The New York Clipper (February 1917)

February 7, 1917 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 11 gjTgM V7 u NE W YORK CUIP|E1 ^SsTr^Tea oisxit ts«atmxj»> svsucmcw mmbc* Founded in un by Frank Qgna Published by the CLIPPER CORPORATION Orland W. Vaughan President «nd Secretary Frederick C Muller Trees 1604 Broadway. New York Telephone Bryant 6117-6118 ORLAND W. VAUGHAN, EDITOR Paul C Sweinkart, Managing Editor NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 7, 1917 Entered Jane 24, 1879, at the Poet Office at New York, N. Y., as second class natter, un- der the act of March 3, 1879. THE CLIPPER is issued every WEDNESDAY. Forms Close on Monday at 5 P. M. SUBSCRIPTION One year, in advance, $4; six months, 83; three months, $1. Canada and foreign postage extra. Single copies will be seat, postpaid, on receipt of 10 cents. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED ON APPLICATION Cbicaco Office—Room 210, 35 S. Dearborn St. Casrxa Nathan, Mahaosx. ANSWERS TO QUERIES F. R., Syracuse.—Molly Mclntyre first attracted the attention of New York theatre-goers as a member of the "Bunty Pulls the Strings" Co. Her work In that play brought her to the notice of the Met- ropolitan managers. .• • • K. B., New York.—Mabel Wither first came into prominence in the title role of "The Merry Widow," under the manage- ment of Hen\y W. Savage. • • • R. X, New York.—With seats at $5 each for the opening night of "The Passing Show of 1916," the Winter Garden held $7,000. • • • W. J., Salt Lake City.—There has been one book written on vaudeville, by Bret Page, "How to Write for the Vaudeville Stage." • • • B. S., Albany.—Yes, "Hap" Ward, of the recent firm of Ward and Yokes, was at one time a blackface song and dance Southwestern Office—1125 Grand Ave, Kansas City, Mo. At. Makihsoh, Mahagxb. Address All Communications to THE NEW YORK CUPPER ISM Broadway, New York RitUtrrcJ Cablt Addreu, "AoraoaiTT. 1 Tats Gurra can ss obtaimbo waausALS aas Utah* at our agents, Daw's Steamship Agency, 17 Green Street, Charing Cross Road, London, W. C, England; Brcntano's News Depot, 37 Avenue dc 1 Oners, Paris, France; Pnsjje, P- I.: Gordon & Gotch, 123 Pitt; Manila Book and Stationery o. 128 Escolta Street, Sydney, N. S. W.. Australia. English Play* Losing Is America through with English plays? Yes! If anyone doubts It let them take a backward glance over the list of plays of English origin which have failed in this country during the last year. On this list are productions which lasted from less than a week to four weeks before their producers were willing to admit they were failures. Time was, and not so very long ago, at that, when the American manager depended upon English playwrights almost exclu- sively for bis plays and it was no uncom- mon thing to have the leading dramatic tur cesses in this country from the pens of I'iDcro, Jones, Marshall, Caine, Zangwill or a dozen other natives of the British Isles. The boot is now on the other foot, how* ever, and the English managers look to ns for plays. In proof of which there are to-day running in London nine American plays, which have bad runs in the English metropolis varying from fonr weeks to fif- teen months. And to demonstrate that the liking for the Yankee product extends be- yond the confines of London there are at the present time fifteen companies pre- senting American, productions, touring the British provinces. The liking for our plays has even ex- tended to Australia, where the competition for American plays is so keen that the leading producing managers of tkat coun- try have established agencies in New York for the sole purpose of grabbing every Broadway success. The .real dramatic successes to-day in Sydney, Melbourne and other Australian centres are from the pens of American writers. THE FRIVOLOUS PLAYS Editor The New Yobk Cuffkb: Dear Sir.—I notice a tendency on the part of many theatre managers to turn away from the serious drama and toward the light and frivolous. The reason invar- iably given la that the public in time of stress, does not want anything that will make it think. The war may go on for years; frivolity on the stage for years would mean the de- cline of the stage. The lessons the drama have taught mankind were not taught by scantily-clad maidens friskin; about to the tune of ragtime music. The plays that pass like fleeting phantoms do more harm than good. What we need now is something that will remind us of the great tragedy in Europe and not something to make us for- get it- All the great wars have been for- gotten too soon. If tbe stage is a true mirror of life, it visages tbe thoughts of the people. Yours truly, H. P. Berok. Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 1. F. H. B., New Bedford.—No, James K. Hackett is not the hnsband of Julia Mar- lowe. E. H. Sotbern is her husband. A GOOD IDEA Editor, The New Yobk Clipper : Dear Sir.—A movement that will be keenly watched by theatre proprietors Correspondents Wanted 51 H THE CLIPPER Wishes Live, Wide-Awake Representatives EVERYWHERE NEWSPAPER MEN PREFERRED I. G. S., Galveston.—L "Experience" waa first produced In New York City, Oct 27, 1914, and ran continuously till Jane 5, 1915.' 2. There are two companies on the road at present, but neither has the original cast. • • • B. S. C, Omaha, Nebr.—"The Middle- man" received its first performance in America Nov. 10, 1890, at Palmer's Thea- tre, New York City. • • • E. P. M., Terre Haute, Ind.—Leroy Scott was the author of "33 Washington Square," in which May Irwin starred last -season. • • a Mibs F. S-, New York.—Tbe date of the first performance of .the revival baa not been announced. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO George Hanlon retired from the Hanlon Brothers Company to become a clergyman. CoL John A. McCaull was tendered a benefit at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York. A meeting was held to amend the law governing the appearance of children on tbe stage. E. T. Gerry, president of the Children's Society, objected to their sing- ing and dancing. The 6 A's bad a benefit at the Broadway, New York. The Four Cobons were with "Peck's Roil Boy" company. and managers is that just inaugurated wherein matinees are to be given after school for the children. It just happens that this production is "Treasure Island," a play which almost every child is inter- ested in, and it therefore forms a much better basis for judgment than would a production that is less known. If this play ■ will not get over, the fate of the proposition is practically sealed; but if it does go over a new field will be im- mediately opened up. So broad in its scope would this new field be that there is a possibility that such a feature could be used daily for the children. In this case a new series of plays, those that would interest the chil- dren, might be given in New York theatres. Most of the photoplays written do not appeal to the children, and they, of course, cannot fathom tbe intricate plots of tbe serious dramas. It is, therefore, obvious that there is a field for plays whose sole object would be to entertain children. Plays that interest children al- ways have an appeal to a certain class of grown-up children, but inversely this is not true. At any rate, the new movement is worthy of the attention of managers and writers. From an educational standpoint alone it may mean much to the young- sters. Very truly yours, HAMLAN JENKINS. New York City. RIALTO RATTLES "CHIC GOES COLD "Chic" Sale played his home town not so long ago and complains that he never played to a colder audience. Strolling down the street the next day tbe only greeting bis old friends gave him was a perfunctory "Hello, Chid" but no one re- marked about his act until some old codger said: "That was a nice show last night, Chic. Durn it, wasn't that a great animal act on the bill?" Well, a prophet is never appreciated in his own country. HE'S A MUSICIAN, HE IS1 Harry Steinfeld, the theatrical lawyer, went to a concert the other evening and immediately after taking his seat ob- served that there was a song by Shubert on the program. "Gee!" he exclaimed, "I'm glad I came, for 111 hear Lee sing." LESS DANGEROUS Mansfield, Jr., to fight for France (News item). When it la remembered boa; his mother has repeatedly refused to allow him to go upon the stage, it appears that she considers tbe battlefield safer than tbe footlights. THAT'S ALL WE WISH 'EM Those impersonators who are always picking on Eddie Foy, Eva Tangnay, Bert Williams, Eddie Leonard, et al., should be made some day to impersonate Adgie— with a supply of particularly ferocious lions. BREAKING BARBERS STRIKE Whatever the Idea was In organizing a wbiskerless-America Club, it seems like a smooth proposition. "Bed Onion" Hewitt will make a strong leader. THE ONLY ONE, TOO Lynn Cowan d sires to let It be known that he was the champion saxophone player on the first halt of the Colonial bill recently. POETICALLY SPEAKING Lives of great acta remind ns, We can make onr lives sublime; And departing, leave behind ns Yarns of how we "stopped*' Big Time. THEY'LL KEEP US BUSY Although Germany probably never win turn her guns on the C. S. A. the war- song writers are still to be reckoned with. NEUTRAL Boudini Brothers. Born in Ireland. Citizens of Italy. Living in America. Favorite dish: Chop Suey. IT CANT BE DONE St. Louis correspondent says that he has teen reviewing shows for fifty years and is still in good health. - .... WE STRIVE TO PLEASE A certain Charlotte has expressed a de- sire to see her name In print. Behold! WELL UNDER WAY—INDOORS So far this year the circus and carnival season has been a very successful one.