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

; The Billboard NOVEMBER 21, 1908. Me. VAUDEVILLE N y, “Slivers’” Oakley, the famous circus clown, who is presenting his clever baseball pantomime on the Orpheum Circuit, was recently up against a hard proposition when he went to England to fill an engagement at the London Hippodrome. He had been accustomed to giving his baseball stunt in this country, and thought he would do the same for the British. He went on the stage of the Hippodrome the afternoon of his arrival in London, just for a rehearsal, to measure off the stage. One of the stage hands asked him what that game was he was playing. It then occurred to ‘‘Slivers’’ that baseball was not so popular in England and his travesty might fall flat before a British audience. ‘‘Slivers’’ hunted up a real live cricket game. That night, without a bit of preparation, he burlesqued a cricket game and made the Englishmen howl with delight. In speaking of his experience in London, ‘*Slivers’’ said: ‘‘It made me sore to have to do that cricket stunt, for I have actually played ball and am strong for the great American pastime. However, they’re getting on to baseball in London. They don’t know so much about it as they might. One day I walked along a street in London with a bat under my arm, and a chap asked me, pointing to the bat, ‘Say, how do you swing it? Ha! Ha! blawst it all— thought it was an Indian club—how funny!’ " For years American managers have been trying to persuade The Vindobonas, the most talked of musical novelty in Europe to accept American time, but since their sensational suecess at the Apollo Theatre, in Berlin, three years ago, their time has been booked solid until January, 1909, at which time Martin Beck has secured them for a limited tour of twenty weeks, which will be played exclusively in the Orpheum theatres. The Vindobonas combine melody with eccentric comedy, and the music is exceedingly fine, while the humor borders on the grotesque, being so ludicrougs and fantastic that some critics abroad have culled them the ‘‘mad musicians.’’ The Vindobonas are both accomplished musicians. Carlo is a well-known concertmeister in Berlin, and Franz was formerly a piano virtuoso, Among the musical concerts they introduce in their odd offering are The Bassoon Virtnoso, An Unfortunate Violin Concert and The Canary at Schol. Professional and amateur song writers are apt to sit up and take notice of a new announcement coming from Martin Beck, chief of the Orpheum Circuit, to the effect that after this season songs used on the circuit must be original, and not available elsewhere. This rule, which is to be enforced throngh the song section of the prodncing department, includes the copyrighting of the song, and at the same time eliminates the long accepted custom of song boosting. For many years vaudeville singers have been privileged to accept fees from song publishers whose songs were used by the singers. Sometimes the vocalists have received as much as three such fees from three companies at the same time. and they sang those numbers which brought them the greatest revenue instead of those their andience likes best. Vaudeville sketches are usually seen and forgotten but there is an act presented by The Ushers that when seen is not soon to be forgotten. Clande and Fannie Usher, in the parts of a retired prize-fighter and a girl of the slums, respectively, have a little playlet called Fagan’s Decision, that brings home to us in the strongest possible manner, the charge to do good for evil. Miss Usher fs the best girl of the slums seen for some time, and Mr. Usher ts absolutely true to life as the ‘‘hasbeen’? champion. It is an eloquent example of the uplifting power of the drama. Farrell Alvano, wife of Donald Alvano, the boy operatic tenor, and a member of Mme. Alvano’s Company. narrowly escaped being electrocuted at the Ruby Theatre, Memphis, Tenn., during the week of November 1. Mrs. Alvano backed into an unprotected switch board and Lewis Chase, thestage manager, noticing her danger, rushed across the stage and knocked her away, but receiving a shock himself, which threw him into a corner. He was not seriously injured and will be back at his duties in a few days. Miss Beatrice McKenzie and Mr. Walter Shannon, assisted by Harry Sullivan, are presenting a musical comedy in one act by Wilbur D. Nesbit, called A Shine Flirtation. The action takes place in a scene representing the shoe shining emporium of the AnditoriumAnnex, Chicago, and the plot is said to develop in a brisk, bright and interesting manner, with a song here and there. It has just finished a snecessful Western tour, and had its first Eastern hearing in Baltimore recently The next European novelty to be seen {n New York is Francini Olloms, who might be called a versatile genius. He is proclaimed as Europe’s most accomplished xylophonist and concertinists; he is a juggler of continental reputation, and an acrobat of note. Imagine a novelty containing these three achievements, and an idea is gained of Francini Qlloms’ offering, which has been a much talked of success in Europe. He opens in New York in December. Dolesch & Zilbauer, now in Amerfea, appearing ae in the theatres of the Orpheum Circuit and the Western Vandeville Association, are well known throughont Europe as the original Viennese Street Singers, as they are sald to be the first abroad to depict the characteristic traveling minstrels on the stage. Their eccentric make-up is that of Bohemians, and all their selections are catchy and tuneful. This is their first appearance in America. Roster of Chas. A. Koster’s Great Empire Show: C. A. Koster. proprietor and manager; Harry Corbett. business agent: Sam Edwards, agent; Sam Cohen, press representa tive; Harry Shields, carpenter; F. T. Wall, property man; Tom Ledo, electrician; Miss Wallie McDonald, wardrobe mistress; The Hess Family. Weeson and Devo, Empire Comedy Four, Allen and Watson, Berry and Walton, Effie Esler, Jones, Grand and Jones and Mae Rhyder. The Broadway Belle, is the latest creation introduced by Leon Finch, The Boy with the Smile. In this number be wears a directoire gown and bears a striking resemblance to Veleska Suratt,. the original Gibson Girl. He also does the Brinkley Girl and the Bathing Girl. He is at present assisted by Roscoe Slater in an original offering with the Trousdale Brothers’ Minstrels. H. C. and C. J. Simeral, managers of the Simeral motion drama talking pictures, interspersed with high-class vaudeville, write that their show scored a big success touring Southern Ohio during the month of October. During November they are booked solid through West Virginia. Messrs. Simeral contemplate touring the South during December and January. Elizabeth M. Murray, the entertainer, who has just returned from England, where the natives like her personality but could not understand her Southern foik-lore, is cultivating a ‘‘starring bee.’’ She is negotiating with May Irwin for one of her former laughing successes, and as Miss Murray is a big favorite in the West, she should prové a popular attraction. Jacobs and West were compelled to cancel four weeks of their vaudeville dates owing te the illness of Miss Sadie West, she having undergone an operation for throat trouble. They expect to resufme work about the last week in November. The team would like to hear from friends, Who can address them at E. Second street, Jamestown, N. Y. Homer B. Mason, who was a popular vaudeville headliner before musical comedy claimed him, is making so decided a success In the leading comedy role of A Stubborn Cinderella en tour, that the East is not likely to see him for some time, as Askin Singer intend to install him as a permanent feature in one of their Chicago houses. Patrice, the dramatic actress, has just completed a tour of the Majestic Circuit in the South in her new sketch. The Lobbyist. Later she will present this offering over the Orpheum tour” It is said to be a well-written playlet concerning a lady lobbyist who exerts her intluencé on a Congressman to get him to vote for a Certain bill. Hubert Deveau, the cartoonist, is out this seafon with a very fine new three-sheet bill in four colors. In the center of the bill ix a large picture of himself as he appears today, and at the base is a full length miniature of himself as he looked some twenty years ago, when he first appeared before the public. The bill is very attractive. Mile. Rose Edyth, the young premier danseuse and ballet mistress, whose ballets are well knowfi to circus and vandeville people, will re-entet vaudeville as a single act on November 16, at Young’s Million Dollar Pier, Atlantic City, N. J. B. Muckenfus has engaged the act for the Interstate Circuit for February anf March. Charles Van, who with Miss Fanny Van is with the Orpheum Road Bhow, is a writer of one-act sketches, parodies and popular songs of considerable repute. He wrote their present vaudeville offering, A Case of Emergency, which was well liked by New York — Miss Van is a cousin of Sam Bernard. The Melnotte Twins and Clay Smith will present their Artistic Nonsense on the Orpheum Circuit for a season of twenty-eight weeks. It consists of singing and dancing, but its principal charm is due to the personality and daintiness of the twin sisters, Cofa and Pearl, ~ are delightful comediennes and clever artists. Geo. H. Whitman and Eloise Davis, in their laughable Protean travesty, Miss Little Gave, has been booked through the Western Vaudeville Association for ten weeks on the W. S. Butterfield Circuit through Miehigan, commencing November 23, and opening at the Majestic Theatre, Kalamazoo. Caryl Wilbur finishes his time with Wm. Morris week of Novembef 16, at the American Theatre. New York City, and sails on the Teutonic, November 25, opening in London at the Tivoli Theatre, December 7. He is booked until June next in London and the provinces. John Spotts has closed a successful season with the Carter Amusement Company and has joined hands with Geo. A. Lewis in a novel burlesque specialty, introducing a black Jew. They are booking over the Eastern time with the big ones for burlesque about December 1, The Naked Truth will be seen in the West with George Leslie In the principal comedy role. It opened a long Orpheum tour in New Orleans on November 8 The scenery and costumes are entirely new and somewhat more elaborate than those seen In New York. Comedy Stewart. “That Phvsical Torture Clown.” bas signed with the MeConrt Comedy Co. to do his novelty balancing act, He will remain with the MeCourt Company nntil March, at which time he folns the orlginal Great DeOnzo Brothers’ Company. S. W. Lester. for four seasons general agent of the St. Louis Amnseement Co., joined the Rurgess and Alton Stock Companr. as pres® agent. The Angell Sisters, singers and dancers. also foined at Charleston, W. Va.. to do thetr act, The Day of Sunrise, Mae Bennett LaReno, the cowgirl vocalist, writes that she has been very {ll and underwent two operations during the last two months, but is now fest recovering. She is at present in Colorado where she will remain until she has fully regained her bealth, The Jarrell Company, consisting of Marie Van Etten, Myrtle Pepin, Wm. Echols and Sam T. Reed, are meeting with success in vaudeville, presenting their comedy sketches. The act goes to the Pacific Coast over the Sullivan and Considine Circuit. Mantell’'s Marionettes and _ Fairy Transformation have completed ten weeks in Montana, Utah and Washington, for Edw. J. Fisher, and opened on the Pantages time, No vember 16, at Seattle, Wash., for ten weeks. The act is a big success. Graham and Keating, minstrel eomedians, have again resumed their work in vandeville after several weeks’ lay-off owing to I!lness. They opened on the Western Vandeville Association time at the Temple Theatre, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Nov. 2. The D'’Arville Sisters, Jeannette and Irene, the famous French comedy fencing girls, have closed a suecessful tour of the Sullivan & Considine Cirenit in the West and have joined Ma's New Husband, playing leading soubrette and comedy parts. Belle Travers, leading featured woman with the Hiland Stock Company, Pittsburg, has closed with that company, and joined the Washington Society Girls at Newark, N. J., October 25, for leads and feature and to do her specialty. Clyo and Rochelle, at Young's Million Dollar Pier, Atlantic City, N. J., week of November 2, were a decided hit. Several man agers sew their act during the week and as a consequence they have some good time booked. Jack Polk, of Polk and Martella, and Sid DeClairville, of Vane and DeClairville, have joined hands in a gymnastic comedy talking and knockabout act. They open on the Western time, November 30, booked by Paul Goudron. Fred Frey, “That Mew-ze-cal moke,” who is in his eighth week of grand success on the Interstate Cirenit with his original comedy musical act, will next season present an entirely new act, using his own original novelties. The Cliffords, sword swallowers, closed a very successful season with the Gollmar Brothers’ Show, October 31, and after a three weeks’ rest with friends in Chicago, they will commence their vaudeville dates. Stevens and Clyde are in their fifteenth week on the Brotherhood time and are booked solid until January 9, when they join hands with the Musical Russells, taking out their own musical comedy company. Wolfe and Vaughan are playing the Southern Association time and their rural comedy playlet, The County Sheriff. is going with a scream in every house they play. They are beokeq solid until February 1, 1909. Louise and Hazel Gladstone, formerly known as the Gladstone Children, are making their usual hit on the Western Vandeville Managers’ Association time with their harmony singing and comedy acrobatic dance. Miss Lucille LaTour, the charming soloist, has been engaged permanently at the Amusement Palace, Corry, Pa. She sings the very latest songs in a captivating manner and pleases the patrons of the house. Political sketches, by the way, seem to be becoming rather plentiful this season. The latest is called The Spotless Reputation, by Harrison Armstrong, with Maurice Wilkinson and William Foram in the cast. Allan Mason, magician, has just closed a successful twenty-four weeks’ engagement in Eastern vaudeville, and is now preparing his new act, entitled A Waiter’s Dream, which he will present shortly. The Marvelous Kurello, now touring the South with the Great Barlow Show, has not missed a performance for over eighteen months. He writes that his refined novelty act is meeting with approval everywhere. Earl Flynn, “That Minstrel Boy,” has accepted five weeks, beginning November 9, from Sullivan and Considine through Paul Gendron, and will be a special attraction for them during those weeks. Hugh M. DeLury, of Corry, Pa., goes on the Interstate Cirenit the second week in November In a straight singing act. Mr. DeLury possesses a rich baritone volce and will undoubtedly make good. Charles Wayne, of comic opera fame, assisted by Miss Gertrnde Des Roche, late of the Chicago success, The RProken Idol, are pleying a comedy playlet called The Morning After, in vaudevillle. Frank Loyal and his trained horse, Hadgi are pleasing large audiences on the Western Vandeville Association time. The number is one of the most mystifying horse act ever seen on that circuit. Joe Cooney has joined hands with Jack McKernan in a new and original comedy ect, which they are presenting on the Interstate Cirenit with great success. They are booked solid until April. Clyo and Rochelle sensational globe rollers, are having a successful season on the Chas. Hodkins time In Texas. The feature of the ect is Miss Emma’s marvelous dance on the rolling globe. Jimmy Rego and Blanche DeCortet have had a very suecessfnl season In the South and have heen compelled to cancel thelr New England time In order to fill return dates tn Southern territory, The Marvelous Fanton Trio, Roman ring experta and premier novelty athletes, are making an enormous hit on the Western Vande. ville Managers’ Association. They are booked solid until 1999, The Frozo Trio, now on the Hal Goolwin time, are receiving many requests to niey return dates. They were held over at Watertown, 8. D., for two weeks, closing on November &, The Rossleys are at the Family Theatre, Pittston, Pa. for the entire senson, putting on a different playlet each week. They are now In their fourth week and report big successes, Leo Wilder, the novelty balancer an. mystic worker, has closed a most successfy) season of fair dates a the middle Wear and has joined Benjamin B. Henry's Speciulty Company. ; Corey and Wells have resumed their work, opening at LaPorte, Ind., November 2 Mr. Corey had been sick for the past four weeks at his home in Racine, Wis., but has now fully recovered, Wesley and Burns are in their fourth week on the Empire time where they are scoring a pronounced success, having been offered return dates In every house they have played on thi« circuit. Thomas T. Shea, of Baldwin and Shea, has completed a new act for the team. entitled Higgins, the Clog Dancer, Introducing some new and hovel moves in terpsichore, The Lane Trio have closed with the John W. Vogel's Minstrels and will go into vaudeville, being booked over the United time, opening at Hathaway's, Lawrence, Mass. The Harrison West Trio have just finished a successful engagement on the Inter State Circult and opened at the Folly Theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla., for Walter Keefe. Harry L. Carrier, formerly with Willard’s Temple of Music, is now playing trap drums at the Bijou, Marshall, Mich., a vaude ville house, recently opened by J. Nagel. Paul Taylor, formerly of The Stilsons, has joined the act again after an ab sence of six months. He opened at the Family Theatre, Pittston, Pa., November 2. ' Ernest Mack, the black-face comedian, is taking a rest after a sixteen weeks’ engagement, but will soon return to vaudeville. doing his singing and dancing act. Louise Denman, the fascinating little soubrette and quick change artist, opened on the Sam DuVries Circuit at the Alamo en tre, Birmingham, Ala., recently. John Mylie and Mary Orth have closefl their engagements tn musical comedy and are beck in vaudeville, opening in Denver, at the Crystal Theatre, Nowember 2 Barber and Palmer write that they are doing very nicely and are on their way homé to spend the holidays, after playing forty consecutive weeks in the South. The Lees, Myrtle and Dave, knife and battle-axe throwers, have closed their Stadium Show with the U. 8S. Carnival Company. and are again in vaudeville. Billy Lacelle, the composing monologist and coon shouter, writes that his act of thirteen subjects in ome song in two minutes is proving a big hit. The Long Brothers are playing a six weeks’ engagement at the Palace Theatre, Jacksonville, Fla., previous to their winter engagement in Cuba. Hayes and Rayfield, high-class singers and novelty dancers, are making a tremendous bit on the Sun time. They are booked solid for the season. Dan Collins and Dick Welch are again in vaudeville repeating their former success. They opene. at the Howard, Boston, November 16. The Earl Family of Acrobats have closed with the Barnum & Balley Circus and — — the Great Empire Show at Kansas ty, Mo. Carre and Carre, singers, dancers and musical artists, are at present on the International theatrical time, booked by Paul Goudron. Billie Mackin, formerly of Berrian and Mackin, is now working with his wife. The act is known as Fannie Donovan and Billie Mackin. Phil Mills and Bessie Moulton have met with universal snuecess with thelr new act. eae A Trial Performance, in the Eastern oOUuses. Geo. DeVoy and Dayton Sisters write that they are being treated royally ip ovens house On the Sullivan and Considine Cir cuit. Miss Maude Douglas, the dainty comedienne, {fn her Gypsy Girl impersonation, {* j Meeting with big success on the Ifterstate Cir cuit. James Calvin, the pantomime ‘clown, is at the Wankesha Hotel in Hot Springs, where he 1® being treated for locomotor ataxia. The Great O'Neal has been engaged as a special feature at the Valdosta, Ga.. 15,000 Club Celebration, held November 10-14. The Great Mallon, juggler, is meeting with big snuecess with the Maginiey's New York Ciretts, touring the British West Indtes. Juggling Mathieus has finished the Kohl & Castle Cirenit and opened October 19 on the Interstate Circuit for ten weeks. The Mozo Trio, at Goss Brothers’ Empire Vandeville Theatre, Watertown, 8. D.. stored a big hit with their singing act. . The Bartelmes, head balancers and up-side-down dancers, will open on the Orpheum Cirenit Janvary 4, at Denver, Col. The Four Fullers, juvenile singers and dancers, are making a big hit In the South With their military song and drill, Sam Lupton, “The Man with the Green Gate.” an English artist, is now playing his first season In America, Billy Ritter, “that trap drummer,” has closed with Coburn’s Minstrels and is now appearing In vandeville, LeCompt, the wizard of fire and electricity, fs doing well in the Middle West with his mysterions act. Jeannette LaRlance is meeting with snecess in vandeville, doing her singing «nd dancing spectalty. Mr. and Mrs. Rrian Darley are makIng a hit In wandeville in their sketch, The !'° meetic Happiness, Leonard Kane, the Dancing Adon's, is now billing himself as The Dancer in (0* Golden Frame,