Variety (Sep 1928)

LEGITIMATE Wednesday, September 5, 1928 More Stocks Than Ever Dare s Survey Reveals • . ChicafTO, Sopt, 4. ■■ On thp increase nationally for the past two seasons, stock, aotivltlea inv being renewed Jn Chicago this fall to a greater extent thaii ever iH'fore, aooordinig to Frank Dare, of Equity here, . Dare Tjias made a Tiational survey of /stock . conditions, with flgUfes \ showing the central seictipn of the country leading in this department of show business. It experienced, a slump duriixg. the 25-26 season but the following, season Increased 80 pfer' cent. Although, no national statistics have b^en compiled for the 27-28 i)eriod it's considerably beyond the previous sieas6n'3 total of 257 operating companies, accord-^ ing to Dare. Stock assumed major importance and those already operating with dramatic stock include the Kedzle, National, New Evahston, Warring- ton, New Englewood, Now Apiollo, Chatefiu, Ambi^ssador, Central and Logari Square, This lineup may be added to dur- ing- the forthcoming season. Musical tabs (m.c. and bui-lesque stock) are scheduled for or alre^.dy playing the Divcrsey State Con- gress, Kialto, liaymarket, Stai* and . Garter, Lawndale and possibly the .Windsor. Sid Anschell Is rejported preparing to t,ry a stock burlesque pplidy in the last-.named. At least twolve dramatic stocks and ten musical . tab houses are probable for Chicago. . Most active in the local dramatic stock field is Harry M.inturn, who hais. the Central and Chateau and .may take over the Lawndale . Rexford Bellamy, advertismg man new to Chicago stock, Will open the New Evanston -Sept. 3 with "Able." Charles Bcrkell, also new here; is slated to open the Logan Square. Chicago houses scheduled to open In Chicago last season when it ^ caught, on extensively In the nelgh- borhoods. Santley-Sawyer's Musical; 3 "Baggages" on Road Joseph Sahtley and Ivy Sawyer Will co-star in a new musical which Santloy and Barter will pro- duce In November. Jack McGfOwan will contribute the book with lyric- ist and composer unassigned as yet. This musical will be the second for the recently organized firm of Santley and Barter and follows Nigger Rich," also authored by McGowan, which they' will display a month in advance of the musical. Santley and. Barter will- operate three road companies of "Excess Baggage," two already under way arid, another being brganlzed for southern'territory. Gilman Haskell is manager of Chicago company, "The, Silent House." Took New York company there after Friday night's perform ance at the Shubert. TWO BRONX STOCKS stiff competition foi* dramatic stock patronage In the Bronx gets under way Sept. 10 when two houses open with that policy, the Amer- ica, formerly Miner's Bronx; and Tremont, former picture house. At the America, the company is headed by Elizabeth Carmicha'el aiid Gerald Kent, and includes Irene Shirley, Florence Rowan, Tom McIOlhany and Ormy Brialey. Ruth Amos and Hassol Shelton head the company at the Tremont, supported by Eddie Evans, Msideline Gal- briiith. Jack Soanea,. Leslie Thomas and Lewis Scott. TremO'nt got the first break when the America, scheduled to open Labor Day,, was unable to do so and has to start day arid date with its rival: $13 and $17—Net Paul Trelbitsch, theatre manager for "Skidding," says that Variety is nuts. He claims instead of taking in around $3,000, "Skidding" often averages around $5,000. In fact the week the play moved into the. Buyes, with the extra expense, it made a net profit of $13. The following week the net was $17. He showed the figures.. Everyone in connection with "Skidding" seems pretty proud of these receipts aixd sore at Variety. , ' Inside Stuff-Legit (Continued from ixige CI) taken to the beach In a Furness owned launch from the hotel also' owned by the line. It is I'cported the case was quietly settled about a year ago and that Welch'tf estate was paid $50,000 ra|her than fight the case In the co'urta. The claim of Miss Sullivan's family was also settled, the sum paid said to have been ^5,500. Reports from Washliigton indicate the booking oTrices supplyinsr the legit theatre there are making an effort to keep try outs out of the town insofar as possible; This action is presumably based on the records of recent seasons that the established shows which went into Waahingtoh did fairly well whereas the same shows with identical casts, etc., play- ing there as tryoiits, didn't draw peanuts. There has been a decided tendency, of late, to try out shows closer to New York. Fagan, Whitbeck Part Myron C. Fagan and H. F. Whit beck have dissolved their produc- ing partnership. Fagan figures alone as producer as well as au- thor of "The Great i?ow'er," due at: the 4.9th St., New York, next week. Fagan has retained J. J. Mobney as general manager and . Julia Chandler as press representative. Century Play Co. Grants Stock Asso. 25| Off Theatrical Stock Managers' A.S30- ciation has effected an arrange- ment with ,the Century Play Com- pany whereby members will be granted a 25 per cent, discount on all stock releases rented through Century. The new association has also established responsibility with the Scenic Artists' Union whereby members will no longer be com- pelled to post two weeks salary to secure scenic artists. These stock men meet again in.| New York Sept. 12. They figure to enlarge the membership which now consists of 70 per cent, of all op- orating stock managers. A Boston theatrical reporter, who corresponds for a prominent New Yo'rk daily, went on her vacation recently with unsolicited assurances that everything was set for the new sea.son. While away she got a blue envelope. Somebody, it seems,- waa Jealous of her work for the N. Y. paper. Horace Liverlght producer and book publisher, sustained a triple compound fracture of his left arm In a motor car accident several weeks ago'. Although in great pain he has attended all rehearsals of his "The Dagger and the Rose." It has been found that the bones wei*e not properly set and the arm will be broken again and reset. Prior to leaving for Atlantic City to open "Good Boy," Arthur Ham- mersteln is reported to have spent $11,000 on 40 stage hands during rehearsals to find that he could only take 4ave of the crew with him on the road because of,a union ruling. , The sho'w carries a double treadmill for novelty scenic effects. At least one principal in the cast Is already suffering from bad feet through the heavy tramping and dodging the stage hands in all entrances. Future Plays ".Tin .Pari Aljey," which Hunry Forbes is producing, has been set 1 Mpneypejiny ENGAGEMENTS Will Rogers, Dorothy Stone, An- drew Toombes, Alan Edwards, Oscar Ragland. Janet Velle, William Val- entine, Eddie Allen, John Lambert, Patsy Kelly, Phyllis Rae, Phelps Twins, "Three Cheers." William IngersoU, Janet McLeay, Mary Robinson, "Trapped." Georgette Spelvln, "Ups-a-Daisy." Joseph AUenion, Van Hetlln, "Mr. HELENE CIIVE'S TEST Los Angeles, Sept. 4. Helen Clive,. who finished last season in "Rio Rita," has been given a test by Rao ul Walsh, li*ox, for a speaking part. . Mrs. Cllve's: husband is Henry Cliye, art director and assistant di- rector, at the Chaplin studio. NEW YORK THEATRES • ^'«^'^/'»^'V«^MY«^"^^^^^V>^^Y«^^V«^'.lY«Y.^r«^^y»^"f»^.:<'«^^7»\'.''«^^i.r«^^V»^'.i^ back until next month. It's another I opus on song writers. "One of the Boys," tried out for a week last season by Raymont Productions is being readied for |.another try with Samuel Orange, author, making the reproduction, The piece Is another after the war opus and played a week in Passaic, N. J., and then folded. "Veils," which haid a brief run a.t the Forrest, New York) will be Frances Slierry replaces Joanna Roos, "Grand Street Follies." Lulu Mae Hubbard replaces Alice Moffatt, "The Money Lender." Ruby keeler, "Whoopee." Sonia Ivanoff, Henry .Stillman, Ramsay Wallace, Douglas Garden, Leola. Beulow, Robert Lalwrence, "Men She Married." Hilda Spong, "The High Road." Harry Mestayer, Joan Bennett, "Jarnegan." Kay Johnson, "Little Accident." Fay Bainter, Guthrie McClintIc, "Jealousy.V Henry E. Dixey, '^The Night Be fore." The ('"vid Belnsco preaents BACHELOR FATHER By Edward Child* Cirpenter with JUNK WALKER, C. AVnR£T SSnrU, GEOFFREY KERB o-DT Acnn Thoa.. W. 44tb St Evo. 8:30. OiiiJxflLOtiU Mats. Thuro. & Sat.. 2:30. GENE nCC'K PresentH The Dramatic Knockout! 2::{0 "RINGS IDE" Stn^rd by GEORGE ABBOTT "A grand show, a walloping hit and a thriller. . . . It left this observer limp with excitement."—Walter Wln- ehell, "Graplilc." Tlioatre Guild rrodnctioiis _ LAST THREE WEEKS nVriTlDf IP THEA.. Vltsi 42d St. Saturday Eydhings 5:30 JOHN GOLDEN THEATRE 6Alh, ISnst of Broadway VOLPONE Tw« THEATRE, \V«»t 52d. ni J11 IJ Kvcs. 8:30. Mats. Thura. and Sat., 2:30 Latest, Greatest Musical of Mirth JOE COOK "RAIN OR SHINE" GEO. M. PDU AM The*.. B'way & 43cl. Evs. 8:30. V^nHIV Matlne«fl WED. & SAT. revived for another New York William Hodge, "Straight Thru the showing next month according to p^oor." ta„„„«^o irvlns Davi, author, who ^11, L,S^„„^^^5l„- . .f^'iLe SS^'' sponsor the revival. Davis claims Roberta Arnold, "Adventure." short coin closed the show pre- Muriel Rogers, "Vagabond King" maturely when done under other (road) managerial auspices. Ruth De Quincey, "The Stage." "Deuces Wild," with a three-star y^^^^"*^ Tallman, for Fiske O'Hara cast. Bozo Snyder, Mollle Williams "^Raymond Rialdl, "Night at the and Manny King, opens Sept. 17 in the Jackson theatre, Ik)ng Island ] William Morris and his two sons City, with the following week in Baltimore. "The Bull Pen" is announced by Marco Troductions, a new produc ing combination. "Down Deep," produced by Ar- den. Inc., opens af-Werba's, Brook- Cast includes Greg MARION DAVIES in • "The Cardboard Lover" Motro-CJoldwyn-Mayer'H VimfeHt with NILS ASTUEK^ETTA OOlTDAIi OWDITIKS"—A Review Featuring JACK OSTEUMAN, Kosoray & Cupella, Ruhy Koelcr, Maxine I.nwist WAf.T ROE.SNER—TUB OAPITOI.LVNS I lyn. Sept. 10. CAPITOL GRAND ORCH., David Mendoza, Con. ' „' xj^f^rr ■\T^^^n. xto« nroadway and Bist St. RatofC, Viola France, Nan Monster Refrigarating Plant | Harper, Mary Daniel, Harry Clarke and Sam Poch. CAPITOL nnST TIME AT rorULAR PRICES • >VtIIInm Fox PriBsenta "FAZIL'^ ^Ith . - . - cii.ari.es farrkll. uiu-rrA NissEN And a Oreat Roxy Stafpe Entvrtninmeht WORI>D S LARGEST COOIjINO PLANT [Chester and Adrian. "Fast Life." Ackland Powell, "Revolt." Walter Folmer, Charlotte Ayres "Dagger and the Ro.se." Thomas Britton, George Hagger ty. Cecil Cone. "Hollo Yourself." John T, Doyle, "The Great Power." Max GabC'l, Jennie Goldstein "The Cantor's Daughter." Myrtle Allen, "Show Boat." Je;innette MacDonald, Carl Ran- dall. Alli.son Skipworth, Roy Hoycr , p» 4. • T->i « ^ I William Danforth, Virginia Watson "The Legacy," starrmg Florence Et^el Mendelsohn, Gus Alexander 7th Ave. & 60th St Dir. (Roxy) • Doon Open Dally at 10:30 A. M. All HeatA 35c to 1 P. 7^1. SMARK BROADWAY at 47th ST. TH AW I J Midnight Show Nightly, 11:30 I sla XAAJN Moilcrn CooIhiR System IVarner Broe. Vlt4iplione Production SEE and HEAR "STATE STREET SADIE" Conniii Nnf^ol—^Myrna t^y—Wm. RunHell ST?.!?. WAHNKU HUOS. VITAniONK TTT? AP Reed, went into rehearsal this week with A. H. Woods and Gilbert Miller figurihg lis prolduc includes Louis Calhern, C. H. Gor don, Leona Maricale and others "Hollo Yourself," produced by George Ghoos, opens at Wilmington Sept. 20 and goes to Philadelphia for four weeks. Ca.st Includes Sta Ledova, Jane . Foshee, Lucy Monroe, Helen Goodhue, Edythe Maye, Dorothy Lee, Evelyn Nair, Walter Plimmer, Jr., Thomas Brit ton, George Haggerty, Blaine Cord ner, William Robertson, Joseph Fay, Jimmy Ray, Walter Redick, Ivan Luttman, Gomez and Winona and Warings Pennsylvanian.s. Arthur Cole, "The Royal Family ^Ch^oago) DoiigraS Euiiey,''Taylor Gordon Charles Irwin, "Americana." Enid Romany, .1. H. Brewer, "So This Is Marriage." Margaret Barrett, Shuberts. Douglas Burley, Rosamond John soti, Olijirles Irwin, "Americana." Babe Fenton, "Greenwich Village Follies." Martin Brothers, Maye and Dobbs "A Night In Venice." Gloria Lee, "Hold Everything." Margaret Irving, Elaine Baker Charles Barron, "Animal Crackers Maury Dane, Shefter and Shapiro "Rio Rita." McGushin Sisters, "Don Garcon, Shubert musical. CARAVAN (Continued from page 5'.i) making an impression—doubtful at best—the play might have had; Against its merits of neat epi.sode and witty line there is to be bal-. anced many glaring effects of con- struction. For one thing, the story ends CDnoluaivcly with the second act, and the last chapter la all anti- climax. When several stage per- sonages have been murdered and the mystery of their earthly passing has been solved in full view of the audience, it docs seem like an impo- sition to hold the customers in for another act. Just to watch a couple of petting lovers mnkei up their quarrel. That's what happens here. Play has an annoying Way of cre- ating a forecast of tension and then breaking it abruptly. Ancient de- vice is dragged in tp "make a situa- tion." Such was the absurd artifice of having the heavy hide in the heroine's. curtained bed when her honest Ipver came to call. And even then nothing really vital happened. Everybody knows there's a mys-. terlous stranger hanging, around waiting for . a chance to bump , off the-villain, and so when he's killed and suspicion Is directed at others, it doesn't fool anybody. Nothing grows up naturally. Playwright has a way of shooting the facts he wants known right In the faces of his auditors.. Several parts are nicely played, notably a capital sketch of a clown by Barry McCollom, whose authentic Irish brogue Is a musical delight arid who.se reading of a comedy character part is a charming per- formance. Robert Hyman, a fine figure of a sturdy young gypsy, as leading man, played with admirable discretion. Everybody else either underacted or overacted, and the result was a distinctly spotty per- formance. Elsa Shelley, for in- stance, made her gyps>» vamp only shrill and awkward, while Miss Pemberton's Romany wildcat was milder than an Epworth Leaguer. Beyond two weeks, run is gauged by backer's sportmanship arid willing- ness to stay with a forlorn cause. Picture possibilities are there. Clayton, Jackson and Durante, Leon Errol, "Ripples." Raymond Huntley, "Dracula" (road show). BON JOUR JACK FORESTER FEATURED CASINO DE PARIS DOUBMNO PERROQUET ca., B'wny and -lOth St. fl. 8;30,.Alat.s. Wed. & Siit. EMPIRE j^'; CHARI.I5,S FIlOIIATAN Prcscntu HEAVY TRAFFIC A New Cninefly by Arthur Rlchnmn, with MARY BOLAND ,\ K. RPJCSINATiP MATTHEWS MASON Henry Miller'sir^I.^ "Bettor than 'Front I'ago.'" Gentlemen TUlfl A Ne WHi)aiier Cotnudy liy Wiird Moi-uliouHr Suited by Gcoi-Bu Abbott ^%s^S^flliiliiii»Hniii!BnMnHnnflBTfliiBHiiniiiiHniiMiiiiiiMnMnnn