Variety (March 1925)

VARIETY VAUDEVILLE Wednesday, March 11.1925 RIGHT OFF THE DESK By NELLIE REVELL Yes, I went to a dance last Friday nigbt. No, I didn't dance, bdt It wasn't because several nice men didn't ask me to. I declined on the pound that r didn't know the new steps. And besides a cane gets «o In the way when one la tripping the light fantastic. It was the annual newapaper women's ball at the Ritx-CarUon, and I found it the greatest and rtnest I ever expect to attend. Though not dancing, I was included In a party, given by Ruth Byers. There were Dr. Leo Michel. Louis Lang, Leslie Bradshaw (who called for me and •acorted me home), Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lalt (who were celebrating their 19 wedding annlrer^ry). Harry HirahfleW, Arthur -Buga" Baer. Victor Shapiro, R. H. Bumj-de and bis pretty daughters. Harry Reichenbach. Ed Hughes, Julius Tanren and ever so many others whose names have for the moment escaped me. And, Individually and collectirely. we dofted our dented derbies to Lncl!a Parsons, Jane Dixon. Dorothy Heraog and the rest of the com mitte* that arranged thm baU. It will be a mark for future fiestas to sboot at. There is another who should not be forgotten when the appreciation la being passed around That is S. Jay Kaufman, and as a newspaper women and a membe> of the club I render him my thanks and congratula- tlotui for his untiring efTorla and incalculable aid In making the ball a memorable succeaa. . Owing toi,the stepa one has to climb to get to the main ballroom, 1 found a place in on? of the other two rooms where a aort of overflow dance was t>elng held. But ifone of my friends forgot me nor left me to be a wall flower. Marie Dressier came to pay me a beautiful and touch- ing tribute and WtP Rogers stopped hia announcing to come in and walk tht Jength of the Boor with one—leading a sort of exclusive grand march of our own. And at the end of the room he turned around ana spoke about me to that crowd of my own people, something I shall always treasure. And while I couldn't dance I'll wager the girls that could envied me that smack Will gave me. Some people would rather have smallpox than blrthdaj-it, particularly when they get around the halt-way post I suppose they fipure that both ot them lead Just as surety to the burying ground. But as for my- self I still like blrtbilays and admit them. So far as I can see the only person you fool wbec you hide birthdays Is yourself. Certainly, you can't fool Nature, bocauae she doesn't have to carry a calendar. Birthdays have merely been milestones of happiness to me, even those four birthdays I spent In the bospltaL And this one—which, in- cidentally, comes on I<>iday. the 13lh—is partlculad^- to be 'celebrated for it is the first one I om really able to celebrate In six years. Last year. It la true. I was out of the hospital, but just as I was about to say "Happy Birthday, Me!" the "flu" came along and I spent a flf^h one In bed. So it is just six years since I have had a birthday party. That was a lubcheon at Delmonico's—heaven rest Us soul—and.I am wondering if those who gave me the party rememt>er it as well as I do. And—even farther back—If the girls who celebrated with me IS yeara ago at Guf- fantl's have as vivid a recollection of that one as I have. Those birthdays I spent in the shadow of the operating room where far Crom unhappy—who could have been unhappy with so many friends wishing one birthda.v cheer?—and from them I derived one great truth. It Is that the years may l>ear down heavily upon the body, but that each of us has a Fountain of Youth in the souL If only we are willing to drink from it. Birthday greetingj and congratulations to Jack Lalt, E. W. Dunn, Martha Wllchinskl, Louise Alhee. Abatha de Bussey. Mrs. Mabel Webb. Amelia Bingham and otir own Harry Grant, all of whotr 'vere born in the saoac month, if not the same year as me! TOMMY VAN (Of VAN and VERNON) Thfi outfit displayed in the picture. Including the baHoon tires and fill- ing stations which.grace the lowei- extremities. has been concelved^nd originated by me. It is fully pro- tected in Variety and N. V. A. pro- tective material dep>artments. So give a struggling actor a chance to receive a little recognition. Direction HALPERIN-SHAPIRO AGENCY NEAR FUN ~. ,"-i The last Inauguration I mlascd. I was busy serving a four-year term cf my own. But I attended this one—via "Dynodyne." My radio set was working well that miMming and I heard Mr. Coolldge promising to "love, honor and obey" these United States until political events do them part. I hare this to say, that no matter what anyone may think of the President's politics they can't help but admit that he has a good voice. It is the perfect radio voice—every w^rd as clear and distinct as though carved out of Ice—and If ever he loses his curr^t Job he will have no difllcuUy in getting one as a radio announcer. The flreworks of the day, of course, we had to rend in the newspapers. I suppose they were afraid that the Vlce-I'residenfs talk might bum the insulations oft the wires at the broadcasting station. Or that the UstenefB might mistake It for a l>ad attack of static. But I would have loved to have heard Mr. Dawes swearing In and swearing at those Sena- tcrs. , Atta boy. Charlie, talk while you may for you won't have another chance soon. Wish I knew who sent me that box of oranges from Florida, also who sent the candy from Waahhf>gton. I'd like to thank them both for the gift* and for the thought. If anyone Is ever real hungry for a real meal at a real home, my ad- vice is to hunt up George LeMalre and Invite him to invite you to his house for dinner. 1 was honored with a bid to dine there last Tuesday. and Z want to assure the world: Tht finest words of tongue or pen. Are George LeMaire's "Come again." It looks as though prohibition may prohibit after all if the United States attorney manages to put through his threatened padlock actions a^tnst the numerous prominent cabarets and restaurants In New York City. The only thhig I regret <about It Is that now I've put off my visit- ing until too late, an<:: I'm not going to get to see those gorgeous speak- eajiiisa and glimpse the far-famed bracelet buyers in action. Last Sunday found me diivlng in Great Neck. Among the stops 1 made was on our own Jack Hazard, who Is now dramatic critic of the "Great Neck News," and hij> charming little wife (nee Alice Dovey). We have never forgiven Jack for permanently retiring Alice from the stage, but It didn't prevent B»y accepting Jack's hcspltaltty to the extent of some ginger ale—that is, all he didn't spill. And from personal observation the padlock fever has not arrived In Great Neck. Speaking of Volstead, Jai k tells me that there are ao many bootleggers out in Great Neck sow that they have to wear badges to keep from sell- ing to each other. Strange as it may atem, there is such a thing as a Volstead act To prove it, my morning mail brings me a card which reads: Tburnton^Scoond 0e«smi with the Volstead Act.'-' >■ . . . . 'ANGELING'FILM ACTORS (Continued from page 1) agement of the tour which will con- tinue as a co-op adventure with A. H. Blank, head of a syndicate of some two score Iowa and Nebraska theatres, angeling the show and that legal redress will be sought against H. A. DeVav.x. general man- ager for Cosmic, who was blamed for the arrest of the troupers here for alleged "Jumping board bIPV !n Omaha. DeVaux started the legal fire- works with bis suit for $150,000 damages against Washburn and Harry _,. Tlghe, ers'while preside it of Cosmic, charging that they had :onspired to Induce certain of his siars to breach their contracts. ^ oi the stockholder: of Cosmic were traveling with the show in some sort of managerial capacity. Members of the company were unanim in blaming DeVaux for their arrest on complaint of the Hotel Fontanelle. Omaha, for al- leged fraud to the extent of 1227.01 groas. They declared DeVaux had I said he "had taken care" of their bills Bryant Washburn's Statement Washburn's statement at the time of their arrest—and ride In the black maria of the Hawkeye capital —and his attempts to find employ- ment for some members of the com- pany, who were declared to be t.!- n.ost penniless, formed DeVaux's grounds for his suit. Waafabam said the charge that Tighe conspired to Induce the stars to breach their contracts was "ri- diculous." *Tt would be Impossible for us to breach those contracts," Waahborn explained. "They have already been nullifled by DeVaux's failure to pay salaries, which, ac- cording to all our contracts, were tp l>e paid every Sunday evr - ing." \ Several of the stars became "guests" of various Des Moines houses over the week-end, while de- tails of the resuription of the tour were worked out. "One for all, all for one," became the motto as the .stars rallied around Washburn. Seventeen-year-old Ena Gregory am unced receipt of money for I.cr home trip from her mother, but later received a leag diet: nee call from Boasfka "advifiag her to do ^ hat Mr. Washtmm siiya" F. J. Morgan, ad- vance man of the 'nim Frobc" f ompany. haa gone on to Chicago to straighten oat bookings. 10 RoNkain in Trajpa TtKi 10 artists under tke Wash- burn banner now taiclude Mr. Wash- bum, Jack Daugherty, Ena Gregory, CuDen Landis, Ruth Stoi^ehouse. Katharine McGulre, Carl Miller. Anna May Wong and Harry L. Tlghe. Joe Murphy ( Andy Gump" of the movies) quit the company here before the big fracas started, and began booking his own picture house appearances. When the law arrived at the hotel with warrants for their arrest, not all the darlings of the celluloid ?o}d coast had risen. Five had to be routed from theh- beds. "It's too early to arrest us," May Wong Im- plored and asked half an hour to prepare for her court appearance. Directors of the Cosmic, it was an- noaaeedt iMid held a maeilng the •■ . ' - '• ■ '" By FRED ALLEN (Mr. Allen it appearing with the "Greenwich Village FaVh-.", AN ALPHABET ; rnr Babes in the DressinB Rooms * J for Actor. W? see on the stage. the Baggageman Who breaks trunks hi his rage. for Cttarleston. A dance from the South, the Dancer. Who breathes through his mouth, for Kxress Psovtac women don't pay. for FalTy. Who hooks by the day. the Oymnast. He opens the shows, his handkerchief. Not used for the nose. for iBconae. Witk tax blank to OIL . for Jokes, th-i news digests kill. the Ki'k. A'ways sure to get laughs. for Lobby. With acts photographs. ■ ;, for Monologi't. *Ie thinks he's a wow. hia Nerve. 3ee. he's stealing a t>ow. for One-Horat A term used for towns, for Pie. Used t^ all Movie Clowns, the Quartet. With Barber Shop song. for Raspberry. Should they stay on too long, the SnuUl-timc. It parts weeks in the middle. . , for three showp. Drums, piano and fiddle, for Ukelele. It gets everyone's goat. Ventriloquist. He talks in his throat, for Waterme'on. Pupil brought the next day. for-Xylophone a carpenter should play, for YodeL F»»r your Jlnlsli can't falL for Zebra. A horse out of jail. . .' LOST Mnn, answering to the Qame of Sir Joseph Oinaburg. broke away froii hia leash on Broadway. Was last aeei^ running towards Alaska, muttc Ir.g "Antitoxin." lm..frines he is being chased by a sled. Finder pleas return to Willie Howard. "Sky High Co." (Title has nothing to do wit the prices). Famous Charleys ^ Chaplin. Beefsteak 's Aunt. - Hqpse. Cameo Sketches Office Boy.—"There s a crazy"actor outside. He thinks he's NapoleoD Hov can I get rid of him?" Western Booker.— Tell him he opens at Waterloo the first half." Fogg.—"You say that the manager knocked you down and kicked youl Guppy.—"Yes." Fogg.—"What, dldn t you hit him backT" Guppy.—"Why Should I? Tou do the business for the act" f^asse News Tenper Center, R. I.—Orover Bergdoll denies he Inspired the muvii picture •"rh»,Man Without a Country."" Says film dedicated to " President of the Bartenders' Union of America. ThumbUck. Ore.—Earthquake reported here. Paul Grogg of the Bi^ Ing Hams says, "Theie must have been a Quake here Saturday night have been doing npy dancing routine for 15 years and noticed eev« extra taps on the last show." » Lameman, 111.—Manager noted for cutting salaries, says that it is bad that two out of three at the age of 30 have pyorrhea. , Benton Harbor, Mich.—House of David presents afterpiece known Razor Jim under the title of Hammer James. Raxors are barred Benton Harbor. Long Island.-Walter Boforth of Soforth and Bewon, Hempstitch, L. has sued his wife for divorce. Says that she has had her face llfte so much he can't see It any more. Stralghtjacket, Ala.—Harvey Squibb has closed his leather shop, says "A one-horse town Is no place for a man in the harness buslnes, Cymbal, Wis.—Gross record at local opera house broken by the Ga rulous Cohen's Punch and Judy Show. Record formerly held by Murphj Pigeons. This comprny used several carrier pigeons, who flew from dc to door with the handbills. night after the disastrous Shrine movie ball and canceled all con- tracts. DeVaux eplalned some tete- a-tete he and Washburn had had. *"I made arrangements to pay that Omaha bill," he said. "The hotel was to draw on me here for the amount, but we didn't make as much money as we expected and consequently the draft could not be honored. I asked Bryant if he would not lend me the money to pay this bill. He refused and suggested that I pawn some of my wife's Jewelry I personally borrowed the money to- day and got them out of jail." Washburn, Mr. DeVau:-,. suggested, was well able to finance the tour— but Washburn evidently figured he didn't get his nM)ney that way. The publicity the trip got in this town beat anything the Cosmic staff had been able ta cook up for it—but tif actors dldji't eat un the notii-es. Their journey down Walnut street to the hoosegow was the nearest tri- umphal procession since the band left Mollywoad, but the chcerioe from the po^lace along the street wasn't the sweetest music to their ears. "Believe jne, it's 'California. Here i Come' when 1 get out of this place," Miss Wong was quoted as she gazed at the Jail walls, but .«ihc changed her mind later and decided to stick with Washburn. The movie actors are now barn- storming in Iowa towns. Route un- known. Blank offered them dates at his Marshalltown and Daven- port Theatres. Their private car was'abandoned ACTRESSES LEAVE HA] (Continued from page 1) the only recourse was to leave *1 cast If the play was dlstastefuL "In the Near Future" was wrf| ten and produced by Dr. Abraha Goldknopf, a practlci.:g physlcia who is said to have evolved a n€ theory of surgsry. The doctor vlj Ited Equity early this week to bl come acquainted with regulation about which be was unaware. Dr. Disagrees The pbysidan-oiapager dispute the ruling that placed bis pUy a reguku^ basis calling for a weeks salary, tbougl only plaj special matinees this week. It explained that "In the Near Futi started as a regular p x>duction. ing the usual rehearsals and ope^ tag out of town last week as regular attraction, therefore calt for a minimum of two weeks' ary. Sfiould the players agree make special arrangements with doctor after this week on a specl| matinee basis tbey are free to do Ordlrfhrlly Equity Is not coi cemed with special matinee attrsj tions. Flayers in such shows mat their own arrangements as to sal ary tiMUgh if such attractions af h ter given regularly, tue usual r« la tions prevail. "The Complex" U being tried special ntatinees at the Booth wltll out E<nilty being aware ' ' anangi ments between players and the pr^ ducer. "The Complex' wa.i al| authored by a physician. Dr. Lot) E. BUcb, a «p?ciali.«tt In ps.vcl aoalyslsk