Variety (June 1925)

-^Wednesday, June S, 1925 VAUDEVILLE VARIETY MARCUS LOEW BUYING IN ON IIBIG THEATRES IN FRANCE AND EGYPT -V..* Houses in Principal Cities of France, Also Cairo and Alexandria — Gaumont Has Extensive Circuit Abroad, but Mostly Small Houses in Small Towns Marcua Loew la buying In on 11 of Oaumont'a largest picture the- atres In Frcnice and Egypt. These cover the principal cities of France, with one of the Qaumont houses each in Cairo and Alexandria. According to the story, Ed Schil- ler will leave shortly for the other side to represent Metro-Qoldwyn in the foreign deal. Gaumont's picture circuit is a very extensive one, but composed largely ^f small houses in small towns. The Gaumont circuit with its affiliations operate about SOO theatres abroad. Mr. Loew has had experience in running theatres on the other side. He practically had the new Tivoll, London, under contract when that theatre started with Metro-Goldwyn pictures. It is understood American meth- ods will be employed in the opera- tion of the 11 Gaumont houses the Loew group will invest in. LOEW AGENTS FORM ASSN. 51 Members in Benevo- lent Society Man-Hunted Hero of Vt. Going Into N. E. Yaude. Boston, June 2. Earle Woodward, who kidnaped little Lucile Chatterton of QranvlUe. Vt., and- who later was freed when it was learned he had taken the girl away from an unpleasant home, has been signed for a New England vaudeville tour. According to pres- ent plans Woodward will open June 22 at the Boston Arena, re-enacting the Vermont man-hunt for blm and with Lucille and other principals in the scenes. He will tell the dramatic story of bis flight into the moun- tains with the little girl in his effort to free her from the drudgery of her home life and how he was hunted, with a price on his head, only to be Anally hailed a hero. A new organization to be known as the Marcus Loew Artists Repre- sentatives' Benevolent Association has been formed. The purpose of the club is to care for the sick and the families of deceased members after the manner of several similar thea- trical organizations. The membership is at present 61, including every Loew agent and their associates. Irving Yates, who fostered the idea, was electe' presi- dent. Sam Baerwit* is vice-presi- dent; Charles Fitzpatrick, treasurer, and Dave Rose, secretary. The dues are to be $8 a month. Other funds will be raised by an ajmual benefit. Meetings will be held the first and third Mondays of each month, with temporary headquarters in the Yates office. General committees will be chosen at the next meeting scheduled for next Monday (June 8). Several years ago a similar or- ganization was started by the Loew agents but It "flivered" as business affairs entered It. The society has been promised the support of the Lioew executives. A. db H. BITT nr CAUF. Los Angeles, June t. The Pacific States Booking Asso- ciation, which opened Jan. 1, leist. is to be absorbed by Ackermsui & Harris and its theatres aico taken over by that firm. The houses are all In Southern California. Harrison Keate, field man for the Pacific States Booking Association, goes over to Ackerman & Harris In a like capacity. SHOW'S DAircmo bit The dancing act presented last year In the third "Music Box Revue" by Florence O'Denlshawn. Nelson Snow and Charles Columbus Is be- ing given in vaudeville by a com- pany including Snow and Columbus, but with Miss O'Denlshawn. who has been in ill health, replaced by Marion Sakl. Jerome Csu-gill and T. D. Kemp, Jr., are producing the turn. The Westminster Orchestra, a six-piece outfit led by Sam Kasa- rin. U In the act. Sanmier Bookings Agents selling acts to in- dependent bookers are squawk- ing against a renewal of di- rect bookings by the majority of bookers and blame the ooa- ditlon to the fact that the bookers are displayiTig undue Independence on account of an over supply of acts available at this time through manr closings of small time houses. The agents figure the book- ers are crossing them because they won't need them to hustle new material uatil the summer has passed. The bookers Justify their action, claiming that agents have stalled lit submittitig dates to acts when the money was shared below that of reg- ular season due to summer cuts which have gone in at practically all Independent houses and with the bookers claiming It a matter of self- preservation to book in cheap shows for the warm weather to encourage house* to re- main open. Although these small stands were never unusually lucra- tive from a salary angle the agents claim that figures of- fered acts this seaujon Is un- precedentedly low but agree that some bookers have been able to hoodwink performers into accepting these small money dates by promising to do better for them later on and many falling for the line. In most caises the acts de- mand, the figures be net and since they are not signed through their agent but direct the booker figures it his lo- allenlable privilege to book direct while on the other hand the ageats claim it is taking away their coffee and cake money In warm weather when every penny counts. I Several efforts are being ' made to readjust the matter ' but no successful solution has I advanced as yet. MY HOME FOR WEEPING SINGLES By BLANCHE MERRILL V4 THE PIANO PLAYER'S ROMANCE Dear Mame: , I hear you're back from Europe and maybe I'm not glad; The time I had since you've been away—no one's ever had. I suppose you read all about it—about the marriage and all; You gave me credit for better sense—but like all singles I had to fall. You see I do talking numbers and a lot of ad lib stuff; The boys In the pit couldn't follow me—so I decided I had enuf. Went to the publisher's one morning and I heard the poor thing play. And how he moaned a melody—well we started rehearsing next day ' Just a piano player! Oood looking and young. But talk about your bumble bees—I certainly got stung, ' We went out on the Orpheum—no one too congenial on the bill. So we got playing around together—everything great until. Until we got on first name terms—that's where I made the mistake. Anyhow in Frisco we cut the wedding cake. Success and flowers followed—but It didn't last very long. I was ready to open at the Palace, New York, when zip! the works went wrong. My piano player concluded he must do something more than play. So to keep peace in the family I let him have his way; He told two gags on Monday—by Thursday he told twenty-three. Why before the week was over he was taking bows for me. Why he wouldn't walk upstairs to dress, so what was I to do. Said he'd quit—so I gave him one and I took number two. Insisted on equal billing—why, If I kept on with that guy He'd have been the headllner and I the "eisslsted by.' Now, I'm not a weeping single, but tonight I could turn on the tears. ' Being bossed by a piano player—after topping the bills for years. ' And you don't know all I did for him—that's why I'm so mad. Why, I bought him the first tuxedo that he ever had. I taught him how to comb his hair—he wore that round saucer cut; I taught him everything he knows—wasn't I the nut. And to think- that he walked oitt on me—you know I wouldn't car^. But after all, he was awful sweet—well, I phoned him everywhere. Oh. I suppose I'd take him back again, even though I heard He's going around saying terrible things—guess you think it's absurd. But Love, you know—well, that's Love's way—and I keep humming that ^ melody. i'»,'i;U t«ke ^im |)ack, if he wanU to come back, the boy that was stolen from me." ■ ,,.. . dl/l(te. "BROWN DERBF IS IN CLAIM BY WHEELERS Had Six Weeks* —Gordon and Brice Backed Contract Fannie Show MISS BEE JACKSON Miss Bee Jackson, the world's champion Charleston Dancer, opens In Keith vaudeville tomorrow at the Franklin Theatre, In her own act, assisted by the Chicago Senators, a nine piece Jazz organization Just arrived from Chicago. The act is under the direction of RALPH a FARNUM (EDW. 8. KELLER OFFIC£> COAST OPEHINOS Los Angeles, June 2. West Coast Boulevard, playing W. V. M. A. vaudeville and second run features, had an auspicious opening. Vaudeville the Isust half here and Panchon and Marco presentations the first half. House seats 2,200. A new house known as the West Coast Long Beach will open June 6. This house is to play Orpheum vaudeville the middle of the week for three days and feature pictures. A claim ha^ been filed with Equity by Bert an^ Betty Wheeler, featured members of "The Brown Derby," which closed In Boston last Saturday after being out two weeks. The show was produced by Charles K. Oordon and Fannie Brice. Gordon is reported sailing for Europe. The Wheelers had a six weeks' guarantee at a reputed salary oC $600 weekly. They were paid two weeks and have the further claim of 1.2,400. It was stated, regardless of Gor- don's absence, the claim. If upheld, would be filed with the Managers' Protective Association, of which the young manager Is a member. According to th« agreement be- tween th« nianagerial body and Equity, claims which are sustained mu^t be paid by the M. P. A. within 10 days after submission. It is tha first Instance where the M. P. A. will have been called on to settia for a member. Peggy Parker, Wife of Abe Olman Peggy Parker is the wife of Al)e Olman, the songwriter, and not Al Wohlman as reported. Miss Parker (formerly with Kddle Buziell) Is making her vaudeville come-back after her retirement upon marry- ing the songwriter. In partnership with Jack Fulton (Fulton and Qul- nette). KANSAS CITY TAX CHARGES Schedule Announced— Week's Maximum $50 iCansaa City, June 1. The county court haa announced its tax schedule on amusementa for the current year. The list which hau nothing to do with the city licenses, only the county dues, is &a follows:- theatres charging |1.60 or more— |10 a week; theatres charging less than $1.60 and more than $1.—$7.60 a week; theatres charging $1. or less—$5 a week; picture houses $S a year for each 200 seats, with a minimum of $26 and maximum of $50 a year; skating rinks $20 a month; cane and doll racks $16 a month; shooting galleries $$ a month; penny arcades $3 a month. Three-ring circuses, first day, $200, additional days $100; two ring circuses, first day $160, additional days $76; one ring circuses first day $100, additional days $60; wrestling or boxing matches first day $100, thereafter $60 daily; amusement parks, charging admis- sion, $40 a month; baseball parks, charging 76 cents or more, 176 a month; baseball parks, charging less than 76 cents, $40 a month; a fee of $1 will be charged for Issu- ing each license. BUSHWICK CLOSINO For the first time in nine years Keith's Brooklyn, Bushwick, will close for the summer. The current week will wind up the season. All of the acts booked for next week have been re-routed Into other Kelth-Albec houses. 2D AYE. VAUDEVILLE Kessler's Second Ave., New York City, opens Monday (June B). with a policy of mixed Jewish anU Eng- lish vaudeville, 6 acts each half. Adler and Gottl are nuinaglng the house which is to be t>ooked by Frank Belmont of the Walter PUm- mer office. The' theatre played legitimate Tlddlsh productions all season. Studying Singing in Milan Velma Loraine Lyon, of ths Pan-, theon Singers, sailed for Milan Majr 23 to study. She will rejoin tha act Sept 9. NEW THEATRES IN CONSTRUCTION HOUSES CLOSING B. S. Moss' RIvena, Brooklyn. Brooklyn, N. Y. $200,000. 796 Grand street. Owner, Rubhe Arnusa- ment Co., 110 West 40th street, N. Y. C. Pictures. Chatham, N. Y. $76,000. Main street. Qwner, Walter 8. Crandetl, 26 Broatd, street. N. Y. C. Policy not given. Chicago. $450,000. Cicero avenue, north of Belmont Owner, Belmont Park Theatrical Enterprise, care of architect, A M. Ruttenberg, 64 West Randolph street. Policy not given. Cleveland Heights, O. $176,000. N. E. corner Odarbrook and L«*' roads. Owner. Cedar Lee Realty Co.. Leader News Building. Pictures. Englewood, N. J. $250,000. Palisade avenue. Owner, Bratter Sc PoUak. 738 Broad street Newark, N. J. Policy not given. Gowanda, N. Y. $160,000. Main street Owner, Richard Wllhelm. Marine Trust Building, Buffalo, N. Y. Policy not given. Haekensack, N. J. $400,000. 290 Main street. Hackensack. Owners, Bratter ft Pollak. 738 Broad street, Newark, N. J. Policy not given. Harrisburg, Pa. (Orpheum). $200,000. Cranberry and Court streets. Owner. Wilmer A Vincent, 14(1 Broadway, N. Y. C. Policy not given. Lima, O. (Remodeled). $30,000. Public Square. Owner, Sigma The- atre, Public square, Lima, O. Policy not given. Milwaukee. $100,000. Ogden. between Cass and Marshall Owner, Theatre Lobby Display Co.. 172 Second street PIcturea. Milwaukee. (Pabst, remodeled). E. Water and Oneida. Owner, Pabst. 52-e4 Oneida. Value and policy not given. Owosso, Mich. Owner, Joseph Lebowskt, Owasso. Capau:lty, 1,134. Value and policy not given. Philadelphia. 31st and Wharton. Owner withheld. Architect Wllllaia L. Charr. Victory Building, 1001 ChMtnut street Valua not given. Pictures. ' Racine, Wis. $26,000. 1637 Douglas avenue. Owner withheld, care of architect, William J. Heddon, 221 Grand avenue, Milwaukee, Wis. Pictures. SiouK Falls, 8. O. Owner. Ftnkelstein & Reuben, Loeb Arcade, Minne- apolis. Value and policy not given. South Ozone Park, N .Y. $86,000. S. W. corner Zuyder and Nebraska avenues. Owner, Welcome Amusement Co., 92 Field avenue. South Oxoae Park, N. Y. Pictures. Milwaukee, Wis., $100,000. Owners. Allls Amusement Corp. Pictures. Ocean Beach, Cai., $18,000. Owner not given. Pictures. Evan Burrows Fontaine has en- tered another $1,000,000 breach of promise suit against Cornelius Van- dorbllt Whitney. Young Whitney says he will fight this suit also. He was victor in the last one, enter(>d in the If. S. Court In San Francisco. SUMMER SUBSCRIPTION 3 Months, $1.75 .::.For"VARIETX"^,