Variety (December 1924)

-;t* *4».^ VARIETY V A ODE Vtt tl A/:"' /Wednesday, D«ctmbcr 3, 1924 :■ ■■ ' k- DOrr TAKE CHANCE RISKING LIFE AKD SALARY X/ ^. v>^- 5f/ t November 26, 1924. The following letter, referring \o traveling by automobile from town to town instead of taking a train, should be a lesson to those who use this method. Very few artists are familiar with the roads at night, and more serious accidents are liable to happen than befell these people. It is an unsafe way unless there is plenty of time and one is familiar with the roiJds. I advise all artists to use odier methods than traveling by automobile in fulfilling their engage- ments. You are taking desperate chances and there can't be much pleasure traveling at night. The artists cannot expect the usual consideration from the managers in the way of pay under cir- jpumstances of not being able to give the show through their own fault. I am sincerely sorry for those who were injured, and I trust, this will be a lesson to others who per- sist in traveling by automobile at night. E.F.ALBEE. .N... ''■•^'^' • ' . Robbins Enterprises, Inc. . ... > 4.,. Albany, New York. ~ • ^ :.'':> r November 21, 1924. Mr. Frank O'Brien, Palace Theatre Building, ' ' - New York City, N. Y. ' ; , My dear Frank: ' Referring to the auto accident which befell Baraban and Grohs, it is my understandmg that they left VVatertown Wednesday nieht innnediately followiug their pcrformaiKC there in a car belonging to Miss Baraban. Tney were accom'panied by the boy singer of their act, who was driving, and one of the boys of the Smith and Cantor act. The latter suffered a slight injury of the wrist and a minor concussion on the face, while the fomiq* was uninjured. Mr. Grohs was. injured about the face and back, necessitating med- ical attention, and Miss Baraban was severly injured about the face, head and mouth, leaving two black eyes, broken teeth, etc. She also required medical attention. They were brought into Utica by a passing car. The accident occurred about fifteen miles this side of Water- town on what is known as Copenhagen hill, where in the darkness they encountered an icy surface that made the car skid and it was thrown upside down over an embankment, demolishing the car and causing the aforesaid injuries to the occupants. • Mr. Grohs informs me that he has never been c^irtioned by the office against the use of the auto in making his jumps from tcwn to town and that^this is the first accident he ever had. It is our policy here, when we find acts using cars in making their junilTs, to auvise them to leave them in Utica during the winter when making the movement to Watertown owing to the hazardous con- dition of the roads between Utica and that point during the winter months. • :^^'' ,::'*\ Only last week we had an act moving from here to one Of the New York houses for Thursday matinte, and only a short time ago %ac to Gertnantown, Philadelphia, for Thursday jnatince via auto./tven under favorable conditions either of these movements is too severe a test of endurance to expect any kind of a perform- ance after the artist arrives at his destination. / ..Very truly yours, fi- rm >■> ^AM ALLEN. THE MSSY SIDE By SALLY N« LantwaO* f*' MiAUtar'a DaughUr Sine* prohibition Mid tit* war Um l«iif«M(« of tli* lMirr«otn Beema to hAv« gntduated t* tha staic*—rasretfuny. ~Th«7 Knew What Thay Wanted" at the Qarrlck la no play (or a mlnlater'a daughter or other yoonff glrla roared In reflned environment. Tony'a (Richard Bennett) ezpreaatve ctmrtnc ia unlit (or any atage. although his interpretation o( the Wop character la altogether human. Tony's (arm houae colorfully decorated (or his w*ddln«r (east with Italian flags, lanteraa and grape vines, with Pauline Lord'a wedding outfit of cream lace, long tulle Tell, white ghnres, white slippers and stockings, make truly a picture of Little Italy. The Theatre Guild has a nervods, agitated, moody (day to handle. ^ .■ "Sundown" Minus Punch ^i "Sundown" Is a picture of the West's pioneer days. The best scene Is the exodus of the cattle into Mexico. However, it lacks the punch. This picture is also lacking in iU love tal«. Bessie L«v% wears pretty dimples, pearly whlt« teeth and well-groomed wavy hair. Her simple (arm dress o( gingham Is worn wfth a bandanna 'iMKhlef was enough (or Key StewaK to fall in love with her. L., World's Greatest Pianisto V ■■■■'^Jf!o one can dispute that Gumarr Novius. the Braxlllan, Is the world's :' gieatest living woman pianiste. Miss Novius' playing with the New York Symphony Sunday afternoon was perfect. She handles the key- ^r' board as though it were velvet, and her charming personality Is always felt. The concerto tecelved tremendous applanse. ■Ise Novius has added some pounds during her year In Brazil, but nbe looked remarkably well in a gown of black crepe embrcMered In silver. Her Jet black glossy hair, always worn parted in center low at neck, and her pretty dimples are added charms. ^'^ :■ ~>» •. ..>. PJ»«« Nev»ly Dressed -"-.''■• ^ Sergei Raebmaalaofrs recital at Carnegie Hall acatn proved bis popu- larity. He played srvsra) of his own selections. The piano (or a change , wag dressed In a new coat e( varnish. The audience, as usual, was over- geMTVua la apitlaas*. Tkere to but on* RacbmaalBoff. EBpNjHMK Wasblngten, Dec. i. employment situation waa sren better in October than In September, when a IMW blgb l«T*I was reached. Tb« lner*as* of October over September reached l.T per oent. atates the Department of Labor. Tliirt>'-four o( the S2 sep- wrate industries listed gained In employment and t7 o( the Industries showed increases ia payroU totals, while seven of th* nine geographic divisions •how Increases in employment during October. Th* Kast Sopth Central States led both (in Increased employment and in employes' •aralngs. "Close Harmony" Talky '«> "Clos* Harmony." Dorothy Parker's and Klmer Ricrs new coosedy at the Gaiety. U decidedly Main street plus. Much too much talk. It was an evening o( dellclously dull and drab entertaining. * Wanda Lyon (the bored wife) sparkles; ah* is vivacious, very good lookiair, splendidly groomed and, gave the play its only kick, besides wearing a pretty one-piece flame crepe, the new Idea of being caught in at the bottom with a pleating of some material. From the sides are bows of ribtkon and a flame patent leather b^lt. and black alligator pumps, with cinnamon hose. It lends much color to the Haselton living room, with Its panel walln, cretonne hangings, lac* curtains, and the usual back In the woods furnishings. Miss Lyon's tailored outfit of navy blue, very short skirt, one-piece; smart Jacket, one button, r. om with Peter Pan wai^t and small black satin-turban, patent leather pumps and tan hose is a good spring model. Georgle Drew Mendum's Tan Morie In Rrotesque, made very old- tlmey and caught to one side with a friU oi; Jace. t Her typ* wl(« would nay husband to Ms neighbor, - • - «' ^. < , |« j ;- Holiday Features for N. V. A. 7ber* will b* the customary do- ings at the N. V. A. New Tear's eve. with dancing tho main feature. Open house will prevail Christmas day, with a tre* in the lounging room. Florsne* ll**d's in Vaw«i*viii* Ploronc* Seed may b« seen In vandevlU* in th* aecond act of -Aahea." th* )*glt in which sh* r*- <!«Btlr elo*ed. FLASH ACT MRJLNESS Vaudevill* produetion of flaah and girl acts is at « standstill, acc<i^)llng to the producera. The condition Is due to the number of acts routed and signed to long-terra contraete by the Keith Special Contract De- partment. Th«se acts must be taken car* of first, say the producers, and with a plentiful supply of fill-in acts there ia no demand for new productlona, which muat get real money to be profltable. The producers assert less demand for their product this season' than ever before, and that flash tarns hav* gradually lost (avor with the bookers. One big time producer with five productions about to start rehears- ing says he ordered all work stopped upon advice (rem the big time booking men. who reported no 4«piand for this typ* of act. Oakland Opening Feb. 15 Oakland, Cal.. Dec. 2. Fox's, OaI(land, will become the Orpheum Dec. 15 when the Orpheum clrcuiftakes possession, but the Or- pheum's combination big Ume vaudeville and pictureB (Fox) win not start at the bouse until about Feb. IS. It will be necessary to erect a stage and other altecatlons are to be made to transform the theatre from ita picture house build. New O tp fc euto , L. A. ,i Los Angeles. Dec 2. Joseph Toplitsky has announced' plana for a new big Ume Orpheuna^ here, with the structure on the sit* t*- of the present Mission. ^ Construction will begin In Jan* . ' nary and completion la sxpectcA ', during late summer. '1 The house wlU seat X.SOO and 11 ' floors of the building wUl be useA ^'^ (or ofllces. ^i'\^ FaRUM letter* for the Forum must not exceed 15« words in length and written «xclusively to Variety. They may b* on any subject pertalnlBg te the show business or Its people. Thia department may be used by professionals to settle namcM. title* or priority on righto to blto or business. This privilege must not b* abused. Complaints against Variety or Ito criUea or oritlclsms on either will be as freely published here •a any other letters. juxaiAum liouis K. Hyd*, MMtotant of the Pacific Bank toaacb, at 4*tti street and 71h aTWHtM. to Mr%.. Genevieve L. Ralph, of Phllad*l« [ phia, Nov. 26. at ^Washington, D. Ot Charlie Chaplin to Lita Grey, big leading lady, in Kmpalme. Mexican Nov. 2S. Ted Hendersan. se<;retary-treas«^ urer, D'Alessandro j|^ur* produc*"^ tlons, to Elsie Wueach (non-pro* fessional), Wausau, Wis., Nov. 21, In the First Presbyterian Church, Hollywood. Cal. Mary Gayer, professonally Marcla Byron, to Alva C. Dinkey, Jr.. son of the former president of th* Bethlehem (Pa.) Steel Company. Rita Weiman, dramatist and novelist, to Mauidce E. Marks. ad> vertising. in NewVrork Nov. 27. Nora White, Montreal, former chorus girl, to Glenn Dal* ot ("MoonHght"). in Boston Nov, 2«. ' Paul Merlino, mosiclan, Richmond theatre. North Adams, Mass.. to ' Julia Edith Cripp*,' of N. A. Sym- phony orchestra. Nov. 27. (Jeorge Brooks (Sabott and Brooks) to Alice Nace. at Chicago, Nov. 29. Katherlne E. McCarthy to F. Flts- gerald. both of Dorchester, Mass., Nov. Z$. Mr. FlUgerald erected the Orpheum and Loew's State theatres In Houston and the Strand In Worces- ter, Maiss. Boston, Nov. M. Editor Variety: I not* th this week's Variety an act bmed OB the Loew time luder th* nam* of 'l^elghbora." New, tfMf may not ka*w VbtA this to the name of our act» and w« have been IdenUfled with the title for ten years, and we ar* atlll play- ing It Ifgii^ LtXny, HOUSES OPENING Fox's. Oakland. Cal.. renamed Or- pheum. will open as an Orpheum vaudeville and picture (Fox) the- atre late this month. The Cornell, Newark, N. J., Ht present pictures, will play vaudevlMo beglnni-fg D*e. 17, five acts, split week. /