When Chase and Sanborn early this year cut their expensive, expansive, one-hour variety show with Charlie McCarthy to 30 minutes and still kept its drawing power, they started something. Onto the chopping block last week went Bristol-Myers' wry-face Comedian Fred Allen; others will probably follow him at expiration of their contracts. Allen refused to pare his Town Hall to half its former length; looked around for a new backer.
Into his place hopped popeyed Eddie Cantor, signed a contract that was something new in the big time.
In the heyday of vaudeville two types of acts got a percentage of the box officethose...
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