We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
“ts
NOVEMBER 2, 1918
The Billboard
TSM. A. NEWS
D. L. Donaldson, the prez of Buffalo Lodge, states that the boys are taking a few weeks’ vacation, not because they want to, but because they Daye to, as all of the theaters are closed for an definite period, due to the epidemic that is pestering our country at the present time. Buffalo is being hit pretty hard with the ‘flu,’ as it is commonly called, but the lodge members have so far escaped this terrible malady, only a few slight cases having
been reported. But the members have made the best of it for the past couple of weeks amd were out hustling, selling bonds for the
Fourth Liberty Loan—they have proven themselves to be capable salesmen. At one of the theaters at Main and Genesee streets a large booth was erected, surmounted with a replica of one of the big guns, where the members worked in shifts and did a landoffice business, At LaFayette Square the picture operators ran war films at night and were assisted with a zz band to humor the crowds, the subseri tions running into thousands of dollars, while others did house to house canvassing. Nothing slow about this bunch when it comes to doing anything to help old Uncle Sam_ no, siree. And again the prez states that he will send to all members of Buffalo Lodge that are in the service a weekly copy of The Billboard so that they can be In touch with the theatrical business while away from home, Not bad, boys, eh?
Ed R Smiley, the seck of Toledo Lodge, is the busy bee these days making arrangements for the coming convention to be held at that city next summer. He and his assistants are forming an elaborate program of entertainment for the many delegates and visitors, and will also send to all lodges a circular in reference to hotel rates, places of amusements, and what you are allowed and not allowed to do while in Toledo, Tags will also be issued to delegates during this session, in case a member should absent himself without permit, so that be may be returned in good form.
Jimmy Duncanson, of Louisville, the oldtime secretary of No. 8, is a candidate for delegate to the convention, he having attended quite a number of conventions. He is thoroly versed with the routine of the grand lodge, having served on several important committees. Well, James, we expect to see you there and bave some of the No. 8 members with you.
Romeo R. Marcil, of Ottawa Lodge, reports they have several new candidates for their next meeting. In spite of the many members of Ottawa Lodge that are with the Canadian Forces over the sea business goes on just the same, #iways on the lookout for new material to take the places of those that are at the front. Bro. Marcil is casting his eye over at Quebec to see what chances are of forming a lodge there.
Our old friend Schweitzer is still roaming about the northern part of the State of Ohio, traveling for the Vitagraph Film Company. He is doing well and would like to hear from some of the oldtimers. Address him Vitagraph Co., Cleveland, 0. Charlie is looking over some of the towns he makes for possible new lodges.
Theo. H. Hardegen, of Philadelphia Lodge, Teports the death of two of their members-— Bros, William Corlin and John Gemenden. Phila
delphia has been severely dealt with during this epidemic, quite a number of its members having been affected with the Spanish influenza.
George W, Russell, of Richmond, Ind., dropped in the other day to say ‘“‘Howdy."’ When asked whether he received that Hun helmet fram Bro. 0. R. King, who is somewhere in France, he replied not as yet, but says that Bro. King will surely get one if he ever gets close enough to see one of the Huns, as he possesses a marke man’s medal now. Another member of Richmond Lodge, stationed at Camp Meade, well seasoned and about to go ‘‘over there,"’ named Thos. Griselle, is also looking for helmets. What's the idea of these iron skull caps? Indiana is dry now.
The San Francisco secretary, W. R. Whorff, is continually communicating with the members of No, 21 that are in the service here and abroad. Reports have it that they all are well and each one of them will return with a good Teport of themselves. The Frisco boys are bearcats when it comes to scrapping. The members were beavy subscribers towards the last Liberty Ioan, a 100 per cent lodge.
The first regular meeting in November is known as Memorial Day, when all lodges will hold memorial services. During this month the Rhomination of officers will take place and the friendly rivalry among the candidates will be one of the main topics until the election, which will take place in December, So shine np your buttons, fellers, and get acquainted with the Proposed delegate to the coming convention.
“Dutch” Fanz dropped into the club the other
night to refresh himself, but the ‘“‘flu’’ beat him to it. Nothing doing while the epidemic is on in Ciney. So Dutch went back to Knoxville minus his usual allowance.
Pat A. Tighe, manager of the Empress Theater, has an abundant supply of acts in store for the reopening as soon as the ban is lifted. Bro.
ighe possesses all the managerial qualities of the theatrical profession, being a veteran. His many friends wish him a successful career.— EDW. HOLLENKAMP, Grand Secretary-Treasurer, Cincinnati, Ohio,
SAN FRANCISCO LODGE NO, 21
The T. M. A. Glee Club had its second annual banquet Tuesday evening, October 15. and it was a big success. Talent was furnished by the members of the T. M. A, Lodge, which pleased very well. There were speeches, plenty to eat and drink, and the affair lasted un.il a.m., when everyone went home happy.
Just received the following letter from Bro. Edw. Hollenkamp, Grand Secretary-Treasurer of the Grand Lodge, T, M. A.: “I am really proud to be in possession of the program A the enterAinment given for the benefit of the San Fran‘isco Chapter, American Red Cross, under the \uspices of the Local Lodge, No. 21. 1 want 2 thank you for your kind consideration. San
rancisco Lodge coul@ not avail itself more at
he present time than to succor so noble a ‘ause, for it is written broadcast that the American Red Cross has been the best mother earth to our many heroes who are at the ront and at home. Accept the sincere admirajon from the members of the Grand Lodge, as
well as from the subordinate lodges. Fraternally yours in C., B, and F.—Edw,. Hollenkamp, Grand Secretary-Treasurer.””
All the theaters and picture houses are closed on account of the Spanish influenza, but hope to reopen shortly. All the Bros. are well and happy. Some of the Bros, are going to go after the kaiser very soon, so he had better look out for himself when they get there.— IKE MARKS,
AFFRONT RESENTED (Continued from page 3) “The Y. M. C. A. must come out into the
n. “Indorsement or official and pwhblic withdrawal. “Justification or official and public apology. “The theater will accept nothing less."’ While the Lambs were busy the news spread
to the Actors’ Equity Association’s suite of offices in the Longacre. Building and Secretary Kyle promptly got in touch with President Francis Wilson, who hurried to headquarters
The following motion condemning the paragraph was promptly passed, viz.:
“Be It Resolved. That in respect and justice to the splendid self-sacrificing women of our profession who are risking their lives in the submarine zones and at the battlefront in order to devote their time and talents to entertain our soldiers overseas, we demand that a most full and ample apology be made for the paragraph which appeared in Dope Sheet No. 2, issued by the Young Men's Christian Association.” And a copy of it, together with a letter signed by Mr. Wilson, was promptly dispatched to the president of the Y. M. C. A.
Meanwhile Bruce Barton, who has charge of the local publicity bureau of the Y. M. C, A, war work, was informed of the conditions. He expressed surprise at the existence of the ‘‘dope sheet,"’ and immediately dispatched a letter
and presided at indignation meeting number 2
had a limited distribution of perhaps 500 copies, and I am very sure that the statement bas never been printed elsewhere.
“Except under the intense pressure of a campaign such a statement could not possibly have slipped by. In these campaigns, however, which are conducted under = such great stress and with such a_ miscellaneous lot of help, it seems to be inevitable that some mistakes should occur. I
can not tell you bow deeply I regret that the mistake in this campaign should have been one that reflects so indefensibly upon a group of people to whom the Y, M. C. A. owes so much, F
“In scores of news releases sent out from the Y. M. C. A. press bureau the contribution of the stage to the war has been praised and the gratitude of the beys in the camps for it set forth. Dr, Mott in almost every public address has spoken of the deep appreciation which the association feels for the unselfish and devoted service which the actors and actresses have rendered to it, and that sense of obligation is, of course, peculiarly keen in respect to the women of the profession for whom no danger or sacrifice is too great in the rendering of their service.
“This is the real attitude of the Y. M. C. A. —one of deep gratitude and appreciation. I venture to express the earnest hope on the part of every man and woman connected with it that this regrettable incident may not in any way be allowed to affect the relations be tween the association and the members of a profession to which it is so tery deeply in debted.
“Very truly yours, “BRUCE BARTON “Chairman Publicity Committee.”
Mr. Barton sent similar letters to Loutse Closser Hale of the Stage Women’s War Relief and Mrs. Ritchie of the Professional Women's League,
About This Season’s Successful New York Productions
Leo Ditrichstein in the Matinee Hero
The Matinee Hero is not a great play.
and fine for that.
It is too slight and sheer
But for all that it furnishes about as satisfactory an
evening’s entertainment as may be found in the metropolis at this time.
It is just a story simply told.
scenes, no complexities of plot, and no smashing situations.
There are no surprises, no strong Of course
it is unfolded dramatically, but so quietly, smoothly and ingenuously
that it seems more like a narrative.
It relates how a siren came into the well-ordered, prosperous and serene life of a contented but rather irresolute actor made rather irresponsible by an exceptionally capable, efficient and material wife, stirred the almost dead but still smoldering coals of his.ambition into life, fed and fanned the flame until they crackled in hot and consuming desire to do bigger and better things, got him committed to them, and so in
volved financially
in arrangements, preparations and obligations, that
there seemed no way of turning back, and then, exposed and discredited, drops out of his existence as suddenly and effectually as she had entered it, and leaving him with a few slight and soon healed hurts, but rap
turously happy in his new work.
Interpreted by an exceptionally able, not to say brilliant. company
headed by Mr. Ditrichstein,
and embracing such eminent
players as
Brandon Tynan, Robert McWade, Mary Boland, Catherine Proctor and Cora Witherspoon, that thin little story entertains surprisingly. It takes on the graces, the finish and the importance of a miniature
classic.
And it does NOT suggest the great lover—not even remotely. On the contrary, altho the eternal triangle figures in it, it is as clean as a
white countryhou Mary Boland’ comment.
cat.
work in the heavy part is occasioning all kinds of She is certainly playing the role ably. She exhibits powers
and finesse that few suspected she possessed, and is decidedly refresh
ing in many ways.—WATCHE.
POSS SSSSSSSSS OSS SSS SS OSES SS SSS SSS SSSSSSSSSSSSOS
of apology to the Lambs, in which he explained an investigation had brought to light the fact the article quoted on the bulletin board had been sent out without his sanction and was the work of a green man, who was not now in the employ of the Y, M. C. A.
The letter apologized profusely for the implied slight and expressed the highest admiration and appreciation of the women of the stage who are working in the interests of the boys of the trenches, as well as in other lines of war work.
Mr. Barton also explained and apologized to the Actors’ Equity Association by phone and by letter. His explanation and apology were ‘‘entirely adequate,"’ it was declared by Mr. Wilsom last night, but it will require another meeting of the council of the Equity before the affair is officially tabled.
Mr. Barton's letter follows:
“Doctor Mott is with the President in Washington today, and I am hastening, in his absence, to acknowledge your letter of October 22, conveying the resolution adepted by the council of the Actors’ Equity Association yesterday,
“Let me first of all offer the full and ample apology on behalf of the association which your association asks, and to which it and all members of the theatrical profession are undeniably entitled. The statement which you quote is utterly indefensible and is as much a _ libel on the attitude of the Y. M. C. A. as it is on the high character and unselfish devotion of the members of your profession.
“I had already written, before the receipt of your letter, to the Lambs’ Club, the Stage Women's War Relief Association and the Professional Women's League, expressing the keen regret and sorrow of the Y. M. C. A. over the incident.
“The article in question was, as I learned te my amazement, mailed from the Y. M. C, A. press bureau, but it was neither written nor sent out by regular members of the bureau. put by two individuals from outside, brougnt in temporarily to supply certain material for tne campaign.
“The so-called dope sheet which they pre. pared was never intended for publication, Kt
The story soon found circulation among the actors up and down Broadway, thousands of whom are in town owing to the closing of the road theaters, due to the influenza epidemic, and it literally made them boil. Then several of the daily papers published it, and, tho they gave both sides of it and even laid special emphasis on Bruce Barton's sincere and almost abject apologies, the most heated expressions were heard on all sides,
Taken all in all nothing has so stirred actors in years,
And it is fine—highly creditable—extremely gratifying. .
The awakening was so spontaneous, so widespread and so thoro that it will be a downright pity if it is allowed to spend itself and die, as it surely will if no attempt is made to improve the big opportunity. it affords.
Let us do something and do it promptly. While interest and feeling are still lively and warm let us form @ vast, all-embracing legion histrionic, a society for the defense of the fair fame of the profession, or some such organization, Let it be without dues, supported entirely by voluntary contributions from those who can afford them, membership to be contingent solely upen actors, agents, managers, playwrights, scenic artists, press agents, costumers, ete., ete., each signing a pledge to uphold the reputa tion and dignity of the profession by creditable conduct and example himself and to compel by protest or reprisals others to respect it.
The legion need not have a president, a string of vice-presidents, secretaries, treasurer and directors. Let it be headed by three tribunes, viz., George Broadhurst, R. H. Burnside and Francis Wilson, to serve for life or until they resign for reasons of their own. Let them employ a determined, courageous, fighting busi ness agent and retain an attorney. And then let them go after some of the notoriety-seeking evangelists, actor-baiting clergymen and professional uplifters with sharp protests, and if need be actions in the courts.
a a — @ trolleop or xen is arrest romp ub her an actress, should be attended to.
_.
Playwrights who, when depicting adventuresses or women of easy virtue, are over fond of making them actresses, and librettists wily eoin dirty lines that women of the stage wili have to mouth could be restrained, and managers who compel chorus girls to go among audiences in tights or to sing filthy songs, ete., etc., could be made to see the error °f their way.
An organization that will uphold all the old traditions of the boards and fight tendencie: that demean and prostitute them is badly needed
Why not start it now.
CONCERT NOTES (Continued from page 23)
Aphrodite, which the Chicago Opera Company will present this winter. Sylvia Tell will be soloist.
The brother of Florence French, the Chicage concert singer, was killed on one of the Ameriean aviation fields recently, causing the singer to cancel several recitals.
Sophie Braslau and Efrem Zimbalist, whe were to have given a joint concert at the Ashland Theater, October 20, for the Jewish Labor Organization, Chicago, were compelled to cancel on account of the health embargo,
SECOND CONCERT
By Paris Orchestra a Musical Triumph and Artistic Achievement
New York, Oct. 25.—The second concert given by the Symphony Orchestra of Paris at the Metropolitan October 20 was more of an artistic achievement than the premiere concert held last week. ‘Then the Liberty Bond drive divided the interest of the audience and the famous organrization did not have the opportunity of playing an entire program of works of the best French composers before a representative musical andience of the United States, said to be long a cherished ambition of these much heralded musicians. The occasion of their second appearance was different. New York's musical public was generously represented, and the discriminating attention and spontaneous applause bestowed upon M. Messager and his men was nothing short of a musical triumph. Upon the apsearance of the musicians the vast audience showed its welcome by an emphatic storm of handclapping, terminating in prolonged cheers when the masterful Messager, dignified and reverent, made his appearance. As at the first concert, the program was all French from the Bizet overture Patrie. Beethoven's fifth symphony, Franck’s Redemp tion, Berlipz’s Roman Carnival, down to Saens’ Fourth Concerto. Previous to the formal program the orchestra again rendered our national anthem in the same dignified, slow rhythm in which the Star-Spangled Banner was origimall, written, lending an additional charm to the musically beautiful melody.
This artistic rendition was in direct comparison with the sprightly martial ‘‘punch” with which M and his musicians rendered the national anthem of their beloved La Bella France. On their continental tour the stately the Star-Spangled Banner the martial strains of La Marseillaise will be included in all their programs as a fitting tribute to the bond of friendship now existing between the two countries and the main object of their visit, the first time they have played outside of their own Conservatoire.
The Paris Symphony Orchestra will make its third New York appearance at Carnegie Hall December 12 and will give another coneert at the same place January 12.
OLD RED, WHITE AND BLUE
Blizabeth, N. J., Oct. 26.-—A patriotic number, that is said to keep tne feet in motion, is The Old., Red, White and Blue, published by the Dickson Music Publishing Co., of this city. Others song exploited by this house and much sought after are Father Macheee, an Irish ballad, which is rapidly forging ahead; On the Banks of the Swanee River anid The Girl I Left in Sunny Tennessee, both ballads with excellent melodies.
Messager
melody of and
POSTAL FROM PVT. ANDERSON
A postal addressed to the Very Good, Eddie company, care of Kearney Opera House, Kearney,
Neb.. and forwarded to the Cincinnati offiee of The Billboard, is a “gift acknowledgement” from Private Jeff Anderson, from Somewhere
in France. The actor-soldier thanks the mem bers of the theatrical company for a tobacco kit which they have sent him, stating that their kind thoughtfulness will cheer up his lonely hours. The remembrances received by Private Anderson when he was on the firing line at the front.
was
THOMPSON OPENS NEW OFFICES
St. Loyis, Oct. 26.—A. A. Thompson, formerly of the Thompson & Bently States Booking Exchange of St. Louis, has withdrawn from the partnership and opened new offices in the Helland Building at St. Louis. His friends will de well to call at his new home and inspect his new offices. His circuit out of St. Louis will no doubt interest all performers. Mr. Thompson has established a reputation ip his twelve years as @ booking agent.