Variety (December 1925)

'7'4*i^'TgifOC7*WW."lll", V" !"'•', • 'r-<F-T:»',:/^- Wednesday, December 16, 1925 LEGISLATIVE yrr'r^^'jMimifm,"' ;■' '.-jk-hj^imi.*!!^ wp VARIETY -♦rirally through hl» partJelpatlon In fSctlon procoeaiuK* clurlnK last Spar's actors' strike. (JoldliiK argued for the iiianaRers, the courts fleny- Jnr a restraining order. The lawyer-author's curr«nt con- trlbution to the BtHgfe flr.'^t had nthers interested In the production Those named were I«Tank Te:h>r and fouls lEquith. the latter hIho an at- torney but reported not now con- cerned. "Open House" lia« been nlaylng '"«• several wook.'i. LaMt week it W:»h at the Wiiul.sor. a new- Bronx tlioatre, where bUMlne.^^s was claimed to hiive been prolltable, though Tiot *xci>ptlonal. "Open House" will not win any medals nor has it a chance for real money. It Is improbable Its status would be any different in a down- town house Instead of on G3d .Mlreet. The play 1« bi.led as a comedy- drama, but there is no coniody. As for dramatics, the going is com- paratively mild, In any event not thri !inp nor emotional. The characters seem to be con- Btant'y in troub'e, thouRh^Hr. and Mrs. lirtlMtriy have two lino ch'ldren and he has an important post in a gteel corporation. The husband is afflicted with what the family doc- tor says in imranoia, or exa«rKerated ego. He uses his handzome wife to further his Interests, Open!y sug- gesting f-ho fascinate prospective customers from foreign laiuV». That they sign contracts for liit? tonnage In steel indicates the idea Is suc- ce.s.sful in a business way but de- grniliri!; to the wife. He becomes Jealous when she Is attracted to a pentleman'y; Russian who has made a lar/;o pufcha.«e of Bteel rails. Lured to his apartment when the Russian believes h» has been tricked in the contract, the Wife is tfar)i>pd and deciares rhe Is the man's lover. That Is the .second act curtain.' P,ut she didn't mean it. In the Hellamy honie for the brief flnal act everything Id quickly squared. ^ The tellinp of the story Is simple enoiiLrh. The near ontaiierU-ment of the wife is nevor convinr'n;?. There Is no love Interest, and even when the coup'e are reconciled they do not seem' happy over it. Hoien MacKeHar did not Impre-ss as being at her best, and doubtless becnise she could not feel the sin- cerity of her role as the wife. Uam- 8»y WaTace seemed far too serious as the young husband, and It is doubtful in real life if such a schem- ing individual could hold big wife, regard'ess of those fine kids. I5ela Lucrosi, who Is featured with Wal- lace, created a better lin-pression as the Uu.isian, his dialect sounding authentic, natural aa the result of hl« foreiorn origin. A well-meaning friend, head of an advertising^ aseucy (not theatri- cal), haixlly d'd the author a good turn by writing the advert isinc; manager of certain dailies with the rennest "n pood man" be assigned to cover "(>i)en House." The letter In some cas^s was turned over to the dramatic desk. "Open House" does not qualify for a run, in fact the indications are It Is a cut rater. Ihee. THE FOUNTAIN A rtim.intle drfim.o by Rutfone O'Neill In thrcB .nrta ami 11 scenes. Proiluced by KPiiiith M;ufrv\v.Tn. Ilohrrt K'lm'iivl Jonf>T •nd Ki!-enp O'Nolll at the Or>-eiinlch VII- laRP Di'c. 10. Jiinp.s A Croon npsorlikt^d SclllnRs and cosMimes by It'dxit E.ltnon.i Jonps .Tnd direction also by him. Ibnu ,\swad St.mloy nerrv Jum Ponee de Leon W»lter Hm'on PT'I'-" Willlnm St.ThI MnH^ d? Cordova r:<u'ini' Mnoro LuM de Alvan^lo F<ron rtmrhor Ju*''f ;... .John TI vi(,r Dlr>(fo Mcnon.lfz Cr.ine Wilbur y rente de fnrdova Kdu'.ir Stehll AInnzo d» Oviedo f'orry Ivin« Manuel de r.isti lo Morris \iinkninn CrIstov.Tl de Mindoza Iirxltih H^nziei Chris'onher Columbu.t Henrv ON-HI He'm^nl:,n I'hilip .V>ne- Frlir ijiiesiadn Kc'Rir Stehll 2""" r-urtIs CooU-ev Bfotrlz de Cordova noaillnde Kull"r «»r Duenna I,|..a Dnilett 4 Soldier VVIlllam Ktahl , *n Indliin Chief IMv CDrnlng * Medlfipe Man .'John Taylor "'ber Superior Henry O'.N'el'l {■"n. Ponce de ]>on'a Nephew..T«hn Tnvlor g»;SerVi.nt l-hi:ip Jonei *B(iiins-nenry Olcper, Ttipi>er Joned. Michael Parl<h.-im. I.oula I'olan, Joseph aitter and Bon Welden. "Oblee Monl<ii tnd Soldiers-John Blestal, ^anlt Peviin. IViul riare, Ralph Culdnan, .,«U»Th Hirdyman. Samuel KInknde. \^narle« Krauth, Max I.eavltt. Lester wa&i. Valentine Newmark. ."Samuel Rnp- iwrt. Jam's Uesley, Brooks Woltm. Several years hem?e^ when "The *»untaln" as a play has been rele- Wted to memory, that portion of the jneatrlcal world which pay.i atten- tion to settings will still be crying "le praises of Robert Kdmond Jones, generally conceded to be among the jeadjn.i,' scenic designers of this country. There are 11 scones in this <I>'ay, and they are not described by ^e dramatist as being of that typo Which cin be built with halfpenny Wpendltiires. But the (ireenwich Village group. "•JPoscd of MacOowan, .lones and J*Neill, is not a rich organization. Jtn main purpose is to i)roduce merl- 1b u" ''"'"*'" '^^ ''^" beaten path. •^ this tiny have been successful. With tlioir success of last sc.ison prob;ilii\ .arnso much anibition. That •mbltion resolved ll.self Into a „°^Kcd d( !ermlnation to produce The Fountain," variously an- .^■ounced l>y Arthur Hopkins for both •■jlonfl I'.arrynKPio and l-'riiz l..<!ibcr. *hilo tiie Theatre (Julld .also held It ™r a uliiie. KplHdt.s .iround the theatre on 6pcning night Indicated that the hopca of many* years are embodied in ihis "Fountain" production. Just witat O'Neill thinks of his play has not been given out, but because Hypklns went to the length of pay- 'ing Leiber salary for many weeks in the surety of having him when the prodtictlon could be made was rather forceful evidence that one of the uptown managers had the high- est reaai'd for it. O'Neill, in a program note, dis- claims any idea of trying to follow history in his study of Ponce de Leon. He tukea the Spanish ex- p'.orer from the time he first ap- pears in (Jranada, through his voy- age with Columbus and into thai eventful period wherein I'once de I^eon stiirted his frantic search for the fountain of youth. O'Neill as- cribes as his reason for seeking that fouiKain a wish to grow young, so that he might be considered a suitor for the hand of a beautiful young won.an who regarded him with a fathei-iy affection. So he goes after the -fountain, but a tricky Indian, Nano, IpikIs liim into the swamp of a' beautiful land, which tie Leon uanies I'lorida. O'.Neill was smart In this, and to ward (<ff the finger of suspicion that the real estate operators had "got- teh" to him to put in a plug for that lahd, it la conscientiously pro- nounced "Florceda." Once in the swamp and beside a fountain which the Indian toils him gives both youth,aiid strength to ail who drink, he U set ujion by the native in retaliation for the tortures of the Spanish rulers, and In a ghastly tlream (staged magnificent- ly) the ghosts of yesterday stalk be- fore de Leon, the while he is deliv- ering himself of good philosophy. And then he awakens, linds himself badly Injured, and In some way re- turns to a monastery in Porto Rico, the Isle of which he was governor. And there he finds that the girl he wanted has met her trave knight, and his dying act is to bless them. In a bare outline of the story It breathed of a hearty romance—of that switshbuckllng material which combined with Rostand's poetry to make "Cyrano" a humdinger. There is a trace of Cyrano in de Leon, but only a trace, and what moments pos- sess spirit and dash are followed by slow scenes which detract from and almost kill what dramatic move- ment the piece possesses. The whole thing is cast lavishly. Unfortunately. Walter Huston does not measure up to the leading role, that Af de Loon. He gives a praise- worthy performance, but there are some roles where nothing short of an Inspired performance will carry thenn over, and such is this. Kgon Brccher, Cifrtis Cookscy, Crane Wilbur, Ropalinde Fuller, F.dgar .Stehll and Henry O'Neill are some of the better known actors In the piece, though every role is filled to a king's taste. For all the virtues, ambition and motive behind the production. It Is difficult to believe that "The B'onn- ta'ti" will ever be listed with O'Neill's commercial successes. The plan now Is to bring It to the 4Sth Street in a month. Uptown It may draw because of the O'Neill name, but other than a mi'd run, little can he predicted for "The Fountain in Its present state. It .1uat misses, and the fault lies not with the pro- ducers but with the author. Rfsfc. THE MAN WHO NEVER DIE^ Second subscription ofT.iiiiB of play by Ch.irle^ Wib.xter, directed by U:ilph .'^tuarl. at Provincotown Vbivhouse. produced by I'rovltuetown Pliyrrs. id'oried IH-oc. 1- I^.ttinc by riron Thro-kmorion. In tnrec pels,.fix scenes and epilos- I-riMiii- rettii.Rrew Maurice Cass John (icalJ "'dl, publisher of tho ■it.' WeiniinoDt . Uolicit Lvnn lIUKh Kidil' r •Times June ll'dt, his w.fe.Ma. fhristopber M.inders ■ini'on. nv<n,TKin<5 editor linl'on. ov.n.TKinR editor lIURh Kidd.r Albert Kdward Lwyng Hcnne.t s iilb^id Police Inxpector •'*'••" J^"''J'\' K-v^in Koh valet to HoIt..nfnn.tt Kilp.nck Kyoto Koh ■lun ;;,, , ,^..M., valet to ••o't--»l"'"'' '^'IrA'iiJ Marie, June's maid L:.ye!ah Monif Sie<le Mcl.c.lan, profecutlnij nttor-ey Harcdd MoCC' •"'^"= -"-■ —•" Har.dd Mot^e- ludire H.mer Itcdn.dd Clarl<c K Mvtbe. attorney for IIolt.<-b»rle3 r.emlnK Dr. Fitz-Scott Chat les n oomer Or Itro-.vne, coroner Henry ]\»'\^" Hosier, attorney for Twyng. .S-.th Kendall Kndor* t.oben floodfr.end ... .Hu«h Kidd'r Dr. Felix, alienist Clement O Lonblen Ti,« n,.v Vernon Ilioh The Koy. •. The C.irl.. ..Vernon Ilioh Mildred McCoy The second subscription bill of the Provincetowners introduces an opus that la credited to an actor of 15 years' experience, this being his maiden production. For a thes- plan of so many y»ars' experience, the script evidences a fair knowl- edge of what (constitutes gripping dialogue In a talky play, but it Is surprising that tho thesis should have been .so far'-fctche<l If com- mercial success wore hoped for. Nor Is it any other kind of suc- cess, artistic or box-ollice, for that matter. It starts off as a familiar murder ineller, but becomes obvious after the fust act and impo'^sibio from the second siaiiga on. Two paral- lel iiuirdrrs under Identlral clrnim- staiiccs are in tlienisrhcs we<ik founilatlon for a plausible develop- ment. Thereafter the theme bo- oirnes unintelligible and uncertain with its stray.ng Info tho realm of the occult. The plot for that reason is not Worthy of even ;.ik" tchy recounting. The playing he'ps much to sus- tain It. Harold Vo.sburgh (loaned by \N.ilkor Whiteside; and H'lmett S'>iitli:ird are c.ip.iMe if ni>t brll- lianL The French maid, Layelah Monif, did a distinguishing piece of work in her te.stimony on the stand in the course of the prosecution. For the rest, Hugh Kidder, doing a CSeurge Spelvin in doubling as Jewish watch-maker was produc- tive of comedy relief but Impossible as a faithful characterization. Just a subscrii)tlun offering that will be prolotiged for the allotted period since the Provincetowners operate on an individual basis of selling se.its by subscription for a series of perforiuances. This takes them out of the commercial the- atre clasFilication and permits Sun- day n ght performances, thus at- triicting professionals downtown. Munilay night perftirmanccs are omitted In lieu of the Sunday show. Abel. FOREIGN REVIEW =^ THE RING OF BELLS nu'-olic dialect comedy In three acts by A. Nell Lyons, produced at the l^omedy. London. Nov. i'4. by Archibald Nettb fold, seige Ulreetlon by liobert Courtneldge. CAST. Zoar Rudd Cllve Curria Hiiinili Kudd Kthel Arden ncnjaniin Mobbs Arno'd Bell Joe I)unkerton H. O. Nlch.dson -Miss Kilil.y Una O'Connor Uillian Hobhs 01^a Llndo Archer Rudd,.., Richard Illr<l Mdwarrl, Earl of St. Peter Kric Stanley .MarKcry Joan Maude Isabel Mary Lytton B'tty ...; Winnie Osmond Wilcox ...Frederick Uurtweil Tlckncr r. Albert Hayzen Hrl.stow Ernest Halne< (JeorKe Bristow Robert Newton Mr. HI^Klnbnrough Wynn Weaver First r.dlrlnEcr Ar hur Slratton Second Bellrlnger Hert)ert Garthorne London, Nov. 25. What with "The Farmer's Wife" at tlie Court and "Tess of the d'Urbervllles" at the Garrick, Archi- bald Nettlefold probably Imagined the time was ripe for a boom In bucolics. Even If this were «o, how- ever. "The Ring o' Hells" would hardly satisfy the public's hunger for dialect and rustic dances. It Is difficult to believe a ■word of the Mtory. Had Nell Lyons succeeded In making his plot plausible, "The Ring o' Bells" would still have been unsuitable for American purposes. ^olo. PARIS EN FLEURS Paris, Dec. 6. The new revue at the Casino de Paris Is the best show Leon Vol- terra has mounted at this theatre, and Maurice Chevalier Is the life of it. The success Is tremendous, the receipts at the premiere exceeding 105,000 francs. The costumes are most artistic. Tho Dolly Sisters have some fetching scenes, whiie Dora Duby e'lclts much admiration. These three artistes, with Yvonne Vallee, tho iiFual partner of Chevalier, are the particular stars In the Casino Armament, although there are a number of other shining lights In "Paris en Fleurs," such as the Rowe Si.'iters, Lily Scott. Llllie Mounet. Madeleine Leys (a sweet, senti- mental vocalist), Yvette Ferry and Lawrence Tiller's 16 girls, the acme of precision. Of the males, Mau- rice Chevalier is far ahead, the pro- ducers having supplied him with .'^■coj)e for his burlesque taient. The terpsichorean element, directed by Andre Ray (producer and stage manager), Lawrence Tiller. Kddy Dolly, Bell Davies and Leo Staats, is of tho best, with Roseray and Ca- pe'la in characteristic nude dMncing. "Paris Kn Ileurs" Is a splendid show and i.s installed for a year at the Casino. Kendrcto. latter Is apparently a slavish imita- tion of Joaef SvvickarJ a])pcai'ing in some film as an eccentric Conti- nental art critic. The rent of the cast also strains to get laughs. Some succeed. Oorc I.,ondon. Dec. 3. IRevival of conie.ly (oii;inall> pioluod at the Ha.markel, lid.')) bv llount' .\iiiie»by Vachell al the New Ihe.itn' Wedncuday. Dec 2. iXoiiry .\lnley slHj-rod.J OUINNEY'S (Through lacK oi team>A/ork two members of Variety's London office saw the same show a night apart for review. Also through lack of team- work, their opinions apparently vin- dicating all opposition to the beli.:f that criticism is anything but "one man's opinion," both reviews are herewith printed, with a slight hope that hereafter teamwork will pre- vail.) London, Dec. 4. For years this comedy has been considered one of the most human of Rriti«h plays; today it Is mildly Interesting as showing what a really admirable impersonation of an ama- teur performance a professional (oiiipany can give. The atmosphere at the New, where H. A. Vachell's comedy has been re- vived, reeks of the annual i)erform- ance of the Little Puddleton Ama- teur Dramatic and Operatic Society. It may be. however, that Henry Aln- ley li;is surrounded himself with a scratch company as a stop-gap dur- ing the l>laek weeks prior to the holidays. Perhaps the poorness of the busi- ness compels him to clown and throw away everything for laughs, in the same sijlrlt the small boy whistles while ijasslng through a irra\'(^y;ird. flverybody In the cast Is out for laughs. The humanity and sympa- tliy of the play have been de.itroyed by n m.'inagerlal order, "(let laughs." AInley plays with exaggeration alike in manner and inakc-up. The So oft^ii and so vainly has Horace Aiinesley Vachell tried to wrllo an- other play as good as this th.it he has won tlie name of "Have .\iMther Vachell." It is as effective as his other light lomedies are Ineffective. Throughout there are the touches of nature which makes the whole world kin, and the leading part Is of the kind an actor sighs for all his life. Being a Yorkshireman playing a Yorkshire part, Ainley has his gifts reinforced by "the call of the blood." His acting of Qulnneys, exactly the same in every respect as the day he first played it 10 yeiirs ago, is mas- terly. Unfortunately his company Is not so well suited to their parts aa at the Haymarket. Louise Hampton as Quinney's wife, and Leslie Banks as Quinney's foreman are too hard, although their acting is beyond reproach. Diaher, SHOWS AND COMMENT (Contliiud from page 25) OOO; led the non-musicals first three months. "The Jazz Singer," Cort {14th week). George J«sel show easily held own last week with gate at $13,500, drama which puzzled tal- ent at first Is assured success. "The City Chap," Liberty (8th week). Another week to go; this musical .'omehow tiki not land In monaj-, getting $16,000 to $17,000 for even break; should get money on road. "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," Fulton (6th week). Another Dillingham hit; business virtually capacity 'vyith pace $19,000 to $20,000; big- gest money house ever got with non-musical. "Open House," Daly's 63rd Street (1st week). Helen MacKcilar starred; show opened at Windsor, new neighborhood house last week, with indications only medi- ocre; opened Monday. "The Poor Nut," 48th Street (34th week). Down to around $8,000 last week; has made good ruti and will get tnoney during holidays; problematic about business after New Years. "The Vagabond King," Casino (13fh week). Stand-out musical; oi)or- etta opened to fairly big business gradually improving last week above $26,000. "The Vortex," Henry Miller (l4th week). Gradually eafiod off for last month or so with last week estimated bit over $10,000; lowest gross to" date. "These Charming People," Gayety (llth week). This Knglish show also reported sliding; tlraw of first tvyo months credited star (Cyril Maude) and author (Michael Arlen); last week $11,- 000 to $12,000. "Twelve Miles Out," Playhouse (5th week). Gi'.'iilu.ally picking up though matinee trade light; that business ."-hould pick up tluring slump Indicates real promise; close to $10,000. "Vanities," Karl Carroll (21th week). New vdltion of Carroll revue due next week when Frank Tinney goes into show, also some mateilal from "I'^lorida. Girl"; rated around $18,000. "Young Blood," Ritz (4th week). Dramatists 'I'heatre exfioctaiit of landing with this strongly cast pliy; pace rated over $10,OW which Is considered good In slump period "Young Woodley." Belmont (7th week). Only matter of difference in matinee trade; takings con- tinue well over $10,000, which on nine performance basis is virtual capacity. Outside Times 8q.—Little Theatres "Tho Fountain," an O'.Veil play at the Greenwich Village, may come uptown later; "Drift" closed at Cherry L.-jne, which otters "So That's That'; "The Devil To Pay" clo.«ed at 52nd Street; "Cou'-in Sonia" will go olT at new Central Park, show to he presented at .an- other house later; "The Man Who Never Died," Provlncetown; '"i he Dybbiii'k" ot)ens Neighborhood Playhouse; "Me" due to go oft at Princess. BOSTON BUSINESS (Continued ^.om page 26) and the Plymouth will be empty up to the time "Applesauce" opens there next Monday. "Louie" and "Lady Re Good" were the only .attractions that went above $20,000. The nearest approach to this p.ilr was the ' (jrcrmwich Vil- I.ige Follies" and 'The Studc'nt Piincc." The latter, on it?; llUh week, about hit the lowest gross it has registered htro. The only di .itnailc offering to bor- der on good business was "Old Kng- llsh." "The Kick (Jff" finished at tho Hollis and "Hhickstone." ended its short cntaji" inent at tho Park. "Candida," on its final week, held it.s prev.ous pace. One opening this week and that Nance O'N'eil In 'Stronger Than I..ove" at the Park. Last Week's Estimates "Stronger Than Love" (Nance O'.Neil) Park (l.'-t w»>ek). "The Student Prince," Shubort (Uili week). Did $1.">.000 last week; llio lowest gross since (>pcning here. "Greenwich Village Follies" Ma- je.stic (final week). Did $15,000; off ifi.OOO from that of the previous week. "Louie the 14th," Tremont (2nd week). Around $31,000 on lirst week; by far tho biggest business in town. "Lady Be Good," Colonial (3rd week). Did $23,000; oft $2,000 from week before. "Old English," Wilbur (5th week). Quoted at $14,000. "Abie's Irish Rose," Castle Square (3id month). Running strong de- spite general depression; about $18,000 weekly. /I- New Year'. Eve, a V. At $5 or $15 Per Greenwich Village cabaret men qualify as optimists. They are soliciting reserva- tions for New Year's Eve. The scale ranges from $5 to $1$ per head. The smaller figure Is asked by the places with nothing but a piano. The cabaret men hope to oft- set their losses this season by "taking them heavy" on that evening. PLUMMER ACCUSED (Continued from page 11) Dan Fisher, warrant ofiflcer attached to West Side Court. Magistrate Norrls issued a warrant for his ar- rest. Fisher accompanied by Miss Magee and her attorney, J. Lewis Lindner, went to Plummer's hotel and office (Hotel Flanders) but he was gone. Miss Magee came to court accom- panied by Mr. Lindner. She briefly recited her tale to the court. While waiting for the warrant to be Issued she detailed her story to the re- porters. Her photo and address are In several casting agents, she said. Her photo recently appeared in a directory. Plummer, she stated, obtained her address through It. Phoning her he stated he thought he had a goot^ engagement for her. "Petting" Agent Arriving at the Flanders, Ml.sn Magee went to his apartment. As she entered three middle aged men were leaving. "See those men," In- dicating the three leaving, she quotes Plummer as saying, "well they are a trio of big olficlals in the First National" (pictures). She agreed with him It was "great." ' Rubbing his hands, ho asked her what she could do. She briefly told him. She said he looked wistfully Into her eyes and then "petted" her wrist. Miss Magee protested, she said, ant^ then he pl.anted two kisses on her cheeks. She drew away and found out he had bitten her upper lip, she said. Indignant, she be- rated him for his actions. Starting to leave, Plummer again attempted to embrace her at the doorway. When Miss Magee reached the .'treet she notified friends what had happened. They advised her to take It up with the police. Mr. Lindner represents theatrical organ- izations and she was advised to get in touch with him. Warrant Olllcer Fisher said that he had learned that Plummer sailed for Boston a few hours before he arrived at the Flanders. Miss Magee Is doing a dance act at the "Silver Slipper." She had been with the Follies" for two years, and Uvea at 6(H West 172nd street. Big Colored Ball What is planned as the biggest (Colored social event In New York will take place In Madison Square G.arden, Feb. 17, with the annual ball of the Mighty Monarrhs. Tho Monarchs are the New York I.rf)dge of colored Klks. In charge Is A. A. (.Johnny) Jack- son. Billy Pierce Is assisting Jack- son with the souvenir program. Tho Gardi n is expected to havp between 6,000 and 9.000 men and women the night of the ball. If You Don't Advertise in "VARIETY" Don't Advertise