Variety (Mar 1927)

S4 VARIETY SPORTS Wednesday, March 18, 1927 HAMMER THROWING BOXERS PERFORM Mushy Callahan Knocks Out Divodi—Baker Wins from Roberts By JACK PULASKI Just before the final bout at the Garden Monday night a nice horsc- shce of flowers was passed through the ropes and presented to Andy DiVodi, Brooklyn favorite, who was eight to five favorite over Mushy Callahan. Also there was a gold belt offered by a firm of jewelers and Andy thought he'd sure cop that. All be got Were the flowers and a sock on the chin, going out cold in the second round. That was sure some surprise, in fact the gallery was stunned to silence. Young Mr. Callahan is from the coast, where he rose from newsboy to boxing finalist. Like La Barba he was born in old New York. Mushy came east with a rep and it was his debut at the Garden. That went for Andy too. In the first round DiVodi danced about a la Sid Terns. He got home some pretty lefts and leaned on several rights, Callahan seeming to get a line on the Brooklynlte and late In the session mixing it up for even results. The boys were making exchanges' In the second round, when about two-thirds way, Andy suddenly folded up. Couldn't Hold On A left hook to the body and choppy right on the button tells the story. DiVodi attempted to fold his arms around Mushy's torso, then' everything went blank. Calla- han pushed him away and Andy feU forward on his face. It was a cinch he would not arise before the count was over. Those present who were not watching closely did not see the blow and expected a claim of foul. But Andy was too groggy to do or say anything and when helped to his corner was still in doubt aa to what it was all about It was a clean, fast knock-out and young Mr. Callahan will command quite some attention around these parts. Of course Divodi is no wonder but he has been able to keep his chin out of the way and generally gave the fans a lively exhibition. The boys are what is known as Junior welterweights, weighing sev- eral pounds over the lightweight limit. Mushy is the supposed champ of that division. Afterwards at the Silver Slipper, ndy spoke over the radio, saying the blow must have come from the dark. That's all he remembered. The semi-final between welters supplied the other kick of the eve- ning when Sergeant Sammy Baker was awarded the decision over Eddie Roberts. It looked like a good draw. Baker's willingness to lead probably counting in his favor with the judges For five rounds It was contest of hammer throwers. Baker can sock and take it. So can Roberts, of Tacoma, who came into the lime- light when he socked Joe Dundee all over the ring and out at Frisco some time ago. Later he lost to Joe on points at the Garden, though dropping Dundee with a left hoqk. Boys Tired There were no knock-downs dur- ing this match. While Roberts looked the strongest and perhaps landed the most times to the face, he was in trouble at one- tune and hung on, when Sammy In a rally landed to the point of the jaw. The boys tired and slowed up after the fifth but the ninth and 10th rounds were right up to the pace, with Baker displaying surprising stamina and piling up the needed points. The showing of the soldier again puts him In line as a contender. The first 10-rounder, also with welterweights, brought together Clyde Hall and Billy Leonard of Syracuse and the winner. Hall Is a Southern party who defeated Pete Latzo, the division champ. While he was pretty good, Leonard knew much more and socked oftener and Indications are that Clyde must have caught Fete on an off night, unless the Garden disconcerted him. Leonard started to forge ahead in the second round and before the final gong he was a mile out In front. Sid Terrls goes against Billy Wallace Friday night but there will INSIDE STUFF ON SPORTS Risko 8tarts Plenty Johnny Risko, the Cloveland baker's boy with the rubber chin, Hlmost gummed up the fistic works last week when he knocked Sailor Eddie Huffman cold at the Pioneer Club, New York. It appears that Tex Hickard himself was most perturbed for the reason that tha clubby Clevelander who totes a wicked left hook was matched to meet Jimmy Maloney at Cleveland. Now knowing what might happen to Maloney, Rickard figured It would be terrible if Risko pulled the same stuff on Jimmy as Jimmy and Jack Sharkey are to Inaugurate the open air season in May at the Yanks' Stadium. And so it is reported Tex bought off the bout from the Cleveland pro- moters for a check for $2,500. The Risko-Huffman event Itself started something In the New York State Athletic Commission, it 1b reported. Allegations are that the bell was pulled in an effort to save Huffman and more than once. But even the short counts could not save the sailor. Outside of that the Pioneer club lost $500 on the Risko-Huffman bout. There was only $2,800 in the house. One Row of Seats Oversold Peculiar ticket arrangement at the Taylor-Shea fight, Jim Mullens' last show at the Coliseum, Chicago, caused a slight squawk by the fans. The Coliseum balcony has only seven rows. Tickets for eight rows were printed and all purchased, the show being a sell out Boys holding ducats for the invisible row were forced to sit on invisible chairs. Though the incident was well known, nothing was said In the dailies. Neither did the ushers seem to know what it was all about, albeit they gathered in some coffee money by "allowing" the seatless lads to park in the aisles. JOYS AND GLOOMS OF BROADWj (Continued from page 2) to buy seats for 2,000 newsboys, all fellow workers. Divodi still has his newsstand at the Grand Central Station and can be seen there daily. Lopez Likes Loew's Vincent Lopez was the guest of honor of a night club Friday, and called upon for a speech on the radio stated that he had never worked for an individual or an organization he enjoyed playing for more than Marcus Loew. He stated that he wtus very happy, that every manager treated himself and his boys splendidly, and he would enjoy every minute of the time spent on the Loew circuit. Dorothy Deeder and Vivian Glenn, two of New York's greatest night club dancers, whom Rufus Le Malre took out of the Playground for his "Affairs," are leaving the show. Deeder is going Into "Bye Bye Bonnie" and will double at the Frivolity Club, and Vivian Glenn will work in a New York show. CMcagoVNew Arena Chicago, March 15. An indoor sports arena with a seating capacity that will surpass that of . the New Madison Square Garden is planned for this city by Paddy Harmon, local sports pro- moter and ballroom proprietor, and a syndicate of backers. The place, when completed, will seat 46,000, and total cost is estimated to reach $5,000,000. Property bounded by .Madison. Wood and Lincoln streets and Warren avenue, valued at $1.- 500,000, has bt-en purchased for the project Syndicate of investment bankers, headed by Aylward & Co., will float a bond issue of from $1,300,000 to $1,500,000 to finance construction. First mortgage bonds for that amount and preferred stock total- ing $2,000,000 will be placed on market There will also be com- mon at no par. William Wrigley, the chewing gum magnate and owner of the Chicago Cubs, heads the subscription list The stadium will house boxing, wrestling, conventions, exhibitions, ice hockey, etc. The Coliseum Is now used for these purposes. Pathe Looks Winner Looks like Pathe was going to romp away with the basketball league honors among the picture concern teams. The final games will be played next Friday evening, with Pathe meeting Consolidated, and Metro playing United Artists. Pathe has won seven and lost none, with Fox second with five victories and three defeats. Metro is third and has a chance to tie Fox for second honors by licking V. A. in the finals. U. A. is hopelessly last not hav- ing won a single game. Consoli- dated has copped two out of seven and is in fourth place. Metro gave Pathe more of a battle than any of the teams and last week almost nosed the leaders out but for the exceptional playing of George Sny- der, Pathe's center. ONT. WET MAY 15 ILL. STRICT MUTUEL BILL Springfield, 111., March 15. A new parl-mutuel race horse gambling bill bobbed up In the house this week, sponsored by A. B. Lager, of Carlyle, but with such stringent restrictions that Its suc- cess seems doubtful. It would Impose a $2,500 fee on the operators of each system within 26 miles of a city of 600,000 and $1,500 upon all others; the State to collect 20 cents on each admission ticket sold and the operator re- stricted to 6Vi per cent, profit. Races would be permitted be- tween May 1 and Oct. 31. Failure to secure a license would be punish able by fines of from $5,000 to $10, 000, and each operator subject to a $50,000 bond. CHI HOCKEY FRANCHISE SOLD Chicago, March 16. Franchise of the Chicago Card inals in the American Hockey As soclatlon has been sold by Ed Livingstone and Harry Caldwell to an organization headed by Rube Cook and Harry Herendeen. The name of the club will be changed to Chicago Americans. The club has taken a five-year lease on the Coliseum ice rink. The Blarkhawks, local National League team, also has a long terra lease on the Coliseum, alternating dates there with the American club. be no fights in the Garden next week, Tex Rickard having been penalized I ■ y the boxing com mlssloners because he paid Taul Berlenbach more money than was "legal" when he fought Mike Mc- Tigue. Action by the commissioners looks like a good argument for Tex to beat down the price of punch (Continued from page 1) from the sale of liquors for the first year of operation will be, $4, 000,000, which will be used to re duce income, vehicle and amuse ment taxes. Retail prices will be about as follows: Imported Scotch—From $5.(0 lm perial quart for King George and Gold Label to $5.40 for Old Parr and Queen Ann. Canadian Scotch — Argyle and Royal George at $4.50. Canadian Rye—From $4.65 to $3 Irish Whiskey—From $5.25 $4.85. Gin—From $4.50 to $3.40. Brandy—From $5.75 to $4.10. Rum—From $3.90 to $3.76. Domestic Beer^$2.15 per dozen pints. Imported Ales and Beer—$5 and $6 per dozen quarts. to CATHOLICS; CLEAN PLAYS (Continued from page 1) much it is responsible for present conditions on the stage. We ask your co-opertalon In support of good plays. "We cannot advocate any theatre or play at all at this time, because it is lent The church asks its public to conduct a wholesale re- hearsal for life's work, during Lent, like an actor carefully prepares for his part." The talk was conducted by the Rev. Francis A. Madden, who said stage bulletins and reviews of cur- rent plays could be had on applica- tion. Seymour Felix's Injury Seymour Felix, who is putting on another masterpiece In Lew Fields' Hit the Deck," Is bothered with a bad knee and is working under a terrific strain to open on time. Seymour Is one producer who works harder than his chorus and he does every step first and more often than his company. He's sticking gamely to it however, and will finish on time. In his desire to make "Hit the Deck," which Is a musical version of "Shore Leave," absolutely authentic Lew Fields has engaged several naval officers to look over every detail of naval procedure. This is frequcntly done in the movies and sometimes in the legit, but never before in mu- sical comedy. Incidentally, Charley King has been signed for the lead, with Louise Groody. , Fred Beebe, rodeo king, spent the week-end at our farm in Ramsey, N. J. He's in town preparing to put on a monster rodeo in London, Paris and Berlin. . .. William Morris, Jr., is planning a big show of all American specialty girls for the Ambassadeurs in Paris. Georgte Hale is to be the star. They are experiencing difficulty in getting the right sort of girls to go over. Previous • Paris invasions by Americans have proved disastrous for the girls. Substantial Thanks Very Infrequently for players, particularly chorus girls, to get even a decent "thank you" for playing a benefit, so the thanks offered the en- tire company of the Silver Slipper and Frivolity clubs is rather unique. Some time ago they played two charity shows for political leaders in the Bronx, who are returning the compliment by giving a dinner party, in honor of everyone who appeared, in the Roosevelt hotel next Monday night Dan Skllltng, secretary of the Boxing Commission, planned the event. The girls will be entertained, and no one has to bring her dancing shoes. Most of thcnxwould rather have the cash. George Broadhurst, In his story of the theatre In this week's "Saturday Evening Post," tells of the excited patron of a theatre who ran through a plate glass mirror in the lobby in making a hurried exit. Which reminds of a now great American comedian who was with us ten years ago In a then famous place In Coney Island, who walked up to a huge full length mirror in the lobby, and asked of his own Image, "Which is the way out of this place?" He didn't even recognise himself. And again, more recently, we remember a patron of one of the night clubs who tried to walk up a painted staircase and fell through the Usher Stabbed-D.es Los Angeles, March 16. rhilip Gold, 21, usher at the Wrig- ley Field Fight Stadium, died at the General Hospital from stab wounds inflicted by Philip Edwards, 30. The usher was knifed because he refused to allow Edwards and a party of friends to occupy $3 seats on $1 tickets at the Hudkins-Colima tight March 11. Wound was around the stomach. LONDON AS IT LOOKS (Continued from page 2) in "The Blue Mazurka." She saved the show, which, otherwise, could not have been produced. She learned the difficult music in two weeks, rather to the annoyance of Monckton Hoffe, the author, who had told me two weeks before that if Pechy did not sing the show would be a flop. Fortunately the French Government made Pechy an officer of the Academie Francaise, or something, and now Pechy is booked to appear at the Coliseum In a sketch which Hoffe has written, which is all about a star who came to London and then did not appear because of her accent. The Fiasco That Was Not They turned more people away from the pit and gallery on the Daly's first night than they have ever done before at that theatre. Vast crowds had gone to see a fiasco. No one believed in it. The management them- selves had predicted disaster. Much to everybody's surprise it was a success. Clifford Mollison, one of Basil Dean's highbrows, blossomed out as a dancing comedian and shared with Gladys the honors of the evening. The Stars Shin* Very High Gladys Cooper triumphantly produced "The Letter," by Somerset Maug- ham, and Sybil Thorndike produced "The Greater Love," by James Ber- nard Fagan. They were both vociferous first nights. Sybil had nearly 20 curtains at the end of her third act, and Fagan in replying to the clamor said that he little dreamed, when he wrote the play years ago, that Sybil would ever act the leading part. Eden Philpotts's Surprise During the first act of "The Blue Comet," by Eden Phllpotts, I thought I was In for the worst evening I had spent for at least two days. It was about a dreary English family. Then the blue comet threatened to strike the earth and It became vivid melodrama, elevated by some really beautiful thinking. Mixed up with the high fervor of it all were some humorous remarks, such as that of the old English lady, who, being told that the comet was so full of force it would drive the world for a thousand years, said: "Well, then, we can give it to America Instead of the war debt. The All-British Command I know it was to be an all-British bill at the Variety Command Per- formance. I had squealed for all British music, and they all gave in like billyho. Then, at the lust moment, they had to leave In a German tune. It seems that for 25 years Albert Wlielan, whom you have often heard, come on and whistled 32 bars of "Lustige Bruder," and gone off whistling the same 32 bars. "If they changed the whistle," he said, "it wasn't his real turn. Any- way, British military bands have played it for 37 years," he argued, "so it cannot be very wrong." So they gave in. Jack Edge should have cleaned up some of lus jokes. I am sure the Queen did not like the Adam and Eve nudity stuff or the Lady Godin-i her feelings, whatever they were.