The New York Clipper (February 1907)

February 23. THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. THE GROW TH OF B URLESQUE- Tin Clipper having compiled from Its dies a history of the traveling burlesque at- tractions, dating from the earliest days of this form of entertainment, we are pleased to Dresent much Interesting data of the de- rcloDCjent of the burlesque business. It has tnma to proportions, the extent of which can esslly be determined by taking In view ibe number of shows on the road and the number of houses who cater exclusively to the patrons of this style of entertainment, who never seem to tire of It The money In- vested bears handsome returns, after giving full value for the labor Involved, and new theatres are being constructed for the same nurposc. The original burlesque troupe, and which Is still In existence, la the Rentz- Santley Co., which was organized as Madame Hentz's Lady Minstrels, at the >ld Olympic, New York, nearly forty years figo, by M. B. Leavltt After several changes had been made, It developed Into a show very much like modern burlesque. For a long number of years tbe company has been owned and managed by Abe Leavltt During the seventies It bad an undisputed nicld for this style of amusement, and played to excellent business at tbe various homes throughout the country. A No. 2 company also took the road to fill the demand. In 1882 tbe company was taken to England, re- turning from there In 1883. One of the mem- bers who took the trip was tbe late Harry Morris. Among the people who played with tbe nentz-Santley company, In the early eighties, were Dutch Daly, May Howard, Woodson and Bennett, Annie Boyd, the Sisters Purvis, Billy Buckley, the Two Alices, Harry Morris, Lizzie Daly, Victoria North, Irene Worrell and Nellie St. John. Lottie Elliott was for msny years with this organization. Sam T. Jack was manager of the company In 1884. Tbe Ida Slddons Co. was organized In 1883, opening March 10, at Tom Tneall's Theatre, Broadway, Williamsburg. It then closed, re- organized and opened at the Mulberry Street Theatre, Newark, N. J., In April. Its first anniversary was celebrated at Qrenler's Ly- ceum, Chicago, In 1884. It then alternated at the London Theatre, New York: Hyde « Beliman's, Brooklyn, and other available the- atres, during the eighties, with tbe other bur- lesque companies, bouse shows and traveling variety combinations. The proprietors were , George W. Slddons, H. N. Henderson and Creole Burlesquers. the first colored company Billy Arnold. Ida Slddons headed the or- presenting an entertainment of variety and burlesque, nod It proved to be a tremendous company was one of the leading attractions Kmmett, Klsber ard Carroll, Dally and Hil- Broadway. Hunj^squras were headed by for a number of seasons. After several years' ton, Francis Bryant, and O'Brien and Buck- Sam Bernard, accompanied by Dan MeAvoy, ed her ley. The Rellly ft Wood's, as a burlesque Jessie May, Marie Beaugarde. Three Dunbar suspension. Miss Howard again beaded own company In 1897, and stayed out for several seasons. Of late she has been lead- ing woman with Btock companies In Chicago and other Western cities. The llose Hill Co. was organized by George W. Rice and Charles Barton at about the same time, and came to New York In 188D. The show Included: nice and Barton, Marie Itostelle, Vede Mansacld, Sadie Lane, Nellie 1'orks, Clara St. John, Jessie Hall, Csldwell Slaters. Mack and Raymond, Pauline Cook, Nellie Melville, Carr and Tourjee, Toner and Probel. J. II. Barnes and Eddie Cain. Other 1888 troupes were Leavltt's English Folly Co and tbe Water Lilies. Encouraged by their success with the May Howard Co., Mlaco A Morris projected the City Club Co., which opened In August, 1800, with a company Including Fannie Everett, Mamie Deagle. Kittle Wells, Jennie Mlaco, Mabel Guyer, Pearl Bradbum, Annie Living- ston. Clara St Maur, Harry Bryant, Wilson and Davenport, Harry Be ft on. Lower/ and Evans, and Tommy Kooney. Robert Fulton was connected with the staff. Later Tom Mlaco assumed the sole management of this attraction, and It was bis Favorite enter- prise until he died. May 20, 1300, In New York City. In the same season several other burlesque ventures came to New York, among them the Fay Foster Co., managed by Joseph Oppen- belmer, which had been playing small towns since 1887. It opened the season at Miner's Eighth Avenue Theatre. Reagan and Kir- wan. Charley Frey and "Polite" Batcbeller were with the company. Sam Bernard was a member of this company for a season. Later on Johnnie Marlon became a great favorite with this troupe, especially In his character of "Ravy," In a burlesque on "Er- Gllbert show, Included Fatlma. Tessle and Maggie Sisters, Knimn Cirui, Agues Miles Icrguson Allen and West Perry and. Ten and Goldle and Dick Bernard. Miss Njw - Harry Le Clair, Eddie erguson. . llruok, tbe Savans, I.lllle Laurel and Miude Harvey, Her, Burke and Randall, Eva Arm- strong, and l'Bt Rellly. The Fannie Hill Co. bad a brief tour 180.V96. Flynn A Sheridan's Big Sensation, of wblte and colored talent, Included: Ida Nlcolal, Carrie Dunn, HI Tom Ward, Prince Flatow and Billy Farrell. Isbam's Octo- roons, with Frank Mallory, Billy Johnson, Fred Piper, Mr and Mrs. Tom Mcintosh, Maude llyers, Mallory Brothers, Johnson and Shlpp. Madame Flower, Belle Davis nnd tbe EldiTdgee. Louis Roble put on "The Washburn Sisters' Last Sensation," with I.lllle and Blanche Washburn, Olen Emery, Jules Garrison, Tony Stanford, Bessie Mar- low, Billy Harlow, Ed. Mailer, Jack and Itosa lturke and Ruth Deshon. Morris 4 Wood- hull also launched their Twentieth Century Maids, Including: Annie Carter, Leila Trimble, Jane Daly, Harry Emerson. Geaaro nnd Cuakley. John T. Hanson and Nettle De Coursey. In the burlesque on "8venga.ll," Harry Morris played tbe title role to per- fection, and In a manner never to be for- gotten by those who had tbe good fortune to witness the performance. It waa perfect. Leila Trimble was effective as Trilby; Dave nenaro, as "Beppo;" Harry Emerson, as Sandy, and little Nettle De Coursey, as Billy. The show was tbe sensation of the season. Jack's Hullflguters Included: Agces Evans, Nettle Huffman, Mildred Phillips and Ruth Robinson, Le Moyne Brothers, Catherine Rowe Palmer, Clements and Barnes, the Eng- strom Sisters, Agnes Behler and Itobert Van Osten. The season 1890-07 was a prolific one. It produced Rush's Excelsior Co., which played at the Third Avenue Theatre, New York. York Jrt. Included Leslie, Manning and Crawford, Florence Ed- wards, Will and Ida Morello, Sierra Nevada Farrlngton and Marte De Kossett. The Black Ciiik>k Co. was a factor with: Larry Smith Mamie Champion, Kittle Clements, Miul.il, nnd .1. E. Gardner. Sam Scrlbner started his Columbia Huiilk8o,ukrs, employ- ing : Lewis and Klllott, Clarice Vance, Lew ltloom nnd Jane Cooper, Thomas and Qulnn, l.ettlc I.c Vyne, Bison City Quartette and Frank Moran. Tbe Messy Maidens opened with: Gladys Van, Madden and Curry, Lowry and Hanley, De Alden Slaters, Johnson and Itlce, nnd Marlon and Vedder. Tbe Oat Masqumiaders Included: Cal Weston, Mason and Henley, Clark Sisters, Baker and Lynn, and Lorcnz and Allen. The Don Tons came with: Hilly O'Brien, Seanlon and Btevens, Mamie Lamb, Kennedy and Ilestor, and A. C. Lawrence. Weber 4 Fields put out their Vaudeville Club Co. with: Douglas and Ford, Charlotte Ray, Cook and Sonora, Pant- zer Brothers, Bob Harris, Nat Fields, and Dave Lewis. Robin Hood Jr. Included: Helen Russell, Ruby Leonl and Laura Wylle. Provo, Marlowe and Plunkett McCabe and Sabine, and Hodges and Launcbmere. Other troupes were • The Casino Operatic Bur- lesquers, tbe Ideal Troubadours, Gatkst Manhattan, South Before tub warn. Oat Girls or Gotham, Ani'b Meibt Monabciis, Jack's Tbndebloiners and tbe RAiiBLiifa. Club. Season 1808-1899 showed Tub Uioh Roll- ers, opening Oct 8. In Boston, with Sylvia Starr, Blanche ana Rena Washburn. Lew Itandtili, Derenda and Breen, Allison Sisters, Alice Warren, and Gibbons and Barrett. The Eusoi'EAN Sensation Included Frank Dunn, lly nil ganlzatlon, playing leads In the different bur- lesques. At various times the company also Included May Howard, Harry Constantlne, Harry Lansing, Smith Sisters, Allen Sisters, John H. Merrltt and Bertha Waring, Ada Henry, Griffin and Marks, Phil and Chrlssle Sheridan, Chas. H. Duncan, Conners and Kelley, Geary Sisters, Emma Alfredo, Eva Lester, Etta Corbett, Prof. E. A. Kleckhofer, Clever Carroll, Jas. Thorpe, Llda Gardner, Burt Queen, Lizzie Mulvey, Ned West, Geyer and Delhauer, Cbas, Queen, Llda Morse, Ada Morse. Ada Henry and Gertie Keith. Various managers backed the enterprise during Its different tours. Ida Slddons Is now living at Plymouth, N. II. Among the houses which played burlesque companies at that time were the People's Theatre, St. Louts; the Howard, Boston; Smith's Opera House, Grand Rapids: the Adelphi, Buffalo ; the Theatre Comique, Wash- ington, D. C; the Grand Central, Philadel- phia ; Theatre Comique, Providence ; Stand- ard Theatre, St. Louis; Pence Opera House, Minneapolis; Alhambra, St Louis; Olympic, Philadelphia; Park Theatre, Detroit; Levan- tine's, Albany; Opera House, Newark ; Grand Central, Troy ; Monumental, Baltimore ; The- atre Comique, Minneapolis ; Windsor, Boston ; liucklngham, Louisville; Academy of Music, I'lttsburg, Pa. Sam T. Jack's Lily Clay Co., otherwise tbe "Adamlcss Eden," vas also a product of the eighties. In 1885 the company Included Alice Townaend, Victoria North, Mertle liouck and Palma Schroeder. For a number of years this company gave an entertainment exclusively by ladles. The red headed girl on tbe white horse was one of the features In- troduced by Mr. Jack. Another company, organized In 1882, was •ne headed by LlUle Hall, which Included Mile. Zlttella, Bobby Newcomb, Charles Dun- can, George and Harry Booker. In 1883 the people were Billy Bryant, Gussle Hart, Jas. nnd Lydls 8heeran, Katie Hart, Smith and Ijeopold, Sam Lang and Dollle Sharpe, Hazel Blake and Rosa Lee. Other companies of the same period were: Mme. Glrard Oyer's English Novelty Co., with Its prismatic fountain and extravaganzas; Edward Kendall's Lady Mastodons, and Sul- Ivan & Gaylor's Female Mastodons, which Included Mabel Stanton, Ada Bumette, Grace Marston and Alice Gllmore. In 1885 there were also playing the Ada Richmond Co., with Virginia Ross, Ed. Con- nelly, Duncan, Weber and Fields, Ross Sis- ters, B. H. Talbot, Dan O'Brien, Ed. Rice, t rank Rice, and Dick Morosco, In 'The Sleep- ing Beauty;" May Flake's Co.. Llda Gard- ner s Co., under the management of Billy Ar- nold; Rellly A Wood's Co., starting as a straight vaudeville combination, to be changed In later years Into burlesque; May Adams' Chinese Minstrels, Gus Hill's Novelty Co., Martyne's Metropolitan Burlesquers, Maude Russell's Co., Lisa Weber's Co., Tony Denler's Burlesque and Specialty Co.,' Maude Revelle & Lisa Weber's Co., with Joe McBrlde, Llllle Landis, Cbas. R. Landls, R. H. Ward, For- rester Sisters, James Van Leer, May Staun- ton, and the Rokay Ballet; Llllle Allyn Co.. Including Llllle Allyn, Billy and Alice Payne, Nell Smith, Landls and Ward, Senora Monte, Bryant and Holmes, Lady Madlln, Sweeney and Clark, Jennie Meade, Wo. Devere, and JJay Adams' Burlesque Co. and Japanese Minstrels, producing "Our Girls," and In- cluding May Adams, Bartlett and Lorraine, (•facie May, the Vlctorellas, Wills and Adams, Thompson and King, Alt. Barker, and Rich- mond and Gllroy. The seasons of 1886 and 1887 developed tbe Night Owls, which company was pre- sented by Robert Manchester, Sent 20, 1886, at the London Theatre, New York. They played "Paris Life," with Robert Manchester and John Jennings as tbe j ana. May Howard was tbe Others were: Lizzie Mulvey _ ton, Dare Oaks and Jessie Boyd, E. D. Good- ing, Emma Jutau and George W. Brown, llattle Weatcott, Pauline Batcbeller, Louise hubs, Larry Toubey and Lester Howard. "Adonis" was the burlesque. B. S. Hodges was the business manager. For a number of seasons the Night Owls remained under Mr. Manchester's management It was then con- trolled by Fred Rider for a few years. The title Is again being used this season by one of Itobort Manchester's companies, with Fred Rider hs business manager. During; tbe same season there waa also organized Llllle Hall « Fannie Bloodgood's Burlesque Co. In 1887 additional shows were Emily Sol- dene's and the Nlgbt Hawks. In 1888 Harry Morris formed a partner- ship with Thomas B. Mlaco, who bad been manager for Hnllen A Hart's, Harry Kernell's and Rellly A Wood's companies. A burlesque company, headed by May Howard, was or- ganized and opened Sept 10, 1888. at Hyde A Behman's Theatre, Brooklyn. Miss How- ard had become a great favorite during seven seasons with the Rentz-Santley Co., and one season with tbe Ida Slddons Co. The May Howard Co. presented a first part, entitled "Tbe Roman Fete," and the burlesque. "A Black Sheep," with Miss How- ard as leading woman : Harry Morris aa prin- cipal comedian: Rattle Howard. Annie WIII- rauth, Charles T. Adamn, Georele Blake, Jen- nie Mlaco, Carrie Fulton, Sadie Lane, Mollle Henderson, Marie Roatelle. Vede Mansfield, E. H. Barker, O. Donald Melville, Kittle Wells O'Brien, and Fisher and Clnrk. The mlnle." which was then all the" rage. The ■■ me mini i company Is still on the road. Another new This bouse was given over to burlesque for Ruth Everett, Constance ylndom. Colllna ana _i_ „ _ w _ T , .. f , 1,1 . it ., , . —• «__i_j_* PaIIIms u Mann arrl l/iv>aln inrl wallop inn show wus John H. Smith a Henry Burlesquers, which presented a drat class hill, Including Mclntyre and Heath, Crowley (the female Im- personator), Eldora, Will West, Tom O'Brien and Helen Courtland. This company subse- quently included a number of athletics feat- ures. Including boxing and wrestling. Cooke and Clinton, and Texarkana were members of the compmv for several seasons. It was one of tbe burlesque shows that played NIblo's a in e i80u e, Sam r T. Jack also organlied the Mae"Lowery,' Jeanet'te'Duprte, Vera .Nobrjga; Dot D« en I» r kC 0 »™oPO"*nri "Trio, Wilson the first colored company Marie Carr, Jere Mahoney. the Hill Sisters, and Massoney Blxley and WcBton and Stln- and the Rivers Sisters. This company pre- son snd Merton. Scrlbner a Gat Morning Glories Inaugurated the season with Grant and Grant Miles and Mlgnon, Mcl'hee and season or two. The company Included Carrie Rudolph, Turner and Russell, Fish nnd Qulgg. Clayton and Grant. Wally Hels- ton. the Kodaks, Dan Barrett and Nellie Svlvester. Louis Roble's Bohemians opened nt the Bowery, New York, Sept 7. 1800, with one of the most popular companies ever put In burlesque, and one which the Collins, Wilson acd Lorraln, and Waller and Waller. Jacobs and Comstock's Buttbbtlt Burlesquers hod Clifford and Dixon. Gal- lagher and Illld, Gladney and Howe, the El- tlrldges. Al Lubln and Frobel nnd Ruge. Hur- tlg nnd SeamoD started tbelr Bowery Bur- lksqciibs with the Nelson Sisters, Lewis and Elliott, Gladys Van L Oracey and Burnett. together u uunesque, anu one wuivu iub ii*"y lfc, „.'";7' - '." .v~"u."t7.'-"« r «. """" T"V — * popular manager considers the crowning Truly Shattuck, the World's Trio and Loney achievement of his career. The list: Harry Haskell. Clark Bros.' Royals were launched C Bryant Wm. B. Watson, Billy B. Van, with Howard and^Emerson, MIgnapl Family, hit. John W. Isham was In advance. Among ihe well known performers were: Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lucas, F. J. Piper, Billy Jackson and Irving Jones. Later on Mr. Jack was interested in the Sam T. Jack Theatre (now ibe Princess!, New York, and 8am T. Jack's Theatre In Chicago, where burlesque attrac- tions were played. John 8. Grieves Burlesque Co. was a pro- duct of the same season, as were Boom's Model Burlesquers, tbe Parisian Folly Co., Turner's Golden Gaiety Co., Fansbaw's Gai- ety Co., Lily McHenry Burlesquers, tbe Amer- ican Gaiety Girls, Mlnule Burroughs" Bur- lesquers arid tbe Parisian Gaiety Girls. In .891, there came Emily Zola's 1'arlslan Beauties, with F. M. Zola proprietor: Billy' Arnold, business manager, and the Zola Fam- ily, Charley Adams and the Holbrooks were In the roster of tbe company. In 1890-91 Louise Denipsey's Co., Brown's Boston Creoles and the Thomas Gaiety Co. were on tbe road for a lime. A successful show of this year was Lester A Williams' "Me and Jack" Co.. with little Polly Mc- Donald playing "Wild Hose," and John J. Rurke, James Smith, Louise Blancbard, Myrtle Tresslder. Helen Engelhardt. Klla Fay, Estrella Sylvia, Ed. Sanford and Lew Carroll, and Fltz and Webster also In the roster. John Flynn's London Gayety Girls Included Mattle Webb, Bogert and O'Brien, Llda Gard- ner, Maude Raymond, Vedder and Leslie, Three Little Japs, Thompson and Flynn, and Mason and Titus. In 1891 the French Folly Co. was put on the road by Robert Manchester, with Sam Bernard as business manager and principal comedian. "Paris Life" was the first part, and "Auam and Eve's Daughter" the bur- lesque. The company Included May Adams, John Fitzgerald, the Wood Sisters, Cbas. Kellev, Veman and Ernest James Smith and Thomas Lord. Richmond and Glenroy, Grace Stanton. Violet Griffin, and a large chorus. L. F. Johns was musical director; F. N. Strauss, treasurer; Phil Stresslnger, agent: John Nolan, properties. The company played to excellent business for several seasons. Otber 1891 organizations Included: Mabel Snow's Co., Nlbbe's French Burlesquers, the Valdls Burlesquers, the Watson Sisters Co., Ivanhoe Burlesquers, May Fostelle's Co., Violet Mascotte's Burlesquers Co., the Rou- . iette Club Co., and the Equestrian Bur- Mntt Flynn and Phil Sheridan put out the City Sports nnd operated during the sea son In New York, with the following com- pany : Phil and Chrlssle Sheridan, Wm. Con- nors, John Oulgley, Mile. Sarah, Teodclo, Le Ardo Sisters, Flatow, Marlow and Plunk- ett, Mile. Zlttella. N. Ceballos, Edith Mur- ray nnd Jennie Sinclair. Joe O. Zletle was business mauager. The season of 1892-93 brought forth the May HuBsell Co.. owned by Batcbeller & Stumm. and Including: Pauline Batcbeller, l^tta Meredith, Stewart Sisters, Thos. M. Haley, J. Marcus Doyle, Fred Fish, Pob Richmond. Odell and Page, Zamora, Thos. J Ryan ant! Marie Richfield. Sefton A Watson's company Included : Harry C. Brynnt, Jos. J. Fields, Jeanette Dtipree, Liyton Sisters, Leonard and Price, Hilly and Ella Watson, Morton and Kelly, the Tanakas and Harry Sefton. Tbe Early Birds, managed by Calder & Wnldron, Included: Nina Bertollnl, Lynch nnd Lovely, Rose St. Clair. Barrett Brothers, Stlnson and Mertou, SIgfrled, Sheffer and Hlakely and the SL Belmos. The Black Crook Burlesquers employed: Cooper and Lord, Tearl Rice, the Connellys, Leonzo and Bemls Brothers, Other new shows on the road the ssme season were: ABB LEAVITT, Manaoeb or tub Rentz-Santlby Co. sented a most elaborate production, and en- joyed, up to then unheard of prosperity. The burlesque closely followed the lines of a popular Broadway success of that day. The Woods Slaters Co. was organized with Nina Beason, Wm. F. Gould, Lamont and Love, Seanlon and Stevens, Lucler and Greve, and Rice A Far Hill, Wills and Barron, McCabe snd Sabine, Preston and Belmalne, and Dorothy Neville. The Tahhant Tioers started wltb the Cliap- pelle Sisters, Mile. Flora, Corlln and Clark, Four Emperors of Music, Silvern and Etnerle, and C. W. Williams. Faust's Metropolians trouped with Howard and Burdock, Nelson, Gllnserettl snd Demonlo, Margaret Scott, Noogah and Sophie Thome. Tub Parisian Belles Included Charles Williams, Armstrong and Porter, Countess Sisters, Edwards and Kernel), Swan and Ilambard, and Lillian Walton. The Sporti Widows were a 1899 attractions, also Nina Diva's Co., the Ciiaii- uion Co. snd Harry Morris' Little Lambs. The Australian Beauties were put out by Watson and Bryant that season. It In- cluded Harry Bryant, Iiazelton snd Vedder, Williams and Adams, Ituby Marlon, Smith O'Rrlen, Sheenan and Kennedy, tbe Lnvelles and Winnie Stewart. The majestic Bur- lehquers Included Winnie Richards, Newell and Shevett Howard and Mack, Onrl Trio, and Bloom and Cooper. Tbe Dainty Duchess had Letta Meredith, Raymond and Clark, Aleene and La Rue, Wilson and Earl, Hayes snd Bandy, and Burke Bros. Tbe Tuxedo Cliii enlisted Terry and Elmer, Margaret Rosa, Vera ttnrte, the Fautas, John F. Clark, Frank Graham, Marie De Rossett and May Tborndlke. The Utopians Included Clara Adams, tbe Three Gardners, the Lane Sisters, Biice and tnman. Jas. C. Flyuu, Llda Dexter, and Barton and Ashley. Season of 1899-1900 brought out tbe Lit- ti.r Maonet CO., wltb Dave Lewis. Arling- ton and Delmore, Ed. Rogers, Fields and Wooley, Lucia Cooper, Cohen and Gardner, Keno, Welch and Melrose, Ida Mantell, Charles Lester and May Bryant. Frank Carr's Indian Maidens Included Lillian Wash- burne, Pearl Marquem, Kittle Kumlns, Phil McFarlaud, Dave Conroy, Tom Nolan, Harry Yost. Cbas. Weston, Cora Wblte, Abble Walker. The Jolly Okabs Widows opened this season with Pat and Mattle Rooney, Wil- son and Halpln, Paulo and Dlka, Hayman nnd Hayman. and Carrie Fulton. The Vic- toria Burlesolerr Included Curtis and Wooley, Leroy and Morris, Aggie Uehler, Daly and Vokes. Reid snd Gilbert, and Esber Sis- ters. Blssell's Fads and Follies had Harry and Eva La Reane, Mike Wballen L Lawion and, Invariably, the bearers of these names were deservedly well apoken of. Many others have passed away, others but retired ta different fields, a few have been unfortunate, through, perhaps, no fault of tbelr own, but all of those now In the zenith of their suc- cess have bern endorsed as "0. K." by Tub Cupper from the time of their early en- deavors. And as It did then, so does The Clipper still keep track of the happenings in the burlesque lipid as well ns In the other branches of the nmusement profession. Conditions may be dif- ferent, but burlesqus performers of the pres- ent dnv no doubt will be dramatic or comedy stars o'f the future, and Tub Clipper will be here to prove by Its files that Its good opin- ion was placed on the right material. The following Is a list of some of those who helped to make burlesque popular in the past, and! who have Joined the great majority. All were well known In their day, and as the dates of their dcatha will show, most of them lived lo see burlesque brought to a blah plane of excellence, to which end their Indi- vidual efforts had much to do. Burt Queen, March 0, 1883. Charles Queen. June 29, 188(1, Polly McDonald, June 1, 1892. John II. Smith, April 13, 1893. Lethn Olenroy, March 2, 1808. John Vldocn. Aug. 28. 1890. Frank Moran, Dec. 14. 1898. Sam T. Jack. April 27, 1899. T. E. Mlnco, May 29. 1900. Matt Flynn, May 24, 1901. Veva NobrlgA. June 5, 1901. Jessie May. Nov. 24, 1901. Carrlo Fulton. March 7. 1903. M) rtle Tresslder, Feb. 2, 1903. Wm. Gilbert, Feb. 24, 1903. James F. Wood, July 0, 1003. J. K. Mullen, Sept. 1. 1003. Fred J. Huber, April 8,1004. B. 8. Hodges, April 23, 1904. Harry Morris, Feb. 27, 100S. Robert Fulton, May 27. 1905. Lew Carroll. Aug. C. 1000. moving Pictures, ~~ A crisis of great Importance to the mov- ing picture business has been reached, in the final hearing of tbe Edtson-Blograph litiga- tion, before the U, 8. Clrsult Court of Ap- peals, now sitting In Now York City. In order that the present state of litigation may be understood, It may be well to briefly review tbe previous cases. In 1801, Thomas Edison took out patents on the klnetoscopc, Ibe first moving picture machine produced In America. Mr. Edison's claims were as fol- lows : 1. An apparatus for photographing a mov- ing picture suitable for projection by Inter- mittent motion, and a sensitized tape-llko Him, together with a means of moving tbe film In the camera, so that the successive ■inoges would be received separately and In single sequence. £ An apparatus for taking the photo- graphs, consisting of a camera with means of passing a sensitized tape film at a high rate ut speed across tbe lenaet of tbe camera, and for exposing successive portions of the film rapid succession. In Adgle, as a special attraction. ton christened their Big Gaiety Co., Including and Namon, Harris and Walters, Dartnody, Chas. Barton, Washburn Sisters, Frankle and John and Harry Dillon. Wine, Woman iV.«ntlon"ann~tha"^Iaimsr "The'raiiiTnvin". Haines, lrvln T. Bush, Chas. Newton, Craw- and Bono started with the Burke Bratbers, .W™" W. r n n v l 0 i V ed ] n vpn\Ton a? dlatkis-Xhed ;i?J ._j »!....,i„,r vr.hoi untherfnrd. Ms Kin* and flotthnlrt nncliPtt nrnHiors Wsnmn i 10n ' 'F n ^vaiyea invention as aist ngulsned 3. A means of exposing the 01m during ■ period of rest, the periods of rest being great- er than the periods of motion. 4. An unbroken transparent or translucent tape-like photographic film having thereon rqul distant photographs of successive posi- tions of an object In motion. 5. An unbroken transparent or translucent tnpe-llke photographic aim, provided with perforated edges. These claims were dated July 81, 1801. It will be seen that they practically cover the art—i. «.. the camera, the dim, the projector. Having been granted this patent, Mr. Edison at once brought suit against the American Mutoscope and Olograph Co., who were Just bringing out.the olograph, a machine using a film 2% Inches In width, and running thirty pictures to the second by friction, In- stead of by perforations. This suit resulted In a verdict for tbe Edison Co., and carried an Injunction and order for accounting against the Blograph Co. The latter, how- ever, decided to put up the heavy bond that, was required, ana appealed to the same court, which Is now sitting on tbe case. Much to the surprise of everyone In tbe business, the three Justices—Wallace, Lscombe and Coxe— handed down a unanimous decision, written by Justice Wallace, reversing the decision of tbe Circuit Court. After reviewing tbe evi- dence ot great length, tbe learned Judges summed up their decision as follows: "We conclude that tbe functional limitations which an- Inserted in the claims, do not restrict the patent to the scope of Mr. Edi- son's real Invention. We cannot undertake to point out the differences between the real ford and Manning, Mabel Rutherford, Ida Austin, and Fred Eckhoff. Irwin Brothers Burlesque and Specialty Co. opened Dec 1, 1890, with the Manhattan Comedy Four, Madeline Marshall, Kitty Nelson, Leo and Chapman, Joe Howard, Ida Emerson, Dane and Hahn, snd W. M. Marcart. Dave Marlon'a Extravaganza Co. Included : Mono. De Bonell, Mile. Bay, Fonte BonI Bros., Richie Foy, Vedder Bisters. Dave Marlon, Byron and Langdon, and Pollle Holmes. Joe oppenhelmer's "Zero" Co. employed Florence Edwards, Lucy Monroe, Carrie Monroe, Joe Madden, Gilbert Barony, Topack and Steele, Joe Nestor, Jas. Curran, and Hodges and I-aunchmerc. Lawrence Weber's "Olympla Co. was organized with Letta Meredith, Joseph Leslie, Elmer Tenley, Pauline Black, Gallagher and West, Evans and Huffman, Whitney Brothers, Delmore and Lee, and John Cody. Gus Hill put out his Vanity Fair Co. Nov. 30. 1800, with Fred J. Huber as manager, and Lena Le Couvler, Emma Carus, Mullen and Dunn, Marie De Wolfe, Weston Sisters, Mile. Valeska, Hanley and Jarvla, Deltorelll and Cllssando, and Sadie Raymond. Ike Itose was In advance. Other 1897 shows: Al. Reeves' Coupant, with Perry Burns, Cessy Grant, Milton and Thatcher, Walker Bisters and Al. Reeves. Fred Rideb's Night Owls Included: Watson nnd Dupree, Edna Aug, Chas. Falke, John Klne and Gotthold, Racked Brothers, Hanson nnd Drew, Jennie Eddy, and Bmnett and Rich. Rurlesque events since that season are familiar to those Interested. New companies were formed each year by new Investors, as tbe field continued to grow Tbe various companies had been booking time Indepen- dently of each otber, and the Association of Traveling Vaudeville Managers was formed for tbe purpoB? of protecting Us members sgalnst contract jumpers ana to maintain uniform salaries. With the formation of the wheel, a thorough organization was ef- fected, which enabled the various companies lo cover the tonr at the least expense. Tbe probably consists of do- n by which the capacity from Improvement, tails of organisation of the reels nnd moving devices are aug- mented and adapted to carry the film of tbe patent rapidly and properly. It suffices to say thnt the modifications required to con- form old apparatus to the use of the tape- film, und which would define the real inven- tion, cannot be Imported] Into tbe first and third claims without violence to their terms, nnd the second claim Is broader than tbe third." Taking tbe nbnve suggestion as a cue, Mr. Edison at once set about to re-lasue bis pat- ent on Bent 80, 1902, and again brought suit re-Issued Mr, Edison's patents leavo Co., Henry's Kngi Folly Co. nnd Helen Russell's Co. The London Belles came season of 1893- 94, with Campbell and Shepp, Rose Sydeli. the SheeranB, Howard Sisters. Conley and Madden, and Kelly and St Clair. Rice A Barton's Rnzzle-Dazzle Co. Included Frankle Haines, Grace Mllbum, Mullen and Dunn, Al. Bellman, Geo. W. Blee, Clara Lawrence, Crawford and Bowers, Frank Emerson, and the Whitney Brothers. C. W. Williams' Show Included Delavoye and Fritz, Williams and Barton, Watson and Dupre, Dupont, John and Nellie McCartbey, and Nada Reyval. Other ventures were: Jack's Old Age and Youth Co., tbe American Folly Co., Harry Sefton's Co., Mabel Winner's Co., Pickett's Gnlcty Girls, the Gaiety Burlesquers, May Shaw a Co., and Florence Miller's Burlesquers.- The season of 1894-95 brought out Bush's White Crooks, with Emma -Bosa Lee, J. J. I'enton, Brlce and Griffin, Joe Fields, the lllehleys, Jennie Lamont and Josle Love, and the Voujeres. The Casino Girls Included Alice Gllmore. Bob Richmond, Carmen Bo- shell, La Vere and Leclalr, Wm. Gllmore, Swan and Bambard, Haines and Pettlnglll, Ch:is 8emon, and Swinburne and Howard. Tne Watson Sisters Co. bad May Clark Haz- zlllinn, Jennnctte Dupree. Geo. C. Ilaizllllan, W. B Watson, Cbas. Kenna, and the Ashton Brothers. Harry Morris 1 Burlesquers em- nlored Ed. Latell. Frances and Ida McNulty, John and Edna Vldocq, Marie BosUlle, Fltnn and Walker, and Grace Langley. Tbe Ladles Club Co. had Leonl and Everett, McCabe and houses and attractions gave a tonr of forty weeks, wltb possibilities and realization of extremely large returns. With the split In Ihe wheel In 1005, th* Empire circuit, wltb James Butler as president, snd tbe Colum- bian circuit, with Sam A, Bcrlbner the pre- siding officer, were formed, Both corpora- tions are rapidly acquiring additional houses and shows. Tbe Eastern burlesque theatres In New York at present are the Murray Hill snd Ilnrtlg A Seamon's Music Hall, while tbe Western contingent controls tbe Dewey, Miner's Bowery, the London. Miner's Eighth Avenue, the Circle and the Gothnm theatres. , uui» au », v, uu =. .-.--, -— The Increase In the number of companies ud Lillian Black, May Clark Van Osten, Gus and the patronage necessarily has brought Sohlke, Gordon and Lick. Jack's Orange about a change In the details of the business. Blossoms, wltb Howard, SIgfrled, Ada B. The demand for comedians and leading hn( . n iv ,■ n iiv««i!lv in Mr Kdlwm «n ihn . Jjllvlo, and Dan sWman ; _TH« = t ~' atl an i ch r °' u l «' r ,'| o^aT'cnse fl K™U a? «i?'foBow" sn'.t iaT«d a for^w. b &\VVfl,*wherrfom^ »"*-<•«?• th ? ta ^. a " « 8 - w " a(m * wlt " *■-• As open only one method of making moving pic- tures, and that la on a constantly moving film. Any means of taking a picture on n film that comes to a stop while the exposure Is being made, comes under the scope of Mr. Edison s new claim. While It may be possible lo make a moving picture on a film that does not stop, no one baa yet discovered the meth- od, and should a means be found, it Is ob- vious Hint a series of exposures made on a constantly moving film are not likely to ho ns sharp and clear ns those made on the tlliu while It Is at a dead stop. In the second suit against the Blograph Co., Mr. Edison lost, Justice Ray doubtless holding that so long as the Court of Appeals Moulin Rouob, with May Adams, Lew II. Carroll, Fitzgerald and Kelly, Sam Collins and Idylls Vyner. Thb Black Patti Teou- HAnoUBH had: Slsseretta Jones (Black Patt;>. Cole and Johnson, Stella Wiley, Tom Mcin- tosh, and Gogglus acd Davis; aiso the Out- kntal Americans, the Manhattan Club, Lanob's Operatic Bublesquebs, tbe Whits Elephants, Zittella'b Enolisu Fboliqces, the Merri Widows, Cut Girls, Littib Egypt Co., Montb Carlo Gibls, Roor Gar- den BURLESQl'KRS, CHERRT BI8TBR8' Co., the Daist Bell Co. snd tke Venetian Bur- LKsquERB. with which were Dot Davenport and the Manhattan Comedy Four. Including -Sam Curtis and Al. Shean. Tub Amer- icans, In 1897, bad: Watson and Dupree, Mitchell and Love, Harry C Bryant, Dolly Davenport, Washburn Sisters, Tom Nolan, Hlgglns and Leslie, Leopold and McDonald, La Clede and Raymond. John Grieves' Co. Included: Billy Hart. Cole and Curtis, Wm. Mitchell, Harry F. Wlnsman, Will and Edith Browning, Emma Krause and Allda Perrault. Sept 20, 1897, Louis Roble opened with his KNlcKRRRocKFms, Including: Edna Aug, Aleene and La Rue, Margaret Rosa, Emma Krause. John Wills, Mike Whallen and the Burke Brothers The Parisian Widows also started, wltb Raymond and Clark, Lizzie Van, Yule, Reno and Galplo, Burman Sisters, Tenley and Symonds, Boyce and Black, Alice Sanson, and Howard and Emerson. The they had to furnish It entirely. The shows are first class and give clean performances. Tbe system of booking In- troduced has reduced It to a certainty. Tbe railroad fares are brought down to the lowest possible figure, and operating expenses and charges for display lithographs sre greatly reduced. House managers are Interested In road companies, ond road managers are ac- quiring theatre properties, under which con- ditions burlesque sppears to have bright pros- pects for years to come. In conclusion, we might consistently slate that up to comparatively a few years ago The New York Clipper was the only theat- rical Journal that In any way recognized the burlesque performers, (bat chronicled tbelr advent nnd departure, and gave them an op- 1 ortunltv to keep polled an to the happening in tbelr field or action. Many of those who have risen from tbe ranks of burlesque to be show owners, or to different spheres, ns stars nr otherwise, will undoubtedly appreciate the fact that The Old Rkliablb lias watched tbelr rise with satisfaction, due to the knowl- edge that the words of commendation ex- pressed in years gone by were borne out by the results- In perusing the) old files of The Cutter, like which there Is nothing In ex- istence, the reader Is struck wltb the fre- quency with whlrh names, now famous, occur. original. Mr. Edison, of course, nppcalwl, and It Is this appeal that Is now on In court. .!. Edgar Bull. o( Olfford A Hull, nrgwd ttio ciise for the Edison Co., snd Parker H. Page, of Kerr, Page A Cooper, for the American Mutoscope nnd Blograph Co. The Hlogrnph Company'* defense Is 111I1- stnntlnlly thnr. If Mr. Kdlson ever did Invent anything In the moving picture line, his re- issued patent docs not cover It, but Is rather drnwn to cover the Warwick camera, whlrh Is representative of the Onumont, Pntlic. I'rest- wick, Urban nnd nil other rnnierna commonly used In (his country. Should Mr. Edison win, Hie Immediate elTpct would he an Injunction nnd order for accounting against every con- cern In the I'nlted Slates engaged In thn manufacture of moving pictures. The next step would be the pushing of tbe suit already brought against Putlie I'reres. Geo. Mellcx. tbe Vltngraph Co.. B. Lubln, Kberbard Schneider nnd others, covering the film Itself. snd should Edison win this suit also he will hare n regular Standard Oil monopoly on the moving picture* 'million of tills country. The dpclfilnn miv le expected Inside of six weeks. • *» Wm, A Mack has been laying off at his sister's home, suffering from a severe case of Innir trouble. He Is regaining bis health, and will soon be able to resume work.