Variety (December 1925)

VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, December 2, 1925 A SCHEMING PASS-HOUND Chlcaero, Dec. 1. A coal luerchaiit from Milwaukee attempting to visit Chlcapo wrote an endearing letter to BUdie Can- tor, asking him If he would lay aside two seats for "Kid Boots" as he didn't feel like paying the "specs" an exorbitant prifo. Cantor flUcd the coal man's re- quest and notified him accordingly. On the night of the performance the man from Wisconsin appeared at the box ofllce and procured his two seats In the second row, for the straight price of $8.80. After receiving his tickets he approached ihe company manager showing him the letter from the star, also the purchased seats. He asked the manager to issue him a fake pass so that he might show the Inhabi- tants of Milwaukee that be secured a pass for "Boots." The manager, seeing the letter and beMeving him a personal friend of Cantor's, complied. Upon receiving the pass he re- appeared at the box ofllce, stating a couple of friends failed to show up and If they would refund him the money for the tickets. Being choice scats they were more than welcomed back. After a lapse of 20 minutes the coal dealer again confronted the box office man, this time using the pass which he pro- cured from the company manager. The treasurer, not recognizing his client and thinking him to be an Important personage (as no passes were being issued) did not hesitate in throwing hira out two pasteboards. Aaron Jones, Jr., bouse raanafer at the Woods, who happened to be standing near the ticket taker when the man with a woman en- tered with the pass, sought out the company manager, inquiring who the party was he had Issued the pass to. The company manager explained the incident. Upon see- ing that he did not use the previ- ously purcha.sed tickets, called the man out of his seat demanding an explanation. The latter offered no explanation but forked over the $8.80. Bepeated Pla3dng of Death Scene Brings on Suicide Baltimore, Dec. 1. A tragedy that involved St. John E; vine's "Mixed Marriages," the Auditorium the tre and a promi- nent member of Maryland society culminated in the suicide of Wil- liam T. D! jn. Dixon appeared In an amateur production of the Ervine tragedy on numerous occasions, the last being a charity performance at the Audi- torium theatre Nov. 21. Dixon was ca.?t for Hugh, the hero of the play. Ills wife played Nora, the heroine, Who dies in his arms at the play's close. The depressing effect of the makc- bolieve is said to have preyed on Di an and resulted In his transla- tion of the atmosphere of the play Into reality. I Ixon was of a prominent and wealthy family, a sportsman and a gifted amateur actor. Adelyn Bushnell Marriage Annulled Thomaston, Me., Dec. 1. Annulment of the marriage of Adelyn Bushnell, stock leading woman, to William D. Bradstreet, Jr., of Boston, former owner of stock companies, has become known. The annulment was granted a year ago In California, where Miss Bushnell is now playing. Their romance, culminating in the marriage four years ago of Bradstreet to the actress, began several years ago when he was manager of the Maiden (Mass.) Auditorium stock company and she was leading woman of the Maiden Players. Mi.ss Bushnell's home Is in Thom- aston. Play for Franclns Larrimore Franclne Larrimore has a new play, it Is said. It is by John Hobble, author of "Daddies." DON! mSS AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN -P^ KIETY 20TH ANNIVERSARY NUMBER The Special Issve Will Be Ont Late Thi;; M>>nth IVE MEUER TANGLE lUqiMi M«U«r tbo Bpantafa star la announced for America next spring. If she appears here legal actions over managerial rights and money entailed will result here and in Paris. There seems no question but that Miss Meller will sign two contracts for the proposed Ameri- can showing. C. B. Cochran, the English man- ager, signed her for America in the spring of 192S. He became as- sociated himself with Arch Selwyn for the Meller appearances here. Both managers expended consider- able money on the basis of the agreement which called for her salary at $2,600 weekly. Last summer she signed for America with B. Ray Goetz. her stipulated salary being $9,000 weekly. When Cochran and Selwyn later pointed out of existence of the two con- tracts, the star replied they could not expect her to work for $'!.500 when the larger sum was offered. Miss Meller was taken ill short- ly after It was announced she would come here about a year ago. According to her doctors it was problematic whether she ever would be able to make the voyage. She then considered her contract with Cochran was cancelled. Legal Opinion Several weeks aco Albert^ Clc- menceau (brother of the former prime minister of France) one of the leading legal minds in France, submitted to Cochrart an opinion on the Meller contracts. The jurist decided Miss Meller cannot appear here under any management but Cochran and Selwyn, but that she cannot be compelled to appear If doctors advise against making the voyage. Should she appear under the Ooetx management she would be liable to damages in the French courts. M. Clemenceau did not express an opinion as to relief In the American courts. Selwyn stated this week he is not so much Interested in making money from Meller as to secure the money she had already cost him— something around $60,000. Of that sum $15,000 was spent In produc- tion before news of her illness was received. He also put $"5,000 in the Meller moving picture "Imperial Violets," the value of which de- pends on the Spanish girl's ap- pearance here. Flo Zlegfeld was to have offered Meller here by arrangement with Cochran and Selwyn. Zlegfeld paid $7,500 as advance royalty to Selwyn, the latter refunding the money. Cochran Is aiso said to have tied up $45,000 in the Meller picture. This week Selwyn and Goetz got together with the idea of seeking a solution to the Meller matter without expensive recourse to the courts. Carry Yoor Name AD Over the World—in "Variety" Small or large, your advertisement will be read in the circle of English-speaking show business girdling the earth. The best and cheapest publicity opportunity for value given ever presented by a theatrical paper. GET VALUE WHEN YOU ADVERTISE Advertise in "VARIETY'' DonU be persuaded or intimidated into wasting money on useless publicity REGULAR ADVERTISING RATES Cq)y Received at Any "Variety" Office Price Divorce Action— Must Pay Wife's Expenses Chicago, Dec. 1. The well-known cheap Chicago divorce is going to be something of a myth for Stanley Price, long- time leading man with one of the road companies of "Abie's Irish Rose," in town trying to secure a divorce from Mabelle Estelle, stock actress. And all because Miss Es- telle Isn't going to let»Stanley or his lawyer. Ben Ehrlich, slip through anything at the expense of her rep- utation. Stanley and Ben are ac- cusing her of a very serious trans- gression of the marriage vow. The actor and his lawyer appeared In court hoping to get a divorce by default. Mi3.s Es- telle's attorney was Johnny on the Job and whispered to the Judge that Mrs. Price would appear In Chicago to light the case as soon ns Stanley came through with one hundred bucks to pay for transportation. "She owns a ten-room house and has a Job " Stanley started to say, but the Judge evidently was of the Impression that a divorce is a luxury anyhow, so besides paying his own expenses and legal fees Mr. Price must now defray the costs of his wife's defense. The Judge Indicated that a pro- longed employment with the Anne Nichols company made the actor able to play plenty. FISKE O'HARA CLOSES Flske O'Hara In "Jack O' Hearts" ■losed after three weeks In St. Paul 'nst week. The show had been orgntilr.ed out if ChlcaKo and primarily Intended for the road. "SUNNTS" RECORD (Continued from pace 1) (because of the Army and Navy football crowds) figured strongly. Saturday night's receipts were $10,- 400, slightly less than capacity be- cause of the high prices. There were five other musicals which got between $30,000 and $40.- 000, two beating $35,000 and at least three more closely approached the $30,000 mark. "Artists and Models" was credited with $38,000, while "No, No, Nanette" beat $35,000, both playing nine shows. "Chariot's Re- vue" beat its llrst week, playing to standee trade for a count of $,12,100. "I'rincess Klavia" claimed well over $30,000. "The Vagabond King" went over $30,000. "The Student Prince" and "Rose-Marie" went up to $29,000, benefitting in the week end rush by large capacity theatres. "Big Boy" and "Louie the 14th" got $26,000 or more, with "Vanities" slightly loss; "Captain Jinks" grossed around $23,000, while "Dear- est Enemy" climbed to $20,000 with "Gay Paree" about $22,000. Most of the big figures are high grosses for the engagements to date. Busines.s early In the holiday week was so much under expectations no records were looked for. Increase scales later turned the trick and, as always, the leaders did not falter. As for the others, the holiday scales and added matinees Just about beat out the bu.sines3 of the previous week. Non-Musicals Over $25,000 Two non-musicals beat $25,000. they being "Cradle Snatchers" and "The Green Ilat." The latter drama has led its division through the fall. Both shows played extra matlnee.s and though the '."Hat" continues a remarkable coin getter, "Cradle Snatchers" Is rated the most sub- stantial comedy on the list. "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" was close behind the leaders, over $23,000; "The Jazz Singer" went into fourth place with a gross close to $18,000, "Naughty Cinderella" got between $15,500 and $16,000; "These Charm- ing People." $16,000, with "The Vor- tex" more than $14,000, but rated behind the others; "The Enemy" took a healthy Jump without an extra matinee in getting $14,500. "Abie's Irish Rose" started slowly like most others but the run leader ended the week at capacity and grossed $15,000; "Craig's Wife" drew its best business with $14,200; "Is Zat So?" also rose, $14,000; "American Born" still a money show at $15,000; "Young Woodley" at over $10,500, Is playing to viriuai capacity. "Lady's Virtue's" Edge Of the new shows "A Lady's virtue" appears to have an edge In the .igency call and approximated $9,000 to $10,000 at the Bijou; "Young Blood" at the RItz claimed over $10,500 and, too, has a chance; "Androcles and the Lion" at the Klaw rated over $11,500 (Including Theatre Guild subsorlplions); "Paid" looks weak at the Booth; "Twelve -Miles Out" climbed some- what at the Playhouse, getting $7.- 500, which should be bettered; "In a Garden" bettered $12,000 at the Plymouth, but the holiday trade m;iy be deceptive; ".Mayflowpr.s," a new musical at the new Forrest, started fairly well with a first week rated around $12,000; "The Deacon" which attracted attention Irt Boston under the title of "Weeds," was es- timated at $7,000, quite a disap- pointment. "Big Boy" leaves the 44th Street this week and "Florida Girl" will move over from the Lyric which gets "Cocoanuts" next week; "Easy Come, Easy Go" moves to the new Biltniore from the Cohan which will offer "Gypsy Fires"; "Ix)ule the 14th" departs from the Cosmopoli- tan, tho Circle houiso getting "Oh, Nurse"; "Antonla ' departs from the Empire and "Ea.sy Virtue" succeeds. ■Hamlet" In modern dress will either stop at tho Grecnwieh Village or be moved back to Broadway, because of encouraging business downtown. Tho Village house will offer "The Fountain.' Subway Jano Cowl in "Easy Virtue" at- tracted mc»st attention on the sub- way n^lrcult, the new drama gettinR $14,500 at the Broad, Newark; "Leave It to Me" at the Shubert there got around $10 OOO; "Lady Be Good" at Werlr.^, Brooklyn, was top for the ci-cuit at $18,000; "My <Iirl" grossfta alout $12,000 at the Maje.<5tlc; .'Jhe Had to Know ' under $5,000 In the r.ronx. 30 Buys Now With the i>re-Gliri»tnin8 slump coming the .igeticies are bemoaning tlie fact that they are caryiug buys for 30 attractions now current on Broadway, especially because of the Evelyn Herbert Placed That Evelyn Herbert Is defi- nitely set with the Shubert production of "The Princess Flavla" will recall to many when Miss Herbert was a member of the Metropolitan Opera. Sho remained with the Met for some time, and left. It was said, after a misunderstand- ing. More latterly MIs.s H, r- bert has been singing In pic- ture houses. She succeeded to the title role of the operetta when Margaret Namara with- drew. Jlisa Herbert Immedi- ately scored in no uncertain way. "Castles in Air" Very Big At Olympic in Chicago Chicago, Deo. i. "Castles In the Air" looks to be the biggest hit In musicals Chicago has yet harbored. It's the Hrst show in months the entire co/ps of local reviewers unanimously agreed upon for praise. The Olympic has startled the show portion of the town by reproducing verbatim the entire reviews of the critics. No "blurbing" or asterisks in tho notices—everything is puli- llshed. It looks as though the show has a big song hit In "Lantern of Love." John Meehan and James W. Elliott are the producers. Raymond Beck wrote the book and Percy Wenrich composed the music. While the reviewers as one were praising "Castles" last week they also and as one slammed "The Fascinating Devil" at the Selwyn. (A review of "Castles In the Air" In this Issue of Variety bears out the report above). Biggest Single Gross Pittsburgh, Dec. 1. What Is claimed to be the bigKCst single performance receipts at regular prices, pertains to Thanks- giving night at the Nixon where the ' Follies ' played last week. The takings that night were $6,- 254 at the regular $4.40 scale Th9 gross for the week was $43,000, al- though claimed here as $47,000. fact that eight of the score and a half are alau in the cut rates and therefore are not legitimate buys, but liave been more or less forced on the brokers. The shows that are working both ends of the agency game are "Ac- cused," "I'rincess Flavla," "Stolen Fruit," "Antonia," "American Born," 'The City Chap," "Capt. Jinks' and "Gay Paroe." On last week's new arrivals "Paid.' at tho Booth," was added to long list, the brokers taking al'out 250 a night for four weeks. The complete list Includes "Accused" (Belasco), "Young Woodley" (Bel- mont), "Paid" (Booth), "The Green Hat" (Broadhurst), "Prince.ss Fla- via" (Century), "Easy Come, Easy Go" (Cohan). "Tho Jazz Kinger" (Cort), "Louie the Mth" (Co.«mopol- Itan), "Stolen Fruit" (Eltinge), "An- tonia" (Empire), "Big Boy' (44th Street), 'The Last of Mrs. Clieyney" (Fulton). "These Charming People" (Gaiety), "Arms and tho Man" (Gar- rick), "No, No, Nanette" (Globe), "American Born" (Hudson), "The City Chap" (Liberty), "The Butter and Egg Man" iLongacre), "Naughty Cinderella" (Lyceum), "Capt. Jink.s" (Beck), "The Vortex" (Miller), "Cradle Snatchers" (Music Box), "Sunny" (New Amsterdam). "In a Garden" (Plymouth), "Young Blood" (Rltz), "The Chariot Revue" (Sel- wyn), "Gay Paree" (Shubert). "Out- side Looking In" (39th Street), ".Merry Merry" (Vanderbllt), ".Ar- tists and Models" (Winter Garden). The cut rates had 25 show.s listed at bargain prices Monday, with the Indications pointing that this list would bo augmented before the week was out. The shows available were "Applesauce" (Ambassador). "Ac- cused" (Bclasco), "A Ladys Virtue" (BIJoii), "Vanities" (Carroll), "Solid Ivory" (Central), "Princess Flavin" (Century), "Kosher Klttv Kell.v" I (Daly's). ".Stolen Fruit" (Eltince), "Antonla" (Empire), "The Poor Nut" (4Sth St.), "A Man's Man" (49th St.) "^Tnrte In America" (Frollf). "(Jlnss .Slipper" (Guild), "Tho De.icnn" (Harris). "American Born" (Htul- .«;on), "D'orest Enemy" (Knl'ker- hocker). "Tho City Chap" (Llherty), "The School for Scandal" (Littl'^). "The Florida Girl" (Lyric), "Capt. ■Tlnks" (Beck), "12 Miles Out" (I'layhouse), ".Me" (Prlnce.«s), "f^ay Paree" (Shubert), "The Kiieinv" (Times S(i.), "I.Aff That OfT' (Wal- lack's). A peculiar phase wan that ^cnt* for the onening performahco of "A Vnu'R M.'in," which npi-rifd 1''"* nl-ht at tho 49th Street, were on pale In ,eut rates a day In advancO of tho advent of the show.