Variety (December 1923)

Thursday, December 6.1923 - V «*?>>'^*VVMi^l»KMa>T^-."T'aT=Tar5IWW»W1^^«E.ISTIW^^.f ^T'^^- ■ VAUDEVILLE VARIETY CARNIVAL MEN'S CONVENTION IN CHI RE-ELECTS TOM JOHNSON AS DICTATOR OBITUARY Declaration of Continuation for Amusement!—Fair Secretaries ' Johnson to Speak Clean Outdoor I nterested—Ask Chicago, r?. 5. 'iii3 leading carnival o*nPr». cora- prislns the best men In the business, In convention here this weev i ave '•dded impetus for the Rood name Ot the cainival throughout the coun- try LhrouTh a renev.-ed declnntlon 'for clean outdoor amusements. Over S50 cars (Vallioad) are owr.cd by the mpiiil ?rs." A Inrge mnJorUy of thoae in use tranrportins carnivals ' This de:;l'iratlon whs In tie form ot the showmen's lejislathe com- mittee r.-pleotlns Tom L. Johnron as Us heail or ih rcnUty a.< dlctalor •f the oulJoor show busldets. Til? election or Johnson one year «go. ns sc'o public representative ot the carnivals, cnrrled with in p pledge ot clean ahows thr;iur!i .lohn- •on issuing an announcement to tlint 'effect. The formation of the lo3l.-.liitive coinmlUce nnd Johnson to lc:.d It, carried nelslit. During llie fo.i:on end^-d l;i;ely carnival n;"n of the better cl-.W) found a slowly but Sradun'ly changing linprefjiioii •iistlns. Whereas trie countiy-s ilf had p'a cd all carnivals in one clusslilcrit'on. the formation of Hi" leriKue fnil Johnson's annoiinoeineni had csreciully educated the press to the fact tlie legislative commitipe intend.-d lo hrins; about a division through il.-i stand tor clean amuse- ment. It Is believed by showmen now In Chicago ihat ihe action of the show- tnep's legislative committee in en- dorsing its leader and re-ele.-ilng him-for another term will clncU the already formed conviction that there are good carnivals with responsible H-W CIRCUS PEOPLE ! CALL OFF N. Y. DATE Season Doesn't Look Favor- able for Indoor Circuses— Asked Guarantee Be-nrsc Ihe HaBcnberk-Wa'iaoc circus people did not think this sea- son auspicious for th?ir "invasion" of Greater Xcw YcrU wiih a winter circus, it wn.'=i de Ided tiiis we'U to !•' andoii the pro|:osition and deter it until next winter, when it is hor>cc; it will be one fnoro talcn up and gone thron.?h ivitii. Tlie general ib- bing of business in the midwest prompted the II-W executives to ciose their show Dec. IG. followins the Toronto d<i»e. The circus waj* to have come into New Yoijt fiom Tiirciito. Hugcne Colrr, the eon of Publl'' ic • ;i . ■ -.i) BERNT and PARTNER KEITH'S PALACE, NEW YORK, this week (t*c. 3>. Completing 00th connectitive week of greater Keith IhcalrcM. These supreme rymnasts, the greatest of contcr- tionists. "drew unusual returns" at Ihe Palace. New York, aald VARIKTYS Daily. Direction Uouis Splelmun MiKE NEEOHAM .Milic Nfcdham died in the depot of the New York, New Haven ami Haitford It. R. at K.iU Ri\cr. Mass.. Deo. 3. He was 72 years oid and a member of the "Tango Shoot" vauucvillc act for several years previous to his d;ath. Mr. N'eedham was a dancer who learned it In the old variety school He entered the show business In his early twenties. He played In the variety houses and concert IialU of iho period from IST'i to ISdS. also .vlth the farce comedi"s and combl- autloii hhows ot the day. When vaudeville supetcodcd vari- "ty Needhim went right along with ihe new type of amusement appear- ing as a standard turn with Chaa. IC"ll' for a number of se.isons. Mr. I'ellv I', with the "Tango Shoes" i-t, jolr.Ing it with Necdii^-m. The 'cre;i':cd left a wiCe. VIv an Wood "ho Is of the "Tnn'io Shoes" act. Mr. Xeedham had been 111 but a ■ v hour.s before his d^ith having I'Tarcrt at Fall River tho n evl'iin cei; and was enroule to Brockton hen he died. Juliet," Mt Ihe I'nion Square thea- tre some years ago, and In othtr productions at that hous?. At the time of his death he was not connected with the stage. He i> survived by his widow, two daughters, three sisters, and un- othtr brother beside Walter. COURT DIS^^SSES MR?. MAX HART'S 4TH Says She Has Enough to Main- tain Herself—Wanted , $1,000 Weekly owners who have the wcKare of their business at henrt nnd who wish to be distinguiahcd from the Irre- Bpoiisible.s who have given the busi- ness a bad name In the past. Concrete evidence of this reversal of public sentiment oc?urred during the legislative commiltee's conven- tion held Monday and Tuesdiiy Also this week conventions are being held of fair secretaries, also International and state fairs and expositions. Mr. Johnson was Invited to address the fair men as the spokesman for the carnival aiid as the representative of clean outdoor amusement. It was a big achievement to have accom- plished within a single year and de- notes the possibilities of the line of campaign these leading carnival men have detilded upon. The Car Owners Managers A.sso- ielatlon, known as the COMA, formed 10 years ago to nght inimical legis- lation Injurious to railroading ot all outdoor shows, entered an applica- tion to the showmen's legislative committee to be taken in the com- mittee and with Johnson to handle its affairs. ^ Solid Front During the year, w'hlle some alight Internal dissensions became spoken of among league members, these did not go beyond the show circles. All of the league members did not agree on iKilicy of operation, but the con- vention this week has smoothed out nil of the wrinkles nnd Johnson has a solidified group of roprosentatlve outdoor showmen behind him. Tom A. Wolfe, Con T. Kennedy and oth- ers, who were undecided before the convention whether to resume their activity with it, went into the fold along with the rest. The Showmen's Legislative league voted Johnson $20,000 yearly as .'al- ary, and raised an Immediate fund of $50,000 a.s a surplus for the league to nporiite with. Tiie league's convention i-Ioscd In perfect li.irniony. All nf the mem- bers with their families iittended the ball of the Showmen's Iitigue (an- other organization) at the Congress' gold room last night. Kor the fourth time. Malge Har: I has taken her matrimoniiil dllliciil- ties with Max Hart, the agent, to court. New York Suprerre Coir Justice r.eorge \'. MuMan's ruiin:; this week on her prayer tor $I.I00 weekly alimony and $3.r>00 counsel fees speaks for itself: "This Is the forrth matilmorii il action brought again-st the defend- ant by this capricious and litigio.is plalntift. I find that the income she is receiving from her husband under a separation agreement Is sulflclent; (Continued on page 4.'>) IKE BOSE IN BELLEVUE Ike Rose, owner of the Ike Rose Royal Midgets Troupe, was removed to the psychopathic ward of Belle- vue Hospital Wednesday of last week, following what Is believed to have been an iimiuccessful attempt at suicide. Rose Jumped from the Greenwich artd Kranklln street sta- tion of the Ninth avenue elevated road, landed In front of an oncoiVi- Ing train, and a train of seven coaches passed over his body with- out seriously Injuring him. Rose had been suffering from mental depression for several days prior to his commitment to Belle- vue. Early this week Mr. Hose was discharged from Bcllcvue In the custody of his wife. COURTESY REQUIRED Keith's Pop Time Department It- ■uci Nctice Artists visiting the Keiih pop pricrd department In the ralncc theatre building. New York, are In- vited lo report unusual courlesy, discourtesy or make suggs'stions to promote the lomfort ot visitors in h? lal;st bulletin issued by S Wis iey l-'.aser. manager of thy ('<i>iirt- mrnt. The bulletin follows: To tht Artliita- ■ I should be glad If you would report any unusual courtesy on the part of onr employes. No att' ndant i« permitted to accept M gratuity for any service, and I am as anxiou.s lo recognixe efficiency as to cheek di.s- eonrteRy or rudeness. If you would give me any suggestion for perfecting our service and adding to your comfort in the popular price theatres depart- ment of the B. V. Keith Vaude- ville Exchange, I should be ex- trimely grateful. Yours sincerely, •C. Wcslcj) Fraarr. TOM McNAUGHTON Tom McXaughton, husband of Alice Lloyd and brother of Chnrlea and H.irry McNaughton. died in London Nov. 28. after an illness of more than a year. Ills wife waa at the bedside when he died, Mr. McNaughton, who was born IN MRMORY our briovpfl pnt 6E0R6IA WESTBBOOK SWOB who passed away licfcmbrr 111). Itil FAOO uid WHITE LAUREL LEE'S RETURN Back niCHARO LOOP Pi'h- rd Loop, dancer and biaek- f: ee eo'nediaii. dii>d nt the Will- ian.M>o:t; Pa.. City Home, aged 79. af'cr having bee.) in falling health for h\z months. IJirk dr.fled Ifflo Willlam|port in the days when Ulman's Upcra house was Ihe mofit important 111: yii'iUM- in that City, lonkin;; for ■I Job. Haywood's "Varieties" was on till bou'-ds at Ihe time an a per- m; nent llxture and Dick «rts given •1 tr>oiit to see what he could do. He m:ide an Immediiite hit. When liiman's closed, giving way lo Elliot's Academy of Music, tiuill in 11:70, Dick remained in Williams- poit. He entered Ihe City Home on J:iM. .1 last. Overseers of Ihe poor •ire iiiriklni: efforts to find hiM rela- tive, if he ha-M any living. Ills rem^iins will lie buried at Wlll- nnr tirirt. MARTHA MANSFIELD M.'irtliu MiiisHeid, formerly of /.iecfe'd !i "!•'. Illes." and for the last fouL- .veirs teaiur;.d. in (liiturcs. Iilied Nov. no in a ho»))ital .il San \nli'iro of burns Ineuiicd when li-'r drc s was u"ei('enlall| iiinilcd vvh'le sh" was on local ion for a pii-tufe. She wiiM ;m ve;trj< old. a native itf Man-«lielil, O. and her n ir: e in priviile lifi- v.a.s l-J1it'l|f-||. She h:ul lived in .New YorU siiiei' - he was li'i. iler lirst ciianee in pictures was with SelxnicU. H'oilowing Ihe ileiith of Olive Thumas she was promoted to Ptiirdom by Selznit-k. but was not (jiiile ready. When she died he was working in "The Warrens of Virginia' for l'"ox and had niiHily attained slellar heights. The iiiulher of Miss Mansfield brought (he remains to New York for Iniriul. I.i England about 57 years ago. wa« for many years a favorite here at.d abroad. He came over here first about IG .vears ago as one of Ik* McNaughton Brottiera. Tho •Uiv.* • member, Kred, died aeveral year' ago. . ,..; GEORGE ARLINGTON Ceorge Arlinifton, retired circus executive, died Dec. {, In his apart- ment at Ihe Hotel Clarld(e, whieb is oi>eriited as part of a chain by his son, Edward Arlington, turf- man. Funeral services were held Tues- day at Carapbell's Funeral Church, and burial waa In Cypress Hills Cemetery. Mr, Arlington was 71 years old, a native of Kingland, but' had been In the I'niteii States since baby- h.ood. He waa with Barnum & Bai- ley for LS yeai-M. during the greater liart of which time he was general I niunuger of I he big snow. PERCIVAL KNIGHT Percivni Knight. English come- dian and playwright, died in the mounlaliin of Switzerland Nov. 27 of tubereulos:s. He was about BO years ohi. Mr. Knight appeared In this ■ ouniry In numerous production?. iiiiiong ihem "The Dollar Princess,' 'The Arc.idisns" nnd "The Mar- rl:iM>' .M.iil.ii." He last niipe.ired In .Sew Vo.k in "Thin Ice," of which he was the author. He went to iJwilKvrland lust spring. Jutt Can't Resist Going Vaudeville to DEPT, STORE CIRCUIT r.'ilihy McLean, skater, i" doing his vaudeville aet at Criniliel." New York store on a i-ijeei.il rink mat as part ot the holiday sales drive. In other stores well known clowns and acrobalsTrom circuses and car- nivals are doing their stuff in Ihe toy dep.'jrtments. adveillHed under their professional names. LUBIN ACCOMMODATES The Loew circuit waived their booking of the F'our Terris Girls In favor of the Keith circuit this week. The act was booked to open at bbew's. Delaneey atrtet, De em- ber 3. Lew Colder, the b!g time repre- sentative for the act, booked them for two weeks on the Keith circuit opening the same date. The matter was reported to J.ike Luliin, the Loew booking chief, who agreed to set his booking ba<*k two weeks to enable the act to play Ihe Keith dales. EVA TANGUAY FOR KEITH'S Dee. 31 liva TanKUay will cptii- mence aiiolher tour of Ihe Kellh Circuit in the he.Mliiiie position, making the st.irt at the (Jrphcum. r.rooklvn. MIn:i Tansuav's liOi' iiig were en- tered Ihls week. It is some tiiii" since the Cyclonic One played I lie big time, she having started the season nt the hend ot a road show bearing "ler name. Heenming annoyed with the nnn- agement, .Misi Tiinguay left it. Denver, Dec. 5. Laurel T.#e. though happily mar- ried and pleasantly at home here, could not resist the call of the sin- gle turn, and Is returning with It to the stage at the Orpheum, Lincoln, Neb., this week. Shortly, Miss Lee will start to tour the Interstate Circuit at Dal- las, Christmas week, spending that festive period with her husband'.^ folk, who live there. If the said husband doesn't ob- ject. Miss I-<ee may continue over Ihe remainder of the Orpheum time. NEW HOUSE OPENS Batavla, N. Y., Dec. 5. The New Family theatre, a three- way house, waa opened here Thanks- iflving Day and played to capacity nt fhree shows combining vaudeville and a feature picture. The house, which has 1,100 seats. is under the management of N. Dip- son and Is booked by the Buffalo office of Ous Sun It will play legit callows Ihe fir.st half antl conililnatlon vaudeviHe and iiieiuie.s the last half It has an orchestra and organ. WILLIAM K, HARCO'JRT A stroke of apoplex.v c.iiiHed the death .Nov. 27 ot William K. Har- eiiurl. 57 years old. al his homo. No. I West 94th street. Forty years of lii.s life had been spent on ihe stage by Mr. Harcourk who was a native of Callalin, Tenif. Alwjiys under either Frohman or Heiasco management, Mr. Harcourl played with many noted Mtar.s, and his best-part was that ot a southern siiy in William Gillette's produc- tion, "Held by the Enemy," He was one of the founders of the .\elorM' Equity Association. Hi« wife, professionally known as Mice Fisher, survives. Funeral services were held on Wednesday and burial set for I'rl- day. HERBERT STANDING. Los Angtles, Dec. 5 Herbert Slanding, a well known actor himself and wbo has Mvw son Wyndham, Herbert, Hir Ouy, Perc and Aubiey. Ihe first two In'Nev, York and the others In London, d:ed here today after a five weeks' lllners. He was 77 years old and is survived also by his widow and a daughter, who Is the only one of the family not In Ihe theatrical profession. LOUIS H. HAWLEV Louis H. Hawley, «:', old-time legit actor nnd brother of Waller Hawley (vaudeville), died in Chi- cago Nov. 25. of paralysis. He was at one time In Union aquar.> pro- ductions. His wife, two d-aughters, three sislers and two brothers sur- vive. Ben and died Th« mother of Annn Propp. tli" l.ilter with one of the Columbia shows died yesterday (Dec. 5), She was 73 .ve.Trs old and death was due to a complication of dbeases. Louis Bajarsky, brother of Mey r Cordon (Shannon and Gordon), died .Nov. 2S at Detroit, aged 31. He was shell -.ho<ked in the wai and was left a cripple until hi- death. MRS. LUBA MEROFF I.uba Meroff. mother of .Meioff ("Nifties of I!>24") Sinia Meroff of vaudeville. .Nov. 2(1 at the Jefferson hospital. Philiflelphia Mr.". Meroff had been visiting her fon B''n and suffered a severe aslb.'iinatic stlark. She was re- moved to the hnspitril. where she difd. Funeral was Siii'day from her residence at 510 West 112th "treet. New York city. .Mrs. M'rotf was 39 ye.irs of age. She originally aiipenred in v.uide- vllle. :issi»te<i by her sori and il;i'igliier. The aet «as known as Luua Alcroff and Co. CHARLES EDWARDS Charles IMwards, aged 41. cor- nctlst and formerly of the Edwards Trio, was stricken with apoplexy and died at Steam's Kanatarium, .New York. Nov. 15. Burial was heid at Detroit. LOUIS HENRY HAWLEV Louis Henry Hawley. 62 legiti- niali' aelor and brother ol Walter Hawley (a vaudeville performer), rliul suddenly November 2j. In Chi- cago. Death waa due to paralysis Tl.( deceased hid ajipeared with .M.iiijariL .Mather in "Konieo and Arthur Holm. 71. long nillve In Akron, ().. musical circles, died al his home there Nov. 27. He was at one time secretary of the Ohio Sirg. ens' Association from 1904 to 1922 // You Don*t Advertise in ^kIety Don't Advertir"