The New York Clipper (April 1916)

THE NEW YORK CLIPPER April 22 WHITE RATS INSTALL OFFICERS. PRESIDENT FITZ PATRICK BUSY ACKNOWLEDGING CONGRATULATIONS. HURT MOOHTFORD IN CAUFORBU—WILL RETURH IN THREE WEEKS. The newly elected officers of the White Rats, In. eluding President Junes Wm. Fits Patrick, Vice President- Ed. Clarke and the directors were duty Installed In office at the regular meeting heid at the lodge rooms Tuesday evening, April 18. International Organizer Harry Mountford Is In Los Angeles, Cal., this week, attending to the se- curing of further recruits and completing ar- rangements according to the campaign as planned. Be will return to New York In three weeks, when Important announcements will be made at another monster meeting. A lot of publicity Is being given his compalgn in all the cities he has been In or Is about to visit, and all the papers are devoting considerable space to the White Bats. President Fits Patrick has been kept busy ac- knowledging the thousands of congratulatory tele- grama and letters, to all of which he gives his per- sonal attention. THE SOUTHWEST V. M. A. The Southwest Vaudeville Managera* Associa- tion, which has a new circuit In Oklahoma, Texas and 'Missouri, has started off In a manner that presages President W. E. Weatherford and his associates have the right Idea. The shows are being booked by Charles B. Hodklns Oat of the Pantages offices in Chicago, and have given such splendid satisfaction that there Is a disposition among several other managers down that way to get into the circuit. The shows play the tour Intact, excepting at Oklahoma City, where the same management also gets a show from the Inter- State Circuit and pats them together, une'er what Js styled a hippodrome policy. The contracts are Issued for the entire circuit, and the time Is consecutive. Tbe Jump* are no worse than those encountered la the Middle West as a general thing. There are a few smaller places being added to.the circuit where some of the acts go, but this additional time Is not booked out of Chicago. The shows start at Tulsa, Okla., at pres- ent, but after Sept 1 will open at Joplln, Mo. Cora Tonngblood Corson heads one show playing that time, and her celebrated Instrumentalists are proving a big feature. The Original William Bor- stal Troupe Is to open on the tour April 27. The Great Rapoll, with bis new act, starts on that ttane April 23. Mile. Doree's "Beaux and Belles" opened April 20. Qeorge F. Allen's Cheyenne Min- strels are proving very successful down that tfay. Everest's monkeys have drawn big business every- where. Nick Sontoro and company, with a prize fight sketch, has proved a big card. Tbe Au- stralian Wastes created a sensation on the tour with their whip cracking stunts. The Three Blanos Just finished the circuit. The Belmont Glrl9, Fran- cis and De Mar, Billy Brown, Aerial Vivian, Bar- Hold's dogs, Musical Hunters, Blair and Crystal, and many other acta are on that tour. ACT CLOSES ITSELF. Monday afternoon, Copcland, Draper and com- pany, at the Fifth Avenue, New York, were In tbe midst of their act when the scenery used by the tarn felt a desire to fall and cause complications. It fuiailed its desire and incidentally was tbe cause of a quarrel between the members of the act Who disagreed to such an extent that they left the bill after the matinee and were replaced by Willie Weston for the night performance. -^— s "THE LUCKY FELLOW." Atlantic Cm, April 17.—Before a large au- dience to-ndght. In Nixon's Apollo Theatre, David Belaeco presented for tbe first time on any stage Bol Cooper Megrue's new comedy, "The Lucky Fellow," Mr. Belasco being present to personally supervise the production. The excellent cast In- cluded: Frank Craven, Otto Kruger. Hayward Ginn, Charles Brokate, Rowland Lee, Barry Lelgh- ton, Allan Thomas, Carroll McComas, Marlon Ab- bott, Anne Meredith, lone Bright Beverly West, Helen MacKaller, Florence Deshon, Alice Carroll, Lillian Spencer, Emily Callawsy and others. After playing live nights and three matinees here, "The Lucky Fellow" will be presented, week April 24, at the Belasco Theatre,' Washington, D. C. a ■» READY TO HELP ACTORS. At a meeting held by Detroit film men. In pre- paration for raising money for the support of th-2 Actors' Home on Staten Island, N. Y., officers and chairmen of committees were appointed as follows: Honorary chairman, Mayor Marx; active chair- man, John H. Kunsky; secretary and publicity manager, Howard O. Pierce; theatres, A. J. Gll- liugham ; film exchanges, D. Leo Dennison ; benevo- lent societies, Mrs. William Martz; dramatic ao- cietles, Mrs. James A. Hurst; exhibitors. C.. M. Orth and J. C. Bitter. The motion picture theatres will contribute a. proportion of 'their box office receipts on a specified dsy. a i» "ALIAS SANTA CLAU3" POSTPONED. Owing to the illness of Willard Mack. David Be- lasco has postponed Indefinitely tbe production of "Alias Santa Clans." Mr. Mack's latest play. Mr. Mack was not only the author of this play, but he was cast for one of the leading roles, and his illness proved such a serious handicap to tbe peparatlou for the production that Mr. Belasco de- cided to suspend rehearsals for the present. a ■ » NO TROUBLE FOR GERMANS. According to a statement Issued by Commissioner of Immigration J. Brude Walker, of the Dominion of Canada, the report that actors of German na- tionality would be barred from Canada, is all wrong. The government baa taken no measure to keep any recognized performers of whatever na- tionality from filling Canadian engagements, if legitimately booked by or for them. ATWELL VERY ILL. Aa we go to press we leam that Ben Atwell, press representative o( the Knickerbocker and Rl&ltv theatres, is seriously til at tbe Hotel Princeton. He was stricken with ptomaine poisoning Aprl" 15, and his condition has alarned his friends. a ■» LAWRENCE RESIGNS. Walter N. Lawrence, who has been general man- ager for James IC Hackett for several seasons, has resigned from, that position. The desire of Mr. Lawrence to produce on his own account In given as the reason for his leaving Mr. Hackett. * » » «PETER RABBIT IN DREAMLAND." "Peter Rabbit In Dreamland" was presented af- ternoon of April 17, at tbe Century Theatre, by tbe Bedtime Stories Club, before a large gathering of children. a' a GET PANTAGES' BOOKINGS. The management of the Crescent Theatre, Tem- ple, Tex., have just signed a contract by which the house will have Pantages* Circuit vaudeville. ■ R. A. PITRDY RE-ELECTED. Rlchsrd A. Purdy was re-elected president of the United Theatrical Association, at Its annual meet- log April 17, at the Hotel Astor. a ■ a MRS. WAYBFRN SECURES DIVORCE. Justice Newburger granted a divorce to Helen D. Wayburn from Ned Wayburn, April 17, also the custody of their six year old son. Ned. o i e • ■ PASSES AWAY. Guy Hoppe, of Goldsmith and Hoppe, musical act died in Boston, Mass., April 13. BUSS SDHHERVULE TO RETUSN TO VAUDEVILLE, Amelia Snmmervllle will return to vaudeville next week In a comedy society playlet "Tbe Social Bwlm," which Is guaranteed sot to deal with woman's suffrage. The sketch Is now In rehearsal. Miss Summervllle's support includes: Jane Har- vey, Inbl Trelease, Anne Amenys, Anna Laugbney and Norman St Clair Bale. After a brief tour in nearby cities the sketch, will be seen In New York at tbe Palace. ' I ——— mm' HAVANA NEWS. Havana, April 11. There Is a noticeable, lull in Havana's gayety for the present betwixt and between seasons. Tbe last procession and masked halls of the carnival were Sunday, April 2. The Brncale Grand Opera Com- pany has closed its season, leaving the Naclonal dark. The end of March marked the closing ot the Spanish Opera Company, which has been giving light opera all season at the Campoamor. The company dissolved after very poor business and continued dissensions, and, the theatre baa been taken over by the Universal Fibs interests here. Universal features; "Knocks and Opportunities,'' "Tbe Broken Cola" series, and Ola Humphrey, In "Under the Crescent" are being shown this week. At the Payret Theatre, the Velaaco Spanish Operetta Co., which, opened March 9, for two months, continues to good bualnest, offering medi- ocre Spanish musical comedies, their feature bills being "La Venus de Pledra" and "Sol de Espana," with Violets, and Doloreta and Bilbos, dancers. Corio and Dlrras, the popular dancers atop the Plaza, suddenly split Just a few days before data announced aa a benefit for them. Miss Corlo re- turned to New York, while Dfaras continues teach- ing and Joining in the general dancing. Poor cabaret talent has given a blow to the Louvre, and It la virtually on tbe "dead" list, offering no> at- tractions. The plana to bring Caruso to the Naclonal having gone up in smoke, rumor has it that nego- tiations are pending for the appearance of the Russian Ballet at tbe close of its season at tbe Metropolitan, New York. This might be a good move and do good business among tbe Cubans, but It seems a rather poor season for such an attrac- tion, the tourist season about at aa end and miff- Summer almost upon us. However, It may De only rumor. Fbancib Aonew. DWARF ACROBAT HURT. Bela Golem, a Hungarian dwarf, and member of the Golem Troupe, with the Zander Show, was hurt by a fall from a twenty foot pedestal at Du- buque, la., April 15, and suffered a probably fatel fracture of the skull. <■»■ ENGLAND'S 0LDE5T CLOWN DIES. AL Fosteile sends us the folluwlag: Harry Hemming*, a familiar figure In the theatri- cal and circus world, died March 14, at Balsa.il- Heatb, Birmingham, Bag., where he was born eighty-four years old. He was conceded to be the oldest clown In Europe. Mr. Hemming came from an old theatrical fcmlly which dates buck to the early eighteenth century, end was virtually horn and bred behind tbe scenes. All his relations were in somo way connected with the stage. His father, Jamer* llemmlnga, was an actor In the company of Edmund Kean, one of England's famous tragedians. His uncle also was a famous clown and pantaloon, and It was order his care and tutelage that young Harry first studied the art of clowning. While still In his early teens he was chosen to play harlequin to Madame Taglionl, a* the Theatre Royal. Coventry. After a short tutorship, under a Scottish dancing master, youig Hemmings was en- gaged at the old Moor Street Theatre, to play the leading part In the big production of "Cinderella." The seasons of 1SBD nnd 1870 he played In the pan- tomimes of "Red Hiding Hood" and "Jack and the Beanstalk," at the Prince of Wales Theatre Bir- mingham. This engagement was a happy family gathering, for in addition to Mr. Hemmlnga playing the clown, two of his sons played the "Cow. while the third, Richard nemxnlugs. who was an ail 'round acrobat, played the "Cat" Mr. Hemmings, with his sons and brother, as tho Hammings Family, toured the world as a leading attraction with different clrcusest and was a'ro cenneeted with the famous Sanger's Circus, fhe Crystal Palace, and VauxhaU Gardens. It was white playing at the latter that his brother, Bichard, who was a famous rider, vaulter. high wire performer and acrobat was seen by Janes Amandes, and was persuaded by him. In 1859, to coma to America, and while here. In I860, he met Dan Gardner, one of America's great circus clowns, and with him founded the famous HTnmlnga A Gardner Circus, from which, all tbe latt-jr-diy circuses sprang. Richard Hemmings, like his brother, Harry, whom he survives, hag had much tbe same theatrical training and similar experience* since childhood the world over. Richard Hemmings, who Is past eighty, is ss spry on his feet to-day ss he was at thirty. He can still vault, tide or walk a rope and has the reputation of being tb>; oldest living circus performer and proprietor In America, Since his arrival In the United States In 1869 he has made I'hlladelphla his horn?, nnd ha is now living In re- tirement there with his family. THE Liberty Theatre. Mcllester, Okla., closed last week; and will not reopen.