Variety (June 1922)

" Friday, June 23, 1922 VARIETY Annie or the Good Conduct Prize." It was a dire failure. Some time ago the Chancellor of Cambridge University put his ban on the appearance of the touring Grand Gulgnol company at the local the- atre. Now the Lord Chamberlain baa descended on the university and refused to license a Grand Guignol playlet of its own which the under- jrrades were inserting into a musical comedy they are producing. He re- fuses to allow the playlet perform- ance unless as a burlesque, holding Jt is too gruesome. Sam Poluskl, one of the Brothers Poluski, who were among the really great comedians of the old vaude- ville stage and retained their pop- ularity long after the old music-hall had, has just died in a London nurs- ing home, age 64. He made his first appearance as a child of three. Rutland Barrington, one of the most famous of all Savoyards, has died in London hospital at the age of 70. He began his stage career when just turned 21, joining Henry Nevilles company at the Olympic. Later he went to the Savoy and joined the company which was mak- ing theatrical history with Gilbert and Sullivan opera. Personal fame came to him when he played the Police Sergeant in "The Pirates of Penzance" and sang the song, "A Policeman's Lot Is Not a Happy One." During his stay with the D'Oyly Carte management he played in every Savoy production. He tried management himself, but was not successful so he returned to light opera, this time joining George Ed- wardes, appearing m "The Geisha." •*San Toy' 'and "The Cingalee." His last engagement took him into drama and he joined the Martin Harvey company for the production of "The Burgomaster of Stilemonde." This was his last engagement and H terminated when a paralytic stroke compelled his retirement from the stage. One of his great sorrows latterly was that he had never dis- covered vaudeville and the fortunes which some comedians amass. Waxman has played it several times in Yiddish. Richard Thornton, who began life as a pit-boy, then became a publican, and afterwards joined the late Sir. Hugh Moss in building the first Em- pire of the now famous circuit, left a fortune of £105,000. Among the bequests in his will was one of "the Income derived from 400 shares each in the Sunderland, South Shields, West Hartlepool and Gateshead Palaces" to Harry Esden so long as he remained in a managerial cap- acity. He also left him the sum of £5,000. Joseph Coyne has left for Paris en a holiday trip. Having refused to play his original part in the pro- jected revival of "The Merry Widow" he is rumored to be contemplating complete retirement from the stage. Nobody, however, takes this threat very seriously. Alvah P. Chunn who sails June 7 on the Aquitania for New York is joint managing director of Richard Warner & Co. Established in 1880, this is the oldest firm of theatrical agents in the country and still con- ducts its business with a dignity somewhat unknown to the younger generation of hustlers. The War- ner offices, except for the frames of long forgotten artists' photographs in the corridors, are more like the business premises of a family lawyer •r stockbroker than of a group of men operating in the amusement world. He will be away about four months during which time he will see acts and shows with a view to English engagements. A little over a week ago an im- portant London evening paper de- toted a lot of space to the account of the death of a man well but not too fondly known in theatrical cir- cles. He had, the paper said, been found dead in bed in Brighton. The tccount alluded to his misused tenius and left little unsaid. Three days later the dead man was very much alive in a Soho "dive." He Was also very cheerful for such a libel was worth a fortune. Now •veryone is asking everyone else *no wrote the obituary and the gen- ial consensus of opinion seems to ■J that the "dead man" has at last turned his literary abilities to good account. A "copyright" performance has taken place at the Shaftesbury of a JJW serious play ' 'The Balance" wnich Leslie Henson and Tom Walls will produce in the country during jne autumn prior to London. One "oesn't hear much of "copyright" Performances these days, the new ^°oyright Act having made them ftn! netn ' np of an unnecessary pomp *"'! ex *ravagence. The modus oper- •noi was simple—get a few players, an l m r>arts to rea(1 « R ct through ■wo quickly as possible, and the deed tr» P no - I* is necessary, however. Nv m 2»* tho theatre open, and ellh ™ nn(1 Krat * are at a guinea rrmi Paying audience is gen- artm' SOmo frior »d who receives his "urnutarice money from the man- a 8 p mont. Rt \; n ^Vaxman's next production wine (\„iit to follow "Tho Priest BkL% U:,hhl " wm ho « historical »™y i riel d'Acosta." This plav is JJ new to the West Knd and has Wl mn done in English although Sooner or later some enterprising manager will get into trouble through the growing tendency to use the Lord Chamberlain's negative at- titude toward their productions as medium for publicity stunts. Times without number in the last few years have complaints from St. James' Palace has been used as means of advertisement. C. B. Cochran got over an excep- tionally good one when a little dancer appearing in one of his pavilion revues was objected to, but not until the show had been running sometime. Further, the girl herself fell for the showman's idea and tear- fully explained to several newspaper men that she would be no sort of an attraction if properly clothed. Oscar Asche did very well over the "Cairo" orgy scene complaints. The limit has probably been reached by the Monckton Hoffe play "Pomp and Circumstance," which was supposed to be banned because a bed appeared in one setting. This banning the Lord Chamberlain has denied and the management is trying to cover up its "stunt" by talking of a mis- understanding. The same thing goes on in the country. Numerous wretched little melodramas try to get the public in- terest by asserting they were once banned but "this play has now been passed by the censor." The authorities care little for these small affairs, but the West End manager should remember that the London County Council is advisory to the Lord Chamberlain's depart- ment, that most theatres have their licenses from the L. C. C, that there is a good deal of reciprocity in of- ficial circles, and that the L. C. C. could create quite a lot of trouble if once the St. James' Palace author- ities got their back up by the misuse of their official correspondence. FOREIGN REVIEWS (Continued from page 15) advance the cash the father prefers the suit of a rich but middle-aged rival, who is willing to make a loan. Then the Jeffries family arrive from Chicago and explain to Camllle he is the tail-end of a worthy family. Their daughter Maud, the Pearl of Chicago, is sole heir to millions on condition she marries the testator's last surviving relative. Camille declines, professing he prefers his fiancee Henriette, but the practical American heiress sug- gests they marry for the form, the union to remain a blank, and then divorce, after she has secured the legacy, the accommodating bride- groom pocketing 10 per cent, as his share. Henriette is even willing for this sacrifice of a "white marriage" and the weeding takes place. Ca- mille goes in for spot, dresses well and is a changed man. He even practices boxing and knocks down a cad found trying to flirt with his wife. Maud is enchanted; she be- gins to love her husband; their af- fection is mutual and they ulti- mately decide to make a life job of it. In the meanwhile, Maud's brother, Harry, also in the party, buys the herb business and converts it into a prosperous factory for manufac- turing gumdrops to be exported to the United States. He is gone on Henriette and they also marry. The family had brought with them a clergyman, Rev. MacBottle, believ- ing him useful in expediting the marriage arrangements, and this role, played by the film actor Le- vesque, is the fun of the farce. He is fond of the bottle and makes up for lost occasions due to the "dry" season at home. The American girl is depicted as a self-willed person, heartless and only out for a good time. The rushed marriage after ten minutes' courtship is absorbed as gospel by the local public. The characters are taught to talk loud and smoke big cigars. As a matter of fact, the atmosphere is supposed to be typi- cally American, and reminds me of the foreign melos where the French- man is depicted with a top hat, waxed moustache, high-heeled shoes and pointed beard. The author has tried to embody some vague im- pressions of people he met in Chi- cago, and it is all extremely funny —particularly for us. Still the in- ebriate clergyman is not a diverting sight. Kendrcic. BIRTHS A daughter to Mr. and Mrs. H. Wayne Pierson, June 15. ' \ Pier- son is one of the executives of the D. W. Griffith organization. Mr. ; nd Mrs. Jack Under at their home in Brooklyn, N. Y., June 17, son. The father is the independent vaudeville booker. NEW ACTS "The Quakeress," the old John Hyams and Leila Mclntyre vehicle of eight years ago, is being revived by Sam Hyams, a brother of John and former partner of Ralph Ashe. Edna and Grace Dreon in new musical skit. Alfr~ 1 Powell and company in a music.il skit by Al Wilson and Jim Urennan. Mary Haynes, Who has been doins i single on the Keith and Orpheura circuits, will offer a n.\v aet m-xt season by Hugh Herbert and con Conrad. MONTREAL MANAGERS AGAINST CARNIVALS Theatrical Association Peti- tions Mayor to Prevent Exhibitions Montreal, June 21. Protest against carnivals being allowed to exhibit In Montreal has been voiced by the Montreal Theat- rical Managers' Association, through its secretary and treasurer, B. M. Garfield, In a letter to Mayor Mar- tin, which reads In part as follows: "At the last meeting of the Mon- treal Theatrical Managers' Pro- tective Association a resolution was passed protesting against carnival companies being allowed to exhibit in the city of Montreal, and I was instructed by vote of our associa- tion to convey our grievance to you, requesting that you use your in- fluence in persuading our aldermen to pass an ordinance which will prohibit the exhibition of carnivals in the city of Montreal in the future. "Our reason for protesting is that the theatres of Montreal are taxed very heavily, and have hard times to make both ends meet, even if given the protection which they are deserving of, and we believe that wo are entitled to this protection, as we are permanently located In- stitutions, which spend our money in the city of Montreal, and try to benefit and improve our city in every way, shape and manner, and endeavor to keep our amusements clean and suitable for the best ele- ment of people; while carnival com- panies are promoted by outside capital coming into our city for a short period, using every means possible to obtain large sums of money, and when they have finished they take large sums of money away from our city, which has a tendency to hurt other lines of busi- ness, and benefits no one with the exception of the promoters of the carnival, who are outside people. "We believe that the money spent for amusements should be held In our city and our city derive the benefit therefrom, and if our thea- tres and places of amusement which are permanent are given this pro- tection by prohibiting outside amusements of this kind coming in, such results will be obtained. "The fact that a greater number of the states in the U. S. A. have passed state laws prohibiting the exhibition of carnivals, and that many cities whersrthe state has not taken up the situation have passed city ordinances prohibiting the same is a strong point of argument in our behalf; and while we do not care to become severe at this time in our remarks, we are prepared to go before our City Council with arguments so strong against the exhibition of carnivals that they will be obliged to give the matter very thorough consideration." It is anticipated that this action of the theatrical managers will be supported by the city and an ordi- nance passed prohibiting carnivals exhibiting here. The statement made by tho Mon- treal Theatrical Managers' Associa- tion that states in this country have passed laws forbidding carnivals to exhibit is a misstatement. No state has passed such a measure. A meagre number of towns have locally taken action by ordinance to prevent carnivals entering, but such local measures have been for the purpose of keeping out bad car- nivals. Another expedient by a few localities has been to impose a high license on the theory that a bad carnival Is necessarily a small car- nival, and could not afford to pay a high license. That has been proven fallacious, for all bad carnivals are not small carnivals. Canada, since the war, has had a universal cry to keep their money at home and spend it only in Can- ada, to readjust the rate of ex- change. When the war ended a Canadian dollar brought only 83 cents in American money (17 per cent, discount). Through its con- tinual harping op Canadians for Canada, and perhaps helped along through prohibition In the States, Canadian exchan^' 1 has nearly reached, par with American. Its last quotation was but % per cent. discount. The habit of four years persi.-ts though on the other side of the border. On a plea to keep mom y away from Americans almost any movement set afoot in the Dominion finds ready supix "t for that Ob* je'tive. MARRIAGES Id.i Stanhope ("Ilea Wolf/* In vaudeville) to Bob Foster (Foster and Joyce) in Boston, June 8 OSWEGO'S STAND No Street Carnivals Nor "Human Flies/' Says Police Commissioner Oswego, N. T., June 21. Commissioner of Public Safety W. J. Dempeey stated yesterday there would be no more street car- nivals allowed in this city while he occupied office. The commissioner also decreed against "human flies," who climb public buildings and col- lect money from crowds. The statement Issued by the com- missioner says local fraternal or- ganizations have sought permission to bring street carnivals into the town during the summer, with the societies to participate on a pe» cent- age basis. The commissioner rays the traveling shows giv2 but little return to the fraternal organizations while taking a great deal of money out of town. New Castle, Pa., June 21. No more carnivals will receive li- censes to show in New Castle with the signature of William T. Burns. Declaration to this effect was made by the acting Mayor this week when James Sullivan, advance agent for the Wallace^ Bros.' Shows appeared before Council and asked permission to show this week In New Castle. The show is now installed. Sulli- van eaid he had been in communica- tion with representatives from a committee which wanted the carni- val to play for the benefit of the children of the St. Marguerite church. They had told him, he said, that the permission of the authori- ties had been secured. Acting on their advice, he had come to town this week and installed the show, which includes a merry- go-round, snake charmer and the usual carnival sideshows. This morning he discovered that permis- sion had been secured only for the merry-go-round. Council voted to leave the matter in the hands of the acting Mayor. $100,000 GUARANTEE Carnival Backer Reported to Have Guaranteed Minimum Takings Buffalo, N. T., June 21. The Police Carnival, which opened here Saturday night under the direction of Frank Spellman, has had a bad break practically all week. The carnival got off on the wrong foot, the big storm Satur- day night tearing up the lot and doing several thousand dollars in damage. Cool weather the begin- ning and end of the week kept the public away, and a rainy mid-week held takings down. Added to this, a complaint to the Mayor by the Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Children against the appearance of local children in dances in connection with a pageant on the grounds, ne- cessitated the withdrawal of about 100 kids from the show. The carnival, which is for the benefit of the Police Mutual Benefit Fund, had been widely advertised for months. An admission of 65 cents is charged at the gate. Spellman is said to have guaran- teed tho police $100,000 for their share, and to be collecting 25 per cent, of the gross on -his end. The show has another week to run. $10,000 CIRCUS JUDGMENT Kansas City, June 21. The Supreme ccurt, of Kansas, has sustained the verdict of t..e trial court of Wyandotte county, giving John Toelle, a minor, a Judg- ment of $10,000 against the Sells- Floto Shows Company. In 1920 the plaintiff, a 15-year okl> boy, ran away and joined the circus. While riding on one of the gircus cars he was injured and the suit was brought against tho de- f.ndant by the boy's mother who resides In Kansas City, Kan. Last year the trial court gave a verdict for $10,000 from which the circus management appealed. NEW RICE & McINTYRE SHOW Los Angeles, Cal., June 21 W. H. "Bill" Kiee, carnival owner and promoter, is baek on the coast, having concluded the work of rout- ing the Greater Bheesly shows. Hire, since his return here, has organised a company which will be known as Rice & Mclntyre, and winch is Incorporated for $10,000. The new firm will operate shows and riding devTcCI at Long Beach and other Pacific coast resorts. A repertoire company under can- vas is also -ganized for Hollywood. WORLD AT HOME SHOWS STOPPED BY POLICE Closed in Pittsburgh Monday —Order to Stop Gambling Not Obeyed Pittsburgh, June 21. The World at Home Shows wero stopped here Monday by the police upon the order of Public Safety Director George W. McCandless. The director's reason as an- nounced was that games of chance were being conducted by tho carni- val and that his request to the man- agement of the carnival to stop them had not been obeyed. ^ The World At Home Shows at one time, when owned by Chicago capital, had a national reputation as a carnival, but it has deteriorated. It Is about a 20-car outfit, said to be now directed by Robert Cloth, with Al. S. Cole, special agent; Carl- ton Collins, press agent; William Kline, business agent, and Fred Fol- let, secretary and treasurer. Fol- let was formerly manager of Miner's 8th Avenue thatre, New York. The show carries percentage! wheels (games for cash), It stands for buy backs and has some 100-1 shot chance games, the chance of winning being one In a hundred. It uses a swinging bowling ball at a pin, "cover the spot." roll downs (count out) and a wheel with horses played for cash, 50c. $1 or $2. Giving back of the articles la also stood for. Among the concessions is a "Vice Exposed" show with front banners screaming of cooch dancers and naked women. A ballyhoo for it is given with three women ranging from 20 to 40 and with little clothes on. A man made up as a Chinaman does a tremendously strong spiel on the opium habit. He claims to be working under the jurisdiction and by permission of the United States Government, making free use of names of nationally known men, besides President Harding's and in- cluding Health Commissioner Dr. Copeland, of New York. Delgartsn's Independent Events Chicago, 111., June 21. Baba Delgarlan, owner of Del- garian's Garden of Allah, and other Oriental shows with the principal carnival companies, has quit the road and is now promoting inde- pendant events. His latest venture is a street carnival under the ausplqes of the Chicago Commercial Club which will open July 1 for an 11-day run. Detearian is a former partner of the late Jake Sternard. Composers After Outdoor Field The American Society of Com- posers, Authors and Publishers has begun proceedings against Luna Park, Coney Island, N. Y., for al- leged unauthorized public perform- ance of copyrighted music for profit. They are getting after all of the Coney Island amusement places, with several suits in preparation. The entire outdoor amusement field will be carefully looked over by the society's scouts for alleged copypright violations. Kibel's Coney Island Concession Jules Kibel (Klbel and Kane, vaudeville) Is managing Kibel's Dodg'Em on the Bowery, Coney Is- land, for the summer. He controls several outdoor amusements on the island doing business as the Klbel Amusement Co., Inc. Former Mrs. Wilbur as Companion San Francisco, June 14. Florence Wilbur, former wife of Crane Wilbur, the actor, has Joined the Singer'a Midgets and is travel- ing with the troupe as a companion. ILL AND INJURED Yvonne LaGrange is a patient at Flower hospital, where she has been for the last two weks with paralyzed lower limbs, as a result of an accident. Henry Rantley, scngwrlter. Is re- cuperating in Stern's sanitarium, New York, from an operation for appendieitis. Howard Johnson, songwriter. Is confined at home from injuries in an auto accident Nonette operated for appendicitis in New York two weeks ago is con- valescing at her home. Mrs. ttig liosley (All<e Coons) major opt 'ration at Fran* is Willaid hospital, Chicago.