Variety (September 1923)

^Thurtday, September 18, IMS V A R I E T r ■;:?' .'^^f'lr"^ ■■ '»'^*p^^wl?^^^fas*''••*■f!lPi«T^t«▼^!^■'^«-l■ .^■»TiBrwwsFrwr»s;,« XT INSIDE STUFF ON l^BGIT Two or the Zolgfeld glrla who share an apartment on Weat 71st street earn* m'^hty near breaking up the happy home laat week all over a little Pomeranian klyl, riven to one by a "big butter and egg man."' After the itrenuoue Saturday evening show and a «up~per party following it the other fin arrived at the apartment and when ready to retire went learoh- Ing in win for a snappy pajama outnt specially made and only received that day. Clothes closets, drawers and other likely places were examined but there was no sign of the gorgeous ralnment de coucher until loSiilng under the bed the dop "Bacon" (so called because he has an affinity named "Liver") was discovered sound asleep on the tattered remnants 5( what had been Anna's dream paraphernalia. "Bacon" had eatep a fair portion of It. ^ A small diamond clasp whl«h Anna had inserted In the nlghtwear was also among the mlsalng and the natural Inference was that Bacon had inside Information on It. XnKa grabbed "Bacon" and In spite of Fay's graphically expressed ob- jections (with unkind alluslonsi to the ancestry of both "Bacon" and Aova) the latter poured the best part of a large bottle of castor oil Into •moon,' tied him to a lej of the piano. 1V;ith the cla^p finally recovered the girls have kUsed and made up again but the incident came mighty close to being "a broken home." H. H> Frazee will spend (SO.OOO on-refitting the Lyric, New York, when It passes to his control at the end of the season, experts estimating It will coat that much to bring (he house up to date. Frazee bought the Lyric two years aso but the Shuberts continue to operate it under a leasehold. t Those Interested In producing "The Irish Jew." a play which attracted attention in Ireland, are having a time nnding a director to stage it. Three well known directors are known to have turned down offers of the assign- ment, all feeling the play might hurt their'standing, none discerning a way to work It out along American lines. One director failed to finish reading the script. He quit on reaching a line where the lead, a Jew, began a sentence with: "We Irish." Quick thinking on the part of Irving Berlin Is credited with saving one of tin moat costly scenes in the third edition of the "Music Box Revue' whloh is due to open Thursday of next week. The number is ''City of DreRns," which has a Japanese scene on which something over $20,000 is said to have been expended. Because of the disastrous earthquake in Japan the lively song number accompanying was rM^ognized as inappropriate and it was first decided to discard the entire idea. Berlin believed the scene could be saved by changing the number. He set about writing a new lyric to the song which he completed in a day and the "Dreams" episode will have its original spot on the program. It's a big question as to whether it has become nece.ssary for Flo Ziegfeld to build a new 'Follies" for the Amsterdam, New York, and not so big a query whether the current "Follies" there could not have remained through the new season, making it a two-season run. ^ The answer is probably found in Zlegfeld's belief "the road" Is looking for the annual pilgrimage of "The Follies," and he cannot afford tq with- hold it from the hinterland fur another season. Last season the absence of the "Follies" in the cities It regularly played previously every year gave other large musical productions a better cfiance in the country than they had before enjoyed. Ziegfeld probaoly doesn't want any other musical attraction be made standard branded as his "Follies" Is, which a second open season might do for one or more M the others. A conflict has arisen belween the Charles Dillingham ofllce and F. B. O. picture people over the question as to which has the priority on the title "The Lullaby." Dillingham has a new play by Bdward Knoblauch called Th* Lullaby" which opened last week at Hartford, and which is due la New York fhis week. The film concern has a picture starring Jane Novak by the same title, ktarted it is claimed six months ago by the F. B O. The matter has gone as far as an exchange of letters from 'the at- torneys of both, parties, each side asserting it will use the title, with both ejecting to the other's use of it. i rrhe Jolly Roger" although rated having no chance to land at the National may turn out a good thing for Carroll McComaa, its feminine lead. As a personal publicity stunt a special drawing was made of the hovel turban worn by Miss McComas. When It was submitted to a ianUnery trade publication the artist was referred to a manufacturer. An •tfer to make the turban as novelty headgear was made with the proposal to call It the "Jolly Roger" and place the "hats" on sale throughout the tonntry was accepted. The turban has been patented and Miss McComas ilfcto receive a royalty on all sales. *: . The Sam Bemard-WlUlam Collier revu« being produced by Charles Dillingham continues its title of "Nifties" regardless of a burlesque •how called "Nifties of 192S" which recently played the Columbia. The •tars maintain they hold a prior right to the term because of coining it while working together In the first "Music Box Revue." So far no action lias resulted against the burlesque show. It had been planned to rename Um Fuiton, which is to house the revue, the "Fun- Shop," but that has keen discarded. . liee Kugel la business manager for "The Crooked Square," acting for Mm. H. B. Harris, but at the same time retains other show intere.its, laeluding "Sun Up." Kugel was formerly with the late Henry B. Harris Mice as representative for eight years. Tunis F. Dean, company manager of "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary", k*d a card printed with one side bearing his picture and the reverse side •UUng "Tunis Dean manager for David Belasco presenting Mrs. Fieke, *»o.. etc." ^These cards were displayed last week In an out of town theatre and ■Otsls and were available to the public if they chose to take th-ra. Frederick E. Goldsmith, the attorney, has returned to New York after two months or the West Coast. Mr. Goldsmith confirms the report he killed a deer while away but denies it was an accidental shot. He also confirmed the'-eport he liked the coast so well he remained there four *eeks longer than Intended. Freddie says he will confirm anything or anybody connected with the co.ist. Arnold Daly Is offering to man.agers. with no encouragement to date, n W»y sntltled "Don Ju.-in's Last Ninht," as a starring vehicle tor himsulf. He Says It is the greatest play of Its style ever conceived. » KIsle Pergij.son will not appear in New York In "The Wheel" although •ns toured with the show all last season and the attraction was a money ™&ker for-Mare Klnw. MIns Prrgunon is mentioned to star in "TUe Outsider," .m EnKll.th play whif-h William Harris. Jr.. will produc". nillie Burl<e h,i3 also been named for the rJle. ,* ^.^___ l.'V"'*'"' ^ Benohley. dramatic reviewer for 'Life.' who debuts as a PfofBsslonal in the third "Music llox Revue" next week, proteHted re-'-nHy |0 Will Morri.ofey over the uHo nf Ills material in "Newi omer.i," the short "ved Morrl.-sey revue. The Renehlsy bit w.as the "appeal for fund.s" '"'ch was u-el !,y Krar.k Ca'.iy In "Newcomer«" It wan lir.it done in jne •4aers," ,,ne of list season's failure., whirh had a ii.imlior of newsi)-ii>.-i "moristH as the chief contributors of material. The Bonchley matt, r • considered one of the best bits in the show. He telegraphed Mo' - rltMif In protest when "Newcomers" opened out of town, but the bit waa retained, also being in the show during its two weeks at the Ambassador, New York. Morrissey was in the "4<ers.'' He claimed some rights because of alleged salary due, but the records showed Morrissey was paid aa were the others in the "4>ors." The lease on the large electric sign at 47th street and Broadway facing Longacre Square will shortly ezplra. It has been used for the past year for Zlegfeld's "Foltlea" at a coat of $1,000 w««kly- To protect himself ?>legfeld took a lease on the painted board underneath the eloctrlo aign, the cost of the board also being reported to b« $1,000 weekly. Ziegfeld has sub-letted the board to Wllmer & Vincent who are using it for "Helen of Troy. N. Y." running at the Selwyn. The salary of Dorothy Neville, prima donna of ''Vanitlea." at the Karl Carroll was not raised as reported. She is receiving $100 weekly as called for In her original contract Carroll clalnu be haa a run of the play contract with the songstress with a damage clause In the event of her dismissal and similar provision protecting the management. Miss Neville's contract was not changed when "Vanities" switched to a "100 per cent. Equity" basts prior to the show's opening. Equity stating it had no desire to 4ai» up the contract because of- the mutual protective clause. Hiss Neville Is reported Joining the new "Greenwich Village Follies." but it is understood Equity favors Carroll in tba controversy which resulted from the "Village" show offer. Paul Wllstach la shortly returning from his annual trip abroad. The former advance agent has abandoned playwrighting and is devoting his time to book-authoring, yet "Sweet clover," one of his dramas, ia earn- ing him about $1,S00~ annually through stock usage. Wllstach is well off flnanolally, having built a fortune out of the earn- ings as agent of Richard Mansfield, the only attraction ]ie was ever asso- ciated with in that capacity. He succeeded Channing Pollock aa dramatic critic on a Washington daily, and Mansfield's attention waa drawn by a blurb written by the young critic to whom he offered the job of agentlng. Wllstach refused a $100 weekly offer, having learned of the star's quick temper and the chances of being ftrod. But he took a chance at $160 weekly and started saving moat of the salacy, figuring he might take the air any time. Wllstach remained with Mansfield 10 years, and when the star died he quit working for managers, but wrote a book on K^ansflald, which went Into five editloos, and, in addition to those earnings, made a tiumber of fortunate stock Investments, Wllstach was one of the first agents to receive a peroentage over his salary, and his arrangement with Mansfield called for'10 per cent, over a gross of $10,000. His weekly salary in that way frequently amounted to as much as $350. His brother, Frank Wllstach, now press representa- tive for Sam H. Harris, also had a percentage arrangement. When ahead of Viola Allen, Frank received 10 per cent, over $9,000 groaa. So rapidly haa the ballet school of the Eastman School of Muslo at Rochester. N. Y., leaped into popularity that plana for Ita housing have again been changed to provide for expansion. A few months ago an- nouncement waa made that an additional story would be added to the rear wing of the school proper to provide a suitable studio, the present studio being far too small. Now these plana have been abandoned and work Is being rushed on a new building which will also include a garage dnd one of the largest stage scenery studios in the country. John Corbin, critic of the New York ''Times," has declared himself "off" musical shows for this season and will review only dramas and comedies. He told friends he sees so few musicals that he doesn't know which are good and which are bad. Musicals frequently open against dramas on the same evenings and it Is a rule for first string critics to cover the pon-- musicals. ■ George S. Kaufman, dramatic editor of, the "Timoa," is the- aocond strfng critic. He -is said to be guessing what to do about reviewing the new "Music Box Hevuo" because of an ftbt written by him for the show. It Is called "If Men Played Cards as Women Do." Vera Colburn and Hazel Donnelly, show girls In "Scandals." mixed It up at tho Globe stage entrance after a night performance recently. The cause turned out to be aalomi, standard commodity in all delicatessen shops. For some time various girls in the show have been bringing snacks back stage, each girl In the group taking turns in buying the eats. It appears either Vera or Hasel did not get her share and that started an argument. « Earl Carroll, who turned gob for a couple of weeks and swabbed decks on the Levilathan for a lark, started meditating on the return trip from Southaqnpton. He thought of managers annoiinclng plans for the new season whereas his sole ambition was to get back home and take a bath. Earl said the trip was Just a change of pace. Sir John Martin Harvey will make his appearance In New York during November. Felix Isman Is writing a series of articles on real estate for tlie "Saturday Evening Post" and several Uava aUready been prlpted. One >1, w. H <t< ,..,. 'o ealty values In Ph" f'e:. Ill . • 'lere Isti|an was a sensational flsure In real estate prior to his entrance in New York and bis participation in theatrical projocta. Otbar artlclea treat of New York, Atlantic City and Long Seach. Frankle Meyera, formerly treasurer of th* Liberty. Now Toric, ia a general insurance broker. Although he started In Insurance In February last, in th» first six months he has written nearly half a.million In life policies and several times ranked third in the list of agents for the State Mutual of Mass. "Dover to lllxle," w'hich Lew Leslie expects to produce over here aa a duplicate Of the London show of similar name, will have its performance in two colors, white and black, with colored performera for th* dark section. S. Jay Kaufman Is said to have bought an Interest in the show. The son of the late Henry Rosen, the Insurance man. Is reported the financial sponsor for Gus Edwards' new "Sunbonnet Sue" production. Rosen is about tS. He Inherited about all his father's estate. A blonde vamn. Internationally known and now on Broadway, (s reported tc be at the other end of a vamping attack at present with the situation while foreign '.o her In the past, apparently thoroughly enjoyable. Her vamper Is reported a chords man In the same show with a country home, a new car and a bank account connected with the story. Irene Castle and her former husband, Robert Treman, together with Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Bradford (the Jatter a sister of the dancer) of Saranac Lake, N. Y., were at the camp last week where the Tremans spent their honeymoon. Its Mcacham Lake, about 30 miles from Saranac. Treman Is reported insisting he is still very much in love with his wife and the camp's visit is said to have been a sort of a test for him, wth no result reported. As a result of .action taken by the Baltimore Theatre Managers' Associa- tion, the downtown ofllce of Albaugh's tiekst agency has been left out in the I'old a.s far as tickets for attractiilns at Fonln, the Audltorltim. M iryland. I'alaco and Lyceum are concerned. The Alb.'iugh agency h.iH been selling tickets for these houses for the past 25 yenrs. The theatres fonrurly split half tho houuc with the ticket offica. Th* theatre tieket brokers handling buys for the houses m^ere (here In no return privilege have evolved a scheme to try to (lumplheir exeess seal.'i. In one of the theatreH during the last ten diiys they were iIih- coverod taking advantage of the Kood nature of tb" U'>x oine,. ?it.ifr (Continued on page 23> "IHOLICS" CLOSED .;r / (Continued from par* ll> $»,IU with $1,718 ot.ihat Saturday night. Labor Day night it playad to about $2,200 and Tuesday nIsM, :i $2,n00. The slump cams ia follow '*' ing an interview by Mayor Moor* published in the dailies In which tba mayor aaid. In part: Mayor Moora'a Remarka '. "Thia rotten stuff will not be i>er- mltted In the higher class theatres, ' with their alleged 'property rlghta,' any more than It will be in tha ^\* other class theatres, where 'proper- '*' ty rights' are not ao Influential. "The Shuberta and othara ara thus given notice once and for all, Philadelphia doea not want their rotten ahowa and they wil] not ba protpcted here." Above tha Shubert theatre is a big aign axplolting tha nomination of tha next candidate for mayor over hare and it ia not Moore, but that is not believed to have entered into the mayor's revocation of tha Sam S. Shubart Memorial thaatra; it M thought locally the reflootion of the "Artlsta and Models" show at th* Shubert, New York, brought about the Philadelphia Inapectlon and upheaval. Arthur Pearson, the company manager, left the show laat Friday. Before leaving town Ted L«wia stated he would shortly resvme th* tour but would have no one inter- ested in it but himself. Lewis placed his personal loss to date at $106,000. Saturday an attachment for a amall amount waa placed againat th* "Frolic" by a N*w York coatumer. Lewis Is reported owing but lltti* money on tha production, havinc paid everyone In cash upon delivery and settled In full with the show** people Saturday. The Equity rapresentativ* wbMi here. It ia aaid, beaidaa praauading the people to waive the two weeks' notice, also vainly endeavored to la- duce them to out their salary. Friday and Saturday ware avent- ' ful daya In the existeno* of Tod ;,> Lewis' "Frolics." • -^ Ooldla 4k Gumm, New York attar- ii neys for Ager, Yellea * Bornstaln.^ the publlahera of tha raualo, and per- sonal attorneys for Ted Lewis, went ^ to Philadelphia. Another battery of lawyers followed. In Kendler A Gold- stein, who represent Arthur Pearson and Ada Lewis (Mrs. Ted Lawia). Between both legal Arms an at- .^ tachment which &rooks-Uahi*u, qoa«> J. tumers, levied an the show waa ad- .; Justed. The plana for a reorganlsa- tlon of the company to aend tha - show out again ware alao forma-. v« lated. ' Pearson's and Lewis' dfverae opin- ^' Ions on th* policies of tha ahow wera . ' straightened out by Pearson with- drawing from the show entirely for a nominal consideration. The L«wls' decided to post a closing notice, which brougijt George Trimble from Equity to the aean*.' The avalanche of obataclea ia ba- He^ad to be Juat oiv* of the bad "breaks" any show might encounter. The revocation of the theatre's li- cense led people to believe the piece was closed, when, as a matter of fact, Y> injunctive writ to restrain '' Interferanca allowed tha house t« "A remain open for tha entira w«ek. The production la daemad a good piece of property. Some of tha actors in New York this week stated they had not re-- ceived their laat week's salary in S' full up to Monday of this week. TOBOHTO UnSEB WAT Toronto, Sept. II. After playing 10 weeks in Mon- treal, tha Canadian company of "Abie's Irish Rose" opened an in- definite engagement at the (jrand- here Monday. The Uptown opened this weak with Jack Norworth in "Honeymoon House." Next week the VauilMi a^,^ Glaser Plavara will return to th*.'' - Uptown after spending th* summer In Cleveland and Detroit. They played here all last season.* . The Shuberts' "Captain Briquet" with William Faversham and Emily Stevens will have its premiere at the Royal Alexandra Sept. IT. "Nobody's Business," the new comedy by Guy Bolton and Frank Mandel. which was given a stock tryout by tho McLaughlin Players, Cleveland, will be recast for a Broadway preaentation by iiob«rt_ McLaughlin. Charles H. Preston has been ap- pointed man»Ker of the Grand, St. lyOUJK, i-ui'ceedlng W. H. Olles, who Is retiring. The Australian Baltos will sail ia f)clol)<T from Han Francisco foi their liome In A^istrslla.