Variety (February 1922)

Friday, February .10, 1022 LEGITIMATE 15 WEST POINT CADETS IN MUSICAL COMEDY ■m. ■ Dialectic 'Society Presenting '^Ho, Ho, Jose"—Harry Piani Staging The Dialectic Society of tho Corps of Cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point is going to present a musical comedy at the Point in two acts in which over 40 of the cadets will appear. In Its entirety, it is the work of the young men, with the exception of the staging of the booic which will be bundled' by Harry Piani, and the arrangement of the dames directed by Robert Marias, formerly 8ta:;o director f^r Honry W. Savage and Arthur Hammersteln. The first performance will be given about Feb. 20 with the caln performance arranged for February 26, the night of the Army and Navy basketball game. Socially, that evening takes on the aspect of bo- ing tho {.ocond in importance of ^hc year. The other is the annual foot- ball c'.ajii of the two academics. Four performances are to be flveii. It is possible tiie show may be taken to Annapolis for one per- formance, and also one for tli9 ben- efit of the government ofTicIali in Washington. The book of "Ho! Hoi Jo^e" ij by W. W. Valo. '22. while the lyrics and music have been supplied by a trio, namely. M. II. Clcary. •2-1; W. A. Wedemeyer. '23. and V. W. Wolf. '23. Lieut. Philip Kgner. bandmas- ter at West Point. assi.sted in the arrangement C/f tho music. ^rig.-CJen. Douglas MacArthur, superintendent of the academy, and Col. R. M. Danforth. commandant of cadets, are both taking an espe- cial intcroj-t in the production this year, while the persjnal supervision of tho ontorpiiro is in the liands of Major J. A. McDcrmott. BUSHMAN AND BAYNE'S NEW ORLEANS RECORD $16,000 at OrpheUm This Week, Hurting Legit Attractions New Orleans, Feb. 8. Busl\man and Dayne headlining the vaudeville at the Orpheum will break the theatre's record for this season by drawing in at least |16,- 000 this week. Their business has injured the legit in town, as the Orpheum is attracting the one-a- ^♦eek patrons who ordinarily visit the legit houses. Nance O'Neil, in "The Pas.sicn Flower," one of the best plays sent South this winter, is being over- looked at the Tulane, and will not exceed $7,000 tm the week. The Griffith film. "Orphans of the Storm," may hit $6,500. The Orpheum's record up to the present v»as held by Julian Eltinge. who did $14,000 during his ^ycek there. PHILLY'S BENEFIT Actorc* Fund Performance Success Last Friday Real Philadelphia. Feb. 8. The Actors' Fund bonoiit per- formance held last Friday at 'the Garrick was attended by a very real ■access. Thore were fewer disap- pointments than usual, and much more than the ordinary originality in the skits and sketches. Instead of "The Second Mrs. Bellls," given in New York, William De Millc's "In 1999" was substitut-ed. Marie Doros place in "The Trl- •Jigle" was taken by Jane Grey; Wilton Lackaye failed to add his distinguished presence to the "cast" of "The Sign of the Hour," and AUyn King took Ina Claire's place In "Lovers." Ted Lewis and his jazz band,from •The Greenwich Village Follies" at the Shubert received the most ap- plause, despite the fact that the audience was hardly the type that at-ends revues, Robert Warwick, Maclyn Arbuckle, Edmund Lowe and Miss King A^ere well received in the more conventional "Lovers" and the repetition stunt, admirably carried out by H. B. Warner, with the as- •Istance of Serrano, Miss Grey and others, put "The Triangle" across on the success side. Unfortunately, the real cleverness of "The Sign of the Hour" didn't seem to pot over ^ith the majority of tho society audience. Ilogulars culled it the best novelty yet in a fund benefit performance. Its delightful satire, and the inimitable Introductions of the imnglnary cast (very roal in tho porsons of Glenn Hunter, Gonrgo Sidney, Jessie Ralph, Alfred Lunt, Billie IJurke and others) were A-1. Irene Castle gave two rather short dances and would not come back despite a friendly hand. John Chaiios Thomas went with n bang. He seemed to fit in better with the crowd present than he has with the Shubert vaudovillo clientilo. "Sports of the World." a pageant In which I'hiladelphia Society de- butantes took i)art. was tho final bij; ft^'ituro. Of its kind, it was oxcol- lent. Th<' Kjtaros, Frank Mclntyre In liis "Wodnesdjiy at tho Ritz" •kit. and one or two other acts compl..'«Ml lh»' program. Fred (;. Nixon-Nirdlingor made a most hospitable and p•'r.^onabl^' announcer of ovents to romo, IIo ainl llariy T. lordan shartd stage direction with Alexander Lcflwioh Ralph W. Long Returns to Worlt Riilph W. Long has recovored from pneumonia and is back a tho Shu- bert offices as general manager. SHUBERTS' PLANS (Continued ' om page 1) raid Mr. Shubert. "Drt we do not want it pfintod unt" finally settled. It is virtually all agreei' upon now. but we nrefer to wait until e.ery detail has been closed up." The Shuberts a.-e said to have as- s -iates in the proposed plan of rotary units that will u?»oi at least six acts or vaudeville w!th the re- \ iew as the perpetual he.idliner. All shows v.ill travel under the stand- ard of "Slmbcrt Vaudeville." with the scale <is at present for *hat en- tertainment. $1 top. Mr. Shubert would not nimo the associates T ee ui.d ,f. J. Shubi'rt will have in their vaudeville lor next season, but Variety puMi.sheJ about a month ago a brief report of a meeting r the Hotel Astor. New York. Attending that meeting ^,'«re Leo Shubert. a'lso representl-.g his brothei , I. JI. Herk, Max Spiegel and E. Thos. Bcatty. Interested with the .atter three \l said to be Tr.^lles of St. Louis. That confort.co at the time was re.)orted as lookng toward the formation or a new combina- tion in the vaudeville or musical comedy. The confirmation by Lee Shubert of his intended vaudeville policy for next season disposes of all rumors pertaining to the Shuberts and their present vaudeville. It likewise upholds previous state- ments made by the Shuberts that they are in vaudeville to stay. According tQ the story, the Shu- berts and their associates will gath- er producers from all the musical branches of the show business, in- cluding those allied with the Shu- berts* legit enterprises, with no producer to produce over two pro- ductions for Shubert vaudeville at any time. The producer, says the story. Is to supply the ei.tire bill, with vaudeville to be booked from the Shubert vaudeville booking agency and subject to the approval of the Shuberts. Showing terms are reported at 60-40, subject to re- vision. The success of the condensed "Whirl of the Town" as a vaude- ville attraction is what confirmed the early opinion of the Shuberts, it is said, that their original combi- nation policy of vaudeville and re- view, with a girly background at $1. is the new vaudeville. "The Whirl," wherever playing on the Shubert vaudeville time thus far, has taken the hou.se record, not excepting that gotten by Bedini's "Chuckles" or the Hussey unit. In addition, it is said, the Shuberts, having produced the "Whirl" themselves for vaude- ville, found it wa their cheapest traveling vaudeville bill. Whereas the Rcdini show, while admittedly a drawing entortalimient in its review, had a decidedly bad vaudeville progran- ahead of the afterpiece when first starting over the Shubert time, and the llussoy show depended upon one perso .. "The Whirl of the Town' was even- ly balanced, wit' its vaudovillo linding equal favor with jls r«'view. Tho policy of pl.'iying a combina- tion entertainment of this character with tho title of the show acting as a standing headline nano also ap- pealed to iho Shuberts. doing away with the necessity of procuring "drawing cards" werUiy with their conse(|uent high individual salarie-M. The Columbia Amusement Co.; or otherwise the C(«luriibi;i I'.url'sqne Wheel. ha.« beon appielionsive of the Shubert combinatiojj pc>licy since tho ShubJ-rls started llieir vaudovillo with one of the Heditii «ot t.inations as a unit. The Columbia nooplt look upon the combination policy as op- position, through a Shubert vaude- ville review getting through its per- formance within 90 minutes, giving a full evening's show with the vaudeville, and costing in salary nearly three times what a Columbia burlesque attraction costs, mean- while playing at about the same scale of admission. Vaudeville showmen say the com- bination vaudeville policy is opposi- tion to every other kind of vaude- ville, whether scaled above or be- low $1. Messrs. Herk and Beatty are now connected with the American bur- lesque wheel. Herk has been report - ed in arms against Sam A. Scrlbner of the Columbia wheel, with those two burlesque circuits recently go- ing into open conflict. Spiegel has various theatrical interosts^nclud- ing Columbia and American wheel conncction.s, besides extensive pic- ture interests. Other than the combination policy, the Shuberts have been repo''ted to have had another plan of vaudeville for next season up their sleeve, for the continuation of that policy, if they concluded to change from their present system of playing a combi- nation bill one week and a straight vaudeville prograr* the next. It was anticipated Wednesday all details of the combination vaude- ville for next season would have been completed by last night (Thursday), when the Shuberts are expected to issue a formal an- nouncement. INSIDE STUFF ON LEGIT (Continued from page 11) that member was for taking a punch at Luke anyway. Joseph Bickerton, recently made attorney for the club, was prosented with a lifo member- ship, the first of its kind from the Treasurer Club. The ads for "Lilies of the Field" are credited with keeping that show in the Klaw. Harry Reichenbach has been writing the copy used in extra sp.'ice generally early In the week. Though being under special contract with Paramount at present his arrangement permits tho "Lilies" assign- ment. Iteirhenbach entered into a novel contract with the "Lilies" man- agement. No salary is stipulated, but the publicity man is to get instead a percentage of the gross above $7,200, which was the weekly pace when he started with the show. His bit has been as much as $500 for a single week. Recently, with the show getting around $8,000, he has been draw- ing down over $160. That is probably more than anyone el.se concerned witli the front of the house has taken from the show, which has been in litigation for the past strrcral months. "Lilies" can break even on a grosa of arotind $C,'0O weekly. ACTORS' FUND BALL 1— Allisd Arts and Sixty Club Promot ing Big Benefit at Hotel Attor Feb. 25 A benefiL ball, for the Xctors' Kund. to to held at the Hotpl A.stor. Xow York. Saturday night, Feb. 25. will enlist general theatrical rep- ress .itation, from clubs to people, as well as prominent lay persons. The ball will be given under the name of the Allied Arts of tho Theatre, with the Sixty Club in charge. A managing committee has been organized, comprising stars of the stage and screen, while the patronesses who have loaned tHfeir names are jointly of the pro- fession and society. The tickets have been placed at $10 each, inclusive of supper and without war tax. They arc pur- chaseable at the principal ticket agencies or at any of the theatrical clubs, also at the headquarters of the press bureau for the ball, in charge of Frank Pope, at 3: West 42d street (Room 1040). T. M. A. MEETING The Touring Managers' Associa- tion at a meeting Tuesday discussed road conditions and recent changes. It was brought out that the Inter- national Theatrical Association had been cuccess'ful In bringing down transfer charges In a number of the small stand towns. As to the possi- bility of a reduction in rail rates, it was stated the I. T. A. was work- ing to that end with a likelihood of success by the beginning of next season. Transportation charges are the most important Item to touring attractions. A committee was appointed to confer with the 1, A. T. S. E., seek- ing to bring about a "differential" in the matter of stagehands for T. M. A. attractions. The touring men conte.:J that the same wage scale applies to stagehands with a popular priced attraction as with the big legitimate shows. The lower wage scale for a show charging $1 and not over $1.50 will be asked. "The Demi-Virgin" appeal from the Supremo Court denial of A. H. Woods' application for an injunction restraining the New York License Commissioner from exercising his legislative-given authority of closing a theatre without hearing, will come up for argument before tho Ap- pellate Term within a few days. If decided against. Woods will go to the New York Court of Appeals and carry the case to the U. H. Supreme Court if necessary, on constitutional grounds. Meanwhile "The Demi- Virgin" is playing at the Kltinge, New Y^ork, to around $13,000 weekly, and is expected to remain there the remainder of the season. If It goee on the road it will be next season. The "Virgin's" final decision may have a bearing on when Woods will produce the Somerset Maugham play, "Kast of Su^z," written by Maugham while on a trip to China and accepted immediately by Woodis upon reading. NEW BALLET AT HIP Last Saturday the Fokine ballet ended at the Hippodrome. Fokine and Fokina, tho Russian dance stars, were in "Oct Togetlier" at the Hip for the first 10 weeks. droi)ping out at the conclusion of the contracted time, tho ballet, however, being continued as a fea- ture of the show. It. H. IJurnside Inserted a now ballet. Monday, called "Roes and Hutterflies. " The diving specialties re[>ortcd i)lanned In special tanks which wore to be rolled atop the i*o. will not be inserted in the show. Mass. Bill on Prices Defeated Roston. Feb. 8. An ;ittempt to x>rohlbit increased .'^(lm^^ sioii juices in all Massa- clmselts theatres on Salurdnys and holidays w.is defeated yesterday nt the Scale ■ House when Senator .lohn P. Knqlort's bill was given leave to withdraw by the Senate C'onmultoe on Legal Affairs. The Globe, New York, by means of approved plans will enlarge its seat- ing capacity from 1,190 to over 1,300 seats by the beginning of next season. Marly in the fall two rows were added on the lower floor and at the same time the lower boxes were eliminated, giving the orchestra 50 more seats. This week two rows will be added to the rear of the balcony, concrete "steps" providing the required lift. It will give the' house 32 new seats, and provision lias been made for another 32 on the lower floor. Two new front ^'ows are to be placed, room for them provided by moving the orchestra under the apron. During tho summer or whenever the house is darkened for two or three weeks, the upper boxes are also to be taken out and the front of the balcony be fashioned Into a horseshoe. This follows the new idea In theatre construction, several of the most recent b.ou.ses having no l^oxes. Such seats arc difficult to dispose of, rarely if ever being handled by ticket brokers, despite the size of a buy-out. Dur- ing the run of the "Follies" at the Globe last summer, the boxes wore priced at $4, wliich was $1 under the scale for the lower floor. Since Variety's intimation several weeks ago of the smoulderkig war between native i?layers out of work and Knglinh hlstrionH on the coun- try's stage payrolls, conditions have fanned feeling between factions until tho angles of the friction assume serio-comic as well as dramatic pos* sibilitifS. The conferences between Samuel Gompers and acting bodies seeking degrees of restriction of Import players had its amusing slant in that some of the most violent advocates at conferences crying for a limited emigration of players from abroad were themselves aliens. Rritish elements of the Lambs and Players whose relation to the stage dates back farther than the present yfar, proved very pntity at these anti-import sessions over the many companies that have dropped In on America since the first of the year. Tlie English Players of "Bull Dog Drummond." "The Voice of the Minaret," "Pins and Needles," are intruders according to some of these earlier-here Britishers. "The bally pickings will be cut into until they'll no longer be. so rich in gravy," they declare. Kvcn Kngllsh stars who have held top spots and top figures in American productions are not themselves without apprehension as to r ■> danger of further Invasion. Tlie stars say they know it is not a far step from a second or third lead- ing player to the first line. At the Players one night last week one of the newly arrived English actors in a playful mood recited a prayer he said was common to his nation, and one lie declared he himself had been taught as a child to ray every night. The spirit of the litany was: "God bless the poor, God bless the rich and God bless everybody, but God bless our family first!" A fact evolving from the present season's sensationally long list of .sheer failures among legitimate plays produced since the season began is the discovery by producing managers tliat not only are there few manuscripts of promise, native and foreign, available for consideration in the manuscript shops, but authors as a class for the first time in the memory of the present crop of producing managers, are unwilling any longer to submit scripts except upon conditions made by the authors. In the good old days of ample supplies for selections, the author typified the fellow who waited at the wicker gate of the outer ofldce while a boy attache of the manager was assigned to convey to him Information as to whether the manager might be able to give an answer about a play sub- mitted, or return the play. Now, the author has the upper hand and is playing it with something like reprisal for the indignities of whicli h* claims he has been a long time the butt. Here three of the biggest of the season's active producing firms have been importuning Charles Frederick Nirdlinger to submit manuscriiita, these managers know Nirdlinger has recently finished. Nirdlinger, a brother of the late Samuel Nixon, of the Philadelphia Nixon-Zlmmorman firm, despite his relationship with theatrical interests that might Justly inoludo him among the ept of the playhouse, says he f;erved a fr.iying period of waiting hat in hand upon producing managers, and tliat now lliat he finds lliln^sclf sought by manager.'?, he himself sought, he pirjposes to fill his new and more satisfying role with apiireciation of Its fine har- monies. Nirdlinger vows he will no longer send in manuscripts to producing managers to trust that someono may read them. Any manager wlio Is Interested in tho Nirdlinger play material of now may adjudge it: applicability to l»:s own plans by sitting down at an hour and place convenient to said manager and submit to having tlic pbay or plays read to him by Nirdlinger, wlio reminds managers that he himself doesn't stutter, has no wisli to act the parts, will confine hi.«i efforts to a swift recapitulation of tho r.tories, and agrees at the first sign of managerial .somnolency to call tho prospect cold. TAX IN SHARING CONTRACTS A new clauso has beon inserted in sharing contracts of attractions, mostly effective outside of New York. It concerns the matter of State tax increase as affecting the terms. Some stands 1 ave boon taxed either locally or through State regulations lot ween the time attrac'ions were booked and the date of actual pla.\ ing. T 1 lome cases the tax is per seat, and the new clause is designed to proftortion a sliare of such tax to the attraction. CARROLL PREPARING Karl Carroll has beon secretly re- hearsing a company for tho opening of his now theatre Feb. 20. The title of the play as well as tho.^c who have been engaged arc being kept under cover. It is said the jlay is to be presented in a single scene. BILLIE BURKE'S MOTHER DIES IJaltimore, Fob. 8. iiillio Burke, at Fords in "The Itifirnate Stranger." lost her mother Moiiilav. and th»; house will remain (lark until Thursday. IV'b. 13 "ZiegfVld Follies' will hold forth, featuring Will llogers.