ta;r if; ond Pnn: (I'aris for Now YorW^^ Vv.iri (':n'\ll. S(>fit. It (I.nni!(i:i to New York) — ; M: •. H.'MTv (IrroTi (Olytnj-ic). S-M '. 10 (lI;ii;iLii!- to Nc'.v York) i An (:;ili 1 ) I .\,:'. 'j;- (Pjriit for New York). AViU llilv,-;ir(l>. ^■A'^^ 'JO i:!o;ii;or Trlikaa (SS. Aii^r. 'jr, -Parifh and IVrn (Celtic). Aug. 21—r.rssic Uempcl (SS. , Tho first coraplaint that Pat Cnsey will receive from Mr. Loew ho a charge that tho Palace is trying to lift material from the new tlieatro. ■ Wult«T Kinpsloy tried to convince the best looking usher huildinK proincts. The aiv^^wrr in that ?^irl in the crew that "llie amall time waa no place for her and she belonged on tho 11^; tinic." One of tho stroamcis on a hucre floral offering blazoned forth In pjold leLtors {ho fact, that .Tacob Rosenthal was the donor. It held a , idaco of honor in lh»! lobby, Tho^e that were niisjiod, who wore much concerned In the early Loew (:ir( wit days were Jon Wood, Joe Shay, .lack Goldberg, Ernie William., and last but uol least, for ho has since been laid to rest, Loiil.s Wcsb-y. Nil;^ (Jrnntlnnd manacod to pot a real line on who was In the hou^e l>y rlJi^in/T hinisf'lf oh tho platform <intsido the house with the weekly cani" r;i men and spottin'j: the arriviihi. He managed to place his info to good u.'^o later when ho stnrtfd to announce celebritlea from the sta^o for the Impromput entertainment which followed the regular bill. To (irantlund a full measure of credit must be given for his work for pulling the mob In front of the house with the picture tak- ing 4ituul ;i the Ivoew Circuit now has 101 liousos that it obsohitely emitrols. Thoro is opportunity for enlarging the circuit and adding heuaei^ Witlwnit poiii^ to the trouble of biilltlhlg". A deal is notf on whereby lioew'has* hern jisft«'d fo' fiirnisb vnuilpville' 'to'n ' nuinbor of theatres on a ir«<l*(^rit}tKe basis. Tins niMy be undertaken during tin* n'xt ?*'* moMtliH. . ' (Conrinu^^fl o>i p«feo <'.)) MARIE LOHR PRODUCES . ♦London. Aii^. '^I- Rofore sailing ior ('iin;nl.<. wh-ro she will phiy f()r,,^)i iitfnit^i.'*. .Murio Lohr arrauRod /"or, tUe,'^i^fo<lvcii"Ti "J the (Jlobe of a ;^\f;»j^li»y, by .Mi'i;""' Morton, entitled^,! ">\;p|uaji to '*'^"- man." The Iradi^f i^l^ l^Ul be i>'nvcJ by Willettc Kershaw, .^