El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-04-06

! ants 20 the action said that they re-
ceived from Booth Harrington the ex-
elusive dramatic rights 70 Seven
teen, and upon such representation
he engaged them to prepare for him
the manuscript OF a play based on
the story. and sets forth that when
the manuscript was presented. it was
so inartistic. unskiliful and ANA
teurish" that he discarded IL and
; wrote the play himself. which Is
( now appearing az the Booth theater.
/ Re says he did this after he found
3 that they had misrepresented the ex-
elusive nature Of the contract with M
3 Harrington, and he asks for the right
I 10 withhold royalties and 10 bill The
play as being by himself.
Big Box office Receipts
some idea Of the amount OF money
tlar the American people pay TO the
/ box offices throughout the couutry.
can be obtained by considering the
January box office tax figures These
amount 10 S4.261.224 for the month.
which indicates that American people
spent approLima tely S42.61224O. in ad-
ultlon 10 the tax. 10 see their favorfre
plays, either IN the spoken drama OF
IN the movies during the theate-
season
The New York courts just now are
busy with number Of theatrical tan
giles, one OF the most interesting be-
ing the battle between F ZieEfeld. IT.
and Morris Gest. over the right 10 use
the name "COcOanut Grove" Mr. Zieg-
leld, after the expiration Of the lease
which he and Charles Dillingham; held
jointly on the Century theater. trans
Ierred the name TO the New Amster-
dam Roof Mr.. Gest, who is shortly TO
reopen the Century theater, claims the
right to use the name for his roof
garden The statement that the courts
are to be asked to decide this question
IS made on the assertion Of Nj Gest
Both Mr. Ziegfeld and Mr. DILLINGHAM;
say that they have not been served
with papers, but as the battle wakes
hotter dav By day. IL is extremely
probable that the matter viii eventu-
ally wind up in the courts
Billie Burke ssComine Back.
Announcement is made that Billie
Burke is to return 10 the spoken
drama shortly, and viii be seen in
new comedy by Avery HopwoOd enti-
tied The Little Clown Prior to her
appearance in that play, T. Ziegfeld,
IT., VIII present Miss Burke in an i'm
portant all star revival. and he viii
also look after the production of the
new HoDwood play.
Una Brooks and Myrtle Ross have
been added 10 the cast that is to as
sist Joe Weber and Lew Fields in their
new musical piece Back Again"
on, Boy wound up its run at the
casino theater last night. after hav-
ing been presented TO New York audi
ences for Is consecutive months. In
that time IL was presented AS cOnsec-
utive performances. and was one OF
the most successful and popular must
cal comedies that the town has seen IN
many seasons.
Winter Garden Eight Years old.
The Winter Garden celebrated its
eighth anniversary March 20. Three
members Of the original cast with
which the house was opened are still
playing there. Al Jolson. present star.
had very minor part in Bow Sing"
the piece which opened the house.
Grace Wasnburn and Edgar Atchisou
Ely are the other two members Of the
original cast They have all appeared
IN practically all Of the % productions
which have succeeded Bow Sing" at
the Shuberts' uptown house.
some theatrical producers are en-
tirely lacking in a sense of the fit
ness Of things. One firm which con-
trolls number Of large. and successful
houses along Broadway. spares no eN-
pense on decoration and interior ar
engagements, but no matter how artis-
tically the interiors Of their houses
are they station leather luuged boys
in the foyers and basement lounges
who shout directions FOR finding the
cloakroom, etc. In contrast to such
a policy one finds in other houses the
same deferential courtesy on the part
Of attendants as one expects from the
servants Of private club or home.
Girl Ushers Vow.
The male usher has practically dis
appeared from New York theaters. Not
many seasons ago II was a novelty TO
see girls acting in this capacity. but
they speedily demonstrated so much
ability that they have practically
taken the field away from the BOYS.
Edna Hibbard has been enga ged for
a leading role in "Rock-a Bye Baby
which is a musical version Of Marga-
ret Mayo's farce BABY Mine" Miss
Hibbard is rapidly coming to the front
as a Coincidence. She followed Madge
Kennedy in Fair and Warmer" when
that piece concluded its New. York
engagement and went on the road
The Real Test.
a youth with more assurance than
tact invaded the office Of a well
known New York producer and an
nouuced that he was proba bly, the
best character actor at liberty and
would consent to accept an immedi-
ate engagement.
You sag you are a character maner
asked the producer.
Probably the best character man
you ever saw" was the breezy re-
Spouse
Could you play the part Of a Mex
Certainly. that would be easy"
An right my friend. please roll me /
a cigareL"
e--.s--z- e.