The Billboard 1909-06-12: Vol 21 Iss 24 (1909-06-12)

The Billboard JUNE 12, 1909, Amusement events... of the week News From Metro Street Car Strike in Philadelphia Seriously Affects Down Town Amusement Places and Parks---All Larger Theatres of Pittsburg Now Closed---Rumors That Shuberts Will Invade The Smoky City. Park Business in General At High Tide, and All Cities Report Big Returns--Other News. PHILADELPHIA, PA. Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky came a street car strike in this city on Saturday, May 29, that, for the time being, completely paralyzed business in the theatrical line. While there had been rumors for a month that the men would go out on strike no one expected it would amount to anything, but on that day they left their cars and in a short time there were only a few cars running. To muke matters worse the city officials promptly issued an order closing all saloons from 6 o'clock in the evening until 7 a. m. the next day. Saturday night saw but few people at any of the theatres, as people expected violence and possibly bloodshed, so they remained at home. Monday, being the day celebrated as Decoration Day, meant much to the theatres that were open, and the parks looked for the banner day of the season. The public had recovered somewhat from their fright, and the theatres all did much better that day than on Sat urday. The matinees at most houses were well attended and in the evening, although there was not one car running after eight o'clock, the majority of theatres had full houses. Keith's Theatre had a big house, at both matinee and evening, and the Orpheum Players played to standing room in the evening and the house was filled at the matinee. The Girl From Yama, at the Walnut Street Theatre, was struck a body-blow that was almost fatal. The matinee was slimly attended and at night there was a small bouse. The other houses were well filled. The new Hippodrome opened to a big house, drawing many people from the immediate neighborhood who were unable to go to the center of the city, on account of the cars not ruaning It was blow from there were _—— on the parks the strike. only one holidays and Sundays. This park s owned by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company, and the strikers took particular care to cripple the lines running there, so that the number of visitors would be small. It happens, however, that a steam road carries passengers within a few yards of the park and many people used that method of transportation and that made it lively enough for some of the concessionaires to get a fair day’s business. If it had not been for that, the park would have been deserted. White City and Woodside Park felt the effects of the strike very much as they rely sole which received At Willow half the the Grove usual worst Park crowd ly on street cars to bring them visitors. Washington Park, on the Delaware, profited greatly by the strike. It is reached by boats, and the park is licensed to sell liquor. As the police regulations in this city closed all saloons on Saturday and Monday night, thousands of peo ple went to Washington Park on both of these nights so they were the biggest days that the park ever had. At present the street car strike is still in force, with no prospect of immediate settlement. The cars are running spasmodically, but few people are riding in them, as they are afraid of being stoned. There have been but few riots but the riding public are timid. Un til the strike is settled the theatres and parks will suffer greatiy. Some of the moving picture honses in the outlying districts have profit ed by the strike As people could not come into the center of the city they sought amusement near their homes, and many of these places were crowded by patrons who were new to these places. Welsh Brothers’ Circus also profited greatly. Its tents were crowded on Decoration Day and business has been good ever since. Manager M. W. Taylor opened his new Hippo drome, May 31. to a big crowd It is situated at the old Athletic Baseball Grounds and many thousands of dollers have been spent to make the place cosy and comfortable. A large stage had been erected and the seats were protected from the weather. There is a seating capacity of 6.000 and there were nearly five thousand people present on the opening night. The per formance given was a remarkably good wne and the new enterprise started off with «4 boom Rose Wentworth. the famous eques trienne, was the star. and her act went big A Girl act. by seven accomplished dance also m we hit: Toku Kishi did a daring le for life on the wire: The Zarrow Bicycle Troupe made a hit, and Madame La Rose. with her high-school horse: The Aerial Marlows, Five Musical Banvards, and the Diving Nords were also features on the program. The prices of admission are ten and twenty cents and from the way the new enterprise started off it looks like a winner. The Orpheum Players gave the first stock pro. duction of The Rose of the Rancho, at the Chestnut Street Theatre, May 31, using all of the original scenery and costumes and the production was one of the biggest successes that this organization has ever had. At Keith's Theatre, Kellermann, the diver, as become a fashionable fad, and thousands of our society people are making up box parties to see this wonderful woman. Her aquatic feats are daring and novel and, as she has been | praised for her perfect figure, men and women are flocking to see her. She will continue at this house for three weeks, yet. Among others on the bill for the week of May 31 are: Frank | Merrell, who made a hit in his black-face spec | quay; ialty with added applause when he struck his famous high notes in new songs: Imro Fox, who gave us a new line of comedy legerdemain: Wilfred Clarke and Company. The Heim Children, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Barry. Kelly and Rose Selbini, and Grevini and the Hopkins Sisters. After spending thousands of dollars in the repainting and refitting of the Eleventh Street Opera House, Manager William Gane opened that place. May 31, to big business. This is a radical change for a houuse that has been occupied by a minstrel company for half a century, and everybody predicted a failure for the new enterprise. The opening day looked as if these predictions would fall flat. for the house was crowded all day, and, in the evening. many hundreds were turned away. All of the seats have been renovated and more space added to the aisles. The front has been repainted and, before fall, a new stage and many other im provements will be added. The opening bill inelnded Billee Seaton. a clever female vocalist who hade good with her imitations of Eva Tanthe Bradley Minstrel Sextette. Phillips Sisters, Morton and Morton, and Rowland, the tramp juggler. Moving pictures, with a company to do talking, behind the scenes, were also a feature on the program. The business so far has been good. The Casino Theatre has closed for the season and burlesque stock companies are playing at the Gayety and Bijou Theatres. doing a verr fair business. Business is also goo at the Trocadero Theatre. All of the theatres running moving pictures and vaudeville are doing fairly well, and will keep open as long as bnsiness warrants. So far but few of them had losing weeks and it looks as if they would be able to keep up the grind all summer When Robert Cummings made his reappear ance at the Chestnut Street Theatre. May 31, he was greeted by a round of tumultous applanse that lasted for ten minntes He was formerly a member of the Orphenm Players. at this house, and was remembered for his ex cellent work. Last season he was on the road and his engagement for the Summer will mean much in the way of patronage during the Summer. W. D. Emerson, manager of the Capitol City Park, in Trenton, N. has raised a storm of indigration by his statement that he will keep the park open on Sundays. with the same line of amusements as are given on week days Surday, May 30. a lengthy vandeville program was given and now the church people are up in arms against hiim. Mr. Emerson states that he thoroughly understands his rights and that there is nothing in the law which will prevent him from giving the show. fought out in the courts. Miss Cora Moore. of this city. professionally known as Mile. La Belle. opened at Island Park, Faston, Pa., in an automobile somersanuit act, May 30. At the opening performance something went amiss and she was thrown out of the machine Her leg was broken and she was injured internally She was taken to the Easton Hospital It is claimed that will The matter will be she recover if unlooked for symptoms of internal injuries do not develop. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, who were to have given their usual games at Centra Park on Decoration Day, called the event off on account of the street car strike The Walnut Street Theatre offered the street car etrikers a cofmmission of fifty per cent on all tickets that they wonld sell for The Girl From Yama, but the strike leaders did not take the matter up It was rumored that Pryor’s Band, plaring at Willow Grove Park, would go on strike n s\mpathy with the street car men. but this report was indignantly denied by the manager of the band The concerts, May %) and 31 were ent dowr n lengtl om account f ack of visitors to the park Grant Lafferty, manager of the Theatre. announces that he |} is Girl Who Has Eve med in which EFleane made «uch a hit. and that it willl he by the Orphenm Players week of June Frederic Schwartz. who did such effective advance press work for Thurston. the magician, last season, is resting at his home this city. Mr. Schwartz has been re-engaged for next season Colonel Hopkins, the well-known vandevilie manager, I* spending a holiday in thi« city. He vill return to the West in a week or two George Nox McCain, the well-known lecturer, returned to America this week, arriving on the 8.8. Merion Mr. McCain, while in Turkey, gathering material for a new illustrated lec ture on that country, was arrested and con fined in a dungeon for two weeks The American Consul secured his release Mr. McCain will have much interesting data for his lec tures next season Brandywine Springs Park, Wilmington, Del., is making a strong bid for patronage from this city. and has secured many excursions so far and many of our lodges, etc.. will visit that place this summer. An energetic manager is re for this new business James B. Delcher is now busily engaged com pleting improvements for his Ocean Pier at Sea Isle City, N. J., and will open that structure in the middle of the month. Mr. Delcher opened this place last Summer and made a little money From the outlook he will make much more this summer, and spend very pleasant season in one of the best of New Jersey seaside BOB sponsible resorts Watt BROOKLYN, N. Y. Aborn Comic Opera Company summer season of comic Grand Opera House, last week. The first opera given was Robin Hood. which will be followed by Floradora, Chinese Honeymoon, Yankee Con The short started a opera at the sul, The Snitan of Sulu and others Manager Geo. W. Sammis has met with great success at the Grand and the season is one of the most prefitable in the history of this theatre. Irerey G. Williams’ Orpheum Theatre is draw ing well. considering the warm weather and Coney Island opposition The high-class vau deville bills have been the best ever given here. Geo. McManus, manager of the Empire Theatre, has started a summer season of vaudeville at his house and from all reports, is meeting with much success. Matt. R. Johnson, who is showmen and carnival people. and who has been connected with Frank C. Bostock’s enterprises, is again manager of Bostock’s at Coney Island, well known to all and reports business excellent Mr. Johnson has arranged a very attractive lot of wild ani mal acts at Bostock’s Henderson’s Music Hall is as popular as ever, at Coney Island Excellent vandeville bills are given there George C. Tilyou is getting his share of the crowds at Coney Island. Pr. Julian P. Thomas the noted aeronaut, is making some interesting experiments in sky navigation. at Steeplechase Park A captive balloon will be one of the features. Brighton Beach Music Hall has opened for the season All star vaudeville bills are given there Pain’s Fireworks will soon open at Brighton Beach Park. Miss Marie V. Fitzgerald. the well-known lady press agent. who has handled the publicity de partments of several] New York and Brooklyn theatres, leads in the contest for Queen of the Flatbush Carnival Miss Fitzgerald is one of the most popular women Luna Park in Brooklyn is setting a new high-water mark of popularity, althongh the Coney Island sea son is as yet only an infant With nine rides and twelve of the beet shows it ever presented fun is running rampant there The Crack of Doom. Luna’s big attraction, has made a big hit and ts withont a donbt the biggest and best outdoor abow ever given in Lona The free cirens at Luna is more popular than ever P. H. Morrison has opened his Muste Hall at Rockawar Beach High-class vaudeville will be ven, as usual Greater Dreamland has al! new attractions this season and business has heen excellent ever since the big park opened Creation’s Fall of Man is attracting the largest andiences this popular amusement place in Greater Dreamland has ever known Wednesday. June 9 will he Ornhans Day at Dreamland Over 3200 automo hiles will be required to transport 2.000 orphans to Dreamland. GEO. H. HAKES PITTSBURG, PA. The closing bill of vendeville at the Grand, this week, is a fitting climax to one of the beat mod most suecesefnl vears of its existence As i headliner the Romany Opera Company gives mn excellent performance which le closely fol lowed In merit by fourteen other acte. including ten Welch. Lillian Shaw, Harlan "Knight and ‘ peony. PRotler and Raseett, Hibbert, Warren. rr r Kelly and Kent and Al. Cariton With the close of the vandeville attractions we will ¢ ywever, see closed doors, as on Mondar. J 7 n Davée Stock Company will give rat performar rnd will continue until the f vaudeville opens. Anguet & Mree * expected from the etock o* ite roster teins the names of many of our old friends f the «tage who at seme time or another have 1 e than we 1 in their respective parts Excepting the lower priced vandeville houses, fu the Biter new a member, all amuse nent« t ] theatres ire now closed for the summer. and one necessarily goes to the “to fi na want herd to realize anywhere bur ir h theat Another attraction In the park ny ment line wae annexed thie week with the reopening of Lowa Park If the open ' ‘ wre eriterion of future patronage we feel eure that it will easily surmount all ohetacies that have been a hinderance to it heretofore Mr. W. M. Taylor, one of the heat knowr t managers In the country has as enmed a fi eare’ lenwe and hie gloriona he ginning wit mar new and better arrange ments dem e the beet of luck The open-air attractions Inclnding the Famous Hall Brothere the Najaro Troupe of Ruselan Dancera, and the Firing Fishers th William Cole, of Jotinson and Cole, gives Pittsburg all to be desired in the line of amusements. The new arrangement, by which patrons are entitled to two tickets for any side show, sprang at once into popular favor, and will help to make a successful season At Kennywood Park, the usual good attend ance was had and the vaudeville acts were of high class. West View, the North Side park is also enjoying excellent attendance and ax these two are the only real patural parks for amusement and outings, good seasons are ac cordingly looked for One of the strongest amateur theatrical or ganizations ever made, including Pittsburg's society. and with a cast numbering sixty peo ple. will give four performances at the Alvin June 2, 3, 4 and 5, of Pinafore, of the Tuberculosis League. The advance sale of seats has been unprecedented in amateur theatricals of the city It has been persistently rumored that The Shuberts will have one and possibly two houses in Greater Pittsburg, ere long In fact it has been unofficially announced that a deal bas already been clesed for the Hotel Boyer site L. L. KAUFMAN for the benefit BUFFALO, N. Y. The summer has opened successfully, and all the playhouses are running regularly but two, the Teck and Garden. Shea's put up a season good bill with Vesta Tilley, Empire Comedy Four, Nelson and Otto, Three Melvin Brothers, Campbell and Yates, Keeley Brothers. Ryan and White, Midgiey and Carlisle and pictures The Bonstelle Stock did nicely in The Forest Lovers The Teck had Gertrude Chipiman and Co. in Carmen Josie Flynn, Geo. H. Adams “nd Co.. Ive Close, Moramba Rand. Hallet and Stock. Darminely. Elsie Folk, Whitwell and Pearson and pictures were at the Academy. and the Layfay«tte had stock burlesque Julius MeVicker appears at Shea's June 712 n Strictly Business Manager White, of the Garden, put on a big benefit boliday bill, evening of 31. including he Weston Sisters, Gus Fay. Goff. Phillips, Douglass and Washburn, Lew Miller and otbers. David Warfield comes to the Teck in The Music Master, week of June 28. The Society Circus of the city’s *‘400,"" at the Stadium promises big. june 22 Bessie Valdare Rugaybots, Kuodara’s Jap Troupe. Hobson's Ridand Jockeys, Selbert’s Hippo. Features, Darling's Ponies and Dogs. Washburn's Ele phante, Mme. Belzac’s Stallions and other fea tures. The gentlemanly 101 Kanch Wild their comperny on a No such dare-devil seen here in years many new features side show with the business, and the ideal cireus Toured were filled ers management of Miller Bros." West made many friends for their first visit to the city, horsemanship has been and the intreduction of were noticeable A large exhibition did a land office lion stunt was thrilling day greeted the Cole Bros.’ Shows, 31 Over five thousand turned away, and the white tops to the ring banks. The parade was and the performance greater A camel bern on the irrival of the show, and Agent Carey named it Buffalo M. B JNO. 8. RICHARDSON. were great was Press KANSAS CITY, MO. All the mer se and the Howe's theatres are with the Auditorium now closed for the exception of the At the former motion pictures are in thelr forth week, and next week marks the close of the house These pictures have been the marvel and admiration of all, and in the first two weeks alone more than thirty thousand people went to see them The bill is changed every week, with the very latest in motion pictures being constantly added to the program Lester Lonergan and his company are playing ‘ummer stock at the Auditorium Last week Dr. Bill was presented, and this week The Devt! Mr. Lonergan is seen in the title role, and acquits bhimeelf most creditably. Mr. Lonergan has been seen in Kansas City in the role of Mephistopheles tn Faust, and in The Devil seems: to have just the character most sulted to him Electric Park is crowded. every day Ferul lo and his band continue to delight with excel lent mnele Specially arranged programe were given May 30-31 Sam Benjamin, manager of Electric, says that everything points to this season being the largest and best in the park's history ‘me of the most talked about conces slons is The Alligator Farm. Another hardiy call it a concession—te Nana, peture, This Is under the direction W. Sutton, who has had Nana on exhibit! past twenty-fiVe years Allen, a hame known Orpheum patrons of Kansas heen property man of The seneons has put in a concesslor This he calle The Jolly Bache! proves upon investigation to be a 1 Temple of Mirth, with many features added Mr. Menalng's Roller Rink t« one of the most pop and successful of the most popular and sucr ful of the many drawing cards at Elect: his proves that here roller skating ~ sumShubert Lyman SsOn and liked | City, For Orpheum f eed cellent drome Park tf being well attended T new attractions and rides at ! are always well patronized them ts DeKreko Broa.’ Internat There are fifteen talented arti«t* great Salida The DeKreko Bro! o mnong Theatre ind the