Variety (May 1923)

'..•••<• ' Wednesday, May 30, 1923 .. s m r ■■ BURLESQUE PEARSON BANKRUPT; LIABILITIES $128,000 Seventh Shubert Unit Producer to Admit Inability to Meet Obligations Arthur Pearson, who operated the •'Zlg Zag" srtow, makes No. 7 of the Bhubert unit producers to travel'the bankruptcy circuit. Pearson's vol- . untary petition In bankruptcy filed in the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, lists total liabilities of $128,154.74. Assets are $5 cash balance In the Gotham National Bank, New York. Pearson's debits exceed by a few thousand th»» $124,507 acknowledged liabilities by Jack Singer, tvho last pretfede'd Pearson In bankruptcy proceedings!' Pearson's other assets are old scenery and properties of doubtful value and two insurance policies aggregating $30,000. Money due to artists, chefly on unexpired contracts, totals $65,670 alone. The biggest item is $30,000 to' Costang and Judd, who owned the "Max and Moritz'" act. Others are John L» Kearney, $600; Harry Peterson. $3,500: Harry Welsh, care of the Alhambra Theatre. London. $7,500; N JAmai Coftgh-lln. $4 376; Happy Hadley, $7.50;. Masters and KraXt. $6.QO0; .Masters and JJraham. $16,0; Pattl. Moore, $2,750; Alice. Lawlor. .$3,125; Emmet t Callahan. $1J)00; JsVrry Hergen. $2,760. Other liabilities are. $8,000, due Milton Ager and Jack 1'ellen for writing the music and lyrics of "Zig Zag;" H. Mahieu A- Co., $5,783. due for costume*, labor and services rendered, and $4,894. 5, due on notes; Phil Dnlton, the Columbia Theatre Building life insurance agent; $814.78 loan; Sum Bux- baum, $3,000 on account of an in- vestment in the Jim Jam Jems Co.; Affiliated Theatres Corp., $500; Mrs. P. &. Clark, Richmond Hill, L. I., $20,000 debt contracted in 1920 for operating franchise on Columbia wheel; Lawrence Ceballos, loan, $1,500; George Collins, loan in 1920, $4,000; Harrison Fisher, artist, $500 loan; William S. Clark, commis- sions, $500; Herman Fallik of the Greenwich Village Theatre, New York, $1,930, loan; Ai Bunnell, 100 Dey street, Jersey City, scenery. $2,000; Julius Michaels, loan, $3,300. Other indebtednesses acknowledged in the schedules filed through Kend- ler '& Goldstein are items for cloth- ing, wigs, printing, lightings, •cenery, costumes, etc. Pearson managed the "Barnum Was Right" show, which closed at the Cohan Saturday, following his Shubert unit fiasco. MANAGERS SWITCHING A general switching around of Columbia house managers through- out the various cities making up the. wheel is reported scheduled for next season. The matter Is slated for settlement at the forthcoming annual meeting of the Coramem Ameusemeht Co. and its affiliated subsidiary theatre corporations June 7. The tentative plan regarding the changing about of the Columbia house managers Is said to call for the retention of all of those now In service, but with changes of location for at least two thirds. Greater efficiency is the object almetl at In the 1 contemplated shake-up of house managers. ■■i '—^ ■ .. • SPECIAL SUMMER RUN Harry M. Strause's Columbia wheel show, "Talk of the Town," will piny a special summer run of two. weeks at the Gayety. Washing- ton, beginning June 4. The Shrin- ers' convention takes place in Washington during the two weeks mentioned. The Gayety, Washing- ton, closed last week and will re- main dark this week, re-opening to play the Strause show. A feature of the two weeks' en- gagement will be four midnight shows weekly, making with Sun- days 18 performances on the week. CAMPBELL NOT RETIRING Wm, S. Campbell denies the re- port .he is to retire from active pro- duction on the'Columbia wheel nex: season and lease nil franrlii.se. The Campbell show, 'Youthful Folliea," Will no out as usual under Camp* bell's management. Eddie Cole vvjM be the principal comic iii next season'* show, and Harry Tii unpsou will manage th-.« troupe a.s in past seasons. _ HEAT HURTS Summer Shows Dropped Off Last W-k Hot weather hit both of the Colurqbla wheel shows playing sum- mer engagements in Boston last week. The Cooper show for the third consecutive week topped the Columbia summer trio, getting $7,467 at Waldron'a Casino. That Included the midnight show Wednesday. The previous week the Cooper show did $9,400 at the Casino, Boston, with 13 performances. The Gerard show at the Gayety, Boston, hit $6,900 last week with 12 shows, the 'Follies'' not giving a midnight show. The previous week the "Follies" did $7,600 on 12 shows. The Dave Marlon, Show at the Columbia, New York, dropped to Its lowest i gross last week since the summer ran began. The Marlon show In its third week did $5,900. Bad matinees seemed to pull down the Marlon shows gross last week more than any week previously dur- ing the foUr week of the run. The previous week Marion did $6,700. Mike McTJgue, the light heavy weignt champ. Is the added attrac- tion this week. Fp to Tuesday. McTlghe showed little draught at the box office. • PETERSON'S JUDGMENT AGAINST HILL UPHELD .,. Appellate Division Sustains $10,000 Jury Verdict Over "Bringing Up Father" MUSIC MEN Stro.brldge A. Clothier, a Philadel- phia department store, which main- tains a radio broadcasting station. Have written the American Society of Composers, Authors and Pub- lishers, that they believe they ought t.O; pay for copyrighted tunes, Just as they pay for any other mer- chandise. They have requested that a contract be drawn up, which will provide for a certain fixed annua! sdm to be paid the society. The Appellate Division Iim* af- firmed a $10,000 damage award In favor * of Frederick V. Peterson against Gus Hill. The action, orig- inally asking $100,000 damages, re- sulted from an alleged Contract whereby Peterson was to have the exclusive • rishts for the 1919-1930 Season for the "Bringing up Father" cartoon play in the west and south- west territory. Peterson alleged he was not given opportunity to fulfill his contract. A similar arrangement netted him $30,000 profit the previous season, according to the complaint and his demand for $100,000 was based on the unusually favorable theatrical year In 191&. A Jmry before Justice Robert H. Mitchell in the New York Supreme Court awarded Peterson $10,000 damages last October from which Hill unsuccessfully appealed. AN OPEN LETTER TO AL JOLSON DEAR FRIEND AL: Listen, Al, I've known you a long time, and I've heard you sing a hundred times, but never have you got over with me the way you did the opening night of **8om*bo" at the Winter " Garden. I sat In the front row, Al, and you sang my song. "Morning Will Come," which I wrote with, you and Buddy De Sllva, and honestly, Al, it "got" me. I cried. AJ, really 1 did—cried at my own song. You ' certainly put it over, and I want to thank you. And gosh, Al, you certainly did :<ing "Don't Cry, Swaoee.'' JL didn't know It was so good before. It's u bigger hit than we figured when we wrote it. Everybody's singing it, Al. and I'm glad. And listen, Al. this funny Song of mine, "Barney Gbogle," in a knock- out! Everybody's buying it. I'm happy, Al, for I'm down here at the Ititz in Atlantic City over Decora- tion l>ay. and I'm going to need those royalties lb help get out of here. Yours till Will Kogers sings grand opera, CON CONRAD Henry Lodge has been added to the professional department of Fred Fisher, Inc. Bert Bender is now representing this firm in KanjM" City. MOLLIE'S NEW DRAMA As per her custom each season since appearing in her own show on the Columbia wheel, Mollie Wil- liams will have a new melodramatic playlet next season. The latest thriller is called "Fate'o Fires" and It was written by Frank Fanning. Fanning, who has been in the legit for the last two years, returns to the Williams' ehow next season, playing the heavy in 'Fate's Fires." Miss Williams will be the heroine. GERARD'S STAGE MANAGERS Bach of the Gerard shows on the Columbia wheel next season, "Vanities Follies" and 'AH in Fun," will carry stage managers, the only trio of Columbia shows to have a man back stage. The stage man- ager's duties will be to see the per- formance is kept to standard. He will not double in the etage, and will hold a position distinctive from the stage crow, property man. sta^e. carpenter or electrician. NEW BURLESQUE TITLES CREATE DISCUSSION Paul Specht sailed for London May 21', taking over a combined augmented orchestra recruitld from his own aggregation and "The Geor- gians," a specialty jaza band. Specht's own bunch is well known on the Columbia records for Its symphonic syncopation, and "The Georgians." also a Columbia disk recording combination, are known for their jazz numbers. The Idea of combining both is to give the Brit- ishers an idea of both types of dance music. On his return Specht be- comes musical director of the Ala- mac Hotel chain. Stark $ Cowan have taken QV.or all rights to "In a Tent" from the Chicago house of Music Press. Inc., authored by Ted Kohler and Joe Lyons. Ed'Smallc has recently be- come associated with the firm. • Ilarry Engej, general manager of Richmond-Robblns. Inc., has ' ac- quired a third interest in the cor- poration and has been officially elected secretary of the company. 1 ' * • , ■ Columbia Producers as to Its Advan- tageousness Differ BERNSTEIN'S TITLE CHANGE The Rube Bernstein show, "Broadway Flappers/' will make the rounds of the Columbia cinuff next season as "The Follies of Pleasure." The latter title was used by Bernstein for several seasons on the American wheel F0STER-HARC0URT SPLIT Billy Foster ri rid Frank ilarcourt, featured comics for the last 10 years with the Hurtig «!<.- Se.imon shows on the Columbia wheel, until the end of the past season, have split. "Dancing Around" with H. Steppe Cain & Davenports "Mimic World" show on the (."'olumM.t wheel will be retitied "Dancihg Around" next sf;ison. Harry steppe h;ts been engage,i us principal comic. BURLESQUE ENGAGEMENTS Bitty Gilbert, Bobby and Fan mi Wilson. Pauline G"nm.u; Williams' "Radio Girls." A d:fference of opinion exists among Columbia wheel producers over the question of changing titles of theij shows. Some flgure'it is ad- vantageous to change a title each season, basing their opinion on the theory that Columbia wheel audi- ences seeing the same title two or more succeeding years think It Is the same show with a possible loss of patronage resulting. The other faction holds it is bet- ter to carry the same title indefi- nitely, taking the stand a title la a trade mark that will draw the bur- lesque public. The opposite side counters with the contention that while the value of a title is ad- mitted providing the show is up to topnotch standard year in and year out, It frequently happens shows have off-years and the burlesque public is more apt to remember having seen the bad ehow under the standard title rather than the good one. The word, "Broadway," used in a number of Columbia wheel shows last ami several seasons past, meang nothing outside the east, according to the Columbia burlesque produc- ers. In the west it is said the bur- lesque patrons even go so far as to resent the use of a title con- taining the word "Broadway," as ii would seem to indicate the ehow was boosting New York's main stem. As a result the Columbia list will contain few, if any. "Broadway Frolics" or similar titles next sea- son. From indications those favoring the holding over of standard titles will be In the majority, as but few •title changes have been an- •nounred. The contingent favor- ing the continuation of old titles cite the dropping of the "Bowery BurleSQUCrs" two seasons by Hur- tig & Scamon, after the title had been ir use for twenty yearn or more and the subsequent chang- ing back last season to the old title with tiie resulting advantage at the box offl< ■ ! A new pamphlet . containing the most recent constitution and agree- ment of the Music Publishers' Pro- tective Association has been distrib- uted among the members. The most drastic change provided is one con- cerning the trial of members who have been accused of breaking the agreement. The accused publisher is permitted to pick six members of the Board of Governors to try him. ,R. ,C. Hills, chairman of the asso- ciation, governs th© trial, acl!s as the executive and casts the deciding vote in case of a tie. Every pub- lisher is required to post a $5,000 bond, which he forfeits should he refuse or be unable to pay any fines qr penalties that have been levied against him. OBITUARY CHARLES HOWARD STEVENS Charles Howard Stevens, playing characters and heavies with the en- roll Players, a stock organization of St. John. N. B.. met death very sud- den'y, May 21. He was returning from rehearsal of "Civilian Clothes." exactly at noon. When only a few yards from the Opera house, Where the company is playing, he was seen to stagger and fall to the sidewalk. Picked up by two policemen and car- ried into an adjacent drug store, the ambulance was summoned and the stricken actor hastened to the city hospital, but he died en route to the institution. The actor was 52 and had been with the Carroll Players since the opening last fall. He is survived by his wife, Josephine Emery, now in New York city, also a professional, and his mother, who lives in Somcr- vllle. Mass. He had no children. Physicians attributed his sudden death to an attack of acute Indiges- tion. HARRY JACKSON ll.nT) Jackson. GO. of 160 Stevens avenue, this city, who died in Bel- levue hospital, New York, as a re- sult of taking poison was for year* associated with B. 1,. Felnblatt. of the Westchester theatre, Mt. Vernon N. Y., and was business manager of the former Westchester Player, a IN MKMOKIAM JOHN C. RICE in cherished Memory of S Devoted Hunhand end Loving Father. JbUytlU* Dimr Huul Heat In l'«*ie. Jl'NE RtJi, 1916 S \l I Y < OIIKN-RU f M.uns MICK The Boston Music Co. has been admitted to associated membership In the M. P. P. A. Sammy Levy is back with the profespional department of Water- son, berlin & Snyder. Thomas Morris, • a colored song- writer, last week instituted a Fed- eral Court proceeding against Irving Mills, Ferdie Grofe. James Mcltugh and Jack Mills, Inc.. al- leging that "Stop Your Kidding." written by the first three named and publtahed by Mills, Inc.. in- fringes on his "Beapcoup de Jazz," a number of his own composition, copyrighted in 11)20. stock organization. Jackson was popular in Mt. Vernon. Hie wife died several mouths ago at a Poughktepsie hospital and Mr. Jackson never fully recovered from the. shock and had been despondent ever since. He lived here about three years. »* * ■ HARRY FISHER Harry E. Fisher, 'vaudeville and musical comedy comedian, died May 28 at his home in Brooklyn, aged 56. He was stricken with pneu- monia three weeks ago and although recovering, his condition was weak- ened and he succumbed to a heart attack. The deceased was born in Falk- land and came to this country 35 years ago. He played in many sue cesses and was the featured com- edian in the first Winter Garden production. In vaudeville the tea'ii of Fisher and Carroll became one of the most famous of its day. t'po i retiring a few years ago he opened a tea room in his home whieh catered to professionals. Max Silver of the Maurice Abra- hams, Inc., executive staff states that the judgment recorded against Max- well Silver in favor of Bloomingdale Bros., New York, is not against him. Nancy Fine of the Irving Berlin offices Is to be married June 20 to Stanley Meuser. non-professional. Miss Fine was formerly In vaude- ville. Arthur Johnson now has fu'l charge of the harmony department of Irving Berlin, Inc., replacing Eddie Small. The father of Harold C. Berg, •ongwriter, died In Los Angeles on May 20. M. .Witmark &' Son* moved to their new quarters at 1650 Broad- way this week. They were located in the Witmark buUdlnj, on We:*t 37th street, for year*. GUY LINDSLEY Guy Lindsley, a favorite Juvenile actor of a generation ago. died May 26 at his home In New York City. Born in St. Louis, he started his theatrical career as a boy, appear- ing with the late A. M. Palmer in "Jim the Penman." He became the leading Juvenile with Madame Mod- Jeska, Salvlnl, Louis Jam< >a and Frederick Ward. He was with Robert Mnntell for over 18 years. MRS. KOHL OBJECTS A hitch In the deal whereby the ('"liimbla Amusement Co. was to have taken over th< Olympic, Chl- cftgn. fop it* shows has occurred. through Mr* Chas. l\. Kohl objeet- ing to the playing of burlesque in the Olympic. At the Columbia Amusement Co. it was BtatCd early thlt u eel; file •leal for the houfce wn still hang- ing Art. The Bhuberts -ire lis* reported ■< bidding r»r the CMymp One of the largest music roll com- panies has been having a good deal of internal disagreement between two of Its head executives, who have been squabbling for some time over various phases of the business. The result may be an alliance of one. with a wealthy piano company and the formation of a, new roll company, with n g< neral change of recording staffs. i IN AND OUT Toomer and Day were out of Uoew'fl Astoria last Friday because of If B, Toomer's illness Foster in.i Ray substituted. P.m! i 1 Smith ha* bwn rHsjj lutx roe principal role in ■ Tn»* Com- pliment! of the Season" since l isi Friday Then at the Palace, tii • skit, authored by smitii. was »ud- denfy i>< reft of us male le k1 Howard and I'lurk suo-m this week for nibson and •'•• • 3». the Pi • •• f.'ii<* Chicago. ORIAN FOGG Orian Fogg, stage and m > een actor, died May 24 at a New York City Hospital, aged 74. He had besg in the profession for over 50 year His last legitimate engagement wtis with Otis Skinner In 'Kismet.' after which appearing with the'F.unou* Flayers pictures. EOOIE MACK Fddie Maek, a retired v.iulevll- ilan and song writer, died Ma.. Z-i, at Hammond, Ind., after his retire- ment professionally the deceased engaged in the real estate huilnsse at Hammond. ■■ ■ ■ ' George W. Floyd, interested In many theatrical enterprises, died from a complication of glseases May 18 at his home In N«w Ka- <•hollo, aged 70. He was traveling manager for Xat Wills for sever,' year- preceding the come( 7 ian'j death. Among his other interests were tie automobile industry, the x«-w Rochelle Board of Fire com- mtseioners and various httmaae The mother of the Dolly Sisters <li>\ al bar home in Hrooh'.yn N. Y., M . y i-C. The mother of Horace CoMin. lb* in lied Mt '< in New reek I