Variety (December 1925)

Wednesday, December 2, 1925 LEGITIMATE VARIETY 19 N. Y. PRODUCERS TRYING NOW TO ORGANIZE; NEED PROTEQION NAZIM-OVA'S MARRIAGE TO BRYANT QUESTIONED Many Luncheons Being Given — Representative Committee Appointed to Effect Solidification— M. P. A. Not Inclusive Enough to Function Actor Married New Miiford Girl, Swearing It Was His First Time Wed Aliiioush consltlcralk' Irnlevant speech making attomlcd tl.o sovoral recent luncheons which aimed to bring Broadway pioducora toKother, matters necessitating HoIidilU-d ac- tion were brought to attention. That the managers will eventually get together is inaicatod by a con- tinuation of the mlddiiy meetings. Monday John Golden was host at the third of these luncheons at- tended by 24 producers, including a ouniber of the leading managers. The first lunch<^n meeting was called by Arthur Ilammer.iteln and the second was handh-d by the Managers Protective Association. It was plainly imidhd that the latter organization, formed by man- agers who seceded from the Pro- ducing Managers Association and caused the P. M. A.'s di.ssohUion, cannot cope with the vital matters brought up because it does not properly function. Having a mem- bership of less than half of I'.road- way's legitimate producers the M. P. A. is not representative enough to handle matters at Wasliington. Golden stated that only by get- ting together can the managers pre- vent Hhow business from "going to the dogs." It was admitted that managers can handle their own af- fairs—such aa theatres and rela- tions with actors—on the Inside tut. cannot without authoritative repre- sentation resist constant attacks from the outside. It was pointed out that every In- dustry was represented In Wash- ington except the legitimate the- atrical field. Individual managers recently speaking before the Ways and Meana committee appeared . more or less aa indl^duals. Watching Factors Factors that are to be closely watched are taxation, censorship, railroads and radio legislation. At a previous meeting the power of the American Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers was taken up," with a resultant dispute as to the rights of the society to dictate fees on prmliictlon music. While It was contended that the producer Is responsible for the suc- cess of a show, thereby making the score valuable, a counter conten- tion was that authors and com- posers had starved long enough and were entitled to what royalties they could get. A warning was issued that re- cent radio decisions must be fought unless great harm will come to the theatre. The neces.'<ity for a re- vision of railroad rates and the chances of again securing party Trates was talked over. A committee was nppolnted Mon- day to work upon an organiza- tion which will again take in all Broadway managers: Sam H. Har- ris, Winthrop Amos, John Golden, L. Lawrence Weber, Arthur Hop- kins, Ch.irles Dillingham, H. W. Savage and Martin Peck. At least Ave managers on the committee are not members of the M. V. A. S. R. O. on Trains It may sound like a theat- rical gag, but on the incom- ing trains to New York leav- ing rii»laiitli)hia and Balti- more last week, the guards .stood on the platforms and yelled continually: "Standing room only." At West and North Phila- delphia .stations It was espe- cially difficult, as the Thanks- giving crowds coming back to work and the football folks pouring into New York or the Army-Navy game combined to create more traffic than the roads could handle. Getting a Pullman chair was an im- posHlbillty and many sleeper coaches were pressed into .service. B'KLYN PAPER AS DETEaOR 'Times' Conducting Crime Crusade—Aid to Police One of the newer play- wrights, graduato of a cull<ve playwrighting course ajul all that, is immensely wcaliliy and not driven to writing I'cr a liv- ing, therefore he is stuljhorn on allowing manufrcr.s to make changes with his linos. His mo.«t recent play was i)ut on not so long ago. During re- hearsals, the producer and ca.st were mystified at some of the lines and action. When re- quested to clarify matters, tlie playwright rei)lled that he couldn't. And hi.'^ verbatim re- ply was: "Even if the aiidli'uce doesn't know what It's inxuit, I do." New Mllford. Conn., Dec. 1. If the facta call for Issuance of a warrant, charging Charles E. Bry- ant, actor, with perjury aa a result of his marriage here Nov. 18 to Marjory Gllhooly, that action will be taken, according to a statement by Prosecutor Frank W. Marsh. Mr. Marsh said his attention had been called to Bryant swearing In his marriage application here that this was to be his first marriage, while It had been reported he had been divorced by Alia Nuzimova, aUge and screen star. Mr. Marah added that he alao had been In- formed Bryant had been manager for Mme. Nazlmova and had ap- peared on the stage with her. but never had married her. According to records la New York city a Charles Bryant and Alia Nazlmova were married In New ActOrS Must Talk in CoS- York in December, 191S. The actress obtained a divorce from Brjrant In Paris last August. Conrad Milliken. counsel for Bry- ant,' is understood to have notified Prosecutor Marsh that upon Bry- ant's return to New York he would forward an affldarlt to tha effect that his client had not been married before. ALCM A ROYALTY UNPAID-MAY" CLOSE SHOW Authors Refuse Demand From Shuberts to "Cut" —Big Hit in Philly The Brooklyn (N. Y.) "Times," the largest dally across the bridge, \fi conducting a crime campaign aimed at speakeasies, questionable restaurants, poolrooms, etc. The readers are requested to make any complaints anonymously or with identity disclosed (to be kept secret) and all Information to stamp out the neighborhood nuisances will be turned over to proper authorities for action. According to the letters of com- plaint daily published, Brooklyn must be a crime-rldden centre. Speakeasies seemingly are a flour- ishing industry In the borough. It's a great Circulation gag for the daily. ALICE BLAIN'S PHOTO IN SHERLING'S ROOM Man Wanted by Police—Girl with Shubert Show—Endear- ing Phrases on Picture ATMOSPHERE' m THE AIR tume Over WHT, Chi. Chicago, Dec. 1. "Proper atmosphere" must go over the air. before, after or with the volcos of the actors performing plays at the WHT radio station. That's what George Junkln, Chi- cago manager of the Drama League, has decided. He says to gain his end the players must be in full stage costume of whatever characters they are playing when speaking to "Mike." The order is effective immedi- ately. No one has been named to trace the atmosphere." MOROSCO HOLD. CO. HEAD BENTEL, EAST FOR TRIAL New Haven. Conn.. Dee. 1. A picture of Altca Blaln of Shu- berts' "Artlsu and Models," found In the effects of Mannie Smerltng of this city, who Is believed to have robbed a candy store of |S81, led New Haven i>olice.to belleva 8m«r- ling had fled to Boston, where the show is playlnc Police here ear Bmerllns was seen In company with the show arlrl. "Artists and Models'* played here before Boston. In Smerllns's room here a photo- graph of Miss Blaln was found and on It was scribbled endearing phrases. BYRON ONGLEY'S IDEA USED BY MAX MARGIN "Cheating Cheaters" Case De- cide(i~$28,000 for Widow riiilauclpliia Dec. 1. Thire is a possibility "Aloma of the South Seas," one of the biggest money hits of the town at the Wal- nut, may be witlidr.iwn because of a tilt between the Shuberts and the authors of the play. The authors, John B. Hymer and Hoy Clements, have notified the Shuberts that un- less tlie arrears in royaltiea are paid In accordance with the contract they hold the attraction Is to be closed. "Aloma" was on.'Tlnally Independ- ently produced. Those Interested were Carl Heed, Tom Kane, Jamee Thatcher, Paul Mooney and the au- thors. When the picture rights to the piece were sold to Famous Players for GllUa Gray, Beed dis- posed of his Inte est in the produc- tion. Mooney became general man- ager of the Aloma Producing Cor- poration and concluded a contract (With the Shuberts whereby they be* ckme interested In the production. Several weeks ago the authors were Informed from the .Shubert of- fices through Joseph Galtes that they would have to cut the royalty agreed to under a standard author's form of contract. They refused to accept the cut and royalty has been withheld for a number of weeks until the amount now due the writ- ers Is between $6,000 and $8,000. Because of the failure to pay on the art of the Fhubert)i the au- thora have Informed them that they have broken their contr ct and may ask for a close -^f the play. Federal Charge of 4\Aisuse of Mails—Stock Sales Behind It 'The Dark" at Criterion When Halaban and Katz fornial- 'y as.sume management of the Fa- mous Players theatres Chrlstm.TS week, it Is understood the Criterion, New York, will be turned back to legit and that F.-P. will use another hou.9e for the exploitation of a legit scaled film. According to that, the Charles Frohman company (Famous Pl.iy- ers subsidiary) would have first call on the Criterion, nnd KIsie Fer- Kuson in "The Dark" mny open there Christmas Eve. Field Sued for Divorce Oakl.Tnd, Cnl.. Dec. 1. N'onn.in Ffeld, leading m;in at the fulton, is In the divorce courts it the call o- \-irglnla Cox Fir-Id. hl« third wife, who alleges cruelties ^'ase(l (,n iticomp'itibility of tomper- iment. ■The Fields separated some time "RO after several yenrs of married life. Mr«. Field Is organist .it the Cislnn, Snn Francisco. Los Angeles, Dec. 1. George R. Bentol, former head of the Morosco Holding Company and the present general manager of the Ascot Speedway, must go to New York to face trial on a charge of conspiracy in the mi.su.'ie of the malls In connection with the .sale of stock In the Morosco Holding Com- pany. Bontel was ordered to make the trip by the United States District Attorney following an examination of his phy.sical condition by Fed- eral Physician Anthony. Bentel claimed that he was not In a con- dition to leave due to the fractured leg sustained in an accident at As- cot Speedway. Tlio physician said his condition was huch that he could make the trip. He will leave this week accompanied by a representa- tive of the Drp.irtment of Justice. Upon his return from tlio east Bentel will have to face trial before Superior Court Judge Crall on a charge made aKaiii«t him by (.'liff liorgere. r.xcing dilver, wh* allegi^s ho w.ts promised a certain stake if he would race, which Bentel failed to give to iiiiu. This race was held a year ago Tliunksgiving at Ascot .'^peodway. In ca.se of conviction the California ofTu-ce carries a penitentiary wentence. ; Yale Show, 'Out o' Luck* New H.'iven, liec. 1. "Out o" Luck" la the titl« of the Yale's ChriHtnias touring pr<^luctlon, now getting underway in r<j|ioar«al. I ney Ben Ehrlicb. Frisco Lawyer Charges Vivian McGovern Insane San Francisco, Dec. 1. Charging that Vivian McGovern, a Broadway showgirl, had followed him across the continent on his honeymoon, C. Vincent RtcardI, locally disbarred attorney, swore out a warrant for the girl's arrest on a charge of Insanity. RIcardI de- clares that Miss McGovern has made threats against his life, also against hla new wife and other members of his family. Miss McGovern was held In the Detention hospital. Through her attorney dhe stated RtcardI Is "framing" her because she demands the return of $3,000, loaned to him by her. Mlsa McGovern promises to bring suit for the money and also will sue for false arrest, slander, etc. WILHELHS DIVORCE Belle Wllhelms, professionally Bee Singer, has been granted a flnal decree of divorce In the New York Supreme Court from Charles Wll- helms (professionally Williams) of the "Louie the Hth" company. A chorus girl In this Zlegfeld produc- tion was named. Miss Singer Is also a professional, last in a production and now re- hearsing with a picture house act. The Wilhelms Were married In 1920 and have no children, "'he wife waived all claims for alimony and counsel fee, Williams not defending. DESERTION; DIVORCE Chicago, Dec. 1. Mario Callahan, with "Kid Boots." has Instituted suit for divorce from her husband. Charles R. Sllber, comedian with the road company of "Hose-Marie." 1'he couple were married Nov. 13 1917, .Miss Callahan alleging deser- tion. She la represented by Attor- Following a lengthy litigation dragging since 1916, It Is now con- ceded by all courts that Max Mar- cln appropriated the late Byron Ongley's Idea to fashion the play, "Cheating Cheaters," an Al Woods melodramatic success of 1916. The cause for the delay now revolves about the question of damages due Mrs. Amy Ongley, the widow and executrix of George Booth Ongley, also known as George Byron Ongley and Byron Ongley, the latter his professional name aa author, pro- ducer and playwright. After theae many years, some $28,000 plus compound Interest was awarded the widow. In addition, $1,800 allowance and full costs were awarded Mrs. Ongley. Comes the question as to whether Marcln should be allowed something for his services as coUoborator In completing "Cheating Cheaters." Heferee Abraham Benedict thought not but the Appellate Division rul&d this was against equity and agreed that a new reference to former Justice M. Warloy Platzek t« made. This waa In resjionse to Justice Grain's ruling that the Referee Benedict award be not con- firmed. On the other hand. Presiding Jus- tice John Proctor Clarke, with whom Justice Edgar S. K. .Martin con. curred. wrote an opinion that the case has been dragging long enough In the courts; that it has been an expensive litigation and that cer- tain modlflcatlona be made In the lienedlct award and wash up the matter. By vote, the question of how much ."Vlarcln should be credited In order to charge that amount off against the $28,000 award must go to a new reference which meana another year or so In the courta. Hazel Duvall, Dazzled, Now Has Divorce Waahlngton, Dec. L, Beatrice O. Waters, professionally known as Hazel Duvall, has been granted her freedom from Job* H. Waters of Vandergrlft, Pa, when Justice Bailey, in E>iulty Court, signed an interlocutory de- cree of annulment of her marriage. Mlsa Duvall married Waters la 1920. she stating that his soldier uniform so dazzled her that she failed to look him up—when she did do the looking up she found, says the record, that Waters already had a wife, the first marriage taking place on Aug. 6, 1920, and the one to Miss Duvall on Dec. 6 of the same year. Raymond Neudeoker, former newspaperman, but now an attor- ney, handled the case for the ac- tress. He stated today that when here last July Miss Duvall was with Earl Carroll's "Vanities," adding that she was now with one of the "Artists and Models" companies. Mundin Going Back Herbert Mundin leaves Ch.'irlot'ii Revue this wwk and will return to I'.ngland to play In a now musical there. Douglas Furber suceer.ii.y him hero. It Is understood Mundin In dis- satisfled with the Untied robs (is- i^igned him. C. J. Kiessling Marries Chicago. Dec. 1. C. J. Kiessling, as regular a first nigliter as there Is In Chicago a 1 connected with Slate's Attorney Crowe's office, waa married last vv<ek to Anna Marie Clarke. The ceremony was pe ' rmed by the I'.ev. Patrick J. Malloy In the jjrate house at St. Thomas of Canter- bury's Church with Mr. and Mrs. Crowe acting as bent man and bi idesmaid. The couple will honeymoon la Monroe, N. Y. Mr. Kiessling was formerly man- ager of Cohan's Grand opera houae and la well known In Chict.go the- atrl'-:-! elreles. LAMBS' GAMBOL IN CLUB On Dec. 13 (Sunday) will be held the ne t gambol of the Lambs, ta the clubhouse. KATIIUYN Arlington, Inc. 233 West 52nd St. NKW VOKK tnV rii'Mifi Colambiu 4815-'til4S » COSTUMES