Variety (Feb 1906)

12 VARIETY SUMMER PARKS iNohv Variety ia still verv voiithful. and while it does not obje<H to sin o* ti'iMned iHnit«Miiporarj "lifting" siij of its news items on Parks*or other subjects, it takes occasion to remark thai on account of that youthfulneai full «-1<■ lit -dioiild be f?iven. The Hill Board please take "<» tice.) The Chicago parks arc having a pretty Kilkenny time of their own, K. ('. Boyee's •White City" is fighting the opposition directed by 0. L. Brown of the Beadi Amusement Company, and is attempting to prevent the Beach Company from pro curing a liquor licence for their park lo- cated on the lake front, but quite near n cemetery, which is the main reason for tho objection. The church controlling the cemetery has been asked to interest itself to the extent that no liquids be dispensed within hearing of the occupants, but the Hrown crowd just smile, for they "are in right." The IJeuch Amusement Company in the Windy City will have one feature in the new park which has attracted the uni- versal attention of the electrical world. It is an electrically installed plant, with- out the use of sub-stations or generators. Thomas Arthur Morris, the electrical en- gineer, formerly of "Dreamland," is the inventor. The system is Known as "the 2."> cycles." It will be carefully watched by the electricians, being the first attempt at this style of lighting, and meaning a revolution in the methods if successful, of which there seems small doubt now. The Beach Company not being able to secure rotary converters and generators in time for the opening, called in Air. Morris who explained his system when it wa« adopted. If no serious hitch in the work- ing occurs it will be taken up by the parks throughout the country being the means of a large saving in installation. The system lias been patented by Mr. Morris, who controls the sole right*. The Sea Beach Palace will be occupied by "Jack" Ronivitfl With a new animal show this summer. Oeorge Kessler, the White Seal ma». is bucking the project. Mr. Bonivita is remembered from his con- nection with Rostock, who will continue his animal exhibition nt "Dreamland" ;i* formerly with a few changes. Despite reports to the contrary the Gal- veston Flood at Coney Island will be a ten-cent show this coming summer. Bradwell, the manager for the Johns- town Flood, will have "The Delulge" to replace it this season. The Wonderland Company will have a "Wonderland" at Revere Beach, near Bos- ton, this coming summer, with all the pop- ular amusement devices known, inclining a scenic railway. "Fighting the Flames/' "Shute the Chutes," "Incubators/* and so on. A "County Fair" will be one of the permanent features and Fererra's Animals will lx» added before the season opens. Eighteen acres of the 2."> con trolled will be given over to the enter prise, which will be the largest on that style of entertainment in the Hay State. The officers of the .Wonderland Company are Harold Parkei. State Commissioner of Highways, President: 1*. I*. Thompson. Nice president mid general manager; Hoi ace S. Neese, Secretary, and J. .1. Ilig gins, Treasurer, besides a prominent Board of Pirectors< The possibility of a highly successful season i* interrupted by ths question: How about the Sunday Laws at Revere } The puritanical states of "Way Down Kast" have a strict, prohibition placed against Sunday performances of any*kind but your genuine showman "beats it" generally, and especially in Massachusetts where the clergy does not stop to think how it receives the money if the coin only arrives. To palitatc the very religion* gentlemen who preach good-will from the pulpit on Sunday morning and "count up" in the afternoon, they are given a "do nation" or percentage Of the gross re- ceipts which is equivalent to a wink at the blue laws, and allows the church to have a new roof put on if the presiding elders are quick in getting around to the liox-office. In most cases though the min- ister presides over the money-exchange end of the enterprise in person, and does not consider it sacrilegious to handle the silver and greenback* of his parish con- stituency so long as the money goes for the betterment of mankind. The amount received varies on the bargain driven. Rather than lose a customer, the clergy- men, as a rule "stand" for any old jmm centage, but the innocent showmen with- out experience in that part of the country are held up for a big figure which they afterwards have to dodge in someway Generally easily discovered. The park known as "Fairyland" last summer in Albany, and which was run by the Walters Circuit of Park is now held by the creditors, the enterprise hav- ing passed into the hands of a receiver last Fall. The creditors have appointed a committee to either dispose of the prop- erty or run it themselves this summer. ~\i —rs—a—good—proposition—H~ property handle 1. and Max Rosen of 800 Broadway, New York, has the matter in charge for final disposition. Kohl and Castle and Tate and Middle- ton, of the Western Vaudeville Associa- tion, contemplated building a park right in the city of Chicago, thinking they had sufficient "pull" to have a subway under or a bridge across a street built to cover the space needed. The idea has been given up. which speaks for itself. There have been no changes decided upon for "Dreamland" at Coney Island, and there is not much time left before the opening. "Fighting the Flames" will be discontinued, but nothing has been secured to replace it. "Touring Europe" is to be removed also, leaving much space to fill. Roltair will give his old illusion of '• Raphael's Daughter'' first shown at the Omaha Exposition. This will occupy what was the animal house. A number of novelties have been submitted and con- sidered without a definite decision arrived at. It is said that Keith's Union Square Theatre cleared $102,000 net during 1905. CORRESPONDENCE CHICAGO, ILL. MAJESTIC (John M. Draper, ingr. for kohl ami Cm hi lei. The current week's hill has evidently been carefully arranged t«> test tin- discernment of the more fastidious patrons of this elite varl- ei.\ house win* have been a»customed to seeing 1 he usual number of comedy sketches In a vaude- ville hill. The program "'Is week ilucs not con- tiiIn a single comedy sketch, but the selection of feat ure ads offered Is unique and elicits the usual large atlendancc The Eight Salvaggis. whose dancing evolutions created nothing short of a huge success when they appeared here last sea son, r*pMted their remarkable acrobatic dancing act and scored a big lilt. The Cadette Orchestra. a musical organization composed of twenty three women, headed by Mrs. Caroline it. Nichols, was 1 he headline act. The selections rendered, isith <hiss|«al ami popular, were well received. Franz l.bert, the Lilliputian comedian, scored a hit In a miniature musical comedy entitled 'Dan Cu pld," In which tie appears as a messenger boy. Khcrt is artistic in his work, and kept the audi Mies in constant laughter. One of the liest sing- ing acts was contributed by Trio Sclplo Arge- mnite, three Italian vocalists, who ought to draw a large "per" on the grand opera stage. They sang operatic songs and looked stunning in their c,»tu!ncs. T. Nelson Downs Is well known here a.-t a manipulator of coins and other sleight of hand tricks. lie received a rousing ovation and kept the audience interested from start to finish. Jack Gardner, who appeared at the llaymarket two weeks ago, returned with a budget of Joke* and parodies. He has n pleasing js'tsonallty and his parodies brought forth mm li applause. The return of Pete linker to the continuous reminds us of olden times. His dialect stories and songs made a hit. Vernon, the ventriloquist, amused ami entertained with his manikins. Ills act is much improved and ought to make good in any theatre. Macart's dogs and monkeys pleased as usual. Others who shared in the applause were Hammond and Forrester, musical artists; Bonnie Mad. singer and dancer: Itrown, ltras and Hop kins, musical comedians; Funnt and Klppy, comedy Jngglers; Hilly l»eck. tramp comedian. OLYMPIC (Abe Jacobs, mgr. for Kohl and Cas- tle). -The Olympic bill presents the usual good average of diversified turns. John T. Kelly and Company head the list with a comedy sketch on- titled "Flnnegan's Finish." which serves to in- troduce the comedian to good advantage. Mr. Kelly has not been seen here since his retirement from Weber and Fields' all-star company, and his appearance In vaudeville In a good sketch deserves the lofty place on the bill. John World and Mindell Kingston scored a tremendous hit wltr. tbelr singing and dancing specialty. They are talented artists and have a real versatile act. Miss Kingston's operatic number Is worthy of un- stinted, praise. Dixon and Anger, two clever comedians, offered a neat singing aud talking act. which is refined, entertaining ami far above I he average. They were compelled to respond to several encores. Arthur Deming told many t-tor- les and sang a number of up-to-date parodies that pleased. Lea Auberts, whirlwind dancers, intro- duced their remarkable acrobatic dancing act. which was a decided hit. O'Rourke-Riirnotte Trio, singers and dancers, pleased, and received much applause. Furgeson and Passmore offered a clever singing and dancing specialty. The lady of the team has a good voice and her selection* made more than good. John Zlmmer, comedy Jug gler; Mlett's dogs; Kenyon and De Yarnii. equilibrists; Ressle Crawford, whose soprano voice has a future: Patterson Hros., comedians; and Cope, magician, manage to keep the scene shift- ers busy during the supper hour. IIAYMARKET <W. E. Freeman, mgr. for Kohl «Sc Castle). The Twelve Navajo Clrls. who headed the bill at the Majesti c last week, occupy the same position at the llaymarket this week, lliey scored a hit with the West Slders. Marco Twins, who look no more like twins than do Franz Ebert and 1K» Wolf Hopper, scored an Instantaneous hit. with their bodge podge of absurdities. The taller "twin" was excruciatingly funny as s bashful maid In a Sis Hopkins make-up, and the other "twin" half pro .ked much laughter without apparent effort. '1 ne La Belle Carmen troupe gave an intrepid and daring exhibition on the wire. The act is one of the best of Its kind seen here. Zlska and King came over from the Olympic with their novel travesty on magic and pleased Immensely. Zlska. the magician of the team, who has adopted a foreign brogue in his English since be first trod the vaudeville path, tried modern English on the audience at the Olympic last week, and then decided to no longer pose as a foreign artist. Stella Lee Is a pretty girl and her graceful dancing wits liked and pleased the audience. Klein and Cl'fton have a good singing aud dancing specialty. Musical Kleist introduced Ids musical act. which was unique and novel in feature. (Mara Hess, a Chi- cago—vocalist, who appe a red at a number of con* certs In the city last year, received her reward in the shape of applause after each song. Others who appeared were Mr. and Mrs. Hodges, comedy sketch; Rich and Harvey, comedians; Gordon El- drid, impersonator; the Hoofs, who nearly raised the "roof" with their sketch: Flying Oounods, trapeze performers, and Tobv Mack, comedians. INTERNATIONAL (At. O. Flournny, mgr.). -John L. Sullivan, who Is touring the circuit of vaudeville houses under the International man ngement, made his first appearance here as a headllner. He related some of his experiences and sparred a few rounds to show his auditors how he became famous. Others on the bill were Klein and Klein. Evans ami Evans, and Roy Raymond, SID. J. EPSON'S <Sld. J. Euson, mgr.).— The programme presented at this burlesque house Is well worth reviewing, especially the new burlesque which Mr. Euson offered for the first time on any stage. The new piece, en- titled. "A Center Rush." was written, book, mu- sic and all. by Chris. Lane, one of the principal members of the company, who was probably too modest to allow himself a lietter role In which to show his talents as an artist as well as a writer The action of the burlesque takes place at a college during a football season. The idea is a good one and when toe plot la brought out more fully, with interpolations of "ginger." to give It real college atmosphere, the piece will be much Improved and could be considered a genuine •access. The dialogue is bright and the music jingling anil catchy enough to serve In musical comedy. Clias. llcclow, as the tough of the foot- ball class, looked tin- part and was responsible for a good deal of comedy. Carl Audersop was cast as a college professor, and iu the Roman scene, where he appears as a gladiator, a la Vir- giuius, his oratoric voice was heard to good ad- vantage. Lew Reynolds, James Thompson * and Charles tirade helped to tickle the riaiblea of the audience. Among the women Carrie Helta was the most prominent. She has a fairly good votes and is possessed of good features; particu- larly her refinement and neatness on the stage, were conspicuous among others. Camllle Kenyon played an old maid policeman. She ought to make up for the part, then the audience will understand the character. Deda Walker had very little to do, and Marie Falrchlld, who la given an opportunity occasionally ts say something, only smlhd and darned with the other girls, who wore pretty cost times when they did not wenr tights. The performance as a whole was a success. Bur- lesque managers would probably discover the secret of Eiison's success If they witnessed some Of the ■hoars presented there. In the olio the biggest hit whs made by O'lirleu and Ruckley. whose names did not appear on the> programme. They came over from the Majestic, where they liuished their engagement. Wallace and Beech, comedy acrobats and contortionists, were ap- plauded. The Irish makeup in an act of this kind was not funny. I.a Bella Ataluuta disrobed on the wire and performed some dexterous feats. The lleischoius sang and played musical Instru- ments, and the Baader-Le Velle Trio showed how easily they can do remarkable tricks on bicycles. FOLLY (John Fennessy. mgr.).—"Miss New York. Jr." Burlesquers, presented a varied bill with a good olio containing a number of novelty acts. TROCADKRO. Fred Irwiii> show ia the offer- ing. TWO burlesques and a splendid olio make up the programme. Among those who appeared were 'he RaStelblttders in military tactics; Terre an* Carletoa, singers; Chas. Buckley, W. H. Cohan, Harry Devlne and W. S. Harvey. NOTES. — Raymond and Caverly are drifting away from Dutch comedy and are now presenting a new act. which is making a hit. They have lieen offered prominent parts in Whitney's "Coin in* Thro' the live." but they have decided not to leave vaudeville for the present. It has been authoritatively stated by one who 's in loach with the theatrical interests here, that certain parties are negotiating for the lease of the Chicago Opera House from Kohl & Castle, who also own the three vaudeville theatres, Ma- jestic. Olympic and llaymarket. The Chicago opera House was for many years devoted to vaudeville in conjunction with the Olympic and the llaymarket, and since last summer it has housed several musical comedies, the present one being "His Honor the Mayor." If vaudeville con- tlnues to increase we may see the Chicago Opera House enter the field again in the near future, making in all five variety houses in the city, four under the Kohl & Castle management. The enormous business at the Majestic since its opening has affected the attendance at the other Kohl & Castle houses, especially matinees. Ths Majestic will be the only downtown vaude- ville house to remain open all summer. The International Theatrical Company, better known as the Sullivan-Considlne Association, oc- cupies the entire sixth floor of the Oneonta Build- ing and have suites of luxuriously furnished offices. John W. Consldine, of Seattle, is now located there. FRANK WIESRRRfl. PHILADELPHIA. KEITH' S ill, T. Jordan, mg r .). —Several acts o this week's bill were glveu for the first time in this house, and as a whole the programme was up to the usual Keith standard, which proves its class in attracting crowded houses at almost every performance. The Military Octette waa seen for the first time here and was well received. It is rather a pretentious number and could be arranged to better advantage, the over abundance of detail stretching it out too much. The stage settings and effects were good. So far as the musical por- tion of the set was concerned it was not more than ordinary, there being too much of a sameness, and the singing was poor. Searl and Violet Allen presented lheir old act, with a few additions and the "signs." under the name of "The New Re- porter. There appeared no good excuse for call- ing it anything, for the title was not used after each of the characters were introduced. The sketch Is rapid and there is lots of good stun* «n It which pleased the audience, and It gives work to five persons Instead of two. Anderson and Goim>s, negroes, made their first appearance and did well with some singing and dancing. One of the teum had a funny monologue and got rid of It In good style. Bedford and Winchester reappeared after a long absence. They offered a comedy and juggling specialty. None of their tricks were new, but many were cleverly executed, especially the Jug- gling of balls. They are a Philadelphia product and have Just returned from a trip abroad. The Mncarte Sisters In their wire act were seen for the lirst time In two years. They also play musical Instruments and dance, the latter being the worst thing they do, aud could be dispensed with. Their act went big. Henry Lee gave several character imp* rsonatlons which were old and three or four that were new, and as usual claimed bis share of the honors. Smith and Campbell managed to phase with their rapid-fire monologue and "wrest ling" specialty, which was about the same as they have been doing for some time. Maud White and Stephen Orattan again appeared In their familiar sketch, "Looked Out at Two A. M.," and John Birch. Kern'a Mlnile Dojj, Conlon and Hastings. Minnie Harrison and the Delmar Duo also ap- peared, with the pictures added. LYCEUM (J. O. Jermon, mgr.).—Several changes have been made In the "Casino fJIrls" company, playing "An Pnwllllng King," which la the r,ew title for the burlesque on "Smiling Island," with