The Billboard 1909-08-28: Vol 21 Iss 35 (1909-08-28)

10 The Billboard AUGUST 28, 1909. Amusement events ee of the week News From Metro Coney Island and Near Brooklyn Beaches Lively Centers, and Theatrical Business in That City Presents a Prosperous and Glittering Showing---Houses in Philadelphia are Rapidly Opening With Success. What They are Doing at Buffalo---Brief Story of Amusement Happenings. i BROOKLYN, N. Y. The seascn at Coney Island and various beaches located in Brooklyn, has been very successful. While the weather has been cool in August, the crowds have been unusually large and money has been plentiful, considering the recent depression in business. 80 little inclement weather Pain’s fireworks have only formances during the entire all] reports this has been the most successful season Pain has ever had at Brighton Beach. The new Montauk Theatre starts its 1909 season, Labor Day, with Polly of the Circus, as its attraction, an attraction which is knowa to be one of the strongest drawing attractions now on the road. Manager Edward Trail, who has for years studied the wants of Brooklyn theatregoers, has a long list of the best BroadWay atiractions booked for the season of 1900 during the season, missed two persummer and from 10. Mr. Trail has engaged the most competent assistants and his many patrons are often heard to remark how courteous the employes of this theatre are; and the coming season will Ond the Montauk one of the best managed theatres in the East. Teller’s Broadway Theatre opens August 30, with The Girl From Rector’s. C. Teller bas selected a large number best attractions for the coming season. The Majestic Theatre. which is under the Management of W. C. Fridley. opened Saturday night, with Eddie Leonard's Minstrels. This new organization made a big hit here. Among those that took part in the program wers Eddie Leonard, George Thatcher, Harry Jolson, Billy Bowman, James M. Bowman, Charles Bradley, Harry W. Smith, Edgar Hobart, the Field Brothers. Quigg and Nickerson, and the Morton-Jewell Troupe. Howard Thurston, the magician, is booked here for week of August 30. The patrons of this theatre were greatly pleased by the appearance of this anditeriunm, which had been entirely redecorated, and the house presents a very pleasing appearance Manager W. C. Fridley received many compliments on the beautiful decorations, the opening night Among the compliments which Mr. Fridley received from a friend was: ‘**You have everything new but the wells,"’ a saying made famous by Wells Hawkes, of Dreamland, who made Dreamland famous by billing it as “Everything new but the ocean.’ The Orpheum Theatre opens August 30, one of the largest all-star vaudeville bills presented in Brooklyn. Me Empire Theatre, which plays the Western of the with evet burlesque shows, has opened the season and is drawing well. W. B. Watson's big show drew capacity crowds there, last week. Tom Min er’s Bohemians are booked there this week. Mr. George McMan, who is one of the most popular theatre managers in the East, is man aging again this season. F. C. Sniffen is treasurer, Jchn Potter is assistant treasurer and Jos. Samuels is leader of the orchestra E. J. Denice is again doing the press work for the Corse Payton Amusement Company and is making good showing in both New York and Brooklyn papers. During the past week, Etta Reed Payton returned to the city after a long and pleasant vacation at Far Rockaway. Mrs. Payton has plaved but two weeks in two years, with the resuit that she is now in the best of health This week she will begin rehearsal with the Corse Payton road company. which begins its season September 2. presenting a repertoire of high-class royalty plays For her leading man, Mrs Parton has secured J. Frank Burke. a well known stock actor who has been at the head of his own stock company in Fail River for several seasons and has also appeared as lead ing support to some of the best known actors. The Sunday concerts at the Theatre have been resumed for the and are very popular. Percy G. Williams announces that the opening Gate of the Alhambra Theatre is Angust 23. The openings of Mr. Williams’ other houses will be as follows: Crescent. September 4: Colo nial end Orphenm,. August 30: Greenpoint, Gotham and Novelty, September 6. The opening of the Court, this week, and the Amphion last week, under the management of Al. Woods, proves that the theatregoing public of Brooklyn is more than willing to pay to see good melodrama. The Court. which in the known as Hyde & Behman’s, Empire season, early days was and which Ister took on the name of the Olympic, has been further improved and its interior has been en tirely renovated. M. T. Middleton, who for sometime wes manager of the Grand Opera House, is in charge and his oNerings to the public seem to be as popular as they were, when he was conducting the affairs of the kim Place house. It has been the aim of Mr. Woods, who heads the conpany which is run ning the Court Theatre, to please the public, ; and his programs this year promise that he | will succeed. Nellie Revelle, who is without doubt the most prominent lady publicity promoter in this country, has been engaged by Perey 4G. As we have hal | Manager Leo | | were Williams to do his publicity work for the coming season. Nellie Revelle is famous in the middle West as a press agent and her writings have attracted unusual attention Perey G. Williams, who is known by his friends as the shrewdest vaudeville manager, certainly found a valuable asset to his business in Nellie Re velle. GEORGE H. HAKES. PHILADELPHIA, PA. Last Monday proved to be a big winner for the local managers, owing to the rain, maybe, but most likely to the excellence of the different attractions. The theatres were crowded to the doors. The correspondent was greeted with S. R. O. in five different instances. Keith's presented another excellent bill this week, headed by Julius Steger and Co., in a new sketch, entitled The Way to the Heart, and was received with much enthusiasm. The playlet is one that gives Mr. Steger ample opportunity to show his versatility as an actor, and his magnificent tenor voice. Next in line is Ben Welch, “the only Ben,’’ with his Yiddish and Italian monologue. All that can be said of him is that his act is entircly too short to satisfy his auditors. Another good act is Bert Howard and Effie Lawrence, in a skit called A Vaudeville Rehearsal. It is one of the most amusing oddities and in the hands of others than the above would evidently prove a failure. Others on the bill were Jones. Grant and Jones, the Artois Bros., The Exposition Four, Henry and Lizel and Fraulein Katchen, with her trained pigeons. Manager Jordon, who spent the greater part of last week in New York, returned in a J jubilant frame of mind, and when asked the reason, said, *‘Look at this line of bookings for very | the next few weeks, Maurice Freeman and Co., | Lasky’s celebrated Piano Phiends, The SullivanPasquelena Co., Emma Francis and her Arabs, the Three Renards, Scott and Wilson. Tfuis Guertin, Arthur Rigby, Howard Truesdale and Co.. Bowers, Walter and Crocker, Lasky's new and brilliant production, At the Waldorf, and many others of the highest reputation in the variety world. The Orpheum Players scored again in An American Citizen, Nat Goodwin's famous play, But ‘‘Matrimonial Nat’’ was not even missed, for Charies Balser seemed to fit in the part perfectly, and one would naturally think this was a first performance, with a snecially selected cast tu produce same Leah Winslow, as Beatrice Carew, is very charming, as were | all the other lady members of the cast An American Citizen is a good play. and calls for clever actors to interpret the different roles. Manager Lafferty has certainly supplied the necessary requirements It seemed very much like home when The | Billboard representative stepped the stage of the National Theatre last for many old-time friends were there. Prescott, Telia Davis, Jack Huntsman, and others The play, Sal, the Circus Gal, ii which Miss Prescott is starring, is one of Owen Davis’ latest and best. It deals with the life of a girl who has inherited a fortune, and who, in order to escape a fortune hunter, rons away and joins a circus becoming recognized with that aggregation in a star capacity; she is pursued by the villain, and many hairbreadth escapes are the result, as well as many thrilling climaxes. All in Sal, the Cireus Gal, i good, nd so is Vivian The company y evenly balanced, and many new Stage effects are brought into the play Lymen ilowe’s picture travels are still a big feature at the Garrick. where he has held forth for some time, and where he Intends to remain for some time to come Every week his patrons are treated to a new line of travel, and after a few hours spent at the Garrick feels as thongh he had learned a lot and traveled considerable distance. To mark the one hundredth ance of the Hippodrome, Manager stretched a point or two in the selection acts Herzog's Stallion headed the bill, Aaron’s Dancing Polls following. a close Excella and Francis, the ‘‘physical culture girls,’’ at the quarter, with the Martel Musical Act and the Aldeans. comedy acrobats at the half, with many others following closely The Casino opened ir one Taylor with Al. all its painted splendor, with Weber and Rush's Dainty Duchess Company. and pleased capacity business The pro duction, which consists of a two-act farce and a good olio sandwiched in between To Fred perform of his | made a that | Neland and P. W. Miles entrusted edy parts, and they certainly make number of shapely girls, as well as ers, make up the balauce of the all, the show is good, and deserves age of the people. The Bijon Theatre opened on Saturday with the Sam Devere Show, in .ugurating the opening of the at that ist Two very good burlesques were produced and a number of new and very catchy The stage settings are very elaborate, as well as the wardrobe. The show is too long, but that can be easily remedied Altugether it is a good show and should have a successful season. Messrs. Somers and Law were callers at The Billboard office last week. This clever team have reunited and are to appear in the second edition of The Automobile Comedy, and have in preperation a new idea. Mr. Law plays his original character, The Sheriff. The scenic and electrical effects are all new and the act opens at the Hippodrome in Ocean City, N. J., August 30. are the comgood, A singcast All in the patron good season songs Twenty-four hours after the fire which destrored the greater pert of Washington Park, Manager Thompson announced that be was open and ready for business He moved the band to another part of the ground and concentrated his attractions in that section, using tents, etc. About 20,000 people visited the ruins Sundar. and also stayed to see the different attractions One of the funny incidents in connection with this disastrous fire was that there was to be a clam bake at the park that day, and the clams were baked in the ice house when the fire started te devour that structure, but were rescued in time for the feast. Charles Frohman was In town last week on his way to Atlantic City, where he has created a temporary Office for the present, owing to the production and rehearsals of four new plays. C. W Rrandenburg. the «<nterprising Philadelphia film importer. has just returned to the city, and says that he has some of the greatest foreign films that were ever sent to this country. Pr. Baer, of Lubin’s, took the correspondent {into the Lubin work shop and showed him the latest In moving picture machines It is a marvel; no friction or noise in any way and will be a decided improvement on all other machines. Last Thursday night the correspondent drop ped around to Dad Frazier’s, and was there met by the jolliest bunch of performers who were having an evening “In Bohemia."’ A number ef good vaudeville acts were bill, as well as the bard from Lubin’s Theatre. Lunch was served by the genial Dad on the band opened a seaPark, last and some Sousa and his wonderful son of two weeks at Willow Grove Sunday A number of new marches new soloists were Introduced Hennetta Wheeler (our a caller at The Billboard office last week She eame in to say that she was ing to rehearsal back with the o show, The Rose Hill Folly Company. and also to acquaint us with the fact that George W. Rice is going to have an entire new show for season from the pen of Frank Dumont Iwars had a good cast. but his material was not of the best, and it Is to he hoped that this season he will come own Hennetta) was out with a rip-roaring farce. so that his com pany will get an opportunity to show themsclves Miss Wheeler also informed me that the new gowns this rear were simply gorgeous, | and that altogether they were In line for the nrize which consists of six weeks’ run in New York at the new Columbia Theatre, 47th and Prosdwer Each show is to be judged accordding to {ts merits. and f worthy of a Broad wey engagement {s have six weeks’ tryout at the ahove honse. and the best one of the lot fs to have an all eummer run in New York consequently there Is great rivalry in the Eastern Wheel. The Van Brothers. Ernest and Joe. closed thelr seaseon with the United on Saturday nicht, and went to New York to commence rehearsals with the Rose HIll show. Telia Davis and Vivien Preseott called to nav thelr respects to ‘‘Rilly Boy’’ on Wednes day morning. Both ladies were very charming and took the oath of allegiance to “Rilly Roy." sting quite a sensation her new rural skit. Frmante Stuart Is er at Lubin’s this week In Norman Jefferies has again assumed the booking of the Ninth and Arch Street Musenm. Mr. Jefferies has also hooked a number of big te over the United an’ Sullivan-Considine cir enits. His present headqnarters fe with Rart VeHingh. anotaoer hustler in the booking Ine Poor Rudy Heller is always In trouble. Last week he let It leak ont that he was going to have a mid-winter cirens on the road. and he has been tlooded with applications from per formers. freaks, tent manufacturers, carpen ters, an’. In fact. evervbody that goes to make up a cirens clientele Rut the last straw was came in with a wante’ to sell them to price Rudy jumped and hasty exit. ae did the other orenpants of the office, wntil Madame pieked up her pets ard disappeared down the stairs, very indignant. piled on when a sonbretje basket of snakes him for a nominal end The Trocadero Theatre onens Ite season Mon day. August 23. with The Rig Review, num bering over 50 people After much renovating ond painting from the top of the flae pole to the cellar, the Arch Street Musenm will open its doore to the nonh lie about September 1 Manager Hopkins took | ditorium, The Blllboard’s representative all over building and showed him all of the new terations. Frank Glading, vaudeville agent, Keith's Theatre Bldg., Philadelphia, Pa. (formerly of Heller & Glading is getting out an elabor rnnouncement sheet of acts open for the f season, The Aerial Dennells, who are at their hom: resting after a very strenuous season in parks this summer, were callers at The B bosrd office this week. After September 6 they wi.l be at liberty for a few weeks, when they go West on one of the big circuits, «x tending clear to the coast, WILLIAM K. SPARKS BUFFALO, N. Y. While a cage containing a massive maie " and a lioness, a cross between a tiger and leopard was being exhibited at Dunkirk N Y., 9% with Col, Francis Ferari’s Museum of Wonders, the family had an addition of three ni-lybrids. Shortly afterward two were killed by a blow from the paw of the male lion A fight between the Hons followed put in separate dens. The motion picture end vaudeville enterpri« and they were under the United Amusement Co. will clow September 5, at the Academy. On September 6 melodrama will open for the season, with A Workingman'’s Wife. end Lottie Week of August 16. Fi Williams, in a sketch: R. M. Dp . solo singer; Milmar and Morris, acro Cliff, comedian; Ethel Desmond, cor Senzell Brothers, ring act; Granvi!l: Mack, sketch: MecGowen Trio, song and dance, giving excellent satisfaction. Twelve pieces ih the orchestra at the Garden Theatre will give patrons the pleasure of mu sical selections equal to the higher-priced houses, The lighting system has been very much improved, and the house is one of the best ventilated. Newly painted insi and « The Weber and Rush Parisian Widows open 21, giving thirteen performances with Ike Wal! ten Pierce, Margie Hilton, Emily Miles, Mae Rose, Musical Bells, Niblo and Spencer, Een nett and Bently, Dancing Dolls and larg chorus Two musical comedies and high class vaudeville to large audiences are made a fe ture. Dan Kelly, of Gollmar Brothers’ Circus, sends in a copy of “The Cireus Folks."’ published by the Pnff Club The advertising and short notes look good. Thanks, The great success of Crystal Beach this season, is due largely to the high moral plane upon which the park is operated H. BR. Rogers the manager. is a stickler for morals and his management has practicelly eliminated the rongh clement. With the commencement of the 1909 secssen the ontlook for the beach was not as good as 1908, due te the fact that it bad not only the opposition of Buffalo's Luna Park. « very high-class resort, but the Mid. Summer BP position was started ‘It’s an ill wind” and Dame Fortune turned the wheel The Mi Summer has cone into the hands of a receive while Luna Park has unfortunstely had a vere dixastrovs fire and the balance of the seaser looks proeperous, Some of the best bills of the country are to be seen at Shea’s, which is acknowledged by } transient visitors The line-up, 16 Seldor Venns, “‘living statuary,’ a headliner, please especially The Athletes and the Reeene \ special favor is Bertie Herron and Company in Behind the Scenes successfully handled Fred Benel and Fremont Burton were favorites in My Awful Dad. Nonette, a new-comer, did some good solo work The Vans, Charles a Fannie, in A Case of Emergency, were vaw! ville stars, Ed. Morten was welcome ite Four Floods are a cood school of ecrobate rh Dixie Serenaders, in a Coontown Festival, we merry mikers bic Geo. Pri.nrose., week, at the merry minstrel good offering at Widows are at and new filled ont a mid-summer program. a Buffalo pictures boy. is here this Lyric with his mammoth The New Century i the Lafayette The the Garden, 21 Mont zor and Stone are at the Star. August %0 stader’s Minstrels are at the Teck, 2 Workingman'’s Wife, at the Academy and Under Southern Skies, Little Servant in the House are future hook different houses, Including the Hast end The Moulin Rouge, at the Garden © Lufayette, respectively. Plans under way and work will begin at once on a new theatre, with large dress-circle and gallery, and a seat capacity of 1.600 The site Is on the *¢ side, 522 William = street The Co operat Amuorement Co. is the Investor. to the tune $47,500. Dr. J. Grafton Jones ts one of the corporators. The theatre will be 55 feet w 13% feet deep, built of pressed brick, i cotta, steel and stone It te firenroef in struction and will be a full fledged theatri honse A new Fast probablr at 128 Brother hall will be built by Rudenach amusement Genesee street, | Plans have been placed. featuring Geor: Surely ¢! Doe! Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels, vans, Is an early date at the Star black birds are coming fast. Primrose, stader and Evans Hunniford, the at Fort Erle Ruffalo, at roller skating Rink« have Mustontiat, Reach, this the present rint The been taken is a fine attract! week time, Is Coliseum for bosiness without and Pala purpose