The billboard (Dec 1911)

DECEMBER SO, 1911. The Billboard 19 Events in Big American Cities BQ8T ON. M ASS. The usual decrease In interest In theatrical matters by the general public Is being felt here this week, although several high-class attrac- tions are showing at the leading bouses. The Boston is 'dark, bat will reopen with The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, in which Charlotte Walker Is featured, on Christmas Day, The Plymouth was closed until Wednesday, when the Princess Zim-Ztm, a new offering, which served to introduce Dorothy Donnelly as a star, came to that house. E. H. Sothern and Julia 'Marlowe began their annual engagement auspiciously with a produc- tion of Taming of the Shrew on Monday night, followed by Macbeth on Tuesday. They will re- main at the Sbttbert until December SO. It has been a custom of John Craig of the Castle Square during the past several' years to make a somewhat more pretentious production generally of a musical nature at Christmas time. This year is no exception, and the theatre will be desk until Friday, when The Wizard of Os will start an engagement to last through the balance of the holidays. Chas. Cherry. In The Seven Sisters, is In his last week at Hollis Street. On Monday next, Leo Dltrlcbstein, assisted by Jane Beecher, in The Concert, will begin an engagement. The Pink Lady, which Is occupying the stage of the Colonial, Is fully living op to the repu- tation which preceded It from New York, and should make a record run at that boose. Everywoman Is now in Its last fortnight at the Majestic, and Baby Mine will occupy the bouse at the beginning of the new year. Owing to previous bookings in other cities, Get-Blch-Qulck Wallingford will leave the Park after the first week In January, to be succeeded by The Country Boy. Eddie Foy, in his latest musical play. Over the Rhine, succeeds Ralph Hers, in Dr. De Luxe, at the Tremont on Christmas Day. Two revivals of old, popular plays are the attractions at Grand Opera House, for this snd next week. East Lynne. which is holding the boards this week, will be succeeded by The Two Orphans next Monday. After a week In which the old time variety artists held sway, a regular -vaudeville bill is the attraction at Keith's. Kate EUlnore, late leading woman of one of the Naughty Marietta companies, assisted by Sam Williams, Is the headliner. Among the others on the pro- gramme are -Mason, Keier and Co..' Bolfe's Co- lonial Septette, Asahi Japs, Wilbur Mack and Nella Walker. The Irish Singers, who were featured at the National last week, are held over. Chlnko, who Is said to be one of -tne greatest jugglers, is headlined. The Kilties Band gave a second concert at the Boston Sunday night, December 17. . At the Ice-hockey game played Saturday night, December 16, at the Arena, the Boston Athletic Association team defeated the Weatmounts of Montreal, Can. The operatic concerts, at popular prices, on Sunday nights at the Boston Opera House, are proving very successful. Some of the leading singers of the company are beard, and many who might not otherwise be able to attend, avail themselves of this opportunity to hear parts of the operas. The laBt showing of the Klnenracolor Coronation Pictures, at Tremont Temple, It is announced will be on Christmas evevlng. They have proven very popular here, having been shown for the first time during the late summer and continuing through the fall. Cora Livingston, who, it Is claimed, is the world's champion woman wrestler, is featured with the Kentucky Belles at the Old Howard. Several local girls appeared during the week to contest the title. Bob Manchester's Cracker Jacks are at the Casino, and Gallagher and Shean's Big Banner Show is the attraction at the Gaiety. P. H. JONES, two wives, Mrs. Abigail Conway of St, Paul, and Nellie Conway of this city. Conway was arrested by the city police on a charge of breach of peace, sworn to by Nellie Conway, who stated that he asaualted her at their home some weeks ago, and afterwards the complaint of bigamy against him was made out In the county attorney's office. Conway admitted that he had married both of these women, and bis case was continued without bail. The Fifth Annual Automobile Show will be held In the Armory on Kenwood Parkway, Feb- ruary IT to 24, and endeavors will be made to nave It surpass all previous such shows held In this city. The American Theatre, the new vaudeville and picture house on Lake Street, between Nicollet and First Avenue, South, continues to draw ex- cellently. This house la of steel and tile blocks cons traction, snd Is absolutely fire-proof, with the latest fire appliances for safety and thorough ventilation. The theatre offers matinees on Sat- urdays, Sundays and holidays, and evening per- formances the balance of the week, with amateur nights, Wednesdays. The house Is controlled by the American, Amusement Company, of which D. W. Chamberlain Is general manager. I. L. Stene Is resident manager of the theatre. Manager S. H. Katun of the Cyril Theatre, left December 16 for a business trip to Chicago, where he will remain for a short time. BODHBIO STE. FLEUBE. KANSA S CIT Y, MO. All the theatres here have made special ef- forta for Christmas week and present Indica- tions are that Christmas week of 1911 will be a record-breaker for all the houses. The and there were many thrilling rescues by the firemen to the great applause of the huge crowd that had gathered to see the fire. F. B. Q. Caldwell, the popular manager of Ted Sparks' Vaudeville Circuit, after being absent from the city for four or five weeks on a tour of Inspection of the circuit and other business, has returned, and expresses himself as very well satisfied with business conditions and states that he had a very pleasant, profit- able and enjoyable-trip. WILLIAM W. SHELLEY. LOUISVILLE, KY. Sheriff Anthony Fisher of New Albany, Did., attached the property of "the Akin Amuse Co. of Indianapolis, last week, against whom Judg- ments have been obtained by Frank Myers of that city, who claims that Akin was Indebted to him. The sheriff levied on the Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and plantation show, which was used In the street carnival last week. The amount of the judgments and costs amount to $400.- Mias Lanier De Wolf, who Is a member of the chorus of The Belles of the Boulevard, was given a reception and luncheon in Louisville lsst week by her Kentucky friends, among; the party being Hon. Senator S. D. Hearst, who is a great friend of Miss De Wolf. Miss De Wolf was playing at the Gayety Theatre. Hon Larry Gero, secretary of the Louisville lodge No. 8, T. M. A., will leave January 4, for Cincinnati, to be a guest of the Cincinnati Lodge T. M. A. January S, when the new of- ficers will be installed. The New Avenue Theatre Is about the most popular theatre on Fourth Street. It Is the lag wlwfe, Leila Mclntyre, 88 of the company! were entertained with a banquet. With an: orchestra in attendance. Bangs wen suns; anal- stories told and Christmas remembrance* ex-t changed. J, Joseph G sites wired an order for two ease* ° f J. A. MADDOX. § OMAHA, NEB. A PICTURESQUE BILL-ROOM. MINNEA POLIS , MINN. A. B. Dingwall, manager of the Dingwall ft Litt Circuit, which controls the Bijou Opera House in this city, visited Minneapolis, Friday, December IB. together with Sol Litt. son of the late Jacob Litt, who Is manager of McVIcker's Theatre of Chicago, Mr. Dingwall stated that most cities are overcrowded with playhouses, and that the Mill City Is considered one of the best towns for first-class attractions by eastern the- atrical people. The arrival of the Spring Maid Company .at the Metropolitan Opera House, Sunday, December 10, was delayed three hours on account of customs inspection on the boundary, and failure of a transfer company to get the show's equipment promptly to the railroad ststlon. The show arrived here at 5:12 p. m., which necessitated especially fast work on the part of the Metro- politan's stsge employees to get the production staged for the evening's performance, which opened at 8:25, or practically on time. A new aketch. Dans La Potage. by Mrs. Walter Douglas, was tried out Informally by the author- ess at her country home at Waldon, Lake Mln- netonka, recently, before a few intimate friends. The play calls for three roles, and is a farce with an amusing plot- Manager A. G. Balnbrldge, Jr., who Is In general charge or the Shubert interests here and In St. Paul, announces tbst with the week of December 24.. the burlesque productions of the Columbia Circuit (Eastern Wheel) which hsve been holding forth at the St. Paul Shubert, will be succeeded by the regular first-class attractions of the Shubert Circuit. A draft of a proposed motion picture theatre certificate of Inspection has Just been completed by Walter Scott, secretary of the Minneapolis Fire Department, same being drawn at the re- quest of the city council committee, which, is handling the motion picture theatre Inspection, and will be submitted to this committee for their approval. The Idea is to have the various motion picture theatres Inspected by Fire Marshal Price, and then have the proprietors take out these cer- tificates, which show the number of exits, pre- cautions against fires and date of lsst inspection ot the theatre. This certificate will also be thrown upon the screen before each performance for the benefit of the patrona. Harry Conway, chief usher at the BIJou Opera House of this city, was arrested, Sunday, Decem- ber 17, on a charge of bigamy, preferred by hla J. Fred Miller, popular advertising agent of the Academy of Music, Fall River, Mass., takes especial pride In his bill room, which is conceded by traveling managers and agents to be one of the most artistic In the country. The photograph from which the accompanying Illustration was made was taken especially for The Billboard. holiday spirit has pervaded the theatres and the people are happy and money-spending. The Willis-Wood Theatre is Indeed a perfect bower of beauty at this Christmas time. The lobby Is magnificent In Its decorations of the stately potnsetta, the peeping holly berries and the green of many ferns and plants. Also mistletoe with its olive green leaves was in plentiful profusion. The Interior of the theatre was also, decorated with Christmas bells, poin- setta, greens and holly and Is one of the pret- tiest plsces in the town. The warm red tone of the Shubert. the "house cosy." were more emphasised this Christmas, for both the lobby and Interior of this theatre It seems, are Just a bed of polnsettas. This lovely bloom Is massed In profusion over the entire house and with the holly and Christmas bells, mskes the Shubert a very festive scene. Miss Nella Bergen, Mrs. De Wolf Hopper, who was at the Sbnbert Theatre with Sam Bernard In He Came From Milwaukee, the week of December 10. had the misfortune while here to lose several jewels. From her room in the Sexton Hotel Miss Bergen lost two vain- able bracelets and a diamond ring. The brace- lets, one set with diamonds, were tsken Mon- dav. December 11 and the ring. Thursday. Dec- ember 14. After the bracelets were missed the case was turned over to a private detective agency, but when Miss Bergen left Kansas City, there bad been no success reported. Miss Ber- gen's rf)om8 were entered while she was out. Lawrence Lehman Is no longer business man- ager of the Orpbeum. Mr. Lehman has quit the theatrical field and has gone into business for himself, having charge of two fine res- taurants. Mr. Lehman Is the son of Martin Lehman, who has been resident manager of The Orphenm for the past twelve or thirteen yesrs, and was married In the summer. The Wellington Hotel, which was completely destroyed by fire early Sunday morning, was a well-known theatrical hotel, and many are the theatre folk that have spent their time In Kan- sas City at this hotel. At the time of the fire, coming as it did late Saturday night, when most of the theatrical companies were "on the wing." there was but one "act" In the hotel. This was Cubine and Woodward, and tbey lost all their wardrobe and everything they had. In thl» fire, bnt escaped with their lives. Cubine and Woodward are with the Sparks' Circuit, and are well snd favorably known here. There were no lives lost, although It was very spectacular only melodrama honse In Louisville. The Broadway Amuse Co., of which - Fred Dolle is manager, has plans under way for a new $40,000 vaudeville theatre. When fin- ished It will make one of the finest vaudeville and picture theatres South of the Ohio. The third victim of the Majestic Theatre ac- cident passed away last week. Joseph Kipp, who was a bricklayer on the new Majestic Theatre, was working on a scaffold when It broke, throwing three men head long to the ground. The scaffold being overloaded was the cause of it breaking. A coroner's Jury failed to hold the contracts responsible for the death of the three victims. ARTHUR V. SHECKLER. COLUMBUS, O. The nsnal week before Christmas slump is with us. Big things sre hoped for next week. The Grand has again changed management. Bay C.- Owens, who has been associated with Corse Payton in New York, is the present man- ager. Mr. Willis, traveling representative of the General Film Company, is with us this, week. The popularity contest of the New York Telegraph has resulted in the largest vote polled by the friends of Elsie Janls, her number of votes being over a million. Each subscription carried over a thousand votes, the nomination giving the contestant 500 votes for a beginning. . The prize won by Miss Jsnls was a Stearns auto, valued at (3,200. Miss Janls makes her home In Columbus. -The minstrel magnate, Al. Field, who calls Columbus his home, arrived from the South on Saturday, the company arriving Sunday. As is ususl with many theatrical organiza- tions, Mr. Field is "laying off" this week to reopen next week In Dayton, this being the fifteenth season In which Dayton has been his New Year's or Christmas Dsy booking. Mr. Field, says that In spite of the opposition caused by another minstrel company filling dates almost simultaneously with his. over his entire terrltorv his sesson has been phenomenal- ly successful. As the Sunday before Christmas will be spent In traveling, the holiday celebration usually indulged in by The Girl of My Dreams Com- pany, was dated a week ahead of time and took place at the Hartman Hotel, where, as the guests of Mr. John Hyams and his cbarm- The Brandies and Boyd Theatres were week of December 17, the-theatres having tractions that week profited somewhat on count of there not being any attractions these houses and business waa very satlafactoi at the other places of amusement, especir at the Orpbeum and Gayety where the ~ lane crowds were in evidence. That part of the Orpbeum Theatre _ comprising a two-story building adjoining, theatre, which included stores and the Crelg ton Dance Hall, was sold to George Barker, local capitalist, for a sum stated to be $120,000. This property, as well as the theatre, owned by the Orpbeum Circuit. Their gem attorney of San Francisco came here to assis Local Manager Byrne In closing the deal Manager William Byrne was largely instrumen- tal In securing a purchaser for the property. The Wool Growers* Association meeting ■■ this city, December 11 and week, brought mi strangers here who attended the theatres, great- ly helping out the receipts at the play bona-' at a season of the year when the attendance w: most needed and when the home people wi spending their time shopping.' The Auditorium, which waa built a _re- yearn ago by public subscription, costing $80, 000, has never proved to be a paying pro post tlon. The Board ot Directors are now endeavor- ing to sell It to the city to be used for con- ventions and It is likely that the deal will *■- closed In the very near future. Manager Johnson of the Gayety, la a great, believer In publicity and during the dull season: to stimulate business, he sent out a large num- ber of circular letters to residents in the city] snd a letter to all of the newspapers In the State of Nebraska and received some nice men- : tlons of his theatre and the attraction In many of the papers which has given the Gayety some valuable publicity throughout the state. Parnell,. Mangan and Parker Halght have sold their moving picture house at a good profit Mr. Halght has accepted a good position as treasurer at the Krug and Parnell. goes to Kansas City, where he will be associated with O. D. Woodward as treasurer at the Willis-Wood. Both sre deserving and capable with much past experience in the line of work they are taking j up, and will no doubt make good in theirf new positions. H. J. BOOT. SEAT TLE, W ASH. Just before Christmas there is always a lulls In theatricals and week of December 17. withi the three co-nblnatlon theatres dark, win be the* quietest seven days of the entire local season. f| Alice Gentle, one of Seattle's society girts*" until a few years ago when she went to New! York City to study music. Is now one of thef principals in Marie Cahill's new musical com-| edy. The Opera Ball, which was presented to— the first time In Ithaca. N. Y.- December '8.§si Big and Jolly and Hearty Col. John P. Sullivan! of New Orleans, Grand Exalted Ruler of the-1 Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and Fred-f erlck C. Robinson. Grand Secretary, Thomas BJ Mills of Superior, WlsJ: C. L. Applegate of} Salt (Lake City. Grand Exalted Trustees of thef order, were visitors in Seattle December 8-9. George J. Mackenzie of the Metropollta Theatre, leaves January 18. for a business trips to Winnipeg in connection with Klaw ft Er- lsnger's enterprises. . _, L. A- Shortrldge, representative of The Bill- board in Seattle, accompanied by his wife, left December 18 for a three weeks' tripj through Southern California. LBM A. SHOETEIDGE. PROVI DENC E. R. I. Last week was an off-week In the show business in this city. The Empire, Imperial and the Prov. Opera Honse were dark the entire week, although the Opera House opened on Tuesday with pictures of the Battleship Maine. The picture houses did a fair business. The management of Keith's Theatre last Friday, had as gnests. the Inmates of the Home of Aged Men and Aged Couples, and of the Home of Old Ladies. It was a great pleasure to witness their enjoyment of the bill, which wss entirely made up of the old-timers. Col. A. R. Harrington, proprietor and owner of Crescent Park and Rocky Point, the only two amusement resorts about Providence, left last week for a winter's stay In Florida. Mrs. Harrington accompanied. him. The Hotel Blackstone. formerly known as Brncker's, opened to the public on Thursday evening. December 14. Messrs. Morris and McGrath, the managers, are very well-known to many of the profession, and the affair was a tremendous success. ■ W. E. GREENE. | I TORONTO, ONT. At the Boval Alexandra, Monday night, j Alice York. ICaTrl-s Hill) a native daughter, received an ovation when she appeared In the i leading role in The Chocolate Soldier. HerP admirers Presented her during the evening with two beantifnl boquets of roses. Fred Whitney was observed in a tor and It Is stated that I Mr. Whitnev has made a million profit out Ofl The Chocolate Soldier. . j Nearly every one Is interviewing Santa Clans j and the* amusement business this week is rather I light. A Hanoy New Year to all the read»rs of The Billboard. JOSEPH GIMSON. Additional Big C!*v Letters wlH be found on page 46