Variety (December 1924)

^^:^^- CABjUE ADDRESS, VARIETY. LONDOM 17 n R PI fl N 8( Si Miu^iB'* PUoe. Trafalgar Squar* r V 1\ I- I \J 1^ VARIETTS LONDON OPyiCl" "^ ' ' ^ 2096-3199 Regant WednieMlay,-December 3, Iftli ^ LONEiONnjLLOF FILM RUMORS Studios Idle but Much ^ Convert«Upii ' '•■ ~-T*./ » i' .... ,, T ': ^ t.;.,.',, ■' ■; « ■. London, Nov. 25. Beyond th* fact there' is not a •Ingle British st-udlo working at' the monaent and the only production unit thinklng'of doing 00 la the one about to make the "Russell" pic- ture, there la no newa, although the . super-optimists' speak blghly o( ttie New Year. There are .m.iiqr ruaora-. Svery known shorwman ts here, has been here, or is coming to tW up all sort* of things and Qermany has Its full share of con- jecture. If half Wardour street were believed, America and Germany are sharing sauerkraut and sausages In the subterranean caverns Coho with « view to going 50-50 on the world's picture output. British alctors and actresses drift ■t» America and drift back; they go to Oermany and come back, and that is as far as the bulk of English peopl* get. although certain well- kaowa British producers can show letters offering work with the big American "sausag'e-machlne" fllm companies at as mtich as tlOO for their flrst picture with a very- gradual Incriease. Oeimany Is mak-' Ing better oflTers, but makes accept-' ance difficult. Germany is. much. in9re advanced than Americsa. as witness the (act that one of h«;r. biggest renting houses haa Just booked the Welsh- Pearson picture, "Reveille." and has engaged' the two leading players, Stewart Rome and Frank Stanmore, to play special scenes so as to make the picture more acceptable to Teu- .Sonic mentality. - These scenes are said' to show the brotherly love between Britisher and Boche on the battlefield. PIECE FOR fflGHBROWS IS DUKES'NEW PLAY . 4 ' v;vc ''Man with Load of Mischief ^ Not of Commercial The< ' , atre Quality , ^ ^ASIS BEVItAIS ??■!<'..•.:•••'- -'Parls, Nov; 25. After resuscitating JacQues Of- fenbach's pepular operetta, "Ma- dame I'Arohlduc," Max Maurey re- vived Alfred Savk>r'8 three-act com- edy "Banco" at the Varietes. The author of "Bluebeard'4 Eighth Wife" adroitly applies Tils stage- craft in "Banco" to thfill his audN •nee during a game of cards bet tween an aristocratic cad and the woman he wants, with her favors or his exile as the sUkes. This play was created fit the Potlnlere a vxotiple of years ago. •" Jules Berry, Pauley. I^rquet, Charlotte Lyses particularly shine in this revival. "Peer Gynf Is being rehearsed '«t the Porte Bt.-Martin, to succeed ••L'Amour" shortly, with J<nibe,'GreT tlllat, Suaanne Deaprea, Paule An- ..«ral and Nelly Martyl. ; •/.;., l^ondon, t<ov. JiS. •; As' voliiBie 16 of "Contemporary British Dramatists," Ernest Benn Limited of Bouverle street, London, has published Ashley Dukes' "The Man With a Loiid of Mlachlef." which the Stage Society Is pi'esent- Ing Sunday, Dec. 7. Here is a play which could ad- mirably fulfill ^e requlremeiiU of 4o-caUe<l highbrow houses In Amer-> lea. It Is an ardent attempt to give t|o dramatic; dialog the qualify of l^oetlc prose. Th^ characters are utterly unlike those of the commer- cial theatre. They afe creatures of an ezciulslte fancy, nioved by the itaost subtle or delicate of motives. The title la the name of an inn. A. woman and her maid arrive folr lowed by a noblemai. and hia tnan. The woman la the mistress of the Prince. The nobleman wlsftes to re- turn her to her lover, but first wants to humble her. Hia scheme Is to make his man pay court to her. The man, a refined descendant of Figaro, willingly agrees. But he revenges himself on the nobleman by running away with the lady and leaving hia master to face the angry Prince. It may be predicted the forthcom- ing performance of "The Man With a L6ad of Mlachlef will delight the highbrowa even If It does not satisfy all the society's meml>ers. SUged in a nianner worthy of Its artistic appeal, it should achieve a success in Greenwich Village equal to that of St John Ervlne. ''Siiuiers** So'IM Even The Uilien Dodge It ' ' Londoa. Nov. 26. "Sinners," by Xahmocs Cowen, with wlilch thf Fortwae theatre 'opened,'has been balled as one of the world's worst plays. There WM good. reasoa for Its productkm. however, bgr ih* initial lessees of the theatre, T«mpl«r Powell and Ida MolesiMHrtb,' The author, being the builder and owner 6t the theatre, would only rent the houstf -oil the proviso that his work of art was given flrst hearing. In order to obtain the the- atre, Powpll and Molesworth had to produce his play. They evidently thought it' was worth paying this premium. As was to be expected, "Sinners'* has t>een doing business that wolfid shame a flv*-cent pic- ture hotuse- Jt is said that at one performance there' was only $10 taken an£ the piny la so bad that even ihe tnhera dodge seeing it. According to contract, a month must expire before "Sinners" can be tt^en off. In 4II probability the next production ' there will be "Dancing Mothers." FLEET STREET EXCITED vULLNESS BEPOBTED IN BALLET [i Paris, Dec. 3. T- Performances of the Swedish Ballet were suspended at the Champs Ellysees theatre last week due to the reported lllnes of the dancer, Jean Berlin. A new program oomprised by the ballet was, later substituted, al- though the theatre was closed without explanation. Newapa^ Must File Stataments^en 'Js' ii'!<f'.' ■■■■■" London, Nov. £6. Weel Street, the borne of all news- paper offices, is much exvitcd. A bombshell was thrown in that direction by a circular communica- tion from the Inland Revenue au-! thorities addressed to publishers' of all the newspapers notifying them they would be expected to make a detailed re ^rn on their income ta:f statements of all space moneys paid out. "^pace" In this country Is known as "line-age" ;ind a number of high priced newspaper writers are down on the firm's books at a nominal salary, the remainder of it belngr paid in the so-called "line- age," which in the past has not been taxable. Not only are the "space-grabbers" disconcerted over the new ruling, which will directly affect their net incomes, but they hiive no guaran- tee this latest ruling w\y not be retroactive. If this comes to pass mosf of them would be4>ankrupt. KOUUR'S UTEST HIT Budapest. Dec. 2. Molnar's latest comedy, "The Patent leather Slipper," was In- atanliy auccesaful upon premiering here at the Luatpiel theatre. The leading role, that of a servant- giirl. very much resemblea a female •Llllom.'! . , ,,; :JiiiiJ^,<i.:...3^^^,''I;j Revival Brings Up ' ^ " *'Cut Rate** Question Paria, Nov. 26. S>'lv4Kre - haa withdrawn "Lea Ailea Brlseea" at the Vaudeville to permit Ida Rublnateln to appear here aa "La Dame aux Camelias," the famous play of the younger Alex Dumas, which was,oreated .i this theatre in 185S. The revival has caused a local dls- cuaaion on the aubject of reduced price ticketa now In vogue at the ParIa legitimate houaea. Pierre Wolff proteated at the withdrawal of li^s comedy to make room for Mme, Rubinstein. He declares his work could have continued to make money If Sylvcstre had again adopted the special ticket system as done on previous occasions. , .-.^ Tlialia, Berlin, May Do Better wiUi Vaudeville Berlin, Dec. 2. , The Thalia theatre, failing with operettas, has instituted a vaude- ville policy yrith optimistic chances of the new undertaking proving successful. BERN/ffiD SiUrS IMA FOR STACE VETERANS Suggests Radio Concern Form Stock Company of ?• London, Jfov. 22. A new pkjnto give emplorment to the actors and artresses who are back numbers, mainly through age and decline of appearaa<;e, has been* suggested by no. less a jiersonagc than Bernard Shaw.. Shaw's propodal Is fhat thd 'Brit- ish Broadcasting Conapany should form a stock company" of good ar- tists, no matter how 0I4 br defecftlTe their memory', 'providing they have the necessary power of expression. "Why," said G. B. S.'discussing the matter with the wireless peo- ple, "should stage and' Hlht stars be recruited for this kind of work?" He argued that special written radio plays delivered by the real old-timers, would be far more effec- tive than a more or less casual over- hearing of dialog taking place In a theatre. (R)EEN(M TILLErS WORLD RIGHTS Nsw Invention for Stereoscopic Pic- tures—Include Color Process NEW MOULIN BOUGE OPENING Paris, Dee. 2. The inauguration of the new Moulin Rouge theatre has been an- ■ounced for Deo. 10, although a postponement of aeveral days is 'expected. > Jacques Chariot' revue, featuring tb* Hoffman alsfera, is the attrac- tion. ^ ■ ■ . UNCOIir GABTEB'S LATEST London, Dec. 2. Lincoln Carter,' the American plasrwright and scenlo effect ex- pert, has placed his newest play, ,^«When the Devil Laughs," for pro- jttction here and in - rlln. The play is said to mystify and does not ca.l for sensational stage effects. r ^>]bAH6£ PELEGBIN DIES j<x' Pariii, Nov. 25. •"LtoiW «>e!e8rrtn, 70, for many years manager OT the Casino d* Toulon (France), died last week. The deceaeed. hfts been connected with vaudeville interests' In Francs (or the past 44,years, t. . «.- Arnold Bennett Written Up in London "Express*' London, Nov. 20. Mrs. Arnold Bennett, who Is liv- ihg apart from her husband, is writing, "A Word About Arnold Bennett" for the "Dally Express." At flrst Bight thia may seem to be a British attempt to adopt the en- terprising methods of New Tdrk journalism. However, after the first two instalments of this "word" have been read the public may grow suspicious. It would be Just aa well to re- member that Arnold Bennett has been one of the closest friends of Lord Beaverbrook, who owns the "Daily Express." If there has been a quarrel It has not yet to be heard of, and In fact Arnold Bennett Is still writing for the Beaverbrook press. The question arises whether Mrs. Arnold Bennett, who la a French- woman, la the real author of this brilliantly written "word." The re- sembUnce of ita style to that of "Riceyman'a Stepa' may be purely accidental. And it Is recalled that when Arnold Bennett waa editor of "Woman" he often wrote articles that appeared under women's names, but such a misdemeanor must not be oansidcrcd a,s Qvdlence that.'he would write the articles of his wtfo. •, J "A Word About Arnold Bennett'' Is a glowing «dvertlsemesj. ^pr .^ii jwork, that's cert,tn,,;,5^^,.,; ^., SWEDISH BAIXETS BETUBN Paris, Nov. 25. .Rolf de Mare's troupe, headed by Jean Berlin, Is back at the Theatre des Citamps Elysees In a number of curious antics. "Le "Tournol SlnguUer," ballet by Louise Labe, with music by Roland Manuel, depicts Bh-os playing golf with Folly; "Lo Porcher" la taken from Anderson's fairy tale (Swine- herd), to Swedish airs orchestred by P. O. Ferroud; "Le Roseau" (The Reed) from a Persian legend to which Daniel Lazarus has put ballet music; "La Jarre," an act by PIrandello-Caselle, music by Al- fredo-Casella. The entire show la Impregnated with cubic measures, and somewhat frail. 8CBEEN PLATEB8 IN LEGIT London, Nov. 23. A quartet of English screen stars have temporarily deserted the screen for the stage. Ivy Duke and Guy Newall are at ifresent touring In "Husband Love," a dramatization o( the tatter's book, and Chrlssic White and Henry Edwards are presenting "The Man Who Came Home," of which he Is part author. The latter piece aeems a mixture of humor and pathos, streaked with romance, and may btoasom forth in the West 9p4 before long. MAUBIGE 7AC0BSEN ABRESTEO Pteria, Nov. 25. Maurice Jacobaen, American, de- scribing himself aa a mualoi.in at a .Vlontmartre cabaret, and Alfred Goodwin, English subject, have been arrested for trying to pass a worthless check at a well-known i hffhj r^Vrt f»^9. . , . I^iondon, Nov. 26. Prank A. Tllley, until recently the editof of "The KInematograph Week- ly" and one of the world's experts on fllm matters, has announced ex-« cluslvely to "Variety" that he has acquired the world rights of a new method of securing perfect stereo- scopic pictures without In any way altering the existing methods of printing or Increasing the cost of production or^projection. Tllley Siliio claims for this Inven- tion a perfect one-exposure, one- prlntlng, natural color process which differs from all previous Inventions and can be combined with the stereoscopic process at no increased cost. This deal expiaina Tilley's recent mysterious trip to Germany. I^ABCISTS PBOTSCT' TBOUFE ' Rome, Nov. 26. ' The dramatic troupe directed by Marlnetti received a poor reception at the Oiglio theatre at Lu^ca (Tus- cany) recently, being occasionally hooted for what the audience con- sidered bad singing. The Fascists of the district Inter- fered and the next evening an- nounced Marlnetti, being a member of their party, would be accorded their protection. The statement was that any person heard expressing disapproval of the show would be expelled from the theatre, and suit- ably punished. OBOSSMITH GETS "NANETTE" London, Dec. >. George Grossmlth has acquired the London production rights of the H. HtfFrazee musical, "No, No, Nanette" and plans to do It here in January, In addition to sponsoring the pro- duction Grossmlth will appear in It, playing the role now being done by Charles WInnlnger. PABIS YAUDETILLE Paris, Nov. 25. Alhambra.—I'Yankle and Lady, Four Clementli^os, Derra de Moroda, Nico-Buica, Evans & Peres, Delrll, Mutt and Je(T, J4Ina Gerrard, Som- mer Troupe, Justin Palmer, Henry Chavenet, Hcrrmanas Rublo, Yvonne Roiney. ' ^ Palace.—Revue, "Vive la Femme," with Maurice Chevalier, ■JTvonne Valle, Oermalne Charley, Fernande Dlamant, Gomes Trio, Yvonne Regis, Va'rah-Yaml, Karinqka et Dollnoff, Irvin Sisters, Miss Marsh- and Harvey, Mme. Rahna, Rene Ternary, Man pi, Boulicot, Gautray, Servatlus, J. 3. Fischer's girls, BI- glarelll Ballet Troupe, • Lilians Lucey, Andrre Revyl, Max Bcrgcr. Jean Cyril. Pari* Ca'oaret Dismantled Paris, Nov. 25. The Pie qui Chante, one of the most popular irsorts known hero as cabarets, and whore the chansonnicr. Charles Pollet, has appeared for many years, has been closed. The entire building Is to be pulled down for Improvements. The theatre material was sold by auction. ,' ■ ■ , "•:'■' ' 1 ■ „. ■J9i-y Mrt. -Kate Merrick Sen- tenced—Pays Fines Totaling $20,000 London, Nov. }5., The law has kept its pron^bie to Mra. Kate Merrick, And the "Quei^ii of the Underworld" has retired'to serve six months imprisonmeW^i^ During her Vrtal at the lMli«t»A Sessiohi tt was Stated she had'^d over tSO.OOO In fines and cott* i^ho* 1924'. The Recorder, passlniT' iiit[^ tence, said sb» had set the l&il'''af defiance and refused hail p^rid)^' a possible appeal. The court i^af crowded by fashionably dfcli|[te" women who struggled ■ tor j^q^o tance. , _ ' Six of her convictions were "tor using Dalton's club, I>eicest,er Square, for Immoral purposes, ^U fine; licensing offense*, at rhe.''4S Club." tl.250; unlicensed mudic ^iad dancing at the same place, -|600; licensing offenses at the FoUeS Bergere club, 1030; Hcenblng ^t" lenses at the New Follies club, $2Jtt, and licensing offenses again at tli* "4S.'r |1,»50. For defense it was stated . she brought divorce pro- ceedings in 1910. As a result she <«raa allowed IS.76 a week on which to bring up eight children. Starting on her underworld' ca- reer, she sent one son to Harrow, a girl to Brighton's most' exclusiv* school and another girl to Glrtoa College, Cambridge. Having coni* pleted their education, she Mad* them managers of her night eluba and dives. One of her exploits waa to escort a New York police chief so h« could get a (Irat^thand ka^lj^ edge of London'a dens of infamy. SADLER DIVORCE CASE Army Officer Separatee from Do* lores, Pameus Model % London, 'Nov, 36. Another divorce' of Interest la theatrical circles is that of Norlaa Fournier Shofleld Sadler, better known as Dolores, famous model, who has been associated with th* sculptor, Epstein. A man called Bonnymead was cited as co-re- spondent. Petitioner said he was married In 1918, his wife describing herself as a widow, although she was in reality a divorced woman. There were no children. Ha was a second lieu- tenant, having met her when a ca- det. He spent his leaves with her. but oa being demoblited found sh* had returned to her flrst husband. He started a petition, but sh* pleaded for forgiveness and ttaa case was not proceeded with. XiS- ter she left him again and he round her living under the protection ot an elderly gentleman. He forgave her again and took her back, but one* more she lett him and l>ecaBM a model. . ^ , _ .^ Dolores recently appeared la s' revue "playlet" at the Uttle, t>ut was taken out of the program after ^ne or two performances. ABBEST AMEBIOAN WOMEN .. Zurich, Nov. 22. Genevieve Paddleford, Born Mac- Kenney, of Los Angeles, formerly known as Mrs. Teal, and divorced from Dr. George Paddleford, waa arrested here with her daughter. Clay, 22, picture actress and opera singer. The charge was leaving a worthless ring with the hotel porter as guarantee for a. loan of 100 francs. Mrs. Paddleford declared she ar- rived In Switzerland after touring the world and was going to-Geneva to claim her baiBra:..ge. The local police asjert she was arrested In ni22 in Lucerne Zor defrauding a hotel and afterward oxtradlcted to Austria, where .she wa.-j convicted of victimizing storekeepers. Mme. George Coming ' 7 Paris, Nov. 2. Yvonne George, popular cabaret .artiste here, is leaving for Cuba, afterward going to Mexico City. She will then make her second visit to NowfYqrkl^arlyJvsthe.tifwiyeart^^,