San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

1! April 28, 1900 wan on Cb/ffi System Visiting thespians have been especially attracted to Oakland and Tanforan tracks this season, and most of them have dropped considerable money. Willie Collier, who, during his visit here took great pleasure in watching the ponies run, used to explain his system of quite extensive betting. He told it this way: "What system do I play' I play the can't system. I back horses that can't go the route, that can't pack weight, that can't eat four quarts of oats at one meal, that can't sleep well, that can't swim across the bay, for they like a dry track. "It is a strange fact, but nevertheless true, the moment you hear men begin to tell what a horse can't do it goes right off and does it. In this respect a horse is like a mule; it is obstinate. If you let a horse alone and don't talk scandalously about it, it will race well. It will do all you ask of it. But start in and roast a horse and you are in trouble. When you bet on it, it will lose, and when you withhold your cash and bet on something else it will win. "I don't blame a horse a bit; on the other hand, I admire him for it. In making this study of a horse's disposition I have been able to beat the horses every day for a week. Whenever you hear one of these horsemen say a horse 'can't' recite the Lord's Prayer backwards, tell me and I'll put a hundred on it." Zaza Shocks 'Em The second opinions of Zaza are coming to light, and the following will show how London is becoming stirred up over the play: "The Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of Hopetoun, has received a number of letters within the past few days complaining of the immorality of the play, Zaza, in which Mrs. Leslie Carter is appearing at the Garrick Theatre. Last Saturday, therefore, he sent a peremptory message to G. W. Red ford, the examiner of plays, demanding an explanation. Redford replied that he had carefully read Belasco's play when it was submitted to him and found nothing in it which could be regarded as offensive to public decency. The general story, he said, was as old as the hills, and the final whitewashing of Zaza completely nullified the effect of the earlier scenes. The Lord Chamberlain was not satisfied, however, and thought a further investigation was necessary. He sent for Buckwell, the lessee of the Garrick, and had a long talk with him. The upshot of the matter was that Buckwell and Lestocq were required to furnish Redford with a copy of the book of the play as now acted and the copy which was originally submitted to him. " Subscribe for the Dramatic Revieiv. Kate Castletons Estate Over the estate of the late Kate Caslleton, whose famous song, For Goodness Sake Don't Say I Told You, is still remembered by many of the California play goers of ten years ago, there promises ere long to be an interesting legal fight in the courts of Oakland against Joseph H. Hoadley, the executor, who is now in New York City, the heirs of the actress who live in Oakland making damaging charges. They are anxious for an accounting of the valuable property placed in his hands in 1892, and unless it is forthcoming, attorneys will institute proceedings to have the letters testament W. I. ST E RETT PROPRIETOR STERETT SHOW PRINTING CO. One of the best known figures in the Theatrical business of the West. Mr. Sterett does the printing for all of the San I-'rancitco theatres and about nine-tenths of all done on the Coast. ary issued to Hoadley when the will was admitted to probate, revoked. Mrs. Jennie Elizabeth H. Phillips, who on the stage was Kate Castleton, died at Warwick, Rhode Island, on July 10, 1892, leaving an estate valued at $30,000, consisting chiefly of personal property. But including one valuable piece of realty in Oakland. The devisees under the will were: Mrs. Elizabeth Freeman, mother of the deceased; Ada Castle Bridges, a niece; and William, Charles and Ada Freeman and Mrs. Kate Alder, brothers and sisters. The real property in Oakland was left to the mother, and in the event of her death to the niece, Ada Castle Bridges. The personal property was also to be given to the mother to be held in trust and at her death was to be distributed to the surviving brothers and sisters share and share alike. It is the contention of the heirs that ever since the death of the actress they have been after the executor for some kind of accounting, but so far have failed to get any satisfaction. They allege that he holds something like Si 2,000 worth of valuable jewelry, besides other property and that by reason of his negligence in attending to the affairs of the estate the East Oakland property, a valuable home place, is now almost in ruins. Many Have Tossed A%>ay Herbert Gresham, the leading comedian of May Irwin's company, is an actor of excellent abilities. He has been born and brought up in the profession, and, although still a young man, is most intimate with stage ethics, its culture and history of its advancement. The constant changing and passing away of celebrated favorites gave occasion for some recollections a few days since of some of the stars of long ago. "The star actors of twenty years ago," he said, "like their sisters of the profession, have largely left the scene of their fame, the names of many of them being now enrolled among the illustrious dead. All of them in turn have visited the West, each one the favorite of the hour among the theatre-goers. Booth,