Variety (March 1925)

1« VARIETY irvs' Wednesday, March 18.1925 Rewritten newt iteniB which have appeared within the week in the NEWS FROM THE DAILIES Daiiy Papers of NEW YORK CHICAGO COAST- This d«p«rtm«nt contains rewritten thMtrical n«wa it«m« as publiahsd during th« wsak in tha daily papars of Now York, Chicago and the Pacific Coast. Variety takes no credit for these news items; each and every one has been rewritte n from a daily paper. NEW YORK New York, March 17. Louise Glaum was granted an at- tachment on properties held by J. Parker Read, Jr.. In Supreme Court Monday. Six Arms handling pictures ia which the producer has Interests have already been attached, accord- ing to Miss Glaum's attorney. A promissory note for $103,000 given by Read to the picture actress In 1921 was offered In evidence. "To avoid a summons," declared Ix>uls Boehm, Miss Olaum's attorney, ' "Read disguised himself as a stoker when he left this country. He Is now In Paris producing pictures." A general meeting of the Actors' Equity Association will be held at the 48th Street theatre next Monday afternoon tO appoint a nominating committee to make up a ticket for the annual election In June. Marguerite Namara has been signed by the Shuberts to sing the role of Yum-Yura In their revival of •'The Mikado." Gareth Hughes leaves the films to play the leads in "The Dunce Boy," coming to the Punch and Judy. R. H. Burnslde. former Hippo- drome director, has a cable offer from Liondon to stage a revival of "Watch Your Stap" for Sir Alfred Butts. WiUiam A. Brady told the Wom- en's Association of Temple Rodeph Sbolem Monday afternoon that play Juries or censors of the stage and screen would not be necessary if producers would co-operate in a clean-up. Mary ^Haynes, claiming to be a vaudeville performer, was placed in the psychopathic ward at Bellevue Hospital Monday. She had collapsed in a taxi. She said she bad takeA laudanum to ease pain from earache. The Sara berg bill to legalize Sup- day theatricals In New York state has been killed by the codes com- mittee of the Asiiembly at Albany and won't get a chance on the floor for a vote. The same fate befell bills to allow football and baseball to be legally played on Sunday. Clara Morris celebrated her 87th birthday Tuesday. The veteran actress has been an invalid for a loiig ^ime but sent a cheery message from-Vher sick bed to friends. £11 Jorellck, dealer in picture films as a side line to his First avenue candy store, was sentenced to five days or $60 Monday by Magistrate Simpson. Jorellck was convicted of l^reaking the fire laws hy selling ex- plosive films without a permit. Union musicians have entered the quarrel over music in the parks rendered by the New York police, fire and street cleaning bands. lAbor leaders claim these municipal bands compete with private ones .and make it difficult for regular musicians to obtain a livelihood. Leon Rothler, basso of the Metro- politan, has been named as co- respondent by Pierre Paul Morra- chlnl, French vice-consul In New York, In his divorce suit In Supreme Court. The City of New York has pro- duced a two-reel picture to be shown before civic, church and pol- itical gatherings. It depicts the work and accomplishments of vari- ous municipal departments. Mayor Hylan is featured. Cardinal Hayes denounced filth in the theatre and declared that thousands of parents were being deprived of their liberty to take their children to theatres because "they are afraid of what they and their children may see and bear," Sunday at the annual communion breakfast of the Catholic Club. The first verdict rendered by the Citizens' Play Jury gave clean bills of health to "They Knew What They Wanted" and "Desire Under The Elms," and directed a slight modification in one love-making scene in "The Firebrand." In the latter the length of time of the kisses in the balcony scene was re- duced and will continue so during the run of the play, according to the management. Under the rules of the play-Jury system, the Jurors will Tiait "The Firebrand" again to decide if the modification meets with their approval The trial of George L. (Tex) Rickard and Ave others in the U. S. District Court at Trenton, N. J., for conspiracy illegally to transport ■MtioD pictures of the Dempsey- Carpentler fight may last for another week. It s.arted March 10. Gertrude Vanderbilt paid $1,138 in City Court Friday to satisfy a Judgment In favor of her rfial es- tate broker. Her bank account, tied up by a receiver, was released. Saturday, March 28 has been set for the opening of Rlngllng Brothers' circus at Madison Square Garden. This will be the last cir- cus seacon iii the historic Garden. Wreckers Will start demolishing it May 1. A severe attack of laryngitis forced Al Jolson to notify Lee Shul)ert Saturday he could not con- tinue In "Big Hoy." Jolson wants a long rest. The Winter Garden will remain dark for the present. Friday Jolson was created a spe- cial deputy sherirr of Westchester County, N. Y., by Sheriff Naudlin, who pinned a gold badge on the comedian's chest. Jolson Is a prop- erty owner in Scarsdale and Harts- dale. Appeals for $25 subscriptions toward the E'.eanora Duse Me- morial have been issued by the Italy-America Society. Ethel Barrymore, ill with neu- ritis in both arms. Is resting at the Ambassador Hotel, N*w York, be- fore 'proceeding to hor home in Ma- maroneck. N. Y. Her manager, Arthur Hopkins, • announces that Miss Barrymore hopes to resume her tour at Atlantic City on April 15. De Wolf Hopper announces he will stick to "The Student Prince" and will not appear in the Shuberi's revival of "The Mikado." "Sparkling Burgundy," adapted by Edward Goldl>eck from Hans Mueller's "Der Tokaler," is to open at the Montauk, Brooklyn. N. Y., March SO. In addition to Lina Abarbanell and William Court- leigh, who will be co-starred, the cast will include: Robert Rendel, Ben Southard. Helenka Adamowsky, Jeanne Powers and Arthur Lang. Dwiifht Deere Wiroan iatb^.pro- ducer. , ' 1 • David Belasco has obtained the rights to the next two plays by Ernest Vajda, author of "The Ha- rem." "The Duchess of ^roadway," the 1925 Boston Tech show, will be seen at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York, March 24, after a preliminary tour. Ned ■ Wayburn has directs the production. Lionel Barrymore will be pre- sented bY the Shuberts in a revival of "Taps/' played by Herbert Kel- cey in 1898. Irene Fenwick will be In the cast. Elsie Ferguson has postponed her vaudeville tour In Baxrie's "ti&lt Hour" for several weeks. Famous Players-Lasky has signed her for a picture production in California. Ethel Leglnska, concert pianist who recently disappeared while a Carnegie Hall audience was await- ing her, has returned from Boston, whence she fled after her nervous breakdown. She is resting at the Hotel Wellington, New York. At the annual benefit performance for the National Stage Children's Association Sunday night at the Music Box theatre. General John J. Pershing gave gold medals to 200 children for excellent work during the past year, and decorated 23 actors and actresses for giving their set-vices for the benefit show. "What Price Drama, or They Did What They Wanted," will be given by the Snarks Wednesday night at the Heckscher theatre. New York, the proceeds to go to charity. For the first time' in the history of this amatetir organization, the perform- ance will be open to the public. Accused of defrauding the Bran- ford theatre, Newark, pictures, out of more than $20,000, two women and four men were arrested by the Newark police Sunday night The management claims the women, as ticket seller.^, co-operated with the men ticket takers, to resell tickets. Fire aroused about 150 theatrical folks Sunday morning at the Hotel Richmond, New York. Edith Sted- man, one of the guests, played the piano steadily for three hours to quiet the others while the firemen battled flames on the ninth floor. The opening of "Ostriches" has been set for this Friday at the Stam- ford theatre, Stamford, Conn., by William A. Brady. Jr., and Dwight Deere Wilman, Inc., Next Monday it goes into the Montauk. Brooklyn, for a week and then into a New York house. "Fast Workers" has been placed in rehearsal by Mulligan and Trebitsch. Vivian Martin has been given the lead. It has been booked at Poll's, Washington, for week of April 13, then due In New York for a summer "Relations," a comedy of Jewish characters by Edward Clark, will be given an out-of-town tryout by Crosby Gaige and brought to New York early in May. "The Cellar Players" of the Hud- son Guild, who recently produced "Salomy Jane," will try another Paul Armstrong play, and haVe asked Robert Armstrong, the late play- wright's nephew, to direct tHe new production. Lionel Barrymore has signed a contract with Lee Shubert to be starred in a play from the German. The title not divulged. In the sup- porting cast will be Irene Fenwick, McKay Morris and Ulrich Haupt. "Mismates" will have a Washing- ton opening before its New York showing. Grace George and her entire pro- duction of "She Had to Know" may be taken to London by Charles B. Cochran. . — On the call board at the Fulton is a notice to the effect that Elsie Janis bad '*mislald" Jewels in her dressing room, couldn't find them and would pay a reward for their recovery. Miss Janis denied that it was a publicity stunt and said the missing gems are worth $16,000. Wilda Bennett must face a suit for $1,047 alleged fees for attorney's service, in spite of the fact that Miss Bennett was not served personally. The pApers were left with her house- keeper and an affidavit filed Thurs- day in Supreme Court accuses the actress of dodging a process server. The action was brought by'Mad- ellne M. Sheer, to whom the claim was aselgned by H. Randolph Gug- genhelmer, attorney, who declares he acted for Mi8»Benn«tt in income tax matters and in a $100,000 suit brought J)y Mrs. Charles Frey, Forest HlHS, L. I., for alleged aliena- tion of her husband's affections. Branch boxofflees ^In every impor- tant city from coast' to coast are beins: esUblished by the Hippo- drome. Through them seats may be reserved without additional cost for any performance up to eight we6ks In advance. Because of the many reservations coming to the big playhouse from all parts of the country E. F. Albee on Thursday arranged with Marcus Helman, president of the Orpheum circuit, and the heads of the Inter- state and affiliated theatres tohave them co-operate with the ^Jth- Albee people in the plan. Reserva- tions may be made directly at the boxoffices of the different house^ from which they are transmitted by wire to the hip. ^ This is believed to be the first trans-continental reservation service ever inaugurated. / "The Need," comedy by Tom Powers, has been accepted by the Cherry Lane Theatre, New York. The author is playing the lead in "The Wild Duck." The music of the pantomime. "Olllonne and Gillette," has beeji arranged by Ruth A. Shipley. It is to be produced by the Children's Playhouse. Roshanara, dancer, filed suit in the New York Supreme Court for $105,000 damages against the pub- lishers of the magazine "Asia" be- cause they printed a picture of her standing on the steps of a Buddhist temple with the caption stating she is a Burmese woman. The dancer says she was born in India, that her father was English, her mother Irish and her right name is Olive Crnddock. -€he alleges the pic- ture caption represents her as being "inferior In birth, race and breeding to the Anglo-Saxon." $5,000 is asked for the photograph and her rights to it used by "Asia" without her con- sent or knowledge. The Winter Garden will celebrate its 14th birthday Friday night. Al Jolson, now there in "Big Boy," was In the show opening the house. Charlea McCIcm, tight rope walker, Is being held by the police as the kidnaper of Paul Pennell, (Continued on pasre 49) CHICAGO f Chicago, March 17. Future residence may be built with a special room for radio ac- cording to a suggestion made In connection with the impending "Own Your Own Home" Exposition at the Coliseum. ^ Sam Kosten, featured comedian, l.s back with the Yiddish Players at (/lickman's Palace. The Garrick was the scene of a riot Sunday afternoon when groups of Socialists staged a free-for-all fight. * .' » Elsie Cole, cabaret entertainer, has filed suit for damages amount- ing to $25,000 against the Pershing Palace, Inc., operators of the Per- shing Palace. Miss Cole alleges she was severely beaten by Cyrus Tierney, manager of the cafe, when she refused to perform In a sing- ing act which he was producing. V Threats to boycott Evanston merchants who spread propaganda In favor of Sunday movies were applauded by "epresentativea of 14 women's organizations' meeting at the Evanston women's club. The entire Negro population of about 7,000 is expected to vote against the the Sunday movie proposition. PACIFIC COAST Los Angeles. March 17. Marie Mack, who says she was a formir "Follies" girl, has obtained an annulment of her marriage to Donovan Lee Cook on the grounds of fraud. Mrs. Cook told Judge SummerfieM that her husband, be- fore marriage, represented himself as a "wealthy lumberman.'' He turned out to be the driver of a truck for a lumberyard, she said, and earned $20 a week. The annul- ment was granted. , Articles of Indorporation .have been filed with County Clerk Lamp- ton here for the Cecil B. de MlUe Pictures Corporation, the name under which de Mllle plans to pro- duce his own feature films. The concern Is incorporated under the laws of Delaware. The papers on file state that the corporation in- tends to carry on a general motion picture business including produc- ing and exhibiting; buying books, scenarios, dramatic and other com- positions; renting or buying of studios and similar business. The stockholders are named as follows: Robart L Loeb, New York City; E. E.^ Craig, DoVer, Del., and A. L. Raughley of the same place. Tyrone Power and his wife are recent Hollywood arrivals. Power expects to remain a month and to have a role In Famous Players- Lasky's "The Wanderer." After a five months' pleasure trip around the world Charles Eyton, general mana^r of Famous Play- ers-Lasky west coast studios, and his wife. Kathlyn Williams, are back In Hollywood. They were wel- comed home by a delegation of friends at. the depot. Gladys Hulette Is no longer Mrs. William Parke, Jr. On the grounds her husband not only failed to sup- port her but depended upon her for support she was granted a divorce. On the third attempt to rob the home of J. Stuart Blackton, picture producer. In Hollywood, one burglar was wounded and $100,000 in loot which had been packed ready to move was saved. This was all done through the awakening of Lieut. Gerard de Merveux, a former Aus- tralian army officer, who engaged In a gun duel with some three or four Mindlts In the home until he dropped from a bullet wound In the left shoulder. After the home defender became unconscious and the firing had ceased Mrs. Blackton and her daughters ventured to the part of the house where the firing had oc- curred and found him. A physician revived the guest, who informed the doctor he had wounded one of the men during the gun battle. Blood stains were traced from the hous« to the roadside where the bandits had a car in which they escaped. The injuries of de Merveux are said to be superficial. Coroner Nance of Los Angeles has ordered the exhumation of the body of John B. Woods, Famous Players-Lasky employe, to deter- mine the actual cause of death as a result of a claim filed by the widow for workmen's compensation. Though ho pleaded guilty to a charge of having forged the name of Lionel Belmore, picture actor, to a check for $«7.50 which *e cashed in a downtown store. A. H. Black- more proved to Superior Court Judge Crall that he was considered the beet photographer of live stock on the coast and had had his busi- ness ruined by the hoof and mouth ^ disease. It caused the court to place ' him on probation for two years. Mrs. Thelma Colman, who is suing Ronald Colmon, picture atar, tar separate maintenance, gave o... a 1 statement that she aided her actor . hushand by scrubbing fioors and do- Ii.g other menial work \vhen they ■ were poor and was abandoned by him after he had attained $1,000 aH week salary. After eluding the police of tb* country for 18 months, John Zuniga, former pal of Charles Westcott, "jpillionaire film cowboy" now serv- ing a two years' sentence for a statutory offense, gave hitnself up to the authorities. He Is alleged to be involved in the same charge to which Westcott pleaded guilty. Justine Valse, picture actress, w^ trapped in a fire while on location in Topango Canyon and was pain- fully burned. She was removed to • a sanitarium for treatment. Her injuries, it Is said, will keep her confined for several weeks. Harry J. Edwards, picture direc tor, is made the defendant In a suit' for separate maintenance filed by Mrs. Kathleen Edwards, who is ask- ing $500 weekly alimony. Edwards, his wife says, earns $1,000 a weeic In her complaint the wife names Grace Lovejoy as "the other woman." She charges that her husband and Miss Lovejoy were followed to a house In Los Angeles, which they entered and remained ^nside for over three hours. While they were In- side it is alleged that Edwards' chauffeur drove away. Mrs. Ed- wards also cited another occasion when she charged that her husband took Miss Lovejoy to a different. house in Hollywood. ,.; •- -.•j-j Alleged to have been making an easy living by preying upon noted picture players, directors and pro- ducers, Harry Thompson,, styled by the police a "beggar genius," was arrested while attempting to coercs' money from Jack "Warner, of War- ner Qrothers,' and is now in the hoosegow. He Is charged with, vagrancy. Among the victims said to have contributed to Thompson's support are Daryle Zannlck, scenario writer;' Marie Prevost, Millard Webb, di- rector; Louise Fazenda. Phyllis Haver, Monte Blue and others. Thompson, the police say, naade • PKictlce of presenting written ap- peals to his prominent victims ask- ing for "loans." His game was to appear at their homes and send In a note stating that he onc6 had been employed by them but had now fal- len upon misfortune and badly needed $20 to prevent himself, bis wife and a new-born son from being ejected from their home. A. O. Gillstrom, picture director, arrested recently on-charges of dlB-J ■turbing the peace filed by his formerl wife, had the charges disml.ssed bf t| Police Judge Chambers when th* plaintiff failed to appear in court. O. C. Jungwirth is a dog trainer and proprietor of a dog kennel here. He contracted with Charles Seeling, picture producer, to train a police dog known as Nellie Woolf Hart to be a dog movie star. Seel-_ Ing took the dog on location, but "the animal, '^hen called upon to rescue the heroine, Helen Kessler, ran the other way. Then Seeling filed suit for $299 damages, covering time lost on location. Jungwirth sued for $235 for services. When the case came before Justice Joe Marchetti the Judge gave a decision In favor of Seeling. •'" William 8. Hart has paid Uncle Sam an income tax said to be cIob« to six figures. The check was de- posited with Collector of Intern&l Revenue Rex Goodcell here. Hart was the second picture star to fll« a return for 1924. The first wis Frank Keenan. Tom Mix was third. To carry out the wishes of Will Hays, a committee of the Motion Picture Directors' Association com- prising John Ford, Reginald Bark* and others will pre-censor their own films in the scripts whenever pos- sible in order to avoid expensive deletions after the feature is made. While traveling 60 miles an hour an automobile driven by H. Bruce Breene. a Hollywood business ma"; turned over five t/mes and inlllctea injuries from which he dlc<l a ttvr (Continued on page 49)