Variety (December 1923)

^-utrw f^^^ismss^iamif Thursday, December 27, 1923 VARIETY rworth particularly. He rang the Fl>ell Monday nlg-ht, and they're tough at the Broadway. Any act that can make 'cm enthuse the way Wolilmaxt did baa the gooda unquea- ionably. lyiiclUe Ballantine and Co. (New Acts) next, and with more singing, yorke and lord next to closing with their fast moving nut turn that was the right act In the right spot, and they clicked noisily. The team could have clowned for a couple of : added encores or apeeched it if they I wanted to. The house voted them 6 the freedom of Broadway, but they P aensibly called It a night and took It j' out In bends, thereby getting even I an the Hip engagement. fc- "Flaming Youth" was the picture. Business very good Monday night -In view of It being Christmas Eve. Bell. ROYAL The Hoyal bill was woefully laok- Ins • comedy punch Monday night, although a strong comedy turn was included In the first half In Kato Elinore and Co. In "Flat Hunting." The Elinore turn was spotted fourth but battled In vain before a half-a- houseful of women and children who didn't seem to know what it was all about. Ahead of the Elinore act. Collin- and Hart got some laughs with their talking and singing piirrot. and com- ;-«dy hand-to-hand and pole stunts worked with the v Ire. Corlnne. a aancer; Dick Himber. violinist, with Ben Oaklander at the plnno, opened the show. Ifs a good opening-turn. ••omewhat different. The boy Is a rood muslolnn .and the girl a fair dancer, althoush she cheats a bit «n "elevation" when attempting toe work. Fleurette Jeoffrie, the young col- oratura soprano, as third. The ainger went nicely and was accorded strict attention, a remarkable trib- ute for an act r' this nature to re- ceive from a holiday audience. Joe narcey follow^a the Klinort' turn, singlnK a flock of songs broken tip with stories. The blackface jingle is almost an institution In the Bronx, wheie he live.-t. He plays the Royal several times a season, probably his reason for doing 2R minutes when 15 would have suf- ficed on the applause. However. Darcey had the right Iden. seem- ingly, for the longer he remained the stronger the applause totaled Joe's efforts at story telling are hampered by a negro dialect as thick as a. London fog. At times bis enunciation is undecipherable. The stories are all familiars. Darcey wouljl have been out In front a long time ago if he had direction and an author. Ekiith Clasper In one of vaude- ville's classiest dancing turns closed the first half. The dainty little stepper did extremely well con- sidering everything. Her act con- tains a novel opening where two •mbryo hoofers meet before a drop which Is a replica of one of Variety's Brat pages. They are looking for » job and have to dance their way t« the cakes via a duel, as Miss Claaper needs but one dancer. The boys put on a duel In a lavish full ■tage Bet. A tango landed, doubled by Miss Claaper and one of the men. Her shad .r dance before a sheet wtilch magnifies her aize many times Is one of the season's novel- ties. This number would be a pip tor a musical production. After Intermission Topics was the comedy hit. The gags each drew individual laughs, proving that a good low comedy turn In the second half would h.'ive whammed them. Enrico Rastelll, following, aroused the first real enthusiasm of the evening in his stick Juggling, b.ali bounring- and Rlsley Juggling, which he actually reverses. His closing trick finds him risleying a big star. Juggling with e.itrh hand, and revolving a hoop on his right leg. He uses everything but his cars, and has perfect control of all objects. He ran through his routine with speed and precision, only miss- ing once. He Is probably the best in the world at his specialty. Nan Halperin (New Acts) head- lining and returning to vaudeville after an absence of thre^ years, took the class hit in her special song routine and quick changes. Miss Halperln's present act is neighbor- hood proof and compares fnvoralrfy with any single turn In the two-a- day. She went to a speech. Nihla, a beautifully formed girl in a white union suit, was the center of a posing act In v.hich htereop- flcons are used for m.iny pretty •ITects. The turn held them verj Well cloeing the show. Con. ; 58TH ST. The Christmas holiday season K r taking its toll in the mutter of de- creased attendance at thi.-i house of usual big business, but tiie folks In this east sldo neighborhood take this holiday seriously, and to Jolinny Buck It is an old story. Neverthe- less there was a very good program, which was enjoyed by the half por- P' tlon present. r (".anglers Kntertalncrs (dogs), eight poodles, a D.nlmatian .nml a fox k terrier, opened. They do the usual I', routines, and the IMImatian (intro- duced as "Jack, the talking dog") barks out numlx-rs as the bit. A good trick was the cliinblog of a poie by one of the dog^ The act will do to open -small-time bills. Green and La Fell, pianist and woman singer, have a good act for this program, but the man might cut his clowning to people In the audi- ence. Anger and Packer, with their novel Idea in scenic ariangement and the musical comedy style of act (not for- getting Tiny the hefty maid assist- ant), hit the S8th 8t. crowd about right. The act was written by Jimmy Conlln, and he did a good Job. Frank and Tetldy Sablnl tied up the show several timos during their seance with the wop comedy, music and singing. Teddy does a dandy straight and puts over a whale of a ■hit with a mammy song at the fln- ish. The man who assists is also capable and really does assist. Then came Willie Solar with an- other hit and a big one. He is doing a comedy singing act exclusively having dropped the dancing and imi- tat'ons,, and is going Just as strong without them. He sang tour comedy songs for his regular turn, but had to sing three more as tncorcs. De V/itt. Burns and Tor ence land' cd their usual hit with their i-"ever .■■•ketch, "The Awakening of the Tovs." They closed the show and were adequate for the task. A I'nl- ve'-sal picture, "Hook and Ladder," which contains oodles of action, held the majority. I, D, P. A. S, "CLEAJTUP" (Continued from page IS) by giving a full accounting up to date to producers whose product they are releasing. The cry of indcper.deni producers this year has been that conditions do not warrant their efforts to make pictures for the state rlgbt market for the reason distributors have Dot given accountings on old pictures. This ch.irge w.is brought ufi at a recent meeting of tlie 1. M. f. I*. D. A Independent producers say that not until this has been done, not until the producers show their good faith by opening up their books and laying all the cards on the labl>- last week seriously. Distributors, realizing the necessity of action and the support of the producer, are now prepared to do all this and to es- tablish their own credit. The I. M. P. P D A. has opened ita offices In New York at Fifty- flrst street and Broadway with Charles Hoy and his assistant, Frederick H. Elliott In charge. The organization of the association last week was the first constructive step taken by the independents and the "house-cleaning" decision proof that they mean business. Also that they will set an example for the rest of the trade to folloiy. 1. E. Chadwick Is president of the I. M. P. P. D. A., with Mr. Hoy the business head. Another meeting win be held today (Thursday) at the Hotel Astor, when. It Is ex- pected, that several other firms will become members. P, P, AT FULL BLAST , (Continued from page 18^ among the cast of "Magnolia," which James Cruze is now making. Irvln Willat will begin shortly after the studio's reopening on Zane Grey's favorite story, "Wanderer of the Wasteland," featuring Jack Holt. Victor Flaming, who produced "The Call of the Canyon." "The Law of the I.rfiwles8" and other well- known outdoor pictures, will begin Feb. 18 on "The Code of the Sea." Early In February, DImitri Bucho- wetzki will begin production of the next Pola Negri picture, "Men." This picture was adapted by PanI Bern from a well-known Continental novel and gives ML^s Negri a vehi- cle which should duplicate the suc- cess of "The Spanish Dancer." An all-star picture, featuring Lea- trice Joy, which has not yel been given a title, will be started early In February under the dliectlon of Joseph llenaberj-. In the Long Island studio, Allan Dwan is producing "She Who Laughs Last," based on Alfred Sutro's play, "The Laughing I.,ady," in which Eihel Barrymore starred last year. Miss Swanson will be supported In prominent parts by Rod I>aRocque and Rlcanlo ('or;ee William dcMillo begins the pro- duction of "Icebound" Dec. 24. This Pulitzer prize-winning play by Owen Davis- has be< n adapted for the screen by Ciar.i Bcrangei and will be enacted by a strong cast lie.ided by Richard DIx, Lois Wilson, \'era Ucynolds and Kllicl W.-xlcs. Thomas .MeiKban will begin Jan 3 on the production of a piftiiif tem- porarily titled "(Julciisand.s," from a novel by L. Y. Erf-kiiie. Victor Heerman, who has directed many of Constance Talmadge'.s prodmilons, will direct "Quicksands.' or LONDON (Continued from page 3) ment last year, the team were ap- proache<l by the manager of a tour- inn revue to sign .1 "run of the play" contract, which they did, inserting, however, a two weeks' notice clause. The touring manager declined to .<ic- cept this and It was struck out, the artists claiming a verbal under- standing they were to be free for the current season's pantomime. The chances were very much against the touring show continu- ing for an entire year. It has. how- ever, and Its management refused to release the artists. The matter was put before an ar- bitration committee. The touring contract called for $500 liquidated damages. The actors were called In to the discussion, admitted their legal liability, and suggested a com- promise of $125. The committee de- cided to split the difference and so assessed the artists, with the addi- tional understanding that at the concMislon of the run of the panto- mime in January they would will to the touring levue. Frank Boor, manager of the Lon- don lllppodrome. Is one of the most popular men in I.,ondon. No matter what his "Jot»," he would still be popular. Boor is a genius at hand- shaking. Once he meets you he never forgetj your name, and every time thereafter he greets you like a long-loat prosperous relative. When the local managers of the theatres on the Moss Kmpire Circuit visit London for periodical conferences Boor nets as a sort of host. So well has he dispensed hospitality to them that they got together and presented him with n. massive silver clgaret box on which was Inscribed the names of the donors. Matheson Lang has produced Temple Thurston's new drama. "The Phantom Ship," at SheTBeld. At the end of his present tour he will visit France to make a fl'.m, after which he return^ for another provincial tour .T.-id nnother "try otit" produc- tion. Toward the end of next year he will take up his tenancy of the New again. OBANT'S LETTER (Continued from page 1) :iltowed a typewritten clause to be appended to my contract—(what is known a« a "satisfaction clause'') I had placed rhyself outside the bene- fits of the arbitration agreement, though the clause relating to this still stood In my contract which had been signed by Mr. Cohan and me. I may point out that my contract Is not the so-called "standard con- tract"—the two weeks' notice con- tract, which is a part of the basic contract and whkh everyone knows nfiay not be verbally altered In any way, but Is a ''run of the play" con- tract which Is one of those agreed to after the strike. Before reluctantly starting suit against Mr. Cohan I made a last ap- peal to Mr. Olllmore to see if the decision agalnat arranging an arbi- tration could be recalled, but re- ceived a reply that the council had decided against It; thus I waa left alone to protect my Interests with- out any help from my association, and had but one course open to me, to call on Independent legal help. Tou refer to me as a "no-yes man." This description of me Is correct If It means that while I am heart and soul with Equity, its aims and ob- jects and loyal to my fellow members in every way, that loyalty does not necesfarily Imply or compel blind endorsement of every move made by council—silent acquiescence without proper discussion in every resolution put officially from the stage at gen- eral meetings—nor slavish admira- tion for all our present executives. I consider myself privileged to have my own opinions, either of In- dividual officers or of collective poli- cies, and to be free to express them among my fellow member*. I consider I have a right to ask all proper (luestlons and to receive clear and deffnlle replies. If this is what you mean by a "no- yes-man" then I am one. Lastly, we hear much of Va-lle- ety. Well, my three and a half very fat and happy years in vaudeville taught me that I could not afford not to buy and read the paper that gave me the best theatrical news, and If I buy and regularly read a paper, I feel I cannot afford, nor Is It logical, to vilify It. I regret that Variety should, at llm.'s. appe.ir antagonistic to my a«- foclation. I regret that much It pub- lishes of Us should be so wide of the f.-icts. And I could wish that so excellent a theatrical Journal tould obtain and be ready to publish only correct oftlcial news. I hope you may find room for my letter, but, of lO irse, it corni'S to you only on ihe understanding th.il if published it Is pul)lished in ex- lenso and unch;inged In any way. I wish there To be no doubt as to my position, f.awrence Uratil. ATTSTBAUA (Continued fi uni puge i) attractions. It Is many years since this fair i>perate<l. Williamson - Tait - Musgrove will produce a pantomime at toe Hippo- drome, this city, next iiioiilh. iiert Harrow will play dame. Gitlia Cal- vert, out here with Lee White anil Clay Smith, will be principal boy. The Fullers will also put on a punto at their city house. Jim (Jerald will be dame with Marie Le Vurre as principal boy. After an association ni many years Union Theatres, Ltd. and Waddingtun's Theatr :, Ltd., have separated. From the beginning of 1924 Union Theatres will only con- trol five picture houses. Union The- atres are building a new theatre ,'it the cost of $600,000 capable of seating 3,000 persons. The Lyric is being remodelled nt a cost of $-00,000 and will be constructed on linen similar to llie New York Win- ler (iurden. Paramount Pictures are to be sold on the open market beginning in 1921. This plan will give the'ex- hibitor a better deal than before. A list of 15 Paramount features will be released early In the new year. John Hicks, Jr., la behind the new policy. Annette Kellerman has Just fin- ished a new picture taken in New Zealand under title of "Sonla of the South Keas." It Is reported that the picture has been sold to Ameri- can Interests. Hugh F. Ward, eldest son of Hugh J. Ward was married laal week. Mr. Ward has been appointed bj his father to take charge of the Mel- bourne oltice of Fuller-Ward. Young Ward was manager of the Grand opera house for several seasons. The Hanlr>n Brothers will be one of the feature acts in the forthcom- ing Williamson-Musgrove panto. Dorothy Brunion will be princi- pal girl in the Fuller-Ward panto in Melbourne this year. Miss llrun- ton la ut present playing In "Tons of Money." Long Tack Sam and his company will Wiortly go to China for a brief holiday. Henry Russell has arrived under engagement to Williamson-Tait as representative of Madame Melba for her forthcoming season. P'ranco Paolanlonlo. from the Colon theatre. South America, and Arnoldo Schla- vonl, from the Boston opera, have been engaged aa conductors. The artl.sta include Toto Dal Monte. Llna Scavlzzl, Augusta Concalo, Haga I^ahoska. Phyllis Archibald. Aurora Rettore. DIno Borgloll, Signer Plc- e.atuga, Senor Marques. Apollo Granforte, Mario Raslola. Lulgf Ceresol. Gustavo Huberdeau. Prince Alexis Olxilensky. G. Rossi and Gae- tano Azxollnl. Fmnk St. Ledger will be stage director with Signer Zucchi as chorus master. Madame Melba will arrive In Australia this week. The cost of the*tour will be enor- mous. George Coatos has arrived In Australia with the Dempsey-Flrpo fight picture. The attraction will be housed In a main city theatre. Hugh D. Mcintosh. late theatri- cal magnate of this city, returned here for a brief visit last week. Mcintosh controls a big newspaper here. He recently purchased a beau- tiful mansion In England and will reside there on his return from Australia. CHEAP FILM HOUSES (Contintied from page 18) the Information that "thero are plenty of chickens inside waiting for a live one.") At the Lytic - Remained four hours; solicited seven times. At the Rl vol I—Remained tbree hours; solicited once.. At the Broadway—Remained four hours: solicited 10 times. (The "work" here was the roughcast ob- serbed anywhere. They slop Just short of dragging one to a hotel.) At the S;rand — Remained two hours; solicited tbree times. In practically nil these incidents, Ihe girl, a« soon as she found the "prospect" disappointing, moved to another seat, usually next to an- other man. The Investigator secured a Job as manager of one of the houses under discussion, a steady grind es- labil.shment, beginning at 8:30 a. m and closing at 11 p m. A brftoa war offered promptly, and when H was <Ii'( lined the observation was th.it this new (;uv niui-l be straight from the farm " The doorman, of anothir regime, let S'Vcral women In with- out pajing, and wlicn questioned Ik declared it was "cuslom.iry" to ad- mit lertain girls wl lioul payment The (orrcspoiidcnl remaim-d on th< lob e:ghl diys, and was convinccil that >ome of the ciieap dofanlovvu picture hounes have beciune' a sub- stilule for Ihe old s'gi'-gitli d dl.--- trtct and aro now th« raeegnlzed headquarters of the traffic. M.-uiy ye.-ixs ago the reformers de- manded that the local police drive the prostitute out*of the city. Com- plying with consistent demands the police eleaneil up a segreated dis- trict whicli was known as the 'red light," the home and business place for women of the underworld and their male comjianions. The polica did a good Job aiul not an inhabitant w,is left in the district. But the women did not leave the city and soon after the streets of the down- town cfistricl be^'ume their ground. Again the reformers Jumped all over the local police und a^jain the police went after the women. Now the reformer Is satisfied, the fallen woman is gone—but where did she go? And has the reformer accom- plished anything? Today the movfe houses In the downtown district here is a rcndea- vpus fur these women and their "clients." They operate from morn- ing until late at night where women openly solicit and men enter to b« approached. Many of these women enter the same theatre six and seven times a day while some of the men go from place to place seek- ing a desirable companion. The women's earnings are small. Downtown Moviea When a bargain la struck some very raw and sickening stuff la pulled. Managers of these so-called theatres are approached and offered a commission or mke-ofC so that these women may go the limit when they get a man, while doormen are given small bribes. The respectable public not fa- miliar with conditions who visit these dives for a few hours recre- ation seldom If ever enter again. It Is dangerous for a young woman to enter one of these places. Mana- gers appear helpless and In some cases ^they have been painfully beaten by vicious thugs when tb«y tried to suppress this evIL They buy Ulm very cheap, for a mere song, and in some cases the lllm has been shown at the theatre three times within a month, giving some Idea how much atten- tion Is paid to the booking. The foregoing is the result of a careful investigation by Variety'* correspondent who spent two weeks, one as an ostensible theatregoer the other aa manager of one. The girls appear very young. In a talk they revealed that If a pros- pect looks profitless but persistent the girl can claim she nas been In- sulted and depend on the theatre attaches to eject the man. The theatres mentioned were formerly attended by the laboring class of people—that is the real la- borer—who does not earn enough to permit his taking the family to a higher priced entertainment. It waa an event that his children looked forward to each week. Today they go many blocks, requiring carfare. If they are to attend a popular priced movie, and then roost neighborhood houses charge 17 and 20 cents, which Is 7 and 10 cents more than he previously paid, Fred Slater, general manager of theatres for Universal Films, has Ju.st returned to New York after 10 days spent in St. Louis rescuing the RIvoIl, a Universal house, from the women solicitors. He says the situation In the Mound City Is revolting but not In- curable, and puts the responsibility for conditions squarely up to the management of the houses iffected. "We heard some weeks ago that these things were going on." ho said, "and took Immediate and im- perative action to lift tho Rivoll out of the list of houses where these women ply their trade. Fortun.ite- ly, our house was not serlouily af- fected because of the admlssslon price. All the houees where the women thrive sro 10 and 15 cents admission, while we maintain a 30- 40-cent scale at the Rivoll and are playing the best pictures obtainable there. "There Is nu question that the managers of the hoiises and the doormen are in on the play, or at least shutting their eyes to the con- ditions. If they wish, they can end the soliciting by barring the women. The latter go In and out of the houses three and four times a day, and certainly must become known to the man.-tgers and doormen. They - could either bar them or station watchers—poiic- or ushers—in scat- fired spots of the houses and eject the women caught soliciting men patrons." Ai.r. AiioiT TUB iNnooB Shows and Circuses "CLIPPER" lUr KAlli WKKK .- .A. -.V; ■