The Washington times., 1929-03-22
'GLEANINGS
Ef AND
SCREENINGS
By ANDREW R. Kelley

IL VIII De q c0lOfe0 SHOW
called "The Jazz Regiment"
and Sam H. Grisman, lessee Of
the Waldorf Theater in New
York, sponsors the production.
The musical stops off here after
two weeks of turnaway business
in Baltimore and four weeks in
Philadelphia. It is ticketed for
Broadway after the Washington
engagement.
These fast dancing musicals,
with the all l-colored casts, have
not in recent years been able
to appear in the downtown
theaters of the city. Washing
ton was denied the Miller and
Lyles "Shuffle Along" attrac-
tion because of inability to get
a $3.50 booking. Bill Robinson'S
"Blackbirds," the sensation OF
the present season in sepia en-
tertainment, has no booking
dates south of the Mason-Dixon
line. -. -
Producer Grisman has leased
the Gayety Theater for a week
and is trying to interest the
patrons of the high-class musi-
cal comedies in his show. His
invitation cards for the opening
list members Of the Cabinet
and Government officials.
'This show is spotlessly clean,
has some of the greatest whirl-
wind dancing, delightful music
and uproariOus comedy. 1t has
a colored cast of IS entertainers
and on its genuine value as
amusement is worthy of any
theater in Washington. / think
Washington will vote ''The Jazz
Regiment" one of the best musi-
cal shows ever booked here. l
know the Gayety Theater has
long been associated with bur-
lesque, but it was the only
downtown theater available, and
l want Washington. to see this
show" is Mr.. Grisman's ex-
PLANTATION of the booking. Daily
matinees will be given, begin
ming Monday.
Milton T. Middleton, secre-
tary-treasurer Of the Associa-
ton of Theatrical AGENTS and
Managers, sends this depart
ment special news of an organ
ICED labor plan to revive in
terest in the legitimate theater.
Briefly, the A. T. A. and M.
proposes to book five routes of
36 weeks each. for active opera
ton commencing Labor Day,
Monday. September 2. All en-
gagements would be played
under the auspices of the Amer
ican Federation of Labor, local
council, in conjunction with
various civic and fraternal or
ganizations.
This plan is cited as organ
lied labor's movement to assist
the legitimate theater. If suc-
cessful it would give employ
ment to a minimum of 2,7OO
actors, $40 stage hands, $40
managers, a minimum of 1000
musicians and 180 teamstcrs.
besides keeping 18O theaters
open for a full season. 1t
would require 100 plays from
the Drama Guild to furnish the
stage attractions.
If immediate cooperation is
offered us we can positively put
it into operation by next Labor
Day, Mr.. Middleton writes.
To those who may be inter-
ested enough to wait further
information on. this plan may
/ say that the sponsoring or
ganization is the Theater Agents
Union, which has been denied
recognition by the producing
managers. Theodore Mitchell.
cne of the most aggressive and
enterprising of managers, is the
chairman of A. T. A. and M.
The address is 116 West Thirty
ninth ST., New York city.
In these days when everybody
from Aunt Minnie to the icesnan
is wailing about the sad dave in
the legitimate theater and all,
including elevator operators s1g-
gesting remedies, tits a pleasure
to bow low to an organization
which is actually trying to do
something. 1 wish them every
success in an ambitious under
taking. 81
A letter from Betty Grace
Tucker asks that the news be
conveyed to her Washington
friends she is now making TALK
ing pictures at the Paranl punt
studio, Astoria, Long Island. "In
Hell's Angel / play the nurse
and it's a pretty good BIZ" says
Betty in a p. s. You may re-
call pretty Miss Tucker as the
Washington girl who started
professional career as the w;n-
rer of The Washington Herald
contest to place a D. G.. girl IN
the chorus Of Earl Carroll's
''Vanities."
Also, DIR. Suter's favorite
daughter, Ann, forwards word
from Picadilly she hopes to
tread the red-hot Pennsylvania
Avenue pavements Of her home
town some time in June. She
is booked solid in England until
she takes the boat, and then
goes back for two years more
in September.
Corinne Griffith's latest pic