Variety (November 1922)

•-V ■! ""« ^f, '•'T'y" ■r-'-.-wtrT-" '75"" ■i»! T--^^^-,r 10 i-EGITIMATE Friday, November 24, 1981 "THREE CZARS" DINNER BEST EVER BY FRIARS Landis, Hays and Thomas Speak at Astor Banquet— . Rogers Thought He Would Introduce a Boot- legg er The Friars' most successful af- fair of its kind was staged Sunday evening. In the grand ballroom (t th« Hotel Astor, where a dinner was tendered the "big three" of the amusement world—Kenet-aw Moun- tain Landis, the dictator of big league baseball*. Will Hays, ap- pointed to guide the destinies of the picture world, and Augustus Thomas, the directing head of the Producing Managers' Association, typifying the legitimate stage. Friar Abbott Oeorge M. Cohan was in the toastmaster's chair. The dinner was oversubscribed and Mr. Cohan stated it was the first event of the Friars at T.ie conclusion of a period of reconstruction, the club now being on a firmer financial basis than any organization of its kind in the country. Prior to his introductory address Mr. Cohan asked the gathering to rise for a moment of silent prayer in respect to Frank Bacon, the star of "Llghtnin'," who died Sunday in Chicago. The toastmaster said that recently when he was in Chicago, Bacon, after three years of es- trangement, requested a talk with Cohan at his hotel. Bacon had been one of the strongest factors in the actors' strike of 1919 and considered one of the staunchest members of Equity. When he ar- rived uX the hotel he expressed re- gret about the feeling between the actors* organizations. "Tt's all a mistake," Bacon told Cohan, "let's be friends." The mention of Bacon and the Cohan incident was made a feature of the address of both Mr. Landis and Mr. Thomas, the latter quite extendedly mentioning Equity, its labor afniiation and the agreement between the managers and actors. Mr. Cohan cleverly contrived to introduce the "three czars," having an "advance agent" for each. De Wolf Hopper did the honors for Landis, Will Rogers diffused wit in Introducing Hays, and Irvin Cobb made a brilliant prelude. for Thomas. By far the most amusing upoech of the evening was Rogers' con- tribution. The diners went into flights of laughter frequently and Hays himself giggled so hard he had to wipe the tears from his eyes. Rogers said he had been informed he was to introduce a man repre- .«entlng the largest industry in the country and naturally studied up on bootlegging, thinking his man was the invisible president of the liquor distributors. But to learn his man represented a lot of 10- ccnt pictures had scrapped all of his dope. Rogers said he hadn't eaten the dinner and if he pulled a flop no blame could attach ' > him. He also said the Friars thought of a dinner to one of the big three, but decided to bunch them Into a "three in one" affair. Tho address of Mr. Thomas caused some surprise in mana- Korial circles early this week, that he would touch on the matter of the relation of the P. ^T. A. and Equity before a gathering of the kind. Some managers were in- clined to regret the discourse, though the motive was sincere. The playwright-director mentioned the Bacon-Cohan Incident in plead- ing for a continvrance of the agree- ment between the two organiza- tions. The agreement signed at the conclusion of the strike expires in 1924 and it was Thomas' hope there would bo no hindrance to an ex- tension of the amicable relations on the same basis as at present. Mr. Thomas mentioned his con- nection with the strike settlement and the meeting at the St. Regis hotel when tho managerial repre- sentatives and thoso of tho actors and theatrical labor unions agreed to settle all difllcuUles. Ho said the agreement gave to the actors greater privileges than ever en- joyed by them before and that there could be no reason why it should not be extended. Mr. Thomas said that as a playwright he was jn intimate terms with many of the leaders in Equity and they were cl0B« friends up until the time Equity Joined the American Fed- eration of Labor. He stated he did not t>€li«Te actors needed such an affiliation and Inferred they would * ^Continued on page 32) "KREISLER" AT APOLLO; GRIFFITH AT SELWYN Change in Bookings — ''Se- crets" IMay Go Into Sel- wyn After Pictures "Johannes Kreisler," the German dramatic novelty which half a dozen American managers bid for, and which the Selwyns will present here, will be housed in their ApoUo, New York, instead of the Selwyn, as first planned. The switch was made because of the larger capacity of the Apollo, which will permit a lower admission scale. Instead of $6 top, the attraction will be priced at $4 top, and more moderate priced seats in the balcony also was considered. Tho Apollo can play to 130.000 weekly at the lower scale. It has 620 seats on tho lower floor, as against 675 for the Selwyn. Tl>e proscenium will be opened and the steel bridge required for the mechan- ical effects installed there, instead of the Selwyn. Because of the switch in houses, D. W. Griflith has agreed to exhibit two weeks at the Selwyn, the time being the remainder of his rental of the Apoilo. "One Exciting Night" will stop after another week« the Apollo going dark so that the "Kreisler" devices may be installed and rehearsals held. "Partners Again" leaves the Selwyn at the same time, and Grifllth will take possession. For tho first week he will present "Intolerance," which is said to apply now more forcefully than two years ago when initially presented. For the second week he will show "The Birth of a Nation." The Selwyn may get "Secrets," tho English success whiclf Sam H. Harris will produce here. It is due about the holidays. VISrriNG STAR 'WHEEL' FROM COAST TO COAST in Metropolitan, Cleveland, New Mutual Advantages- 30-40 Weeks Possible Cleveland, Nov. 22. An announcement concerning the future policy of the Metropolitan theatre, where the Robert Mc- Laughlin Players are appearing in weekly repertory, was made this week. Mr. McLaughlin has com- pleted negotiations by which this theatre will be a member of a "visiting star" wheel. Other houses which are "spokes" in the wheel are located in Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Toledo, Des Moines, Salt Lake City and other cities, reach- ing from coast to coast, with San Francisco and Los ilLngeles as the terminal points. The plan contem- plates sending various stars of the first magnitude to each of the the- atres on the wheel to act in con- nection with the local organizations. All of the members of the company with tho exception of the specially engaged star would be resident players, appearing week after week in different roles. The plan has great mutual ad- vantages. It not only permits and achieves the engagement of the prominent people of the stage for the local organizations but it offers a season of thirty to forty weeks to the stars with whom contracts are made. Because of poor road busi- ness and high transportation costs it is thought that the new method may have a revolutionary effect in the theatrical field. GUILD PLAY BANNED University Regards "S. S. Tenacity* Too Gay for College Showing iULAN DALE'S PLAY QUESTIONED BY PITOU Manager Starts Action Against Critic and Shuberts—''No- body's Foor' Not New Action has been started by Au- gustus Pitou against the Shuberts and Alan Dale on the allegation that they are wrongfully presenting a play called "Nobody's Fool,** which opened out of town last weeic No- tices were served by Joseph Bick- erton, attorney for Pitou. Dale wrote the play. Pitou originally produced it, and sent it on tour with May Robaon in 1920-21, and claims prior rights. The critic-playwright took the position that the manager's rights '■ expired, and, with the Shuberts, plans to bring tho show to Broad- way. ' Miss Robson never played it > in New York. It is said the contract | between Pitou and Dale contains oontradlctory clauses. Miss Robson is on tour this season in "Mother's Millions," also produced by Pitou. The new piece Is by How- ard McKent Barnes and is well re- garded. Pitou expects to bring Miss j Robson to New York in it during the spring. H. H. FRAZEE REJOINING MANAGERS'ASS'N Reported Producer Will Be Re^ elected to P. M. A,—"Paddy"^ Not Reason, Frazee Says "PASS GRAFTERS" TALKED ABOUT COLLISON BANKRUPT Author of "Mabel's Room" Owes $69,00a-A8sets |500 Wilson Collison, farce playwright and theatrical producer, has filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy in the United States District Court. New York, with total liabilities of 169,382.91, and $500 assets. Collison came to attention as co-author with Avery Hopwood of a number of A, H. Woods' farces, including "Up in Mabel's Room." "Getting Gerties Garter." and others, later produc- ing "The Lady With the Carmine Lips," at the Punch and Judy, New York, on his own. As a result Collison was sued for breach of a loa.se on the theatre by the Punch and Judy Theatre Co., Inc., Collison listing this as one of hKs liabilities to the extent of $40,- 000. The playwright acknowledges Indebtedness of $12,264 to Anzonetto Lloyd-Collison for moneys loaned on a series of five notes starting April 6. 1921. Thomas V. Kane, care of tho Century Play Co., Earl Carroll theatre building has $7,000 due, according to tho schedules, Laura 1). Wil-k, play broker, $9.- 020.75 for unpaid royalties and comml.ssion.9, and Lotty & Brier, theatrical co.stumers, $«68. Collison was also reported to 8pon.«?or a new f.arce in the pa«t month, but abandoned it. Arthur ITngar. formerly manager for Col- lison. has acquired tho rig'ils to this piece, not definitely titled. San Francisco. Nov. 22. The San Francisco Stage Guild, which now has its own theatre in San Francisco, the Plaza, formerly the Savoy, came in for a lot of pub- licity last week when the Board of Regents of the University of Cali- fornia refused to permit the showing of "S. S. Tenacity" at the university, where the guild had been showing its plays for three days of each week. The play was barred because of a seduction scene which supplies the "kick" of the play. When reviewed by critics on the San Francisco dailies the dramatic editors refused to regard ^'S. S. Tenacity" as "a gay trifle from the French." The Board of Regents decided it was a bit too gay for univer.slty undergraduates to witness. Volume Is Increasing—Move Being Made to Check Impositions H. H. Frazee, who resigned from the Producing Managers' Assooia* tion about a year ago, has applied for membership. It is understood be will be re-elected. Reports mrm that the manager has agreed to pay back dues in dispute at the time of his withdrawal. After leaving the P. M. A., Prasea put on "Her Temporary Husband** as an independent producer. Ra« cently he assumed the rights to "Paddy," starring Mrs. Fiske, which George Tyler was to have presented. Mra Fiske is a member of the Actors* Fidelity League. Broadway was Interested in developments from an Bquity standpoint. Tha problem was solved by I'^rnzee's in- tention to re-enter the managers* association. Reports were that members Of the cast of "Paddy" had been instructed to insist that as the production was Independent all the players must ba Equity members. That situation would have forced Fraree Into tho P. M. A. or Mrs. Fiske into Equity unless a new star was secured. At the Frazee office it was stated the manager had arranged for ra- suming membership in the P. If. A. some time ago. It was also stated there had been no trouble witb Equity over the matter in any way. KNIGHT REWRITING "BILL" Author of "Thin Ice" May Appear in English Piece COAST -CHUCKLES" Los Angeles, Nov. 22. "Chuckles." with an all-npgro cast. was produced at the I'hilharmonio Auditorium before a big audience this week, although many at the premiere were guests. The show is rrrrnrded n« fair, Ij'tt not as good as "Shuffle Along." "Old Bill. M. P.," the Bairnsfather play, which Is to be produced here by Sam H. Harris, is being rewrit- ten by Perclval ^nip:ht, who wrote and is appearing in "Thin Ice." The piece was first intended for Mr. and Mrs. Coburn, but the latter are now In "So This Is London!" at Co- han's Grand, Chicago. Percy Ames may step Into Knight's role in "Thin Ice." in which event Knight will appear In the name role of "Old Bill." He will direct the show, planned for Cana- dian bookings prior to presentation on Broadway. Lewis & Gordon are Interested In the American rif^ht.s to "Old Bill" in association with Harris. Wells Hawks, general press rep- resentative for Sam H. Harris, called a meeting of the press agents for Broadway attractions, that a solution may be worked out to cor- | rect the imposition of pass grafters. I There are numerous requests forj courtesies from persons whose con- nections do not entitle them to con- sideration, and the Informal asso- ciation of agents seeks to weed out such individuals. ThlDugh a comparison of requests a sort of "fakir black-list" will be made, the list to be sent all press agents as a guide. It will be safe to reply to requests from names on the list that "we are sold out" or "Sorry, we have a theatre party on tonight." ' Several years ago the press agent.s got together and established a sim- ilar safety device which was con- sidered quite effective. Recently the volume of free ticket requests has grown to such proportions the press agents believe they must have some means of defense. There will be a series of luncheon meetings at Keen's Chop House, on the "Dutch treat" plan. In addi- tion to Hawks, those furthering the plan are Claude Greneker, Walter Kingslcy, Francis Reid, John D. Williams, Al Strassman and Charles E. Cook. Baltimore, Nov. 28. PaderewskI, who played in recital here Monday night, let his tempera* ment get the best of him for a moment when two women in tho audience arose to leave the hall* The pianist was in the midst of a big number, when rustling In the center of the house attracted his at* tentlon. Ijls hands were raised to strike a chbrd. but when he sa^^ the women leaving, the hands failed to descend, and fhstead he arose and walked swiftly into the wings. re« fusing to reappear until three mln* utes of intense applause assured him that the audience was more than willing to listen. It afterward developed the women who left the hall were visitors from Washington, and that they were compelled to leave in order to catch a train. The recital, which the Pole gava here, was the most brilliant of the local season, and every seat in the house was filled, while many were standing in the rear of the house, $2.50 being charged for this priv- ilege. His encores outnumbered the programed pieces, so heavy was the applause and so enthusiastic ^aS the audience. O'BRIEN EXCITES INTEREST jMigono O'T'rii-n's lu-w stage star- ring vehicle, "Steve," opened ATon- day in Scranton. It is due on Broadway the fir.st week in Decem- ber, under Goorpro Gatts* direction. Mrs. Thomas Whifft^n appears in tho support. Robert L. Dempster, the author, and Lraira Hope Crowes are stag- ing it. An advance df^mand evincing In- terest is r»>portcd from Ponnaylva- nia towns whcr«> tin' show will ap- pear next week. " MARJOLAINET ATTACHED Rutland Railroad's Claim of $500 Adjusted and Show Released WABDL AND MISSION PLAY Los Angeles, Nov. 22. Frederick Warde, the veteran actor, may not return to the Mission play in which he has starred for several years. His plans are in abeyance for the present. , ACTRESS CLEARED Los Angeles, Nov. 22. -Qna ^tage name was drawn into a recent murder. T)Ut tho thoatrical co'ony was not involved. It was shown that D( wayne Frances, legit- imate actress, was present with Bert Torrence, a realty dealer, when he was shot down and killed, but the police have absolved her. The authorities are working on the theory that the killing was done by a bootlegger. Montreal, Nov. 22. "Marjolaine," at' His Majesty's here, was seized Saturday by a bailiff acting under instructions from a local lawyer. The complaint against tho com- pany was laid by the Montreal representative of tho Rutland Railroad. In his depo.sltion the complainant stated the "Marjo- laine" company owed the railroad $500 tran.sportation charges from New York to Montreal. AVrits were served on the closing night of the enga-jr-ment upon tho company and Itousc managers and the Montreal lessee of the house. The box otticc receipts were at- tached and the bailiff took an in- ventory of the stock in trade of the company, scenery, etc. In actordancc with the Quebec law, it would have been po.ssible for the lawyer acting for the com- plainant to tie up the show in •Montroal for a full week, when the writ was returnable in court, but a satisfactory arrangement was ar- rived at in time to allow the com- pany to proceed on the road. C?harles Hold.stock, L. L. M.. advocate and former house manager of His Majesty's, acted for Thomas Fallon, the complainant, represent- iing the Rutland people. SHYLOCK DID $24,000 Five Days of Belasco ProduoUon III Baltimore at f3 Top Baltimore, Nov. 22. Belasco's "Merchant of Venice'' with Warfield, at $3 top, openinif here Tuesday, did $24,000 gross in the Ave days remaining. From here the play went to the Nixon, Pittsburgh, and then moves to Cleveland and Detroit, for qn% week each, before opening at the Lyceum, New York. CHI TURNS DOWN OTIEIL PLAY Chicago, Nor. 22. The failure of Nance O'Nell in "The Field of Ermine" at Powers Is the talk of the loop. The show was only booked in for a fortnight, bu^ that period is admitted now to be too long. Tho critics rapped the sliow without exception, and several observed It was not to bo compared to "The Passion Flower," last sea- son's play for Miss O'Nell by the same author. "HAYSEED" AT POLTS W^shigton, D. C, Nov. 22. The first production to appear In- the remodeled Poll's will bo "Hay- seed," opening next Monday, after starting Its career last Monday at Stamford, Conn. "Hayseed." originally promoted by BJ. Ray Ooetz and taken over by Davidow A LeMaire, may bow onto Broadway either at the Broadhurst or Bayes theatre. ,.,. TEMPERAMENTAL PIANIST | Gives Brilliant Concert in Baltl* more -' i ] ■'■: I "1