Variety (May 1922)

r ^'^^BSfsamm wg^ar Friday. May 5, 1922 iVAUDEVILLE =c=s •AITERSOirS CIRCUS T DISASTER :±^ White Top Saved by Passenger Train Running Slowly—Lost Opening Dale Through Rain— James Patterson Also Has 25-Car Carnival - . ,^—. >— Kansas City, May 8. The Patterson Trained Wild Anl- gjal Circus, the newest entry among ♦lie white top attractions, received M baptism into the business with a Eitfteancc After a brilliant open- ^!?\t Paola Kan., the home of the Sterson enterprises, it Jumped to JJrt Ecott, Kan., for its initial stand. JJlre the date was lost on account ofheavy rair.n and mud. Tearing ^Wn early, ihe show got a.vay for Pittsburg, Kan., but was w/ccked a few miles from that pla- >. when a tut Frisco passenger telescoped rear of the circus train. Only SS the fact that the passenger train Cai running slowly and tti? circus trSi als^ moving, the wreck would luue.proveii a disaster. \ij, it was Pleas Hart (Calliope Blackle). of Polia, lov.'a. was killed aH<^ the foUowinp: injured: Kmert (KPell Uniontown. Kan.: 10. E. Gpod. Sprinsflold. 111.: J. S.. MoLiro. Onaaha: ChaS. Nelson, Chicago; Elmer Brooks, liattle Creek; Chas. W^odcocl:. Kokomo; T. CJallaghcr. Ebricksville. Ohio: li. T. Curry, CqniTOat. Ohio: Albert Jackcon. Dal- \ml Walter Ager. Chickasha; 1'. E. Bci^Ka. Columbus, Ohio. The show is owned by .Tamea Patterson, who has risen lapidly in the amusement world in the past f»w years. He is also owner of a 2&-car carnival attraction, and much Ttluable property at Paola, Kan., WItf winter quarters. Attists with the circus arc Alync (Wopnell, Eliza Harris, Grace Elder. Iflta Alexander, the Nelsons. Lew Ittfshey. Al <;elesta. the Cornallas, Bla Harris, Bert Mayo, Sig. Sosas- tten, Phineas and Aida, Lorain Brothers, Myrtle Mayo. Kate Smith, LaVerne Trio. W. H. Langer, Rob- erts and Alexander, Al McGee, Miss Blliborn. Wilson Sisters, Captain Carting and Smtthola. , INDOOR CARNIVAL CENSORED BY POLICE Called 'Bazaar'—Had Gambl- ing Devices—Outdoor Shows Cause »,r* k.-W-. A ^-^oa: \ AL CIRCUSES LINING UP GENERAL ROUTING CLASH SelU-Floto After Combined Ringling-B. & B.— Hagenback-Wallace Stalking Main's — Ring- ling's Route Extending Engagements PEGGY BURT "THK MODRRN BUKIiLARKTTK* or JAC'K-> —PVAiii\ FULTON and BURT in "THK HOI.I> VV" Hr r.VlJL (jER.\RO 8MITH 310'S BULLETIN The- recent raid by .InHpuflor Domiaick HiMiry of an outdoor car- nival, conducted by the William A. Balcsni Pojst. Amcricnn Legion, at 167th street and Webster avenue, New York, which re.'^uUed in the ar- rviii of ten men charged with op- e.ating gambling devieos. is having an efiei't on local 'ndoor rarnivaks, akso called bazaars, spo ..'.Ofcd by varlou.s political organizaI ions. It appear.^ as thougli many polit- ical and social organizations when in reed of extra eapital inaugurate indoor carnivals^ under the 'itle of bazaars. It is also a mcnac * to the community, according to ordrrs pro- hibiti^f? the usage of certain de- vices at an indoor affair of the South End Democratic Club la.«?t week. The South I'nd, one of the most prominent clubs in the Bronx, started nn indoor carnival that proved to be a complete failure as a result of police orders directing the discontinuance of the "fortuift; wheels," notwithstanding volunteers of the club served in th * opera- tion. Ralph Carlisle, one of the execu- tive members of the club, and who was conducting the affair, declared the police Interference came as a result of the scandal emanating from the various outdoor shows, and if the police orders continue to ex- tend to small legitimate organiza- tions, the former minstrel shows will have to be revived. RAIN INSURANCE Gambling on Hours and Moasuro- mont—Company Wins Ml M« p. U. Informs Delegates of Controversy ^Hutual Musical Protective Union, fbrmerly No. 310 of the American federation of Musicians, has issued ^%four-page bulletin, which has been It to every delegate to the forth- wming A. F. of M. convention at Grand Rapids. Mich., week of lUy 28. The'bulletin sets forth ifs side of the controversy between it and the •xecutive board of the A. F. of M. The M. M. P. U. will apply to the invention for reinstatement. The teneral plan is to bring: about the MMl^amation of the new l^cal No. ••2 and the M. M. P. U. (the latter jow outside the breastworks), with WJ to be the labor organization and we M. M. P. U. the holding corpora- tion. A point that has complicated mat- wrt lu that the 802 union has en- ■Hed individual quarters at 52d ■«*et and Broadway, containing a «^e assembly hall. No. 802*8 *^wd plans to get into the new tnarters about May 1. ^^Is move is expected to have an ■■J^ortant bearing on the question w the M. M. P. U. application for re- jjjwtement in the A. F. of M. as the JJ' **»nber8 need not go on the *• M. P. u. to seek engagements, as ^ custom in the past. CARNIVAL PEOPLE IN BAD Syracuse. N. Y.. May 3. yV'hen Bertha Meyers. 22. dancer, with the Twentieth Century Shows, a carnival troupe, complained to the Rome, N. Y., police that she had been struck in the face by Martie Berger, also a carnival em- ploye, she started something. Po- lice, trailing Martie, went to the Union Hotel, where they found him in a room with another dancer, who gave her nan.e as Mary Pendofi of Utica. Berger wa* arrested on a serious charge, while Miss Pendofi, who says she is 17, was arrested, charged with outraging public de- cency. Her case comes up in two weeks. Miss Meyers'made a hasty exit from town after the arrest Berger. of SPARKS' BACK IN VERMONT Burlington, Vt., May 3. Sparks' circus is to play six stands in Vermont this year. Tlie circus will enter the state June 5, playing at Bennington, followed by Butiand. Burlington, St. Alban.s, Montpelier and White River Junction. The show covered this same ter- ritory last summer. CIRCUS ROUTES RINGLING BROS. «*i uT'^■^' Brooklyft; 8-1.1, Phila- g"Phia; 15.17, Wa .^h i »g ton;. 18 - 20. jaitimoro; 22-23. Newark, N. J.; 21. *i[entown. Pa.; 25. Scranton; 20. I'iirre, and 27, Williamsport. a John Robinson [,_^ay r.. C(»lunibu.s, O.: fi, Dover. • 8. Washington. I»a.; " *^*e8port »ont<)\vM Charlcroi May J r,. ^ashi 10, Conncll.svillr: 12, Croonsbur^' ] I. 13. May Hagonbeck-Wallace Alloona; C. Johns'. ,\vn. 5. Pa.; tl»\ ton S. Strubcnvillf. O.; 0, Ntw Cas- JO, Voung.stown; 11, Can- Akron; 13. Man.sfulJ. Pa.; 12, 8ellt-Floto Philadelphia: 8 ami t». ^ -inKton: 10-11, Baltimore: 12. '^"'"'ngton, T>oi.: 13. Trenton. X. J. Gollmar Bros. ^Tav 3-7. Sf. Loiii>: v Sf. firiii-s, Mo.; ;». .M«'xi(0. .Mo.: •<). ('.)!Mml.i;«. .Mo.: II. Moh.Tl> : 12. C.i!!! <• ,t!r-: 1P.-14. Kan.sas City. VValtCf L. Main Alay ■'. Mil!o!i. IM : *>. T:i')')nis- bnrt,': S. Mah.itK.N I'ny. '•♦ lla/fl- ton: 10. r.rthl'hrni: II. .^otn'rvilh-. X. .T.: 12 i'.Tih .Xnit'oy: \:'j. Or.iw^i'. LTTLE THEATRE CRAZE (Continued from page 1> parallels the stock field in the po«- Hibilitics of developing professional players of a bettor grade. In that the movement is,probably more Im- portant professionally than the business Opportunity. The Little Theatre movement dates back 12 years, ll was ntarted by the Drama League of America, the aim l>cint, to study the drama and create larger audiences for bet- ter plays. "The l>rama," the pub- lication of the league, : ■ ut<'d as a quarterly and Is now a monthly. It has 17.000 subscribers. The latter are virtually all amateurs, with the publication having little interest to the professional. The league has co-open:ted with the profession, however, rigljl along. The study of new plays presunled includes the issuing of bJllotins to all members. Wherever |>ossible the bulletins are sent out in ad- vance t - the attraction, and at no coet to the show. In addition to New Vork and Chi- cago, the most Important fields for the Little Theatre movement are In Philadelphia, Washington. Balti- more and St. IjOuiH. What are termed as "centers" are he major groups in thossc cities, while in the smaller towns the move ent Is terrf ed "circles," there being circles as v.ell within the larger centers. The study of plays has in many centers t>een expanded to produc- tion, and that in rapidly increasing. In Washington there are three cen- ters attracting attention. One is the Women's Party Pageant, the Wpm- cn'ft Foundation and the Howard Players. The latter is a center for colored players and is actually a school for serious drama by col- ored amateurs. In addition to pro- duction, the development of dra- matic craftsmanship Is being fos- tered in many centers, with the designing and building of settings a feature. In the South and in territory where regular attractions arc scarce the Little Theatre movement Is most flourishing Hardly a com- munity below the Mason and Dixon line Is without a "circle." In Towa there Is a c'rcult of Little theatres and there as in most towns the town hall is used when a theatre is not available. The Drama League of Iowa makes the circuit In auto trucks. At least one New York agency specializes on booking at- t-actions of one sort or another for Little Theatre projects, also supply- ing professional talent when needed in the way of players and dlrectore. The H. Robert Law studio has set aside a part of the plan for Little Theatre work, in charge of Susan Stubbs (Mover. A set has been evolved along the lines designed by Cordon Craig, noted as an Kngllsh scene creator. The set is made along classic lines, constructed of folding screens which are collaps- able and easy to shift. It is easily lighted and ko planned that addi- tions can be readily built to it. K. J I, Sotborn u.seci the yumv type of setting tliis season. Though ef- feclive. its simplicity permits the transportation of settings for the entiro .Sothern and .Marlowe reper- tory in about half the si)aee neces- sary heretofore. The Calkins stu- dio, Chicago, was Ihe first to enter the Little Theatre field and is said to iiavo developed a Mir|»ri.sin^ l»u.>«i- n«v<s from it. .Xcw Vorli's Litth' Therifr" group.-^'. IMOU':)) not .illiliattd with the Drmia Leiitjue. have adv.in' ••I swiftly. 'I'll.' .\'ei!;hboihf f.d IMayliou.**-. Prov- i:ie< tiiWM I liycry. M.ist-West Plny- ers .ind <;:•«•'rnvirh \'il!ag«« groups ii.ive .sKc red* .1 in inf ere.-t in*.? i;rr>advvay v.-iih ih<:r • p«"duetions at tim«'s. Soni'' ol llu-ir filayers are I>ror»'Ssi»>r):4l ;. bof 1'i»' banis was atnatotir ' 'f'v'. Kansas City. May 8. The rain insurance for out-door amusements is quite popular in this part of the country. Many man- agers are taking it. It fails to .work as expected in many cases. Last week the Ameri- can Legion, on the Kansar; side, pro- moted a street fair and carnival. Before the event commenced the nianagemenf* took out a policy pro- viding for the payhnent of $500 should it rain more than ten-hun- dredths of an inch between five and nine eaih night. The weather was ^et ur:d dismal all week, but the rain selected other hours, with the excei)tion of one night. On that evening it rained within the time limit, but not enough tf) collect upon, although It spoiled the performance. The Kansas City ball tea \ man- agement also took out policies cov- ering its .opening date, but it failed to rain during the game, although ll was c<dd and threatening, and kept many away. CONNECTICUT FAIR ADDING Hartford, C,onn.. May .1. The Connecticut State Pair Asso- ciation at it.s annual meeting con- tracted to expend |2C>,000 for free admission attractions at this sea- son's fair, which will be held Labor Day week here. This is believed to be the biggest expenditure ever made by a fair association for fea- tures not calling for extra admis- sion. The scale at 11 lop admits to. all attractions within the fair grounds. Th« special attractions contracted for Include the Walter It. Main cir- cus, the features being arranged through the fair department of WIrth, Blumenfell & Co. Last season but one free act was used. It is underwood the reason for the big appropriation for free attractions was the flop of the trot- ling raves last season. The Grand Circuit meet will be a part of the fair this season as last. I With all the principal big tops in the Kast this month, a cirrus war impends. The Solls-Floto show has purposely been routed in opposition to the Hingllng Brothers'-Barnum & Bailey outfit, and played a num- ber of stands ahead of the com- bined circus. The HIngllngs took tQ the lot this week, leaving the CJarden Saturday and opening in Brooklyn. The Sells-Ploto show Is playing Philadelphia, which will be next week's stand for the Kinglings. Both circuses have the town flooded with paper, the latter engaging students tv> distribute heralds last Saturday to counter the opening of the Sells-Floto organization. The circus battle appears to be a matter of sentiment on the part of the Muggivan-Bowers Interests that c'ontrol the Sells-Floto, Hagen- back-Wallace and other big tops. The Sells-Floto show will play Newark one djy ahead of the Ring- lings and go Into Boston a week ahead. While the leading big tops are fighting it out the Hagenback- Wallace circus U following up the Walter L. Main show. The Hagen- back animal show Was sent Into Pittsburgh two days after the Sells- Floto show for some reason. Both are Muggivan-Bowers circuses. The Main circus has been greatly strengthened, and Is carrying: a number of fej\tured individual acts. The Klngling route has passed up many important stands not missed in the past. One la Pitts- burgh, The big top will play Can- adian territory for the first time since the war. There are one or two stands extended, Baltimore being made a three-day engage- ment. To complicate the circus routing battle, the Charles Sparks show, which has been south. Is working nbrth Into eastern territory. Winter Quarters for Newton thows Oklahoma City, May 8. William Newton, proprietor of the Honest Bill Shows, has pur- chased the fair grounds In Ada. The grounds are to bo Improved. In addition to fair purposes, as the winter quarters for the shows^ PAUL GE^kARD SMITH If as a prominent far- Who in less than a year lias established him«'ii as n pi"riiiiMiii lai;- tor in Ihcatrieal circles. i)artienlarly vaudeville. In assotiition with M. K .\ad*l. manager «,f the Tat Ca.sey Agency's producing d<'pat tmetit, Mr Smith has beeti very successful In wrltini; acts that meet with th'- :it>- up pro\al of the public and the bookini; ni;inMger?i. At Keith's liiverside. last week. .Mf. Smith comedy liits- Paul Morton and .Naomi Jlliss in d«rsf»n and Maijorie Hurt in •Tb»- Im/.zj ll«'ights Coloni.'il thi.-; Wfi-k. Sincf romit>« to :;«\v Vorl: .Mr Smith has also u rif««n act«< for Il.irry Ti^'lx'. W.iviw arid Warren. Ali< •■ Hamilton. I'nltnn and Burt, .lean .*-;otliein. Lilli.m .Steel.- and Co. <'r»)nin .'ind Hart. Ciane Sisters, Kvan.^ .Mild IX'ati. lIcMt and .M.iry <;aidner. Kav L. Koyeo. .lack AUman l'< rgtison. Kvelyn Cunnin«li;itn. Thi- Wainwhqhl.s: al was crcilited with two •.\p»il," and i:rneMl Ati- Botli acts are at tlio 1 ).lVO .SO special soiiijs and jM'gtison. I'.veiyn ^. unnin«n;itn. 1 ni- \> aiiiwrmm.s. ai.so n|M<.i.it nwn^n .umi material for Stella Mnviiew. I:ttiid Davi.s, IMiil r.:ik«T. .losie Heather; and •(>n«' «in thi- Ai.sb," with .lames Tttibrooke and Co. and "Build Your Owii Home ' for Courtney and Irwm. 1