Variety (June 1924)

;;«waF'- 44«it :;r».:-'^."'^iftwifciiin'. Wednesday. June 11, WtJ CABARETS VAUDEVILLE VARIETY r The Ab« Lyman Orchestra pitked •up a tough asBlKnment for a New Tork restaurant when accepting the ABtor Hotel roof, but It looka aa though the western band Is a driiwlng card there regardlees. The band i« in at »1.760 weekly for live weeks with an option. The Roof closes nightly at 12:80, and doesn't sell a thing. Not even the waiters dare take a chance. It's » big roomy roof aeatfaig 700 around the Jarges (but oblong) dance floor in the cabaret halls. The hotel management Is well Batisfled with Lyman, however, lince It has been frequently doing around $4,000 a night. It is neces- ■ary for the Roof to do 12,800 to break. The cover charge is 60 cents. Owing to the formation of the roof and the location of the band, ampUners have been Installed, also microphones. Just above the band- stand which is In the center of the room, is a large opening lead- ing Into the lobby, starting about midway u'l the wall. This Is h.irm- ful to the music and acoustic?, although Lyman had the Roof gauged right p.":out three nights after he opened. •The coast bandmaster is liberal with encores but he mokes them short and plays all styles of dance inu.<:io. At tha Palace, New York, as a vaudeville act. Lyman's was a regular hit from the start and would havr remained over If a pro- duction act, also with a band, liad not been previously booked. Lyman may go back to the Falace for a run. It is said that Lyman has had an offer for the new Ziegfeld "Fol- lies," and for the Cascades (roof) at the Hotel Biltmore, with Paul Whiteman also reported having re- ceived a nitmore offer. Whiteman Is reported too busily engaged framing up for his big concert tour In the fall to listen to summer pro- posals, though no one can tell, for the Biltmore may make it high enou^. At the Astor Lyman la similar In situation as a band as Vincent Lopez has been at the Hotel Penn- sylvania. The Pennsylvania is a great publicity center for Lopez. With its 2,000 rooms, and always fairly well flllcd, Lopez has been playing to people all over the coun- try, who have advertised him when they got back home. At the Astor a similar crowd will hear Lyman. That character of publicity may be superior to the radio for value, as tiopez already has . discovered through the constant demand for him. Lopez playing at both conven- tions this week and next is a big feather for any musician. Reports from the West about Ly- inan before he reached New Tork ■aid he was there, and he Is; also making the same Impression when ■topping off at the Palace, Chicago, for two weeks on the way in. A new London cabaret show was •pened in the former Elysee Res- taurant in Piccadilly, now re-named the Cafe de Paris. It waa inaugu- rated May 28 under the direction of Harry Foster and Edward Dolly. There was revealed a most ex- eellent entertainment of its kind, consisting of eight numbers, run oft In 40 minutes and without a hitch. Martin Broones* starts the show seated at his little piano and con- tinues at the Ivories for the entire entertainment, either singing ex- planatory announcements of what the others are about to do or join- ing in with them. His flrst number Is done with aid of eight girls. This Is quickly followed by Jinos and tolette, a mixed dancing team who have some acrobatic stepping that appears to be Just a little different from anything heretofore shown. Of a totally different class of dancing are Charles Brooks and Winnie Collins, favorites, as \n al.so Velma Dcane, with the eight chorus girls. After this. Charles Brooks does a single number made up an Pellx, the Cat. followed by Miss Collins in evening dress, but not sufficiently encompasslns to con- ceal her phy.sioi pulchritude. Jinos and Lolette offer an Apache number in .-tppropriate make-up. after whiii; tile entire comiiany, in- cluding Uroones, gyrate, wris;;l?- twist, squlim. undulate, Offir.atP. agitate, pulsate, quiver, quake and totter to the music of an insidiou.i rag melody, during which they mut- ter some kind of a lyric advir.inc those present to do the Beedle'-uin- Bee." Th« largar cabarets In Greenwich vaiatre appear to ba "taking" all tha patronage that floats down that way aa a reault of the small cabaret owners adding a cover charge to the total of the check. The little places haven't much to otter, aa entertainment goes, and the added cover Is not calculated to bring any of the patrons back a second time. Some vlsltora go thence to the "apeak eaales," but the majority of those who And they have to pay 60 to 75 centa for near beer and aoft stuff have gone direct to the more expensive places, where no ppeciai objection can be made to the check. Injunction orders preliminary to padlocking were issued this week against the Silver Slipper Cafe, Rendezvous, Piccadilly and Berto- lotti'a. at 85 West Third street. New York, for liquor violations. The Rendezvous and Piccadilly, both In the same building on West 4Sth street, and belonging to Gil Boag, had closed, anticipating the order. The Silver Slipper was opened less than a year ago with Van and Schenck and Billy Grady Interested up to 50 per cent between them, the team owing 40. After the liquor pinch a few weeks ago. Van and Schenck sold their interest to Grady, who in turn sold out his then half interest to the remaining partners. The latest closings following the Salvin wholesale padlocking have made the mid-center town places that sell a little panicky. Some say they can't make money if they don't sell. Closings in this way have made it fine for the speak easics and also good for the peddlers of poison booze. Including beer. The Silver Slipper, when it flrst opened, and for several weeks after- ward, did a weekly gross business of between 110,000 and $12,000, giv- ing the house a profit of over $8,000 a week. WOMEN CAN JOIN JEWISH THEA. GUILD Meeting Decides It by Vote Non-Professionals as As- sociate Members Martha Pryor, in the revue at the Silver Slipper Cabaret, was sum- moned to appear before Magistrate House in Traffic Court, next week, to explain why she was operating an automobile in Columbus Circle, a few mornings ,ago, at 3 o'clock, without an operator's license. After work was over, Martha rode up- town in Michael J. Duffy's car. and undertook to drive it. She came very close to running down Patrol- man Cunningham, of the West 47th street station. When he asked her for her license, Ma^ha didn't have It. David Fink, one of the partners in the newly opened Forum cafe, on the roof of the Forum theatre, Los Angeles, has brought suit against his partner. A. S. Daneman, to bring about dissolution of part- nership. He also aska for an ac- counting and receiverahip in the action filed in the Superior Court. According to Fink, the busfness was established May 5, 1924, and that ever since there has been nothing but disputes and disagreements and no way of effecting a reconcili- ation. Wilh'am J. Nolan, 64. a cafe owner of St. Louia. died at his home In that city May 4. Mr. Nolan was also the secretary-treasurer of the Humler ft Nolan Cigar Co. of the Hotel Beelbach. The deceased knew many profes- sionals and was popular with them. He waa a close friend of Eddie Mack, the 46th street clothier. Hattia Altheff has succeeded Anna Chandler aa the chief enter- tainment feature at the Club Cadix, Philadelphia. Miss Althoft was pre- viously featured in the floor show at the Club Fronton In Greenwich Vil- lage. With Benjamin Rothwell, James Morgan and George Kreer having tiiken over the Cafe Petroushka. Hollywood, a new revue opened there last Thursday night. Jim and Retty Morgan head the list of en- tertainers and are aided by Kinney and Lcc and .ithera. Kreei' is ni:ir- aging the estDMishment. Fanchcn produced a new revue .nt the Plantation, Los Angclca. la!^t week. Among the entertainers are Suzcite and David Murray, danc- ers; Krne.st MorriHin, tenor; I'.u genie Felner. comedienne; t'la.\ Stearns and Jac(iue!lnc Drew. Joe Brown hts ha<I himself iti- : ()ri>orated for the purpoco of open- ing a chop-hoiiStT In 4|tH ^l>'ef b oi^ The Jewish Theatrical Guild of America adopted a resolution last Thursday night, at the meeting in the Bijou theatre, under which women of the Jewish faith, or who acknowledge Judaism, become ac- tive members of the Guild. Pro- fessional women taken into the Guild will be of equal standing with the men. and non-professional women will be classified as asso- ciate members. The vote was unanimous. The meeting started at 11.30 in t'.ie Shubert-donated theatre, and lasted about two hours and a half. William Morris, president of the Guild, was In the chair. The word "acknowledge" was substituted for "embrace" in the resolution, and the change waK viewed as wholly satisfactory. Another meeting of the Guild ha« been set for tomorrow (Thursday June 12) night, also at the BJlou Theatre on West 4Bth sctreet, at 11:15. It will be an open meeting for members and non-members, women and men. V. A. F. Wins Battle From Engfish A. A. London, June 10. The battle between the Va- riety Artists' Federation (non- union) and the Actors' Asso- ciation (union) has been won by the former, the V. A. F. having gained unconditional recognition of its card. There will now be r.n armis- tice before t'le storm breaks out again on other points. Meanwhile, the A. A. has rented a theatre in Barrow, the starting point in the war, and is running a stock season un- der the direction of Ernest E. Norris. NEW ACTS Muriel Sisters, harpists, about IS years each. Rose Mary PfafI, soprano, from San Francisco, with another woman. Miss Pfaff was a member of thi "Music Box Revue'' company last year. Jean Adair has shelved "The Cake Eaters" and is rehearsing a new skit by Elaine Sterne entitled "Three's a Crowd" for an early showing on the Keith circuit Her supporting cast includes Jane Lon- don, Margaret Lee and Leo Chalzell. Joe Verdi and Lous Lewis (The Piottis) are having a new Italian character comedy act written for them by Andy Rice, entitled "The Candidate." Dave Kramer and Jack Boyle are going to put on a new act within the next few weeks that will have an orchestra. Fred W. Taylor and Olive La Compte, two-act. Spencer Case and Edith Cavanaugh have dissolved partner- ship. Case will rejoin his former partner, Harry Mallan. "SPTSAKEASIES" HAVE RADIOS "Speakeasies" In the Times square section ar!> installing radios to supplant expensive music and entertainers. "During the ear'.." evening" one of the radio bosses said, "our pat- rons are too yober to be annoyed by the radio. As the evening wears on they don't seem to notice the radio at all." NEWS OF THE DAILIES Justice Tierney In the Supreme Court, .\ew York City, has decided that Ilonnle Magtnn, comedienne and dancer not so many year* ago, will have to appear for examination before the trial of her suit against John T. Davis, of Elkins, W. Va., to enforce the payment of $300 a month. The former actre.ss must say whether she knew Davis was married at the time the alleged promise of marriage was given; whether she gave any consideration for the promise and for an alleged consideration to pay her $300 a month for life, and whether she ever released Davis from the al- leged claim for a valid considera- tion before she filed suit. She con- tends through her attorneys that her friendship with Davis began 21 years ago and continued for more than seven years. Davis asserts Miss Maginn knew he was mar- ried. EAHN BANS AT BUTHORE Roger Wolfe Kahn and his band will be heard in the Cascade room of the Hotel Biltmore. Before the end of June the boys go to Europe to give a series of concerts. posite the Friars. Joe is well known along Broadway. Martin Black haa succeeded George Kreer as manager of the Plantation, Los Angeles. ILL AND INJURED Don Romaine (Cahill and Ro- malne), while en route to open at New Brunswick, N. J., June 2, was removed from the train at Manliat- tan Transfer and hurried to the Frendi hospital in 34th street. New York city, where he was operated on for appendicitUB. Earl Cavanaugh and Co. have been compelled to shelve their tab- loid musical. "Blossom Rest," due to the featured player having con- tracted laryngitis. Marie Cavanagh (Cavanagh and Cooi)er) is seriously ill in the Mt. Hamilton Hospital, Hamilton, Can- ada. Miss Cavanagh whs stricken on the stage and rushed to the hos- pital for an immediate operation for appendicitis. Isaac Kaufman, vaudeville broker who was operated on for appendi- citis and who returned to business apparently much Improved, was taken III again, and is saia to be suffering from a relap.se. His con- dition is serious. .M.idlyn King (S'evens and King) underwent an opc'i-..t;c>n and is re- cover.nj; at the Hotel Savoy, Cleve- land. Frank .Tones of the Keith oflice staff in Xew York has been ill at home for a couple of weeks. Jo.seph She ,"the vaudeville agent- producer, is ill at his farm in Bccket. Mass. Corlnne Sales (Dooley and Sales) was taken seriously ill Sunday at r.octor's Fifth Avenue, New York, necessitating J. Francis Dooley to hurriedly rehearse Florence Daugh- erty, one of the eight Folly Girls at the house, as a substitute part ner. Grace Eowen. model for a cloth- ing house, kidnaped in a tuxicab, choked, beaten and threatened with death, appeared before Magistrate Weil in t)^ YurkviHe Court last Friday as the^omplaintant against David Goldberg, 202 West p:nd ave- nue, and Thomas Brannigan. 148 West 67th street, charged with hav- ing attempted to attack her. Miss Bowen was hurrying ° for a doctor for her sister. Mrs. Helen Graves, and sh# called the taxi. When she "screamed while in Central Park the men threw her out of the taxi. An- other taxi came up and F. C. Bruns of West New York, the chauffeur, took the girl to a doctor's offlce and furnished the police with the num- ber of the taxicab operated by the men Miss Bowen said attacked her. The police got the pair and they were held for a further hearing. Jeanne Gordon of the Metropoli- tan Opera Company. New York, who was divorced from Ralph II. .Trlx, wealthy Detroit real estate broker, has obtained the custody of the daughter. Jane, under an amended decree allowed by Circuit Court Judge Henry A. Mandell, in Detroit. Trix. who had the custody of the fl-year-old girl in the orig- inal decree. Instituted proceedings to have the case reopened because of an infei-ence that the opera singer was not allowed to have her daughter with her. The petition for the amended decree was granted without argument. Despatches from France tell how a Paris court has granted a divorce decree to Mme. Louis Verneuii on the ground of mutual fault. She was formerly Mile. Lyiane Bern- hardt, granddaughter of Hanih Bernhardt, and her husband Is one of the ino.si successful playwrights in France. They have a litllo daugliter to whom "the r.vlne f-'nruli" was especially devoted. After the death of the great tragc- dicnnc, AI. Verneul claimed the riyrht to the lease of the Theatric j Sarah Kernhardt, but lost his crise againut the city of Paris, which owns the theatre. Supreme Court Justice Wagner in New York City has reserved deci- sion on the petition of Mrs. Shirley Black, leading lady in "The Lady in Ermine," for absolute di.-orce from John S. Black,' song writer. Testimony presented by Richard E. Walsh, counsel for Mrs. Black, named a chorus girl 6f "Vanities" aa co-respondent. Mrs. Klack said the first intimation she had of a rival was given her by Jaspar Cole, her husband's valet. Doug Fairbanks has received the decoration of Office of Public In- struction in France. Gloria Swanson has bought from Mare de Palkowska a 40-acrc estate at Croton-on-the-Hudson. . EQUITY AND SANDALS' (Continued from page 1) Apollo June 30. although White la believed to be on the round robin side of the managers-Ektuity argu- ment. There are 110 persons in tha "Scandals," ail independent with the exception of seven, the latter be- longing to Equity. It la claimed that most of the Equity people in the show have Ions term pay or play contracts, with no mention of Equity and that such agreements will not be interfered with. In that classification are said to be Tom Patricola and the Lightner Sisters who are from vaudeville. One cast member is known to hold an Equity contract, antedating the strike, however. White anticipates no trwiiJe with stage hands or musicians ©ver the Rquily situntion and therefore expects to be able to play his show "Vlthout deference to Equity. It will be the first attraction on an Independent basis since the strike that will not have the 100 per i,ent Kfiuity requirements stipulat- ed by^ Equity for an Independent S.10W. ....,»-.,..,