Variety (December 1921)

IHIIHJUHH ■■ •■■ I VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE CABLES 26 " TANWAY ST> ° XF ° RD ST " %&,* Decembc 8, 1921 ^C DE COURVILLE RESCUES REVUE WHILE HOLIDAY PLANS PROCEED "Fantasia" Would Have Had to Quit Queen't in a Week — Courtneidge's New Plays — Bernard Shaw's Tea and Toast with the Critics London, Nov. 30. Albert dc Courville is to repro- duce the revue, 4, Fantaala," at the Queen's, it cost $80,000, but would have closed In a week save for this Intervention. Meanwhile plans for holiday productions continue, with plays being- withdrawn to make way for new ones. It is now announced that Mar- garet Bannerman will play the lead- ing role In "The Little Girl in Red" at the Gaiety which would have been assumed by Fhyllis Dare. At the Oxford, C. B. Cochran will produce the pantomime, "Babes in the Wood," with the Dolly Sisters in the Mtle role. Robert Courtneidge will reopen the Ambassadors, where "Deburau" has clcsed, with "Clothes and the Woman" Dec. 7, Iris Hoey in the lead. He with Percy Burton will produce "The Thing That Matters," by F. Austin Britten, at the Strand, with Arthur Bourchier, Kyrle Bel- lew and Lady Tree. A production of "She Stoops to MELVILLE BROTHERS ONCE MORE IN COURT Lyceum Owners Quarrel Over Pantomime—Solution Reached London, Nov. 30. Walter Melville has brought an action gainst Frederick Melville and Popular Playhouses, Ltd., own- ers of the Lyceum. The two broth- ers ire sole directors and share- holders in the company. The plaintiff claimed an injunc- tion restraining the brother from entering into contracts without au- thority of the Board of Directors. The matter had previously been adjourfled with a view to letting one brother buy out the other, but the parties were unable to come to terms. The judge said the dispute would . probably stop the pantomime and Conquer" is to follow "Heartbreak hls thougnt8 were all with the dis- House" at tho Court. Following a I appolnted ch ii d ren. Following a special matinee its author. Bernard I consultation it was announced the Shaw, had tea and toast with the I manager of t he theatre would ar- critics and argued with them. He; range j or the production of the apparently considers himself and the play immortal. George and Harry Foster have bought the touring rights to "The League of Notions." MUSIC REDEEMS IT rut of This Comedy Rather Broad and Its 8uccess in Doubt Paris, Nov. SO. The tuneful music was the only redeeming* feature of "Celui Qui Tient La Lampe," a three act operetta by d'Hannewlck and Rex, with music by Louis Hillier. The action is slid in ancient Egypt. A young merchant, courting his rival's betrothed, compels this same rival to hold the lamp while he takes the presumptive husband's place with the unsuspecting girl, but she, the Innocent victim. Is given safely in marriage before the curtain falls and everyone sings of their hap- piness. This lumlniry effusion is well handled by Jane Ader, Yvonne Yma, Claude France, Launay, Moriss, R. Delangle, Devere and Kiel, with the dancer Slavinof, ar- ranged by O. Nlel, and Meteyen conducting. pantomime, all contracts already entereu into to be submitted to him and if approved adopted/ He was to be at liberty to consult either plaintiff or defendant. Counsel said this was a genuine attempt to bring about a reconciliation and the ac- tion would be discontinued. The judge said he hoped the re- conciliation would prove permanent. The whole thing 1 probably a se- quel to the quarrel and suit dis- continued earlier in the year. Frank Van Hoven is at the Orph- eum, St. Louis, this week (Nov. 28), and Frank Van Hoven Is busy writ- ing a book. No one will read It, but Frank Van Hoven will write Frank Van Hoven's book just the same. Frank Van Hoven sails June 7 on the La France. FRANK VAN HOVEN MARY AND DOUG BACK NEXT MONTH IN PARIS E. Q. KENDREW The Opera baa remounted with some success "L'enevement au 8e- rall" of Mozart, which was com- posed at the request of Emperor Joseph II for the National Theatre at Vienna in 1781, to a book supplied by Bretzner, then entitle: "Belmont t.nd Constance." Mosart made many changes, disregarding t° protests c* Bretzner, and produced it as a comic opera, The next bill at the Cigale will be short run of "L'Orgie au Harem," while R. Flateau is preparing his new revue, due in January. The present revue with Reglne Flory,' however, is still attracting. The lease of the- Theatre S.rah Bernhardt has been renewed for eleven years by the Municipal Coun- cil, which controls the house, in fa- vor of the famous tragedienne, her (Continued or page 27) NO MIDNIGHT SHOW FOR LONDON HOTEL CIRCUS ACTS FOR LONDON Olympia and Agricultural Opening Next Month Hall BEDUCED RAILROAD RATES Rome, Nov. 30. Two or more theatrical perform- ers traveling together on the Italian railroads can now obtain a reduced tariff, which also appliej to regis- tered baggage. To secure this re- duction a request must be filed a fortnight In ad...nee with the rail- r ad authorities in Rome, the letter mentioning full names and addresses of performers, places and dates of birth, and enclosing one photograph of each member of the company. Particulars of the tour should be Mated, with dates and places to be played. It is no longer necessary to register with the police in Italy, and contrac'-s need not be visaed, but they can be shown to consuls when applying for a passport visa. Two big Indoor circuses will open in London next month, one at the Olympic, Dec. 16, to run to Jan. 20, and the other at Agricultural Hall, starting Boxing Day, Dec. 26. The Olympia show has been omitted for several years, although the other has been continued even during the war. The. Olympia venture is in the hands of C. B. Cochran. It is estimated that nearly two score American acts will sail to take part in the two shows. Agents who handle dumb turns on this side say thzy look for an Improvement in the American acrobatic offerings as a result. The stoppage of Imported acts since the beginning of the war, they hold, has caused a deterioration of the native dumb act. Once the home talent gets overseas, the com- mission men declare, they will mingle with the foreign turns and each will get Ideas from the others through making new partnerships. Sailing Dec. 15 from Other, Side—Have Visited All Over Europe—Also Africa Paris, *Tov. 30. Douglas Fa., ^iilts and Mary Pick- ford will leave Dec. 15 to return to New York, but whether permanent- ly over there or to come back here is not known. Mrs. Pickford, Mary's, mother, now In Paris, may leave shortly after the young couple. The Fairbanks have visited all over Europe, making several coun- tries since returni ng from Algiers (Africa), where tneTL went from Rome. They found trriBir pictures I and personalities better known In J Africa than in Italy. It is reported Mary Pickford found it necessary to return to de- fend the second action brought against her by Cora Wllkenning in the U. S. District Court, New York, to determine the amount Mrs. Wil- kennlng may be entitled to as com- mission for her services In the mat- ter cf tho Pickford-Famous Players contract. The first action named a specific amount. Miss Wllkenning was al- lowed around $100,000 by a Jury- Miss Pickford's attorneys, O'Brien, Malevinsky & Driscoll, had this Judgment set aside before the higher court. The second action names no amount but asks that the agent's services be appraised. BUST REVIVING (Continued from par* 1) been presented on Broadway be- fore Christmas. This exceptional revival activity either indicates that there are not enough good plays within the hands of the managers or there are too many theatrej in New York. Latest of the revivals to be started is "The Squaw Man," "Bought and Paid For," "Alias Jimmy Valentine" and "Salomy Jane." "The Chocolate Soldier" has already been announced for the Century In two weeks. "The Squaw Man" will have William Faversham and an all-star casi. Faversham at present is appearing in "The Silver Fox" at the Maxlne Elliott. This comedy has been doing fairly good business, but the Shuberts have elected to try the revival, aiming it for the Lyric, which has been used for special feature films in the last two years. "Bought and Paid For" will go Into the Playhouse Tuesday, succeeding "Marie Antoinette," which opened last week, .but which is to be taken off Saturday. William A. Brady had a number of plays for production this season, but the repeated failures that have gone down at the Play- house led to the decision to try the old drama, which has the run rec- ord of the house. "Alios Jimmy SilenUpe * opens next Thursda; e uaiety, succeeding "Gel Days." In September David Belasco opened his season with a revival of "The Easiest Way," with Frances Starr, followed with a revival of "The Return of Peter Grimm," with David Warfleld. II. W. Savage started similarly reviving "The Merry Widow." All three revivals remained for limited periods, the last to leave being* the Warfleld piece. On the road the business of those attractions Is reported ex- cellent, and in that are beating many of the newer offerings. Council Refuses to Relent in Metropole Case London, Nov/ 30. The County Council has refused the appeal of the Hotel Metropole to be allowed'to continue its Midnight Follies being given at the hotel by George Grosamlth and his company along the lines made popular by Zlegfeld on the New Amsterdam Roof, New York. Along with others, protests were registered by the Society of West End managers, who pointed out ^that the restrictions governing them did not apply to hotel proprietors. They asked modifications in the rules applying to them should the hotel's appeal be granted. Resi- dents in^ adjacent flats also objected, alleging taxis driving away late at night disturbed them. The couaell's refusal to relent means throwing 90 people out of work at a time when the panto- mimes are full and employment difficult to obtain, but the manage- ment hopes the new license order will not be enforced till the new year, when they propose putting on a show conforming to the rule re- stricting it to six people. HAS ALL RIGHTS Sir John Martin Harvey Acquires "Joderman" London* Nov. 30. Sir John Martin Harvey has ac- quired the exclusive English speak- ing rights to Hugo von Hoffman* stahl's "Jedermann" after competing in the negotiations with several British and American producers. The Hon. Sybil Amherst and Dr. Wheeler have made an English adaptation of the play, which will see. production in Liverpool after the New Year. Sir John Is also arranging for Its inn? iprotUiCtlon next fall in the United ^at re tails io association with an kHn^n^fetmBTican vvdQucer. BAN KITCHENER FILM London, Nov. P.O. Th»« County Council has banned the fl'm about the death of Lord Kitchener, but the producer doc lares he will show it publicly in the "West End this week. TOMMY DAWE COMING OVER London, Nov. 30. Tommy Dawe is sailing for New York today on the Olympic. Small Chance for Bright Play London, Nov. 30. "Two Jacks and a Jill" at the Royalty Nov. 22, is a brightly written but unexciting comedy deal- ing with a missing soldier who finds his wife remarried on his re- turn. It Is well acted, but hasn't a big chance. ITALIANS IN PARIS Paris, Nov. 30. The comedian, Alfredo de Sanc- tis, has been appearing with some success here at the Maison de I'Ocuvrc in a number of pieces by Ibsen, Maximo Gorki, Asch, Teglio. The first performance was by Henri Clerc, a French playwright, and the unique experience of the critics was to sample a work translated in Italian and played by in Italian troupe before it has been seen in the original. Zacconi, the Italian tragedian, opens at the Theatre des Champs Elysees, middle of Decem- ber. BENEFIT HELPS London, Nov. 30. The benefit matinee at the Gar- rlck for "The Painted Laugh" victims has done something to mitigate their hardship, but any action against Miss Khyva St. Ai» bans, who made the production and disappeared after its first perform- ance leaving many bills, cannot be maintained unless the police bring her back for Infringing the registra- tion laws, which Is unlikely. PASSION FLAT AGAIN Paris, Nov. 30. The Oberammergau performances of the Passion will be given In May, 1922, with Anton Lang as Christ, Guide Mayr as Judas, Gregor Bcitt- samter, Herod; Melchlor Belttsam- ter, John; Hans Mayr, Pilate; An- drens, Peter; Sebastian Lang, An- nas; Martha Veit, Virgin Mary; Paula Rendl, Mary Magdalen. Is Old Vic Doomed? London, Nov. 30. The appeal for funds to save the aml Jf>an Kolbe. is an honest and Honest and Sentimental Paris, Nov. 30. "Cousin Valparaiso," by J. Fonfton old Victoria has met with a poor response. Only JL ISO has been contributed. CoMcctions in the theatres amount to £90. About £1!0,000 is required. SAILINGS Nov. 30 (London for New York), Tommy Dawe. Nov. 30 (New York to London), Abe Lastfogel (Adriatic). Nov. 30 (New York to Italy), i peeunious sentimental comedy which scored Nov. 26 at the Des Arts. Morinn and Fonson and Mmes. Dolmar, Veniat and Dloi:donne are in the cast. A poor relative, after helping his cousin Simon make a fortune, is ignored and pretends to leave to Join his brother in Chill. Returning disguised as the rich brother he Is treated deferentially, whereby he becomes able to ar- range a marriage between the im- girl and Simon's son, Cecil DeMille (La Patria). who formerly betrayed her. $100 PARK STOCK (Continued from page 1) parlance as "cats and dogs," and for which there is no official market, have bet i unable to secure exemp- tions in their tax returns for losses, because it has been ruled that there must be a bona fide sale of such securities before losses can be allowed. In many cases the stocks are worthless, but until some method Jof fixing a value upon them was found the loss was not an ex- emption. Several specialists have appeared lately in this field. One holds fort- nlghMy auctions. Holders of un- listed stock may present their hold- ings, which are advertised as for sale at public auction. The sale is advertised and offerings listed to comply with the law. The owner is present at the sale in person or by representative and makes a bid. If this stands, that is the legal price, fixed at an open, public sale, and the auctioneer's statement is nc- ,ceptablo to the tax collector as a current price. If there arc other bids against the owner he must match or top them or relinquish his property. In any event, the sales price fixes values for tax return purposes. With listed stocks, of course, the market quotation rules, although, of course, an actual sale must be comphvid before exemp- tion is permissible^ The Starlight property is said by its owners to have made money hist season. The securities represent the equities in a 20-year l»;i.-e on the ground* and ownership of the buildings, rides and swimming pool The place was built when wages and materials vere at their eak. and there have been several changes of management. It Is said the in- vestment represents close to $1,000,- 000. No dividends have ever been paid. COMEDY SUCCESSFUL Paris, Nov. 30. "La Paradis Ferme," by Maurice Hcnnequln and Romaln Coolus, got a nice reception at the Athenee, Nov. 24. Luclen Rozenberg, back from his South American tour, is supported by Albert Brasseur, Madeleine Sorla and Edmee Favart. A married couple quarrel, the wife suspecting the husband. She closes her door indefinitely. The husband threatens divorce, but he has no excuse, whereupon the friend suggests the husband pretend he has a mistress. The actress so in* troduced diplomatically reconciles the couple. DEMAND FOR NAMES (Continued from page 1) act with a small cast of eight, hut preferably seven or six, including" choristers. The big "flash" turn* with nothing but scenery and girls, with unimportant and little known principals, and built to sell at $2,000 and over, is through as far as the Keith office Is concerned. The wan- ing of the jazz craze figures more or less in this. In line with conditions above, George Choos will reorganize three of his productions, each formerly carrying from 12 to 14 people, and recast them with half that number of players. Several other producers are considering the cutting down of productions to meet the demand for acts they can sell at $700 to $800 weekly. Another factor that figures Impor- tantly Is that whatever chance an $800 production turn has of securing consecutive time, the $1,600 to $1,800 acts now nearlng the play'ng out of routes has practically none. The failure of Rahe Ruth to start anything unusual as a 1 ox office card has put a dnmorr on the h' pes of several "freak" attractions, held n abeyane* | y Keith a- 'its, await- ing the resu't of t!i" P.oth experi- ment. big succrss in Europe HTHS FAV aJ EL3WS "MINSTREL SATIRISTS 0 PLAYING MOSS, KTld.L and Principal < IreultH Direction, \V. 8. llrnne««ey