The New York Clipper (January 1915)

Copyright 191B. by the Frank Qneen Publishing Company (Limited). Founded by FRANK QUEEN, 1863. NEW YORK, JA^TJ^RY 2, 1915. VOLUME LXII-No. 47. Pries, 10 Cents. CENTURY OPERJJO, TO CLOSE. WELL SUSPEND UWTIL NEXT SEASON. JAN. 2 THE CLOSING DATE. The announcement last week that the Cen- tnrj Opera Co. will close on Jan. 2 for tie frason caused considerable comment, al- ttough It was foreshadowed a few days pre- vlonsly by the withdrawal of Otto Kaon from the directorate of that organization. Charles B. Strong, president of the com- pany, In giving the reason for the closing of the organization, stated that the general business depression, which Is In evidence all over the country, was responsible for the failure of the season in Chicago, which was directly the cause of the closing. Mr. Slrons went on to state that the com- pany will be reorganized next Fall, end will be ran on the plan of the municipal opera houses throughout Germany, sustained Otto H. Kahn has been its chief supporter, and has helped out to the extent of $75,000. Others who have given splendid support are Clarence H. Mackay. \V. K. Vanderhllt. Ar- thur Curtis James, Mrs. B. H. Harriman, Hurry Payne Whitney. Paul M. Warburg and Thomas W. Lamont. "It would not be right to call upon these tupporters for any more money at this time. I think they have done substantially all that could bo expected of them, and 1 believe the members of the organization realize it. "Next Fall, we nave every reason to be- lieve, we will have another story to tell. We will have a guarantee of at least $50,000 a year for the next three years, under Mr. Kohn's generous offer to put op an amount by popular subscription, calling for amount* T a i.lL 0t * 1 ^ r r. S nr, bsC ^ ptl( i? 8 V ™, s n mca ?8 If from one dollar up. SStaSfi 8 * 2a - 000 ' Mr - K * nn wU1 P" UD "The Century Opera Co. will be re-united next Fill," said Kr. Strong. "We have kept $25,000. "I plan to start Immediately on a cam- TWEHTY-FIVB YEARS AGO. "Capt. Faucassa." was produced In Chicago by Col. McCsiU. Tbi Hanlcms had two "Fantasma" com- panies on we road. Buffalo Bill's Wild Wbst wa» In Barce- lona, Spain. Continuous performances were started at the Westminster Husee, Providence, R. I. Jas. J. Moarox was business manager of the May Davenport Burlesque Co. Flobence St. John made her debut with the -London Gaiety Co., In "Faust Up to Date," at the Broadway, New York. Ross Snow starred in "Town Lota." Bernard Dtlltn announced his re-engage- roent with the Monroe and Rice "Aunt Bridget" Co. Geoboe Wilson had a full page ad. in Tin Clipper concerning his minstrels. The show slso included Ramser and Armo, John T. ICeegan, Hi Tom Ward, Howe and Wall, Ful- ton Tiros, and Dan Quialan. Jos. D. Daniels was manager. Lenox Ltchum Theatre, New York, dedi- cated. ♦ »» CHANGE AT GAYETY, HOBOKEN. A new policy of entertainment went Into effect at the Gayety, Hoboken, N. J., Dec. 24, when the Gayety Musical Comedy Com- WOODS LOSESJ.EGAL BOUT. PHYSICIAN GETS DECISION OVER MANAGER. 10 PER CENT. OF "POTASH A PERLMTJTTBR" PROFITS TUB STAKE. next WW, said Mr. (strong, "we nave Kept palm of subscrintlons from one dollar uri •**• wnen tne «»yety Musical i going this season as long ag.lt has been fre wait tomaka thta an^nterarlse of the P anv presented "Three Twins." Vh^,„h» nH>i«hi> Tn.f hot. mottoro nt/uni _ «»'""• "> nine mis an enterprise or tne Tti, »i>»... inM,.^. n«. thought advisable. Just how matters stood has been explained to the company, and It has not been thought advisable to call for any more funds. "One trouble has (wen that the organiza- tion has had the support of too few people. 4 i » "JIMMY" WHITTENDALE MARRIED. Word has been received from Los Angeles of the marriage on Wednesday. Dec. 23, of James Wnlttendale and Stella Adams. Miss Adams is a member of the Universal Film Company, whose studio is In Los An- geles, and Whrttendale is there ahead of "The Poor Little Rich Girl." Whittendnle and Miss Adams were chums in their school The company includes: Bernlce McCabo, Ward De Wolf, Marls Laurens, Carl Stall, F. Von Gottfried, Harrison Garret* and Carl Callcns, and Is under the direction of Tom Collins. Edna May Crawford and Robert I.e Surer will play the leads for the Gayety Tlavers. . Finch company plays three nights In Hobo- A. A M. T. A. GETS NEW MEMBERS, ken and three nights in Passaic, N. J., each The agents and Managers Theatrical Asso- week. people, not of a few men. It was started with the Idea of bringing good music to ths people, and It should be a people's enter- ?rlse. It was never meant to be commercial, t should be as successful here as k. Ger- many .'• Last week Justice Blanchard, In the Su- preme Couprt of New York, rendered a de- (Won In favor of Dr. Philip M. Grausman against Manager A. H. Woods, awarding him 10 per cent, of the enormous profits of^'Pot- can A Perlmutter," the successful farce taken from the humorous stories of the same iii.ni-, by Montague Glass. In his decision Judge Blanchard directed the entry of an Inter- locutory Judgment against Manager Wood* requiring him to account for all moneys al- ready received from the presentation of th« play, and also ordered the appointment of a rcelver to take evidence In determining bow much is due the physician. The suit is the outcome of sn arrangement between Manager Woods and Dr. Grausman, by which the physician claims Mr. Woods promised to give him 10 per cent, of the profits of "Potash & Perlmutter." Dr. Grausman, It appeared from the testi- mony, was Interested In the production of "Gypsy Lovo," in which he lost several thou- sand dollars, and the Interest In the "l"ot- a x » ash" production was given him by Mr. Woods to reimburse Mm for Lis loss In the other stago work. Mr. Woods' contention, however. Is that llio 10 pen cont. Interest was Intended to bo limited to covering that loss, and no more. Dr. Grauaman's contention is that ths In- terest In the show was given him by Mr. Woods without reserve or limit, and that It was to continue as long as "Potaih 4 Perlmutter" was presented to the public, no matter bow long It was presented nor by now many companies. Justice Blanchard decided that tho physi- cian had proved hli case and. while he ad- mitted there was a doubt as to the law In- volved, gave Dr. Grausman tho benefit of ths doubt. The witnesses for both sides Included many managers and other prominent theat- rics 1 people. Mr. Woods' attorneys announced they would appeal the ense immediately. elation reports excellent progress, and In a letter to Thb Clipper in which the officers of the organization tender us their thinks far the publicity accorded the organization, a list of twenty new members Is attached. Most of these represent the managers of provincial theatres, while among the better ■»»» '•CLEANED" OF WARDROBE. W. S. Harvey, who. with his wife, do a strength act In vaudeville, during which Mr. Harvey alternately balances a "roomful" ' <* ft™ 1 ^ 8 - Inrludlnir a full stoe brass bed, days, but had not met each other for many known are: J. F. Donalson, late press sgent on , n " c ? ln - V* 4 a miserable Christmas sur- years. During a trip last season <o Los 101 Ranch and this season with the Rlngilng T Bros." interests; Fred Wilson, of the KIsw & Manger forces Angdcs shead of "Milestones," Mr. Whltten- dale met Miss Adams and the old friendship was renewed—only somewhat stronger. This year, when Whlttendale arrived at Los An- geles, he proposed, was accepted, and the culmination of a schoolboy and schoolgirl courtship was their marriage last Wednesday. James Whlttendale, more familiarly known 'he length of Broadway as "Jimmy," started his career m an office boy with Charles Osgood, of the Klaw & Erlnnger offices. He was soon capable of relieving Mr. Osgood when that gentleman desired a vacation. After ten years the "road bug" found . Maurice Cain, ahead of the Social Maids; Max Furbish, manager, ths Virginia Theatre, Atlantic City: Wells Hawks, well known press agent and Walter Brorwniee. manager of the Leon W. Washburn Shows. The next regular meeting of the asso- ciation will be held at the clubrooms. at 1431 Broadway, Jan. 2. Bill Spaeth, manager of "Within the Low," has rejoined the show st Baltimore, the show lm 26. resum Dm g the season's itinerary there, Harry Leavttt is at Richmond, Va. wbeie "Jimmy" a ready victim, and he resigned as he Is taking care of the billing' of the Bel assistant to Charles Osgood to go as tress- glan war pictures. titer with Amelia Bingham, who was then appearing In "A Modern Lady Godlva." Slure then Whlttendale has become known as "Jimmy" to every box office man in the country—as a rule always with a Klaw A Erlsnger attraction, with the exception of one year, in which he was manager for Charles Frobmnn's "Conspiracy" company. 4»t-* THE NEW WILMINGTON THEATRE. The new theatre which Mrs. Lnlu Jackson Baldt will erect In Wilmington. Del., on the site of the one recently destroyed bv fire, will represent the very latest in theatre building. The estimated seating capacity will be 1,200. The theatre will be designed as a moving picture house, and so that a stage may be temporarily Installed at such times when pictures are not being used. It will be built of terra cotta and brick. As a result of the Are, Building Inspector Anderson 1s making an examination of all local theatres to determine whether or not theT are equipped with emergency facilities and sufficient exits- John De Maree who was manager of the burned theatre, is now acting as manager of the Victoria Theatre, In that city. 4 ■» SET AUSTRALIA DANCE MAD. A postcard from Marco and Fanto Wolf states: "We set Australia dance mad, hut were unable to continue further than India, owing tr- war conditions. After Ove months in Australia we are taking In Honolulu." 4 ' » CORNELL PRICE PLAYERS SAVE BELONGINGS. "I am writing you relative to the deatracthvi of the Academy of Moalc, Pottavllle, Pa., by nre. on Dee. 18. "About 3.20 a. ii. tn that date w. E. Cornell, manager of the Cornell Price Players, who were Playing the house at the time, was awakened it bla hotel (the Plata), located two blocks from the theatre, and noticing that the Are was in the time block as the Academv. called "Hanpy" Tlal Price. W. J. Vance and mvself. We hntrted to toe Are, which was located in the Woolwortb store. Jut across the alley from the theatre. "Upon arriving at the stage entrance we found the hon» foil of amokc. and decided that It waa best to "move/ "We were able to pack and remove all twelve trunks in trne 'smash yonr baggage style.' The scenery was the next nmnber on the pro- gram of which we bad nine drops hanslnr. "By this time the Ore was well Into the Bal- cony and gallery, and as the electric wires had turned on*, the only light we had to work by wai the lirtt fro-n the Are, which was getting too close for comfort. "We got eight of the nine drops and the two trop trunks, loosing one drop and two tab pieces, bar we foand that our tronbles had only began when we got all out in the alley back of th« theatre, for the Are was hot (1) on oair trail, and It wis a cue of more again, and keen on taoTlng. until we had moved ten timet, arriving •t a corner two Mocks sway from she theatre, at 6.80. a. is., with fourteen trunks and a Ave "pared poind crabs of scenery. The other tneobrrs of the company arrived •bortly after we got all the baggage out, and did theirshare of the work from then oo. "We all agree that we are verv lucky. We trill hare frar toolt. tnd though SOtentlv dtongnred we are still In the ring,* and opened at Stvondabnrg. I'a., Chrlitmat matinee, for so eight day engage- ment. • "The Are burned for shout ato hours, craaiini- Ing one solid oltr aotttre. except a bank and grocery store. Total estimated lots, ahont K.noo.noo. of which the owners of the Academy claim $200,000. "We all Join In wishing Trrs Otn Ran,uin.B a Merry Ghrlttmat and a Pros p erous New Year. "Toors. very traly. Bxut Torr." George Alabama Florida left town on Sat- urday ft return to "The Yellow Ticket" In the capacity of business manager. The show has been laying off during the past few weeks. Billy Hexter has taken hold of the man- agement of the Tuxedo, Third Avenue and Forty-second Street If you are not already a member of th-i Agents and Managers Association send in your application at once. The Initiation fee will be advanced to $10 after Feb. 1. Do It now. Watch Thi New YonK Clippxh for A. A M. T. A. notes which will appear In these columns from time to time. Road members should send In their routes to the secretary at once. 4» I ACTORS' FUND HOME NOTES. A. W. Maflln has been taken to the hos- pital from the Home. Wm. Christy Miller was admitted to the Home Dec. 9. Mrs. De Groot (May Prlsten) was ad- mitted to the Home last week. J. W. Wilkes left the Actors' Home Dec. 4. • 4«» BILLINGS AT HIPP. H. E. Billings, who for Are years was man- ager of the Orpheum, Duluth, Minn., ha* been appointed manager - of Miles' Hippo- drome, at Minneapolis. Minn., under the Reuben A Flnkelsteln new administration. Helen Cohen remains as auditor of this theatre. prise last week. Their trunks were transferred from the Grand Street Theatre to the Broadway. New York, and the lock of one of them wn> broken, and four gowns, five pairs of slippers and stockings, two coats and several small articles were missing. They worked the Broadway In their street clothes. «♦» TANGUAY AND FORD SPLIT. Eva Tnr.gnay annonced at her apartment In the Hotel Cumberland last night, that she bad separated from her hushband, John Ford, and she formally notified the hotel management that bis home was no longer with her. Mr, Ford removed to the Hotel Van Cortlandt Miss Tanguay states that she will file papers in a divorce action this week. Miss Tanguay and John Ford were married by a Justice of the Peace In Ann Arbor, Mich., on Nor. 24, 1013. 4»» BELGIAN RELIEF BENEFIT AT MINNEAPOLIS. A benefit performance for the Belgian Be- lief Fund was given at the Minneapolis (Minn.) Metropolitan Opera House, Monday night, Dec. 28, through the courtesy of Nat C. Goodwin snd his company and L. N. Scott, manager of the Opera House. The offering wss "Never Say Die." All seats were sold long before the allotted night, many busi- ness firms buying up blocks of seats for their employees. 4»» CHANGES POLICY. The Broadway, Muskogee, Okla., changed Its policy to straight pictures beginning Vec. 20, showing Paramount pictures only. The vaudeville attendance fell off so much that it did not justify continuing. Manager Myers states that the pictures will be changed dally, and nothing but ths features will be shown. «t«> LAST SEASON IN VAUDEVILLE. Mahle Russell writes ns that this Is the lnat season of Eddie Leonard and Mable Ilussell together in vaudeville. DEN GREET WRITES. London, Dec.' 10. Dear Cliiter. —Will you please allow is to correct a statement that appeared tn your columns that I have equipped a mansion f)r our Belgian friends here. No, air. If I possessed such a splendid house I assure you I should, before this, have provided a playhouse for Shakespeare In New York. My sister-in-law. Mrs. William Greet, hid a small, but beautiful riverside house which she has placed at the disposal of the hos- pital authorities, and everyone who Is able to do so Is helping In anyway we can In these strenuous times. In our small village a Belgian hospital Is equipped, and In two houses are lodged fitly guests. I do mv little bit and occasionally take our friends to the neighboring play- houses, at Woolwich snd Deptford. whe-e tho managers are so kind, in fact all the managers and actors here are splendid, endeavoring to alleviate pain and sorrow As far as I can learn every place la this countrv Is doing about the same. The good wishes o'f our American friends hns been one of the greatest helps to us, and I hope the British netora who are In America now will not leave the country without becoming snbicrlliers to the Actors' Fund, and getting up special per- formances In all the -big cities. Yours, very truly, Den Greet. 4«» MILWAUKEE POOR'ENTERTAINED. The poor of Milwaukee, Wis., were rovnlly entertained at the Auditorium Theatre there on Christmas Day, wltb n dinner and vaude- ville performance. The Volunteers of Amer- ica, with much help from others, wern (he hosts at the dinner, nnd Wm. 15. Mick, who recently Joined the Snxe forces ns mnnngcr of the Orpheum Theatre, arranged the enter- tainment. Mr. Mick, In his efforts to make the poor of Milwaukee hnppy on Christmas Dny, was ahlo to secure the services of mi''li woll known sett ns the Ball Family, Blllle Stew- art. Hlgl and Lourane, Ttllev nnd Keats, Noko Trln Baby Zclrtii, Krgottl nnd Lilli- putians, nnd Gertrude Wylle. The music was furnished by the Milwaukee Musicians' Association, No. 8, American Federation of Musicians. 4~»«> PLAYWRIGHT DODD FOR SMITH COLLEOB. Prof. HacCracken, of Smith College, ha* recently received the appointment of proa!- dent of Vnssar College, and will assume his new duties Feb. 1, at which time l«o Wlhson Dodd will assume charge of tho English de- partmtnt at Smith. Mr. Dodd has written a cumber of plays, among which are "The Re- turn of Evo" nnd "Speed." OF COURT TO DECIDE VALIDITY '•GRUMPY" TRANSFER. On Dec. 28 Judge Hough approved In the Fcitcral District Court a stipulation between Irving M. Dlttcnhoefiir. receiver for ths Lleb- ler Compnny, and Frank 8. Gannon Jr., con- cerning the earnings of the play, "Qrorapy," nt the Plymouth Theatre, Boston. The Lteb- ler Co. had the contract wltb Cyril Maude for tho presentation of this play until last September, when thn I.lebler Co. assigned Its tmcrest to Mr. Qsnnon to secure the pay- ment of promissory noma amounting to 110,000. Robert L. Redfleld has been appointed) ips elal master, and directed to Inquire Into ths validity 1 of that assignment, and until be baa decided the proceeds of the piny will bo de- posited with a trust company to his order. + «» DARKER AND MCCARTHY AT WALLACK'S. Mr, and Mrs. Ornnvllle Barker came from London a month ago, at tho Invitation of the Stage Society of New York. Mr, Barker has clotoly examined every principal local thea- tre at all available* for a repertoire season, Not until Dec. 24 did Mr. Barker fix upon Wnllack's as a theatre to his liking—or at lea it inn adaptable tn tho kind of plays, with their new snd widely different methods of staging, which he will bring out In this city. Tho middle of January Is the probable date for the commencement of thn teuton. 4»» NEW MEMBERS OF ACTORS' FUND. At a meeting. Doc. 28, of the Finance Committee of tho Actors' Fund, life metn- liershlp certlfliintes were Issued to ths fol- lowing: III J on Fernandez, Mary Rynn, Bam Forest. Fnnny Ward Julius Tnnncn. "Kenneth IHll, Morris Oest, Mrs. Cheunccy Olcott and Urw, Sybilln Pope. The campaign started recently in behalf of tho Actors' Fund Is bringing fruitful results. 4»» BREEZY BITS. STOPPING CBRISTMAS TRAFFIC ON ONE OF CHICAGO'S BUSIEST I HOlirilMillFAHUS. The arrival of the Christmas Number of Tub New Yobk Clipped was an event In Chicago, as Is tho arrival of every special number coming from The Old Reludle'h presses. Awaiting its display upon the newsstands In the Saratoga Hotel, Fridnv lnorulng. Dec. 18. were a number of well known show people and, with the assistance of two mounted police, the house officers, nnd the services of a staff photographer, Tiir Cliiteb supporters and buyers were grouped In front of the hotel, and the shop- ping traffic stopped long enough to shoot the picture which Illuminates this page. Among the gentlemen whose smiling faces betoken Yulotlde cheer arc: Mr. Zimmerman, of the firm of Barrett ft Zimmerman, Midway Stables, St. Paul, Minn.: John H. Garrett, of Rice Bros.' Circus fame: Irv. J. I'nlack, general manager Rutherford Greater Bhows. Pittsburgh; Nat Relss, Richard Collins, of the Inter-State Press Service, Chicago: Bobby Onylnr. Colonel Bill Owens, Fred Wagner, Bud Mcnr.cl. of F. M. Barnes, Inc.; Jack Stratite, appearing at Colonial Theatre, Chicago: H. Melrose, of Keno, Welch and Melrose, arpearlng at the Indiana Theatre, Chicago: L. C. Traband, of the Ben Kraute PMo by Burkt 4 Alieell, Chicago. fcliowo ; John P. Martin, Cass Audrcsn, nun of Clinrlcs Andreas (himself), and, incidentally, William Judklns Hewitt (lied Onion) and bis eight-sheet smile. Well, it would make anybody smile to noto the way the boys grabbed for their copies of tho Big Number, and, us n matter of record, according to Van, the custodian of tho Saratoga news em- porium, three hundred nnd fifty conies were mid nt this one place, Harold Bushea, H. C. Talbott, Herbert A. Kline and Warren A. I'n trick were so busy in helping to keep the surging shoppers In hand that they failed to be Included in this group of notable showmen. Tub Hksllys are doing a new acrobatlo and modern dancing act, They open on the Loenr tlms next week, booked by Harry Shea. Mat La Noia It now with Oat Fay't Qtyety Qlrla. Job lUaaiSTr ("8mlllng Joe") It sporting a very clatty watch a Christmas present from an electric (park with one of the Columbia atwwa pitying New York this week. Oneat who she I". Cro. I'. IUnpam, was a riot at ths St. Jtmes, Lotion, latt wtek. He tine been eong big all nter the Loew I'astern and Wet I em time. Hutu OuuTiaa doing nicely with the High Rollers. B. Kki.i.y Fonassr went big at the Amsrlcan, New York, Inst week. CeciL Vvsimt Is wltb tho Crsckerjacka this sesion, IIoasT. Watts and riuaaT It playing the West- ern vauilcrlllo ttmo ami riolnj I'ne. Loira, dim ion ahi> Oassw. a bigger hit than over In the JlhMlo West. They are under the management <t Harry flpliigold. Auint Twins a riot at the Slurray Rill last week. The™ glrlt certainly have an artistic act. KntNBj Maokcv, of the Roblnton Carnation Co., and lilt wife, Ocrtle Uackey. of fasting Show. li.-.il Olirlttmat dinner together at their boms In Now York. flown apeech maker, Bob Hlmooa. How touch- ing. Yon remind me of the writer trying lo make a few after dinner rcmarka. Ilicxn Ktti.tr, of the Oayel/ Girls Co., te- eelvel tn offer to go to Englsnd In ths Spring, latt week. Louts Boms It certainly working hard to make the Orpheum, i'oterton, N. J., a tucoets thlt tea- ton, lilt bntliiett to far la ahead of latt year. Tus Platlm-ah. 'Brooklyn, which opened this sea- son. It playing to big Iwalness. Mtntger MCDcr- mitt hat them coming hit way. Kuank fffltmt It now located at the Jonet Theatre Itrooklyn. He hat opened a song' abop, Horeral doors below the thertre, on Fulton Street. 9SEi.uk BuasBi.t, and Harst K. MoaTON art thlnlng lights with the fltyety Olrlt. "It's not true thtl Don Barclty, the big hit with the Prise Winners this eeaton, to going In 'dctorwi next teawn," ttyt Harry Abbott, batt- iest intntger of tbtt show. "He to nndtr eon- trtet with the Theatrical Operating Company, and will be with them again rust teaaon." Tiisr claim 11:1s la a bard teason. It may be to tome thowt, but the good showt irs JM light tlong getting the money. The Million Dolltr Dollt to one of them. Itsu Hau* vho at one lln» waa going to ttkt over WstAon't Cot/ Corner, Is Brooklyn, sod was Identified In theafrlcul; tMne years sj», visited New York tut week, for the first HlWfj years. Mr. Hall la dow s largo mine «JJ«tln the West. He It the o-otiiev of jkMjfSSS nail, tho well known director of ths UalversaJ Film Co.