Variety (April 1926)

Wednesday, April 7, 1926 FOREIGN VARIETY PANTAGES PAYING MORE ABROAD FOR AOS IHAN BIG TIME CIRCDITS SO Of, More Salary Offered by Pan Than K-A or Or- pheum—'Three-a-Day'' CuU No Figure—Return- ing Foreigners Played Three or More Shows London, April 6. London vaudeville agents are of- fering acta on this side fO per cent, more salary to play the Pantagea Circuit in America than haj been offered by either of the American tig time vaudeville circuits, Keith- Albee and Orpheum. Opposing agents take occasion to point out to acta receiving the Pan- tagea offers that on the Pantages time in America the playing policy la three or more performances daily. This is being answered by the turns stating that foreign acts re- turning from your side after playing on a Keith-Albee or Orpheum con- tract have stated that practically all of "big time" they played in America was in theatres giving three or more performances dally. Lyons May Take Over Oxford, London, for Cafe London, April 6. It is reported here that the Lyons ieaterlng organization Is negotiating to take over the Oxford to convert- ing it Into a restaurant, along the linea of their famoua "corner houses." Neither C. B. Cochran or the Lyons people will deny or alArm the story. Monty Qluckstein, managing di- rector for the Lyons firm, is very friendly with Cochran. It waa Qluckstein who engaged the pro- ducer to stage the ahows at the Trocadero (restaurant) and backed hla Pavilion productions. Spanish Revue Hits Paria. April •. The ahow produced by Jos4 Pa- dllla at the Champs ElysAes music hall for Rolf de Mar6 seems to have caught on. notwithstanding no par- ticular novelty Is incorporated. This Revue Espagnole comprises A series of dances and songs by talented performers recruited from Castille to Andalusia, the latest re- cruit being Maria Manzanes. All of the limelight is spread on the composer of Valencia who has written half li dozen morceaux specially for this production, of which there is not much to be said. It is a Padilla show ahd as such wlU attract. INDEX Mitcsllaneous , Foreign , Vaudeville Vaudeville Reviews . Presentatione—Bills Burlesque Sports • • • • • • •eee«et«#e • • • • Timet Square Women's Page Newt from the Dailies l-egitimate L»Bitimrfte Reviews . Pictures " ••••••••••••••••• Editorials . ••••••••••••••• Picture Reviews 36- Film House Reviews..40- Pretentations L>iterati . Radio .. Music .. . Cabaret Bills Cauarei •••••••<••.. *J\%V Reviews Outdoors Inside Stuff—VaudeviVie!; Inside Stuff—Legit Inside Stuff—Music nside Stuff—Pictures ... Inside Stuff—Outside .... Obituary Correspondence Letter List 1 2-3 4-7 12-13 14-16 8 10 11 10 17-23 22-23 24-42 16 38-39 41-42 30 • 31 43 43-47 47 46-47 44 48-49 6 19 43 34 48 50 63 63 WHITEMAN MUST PAY IF PLAYING THEATRE Here's Another Argument in Favor of Reprisal Bill in Congress London, April 6. On the protest of the musicians' union that 32 of their number would be thrown out of work, permission for appearance of Paul Whiteman and his orchestra at the Tivoll theatre (pictures) has been with- drawn. It looks very much like one of those things where either White- man, or somebody, will have to pay the native players, which seems to be all they seek. The Tivoll management has de- nied the allegation of the union but if Whiteman is to double*from the Kit Cat Club to this house It's fair- ly sure that someone will have to pay the union boys for the privilege. THE ARTFUL JAPS- THEm APING WAYS Variety Bureau* Washlnffton. April t. Uncle Sam. through the Commer- cial Law Division of the Depart- ment of Commerce, Is watching the Japs. Not for any warlike moves that might result in armed hostili- ties, but because the Japs are ap- propriating many decidedly Ameri- can ''institutions'* in their trade marke thereby cashing In on the popularity of the particular "insti- tution" selected. The latest of these is Jackie Coo- gan. A Jap concern proposing to make use of the Qoo^an name and face as a trade mark on fac3 pow- ders, toilet waters, perfumes and the like. The Jap Arm in question (T. Takase) has applied for such a trade mark under the Japanese law. The application was duly reported to Washington by this government's trade representative stationed there. Now the department is querying Jackie, his Dad, his Ma and his managers as to whether or not per- mission has been granted in this instance. Bernard A. Koslckl. of the depart- ment, states that such instances have become fairly common of late, although this is the first time the Japs have selected a popular screen player. They uflually take a widely adver- tised make of automobile, stated Koslckl, with the name being iden- tified with an entirely new product, 1. e., "Pierce Arrow" in Japan may be a dye soap; "Nash," a lead paint; and "Chevrolet," a stick of grease psint. Koslckl soys the department is doing everything posMlble to stop the practice. BARRIE OLIVER ''LONDON'S BOY-FRIEND" Playing Eighth Month in Lon- don's Kxclusive Supper Clubs. Playing Fourth Return date at Kit Cat Club. Playing Eighteenth Consecutive week at Uncle's Club. Hooked Indefinitely... .and How? FOSTER'S AGENCY...Kesponai- ble. LONDON CAFES REACH OUT FOR CLASS TALENT Nilsen Fysher & Co. at Cavour —De Sales Scoring—Also Grant and Wing - London, April C The Cavour restaurant In Leices- ter Square, well known to American visitors, has blossemed forth more widely into the cabaeet field. Hither- to they have had dancing acts and special bands, but now they have signed up Nilsen Fysher for a sea- son starting this month. Fyscher will be supported by Helene Chappy. Dora Stroeva and Nlta Jo, all of whom supported him In his popular "Chei Fysher^ show at Oddenlno's last year. Ardath de Sales. American dancer from "Mercenary Mary," has been appearing around supper time at the small Ches Victor (dance club) and at Clro's, one of the earliest of Lon* don's night clubs. Orant and Wing, American dancers, are scoring. LONDON AS IT LOOKS By HANNEN SWAFFER London, Murch 26. The Astaires—And Titles The Prince of Wales will soon have to pet his drosa clothes out again. The Astaires are due back in a Lomlon show In 10 days' time. When they were here last, no one lower than a duke waa allowed to pass the stage door. I once saw Prince Henry in the Savoy hotel with the Astaires, at two o'clock in the morning. Yes. and I have myself seen the dressing tabic in Fred Autaire's room, near which the Prince of Wales himself stood! How many times the Mountbattens went to "Stop Flirting"—have l»een lost. Our royalty is tV^voTed lo art. Yet the Ablalrcs have always met me, Justt H'ko licfore. Kvcn mixing with princelings docs not turn their heads. Perhaps they know Ma Hylan. You Americans thought you were going to turn the Empire theatre into a picture palace In a few months. But the Astaires may stop you; for the London version of. "Laily, He Good," for which I saw them re- hearsing, looks like being a big winner. Gershwin Remembers George Gershwin, now said to earn $5,000 a week with his composi- tions, told me at lunch that he can remember how, when he waa earn- ing $15 a week as piano player to a music publishing Arm in New York, the Astaires were almost his room mates. They were then unknown; and ao was he. Now, Gershwin is not only superintending 'l^ady. Be Good,** but counting up his profits of "Tip Toes" and "Song of the Flamo" in New York, arranging two London bullets written to his "Raphsody in Blue"— not quite certain, though, who Kar.savina is—and proudly showing me the Otto Kahn. Irving Caesar, Paul Whltemon, Irving Berlin cigaret case, given him by 30 famous folk In memory of his flrst concerto. You Americans certainly hang together. We English hang ourselves, separately. A Tom Douglas Debacle "The Snow Man** melted, even more quickly than they swept 'he "Ashes" away. The Cathcart nonsense bored for eight performances. "The Snow Man" has gone, one show quicker than that. Really, I thought Tom Douglas, who was the Snow Man, was going to stop; but no, "Fata Morgana" Is to be put on, specially for his amuse- ment, immediately. If some of you Americans would send him his car fare home. It might put an end to his troubles. At present, ho means, *r moons. In dramatic calf-love lunacy of various kinds. The Boy Scouts will have to stop It, if nobody else does. When someone kneels down on the stage and asks God to make him a good movie actor, you can't be sure God will understand. Anything can happen. TORINO REPEATS DT BERUH Berlin. April %. Torino, Juggler, opened his second month's engagement within the sea- son at the Winter Garden. A repeat date at this theatre so soon la unusual. Valentino Outdone Archie Selwyn refused to buy "L'lnsoumlse" when he saw it with Adolph Zukor in Paris. When he saw Ainley in "Prince FaxlU" the English adaptation of the same thing, this week, he made an offer. Ainley should go to the States himself, to play this part. Tou haven't a sheik In the whole of Hollywood quite like him. They have cleaned the play up, now, according to the approved Cathcart tradition—or is It extradition?—by making the French woman who married the Arab chief only a friend of the other man, and not his mistress. So the sheik does not murder her In the end, but only com- mits double suicide, which Is more respectable, from our Western point of view. Wife Who Wants to Know There Is one line—the play where the French wife, arriving at her husband's harem, points to the wives and says, "Which one Is it to be tonight?" This might go well on the movies. But another line, where she said. "You euneuchs are all the same." was discreetly cut. This line might be put back for Oshkosh. AJ Woods would like this play. Morris Gest would say It would be better with Lady Diana in the star part. Bam Shlpman would tell you how he could have written it worse. It chiefly surprised me because Madge Tltheradge has always been most respectable In the parts she plays. When she forged * will In "A Doll's House." it was the only crime In her stage life. Now she joins a harom, most respectably. LONDON 'Big Business' Looks Good For Two Countries London, April 6. "Big Business," an Anplo-Amer- Ican finance play by Wllli.un Devereaux and Htarring Oscnr Asche. waR vnAX recj-ivcd uprm its premi'^r la.«t ni^ht (Mf)n'lay) at the (lolfh^ra (Iieen liippo'lroiiKv Tills work sct nis suit iM" f*>r (h«' St a toH. London, March 27. Harry Charles Luplno. the panto- mlmist and father of Luplno (Nip- per) Lane and Wallace Luplno, who died recently, left an estate valued at $826. Charlie O'Donnell. late of the Two Rascals (Charlie O'Donnell and Eddie Fields), ha^ formed % new combination under the name of the Three Rascals. This is composed of Charlie O'Donnell Ben Levin (an East End bol) and Len Chllds (Childs Brotners). Violet Loralne, operated on re- cently, has been compelled to under- go another operation, but Is getting on as well as can be expected. THE TILLER DANCING SCHOOLS Or-n for . ..irnltPd Number of Pupil* PHyate l.ei«noBa f IrtHweii of A OF AMERICA, Inc. 226 West 72d Street NEW YORK Bruce Winston Is about to pro< 2 London Closings London, April 6. "Summer Lightning" closed at the Comf'dy Saturday after a fort- n;;rht'3 run. It is succeeded by "The Man From Toronto," a re- vival st.'irrinp Iris Hocy. "Tlx; H.»t U-nfot" also flnlshed at flir- QiM'-n's. I^ynn Ovorinan will nl fiMrii Havre on tlie "I/U }• r;i!i('\" April 14. rhone: Rndirott 8^15-< MAKT RKAD Secretary R. Talmadge With U TiOfl Anrrolifl, April 6. A C';:rlos lin.s s'.^rnod a contract •Ait.'i I riivi-rsal \vhf.Tel>y future 111' li ird TalrnadK'e productlonR will l>tj t' I< as> d L)ir'»wf;h Universal. V. v.. O. Im h'f-n handling the Taloi "j^'i; tili.iH for several years. duce an adaptation of a norel by Ralph Straus entitled "The Un- seemly Adventure." Frederick Cooper and Faith Celll will play the leads, and, after a provincial run. the production may come to London. Elaine Bordonl are In the bill at the moment. Two pioneer cabaret shows to go out of business are the Queen's Hail Roof and the OraftoB Galleries. Wilfred Fentlman has had a re- markable careor broken up abruptly at times by the police. He has been proprietor of a traveling "Bast Lynne" company, proprietor i.f the- atres, muslo halls and cinemas, dramatic vaudeville, fllm agent, manager and actor. Last summer he arrived In a northern town, formed a company and bought the local theatre, married a wealthy girl furnished a mansion lavishly on credit, got a fS.OOO motor car en the same plan, sold what he could and vanished. He then became a poultry farmer. In this capacity he sold a brother farmer geese to the extent of |76. AI^*.. he had no geese and the police ^ot him. He has now gone Into retirement for three years. Col(»nel Elwy Jones, one of the several brothers who control the H. E. Jonee Co., conducting hotels and restaurants throuKhout Eng- I.'ind, IncJidinfi the phenomenally r.uccoH.sful IMcradllly Hotel, is en- Kar' d to n»arry Htpphanlc Stnphons. wf.U-knoivn revue and ntuuical roriMMly arti.st. Col. Jonon has been d^'votlng his time th« i»aHt your to the Kit-cat Club, of which he Is secretary. The Criterion appears to be the flrst of London's famous restaunints and hott'lB to drop cabaret once Mta.'-trd. Instead of the full iiijojr on rh»» roof It Is now rf>nlf rif with an occasional turn. Arthur LMeln and Jack Hylton and his band are out of the Piccadilly and his place Is being taken by Don Parker. Parker and his band, an all-Urltlsh organ- isation, have been at the hotel for over two and a half years. Beq Albert, vaudeville and pan- tomime comedian, who died last De- cember, left esUte valued at The rebuilding of the Vaudeville has mado a bl^ difference In Maiden Lane, once the spiritual home of the profession. Grimy looking build- ings have given way to a backstage which might well be the entrance to a klnetna. The death Is announced of Ernest Dottrldge at the age of 67. He was one of the most Important and pop- ular theatre owners and touring managers in the provinces. To follow "Hay Fever" at the Cri- terion, Marie Tempest has serured "Cat's Cradle." by Aimee and Philip Stuart, to be produced April 8. ^TUNES' 'PRODUCTKNIS^ PICTURES GOWNS INPiyjpUALS «NKIDBR«' '229 wae 8T New vqrk