Variety (December 1921)

FILM REVIEWS SHAMS OF SOCIETY ..Barbara Castletoa Montacu. Lot* Vlac«y Hartam n«]«n I^>rter gcrbert Porter..... lS^CT? 9 °t W * r . d '.'.V.V..Julia Swayna Gorton lUm» Manning.... - r5e*i»nning Sitter .Anne Brody ....Gladys Peldman £*i*Harrington Edwardi Davli iSggls Frotbingham Victor Gilbert Robertson-Cole present a aix-part I *r™,-.. Ma****** ftf Society"; McNamara, ,betoplay. "Shams of Society darF by Walter ■cenarlo by Kenneth O'Hara and Kry Murlllo, directed by Thomas &Wa1sh. It is a pretentious affair, narred by several inconsistencies, lesntte an admirable cast, excellent Erection, an elaborate scenlo and jtitorlal investiture and splendid * The story is somewhat involved, lealcned to teach a strong moral lesson. The principal situation is jar-fetched, if not altogether un- likely. It purports to show that our lO-cailed society Is not the thing to M coveted, as it demands a hectic ixlstence not founded on true happi- ness and genuine home life. Tor the proletariat it reveals the inner workings of social life as lomethlng to be avoided Instead of Ming coveted, and by such will be alked ab^at, which makes for word- rf-mouth advertising for the picture. Barbara Castleton has a highly ►motional role; Montagu Love is lepicted as an Impressive man of, wealth; Macey Harkim. apparently i libertine, is in reality one of 'nature's noblemen"; Julia Swayne Gordon is interesting as a hanger- >n on the fringe of society, and the remainder of the cast all contribute to the generally good effect. While the story will not stand the test of critical analysis, the produc- tion makes for pretentious program picture entertainment. Jolo. THE SINGLE TRACK Corinne Griffith, with Richard Travers as her leading man, man- ages to drive home thi* combination society and Northwest meller in great shape. The' production is a Vltagraph release that was played (his week as part of a double feat- ure bill at Loew's New York. Split- ting the bill with Betty Compson, five years with the Fuller circuit, have signed another long-term con- tract. The boys do a talking act. Minnie Everett, producer for Wil- liamson-Tait, arrived home after a another ingenue star, comparison of trip around the world. She will the work of the two was Inevitable, help put on "Babes in the Wood," lth all of the honors going to Miss Griffith. Miss Griffith, insofar as screen looks and acting ability are con this year's pantomime. Spencer Barry has been engaged to produce tab revues for Tivoli cerned, topped Miss Compson fully | Theatres. Ltd. The first show goes on this month. a hundred per cent. She has the role of a society flap- per who has never had a day if Tne Cherniavskys. presented by care in, her life. At the time that the J# & N TaIt have p roV en a big hit story opens she is in the midst of j n this city, the season's round of gaiety. At that time, however, her guardian Informs her that her income Is practically nil and will remain so unless a proj- ect in Alaska comes through for the estate. The copper mines that they •hold there have been worked out, but a new vein has been discovered Dorothea Spinney begins a sea- son here Nov. 6. She will present "The Medea of Euripides." Police help had to be called by Williamson-Tait to hold in check . A ._ .. . A . . . « ... the enormous crowd waiting to buy about 40 miles further inland, and if tlcke ts for the final performance of the managers of the mines can com- U oh I ^ ady Lady." So unruly did plete a railroad to the new fields the crowd become that a near riot within a set period all will be well cn8ue d. Women rushed into the again. However, a rlva! company is stalls and were bundled out by the offering Strong opposition. police as fast as they made their The girl, showing that despite all ' appearance, of her society associations she is still a chip of the old block, decides to go north to watch tho working of the roadbuilding personally, al- though under an assumed name. She becomes a clerk in the com- pany's store "in the field" and there meets with the engineer In charge. Through her manipulation of one of the rival faction she manages to see that the Job is completed on time, personally driving a locomo- tive over the road on a ride to res- cue at the last minute, and when she has saved the day she reveals her identity. The love affair that has developed between her and the engineer comes to a happy conclu- sion In time for the fadeout. The picture Is well directed and contains a goodly number of meller thrills that will please any audience. In the society stuff that takes iip the greater part of the first reel Miss Griffith does a Salome that is an en- tirely new conception of what the dance is, but as she concludes It with a touch that gets a laugh, It can be passed up without criticism.' She does look like a million dollars' worth of beauty at all times. Mr. Travers was a handsome and satis* fying lead opposite her. Fred. f AUSTRALIA Berg .nl English, doubles for Harold Lloyd and Snub Pollard, are a big hit on the Fuller Circuit with their tumbling act. made a picture. No. 2, as a straight singer with a pianist (New Acts). Others were Erwin and Jane Con- nelly, the Golden Bird, Bert Green and Will Mahoney. Bbne. The Dempsey-Carpentier fight picture has Just finished a very good season in this city. Feature was shown in three different houses. (Continued from page 7) Christchurch OPERA HOUSE.—Sam Stern, Ling and Long, Richardson Broth- ers and Cherie, Bessie Slaughter, Gardner and Revere, Walter John- lon Co. GRAND.—Films. LIBERTY.—Films. Wellington HIS MAJESTY'S. — Tilton and West, Loader and Laney, Baisden, Otis Mitchell, Captain Winter's Dogs, Smart Set Co. PRINCESS.—Films. Dunedin PRINCESS.—Peter Brooks, Billy Elliott, Renaux and Arta, Selbohi, Maggie Foster, Milner and Storey, Alma Roy Duo, Carlyon and Ros- lyn. QtJEEN'S.—Films. . ^ %vr / t'&:^mfrsr^~~~"~ in this city Xmas eve at the G. H. in Fuller's pantomime. Rofe & Co. are suing Fuller's Theatres. Ltd., in connection with lease of G. O. H. Case is part heard. Sir Ben Fuller has been at court each day since suit commenced. The Crystal Palace, movie house, was partly destroyed by collapse of building next door during big fire here last week. The audience was rushed out of theatre Just as the roof crashed in. A beautiful pipe organ was smashed to pieces. Dam- age runs into thousands of pounds. An application was made to the Chief Judge in Equity on behalf of John Charles Leete and others, piaintiffj in a pending suit against Hugh D. Mcintosh, the Harry Rlck- ards Tivoli Theatres, Ltd., Freder- ick Ayden and Kate Rlckarda Leete, trustees of the will of Benjamin Henry Leete (known as Harry Rickards); Harry Musgrove Is also named as a defendant. Proceedings arose out of an application to Chief Judge for the appointment of a re- ceiver of the rents of Tivoli Theatre nnd hotel. -On the application the defendants. Hugh D. Mcintosh and the Harry Rickards Tivoli Theatres, Ltd.. had undertaken to pay to the plaintiff. J. C. Leete, the whole of the rents then due for the Tivoli Theatre. After that undertaking had been given, it transpired that prior to the undertaking certain of the rents had already been paid to Mrs. Rickards as beneficiary in the estate, and the lawyers for the de- fendants refused to pay plaintiff rent that had already been paid to Mrs. Rickards. Mr. Browne (for Hugh Mcintosh and Tivoli Thea- tres, Ltd.). asked the court to ac- cept a modified form of the under- taking, the Judge released his cli- ents from the undertaking referred to and substituted a modified form of undertaking. The Judge made no further order in the matter, except to direct Hugh D. Mcintosh and the Tivoli Theatres, Ltd., to pay the increased costs. Billy Elliott, the blackface star. Is A big hit in New Zealand. Dot Brunton leaves for America this week. Miss Brunton was a big success in "Oh, Lady, Lady." Marie Tempest and Graham Browne are touring Tasmania. Their Sydney «eason turned out a failure. "Tea for Three," after opening well, had to close owing to poor business. On the closing night Miss Tempest hurled some strong remarks about attendance at the audience. The failure of the season !• put down to too many revivals of old plays. "Welcome Stranger" smashed rec- ords at Brisbane last week. The *how played a six nights season. Wllkie Bard is touring New Zea- land under Musgrove management. Company includes Daly and Marr, wighton. Peggy Peate. Suthcr. Pedro and aPtrini and the Eclairs. Nina Gordon, here with-Kellernvin ■how, has Joined "Town Topics." The long looked for Actors' Award has arrived at last. The award given by the Arbitration Court Is as fol- lows : 1. Employers must not use vlo- _ lence or intimidate an employe, or ^VU'/^^b S*"rV«t ^•CTr^7ttr*pr-Ciffrcrgii,* \ft M mure h. »« " rru «r-*^w- property. 2. Persistently follow such em- ploye about from place to place. 3. Hide his clothes or other prop- erty owned or used by such em- ploye, or deprive him of, or hinder him in the. use thereof. 4. Watch or beset the house or other place where such employe* re- sides o- happens to be, or ie ap- proach to such house or place. 5. Use any threatening, abusive, obscene, indecent or insulting words towards an employe, his wife or children. The minimum rates fixed are: Chorus and ballet, male adults, £4; actors, male,. £5, 6s.; female, £4 158.; Juveniles, male, from £3, 12s. 6d. to £4 10s.; female, from £2 12s. 6d. to £3 10s. These provisions of the award do not apply to members of Australian Actors' Federation receiving by verbal or written con- tract more than £10 per week. Maximum rate for supernumeraries is fixed at 5s. for each performance and 5s. for each rehearsal. In Syd- ney, Melbourne and Adelaide the minimum amount to be paid in any week shall not be less than £2. While on train or shin, if the em- m John D. O'Hara opens at J'alaee jn a new play, entitled "The Laugh- ter of Fools." Charles White, who played in "The Sign on the Doo*-." returns to Amer- ica this weik. On the same boat is Kobert Toms, of the "Llfjlitnin' " company, and Jules .Ionian, who was a tremendous sucress here in "Wei- come Stranger." SHOW REVIEWS (Continued from page 22.) with the three theatres within a few blocks of one another. The Broad- way is B. 8. Moss', Keith-booked. The capacity attendance speaks pretty well for the theatre. Its show and scale, for it was predicted the opening of Loew's State would af- fect the Broadway, then the Shu- but with alf the additional vaude- ville along the main alley the Broadway appears to have gone up Instead of down. The program holds eight acts and pictures, inclusive of a feature. It may be that. The feature this week is "What a Man Wants." It was not wholly seen, but the ending brought no response. The picture's billing outside the theatre carried no name of maker, director or star. The vaudeville started on its last lap at exactly nine. "rtrlor, Bedroom and Bath" was the top billing. The condensation has been reduced about five min- utes In playing time, now doing 30 minutes, since first shown, but the improvements otherwise aren't enough to the fore to mention. The house laughs at silly sallies, and at times laughs heartily. It might be thought the playlet .would appeal only to those of the Broadway's cal- ibre of audience, a mixed big and small-time assemblage, but when it is recalled the play had a long run at $2.5<T probably everyone will laugh at one time or another at it. I hit there are not enough laughs for 30 minutes but still enough possibly, with the title, to keep It booked. 23RD ST. The bill ran with a retarded spark for the first half, which had the «lx acts "pulling" all the way, but never quite reaching the top and getting over on to level ground. The neces- sary power seemed to be there, though the extended length of time each turn took up resulted in keep- ing the performance in "second" throughout the entire evening. For instance, it took Miss Lee (Donovan and Lee) four minutes to complete her opening number—a verse and two choruses of a "pop" melody with some additional step- ping—which was followed by Dono- van's monolog, thence some more patter combining tne duo and an Irish lyric bringing about the con- clusion. In all 20 minutes. That the act la a worthy comedy offering goes without question—it topped the remainder of the program for re- sults—but it seems well within the bounds of reason to suppose that some speeding up of the routine would enhance the value of the act and make for even more solid re- turns.. Money and Chesleigh, following the opener, ran for secondary hon- ors, with the former gaining the major portion of the responses through her comedy efforts. The two girls have framed an acceptable offering that will undoubtedly con- nect over the smaller house route, though the routine revealed ln- , stances of letting down which leads to the query, Wouldn't the amputat- ing of two or three minutes be of material advantage? The vocal numbers are well handled, while Miss Morley demonstrated more than the average ability for a "gal" in delivering laughs and making 'em (count Mack and La Rue (New Acts) put the entertainment In motion on roller skates, after which the girl duo appeared, succeeded by McCor- mick and Wallace. The latter pair drew Immediate attention with their special set of a miniature "Coney" that had small-sized dummies In action at Intervals until the act went Into "one" for a finish. The ventriloqulstic efforts of both the man and woman are capable of se- curing all that is possible out of their present material, which gave evidence of needed revamping, the main "catch" line now being de- pended on having somewhat to do with "Union Hill" and being uttered for many repeats. Molly Mclntyre and Co. (New Acts) presented a rather drawn-out sketch, while the Four Pearls closed up shop for the night. Bkig. FIFTH AVE. A long bill at the Fifth Avenue the first half of this week, with business good Tuesday night. A thin line of standees back of the rail on floor one, with the upper portions thickly populated. A very good show, got a fast start from Jean and Valjean, a mixed team of ring artists. The iftan af- fects a Chaplin makeup and walk that detracts from the class of the rest of the turn. The girl looks at- tractive in a black short skirted costume and contributes a neck spin from a loop in a special apparatus. Both are expert ring gymnasts. RIGHT TO STRAND AS NAME IN COURT < ployer provides for fare, food and ( The principals are repeating: their 'ThP r.hio 'he ti:;,. of Picture ,, ( ,<l,,< f;< n at !'>'■« urn thi < \m Mountain the lat'-s! Mystery" i M Australian leeplng accommodations, half rates will he paid. If performances ex- ceed twelve In vaudeville or eight in other forms of entertainment per week, overtime to he pa'd at rate of nne-twelfh for vaudeville and one- eighth for ether entertainments. The award to operate for twelve months. These conditions are re- garded as farcieal, and have caused n » end of comment in theatrical circles. p'ay U. I '< a I ure o,k n: r M'-'mi Ailams and 0«" : \ a 1. i ve Joe Coyne is to do a tiew h- re in xt menth. 'he title «f whi h l>:is rot \ i-t I e -n a n;M>un"' d, Mr. Coyne has phiyid in "II s Lady Fi hauls." • - .\i hti< Nigh:." ut.d ■•Weeding lv;is.- imitations of Florence Moore and John Cumberland of the original. A laughing hit of the early pirt came out when Claude- and Mai ion appeared. In vaudeville somewhere are Claude- and Marion Cleveland — maybe at the Broadway this week with tne Ohio se-tion cut off. Tho woman of the a< t is the act. though the man. for com tasting physically and in character, helps it along Mis.; Marion knows how to sell her size and voice, whether singing or s|e:king. That with quips and s.-in.e natty business stopped th n «-l.n\v \\;hen they lini^hel. Miss M.^ioa had a new published nurn- '. < ,- <.,i j )ii- a mis' < Vnferera ... M'-'n : rid K'eanv o'uried the sh >W plus personality and about the best jazz delivery seen In ages, but she just managed one bow at the finale. Miss Gasper is half of the former Sinclair and Gasper team. She is singing several numbers that de- pend on double entendre for their punch. One, a kid song, having to do with a precocious youngster with a perverted interpretation for the baby-day rhymes that was particu- larly offensive. The women in the hourfe froze up and frightened the stags into silence. New songs minus the navy colors are needed. A "blues" number at the finish was a legitimate piece of jazz delivery, but couldn't overcome the early im- pression. Bobbie Bernard and Co. were third, and took one of the hits of the evening. Bob Murphy, the straight, deserves equal billing. His charac- terization is true and clean cut. Bernard is a corking Hebrew come- Wian, ideally outfitted with the pres- ent vehicle. Barring the first few moments of hokum dialog, which was inserted to allow them to carry a female, the act Is big time. Sargent and Marvin (New Acts) followed. This pair were formerly Known as the Sargent Bros, and rate right up alongside of tho Weaver Bros, and Myers and Ilanford In playing the hand saws. They were big applause getters here. Cooper and Kicardo followed, getting away to a bang with their comedy opening of policewoman and salesman. The talk let down a trifle in the middle, but picked up at the finish. The encore clowning with the toy horn and uke double put them away one of the hits of the bill. B. A. Bolfe and Co. (Ww Acts) were the flash and ,the headline turn following. The revue and brass made good in the >p ( >t. run- ning long enough io m.ike a toa\h spot for Conroy aid Yates, who Mitchell Mark Corp. Seeks Re- straining Order Schenectady, Nov. 30. The motion for a temporary in- junction restraining the Schenec- tady Strand Theatre, Inc.. and Wil- liam Shirley from using the name "Strand*' or "New Strand" in con- nection with the theatre of the de- fendants on State street will be ar- gued at a special term of Supreme Court In New York. Friday. The action is brought by the Mitchell A. Mark Realty Corporation and the Wedgeway Strand Theatre Co., Inc. The Mark Realty Corporation has a controlling Interest In the Strand of Albany and theatres of the same name in Buffalo and In Lynn and Worcester, Mass. The corporation also controls the Strand, now under construction on a alto adjoining Proctor's In this city. Shirley was employed as manager of the Palace. Subsequently Shir- ley quit their employ and is now operating the "Strand," which has been remodeled. According to Shirley, In Novem- ber, 1919, he bought the exclusive local right to the use of the name "Strand." perlmenled with many straight men since the dissolution of the Conroy and Le Moire team several seasons back, * but he seems set with his present partner, Bob Yates, who dominates his high nasal voice vo- cally and his Ignorant darky men- tally and physically. The crossfire was bright and snappy and pulled steady laughs. They closed in high favor in the toughest spot on the program. Great Koban and Co. (Koban Japs) closed In ground tumbling and perch balancing.. The feature trick Is a head jump up a fttght of 19 steps by one of the Kobans. The usual sumptuous and embroidered drop is carried. Con. AMERICAN ROOF They were frigid Tuesday night Herskind gave the show a smart send-off with a well-routined quick sketch turn. He has a lot of bright small talk and a facile sort of car- toon humor, as was demonstrated in the drawing of three audience subjects to whom he later donated the sketches. Herskind In hie antiquated wig and comedy nose get-up presents a benign appearance for all its incongruity. He may have been formerly of the Herskins, a mixed sketch' team familiar locally about ten years ago, but Is an effec- tive single opener for any bill. Belle and Wood sang and danced in the "deuce," and fbund+lt tough going. The ante-bellum opening number raised expectation for some- thing more original, but the ensuing eccentric and toe numbers dlsap- hSfUy .yftfliRtoV. .tvU i* py 4i> s >4 i tfpM<*n> if i^i—ii ■ iit turned dance sent off to a fair single bend. Wahl and Francis showed a musical and song act that interested. Dorothy Wahl's new partner plays on the violin, dances and combines both feats in an acrobat io dance number. Her "Paul Revere" parody scored, and the concluding blues got them oft weH. Miss Wahl Is also essaying a snatch of stepping on her own account. It remained for Moore and Fields to really start something. The tempo thus far was too eve\i and serene, and the patrons were eager to grasp any excuse to snap out of the coma. These colored boys dished up a line of cross-talk that sizzled, and when it came to stepping one of the men burned it up with neat tap and bu6k solos. McKay's Scotch It«.'vue closed intermission with their familiar act. One of the girls Is sporting an azure optical make-up that is horrid. William Dick and his guitar scored n bull's-eye hit. Mr. Dick seemed to have trouble with the tuning of his instrument, pausing for over a minute at a time two or three In- stances, which even with the good impression he had made at the be- ginning almost proved dangerous. However, It seemed to be genuine, for he broke two strings at the con- clusion of his last number. Though he came out with two guitars for the bows, and the applause war- ranted at least one encore, he left 'em hungry. ••Fascination" (New Aetx). lirady and Mahoney scored their usual hit with their cross-lire and parodies, although they cut their routine short because of the lute hour. IJcnder and Herr (New Aets) closed, lol- lowed by the Constance Talmadge feature lilm. Atn:l. r I'll .111 Heme puirii' eaMe il;.-;..|l h"S te'l.ri; ot ii"tsafcaiiiM JM I "\ l-'i.'in people Unckill;' th'W'e. The ll.ili.inS