Variety (Aug 1926)

. ^.'k. ■V, ■ ■ • Wednesday, A^^pM M, 1926 VAUPRY.lttE. VARIETY 29 OYER 60 WE£KS FOR FILM HOUSE ACTS AVAILABLE FOR NEXT SEASON Publix With 20 Weeks; Imw's 8 May Be 12; Acme's 15 May Be 20, With Independent Time Easily AlWMmiiiiatuig 60—Some Turat Certaia of Hold Orer Timo—''Names*' Freely Engaged With Many Types of Turns in l^esentations i Orir ft tnU weeks are now in flight this season for acta in the picture theatres, all ot the latter considered of the de luxe class. *'19m.mHf* ftre to be freely em- ployed in most of the film houses. Where presentations or act-produc- tions are engaged, several types of irSttSevtlle' tarns adaptable to the productions will be engaged. Such acts may be secured through the producer or the picture depart- ments. Leading the full week film in Pub- liz (Famous Players) with 20 liouses, closely .followed by the Acnte (Stanley company) now hav- 5nfT 15 full weeks with a possibil- ity of an increase to 20 before long. Next is the Loew string oif 8 houses at present, with the chances that three or four of the recently acquired Friend ^heatres In New Snfiand will be added to the stage mtbnMoh list. SO Conservative ildditionally are any number of large independent picture houses • playing stage turns of various sorts from the middle west east, leaving •the ssthnate of 60 weekivvlifli . ex- tremely conservative. No repeat is calculated in the 60 weeks. However, some turns will be almost certain of hold over dates, this especially refers to t>ands and other acts will as surely fee veoalled for return dates tfpon completing ths limit. The 20 Puljlix houses on that cir- cuit's current route (without travel tndleated) are Capltoi—Des Moines; jOmaha—Omaha (building); Mich- igan. Capitol—Detroit; Denver— 3>enver; Seattle—Seattle; Newman ^Kansas City; CMcago, Tivoll^ Up- town—Chicago; Paramount, Rivoli ^—New York: Buffalo—Buffalo; bUnbassador—St. Louis; Texas—San tAstoBio; Metropolitan — Boston; l^alace—Memphis; Howard—Atlan- ta; Palace—DallM; . ^ipuiftoxi— llouston. ' . lioew's ars State—St. I<oiils; Allen—Cleveland; Aldlne — Pitts- burgh; Century—Baltimore: Pal- neo^Washington; State — Boston; Colonial—Beading; Fn&$ Regent— ^nrrlslNirg. 15 in Vaudeville A list of t*ie Acme Booking Com- |>any'9 15 towns appears this week m nn nnnoilnoofflent by that Stan- ley Company's agosii^ la MMi |nie. Against thd combined 60 or more Vull weeks of picture time are the tl5 full weeks remaining in all iAmerica of straight vaudeville two- la-day. They are routed or booked ithrough the l^oith-Albeo and Or- k>heum circuits. AUDREY HUNSON BROKE Syracuse, N. Y., Aug. 24. Audrey Munson, once the world's most temous model, is down and out at her little home In Mexico, N. Y., near here. This was revealed when she 0id not attend the funeral of her step-mother, Mrs. BSmma Munson, who was burled from the home of Audrey's (iather« 22 Qrum- bach avenue. Villagers of Undeo say thit Au- drey is penniless and was recently compelled to give up her dogs be- cause of her inability to feed them. Ed Gallagher Reported Committed to Hosptal A report circulating yesterday was that Ed Gallagher (Gallagher and Shean) had been committed to either kings Pairk Hospital oi^-H^n- hattan State Hospital, Central isiip. L. I. Both iostitutioas aro for mental diseases. According to the report, Helen OaHaghOr, dlvoTOOd wifo of Sd OHl- laffher, was one of those who signed the necessary commitment papers, Helen had been taking care of Gal- lagher d«rin# Ms UlMliS. Gallagher sold his Beechurst home recently to Harry Richman, the cabaret and vaudeville artist, now appeattti: In Whltii^ rBcaa- dais." The pftoo^ wns M|Mftnd lo be 155,000. Following the sale of his hom«^ Gallagher moved to the Anvlrn flo* tel. New York City. No Information as to Gallagher's whereabouts eould bs ascertained at. the hotel. THE SUCK BOnOM' The "black bottom** dance is creeping into vaudeville and burlesque, as well as the musi- cals and night olubs. While it has also been placed In song and verse and several of the big Broadway shows have in- serted It as a Sffeelal number, it may cause some agitation before long If the allegation of Alberta Hunter, colored vaude- villlan, is upheld that she has copyrighted the dance. Miss Hunter was the first woman to present the dance. At the time she began doing It in the vaudeville honsis she had it copyrighted. The first dancing school to offer it was the Billy Pier6e studio, and there "Buddy" Bradley has taught many of the present-day dancers how to do it. • Peggy O'Nell, now rehears- ing with the Harry Royo act. learned it from Bradley, but never flashed it in public, using the tap Charleston in- stead. Marcolla Donovan, also under Bradley, picked it up and Introdueed it on the stage. Most of those learning It do not learn it as a tap dance as Peggy O'Neil and Irene Delroy Among some of the white girls who have mastered the biuck bottom at Pierce's stu- dio in addition to those named include Marie Saxon, Virginia Roach, Gertrude Knight, Rose Wenzel, Juliette Starr, Reddick Twins, NeH Roy Buck and WInllred Soldon. Klan Again on Penn. Ave WmIi.; Parade Sept. 13 r Washington, Aug. 24. Over the protests of pratlcally the ^tire colored population of this ieity the local police have granted a permit to the Ku Klux Klan to parade here unmasked, but in full .regalia, Sept. 18.* This win bo the second time the Klan has paraded on historic Penns- sylvanla Avenue. Dancers Defend Step Kattona, the former dance partner •f Myrio in the S^reehwich Village Follies," is essafing a vaudeville dailGO single. Myrio In turn has teamed with Mile. Desha. The new team immediately invoked the Ire of Ron off and Renova who com- plained of a dance Infringement step. Myrio and Bdle. Desha have re- tained Kendler St Goldsteiii to con- test the Renoff and Hcnova com- >laiTrt, denying any in fring e m e nt. "Old Timers' •Tramp* Revival A roni.lo of old time perfonners, Harry Madison (Bailey and Madi- son), pnd Jim Cook (Cook, Smith and Cook), have formed a now alll- t^nrr. T>oth aro vetonui tramp £0. Kimmer Leaves Levey Los Angeles, Aug. 24. Sam Kramer, general manager of the Bert Levey office In Los AjtgtHm for three and a half years, has ten- dered his reslgrnatlon, effective Sept. 18, at which time he will leave to becorao bnslnoss msnipir tor Will Kin#n soa^p^y In inttlnni* Ore. ■.' Kramer was a polsnt factor in building up the hnainnw dt, the local office in tho southsim tiirU tory to a strong position. Prior to his Bert Levey post, Kramer wan na Htfiiisniilit agent In Chicago in tho arsi Of Levy. No successor has been, appointed but It is understood thatLo?MrwlIl take someone out of his Stil l^fmn- ciSOO office for the position. ZAB IN ALTOOHA Altoona, Pa., Aug. 24. The Prpheum, one of the three local theatres owned and operated by WiXnaer & Vincent, opened its season yesterday afternoon when Bert Smith and his Ragtime Enter- tainers began an indofinlti ongago- mcnt. The company carries 50 peo- ple, including VI Schaffer, George Hunter and Billy Van Allen. The company gives three shows a day, one in the afternoon. The Orpheum is under the personal supervlslooi of, John F. Maloy, manager of local Wilmor a Vincent InterestSb Hal Skelly Didn't ■ Appendicitis Hal CPcelly, featured with "A Regular Girl" film, produced by Charles K. Gordon, was taken to a stthtriMitt hospital. His ailment was diagnosed as appendicitis. That was found Incorrect by a New York surgeon who was called in consultation, and no operation was perfbrmod* It appears the comedian had eaten several green apples, which, mixed with beer and a couple of highballs, resulted In pains In the Stole Dress as Costume For Vaode Tryoat Date San Francisco, Aug. 24. Katherlne Wright and Anabelle Burger, of Los Angeles, shoplifted a dress, but were given suspended sentences by Police Judge O'Brien last week when they told of being in dire need of a costume so they conid have a try-ont in a local vaudeville theatre. Miss Wright and Miss Burger, both mature women and unknown in local theatrical cirelos, willingly posed for photographers from all tho dailies. LEVEY TAXES HIP, I. A. Los Angeles, Aug. 24. Bert Levey has signed a three- year lease >/v'ith Adolph Ramish to operate the Hippodrome, Los An- geles, commencing Sept. 1. The house is located on Main street and has been playing Bert Levey acts for seven years. I^vey will continue the same pol- icy, full week vaudpville with six acta antl a. fca^i^rcd Picture, running continuously. Billy King with W. A T. The original Billy King (pioneer colored actor who has many-name imitators), late of the Ethel Waters revue haf^ jumped to tho Whitney ea HOUBS nox gel to coast Chicago, Aug. 24. The Chicago an-d North Western Railway (Union Pacific System and Southern Paciffe Lines) will run two new 63 hour extra fare trains between here and I^os Angeles and San Francisco beginning Nov. 14. This is beliovod to bo the fastest overland schedule ever put into ef- fect. Another addition to the schedule on the same date and to the same cities, will be an all standard sleeper, without extra fare. This train will make the run In 68 hours. Harry Singer in N. Y. Harry Singer is In New York, at the Orjiheum Circuit's hf*a<l(inarlers, w here ^le will be permanently lo- cated. After nvo or tAx years as the Pa- cific .Sl(,pf> representative for the Orphoum Mr. Singer will lake a couple of months to familiarize him- self with the many changes mean- while in the east before settling Into WILL MAHONEY Palace, New York, This Week WILL MAHO.XKY returns to the Palace, New York, this week, after having arpeared In London during the summer. * This is his first week of a Keith- Albee ronte that keeps him working solid until ilm flr^st of June. 1927. Direction RALPH a FARNUM (Eklw. 8. Keller ofllce) WestoD-Elim's Wash-Up Joe Weston and Grace Ellne are apart, matrimonially and profes- sionally. Miss Kline will continue as a single in vaudeville. When tho team first Instituted di- vorce proceedings thoy continued as a professional double, but with tho actual matrimonial severaneo, each will work apart Two Loew Routes Marshall Montgomery, the ven- triloquist, and Frank Farnum and band, have b(?*'n routed on the Loew circuit by Walter Meyers opening Sept. 6. HOUSE OFHCER KILLS 1 YOUTH AFTER FRACAS Attempt at Ejection Leads to Fight, Flight and Shots in 'Frisco Theatre San Francisco, Aug. 24. Prank Foy, -5, was shot doad and Frank Gogglns. 26, was shot in tho arm by Joseph (IrlnmiinLrer, iiolic«- man attached to tho Wij;wan\ the- atre (vaude and pictures) here. Tho shooting followed a fight within the thoatre, when on renue.st of the management, the policeman sought to eject the youths* who wero making a nuisance of thomsolvos. After throwing th«* audience Into an uproar the mischief makern flod to the street, followed by Grim* mingfer. Commanded to stop, they kept running. drlmminger fired .several shots into the air, but final- ly took aim. brlnglnir both youths down, one dead from a bullet In tho heart. This youth, upon Investlira- tlon, was found to be an automobile thiet THE PRODIGALS RETURN K*A Sookors Baok From Abroad-^ Jenio Jaeobs* Two Wiows Eddie Darling and Harold Kemp, Keith bookers, and Bobby Folsom, Jenle Jacobs and Pauline Cook returned to tJils country Wednesday on the Oiympia Miss Jacobs whho abroad signed Mario Valento, French music hall artist; Cortoz and PoRgy, and Carr and Parr for American vaudeville. She also secured the American rights to "The Cat s Cradle," a legit attraction and London hit now play* ing the Criterion, London. "Rookery Nook," currently at tho Altw lch, London, will also be pre- sented in America Under liiss Jacobs' direction* BELLE 6AKER-FANNIE BfilGE AS RIVALS IN BlAY LEGITS Ziegfeld's Ubratto Tmd'' Furnishing Book (or Miss Baker's Initial Starring Venture — Offset to BeUsco's 'Tanny'* for Miss Brico . APPENNOnS Deaths resulting from oper- ations for appendicitis of Ru- dolph Valentino this week and Rose Doner last week brings out how fortunate those re- covering must be when the operation is performed after the appendix has burst. Two of the latter Instances, also recently, are Bugs liner and Harold Kemp. Both called in Dr. J. Will Is Amcy at the last moment. Dr. Amey in each inutance ordered an im- mediatli operation, he person- ally operating at his sanitari- um, 306 West 75th street. Mr. Kacr was walking about his room Monday when an In- quiry was made. Mr. Kemp, oporatod upon with haste last Thursday night, was pro- nounced as doing extremely well, also on Monday, Edwards' Picture Acts Ous Eflwards has conrludod to produce acts for picture houses this season. His first to go out will be the current Edwards' Hotel RItz Kcvue at Atlantks City. It wUI close there Sept. 5. At present two of Edwards' pro- ductions are playing- for Publlx pictures unfh'r liis rontrrjct for one year with tliat exhibitor. PAETNERS PARTING The producing firm of Wallace A Martins is reported dissolving. Kamsay Wallace will return tO the Kta^e in * Sacrlflce," Sponsored by another firm. Wallace A Martins sponsored •'Ninety Horse Power," rated n flop; Florenz Ziegfeld claims he has a libretto •'find" in David Friedman, a young "book** writer, who will supply the story for Hdle Itaker's starring production. Per agreement, it will bo on Broadway beforo Nov. 1. Ziegfeld is rushing the singlny comedienne into buck Fanny Drice's "Fanny,^ a lielasoo entry, also bo«* ing readied ahead of schodulew Miss Brice left an Orpheum vaude- ville unit to come into New York o^irlier than anticipated. Frlcdrn'in, with Irvijig CaesaT , and Jerome Kvrn, will do the book* lyrics and music, respcQtlvely, for the Baker debut starring vehicle on Uroadway. The young man Is. the s on of an editorial writer on tho J^MMbaily "Forward,** and was encouraged by Eddie Cantor, Vhd road Friedman's mTld<«n novil, "Mendel Marantz," which Cantor contemplates prodttclnir in play form. MiKs TJakor Is winding up her Keith bookings, but is staying out- side Of the Times Square territory bocauso of her legit pi;oducttott. Martha Pryor on Road Martha I'ryor docs a professional comeback tomorrow (Thursday), op' tiing at the Castillian RoynJ^ relham, N. Y., for the fjoldman brothers. Bee Jackson, the Charles* toner, joined the show last week. Both of the Ooldmans' roadhouses^ Including the Custillim at Valley Stream, L. I., are doing heavy trado among the outlying resorts. OKir E AUSTTTf A t PBTTfCW (»cne Austin sails Friday on thO "Majestic" to open Sept. • at thn N>w Princes' hotel and restaurant* Ijondon. Aiistln. a Victor record artist, foU lows Jack^Sjnftlth in, the latter