The Billboard 1912-04-20: Vol 24 Iss 16 (1912-04-20)

RO SS ee APRIL 20, 1912, poarFc _ BIG TOWN AMUSEMENT NEWS IN BRIEF — CINCINNATI, The Trall of the Lonesome Pine, with Miss Charlotte Walker in the leading role was the attraction at the Grand Opera Mouse week of April 15. Eugene Walter's dramatization of John Fox's well-known story attracted and pleased some good audiences. The scenic set tings are among the most elaborate and realistic seen here this season. Klaw & Erlanger have provided Miss Walker with a strong and capable company including W. 8S, Wart, Austin Webb, George Woodward, Richard Sterling, Willard Robertson, Cyrus Wood, jillian Dix and Vida Reed. Maeterlinck’s spectacular fairy drama, The Blue Bird, with its immense cast of mature and juvenile actors, was the offering at the Lyric for the week. The Blue Bird is one of the big things of ‘he season, and duplicated its su cess In other cities. Arnold Daly, who has not appeared in Cin ecinnati for several seasons, headed the bill at RB. F. Keith's, presenting a comedy entitled A Comedy for Wives. The Eight Palace Girls are atiractive and clever dancers. Mrs. Gard ner Crane and Co, present a delightful little sketch entitled The Little Sunbeam. The Em pire Comedy Four were well received. Others on the bill were Dave Ferguson, monologue; the Strolling Players, mins‘rels, and Stuart and Keeley, in a dancing novelty. The bil) was an average one, The Empress bill was headed by a spectacular acrobatic act offered by the Brahim Ben Bujamma tronpe. Elizabeth Kennedy and Anna Mack Berlein were seen in a sket:h entitled Darby and Joan, s oring beavily. A laughing act enti‘led 600 Miles from New York, was contributed by Princeton and Yale. Bert Cut ler, the billiard expert, Was an interesting feature, The Sisters Lindon have a good duegine and dancing turn. Viola Allen’s former starring vehicle, The White Sister, proved an exceptionally good attraction at the Walnut, and did very fair business, Dave Marion and the Dreamland Company pleased the regulars at the Standard. A two-act musical extravaganza entitled Stageland, was presented. The company in ludes several clever comedians and some good looking girls. The Pacemakers, with Charles J, Burkhardt, Billy Mossey, Mae Yuir, Harry Kelly and other clever performers, did fairly well at Peole's. Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth recently made Charles Doran, in charge of the Keith iuterests in this city, an offer to manage their production ef The Auto Cranks next season. It Is said that the salary named was the larges: ever offered any man in that position. Mr Doran refused the offer, not wanting to travel on the road, Building Commissioner Rapp. April 9, sent a written report to Mayor Hunt recommending that the license for the Palace Theatre at 1421 Vine Street be revoked. He says the theatre fs on the first floor and that tenants live on the three floors above: that the heating and ventilating is not in compliance with the build ing ode; that the ceflings are of wood and that a dumb elevator, which runs from bottom to top of the house, would make a dangerous flue in ease of fire. The Mayor approved of the recommendation and the license was revoked, The annual election of ofMfcers of the Moving Picture Operators’ Union No. 165 was held April 10. The following officers were elected: President, Harry Schwartz: Vi e-President, Wil. Nem Newman: Recording Secre‘ary, Henry Lacy; Financial Secretary, Walter Kinney: Trustees, William Thornton, William Flodter and Harry Harbaugh; Rusiness Agent, Edward Kirsch. Delegates to International Convention, Harry Schwartz and Edward Kirsch: Sergeant a‘-Arms, Fred B'erie; Delegate to District Conference, Harry Schwartz. A banquet and a mows picture show will be given to the new efficers A. F. Gorman, representative of the Barkoot Shows and well-known as a arnival man and promoter, was a Billboard caller April 9 Mr. Gorman stopped over in Cincinnati on his way from JacksonviNe to New York City. ‘ BALTIMORE, MD. Although the Lenten local theatres never season has past the suffered much from the lack of pa ronage during those penitent days. The fact that good attractions were on the boards caused many to forget the spiritual oc casion. Now that the religious restrictions are lifted there will be the usual throngs at the ore a8 was shown by the attendance a: the Gifferent houses on Easter Monday nicht. The Durbar Films at the Auditorium Theatre during Holy Week proved a great and In‘erest‘ng attraction. The house was not only crowded but there were many prominent and representative citizens In the aud'ences, There were — » performances and each one was a great necess, The Million was presented at the Auditorium for Easter Week and many were turned away for the performance Monday night. Those who denied themselves of this preasure during the past few weeks are again taking advantage of the opportunity to patronize this house in great throngs. The peonle enjoyed the comedy and the week has indications of being a record breaker, Robert Hilliard in A Fool There Was attracted a capacity audience Monday night athough he has been here many times tn this play This play has always been interesting and entertaining and never ceases to attract as the superb act'ng and marvelous production holds great interest. Many clubs and societies have lorge theatre parties booked for the dif ferent nights of the week, The Academy of Music will have a busy week. Tunis F. Dean and Harry Henkel spent Holy Week at Atlantic Ci*y as the gneste of 8S. . Nixon, The Daughters of the War of 1812 will hold a meeting In this city during the third week of April to hear the reports from various sub committees now at work preparing plans for he centennial celebration of the American victory in the last war with England. Dele. gates from the out of town societies will be present to part'cipate in the meeting, Definite plans will be made for the great rejoicing for this natriotie oecasion, Pete Daly of the acrobatic team, Daly and ONeill. was Injured bv a fall at the New Thealre, April 1. He became dizzy during bis performance and fell from the trapeze to the stage, and landed on his head. é Schneider saw him fall and ordered the curta'n down. Dr. Carroll, summoned and Daly was carried to his dressing room, It was found that he was suffering from a severe bruise of the scalp, injury was the nervous shock caused by the fall. The audience waited until it was Daly and O’Neill’s turn to come on again and Daly received a warm ovation. He was not able to perform all his feats, It is a common practice among playgoers that occupy the first row of chairs in the first balcony to place wraps, overcoats or other things over the rail in front of them without thinking that they are placing in jeopardy the lives of those sitting beneath this gallery or dress circle as it is called in some houses. Last Saturday a woman sat directly beneath this baleony at the Auditorium and she was a very nervous person. Her troubles began when an overcoat fell into her lap and her fright nearly caused a commotion. Assistant Manager Reilly exercised considerable effort in calming her and she was almost res‘ored to tranquillity when a pair of opera glasses came flying through the air. The grasses struck the floor in front of the woman and darted off in an opposite direction. The woman retrea‘ed from the firing line in great excitement. She and her ompanion moved to seats further in the rear to escape assassination in the danger zone. SYLVAN SCHENTHAL. SEATTLE, WASH. Owing to the many tourists returning from California en route to the East the Seattle theatres have all been doing a splendid business the past two weeks. The Seattle Ad Club was the guest of Manager George MacKenzie of the Metropolitan Theatre April 2. The attraction was Alma, Where Do You Live? The New Melbourne Theatre is nearing completion and will be one of the finest photoplay houses in the Northwest. A special feature is an immense glass curtain. A full orchestra will be used. Joseph Blethen, president of the Golden Potlatch, has closed with Captain James V. Martin a contract for $15,000 worth of straight and fancy aeroplaning to be done on and over the waters of Eliott Bay, Lakes Union and Washington and over the City of Seattle during the Potlatch week. The contract provides for daily flights by not less than three magqhines, one of which shall always be piloted by Miss Lily Irvine, the first of all English women aviators. All types of the flying machine will be shown and Captain Martin has cabled to Paris to have his planes sent to Seattle. Pasco, Wash., is to have a modern, first-class theatre to be built at a cost of $35.000. John B. Kerfoot, one of the leading business men of that enterprising city, is responsible for the story. Manager George MacKenzie of the Metropolltan has booked the Juvenile Bostonians for the week of May 5 This organization includes many clever Seattle children. It has this season toured through Canada and the Middle West ern States. LEM A. SHORTRIDGE. PITTSBURGH, PA. The proposed new theatre to be built on the site of the old Second Presbyterian Church lot at Penn Avenue and Seventh Street, will be started in the very near future. The city has issued a permit for its construction, and tids on the job closed on Tuesday. M. Nirdlinger, the designer of the building, stated that acontract for the structure will be let within the next ten days, and that work on it would be commenced immediately thereafter. While the permit fixes the estimated cost at $150,000, the completed theatre will cost $100,000 additional, as its equipment and interior finish are to be elaborate. The house will have a seating capacity of about 2,000. The policy of the new theatre is not yet known. The Hirhland Theatre and Highland Dancing Academy have vacated the Highland Auditorium in the East End of Pittsburgh to make way for an automobile concern. The Duquesne Theatre, home of the Davis Stock Players, bave built a new stage for this popular playhouse which is not surpassed by any in the country. Plans are under discussion and if carried through will give Pittsburgh a new theatre on the site of the Academy of Music. Col. Edw. J. Allen, the owner, and Harry Williams, the lessee of the present building, plan for a first-floor house to cover the entire let. Hilda Partridge has joined the Miss New York Jr. Co., and will remain with this show the balance of the season as a headline attraction in her beautiful artistic and classical posings, as the “Golden Venus,’ in ancient and modern sculpture. Miss Partridge is also a renowned professional diver and swimmer, and is contemplating managing a diving show in one of the parks this summer. Will Fennessy of the Miss New York Jr. Co., eee a very successful season so far for his show. 0. C. MacKallip says that extensive improvements are being made at Idlewild Park on the Ligonier Valley Railroad for one of the biggest seasons in the history of the resort. The park is a beautiful gem nestled in the hills near Ligonier, and contains 350 acres of entrancing forest, shady retreats and exquisite lakes. The most modern park attractions are being installed. At a meeting of the Pittsburgh Orchestra Association is Carnegie Lecture Hall, it was decided that the Association should continue with the ultimate aim of forming a permanent orchestra for Pittsburgh. Two hundred members of the Americus Republican Club attended the Stephen C. Foster Memorial entertainment at the clubhouse on last Saturday evening. Songs of the famous Pittsburgh composer were sung by the Homer J. Lindsay Quartette. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. It is rumored that negotiations are pending for the purchase of the Gayety Theatre (Eastern Wheel) lease here by the owners of the Dewey Theatre (Western Wheel) and the withdrawal of the Eastern Wheel or Columbia Cir cult of burlesque from the Mill City. In such event, the Dewey Theatre, which is a small building, would be closed next season, and the Gayety Theatre employed for the showing of the Manager . the house physician, was) while the main, Empire Circuit or Western Wheel burlesque. W. W. Wittig, who owns the Lyric Theatre Building and ig part owner of the Dewey Theatre Building, will confer with Fred ndeck of Milwaukee, who holds the Gayety Theatre lease here, and with other interested parties in the near future, according to the reports. Manager Archie Miller of the Dewey Theatre, says that he is unable to advise anything authentic on the matter at this date. Chief of Police Mealey received a communication from Winona, Minn., Tuesday night, April 2 requesting his aid in the search for Lenora Crow, aged 12 years, who is said to have left Winona, with an Uncle Tom’s Cabin show troupe. It was thought she would be located in a local motion picture house and city detectives are engaged in searching for her. The Minnesota State Farm Boys’ Encampment is a project said to be in the hands of a state fair board committee at this date for consideration, which plan is to bring one farmer boy from each county in the state to the fair grounds during the state fair week, as an educational benefit to the boys thus selected, who will remain in the encampment during the entire week. The decision of the State Fair Board on the matter has not been made public at date of writing. An Excelsior (Minn.) girl appeared on the bill at the New Grand Theatre here, the week of April 1, in the person of Madeline La Fere with the Four Masons act. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Miles of Excelsior and she was formerly a scholar at the old Jefferson School of this city and of the Central High School here. Cc. J. Flint at one time treasurer of the Dewey Theatre here. is now business manager of the Town Talk Company. Western Wheel. and passed through the Mil] City, Thursday. April 4, en route for Duluth, Minn. The Town Talk Company is owned by Johnnie Kirk, manager of the Star Theatre, the Western Wheel house in St. Paul, Minn., and opens in Duluth. Minn., April 21, and will probably appear at the St. Paul Star the week of May 5 and then at the Minneapolis Dewey Theatre. At the recent meeting of the sub-committee of the City Council License Committee, it was recommended that a license fee of $25 per week be established on merry-go-rounds, in order to discourage same in this city. It was further recommended that the license fee of theatres seating more than 700 people be fixed at $150 per year; a license fee of $100 per year for those seating more than 350 persons, and a license fee of $75 per year for those seating less than 350 people. D. W. Chamberlain of the local American and Empress Motion Picture Theatres, stated that the present regulations work hardship on the better class of motion rieture theatres. City License Inspector A. B. Gray spoke against licensing wrestling matches and recommended circus licenses be based on the number of cars employed in transporting them, which would slightly decrease the present license fee for the large circuses. No definite action was taken on either of these two propositions. On Monday, April 8, the work of leveling the big Twin City Wonderland Park was begun by the Northwestern Lumber & Wrecking Company for the purchase of the buildings in this park. About 25 men and a half-dozen teams are at work, and it will probably take over twv months to raze the buildings. The purchase of the Northwestern Lumber & Wrecking Company does not include the amusement devices and machinery in the park, which are being sold separately. Wonderland Park was opened seven years ago the cost of the buildings heing around $70. It was originally a paying venture. but the rainy days of the past two summers have made it less snecessful, and H. A. Dorsey, head of the Park Construction Company finally decided to wreck the park and dispose of the buildings and devices. The grounds will be divided off into residence lots. Six bands and two orchestras have already been engaged by the Board of State Fair Managers for the coming Minnesota State Fair to be held in September of this year. Contracts have been closed with the First Infantry Rand of Minneapolis, the Minnesota State Rand of St. Paul. the John C. Weber Band of Cincinnati. a Duluth, Minn., band and two bands from smaller cities of the state. The Lake City, Minn., Orchestra has also been secured and an additional orchestra will be hired. On Saturday, April 6. union labor representatives and Fli S. Warner, E. J. Stilwell and Secretary J. C. Simpson of the State Fair Roard, held a most harmonions conference at the Commercial Club-Rooms in relation to the employment of union labor at the state fair grounds this year, and it was decided that the committee wonld present the matter to the entire Fair Board, May 7. Lawrence Peterson. who anpeared at the local Bijou Opera House in Yon Yonson, the week of Avril 7 is a Minneapolis boy, born here and still makes this city his home. Many friends and acquaintances greeted him at each performance of the week. Herbert Rlass is now assisting Al. G. Kells in the box-office at the Unique Theatre here. Charley Hardy is still busy behind the wicket of the Shnbert Theatre, where he is treasurer, and Merrill D. Howe, who is treasurer at the St. Paul Shubert, was over in the Mill City Sunday. April 7, and by the happy smile he wore, there may be some truth in the rumor that he is about to indulge in matrimony. R. STE. FLEURE. ST. LOUIS, MO. St. Louls has at last got into the summer weather and with it is the beginning of the end of our present theatrical season. The summer parks are getting ready for their openings which will be later this year than usual, but all will be running in full blast by the middle of May. Some of the Airdomes have already announced their openings and the city is being billed for the appearance of Ringling Bros.’ Cireus. which will show this city the week of April 29. The various attractions now playing here are reporting fair business and most of them are the best of our season. St. Louis this summer will not have the pleasure of the high-class stock companies as heretofore, as both Delmar Garden and Suburban Garden will play vaudeville as it is now contemplated. These stock companies have proven very expensive and the patronage has never been such th any real profit could be made. We regret th fact, as it brought to us many stars of the profession in revivals of the plays that first made them our favorites. Delmar Garden and Forest Park Highlandswill install immense swimming pools this summer. The Highlands tearing away the space heretofore given to the Ocean Waves and Delmar will use the building built several seasons ago for dramatic productions. Lyman H. Howe will begion his annual season. of travel pictures at the Garrick Theatre here, commencing April 14. A Modern Eve, at the Shubert Theatre this week, is meeting with great success. Although it is a premiere week for the piece, the company has been perfect in it and with the result that it is the nearest perfect first production of a play seen here. It is a success beyond all doubt. Another premiere for St. Louis opened Sunday night at the Century. It is called The Glass House, and with a cast of recognized people has been commented upon in a pleasing manner, and will prove good entertainment. The Great Sutton Carnival Company will open the first carnival in this section of the country April 13, at Madison, Ill. The next to follow will be Wortham & Allen, at East St. Louis, Ill., early in May. The Annual Police Relief Benefit will be held this year at Forest Park Highlands. The Annual Dog Show is on this week at the Coliseum. Manager Payne has an unusually large show this year. Many of the finest dogs of the country are entries and the attendance is proving greater than that of last year, which was a record. One of the very best burlesque shows seen. here thig winter is that of The Cracker Jacks, now appearing at Manager Charles Walter’s Gayety Theatre. A company of comedians that really produce good fun and the show ig most handsomely dressed. The chorus is full of excellent voices and the vaudeville is especially pleasing. The act or sketch of Miss Mollie Williams and Company is especially good and is worthy of a better place than in burlesque. The staging and dancing is entirely new and demanded many curtain calls during the week. The Hippodrome is still drawing the Immense business in spite of the hot weather, and people are wondering if this will continue all summer. The Dollar show for a dime is an inducement but indoor performances is scarcely what is wanted in summer time. The class of performance has not fallen any and seems to better as the Hippodrome travels on. One of the best acts heard here for many years is that of the Mountain Ash Choir of 16 voices, now the headliner at the Columbia Theatre, each night as their number comes on it Is hlmost impossible to make the audience know that they can not sing forever. Dave Muir, one of the bright lights of George Hedge’s advertising staff of the Garrick and Shubert Theatres, left this week to assume his duties as ‘Banner Squarer’’ on Mr. Beckman’s car with the Hagenbeck-Wallace United Shows. The Republic Film Company is the name of the new company that has bought the state rights for Missouri for the Sarah Bernhardt Moving Pictures. The company is composed of Moses Sale, Greenfelder and Frye of this city. The Sarah Bernhardt pictures will open for a two weeks’ run at the Imperial Theatre, commenacing April 14, putting on Camille. Madame Sans Gene and will then play the important towns and opera houses throughout Missouri. The RPalalaika Orchestra is the headline act at the Kings Theatre this week, and is drawing Immense business. Manager Meinhardt expects to break a record as the demand for sests has been beyond expectations. The Kings Theatre fs the only St. Louis Theatre playing motion pictures and vandeville that has all its seats numbered and reserved. John Tippits was in and out of St. Louts this week, coming on business from New York. which is now his permanent address. South Sea Island Joe left St. Louis this week to join the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows at Pern, Ind. WILL J. FARLEY. KANSAS CITY, MO. The season of 1911-12 {fs nearing its close and the warm weather thoughts na-urally turn to outdoor amusements. However, there are still a number of good things yet in store for the theatregoers here before the doors are closed for the summer vacation. The friends of D. V. Cotter, the theatrical profession in general, will be delighted to hear of his success here. Mr. Cot ter is the treasurer of the Shubert Theatre. having come to this city November 11, 1911 from the Garrick Theatre of Chicago. where he was associated with the Shuberts for three years. Mr. Cotter has won many friends here and admirers. both for his thorough efficiency in the box office and his unfailing courtesy and pleasantness. Kansas C‘ty took very well to Mort. Singer's new musical production, A Modern Eve, which was at the Shubert the week of the 14th. This was an almost premiere for we are the second city to see this pleasing little satire. An all star cast added to the success of A Modern Eve. The graduates of Missouri State University had two evenings, April 15 and 16. at the Willis Wood Theatre, in their production, The Land of the Toreador, a study of the Mexier Revolution. There were sixty in the casi, a Kansas City girl baving the Iceding role, While Isson Retest. treasurer of the Grand Opera Hevse Sad an attack of la grippe, about t-. » eks ago. Everett Wilson, the assistant treasurer of the Grand, had both his own du‘ies and Mr. Ratekin’s to look ont for. e Annual Pure Food Show of the Retail Grocers’ Association will be given in Convention Hall from April 22 to May 4, In Insive. ‘The decorations will be more attractive than ever before,”’ said J. P. Langan, manager. ‘‘Every convenience that will acd to the .omfort of the visitors will be provided and all will be interesting and instructive.’’ The week of April 14 ts tne one hnndreth week of the Empress Theatre in Kansas City and th's was fittingly celebrated by the management by the giving of handseme and appropriate souven'rs to all the Jadies a‘tending this week. in Chicago and Kansas City’s big new summer enterprise, The Kansas City Hipnodrome in the Stadium a* Forty-seventh and Tracr Avenue wil open for the season just as soon as the weather becomes warm enough to perm‘t ontdoor entertainment. and continuous vandeville will be WILLIAM W. featured. SHBLLEY. There will be two rings for circua ox fot. fa Re an Fp ame cee ae Ae Be We yt ae tat oe he nn Ae ns FPR RATE AA) ERE = heb wa ? z & RT Or MRMNR NY ON cn he Sg DE Caen eet DOPx Ce eee f oi gine ai i Fe a iB ROME ie, he Pee er eae re ; i j * Smeg tpy QHD Le rE OVE C H capensis gga REE Tee set ants mone Jammu TRE