Variety (November 1925)

^uay, November CABLE ADDRESS, VARIETY, LONDON 17 rk D 17 T 1^ M liber 4. 1925 2096-3199 Resent ^ \J M\ tL I \a IH VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE 8 St Martin'* Place, Iratalgar 5quz.re PUGIARISM CHARGE UPHELD FOR INJUNQION ON "FEET OF CLAF English Court Restrains Famous Players* Picture I Pending Trial of Action—Sutton Vane's Suc- cessful Application .', London, Nov. t. I An Injunction applied for by Sut- ton Vane restraining Famous Play- ^ exhibiting Iti picture. "Feet of 4 CiST" over here, has been granted, l*end'ing the trial of the action. ;y Vane alleges an Infringement of ■■l^ play's copyright. In that the a fourth and fifth reels of the picture ^''oonUln matter which bears direct- I |y upon "Outward Bound," the stage ■k "^ A somewhat similar action al- though not through Injunction pro- /ceedlng Is pending -gainst Famous players over here, brought by Jos. p. Blckerton, Jr., as attorney for Wllllani Harris, Jr., producer of "Outward Bound." Mr. Blckerton recently left New York for the Other side. It Is evident the English court ' must have had satisfactory aftl- .' davits before It to have restrained a fllm company, though foreign, from ' exhibiting Us picture, a procecdurc addom followed over here, where a bond Is sometimes required In In- junction matters. Beulah Marie Dlx was one of the adapters of "Feet of Clay," from the novel by Margaretta Tuttle. Miss Dlx had previously written a ' play. "Beyond the Border" presented about six months before "Outward y Bound" was played In New York. In Variety's review of the film by Fred Schader In 1924. reference Is made to a sequence from "Beyond the Border" In the picture, that por- • tlon called "Heaven or Hell," where - a man and a woman attempting to ■ commit suicide by gas Inhal.itlon, • ar« deemed fit for neither and as ■'- ttey noat through air are saved Just before entering cither. ;' /-• . Double Under Suicide 'Conference' Equivalent An Engllshmaa la New York, who said he wanted to wager that there are 100,000 conferences dally In Times square, was asked what la the English equivalent. "Over there." he said, "we never say, 'He's In a confer- ence,' we only say: " 'He's at a meeting with the directors.'" BIG MONEY CLASSinCATlON FOR 10 CF LCTON'S 37 SHOWS Musicals in Lead—"Katja" Has Lonrrest Mwsica! Run—"Tell Me More," "Rose-Marie" and "Mer- cenary Mary/' Big American Successes PESSIWISTIC FUTURES "Desire for Change" Made a Farce After Initial Performance- ' London, Nov. 1. "The Desire for Change," current at the Playhouse, was revised af.er the first performance Into a farce. This materially improved the pre- sentation, although It remains an unlikely prospect for lasting suc- cess. The Oscar Ashe-Llly Brayton production of "The Good Old Days," at the Gaiety, Is a semi-spectacular musical show, old-fashioned In treatment, of familiar texture and weak on comedy. This, too, presents pessimistic pos.slbllltles. Oscar Ashe's roman- tic musical was set to music by Percy Fletcher. Paris, Nov. *. Gabriel Louvllle, 45, professionally .toiDwn as Max Llnder, and his young wife of 20, committed sui- cide In a local hotel Saturday by taking poison and severing arteries In their wrists. The couple were removed to a hospital where the girl succumbed, followed by Llnder. who survived her by but six hours. The dual tragedy recalled the ro- 'inantlc elopement of Llnder and 'Madeleine Peters, then 17, after the 'girl's parents had refused to consent ;to the marriage. They were mar- ^tied in August, 1923. ^ The couple leave a dauphtor. "; Neurasthenia is given as the cause 'for he double suicide. ^ Llnder, one of the screen's earliest : eomeilian.s, bos;an his picture career : over hero 20 years ago. ED LOWRY Kd la on hla way west playing (or the Orpheum Circuit. Orpheum. Omaha, this week. Minneapolia next week. Palace, Chicago, Nov. 15th. Milwaukee. Nov. 22nd. State t>ake. Chicago, Nov 29th. With the balance Orpheum route to follow. Will be back in New York la June. Direction RALPH a FARNUM (EDW. 8. KELLER, Office) Dollys' Show Due 10th Paris, Nov. 2. Reh^rsals for the Mile. Mlstin- guett show, due at the Moulin Itouge. Nov. 10, are being held at the theatre. The house closed Sun- day to permit It. The Dolly Si.sters are In this .show, heavily starred along with Mistinguett, who will have Karl Leslie for her support. At the Casino de Paris Maurice Chevalier is rehearsing Leon Vol- tcrra's new revue, also duo thU month. GUITRY COMEDY WITHDRAWN Paris, Nov. 2. Owing to the Indisposition of Yvonne Printcmps, following that of Sacha Guitry, the management of the Theatre Edouard VII has wl.hdrawn the Guitry comedy. The operetta "Qu'en dit I'Abbe," by Ba- tallle Henri, music by Mme. Louis Urgel, has migrated to the house from the Avenue, with Robert Bur- nier, Abel Tarrlde, Paul VlUe and Nina Myral. NEGRO REVUE HELD OVER Champs Elysces Co. Moving to An- other House * '• I'arla, Nov. 2. When the negro Toviie, with : Jorcpliine Baker, rinij;hps its six .>Weol;8 at the Champs Klysoes Music > Hal!, It is being arranged that this "company .«.hnll continue at the The- y're do I'lUoile, where Dolinoff's * Russan troupe Coq tl'Or Is now ^Pprariiitj. The ncsro .'jhow has proved the bigJie.'it (lr:iw the Chamjis Elysces Musin Hall has orf(-rocl slme llolf ^e .Marco opened the theatre us a high-liruw vauOevii:e house. "Sans-Gene" Withdrawn laimlon, Xiiv. 2. r^ "Madame S<'ins-Gene" d.^si-d Oct. «' at the l:ni).ire It will nf>t be fel.aspd for aiiotlior six months. J. D. WILLIAMS PROMOTING LonilL>n. Nov. 2. J. D. Wiliianis Is here, promoting a British film company on patriotic lines to curb the American screen monopoly. Williamson has called a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Met- ropole Hotel for discussion of the project. "17" Clcsed London, Nov. 2. Booth TarUington's "Seventeen," roLitlcd "Growing I'ains" for Eng- lish consumption, fulled to meet West ICnd ronuircmonts. closing at the Ambassador following a ver; brief stay. Signs England's Leading Jockey Loniicm, Nov. 2. .TclTery Bernard, late managing <]iro( tor of the ytoll Film Co.. has si.^ned Steve Donohtie. famed juclccy. for a series of BrltlKh rac- ins? pictures. WaltiT West will dinct. TAKE IT OFF IS YELLED AT PLAY IN LONDON Bairnsfather's "Old Bill" Booed and Derided ' at Oxford London. Not. S. London flnallr procured (or it- self a touch of baseball atmospliere although th« well known war cry of "Take him out" changed to "Take It off." These waila of a suffering audience were heard upon the open- ing of "Carry oa Sergeant," * re- vue by Bruce Baimsfather, the originator of "Old Bill" and with that character the central fl^ure of the piece at the Oxford. The verbal pleadings came at the close of the Initial performance and could be heard above the booing. Obviously, the show hann't .:ot a chance. The causes for the dlsaatroua pre- miere may be listed aa cr ide and old fashioned material, presented by a weak caat. unfamiliar with Its "sides," that bad been amateurish- ly rehearsed. London, Oct. 20. Following la the list of current at- tractions In the West Knd with a cursory report of the state of busi- ness at each theatre. Adelphi: "The CJroen Hat" Is no longer benefiting from the popu- larity of the novel. I'artly owing to a' poor production, but mainly because of the ridicule heaped on the play, the box office Is rather Idle. Apollo: "By the Way" shows a slacHenIng of interest after a long run. Production Is getting ready for a New York season at Christ- mas. Comedy: "Lavender Ladles" has moderate public support, though changes of leading lady are dis- concerting. Court: "The Farmer's Wife" con- tinues to draw the s&Uurbs Into the cheaper seats. Very little money Is needed to keep the piece In the bill. Attraction paying about HOO a week rent, with cheap cast, and thus able to maintain position of London's longest run. Criterion: "Hay Fever" proves that Marie Tempest In a suitable role Is still a draw. Business fairly good. Daly'a: "Katja the Dancer" is the musical comedy with the longest run In London. Will probably stay over the Christmas holidays. Drury Lane: Owing to th^ suc- cess of "Rose-Marie," the Theatre Royal la at last paying dividends. The piece has set In for a long run. Duke of York's: "The Monkey Talks" now has the aid of Sophie Tucker dressed as a clown In the circus scene to sing a coup'e of numbers. No business has been done up to now. Empire: "Madame Sans-Qene' LEHAR'S NATIONALITY Vienna, Oct. 24. Franz Lehar has become a nat- uralized Hungarian cttlzen. but is making hia headquartera in this city. The composer waa formerly a subject of Czecho-Slovakla, but his publishers appear to have insisted on him changing to Hungarian or Austrian In order that he may bene- fit by the copyright faciiltlea in vogue between the United Statea and those countries. He has a brother, a generxU in the Hungarian army. GERRARD'S $1,500 OFFER London. Nov. S. C. B. Dillingham has offered Gene Orrrard J1.500 weekly for the States, but the actor is under contract to James White for two more ahowa. A year ago Gerrard waa an ob- scure revue comedian who could have been signed at a nominal sal- ary. THE "HLLER DANCING SCHOOLS Open for a I.lniltod NumIxT of I'UtlllB t lii-NM nf r. Vhlldrcn • Spcrlalty OF AMERICA, Inc. 226 Wst 72 J Street NEW YORK Phcnf: Endl<oU S!IS-« M-MtT READ Secretarjr "CRISTILINDA'S" FAST MOVE r.oi'. luM, S'tv. 2. "Crlstllinda" proved another In anil outer, departing from the Gar- lick after 10 days. ft eeki nfl Sin g er ' a Mi dg et a Paris. OcL 24. Nerrotl'itions .nre In h.-uul for Hing- or's Miilrif^ts for the Ch.iinps El- y.s< OS music hall early In Uie new year. PAUL MURRAY OVER FOR 9 miOCK REVUr Enolish Producer Arranging All-English Show on B'way in December Paul Murray Is In New York, ar- ranging for the presentation of the original "Nine OClock Revue" from the Apollo, London, for presentation on Broadway during December. It win play an Erlanger house. "The Nine O'Clock Revue" has been running for about a year abroad. Its stars are Jack Hulbert and Cicely CourtneUlge. n<>\.h of moua in London, but neither of whom ever has appeared In New York. Miss Courtneidge Is the daughter of Robert Courtneidge, known on both sides of the water. Hulbert ranks among the leading juvenlle-»omedian8 of ICngland and by many Is giving even a stronger rating. Mr. Hulbert Is also co-pro- ducer with Murray In the show. The English company of 32 will sail from Liverpool December 8, opening over here for a week out of town before coming into Now York. It Is some year.s since Mr. Murray visited this Bide. Well known abroad, he has always been an ex- ecutive In theatricals. Paramount's/^.OOO ?oat House Paris. Oct. 24. What win bo the nnest pi<:iure palace In Europe, according to the Paramount ofllclals here, is being constructed on the Kite of the Vaudeville the:itre. the f;imon» com- edy house now being razed. The new Vaudeville Cinema will be completed November, 1D26, with .seating capacity of 2.000 and only one balcony. The reported legitimate theatre in the basement la not yet ctrialn. Plaza Opening Postponed I,iindon, Nov. S. film ha.^ indifferent reception. Pic- ture liked, but the role is not re- garded as a felicitous one for Gloria Sw.nnson. Fortune: ZangwIU'a "We Moderns" sti'.l requires artillclal respiration. Gaiety: Closed since six weeks but due to open shortly with "The Good Old Days." Garrick: "ChrlstlUnda" opens thia week. Globe; "Beginners Luck," In spite of optimistic anticipation has prove.! a little too flne for the pub- lic. Marg.-iret Bannerman liked bet- ter In this than any role she haa held since the lead In "Our Belters." Haj market: Success of "The Man with a Load of Mischief" begins to slacken. Hippodrome: "Mercenary Mary," in spite of a mixed press. Is doing well, playing only three matinees vvcokly Instead of usual policy of twice dally. His Majeaty'a: "The Co-Opti- mists" sell seats- at record prices. Kingsway: "Hamlet" in modern dress gets all the highbrow support there Is, Which la never profitable without lowbrow support. Finish- ing shortly. Little: "The Sea-Gull" beneflta from a Rpurt of Interest in Russian plays, but la not likely to make prcflts of any size. London Pavilion: "On with tho Dance" has steady support. Coch- ran makli]g ready a new edition al)out a month hence. Lyceum: "The London Revue" sol Is only the cheapest seats. Closua this week. Lyric: "Sun-Vp" la a stop-gap and never has made money in Lon- don. New; "The Moon and Sixpence" Is too gloomy for Henry Alnley'a following, but Is doing well at prea- ent. New Oxford: "The Gorilla" la coming off, having enjoyed a profit- able run. Palace: "No, No, Nanette" atlU a plienomenal hit. but expenses out of all proportion. Palladium: "KoUea Bergere Revue" Htays out Its limited season In fair comfort. Prince of Waloa: "Charlot'a Re- vue' arouses only a moderats amount of Interest. Prince'a: "White Cargo" at popu- lar prices la a draw. Has had a new life with the entry to the caat of Godfrey Tearle, replacing Frank- lyn Dyall, who went to Australia. Queen's: "Just Married" does a steady business after a long Inning at several theatres. Royalty: "The Playboy of the We.=tern World" Is satisfactory aa a stop-nap. St. Jamos: "The Last of Mra. Cheyney" has bool<lnRs for months ahead. Any play would go well with a star cast headed by Sir Ger- ald du Maurler and Gladys Cooper. St. Martin's: "Eany Money" la well boomed with little result. Savoy: "The Unfair Sex" has won the enthusiasm of the libraries and plays to packed houses. Shaftesbury: "Dear Little nillle'a" staying power Is very uncertain. Strand: "La Chauve Souris." here for a montn, aa popular aa ever. Vaudeville: "The Punch Bowl" kfcps Its tall wagging.- Winter Garden: "Tell Me More" .slilries in the mu.ilcal conrdy boom. Wyndham's: "So, 17" is one of the certain successes. mBTm The opening of i'arainounl» new Plara has been pos'poned until some time In January. The hoijfio win have a cap.u-lty of 1,900. INDIVIDUi&ELS IS2.2.3 W3G ST. NE.W YOWK I «■ ■•? 1 ^^i ... i