The billboard (Aug 1911)

20 Th *e. Billboard AUGUST 19, 1911. Resume of the Week's Important Amuse PHILADELPHIA, PA. All preparations for ushering in the theatre season of 1911-12 are being completed, and an- other week, or little mere, will find the popular- priced vaudeville theatres and burlesque houses, which have been closed during the bot weather, open again for business. Labor Day will mark the opening of a onmber of higher class bouses. One of the important early productions In the line of the new attractions will be The Quaker Girl, which will open the Benson at the Garrick Theatre on September 4. On the same date the Forre=*t. Walnut and Grand Opera Boose will open, for the winter run. To tbe Forrest comes Truly Sbattuck. In Alma Wo Wobnst Du2 while Edgar Selwyn will open the historic Walnut, playing the principal role la The Arab, a pla- written by himself. The flrst offering at the Grand Opera House will be The Soul Kiss. The Shnbert houses will open early in September, but with what at- tractions can not at this time be learned. The aristocratic South Broad Street Theatre will re- main closed until October, when It is likely that one of the Charles Frohman stars will be tbe opening attraction. The National, the home of melodrama, beat all the smaller houses to the season's opening by beginning its regular season August 5, with A Fugitive From Justice. Tbe Trocadero Theatre opened August 12, with The Tiger Lll- lies. The Empire, formerly the Park, will open August 19, offering Western Wheel burlesque also. Tbe Big Review, with Miss Frankie Heath, will Inaugurate burlesque In this house. Everything Is in readiness for the opening of the burlesque season at the Casino with offer- ings of the Eastern Wheel. Hnrtig & Seamon will present Tbe Taxi Girls. August 19 is the date for this opening. The Gayety. where stock burlesque has been running all summer, will change over to the regular Eastern Wheel attractions on the fol- lowing Monday, with Bobie's Knickerbockers first on the list. This will be the first season of burlesque here with four theatres, the Empire being the new one and the Western Wheel form- erly represented only by tbe Trocadero. The William Fenn will continue with higb- class vaudeville, and is dne to open August 21. The Nixon, West Philadelphia vaudeville house, opened August 14, after a brief recess. The past week recorded good business in the houses which braved the disastrous sizzling summer, and the apparent anxiety of large audiences to be amused Is highly encouraging for the rapidly approaching season. The week of August 14 wjll be farewell week in the Grand Opera House. After the most suc- cessful season the theatre has ever bad it will close for two weeks on August 19, to prepare for the fall and winter season. B. J- Buckley has Instigated a new regime. In as much as be has issued thousands of en- graved invitations to the prominent citizens of Philadelphia, including tbe mayor and all other prominent city officials, to attend the Initial performance at the Empire Theatre, formerly the Park, to inaugurate Western Wheel burlesque there. On August 18, tbe night before the regular opening the guests will assemble at the play- bouse to witness a fnll-dress rehearsal of the Big Review Show. For the first time in the history of the theatre the box-offices will be open, but no money will be accepted for admis- sion, and only those bearing invitations will be admitted. The object of tbe affair is to convince all tbe citizens of this city that all shows produced at this house will be of a character devoid of all characteristics formerly produced in bur- lesque. J. E. Allien, known the world over as "Pop," was in Philadelphia all week busy in prepara- tion for the opening night. The flrst visit he made after arriving from New York was to The Billboard representative here, and spent an afternoon in reminiscences of the "good old dsvs when. 1 heat Tody Hamilton to It." "Pop" still demonstrates that be is young In age, but prehistoric in experience In the publicity field. Miss Myra Dnmont Rnshton. formerly billed as Tbe Miniature Lillian Russell, has left Philadelphia for rehearsals with Miss New York Jr.. a new Western Wheel burlesque production. Miss Rnshton who has been on* the stage Tor more than three years, will appear In the olio singing That Old Familiar Strain, and plays the part of a Western widow in the burlesque. STANLEY RUSHTON. BALTI MOR E, MD. Eugene L. Perry, the new manager of the Auditorium Theatre, took charge August 7. The house will open, August 14 with a pre- liminary season of motion pictures. Dante's In- ferno wia be, presented for the first time in America. This film has aroused much interest. It was recently presented before the King of Italy. The pictures will continue until Septem- ber 4. when - the regular season begins with At H-. Wilson. Mr. Perry has had fifteen years of experience in the snow business and has been on the Shnbert staff, for two years. He comes to the Auditorium to succeed the late Jefferson D. Bernstein, who died August 0L. Within the next ten days many houses will open for the season. The Gayety opened Au- gust'5 with Al Reeves and His Merry Maidens. Tbe Monumental will open August 12 with The Fashion Plates-: The Holllday Street Theatre opens August 14 with The Chief of the Secret Service- The Maryland . opens August 2t with The Oldtlmers, and there will be something itoinff. Electric Park win be In the limelight short- ly with a: series of antomobl'e races In which many noted drivers will participate. There are several new attractions on: the grounds, includ- ing the electrical spectacle. The City of Yes- terday,. _ The.Dazy Dazer was blown to pieces by the Tecent storm. - As the storm came up- about 11'p. m.. the showers were so heavy that the crowd was .obliged to remain at the park until 3 a. nj... the management looking ,after r _ their comfort. " A fiV - e " -caused- a"-damage--*6f -S250 in-the mov- ing picture theatre at 839 Greenmount Avenue 'ABZU9U4: ■i.WlUiain/E'. -Hawkins, .the. operator,, war changing tne'lflms wheir Yhey taught are. £j l *m-m lai< *,*» i& **** An alarm was sounded and the blaze was ex- tinguished before any damage was done to the building. The place is owned by William F. Walsh. Every effort Is being made to have tbe new Empire Theatre ready for business by November 1. The house will cost $300,000. This bouse will take the place of rhe Monumental Theatre on East Baltimore Street. John T. McCaslin has been enjoying the sum- mer at his castle on tbe Belair Road. SYLVAN SQHENTHAL. ST. LOUIS , MO. This week began with all gardens bousing good attractions and with the prospects of a good week financially. The airdome and picture shows, of which this city has an abundant supply, are doing splendidly, and with vaude- ville that Is much more of tbe high-class vari- ety than earlier in the summer. Forest Park Highlands this week has the return of Cavallo's Band, which has scored hand- somely for two weeks at Louisville, Ky. Delmar Garden has begun its last week of summer stars, and as most of its principals are leaving for winter openings, the company will weekly see new additions until the close of the season of 1911, which will be about Sep- tember 1. The Kinemaeolor pictures of tbe Coronation of King George V is on its second week at the Garrick Theatre and business has shown an Increase since opening. Tbe pictures are a decided novelty in their line and worth the time spent in viewing them. James Gabriel, who has won much fame in the Wild West end of his profession, has Just received his new Wright aeroplane and with Standard Theatre will open on Sunday mat- inee. August 33, with The Cozy Corner Girls Burlesque Co. Columbia Theatre will open on Monday mat- inee, August 14, with vaudeville. Gayety Theatre will open on Sunday matinee, August 19, with Vanity Fair Burlesquers. Tbe American Theatre will open on August 20 with The Rock of Ages. Haviin's Theatre will open on August 27 with The Millionaire Kid. A new song, written and composed by St. Louisans, will be sung for the first time at the opening performance of Plff. Faff, Pouff by the Delmar Opera Company, Sunday evening. It is entitled I'm tbe Father of Them All. The words are by Sylvester Maguire. author of The Rogers Bros. In Panama and the song hit. If I Had a Thousand Lives to Live. Tbe music Is by Noel Poepplng, the well-known bandmas- ter of this city. . The new song will be sung by Mark Smith, the popular comedian of the Delmar Company. WILL J. FARLEY. CINCI NNAT I, O. Otto Ernst Schmidt, director of the Cincin- nati German Theatre Company. Is making prep- arations for the opening of the coming season at the Grand Opera House October 1. Tbe most able players of last year's cast have been re-engaged and several new members will arrive from Germany in September. Col. I. M. Martin of Chester Park, accom- panied by Mrs. Martin, went to Chicago August 7. where he will inspect some new attractions for his amusement park. It is possible that some of these will be tried this season, while others will not be brought here until tbe open- A SCENE IN THE GIRL OF MY DREAMS. Act II. showing the Christmas Girls. The Gin of My Dreams opened at the Criterion The- atre, New York, August 7, under the direction of Jos. 11. Gaites. Mr. Henning. his aviator, is booked extensively about the fall fairs. Walter Sanford, former manager of the Shn- bert theatres in Kansas City, has been ap- pointed manager of the Olympic and Century Theatres here, to succeed the late Pat Short. Mr. Sanford Is expected to arrive in St. Louis this week from New York. W. D. Cave will be Mr. - Sanford's assistant. A new picture screen, the first of its kind ever seen here, will be installed at the Prin- cess Theatre, from the studio of Max Green- burg, formerly the scenic artist of the Hippo- drome in Cleveland. The new screen far ex- ceeds the original Idea of tbe new-named day- light sheet, inasmuch as the facial expressions and highlights of all the photographic art are brought out in a remarkable manner. The state rights have been secured by the Princess management and the inventor. Max Greenburg, has Installed his studio at the Flshell play- house. Sidney Belmont, who has just closed his sea- son as promoter ahead of the Winslow Car- nival Company: passed through St. Louis last week. He will, after a short rest.take up his season ahead of the Aviator Co. The annual Made in St. Louis Show will be held this year in the Coliseum week of August 21.. This show has been most successful, as it gives the people of St. Louis a chance to see the worth of what Is- made In their own city. Will EL Darbin will close bis summer season with the West End Heights Stock Company of St. Louis week of August 6. and will go direct to tbe rehearsals of the Aviator Company, in which he win star the coming season. Dan S. Fishell has found so many of bis chorus at Delmar Garden are compelled to leave for their winter engagements, that he and Director Temple have called on all the girls in St. Louis tbat can sing. He fonnd during his experience here years ago with tbe Castle Square Opera Co. that it Is possible to equip a company from among tbe talent in St. Louis. Musically tbere will be no dlfil- culty. lack of stage experience being the only drawback. The following theatres of St. Louis are booked for early openings; ■ .„■--- ing next year. A Chicago Inventor claims to to have invented the greatest amusement device ever seen, and it Is largely to look over this device that Col. Martin went to Chicago. A recent distinguished visitor at the Cincin- nati Zoological Garden was Dr. Fran!t Baker, superintendent of the National Zoological Gar-, den at Washington, who expressed himself as being delighted with tbe local Zoo. which, be stated, is one of the most beautiful be has ever seen. >■- - One of the big events of the season will be the outing of the Reuben -R. Springer Council Y. M. I. at Chester Park August 19. The feature of the day will be the athletic meet, in which some of. the best athletes In this part of the country win participate. Tbe outing was originally scheduled for August 5, but was postponed on account of rain. Harvest Home will be held this year at Coney Island August 24-28. Coney's Silver Jubilee will also be celebrated August 20-20. with tbe Kline Carnival Shows as a special attraction. The Kline Company carries eighteen shows and a street fair. Preparations for the Fernbank Dam Celebra- tion are going on at a lively rate. Tbe sub- scription list to date totals over $10,000. The commercial organizations of the various Ohio Valley cities are planning for a visit of one or more days lo Cincinnati during the cele- bration, and in a number of Instances requests have been made to permit these organizations to provide a float for the allegorical night pa- geant to be held on Friday, September 8. The regatta committee received word from John J. Ryan, the Cincinnati thi'iitrlcal man, that he would enter both of his l>oats, tbe Reliance IV and the Dixie IV. In the big event. These two speed boats are among the "fastest in the country. Paul W. Hillman has been re-engaged as treasurer lit the Lyric Theatre for the coming season. - Mr. ami Mrs. Jolly Jenaro were Billboard callers July 25. They report a very good season playing parks and fairs. -. Nora Bnyes ami -Jack Norwdrtb' In - .LIt.tle Miss Fix-It are announced as the uponing at- traction at the Grand Opera nouse. .Cincinnati will lie the first. ..city outsider ojf_- New r.York and Chicago to seeVihe piece. Lyman H. Howe opened his four weeks' travel festival at tbe Lyric Theatre August o, featur- ing the Coronation pictures. In spite of the sizzling hot weather the theatre has actually been crowded night after ulght. KANSAS CITY, MO. With the close of August rhe park season for 1911 Is nearly over and attention is brunt turned to the theatres. Electric Park closes the night of Labor Day, September 4. Work will then be started at once to get the park In readiness for tbe great third annual Mis- souri Valley Fair, which will be held there for two weeks, commencing September 23. Mr. Tbos. L. Taaffe, manager of Falrmoirot Park, returned to the city August 1 to resume his duties as treasurer of the Century Theatre, which opens August 13. Forest Park closes the nlgbt of September 4, and then Mr. J. H. Koffler, manager of Forest, will turn his attention for a week to Carnival Park, Kansas City, Kas., where he has taken over all the concessions during the Merchants and Manufacturers' Fair, which will be at Car- nival Park for a week, commencing September 4. This Is the second annual fair for the mer- chants and manufacturers of Kansas City, Kas., In charge of Will FIrstenberger as general man- ager. The Century Theatre Is really the first of the theatres to open, as it will throw open its doors Sunday. September 13. with The Mer- ry Maidens as rhe flrst attraction for the new season. "Joe" Donegan is again manager. Tbe Grand Opera House opens Saturday night, August 19. with Henry Woodruff in The Prince of Tonight. The Giilis Theatre has announced an early August opening, althongh Just what day this event will take place has not been definitely decided. Tbe Willis Wood Theatre announces its 1911- 12 season opening for Sunday night, September 3. and the first attraction as The Country Boy. O. H. Buckley, business manager of the Willis Wood, will return to Kansas City the last of August to get ready for the opening. Mr. and Mrs. Buckley spent the summer at Cayuga Lake. N. Y. The Shubert Theatre opens September 3, the attraction to be announced later. Earl Srewart win again be resident manager of the Sam S. Shubert Theatre. When the Shnbert closed for the summer season and Mr. Stownrt took bis vacation. It was doubtful if the Shuberts would send blm hack here, as there was talk of putting him In Chicago. But now it has been decided that he is to remain here with "home folks." Mr. Stewart is a Kansas City man. Fred Stewart, brother of Earl Stewart, has been visiting in Kansas City the past couple of weeks. Mr. Stewart was at one time treas- urer of tbe Shnbert Theatre here, but was transferred to tbe Princess Theatre, Chicago, last winter. The week of August 6 was the second and final week of the Kinemaeolor pictures at the Shnbert. The Coronation pictures were the big fpature. The Orpheum likewise opens Sunday, Sep- tember 3. but the first vaudeville bill Is sot given out as yet. The Gayety opens August 19 with Burt Mc- Phaii again as mannger. WILLIAM W. SHELLEY. SEATTLE, WASH. The Seattle Lodge of Elks are already mak- ing preparations to entertain visiting brothers during the convention In Portland. Ore., next July. The awakening of the Seattle spirit manifested Itself in the recently concluded First Golden Potlatch celebration, wbich has been such a magnificent success. The next great civic cele- bration will take place August 17-22. when the Seventh Saengerfcst of the Xorth-Paelfle Saene- erbund will be held in this city, under tbe aus- pices of the two local German singing societies. W. SI. Russell, manager of the Alhambra Theatre, bas resigned and will be succeeded by Mr. Jewell, wbo has been associated with Mr. Russell for some time. From now on, Mr. Russell will devote his entire time to the man- agement of companies which wi-1 perform heroic rescues, commit dastardly deeds and otherwise engage in dramatic situations upon- which the moving picture operator will focus his lens. With two companies In tbe field and another in process of organization hero. "Dad" will find little time hanging on bis hands. One company he intends sending to Honolulu, the other over the Canadian-Pacific for the panto- mimic portrayal of Wild West stnff. John W. Consldine. executive head of Sulli- van & Consldine, left July 30 for Snokane and Salt Lake City. Mr. Consldine goes to Salt Lake to Inspect his new tbeatre now building. Before returning to Seattle ho wl.l visit Cali- fornia. An attempt was made July 31 to brenk Into and rob the general offices'of Sullivan & Con- sldine, but was frustrated bv the promptness of the watchman and Andv McKeen. the stage doorman of the New Ornheum Theatre. This Is the second time burglars have tried to burg- larise these offices. Mr. Carl Belter, manager of the Orptienm The- atre, was called m Snn Francisco to the bedside of his father, who is verv ill In that city. Mr. Relter returned to Seattle August 1. with the sad news that his father bad become totally blind. LEM A. SIIORTIUDGE. TORONTO, ONT. Shea's old bouse on Yonge Street, has been practically torn out inside and a new audi- torium rebuilt with all the improvements re- quired by our rigid flre-laws. It will open about tbe end of August, under the management of Henry Brock of Buffalo, well-known here, and will be called tbe Strand. Manager Tom Hcnrv of the Gayety, and Mrs. Henry, treasurer of the same, ■ are back In town, after n .pleasant, summer *penti,|u New York, Philadelphia, etc.- Le Gayety opens Aug. iH. -•- - - : -.. sIOSBPH OIMS0N.