Variety (July 1923)

■ -JL^A -* . - . . .^ '. »..■ -r". 'i» Thursday. July 86, IMS LEGITIMATE 17 INSIDE STUFF ON LEOIT > leading told the man that ahe did not ihink it belonged and was not going to UStt It. The aasistant director became red in the face and began to stutter back, "But Mlsa Ryan, your husband wrote it for you." "It makes no difference who wrote it." retorted Miss Ryan, '1 will not US9 it and It la out." The rehe«r#wil then proceeded. Jff: '•1 'A I ■it ^ In the recent bankruptcy schedule of Lillian Lorraine there was an Item of something beyond 117,000. with one Solomon mentioned as the creditor. The explanat*^"* was that he was a money-lender and he had taken her lewels 'or s«t^urity of a large amount, finding. *hen aIi« failed to pay, that the differ*"^* between what he loaned and what he realized on the baubles -aa the $17,000 and some, —r The fact, however, Is that 'Solomon" was a dummy to whom a claim to the amount stated had been assigned by a prominent financier (not in tii#atricals) well known to many show people, in order that the princi- paTs name should not have to be mentioned In the position—and. there- ^ in the newspapers. ♦ The man was away on the "Leviathan" trial trip at the time, but a thoughtful attorney wirelessed him for the right to assign the claim, which te answered just in time to save a lot of free advertl.sing—if kissing uood-bye to $17,000 may be caHed "free." The sum was the total of several loans made by the hidden heavy-sugar party to Miss Lorraine. Her 'Jewelry was hypothecated, but not with him. . IntoxUvitJon while on the stage is again charged against a male pjayer In a summer show. The first offender was a juvenile, who has ^ce joined another attraction." The latter cast holds a comedian who has Ijeen almost as bad. Whtn detected offending an audience while under the influence he was forthwith ordered to his dressing room by the man- ager. On another oecasloii he was so much under the* weather he fell to the stage and could not arise. Fortunately, that happened before the curtain arose, and his bits were deleted for the evening. The comic has promised not to repca the offenses. Emily Valentine, a former Winter Garden girl, is now a dresser at the Earl Carroll for "VanltJWs of 1923." I..ast v.-eck when another dresser was Hi she went Into the travesty on the fur fashions number sporting the «(kin that Jimmy Duffy describes as "real Russian Jackass." Miss Valen- tine, however, was too good looking for the part, and was instructed to try an eccentric make-up. This week the woman originally chosen returned. Dhe has a *con3.'4ve face** according to the stage announcement. Changes in the second act of "Vanities' included the insertion last week of the 'Hotel MUls Society orchestra," which has the entire comedy contingent in action. It is rated the best laughing bit in the revue. There is an association of theatre program publishers formed by the New Tork Theatre Program Co. Other cities in the organization are Chi- cago. Detroit. Cleveland, San Francisco. Kansas City, Los Angeles and Omaha. The idea back of the association is service to national adver- tisers. Those using New York programs usually desire other cities, but have been discouraged by fluctuations In rates and other stunts. Boston it not a member of the association. Indications that mystery mellers have liad their day as far as new ones are concerned, is evidenced by George W. Ledero's decision not to produce a "Craig Kennedy" play be had been seriously considering. The play was adapted by Charlea K. Goddard from Arthur B. Reeves well-known magazine detective story series. ^ • -,;.:. "The Fashions of 1924" is paying no rent at the Lyceum, New York. The theatre was given to Alexander I.cftwich without obligation' on his part other than to pay the operating expenses. This, with clothes and furs loaned by mercantile firms, left no heavy outlay apparently for that producer. Had it not been for the Frohman gift. "Fashions" might have landed at the Knickerbocker. It holds an option now for that Broadway house and may move there any time, taking the Knickerbocker under a rental ar- rangement i^-prefereno to the Lyceum for nothing, as the Lyceum is not suited to a revue. The Lyceum has a small orchestra cai^aclty for its size with the s*now unable to draw ui>stulr8. Last Saturday the principals were called together and agreed to take their salaries out of this week's gross. The chorus was paid. Each evening after the performance the fur people send for their ex- hibits and return them to the theatre the next day. Harry K. Thaw's manias (he has two) while confined In a Philadelphia sanatorium is to breed rabbits and tl)en beat them to death; also to worry over money, ..:..L •:v ■vv^ ■ -i :/'■ ■■ •;,' ■.•■•.' traction* la to be culk-d ".Uizoirt Cowboys." It la the third een»«Mi that Betta ha« sent out this com- pany. After finishing the summt'r in Maine it goes south fur tlie win- ter. The Waller Baldwin Stock will begin a season in the Royal theatre, San Auionio, Aug. 27. The Boston Stock Co. will reopen at the St. James. Boston. Aug. 21. "The Mountain Man" will be the opening. Samuel Godfrey is direct- ing. The Shubert, Minneapolis, re- opens Aug. 12 with the Bainbrldge Playera. Marie Sale, leading lady of the company, injured her foot recently iind will be unable lo woik for five months.. jf "Tin Gods" will open at Atlantic City Aug, 6. instead of Long Branch, as first announced. William Anthony Maguire has been at the resort for the last two weeks writing the last act of the play, which Is in rehearsal. ' The story of "Tin Gods" has been worked out and its completion is a mat- ter of writing the dialog. J' At the Crown hote"!. Providence. Fred Mansfield, proprietor of the hostelry; Charles Lovenberg and Jack Hobby gave m dinner to 24 man- agers of theatres In Providence. Pawtucket and Woonsocket. The ob- ject of the gathering was not disclosed until the guests were properly nourished. Then It wa« proposed to the guests that they Join the Friars. Every manager present tendered his check for the first semi-annual dues, making the effort 100 per cent. Mansfleld explained that he attended a dinner given at the Monastery by George M. Cohan when the membership drive started and he had promised to secure at least one new. member. A half dozen applications only from the Rhode Island managers had been expected. Lovenberg. enthused at the success of the dinner, thereupon secured the application of all the male members of the Albee stock playing Providence. Th^ monthly notice of the Friars carried a total of 29 names of candidates entered from Providence. The managers who ap- plied are Martin R. Toohey, Altin C. Emery, Edward L. Reed, Harry W. Crull, Edward Fay, Sanford P. Whiting, Thomas E. Marsden, James R. Comes, Harry P. Storln, Charles Payne, Owen M. R%ddy, William H. Harding, Francis Westgate, Matthew J. Rellly, John J. Donahue, Felix Wendelschaeffer, WHliam J Mahoney, Walter O. Hartford. Max Nathan- son. Manual F. William*, Samuel Kaufman, Abram F. Spetz, Archibald Silverman. . . ^ The Woods theatre, Chicago, earned a profit of $191,000 for the fiscal year dating from May 28, 1922, to May 26, 1923. The first year the house operated it made $75,000. being rented to the Shuberts for vaude- ville at $125,000 annually, against a rent of $50,000. Last season the Woods played some of the road's biggest money-getters, its attractions Including Al Jolson. Eddie Cantor and the "Passing Show" with the Howard Bros. The Lambs Club held its annual "washing" last Sunday at John Golden's •nramer home In Great Neck. The repast was spread in the open, the guests sitting down as it atartod to rain and continuing regardless. Souvenir bookleLi wIH be placed on sale at the "Follies" for the first time. Will Page is handling the publicity for the revue, and Is aranging the lay-outs for the booklets, which will be patterned after the continental style along the lines of the "Folies Bergere." They will be printed in colors and be offered for sale at 50 cents. Morris Gest intro- duced the idea when producing spectacles at the Century. It is said a profit of $60,000 was made from the souvenir booklets during the run of "Chauve-Souris." . . > \ "Two Fellows.and a Olrl," as produced by George M. Cohan at the Van- derbllt. New York, is said to be the same play, by Vincent t<awrence, put on by Cohan about three years ago under the name of "liOve and Learn," with Wallace Eddinger then In the lead. The piece opened in Baltimore ant*, remained out for a week or tw/>. Monday the Vanderbllt'a ad in the dailieH headed by "Hooray! A Real Cohan Hit," had the following, referring to Hey wood Broun of the •World*'; .-' "Heywood'a Mud an' I'm Gtad, ^r. ' •* For J can never p case him; A. Cohan run has just bepun, /5;> * ; And that is sure to teaie /tliw.'* . ■ : v , . e The day following the Cohan poem ad Broun offered to allow the pro- ducer 800 words to review his own show in Broun's column. When "The Streak," a new comedy by Wlnchell Smith and Victor Mapes, is brought to New York it will have almost an entirely different cast than the one now creating the various roles. For try-out purposes John Golden has enlisted the assistance of players from various produc- tions due to go out again this fall, in order to whip the piece into shape for the purpose -of J.udglng Its possibilities. Frank Craven will return to "The First Year" after the show's break-In, as will Frank Monroe to "Thank-U." Similarly, an Important member of "Polly Preferred" Is only filling temporarily, as are others. The affairs of the Morosco Holding Company may receive more airing than the appointment of the receiver that happened this week. The com- pany has sold a. considerable quantity of stock to the publK:. mostly through solicitation and has been under observation by the Better Bust' ness Bureau for some time. The Better Business Bureau makes a business of investigating unlisted stocks offered to the public. The receiver for the Morosco Company la said to be the attorney for August Janssen. the restaurant man, who is also president of the coocem. Oliver Morosco says he has had no connection with the company bear* Ing his name for two months, and has been out of control of it for several months. Morosco .Is forming a new producing corporation called Clifton Productions. It intends to produce a Herman TImberg revue, a musical version cf "Help Wanted," a melodrama. "The Suspended Sentence." and other new shows. . " . r "Come Out of ..the Kitchen,** a comedy in three acts by A. K. Thomas from the story of the same name by Alice Duer MHIcp. wa.«i successfully presented Monday evening by the Forsyth Players in the 71st week of the company *« run in Atlanta. The first-night r»er- formance was spotty, with Clara Joel and John Litel carrying moat of the work. Subsequent perform- ances smoothed out the rough spots and left an attracting playing to capacity business. Ou« Forbes. Walter Marshall, Rankia Mmsfield and Rosalind Lunceford—all local artists drafted for the week -gave splendid characterlEatlons. Rutii Mero, In the ingenue role, failed to get much out of the rather ridi part. The same was true ofSymona Boniface, the second woman. "ComA Out of the Kitchen" mark* Iiltel's concluding week with the company, and he was given tremendous ova- tions at every performance. Violet Homing baa left the stock company at the Elltoh Gardens. Denver, to return to New York. Lilly CahlU auceaeda her. Marjorle Wood la to appear in a new show to be produced by George M. Cohan In the fall. Miss Wood was in London earlier in the summer, and contemplated appearing in a Cochran attraction planned for the coming ■eason. Upon meeting Cohan she changed her plans Mlsa Wood was in "Chu Chin Chow" when the actors' strike occurred In New York. She steadfastly refused to Join Equity and is now a vice-president of the Actors' Fidelity League. The 10.0:,0 members of the Lake Placid Club that Is building the $300,- MO Agora theatre adjoining the clubhouse of the 5.000-acre tra<?t the club has in the Adirondacl<s. will have a curtain for their theatre donated by John Golde 1. The curtain is from the properties of the late Augustln Daly, theatre In New York (now demolished). W. I). Ascough, who "managed the Shubert, Cincinnati, last season. Is overseeing the finishlnK touches of the new house It will have a $10,000 organ and open July »* with S..usa'.=i band. Tlio th«M(io iy built t<» .-tcrommnf^te any type of attraction .hmI i.s the only rf«iilai house between Toronto and }{uffnlo The Luke IM icid Club was formed 30 years aso by Prof. Diwey. It has its own lakes and woods, while on the property i.s the grave of John wown. hiiPK in octoi.er. iSfiH, at Harper's Ferry for treason. An Ameri- can flag.now files on tli • xop cf a ;'»0-foot flagpole to pay tribute to him. At a recent rehearsa! '<r ''ledLight Annie" in flie Moro.sco. New York. ■n assisiji^t. director was rciill'is .i new speech in the play to Mary Hyan. •he star, who is the wife of Sam Forrest, one of the .luthors of tlie play, •^rom the start Mi.-^s Ryan was displeased and at the conclusion of the, Benny Leonard, immediately after his victory over Lew Tendler, was negotiating for a>(itarrlng engagement In a musical show to be written around him. The intention was to make it an intimate little play and not a revue. Leonard wants to pday a "neat" role, his favorite notion right now being a musical version of "The Naval Cadet," a romantic comedy produced more than a score of years ago, in which he can wear a uniform And engage in one battle, a fight with a brutal aailor below decks. Leonard will back the attraction himself. It Is known that Leonard's ambition is to retire undefeated and become an actor on his own merits. .-.>.. > STOCKS The Grand Playera finish a auc- oessfifl summer stock season at English's, Indianapolis, this week. The company will go to Bta Moines, from where Jt came here early In the summer. It is understood that Manager Charles Berkell and local financial backers attempted to lease the Park theatre for a winter run. but could not obtain better than a month-to-month arrangement. "The Wasp," given by the Elitch Gardens PikyeA at Denver la-nt week, proved a winner, grossing well over $6,000. The season gives every evidence of being successful, both artistically and financially. Tourists in Denver in large num- bers, and increasing dally, help swell the quota of patronage. It Is expected that the gross will fall down the week beginning July 29, owing to the fact that the Don- ham, Tom Wilkes' stock house, re- opens downtown. "The Bad Man" will be Its Initial showing, with r.ladys George and George Barnes playing leads. The show will start Saturday, playing eight nights dur- insr thp eight days, with three mat- inee>4 11 performances altogether. .\nn Winslow has been engaged for (lie Majestic Players, Utlca .v. v.. to succeed Val«»"^« Illckerson .IS ingenue. The new Leonarl Wood. Jr. stock at the l-'ulton. I^an'aster, Pa., In- cludes lone Pright and William Willlamf, leads; Francisco BotoU. Fi-anklyn MunncH, Borden Harrlman Krnest Woodward, June Web- ster. Edna Bern, and Tom Williams. Raymond Capp la the director. The Lyric, Bangor, Me., opens with stock Aug. 27. William H. Wright's stock at Powers, Grand Rapids, will extend its season from Aug. 16 until Sept. 15, when the theatre will begin play- ing road attractions. . Margaret Marriott and a company recruited from the old Empress .stock, Vancouver, B. C. are at Cal- gary. Prospects for stock in Van- couver this fall are looked upon as good. Charles Royal may build for tt.al purpose In a more central lo- cation than the Empress. Stock will reopen at Loew'a Al- hainbra. Brooklyn, N. Y., Labor Day. The company will consist of the s.'ime members who played In it for 43 weeks last season. TJje Florenee MangHn Stock, tour- ing through the middle west, will at- t'Tdpt to re-establish the Supreme, Pulton street and Grand avenue, MrcMiklyn, as a stock house, opening tliere the latter part of August. The <»l»'ning bill will be "It's a Bov." AHEAD AND BACK Executive berth* with the "Cov- ered Wagon" tours are considered among the beet touring assignments of the aeason. SeTen unlta have been routed and oommiaaioned. The Northweatem "Wagon" will have Capt. Wiltlam Roddy ahead. Thomaa Hodgman back and Elarl Schwartz raualcal director. Opens Aug. 12, Portland. Ore. Coast "Wagon": R A. Mitchell ahead. A. JR. Morgan back and Clif- ford Meech director. Opens 8au Francisco Sept. II. Southwest "Wagon": Arthur Ryan ahead, A- H. Barley back and Orvilli* . Mayhood director. Opens Dalian. Aug. 12. Midwest "Wagon": Howard Her- rlck ahead, Walter M. Cox back and . Carl S<:?hultz director. Opens Kan- ■ sas City. Mo., Aug. 26, Kastorn" Wagon": Randolph Hart - ley ahead, 5ohn Powers back and Fred Arundel director. Opens A»- bury Park. Aug. 6. Central "Wagon": William Love ahead. Fred Meek back and Clar- ence West director. Opens Pitts- burgh. Sept. 10. Northern "Wagon": Al Duchemin ahead, Ed McDowdeli back nnd George Miller director. Opens Co- ' lumbue. O., Sept. 6. Three ra.or<> . companies are to be announce<X«. later. In addition New York. I..OH Angeles, Boston and Chicago Avill continue exhibiting indennitely, mking a total of 14 "Wagon" uni(s. Los Angeles la expected to continue until the first of the year. The pie- ture is now in Its l$th week and ar $2 top has not falleunder $*J0.00a weekly grosa. The New York show - Ing may continue through nex^; season. Charles Hertzman will be ahe^id . and back with the Chicago companv-^ of "The Glnghm Girl." Jack Lacey will be in advance of the eoaKt "Girl" show. Wallle Decker will be back wit it the Chicago company of "The Foot." Fred Jordan will be ahead of thn Eastern "Fool" show with Charles Hunt back. Howard Gale, after agenting the premiere of "Poppy " ' will go in advance of the Southerit ' P'ool," with Henry Smith back. Joe De Miit will be manager of "Irene," with Harry Pennypacker in advance. John Curran wiM be ahead of "Steve." relieving Rod Wagner, win* goes In advance of "So This I-* London!'' Harry Sloan will agent "JiJttf«« Nellie Kelly." with Charles Vlon company m^inager. Harr:' Leavitt will be In advjnc«* of "The T.a«f Warning." Walter Messenger will be ahead of "Molly Darling." Ambrose ("Musty") Miliar h.i- been appointed to manage ilw Hanna. Cleveland, for the Slmtje rts. ;■■•.) ■ \-.t^ 'ad bt\ d».biW li«'i i»ert Bef.ts is putting out a rom- I.uny for one-night starnJs through .Maine, starting July I'H. Thf* hi Ch.'Hter Itiee ahead of "Th- lirsl Year." Bill Moxon back with same at traetion. James Kerr I« going ahe; ' Maffling Butler." whi<*h will in l>«*troit and play Chicago before slv(»w ing in New York Hill Spaeth, owner of lAi8»e« Whi(«* .MiM«ifr,elfl. will he hack with tlie sho.v; <;r;int T.uce in advance. Arttiur Kensen i;* managing ".\t»ies (ri>*!i Uo.He at Montreal. J>