The New York Clipper (May 1913)

"Sfea Copyright 1018, by the Frank Queen Publishing Company (Limited) Founds* by FRANK QUEEN, 1853. NEW YORK. MAY 81, 1018. VOLUME LXI-No. 16 Prioa, 10 Canta. MORE BROADWAY HOUSES FOR PICTURES. *™ rat scamper. FEATURE FILMS TO BE SEEN AT SEVERAL LEADING THEATRES. The success of "Quo VadlsT' Paul Ralncy's big game pictures, Captain Scott's Polar Ex- pedition and other feature dims at Broadway theatres, lias caused many of the big film manufacturers to "alt Dp and take notice," with the result that other big features in motion pictures will soon be seen on Broad- way. The Thirty-ninth Street Theatre Is the next of the leading houses to be captured by the lore of the film. By an arrangement with the Messrs. Shubert, the Gaumont Film Co. will present feature pictures at this ««» house, beginning within the next fortnight. Whether or not the pictures remain perma- nently depends entirely upon the success of the venture. Upon this success, also, depends the future of several other Shubcrt theatres. The Edi- son, the Vltagrapb, the Biograph, Pathe I'reres and others of tbe big Eastern film companies stand ready to enter the feature field at an early date, and It will not be sur- prising to see motion pictures housed next .season at (several theatres which were built only recently and dedicated to the drama. PERCENTAGE vs. FLAT RATE M A MANAGER WHO SNOWS. "BALBOA" FOR 'FRISCO. Managers and owners of the many tabloid organizations In existence to-day should make a move to discourage porcertoge engage- ments, and the result, undoubtedly, would mean longer and more prosperous seasons to all of them. A bird In the land Is worth two In the bush, so Is a certainty better than a chance, especially nowadays In this partic- ular Held. It Is true that In eome Instances a show can go Into a place and dean up a tidy little sum, but how much off.encr do they Just make expenses, and occasionally fall be- low, and when they fall 'below expenses what is the result. Back salaries, unpaid hotel bills, etc., which makes life miserable for all who are connected with the unfortunate ag- gregation. It has been proved that the "big small time'' houses that play tabloid shows will only play them on a flat rate. Why"' Simply because they know they arc doing the busi- ness, and while they are perfectly willing to pay a good sum, they will not divvy up the receipts. The house take- no chances because It knows Its Income. Another thing. They pay a flat rate because they want to control their own door. On the other hand, tbe average house that plays such attractions on percentage Is a risk to tbe company for various reasons. First: They are not doing the real business, and expect you to boom it up. Second: Mis- management and negligence works a hardship on the company. I don't claim-this to be tbe case with all percentage houses, but with the majority, and I am speaking from long, tried out ex- perience, which cost me a goodly s\rm. Work on this basis—figure out the salary list, printing bill, baggage bill, railroad fare and allow a few dollars for incidentals—figure out on an average, then add your own salary, total It all up and then offer to work for that amount In making your offer, guaran- tee your show, and believe me, brothers. If you have the show you'll And plenty of steady work and in the best class of houses playing tabloid attractions. Then Instead of It being gold one week and lead the next, it will be silver week in and week out. ■Give It a little consideration, try It and sec if I am not right. 4>» ACTORS' SOCIETY BENEFIT. Malda Cratgen president of the Profes- sional Womene League; Fnnny Cannon, of the Actors' Society; Mrs.-James Madison Bass, of tbe American Playgoers; Mrs. Ed- win Arden, president of the Twelfth Night Club; Mrs. Millie Thome, of the Stage Chil- dren's Fund; Mrs. Dora Lyon, of the Cri- terion Club; Mrs. Edith Banger, of the United Theatrical Association ; Lizzie Reehelle, of tbe Professional Woman's Club: Mrs. Bello de Hlvera, of the New York Theatre Club, and Mrs. Axel Olat Ibiseng. of tbe Century Theatre Club; Mme. Matfclldc Cot- trolly snd Mrs. Thomas Whlffon will bo ' hostesses at the Actors' Bociety Benefit to bo held at the Astor Hotel, New York City, on May 21). 4 »» ACTOR SUBS FOR SHATtE. Supreme Court Justice Hendrlck and a Jury began taking testimony. May 10, In a suit of William Harcourt, an actor, against George H. Broadhurst, playwright, to re- cover ten per cent, of the $250,000 royalties of "The Man of the Hour." Mr. Harcourt sued under his real name, William Harcourt King, and testified that he tntroiuced Broad- hurst to William A. Bradv ,'n 1000 when Hroadhurat was looking for some one to produce his play, and thut an agreement was made concerning his shnre of the profits. The case Is unfinished. H. M, Horkheimer, president and general manager of the Balboa Amusement Co., is In New York arranging with the Lee Lash Co. for nine big scenes in tbe new spectacle, "Balboa; or, The Discovery of the Pacific," which will be produced with a revolving stage In San Francisco in 1915. Three sites are under consideration, all of them cen- trally located. Mr. Horkheimer hna ar- ranged for motion pictures, with scenarios by Jack London, but has not finally decided for their productions, "THE WHIP" FOR 'FRISCO. A big production of "The Whip" will be made In a San Francisco theatre In 1015. < i > ULLIB AKERSTROM BACK. After a successful season of thirty-three weeks as producer at the Scenic Temple, in Providence, It. I., Ulllc Akcrstrom has re- turned to New York. Miss Akcrstrom has not fully settled her plans for the coming reason, but Is considering several offers. There Is hardly an organisation In or out of the theatrical profession which can truth- fully boast of so much real good dono for Its members as that body of funmakers to the world at large, known as the White lints. To enumerate their good deeds would bo like looking Into the personal check book of come of our great benefactors who dispense their bounty wisely and generously. Many times the White Rats have opened their doors to their friends and bid them welcome to their "scampers," as these occasions aro called, and the high quality of clean enter- tainment always offered bos been regarded as a standard by many otber organizations. The "Circus Night." given at their spa- clous clubhouse recently, has never been equalled by any club, and all these strikingly Ingenious affairs have been gratis. Now, in the name of charity, they have decided to hold another "scamper," their first Charity Fund Benefit, and this galaxy of "ouo hun- dred stars and one hundred headllners" is no exaggeration of what may be expected Sunday evening, June 1, at Weber & Fields' Forty-fourth Street Theatre. The scamper has for Its chairman, Robert L. Dally; its secretary, Joseph W. StandlHh, and the committee comprises; Felix Adlcr, ,!«». J. Corbett, Julian Kltlnge. Geo. Evans, Frank Fogarty, Al. Jolson, Kddlc Leonard, Bert Leslie. Bert I.ovy, Junle McCrec, Geo. W. Monroe, Dave Montgomery, Fred. Stone. Chas. J. Ross, Tom Waters, Joe Welch and one hundred others. Two very extraordinary features of this benefit will be no auction Bale of boxes and seats and no high prices, two dollars being the top price for scats. Money orders may be sent to the White Itats, 227 West Forty- Bixlh Street. «<» LUCKY Till USD \v KOH "AM. Alio Alio." Lew Fields' show will open on the Weber & Fields' Hoof, New York, on June 5. MISS BDLLIE BURKE. Whose likeness appears on the front page of this Issue, Is ono of our most popular foot- ilgbt favorites. The plcturo snows her as she appears In "The Amotions," at the Em- pire Theatre, New York. No one would cvor think, watching her swaggering about tho stage In her riding breeches, as "Tommy" Bcl- turbct, dn this piny, that she over had such a thing as a serious mood. But she has. She calls It taking a holiday, flud whllo the mood lasts sbo rcada serious books and thinks serious thoughts. A newspaper woman, who called on tho nctress the other day, found her having n good tlmo of that sort. After tho usual grectlnss were exchanged, tho visitor said something about how well and how young her hostess was looking. "Oh," cried the actress, with n rippling, Rlllle Burko laugh "I never think about years you know. The Irbdi people hnvo tho right Idea Ask any old Irish woman how old she Is and she can't tell you—-she really can't for sho doesn't keep track of her blrfhdaya, and ran only tell her age by her heart. As the henrt Is I'm going to count my life, too." And then the conversation switched around on the subject of -roles—-the kind tho nclrciss liked to play best. "1 like best of all to bo a young wlfo on the stage," said Miss Burke. "It gives op- portunity for so many intimate homo scenes. But I'll make ono exception—iAnn In 'Mnn and Superman.' How Id lovo to play that part I I met Bernard Shaw once, but only to say, 'I'm charmed,' and all that. Ho seemed to he very approachable, but I was afraid of him—ho was so wild and woolly looking. So many of the Intellectual plays now-a-dnys aro painful and send ono awny quite unhappy. Hut Shaw makes bis nppcal to tho funnybono as well." .And then Miss Burko got n little more confidential and declared that sho had found more pleasure In playing Lily Paradcll, In "The '.Mlnd-thc-l'nlnt' Girl" than In anything else she had ever done on tho stage. "Lily, you know was a real person," aho witd. "Piiiero probably drew her from llfo, r.nd It seemed to me that sha \rns wonderfully developed In the play. I like, of course, to play 'Tommy,' It Is a kind of relief after tho moro serious role of Lily, and, besides, I al- ways enjoy making an audience laugh. But I really do want to do somo carious work on the stage, and I hope to get the chanco. Oil, I don't mean that I want to play Lady Mac- beth or anything of that sort, but there aro serious roles that I feel sure I ran play, "When Mr. Frohmnn first made mo a star," sho went on, "I used to live in tho clouds—Just floated around In spaco until It made me thoroughly dizzy. Now I try to overcome undue exultation and conduct my- self ns a well balanced person. Tlint Is why I take these little serious holidays and roan something worth while and meditate on solemn things. I hope to laugh for many years to come, but I find that I laugh all the better after I hnvo been serious a little while. Probably I'll never bo known as BHHo Burko, philosopher, but If I could only Indueo pcoplo to like me a Utile because I am really n serious soul, I think I would be tho happiest girl In the world." * 25 YEARS AGO. Under this heading wo will publish each week Important And Interesting amusement events occurring In tho corresponding week a quarter of a century ago. May 28, 1888.—Hume's Opera House, Belle- fonte, l'a„ burned. May 28.—"Whoso Husband 1" by O. W, Wnlt- hew (revised produced at Dotrott (Mich.) Opera House. ' May 28.—'Truo Irish Hearts" flr«t acted In New York, under this title, at Jacob's Tb.nl la Theatre. May 31.—"A Wicked Stratcgem," by O. W. Wnlthew. originally acted at Detroit (Mich.) Opera House. May 31.—"P-O-Z-A-M," by C. L. Piper, orig- innlly acted at Dudley Street Opera House, Boston, Mass, DllRINO TUB WKKK. Tim Hoffcron Brothers, Mark und Tony, an- nounced "NophowB of Tony Hart." Blood will Tell. Murk is now Murk Hnrt. Tub headllners on tho bill nt Woodward's Gardens, San Francisco, Col,, weru Sherman and Morrlsoy. Tun Hlcks-8awycr Minstrels woro at tho Grand, Chicago. Gburor Lothbop was transforming his Wind- sor Theatre, Boston, Into n grand mu- seum. Jhhhir Minks, of Buffalo Bill Show, visited Baltimore, W. C. Coui- and J. B. Hm.iott bought tllo McGlnley Circus, Tin: Inter-Ocean Show wits sold In St. Louis. IH.Fi'U.o Bill's Wlt.D Whht opennl nt KriiH- 4»» SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BIS FORGOT I When P. Richards, the artist-author of International fame, some tlmo ago reluctantly discontinued his "Berlin Letters," which had been a most entertaining feature of Tim Nrw Yobk Climeb for the past few years, ho informed us tbnt be wna going to devote in futuro all of bis time and best efforts to the Issue of a series of books, for which task he had been engaged by one of the most prominent publishers (The Roflaklor-Vorlog, Berlin-Leipzig), of Germany. How conscientiously he must have been at work ever since is amply proven by the first two volumes of bis publications, which have been Isaued recently and have Just reached our office: "Zeloaner und Oezcto/incfe" ("Caricaturists and Their Victims") Is a handsomely printed and bound volume, In which all of Richards' wealth of distinguished acquaintances (espe- cially In tbe theatrical and vaudeville field) have been utilized. A man possessing such a wide and rich experience has a right to glory In the memories upon which he can draw for his own pleasure and for the public's benefit. The book contains n great number of photo- graphs, and also many sketches by the prolific pen of the author (two hundred and sixty-five illustrations in all), and ought to prove highly Interesting and amusing, even to those who are not able to follow the German text. "A.merika.Durch die Lupe dor Karlkatur'J ("America, as Seen by a Caricaturist"). A beautiful album of large dimensions, most handsomely bound and printed. This Is a plcturo work In the first place, being decorated throughout with full-page drawings, although there Is enough descriptive text to it to make It interesting rending as well. All phases of American life are subjected to good-natured caricatures of sparkling, effervescent humor, quite In harmony with tho vivacious tone of the work. Both of these volumes arc enjoying a most enthusiastic reception by the public and tho press of the Continent, and Richards may well be congratulated upon renewing bis American success as an artist-author, also on German soil. "Zelchncr und QczcMmetc" sent post-free on receipt of $1.2.", and "Amrrtfco Durch die Lupe der Karikutur" sent post-free on receipt of $1.76, by Rcflcklor Vcrlag, Queratrasse 20, Leipzig (Germany). SPRINGTIME AT THE ACTORS' HOME. Just at this time of tho year, when oil nature seems to smllo and tho heart, mind and body ot tho old actor puts on rejuve- nescence, and feels that his present state Is almost a reincarnation. I thought It might he fitting to say a few words about our dear home, As I stand on tho veranda of this most beautiful homo for tho old actor, and con- template the grandeur of its surroundings, I feel proud ot my profession and rcjolco that I am here. Wherever tho eye turns It be- holds an intimation of God's handiwork from every point of view. Nature seems to have exhausted Itself In its efforts to beautify tho grounds. The trees are In full foliage, tho flowers aro in bloom, the birds sing In tho trees, tho robin and his mate tell their talo of lovo upon tho green sward, Tho old actor sits In his easy chair smoking his plno of peace, recounting the battles he has fought and tho victories ho has won. A halo of peace seems to pervade, tho air.. God bless those who laid the cornerstone of the Actors' Home, and God bless those whose untiring efforts have built upon its foundation an insti- tution that has become an object of admira- tion and wonder. I hope its benefactors may bo Immortalized. W. T. Stephens, of Gray and Stephens, tlnn, Statcti Island, Decornllon Day. I'awmkr Bill's Wild Wkhs was at Ht. Joseph, Mo. Tub Wnvcrly, at Chicago, opened, John T. Raymond's, remains wcro transferred to Hvergrccns Cnmete/y, Cn.Mit.KH Hbywoud announced u new the- atre In Newark, N, J., to be built by him. Am. tho theatres gnvo Decoration Dny mntl- nces. Mi'ktha AND O'Diiikn gave n Windsor The- atre excursion. Henrietta Mnrkstcln helped to entertain. Vat. Vino was at Miner's Bowery, New York, MiNNin Siiult was at Zlpp's Casino, Brook- lyn. 14. II. IlANKnn signed with May Howard Co. Jon Hart nnnounccd his Intention to go Into farce comedy. Tub SiHTBns Jbai. Ballot} for London. Lily Bri.iiini announced "at liberty" for globe Juggling act. GOWOMO Mohawk announced her starring tour in "Tho Indian Mall Carrier." John Wild announced his retirement from the Hnrrlgnn k Hart company. Caiuiib Kzimr was nt Smith's, Grand itnplds, Mich. Tub Bard bent Hanover. 4 ■» ACTRESS TO WED NOIILR. It was reported from London, last week. that Vlncount Dongnn, son of the Karl of Cowley, was engaged to marry Tnarl Aufrcro, formerly ono of tho "Hello, Ilagtlrao" girls. Lord Dongnn loft the Fifth Lancers two years iigo and obtained an engagement In tho chorus, at tho Gaiety Theatre, In London, nnd later met and learned to lovo pretty Miss Aufrcre. His futuro brldo Is now re- hearsing at l ho Garrlck for Arthur Houchlpr's next production. 4«» ACTOR SHOOTS HIMSELF. Despondent because ot his inability to ob- tain an engagement, Goorgo Sterling, forty- nlno years old, an actor living in No. 447 Loxlngton Avenue, this city, shot himself In the head, Tuesday afternoon, May 20. Ills wlfo was In an adjoining room. Ho was taken to Flower Hospital In a dangerous condition. «»» "ALL AflOARD." Tho Low Fields production Is hilled at tho Apollo, Atlantic City, N. J., Ibis week. Tho cast Includes: Low Fields, Geo. W. Monroe, Carter Do Haven, Lawrence D'Oruiy, Florn I'ni'kcr-Do Haven. Stephen Male/. Joo Bar- nett, Will I'hllbrick, Dolly Connelly, Bnliih Biggs, Hazel Klrko, Nat Fields, Natnllo Holt mid sixty Low Fields' Girls. «»» MRS. KEI.LKH 1.1 DEAD. Mrs, Itosn Keller, aged sevrnty-nno years, formerly proprietress of tho old professional hotel, known ns tho Keller House, died Mon- day, May If), nt tho homo of hnr son, Charles, 3435 Michigan Avenue, in Chicago, THE BARXUM «& BAILj^Y CURIOSITY SHOF*. May Clare. Master Herbert Barnott, Ada Clare.