The New York Clipper (December 1917)

THE NEW YORK CLIPPER - December iJL2,v!917 WILL CRITICISE AND ADVISE ARTISTS N. V. A. PLANS INNOVATION An innovation which is expected to be • boon to many a vaudevile performer ia shortly to be installed in the, National Vaudevile Artists, Inc. This will be a bureau of advice and criticism, and it will endeavor to help actors work their acts into shape in order-that they may get good bookings. Men who know all angles of the vaude- ville profession and whose experience in the business is of many years' duration, will make up the board which will be headed by Henry Chesterfield, secretary of the association. Under the new arrangement, the actor will arrange to show bis act before the board. They will thereupon get together and work out improvements, changes and eliminations calculated to increase its appeal. Should the material of the act be thoroughly hopeless, the board will give advice as to where new material can be secured. The board, while it will not actually rehearse a new act, will also give the performer benefit of its knowledge and experience, and do everything pos- sible to work the turn into something good. No charge will be exacted for this service. It is simply an attempt to help the members in a practical way. Every member requesting aid or advice will be given the utmost consideration, whether He is a beginner or a head liner. All the criticisms will be thoroughly constructive, as it is not the intention to simply tell the actor what is wrong with his act, but to tell him how he can im- prove it as well. It is the opinion of Mr. Chesterfield, who is sponsor for the plan, that no act is perfect, and that the com- bined imagination and experience of several experts can improve even ac- credited headline turns. The plan is expected to go into active operation shortly after the new year. It will be worked in combination with the rehearsal hall, which is to be a feature of ■ the new clubhouse. In this miniature the- atre the performers can give as, many pri- vate showings as are necessary to effect the desired improvements. _ The personnel of the board is to be de- cided upon at a' meeting sometime in the near future, it is announced. DENY U. B. O. BOOKINGS Both Edgar Allen and Jack Loeb last week denied reports to the effect that the Win. Fox vaudeville houses would shortly be booked by the United Booking Offices. "Those reports have come np before," ■aid Allen, "but there is no more truth in them than there would be if someone stated that Metro was going to book our pictures," DUTTONS' HORSE DIES The Duttons, who, with their trained horse, were appearing at the Orpheum Theatre in Brooklyn, were forced to leave the bill after the matinee "on Thurs- day, last week, due to the death of their horse. No one replaced them. They have canceled all time until they can get an- other horse. BURTON WRITES NEW SKETCH Sidney Burton has written a new sketch for four people entitled "The OM Folk's Home," which ia in line for an early pro- duction: • - •. '' .' PALACE BILL IS CHANGED After the Monday matinee the bill at the Palace Theatre received a general shaking up, which resulted in moving Cummings and Mitchell from the third spot to the sixth, the changing of Dor- aldina from closing the snow to the seventh spot; the addition of The Geralds to the bill, substituting for Ames and Winthrop, who withdrew, and changing Hermann and Shirley to opening the show from the number two position. Sig. Franz and company, changed from opening to closing the bill. WILL MANAGE LOEW HOUSE Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 10.—A. B. Morris will shortly assume the duties of assistant manager of Loew's Lyceum Theatre here, of which Benj. M. Stainback is resident manager. He was formerly employed at the old Opera House for fourteen years, and later, with his associates, built the Jeffer- son. He recently bad charge of the des- tinies of East End Park HOUSE CHANGES POUCY Springfield, IU., Dec. 11.—The Chatter- ton Theatre, of this city, has switched its policy from legitimate to vaudeville and is to be booked on the Pantages circuit. The theatre will split with the Lincoln Square Theatre at Decatur, 111. The Chatterton was the only legitimate theatre in Spring- field. THE MILLERS HAVE SPLIT Ed. and Lou Miller, the singing duo, have dissolved partnership and formed two new acts. In company with Al. Ray- mond, Ed. has been booked over the Or- pheum Circuit and Lou, who recently married Alice Bradford, of the Mavim Revue, will present a singing act in the East. JACK HENRY IS SERGEANT Jack Henry, vaudeville producer, has been appointed first sergeant of Company G, 22nd Engineers, of New York, com- posed entirely of men in the theatrical profession. The company had its first drill and meeting last week, when fifty new members were mustered in. TWO NEW ACTS, READY Harvey and Sophie Everett will open in two weeks in a new act entitled "The Follies of Adam and Eve," written by Allen Spencer Tenney. Robertson and Hayes also have a new one entitled "Mr. Bill from Louisville," which opens Mon- day. "THE FAN" HAS NEW CAST Through Oily Logsdon, Dorothy Rich- mond has recast "The Fan" and its com- pany now includes Broderick OTarrel, Robert Beed and Marguerite Mason as principals. The act opened with its new cast last Thursday at the Folly, Brook, ■lyn. MRS. CHRIS EGAN ILL Mrs. C. C. Egan, wife of the manager of Keith's Royal Theatre, is slowly re- covering at her home after a serious oper- ation. Mrs. Egan is not expected out until the New Year. '•■ RUSSELL & O'NEIL HAVE NEW ACT Racine, Wis., Dec 6.—Russell and O'Neil have a new singing, talking and dancing act. They have just closed on the Nash time, and open immediately on the S. & C. Circuit LUCY PARKER JOINS BALDWIN Lucy Parker has joined the Walter Baldwin act and is now working with it in Philadelphia. CHOOS REHEARSING NEW ACT George Choos -ia rehearsing a new big musical girl act which will soon have a. production. >■■ ■ . .'•■'': •'*«,' J GARB OF DANCER MODEST, SAYS COURT GERTRUDE HOFFMAN ACQUITTED St. Louis, Dec. 10.—Gertrude Hoffman, who was arrested recently on the charge of giving indecent performances in public, was acquitted yesterday by Judge Calvin Miller, after a trial which lasted for over three hours. Among those testifying in the dancer's favor were the manager of the theatre in which she appeared, and her husband, Max Hoffman. The latter testified that Miss Hoffman wore three layers of tights in the snake dance, and in the Spring dance, which was particularly objected to, she wore clothing to the knees. The complaints of local dramatic critics and censors led to the arrest. The charge on which she was arrested has, as a maxi- mum penalty, one year in jail and a fine of $1,000. Her acquittal is regarded as a consider- able triumph of art over prudery by well known artists here and elsewhere. Many dancers had wired Miss. Hoffman express- ing sympathy, and offering to help her cause in every way possible. The trial, which was attended by both artists and sensation seekers, was one of the most interesting held here in many months. An invitation to see the dancer perform was extended to the judge, but this was refused with a smile. Miss Hoff- man, on the stand, gave a lecture on the aesthetics of the dance,'which went far over the heads of the crowd, but which was warmly applauded by the artists present. The more advanced .persons here are of the opinion that the decision will stand as a precedent, and will wipe out for- ever the official prudery which baa long made the middle west a standing joke among lovers of art. KEITH'S TO AID SUFFERERS The gross receipts of the Imperial The- atre, St. John, will be given this week to the Halifax sufferers, and the running expenses will - be paid by A. Paul Keith and E. F. Albee. St. John is the nearest town to Halifax. The manager of the bouse has been counseled to make, this a record week, and as the advertising is all being paid for by the owners, an im- mense spread in the city has been made, announcing the destination of the re- ceipts. PALACE BOOKS BERNHARDT Mme. Sarah Bernhardt has been booked for the Palace Theatre, beginning next Monday. It was in this house the great French actress made her American vaudeville, debut, and it is now her intention to make her farewell appearances in this country at the same theatre. Her repertoire for the engagement will include acts from her favorite plays. ANOTHER NEW ACT FORMED June Ijames, a sister of Florence and Marion Tempest, is soon to play an act with a male partner named Edwin Meyers that was written by Miss Tempest some time ago for- her own nse, but abandoned when she found that contracts for her ap- pearance in the legitimate prevented. " SAUBER SIGNS ARTHUR DUNN Harry Sanber last, week signed up Ar- thur Dunn and will shortly present' him over the U. B. O. time in a new act now:, being written. It is expected that it'will .be ready by .Christmas week,, and it is planned to carry ■ seven ' people" in hia' act'' ADELINE LOWE INJURED Adeline Lowe, of Adeline Lowe and Company, fell and suffered a deep gash in her throat during her acrobatic and trapeze performance Sunday night at the Star Theatre, Brooklyn. She was ' in- stantly rushed to a nearby hospital, as it was feared the injury was serious. Ex- amination proved that no arteries had been severed, however, and the patient was pronounced out of danger on Mon- day. , Miss Lowe, who does casting work with two men and a girl, lost her hold and fell, striking her face against one of the supports. This rendered her unconscious, and, as blood instantly began to flow, the audience was somewhat excited. Ac- cording to the doctor's statement, the performer will be able to go on with her work in' a few days. SOLDIERS TO ENTER VAUDE Corporal Arthur Fields and Private Leon Flatow have volunteered their services to tour six weeks in vaudeville, their salaries going to the fund of the Seventy-sixth Regiment of the New York Guard, to which they belong. They will play the Keith houses. The two song writers have been appearing in various war interests for the past six months. Before the draft law went into effect, tbey were on a recruiting detail. They have also spoken for Liberty Bonds and the Red Cross. LOEW MANAGER CHANGES Atlanta, Ga., Dec 4.—W. A. Petriclt, formerly connected with one of the Loew theatres in New York, ' arrived . here Thanksgiving Day to assum'e the man- agement of Loew's Grand Theatre. J. M. Wilson, assistant manager, who was for- merly in charge of the house, has been re- tained in his original capacity. DONOVANS EXPECT STORK Mrs. James B. Donovan, known to vaudeville as Marie Lee, has retired from the stage temporarily and will not return until a certain interesting event occurs. Meanwhile, Husband James B. is receiv- ing congratulations and breaking, in . an act with a new partner, William -Kenny. LAUDER GOING TO BROOKLYN - Harry Lauder will go to Brooklyn for one day next Saturday, when he^wfll give two "performances at "the Academy "of Music- -He will be accompanied by a col- lection of vaudeville performers, and will appear himself in a repertoire of his fa- mous singing characters. ' ( - CARLISLE'S GIVE. SPECIAL SHOW : Carlisle's Wild West,, including R. CJ Carlisle,'Lily Carlisle, Louise .Clay, Rosie Venus, Tex Cooper,' Captain Jack Smith and Henry Red Eagle gave a special per- formance, December 7, at the "Heroland" bazaar. HOLBROOK PREPARES NEW ACT Musical Hplbrook and Mile. Carrie will produce a musical novelty act next sea- son. They have concluded an enjoyable wedding trip, and are settled at their home in Chelsea, Mass. MILES WRITES LOVE SKIT "The Spareribs of Love" is the title of Homer Miles' ; latest -sketch, which is about ready for production. It has a cast of six people. . — '— • - ", i NEW ACT REHEARSING j Fay; Two Cooleys and Fay are rehears-; injr a new act by Blanche Merrill, which will be seen on the United time early ■ next year. ' •„ l f ■■<■ ' MANAGER LOSES MOTHER/ - The mother of David Rosenthal, assist- ant manager.of the DeKalb Theatre,..died last week." '• '"' ' ' '' "'^ *! * r::T