The Billboard 1910-07-16: Vol 22 Iss 29 (1910-07-16)

Bsujerss oy eta { : : lee GS alia The Billboard JULY 16, 1910. W. H. DONALDSON, Publisher. ISSUED WEEKLY, and entered as Second-class Mail Matter at Post Office, Cincinnati, O. Address all communications for the editorial or business department to THE BILLBOARD PUBLISHING CO., 416 Elm Street, Cincinnati, O., U. S. A. Main 2769. “*Billyboy.’”’ Long Distance Telephone, Cable address (Registered) NEW YORK. Holland Building, 1440 Broadway. Telephone, 1630 Bryant. CHICAGO. 1203 Schiller Building, 103-109 Randolph S&St., Telephone, Central 5934. SAN FRANCISCO. Westbank Building, 830 Market St., junction Market, Ellis and Stockton Sts., Suite 621. PHILADELPHIA. Keith Theatre Building. ST. LOUIS. Room 803 Missouri Trust Building. LONDON, ENGLAND. 179 Temple Chambers, E. C. PARIS, FRANCE. 121 Rue Montmartre. Telephone, 222—61. Room 65, 601 Subscription, $4 per year; 6 months, $2; 3 months, $1. : No extra charge to Canadian or Foreign subscribers. ADVERTISING RATES.— Twenty cents per line, agate measurement. Whole page, $140; half page, $70; quarter page, $35. No advertisement measuring less than five lines accepted. Saturday, July 16, 1910. THE BILLBOARD is on sale on all trains and news-stands throughout the United States and Canada, which are supplied by the American News Co., and its branches. It is also on sale at Bretano’s, France. office. Remittances should be made by or express money order, or addressed or made payable Publishing Company. The editor can not undertake to return unsolicited manuscript; correspondents should keep copy. post-office registered letter to The Billboard RICHMOND, VA. Reports of Excellent Business Made by All Managers in the City. With the opening of Fourth-of-July week, the theatres got the upper hold again after a fortnight’s unequal struggle with a thermometer in which the mercury had been peevishly and persistently pushing its way toward the top of the tube. And business is once more booming for everybody, thank you. At the Academy of Music, the Benjamin Players, handicapped by the inexplicable and impolitic release of Catherine Carter, the most popular leading woman Richmond has seen in a stock organization in many years, put on a good front in funny, frivolous Niobe, and during the week showed marked and steady improvement at the box-office end. Robert Cain, a new leading man, who made good here last season with the Will A. Page-Paul R. Benjamin Company, appeared in the cast Monday night and will remain with the organization to the close of the season, which now bids fair to extend through the month, at the very least. The Benjamin Players have enjoyed a long and prosperous season, all things considered. Carroll McComas encceeded Mise Carter in the principal feminine roles. Another laugh was raised among those who are informed concernin. the theatrical situation here, when the information leaked out a few days ago at the Bijou Theatre, which was leased at the close of the last season to the Princess Theatre Company, supposed to have a home office in Louisville, Ky., was really under lease to Wilmer and Vincent. It is said that even the business associates of Mr. Wells did not know the identity of the Princess Hheatre Company until last week. The house is now operated as a ten-cent vaudeville and motionpicture theatre, with William T. Kirby, of the managerial staff of Wilmer and Vincent at the helm. Mr. Kirby is recognized as the cleverest and most resourceful house manager the firm of Wilmer and Vincent has had in ite employ in years. It is understood that he will quit the ten-cent house and return to the Colonial Theatre, Norfolk, of the W. & V. big eircuit, at the end of the eummer season. He has made the ten-cent a big paying ition. He is giving five shows a day and last week’s daily average attendance was in the neighborhood of 5,000. The Colonial Theatre, the ten-cent amusement house conducted by Ed. P. Lyons for Wilmer, Vincent and a third interest, represented by Jake Wells, continues to win out streng with five Payable in advance. | | titioned the City 87 Avenue de l’Opera, Paris, | When not on sale, please notify this | performances a day. With an attractive array of offerings, the house has played to almost Capacity business throughout the week. The success of the Colonial may be credited largely to the personal popularity and executive ability of Mr. Lyons, who is a Keith graduate and formerly handled a Keith house in Philadelpbia. The Theato, leased and managed by D. L. Toney, uncle of the redoubtable Eddie Leonard, minstrel man, is not trailing in the race for the big money between the ten-cent show shops. “Uncle Toney’? is new in the business, having taken hold only a few months ago, but the earning capacity of the Theato has steadily increased ever since he entered the manager's office. Big business, too, is flowing Into the Lubin, which is sandwiched in between the Bijou and the Colonial. The Lubin was originally conducted by the film-making firm whose name it bears, but is now managed by Dr. S. Galeski, who, like the original Lubin, is an optician, selling eye-glasses, glass eyes and other necessities of life, from his large establishment in Main street The summer parks are doing a tremendous business these warm afternoons and nights. Forest Hill, the new pleasure resort, of which Col. J. H. Livingston is lessee and manager, is getting the lion’s share of the patronage, but Idlewild has no cause to complain of lack of patronage on that account. The latter is drawing crowds fifty per cent larger than could be found here last season when there was no Forest Hill to compete with. Fred Lewis, an experienced park manager, formerly associated with the Frank Bostock shows, is the manager of Idlewood. The concessionaires at both sum mer parks report a profitable season in every line. ROBERT GOLDEN. SINGING CONTESTS AT CALHOUN Calhoun, Ga., July 8.--There will be three big singing days at the Gordon County Fair, to be held here October 18-22 One by the children, one by County Classes and one open to all North Georgia, all for handsome prizes. The other days, Farmers’ Union Day, Reunion and Secret Order days are also of great interest New pens, coops, etc., will be built and advertising work done in all the counties of North Georgia. The average attendance of last year of 3,000 daily is expected to be greatly increase i stalls, over follows the > 4 days an banjo-pick ai and 26, three singi reed-blowing and other The secretary of the charge of concessions, ts. They contests will hold old Gordon County etc., of pastimes Fair has fair also. NEW DANVILLE HOUSE. Danville, Ml July 9.rand George W. C Opera Honse Council to changes in the > nearly if the petition is next vear he down and repl modern building doubt be grante< The condemned and hief " hatterton here, has pe allow him to interior of the Grand onform to the fire o i granted, he will the ace it with an His petition will no present building closed by the fire of last season tear date ordered c the “lose report was irrent two or the Shnberts had given up the on the Grand, but there is no representat of either the Shuberts or Mr three ST. JOSEPH, MO. Airdome Presenting Stock a Great Summer Favorite—Amusement News. The broad smiles on the faces of Manager L. F. Ingersoll and his assistant, Fred Cosman, are sufficient to explain business conditions at Lake Contrary Park. The crowds have been by far the largest in the history of the fresh air resort. All concessions report excellent gain. Shoot the Chutes, new this season, and in charge of the courteous Chas. Nash, is a sure drawing card. While explaining the mechanical devices of same to the writer, Mr. Nash stated that the tower was eight feet higher than any in the country. The display of fireworks on the big day were excellent and pleased the big crowds. The Wm. Grew Stock Co., at the Airdome, still continues to draw big patronage. Mr. Grew and Miss Little, in the leading roles, continue to increase their popularity. The selection of plays offered are good. Harry Van Fossen, late of the Cohen and Harris Minstrels is an added feature to this week’s bill. Harry is a great favorite with St. Josephites, and has no difficulty in keeping the andience in an uproar. He will remain in the city several weeks to visit parents who reside here. Business at the Pantages has been somewhat on the decrease, owing to the warm weather, although the presenting bills are easily up to the regular standard. ‘me headliner this week, Tinkhem and Company, is one of the best features yet appearing at the theatre. Manager Beaumont will be compelled to close the house = renovation, which announcement will appear ater. The Bijon Dream, Royal and Star theatres, offering moving pictures and illustrated songs for the warm months, continue to draw pleasing crowds. Cc. U. Philley, of the Tootle and Lyceum theatres, left for a stay of several weeks around the northern lakes, where plenty of fish and cool breezes will endeavor to entertain the popular manager. Assistant Manager Ralph Van Houten will remain and attend to business matters during Mr. Philley’s absence Manager Frank Newman, of the Royal, re— from a short business and pleasure trip past. B. Gerard, assistant stage manager of the Pantages’, left last week to attend the T. M.A. convention at Washington, D. C., JESSE J. WAGNER. CORBETT TO TELL HOW IT HAPPENED. New York, Jnly 11 (Special to The Billboard). —William Morris has signed contracts with Jaw. J. Corbett, who was Jeffries chief handler, to appear at the American Roof Garden on Monday, July 11, and tell his own story of the JeffriesJobnson battle. Gordon | ing October 24, 25] fiddle| plantation | this | CURT M. TREAT (See First Page.) There are many among the present day theatre Managers and posting service officials who remember well Curt M. Treat from the time in the early 90's when he was serving in a managerial Way with various road companies—in fact the “old guard’ of theatrical men all know him well enough to hail him as ‘‘Curt.”’ Mr. Treat’s experience in the strictly amusement field of endeavor terminated in 1898 when be was called from Buffalo to assume the management of the Convention Bureau of the Chicago Association of Commerce, which department was at that time instituted. Mr. Treat is a convention getter. He seems to have an inherent ability to land most everything he goes after. The fact that Chicago's annual list of conventions has jumped from fifty to over three hundred would indicate that the man who Is responsible for this increase can deliver the goods. Mr. Treat is at the head of one of the most important departments of the largest and best organized bodies of its kind in the world. His, is a big position, he fills it well. He is a big man, physically and mentally, and he has equipped himself with the knowledge and experience necessary to combine with his ability in an efficient union. Among the three hundred or mote events which Chicago will entertain the present year is that of the Tri-ennial Conclave of Knights Templar, which is admitted to be the largest and best gathering possible for any city to secure. At a conservative estimate no less than a quarter of a million people will be brought to Chicago during conclave week (August 8 to August 14), and those who have made a study of these things say that between eight and ten million dollars will be left in the city by these visitors. Mr. Treat is ably assisted in his department by Frank Zingg, a young aggressive man who ifs taking full advantage of his opportunity of learning the game from a past master. PIERCE PLAYERS OPEN. a July 8.—H. E Players opened the summer seasou last Saturday before a large and enthu audience This new stock organization carrying twenty-five players, and with exact duplicates of the original scenic productions of the three bills they are enting. namely Edwin Milton Royle’s The § Man; Robert Edeson’s former Str art, and an elaborate revival of At the Superior, Wis., Associated Pl here Pierce & Co.'s siastic success, Horse Tav | ern The roster of this action includes | ‘ot Fred Monley, \E ill, Joseph Kemper | H. m Smith. Miss Blanche | Douglas ’ tor Miss Merie Bon| sall Miss M Miss Peggie Kellogg and others The company will tour the north Jern Michigan country during the next four ; weeks, then play return dates, William Gilman is acting as company manager, wh Lee Parvin is attending to the business details in ad |} Vance THEATRICAL FIELD DAY AUG. 10. New York. July 11 (Spe The Billboard) ~The annual Theatrical Day will be held this year at the Polo Gre on the afternoon of or the benefit of the ric Cohan and Harris i will have charge of the : ° planned to give a sa tire on the tournament spoken of in Scott's Ivanhoe. Seott and the Middle Ages will be improved upon by the Introduction of two baseball games, a swimming display by a number of chorus girls, exhibitions of airships and aeroplanes, and a Wild West Show The field day has the sanction of Daniel Frohman and the other or ficers of that institution Frank FP. Goodale, the aviator of Palisades Park, and Joseph Sey mour, another aerial artist. have signified their intentions to be on hand with their cloud rac ers. WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES MUSICALIZED. New York. July 11 (Special to The Billboard). —It is said that one of the first novelties of the coming theatrical season will be the produce tion of The Girl and the Drummer, under the management of William A Brady (Ltd.) which is now in rehearsal on the stage of the Casino Theatre. The Girl and the Drummer is a musical version of What Happened to Jones. Mr. George Broadhurst. author of the original play, has rewritten the book for musical comedy purposes. and has also supplied the lyrics. The music is by Augustus Rarrett Among the lead ing principals engaged for the niece are Charles Grapewin, Anna Chance. Vera Michelena, Stella Tracy. Bernice Ruck, Jean Salisbury, Phil Rtley, Bernard Dillon and Francklyn Hurleigh. Mr. Broadhurst has himself taken charge of the rehearsals. FROHMAN AMERICANIZES A FRENCH PLAY. New York, July 11 (Special to The Billboard) —Les Costand des Epinettes the tongh or “bluff’’ of Epinettes, a Paris cafe chantent, 1s one of the plays, that, with Le Rola Sacre and Chantecler, was the vogue of the present theatrical season in Paris. Charles Frohman has secured the play for America, and announces from London that he will produce It here with a strong cast, under the title of A Bolt from the Bine CASINO CLOSES FOR A WEEK. New York, July 11 (Spectal to The Rillboard). ~The Casino Theatre is closed this week to permit of some renovation and structural changes to the stage for Shuberts’ new musical revne, Up and Down Broadway. which !« non Aerlined to open on Monday night. Jnly 18. Fddie Foy and Pmma Carne are the announced electrified players. WAGENHALS AND KEMPER REMAIN NEUTRAL. New York. July 11 (Special to The Billboard). —Mesers. Wagenhals and Kemper announce that they have perfected arrangements whereby their numerous attractions. including several eompa nies of thelr phenomenal success, Seven Days will be seen in the one-night stand territor controlled and booked by the National Theatre Owners’ Association, and that most of their large city time has been filled through Klaw & Erlanger. This action places them in the same theatrical Nght as Mr. Savage, who out lined bis plans a week or 80 ago, MONTREAL, CAN, Parks and Theatres Sharing Libera! Patronage—Vaudeville Continues in Favor. Dominion Park, with its many attractions, {s much sought after. The free attractions are good. alias Kid Allen Show Jim Moran, opened tv fair business. The Westwood Fat Children are receiving their share of patronage. At the close of the season they intend to return to their homes in New Zealand. One of the best vaudeville bills the Sohmer Park management have had drew capacity bus! ness last week. The Casino has got back to capacity houses. The usual good bills are very entertaining. The Ryan Stock Company played to fair bus! ness at the Princess. Black Fox this week. LOUISVILLE, KY. High-Class Musical Aggregations Wel! Received by Park Patrons. Miss Nola Locke is the popular soloist with Gregg’s Band at Fontaine Ferry Park Miss Locke has a splendid voice, and is making a great hit with the patrons of the park The Banda Roma is the new band at Riv erview, with G. Sirignano as leader. Madame Arnold, who is the soloist with the Banda Ro ma. is making a big hit with her popular songs. The bill at Fontaine Ferry Park Theatre last week Was an exceptionally good one, headed by Kathleen Clifford There were two Louisville artists on this bill, Miss Elsie Tuell and Roy Harding Among the others on the bill were Chas. Wayne and Co. in a sketch called h Morning After. Mullen and Corelli and Me han's Dogs. Glenwood Park, one of the prettiest parks along the river, had the largest crowd of the season last week. It is situated on the river, and also on a creek, where boating and bathing can be enjoyed. A. V. SHECKLER. BILLBOARD SUBSCRIBERS, NOTICE! After several hundred copies of the July 9 is sue of The Billboard, bearing on the title page the likeness of Curt M. Treat, had been printe an accident occurred in the press room, wt demolished the half tone, and accordingly photograph of Gustave Luders was substitute We are printing Mr. Treat’s likeness on the ti tle page of this edition. GREEN ROOM CLUB GIVES PERFORMANCES. New York, July 11 (Special to The Billboard —Members or the Green Room Club will give their Seventh Annual Summer Dress Rehearsal at the Casino, Asbury Park, On Saturday, July 23. The club will also give a performance at the Apollo Theatre, Atlantic City, early in August. ANOTHER HARRIS PRODUCTION. New York, July 11 (Special to The Billboard). —Henry B. Harris announces that he has se cured the producing rights to George Middletown’s new play, entitled The Girl from Home. A stupendous production is promised for early in the fall, PLANS OF AL. H. WOODS. New York, July 11 (Special to The Billboard). —Al. H. Woods announces among his offerings for the coming season The Brute and the Other Woman. Both plays are from the pen of Fred erick Arnold Kummer. Mr. Woods will send twelve other first-class attractions on the road. BELASCO COMPLETING CAST. New York, Jaly 11 (Special to The Billboard) —David Belasco announces that he has engaged William Morris, Jane Gray and John W. Cope, all former members of the Belasco forces, for important roles in The Concert, which Is to open at the Belasco Theatre early in October. Leo Ditrichstein and Janet Beecher are also as signed to important roles. MARRIAGES. MAY-MOLES—Mr. H. E. Moles, with The Girl and The author of the play. member of the same June 23. COPEMAN-ROSS.—Mr. Roy Ross, swinging wire artist, and Miss Eva Copeman, both of Kalamazoo, Mich., were married June 15, !0 Hammond, Ind. leading man Ranger Company, also and Miss Dixie May, * company, were married BIRTHS. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ed. L. land, of the Copeland Brothers’ Stock Co. (The Three Copelands), on the night of July 3, at 10:35, one eight-pound boy. Mother and baby doling nicely. DEATHS. ACCOMAB®0.—Joe Accomaso, proprietor of * moving picture theatre in Cartersville, Ga., died in Rome, Ga., Thursday, June 80, of typhold fever. He was sick only a few days. Cama rata and Camarata are operating the theatre now. Amanda Hendricks was granted a d@ivore from Jimmie Connors by Judge Booth, at Minnesp olils, Minn., June 6.