The Billboard 1911-12-16: Vol 23 Iss 50 (1911-12-16)

| ; i j } 18 The Billboard DECEMBER 16, 1911. Kaleidoscopic Review of Amusement em BOSTON, MASS. On Monday night the theatregoers of this city were treated to several entirely new attractions after a period of several weeks, in which holdovers were the rule, Mme. Simone, who is making her first tour of this country, appeared at the Plymouth in Henri Berustein’s three-act drama, The Whirlwind, which was favorably received. Chas. Cherry, formerly leading man with Maxine Plliott’s company, now starring in The Seven Sisters, a pleasing comedy, was the offering at the Hollis Street. At the Castle Square the John Craig Stock Co. presented The Woodsman, a drama of life in Northern Maine, for the first time on any stage. The opinion of the first-night audience seemed to be quite favorable and approves Mr. Craig's policy of producing entirely new dramas from time to time. Following a very the Boston, the end is announced for production will be Amsterdam Theatre, successful engagement at of the run of Ben Hur December 16. The entire transferred to the New New York, where it will play a long engagement prior to its opening in = Drury Lane Theatre, London, early April. The successful run of the Slim Princess must come to an end December 9 at the Colonial, Miss Elsie Janis giving way to The Pink Lady, which ig booked for an indefinite engagement beginning December At the Tremont Madame Sherry likewise entered upon its last week, to be succeeded by Ralph Herz in Dr. De Luxe. Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford entered upon its eleventh week at the Park, and as the announcement is made, that this company will play in no other city in New England, theatre parties from other cities are quite common. The Blue Bird will remain at the Shubert until December 16. On the Monday following Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Sothern (Julia Marlowe) will begin a two weeks’ engagement. In the repertoire of Shakespearean plays, which they will present, are Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, and ‘The Merchant of Venice. There is a fine bill at Keith's this week, headed by Irene Franklin, one of America’s cleverest singers of character songs. Among the others on the bill are Sidney Drew and Co. in a new sketch , Stalled; The Bison City Four, Al Carleton, and Nonette, the singing violinist. The Fadettes Ladies’ Orchestra, an organization which has played many long engagements at Keith’s in years past, is the headline attraction at the National. The Red Sox Quartet, which was featured at Keith's the past week, is also on the bill. Mutt and Jeff are still attracting very good houses to the Globe and the engagement is again extended Woman against Woman is the melodramatic offering of the week at the Grand Opera House. An out of the ordinary burlesque show is holding the stage of the Gaiety. That is Jack Singer's Painting the Town. The cast includes Halliday and Curley, Margaret King and Betty Davison At the two other burlesque houses, namely Casino and Howard, the Golden Crook Co. and Merry Purlesquers are the respective attractions. A season of Sunday band concerts was begun December 3 at the Boston Arena by D’Avino’s Band of fifty. During the week the arena is crowded with ice skaters and is continuing its success of last season. The Two Orphans will be revived at the Grand Opera House, Christmas week. The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, lotte Walker's latest day attraction at Miss Charvehicle, will be the holliHollis Street. F. H. JONES. BALTIMORE, MD. The Fifth Regiment Armory was the gathering place for many distinguished men and notable celebrities from all parts of the country. Men whose names are conspicuous before the na tion in the political, social and industrial world were present. The event was Maryland Week which was held December 4 to 9 In reality, it was the th annual session of the Maryland This is a sort of an amalgama associations working for the uplift of the farmer and agricultural inter along scientific lines. The members of the individual have installed ex hibits showing the progress of modern farming Monday and Tuesday was devoted to the Grange session. Wednesday was devoted to the sessions of the Horticultural Society of Marylan|. Maryland ag Crop Breeders’ Association and State Da'rymen’s Association. Thursday and Friday was the day for the State Bee Keepers’ Association, Farmers’ League and State Dairymen’s Association, When the men charged with making arrangements for the Grange Session decided last summer to hold this meeting in Baltimore, assoc ations suggestions were made to make it a national affair The idea was carried into effect by Governor Crothers sending invitations to Southern and Western governors and other prominent Americans to at tend this meeting. The cars in which the visiting governors are traveling have exhibits showing the natura! resources of each state such as minerals and other matter. The visitors were the recipients of the hospitality for which Baltimore is fa mous and they were given a strong impression of the way in which the delegates to the Democratic National Convention will be received if they meet here next summer, During the early part of the present year. the progressive element in this city decided to inaugurate a movement for civic betterment. This brought about the realization of the City Wide Congress, which is a permanent institution and which meets at stated intervals to promote necessary public improvements. The delegates to the congress are chosen from civic associa tions, secret and fraternal societies and various industrial organizations. The congress will meet at the Enierson Hotel December 13 to 16. Among the many recommendations that are advocated, is the purchase of the Lyric Theatre by the Municinal Government. The advocates suggest that this building should be owned and maintained by the city for the use of grand operas and public gatherings. This building was built exclusively for large musical events and it has outgrown its usefulness and it is desired to have it reconstructed to meet modern needs. By remodeling the interior, it will be possible to seat 4,000 people. There is a press ing need for a public auditorium and _ this building is ample for the purpose. The Lyric is located on Mount Royal Avenue and the neighborhood is becoming a great automobile center for reason of the fact that the manufacturers of automobiles have established garages along the street to display the many makes of motor cars. There have been rumors that a purchaser was desirous of obtaining the Lyric and converting it into a mammoth garage, housing machines. This would mean a severe loss to the people as there is no available build ing for big musical affairs and spectacular shows and public meetings. It is said that $250,000 will be required to buy the building and install the modern appliances. It is proposed to have this done by a public loan and operated by a competent committee appointed by the Mayor. If this plan is not successful, the Congress will appoint a committee of five men who will endeavor to accomplish this through private and public subscription. The local theatres enjoyed great business on Thanksgiving Day, but the record is held by Ford’s Opera House for the greatest throng of attendance. The Fortune Hunter was on the boards and the crowd was so large that the orchestra had to surrender its usual place and seek the left tier of boxes adjoining the top gallery. This is the first time in the history of the house that L. H. Fisher and his musicilans were obliged to vacate the orchestra pit. The seating capacity will accommodate 2,100 and with standing room many more can that Mr. Dean has given the orphans. Re cently he persuaded Miss Lulu Glaser to visit the orphanage and entertain the children, Paul M. Potter's new musical farce, Half Way to Paris, was to make its debut at the Academy of Music, December 4, but the scenery and other essentials requisite for the produc tion went astray half way to Baltimore consequently there was no show, Announcements were posted that all would be well for Tues day night. SYLVAN SCHENTHAL, CINCINNATI, © Cincinnati is enjoying an era of good plays. Last week, The Concert at the Grand, and Everywoman at the Lyric, were two of the best plays of the season, and extra matinees were necessary to take care of the demand for seats. This week was equally good, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm proving to be one of the most delightful of New England dramas. The play opened at the Grand Monday night, December 11, with a crowded house, and from the advance sale the Grand is in for another big week. Edith Taliaferro was charming as Rebecca, and the balance of the company, which includes Archie Boyd, Sam Coit, Edwin Smedley, Hayward Gim, Marie Day, Ada Deaves, Eliza Glassford, Violet Fortesque, Loraine and Lelia Frost, Violet and Clara Mersereau, gave a splendid performance, Lew Fields returned to Cincinnati Sunday night, December 10, at the Lyric, after an absence of two years. The Henpecks was the of Cleveland’s Great White Way. The seating Gus Sun. Proctor E. Seas, origir also connected with the Gus Sun office, and also is connected with Seas & Young The handsomest popular priced vandeville theatre west of New York. THEATRE PRISCILLA, CLEVELAND, OHIO. located in the heart capacity is 1,200, and the acts are booked by ator of 10c¢ vaudeville in Cleveland is manager. Mr. Seas is tooking Agency in the capacity of manager of the Cleveland Company, Inc. gain admission. The crowd began to assembie as early as 7 p. m. and there was a steady de mand for seats. The orchestra pit provided room fer 30 chairs which almost brought a pre mium, The Saturday night patronage to the places of amusement along Baltimore Street has been unusually large and in many cases some people were satisfied with standing room to see the shows. The members of the present grand jury seem to think that the law is being violated by having too many people standing. Therefore policemen from the Central District were de tu led to watch the theatres and render reports concerning the overcrowding of aisles. The grand jury has advised the managers that all patrons must be seated and no more be admitted. The managers have declared that under the law they have a right to allow people to stand in the rear of the seats and that representatives from the Building Inspector's office gave them this privilege. Frederick W. Schanze is having plans pre pered for a handsome motion pieture theatre that will be erected in the rear of his drug store at the corner of Pennsylvania and North Avenues. The building ts to be two stories high. of reinforced concrete with slag roof. It will be entirely fireproof, with cement floorings. This theatre will afford amusement to a popu lous neighborhood, Memorial services for the remembrance of departed Elks were held at the Academy of Music, Sunday, December 3 The house was crowded with members of the Baltimore Lodge and their friends. The service was solemn and impressive. William F. Broening, past exalted ruler, delivered the memorial address. The music selections were rendered by special soloists and vocalists. Tunis F. Dean, manager of the Academy of Music, will enact the role of Santa Claus at the theatre December 19 for the amusement of the orphans at the St. Francis’ Orphanage. The children have been Invited to attend the performance of Mutt and Jeff, which will be at that house during that week. A big tree will be arranged on the stage and will be decorated with many good things for the young guests of the afternoon. After the show, the presents will be distributed. This is the second treat | | offering. A large audience greeted the piece, which was presented by a company numbering about one hundred The production was an elaborate one, and the magnificent, Wildfire, Lillian Russell's Was presented for the first time in sto k in (tn cinnat! by the Orpheum Players, week of Dec. 10 The company was seen at its best In the racing play, and scored one of their greatest hits of the season. The Olympic Stock Company offering fer the week was Girls, the Clyde Fitch comedy, which has been seen here on several occasions Miss Adair as Pam, had her best part of the season, Harry Houdini, the *‘handenff’’ king,’’ feature at K four years settings and , costumes starring vehicle, was the Keith's, his first appearance here in Houdini is one of the best drawing cards in vaudeville, and his week at Keith's | sure to prove one of the best of the season The celebrated haractor actor William H Thompson, and his company were another head liner, appearing In a playlet entitled The Wise Rabbi Eddie Leonard and Mabel Russell, James F. Dolan and Ida Lenharr, George Fellx, assisted by the Berry Girls tedini and Arthur. The DeFaye Sisters and Macon and Bart were others on an exceptionally good bill Norman Hackett in Satan Sanderson delighted the Walnut audiences Sunday. and will no doubt have a big week s Heuck’s had The Smart Set Company, headed by 8S. H. Dudley in «2 musical comedy, Dr. jeans from Boston This Is one of the cleverest companies of colored performers on the road, The Empress continues to present excellent bills, and has grown to be one of the most pop ular houses In town, and espectally so as a fam lly theatre. La Petite Review was the head liner for the week of the 10th, and the novelty scored a de ided hit Rooks, presented by Wil Ham F. Powell, Will Howard and Company. was an excellent college farce Mozetto, a juggling phenomenon; Kelly and Kelly, a good musical team; Carl Randall, comedian; Sheridan and Sheridan. sing'ng and dancing, and Empresscope, made up a well-balanced bill, The Anditorium, New Robinson and American offered good bills of popular priced vaudeville. The Yankee Doodle Girls at People’s week of the 10th, is one of the biggest and best shows of — — the season. Imperial Chinese Troupe, Rush Lip Toy Company was a specdal feature. is Charles Robinson and his Crusoe Girls at 1, Standard, introduced a bevy of pretty girls 4 capable comedians. Two very funny burlesque, and a good ollo were presented, Manager Max Anderson Was in the city havi; a pleasant review of the local theatrical affair, after a rather lengthy absence, part of his tinge having been devoted to a visit to Europe. \; Anderson spent only a few days in London, by: enjoyed a fortnight’s stay with his friend and partner, Henry M, Ziegler, in Paris. Mr, Z'ey ler is now permanently located with his fam! in the French capital, and was able to ‘show Mr. Anderson around with the assurance of , native. Mr. Anderson leaves for the East [Dy cember 7. For the holiday week between Christmas ani New Year's Day, the Orpheum Players will de part from their policy of presenting only plays which have not already been seen in stock. [p stead of qa modern play there will be for the holiday season an elaborate revival of what may well be termed the queen of classic comedies Sir Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer Mr. George Lask. stage director of the Orpheum Players, directed the last revival of this play at the New Amsterdam Theatre, New York. For the week before Christmas the play will be Hen ry W. Savage's recent suc:ess, Mary Jane’s Pa and for New Year’s week that famous dramat! zation of the famous book. The Awakening of Helena Ritchie, the play in which Miss Mar garet Anglin made her great individual success It is possible that Allas Jimmie Valentine, Pau! Armatrong’s best work, will follow immediate ly after The Awakening of Helena Ritchie, bur as this piece has not yet been released for stock by Liebler & Co., its presentation by the Or pheum Playerg may be deferred a week or two, although the option for its production in Cincin nati has been given. The Kozy Theatrical Company of Covington Ky.. was granted a permit to erect a theatre at 7 Madison Avenue. The new structure wil! have a balcony and box seats. Vaudeville act» and picture shows will be given. Two local merchants are sald to be the projectors. The building will cost $10,000, Troubles between the moving picture oper ators’ union and the proprietors of two nickel theatres in West Fifth Avenue were amicably ended November 28. The men were on a strike against the employment of non-union workers and Manager Rielly applied to the Un'ted States Court for an injunction last week. The men go back to their places, and the union claims « victory. Alex Thomas, strong man. while on his war to Cincinnati from Cleveland, to open for Jake Sternad at the Auditorium Theatre, had two suit cases, containing about $100 worth of clothing stolen. ST. LOUIS, MO. With Henry Miller in The Havoc, at the Cen tury, Gertrude Hoffmann and Her Imperial Rus sian Dancers at the Shubert, and The Deep Purple at the Garrick, St. Louis, bas a great part of her attraction new to her. The Sho bert is destined for the best business of th week, as business has started with a rush Rebecea of Sunnybrook Farm is running a clos second in the patronage and well deserves to The attractions at the other theatres are all de serving and should have good weeks, The German Theatre Stock Company put on Der Vogelhaendler, at the Odeon Theatre, Sur day, and was capital in it. The house was large, The Hippodrome has another monster show this week in which nine big acts and pictures are given for ten cents admission, The attend ance keeps up to the capacity mark and you sure get your money's worth, John H. Havlin is expected in St. Lonis this week, and the future of the Imperial Theatre here will probably then be known. The hous has been dark since November 1, when productions did not draw any patronage. Work on the remodeling of the Grand Opera House is progressing rapidly, and it is expected that the theatre will be ready to open in the early spring. The class of bookings has not as yet been definitely settled, but vaudeville seems the most popular. Word comes from Houston, Tex., that Miss Florence Lane was granted a divorcee from her husband, Curtis R. Vance, in Dallas, Tex., Nov ember 11. Miss Lane is at present playing in stock In Houston. Walter De Leon and his wife, Miss “‘Muggins” Davis, playing here this week in The Campus at the American Theatre, made their first file)! in a Benoist Biplane at Kinloch Park, We! nesday, December 6. Anthony Jannus pilote! the machine. Norman Hacket played a very busy week her Thanksgiving week It began with the enter tainment of the football teams on Monday nig! then he entertained the Elks, and gave a lec ture before the students of the Morse School of Expression. Extra matinees were played #* well William O’Prien returned to St, Louls t's week from the road, owing to a severe ace dent. Hie expects to resume his tour of thr stock Western Vaudeville Cireuit, about the first of the New Year. The St. Louis Film and Supply Co... whi’ recently started business in this city, have a! ready been compelled to move to larger qusT ters. They have taken quarters at Bighth an! Pine Streets in the heart of the business (/s triet, Their above location gives them the ne« essary facilities to handle the vastly ineress ing business which Is coming to them James K. Hackett will return to St. Lou! week of Dec. 17, for another engagement !" The Grain of Dust, with which he successfully opened the season at the Olympic. His return to this city was made advisable from the fact that his earlier engagement waa filled before many theatregoers had returned from their sum mer vacations, Miss May Dowlin fs in St. Louis this week doing the advance press work for Mme, Tren tini. This is her first season on the road if this capacity, and the first to visit this city in ten years of thic character. Her predeces*or being Anna Marble (Mrs, Channing Pollock).