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

Fees Ww FEBRUARY 16, 1918 The Billboard LAST WEEK’ N. V. A. NEWS In compliance with the Garfield order German Mondays are being celebrated at the club with the regulation heatless, lightless, elevatorless features, Lee Barth and Tom McGuire have effected a coalition for laughing purposes. William Stuart, who shrinks from publicity like a hungry cow does from a pail of bran mash, says: “Since I got run over by that wheelbarrow in Times Square I'm too nervous to tell time by my wrist watch.”” . Easy Money, a new act, had its christening at the Warwick, with Jean Campbell, Mildred Donnelly and Cato 8S. Keith in the cast. Miss Billy Willard and Elizabeth Warren are preparing for local judgment a new sketch of the blackface persuasion, Tom Murray is making ready to go Southward to labor before the camera. ©. A. Bonta who has been appointed a commissary officer with the Navy left a copy of the weekly feed sheet at the club. This is the most compelling piece of recruiting literature we have seen. If they really feed them all that’s on the list why they don’t have riots around naval recruiting stations is a mystery to us, The mai! department of the club is sadly in need of several thousand members’ attention. We try to deliver it all, but some members won't leave forwarding addresses, and lots of forwarded mail comes back. You may have an impertant letter in that pile. Suppose you write in for mail once in a while. McCARTHY & FISHER HITS New. York, Feb. 9.—McCarthy & Fisber’s two newest song hits, Lorraine, My Beautiful Alsace-Lortaine, and They Go Wild, Simply Wild Over Me, have wo:. countrywide popularity and are being sung from coast to coast. The popular sentiment expressed in the words of Lorraine, and the lilting music and nonsensical lines of They Go Wild Over Me, seem to have touched responsive chords in the hearts of the public. Fred Fisher, composer of Peg o’ My Heart, wrote the music for both songs. The words of Lorraine are by Alfred Bryan, writer of Joan of Are, and Joe McCarthy wrote the words of They Go Wild, Simply Wild Over Me. BORDONARO BROTHERS Acquire Grand Theater, Olean, N. Y. Olean, N, Y¥., Feb. 9.—Bordonaro Brothers, owners of the Palace Theater, Olean, N. Y., of which Al W. Root is manager, have bought the Grand Theater, which is located next door to the Palace, from the Olean Amusement Company, which for the past eight years has been playing vaudeville and pictures. As the Palace is now playing a five-act bill and feature pictures, two performances a day, the Grand will probably play exclusive pictures. The Palace, which was built last year at a cost of $200,000, is one of the finest appointed Vaudeville and picture theaters in this part of the country, and, under the able management of Al Root, who is an old showman, is enjoying food business, playing five regular acts at a 1520-25-cent admission, two shows daily. RICHARD PITROT ROBBED New York, Feb. 9.—Richara Pitrot, the imPresario, was held up Wednesday night of last Week near his home on the upper East Side of New York by three thugs. After choking him into unconsciousness he was relieved of his diomond solitaire and another ring, bis scarfpin, watch and chain and a sum of money. Mr. Pitrot regrets very anuch the Joss of a twentydollar gold piece, which was given to him by Tony Pastor during his first American engagement for Pastor. Mr. Pitrot felt the effects of the attack for several days. ROBERT ATHERTON PLAYERS First Attraction of Pacific Musical Revue Wheel To Open Seattle, Feb. 9.—The new Pacific Musical Revue Wheel, which was organized here last IN NEW YORK (HILLIAR’S SELECTIONS) Valeska Suratt, virile, vivacious, Valeskaesque vaudeville vampire, in The Purple Poppy, which gives Miss Suratt an opportunity to prove that she is an exceptionally clever actress, and not only a wearer of fine clothes.. It is a clever little play, well acted, the supporting company being excellent. First show at the Palace Theater, Monday. Elizabeth M. Murray, famous, fascinating, finished feature favorite. This lady is one of those rare sure-fire artists who can always be relied upon to satisfy the most exacting audience. She sang five songs, her best liked probably being Says I to Myself, I’m Going To Follow the Boys and Henry Clay. Many bows at Colonial Theater last Saturday. Jack Wilson, trenchant, triumphant, talkative, travesty tattler, was the big laughing hit in his impromptu revue, assisted by Tom Mitchell, a good straight man and singer, and Helene Goff. Wilson burlesques the preceding acts on the bill in a deliciously funny manner. He is a prime favorite with the New York audiences. First show at the Palace Theater, Monday. Adele Rowland, sweet, supereminent, sunny songstress, had everything her own way. Assisted at the piano by Harry De Costa, Miss Rowland sang five songs, and, of course, her Mary Ann was the hit of the act. This artist is unapproachable in her own particular line. At the Colonial Theater, Thursday evening. Wellington Cross, admirable, alluring, accomplished American actor, with Ted Shapiro at the piano. Cross is one of our very best light comedians, and knows just how to sing a topical song and to get the maximum out of the lyrics. His last number, a Gunga Din offering, went over very big. A clever story teller, his knitting gags caused great laughter. First show at the Palace Theater, Monday. Hamilton and Barnes, clever, crackerjack, consummate, comedy couple, were the real hit of a good show. They call their offering Just Fun, and it is that and much more, it is real art, for this nifty chap and charming girl are perfectly delightful entertainers. They must surely be coming to the Palace. Eighteen minutes of refreshing singing and talking comedy at Proctor’s Twenty-third Street Theater, Wednesday evening. Walter Percival and Company, truly, thSro Thespians, three men and a woman, in a playlet with novel situations, so well written and acted that it was the hit of the show—in fact, the punch at the finish Was so unexpected that it was a few seconds before it was fully grasped. At Loew’s American Roof, Monday evening. IN CHICAGO (Casper’s Selections) Columbia and Victor (Bart and Clark) rescued local vaudeville from the rut of mediocrity, into which it seems to have fallen lately, with one of the cleverest novelty singing and dancing acts ever viewed in these parts. Plenty of everything (including comedy), not enough of any one thing to bore anybody, appropriately dressed and with a setting that should arouse the envy of a musical comedy producer, these two young people certainly showed themselves to be “there.” Palace, Monday. Sports in the Alps, a sextet of acrobats, who work amid faithfully reproduced winter surroundings, exhibiting appropriate sports via hazardous feats, proved the kind of a closing act that’s sufficiently interesting to keep.a big-time audience seated. At the Majestic, Monday. Fannie Rice, impersonating standard celebrities of the stage, shows earmarks of getting as good a reception over the time she’s playing as Elsie Janis got on a somewhat higher strata. McVicker’s, Wednesday. Edith Clifford, who makes songs sound good, whether they’re the regular run or parodies, because of her ability to blend voice with “mug” work, is one of the by-no-means-many lady singles who deserve bigtime billing. Palace, Monday. IN SAN FRANCISCO (Boz’s Selections) Love Thy Neighbor, a playlet produced by Washington Square Players, disclosed surprising execution and ability. The subject, Altruism, proved to be a bit gruesome. The scene is laid in a cafe in Paris, and the guests, a heterogeneous crowd, give the players a wide scope to display their talents. Each artist interprets his or her part with a realism that brings a big applause. Full stage. Emma Carus is certainly a most entertaining comedienne. Her fearless, daring dancing, as well as her amusing gymnastics, delighted and caused much merriment. Miss Carus’ rich contralto voice left a lingering sweetness, which pervaded the atmosphere the rest of the show. This versatile woman is a San Francisco favorite, and her half hour of pleasuregiving was heartily appreciated. BEST VAUDEVILLE ACTS week, and mention of which was made inj son, Clifford Lancaster, Marie James and a that issue of The Billboard, has progressed to chorus. The Athon Players have a record in the point where one of the three companies organized to alternate between the Orpheum, Seattle; Strand, Portland, and Burbank, Los Angeles, has opened at the Portland house. The Robert Athon Players opened there Sunday in musical tabs, with Robert Athon, Effie Jobn this city of forty-two consecutive weeks at the old Seattle and Grand theaters several seasons ago. The Seattle spoke of the wheel will start going soon with the Lewis & Lake Musical Show. The organization to play the Los Angeles bouse bas not been announced here, Taylor Triplets Late feature of the Barnum and Bailey Circus in the manly art of oon.” NOW IN VAUDEVILLE FRANCES KENNEDY THE CHEERIEST COMEDIENNE EXCLUSIVE SONGS BY WM. B. FRIEDLANDER AND HERBERT MOORE OTTO ERNEST IN JAIL Charged With Vinee Enemy Alien c Columbus, 0., Feb. 9.—Charged with violation of the alien enemy act, Otto Ernest, member of the Fantina troupe of acrobuts, playing at Keith's this week, is in the county jail. Upon his arrival here early this week it is said that he failed to report to United States Marshal Devanney's office, as required under the alien enemy act. U. S. Deputy Marshal Walter, who on Thursday arrested Ernest, is awaiting word from the Department of Justice as to the Pprisoner’s further detention, FIGMAN WITH BEAUMONTS New York, Feb. 11.—Oscar Figman is expected to to enter vaudeville soon with the Beaumont Sisters. Billy B. Von is tied up in the mu. sical] comedy field, but thaf does not prevent him from writing, and he recently showed Mr. Figman one of his acts, called The Second Mr. Baggs, which will probably be the vehicle for the newly arranged trio. e HARRIS FOR VAUDEVILLE Chicago, Feb. 9.—Joe Harris, who was cvmedian with the Gifford Stock Company, has arrived in Chicago aud will return to vaude ville, HAS REAL HEART APPEAL In spite of the many songs published bearing in some way or other on the inexhaustible war theme there are few that have the real heart appeal of one entitled Send Back Dear Daddy to Me. The song expresses the plea of a child who longs for the return of its father, and the idea combined with the befitting melody go to make up a ballad which has lasting qualities. Even if the war should terminate tomorrow this song will continue to be sung by many hundreds of act featuring it now, as it is one of those substantial and reliable applause-getters which are getting scarcer and scarcer. The song is written by Harry Tenney and Irving Maslof, and is published by Jos. W. Stern & Co. BALTIMORE NOTES Baltimore, Feb. 9.—FredC, Schanberger, president of the Kernan Hotel Company and general manager of the Maryland and Auditorium theaters, celebrated his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary Thursday night, when he and Mrs. Schanberger entertained a few invited guests at a quiet dinenr party. Charlile McClintock, manager of the Experience Company, is in town wearing the smile that won't come off and greeting his many friends here. William Myers, formerly with the Hippodrome forces, has joined the staff of Guy Won ders at the Wilson Theater. JOHN KEANE’S NEW VENTURE Chicago, Feb. 9.—John Keane, head of a circuit operating the Star Theater in the loop and the Triangle, Strand and Star theaters in Evanston, is organizing a $2,000,000 corporation for the purpose of operating a chain of restaurants thruout Chicago. Keane has leased the store and basement at 65-67 E. Madison street at a term rental of $250,000 for fifteen years and intends using that site as main headquarters for the restauran? chain. GENEVIEVE VIX MARRIED New York, Feb. 9.—Genevieve Vix, one of the leading sopranos of the Chicago Grand Opera Company, and Prince Cyril Narischkine, former attache of the Russian Embassy in Paris, were married here today. COWBOY ELLIOTT PRESENTS DON FULANO The world’s smartest horse. In Vaudeville, but will entertain Moving Picture ropositions. Address care of Bill joe New York. The audience recognized that here is a new star.—.Vorning Telegraph. Week of February 11th, ALHAMBRA, NEW YORK BOOKED SOLID Simon AGENCY: Western Representative agree 72. “ Ps * * < } i © .