Variety (June 1911)

VARIETY MANAGERS STEALING MARCH UPON "KISMET PRODUCTION Reported Intention to Forestall the Klaw & Erlanger American Presentation of the London Success. While the rumor is worded that cer- tain New York managers "intend to steal a march upon Klaw & Erlanger's 'Kismet'," it is actually reported that the same certain managers referred to in the rumors are contemplating the stealing of the play itself, slightly changed to avoid legal entanglements. "Kismet" is an elaborate produc- tion, founded upon a tale from "The Arabian Nights." It opened at the Garrlck, I^ondon, where it is a proven success. There are twenty scenes, admitting plenty of leeway for spec- tacular effects as well as novelties. A large tank in which expert swimmers disport themselves is a feature of the London show. The rumor says that the New York managers are going to boldly appropri- ate this piece, showing it in New York before Klaw & Erlanger can make the production over here. Marc Klaw secured the American rights to "Kis- met" recently, while in London. It is said to be the leader of the Oriental play rage that seems doomed to be present next season. WOODS GETS KITTY. A. H. Woods has statuesque Kitty Gordon under contract and will star her in a production next season. Miss Gordon is at present in Europe, where she will remain until some time in August. Otto Hauerbach is busy writing the piece for the former female star of "Alma." The author, who sailed for Denmark, his native land, last Tues- day, delivered a scenario into the hands of Manager Woods, before leav- ing. The book is to be complete on his return to this country. This will be the first piece that Hauerbach has written without collaborating with Carl Hoschna. In this instance the score will be furnished by a well- known' Parisian musician. * Maude Lambert also signed a con- tract with A. H. Woods through Matt Grau. last week which calls for her appearance in the company which will support Eddie Foy next season under the Woods management. Miss Lambert will play vaudeville under the direction of Jenie Jacobs (Casey Agency ) until the rehearsals are called for the new Foy piece. THK ZIEGFELI) SHOW. F. Ziegfeld, Jr., has announced his completed cast for "The Follies of 1911." The show opens at the Apollo. Atlantic City. June 19, appearing at the New York Roof June 20. In the company will be Bessie McCoy. Lillian Lorraine, Fanny Brice, Clara Palmer. Dolly Sisters, Vera Maxwell. Arline Boley, Harry Watson, Leon Er- rol, Walter Percival, Brown and Bly- ler, Tom Dingle. Charles A. Mason, George White. Peter Swift. Addie Young, also Bert Williams and a chorus of "76 Anna Held girls." When "The Follies" of the current season Is presented at th e New York roof there will be disclosed an enter- tainment differing materially from the annual "Follies" shows heretofore dis- closed. It will be practically a musical com- edy with a sustained story. Inter- spersed with a series of novelties ac- cumulated for some time past. HIjOSSOM wants a divorce. New Haven, Ct., June 7. Blossom Seeley. with "The Hen- Pecks" this season, has brought suit for divorce against William Curtin, of this city, alleging Intemperance and cruelty. Curtin filed a counter suit against his wife, naming Mike Bernard as co-respondent. The couple have been married seven years. There is a daughter five years old GOULD MAY JOIN SURATT. San Francisco, June 7. Billy Gould may decide to forego his Honolulu vacation, and listen to Valeska Suratt, who wants him to join "The Red Rose." REVIVAL SUMMER SUCCESS. (Special Cable to Variety*) London, June 7. A revival of "The Cat and the Che- rub" for a summer run has met with much success here. "PINAFORE" GETTING THE MONEY The revival of "Pinafore" at the Casino has proven a huge success. Last week's takings were in the neighbor- hood of $18,000. This week's will be equally as large. The two principal women. Marie Ca- hill and Lousie Gunning, will remain with the company for only four weeks, both then retiring for a summer's va- cation prior to opening on their next season's respective starring tours. ROSS REOPENS THE CORT. Chicago, June 7. When the Cort reopens in the fall the attraction will be "An Everyday Man" with Thomas Ross in the title role. Owen Davis wrote the piece. Davis is the author of "Cherub Di- vine," which had a run of one matinee at the Grand Opera House here last season. Charles Dickson's new piece is to be called "An Average Man." He feels that the Frazee & Lederer-Owen Da- vis title. 'An Every Day Man," might conflict and has requested Frazee & Ledcrer to select another. Inasmuch as Dickson was first in the field and his paper is being made, the request may he compiled with. STOPPING "COAST" DANCES. Chicago, June 7. It Is evident that Chief McSweeney means to stamp the "Grizzly Bear" and "Texas Tommy" out of existence as far as Chicago is concerned. Last Sunday Policeman Kayes, one of the chief's staff, arrested George Dletz at a picnic In Crawford's Grove for dancing the "Grizzly." His partner escaped. Kayes entered a charge of disorderly conduct against the spieler. TWO DILLINGHAM SHOWS. Charles B. Dillingham has leased from William A. Brady for next sea- son the services of Thomas A. Wise, to create the title role In a new piece by Anne Caldwell and James O'Dea, to be called "Uncle Sam." It will bs presented the latter part of August. Juliette Dika, Josephine Brown and Arthur Shaw have been engaged to support Mr. Wise. Mr. Dillingham has another piece by Miss Caldwell entitled "The Life of the Party," in which he will present Jack Barrymore next season. $5,000 ORGAN FOR "BEN HUR." To properly place an organ in a theatre for assistance to the regular orchestra is now being attempted by Klaw & Erlanger. It is intended to aid the volume of the music during the revival of the "Ben Hur" at the Amsterdam theatre early next season. The organ will have a position un- der the orchestra pit, in the trench, just under the sounding board. The expense will run to $5,000 for the pipe Instrument. GAIETY FOR GOULD? (Special Cable to Variety.) London, June 7. It Is reported Frank J. Gould has secured the Gaiety, London. Th e Gai- ety has been the.home of the George Edwardes musical shows. COTTON CROP BIG. New Orleans, June 7. The cotton belt in the south seems to be In for a period of prosperity next season. The cotton crop has been officially reported 5.000.000 bales over the previous high mark. This means lots of money down here. The show business will get its share. DOESN'T WANT COAST TRIP. A tour to the Pacific Coast next sea- son in "He Came From Milwaukee" doesn't appeal to Sam Bernard. Mr. Bernard closed with that show in Chi- cago last week, reaching New York, Monday. The Shuberts have planned to send star and attraction to the west, but the star isn't favorable to the arrange- ment. Mr. Bernard has not settled upon anything definite, beyond a va- cation with his family this summer. I..<k .nit) Violet Kelly sail Saturday for Km rope to open in the English en pi; .! inly 3. placed by B. A. Myers. NO TEN-GENT GALLERIES. A report spread about last week that at a meeting of the legitimate managers, it had been decided to adopt a ten-cent admission scale for the gal- leries of first class theatres, to com- pete with the picture entertainments. The story turned out to have been unfounded. GERTIE HOFFMANN'S SURPRISE. Next Wednesday there is scheduled to be shown at the Shuberts Winter Garden, New York, a new production in which Gertrude Hoffmann will be the center. It will have 125 people on the stage, and about sixty pieces in the orchestra. The present revue at the Garden will close this Saturday night. Next season It will go on tour over the Shu- bert houses, with many of the present principals traveling with it. Miss Hoffmann's production has been in preparation for about seven weeks. Rehearsals have been secretly held. Though Inklings have reached Btoadway of the coming surprise, the main details have been well guarded. If the show wins out strongly enough at its opening performances, the Win- ter Garden over the summer will be given up to it. A large amount of money is said to be represented in the production, which may be a surprise to many in more ways than one. KNIGHT, PRINCIPAL COMEDIAN. Percy Knight has refused a season's booking in vaudeville to take the lead- ing comedy role in "The Quaker Girl" next season, having been loaned by Charles Frohman to Messrs. William Harris and Frank McKee. CLARA LIPMAN STARRING. Clara Lipman will go starring again next season, with a new piece by Sam- uel Shipman, opening early in the fall. Her husband, Louis Mann, will start again with "Th e Cheater." About Dec. 1 he will try out a new play. If successful, it will be brought into New York at once. MASON'S RUN CLOSING. John Mason, who is playing Augus- tus Thomas' "As a Man Thinks," at the Thirty-Ninth Street theatre, will remain there until about July 1, re- opening in the piece at the same house Aug. 7. "MAGGIE PEPPER'S" VACATION. Chicago, June 7. Rose Stahl will close her Chicago engagement of "Maggie Pepper" at the Illinois in two weeks and sail for Eng- land. Nothing has been selected to succeed Miss Stahl at the Illinois as yet. fclARRYMORE AT $2,000. $2,000 weekly for a couple of weeks or more will tempt Jack Barrymore into vaudeville this summer, it Is said. Mr. Barrymore is through with his season in "The Fortune Hunter." Dave Robinson of the New Brighton Theatre offered Mr. Barrymore $1,000 for one week. This was declined. Setting the figure at twice the amount, it is quite likely Mr. Barrymore will receive it, first appearing at the Ma- jestic, Chicago. He will play a sketch, assisted by four people. FHAZKE GOING AWAY. H. H. Frazee has booked passage on the Adriatic for next .Monday. His trip abroad is purely one of recreation. He joins his wife in London and will make a six weeks' tour of the conti- nent.