Variety (Apr 1930)

Wednesday, April 30, 1930 LEGITIMATE VARIETY 63 Literati Mussolini's Thoughto In Italy the novel, "All Quiet on the Western Front," can be ob- tained In English, French and Ger- man, but not In Italian in Italy. Some time ago, the Mondadori publishing house of Milan, and one • of the most powerful In Italy, pub- • llshed "VVestern Front" In an Italian edition. When ready for distribu- tion the Milan Prefect refused to O. K.. giving no reason. The publisher went to Rome to Bee the Duce, who was adamant. However, he did promise to have it read and base his derinite opin- ion on the report. After some weeks, the publisher was informed the book had been found to be unsuitable for the Italian public. Later an authoress and personal friend of the Duce's was told soldiering would be hope less In Italy were the book to find Its way into the hands of the highly Impressionable Italian youth. And the government inspired paper, "Tevere," of Rome, said the same. Tne veto has likewise held up a ■Bcrcen version which was well ad vanced. There Is no restriction to the sale of the book In the English, French and German editions. the textbook for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Book will be Illustrated. That "Or Else" James Whlttaker is off the" "Dally Mirror's" staff. He walked out. Whittaker Is completing a novel with an ex-husband theme,- A. J. Kobler the tab's publisher, wanted the serial rights. After several conversations on the matter he told Whittaker the paper must print the story first or else., Whittaker grabbed his hat and replied: "I've been through before." He was on re-write. Theme Song Story Now the song writers are chisel- ing into magazine story writing. Starting with the May 1 issue, "Top- Notch" will have a theme-song etory each month, advertised, "Read It, Sing It, Play It!" Words and music to the first theme-song story, "Believing," are by Harry De Costa and Fred Phillips, authors of "Love Made a Gypsy Out of Me." . The sheet music of the number is published on the second page of the story, and the hero of the tale sings It throughout, making it an impor- tant part of the action. The first etory is by Nell Moran. The suc- ceeding theme-songs will be written by De Costa and Phillips. The editor, J. I. Lawrence, figures he Is giving the .public something new. The mag Is published by the up to now con- servative Street & Smith firm. The Newest Road 1 There's a new road to fame for the new-comers and amateurs. Popular Fiction Institute, of 100 Bth avenue. New York. This com- pany has what is called a course named, "Writing For the Billion Word Market." Home Instruction work conducted by eight editors and ei-eds who help the wouldbes write. Editors are A. H. Bittner. ed of "The Argosy;" Anthony M. Rud, ex-ed "Adventure;" Eugene A. Clancey, ex-assoc "Short Stories;" R. Martini, ed IWar Birds;" F. Or- Un Tremalne, ed "Miss 1930;" Wanda von Kettler, ex-ed "Sweet- heart Stories;" Ronald Ollphant, ed Chelsea House Pub. Co., and A. A. Wynn, ed "War Stories." They'll tell 'em. West Coast's Fan Magazine "Screen Mirror," new 10-cent fan magazine, makes its appearance in California this month. Although not Hnanced by Fox West Coast, it has a program Insert tie-up with the Egyptian, Carthay Circle and Chlndse theatres in Holiywood. Frank Whitbeck, publicity and advertising director for West Coast, Is editorial director and Eddy Eckles editor. Eckles also is edi- tor of "Now." New publication carries the usual fan mag material, with an extra plug for pictures playing West Coast houses. It re- places the previous West Coast fan periodical, "West Coaster." Jabs Battling New.Toi-k is having a little tab- loid war. With the "News" and "Mirror" reaching the streets about t:30 p. m., they have virtually be- come afternoon papers. There was an agreement between the tabs to run at 8:30. "News" recently noti- fied the "Mirror" the agreement was off. "Mirror's" deadline has been shortened to 4:20 except for late sports, both papers running about elx o'clock. Meantime the "Graphic" is coming out with a final sports edition, here- tofore passed up by that tab. Picture Glossary Glossary of some 400 terms is- to be lnclud'»d in "An Outline of the Motion Pfcture" will cover the lan- ITuage of f'how bii from Airedale to Zoning. "Airedale" is a bearded ex- tra, and "zoning" the dividing of a community for exhibition gross. Campbfjll MacCuUoch is editing Herb Crooker'a Break Herb Crpoker has disposed of the British rights on his first novel, "The Hollywood Murder Mystery." In public life Crocker Is assistant to Charlie Einfeld of First National fame. Offer to Build New Torg book publishers ai^d book publishers' representatives are being sounded out by Henry Man- del, builder, on the idea of a struc- ture to be devoted solely to print- ing and publishing. Mandel has a plot on Union Square and will erect a 44-.story building If,the entire book p.ublishlng Industry in New York will come in. Book publishers now located In the Grand Central district and in and around 4th avenue in the upper 30's. Bob Patterson's Funeral Joseph Doyle has taken over Bob Patterson's post as New York Po- lice Headquarters contact for the •■Sun." Patterson died three weeks ago. Because of length of connection as headquarters representative for the "World" and "Sun," Police Com- mlsslonier Grover Whalen had ar- ranged for an Inspector's funeral for the deceased. It was declined with thanks by the scribe's widow with explanation that private Interment was in line with "Pat's" Wishes. Broun's Acknowledgments From the money Heywood Broun received from the "unemployment benefit" at the Iriiperlal theati'e, New York, Broun made contribu- tions to the,stage charities In re- turn for the part stage and screen players played In the program. He sent 5250 to the Jewish The- atrical Guild; $260 to the Catholic Actors' Guild and 10% of the gross, which amounted to $736, to the Actors' Fund, while $900 was given Dr. Randplph Ray whose Epis- copalian church has helped Broun In his "Give a Job Until June" campaign. Broun has used a room in Dr. Ray's building as his special office. Radical's Dilemma Some of the boys of the John Reed Club, composed of radical writers, may form a co-operative book publishing company If they can raise the neces-sary. Claim Is that some of the more radical works turned out by the boys can't find publishers, and that defeats the purpose of the organizat.-on. Yeah? On the counter in the Hud.son Bay post at Angliers, Quebec, northernmost point on the Canadian Pacific railroad, a traveler recently saw "Variety." Inasmuch as the 100 white people in the town spoke nothing but French, and most of the 75 Indians just grunted, he asked the factor what the rag was used for, if anything. "Don't touch it," warned the factor. "It belongs to the engineer of the train that comes in twice a week. He used to be a. dancer, and gets sore if you lose his place!" Profit in Jazz History "Mentor," the former schoolm'am's periodical which went class when pa.s.sing under Hugh Leamy's editor- ship, has been sold by Crowell's to 'World Traveler." Leamy, who remains with Crowell, completely changed the style, form- at and tone of "Mentor," jazzing it up and giving hi.story sex appeal treatment. ' Correspondence Schools Behind Of those writers* mags, which con- tain articles on ^..e writing craft, all but one are sponsored by corre- spondence schools. Single excep- tion Is "The Writer," which, how- ever, finds the going hard because of the absence of the correspond- ence school hook-up. ' Writer's Monthly" is the organ for the Home Cori<espondence School: "Author and Journalist" ditto, "Author and Journalist Sim- plified Training Course; "Writer's Digest" ditto, 'Ideal Course In Short Stoiry Writing." Shaffer, Jr., in Charge John C. Shaffer, owner and pub- lisher of the Chicago "Evening Post," has turned the sheet over to his son, Carroll Shaffer, who has been general manager of the paper for several years, and now assumes additional duties as publisher. John C. retains his position as editorial adviser. . . Caution Gag . Nelson Bell, m.p., Sunday and roto editor of Washington "Post," has It so tough In keeping his schedule .that now a big hand lettered sign in red blazing letters Informs space gi'abbing aspirants: "Danger—Men at Work." LYSISTRATA (Continued from page 62) frank. Gilbert Seldes has made the new translation. He has not tried to soften or tone down the original at all; In fact, he may even have accentuated; When the Moscow Art Musical Studio people did It, the lines being In Russian, there \vere only occasional moments of panto- mime to suggest the animalistic na- ture of the yarn. Now It's all said right out, and It is screamingly fun- ny for the most part. Aristophanes' play deals with the banding together of the maids and matrons of ancient Athens to put an end to the constant warfare going on. They complain that their lords and masters merely come home about once In six' months, hang their shields on a hook, take a good long sleep and then go back to war. So Lyslstrata, one of the more de- termined of them, hits on the plan of having all the women deny them- selves to their men until the latter will promise to bring the wars to an end. Women in rival cities of Spar- ta and Corinth join movement. The plotters seize the Acropolis and fortify themselves there. The plan works out okay as far as Its effect on men Is concerned, but the femmes get all hot and bothered themselves, and. try every ruse to get out to make dates. Lyslstrata balks their efforts and keeps them true to their pledge. She even has them go as far as t'o tantalize and excite their respective mates and lead them Just so far, only to finally laugh in their face and retire Into their fortification. Eventually the men capitulate, peace is declared, the women soften, and the play ends In a general bacchanale and revelry. Miriam Hopkins, as one of the fiightlest of the Grecian wpmen and one of the most susceptible, has the scene that caused so much comment in the Russian offering, wherein she puts a helmet Inside her robe and pretends pregnancy In order to es- cape from the Acropolis. Ernest Truex and Hortense Alden have one of the screamingly funny scenes of the play. In which she pretends to be on the point of yielding to his frantic protestations, only to keep putting oft the actual attainment by suggesting more pillows and mat- tresses for the bed, and certain kinds of perfume. Here Is the raw- est kind of bedroom slapstick farce, and yet it Is so frank that It Is hard to take offense at It. The cast Is topnotch throughout. Miss Hopkins, who wears the most diaphanous of costumes throughout, is a fascinating and ravishing fig- ure, and captured most of the audi- ence's interest the first night. Truex, although on the stage only 15 min- utes, is terrifically funny. Fay Bainter Is exceptionally able and impressive as Lyslstrata, although less commanding and austere than Baclanova was. Sidney Greenstreet is funny as the fat and pompous president of the senate; Hope Emer- son Is excellent as a Spartan wom- an of herculean proportions, and Hortense Alden Is capital as the flapperlsh and susceptible wife of Truex. Eric Dressier and Albert Von Dekker are capital in smaller roles. There is a tremendously big cast and large choruses, and they have all been splendidly directed by Xorman Bel Gcddes. Bel Geddes, who is Interested In the venture, also designed the set- ting, and it Is a highlight of the show. First four rows have been taken out and also some seats on the side. Entrances are made from under one box on side, thence to stage, which is arranged in series of steps leading back to irtiposing walls of the Acropolis In back- ground, and big, brass-studded gate in center. Colors used are browns, mauve.s, tans and yellows, and very effective. Just one set and one 15- minute Intermission, with no cur- tain to fall at all. House gets dark momentarily to foretell beginning of the action. Lighting Is exceptional, e.specially in bacchanalian revels at t)ie end, which rival those of Gest's "Mecca" for action and spirit. The show as it stands Is great entertainment and generally very funny. If they can get the mob coming, despite the title and the suggestion of a Greek classic, this "Lvsistrata" stands every chance of bring a hit. Woters. London as It Looks By Hannen SwafiFer London, April IS. It is not many months ago since I printed In this column a protest against tho constant publicity given to W. Macqueen Pope, who was then merely acting manager of the Duke of York's theatre. I di<r not know that half the baby boys who were signing their names as "ex- perts" on the London theatre were rushing to Pope for all their facts and all their knowledge and thnt, really the articles were his. Nor did I know—I was then only a casual acquaintance—the extent of Pope's practical knowledge of the theatre or the sterling qualities of his mind. The Man Who Climbed He had been kicked round for years by various managers, and I con- sidered him Just one of those gentlemen in evening dress, who stand near the box oftlce and smile when somebody asks for a five and nine. Well, since then. Pope, using his accumulated knowledge, burst out as a publicity man—he now represents Tom Walls, Julian Wylle and Jack Hylton permanently, and, frequently, has five or six new shows under his care, all at once—and now, this week, he has published the details of his Famous Players Guild, destined, before long, to place six different stars in actor management, permanently. In set theatres. A Scheme in the Making Reginald Lowris Pearson, who, after an experience In publishing, lost what money he had over an unfortunate tour with Mrs, Pat Campbell, his first theatre venture, went to Pope six months ago with the Idea that If he. could get several stars to form a .pool, each taking a fixed salary and then sharing the profits, money could be got fo back It. Very quietly, for six months now. Pope and Peai-son have been work- ing out this scheme and, last Monday, they announced that Owen Nares, Cedi'lc Hardwicke. Henry Ainley and Marion Lome were to be estab- lished in different theatres ai)d that actor management was to be given a new chance. The plan was worked out without even a secretary or typist, and so loyal were the newspaper men to Pope that,' although' half of them knew about it, and some of them knew all about It, not one word appeared in any paper until Pope announced it himself last Monday. The Showman Bunk For months, managers have been getting publicity every time they Imported some foreign artist. They were called "marvellous" because they found something ready made abroad. "Oh, what a great showman he Is!" declared the newspapers. "Why, he bangs his own drum!" Yet^ little encouragement has been forthcoming for British art or iBrltlsh artists. Under Pope's scheme, publicity will be used efficiently, because Pope Is knowji as a man who never lies. If one of his shows Is a flop, he tells you so. He doesn't send out exaggerated stories of a library deal, or tell you bunkum. The newspaper men trust him and he trusts the newspaper men. rr "No Scandals in Our Outfit" No women are to be engaged by the Famous Players Guild because they know some old gentleman who has got money. It is just a plain, straightforward business deal. No woman is to be engaged merely be- cause she has a friend high up on some newspaper. "W© don't want any scandals connected with our theatre," said Pope. "Our only trouble was to find actors who were not swollen-headed, stars whose wives were not Interfering and ruining their careers," Within a few days, I expect to hear that a group of theatres' haa joined up in the new scheme. Then, if the plays are right, it looks a certainty. Manchester— and Cochran I have not seen the new Cochran revue, so I hesitate to express tkn opinion about It, but I must point out that while I have been reading in the "Dally Mall" almost every day, how marvellous it is, all about a record deal, how $2,600 wortli of seats were sold in one day, even after that deal—yet Horace Watson told me, the other day, that when they took $1,600 in a day at the Haymarket a few months ago, it was a record and the entire staff was worn out—Cochran la not going to Manchester with his next production because of the universal criticism this one received. When I was In Manchester, the other day, Paul, the maltre d'hotel at the Midland, a man who has known me for years, came across and said how his customers had all been complaining about the Cochran show, how they bought their seats on the strength of the publicity and then were bored stiff. A Boost for Rothermere Indeed, I heard this on all hands In Manchester. Now, If all this Is true, why all this Rothermere boom? Ah, I can now tell you the answer. In the "Evening News" on Wednesday, I saw a boost of a new Cochran cabaret at the Trocadero. It was called "The Prosperity Party," this new cabaret show, and so It had a half column boost. Oh, how marvellous it was! Now, Lord Rothermere runs the Prosperity Party, or, rather, I think the youthful Esmond Harmsworth, once talked of as Crown Prince of Hungary, does. Now, obviously, as Rotheremere has been boosting Cochran, Cochran will boost Rothermere's Prosperity Party in returni There can be no other reason. You back my scratch and I'll back yours. So, if Rothermere wants to scratch Baldwin, he gets Cochran to back him. The Bishop Will Go to Hear Tlie Theatrical Managers' Association has asked the Bishop of Lon- don and myself to address It at the- anhual lunch next month. As, occasionally, the Bishop and I arc regarded as the stage's enemies— that is when the stage is not relying upon me to pull it out of some mess—I regard this as a great joke. .1 .shall tell the theatre managers, on that occasion, exactly what I think of all this boosting, what it means and where It Is leading to, and the inevitable end of It. I hope the Bishop will listen very carefully. Alfred All But ' Well. Alfred Butt has nearly got out.of the business. He announced la.st week that ho had retired from everything, except Drury Lane, which means that now I shall have to go to the Globe, the Queens, the Dominion and the Victoria Palace, from all of which Butt barred me. Butt, as a matter of fact, has been ill. Besides he hasJjeen Involved In quarrelf. Meanwhile, Lee Ephraim, with whom Butt had a terrible row at Drury Lane, a few months ago—their differences being settled by the pay- ment of a large sum to Ephraim—seems to be going up In the world. He has given a lunch in celebration of his taking over the new Prince Edward theatre, where he does "Klo Rita," which Butt once turned down for Drury. Lane. Ephraim is also the new tenant of the Palace, where he produces a new show. Ho has four or five companies on tour, and I see him marked out for more power in tho land. He came ovf-r here bf.fore the war a.s manag'-r to Arnold de Blere, the magifian, but now 'nr. ha« b/ffUDC naturalized, and Is settling down.