Variety (May 1924)

r Wednesday, May 7, 1924 VAUDEVILLE VARIETY CABARETS Jos. Friedman, former Broadway reataurant proprietor, has taken the agency for an oxygenated water. The partnerehip between Jim Toney and JajK Kennedy has been * dissolved and the Jim and Jack restaurant in 47th street will In future be run by Kennedy under^ the name of Jack and Jill. The Club Fronton, a new dinins place on the exclusive order, opened Thursday nlfjht in the Village. It occupies the former site of the Moulin Rouge at Washington Place and Sixth avenue, and will be a $50 yearly membership proposition. Edward Irving, formerly manager of the Red Head Club, is in charge The Silver Lake Country Club at Whitestone, Long Island, is about to get Into action again for its reptu- lar and usual summer season. The club Is professionally known as "The House of 1,000 Laughs," with Franklyn Ardell, Its president, and Jim McKenna, secretary. ArUell will have his customary direction of the laughing and social features over the vacation time. Gray's drug stora in Times square will be an all-night pla..-e hereafter. New York, for over an hour twice nightly has been cut down to 45 minutes. Ace Brlgode and his 14 Virginians will be given more time to play dance music In keeping with the general criticism that the floor show was proving a boomerang for the place. The patrons' preference to mon- opolize the dance floor was com- mented on anonymously last week in the "Clipper," which called Billy Gallagher's attention to the length of the show. Both crchastras from the new Lldo-Venice club are broadcasting through WJZ. One is a strong en- semble and the other a dance or- chestra, both being Specht units. The original Paul Specht orchestra from the Hotel Alamac is also broadcasting via AVJZ. The Geor- gians, the "hot" band under Frank Guarante Is broadcasting through W'KAF, making four Specht bands In all. The Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles, has stepped out In the open and declared Itself to be op- posed to "blue law" tactics on the part of the city admlnistr;ition and police department. This move was made when a lengthy communication was filed with Mayor Cryer rocommending that a license be Issued to Maurice Welner so that he can operate the •Richelieu Cafe, following the deci- sion of the members of the Board of Police Commissioners that they would not issue a license, on the ground that it would injure the work of the church, and that the dance permit in the cafe would be detrimental to the neighborhood. U was set forth that Welner was losing $1,000 a month, and that he had invested close to :90,000 in equipping the place. Due to the absence of Mayor Cryer, the matter was not taken up by the board at its last meet- ing, but it is reported that pressure has been brought to bear whereby Mayor Cryer himself will direct the Police Board to issue the license this week. Phil Romano and his orchestra close their season at the Kenmore hotel, Albany, May 10 and after n short rest opens at The Tent, Al- bany, for the same management. Tn between on May 20, Romano will appear under his own manage- ment at the Vincentlan Institute fo.' a monster dance. ORCHESTRA LEADER FINEDFORUNDERSELLING NEWS OF DAIUES A. F. of M. Taxes Elliott Jacoby $100 for Offering Men Under Union Scale Elliott Jacoby, conductor of an orchi!stra that was to have gone Into the Silver Slipper cafe, New York, was fined $100 this week by the American Federation of Musicians, Local 802. The Meyer Davis band is still at the Silver Slipper, and has been a fixture there since its open- ing loist fall. Jacoby was brought up before the union for alleged underselling of his six men's services under the union scale. He presented his side of the situation, but on being fined he was nut apprised of what he was guilty. Jacoby is consulting counsel rela- tive to instituting a damage action for alleged slander. DANCE STEP FUSS Miascs Hoctor and Dillay Say They Originated To« Back Run Art Tipaldi of the Phil Romano orchestra Is twanging his banjo with renewed vigor in the rendition of "Mamma Loves Papa" owins to the addition of Arthur Tipaldi, Jr., to the family last week. Louis Woods has deserted vaude- ville and is now one of the enter- tainers at the Crillon, Los Angeles. Jim and Batty Morgan and Jac- queline Drew have been engaged for the new revua which Fanchon la staging at the Plantation, Los Angeles. The revue is called "Fri- volities," and opens this week. Eddio Maybaum's Clambake res taurant on West 49th street, be- tween Broadway and 8th avenue, has added a special attraction to its ai>eclal clambake dinner. It is free- dom to eat all yoi may want with-, out extra charge. Usually a course dinner Is held to one serving, but the new Maybaum place Is mSking an exception. While the clambake dinner Is the «ovelty for Times square and fea- tured, the restaurant maintains a regular and full a la carte menu at reasonable prices. The clambake Is priced at $1.50. Maybaum has been handling clambakes around New York for about 20 years. He finally conceived the idea of giving them in a restaurant for Broadway, and the idea seems to have immediately caught on. The Lincoln Square Amusement Enterprises. Inc., which operates the Dancing Carnival and the St. Nicholas skating rink at 69 West CGth street. New York, is named de- fendant in two Federal Court suits for copyright infringement. Harms, Inc., alleges violation of "Kiss in the Dark" and Leo Feist, Inc., Is suing on 'When Lights Are Low." JUNE'S CONVENTION IS DEPENDED UPON Paul Spechfs unit at the Lido Venice cafe has been signed by Charles Mulligan to double with "Flossie," a new musical production. Specht's own orchestra is also slated for a new revue, negotiations for which are pending. HART'S APPEAL Question of Jurisdiction to be Passed on in Higher Court Ray Miller has bought a half in- terest in the Beaux Arts Cafe at Atlantic City, N. J. Miller's dance orchestra is playing there. The floor show consists of Evan Bur- rows Fontaine, Al Wohlman, Sonla Moroff and the Mound City Blue Blowers. Ike Bloom has sold his Chicago cafe to Ralph Glllett. "i'he deal also includes a 10-year lease on the building occupied by Bloom. Bloom has been running "Midnlte Follies." He is tlie known cafe man in the west. the best The opening of the new restau- rant under the manaRement of Jaclc Curley, in Wa^t 45th street, has ~t-an set for May 19. Marty White will be a featured entertainer. Yerkcs' Serenader.^' will furnish the music. Ed Hutchison's "Rainbow Lane" revue which ran at the Monte ^arlo, . » 1 - .. In the case of Max Hart against the big time vaudeville Interests, Judge Hand, in Federal Court, last week, ruled the case could go up on a matter of Jurisdiction. The case previously had been dis- missed. Counsel appeared before the court to determine the issues upon which the plaintiff (Hart) may appeal from the decision. If a new trial la ordered It will again be a trial of all of the facts In connection with Hart's allegations and the case will once more revolve around points of Interstate com- merce. The question as to who orlg- Inatfd the toe back run dance step threatens to end in a serious dis- pute. Harriet Hoctor, at present with "Topsy and Eva," and Dorothy Dllley, of the "Music Box Revue," are the chief claimants. Miss Hoc- tor has warned Miss Dllley that un- less the latter apologizes for adver- tising and billing herself as the cre- ator of the step, legal action will follow. Miss Hoctor, a graduate of the Ch.Tllf School of the Dance, claims to h tve originated the step while a member of the vaudeville team of Snow, Columbus and Hoctor, about two years ago. She says she copy- rlRhled the step under the name of ''The Eternal Question." She adds that Miss DiUey, who is only 17, wns still In school while she was doinj; the step on the stage. Miss Dllley took Miss Hoctor's place in the act with Snow and Co- lumbus. She claims to have been the first to Introduce the step to a Broadway audience. She also charges that Miss Hoctor has no legal authority to copyright the step. Strangely enough, both girls arc under the management of Sam Har- ris 7.S well as the personal direction of Harry Krivit. The step in ques- tion requires a perfect arch of the back while performing a run on the toes. It Is generally considered to be one of the most difficult of dance feats. Both Miss Dllley and Miss Hoctor have received enthusiastic notices for their work. About four other women are doing the step, but none to date has claimed to be its creator. New York and Surroundings Anticipate Rusli in Caba- ret Trade The influx of the out-of-town vis- itors for the National Democratic Convention Is expected not only to boom th! cafe and supper club busi- ness In New York, but also Atlantic City and outlying adjacent points. The metropolitan places that would ordinarily be preparing to close up shortly and conctntrnte on their road house adjuncts for the warm weather, are going after things with renewed vigor. The shows aie being polished up and augmented, the orchestras primed, and things generally tuned up in preparation Any re.strlctlons on selling are alsc expected to be eased up for the occasion, and where doubt exists, careful plans to cover any contingencies are being laid. Rehearsals started last week of "Fa.shlonland of 1924," a revue which will be the feature of the an- nual Masonic and home exposition at Madison Square Garden, May 13-24. Maurice Maeterlinck has filed a Supreme Court action against Oold- wyn IMctures Corp. for $200,000 damages for the alleged rejection of three scenarios written by him. G. W. McGregor has made ar- rangements with Louis Nethersole to present in London "Flame of Love," now at the Morosco. Raquel Meller's deferred trip to this country will be made next Oct., under direction of Arch Sel- wyn and Charles B. Cochran. In the articles of Incorporation of the recently organized Hearst Pub- lications, Inc., through which Hearst Is offering to the public bonds se- cured by his California newspapar propertle.^ and many of his eastern magazines, the name of Hearst does not appear. The articles cover every kind of business besides pub- lishing. MALE TEAM'S SCRAP Clayton and Ec'wards Go into Ac- tion in Keith Officea Sidney Howard's newest play. It Is reported, has been purchased by the Theatre Guild for production some time next season. It is en- titled "They Knew What They Wanted." Gordon DOOLEY and MORTON Martha "DOING THEIR STUFF" B. F. Keith's Hippodiome, New York, this week (May 5) The serenity of the sixth floor of the Palace building was badly jarred last Tuesday when Lou Clay- ton took a punch at his late partner. Cliff Edwards, with whom he has split. The scrap came after the former partners had appeared in the Keith's office about an adjustment of their salary for the last week at the Riverside, when Edwards was ill for several days. He worked three da>^. and from the $600 weekly salary which the act is said to have received ho claims that lie got but $170. which Clayton is alleged to have told him was all he earned, aa Clayton worked the remainder of the week alone. The booking office Is said to have decided that Edwards was entitled to half the salary, leaving Clnytdn owing him money. CI.Tyton .Tnd Bdvvard.s had divided their partnership at the I'a!ace. Clayton is going into a reopened cabaret. Edwards is continuing as a single act. The Light House Players, all blind, are to take part in the Llttla Theatre tournament under the aus- pices of the Drama League at tha I Belasco Theatre. The players are j the youngest in the tournament. I The Harvard University Orches- tra, known as the Pierian Sodality, will return to this city for con- certs In May, under the baton of Walter Platon, the undergraduate conductor. The Little Church Around tha Corner will perpetuata the memory of Joe Jefferson, the man who gave It this name. A memorial window Is now being,designed tn honor of the actor and will b« placed in posi- tion with befltting ceremonies next month. $100,000 SUIT—$300 AWARD By the $300 Jury award In favor of Florence Rubenstetn, an infant, who sued the Greater New York Theatres Corp., which operates the Franklin, among other Moss-Keith houses, for $100,000, it would appear the courts are not taking these theatrical accident cases too seri- ously. Apparently the plaintiff was satia- fled with the $300 award slno* the final judgrment roll haa been made up, which closes all channels for an appeal. LEWIS' BAND AT KEITH'S Ted Lewis and band with the Shuberts' "Passing Show" which closes at the Majestic, Brooklyn, May 10, will play Keith's Palace the week of May 19. The Lewis band goes to the Rltz-Carlton, Atlantic City, for the summer, after filling their Keith engagement. The vaudeville booking was ar- ranged by Alf Wilton. ON TRIAL THIRD TIME Lansing, Mich., May 8. At .he next term of the Inghnm County Circuit Court, Martin Woehler, nineteen, of St. Louis, will be tried for the third time for the murder of Peter Hall, Plaza Tiieatre managpr, who was fihot in an at- tempted hold-up here last December. Woph cr's two fofmer trials both ended in the disagreement of the Juries. PICK UP SAFE AND "BLOW" CInclnnalt, May 6. Burglars broke into the Lyric theatre, Covington, Ky., last week, and secured about $750, one night's receipts. The burglars carried the safe, weighing 800 pound.s, down two flights of stairs to the cellar and fjlfl^w ,H ,(vv6fi, ..« t « i 111 : • > < •: I « J<oh«>ra. Henry J. Nethersole, 137 West 14:f!d street, and Elouise De Costa, 2100 Fifth avenue. West Indian Ne- groes, appeared last week aa plain- tiffs In the Seventh District Munic- ipal Court In actions brough' under the Civil Rights law against the ElliOtt Theatre Company, Inc., and Cieorge J. Appleton, manager of the Miixine Elliott theatre. The plaln- tifts allege discrimination at a per- formance ot. "Rain" the night of Feb. 9. They testified to the pur- chase of two aisie seats downstairs at MoUride'a and the tickets were taken up on them. Decision was reserved. Johnny Hines is going to continue his picture making In the East. He signed last weiek with C. C. Burr to make a series of comedy dramas. Maclyn Arbuckle will follow his proposed revival of "The County Chairman" with a n«w play by Louis Evan Shipman, entitled "Ben- jamin Franklin."' Arthur Hopkins has signed Gene- vieve Tobin for flva years. Miss Tobin has been starred in "Polly Preferred." Jerome Kern has promised Philip Goodman three musical comedies during the next two years, the first of which la to b« ready by mid- summer. I ■ The Theatre Guild's first produc- tlon of next season, Molnar'a "Tha Guardsman," will have Lynn Fon- taine and Alfred Lunt in its lead- ing roles. It will ba ataged about the middle of October. The new Terrace cabaret, at 77- 83 Rockwell place, Brooklyn, waa destroyed by fire Saturday after- noon. The interior waa wrecked. The loss la estimated at more than fTB.OOO. The Philadelphia Orchestra As- sociation and the Philadelphia Union, Local No. 77, of the Ameri- can Federation of Musicians have settled the wage dispute between the players and the managements of the various theatres. The new musical comedy, "A Trial by Honeymoon," now in rehearsal. will open at Allentown, Pa., May K. Joseph M. Galtes Is the producer. Harold Orlob wrote the music and Otto Harback did the book. Chicago's bobbed - hair bandits have a new wrinkle. Now when they hold-up a man there demand is "Give me your money, quickr or I'll scream!" Saturday, Harold Brophy was walking MlchUfan boulevard tn the midst of hundred* of passers-by when a girl clutched hold of his arm and requested his bankroll or else she would scream. Harold handed over $23 and some change; the bandit raturnad tha • If- •» » « i: J • ; •■ »i 1 I < V