Variety (November 1925)

VARIETY VAUDEVILLE Wednesday, November 4 1925 INSIDE STUFF ON VAUDEVILLE the No. 2 Hoffman Girls, formed by Gertrude Hoffman, were about to be signed for the "Greenwich Village Follies." when J. J. Shubert con- tracted for the troupe. Miss Hoffman claims the second collection have tricks and formations aside from the routine of the first group now at the Winter Garden. The "web" bit, the bip thlnK of the Hoffman Girls at the Garden, can be performed at any lime called for by the Alan Foster Girls at the New York Hippodrome. So far the Foster Girls have h.id no occasion to Insert it into the baokRrounded num6ers they do for Hippodrome acts. The Hip girls appear twice daily and rehearse In tho morning, doing practically 21 performances weekly. Their morning rehearsals are for tho numbers of the coming week, tOKcther with new stuff Alan Foster may devL^e. The Hip chorus is operated muchly as a stock company rrei)arinK for the next week's play, although a stock does not give as many staije performances. The vaudeville team of Monroe and Mae (Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Yoast) having benefited by a realty boom at Howard Beach, Long Island, left thi.'i week by motor for Miami, Fla.. to look over a casino and ballroom propo.-Jition for a permanent location. The trip Is also In the nature of a vacation. Monroe and Mae, the past two summers, successfully operated the Howard Beach Casino, restaurant, ball room and tennis courts at the Long Island site where they have their permanent home and also were "in" on the real estate boom. ^ *- COAST DIVORCES Through Frank Ward advortlsin,': in Variety, making known the fact that Charlie Chaplin had "lifted" Ward's "flnper dancins" for the Chaplin "Gold Rush" picture, it recalled the Chaplin suit on the Coast against Charles Amador, in which Chaplin asked for an injunction to restrain Amador from infringing on his make up <5r comedy business. The Chap- lin-Amador action is pending on appeal at present. Should Amador receive a final decision, he will then have set a precedent for himself, and for other artists to proceed a;;ainst Chaplin for "lifting," exactly a.s Chaplin has done against his Imitators or "coides." It will also set a valuable preceilcnt for all vaudeville artists who have suffered ■through film comedians and gag writers stealing their stage material. A few vaudevilllans might try to procure an omnibus Injunction against all known comedy picture producers, gag writers and film comics, to protect their stuff before it can be stolen. The picture people steal with impunity, .seemingly feeling secure from damage action. There isn't much doubt that did Frank Ward fall to secure work or suffer a reduction in salary following the Chaplin film, he would have an excellent chance to collect from Chaplin, on the ground tliat Chaplin stole and ruined the feature of his vaudeville act- finger dancing. Chaplin spread that over the country overnight, whereas Ward at best can but work one or two towns in a week. The Chaplin-Amador suit is on appeal in the Supreme Court of Cal'.- fornia. riurns O'Sullivan, manager of the Jefferson, New York, experienced a fnl.so "kick" because a house attache In announcing "Variety" mistook the name for "Morlarity." The latter Is an oil man whom O'Sullivan staked to 110,000 In an oil proposition several years ago and lost track of Immediately there- arier. The name, therefore., meant something to the Keith house man- ager who came out running to recover his 10 "grand." Eva Williams and Jack Tucker were the players of "Sklnny's Finish" In vaudeville some years a^o. This department lately credited Claude an 1 Fannie Usher with appearing in the sketch. With the mention of the ITshers came a flood of letters, also phone calls and even wires, cor- recting the error. Yet before publishing the Nugent article Variety could not find one person who recalled tho Willl.'jms and Tucker name. One of the writer;; stated that while he admired the idea of looking up the New -\ct flics, that "Skinny's Finish" was a new act before there was a Variety. An anonymous letter to Variety .«!tates that a vaudevllllan has been Jailed at El Paso, Tex., for smuggling liquor acros^s the border from Mexico. It is stated in the kttctr that anyone playing in Mexico should be particular not to attempt to bring liquor into this country. It further adds that the Jailed actor was warned by a smuggle but disregarded the advice. (Continued from page 1) filed during the past year a quick divorce was the result. Of tho other two, one was contested but received a decree much before the other cases were called for^ trial and the other was granted* soon after the star -returned to the city. Tho lapse between filing and hear- ing was only five months. The story sets fortii that Anna Nillson and Marjorle Daw are tied for the record of securing the quick- est action divorce, 11 days. Miss Nillson filed suit against J. M. Gun- nerson on Oct 6 and through a default was granted a decree Oct. 17. Marjorie Daw ■ filed suit for divorce from Albert E. Sutherland on May 23 and on June 3 was granted a decree. Past Divorces Otliers who got quick decrees were Alma Uubcris from Daniel Car.son Goodman, Florence A. Vldor from King W. Vidor, 27 days; Gladys E. Sills from Milton Sills, 30 days; Beverly Bayne from Francis X. Bushman, 32 days; Ethel Hamilton from Lloyd Hamil- ton, 44 days. It is said that Hie divorce suit of Lcatrice Joy against Jack Gilbert took eight months be- cause it was a contested suit and there was wrangling over alimony, and that the records show that the case was called for trial consider- ably earlier than ordinary cases. Another case is that of Kenee Adoree against Tom Moore. Miss Adoree wj»s called out of town while the case was pending but that In sight of five months her decree was granted. Superior Court Judge J. W. Summerficld who has tried a good many of the divorce cases, in a statement declared that picture people are given no more consider- ation than the average individual so far as tho divorce courts are concerned He says in all of these ca.ses there has been some reason for quick action as an affidavit is filed with the court showing that the plaintilT must leave the city or has some other good reason which would allow the <yurt to set the case ahead on the calender. NIGHT LIFE (Continued from Page 6) but a memory cherished by the men of today who live In the glory of yesterday. Billy Bogans' Louvre Cafe, known the world over. Is now the site pf the Bank of Italy at tho corner* of Powell and Eddy streets. The fa- mous Delmonlco on O'Farrell street was directly opposite the Orpheum theatre and next door to the old theatre manager not to I Alcazar, then managed by the loved 433 Klrby THEATRES UNDER CONSTRUCTION Baltimor*. Md. Talteratlons). $30,000. lllg Light St. Owner, Brodi Theatre, Joseph Brodie, on premises. Pictures. Bryn Mawr, Pa. Lancaster IHke. Owner, Philip Harrison, 828 Lan. caster Pike. Pictures. Value -not given. Chicago (Paradise). 11,500,000. Crawford and Park Aves. Owner National Theatre Corp., 3542 Cottage Grove Ave. Policy not given. Chicago (Avalon). $650,000. 1815-67 E. 79th st. Owner, National Theatres Corp., 7642 Cottage Grove Ave. Policy not given. Concord, N. H., $250,000. Owner, Maine-New Hampshire Theatre Co Lewlston', Me., subsidiary of Famous Players. Pictures and vaudeville* Connersvilla, Ind. $150,000. Owner, Perry C. Jones. Everton Road S. E. of Connorsville. Policy not given. ' Derby, Conn. Owner. Sigfrid Amusement Co. Value and policy not given. Detroit. (Adding 400 seats). $20,000. Concord, near KerchevaL Owner, A. Robinson, c/o architect, S. E. Remey, 503 Old Whitney Build- Ing. Policy not given. Detroit. Dexter Blvd. near Monterey. Owner, S.iul Shaw, 1020 Lafay. ette Bldg., Detroit. Value and policy not given. Detroit. Lawrence and Dexter. Owner, Harry Brown, 1647 Atklneon Ave. ©apacity, 1,000. Value and policy not given. Detroit. Campeau and Davison Sts. Owner, J. B. Lasky, Ave., Detroit. Capacity, 1,200. Value and policy not given. Greenwich, Conn. H. C. Conlcker, New York, builder. Loew's Inc., owner. Pictures. Location and value not given. Grove City, Pa. Owner, John Guthrie, Grove City. Value and policy not given. Libertyville, III. $150,000. Owner Carroll GIrdley, c/o First National Bank, Libertyville. Policy not given. Madison, Wis. $750.00. Owner, Beecroft Building Co., 6 W. Mlffln SU Madi.son. Vaudeville. Milwaukee. $500,000. North Lisbon, 49th and 50th Sts. Owner. Sax* Amusement Enterprise, 530 Grand Ave., Milwaukee. Policy not given. Milwaukee. (Mirth, addition and remodeling). $100,000. Klnnicklnnlo St. Owner, Saxe Amusement Enterprise, 530 Grand Ave. Policy not given. New Britain, Conn. $500,000. Owners, Bernard B. Hoffman, New Haven, Conn., and Israel J. Hoffman, Ansonia, Conn. Location and policy not given. North Milwaukee, Wit. (Princess). $175,000. Villard Ave. between 36th and 37th St.*?. Owner, M. Brum, North Milwaukee. Policy not given. Omaha. $25,000. 520-24 N. 33rd St. Owner, H. A. Hawer, 1801 Evans. Plcturoe. Richmond, Ind, $275,000. Ninth and Main Sts. Realty Co., 1217 College Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Rockingham, Vt. $250,000. Builder, Town of information not given. St. Cloud, Minn. (Ventilating alternation). St. Sherman Theatre, Green Hotel Co., St. Cloud, given. St. Johnsbury, Vt. Owner, B. P. (5ray, Bellows Falls, Vt. Value not given. Pictures. V/insted, Conn. $125,000. Owner, John E. Panora. Other Information not given. Owner, Quaker City Policy not given. Rockingham. Other Germain St. Owner, Value and policy not Clara Kimball Young is said to have refused to make personal ap- pearances or keep any of the aiipolntmcnts made for her while at the Davis, Pittsburgh. It is reported the local management depended upon the exploitation and promotion throuKh Miss Young on the outside of the theatre. It being the usual Kiwanis, Rotary, women's clubs, and so on. Bwt Miss Young Is said to have turned down everything. Frpm pictures her personal presence had been heavily stressed. It is extraordinary for a headline attraction to decline to aid the management In Increasing box office returns and personal drawing power. The Lole Fuller Dancers gave the Hippodrome management plenty to worry about previous to their opening. The troupe arrived a day late from abroad, not reaching New York until Saturday. With the elaborate scenic effects carried, this made for frantic setting and ready- Inp. But the Worst difflculty to overcome was the musical score whl(;h MisM Fuller tossed Julius Lenzberg. Orchestrated for 80 pieces, tt Is unofTlclally reported that I,en^berg took one look and fainted. The elaborately scored accompaniment forced tho Hipp overseers to put four men to work to reduce It so that 20 men might play It. The quartet of arrangers Is said to have worked all day Sunday before com- pleting the afslgnment. .\t ttint, the Hipp Is adding a couple of pieces to Its orchestra during the Fuller sojourn of three weeks. Vaudeville acts at the .Vlbee, I'rovidence, Frid;iy night tried to get a launch from a fi-ozoTi-faccd Iiou.se that only Joe Jackson and Larry Conley could rra<k. Several on the bill pulled a lot of old hokum that would bring tears of Krief to the eyes of any booking manager. There was more of 1S93 in that show than there was of 1925. Dartmouth men, antielpatinR Saturday's Brown-Dartmouth game, sat In tho balcony. In accordance with time honored custom In Hanover, they started to t.alk to the performers. Joe Jackson was greeted as "Oberlander." This got surh a bi^' laugh the pantomlmlst didn't know what to make of It, and showed his contu; ion. Larry Conley tried sev- eral times to bust Into the Darfmoiuh line In tho balcony. After several flat ones, he did get a laugh with an old wheeze: "I wish I had my fur coat." Al Jolson pulled tho same thouulit In the Shubert, New Haven, In 1919, when students were wearing leather coats. Nora Bayes has declined an offer of alx weeks at $6,000 weekly tor a cabaret at Miami, Fla. Miss Bajes wants $7,000. Actors going into Chicago are taking long chances In accepting In- vitations to go out for chicken dinners In road hous<^s of questionable repute. Recently a party of six traveled by motor aftir a night per- formance out to a certain hou.^e and wore caught In "UTatd^ sponsorod by the Committee of Fifteen. The matter came up for trial last Wednesday In Morals Court. The actors had a good lawyer and got off. but the Incident should Cerve as a warning that other professionals may not be so fortunate. In ajiy case, they are seriously Jeopardizing both their bankrolls *nd reputations. Mark Than. The Pup, on Stockton street. Is occupied by a department store, the Black Cat and the Odeon are gone, never to return; the fa- mous Bella Union and the Midway Plalsance, where the late Junle Mc- Cree kept the crowds In roars of laughter as they sipped their beer and tightened the arm resting about the waist of the lady of the street who sat beside them. The Barbary Coasl, famous in story, picture and yerse—the start- ing place of Blllle Emerson, John and Emma Ray, scores of tho big timers of today; of Purcells, tho Thalia, tho Midway and tho Elko, of the dance hall of Spider Kelley (today a big land operator In Ari- zona) and of Tim McGrath, battler of ring and sawdust floor. The Barbary Coast where everything went as long as coin Jingled on bar and In pocket—birthplace of the "Texas Tommy" dance originated by Dutch Mike—the Barbary Coast Is but a memory where the barker on the sight seeing bus carrying the yokels of Nebraska and Iowa, yells " and on dem dark streets us' ta be de Barb'ry Coast." The day is made noisome by the chugging of the delivery trucks of tho neighboring produce center; tho dance halls of other days are the garages. Cats slink through the night; here and there gleams a light In the doorway and window of a ten cent flop house. The Cliff House! Old timers turn their heads , In shame. Shorty Roberts has It now and they serve hot dogs and waffles where once gathered the sports and their ladies. Tail's at the Beach—they've pinched 'em tlmo and again because "they brtngr It hi"^—Kono are the^ dayinsf^ the breakfast of the gambler where the cooling breeze of the old Pacific swept through the open window to cool a feverish brow. Hidden away, here and there, most of them In North Beach where once radiated Old Warner's Cobweb Joint, you will find the Italian din- ner with the "dago red " but—It's a chance and the swarthy waiter must know you before the raw, green wine at 75 cents a cup Is served. At the Intersection of Pacific and Columbus, once the hub of the Bar- bary Coast and the red light dis- trict, looks liko the entrance to a carnival—red and green and yellow shine the lights over marquee and window—but It is the restaurant with the orchestra which brpad- casts Its music over radio—they are as harmless as a picnic In Skinner's Grove. Overalls in Chinatown Chinatown, a sure bet for the phoney guides who will show you tho opium joint and the fan-tan players for an extra dollar—the smokers have broken an American cigarette for their pipe and ihc fan- tan, chances are the old" Chinks are playing seven up. Chinatown, once gay and dangerous with more than 20,000 little yellow men and women, today has a population of less than 10,000 and the shops, believe it or not, run to the manufacture of... overalls and baby clothes. San Ftanclsco, gay and wonderful city by the Golden Gate—your ro- mance lives on, naught can still the love your native and adopted children have for yon, but your night life—Just a shell of emptiness. ALICE BOULDEN "PAY PAREE" SHU BEKT, NEW YORK Knthuslastlcally commended by the presa7 MK.~JAC RIETY saying—"ALICE BOITLDKN, a blonde crinfectlon Is tho cre.am. PRETTY as a lollypop, formed like a WHOLESOME YOUNG Gt)l>l>K«»' with a SURE-FIRE smile and MELODIOUS MELLOW pipes, Alice pui over several numbers with startling success. She was'costumeil fo ^plen- dld advantage. She showed supreme confidence without verging <wi '"J* pudenco and STOOD OUT like a STALWART YOUNG PINK CM-NA- TION in a hot house boquct of garish poppies and mildewed wi-ed-s."