The Billboard 1915-02-06: Vol 27 Iss 6 (1915-02-06)

THE BILLBOARD ROBINSON SHOWS T0 TAKE ROAD ONCE MORE In Combination With the New York Hippodrome Show Under a Title That Will Be New to the Circus World If Reports Now Current in New York Are True New York, Jan. 29.—*'Governor” John F. Robinson departed for Miami. Fla.,, this morning, after three days’ stay in New York, that started some rumors that seem likely to develop into facts when the blue birds get under way this spring. It is believed fhat the Robinson Ten Big Shows will take the road again, under its original name, and will tour in combination with another organization, brand new in the circus field. The Billboard is creditably informed that Frank Spellman, equestrian director of the Hippodrome’s Midwinter Circus, Was in consultation with “Governor”’ Robinson at the Hotel Martinique, during the past few daye, and it is understood that @ preliminary understanding was arrived at whereby the “Ten Big’ will revert to “The Governor,” and that John G. Robinson will handle the business management of the restored show, with Frank Spellman in charge of the circus performance. Ever since the Hippodrome Show was sprung on the public there have been many experienced showmen outspoken in the belief that the possibilities of taking a circus on the road, under the New York Hippodrome title, would promise a highly successful outcome. Taken in combination with the fact that Frank Spellman is the “Hipp.” equestrian director, and has been practically responsible for the great success of the Midwinter Circus performance, there are those who are willing to believe that the Hippodrome Shows may be the new element that will be in alliance with the “Ten Big” this spring. When The viewed Mr. equestrian Billboard man_inter Spellman the “Hipp’s” director would not deny that he had been in conference with Mr. Robinson while “The Governor” was here. He declined, however, to assume any responsibility for the Hippodrome Shows being coupled with the Robinson “Ten Big” rumor. ‘Phe Billboard man gathered the impression that Mr. Spellman was just a little bit too busy these days to give much thought to anything save mak ing air-tight the success of the Hippo-’ drome’s arenic program. Showmen are still talking of the Spellman achievement in rehearsing (Centioued on page 38.) IT COVERS THE ENTIRE FIELD MRS, BILLY WATSON { al _ Mrs, Billy Watson. known to the burlesque world as Miss Anna Fenton, who, with her proud and happy husbind. is daily expecting to entertain the stork. FOREIGN SHOWMAN HUNTING FEATURES Gaston Akoun, European Park Manager, Back in America Seeking Attraction Big Enough To Entertain Parisians Declares Amusement Business in Paris Splendid New York, Jan. 30.—Gaston Akoun arrived in New York last Tuesday on the Lusitania, and will remain in America for a month or six weeks, possibly going as far as San Francisco to give the Panama-Pacific Exposition the “once over. He comes to seek an exhibition of some character big enough to show under canvas or in an open arena, at Luna Park, Paris. When the Prussians threatened the gay city the authorities cleared all obstructions on the outskirts of Paris which interfered with the range of the chain of forts that are meant to defend the city. The Water Chute, Scenic Railway, Tickler, and some few other structures in Luna Park were in the area cleared away, and Mr. Akoun is after a show to occupy this cleared ground. The Billboard man had a most interesting interview with the foreign (Continned on page 39.) RUMOR THE SAN DIEGO EXPO. WILL BE CLOSED Until March 1 Denied by the Big Fair’s Managers Los Angeles Gets Bostock Shows—Tudor Liked It Many Zoos and Menageries Competing in California Los Angeles, Cal., Jan. 26.—With plenty of space still open to concessionaires, both at the San Francisco and San Diego expositions, the decision of the promoters of the Bostock Arena and Jungle to locate their wild animal show in Los Angeles during the “exposition season’ has been the occasion for considerable speculation. Whatever it was that turned the scales in favor of Los Angeles, the fact remains that the Bostock show is now an actuality, and the opening of the gates Wednesday will add another important factor to the outdoor amusement problem of the Coast. When, less than two months ago, it was announced that the old Luna Park site at Main and Washington streets had been: secured for the Bostock Show, and that the work of converting the ‘grounds into a wild animal arena would begin immediately, probably no one but Harry Tudor, the general manager, had the slightest idea that the big resort would be open for the public by the last week in January. The rapidity with which the work has been done and the attractive way in which the cages and arena have been arranged are matters of comment. The Bostock Arena and Jungle is enclosed within a substantial concrete fence, which serves as a backing for many of the forty permanent cages. These cages are arranged in a horseshoe, with a big steel arena cage at the upper end of the curve. Each cage has a painted background, typical of the habitat of the animal in its native wilds, and an ingenious system of passageways permits the transfer of the trained animals from cages to the arena with a minimum of effort and without danger to the audience. The grounds are attractively laid out, and the tropical plants that abound in Southern California are cleverly utilized to carry out the idea of Jungleland. The Bostock Show will give two performances in the arena daily, but, as the general admission has been made only 25 cents, it is probable that it will attract a fair percentage of visitors purely as a zoo. While it is understood that Mrs. Bostock has no interest in the new Arena and Jungle Show, having sold the animals outright, the association of Harry Tudor with the enterprise gives it a distinct (Continued ; oo.) on page FRANK P. SPELLMA Mr. Speliman is equestrian director of the big indoor circus now running at the New York Hippodrome. He has gained unstinted praise for the skillful results of his efforts. THE HIPP’S GREAT BIG THRILLERS ELIMINATED N. Y. City Fire Department Cut Out Ajax and Emile The Shuberts Themselves Canceled Dare Devil Daro Risk That Was Too Great New York, Feb. 1.—Two different automobile sensations that have been in the Hippodrome circus program since the opening made their last appearance there Saturday night. In the instance of Ajax and Emile the cancellation came about because the Fire Department would: not permit gasoline to be used upon the stage. Ajax held with each arm two taxicabs working in opposite directions. DareDevil Daro, the other sensational act, permitted two touring cars to run across his shoulders. risk of the man’s life than the Hippodrome management cared to be party to, hence the cancellation. There is lots of show remaining, however, with Nervo’s plank-diving act, now the prinleipal sensation, to close the show. | This Issue of The Billboard is 36,500 Copies The Latter Took an Actual Life . The dangerous @@ feat is presumed to represent a greater | a t ata a — ca rm Ye es ~ we Se ee SOR Ne See ae Cae Eo ON © ao — — “EAC —