Variety (July 1922)

Friday. July 14, 192^ LEGITIMATE II STOCKS ' When the Mutual Productions, which organized and presented the stock dompany at the Garrlck, Washington, reached the end of its financial "rope" the lease was pur- chased by Thomas Jefferson Tucker, a local man. Tucker, according to the reports, paid for the production, royalty and other necessaries for "The Hottentot." Saturday Tucker filed suit against the Sam S. Shu- bert amusement enterprises and the members of the company individu- ally and collectively. Tucker cites the defendants (in addition to the Shuberts he names Garry McGarry, Ada Meade. Dennis King Gerald Ol- iver Smith and Dorothy McGrew) as being unla\.fully in possession of the manuscript and parts of the piece, as well as the scenes and scenery, and claims damages to the extent of $1,102.83. He is also ask- ing additional damages of |50(K The Belasco. Washington, is run- ning away with all sorts of record.s, Bays Arti.ur Leslie Jmith- Figures given had the flr.st week as $6,680, second week $5,000 and the third and last week $6,970. for "Gertie's Garter." The house Sumlay night for the opening of "Ladie.s" Night" was a big one. The cast ihcludes Kay Laurel!, playing opposite Earle Fo::e. Wanda Lyon, leading woman, feft for her home in Salt Lake City Sat- urday. credited with having shown the first profit for the house since it^ erec- tion. YIDDISH UNIONS GIVEN ABOUT 50-50 DECISION III INSIDE STUFF— LEGIT Gladys George, leading woman, and Florence Printy and Ben Er- way are slated to leave the Alcazar, San Francisco, July 29. The new leading woman to succeed Miss George has not been named. Erway and Miss Printy will be succeeded by Rankin Mansfield and Ida Maye. With the closing of the Al Tra- heam stock last week the Trahearn circuit of six towns on Long Island, with headquarters in Sayville, has been taken over by John Riley, for- merly associated with Trahearn. who will conduct the towns as a one night stand vaudeville circuit. The first bill of five acts was organized this week to play one town a night for six nights. In addition to the acts an orchestra is carried to fur- nish dance music after the perform- ance. The perforn^nces are given in the town halls, which can al.so be utilized for public dancing. <i A dispute with the musicians' union \*ill close the Proctor Players fc,.and Proctors theatre at Troy, N. Y., Saturday. The Proctor manage- ment refused to accede to the de- mand of the union that seven men be employed in the house orchesira and the musicians thereupon called on the stage hands to quit This is the third week of an advertised all-summer stock run. Monday the Troy papers carried large ads of the ^ rt-octor Players in which the show for next week was andej|kned. Troy David Herblin joined the Majestic Players. I'tica. N. ".. as leading man this week, opening in "Dear Me." and replacing Leo Kennedy. A telegram received in Montrea4 from Edwin H. Robins says a deal had been clo.sed in Toronto by which Lawrence Solman. lessee of the Royal Alexandra, and Mr. Robins had leased for three years the Or- pheum. Montreal, which, with the Gayety here, is owned by the Canadian United Theatres. -Ltd. The Orpheum will open August 28 with the Robins stock now tn Toronto. ; The dramatic stock at the Vic- tory, HolyoKe. Mass., closed July 8, after eight weeks. papers carried little about the elosing. anything 'Wild Oak Lane,", ihe initial -Foraudy Group from Paris Opaning George Broadhurst production for the new season, opens July 17 in Atlantic City. It will have an out of town break-in for ^two weeks, after which it will be* withdrawn until fall. Whal is said to be a record for stock companies in the ea^ti is claiitied by Marshall's Players, ap- pearing at the Shubert-Belasco, Washington. "Getting Gertie's Gar- ter" waa presented for three con- secutive weeks, ending last Satur- day night, the attraction averaging $6,000 gross weekly at $1 top. A fourth week would have been tried but for other engagements of sev- ek>al of the 14 actresses in the cast. The current attraction is "Ladies' Night." The company will try out one of the new A. H. Woods plays late this month. When it opened, the organization was culled the Belasco Players, but merely the name of the attraction i.s billing, the atock label being dropped. FRENCH CO. IN CANADA in Montreal The Charle«? K. Ro.skam Chicago Stock Company closed Saturday in Altoona, Pa. The company will re- open the middle of August as a traveling stock, playing week ^ands. The Al Trahearn stock, playing one-nighters on Long Island, closed Saturday. Trahearn was linable to handle the affairs of the company for several weeks, due to illness. Ho is confined to the Sayville, L. I., hospital In a serious condition.- The dramatic stock under'the management of B. L. Feinblatt, closed July 8 at the Wietlng, Syra- cuse. The Blanche Plckert stock, play- ing a circuit of six t9wns on Long Island, is presenting new plays in place of the customary stock bills. Earlau Wilcox, manager of the com- pany. Is preparing to use one of the pieces as a starring vehicle for Ml.ss Pickert in the fall. Montreal, July 12. Mr. Gauvin, who has just returned from Paris, gives further details re- garding the forthcoming visit to Montreal of M. de Feraudy and as- sociate members of the Comedie Francaise, M. de Feraudy, who is recognized in Paris as the legitimate successor of M. Coquelin, will have with him as his leading lady Mile. Ventura, who has created many im- portant roles at the Comedie Fran- caise during the past few sea- sons. There will be in support other members of the Comedie Francaise, members of the Odeon theatre, Paris and a few from the other leading houses. The season will open at the St. Denis, Montreal, during October, and will last two weeks, the third will be given to Quebec, and the fourth and closing week either to New York or Boston. The repertoire will be selected in its entirety from that of the Comedie Francaise, M. de Feraudy will play the roles here that have won for him fame in Paris. All performances will be su- pervised by himself, with M. Charles Berteaux, rcgisseur-general, of the Comedie Francaise. The repertoire Includes "Lcs Af- faires son les Affaires," from the satirical pen of M. Octav*- Mirbeau. now being played with great suc- cess by M. de Feraudy and Mile. Ventura at the Comedie Francaise; "Poliche," by Henri Bataille; cre- ated by M. de Feraudy in Paris; "La Nouvelle Idole," a masterpiece by Francois de Curel, of the French Academy; "L* Ami Fritz." by Erck- mann-Chatrian; "L* Abbe Con- stantin," by Maurice JIalevy; "L'Avare,'' and "Le Medicin Malgrae Lui," two of Moliere's finest works. As it is against tradition to use the title of the Comedie Francaise outside Paris, the organization headed by M. de Feraudy and Mile Ventura will be known as the Fe- raudy Company. Hearings Ended After Five Months—Nos. 1 and 2 Against No. 3 Before the international body of the Four A's last Friday, a decision was read in the matter of the com- plaint of Hebrew Union Local No. S against Hebrew Locals Nos. 1 and 2, all affiliated with the Four A's. The decision said in effect there was nothing to decide; that all of the parties had violated a section of their mutual agreement, which left the entire matter about as it had been five months before when the hearing started. The listeners-in received $12 a listen. Two or three hearings a month were held. The fee was fix^d by the unions involved which will have to pay the expenses of the bearings. The chairman of the hearing committee was Harry Mountford. Among others on the arbitration board were also mem- bers of the vaudeville branch. No. 3 had complained against Nos. 1 and 2. alleging a violation of agreement which 1^. 3 alleged called for Nos. 1 and 2 to draft members of No. 3 for legit engagements in theatres controlled by the first two locals (Yiddish houses) when an en- gagement was rejected by a member of ^Ither 1 or 2. No. 3 local holds mostly Yiddish variety players. Nos. 1 and 2 answered they had followed the agreement and were ,not obliged to call upon members of No. 3 to replace their members until such a time might arise as all members of Nos. 1 and 2 were en- gaged, when it would 1t>e necessary to turn elsewhere to secure the re- quired talent. The case hung upon clause seven of the mutual agreement. It is said the wording of the provision clearly defines its object. There seemed to be some connec- tion with the matter and whether the vaudeville branch will be able to enroll members of Shubert vaude- ville a^ vaudeville branch members, in order to secure duea. from them, and also if the vaudeville branch could claim jurisdiction over chorus girls engaged for the Shubert vaude- ville unit shows. J FULTOH SQUABBLE GOIHO UP The legal squabble between pliver Bailey and A. L. Erlanger orer the Fulton, New York, leaae came up in ^he Appellate Term, which in turn referred it to the Appellate Di- vision, extending the stay for five days. Argument was heard in the higher court Wednesday and de- cision reserved. : Originally in the Third District Municipal Court, a jury held for Erlanger. who wants Bailey to vacate the theatre. Bailey has had the house for four years on a sub-lease from Mrs. Henry B. Harris. Mrs. Harris' original leaee provided for a one years' cancellation clause. Bailey, however, know nothing of this pro- vision and refuses to vacate. (Continued from page 14) with aome papers printing them, Ziegfeld flooded Mlsa Miller back stage with notes and wires, requesting her to squelch the reports. At that time it was surmised Ziegfeld was in fear the reports might hurt the drawing powers of the show. He grew so intense in hie objections bjr telegraph and correspondence that Miss Miller consulted her attor** neys. The attorneys are said to have written Ziegfeld a letter threat- ening legal proceedings and other recourses if he not not desist from aavifiing Miss Miller in her private life. Later, it was said, Ziegfeld had felt deeply the sad demise of Miss Thomas, who had been with "The Follies" for years as one of its prin- cipal girl attractions, and that his attitude was caused mostly by reaaon of Miss Thomas' death. What effect the undesirable notoriety will have upon the show or those involved is problematical. All of it makes unwholesome reading. It is understood along Broadway the group of "blue sky" stock sales- men formerly headquartered at the Claridge are now around the Astor, with the management of that hotel anxious to And out just who they are that they may eject them. The men have various ways of working. One favorite stunt is to show a "sucker" a fat dividend check. That method is counted on to land the prospect for a "chunk" right off, with no further come-on noceHsary. Generally the sellers are connected with supposetl brokers an'l split 50-50 with them on the sale. According to insiders, the same crowd once hung around the Sherman House. Chicago, but were finally run out of town. There is a dash of sentiment back of the leasing of the Republic by Oliver D. Bailey, who is known as hailing from the west, but really belongs in the east. About 17 years ago, when he was a rep attor, recently married and living in one room, he, like most other profes- sionaUs, believed the height of stage ambition would be to secure a berth in a BeAsco show. The Ilepublic waa then the Belasco (the present theatre bf that name was originally called the Stuyvesant). Young Bailey did get a chance when the late Billy Dean, stage director for "The Girl of the Golden West," assigned him to a role. As the manager tells it now, he entered the stage with all reverence for it because it was Belasfo's. Last Monday when the house came under his contrel he stood on the same spot and with nearly the same feelings. Bailey never did take the job with the Belasco shpw. Finding it was impoisiblc to travel with Mrs. Bailey, he handed in his iMU't Dean in anger chased him out of the th^tre, the show being due tp leave town the next day (it wob the No. 2). Later Dean found Bailey was broke and sent him $15. which Bailey repaid several years afterward. The experience with "The Girl of the Golden West" rehearsals really led to Bailey turning from the back to the front of the house. He took a repertory company to Alaska, drifted down the coast and Anally returned east. He was told that his best work was in old men roles, but wigs were rarely permitted in big shows then and Bailey refused to wait until he got old enough to naturally r\ay them. FrankiTinney's summer job at Long Beach is captain of the life guards, though it was first reported he was chief of police. Tinney livea at Baldwin, but gets to tKe beach some time during the day. The life , guard assignment appears to be purchasing supplies and auch, but the job is reported paying Tinney $400 a^ month. Tinney can swim, but Is not noted for his watermanship in the surf. When asked where he got off being connected with the life guards, and kidded about his ability to save persons, he answered: "Pershing wasn't gassed, waa he?" There are double stage crews at the Winter Garden with "Snlce": also eight musicians beyond the required number, 16. The matter of the musicians* went before the musical union. It is said that 18 muslciana were engaged for "Spice" while on the read and g\yen "run of the play" contracts. The extraordinary proceeding when reachinir the ears of tha show's management was turned over to the Shuberts for adjustment, as the Garden has its own orchestra. The union consented to two weeks' notice to the surplus of eight, which was given. Since the opening sis of the Garden's orchestra has been playing outside the pit enclosure, three on either side. The double stage crew happened through "Spice" having taken out the Casino theatre crew when opening in Atlantic City, under the impression it would go in the Casino for its Broadway run. When the Garden wa« settled upon the show had to take the Casino crew of seven with it and th^y will remain at the Garden uiHIl the Casino opens. ON BROADWAY ^: :^ SUE, DEAR The Lester Smith dramatic stork opened Monday at the Park. Staple- ton, Staten Island, in "The liiKrale." The company will present two bills weekly. WANT ASSESSMENT KEVIEW The Selwyn Realty Corp. has been granted a writ of certiorari against Henry M. Goldfogle et al., commissioners of taxes and as.scss- ments to review its assessment of the Selwyn property on West 42d and West 43d streets. New Yor«. The property was fixed at 1370,000 valuation. The Selwyns claim $275.- 000 market value and think they should not be compelled to pay taxes on the $95,000 difference. The appended statements disclo.ne that the Selwynt ar6 the lessees of the property for four years from 1917 at $12,500 annually. The land itself is mortaged for $125,000. Th( 'e Corse Payton stock reopens AnKu.st 7 at KctMiey's. Bay IlidKe. I'rooklyn. N. Y. Payton ina-igurat- «*d .«tock at the house in the spring, vaudovilh. formerly having boon played. The stock organization is'tition. "Dearie" Instead of "Sally" Chicago. July 13. Stretchers advertising "Good Morning Dearie* were hurriedly placed in front of the Colonial The- atre yesterday as "coming." giving rise to the po.ssibility of a delay in the early September arr.val of Sally." Witli .Tol.son. "'(Jood Morn- ing Dearie" and Ed Wynn'.s .show the late Aujrust booking.s here wiU^ hold topnoleh musical play compe Frazee Wants Try-out House Boston, July 12. Harry Frazee Is negotiating for a lease of the Arlington (old Castle Square) for the new season, con- templating Installing a stock com- pany to try out all new plays sub- mitted to the F'razee ofilces. The manager is expected bore from Chicago this week. Minerva West.. Maxlne Brown Dav« Craig « Maurice Holland Aunt Mildred Madeline Grey nilthflni Douiflrtu CoHjcrove IMiillip Weat llradfurd KirklMido .Sue O'Ka StTk J^ Comtp Kmilo I'ouchPZ.. .John Hendrlokii Chick O'ilrlen ...Hobby O'Noll /,oe Alice Cavanaugh Guesta. Mary .' Trma Colirn jMUiK9 Kdna CoIkh Dolly Huth Cray l>ully Tiucllc (Jodard Muily Kilrcn Shannon Fay Jlonor Tuttwraall Doris I'Jmmey Tattrrsall Catherine rlrcta Warburg June Roue Courtney Nell Uobby Kane Olorla Merceden Dernordant Florence Kay Carlin Jack .........Paul Logan nilly Bobby Culberlaon I^eBter Ted Wheeler George Norman Nirholaon BEN ATWELL AT EASTMAN'S Rochester. N. Y., July 12. Bon Atwell Is in the city. enga^oM to take rh'irge of the publicity bu- reau for the new E>»tmaij thoatro. not yet opened. At 9.50 Monday night it looked as though Tuesday morning Joe Le- blang would have the exclusive ticket selling rights to "Sue, Dear." Also at that hour when the in- terminably long first act had ended, no one had askcl for their money back. By the same token perhaps, no one had paid money for opening night seats. The applau.se with the frequent encores of frequent—too frequent— songs, almo.st Indlcitcd tho audience folt hand-free throu .h expense re- lief. Scale. $3.30 top. llido imdioy, Joseph Herbert and C. S. Montanye were programrnod as authors of the book. IJut who thought out the i>iot '' The book was torrible onoufjh. but the plot I And the showl I'Yank If. (Iroy vva.s mentioned as the cornpo.Kor; I>udloy in again for tho lyrics, wltn Iho book ntagod hy llerbort and the. dance numbers by Jack Mason. Twelve chorus girls are even backed up the principals, but who backed the show? This isn't tho first week "Sue" haa been on a stage. It went into train- ing out of town for a week, after having been tak<;n out previously, when Dudley—only written and brought In for rewriting by the others. But at least, putting It on at the Times Square for Its finish in mid-summer will save annoyance In the regular >ason. "Sue, Dear," In plot could serve for the annual summer outdoor fos- tlval of tho Monmouth County Community Dramatic League of Llttlo Theatre Players. Then Ice cream and cake, if served gratis, could have stood it off. It's of a woman-hater who meets a man-hator a«i a pre-marriage party in honor of a bridesmaid about to be given. The bridesmaid is an heiress from St Louis. She wires on the afternoon of the party she can't be there. The man-4iatcr substituted for her. \ The man-hater was the ronfldon- tlal clerk in a Jeweler's, where the prospective groom bought his pros- pective bride a string of pearls. The clerk delivered the pearls In i-j)crson. When made aware of the ^rcumstances she consented to Im- personate the heiress, to ensnare the woman-hr ing brother of the brIde-to-be. Perhaps the man-hater captured the woman-hater m tiie second act. But who would wait for the second act after seeing the first? The best of the first act waa the opening number by the choristers as staged by Mr. Ma.son. That look€?d promising. But the chorus girls couldn't be the principals. More tho pity! John Hondricks as a count stood out on tho stage like the nine red exit signs did on the orchestra floor. liohUy O'Ne'.l got a laugh in a tough kid (;harac(or and some npplau.so when dancing with Alice Cav- anaugh. I'erhapH the .show Is still at tho Times .Square. If It is. blame Joe. As Steve Iteardon said h<pn stag- poring onto 4LM street: "Whatever I may have done to you, now you Bhne.