The Billboard 1911-06-24: Vol 23 Iss 25 (1911-06-24)

26 The Bi llboard JUNE 24, 1911. Resume of the Week’s Important Amuse BROOKLYN, N. Y. Percy G. Williams’ new Bushwick Theatre, locatel at Howard Avenue and Broadway, will open the season on Sept. 11, with high-class vaudeville. The Majestic Theatre. which has been under the management of Charles S Breed, closed a very successful season on Saturday, June 17. A small army of workmen is busily preparing the Brighton Beach Music Hall for a more brilliant season’s initiation than ever before when the doors are thrown open on Monday, June 19, with one of the greatest vaudeville programs to offer that has even been seen in a metropolitan theatre. Manager Charles §. Breed is to handle the reins this summer, Charlies 8. Daniels, who has had the management of the Casino Theatre during the past two seasons, has been appointed manager of Whallen & Martel’s Show, The Whirl of Mirth, which promises to be one of the b shows on the Western Wheel next season. Howard &. Starrett’s Dog and Pony Show has been doling good business on the vacant lots in Brooklyn. Mr. Starrett recently put on a Society Circus, given under the auspices of Anthon Lodge No. 768, F. and A. M., on the grounds adjoining the Masonic Temple, Brooklyn. The show was a great success and the biggest s0ociety cireus ever put on in Brooklyn. Bergen Beach bas opened the season with an array of new attractions. A trolley ride to Rergen Beach is one of the most beautiful rides in Brooklys and no one can afford to miss it. Canarske Park is drawing well and has quite a number of attractions. D’Alma’s Dog and Pony Show is out on Long Island and from all reports, is doing well. It is rumored that Edward Arlington has booked California Frank’s Wild West Show at Coney Island for a short run. California Frank’s Wild West, while new this season, is one of the best real wild west shows on the road, and it has played to capacity business in New Jersey and New York states ever since it opened GEORGE H. HAKES. BOSTON, MASS. Plans are well under way for another mew theatre In Boston. It is to be constructed on Washington gtreet, in the vicinity of Dover, near the present Hub, Columbia and Grand Opera House The name is to be the Cosmopolitan Theatre. It is understood that Jay Hunt well known in theatrical circles, is to take charge of the new St. James Theatre as soon as it is completed. Mr. Hunt has been connected with the Howard Atheneum, The Commuters has closed at the Park after a most gratifying run of sixteen weeks. who commute in Boston gave the play a hearty support. Manager Lindsey Morrison of the Lindsey Morrison Steck Co., has shown his good judgment in adding to bis company Mrs. Hibbard, the wife of the late Mayor Hibbard of this city. Mrs. Hibbard has amply justified the high expectations of the record-breaking houses that saw The Chorus Lady last week. Paragon Park began its seventh season June 10, which promises to be the biggest in its history. The big crowds who attended the opening showed their appreciation of the many improvements and additions to this already attractive park. Manager Dodge is to be congratulated on his success, The Friars had their annual frolic at the Roston Theatre on Wednesday, where’ they played to full houses at the two performances. It is said they cleared $9,000 on the two performances. It is regretted that larger andiences did not take advantage of the two farewell performances of Sarah Bernhardt. Both were very creditable. The presentation of Madame X having special interest after the remarkable success of the production in English at the Matfestic. R. T. BAILEY. ALBANY, N. Y. The charity baseball game, when the Lytellers played the Albany Newswriters club. was a complete victory for the actors. John Sumner sold peanuts to the grand stand crowd: Louls Haines showed hic manly figure in a harem skirt, and Manager Gilbert Gordon, who managed the affair, worked like a Trojan for the success of the unGovesting, which netted $500 for a local hospital. Manager James H. Rhodes of the Empire, has heen fishing in New Hampshire since his theatre closed. Frances Starr is visiting with her mother at her home fn this city. She will rest and tour shout until time for rehearsals of the new play Belasco hae for her. Alison Skiporth. a favorite of long standing, got a royal welcome at Proctor’s Theatre June 12, when che presented a vivid dramatic playlet, The Woman Who Lived. Her aupport incloded Lillian Herbert and Richard Garrick. F. Ray Comstock, lessee of Harmanus Bleecker Hall, has assumed the management of Gertrude Hoffmen. and will present her In a new opera in the fall. WM. H. HASKELL PROVIDENCE, R. 1. The Westminster Theatre, with ite summer show, is doing a bie bnsiness, last week's attendance being over 15,000. The Imperial Theatre will be reopened the latter part of Angnst with Stair & Havlin bookings. The Friars’ Frolic. which occurred at the Empire Theatre, Thnrsday evening. June &, was the best ever: a collection of great artists, a great show and the tremendous attendance was a splendid tribnte te Mr. Geo. M. Cohan. who made his first anmearance here in six vears. May he forget the uniust criticiam which kept him a stranger at our door and be with us more often, The Empire Theatre, Block Island. under the management of Spitz and Nathenson, this city, will oven Jniy 1. This honse seats 1.290 and ts the only place of amusement on the {sland. Mo— pictures and illustrated songs will be fea Mr. R. RB. Rovee has severed his connection with the Casino Theatre. | | | | Business at the summer parks has been a little eff so far, no doubt due to the unsettled weather, but with the summer heat once here, big business should be done, as Col, Harrington has added many new attractions to his parks. Creatore’s Band ig booked to appear at Rocky Point July 3, for a long engagement. Miss Laura Jacques, the chief usher at Keith's Theatre, has just returned from a week's vacation trip to Old Point Comfort. W. E. GREENE. ST. JOSEPH, MO. The theatrical season of the Lyceum closed June 10, with Mrs. Fiske and an excellent supporting company in the presentation of her latest comedy, Mrs. Bumpstead-Leigh. While the extremely hot weather prevented a large audience, t present appreciated the play. Manager c. U. Philley states the season closed proved another successful one, The Thomas Bros.’ Stock Co., now in the third week of their summer’s engagement at the Airdome, seem to have won favor from the start, judging from the crowds. Splendid attractions are being offered and the company ie one of the best yet appearing at the open-air theatre. Lake Contrary Park, with its fresh air, cool breezes and plenty of outdoor amusements, is the favorite spot for the general public. It continues to draw big crowds and all concessions are being well patronized. The weather proved ideal for the opening. of the North St. Joseph Carnival, June 12 and week. — are furnished by the Campbell United ows, Don W. Stuart, manager of the Arthur Pryor Band, was in the city the past week making arrangements for the appearance of that organization here, September 28-30, during the week of the fall festivities. As this is Mr. Pryor’s native city, the feature attraction will undoubtedly prove a big drawing card. The Star Theatre, under the management of W. D. Spurlock, was damaged by fire June 12, to the extent of $800. It will necessitate the closing of the theatre for about ten days. JESSE J. WAGNER. BALTIMORE, MD. River View Park is enjoying greater popularity and the good will of the public to a better advantage this season than at any period of its history. The crowds are larger than in any previoss Season and the people go there because this pleasant resort appeals to their fancy and | it has become a fixture in their mental desire for pleasure and comfort in the evening after enduring the scorching heat of the sun’s rays during the day. and inviting appearance. The attractions are interesting and pleasing and there is no cause for complaint. Captain La Belle, with his collection of mummies and relics bas an attraction that is the most interesting on the grounds and has created widespread interest among local scientists and medical men. His five-in-one show is amazing for its human interest. His subjects consists of specimens of humanity that are well worth seeing. The arctic exhibit displays the remnants of a well known exploring party that perished in the elements in the frigid zone. The manner in which local newspapers have written up this attraction indicates that it is more than an idle curiosity. The diving act retains its prominence among the attractions as a big feature which is drawing the crowds. Miss Josephine Fleming does some artistic dives which have make her famous. Nora La Mar proves herself a born comedienne with this show. Sadie Curry makes the boys run when she does her famous splash. That “A little spicyness now and then is relished by the best of men’’ is indicated by the manner in which the boys patronize Hasson’s Show with the Oriental dancers which is getting top money at the park. River View is a winner this season. Brennan and Wright are Baltimoreans—born and bred—and they were enjoying a brief sojourn in their native city last week. greeting their old acquaintances. They were doing vaudeville without a break for some time until they reached here. They resumed their tour at Max Hart's Palace of Amusement in Paterson, N. J., June 19. Mr. Wright has saved his money and recently purchased a suburban home at Walbrook, where he will have a permanent domicile. Mr. Brennan still makes his home with his parents, Joseph Kernan and Edna Hill were ont with Al. Reeves’ Show last season and now they are doing vaudeville, and last week they put in their time at the Victoria Theatre. They are both well known here, as Mr. Kernan is the son of the local veteran theatrical manager, James L. Kernan, and Mies Hill ts a scion of ene of Baltimore’s best families. Miss Hill is considered one of the most beautiful women on the stage. The southern headquarters of the General Film Co., which was iocated in this city for many years, has been moved to Washington, much to the regret of the local moving picture theatre men. This step was taken to reduce expenses according to the Messrs. Pearce and Scheck, who were the local agents. The local film users will now have to pay express charges on the films and they lose the advantage of making the choice selections as they formerly enjoyed. Mr. George W. Rife, the well known Balt!more theatrical manager, purchased the Park Theatre in Philadelphia from Nixon & Zimmerman and the consideration is quoted at $300,000. Mr. Rife represented the Empire Circult Company with which he has large interests. SYLVAN SCHENTHAL. TORONTO, CAN. The Baldwin-Melville Gtock Campany by their brilliant presentation of The Christian last week at the Princess, have become the talk of the town. This week they revive The Lion and the Mouse, and it is without donbt the finest presentation of this strong play ever given here. Arthur Byron, Adelaide Kelm and Will Deming scored heavily in the leading roles, and the balance of the excellent support was above the average. The crowded honses were loud in their applause, and Manager Walt 8S. Baldwin is to The park presents a brilliant | be congratulated and is sure of a most successful season. At the Royal Alexandra, Percy Haswell appeared to advantage in An American Widow. Manager of attractions Geo. H. W. Moran, backed by the liberal policy of the proprietors of Scarboro Beach Park, presented a gilt-edged bill last week, headed by Buffalo's great band, the Sixty-fifth Regiment. Mme, Maybelle Barnum, in the Globe of Death, was the headliner of a fine Nst of free attractions. Mr. Moran has opened an attractive vaudeville show in place of the girly show. Manager Dan F. Pierce of the Star has tnstalled a summer stock burlesque company, which is drawing goed business. Dan has picked a good one. JOSEPH GIMSON. WORCESTER, MASS. White City, on the shores of Lake Quinsigamond, is now going full blast, and every indication suggests a banner season for this resert. A clean sweep of all the old attaches has been made, and the park is now under the supervision of George Gallagher, known through Worcester County as Gal the Musician. Manager Gaiiagher has contracted a number of new shows, and with the publicity department handled by Robert H. Clark, the old Barnum & Bailey agent, the resort is drawing unusual crowds for June. One of the big improvements is the addition of a shell for the orchestra in the dance hall, which, with its novel array of electric effects. is making a big bit. Mr. Clark has imbued himself into the confidence of the Worcester editors and his gossip borders on “real press stuff.’’ Lincoln Park, opposition park to the White City, will not be in full swing until June 19, when the Park Theatre opens under Manager Fleming, who will make his debut to Worcester summer resorters. Musical plays are booked for Lincoln Park. The policy of showing musical companies at the Lincoln Park resort results from the decision of the White City management to adopt vaudeville for the Casino. Worcester folks are patronizing the two stock companies now running at the Worcester Theatre and Poli’s Theatre, respectively, with excellent patronage. The Worcester Theatre stock company doesn’t expect to run the entire summer, but in its short career it is giving some fine plays, and after a poor start in the way of worthy patronage, the company is now attracting big audiences. Poli’'s stock company has a nightly turpaway, and Manager J. C. Criddle is giving his patrons the greatest array of shows ever presented in this city by any stock com any. The policy of the Franklin Square Theatre has been announced for bext season. This house will alternate on a three-day scale with the Gilmore Theatre in Springfield in offering melo drama and burlesque. This is the result of the successful experience of the closing weeks of the season just ended. John F. Burke, manager of the Worcester Theatre and also manager of the Franklin Theatre since the departure of James Sheehan to the Park Theatre in Bridgeport, will depart for his vacation about July 4. He intends spending the quiet days at his farm in the Berkshires. James F. Horgan, a Worcester boy, is home after a successful season connected with the working staff of Company E. Madam Sherry, featuring Marie Flynn. Mr. Horgan immediate ly took up his summer position as stage carpenter at the White City Casino. The familiar face of George Goette, manager of The Newlyweds and Their Haby, will be missed on the shores of Lake Quinsigamond this summer. Mr. Goette quietly stole into Worcester a few weeks ago and in a character istic manner auctioned off his summer cottage at Lake Quinsigamond. It is his intention to remain in NewYork this summer, and this brings a new manager to the Lincoln Park Theatre. Mr. Goette carrics away with him the wishes of his many Worcester friends. Joseph McCarthy, connected wth the Worces ter Theatre for a number of years as assistant to the regular manager, Mr. Burke, is now looked upon as the new manager for the Franklin Square Theatre. Joe should be popular with the Worcester friends of the stage. Clarence Eiwards has resigned as advertising manager of the Franklin Square Theatre. To all agents Clarence was known as “Card Clarence,”’ for it was his delight to label Worcester with tack cards. He has many offers for next season and will decide upon one of them shortly. best TOLEDO, O. A record that will go down In the history of our citywill be great bout of Koid Seymour and Battling Loule, both of the Arcade Theatre, the past week. They defeated an unknown boiler maker in one round at the Oyster Bay Green Room. For particulars see the undefeated Seymour in person. The town is getting all the white tops on the road this year. Robinson, Barnum & Balley, 101 Ranch, Buffalo Bill, and soon Forepaugh’s. Some place in the opposition Mne thie time. Some of the shows made ‘Toledo a new Dill plant and many fine locations were in the apple ple order. Joe Pearlstein, at one time connected in the managerial end of the Farm and Burt's Theater, is in the city and, by the way, thie is Joe's home. Harry Winters will take no trips where the dust is for the hot months. He has a boat on the lakes. Ask Harry Hurtig, of the Arcade, relative to his first trip with Captain Winters. The many improvements that were to have been made at the Arcade for the coming year will not be atarted, stated Mr. Hurtg the other day. The firm have been figuring on other plans that could not be started in time for the coming season. Imffrovements will «tart early bext year George Hanner, of the Belasco forces, la re writing new plays at the Toledo Beach for the coming year. He is ably assisted by the Polish Kid, Pataskol, Edward Chaftnel, the American Theatre treas urer, left for Cedar Point to handle all the soft money affairs at that resort for the eum“er, Tom Tierney, manager of the American, 1s 4olng summer time at Polnt Place. The Wayne Hotel seems to be the real spor for all the billposters and eticker boys of al) the shows of the white top line. Roy Bell, treasurer of the Oort Theatre, Chi cago, is home for about a month. little Arthur Jarvis and Jack Kipple were callers at the Billboard headquartets last week, Point Place, on the lake, is some place to talk over next year’s contracts, Jack Tierney, the local scribe has the place—you know the Test. Tom Melntyre was over from the parks at Dayton last week and claims that they are doing big business. He has many concessions in that city and is alss Interested with sume in this city at the Casino. It is reported that melodrama will be the policy at the American Theatre, formerly known as the Burt's, for the coming theatrical year Edward Smiley, the genial etage manager of the Empire, has opened hie summer park in the alley of the theatre for the coming year and among the first callers wae Kid Brown, Some changes will be made in the future plans of the ark. “ Joe Martinez and Cecil Jefferson were with us at the Valentine last week. The press agent Was out of town and many Toledoans did not know that they had a Toledo girl in the city that was always there with same act and one of the bright stars in the vaudeville world When the act comes again we will do the pub licity. Ten-cent vaudeville will be risky here for the ceming year and the local booking exchanges will be busy. JACK TIERNEY. MEMPHIS, TENN. The summer park season is in full swing and the attendance bas been the largest on record so early in the season, owing te the unusually warm weather and the fact that there bas not been a single rain, or even a shower, since the park season opened on May 14. East End Park has been enlarged and severa) new buildings add to ite attractiveness. The new dancing pavilion, known as the chrysanthemum ballroom is proving an attractive feature with its fifteen-plece orchestra. The theatre is playing to capacity every night, giving els good acts from the Orpheam Booking Offices and all the concessions are making money. Manager A. B. Morrison promises several large outdoor free attractions later in the season. Last week Treat’s Trained Seals were featured out | doors. The bill now running is headed by the | well-known Zaretsky Troupe of Russian Dancers }and includes Bob Ashley and Al. Lee, Patrick Francisko, Russell and Devinne, Ed. Clark and Joe Verdie and Elsie Murrell. Last week the big hit was made by the Eight Berlin Madcaps. The new Fritz Horn Lake Park at Lakeview Miss., Was opened on the same date as East End Park, but after three weeks’ trial, was closed for the season except as a resort for dancing parties and picnics, although it is said it may be reopened under new management later. The trouble was that the distance of 11 miles from the city, with inadequate interurban service. Was too great a bandieap. With East End Park, Memphis’ popular white city so firmly established, and the added com petition of the twelve free city parks, with daily free band concerts, Horn Lake Wil! have to offer more than ordinary inducements to attract crowds of sufficient size to bring in pay ing returns. The park will be run for the present as a Sunday outing resort, offering re freshments, boating and bathing. The burning of the historic old Bijou Theatre may possibly change the theatrical plans for Memphis next season. The theatre was com »letely burned to the ground on the morning of une 6. The Wells -Stainback Interests had & three-year lease on it and had Intended putting in vaudeville next season. Manager B. . Stainback had closed a lease running nearly nine years for the old Jefferson Theatre, only ® month or two ago. This has been renamed the Lyric, and the Wells Bijou attractions are booked there for next year. The owners of the Bijou property have not decided whether, in rebuilding the burned bloek, a theatre will be included or not. The theatre itself was valued at about $50,000. The property is cansidered too valuable to remain idle long. The Well* Bijou Co, had insurance for $10,000 on their scenery and fittings, which about half covered the loss. John L. Sullivan was the last notable per former to face an audience in the Bijou, having closed a vaudeville engagement there the week before the fire. The motion picture bonses in Memphis are do ing a wonderful business this summer. In spite of the intensely bot weather, all of them are filled nightly and play to good business throug) the afternoons. Brunswig Brothers have been making a dls tinct bit with the audiences at the three Ma jestic Theatres for the past month, alternating between the three houses weekly. Harry 0. Nichols has recently been appointed manager of the Majestic No. 8 and has since done much to popularize that house. He bas remodeled the entrance, put in drinking foun tains and mirrors and brightened the entire house. Mr. Nichols is a ski iled musical direc tor and at present is playing the large pip? — in addition to bis other duties, lal. Grabam, champion one-legged clog dao cer, and his wife, Carrie Graham, also wel! known In vaudeville, are spewding the summer io Memphis. FE. J. MrCormack. who at one time represented The Billboard in Memphis, is now m complet* charge of publicity for one of the large aviation companies now touring the Middle West. He started six months ago as prese representative for the International Aviators, Two new airdomes are being planned for Memphis, but so far no definite steps toward construction bave been taken. Contracts were let June ® for the construe tion of twenty-five historical floats for use !0 the great fall festival to be given in Memphis. September 26-28. The historical pageant is te represent acenes in the life of Fernando DeSoto. who is said to have landed in the Chickasa¥ Bluffs at Memphis, on bis trip up the Mississipp! This spectacle ia to be the rival of the famou* New Orleans Mardi Gras and will take place Just before the opening of the Tri-State Fair. ARTHUR J. FORBES.