Variety (April 1923)

Thursday, April 8>,l^g> VARIETY ^-a^-OT?7^ T^r ^^s^^';ip^ '.<!'^'J"' CABARETS J -A DoM compttition ere»»« restau- --nt business 1» the paramount «ue»tIon that la arousing a great SmI of teellng on the Northside, Chkago, among the two biff cafes Z.Fred Mann's MUHon Dollar Rain- >o Garden* and the M^lgold. The MiriROld has been the leader *M vears with Its Interior cafe, out- dnnr leaidcns and Ernie Youngs re'vues; Tvhile the Rainbo has kt?pt itM own through the personal man- Itgement and attention of ^red Mann. ^ . - This year Mann inVestfd a mil- ( Hon dollars and built a palace of rmusemcnl. installing Edward Beck ^jftlld a maKniftcent revue to corral Wm the loose dollara on the North- ^•tde of Chicago. The cafe Is prob- *'ftbly the largest in the United fgtates. It seats between 2,500 and ii.OOO i)eoj)It\ It has two dance floors, one in the balcony and one on the luain "floor. Eight hundred people may be »»ate<1 in the balcony alone. With nil of its vastness, the revue can be seen from AH parts of the restaurant, tlu> tables being raised Just a trit1«> with an unobstructed view and witliout posts of the show. X sta«e has been built which allows a little dip for the producer into soenio v^tures and across the singe is a half-circle rainbow effect with the golden ray.s of the suil that give it an awe-inspiring appearance. The entire cafe is decorated in gray go <* And old ro33 and remarkable light- ing effect. The lighting is done and handled the s*ame as in big theatres. Plus all of this magnificence Mann has Frank Westphal and IiIh dance orchestra, a local sensation. Mr. Beck, the producer of the Ralnbo Revues. Was the originator of the revues at the Marigold Gar- dens, resigning several years ago to take up moving picture presenta- tions. He has come back to his task of revue producing with a ven- geance and with a freshness that looks a^♦ though he will outdistance Chicago's other' cafe producers. His newest eight-week show called "In Rainbo Land." has proved a local furore. Beck not only believes in •Ight, but in hearing, and has s^ir- rounded himself with a cast of prin- cipals and chorus that would do ■"credit to a Broadway musical com- edy. Ruth Etting. a local favorite and flubbed by the papers as "Chicago's Sweetheart." Is the star of this revue," a blond lithesome beauty who ha.s a way and manner of put- ting over uumbeAi tliat make you believe in them. She has just a sug- ifestlon of a dance that makes the patrons insist on more. liinda is a blackhalred girl that but-Greenwoods Charlotte In the most Inconceivable dance steps. This young woman has a sensa- tional routine. Back kicks, side kicks, front kicks, flying 8plit.s and •very other known form of acro- batic and eccentric dancing she does with an artistic touch that marks ber as worth watching. Given an opportunity on Broadway she Would be an overnight hit. Garrett Conway, a juvenile lead With good appearance and sweet tenor voice, handled his duties in ahowman like manner. Eileen HoflC is the prima donna, having a remarkable range. Boji liischeron and Yva Palms do double dancing, but Miss Palms shines best In her Individual work. Hardly more than a child, said to be only 16. she carries herself as If born with ballet ■Uppers on. She la just a mite, but Works with an earnestness and abil- ity that also bears watching. With this cast of principals. Beck has added the best singing and dan- cing chorus ever seen in a revue. Many times during the revue proper he gives hi, chorus ladies an oppor- tunity to step out and show, their ability. Working them In trio.s and quartets they run the principals and even race for all honors of this revue. This could easily be labeled as a hundred per cent, chorus for looks, singing, dancing and class. The costuming, although not gor- geous, .vpells class and attention. The gown.s and dresses are keepinj; with the rest of the and serve as a framework ^beautiful picture. Creation of gowns f Is credited to the Jefferson League under the personal direction of Mr? Ldw;inl lt.-,i:, r^nd executed by Mmc R0!l«i Whitt •- ■ ? -■.^ himself .and the Rainbo Gardens, but to this style of entertainment. There Is no question that with the opening of this new beautiful place, the Frank Westphal brand of music. (he revue and the' medium charge and excellent food served It will cause the other Norlhside cafes to either correct their exorbitant charges and their careless tteat- mcnt of patrons or bow to ihelr svperior. Rainbo Gardens. all In revue f<»r a Thrre tod by Mme. was one black and ^ 'wn that caused th.' diners and dancer., to aton :u atteutim for "****'— fi » ^e wlnut e s ehirncro has proud of in the way of huvlnff *ei i "I cias.s '^»»f'h to lio cafe prodiirrrs and HtyV. ;,ioni; Uiese lirurs forveu-.M. U now has more cause to bo proTid. /-•^ck h IS done x credit not only to One of the Broadway cabarets In a jam with the federal authorities through the injunction path. Is re- ported to have called unoncRelsen- weber*s old staff for Information that might help It to prepare a de- fense. The Iteisenweber represen- tative approached Is reported to have curtly informed the cabaret people to prepare their case without assistance, as the other ca'>ar*;tv' obliged Reisenweber's to do whei that restaurant was served with an injunction writ. At that time Relsenweber's appealed to the other cabaret people along the route, ex- plained it was a dnngerous proci'od- Ing and a more dangerous prci-edent if established that a restaurant could be closed for a year on federal injunctive proceedings^ It would be a tedious and expensive proceeding, said Ileisen\jeber'8. It was sug- gested the cabaret proprietors con- tribute toward a general fund to take the case to the United States Supreme Court If necesjary. Rels- enweber's was informed .by the cabaret men approached to take care of their own troubles, that they (cabaret men) could handle their own affairs at any time in the fu- ture that misht come up. Relsen- weber's carried the adverse decision to the United States Circuit Court where It was upheld. On*thc strength of that, the present actions are based. Had it been taken to the highest tribunal It may have been a matter of two years before a dejisloh would have been frlven and with the chance at-that of the restaurant being the winner of It. Prohibition or not, restaurant men don't change. Before prohibition they wouldn't give up to save them- selves and won't give up now, when they can easily see th^government is going to make them give up their Illegal business. There are 50 affidavits in the fed- eral district attorney's office against one of the Broadway cabarets which thinks It can "beat" the injunction proceedings. These affidavits were made by federal agents and muni- cipal policemen, all to the effect they ordered and paid for drinks served to them In the restaurant. An item In the Shanley restau- rant bankruptcy ■ schedule of liabil- ities had the government down as a creditor to the amount of $68,000. People Interested thought the item meant for tax on check charges, equivalent to a theatre's admission tax. Instead It was Income tax from a previous year, disputed lur the Shaitley company, and appealed from on the government's Inspection of the restaurant's book for the pe- riod of the investigation or check-up on the Income tax report filed. In those cases, when a concern goes into bankruptcy owing the govern- ment money for back taxes, pro- ceedings could civilly be taken against the directors of the corpo- ration, but that Is seldom done. Where a restaurant check or ad- mission tax Is held by the proprietor of a restaurant or a theatre the pro- prietor becomes the custodian of the money for the government, with the chances In that event settlement would be forced. Americans returning from Ber- muda report prices there as exorbi- tant, with the hotels and cabarets making a habit of getting all they possibly can from visitor;s from the States. The first-class hotels a.ve charging from |12 to |30 a day. with restaurant prices practically prohibitive. The Shelburne, Brighton Beach, cabaret for the .summer i.s being figured upon by Ned Wuyburn, who is said to have placed a figure of a straight salary at $2,500 weekly for the show. Louis Fischer, while on the water, is reported to have re- fiucsted Wayburn to have plans made to change the dance ro"n» at the ^^nnalinro hnfel T his \V;ivburn has done. altluiUKh it was not sol-' tied l»y the middle c»f the wvfk whcdier lie wouM produce th'j* door show. Wayburn i.«i-nI.'-o dn^' t<» ;jo (Continued o?» pa'. 17) MEWS OF THE DAILIES United Stat«» District Attorney William Hayward. with the co-oper- ation of Prohibition Enforcement Director Palmer Canfleld. this week brought Injunction proceedings against five restaurants and caba- rets accused of habitual violation of the national prohibition law. The Federal authorities will attempt to close permanently the Club Royale, Murray's Roman Gardens, the Ring- side, Gypsyland and the Three Kings Restaurant. In the case of each of the five it is aller.ed they are public nuisances because "intoxicating liquor Is being habitually and con- tinually sold and kept on the prem- ises in violation of the prohibition act." Permanent injunctions are sought against the places. Similar injunction proceedings were insti- tuted two weeks ago against the Knickerbocker Grill, Shanley's and Little Club. Shanley's has since^gone out of business and the Little Club has closed its doors. The Knicker- bocker Grill is repuileU hit cotitem- platlng fighting the action. , . REVIEWS OF DISKS POPULAR YOU TELL 'EM IVORIES (Fox Trot)—Frank Westphal <piano COAXING THE PIANO—Same— Columbia No. 3800. Anoliier novelty piano couplet composed by Zex Confrey of "Kitten on the Keys" fame. Both are cork- ing rags, just as pleasing to listen to as for dance purposes, being ar- ranged as fox trots. Frank VVestphars fingering Im- presseii with his mastery of the keyboard. Westphal is the Chicago dance leader, his orchestra also making records for Columbia. MAGGIE BLUES^Miss Patricota, Billy Murray and The Vir- giniane. COME ON HOME—Mise Patricola with The Virginians—Victor No. 19010. An irresistible combination, that of Miss Patricola with The Vir- ginians. Jn "WJien You atvd I Weru Young. Maggie, Blues," liiliy Mur- ray assists in carrying the "Maggie** classic, while Miss Patricola ' tlll<i it with blues and harmony." The Virginians carry the tune instru- mentally in their usual finished style. "Come on Home" (Young-Lewls- Meyer-Akst) is a different kind of "blues," a tragic "lonesome (Continued on page 50) SPORTS Edgar SelWyn has entered a denial he la going to leave the pro- ducing firm to enter the motion picture field. The deal pending for the demoli- tion of the Hippodrome in order that a hotel may be erected on the site may be closed this week, ac- cording to a statement made by the United States Realty Co.. owners of the property. The owners stated a proposition had been nrtade for the Hippodrome to become the perma- nent home of the Ringling Brothers circus, but nothing definite had been done in the matter. Jacob Kalich and Molly Picon, American Jewish actors appearing at the Jewish theatre in Bucharest, closed last week by the govern- ment, have appealed to the Ameri- can Minister to have the order re- scinded. .No*reason for the closing was given. Hugh C. Ernst, manager for Paul Whiteman, has registered a complaint with the United States authorities in Washington against the action of the Musician's Union in England in refusing-to permit Whlteman's orchestra now in Lon- don appearing anywhere outside of the London Hippodrome. Ernest contends the action of the English musicians Is discrimination against American citizens. Whiteman Jind his men are playing under British labor permits, which It was be- lieved would allow them to play any place they pleased. The Musi- cians' Union contends they are only permitted to play at the Hip- podrome for which they were placed under contract. Benny Leonard is reported about to announce his engagement to marry Hattie Darling, a sister of Herman Timberg. She secured a divorce last week from Herman Becker, a vaudeville producer, on t he grounds mt desertion. Winnie LIghtner secured a di- vorce from William J. Harold, her second husband, last week In Chi- cago. The couple were married April 27, 1921, In New Orleans 12 days after «he had secured a di- vorce from her first husband. They separated a few days after the ceremony. * Irene BordonL will appear under the management of the Charles Frohman Co. n*xt season In a new piece being written by Avery Hop- wood. A divorce action brought by Her- bert K. Sombrn against Gloria Swanson was filed March 28 In the Superior Court in Los Angeles. The charge is desertion. Tho complaint states the couple were married t)ec. 20,1919, and separated May 15, 1921. They havo one child, a daughter, two years old. Aomborn is the screen star's second husband, eshe having been divorced from Wallace Beery in 1918 on the grounds of de- sertldh. Somborn is reputed to be wealthy and lives in Pasadena. "Veronica's Veil," tho American Passion Play, closed its ninth sea- son Wednesday of last week al St. Joseph's auditorium. West Ho- boken. Forty-five performances were given. The proceeds, 150,000, will go to the building fuixl. All services to the play.were without salary. The case against WilliuixJ A. Brady and three actors accused of appearing in "La Flamme" on a Sunday was transferred last week from the Special Sessions Court calendar for action of the (Jran'd Jury. Judge C'rain of Special Scs- .*<ions granted the transfer when IJrady claimed property rights were Involved. Mrs. Edwaid Franklin VN'iiitc, l)»'piity Attorr'^\ (Jeneral of Indi- ana, filatcd \n^t wvfk- the recent mni T t . ' ig r -nf tf^rio^ph V MitH tf n » f i nd NViiuircd iludiuU at down J'oint was illegal, a.s neiiiici ii.id lived in liaki"' (tMHity, .'irul th>' i-^Muance of th»» marriage liceti.-<e was not in m-- It almost looks like Detroit against the field in the coming race in the American League, thinks Herman Bronkio, third baseman on the St. Louis Browns last season and manager of the Waterbury Eastern League Club this year, who has been on a short scouting trlp^ to the South. 'Only the unccrtaintitles of the game keep Herman from go- ing over to the Detroit camp, bag and baggage. If he knew how the Yankees, White Sox and Browns were going to show, and more par- ticularly how certain players Ty Cobb secured In the off-season were to pan out. Bronkie would feel surer of the Tigers' chances than he does, and he's pretty certain just now. Tho Waterbury pilot says he figured Detroit as about the strongest of all flag contenders way back wiien It was announced that Del Platt and Rip CoUins were going to Detroit from .Boston. Collins will just about win the pennant for the Tigers, In the opinion of Bronkie. And Pratt, he thinks, will make the Infleld vastly tighter than It was last year, in addition to throwing in a^^ood share of long hits. Pilette Is a fine pitcher, says Herman, despite the fact that the three times he started against the Browns last sea- son he did not get beyond the sec- ond inning. If Roy Francis comes through and the other pitchers do their share, the outlook for Detroit will be rosy. Bronkie believes. The outfield, with Cobb HelUman and Veach hitting them "where they ain't" with plocklike regularity, needs no comment, and in Lew Blue the Tigers have about the sweetest first baseman In the league. Fred Haney will play third, Bronkie feels sure, and he thinks Haney a good man. Bessler, a fine catcher, will do the bulk of the receiving. "The Making of a Champion" Is a picture to be made by Leon Brlt- ton, vho is showing the Flrpo- Brennan fight picture. The "Cham- pion" film Is supposed to be Flrpo's life, bringing it up to his knockout of Brennan in the twelfth round at Madison Square Garden last month. Britton has sold the South Ameri-* can rights to Firpo of the Brennan fight picture. Britton started a STOCKS : . (Continued from page 19) leading woman; Carrol Ashburn, leading man; Frank B. Camp, sec- ond leads; Jans Marbury, second leads; Betty Laurence, ingenue: Edward Nannery, characters; Clar- ence Chase, Ray McSherry, Allen Longstrcet, Jay J. Mulrey. J. Hooker Wright, veteran character man, augments the company occa- sionally. ' '• - The Warfield Players opened Easter Sunday at the Empress. Kansas City, under the name of the Drama Players, to run indefinitely. Arthur Vinton, formerly leading man with that stock, opened the H<'tme day in a vaudeville sketch at the Malnstreet, Kansas City, with Beth Chaplin, a local society girl, in the cast Thyplaylet is named "The Amateur." U- . The Court Square. Springfield, Mass.. will (lo.so its legit season May r», or)f'»iiiig with the Pali Players str>ck May 7, ^ Tf negotiations now pending are succes.sful, the CIrand. Hartford, Conn., will li.ivc .sffxk this summer. Th»« (Ir.jnd i.s involxcd in the Max .Spicgi'l mixup. Stanley James oponcfl the FiJjou IM.iier.s iu "It'.s a Hoy" Mfjiiday at fh'? r.ijou In Fall River. Mjih.-^, Tlie piiiyers are Robert ArmHtr(»ng. lifwi.s Ku.asell, Tf'irry Lyons, Carl damage action against Variety for $25,000 when Variety published a report the fight picture had been made in a studio. Fancy and trick skating acts are still on the road throughout Eastern Canada, and will oontinue playins natural Ice rinke until April 15. This is made possible by the ice re- maining In good condition until that time in most of the indoor rinks. All of the performers say they will return to that section next win- ter, but plan to make their tour earlier in the season. One act haa been playing steadily since the mid- dle ojT February, while another has been showing consistently since the New Year. The skaters have never had so much consecutive "time" or a sea- son of such extended duration as the past winter has offered. Until the first of* the current year not one fancy skating act .had played Eastern Canada, but since that time at least a dosen acts have been playing the territory. ' Success has especially been scored by mixed double acts, with comedy perform- ers also achieving more than fair appreciation. For return engage- ments of two nights «and two after- noons In some of the leading cen- tres three acts have merged, this combination Including two singles, a man and woman, and a mixed team. The elimination tournament in connection with the three-cushion billiard championship of the world, has reached the end of the fkst round. All contestants but Bob Cannefax, New York; John Lay ton. St. Louis; Denton. Kansas City. and Otto Relselt, of Philadelphia, were eliminated. These four will divide $7,000 prize money for their efforts so far. April 9 the final plays will begin for the world's championship between two of thono mentioned in Philadelphia. Games will be played in the home citie.<i each contestant represents until the championship is decided. The winner, besides the title, will re- ceive a diamond medal and $3,000. Cannefax, a former title holder, ex- pects to again bring the honor tj New York. aillin, Frtderick Webber, Albert Bushee, Dan Finch. George Allen. Rose Ludwig, Vessie Farrell, Frances Loughton and Helen Robin- son Miss Ludwig and Mr. Arm- strong are the leada The price scale is 25-35 matinees; 25-75 nights Matinee daily. / Witu stocK fn the opera house an<l Queen Square, St. John. N. B.. and the Majestic, Halifax, % demand for this type of company has spread throughout the maritime provinces. Plans are underway for the organ-* :;.- izatlon of stocks for Sydney. Glace Bay, Charlottotown, Meneton and Sherbrooke, with a traveling com- pany to play two days each in New Glasgow, Trure and Aftaherst. John B. Itassard, of the "Grecn-'- wich Village Follies" at the Shu« bert. Boston, will appear at the Friday matinee with the Docton stock ai the St. James. Boston, in "Turn to the Right," of which he is the co-author with Wlncheil Smith. The Strand, Charlotte, N. f!., opened Monday with split week vaudeville, booked by the Keith office, under tho management of Luthor H. House, former treasurer, at the Academy. That house was recently destroyed by Are. The Strand Is being oi>er.ited by the—" Strand Theatre Co., in which K T. Lester, of C'olnr>»>'a.. S. C, and H. II. Ander.son, of Crtarlotte. "are In- tcresteit ■■'•'■.-•:-"■. .--t' --' ■•-'-