The New York Clipper (December 1917)

December 12, 1917* THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 11 Founded In 1SS3 by Frank Queen Published by the CUPPER CORPORATION Orland W. Vaughan...President and Secretary Frederick C Muller Treasurer 1604 Broadway, New York Telephone Bryant 6117-6118 ORLAND W. VAUCHAN, EDITOR Paul C Sweinhart, Managing Editor NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12, 1917 Entered June 2s, 1879, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., as second class matter, un- der the act of March 3, 1879. THE CLIPPER is issued every WEDNESDAY. Forms Close on Monday at 5 P. K SUBSCRIPTION One year, in advance, $4; six months, S2; three months, SI. 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. 35 S. Dearborn St. Chas. Colvim, Masagejl Address All Communications to THE NEW YORK CLIPPER UN Broadway, Now York RtgUttrtd CabU Aidrtu. "AuTHoamr." his magic wand he could turn sawdust into a most palatable dish." So it was with Wills. He could get humor out of the most unpromising ma- terial. He could Bay the most unfunny things in a way that would make his au- dience laugh till it cried. Wills could not help being funny. He fairly exuded fun. lie looked funny, he walked funny, his every action was fun- ny. If he winked an eye it was funny. If he assumed a sorrowful appearance be was funny. He was, in fact, funny from head to feet. For several years Wills had not been seen in vaudeville, but had lost none of his fun-making ability and as a member of the Hippodrome company he had been making countless thousands laugh. And now he is gone. And with him goes his fake telegrams and his peculiar personality. Others may, and doubtless will attempt to copy.his work, but until we have the duplicate of Nat Wills we will not see his work duplicated. Nat Wills stood alone. There have been clever monologists, many funny co- medians who have made the people laugh. There are some of these same performers now and there will continue to he to the end of time, but there has been only one Nat M. Wills, nor is it likely there will ever be another. G. C. G.—Sarah Bernhardt is seventy- four years old. She is French. Yes, she did have a leg amputated. T. E. D.—Joseph Weber and Lew Fields had been partners for a quarter of a cen- tury when they separated. Z. C. G.—Billie Burke was the star of "The Rescuing Angel." Its New York ap- pearance took place at the Hudson. C. L. L.—It was Ann Murdock, not Anne Meredith, who appeared in "Excuse Me" during its New York run. C. P. W.—Ernest Truex played the title role in "The Good Little Devil," in which Mary Pickford played the blind girl. B. N.—There are two Sidmans, and both are in the show business. Burlesque. Write to Sid Rankin, our burlesque man. M. M. O.—Theodore Friebus was for several seasons a popular member of stock companies playing in and around New York. S. N.—If you want to find out the name of a stock company in any city why not read the route Hat in The Cluteb every week? Tnc CLirrzx caw si obtained wsolbuii »*d betail, at our agents. Daw's Steamship Agency, 17 Green Street, Charing Cross Road, London, W. C, Engl a n d; Brentano-'a News Depot, 37 Avenue de l'Opera, Paris. France; Manila, P. L; Gordon & Gotch, 123 Pitt; Manila Book and Stationery Co., 128 Escolia Street. Sydney, N. S. W., Australia. THE PASSING OF NAT WILLS To the average reader, the announce- ment in last Monday morning's papers of the death the day before of Nat M. Wills meant the loss of a friend who could never be replaced. The average reader may never have known him personally, may never have been nearer to him than the orchestra seat is to the stage, but still he looked upon Wills as a friend who had cored him of many a case of blues, had made him forget his sorrows and drive dull care away. Nat M. Wills was for years & unique figure as an entertainer. He waa unlike any of his contemporaries in tempera-\ ment and methods. He could convulse his audience with laughter through re- marks, which if said by another, would be most commonplace. His fuhnyisms were, in fact, exemplifications of "it is not so much what you say as how you say it." Some of Wills' intimates have said that he was born funny and could not help being so. However this may be, certain it is that he began his stage career when be was two years of age, having been ear- ned onto the stage as a baby. Before he was 20 he was a member of a stock company in Washington, D. C, and,while there began playing tramp character roles, which led to his adoption of the tramp character when he entered vaude- ville as a partner of Halpin. The team of Wills and Halpin became known the world over, and on his return to America, he went into farce comedy and was seen in "A Son of Rest," "A Lucky Dog," and other vehicles, in which be appeared with varying success. It waa not, however, until Wills became a single entertainer in vaudeville that he really came into his own. From the very first date he played, he jumped into fame. His humor was of a different kind than vaudeville audiences had been used to hearing. It was simple, but delivered in his dry, pointed way, it was irresistible as a laugh producer. His reading of fake telegrams from famous men all over the country was one of the funniest things done on the stage, but it became so only because it was done by Nat Wills. He invested it with his individuality, gave it expression and em- phasis with hut own peculiar mannerisms and so made the reading funny. In describing a famous chef, a noted gourmet once said, "With the touch of TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Master Walter Lewis was with the "Soudan" company. Arthur C. Moreland was with "Blue Jean." "She Only Answered Ting-a-Ling" was published by T. B. Harms A Co. "After the Ball" was advertised, "Inst Published, Free to Professionals," by Chas. K. Harris. . MarinelU announced his opening at Koster and Bial's, after returning from Sweden. T. T. G.—Edwin Stevens played the same role in "Sweet Kitty Bellairs" (from which it waa taken), when it was produced by David Belasco. I. L. M.—It la hard to tell if the man you saw was a real Eskimo. We don't know of any on the stage. They can make np very easily. C. G.—Dillingham & Zeigfeld operate the Century Theatre jointly. Yes, he is ♦XI7 e Special CI? risfarms Jhasue of it?* gfcut Ifurk Clipper fflill be iBsxteb Betember 19ttf Host Call tor tSapg—Jbrrmsi Clnur Steembtr 15tfj Answers to Queries j the same Zeigfeld who puts out the lies" every year. Tol- M. A. B.—Marie Doro is the wife of Elliott Dexter. R. I.—Yes, Olga Petiova now heads her own company. McClure Pictures Cor- poration. Don't know. D. B. W.—Franklyn Ardell was formerly a well-known vaudeville performer. P. Y. N.—So far as we know, he waa not related to the late Louis Aldricb. A. 8. F.—Franklyn Farnum is with the Bluebird Photoplay Company. He is a star. William Farnum and Dastin Far- num are with the William Fox Co. D. V.—Cecil Cunningham is divorced. Jean Havez. She recently appeared at the Palace. B. B. J.—Of course there are. Can't tell you the names of all Indians on the stage, but will give your letter a private answer with the names of those I know. G. B. B.—Alice Nielsen was well known in light opera long before she studied for grand opera. V. F.—They are brothers. Both are in vaudeville. Can't tell you. Your letter i.s very indefinite. B. B.—The Bnshwick Theatre, Brook- lyn, is operated by the Bnshwick Operat- ing Co. A. Paul Keith is the man you mean. Palace Theatre Building, New York. M. S. C.—Vivienne Segal came here from Philadelphia. She made her New York debut at the Casino. O. L.—"The Masked Ball" was pro- duced about twenty-five years ago. So was "The New Wing." D. M. E.—William Harris, the theatri- cal producer, is dead. He died last year. Yes. Joseph Brooks- died the same week. We don't think so. Rialto Rattles SOME PAST Advertisement in paper reads: "Polly With a Past (100 nights in New York)." Site's worth knowing. A HARD CHASE Sign on Broadway Theatre reads: "Pauline Stnrk—Until They Got Me." Where are the motor cops! TITLE FOR SONG Here's a new slogan for the food com- mission: "Food will win the war. Our boys can't fight Austria Hungary." FOR THE CAUSE Why doesn't the government get up-to- date, and install jazz bands with each regi- ment? That would beat the bagpipes. ANOTHER LAW SUIT We expect to to hear any moment BOW that Walter Hill has started a suit against Artcraft for producing "The Bluebird." OLD STUFF Two acts are fighting over the gag "tax on seats," which is about as up-to-date a pastime as arguing about the Civil War. CONSERVATION Billy Watson's "Beef Trust" has been doing poor business on Tuesdays, accord- ing to report, since that day has been ap- pointed . a "meatless day." NO CHANCE Although a new check room has been added to the equipment of the N. V. A. clubrooms, actors still have to go else- where to get checks cashed. ONLY A COINCIDENCE Many people nave been crowding Reisen- weber's to see the "Jim Jam Revue," thinking it was a dramatization of the magazine called "Jim Jam Gems." ANOTHER MAN*" For the first time in history, the audi- ence walked out on Felix Adbr last week. But. it wasn't the comedian. It was a pacifist orator of the same name. A. C. S.—George Arliss played the title role in the Fiske production of "The Devil." Edwin Stevens appeared in the Henry W. Savage production of that play. Their portrayals were totally unlike. D. E.—1. It is difficult to draw compari- sons between singers of the past and those of today. Adelina Patti, Campanini, and Brignoli were all considered great in their day. Of all the singers of the past and present, Jenny Land probably stands out pre-eminent of all time. Certainly she received greater homage in the United. States than any singer who ever appeared here. 2. Frieda Hempel is a German. IT MUST BE SO Joan Sawyer is billed as a "death de- fying dancer" by the management of the six day race. We know many whose danw ing ought to earn them that billing. HIGH UP The Garrick Theatre, in Chicago, has established a "runway," similar to the Winter Garden's here. The girls' salaries will now be changed to overhead expenses, probably. WELL NAMED The show in which Blanche Ring appears is said to have required the actress to wear tights one week. The next week, it is said, they were cut out. And the show is called, "What Next?" WRONG PLAY The lyceum bureau which booked "The Old Homestead" for an army cantonment is about as logical as the man who would give free tickets to the deaf and dumb asylums for symphony concerts. BOOM IN BUSINESS Since the district attorney sent out his denunciation of an unnamed show on Broadway in which nude chorus girls ap- peared, little has been heard of the bad business wail. Everybody is trying to find that show. OPERATING COMPANY FORMED Tbecton. Dec. 8.—The Metropolitan Amusement Company was incorporated here yesterday for the purpose of operating theatres, music halls and other places of amusement. Charles A. Cogan is the agent of the company, which was capitalized at $100,000. The Incorporators are William Roray, Francis J. Smith and Charles A. Cogan. The offices are at 509 Federal Street. Camden.