The Billboard 1908-11-21: Vol 20 Iss 47 (1908-11-21)

, : | ere 10 The Billboard NOVEMBER 21, 1908. ' Philadelphia Letter N He HK By Our Own Correspondent y, Sixth Anniversary of Keith’s Philadelphia Theatre Makes Interesting the Fact that the House has not Been Closed a Day Since it Opened---Other Notes. BOUT eight years ago B. F. Keith, who had made a lot of money with continuous vaudeville at the Bijou Theatre, on Eighth street, surpriseq everyone here by paying over a million dollars for a plot of ground on Chestnut street, our principal retail thoroughfare and announcing that he would erect a palatial playhouse there for vaudeville performances. He was hampered in the building of this theatre for a long time by building restrictions, but eventually he managed to overcome all difficulties and six years ago this month and week, he threw open the doors of one of the handsomest theatres in the country. He made no splurge over the opening but stated that he proposed continuing his own plan of continuous vaudeville at this theatre, the same as he had given Philadelphia on Eighth street for so many years. Since that time the house bas never been closed, keeping open throughout the entire summer and stil! preserving the old idea of continuous vaudeville from one o'clock in the afternoon until ten thirty at night. Although failure had been predicted for the new enterprise it has gone on steadily ever since that time and I doubt if there have been a dozen weeks in all that time that the books have not proven a profit. Although many of his other houses have changed their policy, giving only two performances a day, or being turned into moving picture places, Keith’s Chestnut Street Theatre still keeps up its same policy. In honor of anniversary week the entire house has been decorated and a beautiful display of chrysanthemums is on exhibition in the crystal lobby of the theatre. Keith’s has so many regular patrons who never miss a week, winter or summer, and gains so many new friends every year, that it looks as if the silver, golden and diamond anniversaries would find the house just as profitable as it is now. The success of the theatres which give short vaudeville performances with a display of moving pictures, is causing our theatrical managers much worry at the present time. At first they consoled themselves with the idea that it was but a passing fad which would soon die out, but business is increasing in all of those places and the projectors of this style of entertainment are spending more money every week on their shows and the fixing up of their houses. Lubin is the most daring plunger of the lot as he thinks nothing of spending of from fifty to one hundred thousand dollars in fixing up one of these places. Many theatrical managers who have been very much impressed with this style of entertainment and have watched the money flowing in are now arranging to enter the business and at least two men in this city have quietly purchased plots for new theatres and will open up theatres for this style of entertainment as seon as they can get ready. The fad looks as If it had come to stay and the chances are that it will as a better grade of vaudeville people are being engaged and the shows compare favorably with many of the vaudeville houses of the country. =! . Business is starting up in good shape since the election excitement is over. Last week saw a big increase in business at all of our houses and this week business is even hetter than it was last week. The growth is steady and will last. A large number of our industrial establishments, that have been idle for months are resuming on full time and as this will soon send a large block of money into cirenlation we ean look for a year of prosperity in the theatrical business hereabonts. Forrest Theatre.—Victor Moore is now ronnding out a successful engagement with a series of packed houses. He conld have ramained here several weeks longer from appearances as The Talk of New York has canght the fancy of our theatregoers. November 16, Adeline Genee in The Soul Kiss. Garrick Theatre.—Mattie Williams, tn Fluffy Ruffles, has had a very successful engagement. This is the lest week here, and on November 16. Francis Wilson comes for one week in When Knights Were Bold. Lyric Theatre.—Mary Mannering, in The Struggle, a new play, opened here on November 9. and scored a hit. She will continue week of November 16. Adelphi Theatre.—The second week of Joe Weber's Travesty Company has been bigger than -the first. Blanche Devo added a Salome dance to the two merry burlesqnes, on The Devil and The Merry Widow. Week of November 16, Nance O'Neil in Agnes. Chestnut Street Opera House.—Otis Skinner. in The Honor of the Family, has drawn fair houses and closes his engagement here this week. Week of November 16. Thomas W. Ryley’s new production, The Queen of the Moulin Rouge. Walnut Street Theatre.—Joseph O’Mara made his American debut here on November 9, in Peggy Machree and proved that he had taking qualities, a good voice and was just the sort of star to draw heavily in all parts of the ee: He will continue week of November 16. Broad Street Theatre.—William H. Crane has made the hit of his life In Father and the Bors. and his engagement here has been a very successful one. This is his last week here. Week of November 16, Marie Doro in The Richest Girl. Chestnut Street Theatre.—A notable production of Salomy Jane, with all of the origina! scenery and effects, is heing given here this week by the Orpheum Plarers and the honses are very large. Week of November 16, Caught in the Rain. Grand Opera House.—The Shepherd King. with Wright Lorimer as star, has drawn big houses all week. Week of November 16, Morn ing, Noon and Nigbt. National Theatre.—The Montana Limited be ing full of thrills and surprises has drawn well this week and will be succeeded on No vember 16, by Never Too Late To Mend. Girard Theatre.—Bunco in Arizona is drawing good houses this week and pleasing the people. Week of November 16, Joseph Callahan in a big production of The Devil. BUFFALO, N. Y. Theatricals are ing over, more about normal. interest will be takem by the theatregoing public. Local managers predict a big season and the box-office statements of the several local theatres show a very satis factory increase and the balance of the season looks like a record-breaker. One of Buffalo's favorite actors, Francis Wilson, Was seen in When Knights Were Bold, 9-10. His popularity increases each year and his Election be furcical comedy places him to the best ad vantage. Manager Cornell, of the Star, had a good drawing card. Mr. Wilson's supporting company was large and talented, including the comedian'’s daughter, Adelaide. Eleanor Rob son, in Vera, filled out the week. An International Marriage is booked for 16-18: Polly of the Cireus, 19-21: Mary Mannering, 23-25. Manager Laughlin's big card of the season at the Lyric Theatre, week of November 9, was Graustark, a massive drama production which was well handled by a balanced company. The story of the book is followed closely and all the familiar characters are introduced. Viola Fortesque has the leading part and the selected cast, including Geo. D. Baker, Milton Nobles, Jr., and other well-known people, lent their aid. Fiske O’Hara in a true Irish play, Dion O'Dare, is booked, 16-21. Fifty Miles From Boston, 23-28; Classmates, 30-December 5. A pulse quickening melodrama was the Opium Smugglers of ‘Frisco at the Academy Theatre, 9-14, and the patronage bestowed showed the interest taken by the patrons. A. H. Woods always has the thrillers and as a scenic pro duction the Opium Smugglers of ‘Frisco ranked with the best. Harry Fields, as the Hebrew SELMA HERMAN, Starring in The Angel of the Gulch—Direction of Howard Hall Amusement Company. Blaney’s Theatre.—Ray Candy Kid, is the business is good. Shot Sam. Standard Theatre.—The Great Express Robbery is the offering of the stock company this week, and is pleasing. Business is fair. Week of November 16, Chinatown Charlie. Hart’s Theatre.—The County Sheriff is drawing well this week and for November 16, His Terrible Secret will be the attraction. Park Theatre.—Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch is concluding a very successful two weeks’ engagement and week of November 16, Little Nemo will be the offering that should draw a lot of money, Keith's Theatre.—This is anniversary week and beautiful floral decorations add to the attractiveness of the big offering of vaudeville Raymond, in The attraction this week and Week of November 16, Sure stars. The list of entertainers for the week are S. Miller Kent and Company, in Marriage in a Motor Car: La Veen, Cross and Company, Lew Sully, The Exposition Four. Belle Blanche, Dan Burke and his School Girls: Jean Marcel's Living Art Stndies. Les Silvas, The Four Nicht ingales, Mellville Ellis, Billy Courtwright, May helle Meeker, Duff and Walsh, and Robin, the Juggler. German Theatre.—The stock company contin nes to meet with success. Eleventh Street Opera House. — Dumont’s Minstrels, with a long program of merit is packing this house and will remain all sea son, Casino Theatre.—The Behman Show, with Frank Pryan’s Congress of American Girla and The Dandy Dixie Dancers, have been drawing the biggest houses of the season this week, Week of November 16, The Casino Girls. (Continued on page 48.) -Detective, was up to the moment and deserved the applause he received. West will be seen 16-21. Increasing each week in excellence, the Aborn English Opera Company played Lobengrin, with a wealth of scenic effects, 9-14. Business is up to a high pitch and the Teck Theatre is the magnet of Buffalonians. This ts the seventh week of success for this company. Bertha Davis, Estelle Wentworth, Hattie Belle Ladd, Vera Roberts, Harry Lackstone and others of the company are winning laurels each week, The management is more than pleased with the snecess of the venture and the seaxon of opera will continue a few weeks longer, to be followed by comic opera and musical comedy. Rigoletto is underlined for weekly presentation, Girl acts are favorites at Shea's Theatre and Menager Shea gets the best of them. Hart's Bathing Girls leading the bill, 9-14, was a big success. Franco Piper, banjoist, was good; Stanley and Russell, in Kidding an Actress, were pleasing. Heleno Frederick was excellent: Robt. Henry Hodge and Company made good: Quinn and Mitchell, as The Land Agents, did nicely Willis and Hassan and the moving pictures pleased. As an extra attraction The Ellis Nowlin Troupe, now engaged in thelr great cirens act, went well and was a scream, Business up to the margin. Manager White likes a good notice for bis Garden Theatre and is entitled to the best for the high-closs attractions that he is putting on and in consequence the theatre I receiving liberal patronage, Arnold's Serenaders proved their worth, 914. Bob Van Osten, ie a ble feature. Genuine topless and funny sayings ere a hit in A Night at the Carnival. A trial For Felr showed up fe in a funny way. The stage effects are well taken care of and the ollo introduces talent of merit. A chorus well in The Gambler of the keeping of the other attractions made g00d singing. The New York Stars, next week. Watson's Burlesquers at the Lafayette Thes tre, 9-14, proved one of the events of the se» son. Manager Baggs counted up big at the box office with the coin, Krausemeyer's Alley is » attractive as ever and gets the laaghs. Bf) Watson, as Philip, the Sausagemaker, ts good Sheridan and Fields, the Bijou Trio, Annie Berr stine and others help out the star admirably The musical numbers and melodies proved BOO with the show. The Wednesday, Thursday and Friday events draw big crowds each week Week 16, Cozy Corner Girls. Musical events are having their innings at Convention Hall. The Sheffield Choir gave their only concert in the United States, November 9 Concert Hall, Royal Welsh Ladies’ Choir, 24 At the Coliseum Roller Rink, Manager Brow, is having good crowds and is pleasing with many events that Interest the roller skaters The Reckless Recklaw Company, with their in door circus, was the attraction 19-21. The Palace Rink is quite popular. Racing events draw the crowds and business Is good. The Bijou, Palace, and other moving picture houses are having good results. Especially the above. The best of the new films bave a show ing. The illustrated song programs, by goo! singers of note, are all to the good. There are now thirteen houses devoted to moving pictures in this city. Marie Doro, the coming Lotta of the stage. had a very friendly reception at the Star, week of November 2. She bas a good vehicle in The Richest Girl and is entitled to all the praise that has been bestowed upon ber. JOHN 8S. RICHARDSON. it DENVER, COL. Mme. Nordica is billed to Church, Monday night, Broadway Theatre. week's attraction. mous basse, who sing November 1 The Alaskan was this Edward Martindel, the fa depicts the role of ‘*Totem Pole Pete,’’ the Alaskan guide In John Cort's comic opera, The Alaskan, is making a greut hit at the Broadway this week. Tabor Grand. After a week of big business with Arizona as the attraction, the Tabor Grand is again playing to capacity business in A Knight For A Day, which is the first time ip Denver for this musical success. The Cameraphone Theatre, which took over the lease of the Novelty Theatre. a few weeks ago, did an immense business last week. The chief attraction being Eva Tanguay, who sung ber latest song, Success. The Orpheum, which recently advanced the prices slightly. are still enjoying big houses, and we are informed that the best Eastern acts are being booked for the future. This week's bill is a gow one, composed of Julie Herne ang Company, Seven Yulians, Living Post Card Al bum, Bertie Fowler, White and Simmons, Esthel McDonough and Joe La Fleur. The Crystal had the business of the season last week, and as a result of the good show, are drawing another lot of crowded houses with Mile. Louise’s Performing Monkeys, Musica? Huehn, Devoy ang Beaumont, James and Prior, Lew Dunbar and Richard Burton as the attrac tions. The Mammoth Skating Rink, with its Hallow een Party, which was a great success, marked but the opening of a series of novel entertain at Trinity 6. ments planned by General Manager Lewis H. Lewin The next party will be given Thanksgiving evening, and it will Include a number of new and attractive features. The Majestic Theatre is enjoying a very large patronage at every performance. This week's bill is an excellent one, and is composed of Ali, Hunter and Ali: Tom Gillen, Mrs. Jules Levy and family, Willie Hale and Company. bem Theo and her Dandies, and Armstrong and olly. JULIAN HELBER. NEW ORLEANS, LA. The Merry Widow has arrived and is the talk of the town. This tuneful, popular and fas cinating operetta is in its second weeks’ run at the fashionable Tulane, and is playing to capacity business at each performance. The singing and acting of the company are artistic, and the costumes are magnificent, while the stege settings and lighting effects are beautl ful. Too much can not be sald of the argumented orchestra which renders the score of Mr. Franz Lehar’s Merry Widow perfect. The Thief follows The Merry Widow at this house. The Wizard of Oz was the excellent attrac tion at the popular Crescent, week of November 2. This musical comedy has been seen bere several times before, but has lost none of its old charms and drew packed houses at each per formance, In Old Kentucky Is the Crescent's next attraction. The bill at the Orpheum week of November 2. was a fine one, headed by the Four Dancing Fords, premier dancers of the world. Others were Frank Byron and Louise Langdon, In The Dude Detective: Murray Sisters, Marion and Victoria, In songs and dances; Fred Singer, to The Violin-maker of Cremona. A Dream of Baby Days is the title of the travesty present ed by Catherine Hayes and Sabel Johnson. Frank White and Lew Simmons are black face artists. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Connelly present a sketch called Sweethearts, and the Kinodrome, showing the latest pictures closed the bill Preked houses were the rule during the week The Lester Lonergan Stock Company presented Edward E. Rose's comedy, A Square Deal, week of November 2. The play is a fine one and was well acted and staged, The Moth and the Flame, the sensational domestic drama by Clyde Fitch, will be the next play presented, The Chas, FE. Blaney New Lyric Stock Com pany presented Acrosa the Pacific week of November 2, at Blaney'’s Lyric. The play was admirably acted and handsomely staged, Vau deville features were introduced between the acts Next week, Jim Bludso, with Theodore Gamble in the leading role, will he presented Frank Byron, an Orleanian, who was bern and reared in this city, was one of the headliners at the Orpheum week of November 2. He ap peared In a sketch called the Dude Detective. which he wrote himself, and which bad a sue cessful two years’ run in London. Mr. Theodore Gamble has heen appointed leading man for Charles FE. Rianey's New Lyric Stock Company, at Blaney’s Lyric Theatre, Mr Gamble will take the place of Mr. Arthur Maitland. Mr. Gamble has served with the Raldwin-Melville Stock Company and the Reker Brown Stock Company In this city, therefore he will need no introdnetion A fine vandeville Dil ruled at the new Alamo week of November 2. which tnelnded the follow ing: Sig. Ricel, violinist; Myron Wickoff, illus