Variety (June 1916)

16 VARIETY Cabaret managers in New York are not likely to attempt any extraordinary advantage through the decision giv- ing them the right to produce a free show without a theatrical license, when no admission is charged. Jules Keller who was first fined $50 for a violation, and won the decision on his appeal, says he merely wanted to make the point and does not expect to change his character of entertainment nor extend it, through the favorable decision. Mr. Keller bore the expense of the appeal There is no association of cabaret pro- prietors other than those who may be joint members of the Hotel Men's As- sociation. The principal contention on the appeal was that Maxim's, giving a free show as an added attraction to induce patronage, was in the same posi- tion as a store which might have a Punch and Judy show in the window to stop passers-by. E. G. Wood has assumed the man- agement of the Portola-Louvre, San Francisco, and the place is offering a pretentious Revue, featuring Bobbie Robinson, Lillian Tovin, Ray Law- rence, several other principals and a show girl chorus. Bobbie Robinson is doing the bulk of the leading with Ray Lawrence following, both register- ing strongly. Manager Wood has staged a stairway ensemble using en- tire company for the number followed with a song and danre on the runway, erected especially for the Revue. Under the new arrangement business has shown an increase and Manager Wood's initial effort has proven so satisfactory that his contract has been extended. A "cooch" double header is being done at Maxim's by a couple of rather nice looking Hawaiians in the act now there known as Mull's Seven Royal Hawaiians. It's an orchestra from Honolulu. All the members play. Dur- ing one of the pieces the two girls slip out of their chairs onto the floor, executing an "Hawaiian" dance in unison, and they make it look very neat. As the "cooch" dance is now more respectfully termed Hawaiian in show circles, this being done by two girls as a team gives it more of a novelty than it previously possessed for many. Maxim's added the seven players on top of its regular free girly floor show. One of the few remaining landmarks of the old "honky tonks" is to be found up in Elmira, N. Y., at a rendezvous known as the Music Hall. The music hall is nothing more or less than a "box joint" where the "artists" alter- nate in working the stage and boxes. The program carries several girls who sing in turn, each offering a popular number, after which they return to the balcony to "receive" friends. Popular prices prevail, but anything purchased for the girls calls for a quarter price, be it wine or beer (generally lager). The "townies" have affectionately labelled it "Clinker Hall." The Strand Roof since reopening under the Meyerowitz management is featuring a table d'hote dinner, at one dollar, with wine. The place appears to be drawing very well. A. B. Con- wright is dancing th*re with Gloria Goodwin. Mr. Conwright started with May Dunn as his partner, then changed during a day to Miss Goodwin. A free revue of four principals and six choris- ters, under the management of Lea Herrick, is an attraction. It's a bright affair, seemingly held down to a limited outlay for production and talent. Durant and Hawkesworth, the Plaza Hotel dancers, may not reappear there next season. Negotiations are pend- ing for them to accept another New York hotel engagement. While at the Plaza the couple were given the entire gate, at which one dollar admission was charged, the only expense to the dancers being the cost of the orchestra for the ballroom. They have been at the Plaza two years, and during their stay there, are said to have netted an average of $1,800 weekly for them- selves. The rain last week set back the road houses, after the fast opening of the season's start they had secured. The wide variance of cost of remaining open when there is no business, such as oc- curred last week, may be seen when one r place operating at an expense of $500 daily wasn't 25 miles away from another resort, of even larger capacity, that was run through the dead period at a daily expense of $72. The first place though carried a show. Both re- sorts retained a full staff of help. The unknown professional dancers seem to be having their inning at paid cabaret work just now. The restau- rant men have probably learned the "name" dancer means little any more, so the sharpshooter who has been hanging around can now get a look-in, since it doesn't make much difference who is doing the "specialty" on the ballroom floor. The Brighton Beach Hotel, opening Saturday, will have three musical or- ganizations, two orchestras for danc- ing and a band of 20 pieces on the porch. The musical outfits will be furnished the hotel by Ban-Joe Wal- lace, who will also have charge of the hotel's big dance club, to hold bi-weekly meetings on Tuesday and Saturday nights. Hammond Beach Inn., Hammond, Ind., had its inaugural ceremonies for the new season June 3-4 and a large number of Chicago folks motored out for the opening. The Inn is jointly operated by H. J. Kavanaugh and M. E. Moriarty. The show this year is under Morris Silver's direction. Jule* Lensberg, the Colonial (New York) orchestra leader, after two weeks' vacation, will lead the musicians on the new roof of the Hotel Rudolf, Atlantic City, this summer. Mr. Leu- be rg will also furnish the music as usual for Morrison's (vaudeville), Rockaway Beach, during its hot weath- er run. The RorJsserie of Razetti & Cella's, at the La Parisienne, 630 Eighth ave- nue, or the Eldorado, 1599 Broadway, is giving especial attention to show folks and securing much success In this catering to' the profession. The prices are reasonable for these strictly high-grade dining rooms, and there is also a Palm Garden to eat in. The Rosa Villa, just above New Rochelle on the Boston Post Road is under new management, serving a French cooked meal. The best bird's- eye view of the Sound to be had any- where along that path of travel may be secured from its windows. The revue organized for the Hotel McAlpin by Leo Edwards was aband- oned after being in rehearsal over a month. The principals were Stanley Warner, Billy Arnold, Emily Pullman, Pauline Prim, Margie Monroe, Yvonne Dale. *M 'Splash Me, 1916," will be a new free show at the Hotel Shelburne, Coney Island, next week, Lea Herrick will supervise the new show, which is to be put on by Julian Mitchell. Only the costuming of the present production ia to be retained. The lower floor of the White Rats Club House has been closed for the past week to allow an army of painters and decorators an opportunity to reno- vate the premises. A new lighting sys- tem has been installed and the whole floor repainted and redecorated. Healy's at 66th street is being trimmed up for warm weather and will remain open throughout the summer. Reisenweber's on the Circle, now giv- ing its revue in the ballroom (that has been prettily decorated), may also run right through the hot spell. The Hawaiian Room at the Casino, Brighton Beach, postponed its formal opening from last week to last night. The Seabourn Hotel at Coney Island opened for the season last Sunday. Johnny Phelan's Village Inn, located at 181st street and Boston road is carrying off the bulk of the neighbor- hood patronage with a good cabaret show running continually. The Green Mill Gardens in Chicago has staged its new revue and provided a show that promises to draw well while it is kept on the boards. The Three Romano Sisters, in vaude- ville, opened this week in the cabaret at Rector's. Holly Arms at Hewlett, L. I., had its season's opening Wednesday. OBITUARY. Acton Davits, one of the most widely known dramatic critics in the United States, died in Chicago June 12, in the Lakeview Hospital, of rheumatism of the heart. Deceased was 48 years old, and was born in Canada, the son of a British army officer. He came to New York in 1897, as a reporter, and three years later joined the staff of the Eve- ning Sun. In 1903 he succeeded Charles B. Dillingham as the dramatic critic of that publication, retaining that post until 1914, during which time he en- countered some strenuous times, hav- ing been barred from certain play- houses and suffering one or two physi- cal encounters at the hands of enraged actors and managers. His "style" of writing was acutely facetious and at other times rhapsodically exotic He retired from the Sun staff shortly after William C. Reick took command, going from there to the Tribune fn a similar capacity, but gave that up in a brief space of time to enter the employ of the Shuberts as publicity representative. At the time of his demise he was in Chicago in advance of H. H. Frazee's production, "Nothing But the Truth." Two brothers and two sisters survive him. Forty hours before his final sum- mons came, Davies sent the managing editor of the New York Sun the fol- lowing message: "Acton Davies still making magnificent fight for breath. Have gained ground today. To you, George, I say thanks. You and Mrs. Smith were always strong for me. I want to clasp the hand of dear old Cliff Purdy, and, no matter which tide of the river I am on, he will hear from me. Love to all. I am not done for yet." Mrs. Glenn Ford McKinney (Jean Webster), the authoress of "Daddy Long Legs," died Sunday at the Sloane Maternity Hospital, following the birth of a daughter, Saturday. She was a niece of Mark Twain, and was wedded to Mr. McKinney last September. The baby is healthy and will live. Ia lovtag MMBory of Joseph L. Hanrahan Who departed Jubo 14th, 1111 MRS. HANRAHAN (Dorothy Wost) (Joyco and West) Mrs. Herman Nighton, of the Five Statues (originally the Four Nightons), died May 30 at the German Hospital, San Francisco, of heart failure. Marie Grey, for several years with Tom Linton's "Jungle Girls," died this week in Bellevue Hospital, New York, after a two weeks' illness. Mrs. Anna Kaufman whose three sons are connected with the film busi- ness in Canada died June 3, in Toronto in her 66th year.