Variety (November 1921)

LEGITIMATE Friday, November 4, 1921 PRODUCERS DECIDE TO PUT OFF ACTIVITY TILL NEXT SEASON Decline of Current Week's Business Clinches De- termination to Curtail Operations—Optimists Disappointed BIG PHILLY BUY MAY MEAN NEW THEATRE ♦*■ Definite decisions of several active producing: managers to withhold further activity this season until spring, the delayed production pro- grams of others of the apparent lower admission scales, featured the week in legitimate circles. The volume of business this week along Broadway and throughout the coun- try condensed and the expectation of improvement has naturally weakened. Last month several representative showmen anticipated a* return of satisfactory patronage during this month, but the advent of Novem- ber was marked by further weak- ening. The prediction for the re- turn of normal prosperity in the- atricals is again set hack and no real improvement is looked for until the first of the year. In normal sea- sons the best business of the legiti- mate year is ^between September und early December, and that period of the current season is already re- garded as a failure. Curtailment of production, it is believed, will most- ly affect the road, but there are ex- pected to be enough attractions to continually liven the Broadway list. Brooklyn has registered better business than ever before for legiti- mate offerings. This points to the public desire for moderato prices, attractions there using a lower scale on the "subway" time than on Broadway. Reports from out of fown also point to stronger re- sponse to lowered prices. That is particularly true of the Middle Western stands, where the plan of pre-war prices is most heartily in- dorsed. Shows playing at $2 top in that territory have been getting the play. That obtains for musical shows also and a trial in Cincinnati this week was entirely successful. "Up in the Clouds" was opened there Sunday night at $2 and drew over $2,700. This attraction has not played New York but has been suc- cessful on tour, with runs gained in both Chicago and Boston. Broadway's successes have an- nounced extra performances for next week, though that is not the general rule. There are two actual holidays counted, with Election Day on Tuesday and Armistice Day on Friday. Some attractions ; j switching the regular mid-week matinee to Tuesday. One attrac- tion, "The Circle," will play extra matinees on both holidays at the Solwyn, giving that show nine per- formances next week. Three of the afternoons will be at pop prlee* . The "Music Box Revue" will insert ^ one extra aftc/noon performance ■ and will charge Saturday prices for W four performances. The top will be $5 Election eve (Monday), Election night, Armistice night and Satur- day, it being expected to establish a gross of $32,000 on the week. •'A Bill of Divorcement" is the sensation of the street and is about the only attraction that went sky- ward '.a receipts. For its third week the gross went to over $15,000, which is approximately a jump of 120 per cent, over the first week's business. The show will move from the Cohxn to the Times Square Monday. That will give the Scl- wyns the two English successes this season, they having produced "The Circle," which is next door at the Selwyn. The latter show is getting $20,000 and better weekly and leads the non-musical list. It has not varied over $300 weekly since opening. "The Demi-Virgin," which moves from tho Times Square to the Eltinge, established a smart farce pace by getting $12,000 for its sec- ond week (first full week). Another sudden stopping Satur- day held up the weekly percentage that has marker the season. "The Right to Strike" was withdrawn after one week at the Comedy. It is an English drama said to have been success abroad. Next week is weighted with eight new offerings. "The Intimate Strangers." with Blllie Burke, will succeed "The White-Hended Boy" at the Henry Miller; "The Night- rap" will go on tour and "The Skirt," with Bessie Barrlscale, will take its place at the Bijou; "The Perfect Fool," the Ed Wynn show, takes possession of the Cohan; GUILD'S NOTABLE SHOW Brandon Tynan, Qsns Buck and Qsorgs Howard In Charge Guild members and their guests filled the Cort Sunday night at their annual opening meeting. Brandon Tynan, president, made the opening address and introduced the other speakers of the evening, who were Hon. Victor J. Dowllng, Wilton Lackaye, Rev. E. Fahy, Hon. Alfred J. Tallcy and Rev. Dr. John Talbot Smith. The program for the evening, pro- duced under the direction of Bran- don Tynan, Gene Buck and George Howard, included Donald Brian, Lil- lian McNeill and Bert Shadow, Claire Gillespie. Hal Skelly in the "Vampire Number" of the musical skit which he is now producing in vaudeville called "The Mutual Man," George Remmell, Tom Lewis, Jan Munkacsy, Lydia Barry. Andrew Mack also appeared on the program and the meeting was brought to a close by the presentation of the sec- ond see • or the second act of "Only 38," with Mary Ryan starring. - Under the direction of Mrs. Charles Heney, the Hostess, and .the reception committee made up of Mrs. x O. J. Gude, E'izabelh Marbury, Mrs. Cornelius J. Gallagher, Helen Guest, Mary E. .Tomoney, Mrs. J. Scfren Ehnls, Edna Cuskley, Mrs. R. C. Newman. Mrs. Emmett Corri- gan, Fannie J. Flanly, Francesca Warde, Mrs. Marie Louise Dana, the members and guests were cared for. "DEMI-VIRGIN" DIRTY - Woods Summoned by Chief Mag- utrcts to Answer to Charge A. H. Woods, producer of "The Demi-Virgin," was summoned on Wednesday to appear before Chief City Magistrate William McAdoo yesterday to answer to the charge of permitting indecent and im- moral scenes in the show. Rumor Has It Syndicate May Build on Academy Property A new rumor gained great head- way this week when the property occupied by the Episcopal Academy, southwest corner of Juniper and Locust streets, was sold. The be- lief is that the buyer, Samuel Block- son, In some way represents big theatrical Interests and that a legit house will be erected on Ibis corner. This is given more credence be- cause of the fact that the syndicate will have only two theatres when the Shuberts take over the .Forrest theatre next March as planned. It has also been very persistently re- ported that the same firm has pur- chased property at Nineteenth and .Market streets, close to the new Stanley. This section is booming. The Episcppal Academy site is rather removed from the rialto and would have to rely largely on a class patronage from the aristo- cratic sections on which it touches. There are few stores or commercial enterprises of any kind, but, on the other hand, the rear of the Walton and Rita Carlton hotels aro only a block away. The site is-100 by 150 feet, and has three street fronts. Those who doubt the rumor de- clare the cost of the land said to be $300,000 or more, plus the probable cost of the building, estimated at $600,000, exclusive of furnishings and fittings, would make the idea impracticable. Disregarding the cost of anything but the land and building, interest at 6 per cent, on the sum invested, would amount to $66,000 a year and taxes to $28,S0O, It is claimed. It would require an annual outlay of $125,000 or more before the lessee could put aside a cent for himself. The Forrest, a smaller building, cost only $45,000, compared ta the estimated $600,000 for this site. Another piece of real estate news is found in the sale of the Troca- dero burlesque house, some time next month. This is a three-story structure assessed at $155,000 and owned by Robert E. Deady. STOCK CO. PR0M0T0R SOLVES PROBLEM OF TOURING SHOWS Bainbridge Seeks to Secure Broadway Legit Suc- cesses for Minneapolis Before They Have Made His Territory Via Road Companies EQUITY FINE (Continued from Page 1) and expressly states the "onc- eighth' contributions are designed to meet the unusual expenses of "putting over the 'Equity Shop.'" Further explanation as to the pay- ment expected of one-eighth of a week's salary was sent out in the regular way following the "fine" communication. It was mentioned thttt some members held the idea that the contribution only applied if the attraction In which they ap- peared gave an extra performance during Thanksgiving week. The lat- ter notice said regardless of whe- ther an extra performance Was played, the contribution is expected and that one of the eighths received any time since the strike should be sent in. "At least, one-eighth" is asked by Equity and no limit is placed on "the amount of your con- tribution." The eighth of a week s^.la.y asked is figured to run to considerable sums, and actors are reported view- ing the "contribution" with dis- favor, there having been a number of expressions by players against the idea. The one-eighth calls for $12.50 on a $100 a week salary, with $50 at 1.lining for a $400 salary. Sev- eral high salaried stars are expected to contribute as much as $250. Although it was general to play holiday matinees without extra sal- ary prior to the strike, a number of managers make it a rule to pay an extra eighth salary for such per- formances. •The Circat Way" relights the Park; "We Girls" will replace "Sonya" at tho 4Kth Street, the latter show re- maining until Election Night, and the "Gi.-ls" show be wing In Wednes- day; 'The Mad Dog" will place the Comedy hack in operation; a new Eugenie ONeil drama. "The Straw," lights up the Greenwich Village, and tho East-Wtst Pla,ers will take the Princess with a bill of playlets. "The Hero" has one more week at the Belmont, and will he succeeded by "Tin Title." On the name date "In the Mountains" will opon at the Apollo, which is offering "Love (Continued on Page 15) . FIASCO BUMPS (Continued from Page 1) aries at tho end of its first week in Haltimore, and it Is claimed money borrowed from one of the players carried the show to Boston, where It suddenly closed after several weeks of bad business. It is alleged a telegram reputed to have been sent by Equity and posted on the call board In Boston read: "Stick to Wayburn to the finish." The message is also reported having promised backing from the Equity. The materialization of the backing has not been evidenced as yet, ac- cording to tho number of salary claims unpaid. It is alleged that Wayburn bor- rowed In excess of $8,000 from two members of the cast, one of them being said to have advanced that much alone. There arc conflicting reports as to the repayment of the loans. Equity Is said to have expended $4,000 in bringing the company of "Town Gossip" back to New York and defraying hotel bills. It is now known that several choristers were not taken care of. The Producing Managers' Associatlou paid $109 for the hotel bills and railroad fare of two chorus girls. Thcso girls were said not to.have been members of the Chorus Equity Association. It is -explained that when the Equity deputy interviewed the com- pany it was found that some play- ers were either not Equity mem- bers or "were not in good standing because of unpaid dues. Such flay- ers gave I. O. U.'s for dues, but since salaries were not paid the dues were not collected. When Paul Dul- zell was sent by Equity to Boston to arrange to bring back the com- pany, it is alleged he was Instructed to take care only of players in good standing. There was no obligation on the part of the P. M. A. to bring back the choristers, since Wayburn was not a member of the managers' association. Another chorister was sent baek some days before the show elosed. It Is said she was informed that she was not needed, that her hotel hill was taken care of and that her trunk was at the station. She was given a ticket to New York. Re- cently a private detective agency sought the address of tho girl, claiming the hotel bill wa-s not paid. KLAW STAFF SWITCHED Three Faces Familiar to Theatre Personnel Are Missing The Marc Klaw office as well as the staff of the theatre has under- gone a shake-up. At least three faces that were identified with the Klaw organization have been miss- ing since Monday last. They are Jimmie Whittendale, who was gen- eral manager of the firm and mana- ger of the theatre as well, Bennie Carter, treasurer of the theatre and one Of the members of the auditing staff of the firm. At the Klaw theatre no reason was forthcoming for the sweeping change which occurred rather pre- cipitately on Monday. Max Myers, who has been assistant treasurer of the house has been promoted to the post of treasurer, while Allegretti, former assistant treasurer at the Park has been placed in a like ca- pacity at the Klaw. No manager for the house has been appointed as yet. /— LEGIT ITEMS "The Lonely Hear:," written and produced by Basil Sydney, which opened In Baltimore Oct. 24, closed last Saturday after its Initial week before the lights. The author is the husband of Doris Keane. Margaret Wycherly has joined the Province town Players to produce a full length piece for the organiza- tion in which she will play the lead- ing role. The new piece will have its initial presentation at the Green- wich Village theatre of the organ- ization and will later be brought to an uptown house if it shows suf- ficient value. Walker Whiteside is rehearsing a new play in New York entitled "The Hindu," which will open on Monday in Baltimore. Mr. White- side plays the part of an Indian prince. In the supporting company are Sydney Shields, Clarence Der- went and Maurice Barrett. There will be no No. 2 company of "Six Cylinder Love," contrary to »e- ports. The piece is in for a run at the Sam H. Harris, but when routed out, will tour with the original cast. Charles McCall, with Comstock and Gest for several seasons, la In charge of bookings for David Be- lasco. McCall succeeded the late William Smythe in the Belaseo of- fice. Carle Carlton -Mas a new piece by Cosmo Hamilton lined up for im- mediate production. H. B. Warner will be starred therein. "Danger" is the tentative title. Chas. W. Benner's "Peck's Bad Boy" company, which closed at East St. Louis Oct. 15, on account of poor business, reopened in Hamilton, Ohio, to good returns, Nov. 1. Ben- ner says he laid off for two weeks in anticipation of continued flivvers during .that period. Hilda Spong is planning a season of Bernard Shaw revivals, shelving "The Fan," which opened at the Punch and Judy, but was withdrawn two weeks ago. A well-to-do book publisher Is reported backing Miss Spong's Independent appearances. Sam II. Harris has accepted for production a new play by Vincent Lawrence, entitled "Face to Face." The piece, which has a cast of five, will have Richard Bennett as its star. Wallace Eddlnger was orig- inally to have played the leading role, ho having secured an interest in the piece. The tentative opening date of tlie new Locw Gates Avenue i lirat re, Brooklyn, has been set for Nov. 21. The new house, which will play vaudeville, is located in the Bush- wiek section, which was the reason for tho Locw interests dropping the Dc Kalb at U:e termination of their lease over a year ago. Minneapolis, Nov. 2. Capitalising inability of road shows to find It profitable to route legftimate attractions this way un- der, present conditions, Manager Buzz Bainbridge, of- the Shubert theatre, playing stock, announces this week that Minneapolis theatre- goers will see New York successes not scheduled for showing here at legit houses. "Three Live Ghosts." never pre- sented here, is the stock offering at the Shubert this woek, and It will monopolize the attention of legiti- mate lovers almost exclusively, for the only opposition is "Bringing Up Father in Wall Street" at the Met. In a public statement in connec- tion with prcsentgAon of "Three Live Ghosts" Mr. Bainbridge says that "it is In line with policy tc af- ford theatre-goers their first op- portunity to see latest Nev York successes that would not be brought hero by touring companies." This leads Bainbridge to believe that the golden opportunities for sto k com- panies is to obtain rights to these plays and offer them at popular prices. "The present adverse con- ditions help the stock companies to obtain a better class of plays," he says. Bainbridge scored a neat piece of worV: here this week when he ob- tained Mrs. Orren E. Safford, prom- inent society woman and former actress, to play leading roles in his company. Ivan Miller returns from New York to succeed Mitchell Har- ris as leading man. Joe Payton will open his annual repertoire season Thanksgiving Week in Hazleton, Pa. The com- pany will play a week stand route and will Include in its repertoire "The Storm" the first time that a spectacular piece of that nature has been attempted by a traveling re- pertoire company. San Francisco, Nov. 2. The following plays have been se- cured by Manager Lionel B. Sam- uels for an early presentation in stock at the Alcazar: "The Storm," "Cornered," "The Triumph of X," and a revival of Jane Cowl's "Smilin' Through," which recently ran. for two weeks at this house. Dudley Ayres, lead- ing man of the Alcazar company, returned Oct. 23 after a six weeks' vacation. He opened with "Scan- dal," which will have a two weeks' run at the house. Ethel Shannon has joined the Al- cazar company as ingenue, replac- ing Florence Prlnty, while Richard C. Allen, who closed last week with the Morosco compan in Los An* gelen. becomes the new heavy In place of Tom Chatterton, who re- cently joined Wilkes stock company at Seattle. PLAYS BOTH SIDES Chicago, Nov. 2. Margaret Anglin, who opened in "The Woman of Bronze" at the Princess, a Shubert house, this week, appeared in this vehicle pre- viously at the Powers theatre, which is a Klaw & Erlanger house. RAT FOR HYLAN! The Hylan Theatrical League will hold a *mass meeting tonight (Friday) at Bryant Hall. Ttre affair is in charge of a com- mittee including, Harry Shea, Moe Schcnck, Alex. Hanlon, Abe Fried- man, Harry Padden and Fred Cur- tis, who will supply a vaudeville bill in conjunction with the polit- ical speeches. 310 TO ELECT Mutual Musical Protective l'n- ion, formerly New York Local .'HO of the American Federation of Mu- sicians, will hold their annual elec- tion of officers and directors Wednesday, Nov. 10. Tho*; tl« < teu Will take office Jan. 1, 19l' , J.