Variety (January 1924)

BS-.^^j:T?^^r^i^^^».^Yr-- -£ (;*(/, 7 ■ 'f^; « 1 PRICE 20 CENTS '^^-r-"'^- iVOL. LXXm. No. 7 NEW YORK CITY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1924 1T2 PAGES SECRETARY HOOVER ON 1924 I I- Hi "Th* ainuf«in«ntt of th« eounlry hav« in their own particular way playod an important part in aitiing to brino about tho moat pro- .duotiva year ainea tha war. 'n^a valua of tha divaralon and ralaxation ofFarad through the thaatra in all ita branehea. drama, vaud4vllla, and tha motion pic- ture, cannot be under-eatimated. ''(Signed) HERBERT HOOVER" ■ y Variety-Clipper Bureau, Evana Bldg^ Washington. January z. Herbert Hooveir, Secretary of Commerce In President CooUdge's Cabinet, la the one m:in In the coun- try to whom the nation is certain to listen with very rapt attention when he imues an economic fore- CJiat for the year that Is Just begin- nlng. His own ptu'ticular fitness, to- gether with his very pertinent power of observation and his confidential and aecurata aourcea of Informa- tion—soiircea that enable him to draw from every quarter of the map facts, figures and statistics relating to every phase of business—permit blm to occupy an Irrefutable posi- tion of vantage. Mr. Hoover has al- waya been noted for bis keen anal- ytic aense, and whenever he steps to the front in a commenting mood tha entire world Is Inclined to ''sit up and take notice." Mr, Hoover has issued a note- worthy statement that sums up the innumerable phases of economic ehange and vaccllation during the year just closed and goes further to maJce a few predictions regarding 19Z*. Mr. Hoover says that the eco- nomic outlook for our own country for the next year Is brisht "In gen- eral the world situation Is hopeful. The general spirit of prudence, the absence of speculation, complete employment, high production and the great financial strength and eta- blllty of the 'Important states In the western hemisphere, together with the promise of the early conference ■for systematic consideration of con- atructlve solution of, the world's greatest economic menace—Franco- Qermnn relations—all create a hope- ful foundation on which the new year may build," said Mr. Hoover. German Collapse "The German collapse h.as In leeo degree affected every otiier part of the world. The decreased consum- ing power of Oermnny and of the atatea most affected has contributed to the low price levels of food prod- ucts In the United States and other food exporting countriea. The de- crease In her steel and coal produc- tion at flrat gave stimulus to the production of other countries, but this la now offset by-decreased buy- ing power of the depressed area for other commodities. One other ef- fect of importance has been the un- doubted substantial flight of capital from many of the states In this area or depression to the United States, resulting In further excessive accu- mulation of gold here. The economic world has not yet felt the full Im- pact of the occupation of the Ruhr. Were It not for the hope Inspired by the Initiation of negotiations for set- tlement of the German problem the situation would be most unpromising (Continued on page 4) WARD-BROWN MINSTRE IN PICTURE HOUSES Forming on Percentage in Large Houses—Hi Tom Ward and Hank Brown The Irrepressible Hank Brown Is at It again and this time It looks like he has struck something pretty good. He slipped away about two months ago and no one knew where he had disappeared. Now It comes out he has been doing his own ad- vance work in connection with a minstrel show which he and Hi Tom Ward will put out late this or next season. They are going to play In the big picture houses of which they already have signed up 3} for a week each. Their show will have 20 people Including a Jazz t>and. In the large capacity picture houses they will play o^ a per- centage t>aeis. The aggregation will be entitled "HI Tom Ward's and Hank Brown's Minstrel Monarchs." XMAS GOOD FOB OPEN HOUSES London, Jaji. 2. To ward off the general expecta- tion of' the usual Chrlsfmas Eve slump many of the managers closed their theatres for that particular performance. Those Inclined to take a chance and kept their bouses open for that night were rewarded by capacity attendances with the only accountable reason alleged to have been because of the city being full of visitors. PICTURES OF COOUDGE FOR BOOSTING PURPOSES Dept. Stores of Boston Inter- ested-^Fiim Players Ap* proached to Appear in It Department store Interests of Boston, headed by the Stearn, Filene and Sbepard, according to information gathered In New Tork film circles, are said to be financing a production entitled "The Life of President Calvin Coolidge." The general belief in New York Is that the film Is to be used for political purposes, to push the boost for Coolidge again. News of the proposed picture leaked when set'erai film players were asked to set a price for their services. Those who did the ask- ing say there is no intention of making a dramatic picture. They purpose getting out a picture show- ing the progress made Tiy the President from his boyhood. They say, also, that the President himself will participate, but this statement Is not taken seriously, for these agents were busy going through the stock of news weeklies seeking shots taken of- Coolidge while Governor of Massachusetts, etc., including his famous fight against the police of Boston when they weift on strike. Whether or not any attempt will be made to show the picture in film houses or at Republican political rallies has not been made known. THE UinJSnAL IN FABIS Mlrande Tristan Bernard and Quinson's three-act comedy, "Em- brassex Mol," was produced at the Palais Royal, doing nicely at the premier. It 1'^ amu.olng without be- coming risque. The story relates of a coarse wine merchant and self-made mil- lionaire, who saves an ancestral mansion for impecunious aristo- crats and wins the heart of a haugh- ty but widowed countess. Blackface Opposition Week Did Business in Pittsburgh The competition last week in Pittsburgh between A.I Joison In "Bombo" and Eddie Cantor ln"Kld Boots" drew plenty of business to both shows. For total gross Joison was handicapped three ways; he was at the Alvin, of smaller capacity than the Nixon; Joison playing at t3.50 top, as against Cantor's %i top, and last week was the third visit of "Bombo" to Pittsburgh, whereas "Kid Boots" Is a new production. The record for the week, as reported each day and published In tha "Times Square Dolly": Jelton. Cantor. Monday 14,916 $5,401 Tuesday (Xmaa) (fStop)... 6,145 6,904 Wednesday 6,312 5,904 Matinee ,.... 2,794 3345 Thursday ,..., 4,630 6,510 Friday ..,.. 5,122 6^80 .Saturday 6,460 6,6«0 Matines 2,931 3.714 The money capacity at |4 of the Nixon is l.'l.OOl. It seats 2.'."J1. The Alvin (Jolson> seaU 2.084. In Pittsburgh It Was considered an even break by the two shows under the conditions. THE MELLON TAX PLAN , ■ -«_-!., That part of the Mellon tax plan dealing with amusements shows that an annual impost, payable by amusement proprietors, is to be substituted for tha war-time admission tax which has laid auch a heavy burden on the show business. In the case of theatres, both legitimate and plctura, tha tax la to b»' levied on a seating capacity basis. Carnivals, cIrcuBea. tUra and expoat- tions will pay from tlOO, in the case of clrcoats, downward to tit per annum. At first sight theatre owners and picture eahlbltors seem to be getting the worst 'of it, but If wise they will accept the proposals, pay the fees levied and let it go at that. If they resist, they are likely to find Consress In an anUgonlstlc mood. Also, they will have to give some assurance that the public Is going to profit from ths repeal of war-tlma taxes and that admission prices are to be shaved somewhat Briefly, the Mellon plan provides the following annua: taxes on all theatres,'museums, concert halls, where admission la diarged: " 250 seats or under )go 261 to BOO seats...,, , , i(« 601 to 800 seats ; , igg 801 or more seats ' , 200 The plan defines a theatre as "every edifice used for the purpose of dramatic or operatic or other representations, plays, T performances for admission to which entrance money is received, not including halls or armories rented or uged occasionally for concerts or theatrical represen- tations, and not including edifices owned by religious, educational or charitable institutions, societies or orgaMlaations where all the proceeds from admission Inure exclusively to the benefit of such Institutions, socle- ties or organizations, or exclusively to the benefit of persons in the mili- tary or naval forces of the United States." This means, it is presumed, that miatary "Auspice" shows or rellgloiU benefits are exempt from the tax. The bill provides that the scale quoted shall be cut in half in citlei, towns or villages of lees than 6.51)0 population. It also states specifically that the tax shall be paid by a Iesse«^ unless otherwise stipulated between parties to a lease. Chatauquas, lecture lyceums, agricultural or industrial fairs, or exhibi- tions held under the auspices of religious or charitable organizations, also are eTtempt. Street fairs are not to pay more than $100 special tax In any state. Circuses are defined as "every building, space, tent or area, where feats of horsemanship or acrobatic sports or theatrical performances not other- wise provided for" are given. The annual fee for circjses Is HOW. Riding academies are t,xxed |100, bowling alleys and billiard rooms $10 for each alley or table, shooting galleries $20. Specific taxes are provided for cheap Jewelry, cigars, cigaret*. slot mrwhines. Weighing machines and articles that may be used as premiums at niirs or camlvalg. Playing cards are taxed at 8 cents a pack. A tax of 9 cents a gallon is provided for concentrated fruit juices or syrups intended for fountain or stand dispenaatalon. For home uses ' the tax on these articles is put at 2 cents a gallon. For bottle trade the** tax Is to be 6 cents a gallon. Yachts, motor boats or other vessels not Intended for trade or defense are taxed at S per cent, of their sale price. The Mellon tax plan, given publication in the form of a bill and as It probably will be offered In the house, was given out to the press by Chairman Green of the House Ways and Means Committee Dec i». The measure will be the subject of a bitter fight both in tho committee and on the floor of the house. But the Mellonltea probably will prevail over the Lorius boosters and Demoorata seeking political gain, and the plan go through the natural routine to a vote. It may be the subject of a great deal of trading, with the Inaurgetits and Democrats, as well as other factions, seeking to benefit before they permit It to pass. That there will be many changes and amendments on the floor Is a foregone conclusion, but In the free-for-all It is expected the MeUon pbui win survive In essentially its original form. FREirCH'ROlIANCETAyOBABIE Paris, Jan. 2. The French version of "Komance" signed Francis de Croisset and Robert de Flere was presented at the Athenee, Dec. 24, meeting with a favorable reception by local critics. The first scene Is laid In New York with the remaining four in Washington. The cast Includf-s the hou.s>- ni.m- ager, Luclen Rnsenl^erB: I Ih wife, Madeleine Horia; Paul Iw.-rnard. Arnaudy, tJatlet, Capoul, Mmes. Pauline Carton. Kom;ine. yvmi ."nil Rarsac. which constltucs a sfiien- did cast. Os Paehmann's Coast Tour at 7* For the first time In 1* year* Vladimir De Pachmann. the 71- year-old Russian concert pianist, will make a coast to roast tour, opening at the Emery Auditorium, Cincinnati, Jan. 4. ~ The tour wUl last 18 weeks. COSTUMES WhojMill make your text onset f Those who have bouOht from us | ssy— BROOKS-MAHIEU 11.11 It'Hay TrI (MO P»nn. M. T. CUr I __11,000 Costumes for Rsntal ^^^ '