Variety (June 1922)

^^M iday, June 2, 1922 BURLESQUE BEDIMS "CHUCKLES" POSSIBILITY FOR LONDON SUMMER RUN B. Cochran Negotiating—Original Production, Including Clark and McCullough Wanted for Oxford, London—Can Gross £3,000 ($14,000) Weekly Negotiations are on between Charles B. Cochran and Jean Bedini, with Albert de Courville acting for Cochrane, calling for the Bedini ihow "Chuckles of 1922," to be brought intact to London this sum- mer for a six-weeks' run at the Ox- ford The cable sent by de Cour- vil'e to M. S. Bentham outlining the London offer for the Bedini show calls for the original cast, incjuding Clark and McCullough. scenery, props, etc., to be sent over to Lon- don. The cable further states the ca- pacity of the Oxford permits of "Chuckles" playing to a gross of 3 000 pounds a week, at popular prices. This would be about $14.0C0 in American money. Bedid.'s reply is said t.; have asked for a guarantee of about $3,500 a week, with transportation both way-. It is understood the English manager is agreeable to paying the transportation, which would amount to some $15,000 to $18,000 for the round trip. Clark and McCullough are under contract to Sam Harris for the new Music Box show, with rehearsals probably starting around the middle of August. By making close con- nections Clark and McCullough could make the trip with the show between June 12 or thereabouts, play in London for six weeks and get back in New York in time for their Music Box rehearsals. The overseas engagement of "Chuckles" hangs on the question whether Cochran will agree to a guarantee, the matter to be settled quickly one way or the other. Should the "Chuckles" deal go through, it will mark the first time an American burlesque show has ever played in London. MAURICE KANE'S SHOW Will Operate on Franchise Con- trolled by P. 3. Clark Estate Maurice Kane, executive in the Hurtig & Seamon office and in charge of the firm's production en- terprises for several years, is to produce and operate a show en the Columbia wheel next season. Kane's show will be operated on the franchise controlled by the Peter 8. Clark estate, on which Arthur Pearson played "Bits of Broadway" •n the Columbia circuit last season. The other franchise operated by Pearson, on which he played "Step Lively Girls" in partnership with George Jaffe last season, is con- trolled by Phil Sheridan. Jaffe bought out Pearson's interest in the fStep Lively Girls" toward the end •f last season, and through an ar- rangement with Phil Sheridan. Jaffe will operate the show Individually for the remaining two years of the franchise. DOLLY WINTERS SHOOTS SELF Cleveland, May 31. Dolly Winters, show girl, appear- ing at the Star here, shot herself In oer room at the Hanna Hotel Fri- day evening. On her dresser was * note, addressed to "Lorrain." It read: "I have been planning this for Weeks. The road is too hard for »« to travel. Don't let me die a iS2 er ' Notif V Mrs. Louise Myfus, 11829 Twelfth street. Detroit." She was taken to Lakeside Hos- pital, where it was found a bullet nad pierced her left side, narrow- V missing the heart. Police say she told them she bad £e.en twice married. Her first hus- jrand's name was Wintringham She obtained a divorce from him and carried John Tlppleton last Decern- Zii* s;iU1 sne had a ^'-'-year-old cnud living in Boyal Oaks, a suburb or Detroit. In an effort to save her life. Whence Satchel!* blackface com- b,*" 11 ! ,h< " star tW* v.<eu. nave Ins ood in ;i transfusion operation day nii-iu. Brooklyn Stock Winds Up vni H ° :)kms °n. in Hie Browns - ' le section of Brooklyn. X. Y.. CJ burt «m«# stock for the list oul 'reeks, closed Saturday nighty NO. 2 BURLESQUE WHEEL WILL REPLACE B. B. 0. % ADDED ON TERMS FOR COLUM. PRODUCERS Meeting Decided on Increase —Generally Attended by Members Latter Scheduled to Dissolve —New No. 2 With 20 Weeks for Krauses The Burlesque Hooking Otflce cor- poration la scheduled to be dissolved within a week or two. This is the booking corporation formed to book shows in the houses that seceded from the American wheel when the spiit-up between that organization and the Columbia Amusement Co. happened during the middle of last season. That the 15. B. O. will pass does not mean there will not be a No. 2 burlesque circuit next season. It il understood a coterie of burlesque men, headed by the Kraus brothers, who operate the Olympic, 14th street. New York, are lining uo a circuit of theatres that will embrace 20 weeks, and will p'.ay burlesque at 75 cents top. The general plan of the proposed No. 2 week will call for about 20 shows, with each to play over the circuit twice in the season, with a change of bill for the return en- gagement. The cities that will be played will be in the east. The Star and Gayety. Brooklyn. will not be included in the proposed No. 2 wheel, as both houses were sub-let last week to Sam Raymond, representative for Mrs. Ren Kahn. and understood to be acting for the latter. The two Brooklyn bouses will play the same policy of stock burlesque that the late Ben Kahn played so successfully for a num- ber of years at the Union Square. New York. The Raymond sub-lease is for three years, Raymond taking over the three remaining years of the Columbia Amusement Co.'s lease of the houses from the Hyde & Behman interests. The proposed No. , 2, wheel sponsored by the Krauses will not play the semi-stock policy followed by the B. B. O., but will move the entire company from stand to stand weekly, including the choristers. The plan of keeping the same chorus girls at a given stand permanently as followed by the B. B. O. last season was not suc- cessful, audiences tiring of the same faces. It is likely that another No. 2 wheel will be organized in the west, with the shows of the eastern No. 2 interchanging. The playing terms of the Colum- bia Burlesque Circuit are to be given a general tilt upward in favor of the shows for next season. A joint meeting of producers, house owners and managers was held Wednesday, following which it was reported a 5 per cent, tilt in favor of the shows had been decided upon. GOETZ'S FRANCHISE May Produce "As You Were" for Burlesque—Bentham Interested E. Ray Goetz. the legitimate pro- ducer and husband of Irene Bor- doni, was reported as having been awarded a Columbia Circuit fran- chise, which he was to operate in conjunction with M. S. Bentham. Goetz, according to report, is to re- vive a burlesque version of "As You Were"' for the Columbia wheel. AM. STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING The annual oekholders' meeting of the American Burlesque circuit grill be held Friday. Election of :>ttlcers and other routine matters will be disposed of. It is understood the annual re- i. t by the olllcers to the stock- holders will have to be postponed. owing to the bankruptcy proceed- ings against the American circuit. The final hearing in the bank- ruptcy matter is scheduled for dune 7 before ex-Judge Henry lie combo. MARION ENGAGES D. COLEMAN Dave Marion has engaged Dan Coleman as principal comic for one of the Marion Columbia shows next season. Coleman was with Harry Hastings for upwards of ten years, but did not play burlesque last sea- son. Marion has purchased the Zicgfeld "Follies 11)21" equipment and will use it for his Columbia shows next season. Anna Spiers Dies of Pneumonia Anna Spears, known in burlesque as a mem! vr of the chorus of a number of wheel shows, died last week in New York. Death w;is due to pneumonia. Daniel Lahy, her husband, survives. Burial was in Albany from the home of the uncle of the deceased. COLUMBIA INCREASES CAPITAL Albany, N. Y., May 31. A certificate to increase the capi- tal stock of the Columbia Amuse- ment Company from $250,000 to $500,000 was filed at the offlce of Secretary of State John J. Lyons this week by Attorney Leon Laski of 160 Broadway. New York City. Minsky's Change at Wintergarden Minsky's Wintergarden on Hous- ton street. New York, closed its stock burlesque season Saturday, and will reopen tomorrow (Satur- day) with an all-colored organiza- tion, headed by Creamer and Leigh- ton, in "Strut Miss Lizzie." Maxwell's Columbia Wheel Show Another name new to burlesque production was added to '.he list of Columbia wheel producers for next season, this week, when Joe Maxwell was awarded a show. OLYMPIC STOCK Tony Sp.Ti?('Ui Null McHOOb IT. Tcllom So-vp Hru'lie Will IT. BtfOOd.., Tommy Trutt Im.i Pearli 1'mcci1;i Seymour. Teaiie Swert (.'utie llol» Hon. . . ...... . . .Frank Hunter , Lew Dean .CtiarJei Weston •George Nalmola Joe I.iUHC . .Prank YYtrano .. .Virginia Ware ...Kitty Warren .It h.j e Kece . . . Jar<|iie Wilwtll The Olympic has assembled for this and next week an entirely new company, headed by Frank Hunter, Only one member remains from the original stock organisation, Vir- ginia Ware, who plays .» combina- tion of SOUbret and prima donna. It appears to be the policy of the house to keen away from the stock idea, to encourage frequent change of faces and titles. tfeemtngly the purpose is to re« t;tin the character of a theatre with weekly Change of bill. ><> that it will not settle down In the mind of the llth Street clientele it is a Mod! house. The management has gone so far as 10 give a preference , to chorus girls of distinctly stock* rx- lContiiLUjL-oL_oj' page -7> IRVING PLACE STOCK Lftdf Greon, leader of the Man Hater Club Pauline Harer Miss Gray, a member of the club Hattle Ueall Miss P.lue. also a member. Margie Pennltte Ilia* Love, a Hinger Rosa Rosollla Mr. (Jray. looking for hia wife Joe Cunningham Mr IJIup, also looking for hia wife.... Johnny Kane Ail.im Souse, the new door tender..Joe Hose Abe Cohen, always in wrong .Irving Lewis Stock burlesque is in its third week at the Irving Place, with busi- ness continually on the increase, ac- cording to Mike Kelly and other hOUSC attaches. The theatre is a bit out ot the way and will require considerable ballyhoolng to get them in. but once in they should get the habit. The entertainment Tuesday ran smoothly without any semblance of ad libbing. although the book has been changed each Monday. Joe Rose Is the producer and principal Rose is a favorite around llth street having been one of the principal comics at Kahn's Union Square for several seasons. The rest of the COmpahy include Pauline Harer. •oubrct; Hat tie Heal!, soubret-in- genue; Margie Pennltte, ingenue. and Rosa Itosellia, who possesses the voi •«■ Of the trOUPe. All Of the women Cap *ing and are loug on appearance The men include John- ny Kane, juvenile straight; Jnc Cunningham straight, and Irving Lewis, second comedian, in l He- brew character that Just about (Continued an page l'7> t SCRIBNElTS LETTER Jacking Up Producers—Asks and Answers Pertinent Question Sam Scribner sent a heavy bar- rage into the rail;* of the Colum- bia producers this week in the form of a circular letter which bluntly told the travelling producers many had kept business away from tho Columbia houses through the poor quality of shows presented. The letter in effect particularly mentioned tho practice of some of the road producers putting on old and stereotyped bits season after season. The letter further states the burlesque goer is "wise" and cannot be kidded any longer, the re- sults of last season proving that. •'Why did one show average $7,000 a week and another average but $1,000 a week on the season last year with both shows playing the same houses?" the letter queries. The answer follows and say. "Be- cause one company gave a good en- tertainment and the other show was not good." The Scribner letter carries the usual post-season warning that if the : hows are i ot up to standard they will be thrown out. FORMER CHORUS GIRL ELUDES UP-STATE COPS Mrs. Beatrice Jones, 22, Keeps Things Moving—Escapes Into Canada COLUMBIA, N. Y., CLOSED TTrFORTAT';DiD$45CO Broadway's Burlesque House Will Reopen with the New Season and but for Tour Columbia wheel shows house.; playing list week, and tWO the current week. "Tit rat," at the Columbia, New York. /ast wecU, d'd very poorly, gross- ing about $4,500. The matinees were especially lad. due to baseball and shore resorts opposition. The show itself was not rated above pass- able, which, with the weather and competition, tended to depress at- tendance. The Columbia, New York. Is dark this week and will not re- open until September, when regular wheel season Starts. Barney Gerard's "Follies of Day.' in its second week at Gayety, Boston, got slightly $7,500. This was a drop of IloiiL.es Point, N. Y. May 31. State troopari and other police Officials in this section are seeking Mrs. Beatrice Jones, 22 years old. a former burlesque chorus girl, who escaped from police custody near here. The girl is reported to be the illegitimate daughter of un Ital- ian count and has a lengthy police record. She has earned the sobri- quet of "the female Raffles" by her daring exploits. Mrs. Jones was in the custody of the police on a train near Laconia on the way to Albion to serve a three-year sentence, and made a spectacular escape in a motor car, which, driven by a male accomplice, had followed the train from Malone. The escape, in itself, was startling;, but the police were amazed when they learned that, while they were watching the State roads in other sections, the former show girl had broken through a network of State troopers long enough to return to a Malone hotel and hand back to a waitress a curling iron and some I money she had borrowed. Receiving a tip that Mrs. Jones j was in Malone, the State troopers dashed in post haste to the hotel where she had stopped, but arrived 'on late. As a matter of fact, the State policemen reached the scene waving her hand the auto of her away toward the just as the girl, at them from friend, speeded Canadian line. The girl and a name of Charles the the the under about $'i00 under the first week. The Gerard gross is considered good for the season of the ye ir and condi- tions. The Gerard otnee conducted an extra publicity campaign during the week and will continue as long as the show remains. It helped business considerably. Bedinis "Chuckles of 1922" at the Empire, Newark, last week, did about $6,500. "Chuckles" is under- lined in the Boston, Gayety, news- paper billing as "coming," but no date is mentioned. The Gerard show is at the Gayety this week. It3 continuance depends on busi- ness. 'immie Cooper's show at Hurtig & Seamon's got about $4,000 last week. The Cooper show and "Tit for Tat' have closed f ?r the season. "Chuckles" is at Hurtig & Seamon's this week. man who gave the Brennan were ar- rested after the pair had engaged In a boisterous street argument which terminated in blows. Mrs. Jones, because of having a police record, it was said, received a three-year sen- tence, while Brennan drew a fine. Brennan feigned hostility to the ex- chorister and offered to expiate her delivery to the penal Institution by driving her. in company with a policeman, to Malone in his car. where she was to meet a marshal from tbe Athlon jail. When the train pulled out of Malone he fol- lowed in the machine until, at La- conia. Mrs. Jones jumped from a window of the train and escaped with him In his high-powered car. The pair figured in skirmishes with police in Adirondack towns, and the local police exchanged shots with them as they sped through Rouses Point. It is believed the couple are safe over the Canadian border. Burlesque Club's Annual Election The annual election of officers of the Burlesque club was held yester- day (June 1). The present incum- bents are I. H. Herk, president; James Cooper, vice president; E. Thomas Beatty, secretary. m he lat- ter is filling out the term of the late Ben Kahn. OLYMPIC CASTS CHANGE The stock cast headed by Harry Steppe and Harry O'Neal closed nt the Olympic, New York, Saturday after a four weeks' run. The new cast which opened Monday includes Frankie Hunter, Lew Dean and several other Columbia wheel people. The Olympic will try for an nil summer run this season, with ■ change of people every third or fourth week. Thrown by Street Car Into Auto Frank (Bud) Williamson (bur- lesque) was struck by an Kighth avenue street car May 25 and cata- pulted into an auto. He was moved to the Flower hospital, where an examination found his injuries to be painful, but not serious. VIOLET nnd LOIS TWO GIRLS FROM THE GOLDEN WEST l)id you t'ver see an act that you would really LIKE to give a cort- lr.it to? Well we have JUST that kind of an act-ask Leo Fitzgerald of the Marinelli ofhec. Wc- cordially invite all mat lagers to s«><' pur n't at MOSS* Franklin, New Stork, this week (juiic i-i>. <