Variety (April 1926)

mm" VARIETY FOREIGN t Wednetdajr, April 28. 1926 AUSTRAUA Sydney, March 27. Tlie 1926 Roasun has been quite a lucky one so far for the manage- ments as regards successes. Wlll- iamsun-Talt started off with ••Katja." followed by "Give and Tako." and later or "Whltft Cargo." All three productions are playing to great business, with "Cargo" an absolute knockout. Fuller-Ward have done very well "With their productions at the Grand Opera House. Thl.s week they open their new plavhouse, St. James, with "No. No. isianotte." This pUy broke records In Melbourne when first produced. Frank Neil is flni.shing a go(Kl run with "Are You a Mason?" at the G. O. H. Playhouse, which will be taken over at h^a.stcr by William Hussell. Tlvoll Is doing capacity business this weelc^ Dollle and Blllle and Guutier's Bricklayers are the fea- tured acts. Dorothy Broun did well at the piano; Walter Nillson nicely Tvith cycle act; Dollle and BiUle held up show with singing and dancin.1?; Gautier's Bricklayers one of best dog acts seen here; Ben Nee One, nicely with songs and gags; Fulvo held attention, bal- ancing act. Bill one of the strong- est seen at this house. Booked by ^ck Musgrove. Theatrea, Pty. WllUamson-Talt claim absolute ownership of the play "Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman. Plaintiffs allege that defendants permitted the play to be publicly performed by means of moving pie- ture. One big attraction tbla month was the opening of the annual Rosral Easter Fair at the show grounds. This huge fair draws the country folk who come to the city In thou- sands. Naturally, this means big gropses at the theatres. The weather Is now cooler and ideal for those seeking inside amu.Mcments. Ray TelUer and his San Francisco orchestra are giving special Sunday concerts at St. Kllda, Melbourne. Telller has Just signed for another year In Australia. COL ROOSEVELT, SPEAKER Expected at Jewish Guild Meeting May 4 at Bijou Great business this week at Ful- lers. Jim Gerald, revue comedian. Is the draw. Southwood and Pink Lady, fair singing; The Murfaynes, clever musical act; Mile. DeLarge flcored, violin and songs; Cavana Duo did well, wire walking; Jim Qerald and his troupe filled in sec- ond half and scored laughs. "The Iron Horse" is playing to capacity at Prince Edward. Film In for run. "Tho Phantom of Uie Opera" Is drawing great business to the Crys- tal Palace. Melbourne Royal—"Lilac Time" Is a very big r lilt here; WllUamson-Talt. His Majesty's—Anna Pavlowa re- ceived tremendous reception on opening. Season booked for four weeks; Wllllamson-Tait. Princess—"The Honeymoon Girl" aid but fairly here. Company left to present "Nanette" In Sydney; Ful- ler-Ward. "Renee Kelly Is finishing good run of "Daddy Long Legs" re- vival at Kings; Williamson-Talt. Antheneum—"Sport of Kings." Negro Minstrels are playing re- turn season at Tivoli. Ella Shields played part of week, but forced to cancel owing to Illness. Rest of bill Includes Rupert Hazel, Harmston's Birds and "The Benos." At the next meeting of the Jewish Theatrical Guild Col. Theodore Roosevelt has promised to address the audience. The meeting will be held at the BlJou theatre, on West 45th street, next Tuesday evening (May 4) at 11.15, open to members and guests. Big Production of ''Nanette" in ParU Paris, April 27. The French vorslon of "No, No. Nanette," arranged by Robert De Slmone, due tomorrow (Wednes- day) night at the Mogador will probably be postponod a few days because of the extenslveness of pro- duction. The Isola Brothers, producers, are splurging with advertising for the piece. It Is expected to be one of the biggest undertakings In staging to have taken place this season. umm \ London, April 18. The hastily revived "Fata Mor# gana." which lasted three weeks' at the Savoy, Is replaced by another -evlval, "The Sport of Kings.- Fol- lowing on that will be Norman Mc- Kinnell's new play, "Intimate Ene- mies," In which be will be the star and producer. HARRY A. WHITE Sailing on the Mauretanla today. Opening at the Apollo, Paris, May 7, for a run of 8 weeks. Assisted by Miss Ewlng Baton formerly of "Artists and Models." Direction: WM. MORRIS, Foster Agency Bijou—Negro Wyer Kevue. Minstrels; Gayle Notes Fuller-Ward v/ill urt'scnt "Merce- nary Mary" at the Princess theatre, Melbourne. Eiister week. A special Jazz band will take the phtce of the regular house orchestra. Russian Chorus in Japan With Italian Opera Co. San Francisco, April 27. Reglna Sens, American coloratura soprano, who is said to have won fame in Europe, arrived here from the Orient last week after having walked out of an Italian operatic organization In Tokyo. Miss Senz Joined this organization in Europe for a world tour. All went well until they reached the Japanese capital and a Russian chorus was engaged. This, she said, was too much and she quit. Miss Sena Is the daughter of a New York wigmaker and began her operatic career in the ballet of the Metropolitan Opera. Hugh J. Ward arrived back in Ausirulia three days prior to the oi)cning of tho St. James theatre. Sydney. Mr. Ward stated he had B«^cured the Australian rights of "Abie's Irish Rose." Herschel Healere Is playing a aca eon In western Australia prior to his departure for London after a second season with Williuni.son-TaiL Further developments are expect- ed In the Lee White and Clay Smith bankruptcy case when the two prln clpals arrive back In Sydney after their Brisbane season. Frank Al bert. a big music warehouseman of this city, is acting as their bonds man. "White Cargo" la proving such a remarkable success here that a spe cial midnight performance will be given. This Is the first time in Aus tralian theatrical history that any- thing of this nature has occurred. The next attraction at the Prince IVlward following "The Iron Horse" will be Paramount'R "Tho Wan derer." Guy Bates Post, after a record season in N«w Zealand, has been '^*it\t .to Brl«bane by Williamson Tait. where he will appear In "The Bad Man." Mr. Post later on will pro' ood to Ix)ndon, where he hope« to produce "The Masquerader." Daredevil's "Break ff Sydney, March 27. Bobby Leach, the man who went over Niagara Falls In a barrel, fell and broke his leg In New Zealand. Leach slipped on an orange skin. He was about to begin a tour of the Dominion. GERMANY Mi FEATURE Income Limited for Costly Pic- tures— Only Specials for U. S. Market Worth While Robert Courtneidge is Joining forces with Seymour Hicks in the fall, and will probably start their first joint production with "An-> thony and Anna," by St John Er- vlne. which has already been pro- duced by the Liverpool Repertory Co. One of the most discussed of re- cent novels has been "The Portrait of a Man With Red Hair," by Hugh Walpole. The book has been drama- tized and there is likelihood of Its production in the West End with Henry Ainley in the leading role. Maurice Moscovitch Is reviving "The Great Lover" at the Shaftes- bury, where It originally scored a sucess six years ago. He leaves for an Australian tour after this production. For the fifth year in succession, the King and Queen will attend the variety performance given in aid of the Variety Artists' Benevolent Fund May 27, to be again held at the Alhambra, where last year $13,000 was realized. Sir Oswald Stoll is covering all expenses, as hitherto, so the fund will benefit to the full. Cyril Maude, who intends to tire, will make a farewell appear- ance In London In "Peter Grimm" and will then return to the States for a three months' lecturing tour prior to settling down in hU Devon- shire home to write his memoirs. Dezso Retter has signed a con- tract with the Shuberts to open in a production in the middle of May at a salary of $800. Owing to the number of Sunday play producing societies having in- creased to about 14, an attempt Is being made to amalgamate some of those pool resources, and weed out inferior plays. This would prevent the "clashing" that has been notice- able of late. Percy Hutchison is trying out "Cock o* the Roost" in the prov- inces, and will bring the result to the West End some time In May. Dennis Iladie returns to the West End after a year's absence, when "Doctor Knock" is produced at the Royalty. April 27. This is a transla- tion by Granville Barker of a com- edy in three acts by Jules Romnln. Other members of the company will be Barbara Gott, Annie Esmond, Minnie Rayner, Cllve Currle. Law- rence Hanray, Ivor Barnard. "Mr, Pepys," at present in possession, will be transferred to another house. Elsie Janis is due to appear In Paris shortly, after which she will come to London In the production "Puzzles of 1926.- LONDON (Continued from page 68) York. I know he will use his beneficent kindliness. If it were done properly, under the best auspices, Boughton's opera should repeat, in America, its success here, where two Royal Princesses used to go every other night Boughton himself never went once. Americans Abroad Paris, April 14. F. W. Blanchard (of Hollywood Bowl); Mrs. Bud Fisher, Rose Eisen, planisLe; Mrs. James Walker, James Slattcry, boxer); Elsie Janis, George C. Tyler, producer; Arthur S. Ver- nay, art expert; Richard H. Ranger (Radio Corp. of America); John Gunthcr, Journalist; Frank M. Gil- lespie, theatrical director; May Col- lins, Mrs. Adrlenne Morrison Ben- nett, actress; Ralph Barton, cari- caturist; Miss Ethelynde Smith, concert singer. OGEE'S SKIT FOR STANDING London. April 13. Wyndharo Standing Is here pre- paring for a vaudeville tour which will embrace most of the big picture houses. His vehicle Is a specially written comedy playlet by Ivan Pat. rick Gore. The action opens as a picture which, at a certain point, fades out Into a full-stage setting when the action of the play starts. The "shots" for the picture portion are being made in the West End and rehear- sals for the playlet are carried on when the "sun goes in." Berlin. April 14. The last year haa definitely proved that the German picture industry can be self-supporting without the aid of America when it produces program features at a moderate cost. However, big expensive specials are bound to lose money unless they are also suitable (or the American market. Even though Germany is expen sive today in many ways, it is still possible to turn out an adequate feature at from between 80,000 to 100,000 marks ($20,000 to |26,000). If the film is well received in Germany proper It can bet back its cost froih this district alone. It is then com- paratively easy to sell it to Austria, Poland, the Baltic and Balkan states, Switzerland, Holland and the Scan- dinavian countries. From these a neat profit Is returned. If the film Is first rate. France, England, Italy. Spain, Japan and several South American countries also buy It. These assure at least 100 per cent profit on the investment. It is true that some German films have taken In as high as $250,000 In Germany alone. But these were al- ways specials, which had cost two to three times as much as that to produce. And only about once a 3'ear do such phenomena occur. In other words, they cannot be reck- oned with In drawing up a previous trial balance. Experience has proved that films which cost over $126,000 do not pay In Europe. They must find a market In America in order to give adequate returns on the Investment. Such films as the "Nlbelungen" and the coming "Metropolis" by the same director are bound to go on the debit side of the booli[(i| unless they find real favor in the united States. In short, one may safely draw the con- clusion that Germany will have to give up producing big features un- less they Intend them merely as an advertisement for the German movie and for German industrial life in general. Pleasing Marie Makes It Pay If yon have a Marie Tempest, get her to play "The Cat's Cradle" as soon as possible. A young man, who retired from the Indian Civil Service through lit health, married a wife who had written a book—something about the war. They determined to learn to write plays; so they wrote six. This one was acted In the suburbs, after which the authors went to Monte Carlo, enjoying their little success. There they met Alban Llmpus, who had found "Hay Fever,'* a great success here, a failure on your side. They wrote in a Marie Tempest part to please him—and herl You should have seen their bow, when success came, the other night They stood on the stage like a pair of gumps, while he blathered and she stared at him with black admiring eyes. They come from everywhere—dramatists. They usually succeed when they repeat themselves. Benn Leny, who wrote the new Haymarket success, is a young Oxford man of 24. The Wives of Dramatists Somerset M£UJgham Is back In Europe, his wife tells me, after one of those long Journeys Into the wilds. Mrs. Maugham getting tired of being merely a pretty wife, not long ago, -set up in an antique shop on her own In Baker street. Some women don't like being Just a dramatist's wife. Before many months* had passed, she was making $75,000 a year out of It. They say her prices are high; but so are Maugham's. This reminds me that, not many months ago, Mrs. Arnold Bennett called on me to complain that she only got 12 cents a word for her writings, whereas her husband got half a dollar. "It isn't fair," she said. "But If you weren't his wife," I replied, "yoU wouldn't get anything." So she walked out again. Irving's Imperial Midgets have arrived In this country under con- tract to Fuller's, Ltd. They will be- gin their Au.stralian season in Mel- bourne this week. On behalf of WiIllam.«»on-Talt. Ltd., a writ l^as been Issued against Universal Film Manufacturing Com- pany of Australia and Associated Theatre's 150th Anniversary Vienna, April 14. The famous playhouse here, the Burg, founded by Emperor Joseph II, celebrated its 160th anniversary this month. It was formerly the court rendezvous, under tho control of the Austrian government, and Is now operated by the Republican authori- ties as a state institute. F. Lesslng's comedy, "Minna von Barnhelm," was played for the 150th anniversary, thin having been the play with which the theatre was inaugurated. Deaths Abroad Paris, April It.* Germaine Fouilleul» actress, pro- fessionally Wanda Sylvano, died under mysterious conditions at Courbevole, a suburb of Paris, thought due to an overdose of drugs. Juliette Nova, former music h.ill p^rforme (French). Henri Dirkf^ Belgian picture ex- hibitor, at Antwerp. Duohesse de Rohan, 71, FVench authoress, in Paris. Maurice Level, French playwright and Journalist (author of "Mado."> One Up I rather upset a learned speech by Ilolford Knight at a debating .society, last Sunday. He was arguing for a national theatre. He drearied on, with the old arguments. In my reply, I pointed out that the most virile drama In the world, at the moment, was the American theatre, and that the worst was the French. "If a national theatre Is necessary for Art,"'I asked, "why la It that France has the Comedle Francnise, an effete worn-out mausoleum, that lives on the dole, while America merely has Jake Shubert and Al Woods?- I don't know what happened afterwards; I had stalked out of the room—to got to the theatre. Alfred Lugg Resigns Alfred Lugg and the council of the Actors Association have resigned, so that that body, which once had 6.000 members, but now has only 500, can reshape itself into a fighting force. The 18,000 actors of England have let the association down badly. It got them standard touring contracts with the help of Sydney Valentine, who dropped back on the stage with a paralytic stroke while the final resolution was being passed. The Stage Guild and ltd snobbishae^s have killed the Actors Associa- tion. "We won't belong to a trade union," say the nice members of the profession, although they Join the Actor's Equity, the moment they land in New York. Little do they remember, says Alfred Lugg, that It was Norninn Mc- Klnnei who proposed that the association should become a trade union, and that It was Allan Aynesworth, a dear old dignified Conservative, who secured the resolution that they should be a closed .Mhop. Sir Frank Benson, now a knight, was one of the founders of the as- sociation; Henry Irving was its first president; Robert Courtneidge, now a rich manager, was once a driving power. Now England's actors owe their association $100,000 In subscriptions'; more than that, the 12 cents levy imposed when a member dies haii been so ignored that $3!>,000 In death levies is still due. How the managers hate Alfred Lugg! How the very respectable actors hate Alfred Lugg! But he Is a fine speaker, too clever for them; and he can think. To i will find him a labor member of Parliament, before long, I have no d(»ubt.