Variety (May 1923)

IS LEGITIMATE Thursday, May 24, 1923 =*« INSIDE STUFF ON LEGIT Among the barkers of several independently produced shows thK season •re several bootleggers, Ono such was the heavy sugar baby behind a piece which recently withdrew without ever having a winning work. His bit is said to have amounted to $14,000. Toward the last of the engage- ment btock was sold to make expenses, those interested agreeing to re- duce their holdings, since the show would have been forced off otherwise. The only out for the investors is to sell the show fcr pictures. Louis Nethersole is handling the publicity for the St. James, London. One obituary on the late Sadie Martinot described her as Nethersole's widow. The couple were divorced some years ago, but Nethersole is known to have remitted alimony each week, though the former star was a patient in an asylum. MAdison Corey returned from London last week and confirmed the cable reports that "The Bootleggers" would be presented there. The show will be put on as quickly as possible, with the backing of a syndicate of Eng- lish whiskey distillers, who regard the piece as propaganda against the dry movement. The probable name of the show abroad will be "Pro- hibition." Will Page switched his publicity winning sporting stunts for "Follies" girls from the links to the lake last week. A rowing contest in Central Park drew a flock of reporters and photographers and copious copy was given the "regatta." Page claims that "Johns" hired most of the boats and tossed mash notes to the choristers as they raised blisters on their dainty palms. Margie Whittlngton of the .'Tollies" is claimed to be the only show girj who turned down an offer of marriage from a millionaire. However, it appears to be a case of a chorister showing good judgment, since it appears the young aspirant for her hand was threatened with being cut elf by his father. The suitor is said to be* Ralph Friedman, son of a Milwaukee department store owner. An engagement was announced and picked up by a Milwaukee dally, which is reported resulting in the news- paper losing the store advertising. The youth was called home and after a talking to, declared he never even met Miss Whittington. Since trren, with his parents abroad, the boy is reported back on Broadway trying to Hquare matters with the show girl. BROADWAY'S SEASON <Continued from page 1) Channing Pollock returned from Paris last week, weighing 18 pounds more than when he started. At the time he was 14 pounds under normal <fo ■ him) due to the hustle in exploiting "The FooL" which included many public addresses. Pollock went over on pleasure to witness the opening of "The Sign on the Door" in Paris, but stepped into five days' work. On arrival he discovered the opening date was put back, portions of the script not being understood. "The Sign" closed In Paris last Saturday. "Barnum Was Right," which closes at the Cohan Saturday, will not be sent on tour, but will be released for stock immediately. The picture rights have not been disposed of to date. i Frank Wilstach, who joined the Sam H. Harris office as publicity di- rector, succeeding Wells Hawkes, was considered for the post some time ago. Harris, however, stated he would not consider taking an employe from another manager. Wilstach, upon resigning from the Shuberts, hnnounced, he had signed with the McClurp syndu ate, but his appoint- ment to the Harris office quickly followed. It is understood he Will con- tinue newspaper work in addition. David Wallace will continue next season in charge of publicity for Arthur Hopkins' attractions. Murdock Pemberton of the Hippodrome will be in a similar post in the William Harris, Jr., office. Cy Fishkind has resigned as assistant dramatic editor of the "Tribune," and has been succeeded by M. B. Goodrich. Peggy O'Neil's next play in London may be "Zander the Great," which is running here at the Empire. Gilbert Miller, who recently arrived in England, offered to star Miss O'Neil in the Salisbury Field comedy. She is at present appearing in "Plus Fours" in the English provinces, after a Isondon run. "Rain" is reported having made $192,000 to date at Maxine Elliott's, where It is in the 29th week. The weekly average is over $15,000, and the attraction's share better than $10,000. the terms being 65 per cent. Sam H. Harris produced "Rain," but J. D. Williams, who originally had the script and who directed the show, has a 25 per. cent, interest, while Lewis and Gordon have an equal share. A show with a Broadway reputation and a cast of big names toured the South this season. One of the players had appeared in the territory in three-a-day vaudeville last year and the name was remembered by a baggageman at one stand. He wanted to know: "What's the matter with those old birds. Can't they get a job in New York?" "Morphine," by Forest Halsey, magazine writer and picture scenarist, opened at the Egan, Los Angeles, Monday. It was dramatized and directed by Oscar Apfel. The play was written 12 years ago and excel- lently written. The presentation has a pyschological angle, following the dope exposures on the coast. Frank Egan is in New York arranging the sale of "The Humming Bird" for pictures. It is understood an offer of $15,000 has been made, although the price mentioned when the Maude Fulton piece was at the Ritz (New York) was $11,000. The Broadway tun cost Egan about $25,000. The Humming Bird" originally played here 24 weeks. The Putnam Building will not he reconstructed by Famous Flayers before another year. The delay is due to expiring leasee held by tenants on the property. The present speech-making American tour of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, perhaps the leading exponent of spiritualistic phenomena, is not for per- sonal profit. The net proceeds are turned over to the English Institute for Psychological Research, which is sponsoring his appearances. When taking the platforr.i at Carnegie Hall recently to explain "ectoplasm" the big auditorium drew turnaway attendance at $2.50 top. The creator of "Sherlock Holmes" is accompanied by his wife and children, and the party is making a leisurely tour, which Includes visits to the national parks in the west. Sir Arthur is expected to remain four or live months. The woman who has been Impersonating Pauline i-ord, and who dis- nppeared some week! auo, when it was alleged she passed a Worthless check for $400 in a Broadway hotel, has turned up in Chicago* and Is •«m«l to be on ii< r way to the coast. Luii^ .:. tan. • alls from the Locp to srv* ral New Yorkers were received within the last f* w days, ?!>o woman saying on the *ire that sh< was Mi-s Lord, and inquiring where she could get a go > 1 highball In Chicago. Mis* Lord Is i Id nd< t g In "Anna Christie." The Liberty, New York, !a being rend led for an all summer stay of "Little Nellie Kelly." a new cooling system ■» ii» mf: installed, the lobby being included In lh< area lo h« u lift* tally chilled. The new j.l..»,t w>Jl cost about $?0,00r. York's Silver Jubilee, which begins Monday, will attract visitors in bi? number and that theatres will benefit accordingly, is perhaps the explanation why at least a percent- age of shows are continuing. Salary cutting and the end of the rent period also figures. A record number of second en- gagements are being offered in New* York. Five attractions 6f the kind are now on the boards. They partly fill the void usually filled by spring revivals. Some of the re-engage- ments are counting on jubilee crowds. "Bombo," with Al Jokson, is easily the leader of the returned successes, the attraction getting $33,000 at the Winter Garden last week. The Moscow Art Theatre's two-week re- turn to Jolson's 59th Street, which started Monday, will hardly partici- pate. The Russian show jumped during its second week in Boston, getting $30,000 last week. There in no call in the agencies and the re- turn date depends on box office trade. The two "Blossom Time" shows at the 44th Street and Shubert got off to only fair business. Indica- tions are for grosses of about $8,000 although the Shubert Is due to.beat out the 44th Street and will remain during the jubilee period. "Cat and Canary." like "Blossom Time," is depending principally on cut rates, but the mystery play stops Satur- day, the first of the return tries to terminate. The cut rate line-up is such that little trade is going to the box ofncee for the attractions listed there. The reason is that both the cut rates and the two-for-ones are offering lower floor locations, and patrons once getting a taste of bar- gain tickets in good locations, are cured Of paying double at the box offices. Lower floor tickets may be had for 14 out of the 23 shows in out rates this week. South of 42d Street Lively Theatres south of 42d street are due for lively summer instead of general darkness prevailing as for the past several seasons. The rea- son is that several real hits are house below the line." "Rain" is a cinch at Maxine Elliot all sum- mer, and so is "Wildflower" at the Casino. "Zander the Great" is pull- ing smart business at the Empire, and the brokers have extended the buy until July 4. "The Devil's Disciple" is indefinite at the Gar- rick. "Icebound" won the Pulitzer prize as the best drama of the sea- son. Publicity attendant the honor jumped the show $1,500 last week, and instead of closing will move to the Vanderbilt June 4, at which time it will be succeeded at the Sam H. Harris by "Jack and Jill," now at the Globe. The summer crop of musicals will be slow in arriving. "Adrienne'' is the first listed and the only opening next week. The Globe will be dark two weeks after the departure of "Jack and Jill," White's "Scandals" due there June 8, the same date set for "Helen ©f Troy, N. Y.," at the Selwyn. Colored shows have disappeared from Broadway, "How Come" clos- ing at the Apollo suddenly last Sat- urday, and the Ethiopian Art The- atre doing likewise at the Frazee. Both houses are dark, but the Apollo wilk-get "For "Value Received," mov- ing next week from the Longacre, which goes dark. Closing Saturday are "The Enchanted Cottage" at the Ritz, which shuts; "The Come- dian," which closes at the Belasco; "Barnum Was Right," leaving Cohan available for 'Adrienne," and "Cat and Canary," the National, too, going dark. * "Aren't We All?" Promising Among the new attractions 'Aren't We All?" the Englith com- edy, with Cyril Maude, looks quite favorable at the Gaiety, and "Dew Drop Inn*' ..: drawing strongly at the Astor. Thev are the only new addi- tions to the agency buys. "Cold Feet" at the Fulton and "Not So Past'' at.the Mornsco bowed jn this * • < k without impressing, and both were promptly put In cut rates* Business last w« <k wa* off ear'/ In the week, then climbed to a big Friday night, only to see a general wallop Saturday. Indications are for similar business thiv week. The subway circuit has started «-<ng. The Mont auk, Brooklyn, went dark Saturday after presenting Told Feet, " which got nearly $T.,000. That wa* regarded fairly good for a new show. This week the Majestic is through with attractions, but '•«!••«- it :n.i«-..al ^ork starting Monday, "Th« * lj eenwu h \ illags Follies" Oast year's shew, $13,000 at the Majestic last week and topped the list. "Lightnin's" third week at the Broad Street, Newark, got $10,200, and "Captain Applejack" played to over $8,000 at the Bronx opera house. Buys and Cut Rates A number of buys will expire at the end of the week, but several have already arranged a renewal. The agency list numbered 16. Of this week's new productions, "Aren't LEGIT ITEMS Edward B. Mullen, recently of thd) "Sun- and "Herald," is now hi charge of publicity for Anne Nich* .olds' "Abie's Irish # Rese." For sev* eral years Mullen "conducted an in* dustrial publicity bureau in Massa- chusetts and he was formerly well known in picture exploitation. The Theatre Managers' Assocl* ation, Los Angeles, inactive for the) past year, will resume regular meet* ings within the near future. Leon Mohn, chief scenic artist fori the Mcscow Art Theatre pnpduc* tions at the Jolson theatre, 69th! street and Seventh avenue, New We All," the English piece, with) 7 ork > *" *" e8t J ,e *° f .f J^ 1 . 110 ' 00 * Cyril Maude at the Gaiety, was im- ln re f Uy * nd ab0 " t $5 ' 000 J n JK? mediate n< w.*iitLi «- , *„„ a- sonalty and no will when he died* mediately accepted as a buy. An advance buy was made for "Adrienne" which arrives at the Cohan next week. The premiere in Philadelphia last week drew a num- ber of brokers who voted it a likely summer entrant and the deal takes in most of the lower floor. The number of shows in cut rates increased by one. because of the presence of two of the new attrac- tions. Wednesday ' there were 23 listed including "Not So Fast" and "Cold Feet," a new piece which al- loted some balcony locations for the premiere performance. Two thirds of the cut rate list includes down- stairs locations, permitting at least some chance to compete with the two for ones. The buys: "Caroline" (Ambassa- dor), "Dew Drop Inn" (Astor), 'The Comedian" (Belasco), "Seventh Heaven" (Booth), "Wildflower" died* March 1:3, it was disclosed this week in the Kings County Surrogate'* Court through the granting of ad* mlnist'ation letters upon his prop* erty to Christine Mohn, his widow* of £04 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn. Mr. Mohn, who died suddenly of acute indigestion while at work at his studio at Jolson's theatre, was) 64 years old, a native of Madison, Wis., and had been a resident of Brook:yr. for about 40 years. His j-idow and two daughters, because of his -failure to leave a will, axe* entitled to share in the net estate. The Italian Grand Opera Co. pre- sented Rossini's "The Barber OJB Seville'" at Parson's, Hartford/ Conn. Thursday night^ A crowded house greeted the artists, who In- cluded Pina Garavelli, soprano;) Silvio Garavelli, her brother, bari- The orchestra is under the direction of Cav. Simeone. Montague Glass underwent an operation for appendicitis last week in the Roosevelt Hospital* New York. Mrs. Glass came on from the coast to be with her hus- band, who is nicely recovering. tone; Ansalose, bass, and De Greg- (Casino), "Merton of the Movies" • orio, tenor. The rest of the company. (Cort), "Rain" <Maxine Elliott's), waa made up of New York singers, "Zander the Great" (Empire), "Aren't We All" (Gaiety), "So This is London" ^Hudson), "Little Nellie Kelley" (Liberty, "Music Box Re- vue" (Music Box), "Follies" (New Amsterdam), "Mary the 3d." (39th St.), "Bombo" (Winter Garden). The cuts were topped off with both "Blossom Time" companies playing the Shubert and 44th Street con- currently starting Monday; "The Mountebank" (Lyceum), "Sally, Irene and Mary" (Century), "Up She Goes" (Playhouse), "Caroline" (Am- bassador), The Clinging Vine" (Knickerbocker), "The Gingham Girl" (Central), "Barnum Was Right" (Cohan), "You and I" (Bel- mont), "For Value Received" (Long- acre), "The Enchanted Cottage" (Ritz), "Give and Take" (49th St.), "Whispering Wires" (Broadhurst), "Icebound" (Sam H. Harris), "The Old Soak" (Plymouth). "Cat and Canary" (National), "Uptown West" (Bijou), "The Wasp" (Selwyn), Romeo and Juliet" (Henry Miller), "Not So Fast" < Morosco) and "Cold Feet" (Fulton). 1 •DEMI-VIEGIir TO FRISCO Los Angeles, May 23. "The Demi-Virgin" produced by Nancy Fair, its star, was attached Saturday, the final day of a five- week engagement at Egan's, where the piece drew good attendance, hut failed to show a profit due to the small capacity of the house. The attachment was lifted the fol- lowing day, with the company opening Saturday, May 20, at the Century, San Francisco, following a week of one nighters. John McKenzie, assistant treas* urer at the Fulton, New York, has left for the summer to join one of the "Covered Wagon" touring units. He was replaced by Edward Gorm* * ley. Harry Benson remains as 1 treasurer. . Among the new shows announced recently for presentation during the) summer and fall are: "The Empty House," a drama by Arthur Horn- blow, to be produced by the Bilt* more Producing Co; "The Two Nightingales," a musical comedy, from the German, to be produced by Philip Goodman with Madge Kennedy and W. C. Fields as thei leads; 'The Runt," by Hatcher Hughes, to be presented by Mare Klaw, "For Evidence Only," by Ethel Clifton; "Victims" by C. W. De Rose, and an unnamed play by Ifco Swedish writer. Hans Alin. Marilynn Miller's New Contract Marilynn Miller Is in New York conferring with M. L. Malevinsky. her attorney, relative to the signing of a new production starring con- tract with F. Ziegfeld, Jr. The "Sally" star will head a show touted to par anything she has ever done before. The sudden death of Florenz Ziegfeld, Sr„ in Chi. ago, is holding up the signing of the contract un- til late this week. Mary Eaton will take the Miller role in 'Sally" for the road tour. Duffy—"Van tiet" Collaborator Jimmy Duffy is writing the comedy scenea for Earl Carrol's snmr r show, 'Vanities,'' due into the Carrol late rext month. Duffy ano. the ?fllahjn Boys (vaudeville) will also be in the casi. Others en- gaged aie Ray Dooley, Joe Cook, Harry Burns .'md Peggy Hopkins Jo\ re. Duffy and Kail Cm in) ;irf • ng on the bock. Peter J. Brady, the labor leader who has interested himself in Equity affairs, has been elected president of the Xirvv Federation Hank, a Union Labor banking in- stitution, at ?»4th street and 8th .-.vt Ti»i# Ww "York which formally < i • ii« d M.iy ID. LEGAL ITEMS Robert E. McMurray, president of the Motion Picture Advertising Co* being sued by the-People of tfe* State of New York through .Attor- ney General Carl Sherman, must stand examination despite McMur- ray's affidavit that his company is not engaged in the sale of stock and does not intend to engage in the sale of any. The attorney general is prosecuting under that section of the law which gives him the right to investigate and enjoin fraudulent practices. Justice Lehman in the New York Supreme Court signed an order for McMurray's examination and also for the enjoining of the sale of the company's stock. Mc- Murray's motion to vacate the order for examination has been denied. George Leonard, the ac or known for his 'rounder'* character, has sued Dave Bonator and H. Stine, coffee dealers, for injuries by their auto truck. He is just recovering from the accident, which took place in Brooklyn when he traveled there to sec "Spice of 1022," in which he was to replace Jack Trainer, the role now being played by Sam* Hearn. Leonard alleges hejias since passed up two vaudeville offers and parts m The Painted Lady" and "The Moorland Case" because of his Incapacity. J l s lawj •; i EmanueJ s« im arts. Waives Ahmony While Playing Haaei Bryam tin iuiv.it.- life Mr». Lee An tin Willmott) of "Wild- flower," h;i^ waived h«r demands for alimony In her separation suit against WiUmott and-has agreed to a Stipulation to accept $10 weekly for the support of their two-year- old daughei Rnid. Alimony to waived onlj as long as sh« i^ » mftiioj • ii /