Moving Picture News (Jan-Dec 1911)

THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS 31 Sometimes it seems as if nothing could arouse an audience from that wet blankety feeling that effectually squelches all enthusiasm. As the show, or the day, goes on, generally things improve and the performers get a fair "show." Not always, however. Last week this fit lasted for days and was not confined to one theater. In some places "canning" was in full blast, and so far as I am concerned, I prayerfully trust some of the turns have not only been canned but hermetically sealed. The "canning'' did not go far enough. Singers! Quarter tones flat in fortissimo passages! Senseless, pointless patter, flagrant ignorance of the elements of vaudeville requirements. These things are not due to weather or weariness, but to an incursion of conceited incompetents that wouldn't go in a rathskeller. Who turns these things loose upon innocent, unotfending, amusement-seeking audiences? Rumor says the standee question is to be compromised. Most civic cruxes, in our city, can be settled "in the usual way," but that's where the managers are standing "pat." It seems girls under 21 cannot work after 10 p. m. except in household drudgery; in such dilettante occupation they can work — for nothing — a 1 n ght. I tliouglit girls were of age when lb. What doe? t'.at imply and how about it? The "claque" bunco game is becoming too evi"lent in vaudeville li.>uscs. Things look as if we were to be insulted by MM. les Claquers a la I'aris, which heaven forbid! Stories on the street, some extra lurid and sensational, announce a tremendous internal rowin a well-known theatrical combination. All sorts of affirmations, denials, and the usual battledore and shuttlecock on Park Row about the New Theater. \\ by not ask Blanche Bates? She'd soon straighten this matter out. The whole trouble is due to recognizing art as art, even when not "my" art! Voila tout! OUT OF TO'WN Keith's, in Boston, besides the pictures, had a bill that went. Hart's Dancers, good; Billie Burke's W'ild West, a hold-over; Pianophiend Minstrels, all right; Woods & Woods, Trio, on the wire and the funny folks; "Chief" Meyers and May Tully. Keith's, in Philadelphia, had a few things to awaken the sleepers, ending up with Merril & Co., whose bicycle turn was hailed with roars of laughter. The Three \'agrants. novelty musical turn; \'alerie Bergere & Co.; the comedy "Billie I'irst Love," and, of course, the pictures. At the Palace, in the same city, pictures and a good bill in which these figured: Housely & Nicholas, in their musical turn, which was a hit; the Leggerts, hand balancing and ring, good; Perry & Elliott, singing and talking, ot over; and the feature, Power's elephant, "Rosie," a clean success. At the Colonial, Rochester, X. Y., pictures and a satisfactory bill which included Wolfheim's Statues, a go; Six Gypsy Wanderers, A-1: Frank Routledge & Co. got the claps, and Amy Francis, who made good. I hear Pantage's in Seattle, Wash., is presenting a ripping bill and good pictures. The Yonge Street Theater, in Toronto, Canada, an old camping ground, with pictures and vaudeville, is getting the crowds, all right. SONGS In view of what I have said in these columns about songs, I cannot but feel glad to know that amongst the changes in moving picture houses there is a notable one: Mrs. Jlina V. Hammer, in the Isis Theater, at Minneapolis, calls it "an attraction" to sing classical selections. More — they go. Classical will horrify some; not classical, but clean, is what I plead for. In one sense they are the same; the best can never be dirty; filth in the gutter, purity on the hilltop. The point is, Minneapolis welcomes as an "attraction" clean songs. Still another sure sign of this tendency: Victor Hollander, the man who wrote "The Cherries in My Neighbor's Garden," of which 'tis said over a million copies were sold; he who composed "Skawkelied" (who doesn't know the "Swing Song"?), is to write exclusively for Jos. W. Stern & Co. Pure music is on the ascendant. This firm is following out its unchanging policy, and I hope ere long to see songs on my desk of the class and brilliancy expected from the composer of the Big Revue now on the "hit^' at the Metropol Theater, Berlin. Victor Kremer has got back from that little trip. I hope he made good out of that variegated catalogue he sent me not so long ago; rumor says he did — I don't doubt it Al. Plantadosi's new character song, "You're Going to W'ish You Had Me Back," will be introduced by Edwards, Van & Tierney. One of the sweetest songs issued of late, and one that has my complete commendation, is "Will the Roses Bloom in Heaven," published by Chas. H. Harris, New York. I heard it at the Hippodrome, 1740 Fulton St., Brooklyn, where it was sympathetically rendered by Carl Stumpf. HAEEY VON TILZEE MUSIC PUB. CO., 125 -W. 43d St., New York City I'm An Honorary Member of the Patsy Cltxb, Andrew_ B. Sterling and Harry Von Tilzer. There is nothine very striking about the verse music, , the chorus being altogether better. There is a suggestion of a very well-known dance toward the end. The words slide along and are a Jeremiad of marital woes. It's Got To Be Some One I Love. Wm. Dillon and Alfred J. Doyle. The music has a quaintness of its own, and probably ii\ some quarters will be popular. The words are doubtful, and entirely dependent upon who sings it, and how it is sung. All Aboard for Blanket Bay. Andrew 'B. Sterling and Harry Von Tilzer. This is altogether excellent. The music is catchy, and as it ought to be of the lullaby class. The words are good and rhythmical, and thoroughly apropos. ■When Mariola Does the Cubanola. Will Dillon and Harry \on Tilzer. No comment is necessary, and I don't ever wish to hear it. So far as the music is concerned, it is worthy of a better companion. J. H. AUFDEEHEIDE Lemcke Building, Indianapolis, Ind. I'll Pledge My Heart to You. May Aufderheide. A tuneful composition of merit, and in thorough keeping with the words. The lyric reveals the woman, and is good. I don't quite like that abbreviation of bungalow-. The fair lady on the cover appears to be meditating upon the song. A Totally Different Eag. Earle C. Jones and May Aufderheide. The music is most emphatically the name of the song. As to the lyric, I am hopelessly at sea. "Feet" and metre are beyond ray ken. The cover is a daint}' piece of work but is it in keeping. INSTRUMENTAL J. H, AUFDEEHEIDE Lemcke Building, Indianapolis, Ind. Vanity. Rag Two-Step. Paul Pratt. Good. Just the sort the dainty lady on the back would enjoy. Dusty Eag. May Aufderheide. A right jolly piece of composition, very much in keeping with the emphatic gentleman who decorates the back. People who hear this will not wish to sit on their chairs. The Eichmond Eag. May Aufderheide. Some things are said to be an acquired taste, many of them very good when you get accustomed to them. That's the way I feel about this composition. A good, plain, sensible cover. Colonial Glide. Paul Pratt. Nothing very striking. In parts the composer seems as though he had been thinking of a well-known opera; the accentuation being changed. The cover is in keeping with the composition. 'Walhalla. Paul Pratt. It's not the sort of music that I have been accustomed to associate with Walhalla, but it is not without merit. It's a "craze" all right. The cover is artistic, and I suppose suggests the Twentieth Century Walhalla. I should deem myself remiss if I were not to call attention to the beautiful "dress" and general hig'ii-class tone of all the productions that I have seen published bv this firm. LEVI CO. SONG "SLIDE EELEASES "After that I 'Want a Little More." Words by Al Bryan, music bv Ford Fi-her, published by Shapiro. A clever little novelty song with a pretty melody already being used with tremendous success by several headliners. The slides are well done, the models exceptionally goodlooking and the scenery beautiful. "If Life's Best Gift 'Were Mine to Choose, My Choice "Would Still Be You." Words and music y>y Robert E. Roden, published by Shapiro. A beautiful high-cla'ss ballad that will probably become tlie biggest seller of the year. The song is well illustrated and the set is one of the best over made by the Levi Co. In writing to Advertisers please mention THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS THURSDAY FEB. 16 THE WORLD'S GREATEST THEATRE CHAIR Sanitary, Space-saving, Lif e Saving, Money-Saving. To Use This Chair Is to Make Your Business Grow. Write Today for Circnlar W . HAEDESTY MFG. CO. Canal Dover, OUo. "EEX" LITHOGRAPH POSTER The above is a reproduction of the handsome lithograph which the Rex Motion Picture Manufacturing Company intend giving with their future releases. A copyright has been applied for on this idea, and it is a step toward advancement that will show greatly in favor of this new concern, who evidently are starting off in the right path. INDEPENDENT FILMS The following films have been released week of February 6th, by the Empire Film Exchange, 150 East Fourteenth Street, New York. Feb. 6 — At the Duke's Command (Imp.) ... 997 Feet Feb. 6 — Foiling the Camorra (Yankee) .... 950 Feb. 6 — A Pittsburg Millionaire (Amer.) . . . 1000 Feb. 6— Doctor Against His Will (Eclair) ... 984 Feb. 7 — Half Breed's Plan (Bison) 985 Feb. 7— A Trip Through Africa (Powers) . 484 Feb. 7 — Ferdie's New Shoes (Powers) 516 Feb. 7 — The Westerner and the Earl (Than.) 980 Feb. S — Savoy Cavalry (Ambrosio) 500 Feb. 8 — Tweedledum as a Detective (Amb.) 500 Feb. 8— Kelly, U. S. A. (Atlas) 950 Feb. S — At Double Trouble Ranch (Champ.) 985 Feb. 8 — The Transgressor (Nestor) 990 Feb. 8 — School Marm's Courage (Reliance) 978 Feb. 9 — Too Much Aunt (American) 500 Feb. 9 — On the Installment Plan (Amer.).. 500 Feb. 9— The Mirror (Imp.) 500 Feb. 9 — When the Cat's Away (Imp.) 500 Feb. 9 — Tohn iMilton (Itala) 1000 Feb. 10— The Salted Mine (Bison) 1000 Feb. 10— The Orphan's Friend (Lux) 500 Feb. 10— That Horse Did Run (Lux) 500 Feb. 10 — Put Out (Solax) 1000 Feb. 10— The Norwood Necklace (Than.) .. .1000 Feb. 10 — Was .She Justified (Yankee) 995 Feb. 11 — Found Again (Gt. Nor.) 990 Feb. 11 — Foolshead at the Cinematograph (Itala) 950 Feb. 11— A Trip Through Jlexico (Powers). 990 Feb. 11 — The Avenger (Reliance) 1000 SALES COMPANY The following films have been released week of February 13th, by Motion Picture Distributing & Sales Co. , Feet Feb. 13 — Darkest Hour (Imp) Feb. 16 — The Convert (Imp) Feb. 1.3 — A Quiet Evening at Home (Amer.) . 982 Feb. 13 — In the Land of Cactus (Amer.) 995 Feb. 13 — Condemned to Death (Yankee) Feb. 17 — Her Birthday Surprise (Yankee) Feb. 14 — A Deputy's Honor (Bison) Feb. 17 — A Warrior's Squaw (Bison) Feb. 14— For Her Sake (Than.) Feb. 17 — Checkmated (Than.) Feb. 14 — An Unforeseen Complication (Powers).. Feb. 1.5 — Three Men (Reliance) Feb. 18 — Souls Courageous (Reliance) Feb. 16— Fatal Charm (Itala) Feb. IS— Who Will Eat the Turkey (Itala) Feb. 13 — ;\Ir. Faddleaway Is On Strike (Eclair) . . . Feb. 13 — The Elixir of Bravery (Eclair) Feb. 1.") — The Demon (Ambrosio) Feb. 15 — Coals of Fire (Atlas) Feb. 15 — The Light Beyond (Nestor) ; Feb. 15 — Her Three Proposals (Champion) Feb. 17 — Broncho Bill, the Brave Cowboy (Lux).. Feb. 17 — Matilda Lovestruck (Lux) Feb. 17 — Corinne in Dollvland (Solax) Feb. 18 — False Alarm (.Gt. Nor.) F'eb. 18— MUBchik (Gt. Nor.)