Variety (June 1924)

~:f^v^vv^mmf y's '^r VARIETY VAUDEVILLE 'r:H^: W«diM«da7, June 4. li BIG TIME BOOKERS TALKED TO BY AaOR ON THEIR BUSINESS Julius Tannen Will Address Keith and Orpheum's Booking StafFs Today (Wednesday)—No One Previously Knew What Monologist Would Say ♦- lolliw Tannen la going to talk to tba Itlg ttana bookars today (Wadnaaday). No ona had any knowladga up to laaC night what tha Taudayllla monologlat la going to talk about. It U aald Tannan will tall the iKK^ara acme tbinga about tbelr bualneaa, which la booking, aa aeen by tha regular atanding standard vaudavllllan, in which claaalflcatlon Tannen atanda. He U the first actor to ever addreca aasemfbled booking men. Tha bookers bacama aware that they woald hear an actor tell them what Is wrong In big time bookings when B. F. Albae at tbelr last meet- ing is reported to have advised the bo<dcars to gather an masse at the usual booking meeting today In the Keith office; that* Julius Tannen would talk to them. Atbea la said to have Informed tha bookers he had met Tannen on the street and tha humorist had several good Ideas about bookings he would like to have the booking men listen to. Tannen has been reported on a couple of occasions to have been in conference with Albee In the lat- ter'a office. Bach time. It la said, Mr. Tannen took occasion to use the moment to advise the head of the big time what the vaudevlllian thought of the entire vaudeville booking situation. Tannen doea what Is knowi. as a "single act" talks only, and his vaudeville salary Is $700 weekly. He baa worked infrequently of late In vaudeville, although a vaudevll- lian for between 15 and 20 years and one of the acknowledged single- handed laugh makers of the stage. MANAJH AND OFHCERS ESCORT ACT FROM PAN'S Rives and Arnold Wouldn't Ac- cept 25% Cut—Demanding Week's Salary Chicago, June 3. Rives and Arnold have filed a complaint against Pantages for one week's salary. After playing 13 weeks for Fan the act was asked to take a cut of 25 per cent, It refused. Upon reporting at the Pan house In Denver they were escorted from the theatre by the manager and two officers, it is claimed. ENGLISH MADCAPS' SEDAN PATS FOR SEIf Four Girls Travelled Over N. E. and Pa. in Car for Five Months The Four English Madcaps, play- ing almost continuously during the past season through New England and Pennsylvania, bought an Olds- mobile sedan about Ave months ago. They have made all their Jumps since In it. Besides enjoying the experience, they have almost saved the cost of the auto In railroad fares which they would have had to pay without the car. The girls are glong to spend a months vacation In it, touring the Adlrondacks. accepting the invita- tions of several professional friends who have summer homes In the New York mountain range. DUNCANS AND SOCIETY Sisters Make Evsnt, Opening Music Firm Chicago, June S. The Duncan Sisters gave the Rlalto a merry Jolt Saturday when, with the aid of Chicago's "400," and the theatrical world, the two im- presarios opened the Duncan Sis- ters, Music Publishers. No song publishing business. It is safe to say, ever had such an auspi- cious and radiant opening. The Mayor of Chicago and his wife. Chief of Police Collins and Mrs. Collins. City Attorney Crowe, and N. FInston, Charlie Straight. Ralph Williams, Jack Chapman, Paul Biese, Frank N. Y/S TOHT'WOVE BRINGS USUAL CHARGES Commissioner Color Opposed to Free Charitable Soliclta- tioiv—Now Almost Con- vinced He's Right The "poppy" drlra which ended last Saturday la going to make It all tha hazdar for any aharltable project to get a permit via Bird Colar's Welfare department, which has the grants under Ita direct suparvlsion. To Coler went soma very emphatio protests about soma of the things that happened last week, and certain "abuses" were chalked up which will no doubt be Investigated. The dallies carried a story about friction developing between the "buddies" and the properly-creden- tialed salesmen for the "drive," which Included many girls who made the theatres their objective points, and others working with- out official authority. It appears that the War Veterans ran Into censure when members or alleged members and representatives en- croached upon territory already held by the American Legion, which was selling Its poppies to help the' vets and service men at Us Tupper Lake colony. The girls declared they were grossly insulted in the bargain and refused to sell further until as- sured proper protection. The "drive" heads, representing a series of organizations working in behalf of charity, obtained the street permit under some reluctance, as Coler is known to have refused point- blank to help a number of proposed "drives" for public institutions. On Coler's action it is said that "drive" and "tag day" operations have not only been abused but that many persons have complained to the Welfare department that they have proof of "abuses," graft and whatnot practiced in the guise of charity. The "poppy" drive and the stories of street gambling schemes alleged to have been worked in the name of charity during the recent Park avenue fair have come In for a lot of red-hot discussion in Coler's pri- vate sanctums. The returns from the "poppy sales" Just ended go far ahead, of OUAY'CARR'S PULLMAN TRUCK STARTS COAST-TtMX)AST T( last year, with the responses in GADSKI AT $3,500 Westphal and a host of others, made it a point to personally wish the general being more pronounced Duncan Sisters success in their new venture. The list of notables who sipped tea with the Sisters is a page from the social register of the Windy City. The credit is due John ConraJ, manager of the new concern. EVERETT FLOSSIE MISSING Steam's Ssnatarlum Conyng Down Steam's Sanatarlum, famous the- atrical hospital at 77th street and West End avenue. New York, will be torn down and a modern apart- ment bouse built on the site. Percy Bronson's Partner Disappears in Chicsgo Chicago, June S. Percy Broukon and Everett Flos- sie have separated and Everett has disabpeared, not showing in Peoria nor since then, necestiitatlng the cancellation of their State-Lake date. Bronson Is formerly of 3ronson and Baldwin. Everett iormerly was the wife of Harry CNell, of bur- lesque. Opens Keith Tour at September Palace in THE AMERICAN COMEDIENNE IRENE FRANKLIN JERRY JAimAGIN Accompanist Weeks of May 18th and 25th, McVicker's Theatre, Chicago Week of June 6th to 15th, Newman Theatre, Kansas City Weeks of June 21st and 28th, Metropolitan Theatre, Los Angeles ^ SAIUNC S. S. SIERRA, JUIY 8tk For a Fourteen Weeks' Tour of Australia ALL C0MIMUNICATI0N8 CARE OF WILLIAM MORRIS 1499 Broadway NEW YORK CITY The Keith circuit has booked Mme. Johanna Gadskl for a tour opening at the Palace In September. Thie booking is reported to be the biggest "name" to have ever been engaged for vaudeville. The salary is said to be $3,500. Gadskl left the United States following our entry into the war. She was the wif^ of a Qerman offi- cer and looked upon as an alien en- emy, In the technical sense. The star Is now In Europe play- ing concert engagements, but she returned the signed contracts to her agent. Ford Stoker, this week. Mme. Oadskl will b« remembered for her brilliant work In the Met- ropolitan Opera repertoire nine or ten years ago when she co-etarred with Caruso. Bond, eto. Old Ford, All DoUed Up, Gels Offer of $3,000 Stands—Making Seattle by July 10, Mayl aHay WUl Talk En Route, WhUe Carr Ti Pictures—Pat McGowan as Secretary to Both scon TURNS DOWN SUGGESnON OF FUND Will "Battle Another Year While Feet Last" —Only Dancer Clogging 6 Minutes T«t me battle 'em for another year while the feet last—then we'll see," said Mike Scott, when in- formed It had been broached that a fund be raised through Variety for him. Not yet," said Mike. "When the dogs fail me, then maybe, to pay the room rent. That's all I want." Monday morning as tha truck Capt. Irvine O'Hay and Carr do tbelr auto touring 1b st in front of Variety's offlce on street, a bystander, after taking look inside, offered Mr. Carr tt,( for tha "Pullman." Ernie replied there were too : appllcatlona ahead and, as they a date for Monday evening Charlie Aklrich's house at Kreeho N. J., the intending purchaser wou have to wait until they returned' New York In October. Messrs. O'Hay and Carr made a verltatle "Pullman t out of the Ford bus they traveled! last summer. The truck carr^ well-built bunks, has an electr lighting system, swinging bath ti at the rear, medicine chest, canni food chest and, in fact, not an in< Mike Scott reached New York of space has been lost or wastJ Saturday after a season on the road. Mike didn't say where he had been playing but it was a $26 Jump to Broadway and that near cleaned Michael. Mike is 61 and has been dancing so long, he said, he danced two front teeth out. Mike showed where the teeth used to be. Mike also says he's a novelty dancer now, the only dogger who dances six min- utes. Mike sniffs at the }X)ung fel- lows who dance a minute and then gasp for breath. Mike gives hi.s routine on the road as talking for threo minutes, danc- ing for six minutes and then, after (Continued on Page 10) THEFTS ON SMALL TIME Continue—Dressing Rooms Robbed —Lax Door-tenders Back-stage thievery is again on the small-time circuits. A number of acts have reported their dressing rooms rifled while on the stage, with money and wardrobe taken. The thefts are charged to the lax- ity of stage door-tenders who have been permitting almost anybody to pass through on the alightest sub- terfuge. It is figured the thefts are committed by people familiar with the theatre. In several Instances where actors have suffered petty losses house managers have made good. Most of the small-time houses af- fected have posted signs in bold type warning acts they will no long- er be responsible for losses through theft or anything else. within or without the craft. During the trip Capt. OHay h^ several dates to aldress banque and Ernie Carr says he will span the time taking kodak pictures. T1| two veterans have taken along secretary for both Pat McGows the midget. Besides acting as retary, driver, cook and carekei Pat will also make use of the tyj writer and keep track of O'Hay dates. The truck Is headed for Cini nati as the first grand atop. It proceed through Ohio, stop Chicago and thence through tt northwest to Seattle. Mr. Carr (Continued on page 41) 7 PEOPLE FOR $350 Suit Started Against C. W. Morgaij stem by Dan Ptatkirt COURT SETTLES RIGHTS "Bright and Early" Property McQreevy and Paters of Chicago, June 3. In an action befora Judge Lynch, McGreevy and Peters (vaudeville) were awarded the sole right to use the sketch, "Bright and Early," in vaudeville. The act was written by Jack Lalt and formerly played by McGreevy and Dcyle. McOreevy and Doyle severed their vaudeville and matrimonial part- nership, Miss Doyle continuing to ust the skit, claiming equal owner- ship In it. Frank McQreevy formed a part- nership with Viola Peters and took the matter into court. ___^__^^ OLSEN BROS. RIVALS But In Frisco but at Houses Different San Francisco, June I. ^ The Olsen Brothers api>eared as vaudeville rivals here last Week, both offering the same sort of an act but at different theatres. Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson were featured at the Orpheum and staged the "afterpiece" at that house, while at the Golden Gate Alexandria and Olsen were also featured in the "afterpiece," styled "A Clown Frolic." The "afterpieces'* at both theatres were the hits of the bills. IDA HACK GOES INTO SHOW Ida Mack (Regal and Mack) opens with Lew Field's "Melody Man," at the 4»th St., tonight (Wednesday). Regal and Mack were a standard vaudeville acflintil WilUam Mack entered the agency business. Miss Mack has continued alone. She will work opposite Sammy White in the show, but until the latter's knee (which he twisted last week), gets better the double dances will be omitted. Saul Street, attorney at 175 Flf avenue (Flatlron building) is papers In behalf of Dun Platk against C. W. Morganstern, money alleged to be due him on unfilled contract to play three week with a company of seven people the Caruso theatre, 237 Broadway. Platkin claims ha played tf weeks upon a stipulated price $350 for himself and company, the second week' he only receive $206, and not a cent the third wc LIGHTS OPENING L. I. Actors' Club Has Spent $2S,i Upon Improvements The Lights Club of Freeport, th( Long: Island actors' social society over the summer will have Its for mal opening June 14 or IS. Its 1 formal opening was on Decoratl< Day with a cold evening, but drati Ing a better crowd the follow!: Saturday night. | About $25,000 has been spent bn the club in Improving its clubhousM and YH-operty. the beach especlallrl receiving attention. ' Harry Mandel Marrying Harry Mandel, the publicist for the B. S. Moss houses and inter* ests, is joining the benedicts' ranks this Thursday (June B). Mandel is marrying Gertrude Sachs, non-pro- fessional, the nuptials taking place in Brooklyn. Belle Storey's New Act Belle Storey is going to do a new act in vaudeville. With an accom* panist, a concert pianist, she will sing new songs. William Shilling Is repreeenxlnf her. Newport, Stirk and Parker Apart Philadelphia, June 3. The aot of Newport, Stlrk and Parker dissolved here Saturday, fol- lowing their engagement at the Knickerbocker. Hal Newport and Bus Parker continue aa • two-aot. Jos. Finn Return* Chicago, June S. Joseph Finn, vice-president of the Orpiheum Circuit, arrived Saturday from Europe. Withers Returning to England (Tharlea Withers w}ll return to England for another trip around in 'Tor Pity's Baka." Dsncer's Suspended Sentence Los Angeles, June I. Charles B, De Vauke, a form** dancer with a vaudeville act, ra* celved a suspended sentence trotB Judge Keetoh after having pleaded guilty to a charge of forgery. Adel* Rowland May Try VaudevHK Los Angeles, June I- Adele Rowland, who la In N«^ York, may negotiate for a raturn *i tii« stage by vaudeville.