Variety (June 1923)

' Thursday, June 14, 1923 LEGITIMATE 15 INSIDE STUFF ON LEGIT Equity officials Tuesday gave a statement to the press to the effect the organization would discontinue action against the. rehearsals of "Vanities of 1923," but Wednesday the pickets were still picking. The statement continued that drastic action would be taken about the sched- uled opening date, inferring that the stage hands and musicians would ce drawn into the argument in an attempt to prevent the opening. As Carroll la an independent producer, and the entire company is frankly non-Equity (since all. including former members of Equity refuse to obey the Equity officials' orders to quit, and deay any right of that organization to compel them to retain membership), it is difficult to understand how Equity can figure It has the right to interfere with the production, or the wisdom of its officials in pursuing this course. Frequently in the press and also verbally Equity has stated that while the organization will no' allow its members to worl in independent com- panies in which non-Equity actors are engaged, it will not interfere with any independent producer who wishes to put out a show with an all non- Equity cast, in fact it has sarcastically invited independents to do so, "i* they thought it could be done," chuckled heartily when such ven- tures have flopped, as in the instance of a non-Equity stock at White Plains. In view of this. Earl Carroll has written Gillmore, Emerson and the council asking them whether those statements are Just another opp irtiinl tic bluff or do they really mean what they fay. In the latter Can he takes exception to their current interference with his plans, ahich include fie putting on Broadway of a mus'cal revue with 100 per cent, non-Equity cast, A New York modiste with a large theatrical trade and who gave liberal line of credits U reported on the verge of enforced liquidation. The firm's charge account are said to gross a tremendous sum, vith an idea ob- tainable through one account, a woman star of the stuxo and screen owing tS'J.COO for gowns without anything having been paid. The S'elvvyn-i state there i< no indecision regarding "The Fool" for next season, either in bookings or casts. All of the players in the New Tori: company have been given run of the piay contracts for next season that also apply ng to ♦he Boston company and a number of other players selected. The reason why some players selected have not received contracts to date it because of two months' regulation in the standard contracts. The stipulation is that if a contract is dated more than two months prior to the c-pening of a show, two weeks' salary mast be paid in the event the player is net used. The shows will all open Sep'ember 2 and all the re- mainder of contracts will vbe issued July 2. exactly two months before premiere. During the first 10 da>s of rehearsals either player or man- ager can give notice without liability, which is regulation prnceedure. It Is assumed by the Selwyns that some of the players selected will not fit the roles for which they are cast, and it may be that some players will be dissatisfied with their parts Six companies of "The Fool" have been routed. There may be a seventh company, dependent on the run of the Chicago company. If the latter connects for a run, another company will be cast and sent to the coast. Joseph Francis Moran was married to Adeline Munn at New Brunswick. N. J., late in April, but few along Broadway knew of the wedding. The groom built the Belmont and Vanderbllt theatres and was interested in "Irene," but has about discontinued his theatrical interests. Moran Is reputed tc be wealthy. He controls a ship yard in Brooklyn and operates the Jersey City baseball team as a hobby. Beverly Sitgreaves protests the use of her name concerning the diffi- culties between Clarke SUvernail and Maurice Aubret, a young French- man who was brought here by SUvernail, but who suddenly sailed home. Miss Sitsreaves states the first time she saw Aubret was several weeks ago on the stage of the Selwyn, where he was assisting SUvernail with the proposed American company designed to play in Paris this summer. Fiorenz Ziegfeld, Jr., this week called off the presentation of the sec- ond edition of the "Follies, 1922," scheduled for next Monday and post- poned the opening until the following Monday. That White's "Scan- dals" and "Helen of Troy, N. Y.." both open Monday may have been the reason for the postponement, although it was stated in the Ziegfeld offices the "boss didn't want to conflict with White's opening in any way whatever." Incidentally, those connected with the management of the White show were open in their accusations this week against the Shuberts. Leon Friedman stated on Tuesday that the reason for the Shuberts rushing In their production of "The Passing Show" was because they had lifted scenes from White's show and wanted to "beat him to Broadway with the novelties." Friedman further stated that he was certain that they had lifted White's ••Romeo and Juliet" burlesque and that they had copies of certain gown novelties which White had imported and which they had lifted from drawings. The membership of the picture branch of Equity, discontinued about one year ago and its members transferred to the dramatic branch al- though no attempt was made to grant any benefits from a picture stand- point, is reported as having shrunk greatly during the year. The picture people to a large extent have passed up the Equity dues notices, the rank and file of the picture acting branch failing to see any benefit In their connection wltr the organization. Equity has been making valiant attempts to secure the dues of the picture players. Although dues have lapsed, every attempt has been made to keep the people on the organization's active list. Some of the higher salaried players have continued in the organization, while others have passed it up to a marked degree. Equity activity has caused considerable feeling in the cast of "Rain," in which Jeanne Eagels is starring at the Maxine Elliott, New York. Miss Eagels is not a member of the organization, with several attempts made during the run of th"» piece to have her join. The Equity deputy assigned to line up all members of "Rain" first tried to secure its star. The attempt was futile and his efforts to secure some of the supporting players to join is said to have proved equally unsuccessful. The Equity membership campaign has been going on ever since the piece opened early hist fall, with the progress made by the deputies reported very discouraging. A suspicion is lurking around in some quarters that Al Jolson either has agreed to a renewa'. of his contract with the Shuberts or has signed a renewal. The suspicion got strength through Jolson agreeing with Griffith to do a picture. The present Jolson-Shubert contract expires in 1924. It provides that Jolson shall not engage in picture work without the consent of thj Shuberts. As the Shuberts likely consented that Jois un do tlieCi r inUn film It 1? Jlis t as Itkel tii if at the same time th*y asked AI RhoU' thai new contract. "Catching Jolson In a good mood, It's also likely that Was settled right there and then, not forgetting the Iioiu Kosce. A big shake-up In the personnel of the trea era' staffs of the raaj »ri > of the Chicago loop theatres Is on tap for the new season. Several rea- sons win cause the iwltches, primarily the knowledge that some of the reteran treasurer; are altogether ton close to the Coutboui system for the advantages of the theatres' SUCC< H In maintaining independence at the ^ox ofiii e window. . LEGIT ITEMS E. J. Carpenter has a new version of the McManus cartoon comedy "Bringing Up Father," which he has traveled across country with for the past eight years, which is entitled "Bringing Up Father on Broadway." The new version has a 40 weeks' route to the Pacific coast booked, opening in Chicago, Sept. •. Walter Vernon will play Jiggs, his eighth season in the part, as is the case and Jake Clifford, who *Iays Dinty. Irene Bordoni, who returned from Paris last Saturday, brought with her the script of a new piece by Avery Hopwood, in which she will be starred by the Frohman office, under the direction of Gilbert Miller. The play Is called "Little Miss Blue- bird," and is due for rehearsals late next month, with the premiere set for Labor Day. Hopwood is still abroad. Four companies of "Abie's Irish Rose" wii be playing by the middle of July. At present there are three companies of the Anne Nichols show, the original show continuing at the Republic, New York, one company playing a .-eoord engage- ment in Pittsburgh, and the third now repeating in Washington. The latter show with Lew Welch in the lead will open at the Orpheum. Montreal, June 25. A new cast is being lor'-.pleted for a company to he sent to the middle west. "The First Thrill" by Beulah Poynter given a trial out of town this spring, under the management of George Leffler and withdrawn after a few weeks, will be given an- other chance by him in the fall. Frank Mandell has been called in to doctor the piece. Eddie Dunn sailed for London with George M. Cohan Saturday. He was not "pencilled in" for the trip, but on a hunch had packed a trunk. Friday Cohan told Eddie he'd bet- ter hop on the boat with him. Cohan went across to lamp the final re- hearsals of the London "Little Nel- lie Kelly." which opens at th Ox- ford June 28. Carle Carlton has secured the rights to a play by Rudolph Kora- mer, known in Germany as the pro- duction expert for Max Reinhardt. The piece is a comedy, said to be daring in treatment. Three adapta- tions are reported being made. The play is called, "The Javanese Am- azon," but a new title wil! be chosen. Dick Kirschbaum, formerly dra- matic editor and cartoonist of the Newark "Star-Eagle," has taken to publicity promoting and is at pres- ent doing stunts as press represen- tative for Max Marcin's "Give and Take," the George Sidney-Louis Mann attraction now at the Central. A. P. Kaye, who recently closed with Lionel At will in "The Come- dian,' 'at the Lyceum, New York, sailed last week for England, ac- companied by his wife, Mary Scott Seaton, of "Secrets." He will return in August to stage the new Belasco production for Mrs. Fiske, The Swor Brothers will not pro- duce a minstrel show under their own management next season, as planned. Bert Swor has signed as featured comedian with the Nell O'Brien Minstrels. Leo Singer, owner of Singer's Midgets, has purchased the produc- tion rights of the current "Music Bex" show for Austria and will stage it in Vienna next season. Will Morrissey's new revue. "New- comers of 1928," with lyrics and music by Alex Gerber and Charlie Rosoff, started rehearsals June 11 at the Morosco. Jennie Eustace will Join "The Pool" cast next week at the Times Square, replacing Maude Truex. who will take a vacation. Billy Hexter, last season resident of the Gayety, Pittsburgh, has been appointed road manager lor "Bubble Hubble" for next season. Harry Howard and Frank Cos- prn ve will send out a cartoon show nt: season. •Through the Male" a play by ' rome Iteilly will be produce by Ralph Kemmet wnose initial pro- duction attempt "Papa J >t" closed at the Bronx opera house Saturday. The ,iew piece is a comedy on the mail order business. BED-SIDE CHATS By NELLIE REVELL The "Times Square Blues" seems to be the one tune that has been overlooked by the lilting lyric writers of Tin Pan Alley. Perhaps lc is because they lacked th* inspiration. If anyone feels the urge to compose »uch a song. I will submit the formula. First you must have been in, of and with Times square for many happy years. Then it is necessary to lie in a hospital four years, most of that time motionless in one room. You must be almoa* within sound of Broadway and 42nc street, yet unable to see that famous corner. As a means of leading to your climax you must be given one fleeting glimpse of your erstwhile happy hunting grounds with all its lights on and know that every light there represents a friend and a handshake. But the big moment comes when it is all suddenly snatched from you, and you are put back to bed for a sentence of how long no one knows. It started with the visit of a dear friend—I know he is that for I have borrowed money from him. Another came in to say good-bye before sail- ing to spend the summer in Europe. We fell to talking of how it af- fected me to bid farewell to my friends and see them go away for va- cations and outing-trips, leaving me in the hospital with a hole in my •ife as big as the excavation for the Woolworth Building. One of my callers remarke 1 that it was a wonder 1 didn't lose my mind, and I re- plied that perhaps I had, and that was what was the matter with me. But the other man was inclined to be serious and observed that I had become "just resigned." After they had gone I fell to thinking and won- dering whethe- in reality and unknowingly I had become resigned. Some, how. from the first moment of my illness, I had dreaded being resigned to my fate, for to me that signified the passing of ambition and the block- ade of progress. I liked to believe that my patience was influenced by resistance rather than resignation. All that evening I fretted about it. It grew late but still I was unable to sleep, and my night nurse, seeing my nervous condition, thought that ic might help if I were to get up. For several days I had been confined to my bed on account of the tantrums of my temperamental heart, but I chanced taking a stroll up the hall. At the end of the corridor is the operating room which faces on 12th street and Seventh avenue, and see- ing the door open, I halt-hobblec and half-crawled to the corner window. Up the long lane of lights of Seventh avenue my 9yt» traveled until they rested upon the glory that is Times square, that most-missed, most- maligned bit of ground ir the world. It was my first glimpse of It in four long years; it amused me to think of all the letters I had gotten from tne road from people who said they were lonesome for the Rlalto, though they had been away from it but a few months. Gazing northward I could nlrnost see all those dear friends of mine there, and imagined that all I had to do was reach down and shake hands with them. I fancied 1 could see the audiences filing out of the theatres, the tangle of pedestrians and taxicabs and private motors, all the noise, excitement and life that had once mean* so much tc me. It was all so close and yet so far that I felt like a starving man, tied to a tree, with a delicious banquet spread just out of his reach. It was an indescribable feeling and one I hope never to experience again, and I suffered.more on this visit to the operating room than on any previous one. Trie end came when I burst out crying and was remanded to bad with a complete set of hysterics, the first time in a fairly long and event- ful life that I have ever had them. But 1 had my reward, for it con- vinced me of on j thing; as long as I can have the "Times Square Blues," I am not resigned. The producei of the moving picture "Backbone'' has offered to bring it down to the hospital to tei me took it over, on the theory, I suppose, that I m an expert on hackbut e by this time. And that if there was anything wrong with it I couK' have my doctor nx It up. I'm sorry my eyes won't permit me to see it because I understand this "Backbone" has a happy finish and I'd like to fin l out how it is done. The summer front-porch season is officially opened, judging by the number of "wish you were here" invitations I have been receiving lately. Strangely enough, though 1 have gotten, by actual count 82 bids to elt on front porches and enjoy the view, I have had only one which said any- thing about going into the house. If my friends expect me to make this porch proposition a 24-hour-a-day affair, they had better arrange to build a combination veranada and sleeping porch. Early in life I contracted the time wasting habi of sleeping at night, and I fear it is too lat* to break myself of it. Front porches are al' right in their way, but they have disadvantages. People might think, ai Jack Pulaski suggested, that my friends were training me to be a poich-climber. He is wrong there without doubt, for I am sure it is just on' way my well-wishers have of letting me In oa the ground floor. There are big moments in the life of every mother, the high points la the maternal landscape. Many of them are common to each mother—the time when she feels he* first-born In her arms, the afternoon that father brings him back from a walk with the long, golden curls shorn, to the mother's horror and d'smay; when" she sees him start for school for his first day; his graduation; his first job. There isn't a mother who hasn't now or some d-\v will have these memories. But only she whor i cub has harbored O. Henry ambitions from child- hood on. can : j predate the feelings of a .mother when her daughter has sold her first magazine story. The news came in a letter from the author. It was headed "Up In the Clouds," but the daughter was no more so than the mother, and she can't be nearly as proud of herself as the maternal parent is for hvt. The letter said that the check was going tc be reserved to pay for a visit to that mother who has been sick for a long time, snd hasn't seen her cub in aver two years. If the story gives half as much pleasure to the readers of the August issue of the "Woman's Home Com- panion" as It has already given to that mother, who as you may have guessed, is the writer o» this column, what success It will be! For up to now It is the blgjett story in my career. During tke month of flowers that are brought by April showers I was cheered by visits from Clifton Webb. Mabel Webb, Jeanne Eagels. Claude Humphreys, Bil'y Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Sol Bloom, Leo Kober, Irwin 8. Cobb, Syble Vane, Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Cort, Frank Keeney, Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Fellowcs. Mrs. Max Winslow. Blanche Ring, Mrs. Logan, Capt. John Bradshaw (of the Belgenland), his wife and their son, Leslie Bradshaw. Mrs Lorrair McAnney. Mrs. Lucretia McAnney. Mrs. Sylvia Hahlo-Whitman, Jac'- Pulaski, Baroness de Tleronoff. Irving Southard, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gorman. Agnes Corman, William Grady and his son, William, T r., Fay King, Mrs. Jerry Cohan, Burnj O'Sullivan. May Kam3ey. Walter K. Mil. Daniel Burns, Willard Coxey, James J. Brady, Charles McDona'd, Belle Gold, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Butterfleld. and Miss Atldre) Matthew White, Jr., Mrs. Alf Wilton, Mrs. W. H. Donaldson, Laura Bennett Jenic Jacobs, Helen Trix. Charlotte Osgood, Mrs. Rex Beach Mr, aul Mrs William Orossman, Mrs. Charles Osgood. Harry 3rant, Mr- Hahlc, Ruth Dayton, Florence Nash. Harry Weber, Herman Weber. Edgar Allen Wooit Edward Darling, Leslie Morosco. Charles Col- Ins. Harry Moore, Ab Levey, Mrs. Clarence facobson, Mr. and Mrs. J. ('. Jones, gam Harris B. F. Albee, Isabella D. Armond. Elmer Woods, \!r.v Jolr Canity, H in \ ■ ']' Spier, Otga Petrova. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Campbell Pai e Hurst, John Poltock, I i irgt M. Cohan and David Rob- lllSOM ••