The New York Clipper (October 1916)

THE NEW YORK CLIPPER October 7, 1916 VAUDEVILLIANS PREPARING ■« ONE HUNDRE D NEW ACTS Turns of All Descriptions Being Whipped Into Shape for Early Presentation, by Stars, Movie Actors and Stock Players —Authors Kept Busy Devising Original Material All indications forecast remarkable ac- tivity in the vaudeville field, for the sea- son -which has already began. An abundance of spectacular and nov- elty offerings for the two-a-day have been conceived and are in process of production by Edgar Allan Woolf, Joseph Hart, Gene Hughes, Jean Havez, and several other managers and producers of note, -while many of the head-line attractions on the big circuits have secured entirely new ma-. terial and, in some cases, pretentious ve- hicles for their 1910-17 vaudeville season. There has also been an influx of West- ern variety turns into New York this fall., most of which have never shown locally and the impetus given by this flood of new acts has made things hum in the of- fice of the agent and producer. Then, the invasion of vaudeville by the many picture stars and stock favorites because of the long lay-off periods in their respective branches of the profession has materially helped to make a busy season, giving-many writers of vaudeville material a chance to increase their bank-accounts by supplying the newcomers with the proper vehicle for their variety debut. Among the screen performers who will be seen shortly on the big circuits are Guy Coombs and Anna Nilsaon in a dra- matic sketch, Dan Mason and company in "Via the Coal-hole," a farce comedy em- ploying three people, Billie Beeves and Eunice Elliot in a slap-stick comedy skit, and Virginia Korden in a novelty picture act. Lynne Overman, formerly of Providence ■took, has a comedy vehicle in course of preparation. Many musical "tabs," carrying from ten to fifteen people and with special sets, will go over the big circuits, a few be- ing "The Midnight Kiss," by Fred de Gresac, featuring Mabel Berra and ten people; "The Smart Shop," a Chicago pro- duction; "The Package Deliverers," with nine people, including Joe Phillips and Herman Meyers; "The Fire Brigade," with Nat Ellis and a company of twelve per- sons; "The TJneeda Girls," a production with special book, number and scenery, carrying nine people, and a "Bit of Pipe," including Dick Morgan, Margaret Slavin and Charles Seal. The vaudeville favorites, McWatters & Tyson, have something new in their "Re- view of 1916"; Lew Brice has taken a new partner in the person of Helene Coyne, and will offer an original dancing spe- cialty; Marty McHale and Mike Donlin, of diamond fame, have a new version of "Rijsht Off the Bat"; Claude Gillingwater and company will appear in "The Frame- Up," an intensely dramatic playlet; and Ed. Gallagher, formerly of Gallagher and Barrett, has joined hands with the de- lineator of the Hebrew type, Andy Lewis, in a new talking act. The small-time circuits will carry their full quota of new turns, many of them hailing from Chicago and points further West, showing their wares for the first time on Eastern vaudeville stages. Tommie Gray states that he is swamped with orders for new acts and novelties from performers, big and small, and, all things considered, the season 1916-17 looks like a busy, if not a prosperous one, for the two- three- and four-a-day style of entertainment. In addition to the aforementioned, a host of new turns will be found in the offerings of Harriet Marlotte and company in "Looks," by Edgar Allan Woolf; "Sun- shine Mary," with Hugh Herbert and com- pany ; El wood Bostwick and Vivian Black- burn in another one by E. A. Woolf; Ma- son and Sullivan, with a sketch from the pen of Brandon Walsh; Norton and Allen in a skit by Tommy Gray; Powers and Pendleton in "Borneo and Juliet, Jr," by Jean Havez; Billy Gaston, assisted by a girl partner, in "The Beautiful Bandit"; Bob Fitzsimmons, the ex-pugilist, working with his son, and many others of lesser vaudeville repute. CARLETONS RETURN The Carleton Sisters, Hazel and Daisy, are-again in vaudeville after an absence of several seasons, spent with stock or- ganizations of the country and most of the time at the head of their own at- traction. During the week of Sept. 18 they were at the Garrick Theatre, Wilmington, Del. Their tour is being arranged by Jo Paige Smith. VIRGINIA EARL HAS NEW ACT Virginia Earl, of musical comedy fame, is going into vaudeville and will be seen in a sketch from the pen of Edgar Allan Woolf atsthe Boyal Theatre, the Bronx, shortly. George Nathanson has been en- gaged to portray the leading role opposite Miss Earl in the playlet. MORRIS SIGNS RUD1NOFF Richard Pit rot has closed a contract between the Russian entertainer, William Rudinoff, and William Morris to cover two seasons. Rudinoff is now with the Eva Tanguay road show, and next Season win be a special feature with the Harry Lauder show. Mr. Pi trot also expects to place him on one of the New York Roof Gardens, as a special attraction, next Summer. LADDIE CUFF SELLS FARM Poet Jebvis, N. Y„ Sept 29.—An- nouncement wag made today of the sale of the farm of Laddie Cliff, vau- deville Star, who is shortly to sail for England to join the British army aviation corps. It was purchased by Dr. William E. Barth, of Newburgh. Laddie Cliff is really Clifford Albyn Cliff, bnt he has always been called Laddie and assumed this name on the stage. About three years ago he purchased a place on the North Plank road, about three miles, from the city, and has spent consid- erable time there. NEW THEATRE FOR S. & C. Augusta, Ga., Oct. 2.—Manager Frank J. Miller, of the Modjeska Theatre, an- nounces that about Nov. 1 he will present high class vaudeville, from the Sullivan- Conaidine Circuit, in the new theatre being erected by the Modjeska Theatre Co. The new playhouse, now nearly completed, will be absolutely fire-proof and modern in every respect, and equipped to handle motion pic- tures, vaudeville, and the big road shows. It is to cost in the neighborhood of one hundred thousand dollars and will be one of the handsomest amusement houses in the South. TOM GILLEN Tom Gillen, known the world over as "Finnigan's Friend," opened his season at Keith's, Toledo, Ohio, with Keith's Indian- apolis, Ind.; Keith's, Dayton, Ohio; Johns- town, Pa.; (Majestic) Sheridan Square, Pittsburg, Pa.; Jefferson, Auburn, N. Y.; Proctor's, Albany, N. Y.; City, Perth Am- boy, N. J., all in a row, playing U. B. O. time. GETS DAMAGES Ethelyn Clark, who is appearing in vaudeville with Jos. E. Howard, received $7,000 for an auto accident that occurred at Atlantic City a few weeks ago. Miss Clark has a scar on her cheek that robs her of beauty, bnt is hardly noticeable while working. Five thousand dollars was paid for the accident $1,000 for counsel fees and $1,000 for repairs to the auto. ST. LOUIS HAS VAUDEVILLE BOYCOTT WELL KNOWN PERFORMERS BANNED St. Lores, Mo, Sept 29.—The actors' strike at Oklahoma City, in which the White Rats are involved, extended its in- fluence to this city during the past week, for a campaign was launched here against performers who had acted as so-called strike breakers in the Oklahoma City trouble The Royal Gascoignes, Nan Nannery and company, and Sallie Fields, playing at the Grand, were the acts against which the attack was made, and it is intimated that similar measures against them will be taken in all cities where they appear. Early in the week, handbills, stating that the three acts were strikebreakers and unfair to organized labor, were distributed throughout the city, and particularly in front of the theatre, while patrons were on their way to the box office. All perform- ances, both afternoon and evening, were covered in this manner, bnt no information could be obtained as to whether or not it affected the receipts. It. is presumed the bills were distributed by the local unions that are affiliated with the American Fed- eration of Labor. A NEW DANCE CRAZE Just as the dance craze seems nearinp its end a new one comes- from London which promises to eclipse all of the dan- ces which have met-with popularity dur- ing the past year. It is called "London Taps" and, thor- oughly Americanized, is being danced in the leading cabarets and restaurants. The original music for the dance is called "A Broken Doll" and is published by T. B. Harms and Francis, Day & Hunter. ALBEE VISITS CINCINNATI CiscnraAH, Sept 30.—E. F. Albee, head of the B. F. Keith interests, was here this week and conferred with local repre- sentatives regarding the proposed new Keith Theatre building which is to be rebuilt on a larger scale on the present site. Work will begin next Spring, it was said. TEAM CHANGES NAME The vaudevile team, formerly known as Kolb and Harland, are now known as Florenz Ames and Adelaide Winthrop, hav- ing recently appeared in a" new act at the Alhambra Theatre under that name. Bob Anderson and his polo pony, Bonita, are in their fourth week at the Palace. AHEARNS LEAVE HIPPODROME The Charles Abeam Troupe closed at the New York Hippodrome Sept 23. QUIRK RETURNS TO STAGE Billy Quirk, popular screen comic, is making ready for an appearance in vaude- ville with his wife, Jane Quirk. The lat- ter will work from the orchestra pit, leading her husband's numbers and acting as a "feeder" for his material. Miss Quirk has appeared in this capacity with "The Red Heads," being one of the fea- tures of the former big time act