Variety (October 1922)

• A'V.-' *rM- ji*!..' ur- It LEGITIMAT '.■>i. Friday, October C, ltt9 EQUITY, AS PLAY PRODUCER, MAY LEAD TO MODfflCATIONS P. M. A. Managers Anticipate Rescinding of Lay-Off \ Qausc —^Means Longer Engagements—Can't Gamble on Plays and Salaries Too EQUITY s ■m.yimr n^ffm ffST ONE-NIGHURS HAS B'WAT PRiHERE flOING WELL SURVEY SHOWS Theatre Full of Subscribers and Enthusiasts—Critics Coldly Greet Play Th« entrance of Gquity Into the | MOROSCO LOSES FRISCO prodvction fl«ld through Ita Bide fa- «ue, tb« Equity Players, has given grdimda for the expectation of mod- ification of one or two regulations Jn the basic agreement between the lYoducing Manager*'' Association and Bquity before the expiration of the covenant in 1924. The par- ticular elauss of the agreement, lending to discourage and stultify production activity among P. M. A. members, is the regulation prohibit- ing the laying oft of shows between the time of actual preflcntation out of town and the Broadway appear- ance. . ' Jt Is stated that five rew shows have reccjitly been taken off after showing out ef town for the reason that the rules provide If such shows lay off after opening they must either close or the cast be paid salaries. The causes keeping the attractions from immediate entry into New York are varied, with the failure to secure a Broadway the- atre at the time needed the main obstacle. The rule was originally framed as a protective measure to eliminate sharp managerial practice, but in- Ktead, when applied to managers of standing, such as P. M. A. managers, It Is working harm to actors by chopping engagements short or end- ing them enthrely. There is a try- out regulation which applies for a definite period of the year (sum- mer), but since it is Impractical to put an productions on for trial dur- ing that season, the inelasticity of the reiTUIation has been proven to b« on* of the worst bandicapa in producing. The need for modifica- tion or "concession" baa been sug- gested to Equity, but the answer has always been a reference to the basic a^rreement. "Any manager who goes hito ex- tensive production to foolhardy," said one of the keenest producers on Broadway this week, in dlscuss- Hsratded Production Plans All Off— A. a H. t* Taka Houaa Over. San Francisco, Oct. 4. OHver ^orosco and the recently acquired Morosco Theatre here, for- merly the Century have parted company. Moroaco is out entirely and the fate of the structure is hanging in the balance. The lease is to revert ta Louis Lurie who se- cured it over the head of Homer Curran and sub-leased )t to Charles Brown and Herbert Harris. These last two only a few months age entered into an arrangement where- by Oliver Morosco was to acquire , it as a producdan house. The story is that Ackerman & Harris are willing to take it over provid<'d satisfactory terms can be arranged. The rent Js high, running something like 160.000 a year. There has also beeji a report that the building might be converted into an offlce building. The loss of the Morosco leaves Morosco without any theatres at all In San Francisco. He came Into town last July with a blare of trumpets and announced that he was going to put San Francisco on the theatrical map from a produc- tion standpoint. After a lot of press stuff he an- nounced the acquisition of the Cen- tury and followed this with a state- ment that he had also acquired the Casino. First the Casino was let slip and now the former Century. The Equity Players presented "Malvaloca" Monday evening at the 48th Street theatre as the initial venture of the Actors' Equity Asso- ciation at play producing. The house held an odd and enthusiastic audience, other than the critics who treated the play very coldly ip their Tuesday reviews; Even the critics reported as eoitraordinarily friendly disposed to all Equity wrote dis- couraging notices. The house held just capacity, with about a dozen standees and no turn- away. A dozen or so unengaged actresses were the ushers and candy vendors, cundy being offered for sale In the aisles between the acts. Every one in the loner cast re- ceived a "reception" upon first ap- pearing. So many "curtains* were taken after each act that Jane Cowl iwho was given a single curtain call) held up her hand at one time to enjoin the enthusiasm. After the second act Francis "Wil- ■•-r A u Irene" Does $1,635 at Freeport, 111. — House Switches to Road Shows and Gets $1,245 for Night Cap'V V 'w . f ■. . — •.-A' . • ' ««i ^^DEARIE'^ GOING OUT Leaving Chicago with Loss on Run. Specs Also Hit Chicago* Oct. 4. 'XSood Morning, Dearie" ia cre- ating the talk of the loop with ita failure to catch on. The main and only reason seems to be the price. It was- understood that this abow would come into Chicago for %Z.ZO and 13.S5, but instead it was boosted by the Couthoui system to I3.8S and 14.40 at the box ofnce and at the Couthoui stands, with the other brokers getting 50 cents to $1 raise over that. It is understood that the "Queen" showed the Dillingham forces in New York whereby she, son made a speech from the stage, I taking 400 tickets a night at the ad- extoHlng the purpose of E«quity in Ivance price, would gi\e the Dilling- MRS. MOROSCO ILL Daughter Born Last Week Died Maviday r«|Erik1ations in the basic afrreement "And any organization or persons Who bind with rules the business of those from whom they secure their revenue krt destroying that busi- ^ ness. Theatricals Is a peculiar business. Hard and fast regulations do not fit in. "We recently put on a play (in a near-by week stand) which is light waisted. While we know that and knew it before putting it on, we'd like to give the play every chance. On inquiry to the Erlanger and Bhubert offices, no theatre is to be had In^New York within the next few weeks, and road time available Is out"of the question. Un- der the regulations, if we lay off we must pay salaries. The show Itself If enough of a gamble with- out that loss, and the answer is the show will be shelved. The ac- ton* may get four or five weeks, whereas they would have double the engagement and perhaps a long run If the show caught on and pro- - vlded we were able to lay oft until a house was secured. "Modification of th« regulation could be made with fairness on both Sides and sucb lay offa, as to the legitimacy of which there can be no question, b* tufned to profit both ways. For example, players under contract could be given the privi- lege signing for other attractions in the lay-off interval. "A manager ought to make .i win- ner or some degree of profit from one out of every two plays he pro- duces. It cannot be done when he Js hog-tied with rules." Oae of the plays known to have San Francisco, Oct. C The girl Lorn to Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Morosco last week died Mon- day. At the hospital it was stated ing the rfeed for a change in someHff.*'''''^^5r that Mrs. Moroscos con- ditton was serious and her recovery Vrab feared for. $29,000 AT CENTURY \tn theatrical project and stating the Equity Players were not operating for profit. Following his address some one threw an iron horseshoe tied with white ribbon to the speaker. Mr. Wilson narrowly dodged it to escape being struck. Later a bouquet was thrown to Miss Cowl. "Malvaloca" Is given In one set, although through changing the position of the arches and columns for the Spanish locale H appeared as though the setting were new for each act. An orchestra of five pieces, bid- den, supplied a musical score. It was accepted as Equity having re- versed its decision to do without music at the 49th Street as an eco- nomical move. Most of the audience were Equity Players sul>scribers, having pre- paid for their tickets, with but little actual cash in the box office for the first performance. Many "hostesses" greeted the premiere's patrons, most saying they trusted the play would be en>o]^ed. Equity Players have the 4gth Street under a sub-lease from Wil- liam A. Brady at about 195,000 VAArly, with a deposit of SIO.OOO held by Brady to secure one month's rent. Rent has been paid monthly by Equity Players since Aug. 1, ham office 25 cents extra on each ticket. The New Yorkers fell. Mrs. Couthoui. in the meantime, finding herself with a bad buy on hand, peddled her tickets at ber bpx office prices to the outside brokers. They to make a profW have to charge another 60 cents, which makes the price downstairs |4.40 and 15.50. The patrons refuse to pay. The outside brokers were left holding the bag. They immediateJy started dumping. Having no cut rate in this city, they placed their diggers all alonr the black of tjie Colonel theatre, and the best seats are selling anywhere from 50 cents to |2 a night, from the curbstone boys. The Chicago management of the show has pulled many press stunts, but was up against the impossible, and "Good Morning, Dearie" will say good-night to Chicago witb a loss from anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 on its run. It ia said the overhead of the show runs from $>O,000 to $12,000 a week without extras. " TWO BARRYMORES Lionel Barrymore Reported Abroad —John's "Hamlet" San Canio Co. Gets Off to Start Good Fortune Gallo's operatic season with the San Carlo Opera Co. has got off to a surprising start at the Century. New York. Business for the first week was around $29,- 100. the attraction playing at $3 30 top. Music critica on the dailies have given the engagement clo.*(e attention and the performances have won praise all around. Ciccolinl, who started with the Gallo outfit, Is out of the organi- zation, which lists a group of im- portant operatic names. Dorothy Jardon is credited with being the best draw among the stars, which include Anna Fitzlu, Mme. Rap- pold, M. Ballestcr, M. Lucchese, Mrac. Miura and M. Charlesbois. . McCORMACK BACK Tenor Will Give Only Three Con- certs in New York YIDDISH CHORUS ROW • The Internal workings ef Yiddinh show business is still ii> a state of unrest despite the managers' settle- ments with the Hebrew actors', stage hands' and musicians' unions. Now the Hebrew chorus union has threatened a general .strike, which is temporarily averted through an agreement to arbitrate at a date to be fixed next week. Rubin Kazimirsky, president of the Hebrew chorus union, threatma the Ktriko if the managers' proposal closed with no theatre In sight for I ^^''/^ ^^ ^^' *«"*• ^*^8* '"^ i« earned It is being somewhat changed in *^" script and there are several cast changes. The producer will attempt to reopen. He Is not a member of the P. M. A., but has an ICquity raf=t. "YOUR CHILDREN" AS fflTLE A play written by E. Clarke T..illy. who Will also make tlse production, baa been given a tentative title of *^oxit Children and Mt»e." The name Is subject to revision, with «. substttutes of "Tbe Flapper' or "Flappe»«" considered. . It ia due to open near New York Oct. ^. The "Olympic," leaving TJverpool Wednesday, had Aboard John Mc- Cormack. After arriving here Mr. McCormack will give but t,hree con- certs before returning to Paris for an operatic engagement and an- other similar engagement to fol- low at Monte Carlo. The concerts over here will be at New York, Philadelphia and Boston. Dennis F. McSweeny, McCor- mack's manager, returned la.st week from a four months' trip on the other side. He states his star has fullj' recovered from his recent Ill- ness and Is feeling fit in every way. GROSS FOR "STAMBOUL" Newark. N. J., Oct. 4. "The Rose of Staniboul- (Shii- berts) did $11,000 last week at the Broad, to $2.50 top. This week "Spice" is at the house to the same scale, coming In from Philadelphia, where it played to over $17,000 on each of it.s three weeks at the Forrest. TIIALVALOCA" IK BALTIMORE H.'iltimorp. Oct. 4. "Malvaloca," the first play Btngf>d by the Kqiiity JMayers, breaking ir* hn e, «ImI nofir do much businesH kusf week. While the box office showed .'^omr improvemrnt towrird the end of thr wc^k, the i;roR.s was hght. GEO ffllDDLETON 'STE^GY ' T^s Angrles. Oct 4 (JoorKC *!iddleton, formtily in managerial rirclen in the east, now a resident of Pa.^aden.i and rated a million.iire, w.is ha lot! to cuint by his wif^ t<i .Tiiswor nttrprd rh.nrfre.*: of ciuelfy. Mrs. Middletoii i)roj;oHO<l ail action for divorce' Thr judjrc "The H.-iy.v*nl," a musical com- st"Olded both of them and told th»'ni edy, has started rehearsal, with K. to go home and make up. Mrs. JVlid»lfeton says that hri hus- baml iti stinfifV with his money H«^ sayH th.'xt she is a spendthtifl and is trying to break him. ->"^./^-^ 60ETZ' 'HAYSEED'' R;iy Goptz its pr«jdurcr. Among the en<?AgementH are Eva Ciaik ami MH\(iir Atiiier. Miss M»llf<r is leiving 'Spice" next weeb in Brooklyn. .*;*.. « ,. . '"' V: ■ '■■-■;..' "•''.-' ... Arthur Hopkins' plans for tbe presentation ef the tbree Barry- mores this season have been changed and will Include the ap- pearance of Ethel and John Barry- more only, from the present out- look. Indisposition on the part of Lionel Barrymore. who was to have been starred in Eugene O'Neill's "The Fountain," Is said to have^tmiMd back the script, but the playbill be produced by Hopkins. Lionel la reported having booked passage for Europ^ and is supposed to ^have sailed recently. It la reported he will work in a Cosmopolitan pic- ture there. The production of "Hamlet." which will have John Barrymore proceeding and Is due on Broadway in November. Ethel Barrymore, who opened last week In "Rose Rernd" at the Longacre^ New York, will enact the Hauptmann piece for 12 weeks. Her second production under Hopkins' direction is then due at the same house. It will have her in "As You Like It." ^ Chicago. Oct. 4. A resume of the start of the the- atrical season in tbe middle west !• quite encouraging, aceording^ to re^ ports which bave reached Jametf Wingfield, who is doing most of tb« bookings for legit attractiona for- •ne night and week stands. A No. 1 company had to be orgar^ixed Um play the booked time of "Th^ Nicbt Cap," a Lester Bryant Producing* Co. attraction. The New Qenmania at Frceport^ 111., opened up with "Irene," aftac; being remodeled, doin^ $1,635. Tho Dixon, at Dixon, HI., switched ita policy to road shows and played "The Night Cap" to $1,245, wbil« "Irene" played this house to $1,056^ The Apollo, Belvldere, 111., a ne^ house, housed "Irene" to a gross ot $1,480. Kibble's "Uncle Tom'«p Cabin" ts the current attraction anA' is running along to a big businesc^ May Velentine'a "Robin Hood" diet $1,600 at the Gladmer. Lanalng-^ Mich., and played to capacity at tb# houses in Saginaw and Bay City^ Mich. At Hancock, Mich., the abovT did $816, and on the general groa^ of the "Robin Hood" show it is nin« ning a close top mrosa to "The Bat.*< Lecomte A Flesher's "Listen to Mo^ is playing eastern Canada and set^ ting a good, break. Primrose A Ket-« tering's "Why Wives Go Wronif* played ManitQwoc, Wis., at $1 toiilf and did $900 in two perfonmancea^ while at tbo La Crease tbeatre^ La Crosse. Wis., tbe company plaj«^ to $1,100, at Sheboygan, Wia. t«» $618. and at Beaver Dam to $584. A No. 2 company of this show W starting out at the National. Cbl-^ cago. *" ' The National theatre, a locaf stock house on the south aide, wilt- start its season October 1 by play-^ ing Primrose A Ketterln^'a "Wb9( Wives Go Wrontr," a No. 2 company^ This company will go on tour atftei'' its National date, playing atandi^ which the first company couM no|| play through heavy bookinga Tbe^ second attraction will be "Oeorga the Ma^rician." Richard R Fisher,* who in the past was connected witte Thurston, is managing "(Teorgo tbtf Magician," who has been doing Tar*.' good business In Wheeling aD9 through West Virginia towns. FATHER GETS DAUGHTER William C.'Allen Given Custody t4 Twefva-Yaar-Old QiH Syracuse, N. Y., Ocl 4. • William C. Allen, stago cArpente^ at the Shuberts' 44th St., New Yorli«- has won his long court battle witlli his estran^red wife. Mrs. Rose R Al^ len of this city, and takes front be^ forever the control of their 12-year< old daughter Viola, now in a Ne^' Jersey girls' finishing, school, ao« cording to a decision handed dowii i^arring as the melancholy Dane, i^ bsrNSupreme Court Justice Ernest L EdfTCcmb here. Mrs. Allen, divorced by h^ husband, was ioranded fromi the bench by Justice Edgcomb as "totally unfit to have the care and bringing up of her own child." The Allen case has been much in the limelight hero as the result ot the arrest of the girl's uncle, Emnriett Allen, on charges of criminal assault upon tbe child. The girl until re- cently lived at the Allen homestead with her grandparents. The accused undo also resided there. He i» awaiting prand jury action. Both tbe father and uncle declare that thef charges .-iKainst Emm< (t have been inspired by the divorced wife, who socks revenue. ^ ANHALT AT CASINO Lawrence Anhalt, who conducted the P.'irk for eij-lU years as lessee o.nd inanaK»r, is now In charge of the Casino, New York, for the Shu- berts. The assignment is a three- cornered one, Anh.'ilt acting as honyc manaKer, company manager and press agent. Under the p.'an tl)o Casino is made a separate unit f'STAR SAPPHIRE" ALL READT of th^ Shubert Broadway hoiwes. John Campbell, who started the ^earon In ehafpe of the Casino, will go on the road. Robert Evans, company nnanager for "S^ally, Irene ami Mary," will also tour. PFNKDSrGTON SHOW DELAY The preductirn proposed by Chailos Dillin(:ham for Ann Pen- nington has been adjourpeA It may be spring before It goes on. Meantime Miss Pennington is re- consideflnB a vaudeville affer* The^ Ray Coetz play, "The Star - Sai>i)hire" is to take another whirl , at tlu' road before being brought intt) New York. The attraction! opens at Kprin^field, Mass., Oct. 1€ , with New Haven to follow accord- ing, to tlH» present phtns. mthmiph it ia in readiness In New York to !fap into any theatre that might open for the piece. It looked for a while this we.eli that the play miphl go into the Klaw, htft Ihe demand of a $4,000 gimrantee for the hou.«;e was the cause of tbe deal being oallod ofZ|