Variety (December 1924)

.'■\'''' '■ > > w ■^ - <:,>,i',-.ir»^,r"''« .';(»"■" VARIETY EDITORIAL^ :'•.*. :^-»ii:=T''-^. , WcdneMay» December-10, 1924 niETY Tr%d« M«rk Ractaland I FabUshcd WMklf bj VAHIBTTI. iM. mm* mivarmfta. Prmadant 114 WaM Mtb BtrMt Naw Tork aty ..y . BUBSCRrPTION: S.BD«U «1 «-oraiKa. IBSI* CSPlM ' !• 'C*BM Vol. liXXVII No. 4 HEWS OF THE DAILIES WUdA Bennett, Btar. "Madame Pompadour," Is the defendant In a ■utt other than Charlotte King Pal- mer's. Mrs. Charles C. Frey, wife of « wealthy turfman, has filed an ac- tion for $100,000, accusing Miss Ben- nett of living with Frey. Mrs. F^y alleges that Miss Bwmett and her husband met at the racertcak In New Oriettns and lat«r cam^ to New York and Uved together at the actress borne. The Freys were married In lll». They separated twQ years late, when Frey filed suit for dlvor<?e, charging desertion. • Mrs. Frey then entertained a countersult and ac- cused htm of misconduct with an unldentifled woman. These suits are now pending. The case was brought up In the Brooklyn, N. Y., Suprente Com^ Friday, but Justice Cropsey reserred decision. wiMn Miss Bennett •nd her accttser failed to appear. ■J Througb her »ttomey, Richard I* Mackay, t^wA D. WUc)c, play- hr<dur and literary agent, Iq trying to recover $2,600 from Mrs. ;Marga- retta Tottle, authoress and play- wright. Mis* Wilk alleges the m'Miey Is due on a contract whereby she was to OispoM of the picture HghU of "Feet of Clay," She also ■ays that the contract called for : 10 per c«nt. commission on the sale. 8he claims that she Interviewed several producers and received good ofltikrs, among them being one from Famous Players, all of which she says she reported to "Mrs. Tuttle. Six weeks later, she charges, Mrs. Tnttle, without Informing her, sold the rights to the Famous Players. Trial b«can In the 8npMpi« Xloart Mondax'lwfor* Jastic« Deltlianty. ;Rae"Maurice:'28,-forifter chorus ^I in "Miss New Tork, Jr., ob- talfted a summons alld will have Johnny Dolan, bantamweight boxer, iureated on a pharge At assault. . .{fTXiiisa MauriceValfeges that at a Thaidttglvlng party given by Harry --Gordon, another pugilist, at the 'Palace Hoteli Ion west 4Bth street, Dokin proceeded to use her as a sparring partner and slugged her around the room. She claims that 1. she has been seriously, 111 sine*. Dolt^n is well knowlj around the 'iocal fight eluDs dina at p^sent Is <: training In a Brooklyn gym. Miss ^Maurice' resld^ at the Hotel Mar- ""^ood. New York. R A D101 ^■ >^ Radio now Is the biggest thing the %J«*Sw««nt top«ia*wwrwr »»f»-^ to encounter as opposition. And the^ahow fa^^wa ^^SSt^Si*r**r^ it. About all that the theatre can do lif to »;•» %met aao^wt, No one can predict if the ptobMO ift kurtf*jpriU attek to rt«k,'»*Jt may depend upon radio. And radio may li« dMPWat* In JP'Ptort^T procure entertainment that iWU hold tfto-salilte at Jwprrt t» raeelvin* sets. 4 ,_.„■••- ■>■ .-.•' Radio is becoming a problem to the'actor. He wants the publicity of radio and at the same time pay for.hla servlcea Radio doesn't WMt to pay not now any more th€u» It ever did. Ite stirOngWt plea tot tnt service is publicity. Actors who believe radio can benefit them in pron<ntl9i> to tIi«.mon«y they should receive may give their (^ratultotiB a^rvif^iBa to MAl9> I* is unlikely radio publicity Is of any v*lue to tho pertormer radlo^W^ld like to have any more than the casual publicity given momcnfitrlly. Money is much more to be preferred. If radio wUl.pa^r aw<|-tb* arUst is at liberty to give his services to it the actor should take the enfage-, ment, lookhig upon it as just that—notbj^. moro, and oh^g^. exactly the same as though for any other engagement, or more if more,may be obtained. Records fail to show.where radio has permanently helpad anyoujs In the show business other than bahds. 'It Bias promoted sdme.bands in their own districts, taking in certain territory within the range of their broadcasting station. This has resulted in private «nga««menta being secured. But bands have grown so common on radio that doesn't mean anything now. In New York from ac<founts the only beneflclarlea from radio, outside of the radio people, are cabarets. Cabarets somehow seem to feel that radioing Will bring transients to their places. Maybe it does and late at night.. It may give those who conbe into' Times Square infrequently a new address, hut for the ^cabarets which sell, If any do, they are taking chances on strangera ^m BAILY DOES-ENS' % NfiXIE REVEtl;, -yrHh-.' Tli« dlan^ t^fibit faema to hav« fixed iUelf pretty firmly upon ni« And I flii4 thtfiB ml)ibt b« worse vices than indulging in this ."me" bo keeplny* jUJ* an.lmpimcaM^ fof of an Imprttulon that the world is « using, us., ,Th«ra la,nob«^7 who can stUt •ntir'iMti >uch an idea if he wil_ Just put down ^ bJi|Ck..fU|d^dxlt« all the good things and all the ba4 tbtnga Our.misfortuQ^, alwaya^ a«em to stand out In relief upon tt no-mal background of whiU la really a happy Ufa. Wa look at nothli hut the black smudge and forget that |ha rest of the la white and fauHlasa. But a diary checks us up and makes count, oft the bad against the good. Th^n we aaa hew much the goo luck we are bavlas outwelgba the few unlucky things, that mayj happen to ua Uaina plays Is ahptber lUre, <^r portltea of fall easily for it. Rad^o has grown li^«ol(it employ afiything wltl^ut pay'. i^oduceri^i^eni to urs t% itiifik ii^^a . Sunday: Glad ^that the building trades haven't taken up the custom.! of giving Sunday riveting concerts. Why do waiters always forget silver- ware or,better.or the coffee? I! w<mder If ^t la i^art of the code, ot' ethlca of th# Amalgamated Tray Balancers' Association that people should eat cold breabJ^ts. Tbe old Joke about plumbers going back for their- tools win have to be revamped. The waltera have thia gam« down m^b . more effleiently. :u - . • . The church bells under my window remind me that I had an engage- . ment at.BeJlevue Bospltal. It was aoclal and not medical. Home and . rested for three boura In preiwration for another excursion. In the aft* . emoon to^Dorothea Antefs apd found her in much better spirits tbaii -' she had been on Thanksgiving. She and her-little sister nt^ere baay filling orders for Christmas jgreetlng cards and silk stockings. '■',•••1 Then to see Jennie Berjoateiqi who used to keep a theatrical boardlnit house in the thriving thirties and the-fur!6uB fifties. Ninety tMrcent'of the peoplo in the profession' have boarded with her at one time or another. And ten p^ ^cen,^ of theaa stlU owe her. She is 111; a widow" and no*1oiiig«r young aB4r'co«ld well u«e.,tbea ten per cent. On r^tunS^ng to the hotel found I had missed tjie <»Ils of Mrs. Mabel Webb ii;ri|^'|fra.'Mlb«l>'|lN^' Sorry, girls! Read awhile Mrs. Mari^et Talmadge's ffaacmating atery of the lives of her famous daugb^iera',and ' then to bed, hoping to beat the riveters to a goe^ night's, sleep^^ .!,:., , That may be allot matter at Waahh^gtoQ thU fOtrtbcomlt^^iMialon of Congress. Radio wants to break jdow^ t^ Copyright Ac<;.-lt jwants'; foil and free right to' si&e upon'anyth^g played. ° printed or published^ without permission ilnd without pary. That may sound' broad, but it is' the fact. And a dangtirdua fact for the show business or any other business furnishing entertainment aftd for every .peraon. who earns money by writing. '^' . Radio'a pnessure at Washington la terrific and underestimated by those radio threatens. There Is n«t a Congressman or Senator in Wash-^ Ington who will not feel the pressure. of radio. Possibly uot from the' radio Interests, as they are diversified and not unified. The itr^ssure will come from that self same public at large—mosflyfironl nAn-tbltatre-' goers who live In the r^ral dlBtrlcts. They know nothing of copyrlght< and care less. 'What they know is that they have a ra^io set «\t4iome, that there are inany eot^ta)nl)ng Items thit cto go over the radio, and they will ask tbelr rei>resentatlves In CongveM why they VoB't get thW. Frederick Morgan, English actor, ^rofeJlslonally Norman Craig, Is being held at Ellla Island on an order of deportation. He came to this country about a year ago, de- clau-ing to the Immigration officials that he wished to stay two months. . Slsce that time he has been In Bollywood trying to break Into pic- tures. Not only did Morgan over- ' Btay his leave, but he is also ac- Excuses by statesmen, will not satisfy their constituents. To*''''in-i serve the good will of the voters, tb& aattotiat lawmakers- ar^ aM to clo«e their eyes to Itlght i^H slde^^ith Mlcbti" Ml^t'ld tfcii'<«V«bt would be rad!j. .-, , ,j.- »> ■, ?..>.••.'>••.' i.-;.';ai'>^'; aretgoehi for two year*, it is thought that the mysteries sur- rounding the robberies of Mrs. Charlotte King Palmer, Mrs. Irene Scboell^pf and.EdHb Bobe. and the rourderp ol Louise. Lawsou and Dot King may be solved. .ti,:x. The Hofbrau Restaurant. 30th street arid Broadway, New York, was raided Friday and t,he police found a quantity of liquor. Louis Brockman and John Forquist, waiters, and Frederick Singer, manager, were ar- rested and held in $600 bail. This is the second time that the place has been pinched. > ^ Mrs. Edward ("Ted") Coy has appealed to the French courts for .^ ...= ,._„.>, „-. — * divorce from her husband, former cused'of sendi^gThreatening letteraJ«**>« *S^'* ■"** known on Broad- to several prominent New Yorkers. The matter now rests with Secre tary of Labor Davis. Florence Reed Is bringing civil action against Frank K. Malone, president, Locson Realty Cocp^ to recover $9,642 she claims is due her. Miss Reed asserts that while ap- ' j>earlng in "Ashes" Malone failed to pay her the last week's salary of $1,000 and proceeds of picture rights, amounting to $5(2. Upon returning to New York she began iniit to recover the $1,642 and claims that Malone. in retaliation, is withholding her trunk containing gowhs valued at $$.000. band, Citpt. Bans Tauscher, within a wee|t The prima ^Qna has made.a'IS^WMi'^trlp <^/tSe'iCeith ClrctSti';''- "'^■« :•'•'■"''■■■ '-^ i ' Mrs. Beth Sully Bvans, divorced wife of Douglas Fairbanks and mother of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr, has filed a suit for divorce from James Bvans, Jr., her prMent hus- band, in Los Angeles. She charges desertion and non-support John Drinkwater, Ehiglish author, will wed Daisy Kennedy, concert viollnlstfr, in Lohdon Dec'.' 14. Miia Kennedy is the divorced wife of Bennie Molsewitcb, who named Drinkwater as corespondent in bis divorce action. way. When rumors of the divorce were first heard. Coy's name was coupled with that of Jeanne. ESagles'. The Coys were married in 191$ and have two children. J. Warren Kerrigan was badly cut and bruised when his machine collided with another oar near Dixon, 111., Monday during a heavy fog. Alma Rockwood, Amboy. IIIJ^ driver of the other maoUine. Is pot expected to recover. Both are In a Dixon hospital. Vtvlenne Segal ("Follies" wai| In the West Side Court Dec. 4 to press a complaint of flirting against Charles James, salesman. Miss Segal .«lleged that while waiting for her buaband,. Robert Ames, at 43d and Broadway, Dec. 9, James annoyed her. When her husband . appeared she,told him about James. Ames called a cop. James' attorney said he had a witness to prove that his ' client did not flirt James was held In $600 ball. Harry Walker, theatrical agent, believes he is entitled to $2,000 for obtaining favorable posltiona for Johnny Loacker and Mary Jennings, 4ancers, and has started suit to recover that amount. Walker alleges that he found the pair In an abscure Philadelphia dance hall and brought them to New York, procuring them the position •C featured dancers at the Monte Cbrlo (night club). Through two men caught Batur- tb#jP«lloe may uncover aicrime Capt. John A. Smuts, hust^jid of May Yohe, was discharged from the Boston City Hospital last week. Smuts was recently shot, but would not disclose the nanrte of hU assail- ant. He was not operated upon. The bullet which entered his arm was still there when be left Helen Leslie, film actress, was granted a divorce from Jacques Jac- card, director and scenario writer, in the Los Angeles Supreme Court last week. Mrs. Jaccard at first ac- cused her husband of mlRconduct with another woman, but later changed the charge to desertion. Mondayt The news 6t Tommy Gray's death atunned me. I had known he waa, lUr but'fome|iow he was so fuU of jof of living that his frien^p could not connect the idea of death with him. The last time V «ame te see me he'btnught me a pogb Stick. . , - . The mail brought me a box from Glasgow from iLee Smith and Clay White. The note which was signed ,"Lee and Jaka"—J mean "Lee and Clay"—soldi "Tlere's a IHtle scotch—drink hearty—of tea with it" < It was aootcta shortcake. It ,waa inspiration enough to keep me woiklng for three tours. . ■• -■^•- j -■y^^y'K\:i,~.--.-: j, '..t'K'* . • -■ >■ . . . ... ... .*., t. -.-. ■ ■-■ .,•.■■ - ■.*rA;^:. wV»* .... . ..... Tuesday: Up early addressing posUI cards to a maU^ng llcl telling them that the Christmas order for "Right Oft the Cheat" wouldn't be fllca in the Waste basket Wish I couM afford to send copies bf'irtb."' everyone itf every hospital In the world. WIU Rogers came In to orJKif'k > ; De Luxe edition for his sister, saying that she was the best slsi^i- ta the ^ world aiid was enUtled to the best edition of the best book In fhe wrtite. Wiil isp'i out'Mter Geotge Wa;|ihlngtOn's reputation. He also brjitigh.t'^e ; a picture 0^ .Himself, autCgrapbed "To Nellie. God Bless hef. .Add li|!'.|pJ' : dhn't, I'm jp^'^lm." Don't be oOC Him; Win, Bb has blesaed me. B^'haa' ! ,glvcn me yAW.ftaa frieniA. , ]>'red'l^lbkl, Jir., and Qhas. McDonald to see me. Worked a olt more.' To bed, ewiy,, ire^dlflg mv. gvtorif Ubl^M m»gMlneiiRra»»Vfe«J«ml'j» -^mutement(5,»:.,,'.;.„ . .;' .,_';;..; V'^-? ^TWT' yuuf<^ ^. i.. ■■.«.., Wednesday: Today Is drab. There la no'son.^' A?d it Is no wonder for the sunxould not have the heart to come out and smile the day of Tommy Gray's funeral. Have Just finished re-reading his whre that came to, me the night of; the Friars^ dinner in my honor. "Bvery euqtitd pie.In HollywooA is rooting for you tonight^' Be brought to the worl^'a ^ merry eoul tidtlch will be aadly mieaed. .* A visit from Josephine Ober. Ruth Byers and Enmta Bugbee of the NeW ■ York Newspaper Womena' Club to tell me of plahc) for the next dlnAer. A .'i telegram- from. U. 'S. -Seabtor Royal S. Copeland says.he would be my j dinner.partner that night ' The Beaumont Sisters write to say that they ar^ Very happy In tWr '^ work and don't miss vaudevilleat all. I'm sure vaudeville ilrlll miss th^em. ■-• My conferees of Corona left and I tried to go hack tb wo&. Bul^I J couldn't for thinking' of Tommy Gray. It is almost impossible for me 1 to negotiate steps as yet and so I can't go to his funeral. But To^nmy J understands. • ' ' ■ '"'', i^ A short visit to see young George Lederer, Jr.. who la lit fiapt^n ,j John Bradshaw of the "Belgenland" and Mrs. Bradsbaw called, "flp*^ captain wished me Merry Christmas, Bappy ICeW Tear and a ^oypj^s i Stanford White's figure of Diana, for years perched atop Madison Square Garden, will be preserved when the ,old building is torn down. The city plans to permanently place It in Madison Square park. Marcelle Miller, chorus girl. "Greenwifch Village FoBlee," an- nopnoee her engagement to Charles C:aldweU, reported wealthy Phlladel- phlan. At the iHh-rClurrol theatre Sunday evMUng there will be a benefit for the fund of Camp Oirard, which glve« the boys of the west side summer recreation, Mary Miles Itflnter will marry Commander H. H. Riddel', V. S. N. Miss MInter has gone to Norfblk for the wedding. They met at a dinner party In Boston.. .. > The murdeir trial of Norman Selby (Kid McCoy), former champion pugilist, begnn In Los AnRcIen Mon- day. The Kid Ih charged with the murder of Mrs. Theresa Mors, wife of a Los Angeles merchant and al- leged affinity of McCey. Laura Burt, Bngllsh actress, and once leading lady with Sir Henry Irving, became an American citizen Dec. 4. Madanrie Johanna GftdskI Will diacontlnruei her vaudeville tour and return; te Germany w^tt) Iter- htltrl The London company of "The Show-Off." headed by Raymond Walbum, begins an engagement In Chicago Jan. 14. The show did pot do well In London. Anna Pavlowa created a sensa- tion' Upon announcing that she was married, to. M. Andre Darnlde. The prima donna of the ballet Is now at the Bestoni p|kera House. . Illness of .Rqbett Keith, star of "New Brooms," forced Frank Craven, autlior ,to understudy him Saturday night Flo Zlegfeld pulled another press stunt when he announced that he needs 24 very homely girls for a new show.' , , , I Easter all at once, because he will be gone from New York for iff^ i months steeHng the "Belgenland" on Its cruise"around the-world. /, \ Had an engagement to go to Jenle Jacobs' for supper, but found t^at < my pep had departed for destinations unknown and had to cancel the i^\^>- '. per show at Jenle's house. I was so^ry, too. for I missed good frtfnds 4 bnd also a good meal. I know what a cook Slltabeth Is, for Jenle uaef Jo ] bring me specimens of >her art when t was in the hospital. ^^ * Mrs. Jack Pulaski writes me that it wasn't stew that Jack lnvlte4 .;ii>4 j In for the other night I apologise. The istew wasn't on the menu. ,,^j j Thursday: Worked most of the day on my Christmas letters. iBi(Qla^ time to go to Mt Sinai hospital to see the'ittother of Ada Mae We<q)is. ^ Letter from mother and grandmother of Marjorle Rambeau.* The dear' old grandmother.is 84. They write me from San Diego, Cal., "Ramona's, Marriage Place." I wonder what those two flappers are up tiu. Out toi call on Mrs. Clarence Jacobson, who Is ill fcnd rietumed in time to sayi goodbye-to Mrs. Claire. Iim Claire's mother, who left today on the "Bel- genland." Dr. Leb Michel Invites me to serve on the medical board of the Jewish Actors' Gtulld. It Just seems that I can't stay off > boards, frac(u)pe and otherwise. \ - > - Letter from Sam Williams says my very good irlend Kate Ellnore Is - not so well. I'm sorry. After a vlalt from Father Fahey, I buckled down to work again and accomplished enough to let me go to sleep wHh a t;lear conscience. . ■ ■ ' The cornerstone of the Guild then atr^ 62d etreet Ueajr^ Broadway, the (CohUnucd on page if| . ^ Friday: Early to bed and early to rise Is all very well .far some of these guys; At work the whole morning and am beginning to be afraid I have contracted the habit Up to see George Lederer, Jr., again In the afternoon. 'When I got back Frank GouM, once, editor of the "Meti^*- politan Magaslne," came to call. My only show In weeks was "Para- sites" at the S9th Street theatre, where I sat with George Creel, Blanche Bates and Daisy Humphreys. Clifton Webb's performance was supesb. And what at ^ttlst is Teresa Maxwell Conover! Cecil HumiShries and our own Max Figman ellcted my admiration also. All the critics and crepe hangers In the world couldn't make me be- lieve that it Is not a good show and beautifully acted. Saturday: After a morning of hard labor, had some pleasant visits with Jol^ Pollock, Benny Volzman, Walter Keefc and Beverly White. Read ELteVs Kaufman's "Round the Town" column. 1 wonder how he covers ^ut if^^ territory. Hven the man who writes the city directery couldn'b asslstround much mere. Jay must use a bicycle. ,Te R 'b th«; fefllpg that the Feak'. may^f^ve. been, gone, but It i^»ap'^ / II t jfr -1 H i»( y* i" n<« 1 •>«