Variety (July 1922)

pMi iiipup I w.mpi<«i««ipvi Friday. July 7, 1922 CABLES 'COPY ACT' DIDN'T HURT THE MANDELLS' DEBUT Team Proves Big Hit—Marx Bros. Doing Better—Gordon and Ford Start Poor London, July S. William and Joe Mandell went to a biff hit at the Finsbury Monday, despite that a "copy act" of their turn recently appeared over here. The copy was atoppec. through complaint laid against it by the George Foster agency. Gordon and Ford opened an Eng- lish tour last weelc at Birmingham. ' "[fhey started badly and did not re- cover until Friday, when they com- Bienced to register strongly. i • ■■ The Marx Brothers at the Al- ' hambra, London, this week are in their stride with the old turn, "At Home," and doing as well as aey ihave been accustomed to in the StatCii. At the Colseum Monday Sybil Thorndike (English) and company played a condensed **La Tosca." The personal popularity of Miss Thorndike carried her across, but the performance of the playlet was unsatisfactory. Yvette Rugel. opening over here last week in vaude\'ille, will replace Sophie Tucker in the Metropole •Follies," July 24. Miss Tucker will appear for a few Weeks in the prov- inces before sailing for New York. VAUDEVtt?.E HOUSES PICKED BY SHUBERTS Shubert vaudeville has been sec to play next season at the Empress, St. Louis, a Cella house; at the Princess, Toronto, where the legit .bookings will hereafter appear at the Royal Alexandria (both syndi- ^iites booking), and at the Shubert, f^incinnati, another combined Er- itngcr-Shubert city. .' Shubert vaudeville played at the jBhubert, Cincinnati, for a few weeks let the end of last season. It also appeared at the Royal Alexandria. Toronto, for intermittent weeks. The Princess of that city is a com- modious house, situated close to the Alexandria. In St. Louis last sea- son a try with Shubert vaudevlue was made at the Jefferson, but was unsatisfactory owing to Marie Dressier, its headline for the en- gagement, being obliged to witu- draw from the show in the middle of the week. Last week It was reported the Shubert vaudeville will appear at the Shubert, Kansas City, next sea- son with the legit attractions going Into the remodeled Century, former- ly burlesque. Lots of people say: "Van Hoven, that is the best ad. you have ever written." I write articles for four papers. I have written two acts. I've written my ad. on trains, in bar rooms, In other people's houses and everywhere, but when they talk about the best ad. Ive ever written, I think the best one was the one about our Nellie. You know Nellie, brave Nellie Revell. FRANK VAN HOVEN Samuels on Continental Tour London, July 5. I. R. Samuels, the Keith booker who arrived this week, is leaving Friday for the continent. He* will sail Aug. 2 on the "Olympic" for New York. LEADING MEN SCARCE, SAYS LONDON MANAGER ActorsK!omplain Managers or Engagements Can't Be Located London, July B. The complaint of actora nowadays ia they cannot find managers or employment. Andrew Melville complains that while employing over 200 actors on the read, he has difHculty in locating leading men. At the moment he la rehearsing two companies at the Lyceum for provincial tours of "On His Ma- jesty's Service" and "Monte Cristo." The tours are fully booked, but It is easy for the Melville family to book anything. . Phillip Yale Drew (Young Buf- falo) Is booked with "The Savage and the Woman" until well into 1925. Andrew Melville will also open a repertory season at his newly ac- quired Grand, Brighton, July 10, playing such pieces as "The Octo- roon," "It's Never Too I^te to Mend," etc. This class of dramatic fare founded the Melville fortunes, and all three brothers have been faithful to it ever since.. Their one deviation, the revival of "Abraham Lincoln" at the Lyceum, is thought to have had much to do with the trouble arising between the elder brothers. BID NOT INDICT ALLEN The Grand Jury last week refused to indict Paul Allen, the agent, on the charge of forgery after being held In $1,000 ball by Judge Renaud for further examination. The com- plaint Is automatically dismissed. Allen, a brother of Edgar Allen, the Fox booking expert, was alleged to have forged a $210 check in the name of Mrs. Solon Shiller on the Chatham & Phoenix Bank, Broad- way and 106th street branch, New York. The accused, on advice of counsel Kendler & Goldstein, had waived ex- amination in order not to disclose his defense. SPECIAL BURLESQUE STORIES Stories on burlesque especially written for this Columbia Bur- lesque Number are on pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Among the contributors are officials of the Columbia Amusement Co.. including J. Herbert Mack. Sam A. Scrlbner, R. K. Hynicka, Thos. R. Henry and Fred McCloy. besides Loney Haskell and mem- bers of Variety's New Yorl: staff. PLAZA KUNNING ALONG Chicago, July 5. The Plaza, owned by Mr. Gold- Bon, is open and has not been closed since booked by the Gus Sun office (Billy Diamond) in Chicago. A report last week erroneously stated the Plaza had closed. "LASS 0' laughtur" rights London, July 5. The American righLs to the stage play 'Lass O' Lauphter' have been secured by Henry W. H;ivage. NEW ACTS Fanny Rice, in new act. Aas'.-i Cooked in Kansas City, Kan. Chic:»Ko. July 5. Grubel Brothers are building a 2..100-.',o:it i>op vaiitl('vil!o thea're in Kai.f«MH City. K'an.. at a cost of ^ jr^on.ooo. a. f. liMk'.r. Rf-ne.al man- o tf e.' of tlu' coM-orn .t iiitfiiv*!.-; . u'.f^ -^ — — g-r ■ • ' in ClucMKo this u ock? ;t:i<l m.i«l * rrrjuTfrncnts with th • Wester.". \ aude\ Ule ManacrrrM* Association to furnish the acm fo.- th? thealie. which will open Labor ilay. COLISEUM London, June 20. Topping the bill at the Coliseum this w^ek are the Marx Brothers— widely heralded as among the clev- erest performers produced in American vaudeville. As it hap- pens, this representative of Variety had never seen the brothers Marx on their native heath. Their fame as comedians had been duly spread about in music hall circles here for weeks preceding their yesterday's London debut Supported by a company of eight others, the Marx brothers presented a musical "Re- vuette" entitled "On the Balcony." Their afternoon performance was fairly successful. Within 'five minutes after the opening of their act in the evening coppers began to rain down upon the stage—hurled by occupants of the gallery. Remarks were shouted from the upper regions. Isolated instances of applause were drowned In energetic hissing, although the far-famed "booing" was not in evi- dence. Following the conclusion, Julius Marx appeared before the curtain and apologized for what he termed "the poor performance." blaming It on "the rowdyism of tne gallery." The apology was received with silence. Hearty applause greeted a' frequently repeated line in the script by one of the charac- ters: "This is getting on my nerves." Amerirans in the audience found at least one happy spot In the pro- gram, however, when Ben Beyer thrtlled and delighted them with an exhibition of trick bicycle riding just a little bit neater and cleverer than a London mu.iic hall cllentelo Is acc^mtomed to. He has ulso in- terpolated a modicum of chatter, upon uhich he should en'arge. He pot an ovation at the end of the act—and deserved it. Th? whole bill—with the t-x<-»-i.- tion of the headline foaturo—;.s vt^ry f;:f»o<l. Horor.s were sh'irtd bptv.een Lydia Lopokova ami bor company and a ^?<iod straisrlU mu> ral trio ronipo.sod of Co'il r.aiior. pianb-^t; CotiHtan'T Izaro. \ iolini.sto. and Frr-.iorick All n, baritone. Cocflia 1.oft PS was, a.s alway.-, accorded an j fiitbu.'^;:'.st:r rcrtjlion and ;. »ve an I iinil»!ion ^f Alio Doly.^la sinarin'^.l •rtn ]'f»i l.'iV t, at wa3 mere like . I).''.' -la tliaii I>ol\ :':a. The Marx ]lr«'tijiT.« v.ill jnnl: tlu'.r pre.-ent off'-rinj befnrc th'* week is out ar.d rr*;)'.ac;' it with 'jK-ir j old act, "Back Home." Jolo. SiXWYN BEBLm BUYElt Paris, July 5. Edgar Selwyn, who is now in Berlin, has acquired the American rights to the successful comedy en- tilled "The Marvellous Adventures." SAILINGS Sept. S (London to New York), Victor Tandy (Adriatic). August 3 (London to N.rr York) Gus Fowler, Mr. and Mrs. C. Ed- munds, Long Tack Sam Troupe (Washington. Aug. 3 (London for New York), Long Tack Sam, Gus Fowler. Mystic Clayton, Mr. and Mrs. C. Edmunds, Bert Green (Washington). July 18 (from New York), Ruby Norton Clarence Senna (Maure- tania). July 15 (from Havre), Mr. and Mrs. Max Wlnslow, Jack Curtla (La France). July 14 (from London for South Africa), Gertrude Elliott and com- pany, Julian Ros6k wife and fam- ily (Saxon). Reported through Paul Tauslg & Son, 104 East 14tli street: (All from New York): July 6, Mr. and Mrs. William Borsini, Mrs. Martha Borsini, Valeska Borsini, Hugo Borsini, George Geraut (Seyd- lltz); July 11, Seven Bracks, Louis Spielman (Reliance); July 15, Marie Hughes (Olympic); July 12 (from London to ^New York), William Morris and family (Homeric); July 29 (from London to New York), Marx Brothers and Co. (Cedric). June 28 (London for South Amer- ica), Rupert Inglese. Juggler (Ar- lanza). June 28 (London for New York), Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn (Ma- jestic). June 23 (London for New York). Ed C. T. Hogan (Zeeland). July 4 (from New York), Francis X. Bushman, Beverley Bayne, Kitty Doner, McConnell Sisters, Gene- vieve Tobin and Vivian Tobin (Aquitania). s GRADUATES OF BURLESQUE By LONEY HASKELL RAY MILLER BUYS HALF OF BLOSSOM HEATH INN •4- I Band Leader Purchases Inter- est of Harry Susskind—^Joe Susskind Other Partner The only recorded instance of any of the restaurant band leaders mak- ing an outright purchase In the res- taurant where his band is playing came out this wetk with Ray Mill- er's buy of the half interest of Harry Susskind in the Blossom Heath Inn on the Merrick road at Lynbrook. Long Island. Mr. Miller is said to have secured Something of a bargain. Harry Susskind, when endeavoring to dis- pose of his share in the ihn last winter (off-season), asked $60,000. Miller is reported to have paid, in season, less than that amount. The other partner in Blossom Heath is Joe Susskind. who also has Murray's on 42d street, lately secured. Harry Susskind operates the Pelham Heath Inn on the Pel- h.im parkway, Bronx, Now York, devoting most of his attention to that place, as Joe does to Murray's since acquiring It. Ray Miller and His Dlack and White Melody ]3oys have been the musical attraction at Blossom Heath since the summer season started. The Miller band was one of the Hrst Jazz orchestral combinations around New York. Its leader was energetic, and eventually worked his collection of ragging musicians into a full entertainment, the boys not alone playing but furnishing diversified entertainment as well. They have appeared in the leading restaurants of New York and the East. Blossom Heath will have a for- mal opening for the new partner- ship. It has been set down for Wednesday evening, July 12. Kkcan- time the restaurant continues with the Miller band and Mr. Miller rep- resenting the firm on the premises. It is likely Blossom Heath will be- come an around-the-year roadhouse. It remained open lust winter to satisfactory results, and has been doing a big business so far this summer with the Millers there, de- spite keen opposition along the road in that vicinity. Blossom Heath was the first remodeled roadhouse of the modern type to open on Long Island, with the Susskind Brothers its original promoters and man- agers. ^ DEATHS ABROAB Augustus 0. Gtuder» editor of the Alontclair Times, died suddenly June 8 at Thun, Switzerland, while vi.siting that country. A. Millo, owner and publisher Of Fllma. a French picture organ, died .suddenly in Taris June 9, aged 53. Mifliez Misti, French painter and musician, died at Neuilly-sur-Seino, n<ar I'ari.s. uKod 56 year.«<. (^ Jcanr.3 Ramage, v/ho only recent- ly jo i ned th e Oppra Comigue troupe. di'd in i'ari.s. ukcjI 21. {;-ho wa.s a rif^c of nacliacl llojer, Rspliacl Dufour, known a.s Itapha, I'ffnch song tvriler. recently died at Lif go, 13c)giiun. AMEBICANS IK EITROPE Paris, June 27. Madame Miller is in Paris. Pearl White has gone to London from Paris, where she was the fea* ture In the ill-fated Casino revue, and sails July 6 for New York. Madge Lessing is visiting Berlin. A son was born last week In tne American Hospital of Paris to James Milton Conners, who con- structed Luna Park, Paris. Gustin Wright, organist, has been received by the Pope in Rome, who conferred on him the order of St. Gregory. Mrs. O. Montgomery Tuttlo, di- rectress of the American summer conservatory of music at Fontalne- bleau. has arrived in France with 80 students. In Paris last week:—Cyrus H. K. Curtis, Saturday Evening Post; Marjorie Herrman, New York Jour- nalist; Sigmund Romberg, com- poser; Dr. John A. Harries, of New York;'also John O'Bryne, \^t New York; Joseph D. Hurley, Boston Post, with wife on honeymoon; Warren Phoenix Belknap, manager Harvard baseball team 1919; Edith Wharton, novelist; Mrs. John u*. Hylan, Prof. J. Dalbls, lecturer; Misses Francine and C. Larrlmore. Irene BordonI, Raymond Ortelg. New York hotel owner; F. N. Doubleday, Flo. Zlegfeld, Jr., Carl Laemmle, J., H. Maddon, of Ken- tucky (for the Paris Grand Prix horse race); Arthur Buzzl-Pcccla. mu.siclan. New York. NEW BRIEUX WORK Paris, July S. It is Slated that Brieux, author of "Damaged Goods" and other med- ico-socioLugicaL plays, has com- pleted a new piece entltle(^ "The Advocate." l're[»arations are being mfide for its moiinllnff during Septertibor at the Theatre Vaudeville. Hardly a week goes by that we don't read of some man or woman leaving burlesque for a Broadway production. The two-dollar critic, the highbrow theatrgoer, the fas- tidious Individual who is particular about his favofite styles of enter- tainment, are amazed at the sue* cess of the artist who is hailed as a welcome addition to the continu- ally deleting ranks of the estab- lished stars who pass on. Whme did he or she come from? Whore have they been all these years? Isn't he swell—doesn't he dance well?—are often heard after a first night performance. To the wise element there Is nothing new or re- markable in this condition. It la today and always has been demon- strated that, given the proper op- portunity, the burlesque actor can take his box of tricks, his metnoan. his style and his personality and if properly placed can put it over not only in the present era but ever since burlesque was instituted. The Leon Carrolls, the Jim Bartons, the Fanny Bricos. the Sophie Tucker**, the Lester Aliens, the Watson Sisters, the Blossom Seeleys, and so many others now successfully appearing on Broadway are om/ a replica of the state of affairs when burlesque companies played burlesque theatres that did not eu- Joy the prestige and distinction ^hat the present day Columbia wW«l theatres enjoy. When we had the Dewey in New York, the Spit Box in Albany, the Academy in Pitts- burgh, the Grand in Brooklyn, Sam Jack's in Chicago, Miner's Bowery and Eighth Avejiue, Monumental in Baltimore, Waldman in Newark. Keenan's In Washington. When the burlesque actor was looked down upon as only fit for thg«e housee-^ yet In those days when Dan Mc« Avoy deserted burlesque and opened at the New York theatre at that time under the direction of the Sire Bros, he was a riot, a panic, a sen- sation. He brought with him the same business, the same make-up, the came method he employed la burlesque, and he remained a Broadway favorite until the day of his death. Emma Carus had the same experience. She has been a headllner for many years and ie still going strong. Alex. Carr went direct from burlesque to Broadway; he is no different today—perhaps ripened and mellowed by years of contamination. Barney Bernard, Geo. Sidney, Sam Bernard, Weber and Fields. Benny Welch and hun- dreds of others received their train- ing, acquired their technique and achieved their success through the opportunities afforded In burlesque. If you have the goods you will find a real market place. Going back to 1900—there were only a few comedians who did not wear crape hair or fright wigs, or painted faces or exaggera'ted clothes-yet they stood out as artists and gave delightful per- formances. The creations of Harry Morris were masterpieces. Charley Burke was inimitable. Truly Shat- tuck was a revelation. A lack of space prohibits a general list, but sufllce to say artistry was recog- nized then, is rec(^nized now and will be recognized ad-infinilum. Burlesvjue is today the stepping- stone to Broadway and in many re- spects more desirable; it at least assures steady work and a lone season. The tinita of today are simply going back to the days when we had a first part and a second part with an olio between, with the vaudeville actors playing parta Acrobats speaking lines was the commencement of so many dumb acts essaying talk which they never dreamed they were capable of de- livering. May 1922-M bring back the audiences, the appreciation and the names that helped to make bur- lesque famous in the old days, and Incidentally take a tip from Broad- way and give them the gals that hud the following of the old timers. FILM COMEDIAN OK STAGE Paris, July S. Sutton Vane's "The Span of Life** has been revived at the Gaiete starting July 1 under the new title of ' I'ont Vlvante," adapted by Mauprey. It has Blflcot, a French screen comedian, featured. *'MASCOTTE" REVIVED Paris, July 6. "The Mascotte" was revived at the Mogador July 2 for the sum- mer with Ponzio and DeTours and Mmcs. Ra^on and Sonya Alny.