The billboard (Mar 1918)

The Billboard MARCH 16, 1918. NOT FOR THE BIG TIME, NOR YET THE SMALL TIME, BUT FOR THE ARTIST ALL THE TIME. p I~ wV CABARETS — LE} ORPHEUM CIRCUIT PLACES BAN ON UNPATRIOTIC SONGS Martin Beck Takes Up Cudgel Against Anything Which Tends to Lower Patriotic Morale— Deplores Attempts To Be Funny on Delicate War Subjects ‘New York, March 9.—Martin Beck, managing director of the Orpheum Circuit, has taken a step in the right Girection in an order just issued in which he draws a fine line as to the songs which may be sung on the circuit. He places a special ban on all songs which touch on the war topic and which, in their attempt -to be funny, become in reality unpatriotic. ‘He has addressed letters to all managers of the theaters on the circuit instructing them to warn performers that they will not be permitted to sing ‘such songs. The letter is selfexplanatory and is as follows: “Dear Sir—A few of the acts pla} ing the circuit at the present time are using material that is unpatriotic, such as for instance a song called I-Don't Want To Get Well and another one entitled What a Hot Time the Old ‘Will Have Now That the Young Men Are Away. “Not only do such songs have a tendency to lower the morale of our young men in the army and navy, but it makes our patrons feel that we are not trying to keep up the spirit of patriotism due our country at this time. There are surely enough funny songs that are good, and patriotic songs that are tuneful and amusing, which also arouse patriotism. “Acts playing in our theaters must eschew the vile, the unpatriotic and uggestive. The vaudeville stage today stands for the best that the amusement field can offer, and in order to perpetuate this high standard nothing but first-class offerings must be presented in our theaters. “This is a point that must receive your personal and careful attention, ‘and if in your opinion an artist uses line or song that could in any way be misconstrued you must eliminate * anything of that nature at rehearsal and see that it is not used again during the week. At the same time you will immediately notify this office ‘80. that we can advise the next stand to ‘be guarded against a recurrence. “You will acknowledge your understanding of the above by return mail, Rats’ Case Again Postponed New York, March 9—The White Rats’ investigation was again postponed yesterday afternoon because of. the absenge from town of Attorney Alvin T. Sapinsky. The case is now down for continuance next Friday afterno 1, and all parties concerned hope to seo it progress without further interruption’. if Not for Vaudeville * WWew York, March 11.—Mrs, Vernon Castle denies the published report that she {s making arrangements to enter vaudeville in a dancing act. and post this letter at the entrance of the stage in a conspicuous place, “Yours very truly, “MARTIN BECK.” took a jaunt into big-time. vaudeville, will start his career in popular-priced vaudeville March.25 when he will fill a week at McVicker's. Barnes Gets Happy Chicago, March 11.—Happy #larrison, who has been playing W. A. Time, has signed up with F. M. Barnes, Inc., for the coming fair season. South American Tour New York, March 9.—The following artists left for Buenos Ayres March 7 on the S. S. Vestris for the Seguin SouthAmerican Tour: Simone de Beryl and Company, Delmar and Ma NAN HALPERIN’S HOBBY ? of Nan Halperin, the inimitahte character ‘emend sama Bent kas Bane mond ig Hanae Ta Nate aR a i ui Stine et Ws Wontar Si te oe ty doa’ W. Stern & Bert Christie Affiliates ‘With Kellie Burns Agency and Ackerman & Harris Seattle, March 11.—A ten-year affiliation was signed Saturday by Kellie Burns Vaudeville Agency, this city, and Bert Christie, Salt Lake City. Ackerman & Harris also signed an agreement with Christie whereby Hippodrome Vaudeville will play the Grand Theater in that city in the future. “Monte Carter to Seattle? Seattle, March 9.—Unconfirmed reports have it that Monte Carter will open here March 24 in musical comedy, jumping. from the Oak Theater, Tacoma. Pop. Prices for Ralph Chicago, March 11.—Ralph Herz, musical comedy star, who sometimes Augoust Family and Jolly Johnny Jones. E. Merian, with his pantomime dog, act, will sail on the S. S, Vauban April 8. All these acts have been booked by Richard Pitrot thru the sole representative of the tour, Roger Tolomel. Many American acts are booked fo1 the coming season, the South American Circuit running all year ‘round, so with every steamer four or five acts will be sailing. Miss Gallatin’s New Act New York, March 11.—Alberta Gallatin, who is now breaking in for vaudeville a new one-act society comedy by G. Vere Tyler, was delayed in her opening on account of changes In the cast. She has finally decided upon Marcia Abbe and George Palmer Moore. The latter has just returned from Australia, where he toured with his own company, Miss Gallatin’s act is expected to reach New York in the near future. New Theater on Heights B. 8, Moss Granted Permission To Build After Long Litigation New York, March 9.—At a meeting of the Board of Appeals of the Build ing Department this week permission was granted to B. S. Moss, head of the Moss Theatrical Enterprises, to erect a playhouse at Broadway and 18ist street. ‘The erection of a playhouse in that locality has been in litigation for almost two years. In August, 1916, the so-called building zone regulations were passed, which prohibited the erection of theaters in residential locations unless special permission was obtained from the board. Work will begin immediately. Th theater will have a seating capacity of 3,000, and will be highly ornate in character. Lillian Vernon Injured San Francisco, March 9.—Lillian Vernon was painfully injured at the Portland Hippodrome when the stage manager got mixed on cues and brought down the curtain on the heads of the Vernons (Frank and Lillian). ‘Their time between Portland and this city has been canceled. Lillian was sent to the hospital here and may recover in time to play here. Faring Well on Pan. Time Chicago, March 11,—Crewell and Fanton, in Revelry, an act employing four men and one woman, who perform exceptional stunts in an espsclally set military background—sensatlonal electrical effects predominating proving one of the biggest features touring the Pantages Circult. Mme. Bernhardt Abandons Proposed Mexican Tour New York, March 10.—According to William F. Connor, her manager, Mme. Sarah Bernhardt, who is now in Cuba, will not make her proposed tour of Mexico and some of the Central American republics. Instead she will soon return to this country and at once begin a tour over the Orphe: um Circuit, playing about twenty weeks in the West. New House in Casper, Wy. Bert Pittman, the well-known booking agent, who was with the Sullivan & Considine Circuit for eight years at | Denver, and _V. E. Stanley, a wealthy oil man of Casper, Wy., have organized a company and intend putting up a $200,000 theater and office building in Casper. Work on the structure 1s to be started at once, and they expect to have the house ready for’ occupancy about November 1 of this year. The seatin: acity is to be 1,40 the theater will be devoted to vaudeville, road attractions and motion pictures, : Maurice to France New York, March 10.—Maurice, of dancing team of Maurice and Flor‘Walton, is now en route to France. He is @ private in the Quartermaster Corps.