Variety (September 1925)

p Wednesday, September 2, 1925 FOREIGN VARIETY NIGHT LIFE OF THE WORLD (8«cond of Variaty'a aerie* of giiticlea on Night Life in the prin- cipal citiea of the world). GREENWioT VILLAGE The real night life of Greenwich VlUaRe obtains behind cloHed doot-a. It Is seldom accessible to the "slght- aeers" who would undoubtedly get ■^a greater kick out of these noc- turnal revels than the select group of Villagers who gradually become aurfeited through a continual round •f gay parties. Villagers or rather that portion of the group comprising the In- telllgentaia stage their revels In ■umptuous studios and occuaslonal- ly permit the uninitiated to look on, but not as frequently as the fiction writers woi»ld have one bellev?. Even In this supposedly elite set they are not.beyond permitting "a well heeled friend" to "finance a party" with the serious thinking group supplying llttJe other than their presence, the studio space and perchance a routine of "cooch dancers" masquerading under the guise of "models." The hobohemlan element also have their parties but less preten- tious than those "thrown" by the Bupposedly upper classes. This is mainly due to their inability to . come In contact with as many "live ones" as the evudio dwellers. Anything a "Party" J^urnlshed rooms are an unknown quantity to the Village set. Prac- tically any two-by-four room mas- querades as a studio and two bottles of synthetic gift and a pot of spaghetti are sufficient provo- cation for the hobohemlans' party. Neither class of the resident Villagers steps out much In the public places down there. The tariff is too high for one reason and they're too smart for another. — Several years back enterprising showmen cashed In neatly on the studio party angle until the cops got onto the fact these rackets were little else than sublimated Btags, stepping in and queered the graft. The studios and the speakeasies provide a welcome hideaway for revellers from the suburbs once they are taken Into the circle. The Intimacy and privacy have a double barrelled appeal for a Hackensack sport with a double "sawbuqk" who can make a night of It and figure he Is petting a run for his money in one of these private "joints," whereas he wouldn't last half an hour in one of the pubs. Thoughtful Landlord* Landlords and landladies are also a thoughtful lot and never question the carryings on of their tenants so long as outward decency pre- vails. They figure they're getting the limit In rentals and laugh off any suggestion of curtailing, hang-^ Ing on to the stereotyped retort: "Youth must have its fling." Greenwich Village, the Boobery's Gehenna, the Yokel's Paradise, the Biggest Bunktown and exponent of the not so gentle art of gyp and take, is on its last legs. Kven the city hicks are hep to the larceny, Allegedly and reputedly muchly garnished with art, the long-hair stuff has given rise to short-change tactics by the smart Alecks who have commercialized the Latin Quarter of (Jreater New York and made it a moans for reaping a mun- dane financial harvest from the ro- mance and charm that may have once distinguished the Village. If such were the case—the truly artis- tic element, that is-»^it hasn't been evident this past decade at least. When Polly Halilday had the Grrenwlrh Village Inn, and which In those pre-war days still retained something of 'he grandeur and glory that was Greenwich Village. It marked the teginnlng of the end stamping ground of the native and Broadway Bohemians, gradually but surely lost Us native lustre and took on the sham of the make-be- lieve. The uptowner was to blame. "Names" in Those Daya In those days, rubbing shoulders with the native were theatrical lum- inaries from the outer world above 14th street and chiefly hailing from Broadway and 42d street. Fannie Brlce, Al Jolson, Milton Sills and others were "among those present" on memorable nights In Pollys place. But with their advent, the unassuming, inconspicuous, retiring Bohemian was soon eased out of the picture. The Brice and the Jolson made It a habit to entertain Impromptu. That sort of thing was great pub- licity for Polly and soon she was turning tliem away—mostly the genuine Bohemian, Including the college boys as well, who were as much of the picture at that time because of their low state of the b. r, and high state of animal spirit. That brought Barney Gallant into the scene. The Inn, picturesque and historic for Its "nights," be- came a mldtown catering enterprise transferred to Sheridan square. The night life became artificial but, from Barney's and others, more Ibcrativo. Motor trade can stand the gait more than the omnibus as- pirant. The couvert and its under- cover courtesies are more Interest- ing to the management than any amount of up-and-up Bohemianism. The latter was great for the ex- ploitation and publicity; It served its usefulness In paving the way as a come-on for the seeker of novelty. Joshing and Mixing The transition has been sad. The gaiety and good-fellowshi|>, ever a distinguishing mark of the Village activities, has given way to stilted formality. Because It was the Vil- lage, even In thosa prudish days (as compared to modern flapper- Ism), carefree mixing and Joshing were more wholesome In Its unpre- tending Joyousness than the reserve of today which Is the more forward because of the surreptitious hostess and go-between stuff. The present status of Greenwich Village finds night life "shot" for the summer. Most of the largeV places, depending upon patronage from uptowners, close during the summer rather than let down the barriers that would admit the hol- pollol with proprietors advancing a theory that you can't mix both classes. Once the "kibitzers" are given a "look in" you can't get them out when you're stylish and spend- ing trade resumes patronage," they say. The latter part of this month (September) will see the Village In full swing with the $2 and $3 cover charges again obtaining to make the Broadway spenders "^feel at home. If the cover charges can't con- vince that the place Is "class," the higher mathematics of the menus will erase any existing doubt. Prices In the Village would lead one to believe prohibition had been also declared upon foodstuffs. When the'seAson Is In full swing the Village boasts at least 12 cabarets and night clubs that cater to an 'Vxc'ublvo" tra/le. .Amonsr these are Barney's In Went Third street, which generally has a name orchestra and several entertainers In justification of a $2 couvert charge. Barney's is run by Barney Gallant who gets the cream trade of the Village but puts up the shutters from May to the latter part of Sep- tember. Jimmy Kelly's Places Jimmy Kelly's Allegrla cabaret on Sullivan street Is another which gets a heavy winter play but also closes for the warm months. Jimmy has reopened his Hester street resort for summer but will return to the Vil- lage sfand late this month. The Village Inn continues through sum- mer and gets a strong play. It has Heart's New Paris Scribe Paris, Sept. 1. Basil Woon, for six yea.rs princtpnl correspondent here to the Hearst newspapers, and one of the out- standing cronies of American pro- fessionals visiting Paris, Is through with that organization. He Is to be succeeded by Ralph Mason of the local Hearst staff. Woon, It seems, got caught In the jaw of f§ jurisdictional conflict be- tween the Kuropean Hearst bureaus. Henceforth all European news will be filtered through the London of- fice, which Howard Morton, until recently Sunday editor of the New York "American," has been sent to act as editor, with Karl Von Wle- gand, general European news chief, and C. F. Bertelll, Independent feat- ure correspondent In Paris. Bertelll just returned from a visit with Mr. Hearst In California. NEW REVUE AT MOULIN IPVTN RRPAK ROUGE AND A HIT „, , «„,x«., IN LONDON "Her and Me," Musical, Favor- able—From Twain's "Conrad" NUMBER OF PARIS FILM HOUSES DECREASE 159 in 1924—Total Capacity 153,460—51/4% of Popu- lation Visits Movies Daily The rnr.vivlality and bon vivant almo.sjihore of the basement, the'a good orchestra and considerable THE TILLER DANCING SCHOOLS Open for a t.lmlted Number of Cuplla Prlvatr l.«>iiiion» f'laxiirii nf « Chlldrea a 8perl»lty OF AMERICA. Inc. 226 West 72d Stre«t NEW YORK Phone I Endlcott S<ia-« ' MART RBAD 8*cr«tary Paris, Aug. 22. Reginald Ford, picture authority here and owner of several balls In France, has drawn up statistics and comparisons of receipts In Paris. Thus Is learned the number of pic- ture houses In the capital In 1924 were 169, with year's receipts amounting to 100,606,675 frs. as com- pared with 169 picture establish- ments In 1923, when the takings were 85,428,746 frs. There are 64 houses of more than 1,000 seats and a combined total Is 95,950. On the other hand, there are 82 houses with less than 1,000 seats, or estimated 57,510 seats in alL For the population ot Paris, offl- cially 2,906,472 (census 1921), It Is calculated five and a quarter per cent of the city's Inhabitants go to the movies dally. Paris, Sept. 1. The Moulin Rouge looks to. have another hit show in the new edi- tion to Its revue which premiered Friday. The Gertrude Hoffmann girls re- main while other featured per- formers are Blscot, Argentina dancer; Hermanos Williams, film comedian; Vanduren and Edmonde (iuy. Dancing prevails throughout the performance with a Broadway scene terminating a big show. Another advent was that of "Bile et Moi" ("Her and Me"—an adaption of Mark Twain's "Con- rad"), which marked the reopening of the Theatre Daunou Saturday. The piece Is musical and made a favorable impression. Jean Bastia adapted writing, while the score te by A. Chantrler. It tells of a ruler in the l&th century, who, fearing to lose his crown, substitutes a daughter for a son, causing diverting situations. Cast Includes Harry Baur, Jacques Oaudln. Koval, Jeanne St. Bonnet and Germaine Charley. PARIS CABAKETS' BIO AUG. Paris, Sept. 1. Cabaret keepers report business better than any other August on record. On the other hand, the year has not been as good as expected. The present patronage is due to the number of foreigners hsre for the Decorative Arts exposition. dance space, but has never gone Iii. for further entertainment. The Club Bplnard, Club La Paris, Al Raymos, Mori's, Club Fronton, Varsity Club and the Peacock Club are among the other medium class night clubs. Some of these pick prospective patrons with care. Others are not so particular, only Insisting upon white collars and a fair sized bank- roll When the rush era comes In October these places also don the "high hat" and can't remember their summer customers other than those who made reputations as spenders. In all the Village boasts about 50 night places. Including the men- tioned clubs. Smaller cabarets and dance hall.s masquerade as tea rooms. A few cellar Joints are vaguely attempting to retain a "vll- lagey" atmosphere which obtained when the Village was the "Village, but which gradually supplanted when th places began to copy Broadway. Speakeasies and "blind tigers" greatly outnumber the open places, but even the most expert statlsticl"- would b« at a losa to venture a guess aa to how many ef these were currently operating. "Spooky Joints" The sole survivor of the list of so- called "spooky Jolnt.s" which were once the ra^e In the Village Is Don Dlckerman's I'irate's l>en on Chris- topher street. The place Is a con- verted stable with three floors and the orcliestra, a pirate band, spotted on a wagon lift, elevated from floor to floor to supply the dance music. Waiters and doormen are garbed as (Continued on page » Cloak and Suiting Tourists Decorate Sophie Tucker London, Sept. 1. American cloak and suit repre- sentatives turned out 100 per cent for Sophie Tucker's opening at the Kit Cat Club last night (Monday). They marked the occasion by donating massive floral pieces. Miss Tucker has never given a better performance. She emphatic- ally scored with the first night wlt- nessers. Of Four Premiere* Two Have Chance London, Sept 1. Only two of four openings In- dicate they will take their place among current box office successes. The well received couplet were "The Offense," psychological drama whlcli"" opened at Wyndham's, and the "Co-Optimlsts" return with a new version at His Majesty's. The "Co-Ops." were accorded the usual big reception. The bad boy duo of the quartet seem to be "Little Blille" and "Blessed Are the Rich." The former drew a mixed reception at the Shaftsbury and Is in doubt although Laddie Cliff may be said to have registered a personal tri'umph at H>« premier. "Blessed Are the Rich" amounts to a crude attempt on the part ot James Agate, local dramatic critic, to write a play. The result was that the author and piece were booed at the Vaudeville the first night, despite the excellent pre- sentation given the writing by th* cast. Just a Point of Law London, Sept. 1. Directors ot Princes restaurant are applying for aa injunction to restrain Flo Ziegfeld from employ- ing Beatrice Satchel whom the American producer engaged from this cabaret. The management is unable to ex- plain how it can possibly secure aji injunction with Jurisdiction in America. London, Sept. I. Tom Arnold's "Folies Bergere" opens at Brighton Sept. 14 and after a fortnight will come to the Palla* dium for eight or 10 weeks prior to the regular pantomime season. The cast will be headed by Fred Duprea, Ernie Lotlnga and Jenny Oolder. The book is by Joe Hayman. Under the agreement tor the Pal- ladium engagement, Charles OulUver assumes all financial responsibility and will enlargre the cast and pro- duction in keeping with the West End. Boretome War Play London, Sept. S. "Prisoners ot War." last night's (Monday) premiere at the Play- house, proved boresome and is void of popular appeaL The piece is designed as a psycho- logical study of the effect ot Intern- ment upon men. ARNOLD SHOW OPENING "Foliss Bergere" st Brighton-^ullio ver Augmentina Piece for West End ALL-NEW EMPIRE M-Q Will Have 3,300 in Theatre London Seating London, Sept. 1. An undisclosed angle of the Em- pire by Marcus Loew is that Motro- Goldwyn will tear down the present old music hall, rebuilding entirely. The new house, which also mar be called the Empire, will seat 3.300. Thos. W. Lamb, the New York architect, is drawing the plans. BOREO m PARIS London, Sept. 1. At the close of his eight weeks' engagement at the Piccadilly caba- ret (during a portion of which he doubles with the Kit Kat Club), Emlle Boreo may play a fortnight's engagement at the Champs Elysees in Paris. The salary offered is reported as 1,000 francs a performance, a verj' big stipend for Paris. WARNER'S PARIS HOUSE Paris, Sept. 1. M. Haik has taken an option on a picture house here, situated on the grand boulevards, on behalf of Albert Warner, who was re<:entlv In Paris. Albert Whslen's Son Appears London, Sept. 1. Gordon Whalen, youngest son of Albert Whalen, made his stage delxn at the Holhorn Empire yestenlHy iis pianist lOr Maidle Scott. Charles Gulliver III l..ondon, Sept. 1. Charles Gulliver is confined to hi.-' Iiome. It is reported tlie circiii head is seriously Ul. INDEX Miscellaneous 1 Foreign 2-3 Vaudsvills 4-8 Vaudeville reviews 13 Editorials ^^ Bills next week 16-17 Burlesque 9 Times Square 11 News frpm the Dailiee... 10 Legitimate 19-23 Legitimate reviews 23 Stocks 21 Little Theatres 21 Pictures 24-37 Presentations 35 House reviews 34 Film reviews 36 Inside Stuff—Legit 18 Inside Stuff— Vaudeville.. 4 'nside Stuff— Pictures... 33 Inside Stuff—Music o. Music 38-41 Band reviews 39 Cabarets 41 Disk reviews 40 R.idio 38 Sports 1<( Ootcloors 42 Circus 4J Obituary 4' Cor'-esponiience 44 Letter List 61