Variety (July 1929)

Wednesday, July 3, 1929 FOREIGN SHOW NEWS VARIETY Beautiful Bums of Canal Zone May Huniiliate Real Girl Performers Jiilew Ordinance in Panama Callrfor Proof of Pro- . fession—Segregation or Detention Panama, June 20. Prosttee, masqueradlnK as femme entertainers, and legit entertainers Hn'yrllllns' to hazard possible classi- fication m the former division, hod lietter steer clear of Panama. ' A new ordinance has gone Into effect here to offset the alleged vjilte slave traffic. It seema bound to work hardship and no small hu- iolllatlon to feminine performers entering the Canal Zone from now on.' .The new ordinance invoked by Siayor Abel de la Lastra is aimed to draw the line of demarcation between legitimate entertainers and the beautiful bums who infest the .Panamanian cafes and cabarets. The mayor has appointed a apecial board of three to pass upon ^lialiflcations ot girls employed in the local cabarets as to classlflca- (Contlnued on page 99) FRENCH SCENARISTS IN AUTHORS' SOC. MER^ COIMEDIE ACTOR MUST STAY POT Court Rules Against Lu- guet, Who Walked ^ Paris, July 2. The Comedle Francaise won Its inilt against Andre Luguet, who qiiltted the House of Moliere troupe without authority, In spite of his Contract calling for . 20 years. The «quii ordered Luguet to return to fSe Comedle whenever summoned, '•9d upon refusal to pay 1,000 francs 'a day. After failure to. respond for ' 10 days, further heavy penalties are •peclBed. In addition, the court condemned iOie three managers who employed Xuguet since he deserted the Come- dle to the parent of 30,000 francs •ach. The Actors' Union, which had tn- lervenei} in behaU of the player, Iras non-suited. - Luguet set up as a defense plea that he signed the Comedle contract When he wea young and did not realize the consequence .of tielng up his services for such a long term; that the Comedle had failed to ntiUze his services oVing to favorit- ism; that his advancement was re- t<|xded because of Intrigues within the organization, others being ad- 'Vanced rapidly through influence While he |«malned in the back- ^und. Will Collect Fixed Royalties, Not Percentage—Seek Monopoly Paris, July 2. The scenario writers'are dissolv- ing their own syndicate and enter- ing the Dramatic Authors' and Composers' Society, thereby taking a step toward a stage-screen tieup, The society will henceforth collect scenarists' royalties for the new member eroup, acting in the same capacity as for the stage writers. Itt Is possible an effort will be made to organize the c^ew group ori a b^sis of payment in percentage of gross recelpts, thus consolidating Its monopoly. But until this has been brought about the society consents to col- lect fixed royalties according to the writers' arrangement with pro- ducers. Move has all the earmarks of a drive to organize the scenario men just as the playwrights are organized, with the prospect of col lecting royalties based on percent age of theatre boxofflce grosses, which, of course, would involve the exhibitor. Understanding is that the society is only temporarily suspending its percentage system in favor of seen arists' fixed royalties. "New Moon" Not Closing Liondon, July 2. Through error of cable tranemis Blon Variety lEist week stated "New Moon" had closed at the Drury Lane. , The show la still running and to good business. Wo date of termina tlon Is thought of at present, It Is stated. INDEX Foreign 3-99 Pictures 4-29 'Wcture Reviews 17 Film House Reviews.. 80 Vaudeville 74-79 Vaude Reviews 81 New Acts 80 Bills 82-83. Times Square 86-87 Editorial 90 Woman's Page ....... 89 Legitimate 91-9B Music 96-97 Qbituary 100 Correspondence 101-103 I^etter List 103 -Inslde=ElctuEes— 9.0:. Talking Shorts 17 Literati 94 Legit Reviews 95 Foreign Film News... 2-98 Burlesque ■; 84 Sports 87 News of Dalles 88 Inside—Legit 05 Inside—Sports 87 Outdoors • - 100 Disc Exhihhion b Paris Paris, July 2 An exhibition to be held here in November will commemorate the progress of the talking machine business. Tentative program drawn up calls for a display of talking machines and records of various makes, with international stars reg' istering their voices In public tor the first time. GERMAN MELO THRILL'S Brilliant Berlin Performanee by Tills Ourieux In Russian Pfay Berlin, July 2. "The Chase," by Bemhard Blume, new at the State Schiller, la an ef fectlve melodrama of Russia,, about reactionary spies hunted by Red troops. The master spy Is killed and his partner, dancer, takes poison. Fern' Inine lead is brilliantly played by Tllla Durleuz. EGYPT'S HIGHBBOW FETE Cairo, July 2, The Congress of the International Literary and Artistic Association (See Note) is to be held in CaUv this year and in furtherance of the organization's purposes, the Egyp tlan Government has designated committee' to act. It Is made up of the minister of education as chairman, under-sec retary of state, vice-chairman and the following members: Abdel Hamld Badawi Pasha, president of the legal committee Maurice Llnant de ipellefonds, royal advisor of Justice and foreign af fairs ministry; Ahmed Magulb El helaly Bey, assistant under secre tary of state ot the education ntln Istry; Ahmed Fahmy Elikattane Bey, comptroller of technical dC' partment; Mr. Haiitecoeur, dlreC' tor-gtsneral of fine arts and dean of th.e law faculty. Johnson Pulls Aside the Curtain On Swaffer s Hand-Typed Portrsut WILL MAHONEY with Ettrl CorroU's "Sketch Book," Carroll Theatre, N. T. C. Walter Wlnchell said In yester day's New York "Mirror": "Will Mahoney's hilariously amusing rou tines and acrobatic hoofing stopped the show cold. This headliner from the two-a-day duplicated his former successes and certa.lnly is a valu able aid to Earl Carroll's new show.' Direction RALPH G. FARNUM 1560 Broadway Actors Union Row Over Convict in Freak Stage Role Paris, July 2, A freak production In Paris that would' have been a wow in the States got the' producer all Jammed up with the Actors' Union. F. Rivers staging "Au Bagne" ("Convict Settlement") employed the famous Dieudonne, who was condemned to a French penal colony, but escaped, and then, upon being found Innocent after long Im prisonipent, was pardoned. The minute the producer attempt ed to circus the freak engagement the' Actors' Union stepped in with (tU kinds of protests. Objection ap peared to be In the advertising of Dieudonne in sensational mainner. However, after negotiations, the Union agreed to permit Dieudonne play a small part and supervise Jailhouse atmosphere of production ' Piece thereupon went on last week, making a fair impression. Play by Maurice. Praz and Harry Mass, is adapted from a novel by Albert Londres and Is at the Am blgu for a summer run. The lurid story In five acts has to do witn one Marcheras, convict, who escape? and is recaptured. A vaudeville actress falls in love with him and offers him assistance in a new escape attempt. Convict refuses be- cause he. Is In love with his Jailor's wife. .Jailer suspects something ot the kind and lets Marcheras understand he will have a tough time of It In this man's hoosegow. Convict gets away and follows the actress Into the Jungle. The actress is shot ac cldentally and Marcheras Is recap- tured and returned to the igloatln'g Jailer-for the climax. Other players in the ^ cast are .Jacques Varennes and ''Luclenne Boyer, latter a music hall singer, making her debut In the legitimate Andre Mezy, Jean Clarens and Simeon. other Paris Premiere* "Salamlne," lyrical dmma, by Theodore Relnach, from classical Greek sources; score by Maurice Emmanuel, ma fairly done at the Opera. It Is a musical drama de- picting the lamentations of the Per slan Invaders after a Greek victory over the fleet before Salamina three centuries before Christ. Roles are sung by Franz, Andre Pemet, Fabert, Mmes, Marlsa Fer- rer, Manceau and Tvonne Franck. Philippe Gaubert conducted. NOTE. — Variety's Cairo corre spondent. jKbfi. gabled ^abpve Jjlandljr aasu^ied Variety would know what the International Uterory and Artistic Association is. It that's the Near East idea, of a gag, It's worth the. cable at. 12 cents a word. WEATHEE Paris, July 3. Slightly cooler this week with oc- casional showers. : Temperature hovers around 76 degrees. No Union Theatres Deal Rock of American Plays Set for Paris Paris, July 2. With announcement of French producers' autumn plans, it be- comes evident that aq Invasion ot the native stage by American suc- cesses impends. Camllle Wyn is presenting Marcel Pagnol's version of "Burlesque" at the Athenee in October. Paul Nlvolx's adaptation of "The Front Page" Is listed for the The- atre Madeleine under the manage- ment of Trebor and Brule. Lehmann and Fontaine will offer "The New Moon" at the Chatelet early next year, with Andre Bauge and Danielle Bragia featured. Isola Brothers will produce "Hit. the Deck" at the Mogador during the approaching season when "Rose- Marie" Is withdrawn. On top of that list "The Jour- ney's End," English war play, also a sensation In New York, will oc- cupy the stage of the Edouard Seventh theatre. Apropos of this, Saoha Gultry has relinquished his Interests in the Edouard, and Louis Verneull, popular playwrlcht, has taken over Adolph Franck's lease, in effect next October. From the New York Evening Post, June 28 By NUNNALLY JOHNSON The Evening Post's Roving Reporter London.—London has three un- usually odd exhibits—Mr. Hannen Swaffer. Mr. Beverley Nichols, and the Albert Memorial. The last was erected by the good Queen Vic- toria so that never should her con- sort be forgotten. It seems unlikely that he will be, though even local observers are somewhat at a loss as to whyNiny one should wish to be remembered by such an edifice as this. Mr. Swaffer has been a disap- pointment to your correspondent, who got his ideas off Mr. Swaiffer, a London theatrical commentator, from Mr. Swaffer's own words, (Continued on page 97) Bott Made Baron London, July 2. The new honor list of the Con- servative party, published accord- ing to custom on the dissolution of Parliament, includes' Sir Alfred iButt, who Is raised from knighthood to a baronetcy. Effect of the change, la that the showman's . title of "Sir" descends upon his line and is established In perpetuity. British tradition establishes the custom of permitting the party whose government retires to honor certain of its members for their services during its regime. Prince's With Class Show Doing Comeback London, July 2. Joseph Beak, formerly of the Savoy hotel. Is now at Prince's restaurant, where Beaumont Alez' ander Is in charge of the entertain: ment. Opening of the new show last night had Stroganoff's Dancers, new to London, with the exception of a short season at the Coliseum two years ago. Troup Is . assisted by Nalda MurlloVa and Sylvette. Gen erally good, but over-long. ■ Best Items In the show were the surprise bits contributed by Tracey and Hay, Peggy O'Nell, Frances Day and Ann Penn. With class attractions and a hot American dance orchestra, together with better service, Alexander has a chance of again putting Prince's on the map. Arnheim's London ' Date London, July 2. Ellzalde and his band will not be retained at .the Savoy when present contract expires in September. The management is Importing Gus Arnhelm (California orchestra, now in the east) from the States. ^SAILINGS A denial of any rumor of an Im- pending amalgamation between the Union Theatres and Hoyt's ot Au- stralia la contained In a cable sent by Stuart F. Doyle, general man- ager- of Union. The wire was ad-, dressed to Millard Johnson, Union's American rep at 729-,7th avenue. (Such a ruiaor If circulating at home has not aa yet reached New August 7 (San Francisco to Syd ney) Ray Ceams and band (Tahiti). July 23 (New Tork to Lbndon), Mr. and Mrs.. Joh:i Gilbert (Ina Claire) (Aquitanlai). July 12 (London to New Tork), Jane Dillon (Am. Merchant). July 6 (New Tork to Germany) Herman Bemle,' and Seymour Rob= Inson (Deutchland). . July 4 (New Tork to Paris) Rita Bell Crittenden (DeOrasse). _June 29 _(London to New Tork) Hairf Isolir an^'TyaWn" TTusiS June 29 (New Tork to London), Doris Keane and family. A. S. Dowl- ing, Florence Bartel, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schnltzer, ^on. Sol Bloom and Mrs. Bloom (Leviathan). June 29 (New Tork to London) Ambrose D>owllng, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schnltzer (Leviathan). June 27 (New Tork to London), Judith Anderson. (Berengaria). - UNITED OF ENG. IN DISSOLUTION London, July 2. The United . Producing Corp. dis- solution involving association of Sir Alfred Butt, R. N. GUllspte, I^. Ephralm and Louis .Dreyfus Is pro- ceeding in due course. Sir Alfred will stage "Follow Thru" entirely on his own as soon as the Dominion theatre Is ready. The No. 1 tour on the Moss Em- pires, previously handled by Ephralm, will now be done by Mac- Donald and Toung. Tours in re- hearsal are "Funny Face" and "The 6 O'clock Girl." Butt.'wlll now tour "New Moon" on his own when it ends Its London Denmark's Legib Want To Cmitrol Talkers Wastilngton, July 2. Danish artist organization Is out. to keep the talking pictures ezclu-' slvely ' In the legit houses and to confine casts .of, the^ . pictures to their association, says George'Cahtj In a report to the Department ot Commerce. Recent meeting resulted In the- preparation ot a protest to the gov- ernment on the granting of licenses, to the picture houseq to show both talkers, and sUent pictures. Association further went on re«- ord to the effect that artists work- - Ing in the talkers should reoely* well above their normal sAlary and that they should have a share In the profits during the first fifty years, as do the scenario writers. Artists' body is quoted aa taking these steps to protect themselves from elimination. Snobbery Theme Flops Paris, July 2, 'TjO RoI Bolt" ("The King Drinks"), comedy by Raoul Proxy, looks like a failure at the Femlna where it succeeds "By Candle Li^hC' Story has to do with a young woman who prevents a yokel from committing suicide and then pre- sents him to her friends as a prince. (Grirl's suitor discovers the boa^ pays the yokel's expenses to accom- pany party to > Deauvllle. Rube makes a fool of himself in the royal role, cures the girl of her worship of titles and brings about her mar- riage to the scheming suitor. In the cast are HastI, Moriss, Proxy, the author and Mmes. Pler- rettee CalUol and Therese Cernay. lORBOK CABABET DATES London, July 2. Tracey and Hay opened for two weeks at the Carlton hotel, dolns well. Ramon and Roslta did very well at the^Cafe_de ParlS; klt~Cat' is' crbslng J^uly 2{rT6r*S fortnight during redecbration. Notice Additional foreign show news, on page 99,