The New York Clipper (September 1912)

THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. September 14 OVER I NIGHT HIT ARRY VORJ OVER NIGHT I HIT THE QUICKEST HIT ON RECORD DOT IV VVl)i\UKKKUl- SON<; FOR SIXUt.KS, 'lioVBIiiiS. ; KNSKMDIiKS, »ll (KTOTTKS. f;ll WAT V'Otl AST ACT. ; AVSURK-FUtE HIOT TO CLOSER OCR;ACT! WITH." ; MASJ'v'.TO J.KAKN. VOC- < A V <; KT I V TO-DA V A*U IM'T IT ON TO-.UOllRoW. I SPECIAL KOTIOB-WHEN IN CHICAGO, CAM* AT THE GRAND OPKRA HOUSE BUILDING. HARRY VON TILZER MUSIC PUBLISHING CO., 125 W. 43d St., N. Y. City 1^^ SK.-1 EARLY HISTORY OF NEGRO MINSTRELSY ITS RISE JuND PROGRESS IN THE UMED STATES DI COL. T. ALUXOK BBOWH. COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS. George ChrlBty died la New York May 12, 18118, from Inflammation ot the bowels. His right name was George Harrington, and be was born In Palmyra, N. Y., In 182T. Bla first public appearance -was made at the old Eagle Street Theatre, Buffalo, N. Y„ In 1830. Hi bad been engaged by B. IP. Christy, who fcml brought him out as a Jig dancer. Ho left Buffalo with B. P. Chrlatv and traveled with bla legerdemain uhow. George Weldon was ibe "faker" and George was his confeder- ate. Our hero bad a dog that ho used to perform a number ot trlcbs with. George was with this "faking" show until 1842, when K. 1'. Christy organized tho original Christy Minstrels, and George Christy took the bone end, with Lansing Durand as tambo. George war the first to do the wench business; ho was the original Lucy Long and Cachuca.. Our hero accompanied the troupe all over the country until 1846, when the; opened for a brief season at Palmo's Opera House In Cham- bcra Street, this city. He was then consid- ered tho best performer that put on burnt cork, and to this day tbero Is no performer in black face who Is a greater favorite with tho public than was George Christy at that time. HIb name was a tower of strength to the original ChrlBtm Ha was considered ono of tho funniest of the funny In everything that ho did. George was well cared for while ho wiih with B. P. Christy, and during the last two years and eight months of his engage- ment ho received tho sum of $10,080. G. W. H. Grlffln was born In Gloucester, Muss., March 21, 1820. During his con- tinuance In tho office of the legal gentleman with whom ho was at first placed, Grlffln evinced a passion for music and poetry, and when not engaged In the active duties encum- bent on his position, bis time was wholly occupied In the study ot music. While nn apprentice he became a member of tho "Bos- ton Glee Club." In 1850 Mr. GrllUu assumed tho position of manager of a minstrel com- pany, called tho "Boston narmonlsts," and ntudo his first appearance In that capacity at Palmyra, New York. Soon after this be Joined "Urey'a Warblers," and then, alter traveling through the country with several troupes, be attached himself to Bryant's Mln- Birds. In July, 1853, he Joined Wood's Min- strels, at No. 444 Broadway, New York, and In 1808 became a member of tho company or- ganized by It. M. Hooley for the purpose of a tour to the Bl Dorado of the western world. On his return to New York bo asso- ciated himself as a partner with Messrs. Hooley and S. C. Campbell, at Nlblo's Saloon. Ho was afterward with Bryant, and also with George Christy, then with Hooley In Brooklyn. In September, 1878. he became business manager for tho Theatre Comlquc, New York. , _ , Gub Howard, formerly of Hooley & Christy's Party, died at Alexandria, Va., on March 27, 1874. __ Hilly Qulnn died in New York Nov. 20, 1803, of consumption, aged twenty-six years. ' Ills remains were Interred In Calvary ceme- tery. Jig dancing was his line of business. Win. M. Reeve died at Wllllnmsburg, L. I., Aug. 11, 1872, aged thirty-seven years. In- terred In Greenwood cemetery. Woodruff & Foster's Minstrels. In 1858 Tim Woodrulf and N. Foster had a band on the road. In Cincinnati they opened at the New Museum (late Western Museum), In October. Barber, Woodruff, Sutton, West, Shelton, Klrhnrdson and Howe, They soon after were known as Tim Wood- ruffs Minstrels. Tim Woodruff died at his homo In Cincinnati. 0., Nov. 12, 1872. For many years lie was n favorite comedian throughout the West and the country gener- ally, and as a representative of the slouchy &lantatlon negro was hard to equal. He was orn In Hamilton, 0., and was, at his demise, about forty-seven years of age. His first ap- pearance on the stage was on the occasion of a fire company's benefit at Smith & Nixon's old hall, opposite tho present Pike's Opera House, In Cincinnati, March 16, 1842. He blacked up, gave the act known as "Spirit Happlngs," and made a lut which determined his future career. His death was the result of hasty consumption, arising from a cold contracted while visiting the fairs of 1872. Poor Tim had the -virtues and fallings of bis trade. There was none more generous to needy brethren In his days of prosperity, none that more strongly disdained a mean or unkind action towards any human being. Bven In his latter days, when the world went not well with him financially, fheso traits distinguished him, and in good or bad fortune there was the stamp of the true gen- tleman ever upon him. Tin- Sabine Minstrels Were a party organised in 1858 and made up of the crew of the U. S. Frigate Sabine. In 1800 (June) they gave a performance at City Hotel, Asplnwall, New Granada. In July they made a trip through the country. Win. Wallace, tambo; John Jeffers, boncB-, Chas. Clifton, T. H. Goodwin, Wm. Can- delln. Bd. Olmsdale, Aug. Wagner, J. W. Martin, Bd. Knsusc, A. 8. Kennedy, J. W. Tumor and Wm. Whltford. Pete Lee's Umpire Minstrels Were a party traveling through tho Bast In July, 1868. Howatd'i Enterpean Minstrels Opened In Detroit, Mich.. In July, 1868, under the management of Frank Howe. They then went traveling. T. Qllllgnn. Dick Berthclon, Frank Howard, Wm. Allen, J. H. Horile, Heir Kyle, Hcrr Odell, Geo. Wilson, L. J. Donnelly. C. Sanford, Prof. Splegle, Wm. Allen and T. Clifford. They afterwards made a tour and returned to Detroit. The Wlntbrop Serenadera Organised and traveled through Massachu- setts in July, 1868. J. B. Dunton, 10. Cutter, J. Crowell, N. J. Hall, Billy Whitney, Harry Blanchard, Frank West and J. Woodwortb. Snlffen's Campbell's. Mr. Snlffcn organized a first class band, late In 1608, and opened at 444 Broadway, New York. Tbey consisted of Matt Peel's company, U. Golden, clog; Master Charles, wench; A. M. Hernandez, R. Abecco, J. A. Herman, ballads; 13. A. Cotton, a. W. Moore, tambo; J. U. Donniker, J. T. Boyce, J. Cns- worth, C. Howard, T. J. Peel, J. W. Adams, B. H. Winchell, N. W. Gould, Ascbe and L. Cnndlt They opened Aug. SO. Matt Peel withdrew in October, when a re-organization was made. A. Montgomery, H. Hempe, J. Warren, It. Carroll, Cotton and Gould re- mained. Cool White opened Nov. 16, as mid- dleman, and Howard left to Join Matt Peel's Minstrels. B. A. Cotton returned In Decern- bcr, taking Unsworth's place as bones. In January, 1800, another reorganization was made. Billy Birch, bones; E. Bowers, inter- locutor ; G. W. Moore, tambo I J. B. Donnlker, violin ; B, Golden, clog; J. B, Herman, bal- lads; <R. Abecco, harp; A. M. Hernandez, B. A. Cotton, It. Si. Carroll, Jig, and Master Charles, wench. Cool White left soon after. Disbanded in February, I860, owing to bad business. (To be Continued.) Annette Kellcrmann arrived this week di- rect from her engagement at the Palace, Ixmdon, under the management of William Morris, and will head tho bill at the Filth Avenue Theatre week of Sept. 28. It is significant that Miss Kellormaun, while continuing under the management of William Morris, Is to appear at a theatre which Is ostensibly booked by the United Booking Offices. Of course the fa:t that Odlva, the peer- "MILESTONES." Kluw & Erlangcr will open the Liberty Theatre Tuesday evening, Sept. 17, with "Milestones," by Arnold Bcnuctt and Ed- ward Knoblauch, with nn English cuBt, under the general direction of Joseph Brooks. "Milestones" Is descriptive of three periods In the life of a family. The ilrst act depicts the fashions and men- ial attitude of 1800; tho second, 1880, and the third, 1012. All the scenes take place In the same room—a parlor lu a house In Kcn- Blngtou Gore. Two women and one man ap- pear throughout the piny. 'Die rest of the east Is made up of the children, grandchildren and their friends of the period. The company, which will Interpret the play, appeared at tho King's Theatre, Ham- mei'snillh. It Includes : Leslie Fnber, Gillian Scnlfe, Bugcnle Vemle, Wnrburton Gamble, A. Q. Onslow, Gladys Mason, Edith Harwell. Frederick Lloyd, Douglas Iinbert, Margaret MucDona, and Frank Arundel. ■>>» UK-OPENING (IK THIS GEO. M. COHAN THEATRE, Cohan & Harris announce that tho Geo. M. Cohan Theatre will rc-open for the Fall and Winter season on Monday evening, Sept. 23, and that the attraction will be Geo. M. Cohan, his father uud mother and their com- pany, In Mr. Cohan's now comedy, "Broad- way Jones." Prior to coming to his own plavhouso. "Broadway Jones" will be presented for a week at Parsons' Theatre, Hartford, Cona., opculng there on Sept. 10. NEW PLAYS FOR FROHMAN. Since bis return .to America Chas. !< rota- man has algncd contracts for new plays by Porter Emerson Browne, Thompson Bu- chanan, William Gillette, Harry B. Smith and Paul M. Potter. The contract with each playwright calls for plays wherein the sub- ject, scenes and characters arc American. e . » LONDON PRAISES "RBDECCA." Tho theatrical season In London opened Tuesday, Sept 8, with tho production of ••Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and all but one of the London newspapers welcomed and praised It, while the audience applauded vig- orously each act. Edith Taliaferro touched the hearts of all with her charm and dainti- ness. ««» DLANOHB DATES TO WISH. The engagement of Blanche Bates, the octnrs.i, to George Creel, of Denver, Is an- nounced from Denver. Mr. Creel la an edl- torlal writer on The Rocky Uountain New. NOTICE. HALF TOND PICTURES la the read. Ins pases of THE CLIPPER will be Inserted at these prieesi Front Pase Cat fOS.OO Doable Col a m a $10.OO BiBsle coitus - "GlllL FROM MOSTMARTRE" FOR LONDON. Robert Courtncldge, manager of the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, cabled Sanger ft .Ionian. last week for the English and provincial rights of 'The Girl from Mont- tnnrtre." In which Ulchard Carle and Hattlc Williams are now appearing at the Criterion Theatre. Mr. Courbneldgc desires to produce the piece as bis annual Spring offering. Ho also made an additional offer, through his American agents, to Charles Frohman, to bring the entire American company, with Mr. Carle and Miss Williams, to London at the termination of their season In this country. less "amphibian," Is the head of the bill at Keith's union Square Theatre during the same week, Is merely a coincidence—Just cno of the "confltctlona" that will occur now cud thon In local vaudeville. These bookings would appear doubly sig- nificant were It posslblo that a "switch" had been made In order to bring these repre- sentative "Diving Queens" into a competi- tion as to their relative value from a box office standpoint. Of course It may be "Just n happening;." »» NEW PLAYHOUSE IN SAN DIEGO. Friday night, Aug. 23, marked the open- ing. In Son Diego, Cal., of what Is conceded to be one of the Oncst theatres In America. The opening play was "Bought and Paid For." Mayor James B. Wadbam, city and county officials, retired army and navy officers, John D. Spreckels and family, Il.irrlson Allbrlght, architect of the building, and nearly every one of prominence who could possibly secure admission was present at the opening per- formance. The building has n fronlage of 200 feet In D Street, the principal thoroughfare, and a frontage of 235 fcot In Second and Third streets. PCBpectivelv. The seuttog capacity Is 1,016. « »» "LITTLEST" THEATRE FOR THIRTY-EIGHTH ST. T. J. Oakley Rhlnclander and Philip Ithlnc- ,ander will build one of tho smallest the- atres as i rear extension to the old four story dwellings altered Into bachelor opart- ments, offices nnd stores, Nos, 00-08 West Thirty-eighth Street. It will be 40x07, three stories high. The property Is leased to Paul D. Lelghtou and Butler Davenport may be mnnnger of the theatre. The stage will be 10 feet wide and 14 feet deep. The orches- tra floor will seat 08 persons, the balcony 01, the gallery 77, making a total of 208. Plans died by Architect Mitchell Bernstein place the cost at $0,000. ■» ■ > MRS. GRACE HUMAN DEAD. Mrs. Grace A. Burt Homan, who was for fourteen years Instructor In elocution and dramatics la Erasmus Hall High School, Ilrooklyn, N. Y., died Aug. 20, at her home 082 Lost Seventeenth Street, Brooklyn. Mrs. lloninn was a member of tho Century riieutre Club, and was well known as a Shakespearean lecturer and reader. ■ ♦♦♦ AUTHOR WALLACE IRWIN HERE. Wallace Irwin, author of tho book of Wal- ter D.'imroscb's new operetta. "The Dove of Peace," arrived In New York last week, to assist In the rehearsals of the piece The first performance will be given In New Haven, after which the production will go to Phila- delphia for a run of three weeks, before open- ing in New York on Nov. 4. "PRINCESS VICTORIA." At a recent benefit performance for the Shrlners, held In Chicago, at the First Regi- ment Armory, there were forty-eight high class vaudeville acts contributed from the various city theatres. At 10.20, the star spot on the long bill, Princess Victoria was announced, and the audience' of 7,000 saw the tiny lady who walked demurely, but majestically, down to the footlights. It was hard to realize that the little figure, handsomely clad la a stylish Imported gown. her blonde hair becomingly col (ten red, was not that of a big, beautiful doll. Weighing only 10% pounds, 26% Inches In height, ana twenty-three years of age. she comprises the condensed essence of feminine loveliness. The house was silent during the brief In- troduction by Manager Charles M, Abrnhnms, and sat spellbound as the miniature Madame Melba began the opening notes of nn Irish ballad. Expressions of amazement were heard as the full, clear tones came from the diminu- tive throat, filling the farthest corner of the large auditorium. At the conclusion of the song, tho applause was deafening, and the huso audience fairly rocked the house In wild- enthusiasm. The little princess re- spondel gracefully to the encore, and mak- ing a rapid change of costume, favored with a rollicking character song full of rich hu- mor and bits of clever drollery. Responding to repeated recalls, she mounted the three tiny stops necessary for her to reach nn ordi- nary piano stool, and perched thereon she played a number of selections m a way that was truly marvelous. The piano was full sized the same as used by the other perform- ers on the bill, and her handling of the keys with the dexterity of an artlBt, was amaslng Her tiny hands, no larger than those of a child six months old, flew over the lrorv keys, and her rendering of several difficult selections wns perfect Her reception was as enthusiastic as any ever accorded a mu- sical star la Chicago, and on a program con- Uulnlng over two score of the most talented acts obtolnnlile, before an audience as cosmo- politan as It was Immense, Princess Victoria was pronounced the star feature of the even- ing. PRISC1LLA KftOWLES IN MUSICAL COMEDY. Prlscllla Knowles, formerly leading woman of tho Academy of Music Stock Co., made her ? rs , t jy iDC n. r , ulce |Q mU8loal comedy last week, IS: ?t lr !heTcaaem?. t ° n '" "" "—* S THE HENRY W. SAVAGE ATTRACTIONS. By Jan. 1. 1013, there will be sUtcea It. tractions, under the management of HmV. W. Savnge, on tour and In New York. In id dltlon to "Somewhere Else," and the n» farce by Kapert Hughes, four other plays win be brought out this season. ' " "Littl;; Boy Blue," the romantc operetta composed by Henry Bereny, and adapted for America by A. Bf. Thomas, will begin lb second seuson, with Its New York coat Intact nt Newark, N. J., late in September * Jn.HU EngllBh version of "Everywomao" which tos produced by Arthur Collins aoi Henry W Savage In conjunction, at Dnirr Lane, In London, Sept. 12, the scene of t£ New Year's Bve celebration, which is th» spectaeular climax of the play, was laid in l ( iccad lly Broadway, New ifork, wa lu Joeale In the original. Tho new play by Margaret Turnbull, which was accepted for production by Hairr W Savage before he Balled for Europe, and while he was still In Ignorance of even the author's name, will be given Its first performance on any stnije in Montreal, late In October It is u serious drama, dealing with a problem likely at any time to confront thousands of the citizens of the world who profess a oar- tlcular religious faith. .Mr, Savage will revive "The Merry Widow" this season (two companies), and prospects tor Its continued Buccess are as bright as ther could well be. "alio Prince of Pllscn'' will ngaln have Jess Dandy In the role of Hast Wagner, and associated with him a specially selected cast. »«» NEW PLAY BY SUTIIO. Alfred Sutro, tho author of "The Per ploxed Husband," has begun work on a ntir play. Par more familiar with America, asd especially New York, than the utorage visit- ing Englishman, Mr. Sutro Intends durlot his present visit, to complete the scenario of a play, the first act of which will be laid In New York. I »» ROY ATWELL FOR "THE FIREFLY." Hoy Atwcll, whoso now comedy, "The Frame-UPi"' ' 8 aoon to be produced In Net York by Cohan & Harris, has been cncagit for urn' of tho leading roles la "The l'Ircfir." In which Emma Trcntlnl will be starred tali season. ♦ '» MANAGER FOR MARGARET ANGLIH. Margurct Anglln has made Ludowlek Vrooin her manager for her various enterprises, In- cluding "Egypt"' tho new Edward Sheldon plav. and "Green Stockings." Mr. Vroom has been associated heretofore with Henry Miller's attractions. 4 '» E. C. WARDE SIGNS WITH SAVAGE. Ernest C. Wardo, a son of Frederick Warde, has been engaged by Henry W. Sat; age as the stage manager of "The Million company. For five years he held a similar poBltlcn under Richard Mansfield. OXJR BUR1VESQUBRS. •z. 3. 4. 5. O. M*nVy£ AT ?°,!'' Treasurer of Orplicnui, Pntcrson, N. {"JWE C1TI.IN, Pace Makers. MONA RAYMOND, Tlu-er Lilies. GRA T CE 38o«^&pM«--