Variety (Nov 1928)

2 VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE 8 St. Martin's Place, Trafalgar Square F O R E I G N CABLE ADDRESS.' VARIETY, LONDON 6276-6277 Regent Wednesday, November 28, 1928 London as It Looks By Hannen Swaffer London, Kov. IS. ' Vwjion i.suw the' Ah'.-ri.-an- li.)m.- "Love Nevoi-Dies," last night. I re- ' fleeted that, lu'it'.' never (lics—uhlfs.s you give it a enhance. \... It is vcrv harri foivan EngMshmnn to itoop his patience when he kno.wi-- .the.:V.*iriaordinar:.- w:»>-s-.in/which other race? persist in kfeping tip our ^'^S-^'^inv on.^tho ^.-vQiri Ifist niplit the. record of the 10th .anniversary of . :peaoo, a.'short nriiish j^ort-of-newsreel, joining up- the various Armistice ' Poyj* with a hackground of war. ■ Problertis of Armistice.pay ICven that todav sM..ms sligluly out'.of date. 6corgo Bernard Shaw prp- ' tested th.: ^ther di.y af^ainst the. militant words used in a service orgjxn- ■ ized bv one branch of the British Legion-a prayer about repelling the foreign foe"—and (..he parson in Leicester arranged for a hymn in his chiirch during the Two :^rinutes Siletice. ♦ This was the lh st sign of a breakaway from, precedent, except that last^ year in Manchester a friend of mine wht) was looking out of the window during the Silence snw a man throw his hat on the ground and shout, 1 -- lost four sons in t)io wiuv-and now th.ey're reminding.me all over again. Two Minutes Forever Th^ terrible thing ^bout these organized memories is that inevitably^ they encourage another war! They do not make for peace. Until this year I used to think that, for two minutes ever year forever the world should stop and contemplate. I begin to feel now that it does hot make for penitence. I fear it may create a militant mood in the next '.geheration, which has not suffered and therefore does not know. Film Boosting Ad Nauseum ■ Still that is bv the way. Before this American filnii I saw the most ■extraordinary nonstn.se I have ever watched upon a screen—a screen boost of the first performance of '.'Love Never Dies" somewhere in .Cali- . fbrnia. 1 didn't quite gather where it was, but as individual people kept on walking up towards the camera and smirking and saying really witty things like "If t-hls is California, give me California." and "If I. had time f .could sing •Mammy,' " I feared it must have been Los Angeles. . . Back to BiinkjBr Hill Now all this was an elaborate advertisement for 'XbVe Never Die.s,'' which seems to have been .a film made by Americans about flome small ■ part of England's share in the war. Quite a change, by the way. It Is very good of the .'^Jnerlcia.n film to mention England. Usually It only mentions us in regard to something at Bunker Hill. Do you people take the film so seriously that, every time a new one is iihown in Cahfornia, all the film stars have to go in tuxedos and straw hats, looking half-shaved? Yes. the lights made 'em seem to be half- whiskered! ,.Ti n Do they really all have, to walk up to a microphone and say Huuo, everybody" on the Avireless.? Is there a sort of ritual? . Bunkee-Doodle What a lot of bunk! It may do for your side, but for heaven's sake stop it here—that is, if yo.u have any influence over American film thea- tres sltiiated in the British Islands. Not even Charlie Chaplin, got one hand. Harold Lloyd did not excite even a smile. . . Ernest Torrenco grinned in vain. Gloria Swanson^s dago count was paraded without a glim. , _ _v;v ^.^^t^ Well. then, at last, after being shown even the gentlemen who wrote the titles of "Love Never Dies." we came to the film. . _ May I suggest very seriously that If America had produced this In 1917 It riiight'have done some good, but that now it is hopelessly out of date. The English nation do not want to be reminded in words that refer to Germany as "the, enemy" and that Include "strafe." Nor do our airman want to be shown a wonderful light while the film makes brutes or the German airmen, who, believe me, were always held up by the British Army in the highest esteem. ' The New President "Love Never Dies" .is quite demode.. It will not help the world. We w iint gestures of peace today, not reminders of hate, and. we certainly; do not want war films shown in such a way that between our own sacred record of Armistice and the war picture, gangs of film stars are shown in the vulgar way of American film publicity. It is hot done, you know, '"^ Perhap.s the election of Herbert Hoover may do something about this sort of thing. After all, he will be the first president your nation ever had who started with a practical experience of world problems. Taft found some of them oUt afterwards. . Roosevelt went lion-hunting before he tried to show England how to manage Europe. Wilson dl-scovcred jr all- in Parl.s. Herbert Hoover, >'lth his .rea l ej^penence ^or problems all over^th^ Y orld.'wlliV t trusf, bYTng a^ut a deeper "understahdiilg: ~ ^ ^ Topsy-Turvey and Eva . The serial .story Of the Duncan Sist«^rs still goes oh. They had trouble with the musioians the other night. Kosctta reproved them from...the stage, while Hayden Collin,. silting in a. box, applauded her, and then she c.ollap.sed and went Into a nursing home. The next nVorning Grade Fields was asked if she would take Ilosetta's place, to save the show. -^<.li:acla_asi-ecd. liiefast•.<].. Lq.. take, .finy._!L!>.l??;.lL_.aDil. hov^:...?).■!<^ .?'11.V.P|H-1^.-.^ ■ jiart for a. week. ... "It Is merely a; friendly gesture on the part of one artist to another. £,aid Graeie."i admire the Duncans tremendously." As a matter of fact, these girls have not been given a square deal. Instead of being helped in their foolishness, which' by the way, got very annoying at times, they have been hindered. Other people want tiie theatre. Rumors have spread. Whl.'>pcring has gone on. As the Dun- carts never know their own minds from one hour to another, and once .liad three nianager.s all at once, anything can.happen. Two Shows , a Night Half way ihroiiph "Lucky Girl" at the Shaftesbviry, T remarked to Alan .Piir.sons. the Daily Sketch critic. "To think that these people who ■ went to the Garrick are now wi.shing they came here!" ■ Th ere.. ^woi',e- onlyjAwo..mistinigM h:u)j)ened on the same night, 1 like the West iSitd Maniigers Assoelaition because they always ar- ranco that these things should clash, so I don't have to do so much work. They tell me tliat "The Runaways; ' the new Eden Phllpotts comedy at the'Garrick, was dreadful." After seeing "My Lady's Mill," his last one. I would believe anything. I only know I had to ondui-e "Lucky Girl." which had 13 composers, authors and producers, so many that they left off the name of. Rog.-r Wolfe Kahn, who wrote .some of the . "Crazy Rhythm." how much 1 do not know. Fancy so many cooks that even the music of one song cdnnoi be written by one man! It has more machine-made advertising-catalogue humor of any play of the kind I have ever seen. It reminded me of the pintomrmcs. wheix. they used to drop a curtain whl-h had whole scores ©f advertisements. GEORGIE WOOD Suggests that stage-managers might save arguments with acts by quot- ing him whorii Bernard Shaw de- scribes as-"the . lDollsh. Italian".:—_ "AH bur annoyances, if we really come to look for their source, arise from our not rightly iinderstanding the employment of time." ;-. '■, Chatter in London . . London, Nov^ 19. By the time "The Squeaker" gets back to the Shaftesbury It, will have been in. four London theatres. The show Is now; at the Comedy, preferring to be in a small house during the usual slunip b'eforei Christmas; . Bertie Meyer has taken over the Shatesbury for six weeks for his musical farce, "Lucky Girl," after which "The Squeaker" re- turns. The play, which, is in rehearsal in New York; Is to be . called in America ""The Sign of the Leopard" because the title, clashes with"The Squealer." Australia By Eric H. Gorrick .^Sydney, Oct. 21. Bisgest current hit is "The iPatsy," Only two pantomimes in the West End this Christmas: "Beauty aiad the iBeast," at the Lyceum, and "Cinderella," at the New Scala, both pop priced houses. "Show Boat" will continue at Drury Lane, (the usual home of spectacular i>antomlme), and Bert Coote will revive ""The Windmill Man" for matinees only at the Vic- toria I>alace. At the Regent Martin Sabine will present twice nightly, a revival of "Chu Chin Chow" (ran for five years during the war) with Oscar Asche In his Original role. "Peter Pan" /will be revived as usual, played by Jean Forbes-Rob- ertson, with Mary Caason as Wendy and Marie Lohr as Mrs. . Darling. "Where the Rainbow Ends" comes again to the Holbom Empire for matinees, and the immediate su burbs like Wimbledon and ' Ham mersmith will have respectively "Humpty Durhpty" and "Jack and the Beanstalk." As Christmas day falls on Tues- day, and business is always bad Just beforehand, the theatres will be closed, in the majority, for three days. The new play for Violet LOraine by Aimee and Philip Stuart has again changed Its title, this time from "The Broken Line" to "Clara Billings," for fear people should mistake it for a war play. The show replaces "Chariot's Revue" at the Vaudeville Immediately, and marks V-loletsJ.retu.rh-to the stage after, seven years. A tribute was paid to. a, house manager in the case of T^ora Cromer, a music hall artiste, ^o sued for damages for breach of con- tract against the London Alhambra. The Lord Chief Justice in his summlrig-up referred as follows to George F. Reynolds, general inan- nger of the-Alhambrar ■ .- "Mr. Reynoldig is a gentleman of great experience. He has been manager 6f the Alhambra theatre for eight year.^, and you heard the very remarkable trib- ute which Sir Oswald Stoll paid to him this morning. Of course you and I know nothing about this difflcult business, but It. does not need much imagina- tion, does it, to reflect that It must be an uncommonly difll- cult business to carry oni and it must .be a business which calls for great tact, great con- sldevatlon, and i^reat senaltive- ness to tlie^ feelings j)f others. ?^6irWaw"Wr:"Heyn61dsrTH meaner in the box made a great impression on my mind." at (Griterion. Williamson-Tait may do .this show in London With Irene Homer and probably same cast now playing here, including Sam Wren, A S. Byron and Brandon Peters. Tonight will witness the premier of "The Va:gabond King'! a-t Her Majesty's. It is probably the most expensive show staged this year j>y W-T. Cast includes James Liddy, Strella Wilson, Arthur Stlgant. Cecil Kellaway and Arthur Green away. • . ■ ' ■ , "Rib Rita" closes shortly to make way for "Good News" at the . St. James for the Fullers. ' "Rita" wall go to Melbourne.. . Business away off at the Pa.lace, where "The Pigeon ' is being played by Gregan McMahon and his company. McMahon has been offering highbrow stuff,and the public showed its appreciation of his efforts^ by remaining away. This same producer "staged ari 'Australian play. "The Lap of the Gods." re- cently, but business was so bad. it was taken off after one week, with loss running into a couple of thou- sands. MeMahon: and his company deserve better fate becau.so produc- tions have been excellent and splen- didly acted. ■ , W. T. pulled a cute idea this week when they put May Collins into the sympathy role in. "Iriterference" after the same actress had been playing the vamp part for several weeks in the show. "Cargo" follow- ing. ■ . ■ • , The Empire entertainment in eludes small. time Vaude, a . pretty ptihk revue entitled "Bubbles," re- puted from Paris, and. a terrible local-made film, "Trooper O'Brien." The acts. have been seen around before. If the revue is really from Paris, get off .that city for life. The movie is a story of the days of the Avistralian outlaw, Ned Kelly. Ned must turn ■ over in his grave every time the picture is screened. game old type revue offering at Fuller's this week with Ike Delar vale featured comedian. Business so-so. Nice working bill at Tivoli this week with business brisk. Long Tack Sam and his troupe featured Ivy Ivell, Arthur Aldridge, Lorna Lance and Leslie, Barnes and Barnes, Mardo a;nd Wynne, and Tom Katz Band. Pictures . For 2d weeks Capitol has not had one empty seat at the night shoSv, with matinee business high. "Thi!? week's cntertiainment is about the weakest the house has offered, with, nobody in particular to blame for the routine. Ted Henkel and. or- chestra did vez'y well, followed by news'reel. Fred Scoll made hit at the organ with "Melody Out of the Sky." Following came First Nat's "The Butter-arid-Egg. Man." very weak baby and finished to mild ap- plause. Hazel Kennedy, billed from Hollywood, probably weakest act in this house, although her dancing was liked. Should never attempt to sing in a house the size of this one. Regular ballet followed backed up with male dancing outfit working briefly. Following intermission came First Nat's. "The Barker," with pic ture scoring. « Night sliow runs about three hours with dollar top for first balcony •John Biarryinore in "The Tempest" opened at Prince Edward last week for extended rUn. Picture may stay several weeks, as star Is blg.favorite Union Theatres noW connected with this house. Its own producer staged prolog. ■ John Gilbert In "The Cossacks" and Dane and Arthur In "Detectives" at Regent for two weeks. This house will change policy next week, running weekly changes to compete with the Capitol, a couple of blocks away. Joe Aronsori and hi.s. band did nicely on .stage. MELBOURNE His Majesty's has .. "The Desert. Song." nit;. ' ' ^ S i lent- Ilo 11 se".. wit h.MaiLU'i.ce. M o.s - co.vitch at Royal. ' Dion Koucicault and Irene Van- brugh in "On Approval" at comedy. "No. 17," mystery drama, for Ful- lers, at Palace, . Muriel Starr in "Whisperln.in Wires,'' at King's. Straight vaudeville at Tivoli-: Bar- bette, Heed and Lea, Frank llar- wood, Pepito; Conlin and (ilass. Uusso and Ihadford, Amoros and Janet. Pop vaudo and revue for Fullers, •\t Bijou. . r.etty Areona, Flying Lamars, ("hester Dick, Clauda Alba, Palen- berg's Bears. Three Arconas, with \Vi rtli-T3^Gi reu Rr=^=^ the Paramount.outfit, fur. the dlstrU ■ bution. of English film.s in Australia, Stuart F. poyle, head of Union Theatres, has purchased 15 equip, ments for presentation, of talking pictures here. ♦;'( Hoyts will have, talkers in'their house around th|e New Year, with Williamson-Tait '(New Zealand) also installing talkers.. Picture theatres around Mel- bourne are experiencing.a bad slump at present. Hoyts have dismi.ssed around 80 musicians from their neighborhood houses with more cuts in house staffs to follow^ Industrial strife blamed for poor bu.sinoss. • Captain Dc Duisln arrived here to establi.$h exchanges for Columbia Pictures* output in Australia. This : company's output was previously, handled here by Australian Films^ but this company allowed its con- tract to lapse because they intend to quit distribution next yeaii-. It is also quite probable that War-' her Brostmay open their own-Aus-- tralian exchanges very soon.. . Hoyts have formed a. subsidiary company to handle the P. D. C. prod- ucts in Australia. Capital $500,000, Company will function as .controller of P. D. C. here with First National handling distribution with account-, ing to be made to Hoyts Theatres, War has been declared between music publishers here and the Im-. porters of synchronized pictures, Music publishers formed Perform- ing Rights Assoc. of Australia. They, claim talkers ai-e an Infringement of song and music owned by them in Australia. Most of the publisher^, purchase songs and musifc froni America and: claim that, the talked will hurt their buisine.ss. ; Warnings have been issued to Union Theatres, Ltd., Australasian Films and Fo< people. . . 'Phere are several talkers here at present but they have not yet beert released owing to theatres not belngf wired. . Paris Chatter Paris, Nov. 16. Many requests latiely for medium class American song and dance men and chaps who can play the piano and sing. When those making the offers were asked why they didn't send to the States for this kind of talent, a terrible roar was heard.: Seems that, these fellows over herie are scared to death of paying a player's transportation back and forth and for the contracted time In case the man Should not click. Many of the patrons have told their agents that they will not consider men- fn America under any condition. SAILINGS Dec. 14 .(New York to London) Lew Cody (Berengaria). Dec. 1 (London to New York) Claudia Coleman (BerllnV. Dec. 4 (New York to I'liris) Jack Connolly (Leviathan),> Nov. 2.4 (London to New York i • Charles Cherry (Aquitania). . The town Is all agog .about the opening of the first sound picture "White Shadows/ Those who have had .a peek at the preview have cir- culated the report that the new de- vice has knocked the silent picture for ,a row. Madeleine, whicli only seats about 800, has been booked solid by many of the nMt't imjior- tant personages in the town. "There is every Indication that sound and .dialog pictures will en- joy even greater patronage over here than the former silent filme because of the temperament of the people. They are realists to their finger tlp.s. for the slightest di.serep- ancy in a story is met with dls- dainLthat wiU prqye the Undoing of an entrre opus^ ^ - . - To actually hear: i':i,!;n-.i!s roar, automobiles glide by ;ind all the. other ..sounds Incidental to the pho- tographing of a scenario will find a soft spot in the hearts of the lOoro- pean.s. If the sound jiieliire ineets with the success contemplated there will he SRO sfgns on all houses showihg them, in Paris anyw.ay, "Chasing ;Through Eur6))e," Fox film, has been completed after five months, and the boys responsible are on theh' way back to the States. Nick Stewart, a cameraman who joined the actor ranks, is starring. He said , that he felt very much at home lug.glng a regular camera around with him. and that many or the .shots which he took before an- other camera will be shown. V Doreeh Purklngton, formerly of "Rio Rita," suln.g .Ernest Rolls, pro- fluecr of the Fuller shoAv,-.for $5,000 Cor alleged slander.' Case up next week. George D. Parker, American pro- ducer for \V.-T., has left for Lon- don to hook attractions for his firm. The N. S. W. Slate Film' Tax ini- |)(i^(h1 on the industry by late I.<alu'v (jDvernni'-nt has Ixvn repealed with present goverment n.'fundlng around JIOO.OOO.- A S.'^iOn.oOO company formed heri by W. Duff, formerly connected with --•-^Grorgp--lVfeta-\Mt=-w'ho-s^''vu^-il--=fffl^^ slder.ably in London, Is doin-' we- wisp at Blueroom here. He.is goinK to States after Paris. M. Gemiei-, one of Franeo's lead* in.q actors; wlmVa.^ no^ <•■'■ •;i d to live, has pulled throusrh the erisj.<». The Tiller Dancing ScbooU of Ameticav Inc. 54 WEST 74th ..ST., NEW YORK MART READ. PrePll""' Phono En<1lcot1 82U.-fl New ClaflseR Now Forml"«