The New York Clipper (June 1916)

THE NEW YORK CLIPPER June 3 LOEW-MOSS-KEENEY DEAL STILL IN THE AIR. RUMORS PERSIST IN LINKING NAMES OF CIRCUIT HEADS. Despite denials made by many persons In close touch with Uks situation the rumors of a merger between the Loew, Moss and Keeney Interests per- sist in floating upon the theatrical horizon. According to the selfsame rumors, Moea, Keeney and Loew were to affiliate in a friendly way, and have a sort of working agreement by which an act would play over the circuits of each of the above, tinder a blanket contract for the total number of weeks controlled by the three booking offices. By this arrangement 'Fox conld not play any of the turns under contract to the "Big Three" until after the Moss, Amalgamated, Keeney and Loew offices had finished with them. It was reported also that Sheedy would figure to some extent in the proceedings. Recently, when the deal was alleged to be pend- ing, a number of independent managers who bo jk through the i*oss office held a meeting and ilie- cussed at some length the possibilities of Moss merging with the other circuits. Reports of this meeting have It that the managers In question disliked the idea of any affiliation, and Informed tbe Mews office of this fact, adding that 1* tne deal were to go through they would cease to bock through the Moss office- It is said that Moss assured these gentlemen that there would be no merger at that time, and to all intents and purposes the deal was cold. Now comes the insistent rumor again that nego- tiations are pending for the combining of Interests by Loew and Moss. The doubtful quantity In the report is Frank Keeney, who It is said would not consider any merger with Loew. Keeney, it Is known, la inde- pendently wealthy and has a mind of his own as regards the disposition of his theatres. Moss, who must soon be reckoned with as one of the biggest factors in popular vaudeville circles, has planned to erect four new houses In New York City, and contemplates the building of several others. In the event of a combination by those men- tioned, the Fox Circuit would find itself up against it for good attractions. ALLEGES BREACH OF CONTRACT. James Cormlcan, a vaudeville performer, through Us attorney, Donald De Witt, has institute! an action against; Catherine Hayes, also of vaude- ville, alleging breach of contract. According to the complaint, Cormlcan was em- ployed by Miss Hayes to worn with her in a vaudeville Bpt-cialty, but after playing one per- formance the turn waj closed by the manager vl the theatre In which It played. Cormlcan alleges that, regardless of the failure of the act, he Is entitled to saltry, and accordingly cues for same Miss Hayes* story differs from that of Cormlcan. she alleging that tbe turn was closed, due to the action and appearance of the plaintiff. Further more, sbe adds she was quite willing to make a settlement by arbitration, and tbat tne Actors' Equity, which first represented Cormlcan, was about -to close the matter satisfactorily when Cor- mlcan took the matter out of the hands of the Actors' Equity and engaged Mr. De Witt to pro- ceed against her. James A. Titnony represents Miss Hayes In the WON'T CLOSETHEATRESON SUNDAY. Mayor Puckta, of Cincinnati, la in favor of Sun- day shows and emphatically endorses theatricals on the Sabbath if they are conducted hi an orderly manner. This fact came to light last week when It was announced that the Junior Christian Endeavor Association of Ohio would petition tile Mayor to enforce the State law prohibiting theatrical per- formances on Sunday. "CONSUMERS" TO REMAIN UNCHANGED. Manager Julius Wendriner, of Consumers Paifc, Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., wishes to deny the report that his resort would be taken over by Hector's, of New York. " The business has been very satisfactory and there is no change of policy or management being considered at present. — ■ ADELAIDE AND HUGHES WIN SUIT. Some time ago Johnny Hughes, of Adelaide and Hughes, purchased from a firm of costumers, a cat covering or suit for use in the couple's act. After using the costume it was discovered that the fur shed and the skin peeled easily. Hughes refused to pay for the costume and suit was brought by tbe makers of the skin, to make him respond with payment. The case was tried last week before Judge Snltkin In the Municipal Court, New York. The plaintiff alleged that the costume received such rough treatment during the dancing spe- cialty of Adelaide and Hughes that It caused It to peel and abed. To prove to the court tbat such was not the cose, Johnny and his partner donned their stage wardrobe and demonstrated that to the satisfaction of the court that the costume must have been defective not to have withstood tbe use it was put to. ' DUDLEY DOUGLAS, Of PUcer and Douglas, playing U. B. O. tunc. CLIFFORD AND NESBIT MARRIED. Jack Clifford, for three yeans the dancing part- ner of Evelyn NesUt Thaw, became her husband May 24, at ElUcott City, Md. They will spend their Summer vacation In the Adlrondacks, and next season will appear in vaudeville. HAVANA NEWS. . Mat 23, 1916. The Fourth of July has nothing on Havana's May 20 when It comes to patriotism. Celebrating the birthday of the Republic,of Cuba was truly a great day. Under the fierce rays of a tropical sun, thousands wilted while watching the unveil- ing of the statue to General Maceo, on tbe Male- con, overlooking the sea. This was followed by the president's review of the troops, who marched on the principal streets. In the afternoon automobile races at Marlanao attracted thousands, and heavy betting added to the Interest However, no poorer management could have been displayed. This was the principal cause of three deaths on Saturday and one on Sunday. In one race two were killed In a collision, and the curious crowd flocked across the track to the tragic scene while other cars continued going a mile a minute. Boat races on the bay attracted many to the water front, and in the evening all Havana it seemed was on the Malecon watching the American fireworks set from barges in the hay. The Velasco Opera Company has extended Its sea- son, and Is still doing good business with one act operettas at the Pay-ret. The Naclonal, dark for some time. Is having a short season of light opera with the Santa Crux &- Arango Company. In spite of the very hot weather, the small "movie" houses are doing good business. At Marlanao Beach, the native season Is begin- ning, and regular Inhabitants have started taxing the baths. Tourists and many American resi- dents prefer the bathing in Winter, but Cubans, without rhyme or reason, follow the season set down by the weather In cold countries, and lfs "don't go near the water, daughter," except in tiie Summer months! Frances Agnew. PAVXOWA ENGAGED FOR CENTURY. Anna Pavlown, the dancer, has been engaged to appear at the Century Theatre, New York, undtr the management of Charles Dillingham and F. Ziegfeld Jr. Plans are In preparation for a new production In which the dancer will be a big feature. . ■ TO PRODUCE NEGRO COMEDY. ' Win. Harris Jr. Is shortly to produce a new comedy In three acts by Laurence Eyre, In which all the characters will appear as negroes. The cast Includes: Marlon Abbott, Mrs. Stuart Robeon, Edna Aug, Bona May Oliver, Lottie Alter, Harry Blakemore and Walter Walker. MADE TRAVELING REPRESENTATIVE. Newark, N. J., May 27.—Manager John Mc- Naiiy, of Keeney's Theatre, has been made Mr. Keeney's traveling representative. Mr. Berts, of the Brooklyn house, will come to Newark. RETURN OF MAUDE RAYMOND. Maude Raymond, widow of the late Max Rogers, has decided to return to the stage, and will soon be seen In a vaudeville offering. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. Peter F. Dailby was with "A Straight Tip." Dan Bice's Bio Own Bind Show played at Finn and Flatbush Avenues, Brooklyn. The show In- cluded: Prof. Herbert, Annie Carroll. George Hol- loway, Davenport Bros., Cabello Bros., and Braatz Bros. New flayh : "Work and Wages," "Dream Faces," "The Light That Failed," "Kernoodlelng." "Es- ther's Guardian," "Apollo," "Karl's Promise," '•Struck It Rich," "Miss Manning." John W. Ransonb and Flora Moore were signed for "A Wolf's Wedding." Gus Hill, James Curtln. I. S. Rose. Matt Gal- lagher, George Marlon, Lou Shaw. Clint Wilson, Billy Van, John Harrigan and Otis Harlan organ- ized the Washburn Social Club. Major Doyle was at Worth's Museum, New York. Barney Faoan was preparing for "A High Roller." Russell won the Brooklyn Derby. W. B. Watson was booking the Watson Sisters' English Brunettes. Harry Blakely. of ShelTer and Blakely, died at New York. MERSEREAU BROTHERS, Managers of the "Submarine Girls" Company.