Variety (June 1924)

Wednesday, June 11,1984 N LEGITIMATE VARIETY GUEST STAR** IN STOCK NO LONGER PROFITABLE FOR HOUSE Stock Managers Prefer Regular Gimpaniet— Novelty Worn OfF Visiting Players—Florence Reed's Flop at Washington. The popularltr of the "(UMt ptar" arrangement In stock la de- cidedly on the wane. In previous years legit stars and near stars featured In plays enjoyed a, lucrative revenue with the sum- mer stocks at salaries much larger than their set legit figures In the plays they had appeared In. With the scheme new it was a monify maker for the house. It continued to make money until the atunt became general. Stock managers now prefer to do any plunging they can l-.i securing new bills, and keeping together strong companies rather than book- ing In expensive players, who des- pite any drfiwing power in the metropolitan cities had none in the smaller communities. The "guest star" system has provert Its futility this season, tieonard Wood's attempt with Florence Reed in Washington, D. C. was a striking example. Miss Reed, In "The Lullaby" at the Knickerbocker, Nev.- York, had seldom drawn under $16,000 n?ekly grosses for ntany wec'.is, yet In the stock presentation in Washington, and with the same show, classified as sensationally sexy, thj niace did scarcely $2,500 on the week. CHOICE FOR MUSICALS "Irene" and "Qingham Qirl" Equally Popular " "Irene" and "The Qingham Girl" seem to be running neck and neck for popular honors in the stock bills and are practically crowding out the other pieces available for stock pur- poses. The condition Is said to be prompted by the,, fact that both pieces are released in two versions, one with chorus and the other with- out. The latter version is exception- ally popular in small town stocks that do not wish to incur the extra expense and trouble of paying and drilling a chorus <or the single week showing. In the chorusless version a male or female quartet is substituted to carry the harmony of the song num t>er8 and in most instances the prin cipals carry the songs alone. New Stock at Qlickman'a in Fall Chicago, June 10. Olickmna's Palace will close for the season today. The house will reopen in August with a new stock. STOCKS The Lillian 4>e8monde stock com- pany will open the summer season at the Idora Park Casino Theatre, Idora Park, O., next week and has elected as the Initial offering "The Alarm Clock." The company comes to Youngs- town almost intact from a recent run in Massachusetts. Besides Miss Desmonde the members of the or- ganization are William Courneen, Johnny Rowe, Marie Fountain, Ger- .ald Lundegare, Gordan Mitchell, Ruth Frederica,. George Kennth, James Wells, H. H. Fitch, J. Ham- mond and George Brown. Matinees will be given the last tour days of each week, the weekly performances being limited to lO- The players Guild has begun its kecond summer of stock dramatic productions at the Davidson, Mil- waukee, under the direction of James Gleason. In the company are Elizabeth Risdon, Robert 4rm- •trong, Lucile Webster, John Thorn, Harry Irving, John Ravdld, Doris Kelly, Mrs. M. C. Gleason and Quarburton GuHbert. The com- pany's opening bill was "The First Year," followed by a play called ^Oypsy Jim." "Secrets" Is this Week's bill. An entirely new company of 10 persons, only one of whom ever played there before, will open the Eiitch's Gardens' summer stock sea- son in Denver June 16. As reported ■ last week, June Walker and Nerval Keedwell will play the leads. Others in the com- pany are Charles Waldron, Dian- the Pattlson, Mable Colcord, Dudley Hawley, George Parren, Helen Bax- ter, Butler Dixon and C. Henry Gordon. Charles E. Blaney, In addition to the Cecil Spooner stock, plans to continue next season at the Metrop- olis, New York, and will organize a new company for the Fifth Ave- nue, Brooklyn, also another for the Strand, Hoboken, N. J. The latter house Is operating with burlesque etock for the summer. Openings of summer stocks schod- iled for the next fortnight include the following: Rollo Lloyds com- pany at Elltch's Gardens, Denver; "Nate Goldstein Players at the Moun- tain Park, Holyoke, Mas.-?.; Guy Harrington's company at Hlngh.im- ton, N. Y., and Lawrence R. Trum- bull at Parmlngton, Me., Juno 23. • Ann Singleton (Mrs. Al Lutt- ''nger) who was reported to have Jeft Al high and dry last week In 'J'^thlehem, Pa., where he Is operat- ing a stocK at the Kurts, denied the substitution of Betty Browne as lead had Anything to do with her departure last week. She had run over to New York to spend the week-end with friends. "Red Kisses" will have its Initial stage presentation by the Prospect stocks, Bronx. It is said to be a combination of sex conditions of other plays. The authors are the Blaney Brothers, Charles and H. Clay. The feminine lead may be played by Cecil Spooner. IT MORE WORRY FOR WIVES OF YUAN, N. Y. Recently Closed Tab Shows Out of Town—Now Comes Musical Stock Company Tommy Whalen is assembling the cast of a musical stock company which will play Yulan, N. Y„ In July, This bit of Information, by itself, won't set the world aflre, but when It Is remembered that the wives of a number of Yulan men recently gave the blonde* and bru- nettea of a road tab show just a few moments to get out of the place a lo.t of people can see right oft Just what ma)r happen In Yulan when the Whalen beauties arrive. The Yulan stock company will play two shows a week for an indefi- nite period. $10,000 FOR SERIAL "Down My Street" Charlotte - Carter's Story The Shuberts may produce "The Kid Himself," a comedy drama, in the fall. Bernard Shubert, the author but na relative, is collaborating on a drama with Charlotte Carter, former actress and newspaperwoman. Miss Carter Is aald to have re- ceived (10,000 for her serial atory, "Down My Street," and claimed to be a true story of Broadway. LOVE AflS POUCE Indianapolis, June 10. France* Barczynskl, 18, of Chi cago. came here for the speedway races. A hotel clerk fell In love with her and proposed. Frances said she had danced In "Melody and Art." InjChlcago. While wait- ing to glve^he clerk her mo- mentous "answer," Frances ran out of funds, and "borrowed" MO from a room-mate with which to return to Chi. The room-mate told the police and detectives recovered the money. The local police say they will re- turn Frances over to her parents if they will send her the money to pay for her transportation. "Home," a new comedy by Viola Brothers Shore, Action writer, and Hale Hamilton, is' being given a trial this week, by the Poll Players a.C the Palace. Hartford. The piece Is owned by John Golden, A. H. Van Buren is directing. The wind-up of the Alhambra, Brooklyn, N. Y„ stock season Saturday showed a handsome profit on the consecutive engagement of the company under Cecllf Owen's direction. The Lakewood, Me., stock opens Its 24th season June 16, with Barry Whltcomb again directing. Among its members are John Harrington, Robert Hudson, Nicholas Joy, Jean Adair, Dorothy Stickney, Georgie Backus. KAT SOBSOH IK "SHOW-OFT' Augustus Pitou is seeking terri- torial rights to "The Show-Oflt" for next season. He win star Majr Rob- son In the role Helen Lowell la now playing, if he Is eucceaefuL FATHE'S STOCK AT OOFLET Iden Pajm* will take over the Copley, Boston, for a summer sea- son of stock, beginning June tl. Joe Cook Starred—Ned Wayburn May Stage Carroil'a Show Earl Carroll'B "Vanltlea" win aUr Joe Cook, no other name appearing on the title of the rerue or in the billing. The forthcomlns Teralon may have to seek « new home, aa Flo Ziegfeld has an option on the Biajrl Carroll theatre Sept I, when the present renting arrangement ex- pires. A report this week aald Ned Wayburn may stage the new "Vani- ties." DISPUTE OVER SUITE Author or Producers Must Pay MoAlpin Hotel $1,000 Somel>ody owes the Hotel McAlpin a bill of $1,000 for a suite of three rooms occupied for six weeks by Irving Kaye Davis, author of "The Right to Dream," now playing the Punch and Judy. Mr. and Mrs. Davis (Bertha Broad, star of the play) used the suite for rehearsals, also, but Davis explains that he accepted the ar- range.tient in lieu of $500 advance royalty when S. K. and B, S. Knauer agreed to produce the play. The hotel management gave the bill to Davis, who directed that It be given to >he Knauers. They passed it back and said Dav is should pay It. Meanwhile the hotel has informed Davis of its intention to sue him. The play Is getting a break and wl!i. It Is reported, clear a profit on a $2,O0S weekly gross. Equity nas permitted the show to close any time without notice. MBS. COHN 0ISCHAS6ED Mrs. Louis Cohn, wife of the ticket broker, arrested last Friday for violating qne of *te newest traf- fic regulations, which makes it a misdemeanor to park a car on cer- tain streets, was discharged when arraigned in the YorkviUe Traffic Court on Saturday last. Mrs. Cohn became so Incensed at the police- man's attitude toward her that she struck him on the Jaw. In court, the magistrate censured the ttollceman. He said a warning Is sufficient until the driving public Is given a fair opportunity to be- come fimlllar with the new "don'ts.' SUIT OYEB "FLOF" SHOW Henry Manklewlcx, dramatic writer on the New York "Times,' has been sued for $S00 by Arthur H. Gutman, music arranger and composer. Mankiewlcz was one of the producers of "Round the Town," which flopped. The claim I* for orchestrations, the defendant hav- ing engaged Gutman. Gutman says the other pro- ducers are not involved. ATTEKFTS SUICIDE Sidney Schender, 22, chorus man, rented a room in a house on 19th street, last Sunday, paid for it In advance, and a few hours later turned on the gas In an attempt to end Ills life. Other roomers, traced the gas and broke Into the room. Schender was taken to Bellevue Hospital after a pulmotor had been used. He will recover, and tell his story In Jefferson Market CourL WITH THE AGENTS ' Charles Bradbury, ahead of "The Gingham Girl," Is on Broadway prior to spending the summer at hla home. Emmett Callahan was back with this show. Louis Reld did some special prese work on "The Fatal Wedding" at the Ritz. Ed Paul Is handling the advance for "Mud," although It Is understood that the show will open "cold" in New York according to present arrangements. Mike Shannon recently sold hie New Jersey theatrical circuit to Walter J. Reade and came to New York Thursday to hold a reunion with many of the managers and agents with shows who at one time - played some of Mike's houses. Al. Herman, who managed the "Whispering Wires" show on its trip to the Coast, is on Broadway. Dan Slattery was the man ahead. Lepn Victor and Artiiur Ryan, who' handled one of "The Covered Yi^agon" road outfits, have returned to Broadway. William Roddy and Lee Ryley, management and advance for one of "The Covered Wagon" outfits, are back In New York. VICTOR HERBERT'S WILL HEW COAST FLAT Los Angeles, June 10. Ftank E^gan will shortly put Into rehearsal "Money, Money" a comedy drama wlilch he and Charlton Andrews adapted firom Ander Gabin'a Hungarian play, of-the same name. Howard Hall, who played the title role in "The Old Soak," when Jack Roselelgh, regular lead with the Hudson stock. Union Hill, N. J., failed to put in an appearance last week, will continue as leading man with the organization. Halll Jumped into the title role of "The Old Soak" last week at a few hours' notice. Jack Roselelgh, leading man, was indisposed. Hall continued through- out the week. Howard Hull Jumped Into the title role of "The Old Soak, played by the Hudson Stock Company, Union Hill, N. J., last week, at a few hours notice. Jack Roselelgh, leading man, w.is indisposed. Hall continued throughout the week. The rivalry existing between the two mystery plays, "The Bat" and "Cat and the Canary," for stock presentation seems to keep the lat- ter In the lead principally becau.se of the lower royalty staked for It, Wall.ico Ford, who riosed with Pigs," which had Its Initial show- ing at ' AtlanUc City, last week, leaves for Cleveland. He will Join Denver Dramatle Critic Reslgna Denver, June 10. Frank E. White, for years dra- matic critic of the Denver Poat, has resigned from that poslttoln and will handle publicity for the Bllbch's Gardens, stock, this season. White is regarded aa one of the foremost critics of the Weat. •Old Heidelberg" Revival The Shuberta may revive "Old Heidelberg" with an all-star cast for summer presentation. Rumor aays rehearsals will start in about two weeks, with SIgmund Romberg to modernize the score. the Bob McLaughlin Plajrera for three weeks. " , ; ■ The C. D. Peruchl Players closed last week at the Lyrlo Knoxvllle, Tcnn., and opened Monday at the Bijou, Chatanooga. for a summer run'. The same company la retained. The Duffy stock at Montreal Is trying out this week the Milton Her- bert Cropper play, "Ladloa of the Evening." Jamee Crane in Hospital I Chicago, June !•. James Crane Is in a hospital here for an operation. He was to have starred la "On the Stairs," at the Central, but has been replaced by Jack Motte, who came from a^Dee Molnea stook com- pany. Chi Shows Start at 8:48 Chicago, June 10. "Oil the etalrs" and "The Wer- wolf" open at 8:16 nightly, owing to the operation of the daylight'sav- ing ordinance. The first matinee of the lattef production was called off because of the small audience. Byrne's Road Musical Jack Byrne Is casting a new mus- ical from his own pen, entitled "A Night on Broadway," planned aa a roaul attraction. Alberta Davidson heads the cast, which includes the White Sisters. "Sweet Little Devil" for Road I>awrence Schwab is recastlntr "The Sweet Little Devil" for an- other try on the road, scheduled for opening late In July. ENGAGEMENTS Phil Dwyer, "The Purple Co*,' Musical Comedy C^uilil production. Eetate Valued at |38,00Q, But Roy- alties Will Inoreaa* Victor Herbert. In hla wlU filed for probate In the Surrogates' Court, New Torls City, left aa estate valued at "more than |U,OM.'' The wUl waa dated May St, last * year—one year, lacking two day*, prior to hla death. Mrs. Herbert ia beaueathed the . compoaer'a late home. 111 Weat 108th street: a third Interest in the composer's copyrights, and a haM interest in the retl^iie of the eatate. Ella Herbert, the daughter, to bequeathed the other half Intereat In the estate, and a two-thirds ln> terest In the copyright*. paving provided a liberal edu- cation for, and ut time* made fin- ancial advance* to, ClUtord Herbert, the son, the compoaer provided • cash bequest In his wUl of |10,00« for blm. Accrued royalttoa from aheet music and mechanleal reproduction* will make the estate much larger than the approximated cum off «>' $3G,000, It la thought "TBT IT WITH AIICE^" HEW "Try It With Alice," a new farce- comedy by Allen Lelber, Is *ohed- uled to open at the 5Znd Street the- atre, June 21. The producer Is A. J. Malby, with the ahow being staged by Claud E. Archer. In the cast are B. 8. Lewln, Ted W. Gibson, Frank Martina. W. U Thome, Joan Storm, Beatrice Maude, Lucetta Parker, Jack Stew- art. On the abort road trip, Robert '> Spohn will handle the press work^ while Malby will act as the com> pany manager. FOX STUDIO CHAH0E8 Lo* Angeles, June 1' Ben Jackson, recently made gen- eral studio manager of the Fox stu- dios, supplanting Fred Kley, haa appointed Richard Donaldson, for- mer business manager, as his as- sistant, replacing Arthur Cee. Te take over Donaldson's Job he haa assigned Harry Bailey from the capacity of a company buainea* manager. Bailey at one time was manager of the Alhambra, New York. "CQAMF KISSER" ifAm ^Tf S Cleveland, June 10. Vera King and Morris Lederer were married here, leaving for Ry« N. Y., to spend their honeymoon. Mrs. Lederer Is a former chonia girl In "Vanities." and Mr. Lederer is a Cleveland merchant. "No, No, Nanette" Personnel Chicago, June 10. Anna Wheaton has returned te the cast of "No, No, Nanette," and Muriel Hudson has stepped out. Louise Groody Is featured. al« though Blanche Ring has arrived t* replace Georgia O'Ramey la th* <Mune show. Mrs. Fiske Close* Mrs Fixke, In "Helena's Boy*,* dosed Haturday at the Sbubert* Itivlera.