The New York Clipper (May 1917)

May 9, 191? fHI: Mew york clipper 13 Founded fa UH by Frank Qaasn Published by the CLIPPER CORPORATION OrUnd W. Vaochin.. .President and Secretary Frederick C Mailer Treasurer . 1604 Broadway, New York Telephone Bryant 6117-6118 ORLAND W. VAUGHAN, EDITOR Paul C Sweinhart, Managing Editor NEW YORK, MAY 9, 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 CLIPPER is issued every WEDNESDAY. Forms Close on Monday at 5 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, on receipt of 10 cents. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED ON APPLICATION Chicago Office—Room 210, 45 S. Dearborn St Casts* Nathan. Max agu. Southwestern Office—1125 Grand Ave. Kansas City, Mo. Ax. MixiHsoif. M"■»<•-»» Address All Communications to THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 1604 Broadway, New York RtgitUrtd Cable Addren, "AtrrHOUTr." Tbi Cuim cast as obtained wholesale and sttatl. at our agents. Daw's Steamship Agency, 17 Green Street, Charing Cross Road. London. W. C, England; Brentano's Newa Depot, 37 Avenue de l'Opera, Paris. France; Manila. P. L: Gordon & Gotch, 123 Pitt; Manila Book and Stationery Co.. 128 Escolta Street, Sydney, N. S. W.. Australia. A Proper Decision "The Awakening of Spring" has been put where it and all so-called plays of its kind belong; in the discard. Justice Erlanger has decided that the work la on- fit for presentation on the stage of a pablic theatre and the society which asked for an injunction preventing Commissioner Bell from revoking the license of the theatre in which it was presented, has been rebuked. When the first of this style of production was brought from Germany several years ago and the city authorities refused per- mission for its presentation, a society was formed, and styled itself The Medical Review of Review*. The pnblic was led to believe that this society was made np of the leading lights of the medical pro- fession who organized for the sole purpose of enlightening the pnblic through the means of a propaganda to be presented in play form. The society proposed to give perform- ances which could be seen by Invitation only, such performances to be free. These "free invitation" performances were given for a couple of weeks and then the real in- tention of the society was disclosed. The play was announced as the regular attrac- tion of the theatre. Anyone who purchased a ticket was admitted, and the "play," which was foisted on the unsuspecting public as "propaganda," became a money getting enterprise which, after a New York ran was sent on the road. It la now being presented in England. "The Awakening of Spring," while treat- ing of a - different theme is in the same class as the "play" above indicated. It is propaganda, and the kind of propaganda that belongs in the clinic and the home and not on the public stage. It also comes from Germany where it is said to have had a great vogue. The customs of the two countries' are widely different, and what may be considered right and proper by the Tenton is not necessarily accredited by the Anglo-Saxon. We, of the United States, have our own ideaa of propriety and decency and we do not believe that the exposition, of Frank Wedekind, as disclosed In "The Awakening of Spring," conforms to these ideas. Justice Erlanger, in banning the Wede- kind work, has conferred a benefit upon the community in a double sense. He has stopped the presentation of the work which he deems an offence to pnblic decency and has probably prevented any future produc- tion, of this class, by the Medical Review of awawaVam Answers to Queries N. A. Q.—Frank Worthing was a native of England. He was leading man for Amelia Bingham in "The Climbers," when it was first produced at the old Bijou Theatre. He died several years ago. Tea, Robert Edeson was in the production. • • • A. D. F.—The first motion pictures shown in this country were short reels and were made chiefly with comedy sub- jects. The ocean waves and express trains were also largely used as subjects. • • • T. H. F.—The litigation over "The Devil" amounted to nothing, and several managers presented it through the country. Harrison Grey Fiske and Henry W. Sav- age presented it simultaneously in New York. • • • A. K. D.—Contemporary writers dis- agree as to the relative talents of Mac- ready and Forrest. Each had his follow- ers, and by them was considered the greatest actor of his day. • * • P. G. A.—Robert Billiard was among the first of the dramatic actors to appear in a sketch as a vaudeville headliner. He appeared at Keith's Union Square. • • • W. P.—You are both right. There was a Wallack Theatre located at Broadway and Thirteenth Street and another at Broadway and Thirtieth Street • • • , M. M.—Koster A Blals Music Hall was on Thirty-fourth street west of Broadway. The extreme western end of the R. H. Macy store is located on the site. • • • J. E. B.—Ann Mnrdock started her career under the direction of the late Henry B. Harris and at seventeen years of age was playing a leading role. • ■ a*. «a H. H.—Weber & Fields' musical hall (for several years known as Weber*a The- atre) was originally called the Imperial Music Hall. • * • . S. A. B.—Edmund Breese played the leading role in "The Scare Crow" when it was originally produced. • • a H. N.—Charlie Chaplin, Ford Sterling and Mary Pickford all won their popularity acting for motion pictures. • • • S. C. R.—Mary Anderson is now appear- ing as Galatea at the Coliseum, London, for a war benefit fund. • • • G. A.—Daly's Theatre was under the management of Klaw & Erlanger before the Shuberts had it. • • • C. S. T.—The American rights to "The Merry Widow" are owned by Henry W. Savage. . • • • A. C. C.—Robert Edeson appeared in "Classmates" and also "Strongheart." • • • E. E. E.—Franklin Sargent conducted a dramatic school before he located in the Empire Theatre Building. *i • • M. N. O.—Olga Nethersole's portrayal of Camille ranked with the best. ' • • • G. Z.—Julia. Art her was never leading lady at the Empire Theatre. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO The Madison Square Garden Roof Garden was opened to the public. A benefit was given for the Central The- atre fire sufferers. New plays: "A Tin Napoleon," "The Councilor's Wife." Sim Williams was in stock at the Casino, Hot Springs, Ark. The Actor's Fund Fair cleared a profit of $160,000. EXPLAINS SEARJEANT SITUATION Editor, New Yobk Cluteb: Dear Sir: I wish to make myself clearly understood in my attitude, regard- ing which I was so wrongly accused by the White Rats. Mr. George W. Searjeant, his wife and son, stopped at my hotel for a long period. I did everything that was possible for the comfort of Mr. Searjeant and bis family. I permitted him and his family almost un- limited courtesies and he ran up a bill of - $141. I at no time embarrassed them by persistent methods or otherwise to pay their bill weekly or monthly. Mr. Sear- jeant at the time told me he was new in the field and was a little short of money, and I carried bim along .as I have stated above for quite a while. After he ran up this bill he moved. At that time I did not insist on payment, but told him to give me bis I. O. U. for the amount and at such time within the year that he saw his way clear to pay me I would expect a settlement. I carried this I. O. U. for some two years and at no time during that period did Mr. Searjeant, his wife or son make any effort to pay the bill, which was for board and room. I then learned that be had an account in the Night & Day Bank here, and I at- tached same to satisfy any suit which I may bring for the amount. In attaching this fund I found that he had $130 de- posited to his credit and in the name of Geo. W. Searjeant. After attaching this money and suing him in a Justice Court for the amount he owed me and after a fair trial I got judgment against him for the full amount of my debt. I later learned that this money was part of the White Rata union funds. Had I known that I surely would not have taken any action against the White Rata, as I can number among my friends hun- dreds who were at that time in good stand- ing in the organization. I have numer- our other actors' I. O. Us. to the amount of some $3,000. My reason for attaching Searjeant was that he was here and made no effort to pay. Mr. Searjeant in his feeling towards me, took up this matter with Mr. Mountford and the White Rats officials, and my ho- tel has been boycotted for some time. . It is absurd for anyone to think that I would fight any organization from whom I solicited my business. My only aim was to collect a just debt that was due me. Searjeant has succeeded in hurting my business, and I feel a great injustice has been done me by the White Rats in. tak- ing his side of the matter. I can cite a number of other instances to prove that I am not unfair to the White Rats organiza- tion, and I am satisfied that the fact that I took my case into court and after a fair trial was given judgment against Sear- jeant, proves that it was an honest and legitimate debt. Yours most sincerely, Elmer E. Campbell, Prop. Regent Hotel, St Louis, Mo. RIALTO RATTLES NEW CLUB DENIES HOSTILITY Editor, New York Clipper: Dear Sir: Rumors have been circulated among theatrical folks that the Actors' Social Club, located at 216 West Fiftieth Street, was organized for antagonistic pur- poses and was planning to reorganize, un- der the disguise of an order that has passed out of existence. I therefore beg to as- sure yon that the above club was incor- porated for social purposes only. Both laymen and professionals are eligible for membership and are encouraged to join. We merely ask the good will of all, as we have no ulterior motive. At a meeting held May 5, it was unanimously passed-that you or your rep- resentatives are cordially Invited to at- tend our next meeting, which will take place Tuesday afternooD at 4 p. m. Any questions asked will be cheerfully and frankly answered. With a watchword of "Sociability" and again inviting you to visit us, we beg to remain Very respectfully, The Actors' Social Club, Dr. H. Freeman, President. May 6, 1»17. RHYMED INTERVIEW, HO. 7. When everything is said and done, the man that has the glibbest tongue of all the press men that we know is Hamilton Thompson, of the motor truck show. Take anything upon the earth, hell string it out for all its worth into a yarn that sounds quite true, and then he'll dish it out to you. Even Billy Sunday's name fell in for lots of circus fame when Thompson asked him if he'd go and join Frank Spellman's circus show. He writes of motor trucks all day and calls the rail- road shows passe. He grinds out bushels full of news on clowns, and bolts, and tents, and screws. Now tell us, Thomp- son, if you can: Are you boosting a show or a motor truck van? IN GRIP OF WAS. War! "Johnny Get Your Gun" left. The chorus men took to the powder. The musical comedy soldier unsheathed his property sword. The Shubert press agent conceived a half-baked idea of planting potatoes in the rear yard of all Shubert Theatres (and growing half-baked po- tatoes). Every song-writer put Old Glory into ragtime. German comedians besieged Witmark to supply them with Irish bal- lads. Gadski found herself out of a fat job. And, taking all in all, Sherman was right! ASLEEP ON THE JOB. George O'Brien, the vaudeville agent, was seen in front of the Palace Theatre the other day reading the latest war news and weeping real tears. "What's the matter, George?" someone asked. "Just look at this," answered George, dis- playing a war headline, "There were 653 men signed up for the army yesterday and I'm wondering who their agents were?" IRVING BERLIN, PLEASE NOTE. We would suggest to Irving Berlin that, since so many of the women are galavanting around in khaki uniforms and making themselves useless in many other military' ways, there's a chance for him to revive his old song, "My Wife's Gone to the Country," changing the title to "My Wife's Gone For the Country." GOING CLEAN THROUGH. Joe Towle is going to tour the Orpheum time in his Stutz. If it should break down somewhere in the Rockies, be care- ful of your language, Joseph, for you must not forget that you have the clean- est name in vaudeville. » FOR THE FIRST LUTE TRENCHES. Writers of mother songs. Stage door Johnnies. .Hula dancers. Shubert chorus men. Re who says, "Nothing better tonight than the 17th row." CLEAR AS MUD. We asked Frank Orth the meaning of "The Lobby-Gobb," which is the title of a playlet he has written. "A lobby-gobb," he answered, "is one who gobbs around a lobby." So, now we know. PICK OUT YOUR THEATRE. And now Martin Beck comes along with a theatre. If this theatre building stuff keeps on, every theatre-goer will have a playhouse all his own. SPEAKING OF THE H. C. L. The high cost of living must be some- thing terrific, for "The Girl With a Million" is stranded. WHAT'S DT A NAME? Now that the war is on, Irving Berlin might decide to change his name to Irving Petrograd. OH! OH! A headline tells us that A. H. Woods has "Mary's Ankle." We wish to hear no more.