Variety (December 1912)

AUDEVILLE DEAL RUMORED WITH WM. MOR RIS AT HEAD annexation of New House at Detroit and Disposal of Interest in William Morris, Inc., for Reported Sum of $150,000 Give Rise to Story. Morris Non-Committal PRICE 10 CENTS. A rumor that has kept within close confines for some time past became stronger this week when it leaked out William Morris had disposed of his one-third interest in William Morris, Inc., to Marcus Loew and Felix Is- man for the reported sum of $150,000. The rumor has been to the effect that Morris since the season started, has been quietly preparing to have a vaudeville circuit of his own. The start is said to be the new Washington- Detroit theatre at Detroit, lately ac- quired by Mr. Morris and with policy announced as concert or lyceum. The monied interests behind the De- troit property are also said to be ready to back him in his present pro- motion. It has been hinted Morris can secure the cooperation of the Shuberts in any vaudeville scheme he may be- come concerned in. The sale of his third interest in a ^corporation that has one piece of prop- erty (American theatre, New York) returning an annual profit of between $125,000 and $140,000 or more indicates to people who know Morris that he wanted once more to be thoroughly in- dependent in bis future movements. When the rumor as repeated in cer- tain quarters this week was given to Mr. Morris in the form of a question by a Variety representative, he first asked where it had come from, and im- mediately added "it is just a story." Mr. Morris confirmed, however, the report of the sale. Morris' private attorney, Jerome Wilzin, has been with him for several hours each day lately. Mr. Wilzin has seldom been seen around the Morris office, according to one of the staff there, except when something in the way of a new theatre or "deal" was imminent. Whatever project in the vaudeville line Morris may be working upon will probably not be known before the forthcoming return engagement of Harry Lauder gets fully under way. Mr. Lauder opens his fifth season at the Casino, New York, Dec. 23. Lau- der remains there one week. Another Morris star shortly due is Sirota, who will first appear in New York for this tour at Kessler's Second avenue thea- tre for a morning service Jan. 11, not again singing here until he gives a con- cert, March 23, at the Hippodrome. "The Blindness of Virtue" at the Stu- debaker, Chicago, and the Annette Kel- lermann show (which has been playing to. between $900 and $1,200 a perform- ance on the one-nighters) are the oth- er Morris enterprises. Morris retained one-third of the William Morris, Inc., stock when that corporation was given over to the di- rection of Mr. Loew. Other proper- ties then held by the company (such as the American Music Hall, Chicago and Plaza, New York), have been dis- posed of, the American, New York, playing Loew vaudeville, remaining its sole income maker. The American has made from $2,200 to $3,500 week- ly in profit the year around since holding "pop" vaudeville. The pro- creeds of the house, and other revenues of the corporation received since Mor- ris passed his company over, have been applied to the settlement of the Mor- ris Co. indebtedness. The company relieved of liability was about to be- come a dividend payer for the three partners, when negotiations were opened for Morris to sell his share to Messrs. Loew and Isman. Mr. Morris had a similar interest in the Loew I ir- cuit hooking office until he left that agency to open his own office. TUMK FTHI«%ATI»tfc HAS SITE, WANTS II3 4£x tt~^- 121± If a responsible tenant can be se- cured Edward Margolies and Lew Fields, who control a plot of ground on West 46th street, adjoining the Ful- ton, will erect thereon the largest com- bination playhouse iri New York. The plot is 275x100 feet and a house can be delivered for an annual rental of $75,000. MANAGERS* PRIVATE ELEVATOR. If the United Booking Offices suc- ceeds in subletting ^the sixth floor of the Putnam building it is their inten- tion to move bag and baggage to the the new Palace theatre building about Jan. 1. The new offices have been specially designed with a view to providing a private elevator and secret entrance for managers. FOR ALICE LLOYD. An offer for Alice Lloyd to reappear in vaudeville has been tendered by Gus McCune of the Fifth Avenue theatre. The figure set by the manager for Miss Lloyd to spend the week before Christ- mas at his house as the feature attrac- tion is $2,000. $2,500 has been named by Miss Lloyd as the inducement that will bring her back to the twice daily. She closes her second season in "Little Miss Fix-It" at Syracuse this week. BIG BILLS AT NEWARK. Newark, Dec. 4. A policy of big and long bills with- out so much attention paid to the im- portance of the headline will mark a new policy at Proctor's theatre here, commencing Christmas week. UNDERSTUDY AS "PROPS." Arthur Shaw, who scored the indi- vidual hit of "The Yellow Jacket" at the Fulton in the role of the property man, was taken ill a few days ago. A player of a minor character in the piece was hurriedly impressed into the part, and has continued, pending Mr. Shaw's recovery. "WEEK BEFORE" CLOSINGS. The customary large number of "lay offs" over the period of the week be- fore Christmas or earlier, is carded for this season, as in others. There may be a number of theatres that will lock their doors somewhat earlier than usual this season, waiting for the week with Xmas in it to ar- rive. JOSEPHINE BROWN'S SKETCH BAD Josephine Brown, late leading lady for William Gillette, tried out a sketch at Proctor's, Newark, Monday after- noon and was cancelled after the first show, the playlet being unworthy. A new sketch is being written by Bayard Yeillcr, on the strength of which her New York time in the Keith houses is being held for dates in the immediate future. IDEA FOR PATRICK. One of the agents in the Putnam Building has been making overtures to Albert T. Patrick, the recently par- doned man who was convicted of the murder of William Marsh Rice. The idea of the booking representative is to have Mr. Patrick, deliver a lecture on "The Little Green Door," illustrat- ed with moving pictures. Up to date the agent has been unable to report much progress. $3, NEW YEAR'S EVE. Most of the legitimate houses in New York have decided to raise tin- price of orchestra scats for New Year'* Eve to $3 tliis year. Heretofore they considered themselves fortunate to get $2.50, but the $3 rate will be prePy generally adhered to this year. Woods. Krazec & Lcdercr :r ; <-d the $3 scale at the New Amsterdam with "Madame Sherry" two yea' ^ .;■■• and played to $3,900 in one per; .rmainv h that occasion. $600,000 TORONTO HOUSE. Toronto, Dec 4. Buffalo theatrical promoters will in- vest $600,000 in a new vaudeville thea- tre on Queen and Richmond streets. The parcel known as the Orr property fronts 100 ft. on Queen street and is valued at $3,000 a front foot. The Richmond street frontage is 80 feet, valued at $2,000 a foot. The building contract will be given to the Orr Bros., who will have an in- terest in the enterprise.