The Billboard 1911-03-25: Vol 23 Iss 12 (1911-03-25)

MARCH 25, 1911. The Bi llboard 13 Burlesque and Miscellaneous SPOKES IN THE WHEELS | Reviews, Remarks and Live News Items from All Departments of Both Burlesque Wheels, Gathered Especially for The Billboard By SYDNEY WIRE. The burlesque show has forever been at the mercy of the Inexperienced and “eub” reporter, who when sent to review a burlesque show, forgets to remember that It is a burlesque show, and not a high class comic opera that he is reviewing. In the first place, he lacks the first essential in the art of theatrical reviewing, |. e., a true knowledge of his suo ject as well as some idea of the class and cate ry of the attractions playing the particular am he happens to visit with his erratic pencil. A certain Pittsburg paper which has been par | ticularly unfair to the wheel houses there had | the following to say regarding the Ducklings, which played the Academy there last “A dance, so suggestive that it moved regular patrons of the theatre to whispered comments and made others biush, is a part of the program t on at Harry Williams’ Academy this week. t is introduced by Miss Blanche Martin, in a tomime, entitled, Temptation, or a Lover's evenge. Evidence that it is not wanted was shown in that it drew no applause. Several city detectives were in the audience, and it is quite probable that it will be necessary for the management to modify the dance, or prohibit it en tirely. Bvidently The Ducklings depend on it alone to make the show a success, as there is but little om the bill that measures up to the emery. Frances Farr, a dainty little piece of femininity, who can not sing, captured the audience by her winsomeness and the avoidance of any coarseness in the enactment of her role of soubrette."’ The same paper, reviewing The Bon Tons, — played the Gayety during the same week, sald: “The Bon Ton Company, at the Gayety this week, fails to measure up to the standard of the majority of the productions that have been seen at that theatre thie season. Eugenie Fougere wears a number of exaggerated hats, and attempts to amuse with songs and chatter. Her efforts are painfully disappointing. Seldom during the show did the audience show its approval of any act with plaudits. The Donegan Sisters, with a pleasing roller skating act, are really the feature of the bill. Miss Babe La Tour, in an imitation of Fanny Rice, made quite a hit. There is considerable coarse persifiage that — be eliminated for the betterment of the Pad 1 often wonder when the burlesque show will get the fair treatment which is its due, but it seems that there can be no hope until the average provincial dramatic editor will take sufficient interest in his business to learn what latter day burlesque reaily,is, and to discriminate between the “rag shop poppy show’’ of a few seasons o and the clean and up-to-date whfel produc n of today. Somewhere in some old writings I bave read the kindly murmurings of a prophet who said: ‘‘Forgive them, they know not what they do,"’ and it has often occurred to me how appropriate these words would be when applied to the average burlesque critic in the provincial daily newspapers of today. It is high time that these conditions were changed, but it will not be until the burlesque circuits have organized a live press department and employ the right kind of newspaper men, who will use proper and judicious methods to alter the course of the present erroneous standing which is gener ally given to burlesque. + The Empire Circuit, (Western Wheel) held a big meeting at Cincinnati, March 15. The pur pose was to determine the line of the wheel for the next season. A number of important changes are reported but no official or definite news hax been given out. + A. G. Rackett, for several seasons musical director at the Folly, is now directing the har fony at the new eastern wheel house on Clark Street, the Columbia. He bas been renlaced at the Folly by Gus Teets. + Billy Noble and Jeanne Brooks report business in vaudeville, Jeanne, and everyone will they are always working. It’s nearly time we bad you back in burlesque Bill, and we shall all weleome the girl with the healthy laugh. good Good people Bill and be glad to know that Max Spiegel, through his attorney, has straightened out the difficulty with Sam Scribner regarding the franchise, under which the College Girls is playing. The renewal of contract was made under the game conditions as existed be fore. Max has made good and certainly deserves all the ro; the Columbia Amusement Company can give him. + The new Columbia has come up to every expectation, and has been playing to recordbreaking business ever since its opening a few weeks ago. The Ginger Girls, which opened the house, is sald + ” of over s7.000"" have had a ‘‘week end count up _ Marie Beaugard left The Merry Whirl at Chicago on Saturday night. Who can blame her deserting a cast which was as big a joke as the show » “ Ay has been during the latter part of + I never could see the sense In Billy Campbell's Joke of showing you a new sult of Guten or « hat, or a shirt, or a pair of socks, and telling rou that be had just bought it at the store coreas the street and saying that it only cost ‘im about half of the usual retail price of paatever the article might be. Not long ago N met Bill, and he was wearing a dandy spring at. which he assured me he had purchased for * single dollar bill. 1, anxious to share In the week: | bargain, inquired where he had bought it, and, B t| at his direction, hied me to the store, which was 7 ’ incompeten | | eoked for 4} the vaudeville and moving picture theatre, The only a few doors from the hotel. hat like Mr. Campbell's, and made my choice, laying down a dollar bill. ‘“I'wo dollars please,’’ said the storekeeper, and a ‘‘five spot.’’ I had to pay. It was Bill Campbell’s little joke. Never mind, Bill, I'll = you yet. An effort is being made to secure a new trial for George L. Marion. who ie still in confinement at Wilkes-Barre, under sentence of death NOTES OF THE ROAD Bits of Brief Pertinent Gossip of Vaudeville Performers, Their Present Activities and Future Plans—Apostro-. phes and Paragraphs Gathered by a Trooper dw. Barnell has disposed of his interest in | Lyric, at Covington, Ky., and will be seen in | vaudeville with his partner. They will be known |as The Barnells. Next summer he intends to open his airdome at Dayton, Ky., showing vaudeville and moving pictures. Coleman and Elaxander, in their new comedy singing and talking act, are now playing the big | houses on the Hodkins circuit preparatory to their European tour. This high-class team of JACK LEVY, Managing Harry Hastings’ Big Show, Hastern Wheel. for the murder of his wife, which was committed while the prisoner was in a state of mental aberration. Charles B. Lenahan, his attorney, is working hard to secure a new trial, and there is some hope of a revision of sentence. Funds are needed and all those who are able should send in their mite at All subscriptions may be sent to D. L. Hart, city treasurer at Wilkes-Barre, who was appointed custodian of the original fund which brought in the disgracefully small sum oi $118.95. Everyone who knew George in times of prosperity speak of him in the highest terms, and it seems as though something might be done to help him in this hour of dire distress. + I regret to learn of the death of Willlam Beebe, the late manager of Hyde & Behman’s Chicago Star and Garter, who died at Chicago last week. Mr. Beebe was a showman and a gentleman, and bore the high esteem of all who knew him. + 1 have often wondered why it is that the gallery audiences of many burlesque theatres on both wheels are allowed so much leeway and are often suffered to interrupt an entire perform ance, to the inconvenience of both performer and auditor. It is true, that in some houses there are special officers who are placed there by the management, ostensibly to preserve order and to check the enthusiasm of the turbulent gallery (Continued on page 53.) once, | entertainers were headliners on the program at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, Nashville, Tenn., week of March 6-11, and were accorded a warm reception. They are making big features of Ted Snyder's songs and will use his latest number, Kiss Me My Honey. Kiss Me. After playing twenty-one solid weeks of the United Time, Al. F. Harris, Sid Winters and Miss Arcola Proy will open at the Casino, Zanesville, O., in a series of musical comedies and burlesque shows, supported by a chorus of twelve pretty girls. They will open with their act, Stranded in Paris, one of their musical comedies. | Next season wil see them with one of the Eastern Wheel burlesque companies. | The Harris Duo closed at Saulte Ste. Marie, Mich., March 6, and will go to their home at Wheeling, W. Va., for a few weeks’ rest, after which they will be seen with the white tops for the coming season. They report good busihess Over the Michigan time. | Art Adair has time booked till the middle of January, 1912. After finishing the Interstate and W. V. M. A. time, upon which he opens at Birmingham, Ala.. week of March 20, he will | travel over the S. & C. Circuit for twenty. or | more weeks. Mrs. Clark Hillyer of the MHillyer’s Living Manikins, is reported in a very serious con| dition. After a consultation with a physician it was decided to remove her from her home at Bensonhurst, N. Y., to the Seney Hospital. Daly and O'’Rrien report that they are doing | well and are going on a tour around the world. ; Harris Lumberg, of The Lumberg Theatre, Niagara Falls, N. Y., is in Utica, completing arrangements for a new vandeville and motion picture house. The new theatre will seat nineteen hundred people. He expects to open some time in September. A yearly contract for managing the Opera House, Sabina. O.. was awarded to F. W. Shrack by the Township Trustees. on March 11, on his bid of $12 a night for twenty nights. Mr. Shrack is an experienced man, and promises good attractions. Harris and Vernon write that they are making a big success on their tour through Australia, on the Brennen circuit. They do a very good singing, talking and acrobatic act, and they expect to remain for quite a little time. Miss Lillian La Blanche is on a visit with her sister at Baltimore, Md., after which she will be connected with the W. T. Swain Aviation Company as soloist. She is to sing to the accompaniment of a 25-plece band. Eugene K. Hodkins, the marathon pianist, who holds the world’s record of thirty-six hours and thirty-six minutes continuous playing, has a new musical he is preparing that will be shown in New York upon completion. Frank Lewis, the slack wire artist and cartoonist, is spending a few weeks with friends at Cambridge, O. It is reported he has been booked with Captain Price’s floating theatre for a long season South. The Great Bunker, who was injured while doing his dancing act at the Dreamland Theatre, Rapid City, S. D., is slowly recovering. He will open on Eastern time with a new act when recovered. Harry Antrim, formerly of Antrim and Peters. was favorably received over the Inter-state time and is now playing the Sullivan and Considine circuit. His material was written by Jack Gorman. We have it that Adams andWinfield have dissolved partnership and that Frank Winfield is now working with Miss Marie Shannon. The team will be known as Winfield and Shannon. Walter Stanton, the original chantecler, closed his engagement at the Knickerbocker Theatre March 18 and will open for Mr. James Lasky at Folies-Bergere Theatre, New York, April 17. Billy Barron will go to Europe next December. He is now playing Sullivan and Considine time and will follow on the Interstate time. It is reported that he is making a hit. The Academy Jeffers Theatre of Saginaw. Mich., is now under the management of the Bijou Amusement Company, W. S. Butterfield, president, and W. A. Rusco, manager. Hazel Boyne, of the Dolan and Boyne team. played at the Family Theatre, Cincinnati, last week, and did a clever singing and dancing act. Her costumes were very pretty. It is reported the Kramo brothers, comedy acrobats, have just finished a successful tour of the Sun time and are now being booked by the W. V. M. A. through Iowa. Carl Neel’s band, featuring the three Ingle Sisters, are now touring Florida and South Georgia and expect to invade Tennessee and Kentucky early in April. The Gymnastic Griffins (Harry and Mabie). unique comedy bar artists, are again on the road. They had a brief lay-off owing to the death of Mrs. Griffin's mother. Louis Kelso, who was connected with the Honeymoon Trail as Hustling Perkins, is making auite a hit as a vaudevillian. in his singing and impersonations. Sprague and McNeece opened March 5 at the Hopkins Theatre, Louisville, Ky. They are playing Sullivan and Considine time and are booked for twenty-four weeks. William Gross and Gladys Jackson report they are in their sixth season with the Matinee Girl musical comedy and that they have their little daughter with them. The Musical Brennans are now playing the Frankel Brothers circuit. Mrs. Brennan has just recovered from a very eevere iliness lasting ten months. Jessie Russell and Company in their spectacular electrical novelty act, report they are getting big hand over Levey’s Pacific Coast circuit in California. The Etta Leon trio have gone to New York to join the Barnum and Bailey circus. They have been playing the Gus Sun time. Le Roy and Diamond report good business over the Sun Circuit, with their own act, Happyland. They are booked solid for the season. Holmes. the comedy magician, after filling his engagement with John J. Ryan, of Cincinnati, goes East for the rest of the season. Len Rese. the singing Italian and violinist has completely recovered from his recent illness and is back in vandeville. Mr. E. B. Bonner of Bonner and Meredith re port success with their act, A Cowboy's Pro posal, in vaudeville. Wanzer and Palmer are reported playing W . M. a. time, having started at Topeka, Kan week of March 13. Billy Woodall is meeting with success in the United Time. telling funny stories interspersed with comic songs. Allen Summers reports he is playing W. V. M A. time and is booked for the rest of the sex son Edward Waldman opens his spring tour fu Dr. ere and Mr. Hyde at Freehold, N. Y., Mareb 4.