Variety (Feb 1930)

64 VARIETY Wednesday, February 12, 1930 News From the DaOies This department contains rewritten theatrical news items as pub- lished during the week in the daily papers of New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and London. Variety takes no credit for these news items; each has been rewritten from a daily paper. LONDON "Here comes the Bride," Julian Wylle's latest, opens at the Picca- dilly Feb. 20. "Evangeline" drii:ted out. Judge, in the King's Bench Divi- sion recently: "I know nothing about films,- except what I .see on the ad- vertisements on the imderground. I thought there were no degrees in them, but that they were all super- lative." New Oxford and Cambridge Club opposed the music and dancing li- cense for the extension grill room at the May fair Hotel. Idea was the bishop members might be worried by the jazz. Max Derewski, pianist and com- poser, husband of Ruby Miller, died Intestate and practically destitute. • Evd Moore, back from the States, Is presenting "Getting Mother Mar- ried," by Neil Grant. Due here in March. Colin Cllve, and a number of "Journey's End" players, are listed iof a Sunday performance of the Irish play, "4?," by the Stage So- ciety. Sort of complimentary show, in recognition of the fact the so- ciety's production of the Sherilt play gave the lads their biggest break last year. ,$219,123, Dr. F. Koebling Geyser has nied voluntary bankruptcy proceed- jing.s. One of the claims is by Myrna •I''ink, former actress, who charges i Geyser mari-ed her appearance with powerful X-ray treatments. .Myrtle Bauer, show girl, still wants $5,000 from Florcnz Ziegfeld on a Claim that .hc-r Pekingese was destroyed by Blllle Burke's police dog.. Llta Grey Chaplin didn't answer a summons, secured by Nicholas Oiyory, who claims 1616 due him as her vaude manager. Hearing was to have been in Mun icipal court. License of Adelphi Theatre Ticket Aftency was revoktfl by the divlf.ion of licenses in Albany, on complaint of a customer who thought he was getting football tli^kets. on the 40- yard line for a $3 premium per ticket. Jerry 'Austin, three-foot agent, has been hauled into court by seven girls who claim they paid him $20 for instruction in modeling and got only unfulfilled promises' of work. Austin - retorts that the ' garment workers' strike has ruined his busi- ness. watchman and looted Henri's Ren- dezvous, - Brooklyn night club, of, ?!1,000. A few minutes previously the proprietor had left with $3,500. Another trio of armed men gagged the night watchman at the Liberty theatre on Staten Tsland Sunday night and took a reported $2,000 from the safe^ contains theatre of that name, and the RKO western ofnces. Lake Mich- igan building holds the NBC ofHces and studios. Following lead of Peggy Joyce, La Argentina, dancer, cancelled pas- sage on the He de France just be- fore sailing time and submitted to an appendix operation. She will re- turn to Paris later. David F. Albln and six employees wer^liamed in an Indictment charg- ing th'em with possession of liquor and maintaining a nuisance at the Epicure club, hl-hat nlte spot. Attempts are being made to unionize soda jerkers as the "Soda Dispensers' Alliance." Want $35 minimum and $45 maximum plus nine-hour day. "Thames "Wine," at 50 cents a bot- tle. Is a fiery illicit brew unearthed by the Licensing Commission. 3\!la.de In Limehouse. Birth rate for Great Britain, last year was the lowest on record. This fact is being linked up by cinema managers with the menace of over- seating. Louise Burke, "beauty contest win- ner and fiancee of a Bronx cop, whammed Niclvolas Genovltch when he became friendly in a Bronx pic- ture house, Geno.vitch is pondering for 30 days in the workhouse. Investigation of vice in Atlantic City includes ciuestioning of Roelim and Richards, Nev York agents. No Implication of wrong doings; agents ai'e to furnish information concern- ing employment of, girls for revues. The new Ben Travers farce at the Aldwych has been titled "A Night Like This." Eighth successive cbmr. e'dy at the house; sl-xth by Travers. Just 390 entries for the British Drama League's production compe- tition this year, as against 233 last. Indication of the growth of the ama- teur and little theatre movement in England, particularly the north. Perqulta Courtney, In legit, has renewed her suit for $15,000 against Lucien H. Garwood, cab driver, whose cab is alleged Jto have struck her In 1927^ "Last year a jury awarded her $5,000, but' Garwood was liatef" permitted a Tiew trial; ' Gaumont has shelved its Idea of making a British talker. Waiting for an American unit to come over artd do It? NEW YORK Alma Gluck, opera singer, lost her suit to recover $6,700 she paid to the government in excess profits ta.x,e3 on phonograph recordings In 1917. Her contention was thjit the records had been made the year before the tax was levied. , Preliminary petition for a receiver for the DeForest Radio Corp., en- tered by H. v. Van Korff, was dis- missed by Vice Chancellor Vivian Lewis on gi-ounds that Van Korff is not a stockholder and the company owes no money. Harry RIchman served with sum- mons in the breach of promise suit for $100,000 started by Tlorette Bas- set Stanley, former Sennett bathing girl and ex-wife of Jerome Stanley, broker. When Anne Caldwell, former ac- tress, ' obtained an order permitting lier to levy on Mrs. Isabelle Hut chins' home furnishing for a $553 judgment, the latter settled the debt. Mrs. Hutchins Is the former Belle Livingston, actress, and is supposed to have.'refused payment for five gowhi3 turned over to her by Miss Caldwell. ^ Irene Franklin hit print some time ago with the statement that she was establishing a vacation home for chorus girls. Latest, Is that she changed her mind and bought a yacht. Rehearsing for the Newspaper Club ball in the apartment of Max Lief, author, 18 chorus girls went Into a near-panic when fire was discovered In the rooms. Damage estimated at $1,000. E. Ray Goetz as brought suit for divorce against Irene Bordoni. Un- usual because Miss Boi-donl has se- cured annulment .of tlie same mar riage in Chicago. Morris Shapiro and Samuel Cohen, said c6 be publishers and distributors of popular song sheets sold for 5 cents n copy, were in- dicated last week by the Federal grand jury and held in $5,000 bail Complaint was made by M. P. P. A and A. S. C. A. P. on charge of copyright violations.. Listing claims of five womcJn for House committee In Washington has- favorably reported the bill des- ignating "The Star-Spangled Ban- ner" as the national anthem. Over 200 oi'ganizatlons approved It Last week two prima donnas sang it for the lawmakers. Committee killed the credit carried In the bill to Francis Scott Key, making It read, "Hereby designated the song known as,", etc. Clarence Drowns former manager of the Orpheum, .who died recently left his estate, valued at $150,000, to his daughter, Grace Hope Drown. Village . of Waverly, N.' Y., with fi.OOO population, saw Its first Sun- day pictures Feb. 9. In Its only thea-. tre. A man in Waverly was fined recently for sawing wood on Sun- lay. Century Circuit' of theatres last week began construction of a 2,600- Beat theatre' in the Thomson Hill section of Long Island City. Jake Wolff, former cafe pro- prietor, rescued an old bottle of whiskey he had placed in the cor- nerstone' of the- Casino In 1904 and threw a party for Broadway old- timers. " Casino, legit, has been demolished. LOS ANGELES Syndicate headed by Edward Sedgwick, Sr., bought a corner a block above the boulevard at Yucoa for 12-story hotel and store build- ing. Premiere of U's talker, "Dames °Ahoy," aboard "President Vlllmore" somewhere between Los Angeles and San Francisco -Feb. 3. First boat on Pacific equipped for talkers. Paramount is bringing daudette Colbert here from the eastern' stu- dios for the femme lead in "Man- slaughter," apposite Fred'lc March. Alice Day, pictures, announced her engagement to Jack Cohen, broker. To be married In April. Sue Brighton, dancer, suing Skeet Gallagher for $10,000 for Injuries re- ceived' in an automobile accident on Dec. 14, accepted a 'settlement of $450. ' • Alumni of Columbia University liere will listen to the address of Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler by the canned process at the annual dinner to be lield this week. John Boyce Smith, of Inspiration Pictures, Is president of the alumni and he had the sound picture address at the "Prexy" mttde in New York last week. Anita Leone White,, pictures, wants a divorce from George M, White, chai'ging jealousy. Local court's show of shows has been on for 10 days, -with Ferdinand Plnney Earle's latest romance hbld- lijg the stage. Show has been play- ing to capacity with moms and flaps forming the audience and relishing the red hots from the witness stand. Femme lead filled by Dolores Sal- azar, Spalnish dancer,- suing the heavy lover for $30,000 for breach of promise to mai-ry and breach of motion picture contract. Chief burning morsels for the cus- tomers were the reading of flamingr love letters from the creator of the soul kiss; the description of five Elinor' Glynlsh months In Mexico and weird marriage rites performed by "Affinity" himself. Attorneys for the girl described Earle's wooing of the dancer as "eerie." On tlie stand Miss Salazar. denied that she fell Into the defendant's lap like "a ripe peachi" as he said. She described an alTinity marriage that took place in. the moonlight in Earle's garden in Hollywood as the whistles were blowing to -welcome 1927. "He took me intd the garden," she testified, :'and placed a bible on a bench. We^held hands while he repeated the marriage ceremony." Also another marriage performed in Mexico, the girl described, but later to find out that the ceremony was performed by a chap engaged by Earle to masquerade as a priest. Case will continue to occupy Judge Harry Archald, a jury in Su- perior court and an eager assembly of dirt chasers for some days' to come. Mrs. Gladys Belzer- has -withdra-wij hpr suit for the annullment ofjthe marriage ot Her daughter, Loretta Young, and Gra,nt Withers, Carl Freeman and Alice Day -were injured hi an automobile accident when the car in which they were riding skidded and overturned. Both ai*e recovering at their homes. With Federal agents Indicating that none,of the cases Involving pic ture stars charged with making false tax returns -will be brought to trls^l Federal Judge McCormlck continued the setting of trial dates for Tom Mix, Eleanor Boardman, King Vi- dor, Raymond Griffith, Rayinond McKee and Eugene Forde until May 15. The Tsu Tsui, Japanese theatri- cal company, brought over by the Theatre Guild, is scheduled to arrive in New York Feb. 21. Company comprises 24 persons. They show in Los Angeles this -week. Plea of Carl Reed, producer of 'Pleasure Man," that his good repu- tation as compared with that of Mae West called for separate trial, was denied by Judge Bertihi. The judge decided Reed's status would not be damaged by courtroom association with Miss West, • Mrs. Lois Pintages», on probation following a manslaughter' convic- tion, will ask the court for permis- sion to leave the state for Pueblo, Colo., in an attempt to regMn her health. Gwendolyn McCormack, daughter of John McCormack, Is in the Good Samaritan hospital suffering from appendicitis. . Engagement of Josephine Bush man, another daughter of Francis Jf, Bushman, to J6hn William Fos- ter of. St. ' Loulk announced in Baltimore, Feb. 7. The wedding will take place in April. Bu.shman's first wife and the mother of his two daughters, now engaged,- lives In Baltimore. John O'Brien, picture director, was sentenced to six months on the county road gang for failure to pro vide for his wife and their five year-old son. "June Moon" leaves the Selwyn Feb. 22, moving to Cincy. "Jenoy" originally booked for the Garrick, turned down this house and moves Into the Selwyn for four weeks. Florence Piatt, here with "An- imal Crackerp," has filed suit for $10,000 against the Telephone Operators' Club of Chi. Caused by publication of femme's photo In ads for the hello girls' popularity and dance contest. Dan R. McGinnity, sports prom.o- ter, and brother of "Iron Man" Joe McGinnity, left a $9,000 estate to a woman he is alleged to have mar- ried blgamously. He cut off his widow and son. Martha Grief, divorced by Harry C. Molr, Jr., has filed suit to have the. decree set aside. UNCOMMON CHATTER Short Skirts Speaking of the company, "Not So Dumb" is "in order; speaking of the resultant picture, is different. Marion Davles, Elliott Nugent, Ray- mond Hackett, Donald Ogden Stew- art, Sally Star and Julia Faye are all very. good. "Dulcy" had the' original case of parrot fever; she repeated everything she heard. Miss Davles' frocks were all rather short. A crepe frock made an attempt at length with a side panel, but only an attempt Crepe frock laced with self fabric on upper sleeves, bodice front and one side of skirt. Sally Star arrived In a 50-60 suit divided down the middle with light and dark sides, buttons trimming the bodice. Julia Faye trailed black net very gracefully. (Continued frorti page 52) New York has a tribe of the most friendly hack-men In the world, ready at the slightest encourage- ment to pour out the story of their lives. If there Isn't much, of a story they can be equally fluent about the weather, or expound the evils of the new traffic system. Mrs.. A. J. Balaban recently hailed a cab In-front of the.Dorset and was astonished to find Its driver greeting her like a long-lost friend. He In- quired into, the state of not/"only her own health but that of her three children, congratulated her on hav- ing such a good huoband, and asked if the"n'ew~i:ovefness hard, prov-en- satisfactory. All this in a heavy dialect that had his passenger pray- ing she could think up enough words tOv prolong such a grand con- versation. Tlie driver finally- clearid up her surprise- by explaining that he had driven the family across-town last year en route to the Pennsylvania Station and Atlantic City.. He also explained that ho had grown to like them In that shor' trip and had thought about them many times since. He confided that he was the father of three aind had experienced quite a hard time seeing them all through the whooping cough. Another taxi story Is told by Ruth Brenner, who did the cos- tumes for the "Little Show." She was whiling away a hold-up In traffic by humming bits of "Pelleas and Mellsande" and was Interrupted by the delight her driver manifested in the fitct that he was carrying a passenger who could sing bits from his favorite opera. He then, offered to sell her a four dollar ticket for that night, explaining that he had a yearly subscription but that the wife was ill and he couldn't go. Still another of the talkative taxi ists, given an address, recognized It as that of Variety—which called to his mind the old days when he worked at the Biograph Studios. He summed up the moving picture situation of the past, working up to the present by stating that he'd "love to see Lawrence Tie-bit in the Rouge Song." CLOTHES AND CLOTHES (Continued from page 52) rolled collar of velvet from which back train fell. Another negligee ensemble of satin and exquisite lace, different on the bodice and the jacket, was an eye^- fifl. Black suit framed Miss Ben- nett's face '^vith soft fur collar in . grey. Mildred Van Dorn would never be recognized again unless by her saucy tip-tilted nose. She never got in .a full face view. Her black velvet frock had a white silk coUar that came to a larger point on the right side,- while long tie ends fell . from the V point on the other. Too Sensible "The Second Wife" Is too sensible to be considered good film. fare. Lila Lee and Conrad Nagel seem to cover all the fundamental causes for dis- content—not the comic strip ones— and discuss them openly. Miss' Lee looked well in all her costumes, and chose black and Willi e for the running-away gown," witli wide back panel of white edged with black, many points of the hem white lined, fiat bow of white over the shoulder, and hat with a loop each of b. and w. over the right ear. Dark crepe negligee had a heavy cape collar of lace trimmed with tiny flowers at the . ffeclfT." Silk frQck Tised back- and; front godets to make the yoked skirt longer, buckles In back at waist and neck, two large pearls gathering the collar In front. Smart hat used rough tweed and dark fell. ■ t "So Long Letty" Pity the sets of "So Long Letty" weren't bigger so Charlotte Green- wood could really exhibit her extra- ordinary angularity with greater ease and frequency. Many laughs, and all Miss Greenwood's. Costumes unimportant to the rest of the world since no one but Miss Greenwood could possibly wear that silk suit with the enormous bow under the chin. Same bow also, served later at the back of the neck with a light frock. Patsy Ruth Miller was restricted to domestic atmosphere In gingham apron-frocks. Helen Foster looked too mature In black crepe evening ensemble, even though brightened with crystal. Her previous frock of checked skirt and dark Jacket was pretty, with two tone wide scarf collar. Marion Byron wore white with lower skirt of ostrich. CHICAGO Leon Leonard, co-owner of the Green Mill cabaret; was fined $100 and costs on the charge of assault- ing Leonard Schwartz during a fight in the club. Depositions to prove that Nellie M. Joyce, who succeeded Peggy Joyce as the wife of James Stanley Joyce, was not legally divorced from a former husband when she married Joyce, -were filed last week. Ben F. Lindheimer has secured control, from Lawrence Stern and Co., of the State-Lake and Lake Three armed men tnissod a colored Michigan buildings. Stnte-Tjake Rehearsals Scene at a recent "rehearsal of the "International Revue": Dave Apollon making a speech It. Russian to Anton Dolin, who trans- lates it into French to the Boy Prodigy Conche, who translates it into Italian to Apollon, who wants to introduce an Italian tenor with the proper fiavor—providing one good reason ivliy the show was nicknamed, in rehearsal, "The In- fernal to Do." All but three showgirls, worn, out from nightly rehearsals until seven and eight jn the morning liad hys- terics after the dre.'ss rehearsal of "The International Revue." Kyen a fat tenor fainted. NEW ACTS "Sunkist" Eddie Nelson. Holly- wood Collegians (bandl and six- girl line from "Woof Woof," with Billy Dale and Netta Packer. ' Henry Bergjuan in a production act (18).. "Grand Parade" "The Graiid Parade" is In honor of Helen Twelvetrees, whose per- formance Is splendid. Hollywood rarely produces such as this little lady. As a rootning house ablgall she has a Glsh-llke quality and later she displays a cold deterndinatiori which is the real thing. Not the pettishness most leading ladles use for that. Hers is not a happy role but a human one, and she kept to" it so absolutely the changing of scenes found her the same character in each, a remarkable achievement Good male cliorus. Mr. Scott sings well, too, but Miss Twelvetrees is "Tlie Grand Parade." No occasion- to laugh at what the women wore in the minstrel days; present styles are reacliing back too close to them for comfort. Shops ■ Franklin Simon's kashmir coats wrap 'way around. One with trim of light broadtail has detachable belt finished with a buckle; another using blue-dyed fox has a tie belt. Knitted suits still prominent. Best showing one with a longer cardigan which ties like'a man's smoking jacket, with raglan sleeves and short sleeved white jumper. "V^'ana- maker has a windbreakcr-type .«un, skirt with one Inverted pleat duwu the front. A belted cardigan is worn with gored skirt, jumper the lacy weave. Afternoon orchid.'; arc being worn on Ihf small muffs.