Variety (September 1924)

:,. Wednesday, September 3, 1984 VAUDEVILLE VARIETY 7 PICTURE HOUSE ROUTE OF SIZE ECTED FOR CURRENT SEASON t our Large Houses in Chicago Playing Acts as Acts i —Inquiries to Booking Agents About Vaude- ' ville Attractions • Chicago, Sept. 2. That vaudeville la an essential factor even In the small picture houses has been brought to light by the numerous inquiries being re- ceived dally by the various booking offices regarding vaudeville attrac- tions. It Is attributed to the fact that the larger picture theatres In and around Chicago have found a business increase by inserting one or two attractions. four houses in Chicago alone. ' formerly housing a straight picture policy, are now playing one or two attractions weekly in conjunction with their feature. They are not billed as presentations and are not presented as such. The acts do their usual routine, with comedy, singing and musical turns being in demand. It is estimated that within a period of three months acts suitable foe picture houses will be able to keep working indefinitely. The vaudeville house as a rule closes during the summer months the pic- ture theatre keeps going all year round. EXTRA FEATURES Truck Warriors Hitting 1 For Home from Coast Los Angeles, Sept. 2. Following a two week sojourn here during which they met friends of .long standing the three interna- tional . musketeers, Cnpt. Irving O'^ay, den. Ernie Carr and Private First Class Pat Walsh, are home- ward bound. They left here ahead of the schedule and followed the Southern trail east, heading overXhe CaBTornia and Arizona deserts. Their first port of call will be Omaha, where O Hay la scheduled to earn a few abekala by addressing a local luncheon club. Then they will hit for St. Louis, where another addi- tion is to be made to the bank roll. Following that port of call, the "warriors" Intend to go direct to New York, where O'Hay will be kept busy telling of his travels until June 1. This ba will do for pay, of course. O'Hay while here was a guest of William J. Wrigley on CataUna Islands, and It la likely that he will be one of the summer residents there In 192S, as a guest of the chew- ing gum king, who took a great fancy to the "Soldier of Fortune." Old Standby* to Come Back This Season For the fan and winter Proctor's 126th Street theatre is going to use some of the old standbys familiar to patrons of uptown houses. Among those scheduled as follows: Monday night, double vaudeville; Wednes- day, clown night; Friday, country store, and Sunday, three "big Sun- day concerts." Lew Dragon, formerly assistant manager at the 125th street, has been transferred to the 2td street to serve In a similar capacity. SYRACUSE'S OLD HOKE WEEK Syracuse, N. Y., Sept. I. Syracuse will have Its first Old Home Week celebration in years, Oct. « to 11. The event will be cele- brated under the direction of Syra- cuse Post of the American Legion, and some famous figures of the stage and screen, claiming this town as their home, will be invited. They are Edna May. Will Danforth, Charles H. ReIgel, Mrs. Blanche Weaver Baxter, Dan Grossman, Carlyle Black well, Doris Kenyon, Mitchell Lewis, Maurice ("Lefty") Flynn, Beulah Chase Dodge, Jane, Mary and Margaret May, sisters of Edna; the Kaufman Brothers, from vaude- ville, and Jackie Coogan. NEW ACTS John Swor (brother of Bert Swor) and wife In new comedy act. Bryan and Fafc—Wld, formerly Tom Bryan and LIlQan Broderlck. The Original Memphis Five will be in support. The Keith office Is routing «M act in the New York houses owing to the band's per- manent location in the Rosemont Ballroom, Brooklyn, N. Y. They open Sept. 4 at the Greenpolnt Marie Kline was known as the "^hanhauser Kid" on the screen and of late has been appearing In First National productions. She win enter the vaudeville field as a single shortly with an act supplied by Joe Weston on the Coast. Miss EMne has appeared in vaudeville on previous occasions. Janet of France, comedy act with Jack .'.bbott and Morton Stevens. CHI AGENCY CONDITION (Continued rrom page 4) Billy Diamond, and the Ascher Brothers' circuit, represented by Harry Beaumont. The Rules as Laid Down This has been submitted to the agents: The following rules have been agreed upon and are herewith handed you for your acceptance or refusal. They must be abided by strictly In every respect. Rule 1—Every agent must sup- ply a complete list of available material, open over the week-ends, giving telephone numbers or ad- dress to each office. Two agents representing the en- tiro staff of agents, with complete list of booking material, must be represented as follows: One at the International Booking Offices, one at the Ous Sun Booking Exchange, every Sunday and holiday, from 11 to 1. Rule 2—If any agent misrepre- sents an act and if act is unsatis- factory In any respect, agent must assume responsblillty for the con- tract, eliminating booking offices from any liability, or forfeit his right to book with these offices. Rule 8—No agent doing business with these offices will bo permitted to act as booking representative of any theatre, including clubs or pic- ture theatres, unless booked through one of the three offices. Ruls 4—No agent to be allowed to book act for try-outs and charge the act commission, or accept a fee of any description from try-out performers. Rule 6—Any agent who O. K.'s an act wffl bo held for the delivery of the act No agent should O. K. an act untn he has a positive O. K. from the set. Rule 6—In the event more than one agent- submits the same act authorization in writing must be had from the act as to their legal representative. Priority of submit- ting same win not count. ^ It Isn't our aim to work any hard- ships on you, but we are trying to better conditions for ourselves and the business in general. Wo have eliminated a number of agents from our lists; giving you a larger field, and this should bo of financial benefit to you. If you will co-operate, with us we will, In return, co-operate with you In every way, even so far as to as- sist In the collection of commission due you for engagements In our theatres. Kindly confirm this letter to the three offices. International Booking Office*. Oun Bun Boohing" Exchange. Ancher Brother*, Inc. Agents Retained The following agents have been retained and 1 granted the privilege of doing business with the three offices: Sam Roberts. Ed Morse, Taylor & {ngals, Mort Infield, Ed- die Lewis, Frank Gladden, Leo and Hyman Schallman and Arthur Hor- owitz. The agents deprived of the book- ing privileges in these offices have no other outlet for their material, as these three offices cover about all the time that Is Independently booked out of Chicago. "WEE" GEORGIE WOOD Another opinion. Carlton Mites, "MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL" said: "In few persons may^e glimpsed so unmistakably the soul of the ar- tist." Still another opinion. Mite Qrace Kinoelev, "LOS ANGELES DAILY TIMES" said: "One of the most amusing things in vaudeville as well as a vital study in child psychology I wish we might see him often and in all sorts of kid parts. His character songs are things of artistry also. His typo Is fresh and original, as well as tils work, show- ing him one of the best actors our local stage has seen." This week Aug. SI, Orpheum, Omaha. Week Sept. 7, Davenport and Cedar Rapids. Week Sept. 14, Orpheum, St Paul. UNION PICTURE MEN AGREE ON VAUDEVILLE Local 306 on Strike with the Members of T.O.C.C. Pictures Arthur Klein Gets Back Home Arthur Klein returned last Fri- day on the "Berengaxia." ' MARRIAGES Albert E. Orrendorf, musical com- poser and arranger, recently mar- ried Nina Wellner. non -professional, at Milwaukee, where they win re- side. Although aU negotiations are off between the executive committees and officers of Motion Picture Oper- ators Local No. SO* and the Theatre Owners' Chamber of Commerce, and the men are out on strike in all houses operated J>y the latter, the union operators bavo signed an amicable agreement with the Vaude- ville Protective Managers' Associ- ation, and are also signing up con- tracts with Independent movls own- ers and managers on th* same scale as agreed upon by the V. M. P. A. While efforts were hanging fire for a compromise agreement to end th* battle between the Union and the T. O. C. C, Pat Casey, general manager of the V. M. P. A., stepped into the breach. After a strenuous session with President Harry Mack- ler and members of the Labor Com- mittee from SOS, they effected a new working agreement. The contract provides for a five per cent increase over the present wage scale, th* new salary scheme becoming effective Labor Day (Sept. 1), with another five per cent in- crease the following year, and the adoption of a 'double shift" system which decrease* th* hours of work. Up to th* latter part of last week it looked as though th* Keith and Moss houses and other affiliated with th* V. M. P. A. would bump into serious labor trouble with th* operators* union, although quiet preparations had been made to use licensed operator* had not the new agreement been adopted. Th* settlement by the V. M. P. A. has nothing to do with th* action of th* T. O. C. C, which is defying the union by operating with men who are not members of the local, but are regularly licensed machine operators. Some Picture Men 8igning No. S06, through Its executive, claims that at least a half dosen picture owners and managers, not allied with the V.-M. P. A., are being signed up on the same basis of sal- ary understanding adopted by the V. M. P. A. While all houses thus under agreement to work on the five per cent. Increase this year, an addition- al five the following year will con- tinue to run along the same lines as heretofore, all the theatres not using union men will be placed on the "unfair list" of organized labor. Local 308 is one of the strongest union of picture men allied with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes and Motion Picture Operators, having over 1,500 men on Its lint. "throughout the entire activities of ALL PANTAGES TIME DECLARED OPPOSITION BY KEITH OFFICE Order Sent to Bookers and Agents—Pan's Invasion of Newark Responsible—Loew Put on Same Ban Now in Effect PAN IN NEWARK Newark Theatre Open* at 40-50 Nights, 28-36 Mat*. Newark. N. J.. Sept. 2. The Newark is charging 40-50 nights (with boxes 75) and 25-35 matinees for Its Pantage* and pic- tures program. Six acts, with one feature picture and two short ones. l'antages Is spelled out In big let- ters in a great electric sign running down the front of the house, while the name of the house appears in a small sign across the marquee. Adams says they can keep on call- ing him "opposition," but he's going to fight, tooth and nail. A New York story "confused Keeney's (now Shubert) with the Newark, which has always borne that name. The Newark la located on Market street. While the Shubert is on Branford place. AMALGAMATED MEETS SEPT. 9 A meeting ~of the theatre owner* whose houses are booked via Amal- gamated Vaudeville Agency, which was to have been held this week, has been postponed until Sept. 9, when they will gather In the New York offices. M. E. Comerford, president of Amalgamated, and Pat WhlteKurst, of Baltimore, went to New Haven to attend the meeting of the Con- necticut Motion Picture Theatre Owners. BULLDOG BITES RUBY NORTON Rutland, Vt, Sept 1. Ruby Norton, prima donna, on her way through this city to join the New'York Winter Garden show, was bitten on the arm and leg by a bulldog last Thursday. The wounds are not thought to be serious. The actress was leading her chow puppy on a leash when it was at- tacked by the bulldog. Miss Norton was bitten when she attempted to separate th* dogs. FONTAINE TRIAL SET San Francisco, Sept S. The $1,000,000 breach of promise suit filed in the Federal court here by Evan Burrows Fontaine against Cornelius "Sonny" Vanderbllt Whitney has been set for hearing Sept SS by Judge John S. Par- tridge. The case 'will be tried before a Jury. 30f In Its New York differences, the I. A. T. S. B. and M. P. O. has not had a single thing to do with its set- tlement with th* vaudeville man- agers. It was considered a local fight, and the local executives elect- ed to carry on their fight without appealing to the International body. Allianc* May B* Called In It is surmised that If the battle continues b*tw*en th* T. O. C. C. and th* union that th* allianc* will be called upon to help the operator* win their fight for an Increase In pay and shorter working hoars. There were repeated conference* between the T. O. C. C. and-SOS, with th* heads of th* Industrial Commission of th* New York De- partment of Labor endeavoring to effect a settlement by compromise, but the Theatre Owners' organisa- tion would not grant ths five per cent, increase. Further negotiations were broken off, and the T. O- C. C. prepared to operate their houses with licensed men, who are mem- bers of the Reel Club, a non-union body. All houses on the T. O. C. C. list are certain to be picketed, and every effort made to broadcast the news In all directions that the houses thus signaled out are "unfair" to the. unions. The T. O. C. C. appears well forti- fied to carry on their line of battle, and the managers who are standing pat with that organization's deci- sion to adhere to Its plans to oppose any Increase at this time seem to be confident of continuing their theatre presentations and programs without any diflBeulty. The Keith office has notified all agents and bookers that any act playing any Pantage* house is to b* removed from th* "acta avail- able" list and is not to be submitted for bookings. Acts playing for Pantages Circuit who signed contracts containing option clauses without the towns being specified are placed in the same category with acta as "oppo- sition" in Pantages Middle Western houses and the Pantages, Newark. Several queries were received from acta by Keith's this week following the announcement that Newark was opposition to Proctor's there. One act asked what would be the status if the act played the data According to the act they signed a Pantages contract but th* Newark date was Inserted after they signed. The Keith response was that the act should live up to Its contract, but would cease to have any com- mercial value to th* Keith Circuit The Keith people claim that last season they booked aeveral acts that had formerly played for Pant- ages. In the towns where they had appeared for pan, it was necessary to re-route the acts and provide other* to play those particular towns, making for a booking con- fusion that necessitated the banning of all acts that had played for Pant- ages over a period of two years. Several of the acta booked to open at Pantages, Newark, are reported as looking for an out sine* th* house ha* been declared opposition by both Keith'* and Loew. $75 GALLERY HOLDUP Los Angeles, Sept. t. As Robert J. Flndelson, assistant treasurer of the Orpheum her*, w\s leaving th* gallery box office en- trance Sunday night a lone bandit stepped out'and took 175, the night's receipts, less <10 which he over- looked. Behind a revolver the bandit told Fti.deison to lie on the floor for 10 minutes without moving, but the youth, followed and gave the alarm. It proved futile. HADDOCK'S PLAYLETS C. B. Maddock Is producing "Mar- ried by Telephone," a playlet by Capt Leslie T. Peacock*. Robert T. Haines, who Is now associated with Maddock as general director, 1* staging th* turn, th* cast for which is Cliff Worman, Genevieve Frlzelle, Margaret Daly and Bryce Kennedy. Maddoek will also produce "Nep- tune's Daughter." It I* a vaudeville revue adapted by Peacocke from the Annette Kellerman feature pic- ture story originally written by him. JACOBS MANAGING ALHAMBKa Keith's Alhambra did not reopen Labor Day. This uptown vaudeville house starts its Season next Monday (Sept 8). It has been completely re- decorated and repainted. Th* new house manager will be H. R. Jacobs, who replaces Herman Phillips. The assistant manager will be William Buck. BIDS FOB BUILDING Bids are reported about to be of- fered for new theatre buildings. One Is for Keith's at Coftmbus, O., and the other a new Loew's theatre at New Orleans. BIRTHS To Mr. and Mrs. Jay Herman (Kane and Herman), a girl Monday. Aug. 18. at Lenox Hill Hospital. Mr. and Mr*. Leo E. Crook, at Dr. Sobensfbn's Hospital, lit East 74th street, daughter. The father Is th* concessionaire of Madison square garden; the mother was professionally Ethel Rose (vaude- ville). Mr. and Mrs. Allan K. Foster. Is New York Ctty*flaug.. S3, son. The. father is a stags director; thf mother was professionally Elaine Nutta. Mr. and Mrs. Joe LaVaux, Aug. 29, In the Hunts Pt*nt Hospital. Bronx, N. Y . son. Vb* parents are in /audevllla, »