Variety (Jan 1906)

VAMETY. II T^RTISTS' FORUn <*Tlie Artists' For«m*' U for the arllats exclaslvely. Any Jost complaint any artist may have or considers be kas will be printed In tbls depart- ^ uient. Ur any comn&ent tbat an artist may desire to make. Also any artist or act that disagrees with a reviewer on Variety in his review of the artist's work or act may have bis criticism of the eriti. dsm printed In this column, and it will be answered by the reviewer. Conllne your letters to 160 words and write on one side of paper only. Editor Variety: , , ' Sir:—As your paper laims to be fair, I would thank you .o print this letter. I am playing my nrst vaudeville engage- ment In New York at Hammerstein's this week. On Monday last I was ap- proached by a representative of a morn- ing paper which devotes some space to vaudeville and was told that it would be to my Interest to advertise in that paper, und more especially so as I would need a good notice to secure further book- ings. Not having been accustomed to such methods, I indignantly declined to entertain such a proposition, as I am content to rest on my offering alone, and do nut intend to be a party to any .^ deception. What I wish to make plain is this: that if the paper referred to has any influence with managers or agents, of what use is it to them if their vaude- ville criticisms are written through the bribery paid by advertising, and what recourse has an artist who declines to be "held up." Virginia Earl. ly tell us what reqiedy originators have to protect themselves? - ' . v" »- Rice and Prevoat. Vienna, Nov. 8, lOOft Klce and Prevoit. Friend James:—! am writing to let you know that I am dolnff the act since you opened in Paris. There is no less than eight copies trying It. As a pal, speak yuur mind. Don't you think I have more right to do it than the rest of them? I am not doinv you no harm, as I know you will not come back over here. Have been doing it fur two and one-half months. Now here in Vienna there It an act called "Price and Revost" just the same make-up. Collins and Hart are on the same bill. I am not like the rest to take a little bit off the act, but I will tell you the truth, I have took the whole thing. This is all I have to say. On«> good turn deserves another. JACK E3L>lfO. P. 8.—If you waat a friend, you will find on* in me. New York, Jan. 11, 1906. Editor of Variety: Sir—The report in your last issue, stating that The Nosses would soon re- turn to vaudeville, is without founda- tion. We are earning two salaries where we are, and it is a constant fight to earn one in vaudeville. We are at present appearing in the first act of "The Babes and The Baron" at The Lyric, and the second act of "The Earl and The Girl" at the Casino, replacing a band of nine at the Lyric. Evidently the Shuberts think we are good, even though a certain agent does not. Success to Varie ty. It's Just what we needed. Very truly, Ferd. Noss. Editor Variety: We have read your paper with pleas- ure and we both think it the best paper for the vaudeville profession to-day, as it states facts and news which you do not see in any other publication. Inclosed find a letter which was sent to us from Europe from a fellow who has not only taken our entire act, but has the cast-iron nerve to write us about It. This fellow played with us on Ham- merstein's Roof, season of '04, being an assistant to SpadonI, the juggler. He watched our work every night and when he returned to Europe simply and calm- ly did it. We opened in Paris on April 1. 1905, and before May there were eight or ten acts doing our same work, for such a small salary that we could not afford to play for it. When the opposition can't afford to pay for the originals they book the im- itators, and bill It as "Price and Revost, the American Eccentrics," in "Bumpity Bumps," which title belongs to us. In this country we have twenty or thirty Imitators, but this country doesn't hold a candle to Europe. Now will you kind- New York, Jan. 10. Editor of Variety. , Sir:—I should much value the pub- lication in your paper of the facts of a case referred to in last week's issue of your valued contemporary, the Mirror, In which surprise is expressed at Miss Ida Rene and Miss May Belfort using the same material for the display of their respective abilities. I wish to state that every lyric pre- sented by Miss Reno is her own exclu- sive property and was created (manner of conception and method of production included), by Miss Rene in London, where, as Is well known. Miss Rene has constituted herself a magnet which has drawn to the London Variety Theatre a large proportion of the erstwhile play- goer, a class, or set, who had hitherto professed contempt for the music hall. It Is a matter of great surprise to me that Miss Belfort's various managers have not prevented her from using Miss Rene's lyrics, as they were all done over a year ago by Miss Rene, In "The Royal Chef." at the Lyric Theatre In New York, and in addition I had already in- formed them of the facts of the case by letter. Miss Belforrs^dellberate purloining of Miss Rene's property cannot be looked upon by any healthy-minded person as being anything short of con- temptible, she is actually living, moving and having her being on the results of another's brains. Thanking you, In an- ticipation of your giving a few inches of space to the foregoing, I am Truly yours, A. McAllister. Manager for Miss Ida Rene. CLARICE VANCE THE FEATURE. Clarice Vance, that Incomparable sing- er of Southern melodies, played Ham- merstein's a short time ago. She sang "Nuthin' from Nuthin' leaves You." Mr. Hammerstein heard her, and he also heard the* reception she received from the audience. Now Miss Vance has been booked for a return date within six weeks, opening the second time this sea- son at the Victoria on Jan. 29, as the feature of the bill. THE INTERSTATE CIRCUIT. Hot Springs, Ark., Jan. 10, 190G, ' • Editor Variety: Sir:—I am greatly impressed with the initial number of your excellent publica- tion, Variety, and I believe it will not only fill a long felt want, but will make many friends at the start. There seems to be considerable mis- understanding regarding the Interstate Amusement Company circuit, concerning which you make mention in the first issue of Variety. The Interstate Amusement Company is an organization composed of practical and experienced theatrical gentlemen of St. Louis, with an unlimited capital. They have re- cently completed theatres at Dallas and Fort Worth, costing over $80,000 each; one in the course of completion in Little Rock costing $60,000 and an $80,000 house at Birmingham. They have re- modeled the houses at Hot Si)rings and Waco, and they have leased for a term of years and have remodeled in an ele- gant manner the Empire Theatres at Houston and San Antonio respectively, both of these theatres previously having been made popular with the better class of patrons by Harry Corson Clarke, and his excellent stock companies during the past three years. The Interstate Amusement Company are running things on the Keith system of two performances a day, with the ex- ception of no Sunday performances and no matinees on Monday. They are cater- ing to the best people and are getting the business at 35-50-75 and $1.00, and is not a "ten cent outfit" as one might infer from reading the paragraph in your publication. As the carriages drive up in front of any one of these theatres, an attendant in uniform assists the patrons the same as at the very best houses. All the ushers are in uniform—ice water boys attend the thirsty ones, there are smok- ing rooms for the gentlemen, cloak rooms for the ladies and everything is done for the comfort of the theatre-going public. That the people appreciate this service is practically demonstrated by the box office r ec e i pt s, otlierwise they Pauline Hunter, formerly of the Sal- viggis' troupe, which she left for one of Sam Harris* companies, thinks Mr. Harris Is a horrid man, and will return to vaudeville, via. the dancers. could not afiord the high salaried acts which they are putting on at every one of their houses. The highest priced spe- cialties, both from the Keith and Or- pheum circuit, go direct to the Inter- state Circuit, such as Harry Corson Clarke ft Company, one of the highest priced acts on the vaudeville stage this year; Murphy & Willard, May Vokes & Co., Laura Burt. Miles McCarthy ft Co., Mr. and Mrs. Gene Hughes. Mile. De Serris, living pictures, Bryant & Seville, Innes ft Ryan, Jolston ft Palmer, the Le Pages, the Imperial Russian Dancers, etc., etc. • . Therefore, It is readily to be seen that the Interstate Amusement Company is catering, not to the "ten cent houses." but to the better class of the theatre-go- ing public, are delivering the goods ami getting the business and have come to stay. We would thank you sincerely If you would kindly publish in your columns this letter, so as to disabuse the minds of the people who think we have "ten cent houses," as they would undoubtedly infer from reading the paragraph men- tioned, as we know you desire to print "the truth," the whole truth and noth- ing but the truth. T. B. MacMechen. ■ /■ ■' --"■ CONEY ISLAND NOTES. Many changes and improvements are proposed and under way for the famous summer resort to amuse and interest the heated citylte during the coming hot spell. It is expected that many of the spec- tacular features of the Hippodrome productions will bo brought to Luna. Park and shown in one form or an- other, but owing to uncontrovertible con-.- ditions, it Is Impossible for Thompson & Dundy to spread out, being obliged to build up or down. Bounded on the west by a public highway, and on the oast by a leasehold held by George Kessler, the wine man. who is not at all Irlendly to the firm, Luna Park seems doomed to remain in its present area unless the White Seal man can be In- duced to a compromise, and the Sea Beach Palace be added to the park. It Is said though that Kessler looks with much favor upon the project of Bonivlta, the animal trainer, formerly with Bostock, where he lost an arm through the ferociousness of "Balti- more," one his group of lions, using the Sea Beach Palace this summei' for his own show. Bonivlta would have no trouble in securing a complete {^nlmal production, the supply now being plen- tiful; Hagenbeck, In fact, having a sur- plus of the jungle beasts to dispose of. L. A. Thompson, of scenic railway, not Thompson & Dundy fame, has purchased S. E. Jacks4)n's Musical Railway for $30,000. and will Install In its place "A Mountain Scenic Route." There will be little left of last sum- mer's Dreamland, excepting "Creation," which brought $126,000 into the box office during '05. "Fighting the Flames" will be done away with, a new show re- placing it, and an elaborate scenic pro- duction called "Touring Europe" will also be installed. ' * "The Galveston Flood" will be razed and on its site an electrical production on similar linos will replace It.' "The Coal Mine" has been purchased for $20,000 by Edward Boyce, vice-presi- dent of the "White City" circuit, who will extend it by a r a i lway oa W48t Eighth street. Doyle's Pavilion on Surf avenue has been purchased by a syndicate of Coney Islanders who will erect an Immense dance hall, with some spectacular pro- ductions to be introduced Instead of the usual "wait" between waltzes and two- .steps. This will be the strongest oppo- sition the other dance halls on the Island will have. L. A. Thompson ha.s also purcha.sed from Geo. C. Tilyou a large tract Imme- diately adjoining Dreamland on the west side, which gives him a frontage on Surf avenue extending back to the ocean, which he will utilize In some manner not yet decided for this season. A BRAND NEW ACT. "Schoolboys and Girls" is the name of a singing and dancing act to be shown for the first time at Utlt-a on Jan. 29. Twelve boys and girls, ranging In ages from 17 to 20 will interpret the words and music of Vincent Hryan and Leo E<1- ward.s, who wioto th<; dialogue and melodies, e.specially for this i)roductIon (Ills Edwards will have the direct man- aK<'ni<>nt of it. .Mile. 'l'|i<o and h' r horse, will soon be seen around again.