Variety (April 1922)

Friday. April 14. 1922 LEGITIMATE ir LETTY PEPPER „ .... .,» J»n» Kinc ?^ "r^^nbalim l'«"l liurxia ^^^J^n Mary King r .T^ pitnuor Charlotte Greenwood ^tty P«''^'*''^-:::;;::.......Master Uabdel Oorolii*Vi^'" New V,• • V*""* "alar. J^'":''v .....Frances Victory SS^7 BarVlllobatsoa '^^^7''''^ .^*'■«" ^J.^ * William Ualtour •*Lctty" haa been a sort of trade- mark between Oliver Morosco and Charlotte Greenwood In recent sea- taons His musical comedy, "Lilnger Longer Letty." with the elongated comedienne starred, did the .ex- pected on tour two seasons ago, and this season a now I-.etty show was produced called "Let 'Kr Go Letty." It was reported doing profitable. business in New England, but Miss J Greenwood put thumbs down and it I was put aside. George V. Ilobart was immediately conimis.sionod to adapt the late Charley KU'in's "Maggie Pepper" for nuisical unage, tvith "Letty Ptpper" the result, opening at the Vanderbilt Monday (April 10). The new * I.etty" is the third pro- auction on BroadV.'.-.. by Morocco this st-ason and the second nni.sical try ("Love Dreams," a fall entrant. failed). Coming late in a Iho- atrical year that has been a bloomer for so many attraction.^, it haa a chance to thrust itself above the flood. That is if the dramatics which were not sirbmerged in the transition do not prove too much of a weight. The producer worked With Hobart in making ovrr "Mag- gie Pepper," which .served originally 80 well f«)r Hose Stahl. IJeforo it got far, however, lie went to the coast, with others intru.sted in fash- ioning it for New York. Charles Klein's original drew knuch attention through tiio .slang of the central chrtr.icter. and that same feature was capitally adaptod to the titles of the film v» i-.sion c»f 'Maggie Pepper." The musical version has dodged that in a v.'ay anu dialog Invented in its stead. Kour acts were used for the original play, as against two for "Letty Pepper." the first act being set in the workroom of a deparlmont store that is on the brink of ruin and the second in the ghowroom of the now highly .«*uc- tessful shop, a year later. Ther^ is a tinge of the Cinderella in the •tory, the same as was in "Irene" and "Sally," but the new "Letty" •how will not be a contender for the tionors of either. The cast surrounding Miss Qreen- Vrood is patently not weighted with taceptional talent. But there are .two little people .«<o amusing that they are to be rated next to the star herself. One is that polished and fckilled diminutive actor Master Gabriel. The other Is Frances Vic- lory, a chubby kid whose cleverness in speaking lines was a delight to the feminine in the first night audl- %nce. She was bright enough to iRrrest the attention of the entire house several times and Is going to be one source of the show's draw. A discussion on literature between the pair late In the second act Wiould have been placed earlier, but jpren there the little people held the iltage for five minutes. It was Ho# hart's happy way of poking fun at llighbrow stuff. Miss Greenwood early scored with % number, "You Teach Me," with uabriel teamed. Tho contrast In It- ■elf gave a reason for the little man's presence In the cast. The business of swinging Gabriel around Blade for good fun and earned en- .JOres. Gabriel fitted to fino purpose Jpo for A fashion parade, a device jnat was logical In the showroom ■cene and which has always been lavored In Moro.sco shows. His an- nouncement In French wn? as noat f prelude to an exhibition of the aind as possible. The score and lyrics are credited Jtt names new In musical comedj'. JU^o Wood (brother of Joe Wood, girl act producer) and Irving Bibo Wrote the lyrics. Walter Janssen pas composed two outstanding mel- odies. "Ray of Sunshine" la made tae lead tune. It was used first as » duet by Ray Raymond and Miss Greenwood and the first Binj;ing of It was marred by Raymond's ner- Vousnoss. the reason for him stroll- ing off key. Raymond looked ex- ceptionally well in ihe juvenile role Otherwise. What .sounded tho pret- J/^-'t number of tho evening was Blue Bird Blues," sung by Miss J*reenwood. For some reason It was not elaborated into a chorus finale. Jane and Mary King (King Sis- Ym? *^''*^ *^^ duets, one "Every J^utle Mi.s.s." coming at the close of tno first art. "Coo-Ee-I)oo." whirh nad Jane King warbling variations, was used in the second act. which opened brightly to Jane's leading of «i ^^® to'Dance." Stewart Wil.'^on irnpre.'^.sed as a dope, though lils \!?i ^^^"if'J 0"t of pl.ace. ■ ^^'''« Greenwood's own brand of comedy was saved until well on In J'iJ'V^^ond act. With "Lavender and ^la Laee." teamed atrnin with Riv- mond, Kho tickled the house, and »Kain alone with "Lean. Long. ^anky I.etty Pepper." It was tho fi^^*',. ^P-'irkling way of handling inat (lul much to cany the first act. ^no with Raymond wns followed bv a bit with Gabriel that was ovoii Detter. He had brought her some maii-onler queries and was In- fituf?" *^^^ ^ brassiere was "inside were from 14 to II girls In the chorus, which wasn't often used. Julian Alfred worked out at least two excellent chorus movements in tho three or four numbers where the girls were In action. The show ran about 20 minutes overtime the llrat night, but eliminating tho chorus to spread the book might have worked to advantage the other way round. Earlier in the season Morosco had in mind the presentation of a mu- sical ahow for $1.50 top on Broad- way. That was probably not in mind for "Letty Pepper," although the show wan first reported aimed for a run In Philadelphia at a popu- lar scale of $2 top. The scale at the Vanderbilt is $3, making it an exception to the inrtux of $2.50 top musicals in the last several months. The house is small and the manage- ment figures that whatever the public will buy at $2.50 will bring $3 as easily. "Letty" is in the right house, the same that fitted so ad- mirably for "Irene." ibee. ^ backing up a "flashing girl" (Mr. Kelly) for comedy. Ira good enough for Broadway and would be a huge laugh with Bert Savoy at the head o; It. Mr. Kelly had an "audience" number he went the limit with, singing to an elderly man (not a plant) on the aisle, sitting on his lap and kissing his bald head. Other principals were Axchie Bas- Bon, Jimmy Graham (who did a fair Scotch monolog), Pat Rafferty, Art Sorenson, Ilughle Williamson and J. Challes. No production and no salaries. If not playing to commonwealth there can't be much worry, for the show could break on almost any gross. "Camouflage" should be almost a novelty in this late day for a soldier show, and there is little of the war In it. panj from making the jump from here to Chicago. Ruth & Garren, New York agents, Who placed Er- gottl and Herman and the Four Popularity Girls with the company on a "farming" basis, tied up the scenery and effects of the comi>any on a $2,200 claim. The claim was bonded and the property released. OUT OF TOWN Vi: CAMOUFLAGE Somewhere in Canada is playing a soldier revue at $1 top. It has about u dozen young men who saw service abroad and later entertained at the front, among other?, for their Canadian comrades. Known as "The Maple Leafs," they retain that name, using it is a title for the bit and number revue. "Camouflage." The troupe is touring under the sponsorship of tho Army and Navy Veterans in Canada, an organiza- tion here similar to the American Legion in the States. Captain M. W. Plunkett presents "The Maple Leafs." It is a second Canadian tour for this group. The boys of "Camouflage" are un- like those of "Biff, Bing. Bang.'' that Canadian . ervice show that was an unexi)ected success on Broadway last season. Proportionately or com- paratively the boys of "Camouflage" are possessed of more talent than those of "Biir, Bang." There are four of five of "Tho Maple I^eafs" who could stand up on the profes- sional vaudeville stage. Just now the borrowed material they are em- ploying would snow them under, but it's entertaining for provincial Canada and most likely choicely se- lected for that section. "Camouflage" is in two parts, with all tho best of the performance in the first half. There are several "turns" through the meagre list of principals. As the show drifts into the second section the singles, dou- bles and a quartet bit commence to tire. The show opens with a re- written lyric to the Adele Rowland song hit of "Soldier Boy" ("Home Again, No More I'll Roam Again"). Following Is sung "Old Town Hall," by Ben Allen and Morley Plunkett. It's the song of the Dohertys (Leo and Viola), and probably sung by tho Dohertys when they entertained for the A. E. P. In PYanco. Tho Dohertys' song U called "The Old Town Pump." American artists have said that the enthusiasm of theatrical man- agers and agents of the U. S. died away from the volunteer entertain- ers at the front when there ceased to be a front. Tho entertainers took a chance on their lives along with tho soldiers. They were volunteers abroad when tho show business was at its flood at home. Patriotism is fine, here and elsewhere, when It's not a rainbow. There are still coupons on Liberty bonds and still cutting to be done before they can be cashed, but they are cashed for face value? Many volunteers for the A. E. P., and they weren't Jazz dancers or (Jerman acrobats posing as Swiss. The managers and agents could remember these little things. When knows when a theatrical his- tory of the war may bo written? Then again an ensemble number was "The Green Grass Grew All Around" song as sung by a small time act In the States for years. Bob Ander.son, the comedy hit of the performance, combines the stylos of Sam Mayo and Percy Knight In his single moments. In the "An- other Little Drink" bit. done by a quartet, Anderson did Charlie How- ard's "drunk," repeatedly walking across the stage, each time with a larger liquor container, concluding with a beer barrel. It was the big- gest laugh of the evening. Morlov IMunkctt did the song hit of "Shuffle Along" Cll-m-m-h-m"), called on the program "Nobody's Darling." It was badly sung by Morley. but got over. Someone else had a new version of Bfit Williams' "I Love Nobody"; another had the "Turkey in tho Straw" nu-lody; a monolo'qist (Ben Allen) had much of Julian Ro.^;o'.i "Levin.sky at the Wedding" talk: a two-act dug evervthing for laughs if old enough (even back to "gizzard" for "bliz- zard "> and a malo quartet had the drinking song of "Lady ^>a7lt5" (going bark to Lillian Russoll s day).. Krnio Petch. the straight, never getting a groat deal, had the "Im a Nut" song belonging to Stuart r.irne«« whiln the two skits of the show centred upon the fellow who kill.H a man and woman In "the wrong flat " and Iho fJallagher and Shean finish of the "B.attle of loo Soon." A coup'e of fern lie Impersonators were Jack Kelly and Harry Ashton. Tho best number was male prin- cipals made up like English "damea' MLLE. OF ARMENTIERES "The Canadian soldier play of the Lens sector in 1918." the program describes this comedy in four acts and six scene.s. The acts are listed as "Out on Rest," "In tho Line." "Chicory Trench in Front of Hill 70 at Midnight," and tho final act the .same as the first. "In the Line" Is a dug-out scene, not unfamiliar in other shows and sketches and done but lilile differently in the main. The Chicory Trench act is "A Wir- ing Party." made spectacular through bombing and firing. The company is of 14 people. The two girls i)lay a waitress and the title role. In the original company the.se roles were lilcely taken by fe- male impersonators. Neither of the young women means anything, and the impersonators might be rein- stated to better effect. Capt. Fred M. l-'isher .is presenting the piece In the Canadian cities. He does a very nice bit of playing as the major, al- though the most legitimate actor who gives a splendid performance is W. A. Fewer as the brigadier gen- eral. II. F. Lawrence as Lieut. Ed- ward Brock Green, in command of a squad, would delight the deriders of the American second lieutenants. His performance is undoubtedly his own conception, and most faithful as the swaggering and blundering new ofllcer. (The Canadian army had no second lieutenants.) The strength of the performance and its outstanding player is Russel A. Y^oung, as Private Herbert Haw- kins. His comedy makes the show entertaining for those formerly of the service and those who wore not. He affects a heavy tramp make-up. facially, but can't hide his personal- ity under it. The nearest approach he gets to anyone in the States for comparsion Is Bobby Clark (Clark and McCullough). Russel seems to be a natural low comedian, through his manner as well as his actions, having that idea of comedy that brings laughs. Taking care single- handed of a $1.50 pe^formance as ho does might make it worth while to look him over for a large musical I comedy. If a burlesque or unit revue manager can get him Russel will make the grade with ease. The show is of the familiar tsrpe looked for in a soldier play that car- ries a plot, in this a light one, un- covering a German spy in the ranks, with a slight love interest involving "Mademoiselle of Armontleres." Jack Slack as Private Jock McTaggcrt had an exceptionally melodious bal- lad for a solo. The show la doing a fair business In Canada, attracting mostly the sol- dier boys and their sweethearts, with the others not giving the soldier- players much attention. Several lit- tle quips and bits of business during the performance brought howls from tho ex-service men auditors. LOLA COHTINTJES (Continued from page lH needs of tho members of ths com- pany. A meeting was held between the members of tho company, Garrity, Stoddard and an Equity representa- tive, at which it was agreed that after house salaries, necessary op- crating expenses and newspaper bills had been provided for. the members of the company would get the balance, to be shared on a com- monwelath plan. The Shubcrts, In making this deal, agreed that the rental of the hous© would not be deducted from the gross. The show last week did around $5,000, and even though it got off to a bad start It Is expected that It will do around that figure this week. Should business warrant the attraction staying It will continue from week to week, on the present basis. Leslie Morosco engaged the com- pany and formed a corporation named the Mostod Company con- sisting of Clarence Derwlnt, actor; F. Magnus, wholesale drug dealer, and himself. Financial difllcultles began almost at the outset and It became a case of securing advances to carry the venture over into the next week. Moro.sco retired in I'lttsburgh, transferring his interest to H. Bertram Day, who financed tho company up to last week, when he declined to accept more obllga- tlona Cincinnati, April IJ. Attachment proceedings la.^t week almost yi evented tho "Lola" com- BROADWAY STORT (Continued from page IS) season of 34 weeks being a month shorter than last year. The differ- ence in gros9 is marked, the total takings this year being far under the Hip average of the preceding five years. The Hip's admission re- duction to $1.50 this season figures. The number of attractions listed to stop at the end of Easter week is steadily climbing, with the last of the month sure to see a radical change In the Broadway list. Several switches are on tapis. "The Mountain Man" will move to the 39th Street Monday for another week or two, succeeded at the Max- iw^ Elliott by Marjorle Rambeau In "The Goldfish." This drama was first called "Up," tried out under the title of "Jenny Jones" and an- nounced early this week as "Her Three Husbands." "The Hairy Ape," playing in the Provincetown Playhouse, will move to the Ply- mouth. April 24 "Tho Bronx Ex- press" will be brought to the Astor by the Coburns, "The Blushing Bride" moving over to the 44th Street, which,- starting Monday for one week, will offer "Zero," a so- ciety benefit show, charging $5 top. "Montmartre" will switch from the Belmont to the Bayes (roof the- atre). The Players Assembly, which has the latter attraction, will at the same time offer "The Night Call" at the Frazee, "The Pigeon" leaving that houso after an »ther week. Three musical attractions arrived this -week. "Letty Pepper" relight- ed the Vanderbilt Monday. Eddie Cantor in "Make It Snappy" was a Thursday debut at the Winter Gar- den, and the commonwealth revue "Funmakers" In "Some Party,* led by Do Wolf Hopper, will take pos- session of Jolson's Saturday. "Back to Methuselah" has two more weeks to go at the Garrlck. The Theatre Guild is readying two new productions, "What the Public Wants" and "From Morn* 'Till Night" One will be placed into the Garrlck and the other may succeed "He Who Gets Slapped" at the Fulton, providing the latter Guild piece does not stand up after Easter. "The Green Ring." offered co- operatively at tho Neighborhood Playhouse, Is a fair draw. "Can- dida." a revival by the Greenwich Village, is announced by Its spon- sors to bo succeeded by a repertory theatre. "Just Because" continues at the Earl Carroll, though It was listed to close last Saturday. A change of plan by the management con- tinues It another four weeks, on a guarantee basis. Last week "The Rose of Stam- boul" went Into cut rates. The al- lotment was for the upper part of the house only. With several thea- tre parties in, the gross went to over $22,000. Cut Rates Do tho Businooo While the number of buys cur- rent on Broadway romain the same this week as last, there was a drop- ping off of the number of attrac- tions ofl^orcd at cut rates to the amount of four, bring the total down to 26 shows. However, dur- ing the early part of the week the advance price agencies were com- plaining of the effect of Holy Week while in the cut rates there was a flourishing business with Wednes- day matinee crowds almost a rec- ord one. There was but ono buy renewed ar.d that was for Walker WTiIte- sldo in "The Hindu," which receives an additional four weeks from the agencies. The buy for the Eddie Cantor show "Make It Snappy." which opened at the Winter Gar- don last night is reported almost a record one and on a par with any of the Jol.^on buy.s, the brokers taking almost GOO seats for the first four wcf'ks. • Tho regular buys running now are "Kiki," Bela.sco; "The Dover Road," BIJou; "Perfect Foot," Cc.han; "The Hindu," Comedy; "Captain Applejack," Cort; ' Cluuve Sourlfl," 49th St.; "Good Morning Dearie," (Mobe; "To the Ladles," Liberty; "Music Box Revue," Music Box; "Cat and tho Canary," Na- tional; "Sally," Amsterdam; "Law- ful Larceny," Itf-publlr; "Hotel Mouse." Shubert, and "Make It Snappy," Winter Garden. In tho cut rate s the shows of- fered were •'Tho Blushing Bride,* Astor; "Montmartre," Belmont; "Truth About Blayds," Booth; "Tangerine," Casino; "Rose of Stamboul," Century; ."Just Be- cause," Carroll; "The Deml-Vlrgln," Eltlnge; "The Czarina," Empire; "Tho Nest," 48th St.; "The Pigeon," Frazee; "Candida," Greenwich Vil- lage; "Six Cylinder Love," Harris; "National Anthem." Miller's; "Rubi- con," Hudson; "The Law Breaker," Klaw; "To the Ladles." Liberty; "Bulldog Drummond," Knicker- bocker; "Thank You," Longacre; "The French Doll," Lyceum; '"For Goodness Sake," Lyric; "The Moun- tain Man," Elliott; "Up the Lad- der," Playhouse; "First Fifty Vcars," Princess: "The Blue Kit- ten," Selwyn; "The Hotel Mouse," Shubert, and "Shuffle Along." 63d Street. ACTORS LEAVINa (Continued from page IS) pany Cormlcan decided to engago players from both Equity and tho Actors* Fidelity League, with no Idea of barring any capable player who applied. Ho stated several of the actors alleged to have been or- dered out of the cast by Equity sought the engagement, knowing it to bo an open shop company. They stated It was absolutely nec- essary they work. Tho season at New Britain will open with "The Tailor Made Man.'* requiring 27 speaking parts. Bo- cause of that, the difficulty arose over casting, but tho replacements were made Tuesday. Cormlcan has taken a lease on tho Lyceum for two and a half years. His stock offerings there have been nuccejs- ful, and tho houso has built up « substantial subscription list. Brlnsley Shaw will bo stage man- ager of tho Cormlcan players. Others In tho cast aro Wilson Reynolds, Lynn Stirling, Rexford Kendrick, Horaco James, Patrick Barrett, Mrs. Francis Storllnff Clark, Edna Archer Crawford, Kathryn Meredith. RUSSLIH BENEFIT (Continued from pago IS) tho affair sold for as high as $180, with tho average for the lower floor $50 and tho lowest rate $10. Persons who attended wero "nicked" In no less than six differ- ent wayq. Ed Wynn, In a Russian- looking ulster and a phoney shot- gun, opened carriage doors and com- manded contributions. Ho did It so well even the policeman on hand to keep order laughed all tho way. At Jolson, dressed llko a native Cos- sack, was on tho door, and he had no mercy, either. Lillian and Dor- othy Olsh and Martha Lorber sold programs. One guest Is known to have paid $800 for his program, Lonore Ulrlc, Doris Kcane and Lau- rette Taylor (all In costume), as ushers, flnlshod their duties with wads of greenbacks. Marilynn Miller sold expensive flowers, and Sam Bernard^ in the coat room. also, cleaned up, Leon Errol and Walter Catlett, dressed In their "Komlski** costumes, were "water boys," and between them gathered In $700. Ralieff Introduced the theatrical aids before the show. Wynn came In from the curb to "meet tho house.'* He promptly declared his show ("The I'erfect Fool') "Is the best shov^ In town." Jolson, whose New York run in "Bombo" ended Satur- day, countered with "my show was the best In town." Errol and Cat- lett tnjmped tho pair by claiming "Sally" to bo "the best show in tho world." Tho "Chauvo-Sourls" company, with Balieff. serenaded Jolson at Jolson's theatre Saturday night, tho Russians singing farewell from tho front of tho house. They hurried from the 49th Street Just before tho flnal curtain on "Bombo" fell. BOOEINO COMBINE (Continued from page 11 the Shuberts. These managers^^ai:;e waiting to be shown the advantage of Joining the booking and pooling^ agreement designed by Erlangei and tho Shuberts. The agreements havo several years to go, and In addition those managers havo first choice in plac- ing their own attractions In their own theatrefi, without limitation in length of run. With new hous-es considered to have nn edge on the older theatres, they are not par- ticularly Interested in the pooling proposition. Tho three-way book- ing (DUibinntion cf Harrla the Sel- wyn.i and Arthur Hopkins formed last season, has never been abandoned, and possibly will attain irnportaijce ap<l growth in the event tho booWng cimbination do*« not ab.»<orb It.