The Billboard 1906-03-17: Vol 18 Iss 11 (1906-03-17)

| 4 | 4 . The Billboard MARCH 17, 1906. "FRISCO NOTES BRIEFLY TOLD VAPOR CITY IN FULL BLAST Bernhardt Cancels Cleveland Engagement Florence Roberts’ Big Engagement—Al Filson Retires—The Lyceum’s Banner Week—Dockstader Wanted in Hot Springs —Dustin Farnum Talks LORENCE ROBBPRTS’ second week at the Columbia in The Strength of the Weak, was a very flattering tribute to her, and her friends predict a positive success when she appears at the Bijou Theatre in New York this month. The Proud Prince, with Franklyn Underwood and Amelia Gardner in the leading roles, is doing a big business at the Majestic Theatre. The wealth of scenery and the beautiful wardrobe used in the production keeps people won dering how the management can do it. Because She Loved Him Se is to follow. The Girl With the Green Eyes, under the eareful stage management eof Fred. J. Butler, did a banner week at the Aleazar. The Little Princess follewed with another banner week and extra matinees. The Tivoli’s production of The Isle ef Spice is in its third week and is growing every night. Landers Stevens, leading man, made a hit at the Central in A Tale of Two Cities. Little Helene, a child performer, made so great hit in her specialty that she has been engaged as a permanent feature. Isabelle Underwood and Barney Barnard, old ’Frisco favorites, are being featured in The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast at the Grand. Geo. Primrose’s Minstrels follow. The Orpheum bili is making good this week and business is capacity. Piccolo’s Liliputians, Agnes Mahr, Ottome Brothers, the Enchanted Bower and Mlle. Chester’s statue dog and the holdovers make a good Dill. TYROLEAN SINGERS A HIT The second week of the engagement of Franz Rainers’ ‘Troupe of Tyrolean Singers, at Fischer’s Theatre is witnessing packed houses nightly. ‘The troupe changes its bill almost every performance, and it looks like they would be here another week. Bert Donnellan reports the Lyceum by over $350. The Newsboys’ Quartet, the DeGraw Trio, Violet and Olds, Mr. and Mrs. Robyns. Archie Levy framed the bill. MANAGERS ENTERTAIN PERFORMERS Mrs. Tom Thumb and Count and Baron Magri were the honored guests of Messrs. Loverich & Lubelski, managers of the Affiliated Western Cireuit, on the evening of Feb. 28, at a dinner given at Delmonica’s. In addition to the families of the hosts, many friends were present. Count Magri was teastmaster, and kept things humming until a late hour, when all expressed themselves delighted with their well his record week at On the bill were spent evening. Mrs. Tom Thumb is a delightful and most interesting little lady to meet socially. Al. Filson, of Filson and Errol, society sketch artists, who have appeared over the Orpheum Circuit for several seasens, has permanently retired and located in San Francisco, where he has invested largely in real estate. The Yiddish Theatrical Association has been incorporated with a capital stock of $25,000 by G. Michaels, Joseph Lehrer, Phil. Harris, J. Strom, HH, H. Miller, B. Sall, J. Kahn, A. Axlerod, L. Harris, J. Abraham and Jos. Green. Cenried’s Famous Metropolitan Opera Co. opens at the Grand Opera House April 16. The High School Girls is doing a better average business at the California than did any of its predecessors. The Six Flying Banvards, Nathan and Solomon Fields and Hart and Weston are the big headliners. IMPORTANT LEGAL DECISION In a recent lawsuit to recever $10,000 damages against Belasco & Mayer for injuries received by a patron of the Central Theatre, eaused by a cry of fire, Judge Hunt decided in favor of the defendants, claiming that they could not be held responsible, as they were not accountable for the rush. The excitement was «due to a flash of the biograph machine, The plaintiff fell down while endeavoring to get out and was trampled upon by the crowd. Recent callers at the San Francisco office were the Juggling Wheelers, Decorum, Deircks Brothers, Fred. Trevallion, Phroso, J. W. Fitzmaurice and others. Editor Clyde Phillips, after a four weeks’ sojeurn in San Francisco, where he made many friends, departed for Portland, Ore., on the eve of March 1. His many new acquaintances regret his short stay and could not prevail on him to lengthen his visit. RUBE COHEN. HOT SPRINGS, ARK. The Vapor City season is now in full blast, about ten thousand visitors being here. overything is doing big business, including the Auditorium Theatre, which is breaking all records. Chauncey Olcott, in Edmund Burke, attracted tremendous patronage during his recent engagement, and his play was a delightful one. Geo. Gets, known as Little George, is resting in this city. The Flying Ty-Bell Sisters are wintering here. Rube Newton bas nearly recovered from his recent illness, E. S. Brigham, the Kansas City theatrical man, who has been spending a few weeks here, returned to his home last week. Fred. Pennell, the pianist at the Auditorium Theatre, will be connected with Forrest Park, Little Reck, Ark., the coming summer. Theatregoers are patiently waiting the coming of Dockstader’s Minstrels. They always solicit capacity returns in this city. Capt. business. Marie Cole and Carrie Austin, vaudeville performers, are resting here. Dick Fulton is taking a course of baths at the Maurice Bath House. R. Mittenthal is spending the winter here at Eastman’s Hotel. Vaudeville seems to be a failure in this city. This was an early prediction of the writer. LAWRENCE J. RINALDO. Ament’s skating rink is doing a fine CLEVELAND, OHIO. Walter G. Needs, leader of the Star Theatre Orchestra for many years, and well known by the musical and theatrical profession throughout the United States, died of pneumonia Sunday evening, after a brief illness. The deceased was forty-three years old, was a prominent member of the Cleveland lodge of Elks, and | SHUBERTS WANT INTO TEXAS Lee Shubert has been in Houston and other Texas towns endeavoring to interest local cap}talists in a proposition to erect playhouses for the independent attractions. It is said that plans are well under way for a new theatre in Houston, and that Mr. Shubert is negotiating for sites in Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. DES ROSCHER’S MISFORTUNE Albert Des Roscher, master mechanic of the Florence Bindley Co., received a telegram during the performance Friday night at the Auditorium Theatre, Baltimore, Md., announcing the death of his wife and her baby a few days old. He left on a midnight train for Providence, R. I. MAY INCLUDE INDIANAPOLIS The Independent Circuit may next season include Indianapolis, The Shuberts are negotiating for and have a fair chance ef securing Tomlinson Hall in the Indiana capital. Tomlinson Hall has a larger seating capacity than any theatre in the city, and it has a large stage that would lend itself admirably to stage equipment and decoration. PREMIERE AT FARIBAULT The first production ever given Mort W. Sanferd’s dramatization of Sir A. Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet was made at Faribault, Minn., Thursday evening, March 1. Willard Reid, Frederick Spencer, Clyde Weston, Carl S. Disbroe, C. Edgar Browne, Deline Dupont, Cora M. Browne, Dorothy Roy, and Vivian Sloane appeared in the leading roles. The play is now touring Minnesota. Billly Boy ?” who first used it. “Old Billy Boy” Who was it first dubbed Tur BrLLBoarD “Old The nickname has stuck, and we would like to record the name of the person Last week Tur BILLBOARD printed 160 more routes than any other theatrical paper. service. Last week Tue BILLBOARD added another linotype to keep pace with its growing news for THe BILLBoarRD. In over two years no single week has passed which has not marked an increase in the orders of The American News Co. and its branches none knew him but to love him. B. F. Keith, the vaudeville magnate, and his general manager, A. E. Albee, spent several days with us this week. They are making their annual tour of inspection over the circuit. It is quite possible that Mr. Keith will obtain the Empire Theatre at Columbus, Ohio, which has been closed for some time, and which was recently sold at sheriff's sale to Geo. C. Urlin. Mme. Sarah Bernhardt had planned a three days’ visit to Cleveland, being announced as ,a feature at the Colonial Theatre. For some | reason the engagement has been canceled, much to our regret, Dustin Farnum, who appeared here last week iin The Virginian, advises that after the expiration of his contract with the Kirk LaShelle Estate, he will be under Mr. Frohman’s direction, in a new play by Augustus Thomas. On account of the popularity achieved by thé ‘“‘amateur nights’? at the Star Theatre, the management has decided to make this a regular event. Friday night of every other week will be devoted to amateur talent after the regular performance. Two cash prizes are given to the jlucky amateurs who win favor with the audience. “Doc’? Waddell, of Robinson’s Circus, is in the city looking after the publication of his ‘History of the Robinson Shows.’’ From my observation of a few proof sheets I saw, the book is going to be a work of art. FRED. W. BEACH. After a most successful tour, Edna May sails for London end of this month, to begin the season at the Vaudeville Theatre. Oscar Hammerstein has Alessandro, the Milan tenor, for his Manhattan Opera Co. DES MOINES OPERA HOUSE BURNED Fire of unknown origin destroyed the Grand Opera House at Des Moines, Ia., March 5, entailing a loss of about $80,000. The Observatory Building, adjoining, was also damaged. The loss is partially covered by insurance. Wm. Foster managed the Grand. MAMMOTH SKATING RINK AND THEATRE It is reported that the Nixon Amusement & Realty Co., of which Samuel J. Nixon, of Nixon & Zimmerman, is a leading member, will this summer begin the erection of a million dollar theatre, hippodrome and skating rink in Atlantie City. VAUDEVILLIANS PURCHASE HOME Hague and Herbert have been taking a muchneeded rest in Toledo, Ohio. During their breathing spell they purchased a beautiful home at 1922 Nevada street and hereafter while spending their vacation they will be at home to their friends. ROBERTSON IN SHAKESPEARE Klaw & Erlanger have arranged with Forbes Robertscn and Gertrude Elliott to appear in this country beginning in October in a repertoire of Shakespearean plays including Hamlet, Othello, The Merchont of Venice, Romeo and Juliet. They will appear for an extended engagement at the Knickerbocker Theatre, and the tour will take them to the Coast. FOR LIFE Hasty Is Sentenced at Gaffney, S. C. For the Murder of Milan Bennett and Abbott Davidson—Hard Fought Case—Defense Will Appeal. EORGE HASTY has been convicted of the murder of Milan Bennett and Ab bott Davidson, members of the Noth ing But Money Co., at Gaffney, 8S. C., Dec. 15. The verdict was returned at 6:15 A. M. Tuesday, March 6, after a bitterly contested battle of five days. Hasty goes to the penitentiary for life. The history of the tragedy at Gaffney last December is well known to all readers of The Billboard and need not be rehashed at this time. The trial was called March 1. The first move on the part of the defendant was a metion to quash the indictment because of irregularity in that there was no indictment for carrying concealed weapons. This poiat was argued at length by Messrs. Johnstone and Osborne for the defense and was opposed by Solicitor Sease. The motion was refused. The next -move on the part of the defense was a motion for continuance because of the absence of a material witness. Being denied this privilege also the defense then pleaded that Mr. Johnstone was too ill to go into the case. Again the judge decided against the defense and insisted that the case be tried at once. Hasty then pleaded self-defense. The first the prosecution made a diagram witness for of Piedmont Inn, where the shooting eccurred. Dr. Allen described the ccurse of the bullet that killed Bennett. Verne Sheridan was then called and she told a straightforward story of the entire affair and described graphically the details of the tragedy. The defense endeavored in every conceivable manner to trick her, but she stood the test well and refused to be confounded by the attorneys for the defense. She testified to the fact that after she retired she beard a knock on her dver, but did not answer it. The party then went out on the veranda and tried to get in the window. Failing in this, he came back and threw himself against the door and then climbed up and looked in the transom. She recognized George Hasty. She called Mr. Bennett. When she did so Hasty left. Mr. Bennett, who was a musical composer, and engaged to marry her, sat in her room writing music till 4 o’cleck in the morning, when he went to his own room and got a comforter and lay across her bed till 7 o'clock. Next morning she was annoyed by Hasty again. This was while Mr. Bennett was out, She described in a graphic manner how the shooting occurred. Hasty invited Mr. Bennett from the dining-room. They went out. Mr. Davison was told that Hasty was the same man who had annoyed Miss Bishop in the af ternoon before. After Hasty and Mr. Bennett had gone out Mr. Davign followed. She told of the conversation between the men, and of Mr. Davison raising his hand to strike Hasty. At the same time Hasty fired two shots in quick succession. Mr. Davison then grappled with Hasty, pushing the hand with the revolver against the wall. Hasty jerked loose from him and shot Mr. Bennett. May Bishop corroborated the testimony of Miss Sheridan. She also proved a match for the bitter sarcasm of Col. Johnstone, who failed to shake her testimony. The jury was out about eleven hours. Hasty was sentenced to the penitentiary for Hfe. It is understood that he will appeal. THEATRICALS IN ST. JOHN, N. F. Stock companies visit St. John's usually about Christmas and Easter seasens, and play to good houses from four to six weeks during each season. Opera and concert parties from England and the United States occasionally visit the city, and their reception depends upon the ability of the performers. The Islanders are a music-loving race, some of them of both sexes are possessed of vocal and instrumental musical talent which, with proper tuition and development, would bid fair to rank with some of the stars. The posses sor of the best male voice in Newfoundland is a P. J. McCarthy. The writer has often heard many famous singers in America, but he has not heard many whese abilities surpass him as a singer of sweet songs. There are two theatres here, also a hall speclally adapted for operatic and concert work. Madame Albani visited St. John’s a couple of years ago. The Islanders were enraptured by her marvelous voice, and the reception accorded the famous prima donna demonstrated their love and appreciation of true vocal art. The people here have a love for the good and wholesome drama or comedy; they resent the production of plays and songs which help te undermine morality. Stock companies coming this way sheuld have a good repertoire, and should be able to handle strong melodramas and coemdies, and with a strong melodramas and comedies, and with 4 is certainly a good field at St. John’s during the seasons referred to. The average outsider has an idea that Newfoundland is an out of the way place, but it may be news to some to know that it takes but five days to come from New York to St. John’s, while it takes eight to go from St. John’s to England. The literature read by the people is mostly from American publishing houses. There is very little of that insular prejudice existing which is so characteristic of the [Englishman whe does not travel. Hospitality of an Irish character is always extended to the stranger during his stay. BOSTON.