Variety (November 1924)

w nesday, November 5, U VAUDEVILLE VARIETY fiT- I: BADIO ACT IF WITH KEnVS CAN DO NO BROADCASTING ■:"4 '.i*>^:.W 04<l CirciuBstance Crop* Up with "Radio Franks"— ^ ; May Tal^« Loew Circuit—Under Radio Contract |. j«--to Bninmrick ■■>■ • '-• H; "■ -' '• . ''"■'^. '$ Having buUt their reputation by *'radio, the Ketth offlc^ now would "forbid the Radio Franks <Frank Wright and #rank Besslnger) from broadcasting if the team accepts the metropolitan Keith tour Eddie .Darling has them in m4nd for. The ) Bodlo Franks cannot see droiiplng I out of the radio picture completely I a«d so may sign tor a limited Loew. I tour instead. \ The team opened Thursday as an . i added attraction at the Strand Roof ! (6abaret), doing their specialty out- aiSe of t1ie regular Earl Lindsay revue. The Radio Franks' contract with the Brunswick records necessitates their regularly broadcasting at least once a week from WJZ (Radio Corp. of America), which now is a Bruns- wi^ck ally, owing to a combined lPl}9no-radio product being marketed I bir Brunswick, which has the Radt- X Ota as part o( the dual unit. I Wright and Bessingcr are now I tilBO free agents as far as. singing I published songs are concerned. I Their former alignment with Wa- St^rvon still gives the impression 'they are plugger^ for the Waterson concern. , I ^liQlian Russell Memorial Room" in Keith's, Phila. Philadelphia, Nov." 8. if. Professionals, managers, repre- sentatives of theatres and news- vl^Apermen ,were present when the ff'vt-UlUn Russell Memorial Room" In jffi. F. Keith's theatre was dedicated j,^bursday morning. Newly decor- f^ltted. handsomely turniahed und iijVith large bunches of American Beauty rosea, which were Miss Rus- »eir« favorite -flower, the room pre- sented a decidedly attractive appear- ance. ' ' -■■ A lit* «l3W> .pa'ntlnK of tb« late Miss Ru«sell in her favorte pose 'almost covered one side of the wall ' f of the room. Lillian Russell last ^ appeared Ihere In March, 19i». At •ithat time she was an honorary S member of the U. 8. Marine Corps, to which she was appointed for her . ■■•great work In recruiting Marines .•^during the wfir. The dedication address was made ' by Julia Arthur. She was Intro- . duced by Harry T. Jordan, general manager of the Keith interests in this city. Miss Arthur made her address upon the stage. The Lillian Russell Memorial - Hoom was formerly the Oreen Room , of Keith's, used as a sort of loung- ing room or reception room by the . artists, and It will continue to be used for the purpose. Hudy Break-m Houses Grow Fewer and Fewer One of the worries of nro- ducers of large-slsed vaude- ville acts at present is-the find- ing of handy break-iii-houses. Always a problem it has been. aggravated of late by the de- cision of many additional bookers and house managers to refrain from booking acts Just breaking in, no matter the price. As an example practical- ly all the Wilmer and Vincent theatres, . the Keith family houses in Philadelphia, and several other groups have re- cently laid down the law on break-Ins. About the only col- lection of Keith-booked the- atres that still permit and en- courage them are the Poll stands In New England. This condition has come about aa a result of the pro- ducers' own neglect In falling often to have their acts in pre- sentable shape before breaking in. Some of the producers ap- parently believe getting a showing Is the important thing, and their turns will right themselves as they go along. As a result many managers and bookers feel they would rather wait and get only the good ones, even though they do have to pay more for them. Chriftmas production for "Wylle Tate," Londoo, Hippodrome. April, l*25t Auatraliah toiir for J. C. -Williambon, Ltd. I Week l^ov. 10—Keith's Orpheum, Brooklyn. Other reepU'k 0»l«l»—t W. J. C. In "MlBncapolU Trlbunt" wld: "Runa awar with all Ih* honor oo tile bill. Actinc juatiflea hia popalarltjr, May be enjoyed by aotlra family. Oood comedy of a typa aeldom ae«n on the American '*"' GEORGIE WOOD Beware of Card Sharps on Trains Professionals coming Into New Tork after playing Washlagton, Baltimore or Philadelphia will do well to avoid a gang of card sharps now playing the trains on the Pennsylvania railroad. These •harps are going especially strong on the trains leaving Washington after 7 o'clock and stopping at Baltimore, Wilmington, then backing Into Broad Street station, PhlUy, continuing to Trenton, Newark and New York. Last Sunday night a member of Variety's New York staff, coming from Washington, was approached by the sharps, along with several others sitting in one of the Pullman smokers. From one of the men trimmed he learned the sharps had a drawing room and that they played with "their own cards." Bridge and stud poker are their headliners, although they'll accommodate themselves to play any- thing. A New York business man who commutes to Philadelphia aald the same men and others are on the train* avarjr night. BUCKY HARRIS TURNED DOWN BY VAUDEVDIE 2 DOROTHY DODDS Los Angelea, Nov. S. The Dorothy Dodd, or Dodda. who unsuccessfully attempt-ed sui- cide last week, has left the hospi- tal and is again living at the Ho- tel Whltmore. The local Dorothy had been separated from her hus- band, Frederick Stern, for some time. She has appeared In vaude- ville on the West^Coast, haa been doing some picture work, and also has been singing on the radio, be- sides having written a radio song. She is no relative to the woman of similar name in the east. The Dorothy Dodd In the east who has been a single in vaudeville and also a singer on radio, is now with the team of Dorothy Dodd and Rae Leeder. The eastern Dorothy Dodd is also married. Her wedded name Is Mrs. Joaeph Sciaooaluga. •• t. Big Time Refuses to Con* sider Manager of Smiators .; MR. JONAS HELD Charged With Mann Act In Okla- homa Caaa B. B. IS "^UGS" Tbo' Saturday-nlte boys of the Friars are all het up ovar the next event, which starts at one minute after midnight Sunday morning next. The guest of honor, If any, will te '.X B., which atands for any- thing, but means Bugs' Baer. The bill of fare states that there will be all the comforts of home without the explanations. Also that members and their guests will be accommodated with tuxla by calling Spring 3100. There will be songs of all nations by bashful vtentrllo- qulsta, plus dancing, singing and anything to annoy the neighbors. The extra added attraction is "that famous Chinese actor. On Too Long." For fear of a sell-out the great hall of the monastery will be used instead of the grill. George Jessel will be masl'er of ceremonies. DEMPSEY TAKES MONEY RECORDS Hardly any use for a young fel- low to pilot hla team to a world's series championship, according to the oplnldn expressed by blg-tlme vaudeville when its bookers refused to consider Bucky Harris as an act. Bucky is the youthful manager and captain of the victorious Wash- Ingtbn Americans, who won the last game of the recent series In an over- time game. Al} of the newspat>M'B talked about Bucky, with some still talk- ing of him or his team on the sport pages. It gave Howard Rogers the idea of writing a sketch around Bucky for the vaudeville stage with pictures of the series games to start oft the turn. Everything seemed rosy until the proposal came before the bookers In the blg-tlme offices. They knew of BU'-ky, had seen him in his togs and In action, but they thought his place was on the diamond as a gate attractton. So far the small time has not been heard from nor Is It known whether the name of Bucky Harris has been submitted to the pop housesl In the days of Hammersteln's Victoria In New Tork baseballers of any fame were an attraction. There Is no longer a Hammersteln's. Vic- toria. Expected tolTpp All Fig- ures at State This Week Kansas City, Nov. 4. Mrs. Mattle Jonas, owner of a dance hall In Cromwell, Okla., who, with a number of her employees, were arrested here last week and charged with a violation of the Mann act, when they advertised and ^ hired girls to go to Cromwell to 'work in the dance hall, have been held to appear before the Federal ■firrand Jury in December. Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Soderston, known professionally as the "Novaks," were dismissed. Jewish Guild Meets Thursdfiy Night A meeting Thursday night (Nov. 6), at 11:30, will be held by the Jew- ish Theatric.ll Ouild at the Shubert the.ttre. on West 44th street, New York. Among the speakers expected Is Judge Otto Ropalsky. THE TILLER SCHOOLS OF DANCING 143 Charing Cross Road LONDON Director, JOHN TILLER Geo. Jessel Will Produce And Stage His Own Show George Jessel has decided to be his own producer, stager, author, manager and ntar of "The Girl From Kelly's." Outside capital in- terested has been given the air by Georgie, whose only partner up to this moment la Kddle Cantor. Jessel says the show will be In the revue form which cin-ea under '.he heading of hU own y.ird, so that the combined duties shou'd blend for him. Engaged for "Kelly's" so f».r a*-* Nellie Breen, Ona Munson, Joe Donaghue, Nell Carrlngton, George Jonef. SE BEX-FOTEK WEDDING Blille De Rex (Clifton and De Rex), formerly of vaudeville and appearing in the current edition of "Greenwich Village Follies" at the Shubert, and Bemle Foyer, man- ager of the Band and Orchestra department of Irving Berlin, Inc., were married Oct. 31 in Newark, N. J. Vincent Lopez was best man and Masie Clifton. Miss De Rex's partner, was bridesmaid. The couple had planned to. keep the wedding secret but it leaked out. Whf n ;th« bride reachpd ' the Shnberf theatre l^lday evening she was flabbergasted by the company deluging Iter with congratulations. ■ ' -1 i .,11" BARE liGS BARRED Bare lega. wiU hereafter be taboo In all theatres of the Proctor cir- cuit, according to an edict handed down last week. The "Folly Obrls," the permanent ensemble at the Fifth Avenue, New Tork, are Included in the ruling, and have donned fleshings. DANCERS AT RITZ Ted Trevor and Dlna Harris, the English dancng team, opened at Keith's Riverside tast week "show- ing" tha turn to the Keith book- ers. In addition to their vaudeville engagements, the pair have been booked for the Rltz Carlton Hotel, New Tork. by the William MorrU ofrice. They will dance there supported by the Vincent Rose orchestra. Jack Dempsey. now playing the Loew Circuit, has broken the house recorda at Loew's Ave. B. New Tork; Loew's, Buffalo, and Loew's. Newark, N. J., the latter held by "Circus Week," which grossed $31,000 (Columbus Day week). Dempsey's engagement was laat week with holiday, and the usual number of performances. At Loew's Ave B two weeks ago, Dempsey "broke in," playing four days and establishing a new house record for that period when the gross reached |3,S00 in excess of the former high, and this after the salary for the Dempsey turn had been deducted. This would mean a Jump over the former four- day high of 18.500 if the reported salary of |5,000 weekly for the Dempsey turn is authentic. At the Buffalo last week Dempsey bettered the former high by sev- eral thousand dollars, going to |2S,- 000, and the Loew bookers are willing to wager h« will break the house record at the State, New Tork, during his current engage- ment. The State house record is held by Eva Tanguay. Expecta- tions are that Dempsey will do better than fS3,000 at the State, following which he pla}s a week at the Metropolitan, Brooklyn, and a week at Loew's. Boston. * VALUATION TOO HIGH |1,000 Front Foot—L. A. County Says |300 Enough WEBEB AND FIELDS' PICTURE Chicago, Nov. 3. Weber and Fields will make the "Friendly Enemies" picture on the Coast. They were tentatively en- gaged for it before leaving New Yoi* for their present Orpheum vaudeville tour. It is understood the comedians will remain over long enough in Los Angeles to complete the film. H. Sebastian closed the picture contract upon securing the fllm rights to the stage hit laHt week. Los Angeles, Nov. I. Los Angeles County commenced condemnation proceedings, today, before Superior Court Judge Valen- tine, against Will Rogers, actor, and the Santa Monica Land and Wter Co., who are asking $1,000 a front foot on 1,100 foot beach frontage in Sapta Monica Canyon, to be used for a public park. The county claims the property is not worth more than $300 a foot. MIBBOBED TTFEWBTIINO Birdie Reeve, the 16-year-old girl who won the worlu's typewriting championship, has been routed by the Orpheum circuit, opening Nov. 9. Miss Reeve will demonstrate her speed at tapping the keys, using a mirror reflection arrangement some- what similar to thone uned by bil- liard and pool chainpioii.i when doing stage worlv. li Y. CENim BUYING ACTS FORaUBS Arranging Entertainment for 175,000 Employes '- of Railroad The New Tork Central rallroadL with Ita 171,000 employes ^twean eastern and western terminus, has created a new department to book vaudeville talent for the various so- cial cluba ^rgatUaed aloog thft Una. Practically •▼ary iarga atop-ovar city haa a separata club unit with approximately 10,000 members each. Frances Rockefellar King of tba Keith's offlce club depaMment haa been commlsaioned to book tnnia for the various clubs aa occaalon arises. Tha parformers will hava their full fares furnished both wtijm in addition to othar remuneration. The raiU-oad's purcbaalng departr ment, a co-operative divialon of t^a New Tork Central system, whi<A looks after lU amployaa' waltara by purchasing everything deatrabla In bulk from the beat taahlon cantata. win also look after tha buylnc oC this ei>tertainment tor the various social bodies afl^liatad with tha road. Paddy the Cop Saw Actors Fight in Street Patrick Connelly ia a Broadway cop. He treata the boys of the pro- fession right and with proiter rever- ence, but (in hia own words) "when they start" raaslin' In the middle of the street they stop me traffic, and that's bad enough." Pfiddy was at Eighth avenue and 46th street. Now and then he waved a lawful hand, directing automo- bllea hither and yon. The world was perfect as tar aa ha waa con- cerned. Suddenly a screeching of brakes; horns tooted and a crowd collected, where heretofore automobile cut- outs had dispersed various kind* of monoxide at 20 per hour. Paddy ble:ir his whiatle three times, held up a gloved band In all directions. Including the vertical, and went to- ward the scene of this untoward happening. After breaking through the mob for a gain of 10 yards, Paddy dis- covered on the car tracks two pair* of arms and as many legs, clasped In mortal combat He beat tha feet with his club and Anally disen- tangled tl\e ball of humanity. To hla astonishment he discovered that the pair of wrestlers were nona other than Frank Haaly, an actor, of 415 Rlveralde drive, and James T. Duffy, who also claims histrionic ability and aald be lived at 10 West 47th street. "Sure, laddies," said Paddy, "yaz have the wrong place. It's you that wants to see Jack Curley, him that runs tha raaaling farm. Go to the Garden, maybe they'll pay "yosl" However, the pair refused to move along and started another embrace. This time Paddy exercised his pow- ers. He persuaded the pair to come along to the station house. There both were booked, and, after a night in the hoosegow, they were brought before Magistrate Max S. Levlna. Hizzoner, after hearing the facts In the cane and Informed Duffy and Healy had s|>ent a night In jail, sus- pend!. t1 sentence on them. COBINNE TIITON'S "EEVENGE" PoKfry Pfim ond Hohh and Mack will .Tiipp.TT In "Upvenge Is Sweet." n now :iit pit>'lu«ed by Corlnna Tll-