The Billboard 1907-09-14: Vol 19 Iss 38 (1907-09-14)

| / | 20 The Billbuvuard SEPTEMBER 14, 1907. The Billboard, W. H. DONALDSON, Managing Bditor. PUBLISHBD WEEKLY AT 416 Elm Street, Cincinnati, O., U.S.A. Long Dista Teiephone, Main 2760. Cable Address (registered) ‘‘Billyboy.’’ NEW YORK. Suite 3, Holland Building, 1440 Broadway. Telephone Bryant. CHICAGO. 807-909 Schiller Bldg., 103-109 Randolph st. Telephone Central 5934. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 979 Ellis Street. PHILADELPHIA, PA. 929 Chestnut St. *Phone Walnut 2331. LONDON, ENGLAND. 8 Rupert Court, Leicester Square, W. Address all communications for the editorial or business departments to The Billboard Publishing (o. Subscription, $4 a year; 6 months, $2; 3 menths, $1. Payable in advance. ‘No extra charge to foreign subscribers. ADVERTISING RATES. Twenty cents per line, agate measurement. Whole page, $140; half page $76; quarter page, $35. THE BILLBOARD is for sale on all trains and news-stands throughout the United States and Canada, which are supplied by the American News Co. and its branches. When not on sale please notify this office. THE BILLBOARD is sold in London at The American Exchange, Trafalgar Buildings, Northumberland Ave., W. C. In Paris at Brentano's, 87 Ave. de l’Opera. The trade supplied by the American News Ce. and its branches. Remittances should be made by -office or express money order, or register letter addressed or made payable to The Billboard Publishing Co. ’ ee 3 | The editor can not undertake to return unsolicited manuscript; correspondents should keep copy. . When it is necessary to wire us instructions and copy for advertisements, great saving in the matter of telegraph tolls may be had by recourse to the dson Cipher Code Entered as Second-Class Matter at Post-Office e+ Cincinnati, O. The entire contents of The Billboard are fully rotected by copyright. Nething printed here may be used either wholly er in part without the sanction and consent of The Billboard Publishing Co. The Billboard’s advertising patrons will greatly oblige by sending in the copy for their advertisements as early as convenient instead of waiting till the last moment. All ads received early in the week will be given preference in position and display. To Arnold Daly’s alleged charge, that the way to reach a critic’s heart is through his stomach, Wright Lori mer indited the follow Where the ing reply: Critic’s “An American Play Brains are. er, recently returned from Europe, has been making such remarkable statements regarding the critical fraternity, that I consider the time ripe for reply. “I most sternly protest against Mr. Arnold Daly’s statement that a dramatic critic’s judgment may be influenced, either through his stomach or his prejudice. With Mr. Daly’s statement that he does not intend to send opening night seats to critics, I have nothing to do, for that is a matter purely of business judgment, although I should like to say, in parenthesis, that foreign stars who have tried this method of suppression, have signally failed in their efforts. But this player’s statement, that critfeces are unfair, that they use their gastronomic functions instead of their intelligence, in forming their judgment, is a libel, and ridiculous and undignified on its face. “I know from experience that critfics, some of whom have been good enough to like my work, and others eqqgually honest and fair who have not agreed always with my viewpoint, are eminently just, usually temperate in speech, and always honest. Although often I have not agreed with the opinfons of newspaper writers, in all my career I have found only two instances when I could honestly take umbrage at the remarks of critics, and even in these cases my attitude could not be considered an attack on their hon-siy. “As 7 r Mr. Daly’s statement t at Sir Henry Irving gave these irrespoi. sible assassins of the pen plenty to eat and plenty to drink, thus proving that their brains were in their stomachs, I have only the deepest contempt. Sir Henry Irving was a great artist, a great actor, a great man. He never would have dared, or have sought to demean his own art or the world of letters, by resorting to a policy as banal as it would be detestable “Was it not Hazlitt, the great language vivisectionist, who certainly knew what he wanted to say and how to say it, who once remarked: ‘Though critics differ, as the north pole from the south, still may they be honest; for, after all, difference of opinion does not make criminal intent’—or words to that effect? “I do not appear as a special pleader for dramatic critics of the newspaper guild in general, but I do earnestly consider that it were a great injustice to let Mr. Daly’s sentiments, as well as_his statements, go unchallenged.” Mr. Lorimer’s statements are certainly as true as they are well warranted by Mr. Daly’s attack, if it can be correctly attributed to him. CINCINNATI, O. With the opening of the Lyric Theatre this week all the theatres are in line and report — business, although the weather is rather cool, The Grand Opera House.—A minstrel attraction at the Grand this week sees Dockstader at his best. The stories told by him are twice as good as anybody else can make them. His funny skit, Joining the Elks, a bit of old-time minstrel nonsense, is being received as it justly should. All in all, it is Dockstader’s show this season, and Lew himself has not contributed so generally to the various portions of the bill in years as he does to this one. The program is a whole in out and out minstrelsy. The first part of the gorgeous setting is called The Temple of Gems. It is brilliantly lighted and the flower of the forces are presented in songs of different styles; the gags and quips of the burnt cork circle and the broad humor of the comedians delight the audiences. Of these comedians, Dockstader, Neil O’Brien, quite as incomparable in his unique fun making as his chief; John King, of rare unction, and Tommy Hyde, who is a study in black face melancholia, whoop up the ends. In the vocal numbers of the first part, Reese Prosser in What Will Your Answer Be, made the biggest sort of a hit. Gus Reed, a splendid basso, has a great number in The Wanderer. The grouping and handling of this song is a treat. William H. Thompson scored the usual hit with ’Neath the Old Acorn Tree, Sweet Estelle, and Joe Natus sang feelingly I'll Be Waiting, Deary, When You Come Back Home. John King sang Roll On, and Neil O’Brien pantomimed and sang in his most comic vein. Bether Nothing. The final section of the show is devoted to three dancing and singing numbers. The one is The Land of Nicotine, a dancing turn, it being the involution of the tobacco habit, going back from the cigarette smoking boys of to-day to the Indians and the ancient Hollanders. Reveille at West Point is a series of drills and dances worked together in fine shape, and ending with a tableau showing the contrast between the cadet of to-day and the continental soldier of 1776. Neil O’Brien and his company wind up the fun with an outlandish skit, called The Quick Lunch, which would make a dyspeptic smile. The show, through and through, is good, and, judging from the appreciation shown, Dockstader will have a record-breaking week. The Lyric Theatre, made brighter in its newness by thorough renovation, began its second season this week with Henry Woodruff in the college play, Brown of Harvard. This play proves to be a most endurable affair, and will no doubt duplicate its success of last spring with the opening of the present season. Mr. Woodruff still heads the company, and practically all the same people of last season are in his support. From early indications it should prove to be an auspicious inauguration of the Lyriec’s second season. Walnut Theatre.—The Sunny Side of Broadway, the musical comedy, which Murray and Mack are giving this week at the Walnut, is being attended by large and applauding audfences, and it goes with a dash and a whirl. That there is a sunny side to Broadway may have been guessed, but the comedians, singers and girls at the Walnut this week proved it in pleasing fashion, singing tuneful numbers, wearing some fetching costumes and doing some laugh-provoking things. The latter refers to Murray and Mack and their able cohorts, Max Blum and Thomas F. Shay. Gracelyn Whitehouse is a vocalist considerably above the average prima donna, and Gladys Van is a good singer and dancer as the French ballet girl. Bae Hamilton is pleasing as Flora Legraff and Albert Livingston is a good tenor lover. The chorus is particularly good looking and sprightly. Columbia Theatre.—There are some chuckles, a song now and then and a bit of novelty in the Columbia’s new bill. Chinko is a juggler, but the real hit of the bill. The Four Piccolo Midgets are interesting. A scream is the one-act piece, Hooked by Crook, being presented by Homer Mason and Margaret Keller with the assistance of Henry Traveller. Frederick Brothers and RPurns do instrumentals with a comedy relief that gets the act across the footlights in fine shape. Minnie Kanfman does so well upon all sections of a bicycle that it’s a fine act. Olive Vail and her assistant in the andience are a fine hit with their singing. Mlle Vartholde’s pets do an interesting act. The Sisters 0’ Meers, in a European novelty wire act, complete the bill. Olympie Theatre.—Miss Hobbs forms the Forepangh Stock Company’s attraction this week. The production, as offered by the company, is a good one and is going with a dash and smoothness. The settings are effective and the yacht cabin scene in the third act is nicely done. There is a praiseworthy attention to detail in this act which hespeaks intelligent stage direction. Miss Adair, in the main part, is par ticularly happy, and Mr. Mayall, as Wolf Kingseral, is equipped with one of those roles that suit him best. Harry Fenwick and Lucille Spinney, as the Kingseral pair, are satisfactory, as are Walter Silber and Jennie Ellison, as the juvenile lovers. Elizabeth Rose gives a neat character sketch «as the loveable aunt, and John R. Summer presents a clever drawing as the sea captain. Heuck’s Opera House.—In the four acts and fifteen scenes, The Four Corners of the Earth are visited. The company presenting this play is a capable one. William Stanchie is the hero, Jack Morton, and Sullie Gard is contemptible enough as Ed. Hilliard, ably seconded by Harry Lester as the Mexican. Will H. Fields is the conventional Hebrew comedian and Marion Hyde the sprightly soubrette. Ida Marie Nelson was a charming heroine as Grace Holbrook, and Katherine Krego better than the usual unfortunate girl. Carrie LeMoyne was a statuesque villainess, and the remainder of the cast was effective. Lyceum Theatre.—Chinatown Charlie, at the Lyceum this week, is being well handled by William Kent playing the title role as the hero, Miss Josephine Foy and Anne Gordon do well in the leading feminine characters of the story. W. E. and Edythe Brownie brightened up the comedy, and the entire cast proved a welcome one, People’s Theatre.—The Tiger Lilies are proving popular at People’s this week. The show is new in general outline, and made a hit from start to finish. The great share of fun centers in the one-act f Phe Twin Sister, which opens the bill, and 4 fteur Night on the Bowery, that ends the tam. The comedy rests upon the shoulders of George Murphy, the Dutch comedian as Ludwig Shultz, and Byron Killenburg on the Bowery. The burlesques are prettily staged and some new and very Stunning costumes are displayed by the principals and by the chorus of girls who look good, sing wel. and dance in a lively fashion. In the olio John Marion and Grace Lillian work in the sketch, which is cleverly given and made a hit. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ellsworth, in the -xit, The Silk Stocking, was fair throughout. Jack Irwin, in a monologue of recitations, is winning them over with the telling of the story, The Kids Last Fight, Carrie Eazier and Josie Webb do a snappy act which is sure to go. The singing of the show is a feature, and several of the newest songs of to-day are given to add to their popularity. Standard Theatre.—The Girls from Happyland Company is making a decided hit at the Standard this week with two burlesques and a very good olio. Nat Fields, ably supported by Billie Clark as the Dutchman, and Harry [larvey #s the Jew, make the burlesques go. Uarrie Sietz took well as the lady grafter and sang Absinthe Frappe !n splendid style. The olio sparkles al! the way. Sam Hyams with his illustrated songs is good. Miss Dora and Miss Wilford made a big hit with their singing and whistling turn. Harry Harvey, as the Hebrew from the East Side, makes good with his parody. Harvey and Clark sing well, and Manolita sings Spanish songs in clever style. On September 2, Col. Wm. F. Cody unfolded before thousands his mammoth production on the lot at Norwood. It was not an ideal day for an open-air exhibition, but the popularity of the great Wild West was demonstrated when the doors closed upon the afternoon show with not a vacant seat left in the largest amphitheatre in the world. The three performances were distinct successes, even the addition of a morning presentation catching the overflow in advance, and turning out in face of discouraging weather conditions far beyond expectations. The Buffalo Bill Wild West Show is absorbent, and so rapidly does it unfold thet one darts from ene startling specialty to the other without pause for comment upon the excellence of its predecessors, and in particularizing the thing is at once a matter of personal taste. The whole was such a treat that it was almost a shame to pick out any distinct features. However, in point of excellence the marvelous riding of the American cowboys and the faithful reproduction of primitive life upon the plains stands out pre-eminent. The acme of careful work is shown this season in the reproduction of the battle of Summit Springs. The manner of the attack of the Indians and their repulse are worked out in faithful miniature. Col. Cody, handsome as ever, gave an interesting exhibition of shooting, and Johnny Baker, the crack shot, does all sorts of stunts with clay pigeons. And so it went. Now that marvelously trained horse, Joe Bailey, pranced about to the guidance of Roy Thompson. Before this the Zouaves drilled with marvelous ingenuity; Japs and Arabs did startling tumbling feats; bandits held up the old U. P. overland express; Indians rode like demons through the pelting rain, and sensations piled upon each other until the termination was an unexpected but welcome result. Mr. Fred Hutchinson, formerly connected with a railroad in the Queen City, and now manager of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, came here with the show, it being his first visit here in seven years. He was kept busy renewing old acquaintances. Though not exactly billed in the Queen City, Governor John Robinson’s Ten Big Shows lured a big crowd of Cincinnatians over to Covington, where they showed Sept. 7 to packed tents, despite the fact that, as usual, Jupiter Pluvius was in attendance. Though the Robinson Circus has passed its eightieth consecutive season it never fails to show big improvement with each succeeding year. Since its last appearance in this vicinity many new and novel features have been added. The program is so smoothly and ably directed that excitement and enthusiasm reign through the performance. All acts were loudly applauded and the big throng seemed unanimous in its approval. Doc Waddell, the genial press representative of the Robinson Shows, and general good fellow, was a caller at The Billboard's offices during the show’s stand in Covington. Doc. is as hale and hearty as of yore. Lew Dockstader’s merry minstrels, while on parade, Sept. 9, halted in front of The Billboard’s offices and gave a serenade that brought the office force from their desks with a rush. While the selection was The Billboard March, suffiice it to say it caused all the fellows to go back to their toil full of vim and vigor. NOTICE! WALTER STANTON. Walter Stanton, Jr., would be know the whereabouts of Stanton, The Giant Rooster. board, Cincinnati, 0. pleased to his father Walter Address, The Bill CLAIM SPIVENS WAS INNOCENT. The editor is in receipt of two letters, both from Shelbyville, Ind.,. in which the writers claim they were witnesses to the shooting of the deputy sheriff of Sumter, 8. C. Shelbyville, Ind., Sept. 6, 1907. In a recent issue of The Billboard a question appeared in the Inquiry Column about the murder of the deputy sheriff of Sumter, S. C. I will say it occurred on the fifth day of October, 1906, in Manning, 8. C. I saw the shooting, which was done by a negro whose name I do not know, nor do I know what became of the negro. This man Spivens was arrested the next day at Bishopville, 8. C. He got a life sentence, I believe. I don’t believe that Spivens even saw the shooting, but it is a certainty that he is innocent. I was with Cole Brothers in 1906. Very respectfully, H. Sylow, En route with Forepaugh-Sells Bros.’ Circus. Dear Sir: Shelbyville, Ind., Sept. 6, 1907. Dear Sir:—In answer to the question in The tillboard’s Inquiry Column, issue Sept. 7, regarding the case of Mr. Spivens, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of a Sumter Deputy Sheriff, would say that I was a witness of the murder, and the circumstances leading up to it. I can say positively that Spivens was in nowise connected with it. The deed was done by a negro, and as the shooting occurred within ten feet of me I am in a position to know. The shooting occurred in Manning, 8. c., and Mr. Spivens was arrested at Bishopville. He is innocent. Trusting that he may get justice done him, am, Yours truly, dD. W. Winslow, Care the Forepaugh-Sells Bros. MARRIAGES. STEPHENS-MILAM.—Madison Milam, the popular business manager of the concert band at Carterville, Ga., to Laura Stephens, nonprofessional, at Cartersville, Sept. 3. CROSSLEY-DeVRY.—Herman A. DeVry. America’s greatest inventor of electrical and mechanical stage apparatus and illusions, to Eula Crossley, vaudeville performer, at Galveston, Tex., July 29. Both have been engaged to appear at Electric Park, that city, for some time. e BIRTHS. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jake J. Disch, at Kenosha, Wis., Friday, Aug. 30, a son. Mother and child doing nicely. Mr. Disch is The Billboard representative in that city and has been connected with various amusements, and is well known among professional people. DEATHS. MRS. LEORA BERNARD CREIGHTON, youngest daughter of Col. and Mrs. H. J. Ber nard and wife of Charles Creighton, died at the Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor, Sunday morning, Sept. 1, from echild-birth. Her bus band was playing with The Missouri Girl (Eastern) Company, and on account of the telegraph strike, was not able to be with her before her death. Mrs. Creighf6n wes born in Chicago twenty-one years ago. She leaves her father, Col. H. J. Bernard, who for years has been well known as manager of different road companies; her mother and four living sisters, Mrs. Hettie Bernard Chase, a well-known soubrette, Mrs. J. H. Nicholson, (known as Mabel Eston professionally) of The Missouri Girl Company, Lillian Bernard Parsal, late of the Lady Entertainers of Chicage, a celebrated dramatic soprano, and two brothers, Neil Bernard of this city, and Harry Bernard of Pittsburg, Pa. Mrs. Creighton began her professional life three years ago with the Rodney Stock Company. Going south she joined the Creighton Stock Company, where she met her husband, whom she married in Georgia about eighteen months ago. Mr. Creighton is a member of the celebrated Creighton family. He has three sisters known as the Creighton Sisters, with C. K. Champlain Cempany in the East, a half brother in the circus business and two sisters, non-professionals. Mrs. Creighton has lived here most of her life, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. Services were held by the Universalist minister, Dr. Cook, on Sept. 2, at the family residence, 1385 Broadway. MRS. PETER WALKER, of Buffalo, N. Y., died at the Brokaw Hospital, Bloomington, IL, Sept. 3. She was the wife of Peter Walker, superintendent of the electric Hght plant of the Buffalo Bill Show. Mrs. Walker was about forty-five years old. CARL W. PRESSLY, comedian and manager, committed suicide by shooting himself in the forehead at City Park, Webster City, lowa, Aug. 27. He was thirty-six years of age and had been in the profession twenty-two years as a singing and dancing comedian. JOHN M. TURNER, a member of Lew Dock stader’s Minstrels, composer of a number of popular songs, and well-known in the theatrical world, died at 5:30 o’clock on the morning of Sept. 6, at the Post-Graduate Hospital, New York City, of appendicitis. The deceased had been ailing for some time and went to the hos pital in hope of gaining some relief. His death was unexpected. The funeral took place Sunday Sept. 8; interment was made at Evergreen Cemetery, the services being conducted by the Elk” Lodge of New York. TIFFINY, JAMES COOK died on Sept. 1, at Providence, R. I. He was for many years an agent connected with the Barnum & Bailey Show. He has been ailing for about a year. He was forty-two years of age and comes originally from Philadelphia. _He leaves a wife and step-daughter. Robert Rogers and Louise Mackintosh have just accepted sixty weeks of Western Vandeville Managers’ Association time for their merry little playlet called, Out of Sight. They have been the feature of every bill this summer and are meeting with deserved success. ered : 2 eres,