Variety (July 1923)

13 LEGITIMATE Wednesday, July 4, 1923 1 N. Y. THEATRICAL HOSPITAL TOO COSTLY IS PHYSICIANS' OPINION $1,000,000 Theatrical Hospital Would Cost Too Much to Operate—Dr. Henry Frauenthal's Prac- tical Plan for 20 Private Rooms in Hospital Following announcement of the proposed Theatrical Hospital for New York, It ha« developed that a counter plan has been forming for some time and indorsed by a num- ber of physician 1 prominent In the- atrical practice. An offer ha« been made to devote one floor of the Hos- pital for Joint Diseases now build- ing on Madison avenue and sched- uled to open the first of the year. It appears that the proposal to raise $1,000,000 for a hospital de- voted only to theatrical people has resulted in some criticism from medical men identified with theat- ricals. Opinion was expressed that there was no specific reason for a hospital designed only for actors and actresses any more than there is for machlniats or other classes of persons. More Important is the practical side of the proposal, it being estimated that a million- dollar hospital would cost 1150.000 yearly for maintenance. Dr. Henry Frauenthal, a noted specialist, well known to profes- sionals, who has devoted years to the accomplishment of the Hospital for Joint Diseases, stated he be- lieved the plan to use the Madison avenue institution would amply supply the needs of the profession. Concretely, the idea Is to have 20 private rooms (10 for actors and 10 for actresses) for the free use of profc.«<sionals financially unable to I)rovlde for themselves. Rooms and treatmmt would be a theatrical property in perpetuity. To secure the floor something like 1150.000 will be sought, and it is estimated that the annual cost of maintenance would approximate $50,000 annually. Dr. Frauenthal said he believed that comparatively modest, mentioning the endowment of two beds In the Fifth Avenue hospital by John and Ethel Barry- more, who contributed $30,000 each. The Madison avenue institution is promised to be the most modcrnly equipped plant of Its kind in the city. Its staff will hold most of the leading physicians active in theat- rical circles, of which there are abo3t a dozen. Proponents of the Madison ave- nue institution in preference to the proposed theatrical hospital, say there are many advantages to be gained by aifiliating with it. One angle is that It will be ready for use within a few months, whereas It may take years to accomplish the building and financing of a hospital for show folk only. Dr. Frauenthal has detignated Dr. Philip Graus- man of the Lambs Club and Dr UNIONS ASK MANAGERS FOR SCALE CONFERENCE MARIR— —WUJJAM <5t;inP HAnri^ and Mu^iicians HENRIETTA and WARRINER oidge ndiiub anu mubitidii^ (scintillating bono stars) Send Request — Notice Given June 30 Watch these singing stars shine along the Great White Way this fall. J Direction PAT CASEY OFFICE. Personal Representative: KENNETH RYAN. The International Theatrical As- sociation was requested Saturday by the New York and Brooklyn stage hands' local unions and the musi- Llans' local to arrange conferences to formulate new contracts fc." next season. It v.-as expected that a new contract award be sought by the theatrical labor bodies, but notifi- cation was not made until the final day (June 30) stipulated In the agree- ment covering the past two seasons. Hither side was required to file notice by that date, otherwise pres- ent contracts would have extended for another year. Present scales will apply up to Sept. 1. and whatever changes are agreed on at the pending sessions will become operative thereafter. The early date for notification was .':c- so that contracts might be de- vised prio^ to the season's openljig. Heretofore dissatisfaction resulted from last minute conference.*?. Local No. 1 of the I. T. S. E. and Local No. 4, which are the New York and Brooklyn stage hands' unions, are understood to have stated in their notifications that a change in working conditions was desired. No mention of wage scale changes is reported specified. That is said to apply also to Local 802. the New York local of the American Federation of Musicians, although early in the spring proposed wage increases cropped up in the struggle between the old and new musicians' unions. The labor board of the T. T. A. has had a number of sessions with the American Federation of Musi- cians, which body io seeking r.c&lc boosts for all road musicians. Al- though the meetings resulted In a deadlock, it is expected they will be shortly resumed. The new schedule of rates asked by the Federation calls for an In- crease of $10 weekly over the pres- ent $65 rate for a nine performance week. That would make the wage $75 for musical comedies, revues, farces, comedies and the like, where STEPHEN FOSTER SONGS IN NEW PRODUCTION "Old Black Joe," "Swanee River" and Others Written by Foster Sam Wallach, brother of Mrs. Henry Harris, has a company re- hearsing a play by Edward Locke, entitled "Swanee River," an epi- sode In the life of Stephen Foster in the year 1848. Foster was the author of "Old Black Joe," "Swanee River," "Good Night, Ladies' and "My Old Ken- tucky Home." Some of his songs wil be sung In tho action of the play by Charles Purcell, to be starred in the name part. The company is rehearsing at the 49th Street, and will have its pre- liminary opening at Asbury Park July 9. There is a cast of 11, with Florence Rittenhouse in the lead- ing female role. TOM WISE'S BOOK Tells of 40 Years' Stage Experience -~ln "Old Soak" Next Season Duluth, July S. Tom Wise has written "I Remem- ber," a book telling of his 40 years' stage experience. It will be pub- lished by a New York firm. Next season, said Mr. Wise when here, he will appear with the Chi- cago company of "The Old Soak" under Arthur Hopkins' manage- ment. ALF HAYMAN NET ESTAH mm REPORT BY TAX COMMISSIONEII 250 Shares Famous Players and 455 Shares N. Yt Theatre Co. Suspended From Consideration^^ Ann Murdock Principal Beneficiary |j LEE SHUBERT'S EXCUSE; Revue, Replaced in "Passing Show" / \ An ext)lanation was advanced by the Shuberts replacing the sketch. "Seeing Double." In the "Passing Show" after the bit was removed for one performance at the Winter Garden. When Andre Chariot, the London producer, protested the use of the turn, alleged to be a lift from "Cabaret Drama," rated as one of the best acts In the Chariot revues, the Shuberts promised to take the act out. When a second protest waB made, asking why the promise was not kept, Lee Shubert is said to have answered: "The actors threaten to quit if the playlet is re- moved." O'Brien, Malevinsky & Driscoll, representing Chariot, have prepare<l a number of affudavits signed by showmen who saw the sketch in the Chariot show in London. The affa- davits tend to prove the "Cabaret Drama" is one of the most valuable bits in the English show. In addition to seeking an injunc- tion restraining the further use of the material, Char!ot is said to have instructed the attorneys to begin suit for damages against the Shu- berts. LOOP'S LIMIT $2.50 Top Prices for Week Days for Chi- cago's Legits the attractions play week stands. Leo Michel of the Friars to work in j where less than nine performances the interest of the theatrical en dowment plan. The proposed New York Theatri- cal Hospital is said not to have ob- tained a charter as yet. It Ifl un- derstood specialists in promoting "drives" for charities will handle the campaign. The office men- tioned is supposed to be the same: as employed for the Salvation Army drive. Collections of the kind are reputed to be operated on the baeis of 15 per cent, paid the collectors. Dr. Frauenthal said funds raised for the Hospital for Joint Diseases were secured without the payment of one dollar in commission.s. A communication sent out by the Actors' Fund and signed by Daniel Frohman was to the effect that tho proposed million-dollar theatrical hospital has no association or con- nection with the P'und. As indi- cated last week Mr. Frohman, al- though he doe.s not deprecate the es*abli.?hment of a charitable or- ganization, exprtti.'-ed himself as not leoognizing the nece.ssity of a costly hospital on the grounds of taking care ol the rer-dy in the pro- fession, as the Fun'J prfjmptly takes care of all sufh ni^-'- }if s^.'-n f^aid he did not bel;(vi i.:' a:< < ;, jf^'h cases to warrant so costly a pr'^^'Ject. Mr. Frohman explained that a.s tho Actors' Fund makes m.'»ny re- quests for llnancial aid from the public, largely from benefitH throughout the couritry, mid often receives br-qur-'^ts from pcr^ofis ki- tbrcsted in tho Fuml's work, ho is partlijul.'irly anxious to di*i.'issoci(ilv from the pnWic mind any connto- ilon betwi'on the *A«tora' Fund and the proitosed'ho5»pita/l. ' ' ♦, i are played a rehearsal may be sub- stituted without charge, otherwise an extra charge of |3 per man must be paid. The latter provisions are the same as last season. , For attractions playing one and two nighters the scale asked is $80 per man, as against tho present $70 scale. One free rehearsal Is permitted as last season. There Is a slight Increase in tho rate for a fractional week, prlneipally apply- ing to the close of an engagement. Increases asked for grand Qj|era are greater than for other claftses of musical attractions, tl i new scale asked being $130 per man per week as against the present $112 and limited to eight performances. ".Vhcre the top admission price does not exceed $4 the new scale sought Is $90 per man, the present rate be- in., $80. The latter scale is designed fcr popular price opera, the ad- mission price for which is usually Icfs than for revues, but the wage scale asked is greater. JOLSON-GRIFHTH PROMOTER a RETAIS ATTORNEY TO SUE LEMAIRE-JESSEI'S "LOUIS. 14" Rufus IvOMaire will produce ••fronts the Hth" which will star Gf.frge Jes.scl and is due in the fall. Tho plfjce is a musical comedy adapted frf»m tho sliow of the same n-ime running in Vienna. Je.spfl, who is now appraring in "Tho ra.«.si7ig Show" at tho Winter Gardfn, produced with LeMairo "Ho' n of Troy, New York," cur- rent.at th« Selvvyn. \\'tlh«'im and Frankrl wr«.tc "Lolilj!," the score of which will be Americanized by liouis Silvers. The Al Jolson walk-out on D. W. Grifllth has precipitated another legal encumbrance from Anthony Paul Kelly's standpoint, Kelly hav- ing devoted upwards of a year In bringing Jolson and GrifTlth together for tho purpose of making four fllm productions. It was heretofore un- derstood tho agreement waa only for one picture. Kelly has retained M. L. Malevin- sky (O'Brien, Malevinsky & Dris- coll) to seek legal redress against the blackface comedian upon his re- turn around August 1. Kelly wrote tho story for the first production. It is his attorney's opinion that Jvlrrin would have proved a sensa- tion.'il screen success despite de- precatory Comment in comparing the songster with Valentino, Bar- thelmess, et nl. Jolson's gifted per- sonality and art in visu.ilir.ing his inward ^motions thioiiph his eyes and facial expressions havo been analyzed h'TCfofore with Mr. Mal- evinsky deductint: that the ►'^hiibertf. playc<l a very important role In changing Jo\''tMr.s 'attitude townrd the scrt*n proi*ositlon. It h»'siii(t<»d Excluding various items for tlii time being, which will be disposed 'ACTORS WOULD OBJECT',b' '"nit/Ta^irr'AS'-'Ct^ formerly head of Charles Frohman, [inc., left a net estate of $307.879.st Alleged Lift From Chariot's when he died May h, 1921, accord. ' Ing to a preliminary transfer tax 'State appraisal of his property filed last week in the Surrogates' Court, New York. In his report to the court, Eklward W. Buckley, State Tax Commii- sioner. said in part: "I further report that I have sus- pended from consideration hereia the value of 250 shares of Famoua Players-Laisky Corporation, pending a determination of the litigation referred to. "I have also siispended from con- sideration the item of $356.1$, amount of accumulated dividend! and accrued Interest also referred to in said affidavit. "I have also suspended from con- sideration the value of 455 sharef of the New York Theatre Company stO(;k, pending a determination ot the litigation referred to in said affi- davit. "I also report this appraisal It made without prejudice to the right of the State of New York to remit the same in the event of the re- marriage of Rose Hayman, who re- ceives an annuity of $12,000 per year under the agreement until her death or remarriage, which I have aIlo.wed as a deduction herein." Mr. Hayman, who had been sep- arated from his wife. Hose, the ap- praisal discloses, set aside on Feb. 19. 1917, with the Lawyers Title A Trust Company, in trust for her, 425 shares Of Consolidated Gas Company, valued at $51,000; Con- solidated Gas Company bonda valued at $12,870, and 439 shares of the New York Theatre Company, valued at $43,900—making a total of $107,770—and she was to recelft the Income of no lesa than $12,901 during her lifetime or widowhoodi in lieu of all rights, dower or other- wise, of hia estate. In remarrying during her lift- time she is to receive $6,000 i| year, and at her death, whether ah* remarries or not, the securities art to be returned to Mr. Hajrman, bli heirs, executors, adminlstratorfl «f assigns forever. ^ The report also shows that Mft Hayman had, on Dec. 24, Ifllf given to Irene Coleman, actraMQ professionally known as Ann Mur« dock, 2,265 shares of preferrt4 stock of Charles Frohman, Ino^ valued at $226,500, which waa not A gift in contemplation of death. A4 affldavit made by Dr. W. !•. Whittt4 more, friend of the testator, at* taohed to the papers, says in partJ! "I attended the Christmas part^ given by the decedent on Dec. 14l 1919, at which about ten of ti* friends of the decedent wart present. I "Among tho gifts hung on th0 Christmas tree by the decedent w*i an envelope containing a certiflcat* for 2,265 shares of preferred stock of Cliarles Frohman, Inc., wbld^ the decedent gave to Irene CoIemaS at that time. This gift was showH by her to the guests present, in* eluding myself, and was the sub* ject of general conversation an4 felicitation. "I had never attended the 6ec%* dent at the time professionally, vaf acquaintanceship being purely to* cial, but he appeared to be In good health and spirUs and to have rea* son to look forward to the usnil expectancy of life for a man of W*. age, who was about 66 years." To tho exclusion of two sistefl and six nephews and nieces, 'wW did not contest the probate of t^ documents, Mr.' Hayman, by W" will and codicil, directed his B*» estate to be divided as follows: _ Mrs. Teresa Coleman (mother » In-fio Coleman), of 61.') Fifth avenua xNew York, and Oorinno Batt* man. his niece, of 5646 KinirsbiHt Boulevard, St. Louis, each $10,OOA Peter Mason and John Ryland, em' ployes of Charles Frohman, In^ each $1,000. Albert Lyons, »• Chicago, July $. No box ofHce prices in the six shows In the loop exceed $2.50 for the summer excepting on Saturday and Sunday nights. ••The Passing Show," with Willie and Eugene Howard at the Apollo, is advertising best seats at night at $2.60, and so is "The Dancing Girl," at the Colonial. The new show opening at the Cort Sunday, '•Dan- gerous People," asked $3 on Sunday night, but the weelc day top price is $2.60. Anthony Paul Kelly, Also Author of Jolton Scenario, Wants Damages for Jolson's Sudden Departure— Deductions Over Incident that J. J. Shubert particularly feared Jolson's certain success as a permanent loss of their star and caused Jolson to accompany them to Europe. Jolson's contract with the Shuberts has not yet been re- newetl, according to report deapite the Shuberts' presentation of the $13,000 Rolls-Royce to the a tor. The ch.artering of "Al Jolson. Wilmington, conduct photo plays" under the Delaware charters, through the Corporation Trust Co. of America is being investigated by interested counsel to ascertain at whose instance the charter was is- sued. Orimth's suit, if any eventuates, is limited to actual Immediate losses and expenditures with the quo " >n of ^perulallvo losses on prt'flts not a very favorable cause for action, while Kelly's suit for over a year's services Is more stable and specin«\ With the first flashc: of .Tolson's «fro(nln^. the United Artists Corp also became interested in nn ex- ploitation campaign for their new (Irimth-mado star. Naturally thi?» I Is temporarllj' haTtM.' • •• '> •" * Hj?^ V iri '(Ccniiinued on pago 27) *«ia r» 1