Variety (January 1925)

Ciw ,">j«p.|»iEiiB<r VARIETY WednesdasTTj^mary 21, 192J "RAWSTUFFIN STOCK SUCCEEDS "Seduction" in Baltimore, 17,000—"Old Home- stead/' $1,500 That "raw stuff" In stock* will often succeed where stralght-laced, Ptirltanlcal plays have failed has once again been proven, this time ty the experience of De Witt New- Ing. manager of the Frank Wilcox Players at the Lyceum, Baltimore. The company opened the middle of November with strictly clean plays and In four weeks chalked up a loss of approximately |1B,000. Ne^ng realized that a switch must be made if )^e were to re> trleve some of the sunken money. Coneequently the bill was "Seduc- tion," a sexy drama authored by Newlng himself but not as risque as the title Indicates. However, the rumor got around and Ave cops were sent to the opening perform- ance to Judge for themselves. They pulled In two pictures from the lobby and it resulted In publicity. The receipts at pop prices were no lees than $7,000, out t>f which it is claimed Newing netted 14,000 a« the first iDstalbnent of gain on bis earlier losses. Whereas "The Old Homestead grossed about 11,500 Christmas week, "Seduction" did that mocb on a Saturday night alone. The latter was held over with "White Cargo" slated to follow. Ba- coaraged by Baltimore n&wspaper notieea of "Seducticn," which called it not quite as dirty and much more interesting fhan most of the numer- OU1 sex plays that haye hit town tills season. Newlng is said to be eontempIatlDg a road company. 4 Stocks in Toronto; Schftttf jde's Is Latest Toinnto, Jan. 20. Ciur A. Sctaaofals, with stocks in Hamilton and London, Ont., has opened a company at the Grand here. With Schaufele's ipvaslon st Toronto this city win have four stocks. Schaufele goes intd '' e old Small house, which since Chrlst- nuw has been playing The Dumbells In a Canadian revUe. The other stocks are Vaaghn Glaser's at the Uptown. Bngllsh Players at the Regent, and the In- conilng musical stock at the Grand. Of these Glaser plays to the small- est capacity, althooK'i paying r high rental for his house. MUSICALS IN STOCK Musical stock as a perman- ent proposition has apparently failed to become the reality expected wherever tried for the simple reason perhaps that It is too difficult and expensive to operate. So far a number have been inaugurated only to close after a few weeks. Dra- matic stocks have tried "sin- gle" productions, which have entailed "extras," long re- hearsals and withal the en- gagement of a few special playere who could sing and dance, yet the dramatics are glad when the return to the comedies and dramas Is made. Within the past few years several Sew York stock men have tried to make permanent musicals pay in stock, only to give it up. Up In Toronto arrangements have been made by George Vivian to launch a musical stock In the Regent, where the holiday pantomime, "Aladdin," has been the attraction. The stock plan will follow the panto and Vivian hopes to put over the musical plays as a permanent feature notwith- standing that it was tried in Toronto before unsuccessfully. There has been repeated talk of a permanent musical stock in New York and Brook- lyn, but the closeness to the housee holding big musicals has put the quietus upon such « plan.' BACHELOR'S BILL Would Raise Exemption en Incem* Tsx to f 1(2W for Unmarried Men Washington, Jan. 20. There Is hope that the bachelor actor is to have relief fkvm the present income tax he has to pay. Representative John J. Boylan, of New York has Introduced a bill raising the amount of the exemption now allowed bachelors from fl.OOO to 11.360. The Congressman says most men are single because of necessity and not choice and he can see no reason why a further exemption should not be allowed the bachelor when the married man was so materially helped some time ago in framing income tax legislation. STOCKS Detroit has now two permanent stocks, the Woodward Players at the Majestic, and ^onstelle Players at the Playhouse. The Majestic is now In its third week of 'The Fool," the first time any attraction has been played that long. The Bon- stelle stock intends to play all at- tractions for two weeks. The Play- house opened New Year's Day with tickets at tS each showing "The Beat People." The Brockton Players are firmly entrenched at the City, Brockton, Mass., with business improving weekly. The company Is operated by Arthur J. Casey and James J. Hayden, who also have the New Bedford Players in New Bedford, Mass. The roster of the Brockton company includes Helen Mayon, Bernard Burke, Dorothy Cox, Albert Hlckey, Walter Bedell, May B. Hurst, Myrtle Clark, Frank McDon- ald and Carrol Daly. Dobinson Ployere. appearing at the Glendale, Calif., playhouse, are presenting for the first time in their career a melodrama, which is "The Hole In the Wall." Those In the cast are Mary Worth, Olaf Hytten. Joseph McManus, Richard Bailers, William Stephens, Thyra RubUuid. Mildred Kvelyn, Fanna Ralstin, William Chapman, Harry Glasler. Selmer Jackson Is the new leading man for the Woodward Players, St. Louis, replacing J. Glynn McFar- lane. Mcntflane left the company Jan. !•. Differences between Direc- tor Woodward and McFarlane broaiAit Aout the change. Red Mndi's "Sweet Stuff" musi- cal company, at the Capitol, Lans- ing, ICieb., in stock for several months, eoncludes Jan. 24. The policy of the house in the future will be road musicals. NEW PLAYS PRODUCED OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY THE BIG MOGUL Chicago, Jan. 20. Comedy 1» four acta alarrlng Flake cyilara, prcaentcd by Nod Produottons. Inc., at tba Central, Cbloaco, Jan. 11. Caat: Allen Torb, Alma Blake. Hal Mor- daunt, Mlaa Pat Clary, Gilbert Cartland. Ada LyttoD Barbour. Jamea SI. Miller, William F. Pfarr, Catherine Downey, Charlotte Kent, Jaii|«( C. NelaoD. Tks Oharlos Kramer Players closed at the Savannah (Oa.) the- atrs. with the bouse now playing read attraotlons. TEA BY STOCK Voters Wouldn't Vote Kansas City. Jan. 20. Theatres in Springfield, Mo., will remain closed on Sundays for an- other year at least as a result of a special election held here. The vote was 6,074 for Sunday closing, and S.600 against. It was one of the lightest votes In the town's his- tory. Springfield has approximately tO.OOO registered voters. The election was held upon peti- tion of the amusement interests, which desired to open the theatres on Sunday, but the voters, could not be got to the polls. fiAZANOVA'8 MABIORETTES Paris, Jan. 10. «^ Mme. Sazanova has resuscitated at the Vieux Colomblqr, the marion- ette theatre she founded In St. Peterburg In 1915 which was Inter- rupted by the revolution. She has grouped her former col- laborators, N. Soutcharova, N. MlUlottl, and M. Larlonov, who were in Italy, and is presenting a show for the youngsters. Well patronized during the holi- days, under the designation of Theatre des Petlta Comedlens de Bols, business dropped after Christ- Detroit, Jan. 20. At the (Jessie) Bonstelle Play- house, where Miss Bonstelle Is operating her own stock company, tea Is served each afternoon fol- lowing the performance. In the evening after the show dancing Is permitted on the mezsanlne floor. Roseos Kama is with Murphy's Covtedlaas (stock) at the Savoy, San Diego. CaL, as leading man. The Woodward Players celebrated their 1.000th performance in fit Louis at the Empress, Jan. 12. It is a record run of a stock company in ths dty. Vlrank Harrington has withdrawn firom the Alhambra Players, Brook- lyn, to play leads with the Carroll PUyers at Halifax. N. S. Probably more of a play and less of an opportunity for singing than FIske O'Hara has ever had. It's a meller of modern times about a rich retired plumber who unwittingly plays the lamb for a crowd of Wall Street wolves and then turns the tables In the last act by forcing them to give him back his seven million dollars at the muzzle of his trusty six-shooter. In this act comes the prize line which caused them to applaud. The scene Is the conference room of the wolves. O'Hara has sneaked in un- announced and has them cringing before him. "Why, you wouldn't kill us—you're crazy," sez one of the wolves. "I'll use that as my defense," sez the hero, with a smile. The love interest starts early and concerns, of course, the plumber and the pretty daughter of the chief wolf, who takes u Job as the rich plumber's stenographer for a lark. He doesn't know who she Is until after he's been trimmed, and then he thinks she's been working with her father and his gang, but he marries the girl. The singing in the second act Is worked in cleverly. The scene Is the drawing room of the chief wolf, who has Invited the plumber to his home as a means of setting the trap. All the guests are gathered around and the hostess (probably recognizing Fiske O'Hara under the actor's makeup) asks the plumber to sing. He does so, and pleases so well he Is forced to repeat for several ei\core8 the chorus of his new song, "Mother, Asthore." In act one he sang without accom- paniment Victor Herbert's "Heart o' Mine." or rather, snatches of It. Another singer at the drawing rOom soiree classifies as a "find." She Is Sara Anna McCabe of Chicago, making her debut In this produc- tion as a soprano. Credit for the success of the musical program is also due Catherine Downey, the pianist. "The Big Mogul" will certainly satisfy FIske O'Hara fans. His voice Is as good as ever and the play entirely removed from the usual Irish surroundings. It is far from being a brilliant piece of dra- matic writing, but it should suffice. The draw must depend on O'Hara, anyway. Loop. andv comedy way. The supporting oast is adequate, as the performance of the star Is the only thing which counts with the audience. There is one clever little miss hid- den away In the cast bound. to be discovered by the bigger producers. She is Lillian Talz, who evidently has had a world of stock experience ^nd developed Into an ingenue come- dienne of no mean ability. The piece Is In one set—Interior. Though local press may take a wallop at the play, they cannot stand in the way of Miss Robson whereven> she has a following, as they wlU turn out en masse end always let thA) show depart from their town with •' profit. But when it comes to New4 York or Chicago, or even some ofi the other larger cities where Mias' Robson's clientele is not so stronger; Mr. Pltou might route the shtnn around It and not into it. TJno. •• —^——— ."< THE STORK Albany. N. y1. Jan. 17. A comedy In three act* by Laaslo Fodor; produced by Laurence Schwab and Frank Mandel: adapted by Ben Hecht; staaiHl by (Frederick ijtanhopc; aettlnga by Ilerman Rosae. Justice Thomas McLarnIa Adolph Ralph Shirley Helolse ....• Barbara Bennett L.lonel Deport ..••...,....... .Qoeffrey Kerr Suaanne .....Katherine Alexander Jacques Morel Ferdinand Oottachalk Bardou Conrad Cantxen MarUn Monroe Chllds Duvert \jtn Benca Marsot Fay Marbe Theopblle Sural '....Moraan Wallace Adrlenoa ., Mildred Brown Fanny Carlotta Irwin CSAITE WHBTTBS AT OAKLAITD Oakland, Cal., Jan. 20. Crane Wilbur (with Lillian Foster in "Conscience") is coming to the FUlton for a starring season with his wife. Suzanne Caubet. starting Feb. IS. Wilbur 'may try about four new plays duringVhIs stay at the Ful- ton with the engagement to be about 12 weeks or longer. He will open m rrhe Last Warning," re- placing Norman Field. Ruth Ren- V^u pontract^ aij ,femlp|i^ Iead,^f- ylrte at xtxk same ifme. GETS OVER IN WILMINGTON Wilmington, Del., Jan. 20. Harold Hevia has renewed his lease of the Garrlck and will con- tinue stock there for another year. Hevia went In eight weeks ago for experimental purposes after the town had been surfeited with medi- ocre stocks. Hevia decided to let the,holiday week decide for him. Business took the desired Jump. Edward H. Smith, director and leading man of the WGY Players at the broadcasting station of the (Gen- eral Electric compsfiy in Schenec- tady, N. Y., and accredited the dean of radio actors In America, left the O. E. last week to bo associated with the Harrie Bond Stock Players at the Hudson, Schenectady. Tough for "Sharpies" Tough season for the short bankroll promoters who hereto- fore when all else failed fig- ured stock as a less hazardous gamble. Heavy competition from the pictures has put the stock men on the qui vive and educated them to the fact that they can no longer put over old boys or cheaters and get away with It. Patrons are demanding and getting Broadway releases. The Equity bond, Inore.Tscd rental.s, operating costs and soaring royalties have con- spired to keep many sharpies out of the stock field leaving them still the special matinee with commonwealth casts as the only Inexpensive avenue open to them. ," " ' ~^ AHEAD AND BACK Beauvals Fox, formerly dra- matic editor of the New' York "HeraM-Trlbune," and later pub- licity man for the Film Guild, has. supplanted Clayton Hamilton, au- thor and lecturer, in doing the Mgbbrow advance fctuff for "The Rivals," now touring. Hamilton has returned to New York to resume lectures at Columbia University. Wells Hawkea is handling pub- licity on "Topsy and Eva" at the Harris and "Valley of Content" ,at the Apollo, both Tom Wilkes at- tractions. James Jay Brady ahead of "Top Hole" on tour. Gus McCune has been appointed press representative for Edmuttd Plobn and will blaze the trail for *n^angle Toes," Plohn's initial ef- fort as a producer. John Peter Touhey, press work, "Silence" (NaUonal). James Shesgreen. special work on 'IsalMl" at Empire, New York, and "Grounds for Divorce" later In Boston. Townsend Walsh has been shifted from p. a. of "The Best People" to "The Swan," with Charles McClln- tock shifted from "The Swan" to "The Best People." While Dave Wallace is general managing the Actors' theatre (Equity Players), New York, David Sparks is doing publicity for "Cao- dlda" at the 48th St. Sparks was coaxed here from Boston, where he was handling the Giles Players at the St. James. Wallace tried to Inveigle G. B. Shaw to write spe- cials for "Candida." Shaw was willing if slipped 126,000. Actors" theatre Is thinking It over. A. P. Waxman Is leaving the Martin Beck ofllce. He Is taking a vacation. Max Price, who was treasurer of the Klaw, is now superintendent of the theatre. Bobby Stevenson, who was assistant trea.'nirer, i« now at <He Dltfle.^' • • • ' --"i' Something Tells Me • Los Angeles. Jan. 14. Three-act eoraedy-drtima etanintr May Robaon. preaented by Auini^tua Plton at Blltmore, 1>ob Anjeloe. Mlaa Robson, be- ■Idea starring, la author of play, and etngred It. Supportlns caat: Tjllllan Harmar, Lillian TaU, Don Harrington, Sue Sterllnr. Robert Dllts. Harry Knapp, Walter Ayrea. C. A. Winter, Besa Dunfop, Lester Wallace, Efltb Conrad May Robson has bultt up a large 11.50 and $2 following throughout the country, as loyal to her as a small boy to the circus, wanting to see her, no matter what it is, whether good, bad or indlfferlnt. Therefore with the successor of "Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary," noth- ing near as good as the latter piece, her host of friends turned out to pay her homage. Of course, they would never say that May Robson was a bad author. This reporter will not say so, either; but he will say Miss Robson might be better off if she did not try to act in those she wrote. As she l>e- llevea in her acting and also her playwrlghting, so, of course, may not be open to argument. Nor are her followers, either. They all agree that Mies Robson is marvelous in "Something Tells Me," because she is on the stage about two-thirds of the time and always doing some- thing. No criticism about dramatic construction, sequence and technlc these folks know little or nothing, nor do they care, either. "Something Tells Me." as far as they are con- cerned. Is the "dearest and sweetest treat of the season." The purport or idea of the play Is that it Is well for one to mind one's own business and let others do like- wise. Miss Robson plays a wealthy woman who wants to do charity for all and at the same time have them do as she desires. She endeavors to dominate everyone. After a so-called vision she finds everything happens as she wishes, even the marriage of a mismated couple. The end comes with Miss Robson aroused from a sleep and finding that all she had gone through was a dream. The show lags, drags and lulls, but it gets along, nevertheless. Miss Robson has a Juicy p.art, to which she'does Justice in both a drama*ir After a little pruning here and there it looks very much aa if the producers of "The Firebrand" have another hit on their hands in "The Stork," which had Its premiere «t the Capitol last week. The story concerns a young Frenchman who is ma<1e Premier almost overnight, a post bis late father held for 20 years. Lionel Deport gets the news on his wed- ding night and his young wife, who also was reared in politics, gives him an Idea for the salvation of France—home, fireside and iMtbisS. Young Deport sweeps the country with his policy of "home, fireside and babies." Literally this young politician knocks the staid old French Deputies and diplomatists tot a goal with his battlecry. But while Deport was the hero of the hour in France be was any- thing but that in his own home, which had not seen much of him after his elevation. His absence from home tormented his young bride, who' repented that she furnished him the Idea and wished for his overthrow, to t hat end hoping that the Socialist. Theophile Surat, would ascend to the post. The bride's irritation over his ab- sence from home culminates in a sensational scene in the Second act, laid In Premier Deport's office. Sev- eral delegations of mothers' clubs wait in an ante room to heap pres- ents on the fascinating young Premier, while he and bis wife "have It out" in the office. The wife's anger is Increased when her husband refused to fight for her when insulted by the So- cialist, Surat, who kissed her while the Premier was out of the office. At this point Jacques Morel, '^tlW maker of Premiers," did some very clever work in frustrating a clash between young Deport and the So- cialist leader. Morel appealed to both not to let a woman Interfere and "for the honor of France" asked them to shake hands, which they did, Surat was in the office to sign an agreement to abandon Socialist preaching In France^ something young Deport accomplished within a comparatively short time, where- as Morel and the politicians failed for years. At this point the wife breaks out In a dramatic speech, leaves the office in a huff, vowing she will sue Deport for a divorce and go back to her home. However, the young Premier Is no coward at heart. He did fight for his wife and wounded Surat In a duel and made him apologize to his wife for his action In the Premier's office. Young Deport then returns to find his wife packing up prepa- tory to returning to her home. She learns the true story, however, and really forgives her husband, who is deposed of his Premiership and Is once more back in his own home and with his wife who was robbed of his companionship on her wed- ding night because of politics. The cast Is a good one through- out. Katherine Alex.tnder makes a charming "Suzanne." Her unso- phi^tlcation in the opening act is superb and she puts over her "di- vorce speech" In tfie second act. Ferdin.Tnd Gottschalk fills his role perfectly. Goeffrey Kerr is Just the right type for the young Premier. Conrad Cantzen'.s hard-boiled mem- ber of the Cabinet was excellently done. Fay Marbe. erstwhile of the hi'iKirnl rome'!y.nn<1 \ ttirteville-fleW,