Variety (April 1922)

VAUDEVILLE Friday, ApVil 14, 1923 am TOUL' SAVES KID FLAT; BRASS KNUCKLES N. G. Con Sends His Heavyweioht Against a Gilyago Named Kid Limbo Syracuse, Aptil 12. rear Clih-K: — My new heavyweight wrni to the post la.st ni^'ht .ind box(<l a hi^ Kilyaso nainotl Kitl I-.imWo that I wrote yo:i about last week. I know now wliy Tomato named my rpj? Kid Flat (or I never seen a puy who could flatten out better than Jiim in all my experience with the glove swingers. As I told you last week I managed to slip the brass knurks into his light glove although Limbo's chief second stood In our corner and watched me lace ui> the mittens. However I learned how to palm the knurks from Merlin, the magician, who was with me some months ago and I had no trouble start in my Arab with his odds in the right duke. We told him to keep his left hand stu«^k out and not to use his right until he saw an opening and then to f-hoot it and the knucks would do the rest. He followed instructions for about a half a second but walked right Into a round house swing that toppled him over like a punctured balloon. When he got up at nine ho was wild eyed and staggered on liis feet with his back to Limbo and started boxin with the referee. I took one peek at him and knew he was out on his feet so reached young', tried out some homo made PRIARS' DINNER FOR GRAY Tommy Gray's appearance on his return from the coast las. week led to the Friars conspiring to feed the boy-author. In the monastery of the society .•^ome evening next week, Mr. Gray will bo the guest of honor at a I'riars* banquet. As usual, the g\ifst will guess what the honor is. Mr. Gray was 27 years of age on his last birthday; he stands fwv feet ten; weighs 105 pound.s; nearly blond and sometimes red; wears a j-oft hat; shows hi.-? teeth when he talks; lives with his folks; knows some of the worst dumps around Times S<iuare; has never been pinched for anything serious; loves to talk aV)o\:t the show business; thinks I?ustor Kealon is a better comedian than Kddie Miller; would like to do a two-act with Felix' Ad- ler; has never been married, hopes he never will be; has never been honored before and never will be again; knows more singles than a booking manager; writes dramatic plays for practice and nonsense for money; Is known froi i coast to coast through finger prints; has a mother who loves him, no one else ever tried to; never has laughed at his own stuff, never has laughed at anyone else's stuff; owns a car he bought outright, third-hand; be- lieves Broadway Is the beginning and end of the world; entertained for the soldiers in France; caused the armistice when the Germans heard about him being over there. Mr. Gray has been before the pro- fessional publi:; for several years. He has a brother, Dan. Tommy, amateurishly, when both boys wer" > over and pulled the bell ending the round which had about two minutes to go. Their was an awful squawk from Limbo's corner but the official timekeeper Is my pal and swore that it was a full three minutes. 1 knew I couldn't repeat for they all had their watches out on us the next canter. Between rounds we worked on Flat and finally got him fixed up so ho could hear. I bellered in his ear to let his right hand go no mat- ter whether Limbo was covered up or not and he promised that he would. He walked out in the second and let fly with the right started it «t the floor and hittin Limbo on the knee cop. Limbo went down, took a nine count and then got up limpin and hollerin that his leg was broke. We screamed at Flat to go on In and finish him for the referee was payin no attention to the beef about the broken leg and was orderin I.iimbo to quit stallin and cither dive or fip^bt. Flat, when he saw Limbo backin away from him. began to get chc:ity and .«;tarted lookin around at us and winkin like a worlds cham- pion gettin a quiet work out with Fome sucker that he can tako any minute. Limbo is an old war liorse that aint got much except experi- ence but the old ex wins many a battle. He timed a right cro'-s that copped Flat on the button Just as that sap was roundin aft^r one of his winks at our corner and the next minute our tramp was on the floor apain. From then on ho was up and down like a Putnam building elryator. llo (M-rtainly could take it. All he needed was a che.st protector and a mask and he would look like Steve OXeil catchin a double head- rr. All he lacked was a one-piece liathin suit and a .swimmin cap and ho would be eligible for an honorary membership in the coast life guards. After ho had done the dip about four times and I was beginnin to figure on throwin the sponge In to save him from gettin his brains knocked ont, I took a long chance and when J..imbo nailed him again I yelled "foul" all over the place. I didn't think the ref. who was one of the boys and the most noto- rious homer in Northern New York, would have p;uts enough to disqual- ify but I'm a monkey's uncle if he don't gra]j Limbo and award the fipht to my droopin lily on a foul. In about an hour after we got Flat patched up he was stnittln around the hotel lobby tellin the boys that it was a good thing that they stopped It for he would have killed Limbo in another round or two. Limbo ♦is still in town, limpin iiround like he had housemaids knee and ytllin murder that he was jobbe«l and that he will agree to Mop Flat in a round If they are rematched, or walk down Main etrcct on his eyebrow. I am sittin tiKht and lettin him rave for who knows we may steam up a demand for another frolic. • I thi'ik thiit Flat mav .ome throush and amount to someihin gags on his older brother. Dan stood them for the first half^ but during the last half, told Tommy he would have to go to work, whereupon Mr. Gray, the author himself, purchased a typewriter on the installment plan, training to write upon the ma- chino through several hundred repetitions of "Why does a chicken cross the street?' Tommy found out there were 397 ways of telling that gag without one encroachinpr upon the other, and he then decided to be a humorist. Mr. Gray started upon his funny career writing for "The Dramatic Mirror." While the decline of "The Mirror" was never blamed upon Tommy, still it is a fact "The Mir- ror" has since passed away. Later. Mr. Gray commenced a column in Variety. By careful editing, it got Into print now and then. After Mr. Gray became friendly with Va- riety's staff, it got into print more often, until of late his name has been used In large type, so his creditors could locate him without the trouble formerly encountered. Mr. Gray's brother. Dan, is ?;till a decent citizen. AVhilo he permits his brother Thomas to remain at homo. It is under.-^tood in the family cixx'le that Tommy can no longe;* try out gags in the hou.-e. Any other InTormation required by the toastmaster of the lurid his- tory of Thomas .T. Gray, funnyman. Tommy will furnish himself. CENSORING DIALOG THAT DOESN'T ENLIGHTEN New York Censoress Against Profanity — "The Geth- semane" Looked At An Insight Into the New York censorship situation may be gath- ered from the following, related by one of the principals to the Inci- dent: Next week at the Capitol there is to be shown a Prizma color production entitled "The Gethse- mane," depictingr the eve of the Crucifixion. This week the picture was taken to the offices of the State Censorship Board and the follow- ing conversation occurred: 'What Is the name of this pic- ture?" asked the cen.soress who re- ceived'It from the attacks of the theatre. "It's 'The Gethsemane*." "Well, who plays the lead In It?" "Jesus Christ!" "Look here, young man, I want you to understand that I will not tolerate profane language in these offices." "Madam. I am not being profane in my speech but simply answering your (question." "Oh, la that so! Well. I want to know who Is playing the leading role in the picture and I expect you to inform me." "That Is exactly what I did. I told you Jesus Christ was the principal character." "Well, then, who plays opposite him?" "Judas Iscarlot." "V<^y well, we'll look at the pic- ture and see if it we'll pass It." M. M. P. IT. QUARTERS Local S02 of the American Fed- eration of Musicians has taken a lea.se of 8,400 feet of floor space In the Fisk Tire Co. building, 67th street, near Broadway. The local will move Into Its new quarters about May 1. The leasing of the 57th street headquarters means the break between Local 802 and the Mutual Musical Protective Union, formerly 310, Is irreconcilable. The move by 802 was made tc* provide an a.-sembly room for its members where they might seek work, the M. M. P. U. having I>arred 802 members from the M. M. 1'. U. assembly floor several weeks ago. The 802 local has elected Edward Canavan, Richard Halle and Sam Finkclstein as delegates to the an- nual convention of the American Federation of Musicians to be held at Grand Rapids. May B. PROBING COLLICOTT'S DEATH Los Angeler., April 12. Police have started a probe of the death of Max I. Collicott, showman. who died last week at his home here, a few minutes after complaining of stomach trouble. His sister-in-law, Mrs. John Colli- cott, wife of the nationally known showman, reported the peculiar in- cident to the police. Before going home he was in the company of his brother, John, at a downtown thea- tre. CARILLO'S 'LOMBARDr' Leo Carrillo will shortly return to vaudeville with a condensed ver- .sion of "Lombardi Lit.." the Moro.sco production which elevated the char- acterist to stardom. M. S. Bcntham arranged the vaudeville production which will carry a cast of four besides Car- rillo. BIRD BALLYHOO Loews State theatre offered a unique ballyhoo this week by plac- ing the three largo macaws which usually adorn the Inner lobby on rings beneath the canopy of the theatre Just over the sidewalk. The birds were unchained. Powers' Elephants in Mains' Circus Powers elephants, leaving the Ilippodromo when "Get Together" closes next week, will join the Wal- ter L. Mains circus. The Downey outfit lost two bulls through death last season. With Powers' four mammoths, the ^tlains show will have a herd of seven elephants this season. ELL AlTD INJURED Chris Monohan. pianist, is Feri- ously 111 in the Brooklyn (N. Y.) iiospital. Dixie Norton (Norton and M"l- notte) under carp of physician will) a sprained ankle. I3ecau.se of the Illness of Mr.<-'. Bert Cole, who underwent an opera- tion for gallstones at the Halmo- man ho.«;pital. New York, Aiuil 5. the vaudovilla act, "Tango .Shoes." was closed for the sea.son. Mr.s. Cole is recovering. Silvio Ilein was operat»^d upon Tuesday in the Lenox Ilill ho.-pital, New Y'ork, for a tumor on his .«<i)inf. Suzette, accordioni.st. is Sf lionsly ill at the homo of relatives in Chi- cago. Mrs. Walter Hill (Mr. and Mrs. Hill in "J'oor Old Jim") is con- valescing in the Albany Ho.spital, Albany, N. Y., from a major opora- lion. The team was compelled to cancel its bookings on that amount. The wife of Billy "Swede" Hnll is- confined to her room at the lloui DeFrance, Nuw Y'ork, with influ- enza. for ho Is as game as they make 'em. He dont know right field from left but If he will lirten I think I can make a fipht'T out of him. Ho has a swell head and really thinks he boat Limbo on the level but so had Napoleon and Ty Cobb, At any rat<^ Im goln to start him again bffore I pay off and I will i)i<i; a real mock orange for him this time. Tour old pal. Con. NEW ACTS Sam Ward (Ward Brothers) now with Al Lloyd (Lloyd and Wells) (Lloyd and Rubin). Rubin Is now of Rubin and Hall. Bennett Sisters (formerly with Harry Carroll) In two act. George Lcmaire with Frank Ne- ville In skit. George Hover, return, ballet nov- elty, "The Fox Chases," assisted by four girls. Smith, King and Grifllth ("Maids of America"), burlesque. The original E. Phillips company. consisting of three people in gym- nastic work. The trio arrived from (Germany last week, Jose .Saxton and Jack Farrell in The Elopers." Jackie Saunders from pictures, In a dramatic sketch, with four peo- ple. MARRIAGES Alex. Hanlon, the Independent vaudeville agent, to Etta Walpow, in New York. April 8. Julius Schleifstein, treasurer of the Liberty, whose membership name in the Forty Second Street Country Club is "Blutch," and Eleanor Faldix, non-professional, will be married Easter Sunday. Katheryn Stemplo resigned from the Jack Martin dancing revue in i;tah this week and immediately departed for San Diego, Cal., in preparation for her forthcoming marriage to Lieut. Gus Gllckner, of the marines, sclM>duled for April 15. Joseph Schildkraut, with "Lillom," to ?:isie Bartlett Porter, April 7. in Philadelphia. JUDGMENTS Joseph Davis (Triangis Music Pub., Inc.); Knupp Engraving Co., Inc.: $279.65. Ziegfeld Cinema Corp.; Western Union Tel. Co.; $140.70. Efrem Zimbalist; N. Y. Edison Co.; $34.27. Talking Motion Pictures, Inc.; In- dependent Movie Supply Co., Inc.; $480.15. Jesse L. Lasky Co.; City of N. Y.; $68.88. All Am. Amus. Corp.; same, $543.49. Bankers Trus* Co.; M. Klaw et al.; $2,144. Herman L. Roth; Doctors Service Corps. Inc.; $46.05. Aileen Stanley and Robert M. Buttenuth; Jerome U. Remick & Co.; costs. $24. Armand Vecsey; Ulman Mfg. Co.; $39.60. Alexander Beyfuss; Patterson- Andress Co.. Inc.; $7,093.53. Blackburn-Veede Pictures, Inc.; W. R. Hall; $412.07. William Moore Patch; Howard Rusk, Inc.; $113.65. John Cort; A. Ward. $529.14. Daniel R. Rogers (Song Shop); Crown Music Co.; $602.22. Leo Fox and Charles Penrer (Fox A, Penzer); Claremont Film Labs., Inc.; $733.12. Sigmund Romberg; J. Muhzer et al.; $1S8.20. Harry Sissle and Joseph Blake; n. S. Hechhf'lmcr. $163. Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, Inc.; A. M. Lawrence; j'ji.'i.yo. R. H. Burnside, Inc.; City of N. Y.; $94.41. TECHNICAUTY COSTS KITTY GORDON $20,833 Appeals Court Reverses Judg* I ment Against Weber and Anderson 1 . ;. i The Appellate Division of th^ New York Supremo* Court reverse^ the lower cour*, Friday, Api'li 7 ' in the suit of Kitty Gordon, who In Juno of last year won a verdict ot $20,833 against L. Lawrence Weber and G. W. Anderson In the allega- tlon of breach of contract. The ap- peal was argued in the higher court in February. Miss Gordon was rep- resented by Frederick Gold.smith and Harold M. Goldblatt. Willi.ain Klein acted for the defendai.ta. The case may be taken to the Court ot Appeals, although Miss Gordon's attorneys may institute another suit in light of the Appellate Divl.sion'i decision. Miss Gordon was engaged to make a series of eight pictures, but pro- duction stopped after th ; first film was completed, and she was dis- missed, the suit being based on sal* ary for the balance of the contract. The defense was that the contract was with the Kitty Gordon Featura Film Co. and that Weber and An- derson signed the agreement as officers of that corporation Miss Gordon, through her attornoys, contended that no such corporation actually existed and the dc.cndants were liable as Individuals, which claim was upuold in the lower court The Appellate Division, however, supported the argument of the dc« fenss that the complaint did not set forth the non-existence of such a corporation. The decision handed down was that. Inasmuch as the complaint failed to allerrc that Weber and Anderson used trickery in securin Miss Gordon* s gna- ture to an agreement with a non- existent corporation, she should not have been permitted to intro- duce such testimony In the trial of the suit. The opinion, written by Justice Dowling. hung on the de- fect in the complaint. Mike Bernard Is organizing an orchestra he proposes for the Million Dollar Pier, Atlantic City, this summer. Henry Fink arranged the engagement. Fink Is also look- ing after Joan Sawyer's summer cabaret engagement, no definite plans having been settled as to her partner as yet. • Bookings for the Moulin Rouge, Chicago, opening April 15, made through Harry Walker, are Jack and Juno Loughlin, Pauline Anderson, Vera Griffin and Baroness Raus- kana. BIRTHS To Mr. and Mrs. Dave Frank at their homo In New Orleans, a son. Mr. Frank Is southern representa- tive of the Leo Feist Music Co. To Mr. and Mrs. Marty Joyce (Armstrong and Joyce) at their home, 368 Grand avenue, I^conla, N. J., on March 14, a daughter. Mrs. Joyce was formerly P^lora Be.ittie (vaudeville) and is the mother of the Heattie Dolls, now playing for Keith. Mr. and Mrs. Gus Kahn. at the Michael Rec^e Hospital, Chicago, April 3. daughter. The father is a songwriter; the mother is profes- sionally Grace I.>evoy. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Ryden, Astoria, April 8, daughter. - • . • . v , . , , • Mr. and Mr.^. Tudor (Tudor and Arnold Johnson has completed his Stanton), at the Misercordia hos-J^tay at Miami, and has opened the pital. New York, April 11, daughter. St. Johns Catlillac. Detroit. HOUSE CLOSINGS The Alhambra. Stamford. Conn., will drop vaudeville this week and pl.ay pictures for the summer. Robinson's Grand, Clarkesburf, W. Va., May 8 (pictures). Lyce- um, Canton, O., April 24, closing en- tirely. Strand, Greensburg, Pa., May. 1 (picture). Strand, Ithaca, N. T.j June 5 (pictures). "Mutt and Jeff," under the man- agement of Gu3 Hill and B. J. Carpenter, closes Saturday night 1« Youngstown, Ohio. O. E. Wees **The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" closes Saturday In Hamilton, Ont. The Lyric, Hamilton. Canada (Keith), closes Its vaudeville .season April 22. when a summer policy ot stock will be installed. The house plays Keith vaudeville and pictures. The Majestic, Fort Worth. Texaf (Interstate) closes April 23. Keith«, Columbus, closes April 23. Pan- tage», Edmonton, Canada, closet April 15. IN AND OUT The Three Lees, gymnasts, opened at Proctor 3 23d Street, New "ioffc Monday, booked to play the fir« three days of the current week. Fol- lowing Monday's perfornianocs. omx two appeared for Tuesday's mati- nee, and neither could explam tnj whereabout.^ of the third. I^,"™ later dlsclo.«5ed ho was suddenly taken 111. with the attending mem- bers not aware of it until after »n investigation. Nestor and Dixon filled the vacancy. Wanda, trained seal, out of tne American. New York, first haU, with Lockhart and Leddy substi- tuting. ^ ,^ Ethel Hopkins, out of Proctors, Yonkers, N. Y., first half. H'!}*"* Maureen Englln substituted. Dia- mond and TJrcnnan withdrrw from Proctor's. 58th street, first half, ill- ness. Bobby Randall filled the va- cancy. The Roylans cancelled tn* current week at the Kroadway, Njv York., illness. Succeeded by r Fevrc. t What a Broadwayite considers inflamatory literature Is a post card from a friend visiting Ger- many. The card quotes the prices of wet goods there. A drink of the best Scotch liquor costs the equiv- alent of four cents in American money, while a bottle of the best beer is to be had for half a cent. ENGAGEMEl^TS Fred. J. Nichol.«». "On the Stafrj/* Helen Lowell. Rrandon Hiir.st aM Frank Doane, "The Night Owl.' . Etheliiid Terry, "For Goodnew Sake " McKay Morris, "Whispering Wires." Harold Slater, "The Hind'.' Beatrice Hendrickson, 'On tns Stairs." ^^ Marion Sunshine and Ik-tic vr sen, "Daffi-Dill."