Variety (March 1909)

12 VARIETY (fit PARIS NOTE® BT EDWARD 0. UNDREW. Paris, Feb. 28. The Palais de Crystal, Marseilles, one of the largest music halls in Europe (at one time managed by Paulus), is to be pulled down in March, and a new building con- structed, which it is hoped will be ready for next winter. Following the example of the two sim- ple youths at Marseilles, another young man committed suicide "all for the love of a lady" at Grenoble. The loved one is, of course, said to be English, and is appearing in the old glove-making city with a,troupe known as "The Variety Girls." Some individuals who have been selling tickets for the Olympia, appropriated by an employ6 in the office, have been run to earth, and three of them punished with 16 days in prison and $19 fine each. Messrs. Marinelli and de Oottens did not prosecute. The police took up the matter and made a case in the interest of all managers. Charles Seguin, of the South American circuit, is in Paris, watching acts. An amusing number booked for an American tour is that given by two hunchbacks, Leger and Mile. Iia, now at the Etoile Palace. They will be seen at a Keith house in America in about six months. The male member is an excellent imita- tion of Little Tich. A popular composer, Frederic Toul- mouche, died Feb. 28. Born in 1860, he was almost forgotten by the present-day play- goer, and as chorus master at the Opera- Comlque for some years past, he did not appear in public. But in the old days he wrote some successful ballets, played at the Casino, and also well-remembered op- erettes, such as ''Mademoiselle ma Femme," at the Folies Dramatique. Mile. Pascaline, a well-known French actress, better known as Irene Muza, died in the hospital Feb. 23, as the result of a terrible burning accident. Having prom- ised to appear at a benefit in aid of a poor comrade, she was having her hair dressed, near a heated stove, when the coiffeur accidentally let a few drops of the lotion fall on the stove, causing a big flame, which enveloped Mile. Pascaline, who was sitting in a light dressing gown. She died a few hours after. The Franco-English revue (1844-1008) at the Folies Bergere is still running an unprecedented career, and will remain un- til May. Mr. Bannel, the manager, is widely advertising the show, his latest move being by the means of post cards portraying the different characters, and which artists are sending to their friends. In addition to introducing Claudius, a mu- sic hall "actor" who has just terminated a long engagement at the Chatelet Thea- tre (being replaced by Jack Joyce, an American cow-boy), the revue has pre- sented on 24th an act danced by Bessie McCoy in New York and Gertie Miller in London, which is entitled "Pierrots Ame'ricains," and ably.danced by the Sis- ters Kaufman (Reba and Inez). There is every possibility that these clever girls will be seen in Paris again next season. The famous Ambigu, the home of blood and thunder in Paris, is to be sold, and there are several bidders, among them an English company that proposes to tear down this old melodrama theatre and build an immense modern music hall. But Mr. Herch, of the Porte Saint Martin, is like- wise after the house, with the hope of reviving its past glory. Speaking of the Ambigu Theatre reminds me that Jules Stein, who shot and wounded M. Freyge- fond, the manager, as reported in Variety last year, has just been acquitted. The poor man had been induced to invest all his savings, about $4,000, in the enterprise, on the promise he should be appoint secretary. The capital was soon spent} and a new company had to be formed (the same old story), so he lost his place and his money. Shortly after M. Freygefond again took the house, whereupon Stein asked for employment, and being met with a point blank refusal, promptly shot him. It is for but a short time that the Olympia is to play nothing but vaude- ville, for H. B. Marinelli informs me he will mount an elegant revue written by Max Dearly on or about March 14, in which he promises many novel acts. Among the members which will appear commencing to-morrow night for a fort- night will be Rancy's Sea Lions (belong- ing to the circus by that name, recently at Lyons), and Green and Wood, eccen- trics. We are also to have a new ballet, "Oteretto," on the 1st. Alexia, the dan- seuse, will remain next month. The Tan- kwai Chinese Troupe remain till the open- ing of the revue, but only three are play- ing this week, two having been injured in an accident on the 23d. One member slides from the roof suspended by his pig- tail. Arriving at the stage, his impetus was not stopped, and he crashed into a support, maiming himself and another who held the rope acting as a break. Both will reappear next week, but one has lost five front teeth. APPLIES "WHEEL" SCHEME. Walter J. Plimmer, newly appointed to the park department of the United Book- ing offices, took up his duties Monday morning. There were thirty parks on the United string at that time. Plimmer said he expected to have forty or more to book before the season opened. He proposes to cut this time up into three divisions, grading them according to the cost of show they play. Then he will make up a corresponding number of vaude- ville or minstrel shows and have each play around the appointed circle. One will be a colored show. Plimmer tried this scheme out when he was booking for the Blake chain of parks in New England, and declares that the fixed vaudeville show can play around unchanged to the satisfaction of managers. Al Sutherland placed "The Patriot" and The Bounding Gordons over the Orpheum Circuit this week. The singing sketch opens April 6 at the Majestic, Chicago; the acrobats during next August. WOMAN IN VARIETY By THE SKIRT. If you want to spend an evening that's worth while, see Maude Adams in "What Every Woman Knows." After witnessing all the traah and tommy-rot in New York at present it is a relief to watch Miss Adams and Mr. Bennett in J. M. Barrie's delightful play. Emma Carus should have been very happy at the American one night this week. Billy Dillon, spying Miss Oarus in the front row, used her name when sing- ing a little "song plugging" number, and against-Vesta Victoria. Mr. Dillon called for "hurrahs" for each, Emma winning. saw "Skigie," Vabikt's little critic, o-day. He was the proudest youngster in New York, having shaken James J. Jef- fries by the hand last night. I asked "Skigie" what he said, and the boy re- plied, "I wanted to ask Mr. Jeffries if he would fight Johnson, but I lost my nerve." On the "Times Square" advertising "street drop" at the Colonial, have you noticed that the corner where Variety's new offices are is the most prominent? The ground floor is occupied (on the drop) by a biscuit store instead of the dyeing establishment, just beneath Variety's offices. The window where Variety should be is bare. There were a couple of great old argu- ments the other evening at the Lincoln Square over Lucy Weston's songs. Two elderly "sports" drawn to the theatre to see Champion Jeffries had one discussion over the lyrics, while two women were at the opposite sides of another argument. If they say that the more talk an act creates the better it is, I guess Lucy has one wonderful act. My sympathies were and are all with Willa Holt Wakefield in the trouble and annoyance she was subjected to at Hammerstein's this week. I don't be- lieve for a moment the stories that Miss Wakefield had concocted any plan to break up the performance or any one's act. She is a gentlewoman, born and bred, and I'm sure never even thought of stoop- ing to such a thing. Marie Dainton looks less English than most of the artists who have come from her native land. Perhaps it is because Miss Dainton doesn't wear as much false hair as her English sisters. While most of her countrywomen have light brown hair, Marie's is coal black. She is wearing this week at the Colonial a dainty lace frock, relieved by a Victoria colored belt and rosettes on the corsage. The jet buttons on the evening coat and waiscoat worn by George Anderson in "The Queen of the Moulin Rouge" may not be new, but they are wonderfully striking and simply "look great." As much cannot be said for the costumes worn during the two acts in the piece by Isabelle D*Armond, which are surprisingly ordinary. She appeared more the house- maid than a Princes or a Queen, the two roles taken by her. The dressing all through "The Queen of the Moulin Rouge" cannot commence to compare with the Anna Held show ("Miss Innocence"). Had the managers of "The Queen" taken the pains to collect a fairly good company even and dress them as befits a Broadway production, there would have resulted a show liked better than the one at the New York Theatre. The music of "The Queen of the Moulin Rouge" far surpasses that in ''Miss Inno- cence. »» During a "dark scene" at the New York the other night a "Johnnie" in the first row of the orchestra tossed a note upon the stage. When the lights biased forth, Charles Bigelow noticed it and politely handed it to the chorus girl it was addressed to. A snicker ran around the folks on the stage. It may have been "business," but I don't think so, but I did think that that "Johnnie" would be scratched off my visiting list right away if he tried to send me a note like that without a bunch of flowers attached. UNITED AFRAID OF "SPIES." On Tuesday morning George O'Brien, who had been engaged by Jack Levy as his representative at the United Booking Offices, was informed by an official of that agency after he had been there for about half an hour that he could not remain in the "managers' room." The reason as- signed was that Mr. O'Brien, having re- cently been an employee of the iiorris office, might be a "spy." Mr. O'Brien had engaged with Mr. Levy the day before. It is two weeks since he left the Morris employ through having incurred the enmity of one of the Morris staff for some slight reason. Mr. O'Brien's only remsrk was that as the United had met with such great suc- cess in its first "barring list" it intended commencing another "blacksheet" on em- ployees. When the story became known a general laugh followed. Upon hearing of the reception Mr. O'Brien had met with in his quest for employment, William Morris sent for him and personally adjusted the controversy which had arisen, inviting O'Brien to re- turn to his booking office, which he may do. Freeman Bernstein has again taken over the Park Theatre, at Bergen Point, N. J. He was the original owner of the prop- erty. William Morris will probably book in summer vaudeville. The property may be enlarged and converted into a park. THREE CAPITALISTS INTERESTED. St. Louis, March 11. A. C Steuver, John D. Tebbetts and John J. Murdock are the capitalists behind the independent film exchange to be estab- lished here. No details have been an- nounced. A picture theatre costing $20,000 is con- templated for Hamilton, O., by McCarthy A Ward. Alice Mason was married at Newark March 2 to J. K. Wheten.