The billboard (Dec 1911)

18 The Billboard DECEMBER 30, 1911. Kaleidoscopic Review of Amusement BALTI MORE , MD. Contrary to tbe usual custom of opening a new 1 '. theatre as soon as the roof Is on, tbe inanage- ' ment of the new Empire Theatre has del a red the opening of this new playhouse until It Is completed entirely. Opening a new house in a hurry always creates a bad impression in the .mind of the public and elicits much unfavorable criticism. However this building is an ambi- tious step for the promoters and It is their aim to win the highest commendation of the pa- trons. This theatre is without exception a beautiful structure Inside as well as outside. The exterior being In white terra cotta and marble makes a striking appearance. The In- terior decorations are as artistic as an artisan can produce. The promoters have expended con- siderable money on this enterprise and tha theatre is up-to-date in every detail. It em- braces every feature that a human mind can conceive for the convenience and comfort and ! the safety of the public The house has a : seating capacity of 2,400 and a point of Inter- i est to the seating arrangement is that patrons ; can see tbe performance from any angle without ! moiing or turning. The theatre Is fireproof throughout and this i matter was given particular attention behind i the footlights. Special attention was given to ; the construction of the dressing-rooms, which, ; usually afford some danger for the possible oot- j break of a blaze. These rooms are built en- tirely In concrete. Hooks have been Imbedded I in the walls. The finishing touches will be I completed and the house was opened for public [ inspection December 23. ; _The Garage Skating Kink on Charles Street ! and Mount Royal Avenue, which was the first I in the field, is the last to leave It. George : Miller, the proprietor, has announced that the I rink will be closed after January 1. The ! Mar-Del Company, which uses the first floor for i the display of automobiles, will make use of the : entire building for motor cars. Alterations i and additions win be made to the building. > Whatever the opinion of-the Detroit officials : may be regarding the performance of Mikail > Mordkin. the Board of Police Commissioners : refused to interfere with this dancing artist , and he was allowed to appear for his perform- > ance at the Lyric, December 14. Mordkin was i arrested In Detroit for appearing with bare i legs and waa not allowed to go on without i donning tights. With this experience in mind. ; a representative visited the office of the com- j missioners and explained the circumstances. ! The officials approved tbe performance and In i granting their decision. stated that anyone ob- ! jecting to the dances of Mordkin must be a ' foolish prude and lack appreciation of this J dancer's wonderful art. | The Automobile Club of Maryland is arrang- • lug a big show, which will be on a larger scale than previous exhibitions. The Baltimore Auto Dealers' Association met at the rooms of the elub to formulate the plans for the show which will be held at the Fifth Regiment Ar- mory February 20-28. The affairs of the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society, which conducts the Tim- onlnm Fair, were much in the limelight during last week. The society is composed of wealthy and prominent citizens and there was a fight among the minority of stockholders and the old fair men won. The society has been in exist- ence for 3S yean and this la tbe first time that there baa been a fight for tbe control of the Board of Managers. The meeting was held in the Courthouse at Tawson. December 13 and the gathering of the fair stockholders waa the largest attendance in the history of the society. There was a fight for the control of the Board of Managers as charges of mismanagement against the present board were presented. Af- ter counting the ballots, the result showed that kvthe old board had been re-elected by an over Swbelmlng majority. ' ■ James B. Hare, who was formerly press rep- W resentatlve for James L. Kernan. and Is now connected with the publicity department of the Western Maryland Railroad. Years ago, he waa associated with Frank C. Bostock, who con- ducted a zoo In this city at Maryland and Mount Royal Avenoea. and which waa destroyed by fire. Mr. Bostock is now the proprietor of a zoological exhibition at Kensington Mansion. ; Earl's Court, London. Mr. Bostock. recently s wnt Mr. Hare a letter In which he stated that • he wanted to be remembered to all his Balti- i more friends. He said be met many of them ! in London dnring the big Jubilee. J. Reed Haman, a magician, was hailed be- ! fore Justice Llewellyn at the Northeastern Po- I Tee Station for the non-support of bis wife. Although he Is capable of producing coins from i any part of the air. he could not provide his r-'fe with sufficient funds for her support. As Raman could not get employment In his profes- sion, he will get a position in other work so as to support his wife. Tbe magistrate dismissed ■he case and will help him to get a job. As was previously stated in a Baltimore let- F»r. Miss Marian Wilson of The Little Boy Blue Company, lost her trunk while appearing; here ft- the Auditorium Theatre. The trnnk was found by the police and William Jackson and William Jefferson, both colored, were arrested on tbe charge of stealing the trnnk. The con- tents of the trunk were never recovered. The prisoners were on trial In the Criminal Court December 14 and they were sentenced to 18 months 1n the Penitentiary. Miss Wilson came to Baltimore in response to a request of the authorities and she appeared against the prison- ers. After tbe trial she hurried back to New York to Join her company. A new moving nlcture theatre will shortly be erected at 1118 Light Street, and bidders are now figuring the cost. The contract will be 1"t and the work will start in a few weeks. The theatre will cost about $20,000. Tbe plans call for an entrance on Light 8treet with a long lobby. When completed this house will be the handsomest In South Baltimore. The Armory Commission, which has charge *f the plana for the new Fourth Regiment Ar- mor**, hss chosen a alte. bnt win not make It public until after the Legislature assembles at Annapolis next month. The proposed build- ing will cost $1,000,000. The idea of with- holding the site is to prevent any attempt to ralee tbe price of the grounds. An effort will be made to have the legislature make the ap- propriation aa soon as possible so that the work on the building can be started without delay. This building will provide this city with another big building for large public ex- hibits and conventions. Messrs. Pearce and Scheck, proprietors of the Victoria Theatre were examined by the Grand Jury for giving Sunday performances. The Lord's Day Alliance were responsible for the trouble. Sergeant Forrest and Patrolman Harry Lelneman of the Central' District, were assigned to pass anon the show given December 10. They characterized It as a cheap vaude- ville show. These so-called moral reformers consider it a crime to give clean picture shows on Sunday and their eyes are blind to the al- leged violations in saloons and disorderly houses. Some people are lucky and John T. McCaslin la a lucky man- He is the only theatrical agent In Baltimore. When he entertains visitors he does not care how he spends his money. Re- cently he took several friends to the Emerson Hotel for luncheon. He was seated at a table In the Chesapeake Room indulging in raw oysters, which is one of his favorites. He bit on something hard and discovered a ■ pearl in his month. He found several more and quietly placed them in his pocket. He had the stones mounted on a stick pin, which now adorns his cravat. This trinket haa attracted much at- tention and those who frequent bis office have started to eat raw oysters and as yet the ef- forts have been stoneless. SYLVAN SCHENTHAL. PHILADELPHIA, PA. Bobby Heathe. the well boy actor and com- poser, is making a hit at the Bijou Theatre, hav- ing recently opened an engagement with Mr. Dougherty. This being, however, his first time alone. Mr. Heathe has been very successful as a song composer and writer, having composed and BUFFALO, N. Y. Gus Edwards was induced to make a second week at Shea's: he was the big bit of the bill. He put up $100 for the Newsboys' Christmas dinner and dedicated a new chorus song to the newsies. A protest being made by the Italians in the city, the police suppressed the Italian-Turkish films which were being shown at the Hippo- drome Theatre. Managers of other picture the- atres were also notified that they could not present the pictures. A wedding took place on the stage of the Garden Theatre December 14, after the evening show. Two members of the Jersey Lilies were united In marriage. • Burdette Hunter and Mable Marsbaw. Rev. Dobson of Kenmore, of- ficiated. The audience were invited to remain and witness the ceremony. An informal wed- ding dinner was tendered by the company. Masquerading as a white slave, a ballyhoo of the Grand Theatre was arrested by the police and fined $25. He was parading in front of the theatre in women's clothes, which was violating a city ordinance. The White Slave pictures were suppressed. The Felare World Tours which have been at the Teck as a Sunday attraction for a number of weeks, have made a big bit and are sup- ported by the best class of patrons. Work will be begun soon on Concert Hall In the Teck Theatre Building. It was burned two or three years ago; $50,000 will be used for its restoration. Plans have been prepared and it will be made fireproof. Sarah P. Robinson will build a moving pic- ture house on Grant Street, 25x88 feet near West Delevan. A piece of film puffed Into a flame at the Lin- coln Theatre Sunday; 200. people were In the house but all escaped. Damage about $50. PRINCESS THEATRE, FORT DODGE, IOWA. out opportunely, but even under the regular guise, not' a few failed to comprehend which waa Which. Unnecessary to say that the aftermath was more pleasant for some than the few min- utes consumed in making the speech. The representative of Tbe Billboard was at the Union Station some time ago to see a certain theatrical company, arrive. It was a Sunday forenoon, and a large crowd was outside. The company contained an unusually large number of pretty girls, and on this occasion most of them were encased In tbe hobble skirt, which seemed natural enough. It was when the girls wanted to mount a Pennsylvania Avenue car that the assembly became greatly Interested. They could not ascend the step, no matter how franti- cally they tried, and it was interesting to see them try. Just- aa attention was focused on that particular car, one of the demure creatures grace- fully elevated tbe hobble togs. There was a generous display of fine hosiery, and the sweet thing darted into the car. Merry laughter from the crowd. One after another the rest of the girls followed in the same manner. "That must have been embarrassing," said the representative to the manager. "Nix. Good advertising, and they like it. Do it at each place," said tbe manager. air. Fred G. Berger, manager of the Columbia Theatre, brought the body of hla son, Fred G. Berger Jr., from Saranac Lake, N. Y., where he had spent many weeks In the vain endeavor to recuperate from a lingering illness, to which he finally was forced to succumb. The parents made a number of trips to Saranac daring tbe summer, and spent as mnch time with the son as they could possibly spare. The remains were interred in Rock Creek Cemetery. The attend- ance of friends, of the family and the numerous floral offerings attested the affection in which the young man was held. Mr. Berger, though unusually young for the position, was manager of the Shnbert Theatre at Syracuse, and had a host of friends. He leaves, besides his father and mother, a young wife and child. ED. WINN. Opened November 22, 1911. written the Pony Boy, Summer Time. Ask Her While She is Smiling, and Nothing to Do 'Til Tomorrow, which have made a great hit through- out tbe country. Everywoman, the morality play. Is one of the early bookings at the Lyric. Other plays to bs seen at the Lyric or the Adelphi are, Tho Boss, Over Night, Bought and Paid For, Bnnty Pulls the Strings and tbe Neverhomes. Tbe Pearl Maiden is tbe title of the new musical comedy in which Jefferson De Angelia wtt appear at the Chestnut Street Opera House for two weeks, beginning January 8. Get-Rich-Quick Walllngford comes to the Gar- rick January 8. The same date will bring Hen- rietta Crosman, in The Beal Thing, a society comedy, to the Broad. : Maud Adam's engagement at the Broad In Chantecler Is announced to begin January 15, and lasts two weeks. Following her. Mrs. Flake will be seen in Mrs. Bumpstead-Lelgb, by James Harry Smith. Tbe Littlest Rebel, with Dustin and William Farnum, will be seen at the Forrest, beginning January 15. Harry Kelly comes to the Grand as the Christ- mas week attraction, appearing in his Honor, the Mayor. The Christmas week bill at Keith's will have Lolo, the Indian girl, mystic; Eddie Leonard, the minstrel; Will Bodgers, the lasso thrower, and the Stanleys, silbonettlsts, amongst Its prominent entertainers. The Orphenm players, at tbe Chestnut Theatre, will be seen Christmas week in the rural drama. Sky Farm, and the following week In Forty-five Minutes from Broadway. For some time there haa been - a talk of a syndicate going to build a new theatre in Ger- mantown, and that Mr. Fred Zimmerman was going to lease same for many years. But owing to a disagreement as to the building site, Mr. Zimmerman, however, has withdrawn all inten- tions of having any connection with the theatre. As the week previous to Christmas, the mind of tbe public Is usually occupied In preparations for the holidays, the managers, Mr. T. Kelly, of tbe National, and Mr. Frank Howe, of the Walnut Theatres, have decided to close their theatres this week, and will reopen again on Christmas Day. It is becoming tbe custom of late years for the big dramatic productions to lay off the week before Christmas, which, with Holy Week, is one of tbe dullest theatre weeks of tbe year. It is generally impossible to secure a satisfactory at- traction for this week. F. A. BAILEY. WASHI NGTO N, D. C. Two of the big theatres recognized tbe strenu- oslty of the holiday shopping trade, and have closed the regular business for the jweek pre- ceding Christmas, giving the employees a brief respite and a chance to recuperate. The latest anent a new theatre: Plans are being prepared for a tberatre to be erected south of Franklin Park, between 13th and 14th streets. Northwest, the structure to be completed and ready for use by June 1, 1812. Bates Warren A Company are at the head of the enterprise. In big headlines we are notified tbat the thea- tres In Washington may henceforth use gas. After being In force for more than twenty years, the regulation requiring that only electric lights may be used In theatres and public halls hag been amended by tbe District Commissioners to pro- vide that gas fixtures may, under certain re- strictions, be installed, to be used for emergency purposes only. After an absence of many years, Mrs. Tom Thumb will be in the city the entire Christmas week, appearing at the Casino. Last Thursday. Mr. Erlanger came over from New York to take a look over the Pink Lady at the National, which be considers about bis best production this season. The question is frequently asked: "la George Peck, manager of .the Gayety Theatre, tbe same George Peck who was Governor of Wisconsin, and wrote Peck's Bad Boy7" We are authorized to state that they are two entirely different Georges, the one being a theatrical manager and the other an author of a theatrical play. Tbe resemblance of Charles B. Hanford to William Jennings Bryan is common knowledge, and this fact was utilized to good sdvantage at the late Gridiron dinner in Washington. Even those best acquainted with tbe two' gentlemen failed to catch on. In the midst of tbe dinner and at a hilarious point, it was announced that a gentleman well known to all of them had un- expectedly arrived and dropped in to greet them. Mr. Hanford entered the banquet hall, decked a la Nebraskan, and tbe welcome waa most cordial. The shouts for a speech of course followed, and the supposed Mr. Bryan responded. He declared that after having looked the field over carefully and sized up the various candidates, he fonnd tbat he bad no use for snch Democrats as Har- mon, Clark. Wilson and the rest, but tbat be would support Taft for re-election, and expected him to win. Sensation? Well, that la patting It mildly. Consternation waa Just as good a term at tbat particular time. The cat was let ST. LOUIS, MO. With the week before Christmas at hand the theatres are now crowded with business, yet we ate provided with tbe best week of the season In regard to the class of attractions. James K. Hackett In The Grain of Dust, Is playing a return engagement at the Olympic, and has an excellent production. The Man From Milwaukee, with Sam Bernard at the Shubert, is a capital comedy and the beat thing we have seen Sam In; it is doing a good busi- ness. Miss Nobody from Starland, at tbe Gar- rick, has been seen In this city twice before and has almost the same cast. In Wyoming and the Echo are doing nicely at the Havltn and the American Theatres. The burlesque houses have exceptional shows in The Girls From Missouri and The World of Pleasure Company. The Century Theatre for the first time In many seasons, Is dark this week. Tbe Top of the World Compan- was booked in, bnt did not reach here, so the theatre will not reopen nntii next Sunday nigbt, when Louis Mann will play his new piece, Elevating a Husband. The Imperial Theatre here, which has been closed for the most of the season thus far, will reopen next 8unday, December 24. with a stock company, at 10 and 20 cents, no higher. The class of attractions to be booked are of the East Lynn order, and the first production will be East Lynn. Mr. D. E. Russell of tbe American, will manage the Imperial In addition to his American Theatre and his wide: ex- perience in this line of productions should pro- vide profitable playa for the Imperial. Miss Charlotte Sherman and her American Gypsy Girls, are still the feature attraction at tbe Gem Theatre here. They have played continuously at this theatre for two months, and are still receiving many encores at every performance. Their popularity has dally in- creased since they started their engagement and it looks as though their ran will be for an entire season. The Jal Alia Skating Rink bere continues to draw well, in spite of the general impression that roller skating is dead in St. Louis. The rink, run on the highest plane by the Oppen- helmer Brothers, has been a paying investment since its Inception, yet the other amusements held In this building before the present were not over successful. Sidney Belmont Is in St. Louis having Just closed with the Alvator Company aa their agent. He expects to again go on the road, after the holidays, several offers having been tendered him. The Princess Theatre again Is on the docket ■ with another surprise. Tbe productions of the Minstrel Maids has been succeeded with the announcement of the marriage of Arthur Fish- ell, early in January, to mips Birdie Harbunrer. Arthur Fisbell Is associated wltb his brother Dan In the control of the Flshell Bros.* Amuse- ment Company, lessees of the Princess Theatre. This announcement has brought general pleasure to his friends and the couple will truly be accorded a royal welcome upon tbe return from their honeymoon, which will be spent in the East. Miss Adele Nelson and Robert Franks! were callers at The Billboard office bere this week. Mr. Frankel Is a St. Louis boy tbat has made a success with the Aztec Twins of the Hagen- beck-Wallace Shows last season. He will spend the next two months with bis parents here In this city. The stock company engaged for the Imperial Theatre here by D. E. Russell In Chicago last week. Includes: Grace Bauwortb. leading wom- an; Albert West, leading man; Herbert Powers, stage director and comedian; Nettle Daven- port, second leads; Ora Clyde, Ingenue; Bruce L. Miller, character man: Austin Grahams, heavies; Rupert H. Clark, Juvenile; Bert Keyea, general bnsiness. Word came from Texas to Mr. Bouncy, aviator for Jim Gabriel, who la conducting aeroplane Sights In New Orleans, that his father had died and compelled bis leaving, and tin placing of Mr. Fowler, until bis return, Mr. Gabriel's No. B aeroplane, Misa Cheyenne No. 2. Is now making nights In New Orleans. WILL J. FARLEY.