New York Clipper (Jun 1923)

June 6, 1923 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 19 FEW NEW SHOW CASTS ARE FILLED MORS. OBJECT TO SALARY DEMANDS Burlesque managers are holding off in filling the casts for shows on the Columbia Circuit next season. The reason ascribed by the managers is that the actors' salary demands are far above what they antici- pate or will pay them. In the beginning of June last year most of-the managers on both the Columbia and Mutual Circuits had their casts for this season virtually completed. This year it is just the opposite as the managers have only for the rosters of their shows people that have been held over on contract from the past season. It is claimed by the managers, as a re- sult of the salaries paid to actors during the past season a great many shows which would have pulled out even or made a fair margin of profit for the owners showed a loss. They said that with the high cost of operation that would be entailed by paying actors' salaries they demand for the com- in|; season it would be futile to begin oper- atmg a show at all, as they run shows for profits and not for the benefit of the scene painters, builders, costumers and other help. Therefore, a number of managers have lined out a schedule of operation for the coming season in which they have fixed a maximum cost for production, scenery, costimiing and actors. This, they say, they will strictly adhere to as it will be the only possibility of their being able to show any return on their investment, for if they were to go beyond this figure they would simply guarantee themselves losses at the end of the season. GAYETY RE-OPENING Washington, D. C, June 4.—The Gay- ety Theatre reopened Sunday for one week, •with Harry Strouse's "Talk of the Town." The house is opening again on account of Ae convention of the Shriners. of three days which started June 4. There will be midnight shows for six nights during the week, or in other words the show will play twenty performances during the week, which will be a record for burlesque. Manager Strouse wanted to eliminate the matinees, but Mr. Scribner insisted on a full quota of performances. ABBOTT AND YOUNG ENITRTAIN Bud Abbott and George Young enter- tained their friends, on special invitations, issued in their behalf by Billy Vail, at the Empire Theatre, Gcveland, on Monday Evening, June 4. They were assisted by Ta<Jc Hunt, Mae Dix. George Leon, Jessie MdDonald, Arthur Lanning and the big chorus. MOIXIE WILUAMS AT COLUMBIA Mollie Williams is the special attrac- tion -with Dave Marion's Summer Show this week. Eva Tangniay, who finishes her engagement on the Pantages Time, this week, at Memphis, Tenn., will open with this show at the Columbia, New York, June 11. SUTTON FOR BAND BOX Brad Sutton was engaged as producer for Mannheim's Band Box Theatre, Oeve- land, last -week. Sutton -will remain at the Band Box for at least four weeks present- ing a new bill each week. MORTAN FURNISHB) BAND The _ jazz band which played at the Bohemian night entertainment at Ae Bur- lesque Oub last Sunday night was supplied by Nat Mortan. NO STOCK-FOR MINER'S The possibilities of Miner's Eighth Avenue Theatre being operated under a stock burlesque policy faded last week when the Minskys, who had planned to re- establish burlesque at this historic theatre at Eighth avenue and Twenty-sixth street, found that the ex|ienditure necessary to put the theatre in shape for stage produc- tions of any kind were too prohibitive. Consequently, the deal is off and it is possi- ble the house will re-open as a picture theatre. Minsky's idea was to install entertain- ment along the lines of that which he has made popular and profitable at the Na- tional Winter Garden in East Houston street He had been in negotiation with the owners of the property for several months. The latter, however, would not make the necessary repairs to put the stage and other parts of the house in shape, the estimated cost of which would be $30,000. In its halcyon days Miner's Eighth .\ve- nue was the only burlesque house on the West Side and had things all its own way from Fourteenth street to Fifty-ninth street. In addition to getting the neigh- borhood folk it also drew a transient clientelle from Jersey, being in close promixity with the Twenty-third street ferry. The house has since been renamed The Chelsea and has operated under a straight picture policy for the past seven years. SIGN FOR "HIPPITY HOP" Peck and Kolb were very active in re- cruiting talent for their numerous bur- lesque enterprises including "Hippity Hop" on the Columbia Circuit, this week. Up to date for their numerous shows they have signed: Mile. Babette, Harry Shannon, Johimy Weber, Tommy and Ruth Hanlon, Jessie and Hubert Mc- Donald, Claire Evans, George Wright, Don Weary, juvenile; John Forte, Kitty Madison, Eileen Rogers, Tommy Cooper, leader; Walter Floyd, propcrt>- man and Mike Murphy, carpenter. NAT MORTAN BOOKINGS Last week Nat Mortan managed to find room in Columbia Burlesque Circuit at- tractions for next season for the following people: Artie Mayo, comedian, with Henry Dixon and Oaire De Vine's "Jig Jig" com- pany; Creedan and Tay with J. Henert Mack's "Breezy Times" company; Eddie Harrison, juvenile, with Harry Hastings' "Silk Stocking Revue"; Olive Grant with "Sliding" Billy Watson and Bob Travers' show. COLUMBIA HOLD ITS ANNUAL MEETING "RADIO dRLS" CAST Sim Williams is lining up the cast for his "Radio Girls" show on the Columbia Circuit and so far has reengaged Billy Gil- bert, principal comedian and Bobby and Emma Wilson. He also added the follow- ing new members to the company: Pauline Glenmar, soubrette and Joe Reh. COLUMBIA GETS THE OLYMPIC The deal, whereby the Columbia Amusement Company acquires the lease* of the Olympic Theatre, Chicago, has been completed and the big wheel shows will be the attractions at that house for the coming season. The local manager has not yet been selected. MUTUAL MANAGERS MEETING A meeting of the franchise holders and house managers, included in the Mutuaf Orcuit was called for Tuesday. June S, where plans for next season's campaign were fully discussed. A list of the houses and show owners is to be completed and announced shortly. DOTTIE BDINETT 9GNS Ed Rush has boolced Dottie Bennett for his "Georgia Peaches" show on the Mutual Circuit for next season. OFFICERS ALL RE-ELECTED The annual meeting of the Columbia Amusement Company was held one week in advance of the regular yearly date at the executive offices of the organization in the Columbia Theatre Building last Thurs- day. All of the officers and directors were present, with the majority, of the stock- holders being represented by proxies. At the election which took place, J. Her- bert Mack was elected president and Sam H. Scribner, secretary and general man- ager. All of the other officers and direc- tors were re-elected for another year. It was announced that the drcmt would take over the Olympic Theatre. Chicago, to take the place of the Columbia Theatre there as the "loop" stand for the circuit. Jake Isaacs, formerly 'manager and agent for Al H. Woods' attractions, was ap- pointed manager of the Olympic, which, after remodeling and redecorating, will open September I. William Wolfolk, who has been manag- ing the Gaiety Theatre, Louisville, will be sent next season to take charge of the Colonial Theatre, Oevetand. and Bob Symonds, who managed ^ Gaiety Thea- tre, Buffalo, will go to the Casino Thea- tre, Philadelphia, as manager. It was voted to declare a ten per cent annual dividend on the stock of the Balti- more .Theatre Company, whidi operates the Palace Theatre in that city; on tlie Gaiety Theatre, Washington, stock; Gaiety Theatre, Kansas City, aiKl the Cblundria Theatre, New York. During the meeting various plans of pro- duction and standard of equipment were discussed, and it was decided that all of the producers on the drcnit be called to attend a meeting on Thursday morning, at which this problem would be discussed. JIMMY COOTER ILL Jimmy Cooper was taken ill last week at Boston and had to undergo treatment ' for nervous breakdown at a local hosfri- tal. On the advice of his physicians be will retire temporarily and for a rest and will close the engagement of his "Beauty Revue" at the Casino Theatre, on June 9. KITTY GARNER RE-ENGAGED Kitty Gamer, was reengaged through Ike Weber last week by W. 6. Canqibell for his "Youthful Follies" on the Colurabia Circuit, and with her was added to the cast her husband, AI. Grant ARMSTRONG IN NEW YORK Harry J. Armstrong, one of the Orig- inal Jolly Corks, from which emanated the Order of Elks, is visiting New York. He is a member of the Chicago Lodge of Elks. WEBER SUES EDDIE HALL Isaac N. Weber, burlesque agent, filed suit last week in the Third District Municipal Court against Eddie Hall for the sum of $100, which amount is due for ser- vices rendered, according to the complaint. NORA HENRY IN WASHINGTON Nora Hairy is visiting Washington, D. C, during the Shriners' convention. She will leave there Jime 12 for Atlantic City, where she will spend the stmmier. BABE ALMOND SIGNS Babe Almond will be the Soubrette with the Mollie Williams Show next season. ONE TICKET FOR BURLESQUE CLUB There will be but one ticket offered at the election of the Burlesque Guh to be held Thursday, June 14 at 8.30 P. M. A second board of directors had been placed on the ticket by petition, and it included the names of Dan Dody. Phil Dalton. Lou Reals. William S. Clark, Meyer Harris, and Maurice Cain. By unanimous consent this has been withdrawn and it will remain for the secretary to merely go thmugfa the for- mality of casting one ballot. The direc- tors on thi regular ticket bring Dave Marion. Walter K. Hill, Nash Martin. Frank Hunter. James Coughlin, for two years, and Maurice Cain, to fill an unex- pired term of one year. All the members expressed their satisfaction at this sign of complete harmony existing in the club. At the meeting held on Sunday, Jtine 3, routine business and reports were sub- mitted. The new clubhouse is expected to be ready for opening on July 4, and a parade by members and guests is planned. Invitations will be extended to promi- nent city officials to take part in the ceremonies. The members of the club were enter- tained at a smoker held Sunday evening and all those who were fortunate enough to attend voted the occasion wonderful. Toasts were offered to all those present and absent, and the refreshments were plentiful and real. Mrs. Wesson, assisted by Stewart Frank Wesson, had provided a table that contained all the seasoiaUe delicacies, which were attadced heartily by the guests. All the officers- were present Capt. Irviiw O'Hay delivered a short oration and £li Dawson's Orchestra fur- nished the fonsic Entertainment was pro- vided in plenty by the guests. Meyer Harris, Nat Golden, Gus Kahn acted as waiters, and saw to it that no one was overlooked.-■ It has been proposed that the dob hold an outing for its members and a ootmnit- tee has the matter under consideration. KARMA FOR STROUSE SHOW Hany Strouse engaged Mme. Karma, oriental dancer, as a feature witli his "Talk of the Town" show which is play- ing the Gaycty theatre, Washington, this and next week during the Shriners' con- vention. ISAACS SELLS HOTEL Fred Isaacs has sold the New Hajmes Hotel at Springfiekl,' Mass., and with Mrs. Isaacs Mae Kerns is living on the farm at Palmer, Mass. He expects to open a big hotel in Springfiekl, Mass.. next fall. SIGN FOR SUMMER STOCK Nat Mortan has placed Gus Fay and Lester Doer, comedians and Babe Allman, soubrette, with the Olympic theatre stock company for two weeks beginning next Monday. SIGN FOR SIDMAN Skbw Walter Smith, Pearl Briggs, Nola Ed- wards, Harry Harrigan and Dick Hahn have been signed by Lou Sidmau for his Mutual Wheel Show. FAY AND DORR IN STOCK Gus Fay and Lester Dorr will open at the Olympic in stock for two weeks com- mencing Jime II. VIRGINIA SELLERS SIGNS Virginia Sellers has signed -with Harry M. Strouse for his "Talk of the Town" Co. next season. WALTER FLOYD RETURNING Walter C Floyd writes from Brighton, England, that he will return to America •n July.