Variety (November 1922)

Friday, November 17, HHMI "^ ^ APPUUSE PROHIBITED FOR I MOSCOW ART THEATRE PLAYS LEGITIMATE^ II None Permitted Until After Performance—Morri* Gett's Instructions —$5.50 Top Scale—At 44th or S9th St , ^ I>reparation8 being made by Mor- Qest for the Moscow Art theatre aa unique as the attraction is ^pected to be. The organisation sail* for Nevr York next month and la to make its debut Jan. 8 either at Che 44th Street or Jolson's 59th Street The iatter house is in view because of its generous balcony ac- ^onunodations, there being a total of 1,100 seats, with 900 on each floor. The admission scale will be $5.50 top. but the management will seek IMitronage of persons unable to stand the lower floor tariff. The McBride agency ia already taking orders for tickets and there have been many checks in payment of tlQkets received by Gest. It is planned, however, that no tickets under $3 will bv placed with the ticket brokers, the idea being to have the moderate ptieed admissions always aval able at the box office. The intermediate prices are |2.50 and |2. For the opening night, which will bo "T.^ar Fyodor." the orchestra scale will • be topped at |10, the other tickets being $7, $5. ft and $2. There will be ro tickets for a current performance sold at the box office on the day of the perform- ance. The object of that rule is to conform to the strict curtain time. The night shows A'ill start promptly at 8 o'clock and the matinee at 2 o'clock. "No one will be admitted a ■ingle minute thereafter until the act Intermistiion," according to the Instructions laid out by GeMt. Xo applause wi'l be permitted un- til the end of the performance. There will be six night performances and two matinees. Saturday afternoon Is fixed for a matinee, but the after- noon show during the week will be a roving matinee, the day to be de- cided cm weekly. In that way every professional desirous of seeing the Hussian dramatic players will be afforded a chance to attend. There are to be Knglish transla- tions of all the play.**, which will be sold In the various agrencies or at the theatre for 15 cents. POLLOCK'S'TOOL" FOOLS THE MANAGERS Selwvn^s Production Assured Hit—Woods and Herman ^ Lose Wagers v THE THREE "CZARS" AT ASrOR DINNER briars Entertaining Landis, l;, Hays and Thomas Sunday Night tN» The "Czars" of ba.>=iphan, pictures fcnd the legit theatre will be the guests of the ^«'riars Sunday eve- ning at the Hotel Astor, Kenesaw If. Landis. Will H. Hays and Friar Augustus Thoma.s are the notables. Eaoh of the ^luests will speak, Mr. Thomas following his two compan- ions. ArranRements have been com- pleted to broadcast all addresses at the dinner through the WJZ West- Inghouse station at Newark. Friar F. F. Albee is in charge of the dinner, with Friar H. H. Burn- sld-e In charge of tiie entertainment to follow. About 1,000 niMV be ."catod In the Astor's ballioum for a banquet. The sale of seals fur the Friari*' dinner "early indicated complete capacity. The dinnr^r i.'^ .«;.^■^lo(^ :it $6 for Fri.ns and $10 \Hv plate for kius's, with each table limited to 10 persons. ■" ♦CUPID INCOG" 'Cupid ln<<)/::." -u comedy written by Paul S 1) • and JsfU'ar Mai-- (5regor, is due f.<r t>ioduotion late 1^ the fall. It is il'.e .Mccond pl.\y which the imIi- bav<» collaborated upon. Tlie .«anie mithors wrote "All Niuht Ltin»<." to v.hirh Philip T'.artholrmew also coniributed. S:p'* i^ a young I'lit .l.urgher who is iMa»(;iof;or ..-^ poino: in fir play- "wriffhllni? ;irul dr-ftirn rather than I)rod\iPtion on his o\Nn as formerly. He Is' cx)llal)oratinK on seveial other i»lays. rH\f is 'The First "I'^lflht." writt.Mi. in collaboration With Riiswin Goldiii^i Channlng Pollock's "The Fool," now In Its fourth week, stands out as one of the dramatic successes of Broadway. During the first three weeks the show proved itself, climb- ing from 19,200 to over $14,000, which it drew last week without an extra performance. When the Selwyns ac- cepted the piece for production some of their managerial friends made demonstrations of giving them a more or less gentle "bird" and said the show didn't have a chance. A. H. Woods, who had the first call on "The Fool." bet Arch Selwyn it would not be a success, laying him $1,000 to $100. Woods predicted it would never reach $12,000 gross in a weeit, but the bet is as good as in for Arch. Martin Hermann bet a real suit of clothes it would not last over three weeks. The Selwyns fig- ured it would take three or four weeks to gauge the play's chances. This week started off with a $l,3.'i0 Monda» so the status of "The Fool" appears no longer in doubt. Many letters from prominent per- sons, including the clergy, have been received by the Selwyns In commendation of the play. Most have requested no publicity, but it is known a leading financier whose Sunday school is famous has re- quested. James Kirkwood to speak at his Bible class. The latter classed "The Fool" as "the finest example of theatrical entertainment." A prom- inent rabbi's letter declared the show was making people think. Other denominations have exhibited unusual interest in the play. Chris- tian Scientists particularly, al- though there is no direct mention of any faith in the play. Comparative figures for the first three weeks show the ascendency of the box ofilce at the Times Square. The first Monday grossed $400, the second $S00 and the third $1,000. The first Tuesday was $600, the second was $900 and the third $2,500 (Elec- tion night). The fir.st Wednesday was $1,000. the second $1,100 and the third $1,200. The first Thursday mat- inee was $700, the second $800 and $1,000 on the third. The first Thurs- day night was $900. the second $1,- 000 and the third $1,100. The first Friday was $1,300, the second $1,- 500 and the third $1,800.' The Satur- day matinees jumped from $C00 to $1,300, while the night draw was capacity for all three Saturdays at around $2,400. EQUmr FORMED STOCK, QUITS $10,000 LOSER Closed at Kurtz, Bethlehem, Pa.—Guaranteed 4 Weeks, Equity Pays for Two The musical stock at the Kurtz, Bethlehem, Pa., closed Saturday, after four weeks. The loss sus- tained by the venture which was under the management of Harold W. Heiberger was about $10,000. The company was cast and re- hearsed in New York under the strictest Equity supervision and conditions. Equity required and Heiberger filed a bond guaranteeing the com- pany a minimum of four weeks. The bond was endorsed by the I..e- high Valley Bank of Bethlehem. All players were required to be paid-up Equity members. During the re- hearsal period Equity representa- tives called at the hall a number of times. The standing of every mem- ber was investigated, and it is al- leged the manager was required to sign slips that back dues would be talcen out of salaries. Heiberger was told that those players con- tracted for must join Equity if not then m.embers, and slips calling for the amount of initiation were also signed by "Kim, according^ to those concerned with the venture. Choristers were required to join Chorus Equity If not members. Dur- ing rehearsals the manager was "ad- vised" that it would be a gracious thing on his part to allow for com- pensation to the chorus during re- hearsal, and the girls were paid half salaries for two weeks during rehearsals. Miss W. Vogelius, who was In the cast, quit without notice, and Hei- berger called on Equity to perform its part of the agreement. Equity is said to have paid the manager two weeks' salary, though he was forced to guarantee four weeks. The girl is said to have been cast for a small part with salary quoted at around $40 weekly. WANTS STOCK BACK Allegations Against Picture Corpo- ration—Morosco Stock Involved Alleging he was Induced to sell .TCS^^ shares of preferred slock, par value $100 per share, and 1.474 corninon shares in the Mo:osco Holding Co., Inc.. In exchange for the assets of the United States Mo- tion I'irtures Corporation, ntiijimin Leven has instituted 1'.deral Court proceodinKS .against the I'. S. Co., (Uiy Sturdesant, individually and as trustee of that cori)Oi ation; the .VIoro.sco Holding Co., Inc., and the Chatham K- Phenix National I'.ank of New i'ork. Levt-n is snini; to recover his stock, which is valued at $70,000. I.ovrn alleg.H the T'. S. .M. P. l\)r- poration is not a ^oin?? concern, that its buildinirs diil not co.st $100,000, ;iH represt nied, but are valued at $L'r.,00O, and ihit tiie Mincis r.ank'ol" U ilkes-Barre. I'a.. did not appraise "ABIE'S IRISH ROSE" IN STOCK: NEW IDEA FOR ROAD DATES More Money in Four Weekt at Washington Than One Week of Regular Playing Could Return—r Trying It at President Theatre CHICAGO TREASURERS BANDED BY "SQUEAL" Apollo Treasurer Accepted Re- turn for "Bombo"—Treas- urers Against Waterfall's the pr.^prrty ITTTTTTirfnTTriTTTT-TirTTr loaned il $"iL'.000 ou a nioi i t;.i««'. M< Vvanis tlie ;ij;recment Of yah' can- et'il.«d and his Mock n turned. The Chatliun A: Piieni.K R..!ik i> involved as .traii.<f"r .u;«-nl for tli .Mmio.'oo «inpar»y. . _;: "49ERS" CUTS SCALE Program by Writers Better Thought of by Other* ^ Will Morrlssey may step Into the "49ers" at the I'unch and Judy this week. His duties will be tliose of a conferencler, an adaptation of the style of Niklta Balieff of the "Chauve-Sourls." May Irwin with- drew from the post after the fir«t performance last week and Marc Connelly has filled In the void. The admission scale for the "49ers" was |5 top, which may have count- ed apainst it during the first week. Monday the scale was dropped and the seats now cost $3 and )2. George Tyler produced the show. *' • says the limited capacity of the Punch and Judy (299 seats) forced the trial of the high scale. It Is re- ported at the lower prices the show cannot break even because of the cast and the numerous authors. The Punch and Judy can get |11,000 on the week if capacity throughout. Along IJroadway It Is believed the "49ers" show of satires is a lot bet- ter than the critics said It was. The general writing of It was done by Cfcorge S. Kaufman and Connelly and the collaborators had more faith in it than In their adaptation of "Merton of the Movies." which opened at the Cort Monday and drew exceptional praise. The latter show went to a sell-out the iecond night. Heywood Brotm's "A Robe for a King," one of the "49ers" playlets, was taken out of the show. The critic did not think much of it him- self and said so in his "hard boiled" review of the bill. Tyler is .«aid to have put about $20,000 into tlie 'MOers" show, which is an American adaptation of the "Cliauve-Souris" idea. It is said tha* boi'an.'-e of the risk in the ven- ture he released .Mrs. I-isk*' from his management and she is an- noiin<'»'d to play uruh-r tlip direction • .f H. H. Frazee in "Paddv." Tyler, however, also produced ' .Merton of the MtivicH," which is considered a hit at the Cort. Howevt-r, Ilu.nrh I'ord li;is coiisid'r.tblc intiicst in '•Merton.*' .• ■ . , BO'JITDIKG ACTOR K';lrl.sa;^ City, Nov. 15. Tl i' vei ilim i' d. — tn* —i mtnr ;i t t hr* (;illi.s, fell from a window i.C his dres.viiig room on the third floor of the thea're I-'iidny <^vcn;n;,'. He .slruik an eU'ttric sign aiKJ r«-hound- • d thioM^;ii a window on tli<« ««*fond Chicago, Nov. 15. The treasurers of Chicago theatres have banded themselves together to put a ban on the Waterfall ticket agency as the result of an indigna- tion meeting held following a "run- in" one of the treasurers at the Apollo had with L. Frledlander, manager for Waterfall. It seems that Al Jolson tickets to the value of $1,350 were offered back to the box-ofllce, and the treasurer, acting on his own Initiative and basing his position on the fact that It was better to sell these tickets at the box-offlce and fulfill a de- mand than to have them disposed of an the street at less than face value, accepted them. Frledlander. unappreclative, asked favors of the box-office which could not be granted. He is said to have "squealed" on the treasurer and stated there had been something wrong In connection with the buy- ing back of the Jolson tickeis. Treasurers of Chicago theatres are very indignant at the course of the ticket agency manager. Harry Hirsch, formerly treasurer of the Carrick. has been transferred io the Ai)ollo. Washington, Nov. 15. A new attraction idea Is to b« tried here at the X^resldent theatre, now playing stock. Th« policy will be production stock. Broadway successes to be presented for a number of weeks. Henry Duffy and A. L. Smith are managing th* President. It Is believed that bo- cause legitimate attractions hav« fared so badly here this season the, production stock idea will appeal to some New York managers whil« moderate admissions will draw the natives. "Abie's Irish Rose" will be th« first of the production stock presen« tations. It will be given for four weeks. The show's management fl»- urcs It will secure considerably mor« In royalties during the stock run than could be made In profits by » week's regular showing. "Able" t« not to b« generally released for stock. Duffy Is the husband of Ann* Nichols, who wrote and produced "Abie's Irish Rose" In New York, where it Is still running. The at- traction is in indefinitely at the Re- public. It Is in Its thirty-seventh week in Los Angeles and has re* peated In the California one-nlghto ers five times, also repeating a« often in several of the bigger stands. The Oliver Morosco Holding Cor- poration controls "Abie's" coast showings to date, but the court bat- tle between Miss Nichols and the Morosco company to settle owner- ship Is soon due for trial. CHI'S "WORST" HOUSES ARE GETTING TRADE Arliss and Pollock—$6,500 at Gt. Northern—Double at Shubert Central Chicago, Nov. 15. An Interesting feature of the legit- imate situation existing in Chicago theatricals at this lime is that two stars are registering remarkaGle hits at two of the so-called "worst" houses in Chicago. It is George Arliss in "The CIreen C.oddess" at the CJreat Northern, and Allan Pol- lock In "A Bill of Divorcement" at the Shubert Central. Seats are being sold four weeks in advance at the Great Northern, which has not been necessary ore- viously in the Shubert conduct of the house. Seats are selling six weeks In advance at the Shubert Central. I'ollock came here for three weeks at the Powers and when the powers- that-be thought he could not make a success of it. he took the Shubert Central on his own. The first week he did $4,000, while last week (sec- ond week) he did $«,500. Arliss, since his first week, has been grossing between $12,000 and $14,000. SMA(,L'S ESTATE SHRINKS Has $800,000 Shrinkage—Now Val- ued at |U47^5 .. _ Montreal, Nov. 16. The Misses May Florence Maud Small and Gertrude ^lercedes Small, sisters of Ambrose Small, the miss- ing theritrlcal magnate, have been conducting Investigations of the papers of the showman's estate for the purpose of ascertaining what transactions have been made In ronnection with It. A claim for $7,200 by the sl.sters for maintenance has been made. An agreement Is alleged to have been executed four months before their brother's dis- appearance. The Small estate Is now valued at $1,347,235.69, having been reduced from the original summary of $2,- 127.548.78. Assets which did not be- long to Small and were included In the original computation accounts for the reduction. An agreement signed by Small Dec. 14, 1919, a day before his mys- terious disappearanen, transferred $500,000 to his wife. It is stated this agreement was made by Small in considering that Mrs. Small had re- linquished her dower In the lands and building used by him for the- atrical purposes, which properties he was about to sell for $1,050,000. The hair million dollars payable to Mrs. Small represented half of a million-dollar pajment. Kfforts to trace this fund have been made. Judging from papers on file with Montreal authorities. JENNIPS ROUGH GUY Seeks Divorce from Pugilistic Money-Getter Chicago. Nov. 15. Mr". .Tennie Travis, now with the Al Jolson show, made romplaint Iri her hopod-for divorce case against a pugilist, wliom she weddf^d Xov. 17, 1914, and left .Ian. 3, 1915. in which 5-he said: , "I was a motion picture actre-s; he wa.s a prize fighter. He used to ••all me d.irlin^r, hut hi^ kisses turned to UF>peicuts \vh«'n I was short in my p.iv < nvcloijc. When he saw I w.as c-aining a trood sil.iry in pit-tnres he withdrew from i)rize fiKhfinir f'»r purs»-^ .'ind mnfinHd ijiin elf to fij^'hting me f<>r niine." T. M. A. Meeting Nov. 22 Th«' Tt'urif.g .M.in.iy-f >■ As-ovia- tinii will lioid [{•* nu ni'-rly riin'ilfi;^ ,'tt i1i>* IIm;.-1 Avtor. .N'eW V<irk NELLIE'S '^S^ANGLES^' Geo. M. Cohan Agrees to Accept Play When Completed A play called "Spangh's," st.irted some years ago by Nellie Hevell, will be accepted for i)rodiir'f inn by George M. Cohan when Miss Ilevell completes the script. The Invalid says its romplotion 1% indefinite, since she ia now engai?**! In writing a bof)k to contain an ae- eount of her fieeuliar illne«is and Incidents in fonnnrtion with io-r ]>r<)](inK*'<\ ho.<|»iiil run at St. \'ia- rent's. New York. ' ; Mr Cohan call.-d the Other diy on .Mi.ss Itvvell. Dviring the coii- v<'rsati(»n the matter of her urt- liriish<-d play came up. • . J ttonr. II.- \v ir^i h'lf .slightly iojur"'«l.' \\'«<Inc,-!d-<y. .N'm. 'Spico" at Studebaker «'JiUMgo. Nov. IS. .<l,:io of IJtJ-.'" will .irrlve at th» .s: u(|.b;»l<or in tmte to open for th« hf>lid:»y«. • ; • • '•':