Variety (November 1925)

VARIETY VAUDEVILLE Wednesday, November 4, 1925 ORPHEUM'S TWO-WEEK UNIT SHOW POUCY SENDS BIG TIME WEST TO 25 WEEKS Preliminary Test Now Being Tried—Made More Extensive at Next Season's Opening and Gener- ally Adopted if Approv^—Expected to Benefit Senior and Junior Orpheums—One Year's "Pro- jection" Given Big Timers—Orpheum's " 'Class Act* Monopoly .»» The Orpheum Circuit will Inaugu- rate a new policy for their two-a- day houses, playing shows intact for two weeks In each town, with apeclal reference to cities In which Junior and senior Orpheum bouses are located. The plan w^lll receive a complete tryout next season in the Palace. Chicago; Orpheum, St. L<ouis: Or- pheum, Kansas City. San Francisco and Los Angeles. It is now being given a preliminary trial in Kansas City, where the entire bill, consisting of Eddie Leonard, Whiting and Burt, Roy Cummings, Lilly Morris, Ward and Van, Johnny Burke, Moran and Wiser, "Tuning In" and another act are holding over. The experiment is believed to be a far-sighted policy by the heads of the circuit to rehabilitate the senior Orpheum houses. They have suffered from the encroachments o( their own small time or 'ur.ior Or- pheum houses. Under the new plan It is be- lieved patrons will witness the big time shows and the following week go to the small time or Junior houses. The excluslvenes."? of the big time is to be protected as acts playing the senior houses will not be booked into the Juniors for one year. It is believed the artists will wel- come the Innovation. It will entail less traveling and one benefit to the circuit at least will require half as many headllners as formerly to be required. Under the new plan Minneapolis. Milwaukee and Denver will only play one week. Preferential Bookings The policy if successful la ex- pected to increase the two-a-day stan 's on th to a possible liig Urn? h^. tial b,. ..kir "names" anu ->um next season weeks with the -Ivlng prefcren- .1 regard to re acta. The Orpheum comes much closer to having a "class act" monopoly in the west than its K.-A. Circuit ally In the eSat, due to the attitude of the eastern producers, agents and acts toward the Orpheum's quick booking system- and non- quibbling over salaries. The num- ber of "cut salary weeks" In the east has also worked to the advan- tage of the Orpheum during the past three seasons. Hundreds of acts that formerly would not con- sider a booking west of Cbioago have been routed by the Orpheum circuit, many for repeat engage* ments. This condition was responsible tor Van and Schenck walking out on the eastern bookers and playing independent vaufleville and picture houses. The Orpheum paid the team $2,600 last season, but the K.-A. bookers refused to nfeet the terms, offering them )2,000, the act's former eastern salary. There is some talk that the Keith-Albee Circuit Is taking over the unit show bill systeni for their larger big time theatres of the east. Kansas City, Nov. 2. For the first time in Its history of 27 years, the Orpheum held last week's hill over for the second week. The bill consists of Eddie Leonard and Co., Roy Cummings, Moran and Wiser, Johnnie Burke, Whiting and Buft, Llla Morris and Ward and Van. It is claimed to be the most ex- pensive bill ever offered. ED QUILLAN AT 18 WITH 5-YEAR FILM CONTRACT Selected by Mack Sennett for Comic Two-Heelers—$150 Start, $1,000 at Finish Los Angeles, Nov. 2. Ed Qulllan, 18, formerly of the Qulllan Trio and Buster Qulllan and Company, on the Pantages and independent vaudeville circuits is the latest addition by Mack Sen- nett, who Rnticii»;U< s (Uvelor^inK him Into stardom. Qulllan with his father and brothers until recently oppe;u-cd in an act. Mack Sen- nett saw the youngster work. He figured that the youth could be de- veloped along the lines of Harry Latigdon and Immediately placed him under contract. Announcer for "Satiricon" Gets "AiP' in Cleveland Cleveland, Nov. 2. The announcer sent here with the production act, "Satlrlcon," a copy in miniature of the "Cliauve Sourls." "got air" shortly after opening. It Is said that John F. Royal, man- ager of Keith's Palace, concluded the announcer could not be the ori- ginal since he was so bad. Con- firming there had been a substitu- tion, the spieler was dlHmlssed as far as the theatre was concerned. The remainder of the turn were retain' d, however, with Ol.sen and Johnson, also on the bill, doing the act's annoimcements for the rest of the week. BETTY BLYTHE FOR K.-A. Betty Blythe. screen actress, now appearing at the Coliseum, London, will sail for the United States Jan. 15 to appear In Keith-Albee vaude- ville. Miss Blythe opened a tour of the Qulllan has just finished ^'fO';;^^ English halls at Munfhcster. She Is in her third week at the Coliseum, being held over. picture on the Coast, a two reelor, "A Love Sunday," made by Eddie Cline with Alyce Day playing the l.-nil. It is said that the yi)un:;ster registered Blron^ly and It Increased ' Seniiett's hopes. LAUDER NEXT OCTOBER William Morris will not again pre- The boy staitod at a salary of ^^^"1 Sir Harry Lauder to an Amer- $150 per week In pictures with a ''^•■'n audience before October, lO.'fi. five-year contract. At Its tormina- Throunh Mr. Morris' recent visit tlon ho will net Jl.OOO w.fkly. The father and brothers, it is iin<ler- stood, are not resuming their vaudeville tour but will al^o en- deavor to utilize their time and talents in picture work. CARIIXO'S REAL ESTATE I>eo Carlllo is a.^sociated with Carl ]''if;her, Florida real estate promoter, -tir thf d e v e!t»>>me»t tit 40,000 acrefi^ __ near Miami Bosich, Kla., and also in Fisher's proposed development of Montauk I'olnf, Long Island. In addition to the Montauk Point improvements it is reported a $200,- OOU theatre will b« erected there. to Ivondon an Impression gained credence he might tour Lauder over here by J;muary, next. EDDIE DOWLING AS A SINGLE Eddie Dowlln:r may do a slnis'lo turn ill vaudeville, if the managiis will agree to his terms. Mr. IJowllng wants $2,000 weekly, but the managers so far li.ive not ap- praised him as so costly. ^ Stantons Reinstated Val and Krnie Stanton cancelled by the Keilh-Albee circuit (or doubling from the Riverside, New York, Into the Club Ciro, have been reinstated nnd will resume their K.-A. bookings next week. CHALLENGES COME AT LONG PERIODS Vaudeville has seen but few challenges within the past 20 years. The last one was some years ago between dancers wtih a decision given In Tam- many Hall, during the days of Tony Pastor's theatre in the same building on 14th street. Previously the only challenge securing publicity was between sharp shooters, John DeLoris of America and Col. Borde- verry of Europe. That con- test excited much interest and amusement during its run- ning, with Variety directing both contestants. Challenges were proposed and accepted in Variety's office with a crowd present each time to listen to the excited combatants. Upon the day of the contest Col. Bordeverry alleged his rifles had gone on strike and wouldn't shoot. Chevalier DeLoris (who strangely dis- appeared from Tiew around 1917 and never has been heard from) -claimed the contest but his claim was disallowed. Dur- ing the preliminaries to that contest all the inside of sharp- shooting was exposed by one or the other of the contestants, each disputing the alleged pri- ority of the other in trick shots. Tap Dancing Now comes another chal- lenge, published In the form of an advertisement In this issue of Variety and addressed by Hazel Shelly, English to Ida May Chadwlck, American. Miss Chadwlck a few weeks ago was chosen as the chief exponent of tap danclns among women for the trio of star dancers In respective classes at the New York Hippodrome. Miss Chadwlck announced her engagement at the Hip In Var- iety, calling herself the "World's greatest tap dancer." Miss Bhelley enters a con- tradiction of Miss Chadwick's title, making the claim for her- self and asking MKss Chadwlck to have her answer In Variety's olllce by the time Miss Shelley arrives in this country. The English girl sails tomorrow (Wednesday) from the other side. Dancing contests always have an Immediate Interest for professional and lay people. With the flood of bunk Russian and- cla.sslcal dancers of late years, and more latterly the "Charleston" (more llgltlmate) craze, tap 6r step dancing once afjain has come Into Its own, with the step dancer at present receiving recognition for a dancer as is. Miss Chadwlck, recently in productions, is reopening In vaudeville next week with a new s'lngle act, empioylng a specially written skit entitled "The Foolish Virgin." Miss Shelley arrives from the other side with something of a reputation over there al- though making her American debut. Pantages Coming East Los Angeles, Nov. 2. Alexander I'i'.ntafrcs left this week for Kew York, his first (rip to the metropolis In four years. The rea.son for the trip is that Mrs. Pant.iges and their two children, Lloyd' and Cnrm(>n, are sailing for Europe on the Borengaria. .Vov. 7. Pantaiijes will remain in the east for about four weeks, looking over his office as well as e.<!ta)>l!shlng the status of agents w!io will be qualified to bool^ on his circuit. ORPHEUM ROUTES The Orplieum Circuit has issued rout<'s for Florence Heed, Gu» Ed- wards' "School Days," Alice LloyJ and Cart Randall. The Reed sketch opens In San Francisco Nov. 22; Miss Lloyd opens at the Palace, Chicago, Nov. 16, and Carl Randall is there currently at the beginning of his tour. ALWAYS STOPPING AT TH^ BEST "A somewhat violent love-making scene of the Apache order, supplied by LEON KIMBERLY and HELEN PAGE brought down the house," —Glasgow "BULLETIN." $19,500 FOR 3 WEEKS OF FULLEK'S DANCERS Vaudeville Producers inter- ested in Imported Ballet ActatN. Y. Hip American vaudeville producers are watching the Lole Fuller Ballet production at the New York Hip- podrome with Interest due to the expcnsiveness of the booking, re- ported to have set the Kelth-Alb Circuit back $9,000 for transporta- tion in addition to the salary of $3,500 weekly. The Fuller Ballet booking was arranged between the Keith people and Ml.sa Fuller on her way back from the San Francisco Centennial, where she staged her "Mighty Sea" pageant for one performance during the summer. She received $10,000 for that work. She had th%ee weeks open for her ballet before the open- ing of the Paris Opera season. The dancers return immediately follow- ing the Iliprndrome enr^agement. Miss Fuller did not accompany them over here. Weber & Fields Get $5,000 From Buffalo Film House BulTalo, Nov. 2. Weber and Fields will appear next week at the Lafayette (pictures) re- ceiving a fl.it salary of $5,000 for the engagement. The following week the team will play at Johnstiwn, Pa.. r.-';eiv:ng a guarantee of $3^0)0 f jr the w>.-k and a percentage jf taa grjss receip's over an agreed upon .vrnnunt. Vaudeviilians Retired in Favor of Fla. R. E. Selling Charles Howard Is retiring as a vaudfviliian. He Intends taking part in the laud soiling business of Florida. Associated with Howard will be .lay Herman, formerly of Kane and Herman, a vaiidcviilr te.im. Willi;>m H.-illl-vin lias joined the contingent of former actors now selling real estate In Florida. H.tlligan went south as an agent for Vf'Viy. Isman, wlio Is handrng a ro;ilty promotion wl!h a .Mr. Apfid, also ;i New York realty exi)r>rt. Tho I«man projierty consl.<-ts of ion miles of water front, on the east coast. Mrs. TInney's Routs Mrs. Frank Tintiey and Harry Stoddard's Or.hcalra liavc bee^ l>ookod for a tour of the Eastern Keith-AIbcc housi's. AN AGREED PARTING Owen and Killy are dissolving their vaudc partnership in two wet'ks by mutual consent. This is to permit Carry Owen to return to the Paul Cerard Smitli tabloid melo- drama, "Compliments of the Sea- son," a role ho created three sea- sons ago. Eddie Buzzell recently appeared in the skit at the Palace. New York. "Spangles,'' Circus Turn Alan Foster is presenting Theo, Nelson^ "world's champion lady tumbler.'* in "Spangles." a circus turn. LABOR DEPT. LOOKING FOR "CAPTAIN BILLY" 16 Actors Assert Wm. Middle, ton Skipped with $600—A|. leged Promises Not Fulfilled * Los Angeleti, Nov. 2. Both the Los Angeles and San Diego ofnces of the Labor Uepart- ment are seeking Wm. Mlildieton, also known as "Captain Billy," ^j,^ conducted a so-called booking agen. cy in the Pantages Building here. Deputy Commissioner of Labor S, M. Gue, at San Diego, was caHed • upon by 6 actors working in tb« Liberty theatre there, wlio com. plained that Mlddleton departed with several days' box-office re- ceipts and left them owing $600 In wages. AU of these actors were hired under a written contract, promising them steady employment' and a week's notice. .Mable Jenot stated that Mlddleton had failed to maintain regular pay days. Most of the otlier members of the com- pany are reported to have beea stranded, and took up a collection to buy food. Mlddleton got into difficulties with the local labor department when It insisted he take out a license to operate a booking office. In his of- fice he made numerous promises to actors who were desirous of going to work. It depended altogether on the type of work the performers sought. If they were musicians Mlddleton, it is said, got them to pay down a small membership fee of around $25 as an intention of good faith to Join ' the club. If they wanted to work in revues, straight .shows or vaudeville, It Is stated that Mlddleton required them to pay a stipulated amount employing him as their manager. He al.so told performers, it is al- leged, that he had an agreement with the Pantages circuit whereby they Would book hla acts exclusively providing the iieople would u:-!e the material Mlddleton himself wrote. Mlddleton has been mis.sinp fof the past 10 day.s, and It Hs under- stood (hat warrants will be issued' for hla arrest on both Los .\ngeles and .San Diego charges. Conn. Mgrs. Dropping Acts to Meet Fi?ni Tax Connecticut managers ofTTfe small time vaudc and picture houses are balancing the ledger on the In- creased taxes of fllm, pirinissible under the new state taxjition law, by cutting down the vauiio bills to meet the addltion.-il expense tacked on to the photoplays. One or twp acts are bcin;; ««roi)|>('d from six act bills throuKli an under- Btanding with the l)«oi.>rs th;it whenever a long feaiure svr h as 'Ten Commandments" is booked In the vaude can be dropped on 48 liour.s* notice. D?si)lte the shaving of bills, non^ of ihe houses have taktn a notice- able drop in business. The arrnn.sje- mcnt, ht)wever, lias obviously hurt the bookiTS. Act Withdraws Corrir^^aint Against Vaut'e Agent The coiniilaint filed by <;uilly and Jt'unny agninst Dick Henry, inde- p.-ndriit -vaudeville a^'ent, in which the act alleged f'.ey had [laiil tiinry $."100 in excess of five j) ■!■ r<':it i om- mi.s;f;on for the oht'iin!n<r of a Vafi- ta.!.rcs route at $200 weekly, l-.a:: hncu wUhdrawn by the act. The Vau<leville Man.igers' Pro- tective Association Invi'stigation of the complaint is automatically drop- ped as a result nnd Hcniys suspen- .•;i"n hy tlie P;iiif;irrea Circuit j.end- ing invostiijation of the complaint, is also withdrawn. Henry Is re- stored to his former sfandint; in the Pantages local ofilce. The act asked the V. M. P. A. to drofi the matter with no exi)laiiation offeretl for the abrupt droiip''>K o' the charges. LEONARD-MAYO SEPARATE lleiiny Leonard and (.Jcoik" -Mayo separated following an engaj-'i'inent at Keith's, Jersey Cily, last week. According to report the linlit\veit;ht clinmiilon and his fellow player had word.s after which Mayo liaiuUd I" his notice. Mayo Is to do an act wriit'ii by Benny Kuliin. A cast of eiulit p*""" pie is included.