Variety (July 1923)

V''-' Thursday, July 1 2, MH LEGITIMATE IS :l^ k. LOUiS MUNICIPAL OPERA iAY APPEAR IN NEW V 'T?i? TROHHANOFfOOTHnU' WITH BRONCHO BDIY Communications From St Louis to Civic Authorities ^; in Metropolis^At College of the City New York Stadium to Evidence Practicability St, Louia, July 11. The St. liouifl Municipal Opera organisation, with its success, at- tracted country-wide attention, may t»e sent to New York and possibly M^er cities as a demonstration of the practicability of conducting puch projects under city auspices. Communications have been re- ceived from Acting-Mayor Murray Hulburt. chairman of the Board o( Aldermen for New York, and City Chamberlain Berolthelmer, favoring th^ idea. A final decision will be niade this week. The local season of 10 weeks will close early in August, after which the metropolitan presentation Is proposed. If the plans go through the College of the City of New York Btadlum will be used. Word re- qelved here Is that a stage with a 115-foot opening can be constructed, while the capacity would be about 8,000. The stadium here seats i^K>ut S.900, and is embellished with nat- ural scenic surroundings. The Municipal Opera Company of St. Louis, in Its sixth season, is not operated for profit. The sur- plus to date this season, however, is 1110.000. and will be devoted to bet- ter productions next season, as the "rule in the past. This year it has . cost about $25,000 for each produc- tion. The company is under the direc- tion of Mayor Kiel, thrice elected to ,tkat ofTloe. Dave B. Russell, for- merly at the Great Northern Hippo- drome, Chicago, la the business manager. The venture was shoe- stringed at its Inception, but no bet- \^r Indication of fts popularity can W supplied than the high gross this season of )35,589 drawn during the "The Pfince of Pilsen" week. Frank Moulan has been with the company four years, and continues as principal comedian. There are three prima donnas, Blanche Duf- fleld, Helen Morrill and t>orothy . Maynai'd. If the company goes to . New York Marguerite Sylva is ex- t>ected to appear for one of the pre- sentations. Others in the cast are Craig Campbell, Flavia Arcaro, Dehnar Poppen, Thomas H. Conkey and Roland Woodruff. The organization hsui a chorus of 100, an orchestra of 60 and count- ing stage hand J the total roster Is about 200. A program of light operas Is the policy, with moderate Admission prices attaining. The list scheduled for New York Is com- i>osed of "Wang," "The Spring Maid." "Prince of Pilsen." "Gypsy Love," "SweeethearU" and "The Bat" (operatic). TWO SHOW INTERESTS WOULD FLOAT PAPERS Shuberts Offer $1,250,000 Gold Bonds to Under- writers II PEOPLE FOE "JESSE JAMES 'Xlttle Je4ise James," the musical hhow which William Friedlander And I*. Lawrence Weber are pro- ducing, will open at Long Branch Monday with Nan Halperln featured. The book Is by Harland Thompson of the New York "World," the score being composed by Harry Archer, first pianist for Paul Whitoman. A number of novelties are prom- ised. Among them is a Paul White- man band called the "James Boys." Special provision is being made to accommodate the 17 musicians In the pit of the Lonffacre. New York, where the show is due about the first of August. A 15-mInute con- cert prior to each performance and during the 10-minute intcrmlsaion between acts is part of the "James Boye" duties. The company In support of Miss Halperln in Allen Kearns. Mildred Richardson. James C. Car«on, Win- nlfred Harris, Roger Gray, Clara Thropp. Miriam Hopkins. Paul Quixin and Maurice Holland. ^ HAYMAN ESTATE TAX, $18,649 The Banlcors' Trust Comp.iny, as executors of the estate loft l)y Alf Hayman, theatrical moniKor, who died May 14. 1921, which recently vvas appraised for the time l)einK at the net value of $307,879.37. was this week, by Surrogate O'Brlon. of New York, dirertod to pay $18,849.53 to the State Tax Commission as taxes due to the stato under the inheri- tance tax laws. , ' The plan of two theatrical In- terests to put securities on the mar- ket became public this week. One is the proposal of H^nry W. Savage to Issue $250,000 in stock, Mr. Savage holding 51 per cent of the flotation and seeking public dis- tribution of the remaining 49 per cent. The property behind the issue is reported to be the Savage contract with Mitzi Hajos for a long term, certain play rights for future pro- duction and a number of produc- tions including "The Merry Widow." It is reported "The Merry Widow" turned a profit of $60,000 last sea- son and the Mitzi show showed a profit of close to $100,000. Negotia- tions were on with the bankers aiil it was expected a decision would be made late this week. The other flotation is proposed by the Shuberts who propoiif to Issue 20-year gold bonds paying 7 per cent maturing Jan. 1, lf4S, with principal and interest guarante d personally by J. J. and Lee Shul>ert. each bond to bear their uncondi- tional endorsement. These securities are to be Issued by the Shutiert Theatres Realty Co., Inc.. and according to the prospectus ''are a direct obligation of the com- pany and are secured by a mortgaire on the leasehold estate of the prem- ises on which have been erected the foliowlnir theatres: Rita. 49th St.. Morosco. Bijou, Broadhurst and Ply- mouth. "The actual cost of construction and equipment of the six theatres was $2,419,200. Mortgages on the fee or their cash equivalent to be deposited with the trustee." th-^ an- nouncement continues, "to $150,000, making a total of $2,569,200. The combined seating capacity of the six theatres la 5,600 and the tota! ground area Is 52,100 square feet. "The annual net rental received from the six theatres after deduct- ing operating expenses, taxes, etc., is $241,800. Other income amounts to $9,000, making a total of $250,800. The total ground rent is $68,800 per annum, making a net Income ap- plicable to interest and sinking fun# charges of $188,000." The sinking fund arrangement Is thus described: "Substantial sinking fund require- ments will be placed In operation Immediately. Over*'and above the amount necessary to pay the In- terest on all the outstanding bonds. $40,000 per annum will be paid to the trustee in equal quarterly in- stallments commencing March 15. 1923. and thereafter durin^r the life of the bonds of this issue at a price not to exceed par and accrued in- terest Bonds, if any. so purchased shall not be cancelled snd Interest thereon shall be added to the sink- ing fund. If bonds canno'. be so purchased, the fund shall be other- wise invested by the trustee. In- tere.st on securities so purchased shall accrue for the benefit of the fund. It is pointed out that assum- ing no bonds of this Issue are pur- chased at.d that the entire fund is invested In other securities, a rate as low a«. 5 per cent, per annum computed semi-anr.ually will amor- tize the entire issue before ma- turity." A footnote leaves the price blank. Geo. M. Anderson Reappears in Frisco, But Keeping Under Cover San Francisco. July 11. O. M. (Broncho r^lUy) Anderson is 9f, It again. Cloaked behind the Plymouth Theatrical Enterprises, he Is re- opening the Casino on his own with a hodge-podge of "a little bit of everything," comprising old-time melodramas' of the "Bertha, the Sewing Machine Oirl," variety, mu- sical comedy, pictures and jaas or- chestra. Anderson's "astral self." so to speak. In the enterprise is the "cele- brated" Dick Wilbur, known from one end of the coast to the other as "The Frohman of the Foothills." For the past 10 years Wilbur has pioneered with a little dramatic troupe In every tank in the moun- tains no one but himself could And To the dwellers in the high Sierras, in the places that only could be reached by stage coach or mule- back. Wilbur meant more than David Belaaco. He was the only representative of the drama those people know. His little company was the peer of excellence judged by their remote standards. But Wilbur has been ambitious. He has sought repeatedly to "con- quer" the cities. Anderson ap- proached several theatrical men in San Francisco to join with him in the venture to bear the brunt of its success or failure but his overtures were met with rejections. The venture evidently is going through although no definite date of opening has l>een announced. Bill- bpards heralding the melodramatic policy are out and publicity has been placed in the newspapers. In none of this, however, has Ander- son's name been linked with the proposition. ntAI&CANADA niEAIKES ■V PASSES INTO GRAVEYARD Directors Move to Liquidate Company Whicli Brought Engliili Plays to Dominion—^Echo of Ambrose SmalPs Disappearance - Montreal, July 11. The Trans-Canada Theatres. Ltd., is no more. After a comparatively short but stormy passage the theatrical cor- poration has docked for good in the port of liquidation. , Wyndham Beauclerk, of this city, one of Montreal's most prominent financiers, was the president of the company and George Drlscoll, for- merly manager of the Keith inter- ests here and later manager of the legitimate house in Montreal, was SCHWARTZ MUST DEFEND Court So Rules In Toohty's Aliena- tion Action Jean f^chwarts must defend lieo B. Toohey's alienation of affection suit, according to New York Su- preme Cou.'t Justice Burr's decision. His brief opinion explains the de- tails: rrhe complaint sets f^rth three separate and distinct causes of action, vis., seduction, criminal conversation and alienation of affec- tion. The mption to dtsmlsa the complaint on the ground that it fails to state facts suinclent to constitute a cause of action Is denied, with lie costs, with leave to renew.** Toohey U the husband of Sallie Long. In last year's **Sca«idals.'* Schwarts is charged with haWng t>een friendly with Miss Lone. MARC KIAW SAHINO Marc KI.lV^• sails for London, Sat- urd:iy (July 11). on the "Majestic" on a coml)inf?d bUHino.iH and plea- sure trip. Accompanying the producer will be former Judi^e Clar- ence J. .Shoarn. Mr. KiaWa personal attf>rnoy. Klaw had not quito I'timpletcd hlw hu.sinosa abroad when h? w.vs called back to the I'nitod States last April for the Erlangcr trial. - . PICTURES AND SPOKEN STAGE BY FRANCIS WHSOH V , Ashvlllo, N. C, July 7. Some people seem to think that the moving picture and IHe spoken stage are opposed to each other, and that the welfare of the one means the detriment of the other. I have what might be construed as peculiar ideas about this relationship between the moving picture and the spoken stape. Contrary to the belief held by some I feel that the moving picture Is actually making audiences for the spoken stage instead of robbing it of its audiences. I do not believe that the spoken state will ever die. It has come to us through the years that are gone and I believe that it is an institution that will live on for- ever. It may change in Its course. It may undergo a constant process of evolution as institutions always do. but the spoken stage will be with us always. Now let me show you how I think the moving pic- ture Is really helping the spoken stage rather than hindering it. The moving picture has made its appeal because of lU cheap- ness. People can seo a moving picture show and have a front seat for the price that they would have to pay in the gallery to see a per- formance on the spoken stage. It has then opened up a great ave- nue of amusement to the grent mass of people whose amusement was very much limited heretofore. And the growth of the moving picture Is testimony enough that the appeal that they made at first has grown and increased. The masses have accepted the moving picture and Its future is assured. And every year new converts to the moving picture are to be had. Its growth and Influence Is ever Increasing. But after a time people who have seen the moving picture t>egln to wonder what a "real show" would l)e like with so and mo playing a part. The fact that they have seen so and so on the screes makes them want all the more to see them In real life and listen to the lines that the/ speak In a play. That desire mulUpUed finally kindles Into audlenocai and so the wear that some people had that the appearance of well-known actors and actreeses from the legiti- mate stage in moving pictures would rob the spoken stage of its audiences is proven false, and on the contrary we find new audiences being born. Moving pictures at their best can never equal the spoken stage because per.«!onality cannot be filmed. The little accent of the voice, the gesture, the little things that go to make up a really good play will always be missing In the moving picture. The raising and low- ering of the voice that so often tells so much cannot be a part of the moving picture so why shouldn't people want to visit the the- atre and see a spoken play when there is no other place that they can get the e.'ime thing? There are literally thousand.'* of places that cannot support the spoken drama and so the moving picture is the only theatrical that such places can have. Moving pictures are a Ood-send to these towns and villages too small to support a theitre for the spoken drama and they will do much to raise the standard of life in those communities. If seems to me that the moving picture Is undorROing a process of ovoluliuri for the hotter and that educational subjects will become more and more a part of the output of the studios. And as they grow and become better asd bctteir I bolleve that the sponen stage will also grow find find larger and larttcr audiences for Itself. Some players from the spoken stage have been agaln.st the mov- ing picture and are ntill ,i;;ilnst it. while others have seen the greater opportunity it affords to grow In popularity and have gone into pic- ture work much to their credit. The whole world is constantly miking alibis for its failures and It .Hccms that some of the players from the spoken stage who have failed to see the tremendous value of the moving picture and have tried to belittle it are still bu.sy making alibis for their failure. booking manager and the practical theatrical man In the outfit The Trans-Canada Theatres, Ltd., was formed to operate a ohaia of houses throughout the Dominion. The company bad hard luck from the start. The object of brlncln* over Sngllsh productions for tho benefit of Canadian theatrecoerti proved dlsastroiu. Albert de Cour- ville's revue wasbooked under the auspices of the Trans-Canada and his show was bad In the suporlativo. One thine following upon another made the production road extremely uncomfortable for the syndicate, but the company struggled on gamely- until forced down to defeat by cir* cumstances unsurmountablo. roUowlng the liquidation of thii company the directors made the fol- lowing statement: •TPhe^facU are »tt forth very pr«<»^ cisely in the letter to tho sharo«f holders with the notice callios t'ao special general meetlnc. The rea- sons for their oourae are not hard to guesa They have carried oa at a loss almost since they startod, while for the last year or~t^ the- atrical business everywhere h«#>; been very bad. "la aplte of these dUoouracin^ oondltlons, they oarrled ea for a year or more past at a practical minimum of ezpenaea, cuttUui evory possible salary to rock bottom, al- though this could aot, of ooursa. bo done with their booking contraoU. *'Bvea with thaao drastic econo- mies, they stm had to faoa doAoiU. Now the dirootora and prUicioal shareholders havo oome to the con- <1uBioa that everything undor heaven haa been done to carry on, but It has simply resulted la aa in- crease la liabilities, with no im- mediate prospect of a change for the better in the theatrical buaiaeOT^ ao that there is nothing left but tbo liquidation oourso that has been taken. "But they are still in a position where the equity In their properties and franchise Is sufldclent to pay off the ordinary liabilities. I doubt if the shareholders will get muoh out Of their investment, although they may be able to clean up theU: liabili- ties, which are not very heavy, tho theatrical business, as is well known, being to a considerable ex- tent conducted on a cash basis. "By winding up now, it was con- sidered that they would get out dean as regards their liabilities, while If they had tried to carry on In the hope of better things, unless the theatrical situation changed very remarkably for the bettor, which did not seem promising, they would probably havo Incurred > much heavier losses." The Grand opera house. Toronto, for many years owned by Ambrose J. Small, the missing theatrical magnate, may revert to the Small estate through the voluntary liqul- daUoa of the Trans-Canada The- atres, Ltd. The Traas-Caaada Theatres. Ltd* bought Small's theatrical Interoats just before his disappearance on Dec 2, 1919, for which they agreed to pay 11.000.000 in cash and for the balance, $7S0,000, they^ave a mort- gage on the Grand opera house in Toronto. With the Grand were conveyed opera houses In Kingston. Peterboro, I.<ondon. Hamilton and St Thomas, all in the province of Ontario. Pay- ments on the balance of tho pur« chase money wore to be nuide at the rate of $37,500 a year. It was pro- vided In the agreement of transfer that If the payments were not made the Grand would revert to Small. The Ambrose Small estate Is now represented by the Capital Trust Company of Toronto. The site of the Grand is a partic- ularly valuable one, being the larg- est la the Toronto downtown district, owned by one individual or concern. The land has a frontage of about 80 feet with a depth oi 220 feet The million dollar check civen by the Trans-Canada Theatres, Ltd., was the one deposited to the credit of Ambrose J, Small In the Dominion bank on the day of his disappear- ance. It was given to him the day before. ■-»'-,-^,.