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

Sew Wwe JUNE 24, 1911, The Billboard 27 ment Events in Big American Cities SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Blanche Taylor and Frank Taylor of the Farcall, Taylor Company, who played on the Orpheum bill week of June 11, narrowly escaped death by gas asphyxiation Thursday night, June 8 in their room at the Argyle Apartments. Both bad to be taken to the Central Hospital in an unconscious condition, Mrs, Taylor being the worst sufferer of the two. Mr. and Mrs, Taylor retired for the night failim to turn off the Jet of a smal! gas stove, which had been used during the evening. The janitor detected the odor of gas and broke into the apartment just in time to save thelr lives. During May the local moving picture Board of Censors examined 403 films submitted by would-be exhibitors, of which 375 were approved on first examination and nine after being laid aside and reviewed. Of the nineteen remainiog, three were approved after being modified, and sixteen were condemned. R. J. Haley, an actor, committed suicide at Roseburg, Oregon, June 2. The deed was done by shooting himself through the head. Articles of incorporation were filed, June 3, the Awusement Managers’ Association. The ject of the new organization is to engage in theatrical business. It has an authorized capltal of $2,500, of which $50 has been paid C. The incorporators are Maxwell McNutt, H. G. W. Meyerfeld, J. C. Meyerstein, L. J. Fountain and J. Pazon, ciwin Rousby and wife are booked for an oo: at the Orpheum, next week, June Rousby is a brother of E. M. Rosner, the popular leader of the Orpheum orchestra. In 1887, the brothers opened the old original Orpheum, with an electrical orchestra and created a furore, Shortly after, their ways parted and the brothers are to meet after an absence of twenty-four years. Rousby appears in an electrical musical act, called Greater London. Coalingo will have an airdome and play vaudeville It is schedoled to open June 19. All Ellis is manager and Charles Foote will be press agent. Astoria, Oregon, will hold a centennial celebration, Angust 19 to September 9. to commemorate the first settlement of te Pacific Northweet by white man, The Geisha Musical Comedy Company, with Maude Beaty, Charles Reily in leading parts, which opened at the Victory Theatre, San Jose, for an indefinite run closed after a two weeks’ trial, reason, poor business. In the same city, Allan LaRose| who opened the Garden Theatre with vaudeville, with the Intention of runSing all through the summer season, also closed the house on the second week after entailing a heavy loss. Notwithstanding these two dire failures, the Theatre Jose opened week of June 9 with vandeville and although the bouse has tried vaudeville on many occasions and never succeeded, will make another effort with acts broked by the Western States Vaudeville Association, The Lorch Family is underlined for appearance at the Orpheum for two weeks, beginning week of July 17. i ven up his booking office Archie Levy has tn the Westbank Building. The following vaudeville performers are play| tng in Honoluln from latest advices, Miss Bobby Pulliam, The Skatells, Alfreda Van Ness and Ryan and Ryan. In the Orpheum Theatre, Honolulu, the Great Jansen Illusion Show opened sy 31 and reports say were very successful. | The show carries considerable new, bright pa Younger Brothera, Anker Sisters anl George and Gott arrived here from Honolulu, June 22. The Auker Sisters had their engagement extended two extra weeks and were most successful; also Younger Brothers made a decided hit. All the above acts were immediately booked here om thelr arrival The old Louvre Music Hall, after extensive alterations, opened June 17 with five vaudeville acts, hooked by H. LE. Levitt. Morris Resch will be amusement manager This honse will com te for patrons with Portola Cafe, Tschean's avern and Tait’s Cafe. San Francisco is again to the front with a Rew riding device. It is called the Airship Ride and is quite a novel as well as up-to date device that sheuld appeal to all joy riders, as {ft includes the very latest, the use of a regular but controlled alrxhip giving the passengers all the sensation of the real airship ride, but with post| tive safely From the many inquiries already teceived by the company there is no doubt with tn a short time many will be installed at the Alfferent pleasure resorts The Chutes Park and Theatre are at present closed and at present writing the management have not as yet made up their mind when they will open Miss Maude Rockwell, the California Nightingale, is now on her sixth consecutive week at the Portola Louvre Cafe. This ‘ts her fourth return engagement, King and Lovell, new arrivals from Australia, were BMl'board callers They opened at Portola-Louvre with the Wigwam Theatre to follow. Harry Borne from Chicago, also called a bag puncher, Ie making his first appearance here Big business prevailed at the Alcazar last week A three star cast in Jim the Penman was the drawing card. Florence Roberta, Tharham HRergen and Theodore Roberts, all popular here, Is the magnet that is drawing the crowds, The Savey is closed for the season, It ts announeed that the new season with Cort’s first-class attractions will be seen at the New Cort Theatre on Filia Street, ing completion. The Savoy attractiona, : Without a doubt the week of June 4 was the record week at the Empress Theatre; evtn with three shows daily and a big capacity, turnaways which Is fast near will play the No, 2 were the rule at many of the performances, The big draw wae Fred Karno’s Lonion Pan tomime Company. in A Night In an English Music Hall, which was one continuous seream of lnughter In addition to this strong attrac tlon were RarrowsLancaster Company, in Tac tice, a big bit: Leb and Sterling, rapid midair performers; Jack Goldie, a clever monologist and whistler; Sadie Sherman, a fascinating sou brette. The Salvaggla Slatere, a foreign torn, billed ae Continental Acrobatic Dancers, were a big) ecard for the Wigwam, alao the Ellis Serenaders, Riley, Mr. and Mrs. William Morris, Baron LichBeth, Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and ter were included. deserved. Jack Golden Musical Comedy and three vandeville acts are entertaining the patrons at the American Theatre, The Oldfields, a pair of clever banjoists and singers, made an excellent impression at the Portola Theatre during the week, Another ‘‘shoestring’’ manager gone to the wall and several reputable vaudeville performers, Including the Sellowinn were left whistling for thelr salaries: Doris Trio, Toomer and Hiughes, Baron Lichter, Elsa Guire. Aramando and Anna Beal. The so-called manager, F. A. Allee, epened an airdome in Fresno, May 28 and evidently promoted the whole scheme on jaw-bone, for before the end of the week claims aggregating some $550, which included builders, stage hands, musicians, actors, etce., were unpaid. When the show for second week arrived and learned the condition of affairs, they refused to open and therefore were all out fares, time and money. case of booking agents and performers not being fully protected before doing business with fiyby-night, would-be managers. Pantages has purchased a half interest in the new theatre to be built Abrams. With this connection Pantages’ acts will have a week in Oakland as well as a week in Frisco, where the new Pantages Theatre is already to be built. Pantages is surely running close to the S. & C. houses, evidently feeling is requisite to be in the same cities, whether the ventures are paying or not. RUBB COHEN. SEATTLE, WASH. With the coming of summer a good many of | the small picture houses are having their troubles. Some are closed and the owners of others are making strenuous efforts to dispose of them. The lot of the proprietor of a picture house in warm weather is not an enviable one in Seattle, with its many adjacent attractions. Managers Russell and Drew have given up their lease of the Alhambra Theatre and no arrangements have been made by the owners for another leasing of the boulevard house. The Alhambra ic a good house and will make money. Frank Coombs, the Seattle tenor, will appear in the minstrel first-part of the Friars’ Frolic, singing Silver Threads Among the Gold. Arthur Elwell, the baritone at the Lyceum, has the remarkable record of singing for four years and eighteen weeks at the Pantages Theatre without a break. Laurette Taylor, a Seattle girl, will be starred next season by Cohan & Harris. The new Metropolitan Theatre, corner Fourth Avenue and University Street, will be opened Sept. 18, according to a statement given out by George Mackenzie, Klaw & Erlanger’s representative in this city. The opening bill will be The Pink Lady, A panic was narrowly averted Sunday afternoon, June 4, at the Star Theatre, which started in a mofing picture machine. The theatre was crowded at the time, but the coolness of the employees prevented a stampede. The fire was quickly extinguished by a chemical and the damage did not exceed $200, The ten daily trains between Seattle and Portland, week June 5, were crowded to their fullest capacity handling the people attending the Rose Carnival in Portland. Tacoma will be the next place for a celebration with the Carnival of Nations, July 3-5, then comes Seattle’s big Golden Potlatch, July 17-22, and Astoria, Ore., Centennial Jubilee, Ang. 10-Sept. 9. LEM A. SHORTRIDGE. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. Lee Raker, leading man of the Lee Baker Steck Company, operating for the summer season at the Shubert Theatre. will be seen in a new play by Edward Sheldon, which will be put on the read as a first-class production next season. Mr. Baker has already received his contract, and the play is as yet unnamed, but is a romantic tale of olden days, woven around a gypsy. Wagenhals & Kemper will be the producers, On June 6, the members of the Twin City As sociation of Magicians held the last meeting of the society until next fall at the A. O, . Hall, 15-17 Seventh tributing to the Street South. Those conevening's entertainment were: David E. Stifft, Count de Boese, Charles 8. Wayne. Ernest McChesney, Owen W. Huey, J. Brown, Trebor, Count de Herbert, Lord Campbell and R. 8S. Eldridge, and a large number of friends as well as members attended. Mayor Haynes of this cite notified the owners of the Barnum &€ Balley Circus, June 5, that a permit to show in Minneapolis would not be ts sued until after July 8. This notice was issued at the request of the Minneapolis Civic Celebra tion Committee, who felt that no show should be permitted to enter the city until after the week of the celebration of July 2-8. The circu. originally intended to show during that period, but as the city council passed a resolution in structing the city clerk not to issue a license during the Civie Celebration, the cireus decided to show here June 26-27, but under the present ruling of the Mayor, who states that he wil! veto any license issued prior to July 9, the cir cus will be forved to make other arrangements for showing in this city. The Barnum & Balley Cireus has already billed this city with posters | announcing their showing here June 26-27, matInee and evening performances, confusing to the general public. The first pair of twins for this season arrived Doering, Beatrice | This is another | in Oakland by Zeke ‘eredit | | ' ville ! | | which is rather | at the Incubator Institute at the Twin City Won. derland Park, this week, a boy and a girl, with a united weight of seven pounds, Wonderland is proving itself one of the most popular pleas ure resorts of Minneapoli# and St. Paul, and the attendance has been exceptionally heavy so far Among the new attractions which are delighting old and young aré@ the Grizzly Bear, Soclety Ride, Ocean Wave, Human Pool Tables and many others, besides all the old stand-bys and the high-cass free attractions on the openair | platform, Reginning June 26, FB. H. Sothern and Julla Marlowe will appear at the local Shubert Theatre for a period of three nights and a matinee, Business not what the bill | Juliet. Dorothy Elliott, a local girl, who a short time since was appearing as a broiler in the chorus of Up and Down Broadway, has returned to the Mill City, and after her vacation, will appear in the Henry W. Savage production of Every Woman, in the company which will play the most important cities of the United States and also of England. Miss Elliott has a song and dance in the course of the play and will return to New York for rehearsals the first part of August. After an attempt to run a summer stock com pany in the shape of the James Neill Company, at the local Metropolitan Opera House, which closed and was succeeded by the Byron-Keim Stock Company, which also closed after a short run, the Metropolitan will again he reopened with a new stock company, Sunday afternoon, June 25, when Pete Raymond and his company will present Gertrude Nelson Andrews’ drama of New England life, Eagle Tavern. Pete Raymond is a local man and a well-known comedy actor. He and his wife, Eda Von Luke, who will essay the leading feminine roles, have just finished a long engagement In Chicago and rehearsals for the opening production are already under way. RODERICO STE. FLEURE. ST. LOUIS, MO. Nothing outside of the regular attractions at our summer parks is on the St. Louis program this week. The gardens are all doing nicely with the weather just the proper sort. The chief addition to our regular amusement, outside of the new vaudeville acts, is the appearance of George Thatcher at Delmar Garden, in George Washington, Jr. As Eaton Ham he is pleasing immense ly in a production that reflects great credit upon the management of the company. for its excel lence of production. The show has never been received more enthusiastically here, and much must be given Biily McDermott, whose eharacter of George Washington, Jr, received encores after every number he sang. The numerous airdomes together with the vast amount of picture theatres in this city, would lead one to think that enough had been built, but announcement is made and work begun on an other picture theatre on Delmar Avenue, by the Delham Investment Company. The structure is to cost $13.000 and to be modern in all its equipment. The house is to be ready for an early fall opening. Jessie Russel and her company are expected back in this city about July 1, from a year’s tour of the Western coast of Honolulu. The act has had demarkable success and will be welcomed home where the trio is extremely popular. Delmar Garden is to give us the first of our summer premiers, It will oceur week 25th when Georgia Caine will appear in Boy Blue, by special permission of Henry W. Savage. Articles of incorporation have been filed for the Universal Exposition Company of St. Louis. and work has already commenced to get the exposition in shape. The directors and managers of this company being all business men of this city, have already commenced surveying of the ground and plans have been submitted for the new club house which will be started as soon as the committee can officially order it. It is the intention of the management to be in shape for numerous amusements to take place at the beginning of fall, and only the future and the progress of the building prevents the announcement of its definite plans. The Order of White Rats of which St. Louis helds a large membership gave their first ecamper at Lippe’s in this city at the close of last week and it was attended by the largest gathering of actors ever held here, and with a good sprinkling of the St. Louis managers of vandetheatres. One of the unique features was the decorations of the hall. <A large banner that stretched the entire length of the room, with the words AAA and White Rats Players, the Teception committee comprised of the ladies of the AAA, was a novel feature and added much to the pleasantness of the evening. A lovingcup was presented to Junie McCree, the big chief, which bore the inscription ‘‘Presented to our Big Chief by the W. A. R. U. and AAA, 1,000 miles from Broadway at St. Louis.’’ Those that took part in the program were: Davy Silverman, Wilson and Le Noire, Bill Browning, Dollian Cole, Van Hogan, Annie Davie, Dick turton, Frank Elliott. Roy Mapes and others. The officers of the St. Louis body are Jack Davis, chairman; Theo. Murphy, treasurer; and Jerry Herzell, secretary. Jim Mareo of the supreme Board of Directors was master of ceremonies, 200 were laid at the banquet. es Bros. and Darrell arrived in St. Lonia, ° Their vaudeville engagements have them working solid all winter. They will home, this week and will for forty weeks in the early fall. Royer Jesse James Show left East last week in their new car, The Sad plates owa, the finest car without any exception on the road. It is equipped with private staterooms throughout Washstands in every apartment, lighted with Pintch gas, copper screens and silk curtains. electric bells in each room, large dining room and observation platforms. The show never closes and will not return again until fall, when the car will again be reequipped for the winter season. WILL J. FARLEY. DENVER. COLO. The Broadway Theatre closes with Mrs, Fisk as the attraction. During the summer a series of pictures will be given at this house, As yet Denver has no line on any of the big cirens attractions. We are advised that SellsFlote Circus, which has made Denver its winter headquarters for a good many years and always shown here, will not pitch their tents here this season, The stock players at Elitch Gardens, Lakeside, and Maude Fealey’s Company at the Orpheum, are taking advantage of the baseball games at Broadway Park. Some of the actors are dyved-in-the-wool fans. We have been having some very warm weather lately, and the bathing beach at Luna Park has been very well patronized. This beach is a pretty one and Denver is proud of it, as it is eteht people who were headlined; Sampsen and in a Shakespearean repertoire ftncluding Mac| the only openair beach near here, rest during the | The summer resorts at El Dorado Springs, Manitou, Colorado Springs and Glenwood Springs are enjoying a large summer tourist business, and they look for the biggest crowds this year than ever, Work on the new Shubert Theatre is progressing rapidly and no doubt will be finished in plenty of time for the 1911-12 season. Denver patrons will have an opportunity of viewing some of the best plays put out by the Shabert Company. Effective July 1, Manager J. Rush Bronson of the Majestic Theatre, states this house will be known as the Empress as will all other playhouses of the Sullivan & Considine Circuit from New York to San Francisco. The Majestic is known as the coolest place in Denver, owing to the excellent ventilation and electric fan system which has recently been installed. JULIAN HELBER. OMAHA, NEB. Many rumors have been afloat recently, and there has been much speculation as to what attractions would appear at the Boyd after September, when the present lease held by Woodward and Burgess Amusement Company expires. The Shuberts were supposed to have an option on the house, but they have not as yet shown any evidence that they intend leasing it, and it Is not reported that the Stair and Havlin people are making an effort to secure this theatre, this circuit having given up the Krug this spring. In the event of Stair and Havlin securing the house, it is possible Doc Breed, their former manager, will return to Omaha. The extreme warm weather of the past week did not seem to effect the attendance at the Gayety, where the Lloyd Ingrahm Co, Is offering some excellent stock productions. Manager Johnson, who is always on the alert to provide eomforts for his patrons, is cooling the house with iced air, making it very comfortable these hot days. E. L. Johnson, manager of the Gayety. will leave soon for Colorado, where he will spend a few weeks on a fishing trip. Mr. Johnson ts one of the hardest working managers in onr city, and deserves a good long vacation of recreation. Lake Manawa is drawing large crowds and the new dance pavilion is meeting with even more patronage than Manager Barnet anticipated. Bathing and boating are very popular here. The musical programs offered by Covalt’s Band are very pleasing and one of the big attractions of this lake resort. Courtland Beach is proving more popular than in previous years, and the attendance has been large since the good weather started. e Eagles’ Carnival, June 5 and week, was well patronized. The Cosmopolitan Company furnished the shows. H. J. ROOT. KANSAS CITY, MO. The Shubert Theatre closed with the last performance of The Middleman, June 13. This labor play was put on for three evenings and Sunday matinee for the benefit of the new Labor Temple in the process of construction. Willard Newell, who has been making his home fn Kansas City for the past year, had the leading role, and was well assisted by local amateurs. Earl Steward, resident manager of the Shubert, and a Kansas City man with hosts of friends and admirers here, left immediately after the theatre’s closing for his summer vacation, which will be spent partly in New York and the East on business conferences and then in Wisconsin. Mr. Steward said that he decided on Wisconsin so that he could run down to Chicago every week or so to see his brother, Fred Steward, who is now treasurer of the Prin cess Theatre there. Mr. Fred Steward was treasurer of the Shnbert Theatre here until about two or three months ago, when he accepted the Chicago offer. The Willis Wood Theatre is stil] open with the Eva Lang Stock Company and is doing very well with this summer engagement. Good plays are being put on each week. The Willis Wood will remain open until the first of July. The parks report unusyally good business. The intense heat of June was welcome to the park people, for it crowded the parks every afternoon and evening. Sam Renjamin, manager of Blectric Park. Kansas City, Mo.. in his hnstling, ahout a week ago fell down abont six feet of a flight of stens and severely wrenched his right arm. For several days he had to carry it In a sling, and conld do no writing at all. His arm its very much better now. Mr. Reniamin did not let his |ininry interfere with his management of the af WM. W. SHELLRAY. NASHVILLE, TENN. Since the Orpheum Theatre opened Jnme 5 for a summer run of vandeville, after having | closed a most euccessful season of stock. capacity | business has been the rule at every: performance. | Emile Subers. the “Georgia Sunflower,”’ who |topped the bill opening week, was. tendered many ovations during the week. The J. Stoner Orchestra, directed by J. Stoner, | ie very popular at the Fifth Avenue Theatre. One of the largest moving picture theatres in the South will be located in Nashville very | shortly if present plans materialize. This honse ' will be an addition to the Elite. The Grand. the Lyric and the Fifth Avenne, as well as the picture houses, are doing good | business. : | Glendale Park was packed with a-large gather ing of pleasure seekers and music lovers on Sunday, June 11. The band concerts rendered by the Nashville Military Band were the features. | Much excitement was occasioned at the Dixte | Theatre Inne 9, when a reel of moving pictures canght fire and filled the theatre with smoke. |The audience made a rush for the exit and fortunately none was hort. FE. C. Cantrell, advertising man of the Grand. Rifon and the Orpheum. is now door man at the Orphenm Theatre. where he will be located until the opening of the regular theatrical seasom at | these three houses, W. R. ARNOLD.