Variety (July 1924)

IV VARIETY LEGITIMATE /:«t4ws Wednesday. July 9, I9S| NEW PUYS PRESENHD OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY BILL MORRIS' BENEFIT A TRIAL HONEYMOON ' Mupicnl lomfdy in two actB. prcsoiit**)! by Josrph M. fiaitfu. produced at the I-n Salic, Jurie 1!'J Bookn. 1> riCB ami muHic by HaroUl Orldb; 8taK<''t by Jjawrcncf Mamton: darn*-H fin<t ensi'mblc!* by Vaughan Ocxlfrey. Two Mt-t*. latricU Marcwfll tral-iy) . .Alice MiKer.zie Mrx, I'atrjCiU WartWfll Alice Hills Haby Iluth Hcrnice Spccr MaiKie Fru.\rir Genevieve Mcl'ormick Huzctle, a maid I^iilian Hazel l>ick W'arowell John HeiininKS «'lix Young Ainolil (JIuck Jue Hagley fhnrlei! \Villiam» Ja«per Jay f-affley Frank tlanlner ('horuR— I*illian Hazel, Kvelyn Anderson, Tjiura (.iaynelle. Hazel McCuire. Hetty Sheldon, ^^o«e L* Hoy Frances llnmon. Arvii .Smith. MarKie Hofl^. Edn.-l Hoi.p.r. Vallie fevmoiir. Hillv Johnstone, Cwendolvn Jonee. Marie tlaylord. Hilly Br>«nt and Florence Marshall. A clever book and one on which it ouKht to be simple to hang a I^ro.Kiway success. The theme of "A Trial Honeymoon" is smart enough to appeal, the lines arc suf- ficient, for there is to be no actual disappointment If people come xearchinf,' for spice without a thing objectionable, and the construction in such a<? to offer opportunity to the right people In a musical com- eily, having to do with flying, radio and other timely topics, as well as the advanced ide.a of a "trial" honeymoon. Outstanding Is that, -while "Joe Bagley" agrees to further the for- tunes of "Clix Young" in love in return for financial backing lor a parachute which "Joe" has invcnt- tcd, which leads into this trial honeymoon with "Patsy," the fact that "Joe" is not In earnest Is for- gotten sufficiently In the working out of the plot for genuine fun in every situation. The characters are on ingenue prima donna, soubret and grand dame, two juveniles and two come- dians. These players work out en- tertainment which proves satisfac- tory to the ordinary theatregoer, but the wise showgoer will see the shortcomings In the cast. Scenic.il- ly the production measures up, but the costumes of the chorus are about the limit and the chorus it they know that Jimmy is absolutely reliable among the women—quite a rarity, even among those who at- tempt the role. He is much In de- mand. Bob Sedgwick, a lawyer friend, suggests that Jimmy conimercialire hiw talent to entertain the restless wives. Jimmy realizes he must live, and literary work is bringing him a poor reward. So Bob offers Jimmy a tidy sum to take care of his wife— Carolin.T.—as a first customer; In fact, he will Invest $10,000 for or- ganization purposes. Aided by an- other $15,000 from Sara, a typical Creenwich V'illager, Jimmy opens his office as professional chaperon. Business prospers valiantly; the only fly in the ointment is Laura Knowles, Jimmy's secretary, who loves Jimmy and Is peeve<l at the terms of endearment and loving at- titudes Jimmy is called on to per- form in the course of his profes- sional duties. Jimmy has trans- formed one of the Village poets into a business executive—Kyoror FIrch —and the metamorphosis is an eye- oppner. Much of the merriment results from the visits of husbands who seek Jimmy's help; the card index f»ystem is given an excellent back- ground for fun and hilarity. When Jimmy's affairs seem to be at their best there comes a repre- sentative from the district attor- ney's office. Blackmail has been re- ported, and, inasmuch as Jimmy's business has been necessarily se- cret, Jimmy Is suspected. But Mr. Hunter cannot let his val- iant young and ingenious hero be put into too humiliating circum- stances; he throws a little dramatic interest into his farce-comedy. Then he shows how one of Jimmy's cus- tomers has not been playing the game fair and siiuare. Carolina has been playing with fire In the shape of a professional dancer; her indis- cretion has caused her to write to her dancing friend. He demands payment for the return of her let- teis—and here we have a slight de- toui-—both hide behind screens, while the man from the district self Is nothing like big city speed Alice Hills and John Hennings' attorneys office is behind another handle their roles capably, and screen. The water cooler is too Hennings' dancing Is one of the handy for the minion of the law, and bright spots. Alice McKenzie does, he imbibes from the cooler, which creditable work, when all things arc taken Into consideration, but it Is easy to Imagine a real Broadway favorite in such a role. Charles Williams realizes "Joe Bagley" in a way deserving of favorable mention and handles a part which would be ideal for an artist of est.iblished reputation. Others in the cast are acceptable for young and unknown players. If this weie a production by some musical comedy stock in a second-rate city it would be en- titled to high credit. There is no smash in the music, but the tunes are jikasing. Julie Stegfr dances an Indian number Kiippcrted by the chorus in tlie sec- end act and (Unevieve McCormlck. Julia Steer and Bernice Speer do dancing Bj)Ccialties in the first act. SERVICE FOR HUSBANDS Cleveland. July h. T'nder auspicious circvimstancos. "Service for Husbands," Ciiarles Bates Hunter's farce-cojnedy, was giviii its premiere Monday at the Ohio, and looks like excellent material for a theatrical success. i'l^iiirles B.'ites Hunter has mixed mentality with theatricality in tliis farce-comedy; he has brought inge- nuity and fieshness to his theme; he has prepared his piece with • arcfulness to avoid much of the double entendre so popular among modern farce. He has struck a newer vein, and we believe he will have the satisfaction of seeing "Service for Husbands" listed among the desirable entertainments when his farce-comedy reaches Broad- way. "Service for >lusbands" bears lit- tle, if any, resemblance to any of the productions associated with either John Cumberland or Knid Markey—who were assigned the leading roles—in recent years. There was nothing of the "bedroom" farce or the forced attempt to walk on thin ice in order to garner laughs; there was not one line or gestiiic that might be called either iniprojier or Hu.tgestive. and this is scincthiiig novel in modern faree- comedy Vet Mr. Hunter's braiii- < hild kavcs ;i goi.d iii.irgin for thought; he has given aluindancc of fun, uilii a g(p(i<l ;iU('y of substan- tial food for I'tllectiun. "Service for HitsbMuds" eon\eri4S a literary young man whose work finds no market; he has stleted <!reeriWi<h Village as the center of his prtsunied activities, prjibably in order to give the author an oppfr- lunity to present a duo trbm this Ktiange neighliorhood. where, as one of tlie char.u tei .s says: "In Hclie- mia It is not art they want, it's •niitx.' " .linimy Deei iiiK has: the (i nrnUi.. of hi" niai 111(1 fiiivids; \it ,^ y,\i' Miit blanche unmu^ their wives; R«iM« iZfiOO by VoluntMr Per- formance at Saranac Saranac, N. J., July 9. The Saranac Lake Day NVirsery treasury Is richer by nearly $2,000 as a result of the William Morris benefit at the Pontiac Theatre, Sar- anac, July 4 Farce by Will Evan* and R. Guy Rceva, presented by J. BanniBter Howard, In aeaoclatlon with Tom Walla and Lieelle Ileniion, Ltd., at the Garrlck theatre, L.andon, June ti. Ktage direction by Ralph Lynn and Ronald Squire. Sharp Jack Durant Phippa Aubrey FItsmaurlce Two shows were given, matinee I ""en Julian Herbage ... , ▼ Algy tieri jsyrne Chairman (at Becentric Club), Frank T^onard and night, with the entertainment by Tolunteer professionals enlisted for the event by Bill Morris, who makes an annual affair of this char- ity. The artiste were: Cecilia Loftus and her cousin, Patsy Loftus; The Vanderbilts, Val and Ernie Stan- ton, Margaret McKee of the Music Box, Joe E. Brown and Co., Dave Bernle and Band, Jane and Kath- erlne Lee; Moran and Wiser, as- sisted by Pop Barrett; Walter C. Kelly and Bobby Watson. The theatre was packed at both performances. Morris had to make a speech. MOHAMMEDAN SOCIETY Organised in New York for OrientaU of Stage The Arabian, Indian and Moorish Welfare Society has been formed, as a beneficial and protective organiza- tion for memberi; of the theatrical profession of Mohammedan faith. Membership will be confined exclu- sively to those currently, or at one time, Identified with the show business. Sheik Hadji Tabar, an Arabian, who quit the stage about 25 years ago, conceived the Idea, and was offered the presidency, but has re- fused this honor In favor of a Bag- dad banker, who probably will accept. The society will relieve members In distress, provide aid for the 111, and help those In need of legal advice. The next meeting will be held In August, when officers will be elected. does not contain aqua pura. To give a thrill, probably. Caro- lina'^» father—a stage Southern col- onel—comes to Jimmy, points his gun. demands satisfaction and the return of his daughter. The hu- mor which John Cumberland injects into this scene with the colonel (Burke Clarke) is superb. Jimmy goes over the last hurdle with a perfect record—.ind wins Laura, his secretary and the only girl this professional chaperon ever loved. Acting honors must be given to lohn Cumheriand, who tarried the entire responsibility on his shoul- ders with credit to himself and the author. His fun-making was never forced. Knid MarUey did well as Laura, secretary and sweethe.'irt. She had not a symii.ithetlc part, but played Nnely. Neil Martin was clever as the Cieenwieh Village poet and later niaiL-ijicr of Jimmy's organization. Sd.--~Lo<^, was Henrietta Tillman as the "Sehweed Cirl" from the Village. This young actress is certainly as- si'iling heiself. Huike Clarice was dicrnified, aus- tere, yet amusing, as the Southern colonel. Joseph Sweeney was good as the lawyer friend; Edmund Roberts as the man from the district attorney's office was amusing. Ellis Baker was fine as Carolina, who nearly upset Jimmy's leputation; Douglas MacPherson did his lean role of the dancing friend xatlsfactorily. while I..0UIS Tannua overacted as Horace Bell, one of Jimmy's clients. Another big laughing scene was that in which (Jeorge Fox appeared as a client; George has a quaint humor that always collects heavily. The staging reflected credit on Harry MacFayden. J. WJi«on Roy. LOVE 'EM AND LEAVE 'EM Stamford. Conn.. July 8. Herm.ln J. Mankelwtcz presents this -AnierUan comedy by John V. A. Weaver. I'irxKil by Frederick Htanhope Fr.ink Lane Jimmie .Sommers... Mrs. I..fine Jariie Harold I..onj; Manje I*at ue "ItUKs" nillinRvly.. Jack Acken Mm Wi^idruff , ilr>siah Woodnifl . . , .John iialy Murphy •.. . .Albert >la<kett Ill.inchc I'hapnian (ierlrude Hryan Hairy bannister li'KKy ICllenhy Ralph Sippeiii y Ned Wever ..Mra. Sluait KoLkuh .Manuel A. Aleiaiider The try-out showing of "Love 'Em and Leave Km," by John V. A. Weaver, revealed it to be an indif- ferent piece, which left the same kind of impression on an even pre- viously < iilhusi.i.'^t ie audience. This play of the Brooklyn "Eagle" writer pii vc:l to be siirpiisingly inadequate. .11.<l !\'i limes tv» n CI iidc and ama- IC ill i>li. It is a dramalUation of the many expressions Mr. Weaver has made so popular in his "In American" and he has manufactured from them many clever lines which at times approach brilliancy, but he has hung them on so slight a thread of dra- matic narrative as to make the at- traction one with little suspense and slight appeal. The story is the usual girl of the small town with alleged talent as a dancer, who wants to go to New York and become famous. The first act is taken up by too evident prep- aration in Janie Lane's f.Tther spur- ring her on to New York by refus- ing to permit her to "make a fool of them all by showing her legs." Harold Long, a stage director, who is nice to Janie, and says she might make good as a dancer; Mame Larue, a chorus girl.'and Jimmie Sommers, who wants to marry Janie, are presented and fairly scream to be used In the second act. Herein Janie is in New York, with Mame as room-mate. Sommers Is on hand to protect her and also acquire the ways of the big city. He warns her a.sainst the supposed de- signs of Harold Long, who is help- ing her to a job. Also added are Jack Acken, a "smooth" college boy. whom Janie thinks is a darling, and "Bugs" Billingsly, a roomer and a nuisance. The third act. without adequate preparation, shows the nice Jack Acken to be a bounder, who wants Janie In a naughty way; exhibits Jimmie to be an unfaithful lover, and Harold Long, who. through the advice of Mame. has been "played" by Janie for a job in a revue with the idea that she would "love him and leave him" to be a perfectly nice man who wants to marry Janie. The curtain falls upon her accept- ance. (Jertrude Bryan, last in "Sittin' Pretty." appe.irs .-xs Janie in her first dramatic role. She is personable and well cast, but not able to do a greutt deal with what is second-rate material. John Daly Murphy gives a humorous and realistic rendering of Frank I..ane; Peggy Ellenby is capable as M.ime. while Ralph Sip- perley just about saves the play from destruction with his effective portrayal of "Bugs" Billingsly. Except for some of the lines which get genuine laughs, and the character of "Bugs." who can't pay his rent and has a radio that doesn't work, the play Is thin throughout. It is so technically and jisycholog- ically unsound as to fail in almost eivery effect it attempts. The stamp of importance has not been jiut on the few things that happen, and out- side the contribution of accurately settin.g down m.'iny typically Amer- ican slang expressions and wise- cracks, the play is of no real v.alue or interest. In its present state it coulil hardly last long in New York. "Love 'Em and I^eaVe 'Em" goes to New I-ond(n. .nfler which it will be closed until September-inavbe longer. i'raft. FOREIGN REVIEWS THE OTHER MR. GIBBS Tippit (waiter at Eccentric Club). Arthur Stanley Henry Glbbe 1 Vernon Williams (Mu.ilc }..Robert Hale Hall Mimic) J Income-Tax Man Bert Monks Amelia <3ibbe (wife of Mr. Qibbti), Kate Cutler James (butler to Mr. Glbba), ileorge Barrett Marie (maid) Phyllis Beadon Mrs. Winkle Mary Brough Margruerite Wangle .\Pollie Emery Augustus Wangle Mlarry Taylor John Clutterbuck (solicitor).. Eric Lewis Nora Williams (wife of Vernon Williams) Gladys Jennings Waiter (Hotel Metropole).. Frank Leslie Robert (the page).. Master Arthur Cooper Reception Clerk (Hotel Metropole). Winifred Nathan Manager (Hotel Metropole).Robert Green London, June 26. In a dry country, the pec liar quality of "The Other Mr. Gibbs" could not be appreciated. It is most emphatically not to be seen by sober people. The playgoer should arrive well dined and wined for the first act. At the Interval he should try another brand of poison. After the second act he should again seek refuge In the bar. Under this course of treatment 'ie might be able to laugh throughout the last act. "Come and see how bad a play can be," should be stuck up outside the theatre. If "The Other Mr. Gitbs" were twice as good it would still be a bad play. This Is what we are supposed to believe. Mr. Glbbs wants to attend a company meeting when he should be at home to discuss business with his mother-in-law at the same time. Therefore he asks Williams, a music hall mimic, to Impersonate him in Mr. Gibbs' own home. The Invitation not only deceives Mrs. Gibbs but when Mrs. Williams ar- rives she does not know her own husband. Yet his sole disguise con- sists of a false moustache which he whips on and off. Nothing is too preposterous for the authors. Wil- liams, wearing his moustache, goes to Brighton as Mr. Glbbs with Mrs. Gibbs. In the hotel lounge he Is caught talking to his own wife. To deceive both women, he places half a moustache on one side of his face to make Mrs. Williams think he is Gibbs and Mrs. Gibbs think he Is Williams. What need Is there to describe a plot that creates such puerile situations? Asides and soliloquies give the play the impression of being written in 1840. But this is only a minor reason why It Is unactable. Robert Hale uses up vast stores of energy but to no effect. Doubtless he feels drastic diseases require desperate remedies but by his eacited be- havior he exposes himself to the authors' possible complaint that he destroys the effect by not taking things seriously. However little there Is In this criticism. Robert Hale should return to revue. An extraordinarily capable cast has been engaged to perform this nonsense. Both Gobbs and Wil- liams are played by Hale, which made it rather dlfflcult to know what was spoof and what was earnest. Still, nothing matters In this show. JoU). TIGER CATS London. June 30. At the Sivvoy Theatre for a series of matinees there purrs "Tiger Cats," by a Danish writer, Madame Karen Bramson. After production In Copenhagen It was put into I'Yench by the author and entitled "Les Felines," and from this Michael Orme (wife of J. T. Greln, the critic) has made the English ver- sion. Thus, the phraseology is English, the characters French and the psychology something Scandi- navian. The play Is about the most ■crushing attack upon womankind ever seen In the theatre. Scandina- vian dramatists are always making the sex a target. Ibsen said things about a person named Hedda Gab- ler, Strindberg shot many arrows at women, and here Is Karen Bram- son. the Dane. Two utterly useless femnlen hold their husbands In subjection by dif- ferent niclhc)ds. Yvonne uses tears, lies and guile to obtain her way, and alw.ays wins. Suzanne Kcolds and frets, her spouse, a f.amous philosopher absorbed In great work. She interferes perpetually with his lesearches, wears (lown hiw strength and never forgets to exult in her domination. The husbands are faithful, dogged creatures. Bernard, married to Yvonne, accepts the con- ditions she lays down for the sake of peaer. Andre, liiisbniid of Su- zuiiiic, iw diflercnt. lie chafes under DEUX MASQUES ; Paris, June 30.' The bill of Marcel Naneey at t^ Theatre Fontaine, which he bat taken over for a time and renam«4 the Deux Masques, comprises tm short comedies, a comlc-melo aaj a two-act drama. The latter Ja "L'Horrible Volupte," by Chartaa Hellem and Pol d'Estoc, and con- stitutes the feature of the eveniog. Rita has been out visiting a para* mour during her husband's pro- longed absence, and while returning home is run over by a motor c«? Darlanges. the lover, heirs of th* accident by telephone and hastcnt to her home, where he offers him- .self for a transfusion of blood to save the woman's life. When the husband returns he remarks Rita, while convalescent. Is in a strange condition, but learns the - caiim when he catches her In Darlanges* arms and investigates the origin cf the Intrigue. The lover had been bitten by a mad dog a few days before the operation, and conse- quently the blood transfjsed waa contaminated. There Is a sort of physical soli- darity between the lovers, and the husband, seeking revenge, shuts them up together until they have the anticipated crisis and fight like a. couple of mad dogs. "La Maison Vide," one-act dra- matic comedy, by Auguste Achaume and Andre Montewls, deals with a coquettish. Jealous widow who la strangled by her suitor, son of a madman, in the lonely house where they meet. The atmosphere of fear is adequately worked up on the nerves of the audience. "Pour Avoir la Velne," sketch by Jose de Berys and H. J. Magog. Is founded on a former comedy de- picting a man anxious to be de- ceived by his mistress In order that he may be lucky, as ordained by the proverb. "Apres Vous" is « short farce by Andre Mycho, al- ready seen, explaining how news- papers prepare the necrologlcal no- tices of popular people. In which Vlguler plays with address. The Deux Masques troupe corn* prises Semery. Bergeron and Dart: Mmes. Djem Dax, Payen, Juliette Demestre and Olga Nllza. KcHdreto, QUAND JE VOUDRAI Paris, June 30. It has taken three authors-J Geroule, Soulie and Chavance—to concost this three-act farce, "When I Please," presented for the sum^ mer at the Nouveautes. But It wlO not last despite the amusing role «( Marcel Levesque, former movlnf picture star. The chestnut offered Is well baked and concerns Colette Dar» bonne, a delightful divorced womaiv who Imagines her second husban* Is again carrying on with another* The only proof for such a supptHi sition la the fellow's frequent ab- sence, but It Is because he Is tryinf to earn enough to pay his taxes bf playing baccarat at his club. Co» lette, consequently. In Inclined te return to her first victim, in which she is encouraged by her moth*i who frankly abhors her second (M)il» In-law. This congenial gentleman real- Izes his mother-in-law is Irritable because she needs distraction, an* he prevails on a colleague to flirt with her. The plot succeeds so well that there Is a marriage and resto- ration of the domestic peace of th# Darbonne couple. ^ That Is all, and three men bato collaborated to hatch It. Nevertheless, we notice the pre* tagonlsta are excellent, with Ste- phen as the timid but expedient son-in-law, Levesque as his oblig- ing friend. Mile. Clalrvllle the Je«- ous wife and Mme. Dhervllly too mother-in-law. The title come* from the response of Levesque '"hen Stephen begs him to make love to his wife's mother: He can win her heart when he plea.ses. And ho does. Kendrcie. her demands and eventually *>'***! out Into open rebellion. She wouW prevent him giving time and atten- tion to study and does her best W make his Jlfe miserable. She gloato over his agony. His nerves can stand It no longer and he seizes • too convenient pistol and shooto her. Suzahne is not killed, bnl lives to see Andre repentant ano crawling at her feet His defeat l» complete, her triumph absolute. Such a play deals with vital ■" sue», even though.it distorts "'"*''• It reveals without reverence »• ways of women when dealing W'"* men. A warning Is sounded to '"•"j "Tame your tiger cat," for such »" women are. ,^ The Hrgumentation of the pl*'<'« ~ emjihasized by the feline histrionlw of Edith Evans and Nadine MarcB. as Suzanne and Yvonne respect- ively. Andre 1h a platform ''S"'* with the voice ami manner of '^^r* ert Loralne, while Bernard is lightlf etched by Nichalos Nanrieii.