Variety (July 1922)

r Friday. July 14. 1928 BURLESQUE WEEKLY OVERHEAD LIMIT FOR MUTUAL SHOWS Smaller Burlesque Circuit to "Sell** Attraction to House for $1,150— $200 Weekly Profit for Pro- ducer—Seven Principals and 16 Chorus Girls The plan of operation for the newly organized Mutual Burlesque Association shows will be somewhat Bimilar to the manner in which the Burlesaue Booking Offices handled its shows last season. The Mutual plans to get under way around* the latter part of August. The house receiving Mutual franchises will "buy" the show from the Mutual booking office each iweek. The show will receive $1,150. The producers must limit their overhead for ^ach show to J950 a \veek. The producers in that way are guaranteed $200 a week for their proJit. No matter whether the show does $1,200 on a given week or $5,000. the producer receives the sam.^ amount for his share—$200. ,.> The producers are r<?<iuircd to have seven principals witk each show—two comedians, straignt ai^d character man. and three women, ingenue, soubret and prima. Ench Show will have sixteen chorus girls. There will be a cr^nsor board rnain- taircd by the Mutual to see that its rMlesj are carried out with r*>spect to t,he number of principals and chu»- isters. ^ _ None of the sh^ws will carry any set plL'CC3 of scenery, everything in the scenic line being of the aniiit.v- dyed order, that can be carried in trunks. In that way the Mutual shows will eliminate the carrying of stage carpenters^ electriciaTis and property men. Each house will have about six sets of scenery, and these will be shifted around the cir- cuit on an exchange ,b<'\sis wjin other houses every three or four weeks. Leo Singer, connected with the Jacobs & Jermon office for a num- ber of years, has been appointed general manager of the Mutual. Franchises are scheduled to be allotted next week.* The shows will play at a general scale of 75 cents top. The houses of the M. B. A. will ^ pay all baggage and transportation charges. HILL'S KICK May Go into Court Against Co- lumbia An internal battle within the Tanks of the Columbia directorate that has been simmering for sev- eral weeks, and ia scheduled to break any day now, holds possibili- ties of developing into a flght that will line up the stockholders of the organization in factions. Ou« Hill at present is the 4ole in- surgent, avowedly opposed to the management of the Columbia Amusement Co. and allied proper- ties In which he holds stock Inter- «»ts. Hill threatens to seek the aid of the courts to correct certain al- leged matters in Cnlumbii manage^ ment to which he is opposed. Hill's chief complaint appears to be against the payment of salaries to the executives of the Columbia. The disagreement is scheduled to reach the court stage this week or next week. While it has not been conceded or admitted by Hill, it !.•» reported that burlesque people now with the Shu- bert vaudeville interests who hold Btock In the Columbia will be lined up .vith Hill in the battle that now seems Inevitable. LEVITTS ON COLUMBIA Joe and rrr.rrV. T-«vU: Tvr: thl.s week to the list of ColumMa producers for next season. The Levitt.s will operate a .show, prob- ably in conjunction wif.i .John G. Jermon. The title has not been se- lected. ^ The Levitts formerly operated a snow on tJie American wheel. Their 'Somo Show" played the lonscst of ^"y of the American Hhow.«. and was iitrd na one of the few that nni.Hhed la.si sea.>^on with a profit. SHARING TERMS Columbia's Scale to Be Revised and Resubmitted ssc AMERICAN'S $30,000 VERDICT IS UPSET Retrial Ordered of Columbia Co.'s Suit on Two Notes The proposed sliding scale shar- ing terras plan for the Columbia shows and houses next season came up for di.Hcu.s8ion at the monthly meeting of the Columbia directors Thursday (July 6). A tentative table of sharing terms with a sliding scale for each of the Columbia houses was drawn up and submitted to the directors for con- sideration. These will be gone over by the directors with a view of re- vising either way. The different tables will be re- aubmitted to the Columbia director- ate at the monthly meeting sched- uled for the first Thursday in Au- gust, and a final system evolved that will .set the sharing terms for the se.json. The principle of the proposed new sharing terms call for a .«<how play- ing a Columbia house and doing $5,003 \o leceive a 50-50 split. If the .show doers 50.000 it would re- ceive more, with the i^ho'.v's share increasing with the amount of busi- ness done. I PUNCHING BAG SUIT In the $30,000 suit by the Colum- bia Amusement Co. against the American Burlesque Association on two note.s, Justice Cohalan In the New York Supreme Court Wednes- day set aside the verdict for the defendant and granted the Colum- bia a new trial. The A. B. A:. three weeks ago, before a Jury won out on its contention that the $30,- 000 notes (one for $20,000 and one for $10,000) were not to be redeemed until the Mount Morris theatre. New York, and the Capitol, Washington, D. C, had earned enough profits to cover the notes. The consideration back of the notes was the selling of a con- trolling Interest in the theatres by the Columbia to the A. B. A., the provision being they were not re- deemable until certain profits had been made. Leon La.ski on the day he sailed for Kurope three weeks ago argued for the Columbia that the verdict was against the evidence and con- trary to law. Ju.«tlce Cohalan's de- cision on Wednesday decided in fa- vor of the Columbia. The new trial will not ome up until the fall. COLORED SHOW OFF Columbia Circuit Rules for Only Whitee. Woman Auditor Hit by Flying Bag, Sent by Jack Johnson Buffalo. July 12. Suit against the American Bur- le.squc Enterprises, Inc., and Jack Johnson, the pugilist, Mas been be- gun by Mrs. Margaret M. Broham for Injuries sustained when -a punching bag, slammed by the ex- champion during the course of his act, came loo.se and landed in the audience at the Academy last No- vember. Knocking the bag from its moor- ings is a favorite stunt for exhibit- ing pugiltst.s. On the occa.sion in question the bag flew into the crowd, striking the plaintiff on the side of the head and rendering her unconscious for half an hour. BUT ONE "BOZO" The Columbia Amusement Co. has rendered a decision to the ef- fect that but one comic may use the name "Bozo" next season on the circuit. This will be Bozo Sny- der with the "Follies of the Day." The decision followed a complaint registered by the Miner-Qerard peo- ple against the proposed billing u/ Mddie (Bozo) Fox with Jimmie Cooper's show. The all-colored show slated to be called the "Syncopated Revue" that ilurtig & Seamon had In prepara- tion as a Columbia wheel attraction for next season has been called off as far as the Columbia is con- cerned, the Columbia Amusement Co. having ruled against any but white shows for the coming year. NEW HAVEN 0|y WHEEL New Haven, Conn., will be off t«e Columbia wheel next seapon. The Columbia shows played the Hy- perion there for the last few years. Worcester, Mass., will replace it. the shows playing a full week at the Franklyn Squar6. The latter house has had dramatic stock as its most recent policy. t One Cilumbia-DcCourvllIe Show *AP;ort ,1,. Cuurvillc will h.iv«> one j^Um\ , f two show.'*. .Ks .it firs' rarruig..,!^ t.^ {^^ Columbia circuit "<'Xt i.:uun. M. S. II Mitham will *''*I>ro.ont de Courvllles interests over hci-e. AL REEVES SET The Al Reeves show on the Co- lumbia wheel for next season is set. Al will open It in his home town, Brooklyn. Augu.st 14. at the Casino, playing a couple of preliminary weeks before the regular opening. George Ward in principal comic and will have Hilda Giles as as- sistant. Miner Estate in with -"C- Joan r.eilini will oper;<te his "Churklt\s of IOL'2" on thf Columbia wheel n<'xt s«'asf»n. in partner.ship with ihf Minor E.>^tate. The Bodim show intfr<-st of he Minor.n will re- I)laro the "CJirls de Looks." whirh tho MiM'Ms antl I'.arnoy (;or,«nl jointly opuatfd for several .sea.sons past. Edwards a". Casino, Philly Diirlos IMwiu-d.-^. (>ni<(» manager for Harry Ha.stings for .several year** pa.st. has breu a;)pointo(J rosid.'nt man;\por of lh«? Casino. rhilad<'lphi.i. n«'Xi .sea.son. The house p'.ay.s the Columbia whcol allows. ESTATE OF WM. V. JENNINGS Tl»e will of William V. Jennins-. junior member of the firm of Peck &. Jennings, producing »managers of "The Jazz Babies," on the American Burlesque circuit last season, filed last week for probate in the Surro- gates Court, leaves his entire es- tate of "about $400" in per.sonaiiy to his widow, Lottie B. Jennings, of 550 West 180th street, New York. She, without bonds, is named as the executrix. The document admitted to pro- bate this week was executed April 24. 11)17. Mr. Jennings, survived also by a brother and three sisters, died May 21 of a complication of diseases that brought on rheumatism of the heart. He was 59 years old and had been assioclated with George Peck for several years In producing shows. Prior to that time Mr Jennings had been in the employ of James E. Cooper for ten or more years. BUBLESaUE ENOAOEMENTS J. J. Lieberman and Harry Sha- piro have been engaged as road managers for Barney Gerard's^two unit shows. Shafer Manager for Hastings Eddie Shafer, formerly with the Gerard office, has been appointed manager of Harry Hastings Colum- bia show, "Knick Knacks," next season. Bernhard Managing Miner's Bronx Hughie Bernhard has been ap- pointed manager for Miner's Bronx next sea.son. He will succeed Wil- liam Rife. The Minerva, Jersey City, under the management of Charles May. plays vaudeville starting Monday, booked by Harry Lorraine of the Fally Markus olTlce. The house will fnny itiCe t\vo-day splits with three acts to each h!ll. Wooniaud l*Sj:LL, Trenton, ?'. J., has vaudeville four lots for a full week with no mat- inees, booked by Fally Markus. SPORTS An outing was t<'ndere<l Harry ra<M*«n and Louis Piiious booking Wf-n (ftrin»'(lod with the Amal«a- rnated ARonry -by the inflop«'n«lont .»g«-ntH Wodnesday. A boat was (•hirler«d and a trip taken up the IliKl.son. Harry Shea was niastor of ctTc-monics. George Gambrill ha.i b'-en ap- poiiilrd press r<'r»ro.H«'ntative for ih- • Ki hot'S of Broadway" Shiil)"i t vaud-vilb* unit that the Butlf^r Ks- tate will oj>v'rate noxt season. The VelodromO, New York's new open air sport arena, staged another ohamplonAhip boxing match Mon- day night, when Joe Lynch, the youthful bantam scrapper of West Forty-seventh street, regained the crown of his class by defeating Johnny Buff of Jersey City, against whom is marked a technical knock- out. The finish came within eight seconds after the 14th round began. Lynch, who was ahead by a mile on points, rushed acroHs the ring to Bull's corner. Joe almost had to step around Patsy Haley, tho ref- eree, ile was at the weakened Buff like a flash. lacing him with both hands. A clip with the left to the chin sent the veteran from across the Hudson to the canvas. He rest- ed on his elbows and the count had hardly begun when a towel was flung into the ring by Buff's sec- ond. That individual, who looked like a physician, leaped over the ropes, touched his boy, who had now arisen, on the shoulder and the defeated bantamweight king walked to his corner without protest. The action of Buff's second was the sane thing to do. The badly beaten little man was weak from the loAs of blood that streamed from his mouth from the second round on. In the 13th Joe chased Joj^nny around the ring, buffeting him about the face. Haley looked towards Buff's corner twice, ex- pecting the towel to be thrown then. At the end of the round the refeic^ talked earnestly with Buff and his seconds. The Jersey midget entered the'ring at 113V^ ])ounds. Lynch was an- nounced ut 117% pounds and looked three pounds heavier. Not only did Buff concede weight, which is often vital in bouts of this division, but he had the disadvantage of sever..! inches in reach. Also Buff had not fought since early in the winter, a factor which was doped to count against him. Buff was the pos.scs.sor of two-box- ing championships, holding the fly- weight titio as well as the bantam- weight. Though defeated be still ranks with the champions. Judged from his performance Monday, he would do lielter to htick to his class, since a man of his age (reputed to be 34) can hiirdly hope ^ to again figure with the sturdier boxers of more weight. Two seasons ago Lynch won the bantam championship from Babe Herman. Soon afterwards Herman turned the tables on the we«t sider. Along came Buff, who had Just an- nexed the flyweight title, and lifted the crown again from Herman's dome. -Last winter Lynch and Buff were matched for Madison Square Garden, but an operation forced Buff to cancel. The long lay-off and Illnoits was doubtless the telling factor against him and flght circles were surprised that Buff risked his title without bplng "right." I..^nch w T a nine to Ave favorite. He had defeated Buff once before. That was prior to the Jersey lad's meeting with Herman. Buff is known to have a "sock," but he never connected with Lynch Mon- day. His blows when they did land found parking spots on Joe's Ahoul- dors and chest. Barely did he And Lynch's map. After the flrst two rounds it looked like a 20 to 1 for Lynch to win. He left the ring unmarked. Lynch'a left punched to the championship. He used the right infrequently, but It often counted, and there is no doubt he held it in reserve. Joe's portslde Jabbing had the Jerseyite badly bleeding In the second and In the third round the "one-two" made It worse. In the fifth Lynch staggered BuflC with rights to the chin. At the bell Johnny peered at the west sider, slowly circled and went to his cor- ner. It looked over at that point. In the next session Lynch knocked Buff across the ring. BuflC retali- ated with lefts to tho face. It was about the best round for Buff, but Joe more than evened it up. In the r»n»h mxi'i mUi^^-I V,'it:it tiirc>ufih the rope« under pressure Of ft Lynch volloy. A right to the Jaw further damaged him and he spat out a to(*lh or pieoe of bridgework, which Haloy picked up. Tho crowd start- ed moving after that. P^ach round found a moveinont toward the exits. Buff dospi-rately tried in the next two round.H. but he did not se«m a bio to hurt Lynch. Not one rouM'l was won by Johnny and only one rould be counted even. Lyneh n"t only outfought his man all th«' way. but niatle it (.no of the mo.st ono-sidod chamidonship flglits se«'n in years. Al.so one of the goriowt The .semi-final was an audience tickler, a curious exhibition of sock- ing by two second rateru—Frankie Jerome of the Bronx and Jack Wolfe of Cleveland. The latter is a sawed- off little Italian, weighted at 120 pounds, which was the poundage of Jerome, a rangy youth. Jerome floored the Cleveland midget four or Ave times in the Arst round. Wolfe couldn't be bothered with taking the count. Though woozy, he came back at the close and slammed Jerome around the ring, with the crowd in an uproar. Wolfe started diving again in the second, but again made Jerome pay attention. Wolfe was on the floor a number of times after that, once sllppinic down prone on his stomach. The bell saved him in the ninth, but it was not until the 11th. when he vaa again flattened, that he took the count. In the eighth the western party came to life and did some fancy walloping that had the Bronx kid in trouble and the crowd ex- cited. Wolfe for the most part was punch drunk. Not once at the bell did he know In what direction hia corner was. He had to be sent on his way by the referee most of the time. How he stayed the 12-round limit only he knows, and Joe Hum- phries made an unnecessary an- nouncement that Jerome was the winner. It was an evening of heavy hit- ting by little men. In the opening four-rounder Willie O'Connell of the same stable as Lynch defeatcl a bald-headed boxer nAmed Murray. Harry Brown of Philadelphia and Johnny Drummle of Jersey, two lightweights, traded wallops In a six-round match next. Drummlo took a severe body pummeling. Brown getting the decision. The Velodrome Is the summer quarters of Tex RIckard, the arena ali«o being a banked bike track for cycle and nr.otor-paced races twice weekly. It Is located at 225th street, close to tho west side subway. Mo- tcrr car parking places are In de- pressions on either aide of the street, making it a tedious job of getting away from the spot. A crowd of 3.500. the largest that ever attended a boxing show In T.oy N? Y., saw a disappointing card at Bolton Hall last week. The bouts were under the auspices of the Knights of Columbus. The main contest, between Frankie Laureatte, local pride, and Vince Coffey, Kings- ton welterweight, was a flivver, and the scheduled four-round exhibition bout between Joe Lynch. New York, bantamweight, and Battling Reedy. his Mparring partner, was called off by the Athletic Commission. Coffey had prevlojsly defeated Laureatte, but the latter's manager vowed that It would be a different story on the return engagement. Reams and reams of newspaper talk about a knockout, grudge flght and all the other p. a. stuff, with the added bait of an exhibition bout by Joe Lynch, led the fans to expect big things, but they were handed a lemon, as la so often the case when a "steaming up" process is employed, laureatte assumed a Jim Jeffries crouch and stuck in his shell until the Uth round, when he cut loose. Few blows w . struck by either and the crowd razzed both from tho fourth round on. In the eighth round many pa- trons started to wend their way out, flguring that they had seen enough "Aghting' for the night. To make the lemon sourer, one of the con- testants in a preliminary was not allowed to go on by the Athletic Commission because of his age. The receipts were $5,926, with the win- ner's share in the main go $1,125 and the loser's the same, according to report. The K. of C. received about $1,200 for its end. City ^nd county authorities last week took action to end the opera- tion of baseball pools in Troy. It is alleged at least three big pools iiave been doing bufllncss in tho city since the baseball season started. One is CtniUvil^/d ty a Truy jnan^ another by Boston men and ihv third by >?- bany men. Complaints were made several weeks ago, but it was decide,] to await the return c District At- torney Timothy J. Qulllinan from France, wliore he went after two "horse raoo" swindlers. The district attorney waS'Unable to take up the matter until Friday, when he con- ferred with Milyor Jamet W. Flem- ing, and mapped out plans for war on the pools by the combined forces of city and county i>olice. A factor in brinK'ing about this action was a letter Kent to the district attorney by (Continued on page 21)