Variety (Dec 1928)

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Wednesday, December 5, 1928 FOREIGN VARIETY Drive Against London s Nite CInbs Involves PoEce, Bribes and Liquor Lk>hdQn, NoVi 22. The Home Secretary, Sir 'William joynson Hicks, and the new Chief Commlssloher. of Police at Scotland are tightening the grip on London's night life to a stranglehold. It may well end in. extinction for the minor places and those relying on the illicit sale of liquor. There is not much to choose between the test night club , and the worst as far as offenses against the Hcehs- jng laws. Presient condition has: ariiscn from the recent wholesale prosecutions and the repeated evidence that man- agers of the raided clubs had been warned of th^ coming police action. Following an official inquiry into this,.a sergeant, Goddard, attached to Vine Street Police Station, was dismissed from the force, ignbmln- lously, after serving two years or more past the time when ho could have retired on pension. Following the inquiry Goddard's bank; balaince of over $60,000 was estreated-and is now in the- possession of the Home Office. It Is the expoliceman's nioney but he must prove it before a mag- istrate. ITp to now no attempt has be3n made In this direction, prob- ably,-on-account of the fact that such proceedings, while getting back the money, might Involve the petitioner In serious charges, . - This matter has been discussed In the ■ House of Commons and the Home Secretalry was pressed to state whether the Kit Oat Club was one of ..the placea that had been bribing the police. He evaded a. di- rect answeir contenting himself with Baying that, as fa.r as he knew, the Kit Cat Is a restaurant^ , further, inquiry Into bribery was directed against another police- ihah, but to the surprise of every- body the court martial was can- celled and the man allowed to re- Blgn. Up to now nobody knows what further course against these men and others the Hoihe. Secretary In-/ tends to take. It has been common talk that night clubs and some res- taurants have been In the habit of iputting- a portion of their money iaside for the purpose of "squaring." Deportation A further official statement which ibas caused consternation among ialien night club owners and . man- agers Is a repeated declaration that such persons found guilty of trans- gressing the licensing laws will be deported. This also applies to those ■who have been bribing or attempt- ing to bribe police, It their guilt Is. brought home to them. Naturally With a general election "pending, the Government has to move very warily, especially as one of the big election cries directed to the women voters Is that of prohi- bition. General prohibition Is un- likely here and such a law might (easily upset the entire Internal peace of the country. There Is already suf-. ficient discontent over the defense of the Realm war tlm6 regulations which included the recently revoked orders that you could not buy candy or cigarets after eight o'clock on licensed premises, although you 'could walk" Into a shop or public house and get your smokes by put- ting money in slot machines. Bad for Clubs. As far as night life Is concerned at the present moment, there Is a wide difference of opinion. One side Bays It la looking up, the other that It Is dying. 1928 has generally been a. very bad y«ajr for night club? and the like. Many have been closed, Including the Chez Victor. Victor ■was deported, but Is allowed to re- turn now and agaiii to see his friends and transact business. The Winter Garden closed on its own account after a raid, thie alien management getting the wind up regarding the deportation order. Stage Door has been more heavily fined than, any club yet, although the deportation order was not en- forced; The Lido, Silver Slipper and the notorious "43," an establishment .heen raided .on ^?Gveral 6 c ca s i 0 n eT'o^hfer s ; Censor and Talkers London, Dec. 4. The-censor's attitude on talk- ing, films is a new problem here. Lord Chamberlain is re- ported to be taking adylce oh the subject, accbrdinjg to an official. H6 . has been advised that a "talking film'' Is* not a play within the meaning of the Act. .., .:■: ■• "Does the matter end there?" he is said to have, been further Interrogated. "Not necessarily. It may go farther.". the public houses close at 3 in the afternoon and 11 at nights New places are continually open- ing. The latest club is Nunicy's in Regent street. "This is being rim by George Abramson who had the Lido before disaster overtook It. Here a good orchestra is under the direc- tion of Eddie Crbssbart, American musician. It is a day as well as night club, and has a good dancing floor and a very line chef. At the opening, cabaret ran continuously from 5:30 but thiis has now been cut down to three shows nightly, the first being at 6:30. It closes at 2 in the rnorning.. \ Murray's Club, which celebrated Its 21 St . year this week, has gone back to full cabaret and hais ain ex- ceptionally fine chorus of dancers. Mrs. Merrick, , "the Night Club Queen," was released from prison today, having earned a month's re- mission of her six months' sentence for infringing against the licensing laws. Developments may be expect- ed among her night clubs and res.- taurants. During her absence the Silver Slipper has been run by her diaughters, both peeresses, and this fact has tended to make the, place snobbish. Rumors about cabarets dying In London should be listened to with caution. Same story crops up peri- odically. WILL MAHONEY The Chicago "Post" last week .said: "Will: Mahoney, who da;nces as though there's a devil Inside him that won't let him rest, Is.the whirl- wind; sensation of the Palace bill this week, keeping his audience shouting at his eccentricities as well as applauding vigorously his dance steps." Direction RALPH G. FARNUM 1560 Broadway Girls Pass Out Champagne at 'Singing Fool' Premiere in New House Regal Called London's Most Beautiful Theatrc^—- Sbciety Audience for Opening—Filin Liked «,ESQUE'^ FAIR London,- Doc. 4. "Burle.sque" \yas well.but not sen.<iationally r e c e i. v e d Monday night; at the Queen's. It is paced much slower than in Ne\y York, with Broadway local gags about Friars^, Lambs, Dillingham, etc., not understood hove. NOlson' Keys, in main role, was okay until oailcil upoiv for' some serious ' work, at Which linve he domon.strated jnvtlio.s is not. one. (.)f his specialties. Newspapers noh- cbmnutaV on notices. PARIS ACCEPTS GUITRn PLAY, Th'c Silver Slipper is now a res- taurant, but running on cabaret- dance lines, while the Stage Door is shortly reopening- as a restaurant complete with dancing and entf-r- tainmcnts. Tt will be known as the Worry nrill. The only aflu.-il differ- ence* bf'twoen the old and now re- glmn is- tliat all drinks f<jr tlu/so converted hou.^es have to be sent out for and cannot be procured after Rosetta Duncah Back London, Dec. 4. Rosetta Duncan returned to "Top- sy and Eva" last Saturday (DeO. 1) after a fortnight's absence due to an indisposition. While Rosetta was out Jier role was first played by Grade Fields and then by Vivienne Dunca.n, Mimi Crawford coming In to do "Eva." Show will leave the Gaiety Dec. 15, the sisters opening at the Pal- ladium (vaudeville) Dec. 17 for two weeks. London Biz 'Way Off London, Dec. 4. Business is thoroughly bad due to the heavy depression over the King's critical illness. Mild, damp atid foggy weather had added to the general gloom. Theatre, attendance is 'way oft ex- cepting in very few instances," CABARET ACTS OVER London, Dec. 4. Roseray. and Capella, opening at the Piccadilly hotel cabariet, were well received, as was Grace Doro, who returned here, after a provincial tour. Trix Sisters open at Verrey's res- taurant for six weeks Dec. 10. They will doubly into the vaude houses. it 99 Reproduce Reception Ceremonies-—4 Other Shows Open "OUT OF SEA" OUT London, Dec. 4. "Out of the Sea," written by Don Marquis, closed Saturday (Dec. 1) at the Strand after a run of nine days. , Succeeding attraction la "100 ' Y eaTs""^jTLl''""wHl eh'=com cs'^-in^--f ron i the Lyric, Hammcr,«mith. bowling Chasing Burke London, Dec. 4. Eddie Dowlinjj wants Turn T^urkf for hia male lead in.tli(> niiiHi<;al V'T.sion of "The l>'i'^ Puradf;"' he i;-' preparing. Burke is asking plenty of mon*>y. Paris, Dec 4. "Lindbergh," at the ChatOlet In three acts and 18 scenes, was suc- cessfully, presented Nov. 29 by Sacha Guitry, the author. It depicts the famous aviator's arrival. In Paris and the change of heart towards all Yanks on.the part of a French nobleman who. had previously op posed his son's marriage to an American girl. Menzell, American dancer, came from New York especially to repeat wlt'h Solomonoft the dances during the original reception scene when President Doumergiies . received Lindbergh at the Elyseea Palace, Identical ceremonies of that occa- sion were reproduced and Menzeli was big success. A tiallet with 200 children also pleasedL Charles Imi- tates the musical clown, Grock, while Miss Marguett Impersonates Mlstinguett. Chanterelle, the clerk picked for his resemblance, played. Lindbergh timidly but naturally and sympa- thetically. Irene Miller plays Lind- bergh's mother In a scene depicting her .school class selliner news of the boy's successful arrival. In Paris. Grifflh Campion Impersonates Am- bassador Herrlck, while Brown por- trays Marquis Crewe, the British ambassador. Show essentially Pa- risian t)hantasy and, Al- Woods has the American rights. Poetical Comedy Light "Sur Mon. Beau Navire'.' ("On My Beautiful Ship"), poetical comedy in pros© by Jean Sarment, was pre- sented at the Michodlere with little success. Author plays the role, of a retired Spanish toreador. Play is in three acts with. iVicitpr Boucher, Berthler and Marguerite Valmpnd and concerns a flirtation aboard., ship bound for Mexico be- tween a married man and a widow. Threatened storm brings blimax, but no storm happens and amorous af- fair terminates as ship nears port. Strictly Local Revue "Capucinos Revue,'* Opening Nov. 28, was fairly accepted. It is a topical Hhow without giving offense. A knf.wk'flf<e of local conditions, i.s noros.s.'iry to understand the satire written by Jacques Bousquet and =A .-=-^V-i Ikrmr^t. ■•Ca.qt 1 n cl u dcs J>Joree n Lo.sley, licrhez, ijouylf^y]'~ii6W<^fl iJarhcz, flif^ronimus,. .Michel Du'ran, Jane C.hrinA, Janlne Merrey; Ronf-o [)■ vil!'r.4, f'hrlfttlane Dor, .S.uzy W'inkiiT and -Luvette Dcmoulln. Has a Chance "l)<:[>;irl." by .Simon Gentlllion, l.s ;it )).'• Tlir-itre de rAvpnu'>'and has .an out.slde rhanoe. Plo.t Is about a brother and sister romantically "Vietma, Nov.. 19.^ A German ; yorsion of George VVatters and: Arthur- Ilopkins •' Burleaque." adopted by . Ossip Dymoff under the namo of "Artiscn" was launched here at the. Theater an der Wien, under the direction of Max Reinhardt.. The reception was favorable, after cool at the be- ginning. . ■ Tchechoff, Russian, Is Skid, with Tiber von Halmay as Bozo, and Hans Moscr as Jimmy. • Vaude acts are included includ- ing Douglas (step dancer) Admirals 4, and Frank Fox, pianist. Bostock's Circus Opens London; Dec. 4. Gordon Bostock opened, his three ring indoor circus Dec. 1 at Earl's Court, it was well received although the absence of any sensational act is rated a handicap. Two other factors against the venture is the fact that London is. not educated to clrcus-goIng befoi-e Christmas, and that the three ring Idea Is new, confusing and On the whole hot liked by Englishmen. Earls Court, additionally Is rather Ihiaccesslble. PalladiumV Worst Week London, Dec. 4. Palladium just closed its worst week's business since reverting to vaudeville. ' The king's illness and other depressing factors are blamed. Jackie Coogan failed to mean a thing on his third week. Miguel Galyain, debuting at the Coliseum (vaudeville) last night (Monday) after a provincial tour, proved pleasing. Peggy O'Nell opens In a sketch at Palladium Dec. 17. .London, Doc, 4.- ... Oponing of "Tho Singing Fool," Al Jplsop's .Warner lirothors pic- ture, wiis niade sensational at the now Regal last. ^^'■cdnoaday. night (Nov. 2S) by the nianagoment, in conohi.sioh, sending 400 girla down tlvo aisles pas^sing out champagne, sandwiches and cigars. At the ' finish of the picture a trailer . was immedi.ately flashed iirtkiiii? the audience to remain .seated and take wino with the nuin;ist>nient. f he entire stunt was pulled so iiXfit and clean that cvery- thinff was handed out before the i.',noo people in thiv hbuso realized what was talcing place. Film fea- ture was warmly greetod. . New thoatro was built by Alfred Abrahams und is the most beautiful house In London. A strictly society inoniior gathoring was headed by the I'rincc and IMiucoss Arthur Of Connaught. ■ The oponing Jainmed traffic from eight o'clock tmtil mid- night. Location of.this now film site la on the Marble Arch corner of Hyde I'ark.v • ' Meeting Over the King's Condition, for Theatres London, Dec. 4. .• Lo.rd Chamberlain called a meet- ing of all entertainment managers for today (Tuoaday) to decide' what course to take reg.ardlng closing should King George's illness prove fatal. COMEDIE FRANCAISE SUIT Paris, Dec. 4. Iluguette DuFIos has been fined 150,000 francs for breaking her con- . tract with Comedie Francalse. She and four others stepped out of National theatre last week cOm- pl.ilnlng that their salary was too small. Squawks on Flyweights Paris, Dec. 4. Loud Squwaks are to be heard about the Izzy Schwartz-Pladner bout just being a set-up for a re- turn match In New York, where flyweights can grab real dough. Izzy's alibi is thait he slipped and fell, splitting open his big toe oh the day of fight. Fyffe Coming .Over Dec. 14 London, iJpc. 4. .• • Will Fyffe ..saiLs on ,the Levi.athan Dc'cr r4 ".to "open "at the Pa-laeeT-N(f\v- York, Dee. 23. dreaming in childhood of becoming navlga!tor and actress. They realizo their ambitions but find ho roiriance in thom. Luf'i'.'n Nat and Marguer- ite Jamois are in the leading roles. Film Tragedy •."EJne Tant IJfillc- Fillo" rSuch a Pretty (ilrl) by Juririucs Dc-yal, li.a.M been produced by Ilcnc Rochor at the Thr-atre AntOlne. It i.s a i)sy- j^olo^'lcal _ drama with niflodra- ma\lc^"~d^v^o7)rr)t^ t^ Two war buddif-s become pioturf •produf;f!r,s and. both love the .s;ini" ju'trc'-s.. Kaf;h.bow.s to the olli(;/''.-4 love to cn:.ato trag'^il'y v.-livn one comtriitH suicide and th(s .oDu-r, con.'ii'Jf-r ing liim.sc.lf rc.-;iJonsihl';, .shuii.s thr- coquf.'ltliih ■woinnii. .I'-.in Worm.^, Mar';<;l Andre and l!l;i.ch(; Montel are among the ['layers. BOOKER DUE IN JAN; London; Dec. 4. Val Parnell, General Theatres* booker. Is due to sail for New York in .January. ITe will scout, for talent, par- ticularly hcadliners. COCHRAN'S REVUE GOING London, Dec, A. Cochran's Revue, at the PavII- llon, is coming. Latter show off to be,replaced by "Lucky Girl," moves over from the Shaftesbury on Chrlstmds. MASLOVA'S INJURY London, Dec. 4. Maslova opened with a new act last week at Alhambra (vaudeville) and tore a leg ligament Tuesday. A month's layoff Is necessitated, the-danccr going to Paris for .treat- ment. INDEX I • • • • • I Foreign ........ Pictures ..... ..... Picture Re views .... - Film.:JEIoi»se Rcviovvs. . Vaud(!ville Vaude Itovlews ..... Now Acts Blli.s ................. TIme.s Square ....... KiUtorlal i....., Women's I'uge ...... Lf'gltimato ■ Mij.sic . -........y..... 6iil'loora 01)11 iiary ..........;.. f'nrrcup'/ii'li-rice L'-lt"r List'.......'.. • T;i.!i;Jn;,' Shorts . Lit '-r-'iU ;.; l.i'All I<'!Vi(.-V,-.S .. l-'i,' (-.i.rn l''i!iii I !ijr!':;i)ue .SjjoFl.'i 11:. I,f:;it ... iri.iirjf!-.-.V'aiiile .. 25 • • • f • • 2-3 4-24 12. 34 30 ^ .33 32 36-37 42 3i3 43-4S • 40-50 51 .5] U^-.'l.') 55 12" 2?. ■4s G 31 40-41 42 ' 42.