The Billboard 1916-06-03: Vol 28 Iss 23 (1916-06-03)

JUNE 3, 1916. The Billboard 21 EVOLUTION has become of the old-fashioned pe man who used to wildeat all through the country with a stove-pipe lid balanced on the back of his head, a grease spotted Prince Albert on his back, not a sou in his ket and none in sight, a weary pair of eet, and charging everything he could get to the show for settlement? He’s dead, but he has a son who to the producer, gets his route sheet whole season, buys a membership in the Pullman Sleepeasy Society. throws his silk underwear into a th six dosen silk shirts, takes a taxi to the station, meets his salary at the hotel every week and then kicks because things are not so easy as they used to be. Charles Bmerson Cook, from his stronghold at 33 West Forty-second street, New York, sends out the highly interesting news that George Vaux Bacon, formerly on the Green Book, has ned the publicity forces at the Vitagraph a Picture offices in Flatbush. From statistics at hand it is very evident that licity work for the films is holding out spicier inducements for those handy with the pen than other lines of press work have ever bt = is only another indication of the growth and power of the pictures. It will be mighty fine to kill the weary summer hours by dabbling in the salty waters at the beach resorts, but the memory of a healthy bank roll spent in pushing the waves back the shore will not buy you anything when the snow stands a foot deep on the boardwalk. Last winter an advance man was heard to say, “If steam-heated hotels were selling for a jitney apiece I couldn't rent a hall bedroom in a Salvation Army lodging house."’ Bert McPhail is dead. He died May 12 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., at the age of 42 years. For many seasons he had been identified with the burlesque branch of the game, both as house manager and advance man. His whole life was spent in the profession, and only last season he was ahead of Harry Hastings’ Big Show on the Columbia Wheel. From 1910 to 1914 he managed the Gayety in Kansas City. His body was sent to Parkersburg, W. Va., for burial. If Sells-Floto Circus advance had gone through Cincinnati without Al Butler and Frank Cruickshank dropping in on us at The Billboard Building, could you blame us if we wished the shew hard luck? But such has not come to pass. Butler hob-nobbed with us several days ago, and last week Cruickshank, who is general man for the cireus, dropped in to spill a words. Remembering his excellent work with Paviowa, Cruickshank made it a point to} see that the Cincinnati papers did not reading material concerning the SelleShow, which plays here June 7-8. During a conversation of the eccentricities and other items concerning stage stars among & group of advance men in Chicago the other day it was clearly shown that few stage favorites have a bigger following among the managerial end of the profession than Daphne Pollard, now causing a sensation on the Pacific Coast with The Passing Show. It's safe to say that Lil’ Daphne has more personal press representatives than any other stage favorite; thanks to her personality and willingness to understand the trials and tribulations of advance men. lack Floto who, after spending many Months on the Coast, booked ont of San Francisco as pres sagent with Advance Car No. 1 of John Robinson's Ten Big Shows, is mak good, according to all reports, and is putting over a lot of dope in the various papers through Oregon in towns where the show will play. Bobby Frankel, who spent the past winter at San Diego, Cal., telling of the beauties of the Painted Desert exhibit at the fair, is now looking for trouble in Mexico, He just sent a card Juarez. It's a safe bet that he is trying to corral Gen. Obregon for some kind of pubMelty stunt. Leave it to Frankel. Colonel Bill Roddy was seen in Washington, D. C., a few days ago, where it is thought he had gone to speak to President Wilson in behalf of the professional brothers who have in the past been wont to use Broadway as a ee ground. Whether his visit will result in the city of New York discontinuing the $2 street-rent policy remains to be seen. Frank Morse is now dramatic critic on The Washington Post, according to Dame Romor. A good season ahead of Daddy Long-Legs helped him store up some gasoline for the sporty auto he fs driving through Washington boulevards. Leslie G. Chapman, special agent with Foley & Burk's Carnival, has been putting over some excellent stands for the caravan, and has been tting a lot of space in advance. At Napa, ‘al., he was turned down repeatedly by one of the “‘iron-clad”’ journals, but finally got over with a clever bit of poetry, which he thrust ret the gaze of the suspecting editor. Here It’s not far to the ball park, ae Seon Gare manv a time; ve watched there many a struggle, You've spent full many a dime. Tonight there’s somethi doin’ ou can’t afford to m variety, And when you ion slates seen them all, They've only just begun. Perry J. Kelly topped his successful season producer of Hyams and “MelIntyre in My (as well as the second year by purchasing a as Home Town Girl revival of Prince of Pilsen) $5,000 new home on Long Island last week. “Put your winnings inte the comforts for later years," says Perry. This shrewd producer practices what he teaches. The house warming. which christened the opening of te new Kelly residence, was featured by the baking of a pie, recipe for which Mrs. Kelly secured while playing Waterloo. Yes, Mrs. Kelly baked the pie, and baked it well, say those who tasted it. Perry bas many plans for next season. In all probability Prince of Pilsen, augmented better than ever, will again be sent out by his manager. Three years age many laughed at the revival of Prince of Pilsen, when Perry Kelly launched it. The laughers couldn't see where it would be a money winner. Perry did, and that’s why he believes it is again good for _ another season. A. Toxen Worm, while getting space for The Passing Show of 1915 in the papers along the Pacific Coast, is himself being highly spoken of in the sheets originating in little old New York and other Eastern centers. This is proof enough that the world is not so expansive that a first-class press representative can not juggle adjectives on both sides of the United States map at the same time without losing his equilibrium. SXoneeding, then, that Mr. orm is a genius of exploitation, as the papers say, we still believe that The Passing Show does not put too mach responsibility upon the shoulders of its press man, but relies partly upon its own merit for a few of the many paid admissions with which it is credited on the Pacific Coast. Ben Kraus has framed his plans for the summer, and they do not include a visit to Billings, Mont. However, Ben hastened from New York to Reno, Nev., which fact does not mean that any divorce proceedings are to follow. It merely means that he has signed for a summer tour with The Birth of a Nation picture, with the following staff: Wallie Decker, business manager; Harry Jackson, manager. A later card from Kraus says, ‘“Am working the week out with Zack Lukens, who is going home, 80 1 take the troupe."" Ben will no doubt make a lot of noise along the Coast. as he intends to practice bis Indian war ery at all stands. Bill Jessup, of Walla Walla, Wash.. exercised his pen this week, so we are under the impression that ungrateful advance agents broke his typewriter. Bill says: SPECIALS FROM WALLA WALLA Will Lester, contracting agent for Robinson's Famous Shows, paid us a visit week before last. Mr. Lester stated that business has been great for his show thix season. The show comes here on June 15. Notice, Agents -Walla Walla has a ten-ticket lot near the heart of the city and on pavement at that. Not bad. what? We have been noting with much pleaure Al Butler's promotion. We always knew that boy would get there. It seems that Mr. Jones, manager Car No. 2, Al G. Barnes Circus, is a little peeved at us over something in the nature of a dinner check. We wish to vindicate ourselves by saying that we wish him luck until we see him, at which time he is to have a regular dinner witb a!l the trimmings at our expense (Hf we have the price). Im the meantime, should he desire to fight he should apply in France for a job. Al Clarkson is car manager for Robinson's Famous Shows and Fred Rates has Car No. 2. Judging from the chatter of the different boys who have just come up from California, they are some billers. It looks Mke Ben Kraus is headed in our direction again. He promised us a quart bottle containing a sparkling liquid (think he called it Green Creek or Emerald River or something like that) when he returned to the Coast. Put on some speed, Ben. W. E. Clifford, agent for Bringing Up Father, and Mr. Arneson gave Walla Walla a regular Gus Hill billing. That ey for itself. We hope to pay some of the boys a visit this season, but if we can't we will wish them all luck anyway. Frank Whitbeck, who has done much good work for the Poli interests since he quite the road, is banging away at a tough proposition at Worcester, Mass. He has ‘given the Poli following in Worcester a program of wusical comedy for the summer. If it goes over Frank will have accomplished somethi Worcester hasn't supported in other years. iis Broadway friends are pulling hard for him. Roger D. Thomson, recently exploiti a Whirl of Life picture, featuring Mr. oma ited. Vernon Castle, finished his territory and went into St. Louis to connect as roadman with the Fox Film Corporation. Another hustler, always keeping busy. H. E. Palmatier, agent for the Callahan Dramatic Company, under canvas, paid a flying visit to the offices of The Billboard in Chicago on May 2. He no sooner arrived than he grabbed the rattler out of town. Palmatier succeeded Billy Sanford as agent of the Callahan company, Sanford being compelled to leave the show owing to illness, which necessitated an operation in Chicago. Frank Mathews, the hard working advance representative, will handle the Boston engagement of Hit-the-Trail Holliday for the Cohan & Harris offices. This attraction later goes to Chicago, which means Frank will not go to the Pacific Coast for the first time in years. Eck Bunch, who made the press agent's game in Seattle quite different after he departed from the Metropolitan Theater in that city— different in the respect that Seattle has never offered the big campaigns that road agents always received under Bunch’s direction—is in New York grinding out tons of press stuff for various individuals and concerns. Eck is one of the best little writers of press dope on the market. His position as assistant city editor of The Seattle Times brought him this experience. Albert Gunst, in charge of Jake Wells’ publicity department in Richmond, Va., recently. pulled a clever press stunt, and is now wondering how he bappened to succeed. When he was advised that Mr. Wells had secured the rights to Gloria's Romance Gunst wired a story to a Lynchburg paper, and signed a Richmond correspondent’s name to the message. The story consisted of about 75 words, and was a splendid forerunner for the serial which will be shown in Lynchburg. In addition to putting across the story Gunst made the paper pay the telegraph tol). Had he been in Lynchburg and attempted to seeure the free publicity stuff he would in all probability have been turned down, with expres sions of regret and a suggestion that the busi ness office was open at all bours. Frank T. Buell, choked as much as ever with modesty, swung inte the publicity fer Luna Park with amazing results. The opening of Luna saw the New York dailies filled with interesting pieces about Luna’s attractions. Th's showing may be attributed to Buell’s hustle, which has been perfected from years of experience with the country’s best attractions. Wallie Decker and Harry Jackson are the latest two acquisitions te The Birth of a Na tion out of the Minneapolis offices of this big money-grabber. Neither of these two boys has his berth selected for next season, but when the leaves start to fall it’s easy to reckon they will be connected with winners. Frank Gibbons hopped onto Broadway week after a long season with ‘Peg.’’ wore a white necktie and a huge grin. Campbell Casad has started out to get his annual coat of tan. He has gone to his farm at Thompson Ridge, and until September Campbell will milk the cows and see that the chick ens are properly fed. Jim Kerr, after a series of financial investments in San Francisco, is in Seattle handling publicity for a stock company. Jim may always be found where hard work is the object in deriving good results. Harry C. DeMuth, who grew parsnips in Laneaster, 0.. before he went into the show business, is handling a stock company at Previdence, R. I. Frank J. Loftus, who did the aerial act with It Pays To Advertise Company (Southern), is spending this month with his folks at Oswezo, N. Y. Frank recently went on a maple sugar expedition at Bethel, Vt., but returned home last week to remain there until the bugle calls him te Broadway. Frank made fame for himself last season. James B. Moore, manager of It Pays To Advertise (Southern), bas returned to his home at Portland, Me., for the summer. Jim is preparing a new edition of Seeing America First. The only cartoon in this new edition will be the conning tower located near the public market at East Jordan, Mich. Emerson is do'ng the sketching. The new police edict in Broadway, requiring everybody to “keep moving,"’ isn’t a hardship on one-night stand agents. It’s in the blood of said agents to keep moving, police restrictions notwithstanding. last Frank PUBLIC DEFENDER NEEDED HERE which to pay a fine. They insist that the fact= of the case are as follows: ‘“‘We went to Crooksville, 0., to do scenic work at the theater and te work advertising. Stepped at Garrett Hotel. and, in making out plans and designs of ad curtain on a paper tacked on the wall, happened to make a few pencil marks on the wall, Went to the theater to start work, and on our return hotel manager had us arrested for ‘maliciously damaging property,’ referring to pencil ma k< on wall, which coald have been erased in a few minutes. Fined $25, which we could not pay until scevery was finished, but being in jail we could not finish work and collect $60, which was coming on the advertising and curtain. Wou! like to hear from George Bragg, Martha I. Fabey, Fred Kann and others who can likely help us out."’ . They can be reached in care of the sheriff. County Jail, New Lexington, 0. George T. Moore will open his big Airdome in Carthage, Ill., on June 1, using companies of from fifteen to twenty people, at an admission price of ten cents. A _ five-piece orchestra will furnish the music. The Airdome seats 2,500 people FIFTH, NEAR MARKET STREET. LANKERSHIM HOTEL, eeeece eeere SAN FRANCISCO FIRE PROOF. CATERING TO THE PROFESSION Green Room for Free Use of Members of Profession. SARATOGA HOTE RATES, $1.00 PER DAY AND UP————— €. D. CUMMINGS, President, THE SHOWMAN’S HOME CHICAGO, ILL. | Chicago Rialto Gossip Kartelli sails for Europe July 17 for a series of vaudeville engagements in the British Isles. Walter McCullough has returned from Jamaica where he went filming with Annette Kellermann. Harry Hines announces that the introduction of his act was written by Henry Lewis, whe receives payment for same every week. Mr. Hines begs to state that they are the best of friends, and also requests pirates to lay off. Johnnie LeLo, advance agent for On the Firing Line With the Germans, was a visitor in our section, after which he departed for a campaigu through Wisconsin. Jack M. Lewis has left for a visit. to New York, stopping for a week's engagement iv Detroit. Dave Marion's summer burlesque has maar its entrance at the Columbia Theater, replacing the road shows. Muriel Window, the Peacock of Vaudeville. will soon be seen in the Review over in London, and is making preparation to leave some time this month. Upon ber return she will resume her tour for the U. B. O., with fifty weeks’ contracts now in her possession. Karl Emmy and his pets will make their second trip over the Pantages chain of houses about the middle of June, opening at Winnepeg. Mrs. Emmy, who has entirely recovered from a slight operation, will accompany her busband. Bell-Miller Music Company have turned over their songs to the Pallma and Wallie concern. Prince Howard, the Eskimo pony, ix now the property of Hill’s Society Circus, who purchased the well-trained animal from Mrs. Kirby from Mrs. Kirby in Detroit. After completing a successful engagement of twenty-five weeks’ duration over the Loew Cireuit, Frank Westphal will close in Detroit, returning to Chicago for a brief rest. Browing and Dean expect to open on the Pan Time in June. The Crisps have left Chicago for a tour of the United Time. The trip will carry them to New York, with a Palace date some time in June. The Wilton Sisters, those two Dilaek-bair youngsters, are touring for the Association meeting with unlimited success, and are a credit to the programs. They are capturing the honors along the circuit. The Bison City Four, immediately after finish ing the Great Northern Hippodrome date, packed their belongings and boarded the rattler for back East. John and Mae Burke, who completed their season at the American recently, left Chicago and motored to New York in their car. Postal« received by their friends contain news of a glorious trip. Arthur Rigby accompanied them. El Cleive bas played his second vaudeville date in the States since bis return from Avstralia. Fay, Two Coleys and Fay will motor to Helena, Mont., and have completed arrangements for an outdoor campaign. Cooking utensils of every description will be taken along, as it is their intention not to put up at any hostelry while on the trip.‘ They much reach Nelson. Mont., by July 4, as the men have contracted to play with the Nelson ball club. One of the Haywood Sisters, while playing the Great Northern Hippodrome, stumbled while going down to their dressing room, the fall cansing a slight injury, a seare and a badly bent instrument. Storm and Marston have opened on the Pan Time for their first trip over the circuit. Wagner and Bruhn, well-known skatoria! performers, returned to Chicago last week after a Western trip for the W. V. M. A., and were given contracts immediately for a jaunt through Wisconsin. They will visit their folks at Milwaukee, and then proceeded to play the Time. Eddie Van has again left for New York after remaining in Chicago only a week. This is Eddie’s sixth trip in the past eight months. The bright lights on Broadway are certainly fascinating. An injured arm necessitates a summer rest for the team of Corelli and Gillette, who were at the Majestic not long ago. One of the boys met with an accident. which causes him severe pain, and the doctors say he can only be cured by a rest.