The Billboard 1912-01-20: Vol 24 Iss 3 (1912-01-20)

JANUARY 20, 1912. The Billboard 19 —— vents in Big American Cities etary of the Y, M. C, A., also spoke in favor or the Tpotlen picture shows, and said that the establishiwent of such theatres in the vicinity of school buildings would be of great benefit in bandling seclal problems. ‘All performances at Minneapolis theatres, Sunday afternoon, January 7, were quite late in starting, due to the blockade of trattic on all railroads, Which brought the various road companies & vaudeville acts late into the city. Audiences, as @ Whole, bowever, were inclined to be good-bumored, and bore with the local | theatrical managers, In spite of the fact that they were obliged to walt Inu thelr seats for some jevgth, viewlag motion pictures, until the regular performances were Teady to start. RODERIC STE, FLEURE. BALTIMORE, MD. After months of spring-like weather, the city is now plunged Into the grasp of real wintry blasts, with mercury hovering at zero. The frigkl temperature came very suddenly, and the binstery cold wave svon had people sneaking indoors, sticking close to radlators and furnaces. The atmosphere warmed up sufficiently for a good fall of snow. Ice skating Is now the rage and the younger folks are enjoying the sport. The weather conditions have been excellent for busness as the long delay In the coming of this cold spell bad caused much gloom in business circles. Mr. Henry Arthur Jones, the well known English playwright, was vixiting.in town last week. He came to consult Miss Margaret Anglin about a new play which he has completed and be bas not decided mpen the title as yet. The new play was to be given Its first performance in New York. The playwright changed his mind and the lay will be sroduced at the Academy of Music Jencery 2. he’ fine reception that Miss Anglin received bere last week caused the select this city for ber new play. Jacinta Is the title of a pretty opera comique which was presevted at the Auditorium New Year's week. The opera bas been on the road for several wWee and’ has been meeting with great success, play will go to New York and will be seen of Broadway as The Rose of Panama. Jo¥m Cort staged the production and it Is an exquisite plece of Workmanship in erery detail. The company Is excelfent and as a light opera it i of the best things that has been actress to seen in t city since The Merry Widow. The music is delightful and Joseph W. Stern & Co., bave something of which they can Making Good is the title of Owen Davis which was given its firét performance at the Auditorium Theatre January 8. William Courtney and Mande Gilbert appeared in the leading roles. The story tells of a wild young fellow disinherited by his father and stdrting out to “‘make good"’ in the lumber campe of Maine. William A. Brady has staged the gaay and the performance was\eyacted by a capable cast. The Marylapd General Assembly now In session at Angapolis and some of the lawmakers have been attending the shows at the state cap!tal. Governor Crothera, Governor-elect Goldsborough and membera of the Legislature have received Invitations to attend a «pecial performance at the Colonial Theatre, February 1. This (eduction is given under the anapices of the aryland Suffragettes to urge their cause In securing legislation for women's suffrage in this state. Mr. George Boniface whose death was announced in New York January 3, began his Stage career In thie city under the guidance of the late John T. Ford. r. bad a stock company at the olf Holliday ‘Street Theatre and later moved on Fayette Street to the’ house which bears his name, This stock company developed many actors and actresses who later became prominent in the profession. Some of them are still Hving. Mr. Boniface began with this comqany peu : Ne. was given its initial performSmee at the Tarlor Opera House In Teenten, N. J., January 1. George Nash and Wallace Eddlog proud, ew play by eT appear advantage ip this new play. This new prodnction will come te Ford’s Opera House Janmary 15. The Advertising Club of Baltimore will have a benefit performan n the nin ight end it will be a lively event, The pro ceeds that acernd from this event will start the fund that will enable the members to go to Dallas next anmmer and bring the 1918 conventlon of advertising clubs to Baltimore. Panl Fmmert ts nianning a magnificent theatre for Frederick W. Schanze as waa.stated {n & previons letter. The local newspapers have fives much space to this new stmeture which 8 very handsome tn design and will he an. ornament to the neighborhood. The building will he two stories high and of reinforced .conerete canStruetion with steel framework. file roofing and kalvanized cornice. Tha first floon will be need for moving pletures and the secand floor as a hall, The theatre will adorn the site where now Stands an old stable that Is a landmark from the days that Confederate trooma assed on the way to and from Gettysburg. The lot fronts on Penna Avepne near North Avenne. ohn Cort was In town last week supervising * production of Jacinta. He was delighted with his stev and he was pleased that hie shovw-> capital. took en well food place favorable re here. He considers Baltimore a for a try-ont for a new show as a ae r cention serves as a good omen, a. lebert N. Hickman, who was stage director for h sive’ years for Charles Frohman'’s companies, "8 established a dramatic school In thld clty at Amanat’s Theatre. on North Charles Street. and becin Immediately Tle has a achool | a. n Washington whieh fe now in Ite ninth eeneon and from ¢ ° have hee his achool more than eeventy eradnates Min Tt Maced noon the professional atage, nedten elen Southard is a member of the Roemilan Rurleseners, which anneared at the Em. — Theatre Jarnary 1. Mies Southard hegan Stee any With The Gowhor Girt at the Molliday mente Teratve three years aeo. She has alan o an edueated In “aT an wee ‘Gorm. ond PR ire Pearce and Scheck, the well known <a eal maenetes tn the elty. have secnred Ma T on the City Onera Honse tn Frederick, by es he Ponrd of Allerman granted the lease a lente of 4 to 1. J. 8. Tavlor of Raltimore for @ nted the leerena and lonsed the theatre oad “« yeara for £20.750. The firm will recont the front nnd lobby of the Qeera ‘Tone the mete it one of the handaomeat niavhonses tn hone tte onteide of Paltimore, Heretofore, the “ue hes rented for $1,900 a year, nytt: WW. J. Gahan, the popular -mandger of * View Park, gave a New Year's reception at his home, 1900 West Lanvale Street, in honor of bis ulece, Miss Theresa Fitzsimmons. Charles Heinz, 16 years old, 1905 Cecil Street, Was operating a moving picture machine in the theatre at 314 West Lexington Street. It is said that polou men informed the police that be was working without a license. However, Heinz was arrested by l’atrolman Plank and taken to the Western Police Station, where Justice Carr fined him $10 and costs for operating a machine without a license. It developed that Heinz was working the machine in place of the regular operator, who was ill. The fine was paid, and that is the minimum penalty. Henry Bb. Harris spent New Year’s Day in this city. His production, The Country Boy, was at Ford’s Opera House. Although this engagement was the third for this play, the business was excellent. Mrs. Tom Thumb was an attraction at the New Theatre last week. State and city officials were invited to meet ber at the theatre. Sle has met all Presidents of the United States, from Lincoln to Taft, Miss Maxine Miles, who was the leading woman with the stock company at the Savoy Theatre, is a leading feature at the Victoria Theatre. SYLVAN SCHENTHAL. PITTSBURG, PA. Charles Schwartz, well-known in vaudeville, is the leader of the orchestra at the New Harris heatre. Stage Director Albert Lang of the Duquesne, is to undertake in collaboration with William Seymour, the task of compiling a history of the Famous Boston Museum Stock Company of which both were members some years ago. Fay Templeton, who is now Mrs. Patterson and who lives near Pittsburg, has suggested that Lillian Russell play a one-act sketch and has agreed to write the sketch. Miss Russel) has the proposition under consideration, Gerald Griffin, a Pittsburg actor, who is now playing in vaudeville in a sketch called Other People’s Money, last appeared here at the Alvin Theatre in Wilton Lackaye’s Company, playing The Battle. : he Gayety on Christmas Day, two performances broke all holiday burlesque records for gross receipts and made a new record. Lon Harchal unti] recently with Ben Welch’: Burlesquets, is here this week with Jack Sing er’s in The Gir] From Rector’s, R. A. SINCLAIR. WASHINGTON, D. ©, One of the notable events at the theatres las: week was the appearante on Sunday evening of Dr. Frederic A. Cook at the Columbia, in a lectnre giving his version of the controversy regarding the discotery of the North Pole. Many members of Congress, including members of the committee that conducted the Peary hearings, bad engaged seats for the event. It was his second appearance in this city since the startling annonncement of” his discovery of the north pole. He had a latge house and thr’ ater part of the lecture was !llustrated, vivdiy depicting the scenes of the far northern regions. Dr. Cook was severe in his denunciation of Peary and his friends for the methods which he alleges they nsed in their efforts to discredit him before the world; and he insisted that it was he. and not Mr. Peary, who first reached the Pole. If the applause that followed the lecture be taken as a criterion the andience was with him, Another notable personage, a doctor, too, was the attraction last Sunday afternoon at one of the theatres. This individual wag the only and onliest Dr. Mary Walker, with plug hat Prince Albert coat, creased trousers and al! that outwardly go to make nop the polished gentleman. Doctor Mary lectured for the bene fit of a tubercnlosis hospital at Oswego. N. Y~ Manager W, 8. McKean, of the new Imperial Theatre, has resigned and the prices of admission have dropped to ten and twenty cents, A grand-danghter of Gen. John C. Fremont the ‘‘Pathfinder’’ and first Republican candidate for President of the United States, is a member of the eompany at one of the theatres this week. : Manager Peck, of the Garety, claims to have been among the first advertisers. In The Bil! board when that. publication made Its appearance. He has been a patron at various times since then. . Hugh T. Taggert. a prominent attorney of Washington and former United States Attorney is the owner of the Key Mansion. where. .t': anthor of the Star Spangled Ranner former!r resided, Some years ago a number of patriotic citizens of Washington and contignous cities made efforts to purchase the, honse by ten-cen’ contributions, and ai neat sum was realized e echeme acemas to have sunk Into Innocnons fesnetnde and the rent le far fn arrears. It fs the purpose of the owner if the scheme to purchase falls thronuch to raze the bhnilding ane erect a bnesinese structure on the site. Th: Francis Scott Key residence for many years hee been one of the show places at the nationa) D. WYNN. NASHVILLE, TENN, A performance not booked was given Sunday evening, January 7. at the Hermitage Hotel by the members of the Pink Lady Comnany. The Impromptu concert consisted of vocal selections by George Reld and bry other members of the companr. Miss Te Rne. who has heen per. manently engaged to sing at the Hermitage. also gave several pleasing numbers, As a grand finale, George Reid and Roland Rottomly exe ented the stens of the original “Grizzlv Rear’ dance. The loggia was crowded with Interested anectatore, and the manager of the Hermitage further Inerensed his popularity by having seats placed for all comers. Things In a rvandeville way here tn Nashvillar? very brisk these dare, and although it has heen very cold here of late. the weather dors not In anv wav seem to affect business. Mies Claire Noelke. with the Henry WoodrnT Company In The Prinee of Tonight. which eave A very suecessfnl performance at the Vendome Theatre Nashville, Tenn... was. necording to ‘popular opinion, the moet finished artist In the Die enat, Mies Noelke did some hichly entorable poetic dancing ta these fert:moring and reer notean of Alexander's Ractimp Band, which gained for ber many an ovation. — ’ : W. R, ARNOLD. KANSAS CITY, MO, Beginning next fall, Kansas City is to be a producing city, theatrically, for all the musical comedies owned by Mort H, Singer, the big Chicago producer. This announcement, which was conveyed in a telegram received Friday night, January 5, by Walter W.. Decker, personal representative of Mr. Singer, is of more than ordinary interest, as it is a recognition of the fact that Kansas City has grown to be one of the best theatrical cities in the country. Even in this, one of the worst seaSong the theatrical profession has ever known, the patronage accorded all the Kansas City theatres has been uniformly good. The telegram received by Mr. Decker is as follows: “We are changing base of operations for premier productions of our prays from Milwaukee to Kansas City, owing to great interest and support. Two new preductions in preparation will play two weeks each in Kansas City and St. Louls before coming to the Princess Theatre, Chicago. (Signed) Mort Singer.”’ Following this announcement of a change from Milwaukee to Kansas City, this city early in September wiil see the first performance of a new musical comedy starring -Harry Bulger, who is with The Flirting Princess Co. The name of. this musical comedy has not been made public as yet. After a run of two weeks, the second musical comedy will see light here. It wili star Henry Woodruff, last seen here in The Prince of Tonight, In speaking of the new the Willis Wood Theatre, The Billboard had it that C. M. Woodward is’ now treasurer of this house and Mr. Manoan assistant treasurer, ticket sellers at whereas it shou'd be reversed, for Mr, Mancan is the treasurer. Mr. Parnell Manoan came here a few weeks ago from aha, where he was connected with the 0. D. Woodward interests. Kansas City has not seen McIntyre and Heath in several years, their last appearance here being in The Ham Tree, a few years ago at the Willis Wood. They are now here this week of January 14 at the Orpheum Theatre. headliners in vaudeville. McIntyre and Heath are very much liked here and as a_headiine feature on a very splendid vaudeville bill, are doing a capacity for the Orpheum this week. Rhoda Royal Circus and the Old Buffalo Wild West Show played a week’s engagement at Convention Hall. This indoors circus takes very well here, and with their several new and novel features and regulation circus stunts had a very good time in Kansas City. WILLIAM W. SHELLEY. , COLUMBUS, 0. Old King Winter is certainly. putting a crimp in things theatrica) our fair city. With Miss Mercury hobnobbing with Mr. Zero, ever) night, including Sunday, it looks like the managers will bave to put up their shutters, go heme, and sit by the fire, until the Spring thaw sets in, With the house orchestra thrilling lively music, and the footlights blazing, anager Harper of the High Street Theatre, entertained sixty of his employees and friends at dinner one day last week, preceded and followed by an open house and tion. Mr. Harper entertained in this way three yeata ago, and announced Sunday afternoon that the event probably will be an annual one. It is given as a holiday and a New Year’s greeting. The stage was set with an attractive interior and three big tables stretehed from the back of the footlights. Seated upon a prop throne, George Chennell of the Columbus Billposting Company. acted as “‘roastmaster,’’ as he was facetious!) styled, Mr. Harper in a brief address, thanked bi: friends for thelr support and loyalty. Many speeches enlogizing Mr. Harper and his management of the High Street Theatre, were made. Those who responded to toasts were: C. C, Philbrick. Gill Burrows, manager of the National Theatre, Dayton; William Taylor of the Casparia Stone Co.: Dr. Kennedy, police surgeon; . liam Prosser, manager B. PF. Keith’s Theatre; Dick St, John, advertising man of the same theatre, and George Fowler. oan dinner was served from the Chittenden otel, One of the many novelties connected with Keith’s Theatre is the, “Crew Feed.’’ whic’ takes place every Monday penter shop. the week the bors back of the house, instead of going home for the noon meal. give a sump tnons feast. also feast days. The front of the house is often invited to partake of the feast, especially on the turkey. days, Mr, Charles Watson has the honor of being chief cook. He ean boast of the largest corps of assistants of any chef In the city. Amone them are: George Fooks. E, L. Krause. Harry Crocket, Edwatd Cruse, Joe Wilson and Frank Keezer. It Is considered anite an honor to be invited to this feed. To those who receive any invitations, take our advice. and accept quick. That Keith crew works fast. If ron don’t believe it ask the performers who play there. J. A, MADDOX. MEMPHIS. TENN. Matters theatrical have been dull in this territory for some weeks, ever since before the Christmas holidays. as a matter of fact. Why, no one seems able to state. The fact remains however that althongh the dramatic season opened well and promised great things, the last month has been far from carrying out those promises, One reason perhaps is that the holiday reason and the weeks following have bronght but few plars. and people who nar good ronnd dollars for amusement, demand. their moner’s worth—otherwise ther remain at home or patronize the motion pleture honses These latter are showing some of the finest films of the rear. and those which stick to straight motion pictures, with good singers and good music, are doing an extraordinarily good business. The emall houses which are devoted to cheap repertoire, musical comedy and vandeville, are having a rather ham time of it for the past month The weather hee been partially responsible for this, for the motion picture theatre denperds npon the yes ‘ on ers-by for fhe bulk of ite patronage, a in, the Keith car| Monday being the busiest day of , Christmas and Thanksgiving are | — cold, story days, the passers-by are either few or in a hurry to get home. One of the big Selig films, with Mabel Tal liaferro, a Tennessee girl, as the star, drew an enormous business at the Majestic Theatre | No. 3 last week. There are well founded rumors that Memphis.will have two new theatres during the present year The excavation for one of these is already begun. It is located In the downtown shopping district, and wil: be built with the view to making a small time vaudeville house, with motion pictures as well. It is understood that it will be leased by the Trimble .Amusement Co., which has already two motion pieture houses here, The other houses which will be built further up town by a locai capitalist, midway between the Lyceum and the Orpheum Theatres, and it is reported that it will be leased for a long term, ten to twenty rears, by the Wells-Bijou interests ag soon as it has been finisbed. It is known that plans have been drawn and reported that the ground has been secured, but that present lessees will have to be bought out before work can be begun. The entrance will be on the main street, through a long lobby, with stores on either side and the theatre proper will run through to Second Street. This fact will mean that the WeilsStainback interests intend to return to. the centre of the theatrical district with their principal hovse, and probably that the Lyric may: be used after next season for stock purposes or some other class of theatrical at-. tractions, , The proposition to rebuild the’ old. Bijou, which was burned down more than a year ago, has been turned down by the Wells-Stainback people because no agreement could be reached on the rental rates, the owners of the ground having fixed their ideas too high in the opinion of Jake Wells and his associates. Advanced vaudeville, ag presented by the Orpheum Circuit, hods its own and Massager Max Fabish continues to smile no matter what the weather is. ARTHUR J. FORBES. DENVER, COL. Announcement in The Billboard of the Denrver-Colorado Springs-Pueblo aviation contest to be conducted by the management of the Colorado State Industrial Exposition this summer, has already attracted much attention among aviators all over the country, and General Manager Frank Burt and Commissioner Earl Gandy of the Lakeside Park Exposition, have received many Inquiries for complete details from birdmen contemplating participation in the competition. Two thousand dollars in prize money has been put up by the Colorado State Industrial Exposition le for the tri-city flight. Fifteen dollars of this sum will be awarded the aviator first making the round trip after May 30, when the exposition will open at the local White City. Flights may be made any time during the 100 days of the exposition, bur starts and final landings must be made at the exposition grounds. The only other condition of the contest is that landings he made at Pueblo and at Colorado Springs, beth ways, for the exchange of commercial club greetings. The course of this filght will he along the front range of the Rockies and for machines that can navigate in Colorado altitude will be comparatively easy. In crossing the north an! south continental divide at Palmer Lake the altitude increases considerably but the route. i« over the prairie nearly all the way. secoml aviation contest now under con sideration by Mesers, Burt and Gandy, however. involves a more difficult flight and for that reason $5,000 in prize money will probably be offered. This contest, to be held also during the 100 days of the exhibition with starts and landinzs from the exposition grounds required, will have Denver and Tolland, in the heart of the Rockies and near the summit of the Great Continental Divide. as the two terminal points. It ts expected that either one of these«contests wil] attract the best of the world’s airmen to Denver this summer. The aviators have captured about all of the honors that are offered for sea-level] nerformances and the novelty of these tournaments is heginning to wane. Rut fiving in Colorado atmosphere is an entirely different matter, as even the Wright Brothers. whose machines have been the most anecersfu! here, have found ont. Long distance crosscountry flights a mile ahove sea-level are now the goal of all ambitious birdmen and for that reason the offers of the Colorade State Industrial management promise to stimulate new interest In the aviation game. Plans for the exposition are rapidly progres eing. Mannfacturers, wholesalers. retailers. stockmen, mining men, agricnituriste and fruimen and those in all lines of bnsineas are show~ ing munch interest in the opnortunitice to ex: hibit the prodnets and resonrees of, the state Steps are heing taken to advertise the expos!tion thronghont the conntry and draw a large amount of tourist travel to the city and atate Amusement men generally. are inquiring for space in the midway and nomerons novelties in open-air attractions wil] be ‘ntretneed. JULIAN HELBER. JACKSONVILLE, FLA. The Krause Greater Shows will exhibit here on January 16. There are twelve shows and two free acts, Elma Meier. hich diver. and Capt. Cox. aeronant. The carnival fs, given under the auxpices of the Order of Moose, and will continue one week, The Florida Ostrich Farm, Amnsement Park and Zoo, opened their new park on the 6th. The park contains all fhe ponular amusement devices and has a special niaygrounds for small children. Band concerta, balloon ascensions, vardeville and ostrich riding are other attractions furnished. Robert Taber. John Henderson, Arthur Keither. L. J. Vermilvea, J. FE. Rivoirre, Misa A, J. Cowles and Manager William Gray, of the Comet Film Company, of New York. arrived several dara ago. A permanent location will be secured, and activities will begin on arrival of other members of the company. \ a 4 Additional Big City Letters wil! ‘be found on page 46 _ ’ wots sdcits We anapteetaicas Seapine! Si abate aD intima oe OI MPR ot Mapai vay ‘et aie ekalle uatnanataiaan es Peeve gern so SW a , mage Sa na eer ae a a Se ag = Bot acaba ste Sil ALLS PLM LEE