The Billboard 1908-11-14: Vol 20 Iss 46 (1908-11-14)

NOVEMBER 14, 1908. The Bi llboard 13 CINCINNATI, O. Theatrical business has to settle down w the normal once more, alu there is no reason evident why from this time on financial returse should not steadily increase. The attractions in prospect are of a high order and money, since the elections, is beginning to wove freely. Zeigfield’s Follies of 1908 are at the Grand this week and as usual are drawing a Ziegfeld ousiness. Burlesque is a somewhat rare offering at the Grand and the regulappatrons are en ing the raction to the full. Next week ll see A altz Dream, of which we have neard much in the nature of favorable com ment. Eddie Foy had a very successful week at the uyric, and added to his fame by a clever piece ef work, in Mr. Hamlet of Broadway. Lew Dockstader and his big minstrel comyvany, are at this house the current week. So long as such attractions are offered the house is bound to be top-heavy. Following Dockstader, aext week, will come The Gay White Way, with Jeff DeAngelis, Camille D’Arville and Emma Carus. At the Walnut, The Virginian is playing to <ood business. A business warranted by the superior merits of play and the surroundings made for it by The Kirke LaShelle Company. w. S. Hart and Frank Campeau are adding to their long list of admirers. The Cvlumbia closed a very successful week with a strong bill, and this week are offering a vig program of excellent attractions, beaded by Wm. T. Thompson and Company, a party which includes Thos. H. Ince. This is followed by Paradise Alley, with Margaret Haney and ten: Che Kitahanzai Japs; ‘‘The’’ Quartet, comprising Leon T. Rogee, G. Herbert Mitchell, Bertie @erron and Maurice B. Cooke, and moving pictures. A praiseworthy production of Belasco’s sucvessful play, The Girl of the Golden West, was given by the Forepaugh Stock Company, Sunday ‘afternoon. The undertaking, while rather ambitious, and out of the scope of a stock company, was given’‘a careful interpretation and the -cenic effects were good. Miss Adair, as The virl, gives the part a fine variation of the tighter and intense shades. Harry Fenwick, as the Sheriff, is good. The other members of the east contribute materially and on the whole, the production at its initial performance was greeted with much enthusiasm by the atidience. ‘ The End of the Trail, a Western play which Willis F. Jackson has for his new vehicle this <eason, opened its week's engagement at Heuck's Sunday. The production is above the ordinary and made a very favorable impression. It is an ‘mteresting and finely drawn story and tells a simple tale of the life in the early 40’s on the plains of Arizona: A cast, far above the ordiaary, has been engaged, beaded by Willis F. Jackson. The Williams’ Imperial Burlesquers hold forth at People’s Theatre this week. There are several special burlesque and vaudeville features ‘a this entertainment, and the chorus is made up of some of the prettiest girls ever seen in Cincinnati. The most talked of feature in the show is the living pictures. The twenty young ladies who pose for these pictures are said to be the finest formed group of women ever got together for a .burlesque show. The olio ineludes several well-known vaudeville artists. Beardsley Sisters, who open the olio with their clever singing, were well received; Gruet and tiruet have been seen here before in their blackface musical act. Then comes a short session of living pictures well posed, of which the spirit of '76 attracted most attention. Ida Walling made a hit with her illustrated songs. Both the opening and concluding burlesques are above the ordinary. Two clever and interesting burlettas, given at the Standard Theatre by the Bon Ton Burlesquers, attracted considerable attention at the matinee performance Sunday. As a result the house was crowded at the evening performance. The opening skit, Affinity Beach, is new and contains some original and clever lines, as does Che Round Up, the closing burletta. La Minna, with ber six dancing girls, was the hit of the shew. Her terpsichorean evolutions are of the Salome variety. Francis Clair was recalled rematedly and it seemed as though the audience could not get enough of the song, Take Me Out fo The Ball Game. Joy and Clayton, the acrovat mcing girls, pleased with their strenuous work, «Rawson and Clair were recalled several timegand deserve to be, too, as their sketch, fust Kids, is extraordinarily clever. Woods and a leased and Geo. Niblo and Helen Spencer are to the good in their dancing specialty. wlatest Rowland and Clifford success, The Detective, is the offering at the Ly ‘eum’ this week. The play is a new style of entettginment, embracing musical comedy and magis.. The trick scenic investiture is a revelation of the ingenuity of manufacturers of magteal paraphernalia. Lions are used in the show, which greatly accelerate the interest of the audience, especially when the heroine is thrown into the den. A clever chorus is provided and the scenic settings are good: The New Robinson has made a new departure, aad is now running feature vaudeville acts af each performance. The Casinova Company pro pose providing for their patrons the highest class and best attractions to be seen at any of popular price vaudeville theatres in the country. This week's bill includes Roach and Aartin in a comedy sketch, Zoyarras. Ed. and Ameta, equilibrists, and the Montgomery musical act. Miss Agnes Angel, who made the Directoire Gown Girl famous on the Valentine Oireuit, has received several flattering offers since closing with the Casinova Company, but has not as vet accepted any of them. Miss Helen Murray and Minnie Carr, who ya y' — singing and dancing turn, closed a axyton. O., last week and are at Iiberty, care The Rillboard. . Frank R. Roberson presented his travelogue m Sweden and Denmark at the Lyric Thentre. Sunday afternoon. All of the pleturesque scenery is graphically illustrated, and the intereat of the andience was greatly accelerated by Mr. Roberson's descriptive elucidations of the ¥arlous scenes and occurrences. A very important musical event, schednled at the Grand for Thursday afternoon, November 12, will be the appearance of Mme. Cecile Chaminade, This is the first on the program of ousic rehearsals to take place this season. REYAM. WILL WINTER IN CINCINNATI. After giving the matter the benefit of the wost thoroggh investigation, Frank P. SpellMan has concluded to winter in Cinefnnati. All shows will be built and equipped and the animals quartered at the Zoological Garden. The Spellman Shows bave closed an unusually successful season and are perfecting elaborate plans for next season, FOREIGN NOTES. CHARGES FOR EXCESSIVE. Director Martin Beck, general manager of the Orpheum Circuit, learned recently that quite a number of agencies in Berlin are charging 15 per cent. commission for American engagements. On this account Director Beck refuses to do any further business with guch agents, who are extorting such excessive commission from artists and proposes to inform American managers of the facts of the case, COMMITTED SUICIDE. The director of the Circus Alegria, at Barcelona, Spain, October 18, committed suicide by shooting himself. A QUARTER CENTURY IN HARNESS. On October 28, Harry Houdini celebrated bis 25th anniversary as an artist. In honor of this event the management of the Circus Busch, Berlin, donated the receipts of a special performance as a benefit to Mr. Houdini. GOING TO NEW YORK. Gus Onlaw left, October 30, for New York, on the Kuaiserin Auguste Victoria, to enter his sixth engagement with Keith’s, which will last about thirty weeks. COMPLAINTS AGAINST WIRK BROTHERS’ CIRCUS. Complaints have been received from artists engaged in the Australian Circus of Wirk Brothers, that the management fails to fulfil the promises made in regard to board and sleeping car accommodations, etc. Quite a number of days are pointed out to be cancelled contrary to agreement, so that artists may receive only salary for about 250 days in casg of an annual engagement. AMERICAN ARTISTS IN EUROPE. Miss Ray Maskell, the American singer and danseuse, is performing at the Apollo Theatre at Berlin. ™ The Four Rio Brothers, American instrumentalists, are with the Circus Osear Carre, in Amsterdam, Holland. _ Magde and Nellie Perry, American singers and dancers, are playing ‘at the Variety Theatre in Bera, Switzerland. The Esmeralda Sisters, American dancers, are f finishing an engagement at Lebrich’s Establishment at Breslau, Germany. Rudy and Fredy Walker, American miniature negro duet. and Gertrude Barrison, are playing at the Victoria Salm, Dresden, Germany. Five Nelson Newsboys, American street singers and dancers, are at the Apollo Theatre,’ Koenigsberg, Prussia. Lulu Russell, the California Singer, is en ed at the Reichshallen Theatre, Kiel, Ger ae Wi. Heloise Titcomb, American singer, is at the Establishment Ronacher, Vienna, Austria. The Four Durbans renewed their engagement at the Circus Beketow, Budapest, Hungary. VERA, THE MEDIUM. ¢ First Performance, Harmanus Bleecker Hall, Ablany, N. Y. Hamilton Winthrop, ............. H. B. Warner Stephen Hallowell............... Claude Brooke Judge Gaylo®?7...t.......ceeess Frank Jamieson ne ee Roy Fairchile “Prot.” Paul Vamee.....-.....Drandon Hurst SD” BOP ccccccvecscccees Frank Le Guerre CONS... 2. 6 bad th ebee @ veenetcess Arthur Berry Professor Strombergk............... Omar Sami Homer Lee, of the ‘‘American’’...Ernest C. Joy Mr. Irving, of the ‘“‘Evening Sun’’........... ec eesGeececececesenncsanasns Walter Dickinson Mr. Walsh, of the ‘‘Despatch’’....Charles Dowd Parents” CGNs cccccdeccccscceses Lucille W»tsen Mabel Vance........ eseseoves Minnie Radcliffe St” Min etnencarennuwe ...-Carolrn Kenyon Véra,’ The Medium................Miss Robson Elesnor Robson presented, for the first time on any stage, November 2, Richard Harding Davis’ new play, Vera, the Medium, at Harmanna Bleecker Hall, Albany, N. Y. The play concerns epiritualists, mediums and crystal readers, and shows that even a good woman may engage tn such a business withent hatm to her morals. Mr. Davis. George C. Tyler and a nimber of New York theatrical people were present at the opening. FIRST PRESENTATION OF THE MAKING OF MADDALENA. The making of Maddalena, a modern play in four acts by Samuel Lewis, opened its season at Scranton, Pa., November 3. with Mary Emereon In the role of Maddalena. The first two acts are laid in one of the European capitals, Maddalna being one of the many models that are seen in the different art centers. Maddatena falls under the Infinence of some Americans and comes to New York. The later ects are devoted to her development. The play was remarkably well received. Miss Emerson, in the title role. establishing her right to he eonsidered serionsly. the character being finely conceived and brilliantly exeented. The supporting company played in good taste. HENRY J. BOSSOM. Since the new Fulton Theatre in Brooklyn, N. Y., opened, Henry J. Bossom has beceme one of the most popular theatre treasnrers tn BrookIvn. He ts right at home in the Fulton hoxoffice and during the Harry Lander engagement he probably handled more tickets than any tressnrer In Greater New York. Mr. Rosfom was formerly connected with the box-office of Teller’s Broadway Theatre. JULIA MARLOWE’S NEW PLAY. Tn a new play written by Mary Johnston. christened The Goddess of Reason, Misa Julia Marlowe will apnear about Thanksgiving time, at the Majestic Theatre, Boston. Willis F. and Harry J. Jackson mourn the death of their sister. Mrs. Estella og which occurred at Salina, Kan., Oc r 30. PITTSBURG, PA. Possibly the largest as well as the most select uudience that has graced the Nixon this season was in evidence Monday night to see Miss Ethel Barrymore in ber new play, Lady Frederick. Miss Barrymore bas an ex ceptionally large following bere, is always greeted with the elite of the city and never fails to play to capacity business. The play, Lady Frederick, as presented by Miss Barrymore, Was satisfactory, is interspersed with the usual love affairs and is bright and crisp in the many stage episodes. Miss Barrymore is ably assisted by a splendid company among whom are Mr. Bruce McRae, Miss Jennie Mill ward, Mr. Thorp, Mr. Duly, Mm Elliott, Mr. Hammond, Miss Vira Stowe and Anita Roth. A very pleasant incident happened jiust after the first act. Some of Senator P. C. Knox's friends discovered bim occupying a box, and at once started a clamor for a speech. It «idu't take long for the audience to become familiar with the situation, and then the hand-clapping became more prolonged and shrill, aud continued until Mr. Kaoox responded with a few appropriate remarks, and while mentioning the fact that Senator Knox occupied a box with bis family and friends, it will not be out of order to say that every box was taken, which goes again to prove Miss Burrymore’s popularity in Pittsburg. The bill at the Grand is another demonStration that none but the best will stand a show of getting on bere, and large as well as enthusiastic audiences are the rule. The bill, which includes Robt. Hilliard & Co. (while sume has been seen bere before), shows improvement in several purticulars, and Convict 973 was effectively put on. The Kelisnos, in acrobatic stunts do some wonderful and astonishing feats; their performance surpassing anything along this line that hus ever been presented here. That Quartette, com posed of big, fine-looking fellows, sang to the delight of everybody. Miss Frederick has a@ most delightful voice and gave the large audience a treat. Colby’s Ventriloquixm was amusing and entertaining, and his dummies made a hit. Mr. Fred Sosman was clever in his impersonations. The Goldin Troupe, their first appearance on a vaudeville stage, were pleasing in their singing and dancing and singular acrobatic evolutions. Steeley and Edwards have a good musical and cgmedy act. Irene LaTour and her dog are cle ; so is Ah Ling Seo, the inese magician. Yager, Lewis and Kemp, Reid Sisters, Cotter and Bolden, were pleasing, and with the Cinemato_graph the bill was extremely satisfactory. e Alvin, with The Virginian, is playing to elegant business, even though we have had The Virginian with us before. The play is put on quite differently than when seen here before, and is in capable hands. Mr. Hart, as tbe Virginian, and Mr. Campeau, as Trampas, surrounded by a large and capable cast will continue to play to the same large business . throughout the week. | The Gambler of the West is again with us at the Bijou, and is pleasing the large audi,ences that clamor for this unreal style of ,play. It is full of thrills, is a typical melodrama and is well cast. _.Lottie Williams, in her new pisy: Tennessee Tess, is entertaining large audiences at Blaney’s. This new vehicle is very melodramatic, and Miss Williams is a good spetimen of a mountain girl, and makes the character appeal to the audience. It is well cast, and although Miss Williams has higher ideals than _ portraying heroine characters in melodrama, in Tennessee Tess s bas a better vehicle for portraying her abilities. Miss Williams is surrénaded by a very capable company, and is meeting with good business at Blaney’s. The Burlesque houses, Gayety and Academy, are doing their share of the liberal business now so generously bestowed throughout the city. The World Beaters, at the Gayety present a good bill, show improvement since seen here before, and are worthy in every particular of liberal patronage, while The .Champagne Girls, at the Academy, also come in for their share of liberal patronage, and are giving their patrons an elegant line of burlesque. In fact, this particular attraction is one of the best seen bere for several weeks. At all of the ten-cent vandeville houses, and it is possible that the Hiland shouldn't be included, especially since they are also running stock in connection, are doing a nice business. The Hiland management seem very well satisfied with their new venture, and encouraging reports are heard from the Hippodrome, Liberty, Family, Casino. and others. The Exposition Roller Rink opened Halloween night to an Immense throng. If the season's results can be reckoned from the patronage on opening night, then a phenomenal season is in store for Manager Bell. At the Auditorium Rink the patronage for so early in the season is more than satisfactory, yet there is a chance that with the opening of the Duquesne Gardens with ice skating and hockey. which occurs Saturday night, a falling off in attendance at the roller rinks may be In order. Mr. E. P. Dulap, who has heretofore been associated with the horse show exbibitions throughout the country, bas accepted a position as press agent at Blaney’s, and Mr. Kilgore of Happriand Park, Manitoba, will occupy the position of secretary at this playhouse. Mr. 1. J. Pollack bas left for New York to assume his new duties there with the Sbuberts. His booking agency will be continued by his brother, and his place as manuger of the Hippodrome will shortly Se occupied by, we trust, as competent and iive, as well as capable, an individual. LOUIS L. KAUFMAN. i. McKEESPORT, PA. The week of November 2 was an eventful one for us, our managers providing us with excellent § attractions. Williams and Walker, in Bandana Land; Nance ©'Neil, tn Agnes and Jay New York, were presented at White's New Theatre during this week to big business. At the Gayety the Metropolitan Burlesquers pleased big business, followed by a return engagement of the Moonbeam Burlesque Comany. The Altmerer had an excellent vaudeville bill ome by Waldon and Company and Harry Ors. The picture houses put on some new films and «s a consequence big business was the rule during the week. The Great Larre Troupe are at their home in this city enjoying a rest after a successful fair and carnival season. The Quaker Club, of this city, entertained as its guests on election night, Mr. Lorenzo, De Walden and Company and Harry Ross, a! of wiom were on the bill at the Altmeyer. White’s Own Stock Company journeyed te Sandusky and Lorain, O., week of November 2. and scored a big bit in both cities. The Whit+ Company is headed by wery. Palmer and Allison were at their home in Mc Keesport, Pa., week of November 2, enjoyin« a rest. JACKSONVILLE, FLA. The Carnival for 1908, under the managemeni of the Jacksonville Carnival Association, being held from October 26 to November 7, is proving the same great success as it has been for the past years. Among the special features of the ayo this season we find Alex Seabert, amagate Japs, Seabert’s Comedy Donkey, Herzog’s Eu ropean Stallions, Eddy Martyne, the bounding wire artist; Miss Seabert, the queen of eques triennes; The Ledgetts, Norzello and Wolfe, Ma dame Dio, Lucifer Trio, The Mece-ia Family Kennedy and Meeker, Sp@ilman’s Famous Bears. Burlesque Wrestling Match by Morzelle and Wolfe, James E. Hardy, the high wire artist Miss Koubek, Miss Seabert and her Riding Dogs and Donkey, Miss Doly Julian and Morris and Leon. The musical program furnished by L. Grup thal is one of the attractive features, as music furnished by Mr. Grunthal always is. Among the Midway attractions we find Mus dy’s Animal Shows, Streets of India, Johnson's Arcade, Tiny Mite, The Human Laundry, Chub buck’s Wheel Swing, Darktown Amusement Show, Determination, The Golden Flea Cireus. The Alligator Girls, The Shadow of the Cross The Monitor and the Merrimac, and others. Manager A. J. Clark’s many friends will be pleased to learn that he has just remodeled his popular Airdome and has now one of the most up-to-date and attractive vaudeville houses in the South. Mr. Clark was the first to demonstrate thr fact Jacksonville was the place for first-class acts and, being a manager that does not mind paying for first-class actors, bas won for him self the confidence of amusement lovers in thisection, as they are always sure of good bills at his house. Dixieland Park is now under the competent management of Mr. J. H. Bugbee, who is ar ranging to place a new line of amusements for the coming winter season. Across the river Manager Ritchie, of the Dixie Theatre, put on An Innocent Sinner which ran the entire week. This play brought out unexpect®¢ qualities in the acting of Mise Paige and Mr. ioward Lawrence. Mr. rence, aS the Times Union remarked, is broad. ening in his art considerably, and as time goes on and he makes the most of his eS he will undoubtedly become one of the noted character actors in the country. For the first week in November Mr. Ritchie will present the big New York production, Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman. ‘ Out at the Ostrich Farm last Sunday, a big crowd saw Prof. Churchill do his big balloon and parachute act, and were also_eptertained by Prof. Newsum’s First Regiment Band. Man ager Fraser will open his regular season op Thanksgiving Day and has in readiness a large number of acts to be presented. At the Duval, hundreds of people recently en joyed Savage’s production of The Merry Widow On Friday and Saturday, October 30 and 31 Henry Miller will present William Vaughn Moody’s The Great Divide. Winding up the carnival season Mr. A. F Gorman has arranged a Colored People’s Home Coming Week and Carnival which will rup from November 16 to 28, inclusive. A large ag gregation of first-class acts has been booked and everything points to great success for thi colored le’s event. The tour of Manager Ritchie’s Devil Com pany, under the direction of the Southern Theat rical Exchange and Booking Agency has been ex © tended to a few towns in Alabama. This com pany has been very successful throughout Flor ida and South Georgia. Speaking generally the outlook for tourists entertainment in various parts of the state war brighter. cae aan, A. F. GIBSON MARRIAGES. BARTELL-HERTZLER.—Mr. Richard Mert zler, of Huntsville, Ala., and Miss Maud Bar tell, of Akron. O., were united in marriage «t Winchester, Tenn., October 27 DEATHS. MRS. MARGARET VOELCKEL, mother of Rudolph Voelckel. of Voelckel and Nolan, proprietors of the Black Patti Troubadours end Dandy Dixie Minstrels, died October 28 ALICE HOWARD (Mrs. Warren), of War ren and Howard, died November 4, at St Elizabeth’s Hospital, Chicago. Ill., of compli cation of diseases. Mrs. Warren was a mem ber of the dramatic and vandeville profession for a number of years, having supported Wm Gillette, the late W. J. Scanlon. and other well known stars. but in recent years had beep playing in vaudeville. She is survived by * hushand, Mr. Ed. Warren. WM. KAI, the Hawatian baritone, died last week at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Appletoa Wis. Kal attempted to climb between twe ears that blocked the sidewalk when his right foot caught in the coupling and he was badly ernshed. He was taken to the hospital, where he died. G. H. McGREGOR, father of Clif? McGregor the well-known showman, died October 31, from iniuries sustained in a runaway accident at Middletown, Ohfo, Octoher 21. The deceased was 61 years of age and resided in Cinctonati Interment was made at Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, November 2. A wife. son and twe daughters survive bim. Cliff McGregor, who was with his father at the time of the acc! dent, escaped uninjured. MILDRED KENFIELD., a vaudeville perform er, died Thursday October 29. at St. Mark's Hospital. New York City, following an opera tion. She was 31 years of age and was * native of St. Louis. Henry Davies, the anthor of The Molluse and Consin Kate, has written a new comedy whicb will be produced by Charles Frohman later tn the season