The New York Clipper (May 1912)

i££$l£&ll Copyright 1012, by the Frank Queen Publishing Company (Limited) Founded by FB ANK QUEEN, 1853. NEW YORK, MAY 4, 1912. VOLUME LX-No. 12. Price, 10 Centi. NOTABLE PLAYERS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT n.. im Back Ndmhu Coimunwo the Notabli Platbbb Album Piblibhid Cam bb Had Upon APPLICATION. ADA REEVE CLOSES TOUR. Ada Reeve, the English comedienne, who baa been appearing exclusively under the di- rection of Martin Beck, has just concluded ber initial American tour. _ Before returning to London Mas Reeve will visit tie Panama Canal district, sailing April 27 on tbe 8.S. Arcadian tor tbe Isthmus. Miss Reere'i boar has been so successful that Mr. Beck baa arranged tor a return en- gagement nert FalL opening early In October. At this time Mr. Beck's Palace Theatre, at Broadway and Forty-seventh Street, will have been completed, and New York will be given on opportunity of passing judgment on one generally conjeded pre-eminent In her par- ticular calling. TALES TOLD IS THE PRIVILEGE CAR. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS RED McCARTY TELLS ABOUT THB BAP WHICH HE DID NOT LEAP. AGO. BI W.OTD KINO. WILLIAM J. FLORENCE. William Jermyn Florence was born July 26, 1831, at Albany, N. Y. His family name was Conlln. Hie parents, soon after the birth of William, located In New York City, where the father engaged In the grocery business at Mulberry and Chatham streets. In 1846 the senior Conlln died, and William Conlln, who had been sent to school to Princeton, N. J., was hastily summoned home to aid in the support of hla brothers, sisters and widowed mother. He at once sought work, and was at various times during the next three years em- ployed in newspaper offices (among them that o( The Nea York Picayune), In a type manu- fictory and In a counting room. During bla early years be showed a marked fondness for the stage, and every opportunity to see a play was taken advantage of. The father was opposed to his eldest son'a Ideas on thla matter, and during hlB lifetime William's desires were curbed. While working at the printing trade, nights were devoted to tragedy and comedy under the auspices of one or more of the amateur dramatic clubs of those days. One of bla earliest appearances as an ama- teur occurred In June, 1849 with the Forrest Dramatic Association, at Gothic Hall (No. 553 Tear! Street), and he was named In tbe program as stage manager, and business man- ager, too. On Thursday evening, Jane 21, 1840. this association acted "King Charles." W. J. Florence (for thus early he had as- sumed a nom d* thettrel was In the cast as Edward (the page), while a Miss Howard was Mary, and a Mis* Lester, Lady Clara. In the afterpiece, "Robert Macalre," Mr. Flor- ence played Jacques 8trop, and Mr. Melvll'c, Robert Macalre. On July 4 following Mr. Flor- ence appeared at another performance by this association. It haa been widely stated—indeed, Sir Florence himself used to tell ib-nthat he had his amateur dramatic training with the James E. Murdoch Amateur Dramatic Asso- ciation, but of this we find no convincing record, though it la not unlikely that he was also an active member of that organization of yonng Thespians, then In Its Infancy. The doubt Is of slight consequence, for It Is cer- tain that W. J. Florence loBt little time in setting Into the ranks of professionals. He graduated by virtue of bis ability, too. He once explained to The Clipper that Tom Hamblln, seeing him "do" old Wlnterton, was so attracted by his promise that be quickly offered blm a chance at the Bowery, but that the offer was declined. However, it was not long before W. J. Florence became an actor In earnest. We shall place his debut as a professional at the Richmond, Va., Theatre, and shall date It Dec. 6. 1849. This Is upon conclusive ay! dence, and in the face or various contradic- tory statements. The Richmond Theatre was during that season under the management of John Sefton and W. H. Chippendale, and it was in the low comedy role of Peter, in "The Stranger," that Mr. Florence made bis Initial appearance. Associated with him in the cast were: Avonra Jones' mother, Mrs. Melinda Jones; Charles Burke, and others then or afterwards noted. Of this first professional engagement of Mr. Florence, his old tlmo friend, the veteran manager, John T. Ford, of Baltimore, baa this to say to Thx Clippeb : "I went to Rich- mond In '44 to learn a trade, and some years later when I went as a boy Into the book and paper buBineea, my place near the theatre became a resort for tie actors. I also dealt In play books. Among the company which Sefton & Chippendale Drought to Richmond In 1849 was a youth two years my Junior, named Florence. He was Inordinately fond of reading, and passed much of his time at my place. His salary was eight dollars per week, out of which he had to board, dress for I be strecc and the stage, end send, with the Irish fidelity to home, something each •week to his mother. At the theatre he had occa- sional opportunities which, he was always hungry for. His position was to 'catch as catch can:' to be a reserve, to bo called upon to do the leaat, and at times when the man- agement was perplexed, to do some important part. When these chances occurred ho would "tudy all night and rehearse all day to be utile to hit the part I recall his first round °f applause that approved of his perform- ance of dc Bcrlnghen, In 'Richelieu,' which wis a character that would have teated the ability of a leading light comedian. He did •t so handsomely that his brother actors rec- nenlied that there was the mettle of great- ness In the boy." Ills engagement in Richmond continued to the dose of that season, a period of about fur months, when, returning to New York. «<• made his first definitely recorded appear- asre on the New York stage as a professional 1'1°'- When Nlblo's Garden, on May 13, ix.>«. was re-opened Its managers were Sef- '"" * Chippendale '(who had been ot Rich- mond), and with them John Brougham waa associated. The opening play was r, Home"— »■* T. w. Robertson's from the French, but j n F. rorrotten drama by John Brougham— "nrt Mr. Florence's role was that of Halla- f«n. It baa often been stated that Mr. ..irence made his New York debut at the M"htnond Hill prior to this: but that Is un- loiibtodly err o neo u s, for the simple reason 'bat as early as 1848 the Richmond mil ,,"* no longer In use for dramatic represent!- r.,TJ!;_'S* biographers have probably eon- .'. '"ded the Richmond Theatre with our own i.ichmond Hill. —* MMst*. daring his first season, Mr. 1 "rence drew Inspiration and won "points" from players like Mary Taylor, Mrs. Vernon, John Sefton, Fanny Wallack. Charlotte Cush- man and W. E. Burton. It la probable, also, that later In this season he found time to work brledy in W. C. Forbes' stock at the Providence, R. I., Museum, where he had a chance to support some famous actors, and also at Toronto and Quebec, with John Nick- lnson's stock. His next New York engagement was for the Rtock company at the new Brougham's Ly- ceum, Broadway, near Broome Street This house opened Dec 3, 1850, and on that night Mr. Florence appeared In a trifling farce, called "The Light Guard; or. Woman's Rights." It was a flickering and unsatisfac- tory season. Toward the close of It. on April 22. 1851, Mr. Florence made his flrjt great hit. The piece was called "A Row at the Lyceum," and was one of Brougham's jokes. Mr. Florence himself has thus described It: "The curtain rose on a scene at rehearsal. The actors and actresses were In their street dresses, apparently gathered in a green room preparatory to their labors. Mrs. Dunn ap- peared as Mra. Dunn, Emma Taylor as Emma Taylor, and Mrs. Vernon as Mrs. Vernon. Tom, tbe call boy, was there as Tom. The whole performance was realistic, and the au- dience were deeply Interested. Suddenly, In the midst of one of the scenes, while a Mrs. Is. (Mrs. Brougham) was on tbe stage look- ing over her part and making claim to some- thing 'more In her line,' a Quakerish dressed gentleman arose In the middle of the par- quet, or 'pit,' as It was then called, and, ho'd- Ing up a cotton umbrella, addressed the stage and the house somewhat as follows: 'That woman looks for all the world like Clementina! Her voice Is very like —the form the same.' And then, with emphasis, 'It Is my wife!' He made his way toward the footlights, crying loudly: 'Come off lhat stage, thou miserable woman.' Of course, uproar ensued. I was In tie gal- MAIDE TOMLINSON, Who Is being presented as the bright par- ticular star of the Brooka Stock Co. As an artist she has been highly complimented and favorably compared with Marguerite Clark by Harry Sophus Sheldon, author of "The Havoc" and other successes. The Brooks Stock Co. Ib at present playing an extended engagement at the Climax Theatre, Milwau- kee, Jack Brooks, manager. WILLIAM J. FLORENCE. Icry. the personification of the Mosc of the day — red-shlrted, soap-locked and noisy. It was my part to give the old gentleman to understand that If he Interfered "with the 'young 'oman on the stage, I d lam bla bald bead Into a jelly,' and I proceeded to go down and do It All sorts of encouraging andI dis- couraging cries were heard: Go It f rpad- briml' 'Sit down!' 'Police!' •Shame!' 'Pat him out!' and so on. The actors on the stigc were, of course, unable to proceed, while poor Mrs. B. wbb apparently in a state of fright The supposed Irate husband and the red- shlrtcd defender reached tho footlights about the same time, where supposable policemen collared and dragged them off the stage. Then the usual semicircle was formed and tbe collogue spoken. It was only at this juncture that the audience recognized Mr. Brougham as the Indignant Quaker, Mrs. B. as his wife, the policemen as members of the company, the accessories In the pit as 'supca, and Mosc as me—Billy. The piece had a splendid run for those days, because every one who had been 'sold,' brought somebody else to be sold again." , , . „ . The next year Mr. Florence Joined M. A. Marshall's company at the old ^™ fldw _ n /,j then between Anthony (now Worth) and Pearl streets, on Broadway. There he opened Aug. 30, 1852, In "The Hunchback, plny- mg Lord Tinsel, to the. Master Wolter of F. B. Conway, the Julia of Julia Dean Hayne. the Helen of Annie Lonsdale and the Clifford if H. Blond. At the Broe.dway that season Mr. Florence supported the chief stars or that day In tragedy, comedy and farce. Ed- win Forrest Anna Cora Mowatt, and Mr. and Mrs Barney Williams were among the While a» the Lyceum Mr. Ftorence had me the comely dancer and soubrette, Mile. Mal- (Continuei on page 9.) THE ALL STAR GAMBOL The cities and dates of the forthcoming nil star gambol of the Lambs' Club, following the opening performance at the Manhattan Opera House on Monday, May 27, will be as "Tuesday, 28, National Theatre, Washing- ton (afternoon); : Academy of Music, Baltl- "wldnelday^KApollo Theatre, Atlantic City (afternoon) ; Hammcrsteln's Opera House, Philadelphia (evening). ■ Thursday, 30, Montauk Theatre, Brooklyn (afternoon) ; Hyperion Theatre, New Haven (cveninc) Friday, 31, Providence Opera House, Provi- dence (afternoon); Boaton Theatre, Boaton (cvonlnff)i The organization will embrace about one hundred people In all. and will travel by special hotel train, consisting of drawing room, rullman and dining cars, on which the members will live throughout the tour. An auction sale of scats and boxes will take place In each city ten days In advance of tho gambol. A special feature will be the parade. In which one hundred of America's foremost nctora will march, in minstrel uniform, from the train to the theatre In every city visited. The acttvo committee on arrangements are now engaged in making up the program of the gambol, and a number of absolutely new and novel features are promised. 4 » » SONGS AND SPEECH BY PHONE. More than seven hundred attended the an- nual dinner of the Associated Press and the American Newspaper Publishers Association, April 25, In tho Waldorf-Astoria, New York. A telephone receiver was In front of each diner, and between the courses of the dinner President Taft addressed the diners from Bos- ton, and Premier Borden, of Canada, ex pressed regret at his Inability to attend from Hot Springs, Va., where be Is enjoying a va- cation. Over the telephone Mme. Schumann- Hclnk entertained the diners with a song, aB did Al. Jolson, from his dressing room In the Winter Garden. $ i > SHAKESPEARE DAY. "Hamlet" wna acted at Wallack's April 23 In honor of Shakespeare's natal day. The cast was: King, Frank Woolfe; Hamlet Ian MaHaren: Polonlus, St Clair Bayfield : Hora- Ho, Alfred Gray : Laertes, Hcrschcll Mayall; Roscncranz, Lewis Broughton ; Gulldcnstcrn, William Loronz: Osrlc, Reginald Dane; Mar- celhis, George Kelly; Bernardo, William Lo- renz; First Player, George Kelly; Second Player. Miss Chsse; First Grave Digger. St. Clnlr Bayfield; Second Grave Digger, Ruther- ford Herman: Ghost, Mervln A. Rcntaul: Queen, Grace Grlswold; Ophelia, Viola Knott; Plav Queen, Violet Malcolm Barnett. " ♦«» FIELDS AT OnPHBVM. The return of W. C. Fields to tbe Orphcum, Brooklyn, was hailed with delight, end hla new tricks In juggling won him much ap- plause. ti l MRS. SHREWSBURY DEAD. Mrs. Louise Shrewsbury, mother of the Shrewsbury Sisters, died March 28, at Mobile, Ala., according to an unsigned communica- tion received at this office, Sunday night was always a big one In the privilege car of the Famous Shows United. The ghost always walked, or, at least, was sup- posed to, on the Sabbath day. Phil Muldoon, the bar- tender, always had one or two assist- ants to take care of the extra rush on these particular nights. The show was now playing the territory In the South, The days were extremely warm but tbe nights a little chilly, and In consequence the privilege car was filled to overflowing. The fat man sat In one corner on a beer case writing home to the folks up In Ver- mont. In the opposite corner a tonsorlal artist was working overtime In his half- equipped barber shop. Tote Ducrow, a clown, sat on a stool reading a yellow back with all the avidity of a fifteen-year-old high school lad. A dilapidated graphaphone was screech- ing out a few unbnrmonlouB canned notes. Above the clatter of other voices and tbe rattling of beer steins could be heard the conversation of a group of tbe "regulars," who snt In a far corner around a table with their drinks. Smoke curled up Into the air from half a dozen stogies. First one and then another of tho troupers would tell a Utile story or recite some Incident. "So you don't ever remember playing this town before, do yon?" said ked McCarty to the bunch. None of them acquiesced and for a moment there waB silence, while Red grlnnod hard. Red McCarty was the one man around the Famous Shows United that the governor could depend on to do anything which required a bit of nerve or was hazardous. In the ancient days, when para- chtilo lumping was all the go, McCarty used 1o make ascensions with the Great Eastern Shows. He always woro a pair of turkey red tlgbts, and hence his cognomen of "Red. After parachute Jumping passed out of vogue McCarty rigged up a cycle whirl and later a loop the gap, and finally a loop the loop. He was a "hazardous, fearless, prodigious rider," ns the press agent always took great delight In calling him. "Well, I have played this tank before, and until my dying day 1 shall never forget tho burg," continued Red. as he ordered Mul- doon to fill them up again. "Six years ago I was here with the Colossal Camlval Co. We had the tents and frame-tips scattered about the aquare. Over on Main Street, which lead towards the lot, I had my leap-the-gap paraphernalia. You sec, I waa doing tho free attraction work, and the gaps and the loops were all the go Juat then—especially down here. In th.j South. "Everything went along nicely throughout tho week. The boys were not making a kill- ing, but still they all managed to send their money orders back to the folks on the regu- lar days. Nobody bad a kick, as we were all looking for the town Just ahead, where the 'killing' was to bo made. "On the final night of tbe week's engage- ment there was a big crowd on hand. The free attraction generally was pulled off around 10 f. m. As usual, I stepped Into the London Ghost Show and donned my costume of color. As I came out, Jim Morrow, the announcer, told me that the old man had said to hold the free act until 11 o'clock, so as to keep tbe crowd on the streets as long as possible. It was all right with me, so I sat down In the dressing tent and began to play seven-up with the boss canvasmnn. '"When the clock In tho church belfry chimed eleven bells, I was on the platform, and Jim wade the usual announcement I walked up to the top of the gap, carefully Inspecting tbe roadway on which I would shoot down a moment later. I was anxious to get through with my work, so I lost no time when I reached tho top, I boarded my wheel and told my attendant to 'let her go.' "I ahot down tho steep Incline with light- ning rapidity. I had scarcely gone ten feet hefore an unusual thing occurred—every light in the fair city blinked and went out. Here I was shooting down the Incline at the rate of fifty miles an hour, In utter darkness. In- stantly there was a great turmoil In tbe crowd. I felt the gap quiver as the people crowded against It My thoughts came quick and fast I held to tbe handlebars tightly with a death Crip. "I shot down the gap. As I hit tho bottom I Instinctively pulled tbe handlebars up with a Jerk, for, you know, unless you do this on coming down on tho other side of the plat- form, the wheel will alight on tho front one, and there will be n smash-up. The thing to do Is to light on the rear wheel as much as possible, and keep the weight off the front wheel. "Now I was going through tbe air at n speed that was sickening, where I was going to land, and whero they were going to bury me. etc.. etc., all passed through my feverish brain In a panorama. Hut I struck some- thing soft, very aofO—.1 landed on tho top of half n dozen farmers' heads. I bore them to the ground, and when they picked mo up I was rinzed. A little red rye brought me n round, but everything was still In darkness piivo for n few torches nnd beacons the fel- lows had fetched from the Joints. "What Is the matter with these lights?" I said, half delirious, "Yon see, wn were getting our lights from the village power house. The electrician on this particular Saturday night wanted to get off and ace the carnival. lie left a small boy to shut off the Juice at midnight. The lad had been snoozing the greater part of the evening, and he awoke Just In time to hear the clock In the church helfry chime eleven. He mistook It for twelve hells. "Well, no, not exactly. I did not loop the gap the next week, nor tbe next, for It was n full month before I could leave the hospital. It was the closest call I ever had In my twenty-odd years of thrills." Under this heading we will publish each week Important amusement events occurring In tho corresponding week a quarter of a century ago. April 28, 1887.—"Blaine," dramatised by G. P. Lathrop and Harry Edwards, origi- nally acted at the Madison square Theatre. April 28.—"Charms," by Sir Chas. L. Young, first acted In the United States at Mc- Vlcker's Theatre, Chicago. April 29.—iFoster's Opera House, Des Moines, la., burned. May 2.—.''Prince Wtaldmclster," music by Adolph Neuendorf, libretto by Heln- rich Italtener, first sung In Now York at the Thalia Theatre. May 2.—"A Lucky Hit," by Percy Plunkett, originally acted at New Orleans, La. May 2.—St. Marys, Kan., Opera House burned. May 8.—"Tho nighest Bidder," by Maddlson Morton and Robert Recce, originally acted at tho Lyceum Theatre, New York. May 3.—Mountainside Hall, North Union, Me., burned. « ■ » BROOKLYN T. M. A. BENEFIT. The annual vaudeville entertainment and reception of the Theatrical Mechanical Asso- ciation Brooklyn Lodge, No. 80, held April 24, nt Prospect Hall, was a big success, more than two thousand attending the affair. Among those who appeared were: Gus Ed- wards, Marshall Montgomery, Eddie Leonard, Pearl Mcndcs, Harry Brccn, Bddlo Morton, Harry Fox and Mlllorslilp Sisters, Frank Morrcll, Elizabeth Brlcc and Charles King. Louis Relnhardt, of tho Orphcum, led tho orchestra. The grand march was led by President and Mrs. E. C. Schrcppcr. Officers of the association are: Edward C. 8chropper, president; Frank J. Lcstrange, vice president; Thomas V. Foley, financial secretary; J. F, Anderson, recording secre- tary ; James H. Smith, trcaBuror; Charles .T. McFadden. chnplaln; Edward Schwalbach, marshal; Snmue! Ileymann, scrgcant-at-arms. Trustees: Charles J. Mcradden, Richardson Webster and Lewis J. Horn. Musical di- rectors : Gus Walters and Lewis Rhclnhardt. The floor committee was composed of James Harvey, floor manager; James 0. Collins, assistant floor manager; Ralph Hcbllng, Joo Cnssev, Al. Acklcy and Oscar Frledlandor. Entertainment Committee: Frank J, Lc- strange. chairman; William Currcn, secre- tary ; J. K. Rrown, treasurer; John nail and James C. Collins, talent committee; Will- iam Reariion, souvenir committee: Percy Stephenson, advertising manager; Richard- son Webster, chairman press committee. Reception Committee: Bert Simmons, chair- man ; James Clancy, .Tosonh Do Solver, Win, S. Shugart. John Fitzgerald, Leo Rums, John Hlnclile, James Dally, Oeorga II. Thomas, Charles Van Ronk, Albert Orudcman, Charles O'Hnrrn, George Underbill. Nap Woods. Goo. Miller, George Flchcr, John Elf era, Monroe Murks. Thomas Murray, Eddio Gartner, John Fny. Lewis Krnlg and Gcorgo Foster. «»♦ DELAMATER NOTES. A. G. Delamntcr, "producer of cloan plays," has put over another winner. It Ib a drama- tization by Nell Twomcy, of "Frcckles 1 '' a novel of the mlddto West woods, hy Gene Strntton I'ortor, author of "A Girl of the Llmherlost" and "The Harvester." The play iva h produced at Syracuse, drew crowded bouses, and received tho unqualified endorse- ment of the critics. William Hawtrey will conclude his season In "Dear Old Billy," >wltb a three weeks' en- gngement In Chicago, ending on June 1, and completing one year's continuous run In this fa rce. Oeorgo Rnrr McCutchcon's "Beverly" will not clnso during the Bummer, but will play tlie Canadian Northwest during July and August, continuing on to tho Pacific Coast for the regular Reason. ♦ i » STAUNTON'S NEW THEATRE. A new £50,000 ground Door, up-to-date the- atre will be built in Staunton, Va., this Sum- mer. It will play the syndicate attractions as they come along, and during tbe Interim will fill In with first class vaudeville acts and pictures. This theatre will have a seat- ing capacity or 1,200, Including two galleries. »« » R. A. ROBERTS, England's celebrated protean actor, made his rc-nppenronco In America a few weeks ago, bring specially Imported by Manager Percy D, Williams for his circuit, In his famous act, "Pick Turpln." Mr. Roberts, after delving Into the records of the British Museum, has discovered evidence to show that Dick Turpln was »n actual figure In English life, early In the eighteenth century, and that his name was really posted with Slxtecn-Strlng Jack ii nil .Tnnnthan Wild, for tho benefit of those who traveled by coach, In anticipation that llie.v might be hold up on some lonely stretch of country and greeted with tho stern com- mand, to "Stand anil deliver." Mr. Holicrtx. whose act has created n furor In this country ef|iiiil to his triumphs In England, has pre- pared an article, entitled "Tho Real Dick Turpln," based on his researches, and In part It eoavevH the following Interesting Informa- tion : "Homo years ago the Crown Inn, nt Hempstead, was adorned with a board record- Ing the fact that Dick Turpln was born within Its walls, and although tho board Is gone, tho fact remains as the one Indisputable Item In the highwayman's history, Tho exact date of his birth will probably never be known, but the parish register attests that Richard Turpln, tho eon of John and Mary Turpln, was baptized In the village church on Hept 21, 1705. On the coffin In which he received a felon's burial, at York, In 1730, his age was given as twenty-eight but the Hempstead record proves that he must have escaped tho. gallows for thirty- four years at least." Impresario Richard Pltrot is Mr. Roberts' American representa- tive.