The Billboard 1911-01-14: Vol 23 Iss 2 (1911-01-14)

a= * ’ ee ee oe ETE The Billboard JANUARY 14, 1911. ALBANY, N. Y. The local theatres did a eapacity business New Year’s day owing in part to the large number of strangers in town for the inauguration of Governor Dix. Mary Shaw has replaced Emma Dunn and Jane Corcoran in the title role in Mother. Prof, Alfred 8. Bendell, musical director at Harmanus Bleocker Hall bas fitted up attractive quarters behind the scenes at the theatre, where his valuable musical library is kept. The walls | of the forest, the stars who have appeared there during the | past year. On January 9, Proctor’s Annex introduced vaudeville, with Guy Graves as manager, . gives Mr. Proctor two theatres in Albany voted to this form of amusement. Her tofore only moving pictures and illustrated songs were | given at the Annex WILLIAM H. HASKELL, BROOKLYN, N. Y. The year of 1911 will no doubt see many changes in the amusement business in Brooklyn, as there are many rumors afloat changes of policy here. There regarding | is a marked in| crease in business here since the holidays, and | the managers are greatly encouraged. Brooklyn mabagers are meeting with good success in obtaining attractions direct from Manhattan, with original casts. Just as soon as Brooklyn theatregoers are thoroughly convinced that they can see the original casts and productions in Brooklyn. there will be a marked improvement in the theatrical business here. | production of champagne on New Year's consisting of the acts working on the bill, the | Stage manager and The Billboard representative helped him carry it home. eve. A party “Dick Maddox,’’ who recently closed with the Lady Buccaneers, was the hit of the bill at the Majestic Theatre the week of January He has a Dutch act that is both refreshing in style and winning in its execution. Charles Nelson, whistling mimic and wizard claims to have broken the long } | distance record for number of shows worked in are decorated with autographs and souvenirs of | one day. He reported Christmas Monday at a certain theatre for rehearsal at 10:00 A. M., and they allowed him to go to work at once. He was both the opening, feature act and close of the show and he states that he only appeared | thirty-two times during the day. While an old-timer at the game he thinks this about the limit. His act is probably one of the best mimic acts outside Lyceum Bureau time that has been seen recently in these parts. His recent imitation of a rat in the office of the Mayor at Alliance won for him a two-column story in the local paper and it is said that the mayor's stenographer climbed onto the table to avold being bitten by thiis ventriloquial rodent. Mr. Geo. V. Managers’ musical all is Haliday, the manager of the Producing Co., booking tabloid productions, reports solid bookings of his shows for the next fifteen weeks. He about to put out a new company with a all of his own build along entirely different lines from the usual vehicle. J. C. Brazee, secretary and treasurer of the Cleveland Vandeville Company made a fiving trip to New York State on Jan. 1 and returned on the fourth with contracts to book acts into nine new houses. This is apropos of Mr. Brazee having the bell hops in the Gilsey | House page Mr. Sunshine just as the New Year was coming in for he seems to have got | a lot of synshine on his Eastern trip. The great Mazetti Troupe was an extra at| traction with the Columbia Burlesquers at the Star last week, and were a big hit. GEORGE H. HAKES. BALTIMORE, MD. The week previous to Yuletide is always dreaded by theatrical men because the woers devote their attention to other matters concerning the holiday event, but despite these annual conditions the show business this Season Was not as bad as usual. There were several theatres that had capacity business and there were some that showed a general decrease which was naturally due to the occasion. Sweet Sixteen which played at the Academy of Music, was one of the attractions that enjoyed pacity business, Now that the holiday season is passing, busi ca ness will resume its normal conditions. The season so far has been very profitable, and with many big attractions still to come the season of 1910-1911, will no doubt end with eratifying results Now that the big department stores close every evening at 6 P. M. including Saturdays, the clerks as well as the public will have more time to attend the theatres. Mr. August Fenneman Electric Park last contract of rental betwen him Park and Exhibition Company was placed on record at Towson. The lease carries the land, twenty-five acres, and all furnishings, and chattels on the property. The leases expires December 31, 1915, and the rent is $8,000 a year, payable in four installments of $2,000 each. Christian Sanderson, who was attending a performance at the Victoria ber 28, struck Robert P. manager of the playhouse, reprimanded him for loud talking during the performance. Sanderson was arrested and fined 25 and costs by Justice Grannan at the Centrai Police Station. The magistrate plainly told the prisoner that he would not tolerate any disorder in theatres in his district. The managemept of the Wizard on west Lexington street gave a banquet in honor of their employes December 27. In the evening, the friends of the employes were entertained at the theatre. A special program of music, dancing and sketch work was given for their pleasure, and after the show the feast was in order. Manager Sol. J. Saphier, of the Savoy, entertained several hundred orphans at the mat summer and last week the and the Thompson, assistant because the latter inees last week. His guests were delighted with the performances of the Boston Players. Miss Elizabeth Cockrill, of this city, fre quently visited the Alcazar Theatre, where moving pictures of great interest are exhibited. The pictures, portraying love affairs and romances of all descriptions, proved very interesting to this winsome young lady. She was introduced to Arthur Price, the manager. Their acquaintance soon ripened into love and the happy sequel to the romance founded in the moving picture theatre was brought into reality December 27. The couple met by appointment at the theatre, and without warning their parents, they hied themselves to the where they were joined hand sacred bonds of matrimony. A banquet was served at the Relvedere, January 4, in honor of Col. Jerome H. Joyce. The citizens presented service as a testimonial in recognition of his services for the excellent manner in which handled the affairs of the aviation meet recently held at Halethorpe. The meet was a great success and proved to be greater than anticipated by the promoters. SYLVAN SCHENTHAL., in hand in the CLEVELAND, O. While theatre records of Christmas were not broken, the record New Year's day almost equalled it and the average attendance through out the week was on the whole better than the previous week. While the -banks report very light clearances, everybody seems to have money to spend and best of all they are spending it, which is the essential feature to the success of theatrical attractions. The Misses Alta Pound and Trixie Denton, of the Tiger Lilies Company, are framing up a | stunning sister act which it shortly be seen in vaudeville. Lew Deane, the popular black-face comedian, spent Christmas with relatives In Akron. He reports success in the South. Jay Mengle, the popular manager of Cole and Hines’ East Side National Theatre, drew the lucky number which entitled him to six quarts is rumored will house of a minister, | | show } theatre| secured the lease for | Electric | Theatre Decem| him with a handsome silver | he | | agent at the Imperial Theatre | tricks Milt Arnsman, gist, returned to Cleveland Jan. 1 and accepted ten weeks’ contracts on the Cleveland Vaudeville Co.'s time. Geo. Clay, a local favorite, after spending the holidays at his home in Cleveland, accepted a few weeks for the after which he will open new act. in New York with a DON HOLBROOK, PITTSBURG, PA. The bills last week were above the average for any particular week of the season and the bacmmess for New Year’s week should prove in excess of any previous New Year's week. The roller rinks, Duquesne Gardens and Audi torlum were taxed to their capacity and at the | Duquesne the demand for skates was larger than the supply. Mr. Edward Wallen MeSwat Dunn, of the publicity department of Cohan & Harris, a visitor last week. There were a great many parties and much entertainment amongst the profession owing to the holiday season, principal amongst which was the usual Christmas banquet given annually by the Ward and Vokes Company, or rather by Messrs. Ward and Vokes to the company. This took place this year in Pittsburg at the Colonial Annex. Mr. Ward and Miss Daly were presented by the company with a lovely set of cut-glass of forty pieces. only outsiders of prominence present were Mr Tew Kelly, formerly with the Ward and Vokes Compeny, but now connected with The Serenaders, and Mr. James Deacon, the Lyceum Theatre. Mr. Stanhope Wheatcroft. of the Duquesne Stock Company, is able again to resume’ his position with the company after an attack of sickness. The management of the Grand will present a novel feature the latter part of this month, as Manager Davis is arranging for what is termed Old Home Week. This will be signalized by a program of favorite old-time actors. There will not be any new names in the list but each name will recall happy memories not only to the generation of playgoers of today but to those of the past. Every act will be a headliner and every name will be fa miliar. LOUIS L. KAUFMAN. PROVIDENCE, R. I. The employes of the Bijou Theatre, Day. in order to testify to their anpreciation of their manager, Mr. M. J. Reilley. who is ever on the lookout to further their interests, presented him with a mahogany mantle clock of exquisite design. A notice appeared in these columns a few weeks ago to the effect that Mr. Thos. Walsh, of this city, had been appointed advertising This report is incorrect, inasmuch as Mr. Walsh is not, and never has, been connected with this theatre in any capacity. Prof. Graham’s Educated Theatre, last week, made which these little truly wonderful. It is interesting to note that while a great many managers are complaining about business in general, and that no matter how good a one has, business is poor. Messrs. Spitz and Nathanson, of this city, have at the present time five Xmas Fleas, ouite a mites at Keith's hit. The perform, are shows on the road and all making money, three companies, The Thief. The Turn ing Point and The Great Divide, the rights of the last being secured only last week. Mr. Henry Collin. who has held the position of chief usher at the Providence Opera Honse for a great many years, returned to his dnties Xmas week, The proprietors of the Biton Theatre presents of gold coins to all Xmas time. The employes of the Nickle Theatre, at Xmas presented Mr. F. W. Westgate. manager with a beautiful stained glass electric dome. donated thelr employes at the popular singing monolo| Cleveland Vandeville Co., | was, The | treasurer of | after an absence of nearly a year. | staff of the Imperial Theatre: Walker and Edwards, managers; rep resenting Sparrow, Walker and Edwards, Geo. | N. Grey; W. 8S. Baldwin, house and manager of Stock Company; W. 8S. Baldwin, Jr., treasurer: J. A. Hill, stage manager; Stephen A. McNeil, stage carpenter; J. Smith, electrician; Thos. Hayden, property man, and Patsy Plant, vertisi ent. Pe Oe W. B. GREENE. | Executive Sparrow, CINCINNATI, 0. The Albert Dwight Players is the name of the |} stock company which commences its engagement, Jan. 9, at Robinson’s Theatre. The opening bill |will be The Ways of the World, a three-act comedy-drama. In conjunction with this will be a program of vaudeville and pictures. With “AMUSEM SEATTLE, WASH. 1 | Never in the history of Seattle were the differ. }ent theatres taxed to thelr capacity as during | the Christmas holidays of 1910. The managers of Sullivan & Considine’s the| atres at Tacoma,, Vancouver, B. C., Spokane | and Seattle presented Mr. Considine with a | beautifully inlaid billlard table, which took the | first prize at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expoul|} tion last year. The table which is con| sidered one of the handsomest in the Northwest, bears the inscription, ‘‘Merry Christmas, 1910, John W. Considine.’ Mrs. Considine was Jet in on the surprise and had prepared an elegant spread for the boys. Carl Reiter made | the presentation speech. Application was made December 21 to Francis W. Grant, superintendant of building for the City of Seattle, for authorization to construct the company will be the fellowing people: A. D. | the magnificent new Metropolitan Theatre Bulld| Klause, director; A. A. Crowly, H. A. Davis, | ing, to be erected by Klaw & Erlanger, at UniA. T. Storch, Fred Carpenter, Nellie Booth, | versity street and Fourth avenue. The permit Dolly Carpenter and Moda Douglas. Three shows | was applied for by Howell and Stokes, archi| will’ be given each week day and four on Sun| tects who will have charge of constructing the a * oy gen AT A oe a. -ncing Monday night of this week, races | the new Metropolita P | . iat te aan alacontien be = aw Rink. There | 80mest amusement buildings in the United | will be events for novices, amateurs and semi| States, and will contain a | orl aeat Gane | professionals, the finals of which will be run | patrons and the profession. It will cos * \Jan. 14. Joe Altman, who has done some fine | 000. work in previous races, will participate in the eemi-professional events. T season at the New Rink will close next iw Work on the New Orpheum Theatre, corner of Third and Madison, is getting along nicely, all of the steel being set, and work on the Ia aric idly progressi toward completion. Thies se » very good one | terior is rapidly progressing t ey ne apa a Charles Alf. Williams, the well-known Seateae ‘ ag pe No. 88 T. M. A.. held an| tle newspaper man and vice-president of the iegertent met in ts lodge rooms last Wed-| Seattle Press Club, who recently underwent ‘a L +i 5h night. A detailed report will be found | S¢rious cranial operation at Providence Hosware T ar “ page, this issue pital, has so far recovered that he will soca pj ed wi “i al ' be able to resume his duties. Chas, D. Wilson, a member of the firm of Z i . . ; Stubbs and Wilson, who control the stock comThe Arctic Club of Seattle gave a smoker pany at Olentangy lark, Columbus, Ohio, during the summer season, and at present manager of A Gentleman from Mississipp! com i . ric Theatre here pany, which played at the Lyric Theatr > last week, was among visitors at The Billboard | Offices. SPOKANE, WASH. The American Theatre was formally opened Christmas night by The Del S. Lawrence Stock Company. The new playhouse is beautiful and } modernly designed at a cost of over $500,000, and is owned by the American Building Com pany. The interior decorations are magnificent. rhe walls and ceilings are of a golden tint, and the lighting is excellent There is not " post to obstruct the view of the audience, The seating capacity is 1,650. tem is the latest, and the absolutely fireproof. The asbestos curtain ts the heaviest in the city, and the drop curtain is a scene of beautiful Lake Como, painted by | Grabach. The theatre staff is as follows: John E. Hoppe, manager; Charles H. Muehlman as sistant manager; Fred E. Hoppe, director of orchestra; Charles P. Robbins, treasurer; H. C. Hollinger, stage manager; Roy F. Hollinger, electrician; Charles Waltman, properties; Fred E. Hoppe, musical director. The ventilation sysentire structure is evening of December 28, at their beautiful club rooms on Third avenue. The program included a number of vaudeville stunts, Eugene Levy, motion picture magnate of the Northwest, has effected another big coup by bidding in the rights to the pictures of the batthe in which **Battling’’ Nelson's fighting career was brought to an end, with the clever Iittle Owen Moran, in San Francisco, last month. » films cost Levy $5,000. As a special favor nembers of the Club, Mr. the film in a preliminary run rooms, evening of seventy-five per cent. of t LEM A. SHORTRIDGE. Press about MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. Manager Jack Elliott, of the Unique Theatre, was host Thursday evening, Dec. 29. to ah performers who played his theatres the week of December 25. After the second evening performance, the stage was cleared and all sat down to a fine Christmas banquet, with roasted suckling pig, roast goose and other tempting food delicacies. A general social good time fol| lowed the dinner and all attending report the | affair as memorable. | The employees of the Miles Theatre presented | Manager W. F. Gallagher with a handsome solid | silver » Lawrence Stoc \ > w lay e loving cup as a Christmas gift and a | definite engagement. and. ail plays will be un. | token of thelr appreciation of his fair and | der Mr. Lawrence's supervision. — | kindly administration since the theatre has been | Members of the company are Del S. Lawrence, | '2 b/s charge. | Carl Stockdale. Alf T. Layne, Arthur Cyril, | Joe Schaffer, advertising agent at the Dewey Geo. Webb, Lee Morris, J. WIll Pike. Ermine | Theatre, is the proud father of an eleven-pound Seavey, Milford Gloucester, Daisy D’Avre, Gene | Meyers, Florence Chapman, Dimple Kelton, Clara teyers and Jane Kelton. | The theatres during Christmas week all did an excellent business. The managers of the lo | cal theatres estimate the business done on Christ mas night and Monday about $20,000, as every | theatre in the city was mniled. The picture houses also did an excellent business. The annual Christmas tree at the Spokane | Theatre, under the management | Charles W. York, after the Monday night per | formance on the stage, was well attended, about | | 75 members of the various stock companies and | road shows being assembled, and there gifts for every one. The stage employes and business managers were included, and the gifts were distributed by James ‘“‘Billiken’’ Lewis, treasurer of the Spokane Theatre, who made a good Santa Claus. A lunch and singing and dancing were indulged in later. Spokane Lodge No. 47, T. M. A., gave a benefit matinee December 22, to a fair house, at the Auditorium Theatre. Geo. L. Baker, of the Baker Stock Co. In Portland, is in the city.. Joe Tinker, shortstop of the Chicago Cuba, is a visitor in the city, and may play a vande| ville date at one of the local theatres, | John Cort was a recent visitor, He announced | that since the National Theatre Owners’ Asso| were elation has signed an agreement with Klaw and | | Erlanger, the open-door policy will prevail for the next ten years. iis insures Spokane a E. AXELSON. | | fine line of attractions. | i } | TORONTO, ONT. New Year’s week was a red local theatrical circles, as it coming of the famous artist, who was practically reared schooling in this city. ager L, Solman, letter one In was the home Lena Ashwell, and received her The Three A's as Man of the Royal Alexandra calls them, viz. Viola Allen, Lena Ashwell, and Mar of Manager | baby boy. Joe says he doesn’t know whether he will make a lithographer, an agent or an advance out of him. but, then, there's lots of time to think it over before deciding. | On Sunday afternoon and evening, January 1, }and Monday afternoon and evening, January 2, the Yiddish Opera Company appeared at the | Princess Theatre in East Minneapolis, taking | the place of the usual program of motion pic| tures and lllustrated songs at that theatre. | Manager L. E. Lund has been overhauling the Wonderland Theatre, and the place is now resplendant in a new inside coat of paint, new paper, and pressed steel ceiling. He bas also installed new seats and added more machines and an electric piano to the penny arcade on the second floor. As a mascot for this theatre Mr. Lund recently purchased a live monkey. Employes of the Dewey Theatre tendered their appreciation of Manager Archie Miller to bim Christmas day, in the shape of a beautiful watch fob, the pendant of same is a charm showing the Masonic Shrine emblem upon one side and the Elk emblem on the other. Mr. Miller is a member of both of these organizations. Following his usual Christmas custom, J. E. Rogers, owner of the Hotel Rogers, and of the Unique Theatre, entertained about five-hundred city newsboys as guests of the theatre, Friday evening, Dec. 30. Both of the evening performances were free to the newsles, and in addltion to the regular bill of the week Rev. G. L. Morrill, local chaplain of the Actors’ Alliance addressed the boys. Dr. L. A. Crandall, chairman of the Children’s League, appeared at a conference held in the office of the state board of control, Thursday, Dec 29th, to urge that ordinance be passed forbidding the attendance of persons under a certain age at moving picture shows and so-called cheap theatres, Dr. Crandall stated that both these two amusement institutions were in great need of censoring, and presented a plea for the co-operation of all people interested in the protection of children. | This is the last week of the six-weeks’ en garet Anglin, were all educated in this city, | gagement of Miss Sarah Truax as leading lady Miss Ashwell received a splendid reeeption in| with the Lyric Stock Company. Who will geueher new play and was very much entertained ceed her in these roles hag not yet been ana yy _—. —_ aan nounced by Manager Charles P. Salisbury. | ° xy easure ecently received a check | 7 >] 5 "LEU for $42,000 dollars from the Canadian National RODERIO STS. FLevan. Exhibition as our share of the profits. J. C. Belmont, a well-known local showman and who has been connected with several | amusement enterprises, recently picked up a | valuable pearl ~ cklace on the "sivect. "rhe | A complete list of attractions apowner presented him with a check for $500 | pearing in the cities mentioned on when he returned same. i i ad | All the local houses started 1911 with big pay =o) is given in the depart | business on Monday, January 2. men eginning on page 18. JOSEPH GIMSON,