The New York Clipper (February 1917)

February 21, 1917 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER ll Foundad in 1853 by Frank Queen Published by the CUPPER CORPORATION Orland W. Vaughan President and Secretary Frederick C. Midler. Treasurer 1604 Broadway. New York Telephone Bryant £117-6118 ORLAND W. VAUGHAN, EDITOR ' Paul C. Sweinhart, Managing Editor NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 21, 1917 Entered June 24, 1879, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., aa second class matter, un- der the act of March 3, 1879. THE CUPPER is issued every WEDNESDAY. Forma Close on Monday at S P. M. SUBSCRIPTION One year, in advance. $4; six months, $2; three months, $1. Canada and foreign postage extra. Single copies will be sent, postpaid, oa receipt of 10 cents. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED ON APPUCATION Chicago Office—Room 210, 35 S. Dearborn St. Curaa Nathan. Manage*. Southwestern Office—1125 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Ai_ Makiwsom, Makagex. Address All Communications to THE NEW YORK CUPPER 1604 Broadway, New York Registered Cable Address, "Autkositt.' The Clippei can be obtained wholesale and ietail, at our agents, Daw's Steamship Agency, 17 Green Street. Charing Cross Road. London, W. C, England; Brenuno's News Depot, 37 Avenue d* I'Opera, Paris, France; Manila, P. I.: Gordon & Gotcb, 123 Pitt; Manila Book and Stationery Co.. 128 Escolta Street, Sydney, N. S. W.. Australia. A GOOD POINT DECIDED The point has long been disputed as to whether or not a vaudeville agent can law- fully act aa a manager. The question has at last been determined by a Court in the came of Gino O. Fumagalli, a musician, who complained that George W. Smith, an agent, violated the vaudeville license law in deducting more than five per cent, of the musician's salary. Smith produced a written contract in Court which author- ized him to act aa Fumagalli's manager. He claimed that, in this latter capacity, he was entitled to more than the statutory five per cent. The Court upheld Smith's view and dismissed the case. This is the first time that the law on this point has been squarely determined upon by a court. . The decision Is of supreme importance to the vaudeville performer and his agent. It settles a much discussed question and firmly lays down the law that, with a cer- tain condition, an agent may also be a manager. The condition is that the man- agerial contract must be in writing. It was intimated by the Court that an oral contract between the parties, authorising the agent to also act as manager, would not be binding. The law on the subject seems plain enough and agent and actor should be glad that the question has been definitely set- tled. The controversies that have arisen over this point in the past should be no more. The status of agent and manager has each been clearly defined. The decision clears many clouds from the sky. It should tend to develop closer harmony between the performer and the agent, now that the law settles this long-standing question and they understood each other's rights in the premises. ANSWERS TO QUERIES Z., Philadelphia.—1. Anna Held made her American debut September 21, 1896, with Evans and Hoey in their revival of "A Parlor Match," at the Herald Square Theatre. New York. 2. Eugene Sandow made his American debut June 12, 1893, at the Casino, New York. • * * S. J., New York.—"Fixing Sister" is a comedy drama. Four acts. • * • K. N., New York.—That is a bard question to answer. Many predict, how- ever, that Forty-eighth street is destined to become the centre of New York's theatrical district, basing their opinion on the present trend of managers to build playhouses on or near that thoroughfare. • • • F. K., El Paso, Tex.—Proctor's Fifty- eighth Street Theatre was opened Sept. 1, 1895. • • • L. P., New Tork.—James R. Adams, the circus clown you refer to, died in this city, Aug. 30, 1915. • • • F. L P., New York.—Emmy Destinn made her first transcontinental tour in 1915 under the direction of Ottokar Bartik. awiiaiiBmiiiiiiiiniimmiiroriMmim i rc a ii TO "ii i in i in in mil in minium hum ii 11 iimiiiiiiimiiiiiimimiimiiiHmisssssaMiiiiiiiiiliMliiiiiiHiiuiiiiiissaliii Correspondents Wanted THE CLIPPER Wishes Live, Wide-Awake Representatives EVERYWHERE NEWSPAPER MEN PREFERRED iiiniii(iiiii]iiiiriMi» niiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiii«iiiiiiiiuiiii iiiiniii ii«iomimaiwi»misiiB e P. S.—The American Male and Female Minstrels played the best popular vaude- ville houses and were booked by the fol- lowing agents: H. Bart Mcilugb, Norman Jefferies, Ghaa. Fittpatriok, Gus Bun Booking Offices, F. G. Nixon Nlrdllnger, Prudential Vaudeville Agency, Walter Plimmer and the United States Booking Agency, who can give full particulars about them. Editor's Note.—Mr. Oliver submitted the programs and picture above mentioned to this office. OLIVER ANSWERS ELY Editor, New York Cupper: Dear Sir: Under separate cover I am sending picture and programs to prove that Dan Ely first sang the "Hall-e-lu-jah" song while with my American Male and Female Minstrels. The harmony and busi- ness was originated for my Barber Shop Trio, composed of Billy Zeitler, Charlie Lewis and Billy Llghtelle, members of my American Male and Female Minstrels at this time, which was copyrighted as fol- lows: Entry Class E. XXo 288665—in my name, two years before Ely formed the Black and White Revue. I have never appropriated anyone else's material and have always acted honestly and squarely with acts and managers, as those who know me will testify. Ely knew nothing of the show business or act- ing when I took him up and if he is any- thing now, he should give me credit for it and not slander me falsely and with malice. I am told by managers that not alone did he pirate the "Hall-e-lu-jah" song but the entire idea of the American Male and Female Minstrels. Relying upon your reputation for fair- ness and justice, I trust you will give this letter the publicity it is entitled to. Very truly yours, Edward Outer. Washington, D. C, Feb. 10. M. K., New York.—"The Intruder," a three-act play by Cyril Harcourt, opened in Ne wYork Sept. 26, last year, at the Cohan and Harris Theatre. "The Music Master" was revived at Wilmington, Del.. Sept. 29. "Her Soldier Boy" was pre- sented for the first time upon any stage at Stamford, Conn., Sept 28. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Monroe H. Rosenfeld returned to America after winning 42,000 francs at Monte Carlo. He represented a syndicate of American publishers, who wished to test the new International Copyright Law. Henry Miller -was leading man for Maree Wainwright The New Bowdoin Square Theatre, Bos- ton, was dedicated. Jas. J. Butler took charge of the Standard Theatre, St. Louis. "Between Love and Duty" was being song by J. Bernard Dyllyn. Louis Cyr, the athlete, was in London, England. Fred Waldinam announced the first season of bis Own Specialty Co. Kelly and Ashhy were in Paris, France. J. T. McCaddon was manager of the Adam Forepaugh Shows. Peck and Fursman announced dissolu- tion of partnership. The ashes of Emma Abbott were finally interred in Oak Grove Cemetery, Glouces- ter, Mass. RIALT0 RATTLES MORE TRUTH THAN POETRY Playwright, oh, playwright, what would you do Without some of the stuff that you now resort tot The play-writing business would most surely rot If there wasn't that tried-and-tnie triangle plot. What play's complete without a Court scene Where father finds daughter after years intervene t What would you do withont the prodigal son Or the poor working goil to whom wrong has been donet To write a good play all that one has to do Is to write the old stuff with a title that's new. ACTORS THANK MANAGER Editor, the New York Cupptb : Dear Sir: On behalf of Manager Wilson of the Douthit Wilson Co., and members of the company, I want to thank Manager Klu- berger of the Orpheum Theatre, Pine Bluff, Ark, for bis many kindnesses to Peggy Moore, who was fatally burned In her dressing room in that theatre. Also A. Blumenthal, owner of the theatre. These gentlemen not only rendered every assistance in their power bnt paid the doctor's bills and funeral expenses, assist- ing Mr. Wilson greatly. Very truly yonrs, A. Wir. Yotrao. P. S.—Pine Bluff has reason to be prond of its citizens and we are glad to be able to count them our friends. DOTJTHIT WttSOlC Co., Pine Bluff, Ark. SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT— Gertrude Berkeley, the screen actress, appeared in person at the National Theatre last week. It was announced that she would appear exactly aa she looked upon the screen. A short movie scene in which she played an important part was then screened—upside down— but the real Miss Berkeley entered with her feet upon the floor. WHAT HAS BECOME OF— Coon songs? The "save me cheoild" melodrama? Tropical Isle musical comedies T Salome dancers! | Vaudeville trapeze artists? RISING AMERICANS— Theatres in these war-clouded times resemble baseball games. Whenever the national anthem is played, everybody gets up for a seventh inning stretch. FATTY'S STANDBY You can't be a good fat comedian if you don't use this joke: "I am built for comfort—not for speed." Ii it doesn't get a laugh any more, it's too old a friend to discard, anyhow! PLAGIARISTS Shame on you, writers of Hawaiian songs I With your "Yaekl hackis" and "hickey boolas" you are stealing the old college yell stuff. WE'VE SEEN "EM BEFORE We are informed that Broadway will soon see a new kind of a play—a tragio comedy. Why, we've been seeing those things right along. STILL MORE CHARMING Music hath charms—particularly to the song writer since the new law doubtea hia royalties. MADE TO ORDER Nat Goodwin ought to be qualified for a role in the new play for De Haven, "Seven Little Widows." NOW IN OUR MIDST There are worse things to 'face than bullets—war songs. LATEST INDOOR SPORTS Psychic dinner Swedish dinner.