Variety (Nov 1928)

2 VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE 8 St. Martin's Place^ Trafalgar Square P O R F I C N CABLE ADDRESS: VARIETY, LONDON r ^ *V Ili I VJ 1^ 6276-6277 Regent Wednesday, November 14, 1928 Chatter in London London, Nov.'3. Strange iSights arid Sounds Ei}Hvtt: Siaiinarcl .\viih sl\^ii-i Jiajr. ' 't^apiain"' Ilan-y I.amliart in Tlirpiulneedle stn-ft.'. • CJil Boap In a London..storm wearing a croani-t'olor coat. .Ou's Hchlesinpror .reading the hotiops on. "The Terror," And cajlinjj l;-if^ni'.Vitaphoney, ' A. Abraha'ms trying to look Kt'gal. Sum Eoknian li.'<t'.iiin^ to Arthur Dent talk to Sanv Eckman, . • Anna Miiy Wong making. British picture! with a ;GPrn>a.h director in. .fi Scotch studio, ' . : . ..Jack Co^inolly'.s one-day stands in . London.. \ ■ ' ; A. Goorg^ ymith ducking . the Multitonc sound - Avlre demonstrati.oh rwdway. • • A. C. Brpmhcad hot staying even that long. , . Chang's Finish " ErilHant Chang. Chinese, now blind and growing cabbages for! a living on ilU' Uriti'.sh r(.'>c-rvation at Shanghaij used to be the bo.ss o£ the dope f;ang in London., lie ran a chop-suey joint on ritzy lines: in the West End. and: had a narrow escape when Billie Carlton, miigical comedy acire.'^s, 'took . a i'atal .overdose. .In 1922 Freda, kompton, dance teacher, died from dope. In one pf Chan^j j? hideaway>?, but the police could not get anything on him,; Earlier he had been as.<oi.'iated with a musical cotnedy star who was credited with being the chief dope peddler in town, but she always had an alibi and. sonie good fri<fnds. , '■ ^ Then they got Chang with the goods, running a hop-Joint .in Linie.- house, and he was run out o£ the country after jail. Paris had himi for a bit, but he got too fierce and the boat'sailed for. Canton. He tried to operate with the dope headqiiarters in Shanghai, for'a timie, but the police had got sO wise, to him the gang gave him air. Now he is blind—a gift ifrbm a lady friend in London—and grows kale. But not the kind the banks take.. . . . Gil-tiing near to being: the last of the old school of dramatic critics, as compared with ffip paragraphists like Swaffer and Beccles Wilson, there died this wcek .W. L. Courtney. He was 78, and had been editor .of the Fortnightly Review since 1894. For 35 years he was dramatic critic of the Daily Telegraph and wrote several plays. He also wrote "Con- .'?ti-uc'tivo Ethicis" and "The Metaphy.sics of John Stuart Mill.." Gen- eraJly a serious and .somewhat pi'.ofessorial scholar. .• . Combined: Rail Theatre Ticket Great We.stern railway is running special matinee excursions, Com- mencing this month, combining the rail aiid theatre ticket. The ifirst one will run Nov. 7 from Birmingham (two hours), and the rail ticket will cost six .shillings—^^normal fare being one pound eight shillings return. Lunch and supper cars will also Jbe provided, and choice. of, the 30 odd matinees is given. GEORGIE WOOD "Wee Geprgle." Once upon a time therie lived in a. forest a wood- chopper who had a large family and the smallest of his boys was so tiny that he was called "Hop o* my thumb." And "Hop oV my Thumb" is my part and. the title of this year's Julian. Wylie Christmas production at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Scotland. My part seems to be so big there's evidently lio "wood- chopper.". Berlin's Amusements Berlin, Nov. 1. Latest .statistics show that Berlin is creeping up to second place as onq of the w:brld's amusement cen- ters, It. has 44 theatres, 78 vaude- ville houses and 350 picture the- atresi~ Berlin also offers 196 flrst-clasa dancing restaurants and biar.s. Adney Gibbons, son of Sir Walter Gibbons, married Connie Shotter, aotre.os, Xov. 1. The bride is one of four stage si.sters, one of whom is leading lady at the Aldwych. High Premiere Price for Prince's "When "Funny Face" with the Astalres and Leslie Henson conies to the T'rince's Nov. 8, every seat in thie house, ^ylth the exception of the pit and gallery will co.st 24 shillings. Cochran and occasionally other man- agers raise the price of stalls frorn.l4 to 24 shillings on an opening night, but this is the. first occasion when the medium prices, have been augmented also. This will be a blow to humbler patrons^ especially as; the rrince"s is e.ssentially a cheap priced house. Cafe Royal, enticed into running a cabaret andx opened last season with Oracle Fields, commenced this season's activities with the same mar. The restaui:ant has now dpcided to rule cabarets out of its menu as ii ha.s nbf proved a uj-ofitable undertaking. '■ ~r- — .. ■ — __ .• ; ; I . Edgar Wallace, with no other ob- j<>( t than to help his friend, Leslie Fabor, helped to finance the pro- duction of "By Candle Light," one of tlie hits of the season. As a result AVallace has presented himself with an additional weekly InQome of 500 bucks. ■. "If any member of the audience has written a play or knows of one that would .suit the personalities of Mr. Wakefield and Miss Lorne, we shall be glad to produce it," said Alec Rea, manager, in a curtain speech on the opening night of Wal- tipr Hackett's "77 Park Lane."' Ju.st after the closing performance of Van and Schenck at the Palla- dium, concluding a four weeks' stay, Val Painell, the booker for General .Theatres Corporation, and George Rhodes Parry, house manager, came to their dressing room and.presented tlie boys with a massive- folding olock. The inscription on the clock iv aci; as foUo-^ST' t . To .Van aiid Schenck, . with co.inplhncnts and thanks of Lon- don Palladium management for a highly successful season.. In accepting the present, the boys remarked that thl.s was the first jiiescnt they over received from any management since they teamed up 21 yoar-*i ago; Ernest TrUex has at last decided to try his luck agaiti in tlie West End. The play is "Out .She Goes V.y Lillian' Trlmhlo I>.radley. It will lie produced in Doi.einbcri A cuniedy entitled "Iter Past" is to provide Alice Delysia with her first , straight role. It opens a try- nut on the fringe of London Nov. 26 Others in the cast arc Jessie Bate- man. Violet Vanhrugl), Norhian .Sol- ten, Paul Cavanajrh. "The Broken Line" i.s- the final title for the new play which is to "jii7vn<--Vln]rt""Loraine'-.s I'Hiii-n^ j-tape. after same ycar.'^. She will be supported by Muriel Alexttnder Crace Lane, Frank 'N'osper, Cecil l-a-'ko-.-Ei'iiost. Seftun. CHATTER IN HAVANA By BENE CANIZAEES TOWN GETS THEATRE (Continued from page 1) seat for leading fig:ures of the the- atre, racetrack, literati,: art and financial \Forld, but BtlU its theatre, up to the present, has been upstairs in a flrehouse or In a schoolhousc, two nights a week. Darien has In. its populace Wil- liam Ziegler, Jr., Lee and J. J..Shu- bert, John Cort, Ted and Bietty Healy, Bayard Velller, Arthur Som- ers Roche, W. Enlerton Heitland, Louis Joseph Vance, and Richard LeGallienne. British Entertamed New Slow Fox Trot T'arls. Nov. 2. The local darn ing ma.ster.s have sanctioned a new dance for the sea- son, the Slow Fox. Havana, ''Nov. 7 At night performances in ithe movie houses, Nov. 6, the returns of the U. S. elections were an nounced, A fie-up between the dailies and picture houses. Hola Pagano Havana dailies say Texas Guinan will open a cabaret In town. Re- port continues she will bring along a Jazz band of 42—wow!—and a show of 55 glrl.s—^more wow!; New U. Manager Jack R. Hayes, Cuba manager of Universal and prior to that Uni- versal's manager in Mexico for three years, is returning to New York this w^ek for transfer to a ipuropean post, a promotion. The new manager in Cuba is H. O. Bar- cena, former manager in Porto Rlcp. The only stock musical comedy company in town riow.ls Lea Can- dlni's. This ii? an ItaHoLn company presenting Operettas in Spanish. They are at Payrct Theatre for 15 days and. will toiir the island/ Publllones' daughters have brought to Havana a circus wiilch w^ill open Friday (Not. 9) at IPayret theatre. They bill acts from the Ringlin.c: and European ci.vcuses. Censor In Cubal "Two Lovers, " the Colman-Banky film, got a squawk from the Span- ish charge d' affaires. Certain scenes, called insulting to Span- iards,were lef^ out and now the film is packing th'em In. Another film,, a European this time, Svent under the censor's scls- .sor.s. The nude .scenes of Josephine Baker in "The Siren of the Tropics" were left out. Paramount presented "WIng.s" at Tlier Encanto, wirh-homo-made-effects devised by A. L/. Pratchett, Para- mount exchange maria.ger. -:-li}l l.:7Tranto- t'heatre-ls-in'.-the>i=re-d^ and the lessee has turned it back to the owners pf the building. El ICn.canto Dept. Store,, who have taken" charge'of the "bu.siness u^itil .•mother managei- is found.'-.. Faufito theatre, also run by the lessee of the lOneajito, has closed up. This hou.sc-was the most pdpu la.r In Havana until the opening of the new house about eight month" ago. Scviila Opening Last Sa.turday nlftht the Sevilla P.lifniorc fluti'l roiif opened it." win It needs little energy, extremely nlow and siniplc to l<-arn. it com<'s i v;p;,si,ji. Vi.i ior Ttodriguez's banil from England. i furnished the m\i.-io Lbs Angeles, Nov. 13. As the climax of their visit • to Soiithern .California, the visiting British journalists were guests of honor at a banquet tendered them by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts aind Sciences at the Rposevelt Hotel, Hollywood. William De Mille served as toast- master and the speakers included Douglas Fairbanks, William Ran- dolph Hearst, Lrouis B. Mayer, Cecil B. De Mllle, Harry M. Warner and S. Stuart Blacktdn on behalf of America, and Alan Pitt Rpbbins, Sir George Armstrong and Ralph D. Blumenfeld of the guests. The "theme song" of the evening, played and sung a couple of time, was "Hollywood Says 'Hello,' " com- posed by Gus Edwards for the oc- casion. Alice Gentle« opera singer, sang two numbers, and llaurlce Chevalier, Paramount's recently im- ported leading man from France, ofCere a couple of Jazz numbers, one in English the other in French a la Al Jolson. SAD OVtR'lADDER" (Cpntinued frpm page 1) father, metber, sister, brother a$ It were. Most think it is a great show. Some have turned dowh^other roles to stick with" the flop, arid they all have a defia,nt and fariiily af- fection for the piece: . • Other 'Actors "Other actprs can make fun of being in the cast of 'The Ladder'," they say; "but nearly, all of them would snatch at the opportunity of joining the cast." All pf the actors insist it has been ,the most , pleasant engageriient they have experienced. Their , lines are now practically a part of their life. Not many other people have heard them anyway. At first the. lack of itn audience was a bit unusual, but they became accustomed to it. Thpugh at times when there were two pr three pep- ple In the theatre, the ac.tprs became a little hysterical before going pn the stage. But they usually pulled themselves tpgether and kept their eye on thie audience to see that it did riot walk otlt. Flowers and Presents The personality of Edgar Davis has kept up the mora,le of the play,, they believe. Also he has giveii riu- merpus parties for them, deluged them with presents. Marie De Rpche was a newspaper woman before going in "The Lad- der" a year ago. She says it's much better than newspaper work. Curtiss Arnall, juvenile; fornierly in "The Squall," prefers "The Ladder" to any other production. , None can bear to think of It clos- ing. They had expected, greater things of it. They felt certain of going to London in It or to Texas (where Jilr. Davis and his oil wells originated), l^fow it looks as though these plans must be abandoned. However they are going-to Boston hoping and praying that Mr. Davis will conceive a new idea for. his pet arid will cpntlnue his devption to Its cast for another two or five years on full salary. . Egypt By EDWARD ASSWAD Cairo,- Oct. 15, Cav. Uff. August Lalbagni, impre- sario at the Royal Opera house, has the Frehch'comedy company, under the. directfon of Jean Herve, for French and Italian opera. Mile. Madelein Reriaud and Pierre Bertin are the stars. In the coriipany are Mmes. Bollar- dl, Boccii BeauJpn, Clinpva, Coro Lamance, Melis, vPoli, Pauly, Tam- bpni and Messrs. Cazenave, d'Aleslo Franzo, Llridl, Laskoy, Lapelletrle* Pernet; Parmeggiarii, Ponzlo. Rodrl- go, Solei. Conductor, Comm. Pasquale La Rptella, and prima ballerina, Mile Liilsa Baldi. Greek Company Among :operetta3 performed.'.by the Greek company, npw on th© Kursaal stage, is "A Unique Night,"! three-act operetta of Maestro R. • Stolz. Enthusiastic and . exalted hymn to the glory of first love. Ex. ecuted witlv admirable and fearlesa and straight-forward manner ifor the first time on the stage of Dalbagni. Mme. Olympia Caridiotou RitzardI sang charmingly with perfect assur- ' ance. Mme. Mary Fiery Phillppidoii ii gav6 her role of the yourig palsy | versatility. Mr. Confinlptis: aanff j with his habitual charming siriiplici-' ty. The caricature of Mr, Pomonl» In the rple pf Magnus scored a sue- ' cess as well. This ensemble, exceptionally bfH- • liarit and hpniogoneoiis, deserved its warrii applause. The music of Stolz distinguLshei : by a discreet sentimentaiism. Thf. ballet, in its rhythmical dances, af* . forded a remarkable beauty of art. "Selleck's Gaieties" A deserved success was the veir- dict at the opening of "Selleck'l Gaieties," at the Metropole. It's really vaudeville with Percy and Ivy Stanley, comedjf.; Nelly Strong,- singer; Mayfair Foflr; Made Greg- ory, songs; Edna Leslie, dancer; Regirial.d Sellcck, at the piano, andi Barry . Stprri, dances. AH very well* After Talker Talent, Coast Agent East Los Angeles, Nov. 13. Je.ssle Wadsworth is «ne of the first Hollywood artist's repres int.a- tlves to go to New: York in search of talent lor talkers. She has been commissioned by one of the larg est studios to look over. New York shows and also stock companies, in that territory, for new talent to take screen and talker tests. Miss Wads.- worth will b6 In New York for about two weeks at the Warwick Hotel, Heating London Theatres ^ JUi>Mon,i^Npv..,, 13. As indicated some moYvtlis ";igo,~ changes in the regulations affect- ing the management of Londori tho- •atros and places of public Ontcrlain- ment will becpme . operative Jan. 1. Most important change la prpvl- sipn by the Londpn Cpunty CpuncU that where formerly only dressing rooms had to be he.atcd, from the first of the year all parts of the premises regularly occupied by the public, performers or working staff must be provided with suitable warmth. / Boston, Nov. 13. The Ladder" opened here at the Boston opera house last night, but It won't be long here. The date Is for two weeks only. Orders from Edgar B. Davis were for the limited date. It will be taken off Nov. 24 and probably shipped back to New York for storage. Davis, is said to have wanted his twp-year, riiillibn-and-a-half Broad- way flop to show here in order that friends in the shoe trades could see It. The magnate was once in that field, but has since cleaned up in rubber and oil. "The Ladder" may be shown elser where; but "not at this time," it is statedi ^-V—^ ——■ : Hospital for Pros . Paris, Nov. 2. The various, show associations of FraLnce voted at a conference to build a big nursing hpme, probably at Montmartre, Paris. It is to be specially intended for members of tllo show professions. FILMS PART SELBYS' ACT London, Nov. 13. Norman and Constance Selby, who recently finished dancing at Kit Cat, will temporarily part as a team. Norman is going to be juvenile lead in "Paris Girls,", a -(Um. .tp_be done by a French com- pany, Cineroman, '. backed by" the" Paris newspaper, "jje Matin," Nor man-Selby--has adopted-the-moniket of Norman Richards, instead.of his real name pf Selby, sp as npt tp be confused with Kid McCoy, English Flash Act London, Nov, 13. Ralph Reader, who staged the dances In "Virginia," musical sriiash, will produce a big flash act for vaude. Clayton and Waller, producers of "Virginia," will present! Casino de Paris Openi Casino de Paris at "Cairo under Marcelle Lariglois has opened, witV Delysia and-Rabanoff; Duo Slasciow, Russian dancers; Miss : Regf Dan- court, singer; Miss Sonla, beauty; Wanda Clleka, classic dancer; Lya May, Louisa and Mlmi; SHOWS IN STORES (Continued from page 1) who will attract and yet not b* of a cheap or sensational nature The stores pay well and the work is all in the daytime. Children's entertainers and lec- turers of all kinds are also desired. Mil tori ^ork and Whitehead, the bridge experts, have appeared In * number of stpres In New York. All stores are making an effort to dramatize selling. Theatrical peo- ple are especially wanted because of their knowledge of showmanship . and ability to put things pver. Dramatizing fashion is new. Ma- dame D'Alroy, syndicate writer, i» bppked into a' number of stpres In the country to give lectures on that^ subject. •' Stores in New York City arie able : to get their own show material, but stores out of town don't know where to^secure acts;; ~ - = - v-^^^^t...;=ur:^^ The first booking office for the store show field has been formed by fealph Harris in New York.. SAILINGS Npv. 22 (Lpndori to New YorWr Gil Boag (Leviathan). Nov. 17 (London to New York), Jack Harlan (Mauretania). Nov. 16 (New York to London), Charles B. Cochran (Majestic). _ Nov. 15 (Paris tp New York), James Carrier, Marcya and Tor- rinl, 14 International beauties^ (President Harding). , Nov. 8 (San Francisco, to Syd- ney): Flo Lewis, Nikola ^Sierra). Nov; 7 (London to- New York), Herbert Wilcox (Majestic). Cohan's New IVTusical - --Geor-ge=.M,-G.ahaiU.!U}.L^.'r-^^^^^^ new musical, .untitled as yet, * New York In January." ■-■-■--I- The Tiller Dancing Schools of America, Inc. 54 WEST 74th ST., NEW YORK MART READ. Pre.olJpnt Phono Endlcott J21B-6 New CloRses Now FormlDff