Variety (Mar 1927)

Wednesday, March 16, 1927 MUSIC VARIETY 47 MYSTERY IS EASILY EXPLAINED ante, Jackson and Clayton Their Own Clothes in Fee Simple Own Jimmy Durante, Eddie Jackson Lou Clayton own their nightly tuxedos In fee simple, so they claim. There Is no mystery con- nected with either suit, according to the boys. One of tho suits was paid for with a fee. The fee is men- tioning the name of the clothier twice nightly, making that simple. Fee simple Is an expression Mr. Durante alleges muchly employed by realtors. He's a realtor, says Jimmy, ever since he tried to place a third mortgage on his shack In Flushing. Mr. Durante admits he has been unable to place the third mortgage as yet, but will, he claims, even If he has to move the shack out of Flushing. Those three boys are the main squeeze at the Parody night club, New York. In playing tho main squeeze the object is to extract a couvert charge from every visitor. To evade squawks the charge Is made \2, so the compromise will be in round figures also, If the cus- tomer kicks hard enough. Calling Eddie Mister Eddie Jackson was the member of the trio exploding tho mystery on all of the tuxes. Mr. Jackson, called Mister for the first time in his song singing career, confessed that each suit was at }75 top, but that the fee simple outfit was given a cut to 137.50 for the plug. The other two suits, says Eddie, and pointing with much self-possession to his own as one of them, had been gotten at Ben Rocke's for $75 each. The Dixie strutter refused to state whether they had been cash down auits or paid off in the usual Durante Trio style, out of the weekly allowance given them by their wives. This week the boys say the allowance will be heavy and they may step, as there Is another $2,000 for the tap Sunday night at Loews State, besides the $3,000 they are gyplng the Parody for weekly. Ben Rocke is a very good tailor added Eddie, giving the confirma- tion for the statement as the fact that Rocke had been able to fit Clayton. For the first two nights, Jackson claims, Durante wore a sign on his suit reading "Hands Off." The sign was on the level, said Eddie, but all of the patrons thought It was a comedy gag and paid no attention to it. That caused a dry clean on Jimmy's coat, mentioned Eddie, sending the gross to $77.50, and giving his two partners the edge. Eddie says the way his suit is wearing it doesn't have to be pressed. The boys are great admirers of one another. Mr. Clayton called attention to the new cold front dress shirts his companions were wearing and how careful they had been of them; not a spot on either, stated Mr. Clayton, since the first night they put them on. Lou had given Jimmy eight of his neckties that Lou had received as Xmas presents, with Jimmy believing Lou had freshly bought them. That seemed very funny to Eddie, who asked what good Is more than one necktie at a time for any man. Saving Coin At present the boys are attempt- ing to save their money, In the event that they run across a crap game during the summer vacation. Last summer Eddie said that Lou, after saving but half the season, had been able to play in but one game. Eddie expressed a wish that Lou will at least make two games this summer, In order that his vaca- tion shall not be ruined. Jimmy has a new vacation plan. He says they can get a rented automobile and by running it back- ward fool the owner. They expect to back up to Canada If the weather is clear and Jackson doesn't fall asleep in the rumble seat. If the car looks good enough they can mortgage that, too, added Jimmy. Music Biz in Lent Not As Bad as Expected The Lenten season has created an expected depression In the music business, although the optimistic note is that It is not as negative as the pessimists looked for. The same axiom about the hit songs always selling applies at all times. The big three are "Blue Skies," "In a Little Spanish Town" and "Tonight You Belong to Me," with "It All Depends on You" (the new DeSylva - Brown - Henderson smash) as a potential sensation. Other big sellers are "Take Your Finger Out of Your Mouth," "I'm Looking for a Girl Named Mary," "It Made You Happy When You Made Me Cry," "Yankee Rose," "Crazy Words—Crazy Tune," "Take in the Sun, Hang out the Moon," "High-High-High-Up in the Hills," "Four Leaf Clover," *'I Found You," "What Does It Matter." Laymen Prefer Actors Correspondence received by Variety from laymen Interest- ed in the improved showman- ship of the air as regards the radio, recommends that vet- eran actors like Willie Collier, Wilton Lackaye and that type would make the ideal radio announcers. This was prompted by the broadcast of Sam Bernard dinner Sunday night when Lackaye . and Collier spoke among others. Their, contrast to the regular radio announcer was marked. This idea is not new with Variety's voluntary corre- spondents, having been sug- gested by this paper to the broadcasters long before and generally approved. However, certain economic conditions still limits the crack announcers to a $4,000 top annual salary. TAVERN A CHOP HOUSE OF EXCEPTIONAL MERIT 156-8 WEST 48TH STREET East of Broadway ■ CAFE ACTS WANTED AI*o »nnr«* Rami*. Only lllch-Clam At trartlon* <'otiKlcl>r?<l. I "* h H * of One W«*k nnrt lancer. Submit Open Time and Salary K.pet'ted. SWISS GARDEN CINCINNATI, OHIO F. C. I.OIIMAN. Mgr. CHARMING WALTS BALLAD LULLABY MOON by the writer of "Mnul of All I Wnnt Your l.nic" "Whoa Twlllclit Cornell," Etc. W. A. QUINCKE & CO. 4SO So. B'wmy. I-on Anselea. Cal. SB-NO FOB LATEST CATAIXKl English and Italian Opera Stock for Summer at Civic A summer season of English and Italian operettas will succeed the current season of the Civic Reper- tory theatre at the 14th Street. New York, with the operetta season sponsored by Clement Gigllo, lessee of the house. Among the novelties promised is an operetta version of "The White Sister," which will be sung in English. FRENCH DISKS IN DISPUTE Readjusting Compensation'to Com- poser and Performers on Tarls, March 5. Authors, composers, publishers and performers got together last week and fixed up the preliminary conditions for a union to collect royalties on phonograph royalties. At present publishers and com- posers charge a fee to manufac- turers, but the artists claim they also have a right to royalties on records sold the public. Moreover the interested parties contend there Is no control of the manufacturers and publishers, the society of authors having to accept the amounts offered, while the per- former (who had much to do in the success of the record) only gets a nominal fee for his services. This Is. to change and there is to be a division of royalties between pub- lishers, composer-author and artist. Stammerers Embarrassed; Asking for Relief Chicago, March 15. Theatre and picture produce'(, managers, authors, actors and song writers will be urged to refrain from the practice of portraying speech impediment on the stage and screen. The resolution was adopt.d by members of th" National Protec- tive League of Stammerers at their meeting here. It is the contention of the asso- ciation that "Ridicule of stam- merers or stutterers is not only ex- treme cruelty, but dangerous sport for the fun makers, because many a mocker has found the affliction set- tled on himself." The stage prac- tice of prop stammering is also very- embarrassing to those really af- flicted, members assert. W. H. Rothwell Killed Los Angeles, March 15. Walter Henry Rothwell, 50, con- ductor of the Philharmonic Orches- tra, died of apoplexy at the steer- ing wheel of his automobile at noon March 12. Rothwell was leaving his home to drive to Santa Monica beach. He was stricken suddenly, and crumpled up after driving his car Into the curb a few feet away from the house. A police surgeon who was called could not revive him. Deceased came to Los Angeles nine years ago from St. Paul where he was conductor of the symphony orchestra. He was slated to give a concert March 16. Besides leading the symphony Rothwell was also guest conductor at Hollywood Bowl during the summer. Funeral services were held March 14 In the Philharmonic Auditorium. The large theatre was packed to capacity. The coffin rested on the stage while the entire orchestra played selections from Beethoven including Rothwcll's favorite Beethoven's "A" Minor Symphony in addition to Tchaikowsky compositions. Clifford Lott, one of Rothweu's closest friends, delivered a eulogy between the musical numbers. Robert B. Rothwell, brother of the dead conductor, was in charge of the funeral arrangements. The probable successor will be either Felix Welngarten, of Vienna, or Ernst Bloch. " 'Variety' Stomp" Wished on Robbins Abel Green Goes Wrong with Assistance—It's a Song About We-Uns, Saying Just a Little "Come on in. Don't be Sneaking around," yelled Jack Rabbins, as he eaiisht Abel Green pcei 'tag through the door. "Uood morning. Mr. Robbins," said Abel, using his Roger Kalin style. "In your hat, Mr. Green." hollered Robbing, "Whatdyer want? (Jot another of those bum liar-icks." "Oil, Mr. Robbins," said Abel, "How well you know me." "Now, listen, you," bawled Robbins, "What's the idea of all this? Why wish tliis stuff on me. Why don't you go to Feist's? Take it to Feist's." "Please listen, Jack," pleaded Abel, "I think I've got Something to get you even on that double truck we stung you for." "Oh, yes," growled Jack. "Well, that's different. Going to give me the money back. Not a person has spoken about that ad and it near put us on the blink. You people ought to do something for HobMns-Engel. Inc., once in a while and don't forget that Inc." "Wham down, kid," said Abel, seeing he had landed him. "Tills Is a 'Variety' lyric, with a great tune by Jo Trent. Fletcher Henderson has sent his best harmonization and orchestration into it. It can t miss, kid. and If you go easy now, we'll frame 'Variety' into plugging this one for nix." "Who wrote the lyric? Who wrote the lyric? You did, I know you did. You are sending me off'n my nut. Why don't you take your rotten lyrics to Feist's? Take it to Feist's?" Jack screeched until a cop appeared, It sounded so much like a speakeasy. "Sure it's a bum lyric," said Abel, "and I know best because I wrote it, but listen, think of the tune and Henderson is going to record it tomorrow for Victor. And it's hot, boy, red hot." "Yes," said Jack. "So you took Victor before you took me? That's not so bad. How about the others? If this is for Variety,' what's 'Variety' for?" "Jack," said Abel, "I wouldn't fool you, you know too many joints. This lyric is terrible but we can get plenty of Jack out of it If you will keep on the chair and out of the air." It's funny to me." answered Jack. "Here you've only two real pub- lishers sticking to that cheese paper. Feist's and ourselves, and you pick mo to do your dirt stuff. Take it to Feist's, I don't want It. I've eaten better songs than you can write." But Abel unfolds the larceny and starts to read, meanwhile butting in remarks that all of the maestros will fall for this one because it's a freak and hot. "Shut up about that hot," answered Robbins, "and start all over again. I never imagined that a guy lived with a nerve like yours. You never wrote that sober." Abel agreed the words had been turned out In a whisper low with the lights down, but still insisted that they were good. And again men- tioned Fletcher Henderson and Jo Trent. "What I forgot to put in the lyric. Jack," said Abel, "you can trick up the front page for. Only missine; are the title style of tho paper, the subscription price, advertising rates and day of publication. We'll havo plenty of room on the front page for those." And as Mr. Robbins kept wailing "Take it to Feist's," Mr. Green read the following lyric: " 'VARIETY' STOMP" Topics of the day, "Variety" All about Broadway, "Variety" AH the latest, up-to-datest news Covers ev'ry kind of showman's blues. Always in the know, "Variety- Locates ev'ry show, "Variety- Tells you what is what and who Is who's, "Varlel- It's the showman's pride, "Variety" Come and go man's guide, "Variety" From would-be star to the movie czar They read it and heed it near and far. Ev'ry show girl reads "Variety" All the show world needs "Variety" It's the "Bible, of Broadway," they say, "Variety." Chop Sueys on Unfair List King Joy restaurant, Philadel- phia, and Far East restaurant. Cleveland, chop suey and dance places, have been placed on the unfair list of the American Fed- eration of Musicians. Friction resulted in the attempt of the managements of the restaur- ants to pay musicians under the Copyright, 1927, by Robbins-Engel, Inc. HERE AND THERE Shapiro-Bernstein publishing all numbers In "Sweet Lady," new musical comedy now at the Illinois, Chicago. Spencer & Sheffield is now a one-man concern. Herbert Spencer, the composer, bought out George Sheffield. Warlng's Pennsylvanians are lay- ing off next week to record for the Victor. The band is far behind on its recording schedules. NOT ORIGINALS AS DEFENSE In December, 1925, Natalie and Sascha Piatov essayed an exhibition dance tour in the ballrooms, for which purpose they engaged Charles Panely's Studio Byncopa- tors at 1750 a week. The band is now suing for $650, due as a balance for services rendered. Natalie and Piatov contend that the band was not the original com- bination they engaged In New York, the personnel having been changed When they joined the dancers on the road. Martha Copeland, colored blues singer, touring with "Shuffle Along," ha* been signed to make race records for Columbia exclu- sively. Browne's N. Y. Office Ted Browne, tlfe Chicago music publisher, is to headquarter In New York. Charlie Harrison of the Chi firm is in town looking after the details. Tat Flaherty will be in charge for Browne In New York. DESERTION CHARGED Joe Lopa, band leader, has com- plained that Pete Bandlen. Ray- mond Jamlnez, Del Rosarlo, Stanley Belmontle and J. P. Tories have Jumped a contract with him to form a new band with Pete Band- len as leader. DISTINCTIVE MUSIC Ha* always been a feature of ROBBINS-ENGEL, INC. Tickle the soles and please the souls of your audience with Itobblns-Bngcl's publication*. Convince yourself with "HTJOS Mid KIMHBH" "CI.IMBINO UP THK I.ADIIKR OF l.OVK" "AI.AIIAMA STOMP" "WHO DO YOU 1-OVK.f" (All from Karl Carroll's "Vanities") ♦ ••CAI.I.INH" "THAU, OK DBKAMS" (The first original wa]tz In yearn) Published by ROBBINS-ENGEL, INC. 799 Seventh Avenue NEW YORK CITY BLIND ORGANIST IN THEATRE Los Angeles, March 15. Cameo, second run house on Broadway, has a blind organist, Al- lan Spurr. He receivid screen credit with mention made that he plays Mrlthou benefit of V 'I Roy SmecR WIZARD OF THE" STRINGS CHICAGO, LAST WEEK, ORIENTAL TO FOLLOW TIVOLI AND UPTOWN WEE.K OF APRIL 24, CHICAGO THEATRE PI.AYKRM OK IIISTI.M TIO.V I KK B&D "SILVER BELL" BANJOS SKM) KOR Htm RKVISK.H PRICK LIST THE BACON BANJO CO., INC, Cr-hn, Conn.