Variety (Mar 1927)

VARIETY PLAYS ON BROADWAY THE MYSTERY SHIP OusUv Blum pr«a«nts. staged by hinrntf * thr»e-a.ct myatery mHo by Btmu M. Schoenberg and Mlttun silver, at the Car- rick. March 4. 13 top Burke fnnwuy Mr- Cbickerlnfr Anthony Langdon ithony Oapt. O'Donnell... Albert Gardner... Langdon Chick erlngr .heighton Meeban • Arthur C. Horria . .Elizabeth Irving .Wallace Krskinc .Joseph n. fiarry ...Hherling Oliver ..Marion Swaync ...EMU McClellan St tSK t J. I«nee Guatav Blum Is the producer of "Gertie," "My Son" and other two- ror-ones. He has now put on a three-for-one. "The Mystery 8hlp," which has some favorable points, hasn't a chance other than at base- ment-bargain rates. It is behind the times, a somewhat distorted carbon- copy of many other spooky melo- dramas that beat it In, and suffer* the serious disadvantage of an abor- tive premiere, besides. Just what the rush was for. since Monday wasn't a night clear of other openings, was not made plain. The troupe was unfinished, unpolished and uneasy. It is said that there had been less than three weeks re- hearsal in all—and that was easily believed at the performance when the play opened "cold" to a New York audience Including several of the first-string critics. Silver, the author named second, is the assistant advertising director for Universal, and Schoenberg is one of his aides. This is their first pro- duced opus. Having hesitated all these years for their Night of Nights, they might have induced or coerced Blum Into letting a few more days pass. As It was, what chance their book had to draw serious metropoli- tan attention was quite completely strangled by a premature and fum- bling unveiling, and it is now up to the masses—the masses who don't or can't read reviews, but who, too, have their marked yesses and noes. "The Mystery Ship" should have been in Leblang's before it saw the light of night at all. The Garrlck was a third or more empty for the kickoff. It will be ensconced under Gray's drugstore before this report smells ink, and the surviving con- jecture Is only how long it can stay there. This is a pigeon-hole type of mys- tery farce-melo, with the expected and customary Ingredients—the shot In the dark, the hands from nowhere, the grisly laugh, the ghastly groan, the Incidental comedy, the acci- dental coincidences and the Infinlt- esmal love Interest. It is on a ship, but that doesn't help it hold water any more than those on terrible firma which are its predecessors and its contemporaries. It is about as good as "The Fog," and, If it had snappier action would be the peer of "The Wooden Ki- mono." It can't touch "The Bat" for spirit, comedy and originality, nor can it be mentioned in the same month with "The Cat and the Can- ary" for compelling and clutching tensity. It is of the "Whispering Wires" grade, dramatically. It lacks the farce quality of "The Gorilla," and is sometimes the butt rather than the Inspiration for laughter; this, on Monday, was as chargeable to the playing and direction (not to say casting) as It was to the script. There is no safe way of telling what it might have hit had it been staged by a master hand and played by grade A performers. This sort of materlul is baffling until the public verdict is in, and the slightest switching of elements mean the difference between total loss and total success. "Tin. f;,»» in,." n'n. ., and BaatOR, « n( l after six hours' manipulating was a sensation in N'ew York 24 hours later. "The Mystery Ship." with some tighten- ing of the literature and the demon- stration thereof, had potentialities considerably beyond its Tuesday morning horizon. The program requests that the solution he withheld. Therefore the narrative cannot be Intelligently transcribed. The integral plot is sound and seaworthy. It would be far better without the poppycock and piffle, regarded as the essential fripperies of sueh products, were it more plausible and less mysteriously gruesome. The company is framed econom- ically, and the Garrlck doesn't main- tain an uptown stop limit. There- fore "The Mystery Ship" may cruise along with its hold flooded, and the pumps may keep it afloat for some time before it limps into the dry- dock of stock, where it should serve nobly. Thus it isn't at all unlikely that It can ride the tides until the warm weather, though it will never get any important grosses. LaU. "The Gorilla' In was a THE NEW YORKERS Intimate revue previously known as "1928" (during Its week's existence In the Bronx at the Intimate Playhouse), book by Jo Hwerling; lyrics by Heriry Myers; music by Arthur Schwartx, Edgar Falrchlld and Charles M. Schwab. Production under personal supervision of MUton Bender. Cast includes Chester Clute, Tamara Draein, lllma Swan, Mona Sore!. Florence Faun, Elaine Lauren, Lllyan Laurrn. Doro- thy Hoffman, Isabel Zahner, Milton Lau- rence. Hue Baxter. Dorothy Daye, Milt Collins, Harry Bensoa. Benn Trivers, Roberta dale, Gay LaSalle, Wea. L. Rob- ertson, Genevieve Ames, Charles Bender. Elaine Gerard. Opened at 62d Street March 10. Renamed and recast, "1928'' came downtown out of the wildernesses of the Bronx, but all In vain. The transient advantage of Broadway is not destined to react favorably for "The New Yorkers," as It is now identified. It's an ineffectual entertainment, worse than amateurish because it endeavors to be smart and "inti- mate" (aping the "Garrlck Gaieties," "Grand Street Follies," etc.) and succeeds In no wise, excepting for an occasional bright spot. It is unwisely routined and the general underlying mottf suggests Its Bronx derivation, even were It not so generally known. Compared to an average undergraduate entertain- ment, it does not compare with a third-rate collegiate dramatic so- ciety, a conclusion that does not flatter the quasi-professional cre- ators and cast. The authors are many and It's a case of too many cooks. Jo Swer- llng's book Is spotty at best, with one or two fair skits, but for the rest it's a load of hooey. He man- ages a decent enough start, but the development disappoints. Henry Myers (who is or was a Shubert p. a.) Is a lyricist of prom- ising calibre, but obviously striving for "smart" phases. It's another case of too much Rodgers-and-Hart Influence on the new school of lyric writers. Still Myers' contribution stands up and out as the best Indi- vidual effort. The trio of composers are Arthur Schwartz, Edgar Fairchlld and Charles M. Schwab. The latter Is no relation to the financier and came to attention with his music for "Bare Facta of 1»28." Schwartz is a lawyer, but suggests potentiali- ties as a composer. Ditto Fairchlld (nee Milton Susskind), a recording pianist who composed the flop. "Florida Girl." the three they have fash- ioned some sprightly tunes, Schwab's ' Slow River" impressing the most. When '1928" broke In at the Bronx Intimate Playhouse the numbor was widely heralded and proved to be a dance tune that will outlive its pro- duction. The revue was taken over by Mil- ton Bender since Its Bronx debut, and the same handicap of featuring a weak member among the princi- pals figures downtown. In the Bronx try-out Sidney Staevaroff, who owns the Intimate Playhouse, elected himself to "star" In the revue, and Bender similarly has in- stalled Charles Bender (a relative presumably) as the principal tenor. •One wishes at times that he wouldn't sing. His voice Is pitched high and reacts peculiarly on the ear. Of the new additions the best known. Milt Collins, has not the opportunities nor the material. Dorothy Daye impresses Indivldu ally as dees Tamara Drasln with Russe guitar song specialties. She's warbler that some vodka night club might annex to advantage. Sue Baxter is the only impressive name" in the lineup. Harry Benson is not satisfactory and possesses something that may advance him professionally. The rest don't mat- ter either way. The show wo.n't last much after this notice sees print, if that long, but what possibilities there are in the cast they deserve the space. Abel. EARTH Drama W\ two acts by Km Jo Bass he, presented March ft at the. 52d Street by the New Playwright* Theatre, Inc.; directed by Earl Browne; settlnga by Cleon Throck- morton. Deborah Inei Clough Brother Elijah Daniel U Haynes Abner Hayea Pry or Senon William Townsend Mary Marie Young Sera Ruth Carr Dinah , Dannie Morgi ..Elate WlnsTow Naomi.. Suzanna Burnabui Moses. , Mntthlcs, in Peter. ...Oeraldlne Evans ..Hemaley Wlnfleld .H. Webater Elklna a N. Addison • •• McKlnley Reoves Harold DesVerney By Subscribing "Variety" now reaches an address in any but the largest cities before it is on the newsstands. If "Variety" is wanted at the earliest and weekly, the surest way is to subscribe. Subscription—$T yearly; Foreign $8. Variety 154 West 46th St., New York City Over the proscenium arch of this reconstructed little theatre there Is a large gilt B. It might stand for Bimberg. who owns the shack, or It might have been intended for Berkley. But for the present pur- poses it signified bughouse. Well, the boys sprung a quick one, the boys meaning the Ave expres- sionist ic playwrights operating the B2d Street with a b. r. said to have been posted by Otto H. Kahn. The week before there was a Coney Island special called "Loud Speaker/ Last Wednesday came "Earth, 1 which will alternate with the other show—for a time, anyhow. They say another attraction will soon fol- low, probably "Pinwheel," at pres- ent at the Neighborhood Playhouse, The boys don't think the latter Is expresslonlstlc enough and Intend doing It their own way. However, they are boosting It via handbills at the 52d Street because one of their group wrote it "Earth" isn't a dirt play but it la highly colored. The quick one was the showing of an all-negro cast. The tip-off came with the number of colored folks sitting in on the premiere. In fact. It was a black and tan audience. Besides the high- brow colored people there were men with girls haircuts and girls with men's haircuts, so you could not tell the difference at a glance—hence the bughouse "Earth" deals with the deeply religious, superstitious among Illit- erate colored folks of the south. When negroes "get religion" It sticks. In the play there is some conflict between a group of believers and a voodoo man. Deborah, the principal character, had borne six children, all having died. Mostly she protested the death of a son Walter and pleads to Heaven for his return. She blames the Lord and goes so far as to demand of Him that He seek a high God for forgiveness. Visits to a mountain shrine, the flock led by a blind leader are effec- tive as prayer meetings, with the followers "Joinln' In" and chanting spirituals. Finally Deborah Is adjudged a deep sinner and is stricken down, with the fervored neighbors singing "The Time Has Come," a welcome curtain line. The singing of the spirituals was tho highlight, with the number, "Count Yor Sins, Slnnin' Sister" standing out with remarkable effect. But the performance as an enter- tainment is tiresome and repetitious. The constant appeals to the Lord make this play about as boresome and heavy us one could imagine. There are some clever negro actors. Inez Clough as Deborah was something of a revelation. She Is comely and buxome, with a fine sense of the theatre, and an earnest portrayal of her sorrowful character. Daniel L. Haynea was "Brother Elijah," the blind religious leader, HEAVEN TAPPERS Melodrama In three acta by Oeorse Scar- borough and Annette Weslliay prebented at the Forrest March S by Lec Shubert, asso- ciation with Kdwln Carewc; staged by lat- ter. David Calvin, alias "The Parson" „ . . t Charles Waldron Bud Ketcham Thomas Chalmers Kent Hardy Reginald Harlow Warden _ .Thamaa Ounn Chaplain Krancls ti4m" Kline Kid Short ,JHlik Marlowe Pop Patera >3> .Jeaeph Allen Red Belwyn Mariraret Lawrene* Devil Ace Ollaon Louis Bennison rap Mayhorn John Benson pock Tolllver Harry Clarens Mrs. Ollaon Florence Oerald Mrs. Ketcham Lule Warrenton Old JuJ Frank Williams Ketcham Charles Abbe In an effort to brighten the chances of "The Heaven Tappers," Margaret Lawrence was thrust into the show a week prior to its opening at the Forrest. That did not turn the trick, however. The part is not suitable to Miss Lawrence and the play itself should not have survived the first week. Only a theatre party Monday held It over. _ George Scarborough and Arrhctte Westbay wrote the play, but did not get much further than the idea, that of crooks assuming the guise of re- ligious prophets with the object of arousing the superstitions of Ken tucky mountaineer moonshiners and robbing them of wealth secured in the sale of rum. Miss Westbay went into the show when it opened out of town. Federal men are poison to moon- shiners and Devil Ace GUson, In whose shack most of the play Is staged, feeds poison to all such vis- itors caught snooping around the stills. A detective searching for Red Chapman, bad man who es- caped from Atlanta after killing a guard, Is given a draft of wood al- cohol and goes blind within a few minutes. He Is placed on the trail and can be heard shrieking as he falls over a precipice. Miss Lawrence seemed anything but a girl crook. The lingo of the' tribe sounded strange coming from her Hps, nor was she any better when robed in the white of a holy woman. The wonder is that she accepted the role. Charles Waldron was better as the leader of the crooks, now a phoney prophet. Louis Bennison played Devil Ace, but was a bit more convincing when he got religion. Charles Abbe stood out above the others with a small part, that of a grumbling old codger who pretended to be paralyzed In the legs so that his old woman could trundle him about and do all the work. Lee Shubert Is sponsoring the show with Edwin Carewe. It may be or may not be strange the Shu- berts so rarely are able to success- fully produce a drama. "The Heaven Tappers" is about as bad a try as they have yet offered. Ibtr. SHOWS ON RUNS WILL DONATE 1 MAT TO FUND Every 20 Weeks—Decided by Equity Meeting Monday- Nominating Com. Named A general meeting of Equity held at the Hotel Astor Monday after- >n resulted In the unanimous adoption of the several matters up for consideration. In addition, the membership portion of the nomi- nating committee to name the regu- lar ticket of officers and council, up for election In May, was named. The motion to aid the Actors' Fund by means of a special mati- nee In every 20th week of a run was heartily approved. It replaces the first plan of a silver donation to the fund weekly from those members having engagements. The action of the council In supporting the Committee of Nine, working for self-control of the stage as a counter to state censorship was also endorsed. Under the new rules to name the nominating committee there are three members of the council and six from the general membership. The former are Katherine Emmett, Fritz Williams and Ralph Morgan. Elected at Monday's meeting from the membership body were Julia Marlowe, Mary Shaw, Lee Baker, Reginald BarUjwe, Frank Burnbeck and Oscar Eagle, with the follow- ing alternates: Sam Colt, Walter Houston, Mrs. Tom Wise, Florence Gerald, Mrs. John Cope and Sidney Booth. Enclosed is $ for my subscription for year. PogromV New B. R. A change of flnancers went In on "Pogrom" when the Minskhoff Brothers, reported also In on "Wooden Kimono," arranged to bankroll the Russian play which Arthur Ross is producing. It has been in rehearsal three weeks and may rehearse two more before opening out of town. In that event the cast will collect a week's salary for extra rehearsal time. GUIGNOL FOLDS UP WHEN BANKROLLER STOPS The American Grand Guignol, Inc., folded up Saturday at the Grove St. Playhouse, extended a week beyond the original closing time. Barton Hepburn, son of A. Barton Hepburn, the financier, who has been bankrolling the venture, decided he liked his role in the "Casualties" skit well enough to stick it out for another week. He is going to the coast In pictures. Georges Renavent, producing manager, is endeavoring to promote a fresh bankroll to continue the Grand Guignol policy. Royalties have not been paid u» the authors, Arthur Caesar In- • eluded. The hitter's sketch, "Na- poleon's Barber," the second bill, attracted Al Lewis' attention and Sidney Phillips, of that office, is sending it out in vaudeville. Gest Coming East Los Angeles, March 16. Morris Gest left last night for San Francisco to attend a luncheon to be tendered him today by 2G members of the Family Club. He returns to Los Angeles Fri- day morning and leaves for New Tork the same night. GEORGE HURD LEADING MAN 'Aloma of the South Seas' CITY COLUMBIA, Tills WEEK N. V. MARC! BEN HOLMES Featured in "Gay Paree" Winter Garden, N. Y., Now Direction Mr. J. J. Shubert rind William Townsend the voodoo man. Others were good because they knew the camp meeting stuff and were well trained by Earl Browne. Editor Vance, the Indiana sleuth, should have covered this troupe. He knows Harlem and probably would have gotten a kick out of tragic "Earth," As for others, It Is Just for the colored folks. Ibte. Dance Concert Marga Waldron assisted by PORTA-POVITCH DANCERS Ritz Theatre, New York, Sunday Afternoon MARCH 20TH, 3:00 P. M. Benefit for Relief Society for the Aged