The Billboard 1912-12-07: Vol 24 Iss 49 (1912-12-07)

tian fa naam SR Ae DECEMBER 7, 1912. The Billboard 39 the sub-committee for theaters by the National Red Cross Stamp Committee. Mark Luescher, of Werba and Luescher, who is a former resident of Rochester, came to this city Monday to see the production of the Rose Maid, and incidentally to visit friends and relatives over Thanksgiving. The Family Theater has been forced to change its policy, and instead of playing continuous vaudevil. will now produce two separate shows daily. The evening performance will be entirely different from that in the afternoon, and the house will remain open from 2 p. m. until 11 . m. P oliver Morosco, the Pacific Coast producer, made the announcement while in Rochester to witness the premiere of Peg o' My Heart, that he will use this city as the Eastern gate for all of his plays in the future. He will give three other productions their Eastern premieres here this season. ‘Two of these are from the pen of J. Hartley Manners, one called Gauntiett’s Pride, a mixture of comedy and seriousness, in which Nat Goodwin will star, and the other, The Money Moon. Paul Armstrong's latest play, The Escape, will also be given here for the first time in the East. BUFFALO, N. Y. It is reported that a representative of Mit tenthal Brothers, of New York, will try to se cure a site in Main Street, Lockport, N, Y.. for the erection of a popular-priced ‘vaudevil theater. At a recent meeting of the committee appointed to take up Oscar Hammerstein's project to establish an opera house in Buffalo, it was decided to enlarge the membership of the com mittee. It is announced that In the future the Gerden Theater, a Buffalo burlesque house, will use only newspapers for advertising and will taboo billboards. McGUIRE, JOSEPH A. COLUMBUS, O. The Hartman has another all-week attraction this week, showing Robert Hilliard, in Th Argyle Case. The show has been playing t nusually good business bere, partly from the fact that this is the home of the collaborator William Burns, the famous detectiv. It was in this city that Mr. Burns received his firs training in the police business and when thi play was announced for this city, he arrange: a box party which included many of bs old time co-workers on the local police force. A! acded feature to the play here is the fact t the original arrest on evidence gathered thri the dictagraf, which plays a very importar part in the plot of The Argyle Case, was mad in this e'ty and the senator, who was trapt, is on trial at the present time, Mr. Hilliard gave a public demonstration « the instrument at the Hartman on Tuesday The Southern played to fair bus'n ss the earl) part of the week, having as the attfaction heady Money. Manager Luft is looking for on real week next week when Bunty Pulls th: Strings will occupy bis theater for the entir time. The advance sale has been usually large especially for out-of-town patrons. Mr. Ziegler, owner of the Grand, recent’ operated by the Players Stock Company, has completed arrangements fer the opening of tl hense with anotier line of attraction the latte part of next month. Altho he states that he Is not at liberty to announce who the new least holder ie he says that the arvangement w!! meet with the approval of the Columbus pub! when announced. Manager Harper of the High Street, has de cided to operate on Sundays during the season, showing feature pictures during the afternoon end evening. The Anderson Circuit has passed by this sort of entertainment for some years but bas decided to operate the several houses with pictures on Sunday. Visitors at the High Street are: C«stan, ahead of Seven Days, and J. H. burn, the veteran showman. Mr. Prosser, of the local Keith house, has a very classy b'll this week, headed by Miss Jes sie Busley in her new sketch, entitled Miss 318 Another favorite on the bill, who is very popu lar here, is J. C. Nugent. Manager James Maddox. of the Colontal, had a unique theater party on Turadey evening, when all of the medical men of the city were present to witness the muscular display being given by one of the Arco Brothers. Manager Billy James, of the Broadway, in trring to keep up his reputation of always giving a little more for the money, is offering besides a vaudev'] bill of merit and kinemacolor pictures, the Sun Minstrels, for Thanksgiving week, yeorg: Wash Hartman (LL. M. Boda. mer.) Case, all week. Southern (J. F. Nov. 28-80. The Argyle Luft, mer.) Ready Moneys High Street (Charles Harper, mgr.) Thurs ton. the Magician, all week. Keith's (W. W. Proaser, mgr.) Vanievil. Colonial (J, A. Maddox, mer.) devil. Broadway (Billy James, mgr.) Popular vau devil. JOSEPH F. CARR. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. The success of Norman Hackett'’s new play, The Deceiver, which had its premiere at the Ma jestic the 21st. has determined him to continue Its use this season It looks very promising as a future vehicle for Mr. Hackett, as it fits bim from the ground up. If Messrs, Spaeth and Cowan would do that jig of theirs on the vandevil stage, the same as they did in the Matestic lobby, we might look for a stellar attraction. Cowan's a reyal good scont—no wonder he is a Columbus favorite Chester Rishop and players gave a satisfrving performance of ‘‘Wedded and Varted.” This is their last week at the Garrick They will be followed by musical comedy Mr. Bishop has Sustained his reputation for a clever performer and all good wishes of everyone go with him Hunt. Coppens and Snears will terminate thelr vaudevil act this week at the Orpheum Mr. Coppens has a long booking in ai single act ahead on Western time Mr. Hunt has the management of an Eastern Michigan house in sight and Mr. Spears will accept a permanent Detroit engagement. Musical comedy is going to take fta innings on the first of December. At the Orpheum, tn addition to vandevil and pictures, they are go ing to put on a musical company of ten. Tabloid musical comedies will be in order. Then Popular vau the Garrick will see musical comedy at the Same time. The new Garrick organization will be known as the Knight and Keyers Musical Comedy Company. Mr. Cash Knight is well known as a former minstrel man, and will be one of the managers. There will be a good sized company of principals and chorus. ‘Lhe opening play is Paquita. Other good offerings are promised, There should be real success in musical Stock of this kind as the people’ here are great for the musical and comedy end of the game. Mr. Lowe, one of the wealthiest women in the state, and a resident of Grand Rapids, has given a motion picture machine to the city to be used in social center work. Moving pictures are rightly coming into their own. Samuel C. Mott, advance manager for Traveling Salesman, states that Shep Camp will star next season in a comedy drama just completed by Robert Edeson. It’s a Colorado play entitled In Wrong, with a child lead featured. Mr. Mott is one of the best hearted sort chaps; suys he discovered Dick Jose, the contra-tenor— and what is more Mott has had the papers say sv. Walter B. Miles, formerly leader at Powers Theater for ten years, died here of apoplexy, November 22. He was very well known to a large circle of musicians. Lea Leture, who has the part of ‘‘Beauty’’ in Everywoman, was taken severely {ll with tonsilitis here the first of the week and an operation decided upon. Lydia Crane took her part in the production very satisfactorily. It is Stated Miss Leture will be back with the play as soon as she is sufficiently recovered. Roy Teevins, “head fiddler’? at the Columbia, heard Travilla’s pet seal splashing around in his tank in one of the off dressing rooms the first afternoon on the bill, and hustled to Al Ball, the stage manager, demanding to know who had started a bath room ‘down stairs.’’ We wonder if shower baths are in order, Frank? Nicholls Brothers say that the Superba pill open ‘“‘sometime.’’ They have discovered that contractors are second cousins to press agents— after a fashion. Business at the Appollo is fine and dandy, and the way they are hustling both houses ought to be in swing soon. By the time this is in type yours truly will have given Jack Tierney, the Toledo Billyboy. the high sign, for it is Ohlo turkey this year. Don't some of you other pen pushers wish you were down there at the Oyster Bay? Here's luck and a merry Christmas even if this isn’t the big Christmas issue. Nearly every stranger in town who looks in at the Monroe Vaudette wonders how Billy Bryan happened t ” manager. It is no disgrace to brother Williams that he and Bill look like twins, at that. By the way, the Monroe claims of being the only prominent he in the country using but a single reel at all performances How about this? We wonder why Kellar and Masterman always beat it down to the newstand so early for Billyboy? Are they afraid of a ‘‘roast’”’ or do they imagine the supply won't last? Cash Knight, who is essentially responsible for the inauguration of musical comedy at the Garrick, says he is going to open the ‘‘ginger far’’ wide Wonder if the chorus all came from Holland? Roy Teevin, orchestra leader of the Columbta, is on the sick list. He is rather seriously ill. Mr tanks is taking his place temporarily. Powers (L. S. Billman, mgr.) Week of Dec. 2, Robert Mantell, in Shakspeare. Majestic (Orin Stair, mgr.) Week of 1, The Country Boy; week of 8, Virginia Tearson in Divorce. Columbia (Frank J. O'Donnell, mgr.) Orpheum (S. E. Veazey, mgr.) Vaudvil and pictures; musical comedy starting 1, with vaudevil, Garrick (D. Lynch, mgr.) Knight and Beyers Musical Company in Paquita. Snperba (G. C. Nichols, mgr.) building. United Theaters (J. M. Breen, mgr.) Motion pictures. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. Judge E. F. Waite, of the Hennepin County Juvenile Court, dismissed the case against A. G. Bainbridge, Jr., manager of the local Shubert Theater, Friday, November 22, a complaint hav ing beep filed against Mr. Bainbridge by local club women that he was allowing a child under ten years of age to appear in the production of The Blue Bird at that theater, the week of November 17. The case was dismissed upon recommendation of the County Attorney's office on account of insufficiency of evidence. It was then threatened that Mr. Bainbridge would be re-arrested on the grounds that one child had played without a permit from the Mayor, but Mr. Bainbridge explained that the state labor department had 1ecommended this child to him and that the Mayor had given oral permission, but neglected to include the name in the written permit afterwards made, Mr. Bainbridge’s statements were practically verified by Miss Klapp of the state labor department. Lloyd Cronkhite is now assisting Harry Hays in the box-office of Saxe’s Bijou. Harry Callan is advertising agent and Theodore L. Hays ifs house manager. Mert Gribble, another of the old theatrical boys, is working as door man at the Gayety Theater, while Al G. Kells is in the box office of that playhouse. Herbert Blass is treasurer at the Unique Theater and Andrew Campion continues to hold forth at that theater as head usher. The Minneapolis office of The Billboard was pleased and surprised to receive thru the mails today a program of Hamburger’s Majestic The ater of Los Angeles, Cal., management Oliver Morosco Company, in which in the house staf roster appeared the name of M. D. Howe as treasurer. Merrill D. Howe is remembered here as one of the most popular of the local theatrical boys, having served for many years on the honse staffs of beth the Shubert and Lyric Theaters as treasurer, and also served in like capacity on the staff of the St. Paul Shubert. The local office desires to extend to him thru the columns of “Billybov’’ wishes for all success and pros perity in his present position. The Minneapolis office desires to express to Manager A. G. Bainbridge. Jr., of the Shubert Theater, the deepest sympathy at the untimely loss of his sister. Grace Bainbridge Sommermyer, known in the theatrical world as Grace Rutledge, who died in Chicago. Saturday, November 23. after an operation for appendicitis. Miss Rut ledge (Mrs. Sommermyer) spent her girlhood in Minneapolis and married an East Side resident who workt at one time for Theodore L. Hays as business manager of the local Rijou Opera House. The last appearance of the Sommer myers in this city was at the Miles Hippodrome last season in a vaudvil sketch. The funeral services took place Monday, November 25, from Bainbridge residence, 2719 Girard Avenue So., Rev. G. L. Morrill conducting the services. The Actors’ Annual Thanksgiving services was held at the People’s Church in the Unique The ater, Thursday morning, November 28, All loeal theaters contributed acts to the entertainment, the offering being donated to the Theatrical Association and the donation of food and clothing to the poor of the city. Rev. G. L. Morrill, chaplain of the T. M. A. and Actors’ Alliance made a few brief remarks in addition to the entertainment rendered. ‘he church was crowd ed to its full seating capacity. Several new faces appeared with the Saxe’s Dramatic Stock Company at Saxe’s Bijou the week of November 24 in Life’s Shop Window. Estelle Allen is a pretty and clever ingenue, Lloyd A. Sabine, an experienced and striking “heavy man’’ and for general work in the cast Margaret Allen and Alfred Vosberg, both capable in their line, have been added. Metropolitan Opera House (L. N. Scott, mgr.) Sauce for the Goose, with Eva Lang, week of 1; The Fortune Hunter, 8-11; Sheehan Opera Company, 12-14. Sonubert Theater (A. G. Bainbridge, Jr., mgr.) Primrose & Dockstader’s Minstrels, week of 1; The Corbin Players in Shakespearian reper toire, week of 7. Saxe’s Bijou (Thed. L. Hayes, mgr.) Saxe’s Dramatic Stock Company in Alias Jimmy Val entine week of 1: same company in The Confission, week of 7. Gayety Theater (Wm. Koenig. mgr.) The Moulin Rouge, week of 1; The Stars of Stageland week of 7. New Grand Theater (Chas. P. Dempsey, mgr.) Steward & Vans’ Scotch Minstrel Maids, Four Manning Sisters, Shannon & Straw, Segura & Parmalee, Galvail and motion pictures, week of Unique Theater (Jack Ellicott, mgr.) Frances Clare, Guy Rawson & Company, Four Lukens, Michele Trothers, Italian Musicians; White & Travers, and the Light-As-Day pictures week of 1; The Suburban Winner and other acts week of 7. Orpheum Theater (G. E. Raymond, mgr.) Amelia Stone & Armand Kalitz, Lolo, Hess Sisters, De Witt. Burns & Torrence, The Armstrong Players, Bradshaw Brothers and daylight pictures, week of 1, Miles Hippodrome (W. F. Creatore’s Band and six pictures, ete., week of 2. Princess Theater iL. E. Lund, mgr.) Stacy & Dean, Three Delanos, Freeman & Ames Harrv Blaising & Company, four-reel feature of Pil grim’s Progress, week of 1. R. STE. FLEURE. mgr.) motion Gallagher, other acts, DETROIT, MICH, William A. Brady was in the city last week to supervise personally the local premiere of Miss George’s new production, Carnival, at the Garrick Theater. ‘‘Biggest success that Mis George has ever had,’’ declared Mr. Brady at the Hotel Pontchartrain, when seen by The Billboard representativ, he also said, Was some bard sledding last seuson and the sea son before, but business is now on the boom especially since the national presidential ques tion has been decided 1 contidently expect a big revival of all kinds of business and of good times all over the country.’’ The higher class theaters and attractions will be very much benefited principally, according to Mr. Brady. and he also looks for stock companies in all the large cities within the next few years. Miss Eleanor Montell, who was seen in A Woman’s Name, at the Lyceum last week, has the unique record of never having played minor parts, she is the the daughter of Eugenie Blair. her father was Forest Robinson. Miss Montell has starred in The Dancing Girl, The Girl and the Judge, Cameo Kirby, and At the Mercy of Tiberius. William Morris announces that he has assumed charge of the bookings for the Washington Theater, Detroit, Mich., and will particularize the bookings of concert attractions in that theater on and after February 22, 1913. The Washington Theater is now in the course of con struction and will open on Washington’s birthday. It has a seating capacity in excess of 2.300 and is located in the heart of Detroit. The cost for the construction of the theater is in excess of a quarter of a million dollars GEORGE F. PHILLIPS. BIRMINGHAM, ALA. There is some talk of again having a good burlesque house in this city, For twu seasons the Old Gaiety Theater was used as a burlesque house, playing the Western Wheel shows, and for a time a big business was done, but owing to the antiquated character of the building, as well as to the fact that the public had to climb a stairway to reach the parquet floor. things began to wane, and the house was closed. Since that time the building has been condemned, and there Is no doubt that if present plans for a new bwilding on either Third or Second Avenne are carried out, this will prove one of the best burlesque cities in the country provided the high-class of attractions are played. Cnaip, with his Hindu Piano Mystery, is go ing great at the Orpheum this week. Manager Abernathy, of the Odeon, is break ing ground on Second Avenue across the street from the Odeon, preparatory to building one of the handsomest fotoplay houses in the city which will be known as the Odeon No. 2. Doc. Paker, the man with the big voice, wil! eppear for an extensive engagement at the Amuse-U next week, after an absence of severa! months. He is always a great drawing card. The many friends of Leon Berger, former treasurer of the Majestic Theater are delighted to hear of his success as manager of the Ma jestic at Oklahoma City. Helen Renstrom, the only girl who has the distinction of having sung before the House of Representativs at Washington, is delighting the meny patrons of the Princess this week with her magnificent voice. One of the most popular men among the best cleas of motion picture patrons in Rivmingham is Munager W. E. Coleman, of the Pr'ness JAMES E, DEDMAN. JACKSONVILLE, FLA. On acconnt of the da'ly papers giving unwarranted publicity and exaggerating conditions con cerning the recent street carmen's strike here a number of attractions have cancelled time fo fear of a falling off in business, At no time was the attendance of good shows seriously af fected and the usual good business has prevailed since the differences were settied on November _ The local Order of Elks are busily engaged in rehearsing for their two minstrel perfurmances, to be given on Deeember 10 and 11. The boys promise many surprises. The amount realized will be devoted to usual ecbarity work of the B, P. O. E. at Christmas time. The Tri-County Fair and Horse Show being held at the Ostrich Farm and Amusement, is proving a drawing card. A varied number of amusements in addition to the free attractions are being offered. The State Street Carnival opens for business on Novemler 27. The usual number of tented shows are on hand. BE. Ww. OTTO. 8T. LOUIS. MO. Harry Buckley announces the appearance of Mine, Sarah*Bernhardt at the Columbia Theater here week Of December 16. St. Louis will, in January, add another theater to our already long list of pfayhouses. This time it will be the New German Theater which is about completed. It is located on Delmar Boulevard and will have a seating capacity of 2.000, The front of the building will be chiefly of terra cotta, and will be GO feet in beighth. The theater will have cost $125,000 when com pleted. It will be one of the handsomest play houses in the city and the popularity of the German Stock Company now in the city is expected to double with its perfect facilities for Ziving its productions, Emily Ann Wellman, leading lady with the Lou's Mann Company playing this week at the Century Theater here, has been aued fur divorce by her husband. The outcowe of the case will probably be the granting of same, as Miss Wellinan will not contest, May Tully’s little farce, The Battle Cry of Freedom, being put on this week at the Columbia Theater here, proved to be immensely snperior to the usual farce of vaudevil. The sketch is easily one of the hits of the Columbia season thus far. One of the brightest features of Talbot's Hippodrome bill this week is the riding of Miss Victoria Davenport, who, with Orrin Davenport, form the leading circus act of the bill. Her Arabian steeds are beautiful animals and as perfectly trained as any seen here. The act is tremendously the popular part of this week's program. Tony Janus, the aviator of the Penotst Alrcraft Company, who Is flying from this eity to New Orleans in his bydroplane, got away ‘sue. cessfully this week after having one of his machines burn from a gasoline explosion. The trip has been made thus far in record time. The amount of exhibitions bookt in towns along the flight will net the Alreraft much money. Jack Henning, vice president of the con ranging the exhibition dates, Manager S. A. Oppenheimer, of the LaSalle Theater here, on November 20,° prevented the holding up of his box-office receipts br burglars Notic.ng two men loitering around the theater, he carried the day's receipts to his hotel instead of leaving it in the safe as usual. The next morning is office was much d/sarranged, and showed at an attempt was made to rob it, Gilbert§ind Sullivan Festival Company is next at the SMubert Theater here, commencing De cember 2°: This makes three weeks of continu ous opera at this theater, and the number of stars in the above company will probably make the last week the most profitable, The musical farce, Thanksgiving Days, was given its first production at the Ilrineess Theater this week, by the Princess Maids Compan The play is by A. F. Cella. and was handsomely drest by Manager Dan S. Fishell. altho the play is being’ given its first production upon any stage, it has sueceeded in captivating the audiences and the result is St. Louis has another playwright of a snecessful character, Elmer E. Campbell has just installed some very handsome electric signs upon his Theatrical Hotel. And the gay white way of New York has no stronger charm upon the performer than the corridors of the Regent Hotel. Manager Payne, of the Colisenm, has his am nual Poultry Show on this week and with the exhibits excelling any previously shown is playing to increast business. St. Lonis will. by the beginning of next fal?, have another hippodrome, as ground will be broken January 1 for one to be devoted to colored people of St. Louis. Colored vaudevil acts and road companies will be bookt, pany, is ar Shubert Theater (Melville Stoltz, mgr.) Week of Dee. 2, The Gilbert and Suliivan Festival Company. Olympic Theater (Walter Sanford, mgr.) Week of Dee. 2, Raymond Hitchcock, in The Red Widow. Century Theater (W. D, Cave, mgr.) Week of Dee. 2, Wm. H. Crane, in The Senator Keeps Honse. Garrick Theater (Mathew Smith, mgr.) Week of Dec. 2, Tully Marshall, in The Talker. American Theater (Harry Wallace, mgr.) Week of Dee. 2, The Fortune Hunter. LaSalle Theater (Oppenheimer Pros. mgrs.) Week of Dec. 2, Bill Bailey’s Jubilee Columbia Theater (Harry Puckley, mgr.) Week of Dec. 3, Don, the Talking Dog: The Widow of the Haunted House, Walter C. Kelley, Blanche Mehaffey and Herbert Cvril. John P. Wade and Co., Stewart and Donohue, Miss Kathie Gultini, LaVier. Hippodrome (Frank L. Talbot, mgr.) Week of Dec. 3, Ben Harney and Co.. Decock Bros. Herculean Sisters, Col. Fremonts Frontier Dars, Or-in Davenport, Arthur Richards and Orth; motion pictures. Princess Theater (Dan SS. Fistial mer.) Week of Dec. 2, in Turned Un. Standard Theater (Leo Reichenbach, mgr.) Week of Dec. 2. The Gay Widows Pur'esqners. Garety Theater (Chos. Walters. mgr.) Week of Dec. 2. The Taxi Girls Company. WILL J. FARLBY. The Princess Maids Company, CINCINNATI, 0. Something a little different from the usual line of shows was offered the natrons ef the Grand last week when The Littlest PB bel was seen for the first time fn this city. The andience took an interest In th's war play. William Farnnm is the star of the comnany and was apnianded for the excellent handling of his role Pressing him for honors was the child ectress. Roota Woorster. Othere In the company were Jack Ravold, Robert Conville, M. & (Continued on page 47.)