Variety (June 1923)

VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE p A D I P C CABLE ADDRESS, VARIETY, LONDON WllllVatf 8 St. Martin's Place, Trafalgar Square 2096 Regent Thursday, June 7, 1923 VAUDEVILLE BRANCH DEFIES EQUITY; DARES IT TO FIGHT A. A. F. Member Gives Version Why Equity Post- poned Its Vaudeville Intentions Until June, 1924 — Some Direct Remarks 4, The story that Equity, through ito council, had decided not to In- terfere in the vaudeville situation until (at the earliest) June, 1924, whfii the P. M. A. contract Jssuc will have to be decided one way or the other, reached the officials and hoard of directors of the A. A. F. (Vaudeville Branch) and it found tbem in no receptive or grateful frame of mind. Equity's Vove was classified by A. A. P. representatives as a well developed Cfise of cold feet, induced by the knowledge that Mountford, FitzPatrick and their supporters were preparing to carry the war to Equity, instead of waiting for Equi- ty's first move. Fearful of what revelations might be made, the A. A. V. claim, the Equity crowd quit cold, and not through any consider- ation for the A. A. F.' "Equity knew that arrangements had been made by the A. A. F. to hold an open meeting in a Times square theater next Thursday (to- day), at which the whole story was to have been told to the actors or anyone else who cared to hear it. Also that it was the intention of the A. A. F. to force the Equity to open its books by court action, in answer to Paul Dulzell's statement that Equity had over 2,000 vaudeville actors in its membership. 'If this is true, Equity has over $24,000 of our money, which belongs to uh and which we want. "This matter will have to be ad- justed in any case, but we have called the meeting off. "The Equity crowd has made a ridiculous exhibition of themselves with their bluffs at the Pla/.a hotel meeting, and their published state- ments in s<»me papers," an A. A. F. member said. "These fellows who talk about fighting the managers, why are they afraid to give the A. A. F. a battle? "They started on up," he contin- ued, "and while it only takes one to start a light, it takes two to quit. The A. A. F. is not doing any quit- ting.. "Equity does not want to forget how the 1910 strike was engineered, and by whom. Also how at critical times, instead of sturdy action, the supposed leaders of the strike burst into tears and ask what must be done. If they have learned to fight on their own since then, and want a fight with the A. A. F., wo are more than willing to accommodate them, and if we are licked we'll at leant go down with our colors fly- ing," the same member concluded. BARRIE WILL WRITE FOR MAUDE ADAMS Open Question if Actress Re- turns to Stage—Sentiment Behind New Piece London, June 6 During her visit here Maude Aii.inis arranged with Sir James Barrie for him to write a new play for her, although it is doubtful if she will ever return to the stage. The deal was arranged for senti- mental reasons, Miss Adams' ap- pearance in a Barrie play having established him as a playwrighL Barrie has also promised to write | Dave Qhasen said to Jean Middle- ton and she didn't answer. Then Dave Chasen said, "I won't speak to Jean Middleton," and Jean Mid- dh ton sent Dave Chasen a cable to England, where he is now the biggest single comedy hit the U. S. A. has sent over, even bigger than Van Hoven, and that's talk- ing. Dave Chasen cabled back to Jean Middleton, who was a riot at the Palace, Chicago, last week, and Ernie Ball told Jean Middleton not to answer Dave Chasen's cable, and Harry Ashton, who has The Tab Shop at 122 West Grand avenue, Chicago, wrhere for very little money, a dollar or so. you can get some of Harry's monologues, nigger acts and so on, and Dave Big Riot in England Chasen and Jean Mid- ih the fall. Douglas in the mean- time win appear in vaudeville and has also sent for the script of Booth Tarkington's "Seventeen." a play for'Tom Douglas to be ready | dleton ft and Uon Huddle and Dave Chasen Dave Chasen Dave Chasen Dave Chasen, and as long as I'm paying for this thing why not Frank Van Hoven? „ Direction EDWARD S. KELLER, who will some day book Wal Lang- try and Dave Chasen the Swansea Kids. FRANK VAN HOVEN VOLUNTARY "ANGEL" Scotchman Guarantees Losses "Ned Keane" for London, June 6. "Ned Keane of Old Drury," an- nounced to close at the Drury Lane June 2, will run at least another fortnight. Samuel CJreenlees, a wealthy man, witnessing a performance, volun- teered to assume two weeks' losses to give the show a chance to grow. Greenlees, a retired distiller, said \o a Variety representative: "I had hoped my identity would not be known, merely wanting o help what I consider a good play and good acting. But I am a Scotchman and exacted of the management if any profits I must share." FILM CASE ABROAD Codsol and Hess Goldwyn vs. in London— Stoll. Iiondon, June 6. Frank J. Codsol and Gabriel Hess have arrived here in the interests of the Goldwyn suit against the Stoll Film Co. The action is based on a split be- tween the two firms which occurred three years ago when Goldwyn stopped delivering pictures to Stoll for British distribution. Stoll in turn ceased payments to Goldwyn on previous releases. Eminent counsel lias been re- tained by both sides, with the ac- tion to be heard this week. 'OLIVER CROMWELL'UNLIKELY London, June 6. John Drink water's "Oliver Crom- well" was presented May 29 at His Majt sty's by Henry Ainley by ar- rangement with George Grossmith and J. A. E. Malone. The piece is gloomy and episodic but contains a brilliant stellar role for Ainley, who was well received. II- six < ♦ sh in iinlibi.iy The supporting cast includes Ireni Rookc, Clare Harris, Mary O'Far- rell, Harcourt Williams, Milton Ros- mer, Howard Pose and Murray Kin- nell. BERNARD SHAW REVIVED Paris, June 6. The sarcastical dramatic fable bearing the title locally of "An- drocles et le Lion" in a prolog and two acts by Bernard Shaw, adapted to the French stage by' Henriette and Augustin Hamon, was revived by Jacques Hebertot at the Comedie des Champs Elysees last week and obtained fairly good notices. The title role of Androcles is held by a corpulent looking comedian, Evseef, with the Russian-Swiss actor George Pitoeff as Caesar and hia wife Ludmilla Pitoeff as Lavinia. Pierre I'rondaie's four-act melo- drama from the novel of Claude Farrere, "L'Homme qui Assassina," was revived at the Theatre dc Paris last Friday, with Andre Brule, Jules Toulout, Paul Escoffler, Gaston Sev- erin, Madeleino Lely (role of Lady Falkland), Marie Marcilly. MM. YORSKA'S NOSE AGAIN REMODELED Actress Improving Profile by Operation — Second Attempt WANT VAN HOVEN BACK London, June 6. The public over here are asking for Van Hoven—when is he coming back? In the face of all hits it is safe to say Van Hovert is one of the inggest things the United States ever vcr.t to England. He ranks with the big- native stars and can play in and around London for life, though he i.s considered one of the biggest draws in the provinces. Paul OTHER FOREIGN NEWS (Continued on page 34) SPECHTS BANDS HIT Loudon, June 6. an] Specht ami his band opened at Lyon's Cornerhouse restaurant May 30 and were enthusiastically received. The restaurant has, been packed continuously from morning until closing hour since the orchestra npttn.l ., TERMS FOR TIV0LI London, June 6. Jack McKeon sailed June 2 on the Aquitania without disclosing the status of the lease he is reported as having secured on the Tivoll. It appears that Famous Players will secure the house at either £35,- 000 pounds rental and . r >0 per cent, of the profits or buy it foi £400,000. Paris, June 6. Mme. Yorska, a Franco-American picture actress, has undergone an operation again, Dr. Bourget, a Paris surgeon, having remodeled her nose. Yorska desires to improve her profile for the screen, having had her nose remade in America some years ago. The result of the latest surgical effort is unknown. Calve at Benefit Emma Calve sang benefit performance mologist Institute. aris, June 6. Saturday at a for the Ento- LONDON CLOSINGS Four Plays Are Ending Week Runs This London, June 6. "The Bad Man" closes Thursday (June 7) with Matheson Lang to revive "Carnival" Saturday. "Her Temporary Husband" at the Duke of York's, Capel'S insect play, "And So Ad Infinitum," at the Re- gent, and "The Rainbow Revue" at the Empire close Saturday. MAURDU'S COMEDY Odeon Unsuited for This Romantic Melodrama The initial presentation of Pierre Maurdu's three-act comedy entitled "Madame La Societaire" was fairly well received at the Odeon May 30. The'Odeon is unsuited -or this ro- mantic type of melodrama. The title signifies a leading mem- ber of the Comedie Francaise named Juliette, who has an illegitimate daughter she educates as her niece. A friend makes love to both mother and daughter. The latter prefers a nephew and marries him. The actress marries her son-in-law's father. Andrce Megard is in the actress role with Renee Devillers as the daughter. Robert Arnops plays the daughter's husband with Andre Va- rennes, a modern Don Juan, as the uncle. FLORENCE WALTON IS IN WITTY PARIS REVUE Dancing with Her Husband, Leon Leitrim—Amusing * Peace Conference "DOVER ST. TO DIXIE" HAS GOOD CHANCE First Part Needs Revision— "Plantation" Colored Con- tingent Gets Over London, June 6. "From Dover Street to Dixie," a heterogeneous 'revue, opened May 31 at the Pavilion. The first part is made up of the usual ingredients, with Stanley Lupino chief comedian.' This section heeds drastic revision. The second half is given over en- tirely to colored players (from the "Plantation" cabaret, New York) in a plantation revue and was received tumultuously with every indication Florence Mills and company have established themselves here. At the conclusion of the perform- ance the pit started booing, but it was impossible to determine wheth- er it was intended for the colored artists, entire entertainment or first part. The pit generously applauded throughout the second half. Hannen Swaffer, a theatrical pjir- agrapher for the "Daily Graphic" and "Sunday Times," was refused admittance to the Pavilion by Charles B. Cochran on the opening night. Cochran took trie newspaper man by the arm, informing him he could not come in and returned the money for the purchased tickets. Swaffer has been*perslstehtly pan- ning "Colored Invasion" since the announcement was made Of the coming of the colored troupe for the former Empire show. The first part of the Pavilion show has been since speeded, with splendid' business resulting. The colored company has been inun- dated with offers for cabaret, and will probably come to an agreement with one of the big night clubs trhortly. Paris, June 9. Zepp and Deyrmons' witty revue produced at the Theatre Marigny May 31 was well received, with Flor* ence Walton dancipg with her hus- band, Leon Leitrim, the star. Local artistes in the cast are Milton and Palau, Mesdamcs Armando Casslve, Lucyenne nerval, Josette Givrav, Yvonne Lorris and Miles, Fretter- ique and Moskovina, dancers. '< Topical skits cleverly introduced predominate the piece. Mis» "Wal- ton represents wealthy America 1 re- membering France's ancient friend- ship. A pence conference with the nations arming is amusingly devel- oped. The comparison of a fash- ionable resort called the Cafe Amer- icain to-day and several years ago constitutes a diverting scene. Half of the stage is of a famous cafe 50 years ago and the other naif the same boulevard cafe at present. Characters of both dates are intro- duced, displaying our forefathers taking their pleasures joyfully, whereas the present generation ap- pears weary. ■ . • The Marigny revue will probably attract foreign visitors on tke- strength of the attractive Walton dancing. She is co-operating with manager Duval in opening a caba- ret called Ouistiti, on the first floor of the Marigny theater overlooking the Champs Elysees, with appear- ances to be made there nightly wiih Leitrim after the revue, the music to be furnished by the Red Devil*, a colored jaz» Land. CRUDE DRAMA, BUT SUCCESS London, June 6. "The Outsider," a strong inter- esting drama, crudely constructed, was presented at the St. James May 31. The piece contains a unique idea and is well played by Leslie Faber and Isabel Elsom. It appears to be a success. Falls' Turn Registers London, June 6, Archie and Gertie Falls' opening at Stratford this week registered an excellent impression. IN LONDON London, May 29. Some Weeks ago Variety's London correspondent received and trans- mitted to America a cable to the effect Roscoe ('"Fatty") 'Arbuckle was in London. The report ema- nated from a man called Charles H. Johnson, who said be was the first officer of the steamship "President Adams" and Arbuckle had ero on her under an alias. The story was borne out by the appearance in London of a man who might ♦•a«i!y have l»»« n taken for Arbuckle. Apparently this man was support- ing the story and doing well on his likeness to the famous comedian. The sequel has been written in police court records to the effect that Johnson had not been to sea for two years, was not the first of- ficer of the American steamship, •President Adams," and had lived for some time by forging sailing masters' advance pay notes. For this latter mistake he is now re- ading as a guest of the King in of trial His Majesty's it was proved din bis his heavy American a Britisher. prisons. At that, desplt* accent, he was Julian Wylic slvely for the summer show. "Wylio Tate 1023" at Blackpool company including is going in exten- "Pierrot" type of He produced the Super Pierrots of on May 19, the Jack Edge and some half dozen other principals Tii. y have a repertoire of 250 items. Early in June he will produce an- other show of the same description at Douglas (Isle of Man)! This will ociupy a new open-air thtatn The Wylie-Tate big shows with prominent stars in the cast have been proved to be too expensive tW touring. List year's working of Rlvoll, the Fast End supcr-kincma, opened by Walter Wanger. resulted in a loss of £ 0,636. It was run with high- class variety and big pictures. The building has now been let at a (Continued on page 34) SAILINGS June 26 (New York to LondOjp), Ely Stroock (Brooks-Mahleu Co) (Reliance). June 12 (New York for London) Harold Crane (Aquitania). June 9 (New York to Southamp- ton), George M. Cohan and wfie (Majestic). June 9 (New York to London), Morris Gest (Olympic). June 9 (New York to London), Kimberly and Page (Orbita). June 7 (New York to Naples), May Dowling and mother (Patria), June 6 (New York to Havre), Perez and Marguerite (Paris). June 6 (New York to Paris); Irene Fenwlck, Florence Macbeth, Eva Lei Callienne, Mercedes de Acoeta, Ernest Schelling, Robert Milton, Mary Lewis, Jack Daugherty and the principals of the Goldwyn pic- ture, "The Eternal City," including Lionel Barrymore, Barbara Lai Marr, Montague Love, Bert Lytell (Paris). June 5 (New York to London), Carl Randall, Mme. Margaret Mat- zenauer, Frank Albeit (Bercngaria)'* June 5 (New York to Southamp* ton), Charles Gebest (Mauretanla) 4 June 5 (New York to London), Helen Trix, Josephine Trix, May, Tully, Mrs. A. H. Woods, Arthur' Ilammcrstein (Berengaria). June 2 (New York to London)* Joseph Conrad, Ivor Novello, Marie Doro, Mitzi, A. H. Woods, Ben Blumenthal, A. P. K; ye, Mary Kaye, Michael Michaelcsko, Yvette Rugel, Mischa Elman and several members of the Jewish Art Theatre (Majes- tic). June 2 (New York to London)* Margaret Leahy (Cedric). June 2 (New York to Bremen), Millo Picco (America). June 2 (New York to London), Neysa Tempest (Albania). June 2 (New York to Hamburg), Hilda Spong, Mis. Frederic Do Belleville (Ohio). June 2 (New York to London), Mitzi (HajOS) (Majestic). June 2 (New York for London), J. Robert Rubin (Majestic). Juno 2 (New York to London), Hilda Spong (Ohio). May 31 (New York to Panama), entire company (32) of -Say It with Jazz* (Santa Elisia). THE TILLER SCHOOLS OF DANCING 143 Charing Cress Road LONDON Director, JOHN TILLER WILETTK KERSHAW OITARANTY TRUST CO. 122 Fifth Avenue j.fw