Variety (December 1925)

10 VARIETY Wednesday, December 30, 1925. i . THE YOUNGER GENERATION 5 ' .1 To develop this thesis, the per- sonal proiurun must perforce be used to bring out thai the young m.in In the show business of today is the Important fai^tor of tomorrow. That gofs without sayins. Dut to thf> urvlersigned for In- stance who in the pcvon or el^ht years he has been on Variety's New York staff, this is probably brought home in more elective fashion than to the casual onlooker. Ju.st aa the seven or ei^lit years on a theatrical newspaper broi.'Tlit a maturer per- spective aspect to the writer, so did the youn.rrstcr.i of y^istenlay mature In ideas and development. This Isn't much of a topic to write about. Tlio lead sentence WEE GZORGIE WOOD Title role in "HUMPTY-DUMPTY" Ti'.r.itrc rio'.-.il. P.irtnlnprham. Hnp;. REASON'S CRZETI.NGS TO ALLI •'Till': no.MIXIO..:," Wellington. >rcw Zealand, cald: "He is the flne.-jt artist w« have •ver seen." FARMER MAY BE RADIO DEADHEAD .St. I^uls, Dec. 28. It Is fiu.speeted a specie of radio deadhead Is making itself manife.st. K. W. DeYong, a picture exhibitor of Waterloo, III., i.s Inclined toward that belief. "Standing In the lobby of Memorial Hall (that's my house)," he said, "I saw a farm- er dragging a couple of kids, plod up to the ticket office and inquire the scale. Told It was 25c. for himself and 10c. for the children, I could see the girl point to nvti. "Leavini^ the children the farmer eased up alongside of me, got confirmation on the figures and then said: "'! Just drove seven miles to see this i^ow. Is that the best price you can give me?" " P practically sums it up. Yet It Is wor;hy of comment that It la only a few years a^o that So-and-So was Just a strusRiing hanscr-on, a Would-be producer, or actor, or agent or author. In the brief in- terval the same anonymous So-and- fo Is accomp'.lshlng things that n-.erit trade paper news mention alongside with the magic names of the Dil'lnghams. Ziegfolda, Shlp- in.''.ns, Hop.voods, and Carrymores. T'.. show business needs this young blood to maintain the stimu- li.-- T'i« ""ivvirda and the Gersh- wins, the Dick Rogers and the Larry li .. , ..-r all tl.^ir comparatively Immature years, .tII in the lO's, are laying an early foundation for fu- ture subs'..ntiality. The elder gen- erations are a\"or.llng easier oppor- tunities to the talented and the genius ana a ready appreciation of this from the newcomers bids fair for the future aspirants to come. There Is no gainsaying youth. This may sound lii:e an ambl'.ious and not altogciher becoming preach- ment from another youngster but the fact remains, from a number of years of ciose o'osorv.itlon on the miscst a'.ley in civilization, that youth wl.l be served. Strangely enough, the wise man •f experience is aiding and abetting •u.'h ambitious demands, fo. two reasons. That the young man must taJie his place ia one, .^nd an ac<iul- e.scer.cc to ciurj.st re.'iionsibility on the shoulders of willing workers Is the other. It applies to the back and front ei'-ially. fcl:ow bu.«!'.no«;< moves fast. Thone cai ght by It and swep^ on- wird arrive where they never ex- pected • go In a hu;ry. Abel. Coogan, Sr., Filling Up Coast for Auto Sales Los Angeles, Dec. 28. Jack Coogan, Sr., and Arthur Bernstein, his tuslnesa manager, are apparently determined to cor- ral the automobile selling market In Southern California. Coogan for the past two years has been presi- dent of the firm handling the Rolls- Uoyce car in Hollywood. Last week he purch.ased the Packard agency in Glendale and for the San Fer- nando Valley, which extends to Bakersfleld. With Bernstein he also purchased the Hudson and Es- sex agency or V'annuy's, Laoker- shim and San Fernando. Norman Manning, formerly head of the Warner Brothers' radio sta- tion, has been appointed general manager of the enterprise. He gave up a lucrativ offer made by Jack Dempsey, who wanted Man- ning to act as his business man- ager. Johnson Reconciliation Los Angeles, Dec. 28. Indications point to a reconcilia- tion between Emory Johnson, pic- ture producer, and his wife. Ella Hall, former actress. It Is expected to take place be- fore Christmas, a^ the three chil- dren of the couple are said to be re- sponsible for the parents seeing a great deal of each other during the past few months. Mrs. Johnson at present Is living at the home of her mother with the children. The Johnson.^ separated, with Mrs. Johnson bringing a suit for divorce about a year ago, charg- ing desertion end claiming it was a case of too much mother-in-law. on the part of her husband's mothjr. A property settlement had been agreed upon In the cou.ta prior to the trial, which, aa yet. baa not taken place. SAN IE L.CISCO SIT£ tlvin riaiilK o, Dec. 28. The .Method.St ( liurcti, a latulmark at O'Far. ell and Leavenworth rlreets, \vi:i be l.»rn di^wn to erect a 3 CoO sc »t tluulre and hotel on the eanie site. TiiC cliu;ch piople, it la rei.ortcd, have made a sulilclent ptofit on ti'.e deal to erect a more Imposing e li;ite near tUe civic cen- ter. .Mu h speculation I.s r.fe as to the tenant for the new house. J'SOph M. .'■■ hrnrk had just left this city when the announcement was made. CABARZT AIMOSPHEUE Ti.i- loi:n.;e and pmoNing room of the Booth theatra. New York, has been given a cabaret atmosphere. The newest Innovation la a dance flocr with dance music supplied by A raUi* bclw«*o ioUrmlsslon*. WARNER FIRST IK "SMITH" LoB Angeles. Dec. 28. Metropolitan Pictures comes forth with the announcement that H. B. Warner l^as been signed for "Whispering SiVilth," a screen ver- sion of Frank Spearman's novel, adapted for the screen by Ellott Clawson and Will Kitchie. The fem.nlne interest In "Whis- pering Smith" will be divided be- tween Lllyan Tashman and LiUi.in Ulch. Upon completion of "Whispering Smith," H. B. Warner will take up his original stage role In "Silence," the screening of which will be done by Cecil B. De.Mille. WOMEN'S CLUB lyos Angeles, Dec. 28. The Wasps, compo.sed of women doing press work in the picture col- ony, held their first nnnu-al elect lor' nnd Those Kllzabeth RiorU.in (Fox i^tuflios) for the presidency. The other officers chosen were Helen Httnco'k < Metropolit.in .Stu- dios, virc-presldent; Margaret Kimball (Kiist National), secretary. and Shirley Moorman, treasurer. Jack Mclnerney Handling Publicity Jac-k M< In'rney Is the nfw di- rector of puWlrlty at the Illalto and Ulvoll th«,atr««. Ed Olmstead, the present In- cumbent, go*s to the Famous Ilay- ers' home office to handle national publicity. Office Boys Not So Lacky Uptown OfUce boys In the Times square district are annually excited through the Christmas tales coming from the financial districts, telling of the promotions, profits and partnership advancements made by former of- fice boyft of currently large corpora- tions. A former impression the square's office kUis had that a boy to be suc- cessful In after-life had to com- mence as a newsboy is being dis- pelled by the repeated stories oft of the uplifted office gang. Jimmy SUlnner, office boy In a theatrical office, was asked what he thought his prospects were. "It's a pipe." said JJmmy. "Just a pipe, mister, and don't you be- lieve it. Nobody's any good to us office boys. Lookatlt. What chance do you think I get around this dump? Not a chance, mister. I could be here for 40 years and that guy In there would still be sending me out for Camels. ~To me. this office boy Job la a bust. I'm going to be an acter." Chance In Pictures In one of the picture Arm's office suites the errand lad had a differ- ent view. Saying his name was Jack Helter, he wanted to know what the big corporation's name was and if it were a bank. He was asked why interested in a bank, and answered: "Because, maybe, if I could start as an office boy in a bank I would get somewhere. Not here, not a chance. I told my mother if I could get a decent Job I would blow out. She told me to stick and be nice, but that's the bunk here. "In this business you have got to know where to borrow money. I've found that out. It ain't what you are, it's what you can get. I hear them talking. That's why I want to know about a bank. Suddenly Flush "For four weeka I couldn't quit because I couldn't get my salary. Then all of a sudden you would think they had started to make the* money themselves In this office. I got mine and 1 saw so much of it around I thought I would hang on a little while. "Well, I rubbered, and I never heard of so much money. It had to be true because I could see there was money around. No one ^jranky any more. Everybody laughing and the boss calling me Jackie. "Then I heard one day a couple of them talking about 'the bank.' I couldn't catch the name, but when I heard 'em tell what the bank had In deposits I almost fell over. So I think if I could got a Job in that kind of place downtown there might be a chance for «ne If the bank's money would last until I'm 6S. Do you think It will?" An independent vaudeville agent who had started his theatrical career as an office boy in what is now a large theatrical circuit was asked what he thought the chances were of an office boy In Times square becoming the head of the concern some day. "Maybe you are kidding," said the agent, "but you Just happened to touch me on a spot that baa been sore ever since I left the same firm I had started with 18 years before. A chance for an office boy in the show business, eh? I.et'8 cut out the office kid. Let's find out what kind of a chance there is for any- body in the show business who Is working for someone else? That's me: that's why I'm here. "I'd rather be broke by myself than living on a guarantee for any big show concern. If they don't drive you to the hospital, they will to the grave. You can work for them until you need a crutch to climb the stuirs, and any morning you are out, flat, right on your up- pers, because some new guy who had Just bulled in (iidn't like the way you combed your hair. "i'vo heard managers say actors are unappreclatlve. That's a gag with me. If you know anyone more cold-blooded tlian a guy running a theatrical circuit, have him shot as a public service. ■ (Jo to any of the big offices and find out how many who are woikinK there lisx- dully in the fear that on the morrow they will have to look for another position. I don't cart whether they have been working for the concern one year or 25 years. It's nil til'- same—work yourself to death, build em up and get fired for it.' - "Print that, will you, and make It In big type, because you may think you were kidding me. but there are a thoiinand people In thli square right now to whom It Is no Joke." PROTECTION FOR PLAYWRIGHTS The Ami*rlcan playwrights will shortly enter Into final negotiations with managers for the adjustmeni of abuses alleged in the matter of the disiio.sUion of picture rights of pl.iys. While the uncovering of sharp practise on the part of certain man.agcrs in their relations with picture producers and the the par- ticipation of tlie latter In legitimate production, brought the authors more firmly together than hereto- fore, the result Is liable to be fur reaching in benefits to the authors. Indicullons are that the authors will vote not to become affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. The Playwright Committees have been Industrious, and the whole matter will be placed before the entire membership at a meeting this week. There are three courses open to the author, deemed neces- sary before further negotiations are had with the managers. They are: 1. A union charter, which would make the authors members of the A, F. of L. \ S. A charter (union) from the Four A's. of which Equity la a branch and which controls the the- atrical union charter. S. A world association of authors. The latter course is favored by a number of prominent authors. Foreign Affiliations The Ways and Means Committee has accomplished an afllllation with the foreign authors societies. In- cluding the powerful French play- wrights order. It is believed that if the American organization can work out an eftecflve agreement with the foreign writers, they would be In a position to demand a new contract with managers, one which will be a really protective instrument Tiie picture rights matter is not the only avenue of revenue which the authors will seek full participa- tion In. The agitation has resulted in the authors asking why they should not receive a percentage of all moneys taken In by the man- agers. They will seek to .share In the pass taxes, generally collected in all Shubert theatres and amountinj^ to hundreds of thousands annually. It Is believed. Since the govern- ment removed the tax on free ad- missions, the authors feel that any such revenue is to be rated like an admission and therefore belongs on the statement. ' There Is still another source of income which they will seek to de- clare In on. It Is the weekly money paid the box offices by the preniiutn ticket brokers and generally divided between the treasurer and manager. One prominent author cxi>lained that while one of his successes was cur- rent last season, the box office re- ceived between $500 and $750 1q weekly gratuities from the brokers. He declared he saw no reason why that should go on the statement. It would mean $50 per week more (10 per cent) and that money was aa good to him aa It was in the mun- agcr^ pocket. Sharing on Passes The matter of attractions sharing in the pass tax money came up sev- eral seasons ago but none of th* producers has been able to secure a sharing percentage of such funds, which are regarded as admissions by the government. For that reason 10 per cent of the takings la paid the collector of internal revenue. The authors are still skeptical about picture men backing legiti- mate producers. The rea.son Is that one author g^t a flash at the con- tract between Robert Milton and William Fox. It is reported that tha contract stipulati^ Ahat the pro- ducer (Milton) will endeavor to se- cure the author's share In the pic- ture rights as cheaply as possible. That naturally steamed the wrltmg men to a point of llcry an^er. The Mllton-Fox contract is said to b« the only written agreement made to date. There Is no contract between the picture man and the other m.m- ngers who wJll accept bin produc- tion backing. With at least onsb Fox agrees to proceed without • contract. Love and Hate Baltimore. Dec. 26. Editor Variety: I think bhow people are the best people on earth. Big hearted, gen- erous, unaclflsh, considerate, con- genial, witty and thoughtfuL I love them all; that is all ex- cept the ones I hate, and I bate legits. I hate legits—because they can- not understand why a buck dancer gets such a big band for a double pendulum wing. I hate buck dancers—bcause they arc always doing a break as they converse or they persist in snap- ping their fingers in time. Jazz bands—How I hate them— they are always practicing or tun- ing up in their dressing rooma. I hate singare—especially the good ones, who Just vocalize for an hour for a two-minute ballad. I hate girt acts—because the girls In girl acts are invariably hungry. I hate old-timers—because they are always cracking about the good old days. I hate new-comers—because tbey ask too many silly questions. I hate nut comedians—because they act on and off. I hate bookers—They catch acts at supper shows. I hate managers—They like to write acts. I hate agents—They think the acts are working for them Instead of vlaa versa. I hate agents—because they really expect their commission. I hate songwriters—They are al- ways backing me into a corner while they read me their latest sure-hit. I hate foreign acts—because they are always talking about "Mockin- elly." I think show people are the best pcoplo on earth and I love them all. Lee Willmott. F. P. Paid Rothchild $51 Share; Partington Asking San Francisco. Dec. 28. Jack Partington, stage director at the Granada has brought suit against Herbert Uothchild, formerly owner of the Granada and other houses which be sold to Famous Plaj'ers. Partington alleges he owned 1.000 shares of stock in the Kothchild company, which he allowed Koth- child to dispose of with the theatre sale to F. P. i'artington's suit is based on the fact, as he states, that Itothchild paid him only the boolc value, $22 a share, but that he col- lected $51 a share from F. P. Part- ington wants the $29,000 difference. FRISCnXA BONNER'S DECREE Los Angeles, Dec. 28. A Cliristmas girt for Priscilla Bonner, screen actress, came In the form of a divorce granted by Su- perior Court Judge Gates from Alan Alexander, her husband. Miss Bonner charged him with desertion, claiming he left her a year ago. Deceptive Husband Los Angeles, Dec. 28. Mrs. Ellen U. V. Wll/lama was granted an innulment of her mar- riage by Superior Court Judge Gates from John S. Williams, who told her he w.ia a great moving pic- ture actor and turned out to be a chicken fighter. She said that Wil- liams promoted cock fights and had been arrested and fined for holding them. Also, that after their mar- riage he told her she would not have to work so hard. Wanting to unburden her mind and enjoy the Ynletlde holidays, Mrs. Williams had the trial of the c.oac cxi>edltcil. WILL MAHONEY B. F. Ketth'.s Palace, New York, this week, and B. F. Keith's Palace, next week. Will Mahoney now i>laying two consecutive weeks at tlio premier vaudeville house of the world takes this opportunity of wi.shing every- one the most happy and prosperous New Year possible. Direction RALPH G. FARNUM (Edw. 8. Keller office)