Variety (June 1923)

- Thursday, June 14, 192$ LEGITIMATE 17 ^\ OUT OF TOWN <*: MAGNOLIA Atlantic City, June II. Booth Tarkington's newest adven- ture in the theatre, an episode that appeals as quite the most dramatic- ally interesting of the works he has offered the public, came to life at the Apollo Monday evening. It Is a Southern tale that recalls In spots "The Honor of the Family" as it was played by Otis Skinner with a rich braggadocio. It is In the third act of the four-part com- edy that the erstwhile despised non- fighting son /of a Mississippi River family returns a's the most feared and daring of the desperados of the river belt. It is here that he cows the whole family wh{ in act one. disowned film because Vie would not fight. With the setting fixed in the crude days of the 'forties, with the river in the background, a spinette to play the simple tunes of the opera and speeches about New Orleans as the big city cf the world—all this is a fair setting for feuds and bravado and romance. The romance almost hides itself, for the play deals first and last with Tom Rumford and not with the fair sex. Tom is Leo Carrillo. for whom the play seems ;to have been written to order. The story follows the course of the son who is cast out from his own home shortly before his exp ^ted marriage with a niece, his father's ward. It is all because his tutoring of many years away from home with an uncle has turned him to nature study instead of self-preservation. Catching birds and butterflies is more to his liking than trapping men. He is a disappointment to all but the youthful sister of his fiancee. Away from home he wanders into the gambling center of General Or- lando Jackson, at Natchez, .lust as Jackson is about to be expelled by his only superior bully. It is here he learns his first lessons in self- confidence and the use of weapons. He learns to command men by sheer force of brute speech. On the steamboat where they ply the gambling trade, they tie to the dock near his ather't plantation. Circumstances bring him to thte home and he finds his former sweet- heart rejoicing in his -ie\/-found power, his youthful admirer dis- appointed in his change of heart, and the whole family rejoicing in his prowess and reputation as "the notorious Colonel Blake.** The ending used on Monday night will probably not be final, for Its in- decision left no conclusion, as the girl and the man stood debating over a book. It was a particularly fascinating play of a costume i eriod, and one to be enjoyed for its unusual subject and splendid portrayal. Scheuer. FOREIGN REVIEWS 1 OLIVER CROMWELL London, May SO. It is a pity one has to cjmpare John Drinkwater's new play, "Oliver Cromw 11," produced last night at His Majesty's, with that of "Abraham Lincoln," but the two are •o fundamentally similar, it is im- possible to think of one without noting the resemblance to the other, not only in the characters them- selves, but in the earlier phases of their development in strength, and the attainment 3f their ambitions. The heavy, and at times monotonous atmosphere of the play is apt to pall after the quick dramatic action of "Abraham Lincoln,** and as the sympathies are so bound up in the Protector and his psalm-singing fol- lowers, anyone intolerant of their point of view might get out of patience with the austere solemnity of it all. "Oliver Cromwell" is not what might be called an overwhelming success. For lovers of English his- tory, admirers of heavy drama, and the class of'audience which ap- preciates this type of entertainment because tl.ey consider it either learned or high-brow to do so, there is much in its favor. But it Is not a play—merely a series of episodes with an excellent heroic, romantic and rhetorical part for Henry Ainley in the name role, the kind of part that every legitimate actor yearns to play, t • d seldom has the oppor- tunity. There are eight scenes divided Into four acts, covering a period in Cromwell's life from 1639-1654. There is little or no love story, and hardly a line of comedy. The eipht scenes, or episodes, are projecte1 stolidly, and on the opening nipM In London, after three months' tmir of the provinces, the piece was civen a cordial reception by an audience composed mainly of middle-aged ftnd elderly people whose appear- ance exuded erudition. The acting is altogether praise- worthy so far as it went, but little or no opportunity was given to any- one but Henry Ainley in the title role, who occupied .he centre of the stage almost continuously and orated sententiously. *lne only other character of any length or breadth was that of Cromwell's mother, played by Irene Rooke. At the open- ing of the piece she is supposed to be 80 years old, and walks and talks like a woman of 45 hidden behind a grey wig. in her death scene at the end of the play she is supposed to be 94, and judging by the volume of her voice, is just as spry as ever. She has some brilliant lines to speak, so the London daily paper critics praised her performance to the skies. William Harris, Jr., is supposed to have the American rights to new Drinkwater play. It is all very well to argue that "Abraham Lincoln" was a terrific success in the United States, but the counter argument might be put forward that "Abe" is practically "personally known" to the natives. It would be interesting to stop a hundred people in Times Square and politely enquire if they could tell who Oliver CromweH was. The re- sult of such an experiment- might be worth trying before making the American production. Jolo. DOVER TO DIXIE London, June 1. With the opening of "Dover Street to Dixie" at the Pavilion Llay 31. Charles B. Cochran has five shows running in the West End of London, without counting the Guitrys at the Oxford playing evenings, and Duse appearing at alternate afternoons Jn the same house. This is far and away the most formidable string of attractions of any London manage- ment. The first part is the usual type of Cochran revue, written by Morris Harvey, Harold Simpson and Lauri Wylie. music by Herman Darewski. staged by Frank Collins, with dances and ensembles by Jennie and Edward Dolly. The second part is made up entirely of the Lew Leslie Plantation Revue, hro.lit over intact from New York. The native portion.of the enter- tainment, like most revues on a firdt performance, requires more or less revision. There is plenty in it that is worth while and much that needs either excision or quickening. The groundwork is there, a good induc- tion, a competent cast and in- telligent staging. A half hour cut out of it would relieve it of lack of speed. In fact it was this absence of speed, by comparison with the rapidly-moving work of the colored troupe of entertainers that caused it to suffer woefully by comparison. It would probably be more Just to postpone judgment on the first part until a weok hence. The colored organization scored a veritable triumph at the premiere. Standing to one side modestly and practically effacing hlms^f and his orchestra. Will Vodery cc-itributed in no minor degree to the general success of the Plantation artists. Every number, was violently en- cored, while Florence Mills was ac- cepted as an individual star who will, hereafter, be sure of a welcome in London. The first night audience was not altogether pleased with the first p- t of the show. But then, it was made up of the "smart" people of the town who are more or less "fed up" with what is regarded by the gen- eral public as acceptable theatrical fare. The next few days will decide the fate of "Dover Street to Dixie." Jolo. CABROLL VS. EQUITY (Continued from page 11) Lambs' close connection with Equity leaders figuring. Monday several male pickets from Equity and women pickets from Chorus Equity surrounded the Carroll the- atre and endeavored to persuade the artists as they arrived not to at- tend the rehearsal. Various argu- ments were used from persuasion to threats, several of the girls com- plaining of attempted coercion and intimidation. Their efforts were not attended with any measure of' success, both principals and chorus in every instance refusing to be in- fluenced by the pickets, and re- hearsals continued without further hindrance. Individual principals In the cast are being "worked on" by personal friends and Equity members in many different ways, but so far there has been no further defections amongst the principals Bince Ray Dooley left. Members of the A. A F. (Vaude- ville Branch) are Indignant at the action of Equity In calling out or attempting to call out vaudeville actlbrs engaged for the show. The A. A. F. people claim Equity has no Jurisdiction over those artists until the actual opening of the production, and state that while Equity has declared Its hands are off the vaude- ville situation they know that Equity Is quietly working under cover to swing sentiment towards It in the matter of the vaudeville charter, and if Equity does not stop retaliatory measures will be taken to compel it. Asked for an expres- sion of opinion on the Earl Carroll affair members of the A. A. F. re- fused to discuss it except to say the A A F. would lay down the mode of procedure for their own people and would brook no interference from friends or enemies. At the headquarters of the I. A. r J. S. E. (stagehands union) and American Federation of Musicians (musicians' body) it was stated that Equity had not filed a formal or informal request for aid in the Earl Carroll-Equity dispute over the casting of "Vanities of 1923" up to Tuesday. The matter had not even been brought to the attention of the of- ficials of either union by the Equity and their knowledge of the subject was what they had gleaned from the accounts in the dally papers. Asked what action if any would be taken, officials of each said in the event of a complaint by Equity that such complaint or request for aid would take the regulation pro- cedure—the matter would be re- ferred to the executive board of each international union for.a decision. Intervention by the stagehands or musicians unionj that would take the form of pulling out the stage- hands and musicians on the opening performance of "Vanities" hinges on one point—that of possible discrim- ination by Carroll against the Equity chorus people and principals. Carroll contends the Equity people out of the cast left of their own volition. Equity alleges the Equity- ites were forced out and discrimi- nated against. To enlist the aid of the stage- hands or musicians, Equity would have to prove discrimination. Sev- eral times since the strike in 1919 was settled the stagehands and mu- sicians have ".»een called upon by the Equity to assist in whipping man- agers into line with the charge of discrimination as the basis of smok- ing the stagehands and musicians into the difficulty. In both the cases of the stage- hands and musicians the executive boards are located in various cities throughout the country, but a tele- graph vote could be taken within 24 hours, or, as has been done In several instances in the past, the matter of decision could be placed with the heads of both organiza- tions, Charles Shay (stagehands) and Joseph M. Weber (musicians). Carroll's full cast of principals and the desired complement of male and female choristers on Tuesday were: Peggy Hopkins Joyce, Joe Cook, Harry Burns, Jimmy Duffy, Joe Marks, Irene Ricardo, Dorothy Ne- ville, Roy Olusti, Margaret Edwards,' Claire Elgin, Margaret Davles, Dor- othy Knapp, Lester Lane, Doris Lee, Joseph Lavoie, Fred Renoff, Charles Senna, Myrtle Diamond, Amy Frank, Lucille Moore, Sam Herrlman, Re- koma, Frank Leslie, The Alexanders, Patton and Marks, Delmore and Lee, and Carroll's Battery of Beauty, Jean Caswell, Lotta Cheek, Thelma Del ores, Vera Feather ly, Betty Fitch, Ruth Hargraves, Dolly Har- klns, Polly Lux, Muriel Manners, Helen Menette, Edith Parker and Hazel Wilder. Forty-four dancing girls and a male chorus of 16 complete the per- sonnel. Yesterday (Wednesday) the Earl Carroll matter was progressing sat- isfactorily, for the Carroll office. Earl Carroll said: "After trying in every way humanly posible to sat- isfy Equity's demands and being forced by their arbitrary tactics to discontinue negotiations, I have firmly resolved to do what they have bluffed people Into believing was impossible, that is to produce a first class Broadway show with a non-Equity cast And I am going to fight along these lines If it takes all summer. "I shall be prepared for any and every emergency and while I have no animus against Equity or its officers including George Trimble on the sidewalk there in the picket line, I must protect the financial interests of the men who have suffi- cient confidence In mo to place such large investments in my hands." Willie Collier said: "You can say for me that The Vanities of 1923' will go on as per schedule, and will be about as splendid a production as New York has ever seen, with real actors in parts that fit them. And I am here to see that the pro- duction will be as successful as Mr> Carroll's rerve and courage In re- sisting the Actors' union's arrogant and unjustifiable demands, deserve. And I am confident that the Amer- ican theatre-going public will view the matter In the same light.** A dross rchc.ir.sal of the first act was held at the Carroll theatre last night and Justified the favorable predictions SHOWS IN PHILADELPHIA (Continued from page 16) delphla Theatre Guild at the Lyric have brightened within the last few days, and it now looks as if the new organisation is en its feet and able to withstand anything but the very toughsst of weather breaks. There was a great deal of indeci- sion about next week's attraction First there was some talk of stag- ing Galsworthy's "The. Pigeon," but that was deemed a bit too heavy for the hot days. Then it was de- cided, and announced in the papers, that Nance O'Neill would com* In for two weeks as "guest star," play- ing the first week in her new play. "At the Villa," and the second In "The Passion Flower.** This plan also went awry* due, it is believed, to a hitch on terms, and last Friday the order came to the dailies to "kill" all reference to the O'Neill engagement. The latest, and apparently assured booking for next veek. is a new play by two Phlladelpbians. entitled "The Jumblies." The authors are Edgar Scott and Horace Howard Furness Jayne. assistant director of the Pennsylvania Museum. ''The Jumblies" is a fantasy. Ernest Law- ford will play the leading role for this engagement. The cast, which is very small, will lnclui some of the best of the resident players, in- cluding Edward Douglas and Robert Rendel. A society turn-out is ex- pected Moiulay night, the drawing card in thhrcase being the authors, not the guest star. Last week the Guild presented Cosmo Hamilton's "Scandal," with Francine Larrlmore as guest star. After a weak start business picked up, and the second week, once ex- pected to be a slaughter financially, now. looks like a pretty good thing. Monday night saw the best house the Guild has had to start the week since its Inception, and there Is rea- son to believe the gross this week will exceed that of last week, which again hovered in the neighborhood of $5,000. The cooler weather is be- lieved to have turned the tide. The performance was highly praised by the critics. Estimates of the week: "Scandal" (Lyric, second week). Caught on when the hot wave sub- sided late in the week, and the gross again came close to the $5,000 mark, which probably means profit for the Guild. Decision to hold over was forced because last-minute hitch in Nance O'Neill plans gave no time for rehearsal of any other play. It is now believed, however, that sec- ond week will be as successful as the first. "The Jumblies," by local authors, next week. "I'll Say She It" (Walnut, second week). Beury-Gaites revue sagged a bit in the middle of the week, but with fine Tuesday night house and better business at end of week, gross is reported as topping $11,000 by about $125. With constant plugging looks good for some real money in its four weeks' stay. The Chestnut Street Opera House closed Saturday night, the final week's gross of "Happy Days" be- ing reported at nearly $10,000. LITTLE THEATRES SHOWS IN CHICAGO (Continued from page 16) but pulled up Friday and Saturday nights, going slightly over $18,000. "Steve" (Princess, 8th week). It's a question if special parties sought after here are paying full price, making estimate of gross hard to figure. Matinee trade kept gross close to $9,500. "Chains" (Playhouse. 3d week). Figured around $7,500, despite weak Sunday and Monday night trade. Will surely stick for Fourth of July week. Management promises new play for July. "Up the Ladder" (Central, 10th week). Holding own around $5,000, but not expected to fight another hot WAV© "The Voice" (Cort, 2d and final week). Monday and Tuesday nights probably the lowest business this house ever checked. No Wednes- day matinee. Clocked in neighbor- hood of $2,500. "Rolling Home" opened Sunday 1 night "Blossom Time" (Great Northern, 13th week). Another instance of special party tickets making figur- ing of gross extremely hard. Prob- ably business between $9,500 and $10,500, holding show in still as re- served attraction for Garrlck. society BECRtrrre (Continued from page 1) Broadway on an ambitious scale via a circuit of stock companies which will be utilized to try out promising scripts. Wood this week assumed management of the Empire, Fall River, Mass., which closed Saturday with Keith Vaudeville. The stock policy will be permanent and will alternate with a White Plains, N. Y., and a Lancaster, Pa., companies, which young Wood also has ac- quired. Associated with the son of General Wood is Alfred Fish, said to be of the Stuyvesant Fish family. Both are scouting for further stands for the stock circuit, which will develop talent with a view of Broadway ap- pearances In likely new plays in which they appeared In the stock try-outs. For their annual spring produc- tion, the Philopatrlan Players, amateur dramatic organization of this city, presented George M. Cohan's "Madeleine of the Movies'* last week at the Broad street, Philadelphia. As usual, James J. Skelly, prominent in local amateur theatrical ranks, directed. Mr. Skelly, In addition to direct- ing, added to his laurels as an actor in tlu role of Garrison Paige. The company also contained T. Carroll Dugan, Madeleine Barthemeier, Alice Snyder, Joseph Reilly, Martia Hickey, Harry Lee, Josephine Bu- rclla, Marie Moras, John Stinson, John Callahan and Frank Maloney. The members of the Masque of Troy, N. Y.. who are to appear in "Pomander Walk" next season, the thirteenth of the organisation, met last week and had a reading of the Play. It was voted to begin re- hearsals Sept S and to have the production ready the latter part of the month. Special scenery for it has been built by John Sample at Harmanus Bleecker Hall in Al- bany. The painting was done by the artist of the Proctor Players, Old English songs are being ar- ranged for the play by Charlotte Randall, leader of the orchestra at Russell Sage College. Oliver Hlnsdell will not return as director of the Little Theatre of New Orleans next year. He has spent two years directing the offer- ings of the amateurs. The theatre as maintained by Hlnsdell was) veered In the direction of the elite always. Talent was never upper- most, but instead the presentations were of the "pink teaish" sort, just a craning and straining for greater social acclaim rather than of any suggestion of the veracity of his* tlrqnlsm. As conducted now, the petite place might well be called "The Snubbery." At a dinner last week by th« 10 participating little theatre groups in the recent tournament at the Hayes, New York, Walter Hartwlg, who managed and conduoted the affair, was presented with a gold watch ia appreciation of his endeavors. Mr. Hartwlr? will hare charge again next year of a similar tournament at which 40 groups will compete; H each in two different Broadway theatres, the semi-final winners to compete once again In the same the- atre for a prise. Already 22 com- panies have signified their desire to appear In the tournament ■ William C. Dart of Providence, R I., was elected president of tho Players of Providence at the an- nual meeting Friday. Other officers- elected were: Prof. Thomas Crosby, Brown University, and Farrant 8. Straoahan, vice-presidents; John Hutchlns Cady, secretary; Herbert L. Dorrance, treasurer, and Newton P. Hutchison, auditor. The mem- bership of the club has reached 840. Miss Elsa Huebner is the new president of the Little Theatre So- ciety of Indianapolis. Edwin J, Weunsch is first vice-president; Robert M. Brewer, second vice- president; Miss Edna Lauter, sec- retary, and Robert C. Winslow, treasurer. New members of the board of directors are the new of- ficers and Miss Mary Eaglesfield. Arnold W. Chapin has been elected president of Tambourine and Bones, Syracuse University musical comedy society, for the coming col- legiate year. Other officers are Daniel Flood, vice-president; J. Ed- ward Taylor, manager; Roger II. Castler, stage manager; Frank Stevens, secretary; William A Jenny, treasurer. CLOAK AND SUIT ANGELS (Continued from page 1) ganizations Interested In various ways with the cloak and suit trade. One is the Earl Carroll production of 'Vanities" and the other is a fashion show of a sort that Is to be presented at the Lyceum, opening early next month and in which Alex- ander Leftwlch Is reported to be the important producing factor. A number of insiders state that Leftwlch was the first one to sug- gest the garment trade possibility of backing to Carroll. After having made the suggestion Carroll left him out of the production, therefore the independent venture on the part of Leftwlch. Julia Sanderson is said to have been placed under contract this week for the Leftwlch attrac- tion. i