The Billboard 1912-08-17: Vol 24 Iss 33 (1912-08-17)

AUGUST 17, 1912. The Billboard 13 F THE WEEK IN CHICAGO. CHICAGO PARKS Experience a Poor Week, Due to Disagreeable Weather Condit'ons— White City Offers Novelty in Shape of Model of Panama Canal—Creatore at Bismarck Garden—Park News RIVERVIEW PARK, Chicago, Ill., August 10 (Special to The Billpoard).—Anotber disagreeable week with cold and rain in abundance and very few hours of summer was the unwelcome visitor which placed the grouch over all the park managers here this week. One shower after another and cvld waves in quick succession bit Riverview a. awful wallop this week and it is certain that the profit side of the park’s day book is fairly clear of figures. However, Riverview is backed by an organization of game fighters who are showmen to the core and the more discouraging things leok and the more business declines, then just so much more does A. s Hodge, director of publicity, swing his little hammer and it’s very seldom that he fails to make the sparks fly. Two of the most important picnics of the season fall to the lot of the big North Side perk tumorrow and providing the weather doer not take apother freak turn it is safe to say that a big day’s business will have been enjoyed by the time of closing on Sunday night. The picnic of the Masonic Hospital Association Fund is in progress today and will be followeu tomorrow by the great Soke] and Turnfest of the Bohemian Turners. Many competing bodies of turners have been invited from adjacent cities and a crowd of 10,000 gymnasts are expected to attend and try for the various prizes offered. The every Wednesday, Saturday an. Sunday motorcycle races will be offered as usua) with extra sweep-stake races in which are entered all the star riders of the big saucer-like track. The Antodrome also enjoys the patronage ot persons who enjoy a real thrill. This track is smal! compared to the Motordrome where the motorcycle races are held, it being but 70 feet in diameter, 32 laps to the mile, while the big Stadium Motordrome is a third of a mile in circumference. Henry J. Cohn is the owner and manager vf the Autodrome and exhibits two recing types of the Staver automobile which ar-« driven at a-mile-a-minute clip by Tom Orr and Louis Guhl. It is truly an artistic and daring bit of driving that this team of auto drivers exhibit nightly. and a show well worth the ad mission price. The track is saucer-shaped on au angle of 78 degrees up to a height of 18 feet. and from the 18-foot mark to the top, which is 22 feet from the base of the funnel. Joe Taylor is the talker for the concession. Another concession feature of Riverview is the shooting gallery, which is situated near the main gate. H. T. Belden, the owner and man sger, claime this gallery to be the largest and most complete in the world. It Is fitted up to represent a woodland scene. A miniature lake near the center igs the swimming pool of about a hundred automatic ducks which serve as targets. On one side of the pond an old farme. sits and patiently awaits a nibble on his fish line, while just beyond is a young boy dressed as a hunter. Flies and wings give to the fore part of the range the appearance of an elaborate stage set and in the rear are all sorts and sizes of targets. These are arranged so as to afford a range of from 3 yards to 20 yards. The glass bal] run at the extreme rear of the callery holds more than 800 balls. This run is surrounded by about fifty ‘‘Bull’s Eyes’’ of from one-eight inch to six inches in diameter. Mr. Felden alsv conducts the pistol gallery, rack and the Fort Sumter gallery at west end of the main promenade. F. S. Harper is the attendant at the pistol gallery, Bill Riddle at the baby rack and Howard Slater and O. Wolf at the rifle range. WHITE CITY HAS PANAMA CANAL, Chicago, Angust 10 (Special to The Billboard). —The rainy weather of the past week has deferred the completion of the gigantic hangar now building in the south lot at White City for the reeeption of Captain Horace Wild's giant dirigible balluon, and in consequence, the inauguration of the Chicago-Milwaukee passengercarrying service by airship will have to be deferred for another week at least. Another distinet novelty is afforded White City patrons, however. This is a perfect model of the Panama Canal now on exhibition on the West boardwalk. The model is exquisitely wrought; 54 feet In length, and 12 feet in width, and uses in the progress of its demonstration 1,100 vallons of water. The Canal Zone is shown in its entirety, and upon large enough a scale to permit anybody to recognize all of the salient features of the greatest engineering feat in the world. The electrically operated locks, with the tiny ships passing through; dummy engines carrying dirt and stone, and rapid express traina on the Panama Railroad are shown, The rivers, villages and other characteristic features of the Panama landscape are reproduced with fidelity, It is a decided novelty, and one worthy of patronage. Bohumir Kryl and his band entertain every afternoon and evening in the band shell in the Parisian Gardens. The cabaret show [In the Casino offers a multitude of new acts. and the various permanent shows are bravely meeting the competition of atrocloue rk weather, BISMARCK GARDEN. Chicago, Angust 10 (Special to The Billboard). ~The eve'onie Creatore, who through the magic ef his baton has won fame and fortune as a conductor of bands, will open an engagement at the Bismarck Garden tonight, which will last until the close of the seasun. The eccentric one is well known and popular here, and while his salary is pecessarily high, he ig bound to prove a big financial magnet for the exclusive North Side resort. He is now working toward a ‘‘musical uplift’? and will render programs vi the classic variety during his engagement here. | This is sure to prove popular inasmuch as the suffering public has had ragtime stuffed down its throat until ragtime has ceased to allure. FOREST PARK, Chicago. August 10 (Special to The Billboard).—Thig is the day of the big river marathon, which is an annual swimming contest given under the auspices of the Illinois Athletic Club. Miss Anna Harris, the champion lady swimmer and diver of Forest Park, is entered in the event and after having trained fer the past mvunth is in excellent condition for the great strain and expects to come out among the winners. Up to this time Miss Harris is the only woman entered in the race and wil] be accompanied by Forest Park’s special launch. This neat little craft will be launched this afternoon under the direction of Paul Heinze, superintendant of the park. It has been prettily decorated and will doubtless prove a great | in size of Chicago’s amusement resorts, but it's a real case of the old saying of ‘‘Good goods in smal] packages.’’ The LaDarby Show remains as the star feature and is drawing good crowds. Ten high-class acts vf the Cabaret variety will be offered during the coming week and all are of the high-class variety that has made the LaDarby show famous in Chicago. From 8 o’clock until twelve every evening the Rathskeller is a popular rendezvous and a lively variety vf entertainment is furnished by the best disciples of syncopation. e free vutdoor moving picture show is meeting with unexpected success and is also drawing many admirers of the ‘‘movies’’ into the park. Five reels of pictures, all first releases, are shown at every show. The film program has been so arranged as to make the feature educational as well as amusing. Travel films are shown between industrial and comedy reels and the drama ree] is also one of the features. The Spiral Thriller, Aerial Subway and roller coaster are the rides uf the park and are doing a fair business, VAUDEVIILLE NOTES. The Herald Square Opera Company opens its fifteenth season at Norfolk, Va., early in ne 4 tember. As usual, Ed. W. k will be in advance. After playing the fair dates in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, the tour extends through the Southwest, returning by the Pacific Coast and Canada. As an added feature j= a ladies orchestra will be ine q The roster of Robert L. Russel Shows Excel sior Band is ag follows: Prof. R. L. Jacobson, cornet; Rex Farmer, cornet; C. R. Davis, trombune; B. Hubbard, baritone; Robert Russel], tuba; G. Ray Smith, alto; Billy Ward, traps; Bob Smith, bass drum. Roster Excel FRED H. WILSON, STILT WALKER, AT WHITE CITY Should yeu chance to hear screams of delighted laughter emanating from the children who throng White City these pleasant afternoons, it is safe to say that the kiddies are watching with fascinating gaze the an tics of Fred H. Wilson, the stilt walker. the fragile stilts, quence en route. civic campaign in the metropolis. advertised have won out. In casting abeut for an attraction that would please the children, Manager Morris Beifeld decided upon Wilson, and everyone agrees that he made a happy choice. Wilson makes up as an attenuated giant, fifteen feet tall, and his easy gait and graceful dance steps, executed upon are a wonder of all who behold him. America, which commenced at Boston and extended to San Francisco, covering all of the cities of conseWilson was employed by the Denver Chamber of Commerce to boost Home Industry Week; he worked in the interest of the Female Suffragists in California, in their winning fight for the ballot; he walked the streets of Greater New York, advertising the political interests of Mayor Gaynor in the last It is his proud boast that all of the political movements which he has Wilson has no trouble in walking, amongst the densest crowd, and has had only a couple of falls in his whole career as walker and stilt dancer. He is now returning from a three years’ trip of ad for the pupular West Side resort inasmuch as the races will be witnessed by thousands of people. In the near future, the Cook County Socialists’ Picnic will be held at the park and this event will doubtless draw many thousands of people into the park, because there are a “‘few’’ Socialists in Chicago, and they are noted for their support in anything that pertains to the party. The Pneumatic Tube continues to enjoy very big business and is undoubtedly one of the most novel and original devices of its kind in the United States. The cars are propelled by means of compressed air which passes through the long cement tube which is almust a mile in length. It is a very speedy ride, making a mile in a trifle more than a minute, but owing to the fact that it is not a ride of the dip vuriety, it is one of the safest of the many ride thrillers of today. An admission of ten cents is charged, and a dozen cars, each with a capacity of six persons, are continually in service. The giant coaster has the highest pvint of any ride in the city and is one of the most thrilling in this park which is world famous for its rides. The chutes are also well patronized and are very picturesque, and built on lires meant for service as well as beauty. Alligator Joe and his Florida Alligator and Crocodile Farm continue as the favorite show and are drawing big business. The big Casino and Cabaret is doing a recordbreaking business during the rainy and cold weather that has visited the city during the past ten days and the ball-room, which {is one of the finest and most complete in the city, Is filled to capacity nearly every night. Tom Bourke (‘‘C Sharp") has resigned as publicity director of the park and will be succeeded by Mr, Frankel, who has been assisting in the epecial work throughout the season. SANS SOUCI PARK. Chicago, Ill., August 10 (Special to The Billboard).—Sans Souci ig proving one of the very popular local resorts this season but this is only reasunable when one stops to think of the great and varied forms of entertainment which is being offered. The park ig the smallest sior Orchestra: Prof. R. L. Jacobson, violin; Rex Farmer, cornet; C. R. Davis, trombone; B. Hubbard, bass; G. Ray Smith, piano; Billy Ward, traps. Jacobson and Farmer are creating quite a sensation with their novelty musical act, consisting of all the latest hits of the day, played in an artistic manner by these two soloists. The Clio Brothers’ Show still continues to do good business. The company is made up of the following people: Mr. and Mrs. Ben Clio, | Charlies Clio, John Clio, The Hendersons, Wal| ter Jack, S. Bowser and Nelson Williams. The Dav's Brothers have been spending their vacation at Zanesville, O., their home town. They will leave for Springfield, Mass., August 15 | to attend rehearsals with the Guy Brothers’ Minstrels, with which company they are signed up for the season. C. W. Littlefield is at present negotiating with the Western Vaudeville Managers’ Association for time, and expects to open for them | about September 20. This will be the first time that Mr. Littlefield has played the West | in fifteen years, Ethyle McDonald, the Scotch Lassie, is again | back with the Cushman Toy Maker's Dream | Company, for rehearsals, after a vacation of two | weeks with Auline Reno, the globe artist, at. her home in Kankakee, III. The U. S. Amusement Company, of Chicago, Ill., has secured The Blue Mouse, written by Clyde Fitch, for the season of 1912-13, for a road tour in cities through the Central States. This show will open September 15 at Chicagv. Howard and Linder will open their fourth season under the management of Louls Wesley either August 19 or 26. with the sketch they | have used for the past three seasons, entitled As My Father Used To Say. Bronco Joe's Wild West Show, D. W. Perrine. manager, is playing In the berry and summer resort section of Michigan. This show has been known for the past three seasons as Tiger Bil) Show No, 1 Anyone knowing the present whereabouts of Charles Kid Lovell will confer a kindness upon | besides four new American dramatists of the younger generation. | lows: his sister, Mrs. Bertha MacDougall, 1114 West Avenue, Meadville, Pa., by sending her information, While doing the globe-roliing act through a ring at the Academy of Music, Hagerstown, Md., the evening of July 8, Miss Isabel Atlantis fell and broke her arm and injured her left hip and side. Proving to be such a hit, Suzann Carter and her Minstrel Maids were held over for another week at the Palace Theatre, Asheville, N. C. This nine-people show is doing capacity business. Leonard F. Andrews, formerly juvenile and heavy man with the Taylor Stock Co., is taking a much-needed rest with his wife at Fort Worth, Texas. He will leave shortly for Chi° cago. The Great Monohan, with his mechanical doll skating partner, ig in great demand for vaudeville. He has only lost one week since his return from Burope last February, The Zat Zams, who appeared at the Hippodrome, Pittsburg, Pa., last week, are booked to Play fairs in the Central States beginning the widdle of August, Harry Applegate, of Seattle, Wash, A prominent business man and staunch admirer of The Sillboard, = us a visit, and was loud in bis praise of the magnificent offices of ‘Billy Boy.”’ Peter F. Griffin, the well-knuwn manager of the booking department of the Griffin Circuit of Toronto, Ont., is at present out of town on an extended fishing trip up North, Wm, Gilman has closed as manager of Howe's London advertising car No. and will be lecated in Belleville, Ill., as manager of the Lyric Theatre. Jes Mall opened om the Interstate Circuit recently at the Princess Theatre, Nashville, Tena.. after working eighteen weeks for Bert Levy and six weeks at home, The Electric City Quartette is usin mark's song, If All My Dreams Were Gold, and meeting with great success. Frederic J. Lapierre, playright, vaudeville artist and concert pianist, is cooling in Asheville, N. C, Witade of STOCK COMPANY NOTES. The Marlowe Players will inaugurate the season at the Marlowe Theatre, Chicagy, under the direction of Louise Randolp, in The Climbers, August 26. Miss Randolph left for Chicage last week after having completed her company, which will include, besides herself in the leading roles, Ian Maclaren. who was last seen with George Arliss, in Disraeli; W. L. Thorne, formerly leading man with Lindsay Morison Stock Company at Lynn and Boston; Ethel Wright, Ernest Cossat, who has just concluded his season with Walker Whiteside, in The Typhoon; Arthur Buchanan, Marhuerite Van Sickle and Richard Morgan. Frederick Sullivan is the stuge manager and Sanford C, McKnight the genera] manager. I. L. Montague, for so long with the Marlowe Theatre, has been retained as business manager. In addition to the standard modern plays, Miss Randolph is to | make a series vf productions of notable plays by Strindberg, Ibsen, Maeterlinck and plays by Brieux, native The Baker Stock Company, Portland, Ore., closed July 13, after a successful winter sea son. The majority of the company have ieft to fill summer engagements, althongh a few remain and are taking advantage of the many streams and mountains in which to get rid of that ‘‘tired feeling.”’ ‘‘Billy’’ Dills and Earl D. Dwire left immediately after the closing performance on a 35-mile hike up the Clacka mas, where they intend exterminating all the trout in the world. Dwire returned two days ago and reports a 200 catch in two days. The Heilig Theatre, Portland, Ore., has completed its first week of the summer stock serson, with Cathrine Countiss and Sidney Ayers doing the leads. J. Frank Burke, Marie Baker and Edgett, former Backeronians, are included in the cast, Carl M. Dalton just closed his Ole in Spiritland Company, in Dakota, open another show in August. home at La Crosse, Wis. The Agnes DeVere Stock Company is now !8 its fourth week, and igs meeting with muck success. The company was playing two-night stands up to August 1, and since then has been playing one-night stands. The cast is as folThomas Hayes, leading part; Charlie character heavy; L. Bryan, juvenile; Mrs, Agnes DeVere, soubrette; Mrs. Thomas Heyes character cld woman, and Raymond Wright, pianist. Billy Patterson, wire walker with the Salvoy Olsor and will Carl makes his North, Stock Company, had a narrow escape from death in an accident at the Band Airdome. Paragould, Ark., recently. Mr. Patterson was | deing a free act on the wire in front of the Airdome, wher he lost his balance and fell tv | the ground, a distance of fifteen feet. He wa* badly bruised and shaken up, but fortunately escaped serious injury. Tre Keeney Stock Co., carrying twelve peop ¢ a 12-piece band and a 7-piece orchestra, is tour ing Michigan to good business. Recent additions to the band and orchestra are VU. G N Nixon, cornettist; James (Mack) McD : clarienttist, and Harry Worthingtor trap drummer, Percy Haswel] and her Players are haviag a record season at the Royal Alexanira Thea tre, Toronto, Ont. The talented star is a | favorite there in society circles, and has made | many close friends. Manager lL. Soiman, of the Royal Alexandra, has booked a splendid list of attractions for the coming season. The Prince of Tonight Company opened its season August 10 at Michigan City, Ind. for # tour of the Northwest to the Coast, and will then return over the Southern route. The company numbers forty people, with a new production and new costumes. Tom Arnold will play the leading rele, supported by an excellent cest.