The Billboard 1909-01-16: Vol 21 Iss 3 (1909-01-16)

The Billboard JANUARY 16, 1909. PHILADELPHIA, PA, (Continued from page 14.) ‘. hestnut Street Theatre.—The Orpheum iayers still continue to please the public, this being the 70th week of their season. They are giving a stupendous production of The Proud Prince this week, and the public are reed nobly. Week of January 11, A Gilded Girard Theatre.—Neil Burgess in The Count Fair is doing fairly well this week, and the vroduction is just as good as it was many, any years ago. Week of January 11, a return engagement will be played by the GrauStark Company, which made such a hit here some months ago. Park Theatre.—Ruster Brown is doing a splendid business this week, and Fannie Rice “4 A Day Off is announced for week of Jan. National Theatre.—The Millionaire and the Policeman’s Wife, one of Al. Woods’ stirring melodramas, is doing nicely at this house, and The Opium Smugglers of ’Frisco is announced for week of January 11. Blaney’s Theatre.—In at the Finish opened here January 4, to a good house, and business has been good since. Week of January 11, Thomashefsky’s Yiddish Stock Company. Standard Theatre.—The Standard Stock Company are doing fairly well and for the week of January 4 are offering East Lynne. The price of all reserved seats has been cut to 10 and 20 cents. Hart's Theatre.—Sure Shot Sam is the attrac tion this week, and business is fair. Week of January 11, Montana. Eleventh Street Opera House,—Dumont’s Minstrels, with a frequent change of program, are doing splendidly at this house. The hoiiday business was the best known in the history of the house. Keith’s Chestnut Street Theatre.—It is a question now of how to handle the crowds who Want to visit this beautiful theatre. every night sees hundreds turned away. The bill for week of January 4 is made up of The Fadettes, The Mimic Four, Ed. Wynn and Co., Paka's Hawaiian Trio, The Patty Frank Troupe, Cunningham and Marion, Kenny, MeGahan and Platt, Edwards Davis and Co., Mr. Quick, Sansone and Delila, Jack and Bertha Rich, Cowboy Williams, The Bordeaus, Ah Ling Foo and others. Lubin’s Palace Theatre.—Business is very good at this house, where The Verdi Musical Four, The Sensational Boises, Regal Trio, Murphy, Andrews and Parker, Mlle. Noar and Marien, Vincent and Townsend, Miss Annita, Campbell and Groll, Flora Fitzgerald and Dellesio ee are on the bill for week of January. 4. Casino Theatre.—The Night Owls are draw{ug well this week, and are giving satisfaction. Week of January 11, Jersey Lilies. Bijou Theatre.—The Colonial Belles are pleasing and profiting this week, and announced for week of January 11 are The Travelers. Gayety Theatre.—Bob Van Osten is heading The Serenaders, who are doing well this week. Week of January 11, Reilley and Woods’ Big Show. Trocadero Theatre,—The Broadway Gaiety Girls are doing « capacity business this week. Museum.—Business is excellent at this house, where Lee’s Royal Marionettes, Rose Monroe, Rerto, Nealon and Titus, The Thompsons, Santini Trio, Barrett, The Prestons, Herr Maxey, Lafferty and other novel attractions are pleasing the patrons. The Peoples, Forepaugh's and the Street theatres are all ing pictures and Fifteenth doing well with movvaudeville. NOTES Oscar Hammerstein has no occasion to growl at the Philadelphia Opera House, as business is very good. The repertoire for the week of January 4 was as follows: January 5, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci: January 7, Rigoletto; January 9, matinee, Traviata, and night, La Boheme. The Metropolitan Opera Company gave two performances at the Academy of Music this week, and both were well attended. At the night performance, January 5, Rigoletto, and at the matinee, January 7, Tristan and Isolde, were given. Fred Niblo is doing well with his Travel Talk matinees, at the Garrick Theatre. Burton Holmes is also drawing crowds with three filustrated lectures every week at the Academy of Music. There has been some talk of two of our prominent German singing societies amalgamating. The members of the Young Maennerchor claim that it would be unjust to blend their society with the Harmonie Singing Society, so action bas been postponed until July. The Young Maennerchor is fifty years of age and has won many trophies for singing. The Broad Street Conservatory of Music has been incorporated, with a capital of $100,000, and will enlarge their school. Charles Frotunan will give the first production of Kitty Grey in this country at the Chestnut Street Opera House, week of January 18. Julia Sanderson will be the only American with the organization. Charles J. Goodfellow, a well-known theatrieal inan, who was compelled to retire from active work on account of failing eyesight, ix to be given a benefit in this city February 1. Edward Corbett, who has been acting as press agent for the Lyric and Adelphi Thea tres, has resigned, and accepted a position with the Princess Theatre Company, of Chicago. One of our city firemen committed suicide by using illuminating gas, at the Casino Theatre, January 2. He was on duty there and took his life during the performance. Religious services, lasting from eight until midnight, are now held every Sunday at the Bijou Theatre, one of our burlesque houses. Bids for the Municipal Band of Philadelphia. for the season of 1909, were opened this week. and it was found that an offer was made of $390, less than last year. The contract price will be $12,670, for a season of three months’ concerts in our city parks. Andrw Landen berger received the contract. The Girls in Happyland Company were given a banquet at the Continental Hotel on New Year’s night. Jules Hurtig, Harry Seamon and numerous other prominent theatrical man agers from New York attended. Howard Evans, the popular treasurer of Dumont’s Minstrels, will have his annual benefit February 5. Three Irishmen, who attended the performance at one of our moving picture theatres last week, objected to the make-up of a team of alleged Irish comedians, and so proceeded to wreck the place. They were arrested and at the hearing the magistrate, who, by the way, was an Irishman, made the performers do their turn in his office. After seeing it he declared there was notaing objectionable in it and held the men under heavy bail. Charles Durban, who was formerly manager of the Grand Opera House in Norristown, Pa., has gone to Canton, 0., where he will manage the Opera House. Fred Love, who formerly was the manager of the Canton Opera House, is now acting as solicitor for a_ billposting company tin this city. Frank Wolf, who has assumed the leases of the Salem and Vineland, N. J., Opera Houses, has cut out moving pictures and vaudeville, and is now playing regular attractions to good business. King’s Minstrels have been playing to pacity on the eastern shore of Maryland. Harry Spillman, stage manager of the Casino Theatre, got up a unique impromptu entertain ment for the business staff of that theatre on New Year's Eve. It was given between the regular performance and the midnight matinee. The property room was cleared, handsomely decorated with pelms and bunting, and a table spread for sixteen people. A dainty lunch was ca served, and during its progress an entertainment was given. Souvenirs in the shape of miniature steins, and favors in the way of dainty bisque statuettes, were presented to each guest. The Board of Inspectors, which has been examining V’hiladelphia theatres, has rendered its report, and in it stated that all but two of our amusement places are in first-class condition. The two theatres that were found to be lacking in some minor details necessary for the safety of the audiences, were ordered closed. The Columbia Theatre, which has been used for Jewish performances, will be abandoned for the present, and the company playing there will continue their performances at Blaney’s Theatre. The Empire Theatre, of Frankford, which has been used for moving pictures, will be abondoned until necessary finprovements are made. Representatives of Nixon and Zimmerman have been looking at sites for a theatre in Millville, N. J. They annownce that a plot of ground has been secured and that a new house will be ready to open this fall. The American Idea, which opened here January 4, came direct from Chicago by special train, over the Pennsylvania Railroad. The train was in charge of Mr. J. Beltzhover, one of the Chicago passenger agents, and it got here exactly on scheduled time. It left Chicago at & a. m., Sunday, and reached here at 7 a. m., Monday. Chauncey Olcott received his usual New Year’s gift of a Jozen boxes of oranges from the groves of his manager, Augustus Pitou. Every member of the company and attache of the house received a bountiful supply of the delicious fruit and the belanee were sent to the various hospitals of Vhiladelphia. Mr. Olcott, who will not act during Lent, will spend his vacation at the Florida residence of Mr. Pitou. In New York, which is heing rehearsed in New York City by Ben Teal,, will be given its premiere production in this city at the Walnnt Street Theatre, Feb. 8. The services of Mr. Teal were loaned to this company by Mr. Frohman. The cast engaged is a notable one and the production will be mounted in a magnificent manher. Frank McGuire, who has been doing the advanee work for all of Cohan & Harris’ attractions, has now been permanently placed with The American Idea, and will continue with that company for the balance of the season. It is rumored that, on account of the scarcity of attractions and poor business, many of the popuiar-price, melodramatic honses will close, or chenge the character of their attractions in a short time. Planey’s Theatre, in this city. will try a season of Jewish stock perfqrmances. and. if it is a success, this will be continued indefinitely. Althonch many theatrical men declare that the moving picture fad is on the wane, capitalists are still investing money in new theatres for that style of entertainment. This week plans were filed for the erection of a new moving picture theatre on South street, which will cost $25,000. A series of entertainments and pictorial illustratiens of the life of Lincoln are being given by the Wanamaker Store. They are free to the public and are attracting huge crowds. Melba was announced to appear at a Saturday night performance at Hammerstein's Philadelphia Onera House, but another prima donna was substituted. Mr. Hammerstein gave al! attending free tickets for the next appearance of Melba, and yet let them hear the opera that night for nothing. Mischa Elman. a young Russian _ violinist. made his debut here with the Boston Symphony Orchestra January 4. and his masterly plaving aronsed the enthnsiasm of all our musicai critics. The first benefit performance for the Italian earthquake sufferers is to be given at the Broad Street Theatre January 8, under the direction of Nixon & Zimmerman. Stars from every company in the city are to appear, and the entire proceeds are to be cabled to Rome on the following morning. The Mayor of this city 1s to have full charge of the finances. Manager M. R. Tavlor. of the Camden (N. J.) theatre. has discontinned moving pictures and vandeville and has installed a stock company. with excellent results. RBnsiness 1s much better than {it was with melodramatic combinations. end this policy will be continued until the end of the season. Sanford H. Robison, of the S. H. Robison Company, who has been fil, is now rapidly econvalescing, and wiil soon regain his old-time viger. Grant Lafferty, manager of the Chestnut St. Theatre, has secured many of the Tiebler & Co. productions, and they will be given at the Chestnut Street Theatre by the Orpheum Plavers. Snap shots were taken of the pedestrians, by a photographer empleyed by the advance agent of the Three Twins Company. One of these pictures was published every day in an evening paper, and the Incky one received a pair of seats to see that sprightly musical comedy, BOB WATT. Mark Germaine, of Herbert and Germaine, acrobats, is confined to the hospital in Streator, Ill.. suffering from a spinal injury which he received January 3. Germaine was attempting to throw a triple somersanit after being dropped by his partner from a bar, but missed, and fell to the ground. He is in a serious condition. BROOKLYN, N. Y. (Continued from page 14.) enna to secure perfection in mechanical detall, brought to America Herr Julius Herzke, director-general of the Vienna Volks Theatre, to put on the work with all the author's original stage detail. The Savage ‘Devil’ is a pleasant rascal, a cunrging, refined gentleman, wed would be admitted into drawing-room s80clety. The big musical comedy, The Girls of Gottenberg, which came frem abroad, and which made nigh a five months’ stay at the Knickerbocker Theatre, Manhattan, is now underlined at the Montauk Theatre for a limited engagement of one week, beginning Monday night, January 11. Oue of the headliners soon to be the Orpheum Theatre will be Miss Virginia Harned, assisted by her company in her own one-act sketch, entitled The Idol of the Hour. The little playlet tells of the successful career of a star actress with whom a man has fallen in love. While she is inclined to look upon his suit with favor, she sacrifices herself to the prior claim of a young woman nearer his own age. Miss Harned has an opportunity for some strong emotional work, besides which she will wear some charming new gowns. Percy G. Williams announces for the week of January 11 the first presentation of A Man of the Peonle, which will be played by the famous legitimate stars, Melbourne MacDowell and Virginia Drew Prescott. This one-act play deals with absorbing interest of the most vital problem of the day—the labor problem. Harry Thompson and Al. Fostell visited Evergreen Cemetery Christmas afternoon and decorated with flowers the graves of Tony Pastor seen at and those of his three brothers, as well as that of Nelse Seymour, the old minstrel. The remains are all buried In Tony Pastor’s bt. William Trimborn. the bright young manager of the Fniton Theatre, has made many friends since that beantiful playhonse . opened = its doors to the general public, on September 26, last. A genuine sense of gratification is experienced by those who come in dally contact with him. either in a bnsiness or social way. He is at all times and under all cirenmstances the gentleman, courteous, affable and agreeable. Fle has alwars a pleasant word and a smile for the emplores of the theatre. and, ther, in turn, seem happy when executing his orders, for the reason they know elates their work. Patrons, also, the highest terms of the manner in which this home of refined vaudeville is conducted. “Merrily Yours.’? John Rogers is preparing a lecture tour for R. G. Knowles, who fe annesring this week at the Fulton. Mr. Knowles has a contract to appear fonr more weeks tn vandeville, at the end of which time he will begin his tonr. He hes fnst completed a tour of the world, Inclnding the wild section of Africa. where President Roosevelt will hunt bie game. Mr. Knowles has moving nictnres, with himself in seme, showing narte of the econntry through which the President will travel. Ethel Johnson. of The Red Mill Comnanv. hes achieved the swacger dienity which comes with soiling one’s own recht. e ia Cant. Fthel Johnson on the roster of the Shelter Island Yacht CiInb. It 1s trne that her craft '< only eighteen feet long. and rated as a Swampseott dory in the registration of the enh’s fleet. bunt Miss Johnson fs just ea nrond of it as if it were Commodore Vanderbilt's aeean-going levisthan. the North Ster. She won a enn tn the ladies’ races during the She'ter Islend regatta. Mise Tanra Lang. the ponnlar leading ladv of the Crescent Stock Comnenv. will close her engsgement here next Saturday. Tler new engerement will be with A. J. MeCarthr. of Chicarn. assistant generel nassenger arent of the Western Central Raflroad. to whom she is to he married next week. She will re tire permanentiv from the stage. Mise Lange hes made manv friends since her atav in Rrookien, and the good wishes of her admirers go with her to the West. Perey ; Williams Crescent Theatre, which Is meneged by Lew Parker. the wellknown showmen. who was connected with Ruf falo Pil’s Wild West ne general arent for a number of seesons, is drawing canacitv hnstness and fs called the home of the Crescent Stoek Comnanv. which is the best stock comneanr ever ceen hore. The honse ctf? of Teller’s Rrowdwav Theotre Ye as follows: Tescee and Menager, Teo C. Teller: Rusiness Manager. Herbert 8. Aschort) Treeenvrer Peeank T SheneAcct Trae vrer, James Brennan: Mnyestes] Director, Manrice 7 Waren: Stege Carnenter, Chas. FF. Got. win: Fleetricion. J. FL Maver: Pronertiea and Acreseorios, Osear Friedlender: Advertising Agent Rert Johnson: Chief Noorkeeper, Harry C. Miner: Janitor. Asa Bagley. Selma Terman will annesr at the Pitan Mhe. atre week of Tennary 11. In A Pad Man's Wife. Miss Herman ia very nopnier here, GEO. H. HAKES. BALTIMORE, MD. (Continued from page 15.) Holliday Street. The Strollers, at the Monnmental, furnished one of the best burlesque shows of the season, while The Trocaderos drew eapacity audievces at the Garyety. Manager Errle had excellent bills for the Lubin Theatre and Picture Parlors. and the usual large audiencres were In attendance. The ernsade against the picture parlors br Mayor McClellan, in New York, has attracted attention to the qnestion of the picture parlors in this city. The laws in regard to these places of amusement here are very rigid, and a building inspector, who is a stickler for exeention of the stvict letter of the law, has reanlted In these places being managed in proper order, with very little danger to the andiences. In addition to this, the local grand fury usnally pars a visit to all of the theatres and picture parlors In the city, and the slightest deviation from the law regarding exits and other necessary nrecantions, receives summary attention. Eddie Leonard, one of the comedians with Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels, who were here Inst week, was pretty sore over the rumor of his having negro biood in his veins, which I the cause of the postponement of his marriage to Miss Mabel Russell, a well-known vaudeville actress. The wedding was set for Christmas Day. bat when the mimor appeared both Mr. Leonard and Miss Russell determined to put off the wedding until they had run down the romor and properly punished the person who Instigated it. Leonard is well known In Rich-* week's ron -_— is Toney, and he ils one the minstrel show. The Gordon Brothers, who appeared with Leonard in his skit, have a number of relatives to this city, and were entertained by them right royally during the past week. Julian Eltiage, the great female impersonator, will probably be launched as a star next year of the big hits of under the Cohan and Harris banner. It is said that the versatile George M. is now at work on a sort of melodramatic play which wil serve to place Eltinge in the theatrical firmament as a star. The name of Cohan seems to to be a synonym for success these days, and Eltinge can consider himself lucky. Walter Hampden and Miss Mabel Moore, to private Ife. Mrs. Hampden, both of The Servant in the House Company, will appear next year In Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. They have both appeared in these roles in Great Britain with great success. It is stated that Charles Rann Keanedy, au thor of The Servant in the House, is at work upon a cycle of plays, each of which will con tain but seven characters, five male and two female, the same as is the case in The Servant in the House. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. William J. Byers last week. Mr. Byers is the popular catcher of the local baseball team. His wife before marriage was Miss Sayde Martin, of this city, and she has hosts of friends in the theatrical profession. Her mother, Mrs. Ellen Mar tin, was known all over the country as Aunt Ellen, and for years she conducted what was undoubtedly the most popular theatrical boarding house in the city. Mrs. Byers is the proud possessor of what is undoubtedly one of the largest collections of autographed pictures of actors and actresses in the country. Many of the big stars, even now, drop in on Miss Sadye for a meal, just for old time’s sake, when they visit Baltimore. Manager Maurice Lehmayer was the recip lent this week of a handsome specimen of an elephant’s head, from Mr. Frederic Thompson, of New York, and it has been placed in a conspicuous part of the spacious Academy of Music lobby. The present is sent in recognition of the many little favors bestowed upon Mr. Thompson's wife, Miss Mabel Taliaferro, who, while acting in Polly of the Circus here, was forced to undergo an operation for appendicitis. Mr. Thompson is extremely grateful for the many courtesies extended his wife during her illness, and in a letter stated that he wanted everybody In town to feel as if they were part owners of the elephant head. That Mr. Thomp son is veritably enamoured of Baltimore is made manifest by a letter to a friend recently, in which he stated that when the time arrived for him to get out of the amusement business and lead a quiet, happy life, Baltimore was the place he had selected for his residence. Many, many, many thanks. ® Philip Scheck, of the firm of Pearce and Scheck, the largest picture parlor operators ip this city, and owners of the New Victoria Theatre, was in New York during the week, attend ing the Film Convention. Robert T. Haines will be leading man for Olga Nethersole when she begins her tour in The Writing on the Wall, by William J. Hurlbut. Mr. Haines is very popular in this city, where for several seasons he played the leading roles in the Faweett Stock Company. Mr. Haines makes love on the stage in no uncertain way, and he and fiery Olga should furnish a brand of ‘‘goo-gooing’ that will not easily be forgotten. Beginning Monday, January 11, moving piectures will take the place of melodrama at Blaney’s Theatre. Mr. G. W. Rife, who is interested in a number of theatrical enterprises in Baltimore and other cities, is fathering the scheme. Blaney’s was eminently successful for several years, but the moving picture craze of late has hurt it seriously. With moving pic tures as the attraction, at Blaney’s, the Hollday Street Theatre will remain the only house in the city producing melodrama. Lila Sari, William Lee Howard's new novel, that has caused quite a let of comment in Balti more, Dr. Howard’s former home, and elsewhere, will som be dramatized, it is announced. It is said that Alice J. Kauser, the play broker, will have charge of the dramatte rights. Lila Sari will doubtless be tamed down in many spots, if she ever finds her way to the footlights. EMANUEL DANIEL. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. (Continued from page 15.) San Francisco ts to have a Tivoll again. The new theatre will be built at the original site, on Eddy street, between Powell and Masep streets, It is the Intention to begin work op the Tivoli just as soen as the Hall of Justice, which now occupies the site In a temporary building, i* moved. This means that the contractors will start to build In February, 1908, W. Ho Leahy, agent for the Krellaog state. says thet negotiations for the plans have ab ready begun. It is rumored of San Francisco, that HW. A. Fisher, formerly and now located im Los An geles, has secured an option for the lease of the lot on the corner of Eddy and Mason streets, formerly the site of the Poodle Dog Restaurant. Fisher is to have a theatre built on the site. Mrs Fay, the mother of Miss Maude Fay, the opera singer, dropped dead from heart Aisease, December 30, at her residence in thts citr. Miss Fay is now in Eurepe, where she is fulfiling an engagement in grand opera. Pr. Carl Herman, lIoleen Sisters, The Fergu sons, Grace Passmore, The Grazers Fdna Davenport, The Lyndons and Plerce and Roslyo leave this week for Los Angeles to play the Los Angeles Theatre and the Walker Theatre. The Havelocks. Hugo, Alice Mortlock and Company, Tom Moore, Les Durand Trio, and the English Rockers have gone to Denver to open at the Majestic Theatre. In a letter to this office from Denver, it te mentioned that Lind, In his Dance of the Five Senses, was a big sensation and during the en gagement the business done broke the record since the opening of the Mafjestl: Theatre. Reports from Sacramento mention that Me Clond and Melville made a decided hit at Pan tage Theatre. The American Theatre bookings begin the New Year with Arizona, followed by Fifty Miles From Boston. after which came Florence Roberts for one week's stay In a new plece, The Novalty Theatre is again dark after a as a five-cent picture house. mond and Manchester, where he was born, and! jatest rumor is that it is leased fer a musicad where his mother now resides. His real name' comedy house