Variety (September 1921)

VAUDEVILLE \* -^ Friday, September W^ 1921 EQUITY'S ACWOH INTERFERING WITH JOHNNY HnCHES'BOOKINGS ^^Cameo GirPs^^ Troubles Oblige Adelaide and Hugh<a8 to Cut Out Boston Date—Equity Reported Demanding Hughes Pay SS^OOO. The eDgaffcment. thia week nt Keith's ColoBial, New York, of Adelaide aiid llafbcs is said to have been brought about when the act was advised to withdraw from its Keith's BoKton current booking, throug»i someone securing an idea th« Actor's Equity Association might prevent the turn from appearing Ite Boaton. The interference of the Equity in Boston against Adelaide and Hughes would extend, it was believed, to an attachment against thf act. The shift in bookings was made in tb« Keith office with the consequcat loss of tho Boston week to the act, unless it is played on an open week some- time later in the season. The Equity's action i really aimed against Johnny Hnghes, according to the story. Hughes is reported to be or to have been a member of the Equity's Council. During the 1019 strike by the Equity, Hughes was prominent on behalf of that organisa- tion, in arranging and playing benefit shows among other volunteer work porformod for the Association. The Hughes-Equity controversy dates back to the Closing of 'The ('ainoo Girl" in Boston during the summer. Following the dostng, when Halarios fo bctween^,000 and $4,000 due the company remained unpaid, four trunks containing wardrobe are said to have been conaigned to Hnghes in Now York. Hughes is claimed to have bad no knowledge of this ship- ment, until later informed, and al- lowed the trunks to remain in the baggage rooms. Hnghes, upon the advice of connnel, when the Equ't^ threatened suit to recover $1,200 alleged to be due the sheriff in Boston for attachment fees, rcshipped the trunks to the Equity representative in Boston, who refused to accept thorn. Just where the trunks are now no one appears to know. Meantime the Equity has been in- sisting upon Hughes making a settle- niont, threatening proceedings, which threat it is said, caused Hughes to retain Frederick El Qold- s.iiith of New York to legally repre- sent him. Mr. Goldsmith in turn, retained Francis Ford of Boston to represent Hughes in that city. Boston was tlic spot, the Equity is alleged to have stated, where procced'ngn would be brought, and there was a mention made lOquity would ask the Boston Grand Jury to look into it. •*The Cameo Girl" was attached in Boston. I^ter Equity concluded te attach and aKked Hughes to join his attachment with the one Equity pro- posed. Hughes acceded. \Miep asked to pa J the $1,200 rUimeil to be sheriff's fees, Hughes offered ta pay ope-quarter of that amount an his share but the offer was declined. It is reported Equity offered to settle with Hughes ami drop all con- templated prooeed'ngs if Hughes would pay the $3,000 due in salaries. Hughes refused to consider it. SELBIT'S "WOMAN'' ILLUSION AT 44tli ST. Given Week as Extra At- traction to Prove Asser- tion of Superiority The iHusion, as performed by Sel- bit in London and called by him "Sawing Tl^ough a Woman," was added to the 44th Street bill for this week by the Shuberts. The engagement was given to Selbit at his request and upon his assurance that the turn, as done by bim, ia au- perior to any of the simitar acta now appearing ever here. Selbit claims all of these were adapted from his creation. Arthur Klein, «f the Shubert Vaudeville Office, said be had faith in Selbit's cfaims and statements. If the act lived up to expectations, Mr. Klein added, it would recei>-e a Shu- bert route. According to understanding, Selbit refused to make a salary amount for the week and ezpreaaed himself as agreeable to having the aalary set for the turn, following its presentation. Selbit came to this side without a contra<rt, to Refute the accusation of Horace Goldin the latter bad origi- nated the **Sawing'* turn. KELLERMAiM CO. STOPS IN AUSTRAUA Opened With Vaudeville Act in Sydney—Lost Considerable Money Sydney, Sept. 1. Annette Kellerman has disbanded her company.- She will open with her tank act at Tivoli Sept. 3. The com- pany wa9 to have made a tour of New Zealand. This had to be aban- doned after the Melbourne season. It is reported Miss Kellerman has lost a considerable amount in her venture. TJM company included Stuart Barnes, Ncwalf and Hale, Jazs Cline. Dot Summers, Tom Donnelly, Bert Wiggin and Co., Pauline Berry and Walter Hulo. Action may be taken against Miss Kellernan for broken contracts by each member of the company. PALACE'S HEAVY BILL SENDS WATSON OUT BABES DATES Greatest tf Tbani An Will Becoma Broadway Actor Nav. 7. Babe Ituth's vaudeville dates have been-.settled on by the Keith office. The worlds greatest bnseball swatter breakH in nt Proctors Mt. Vernon. N. Y., opening at the Palace, New AOif^, i^ov. 7. A«« now framed the mighty Babe will do a monolog. There is also io be a pirtnre of the sUr in oction snd for the finale, in full stage, Bnbc will demonstrate how he sock'j the ball. Just how the ball will b a hcnvnd has not been derided upon. Ruth*<« booking in total mils for 1(1 weeks at $2,500 weoklv. Jimmie DnncJin arranged thr book- ings, the appl»> swiper appearing un- der Ilsrry Weber's direction. Closing Show After 11.30, Comedy Torn Ck)e8 to Colonial The Annette KeHerman road ahow, formed on the Pacific Coaat, to tour Australia. It was composed of aU- American vaudeville artists, with the troupe manai;ed by the star's hus- band, Jamea B. Bullivhu. Foraer Tatm Go«s Tw« Ways. Irene Bordoni with Eric Zardo at the piano opens in vaudeville neit week at Keith's, Waahinston. I). C. Hilliam, her former accompanist and partner, baa enfaged |rith the Shu' berts. OPPOSITION'S BOOKING DUE HAKES SEUMRHEADLINERS Foxir "Name?" tn a J^ill JiuKcitH btkI Siudx'rt VgyjuJcv ville Houses—Keith's in Best Position to Obtain Big Acts. -♦ LOW COMEDY ACTS IN GREAT DEMAND Big Time Agents Looking For Them — Revues Are of Last Season Comedy acts, preferably low comedy but comedy acta, are f reatly in de- mand for the local bills, according to the Keith agonts. Several instancea of acta rooted over the Orphenm Cir- enit have bad their time set back at the raqoest of the Keith bookers, have been pointed to aa indicators of the 1021 booking trend. Revnea are still plentiful but are mostly boldovera from last aeaaon. The production of revues for this season's bills waa gone at very con- aervativcly by prodocera. The preaent demand for comedy turns if insistent, with the scouts from the big time circuits fine-comb- ing the smaUer houses for likely material. LOEW SENDS QUESTIONNAIRE TO ALL ARTISTS ON CIRCOIT 35 Questions Call for Answers—Special Exploitation For Acts—^Heretofore Picture Publicity Mostly on Loew Bills. An infrequent happening in vaude- ville occurred at the Palace, New York, after the Monday night per- formance this week, when Harry Watson, Jr., in his "Kid I^ugan" turn retired from the program. The arrangement was made with the Keith booking ofllce, which shunted: the Wat- son net into the Colonial, New York, program for the remainder of the week. Monday Mr. Watson and his com- pany clone<I the Palace show, that ended in the afternoon at about 5.5«'> and at night, around 11.40. It was impossible to hold the au^ence at those hours. Becoming evident the heavy Palace bill this week was run- ning too long, the shift to the Colonial was agreed upon. Often a vaudeville management will add a turn to strengthen or fill out a program but it has seldom hap- pened an act voluntarily retired from i program through its length. The Loew Circuit inaugurated a policy this week of issuing an artiat's qu^ationairc to be filled out by all acta placed on the circuit's books. A printed form containa 35 questions, with the answers to be used for a special exploitation campaign that i^ going into ctroct immediately. T^e Loew-booked vaudeville the* atres have given little attentiou in the past ta special pabBcity in con- picture has bee« given the preference \u tha way of publicity, dtae to the matter J»ent oat by the picture con- cerns to the circuit publicity depart- ment. The average turn playing the time has ;*/»T,ard<Hr a «^«»flrnptio« of the aet and a short biiliug line. With the new policy the meml>era of the acts will be plajed up in accordance with the information given on tha questionnaire. Ilepresentative questions are: "Where were you bomr' "What wa# your occupation before going on the stager* "Bo any of your rclatirca hold pabCc positionsr* "Have yon ever belonged to any well-known ath- letic organisations?" ''Were yon in ncction with the acta. The feature the wrV "Have you played before any crowned heads?" "To what fra t«msl organisations do you belong?" "Have you ever appeared in pic- tures?" "What ia yon hobby," '^Where do you spend yoor vaca- tion?" CA8E ADJOURMXD Gallagher and Shean were to con- tinue to appear in the Keith houses until Sept 2» (yesteru^y), on which date they appeared before Judge Ley- dom of the Sopremc Court to show cause why an injunction rebtraining them from continuing their Keith dates should not be granted to the Shuberts. who daim a prior contract. The original order was returnable last Friday. A postponement wuk requested snd granted. According to reports, Gallagher and Shean have been signed'for three years by the Keith people. OVER 100 VAUDEVILLE HOUSES HAVE POSTPONED OPENINGS All East of Mississippi and Playing Split Week Policy —Many Open, Operating Under Losses. PERMISSION FOR "JIGGS" Stsnley Grovrr. ventriloquist, ar- rived from England e.^d utilizing a life size walking figure of "Jiggs" ("bringing Up Father") may have to postpone his American appearance, awaiting permission from McMaflnn, the creator of the cartoon, to use the dummv. In vaudeville booking circles it Is estimated over 100 houses have post- poned opening within the territory east of the Mississippi. The hard and f.TRt rule up to this season was to Htart with tlie arrival of IL#abor Day. ContiniH'd heat, aud generally bad businesht, roupled with unemploynjeut in industrial fields, lead to setting back the opcniuKs. Many honses set for a Labor Day start are still dark Jind the manngerH have decided to remain closed unti) business begins to improve. Au agency in Philadelphia which has five closed houses located in adjaceut ter- ritory on its books admits that the bouses s^tartrd arc operating at a loss, reported true in uany other points. The clo.sed houses are ali in tha split week list. All of the big timr theatres got under way. Virtually all circuits are included in the d«fla>ed openings. It is Hppar<>nt that most of the dark houf^cs arc situated in mnnufactunng localities. There ar* five houses waiting in the Boston sone. but sections of Pennsylvania and the adjacent middla wcKtcru ststes hold the biggest number of split week houses which havo not opened for the season. llcsdline acts ure much in demand lis a result of the booking duel now being wageil by the Keith and Shu- bert stalfa. Fo<ir "nnmes** to a bill are the rule rather thnn the excep- tion aince the Shubert circuit opened. At the Palace. New York, th\n w^gk four tarns that ordinarily would rata in the headline class are on the program with a, like condition * prevailing at the other local Keith bouses. The Shuberts now have 13 weoks operating with three more reported for next Monday. Just how many weeks the new circuit plans to op- erate is unknown but it is believed on its own statements that 20 is (he figure intended. It is generally concctled that the Keith people are in a better position to wage-a booking duel of headline and ''name*' counter attractions than the Shuberts, unless the latter re- cruit some of their production stars, which would be difficult after the ligitimate attractions were set for the coming season. Despite the announced RO and 75- cent top for the lower floor at tho Winter Garden matinees the house has been scaled with the lower floor aeato at $1.10. Monday the Palace altered its scale for everything back of the 30th row in the orcheKtr.i and the entire bakrony advertiaing 2,000 seats at 50 cents for week-diay matinees. The former scale was $1 for the lower balance of the orchestra and 75 and 50 cents for the balcony. LACKATE'S ACT Re-MtoriM VaadovIUa With ■Mtfte Playlat Dri* WUton Lackiye is entering vaude. vilie vrith a dramatic sketch, nppeaf* ing hi the Keith houses. Mr. Lackay« will break ia at PiHictor'H. Ut. Vrr- non, N. T., Oct. 20, with the New York booses t« foHew. Laeksye has appeared in vaudevillf sereral times previously. His last •ngngomont la thst field was soma fire years ige when he toured ths Kdth drcnit. EDUOATINO AOENTS ShaborTt Sm4 ThMi 0«t of Town, To Cauh Optnings. No Shsbarf Afsncy rraneklat. No franchises haTe been iasued by the Shubert Vaudeville Circuit, ac- cording to Arthur Klein. Anybody with an act for sale can walk into the Shubert vaudeville booking oflSces and do business, according to the head booker. The Shubert oflcc installe<l a policy this week of sanding its vaudeviUo agents to corer the circuit's out-of- town openiagR with the agents sub- mitting a detailed report on the biUs. The order was placed in effect to familiarize t^ agents with the acts playing the Slmbert houses and also ta bring them m closer contact with the theatrea far whi<b they are sup- plying the acts. The Shuberts are paying the ex- penses for agents delegated to cover the out-of-town houses. OrphoiM Managers. Joseph W. Higgins has been ap- pointed manager of the Rialto, St Louis <Junior Orpheum). Lem« Newcombe becoiUes manager of the Orpheum, • Oakland, Oct. 2. He replaces George W. Allen, who takes over the maangement of the White, Fresno and Glune, Sacramento. Farofgn Tarn Sent for Try-Out Along with the arrival of A. Rob- ins over here, a foreign act, came Quadrodus, another foreigner vrith a Cubist turn. The newcomer was scoured by Ar- thur Kelin for the Shubert a and sent to the Knrts, Bethlehem, Pa.» the first hslf for a try-out. WARD BREAKS KNEE Norman Ward (I^iconard and Ward) while playing the Harlem opera house Saturday night* fell during the execu- tion of an acrobatic stunt and broke his knee cap. He was removed to Bellevue hospital. His partner, IjCoh- ard, joined the Juggling Moiianns t^is week. Physicians at the hospital stated it will be quite some time before Ward's injury will permit bim to resume. PANTAOE£^ HAMILTON Hamilton, Ont. Sept. 28, The new PantagCK will open next Monday as a full week on the Pas Circuit. The house will be booked ont of New York by Walter Keefe. Manrica Goodmaa Better. Maurice Goodman, the Keith attor- ney, who lias been rernperating from an appendicitis operation undergone several weeks ago, has recovered his health and expects to return to his desk in the Palace building the Intter ^art of the week.