The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-12
THE REVIEW
 OF THE RIALTO
(By Dixie Hines)

chaser by the moving picture inter- ests representing the Famous Play CTS and LaSky enterprises, and here after this corporation will make an active bid for not only the moving picture field, but the dramatic as well. It was announced only g. short time since that this corporation had secured the RiyoIi and Rialto thea tres in New York, which are the lead ing moving picture theatres of the United States, and with the assump- tion of the past and present proper ties of the F'rohman interests, they become the most powerful theatrical interest in the country. MT. Zukor, the president of the moving picture company declares that they will en- ter into contracts for the presenta- ton of plays by the most noted au- thors in both classes of p1ayhouses, dramatic and film. Ali Hayman, the general manager of the Frohman en- terprises, is to remain with the con- solidation, and the theatrical world in this country and throughout the world is awaiting with more than passing interest further announce ments.
 The tendency is to concentrate all theatrical interests, which would serve to indicate a closer welding of the interests of the managers on the one side and the actors and their as sociates on the other. Undcnia bly, if the officials of the Actors Equity Association are strong enough to force through their policy, there will be a so-called "closed shop" among the players, a condition which, the managers assert, they will not ac- cept To make their refusal sure, they have repudiated all concessions heretofore granted the actor by the acceptance of a form of contract which had been agreed upon. The managers allege the actors by their representatives, refused to accept this contract as final, but insisted upon making further demands which they could not accept. Hence the alignment is clear cut as between the two interests, and the fight which looms in the distance is the subject of much speculation
 But whatever may be the outlook from this viewpoint the producers continue to prepare their wares TOT presentation to the tickle and fum- ing public. Some time this week, un- less unforeseen circumstances again force 8 postponement, there will be two summer shows and a comedy drama. produced. It is not safe to predict this presentation, because it has been predicted fruitlessly before. '',rhe Gaities of 1919' is the new pro- duction from the Shubert incubator. It is just what it's name implies, a play designed to offset in a, measure the sorrow caused by the fatal accom- plishment of the dry brigade ''The Gaities of 1919" takes its place be- sides the annual Winter Garden show the Ziegfeld "Follies," and other plays of this character It is for the summer crowd, and contradictory as it may appear. is advertised as pep pery'
 The biggest thing thus far an- nounced for the coming season Is the Comstock and Gest production of
 "Aphrodite" This is being brought
 from London, and it will cost $50,-
 OOO if you want to know. The name
 of the favored parsonage to appear
 in the title role has not thus far
 been dfvulged. It is known in inner
 circles, however that there is an
 opera built upon this same theme
 which has been taboo in this coun-
 try for some time. but this year It
 may be given. It is also known that one Of the former Metropolitan
 beauties Helene Tenders, has been identified with this role in it's operatic form, and as this
 attractive song bird possesses all
 the attribuets for the heroine who
 is ibald1y described as "Aphrodite,
 without any nightie." if is not in.-
 probable that she may make a musi-
 cal comedy debut. It is safely pre-
 dicted that if she should do so, New
 York will see one of the most beau
 tiful women on the stage and one
 who can sing well
 who can sing witha1.
 The dramatic managers are seeking
 new talent from the ranks of the
 musical people. just as the latter are
 indulging in the usurpation of many of the dramatic people. Indeed, the two arts are more closely associated now than ever before. There is a plan on foot to endow a National Conser- vatory with government aid and en- coura cement and the representative members of both branches of the art are solid1y behind this move. Ethel Newcomb,y perhaps the most famous of our native pianistes, whose chief glory has been won abroad but whose distinction permeates every music l club in the United States, is one of l the most active of the musicians, and | Otis Skinner and John Drew are | quite as deeply interested on behalf i or the actors. MISS NeWCOillD hdS 1 however, won chief honors because | she has given her time and services | to the propaganda
 New York. July 1.-The ink is not | yet dry upon the obsequies of the season of 1918-1919 before one is l called upon to chronicle the birth l of the season of 1919-1920. On1ftting 1 the distinctly summer shows, the i "Follies'' "Frolics,'' "Gaieties' and ''Festivities,' William A. Brady leap ed into the arena last week with a l new mystery play called "9:45." Ear Her in the season he gave this play a. suburban canter as "The Alibi, but the title has been changed evil dentIy in view of the fact that there is a. disposition on the part of sev- era1 managers to prove an allbf. George Broadhurst being numbered among them with ''The Crimson Ali bi" But MT. Broadhurst needs no all
 bi for his new play which is: an en-
 crossing melodrama, thrilling, excit- ing and highly effective in its act cI,n nt Tn the n 2