The billboard (Dec 1910)

DECEMBER 81, 1910- The Billboard NEW YORK. , . 6.' Holland BnildlBf, 1*40 Broadwar. Telephone 1630 Bryant. CHICAGO. UOS ScbUier Bulldln*. 103-100 Randolph 8t. Telephone Central 08*4. ST. LOUIS. SAN FRANCI8CO. Weatbank Bolldlnc, Mo Market St., Junction Market. Ellin and Stockton BU.. Suite 621. LONDON, ENGLAND. 170 Tempi. Cbamber., E. a PARIS, FRANCE. 18&TJED WEEKLY, ul entered u Second CI a »• Matter at Post 019c*. Clnctn- ~ Mo. Addre*. all communication* for the editorial or baalnea* " FTJBLICATIOH OFFICE: THE BLLLBOAIW PCBLISHTVO COMPANY, 416 Elm Street, Cincinnati, O., V. S. A. ill wkm I |,|.» —mi ^w »«.j i line, agate maaa ar a n na t , Whole pan, |l half paga, |70: quarter para, 1*5, No ad* tieamant maaaariac laaa than ire Uaaa aeeapt Bubecription. >« . year; • month*, at; month*, fl. Payabla la adranoa. So extra charge to Canadian or aeribera. If laar- THE BIXLBOAHD la far tale aa all tralna and new. etanda tanaa-boat the Halted States and Canada, which are aappliod. by the Amertcaa Ham Co. and ite braaahaa. It la alas aa aala at. Brantano'a, ST Arena* da rOpera, Pane, France. When not on aala, plea*, notify thla i by pal. expaaaa money order, or raaiaterad latter ad- drsaaod or mad* payable to The Billboard P«b- liihinr Company, to return nana- Vale 1910; Welcome 1911- Another year has gone by, and with it many of the profession whose memory will lone be cherished by the amusement-loving public Not only have more deaths occurred in the profession, but a greater percentage of fiascos in the theatrical business have occurred during this year than in other seasons. . The year of IQIO has gone into history as one of greater trials and vexations in the amusement business than in the preceding year. Not for many years has the circus suffered as it did during the first few months of ioro. Many inauspicious openings were made, several shows inaugurated the season in snow storms, while a few postponed the begin- ning of their tour until the severity of the elements had abated. Added to the inclemency of the weather were numerous cases of unprofitable opposition fights, which greatly aided fn diminishing the profits. The circuses undoubtedly made more money than other amusement enter- prises, for, while the first few months were unprofitable, it is a fact that business during the summer months reached normal proportions. The parks suffered in no small 'degree in the spring. The cool weather kept the public indoors until the early part of summer, and even though the weather in most localities was delightful during the summer and autumn months, a material falling off in receipts was noticeable. Theatricals have had a trying season, with many hard struggles. The iqio offerings have, in the aggregate, been little better than passable, and the real meritorious productions have been greatly outnumbered by those of mediocrity, or even inferiority. Vaudeville has advanced in popularity and quality. The construc- tion of theatres throughout the country, where vaudeville is the form of attraction, indicates unequivocally that vaudeville as a popular form of amusement stands upon an adamantine foundation. Not a small num- ber of shining lights in the theatrical firmament have embraced vaude- ville during the past season with variable success. Burlesque has shown remarkable development. The indomitable perseverance of its promoters is beginning to manifest results, and their efforts covering a period of several years, have at last demonstrated that burlesque can be produced as a pastime for the classes as well as'the masses. Seeing a woman attend a burlesque theatre is no longer a spectacle to cause amazement, as the quality of burlesque has been so materially aggrandized that a husband need not hesitate to take his wife to this class of theatre. While this is true, there are many communities in which the burlesque theatre is still considered a place only to be visited by the sterner sex. Agricultural fairs met with variable successes. In some locations, records for attendance were established, while in others, business fell short of former seasons. The motion picture business has undergone many changes, for better and for worse. The fight between the two factions, the Motion Picture Patents .Company on one side and the Sales Company on the other, has not been ended, although there was less display of hostility than in other seasons. The fight between the licensed and independent companies has not been as severe as that which marked other seasons, and were it not for a few mudslinging film periodicals, no sign of any differences would be apparent. Although the foregoing epitome of conditions in the several branches of amusements does not present a very alluring picture, there is no reason for alarm. A closer view and careful study of the situation should suggest remedies—bearing .in mind the public and its capricious testes. No vast degree of perspicacity is needed to discern the fact that the public's tastes are undergoing a change. This statement applies to all form of entertainment. The process of evolution has been going on since the history of the world began. Sometimes there is a reversion to old forms and old desires, and the astute purveyors must take note of these whims. The people must be amused, and the managers with the foresight to provide the form of amusements in demand will profit. Those in the professional ranks who apply their wits and capital tj meet the desires of a fickle public, will succeed, as all such men do. This being the season when thanks for extended favors are in or- der, The Billboard acknowledges with sincere pleasure and gratification, all gratuitous advertising which has been given it by its s in their reading columns during the year 1910. Reaping the Reward. In this land of ours there are many real people—people, whose per- severance, grit, stick-to-it-iveness and abilities are brought to popular notice tnrough achievements out of the ordinary. But sometimes it happens that an unappreciative and indifferent public fails to observe and take cognizance of the certain few individuals who are within their midst in every-day, commonplace existence, and yet who are possessed of. virtues far, yes, very far out of the ordinary. One of the greatest triumphs the individual man can accomplish is that of doing well the things that are his to do. His station in life may be ever so humble, yet if he fills that station creditably, he has succeeded - well. A man who exerts himself to the limit and gives to a non-observ- ant world the very best that is in him, and draws therefrom a mere liveli- hood in compensation for his untiring efforts, is certainly a great, strong, compact personality. His is not the career that solicits applause, neither can he feel the intoxication of being popular, nor the attractive- ness of the "much-made-of" idol. His only happiness and contentment comes from the beautiful thought of being true to himself and to the standards set by custom and environment consistent with the position in life that his natural fitness provides. This thought is prompted by the death of such a man. He was a per- former, a man subservient to the dictates of others; one whose voca- tion was to entertain the masses, and make them forget the cares and troubles of a hard and sometimes cruel world. Yet how little they knew of Air troubles. The memory of this man only tends to enliven within u.s a sort of revolutionary pirit towards those who were indirectly re- sponsible for his death. As we said before, this performer was engaged by a well-known manager of a well-known vaudeville circuit. His work was strenuous. Through whim of satirical nature, the physical man rebelled. A nervous breakdown was evident unless he could take the time to rest and recuperate. He appealed to the manager only to learn that if he did not appear at the scheduled time, and present his act, that his con- tract for all future bookings would be canceled.. Then the spiritual man asserted itself—that dominant trait that has made man master of the world—came to the front, and he continued to work and work, be- ing present every night and not in the least endangering the success of the performance by any soldiering on his part. Of course, the inevit- able happened. The performer is taken from his dressing room to the hospital, where in a few hours he was forced to give up the great battle, and in a feeble whisper murmurs his last farewell to wife and friends. This man's indomitable spirit to do or die teaches one of the grandest lessons ever taught. His only, reward—the self-consciousness of a no- ble effort. Really, does not the:world owe such men greater rewards? The New Berth Rate. Now that we are to have a reduction in rates on upper berths, it is to be hoped that the obliging porters will not become so much more atten- tive, that what is saved on the berth, will be applied by necessity to the tip. Speaking of porters reminds us of the following anecdote: A trav- eler had with him $5,000 in bills, wrapped in a package, which he dis- covered he had lost directly upon leaving the train. Rushing into the Pullman office, he acquainted the manager with his loss. The manager summoned the conductor, but this individual had seen nothing of the package. Calling the porter, the manager said to him: "Jim, did you find a package of money in the car?" "Yes, sah," replied the porter. "How much was in the package?" asked the manager. "Five thousand dollars," answered the porter, as he handed the package to the manager. "Why didn't you report it immediately, you black scamp," retorted the manager. • The porter, with an offended and disappointed air, replied: "Boss, I done thought the genman left it for a tip." "One way to measure your success is by the earnestness with which your competitors lie about you."—Benjamin Franklin.