Variety (Feb 1906)

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VARIETY ARTISTS' FORUM "The Artist*' Forum" Is for the artists exclusively. Any lust complaint any artist may have or considers he baa will be printed In this department. Or any comment that 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 his criticism of the criticism printed In this column, and It will be answered by the reviewer. Confine your letters to 150 words and write on one side of paper only. Erie depot, asking why my baggage bad not been brought to the depot according to our arrangement. The answer was, "we shall be on time to enable you to catch the train." You will greatly oblige by pub- lishing this letter. It may prevent other artists from being stung by Curtin's Transfer Company. Alf. Afeertt. The Ghas. K. Harris Courier Devoted to the interttt. of Seogt and Singe n Address all communications to CIIAS. K. HARRIS, 31 W. 31st St., N. Y. (Meyer Cohen, Mgr.) Vol. 1. New York. Feb. 17, 1906. No. 1. New York, Feb. 10, '06. Editor Variety: Sir: Mr. Tony Pastor has just re- ceived a letter from a Mr. T. Geoffreys, London, England, in which he is informed that Jennie Benson died February 1, after undergoing a serious operation (particu- lars not stated). Miss Benson was famous as a jig dancer in the early '70s, and was the mother of Marguerite Fish, who was famous as "Baby Benson," the youngest of jig dancers. Miss Benson married Mr. Fish, a cornetist of repute, and they were among the first Europeans in the field of amusements in South Africa, whence they returned after considerable success. H. 8. Sanderson. Editor Variety. Sir:—May I ask why a manager should be permitted to make a charge on the actor for giving him work? It is of course ex- pected that when an artist goes to an agent and enlists his services that some payment shall be made for services rendered, but where does Mr. Keith or Mr. Meyerfeld gain the right to charge five per cent for booking an act? Both managers are in the habit of exacting the agent's commis- si "i on the plea that they are conducting agencies, although neither had paid the license fee exacted by this State nor com- plied in other ways with the law. Surely the managers are making enough money to be able to afford their own office expenses. Why then should they seek to virtually graft off the artist? You will, of course, understand why this is not signed with my own name. Grafted. Editor Variety. Sir:—Will you kindly announce in your publication that I am about to bring suit on appeal to recover commission from Adele Ritchie due me on bookings made last Summer? The case was decided in her favor, but I believe that the higher court will adjudge the case on the evi- dence, all of which was clearly in my favor. **< ' I personally delivered to Miss Ritchie contracts for ten weeks work at various houses, making a trip to her home in Rye for that purpose. She then said that she would sign the contracts at her leisure and return them to me the following day. I was visited by De Cerne, a sort of manager, who told me that Miss Ritchie would sign the contracts but for five per cent, only and through the office of Wil- liam Morris. I told him that she might do so but that in such an event I should surely sue. When the case came to trial my attorney caught Abe Kaffenberg, of Howe & Hum- mel's office, handing the judge a note and accused him of unfairness, the matter being argued out in the court room. When the case was called, Miss Ritchie and the judge were on such good terms as to attract the comment of the spectators present, and in spite of the testimony of Messrs. Percy Q. Williams, F. F. Proctor, William Ham- merstein and William Morris to the effect that they considered that the engagement had been made through my office, a deci- sion was rendered in her favor. I intend to fight this matter to a finish for the pur- pose of establishing a precedent and trust that you will be able to find space for this communication. Thanking you, William Lykens. Editor Variety: Sir: A man about 36 years old with a heavy beard is claiming the authorship and title as the originator of the "News- boys' Quintette." He may claim anything he likes, but I have a just claim as the originator of that act and title, which claim I gladly share with William Slafer, musical director of the Hyde & Behman enterprises. Mr. Slafer wrote the musical numbers and devoted several weeks of his vaudeville time to rehearsals. After making it a success, I introduced the original idea of joining in the chorus from the front of the house as a "boy soprano." It pleased Mr. Hyde to such an extent that at my suggestion he procured several boys who could sing and dance, and I named the act "The Newsboys' Quintette." Under that name it toured the country, playing the first-class houses only, in- cluding Koster & Bial'8 Music Hall, then on Thirty-fourth street, which instance many will recollect. After holding the original quintette together for three years, I made my first song success with "I can't tell why I love you, but I do," after- ward taking up composing as a profes- sion, replacing myself in the act with my brother, Leo Edwards. Then a Mr. Nel- son, who now claims to be the originator, applied to me to be one of the news- boys. I noticed that heavy beard, and told him he could be a newsboy as soon as he got shaved. This is the first pub- lished statement relative to my origi- nation of this particular act. (Jus Edwards. New York, Feb. 14, 1906. Editor Variety: Sir—In last week's issue of your paper there appeared an erroneous statement giving Mr. Chas. Lawlor credit for the au- thorship of the song entitled "Since Father Went to Work." This song was composed and written by me and Mr. Chas. Lawlor is simply one of the many who is singing it. William Cahill. Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 14, 1906. Editor Variety: Sir—Is there no way of getting your American transfer companies to compen- sate an artist for losing a train and nearly the engagement? I ordered Curtin's Transfer Company, 266 Bowery, New York city, to bring my baggage to the Erie depot last Saturday, no later than 12 o'clock mid- day, as I had to catch the 2 :40 p. m. train for Cleveland, but the above named com- pany never turned up with my baggage un- til the train had left, notwithstanding that I telephoned to them at 1:30 p. m. from the NOTES FROM LONDON. The motor wagon or van dressing room I wrote about last week has proved a success and several artists have adopted this method. A novelty in dancing is to be seen at the Tivoli Music Hall, where an excep- tionally strong programme has been ar- ranged. The dancer in question is Miss Mildred de Grey, who is appearing for the first time in England in a series of barefoot dances. The benefit matinee at the Oxford Music Hall in aid of the late George Le Brunn (a very successful song writer) realized nearly $35,000. At this same hall matinees are being given of cinemat- ograph reproductions of the Britt-Nelson fight. Miss Victoria Monks is heading the bill at the Coliseum. At this time of the year a large num- ber of music hall artists are engaged in pantomime work, and consequently the halls are deprived of some of the prin- cipal exponents of the variety stage. The Holborn Music Hall, which now stand on the site of the old Royal opens its doors on Monday, January 28. It has been superbly decorated and an ex- ceptionally strong company has been en- gaged. Two performances a night and two matinees a week—these are the present arrangements. Lee and Kingston and The Two Bees are included in the list of ar- tists engaged. A man named Willetts has just been sentenced to nine months hard labor for conspiring to print and publish copyright music. A departure very important to variety artists over this side of the water is about to be introduced at the Coliseum, where it is understood that, in addition to their ordinary specialties, those engaged will be called upon to play parts in the various productions; the idea is, of course, not new to America, where it is the cus- tom in a good many variety theatres. I was at the Coliseum, where, although the cheaper seats were well patronized, the more expensive ones were sparsely filled. Neither was the programme particularly alluring. Mabel Love is rot seen to ad- vantage in the playlet woven for her bene- fit and the same must be said of Eugene Stratton, who deserves a better song than "There's Nothing Like Your First Love After All." The item which received, and deservedly so, the most applause was an illustrated song by Miss Millicent Mars- den, who is the possessor of a sweet and clear voice. Mrs. Brown Potter, who has been lately figuring in the law courts, showed her dramatic powers in some tableaux of "Love's .^potheosis" and in which she took the part of "The Spirit of Love." She gave a very powerful inter- pretation of the part. A new ventriloquist, Coram, achieved great success at the Lyceum in introduc- ing *o the public for the first time an act whic.\ proved to be something new and original in this particular line. Under The Blue Ribbon Bur- lesquers are making a feature of "The Tale of a Stroll" and "It Makes Me Think of Home, Sweet Home," and have been meet- ing with great success with both of these big hits. Also Ed. T. Mora, the well-known lyric tenor, who Is making a feature of "Just One Word of Consolation," "Ply Away Birdie, to Heaven," "Dreaming. Love, of You," and "Sister." The Imperial Four have a beautiful arrange- ment for their differ- ent musical instru- ments of "Just One Word of Consolation," "Dreaming, Love of You," and "It Makes Me Think of Home. Sweet Home," which numbers they deliver with the moat beauti- ful harmony ever heard on the Vaude- ville Stage. Charles Forma n, of the Gay New York Co., reports good success, with "Dreaming, Love, of You," and "It Makes Me Think of Home, Sweet Home." At Madison Square Gar- den, the annual enter- tainment and ball of the New York Letter Carriers* Ass'n, the big feature of the show was "The Tale of a Stroll," and "It Makes Me Think of Home, Sweet Home," which were produced in a most beautiful and elaborate manner, under the able man- agement of Mr. Pete Lawrence, of Law- rence and Jennings. These numbers created a furore, and were sung at both per- formances to over 15,000 people, receiv- ing tremendous ap- plause. Alice Jennings, the well- known contralto sing- er, will make a fea- ture of "Dreaming, Love, of You," and "Sister," the coming week at Pastor's. As Miss Jennings is an Artiste of ability, her appearance at Paa- tor's spells Success. the title of "The Joys of a Motor- ist" the rising of the curtain reveals a rustic scene in which a figure (well known as Jerry) is sitting on a stile "looking for trouble," as Coram aptly puts it. A mo- tor appears on the scene, with Coram as the chauffeur, and inquires the way of the boy sitting on the stile. Then the fun commences and some very smart repartee is indulged in by both parties. Coram's voice and enunciation are splendid and easily distinguishable all over the house. He does not leave the car during the show and drives away leaving Jerry in posses- sion of the stile. Coram \vorks the figure by means of compressed air. The laugh- ter at his performance was loud and pro- longed. The South African Empire, Johannes- burg, under the management of the Hy- mans, opens next May. Ada Reeves has been engaged as the bright particular star at the enormous salary of $25,000 for nine weeks. Not bad, eh? Misses Cooke and Clinton, billed as "America's famous lady sharpshooters," have been meeting with great success on the Moss & Stoll tour. Negotiations are in progress for the transfer of the entire Gaiety Theatre company with the "Spring Chicken" to New York next autumn. As a result of a gun accident Mark Melford, the well-known sketch comedian, is lying in a serious condition in hospital. The "Human Bullet" is the title of a "new" sensational act, due at the London Hippodrome Monday next. The act en- tails the shooting of a gymnast from a cannon on the stage into the dome of the lofty house. The Two Bells are going strong at the Holborn Empire with their laughable scene, "Picture Postcards." Bert Edwards. GOT IT NOW. Dan Sherman has purchased from Scott & Wilson the rights to "In a Jay Circus," which he has already announced he will produce in vaudeville next season under the title of "Old Dan Tucker." The transfer was made Tuesday of this week.