The Billboard 1908-09-26: Vol 20 Iss 39 (1908-09-26)

SEPTEMBER 26, 1908. The Bi llboard 13 \ ‘ Philadelphia Letter RH By Our Own Correspondent y, Trocadero Theatre.—W. B. Watson's Burlesquers are attracting big crowds this week. The house has resumed its old-time popularity =e the managerial direction of Charles Cromwell. Casino Theatre.—The Bon Ton Burlesquers are drawing crowds this week, and are giving a good clean, sensational show. Week of September 21, Rice and Barton’s Gaiety Co. Bijou Theatre.—Louie Dacre and a merry bunch of burlesquers, under the name of The Duckliogs, have pleased the audiences here this week, and for the 2lst The Cosy Corner Girls E are preparing for a week of jol lity and mirth starting October 5, when Founders’ Week will be fit tingly celebrated. The city has appropriated a large sum of money for the exercises. The citizens have also subscribed large amounts and it will be a week of pageants and Interesting exercises. The events have been well advertised and a large crowd of people from distant ints are expected here during that week. e theatrical managers are looking forward to a week of profit, as the different events are to be held during the day and this will give the theatres a chance to catch the crowds at night. Oscar Hammerstein is tickled over the prospects for his operatic season at hisnew Philadelphia Opera House, and in a public interview has stated that he will give Philadeiphia better opera than any other city has ever had. When the subscription lists for seats and boxes had closed it was found that the boxes had all been taken and that most of the seats had been sold for the season. The subscribers are among the most fashionable set, although it was predicted thet they would not give their support to the new enterprise, but would still go to the Metropolitan Opera productions at the Academy of Music. This has set the seal of success on the new operatic productions, as we are a clannish lot of people, and unless the leaders of society had given their approval to Mr. Hammerstein, the season would not have been a success. It is a wonder that they did subscribe to the boxes, too, for Oscar, in his usual blunt manner, had stated that he did not care whether the fashionable folks came or not. That they did not take umbrage at his remarks proves that they appreciate the fact that the stars he has announced and the repertoire to be given during the season will make this the most notable of all operatic seasons. The VUhiladelphia Opera House is now in such shape that there is no doubt of its being ready for the announced opening dats, November 17. The work of construction has been more rapid than on any other building of its size in the country. Not one moment bas been lost and there have been but few accidents. The exterier is now finished and work is being rushed on the Interior. Business is improving in Philadelphia, and the prospects for a profitable theatrical season here are excellent. John Wanamaker, who owns the largest department store in the city, started work this week on a new addition to his store that will involve the expenditure of many millions, and all the large mannfacturing establishments are now running on fall time with orders enough ahead to make the employment of extra hands absolutely necessary in the immediate future. The high price theatres that are now open are all doing splendid business and the popular price houses are doing fairly well, although they have not as yet fully recovered from the depressed condition of last season. The burlesque honses are doing better than they did at the same time last year, and it looks as if it were going to be the banner year for burlesque in this city. Much of this increase can be traced te the fact that the burlesque shows that have played this city this season are much improved in every way. Most of them have ccod books for the burlesques and have comecians that are really funny, while the choruses are all made up of young and pretty girls, and the costuming is on a scale of grandeur that makes these productions equal to many of the big musical comedies that play the high price houses. The park season is over in this city, and the results on the whole were satisfactory. Washington Park closed in a blaze of glory on September 15, when William J. Bryan spoke to nearly a hnondred thousand people. Woodside Park and White City will keep open for several weeks vet, but will have no attractions except on Saturday and Sunday, when they can draw crowds If the weather be fair. road Street Theatre.—Henry W. Savage made a ten strike when he slipped in here suddently and put on The Devil. Since the house opened to capacity, there have been no seats to be had except ten days in advance, and every nicht hundreds of people are turned away. The play has made as big a hit here as it did in New York, and while only scheduled for two Weeks more at this house, the engagement may be extended. Chestnut Street Opera House.—Isadora Duncan, in her classical dances, has attracted quite a few fashionable people this week. but the entertainment did not prove sufficiently attractive to regular theatregoers to draw any big crowds during the week. Week of September 21, A Knight for a Day comes for two weeks. Chestnut Street Theatre.—After being closed four days for a general overhauling, this house reopened on September 12 with the new Orpheum Stock Company in a production of Secret Service. The opening night saw a crowd that filled the theatre from pit to dome and the business has been very large all of this week. a of September 21, Tess of the D’UrberJ es. Garrick Theatre.—Lyman H. Howe, with bis travel pictures, has been drawing very large houses all of this week, and will remain for the week of September 21. Lyric Theatre.—Lulu Glaser opened this house on September 12 in Mlle, Mischief, and busibess has been large all of this week. The new Viennese operetta is bright In music and comedy, and will score a hit on the road. It will be continued week of September 21. Adelphi Theatre.—This house will reopen on September 21, with Maxine Elliott in Myself—Rettina. The engagement will be for two weeks. Grand Opera House.—Cole and Johnson opened at this house on September 14 to a good ye and business has constantly improved mans > we. Week of September 21, His ‘ « ° e Marsa. ayor, with Sam Chip and Mary a tnare Theatre.—Shadows of a Great City “8 had a succession of good houses all this week, and for the 2lst Our New Minister is announced. National Theatre.—The Convict and the Girl drew heavily week of September 14, and for the 2ist The Prince of Spendthrifts is announced. Blaney’s Theatre.—When Women Love is the bill for this week, and business is very good. Week of 2ist The Blackmailers of New York. Park Theatre.—Fifty Miles from Boston still uas potent drawing powers here as is proven by the crowds that attended this week. Week of September 21, Thurston. Standard Theatre.—The Standard Stock Company, composed of many faces new to this city, made a hit on their opening week with The Fatal Wedding as the bill. It looks as if this would be an excellent season at this house, as the policy is one that the people residing in that section of the city are fond of. Empire Theatre.—This house will reopen on September 19 with the Stanford and Weston Stock Company in a big production of The Girl I Left Behind Me. This company made money at this house last season and as they will give better productions this season, they should make money. are an ed. Gayety Theatre.—The Gay Masqueraders are drawing well this week, and for the 2ist The Bowery Burlesquers are billed. Museum.—A long list of vaudeville novelties and a number of sensational curios in the lecture halls is packing this place six times a day. Lubin’s Palace Theatre.—This beautiful house, with continuous performances, has made a big hit, and it is packed at every show. The vaudeville performance is an excellent one, and there is a change of bill twice a week. NOTES. John Welsh is now completing his arrangements for the Welsh Brothers’ Circus tour next spring. He will place a railroad show on the road, and in every way it will live up to its reputation of former years. He has already contracted for a new top and will have an entire new outfit. Balsy Buch is now home from the seashore, and is kept so busy making wigs for his many customers that he can not tell fish stories like he expected to during this winter. Fred Wagner, formerly the treasurer of the Walnut Street Theatre, has gone to work as treasurer of the Standard Theatre. H. E. SMITH. The above is an excellent presentment of Mr. H. E. Smith, the able and successful presi dent of the Toledo Film Exchange, Toledo, 0. Mr. Smith is one of the youngest men heading an enterprise of such magnitude, but has shown the ability of a veteran in the business. German Theatre.—The German Stock Company opened September 12th with a big house to greet the newcomers in that company, and a few of the favorites of last season. Business has been very good all of this week. and the three plays presented all made hits. The same policy will be continued all season, with three bills each week. Eleventh Street Opera House.—Dumont’s Minstrels scored heavily with the opening bill, and it is being continued. The new members of the company have all made hits and business is twenty-five percent. better than it was at the same time last year, so things look bright for a prosperous season. Keith’s Chestnut Street MTheatre.—Business is very big at this house, especially at the evening performances, when there it a turn-away every night in the week. The bill this week is one of the best ever presented in Philadelphia, and is so full of headliners that positions ot prominence on the posters and in newspaper aunouncements could not be satisfactorily laid out. The bill includes McIntyre and Heath, The Four Casting Dunbars, Elinore Sisters, Elsie Boehm, McNish and Penfold, Edgar Allen and Co., Bobby Pandur and Brother, Adeline Dunlap, F. McCormack and Co., Sam Williams, Cotter, and Boulden, Gorman and West and Frank T. Parker and Co. Forepaugh’s Theatre.—William Morris tnaugurated his season of superb vaudeville at this house on September 14 by a bill that was one of the most expensive ever given at the prices in vogne at this theatre. To think of such a mass of headliners as was presented there with the highest price of admission thirty cents, was enough to draw people from all parts of the city, and the audiences have been very large all week. Whether Mr. Morris can continue this high speed remains to be seen, but one thing Is sure, his opening bill was a corker. It included Julian Rose, Willy Zimmerman, Hickey and Nelson, Canfield and Carleton, Kennedy and Kennedy, Gertrude Golden, Billy Durant, Casey and Le Clair, and motion pictures. Another big bill is announced for week of Sept. 21, with James J. Morton as the star. The Columbia Theatre, in this city, which is devoted to Jewish performances, has aiready put on a version of The Devil. The production of Little Nemo, which was announced for the Forrest Theatre for September 21, has been postponed until September 28, as the company are not yet sufficiently rehearsed. Charles Cooke Wanamaker, who has been acting as press agent for the Lyric and Adelphi Theatres, has resigned to accept a position on the Philadelphia Press. Grant Lafferty offered certain inducements to lady purchasers of one of our newspapers in the way of cheap tickets for his theatre, but they came after him so strong that he was almost swamped. He says no more such schemes for him, as a woman’s tongue, when she can’t get the exact seats she wants, is mightier than a sword. McIntyre and Heath are playing The Man from Montana during their vaudeville tour. They made a big hit at Keith's this week. Manager Taylor, of the Camden Theatre, is so well satisfied with his business with moving pictures and vaudeville that he has canceled all of his melodramatic bookings for the present, and will keep the present style of entertainment going as long as it pays. Punch Wheeler has been getting newspaper men interestel in new stories this week while here ahead of Thurston, the successor to Kel lar. Kellar has purchased a home in this city, and will make this his permanent home. Two aged sisters of the late Roland Reed have lately been in hard luck and were threatened with eviction from their home, The Cushman Club, of this city, made arrangements for them to reside at that place for the balance of the winter, and will see that they are well taken care of for the rest of their lives. One of the one-night-stand ‘Devil’? companies opened its season to a thousand dollar house. ‘This section of the country is wild over this new play. The Philadelphia Orchestra will open its season on October 16, and will give weekly concerts at the Academy of Music. The People’s Theatre will not resume dramatic attractions until late in November. Moving pictures and vaudeville will remain as the style of entertainment. Nanette Comstock in Jet will open the regular season of the Garrick on September 28. Managers in this city are much encouraged by the patronage given to the Savage production of The Devil, and are satisfied that this season will be one of the best in years for — offerings that strike the —the pub \ OB c WATT 906 Walnut Street. ST. LOUIS, MO. The Wolf has this week created a sensation, and the first S business is being done at the Garrick is a sure winner for 1908-08. Dan billed as a circus and the result has been continuous big business since its opening. Geor Hedges, late of Barnum and Bailey, has made an enviable record with his press notices, and the Garrick is a sure winner for 1808-09. Dan S. Fishell is popular in St. Louis and so is the Garrick. Mr. Leo McManus booked the closing attraction at Forest Park Highlands last Sunday, and they did a turn-away business. The garden has made big money this summer. John D. Tippets has been made general manager of The Park Circuit and Realty Company, and will manage their four parks, Forest Park Highlands, St. Louis; Fontaine Ferry Park, Louisville; Forest Park, Kansas City, and East End Park, Memphis. His duties begin Oct. 1. Col. John D. Hopkins, whom Mr. Tippetts succeeds, was compelled to resign a8 manager, owing to a break down in health, and he has gone to Atlantic City for rest. Mr. Tippetts’ experience with park circuits will give St. Louis something pew in park amusements next season. Robert Carroll, of the United States Carnival Company, has struck a snag in lowa City, due to a friction between the factions in that city. He was prevented from showing by injunction, notwithstanding he had all proper permits. The result was that it cost Mr. Carroll a cool thousand dollars and a long jump to make the city to save his contract. Attractions booked ahead for the Olympic Theatre are Follies of 1907, Sept. 20; Paid in Full, Sept. 28; Ethel Barrymore, Oct. and Ben Hur, Oct. 11. The Civic Theatre season announced by Constance Crawley and Arthur Maude will open at the New Coliseum, first week of December, in Shakespearean repertoire. Natural scenery will be brought into use, with shrubbery and trees to simulate open-air performances. Harry J. Walker, of St. Louis, will be the manager. Snyder and Buckley, vaudeville favorites, have just been engaged for the Follies of 1907_ and will open with them in St. Louis Sept. 20. The new Columbia Theatre. a marvel of beauty, will open for the season Sept. 20. This theatre will be the handsomest in St. Louis. Coming to the Century Theatre are Follies of 1907, Sept. 20; Chauncey Olcott, Sept. 27; The Right of Way, Oct. 5, and Al. H. ilson, Oct. 11 5, Sam Lowenstein became the hero of the Suburban Garden Theatre Sunday night, when he prevented a panic caused by a fire just outside the theatre. He quickly took the stage and talked to the audience in such a manner that all kept their seats, though flames could be plainly seen from the auditorium during the remainder of the performance. As assistant manager of the Suburban he has made many friends The Cosmopolitan Shows, J. H. Boyer’s Famous Shows and J. George Loos Shows all report good business the last three weeks in {his territory. The Annual Carnival season in St. Louis begins October 5, and the Veiled Prophet Parade and the city lighted by arches of electricity. The Lemp’s Park Carnival, an annual event, opens Sept. and continues throughout Car nival Week. CIRCUS TACTICS WIN IN ST. LOUIS. Dan Fishell again resumes the management of the Garrick Theatre, St. Louls, with wonderful results right from the start. The Garrick, which by agreement again reverted to the Shuberts, was opened Sunday night, September 6, under the management of Dan S. Fishell, the first attraction being Minnie Dupree, in The Road to Yesterday. The little playhouse showed newness in every part. the new decoration and paintings making it even more attractive than when it originally opened three years ago. The difficulties involved in overcoming changes in the policy of the house were cleverly handled by Mr. Fishell who again proved his value as a showman of wonderful ability. He succeeded in again capturing the papers of St. Louis, and to him can be credited the most remarkable display of press work ever seen in that city. From the advertising standpoint, great work was alsoshown, Fishell having brought into St. Louis, as his advertising agent, George Hedges, Jr.. a protege of Lester Murray, of cireus fame, and the result of this bit of judgment on the manager’s part was shown by the most phenomenal billing ever given a local playhouse. Fishell and Hedges planned a campaign of circus tactics, and when the city awoke, the Saturday before the opening, nothing but ‘Garrick’? could be seen all over the town. The business opened with a tremendous house, and, from the present outlook, it —— that former successes of the Garrick eatre will again be duplicated. } WILL J. FARLBY PLAN BIG THINGS. While the past season has, without doubt. been the poorest in the history of park amusements, the Novelty Machine Company, No. Rector street, New York City, have declared their ability to pay to their stockholders a 10 per cent dividend. About the first of the year this company took over all of the circle swings, also the patents, formerly owned by the Traver Circle Swing Company and have operated these plants, in ad dition to which, ten new contracts were closed in the spring for plants that were built and operated during the past season. : The officers of the company, Mr. R. S. Uzzell and Mr. J. W. Ely, have a wide acquaintance with the park managers of the country and «a great success is predicted for them in the amusement field, as they will continue to build and operate swings in this and foreign countries, and at the same time develop a new riding device which promises for them a great future. This device comprises some of the most desirable features of a few of the leading devices which have already been operated and gained favor with the park patrons They are in a position also to take up and place on the market other new amusement devices of merit. which are covered by patents.