Variety (July 1924)

VARIETY LEGITIMATE TTiTi'.T- •e;"-" f^i Wednesday, July 2, 1924 UTHE THEATRES BUFFALO PLAYERS ("ADAM AND EVA") BufTalo, July 1. No estimate of the local theatrical season just passed would be com- plete without some consideration of the activities of the Buffalo Players. Within the past two seasons this hardy young organization has grown from a hesitant embryo into a •turdy representative institution which has Ijegun to reflect with more than a fair degree of accuracy many of the diversitled elements in the city's heterogenous population. The Players now has a real the- atre of its won, a staff of technical experts front and back stage, and a membership which practically as- sures its productions of flnanclal Buccess. The enterprise is now self- supporting and without endowment. Most of the credit for the present •tatus goes to C. Pascal Franchot, a wealthy young Buffalo lawyer, who la also behind the Garry Mc- Oarry ventures. Franchot was for- merly active in dramatics at Tale and by avocation is an ardent devo- tee of the theatre. To his unflag- ging efforts aa organizer, backer and actor the Players owes most of Us enviable position, popularity and Buccess. "Adam and Eva" is the sixth and final production made by the Play- ers this season. Like its predeces- sors. It is scheduled for a week's showing at the Playhouse. The Players this year have done "R. U. R.," "Seven Keys to BaldpsCte," "Captain Applejack" and a new Cosmo Hamilton piece with marked success at the box office. All of the productions have been under the direction of Brie S. Snowden, who, considering the limitations of talent and material, has proved himself little short of a miracle man. The presentations have been of a uniformly high standard on the production end, the mounting and costuming also being of uni- form excellence. In the lighting de- partment Snowden has accom- plished extraordinary results, with the back-stage handling partaking somewhat of the nature of an ex- perimental workshop. It the acting has not always been np to the uniform high quality of the productions, the shortcomings have been directly attributable to natural conditions. Snowden's pol- icy appears to have been, within bounds, to allow the casts to de- velop their characterizations along lines of their own Interpretation. In this way whatever has been lost in ensemble effect has been more than made up in the individual naturalness and restraint of the players. The present production of "Adam and Eva" Illustrates most of the foregoing. The performance runs with an even tempo and is brightly staged and acted. It appeared to find favor with the local public de- spite the lateness of the season and the handicap of a protracted hot spell. The play Is well suited to this type of interpretation, being about evenly balanced for male and female roles. Difficulty has been experienced in securing sufficient male actors and Snowden himself was at the last moment forced to assume one of the leading roles. On the feminine end the field seems to be well crowded with most of the real talent being displayed by the feminine contin- gent. Snowden has been re-engaged for the 1924-25 season and the program of the Players for the coming year is an ambitious one. One wing of the Players is reported to be strongly In favor of the encourage- ment and development of the native drama. There is no question that the Players have come to occupy a posi- tion of genuine importance in the town's theatrical activities. Burton. GUILD CHARTERED Well Known Names Among Incor- porators Albany, July 1. The Catholic Writers' Guild of America, with offices In New York, has been chartered. The Incorporators are: Martin Green, of the New York "Evening World"; Charles E. McCarthy, di- rector of publicity, Famous Play- ers-Iiasky Corporation; Alfred W. McCann, Wm. B. McCormack, Hugh A. O'Donnell, Arthur Kennedy, Mary Sullivan, Peter B. Kyne, Charles V. Connolly, Kathleen NorrlB, Thomas C. Quinn, Frances P. Duffy, Mrs. Thomas A, Mc- Goldrick, Dr. Joseph H. Wade, John J. Wynne, John B. Kelly, Andrew J. McGregot ajid Mary £1. Brennan, all of New York. Among the objects for which the guild had received a charter Is the following: "For the moral and mental Im- provement of all Catholic writers for the press, stage and screen, by' promoting closer and more frequent mutual contact among Catholic writers and to establish permanent headquarters in New York City, which will serve as an open center of Information upon Catholic mat- ters so as to bring them in touch with opportunities for work." The organization also will promote a spirit of tolerance of opinion among religious creeds without sources and matters pertinent to distinction of sect. All kinds of literary works will be provided so as to enable its members and others, both Catholic and non-Catholics, to obtain au- thentic information on matters ger- mane to the Catholic religion. FINANCIAL REPORT MAUDE WnX BESUME Cyril Maude, who was at the Gaiety In "For All of Us," when re- called to England because of Illness In his family. Is expected back in New York next fall to resume in the Lonsdale play where he left off. Frank Gerston Seriously III Frank Gerston, manager of the BlJou, New York, Is confined to bed with heart trouble. He is re ported in serious condition. "Hsr Birthright" Next Fall Edward Peple's new play, "Her Birthright," wljl reach the stage in the fall backed by a new producing company. ENGAGEMENTS Brooks and Ross (formerly at the Tent) (cabaret) "Greenwich Village Follies." Jay Brennan, Stanley Rogers, for "Artists and Models." Eddie Rogers, eccentric dancer, "Innocent Eyes." Mary Jane Kittel, "Greenwich Village Folllee." Margaret Shackleford for "My ■on" (Gustav Blum, Inc.). LITTLE THEATBE HOTES The Arizona Street Players re- cently- presented their fifth produc- tion at the Jardin de Montezuma in Balboa Park, San Diego, Cal., whtre "Robin Hood," an unpublished play by Sybil Eliza Jones, was given. This was the first time the public had been Invited to attend a front lawn theatre production by the youthful players. Mothers acted as hostesses to the public and a committee made an appeal for a proper understanding of the movement for home dra- matics in the following statement: "We are seeking to provide our children and their playmates with the opportunity for wholesome play and self-expression. We have as- signed players their parts, not from the standpoint of the effect on the audience, but rather for the effect on the players, who may be helped thereby to develop qualities they lack." The front lawn theatre idea is being sponsored in San Diego by Community Service. Twelve Indianapolis youngsters of high school and eighth grade ag3 have proven themselves the most successful exponents of the marion- ette theatre in the Hoosier capital. "The Marionettes" club recent- ly gave three finished productions without adult aid, beyond regular instruction one of the members re- ceives at John Herron Art Insti- tute. The members: Charlotte Waln- wrlght, Frances Shera, Nellie Siel- kln, Helen Hyde, Harold Dunkel, Malcom Davidson, Lawrence Price, Charles Cring, Charles McNaull, Norris Houghton, Robert McCul- lough and Comer Day Wolf. Poughkeepsie Community Theatre Ends Season With Balance Poughkeepsie, N. Y., July 1. The flnanclal report of the Pough- keepsie Community Theatre for the liast season shows receipts totaling ^5,469.64 and expenses )S,286.!;8. leaving a balance of tl72.56. The largest single Item In the re- ceipt column is $4,452.32, contrib- uted by subscribers. The largest in- dividual Items in the expense col- umn ore salaries of $1,500 for Frank R. Stout, art director; $1,200 for Mrs. Frank R. Stout, director; $390 for Mrs. Mary Frances Lihoue, assistant director; $260 for Albert I. Bingham, stage manager; $410 for royalties and $408.61 for the pro- duction of "Three Live Ghosts." Mr. Stout was paid for 12 months' work and his wife for 10. The Community Theatre Is on as sound a flnanclal basts as any similar organization up-State. It gives monthly productions at Vassar Institute, the plays being presented for four or five performances. The Stottville Dramatic Club re cently gave two performances of "The Hottentot" in St. Mary's So clal Hall, Glens Falls, N. Y., under the auspices of the Catholic Daugh ters of America. Arthur Brown played the leading role, and others in the cast were Margaret Callag han, John Callaghan, Leon Gsrterg, Alex Nicholson, Kathryn Walsh, Lloyd Austin, Frances Skinkle, Anna Huth, Paul Yenck and Emll Teghmeier. The farce was staged under the direction of Margaret K. Callaghan "Icebound" was presented by the Alumnae Association of the Cohoes, N. Y., High School in the school auditorium last week in connection with the annual reunion. "Her Country," by Euphemla Van Rensselaer Wyatt, has been awarded the prize offered by the Little The- atre Guild of Hartford, Conn., for the best one-act play submitted In competition. The prize was pre- SUPPRESSING STRIKE (Continued from page 12) since the agreement started the percentage was really 100. Goldlng, who represented the P. M. A. In its unsuccessful action before Justice McCook, advised the court that since then the aepect of the situation had so changed that the decision could not be' held as con- clusive either as to law or tacts. He maintained then (June 1) there had been a threat of injury to inde- pendent actors, whereas now there exists a condition whereby Fidelity members are not certain of employ- ment next season. The only way in which a majority of producers can cast attractions under the 80-20 agreement is upon terms dictated by Equity and the M. P. A. Charles H. Tuttle, appearing for the M. P. A., Insisted there was nothing different in the present ac- tion from that brought before Jus- tice McCook a month ago, when the Producing Managers' Association was unsuccessful, but that it was merely a renewed attempt to enlist the court's assistance In dictating to the actors under what conditions they shali'work. The attorney gave It as his opinion that a grroup of managers were attempting to shove theatricals back to conditions that existed in 1919. 105 Fidelity Casts Paul N. Turner arg^ued for Equity, and made the statement that if the contentions of Fidelity were true, approximately 105 plays could be produced in New York with all Fi- delity casts. That statement was made to refute the claim of uncer- tainty as to employment of Fidelity members. As Fidelity is tmderstood to have about 400 members, the Turner contention appears to be considerably exaggerated. Reaction from the Equity mem- bers ordered to strike is starting to find voice. An Ekiulty leader ad- mitted complaints from those forced to quit are being registered over the failure of Equity officials to work out some sort of relief for such members idle and In need of money. The tone of the complaints Is that, while no relief measures are in sight, dues have been collected in more than sufficient amount to take care of the salary Increases passed at the annual meeting. Criticism over Emerson's trip abroad while the affairs of Equity are unsettled is also reported from a number of sources. Equity is eald to have advised memlyers seeking relief to join in co-operative production ventures, which may ex:plaln the sudden re- cent entry of commonwealth attrac- tions. Players are said to have been told to get together and select a play, making some arrangements for set- tinge. If successful that far. Equity officers, are supposed to have stated, they would secure a theatre for the presentation. INSIDE STUFF ON LEGIT (Continued from Page 1<) "Bird of Paradise," Justice Erlanger, In the following brief opinion, tak«4 a slap at the defendants: Mrs. Fendler was awarded a verdict In her contention the "Bird" wa^ a "lift" on a script of her writing. Justice Erlanger states that the find'* Ings "submitted on the part of the defendants concern themselves in part with the history of onr> of the defendants and incidents in his life, while others are evidentiary, and still others totally unnecessary. Findings should be confined to the ultimate facts deemed to be established on the trial ..." The story last week that Rose Coghlan was acting as a "decoy" or "bus shillaber" on the Coney Island buses gained such impetus that the "Mirror" (Hearst's new daily) sent out a youthful feminine "sob sister" writer to obtain a story. What the little lady learned mky never see type, as the venerable actress Is not In want and not likely to be as long as r.he lives. About two years ago, a benefit was given for Miss Coghlan, with &am Harris handling it, and about $10,000 was raised. The committee Iq charge placed the money at her disposal, whereby Miss Coghlan draws $75 a week. She has an adopted daughter on the stage, while her nephew, CharleS' Coghlan, is also a professional. The Coghlans are reported as living together In an apartment not far from Times square. >1 sented to Mrs. Wyatt by Wlnchell Smith. Her play is a tense little tale of the war and shows depths of a woman's devotion for her wounded husband. "Esme," a four-act drama, will be presented in the Academy of Mu- sic, Haverhill, Mass., July < by the Greek Community Dramatic Club. The play Is being coached by Ar- thur Papanicolaou, president of the club, who will also play the leading role. Alexandra Peters will feature as the leading woman, The appearance of Georges Carpentler, French pugilist, at rehearsals ' of the Ziegfeld "Follies," has led to the report he may be added .to the cast. ^ Georges Is at Jack Curley's place at Great Neck, and society folksjj have taken a liking to the charming French fighter. Neither Bill Rogers* nor any of the authorities at the New Amsterdam knew anything about Carpentier's future plans. ^ Carpentler has enough flghtb- scheduled here for the next few month* . to make hl^ at^earance in a show an interesting matter. He will bov., Jimmy Slattery at Buffalo about Aug. 11. Slattery gave young StriblWf ., a beating a few weeks ago, and became famous. Georges will mee Stribllng In Newark, N. J., later In the summer. They declare that Charles L. Wagner is a "glutton for punishment.^ His producing aspirations have cost him a lot, according to the stories. His "Scaramouche" (no connection with the movie of that title) rippel some of the bankroll loose. He followed with Mrs. Fiske, and Wagner is said to have realized that it sure costs money to produce Broadway shows. However, Wagner, apparently undaunted, in the hot weather and depressing box offlco conditions, presented Sydney Blackmer in "The Blue: Bandanna" at the Vanderbllt last week. The Blackmer show, allowing for short receipts, may stay at the Vanderbllt for four weeks. AI Jolson has two half brothers who are perhaps better known In Warn* Ington, D. C, then anywhere else who framed a vaudeville act several years ago and asked AI to get them "big time." They tried out in the old Lyric, Hoboken, with AI there to give the relatives the once over. He just missed their first show and had to wait ^ an hour or so before they reappeared. Just what AI thought or reported Isn't repeated. But he did the best ' he could by getting a booker to offer them $125 weekly for a proposed' southern tour. The relatives politely refused It. Neither of the boys was Harry Jolson, Al's brother, who has been dolnf a single in vaudeville for years. Just how friendly David Belasco and David Warfield may be and whether the present status of cordiality between them will affect Belasco'a future managerial reins over Warfield are points cropping up in Ccasual theatrical show talk. Warfield bat, not called at the Belasco office for some time, even be« fore the actor Joined Equity when knowing Belasco was a "round robla** manager and had declared against Equity for all time. Those closely acquainted with both men don't take the oonditloii seriously, saying they will stick together and the present chilliness if It Is that will melt away with the heat. At the Wembley Exposition last Friday afternoon Mrs. James K. Hacketf presented a prize of $1,250, donated by her actor husband, to a Toronto youth whose architectural design for a British national theatre waa judged the best in a competition conducted. Mr. Hackett offered tht prize while be was in England, to stimulate interest in the contest and In the idea of a national theatre. At the presentation Mrs. Hackett read a cablegram which her husband sent from his summer home on the Sb Lawrence river, where he is staying for the summer. She is to Join bliU there on her return from Europe. • The death In Montreal last week of E. P. Ritchie, registrar of copy* y< rights and trademarks for the Dominion of Canada, may hold up the con^.t'' summation of certain features of the new Canadian copyright act. / So far as theatricals are concerned the new law is a full protective mea«^ sure. Status of published works such as books and magazines, howevett Is somewhat indefinite. American publishers have counted on Ritchie to ' Iron out the contested Items. The New York "Bulletin," the new 2-cent afternoon paper, "panned^ the Ziegfeld "Follies" following the metropolitan opening last week. So Flo ordered his advertising for the "Follies" and "Kid Boots" out of that paper. On Thursday the "Bulletin" editorially commented further on the "Follies." It was considered one of the severest ever accorded a New York showman. A Times square stenographer was asked by several persons, who plan to produce traveling musical shows next season, to go to several Broadway shows, regarded as box office successes and take down in short- band several "scenes" which they desired to change a little and use W their productions. The stenog declined with thanks, saying he enjoyed too many privileges at present tq have something happen that would reduce-them to any extent. Victor Lelghton, who has got everybody's "nerve" up at the Erlangef offices, talking of rods, reels, hooks, etc., and Augustus Pitou will arrive in Maine shortly for several weeks of fishing. If there is nothing doln' In the Atlantic the fishermen will launch. an attack against the peaceful streams inland. - - A miniature war is on between "The Daily Mirror" and "The DaiW— News." I William R. Hearst started the "Mirror" last week In competition to the "News," and the latter editorially commented that "imitation is the sin* cerest form of flattery." Ed Glrouz, who house manages the Morosco^ has a niece In Italy .stui ing voice culture under Bdouard de Resxke. An operatic future predicted for the young lady. tW