Variety (February 1924)

Thursday, February 7, 1924 VARIETY "HORIZONTAL CUT IN TAXES WILL BE ASKED OF CONGRESS Augustus Thomas in Washington—Tax Measure Re- ported Out of Committee Today—Stands Chance Before Senate Finance Committee Congress will be asked to change provisions in the new tax reduc- tion bill as regards the admissions taxes. The new suggestion calls for a "horizontal cut" in all amusement taxes instead ot the present total elimination of admissions taxes in certain classes of theatres, the line being drawn in the bill by means of the maximum admission to be exempted, i. c.. 50 cents (reported increased to 75 cents but never changed). The measure is < xpected to be re- ported out of the Ways and Means Committee today, Thursday. Show- men believe the best chances for a change will come after the tax bill is passed by the House and turned over to the Senate Finance Committee. Augustus Thomas went to Wash- ington Monday night in an effort to reopen the point before the bill passes out of the hands ef the com- mittee. If successful it will create a precedent. It will be proposed that the gen- eral admission tax be reduced from 10 to 5 per cent for all theatres, which is along the lines of the tax reduction measure, rather than total elimination and would be more sat- isfactory to the entire amusement field. The provision as it now stands benefits only picture and small vaudeville theatres. Upper floor admissions in other houses, however, would be affected and would complicate the return and payment of the taxes. A slid- ing scale for admission taxes is also suggested if the "horizontal cut" is not acceptable. William A. Brady upwn his return ABOUT HENS' FALSE TEETH Original Mens are as scarce as hens* false teeth. And they are as lnvisoratlngiy refreshing as a cold shower to a "Variety" reporter after the Max Hart-Albee ease. Therefore, It la with Interest that the amuse- ment world has watched the career of Paul Specht, who crashed Into New York but a scant two years ago and made band history with a cam- paign of original exploitation that ha* since been copied and Imitated by orchestras far and wide and only the other <1ay placed new Paul Specht units at the "Lido Venice," IS East 63rd Street. Moroaco's Kind Street Theatre In "Myrtle" and the "Post Lodge." .» Noteworthy among the Ideas and Innovations Introduced by Paul Specht may be mentioned the fact that his orchestra was the first mod- ern dance band to make Its appear- ance on a vaudeville circuit as an ex- clusive attraction in itself. Later, according to well-authenti- cated reports, he was approached by certain well-known orchestra leaders who sought his management. Falling to secure It. it Is now known that they copied hi* methods of exploita- tion and "made themselves what they are today." Specht whs first to originate such advertising catch-phrases as "rhyth- mic, symphonic syncopation," "units." etc. Little tnincs In themselves, hut "fat porkers from little acorns grow." Many others have since copied these phrases. It is al-uo a matter of public record that the same band leader was the first to send to Kurope modern dance orchestras featuring "symphonic eyn- copntlon" style of music, namely "The Crlterions" and Bob Bennett's " 'Fris- co Synropntors." who played the fore- most English amusement places with extraordinary success. Specht and his Alamac Hotel orchestra Includ- ing "The CleorKUns'" followed. Today. It seems to be the fad to' go to Europe or to threaten to do so Other interesting points In the ca- reer of Specht are the facts Ihnt his original orchestra was the first rhythmic sinking band to make its ap- pearance in New York, and the firwt musical combination to use aero- planes as a method of transportation, while flying from London to Parts.' It is itlso known that his combina- tion originated the idea of placing vaudeville without the aid of any other effects but effective music, nn.l It is a'lao a matter of fact that no other bund tb;in his plays regularly for two different radio stations. Paul Specht draws real salaries for his bote', vaurievtfls sod recording Work, while others Imitate, it is as- serted, by drawing fictitious publicity figures, So f:ir .i- Ifi known, the sum.' leader I was tii,- li.-.-i :ti It., profewlnn wlio j was sought i.. ill' Knslish |»re*» i" I I M'r.t. :, ..»i,.-j „: iniilnirilaliw il.ltnv 1 1 last week from Washington where he surveyed the tax problem urged the Producing Managers' Associa- tion that if any concessions were to be obtained theatrical interests should have a permanent repre- sentative at the capital. The man- ager said that the picture interests through having a representative at the capital and constantly in touch with the situation, accounts for the decision of the Ways and Means Committee to favor the small ad- mission amusements. Brady explained he did not report to the Producing Managers' Asso- ciation that there was no chance for the legitimate theatres to benefit from the new bill but that that class of amusements irtttat have some representation in Washington to win a concession. The reason lies In the fact that the tax measure changes almost daily and t:.e chance of advancing the cause of the high price amusement.: necessarily might crop up at any time. Admission taxes along with those on luxuries are classed aa "nuisance taxes." The committee haa set the limit of removal In that class of $110,000,000. The total admissions taxes (in- cluding; outdoor and sporting events) mounted to $70,000,000 alone and the committee explained if the latter was removed alto- gether there would be a Mod of protest from the other Industries in the nuisance tax division. Variety-Clipper Bureau Washington, D. C, Feb. 6. The House Ways and Means Committee has had a method sug- gested to them that will benefit all phases of amusements and still carry out the apportionment plan aa outlined by the committee in deciding to repeal the tax on ad- missions up to and including the 50 cent admissions. The committee set the amount to he taken off as $33,000,000, Augus- tus Thomas of the Producing Man- agers' Association In Washington today presented to each of the mem- bers a plan of "horizontal reduc- tion," summing up In the reduction of the tax as now set at 10 per cent to that of six per cent on all ad- missions. It was pointed out to the com- mittee by Mr. Thomas that in re- pealing the $33,000,000 figure that approximate!) 40 per cent of the present amusement tax would be taken off. By reducing the present rate of ten per cent to six per cent this same ratio is reached and all would benefit. In asking that the hearings be re- opened for the purpose of present- (Continued on page 39) COVENT GARDEN'S REP OF NEW AND OLD OPERAS "Chin Chin Chow" in Paris— Xmas Shows Are Com- ing Off London, Jan. 25. The repertoire of the British Na- tional Opera Co. at Covent Garden Is being extended with new and old operas. In "Alkestis," Rutland Boughton has given music to the verse version by Gilbert Murray of Kuripldes. "Gianni SchiccI," a mu- sical humor of Puccini, is now heard for the first time in English. The libretto, from Forzanb, employs the stock stage story concerning the impersonation of a dying by a liv- ing man and the willing to himself of the soon-to-be-deceased's prop- erty. The same situation recently made a comedy for K. Crawshay-Williams in "E. and O. E." while before that It did duty in a French piece, "I.e Testament du l'ere Leleu," by Hoger M. du Gard. The company Is repeating other Puccini operas. "La Boheme," "La Tosca," and "Madame Butterfly," as well as works by Wagner, Mo- zart and Hoist. Verdls "Othello" has been reintroduced to London with Mullings as the Moor. REP'S 'GLORIFIED STOCK' SPREADING ABROAD London. Jan. 29. The Repertory movement is ex- tending in England to many of the big provincial centres. Bristol and Oxford have recently established Repertory theatres, and now Newcastle is planning to do trie same thing. In reality they are little more than glorified stock houses. Barry Jackson's theatre at Birm- ingham, well backed by himself, is | the one place which is doing original work. * —- IllUflr tirli Paul .-: <■ ii i'.i - always been rei to i nl.ii .'i , •■ j.i clnirns to I <■•■• ttitli f. ntin rs and n'her ,1 ■ mehts ,l Id ' '• i ■■ le.-m.'J Vj ;.•■ :i v. I in* f r 111 .. « !; ,,|.,;, ...I , |l I'hrn .-. ■ >\ ,■ o.:„i.i.it. utbera ii late:" MlNA SCHALL Former prima flcnnn <nf "The Social Maids," Columbia burlesque, as she appeared in that pilaw. Miss Schall is i' i''i !•'I engaged t" m.n ry-the wealthiest^ nobleman nf Great Britain, known "the Rockefeller of England," Sir Henri i iptei .litiLT. Miss Schall is wild in l>o tl present living In a castle at Maidenhead, with i'.o servants ami .i th.ntrn tuitumo'iih a nt her command MINA SCHALL'S CATCH (Continued from page 1) month. Miss Schull is now living in a castle at Maidenhead owned by Sir Henri, has thirty servants and a dozen cars, including a Rolls- Royce limousine, and is reliably re- ported to be making wedding prep- arations. An English correspondent who went to Maidenhead Interviewed Miss Schall, who denied that she was already married to Sir Henri, as was at first reported, and when pressed for future probabilities de- clined to affirm or deny. She added that Sir Henry would be "furious" if "premature publicity" were given the "friendship." Mina Schall is a blonde woman of Junoesque pVoportions, and was known as the most beautiful woman in burlesque. She is a New Yorker of Jewish ancestry. She was re- cently divorced from C. Gordon Link, son of C. I, Link, son of the millionaire owner of the Lyceum theatre, Columbus, O., a burlesque wheel house, where she met young Link, just out of college, who was working In the box office under Charley Harper, the well-known manager of that house. An elopement climaxed young Link's following the "Social Follies" to Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The marriage occurred in the latter city March 13. 1919. The marriage was not serene. A divorce was quietly granted in Den- ver, where the young couple lived after a honeymoon motor tour that followed a summer at Bexley, the palatial country estate of the Links in Ohio. Family interference from the husband's side is said to have caused the differences. There is some mystery about the exact de- tails of the divorce, and It is known that Miss, Schall, while here recently, conferred with attorneys toward the end of having the final decree properly certified and a<l le- gal technicalities made safe. Miss Schall is known to havo re. ccived a substantial financial set- tlement from rhe Links what the separation wai made final and formal. At the time of h»r marriage Ml** Schall war nr.ilr ' .n trill t—TO—rnT" Sauberta for » Winter Qardon revue. After securing her divorce she retired from tin stage an.i left for England to ninhe her residence Miss Schall lias 1 n abroad for three years. LICENSE FOR FIREARMS NECESSARY IN ENGLAND Certificate Costs Holder Three Shillings—No. Stage or Weapon Excepted London. Jan. 26. Fred Duprez was summoned at the Leeds Police Court for being in possession of firearms without a certificate. The offences alleged were committed by two actors ap- pearing in defendant's company. Police evidence was that two ac-?"" tors appeared in a scene carrying revolvers. The actors admitted they had neither certificate nor license, but said they did not think them neces- sary as they used no ammunition. Duprez stated he knew his prop- erty man luxd bought some goods In London including the revolvers, but for all he knew they were dummies. He never gave the mat- ter another thought. The magistrate said that if he would take out the necessary cer- tificate in his own home county TKent) and forward it to the police he would adjourn the case for a week. If the certificates were re- ceived in the meantime he would dismiss the case, under the proba- tion act. A certificate entitling the owner to possess arms is necessary for any weapon, however old, used on the English stage. The license is an inland revenue matter and has nothing to do with the police unless the Inland revenue authori- ties bring action against non- holders. A certificate costs the holder three shillings and Is valid for three years; non-compliance might mean a heavy fine or imprisonment. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Buster Keatan, at their home in Hollywood, Feb. S. son. Mr. and Mrs. Jack M. Welch. Feb. 4, at their home In New York, son, Welch Is general manager for the Selwyns. It Is their third child. CHURCH STAGE (Continued from page 1) from which sermons will be preached. "This change is contemplated be- cause of the proved Intellectual, moral, social and spiritual value of the little theatre project as It has been developed In the church during the past Ave and one half years," said Dr. Springer. This plan will probably Involve the re- placement of the present pulpit with a stage of great dignity, worthy of the Greek tradition of the drama and not Incompatible with the lofti- est spirit of religion." "Way Things Happen" Doubtful London, Feb. C. "Ttye Way Things Happen." which opened Saturday at Ambassador, la not drawing. The Clemence Dane play was cor- dially received at the opening but does not look like a success. "Not In Our Stars" Impossible London, Feb. 6. "Not In Our Stars," played back- wards at the~ Wyndham Monday is an impossible melodrama with Gerald DeMaurler In a lugubrious role. Pauline Frederick's Theatre London, Feb. 6. Walter Oibbafris' new theatre In tUfe Haymarket negotiated for un- der lease by United Artists, will probably go to A.' H. Woods for the appearance of Pauline Frederick over here. Ouse Not for Parisian Music Hall Paris, Feb. 6. Reports circulating here that Mme. Duse has been engaged foe an appearance in a music hall next fall have been denied. Shadowgraph Effect in Revue Paris, Feb. 6. A shadowgraph effect has been introduced Into tho Casino revue and favorably received. * It is rumored the Folies Bergera will soon present a similar inter- lude. .The seat .•tilnatla Isatructiss st MEDWAMM 5IUDI0J OF STACE DAJKINC 1841 Broftdwii? I ■ Wnt. tot Art Booklet 'f ■■■ feJepnoAa t'ulusibtia 3-iitf —