The Billboard 1918-02-16: Vol 30 Iss 7 (1918-02-16)

| ‘5 weF BZCoaeeeed.-* an s y FEBRUARY 16, 1918 ne a es P yra te ee Pee The Billboard Frank E. Lamb Woods’ Chicago Theater Death of Well-Known Dramatic InWill Probably Open First Week in structor March New York, Feb. 9.—Frank E. Lamb, recently dramatic instructor at the \merican Academy of Dramatic Art, carnegie Hall, and at one time director for John Drew, died Thursday at Roosevelt Hospital. He was born in New York City, a son of the lat2 George Lamb, a noted actor. His first appearance on the stage was made at the old Niblo Garden when he was seventeen. Years of success as a dramatic actor, stage director and organizer of stock companies followed. For many years Mr. Lamb was director for Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Florence and he was for a time associated with Sargeant.and with Frohman. Eighteen years ago he became director for John Drew, with whom he remained for ten years. Mr. Lamb leaves two brothers and one sister. The funeral at the Campbell Funeral Church, Broadway and Sixty-sixth street, was largely attended this noon at 12 o’clock. Members of the Actors’ Fund and other organizations attended. Booking Activities Dull Chicago, Feb. 9.—Those booking agents who depend upon traveling dramatic companies and stock organizations are finding business a rather uphill proposition. Shows are closing at an alarming rate, seldom duplicated save during the summer slump. While these men have their books filled with the names of artists seeking engagements, the calls for talent are so few that activities are practically at a standstill For a time, when army enlistments became common among performers and while the draft army was being organized, there was an appreciable demand for juveniles. But, within recent months, the tax proposition served to slacken activities. More recently other national contingencies have served to put the damper on production activities of the second grade. Now many of the bookers admit that keeping their offices open is more or less a matter of mere form. Sues for $16,097 Aborn Opera Company Brings Action Against Theater Owner Pittsburg, Pa., Feb. 10.—The Aborn Opera Company has filed a suit in the Common Pleas Court here against the Nicola Land Company, owner of the Schenley Theater, for $16,097. It is averred by the opera company that the land company agreed that the opera season should extend for five weeks longer than it did. The original contract provided for a ten-week season. It is stated that the weekly guarantee of $3,000 was paid regularly up to the last week, when there was $1,097 less paid. To recover this amount and $3,000 for each of the five additional week the suit was brought. Izetta Jewel Returning Washington, D. C., Feb. 9.—Mrs. Izetta Jewel Brown, widow of the late Congressman William G. Brown, of West Virginia, who, as Izetta Jewel, Was a popular star at Poli’s stock house “here for several years, is planhing a return to the stage. Mrs. Brown was married to the late Congressman about three years ago. He died a year later, leaving her a large fortune. One child, a little girl, was born to them and she survives. Mrs. Brown has decided to give up Social position and a life of luxurious five to return to the stage, provided she can find a vehicle suitable to her. She states she will consider plays and engagements which may come to her, and if one is found which is suitable She will make her appearance on the Sage at an early date. New York, Feb. 9.—A light snow last night, cold and cloudy today and continued bad weather is the prediction, which will tend to lighten the crowds at the matinees. * + * . . In the distance can be heard the rumblings of a vaudeville war. > > . . . > Yesterday was moving day for a large number of show and actor folk. Hotels have raised their rates, in some cases to figures considered exorbitant. « * * : . > The Times Square district is a sight to behold, caused by the streets being rent, strewn and torn into shreds by the subway constructors now working at break-neck speed in that locality. * > * * . . The “ballyhoos” in the lobbies of the theaters showing feature pictures are not causing anyone to break their arms buying tickets. . ” 7 . . The instrumental and vocal musical offerings in many of the picture palaces are far outclassing in entertainment quality the feature pictures shown therein. o . > 8 > s There is a lifeboat in the lobby of the Lyric Theater used to “ballyhoo” for Lest We Forget, the picture in which Rita Jolivet is starred. A little boy standing in front of that theater the other day told his mother that if he had to get into a lifeboat to get into the theater that he did not think that it was a safe place for them to go. ; . * . > * The American Home of Mystery and a permanent winter circus for Broadway are now in the making, “se is a circus to pay the lots of New York. > > The actor is still treading the “Great Dark Way” and wondering why he is not working. He knows positively that the cry is constantly being made to the New York theatrical managers by the house managers of the American and Canadian cities for theatrical offerings that possess entertaining anJl educational amusement value and box-office attractiveness. Still the actor walks. There is something that is all wrong and the theatrical world knows it—and to its sorrow. . . & . . . When is the theatrical manager and house manager at large going to be able to market his goods and keep the actor off the beaten path? This is a question that must soon be answered by the men at the head of this branch of the amusement industry. . e eo s eo “Back to the box office” can only become effective when some radical changes have been made in the personnel of men in charge of certain “box offices.” _ . . + . . George Lederer has startled the vaudeville world by recent matter appearing in the press of this city. We predicted that it would come to this, and the parting of the “ways” is imminent. : 8 ao s o & ’ Albert E. Kiralfy is in the city. « s o e 3° Louis W. Buckley is going to open offices on Broadway. Many are voicing the opinion that Victor D. Levitt will be connected with the World at Home Shows when the coming season dawns. . . > . Sd s The big event of the outdoor show world in New York takes place tonight when the Showmen’s League of America opens its club rooms as a New York branch at 817 Sixth Avenue. It has been the talk of the week among all of that fraternity. . * . . . . Some stock burlesque organizations are reflecting discredit on that branch of show business. A halt will soon be called no doubt by the powers that be in that field. > . . . . . Milton B. Pollock was on Broadway last night. He gave out the following interview: “Going into vaudeville?” Don’t know.” “Going to manage a park this summer?” “Don’t know.” “How does vaudeville’s future look to you?” “Can't sce in the dark—wait unt!l the lights come on tomorrow night.” “Going to stay in the city long?” “Don’t know.” . 7 > 7 . . W. C. Beebe, showman of Omaha, was seen on Broadway recently; in fact, this week, says Louis W. Buckley. . fn * Louis J. Dalmater, manager Ramona Lake Park, Grand Rapids, was in town some days ago. J . > . > + Harry L. Reichenbach is doing the publicity of Tarzan of the Apes. He succeeded in getting a large banner across Broadway from the Broadway Theater to the Continental Hotel, which is considered an achievement worthy of note, in connection with publicity he is giving the Apes picture on its New York showing. . . . . s -_ s The Elks’ Club will have a big circus under the direction of Harry LaPearl, the clown, at an early date. Many notables of the arenic world have decided to help put it over. > > . . 7 Some cabaret could put in a crystal maze and create a lot of comment and patronage. We suggest that one that was advertised in The Billboard a few weeks ago for a starter. . . . . . > Ann Wilson, Fitzgerald Building, is building up a big business deali in liliputians for pictures and all kinds of acts. 7 os . 7 oo * . a Many of the papers are printing unidentified stories of motorized circuses that are causing considerable comment in the outdoor show world at present. Very clever publicity. ; . . . > > Joe McCarthy and Fred Fischer, the writers of popular songs, have the singers along the big street howling that “they are going wild over them.” It might be that after the conflict that there will be a monument erected to them in Alsace-Lorraine. > . o ~ > > Dhan Gopal Moukerji, the Hindu poet, told the Drama League of America (New York center) at a public meeting in the Plymouth Theater yesterday (Continued on page 71) Chicago, Feb. 9.—Woods’ new Chicago theater will probably open the first week in March with the origina! New York company now successfully presenting the third edition of Potash & Perlmutter—Business Before Pleasure. Woods has decided to bring his big New York hit, because he wants 2 show that will make the house succeesful from the start. However, he hesitated long before making the decision, as he fears putting a substitute company into his best attraction in New York while the originals go to Chicago. But he realizes that the Windy City will refuse to accept any second edition and feels that the impression already made by the play in © the East will admit of a second company continuing the successful run. Howard’s Varied Activities Chicago, Feb. 11.—Lorin J. Howard the author-producer, has established an independent producing office in the same site as that occupied by Rowland & Howard. Ed W. Rowland, Sr., is still actively engaged in the producing game at the same address, but Howard's individual enterprises grew to such an extent that it was deemed best to establish them on a separate basis. Howard’s activities permeate all branches of the amusement field from musical comedy to vaudeville. Theaters in Halifax Halifax, N. S., Feb. 9.—There are two theaters in Halifax at present that have r t opened since the explosion that wrecked the city, the King Edward and Aker’s Fantily. Both these popular houses are being remodeled. The Family Theater will open its doors again March 1 with its usual four acts. The other theaters have completely recovered from the effects of the explosion, and are doing big business. The Academy of Music, formerly a stock and vaudeville house, has been converted into a movie house. Turn to the Right Company, Which Will Play Liberty Theaters, Now in Rehearsal New Yvbrk, Feb. 9.—The so-called Uncle Sam Company, which will present Turn to the Right in the Liberty theaters at the sixteen cantonments. began rehearsals late this week, preparatory to inaugurating its tour at Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass., March 4. In the company are Frank Bacon, Jessie Pringle, Beatrice Nichols, Cecil Dwight, Jason Robards, Bessie Bacon, Al Sincoff, George Abbott, George Thompson, P. E. McCoy and Harry Buchanan. Sam Shannon Withdraws New York, Feb. 9.—Sam Shannon has withdrawn from the firm of Norworth & Shannon, and in the future Odds and Ends will be controled by Norworth. The revue goes on tour after next week. Garden of Allah at Manhattan New York, Feb. 11.—The Garden of Allah, originally produced by the Liebler Company at the Century Theater, will shortly be revived at the Manhattan Opera House. Hubert Heuck II Cc. Hubert Heuck, manager of the Lyric Theater, Cincinnati, is confined to his home by illness. Late reports have it that he is improving.