The New York Clipper (May 1917)

May 2, 1917 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 15 WESTERN OFFICE, Room 210 35 SO. DEARBORN ST. Cm FOR ADVERTISING RATES Phone Randolph 5423 RACE HATRED MEASURE VETOED THEATRICAL, MEN JUBILANT Chicago theatrical men are overjoyed over the action of Governor Lowden, who, after much consideration and pressure, lias vetoed the Jackson bill, drawn to pre- vent the exhibition of such pictures as "The Birth of a Nation," on the ground that they excited race hatred. They believed the passage of the bill would be a blow at their liberty and are much pleased at its defeat. The bill was introduced by Representa- tive Robert R. Jackson, a Negro member of the house. Because of its broad phraseology, the bill tended to the belief that the present national crisis was im- plied and met with little opposition until it reached the Governor. In vetoing the hill, the Governor said its terms were too vague. "A criminal law," the veto message stated, "should be framed in precise lan- guage." It also went on to say, that if this bill should become a law, a law-abiding pro- ducer might make a presentation in the best of good faith, without believing it tended to incite race hatred; yet the jury, under the terms of the law, might con- vict him of a crime. The measure passed the Illinois State House and Senate by an overwhelming ma- jority because it was believed to be the highest demonstration of patriotic senti- ment by theatrical managers. REMICK STOPS OFF HERE J. H. Remick, head of J. H. Remick & Co., visited his Chicago office last Mon- day, on his way to French Lick Springs, Ind. He will return to Chicago for a longer stay in two weeks.' ' SAHARET PHOTOS AUCTIONED A box containing eighty-three photos of Saharet, were auctioned off with other effects of Fritz Von Frantzius, the broker, whose infatuation for the dancer cost him a fortune. MEREDITH IS WITH CORRELL E. E. Meredith, who conducted "The Missouri Breeze," in the Crill Building, is now making his headquarters with the Correll agency. BLOCK WORKING FOR DU VRIES Jack Block, previously identified as a solicitor for theatrical papers, is now booking acts under the wing of Sam Du Tries. LUISE PLAYS THE "LOOP" After playing many road and outlying W. V. M. A houses, Luise de Fogie has accepted a "fill-in" week at McVicker's. ACTOR MARRIES ACTRESS Ray Fay, of Carroll, Keating and Fay, married Bessie Welch, character come- dienne, in Chicago, last "week. VIVA ETHEUA SEEKS DIVORCE Viva Winebrenner-Griffitbs, known in vaudeville as Viva Ethelia, a niece of Lillian Nordica, is seeking a divorce in the Circuit Court at Goshen, Indiana, on grounds of non-support. She married Hnrvey ' R. Griffiths, a portrait painter, now employed in a Loop department store, in Chicago, in 1910. REVUE BUILT 'ROUND SONG "The Spirit of '76," a revue buill around Remick's "It's Time For Every- Boy to Be a Soldier," featuring Betty Russell, holds the big spot of the Green Mill Gardens' show. Martinez Randall appears as a corporal, going through mili- tary evolutions with the other principals. TENT SHOWS GETTING READY Drama and musical comedy, presented under canvas, will form a big part of early Summer amusements. Some pro- ducers have found this profitable in recent years, and the present season will be no exception. Chicago, as heretofore, will have a big representation. FORM NEW SISTER TEAM Cora Corrinne and Mabel Pattee have formed a sister team, playing W. V. M. A. time. WEIL REPRESENTS RICHMOND Milton Weil is now representing Maurice Richmond" in this city. MARK LEE PRODUCING . Mark Lee: is producing at the Majestic Theatre, Milwaukee. "-,■- LOVING CUP FOR SHAYNE Vaudeville agents and managers have presented Ed Sbayne, veteran booking agent of the W. V. M. A. forces, with a beautiful loving cup set, In honor of his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. An in- formal reception was held on the Associa- tion floor. ORGANIZE PRODUCING FIRM Hilliard Campbell and Edward M. Moore have opened an artists' representa- tive and producing office. They intend to specialize on "girl" acts. Three theatres of their own and a group of small houses come under the direction of the firm. AARON JONES RETURNS Aaron Jones, of Jones, Linick & Shaefer, returned from an Eastern trip to his desk In the Rialto building, last Friday. A few days later Ralph Kettering, the press, apent, came back from a business journey through Indiana. GRIFFEN'S SON DEAD Gerald E. Griffon, Jr., son of "Ireland's Sweetest Singer," died early in April, when only two days old. Griffen married while touring Australia at the head of his own Irish company. BROTHER OF ACTRESS ENLISTS Charles Douglas Fisher, brother of Lola Fisher, leading lady with "Good Gracious Annabelle," at the Cort, was one of the recruits who left Chicago for Jefferson Barracks. _____^__ SONG WRITER BECOMES UMPIRE George Mortality, the lyricist-ballplayer, is now an umpire for the American League. Illness has prevented Moriarity from playing active ball. SPAHN ILL J. Leslie Spahn, head of the road show hoaring his name, is ill, at Waukegan. His illness has not caused the cancella- tion of bookings. FREEBORN JOINS "MR. DETECTIVE" Hudson Freeborn, who supported Lina Abarbanell in^Tho "Red Canary," is with Oeorge Cho in" "Mr. Detective." ORIGINATES NEW DANCE Mile. Marion is Introducing a new dance called "Hawaiian Cranberry," at Green Mill Gardens. BERT CARL WITH LE CLAIR Carl and Le Clair, now playing the Middle West, includes Bert Garl, formerly of .Carl, and Rheil. COOL WEATHER AIDS MANY THEATRES JULE JOSE DOING CLUB WORK Jul* Jose, "The Spanish Girl," is doing- club work in Chicago. LATE SPRING LENGTHENS SEASON The continued cool weather has caused somewhat of an upset in the carrying out of managerial plans, made weeks ago in conformity with the annual custom. Of course those theatres which house dra- matic attractions will close as per the original schedule, not because of lack of attendance, but from lack of attractions. The continued cool weather, however, has imbued local managers with the idea that vaudeville can be run at its full Winter strength for weeks to come and it is more than likely this idea will be carried out. The Palace will discontinue vaudeville early because the Shuberts hold a Sum- mer lease. The Majestic, however, which has weathered the heated term before, will remain open all Summer. When the heat strikes us the neighbor- hood theatres will close, but their losa will be compensated for by the vaudeville given in the Summer parks. With the approach of June there is much activity in the tabloid producing ranks and there is every promise that this popular form of entertainment will ob- tain in many of the better class of _the outdoor resorts. GERSON ENTERTAINS MAYORS Sam P. Gerson, general representative for the Shuberts, was a very busy indi- vidual last week, arranging special per- formances for visiting mayors of Illinois cities. The executives came to Chicago for a food conference, but managed to find time to sandwich in a little entertain- ment, under the theory that "music with meals" is not harmful. PARRY SUCCEEDS WOODS Frank Parry will succeed EL H. Woods, manager of the Columbia, Chicago's only Loop burlesque theatre, June 1. Woods will probably again align himself with moving picture interests, which claimed his attention before he returned to the management of the Columbia, after a season's absence. CLARK HAS MAN ARRESTED Frank Clark, Chicago professional man- nger for Waterson, Berlin & Snyder, caused the arrest of a mysterious stranger at a cabaret, last week, because remarks made by the man convinced Clark that he was mixed up in a plot to "slug" him. HAZEL OLSON GETS DIVORCE Mrs. Hazel Olson, a vaudeville per- former, received a divorce in Judge Foell's court last week, charging that her hus- band spent a week and a half with an- other woman last January, in Peoria. KATHERINE SELSOR MARRIED Katharine Selsor, "The Woman Who Talks," seen in Chicago vaudeville re- cently, has married Alfred Cooper, a non- professional, at Appleton, Wis. . . RUSH FOR CABARETS With the regular vaudeville season ueariug its end, many local hcadlincrs are closing contracts for Summer engage- ments at cabarets. However, the cabaret situation is not as bright as heretofore, because most of the managers fear bad business due to war-time conditions. The smaller cabarets are constantly fighting each other, each charging that the other is not conforming strictly to the law. It is this condition that brings the greatest solace to the performer, for, the bitter rivalry induces each cabaret to endeavor to excel the others in feature attractions. MANAGER'S SON KILLED Walter J. Bergamini, seven-year-old son of Paul, manager of Colosimo's Cafe, was killed, trying to "flip" a coal wagon, last Thursday. GRACE ARNOLD SUES Grace Arnold sued her husband Richard, also David F., for divorce, last week, charging cruelty. NEW FIRM IS VERSATILE Frank Morrell and Bert La Mont are producing acts in various fields. Frank Morrell brought bis "Seaside Revue" to the Wilson recently. Their "Speed Me- chanics" is a feature with the Ringling Show. In addition to this, they are nego- tiating with the Columbia wheel for a new burlesque show next season. TO DEMAND MORE PAY It Is becoming increasingly difficult to secure competent theatre attaches, because economic conditions afford greater salaries in other lines of endeavor. The unions governing the various lines of work are preparing to demand salary increases, ef- fective with the opening of next season. BERNHARDT PICTURE DRAWS Owing to the extensive publicity given to the reports of the continued illness of Mme. Bernhardt, the motion picture, "Mothers of France," in which this actress is the star, is proving a big box-office at- traction in Chicago's neighborhood the- atres. J. L. 4 S. MOVE Jones, Linick & Schaefer have moved their general offices from the Orpheum Building to the fifth floor of their new Rialto Theatre Bnilding. Part of the old offices will be retained for the use of the managerial staff of the Orpheum The- atre. FLASH ANTHEM ON SCREEN Because many patriotic people do not seem to have mastered the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner," Chicago moving picture magnates have decided to flash the words of the song on the screen as house pianists play the number. BROADWAY CO. REMAINS The Broadway Music Corp. is the only publishing concern remaining in the Ran- dolph building since May 1. AH other music concerns were forced to abdicate in conformance with a new ruling of the building owners. PRESS CLUB IS PATRIOTIC The Chicago Press Club, largely due to the Influence of John L. ("Jack") Weber and A. Milo Bennett, the dramatic agent, has subscribed for an auto-ambulance to be used by the American Ambulance Corps. ANTHEM DODGERS PUNISHED Unpatriotic people who failed to rise upon hearing "The Star Spangled Banner" in Chicago public places received all kinds of harsh treatment recently, from forcible ejections to fines for disorderly conduct. WINNIPEG SEASON EXTENDED Csl Griffis announces that the Orpheum, Winnipeg, will not dose on the date orig- inally Intended, because of the continued good attendance. It will remain open as long as business keeps up. WILLIAMS SUCCEEDS KOLB Al. Williams hss succeeded Mat Kolb at the Empress, Milwaukee, Kolb. having secured a position fat Toronto.