Variety (Jun 1930)

50 "VARIETY'S" PARIS OFFICE Paris Building, 15 Boulevard des Italiens FOREIGN SHOW NEWS Cviblf) Address: VARINEWS, PARIS Central 01-57; Louviee, 52-15 Legit's Antipodes' Comeback (Continued from pfige G) ran nine weeks to absolute capacity at. Her Majesty's. "The Country CSirl," done here about 12 years ago, is -now packing the same theatre. "Journey'.s lOnd" ;got'over 100 nighth- at Criterion, . and- a revival of "Scandal" at the same .thca.tro grp.ssed the biggest business Hv town for the week's run. "White Cargo" at Criterion is absolute capacity. The only legitimate attraction failing to draw was "The Prince and the l^auper'.' at the Royal. Whilst legit is getting remarkable business, the weekly change theatres fall'to draw with double feature talkers, "ftio Rita," "Disraeli," "Vagabond King" and "Cold Diggers oC Broad- way" are all getting great business simply becau.se of their real enter- tainment. The Capitol, once the biggest money getter for Union Theatres, finds it hard to get. real business,' although all kinds of stunts have been introduced to ca'tch tradc. The: management installed an orchestra of ,40, but business was away off all week. The orchestra performed weli but the . program was more suited for concert. Horace Sheldon, the conductor, stated the manage- ment hoped to increase the orches- tra, but if better business did not eventuate' the orchestra would have to quit. Talker fare that particular week was very poor, and they stayed away. Suburban theatres are also hurt- ing the night trade oC the city grind houses simply because they offer a double feature program at cheaper prices and the suburbanite saves fare by patronizing local shows. In the early days of the talkers, line-ups <vere a regular sight at the State, Regent, Capitol, Lyric and Haymarket. Today It is uncommon to see a waiting crowd outside any of these' theatres. Yet, one sees an old standby like "Belle of New York" lining them up from 7 a. m. to pur- chase top balcony-seats. Legitimate is coming back. An Obliging Singer Copenhagen, June 1. Berlin actor, Hans Priem, who under Rheinhardt's visit to Copenhagen doubled a . role In "The Bat," at the Royal Opera hero, was called at lunch time in Berlin by the Danish Opera and asked if he could once more double the role because the Danish actor was ill. "Which evening do you want me to come?" asked Prieni. "Tojught," was the answer. "O. K.," the German actor r8i)lied, ordered, in airplane, and arrived at the opera half an hour before the curtain. Co.'-king hit. management. Under U. T.-Carroll CURRENT ATTRACTIONS Her Majesty's—"The Country Girl." Cast includes Cecil Kella- way, Sidney Burcbull, Marie Brem- ner, Phil Smith and Amy Rocljelle. Magnittcently staged and acted. W. -T. _ Criterion—"White Cargo" revived for two weeks with Leon Gordon featured. W/ T. . Palace—"Westminster Glee Sing- ers." Not much chance for run; about.two weeks. Royal—D'ark. Opera House—Stock. MELBOURNE Cold Weather helping business somewhat, although not yet back to normal. CURRENT ATTRACTIONS Royal—"Katinka," revived by "W. T. with CJladys Moncrieff fea-tured. Comedy — William Faversham clicking with "The Hawk" under W. T. King's—"So This Is Love," Edg- ley-White management, conjunc- tion W. T. Tivoli—Jim Gerald revue. Full- ers. PICTURES (All Wired) Plaza—"Sunny Side Up." Hoyt's. State—"The Virginian," together with orchestra of 40. Palace—"Hit the Deck." Fullers. Regent—"Jiavy Blues" and "So- photnore." Hoyt's. Deluxe—"Awful Truth." Hoyt's. Princess—"Gold Diggers of Broad- way. U. T. Majestic—"Splinters." U. T. Athenaeum—"The Love Parade." U. T. pacity at Criterion for W, T. Leon Gordon , returns to America foUow- ng clo-Sing of show, taking his rich Australian wife with him. Prince Dunlavy, American organist, oubling from State to Capitol, Syd- ney, playing: four shows a day. Union Theatres found it hard to get a suitable organist at the down- town Capitol without importing one. Banned Theme Song Popular . With the ordering out from Sunny Side Up" of the song "Turn On the Heat," disc stores are fea- uring the number all over Sydney. Peppy American songs are evidently not too popular at the Censor office, this being the second number or- dered ciit from talkers. Shipping companies hard hit here with- the edict by W. T. that they will not send any more touring com- panies to New Zealand, playing talkers there instead. W. T. figured that transportation cut into profits too much generally, leaving hardly ny margin. Fullers.are following W. T.'s footsteps by running talkers only. W. T. will do "Mr. Cinders" and Sons o' Guns" shbrtly in Sydney. Theatrical profession will tender Muriel Starr, American actress, a benefit this month in Sydney to aise fare back to States. "Atlantic" follows "Vagabond King" into Prince Edward, Sydney, for extended season. Fuller Goes W. E. Sir Ben Fuller ju.st arrived in Sydney after tour of New 'Zealand circuit and stated that each of the firm's theatres in the Dominion would be wired Western Electric and a full talker circuit would be in progress In about eight weeks. Sir Ben states hi,s firm will not stage any more legitimate produc- tions, the policy being entirely sound. Robert Keers, for years in charge of Melbourne "Tivoli orchestra, was granted a decree last . week on grounds of desertion. Keers' wife, non-professional, was allegedly un- uly suspicious and jealous, and after many quarrels .she left him. ADELAIDE CURRENT ATTRACTIONS Royal—"Luck." Revue with Alfred Frith, Tui Black rnd Leo Darton. Ken Duffled management. City Hall—Al^>^J>"<3ei' Watson in series dramatic Graveato^k. recitals. E. PICTURES (All Wired) West's-"Paris." U. T. Grand-^"No Defense." U. T. Regent—"Navy Blues." Hoyt'.s. Majestic—"The Very Idea." Full er's. Pavilion—"The Gamblers" and "Romance Rio Grande." U. T. Wondergraph ^ "Say It With Songs." U. T. PICTURES (Wired) State—"Streec of . Chance" and "Forward ■ Pass.'' "Big Four" on stage together with Will Prior nnd orchestra. U. T. Lyceum—"Disraeli." Started oft slowly, but now grossing heavily 9th week. U. T. Roxy—"lUo ULta..". Smash hit for Fullers. Lyric — "Honey" and "Dark Streets." 2d run. U. T. Empress—"So Long Letty" and "Vengeance." 2d run. U. T. Empire—"Romance of the Rio Grande." 2d run. Empire Theatre. Plaza^"Sunny Side Ui*." Opened for run under Hoyt management Spani.sli atmospheric house -with Eddie Fitch featured at the organ Hoyts. Capitol—Great bill this week, of- fering smart entertainment. Horace Sheldon orche.stra opened with mastei'ly blayed overture. Price Dunlavy, now ■ featured orgaiiist here,-coming in from State. Clicked strongly. "Great- Divide" held at- tention. .Sheldon ;ind oi:chestra closed iiUcrmission to solid suo- oes.s. "Fobtligrits and Fools" closed, holding everybody. About best bill secil here in -months. Tiusiness not over strong, but picking up right along. If the boys at this dowii- town house keep up this standard of entertainment maybe the theatre will come into its own again. U. T. St. James—"(Jold Diggers of .Broadway." Solid succes.s. U. T. Regent—"Lord Byron of Broad- way" and "Cohens and Kellys in Scotland." Not .so hot. Hoyt's. Haymarket—^^"Son of the Gods." In for run. U. T. Prince Edward—"Vagabond King." BRISBANE CURRENT ATTRACTIONS Royal—Connors and Paul Revue. His Majesty's—"Journey's -End." W. T. PICTURES (All Wired) Regent—"Lord Byron of Broad- way." Hoyt's. Empire — "Hollywood Revue." li'ullers. Majestic—"Behind the Makeup" and "Smiling Irish Eyes." U. T. Valley — "Woman to Woman.' U. T. Tivoli—"The Laughing Lady" and "Wall Street." U. T. Wondergraph—"Gold Diggers of Broadway." U. T. AmeWoniiA Wlio Have rinyeil I.ONOON Always Kccomiiionrt Coventry Court Hotel Wliitcomb Street, r,elc*flter 8q. riiorie Cer, 7016. Tele)rr»ni» Coven- .couet/ Wontrnnd I>ondoii ftt Stay Hhflr/e -TQurqelf and Be Chatter 'Sally," first long-run State, Syd- ney, Union Theatres. "Journey's, End" soon entering first ye.ar's run .for Williamston Tult. "Rio Rita," "CJold Diggers of Broiadway" and "Vagabond King' grossing-heavily, Sydney. "Love Pa rade" big In Melbourne. "Paris" and "Say It With Song.s" holding well in Adelaide, and "Hollywood Revue' getting business in Brisbane. All features in for long runs playing under U. T. and Fuller manage ments. Union Theatres install an 'orches tra oC 40 in State, Melbourne, fol lowing same policy .at Sydne.v, Cap ilol. Idea offers public "live" mu sic besides "canned" stuff. Innova tion not breaking records and may be thrown out-if business does not improve, being too costly. "llollysvood Revue" playing sec ond run at Emjiire, S5dney, follow . ing record season nt Roxy, same city. Fullers snapped this featur up months ago when oppositio managements were afraid to book the picture long run. Fullers have cleaned up strenuously with it. William F.iversham clicked In Melbourne with "The Hawk" under W. T. nianugement. Sydney did not rave over I'^aviTOham in "Prince and Pauper," hence the reason for the star opening in a modern pl.ay in the .southern city. Leon Gordon's, Rich Wife Despite "White Cargo" has been r.ev,ived i)o less than four times In Sydney; play'Is again playihg to ca BRITISH VETO COSTS 36 CHORISTERS S. A. TOUR fienna Producers Are Warned by Police Over 'Tlarriages"—Protests Vienna, June 10. Max Relnhardt having refused to produce Walter Hasenclever's Ir- everent comedy "Marriages Arc Made In Heaven" in Vienna in view of the public protest against it, and having been sustained in . his de- cision by formal ruling pf the Ar- bitration Board oC the theatre man- agers, the Austrian Socialists pro- duced the piece here themselves Thursday (5). Austrian police promptly notified the sponsors of the play together with the actors in the cast that pro- ceedings would be started to pun- ish them on charges of committing blasphemy. Promoters of the enterprise took appropriate legal steps to - stay a udgment until the whole matter could be submitted to the courts Meanwhile the play continues at the Favzritner theatre. The Socialists made an undertak- ng that they would prevent aiiy breach of the peace, due to the feeling that demonstrations might be organized by the Fascist faction, called the Heimwehr, opposed to the Socialists. Paris, June 1. British offlclal obstinacy. In spite of appalling local unemployment conditions, cost 24 chorus girls and 12 hoys, all English, a chance to make a 14 weeks' tour of South America. Jobs were eventually given to Americans.. South American governments de- sirous to have the: latest musical comedy hits shown there, arranged to have a' tour organized to play municipal theatres under ofllcial patronage. Productions include ."No, No, Nanette," "Hit the Deck," etc. Rottembpurg & Goldin, iParis agrents, signed the ta'lent under of- ficial contracts. Jiirie Robek't.s ' re- hearsed the Max Rivei's Girls 'but when it came to havli'ig their pass- ports visaed-, the British author- ities said emphatically- "No." The Rev. Cardew, locally In charge of-the British. Chorus Girls' Home; elucidated-the" fact that ob- jections to the visa, came from the British JHCome Office, prompted to action by the British Stage Guild. This in spite of the fact that all salaries were to be at a minimum of $45 per week whereas the reg- ulation minimum is only $40. Rottembourg went to London to see Secretary Henderson, also the Ambassadors of Brazil and Ar- gentine, who atttr several days sent him back to Paris sure that every- thing would be straightened out, but a final letter from the Home Office regretted that the decision could not be reversed in spite of the Stage Guild having itself tried to nullify its previous complaint. Wales Site Bids (Continued from page 7) is. prepared to surrender his rights for $125,000. Stone's, the oldest chop house and bar in London, on Panton street, is included in the property and the owner is reported willing to sell at a price. In .addition there are IC other lessees, mostly proprietors of shops and holdin^g shorter term agreements. They all want com- pensation to vacate. Several big offices above the street level like- wise have to be considered. The title holder to the property is the Duchy of Lancaster Estate, actually owned by the Prince of Wales and administered under gov- ernment supervision. The Duchy of ' Lancaster Estate is said to want for the freehold around $2,500,000, and with other items of cost, the operation would represent $5,000,000. Real estate men say it would be a good buy at that price. Poor Vaude Bookings Causes Empire, Paris, To Amend 2 Wk Policy Pari.s, JiiMft 1. Despite considerable unemploy- ment of local vaude acts, ^jood American acts retain their valua here. Criticism of the current Um- pire ■ caused the tnanagemcnt to strengthen the bill at short notice This they found hard to do, real good acts .being, already signed else- where. Result Is the management, usually practicing two-week book- ings, had to be satisfied with broken billings. Chaney and Fox, for instance, were signed from May 30 to June 9 only, having already accepted a Lojidon contract on that date. KIDDING THE DUTCH OVER "INSULT" PLAY The Hague,' June 10. The Dutch play, "Dolle Hans," by Fabricius, transplanted to the Lon- don stage under the title of "The Insult," has reached its 50th per- formance in the British capital at the Apollo. Dutch journals point out that this is a record run in the West End for a play of Holland origin. "Variety's" London office in a re- port printed elsewhere in this is- sue, records that "The Insult" is grossing around $4,000 a week at the Appllo, which represents a lo.ss. DUTCH BOYCOTT THREAT Mgrs. Threaten Acts Over Actions of Agents Amsterdam, June 10. Irate vaude managers threaten retaliation against the vaude agents and actors if their attitude against cut-salaries Isn't- modified. Theatre rrianagers state they will boycott all Dutch vaude artists if their representatives or business rhanagers pei'sist in a stringent ad- herence to the letter of contracts instead of swaying with seasonal business conditions. Danish Musicians Peeved, Too Copenhagen, June 1. All musicians in Denmark, un- satisfied with the overwhelming success of discs, talkies and other mechanical music reproductions as propaganda for the "living music," arranged a three days' musical of- fensive in Copenhagen by giving free concerts at "all public squares, in music halls, from the broad- casting studio and "at the royal opera. HONOLULU By MABEL THOMAS Honolulu, June 3. Sessue Hayakawa, Japanese fihn star, returned here to complete negotiations with a grbup of Osaka capitalists, headed by Kaemon Hi- ratsuka, millionaire land owner of Takarazuk.a, establishing the. pro- duction of sound films in native tongue. John McCormack'.s "Song of My Heart" at the Hawaii was great box office disappointment. Reasons, star almost unknown bere, due to patrons being 70% oriental; press conceded it was a gem. Richard Wilbur left for San Fran- cisco to assemble new stock com- pany. The Chinese actor, .Mei Laii- fang, arrives June 6 from I.ios Angeles for engagement here at the Liberty for a week. Miss Soo Young, Hawaiian-born Chinese girl, will m. c. -each performance of the noted Chinese actor. Mrs. Al Christie spent a four weelcs* vacation at Waikiki, accom- panied by her mother. Marjory Robe and mothel- also visitors. Bibesco-Savoir Play Paris, June 1. Princess Bibeaco, author of "The Green Parrot," ia now writing a pl'iy in collaboration with Alfred Savoir. T^intatlVe titto Is "Le Rol des T3n- fanta" ("Thd King of the Children"). THE 6th ANNUAL international Number Will Be Issued During JULY, NEXT Advertising copy at far away points from New York City should be for- warded as quickly as convenient to 'VARIETY" NEW YORK CITY, U. S. A.