Variety (Mar 1927)

VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE 8 St Martin's Place, Trafalgar f FOREIGN CABLE ADDRESS, VARIETY, 2096-3199 Regent y, March 23, 1927 JOYS AND GLOOMS OF BROADWAY By N. T. G. Several years ago her name was blazoned on the front pages of Boston and New York for a sensational escapade of "Follies" girls In Boston. Later she was quite the "life of the party" at the opening of a theatre in Bridgeport. Two years ago, still a child in years, she married a young theatrical man. She kept on working. Freedom from restraint was her chief happiness In life. A few nights ago we met her on Broadway, walking to her hotel. Wo talked. Her husband Is out of town, has been for months. Every night she gc;S to her hotel room, alone, and he phones her. And she enjoys It. Ir, happy, satisfied. Cares nothing for the old, free Ufa. Love is a wonderful thing. This la Love, Too New York Is the strangest and wierdest city in the world, particularly as no one pays any attention to what you do here. We were walking past Lindy'a at I a. m . a few nights ago and saw a man in evening dress, very spirted, high silk hat pushed back on his head, leaning against the window, oblivious to everyone, chewing on a pig's foot. A young cop stood by and laughed. Long Distance Benefit Judge Gustave Hartman's benefit for the Israel Orphan Asylum at Madison Square Garden Saturday night broke all records for length of time and paid attendance. It is understood It grossed $100,000. Started at 7 and ended at 1:35. Six and a half hours of entertainment. At the finish the Judge, who announced, found his tonsils back-firing on him. The way it looked— laugh hit—Leon Errol, Sam Bernard and Louis Mann, coming on together at our suggestion, having their picture taken. Biggest reception—John Drew. Applause hit—Pearl Regay, of "The Desert Song." F#on Vanmar's Legs Cost Job Feon Vanmar. ex-"Follies" girl, who danced at the Palace two weeks ago with Ben Bernle, got $300 for one dance In Philadelphia. She joined LeMalre'a "Affaires," went on, was a terrific hit, and notified immediately after the dance she was through. She had a contract, and LeMaire has to give her two weeks' salary. Her high kicking leg control dance Interfered with similar work on the part of one of the stars of the show, so Feon la at the Frivolity Club, and collecting from Bufua too. Louis Mann was Introducing Leon Errol and Sam Bernard at the Madison Square Garden benefit. He said: "What theatre are you playing now, Leon?" and Errol answered. The Shubert." "And where are you working 7" be asked of Bernard, whose show closed Saturday night. "Empire Race Track will get me," answered Sam. The ponies will ■till be running for the old comedian who stays ever young. Incidentally, that was a whole lot of collar when Mann an appeared together. Tex and the Senator The big hit of the night at the Silver Slipper Thursday was the Joint entrance of Texas Guinan and her childhood pal. Sen. Wild Bill Lyons accompanied by his trusty "Betsy." Texas made four speeches and Senator Lyons let out the old Comanche war whoop whenever he saw a pretty girl. Two 808' Benny Selvln, orchestra leader, fooled his boys a few nights ago. He was scheduled to radio, when the boys always play their best for a half hour. Just before he went on the operator told him It was off for an SOS. Benny said nothing, announced Into the microphone for a half hour, while the boys played" their darndeat. But what they told Taking Care of the Girls The fraternity which exists among the majority of the most suc- cessful night clubs owners is strikingly illustrated by the fact that when Bill Duffy and the owners of the Silver Slipper and Frivolity Clubs found that several of Texas Gulnan's girls, now laying off, needed money to support themselves and their families, they made room tor them in the two clubs, despite they were hardly needed. Many of the kids have some one depending on them, and between Tex and her friends they're all taken care of until she reopens. One of Tex's favorites Is Kitty Bellly. When she came down to the Slipper with Senator Lyons she gave Kitty $100 bill for an encore. And Kitty cried publicly and unashamed. There are poor little Rellly youngsters who FRANK VAN MOVEN was called the Crazy Dutchman in Hamilton, but we're glad we're on the bill with him In Detroit again this week. He's funnier than ever and he sends Nervine & Singer their commission and our commission isn't so big and Jack Gardner gets that. Van Hovenly, M. and B. HARVEY SCAN TOURIST TAX U. 8. Inquires Into French Impost of 814, Applying to Show People Also Washington, March 22. The tax of 375 francs, approxi- mately $14, levied by the French Government on all foreigners, has aroused such a storm of protest that the State Department has ca bled Instructions to Ambassador Herrlck in Paris to Investigate and report to Washington. The department refused to com- ment on the claim made that the tax violates a paragraph of the con sular convention of 1853, which, it Is claimed, safeguards Americans against unjust taxation. The plan, as worked out by the French, requires that all foreigners secure an identity card. To secure this the $14 is collected. Professionals entering France have been forced to pay this tax along with all other foreigners. FILMS SUPPORT ACTS Presentations Alone Permit Spe Quitting " Berlin. March 10, 1927. German vaudeville artists are only being kept alive today by the en- gagements to the picture theatres. Around Berlin there are enough houses to keep 250 acts going monthly. Although some of them get as little aa seven or eight days duruvg that period, this Is neverthe- less enough to keep them from hav- ing to dissolve their acts. Business at the Skala Is adequate if nothing great, but the Wlnter- garten is way off. It la kept alive today by being owned by the Aschlngei concern, a pop beer and sandwich restaurant chain. They pocket the loss because they own the hotel to which the theatre Is rltuated. They are 'tying a new regime of economy and have ap- pointed a general manager. His first and most brl.llant move was refusing seats to all foreign jour- nalists. London, March 12. Mme. Erzsl Pechy, the Hungarian prima donna, has dropped the ac- tion she was bringing against Daly's theatre for being superseded In the leading role to "The Blue Mazurka." She appeared at the Coliseum in a sketch parallel with her own expe- lence—L e., a star being replaced owing to Insufficient command of the English accent. She says her reception at the Coliseum proved sufficient compensation for ber non- appearance at Daly's. With the closing of "The Wicked Earl" and the probable retirement of Cyril Maude, there will be but one of the original "three spend- thrifts" left to tour America. The trio comprised Harry Lauder, PARIS March 11. arranging to A Producer's Broken Promise There are plenty of heartaches on Broadway, as everyone who knows the street Intimately has found out. There are more Glooms than Joys. Here's one of the former: A wistful little star-eyed blonde, infinitely beautiful, was working In a night club. A big producer sought the services of this and many other girls in the same club for his new show, promising that she could work both jobs and thus make $100 a week. She and the others went through the agony and physical torture of night club work every night until 3 a. m., and rehearsals all day, starting at 10, to make the extra money. Her father Is ill, and cannot run his little stationery and candy store in Brooklyn. Her mother couldn't look after a sick hus- band and run the store too. The extra $50 the kid would earn would carry the the family through. Then came the announcement from the great producer that none of his girls could continue to work in night clubs. The kid had ber choice. She quit the club, not because she preferred the show, but because she wanted to stay home nights and help take care of her father. And now, deprived of the extra $50 a week which meant the difference be- tween poverty and happiness, her mother must sell the store at a loss, and the family of three lived solely on this little child's $60. And now she has been notified she must take a cut of $5. All due to a broken promise. The news Is out that E-irl Carroll has got to go. There are mighty few to rejoice over this news. Even Earl's "dearest enemy," the "Daily Mirror," had an editorial suggesting clemency, and that he has been punished enough. This attitude on the part of Phil Payne, managing director, following the bittorness between the two on the witness stand a truce between them. Atlanta to Capacity Incidentally, • friend of mine who constantly gives shows in Atlanta, ma that the jail la full down there. Before prohibition 1,<00 oners were a lot, now It Is 8,000. Most of the newcomers are men ntmlty. Cnrrofl will at least find the personnel Paris, Edward Stirling Is produce Drlnkwater's "Abraham Lincoln" by the English Players, in its original version, at the Theatre Albert L The author will come from to stage his play. The French police have taken pro- ceedings against Mile. Glna Palermo, picture actress, suspected of having framed up a charge of assault against unknown parties for public- ity last summer. The death la announced of M. Promlo, said to have been the first motion picture operator. He was in the employ of Lumlere Freres in 1896 and "ran off" the first films shown In public In Paris, afterwards traveling with the early picture shows around the world, including America. At the time of his death Promlo was In the employ of the photo graphic department of the Algerian government. In Parie—Philip Goodman, Robert Connelly, Lawrence Schwab, Mar- Jorle Ashford (N. Y. Times); Gus Schlesslnger (sales manager of Warner Bros.); Edward L. Klein, motion picture exporter; Otto Kahn, Phoebe Brown, J. O'Hara Cosgrove (Sunday "World"); Mme. Ganna Walska, James Hagney (tenor), Bernard Sobel, Beatrice McCue, singer; F. R. Buckely, author. Msdrano—Miss Mamie, equestri- enne; Leonaly, contortionist; Pail- lette Fannl and Cholot. tandem; Surla, horizontal bars; Humel's ele- phant; Berny, juggler; Johnny and Black, parody acrobats; Loulou and Atoff, clowns; Bowden, cyclist Canadian troupe, lcarian; Watsons, skaters; Ricono-Sturla, equestrian Vaaseur, athlete; Martha la Corse and Lions; Aragon-Allegrl, acro- bats; Carlo-Mariano-Porto. Cirque ds Paris—Amar and Tigers Balaguer Troupe; Atlantis Moto Nemo, ostrich man; Edward's Horses; Amar' "pphants; Manettl- Charley-Coco, c. ns. Cirque d'Hivsr—M. and Mme Houcke, haute ecole;' Zoo Circus Tigers; Tassl-Toscana, acrobats; Rublo Sisters, acrobats; Four Stat Is, pole act; Gauthlers, gymnasts; Five Serierse, flying rings; Utau Trio, equilibrists; Four Preminos, acro- bats; Ferraris, athletes; lies and Ticket Register Decision Washington, March 22. A petition to the U. S. Supreme Court by the National Electric Ticket Register Company, to re- view an adverse decision in the lower courts has been denied. Involved was an electric ticket selling machine used by some pic- ture houses, manufactured by the Automatic Ticket Register Corp. The National Company had claimed an Infringement upon its patents. LONDON "SUNDAY" BILL AGAIN FOR WASH. IN Di "Model for Country" — Cam, paigning Meanwhile by Lankford (D) of Georgia All but list. The new Maugham play, "The Constant Wife," will go into the Strand, following the revival of "White Cargo" April 6. In the cast will be Fay Compton, Heather Thatcher, Mania Vanne, Evelyn Dane, Mary Jerrold, Leon Quarter- maine. Basil Dean will produce. In the cast of "The Fanatics," due at the Ambassadors March 14, will be Marie Ault, Ursula Jeans, Eliza- beth Arkell, Louise Hampton, Alison Leggatt, Grizelda Hervey, G. H. Mulcaster, Paul Gill, Nicholas Maldle Scott Is playing her last four weeks In variety, after which she retires from the profession, by the desire of her husband, who wishes her to Join htm in Africa. Estelle Brody Is making a per- sonal appearance In the Shepherd's Bush Pavilion house during the presentation of "Mademoiselle from Armentleres," In which she Is being featured. This dual attraction has been responsible for capacity busi- ness. Her second picture, "Hindle Wakes," Js also having an exclusive showing at the New Gallery klnema. Strange are the ways of show business. Cyril Maude, star of un- doubted talent, who has made a reputation on both sides of the At- lantic, announced a farewell London engagement with a new play before retiring from the stage. He select- ed Walter Hackett's "The Wicked Earl," and engaged J. H. Benrimo to stage It. Splendid and well- known English actors were engaged. The star part is a dual role, that of a typically traditional English Earl and his father, who was a train robber In the wild and woolly west of America, and known as the Apache Rid. Most of the scenes are laid In or near New Mexico, and the characters are necessarily cowboys, sheriffs, etc. Yet not a single one had the slightest semblance of a proper dialect. The only one that suggest- ed It was Marion Lome, which leads one to think that possibly she Is an American. The most pathetic part of it all was the attempt to charac- terize the young, romantic, awash- buckling train robber in the person of Cyril Maude, who confessed to 04 years. The piece Is a rather good one In Its way, but Is unlikely to stand off elderly star and the absence of Washington, March 22. Congressman Wm. C. Lankfi (D.) of Georgia consumed pages In the Congressional Record, the final editions of which are just appearing, to inform his fellow legislators that he would reintro- duce his Sunday closing bill with the opening of the next session. Mr. Lankford claimed that the bill would have passed the House last session but for the "rush" of the last few days. Though said to be aimed only for the District of Columbia, the na- tional angle of the bill Is Indicated In the following excerpt from the Congressman's "speech": 'The city of Washington Is, and should be, looked to as a model for the rest of the country." As an indication of the extensive campaign being conducted to put over the bill, and as to who la pay. lng for at least the printing costs, the Congressman states that in ad- dition to thousands of circulars be- ing sent out that 05,000 copies ot the speech of a certain been mailed to all p country.. These copies are being secured "at a very small cost from the Govern- ment," it la stated. Show for Food At the Imperial, New York, Sun, day night. April 3, the British Com- mittee to aid of the Actors' Fund (American) will give a benefit for the fund. An announcement states, "Every noted British player in New York will participate." At the Hotel Biitmore, New York, April 5, a "One hundred per cent service dinner" will be held. A committee of 100 men called the reciprocity committee will be asked for an Individual pledge from each to secure $10,000 for the fund within four years. Otto H. Kahn, chairman of the committee, la In Europe. In hla absence the committee and the din- ners are under the direction of Manny Strauss. Nazimova in London in May Nazlmova in "A Woman of the) Earth" has been signed for a four week's engagement at the Coliseum, London, In May. SAILINGS April « (New York to London), George Tyler (Majestic). April 2 (New York to London), Adolph - PICCADILLY HOTEL LONDON Featuring the World's Greatest Artistes A. J. CLARKE Sola American RepranntatlVS ASTOR HOTEL, New York City 1Mb WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY THE TILLER SCHOOLS OF DANCING Leicester House, 10-11 Great Newport St, LONDON, W. C. 2 Te-lesrsphle Address: TIPTOES WKSTBAN1) l.ONB