The Billboard 1908-03-07: Vol 20 Iss 10 (1908-03-07)

MARCH 7, 1908. The Billboard The Billboard Philadelphia Office HILADELPHIA is in a peculiar posi tou at the present time Althonsl we have had in the past two weeks winfature bread riots, long parades of unemployed men demanding work, aud urgent appeals from Charitable organiza tions for funds to provide food for starving people, still the theatrical business is far from being bad. The fact of the matter is that business is in excellent shape at all of the first-class houses and is far from being bad at the popular-price houses. There may be a searcity of money and there is no doubt but that a big percentage of the laboring classes are without work and yet the masses and the classes have money to spend for amusements and better still they are spending it. This is especially true of some of the first-class houses where business is enormous. The reason for this excellent business at such a depressed per fod may possibly be traced to the fact that the attractions playing at the best houses are the best that we have had for years at this season of the year. From present indications business will continue to keep up to this profitable point for the rest of the season if the attrac tions keep up to the present high grade and as our managers thoroughly appreciate this they are weeding out all the bad bookings and putting in the very best shows procurable. Inasmuch as the Quaker City has an excellent reputation for good business at the present time, it is not hard to get attractions to shift their dates from other places where business is not so good ana therefore we can look for many excellent shows for the rest of the season. The popular-price and burlesqne houses are not suffering as much as might be expected from the shape that the laboring clisses are in, but business Is not as giml as it was this time last year. There universal ery against the crude melodramatic sensations that have been crammed down the public's throats by managers of numerous shows on these cir seems to he a euits and it is more than likely that the attrae tions will be of a little higher grade next sea son In other words two of the big melodtra matic producers are going to pay a little higher Wages to actors DeXt season and not so much for scenery and effects. This is a much-needed re form. The crowds that went to Atlantic City to spend Washington's Birthday were of such an immense size that no one could possibly think there wes any danger of a fineneial panic tn this section of the country. It was the biggest holiday crowd that ever went to that reser, in winter time and many of the hotels had to turn people away. As Atlantic City is purely a luxury at this season of the year it looks as if ineney Was geting easier and that soon times would be normal again. Adelphi Theatre.—-Margaret Anglin, who Is quite a favorite here opened on February 24 in The Awakening of Helen Ritchie at this house and pleased the critics and the public who at tended. Uer engagement which is only for a week, will be a big one as the sale is large March 2, Bertha Kalich, in Marta of the Low lands. Lyric Theatre.—The Top 0’ Th’ World, whirly-girly sort of show, with a big lot of fun-makers, the celebrated Collie ballet an’ numerous other features opened here on February 24 to a big house and from the reception given it all week, will run fer many weeks. Forrest Theatre.—The Round Up still con tinues to draw immense crowds and as that is all that is required to make everybody happy. it will be continued until further notice. In fact nothing else has been scheduled for this house for the balance of the season and it will take a big slump from the present business be fore this is sent on tour. Chestnut Street Opera House.—Guy Standing sue Pheadore Roberti, in production of The the opening Klaw &-+* Erlanger’s Right of Way, was a hit on February 24 and business has been very good all week. Same attraction week of Mareh 9. Broad Street Theatre.—William Collier is drawing twice as much money just plain ‘Willie’ and the new comedy, Canght In The Rain, made such an impression last week that business has been excellent so far this week. March 2, Maude Adams comes for one week in The Jesters, and that means that the house is practically sold out for the week now. Garrick Theatre.—This, the William Faversham, in The brought fair business to the Robert Mantell comes for pertoire. Walnut Street Theatre. opened well on February 24, and during the week will put as when he was second week of Syuaw Man, has house. Mareh 2, two weeks in re -Amelia Bingham in The Climbers on The Frisky Mrs. Johnson and A Modern Lady Godiva. She will remain -another week and business will surely be good then for she made a hit this week. Chestnut Street Theatre.—The Orpheum players continue to give a high-grade stock perform ance and are increasing their clientele every week. The Prisoner of Zenda is the bill this week and it is a superb production. Rupert of Hentzau naturally follows as a sequel for March 2. The patrons of the house like the romantic drama and a number of them will be produced between now and the end of the season. Grand Opera House.—The Vanderbilt Cup attracted large crowds on February 24 and busi ness has continued good since. Week of March 2. Joe Howard and Mabel Barrison, in The Flower of the Ranch, Park Theatre.—Kellar and Thurston are in their second week and business is very good. March 2 Thomas Shea plays a short engoge—_ and will put on all the plays in his repertoire, Girard Theatre.—Jessie Bonstelle has scored heavily at this theatre and her engygement wil! be one of the big things’ of the’ season. week she is giving an excellent production of Mistress Nell and for the 2d of March announces This! The Three of Us to be followed by The Road to Yesterday. Ferepaugh'’s Theatre. Eugenie Blair is doing i great business at this house, where she is be ing supported by the Forepangh Stock. This week she is giving an excellent production of The Sorceress and on Mareh 2 will produce Magda. National Theatre.—The Four Huntings, io The Fool House, pleased on February 24, ana business has averaged fair since. Week ot Mareh 2, The Girl of Eagle Ranch, Blaney’s Arch Street Theatre.—Business is good this week with A Fighting Chance end Young Buffalo, King of the Wild West wili play there week of March 2. Standard Theatre.—The Stock Company con tinunes to do a fair business and is giving an excellent production of Bertha, The Sewing Machine Girl. this week, with How Baxter Butted In to fellow on March 2. Hiart’s Theatre Business is very good at this melodramatic house, where Little Heroes of the Streets is billed for this week and for the 2d of Mareh The Card King of the Coast is heavily billed. People's Theatre.--Business is fair at this house. Anita. the Singing Girl, is playing there this week and Mareh 2, A Race Across the Continent will make special efforts to get the money from the people of that section. Eleventh Street Opera House.—-Dumont’s Minstrels continue to draw big houses every nigtt and at the two matinees and there is a week ly change of the skits all coming from the nimble pen of that veteran author, Frank Dumont. Keith’s Chestnut Street Theatre.—Vandeville will never die when sueh bills are presented as ire being given at this palatial house this week. Keith crowds are attending and that means a turn-away at every performance. Here is the roster for this week and you will have to travel many miles before you can beat it: Julius Steg er and Company, in The Fifta Commandment; Dave Lewis, Ella Bradna and Fred Derrick, Wa Philadelphia Our Own Correspondent 806 Walnut Street Ba ey April. We may get the Buffalo Bill Show later and if the Ringlings listen to the requests of our people, they will elso send the Ringling Show here to get some of our good money. May Belfort, who played at Keith's Theatre last week, was tendered many complimentary receptions during her stay here, and was quite a favorite with some of our best society people She made a big hit while bere. She is the wits of R. CC. Mudge. formerly president of the White Rats. who is now one of the managers of the National Amusement Park Association with headquarters at New York City. Chartes J. Goodfellow, manager of Luna Park, Weshington, D. C.. will leave his home in this city for Washington in a few weeks. John Keenan, who is one of the owners of parks in Dallas and Houston, Texas, has been resting at his home in this city all winter. He will go to the concessions he owns at Mid land Beach, N. Y and Sea Isle City, N. J before going to his Texas places Lewis Swaab, who has made a success out of his film renting business is much in demand when private institutions want exhibitions of moving pictures. Sam, Lingerman. who has been conducting a school of ventriloquism in this city all winter. will open up a place of amusement at Wildwood, N. J., in a few weeks. Harry Spillman, stage manager of the Casino Theatre, will run vandeville in conjunction with moving pictures at his Wildwood, N. J., Theatre this summer. Robert MelIntyre. the business manager of the Walnut Street Theatre, will resume his old duties on Young’s Pier, Atlantie City, N. J.. when the theatrical season closes in Philadel phia Chorus girl contests are held at one of our burlesque houses every week. The girls with the company compete for cash prizes to see which is the best singer with the most attrac tive personality. As the andiences act as the judges, these events attract big houses. HASSE AND MARIETTE, A pair of whirlwind dancers, who are making their first American tour this season. are now being featured on the Pacific Coast is gorgeously costumed. They and have been offered numerous return engagements. Miss Mariette is a graceful and finished dancer and her contortion work is excellent The act terbury pany, in and Tenney, Willard Simms Flinder’s Furnished Flat; ril, May Belfort, Paulinetto and Pico, Those Four Girls. Walter Daniels, The Great Darras Brothers, Jeff and La Vern Healey, Ben Beyer and Brother, Scott and Whaley and a few others to make up good measure. Majestic Theatre. —Vandeville by a good company, and the production of a farce by the Middleton-Barbier Stock Company, are drawing good houses at this new place of amusement. Casino Theatre.—Business is excellent at this burlesque house, where Vanity Fair Company is playing this week, and The Trocadero Burlesquers are announced for March 2. Bijou Theatre.—The Washington Soctety Girls are the attraction this week and for March 2, and ComHerbert Cy The Empire Rurlesquers are annonnced. Trocadero Theatre.—Edmund Haves, in The Wise Guy. supported by The Jolly Girls, Is turning them away this week at this burlesqne honse. Gayety Theatre.—The French Follies of 190%, with Sullivan and Kilrain, as added features, are big magnets this week and it will be one of the best of the season. For week of March 2. The Boston Relles. German Theatre.—The Stock Company is still drawing well. Empire Theatre.-—-The Stanhope and Western Stock Company, is still doing a profitable business with two changes of bill each week. Musenum.—Business is excellent at this house. where many curios and excellent vaudeville is the attraction. popular NOTES. Cape May City, N. J.. i# organizing a Cham ber of Commerce, whose ptincipal business will be to raise money enough to provide all sorts of free amusements to attract people to that seaside resort this summer It ta rumored that the Barnum & RBallev Circus will pitch its tents here the third week tn | | Henry Ludlam, who has been running a school ef acting in this city for a number of years, changed his name to Henry Ludlowe and went on a Shakespearean starring tour. He opened in New York a week ago. Alexander Hashim, who at one time was manager of the Grand Opera House, was given a benefit at the German Theatre this week. Fred G. Nixon-Nirdlinger announces that he has engaged Mrs. Annie Yeamanns for the pert of an eccentric Irish widow in his new musical comedy, L'il Mose, which will be put on here for a run in March. Fd. Lester, who was manager for Klaw & Erlanger’s advanced vaudeville in Montreal, is now manager of A Race Across The Continent. which pleyed the at People’s this week. Alfred FE. Aarons was in this city during the week completing arrangements for the first production of his new musical comedy, Hotel Noise at the Walnut Street Theatre on March 23. His Yama Company is meeting with great snecess throngh Pennsylvania and his new cirenuit of theatres is in good shape. Madame Yale, Who teaches women how to make their faces beautiful, is to give a lecture at the Broad Street Theatre on March 2. John J. Farrell, who was announced to apnear at a stock house in this city, writes from Bangor, Maine. that he has no intention of returning to this city. Janet Priest. formerly with Al. Aaron's company, and who married Thomas Robb, of this city, is now acting as the New York Tribune. Rico. who hes been plaving with his orchestra at the Hotel Majestic. for the past six months, has packed up his grip and left us. He was a very popular card while here. George Nox McCain, formerly a newspaper man of this city, met with great success with his series of travel lectures, illustrated by his own motion pietures. He will continue to give these leetures throughont the country cramatic critic of William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) was in this city this week on his way to Coatesville, Pa., to see the stock of his show that has been win tering there. San Robison of this city, has bought a biz New Jersey farm and will raise a crop of alfalfa next summer and will winter the horses of three big shows after the summer cireus season is over. Oscar Hammerstein has condescended to give us «a peep at his operatic organization and as Osear never does anything by halves, will give us Miss Garden and Mme. Tetrazzini as the solists. Thirty of our prominent citizens sent him a letter requesting him to give us at least one performance and he agreed to give us a matinee on March 19, when Mme. Tetrazzini will appear in Lucia, and a night performance on March 20, of Louise, with Miss Garden soloist. Both performances will be given the full New York company and complete scenic eyuipment. It is expected that these two per formances will be so successful that the project of Mr. Hammerstein to build us a new opera house may then be successfully launched. A performance in the sign language was given here last week. Deaf mutes played Rip Van Winkle and played it well. Over $600 was realized from the performance and although most of the people attended were mutes, the play was such a suceess that it is to be given again for the general public as it was extremely in teresting The auditorium of the old Young Men's Christian Association may be changed into a theatre. It would not require much work as it has most of the necessary exits, ete.. to comply with the fire laws. Feing in the hotel distriet it might prove profitatl: One moving pieture concern has already made an offer for the house. The People’s Theatre, after May 1, is to be devoted to moving pictures with one or two vaudeville acts. Jack Welsh, of New York. is back of the enterprise and will start these picture shows in many theatres throughout the country. The Theatrical Treasurers’ Club of this city did themselves up in their ‘‘glad rags’’ on Sat urday, February 22, and took the @nidnight train for New York. When they arrived there the milkmen were just getting on the job and they wendered whe it w:s that had just come te town. The boys put in the day in the metropolis ) eonvineed many people that Philadelphia was not such a sleepy place as it had been termed That night they attended the benefit of the New York Treasurers’ Club, occupying he lower boxes which were handsomely decorated in our city colors Danny Cahan and Alex. Aarens, two of the members who are n New York at the present time, did the honors ‘mt the New York treasurers went wild with delight at the compliments paid their elub by their fellow treasurers from the Quaker City. The Poor Richard Club of this city, an or ganization made up of advertising men and writers, hold weekly sessions at which many interesting discussions are held Last week they had a meeting at which the making of a resort was the subject and one of the Atlantie object lesthe barren Coust resorts was taken up as an son It was shown conclusively that tract of sand known as hiwood, had been turned into a place worth a million dollars by t thorough effective campaign of advertising. A naval display. parades by secret orders. wirades by the old firemen, and numerous other g displays will be the feature of the ‘interesting 225th anniversary of the to he held next October February 26, 1908 founding of our city. ROR WATT. . OMAHA, NEB. The Automubile Show to be held tn this city. at the Auditorium, March 18 to 20, promises te be a big success. Moving pictures of automobile races and a musical program will be given daily. John J. Garrity, the genial manager for Ezra Kendall, reports his company doing a far better business this season than last. Breed and Phelps, who control two theatres in this State, will put out on the roed, A Texas Ranger. with a very capable company of players. The company opens at the Krug the 27th for three performances. They are booked well up into the surmmer months. H. F. Wertz, equestrian director with Gollmar Brothers’ Shows, is making this city his home. The coming season will make his twelfth with the organization. Ezra Kendall made his annual visit at the Boyd the past week, in his new play, The Land of Dollars. It is one of the best that he has been seen in for some time and he fs surrounded by a good company. Mr. Kendall is a great favorite in this city and the very large attendance goes to show that he has lost none of his popularity in this city. Harry Kelly, of this with Campbell Brothers, house for the past two seasons, gaged for the Barnum & Bailey Show in the same position. Harry's many friends will be pleased to learn of his well deserved advancement, which he is in every way competent to HARRY J. ROOT Club of The gave a bancnet city, who has been in charge of the cook hes been en Mayor at Del The Swastika of Tokio Company. montes’, Dallas, Texas, January 6. Although the club is but a few months old it has bees very successful in its social affairs. The mem bers are as follows: Ethel Tillson, president; Jane Griffith. vice-president: Jeanette Mayhew, secretary: Virginia Ware, treasurer; Carrie Teonerd, warder Rose Marie Fogarty, Lillias Phillips. Beatrice Deskan and Violet Leight. The only male member admitted was John L Keerner. star and comedian of the company, whe is eslled “The Big Chief."* SL ae : i.