San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

May I I, 1901 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW 3 cMurphy Comes Back Editor Dramatic Review: The misleading statements made by Mark E. Swan in his letter that was pub- lished in your issue of April 6th, relative to the troubles of the Whose Baby Are You Company requires further elucidation for the benefit of Coast managers who may be inter- ested in its future destiny. As man- ager of and half-owner in that interest- ing piece of theatrical property, I hold contracts with Coast managers for the production of that piece next season, signed with my partner, Mr. Swan's acquiescence. Our articles of part- nership do not expire till the close of next season. If my partner attempts to produce the piece independently next August, as he declares he in- tends to do, he will be legally stopped through the Federal Courts. I hereby warn Coast manngers to hold aloof from booking said play until Mr. Swan's diflBculties and mine are ad- justed by litigation or otherwise. As regards the tour through New Mexico and Arizona, it was unavoid- able, as Mr. O. T. Crawford, who is financially irresponsible, switched my Kansas time because of bad business in that section, I made new terms with him sharing fifty-fifty, he to furnish the transportation of the trip. Knowing Crawford's business meth- ods, I instructed Mr. Swan, who was acting as treasurer of the Company, to withhold Crawford's share of the receipts till that worthy fulfilled his contracts to the letter by furnish- ing the transportation. My instruc- tions were ignored, and my distrust of Crawford verified. After reaching Phoenix, he refused to furnish the return transportation. Mr. Swan did noi bring the Company back to civili- zation out of his personal funds, for he had none. The money due the actors for salaries was devoted to transportation. Business continued bad, no salaries, people dissatisfied, no money for advance man, no dis- cipline—in a word—anarchy. In Ottumwa, Iowa, I decided to relegate Mr. Swan to the background, back of the curtain-line where he be- longed, and took charge of the funds of the firm myself. On assuming power, I determined to maintain dis- cipline with an iron hand if necessary. To do this I had to physically chas- tise one of the chief mischief-makers in the company. Manager M. E. Mulvey of the Grand Salt Lake wanted to go into partnership with Mr. Swan. I was offered five hundred dollars if I would sell out my interests. I refused the offer. Mr. Swan then determined to "freeze" me out, and with that end in view, he began a systematic effort to "bear" the value of the property. He organized the members of the company into a conspiracy against my interests, and through his mouth- piece, Mr. Fred G. Hearn gave me three days' notice that the actors were going to quit and reorganize a new company to produce another of his plays entitled, The Red Cat. Immediately on receipt of this ulti- matum I closed the season in Gales- burg, 111., on January 30th. While consulting with my attorney as to the best method of legal procedure under the circumstances, Mr. Swan and the malcontents left town. As regards the Ellena Maris mat- ter, that lady was formally discharged by both Mr. Swan and myself, I in- tended to pay her fare to New York, but was persuaded from doing so by my partner, whom I discovered after- wards had entered into a conspiracy with his friends in the company against Miss Maris because of her loyalty to my interests while I was absent ahead of the company. He finally intimated to me that she was trying to make trouble between my wife and myself. Nettled by this, I forbade Miss Maris to speak to Mrs. Murphy on the pen- alty of discharge. She thoughtlessly disobeyed my injunction and the bolt fell on the stage of the California Theatre. Mr. Swan hastily made out a written notice of her discharge. I believed in his integrity at the time, till subsequent events proved that I had blindly played into the hands of a very cunning manipulator. Realiz- ing the wrong done an innocent per- son, I tried to make reparation by pub- licly apologizing to Miss Maris in the Dramatic Review of recent date and my conscience feels all the better for it. When it comes to a question of re- sponsibility, my standing will compare favorably with a visionary who selects such fantastic titles for his plagarisms as The Red Cat, Whose Baby Are You, etc., etc. Brown's in Town made money because its first manager, Mr. J. J. Rosenthal, selected its title himself. Mr. Russell made a contract with the Russell-Morgan Printing Co. for paper for "Baby" that he never showed me. I've learned since that he mortgaged the play to that firm and then sold me a half-interest in a gold brick. If this particular Swan tries to gobble up this Irish potatoe (Murphy) he'll find he has tackled something he can't digest. My stand- ing on the Pacific Coast is too well known to be destroyed by the mis- leading statements of Mark Swan. Sincerely yours, Fitzgerald Murphy. Chicago, April 24. A CABLE from Paris says: M. Ed- mond Rostand, who has returned to Paris restored in health after spending the winter in Cambon, has progressed considerably with a play for Sarah Bernhardt. It is written in verse and is called L,e Theatre. The play deals with modern stage life. It will con- tain a role suitable for M. Coquelin, who will take it, if his engagements allow him to do so. Subscribe for The Dramatic Review You Can't Find a Manager in CaliTornia or Nevada But What Will Tell You That THE JKSSIE NORTON JESSIE NORTON HAVE BROKEN ALL RECORDS NOW FOR HONOLULU Opening Next Week for Four Weeks TOM I). BATES. Mgr. in Advance. W. J. Kr.r.KFORD, Prop, and Mgr Permanent Address, Francis Valentine Co. 103 Union Square Ave., S. F. J. P. Howe's Seattle Theatre The Only House Playing Strictly First-Class Attractions REGULAR PRICES—Gallery, 25c; Balcony, 50 and 75c; Lower Floor, |i.oo; Box Seats, $1.50 and up. These prices are raised to Lower Floor, Jfi.50; Balcony, 50 and 75c, for all attractions merit- ing this schedule. The Best One in the Bunch The past season the most successful in its history Absolutely Fire Proof. Largest Seating Capacity ADDRESS, J. P. HOWE Seattle Theatre, Seattle, Wash. IF YOU ARE THE MANAGER OF A FIRST-CLASS ATTRACTION AND ARE BOOKING FOR 1902 Don't Overlook the One Big Money Making House Morosco's Burbank Theatre IN SUNNY LOS ANGELES, CAL. Address OLIVER MOROSCO Lessee and Manager ORPHEUn THEATRE J. C. COHEN, Lessee and Manager Playing vaudeville and dramatic combinations. Attractions or artists contemplating visiting the Islands, China, Japan, Manila, or Australia, conununicate with I,. F. STONE, Representative, Motel I.anKham, San Francisco, Cal. IVIarysville THEATRE Marysville, - Calif. A Fine Theatre, Commodious Stage and a Complete Stock of Scenery. Seating capacity W)0. To Rent: or First-class Companies played on per- centage. Booking entirely in charge of G. W. HAI,I,, Mgr.,Marysville,Cal. Mark Levy & Co. MARK LEVY Expert Cutter and Fitter... Fine Suits from $25.00 up 36 Geary St.. S. F. Rooms 19-20^ Only the Best Help Employed... All work done on the premises Phone Ulack 4715 BAD BILLS COLLECTED NATIONAL LAW AND COLLECTION CO. Collections Made in any Part of the United States, Canada or Mexico Telephone Brown 770 Theatrical Collections a Specialty ROOM 34, MONTGOMERY BLOCK S E. Cor. Montgomery and Washington Sts.