Variety (May 1926)

Wednesday, May 13, 19M FOREIGN VARIETY ENGLISH STRIKE'S TURMOIL TAXIS QUITTING WORST BLOW TO THEATRES Picture Houses Hurt by ' Light Conservation—Cab- arets and Hotels Desolate Butt and de Bear in Wordy Battle Over Clos- ing All Theatres—Only 17 Legit West End Houses Open—All Provin- cial Road Shows Closing May IS—Film Service in Bad Way. STRIKE'S FIRST WEEK . London, May 11. Only 17 legitimate theatres open, cabarets playing to $40 grosses ■Igbtly, Aim houses bucking lighting conservation orders, and the big hotels serving diners who number anywhere from four to 14 at a sit- ting, sums up the local amusement situation, after one week of Eng- land's general strike. Outstanding sidelights include the theatres' terrific crash when the taxi drivers walked out on the third day, James Bernard Fagan'a Intention of producing "Plough and the Stars" tomorrow (Wednesday) night, the bitter correspondence exchanged be- tween Sir Alfred Butt and Archie de Bear and general provincial notice of all road shows closing May 15. Dramatio Incident The first dramatic incident as labor laid down its tools was the closing of the five Gaunt-Shuborl West End (legit) theatres, with the sixth already dark. Horace Fry, gen- eral manager for Gaunt, explained that Gaunt had 115,000 factory hands idle in the north of England and believed it best to shut down on all of his business. This action closed "The Student Prince" where business was improv- ing. Other plays of this firm to cease operation were "Is Zat So?," INDEX Miscellaneous 1 Foreign 2-3 Pictures 4-18 Picture Reviews 13-16 Picture Presentations 21 Film House Reviews 20-21 Vaudeville 22-28 Vaudeville Reviews 19-20 New Acts 19 Bills 30-31 Burlesque 29 Sports 36 Times Square 35 Women's Page 34 News from the Dailies... 36 Editorials 37 Literati 17 Legitimate 38-46 Legitimate Reviews 44-45 Radio 46 Music 46-53 Cabarets 60-51 Cabaret Reviews 51 Cabaret Bills 50 Band & O-chestra Routes 52-53 Outdoors 54 Obituary 56 Correspondence 57 Letter List 63 Injida Stuff—Pictures.... 18 ** —Legitimate . 40 u - —Vaudeville . 28 M —Music 48 * " —Outdoors .. 55 turning In a consistent profit; "Wlldllower," descending financially at the time, and "Kid Boots," which had a library deal for another month but had not been a big suc- cess. The fifth Gaunt piece to quit was "The Great Lover," which was also forced to close during the last coal strike in 1921. Arguments Over Closing On the first day of the strike the West End managers held two meet- ings. During these gatherings Sir Alfred Butt said that as a Conserva- tive member of Parliament he felt it his duty to ask the Home Sec- retary to close all theatres. Basil Dean stated that the closing of the theatres would be a gesture to the world. Gillespie and other man- agers supported this view. John Gatti declared he would carry on and if his theatres were forced to shut down by a majority ruling he would resign from the association. Frederick Harrison announced he would continue as long as possible, and C. B. Cochran, although not a member, but in attendance, sup- ported the faction favoring closing. He had a very small advance sale for that night's performance of his current revue, but the twist came when Cochran, later in th* evening, discovered that his show was play- ing to a $2,000 house. After the second meeting de Bear offered to forego his royalties and managerial salary in the "R.S.V.P." revue at the Vaudeville, suggesting that the cast would consent to half salaries. Gatti, presentor of this attraction, replied: "No, we carry on as usual and don't pay half salaries here." The result was that "R.S.V.P.," including the library deal, did $6,260 on the week. Questioned Billing The Butt-de Bear crossfire on paper was the sensational Inside episode of the week. This was in- stigated through outside billing at both the Palace and Hippodrome carrying tho names of eight the- atres which were open, a similar announcement also appearing In.the Hip's program. The houses so dis- played were those controlled by Butt, Gillespie, Clayton and Waller and Cochran. Alleging such billing implied that all other theatres were closed, the various managements protested. To thle end de Bear's letter, ad- dressed to Gillespie and Butt, was very bitter in tone. It intimated that some managers had taken ad- vantage of the tragic conditions. Butt replied in rude terms calling de Bear's letter impudent and in- solent. The reply from de Bear on this was equally frank, and so it went. Some shows are continuing at re- duced salaries, notably "Loose Ends'* and "The Unseemly Adven- ture." The former piece, which pave much promise of success, got $390 one night early In the week, but suffered further, as did the others, when the taxicabs ceased to operate. Following this dent In transportation, receipts foil to $105 for this show. Alban Limpus, whose "Cat's Cradle" was a hit, hurried home from Monte Carlo to carry on at all costs and found his first week's gross $5,125. Limpus was accorded remarkably good will on the part of tho musicians who offered to take pay for seven performances instead of the eight played. Libraries' Request Henry AInloy's "Prince Fazll" had a fortnight's further deal with the libraries at $2,250 weekly but the ticket agencies asked the manage- ment to cancel this arrangement. The theatre's reply was "that if you pay us back the $1,755 we have al- ready paid you on this play we will cancel altogether." I "Saint Joan" has closed its por- mal run at the Lyceum doing $6,000 on the week while Miles Malleson's "The Fanatics" has postponed its premiere at the Ambassador's. Leon Lion is putting in "River- side Nights." transferred from Hammersmith (where there has been more rioting than In any other adjacent district). Meanwhile five future productions are continuing with rehearsals. "Downhill." "Aloma." "They Knew What They Wanted," •"Yvonne" and "Secret Service." Sir Barry Jackson has closed his miracle play at the Kings way but continues with "The Farmer's Wife" at the Court where Lord Lathom, the owner, offered to cut the house rental in half. Profitable Plays "Lady, Be Good," "The Best Peo- ple" and "Mercenary Mary** are playing to good business but "The Ghost Train" is on half salaries and slumped to practfeally nothing. "Doctor Knock," at the Royalty, has announced Its temporary sus- pension, "Scotch Mist" was with- drawn four days before its time but "The Ringer," which looked a •smash" tt Wyndham'a held to three capacity audiences last week and finished to a total of $7,500. "Rose-Marie" did about half of its capacity and "No, No, Nanette" was fair. Behind J. B. Fagan'a intention of opening Sean O'Casey'a new play, "Plough and the Stars," tomorrow night on a commonwealth plan, is said to be a disagreement with the Victor Sheridan management. Fagan Is under contract to termi- nate his tenancy after the produc- tion of his next play. Despite every- thing he is producing this piece in the midst of the turmolL He «ls within his rights to call off the play at his discretion. Cabarets Hardest Hit The cabarets have really been more affected by the strike than the theatres. On the eve of the walk- out there were only four people In the "Midnight Follies" at the Metropole hotel and this room closed Immediately. The Cavour dragged along for Ave nights, but the Kit Cat, where business was bad. continued with evening dress optional and Paul Whiteman per- sonally performing free although his band is being paid. The Piccadilly's cabaret re celpts for Saturday night totaled $40. Prince's remained open but postponed the advent of "Whisper- ing" Smith and the Dodge Sisters announced for last night (Monday). Smith, incidentally, has also put off his opening at the Coliseum (vaudeville). Film Service Crippled Film service is badly crippled and cinema business is generally bad except In a few local neighbor- hoods where the houses can get de- livery- The Plaza was crowded Sunday but business was ghastly during the week. The Capitol is "way off" and the Tlvoll has post- poned its showing of "The Big Parade" until after the strike. Among other things the film houses must overcome the conservation of light orders issued by local au- thorities. Provincial theatres (road shows) are in a very bad way with no scenery available and the compa- nies making their Jumps by automo- bile. All theatre managements have given their staffs provincial notice of closing May..15. Hotels .are deserted. Americans coming over are switching their destination to the Continent. Last Thursday nlpht the Rltz had four diners, the Savoy grille six, and Prince's restaurant 14. This is typical of the times. BERLIN By C. HOOPER TRASK The terribly bad condition of the vaudeville pcr.'ormers here Is shown by the fact that their union is arranging a series of perform- ances for their benefit. These will take place In beer halls and the profits will be divided among the performers. The vaudeville man- agers thought first of objecting to this but the condition of the per- formers Is so bad that they hare al- lowed it to pass. Ferdinand Mcysel Is taking over the Wallner theatre In the fall and will present Berlin farces at pop- ular prices. The number of theatres In Berlin today Is less than In 1911, It was stated by Julius Hlrsch, secretary of the Managers' Association. This was In answer to the charge by the tax officials that there were too many theatres In Berlin and that therefore they have beer, unable to pay their taxes. In 1896 there were SO theatre*; In 1911. 46; today, 41. The seating ca- pacity has also decreased In the same proportion. Meanwhile the population has continually Increased from 2,000.000 to 3,760.000 to 4.010.000 today. In other words, the propor- tion of first class theatres has gone back 15 percent. Picture houses have Increased tremendously in number. Within a block's walk around the Kals*r Wllhelm Church In Chnrlottenburr, only eight theatros have a capacity of 21,000. The UFA Film Corporation has again been adding to Its holdings by opening new theatres in Stutt- gart and Budapest by the taking over of the Theater am Nollendorf- platz In Berlin. The house In Budapest was suc- cessfully opened with "Charley's Aunt" and variety. It looks like a good proposition. The same may be said of the Stuttgart house, seat- ing 1,300, which opened with "Walts Dream." The Nollendorf theatre Is a very dubious proposition. Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Reln- hardt's chief dramatic helper, has written a pageant play called "The Magician and the Virgin," and the director will bring it out at the Salzburg festival this summer. The "Great World Theatre," by the same author, has been one of Rclnhardt's most successful productions there. Ivan Mosjoukln, who has been engaged by Carl Laemmle for Uni- versal, will not leave for America for some time. He will complete at least one film In Europe before starting. His contract is with the Deullg Film, of Berlin, and the Clne-AUlance Film, of Paris, who are financing the picture together. It has been definitely announced by President Rlckelt of the German Actors! Union that John Emerson will attend the International Actors' Congress to be held In Berlin July 23rd. Also the president of the French association, Harlbaur, has promised to attend. The Scandi- navians, Russians, Roumanians, Bulgarians and the Poles are coming; only the Italians and the Spaniards have not yet sent In a definite affirmative. The congress will last only three days, but will be preceded by important confer- ences. The chief subject of the de- bates and decisions will be the giving of mutual Information and the discussing of the social and ar- tistic problems of the modern the- atre. The congress Is looked for- ward to with great Interest here and elaborate plans are being made to entertain ihe delegates. A sign of German optimism about the coming season Is the title which Rudolf Nelson has given to his fall revue, namely, "Es Geht Schon Besser" (Things Are Getting Bet- ter). In opposition to this the well- known dramatist Arnold Bronnen Is calling his next play "Repara- tions"; it is to be a tragedy. "Variety's" Bulletin Of Theatrical News London, May 11. During the strike Variety's Lon- don office Is getting out a mimeo- graphed 4,0d0-word bulletin of in- side theatrical strike news. It is being distributed, gratis, throughout England. LANDED IN PARIS ACTS IN "ROYAL" Bill Paris, May 11. Upon his arrival here Marcus Loew was informed by wireless of the postponement of "The Big Parade's" London premiere at the Tivoli. The strike Is the reason, with the early influx of Americans to Paris also being attributed to this cause. William Berry's Reception Better Than Sketch London, May 11. William Berry, musical comedy star, made his vaudeville debut at (he Coliseum yesterday (Monday). He was accorded a good reception in a poor "dream" skelch entitled "Where's Miss Jackson?" THE TILLER DANCING SCHOOLS Open for . umltfd Number of Pupils caildrea m Specialtf OF AMERICA, Inc. 226 West 72d Street NEW YORK rhoor: Pud IcoU 8215-4 MART READ Secretary WILL R0GEES WONT FLAT London, May 11. Will Rogers, here, says* he is not Kolnpr to appear professionally. It is his intention to obtain strike material for magazine stories, says lingers, who is going to the Geneva conference. Cafe Revue Transferred London, May 11. Chez Kysi-her has transferred its floor r«:vue to the Cafe De Paris. Most of the American nhow people on the outgoing "Leviathan'/ landed at Cherbourg, going on to Paris. Marcus Loew was on the boat. Wireless messages were sent from this side, suggesting that Paris be made the destination In view of the British strike. PALLADIUM MATS OFF London, May 11. For the duration of the strike the Palladium has called off its matinees. Empire, Pan*, May Be Dark Paris, May 11. It Is probable that the Krnpire theatre will be dark from June to August. Chevalier Back in Revue Paris. May 11. Maurice Chevalier, absent from the Casino de Paris for a \M-»k .1;;' to illness, has resumed his place in the current ret u<.. London, May 11. The official program for the Royal Variety Performance in aid of the Variety Artistes' Benevolent Fund at the Alhambra, May 27, Is in abeyance. The list includos 11 names, the only one considered an "American act" being Rich Hayes, the comic juggler. Others named are Billy Bennett, Lillian Burgles, Carr and Parr, Dick Henderson, Houston Sisters, Jack Hylton's Band, Kenna Brothers, Tiller Dancing Olrls, Bnxnsby Williams and Kobb Wilton. In the selection of this Royal Performance list none of the artists has taken part In a similar pro- gram. The "Performance" is regarded as a strictly all-British bill. Rich Hayes has appeared so long on the American vaudeville stage that he has been looked upon an an "American act." 3 LUCKIEST SHOWS London, May 11. Three current shows are the most fortunate in feeling the strike the least. They are "Lady Be Good." "The Ringer" and "Mrs. Cheney." (SSTUMES Danger Going Into Cabaret Paris. May 11. Dufor Danger has been booke.l for three weeks at the I'vrquet i c?b'ip t cornmcn' irio' M ty 21. 1 PRODUCTIONS' PICTURES GOWNS INDIVIDUALS 229 W3C ST NEW YO&K