Variety (May 1909)

TEN CENTS VOL. XIV., NO. 8. MAY 1, }9Q9. PRICE TEN CENTS. "OPPOSITION VAUDEVILLE" IS ONE YEAR OLD TO-D AY (MAY I.) The First Anniversary of the Independent Circuit Falls on William Morris' 36th Birthday. Ml r Mr The thirty-sixth birthday of William Morris is today (Saturday), the first nniversary of the incorporation of Mr. Morris' company (William Morris, Inc.), "the opposition" in vaudeville. Despite the dire predictions of his op- ponents, who cackled and laughed at Mor- ris' idea of establishing an independent chain of vaudeville houses, under his own management, Mr. Morris has lived and thrived through the first and hardest sea- son. Showmen versed in the vaudeville busi- ness have estimated that the Morris Cir- cuit's books will have a net profit of over $100,000 when the wind up of this season arrives. In "opposition," had the Morris Circuit or any other independent move- ment of comparatively the same size and magnitude closed the first session of a continuous battle with a loss of $100,000 instead, it would still have been voted successful. The Morris Circuit as it stands to-day is composed of the following houses, booked from the New York headquarters: (The Chicago branch has a number of houses booked from that point, not in- cluded): American and Plaza Music Halls, New York; American Music Hall, Chi- cago; Orpheum, Boston; Fulton, Brook- lyn; Dominion, Winnipeg; Miles, Minne- apolis; Green wall's, New Orleans; Lyric, Newark. The Miles, Dominion, Fulton and Lyric are booked only by Morris. The re- mainder William Morris, Inc., now oper- ate directly, excepting the Greenwall, to open August 31. During the season the Morris Circuit has given up two theatres in which it was financially interested in the outcome. Those were the Lincoln Square and IMancy's, Yonkcrs, both conducted in partnership with Charles E. Bluney. 1*001' business caused the abandonment of the Yonkers theatre; dissatisfaction over the management brought about the withdrawal from the Lincoln Square. Of the houses on the Morris route sheet at the opening of the '03-'09 season, Fore- paugh's, Philadelphia, and The Savoy, Fall River, were dropped shortly after- wards. Each was booked only by the Morris office. The latest acquisition to the circuit, Greenwall's, New Orleans, will be followed by other southern cities very soon, it is said, giving the Morris Circuit an easy entrance by short jumps into New Or- leans. The theatre building at Atlanta, Ga., has been announced as one of the Morris bookings upon opening. While the Morris office furnishes no par- ticulars, it is reported on fairly con- clusive hearsay that arrangements to build have been completed in two large cities containing a theatre each booked through either the United Booking Offices or its affiliated western end, the Orpheum Circuit. If authentic information may be relied upon, other deals are pending and im- pending which will give the .Morris Cir- cuit at least fifteen first-class houses by June 1. It is said that the recent activity of the Shuberts in entering the market as bidder for theatres outside New York interfered with several deals Morris had under way, the competition for houses causing an upheaval in prices. The success of the Morris Circuit has upset the calculations of those who claimed that while William Morris was one of the best vaudeville agents, he would not succeed managerially. As the head of his circuit, with all the manifold duties and details under his personal ob- servation and direction, Morris has forced admiration for his showmanship qual- ities and his undoubted undaunted nerve. What was considered his greatest feat, securing Harry lander from under the eyes of all 1 lie -Jmw world, was dimmed by the "music hall'' policy he inaugurated (Continued on page 13.) 5-10 BETTER THAN $i. Philadelphia, April 29. Last week the Grand Opera House, re- cently converted from melodrama to mov- ing pictures and vaudeville at the 5-10 cent scale, played to the almost unbe- lievable total of $2,000. It it being run under the management of W. Miller, of Miller & Kaufman, owners of the Girard Avenue Theatre. This total is said to represent a profit of $1,000 on the week. Stair & Havlin bookings at the $1 tariff have played to as little as $1,400 during the past year. PALMISTRY ON THE STAGE. Denver, April 29. Last week at the Crystal, Kyrogo, bill- ing himself as "The Man of Strange Pow- ers," read the hands of anyone in the audience who cared to avail himself of the opportunity. The palmist did not leave the stage. The reading was accomplished with the aid of a large mirror, and could be heard by the entire house. MISS HOFFMANN WANTS $2,000. "The Mimic World" will close to-night (Saturday), releasing Gertrude Hoffmann, the feature of that Shubert show the past season, for vaudeville. Miss Hoffmann has commissioned Jack Levy, her booking agent, to secure vaude- ville engagements for a few weeks, com- mencing May 10, and wants a salary mark of $2,000 weekly placed upon her services. In return for this, the dancer- imitator will furnish the managers two acts on one program. The first in the early part of the bill will be Miss Hoff- mann's "Spring Song" dance; the sec- ond her series of impersonations. HAS STAR AND GARTER FOR A WEEK. Chicago, April 29. Commencing May 23, for one week, the Star and (Jailer will pass over to the « wliisive management of William Morris, wln> will present a vaudeville bill for the period. K will be headed by James J. Jrll'ries. going to the Star and Garter direct from Morris' American, this city, where Jeffries will open May 10. STELLA MAYHEW GETS OVER. (Special Cable to VARIETY.) London, April .29. At the Coliseum on Monday Stella May- hew in her first London vaudeville ap- pearance got over nicely. Ethel McDonough, the American "Drum- mer Girl/' opening at the Metropolitan the same day waa a big hit. From Liverpool, the report of the'open- ing there of the Avon Comedy Four, an American act, is very glowing. AFTER SULTAN'S DANCING GIRL. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 20. B. A. Rolfe, the American, left here Tuesday for Port Said to place under con- tract Orythya, a favorite dancing girl in the harem of the dethroned Turkish Sul- tan. She escaped from Constantinople during the disturbances, and is reported in the "wickedest place in the world" (Port Said). The girl will be featured in a new pro- duction Rolfe will present in the States next September. GERMANY'S FIRST SKATING RINK. Berlin, April 10. The first roller skating rink «in Ger- many has been opened by Nick Kauf- mann, Ike Rose and W. A. Parsons, the latter from New York. The craze has struck Berlin and it is predicted the promoters will garner a for- tune from the enterprise. TALK OF BOMBSHELL EXPLODING. San Francisco, April 20. There is some underground talk here by persons connected that there will be a bombshell shortly exploded in the ranks of western vaudeville managers. Particu- lars given so far are with a pledge they are not to be published until released. That may be within a week or so. McKEE ACCEPTS FAGAN'S PLAY. "The Land of Fancy." a musical comedy by J. llcruard (Harney) Fagan, has been accepted for product inn next season by Frank Mckec. Maurice licvi will furnish the music.