The New York Clipper (April 1912)

i$g&l€Alg Copjrleht 1012, by the Frank Queen l'ubllahtag Company (Limited) Founded by FR ANK QUEEN, 1863. NEW YORK, A.PRIL 6, 1912. VOLUME LX-No. 8. Prloe, 10 Centi. NOTABLE PLAYERS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT *o.m BRADY NOTES. Rid KUUBKM COimiMNG THB NOTABLI FLATBR8 ALB1ADI Fl'BLISHID C.4N BI Had "^ Upoh Application. SOL SMITH RUSSELL Sol Smith Russell wag born June 15,1848, In Brunswick, Mo., and was named after his unrle Sol Smith, the old time manager. His totith was passed In St. Loula, to which city his parents moved shortly after his birth, and hi- made his first appearance on the itigc at Jacksonville, III., In July, 1860, *lth a traveling company organized at that place. Doing received with favor, he at (ince adopted the profession. He finally suc- rrrdfd In securing an engagement at the Nitlonn! Theatre, Cincinnati, to sing at the Webb Sisters' benefit. He then traveled with Carter, the dog showman, and later with Louis Cary. In the Summer of '63 he waa engaged at the Defiance Theatre, Cairo, III,, where he 1 .'1 his first experience In playing parts In "The Hidden Hand." After ten weeks of hard work he went to St Louis, and was en- cased bv fieorgo Deagle, of Dcagle'e Theatre, Ibat city, to play in stock productions. He also played In most of the Southern and Western theatres, principally De Bar's Opera House, St. Louis: the Old Nashville, Wood's Lonlsvllle Theatre and the Leavenworth Opera House. In 1805 he Joined the Peak and Berger families, and remained with them for one rear, laying aside, in the mean time, bis penchant for comedy, as theatrically defined, spuming the role of character vocalist and humorist. He went from this company to that of Win. Teak Sr., with whom he trav- eled for two years, becoming In the mean time an established favorite through the Bast- em and Middle States. He then re-Jolned the Peaks and Bergers, with -whom he con- tinued another year. Wlhcn the Berber Family started a company of their own, Mr. Russell Joined them, and on Sept 11, 1869, be mar- rled Louise Berger, at Detroit, Mich. During the Summer of 1868 he conducted a small company of his own through the Middle States, and in 1860 gave■• entertain- ments alone In the West His wife died in 1872, and he then traveled and gave his en- tertainment alone. Season of 1874 he ap- peared at the Olympic Theatre, New York, In •ketches and comedy roles in plays. The fol- lowing season he appeared In New York as a Dember of Augustln Daly's company, and also Played special engagements In Boston. He re-Jolned the Daly forces during the season of 1876, and leaving New York he again cast tls lot with the Berger Family. On Sept 13, 1876, he was married to Alice H. Adams, a daughter of "Oliver Optic." On Aug. 13 1880, he made his debut as a star at tie Academy of Music, Buffalo, N. Y., In Ugewood Folks," with which play he toured successfully for four years, and in 1885 he »'as comedian at the Boston Museum. Resuming his starring engagements, he Played "Felix McCuBick?' "Pa" and "Be- witched,' and he first produced his great success, "A Poor Relation," at Columbus, 0., on Oct. 5. 1888. "A Tale of a Coat" was presented by Mr. Russell on Aug. 4, 1890, at the Arch Street Theatre. Philadelphia, but It was not a success, and "A Poor Relation" was revived Later "Peaceful Valley," "April Weather" and "A Bachelor's Romance" served him well. "The Hon. John Grlgsby" was the play In which he made his last New York appear- ance, bis breakdown occurring during a per- formance of that play at the Grand Opera House, Chicago, on Dec. 18, 1890, after SOL SMITH RUSSELL. which he was never able to nppear. Mr. Russell died April 28, 1902, In blB apartments In the Richmond Hotel, Wash- ington, D. C. The Immediate cause of death was hic- coughs, but he had been ill since 1899, when nervous dvspepsla caused his retirement from the stage. The funeral services took place at the Washington residence of Fred- crick Berger, the brother of his first wife. The Rev. Dr. Berry, of St. Andrew's, offi- ciated. Interment waa In Rock Creek Ceme- tery. (To be Continued.) WHITBECK BRANCHING OUT. - f** > Whltbcck, who is this season man- «glng the tour of George Sidney, in "Busy nV J i . la <? r «anizlng the Dixie Pickaninny £.„.. m," 16 Summer pa rkB this season. The om« will be composed of thirty colored ma- t™. 08 ' and wU ' Present besides the cus- lOBary concert program, "Scenes Along the tffi 1? d " NJ 8ht Time on the Old Planta- ft. liesldea this, we are Informed, Mr. 255* ■"'" *• Interested In three stock companies which will be known as the Whit- beek Flayers. ERLANGER SAILING. A. L. Erlanger, who was to have sailed for Europe on March 20, but was obliged to post- pone his trip, has arranged to sail on the Mauretanla on April 8. Mr. Erlanger goes direct to London, where he will personally superintend the production of "The Pink Lady" which opens at the Globe Theatre In that city on April 11, and "Ben-Hur," which opens at the Drnry Lane Theatre during the week of April 15. After finishing hlsTmsl- ness In London Mr. Erlanger will- make a tour of the continent. Arrant the Chicago visit of "Within the Law," Bayard Veiller's new drama, applying the methods of trust building to the under- world, the play will be laid aside for next season, when It Is to be shown at one of Wm. A. Brady's two theatres In New York. The Woman's Home Companion for May and June will contain an elaborately Illus- trated descriptive consideration of "Little Women," the play made from Louisa M. Alcott's celebrated novel. "Ovek NiaiiT," after a notable season In Philadelphia, will be seen In Washington the coming week. Somebody has called this piece "one long, lingering laugh," which seems to be accepted as a wholly accurate description. Robert Mantelt, remarks that If Shake- speare spells ruin there Is something the mat- ter with the dictionary, Inasmuch as his own tour In the classic repertoire this season al- ready shows a profit of $62,000. In the vigorous young cities of Western Canada the top price of admission was $3, and $2,000 houses were the role.- "Buntt Polls the Strings" may remain In New York straight through the Summer. This extraordinary success Is the more notable for the fact that the Scotch play contains no "villain," no persecuted heroine —not even a flinty hearted landlord. There will be no performance of "Bought and Paid For" at Wm. A. Brady's Playhouse Good Friday. The Thursday mati- nee at this theatre, which began last Autumn as an extra performance and Immediately be- came a regular weekly event, also will be omitted this week. 4«» "ALWAYS ACCURATE." "Will you (as an 'Old Timer') permit me. ns a reader, to comment upon the accuracy of all news pertaining to your valuable Jour- nal? I note especially that of your series of past actors now running In your paper. For instance, tbat one of the late Maurice Parrymore, concerning his career and the death of Ben Porter, in Marshall, Tex., In 1878. I personally knew Mr. Porter. He was a sterling actor and a gentleman in every sense, and his death on tbat occasion, In defense of Miss Cummens, left a void In the profession. I was In the South at the time, and the incident still remains fresh In my memory. "I have on several occasions seen this episode In public print, but your write-up Is the only correct one I have ever seen, and I cannot help but make note of It. Yours, IlAIUlY R. VlCKERS." 4t » REVIVAL OP "PATIENCE." Tho Sbuberts and William A. Brady will shortly begin rehearsals for a Spring revival of "Patience." It has not yet t>een decided at which of the Sbubcrt Broadway theatres the revival will be made, but It will be offered for a Spring and Summer season. The pro- duction-will be on a line with the 8hubert and Brady revivals of "The Mikado" and "Pinafore," last season and the season be- fore last, making the third In the series of annual Gilbert and Sullivan presentations. The cast will Include Frltzl Schoff, De Wolf Hopper, Eva Davenport. George Mac- Farlane, Eugene Cowlcs, Arthur Aldrldge, Vlolotte Gillette. George Anderson and Jose- phine Dunfec. Miss Schcff will play the title role, 4 ■» CONCERT HALL POR MOULIN ROUGE. During the run of Florenz Ztegfeld's new show, "The Winsome Widow," which Is to be produced shortly at the Moulin Rouge, for- merly the New York Theatre, there will be In- stalled in the Concert Hall, as cart of the entertainment, a clever and entirely novel moving picture Illusion, called "Phantom Photos." With this device the screen so fa- miliar to moving picture audiences Is abol- ished, and the figures move about the stage as if they were real persons. «»«■ ARBUCKLE AGAIN IN "THE ROUND-UP." Contracts were signed last week by Messrs. Klnw & Erlanger and Maclyn Arbuckle, wherebv Mr. Arbuckle will resume his role of "Slim" Hoover, the Sheriff, In "The Roiind-Up," next season. TWEKTY-FIVE YEARS """SE3HS AGO. Under this heading we will publish each week Important amusement events occurring In the corresponding week a quarter of a cen- tury ago: March 31, 1887.—"Big Pony," words by A. C. Wheeler, music by F5. I. Darling, originally sung at the BIJou Theatre, Now York City, by Nat C. Goodwin's Co. March 31.—Buffalo Bill's Wild West sailed for England. March 31.—"The Harvest Moon," by J. M. Martin, originally acted nt the Water- loo, N. Y., Academy, by Mortimer & Hycrs' Co. April 1.—Shusban, N. Y., Opera House burned. April 2.—Berwick. Pn., Opera Houso burned. April 3.—"Held by tlic Enemy" first acted In England at the Princess Theatre, Lon- don. April 4.—Wilson Barrett played "Hamlet" at the Star Theatre, for the first time In New York City. April 5j —"A Gold Mine" (second drama of that name), by Brnnder Matthews and G. H. Jessop, originally acted at tho Memphis, Tenn., Theatre, by John T. Raymond and company. April B.—"Our Angel," by E. J. Swartz, orig- inally acted at Plates' Opera House, North Attlcboro, Mass., by Lizzie Evans and company. April S.—John B. Doris and Kiln Stokes mar- ried at Indianapolis, Ind. • «■» LEVEY LEASES THE TABOR U»AND. A leasehold of exceptional Importance waa executed last week between Jno. Cort, repre- senting the McCourt Amusement Company of Denver, and Bert Levey, of San Francisco, whereby (he latter comes Into possession of the Tabor Grand Opera House, of Denver, for the coming Summer, with a privilege of extension. Mr. Levey will be given posses- sion on Sunday, April 28, when a six act vaudeville bill with motion pictures will bo Slven st straight ten cent prices. Should te venture prove a profitable one, the amuse- ment company will rush the Shubert Theatre to completion to house the attractions for tho coming season, and the Levey Circuit left in possession of the Tabor. Business Manager Dnlley, of Jho Levey Circuit, will have charge of the house, and will move from San Fran- cisco within n fortnight. MEW BERTH FOR HARRY WARD. The Western Vaudeville Managers' Asso- ciation has established an office in Denver, Colo. C. K. Bray has appointed Harry Ward, late of the Rocky Mountain Theatrical Ex- change, as manager of the new office. Harry Lustlg, late of the Levey forces, will be asso- ciated with Mr. Ward. .Kerry Meagher, the general representative of the association, is making a flying Western trip In the Intercut of the institution. »■» "AN OPENING NIGHT." "An 'Opening Night," Joseph Hart's latest production, opened at Percy G. Williams' Or- pbeum Theatre, Brooklyn, N. Y„ last week, and made a big hit. "An Opening Night" holds the stage for forty minutes. It Is in three scenes, and requires a cast of twenty- seven people. The Orphcum audience, was well pleased wltb the production. The scenic part of tho production was excellent, and won ranch applnusc. <» > FLORENCE FISHER ILL. Florence Fisher, who has been playing Tlra, with Walker Whiteside, in "The Ty- phoon," at the Fulton Theatre, was stricken with appendicitis on March 23, and re- moved Immediately to St. Agnes' Hospital, Philadelphia. Fler role Is being played by Amy Summers. ««» LEE MITCHELL PARALYZED. We are in receipt of the following: "Lee Mitchell wss stricken wltb paralysis on March 12, while playing a week's engagement with Cooke Comedy Co., at Wecdwood, Fin. Whose picture appears on the front page of this Issue of Tun Clipper, was born In East Providence, R I., In 1870. In early child- hood she showed a decided talent for writ- ing, and evinced much Interest In the stage, following attentively tho progress of both drama and vaudeville, and thus, though all unconsciously, fitting herself for tho profes- sion of theatrical author, which she now so ably sustains. For a number of years she has been turning out all kinds of stage ma- terial, but Is best known among tho vaude- ville performers, many of whom are now using her work with success. Her first ad- vertisement appeared in this paper In Janu- ary, 10AO, under the name of Prospert, being changed to Its present form some years after her marriage in 1000 to Oscar B. Thayer, a non-profesalonnl. AL FOSTELL, Al. Fostcll was born In Now York Aug. 12, 1868. At fourteen he gave amateur perform- ances and minstrel shows with Frank Bush, Hen Woop, and Bill Euriss, wltb other boy friends, known as the Junior Ban Francisco Minstrels. In 1874 ho went out with a va- riety troupe through New York 8tate, and on off nights when In New York played at Harry Hill's, on Houston Street In 1876 he doubled with Tom Fuller, doing a slack wire and musical act, and worked In the pantomimed In Knight A Fuller's Variety and Pantomime Combination. The next sea- son he went out with the Apollo Dramatic Co., as comedian and specialty artist. Hts next engagement was with Jake Berry at Horry's Opera Houso, with his new partner, Bc5. C. Forrest, In a novel musical sketch, in Dutch and French, besides appearing In "Ma- zeppa,'' with Belle Berry. From there Uioy went with "Grlmnldl" Gregory's Pantomime and Novelty Troupe. Tho following season he formed a now partnership with Chas. A. Wells. In 1870 he Joined Joo Fljnn In "The Mnslcnl Tramp," at Theatre Comlque, Richmond, Vn. At Bt. Louis they Joined Hnellbneker A Benton's Majestic Consolida- tion. They then left for Now Orleans, La., with Harry Devere and his company, to open Hamilton's Varieties, playing there for sev- eral months. Next at Gcorgo Holland's My Theatre, they being the first musical act of its kind In tho Lone Star State, and stayed several months. In 1881 Posted and Flvnn purtcd good friends. Flynn afterwards Joined Sheridan, and Fostell Joined Mark Grayson Stock Co. Fostell & Dcvero's Com- edy Four company went Into Mexico. Mr. Fostell then went to SIg. Faranta's Pavilion, New Orleans. With Lottie Archer and Frank Lo Roy ho formed the Three Brilliants. Later lie was with Austin A Btonc's Pavilion show, Davenc A Austin's shows, Wlilttey and Leonard Campbell, and Evnni shows. Next came the Four Brilliants. Fostell and Em- melt next Joined the Illg Four show. Fostell and Totirjrc went with tho Mllo Bros.' show. With the Two Bees he Joined Zcra Scamon's Novelty Co. He next managed the Mascot Thentro. Eric, Pn. In 10OO he Joined Joe Norcross, oncmlng a theatrical agency oppo- site Tns CiLrFHB olllce In New York, fur- nishing shows of oil descriptions. In 1009 Fostcll and Fmmctt ngnln started in vaude- ville, plnyln/r the various circuits. At pres- ent they ate In the New Flngland States. Their daughter, Vesln Gilbert, was well known on the singe. Hlie Is now Mrs. Merangcr. Al. Is an Klk. a Mason and a member of the Roynl Arcanum. 4 »> IIA It It Y 1101 DIM AT Till: BU Nil WICK. Harry Iloudlnl proved to be a big drawing attraction at Percy 0. Williams' Bushwtck Theatre last week. The Brooklyn papers gave tho act much publicity. • ■» ONETTI SISTERS HOLD AUDIENCE. The Onettl Sisters were a big hit at tho Orphcum, Brooklyn, N, Y., last week. They closed the show, but held tho audtenco to tho end of their act. ♦»» KATZ BUYS NEWARK THEATRE. J. L. Felbleman A Co. sold for William Lehman, to Samuel Katz, the Orphcum The- atre, with 140 fret on Washington Street, Newark, N. J., at $100,000. Any One Can '.Write* Soner. HARRY VON TIL2ER NQTE- GREATEST SONGS, GREATEST VAHETT IN 1EMS. SONGS FOR EVERYONE OH, JOHWl THAT PHECIOUS LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE I WANT A GIRL "'st ukjb tm «mju^tkat u»»jiiid r»m < THIY ALWAYS }lCK jpil_ NIB KNOCK WOOD ALL ABOARD FOR_ BLANKET JAY Writer Kits >'A\ ;&&**& Special notice hrx "iioiinteih «» in ihkauo, A.vt) Wll HK SI.AD TO WELCOME INK nilKVIH AT THE'. UIUKH tIPERa nor.tr ■ l.UU, < II ir A CIO IIQIP PIIRIIQI4IMR P.n l25-W,43dSt..N.Y.Cit«ESi HARRYYON TILZERMUSIC PUBLISHING CDJ25w.43dsi M N.Y,ciiy^