The New York Clipper (June 1912)

rffl ?0*«iWH Copyright 1912, by the Frank Queen Publishing Company (.Limited) Founded by FRANK QUEEN, 1853. NEW TOEK, JUNE 1, 1912. VOLUME LX-No. 16. Price, 10 Cents. NOTABLE PLAYERS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT R.. 108 VAUDEVILLEiRECLAIMS THEATRE, twenty-five years Back Nmans Comtaihiso iu Noxabu Puma . Upok Application. dt Fdhjihb cak n Had MRS. WW. J. FLORENCE. lira. MalvLna Theresa Florence was bora April 19. 1880, la New York City, her father being Thomas Pray, an old theatre attache. Of lila children, three girls were destined to become famous on the stage. They were Mrs. Florence, who was known at one time as MJIe. Malvlna, a dancer of grace and ability; Mrs. Barney Williams and Mrs. George F\ Browne. When she was sixteen years of age JLalvlria was married to Joseph Llttell, an actor, who died shortly afterwards, leaving her one child, later known as Mrs. Josephine Shepherd. William Jermyn Florence and Mrs. Llttell were married In New York City on Jan. 1. 1853, and then determined to enter the field already profitably occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams, and on Jnne 18, 1853. at Purdv's National Theatre, New York City, the first starring tonr of the Florences was Inaugurated, the play being "The Irish Boy and Yankee Girl.' They met with Instant success In the metropolis and on the road. Mr. Florence had composed many songs of a popular character, including "Bobbing Around," and these songs were sung by Mrs Florence. Engagements were filled by Mr. and Mrs. Florence at the outset of their starring tour In alt the Important cities of this country, and everywhere they met with honor. On April 2, 1856, they nailed for England, and on April 28, appeared at the Drtrry Lane Theatre, London, where they at once stepped Into favor. They played "The Irish Boy and Yankee Girl," ana remained at the Drury 1886, having benefited both In purse and re- pute. They continued their tours here and on July 5, 1858. they opened at Wallace's (old) Theatre, New York City, for a Sum- mer season producing a number of burlesques Including "Lalla Rookb.' Later engagements here brought them forward In "Orange Blos- soms," a revival of "Dombey & Son," In which Mrs. Florence played Susan Nipper; and "Buy O'Connor." , In the Summer of 1803 the Florences opsin visited England, remaining for three months, and after their return here they played In "Handy Andy," "Mischievous Annie,'' "The Returned Volunteer," "Kathleen Ma-vonrneen" and "The Ticket of Leave Man," which the Florences produced for the first time In America at the Winter Garden, New York AUGUSTUS THOMAS RE-1...HE8 COMEDY. Augustus Thomas has been obliged to abandon the original title of his sew com- edy, "When It Comes Home." Only last week It wsb brought to Mr. Thomas' atten- tion that a fellow dramatist had already copyrighted that title at Washington. At ouce Mr. Thomas decided to give It up, and has selected Instead the name, "The Model." Everything considered, the second title is much better for Mr. Thomas' purposes than the first The piece Itself, which Las. al- teady been given a preliminary production In Chicago, In Its story has to do with an ar- tist's perfection of a prize canvas—the' In- spired result of his dual worship of bis art and his model. When the comedy, which 1b in four acts, was performed In the West, William Courtlelgh, John Eindlay, Gatl Kane and Earle Browne made Individual successes only second to the cordial reception given the piece Itself. All the scenes are laid In New York's Latin quarter. « ■ » HAMMBRSTRIN ENGAGES VINIE DALY. Announcement Is made from Loudon that Oscar Hammersteln has engaged Virile Daly to assume the role of Berpollete, In his jubilee revival of "The Bells of Cornevllle," at the London Opera House next month. Miss Daly, who has been prominent In America, has been studying grand opera In Italy for more than a year, and Is said to be a coloratura soprano of the first rank. «i» - HUMMBB 8HAKESPEAIU5. The Ben Greet Woodland Players gave a Shakespeare festival for the benefit of the Pike Street Industrial School of the Chil- dren's Aid Society, at Fleldston Woods, at Rlverdalc, on the Hudson. On May 28, 24. there were performances of "As You Like It," and on Saturday there was a perform- ance of "Comedy of Errors." «» » HMD. CALVE'S rilOTEr.EE WBDS. According to a dispatch last week, from San Francisco, Edna Darcb, a grand opera singer, and protegee of Mme. Calve, was mar- ried in Los Angeles, during the week, to I.elghton McMurtrlc, a wealthy Ban Diego property owner. 4«» ST. PAUL'S NEW THEATRE. The Starland, formerly the Colonial Thea- tre, situated at Wabasha and Ninth streets, St Paul, Minn., Is rapidly nearlng comple- tion. It Is being thoroughly re-built. Inside and out, and will be thrown open to the public In the near future. <«» KITTY GORDON SAILS. Kitty Gordon, who appeared last season In "The Enchantress," left New York Hay 23, by the Celtic, of the White Star line, for England. She expects to return In September. en go, i 7° , 111 ■>»» ARTHUR DRAGON ENGAGED. Arthur Dcagon, who Is appearing In vaude- ville, has been engaged by Arthur Hammer- steln for an Important comedy role with Mile Trentlni, In her new opera, next season. KEITH'S UNION SQUARE TO GIVE UP PICTURES. AGO. City. Nor. 80, 1868. Mrs. Florence made a marked bit as fflmiiy Bt Byremond, and Mr. Florence played Bob Bristly. In the original American production of "Tie Ticket of Leave Man" were, besides the Florences. A. H. ("Dolly") Davenport, J. F. Hagan, H. Bland, vicing Bowers, T. J. Hind, Mrs. Hind, Mrs. W. R. Floyd, Mlrs. F. S. Chanfrau and Thoe. E. Morris. After another visit to England the Flor- ences secured T. W. Robertson's "Caste." and played lb for the first time In America on Aug. 5, 1807. at the Broadway Theatre (Wal- lace's old theatre), under the management of Barney Williams. Mrs. Florence appeared as Polly Eccles, and won great distinction In the part. "Caste" was a great success In the hands of the Florences, and later on they presented "Inshavogue," "No Thoroughfare,' nnder the title of T/Ablme," "The Field of the Cloth of Gold," "The Colleen Bawn" and "Eileen Oge." Their greatest success, however, was achieved In "The Mighty Dollar," originally produced on Sept. 6, 1876. at the Park The- atre, New York City. This piece was written for Mr. and Mrs. Florence by Benjamin Ed- ward Woolf. In the original cast were, be- sides Mr. and Mrs. Florence, John G. Seville, John C. Padgett, J. W. Rrutonne, W. J. Fer- guson, W. Grant, Charles Tillers, J. C. Morri- son, Mande Granger, F. Langley, Pearl Eytlnge, Annie Edmondson and Miss FJ. Os- mond. With "The Mighty Dollar" Mr. and Mrs. Florence held their public secure for many years, their later productions Includ- ing: "Facts; or, His Little Hatchet," which was again produced under the title of "Our Governor" and "Our German Professor." Mr. Florence died on Nov. 19, 1891, but Mrs. Florence had retired from the stage about three years before that date, her hus- band reroalulng active In his stage work In partnership with Joseph Jefferson. Mrs. Florence, In the year 1898, made a tour ot the principal! American cities, appearing In a revival of "The Mighty Dollar" She lived In retirement after that season until her death. On Jan. 9. 1893, she married Howard Coveney, an - English actor, but about three years later she secured a divorce from him, and resumed the name of Mra Florence. Mrs. Florence died Feb. 18, 190S, at her home, 224 West Party-fifth Stireet, New York, from Brlght's disease, after- an illness of nearly three months. For some time prior to her death, Mra Florence had been totally blind. The Union Square Theatre Is about to come Into Its own. Motion pictures, which have been a leading feature of the attrac- tions At this resort for several years, will be relegated to the rear, and vaudeville. which has the while held a subsidiary po- sition, Is to take first place. This was the announcement of B. F. Keith last week, and the announcement caused a thrill of pleasure to many, not only among the performers but also the public The Union Square w«s the first New York theatre to house the Keith continuous vaude- ville when. In the Fall of 1893, Mr. Keith Invaded this metropolis. In this city, as In Boston, It soon had a grip on the affections of the New York public, and the Union Square became one of the most papular of our amusement houses. The best that was In vaudeville played on Its boards. Few theatres In the country could boast of the packed condition of the house at every per- formance—Winter and Bummer. Elmer F. Rogers, who for years was the local manager of the tbeatre for Mr. Keith, has been assigned to his old position, and B. V. Darling will assist In booking attrac- tions, which, It Is announced, will bo of the best. The theatre Is now undergoing renovation for Its return to the former policy, the open- lug date of which Is June 8. Under this beading we wlU publish each week Important amusement events occurring In the corresponding week a quarter of • century ago. NEW OHPHEUM FOR ROCKPORD. At a meeting of the board of directors of the Orpheum Amusement Co., held In Rock- ford, IB., May 16, W. S. Butterfleld and Mar- cus Herman purchased the controlling stock of said corporation from A. J. Sbtmp, who was founder of Sadd corporation in that city. At the same meeting.- the stockholders or- rzed a new company to purchose property the erection of a new Orpheum Theatre, said new house to seat 1.500 people. Ground will be broken within the next sixty days, and the new house be ready by Dec. 1. By the-purchase of the oantrollng stock Butter- ' field and Helmon will place the new bouse In their circuit of theatres In the middle West, Which tiow comprises all of the principal cities m Michigan and many of the Important cities of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wis- consin. These two managers now control twenty of the best three-day vaudeville the- atres located In the middle West. « i » HIPPODROMB ANIMALS PLACED. All of the animals that appeared at the Hippodrome this season, except the sheep, will be taken to the country grounds of the Crescent Athletic Club, Bay Ridge, to appear In the club's circus on June 6, 7, and 8. They will spend the Summer there, and re- turn to the Hippodrome next Fall. The circus, which will be for the benefit of a fund to equip and maintain an athletic field for boys, will be given by club members, together with some professional talent. There will be a midway of booths, presided over by prominent society people; a side show, and all of the other things pertalnlnlg to a circus. Among the features of the show will be exhibitions by the Riding and Driving Club, under Major Cartledge; the Rough Riders, under Major Cochran : Squadron C, the Naval Militia : the girls of the Erasmus High School, the boys of the Commercial High School, the Boy Scouts, and other organizations. 4»» ' ' K VT1E BMMBTT IS O. K. We hove received the following communi- cation from Katie Emmett: "Dhak Editor. —I see by one of our the- atrical papers there Is a man going around to the different managers and agents asking old In my behalf, saying I am In need Will you kindly give me epaoe In your paper by telling the profession such Is not the esse. I am well and doing nicely and I might say far from bring In want. "I am perfecting an act for vaudeville for next season which will ee a novelty In Its line. Will let you know when the act Is tried out. "With best wishes and thanks for cour- tesy, yours sincerely, Kith Bn*f.tt, Chi- May May }lny May May June June 27, 1887.—Erie. Pa., Lodge B. P. O. Elka organised. 80.—"Fascination," by Robert Bu- chanan, originally acted at the Park Theatre, Brooklyn, N. Y. 30.—William Cuiiington made stellar debut at Poole's Theatre, New York, In "For Congress." 80.—Annie O'Neill made professional debut at the Madison Square Theatre. In "Prince Karl." ' 81.—"Joan of Arc" acted at the Acad- emy of MmIc, Chelae*, Mass., by Maude Banki and company, 1.—Fraier Coulter and Grace Thorns married In Boston, Mas*. 1.—'"Three Young Widows," by Curtis J. Dunham, originally aeted In Chi- cago. «■» A. II, A. H. Woods paid his various stars 1182,000 during the past lesson. Of this amount Julian Bitlnge received 175,000 for his work. A yearly statement Just Issued by A. H. Woods' booking department shows on ex- penditure of $118,204.03 to the railroads for the twenty-two attractions controlled by the Woods offices on the season. The statement Is the first of Its kind ever published, and has caused considerable comment among the nil I road men. Julian Bitlnge has erected a miniature the- atre at his Northnort home, with the walls literally covered with mirrors to rehearse his new songs and dances for next season. "A Modern Eve," the new A. H. Wood* nnd Mort H. Singer musical play, now cur- rent at tho Garrlck Theatre, Chicago, prom ises to be the "Madame 8borry" of the ap- HE.LA GALVIN, In her balloon number, "Little Miss Mix-up." Miss Galvln, with her brother, Johnny, baa been starring In this musical comedy In the South for the past year. At present she Is taking a short vacation at rinlnfield, N. J., where she Is visiting her mother. «TIIB HUMAN MARKET." "The Human Market," a drama. In four acts by J. Jensen, will be given an early production. In a personal Interview with Tun Clipper representative at Chicago, Mr. Jensen said: "My drama deals with the question of capital and labor, and the theft of on Invention by a capitalist from one of his employees, where 1 advocate that the theft of an Idea merits greater punishment than grand larceny. "A young man conceives a wonderful In- vention, but poverty handicaps him, and be Is unable to complete It- Despair and distrust of hlB fellowmam drive him bo attempt sui- cide. He Is Injured, but not fatally, and car- ried Into the house of a capitalist, the owner of a manufacturing plant, which furnishes the chief Industry of the town, who, by judi- cial charity, baa the name of a philanthropist, under the cloak of which he perpetrates un- believable rascality. Upon learning that Mar- riott Is an engineer of Inventive genius, ho Immediately speculates on the young man's talent, and sets out to win bis confidence, and Is so successful that the young man con- fides In hlra hlB wonderful Invention. The capitalist Insists upon giving bhn financial alii, to assist In the completion of the ma- chine, for which It Is agreed that he shaU have fifty per cent, of the net profits. His greed, however, asserts Itself and he patents the Invention In his own name, anticipating that he can buy the young engineer's silence. It also shows tho slaving ot his employees, and forcing them to work on machines which have been condemned or lose their positions. Through his Injustice to the engineer whom the laborers have learned to like and revere, and Injustice to themselves, the employees In the capitalist's factories, strike. The million- aire also has the Idea that there to nothing which money cannot buy, bat when he at- tempts to further bis selfish desires with money, he finds out bis mistake, and In the end a just retribution is meted out to him." "JUNE MADNESS." In addition to his Individual productions for ncit season, and the managing of tho Little Theatre, also the new theatre now be- ing built on Forty-fifth Street, Wlnthrop Ames will produce. In association with Lee Phubcrt, "June Madness," by Henry Kltchctl Webster. This Is the native drama which was pro- proacblog Summer season. It has all the ear mm of a big success. The music, by Victor Hollacndor of "Sumurun" fame. Is pleasing. and tie "GowUBye, Everybody,*' number B quite as certain to reach the street pianos and corner whistler* a* "Every Little Movement." Joseph 8antley has scored heavily In "A Modern Bve," and his dancing Is a feature or the snow. Dustln Parnum has gone to Bucksporr. ■ '. f S T W Summer, and William Farauro Is at Sag Harbor. <» » DECISION AGAINST NEGRO ELKS. ../ rho , c L ourt ot •*PP<*'» »t Albany, on May J4, ruled against the organisation of colored people who havo used the title of "Elk*" with the "Improved" added. An Injunction against the uso of the name was Issued some time ago, and It Is now luitnlncd, aa to the use of the name. The colored "brothers" are K 'Jh crt ,y„. t0 u "£ naD1C8 for tho offl «"» rimlhr "J H.P" *. They can also use the purple una white colors. ' that ? JJ cy w «nted to usa the name of an animal, there nre plenty of name* left. »»» ■ ■ "» STRINDBBRG PLAYS. ft Is announced that, beginning oa Oct 80 next, a series of Strlndberg plays are to be produced bv Warner Ola.id? itSe Berkeley rhcatre, where 'The Father,' the first play by August Strlndberg ever preiented In Wi country In English, recently terminated a four weeks' engagement. . i "Easter" Is to be the first olav to be sln>n Id tho Fall, which wlflbstollSwedb»*&?n° teas Julie, "The Stronger," "The Outlaw" anil several of the so-called chamber plays which Mr. Strlndberg wrote especially for jfl* intimate theatre In Stockholm In the I * ninotles. Also "The Father" will be rlv duced In Chicago early this Spring by the Drama Players, creating a success by Its gripping drama and its freshness of treat- • »♦ NEW OPERA BY "SPRING MAID" COMPOSER. Andreas Dippel baa purchased the Amer- ican rights to the operetta, "Napoleon and the Fair Sex," by the composer of "The Spring Maid," which baa Just been sung with great success In Vienna. It will be heard here next Winter. ment Mr. Webster, the author of "June Madness," Is well known as n novelist. "Calumet K," one of the first novels about big business, he wrote a decado or more ago In collaboration with Samuel Mcrwln. "The Banker and tho Bear" and other novels from bis pen have been published since. "June Madness" marks his entrance Into the field of drama. Mr. Ames snd Mr. Shubert nave engaged lledwlg Itelcher to act tbo principal role In "June Madness," that of Mrs. Tliornbnrough, which she originated ln the Chicago produc- tion, and In which she created a fine Im- Eresslon. Miss Rclcbcr Is a daughter of Imnmirl Releber, the famous German actor, and a half-sister of Frank Rclcbcr. who was recently seen In "Tho Pigeon" at the Ltttlo Theatre, and who has been engaged by Mr. Ames for one of hi* next season's produc- tions. "June Madness" will be heard In New York In tho Fall. ■»<♦ WEST POINTERS TO SBB "TUB ROSB MAID." Werba & Luescber's production. "The Rose Maid," which Is at the Globe Theatre, has been selected by the cadet body at West Point as tho show they will witness on the occa- sion of ttnlr annual theatre party. The even- — »•-—-» .» ...... ,»»» »»>»•« «■■ ui« log set nsl'lo for the future generals, colonels pa*T0 of this Issue will discover thirteen of and captains In Uncle Sam's aervlce to that the reasons why Blanche Ring has met with such great success In her latest starring ve- hicle, Tl The Wall Street Girl," now playing at tho George M. Cohan Theatre, New xork. In the group Miss Ring occupies the centre. Im- mediately underneath her picture 1* Helen French; following to the right, around the circle, the other twelve "reasons" appear In this order: Helen Williams, Jewell Fields, Bessie Sessions, Bthlyn Clark, Ivy Paget, Helen Holmes, Irene Le May, Herafloe Browne, Clara Randolph, Gladys Fox, Gladys Breston and Frankle James. Intimate theatoejn Stockholm ln the early vlved. I'OM-s NEW HOuYn'lN >BW HAVEN. Poll's new vaudovllle house, at New Haven. Conn, opened May 27, and Is one of the most up-to-date houses In the.country. Mr. Poll has selected Edward Shields, who comes from Winnipeg, Can., to manage tho bouse. Mr! Shields has been connected with the Sullivan & Cons dine circuit for the past three years. Ho built and operated for four years Cablo Park, In Portland, Ore. Ho bad also been nrcBs representative for Hopkln*, in Chicago, for many years. 11» DUTTISflFIELD A IIUIMAN GET ANOTHER. nutterfleld & notation havo leased the Ma- jestic Theatre, Waterloo, la,, for long period of years, and take possesion Aug. 1, The theatre will be thoroughly overhauled, reseat- ed, decorated and cleaned, nnd open Aug. 15, booked In conjunction with the other theatres of tils firm In tho Mlddla West, and by the Western Vaudeville Managers' Association. »»» CAPT. ENGLISH VISITS NEW YORK. Cnpt. W. B. English, of English's Opera House, IndlanapolU, fnd., la visiting New y.?,' 1 '- .T?°^, i y ,t * ln '■ P Mt mud exalted ruler of the Elk*. <« | JAMES WINGFIBLD A VISITOR, Jnmca Wlngflcld, for many years advertis- ing manager of the Grand Opera House, Chi- cago (now Geo. M. Cohan's), Is calling on his numerous New JTork frlorids. «« » "BEAUTY HH THE RING." A glance at tho group picture on the front. —Ill '■- of Wednesday, June 12, which will bs desig- nated as "Army Night' 1 at the Globe. Five hundred of the cadet*, Including the gradu- ating class, accompanied by the commanding officers of the greatest nrmy school In the world, will occupy the boxes and a section of the lower ftor at the performance of "The Rose Maid" that night. Special decorations will adorn the lobby and Interior of the the- atre, and several topltal verse* will be Inter- polated In the song successes during the per- formance In honor of the visiting soldier boys.