Variety (July 1923)

^->5^ 4 VARIETIES LONDON Oi^FICE ■■-TJUM^TV^C- ?1 ' "^ ^ VARIETIES LONDON OFFICE r> A D T 1 I? C CABLE ADDRESS, VARIETY, LONDON i^ A O Li Hi O 7 I n 8 St Martin's t^^, trlil«I^arSqvare j^l] 2096llegeiit ' Thursday, July 26, 1923 GRAND GUIGNOL'S PRESS STUFF BEARS DOm ON imORIZIN(7 ., > •-.'■it. •• *-' '•'♦■ ^'Jlie Grand Guignol Is The Cradle §f the Theatre of ^ Terror/' Says lU Press Office—Also Calls It 'The- ' atre of Fear'' PATifl. July IT. FoIlowJnir !• tbe verbatim press matter sent out this week on the Grand Guignol which plays a series of one-acters, often changing pro- gram : WORLD FILM CONGRESS IN PARIS OCT. 23 On the Grand Guignol The Grand Guignol is a case In the dramatic literature. It Is a the- atre of impression, of emotion, and of "various emotions In curious spheres, little or not known, in very special spheres where one goes like visiting a hospital or the catacombs, scientiflc spheres like In "The Hor- rible Experience," or medical spheres like In *'A Lesson at the Salpetrlere." The Grand Guignol Is the cradle of the theatrd 6t Terror, the master piece of which seems to me to be "The System of Doctor Tar," which contributed In bringing fame and wealth to this little stage. In that cradle even a Prince was born, the Prince of Terror. For Andre de Lorde is the creator of a kind, and of a kind which made a school. Oscar Metemler, the founder of the Grand Guignol, had given there some realistic dramas with Mile. Fifi, LiUl. Son Poteau, etc. Mr. Max MauVey, who succeeded him, found a host of authors of ter- rifying plays like Charles Mere, liauman, Maurice Level, Leo Marches, Lenormand, Pierre Chalne, £ugeoe Morel, Alfred Blnet, Jean Sartene, etc., who gave a series of extremely curious dramas which fascinated a public eager for un- usual and strong sensations, sensa- tions which are not at all—as was sometimes assumed — unwholesome. Andre de Lorde, In different articles and lectures on the "Theatre of Fear," denied it with energy. (See his article enclosed.) Today the Grand Guignol, man- aged with an unerring and eclectic taste by Mr. Choisy, has become a theatre known among the best, the spectacles of which are very much appreciated as, although they have liopt a very daring violence, they are always of a very powerful original- ity and of great literary value. It i» Mr. Choisy who, the first, played liudyard Kipling, and an editor has Just bad the idea of putting to- gether in a volume this curious the- atre and the most famous of these terrorizing dramas. Running Four Days — Sight- seeing, Banquets and Receptions .... .— ;* Paris, July 25. The date of opening of the In- ternational Picture Congress to be held here has been set for Oct.~A3. It will run four days. Luis Lumiere will preside, with Gaumont, Pathe, firezillion and De Maria assisting in entertaining the foreign delegates with sightseeing, banquets and receptions.;^ -^ aOSING AND CHANGING LONDON PRODUaiONS 'Teace and Quiet" Opening July 31—"Robert E. Lee" Not Doing So Well In a review of the current Grand Guignol program received by Va- riety from its Paris correspondent and appearing elsewhere in this issue it is stated that none of the playlets at present presented Is suit- able for English translation. The Grand Quignol, which is be- ing imporUxi in total by the Sel- wyns, will be presented at the Dres- den, New York. Arrangements had been made for the roof theatre atop the New Amsterdam, but the con- tracts were delayed through the de- sire of Charles Dillingham to use the house for the Italian majlonctte show, which he is bringing over from London In the fall. A straight rental has t<en agreed on for. the aerial theatre, the Sel- wyns taking the house for 10 weeks, with an option for a second or third period of same duration. London, July **".• Among the closings reported are "Oliver Cromwell," "Recklee- Reg- gie" and "Secrets" for July W. "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife** Is scheduled to close at the Queen's the same date, reopening July 30 at the Globe. "Stop Flirting^ will move from the Shaftesbury to the Queen's, opening July 30 at the latter house. "Robert E. Lee" is doing poorly at the Regent and may end its brief run at any time. "R. U. R," scheduled to close July 21, has been prolonged for two weeks. "Peace and Quiet," by Horace Fledges, a new play, will open July 31 at the Comedy, produced by the Vedrenne cojnpany. F. P.'S LONDON THEATRE Negotiating With Cochran for Pa- vilion or Palace GERMAN FILM STAR IN DIVORCE COURTS Maria Orska, Wife of Baron, Removes Household Effects , '—May Suffer from Drugs i I Pari.s, July 25. An application for a divorce ha.s been tiled in Berlin by Baron llan.s _ Von Bleichroeder against his wiff, Ma?ia Orska^ji famous German pic- ture star. w During his absence from their home the baron alleges his wife, un- known to him, removed all of the hou.«n.'hold effects. Jhe baron states he believes his wife is .«?H11 sufforing from the ^^ffect* ^ of cocaine, she having recently bccri conflned In a saiialoiium for a cure. London, July 25. Famous Players is negotiating with Charles B. Cochran for either the Palace or Pavilion on a lease of six months, starting Sept. 3, at a weekly rental of £800, to exhibit F. P.'s "Covered Wagon." If the Palace Is taken, notice will be approximately posted for the "Music Box Revue" now there. That show will tour the provinces. Fred Karno has secured the provincial rights to the "Music Box" production ogpening Dec. 24 at the Hippodrome, Brighton. Should Famous take the Pa- vilion, "From Dover to Dixie," in that house, will be shifted to the Palace. The London Pavilion will be the scene of the English presentation of "The Covered Wagon." The deal was closed this week. John C. Fllnn of Famous Players will sail Saturday on the "Homeric" to handle the arrangements for the London showing. The date for the opening is Sept. 6. xxmm AFUR TWO YEARS Laddie CliflF Appeared to Lead Moyement for Mor^ Salar y' Co m pany Hat Played to Over $1,000,000 Since Forming—Thought Cliff Wants to Leave SIEGFRIED WAGNER CONDUCTING OVER HERE ■>',''i -i^ last week In Baltimore, wonder- ful! Played the Maryland; best week I ever had in show buslnese. They laffed hard. Lived next door at Kernan's and with Bob Sisk went Swimming In the pool under the Maryland btage, and at night sat In my brother's (Harry Van Hoven) office out to Carlin'8 Park, and am now In the woods with Bob Murphy,- at South Royalton, Vt. Bob sure has a place over here. Wired Eddie Keller to- day positively not to book me any more this summer. Excuse me, must go away and help Bob pass out bills in the vil- lage about the dance Wednesday. AddresB care Bob Murphy, South Royalton, Vt. Frankie Van THE ICE MAN Hoven. (In Baltimore last week, NOT this.) Direction EDW. 8. KELLER. P. S.—I brought my electric fan up here to Bob Murphy. It's Like taking coal to New Castle. PARIS' GROSS RECEIPTS DURING HOT SPELL FONTAINEBLEAU SCHOOL FULL Paris, July 25. The American conservatory of music in the palace at Fontainc- bleau for the summer, is strained to capacity this year. The organization is an official affair unrtrr the control of the French government to facilitate the .study of music and drama by Amer- ican Ptudpnts, the state having placed the famous palace at the dispcsal of the organizers. Two extra singing clas.ses were opened last week, with M. Salignac and Mmc. Cesbron-Viseur in charge, in addition to the regular class of Mile. Demongeot. ♦ i ..,''.•. .< Nearly All Revivals Besides— Business for One Night as Sample, Quoted Paris, July 25. The takings at the Paris theatres when the heat etruck the city at its height showed there are many willing to brave the temperature, even for a poor show. The follow- ing were the receipts (in francs) on one of the evenings: Athenee ("Sonnette d'alarme"), 1,831; Amblgu ("Iron Master"*), 1,777; Antoine ("Coucher de la mariee"*), 617; Ambassadeurs (Re- vue), 17,417; Ba-Ta-Olan (To Bouche"*), l.^eO; Comedie Fran- caise ("Gendre de M. Poirler"*), 4,298; Cluny "Waltz Dream,"* oper- etta), 2,000; Capuclnes ("Epouse- La"*), 924; Casino de Paris (revue), 7,967; Cigale (revue), 1,578; Com- o^aia C'Un bon Coq"*), 610; Deux Masques ("Paques Juives"), 810; Dejazet ("II est . . . le chef de Gare"*), 615; Edouard VII ("L'Amour Masque"), 1,891; Eldo- rado "Ta Bouche ••), 1,613; Femina (Maria Kousnezoff and her Russian company*), 1,105; Folies Bergere (revue), 24,695; Folies Dramatlques ("Prostituee"*). 651; Gymnaee ("Vignes du Seigneur"), 4,258; Gaite ("Voyage de Suzette"*), 6,552; Grand Guignol (Figures de Cire,"* etc.), 2.108; Marigny (revue), 6,725; Nouveautes ("Les Llnottes"), 1,304; Opera Comique ("Manon"*). 12,222; Odeon ("Chapeau de » paille d'ltlaio"*), 3,895; Palais Royal ("La Haut,"* operetta), 6,354; Theatre de Paris ("L'Homme qui As.<iassina"*), 1,634; Palace (revue), 6,444; Porte St. Martin ("Lae vie de Boheme"*), 1,003; Sarah Bernhardt ("Les Nou- veaux Riches"*), 2,616; Scala ("Une Poule de Luxe"*), 775; Temes ("Huguette au Volant"*), 670; Vaudeville ("Sacre Leonce"*), 936; Vleux Colombier ("Bastos le Hardi"), 1,363. •Revivals. To Tour States Opening in New York Next January— Leading His Own Opera f >• * Paris, July 25. Siegfried "Wagner, son of Richs 3 Wagner, has been engaged b • Jules and MelvIn Dalbert to tour Amer- ica, opening the end of January, next, in New Tor. Wagner will conduct his own opera, "Die Renhaeuter" while In the States. WITHOUT LABOR PERMIT, ARTIST UNABLE TO PLAY Ed Lowry Returning Home— V. A. F. Agreed for Palladium Engagement This Week LILY LA5GTRY LIKES FRANCE London, July 25. Despite her 70 years, Lily Lang- try looks the picture of health. She has arrived hero after leaving France, where the Jersey Lily has permanently located, having dis- pose d of all her property in E ng- land. • There are several offers pending for Langtry to return to the stage, with nothing definite known of her opinion regarding the proposals. Helen Stover Next Week London, July 25. Helen Stover has been booked to open at the Palladium next week. London, July 26. Ed Lowry arrived here without a Minietry of Labor permit and wac^ not allowed to land until he had signed an agreement to the effect he would not seek employment. Through the intercession of the Variety Artists* Federation he was granted permission to play the Pal- ladium, London, this week. Although additional contracts have been offered Lowry, he will not be permitted to appear after the Palladium engagement, sailing back immediately, to return next year. TIPFORTRUEX Play Condemned in London Might •Do Here London, July 25. "Reckless Reggie," a farce by Eric Hudson, was produced at the Globe July 18. It's of old-fashioned BYench infidelity and condemned by the press, but might prove an ad- mirable vehicle for Ernest Truex in the State's. ' SAILINGS Aug. 15 (New Tork to Cherbourg) Edgar Allen, Julius Kendler (Paris). Aug. 11 (London to New York), Georgie O'Ramey (Aqultania). Aug. 4 (London to New York), May Tully (Berengaria). July 28 (New York to London), Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Loew; Henry Bergman and Gladys Clark (Mrs. Bergman) (Leviathan). July 28 (New York to London). John C. Flinn (Homeric). July 28 (New York to London), Robert C. Kane (Leviathan). July 28 Bert and Betty Wheeler. Mosconis, (Orduna.) July 27 (I^ndon to New York), Ed Lowry (Belgenland). July 26 (Paris to New York). Macklin Moore, Jack Donahue (Paris). July 26 (London to New York, Max Gordon, Jack Curtis (Majestic). July 25 (San Francisco to Syd- ney), The Littlejohns (Maui.) July 25 (New York to Paris), Musette, violinist (La France). July 25 (London to New York), Louise Groody, Edgar Allen Woolf, Eddie Darling, Danny Simmons, J. J, Shubert (Majestic). July 2^ (New York to Paris), Anne Nichols (France). July 24 (New York to Southamp- ton), Rodolph Valentino and wife, George Arliss. July 21 (Paris to New York), Mrs. Irene Castle (Lafayette). July 20 (New York to Berlin), Ben Ryan, Irving Tishman, Monroe M. Goldstein, Bert Hanlon (Olym- pic). • July 17 (New York to London) Mrs. Irene Lee, Ja>v Children ;Levi- athan.) London. July 25. After successfully playing for two years as an organization and doing a gross business during that time of over |l,t)O0,OOO, "The CooptimiaU" have had an outbreak, led by Laddie Cliff, with Cliff and Melville Qid^oa (American) demanding more sal^ ary. -rrr^- .."; ^■:- . Last week In Manchester the cqH' pany struck for higher money, with Cliff demanding more as producer and part author, while Gideon'f claim was for extra allowance m composer. A meeting was called by the man- agement. Cliff was the first speaker. He announced an offer from Amer- ica for £260 weekly. The manage- ment replied It did not wish to stand in his way if he felt like departing. Following the managerial remark, none pf the other principals voiced a complaint. All have since signed new contracts excepting Cliff. It is believed Cliff has a personal rea« son for leaving. "The Cooptlmlst" organization was financially backed by Malor . Steele and others, who guaranteed the five original players £ 50 weekly and a percentage. While the com- pany hair been making money the artists' average weekly earning*^ with it have been £150. 'A The show was organized when It; was dlfl^cult over here for players to secure engagements. At that time Davy Burnaby'8 salary was £60 weekly. Cliff's £100. Gideon's £130, all for desultory vaudeville book- ings which meant long and frequent layoffs. Phyllis Monkman was then receiving £80 and GinDert Childa £40. ', 'OUR BETTERS' LICENSED AFTER SEVERAL YEARS Slight Modifications and Change of One Word in Script Secures Censor's Consent London, July 25. Some slight modiflcationa' and the change of one word in the Somerset Maugham's script of "Our Betters" have caused the censor over here to relent, with a license isaue for the English production of the piece after several years. The play was produced In New York at the Hudson theatre some years ago. It wax] a success, and an attempt was made to present it over here, but the censor repeatedly re- fused to grant permission. In the change of the single word, the word substituted will be "slut." NEW FILM FALLS OFF v Comparative Trade Showings irl Paris for June and July Paris, July 25. During this month here there will have^ been a total of 75,500 metres of new films for trade showing as against 116,000 metres during June. This week but 19.000 metres of new film will be trade-shown. Mrs. Castle Obtains Divorce Paris. July 25. A divorce was granted Mrs, Castle Monday in the French courts frm her husband, Robert Blliott Treman. She sailed Saturday on the "La- fayette," with Capt. Treman re- maining here. WII.ETTK KERSHAW GUARANTY TnUST CO. 522 Fifth Avcnu« New "far* THE TILLER SCHOOLS OF DANCING . 143 Charing Cross Road LONDON Director, JOHN TILLER