Variety (Mar 1927)

Wednesday, March 16, 1927 LEGITIMATE 2 SYRACUSE STOCKS BATTLE PREPARED K-A Co. vs. Wilcox Co.—Both Houses Opening April 4 Syracuse, N. T., March 15. The bitterest stock scrap that Syracuse has ever witnessed will start on April 4, when the Temple stock, backed by the Keith-Albee organization, starts In opposition to the established Frank Wilcox com- pany at the Wietlng (Shuberts). This city has a drawing popula tion of about 250,000. For three years the Wilcozlan troupe has been a gold mine for the firm of Dewltt Newing and Frank Wilcox as the two partners expand ed their stock operations to other cities. The Temple, owned by the Cahills but with E. F. Albee reputedly per- sonally Interested In the operating company, heretofore has been dark each summer, closing during the hot months, when its combination policy of pop vaudeville and pictures failed to hold up. The Wilcox company, fighting to hold its advantage, will bring back six veterans of previous seasons and seven new additions. Those return lng include Mr. Wilcox, leading man; Hugh V. O'Connell, come- dian; Robert E. Lawrence, second man; Hal Brown, character man; Josephine Fox, character woman, and Dorothy Holmes, ingenue. The newcomers will embrace a new leading woman, as yet un- named; Irene Shirley, second wom- an; Donald Dillaway, juvenile; Lyle Clemont- director; James Mc- Hugh, general business; E. G. O'Connor, stage manager, and Mar- tha Leavett, fifth woman. Miss Shirley Is the wife of Arthur Hurley, director and producer. Miss Leavett. ■ Syracuse graduate, comes SHOWS IN REHEARSAL "The Message" (Arthur Koss). "The Rabbi and Priest" (Rob- ert Sterling). "The Second Man" (Theatre Guild). "It's a Wow" (Powell & Ban- nister). "The Spread Eagle" (Jed Harris). "Hit the Deck" (Lew Fields). "The Circus Princess" (Shu- berts). "Barking Dogs" (Samuel Orange). "The Gossipy Sex" (John C jlden). "Fiesta" (Playwright's The- atre) . "Mariners" (Actors' Theatre). "The Brush Heap" (Edmund Gurner). "Rapid Transit" (Province- town Playhouse). "Times and Topics" (Murray Phillips). from the Eva Le Gallienne reper tory organization in New York. The opposing company at the Temple will Include: Alfred Cross, leading man; Elwln Harvey, second woman; Frances Brandt, character woman; Betty Utmore, ingenue; William Jeffry, second man; Wilmer Walte, char- acter man; William Carey, Juve- nile; Hamilton Mott, comedian: Horace Michaels and Geraldlne Wall, general business and fifth woman, respectively. Thomas Ma- grane will direct, with Samuel Field assisting. George Lord will be scenic artist. Neither company has announced its opening attraction. The Wil- coxians may do "The Butter and Egg Man," with "The Passing of the Third Floor Back" to follow. The Temple may open with "Nice People," with "The Fool" next. Edwin Hopkins as Gen. Mgr. Edwin Hopkins, authors' repre- sentative, formerly with George Broadhurst, Is general manager for Ramsey Wallace Productions. S. Jay Off "Telegram" S. Jay Kaufman, who has written a column, " 'Round the Town," for "The Telegram," was notified last week by that paper's new owners, Scripps-Howard, that Robert Gar- land, columnist and dramatic critic on the Scripps-Howard Baltimore "Post," will hereafter fill the space used up by " 'Round the Town." Garland, a stormy petrel of a critic—free-spoken and everything else—will do his stuff for "The Telegram" and the associated Scripps papera, syndication being the idea. Kaufman is now doing exploita- tion work for the new Roxy theatre. TREASURERS' BENEFIT The Treasurers' Club of America is getting everything ready for the annual benefit performance at the Hudson, March 27, proceeds of which will as usual be applied In total to the reserve fund, expended to members who are 111 and for burials. The best revenue getter of the event will be the souvenir program. A two-page adv has been ordered by the Furness-Bermuda steamship line in exchange for two flrst-class round trip tickets to Bermuda. That has opened up a new racket for the boys to boost the fund. Books of "shares" at $1 each In the Bermuda tickets have been Issued members for sale among themselves and friends. In addition as a prize for each $50 In program advertising brought In by members, one share is given and for every 150 worth of shares a similar gift will be made. The winner of the tickets to be se- lected by a drawing later on will have the opportunity of taking a trip to "that picturesque, gorgeous and romantic tropical paradise where the moon creeps down to kiss the silvery sea." There Is a picture of a boat on the circulars sent out which dis- tracted attention from the limita- tions stipulated by the steamship company. The tickets will be good for 12 months after Issuance "with the exception of February, March, April, first half of May and the Christmas holidays." All-Star "Caesar" The Actors' theatre, considerably strengthened by the success of "Saturday s Children," will do an all-star revival of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" after the ("lenience Dane piece, "Mariners," due at the Plymouth March 28, has opened. The "Julius Caesar" production will be a limited engagement and staged by Guthrie McClintic. SWEET LADY (Continued from page 44) and dance pair they would be as nifty without a show as with one. Miss Nordstrom makes most of her part as a snappy lady Just through with digging graves for two hus- bands and with shovel ready for a third. Miss Nordstrom needs no coaching on comedy delivery. She knows her stuff. Jane Taylor and Alexander Gray, in the mamma and papa roles, are competent. Both possess pleasing voices, though neither Is given much of a chance, with the comics mak- ing roughhouse with a large per- centage of available duets. Not an unfavorable flaw in the cast, with George A. Schiller, John Kane, Mary Adams, William Roselle and John Hundley. Hundley, Miss Nordstrom and the chorus are great In "Mauve Decade," the best com- edy number in the show. First act fair, second act a darb and third act fair. Two sets—first and third alike—are unpretentious. "On a Side Street" Is the Bong standout. It sounds like a peach of a dance number. "Sweet Lady" is sweet and familiar in spots. "Sex Appeal" Is a possible comedy seller. The show, taking running ex- penses, etc., Into consideration, might be another "Little Jessie James." Though not like "Jessie" in any detail, and without a sure- fire song that sold "Jessie," It Is of that type. For New York, where It Is probably aimed, a feminine "name" may be needed. Nothing added or detracted will help it in Chicago. In picking his home town Mr. Ball got one cur- rently tough. Legit conditions here this season have been depressing In all but a very few Instances. An opening-night audience was appre- ciative and demonstrative, hut open- ing-night audiences usually are. Giving "Sweet Lady" eight weeks la giving it an edge in Chicago—an overgrown week stand. Loop. VARIETY 45 LEGEND OF LEONORA Washington, March 15. William A. Brady (though not ao pro- grammed) preeents Grace George in Sir Jamea M. Barrie s comedy "only for thoae who have ever had a mother." Bruce Mc- Itae. featured by arrangement with Chaa. Kruhman, Inc. Staged by Edward llener. Seta by Livingston l'latt. First perform- ance, of revival. Relasco. March 14. Mr. Justice Grim Dyke Moffat Johnston Sir Roderick l'erlpety Leonard Wllley t'npuln Rattray, R. N Bruce Moltae Mr. Tovey Oeorge Thorpe Mr. Lebctter Edward Coopar Railway Guard Richard Simpson Foreman of Jury J. F. Robertson Juryman Oeorge H. Wiseman Juryman William Newman Clerk Kenneth Lawton Policeman Richard Rawaon There Is no greater evidence of the so-called "cycle of the theatre" than the recent revival of Barrio's "What Every Woman Knows" and now his "Legend of Leonora." The former, if memory serves, had 34 weeks on Broadway, with much of the draw credited due, in this In- stance, to Grace George. The piece might have been written for Miss George. It doesn't seem a bit old fashioned, though originally written over 25 years ago. The old folks will love It because of its memories—today's folks will love It because it possesses all that a satirical comedy deftly handled should possess. There Is little question but that Broadway will take this one. There Is always the Grace George draw. In spite of the rather weak vehicles of late, plus Barrxe. Good enough for. any smart clientele not only in Manhattan, but anywhere. The opening here was a brilliant one. If that Isn't enough there Is Bruce McRae—splendid as Capt. Rattray, R. N., and then, too, Moffat John- ston as the Judge, equally splendid. And yes, Henry Halllday, pro- grammed as "Kenneth Lawton," whose last "engagement was on the stage door of the Henry Miller theatre. As tht clerk of the court with but one duty, that of swearing In a witness, this old-timer brought a "hand" everytlme he did that. Brady knows how to cast a show— which applies right down the line. There wasn't a weak spot In the long arrayi of characters. The piece ran less than two hours with terribly long waits. It might be a good Idea, and the suggestion Is respectfi ■ submitted, for Miss Oeorge to utilize a curtain-raiser and make It a complete revival, and at the same time give the star an opportunity to do something In con- trast. Barrle has many ene-act plays that would give Just the need- ed length. lieaMtu THE PACIFIC COASTS CONSISTENT BLUE RIBBON WINNER WILL KING and HIS COMPANY including "HERMIE" KING THE ACE OF BAND PRESENTATIONS NOV IN HIS SIXTH MONTH AT THE MUSIC BOX, PORTLAND.ORL Shattering All Box Office Records for the Entire Pacific Northwest OFFERS INVITED ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO SAM KRAMER Business Manager =