The New York Clipper (July 1919)

tti& HEW ■: YORK CLIP**?* at Jidy 9,-1919. PROHIBITION'S FIRST WEEK HITS MIDNIGHT SHOWS HARD ZiegfekTs "Midnight Frolic*" and Gest'. "Midnight Whirl" Both Find Drop in Receipt*—Some Patron* King Liquor— Nine o'Clock Show May Be Given up Prohibition, last week, bit the two roof shows, Ziegfeld'g "Frolics,'' stop the New Amsterdam Theatre, and Morris Gesfs "Midnight Whirl" show, atop the Century Theatre, a wallop from which those who are familiar with the situation say, they will never recover unless the staff that used to brine "sunlight within" is again permitted to be sold. ~ ' The more or less scanty crowds that patronized these shows last week is proof sufficient that they will hare to offer something in place of liquor-:—either a liquid substitute with a "kick'* or else some animate form of entertainment with a new thrill—if they hope to survive the blight that liquor's passing portends. Of coarse, the not weather of the last few days had something to do with the falling off in patronage at the roof shows, which always has been the case in the Summer time and is, therefore, not un- expected. Bat, never before, not even dur- ing the "flu" period of last Winter, has business dwindled to the extent it did last week. Some knowledge of the extent of the falling off in business atop the Century may be gleaned from the admission of John Henry Mean, manager of the "Mid- night Whirl," early this week that patron- age was diminished by "at least ten per cent*> and the cafe receipts had fallen off 36 per cent. These figures, it must be remembered, are "conservative" estimates, given oat at this time with an eye to the effect their publication migh create. Even so, in round figures, it means a loss to the Century of approximately $7,000 weekly. Atop the New Amsterdam, Victor Kiraly, manager of the "Frolics," refused to com- mit himself about the drop in business. But it is known that the nine o'clock show has received a bad setback in point of patronage and business done through the cafe run in connection with the show. And it is even rumored that Flo Ziegfeld is contemplating the elimination in the near future of the nine o'clock show altogether and running the roof with but one show, as formerly, this. latter being at the sugges- tion, it is said, of A. L. Brlanger' who, with his partner. Marc Klaw. is interested in the roof shows with Ziegfeld. . An interesting sidelight on the effect of prohibition atop the New Amsterdam was revealed last Friday night, when patrons at two separate tables were seen drinking whiskey which they had brought with them in small bottles. Their tables laden with bottles of ginger ale, the people were seen pouring whiskey which they had brought with them into long narrow glasses and then adding the ginger ale, which made them ginger ale highballs, as of yore. It is said that should this practice be- come common at either or both of tile roof shows, the managements win accept the "inevitable" and even tacitly encourage it, for it means the survival of the roof-show business. BIG PAGEANT DRAWS CROWDS Coutmbto, O, July 5.—"The Way- farer," the religious pageant feature of the Methodist Centenary now being held in this city, is being staged at the Coliseum to 8,000 persons nightly. The work is a Biblical production re- sembling the "Passion Play." It breaks all precedents of denominations and defies all dramatic art rules. But still it is pack- ing the Coliseum every night and each per- formance sees thousands of disappointed persons unable to gain admittance. The Ber. J. E. Crowther developed the theme and acts as interlocutor. The music is di- rected by Prof. W. J- Croft, of Columbia University, and is furnished by the com- bined Cincinnati and Chicago symphony orchestras. The piece begins with the crash of war, depicting the outbreak of the con- flict in Europe. Impressive action fol- lows—peals of thunder, roar of guns, ton of drums, blare of bugles, scream of shells and the hiss of liquid fire. Then follows a scene of desolation consequent upon the war. The Wayfarer appears, a lonely fig- ure, voicing his depression. Understand- ing, whose part.is taken by a woman, leads him into Babylon and shows Mm the dis- couragement of the people there who have been promised great things, but haTe not yet realized them. . The second episode pictures the .life of Christ, his uprising, his. triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Crucifixion and. the Resurrection. The third episode represents "The Con- quest." At the -beginning the Wayfarer ■committed himself to the programme of world conquest Then he turns to spiritual things, and the ultimate triumph of Chris- tianity is shown in nine scenes, until in the final all the nations of the earth, assemble to pay tribute to Christ. HAS GOOD BOOKINGS Baltimore, M&, July 7.—The Audi- torium of this city has a most promising list of attractions for its patrons. Among the many shows that will be seen here are Al Jolson, in "Sinbad": "Monte Cristo, Jr," "Some Time," "Somebody's Sweet- heart,'' "Tumble • In," "Good Morning, Judge," "Up In Mable's Room," "Take It From Me," "East Is West," "Thirty-nine East," "Toby's Bow,'» "Please Get Mar- ried," "Friendly Enemies," "Tea For Three," "Forever After," "The Woman In Room 13," "Maytime," "Adam and Eva," "Oh, My Dear" "See Ton Later/* "The Light of the World," "Lombardi, Limited," "The Little Journey," "The Fortune Teller," and Robert B. Mantel], Walker Whiteside, William Collier, Walter Hamp- den, William Hodge and Guy Bates Post in new offerings. FRIARS NAME OUTING EVENTS For the Friars' Outing, which,: win be held at Karatsony's, Glen wood, Long Island, on July 17, the following events hare been announced: a clam-bake, ath- letic contests, baseball game, aquatic sports;and swimming races. Prizes ■will be given to thewinnersof events. The charge' will be $6 for each, person, tax included, this rate prevailing for both members and guests. The committee in charge includes George 8. Dougherty, chairman; D. .Frank Dodge, in charge of scenery and transportation; Leo Frank, edibles and drinks; John J. Gleason, Ath- letics; Fred Block, entertainment; S. Jay Kaufman, publicity; Henry dive, an- nouncer; Irving Meyers, baseball; Charles Mercer, swimming races, and Harley Knoleg, aquatic sports. START REHEARSALS MONDAY Somerset A.H. .-produce, will be placed in rehearsal next,' Monday, and is sched- uled to open at the Hudson Theatre about the middle of next month. •' GET LOEW TIME Tom Jones has started a number of his acts on a tour of the Loew Circuit' for periods running from twenty to thirty- five weeks. Among some of those which he placed are Billy Quirk, who opens at the American to-morrow; Faber and Mc- Gowen, who start to-morrow in Boston; Weston and Peggy, who begin their sea- son at the Boulevard on July 21; Fatima and Company, opening at the Metropol- itan, Brooklyn, tomorrow; Musical Chris- ties, who started at the Avenue B, on Monday; Pearl Sindilar and Company, who get under way at the Lincoln Square to-morrow and Bicknell, the Clay Model- ler, who begins his tour at the Grand in Atlanta next week. "JERRY IN MEXICO'' OPENS Haluax, July 7.—"Jerry in Mexico, a new show written by Frank G. King, recently opened here. The Bates Musical Comedy Company is presenting it at the Gaiety Theatre. King and Rose are in- cluded in the cast and others in it are Jimmie Evans, Dora Davis, John Fagan, Marty Dupree, Will Locker, Fred Marten and a chorus of seven. PLAYS RETURN DATE PrrrsBUBGH, July 7.—"The Smarter Set" opened here tonight at the Pershing, playing a Summer return engagement, something that has not happened here in fifteen years.. It played twelve perform- ances here only a few weeks ago. Salem Tutt Whitney and J. Homer Tutt head the cast. U. S. PROFITS FROM FIGHT Washisgton. July 5.—The Government revenue on the WiUard-Demnsey fight, it has been estimated here, will total about $100,000. The 50 per cent taken from the gain made by each ticket speculator wiU serve to increase that total by some thousands. BAGGAGE PREVENTS ACT OPENING BQ1 Rogers complained to the N. V. A. on Monday that, owing to the error of a baggage man of the West Shore Railroad, he was unable to open his set at Proctor's Newark Theatre. Rogers checked his trunk from Albany on Sunday night to. Newark. When he arrived the baggage agent informed him that the trunk had arrived there, bnt bad been reabipped to Newark, New York. As 4 result, Rogers was unable to open, and requested Secre- tary Chesterfield to enter a chum with the railroad company for his loss of work through their alleged neglect. M'LLE EUbUNA VERY ILL . M'lle Elmina is dangerous ill with in- fluenza in Buenos Ayres, Argentina, S. A. An epidemic is widespread and an places of amusement in Buenos Ayres and Mon- tevideo are closed, according to cables re- ceived by Richard Pitrot, the impresario, early this -weak.- - ... ''•■" "sama? opening set PrnT.ATirT.pmA, Pa, July 7.—Al Jolson. the KbM*r««— sBmmajsBin ; w»d 1)M created such a hit Jn -"Sinbad," win be seen in this city with' his show, which opens at the Sam S. Shubert Theatre on Labor Day. : : 'k DATES ahead • "Oh, Mr Dear"—Comstock and Gesft, opens Atlantic City, July 14. "Curiosity"—J. 8. Tapper, opens Atbury Park, July 14. ^^ . "Midnight Frolic" (New Edition)—Opens - New Amsterdam Roof, July 14. "Ono a Minute"—Fred Jackson, opens •Washington. D. C^. July .14. <„ '^Hltchy Koo"—Raymond Hitchcock, opens BoBton. July IK "The Red Dawn"—Shuberts, Stamford, Conn.. July SI.—89th St. Theatre, New York. Aug 4. ! - "See Saw"—Henry W. Savage, opens Bos- ton, Aug. 2. "Not To-night, Josephine"—A. H. Woods, opens Atlantic City, Aug. 4. "Chu Chin-Chow" (hid Edition)—Comstock and Gest, opens Century Theatre, Aug. A. "Buddies'*—Selwyn and .Company,. opens Stamford, Aug. 4. ". ",." *^^ "The Challenge"—Selwyn and Company, . opens Asbury Park, Aug-. 4^ ' • "Too Many Husbands"—A. H. Woods, opens Hudson Theatre, Aug. 11. "NeU O'Brien's Minstrels"—Opens Pough- keepsie, Aug. 1L "A Pearl of Great Price"—A. H. Woods. opens Stamford, Conn., Aug. 12. •• "Breakfast In Bed"—A. H. Woods, opens Stamford. Conn., Aug. 12. . "The Challenge"—Selwyn and Company opens Selwyn Theatre. Aug. 12. "Buddies"—Selwyn and Company, opens Boston, Aug. l£ ' •""*" "*""*". "Adam and Eva"—Comstock and Gest, opens Longacre. N. T., Aug. 18. "The Bashful Hero"—A. H. Woods, opens BIJou Theatre, Aug. 18. ^^ ^^ "Little Love Birds"—A. H. Woods, opens Atlantic City. Aug-. 25. " -™." " VB ™ "Just a Minute"—John Cort, opens Atlantic City, Aug. 26. "Lady Tony"—A. H. Woods, opens Stam- ford, Conn., Aug. 29. "y^ 6 **£? Birds"—A. H. Woods, opens Eltinge Theatre, Sept. 1. ■ ^^ Friars' Special Meeting—Sept. 5. "The Girl in the Stage Box"—A. H. Woods opens Washington, September 7. " The ""le Whooper"—Abe Levy, opens Atlantic City, September IB. v»~«» "Seven Miles to Arden"—Oliver Morosco opens Little Theatre, Oct, L «™»™. Si^Ui.. an,J Marlow open In "Twelfth .Night." at 44th Street Theatre, Oct 5. The Luck of the Navy"—Comstock and Gest. s opens Manhattan Opera House, "The Unknown ' Woman"—A. H. Woods opens Washington. Oet. «. wooos. Society of American Singers, William Wade Hlnehaw. opens Park Theatre Oct. 13. Aphrodite"—Comstock and Gest, opens Century Theatre. Nov. 1. *™ No^ r °18 OPera Companjr - °» en8 Ch'cago, INSTALL LIGHTS OFFICERS The'Lights held their fourth annual election at the clubhouse in Freeport last Sunday afternoon. There was no oppo- sition to the ticket placed in the field by the nominating committee, and the fol- lowing were elected to office for the ensu- ing year: Angel, Frank Tinney; aide de camp, AL Von Tilzer; treasurer, Frank Kaufman; secretary, N. E. Man waring. The Board of Governors chosen include: J. Francis Dooley, Bflly Murray, Jack Welch, Harry Puck, W. M. Riordan, Sonny Barkus, 8. M. Summers, Victor Moore, Harry Von.Tilzer, Charles Middle- ton Tom Dogan, George Barry, George McKay, Bert Kalmer, J. B. Isaac, James Diamond, George Whiting-and Lew Kelly. The new officers were installed immedi- ately after the ballots were cast by Sec- retary Manwaring. The first meeting of the new board of governors will be held on Sunday afternoon. ROTH AND ROBERTS SPLIT Chicago, I1L, July 6.—The vaudeville team of Roth and Roberta was dissolved here last. week. Sam Roberts win, here- after, appear with Charles finrkhart in a two man talking act, while Irving Roth wiU continue to play as a "single." . Roth has been booked for a tour of the W. V. M. A. NEW ACT OPENS "Thicker Than Water" is the title of a new sketch which Rosalie Stewart pre- sented out of town last week. The offer- ing was written by Orrin Breiby, author of "$5,000 a Year" and "Do Men Gossip." In it are Ida Maye, Al Williams and Bob Dale. The turn aa directed by Bert French. BILLY GLASON Playing the Keith Vaudeville Orcrait in "Just Songs and Sayings." FORM NEW PARTNERSHIP V The-firm of Lillian Ward, in'the Putnam Building, stopped doing business, and on June 30, *he firm of ^vard and Bob! Co, Inc., started in the same offices.