Variety (February 1923)

It 1 - ' LEGITIMATE I • Thursday, February 1, 1928 • i INSIDE STUFF ON LEGIT Mrs. H. B. Harris will produce Samuel Shipman's latest writing called •The Crooked Square" which probably means Times Square. The man- ageress secured the producing rights in a most informal manner, the Incident being an Interesting trip up from Atlantic City. Mrs. Harris was In one parlor car and Shippy in another. He started rubbering through the other cars and stopped to chat with Mrs. Harris. She asked him why he had not given her a chance to produce one of his plays, say- ing that as .most other managers had had a chance with them she ought to be given the same opportunity. Shippy, having the script of "The Crooked Square" In his pocket, asked Mrs. Harris to look it over. After perusing the first act, she looked up Sammy and offered him a check for an opUon. He cautioned her to read further and after getting through the second act, Mrs. Harris doubled her offer. It was accepted. Shipman delivered one of the best money makers in seasons for Mrs. Harris' brother-in-law, Wflliam Harris, Jr. It was "East is West." That was the play that set the style for Shippy's funny titles. "Sun Showers" opening at the Astor, New York, Monday, Is guaran- teeing |5,000 weekly for the house, with a $12,000 stop. Its scale will be $2.60 top. It is the first legit production by Lew Cantor, the vaudeville producer. The show was out for a few weeks, brought in and recast. It opened In Syracuse Thursday for the» second break-in. In preference to another road try out tour, Cantor, first offered it to the, Bayes roof and •iter agreeing upon the 44th Street on regular sharing terms, decided to take the Astor on the guarantee. The piece was well reported from out of town on the first trip, barring miscasting and some necessary book revision. Its music was highly praised. ■ The business of George W. Lederer's newest production, "Peaches" at the Garrick, Philadelphia, built up last week until in grossed $11,165 on the week. Saturday grossed $4,000 on the day. The musical comedy-operetta opened "cold" at the Garrick and wilt go through its fixing process while playing the announced three weeks there. The ■how Is expected to reach $20,000 on the finishing week. Lederer discovered a new composer for "Peaches," a native, formerly an orches- tral conductor. "Peaches" in music and production needs nothing, but Lederer intends putting in a little work on the script with a prospect of some cast changes. The show would have been at- the Amsterdam if "The Follies" had not prolonged its run. It may go to the Globe oa Broadway, and perhaps at a $2.50 top. , "Anathema" by Leonid Andreyev, the Russian, playwright known for his "He Who Gets Slapped," will be produced by the Moscow Art com- pany during its New York season. The play was originally written for this organization, but was suppressed by the late Czar Nicholas when it played at the Moscow Art Theatre. It presents the Jew in a favorable light. By coincidence the Yiddish Art group on Madison avenue and 27th street is planning a Yiddish version under Maurice Schwartz' di- rection. With the reopening of the Winter Garden with no smoking, its present attraction, "The Dancing Girl" is drawing a more classy orchestra trade than formerly. The smoking privilege was deemed a drawback to the Garden before Its remodeling. The feature of the "Girl" show, Benny Leonard, world's champion lightweight, is also accounted a draw at the Garden. He Is receiving $8,000 weekly from the Shuberts. A clerical appearing visitor to the Garden Saturday afternoon, in the lobby for a moment between the acts, said to a neighbor: "That Benny Leonard strikes me as a remarkable boy. He's a credit to his profession, he's a credit to his race and a credit to the stage." Something different in radiophone broadcasting entertainment is being given at the W.G.Y. station at Schenectady, N. Y., maintained by the General Electric The plant has its own stock company which "pre- sents" a play each Friday night. The parts are read by the "players" who need not be skilled profes- sionals and only the number of persons necessary for different voices to provide the illusion of separate characters. There has been no attempt to exact royalties for the stock broadcasting. The plays have not been secured from the brokers who explain the G. E. plant is reading from printed versions. An author, one of whose plays was given recently, first discovered the stock-giving stunt, hearing with surprise his work through his receiv- ing set. In the metropolitan district the Schenectady station cannot be heard regularly, the number of high powered station near New York cutting out the up-state station most of the time. Oliver Morosco has withdrawn "The Sporting Thing to Do" which starred Emily Stevens. The play stopped at Elmira, N. Y., Saturday. It was to have gone Into the Morosco Monday next, and was so advertised In Sunday's papers. Instead "Hail and Farewell" produced by Joseph Shea, and starring Florence Reed, will succeed "Mike Angelo" which ends Saturday. "The Sporting Thing to Do" was written by Thompson Buchanan, and was tried out at the coast last summer by Morosco. The author is known as a picture scenarist. It is said he refused to permit changes in the script which led to differences with the producer and the latter's de- cision to withdraw the play. Arch Selwyn sails February 10 on the "Olympic," visiting London and Paris. He will *aid in the presentation of "Partners Again" in the English metropolis, where it is to open under the direction of C. B. Cochran. He will also arrange for the production there of "The Fool." George Tyler having "set" his "Merton of the Movies" for the season will also go abroad this month, though his trip will be principally on ple'asure. He plans a visit to Algiers and a trip through the Sahara desert via motor car. A beefsteak dinner was tendered George M. Cohan Saturday night at Murray's in honor of his return that day from abroad. The com- panies appearing here in his "Littla Nellie Kelley" and "So This is Lon- don*' were the hosts. Sam H. Harris got a good break in the matter of a contract with Francine Larrimore, which had about fourteen weeks more to go this season. The manager had not been able to secure a play which he thought suited to her, but the star became interested in a script she found in his office. After reading it sho advised the producer she would like to appear in it. Harris read tho play, but could not see its merit. Thereupon Miss Larrimore is said to have declared she'd appear in that play for him or none at all. Tho manager gently suggested he would cancel her contract (at $1,200 weekly salary) If she wished it and she accepted that idea. The star then took the play to Lee Shubert, and it is understood the Utter will shortly produce it for her. Several Baltimore dramatic newspaper men have a just grievance based on the Intimation of the misinformation carried as "inside stuff" last week and referring to the reviews given "Tangerine" when It played the stand two years ago and recently. The review on tho show when it played Baltimore recently was written by Gilbert E. Kanour, assistant dramatic editor of the Baltimore "Evening Sun," and not Gustav Klemm, as stated in the story. Klemm is tho moving picture critic on the same publication, and signs his reviews' with the initials Q. E. D. It was further misstated the recent -review used Identical lines employed by John Oldnlxon Lamdin, the "Sun's" critic, when originally reviewing "Tangerine." Reading the two reviews attested to the incorrectness of the statement. Variety was unaware of any personal angle which might have Inspired tho story anent the Baltimore scribes. Gustav is con- sidered the most widely read critic on films in Baltimore. He is also the conductor of the Fifth Regiment Symphony and of the Park Band of Baltimore. Klemm is known as a composer and la a protege of Victor Herbert. The announcement by the Producing Managers' Association in New York that it had been agreed by all producing members that their shows, other than on opening night, would start exactly as at the times ad- vertised, occurred Just about when an amendment to the city ordinances was introduced into the Chicago Common Council making it compulsory that the time of commencement be printed on each theatre ticket sold. Alderman Kostner whi introduced the amendment said if the public knew the exact time, there will be no excuse for tardiness and no an- noyance to the early comers, along tho same reasoning given by the P. M. A. in explanation of its movement. In the story of "Cinderella" is the glass slipper, and crystal footwear is supplied for the heroine in the London Christmas pantomines. This is due to a misconception of the original wording of the famous story. When Perrault wrote his fairy yarn he mentioned in French the word "vaire" (pronounced like verre, or glass). The true meaning of the old word "vaire" is fur, and consequently it is a tiny fur slipper and not a glass one Cinderalla wore at the ball. But Perrault's story in English reads better with the famous glass slipper, and It seems a pity now to destroy that version due to the first translator's ignorance of the French signification. That Valentino is barred from the stage (also screen) through legal proceedings'may account for tho tumult occasioned by the film star and his wife in their dancing turn for the Actors' Fund benefit. It was re- peated Sunday night at the New York Hippodrome when the fund held its second performance as first given at the Century, Friday afternoon, Jan. 19. This Friday (Feb. 2) a benefit will bo given for the fund In Philadelphia. Its billing carries the Valentino name in as large a typ? as the Actors* Fund and infinitely bigger than any v other volunteer artist mentioned. George M. Cohar, among the others (including Johnny Doolfy with "Vr.riety"), appeared at the Hip, New York, Sunday night. A Sunday magazine published a story saying the Eddie Foy children had cdicted "against their step-mother living in the Foy family home at New Rochelle, N. Y. Tho children (with Bryan absent on the coast) place no objection against their father's recent marriage to a Pacific coast widow, but made it manifest they would not countenance, according to the story, the place of their mother, who died about a year ago, being taken by another in their home. Accordingly Mr. and Mrs. Eddie secured an apartment in i» r ew York. The present Mrs. Foy, in an interview, said she could not blame the children, and that they were all fine Foys. She mentioned having met Foy some time ago on the coast, with love at first sight th result, but that, although separated from, her husband at the time, no divorce was thought of and he later died. Foy is about 63; his wife around 30. Arthur Hopkins is reported from London to have paid $5*000 bonus and $5,000 advance royalty for the American playing rights to Sir Alfred Sutro's "Laughing Lady." Ethel Barrymore will appear in it under the Hopkins management. The Shuberts seem to be developing a 2-for-l department, systematiz- ing it for broadcast use wherever there is a Shubert theatre. Just now the operations appear to be more confined to the east. The manner of its workings in general sound much like a similar system reported under operation by two young men in Chicago, who subsequently dropped the plan. The Shubert way is to have a representative call upon a large concern, interview a head of it, explain the merit of the play to be plugged and give as a reason why the show (if a good One) is agree- able to selling at half price, as through the calibre of the firm's em- ployes; their wide acquaintances, etc. The plan is reported as working to the satisfaction of the Shubert office. It is adopted in specific in- stances of course. Allan Foster has been a musical stager for the Shuberts for over seven years. His resignation last week is said to have been suddenly an- nounced. Foster, one of the best known among number stagers, has worked on as many as four productions simultaneously,- a prodigious task that duly took its toll from the producer. * "The Dancing Girl" program at the Winter Garden when opening failed to reveal the author of the book, the composer of the music or the stager of the numbers. At first thought to have been an oversight it later developed the omissions were intentional, and the program had failed to carry the names sii.ee the show opened in New Haven. It is reported to have created some controversy between J. J. Shubert, whom the program credits, and the persons slighted. The building up of the business at the Globe, New York, for "Lady Butterfly" the-final two days of last week brought about an extension of the run of the piece there for an additional two weeks. Under the original arrangement "Lady Butterfly" was to finish at the Globe March 3, with the new John Murray Anderson production scheduled for the house the following week. Under the new arrangement "The Cherry Chair" which is the title of the Anderson production, won't come into the Globe until March 19. "Lady Butterfly" opened Monday of last week. The opening drew fairly good notices, but there wasn't a strong box office demand until Thursday night when a little upwar<\ tendency was noticed. Friday nisht was virtually a soil out and both performances on Saturday went clean. This was the reason that the Dillingham office decided to extend the time. The northwest corner of Broadway and Forty-sixth street mav be- come an office building. As reported In Variety last week, the Colum- bia University owns the exact property wanted, forty feet on Broadway and eighty feet running to the rear on the north side of Forty-sixth street. Early this week it looked as though Isaac Hopper & Son, the contracting firm, had an excellent chance of securing the lease, since the University will not sell. Several theatrical men have longed to obtain the property. They wanted a greater depth, however, on Forty-sixth street. Beyond the university's eighty feet on Forty-sixth street ar* 113 feet that would make a compact theatre. It is now spoken of as a possible site. Of the 113, fifty-five are owned by Louis Bernstein, the music publisher, who is said to be asking $350,000 for his property. The other llfty-eight feet are held at $300,000. according to report. This would give tho site cost as $6.">0,n00 alone, for*the poorest side street hlpck adjacent to Broadway between Forty-second and Forty-ninth streets. .. Somehow that particular Forty-sixth street block has never been de- veloped. Of late more activity has been shown in building. Arnold Roth- stein has a couple of converted short ofllce buildings on the blo~k. A nine-story hotel is to be erected near the Sixth avenue corner and if either of the other deals goes through Forty^sixih street may commence to look like something. The blo-k centers the double triangle composing Times Square. Just why it has been neglected has puzzled several, although there is a school, also a church, on it. What theatre men are after the site is not disclosed, but it is reported the proposed theatre, if built, will have a'roof auditorium as well. Bernard Steele may take tho •Lawrence Players, of Lawrence, Mass., to the Jefferson Theatre, Portland, Me., if Manager J. ^4, Garrity of the Portland houso can obtain an extension of his lease. The Jefferson now is owned by the Catholic diocese of Portland. STOCKS Morris Schlesinger, who controls the Broad, Newark, N. J., has of- fered Miss Fealy $2,50j) to buy in on her stock at the local city. He wants to handle the front of the house for her. but Miss Fealy can't see it. She is said to have told Schlesinger she preferred to man- age her own house. Without warning Corse Payton's stock closed after one week at the Strand, Newark, N. J. "Up in Ma- bel's Room" was announced In the Sunday papers but failed to show. The company had been given two weeks' notice almost as soon as the stock started. Payton never had a chance as he had practically no publicity and only a smashing cam- paign would break the hold Maude Fealy has on stock there. The Fa- bians announced that business was bad and that the Strand will revert to pictures. « The opening of the Harold Hevia stock at the Academy, Norfolk, Va., has been postponed from February 12 until February 19. The renovat- ing of the house necessitated the postponement. The Keith stock, Union Hill, N. J., closes February 10. The recent opening of the new Capital, vaude- ville <Keith-booked), in Union Hill is reported as having affected the business of the stock. W. A. Brady has offered to lay 3 to 1 that h^s production "Up She Goes" will run on Broadway until July 4. In last week's Variety the monthly "Running Odds" quoted 7/5 the show will stay until ESnster at the Playhouse. The manager further offers to bet even money nil attraction will stick through the summer. Brady will send three com- nanlei of the musical comedy to the road next season. . William L. Malley is in Miami, recuperating from his recent serious illness. Leslie Rice is leading woman with the Victoria stock, Charleston, S. C. The Edna Park Players, under the management of Jack Edwards, are in their sixth week at the Royal, San Antonio, Texas. The company includes (in addition to Miss Park) Percy Baibat, Bentley Wallace, Maurice Penfold, Madge Haller, Ed- ward D'Oize, Carl Hursh. Irene Hub- bard, Craig Neslo. George Mc- Manus is directing in addition to playing parts. Leona Stater, a leading woman, has become a dramatic agent. The Charles K. Champlin travel- ing stock played to $4,020 last week in Taunton, Mass. The company has been doing well playing week stands during the entire season. Ruth Saville returned as leading woman of tho Colonial theatre stock, Pittsfleld, Mass., for the presenta- tion this week of 'The Unseen Way.'^ This is a new play by DeWitt New- ing, the author of "The Love of Su Shong" and "Dawn of the Moun- tains," both stock pieces. The com- pany will close next week with "Her Temporary Husband." Al Luttinger's stock players opened at the Opera house in Lowell, Mass., last week in "East Is West.'^ Mary Ann Dentler and Arthur De Lord have the leads. This week "The Meanest Man in the W T orld." LEGIT ITEMS The will of George A. Hamlin, the operatic and oratorio singer, who, after an- illness of several months, died Jan. 10, filed for probate last week in the Surrogate's Court, New York, gives his estate of about $16,000 in realty and personalty, after all debts are paid, to his widow, Harriet R. Eldredge Ham- lin, of 1070 Madison avenue, New York. She is also the .::ccutrix. The musical comedy entitled "Take a Chance" will have its first night at the Court square, Spring- field. Ma pa., Thursday. It is Harold Orlob's first production. Frances Rose has the leading feminine role. Louis Kalisky has been engaged as assistant to Jack Welch, who i 8 general manager and booker for the Selwyns. Kalisky was formerly manager for Max and ildmund , Plohn. Frank McCoy has resigned as stage manager for Billie Burke in "Rosa Briar," and has be. n engaged as general stage director for the Comstock & Gest attractions.