Variety (May 1926)

Wednesd ay. May 0, 1*28 All ROGERS DEMANDS KING AND $3,750 FOR LONDON CABARET jletropole's Management Says Can't Guarantee King land Will Give Humorist $1,250—English Cabaret Managers Meet to Talk Over High Salaries London, May 4. ^reaentatlves of Ave cabarets, JK|n7th« Midnight Follies. Pic 2m|y (hotel), Cavour, Cafe de Ttrts and Prince's have been hold- I* meetings to avoid competition Tfr American cafe artists as a JJJlt of bidding having inflated *jf*ir the consensus of opinion iJtog loc* 1 c aDftret men tnat So " tH* Tucker has been the only JSiy paid performer to justify fc? price here. Will Rogers has offered to play ♦kiMetropolo Follies at $3,750 «iekhr on the condition that the {lag come to see him. Clifford Whitley, representing the Meiro- management, replied that the Klaf never frequents cabarets and tlfered $1,250 for the American hu- Another item concerning the cabaret men Is the Paul Whlteman Orchestra not Justifying the Kit Cat engagement where supper prtoaa were raised but have sub- ■eotttnUy been returned to the fe«*r scale. The band was a great meets* at Albert Hall and is a tremendous attraction at the Tlv- •Ut although a shortage of draw- ing power cropped up in some provincial towns while the Kit Cat (eaharet) condition is somewhat attributable to the size of the room with the band consequently sound- ing noisy. The Kit Cat has paid American performers nearly $200,000 In the put year and the Ministry of La- bor recently told Sir Francis Towle. managing director of the Motro- pofti and Gordon hotels. It was viewing with concern the large rams leaving England In this man- ner because of the issuing of pass- port*. This point was especially emphasised through the few sala- ries earned by cabaret artists sub- ject to this country's Income tax. Aliens are not taxed here unless a* tlx months' residence has been established. 'WORKING UP INTEREST IN FOREIGN FAKIRS Two in London Pitted Against Each Other—Censor Stops Tahra Bey in Public Critio Reinstated London, May 4. The order barring Griffith, critic tor the "Evening Standard," from the Globe theatre, has been re ecinded by Anthony Prlnseps. The "disciplining" was instituted because of Griffith having written a depreciating review on Margarot Bannerman. INDEX Miscellaneous 1 Foreign 2-3 Pictures 4-21 Picture Reviews 18-20-21 Picture Presentations.... 24 Film House Reviews 23-24 Vaudevi}?* 25-34 VaudevilU Reviews 22-23 New Acta 22 d:ii •••••••••••••• —— _"^leecjue 38 •ports 38 Times 8quar« \\„ 39 Women'. Page 40 Nowa from the Dailies... 38 Editorials . 41 •terati .. 17 Intimate 42-47 Legitimate Reviews 45 m. . • 48 Mu *>0 . . . 4A.4Q , '••••••••«•••••••• iTV T» Wants 49 Cabaret Bill. 49 Xl!* c,00r « 60-53 Obituary 54 Correspondence .*!.*!!!!!! 56 Letter List 63 lne.de Stuff—Pictures.... 16-34 * 44 —Legitimate. 41 m u —Vaudeville. 29 —Outdoors 61 FOREIGN Back on Same Boat VARIETY London, May 4. Richard Ilardmun of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., New York music publishers, arriving hero April 30 on the "Majestic," re- turned totlny on the same boat. LONDON CLOSING DOWN? (Continued from I) London, May 4. The competition of fakirs between Archie Selwyn and A. E. Abrahums permitted of developments here when the Lord Chamberlain barred Abrahams' disciple, Tahra Bey, from public performances after his initial demonstration. Meanwhile Selwyn's charge, Rahman Bey, had flown across the Channel from Paris for a special showing. Selwyn had announced a private show by Rahman Bey for Sunday (May 2). Abrahams hastily requi- sitioned Tahra Bey for a special session at the Scala last Wednesday (April 28). This action brought about Selwyn's command that Rah- man fly here from Paris to stage his magic for the press at the Savoy Hotel one night ahead of his op- position, or Tuesday (April 27). It was after Tahra's demonstra- tion that the censor sapped in whereupon Rahrnan's first official showing took place before a dis- tinguished audience, comprising royalty, physicians and a large rep- resentation from the London Coun- ty Council, took place at the Little theatre. Both fakirs work along the same lines with little to choose between them. Rahman la probably the quicker at mind reading. The main triek of each Is a "buried alive" episode. The local dailies have refused to become excited about either one of the Egyptians, but America will probably enthuse sufficiently to warrant both succeeing on your side British Press Is Skeptical Over America's War Film London, May 4. The British press is waiting with keen Interest for the opening of "The Big Parade" at the Tlvoli, ex- pecting American propaganda and "we won the war" titles. John Powers, here with the film, assures everybody there is nothing objectionable to England In the pic- ture, but the newspapermen are skeptical. Openings in Paris Paris. May 4. Elsie J.~iis enjoyed a most suc- cessful opening at the Champs Elysees (vaudeville) and will be that theatre's feature attraction for two weeks. Francis Wood and Violette are featured at the Apollo while Harry White and Manny are due to open very soon. Woodward's Mule has Joined the revue at the Palace. was the sense of cablegrams flying back and forth yesterday. One new American production which may weather the strife la "Lady, Be Good." It has a buy from the libraries for 12 weeks amounting to about $150,000. Prior to opening Lloyds offered to insure this musi- cal against loss at a cost of approxi- mately $750 weekly, but as the time for the strike approached the pre- mium was Increased. The show has been drawing $22,000 weekly. It is assumed that the libraries (ticket agencies) can be held by the managers to a buy if already taken and the big corporations temporar- ily housing their employes In office buildings because of lack of transport facilities should make theatre patronage. Another meeting of the managers is to be held today when a decision in general may be reached. If not, another meeting will be held to- night Picture house and cabaret man- agements are remaining open for the present although they say that tonight's attendance will have a large influence upon their immediate action. "Intimate Enemies,* scheduled to open tonight at the Savoy has been indefinitely postponed. The Adelphl. Winter Garden. Shaftesbury, Apollo, His Majesty's and St. Martin's are quite likely to close at once. They are legit theatres and if closing will act in dependently of the managers' meet lng, although represented at it Another angle to the strike is that It has driven all the Americans here to the Continent. Hotels have suddenly become depleted. New York's Opinion In New York shipping circles yes- terday (Tuesday) the opinion was advanced to a Variety reporter seeking Information concerning the tourist trade abroad (with many professionals booked for going across for pleasure) that if the British strike is prolonged Great Britain may edict against non-resi- dents entering the country. It was also stated that sailing reservations are being accepted in New York, conditionally, for Eng- lish boats. The New York dailies yesterday touching upon the sailing question during the strike and to its early state, reported that while the Eng- lish boats at present la the port of New York would make the return trip, through contracted English crews for a round trip voyage, there was no certainly as to the action of the crews when reaching their English destination. The same applied to the English flag flying passenger ships on the water bound for New York, they said. COCHRAN'S NEW REVUE, LONDON, ENTITLED TO BE TERMED "SMASH" Can Come to New York "As Is" with Low Comedian Added—"Ringer," New, Hit Drama—"Doctor , Knock," Comedy, Won't Do JACK HYLTON AGAIN IN WRONG" IN LONDON London. May 4. The booking arrangement where- by Ted Lewis will appear at the Kit Cat Club at the head of a Jack Hylton band, Instead of his own, has been confirmed by cable with Hylton agreeing to furnish the band. It is now alleged that Hylton wrote the authorities protesting against Lewis and upon hearing of it the Kit Cat management severed all future business relations with Hyl- ton Hylton has been reported booked for America on several occasions but he has hesitated to cross be- cause of the controversy with Paul Specht which occurred two years ago. The English band leader is now reported to be engaged for an appearance in the States during September, but it is doubtful if he will sail.. Marion Davks 9 Film Boy Resembles Prince of Wales London, May 4. "Beverly of Graustark" has been approved by exhibitors after a trade showing, with the characterization of Marion Davles declared to re- semole the Prince of Wales. It is likely that the picture will follow "The Big Parade" into the Tivoli. Allen Asks $2,000 for Carleton's 'Tangerine^ London, May 4. Lester Allen, American comedian, has asked Carle Carleton $2,000 weekly to appear in Carleton's Lon- don production of "Tangerine." The engagement has not been closed. Carleton says ho will put "Tan- gerine- on here in association with William Gaunt The New York manager also states that he has the English speaking rights to "The Spanish Nightingale," current in Vienna. Douglas-Gerard Engagement London, May 4. A reported engagement of Tom Douglas to Teddle Gerard, both Americans, and here at present, does not appear to have impressed the show folks. Tiller Head Coming Over London, May 4. Mary Read, head of the New York Tiller school, sailed from here May 1 on the "BerenK-aria." THE TILLER DANCING SCHOOLS AMERICANS ABROAD In Paris—Vladimir Shaviteh, con. ductor of Syracuse Symphone con- certs; Mr. and Mrs. Rollln A- Mc- Grady; Miss Marguerite Morgan, pianist; Evelyn Hagara, opera singer; Donald Adams (president. International Rotary Clubs); Frank Alvah Parson j (N. T. Academy of Art); Laurette Taylor, Elsie J an la. Mrs. Irving Cobb, Arthur Train, Bud Fisher, Ernest Schelling (pianist), Mrs. Eva Gauthler (sing- er). Edward J. Holms* (Boston Fine Arts museum); Thos. D. Green, Hal Thompson, Harry J- Hark Ins, Samuel P. Loeds. David BL Mulli- gan (leaders of the American ho- tel delegates in Boxope); Gypsy Rhouma-Je, dancer; J. Hartley Manners. Grossmith's New Corp. London. May 4. At the conclusion of his director- ship in Grossmlth and Malone next June, Goorg© Grossmlth will become managing director of Casino Thea- tres, Ltd., which will have a capital of $1,000,000. The purpose is to erect a large theatre on the Meuz brewery site which faces the Oxford. London, May 4. A new revue, comedy and melo- drama are now in. Of the three the comedy is the box office weak- ling. Charles B. Cochran's new revue at the Pavilion looks good enough to be listed under a "smash" classi- fication, while "The Ringer," the "meller" at Wyndham's, was wildly acclaimed. "Doctor Knock," the odd member of this threesome, will have Its troubles at the Royalty. Announced as Cochran's final re- vue the latest extravaganza of this producer is responsible for the most artistic spectnele ever shown here in which the dancing of the versatile Spinelll, making her first appearance in London, was sensa- tional. Others dancers to em- phatically score, were Cortex and Peggy and Hamilton and and Bradford, all Americans. For New York the revue would only need a low comedian as con- trast to the general tone of the performance. Outside of that it could be exported "as is." Ronald Jeans Is responsible for the book with Con West and Laurie Wylle having contributed additional scenes. The major portion of the music is credited to Pat Thayer and Slssle and Blake with the settings and costuming having been done by William Nicholson and Elisabeth Drury, Doris Zinkcison, Paul and Germar Arnoux und Andre BolL The company of 80 also Includes Hermione Baddcley, Annie Croft (who replaced Elizabeth Hlnes) Joan Clarkaon, Greta Fayne, Lance Lister, Douglas Byng, Ernest Theslger, Basil Howe, Masslne, Vera Nemtchinova (Russian Ballet) and Laurie Devine. A sidelight on this opening was the attendance of Hannen Swaffer after Cochran had declared that the man whom Lord Northcllffe called "the poet" would never go a* his guest, and Swaffer reiterated by saying that he would never again enter a Cochran theatre. Drama Gets Over Edgar Wallace, novelist, is the author of "The Ringer," an absorb- ing melodrama. Blessed with a generally brilliant cast the first performance was more than enthusi- astically received. Amusing But Slim The doubtful plight of "Doctor Knock" is attributable to this French adaptation being of Insuf- ficient strength to fulfill the obliga- tions of a full evening's entertain- ment albeit an amusing satire. Granville Barker made the transla- tion of this Jules Romaln comedy. Dennis Eadle returns to the West End in the title role supported by Minnie Rayner, Ivor Barnard, Cllve Currie, Margaret Emden, Helena Plckard, Barbara Gotl, Lawrence Hauray and Annie Esmond. Agate, Critic, Barred London, May 4. James Agate, critic of the "Sun- day Times," was barred from Wyndham's upon the premiere there of "The Ringer." "Riki Tiki" Closed London, May 4. "Riki Tiki" closed suddenly at the Gaiety Saturday (May 1) after but a fortnight's stay. Russian Ballet June 7 London, May 4. Tho Russian ballet comes into His Majesty's June 7 and the Mo- zart play follows. SAILINGS May 15 (New York to Boulogne), Little I^ord Roberts (Vollendam). May 12 (From Now York to Lon- don) Six English Tivoli Girls (Ber- engarla). May 8 (New York to London), Elsie Bartlett (Olympic). May 5 (New York to London) Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Malevlnsky (Aquitanla). May t (New York to London), Allen White (Acqultanla). May 5 (New York to Cherbourg), Jules AuflHenberg, Frederick Ander- son (Aquitanla). "amber 0 f P up u. ******** s Special** OF AMERICA, Inc. 226 West 72d Street NEW YORK rhoMi Eodicott 8215-S MART READ Secretary PICTURES IN FRONT With this issus snd continuing hereafter the Moving Picture Section of Variety will be placed first in the paper, starting with Page 4 and following the Foreign pages, 2-3. In general layout the Pictura Department will be the same as formerly. . . ^ Other than the vaudeville theatres partially dependent upon pic- tures there are very few strsight vaudeville (uninfluenced by pic- tures) left in this country snd Canada. 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