Variety (July 1922)

14 LEGITIMATE Friday, July 14, 1022 try " "'i " ■;'^"" i^C INSM STUFF ON LEGIT One Brondwny house manager h.a« put an end to petty thievery In dreHSing rooinn. The doors have been refitted with loeky, there being but two KiaHter keys, one in the poesession of the scrubwoman and the other In charge of the stage door keeper, who Is required to see that All keys are returned after each performance by the players. Com- plaints of loss of make-up and small articles are the rule in attractions having choruses. The choresters usually use one large room and there it Is a east of each girl for herself. A St. IxAiie candy manufacturing firm is Investigating its rights in the use of Billic Burkes name, by which it markets chocolates. Some years ago the firm secured an assignment of the rights from Miss Burke's manager and has been selling its goods through the middle west. Recently a large drug store chain in the east, with candy as a prominent side line, started to market Billie Burke chocolates Though the western candy men registered the name ae a trade-mark, there is a question whether it will hold good exclusively, in New York state because the firm never attempted to sell in this territory. was the scratch man, at 84. Mr. Shaw won a silver cigar box. Rudolph Cameron, second, received a silver cigaret box; B. J. Greenhut, third, got a leather cigaret box. The fourth prize, razor set, was won by Reginald Mason. Brandon Hurst received the fifth prize, an English cigaret holder. Silver flasks were the three remaining prizes, to Otto Kruger, Eugene BucJc and Mr. Webb in that order. Sam Blzaa ran up a total of 169 and waii given a silver flask for extra labor. The Lambs had 70 members present. The hosts provided a private car from New York. At Deal they were taken in auto buses to the course. Those obliged to return early for performances the same even- ing got off first. ^ Messrs. Talmadge and Blocfc, who publish an exteneive chain of daily papers besides periodicals, are not members of the Lambs. LEGIT ITEMS / Benjamin F. Glazer, the playwright whose adaptation of "Liliom" was the outslunding Theatre Guild success la^ft season, will be abroad until late fall. With his wife he has taken a house in the suburbs of Berlin and has settled down to writing. Among his assignments is an adapta- tion of "Peer Gynt," which the Guild will put on next reason with Joseph Shildkraut in the lead. The organization announced it would not use the Mansfield version of "Gynt." The Glazers visited Vienna and Budapest last month and say it is truly a stricken country compared to Germany, On arrival in the latter city they drove about in a two- horse fiacre for hours seeking accommodations. They finally were di- rected to what was supposed to be a sanitarium, some distance out of town. It turned out to be a hospital, but they were taken care of there. Later they secured a room and bath in a leading hottl, the rates being 36 cents per day, American. Similar accommodations in Berlin cost $4 per day, American. The failure of E. M. Fuller A Co., the Consolidated Exchange house, whose operations in Mexican Petroleum are likely to be examined by the United States District Attorney, has a theatrical angle. William F. McGee, who was Fuller's partner in the firm, married Louiee Groody, the musical comedy star, about six months ago. He was formerly one of Charles Stoneham's lieutenants. The brokerage venture of Fuller and McGee is said to have been financed by Fuller's former wife, who was Nelly Henry, wife of Jockey Henry, who for years ran a popular American bar in London and died wealthy. The present trip abroad of Florenz Zi*^gfeld, Jr., is said to have sig- nificance in regard to th future of the titular role in "Sally" for next season in the event the Marilyn Miller-Jack Pickford marriage takes place Aug. 1 as scheduled at present. In marrying Miss Miller will violate her contract, it is said, with the producer, which contains a "ncn-marrying clause." In that event it Is believed Dorothy Dickson, at present abroad, will be brought back to take over the role originated by Miss Miller in the production. It Is planned for Miss Miller to go immediately to the coast after the wedding and begin work on a feature picture to take advantage or the publicity of her "Sally" engagement and the subsequent space which the proposed marriage has had devoted to it Sever.ll years ago when Miss Miller first started with the Ziegfeld "P'ollies " several tests were made of her to ascertain screen possibilities with the result proving unsatisfactory. "Wlure is Peggy O'Neil?" friends of the star have been asking for several week*?. Among those anxious' is Kea Martin, who received a calilegram from Miss O'Neil several^eeks ago she was sailing within a few days for tliis country, but as yet Miss O'Neil has not arrived. Cables to England to her have brought no reply. Hans Bartsch, the play broker was denied his motion for summary Judgment for $7,772.04 against Sam S. & Lee Shubert, Inc., arising from the sale of the American rights to "The Blue Fox" to the Shubert* last year. Bartsch Is entitled to re- cover the amount of money th« defendant admits Is coming to him under the amended answer, Justice Marsh In the New York Supreme Court ruling that the Issues In th« contract disputed by the Shubertf are entitled to be tried. Despite uncertainty among the theatrical men of Pittsburgh as to whether the Nixon in that city will surely play Shubert vaudeville next season, the Shubert forces in New York assert It positively will. That has been settled, it is stated, between the Shubert and Erlanger offices. The unsettled point for Sh bert vaudeville appears to be In Chicago. There are three theatres for a choice, with the Colonial (Erlanger) elim- inated from consideration. The possible Shubert vaudeville house will be either the Garrick, Apollo or Great Northern. The Apollo is looked upon as too expensive for Shubert $1 vaudeville, the Garrick as too valuable for the road shows, but preferable to the Apollo, while the Great Northern it Is thought hae a desirable location for the pop price enter- tainment and will come back strong with proper bills. A decision may not be 1 cached by the Sbuberts until shortly before the season starts. A *ttory in London just now is that at a recent performance over there in the nature of a benefit, and which royalty attended, an English I'rince of much popularity expressed his displeasure at a rather well known London comedian by turning his back to the stage while the comedian was on it. This displeasure by the princely one is said to date back some time, when the comedian was at the Alhambra, London. One evening the popular Prince, in company with a young woman, attended the performance without announcement. He wafi supposed to be incog. The comedian was on as the Prince seated himself and did an ad lib, remarking audibly, "Ah, here again with another one!" It is said the other artists at the benefit, understanding the silent rebuke to the comedian, when the finale arrived for the ensemble to stand up as the national anthem was played, the ensemble enveloped the comedian, shutt.ng him from view. The comedian sought the stage manager, indulging in angry words, blaming him for the finale bit, but the professional opinion of the affair in London seems to side with the Prince. Emily Kean, for 25 years on the American stage, left an estate of about $300 In personalty and no will when she died on Jan. 3, ac- cording to Thomas P. Smith, the County Administrator, In his ap^ plication for letters of administra- tion upon the property. The dece- dent, survived, so far as it is at present known, by Annie Jarvis, an aunt, of Jersey City, N. J., wae about 48 years old and lived at 300 West 48th street. She died a victim of asphyxiation, the belief being that she had lighted a gas stove and then retired, and that the flame was extinguished by a guest of wind from a partly open window. At the time of her death she had bten acting as purchasing agent for a costuming concern. The Shuberts' press sheet saye John DcSilva is assistant stage manager of "The Gold Fish" at the Astor,, New Y'ork. Formerly an of- fice boy for the Shuberts, DeSilva is now playing his first role in th^ piece. I If anybody doubts but that the legitimate theatre has reached its between seasons ebb, a glance at the vacation schedule of the daily newspaper reviewers would be a convincer. Percy Hammond, who came •from the Chicago "Tribune" to the New York "Tribune" only a few months agO, is away from his desk for a month. Heywood Broun, who tells 'em about it for the New York "World," is away for a like period. So is Quinn L. Martin, Broun's assistant. George Bye is pinch-hitting for Martin. Burns Mantle of the "Mail" will leave the city for a mor^th. Ben Holtzman will sit in for him. Eugene Kelcey Allen, reviewer for "Women's Wear," and boulevardier in general, is off on a motor trip to Quebec. He made cure of being back in time for the early openings by taking a guaranteed half of 1 per cent, chauffeur with him. Lionel A twill is going to contfnue in vaudeville next season, for a while, anyway, in his sketch, "The White Face Fool." The Keith oflfice has given the Bela.sco star 32 or 15 consecutive weeks upon the opening of next season at $2,000 weekly. Mr. Atwill may even remain longer in the varieties, owing to the condition of the Belasco playing forces. David Belasco's first intention was to play the Warfield "Mer- chant of Venice" engagement at the Belasco, but that will likely be shifted to the Lyceum, throujh the anticipated continuous run of "Kiki" with Lenore Ulric at the Belasco. It left no theatre of Belasco's own available for Atwill at the sea.son's opening. The Charles Frohman oflfice is said to have a play and theatre for Atwill, and to which Belasco is agreeable, as is the star, but the question is reported to have arisen as to who should h:.ve the authoritative direction cf Atwill and the piece—Belasco or Frohman—with the matter unsettled over that point, and no probability of its adjustment. Rose & Curtis, the vaudeville agents who have handled Mr. Atwill's Keith'q bookings so far, are said to have exerted considerable influence with Mr. Atwill to remain in vaudeville until his legit plans become nlore tangible. The Atwill vaudeville engagement 1 looked upon as one of the best tone for better vaudeville, the etar having proved a drawing card and his playlet a success. His vaudeville salary, $2,000, is looked upon as a reasonable one for the double attraction of the Atwill act. Anne Sutherland returned to Kei4^ York this week to find herself r^^ ported dead when she visited tb4 dramatic agencies. Over the pbonil she naively explained ebe lia4 merely filled a summer etock eii< gagement with Rumsey's Maiiliat« tan Players at Rochester. liiMi Sutherland said it was possible ih4 rumor arose following the death of Eugenia Blair in Chicago earlier in the summer while appearing in "Anna Christie." Through a mis- understanding Miss Sutherland Wai" supposed to have been In that cast A lot of people at the Carroll theatre gave credit to "The Pin Wheel" for having on its payroll a lot of highly paid specialty people not really engaged. "A Quiet Evening at Home," the Hitchcock scene in which Hitchcock figures, has been worked up Into an "invitation and volun- teer" affair. Hitchy or Frank Fay makes a quiet canvasd of the audience during the evening. If they notice a prominent player in the house, he or she Is lured to the stage for a specialty during the "At Home" scene Where possibje they provide In advance for the preeence of some well known professionals in the house as guests, Clarence Nordstrom and Edythe Baker were wished in a few evenings ago. It is an original idea by Frank Fay and first used by Fay in some of hie revues. George Tfillis, the Australian showman who heads the Williamson Enterprises and who was recently knighted by King George, arrived in London this week from the Antipodes via Suez. He was Joined there by George ("Mick") Tallis, his eon, who is now a sophomore at Harvard. This summer has brought some record low receipts to Broadway at- tractions that dared to brave it. Two of the loweet grosses are reported for "The Bronx Express" at the Astor ($86 for a night performance), and "The Pinch Hitter" at the Henry Miller ($140 on two Saturday per- formances). The matinee on the record Saturday Is said to have held an audience of 12 people. Both shows have since closed. "The Bronx Express" was accounted a hit comedy had it been properly cast. "The Pinch Hitter" opened in the heat, striking Broadway at the wrong time. The Gaiety, New York, has been stripped to the concrete floor and is being entirely redecorated and partially remodeled. Plans provide for the addition of a row of seats on the lower floor which will give the house a capacity of close to 900. A new stage, new seats and carpets will be installed. The house was opened in December, 1908. This is the first time it has bee.i overhauled. It was leased to Klaw & Erlanger until a year ago, when the Erlanger interests purchased the house along with the Fulton, which adjoins it. Some time ago a Chieago manager ln#<tituted divorce proceedings against his wife in the Superior Court there on the grounds of deser- tion.. After his differences became public the manager for some reason started on a drinking rampage. Having been in Chicago for many years, his friends tried to make him understand he was not doing the right thing, but he turned a deaf ear to their entreaties and became incensed i at their "inter^rence." Recently It wae learned that besides his own matrimoni.al troubles he may be involved In another couple's affairs by being named in e divorce suit now in ttw^-Chicago courts. Doraldina is back in New York iter a, terrifying experience in a motor boat off the Cv xst of Florida three weeks ago. She was in Miami making a personal picture appea ance. With her husband Frank Saunders, and several others she went fisWng in a 30-foot power boat, manned by a captain and mate. The party was 20 miles off the main light when a sudden squawl arose. A series of gales followed and the boat was sw.^pt to the south, finally being thrown up on a eand pit around the Florida keys 36 hours later. Government boats and airplanes scoured the seas, the latter frequently firing signal lights. The Doraldina party was unable to answer, however and was given up for lost. Government men were ;.mazed the emali boat was able to ride out the etorm. said to be the worst in 35 years. In the Javanese scene of "Spice of 1922," four of the girls are hand- painted, appearing in the fresh looking coloring with little covering Bob Ward of the Robert Law scenic studios is said to be the painteV of the young women for each performance. How the paint is removed or who removes it remains a secret back stage at the Garden. Sam Ilarris and Arch Selwyn are trying to reach a decision for the final make.up of the executive staff of the new theatres in Chicago Thus far no manager has been chosen for the Harris theatre The beiwyns nave their man (Walter Duggan) on the ground caring for their interests. ** JfV^^^'^r^'''^ ''I ^^l ^^^ ^""'^ ^"*^^ "•'^"^^ ^'^^^" <>"^ manager for both theatres, extending th- duties of press work at the Harris to Duggan, in addition to his work with the Selwyns. The man the Harris office has in mind is Harry Ridings, who is using influences to gain the- position of manager for both theatre*. If the Ridines Idef i« executed it is said Duggan won't be satisfied inasmuch as it ?s rep'frted the press job was accepted by the latter in special consideration for managerial favors. The offer of the press wo k for the Hlrri^ i/n t thought to have reached Duggan in Chicago yet. %r7ends o" BrTadway of the Selwyn man claim there is a possibility of DuKcin strnnin^ ^ entirely if another is given the Selwyn manageUipaTe "tie work tha has :en done. The Shubert offices have been angling for Dugean for a permanent position in Chicago because of his associations w^fh the Chicago newspapers. Just what turn the situation will take if R^d 1. is appointed m.'tnager of the two theatres final decision by Hams 'd Selwyn will determine. ^ "airis and Columbia University 'vfill cele- brate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Molllrre the week of July 24, and a program Including the presentation of one of . Moliere'e plays has been arrangied. The piece in English form is "Th^ Imaginary Invalid," four performances of which will be given in the gymna- sium, with Mr. and Mrs. Cobum heading the cast. The Coburns pre- sented the play at special matinees during their run of "The Yellow Jacket' at the Frazee (then the Harris) several seasons ago, and It was also later put on by them at the Liberty. Most of the original cast will support the Coburns In the special showing. They will go on tour In "The Bronx Express," starting Labor Day. A musical show is now rehearsing in Toronto, to tour Canada. Kitty Harvey is among the principals. The Winter Garden Company, through W. O. Badger. Jr., and Wil- liam Klein, has brought suit for over $90,000 insurance which it seeks to recover from the Globe & Rutgers Insurance Company as a result of the fire in Montreal several months ago which destroyed the "Passing Show" properties. The Insurance company has balked on paying the insurance because of a number, of reasons. A somewhat belated report of the outing of Lamb's Club members in a (;olf tournament ^ the guests of H. S. Talmadge and Paul Block on the Hollywood GolPGrounds down the Jersey Coaet, says that Roy Webb, following the regular tournament won by Oscar Shaw, repeated over the course In 75. It was a better score than made at Hollywood ty either Vardon, Roy or Ilagen. ,^ jyr. Sbaw made a low net of 79 for the 18 holee, tied by Webb, who :-..6*'*. • • - ■ ' • ■ '' ' ■ • ' ' ' The brisk controversy waging between Flo Ziecf»ld frnm ih^ ^*v. side where he is. and Marilyn Miller of the Z egK d show "lallv " is not "press stuff." as a few profess to believe. Ziegf.ld ha^ bo^i^e do Elsa Ryan will phiy the lead In "The Intimate Strangers," to be sent on tour by Augustus Pitou In the fall. Billie Burke starred In the Booth Tarkington comedy last reason. It is understood she will have a new piece to be put on by Flo Ziojrfold. Miss Ryan was sched- uled for vaudeville in a new tict. Robert Warwick in Harris Pl«y Robert Warwick will be cast for a j)lay in the Sam H. Harris string for the coming season. Ziegfeld's remonstrance against the Millcr-Pirkfnr,i »« i back to the reports of ^^-^r%nu^,rneni^^^^ stordaa^ New York. In those days when the rumors were spreadin ^ . (Continued on page 15) epreadin g. STARRING MABEL WITHEE Mabel Withee will be starred or f(atur<>d early in the coming season in a musical comedy entitled "Bit- tersweet." TEARLE PICTURING ON COASl Conway Tearle left for Los An- geles Tuesday to do two indepen- dent films. He will return in Sep- tember and go into rt hcar.*^al for (Jeorg*? M. Cohan in a spoken pl^y sonulhing like "The lUforce,' b'* fi>( sts^uccc^sful Ulxn. t '•