Show World (August 1909)

gust 21, 190!). THE SHOW WORLD' 9 MURDOCK IS OPTIMISTIC CHESTER SUTTON WEDS ON THE FILM SITUATION VIOLINIST IN BUTTE Sees Prosperous Year Ahead for Exhibitor—Starts on His Tour of Inspection—Many Applicants for Positions Prominent Western Theatrical Man Married [to Talented Musician of Kansas City—Other Butte News Before leaving Chicago last Mon¬ day for a tour of inspection of those cities in which the International Pro¬ jecting and J. J. MURDOCK, leading film men of America. In s lecting men to take hold of our e-. changes, we have found an unusual difficulty—that of selecting the pick of the best. We are endeavoring to use the utmost discrimination in our selection of men in whose hands the film rental exchanges of our company will be placed. “We have determined that experi¬ ence alone is not the only qualifica¬ tion desirable, for there is so much dishonesty in the business that we are making honesty one of the chief points for consideration. Exhibitors may look forward to honorable deal¬ ings with our exchanges, for the en¬ tire International project is built up of honest methods, and the graduate from the dupe shop will find no place with this organization. “With the opening of the season a new era in the moving picture busi¬ ness will be ushered in. Exhibitors desiring to project the International film upon their screens will be in a position to secure this undiluted serv¬ ice, through the medium of our vari¬ ous exchanges which are to be estab¬ lished throughout the country. The days of the faker, wiid catter, duper and all around so-called Independent film cheater are drawing to a close. Competition in Manufacturing. “As stated in a previous interview, our manufacturers are vieing with each other in turning out superior subjects of a high class character and our European connections will not release their good in Europe until thirty days after they have been re¬ leased in this country and therefore the American exhibitor will receive and show the goods one month before they are on the market in the country m which they are made. “When we started the International company last February, we looked forward to a depression in business during the summer months, but it is remarkable to note that those ex¬ changes handling the International goods exclusively have not suffered a falling off in their receipts to any marked degree. And they themselves claim that the business has been big- ger than in other years when they handled the trust goods. This would appear to be a high recommendation tor the quality of the International product. "The preliminary arrangements for opening of our exchanges has en¬ tailed a vast amount of close and care ul apphcation. These arrange¬ ments are nearing completion. The detail work is necessarily slow as this ts an enormous undertaking.” Despite Mr. Murdock’s strenuous labors in Washington during the nor-J ? ont,ls > following his brief P e nod of recreation at his surburban home, he left Chicago on his inspec¬ tion tour in-the best of health and spirits, full of vigor and fired with that tireless energy for which he is noted. Bookings for Powers. Among the bookings announced for Powers’ theater this season may be mentioned J. E. Dodson in “The House Next Door,” Miss Billie Burke in ‘Love Watches,” Kyrle Bellow in “The Builder of Bridges,” Rose Stahl in “The Chorus Lady,” Ethel Barry¬ more in Pinero’s “Mid-Channel,” John Drew in “Inconstant George,” Robert Edeson in “The Noble Spaniard,” Hattie Williams in “Detective Sparks” and Henrietta Crosman in “Sham.” BUTTE, Mont., Aug. 22.—Two im¬ portant events have happened here in theatrical circles during the week. Chester N. Sutton, who is Sullivan & Considine’s resident manager, was mar¬ ried Thursday evening to Miss Rosa Roma, of Kansas City, who is known to the stage as an accomplished vio¬ linist. Crowding the above happy occas¬ ion was the auspicious opening yes¬ terday afternoon of the new Orpheum vaudeville house, one of the theaters controlled by S. & C. in the Pacific northwest. Several thousand dollars have been expended in reconstructing the former Lulu stock play house, and the effort has been successful in al¬ lowing Sutton to make good his promise of opening “one of the cozi¬ est, prettiest and best appointed the- “Happy” Jack Sutton. Jack Sutton, Manager. From Barnum’s original cowboy, during the season of 1883-4, to manager of one of the leading vaudeville acts of today, is a far cry, and yet this has been the experience of “Jack” Sutton, who is now manager of the well known Tasmanian-Van Dieman Troupe. Sutton has had' a most interesting career. He was manager of the first band of Sioux Indians taken to Europe in 1885 and 1886; manager of Sells Bros.’ Wild West in 1887; with King and Franklin in 1888; he made a tour of California in 1889, Australia, India and the Orient in 1890-1902, and followed with a tour of Mexico and Cuba. He has been with Ringling Brothers, the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, and is now with the -Gollmar Brothers as manager and owner of the Tasmanian Van Dieman Troupe. THE GRIFFITH FUND The late Elmer W. Griffith (“Griff”), one of the best known and well liked advance representatives, perhaps in the entire middle west, aside from his other excellent qualities, was held in high esteem by those who knew him, because of his loving devotion to his invalid wife. The call of death came to suddenly that “Griff” had not time to bid her a last farewell.’ We believe there are hundreds of “Griff’s” friends who will be glad to prove in a substantial manner to Mrs. Griffith, that the passing on of “Griff” has left a void which none other can fill. A tribute fund has been started, without the knowledge of the sorrowing widow, and we trust that she may not learn of it until it has grown to generous proportions. When convenient remittances should be made with check or money order. Contributions should be sent to THE GRIFFITH FUND, Show World, Chicago. Amounts thus far received are as follows: Ed Rowland and W. G. Gaskell. Ed. Clifford . Abe Jacobs. Dave Seymour. The Show World. Funreal Expenses .$10.00 . 5.00 . 5.00 . 5.00 aters in the country.” Edna Aug missed train connections at Logan, Mont., but six other acts were pre¬ sented, making the bill adequate in length, as it was in quality. Mr. Sutton will oversee both the Orpheum vaude¬ ville and Majestic theaters, but Percy Crawley will be his assistant, paying his attention to the latter house, and acting as auditor for both. Ned C. Haines of the Miner staff, has been appointed press agent for the Orpheum vaudeville. The second word of the new house’s title is made necessary by the court’s recent order allowing Castro brothers the exclu¬ sive use of the word “Orpheum” in connection with their moving pic¬ ture auditorium. “Three Weeks” opened the Broad¬ way’s regular season 19; “The Time, the Place and the Girl,” played 20-21; “A Knight For a Day; played 22-23; “A Gentleman From Mississippi,” 24- 25. “Doc” Sutton formerly of Syracuse, has joined his brother, Chester, here, and has been made one of the Or¬ pheum vaudevilles staff.—BILLINGS. Gem Theater Reopened. ST. LOUIS, Aug. 25.—Frank L. Talbot re-opened his Gem Theater for the winter season last Thursday. Manager Talbot has redecorated his front and erected an iron and glass canopy at a total cost of $14,000.00, and now the Gem Theater stands as the handsomest theater in this coun¬ try, if not in the world. The exterior of the building is lighted with over fif¬ teen hundred incandescent lights and eight flaming arcs and lights up the street like day-light. Adams and Alden the well known comedy singers were the feature for the opening, while other popular turns were sup¬ plied by the Harmonius Four and the Jacobey-Silverman Trio. The new front of the Gem Theater is proving to be the talk of the town and there is always a crowd of sight-seers gaz¬ ing at it. Shuberts Out of Salt Lake. SALT LAKE, Aug. 2.5.—The ar¬ rangements entered into early this summer whereby the Grand passed into the hands of the Shuberts .has Dr. N. P. Valerius. Vice-president and Treasurer of the Riverview Exposition. been cancelled, and unless other plans are formed, Salt Lake will be denied the Shubert attractions this season. The reason assigned for the break by Manager A. B. Jenson, for Pelton and Smutzer, is that the number of book¬ ings was hopelessly insufficient, aver¬ aging only about twelve nights per month. Th« Willard Mack-Blanch Co. has signed for forty weeks, and open Aug. 29 with “Salomy Jane.” Mack has achieved remarkable success in summer stock, and with a strong company playing only high grade plays, a prosperous season is antici¬ pated.