The Billboard 1908-12-26: Vol 20 Iss 52 (1908-12-26)

DECEMBER 26, 1908. The Billboard FILM ARRANGEMENT COMPLETED Principal Factors in Motion Picture Produc New “Patents Company” Controls. Important Action Solidifying Contending Interests. Organize. All of the patents known by experts and authorities to have an important bearing on the Manufacture of motion pictures and projecting machines bave been purchased by a pew concern incorporated as Motion Picture Patents Company, of which the following are the officers: President, Frank L. Dyer; vice-president, H. N. Marvin: treasurer, J. Kennedy, and secretary, George F. Scull. It will be noted that the president and seccetary are connected with the Edison Manufacturing Company, while the vice-president and treasurer are from the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company. The capital of the new company is not announced, but its purpose is known to be general betterment of the entire business from the manufactuger to the exhibitor. The licensees of the Motion Picture Patents Company are as follows: Edison Manufacturing Company, American Mutoscope & Biograph Company, Pathe Freres, George Melies Comany, Vitagraph Company of America, Kalem ompany, Lncorporated; Essanay Company, Selig Polyscope Company, George Kleine, and Lubin Manufacturing Company. Motion pictures manufactured under the license cf the Motion Picture Patents Company will be leased, and not sold, and will be subject to return to the various manufacturers at stated intervais. | eqquescem on FACTS CONCERNING NEW ARRANGEMENT. Licensed motion pictures will be leased for | use only on projecting machines, which are also licensed pany. There by the Motion Picture Patents Comwill be a nominal license fee to be pald by each exhibitor and the funds thus raised will be used in promoting the best interests of the business. None of the officers of the Motion Picture Patents Company are salaried. It Is hoped by this movement to do away with the vexatious litigation which bas long harrasseq the business, to guarantee to the renters and the exhibitors a sufficient quantity ef the best American and foreign films and to prevent the demoralized state of affairs which now pre vails abroad, where no organization exists. All the licensees are manufacturers except Mr. George Kleine, who, as is well known, Is the American representative of several of the bestknown and most meritorious of the forelgn manufacturers. No increase in price of films is contemplated.* Among the prominent patents which have been purchased—in addition to those of the Edison Company, and the Biograph Company—may be mentioned the Armat patents, which are said to control projecting machines; the Jenkins patents, the Pross patents, the Vitagraph patents, and the Campbell patent. The new license agreement takes effect January 1, 1909. CINCINNATI, O. This is the week that is generally calculated to try the souls of managers, but Cincinuati is fortunate in having provided good attractions, so as will draw, if people can be drawn to the es. The engagement of Grace Van Studdiford in The Golden Butterfly proved a grand success last week. The production met a very generous tropage, and most favorable criticism as a ve cle. The Talk of New York, with Victor Moore, is doing splendid business this week, as the big —— and quick action of the play warrauts. be Round-Up pext week. The Lyric succeeded in seliing out most of the house in advance of the coming of David WarGeld, so this week will probably prove the record breaking periog of the year. Mr. Warfield was seen in A Grand Army Man Mouday snd Tuesday, and the balance of ‘ne week gave The Music Master. The Walnut will not lack for patronage this week. ‘Ihe Old Homestead has opened to business and seems to draw with the strength of a youngster. At the Columbia a very strong bill is presented. It is headed by Russell Brothers in Our Servant Girls, and Bond-Benton Company in Handkerchief No. 15, followed by the following acts: Swor Brothers, DeFaye Sisters, BaaderLaVello Trio, Frank Mostyn Kelly and Co., Mile. Innes and Mons. Taki; George Kelly and excellent motion pictures. The Forepaugh Stock Company opened their Christmas week's program Sunday, December 20, with a revival of the old but ever popular Hoyt farce, A Bunch of Keys. The presentation of tis musical farce by the stock company is serving a dual purpose. it is a pleasing aiversion for the peiecte who have witnessed only dramatic and light comedy productions, and also furnishes the company ample opportuuity to display remarkable versatility. A Bunch of Keys bas in its long and mirth provoking career caused wany a paroxysm of laughter, sud in the hands of the Forepaugh Stock Ce. the vlay will be seen to best advantage. The Sunday performances in the afternoon and evening were Played to capacity business. Der Mano in der Mond, The Man in the Moon, a delightful comedy, was played to the members J! the German Stock Company at the Grand The tre Sunday night. This play is undoubtedly one of the best light comedies presented by the company this season, and as thoroughly eujoyed and roundly applauded by a large audience. he return of Rose Sydell to the Standard atre Sunday as the occasion of a large, gathering at this popular burlesque house. Th ever| gad burlesque artist has a host of @fieds in Queen City, this being her birth-place, and ber visit to this city usually means a week of turn-away business. The Lendon Belles, a comny of unusual merit, assist Miss Sydell in the © burlesques, and the vaudeville end ef the show is as good as any sgen here this season, The dpening and closing burlettas contain some by tad and new material, and the comedy is mixed zh the action with prodigal profusion. People’s Theatre is popular as a burlesque Rouse, and the shows usually presented are the best of their kind to be had. The Cherry Blos soms, the current attraction, is a big organization and of sufficient merit to pléase. The usgal line of burlesque comedy is injected into the action of both skits and the show goes on without dragging. The chorus is about the average but the costumes are varied, and probably the most elaborate seen here this season. Howard Hall returned to this city Sunday, December 20 for a week's engagement at the Lyceum Theatre. He is starring in The Wall Street Detective, and is ably assisted by a splen did company. Mr. Hall was last season seen in David Wartield’s play, A Grand Army My and be assumed the role of Judge Andrews TP this play. The opening performance Sunday was re to capacity business. he ever-popular rural play, The Volunteer Organist, is at Heuck’s Theatre this week it is remarkable the ever-increasing popularity this beautiful sentimental play enjoys. Without a deep-dyed villain, a murder, an old will, a per eecuted heroine, or any other of the usual melodramatic perquisites, it stands in a class of its own. There are moments of comedy as well as pathos, and the story is one that can not fail to appeal to the more intellectual. The cast/comprises a notable aggregation of players. Manager Holmes of the New Robinson’ Theatre has prepared a ‘‘sure-to-please’’ CUristmas rogram. Several high-class vaudeville turns ave been engaged, and interesting surprises. elegant costumes, and attractive scenery will be features at this popular theatre the current week. Several improfements have been made in this theatre. Reception rooms have been fitted up adjacent to the balcony for the accommodation of patrons between shows and during intervals. Uniformed maids are in attendance. Preston W. Search lectured on Sunny Italy and Vesuvius at the Lyric Theatre Sunday afternoon. Moving pictures gave glimpses of street life In Naples, as well as the representation of the eruption of Vesusius which occurred two years ego. The accompanying lecture was most interesting and instructive. An added feature of the New Music Hall Rink during fhe current week will be the frequent appearance of two young lady fancy skaters. The girls are undoubtedly the best fancy skaters in the city, and are now busy adding to their display of exciting and picturesque tricks on the rollers, As neither David Warfield, appearing at the Lyric this week, nor Mme. Nazimova, play Sunday performances, Cincinnatians will be permitted to see Girls, Clyde Fitch's merriest comedy. e play was seen here some few weeks ago and made a most excellent impression. REYAM. IT RAN AHEAD. Oscar Hammerstein was talking in Philadelphia about the wonderful success he has had with opera. “And yet, at first.”’ he said, ‘“‘success came very slowly—as slowly as the trains on that Southern line—you know the one. It don't advertise. “I was waiting for the traim in Rola Chucky one morning. One hour, two hours, three hours yassed. The train was three hours late. I was ndignant. “After awh@e the ticket agent sauntered out of the ticket office and lighted a cigarette. “*Look here,’ I said, ‘won't that train be along soon?’ “The agent looked down the track and yawned. “AR, ves,’ he said,: ‘she'll soon be here now. Here comes the conductor’s dog.’ "’ THE PUZZLED PIANIST. Oscar Hammerstein has all applicants for his opera companies examined by a throat specialist, Not till he is assured of an applicant's good throat machinery does he devote any time in hearing him or her sing. “It is a good idea, is it not?’ said Mr. Ham merstein, the other day. “In the past I lost many a valuable haif hour listening to worthless siu.gine—singing so bad, in fact “Well, one afternoon my pianist turned to a tenor aspirant and shouted, angrily: "I've tried you with the black keys, tried you with the white kers, and : you with the black and white mixed. you must be singing between the Washington Star. I've I've tried I think ticks.’ **-—. SAFE. Homer Davenport, the cartoonist, was talking at his Morris Plains stock farm about Arablan horses, of which he makes a specialty. “They must be treated kindly.’ he satd. “Never a blow of the whip. hat would drive them mad with race and humfilation. ‘Antonis like children, must be kindly treat ed A Slow apoils all."* ‘Bot, as regards children, you know,” the reporter objected, “didn't Solomon say ‘Spare the red aml spoil the ehila'? “Ah, yes."’ said Mr. Davenpert, “but he didn’t say it until after he had grown up.” Mr. Gus Lambrigger. proprietor of Lambri¢ ger’'a Zoo, was ai caller, December 14 Ile reports business very goo) for the past season, and states that he has been out for 33 weeks, of which there has not been a loser. RITZ! SCHEFF MARRIES. Mile. Fritzi Scheff was married on Sunday to John J. Fox, Jr., the wedding taking place at Seven Springs, Mount Kisco. On account of the illness of Mr. Rector Fox's children no guests were invited to the cere mony. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. Mr. Wallace, of Mount Kisco Methodist Fpis copal Church. John C. Hunt was best man. It is also true that the bappy pair Is living at 471 Park avenue in the apartments of Mrs. Alfred Peats, who is a friend of the bride. Irs. Peats obligingly went up to the Plaza for a few days, and Mr. Fox and his pretty little star will spend their honeymoon, or at least a portion of it, there. From all over the country messages are com ing. congratulating Mr. Fox and wishing Mrs. Fox the greatest happiness imaginable in her new life. For there is no comic opera artist in the history of the stage who has made more frierds throughout America than pretty little Miss Scheff ond there is no author of late years who has gathered more good wishes from his readers than this brilliant young man who has developed into a writer of real American romance. Miss Scheff. in the few years she has been before the public as a comic opera star, has reached a height to which few attain after years of effort. Her success was Instantaneous, for she not only possessed remarkably good looks, but was also an earnest worker and one who seemed at all times to want to, give the public its money's worth. Her name has grown to be the synonym of merit in any production, and wherever she has appeared she has always played to crowded houses. “There was no star on the stage who could so quickly win a man out of the bines. Her smile seemed to be for everybody in the house personally and ber voice charmed away dull care in no time. It is little wonder then that the American amusement public and the American reading public, feel more than a passing Interest in ringe of a stage celebrity to an author both a delightful entertainer and most nt company. It is but natural that no bas started out on life’s journey with more wishes from the millions than this pair adds its Ss, and to them all The Billboard t. THEATRE TICKET SPECULATION Estopped in New York Mayor Signs Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale of Theatre Tickets on Streets—Hotel Stands May Continue The Mayor of New York City has signed the ordinance making the selling of tickets on the street a violation of law. It goes into effect in thirty days. The ordinance to prohibit the sale of theatre tickets in hotels and agencies throughout the city is vetoed. It * held to be unconstitutional and a matter at the aldermanic body may not lawfully regulate. Both documents were received by the Board of Aldermen. The signing of the ordinance probibiting sidewalk speculation in theatre tickets Is the climax of a long contest. Following the passage of the ordimance by the Aldermen the Mayor granted a public hearing on the matter. The speculators were represented by counsel and an appeal was made to the Mayor to veto the propesed legislation on the ground that it weuld rob many men of the means of earning a liveddhood. The statement was made by the attorney that many of the seculators were Civil War veterans and that they would be willing to increase the license fee from $50 to $500, agreeing at the same time not to abuse their privilege. In this veto of the ordinance intended to prohibit the sale of tickets in hotels and other places and requiring that the price of tickets be stamped plainly on their face, the Mayer explained that he was guided by, a ruling of the Court of Appeals. He said that he fs of the opinion that such a law would be uncenstitutional and void, as it is Beyond the police powefs of the State and abridges constitutional rights and privileges and the liberty secured he Sections 1 and 6 of Article 1 of the Constitution. HUSBAND OF EVA FAY DEAD. It reported from Oakland, Cal., that John T. Fay, husband of Eva Fay who has been ap pearing at one of the local theatres. committed suicide in that city, Dec. 26. Mrs. Fay had just completed her engagement and the Inggage of the husband and wife had been checked to Denver, where they were billed te play. No motive is assigned for the act, but immediately after dinner he retired to his room and fired the shot that endeqg his life. A GOOD DIAGNOSIS. “Somebody in the matinee crowd handed me this note.’ said the favorite actor, ‘bat I don't kuow who it was. .I lost her in the crusk."* “Sure, then.’’ said the low comedian, chuckling, ‘it’s a mash note.” MISNOMER. They used to call them mummers; It makes me wonder some. I'll leave It to all comers, Were actors ever mum? —Loulsville Courtler-Journal. APPELLATE COURT Rules Against Rudolph Hynicka In Case Growing out of Louisville Ordinance Fixing Proportions of Theatre Lobbies. The Court of Appeals, In a decision handed down by Chief Justice O’Rear, lust week. re versed the decision of Judge Matt O'Doherty, of the Jefferson Circuit Court, in the case growing out of the validity of the building permit granted to Rudolph Hynicka, of Cincinnati, under which Hynicka is building a $150,000 theatre in Louisville, Ky., and upon which he has already spent $75,000. The Court of Appeals holds ‘the building per mit in this case was grauted in violation of the ordinance of the city and was unauthorized and void, and conferred neither right nor protection to those operating under it."’ This decision empowers, and, in fact, structs Judge MeGee to stop the work on the theatre on the ground that it is being built con trary to law. The permit to build the Gaiety Theatre was granted Me Rudolph Hynicka by Messrs. Green and’James, of the Board of Safety, after a permi® had been refused by Building Inspector Joba lambers. These gentlemen granted the pe t upon the advice of Assistant City At ey D. E. O’Snallivan, who was deputed by cae A. E. Richards to advise the oard. It is claimed Mr. Hynicka was, however, given ample warning that the legality of the permit was In doubt and that it would be bet ter to test the matter in court before spending any money. Mr. Hynicka preferred to take the risk, and he has spent over $75.000 upon property owned by the Tyler estate and managed by Mr. Owen Tyler, on the north side of Jefferson street, between Third and Fourth. As the Court of Ap peals now holds that the theatre cannot be completed, as it is contrary to the building ordinance, having a hundred-foot entrance, Mr. Hynicka has a white elephant on hts hands and seems to be out just $75,000. Edward P. Humphrey, who as special counsel represented Judge Wheeler McGee in the closing part of the fight, and whose contention that the theatre could not be finished was sustained by the Court of Appeals, stated that under no circumstances can Mr. Hynicka get any of his money back from the city. ‘“‘Mr. Hynicka pro ceeded at his own risk,’’ said Mr. Humphrey, “and he knew it. He was given ample warn ing and he cannot majntain any claim against the city, in my opinion.”’ CLEVELAND BRANCHING OUT. Wm. S. Cleveland is branching out in earnest, The iatest department added to his Prudeatial Vaudeville Exchange in the Kuitickerbocker Annex is the Wm. 8. Cleveland Theatrical and Vaudeville School. Mr. Cleveland announces that, artists of world wide reputation will be in charge of every department and that it will aim to help professionals as well as develop deserving amateurs. Sketches, songs and other material for vaudeville perfermers will be prepared to order. Altogether the Cleveland Theatrical and Vaudeville School figures to be a distinct innovation. It is positively stated by Mr. Cleveland that no more stage struck cranks wil be accepted as pupils. AIT must qualify before being taken in. PHILADELPHIA'S EXPOSITION. Philadelphia is to have a Pure Food and In dustrial Exposition opening January 2. This exposition is being extensively advertised and the location of the building, which contains over 30,000 square feet of space on the ground flodr, is prominent and right in the heart of the theatre district. The object of the Expo sition is to enlarge and upbuild the various lines of manufactured goods and to familarize the general publie with the ceuntless products and to furnish publicity of the most valuable kind. Reservations for space are rapidly coming in, and in order to secure the most desirable locations, the matter should be taken up at once. An ad pertaining to the exposition ap pears in this issue of The Billboard. STAR ENGAGED BY WIRELESS. Mr. Osear Hammerstein, December 11, received a wireless message from Mme. Nellie Melba, on the Lusitania, assuring him that she was ready te sing Mimi in La Boheme, the following Mon day night at the Manhattan Opera House. For three days Mr. Hammersein had been trying te get in communication Wh the pr€na donna. The suspense naturally was disquieting for the impresario, as the repertoire for the Manhattan and Philadelpkia Opera Houses for next week hed been planned on the assumption that Mme Melba was to sing. Cc. C. BURGNER’S MOTHER DYING. . F. the ane A telegram dated December 20, from N. Burgner, Morriston, Tenn., atmounces that mother of C. C turgner, of the Burgner Alton Shos is dying at that place. AIME TODD, JR., ENGAGED. is now ahead of Rurton Nix Aime Todd, IJr., en's Eastern Company of Lena Rivers. Mr Todd was formerly on the staff of The Bill board. JOIN SELLS-FLOTO SHOWS. Canvasman Wm. Curtiss and assistant, Lond and J. Nowak, jote Poss Janies Devereaux, L. Selis-Floto Shows at Denver this week.