Variety (Jun 1926)

Wcdnetday, June 16, IMS LEGITIMATE VARIETY 39 INSIDE STUFF ON LEGIT (Continued from pUffe 3t) fnanaxera with contempt before It reached the hands of Mae West. An •gent who tried to place the play left the script with a producer who a few days later gave the script back with this comment: "Take thJs thinK out of here and never come into this office again." Al Jolson has become the owner of a Hispano Suiza, trading in hlH special Lincoln sedan to navigate behind the flying stork emblem. m Of the different road attractions weathering what warm weather hajs been encountered to date four companies headed by magiclnns have re- ported profit Hudson Llston. actor, 86, who for the past five years has been living In the Actors' Fund Home, Staten Island, N. Y., Is crossing the At- lantic Ocean to see his brother. Rev. Richard Hudson, 83, rector St. Johns Church, Bury, Lancashire, England. The venerable actor sailed June 12 on the "Adriatic." The expenses for the trip have been assured by Llston'B brother. David Belasco's simultaneous attack of neuralgia and lumbago at Atlantic City prevented him seeing the last 10 days' nhowing of the two weeks' preliminary playing of "Fanny," starring Fannie Brice, which he booked principally so he could watch it and work on it. He returned from the spa Friday, not able even to Join the company at Trenton, where it played the second half of the remaining week. The production has been moved Into the Lyceum, New York, for next season. Belasco l0 reported active and on his feet once more. Sophie Tucker rehearsed for four days In her bedroom, laid up with A bronchial grippe. She opens June 28 in Detroit with Lemaire's "Hello Paris." The delay awaiting Lester Allen's return from England, and the interrupted rehearsals through Ted Lewis playing Newark last week, required dally work on the book. So there were foregatherlngs at strange hours In Sophie's apartment. She had sufficiently recuperated to work In a theatre Monday. The sKow Is booked for the Woods, Chicago, July 4. E. L. Doheny, the oil magnate, is building two theatres in Los Angeles. Both are designed for legitimate attractions but at least one may have a stock policy. The first to be completed will be called the Doheny and has been set to get the coast company of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," Nov. 1. The admission scale will be $10 top. There are six new theatres building in Los Angeles and Hollywood. Bow the builders expect to book attractions for them is a mystery to Sastem showmen. LTTTLE THEATRES The new theatre which is part •f the recently completed Women's City Club building In San Francisco was formally opened last week by Ben Legere and an organization of semi-professional players pre- senting Herman Bahr's "The Mas- ter." Legere played the titled role. It is planned to follow with other efferings. "Processional" probably will be the next. The Theatre Arts Club of San Francisco began Its third year of monthly programs last week under dlrectton of Talma-Zett* Wilbur and offered a bill of five plays. The schedule Included "The Giant Btairs," by Wilbur Daniel Stleele; -It's Time Something Happened," by Arthur Boyle: "Old Walnut," by Allena Harris: "The Tiger in Em," by Ernest Howard Culbertson, and •*Post Mortems." by Charles De- Tine. Joan Burroughs, daughter of Ed- gar Rice Burroughs, author, Wanda Grazer. George Callegla, Joe Keams, Fernando Rodriguez, Birdie Ray, Pete Zlegler, Margie Cate, Jane Fuller, and Roland McBur- ney, were In "Enter Madame," ■taged at the Sum Toy Sho theatre, Los AngeleSf b^ Marta Oatman. "Rastus Down on the Levee," a marionette comedy, was staged in San Francisco by the Blanding Sloan Shack Theatre with a second offering, "Rastus Plays Pirate." The levee play was In six scenes. Six persons operated the puppets. Irving Plchel, who staged "The Great Cod Brown" at his Berkeley (Cal.) Playhouse and later k«ivc two ■peclal matinees In the Curran the- atre here, lectured on the same play In the Paul Elder Gallery last week. STOCK NOTES Ascher's Drake, Chicago, under construction at Montrose and Drake avenues, Is to house the present Chateau stock players starting Sept. 1. Theatre seats 1,800. Kathryn Qlvney, National Stock. Washington, closed with that com- pany May 29. and with MIna Gom- bel. sails shortly for a vacation in Europe. The musical stock at the Palace, Port Richmond. 8. I., wound up last week with the house going dark for the summer. Fred Weber will reopen the War- rington, Oak Park. Chicago suburb, in the fall. The date has been set for October 4 with local backing as- sured. Weber had a moderately succesBful neanon at the house. Horace Slstarc and H. G. Clarke will close the Majestic, Waukegan, 111., stock, June 19 and reopen in August. They have 40 odd weeks to their credit. Another stock oper- ated by the partners in Sioux City is about to close because of poor business resulting from the heat. The Lewis and Worth Stock has closed in Dallas. The San Francisco Players Guild has Inaugurated a school of noting to be directed by Reginald Travers. Hollywood, Calif., will have its own little theatre, patterned along the line of the Theatre Guild of New York. This will be a small house In the French Village, a com- munity project on Hollywood boule- vard, near Cherokee street. Alfred A. Cohn, scenario writer and here- tofore one of the prime movers of one-act plays at the Writ* rs* Club, Is one of the backers of the project. A $2.20 top will prevail. Lawrence Paquln, of Carn»^gie Tech.. has been appointed sue ossor ^0 J. li. Gifford, who reslKnod a.*? head of the dramatic art dcpait- »»^cnt of Drake Univcr«i(y, Dos Moines, Gifford will teach a year at Wash- ington University and th»n go to UnlvfTPlty of Oklahoma as htad of •he dramatic department. Ralph Bellamy, leading man In stock at the Princess, Des Moines, last season, is backed by his father, Rexford Bellamy, Chicago advertis- ing man, in negotiating a lease on the PrincesB for next season. They will open about state fair week with a rep company. Bellamy win play leads. The Ralph Cloninper Players at Wilkes, Salt Lake, did "Mauret," a play written by Cloninger, as the close of their season. Mr. Clon- inger has been in stock in Salt Lake City for .seven years. F. James Carroll opened his sec- ond summer season of stock at Goldstein Brothers' Colonia, IMtts- flold, Mass., last week, presentin^? "Laff That Off." The company consists of Arthur Bouvier, direc- tor; Charles Harrison and Lois J«'S- 8on, leads; Edith Bowers, Willuin Townshcnd, Malcolm Arthur, Gor- don Anderson and Beatrice AnK'i"- LUELU GEAR'S UEN UNRECORDED, NOT GOOD Echo of "When Summer Comes" Flop — Costume Maker Held Bill of Sale Washington, June 15. Luella Gear lust the decision hero in the I0044I courts in her attempt to collect, under a mortgage covering the scenery and costumes. $5,000 ad- vanced to Hammerstein aod Quinn, Inc., who sponsored "When Summer Comes" with James Barton and Miss Gear featured. It folded up here after a week at Poll's theatre to i>os8lbly the prize low gross of the 1924-25 season. Miss Gear's local attorney en- deavored to convince the court that the mortgage, though not recorded, should take priority over a condi- tional bill of sale that was recorded and held by the makers of the costumes. It was further argued that Inas- much as the costume company sued for the recovery of the costumes, securing an attachment, that the conditional bill of sale was vacated. Also It was stated that In not actu- ally taking possession of the articles attached, which was not done, a watchman being placed In charge to enable the show to continue, that the attachment was not carried out. The Justice withheld decision for several days. Another angle came out during the proceedings when it was dis- closed that the only money taken in at the box office, about $4,500, was turned over to the Shuberts to cover the guarantee to the house. The marshal, pending the trial of the case, sold the costumes and scenery, securing approximately $3,000. This will now be turned over to the costumers. Royce's CouleirclaHn Edward Roycc, stage director, has a f??5,000 counterrlnlm against the Vunderbilt Amusement Co. he Is anxious to reinstate, and argued an appeal on Friday to have the mat- U'v revived. OriRinally the counter- rl.iitn was dismissed. Tho Vanderbilt Co. is suing Roycc fur $4,000, advanced llie stage direc- tor for services he was rendered in mounting "Irene." That oontract, calling for a 10 percent interest in the net profits to Royce. was later called off by aprecment and the Vanderbilt Co. has been since try- ing to recover the $4,000 advanced. Trial on that issue comes up in tho fall. Cnrran's Twinkle Toes' as Frisco Show with BnzzeD Benny Stein Heaved Chair At Small Change Yeggs Benny Stein got the scare of his life Friday night when he found two yeggs working on a small safe in the box office of the Lo^ic, where "The Cocoanuts" is running. Stein decided to take a bus ride and wanted his overcoat. The sight of the men working on the strong box was too much for him, and In- stead of taking the air, he picked up a chair and threw it at the rob- bers. The yeggs made a rutth for Benny, knocking him over and tak- ing a punch or two before making a getaway. The men went out side exits, climbed to the roof and down the 43rd street Are escape. They got only small money, about $40 be- ing missed. Monday, Benny was still shaking from shock. San Francisco. June 15. Homer Curran is going Into the producing and h.'ia actiuired the coast rights to "Twinkle Toes." which he plans to bring into his local house the first week In July. Rehearsals will start this week with the three principal comedy roles In the hands of Ed. Ruzzcll, Bddlo Nelson and Charles Howard. Sammy Lee has been brought from New York to stage " dance numbers. Curran also has acquired the rights to "The Cradle Snatchers" for coast presentation. Woods 3 Months' Dash A. H. Woods dug out his pearl gray topper and suddenly dashed for London Saturday. Al left word he might be gone three months, having taken a bunch of scripts along. Woods' Jaunt spoiled a set of perfectly good vacation plans framed by Martin Herman. The L. P. A. of which Marty is a mem- ber, Is off for the mountains next month. Marty figured on going along. Now he will stick around and peruse travel literature. U. of C's. Playlet Contest San Francisco, June 16. The Playshop %ro\xy of drama workers In the University of Cali- fornia Is announcing a one-act play contest. Two prizes will be offered, one of $25 and the other $10, also a production for the winning scripts. Contestants must have their offer- ings in the hands of Mrs. J. Evan Armstrong, 6416 Regent street, Oakland, Cal., before Nov. 1, 1926. The rules governing the contest say: "The play must be original; not an adaptation, nor hitherto pro- duced: the author must live near enough to Berkeley to attend some of the rehearsals and the perform- ance; the plays must be submitted without the author's name which, with address and return postage, must be enclosed in a sealed en- velope bearing on the outside only the play's title." The Judges are George C. Warren, drama editor of the San Francisco "Chronicle;" Everett Glass, director of the Berkeley Playhouse, and Mrs. Bartlett Heard. Photoradiogram Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Co., Ltd., is soliciting business for its photoradiogram service. At the same time it is disclaiming, any re- sponsibility for non-transmission, non-delivery, quality of reproduc- tion, error or omisnion, damage, etc. The campaign is not only on he- half of newspapers, but urges ad- vertisements be radlogrammed for simultaneous publication on both sides of the Atlantic. The charges for photographs range from $50 to $60 depending on size, up to a 7-lnch depth. Paulino MacLean Players opened their annual .summer stock cn^'ape- ment at the Colonial theater. Akron. O., last week, offering "Little Mi.ss Bluebeard." The company i'lrludes Paulino MacLran, Kdward Clarke Lilly. Nrll I^uritlf-y, Louise Huiitinp- ton, ffenry HicUn and .T^rry O'Day. The Poli Playrrs Saturday ' ios. d a (^»'ri^o)i th.'it ran only .s« ven \vt« k.s at Poll's Hyp^^rion, Nf w Haven. My Players opened at Mejrrs Lake I'aik theatre last week, offer- ing "Why Men Leave Home." Charles K. Brown i*i manager. MOREIS' "BIO STIFF" A three-act farce named "The Big Stiff" has been written by (J!or- d(jn Morris, son of William Morris, the actor. It will be given a try- out during this summer. The younger Morris also wrote "Jack In the Pulpit," produced last season ot the Princess, New York. FAY BAINTEE'S COMEDY "Sour Grapes," comedy by Vin- cent Lawrence, ha.s been set a.s Fay Bainter's starring vehicle next se^i- son when she returns to tho man- agement of William Harris. Jr. MisH Bainter ttr»pcared In "The F^neiny" thi.s season been use of her former manai^er's inablMty to Herure a Miittable vehiclo In whii.h '.o pro- jer t l)pr. **ACE" PLAY OPENINQ "Ace In the Whole," comedy by James P. Judge, sponsored by W.il- ter Campbell, will get under way at Asbury Park next Monday (June 21). The cast Includes F'uller Melli.sh, Ralph Theadore, F uller Melli.sh, Jr., Louise Carter, William Melville, Hartley Power. Dean Baymond. Thomas Gunn. Eleanor Hyan and Nancy Marvin. Eltinge Returning LoH Ani'eh-s. .lone iTj. .Tulian P^ltln^v will r<tutn to the sf>eakinR ^tage next season, lie ha.v m.'ide arrangftnents with Al Woodf "WHISPERS" ON BROADWAY "Whlsper.>j of 1&2C," musical re- vue, written, composed and staged by Kennc ih liurton us tho closing bill of the May iJesmond IMayers at tho De«rnond. I'hiludelpliia. last week, may be reproduced for Broad- way. Burton. author-composer, will produce the legit version flnanced by Philadelphia capital. 1 SHOW OUT Altlu>ui;i\ this is tli»» time for Broadway cio.-^in>:.>* In !to-Ic^. only a few attractions have dri>jii»od out this month. Hut i-ne important de- parture Is carded for this we«k. "Nanette." produced by H. II. Frazeo, will end a 40 wi» k.s run at tho Cilobe Saturday, r.ecause tho manager kept tlu? aitr.ution off Broadway a yciir after Its Chlcairo opening and sent others companies on tour, there was some douiit whether "Nanette" would land solidly In New York. A se;ujon'H engagement w;is accomplished. Up to the first of the year and beyond the weekly pace was rated around $J7,000 and more weekly. Trado eased off slowly after Washington's Birthday, and lately was around the stop limit of $14,000. NO, NO, NANETTE Opened Sept. 16. Rsceivsd good notices. Varisty (lb««), said, "cinch for ssason on Broadway.'* GUILD HAS "RADIO KISS" •Tiie Kadio Kis.M,' Dy Nidiolan \\\ ri« noff, yia;- ber n secured r<^r I»ro(lu<'ilon next season by the The- atre rjuild. Tho (iulld sponHored the same "Beyond Evil," independently pro- duced, closed last week after play- ing one ni^ht. Court proceedings followed and though announced to resume. It failed to reopen. BEYOND EVIL Opensd Juns 7. Playsd dim psrformancs. Gres4«d with most dsrisiv« notices of many seasons. Lsading woman, Mary Blair, alto viciously pan- ned. Rahman Bey, the Elgyptlan fakir, held over the first three days this week at the Selwyn. "Th« Cencl," an old play offered at the Lenox Hill, will stop Sat- urday. Agnes Sanford Trying Stock for Experience Agnes Sanford. from musical x:omedy, U taking a course In dra- matics as the leading lady of the Bijou Players at the Bijou, Savan- nah. Ga. Wills Claire is Miss San- ford's lead. The comedienne has been In mus- icals and of oonsiderablA experi- ence, her decision to essay drama- tics precipitating the stock train- ing. AHEAD AND BACK Tommy Thomas, formerly assist- ant treasurer of the Century, is now treasurer of the Imperial, New York. Miss Gettlnger, also from tho Century, is his assistant. They succeeded Willie Kurtz and Miss Hlrsh, who were in the Imperial box ofllce for two seasons, and in Uie Bhubert employ for a number of years. It Is understood Ihey will be assigned other theatres when the season opens. ^'Seeing 99 at Woods Chicago, June 16. "Seeing Paris," a revue holding Sophie Tucker. Ted Ixiwls and Les- ter Allen, will follow "The City Chap" Into the Woods July 4. ITie revue now in formation was Intended for the Garrlck but Its pro.spects were switched to the Woods when it was seen that "Tho nty Chap" would pull stakes. ''MAGNOLIA" JUNE 28 "Magnolia," the new all-colored Hhow, with hook and lyrics by Alex Ropers and music by "Luckey" Roberts, has Us Initial pre.sentatlon at Atlantic City, June 28. The show Is booked to open an anticipated summer "run" at the Sam Harris theatre. New York, July 6. The cast complete comprises the authors, Kddle Hunter. Dodo Green, Dave Stewart, Lena Roberts. Hilda Rogers, Emma Jackson, Mrs. "lUx/." Williams, Tercy Colson, Claude Lawson and Snii>py Mason. for the latter to Ptor hini in a ' oni- lautiiur'M i>r<-vIoiiH work. "Th«; Chief edy entitled "That Blonde Lady." | Thinji, ' Uiia .scasou. GUEST STARS AT CENTRAL l'hir.'if.'n, June IS. The Centrnl, ♦•lom-d f«»r k eoujde of weeks, is exfiect'd fo reopen •shortly with "rjiv.' ;ui I T .ke." it i;^ .*?;iid the M*^-? ■ 1'•. :rrn. fl.iul, Kerw( in and .'^••xl'-i., \s liu have lijo house, plan a. .s' rien .>f "KUoMt Plnr" pro<lu(tlons. No announcement h.'is ]>*in made but It Is reported Tom W'ly.o, Jack N'.rwf rlh end Fi-^kr () Ha?a have uli'cady :jlgncd.