The New York Clipper (January 1918)

January 16, 1918 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 21 ained By Closing Theatres Early "The usefulness of the theatres to the public and to the Government is so great that it would be a grave mistake not to recognize it and give the thea- tres full opportunity to continue their valuable con- tributions to the public welfare and the nation's cause" We believe that the publishers in creating patri- otic war songs admittedly have caused enlistments in the army and navy by the thousands, songs that have relieved the minds and cheered the hearts of those whose sons and fathers went to the front, have likewise contributed much that was of great value to the nation. "Over There," George Cohan's historical patri- otic song; "Good-Bye, Broadway, Hello France" —Baskette's contribution "We're on our Way to Berlin, But We'll Get There," with Arthur Fields' inspiring melody. "Where Do We Go From Here?" Wenrich's jolly song, all have contributed to the good cause. Other publishers besides ourselves have contrib- uted, but we claim a fuller and greater share than any other publisher, and we are proud of our achievement. We went further. We bought full pages in the Saturday Evening Post, also space in other maga- zines and daily papers to call the attention of the general public to songs of comfort and cheer. Songs of patriotism that made the parents feel proud that their boys went to the front. We helped to turn their sad hours into glad hours by interest- ing singing artists throughout the United States in these songs, to have them publicly rendered in all places where songs could be sung, as well as at the recruiting stations and at the camps. Performers are contributing their talents and time to a degree never before heard of, and it is an undisputed fact that they are and always have been the greatest single force to give up their time and talents cheerfully at all times for charitable and benevo- lent purposes. Therefore, we want to thank the New York American and other papers who have given help editorially and through their news col- umns in the interest of the theatres and managers and the artists. As a further evidence of our intense interest, we are again spending Five Thousand Dollars for a full page ad in the Saturday Evening Post which appears in the issue of January 17th. Read the ad. Notice how full of cheerfulness it is; one can see at a glance how it will affect the people generally and help the artists and theatres as well as the Govern- ment in interesting the people in songs of cheer; songs as we said in one of our previous advertise- ments were "Gloom Chasers." That's why we feel we have a right to ask per- formers throughout the land to continue their interest' in these songs, especially in "Homeward Bound," which great artists are continuously sing- ing in practically all of the largest theatres in the country, not overlooking the fact that the three-a- day, the cabaret performers and so forth all along the line are likewise proportionately contributing their share in introducing to the public this won- derful patriotic song, as well as all the other songs mentioned in the Saturday Evening Post. Our announcements to the profession in the the- atrical papers also include "It's a Long Way to Berlin," that wonderful, full of pep American song—make them laugh to the words of that syn- copated song, "I Don't Want to Get Well" — keep them "jazzed up" with that rollicking song tornado "Darktown Strutter's Ball," as well as that melodious novelty ballad, "In the-Land of Wedding Bells" —then just to make it a strong —red blooded finish—sing—and sing it loud— We'll Knock the Helligo Out of Helligo Into Heligoland." Let us keep up the good work and the Govern- ment will, as it must already, recognize the value of the theatre, the artist and the song as a most desir- able element in connection with the war and very little if anything could be gained by closing the amusement places either entirely or part time. OHIOAQO Grand Opara House Building BOSTOM 181 Tremont Street PHILADELPHIA Bread and Cherry Streets LEO. FEIST, Inc. 135 West 44th Street, New York ST. LOUIS 7th and Olive Streets SAM FRAHOISCO Pantages Theatre Building MINNEAPOLIS Lyrle Theatre Building