Variety (September 1921)

Friday, September 30, 1921 VAUDEVILLE SECOND WEEK OF SfflJBERT VAUDEVILLE FINDS 12 OPP OSITION THEATRES OPEN Fair Business Keported From Circuit Towns, With Dpenings Big, Excepting at Dayton, O.—Shuberts Holding Back Next Week's Bills, Also Any New Openings Intended. i I i The second week of 3hab«rt Taade- ^t, openins Monday, found 12 Shu- b«rt theatres playiof their brand of TiudeTUle, all at |1 top, sxceptinff the Winter Garden, New York, The Gar- den heads the Shnberts' list of Tande- yOla houses, with a %1JS0 top and is able under that scale to pbgr to |26,- 000 weekly, throufh the week end in- crease, if full capacity is drawn at every performance. Reports of bnainesa this week from the Shubert vandeyilte theatres, said business along tha line was fair, with big patronage at the opening of six new houses starting Monday. Dayton, O., reported chill for the Shubert Ta- riety brand at $1.10. Up to Wednesday the Shubert booking ol&cc in New York said it had nat its bills tot next week ready aa yet, nor did it know if any new houses would be opened on th^ Shubert TaudeTiUe circuit next week. As most of the Shubert programs are an- nounced to travel intact and more as a unit from one house to another, it was accepted the Shubert ofice had deckled not to glre out its bills in ad- vance nor any information as to new houses that might be secured by the *^po8ition" before such announce- nents were made via local newspa- pers. The withholding by the Shubcrt« is believed to have been brought iboot through the defection this week from the ^Vinter Garden program of Joe Smith and Charlie Dale, as rer ported elsewhere in this issue. It was almost tactUy admitted in the Shubert ofllces the reason was to pre- vent any informatiqn reaching the other side Sny sooner than it pos- sibly conld. With the bills f<^r next week of the Shubert houses appenr- iag in Varietg Friday, opposition figencies would secure the informs- tion they othervrise might not be ablf to ebtain iintii the Sunday adver- tisements appeared. The Shubert people said if this plan of withhold- ing were to prevent the other agen- cies from Rccuring advance details, it was no more than the other agen- cies were doing themselvcH, In with- holding their complete bills for the following week. Of the five Shubert vaudeville the- atres opened by the Shuberts last week, the 44th Street took^t'Be leaJ in gross receipts with a total of |1.%- 800 for the week. That was gained i« part by a top of $1.50 for Satur- ^y and Sunday when standing room to full capacity was sold in the h^jjisc >t $1. The Shuberts arc said to have liren out $10,000 as the 44th Street's fross l^t did not do so officially. Showmen see in the dollar top, an ndvantageous plan but they do not see how such bills can make motley with flhewa costing $6,000 to $7,000 «ad booae operation costing $4,000 to $4,500. ITiat moans the dollar top shows would have to play to altoost capacity to break even. to£r''*^**^* last week ran to about ♦**^ at matinees and around $1,100 at 2?T* ^*>8ton remained good for the ^huberts untU Wednesday when it cropped off, ruaning abot.t 2r» per cent Short of night capacity for the re- *amder of the week. The Crescent, arooklyn. also dropped down toward "'* end of last wee**. Matinees all along the Shubert cir- cuit wore off in attendance, a condi- "on not unusual with a new chain. Monday this week the seven Shu- ^'V^P*ni»>f8 reported big attendance •wi u •*»<>^». other than Dayton, waieh opened to little more th.in half • house. The Keith theatre there is ir/n'"! ^'^ *^*°*» top *« against the ♦ i.io of the liberty (Shuberts). Monday th* wu^.^ Garden op with leRH than ♦« •t"'*' ^*** Winter Garden opened ^^ *l top matinee ^hT^' "n<J without any paper. The hm.w\\ ^""^^^ attribure.l it to the Sr? J **™^ drawing a big crowd. Jionday night the Garden filled slowly ^ni eventually held capocity. Tuesday ■"ernoon the Girden's matinee was PACT WITH MUSICIANS' ONION decidedly off, and at night barely made the orchestra fuU. The 44th Street Monday afternoon held about 75 per cent capa^ty m the orchestra, with no one' in the boxes, while the upstairs waa less than half fulL At night the 44th Street had a good crowd but not capacity, with the same percentage of attendance preraillng Wednesday. Chicago (Apollo) reported interest in tbo Shubert opening Monday, the house playing to a $040 maUnae aa'd getting $1330 at night at the $1 top, meaning fuU capacity at both showa. The billa as reported to Yaricty, from the several Shubtrt tovms are mentioned o good vaodeiiUe enter-, tainment in the main, where tbere is no big production' act on the bill, al though Dayton*8 rcTiew says the bill needed a real beadliner. The Shubert production acta or remes appear to have failed, with b^ one reeeiriBg a commendable notice, "Girla.*' A couple tried out around New York were sent to the storehouse unme- diately after showing. The opinion among vauderille show- men seemed to be the Shuberts were making a good showing in attendance thus far and credit was given the $1 scale, called "The Shnberta' best headline."* The advertising of $1 at the tardea with rirtually %IJS0 charged at night; also the 60-7S matinee admission against the $1 act- ually asked for any good seat in the Garden was adversely commented upon. With the Shuberts driving into their second week and reports coming' in that the seven new Shubert houses appeared to have been opened, mak- ing 12 in all within two weeks, with- out trouble or failure, attention of the vaudeville people seemed to go toward Arthur Klein, the Shubert general vaudeville manager. It was known throughout the summer and from tbe time the Shuberts first on- nounccd Shuberts vaudeville as a reality, when Klein assumed charge, he had given all time and attention to the many details in connection with the formation of the Shubert circuit, besides engaging the acta. The Shuberts personally admitted everything had been left to Klein. J. J. Shubert when asked about some- thing in connection with the vaude- ville, replied: "I really don't know. You will have to ask Arthur Klein. Jle is attend^ing to everyt hing ." Kfein wis^ToTmerly a * vaucleville agent booking through the Keith of- fice. Followi^ a disagreement or misunderstanding with the Keith of- fice. Klein's franchise was revoked and he ceased to be a big time agent. Before commencing an agent's career, Klein hod been with Percy G. Wil- liams, booking soi/io of the principal houses of the Williams' circuit, up to the time the Keith interests bought the Williams' houses. 'As nn agent Klein was energetic ond known as a '*hustler'\ bringing many new names and acts to vaude- ville. He was looked upon as a "digger" (an agent who locates new acts of importance and sends them on their vaudeville way). His energy became more marked when embarking on the Shubert enterprise. The Shu- bert brothers appeared to have given Klein full sway. Klein engaged the staffs an well as the acts, looked after the theatres to be finally chosen, and during the summer made the big proposition of opening an opposition vaudeville circuit a one- man organization. After the Shubert houses had opened Klein continued his active Plea of Old Local No. 310 for Recognition Turned Down—Only Federation Men to Be Sent on Tour —Old Wage Scale Renewed. Committeaa representing the As- sociated llttsicians of Greater New York, new Local 802 of tha American Federation of Musicians and tha In- temational Theatrical AaaodatloB, ^aune to an agroement at a contet* ence held Monday aa regarda wage scales and condltibna fdr the season. The new oontract raas untU SepL 1, 1022. Anj changes fai the contract to follow for 1922-28 maat be pre- sented by the party desiring them on June 80, or before. The wage aeale for moaical shows remains the same as that of last sea* son. Fior eight performances the musicians receire $57 weekly. The scale for dramatic ahows also ro<- mains the same, $45 weekly for eight performances. Tlie scale at the Hip- podrome calla for $07 weekly for 12 performances. All of the scales ezdode Sunday )>erfonnaBcea» the eight ahowa being necessarily incorporated with the six- day period from Monday to Saturday. Decision not to tie np with the new local followed several confer- ences the week preriona, called at the xequest oC a committee of the Mu- sical Mutual Protective Union, the former local 310 ousted from the F. A. M. Tho repreeentativea from the Bf. M. P. U. were reported aa an- wiling to grant any of the conces- sions asked, at the atme time hold- ing out for the old acale. The M. M. P. U. reqaesttd thai the managers hold oil making any settlement with the new anion, pend- ing a decision of the legal proceed- ings pending, which the M. M. V. U. expects to be restored to member- ship in the American Federation of America. The managers dedded that should the old union win at coort, Joe Weber, the A,' F. of M. president, would appeal the matter and the final settle- ment of the iateraal afatra of the musicians might consume moat of the aeason. In the Beantime It was thought adrlaahle to send on tour only Federation men, otherwise union difficulties mig&t arise in each stand. Both unions are clalashig full mem- berahip. The new 802 local claims a QiembcrsUp of SjOOO oat of the former 0,000 total of the M. M. P. U. f nd that the balance can be brought over within 24 hovra. The old 310 people state that if thej win iir court the full former member^Ip wil im- mediately fleck back. The nanagera' final opinioiLwaa that they could oro- tect their property by an ^greetoent sanctioned by the Federation, win or lose so far aa the court action goes. prominent people attending and a record attendance, the Shuberts ush- ered their vaudeville Monday into Newark, at the Hialto. The perform- ance did not start Monday afternoon antil 3 due to the workmen leaving the house but a few moments before. Remodeling this ueW theatre to hold a stage (it formerly played pictures) and other improvements canaed the delay, with Frank L. Smith, the house manager, congratulating himaelf he vvA* J&?gn g ' ^ rff i ^ .n. ' al A ^gTi the firs* day announced. Newark did not rave over the bill. Its headline, the condensed "Floro- dora" was the cause. naltimore, Sept. 28. Though much of last week's initial Shubert vaudeville bill wos discredited through its small timene6s,>the sho^ however pleased Baltimore. Attend- *anre fell awav after the hurrah open- ing. The matinees were light as an- ticipated. The Academy laat week is reported to have drawn $8,000. It played the Bedini-Shubert show, with Bedini reported guarante<;d $0,000 un- der a percentage split of the gross, Bedini to furnish entire bilL work of giving attention to aU de- tails and is still keeping It up, acoord- ing to report The Shubert opening forced attention to Klein aa Shnbert vauderille of the past two weeks haa occupied the whole aUtBtlo& of all theatricala, almost to the ezdoaion of everything elae in a news way. Shubert Tanderille has pot Arthur Klein into the light of conversation among the ahow people and made him an im^tortant yaudeville figure. Chicago, Sept. 28. Shubert vaudeville at the Apollo got off with the usual flare as reported elsewhere for that opposition's open- ings. The hoase management was well satisfied orcr the first matinee's crowd, claiming a huge tumaway. The Apollo's opening matinee held $M0 and at night the boose drew $1380, fuU eopadtf eaeh perform- ance. The Palace and Majestic, Orpbeum circuit houses, were slightly off the same day, but thoae connected with the theatres refuaed to admit the Apollo had anything to do with the condition. The Palace is nearest to the Apollo. The State-Lake, another of the Orpheum's local vaudeville houses, did not suffer in the slightest, drawing its usual capacity all day and night. The Apollo show did not hold up as well a.<« it read in the billing, but on the other hand the Orpheum's bills played better than they read. With Newark, N. J., Sept. 28. band playing, flags flying. SflUBERTS'-'lBlIT" SYSTEM UKELY TO BE ABANDONED Vaudeville Shows Traveling- Intact Limiting Booking Men in Arranging Bills—Pop Vaudeville Book- ings Contributing Reason—2 Openings Oct. 10. Detroit, Sept. 2R. A capacity audience greeted after- noon nnd evening opening perform- ancea of the Shubert raiideviUe at the Sbobert-Detrolt, which haa been completely remodelled and refnr- nlshed. It was a typical variety audience, quick to applaud all the thinga worth while. Johnny Jonea was a good opening act. Davine and Temple went orer big. Burt Earl and his eight girls stage their act wonder- folly well They have a strong finish. Home and Cullen sre excel- lent knockabout daaeera. Rath Brothers hsTe the greatest acrobatic act ever neen in Detroit* Zlegler Sisters wtfth three aaaistants, un* usual act of its kind. Joe Jsckson easily the hit of bflL Jimmy Hussey and Co., proTide rerue thf t la a fine act for vaudeville. Washington, D. C, Sept. 28. The Shubert Taodevltle at the Be- Issco held its second big honae last night, near to capacity. Standhiff rooen Monday avd Ttaesday nighta^ on the lower flo%.\ Blatineea fair, (Continued on page 87) WINTER GARDEN MISSES AN ACT The "unit" system inaugurated by the Shubert vaudeville booking of- fice for the placing and transporting of their bills over the circuit, is likely to be shortly abandoned. The plan was iuaugurated for the bene- fit of the artists. It does away with Monday morning rehearsals and kept the some playing company together. The arrangement has been found to work a hardship upon the Shubert booking men, as voudevillians pre- dicted it would. The Shubert office has found it impracticable, with pro- SHUBERT SHOW REVIEWS Reviews of Shubert vaudeville programs for the current week, outsltfe of New York and Chicago, will be found under the respective heads or the several cities in the Correspondence Departmeat ef this Issae. Keltfi bills' reviews are included. . ^ .^ . The Shnbert New York shows are reviewed on the usual pages of vaudeville reviews, while the Apollo, Chicafo, review Is ea the Cfiicago pages. grams not flexible enough. It has estopped the rearrangement of shows thus far, to the disadvantage of the playing bills. Where substitntion could have been made for strengthen. !Gg or evT'hangf's with the same pur- pose in mind, the announced policy of *Mnti|ct shows" by the Shuberts in- terfered. Another resson fur the forthcom- ing change is the Shuberts' contem- plated pop vaudeville bills, or shows of five acts and feature picture, that are to shorty start with the opening of Shubert vaudeville in the lilajes- tic, Detroit, and Woods', Atlantic City. The openings wUl occur Oct. 10. Th<^ Shuberts are playing their big time bills at the opera houf^o, Detroit. They hare acquired the Ma- jestic there. It is understood the Atlantic City stand is to be played on sharing terms, with the Shuberts booking many of their large turns into that hotisc to "break in," using alHo the Kurtz, Bethlehem, Pn., ns nt present, for a "break in*' split week. Smith and Dale Fail to Appear—Cause Said to Be "BUling Trouble'' 'When Monday's matinee time ar- rived at the Shuberts' Winter Garden, without Joe Smith and Charles Dale appearing, the Shubert forces said the men held a Shnbert production •con- tract, and would either play for the Shuberts or not at all. As far as could be learned. Smith and Dale, of the original Avon Comedy Four, objected to the Avon Comedy Four title being employed wFth t&fttr birimk'BrfTter. Titefr ar^- fnur men in the Smith-Dale turn. Joe Smith is said to hsve objected to the former act^s name. Arthn^ Klein, general manager for Shubert vaudeville, explained the valne of the vaudevill^ title. Smith produced his Shnbert contract that called for Smith and Dale billing only. Klein is then said to have ordered all billing changed to correspond. IThewise adver- tising. Two of the Siroday advertise- mentH for the Winter Garden are said to hsve carried the Avon Comedy Feur title instead of the Smith and Dale Tine. The Shubert people professed to think the two men had been "pulled out" of the Gardcn'a bOl, with the billing to become the reason. Momlay matinee Joe Barton filled In St the Garden and at night. Bob Nelson. Davidow ft Le Alaire. the Shubert agents, are reported having signed Nelson laat week to a contract giving them control of his serrices for three years. The firm then loaned Nelson to the Shuberts, at the same time withdrawing him, it is said, from the Dillingham production he had expected to go with. . Nelson was reported in the Palace show this week, probably confused with the appearance there of Bobbe nnd NoJHon. Tuowlay it was reported the Avon Comedy Four'would open nt either Keith'.M (\>lnnial or Palace next week for the Keith office. The Smith-Dale turn will use the Avon Comedy Four hilling, according to the report. Max Hayes is reported their Keith agent