Variety (October 1922)

Friday. October 27, 1922 VARIETY 21 VAUDEVILLE EEVIEW8 * (Continued from page 19) they are liurrled by people who are trying too bard to get them across. Carrying voice quality may have something to do with It. but Pay's example proves that good enuncia- tion is understandable In the house. Bentley, Banks and Gay (New Acts) did extremely well on No. 2 In an entirely straight singing turn, principally because the two men and one woman devoted themselves to unpretentious musical numbers of the light standard variety and put them over in perfect style. The woman of the trio made it hard for Bastman arid Moore later on. The girl of the latter turn has' kn un- usually agreeable light voice for vaudeville, but it couldn't stand brilliant soprano notes of the earlier singer. The Eastman and Moore turn is a capital bit of specialty production, simple, but neat and carrying a touch of novelty. The opening shows a section of a de- partment store. A counter on the left is piled with sheet music and to the left another counter displays silic draperies. Salesgirl is tending the music counter. She has fuw wurdd with the floorwalker and they do several numbers*, picking up the music from the counter. The talk Is Inconse- quential. B^ch has ar solo and they double. The girl mounts low pedes- tal down center and man pins silk draperies around her as she sings, until the confused pile of goods takes the form of a graceful bridal gown. They take a few steps— lights are down and the department store undergoes a transformation into a clnirch. The back drop bursts Into lighted memorial win- dows, tho silk counter changes into a row of pews and the music coun- ter Is transformed Into an altar flanked by candles—altogether an elTective exit for the bridal pair. Edward Stanleloff and Co., of five girls in "Dance Creations," made the finale. The opening Is very slow for this purpo.se. Four girls do a folk dance, a soVt of Gypsy affair which iH principally minuette pos^n^^s. It's a dull start for a closing act, and before the routl^je had gathered speed, the audience began to move out. When the little toe dancer in red took u»> the running the exodus was checked, but it never should have been permitted to begin. A fast opening would have aroused Interest immediately. After the capital toe dance—a routine of cake-walk steps—the remarkable man dancer took the center for his striking pirouettes spins and leaps, and this enlivening performance brought largo applause. A tam- bourine number was too long drawn out and more of the folk dance for- mations were overdone, but the act is handsomely dressed and makes attractive pictures. Rush, V AMERICAN ROOF The rain Monday evening shot the business on the roof. At 8:30 there was less than half a house present, and it never bettered. The show itself was a slow-moving, small time affair that had but one real act of value in It—that is, as value is Judged for big time possibilities. That possibility was McCormack and Irving. How the bigger house bookers let this pair remain on the small time Is a question. They were not the hit of the American's show by a long shot, principally because their material Is aimed at better audiences. It took an old-timer with time-worn material to walk away with the applause honors. It was Thomas P. Dunn who did the trick with his married man and street car souse stuff, that Is as old as Thomas himself; but that is the type of entertainment that the Amerlcm audiences eat up. Bassltt and Ralley, a man and woman acrobatic team, opened the show, doing about seven minutes. Murphy and Lang, wh5 followed, have Improved the talk In the early section of their act somewhat, but seemingly are not sure of their de- livery as yet. When they whip It into shape they should get laughs from the small time audiences. The dance routine at the llnish carried them by nicely. Prevost and Colet. with their combination of music, acrobatics and talk, the latter all comedy, scored on third. And then McCor- mack and Irving arrived. They arc a class pair. The man is a corking light comedian with a wagonload of personality and a style of put- ting over his lines and soprh. The girl looks like a million dollars and dresses like a million more, sings fairly well, but handles linjvs better. Both dance, and dance well. If not for the big time they could fit in a musical comedy production, not particularly a big Uroadwyy wallop, but some of the r'.her shows that .so:>rn to bo potting across this ho.i- «on. of "Mollv Darling" or "The Gingham Girl" typo. Closing I ho flr.st liaK of tlio .<«ho\v Vera P.urt. Kaxi Hnltsworth and Pand (Now Acts) hold the stago for -ID ixiiuutoM Had w a lk * ' —away to a fair applauso fmisli, mainly gained on tho stuff that Saxi doo.s. I^oonard and Culver (New Act.^) f>|)ono(l iho second sff'on with l»iano and son s. fitiiahinic fairiv ^voii. i„it not a hit by nny moan.-^. Tho nuniliorH for this act nood to bo rovisod. (leorK Stanley and Sister trailed along with an lidish.rout ino down to tho llnish of tho act. whoh the old banjo wa.s pulled out, and /fiat alone sent the act across. MIlll- ENGLISH AUTHORS' RING FAVORS FOREIGNERS Preponderance of Alien Pieces Concurrent on London Stage , »•. ^ London, Oct. 15. Attention Is once more being called to the oft-repeated question, Where are the British authors? Ttie last two Important produc- tions from the pens of native authors have been Arnold Bennett's "Body and Soul," which signalized the opening of the Regent by flop- ping badly, and John -Klnkwater's Mary, Queen of Scots, play, which had to go for production to the small- Everyman at Hampstead. The other plays holding the West End are mostly foreigners. "Dacameron Nights" at Drury Lane Is Amcricaiff- "Tho Last Waltz" at the Gaiety is Viennese; "D^e," now in rehearsal for the Garrick, is French; "The Toils of Yoshlmoto" at the Little is Japa- nese; "Phi-Phi" at the Pavilion is French; "Whirled into Happiness" is "German; "Rockets," the Palla- dium revue, is supposedly British, but is greatly plagiarized from old American burlesque shows; "The Bat" at the St. James Is American; "Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure" at the Savoy Is the work of an American domiciled here; "Tons of Money" at the Shaftesbury is principally very "freely" adapted from the 30-year-old American farce '"Incog" and others; "Angel Pace," which Is due at the Strand, is American; "The Cabaret Girl" at the Winter Garden is principally the work of an American in col- laboration with an American com- poser, and "The Lady of the Rose" at Daly's Is continental. Most of these shows, however, disguise their origin as much as possible where the public is con- cerned by making much use of the names of their English adapters and writers of occasional lyrics. In addition to this list is "The Broken Wing," an American show with a partially American company, at the Duke of York's; "Blue Beard's Eighth Wife" is of the French; "i^awful Larceny," another American play with an American company, failed at the Savoy, and "The Torch," which Maurice Mos- covitch produced at the Lyric, was by a Swiss. The answer to the qoiestion, Where are the British authors? Is probably that there Is a sort of a "ring" which is almost Impregnable and its members are either resting on their laurels and drawing large provincial royalties or studying the methods of other countries. Those not In the ring are trying to get In. MARIE LLOYD'S LIFE Sister Alioa Writino Story for Lon- don Sunday Paper- London. Oct. 25. The life story of the late Marie Lloyd is being written by her sis- ter, Alice Lloyd, for a London Sun- day paper. LORAINE'S REVIVAL London, Oct. 18. Robert Loraine's flrst prdduction on his return to West End manage- ment will be a new play by Ian Hay. He is negotiating for a theatre on a long lease, but Is hampered by the prohibitive terms asked, even for short tenancies. His plans in- clude a series of Shakespearean re- vivals, revivals of several George Bernard Shaw plays, and a revival of "Cyrano de Bergerac" in addi- tion to the production of several new plays. His last appearances in the "West End were at the Duke of York's In "Pomn and Circumstance" and "The Nightcap." Neither of these pieces was a success. TRIX SISTERS FINED , ^ .;.,,,:. , ^ London, Oct. 12. Helen and Josephine Trix duly appeared before the Portsmouth magistrates, Oct. 10, charged with faiUng to produce alien registration certificates In July last. They were each ordered to pay eight shillings cost and advised to g^nform with j the law In the future. I The defense was that the girls had never before been asked for regis- tration cards and did not think they needed them. COCHRAN EXPLAINS • New York, Oct. 23. Editor, Variety: I must ask you to be good enough to correct the statements of your London corre- spondent, which appeared in last week's Variety, with reference to the sale of my lease of the Garrick theatre, London, to Mr. A. B. Abrahams, my very old friend and business associate. The statements are entirely in- accurate and liable to create a mis- leading Impression. Mr. Abrahams pitrchased the lease after negotiating for nearly a year at a price which Is roughly six times what I paid Mr. Gilbert Miller some four years ago. The statement that I am under any obligation to Mr. Abrahams or any other person which prevents me from sub-letting tho theatre as I like is as flclltlous as the further statement that Mr. Seymour Hicks had a tenancy of the theatre at 275 pounds per week. Mr. Hicks has navcr had a ten- ancy of the Garrick theatre from me, but was engaged to play in my production (m.ade In conjunction with Mr. David Belasco) of "The Man in Dress Clothes'' at a salary and per cent of the profits. I shall be interested to know from whom your correspondent obtained this curious mess of erroneous in- formation. I would also jjoint out that among th<? London hits men- tioned by your correspondent. I do not liiid 'Thi Phi." whi.h 1 will wager is playing to lugger fit;iires than any <»£ the play.-< meiit'unod, excepting perbajj.s three at tlnafroa with larger capacity than tli" Lon- don Pavilion. CharJri If. Cni hrnn. cent D'Armond atul ('<». (New .Acts). a classical danee olfing of the. toe variety, tlnisheil the proci-edinj;'! mlhor well. Tha lilm wna "How AVi.men Love," with Betty Blythe Frrri. HARRY FOSTER ARRIVES Harry Foster, of the English Foster's Agency, arrived in Now York Tuesday for his semi-annual visit. ..■.•;- ■ V .^ r ,■ Mr. Foster did rot come over on a specific mission. He will spend a few weeks on this side looking about. In' readiness to engage or buy anything theatrically he be- lieves will be worth while for over there. , < , TEDDIE GERARD'S PARTNER London, Oct. 26. At the Alhambra Monday, Teddie Gerard danced with Fred Leslie, her third partner In three weeks. They did well. • , ; -v Comedie Francaise Co. Program London, Oct. 25. The program for the visit of the Comedie Francaise company to the Coliseum, opening Oct. 23, Is as fol- lows: The flrst week Marie La- conte win appear In "Venlse," a playlet by the author of "The Re- turn," now being played by Marie Lohr at the Globe; Edouard de Max, who made a big hit at the Pavilion last year;; will occupy the second week with scenes from "Hamlet," in English. During the third week Georges Berr will be seen In Theo- dore de Beauvllle's "Gregolre," and during the final week of the stay the veteran of the company, Eugene Sllvaln, and Louise Silva will appear In scenes from "La Tartuffe." Jose Collins for Grand Opera London, Oct. 25. Jose Collins, who has scored an- /)ther big personal success in ' The Last Waltz" at the Gayety, will probably appear in grand opera at the end of the run of the Strauss piece. If this plan fructifies she win choose "Carmen" for her open- ing. Swedish Ballet for Ballet Lovers * London, Oct. 25. The opening Monday at the Court of the Swedish Ballet revealed a company of generally even balance with no Individual hit. It will be liked by lovpr.<» of the ballet. Clarence Senna Remaining Abroad London, Oct. 25. Ruby Norton will sail for home Oct. 28 on the "Maurelania," but her piani.st, Clarence Senna, expects to remain on this side until next June. Sheehan and Girls at Folies Borgero London, 0;f. 2ri. Le.ster Sheehan and the Korde Sisteis have been engaged for four weeks at 'he l-'olies I'ergeve. Paris. openiUR .\ov. 1. Theodore Kremer Recovering London, ()( t L."». Theodoi'e Krenier is at Cologne, recovering from an att.idc f»f douMi" pr.ini>no;i;a. Andre Chariot has ps yet been un- able to Cod a theatre to which to transfer A to Z" x.-hen tlje "Co- f)ttt.;iniHtH" r« ;»ppe,:r in IjOnd^)!!, (>ct. 12. WHO HAS "SISTINE" CHOIR T Paris. Oct. 10. There is a controversy in Rome as to the ownership of the famous choir supposed to still belong to the Pope. There has been some confusion between the SIstlne sing- ers conducted by Rev. Father Casi- mlrl, which toured America during the winter of 1919-1920 and planned to repeat the tour later this year, and the choir taken by Rev. Father Rella to Australia and through Spain. ''.:"■■■ Both organizations were adver- tised as the choir of the Sistlne chapel of the Vatican. The singers of the recognized otllclal choir are now all dead excepting one, and when there is a big Pontifical func- tion the united services of the choirs of other Rome churches are recruited. It would appear Mgr. Rella is" the musical conductor of the Sistlne chapel and is alone authorized to use the Pope's music, but whether he can call himself the director of the Sistlne Choir Is an- other question, there now being no ofllcial organization of the kind. Likewise, Mgr. Casmlrl has been requested by the Vatican to dis- continue the use of the name; but he has not frankly done so, and concert-goers In America probably will believe this winter, when Cas- mlrl arrives with his choir, that his singers belong to the original fa- mous Si£tine choir. It Is generally known that cas- tration of young boys as Intended candidates for this choir was sup- pressed many years ago, but there are still some ignorant people who imagine the singers are cma.scu- latcd. nVE SHOWS aOSED SATURDAY IN LONDON Strand, Court, Apollo, Royalty. and Little Theatres Lose Attractions London, Oct. 25. Five attractions closed Saturday In London. Among them was "An- gel Face" at the Strand, after a I very brief run. It was the only re- produced American piece on the list. Others were "Mister Garrick." at the Court; "Double or Quit," Apollo; "Mister Budd of Kcnnington," Roy« alty; "Toils of Yositomo," Little. The Comedie Francaise Players were poorly received at their open- \ Ing matinee at the Coliseum (vaudc- • vllle) Monday, but did better In the evening. The playlet Is talky, with a majority of thn audience unfa- miliar with the language. The man- agement promises that the follow- ing three weeks will be intense dramas. Leona Lamar, mind reader, opened Monday at the Plnsbury to a Missouri audience, but with dif- ficulty finally won them over. *'KEILY" FOECED OUT (Continued from page 1) "Capain Applejack" as the succeed- ing attraction. "Nellie Kelly" will have a top of %Z on Broadway, as originally Inten.ded. It will be the flrst Cohan attraction scaled over $2.50. Cohan opened "Kelly" during tho summer, allotted eight weeks in total In Boston. The show's phe- nomenal success finally won a booking concession and It was ex- pected tho attraction would remain until the flrst of tho year. I'ressure by thft Liberty brought about notification to Cohan last week his production would have to wind up the Boston run In thrfee weeks. ^ protest was made by Cohan, but further time at the Tre- mont was refused. "Nellie Kelly" has been doing capacity since open- ing, the weekly takings being be- tween $21,000 and $22,000, all the Tremont will hold at the scale. "Little Nellie Kelly" lias book, score and lyrics by Cohan.'It la the third musical attraction produced by him and started in the summer In Boston in as many seasons. In every in.^tance the booking was broken off before the attractions had been spent. "Mary," the flrst of the Boston-opened musicals, had to leave ahead of time and played through New Knglandto excellent business, finally coming to New York in the winter. "The O'Brien Girl" similarly was at its crest last season when forced to leave the Tremont. Boston. The "Kelly" show exceeds the promise of "Mary," which Is reported having netted a million In profits. That t'how was opened In Chicago before Broadway saw It, a special com- pany having been formed while the original was still In New England. Cohan has nothing on tour. "Lit- tle Nellie Kelly" and "So This Is London" are the manager's only at- tractions current. The latter com- edy leads Broadway's non-muxical hits and is getting around $16,r>00 weekly at the Ilud.son. "The O'Brien CJirl," sent on tour, was called in from tho central wost after being out six wfeks. TULLY'S "PARADISE" (Continued from page 1) earning a young fortune season afti r .reason as a road attraction. Meantime Post is on the Coast with .another film organization, which is to present him in a fea- ture while he is awaiting tho re- turn from abroad of Tully and the l-<Rinnin« of tho work on "Trilby." Irvii'.g Cummings is intnrested in the present venture in- which Post is apix-aririg. Tho company as yet has not soIe(;ted the story in which he is to appear and they are try- ing to secure the rights to a just comi.kle*! tale by a well known aoti: o r . '|ftii' un^ V .'^-'ottitiRham is u\t ng.ainnt the fat wi.min. th.' dwarf, and the luaks of .ill l:iridH ;ird at llio forth<'oming f;o(,s»' I-'iir lli»y will bf banned, tattocd worm »i ur's JiIho taljo». .Says the chairman of the fair comniittee 'it is not nic(? for yontm IiwIh of 17 and tlioir Hweethearts tja go Into [.'"how.s wlirre the bare It^H of these i wom^ri are on view." CONRAD'S 'SECRET AGENT*' London, Got. 16. J. H. Benrimo's next production at the Ambassador will be* a drama by Joseph Conrad, "The Secret agent." This is an adaptation of a novel by Conrad under the same title. ^The story deals with anar- chists, spies, secret service agents. and Soho. It Is particularly red- blooded and should make a popular play. 0P£l6l DEICAND OFF Paris, Oct. 15. It would not seem the subscription list of the local Opera is filling as expected this season. For the first time. Manager Rouche advertises in the press the advantages to sub- scribers. ; 'v An orchestra seat can be reserved at the Paris Opera for every fort- night from October to May for only 472 francs. BUTT'S 'KRIESLER'* RIGHTS London, Oct. 25. Sir Alfred Butt has secured the British play rights to the German "Kriesler" piece. The American rights to the same play are hold by Selwyn & Co. NEW REVUE AT METROPOLB London, Oct. 25. An application for a permit' to stage a revue at the Hotel Metro- pole, to succeed the present "Follies" in the hotel's cabaret, has been made by Paul Murray and Andre Chariot. ^'GLAMOUR" SENTIMENTAL London, Oct. 25. Last night at the Cowt "Glamour" was presented and favorably re- ceived. Jt Is a sentimental play of unlikely ultimate success. • *'THE UNFAIR SEX" London, Oct. 25, Robert Courtheidge has acquired a new play by Eric Hudson, author of "Ye Gods," which had a long run in the West End some time ago. The new play Is titled "The Unfair Sex." ';Repeated Philanthropy Finishdtt" London. Oct. 18, The public examination in bank-* ruptcy of Beatrice D. Krentz. pro- fessionally known as Gladys VViljion, was concluded Oct. 10. She gave her liabilities as £4,120 and her aH.«iet# at £7-5-8. She was employed as an actress from 1908 till 1921, when she. In partnership with another person, bought the touring rights of the Palace revue, "Whirligig." Later .^ho bought her partner out for £2.000. She then began to lo.se money and was compelled to sell the entire production for £95. In her evidence the bankrupt said her father had frenuently helped her, but eventually wired her: "Re- poated abu.sed philanthrophy iin- i.-^hed." She estimated her "Whirllglf'* losses at £4,000. Repertory Movement Growing London, Oct. *5r The repertory the^itre* movement* which is really a modern return to the old stf>rk day.H, Is persistently growing. Most of the big provincial cities have their r<'pertory theatres and not a few of the I^ndon su- burbs. Tlie latest to come over to the idea Is Kingston. \i^hich will op^n 1 Independent theatre late this fall.