The New York Clipper (January 1908)

i258 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. January 4, ^155 Capper's COXCBRMIMO STIGE FOLK and Some times OTHEHS BY JOSEPHINE GBO. Edna Hay Spooncr, daring ber several years' experiences of playing In, or present- ing a new play nearly eyery week of that time, haa met with many Interruption's to her scenes, and very often to her own amuse- ment; though inch Incidents are usually more annoying than pleasing to the player. In a play where Miss Bpooner, as the heroine, had a "sleep walking" scene, she wan supposed to have been deeply concerned In her waking hours over the loss or theft of a large sum of money which the culprit bad hidden In an old clock. This anxiety appeared also to affect her mind during her sleep, resulting In one of those melodramatic, creepy scenes where the sleep walker comes on to a dim stage In white draperies. On this occasion the audience waa breathlessly watching her actions and listening to her low toned soliloquy concerning the lost money, when the quiet end suspense of the scene was Interrupted by a shrill, young voice from the gallery, the owner of which had been carried Into the realm of Illusion by the acene: "Look In the clock, you'll and It there all right I" yelled the excited youngster. And, of course, the dramatic point of the scene was quite tost in the confusion of laughter that filled the place. 9 On another occasion Miss Bpooner was playing the part of a young wife, In whose affairs her husband's mother was mixing. In one of the acenes between the wife and this mother-in-law, the latter, after an unpleasant tirade, made her exit It was then Hiss Spooner's stage business to wring her hands pitifully and give the tines: "What shall 1 do I Oh, what shall I do 1" This dramatic appeal was to space, as she was alone on the acene. However, the actress had at least one sympathetic friend in ber audience—one to whom the acene may have oad an association, for this old fellow in the mirth row half arose from his seat and, ■oud enough for alt to bear, exclaimed: "What shall you do I Why, are the old lady, of course 1 and I'll aee you through it" 9 Preston Lombard, manager of the Lyric Theatre, Boston, tells of another case where a man In an audience was the cause of an amusing Interruption. It would not ha/e happened If the man had been In'bis sober senses, which on this occasion were some- what befogged by having too frequently visited the cafe near by. One of the moving picture acenes at a recent performance waa that of a man photo- graphing a faat approaching train. This was too realistic for the man In the front row. He gave a yell aa he Jumped from his seau Facing the audience, he called out: "Great heavens I Are you going to aee that auan run over? Well, I'm not I" and with brave Intention he jumped to the stage, making a desperate grab at that part of the screen where the photographer waa depicted. His disarrangement of the screen put It out of commission for that performance, and the riian waa gently but firmly led from the ilace. 9 Edwin H. Curtis, of the Spooncr company, was playing with a company that followed a date which had been Oiled by De Wolf Hopper In bis famoua role of Wang. The hotel of the town, in the language of the traveler, waa "pretty bad." After two days of very poor service, bad food and other annoyances, Curtis decided to make a complaint, hoping for some remedy. But he was disappointed, for the proprietor Indignantly exclaimed: "I dont see where any kick can come from you when all the very best people going through atop at my place. Why, only last week Mr, Wang atopped here three days." 9 Curtis waa once playing a scene In which the local property man had forgotten a lamp, an Important "prop," necessary In the busi- ness of the scene. The act was well along when Curtis discovered the omission. In some way, however, he passed the word to the wings, and a moment later the delinquent "props" appeared at a window at the back with the lamp In his hand and called out: "Here's your lamp." Hla appearance and exclamation apolled Curtis' acene, which, of course, ended in howls of amusement from all sides. When -the actor made hla exit he bunted dp the cause of his discomfort, and sharply reprimanded him. "Don't you care," replied that Individual. "It don't make any difference—It's all make- believe, anyhow." 9 It la a frequent occurrence on the stage for players to reverse the order of words In their lines, thereby often making comedy where, perhaps, tragedy Is the Intention. A mistake of this sort happened to Au- gustus Phillips, Miss Spooner's clever lead- ing man. He was playing In a melodrama, one scene of which required him to be tied to a railroad track by hla enemies, whose evident Intent was his death. The thunder of an approaching train was heard In the distance, while the heroine, locked In the section house, wsa beating upon the door, trying to get out to the rescue of her sweet- heart. "Oh, can you hear me I Can you bear met" she screamed in the. terror of her Imprison- ment "No," called out Phillips from his prone position upon the track, "No, I cannot bear ynu, but I can aea you," which waa hla re- versal of the line, "I can bear you, but can- not see you." It waa Phillips' home town where he was playing at the time, so be has never heard the last of his mistake. Charles F. Berger, manager of Dorla Opera House, Phoenix, Arizona, relates a number of Instances where unpremeditated twists in the delivery of lines made amusing nonsense, causing alight breaks In scenes tbat would take a minute or more to adjust so that the scene might progress. In "The Octoroon," for Instance, In which Berger and Mrs. Berger were playing the principal parts, a young actor playing Salem Bcudder, in hla nervousness stated that "lunch law," meaning "lynch law," was cer- tainly a good thing In Its place. According to Berger, the young actor made more breaks of tbta sort In one week than he had heard from others In years of experience. Later he startled the company and the audience by stating that he had found a "rumpty urn bottle," a twisting of his tongue that might have suggested bis close fa- miliarity' with what the bottle had previously contained. The- following ■ week he bungled two speeches the same night, delivering them most Impressively, and unawares of his mis- takes until afterward told of tbem. One line was: "I'll make a run for those despatches, but I must first oil my bicycle." However, he expressed a far different In- tention by declaring, "but I must first boll my icicle." In a later scene the young man, In all seriousness, called attention to the lovers In the play by saying, "There they are, killing and booing like a pair of turtle doves," while the Una referred to the "billing and cooing" act 9 Berger waa out with a farce comedy com- pany, playing "The Widow Chase," and, play- ing an unexpected date on Washington's Birthday, found that every musician in the place waa engaged for local dances. Finally the local manager, after long search, found a "lady music teacher" who thought she could manage the music for them. Berger told her to play any lively familiar tunes for cue music, and with that they would manage as best they could. The result waa that screaming situations were Introduced by such stimulating airs as "Massa'a In the Cold, Cold Ground," "Nearer, My God, to Thee," and "Auld Lang Syne." A Theatrical Lodge. Theatrical men of Cincinnati composing Cincinnati Lodge, No. 33, Traveling Mechan- ical Association, will give their annual bene- fit at the Olympic Feb. 4. . . ■ These are the officials of the new adminis- tration: H. K. Bhockley, past president; Charles W. Schweitzer, president; Henry E. Herbert, vice president; Andrew G. Het- teshelmer, treasurer; George W. Hoemer, re- cording secretary ; Fred W. Strautman, finan- cial secretary; George Murray, George Ship- mann and HaTry Friedman, trnsteea; Ed- ward McGuIre, marshal; Walter Thompson, sergeant-at-armg, and Dr. Edward II. Moss, physician. Rumors of St New Opera House for Boston. Plana are being formulated for the erec- tion of a grand opera house in Boston, shnllar in arrangement to the Metropolitan Opera House of New York. The new house will be In the neighborhood of Symphony Hall, and Henry Russell, of the San Carlo Grand Opera Company, will be the director. ♦*♦ ,. The Closing Date of "The Mem of the Hoar" Announced. On Jan. 18 the phenomenal run of tale drama of New York political life will end at the Savoy Theatre. ED MADDEN. TI1EO. MORSE. These prolific "hit" writers have written and composed all the music and lyrics for the Yorke and Adams production, "Playing the Ponies,* now at the Circle Theatre New York. Morse and Madden's Buccess as writers of big hits has been phenomenal, and the music and lvrlca of the various members of this show prove conclusively tbat they are doing now the best work of their successful career. Their earliest buccesses were pub- lished hy the Howley, Havlland A Dresser Co., and among them were such numbers ns "Up In a Cocoannt Tree," "A Wise Old Owl," "A Little Boy in Blue' and "When We Were Two Little Boys." Shortly before the dissolution of that firm their services were secured by the F. B. Havlland Publishing Co., and the unqualified success of this com- >any was largely due to the great songs of these writers, that were among the first pub- lished by this firm. The stupendous success of the world famous "Blue Bell is still clear in the minds of our readers. This song sold over two million copies, and » still popular In some sections of the country. Following It. came such nnmbers as way Down In My Heart I've Got a Feelln' for You," "Please Come and Play in My Yard, "Starlight," "A Little Boy Called Taps," and a dozen other big hits. Some of the prin- cipal numbers of the Yorke and Adams show are: "A Cozy Little Cottage by the Sea, "Cupid's Wedding Bells," "The Family Tree," "Wind Yourself Around Me, Dearie, "Moon Beams." 'Td Rather Be a Lobster Than a Wise Guy," all of which are published by the F. B. Havlland Publishing Co. B ^ » ■ « " " " GBO. J. LAMBERT AND ETTA -WILLIAMS, Polite entertainers, are now playing over the Keith A Proctor circuit They wish all their friends a Happy New Year. Brandon Tynan in Nailmo-va's Support. The Shuberts have obtained the services of Brandon Tynan for the leading role In support of Alia Nazlmova, when she pro- duces "The Comet" at the BIJou Theatre. David Belasro, who has had Mr. Tynan un- der contract for a long time, simply loans him to the Shuberts. In the announcement from the Belasco offices It was stated that, though Mr. Tynan will be with Mme. Nazl- mova for the present, the long-promised ap- pearance la his own new play will soon be made. . ♦'» Eddie Foy aa "Hamlet," Announcement was made last week that by tbe terms of a contract Mr. Foy will give twelve performances of "Hamlet," in twelve different cities, next May, under the manage- ment of A. Toxen Worm and Will A Page. This arrangement, by courtesy of the Messrs. Shubert, will become effective In May. ? '» Opening Date Announced for the Liberty Theatre, Brooklyn. The Liberty Theatre, at Liberty and Stone Streets, Brooklyn, N. Y., which A. H. Woods Is building, will be opened April 12, with Ge- naro and Bailey, In 'Tony, the Bootblack." S3 i» Clara Bloodgood'a Will, By tbe terms of the will of Mrs. Clara S. Lalmbeer (Clara Bloodgood), the husband gets practically everything. It was filed for probate la the Surrogate's office Dec. 24. The petition placed the value of both real and personal property at about f 100,000. DISPELL BROS. The above la a picture of Clarence Bedell, of tbe Bedell Bros., known as "the boys with the bone and niuacle." It la an Australian act and came to this country In 1901 tojoin the Al. G. Field's Greater Minstrels. They have played every big city from coast to coast, nnd just finished eighteen weeks with Fred Chnun~y, to go back to vaudeville. Jane Van Baaklrlc Mars-lea. An announcement made In London, Bug., last week, made know* the fact that June Van Busklrk, tbe former actress, waa mar- ried to I'erelval J, Mitchell, a wealthy Lon- don clubman, on Dec. 17, In th« Curson Ho- tel, that city. It Is stated tbat Ue foe will retire from the stage. JOHN B. WILLS, The well known comedian, whose picture ap- pears on the front page of this issue, la a native of Baltimore, lid., and started Ms career at a very early age. In tbe sixties, at the old Holilday Street Theatre, where he played small parts with James Hearne and Lucille Western, and the newsboy In F. 8.. Chanfrau's "Kit the Arkanaaw Traveler." He next appeared In a Dutch song and dance act with Harry E. Movton. the team being Wills and Morton. Later he. appeared with George Arlington, who is now on the official staff of the Barnum & Bailey Show. Next he appeared In Harrlgan and Hart'a Irish comedy, "Callahan, the Detective," at the old Conilque, on Broad-ray. Hla next appear- ance was with H. R. Samuels' "Pinafore" Co., playing tbe part of the Admiral. He then joined 8am Devere'e Co., playing "Jasper," after which he went with M. B. Leavltt's Co. for two seasons, From this he went with Sanger's "A Bunch of Keys" Co., playing the part of GrlmcBcy. He then appeared In Jersey City as a minstrel, holding down the op- posite end to Lew Dockstader for one season, after which he joined Robert Manchester's Night Owls for one season. Following this he joined forces with Hattie and Ben F. Grlnnell, and played a season doing sketches at Sparrow & Jacobs' Theatre, Montreal, Can. The following season found him with I/eavitt's Itentz-Santloy Co. During these engagements Mr. Wills claims to have origi- nated and produced the first big "four act," consisting of. two men and two women, known ns the Novelty Four, with John and Emma Whitney ; then afterwards with Dave Foster and Fannie Lewis. He also lays claim to having been tbe first to give an Imitation of a Jew singing negro songs (which act he did twenty-three years ago), and the first to in- troduce the dude and the coon shouter, with rake-walklng. Mr. Wills also made famoua that saying, "The blow almost killed father." For twelve seasons he was joint star with his brother, the late Frank M. Wills, in "Two Old Cronies." Mr. Wills Is now touring with the original Wills Musical Comedy Co., play- ing all the principal cities In tbe united States. Canada and Cuba. He is a member of Lodge No. 21, B. P. O. Elks, of Newark, ««» Jerome II. Remlek * Co. to Hove, J. H. Remlek A Co., the well known music fubllahers, will move to their new building, 81 West Forty-first Street, on or about Feb. I, ivijo- theatrical mecMincai Association, ' Secretaries Are Invited to KefcTn""" of This Column from Time lu I im t,e Objects of the Great Fraterttli , rt' atrtcal Mechanical Asaoclli :„»"* Better Known aa th. *» T. M. A. To unite fraternally all white mer t nm health and good mental character -t„ M socially acceptable, and who hav»' ■,..n i? ployed in the theatrical profession i?i£ six months, and who are over ti -nt»!Sr years of age. For the promotion ot ihe vS« clplea of true benevolence, by ssso<' ithSif" members together for the purposes >»? nfihSi relief and alleviating the difficulties ruZ upon sickness, distress and denth » »«,rS they may be mitigated by aympatlr. nidri cunlary assistance. By the paymeni -if »SX sick benefits to members in good Bfcndfau "il tho time of their sickness or nabSlHi^Mn by the payment of funeral benefit? on »K death of a brother, as the by-IawV of JX subordinate lodge shall prescribe. .<ii>Wm alt question* of a sectarian or pohltcaliS. turf, or any controversy relative to 'nlsrunr grievance* between «ia» and emvloier it alms to cultivate the social and moral fWi Ings of Its members, and the dissemination of the true principles of charity, bcnetMtnct and fidelity. There It not to-day an organizathu under the sun that give* a greater return jnC four money than the T. V, A., and which isjWmZ, op the loot at ihoum In the benefits r'm hi the different lodge*. p ™ w It Is a benevolent association, pure end simple, nothing more. In Its ranks are t» be found managers, actors, musicians, trealtor ere, stage mechanics and all branches of ft. profession. Its Benefits to Traveling Meruberti Law V. Section 8. of Constitution, readlt "It shall be the duty of the physician to eats ledge In the order to render the same serrltt to a visiting brother In good standing as to a member of hla own lodge, without addi- tional charge to the lodge or brother A visiting brother Is construed to mean a mem- ber who is with a traveling company, or who happens to be In the jurisdiction of a lodre of the order just for the time being, and not tor one who makes his living in 'one juris- diction and abides or belongs In another" During the two years ending Dec. 31, 1905 statistics ahow that thirty-eight lodges paid out In slrk and death benefits and charitable grants the sum of $44,846.93. On July 81, 1007, there were slxty-two lodges in good standing, showing a tots) membership of 8,121, situated In twenty- eight States and four Canadian Provinces. Experience has taught us that our order has been a blessing to many, and leads the impulse toward our asking you to share with us the greatness of its uses. Tbe same laws govern our entire member- ship. True, some lodges pay more benefits than others, while It la also true that the dues differ. It Paya. Tbe following letter speaks for itself: MTHB Cmpfeb, Gentlemen —Having been successful In securing a Itst of attractions which books me np for the next ninety days, through my advertisement in your paper, I am compelled to discontinue my 'ad/for the present. ''I take this opportunity for thanking you for the quick response that I received through your columns. Tours truly, W. W. Kli, Eden Musee, Seattle, Wash., Bee. 17, 1907." *»» New Act for Roasf, Devlne A Co. Melltta Rossi, Murry Devlne and company, featuring Master Alvln, child violinist, have In rehearsal a new sketch, entitled "The Or- gan Grinder," which they will present at an early date. 4 '» |iOvlnjr Cop to Marry Leonhardt. The employees at Keith & Proctor's Twen- ty-third Street Theatre, presented Manager Harry Leonhardt with a loving cup Wed- nesday, Dec. 26. The presentation speech was made by Stage Manager Capps. — 11 » Christina* Dinner to the Tlgrer Lilies. FIDDLBR AND BBKLTON. _ Harry Fiddler has been an impersonator of Chinese characters and a mimic for eighteen years, having been very successful for five years as opposite end to Billy Kersand, and also with BoBcoe & Hnmlln's Georgia Min- strels, the Oriental Americans. Isham's Oc- toroons, Field's Colored Minstrels, and wsb for two years understudy for and playing principal parts with Ernest Hogan, under the' management of Hurttg A Seamon. He has a tine singing voice and an unlimited supply of comedy. He joined hands with R, B. Bhelton June 9, last, to go into vaudeville, Mr. Shelton wag with the Oriental Americana doing straight work, middleman and chorus director with Field's Colored Minstrels. He retired for ten years, during which time he conducted a music school In Indianapolis. H* "turned to the stage to work with M? trick pianist and a fine singer. Tbi net is 5?°%** J& J5 d - Hayman over the Western Mrs. Geo. P. Murphy gave the members of le Tiger Lilies (Western wheel) a Christ- mas dinner at Miner's Eighth Avenue The- atre, Dec. 25. A table was set In the green- room, and the feast was partaken of during the olio. »»» TOBAC CO AUD H YtllEKE. Smoking Declared to Be aa Aid to Digestion, a Preaerver of the Teeth and a Prolonser of Life. Another of the Intermittent discussions on the merits and demerits of tobacco has been hotly carried on in the English newspaper!. and the smokers would seem to have cone off victorious. Nicotine, says Tfte London fribune, 1b color- less, a violent narcotic, but It Is an antidote to strychnine. It la not present In large quantities In tobacco, ranging from 1 to * per cent. It la largely conaumed and de- stroyed in smoking, and Is not Inhaled. The dark oil which forms In the bowl of the pipe Is popularly regarded as nicotine, hut this n erroneous. It Is the- water of the tobacco to combination with the Boot and tar of the smoke. Nicotine forms an Inflnltesslmal parr, less than one-ten-thousandth, of all the con- stituents' of tobacco smoke. Strenuous anci- smokers lose sight of the fact that tobacco is smoked, not swallowed. Thelne and caffeine, the essential elements of tea and coffee, are more poisonous than nicotine. Mr. Penn, whose book on "The Soverane Herb" is a classic among smokers, contends that tobacco helps digestion and assists we action of the Intestines. An after-breakfast pipe, he says. Is better than a dose of salts. He asserts.that tobacco preserves the teeru trom decay, and that after one has reacaeo tne age of thirty the use of tobacco will pro- long life and preserve the mind. . ta Pipe smoking Is generally conceded tow the most wholesome, providing the tonacco be pure. For outdoor smoking the boat; a » fine cut sliced plug, such aa '"Lucky StriM, which Is dellcioualy fragrant, gives a long. cool smoke, does not bite the tongue, ana a not easily blown out of the bowl. ..^ As a prophylactic, tobacco Is unenuaiea. tn bacteriological laboratories stnok ng. » prohibited as destructive to bacilli. ' )u ™ n » the great plague In London not one person en gaged In the tobacco trade was attacked. Sir.. Penn declares that In epldciticls « diphtheria, scarlet fever, typhus and tvpesw. If Is wise to let young people smoke as » guard against contagion. o„„fh.ni When cholera was raging in * a ff?. Europe in 1886, and people were dying"? thousands, none of tho 4,000 women ™W£ in the National Tobacco Factory at \ alenc» was attacked. .. .■,„, ttr History amply proves, he adds, J™*-: bacco, properly used, Is a friend to mam rather than a deadly enemy, as it has frequently been portrayed. NOTICE . HALFTONE FIOTBltHr In jf" e £f£ Ins pssei of THE CXJPPER »'>» " Inserted-.at the** nriot■ t. ■ Slnale Column..ra-.-.. .$£'')<> Doable Coloma,,', '^■^VKf"