Variety (May 1924)

VARIETY VAUDEVILLE Wednesday, May 7, 1924 ALBEE MIXED IN CONTROVERSY (Continued from page 4) disturbing influence Is B. F. Albee, President of the Keith Vaudeviile Circuit, according to Mr. Shubert and Mrs. Brady, who last week played a prominent part In the for- mation of the Managers' Protective Association, through which, Jt was hoped, an agreement would be reached with Equity. "Mr. Albee," said Mr. Brady, "has not only Interfered with a peaceful settlement of the present differences between the actors and the man- agers, but five years ago he was more responsible than any one else for bringing about the actors' •trike." In the lobby of the Apollo Theatre In Atlantic City, during a perform- ance of "The Dream Girl," a new Shubert musical production, William A. Brady, In the presence of Mr. Bhubert, dictated to a New York Times reporter a statement concern- ing Mr. Albee's alleged connection with the present and past negotia- tions. The statement was later shown to Mr. Shubert, who said that he upheld Its sentiments throughout. Brady Tells of Negotiations *ln February of this year," said Mr. Brady, "Mr. L*e Shubert, as the accredited delegate of the Producing Managers' Association, and with the full consent of the present leaders of the 'round robin' bitter-enders ar- ranged temporary peace terms with Frank GUImore and John Emerson, acting for Equity. These terms, which Involved the guarantee of an 80 per cent Equity representation In all casts, were reported back to the association by Mr. Shubert and pro- nounced acceptable by those who are now flghting them bitterly. "Then Mr. Albee returned from a vacation at Palm Beach and at once got In touch with the 'round robin' leaders and urged them to accept no terms but those dictated by them- selves for a renewal of the present theatrical agreement. Five years ago, at the time of the first actors' strike, it was also Mr. Albee who prevailed upon the managers, by personal appeal to Lee Shubert and George M. Cohan, and this time again it Is Mr. Albee who alone stands in the way of a peaceful set- tlement for all concerned. "The reason Is not hard to find. It Is an open secret that Equity, ae soon as the renewal of the theatri- cal agreement with the legitimate managers Is perfected, Intends to go Into the vaudeville situation. Conditions in Vaudeville "In vaudeville today performers are giving a minimum of fourteen performances weekly, whfereas the limit is eight in the legitimate. For the moet part, Mr. Albee has con- verted and Is converting his the- atres In three-a-day houses, making the number of appearances by act- ors twenty-one weekly. There are, In addition to this, extra perform- ances on Sunday and holiday nights." Mr. Brady said that he believed many of the "round robin" mana- gers were not acting in good faith in declaring that they intended to fight Equity shop to the extent of closing their productions and the- atre If necessary. He said that dur- ing the week-end he had transferred to Florenz Zlegfeld, producer of the "Follies" and a prominent member of the "die-hard" group, the con- tract of Miss Nancy Welford for appearances in an early production. Mr. Brady issued a further state- ment, ateo endorsed by Mr. Shubert, giving hla position on the agreement which the new Managers' Protective Association Is to sign with Equity. This agreement, whose fundamental basin Is a guarantee of 80 per cent Equity membership In all caets for the next ten years, Is the one that was rejected by the twenty-seven members of the Producing Mana- gers' Association, who signed a "round robin" statement indicating their opposition to Elqulty shop. Brady for Compromisa "I do not believe In Equity shop," said Mr. Brady. If enforced in whole or in part. It will eventually lead to the destruction of the morale of the American stage. Evidences aplenty are already showing them- selves. "Equity is well organized and can force through its demands. Never- theless, I believe the actor will live to regret closed shop, for that is what it is, even though it Is given the prettier name of 'Equity.' "However, the present arrange- ment Is In the nature of a compro- mise, which will prove satisfactory •o long aa It ta maintained on both sides by men of the good faith and Intentions of the present le&d*efs.^ ' In connection' with Mr. Brady's at- tack upon Mr. Albee, It was pointed out that for some days there has been a persleteijt repoVt that Equity ofllclals have been conducting nego- tiations for the purchase of a vaude- ville charter from the American Federation of T,abor, originally owned by the White Rats. The charter Is now In possession of Harry Mountford, who has been an or- ganizer of the vaudeviile performers for many years. No confirmation could be secured it this rumor, but It was received with credence by theatrical people in touch with the Equity situation. In general, the Equlty-M. P. A. situation remained unchanged over the week-end. There were Individ- ual conferences among Equity offi- cials and managers, but no state- ments were Issued. Work of Incor- porating the Managers' Protective Association was begun, and Us con- tract with the Equity will be signed as soon as the Incorporation papers have been legally approved. Harris Answers Bloom In answer to a telegram received from Representative Sol Bloom urg- ing that Sam H. Harris, President of the Producing Managers' Asso- ciation, do all In his power to avoid a strike or lockout In the theatre at a time when the delegates to the Democratic National Convention will be assemble". In this city, Mr. Harris yesterday replied In a tele- gram In which he said: "Your telegram urging avoidance of strike trouble between the actors and managers during the sessions of the Democratic National Conven- tion in this city and your thoughtful purpose profoundly appreciated. The sole issue between the actors and the managers Is the actors' demand for a closed shop. All demands to change the contract that has existed for five years are made by the Equity Association. The managers have conceded every demand except the closed shop, and they feel that in resisting this un-American de- mand they will perform as great a service as any that will be urged by the national convention In the discharge of Its solemn duties. The managers hope with you that the reception and hospitable entertain- ment of the delegates to the con- vention will be unmarred by any dissension. Every concession will be made short of surrender of the American principle of equal rights." The Other Side Yesterday (Tuesday) "The Times" published the following as the other side of the controversy: Sam H. Harris, president of the Producing M;in gcrs' Association, yesterday denied the statement made by William A. Brady Satur- day nigRt that E. P. Albee, head of the Keith vaudeville circuit, had been Instrumental In dictating the policy of the "round robin" man- agers in their opposition to Equity Shop. "Mr. Albee," said Mr. Harris, "has never communicated his feelings In the matter to me; he ha- not been present at any of the meetings nor have any of his representatives; no communication fro: . him has been received or read at any of the meet- ings or, so far as I know, by any of the group's Individual members." Members of the newly formed Managers' Protective, in answer to Mr. Harris's statement, said that the charge had not been based upon any meetings of Mr. Albee with Mr. Harris but that other members of the Producing Managers' Associa- tion had been approached by him. Equity officials, who refused to be quoted Jlrectly, called attention to a speech made by John Emerson, president of the Actors' Equity Association, at the last general meeting of the association. In which he said: "And then (as we were approach- ing a settlement) Mr. Alt>ee decided to put in his oar." Mr. Harris said further: "It Is untrue that the group of managers opposed to closed shop f)r actors has been Influenced in the slightest degree by Mr. Albee. As a group of producers of plays, we feel we have enough brains to fight our own battles without call- ing for help from the outside." Mark Luescher, for the Keith Cir- cuit, said that the statement from Mr. Harris was to be regarded as covering the opinions of Mr. Albee in the matter. Gillmora on Expansion I>a8t night Frank GlUmore, ex- ecutive iMcretary of E^iulty, in answer to a question as to the accuracy of the reports that Ekiulty la - preparing to invade the vaude> HARRY HARRIS A Chlcagoan who has made the New Yorkers like "Chi." Entertaining a bit different. Doubling with New York's Strut- tin' Fool, Eddie Jackson. Featured nightly at the NIGHT- INGALE, Broadway, New York. INCORPORATIONS New York, April 30. Pearl River Industries, Inc., New- York; amusement business; $20,000; Anna Martens, Peter Martens, Frank Moll. (Attorneys, Van Ness & Van Ness, 220 Broadway). Miller-Sanders Productions, Inc.. New York; theatrical managers, etc., 200 shares n. p. v.; Mildred Lleberman, Max Shindler, Robert H. Levlne. (Attorneys, Boskey, Schiller & Serling, Bar Building). Gustav Blum, Inc., New York; theatrical; $25,000; Gustav Blum. Maurice Wellin, H. B. Forbes. (At- torney, Lyman Hess, 1640 Broad- way). Columbia Burlesque, Booking Ex- change, Inc., New York; theatrical; $20,000; I. Wiener, Sadie Sapir, Zel- la Schwartz. (Attorney, J. I. Good- steln, 220 West 42d street). Troy Astor Thsatra Co., Inc., Syracuse, N. Y.'; picture theatre; $500; James C. Feeney, John Meyers, Robert Neublg. (Attorneys, McDonald & McDonald, 617 City Bank Bldg., Syracuse.) Cineradio Corporation, New York; radio and pictures; 1,000 shares pre- ferred stock $10 par value; 100 shares common stock non par value; H. A. Falk, Gertrude Middleman, Renee Frankel. Attorney, H. O. Falk, 1457 Broadway. Will Horwitz, Jr., Houston, Tex.; capital, $60,000; incorporators. Will Horwitz, Jr.; William Horwitz and Agatha Horwitz; purpose, theatres. Max M. Simon, Inc., New York; Theatrical; 150 shares npv; Max M. Simon, R. T. Hardy, Fred. Bruegger. (Attorneys, Bickerton, Wittenterg and Flelsher, 220 W. 42d street). Maine Capitol Theatre Co., Lewlstown; theatres; 1,000 no par; president, Oouise C. McLoon; treasurer, Maude A.. Thurston, and clerk, Benjamin L. Berman, all of Lewi.ston. Cyclorama, Inc^ New York; elec. (Continued on page 40) OBITUARY KATE CLAXTON Kat« Clazton. world-famous Amer- tcan actress, celebrated particularly during the period axtending from 1171 to IDOS for ber portrayal of tha blind girl In "The Two Or- phans," died suddenly In her home In the Astor Court Apartments, 805 West 46th Street, New York, Mon- day, May 6. She was 74 years old and was I IN FOND MEMORY of our dear, departed friend OEORGR DRISCOLI, May his soul rest In peace CREKDON and DAV18 ) born In SomerviUe, N. J. She was the daughter of Spencer Wallace and Martinez Cone. Her father was a theatrical manager and she en- tered theatricals in 1870, making her Initial appearance in support of Lotta Crabtree. Later she joined Augustln Daly's company, remain- ing there three Seasons. From Daly's she went under A. M. Palmer's management. In 1873, Palmer's Union Square, New York. IN I.OVINU MEMORY OF OUR COO BOY Majr 3d. 1919 Cod kn«w ]u>t how (ooil be wsi and He needed blm. We know he Is tmlllnf and nalUnt. Blest his little kuI. Hla Slaters and Brothers Harry, Dennis and Babs DuFor f • ALMA BELWIN ▲Ima Belwln, weU-known leading woman, died In Boston last Satur- day, following an operation which had taken place several days pre« viously. Miss Belwln, who was about 29 years of age, had been leading woman In a number of Broadway productions until a lit- tle mor- than a year ago, when sh« married John H. Duffy, Jr. Her paients, wTio reside In New York, at 14 Central Park West. New York City, survive her. JAMES BLYLER James Blyler, 38, composer ot much of the score of the 1911 "Poi. lies," died recently In Des Moines, ^ IN CHERISHED KEMEMBRANCS of my dear pal BILLY FAZIOLI Who departed this life Saturday May S ,1»24 Always remembered by I. JAY FAGGEN Iowa. He was a native of that city and followed his father In death by two weeks. JIM McGRATH Reports in Los Angeles from Honolulu state that Jim McGrath, an old-time black-face comedian, well known on the West Coast, died there early in April. stock at the time being the leading organization of Its kind in America. Miss Claxton formed her own company In 1874, starring in and presenting "Conscience," "Frou Frou" and ultimately "The Two Orphans." Miss Claxton was playing an en- gagement at the Brooklyn theatre, Brooklyn, N. Y., on the night of Dec. 6, 1876, when that house was destroyed by a disastrous fire. In IN MEMORY of one wnose whole life was filled with kind deeds and noble acts to his fellow man. WILUAM FAZIOLI who departed from this world on Saturday. May 3d. 1924. JACK AND IRVING MILLS which 289 persons lost their lives. Miss Claxton was always known thereafter as "The Heroine of the Brooklyn Theatre Fire," through the presence of mind exhibited by her on that occasion. Miss Claxton in 1877. was playing in a house that caught (Ire in St. Louis, and later was caught In another theatre fire in La Crosse, Wisconsin. A superstitious report was circulated that any house Miss Claxton played in might catch flro and on a couple ot occasions the actress was forced to allay panics Dr. M. L. Weissberger, brother* in-law of Phil Kornhelser of Leo Feist, Inc., died May 1 from men-' Ingltis. A wife and his sister, Mrs. Phil Kornhelser, survive. The wife, non-professional, of Walter Raymond, died May 2, aged 49. Mr. Raymond is stage manager of the Apollo, Atlantic City. The sister of Fred Berrens died Friday, May 2, at the age of 22. She was a non-professional, and sister-in-law of Dan Dody, the bur- lesque producer. Mrs. Frank Winkoop died In Los Angeles this week. She Is survived by her husband, also a professional. Mrs. Frank Winkoop was appear- ing at Ford's, Washington, when President Lincoln was assassinated. Billy Fazioli (pianist of the Ray IN MEMORY of my llfelonK pal BILLY FAZIOLI Who died .Saturday, May S, 19J4 Gone, but who will always be remembered by JACK ROBBINS ILL AND INJTJE£D Mazle Ward, vaudeville actress, has been discharged from the Long Island Hospital, where she has been for several weeks with injuries sus- tained In an automobile acci- dent. Joe Mandel (Joseph and William Mandel), burlesque acrobats, was operated upon May 4 for an Injury sustained while doing their act. Sammy Small,, appearing with "Broadway Revue," small time, was forced to withdraw on account of a severe attack of malaria. He Is confined to the homo of his parents at Bensonhurt, L. I. Arthur Small and company were compelled to cancel the first half at the Darrls, New Brunswick, N. J., on account of the Illness of Ma- bel Ryan, dancer, who appears In the act. The act will resume next week. Bob Patterson (Patterson and James) was severely Injured last Sunday In an attempt to board a moving train at Oradell, N. J., where he had been visiting friends. The actor was removed to the Hackensack Hospital sutCering from contusions. IN FOND REMEMBRANCE ot a great pal, and an all-around good fellow. **BILLY" FAZIOLI whom folks couldn't help but love and honor, and whose pasalnji: la mourned by one who can not forget him. JIMMY McHUGH vlUe field as soon aa Its differences arising from false alarms of fire started by nervous folk In the au- dience. Miss Claxton was married to Charles Stevenson In 1878 and In conjuiiction with Mr. Stevenson produced a number of successful plays at the old Lyceum, New York, located at the time on 14th street. In 1908 she made a country-wide tour, starring In the "Two Or- Mlller Orchestra) died May 3, fol- lowing an operation for stomach trouble. Fazloll was also a song writer, with several dance hits to his credit. The father of Dan Cummlngs, of the Keith office, died Sunday morn- ing of acute Indigestion. Tha mother of Gladys Alexander died at her home In Providence, R. I., May 6. She is survived by a son and daughter. The wife of Perclval Walter, the baritone In musical comedy, died this week. The deceased was a non-professional. with tha lagltlr.ate managers are settled. Issued the following state- ment: Tt Is true that we have received many requests from vaudeville actors to organize their branch of the profession, but It Is not correct to say that we have conducted negotUtlons for the purchase of a vaudeville charter from either Mr. Harry ^fountford or the American Federation of Labor. "Tha policy tha Equity has al\.ays tried to follow is that of doing one thing at a time, and surely m» hai>a > enotrgh on our luuida at the present moment." IN SACRED MBMORT of my grandfather SDWON SCHWARH Who passed on May lat, 1*24 Eternal Law, Eternal L,lfe GEORGE JESSEL phans," following which she retired. A divorce secured secretly In 1910 It was claimed from "Miss Claxton, by Mr. Stevenson, was successfully contestad by Miss Claxton. Mr. Stevenson Is at present acting In pictures on the coast. Her sister, Josephine Cone, and her grandson, Julian Meredith, sur- vive. Funeral services are to be held In the Church of the T ransflguration (Little Church Around the Corner) at 11 a. m., Thursday, May 8. and barlal wlU be Iq Greenwood cemetery, Brooklyn. - The father of Morris Lang, Rus- sian dancer, died recently at bi» home In Brooklyn. ~\ "DICK" BENNETT IN VAUDE Lewis & Gordon will produce a sketch In which Richard Bennett will shortly appear In vaudeville. The title of the playlet Is "Retribu- tion." ' Adrian Morris (Bennett's wife) will play opposite the star. Tha piece was written by Ed Wynn Burke. AMELU STONE'S ACT CALLED The Amelia Stone Hash which showed for Keith's last week has been culled In for revision and re- casting. The act was produced by Armand Kallz, former husband and partner of the star. When the necessary changes ara made It will be given another show- ing. — Jack Kelly Called to Australia Jack Kelly, of Kelly and Jarne*. was compelled to cancel his vauda engagements and leave for ^^'' trklla to visit hla father, wh» » dying.