The Billboard 1912-03-23: Vol 24 Iss 12 (1912-03-23)

The Bi llboard MARCH 23, 1912. THE VAUDEVILLE AND BUR Kedzie Wilson Avenue | Current Attractions worked up, 1 kiown and a idew is " old pers of the Wilbur Mac sibie for ane of a new comer these two The Bill turough ajestic, and shows in well bal artists ‘Jbhe hat charaiing Taliaferrs, vehicle is a story, for nsible. The redil, and gives i Spi al ppertunity fer the lent in the char Sie is well sup gan and Joseph pleasing snd of a small ald It is olf is » WoreuD » hearis of the she se cis yerrs, os SJe por compclled to take that her invalid health and have the climax i cleverly be expected by the atid story reader. an heuima, ys popular comedy stars, success in form of a , en itled taund Masrer. The it being one of ngs, bul neverthe score an immense of the applause win “ly lo udid rosypx ‘nion ¢ if yoelr Jdolunuy wellcMr little cuivee t The I hii las, of s the mn identity fun mak pres bill, and Nella Walker are respon her of the comedy hits of the bill preseitation of a refreshing It died, The Girl and the Pearl. the pearl part of the title thie ri is very much in stant smile, and, of liy costume which sail s ea one aoe suit profes vnd aceful in hich is the mecca of net a riet they re ere entitled some of their ihe heads of a » secmed to ex and sv » of European who lave is clever support work generous ! afternoon audience, der the heading of f ‘ u Messrs j sent Brenner, Lee, their harmony offering. I was r iwvys un Such au s i, but fact did as wuch as it did for they came out with em Spirit that ne of the recog icr class variety. They and cling x the iy selg few (music a bunch of good With telling black-face a good dialect his selo numper tuo well. f the offering , aod strengthen e + time, The boys | together. AL aud can only ina few changes i bats \ ii s over does a is u ws Hoe ty well autiful young woman posing act of mous Statues. Though | e elaborate aud heavy, | 14 comiplete act is ariistic aud a real credit may appear. The il under the headiug | s a iking The ia Greevy, the village fid} (4, appear io fourta in fact the well pleased with the siopped the show for of all toe rube comediaus ' rtists bead the list, compare them to Will Dayue. whose work Is an | TY Mrs. McGreevy Is @ 1 of the country maiden, s the part. She is or n bot ber business and material over the , k, is equally clever en on of an old fiddler, och of cross-tire gags Mes. teeds Jack in a tmanmusical selections Mie vy oltieiating at the MoGreety toots ou an old e to their parts through » dry in even the funniest partx of thelr act. To say hit . putime it rather mildis; of encores and took SUCCESS; mee u it nuuiver Chicago, March 16 (Special to The Billboard). —The bill at the Kedzie this week Is pleasing in every respect. It is well balanced and each act makes good. This is another of the W. V. A. houses of the better class in Chicago, where only the very best and highest grade attractions are shown. Business at thig house, as in the majority of the W. V. M. A. houses in the <ity, is firmly established by a select resident patronage, Business at this time is at its highest, capacity beuses being the general rule. The show is cpened by a very good acrobatic offering for which the Petet Family is responsible. The troupe is composed of four gentlemen and one lady. A few new and daring feats are introduced which go very well, and receive a justified amount of applause. John A. West and his Singing Wolf appear in second spot and prove the laugh hit of the bill. Mr. West {s a scream in his comedy conception of the musi.al Brownie, and puts over the fun and laughs in a perpetual stream. The Sirging Wolf is a big fellow who howls to the accompaniment of the orcnestra’s music, and the effect is both unique and pleasing from the optimist’s viewpoint. Mr. West responded to an encore and took several bows on his act. It is a good offering and worthy of a spot on a more pretentious bill. . Foy and Clark appear in that good old success which hag made their names justly big, Under the Sea. The novelty in itself is a big winner and the product‘on of the act, a real triumph. The sceni effects are pleasing and unique and won the admiration of all. There is very little change in the act since the time when I last saw it. At that time tney were playing the Olympic and suffered some loss when the house Was partially destroyed by fire. Harrison Greene and Katherine Parker, who are b'lled as the blue ribbon pair of entertainers, offer a polite patter act with songs, and were well liked. The show is closed by Joe Maxwell's A Night in a Police Station, qa big comedy production and song review. Little Ruth Francis scores big on_ ber rendition of They Always Pick On Me. Jerry O'Donnell goes well with In All My Dreams I Dream of You, which he sings well and with the quality of voice which Is essential to the suecess of this class of numbers. The comedy throughout the offering is clean and of a good and original vein. Prominent in the cast are, Little Ruth Franc‘'s, W. H. Creamer, Jerry O'Donnell, Andrew McGlincey Jr., James Whelan, Albert Shepard, Eleanor Mora. Mand Mordaunt, Jean Caldwell, Irene Hunta, Charlotte Gassin. The scene takes place in a police station of New York City. THEATRE CHANGES POLICY. Chicago, March 15 (Special to The Billboard). ~—Felix Greenberg, who a few weeks ago acquired management of the Orpheum in Teorla, has determined to change the policy of the house, and beginning with March 18, will run three shows a day in that theatre. Tesides the mat'nee at 2.30 there will be performances at 7.30 and 9.15 In the evening. A split week policy will be maintained, the shows changing on Monday and Thursday. The W. V. M. A. | will continne toe book the Orpheum, as well jas Mr. Greenberg’s other house the Lyceum. Popular prices, 10, 20 and 30 cents, will prevail, For the coming week A Winning Miss, the popular mus‘cal comedy in tabloid form, will be presented ag the entire bill, with a cast of 23 people. . wig Rubbenhaus, a violinist from Leipzig Arnold Newman; Toots, butler to Mrs. Piker, John Gray. Mike Donovan is to receive $25 his entire orchestra, while Rubenbanse, the violinist, is to receive $10,000 for himself alone. Mike enters first and Is mistaken for the violinist and is pald the $10,000 by the new society bud. The fun that follows is fast and of the richest sert of comedy, though not as pew as it might be. Mike finally disposes of his competitor and the butler and salts the big role for himself. They close the act in one with a bit of clever patter and song and responded to two encores and took a half dozen bows, Wilbur Mack and Nella Walker appear in a breezy and classy Httle patter sketch, wherein a harmless flirtation plays an important part and affords many good comedy situations, Both have good voices and score heavily. They work in one with a special 4 depicting a park scene. Two'benches are placed in front of the drop and ample room for the act Is afforded. Some of the dances put on by these two artists are a revelation. They are not the nolxy sert, nor the clickety-clickety sort, bot just simple and peat soft-shoe dances that win the approval of all, thronch thelr neatness and grace. The comedy throughout the offering Is of a lighter vein, but clean and an abundance of tt. The couple are one of the real offerings worth an important spot on the big bill, and fill it to a T Miss Mabel Taliaferro and a clever company appear in a pleasing little playlet with a langh and a tear, Taken on Credit, written by that gifted anthor, Edward Teple. Mise Tallaferro was welcomed by Chicago vandeville patrons with open arms and generous applause and sup. port. ler act ts reviewed {In detail under the heading of Acts New to Chicago. The well-known song writers, Keller Mack and Frank Orth, are back at the Majestic follow The McGreeting @ ‘ dy hit which t once they got a erip on y held un like bull dogs, That fameus intook just as bg “ ‘ ‘ ihe best incidents of t's the i the things that count, ove Mr Ionevan, leader of Donovan's full . Mrs. Ray portrays the y Mrs. Bahiwin Piker, in the society circles. Herr Lod prethe and < good start | tay plays the part | ladies and two gentlemen. again after a couple of months’ absence. Ther are using the same vehicle as when last seen here, a sort of comedy skit, entitled, The Wrong Hero. They score big In the rathekeller part of their offering, but the act dors not mer! the great spot given it in this week's offering. The show is closed by the Nelson Family, a }onartet of clever acrobats new to Chicago. They offer some exceedingly good stun's and score In each. The *‘family’’ Is composed of two It is the two slender ‘girls who are responsible for the great success of the act. The Nelson Family appealed strongly and were given generous applanse on their many new and novel feats. ' Chicago, Il., March 14, 1912 (Special to The Billbuard).—Monday night 1 left my Lome with the intentlon of “‘covering’’ the show at the Wilson Avenue Theatre. 1 reached the Wilsvn, and distivetly recall going inte the house. Then wy wind seemed to go ou strike, and for twenty minutes 1 ‘ditched’? my job and found myself among the canuibals of the South Sea Islands, ip company with Martin Johuson and the great literary I'vht, Mr. Jack Loudun. | bave traveled some’ in my time, but bave never previously been so far away from Yankee Doodle land We sailed or motored up ove of those swamp) rivers, and shot a huge alligator. It was Mr. * London who fired the fatal shot that made pee sible three or four Landsome traveling bags. he patives believe this inhabitant of those waters tu be sacred, and are afraid to kill them. However, we dragged the carcass aboard the ‘‘Snark,"’ that brave little boat which served us nobly, and motored on down the stream to a settiement, where, as the guests of the queen of that region we reviewed the army. And what an army it is. The soldiers are arrayed in swiles and at times a bat or cvat which bas been discarded by some Americans and Englisumen who way bave been served en casserole or roasted. Be that as it may, the “army” is at least picturesque and unique in their raiment of battle, and there ar several hundreds of them, tvo. After we had reviewed the army, We, were given permission to see the native dances b a duo of uative ‘‘artists,’’ aud if these same devotees of the terpischorean art ever invades our big vaudeville circuits, who will challenge their right to use the billing, “Commanded to appear before ber Royal Highness, Queen Kuoh uyrwt, or whatever her name may be? We thanked the Queen for her gracious reception, aud ouce again boarded the “‘Suark,’’ and motered to another settlement, where we saw the native braves take their annual stroll oved red but stones. These and other wonders were shown myself and a capacity audience at the Wilson by Mr. Martin Johnson, who accom nied the celebrated writer, Jack London, on s visit to these Islands. When Mr. Johnson ewbarked with the little party, he had wo intention of entering vaudeville with one of the wust wonderful aud educational offerings of the age. Le went as the syecial representative of the lathe Film Company, but was prevailed upon by Eastern Vaudeville agents to obtain the sole rights to the films aud enter vaudeville, giving a lecture as the films are shown. Mr. Juvlnson readily saw the sibilities fur the venture, and launched his Hittle boat. T result is wonderful, awe-inspiring aud marvelous. The act proved a strong attraction at the Wilson this week, and did jusi what the wide-awake wanager likes to have ap offering to do. It made the patrons of the hous: talk. The act must be as great, if not greater, than I bave painted it, as it is booked selid for Willard Theatre—Vi:tor Moore and Co., in Sleepy Steve, Lydell and Butterworth, the light brown girl and the funny dancer; Foy and €lark, Under the Sea; Keith and Kernan, singing and sand pictures; Williams and Sterling, jn smiley nonsense. Thursday, Vi tor Moore and Co., The Four Musical Elephants, Shean and Marks, from opera to ragtime; I’rince and Deerie, the girl and the college boy, and Eldaro and Co., European comedy jugglers. Wilson Ave, Theatre—Mechee Kankin and Co., in Oliver Twist; Shean and Marks, from opera to ragtime; Prince and Dearie, the girl gad the college boy, The Four Musical Elephants, E!dora aid Co., comedy jugglers. Thursday, Me. Kee, Rankin and Co., Lydell and Butterworth, the light brown girl and the funny dancer; Leonard and Anderson and Co., When Caesar Cs Her; Keefe and Kernan, singing and sand pictures, and Williams and Sterling, im smiley nonsense. * Academy Theatre—The Millards, .in -the Pumpkin Girl; Pearl Dawson, singing, talking and dancing; Earl and Bartlett, in O'Brien from Galway, and the Brooklyn Harmony Four. Thursday, Fred Sandford, eccentric comedian; Howe and Howe, mental telepathy; Marion and Vivian, classy sisters; Corinne Curtis, a singer of note, and Kelly and Kelly, comedians, Lincoln Theatre—Herman Leib and Co., in Dope; Deliea_ and Orma, six foot of comedy; G‘rard and Gardner, comedy sketch; Quinn and Mitchell, a Lemon City Land Agent; The Three Bounding Gordons. Thursday, Dudaks lears, Powder and Chapman, singing and talking: John Delmore and Co., and Devine and Williams, a traveling salesman and a female drummer CHICAGO CIRCUS NEWS. Chicago, March 16 (Special to The Billboard) —Harry Earl left for New York City last Tuce day to join the publicity department of the Barnum & Baliey Ww, which opens at Madison Square Garden in that city the latter part of the month, John Ringling is expected in the city the fore part of next week to pass on several acts whicb are seeking admission to his circuses. Circus and carnival circles are much perturbed ever the enforcement of a new tariff by the Canedian railroads on traveling shows. The rate which is now being applied to the North west provinces for the first time, calls for the assessment of 15 cents per mile per car. This in addition to the regular passenger fare, creates an almost prohibitive rate. It is sald that in view of this rate, neither the Sells Floto Circus nor 101 Ranch have made a single cuontract in Canada this season. J. H. Eschman, the weil-known Minneapolis showman, and proprietor of the J. H. Esch man European Circuses, an institution fants the next two years over the W. V. M. A. and Orpheum Time. The show is opened by the Farrell Brothers, knock-about comedy cyclists. There is a surplus of slap-stick comedy, which consists of falis and the knocking down of several pieces ef scevery. The act might be Improved. In spot two The Boudlui Brothers, those wiz gards of the accordion, who created such a Sensation at the Majestic here several weeks ago, appear and repeat thelr gigantic success 'of the big down-town house. Tbe boys are up to the minute io their repertoire and put over a half duzeu of the very latest avd best numbers. They respouded to three encores and took fire bows, and then te cap this great reception, | stopped the show for mure than two minutes, ln spot three, ete Lawrence and Company appear in a meaningless and bottomless sketch, entitled, The Fresh Freshwan. The offerlug is reviewed under New Acts. James J. Corbett, Gentleman Jim, next to clusing, and proved a big bit. tainly deserves the title of ‘‘gentleman,”’ for be is that, and a very polished one. too. He | delighted the big audience with stories of bis | travels and experience during bis fightlog career. | Lie was obliged to take a balf dozen bows before | Relng permitted to leave the stage. Ilis stories are clean, full of fun, and each possible. The show is closed by Martin Jobuson'’s Travelogues, wherein Mr. Jobnson gires av interesting lecture while three or four reels of filws are shown. It is one of the most instructive offerings that I bave ever witnessed, and pleased the audience in every detall, The offering ts also reviewed under New Acts. appears lle cer FROM PERFORMERS, Hyde and Raymond, presenting their original novelty comedy playlet, Lis Best are now in their sixteenth week on the M. A. Time. The Three Irwins are practicing a few new tricks at their bome in Steelville, Mo., They are golug to erect a vaudeville house in Steelville this summer, Mrs. Charles McGee, known in the profession es Millie Woods, whe has been suffering with the mearles for the past three weeks, is improving slowly. Al Meltzer will leave New York City shortly for Kiverview l’ark, Chicago, where be will be with his welght-guessing machine the coming ecason. own Pal, w. V L. C, Zelleno is seven days ahead of Brandons’ Lena Rivers now tla lowa. This company opened last May and has not lust a week since, Dr. A. K. Norton, the eminent physician, joined the Jenkins and Barrett's Comedy Company. The ductur reports big business, Maidie DeLong has just signed contracts for the Sun Time, which will keep ber busy until the latter part of June. Walter Hubbell played Agnila, the Royal Slave, for the twelve bundredth time in Clay Ky., March 6 Madge Diamond has added a clever monol i which, with her singing, makes ber act a very strong single. Mrs. Wm. Cunningham, nee Mabel Lord, was buried from ber late home at Boston, Mass., March 10. throughout the Northwest and In the Prairie lrovinces of Canada was in Chicago this week, and favored The Billboard with a call. He is in Chicago at the present time to look over some new features for this show and to book two vaudeville acts, the cunning baby elephant, Little Nemo, and his talking dogs and birds. Mr. Eschman pronounces the outlook fer the coming season in his territory extremely prom/s ing, despite the fact that a presidential cam paign year is generally considered a bad one for the traveling shows. He carries a circus, with side show and menagerie complete, and with a full complement of elephants, camels and lamas. which are now in winterquarters at Linden Hills, a suburb of Minneapoli«, Mion Mr. Eschman swears by Billyboy, and expecially commending our mailing system. During a re cent tour of the world, he saye# found The Billboard at every port at which he touched, In China, Java, the Phillipines, Borneo and India, and that he did not miss a number. The hearts of the local circus coleny go out to South Sea Island Joe in his recent bereave ment. Manoak, or South Sea Island Joe, the Cann! bal Fan Chief, as be is known pagpesionally, has been spending the winter in Chicago. A little over a month ago his wife, Palupa, or Beno, as she was known in the world of the circus, wae taken IIl, and removed to St. Lnke'’s Hospital. There it wae fennd necessary to operate, and fifty-four hours after the operation, on February 7, she expired from a clot in the circulation. Her great vitality served her well and she died witheut apparent suffering. Her remains were placed in reserve, and after making the necessary «rrangements, Joe had all that was mortal of his wife Interred in a lot at Glenwood Creme tary, near Chicago. on February 29. Many beautiful floral offerings were sent by friends in the business, some especially fine flowers being sent by the players at the New Gaiety Theatre on State Street, where Joe and Beno had been playing. Joe announces bis intention of returning to the Great Wallace Shows the coming season. Palupa or Reno was born at Nao oyuka in the Gilbert or Kingemlll Islands, south east of Samoa, and it was bere that her fellow countryman wooed and won her, They entered the cirens business and became tdentified with the Sells Rrothers Shows. They were success Ively attached to the Hugenback-Wallace, Morris & Rowe's Circus, Sanger's Show of England (Raroness Magri) and showed thronghout Eo under the direction of Imri Kiralfy. BURLESQUE NOTES, One of the’ most familiar and characters around the old Murray Hill Theatre fe its dusky ‘“‘anperintendent,”” J. H. Porter, who, with his smart uniform of bine and gold, presents a most distinguished and military 8ppearance. Our friend is a most dignified and Tespectable representative of the Pthiopian race and is known to every manager and agent who ever played the house. Our old friend Albert Babcock reports excel lent business with his popular theatrical hotel at Moultrie, Ga. Tie saye that there are very many show folks visiting the city, those that do go there always stay at the new Hotel Norman. Bverything new bot the name ‘'t pare to advertise '° .