Variety (February 1922)

F Friday, February 3, 1022 LEGITIMATE 17 aASKS ON THE HIPS OF BOYS AND GIRLS ROUSE UPSTATERS Eight Indictments Returned—Sensational Disclosure of Newark Conditions by Newspaper —Investiga- tions Inaugurated to Oust Vice from Syracuse BAD WEATHER SOITTH KEEPS DOWN GROSS Syracuse. Feb. 1. ' A swooplnff investigation aa a resiiU of numerous complaints and affidavits from young girls, aided by the Syracuse "Journal," has prompted the local authorities to inaugurate a campaign to oust vice and begin a general clean-up of dance halls throughout Central New York. Eight indictments were returned against thrert Syracu^je dance hall proprietors *by the January grand jur>' for permitting youths under If to enter their establi.shments. Among ether cities up-state re- ported to have started similar cam- paigns include Oswego and Auburn. i)aia furnished the Syracuse "Journal' for publication by Mrs. Mar>' F. Tormey, Deputy Sher ff. re- yeals that 50 nameless children were born last year; al.'^;) that Loys and girls under 16 appear m\ dince halls with flasks on their hipi;. Newark. Feb. 1, The Newark I..edger has created a trcinendoiis sensation in Newark by an oxlviustive expose of tlie vicious resorts of the city, a dYectiiess of speech nldom equaled in newspaper a»inab!. the Ledger has opened an attack on the ni^ht life cf tho city. Thi- paper has given some 150 names and addresses and that there may be no mistake in publishing photo- graphs of the alleged notorious resorts from day to day. In the daily story are given details of what goes on in these places that leave nothing of Importance for the imagination to work upon. The Ledger's expose carries a bitter attack on City Commissioner William J. Brennan, the Director of Public Safely, who is in somewhat t'f a dilemma. If he cleans the city up he'll have to admit the Ledger was correct, and if he doesn't he'll be recalled! The general impres- sion is that he will be forced to clean house. Several spectacular raids have already occurred; pre- sumably more will foUow. ^ Cabaret performers would do well to investigate conditions before ac- cepting engagements in Newark and other members of the profes- sion should be very ciutlous about the places they visit or reside in while in that city. Practically all the well-known hotels, except the Uobeit Treat and St. Francis have been mentioned In the stories and With! many Newarkers have been sur- prised to find the Bei'vvick. Lucerne, and Nankin Clarden referred to by the Lt'dgei*. Even if no raids oc- cur, it shou'd be rememlifred thai the Ledger does not spare names. "Orphans of the Storm," Light—^-Three Wise Fools," on Repeat, May do $5,000 Xt'W Orleans, Feb. 1. Stormy wealber the fust part of the week sent a crimp into local show business. At the Sluibert-St. Charles the Grifnth film, "Orphans of the Storm," failed to arouse undue at- tention. It may draw |7,000 there for its first week. "Three Wise Fools," a return date with John W. Ransome now in a principal role, opened pitifully small at the Tulane. About $5,000 will be the limit for it this week. The booking was through bcarcity of legit attractions. LEGIT BOOKING COMBINE THE FRENCH DOLL Melanlo l.aur;i l^of»sl«'i Barone!»s Muzulicr.. Adrlcnne P'Atnbrlcourt Baron M.izuMer Eflpuartl Duratjd Ueorglne Mazulier Ir«n'> Hnrdoni Jackson Will L>ern1ng T. Wellltigtcii Wick Thurston liail Xmtly Mortdfi Edna Hitiburd Philip StauKhton lX>:i Hurroughs James Allen William Williamfi Rene Mazulier Paul Martin i Montreal, Feb. 1. If the sustaining of.plot lnf?trest to the final moment before the cur- tain, consistently arawn characters, lines that sparkle and effervesce with trenchant wit and pungent philosophy, a cast In which it ia hard to detect a weak spot, and a star possessing youth, beauty, per- sonality, chic and an exceptional gift of expressing feminine tem- perament and feeling (not to men- tion resplendent but tasteful setting and dressing) can in combination assirre the success of a new comedy, then "The French Doll," given its first presentation on any stage at His Majesty's Monday night with Irene Bordonl In the title role, is off for a long and prosperous run. Even the first night conditions, Which resulted in prolonging the performance until a quarter of an hour of midnight, had no adverse effect upon the ungrudging appre- ciation of the audience and caused no flagging of the absorption with which the action was followed. The undue length of the rendition was partly attributed by the manage- »ent to the fact that t4»e audience tound more laughs in the lines than the rehearsals had revealed, surely not a bad fault In a comedy after the performance ha.? been c<»m- pres.scd within the regulation time limits. Such a proccj-s will bo the first toncern of the producer his staff. Those who wltiu'ss play durii.g the remainder of week .should find this minor only complaint eradicattMl, Mljjs Jiordonl's talents as ' actress in hor nativo tonixut* *8 a singer were,not unknown to many Monlrealers.'but Monday was the nrs» opportunity given to judi^e of hrr work in lOuKlisli. She cain«* through the test with Hying colors. Crayoly and cliarm marl<»»l the lightir portions of hfr role as Oeorgint' Maxuller. genuine drpth of f('( lijijr tf^,, more intcnsp i^as- Ji^g's. .nul s^'celness and .'-ympathy the mojutMits in which she hovered netncrn the opposite roles of fmo- ^^^y. Xo» tlu> 1 ast delightful part of li«r p«>rl'orniante wa:» that in Whltli !Nh • Hang two luitnbrjs. a tuneful Knn.-h ballad and a ditty. 'I>o !• Again.' in w'.ricli srntim;nt ^nd huinoi- are nlcrly M.-ndiMl. A c.r^iit.'ijly e:;«v-ut.'d s-tud.N' of ^hai;; t» r is that don? by IMouard I->ur;i!pi j'.M thr n\<<ouric.'Ml .ar'.d -rrr- Pres.^il.).. r.jrj'n Ma:'.iii:«T. ;• -heniin'^ 'o ni.iiv*- a rich marraue fi>r his Prrtrv rr.nir.hur. In Mi. Daraiul d ^*^Hf;i! liand.s th.i- p jrt 1-• mtu • a '•^al , ;■ atjop^ r.';M'ra!;;a')".i' a.< hu- 'nan in cvcrv line inn .if nnl ut- torau:,. Tliiir, ton 11 ill a., tli" KaiK.;;,. niiiiionair.'., T. W.-Minr.'^a ^>i<l<. nK.-t.M the^ dcm.ind» cf the •"Oh- t'ofh pii.sica.Iy and histr'on- ai!(l iii at all times eompletely in i'b.aracter. Will I>eming's intui- tive rt»medy sense enables him to give a convincing representation of an exaggerated but not impossible type, and Edna Hibbard* brings out dii<tinciively the salient points of the role of Emil; Morrow. Don Burroughs acts witli effective naturalneHS and vigor as I'hilip Stoughton. The two settings supplied for the three acts are striking in their de- sign and completeness of di-tail, while Miss Bordonis half alozen costumes are a succession of ex- quisite sartorial surprises. i.iardincr. and the the and nn anil ic. Ih SARGENT SCHOOL Cc^rge Pillatt Maurice McRac Morrla Fawcctt Ernest Woodward (k>odrlch Edwin Kaspor Elllman John Osteratock Webber ....J. Andrew Johnaon Kate Rolling I^ls Franklin Maiffie Glow Sara Agnes Farrar UC Rolling & Co.. Millcra and Costumers Miss Rla^jf... I... Consuclo Wonders Miss Tracy Alice Duchanan Lady tJinlth-Carr-Smith Diane Seamon Polly Virginia Udloriio "Partnership," by Elizabeth Baker, was presented by Sargent School pupils at the Lyceum Jan. 27, their second matiiiee of the season. It was the first performance in this country of the play, and, let us hope, the last. Even Broadway's best could hardly have given it life and a cast made up of pupils failed, and failed dismally. Talent was conspicuous by its absence. The play shows the struggb^ be- tween the appeal of love and the demands of busness In Kate Boil- ing, youthful dressmaker. Love wins, of course, but wit, movement and su.^ipcnsc arc pretty well absent from the development. Of the players, I.om Franklin lacks stage appt\»ranti'. and Sara Agnes Farrar, whih- she has ap- pLaranot", lias a long way to go to i»ai h musical comtdy. wluro she belongs. ICrnost Woodward had poisf and mic^l't gf^t sojnvwlu'rc in time, but the wholo was di.-appoint- ing to the professionals in at- tendance. l.iCil. FRISCO BUSINESS Sin l-'raTK-iseo. Vv.h. 1. Business with Sail Carlo Opera Co. at the Ceiitniy theatre has not l>een a.M good as last season, the rea- son beiin,' that the (ompany <loes not measure up to the slantlard set l.y organi/.ati<»n tli.it w;is here last year. .Ma\- Kehsnn stnrriiiL' i:i "If ra\s toSriiile." at the Colun\hia theatre (lid $r.,»)0 > hei- oprnin.fr week r.nd mate: iall.v i»iekc-d up in tt..- scond. Iler p'ay reeeiyed go jil iiotie- : iroin all thi' ititlca . Kiilh i';- Dill \.It!i t!;eir u' .v :!>•.'. •11.ve .aiul Tal:e." wiin-n fi^r lhi-:Ti ; ]);>ciall.v by Aarfni lloiTman .-. d wllieh i.< !U*h«' Iu!ed t.) o;.( n at the Cer.tjiiry tiieatte m :;t v.. -U fur a .sjx \. eeks en!Aa,",enH«nt are isaaUi.ig ia the fhow on tli- < n'--night:rs and sma.vhing .all of the previous :rcord-\ In Sant.a fin-a. Ko!l> Hi 1>:!I jda:etf to ?•_•.»:;•; in oa" n:';!)t. IN WINTER STRIDE (Continued from page 16) much off last week, especially down- stairs. Lucky if they did $10,000. "Welcome Stranger" (Garrick. first week>. In for three weeks, with "The O'Brien Girl" next. Sndney show has no opposition at opening, and should do well as house has had successes recently. "Zlegfeld Frolic" did about $24,000 last week. "The Skin Game" (Walnut, third week>. Galsworthy drama is doing well, with class patronage right along, not much hit by weather. Brady decided to cancel engagement of "The Man Who Came Back" and keep "Skin Game ' for four instead of two weeks. Has been lauded to the skies by critics. '•Ladiea' Night" (Lyric, fourth week). Turkish bath farce has fallen somewhat, but is still in decided hit class. FormerlyJntended to k(ep it hpre five weeks, but may go bevond that now; $11,500. "The Bat" (Adelphl, 19th week). Finale of i)opular mystery i)lay uhirii rlafms to have beaten long run <lramatie record here, but of which ther»> is some doubt. IIod.?o in "Dog Love' to follow: $9,000. BOOZE HUNTER STUNG (Continued form page 15) —One. and one's all. * Get me'.* \VhatlI y'u have'.' Wise One (resigned to fate, but registering murder)—Give me a bot- tle of Scotch. (Business of getting parcel, pay- ing dough and turning away.) At this juncture, the second man made his appearance In suijport of the star. i. e.. the Wise One. "Don't let that guy put it over on you bo. You can only buy one bot- tle; but me, I can buy another. An' me friend here can buy another, see? Says how'? "You're on," promptly responded the Wise One, visions of a Volstead thirst accelerating his action con- siderably. "Whafll I do?" "Slip me ten," retorted the bene- factor. "An* yuh kin slip me pal ten, too. Den we'll git de booze fer yuh, see?" (Continued from page 1) make for the most i)owerfal thea- trical organization yet known. Yet the two showmen have stated that such a goal is farthest from their aim. One of the heads laid the cards on the table by explaining the plans to one of his,office's chief allies among the producers. He paid that they (Krlanger and Shu- bert) had laid aside all personal feelings and surveyed the outlook as calm business men. The result was that they believe if both at- tempted to operate all the theatres under their control outside the me- tropolis next season, even though they do not c :»po8e each other with the .same type of shows, either one or both would go broke. Carrying Charges That the carrying charges of the houses under lease or ownership are more than the profits to date this fceason, explains the gloomy view Kii the leaders. Their plan is to take in all the stands of anj' impor- tance. If there are two theatres, one only ijs to be given attractions, while the other is to be either kept dark or turned over to pictures or vaudeville. They declare that with too few shows In sight, one or the other house will go dark anyhow. But by assigning one house for at- tractions from either office, profits are virtually assured. Of course the takings will be pooled, as stated last week, that too applying to the theatre or t'<eatres which may be operating with another policy. The harvest of failures this season on Broadway and off is the direct cause of the trupposed fusing of the two oflices for bookings and pooling. The new shows fllvved in greater number than ever before and some of the apparent Broad- way successes of last season went into the storehouses soon after the start of this season. Every fall- iirf on Broadway removed at least one and i>otentlally several road companies for the succeeding season. That there are too few at- tractions on the boards in other de- I>artmenLs of the profession is the reliable report, and It Is declared salaries In the legitimate ranks are rapidly sliding back to the pre-war lasis. Operating Costs While the reduction in salaries may be the fact In some cases, the f»perating costs have not materially gone down. Fixed charges, such as rent and transportation, are not subject to fluctuation. The elimi- nation of the mediocre shows will be made by the two big ofllces agreed in bookings. Such elimina- tion Is claimed to be necessary. They say that the attraction getting $7,000 gross on the week might make a profit of $1,000 to the nianager, but the theatre loses $1,800. If there is a way of fltopj)ing that the big ofTlces will do it. And by pooling too that tho in And it came to pas.s, there and __ _ . _ , then, that the Wise One peeled off the bookings only the real money two ten spots from his New York roll and enriched his two friends in need. Then, with a triumphant glance in tho general direction of the amiable looking clerk, he waited. And he's still waiting—for the twenty. For be it known that this particular liquor depot had two doors—the one by which tho Wise One came In and the one by which the two wise ones went out— twenty bucks to the good. This town boasts of a theatre on the circuit press-handled by the Wise One. To the manager of this house did he repair, with his tale of woe and sadness. And into the man.igerial ear, with eloquence and fervor tn^known ev.n to oar greatest thespians, the Wise One i>oured bis story. But tho ear was unsympatliefi<\ for the manager langhed. And the otllro ^,:rl laughed. And the assist- ;int ni.inager laughed. For lo! How tho mighty had f.illen! Our tale is ended (ate)) tia Perhaps it will t ye (.f P. certain gentle- man as he sits in is palatial olliee on Broadway. And perhaps he will reflect on the iniquities of Montreal. Quien s;ihe? :,If)KAL Boll Nour own and save twenty. MADGE KENNEDY'S PLANS M.id ^- .-&%"• I clef, d r.er« il,' W. Va i- I\.<'nn('dy is to return to the during the sununer. Sl.v h •;• engagement In ''Cor- .'^-iiurda.v. at I'duefleld: , and jetuiiied to New V(»rk. 'I'iie formation ot' her personal <»r- r::. nidation f«»r th» productif>?> • ' pi •- t.:r ;•< i' ii'iv,- in i.rogresJ-. Th*- star plan •■ Tfi mai;e iwo srreen juodur- tiwiis during the svmimer mor.th; ahd appear on the spe.aking stage draws will be retained on the books. There are at least three important managers who are allied with the major offlces under special agree- ments. It Is known that A. II. Woods and the Selwyns have agree- ments with the Shubcrts calling for "first choice" in bookings. On the Krlanger side Sam II. Hafris is ^aid to havo a similar arrangement and there may be other producers | profitable with like afTiliations. The rub will 1 houscls. come if < (Midit ions are made rigorous for sueh maiuigers, heing entirely posHible with Shuhorts and l^clanger working unison. The question of fir.-t chojf^e of bookings will also po^xihly jigure. It is because of that that explana- tions have iM'on made to the effect the new combination is vital to the life of eitlior major olliee. Opposition May Result Some mai\agers who have beard of the lOrlanger-Shubert reported combine state that if the clamp Is put upon tho individual producers, an opposition booking circuit will be the result. It is claimed thore are enough houses obtainable on the shortest kind of notice, even besides those which may be dropped upon the combining of the bi|; offices. Offers arc known to have b^en received by one active pro- ducer, who is also a house owner, to throw In well located houses in important stands. Some of the8« houses are showing pictures, but it is said the stages are in such condition that they can It con- verted for attraction Ut>u.go al a cost of I'Ss than $10,000 each. If tho legitimate field ia forced to grips through the Erlanger- Shubert deal, a three-way combina- tion might result on tho outside. That would take In Sam II. Harris, the Selwyns and A. H. Woods. That trio has its own houses in the bijf cities and It is said would be satis- fied with them, if It camo down to unprofitable pressure from the bif; ofllces. Last season the Messrs. Harris, Selwyns and Arthur Hop- kins loomed up as the "third com- bination," those managers statins they were proteeting themselves ia the matter of bookings. Hopkinn would doubtless swing along with the others, though he controls but one theatre. Th.at the individual producers are not to be lightly re- garded, despite the holdings of th« big office. Is pertinent. One show- man said the manat.'ers had learned too much in the lai^t 15 years to b« .squeeze'' by "syndlcnte" methods. It is not believed the plan of th« big offices Is to aotoiilly fuse their booking machines. ]loth will be retained as separate units for the New York bookings and the smaller stands. That would b*^ necessary because of the diversified interests of the two offices. The original understanding of the Krlanger-Shubert deal was for booking attractions with care that the shows did not oppose each other. That is the "Follies" and Winter Garden attractions would not be booked against each other except In Chicago and possibly other cities. But regardless, the total takings both Shubcrt and K. & K. houses would form u pool in the Important stands, the division being in the ratio of the number of houses con- trolled by each. The booking and pooling plan made unnecessary further building of theaf es, and yet the utmost In gross busnless would be attained. The new angle of the combination differs from the original In that some houses will be unused, the Idea being for ^Intensive booking and pooling because of the predicted shortage of attractions or an In- sufficient number counted on to bo for the operation of all To ^'FRECKLES'' TOUR Appear All Over United States Where "Penrod" Is Screened Loa Angeles, Feb. 1. Wesley "Frcfkle.s" Barry, M;ii- rhall Neilan's boy star, left Los An- geles "*.'ednosday for Chicago, where h" will make his Inlti.il persona! .ip- jiearance at the .weriH-u jtremiere «if ' I'enrod," adapted from the tainous Booth Tarkington story. Following tiie A'hieago 'Freckles" will tour th.- l .States ami Canada, making per.sonal ai)pfarance.s a^ all First Natlon.il theatres. He is .aeeomp.inl^Hl bf (J. I'. .Smith. Marshall Neilan'.s puh- lieity director, and " tutor. The Mayor and city olTleials of this city v.i'-.hed '•Freckles" good luck on hi.-^ il-pai t tire. eieh season after they are com- pleted. Mi'j< Kennedy has derided on a p'.t.\- for Iie.'.t : ••.'t.^:r,n. but llM e(n- tr.Kt with the Savage manaj^envetii LOWER WAGE, MORE MONEY N. Y. State Average Earnings crease from Nev. to Dec. has lier nud perf tlie run out. and it is ]>ossihU» that next stage production may be •r a duTerenr manag^m<^nt. or ^tps .'lie niay de''id" !•> a r.t^le of .actress-manager. Aveiago earning.^ ln< rensed 59 rents a week in New York State Ix'twcen November and December, although workmen accepted reduced wage scales In many Instances, ac- cording to a rei)ort' from the Stato I>ei)artment of Labor of l,64}i far- V'"'^ I torioH. The difference was more mtcd (iian made ui) by Increased employ- ment, "duo partly to seasonal activity and partly to Improved bus- iness activity," in the language of the survey. ^ The report declares average wages declined lU iier cent, from l)c» em- ber, 11120 to J»ecember, J021 and, tho cost of li\'ing deflitud exactly the s.ame in that period, necurding to the ligurcK (»f the I'. S. I'.ureau of f^'ibor .statistics. Workmen's lo.'-MeH were due mofe to Unemployment tjiu. to r«(luc«'d wage scales. On** of tin; elements in the itna* ased ejirnlngs in the wood manufactures Indus' ries was the reopening of piano factori»'S on an enlarged vo!!;i!ig basis. A (b^crcase was I'c- lM>rf<;d in the auio indu.sMy 'u'n-