Variety (Oct 1926)

VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, October 20, 1926 ART THEATRES Los Angeles Active Loi Angeles seems to be about the most active western little theatre city at the present time, having no less than four organiza- tions on the fire. "The Fisherman and His Soul." fantasy by Oscar Wilde, dramatized by Dickson Morgan, was presented at the Sum Toy Sho, by the Marta Oatman Players, Oct. 9. Bradley Wright, Townsend Paull, Lucille La Point, Pete Zlegler, Charlotte Young. Sarita Desmukes, Kenneth Marstella, BurWood Jones, Fernando Rodrlques and Thelma Hardwick were In the cast. Virginia Pearson will play the leading role In "Magda,' the Initial fall production of the Potboiler Art theatre, opening Oct 20 at the Gamut Club theatre, while Gareth Hughes will be starred In "The Dunce Boy" early In November. Herbert Caro. for two years treasurer of the Potboiler, has taken a lease on the Princess, at First and Spring streets, and will produce lit- tle theatre plays there. The Prin- cess, 30 years ago one of the princi- pal theatres of Los Angeles, played stock musical until It went dark two months ago. Four one-act plays were pre- sented at the Writers' Club Oct K-lf, "Theodore," by Maud Ful- ton, was staged by the author with herself, Zelda Sears and David But ler in the cast "Napoleon's Bar- ber," by Arthur Causer, staged by Emil Chautard, was played by Otto Matleson, Evelyn Selbie and Phil Hps de Lacy. Eugene O'NellPa "Where the Cross Was Made" had Arthur Lubtn, Helen Costello, Burr Mcintosh and Edgar Lear In the cast Leon Abrams directed. The final play was "The Man In the Cab," written by Frans Molnar, with Charles Ray and Lionel Bel more, with Wallace Worsley staging. Other Activity Opening with Shaw's "Heartbreak House," 12 plays were presented by the Hart House players of the Uni- versity of Toronto. For some of these plays guest stars will be In- vited from New York to head casts and aid in direction. Jacob Ben Ami did this work last year with "Sampson and Delilah.' Some of the Hart House players took small parts In the New York Theatre Guild's "Goat Song" cf last season. Charles Tazewell, new director of the Des Moines Community Drama association, has Qve Broadway plays, one-act plays every Sunday from radio station WHO. an evening of one-act plays, a contest for one- act plays written by Iowans, and a pageant at the end of the "The Poor Nut" will be one of plays If released. Carl Click, director of Montana's only little theatre, operated in con- junction with the state university at Missoula, has returned west after spending several weeks In New York, purchasing equipment for the house, which Is shortly to be opened. This will be the second year for the and changes its bills once a month, The players are under the direc- tion of Myron E. Sattler. The Pittsburgh Community thea tre will open the season with i guest night performance early In November, nearby organizations be- ing Invited to participate. Lane Thompson Is president Dailies' Comment The "Evening Telegram" and "Dally Mail" and "Empire" (morn- ing), Toronto, both commented on the Introduction of a column de- voted to Art Theatres In Variety. The former said: "The annually increasing Importance of the little theatre group, both In New York and elsewhere. Is demonstrated In the opening of a column devoted to little theatres In 'Variety/ the bible of the theatrical profession In America. Surely this Is recognition. Several Toronto amateurs, con- nected with the Hart House Players, University of Toronto, have taken part in Theatre Guild productions in New York. "Fatal Blonde" Revival •Thumbs Up" as a tentative title for the modern varalca of "The Fatal Blonde" will be plunged Into rehearsal by Rufus LeMalre when the new book and score shall have been 'completed. Jean Sch warts wrote the original lyrics and muclc and he Is again composing the music, with Harold Atterrldge the lyrics. George Mar- lon, Jr., who wrote the original script Is detailed upon the coast. The Atterrldge-Sch warts will com- plete the new version. DORIS NILES who for Ave years was the featured dancer of the Capitol Theatre. New York, and more recently appeared In a' command performance before the King of Spain, will give her first concert In America at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, October 26th. Miss Nlles will be assisted by her sister. Miss Cornelia Nlles, In her of " Kilcack's Reception Bennett Kllcack, brought from New York to be the new director of Le Petit Theatre du Viex Carrt, New Orleans, was relieved upon his arrival of 11,000 worth of silver- ware which he carried He still has the chest The first production of the season for this theatre will be Molnar*s "The Swan." The theatre has been newly decorated and additional lighting units Installed. Owing to Increased membership, seven per formances of each play will be given as against six in the past Walter Beach Humphrey, painter of "Saturday Evening Post" covers, la president of the Huguenot Players of New Rochelle, N. Y. This groap has made a long struggle, with a good deal of indifference from a commuting population to New York, but seems to be winning out This year it will moke four pro ductlons, two bills of one-act plays and two of full-length. A prize of J100 has been offered by Adolph Grant a member, for the best orlg Inal one-act play, plays to be sent to 8. O. Jacobson, 129 Lyncroft road. New Rochelle. Grayte Hull is the professional director. Tho Association Players Stock company, Lexington avenue. New York, has "Confession" to enter In the Little Theatre tournament. This group la connected with the Ninety-second Street Y. M. H. A., Possibilities The directors seem to be carrying on their work in an extremely intel- ligent way. They possess sufficient financial feet to stand steady, so their Investigations can be thorough and accurate. As heads are men to understand tho worldly gaff of money and those able to tune In on the most sensitive chords of art If there Is the field to investigate and compile, as there seems to be, this organization ought to be the one to carry it through successfully. It Is happy In that It Is making no boasts, but Is content to gradually feel Its way around the problem of creating a central market for those who go to make up a new a growing side to theatrical America. Ross Sperry, Karyl Marker, Ar thur Granke, Cecil Morris, Mary Radlove, Charles GUlman, George B. McNulty, Will Reynolds, Mollis Herman and Frances Bermudez In 'He Who Gets Slapped." To be pre- sented early next month by the Garret Club, Los Angeles. THE STRAW HAT Farce-comedy with music. Adapted from the French of Eugene Labtche by Paul Tulane and Ames Hamilton James, Music by Randal! Thompson. Gillette Raplde Arthur Stream Helena Anne Schmidt Papa Rontonton Donald Keyes Mme. Ronton. Dot* Schwarta Uncle Absinthe .... .Richard Skinner Bobbin .-. .....Morton Brown Felix Harold Hoc lit M. Feroce Detour George Auerbach Anisette Detour Martha Johnson Virginia Roberta Renya Emlle Uunaonover Loula V. Quince Haroneafflreme de la Creme..Shirley White Vvctte TVT Francea Tttaworth Vlcomte Achilles Sam Hartman Clara Florence House If. Slocome Fussbudgette.Robert H. Gordon Rosalie Brouhaha I.Frances Wilson The American Laboratory Theatre started Its second repertory season at its theatre, 14S East 58th street with "The Straw Hat" a farce-com edy with music. This theatre modeled after the Moscow Art The atre and la directed by Richard Boleslavsky, formerly of that the- atre. The organization Includes school whose students graduate Into the company which acts in reper lory fashion with a number of plays The adaptation of this exag gerated musical whimsy has been done expertly by Paul Tulane and Agnes Hamilton James from the 100-year-old work of Lablche. Ran dall Thompson has written some interesting and commendable lyrics, notably "Lady, Lady," and "Rock aby Baby." Though the playing lacks smooth ness, It Is In places worth while Anna Schmidt, who staged the dances, as Helene especially was able to hold her end up, while Flor- ence House. George Auerbach and Frances Tltsworth rank along with her as the most accomplished. The story of "The Straw Hat" a conventional one told from farcical angle of a young man wh can't marry until he has overcome the difficulties of returning a lady's straw hat which his horse has eaten. Pratt. Wifl Stage Torgy" Du Boise Heyward's novel "Por- gy" Is to be dramatized and brought out by tho Actors' Theatre at the Comedy, New York, during the cur- rent season. The dramatization win be called "Catfish Row" with Grace Heyward collaborating with her husband on the dramatic version and with pro- duction tentatively set for January A Stop or a Pause "Youth Betrayed" closed after two weeks' preliminary tour last week. i piece will be revised and sent out later. Is Two "Broadway" Co.'s Two companies of "Broadway" for out of town are being cast instead of one as reported. Chicago is not Included In the stands contemplated this season. One company will be sent to th coast for a proposed run under the direction of Tom and Al Wilkes. The other "Broadway" is to 1 presented In London. A complete cast will be taken from this side. That of course Includes the "chorus not composed of chorister, but real SIX SHOWS OUT There are six attractions on tho departure list three having closed more or less suddenly late last week. "Cradle Snatchera," produced by Sam H. Harris, leaves the Musio Box after 69 weeks. It was tho comedy smash of last season's pro- ductions, averaging between 219,000 and $20,000 for many weeks. It Is still making -money at better than $12,000. Abroad . Paris, Oct ». In Psris: Al Christie, Dagmar Godowsky, Leopold Godowsky) Miss Edna Thomas, singer; Catherine Urner, soprano; Lillian Barker, authoress; Marcella Craft opera singer; Frank Emmett Jordan, con- cert singer; David Munford, violin- ist; Arthur W. Kelly (United Artists); Wallls Myers, critic. Apple Orchards Foreign To 'Rose-Marie' Girls Syracuse, Oct 19. The Central New York tour of Hammersteln's "Rose-Marie" com- pany has not been without Its ad- ventures. The company played Geneva Friday night, with a Jump to Oswego for Saturday. Through an error the company's special can were hooked onto a Watertown train, and the mistake was not discovered until the troupe reached Pulaski. The cars were cut off there and rerouted to Oswego. While waiting the girls In the company raided adjoining apple orchards. Farmers summoned po lice but no arrests were made when the chorines explained that a real orchard was a treat they couldn't resist "The Home Towners," produced by Qeorge M. Cohan, closed at the Hud- son Saturday, after playing to fairly good business for eight weeks, with toe average $10,000 to $11,000. The show was to have been moved, but It was discovered the settings could not be used In either stage of the two other houses offered the at- traction. Treat 'em Rough," produced by Richard Herndon, stops at the Klaw after playing three weeks to less than $6,000 weekly. WacArthur Safe from Wife Caryl Frink MacArthur'a separa- tion suit against Charles MacAr- thur, co-author of "Lulu Belle," has been dismissed by court order, she having had another suit of similar nature pending In Chicago. Both litigants are newspaper peo- ple. MacArthur Is from Denver, coming to attention with "Lulu Belle." As a tactical move, the play- wright-newspaperman, acquiesced to a Judgment In his wife's favor in Chicago. It automatically fore- stalled further proceedings against him In New York where she would be able to benefit by her husband's royalty collections "Tragic 18" Closed; Equity Pays Off "Tragic 18," presented by "Fu- guet Inc.," In association Murray Phillips, cast! the Charles Hopkins, denly last Wednesday Ing four days. The cast was paid by Equity through funds deposited by Phil- Hps. The latter requested Equity to pay off the stagehands and the advertising bill, which was done. Almost at the same time Hopkins notified Equity he intended attach- ing the money on a claim due the theatre from the company man- agement The attachment served, tying up $380, the balance of the deposit on hand at Equity's office. "Miracle" Broadcast In celebration of Its second an- niversary, the GImbel Brothers' station WQBS will broadcast the entire performance of "The Miracle" direct from the Metropoli- tan opera house, Philadelphia, starting at 8 sharp Qct 20. WIP will be hooked up in relay with WGBS for this special broad- cast being done through courtesy of Morris Gest Dalley Paskman, the director of WGBS, long asso elated with Gest, made possible the ether performance. Howard Kyle win Interpret the action of the ballet pantomime for the radio transmission. "The Miracle" has once before been broadcast by WGBS on Oct. 28, 1924, two days after the station was established. "Gertie" Succeeds "Henry" "Gertie." by Tadema Dusiere, will be produced the end of November by Gustav Blum, Ino. for his Hayes. New York, under lease by Blum's concern. The comedy-drama will succeed "Henry — Behave!", cur- rent at the house. SLAP AT CRITICS "The Jeweled Tree" manage- ment took a slap at the news- paper reviewers In the Monday ads with the catch-phrase: 'Don't Mind the Critics! They're Astigmatic" This King Tut piece Is at the 48th St on guaranteed terms. It was pretty generally panned, one of those arty pro- ductions with highbrow capital behind it Young Frazee's Action For False Imprisonment The $50,000 damage suit for false Imprisonment brought by Harry H. Frazee, Jr.. son of the theatrical nd baseball magnate, against James" (real name Arthur) Car ner, Westchester county police off! rer, must be tried In that county, according to court order, Carney points out that most of his witnesses reside in Westchester, his defense being that he effected the Imprisonment of Frazee, Jr. because It was a homicide case, a Bulck sedan having fatally Injured a pedestrian In Eastchester, Chester, county. N. Y. Young Frazee was also driving a Bulck of that description and, ac cording to the papers, he could not explain the blood stains on his vehicle. Identification and ber also prompted the action. It Is alleged. 'Buckie' Taylor Coming W. Buchanan Taylor came Into New York on the "Leviathan." It's the first visit here in several years for "Buckie," who is associated, In charge of publicity, with Lyons, the extensive British catering firm. Among the many eateries on the Lyon list Is the Trocadero. Lon don. which has a cabaret adjunct. Some .years ago Mr. Taylor was the most active theatrical news paperman in England. IH COAST "QUEEN HIGH" San Francisco, Oct. 19. The cast for Kolb and nil I'm coast production of "Queen High" at pres ent includes Walter Craig, LUa Mann, Eleanor Dawn (sister of Ha zel Dawn), Donald Carroll. The show will open en the road and go to Los Angeles before play ing San Francisco. The show will open at the Bilt Nov. 24. "CRADLE SNATCH ERS" Opened Sept. 7, 1925. Last sesson's laugh "rsve." Every- body but ths "Timea" stamped it as oksy. Variety (Lsit) thought ths show would run a ysar. "THE HOME TOWNER8" Opened Aug. 23. Mixed opin- ions and about evenly divided. Variety (Lait) said, "It will run 12 months in New York." "TREAT 'EM ROUGH Opened Oct 4. First string men who reviewed this one shook their hesds. The Shelf," produced by Wm. Friedlander, closes at the Morosco after four weeks of mild business. Show highly rated out-of-tow, but fell flat on Broadway, "THE SHELF" Opened Sept 27. Atkinson ("Times") liksd it snd Win- chsll ("Graphic") thought it would have a moderate run, but remaining reviewers were mors or less drastic Francea Starr drew commendable per- sonal notices, but Woollcott ("World") sounded generel openion with "preposterous fomedy." Variety (Lsit) ssid, "will en- Joy no extended tenancy " 'Buy, Buy, Baby," independently produced, stopped after one week "BUY, BUY, BABY" Opened Oct 7. Second string man out in force, but Coleman ("Mirror") snd Hammond ("Herald-Tribune") figurative- ly stated, "No." Vsriety (Rush) didn't think the show had s chance. at the Princess, getting about $600. "Tragic 18." produced by Fuguet, "TRAGIC 18" Opened Oct 9. Mostly bsd notices, but some liked it. Msntle ("News") wss inclined favorably,' but didn't think it would do business. Vsriety (Ibee) ssid, "Misses little more than Inc., at the Charted Hopkins, closed after playing only four days. SHOWSaOSING "What Price Glory," with Gordon Hamilton, business slumping off to almost nothing, closed Saturday In . Galesburg, 111. The show posted an Equity bond before leaving New York. "Winged Messenger" Flew With $75,000 in 2 Weeks "The Winged Messenger" col- lapsed at the Bronx opera house. Now York, last week after two weeks trial with the production rel- egated to the storehouse and little likelihood of resurrection. William B. Friedlander and his associates are reported in the bag for $75,000 on the two weeks ex- periment, with the misadventure the second In loss against John Hunter Booth who, besides author- ing this one, also did "No Tres- passing." which cost Hassard Short $60,000 In a couple of weeks at ths Harris, New York.