Variety (July 1922)

"T4 -:"TT '^^[WfSW^^ amimiv. ii}k»^'.-vj. j'-.- Friday, JUli! J, IJili SHOWS IN N. Y. AND COMMENT Figures estimated and comment point to some attractions being successful, while the same gross accredited to others might suggest mediocrity or loss. The variance is explained in the difference in house capacities, with the varying overhead. Also the size of cast, with consequent difference in necessary gross for profit. Variance in business necessary for musical attraction as against dramatic play is also considered. «*Abie'8 Irish Rose," Fulton (7th "week). Specializing In two (or one tiokcts and attracting busi- ness from outside regular trade channels. Claims over $6,000 last week. •Blossom Time," Ambassador. Stop- ped Saturday; announcements given out operetta will reopen Aug. 1; vacations asked given as reason for closing. Hot wave late last week probably counted more; show had been doing better than 7 even break. Ran 40 weeks. Got nearly $8,600 last week. Captain Appfejack," Cort (28th week). Other than one shari) de- cline in hot wave early in June, this comedy hit has been holding up to excellent business for this period.. Summer stayer and ought to hold over into next season. . Affected by heat last week and ' dropped to $8,900. «*Cat and Canary/' National (22d week). Opened early in winter and led Broadway's dramas for a time. Slowed down with advent of summer, but Is still turning profit and is expected to ride into fall season. Hot weather pushed pace down to a bit under $7,500 last week. ''Chauve-Souris," Century (23d week). Fifth week of new pro- gram presented by Gesfs Russian novelty company, with business standing up second only to "Fol- lies." •Follies," New Amsterdam (5th week). Ziegfeld revue beating all others aided by $4 scale that ex- tends for entire orchestra floor ■ and actually makes prices highest '• «ver for New Amsterdam. L<ast week gross of $37,600 again drawn. "Good Morning Dearie," Globe (36th •week) .Paired with "Muslo Box Revue" as season's leading mus- ical smashes. Agency buy extends through July, which ought to in- sure riding into fall season. Like others, skidded last week; dipped under $20,000 for first time. Gave matlnoo Fourth and sold out. *He Who Gets Slapped," Garrick (26th week). La.st week around $4,500. Cheap operation. ■Kempy,"' Belmont (8th week). Continues to sell out on lower floor, with few seats not disposed of in balcony. Approximately $8,000 weekly, not much under ca- pacity in this limited house. »*Kiki," Belasco (32d week). Be- lasco's dramatic smash; has held up to remarkable draw both at box office and in agencies. Never dropped under $15,000 and has been getting $16,000 and over of late. "Lawful Larceny," Republic (27th week). Last week's business did not go much over $4,000 and run may end this week. One of few shows to play matinee Fourth and benefited in unlooked-for degree. '*Mu8ic.Box Revue," Music Box (42d week). Now leading holdovers Into summer, though under ca- ^ pacity like others. Last week $21,500. •Partners Again," Selwyn (10th week). Selwyns took chance in bringing comedy smash Into town on evo of siftnmer, but large agency buy was secured and show has been leading the non-musicals. Last week, however, heat pushed pace to $14,500. "Pin Wheel," Earl Carroll (4th week). Cast changes bringing new people into revue, a Green- wich village conception. Business about an even break; closes Saturday. "Strut Miss Lizzie" moves here Monday. ''Shuffle Along," 63d Street (59th week). Another two weeks for the record-making colored revue, listed to enter SelwyUi Boston, at end of month. "Six Cylinder Love," Sam Harris (46th week). May ride through summer. Making little weekly, with business better than some others which h.ave been hanging on. Got nearly $7,000 last week. *'8pico of 1922," Winter Garden (1st week). The Jack Lalt »cvuc opened two weeks ago In Atlantic City to great business. Woko up Philadelphia at Walnut Street last week. Opened at Garden last (Thursday) night. ''Strut Miss Lizzie," Times Square (3d week). Moves to Carroll Mon- day; agreement called for only three weeks' rental here. Last week heat affected pace about $2l000 over opening week. Tak- ings were $5,800. "The Bat," Morosco (98th week), lias passed its 800th performance. Mystery pieco going through sec- ©nd summer with but ono or two weeks not seeing even break or better. Completes two years' run Aug. 19. "The Dover Road," Bijou (29th week). Went under $4,500 last week, but Htlll able to do better Gave matinee Fourth and sold out, weather break doing it. ^'The Goldfish," Astor (11th week). Hot going of last week slowed pace to tune of over $2,000 from smart increase of previous week, which was first since moving from Elliott. Takings little under $7,000. "The Hairy Ape," Plymouth. Closed Saturday as originally intended. Management was to have contin- ued attraction one more week. Weather turned, and with this week including Fourth of July, closing was made definite. Ran 11 werk«. Drew $6,000 final week. "Silver Wings," Apollo (8th week). Film. "Nero," Lyric (7th week). Film. OPERA IN RAIN Open-Air Performance of "Mikado" •t Carlin's Park Baltimore, July 8. Two thousand people saw the opening of the summer season of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in Carlin's Arena Monday night with DeWolf Hopper and a most Illus- trious light opera cast. "The Mi- kado" made its bow and produced unbounded enthusiasm among lo- cal theatregoers. Presented as It was m an open-air arena in an amusement park it was unfortunate enough to have its second act in- terrupted by a rain storm, yet an audience eager for more of it hud- dled under umbrellas while the or- chestra was removed to the back stage regions and the performance continued. The company Is also composed of Herbert Waterous, J. Humblrd Duffey, Arthur Cunningham and Alice McKenzie. The orchestra un- der the direction of Max Flschland- er played the score as it was meant to be played. The costumes were more than adequate—for with their Japanese handiwork and woven gold, they made an excellent show- ing. H. B. SIRE'S CARRIAGE" IN ESTATE'S UnGATION Alleaed Common-Law Wife Has Abandoned Fiaht—^ Opposed by A. I. Sire BURLESQUE THEATRE OPERATION By THOMAS R. HENRY *TETTY" OPENS IN TRISCO San Francisco, July 6. Morosco's Casino opened Satur- day with "So Long Letty" by the newly organized Morosco company. The opening performance was re- markably smooth and considerable credit is due Harry James, who di- rected, as well as to the capable cast assembled. Marjorie Leach, playing the titu- lar role, proves a happy selection for the role created by Charlotte Greenwood. She is built along the general style of that comedienne and bae a fine sense of comedy values. In support are Frank De- voe, Marta Golden, Ja:nes Dunn, Alma Francis, Herbert Hoey, Mar- na Dalore and Oakes and DeLour. all of whom acquitted themselves with honcrs. There are 20 girls in the chorus, well trained and corking sir ors. The one fault Is the costuming of the ensemble, evidently remakes from the original. fThe business was capacity on the opening nig t and it held up well Sunday. The Casino has been entirely re- decorated. The opening was at- tended among others by Oliver Morosco and his wife, the former Selma Paley, and Peggy Joyce. ••Letty" is at 25c.-75c., with the boxes at $1; smoklni^ permitted. The company Is really a stock or- ganization. It is expected - new musical bill will be offered in a few weeks. CLOSING IN FRISCO San Francisco. July 5. "The Circle," with John Drew and Mrs. Carter, and "Mr. Pim Passes Ry" will close with the local en- gagement. "Mr. Pim" has been engaged to remain for a third week at the Columbia while "The Circle' 'at the Century will open the new Selwyn, Chicago, on Labor Day. Nat Roth AbU fo^'Go Komo Chicago, July 5. Nat Roth, company manager of "Lilloi.i," managed to leave his sick lied at a local loop hotel Sunday uifl^btcak cv7n on sumwicr tcrms^. '^^^ depart to his home in- the ea.st. Through the referee's return of all papers relating to the litigation over the estate • left by Henry B. Sire, formerly theatre owner and manager. It was disclosed last week in the Surrogate's Court that the fight begun In 1918 between a Lizzie La Vere Sire, who claimed to be decedent's common-law wife, and Albert L Sire, his brother, who denied her claim, has been aban- doned. Henry B. Sire, who was 57, died after a long Illness, without leaving a will, Jan. 17, 1917. Early In life he was In the real estate business with his father, and about 25 years ago entered the theatrical field and purchased the New York theatre. Later he leased the Casino theatre. He retired about a dozen years ago. After his death, upon her affidavit to the court she was his widow and that he was also survived by sev- eral brothers, Lizzie La Vere Sire of 237 West 51st street had herself appointed the administratrix of Mr. Sire's property, and later on sought through court proceedings to have Albert I. Sire turn over to her c-t*- tain property which she claimed be- longed to the estate and was under his control. Albert I. Sire appeared in court. In answer to her complaint he de- manded the revocation of her ad- ministration letters upon the ground that his brother was a bachelor. He said that he was his brother's con- fidential adviser on all matters anvl had been most Intimate with him for the last 30 years of his life. He said his first knowledge that ad- ministration letters upon the estate had been issued and that there was such a thing as a "wife" In Henry's life was when the administratrix served him with the court order directing him to appear before the Surrogate and be examined as to property belonging to the estate and alleged to be under his control. Mr. Sire further said that his brother Henry was paralyzed lor about a year and a half before his death, was unable to leave the house and that the sorcalled wife never came near him during that time. Answering Mr. Sire's allegations, Lizzie La Vere Sire made an affi- davit to the court in which she said: "In the summer of 1876 the late Henry B. Sire and deponent agreed to live together as husband and wife. "Said Henry placed a plain gold ring on the finger of deponent and said to her: •• 'Now we are married In the eye of God, though not In the eye of man,' and said Henry and this deponent continued to live together as husband and wife. "For about two or three years they lived in a hotel In Waverly place. Then they moved to an apartment at 140 West 36th street, where they lived for 17 years, and then moved to 237 West 51st street, at which place they lived together for 20 years, and your deponent Is still living In the same house." Because she said that a few months prior to Henry's death he went away to Hot Springs, Ark., for his health, and then went to his late father's farm near Morristown, N. J., and that all the members of the Sire family knew her well. Surrogate Fowler, since retired, be- cau.«5e of the age limit, appointed Judge Charles Brown referee to ascertain the facts In the contro- versy. Henry B. Sire, who left realty and personalty the value of which wnl not be known until, under the di- rection of the court, it is appiai8*-d for inheritance taxation. In addi- tion to his brother, Albert, Is sur- vived by three other brothers, Lawrence, Leander and Clarence Sire. In May, 1891, Henry B. Sire was named defendant in a $50,000 breach of promise suit brought by Estlirr Jacobs, a singer, and after a trial before Justice Sedwick and a jury, Dec. 19, 1892, was ordered to pay $25,000 and 11,568.24 costs. Mr. Sire took an appeal, but dropped it May 25. 1893. In her complaint Miss Jacobs charged that on Nov. 15, 1887, Mr, Sire promised to marry her within Quite likely tTieatregoers of the United States do not realize some facts In connection with the opera- tion of the theatres composing the Columbia Amusement Company circuit. Columbia's theatres are conducted In most cases precisely the same as are the $2 theatres as to details of upkeep. This applies particularly to such matters as cleanliness and repairs. It Is not because the other theatres are so carefully looked after that Columbia houses are scrupulously maintained. They are kept clean and inviting because It is part of the system to have everything done right, in front as well as behind the footUghts. Conditions in all cities where the Columbia circuit is represented in- dicate that old-time prejudice against burlesque is fast disappear- ing under the realization that bur- lesque is no longer offensive. Tne theatre-going public is learning the not differ and the same high stand- ards of music are demanded in bur* lesque as elsewhere. In the matter of expenses the ad« vertising material, tickets and the programs are printed by the saniv printers at the same prices as those of the gilt-edge houses. Not long ago, unfortunately, man/ persons harbored wrong Ideas con- cerning what the burlesque stage had to offer. It seemed natural for many folks to expect that burlesque offered Jokes, songs and puns of questionable humor and suggestive- ness. This hurt burlesque, and It is to overcome the harmful impres- sion and totally destroy It that pro* ducers and managers now insist' nothing questionable Is permitted' to creep Into any of their shows. Producers, authors and managers of musical comedies and farces aro' not so particular. And this leaves' a strange situation in which we find the shows presented In the hign priced theatres often bordering on the shady, while shows in the bur- THOMAS R. HENRY .stigma attached to burlesque is wholly undeserved. Although not generally known, the weekly expense of conducting a burlesque theatre is as heavy as for maintaining the high-priced housen. Theatre locations of the Columbia circuit are of the best ,the seating arrangements arc the same as In all other theatres; the newspaper ad- vertisements are as large and often larger, and tho same license re- quired for burlesque as all other theatres. And for ventilation and sanitation It Is doubtful if there au any better equipped. Musicians playing in burlesque theatres are the same as tho^e playing In the most expensive houses; they receive the same sa.- aries and it is not at all unusual for orchestra men to go from tne great opera houses, and musical comedy theatres to burlesque and vice versa. Their rate of pay does lesque houses are kept scrupulously clean. The public has come to recognize this situation. One often hears It said nowadays that those seeking something risque had best go to tne high-priced theatres, for in bur- lesque shows the plots, musical numbers. Jokes, dances and cos- tumes are above reproach. It Is not unreasonable to predict something which may seem far fetched to some, but Is nevertheless quite within the bounds of proba- bilities and that Is that burlesque authors, producers and players of the present will exert a great influ- ence in uplifting the stags and rais- ing the moral tone of all American theatrical entertainment. And the .standards put into effect and con- scientiously observed on the Colum- bia circuit will be the big factor in such improvement of the entire American stage. clal instance" shp pave up her musical career in which she made "large gains and profits by singing in public, at concerts and other places, where money was paid ror admittance." She said that at "the time of .«?ald promise the dofcndmt represented and stated to the plaintiff he had an intrigue with a woman, who.se name he did not disclose to this plaintiff, but who was and i.s now known and reproscnling herself to be 'Mrs. Henry B. Sire'." During the breach of prnmis-o case court documents show Lizzie La Vere Sire was rx.'rtninod. Sno testified she was then 34 years old (1S92), and had met Mr. f;iru some time In 1880, having been intro- duced to him by one Goorgle Lil- roux at the Erandroth House, who was a friend of Mr. Slre,-^ ^ Lizzie La Vere said that In. 1876, possibly 1875, she was married lo .1 Henry Lane, "who went traveling, pometimes for his health and some- times went on businc?5S. She said a reasonable time, and at his "."ipc- that h^ rhaldcn Yiame wa.<i Lizzie La Vere and that she had married Mr. Lane in the parlor room or an old minister's home somewhere in Brooklyn, the name and addroes of the minister which she could not recall. She said that she had her marriage certificate somewhere among her private papers and was not sure that she could find it im- mediately. She said that Mr. Lane died .«!o»newhere in California, just where arnl when and of what she did not know as she was in the east and only heard of it; just how and where she did not say, but did remember that it was about 1876, or about a year after their marriage. She admilttd that Henry B. Sire had given her money and purchased various things for her, but said It was of his own free will and she really needed none of hl« financial help as ske had money of her own. She said that she had an aunt, called Elizabeth A. Fessler, and that shortly before her aunt died the latter had made her a present of $15,000 In ca^h.