Variety (July 1923)

Thursday, JvAy %$, IMM' VAUOEVILLC IHOLE TOWN OF KUPIVRNS I OUT FOR ?. G."S SERVICES Oyer 200 Journey from New York to Long Island— ^Vaudeville Manager's Remains Interred at Green- wood—Wilton Lackaye Makes Address gervioM for Percy Garnelt Will- lams were held Tuesday mornlnc at his estate, "Plneacres," East lalip. L. I., wfth the Rev. William H. fJarth. pastor of St. Mark's Ei)l»<'Oi»al Church, of Isllp. offlcint- insr- I" addition to the EpiscorH?! aervlof a delegation of Elks of f Brooklyn conducted the order'** reffulHi- service, including the ritual of thfl organizatiors. Wilton Lack- a)'e made an address on behalf of the Lami>ti Club, of which Mr. WJilianis was treasurer for several - yearH. r Intprinent wa« in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn. with the s, honorajy pallbearers E. K. Albee. ^' J. J. Muriiock. F. F. Procter, J. J. Jkifalciic.. William Cirof'sman. Hal Fordo. .1. Byron Creamer, and Fred- erick A. Rosebnsh. The jrervlcea at Ease Isllp were attended by approximately TOO people, the majority coming from New York by motor. The remuiitb were removed to ttie cemetery after the .«5ervlcf s nt the Williams home, the inujorlty of those attending Bo- I ing to the grave. ^ In speaking of Mr. Williams, Dr. Garth stated he had been one of the leading cillsens of the Long Islai.d community and one of its greuttfet benefactors. He said (his could be reo^lized by the fact that practically the entire town, includ- .. Ing mosl of the children, who were ^recipients of many favors from the deceased, lined the streets long be- fore time for the services to com- mence in order that they might pay their respects when the funeral pro- cession passed. Mrs. W^iliiams has been an in- ^? valid for tfie past ten years, dur- ing which Time the great attach- ment of Mr. Williams for his wife never faltered, she always having " been his first consideration. A big entertainer and a host to in- numerable friends, Percy Williams always gave the utmost attention to Mrs. Williams, who was unable to enter into the festivities. Every evening after supper it was the cus- ^ tom for Mr. Williams to visit his i. Wife before It was time for her to retire for the night. When he be- came ill Mr. Williams always wished when It was possible to go out In a wheel chair to be taken to his wife, that they might have their chats together. She, however, was not aware of his seriotis condition. Mr. Williams' Illness became acute during his stiy In Florida last winter. An attack then made It necessary for a day and a night nurse to be secured for him. W^hen the time came for the Williams household to return to East Isllp, it was at first thought Mr. Will- iams would not be able to make the trip after all preparations had been made. His condition Improved ■ufflciently for him to make It, however. Upon returning to his Long Island estate he had butAane day during which he was able tc entertain a few of his closest friends. That occurred shortly after his arrival from the south. From that time onward he was con- fined almost continuously to his bed with what little time he was able to be away from it being in a wheel chair for his visits to Mrs. Will- iams. Percy O. Williams, notable figure in theatricals for thirty years and upward, and a pioneer In the estab- lishment of big time vaudeville in New York, died at his home, "Pine- acres," East Isllp, L. I., July 21. Death resulted from cirrhosis of the liver, with heart trouble enter- Jn» as a complication toward tho end. Mr. Williams suffered the first attack of the liver disease that ul- timately caused his dtatli about tUrce yeaiH ago. .Subsequent attacks follouetl sporadically, with Mr. Williams rorovering his health to a considerable degree, until he was stricken with an attack more 8ov»'rt» "lan the preceding ones at hiM win- t*^r home, Nentuna Villa, ^^tlm I'O.ich. last April. Prom the time of the Aprl at- ti*ck he g;r;idually grew wor.se. with «>Coa.si(»n;tl periods during which he 'vas nhle to he up and around in an • nvalid's chair. Mr. Williams w.ts 6f years oM He IContinu^d on page 3S» SEN. MURPHY SLANDERED MAY BE HOMaY-BUT On Verge of Suicide—Seeing Variety's Chicago Represen- tative Saved His Life Chicaso. July 20. Editor Variety: Your slanderous article n Variety of July 19, in wlihh you accu.se me of hein^v the homeliest man in vaudeville, has nearly bruk^tt my heart. Please cancel my subf'cription to your infamous sheet immediately. In all the history of theatrical jour- nalism, no more dastardly attack has ever been penned. I was Ktandin ' In a hotel lobby witli a friend about a week ago after a rather strenuous night. My throat felt like the rest room of the Amalgamated Crows' Associa- tion, my eye« felt as small as the conscience of a press agent, my lips were^ swollen Ukn the head of a cor- respondent, and well, you know, I decided to t.'ike another look at myself In the glass to see if I really looked as bad as you said. I raised my eyes. "Great snakes!" f exclaimed. "Do I really look like that!" My friend t uned to me. "What's the matter with you?" he asked. "You're not looking Into a mirror, you're looking at the Chi- cago representative for Variety." That checked my Impulse *-> com- mit suicide right In the lobby. Returning to your tirade. Tou may remember It was exactly the same line of abuse to which ^e Im- TRANSCANADA WnX KEEP ON UNDER UQUIDATOR'S DDtEOION Brighter Prospects Next Season^—Theatrical Slump and Losses Disturbed Peaceful Business Career of Canadian Tour <• mortal Abraham Lincoln was sub jcctod. Lincoln was called the homeliest man in the United States. That was a little before my time. But there mar be a parallel yet. If I am the homeliest cian In vaudeville,, how Is that I am so pop- ular with the opposite sex? Is Lou Tellegen homely? (Confidential—Do you know bis secret?) Anyway my art is beautiful. What difference does l^ nuike what sort of a face I have as long as my heart Is all right. I'd rather have a snub nose than a sttmted soul. I'd rather have a flat head .than be a fathead. And that is more than my anony- mous attacker can say. It Is true that I have made a con- tract with Dr. H. O. Schlrson, the famous plastic surgeon (no adv.), to enhance my beauty. But even Dr. Schlrson could not take that living refutation of Bryan's argu- ments who wrote that irresponsible column of vituperation in last week's Variety and transform his baboon-like countenance into the appearance of a human being. I dare you to print this. SENATOR FRANCIS MURPHT. P. S. Never mind cancelling my subscription. I'll give you one more chance and I want you to send me a copy of this letter when It ap- pears—If you dare publish It. MABir— —W1LJ.1A1I HENRIETTA and WARRINER (SflNTII.LATINa BONO STARR) Watch for these Bclntillating lights among the "Elastem Stars." Direction PAT CASEY AGENCY. Personal representative KENNETH RYAN CHW GIRL AFTER PAY GOES TO COMMISSIONER TENT' CABARET RAIDED AS DISORDERLY PLACE 1CX) People Arrested in Jack Lannigan*s Restaurant— 99 Per Cent. Sober Marie Ford Charges Al Dow with Owing Her $5 for Sunday Playing Charsfing that Al Dow. vaudeville agent, failed to pay her salary for one day's work. Marie Ford, a chorus girl, will appear before Deputy License Commissioner Charles Griffin to press the com- plaint at a hearing in the ot&ce of the commissioner today (Thursday). Miss Ford, who lives at 4J5 West 54th street, complained to Inspector Gill of the department that on Sun- day, June 24, she appeared In an act owned by Swan Wood known as "The Killers" at the Lafayette the- eatre, 130th street and Seventh ave- nue, and that after working thre^ performances was not paid. She stated to the inspector that Miss Wood informed her she had not re- ceived any money for the date and that* Dow had collected the money. Miss Ford then stated she visited Dow's office In the Gaiety theatre building and demanded |5 paymtnt for the day's work, but was refused it. Inquiry from Dow brought forth the statement that prior to the date George Hamld. a producer, came to him and asked him to book the act at the Lafayette with Walter Pllm- mer for ISO. This date was given the act, he says. After the first ■performance the house manager sent word back the act was not right and would have to close. Following this message Miss Wood had a talk with the manager and Informed him that the act was breaking In and asked him to allow It to continue. lie said (Continued on page 33) Chicago. July 25. "Tlie Tent." exclusive cabaret res- taurant at 1021 North State street, v\hich was opened recently by Jack Lannigan, was raided at four o'clock Sunday morning. Kvery one found there was put under arrest. The one hundred people arrested were ./' J - Montreal. July 25. The Trans-Canada Theatres en- terprise wiU be carried on under the direction of the liquidator, who hopes to maintain the company as a growing concern. The prevailing impression re- garding the present condition of Trans-Canada Theatres, Ltd.. due to the action of the shareholders lo approving the proposal to go into voluntary liquidation, was corrected by R. E. Meagher, the liquidator, who pointed out to a Variety rep- resentative the liquidating of the company did not necessarily mean the extinction of It In pursuance Of the "carry-on* policy, a program will be followed .. . . •!...* which Is more agcressive than that booked on charges of being Inmates of any season since the organlza- of a disorderly house. tlon of the company, with the pos- The disorderly house section un- .ibie exception of the first, which FRIARS SAIL Coup!* Leave on Day's Notice, to Be with Other Two JOE COOK'S DOUBLING Playing "Tent" Cabaret, Besides, in ''Vanities'* Joe Cook, the one-man vaudeville show from vaudeville, appearing in "Vanities" at the Earl Cartol. Is to double Into "The Tent," a cabaret at 52nd street and 7th avenue. Cook will receive |1,250 weekly for the cabaret engagement, which is to open In two weeks. He Is getting 11,200 weekly with the show. On one day's notice Bert Hanlon and Benny Kyan decided to Join their fellow Friars, Monroe Gold- stein and Irving Ti.shman, on a montli's sojourn to Berlin. Tish- man and his counsellor, Goldstein, were enthusiastically discoursing on their forthcoming sailing last Sat- urday (July 20) when TIanlon and K>an (Iccidoil lh('> uould joiiT The same inorninK they socurerl their vises .'Hid the quartet left .*^:it- urday on the Olympic. Tishman's main purpose in dragging hi.** loRal .idvis(»r aloncT Is tor the supervi.iinix of a nutnIxT nf ronfracts which hf (Tishmant will (lo*!* with fterman artists. Tishman i.«» ret)re$entlrj* Jimmy ONeill ss wf»l| as himself. BIYORCE PAPERS FOUHI) Chicago, July 18. Lost—One set of divorce papers; found In Chicago Variety office the same. The court ordered, accord- ing to these papers, on July 7, 1919, that Pauline McGinty, complainant, was divorced from Joseph J. Mc- Ginty and given leave to resume her maiden name of Pauline Moebu.s. 1 he papers may be had for the a siting. der which the patrons of the place were t>ooked has to do with persons classified by the police as "disor- derly." In this case it deals with the liquor seised, with women smok- ing cigarets and every one, whether an actual offender, suffering from hav'^ng been In the 0^ce at the time. The wholesale arrests required 100 or more policemen before the affair was concluded. It was started by three officers, but there was so much indignation that it required all tlie police obtainable to put the order through. Among those arrested were: Mrs. Milton Well (Mabelle, the modiste); Helen Johnson, 4118 Sheridan road; Margaret Green watt, Astor Hotel; Gene Michael. Sherlock Hotel; Harry Carroll, who was playing at the Palace theatre, and Dave Goldstone, 451 Melrose avenue. The Tent Is a dancing place, and 134,000 Is said to have been spent fixing It up. Theatrical people ar- rested say tliat there had been no disorder at the place and that 99 [>er cent, of those nabbed were saber. There was some intoxicating liquor In evidence, it is admitted, but nothing to Justify such action by the police. HODGOON TABLET Unveiling for Late Booking Man- ager A memorial tablt dedicated to the late Samuel K. Hudgdon, booking executive of the Keith offices, will be unveiled In the National Vaude- ville Artists' ciu brooms today (Thursday) at 4:80 p. m. The grandchildren of the late booking chief will unveil the tablet. CHIEF HIT MUDDY ROADS Kansas City, July 26. (7hief Caupollcan. on the bill at the Mainstreet this week, missed th« Sunday shows, but knows more about the Illinois and Missouri mud roads than he did before. He started Saturday to drive from Chicago, but failed to make the grade alt on account of, as he phoned Jack Quinlan, man.oger of the theatre, "the mud.' Ex-Hypnotist Finsd for Assault Ogdensburg, N. Y., July 20 Henry Abar, former hypnotist in vaudfviilo, has been sent to Jail fot i>*i days in default of payment oT .i $'.0 finp f«»r a.ssaulting his wif»^ Clare Carroll Not Mrs. Shea Clare Ciirroll, formerly of .Sii» » and Carroll, states the late Jimin.<- Shea was a business partner onlv ( v.'uid»"Vill«') arid not her hushari.i. Mi«« Carroll signs the stutenierit .Mrs J Kr»n1. ELTINGE-BROWV BROS.* SHOW Los Angeles, July :'5. Julian Eltinge and the Six Brown IJrothers are organizing a revue for the road. Four one-act playlets pre- sented at the Lambs' Club gambols will be In the show. Jack Pierre will be the manager. CONDENSED "MOUNTAIN MAN" A tabloid version of CTsare Kum- mor's romantic comedy, "The -Mountain Man," is t>eing prepared for vaudeville. The author is mak- ing the adaptation. Harrison Ford in "Maytims*' The Schulhorg prfMluction in ftlm' (>{ ".Maytime' will havp Harrison !'ord in the lead. Anotli'r engaije- rnrnt entered by MHio Cijnnolly for the picture Ut William Moi ri.'*. C^onriolly has piare.l TUerosn .^1^xwell Conover lo pi;<v th* Qii»"(i • In "Yolande." showed a substantial profit. For Instance, the tour of "The Maid of the Mountains" returned a net proAt of flM.OM an4 the tours of Sir John Martin Harvey and tho late H. V. Esmond and Bra Moor* also showed satlsfactorr balances. Then came tho continent-wide slump In the theatrical business and the fees earned hf the booklnic department of tho company, which In the first season had been |72.00«. dropped to |t4,M«, and then to 113,000 In tho succeeding seasons, principally because the New York producers refused to send good at* tractions on tour. Conslderahle lossoa were also incurred on tho tours of Mario Lohr and "HeUo Oanada.** due lasgely In the latter case to Albert deCourville exceeding by f3.00« weekly the company's cost stipu- lated in his agreement with tho Trans-Canada syndicate, which, in Ihe cITort to avoid any Imputation of unfair dealing, revised deCour- vlile's contract to allow him an ad-* dltional weekly return of |2.oeo» raising It frohi $8,000 to 110,000. The company's experience in these lean seasons was common to all theatrical enterprises at the time. Now, with prosperity return- ing and a number of successes of tho past season In New York being* made available for road engage- ments and already under contract to play Trans-Canada booklngK. it Is considered that the outlook jus- tifleg the sanguine expectations for the coming season. Trans-Canada Theatres, it may be explained for those nnar-. quainted with the ramincations of the theatrical biuilness, performs- three separate but allied functions. It owns and operates lU chain of - houses in Ontario and the flne new theatre which It erected In Fxlmon- ton; it fumils the role of produc- ing management for neveral Ilng- llsh and Canadian companies and * acts as booking Intermediary not only between Its own theatres and companies, but also between the attractions of other producers and . the owners or managers of inde- pendent theatres.l Among the attractions alrp.^<ly under contract for next sfason utf , Bransby Williams, Sir Hurry Lauder. Sir John Afartln-TI.Yvry and others. FRANCES WHITE MARRIED? Accoiding to friends, Frames White was quietly married two weekM ago in Chicago to a wealthy non-professional. Miss White \t said to have wired to that effect. MlMs White at the time of her r*»- portod marriage was playing .»» on • of tl»#» largo Chl'iago cabMiffs. Her last hushmd, Frank Fny. sU* divorced about two years ;i;yn COMPOSERS SCARCE ON COAST^ J.OS Anffi'lefi, .ijly •_'.', i'inu\Kt-»-r< of music are secniiuui^ a.H scarce as lien's f^eth In th'« vl- citiie>. W. A. Clarke, billionaire nuij-i'- p.'trofi. advertised a iri'u . y prize for the six best com|)ositii> h ahotit SIX weel<s 'iico. and la i^i** hilt oiM* • oniiioiit i<in has bffn sm*. mi!f<"l. /