Variety (Mar 1927)

March 9, 1827 LEGITIMATE VARIETY Z1EGGY REVOKES PERMISSION FOR CHORISTERS TO DOUBLE Issues Order No Member of "Rio Rita" Line May Also Appear in Night Clubs—Secured Several Girls From Clubs on Reverse Understanding Mighty few chorus girls along Broadway just now think of Flo iSlegfold with loving thoughts. In- stead tliey say JSieggy crossed some of their chums. What the crossed chums are saying couldn't even get In a dirt show. The musical producer brought the tirade upon himself. It started last ■week when Zieggy sent forth an i.rder that no chorus girl in "Rio Rita" could double into a night club. Some of the chorus girls in the same show went there frftm night clubs, at Zlegfeld's request and promise that they could also appear In their clubs when the .show reached New York. The till, entered "Rio Rita" via • Betsy," Zlegfeld's prize flop. Most of the cabaret girls had come from the Frivolity and Silver Slipper night clubs. That was In last No- vember, when Zieggy wrote a letter requesting that the girls In the night club choruses be permitted to join "Betsy," as he wanted good lookers and workers. $50 Weakly in Each In the night clubs the girls re- ceive 150 weekly and In "Rio Rita" the same amount A Joint engage- ment doubled the incomes of the girls. With the latest order their income is cut in half, with the ma- jority preferring their night clubs to the Ziegfeld show. As 'Betsy" started to tumble, night club girls with other choristers in It were shifted over to "Rita," then in Philadelphia. That called for more rehearsals, but the young women were hopeful of the New York run and extra money. One report is that Zieggy has not declared his girls must not appear in night clubs simultaneously, but that the night clubs must not bill or advertise the girls as of the Zieg- feld forces. If that Is the fact, Zieggy has failed to make it dear, and if he Is anxious to avoid the choristers' curse, and obtain their blessing instead, he can permit them to earn their double money as they were promised. No night crab pro- prietor is wild to advertise ZlegfeM or his Colored Tenor Loaned Milwaukee, March t. A tenant of the Blackstone Apart ments Is facing legal difficulties be- cause he allowed Roland Hayes, colored, the nationally known ten- or, a graduate of Fiske and Tuake- gee Universities, the use of his npartment. The attorney for the proprietors threaten eviction un- less the tenant makes a "settle- ment." The lawyer refuses to ex- plain what he means by "settle- ment." On the occasion of his appear- ance at the Pabst theatre Thurs- day night, Hayes found himself in the usual situation attending; the appearance of a prominent negro. The hotels regretfully Informed him that they had no room. His em- barrassment was relieved when the tenant in the Blackstone Apart- ments preferred the use of his apartment and took his family to a hotel. Shortly after Hayes left Mil- waukee the tenant was notified that his action was tantamount to a breaking of the lease. When It's a- Hit A Broadway manager, rated a stormy petrol in protesting against theatre reform, has per- formed a complete somersault. He particularly railed against ticket speculation and was hot for a. managerial central ticket distributing office. But his point of view changed with a hit show in liia house. He has been slipping the bulk of good locations to an agencs-, not long established and collect- ing Jl on each ticket for him- self, the attraction naturally not sharing. It happens the other brok- ers must buy tickets for the show, through that particular agency and the latter collects $2 on each ticket. The agen- cies are getting $7.70 per ticket, priced at $3.85, box offlce, but it Isn't all gravy as explained. SHOWMANSHIP DEBATES Minneapolis Ministers Evolution Arguments—$1,200 and $500 Minneapolis, March 8. With censorship agitation taking the form of a bill to prohibit the teaching of evolution theories In State public schools of the State University, debates off the subject are the latest stiff competition to confront Twin City theatre*. The Rev. W. B. Riley, sponsoring the bill, pulled a pair of debates last week, one at the Lyceum the- atre here and the other at the St Paul auditorium. He had oa> his opponent Dr. Birkhead, a Unitarian minister of Kansas City. At the 2,100-seat Lyceum, and on a Monday night, the debate, with the house scaled at 25 and 60 cents, turned people away, getting a gross of 11,200. When it was repeated at the St. Paul Auditorium the next night It drew only about 1500. The debate provided more en- tertainment than the average vaude bin. The boys jeered and snarled at each other and the next night pulled the very same stuff. It all smacked of numerous re- turn engagements, a la the prize ring. Arthur West, Tenor, May Fade Into Films Los Angeles, March 8. ■Arthur West, tenor, who opened for W<-st Coast Theatres, Inc., this Week in a Funchon and Marco pres- entation, will probably complete his "'age work within two weeks and become a screen actor. West, it la said, was chosen by rtaoul Walsh, who is making "Car- »>en" for Fox, as an unusual type f«* a particularly good part In the Chi Ticket Brokers in Politicians' Test Case Chicago, March 8. The recent Supreme Court de clsion defining the 50-cent limit of profit on ticket agencies as uncon stltutlonal has stirred several pol iticians here into promises of actlan. With the court decision render- ing the 50-cent law In Illinois void, politicians have started threats to bring a test case in an effort to get a different opinion on the constltu tional angle. They are identifying their proposed action as protection for the people against the agencies. Agencies are not regarding the threats lightly, some of them hav- ing already consulted their attor- neys. 'Gossipy Sex' as Play "The Gossipy Sex" announced by John Golden as a three-act play for coming production, Is an expansion of the vaudeville act of same title, used by Robert Emmett Keane and Claire Whitney. Lawrence Grattan, who authored the turn, has written the full length play. Lynne Overman is announced as the lend in the piece. ACTOR SAYS WIFE AND SELF ARE KEPT LIVING IN THEIR TRUNK ■ BARRIE OLIVER LONDON!) DOS FRIEND MANCHKSTBR ENGLAND. "DAILY DISPATCH": "Among the most striking memo- ries of the year are those of Spin- dly, Jane Cowl, and of Dai lie Oliver darn ing the Charleston on a table in 'Just a Kiss.' Yes, it has been a very pleasant year." American Rep., Helen Leighton 228 W. 72nd St., N. Y. Phone Traf. 6190 James Cagney Complains to Equity of Alleged Prac- tices of Jed Harris of "Broadway"—Continually Upset Through Many Notices for Mrs. Cagney to Go to STRANDED ACTORS BACK WITH 'MIRACLE' Morris Gest Also Liberal with L A. Charities—"Miracle" Next in Germsny Los Angeles, March 8. The next stand for "The Miracle'' will be at Dortmont. Germany, opening April 14 and remaining there until early In June, when it la scheduled to go to Albert Hall in London. The only members of the cast In the American production for the German performance are Rosamond Pinchot, Lady Diana Manners and Iris Tree. The bal- ance of the cast will be selected from German players by Max Re In- hard t, who will supervise the stag- ing of the production In Dortmont. "The Miracle" company closed here Saturday and left for New York Sunday an a special train. Lady Diana Manners is due to sail March 12 for London, where she wOI remain until ready to open in Germany. Having given HO.OOe to local charity and besieged by other charitable organlxatior.s in this city, for the final week Morris Gest presented 10 organizations with $1,000 worth of tickets each, which he told them they could sell and keep the entire proceeds. During the fifth week it was nec- essary for Gest to take care of some 11.000 people who had pur- chased tickets for "The Miracle" and were unable to attend per- formances during the two weeks prior due to heavy rainstorms which killed traffic connections. Besides members of "The Mir- acle" company sent east, Gest took care of 18 actors, most of them of the speaking stage, who have been stranded on the coast. He provided them with transportation and sofllclent money to last them until they got to New York. Fender "Crashes' Palm Beach, March 8. Harry Fender, musical com- edy Juvenile, has been admit- ted to membership in the Bath and Tennis Club. The actor was sponsored by Edward F. Hntton and Anthony Biddlc and is regarded as the only professional ever to be enrolled in what is probably the most exclusive resort or- ganization in the world. "Captive" Salary Claims An unusual salary angle con- cerns the abrupt closing of "The Captive" at the Empire, New York. The show stopped on orders from the management Tuesday night, be- ing paid two-eighths of a week, but the players claim a week's salary still due in lieu of notice. Gilbert Miller, managing director of the Krohman Company, which produced the play, insisted the mat- ter go to arbitration. Equity main- tains the claim for a week's salary is clear, since the show w»e volun- j tartly taken off by the management. Although the players were arrested, the management had secured an Injunction restraining the police from further interference until the matter was settled in court. The company assembled for the matinee, but were told the season was over, the players then hurrying to court, where they were due to appear at 2: SO. 'Chicago'' in Detroit On 12-Week Booking Casting la being done for the de- layed Chicago company of "Chi- cago." The show will open m De- troit and la scheduled to play there for 12 weeks, an exceptional book- ing. The Loop will first get the show early I Advocates Stage Director For. Methodist Church Los Angeles, March 8. Rev. Charles P. Seltter, Methodist minister of Santa Ana, Col., came out with a strong endorsement of "The Miracle" In his Sunday ser- mon. A Los Angeles* evangelist. Robert Shuler. had previously at- tacked the spectacle, terming it propaganda. Rev. Seitter further stated that he advocated the Methodist church establishing a director of dra- matics. The Methodists have commonly been opposed to anything the- atrical. James Cagney, understudy to Lee Tracy In "Broadway," has filed complaint with Equity alleging the management is resorting to undue practices against him and his wife in order to avoid contractual obli- gations. Cagney was originally engaged by Jed Harris producer of "Broadway," lor the Juvenile lead in the London production of the piece. Cagney had been appearing in vaudeville In "A Broadway Romeo" under direc- tion of E. K. Nadel when ap- proached for "Broadway." Nudel agreed to release Cagney and hi* wife, the latter also appearing in the vaudc act, and both signed with Harris for the London com- pany of "Broadway." According to Cagney, he rehearsed with the piece until the day prior to sailing, when be was informed that Roy Lloyd was going Into the role, and that he wonld head the proposed Chicago company of "Broadway," not yet materialising. Run of Play Contract Cagney held a run of play con- tract for the lias been playing the New York production. Mrs. Cagney is also in the cast. The annoyances which Cagney has complained about to Equity Is that since he turned down an offer of settlement on his contract he and his wife have been practically living in their trunk because of varous notifications that Mrs. Cag- ney would be sent to London. Cagney alleges that the possibil- ity of sending his wife abroad la a myth and merely spite work of the management to keep both of them Kqnity has taken the matter Morgan's Mats Los Angeles, March 8. Dickson Morgan, who has been presenting "All God's Chilluns Got Wings" at special matinees In Hol- ■ wood, will offer (lalsworthy's Summer Show at N. B.; "Is That Nice?" Selected "Is Tliat Nice?" musical adapta- tion of Frederic and ranny Hatton's "Upstairs and Down," will be listed among forthcoming ■aramer mu.-i- cala and probable spotting at the Muale Eox, New York. John Emerson and Anita Loo* are making the musics: comedy version with Irving Berlin dolner 'he lyrics and music. Sam H. Harris will "Romancing," Good Albany, March 8. "Romancing Around" had a suc- cessful premiere at the Capitol. This dramatic comedy looks good enough to carry Lillian Foster Into a return Broadway triumph. The first act Is a little too long these are defects that can be remedied easily. It seems an though the play may have a claim on Broadway. Miss Foster Is supported by a good cast. Wayburn Not Available Ned Wayburn wishes It to be put upon the record that his services are not available at present for any theatrical producer. I This condition has been brought about, says Ned, through his many personal activities and enterprises calling for full attention. Par- ticularly is the Wayburn Institute of Dancing one of these. The statement carries Its own contradiction of the report Way- burn Is to stage the ZlegfeM "Follies" of 1927. der consideration and will ruling on it this week. Cagney has asked that the ! ogement be required to notify Mrs. Cagney two weeks in advance of the sailing date should they Intend sending her abroad. Gest's Family Taking To Soap IANNEY DUE BACK Russell Janney Is due back from abroad next week and will immedi- ately plunge Into casting for the operetta version of The Squaw .Man." Dennis King will be featured with the piece scheduled for a New York Los Angeles, March t. The Gest boys are going Into the soap business. They are Simeon and George Gest, brothers of Morris Oeat, theatrical producer. Their father was the largest soup man- ufacturer in Russia, having a plant in Odessa. As their brother, Morris, feels he Is the only one of the family who belongs In the show business, the two brothers have decided to start a factory here to mako soap. The plant will be built for them In the southern part of Los Angeles, and their initial brand will b "Miracle." Phil Isaacs, former theatre ager. who recently sold a bill post- ing plant In the east, la to be gen- eral manager of the soap business. Also here from Russia la Gest's sister, Fanla. She win make her home m Hollywood with her two brothers, who have both brought their families here from Russia. Despite opposition from six mem- bers the Los Angeles city coun- cil passed a resolution by a ma- jority of three lauding Morris Gest for bringing "The Miracle" here. The resolution read: "Los Angeles has fortified Itself as one of the greatest theatrical and artistic centers of the world by the support given "The Miracle" during its weeks of presentation here and the city owes a debt of thanks to Morris Gest, the producer, lor oi inning the pl.iy to this city." "Shannons" in Slang bod Angeles, March 8. •The Shannons of itrnndway." new play hv -lames Clenson. will he produced at the Hf-laseo, following •I-. J5.it Hof*