Variety (December 1921)

BURLESQUE Friday, December 2, 1921 1 BURLESQUE FIGHT CONTINUES; CALLED "SCRIBNER-HERIT FEUD Legal Battle Possible Over Haymarket, Chicago- American's Brooklyn Houses Also in Reports— Scribner Returns to New York Notwithstanding the notification Served on the American Burlesque Association by Irons & Clamagc last week that no further American wheel shows would be-played at the Haymarket, Chicago, after Satur- day, Nov. 3, orders were issued by the American Association this week to "Some Show," scheduled to open at the Haymasket, Sunday, to pro- ceed to the Haymarket, regardless ef the cancellation of the franchise, and unless actually prevented from playing to %o ahead and give a ■bow. The American takes the stand In ordering "riomo Show" into the Haymarket that Irons & damage's cancellation is contrary to the con- tract held, and still claimed by the American to be effective, under which tho American shows play the Chicago house. This contract calls for no cancellation, It is tho Ameri- can's contention, unless the gross for four weeks on an average falls eelow a certain amount, the Ameri- can further claiming that the stop Mm it has not been reached. If Irons & Clamagc seek injunc- tive aid in ousting the American, the latter will fight the matter out Sn the courts. It Is understood that Irons & damage have already ar- ranged to put a stock company in the Haymarket, beginning Sunday next. If the Chicago firm takes this step, there will be two shows con- tending for the Haymarket Sunday. The Haymarket Is controlled by In- terests allied with the Columbia Amusement Co., and leased from the latter by Iroifs ft Clamage. The Columbia Amusement Co. was dated to hold Its regular monthly meeting Thursday (yesterday). Wednesday it was the general Im- pression in burlesque circles the Columbia faction, headed by Sam Bcribner, would take steps following the Thursday meeting of the-Colum- bia Amusement Co. to oust the American »hows from the star and Gayety, Brooklyn; Gaycty, Balti- more, and Crpltol, Washington. Up to Wednesday afternoon the Ameri- can had received no notification the ^Columbia interests, controlling the four houses mentioned, in Brooklyn, Baltimore and Washington, desired the American to -vacate. In each Instance there is an agreement Whfc h ca.Hn for the Columbia to give the American 30 days' notice if de- siring to take tho houses away. The American, in view of the re- port the Columbia would take action on the four houses Thursday, opens Monday at the Fifth Avenue. Fifth avenue and Third street, Brooklyn. The house Is in South Brooklyn and In a section that will drnw consid- erable patronage away from the Star. The American also has two other Brooklyn houses lin<-«l up in Brooklyn, it Is said, awaiting any offensive by the Columbia. The same applies to Baltimore and Washington. The American Burlesque Associa- tion will hold Its regular monthly meeting Friday (today). The resig- nation of Warren C. Irons from the board of directors will be acted upon. It is understood Mr. Irons' resignation will be accepted. Monday, Sam Scribner returned from his vacation in the south. The report among the burlesque people that a meeting was held Monday between Scribner, It. K. Hynicka and J. Herbert Mack, the latter president of the Columbia, and Hynicka the circuit's treasurer. The three officers compose tho Colum- bia's executive committee, operating the wheel. Rumors of tho trend of the conference were to the effect that Scrlbner's attention was turned toward the present condition In ppUtJcaJ burlesque. It is said that either Hynicka or Mack claimed the condition was unwarranted, had no substantial basis and should not exist; that competition of the kind Intended by tho 'American Against the Columbia could only result in losses for both sides, with the finale ef the meeting, as reported, coming when Scribner was asked what In* Intended to do shout It. Each day tho burlesque mm seem to be more strongly agreed the pres- ent flare-up in burlesque is the re- sult and continuation of a feud between Fcrlbner and I. II Tfr.K. president of the American. The opinion among the burlesque men also appears to bo that Herk is not standing -lone In his attitude. At the samo time they claim Scribner is by himself in the executive com- mittee. The tlaim Is made that Hynicka and Mack act as ono in that committee. While the burlesque battle con- tinues, tho watc N ers-on expect daily some definite action on either side that will wind it up, on the theory, they say, that the present Is no time for any factions In the show busi- ness to fight for anything but more patronage at the box office. NEWARK BUSINESS GOOD FOR BOTH Cooper's "Beauty Revue" Does $5,600—"Scandals" $7,000 The Lyric, Newark, N. J., starting last week as an American wheel stand, did $5,600 with Cooper's "Beauty Revue." The show had no extra attraction. This is considered a very good week's business for an American show, Judged by present conditions in tho burlesque eld. The Lyric starts the week on Sun- day, and its Columbia "opposition," the Empire, on Monday. Last week the Empire had "Town Scandals." According to an authen- tic source "Scandals" did about {7,000 on the week. The Lyric plays t a 7 5-cent top, and the Empire at $1. Thanksgiving day, rated usu- ally as a poor one for theatres, helped both shows considerably, the Beauty Revue (American) at the Lyric got $1,800 Thanksgiving Day. Welngardcn's "Whirl of Mirth" (American) opened at the Lyric last Sunday to $1,200 (two per- formances). Monday the show got $500. The Abe Reynolds Revue Is playing tho Empire (Columbia). HARRY WILLIAMS DIES Burlesque Manager Has Heart At- tack in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Nov. 30. Harry Williams, for many years managi-r of the Academy, Pitts- burgh, died Nov. 23 In a local board- ing house. Cause of dcatji was be- lieved to be heart disease. Mr. Williams, whose nam** m pri- vate life was Harry C. Walker, was 48 years old. He was connected with burlesque for many years, his father, Harry Williams, having been lessee of the Academy In the early bur- lesque days and for years following. The deceased was associated with the Empire Circuit during the pe- riod the latter was active. For the last two years Mr. Williams ran concessions at the Gayety, the Co- lumbia house in Pittsburgh. Ho is survived by a widow and two sons. Ono of his sons Is assistant treas- urer of the Gayety. Mr. Williams was taken ill sud- denly while walking on the street, and went Into a house he was pass- ing at the time to rest. The heart attack proved to be fatal. PEOPLE'S PLAYING AMERICAN SHOW BURLESQUE REVIEWS Optional Columbia Stand in Philly Guarantees "Social Follies" The People's, Philadelphia, an "optional" week on the Columbia wheel this season, is playing an American wheel show, "Tho Social Follies," this week. Hurtlg & Sea- mon, due to play the People's with "The Grenwich Village Revue" this week, exercised the "optional" priv- ilege and turned it down. "Social Follies," which would have normally had a lay-off week on its regular American wheel routing, is In the People's on a guarantee, said to be approximately $1,800. The "So- cial Follies," a Max Spiegel show, Is figured to break even at the $1,800 figure. The People's has been very bad for both Columbia and Ameri- can shows this season, seldom doing better than $3,000, and many weeks considerably less. Next week, Deo. 5, tho Pople's will have "Twinkle Toes," and the week following "Jingle Jingle," both Co- lumbia shows, and both having agreed to play the week. The week of Dec. 19 has not been filled by any show as yet, but "Peekaboo" has accepted week of Dec. 26. MISS N. Y., JR. Mii.lrim* Cherla Katharine Murray Trlxlo Flirt Oladyi Stockton Rally Bright Myrtle Andrews Ji»ok Walllngford Joe Murray Nifty George Hank Bnglem&n Qoofle Ca»torla..... Mac Carter Adolphua Souse BJddle Cole This Oppenhelmer A Williams show at the Olympic Is the old story of an undressed chorus and an abundance of spice taking over the burdeiAf the show for the relief of two uninspired although hard-work- ing, comedians. The 16 girls play bare legs and undraped, decolletage within an Inch of the statute of limitations. They shimmy, shiver and shudder and undulate the hoy- den hip early and late, and for good measure carry the finish of the show (Continued on page 27) GIRLS-DE-LOOKS Persy Hopper Qumle Whits Eddie .................... ... .Eddie Green B. Dunne Uoode • Will Davis Molly Monica Redmond Wood R. Holmes Larry La Mont Lulu Haxelion ^..Halite Deans Antonio Peter Frailer Porter Eddie Green Jake Blotkln Joa K. Watson Abo SUtkln WfU H. Cohan The most forcible fact that strikes one after not having attended a bur- lesque show for a number of years) Is that there Is none of that general exodus between the acts on the part of the men attending the perform- ances. Incidentally there is an ex- ceedingly high tariff on the oil that stimulates may also account for tho lack of noisy demonstration of (Continued on page 27) ••• WEEKS OPEN ON COLUMBIA TIME SUICIDE THREAT- Husb- .4 of Burlesque Woman An gsred by Refusal to Quit Syracuse, N. T.. Nov. 30. When his wife, from whom ho had been reparated for three months, refused to leave the "Broadway Masqueraders" company, with which she was appearing at the Sampson Theatre, Penn Tan, Augus- tus Brothers, 29, of Woonsocket, Mass., pulled out a bottle of car- bolic acid and mado as if to drink the poison. He was tripped up and the acid spilled over his face. The man was tSken to the county jail, and later subjected to a mental test. When pronounced sane he was released. The Brothers have been married about 'hree years, and have a child two years old. The "Broadway Masqueraders" is an independent burlesque outfit, owned by a Buf- falo concern, and was broken in at the Bastable here. "CHUCKLES" $11,000 DRAW New Haven, Conn., Nov. 30. Coming In here last week as a Shubert vaudeville show, for the week only, "Chuckles of 1921" did $11,000 at $1 top CHORUS GIRLS FIGHT Buffalo, Nov. 30. Zona Watonga and Helen Regan, chorus girls with a burlesque show at ono of the local houses, came to grief after a fracas off stage Fri- day night. The Regan girl was badly lacerated In the melee which took place in the wings during the performance. In the City Court the Watonga girl confessed to such vindictive hatred for her fellow chorister Judge Lamson advised her to leawe the show. He suspended sentence on her promise to depart for New York- Saturday. ^ ARREST MAL0NE AND GIRL Kansas City, Nov. 30. Billy Malone. comedian, and Louise Brandt, chorus girl, with Bert Smiths "Oh l»addy," com- pany, playing at the ICmpress, wore arrested Nov. 25 on a shoplifting charge. A skirt and a pair of silk bloomers were found in Malone's possession. He claimed it was his first offense and that he had taken tho things for the girl. They were released on a $000 bond each, in time for the night performance. Between Brooklyn and Balti- more, K. C. and St. Louis Tho Columbia circuit has two and a half open weeks at present, one between Brooklyn and Baltimore, the latter filled In optionally by Co- lumbia shows if they care to, at the People's, Philadelphia; another week between Kansas City and St. Louis, and three days between Des Moines and Omaha. The inclusion of Co^ lumbus, Ohio, in the Columbia wheel this week fills in a lay-off week hitherto between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Columbus replacing Ak- ron and Youngstown. The American wheel has three open weeks now, one between Kan- sas City aAd Minneapolis, one be- tween Cincinnati and Cleveland, and a third between Philadelphia and Schenectady. HOW K. C. FEELS About Gallagher and Hynicka Columbia-American Row in AMERICAN'S CRESCENT? Report Syracuse May Have Another Burlesque House Syracuse. N. Y., Nov. 30. There is a report here that the American burlesque wheel may take possession of the Crescent, now dark. The Columbia burlesque plays its attractions at the Bastable. Tho Crescent Is In tho best theat- rical situation of the town, across the street from Keith's. It lately closed as a picture house, and pre- viously had played pop vaudeville. Kansas City, Nov. 30. Variety's exclusive story of the burlesque split caused a sensation here amo 1 g the members of the companies playing the opposition houses, as well as with the business staffs of the local theatres. The prominence of George Gal- lagher in the new deal Is also of more than parsing local Interest. He was formerly manager of the Gayety here, until appointed a couple of seasons ago as general manager of the American Burlesque Association. He has always been considered a Columbia wheel man. and his friends here are of the opin- ion that he will cast his lot with that organization. Anotnw peculiar angle of the af« fair is the peculiar situation of R, K. Hynicka, treasure - of the Co* lum* la association. It Is stated here by those In the know that ha is financially interested'in some of the American wheel shows; In fact, ^n 60-50 with some of them. It is claimed that at the commencement of tho season he financially assisted some of the managers on this wheal and took an interest In the 6howa. The two local houses are operated absolutely independent, tho man* agement of both doing all possible to get the business. STOLE TRUCK OF SCENERY Washington, D. C., Nov. 30. Someone stole a whole load of scenery and the truth It waa on here during the past week and II hasnt been located eves yet. "The Whirl of Mirth," appearing at the Howard (colored), waa preparing to leave for the next town and the truck was loaded and left standing for a few moments in the rear of the theatre. When the driver re- turned the whole business had dis- appeared. Jean Bedinl's "Chuckles of 1021" is playing here this week as a. Shu*' hert vaudeville show. A No in the city is Bedini's burlesque »Colum- bia) show. "Peek-a-Boo." "UNFAIR TO AMERICAN'' Four American wheel producers were standing in front of the Co- lumbia, New York, Monday nigh*, around show time, when a Columbia producer passed and greeted the quartet. "What's doing, fellows?' ho said. Whereupon Rube Bern- stein replied, "We're picketing the Columbia—I hear it's unfair to the American." Some kfdder, tl at n»M'n«t, ;p guv. NEW ACTS Eva Clark with Charles 11. Sieger, two-act. Kva Miirh-y, assisted by Al Both and the California Hamblen*, con- sisting of 10 pieces. Seymour Dancers, five girls re- cruited from a private dancing school. Daisy Martin (colored), who has HOWE SHOWED ILLUSION Although 8am Howe was notified by the legal department of the Or- pheum circuit an injunction would bo sought to prevent the Sam Howe show from presenting the "Sawing a Woman in Two" illusion at the Gayety, Omaha, last week, the illu- sion was presented as per schedule with no legal interference develop- ing from any quarter. Tho Orpheum, Omaha, also had the "sawing" trick last week. been singing exclusive "blue" num bers for the Okch records, will shortly make a concert tour f Ber- muda. I'pon her p turn about Jan. 15 will team with Clarence William* (composer) for vaudeville. Max Burkardt, song writer, nml Helen Lee, from eoiieert, in "The Masque Haiders." "Tho Kngn&i-ment," five jw\,|,;, , song and musieul act, produced by !{••.> Brod'T. Jimmy Watts (formerly "Gmn- wich Follies"), single. The Criterion, Bridgeton, N. .V, playing vaudeville, will be closed in two weeks to be remodeled. VACCINATED SHOW PEOPLE All of the cast and chorus of tho Jack Singer Show now playing at the Gayety. Kansas City, last week were vaccinated, aa a result of the smallpox scare now current In that city. Vaccination is not compulsory for show people coming Into Kansas City, but many are submitting to vaoclnation as a precautionary measure. The smallpox situation was re- ported as easing up somewhat this week. *- "B0WERYS" DID $9,000 The "Bowery Burlesquers" at the Columbia, New York, last week, did a gross of a little over $9,000. The \V«»ck had ;» Imlidnv. YELLOW CARDS Taken for Granted They Will Gd in After • A. T. 8. E. leeting Tho International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes' gen* eral executive board will meet Dec* 6, among the matters to be con- sidered being that of tho re-insti- tt.tion of tho "yellow card" system for burlesque. The "yellow card" goes back automatically 'unless the burlesque Interests present substantial proof of Its Injustice, as claimed during the "open shop" campaign. The burlesque people mua file any rea* son or reasons they believe should c. U for an extension* of the three months' waiver of the yellow card system, granted at the time* of the strike, by Dec. 5. Up to Tuesday nothing had been heard from the burlesque people on the ellow card mattor. It Is apparently t.ikcn as a fore- gone conclusion that the yellow card will be re-instituted Immedi- ately following the I. A. T. S. E. executive board meeting. _ SUMMER SHOW ? Considerable speculation U cur- rent among Columbia wheel show producers as to which of tho sea- son's crop of Columbia attractions looks best oi% form as a possible summer show at the Columbia, New York, next summer. The list of ellgibles narrows down to three shows, according to the dopesters, none of which has reached New York as yeL BURLESQUE CHANGES Prankle Nlblo Is out of Mlnsky'n stock burlesque at the National Winter Garden. New York, and is opening as a single act in vaudeville this week. Lillian Smalley has replaced Teddy Slow ell, with "(Brls de Looks." Bonnie T.loyd replacing Lillian Buys, lie, with 'Trench Frolics." (Neil McCann. soubret is retirlnc; from the cast of "Hello 1922" Dec. 10. : ?v BURLESUUE ROUTES WILL BE FOUND ON PACE thirty in Tina issri: K—■• =2/