Variety (December 1924)

'Wednesday, December 3, 1924 VAUDEVILLE »' I V' VARIETY i F. OF L CONVENTION ON RECORD IN FAVOR OF AIL THEATRES OP EN SUNDAY B1)T LEGIT. f'aTort Every Form of Amusement by Resolution J* Adopted for Sabbath Playing Other Than Drama f ^^ and Musical Comedy—Gillmore and Mountford • I Appear Before Committee, Speaking for Amended Resolution—Gillmore for Equity for Legit's Sunday Closing—^Musicians and Stage Hands' Heads Proceed to San Francisco to Inves- tigate Equlty-Labor Trouble There J^:\ % I I. %■ El Paso, Tex.. Dec. 2. •| Through resolution adopted by ||i« American Federation of Labor '>nvention, before it ended bcre laat redneaday, the Federation went pon the record aa favoring every ^rm of amunement on Sunday ex- Kptlng the legitimate theatre, in- clusive of EiuBlcal shows. "; The only time the theatre was re- ared, to during the two weeks' con- i^ntion was in that resolution, lirougttt about %vhen introduced by ike WaslilRgton. D. C. labor body. 11 asked the convention to oppose ^e U. S. Senate bill closing all (Inces of amusement on Sunday. I Thia resolution was referred to Us Kper committee. After Frank iillmore of ISquity and Harry iMintford of the Vandevllle Branch 'oui- A's) had appeared (at sepa- Kte limes) before the committee, tie reaolwtlon was returned to the convention, as amended, and adopted. It places the convention upon.[.Circult record as against all forms of legi- Imate entertainment Sunday, bat favor of the opening of vaude- llle theatres and other forms of lusement on the Sabbath. ^. Giilmora for. Equity Only m Mr. Olllmore, before the commit- l»e, slated he was speaking only for vquity, not for the Four A's (which ^e ofllcially represented as a dele- gate). Gillmore stated, UMjl whUa Kq.MUy is not in favor ot Glue Laws, it wanted the theatres closed on Sundays. Asked by thk committee what theatres, Qillmore replied the legitimate (drama) theatre and musical shows. Mr. Mountford, when before the committee, pleaded for the vaude- ville theatre. H^ stated the closing ot vaudeville on Sunday would mean the loss of one-seventh salary to I vaudeville artists. Mountford cited ' Memphis as closing recently on Sunday, causing the vaudeville cir- cuit to pay six-sevenths pro rata thereafter, also the Canadian vaude- ville houses. Following the convention's con- clusion, Joseph Weber, president of the' musicians' international; and Wlliiam Canavan, president of the stagehands' internatloal, with their atafCis, left here for San Francisco. It is believed they go to that city to Investigate the difficulty of the coast (Continued on page 63) Nan Halperin Leaving "Follies*' Chicago, Dec. 2. Nan Halperin's engagement with the "Follies" will t^minate Dec. 20 in Indianapolis. Miss Halperin will return to' vaudeville, opening at the Palace, Chicago, Dec. 21. This win be Miss Halperin's sec- ond appearance at the I'alace within three months. rcco tmt lllc mil A86ir SEORGAinZES STAFF Chicago, Dec. 2. R. J. Lydiatt, general manager of the Western Vaudeville, has left for the Coast with a view of reorgan- izing the branch offices. The Chicago staff will also be re- organized so as to conform with the policy maintained by the Orpheum INFUTED PAY KEEPING BANDS OUT OF DATES Plenty of Spots for Combina- tions at Right Figure—Pic- ture Houses Blamed According' to bookers, there Is Just as much, if not a greater de- mand, for good bands in vaude- ville. A number of well-known dance hall bands have applied for booking only to be turned down, the bookera claiming the exacted price was prohibitive. The chief booker of one circuit said that there were aeveral bands that he could use at once, but the salaries were away over his head. He claims that the picture houses have caused the price to go up, the p. h. playing only the band as an attraction, whereas the vaudeville theatres muct run their usual va- riety bills. JUANITA HAHSEK'S 8UPF0ET A number of changea will be made in the supporting cast of Juanlta Hanson's new sketch, "Mickey." George Dill, former atock lead, will remain as the male principal. BORIS PETROFF (BALLCt MASTER) and DOROTHY BERKE (PREMIER BALLERINA) Seeend Season MoVICKERS, CHICAGO AUKIIICAN: "A tendna lum isit «iir»« w th* adUnuto af Urp«irkana> •Hnctlofn.'' To My Pal—TOMMY GRAY By WILLIAM JEROME Just, a little good-bye rhyme. Tommy Gray, With no answer back this time. Tommy Gray, Evei^ flewAr yoil gave me ' I'm returning, don't you aee. In a wreath of poetry, Tommy Gray. .',;■ 'i:'.''. v* You were gentle with your wit. Tommy Gray, Never hurt a aoul you hit. Tommy Gray, And your "Tattles," Tommy, too. They were funny, new and true— \ , , 1 can tattle now on you, Tommy Gray. You were Just a happy boy. Tommy Gray, Played with humor Ilka a toy. Tommy Gray, All along Longaere square There's la moisture in the air— Every eye is misty there, Tommy Gray. You were one of my own kind. Tommy Gray, You've left monuments behind. Tommy Gray, To a Gray Home in the West God haa taken you to rest- He knows when, and Juat what'a beat, Tommy Gray. AIl-Circii8 Bill Too Costly for Independents The innovation of all-circus bills liave proven too costly for the small lime Independents. Despite drawing power in spots tested others are dubious about gambling on the outlay, which they claim Ls double the amount usually fipent on regular bills. Other houses that might be in- clined to play them figure that the feature means nothing unless booked in for a full week. They are of the or>inion that full week shows are not for their territory. Two Indepc -dent offices compet- ing for circus features are now find- ing themselves with contracted acts upon their hands and no place In v.-Iilch to book them. The circus acts carry an unusual (imount of parapheriUilia'and c<Ai- xequcntly cannot hire out as cheap' iis other .nets which seem to ijerve the purpose as well in the small timers. The competing bookers wish they hadn't been so competitive and are trying to effect some sort of a set- tlement with the acta that will ata^ solve them from their obligations with not being costly at the same time. FITCH'S AS WHOLE SHOW Dan Fitch'a Minstrels, a tab blackface group organized by Pat Casey, and deslgaed to give the en- tiro performance in a vaudeville theatre, have been routed for about 16 weeks In the middle w«at over the Orpheum circuit's junior time. No acts will be added to their performance. MIKLEJOHN'S WIFE GETS DIVORCE DECREE Married at 15, Started Work at 17—Miklejohn Hogged Bed and Blankets Los Angeles, Dec. S. Tony La Rlro, a chorus girl in private life Mrs. Campbell Mikle- john, wlfe^f the vaudeville booker), was granted a divorce on the grounds of cruelty and desertion by Superior Court Judge Summer- field. She testined that at I'he age of 15 Fhe ran away and married Miklejohn. At 17 things were not .going so « ell, so she became a show glrU She h;a(l to go to work, alie said, because her husband was the most selfish man she had ever known. Mrs. M. declared he never gave her any money, and one time when 111 made her sleep on a couch with only nn overcoat as a cover, while he took the bed and all of the blan- kets. That was sufficient for the Court. He stopped the testimony at this point by saying, "Decree granted." PLAGIARISM CHARGED Test Dalton Claime Pollard Act Was Lifted from "Adam'a Apple" Indianapolis, Dec. 2. Test Dalton, playwright, has served notice upon Snub Pollard, picture comedian now in vaude- ville, that the skit "Oh Uncle" in which Pollard is appearing is the first act of his copyrighted three act comedy "Adam's Apple.". According to Dalton, the manu- script Pollard carries bore the name of Ted MacLean as author. Dal- ton says his play was copyrighted ^ Aug. 7, 1*13, under title of "Uncle Bunny," and had been produced several times in stock. GEETIE SAUFDEBS' B£YU£ A new revue, headed by Gertie Saunders and Billy Mitchell and Billy HIgglns, staged and produced by Leonard Harper, will open at the Orand theatre. Slat street and State, Chicago, Dec. 8. ■ ■mk.ii:^i. NOT MADGE BELLAMY Los Angeles, Dec. 2. Madge Bellamy, of pictures, says herself, which makes it so, that, notwithstanding reports, she has no Intention of playing In vaudeville at preaenL 'SPOTTING" WORRIES BOOKERS; ACTS DEMANDING TOSIHONS" Independents Encounter More Trouble in Framing Bills—House Managers Also Find Some Acts Insistent on Certain "Spots" INCORPORATIONS Albany, Deo. 2. Olympic Theatre Corp., Utlca; pic- lure tlieatre; $35,000; E. A. Buuder. Benjamin W. Uerwig, E. W. Lliuun. (Attorney, F. D. Mcintosh, Little Falls. The Bully Company, Inc., New York; play; »20,000; Mrs. Henry H. Harris, Howard Schnebbe, Waiter Percival. (Attorney, H. S. Budner, 36 West 44th street-) D. and C. Operating Corp.« Btn;;- hamton; theatre proprietors, man^ ngers. etc.; )20.000; Ned Kornbllto, David Cohen, B. H. DIttrlch. (At- torney, R. W. Meeker, Ringhamton.> Qorkil, Inc., New York; theatrical, etc.; $20,000: Kilbourn Qordon. S. D. Stutson, S. R. Fleiaher. (Attorney, Joseph P. BIckerton, Jr., 220 West 42d street.) The Forest Preduoing Corp., New York; theatre proprietors; |16,000; Willlait) L. Rogers. L. L. Green- berger. Max Chopnick. (Attorneys, Schlesinger & Schlesinger, 17 East 42d street.) Alma Art Displays, Inc., New York; sketches, posters; $20,000; J. J. Robinson. J. W. Foliette. C. M. Zlmmer. Attorney, J. J. Robinson. 231 Broadway.) American Museum In the Name of Nettle and Louis Horeh< Inc., Nevr York city; museum of art; 70 shares non par value; F. R. Qrant, Maurice' LIchtmann, L. L. Horch. (Attor-" neys. Morris, Plant & Saze, 27 Pine street.) Wing a Son, Inc., New York city; manufacturing pianos; $1S1,200; R. D. Wing, L. R Wing, T. D. Wing. . (Attorneys. Spencer, Ordway & Wierum, 27 William street.) Bronx Fair Company, Inc Bronx: amusement enterprisea: 200 shares non par value; Wm. H. Powers,. Fl-ances Powers, V. Donnelly. (At- tomey. Wlliiam H. Powers. 2SS E. 13Sth street.) National Attraetiena of New York, Inc., New York City: the- atrical; 6,000 shares preferred stock $ltO par value, 20,MO aliares com- mon stock. IB par value Claaa A;' 20,000 shares common atock, fS par ' value Class B; Julius Kendler, Her- ' = man Lapln. Bertha Safler. (Attor- '■ neys. Kendler a Qoldsteln, 1640 Broadway.) Osone Amusement Cffrp.,Brooklyn; pictures; 3600J>00; directors, Isaac Katz, Louis Rosenawelg, Dave Roscnxwelx: subscribers, Gorrge Goldberg, Herman Oaba, P. L. Gar- funkel. (Attorneys, Levy, Outman * Goldberg, 277 Broadway, New : York City.) New York Hockey Club, Inc., New York; hockey, boxing, theatrical,;.' restaurant, etc.; 1.000 shares non- par value; H. W. Pa.prockl. F. C.i Taylor, C. J. Ferrie. (Attorney, P.- J. Knorr, Albany, N. T.) Echo Lake Tavern, Inc., New York City: hotel, restaurant, the- atte; 320,000; Louis Joffe, Joseph A.'*>i'' Saraflte. Sadie Wynne. (Attorney, L. J. Naftalison, 141 Broadway.) The Kiddle Park, Inc., Brooklyn: amusement enterprises; $50,000; Abraham Lehman, Abel Silvan, Ro- o LIfton. (Attorney, Abraham Leh- man, 186 Joralemon St., Brooklyn.) Suffolk Courtly Sporting Club, Inc., Patchogue; boxing and wrest- ling contests; $10,000; Frederick * Beck, Edward Miller, Joseph Miller. (Attorney, Harry A. Davidow, C7 Ocean Ave.. Patchogue, N. Y.) Lafayette Operating Company, Inc., New York City; personal property and theatrical enterprlseK; 3S00; Abraham B. Mehlman, Michael Mehlman, Bella Shapiro, Michael Shapiro. (Attorney, Sam- uel S. Orllnger, 2»1 Broadway.) STATEMENT AND DESIONA- TION Duplex Motion Pioture industr:es, Mlllsboro, Del.; Herbert O. Carleton, president; capital, 31,000,000; New York office, Sherman street and Harris avenue, Long Island City. N. Y. (Attorneys, Cohen, Rosenthal k, Altman, 152 West 42d street. New York city.) CERT RE CHANGE NAME.. From Brennan-Mosser Produc- tions, Inc., New York city, to Ti- tanic Productions, Inc. (Marvin ft Pleasants, 150 Broadway, New York city.) Morten Theatra, Ine^ Boston; en- • tertalnmenU; capital, 3100,000. Incorporators Samuel Plnsnskl (Brookline). Jacob I«urie (Rax- bury) and Edward S. Canter (New* ton). Wrangling over "spots" la the in- dependent vaudeville houses la giv- ing the bookers frorrj. Even "show" acts are holding out for what they think Is a proper po- sition, figuring to establish them- selves in certain spots and being able to retain the positloa when bdoked by standard circuit*. Many/Of the acts designating po- sitions have chosen spots unsuit- able for -their calibre of offerings. In cases where bookera have been compelled to humor them, they have thrown the bills out of gear. The nuisance haa bitcome so prev- alent tliat several of tfy» booking •fflcea are no longer doing business with acts designating spots. They are making It plain that unless they can accept positions assigned them they need waste no further time In negotiating engagements. Previously, It had been common practice with the Independent book- ers to make all manner o( concea- sions with "name" break-ins and give them stellar spottiAg without hesitancy. In many cases the house managers have bad their ,own id^as as to the proper spot for the act. When shifting them after the .open- ing performance, It caused all sorts of trouble with the acts claiming they had booked in speciflcnlly for the original spot allotted. Several acts cancelled when managers would not swerve. JUDGMENTS Wlllat Film Corp^ A. C. Hume; $764.70. " Sydce Photoplay Corp.) City of N. Y.; $600.07. Motion Pictures Securities Corp.; same; same. Nat. Opera Co. of Am., Inc.; same; same. Photo Chrsme Film Corp.; same; same. Photofilm Olst. Corp., Inc.; same; sante. Topical Film Corp.; same; same.' Hotel Dea Artistes, Inc.: same; $338.83. Hotel Gonfarena, Inc.; aame:., same. Harvard Film Corp.; same; aanrte,'■ Lew Fields, Inc.; same; same. N. y. Mutual Film Corp.; aame; same. Nat. Allied Amwp. Cerp.i same; (Continued oa page 3) Bl K.NH and lliniCHILI. rormorlr of BT'KNH mUI I.TNW Ja<* »• Iji4 Ym Kaew DIretlln BOttK * Ct'BTM .