The Washington times., 1924-08-30
THE GATE-POST
by Harold Phillips

In the most pretentous playwring devised John
Golden of Broadway foremost producers
get thousands unread plays Of their as Christmas
Mr. Golden has enlisted the services Of 1872 dramatic critics
throughout the country volunteer play readers This will
shrink slightly Of the boys will doubtless be shot
maneny MANNED before mdseason These critics. representing
the foremost from win manuscripts
from their localities appra them and the ikes with the
the author that those selected will further careful
reading by professional readers in Mr. Godens office
Mr. Golden has deposited 100000 in the East River National
Bank of New York finance exploitation award and
uce plays Cash $1,000 $1,000 and $500 advance
royalties paid prizes
plays viii be produced by Mr. Golden unread by him and regardless
of his opinion of their merits The Judging of plays and entire
conduct of the contest in the hands of this of American
critics.
Any unknown author will confess writing play
Incidental getting before producer Bushels of unread scripts
returned weekly by New York producers There aren't enough
professional readers in New York read third of the plays
submitted they worked twenfor hours day. Mr. Golden has
reading problem designating this cotere OF American
critics to preliminary apprasals NobOdys judgment
manuscript nfalbe Golden scheme has merit in that
every play submitted the hands of people with
knowledge of drama and its requirements Since most critics
are reasonably qualified apprase plays AFTER production Mr.
Golden thinks percentage OF this number can judge them BE-
FORE production. -. 80: ~.
The Washington approved the plan and payreadng
committee composed Avery Marks r Andy Kelley Edmund
McKenna and myself will pass manuscripts submitted Manu-
scripts will until December 81 play does not have
to be three winners to insure production
Any play approved by this critic coere VIII nave the advantage
Authors must be American Tragedies and plays
OF salacios will be accepted No plays should be- sent
to Mr. this Stamped and addressed envelopes
must be enclosed. Scripts must be typed
Mr. Golden the producer "Lghtnin "The First Year.
Seventh Heaven "Turn to the Three Wise Fools and
"Tbank d" every one an outstanding hit.
Seventeen scheduled for Broadway for next week
beginning Day. This is thought record in theatrical his
The list containing hodove productions and sub
iect to revision is follows:
"vanities" Box "Pgs" Lte "Glory (aso known as
Hone Bravery, Plymouth; Top Hole Fulton; Rose
Mar Imperial; Maxine Eiotts "Ritz Revue Ritz;
sPasng Show" Winter Garden; "The Tantrum" Cort "The
Haunted House, George Coan; Be Yourself" Sam H. Harris;
&The Green Beetle Kaw Nerves. Coedy Chocolate Dandes"
."Ran" Gaey; "The Stepping Stones" Globe ...@i
I#& GOSSIP "H
The Meyer Davis designate jazz will
run fifteen days longer than originally arranged owing to the
great avalanche still pouring 7OOOOO date Sep
Eember award will be made. t-3 .s.tal
$500 stckpn while reading review of his
performance the Plain Dealer It
Jack notice and worth $500" said Warn%. @
William A. Brady recruited a-Engish "Smon
Called Peter headed by his discovery Catherine Willard
Betram Peacock the of Schober
next. week for his sixth year in Blossom Time" !:
Adolphe Menjou who cometlike to popularity will play
opposite Elsie Ferguson in the screened "The Swan"
Percy Heton has been added the of Purple Cow
due to debut at Polls September Is
Wesley Barry, about whom much isn't heard these days.
from under the Marshall Nan banner and will do films for