Variety (December 1909)

TEN GENTS VOL. XVI., NO. 13. DECEMBER 4, 1909. PRICE TEN CENTS. LEGITIMATE THEATRES MAY DIVIDE TI ME FOR V AUDEVILLE Agreement Said to Have Been Practically Settled Uporf That Shubert Houses Will Alternate with Morris Vaudeville. It was reported this week that follow- ing the routing of the Harry Lauder vaude- ville road show in the Shubert theatres, an arrangement had been agreed upon be- tween the Shuberts and William Morris whereby the latter will organize vaudeville programs for continued travel or week stands, to occupy open time in any of the legitimate theatres booked by the Shuberts. Nothing definite regarding the arrange- ment could be learned. Speculation is rife at present as to how the compact entered into between the United States Amusement Co. (of which the Shuberts were a party at the time) and the United Booking Offices will enter into the present or possible Shubert-Mor- ris affiliation. That agreement signed at the time of the "settlement" bewcen Klaw & Erlanger and the United forbade any of the parties playing or dabbling in vaude- ville for ten years. Since then the United States Co., which was the corporation operating Klaw & Erlanger's "Advanced Vaudeville" has dissolved. The parties to the settlement agreement however signed as individuals. Felix Isman, one of the signers, has been active in the Morris Circuit, without at- tempting to secrete his interest. While the United threatened to commence suit for the collection of the penalty ($200,000) pro- vided for a violation of the agreement, no action has been started. MEYERFELD GIVES OUT STATEMENT. San Francisco, Dec. 2. Upon the return of Morris Meyerfeld, Jr., to his home here last week he gave out a long statement. In it Mr. Meyerfeld said all was peace between the Orpheum and the United; that William Morris didn't have a chance in the world to succeed in the west with vaudeville, and that the Shuberts had the same chance against Klaw & Erlanger. INCREASES CAPITAL STOCK. Cincinnati, Dec. 2. The Anderson-Ziegler Co., of which Max ('. Anderson is president, has increased its capital from $050,000 to $750,000. The Walnut Street Theatre Co. increases from $10,000 to $250,000. Mr. Anderson is also president of the latter. The increases are said to have been for the purpose of placing the companies at their proper valuation. Besides Messrs. Anderson and Ziegler. (ieorge B. Cox, lien Ileidingsfeld and (larry Herrmann are stockholders. $2,000 FOR A RETURN. Two thousand dollars weekly for six weeks next spring is what will bring Rock and Fulton back into vaudeville for that length of time, said William Rock this week. They arc at the head of "The Candy Shop," the Dillingham production at the Montauk, Brooklyn. With the proposition of two per turned down, Billy says he will wander along the European highways for his summer. A RESTAURANT "SPLIT WEEK." Chicago, Dec. 3. Owing to the success accompanying the Saratoga Hotel's Saturday night "blow- outs." Roy Sebree is seriously considering a good scheme to tear out a few of the booths in the restaurant and erect a permanent stage. If this happens, the Saratoga will give a vaudeville show every night and "split" with the Boston Oyster House. OLDEST ENGLISH AGENT DEAD. (Special Cable to VARIETY.) London, Dec. 1. Hugh Didcott, the oldest agent in Lon- don, died in this city last Friday. 'OPPOSITION" ACT IN KEITH'S. Boston, Dec. 2. An "opposition" act—and of "Morris' "— is at Keith's this week. It is "At the White House," in which Benjamin Chapin and Co. appear. The sketch played the American, Chi- cago, during the Lincoln holiday week last spring, and was bid for very lively just before the Morris booking, by the United Booking Offices. The only difference between the piece as at Keith's and at the Morris house in Chi- cago is that Chapin himself did not appear in it in the West. THREW HIMSELF FROM TRAIN. Chicago, Dec. 2. W. C. Hayes threw himself from an A.. C. & E. I. train near Danville, 111., on Monday while suffering from nervous prostration. At last advices he is in a dangerous condition at the Danville Hos- pital. Mr. Hayes was formerly of Roberts, Hayes and Roberts, Bert Lamb, late of the Morgan and McGarry act, succeeded him with the trio. Mr. Roberts bought Hayes transportation to his home in Lyerly, Ga., and placed him in a sleeper. Hayes seemed better then, having been suffering for several days from nervous- ness. The act is to play Danville next week, and this may have caused Hayes to aim for there. Hayes' private name is William Daniel Curbe. PAULINE DOES A STUNT. Boston, Dec. 2. Five thousand people watched Pauline on Tuesday as. blindfolded, he led three well-known men through the street to the post office after locating a key. He opened the correct letter box and delivered a letter the committee had placed therein. Each one of the committee attended to some part of the preliminaries without the knowledge of either of the others. None had ever met Pauline before. They each took oath to it. TWO ACTS MAKE GOOD. (Special Cable to VARIETY.) London, Dec. 1. Bert French and Alice Eis in "The Vam- pire Dance" scored a solid success upon opening at the Hippodrome Monday. The act was sent in without any blare. It may become a feature, the hazard having been taken with that in view. Little money is being paid for the few weeks booked. "The Vampire" will be a big help to the Hippodrome if it can attract attention. At the Pavilion, New Castle, on Mon- day Dave Lewis and Al Fields recorded a hit. At the Coliseum this week the Corina Sisters in a "continual" dancing act failed. A "CONSUL" IN BERLIN. (Special ('able to Varikty.) Berlin, Dec. 2. At the Apollo, Perbina's "Consul" opened last night. It is the greatest "monk" of them all. The Zazell-Vernon Troupe scored. The Four Fords opened big at tlu» Wintergarten. Keeley Bros, did fairly and Emerson and Baldwin were well re- ceived there. NO NOVELTIES AT "DOM." * (Special Cable to Vaiukty.) Berlin, Dec. 2. The animal "Dnm" at Hamburg is held this month, opening yesterday. It is a general "try out" for ads from all over t lie comiticnt. Reports from Hamburg < n the opening *ay no novelties are on tiie bills. EVA ASKING $2,500. For her reappearance in vaudeville Eva TaiiLMiay is asking $2,500 a week of the managers in the United Booking Offices. It is said Miss Tanguay may open her re- turn tour at Keith's, Boston, Dec. 13. While the I'nited managers would prefer the eccentric singer at a lower figure, her set price is apt feo prevail. "The Follies of 1909" is to lose its pres- ent star tonight, according to the plans, though Nora Bavea. who is to succeed Miss Tanjniav in the role created bv Miss Bayes, was reported ill on Thursday.