Variety (Jun 1930)

Wednesday, June 4, 1930 LEGITIMATE VARIETY 73 Literati Par's Scenario Dept., East Stories read by Paramount's sce- nario and editorial departments In the east, principally niaeazlne yarns, are referred to the shorts producing department, when the material shapes as possible for one- and two- rcelers, or is more adaptable to shorts than features. Such stories are sent to Larry Kent, brother o£ S. B., and in charge of shorts production at the New York studio. Maude K. Miller is in charge of the editorial department in the east, with Ada Levlne her assistant. Through lack of space in the Par-; amount building the department has been split, with Miss Miller re- maining on the 11th or production floor and Miss Levlne. in charge of the "sub-department," In quarters on the 13th. Unsolicited manuscripts are still received through the mails but these are sent back without reading because of the hundreds that ha:ve to be gone through to find one worth considering, as well as to avoid lawsuits that arose in past when stories were bought that way. : Feature material is declared not as scarce now as a few months ago. "Leaks" in London There was a rather hectic lime in London newspaper circles the other diay. Three dailies published a statement to the effect that Ghaiidi was about to be arrested. There is a law here known as the Official Sedl'ets Act, by which Gov- ernment data of any kind pub- lished without consent becomes a criminal offense. The same day all three were waited on by a plainclothes man from Scotland Yard, who demanded to know from wbence they got their information. Two of them stated the reporter who wrote the story wasn't in at the moment but that they would produce him in due Ham Morrow, G. P. Putnum's Sons, and Frederick A. Stokes. Executive committee of the "Har- per" gi'oup will undertake a pub- licity compaign against the cut- prices books of the so-called "Simon & Schuster group.' It doesn't worry the "Simon & Schuster" group, however, as those affiliated with it go to dollar prices almost immediately. Paris Raising Prices Wholesale periodical dlstribs went berserk on tilting prices in Paris for some reason Jutuping the retail price of a magazine like "Cosmo- politan" from 19 francs (76 cents) to 30 francs ($1.20) a copy, but finally reverted to 23 francs (92 cents) for a 35c publication (now 25c). Duty, etc., blamed. "Variety" now 10 francs (40 cents) all over, with the swank ho- tels like the Ritz putting it on a bit for 12 francs. "Variety" for- merly classed with "Satevepost" through arriving on same boats for distribution, and both selling for eight francs (32 cents). • '.'Sateve- post" bepause of mass turnover not tilted but the margin of profit re- duced for the dealer by a few cen- times up to a franc (four cents). Westchester Tough Westchester county, N. . Y., dailies after press agehts hard. That territory is one of the toughest to break for free publicity. -Macy dailies in Mt. Vernon, White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Port Ches- ter, Mamaroheck, Tarrytown and Ossining, have territory sewed up with exception of independent dailies in Yonkers and White Plains. Following the lead of the Amer lean Newspaper Publishers' Asso- ciation, editors are bearing down hard on all publicity. Free readers with straight advertising are lim- ited, although given. But any wise P A who thinks he can crash West What Hoflywood Read in May (Consensus of demand at Pat Hunt's*shop, Hollywood Book Store, Satyr Book Store, and Esme Warde's shop.) Fiction 1. "Cimarron," Edna Ferber. 2. "Laughing Boy," Oliver LaFarge. • 3. "Louis Beretti," D. H. Clark, 4. "Vile Bodies," Evelyn Waugh. 5. "Gallows Orchard," Claire Spencer. 6. "Rogue Herries," Hugh Walpole. Non-Fiction 1. "Grandeur and Misery of Victory," Clemenceau. 2. "The Strange Death of President Harding," Gaston B. Means. 3. "Byron," Andre Maurois. . 4. "Jews Without Money," Michael Gold. 5. "Lincoln," Emil Ludwig. 6. "Hot Countries," Alec Waugh. (The Waugh's, who figure in both fiction and non-fiction this month, are brother and sister. The Satyr's best selling fiction work was S. S. Van Dlne's "Scarab Murder Case," Pat Hunt reports Hickman Powell's "The Last Paradise" in demand for the Powell's illustrations. The play, "Green Pastures," is strong in Esme Warde's list, as also another play, "The Last Mile," at the Satyr. Holly- wood Book Store's more conservative demand features "Towards Civilization." by Charles A. Beard.) course, with counsel. The third was the . "Daily Chronicle." When its establishment was visited by the eagle eyed sleuth, it spilled the beans' and stated its information came frort the Home Secretary. Since then, the Government has been trying to hush up the matter of leakage and exhibits no desire to prosecute under the "Official Secrets Act." Wright's Sales A record for a first edition is that for Harold Bell Wright's new book, "Exit," which starts off with 500,000 copies. That's ordinarily a huge sale for any book, but for one of Wright's, It's only a starter. That author's books usually f'ell around a million copies each. "Harper Group" Won't Cut It's definite that the "Harper group" of publishers will not cut book prices. That much decided at another meeting at the Harper of- fices, at which an executive com- mittee was formed compri.sing Al- ^i^Pd A. Knopf, Donald C. Brace and Henry Hoyns. The "Harper" group oomprl.sos, In addition to Harper, Cosmopolitan G^ok Corp.. Dodd, Mead & Co.. Harconrt. Brace., Alfred A. Knopf, l^ittle Brown & Co.. Horace Live- •■ieht. Longmans Green & Co., Wll- chester might as well give it up The job is hopeless. Editors for most part Metropolitan trained. Out-of-Town Reviews ARTISTS AND MODELS Atlantic City. June 3. Taking that, musical comedy of English flavor, "Dear Love," and adding Phil Baker and several revue features, the Shuberts brought it to town last night bearing the veteran title of "Artists and Models." At tlie Apollo, where it ran off unusually smooth for a first performance, the show proved rather exhilarating amusement. In Baker and George Hassell it has a practiced po° of comics, much swift and jaunty dancing by a chorus not at all hard to look at, a tuneful score and suffi- cient gay provision for the eye by the scenery makers. There Is the tale of a girl who, to gain a million dollar legacy left by an uncle, must marry a titled Frenchman before midnight of any day the performance Is on. A noble- man, financially distressed, is picked up In the Latin Quarter and accepts $5,000 to go through the ceremony to save the young lady's fortune. The pair meet shortly before the wedding, neither knowing the Iden- tity of the other. Love at first sight and the best needs no retelling. Strange enough the musical com- edy and revue features have been dove-tailed nicely and such inter- ruptions as occur with the appear- ance of Baker and his accordion, and, of course, the pest .<5ittlng in the box, serve as added pleasantries. The week of brushing up process should enable Hassell to work in some better gags than have been provided him, and there might be a little more of Baker, even though his amiable waggery carries a sug- gestion of repetition. Rosemary Deerling and her bal- let. Peter and Nannette, and Aileen Stanley are others who stand out in a long list of principals. Rid of a few draggy spots, "Ai-tists and Models" should do well, but why the title? t, WeintrauT?. London as It Looks By Hannen Swaffer THE IN-BETWEEN Minneapolis, May 26. Described by Its author, Robert St. Clair, as "the tragic episode in the life of a much discussed type," "The In-Between," three-act play which had its premiere at the Shu- bert theatre here, represents an ef- fort to project a male "Captive." Mr. St. Clair, who, In addition to writing the drama, also produced it and played the leading role," is a young actor completing his sec- ond season as juvenile man of the Balnbrldge dramatic stock here. This is his fourth play. Two of the others, "Tiger House" and "Norine," have had a number of stock produc- tions. In addition to the author, "The In-Between" cast comprised mostly other Bainbridge stock players. "The In-Between" Is still far from Broadway. This play sizes up simply as crude melodrama of "The Unborn Child" variety, not any too well written or constructed and highly artificial throughout. While a daring theme treated seriously and inoffensively, its body (Continued on page 79) "Greystone Manor" Okayed "Greystone Manor," halted in re- hearsal several weeks ago when un- able to post bond for cast, has re- sumed rehearsals with cast waiving security and In oh commonwealth. Frank Martin, author and former- ly figuring as producer, has several salary claims outstanding against him at Equity on previous produc- tions and was not permitted to go ahead with this one. Matters were ironed out to satisfaction of Equity when Odeon Productions, Inc., headed by Samuel Greenwald, took over the production last week. Neil Shipman's First Book Author of "M'sleu Sweetheart," serial story current in "McOall's Magazine," Ls Nell Shipman, former- ly on stage, turned novelist. Retired, five years ago after making James Oliver Curwood's "Back to God's Country," she has since devoted her efforts to writing, mostly Northwest stuff. Miss Shipman is married to Car- los de Corveda, Spanish portrait painter. She divides her time be- tween Glendale, California and Taos, New Mexico. Also, since giving up the screen, she's had twins. "M'sieu Sweetheart" i» her fir.st .story to reach publication. League's New Eds New editors of the Book League of America, the book-of-the-month club, are William Jjolitho and Her- bert Gorman. Both now In Eng- land, the former worltlng on a new play and the latter on a new book. They will make tlie Book Lfa!;ue selections from tiiere tf-mponirily. Street & Smith's 75th .street & Smith. maJf.azino r"ih- Ii.«hing liouso, ook-hratf>! its T3th I Continued on page 76) Skowhegan's First Bell Skowhegan. Mc, June 23. Last week opened the 30th year of Lakewood summer stock with the showing of Leslie Howard's comedy. "Elizabeth Sleeps Out." The open- ing night was graced by the pres- ence of Gov. William Tudor Gar- diner, Mrs. Gardiner and party. Loiuloii. M,iy 23. The outi^tanding events of Uie weel^ were Piuil Robeson's Othellt) and the Royal performance at the Palladium. The first gave the Negro actor a new roputation for, altlu>ii;cli most of the company were sttrangoly inotToctivo, proving that the line of Shakespearean tradition i.s 'jrol<en in Knglaiul, tlio black piani looked impressive as the dusky Moor, spoke his linos with a tine sonorcm.^inesss and was both dignified and passionate. Now and then, in .-^piti? ot Robeson's careful training in English pronunciation, he drop)H>(l into a Southern (U. S.) accent, but It was only a word or two lllvc "suvvloc." ':! nearly played, the part in dialect once," he said, "becau.se 1 SJ*^*' up trying to tliink I could he English-perfect." James Light to the Rescue There Ijad been troubles at rehearsals, temperaments of all kinds— no, not Paul Robeson, James Light, his old l^rovlncotown IMayer producer, came over and helped Paul "psyoliologically," to use the Negro's words. Otherwise, "Othello" might have been abandoned. I think Paul performed a very kindly act, tlie other nigljt. He called to see mc at my flat to ask me to say that the actor who played Oa.>=slo had been unfairly criticized by some of the critics, who did not know that his part had been cut on the afternoon of the performance, and that. Indeed, he had been going out of his way for days to help Robeson, perhaps to the detriment of his own job. While Paul waited to sec me in my drawing-room, there was waiting in the study in which I always dictate this article, another Negro, (.Jar- land Anderson; who had called to ask me to debate with him on "Is Garland Anderson a psychic?" I said he was, and he isn't sure about it. Oliver Hinsdell as Prof Dallas, June 3. Oliver Hinsdell, director of logal lltilf; theatre, starting summer school for little theatre directors, with com- plete staff, regular lab. To put the thing on pro ha.si.s, has tied-up with Tlico. Ko.«Iorr. Latter is' diif! In Hollywood for .Marilyn Miller's "Sunny." Reverse Spelling Title In the now stock producing coni- riariy which Oeorgc J. Ifoutain hj:.a formed the name of New York .Kpf'Ued liackwards has been .-idoiiled -.1^ ilic fiperativf- title, • Til'" Kroywen Productions will . covi-r every piiii'-e of ."liow hiz i wl.ef'e th(-re'.s a chance Ui make ; money.' r Am I Anti-Black I mention this to placate all those American Negroes wlio think that I am an anti-black. Indeed, I asked Anderson to put the matter right on your side. "Mr. Swaffer," he said, "Nobody has ever given me a stralghter deal In my life than I have had from you. It's about time they knew it in America." Yes, Robeson had to flght, of course, the antipathy of all the people who think that a black man should not ki.ss a white actress. Robeson kissed Peggy Aslicroft, the young Desdcmona, eight times, in full view o'f an audience gathered within a few yards of the Savoy hotel, where Paul Robeson was barred not long ago. His being barred led to a pro- test meeting. Black and White Kisses Well, I have got to say about this kissing-—If Peggy Ashcroft doesn't mind being kissed by a Negro, I do not mind her being kissed. I should not kiss Paul Robeson myself. Besides, I don't suppo.se he would let me. In the foyer was Paul Robeson's head by Epstein and scattered about were playbills showing how,| In .1833, the groat African, Rosslus, a coal- black Negro, played Othello in London. Well, anyway we "have got to face the fact that Paul Robeson was the success of the show. Maurice Browne ought not to have let himself play lago. Being his own manager, he ought to have thought of his own Interests. He should certainly have stopped, also, the silly dance that the producer, Misa von Falkenburg, or whatever her name is, put In. Sybil Thorndike's Minor Triumph He certainly made a wise decision In having the Robeson's choice of Peggy Ashcroft as the Desdemona. Otherwise, Sybil Thorhdlkc was the great success. In the last scene, her old Shakespearean training, largely years of work with Ben Greet in America, camo to her aid, and she held the stage as Emilia, even with Robeson towering over her. There was another of those silly parties afterwards—idle people lolling about on stairs, drinking champagne. Maurice Browne ought to stop these parties. They give one every time somebody does nothing. Well, Robeson has conquered London, anyway. His wife's book about him came out Monday morning and he was a .Shakespearean star on Monday night. When There Was Light It was nice to see James Light again. It was the first time we had met since he introduced me to Paul Robeson Just before "The Emperor Jones." We then started arguing about my attack on .sex plays. "There is too much sex on the stage," I said. "Anybody would think it was the only thing in the world." • ^ "Well. It Is very Important," said Light, "or you and I would jiot be here." "I am not sure about that," I replied. "Perhaps it is true In my case but in yours, perhaps somebody said, 'Let there be Light'." Well, Light is very light, and Robeson is very dark. Plain Words to Partisans One London editor walked i-ut during "Othello" because there were Negroes around him In the stalls. I have had several violent ai'gutncnts since, with all sorts of people, on the color question, 1" can only .say that not a century ago, there was a Jewish question. Now there is a Negro question. I have been through a Catholic question. Now I am going through a Spiritualist fiuestlon. The world has to move on. . . . We enslaved the blacks, and now wc have to work out the problems caused by our oppression and cruelty. We must be frank about it, though, and wc must be brave. Paul Robeson and I are• dIffTent, and we know it, but that does not dismiss the fact that 1 admire him very much, and I applaud whole- heartedly the way In which, by sheer hard work, by honesty of purpose and by nobility of mind, he has won for himself one of the proudest positions on the world's stag". British Comics Save the Show Now, ;i.s for tlie (Jonimand performance. The Briti.sh comics .saved Hie show—Gi-orge CMarkc with -his motor car and threes asslstant.a, Will Hay with hl.s two .schoolboys and a jumping beetle, and Gillie l>oit«T all by himself. Most of the foreign turns left irie cold, noliiing. fJ.'iston I'almer was .-ill right pi;rieh to it. The Uussian prima donna, Od.rli fareno, .sang sjil'ndiOly, but It did not s'-cm vaudeville. Ah 'for the dancing which was wU dancing Is. lJanf:iiig does not seem to Interr'.«t the King and Queen much, anil 1 ,'iKree with tliem. Max Wall seemed to be dre.«-»;c<l as an AmerhMti .sailor. I don't (lulle know' why. Jle is of lirili.vb 7)arr-nra('i-, S'llll, iifier ' ll(;i(ls I'p." !iny- tiiin^ can ^'baiiiicn. "ifeafis Cji," by tlie way.. la;-i«(l .'I lortnl;,'!.! and 'KIo Itif.i' i wi-eks, and that is the end of tinm. l hojic. INo tl.fv i:ir> -ay what tii<-y Ilk" .'ibout 'bis Inicinatii'iial (roiii iiiijfd on /i.iK.' H t The llindu.siani Jicrobats were of course, but there was no sl;iged- well, you know \\h.lt- .iboiit hix v.iudeville