Variety (July 1923)

It LEGITIMATE tYmndxy, July 12, 198$ 1 SCENIC STUDIO OWNERS JOIN SCENIC MUSTS'UNION Scenic Butinct* Appeftrt Sewn Up in Unionism— Managers Ast'n. Failed to Support Owners in Scenic Cost , ' Th« owner* of the leading* tcenlc •tadlos have joined the Scenic Ar- tleta' Union. While it is apparently paradoxical for employer* to become unlonlets. the studio ownera state they were not forced to join by the vnlon but becauM the producing managem failed to support their program to remain outside* When the union served notice on the studio owners that all persons •ngaged In actual work upon pro- ductions would be required to be- come members there was a strong protest. It was contended that the owners of most of the leading studios either created the designs or handled tha paint brush. A series of meeting was held with the Inter- national Theatrical Association, with the result that the I. T. A. would "Stand behind" the studio controllers. When asked for definite assurances, however, they were not forthcoming. The studio men asked whether the several production shops of the producers would close if the studios were shut down. When that was refused the- studio owners voted to join the union. The warning that the cost of ncentc production would Immedi- ately advahce has already material- ised. A new wage effective now calls for a boost of 22^ per cent over the past season. The minimum wage for artists Is $77 weekly and that of assistants Is |65. Btudio owners say the actual jump In cost to the producer will be 50 per cent, over the flgnres of last season, and that next season the cost is expected to jump 100 per cent. Through joining thi§ union the studfo owners see a sure way to end a number of abuses. The practice of some producers tricking tLinee or four studios to supply designs for the same show will be stopped. What Is considered more important Is the cessation of long-distance credits forced upon them by some managers. Producers have forced the studios to wait through the sea- son before completing payment on praductiona. The Association of Artists, which is an organization of the studio owners, attempted regu- lation of the abuses, but the mem- bers would not stick together. As aaembers of the union all will be compelled to follow set rules. Among those studio executives who have joined the union are Jo- seph Urban, P. Dodd Ackerman, H. Robert Law, Joseph Wickes, Frank Gates, Richard Gates, Ekl Morange, Joseph Physlog, Walter Harvey, Evan Ackerman, Walter Street and William Castle. All are designers or aid in the making of settings by painting. Among the well-known designers who have Joined or who will join are Robert Edmund Jones, l<ee Simmonson, Livingston Piatt, Norman Bel-Geddes, Cleo Throck- morton and Watson Barratt. No studio will work from sketches unless made by a designer belonging to the union. Architects and others who have been called In for special designs In the past will not be per- mitted to further so contribute. Chicago, July 11. Three scenic studios that waged a bitter war for business in Chicapo last season and went so far In out- bidding each other for orders that $26 or $50 as deposit would secure special scenery for vaudeville acts along with almost any kind of a promise to pay, are out of business. The last of the trio—the Fabric— has been recently thrown Into bank- ruptcy with between $30,000 and $40,000 on its books. The first con- cern to drop out was the Universal, which had equally as much on its books, and second was the Acme, which had a small amount out- standing. Last sea.son these three concerns "took pretentious downtown offlces and engaged in extensive advertis- ing campaigns. Every act playing the Loop was approached. Sketches were submitted of scenery, the work of expensive diesiRners. Plush drops were sold at from 1125 up to 1600. Later they began to rent out scen- ery and the fight became bitter. It is doubtful if the crelitore will Cet anything out of Fabric. Ehigene Cox and John Becker and Brother were also in the fight for SHOWDOH AIDS MOVE FOR CHURCH TRAINING Stage Notables Back Plan to Place 10,000 Children in Jewish Schools The theatrical profession Is giving strong support to a campaign now being made by the Jewish Education Association to place 10,000 children in religious schools this fall. Many prominent names are to be found on the committees interested In the movement, representing every im- portant branch of the industry. Joe Leblang is the general chair- man of all the allied theatrical groups. 8a9 H. Harris ib the chair- man of the managers, having as as- sistants A. H. Woods, Archie 8el- wyn and L. Lawrence Weber. Al Jolson heads the actors, aided by Louis Mann and others. William Fox is chairman of the motion pic- ture group. I.«ouia Bernstein of the music pubhshers and Barney Klaw- ans of the theatrical treasurers. Others who were asked to serve are Lee Shubert, Willie Howard and Ted Lewis. Besides heading the committee, Leblang has signed a contract with the association pledging himself to provide by personal arrangement reUgious training for 100 Jewish boys and ghrls. He is reported to have taken to heart the warning of Judge Otto Rosalsky. who claims that of all juvenile dellnquests 90 per cent. Ibavc had no religious training whatsoever. It is further- more said that only about 65,000 out of more than 300,000 Jewish children in New York are receiving any in- strucUon in the tenets of their faith. The plan is not to take the chil- dren from public schools and give them special sectarian education. It merely provides for the tsaining in an interesting and convincin,; fash- ion during ih^ free hours after school on certain days of the week. Nathan btrauss, Judge Otto Rosal- sky and Judge Edward Lasansky are the honorary chairmen of the entirje movement. Others on the committee are men famous in all walks of life. 23 IN CAST "We've Got to Have Money'* is a First By Edward Lasker There will be 23 players in the cast of "We've Got to Have Money," a first play by £klward Lasker and the first*non-musical production by the Bohemians, Inc.. which office has heretofore eonflned itself to 'The Greenwich Village Follies." The Lasker piece will open at Long Branch August 6. Robert Ames will be featured. The supporting cast includes Vivl- enne Tobin, Flora Finch, Eden Gray, Charlotte Osgood (daughter of the late Charles Osgood), Doris Mar- quette, Louiee Segal (sister of Vivienne), J. Warren Lyons, Jack Thome, Will Hays, Kenneth Fox, Milton Novles, Jr., Jos. Grady, Louis Montjoy, P. M. D'Angelc, Fletcher Harvey, J D. Walsh, Man- uel J. Alexander and Harry Sothera BUYS YOUNG'S STAITO Chicago, July 11. H. N. Waterfall, one of the oldest ticket brokers In Chicago, hap bought the Ernie Toung agency at 53 West Randolph street and will operate it ap a branch office in con- nection with his Palmer House oflflce. __^ Waterfall is rapidly coming to the front. Ho has 10 stands hi hotels and five in clubs. Harry L. Lipson, formerly with Joo LeBIanche, is his chief assist- ant. ILLINOIS THEATRE SPEC BOi I SIGNED BY (XIVERNOR SHAUJ THIS IS CHARLES ALTHOFF Who is making dafly floats down the Tippecanoe River in Indiana during the summer months, teaching the small mouth bass to take a dry fly. Five or six of these bass intend to take a trip to Chicago to visit Charles Hodkins in the near future. Direction EDW. 8. KELLER ANOTHER 'SHDFFLE ALONG' Second Edition Opening in Capital- Right to Title Claimed business, but always on a sane basis with strong advertising and their business continuiia, wUh both firms prospering. A second edition of "Shuffle Along," featuring Miller and Lyies, is being produced by George White, the piece due to open hn Washington early in August, with a Boston run to follow. It is said Miller and Lyles will receive |2,000 weekly. They supplied the book for the original "Shuffle Along" show, the score be- ing by Sissle and Blake. Johuson and McPherson are credited with the score of the new edition. Miller and Lyles claim the right to use the title "Shuffle Along," which started the colored show craze and which ran 60 weeks in New York. They withdrew from the first com- pany about three weeks ago after playing Atlantic City. The colored comics stated they grew tired of a squabble between the several per- sons in the management, which may be one reason why the show failed to go abroad for the London book- ings made some time ago. It is understood that Alph Mayer and John Scholl are now In control of the original "Shuffle Along?' show, though John and Harry Cort are also interested. GUSTAVE KERKEB WHL FILED The will of Gustave Adolph Ker- ker, musical director and composer, who died June 29, filed for probate this week in the Surrogates' Court, New York, gives his entire estate of "over $10,000" in personalty, after all debts are paid, to his widow, Mattie Belle Rivenb<erg Kerker, of 565 West 169th street, former show girl in "Nearly a Hero," who, with- out bonds, is named also as the executrix. Friday. Aug. 10, is the date set by Surrogate O'Brien for the proving of the document, executed Nov. 26, 1916, and witnessed by Edwin M. Otterbourg, of 310 West 94th street, and Charles A. Houston, of 880 St. Nicholas avenue. Mr. Kerker, survived also by three sisters, three nieces and a nephew, ordered clteil by the Surrogate to attend the probate proceedings and show cause, if any, why the doc- ument should not be admitted to probate, was born at Herford, Ger- many, Feb. 28, 1857, the son of Gus- tave A. and Elizabeth Kerker, both in the musical profession. He was educated at Germany and in this country. His first opera, "Cadets," was written in 1879. HOLLYWOOD BOWL OPENS Los Angeles, July 11. The Hollywood Bowl opened its second season last night with Emil Oberhoffer of the Minneapolis Sym- phony Orchestra conducting. Thousands of society and screen celebrities attended the initial per- formance. TickeU Can't Be Sold for More Than Price Printed-r Theatres Mutt Stand In With Specs to Beat It- $500 or One Year Is Penalty " fc COURT CUTS VALUE OF ERLANGER STOCK Chicago, JiUy IL ' A complete show-down of *Vhat1i what" in loop ticket scalping ba4 got to come to the surface as thd I result of Governor Small putting klt| signature to bill 206, calling for % Holdings in N. Y. Theatre Co. Also Shrink GUSIKOFF HIT BY AUTO St. Louis, July 11. Michael GusikofI wan struck by an auto last week, suffering a broken collar bone. He has been siTioe removed from his home to the Missouri Baptist hospital. The injured man is concert mas- ter ef the Bt. Louis Symphony or- chestra. As a result of the Appellate Divi- sion of the New York Supreme Court's decision last Friday the value of the New York Theatre Co.'s stock, owned by A L. Brlanger and the estates of William Harris and Samuel F. Nirdlinger. has been sub- stantially reduced from the ap- praisal made by Phoenix Ingraham and Carlisle Norwood. The latter, who were appointed commissioners in 1921 by Justice Vernon N. Davis, fixed the value of Erlanger's 1,659 shares of stock in «ft« New York Theatre Ca at 1368,314.69; the 700 shares of the Harris estate at $165,- 407. the 839 shares owned by the Nirdlinger estate at 1186.266.39. The Appellate Division, in an opinion written by Justice Walter Lloyd Smith, has reduced the value of the Erlangcr shares to 1348,589.08, the Harris stock to 1147,084 and the Nirdlinger estate shares to $176,290. The controversy grew out ef the sale of the New York theatre plot in October, 1919, to interests under- stood to be controlled by Famous Players-Lasky Corp. The sale price was $3,200,000. Over two-thirds of the stockholders, headed by Marc Klaw, voted for the sale at this figure. For 15 years preceding Mr. Klaw states they were trying to get a $3,000,000 bid for the property. Eh-langer, heading a minority fac- tion, protested the sale, claiming the price to be inadequate and had ap- praisers appointed. Messrs. Ingraham and Norwood appraised the plot at $3,076,250 and allowed $360,000 additional for the building and personal property. Bryan L. Kennelly, a third com- mlsHloner, valued the plot at $2,- 901,442 and allowed $300,000 for the building. The difference of $198,750 was in- volved In the dispute, the higher court holding that the land was not worth as much as the Erlanger fac- tion deemed It. The Erlanger minor- ity interests scored one point, how- ever, in being allowed Interest on their money held fn trust pending the outcome of the suit. Clarence J. SUfearn, representing Mr. Klaw, will appeal from this. "GOLD FISH" AT CAPITOL Renamed Century, Friscot Reopen- - -. '" ," ing July 15 San FJranclsco, July 11. The erstwhile Century, now the Capitol, and controlled tv L.ouls Lurie, who took it back after Ack- erman 8t Harris relinquished their lease, is to open July 15 with Mar- jorie Rambeau In "The Goldfish." Lurie first announced a first run picture policy with Griffith's "White Rose" for an initial %ttrac- tion. Then Lurie stated he had formed an affiliation with Thomas Wilkes to run the Capitol as a legitimate house. The gossips say Lurie, who is a real estate broker, really intended to frighten the Hothchild Enter- prises, and get them to buy him out. J. A. Behamy is named as manager of the newly-n.amed Capitol and Bill McStay is press agent. fine of $600 or imprisonment for oii# year for any tickiet scalper caught selling theatre tickets for more tluA the price printed on the ticket. There isn't any doubt that tlif reading of the new law will hi overcome in order that the hotel de« mand for tickets will be met. ttk accomplishing this, the theatres wiQ have to disregard their policy, so widely advertised last year, that $2.60 would be the prevailing high* priced seats in the loop theatres. It a supply of tickets will be given tUO ticket scalpers at the hotels, theat tickets will have to be printed ao« cording to th^ premium arrange* ment made between the ticket scalp* ers and the theatre. If a dump-baek is permitted, the theatres will hav« front row seats at a higher price than their policies inviti^ thereby adding fuel to the fire already pretW alent In the loop as regard box ofBod disappointments. In order for the Independents t6 get on a more open working basil with the theatres, they'll hare to bH dealt with equally as important aa are the Couthoui agencies. In oth* er seasons the Couthoui acroncleii have received all of the spectit printed tickets which, through mjit* terious angles, have gone to sookt extent into the hands of the lnd#« pendents. When tickets were print* ed to conform with the price tif<* rangements with the Couthoui o(f<« flees there usually has been manj{ kicks because with a dump-bad^ the theatre in order to meet the ad^ vertised prices at the box office^ were either forced to take a cbaaci on selling the dump-back tickets afr the Couthoui prices, or else get int6 complications with both the pubHci and company management by erne ploying hard tickets to lower thtf Couthoui prices at the box ofOce. As the result of this arrange^ ment, the theatre ran the risk ot having a patron who purchased tf $2.50 seat at curtain time sitting next to a patron who was forced td pay a higher price at the ticket} scalpers In order to get a seat down in front. There are those who con* tend that a patron who goes to th# ticket scalpers for tickets neces* sarily expects to pay a higher price than If the sale was made at th^ box office window. The kick come* from the middle class, however,; who, desirous of getting seats down In front, find that the hoggish methods of both the ticket scalpere and the theatres drive them into the scalpers' hands. It's difficult now to predict jusi what will be tho final solution of the ticket scalping game here, pending the strict working of bill 206. It IM thought there will be a severe test made of the new bill immediately* for to get around it there are Ta^' lious plans being made by the ticket scalpers, foremost of which is td .advertise the 50 cents charges t<ft service over the price printed on tbt ticket. Theatres which desire to openl/ work with the speculators can eas^ get around the new law if turner attempt will be made to meet the demands of the hotel and (Continued on Page li) "PRIIKD MARTHA" TO MUSIC "Friend Martha," presented about five years ago, is being made into a musical comedy and will be pro- duced by J. J. Shubert in associa- tion with Edgar MacGregor. The adaptation is being made by Mac- Oregor and Edward Peple. while Harry Tierney and Joseph McCar- thy are composing the score. "Martha" was given at the Booth. New York, originally with Ozo Wal- ton featured. FOLK SONG PLAY STARTS Sam Wallach's new play "Swane« River," written around the life ol Stephen Foster, the writer of "Old Black Joe," "Swanee River." "Old Kentucky Home" and other Amer*-* can folk songs, had its premiere tX the Main Street Theatre, Aiibvatt Park. July 9. — -"-^—^- The star part is that of Sti^h«A Foster and is played by CharW Purcell, who sings several of Je- ter's songs during the action. Flor- ence Kittenhouse is the leading woman and the others in the cast are Byron Beasley. Leward Meeker, Martha Maye, Frederica Going, Ed- ward Fielding, Jules Bennett, Rich- ard Carlyle. Harry D. Blakefn<»* aod B. CoBway WiiM^«}<i* I