Variety (September 1921)

■*sm wmamm- 14 LEG I A zsc Friday, September 2, 1921 1 AGTOR-MMBERS RMLESS IN AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION Legit Artists* Organization Has Waited 18 Months for Award—Intend Applying to Court—Vaudeville Section Also Complains. CHI HAILS SQUARE DEAL AT BOX OFFICE 44 Syilney, Aof. 8. Walter Daker, prtsident of the Ac- orii' Federation of Auatralaaia, mmI t the latt meeting ef thai organiaa- tioQ the meinbera were reatlcsH. The 'ili«erK h <1 grave uiiagivioga regard- ing the future. Mr. Ihinu, the gen- '^ral Recrctary, said: "The actora had waited 18 BionthA * nn awnrd and they were rcaolved (0 wait ly longer, bat would decide their conditiona for theoiaelTea, if ueceaaary, by direct action.*' Mr. Baker explained tk^ cxccutiTe liad decided to spply to tk« Fi)4cr«l Arbitration Court f«r a cMipnlaory • onferenre in connection with the new achednle of cUlna which had been prepared. Tbe award, expiring June 10 laot, waa a tentative one, and it did not in any way tend to promoto harmony or give aatiifaction to the members. Among the qoeationa continnally being hurled at the oAccra by tko artista were: what were they waiting for? and, ia It neceasary to wait for the Court? It might, he explained, be some time before the claims would be heard. He did not feel that in duKtrial peace conM be prcaenred un- less some agreement was reached. Mr. Baker raid an attempt would be made by one theatrical manage- ment to introduce more than -eight '< ninntic 8ho\vs a week, but he wouM assure the management that suoh •n n'-tion would bring nbout 4 com- plic.ition, the end of which it would be difficult to forecast. If^thc court was tho congesreil to hear the claims, then some metho<l would have to be discovered to settle them more speedily. Whatever meth- ods were decided upon, the manage- ment could be assured the Federa- tion would carry them into effect. Complaints had been made by the vandrvilli; section, one of which wa$ that the Federation could have done Romething for them. If the vaude- ville nrtists wore prepared to act as the other sections had done, there would be no difDcuUy in abolishing llio unpleasant conditions they wer« vnikinj,' under. Mr. linker said. The oflieers of the Federation hnd hud murh difficulty during the last few months in curbing the anxiety for ;>r( <i)iifate action by thcfe members. He desire<l to impress on the man- nsfements that over 00 per cent of the nerformers hod joined the Fed crution. Non-Unlonistt. A policy was beinjc framed for deal- ing with non-unionists in the profes- sion. If they did not join they would be exi>elled fiom^, the speaker said. Tf nny cfTort wns made to exclude M?)?onists it v.duhl be stopped. The Federation w:ir f.'ir too strong to per- mit nny 9\\ch thin;; to be attemj)ted. In the recent tentative nword, the Court would not fix conditions for persons rcceivinj; over £10 per week. The majority of members of the Fed- eration were heir.K pnid over £10 a \v(M'l<, and t!)is crente*! n Rcrious iniomnly. lie consi<lered the Court, in duty boun 1. to tix conditions for the whole of the industry, irrespec- tive of what wape.*< were paid, and leave the mntr(»r of salaries to be de- cided between the ailist end tiie eni- ])loyer. In the award just expired there was srnrccly one clause cnps- blc of clear interpretation. The mem- bers were insisting that condition must be fixed. If tlie Court declined fi) do it. tlicn the or;;ani7ation would have to take the mntter in bund, und it intended to do fo. Kven the reprcKent'itives of tlie employers had admitted the award hnd hnd featurcH. The Federation asked the Court for an award con- sistent with f;:irnes-< and iuslice, no matter what woges were being pai<l. Clyde Meynell, managing director of Willioroson-Tsit. in an interview- said that three weeks ago representa- tives of the Actorn* Federation asked whnt It was intended to do with the tentative agreement which had been in operation for the past six months. The Federation had to nut in a fresh application for either a new award or for continuance of the old one. After an nmicflble di.scussion the represen- tatives of the actors agreed to waive the oiiaAtion of a new award and carry on under the exiatiag •&• for another year for tbe purpooe of giv- ing an opportunity of aceinf iMnr It worked. John Fuller, o% bekal! of Bcb Jk John Fuller, Ltd.. aaid tkat tho ar- tifta working for hia Arm were c«B- tented. For the Fedtration to Uke direct actiea at tbla time wken pnklie apathy la to maaifett fai attandate at theatrca in Uke Uliag tkc gooao that lay* the goldem cgga, he added. **UGHTNIN' '* HELD DRAW LAST WEEK Conld Have Stayed a Fourth Year Probably "Lightnin"* departed from Bread- way laat Saturday, leaving tke Gai- ety after 153 weeka, a three-yeari^ B^lid ma only latermpted by the aeveral weeka the ahow was . deaed during the actors* strike In the sum- mer of 1019. The final two weeks were virtual capacity at every per- formance, with laat week finding standees in through the week, the gross going to over $14,000. At |2.60 top, the summer scale, that grosa is about all the Gaiety will bold, sulking the remarkable record-breaking run all the more notable by the whirl-'' wind finish. With Frank Bacon jumping direct to Chicago to open Wednesday at the niackstone, tbe road company with Milton Noble» opened quietly at the Montauk, Brooklyn, for a four-week booking. That the management took the Brooklyn time after three years on Broadwav Is another evidence of faith that "Lightnin'" coukl have completed 4 fourth season in New York. Both companies will be on tour this season, but though the Ba- con company is expected to remain a year in Chicago, the other major stands will be kept open for him for the season of 1922-23 or later. SHOWS IN N. Y. AND GOHHENT STAND-OFF SUITS '"Drammie Mirror" Saiaf Ad Maa, Who Previestly Had Sued Paper The United Motion Picture Publica- tion, Inc.. otherwise the ''Dramatic Mirror," ia suing Jack Newmark, one of its former sdvertising solicitors, for $5,000 dsmages for slander and defamation of character. The com- plaint sets forth that in the presence of another advertising solicitor for the plaintiff, Newmark stated **it has a good and bad set of books" and that the publication "runs advertise- ments without contracts,'* which latter statement the defendant has circulated among other advertising men and ad- vertisers to the Mirror's damage of $r>.000, it is alleged. Newmark a short while previous began action for $0,000 damages on breach of contract grounds, alleging unjust dismissal from service, by the paper. KLEIN BACK Celebrations When Harry D. Returns to Dillisoham's Globs Harry D. Klein is back with the Charles Dillingham forces after an absence of three years. During that time he was general manager of Uni- versal City for Carl Leammle and more late'y general manager of the Arthur Hopkins theatrical interests. There was s genersl home coming week celebrated at the Globe when Klein returned. Previous to going to the (>>ast he had been with the Dillingham forces for 11 years and manager of the Globe for a long period His first assignment since his re- turn will be to look sfter the inter- ests of the Irish Players, being bronght to this country under the Dillingham munngenient to present "The White Headed Boy." Lightnin''' and ''Gold Diggers*^ Come in at $2.50—NoFavoritism Chicago, Aag. 81. Thia town ia bnaaing wlib tbe opening of tbe new tbeatrical sea- •on. By September 5 every legit theatre win be bonslng some attrac- tion. This Inelodes Sbabert's latest acquisition, tbe Great Northern, wbicb opens next week with 8elwyn*s "Tbe Mirage." Sbubert's CenUal dipped into tbe seaaon last Batar- day with "Three Live Ghosts." Tbe anhject cauaing tbe highest in- terest on tbe Rialto la tbe fact that two of tbe biggest legit bita of New York, "LigbtninV" and me Gold Diggers," vIB open here at tbe same prices charged in tbe Bast* Tbla is levrer than any New York bit bas ptayed here in years. They come in •■ tbe prmniae made by their man- ageBMnt of $2.50 top and a fifty-eent Increase on Saturday aigbt Tbeae twe "cbamp" attraetiona are install- big n new policy In ticket aelUbg and advertising. The new^ppapefs are carrying in tbeir ada tbe ezaet ben office pricea for every seat in tbe bonae, tbe eiact tIaM tbe cnrtaln riaea and even tbe true ]«Bgtb of tbeir' eastern runs, of wbicb tbcy 4o n#t need be aabamed. Tbe Gonthooi agency is not given any preference over other Uebet brokers and Mra. Contboai was not allowed all of tbe best seats. Stress ia placed on tbe four-week advance sale and mail orders. This being tbe case tbe Contboai agencies will pay $2.00 for tbeir oeats and will charge a fifty-cent advance over box office prices, with a five per cent return up until 7 o'clock. These two shows have taken the attitude of direct sales to their patrons and a forecast of tbeir success and long run is not hard to make. With more legit theatres open than ever before and with more tried and proven successes housed in these theatres, "Lightnin* " and "The Gold Diggers" have the largest mail order and advance sale that has been aeen here in years. This attitude from these sterling producers, Belasco and Golden, ig a stimulant to the public. Where formerly the Erlanger and Powers theatres carried lines in all their theatre ads. "Tickets at all Couthoui stands at box office prices,*^ the Couthoui name is not even men- tioned In either "Lightnin'" or "Gold Diggers" ads. "Up In The Clouds" and "The Bat" will hold over. The openings last week were "Three Live Ghosts," •The Champion" and "The Broken Wing." "Up la The Glands" (Garrick, 8th week), was to be forced out at the height of ita run, but a change in bookings gives this show hit four more profitable weeks. The phenom- enal press work hsndled by Howard Gail will always stsnd as a big item in this show's success. Tucked an- other $22000 week under its belt. "Tip Top" (Colonial, .3rd week). No let-np in demand with another sell-out: $28,000 "Passing Show" (Apollo, 12th week). Only one more week and then gives way for B<ldie Cantor's "Midnight Bounders," which opens with a I^bor Day matinee. "The Passing Show" held its own with around $20,000. '•Smooth As Sllk'» (Cort, 16th week). "The Champion" opening Sunday to good business. "Four Horsemen" (I^selle, 22nd week). Film. Against all odds is more than holding itn own. Said to have shown a $2,000 profit each week for the last three weeks. With the new season the management is plunging heavy on bill posting. "The Bat" (Princess, ,35th week). $17,000. Only one more week at this house, then moving to Cohan's (irand. There was talk of 'The Bat" lowering its prices at its new home, as its capacity is almost doubled, but it was decided to main- tain ita present prices. Tiiis show has played to around $000,000 on its run so far and in all probability will reach the million mark before leaving. "The Happy Cavalier" (Olympic, 2nd week). Fiske (VHaro leaves this week, making room for "The Broken Wing." "Broadway Whirl" (Blinois, 1st week). Around $19,000 without a Sunday night performance, although doing a Wednesday matinee. Richard Carle b^ing out for several perform- ances, with no announcement being made as to the reason. "Tho Love Chef" (Playhouse, 1st week). Though Ist week, only $6,000, no criterion on drawing "Baefc PiOf." SMnge (1st week). A new Fnnnie Hnrat play presented by A. H. Woods opened Tueoday nigbt and beam all tbe earmarks •f bei^.a bit «*Dad^t GaM A^HnMaii'* PlyaMutb (lat weeb). Artbnr Hopkins' first produetion nf tba new season, writ- tan by Zee Akfau^ isptned en Wed- nesday nigbt _. "Dntay.** Praaee (8fd week). Tbe agendea renarttbat tbara bad been a falMng atln Ibt duMnd for tbia attraction Bniinen laat week managed to ga'aver $IOJtm in spite ef this. •rmilta,'' Glaba (lltb week). LMt week's grosa was Jnat a little abort af S82jOOO. Tlru Yaar." Uttla (46tb weeb). : la still going along at tbe eapndty pace and looka te eantlnne at that far aome time. Between $10,000 and $11,000. 'Hlft Tafmtr," HIppadrome flat week). Due to ^epen tomorrow nigbt May have la be postpon e d bccnnae of tbe ninaldana. 'tliWiH Owtta^« Gtftar," Bepnblfe <Slbwetk). Tba ignre daiaMd for tbia attraction la $8^400. wbicb we^l be better than any ef tbe wefiana weekiB tliiiri Ara Bvan." TbMa.Jffunre <dlhwaak). OatalBMat|8b05olaat (19tb week).' Mevai «n Ibt inaC tbentre fiMB tbe B bn bwt Ibia week. Baa h bden a mUa bnrl Ibia week but laat week al Iba athar bauae bold Ua awn. liySOO.Iha gvaaa. •iJitoii,'' rMmiMk week). TVs ia ana af tba Mitver bita Ibnt ia atnigemng Hg bnrineaa. Again aver fOMTlaai wiab. ««Mlala WaHi." Prsaenade tbentre 8rd week).' Tbia laaka like tbe fi- nal week' lor tbia attraction atop af tbe Cenlnry. Sbnberta bnve been offering tbe bauae for other attractions. BaiineaB far from Another of tbe boMorer hits that the new arrivala have no effect on tbe busin^^nn of. Went aver $11,00S last week. ''Tba Detanr," AsUr (2nd week) Moves to tbe Bijou next week to make room for tbe new Shubert attraction, "Tbe Blue Lagoon." •Tba Graaa Gadttat," Booth (33rd i^ek). StiU getting around "TlM Qraanwleb Vttlaga FaHlet" 61hobert (Ist week). Opened «« Wednesday night, having been post- poned from Tuesday. -Tba Last WaNx," Century (17th weeb). Business not what it might be. Managing to draw about halt capacity in face of warm weather. Got under $lfi.000 last week. ^ -Tba Nlffcteap," 88tb Street (3id week). Got around $7,700 uist week. -Tba P«P»y Gad," Hudson (la| week). Opened Monday night with tbe noticea against its chance of larcb Haraa," Bijou (4tb week). Moves to tbe Punch and Judy next - week - being succeeded by *TRie Detour," moving In from tbe Aster. Got about t&^aO last week. Tbe new house for the shew baa been taken on a rentaL -Mask af Haalat," Princess. Closed after one week. -Mr. Pirn Paaaaa By," Garrick (26tb week). This is its final week. Has held up in business to the end al- though heat troubled it this week. -Niea Paepla," Klaw (27th week). Got a little under $7X)00 last week. -Nabadv's Maaey," Longacre (3rd week). Does not look as though it were going to hold on. May de- velop strength if it remains after Labor Day. -Parsaaality," Playhouse (1st week). Opened last Saturday night but does not seem to have any chance whatever of getting over. "Pat aad Take," Town Hall (2nd week). Denmnd not as strong as as that for "Shulfle Along," but getting some play. Took around $R.000 with cut rate aid. -SaNy," New Amsterdam (37tb wees). Here is the record of tbe town. Last week's figures were $334260. Playing to striding room at even the mid-week matinees. "Seaadals," Liberty (8tb week). Played to $22,700 last week with the house claiming to have topped the "Follies" business for the final night of the week. -Searlet Maa," Henry Miller (2nd week). Finishes tomorrow night, Charles Dillingham having decided early this week to withdraw the IjcBaron comedy. "Shaffle Alaag,". 63rd St (15th week). Played to almoat $0,000 again last «week with the Friday extra added midnight performance pulling about half a bouse. It Ik a corking entertainment ''Six Cyllader Lava^" Sam Harris (2nd week). This looks like the real McC^oy in the way of a hit. It hit the town like a wallop and hitting on all six will Uke the heat hills on high. -Saaya," 48th Street (3rd week). Picked up a little during the early part of last week hut not over as a hit. Got around $6,000. "Soany," Cort (3rd week). Here ia a show that does not seem to have hit right and not getting the pa- tronage it deserves. The business last week was such as to make the management decide to move the at- traction to the Selwyn beginning Sept 12. At that house a $2.50 top scale will be instituted. -Swords," National (1st week). A new theatre and a new play open- ing on Thursday night. The house is Walter Jordan's snd the produc- tion presented by Brock Pember- ton. "Taagerlae," Casino (4th week). Is the musicsl comedy hit bf the new season thus fsr. Lsat week $18,000 wss the 6gure. "Tarzaa ef the Apes," Brosdhurst 1st week). Opened on Thursday night. "The Bat," Morosco (54th week). power of show. Should pick up, as both star and ahow are well spoken of. "Toto" (Studebaker, 2nd week), $18,700, playing to the city's ultra. *'Tm Blaaka Away," Cohan (1st week). Opened on Taeaday night witbberformances personal triumph f^ Barney Bernard. -Tba Whaal," Gaiety <lst week). Opened Monday night witb tbe no- ticea divided. •THnmpb af X." .Comedy (2nd week). Got around $4,000 last week. Doea net aeem to aUnd muck chance in tbe wild acramble af new attrac* tionn. mfbirl af Ntw Yarfc,* Winter Gar- fien (12tb week). Got about $ll,006 laat week ani ia aUted to at^ ant abortly. "^mm,^ Park (2rd we^). Net puieei witb tbe pktare bits, ran being forced to amall takings. Tb n n i er d np," Central (6tb wee). I4mt week. Universal tokcs aver tbe bouse Sunday. Tbrna Mnakataara," (lat week). Opened to $1,740 on Sunday night and developed an ndvance sal e of ITjOOO^ tbe moiwlng following. Will may to almost $23j000 on tbe week* Honae waa token by tbe United Artiats for eight weeka IhpiHng tbst Tbe PickforJ special, -Little Lord Fauatlerov," would fill tbe last four weeka of tbe time. "Mos- keteers," however, looks like It's in for n ^ng run snd Mary's' picture wiO kave to go dsewhere. MORE PIRACY CASES BEFORE COMMITTEE 44 44i Way Down East" and Over Night" Arc Infringed Now that the newly appointed Pi* • racy (Committee of the Pro^^nf^ingj Mansgers* Association bas the Ham-. ilton, Gnt, infringement af "Light-; nin*" off its hands, it Is taming its attention to other alleged piracies and infringements in tbe eaatom see- tion of this country. In Pennsylvania two cases of unauthorised perform- ances of "Way Down East" and **Over Nigbt" are engaging the com- mittee's attention* as Well ss Arthur Hsmmerstein's charge that the Men* hattan and Brooklyn Strsnd theatres gave unauthorised presentotions of an act from "The Firefly" as part of its weekly program recently. William G row's indictment and $200 fine in the "IJghtoin*" matter is tbe Isrgest sentence on piracy charges within the Dominion of Csn- ada. As far pa the Trans-Atlsntie Theatres, Ltd., is concerned, in whose Hamilton, Ont, house tbe "Light- nin*" infringement was discovered, John (3olden, chairman of the Piracy C'Oromittee, and O'Brien, Molevinsky fie DriscoU, its counsel, are convinced tbe theatre circuit wss innocent of actual knowledge of the infringement, and ia doing its utmost to rectify matters by issuing s stotement to its 35 thestre managers threatening t1l!<- missal to any resident manager who permits any such lapM to occur. FBAMINO A.NOTHEB Another show for the new season is being framed by Ned Wayburn. It will go ip rehearsal during December. Waybum^s first is "Town Gossip," now in prepsration. His new one will be called "Fancy That." Ballard Macdonald will write tbe lyrics, Jimmy Hanley the music* and George Stoddard the book. HAVE NEW BEVUE Fanchon nml Marco will return to the coast thia fall and prepare an- other revue. The coast dancers will open with "Sun-klst," their show which played Broadway this summer and which starts for the south ▼»« Atlantic City Labor Poy, but will leave the attraction ahovtJ^ afur- ivards.