Variety (January 1925)

:3Vednes<iay, January 14, 1925 U'f. UDEVILLE VARIEir I* CALIFORNIA NO DUMPING GROUND FOR ACTORS'' Statement Made by Deputy Labor Commissioner Lowy at Los Angeles—Orders Bert Levey Circuit ^ to Return Gerbcr-Fletcher Trio to Chicago— Booker Will Be Held Responsible for All Actors Left Helpless in California, Prosecuting Other- wise—Circuits Cannot Book Actors to Terminate Engagement in State •u * '' Las Angeles, Jan. 13. Bringiner iierformers to California on limited contracts expiring here and deducting railroad (ares ad- vanced from them at this point, the practice of several small time vaudeville circuits, must cease, ac- cording to au ultimatum of Deputy lAbor Commissioner Lowy to Sam- lltl H. Kraemer of the Bert Levey vaudeville booking offices, who had been summoned to answer to com- plaint made against him by the Ger- ber Pletchet Trio, consisting of QflOrge J. Gerber, Ruby and Jose- phine Fletcher. They told Lowy that when they arrived In California the Levey circuit took out |150 for fauTM in San Francisco and after laying oft here for several days they were given a few days' work when additional railroad fares were taken Oilt and their contract terminated. Ijowy ordered Kraemer to pro- Vide the trio with work and trans- poKation back to Chicago, from Where they were booked with Krae- mer sendlnq; them to Amerillo, Tex., tor first engagement. Dopartrr.ent's Attitude Mr. Lowy informed Variety's rep- reaentative that the practice of cir- ctllts advancing on 12 or 14-week contracts with engagements termi- na,ting in California must stop. The labor department will not tolerate bookers making the state a "dump- ing ground" for impoverished ac- tors. ^ the future bookers will either have to book acts only financially responsible to take care of them- Iwlves after finishing here or else the booker will be held responsible, legally and financially, to return the Bicts to the points from which they were originally booked, and that the labor department will prosecute any dereliction of this ruling, Commts- Uoner Lowy said. The most notorious booker of "To California only" has bevn the Alez- Mider Pantages vaudeville circuit. Pantages issues a 10 or 12-week leoatract from New York or Chicago ithat usoally ends in San Francisco (»r Los Angeles, with a renewal Ulause that must be taken up by the Mroult at Seattle^ If taken up, the route extends beyond Los Angeles, Iback east. The Seattle adjustment iuui been used to Juggle acta into favorable conditions and salary for the remainder of the Pantages time. Whereas the Pantages time ex- tend* In Jumps from the middle wast to coast and In the south, the Bert Levey circuit is comparatively local to California, although with Some far western bookings outside i»C that state. As a rule an act play- iog the Levey circuit Is aware be- fore leaving the east there is no time beyond the coast for It. With P«intages bookings the Implied I>romise Is made that if the aet "ghta over" for the first 14 weeks, ^there will be no trouble after that." Ordinarily neither is there any trou- ble for a Pan act If It does what It la told to do at Seattle or Los An- jrelee. Los Angeles, Jan. 13. SAtn Kramer, manager of the Levey office, says his circuit ful- filled the Gerber-FIetcher trio con- tract to the letter and that the act was booked for Bakersfleld en route east six weeks ago. After playing that date it returned here, he ctaUnn, and laid around several ^— The BMt ObtaiaakM iMtriwIlu ^^ Spoci.it noullnes CrratPil MEDWAYBUIIII STUDWS OF lutawMm IS41 n'way (Enl. op •0(h .St.) N. Y. , ■ !*••« tttMiabM 3*00 f t ^ ^■^ Wrlt« fui *jt DmUH "W" ^^ weeks, then aaked iUm - for more work, which was given to play Texas time two weeks ago. Act remained around town and failed to go, after which they com- plained to the Labor Department, Kranier alleges. Kramer say.s a Labor Department agreed that the Levey circuit had carried out its contract but asked they send the act out of the State which he did by giving Texas time again and advancing $35 to act besides fares. Kramer states that all of the act brought out here come with an un- derstanding a.s to termination of contract and that majority get from 28 to 40 days more work here than originalty contracted for in the east. The reason tlie railroad deduc- tions made in California for trio was they started out debt to cir- cuit and had not cleared it until reaching California. » ORPHEUM'S $1.80 RATE Chicago, Jan. 18. Orpheum Circuit stock dividends will be raised from 12% cents a share (11.50 a year) to 16 cents a share, ($1.80 a year) beginning with the payments of February, March aiid April. It Is intimated the Orphoum in April will declare the dividend to $2 a share. This came out of the recent di- rectors' meeting here, held last week. The building program, with plans and data, was approved, and dates set for the start of construction In Omaha and Denver. Ernie Young Seriously III Chicago, Jan. 13. -Ernie Toung, booking agent and revue producer, is seriously 111 here with little hope held out for his recovery. He Is suffering from ulcers of the liver. JESSEL'S OEFHEUM BOUTE George Jessel will open a tour of the Orpheum Circuit at Kansas City, Jan. 18. Jessel will be as- sisted by Mary Lucas and Lillian Price, and will do an act in "one" Instead of the full stage sketch he played around the east with. That appear! to mean Jessel haa postponed his contemplated revue. Benny Leonard's Reopening Benny Leonard will play the Palace, Chicago, week of Jan. 18, and the State-Lake, same city, week of Feb. 8. Julius Tannen will be on the same bill and announce Leonard. The booking Is Contingent upon Leonard's recovery from his recent attack of grippe. Herman and Sammy Tlmberg will not play the two Orpheum dates with Leonard, the bookings filling In open weeks on Leonard's Keith route. Andres Vivians Divorces Horelick Chicago, Jan. IS. Andree Vivlane, toe dancer, was granted a divorce from her hus- band and former partner, Abraham Horelick, on the grounds of deser- tion. The couple met In South America when Andree was dancing with Pav- lowa. He brought her to the United States and they were married in June, 1920, with Horelick leaving her five months later. Moody snd Duncan Sepsrated Gertrude Moody and Mary Dun- can, vaudeville partners for years In a harmony sioglng acL, hue dis- solved. Miss E>unca»i has returned to l\er home in New Orleans, where she N Appearing at a locai cabaret, Miss Wo'ody W Jrt^rafnV « niifr act EDGAR ALLEN WARNS VAUDE. OF PAUL ALLEN Alleges Falsification af Con- tracts — Paul Son of Edgar's Stepfather So incensed is he over the alleged contractural falsification with vaudeville acts by Paul Allen, claiming to be his brother, that Bdgar Allen, the Fox booker, has sounded a warning to the profes- sion to be on the lookout for the former. It appears, according to Gdgar, that Paul (who EMgar says is not a direct relative but Is a son of his step-father) has Interviewed acts, given them signed contracts upon the assurance that they are bona- ftdc and workable through different circuits. Paul Allen's right name, Edgar states. Is Paul Botengoff. Paul Allen several times has been helped out of a number of "jams," frequently by Edgar. Edgar Allen declares that Boten- goff has used any circuit he desired and that he knows that he (Boten- goff) has signed his (Edgar's) name to at least one of the contracts. An act brought Edgar's attention to one contract Paul signed and whereon he was Edgar's name. The act declined to surrender the con- tract, else Edgar, according to his statement to a Variety reporter, would have taken the matter up with the District Attorney's office. A number of alleged "contract falsifications" has been brought to Edgar's attention and he has asked a warning be posted against Paul's movements by the Vaudeville Pro- tective Managers' Organization. Gordon Bostock Returns To Keith's Booking Floor Gordon Bostock (Claude and Gor- don Bostock) has been restored to good standing in the Keith's book- ing office followinjT a difference which existed for several months. During the vacation Bostock went to England where he booked and produced acts for the English music hall and variety- stages. The reinstatement came in the nature of a New Year's gift from the Keith people. Claude Bostock was not affected during bis brother's absence and continued to book and produce acts for the big time. TRIXIE TRIES ANOTHEB FILM Los Angeles, Jan. 1). Trixle Friganza is again going to try her hand at becoming a pic- ture comedienne. She tried it about a year ago or so la the screen adaptation of "Tlsh," and Is now joining Metro-Ooldwyn-Mayer to do it all over again In "Proud Flesh," which King Vidor Is to produce. Others in the cast are Eleanor Boardman, Pat O'Malley, George Nichols. Evelyn Sherman, Roslta MarstinI and Sojln DIXIE STABS AND ACT J. Russel Robinson and Al Ber- nard, Waterson, Inc. staff song- writers and Brunswick recording artists, better known to the radio public as the Dixie Stars, are ne- gDtiating for vaudeviUe. Instead they may take up a tour of the picture houses. Robinson and Bernard's last week started to record for the Columbia disks In addition to Brunswick. Robinson is also an exclusive Q. R. S. piano roll recording artist. DE ANGELIS IN SKIT Jefferson I>e Angehs will return to vaudeville supported by Kath- erlne liayes In a new skit, "The Wanderlust." De AngeIN has been touring at the head of a comic opera com- pany. AnCE GENTLE EAST Alice Ge/i'l<>, operatic and some favorite on the coist. mi.y ro loh oa.Htern vaudeville. Negotiations are proceeding: along the salary way. THEATRES'CURFEW A patrons' curfew prevalent in upper . New England with theatregoers determined not to remain out after 10 has com- pelled several independlent small timers In that section to cut their shows down to two hours, instead of the usual three. The change has been accom- plished through booking in fewer acts and shorter films. House managers are not complaining of the enforced economy, but bookers and acts are not as pleased. AGREED ALIMONY OF $50 CUT BY COURT TO $40 Mrs. Bobby Watson (Rose Mitchell) Said She Had Been Spending $300 Weekly Bobby Watson, of the Blllie Burke shdw, "Annie Dear," is $10 a week ahead, according fo Justice Robert P. Wagner's^ award of $40 weekly alimony to tlie comedian's wife. Rose Watson - Kuechner, professional y Rose Mitchell. Watson (in private life, Robert Kuechner) had, been paying his wife $50 weekly as separate maintenance under a separation agreement. In her separation suit Mrs. Wat- son alleged ^desertion In June, 1923, and in view* of his $400 weekly In- come from the show (not denied) Mrs. Watson asked for suitable ali- mony, setting forth that she was accustomed to spending from $250 to $300 a week. She was only awarded $40 a week and $100 counsel fees. Watson, defended by Kendler Sc Goldstein, alleged that Mrs. Wat- son's separation was voluntary. In- termittent disappearances on her part also figured in the actor'* de- fence. GARETH HUGHES, LATEST Gareth Hughes is the latest pic- ture name to be offered the big time bookers. Hughes will do a three-people comedy sketch by Jo- seph Jackson. The act opened at an out-of-town Keith house this week. William Shilling, the Keith agent, who dug up Hughes, has corraled a flock of plcl'ure names and placed them in vaudeville. Among them are Snub Pollard. Harry G ribbon and Company, Mickey Bennet and others. PARTNER GAVE BOND Morgan and Gray Lost Gas Show by Les Grsy's Wife and Former Partner's Action Morgan and Gray missed a show at the Fulton. Brooklyn, N. Y., Mon- day, when Les Grady was taken into custody on charges of non-support, brought by his wife. Beryl Gray, his former partner. His partner secured bis release from the custody by posting a bond for $500. The team appeared at the night performance. The marital difference of the Grays was Ironed out lome time ago, when both parties app<^arcd l>€- fore the Vaudeville Managers Pro- tective Association and Gray agreed to pay a weekly stipend for the sup- port of Mrs. Gray and their two children. Falhm Defending Clow The Federal prosecution of its ca»e against Steve Clow and the "Broadway Brevities" outfit for using the malls to defraud will not come up until Monday. Assistant U. S. Attorney Maxwell S. MattucI: \»ants the case tried before Judge Mack, who is engaged with other matters, accounting for the post- ponement from this Monday. Fallon and McGee will defend iho publication. "SHOWED" FOR 1 NIGHT ONLY Larry Semon at Riverside for Keith's Bookers A. new wrinkle In "showing" an act was tried last Friday night (Jan. »> at the Riverside, New York, when Larry Semon, picture comedian, exhibited a "single" turn for the Keith bookers. Semon had about three weeks available to play vaudeville In and to have quick action. His turn Is in "one," with a pianist. According to ceport he was offered $3,600 by the Loew CircuH for one week at the State, New York. Semon was in vaudeville as car- toonist before he entered motion pictures. The showing booking was for. the Friday night performance only. PARDONED RAMO- PIANIST ON ORPHEUM Harry Snodgrass in Act at $1,000 Weekly/Assisted by WOS Announcer '^ Chicago, Jan. II. At $1,000 weekly Harry Snodgrass, the radlo-planist. pardoned by the governor of Missouri after confine- ment In the Jefferson City prison, will start a tour of the Junior Or- pheum (vaudeville) circuit. He will be assisted by J. M. Wltten, an- nouncer at WOS, Jefferson City. Snodgrass received the first prize in the recently conducted contest for popularity, and Witten the sec- ond. The new act Is to open Jan. 18 at Evansville. Ind., playing about five weeks in ths smaller houses, with the big time set for the P.al- ace or State-Lake here in Februarys Snodgrass, while Imprisoned, radioed his piano playing, gaining much sympathy and popularity. Woman Trainer Attacked Bay City, Mich , Jan. 13. While training a leopard in a small arena here, Doroles Valicel* was viciously attacked and stran-' 'gled by one of her pet animals. Her screams attracted the attention of her assistant, who clubbed the ani- mal until he became dazed, releis- Ing his hold on the trainer. She was removed to the Mercy Hospital, where little hope is being held for her recovery. IKOEX Of PsBss in This Issue MisceHaneaus 3 Foreign 4 Vaudeville 5-8 Burlssqus ...' .' 45-4S Editorial 15 Legitimate '....16-20 Legitimate Reviews 20 Times Squsre News t Sports 35 Pictures ■ 21-31 Picture Reviews 30-43 Prsssntations 30-3f Film House Rsviews.. .28-42 Music 32-33 Radio 32 Cabaret 33 Outdoors 34-35 Inside Stuff—legit 14 " " —Vaudeville.. 8 " " —Pictures 28-40 New Act Reviews 10 Bills Next Week... 12 13 Obituary 35 Correspondence 36-38 Letter List 3f TKI.KriIONr RNDICOTT MtO THE TILLER DANCING SCHOOLS JOHN TIM.ER ripHident MAKY RBAC Hecr«tary OF AMERICA, Inc. TEMPORARY ADDRESS 226 West 72d Street NEW YORK nirv'or* M .11 V HRAr> KKNK rOliU Allorni-y NATRAtr B(7UKaN I-i