Variety (September 1924)

Wednesday, September S, 1924 VAUDEVILLE VARIETY NORTHWEST MGRS.' ULTIMATUM. TO ALL STAGE CRAFT AFFILIATION No "Minimum Man Law" Unions A»k Until Sept. 3 to Reply—All Theatre Employes Except Uf hers Hare Made Demands ■ i Tacoma, Wash., Sept. 2. The Northwest Theatre Owners and Managers' Protective Associa- tion, which includes managers of all picture-vaudeville combinations and road shows from Butte on the east to Portland on the south and Vancouver on the north, and which Includes the managers of Orpheum, Ackerraan St Harris and Pantages houses, has served an ultimatum on the stage unions that if the "minimum man law" is to be re- tained in their demands, which have threat .-ned a break- between the ontons and the managers Sept. 1, there will be no further negotiations ani the war between managers and union labor is to be on. The stage craft war is not one against r.ny particular circuit, and the theatre managers are .not war- ring against one particular stage Anion; but the musician problem stands out, as it Will affect particu- larly the picture houses, which are itiort numerous than the others. Spokane, Seattle, Butte, Tacoma, Portland and the Canadian picture theatres have been allotted a mini- mum number of players In orches- tras. The managers have united in a spllT front against t:,Is. Increased wages also were de- manded at the meeting of the man- agers Wednesday. An ultimatum was presented to the unions. Tt\e old agreement expires Mon- day, but because of the holiday the unions asked until tomorrow, Sept S. to make reply. This was granted. - The managers have prepared, should the "minimum law" be dropped, to meet with the crafts Sept. 8 in an effort to iron out other requests of the unions. Stage hands are asking for $5 per week increase, and in such cases as the Pantages here seven men instead of .six on the stage. The combined stage crafts—mu- sicians, stage hands, motion picture operators, billers, engineers, and piano, organ and musical instrument workers—have presented voluminous demands, the general effect of which Is to obtain more pay and shorter hours. The Northwest Theatre Owners and Managers' Protective Associa- tion has refused to enter Into the suggested contract Instead, it was .declared the playhouse heads would t>» willing to execute a new contract on the basis of existing wage scales and hours, with 20 reservations and changes in the many clauses sub- mitted by the theatrical crafts, the contract to be effective for three years from Sept. 1. Managers say it is not so much the question of pay and hours that Is most annoy- ing In the new demands upon them, but the great number of minor de- mands and clauses specifying just how'the theatres shall be operated. AMATEUR NIGHTS SAVED San Diego, Sept. 2. Amateur nights at local theatres have been saved. Roy Thomas, manager of the Colonial theatre, was acquitted of violating the State child labor law in police court here recently. He pleaded guilty, how- ever, to employing a minor with- out permission and was fined $100. In the opinion of Judge Claude Chambers, the law was not in- tended to eliminate competitive con- tests of amateur nights at the the- atres, L. H. Crandall, manager of the Liberty here, pleaded guilty to a charge Identical with -that placed against Thomas and received a sus- pended fine of $100. MET. SINGER RESTING Paris, Sept 2. Slgnorita Lucrezla Bori, of the Metropolitan opera. New York, passed through here last week on her way to the Italian mountains for a vacation. She will return to America in October. • BEN-AMI'S VAUDE. VEHICLE The second act of "Samson and Delilah" will be transported bodily into vaudeville when Jacob Ben- Aml makes his two-a-day debut SIR JOS. C1NZBURG HAS BUI AGAINST VARIETY Consults Attorney to Secure Payment for Free Use of His Name Sir Joseph Qinzburg has con- firmed that he consulted an attor- ney last week to ascertain if he could not collect a bill from Variety. Sir Joe's bill amounted to $187, gross, and Sir Joe said he either wanted the cash or a medal for every dollar. ■ According to Sir Joseph's com- putation. Variety had used his name freely and without authoriza- tion 374 times .since June 18, Sir Joseph says he recalls it as of June 18, because on that date the barber cut his hair in error. Sir Joseph claims that he got his years tangled; he was not due for a hair cut until June 18, 1925, but can't have another hair cut until June 18, 1926. Fifty Cents per Nam* Sir Joe alleges that he counted up his name in Variety on Aug. 26, a little over twe months, and was surprised to find the number of times his name had been printed. Sir Joseph said he had made a flat rate of 50c. for each time, but if Variety would settle without court trouble, he could afford to cut the rate to 25c. for each time the paper called, him just Sir Joe. The knighted entertainer added he was making a cheap rate per name through Variety always having pre- fixed the Sir when speaking of him. Sir Joseph exhibited his two re- maining teeth as he grinned when bringing out his 1)111, that looked'as though it had been made out by a sign painter. Still hanging onto his grin ("laughing pretty" Sir Joe calls It), he wanted to know If any one thought that the Prince of Wales getting here Just at this time would hurt the Sir Joseph Ginzburg bookings for the new season, It looked to him like a dirty trick, said Sir Joe, the Prince fall- ing in right now, to top all of the Sirs with his Princely title. Sir Joseph said he thought the King had something, to do with it, as' he had turned down a chance to ap- pear before the King, not wanting to walk into sea-sickness. Sir Joseph said Willie Howard had given him the invitation. Prinos Quits a Guy Sir Joseph mentioned he had heard the Prince Is quits a guy, and though if he did lose any bookings through being smothered by the Prince, that Wales might pay him his losses If he didn't make them too high. ' Sir Joe said he had Intended tq raise his salary this season and In- sist that the electric lights not cut his name down to Jos., but*this unexpected development, said Sir Joseph, had upset all of his plans. Questioned whether he would ac- cept cabaret or burlesque engage- ments for this season. Sir. Joseph said he understood Radio intended to pay heavy dough very shortly for the great stars, and he thought he had better stick to Radio for a while. Sir Joseph, seemed somewhat de- pressed as he mentioned that all he got out of Radio last season was a shock. He explained the shock by saying that among the mash notes coming to him through WHN was a letter with a picture of the Cherry Sisters. Sir Joe ac- knowledges he doesn't believe the Cherrys did it but that he had made one enemy somewhere and some- how. Sir Joseph asks Variety to print that If he did make an enemy, it was done unknowingly, and if he or she will come around again. Sir Joseph will give his impersonation to square it of Sir Harry Lauder with improvements. Willie Howard has written a parody for Sir Joseph on "Jeal- ous." Sir Joe's slogan about "pro- fessional jealousy" Is prominently stressed in the parody and already It's a password at Long Beach September I at a house as yet un- where the unique radio singer (?) assigned. >is currently Dlarinr. LAYTON an d JOHNSTONE AMERICA'S MOST POPULAR ENTERTAINERS Opened at the London Coliseum for one week. Held over for a further two weeks, with further engage- ments to follow at this, the premier International Vaudeville House. London Address: c/o Variety, 8 St Martin's Place COUPLE OF PHILA. AMATEURS WIND UP IN N. Y. POLICE COURT Serious Charge Against Boy, 18, Found Living with Dancing Partner, Girl, 15, in Destitute Circum- stances—Wanted to Marry but Had No Money MUSICIANS WALK OUT OF MEMPHIS THEATRES Labor Day Performances Without Music—Local Union Responsible for Walkout Envious of Sir Joe One coffee-and-cake booker voiced his ire against the free space Sir Joseph .-Ginxburg has been grabbing in Variety. The C. & C. agent encoun- tered two instances where Sir Joe got an engagement he had almost closed for a "regular" act. WIFE KNEW San Francisco, Sept. 2. Here's a new kind of woman—one who disagreed with the Judge In a divorce count, declaring be was awarding her too much alimony and that the sum should be reduced. Mrs. Dolores Foote of this city obtained a divorce decree from Howard Foote on the grounds of desertion. Both Mr. and Mrs. Foote had been on th« vaudeville stage, doing an act together known as Howard and Dolores. Eight years ago, the plaintiff said, he "crabbed" the act by deserting her. When Superior Judge Fltzpatrlck awarded her $75 a month alimony with her Jecree, Mrs. Foote rose p and stated: "No, I think $50 would be much better. There would be no chance at all of collecting $75. Mr. Foote would resent paying that much. If it were smaller he might consent to pay. He Is so far away, in San Diego, that a San Francisco court could not compel him to pay any- thing."- The Judge consented to the re-, ductlon. Champ Tennis Player * Receives Vode Offer William Tllden II. who defended the world's champion tennis honors at Forest Hills last week, has re- ceived an offer to go Into vaudeville. Tilden last week announced that he had accepted a- film offer, but would not announce the name of the company with which he would be connected. EVA TANGUAY QUIET But Not Until After Cabaret Data Los Angeles. Sept. J. Eva Tanguay, who owns consid- erable property here, declares that she is going to desert show business and live a quiet life In Los Angeles. That, of course, will not be until after she has played an Indefinite engagement at Green Mill cafe, Culver City, beginning Sept. 4. In her work at the cafe she will be surrounded by a chorus of eight girls. Memphis, Sept. 2. Five theatres In Memphis will repeat their performances of yes- terday by showing without music. The striking musicians last night were no closVr to an agreement than when they threw down their Addles Saturday and made demands that local theatre managers refused to meet. •Some of the vaudeville acts at Loew's State and Pantages were Interfered with last night. Slight modifications will be made today, so if the strike is not settled the performers will go on and do their bit. Howard Waugh, manager of Loew's Palace," threatens to abolish the orchestra at his theatre, also at the Strand and Majestic If the strike Is not disposed of In a day or so. He says this move is backed by the Consolidated enterprises, which controls the picture theatres men- tioned. The A. F. of M. Sunday, at re- quest of the managers, postponed the walkout until Sept. 8. The action in Memphis, therefore, which ordered all musicians out yesterday. Is pure- ly on the responsibility of the local union theatres elsewhere having their orchestras at least until Sun- day. The union musicians demanded that Manager Waugh have nine men In the orchestra at tire Palace, and five at Strand and Majestic. Waugh said it was planned to operate the Strand and Majestic theatres, using only organs, as the returns do not Justify orchestras. Lassie White Minstrels opened the Lyric last night. He carries his own orchestra. Gene Lewis and Olga Worth opened their season in stock at the Lyceum. They had an orchestra last year. SUCCESSFUL ACT MUST CLOSE "Five Minutes from the Station," a sketch in which Henry Hull and Edna Hlbbard have been appearing on the Keith circuit this summer, closes Saturday, due to Miss Hlb- bard's taking up rehearsals with "Oh, Madeline," a Woods show, now in rehearsal. The sketch was so successful that the Keith people tried to buy off the Woods' contract, but as Miss Hibbard had acted In the "Madeline" piece before In Its several tryouts, Woods would not relinquish her. KEARN'S DOUBLE ACCIDENT Los Angeles, Sept. I. As a result of a double accident Jack Kearns, manager of Jack Dempsey. is confined to his home with no prospect of being about for the next six weeks. Kearns first broke his right ankle while descending the stairs in the Hollywood .Cafe. When In his ma- chine to drive home he could not ap- ply the brakes and ran into a truck. The auto smash aggravated the injury. GREENLEE-DRAYTON IN VODE Greenlee and Drayton have with- drawn from the cast of "Shuffle Along," which was slated for a road tour, and have roturned to vaude- ville. Another Benefit at Lake George A vaudeville show was staged as a benefit Aug. 26 in Cleverdale, N. Y., for the benefit of the Kattaklll Bay Yacht Club of Lake George. The attendance was large and the show a big- surer is. The entertainment was arranged by Perrln G. Somen, assisted by Harry Miller and Curtis Vance, who are summering at the lake. Among those taking part were Freer Brothers, Betty Hovey, Miller wnd Hupp- k. William Weston and Co. Ci»«y Loftus' Orpheum Booking Cecilia Loftus has been booked for a tour of the Orpheum Circuit opening in September. Another pair of youngsters, be- lieving that a New York stage career was awaiting them, have tasted the bitter cup of failure. Jeanette Hughes, 15, and Vincent Manfredi, 18, who have at various times appeared on the New York vaudeville stage, are the two un- fortunates. Both, after a six months' siege against overwhelming odds, were arrested on serious charges by detectives of the West 47th street station, Sunday. Monday Magis- trate McAndrews, sitting in West Side Court held Manfredi in bail of $1,000 and committed pretty little Miss Hughes to the home of the Children's Society. The pair, after minor success in Philadelphia vaudeville houses, came to New York six months ago. Miss Hughes, who had been trained for a stage career. Immediately secured an engagement In a local vaudeville house, but when her employer heard that she was only 15, he was forced to let her go. Manfredi, also a dancer, managed to struggle along doing his stuff here and there, and soon was forced to support the girl, who by this time was penniless. Forced to economise, the couple took a furnished room and lived to- gether. Work became more scarce and they went without food for days, struggling along until last Saturday, when the police of Phila- delphia informed the New York au- thorities the girl had run away from home and requested her arrest and return. Detectives who arrested the young people at 24« West 48th street found them living in most distressing need. There was no food In the house, and their total fortune amounted to 4$ cents. The most pathetic part of the pic- ture was revealed In West Side Court when the couple were ar- raigned. Reporters, who had beard their story, were struck with sym- pathy when they discovered that Manfredi's right arm was missing from its sleeve. The boy lost the arm In a strset car accident In Philadelphia several years ago. "I have nothing against Vincent," (Continued on page 47) SUN MANAGERS MEET Springfield and Chicago Offices E.ch Adds 3 Weeks Chicago, Sept. 2. The annual meeting of the branch managers of tbs Gus Sun booking offices was held last week at the home office In Springfield. The managers were- Informed that In order to obtain the best material available ths offices would all have to work together and sub- mit sll of their time so as to give an act consecutive work. . The Sun office In Springfield has added on three weeks to their books and the Gus Sun-Billy Diamond of- fice In Chicago a like number. In the future an act routed out of New York by Sun will be taken up by the Buffalo office, with the Detroit and Chicago offices follow- ing suit. KRONOS' PRESS AGENT Chicago, Sept. 2. Kronos, the strong man, has been routed by the B. F. Keith (West- ern) and W. V. M. A Cor II weeks. The Halperln-Shapiro agency Ar- ranged the bookings. The turn Is to be heavily ex- ploited, employing a special press representative. - ASS'N'S ST. LOUIS' 6 WEEKS Chicago, Sept. 2. Joe Erber, manager of the St. Louis office for the W. V. M. A., last week added two and a half weeks to his books. This enables ths St. Louis office to give an act six weeks around that territory. Uptown Heusss Opening Earlier The starting time of the evening shows at the Hamilton and Coli- seum, New York, has been changed. Starting with Labor Day shows the time was moved up . alf an hour, the vaudeville getting under way at 8 o'clock instead of at 8:10.