The Billboard 1920-04-03: Vol 32 Iss 14 (1920-04-03)

5 ‘ meshes of its caresses, falls Po el . APRIL 3, 1920 The. Billboard. Howard Robey, ahead of ‘‘Tisten, Lester:** Ralpti Gervers, @head of “A Night im Honolum; Frank Mathews, blazing the trail for “Nightie Night’ and Ed Bloom, manager of “The Passing Show of 1015,” spent a day together at Ottawa, Ontario, recently when the “Passing Show” was piaying the town. Pete Gorman, former manager.of the Russell Theater at Ottawa, also put in his appearance te renew acquaintances an@ swap stories with the boys. George Singleton, a of “The Love Doctor,” and ©,.L. Goode, advertising agent for Edza Goodrich ta ‘Sleeping Partners,’ both expect to be on the No, 2 car = the Hagendeck-Wallace Show the coming seas$n. Thomas R, Vaughn te the general agent with the W. I. Swain Shows this season. Mr, Vaughn has been out since the fret of February 2. the Interest of this ola and well known wv. George Naylor is now managing the Grand Opera Honse. im Hamilton, Ontario, and sure tries to make it pleasant for the agents and managers who visKk Hamilton. George {s an ex-agent and a hustler, and, . is getting results. Ernie Prosser, advertising agent of Gus Full's Minstrels, heading for the Coast, is dillixg the show Hike a circus, according to reperts coming from towns along hig route, and eccond men have a hard time to follow him. Sem Dawsen, the press agent, ts getting some nice stortes for the show. Ernie says he will not be with any cirens the coming summer. Is done with cireus trouping, he says. But others have said the same thing. Feltx Risser ie handling the advance of ‘““The Paasing Show of 1918.” a Wiistach is piloting Fieke ©’Hara thro anada. Dan Hoffman, local contractor of the Sparks Cireus laet season, made a lot of friends on his trip thrn Canada and they often ask about him sand send their best wishes to Hoffman, according te an agent who bas been making Canadtan . Frank J. , formerly with Gus Hill's enterpaises, hes gone with publicity department of the Selznick interests. Manager H. H. Elliott of the Amuseu Theater at Oorpus Ohristi, Tex., pulled a encceesfol advertising stunt giving an airplane rife to the patron holding the lucky sumber at his theater March 11, Ae javentie (7?) advance Hockwaki’s Foreus Georgia Minstrels, 4s peeved because he hasn't encountered eno opposition this winter to make things as lively as be would live. “‘A‘l I have to do,” says W. H., “is to post about 400 sheets of paper, hang 200 lithos, tack 200 cards an@ distribute 2,000 heralds a day, [ really don’t know what to do with my spare an arm as might tempt an anchorite into the gracefully over the body.” Then R. Selter was at work again trying to deplete pa English language of its supply of addjeced for the “Rex, the Man Who Knows” act. Lew Heck, well-known Olncinnati newspaper (the machine, we mean) in anticipation of t'e 8pproach of the outdoor season, it wil stories by Heck (punctuate it to suit yourself). Harry Zink, second man with “‘The Unknown trond the Hotel Sinton in Cincinnati Isst week. Incidentally Harry gnve Cin-innati an cloth banuers heralding the coming of show being in evidence everywhere. representative of Palisades Park, New Fork (ity. is fust now im advance of “The Unknown tuur and then start playing the Subway circuft in New York for the third time. Henshall, ones, a caller at the office of The Billboant a few deyo ago, and stated that he wonld soon be J. D. Rarnes, of the Morosco office, is sald py writing a book on the life and manners of eral weeks in Belgiura during the summer of 1912, and has a book full of notes and a in the Netherlands, Frank Whitbeck, for many years a road agent FP. Ketth in Brooklyn, N. Y., and for five years With the & Z Poli Circuit, is to retire from etrly in 1978 and on his return In August, 1919, he attached jimeelf to the M. F. Comerford ing manager for that firm's theaters in Geneva, Y., and Pittston, Pa., and as exploitation is to enter the afr compressor business with the Air Compressor and Equipment Company of San Ed Shaw, agent of the Alabama Minstrels, ‘rites that while at Port G Miss., he his plantation of 900 acres. “The feed he set up to my bDillposter and me wae fit for a king.”’ town, uck was sure with “ue there.” Mr. Walcott still owns the Rabbit Foot Minstrels tne.” a Florida Stella? and we knew Fa ves, Doc Wilson has taken a place as business mon, is putting a new ribbon on his not be long until we'll see some goat Purple,” wae seen with the elite excellent example of real circus billing, ee George Henshall, in the summer Purple.” which fs soon to conclude its road who has been with manw of the bir was ae job again at the Schenck Bros.’ big play People of Flanders. Mr. Barnes spent sevof excellent photographs of interesting ecenes sod manceer and inter a house manager for B. the show business. Whitheck went to France Amusement Company fn Scranton, Pa., as bookManager for the Scranton theaters. itbeck aclsco, had the pleasure of visiting Fred’ Wolcott on eaye mi “and there was not a restaurant fo doing ane LOTS OF LIGHT. TWELFTH SEASON. PLENTY OF MUSIC. THE FAMOUS AIKEN SHOWS BILL AIKEN, GENERAL AGENT, WITH THREE ASSISTANTS. with or without outfits. CAN PLACE. a Whip, with or without WANT WANTED-—Show wagons. more real Concessions of all kinds, with plenty of flash, neat outfits and plenty of lights (we furnish juice). We thank and erly advertised and boosted. ADVERTISED. appreciate all our old folks that have responded so quickly. We are doing all possible to it BIGGER than ever B4, and put you in smoke stack icts, under heavy auspices, close in, propIf you want with it and for it, address AIKEN BROS., Elkhart, Indiana. % AUSPICES. ZARRA’S GREATER MONARCH SHOWS WANT 10-piece Uniformed Band, also good Free Act, regardless of price. Help for H.-S. Merry-Go-Round, also Help on Eli Ferris Wheel; people for Ten-in-One Plant. Show, Oriental Show, Cabaret Show; also Pian» Player and Trap Drummer for Cabaret Show; good Talker for Snake Show. Have complete outfit for Dog and Pony Show, with five now Banners; also Man to teke over Atiigtic Show; must meet all camers. Con cessions of all kinds except P. C. Candy Wheel. All Concessions on best territory. Working ncrth, then Into Canada, Come on or wire percentage or flat rental. Playing JOE ZARRA, Highpoint, N. C. CAR FOR SALE=--CAR FOR SALE A wonderful Advance Car, complete to move in, 60 feet inside, steel platforms, six-wheel trucks; fine kitchen, complete, with ice box, boiler room, berth for men, Wonderful private office car. show car for advance I ever saw. San Antonio, Texas. Was a Government fishery car. Best Will move on any railroad. Can be seen at Wire C. A. WORTHAM, care Wortham Shows. THE 1920 CIRCUS SEASON NOW ON (Continued from page 5) elight injury to one of her feet during ber performance at the dress rehearsal the evening before. So we wissed the stentcrian announcement of Lew Graham, the darkened arena, except for the spoilights that elways introduce the petite little ‘fairy on a Cobweb.” But they promise that today and this evening and the rest of the season Miss Millman, in her beautiful white car, ‘with the white lrveried chauffeur and the maid and everything, wiil be on hand when Mr. Graham steps forward in his perfect fitting evening clothes, with the dazzling white shirt front, to announce ber entrance, There were two other widely known individuals in evening clothes who stood near Mr. Graham last evening. Ong was Charies Ringling, who watched with unrmingled = satisfaction the smoothly running performance, and the other was his brother John, who, near the entrance, also wore a smile of pleasure. And then, too, not very far away, but nearer the performers’ entrance, was the ever watchful, always busy, omnipresent Fred Bradna, general — director, and his assistant, John gee. ‘ The ninth display ig very interesting. Exhibitions of strength and skill include our old friends, Jackson and AicLaren, the two giant Australian woodchoppers, who saw a lg thru almost before you can wink an eye, and bite monster chips out of the logs they chop in competition. Generally the taller of the two loses a little time here and there, and his partner beats him to it, and last night he was a second or two behind when his Ttner’s eleven-inch log went tumbling to the r. The Josefsson Troupe—real Icelanders—are also back again, and lohannes Josefsson’s remarkable exhih‘ticns of superhuman strength, agility and a sort of poor Jiu-Jitsu makes the act one of rare interest. _ Leon N. L. Mitzi, another old favorite with the circus, is back with his equilibristic cleverness, and the Bruno Troupe with feats of strength get their usual big applanse. sensation of the next number is the Italian midget, Baghonghi, billed as Mile. Spangletti, who is really, as the program states, the “quintessence of grace and poise.” There are plenty of laughs in the act, too, for instance when the ‘\Mademoiselle” is suddenly lifted off the broad back of ‘“‘her’’ horse by the assistant, who has suspended the midget by a rove. H. Rittely, the man on the tables, reminds us of the old saying, ‘““Which came first, the chicken or the egg?’ Bert Melrose has done a similar act in vaudevilie for a number cf years, only minus the whistle and cowbell. But so has Rittely. It doesn’t make any material di:fference, anyway. Rittely does the act well, and his fall reaps the laughs, “Tell me when that man s thru rocking, I can’t bear to look at him fall,”’ said a mature young lady of 12, who sat in the chalr below us. Rice, Bell and Bakiwin, the Hart Brothers, the Foor Comrades and Fred Kerslake are back again. Kerslake bas eiucated his pigs to a high degree of intelligence. Stirk and Arena ia their furiously fast acrobatic act are also included in Display No, 10, which is prog-ammed ag a variety of clever comedy combinations. And then, to the wonderful strains of MeCarthy & Fisher’s ‘‘Dardanelia,’’ in come the Davenports, Mme. Bradna and the Clarksons— all oldtimers—presenting their usual finished performance. Mme. Bradna’s act, occupying the center ring, is the kind that never fails to score heavily. The dogs, dig and little; the beautiful white doves, the “beauty cart” and the showmanship are aH worthy of note. The Davenports and Clarksons have introduced several new sensations in their equestrian acts this year. Mite, Telizel, who has Deen a Ringling attraction for years and who, this past season, has appalled audiences in Flo Ziegfeld’s Roof with ber marvelous feats of endurance, and her dainty appearance, gets the stage to herself for her act, which is No, 12. Last night the tiny star succeeded 'n casting her body over ter shoulders at a diszy height for forty-two consecutive. times. She haa a unique and quite orizinal method of applying rosin to her hands while she is suspended on the white rope with only one satin covered leg wound around the Tope to keep her from eternity. Then come the animals again. Frank Huling bas trained his veals, expecially “Big Nep,”’ in a way that brings forth admiring exclamations from the autience, which never seems to get weary of @eal acts. AW’ Toyal’s Dogs, Introducing ‘ “Chiquita” the clown dog, are to beat in the “dog line.” ‘Chiquita’ won't be goed, and his clowning would win the approval of any of the big Enropean ‘‘Angusts."" ‘Prof. Mark Huling’s Seals, including Juneau, which also does some clever clowning, aleo stand high in the estimation of the people, and always will. Willy Karbe, the Wiee Troupe, Hillary Tong, Andresen Brothers and Trilby White are op “Toque” and ‘of mention. hand with their perch and head-balancing acts and make this department the best ever seen, probably, in any show. Karbe uses a ninetyfoot cable this year for his act, and the applause is deafening. The Seven Bracks supplant the Roeders, and the Eight Hadji Troupe replaces the Vaurrucies. The Four Mellilo Sisters do their acrobatic and handbalancing numbers without a flaw. The Joe Dekoes Troupe juggies human beings ag if they were playthings. larry Von Tilzer’s “When My Bahy Smiles at Me” is given a boost when the May Wirth act comes on. Miss Wirth, looking ag sweet as ever, sings it with ber sister, a an introductory to their act, which is better than ever this year. Phil St. Leon, billed as “Pbhunny Phil,” is doing @ comedy bit that lightens up the act, finishing with a ecream, when he stands on the back of one of the rses and throws off coat and about a dozen vests. And bareback riders may come and re bot May etands supreme just now in her field. And then, ah, then eme the clowns—dozens of them. They ewarm over every part of the arena, the stages and almost climb into the boxes. There are thirty-nine of them, to be exact, a complete roster being attached to this story. One of the best bits Buck Baker and his anto. That auto is plumb loco, Buck, and you've got an act that will thunder down thru the ages for foolishness and fun. It’s a winner. Tony Marden hollers that ‘‘we’ve gotta get a horse’’ when the flivver won't go, and James Epriggs (‘‘Jimmy’’ they all call him), who has deen with the circus for the past fourteen years, advises Buck to “wind ‘er up.”” Jimmie ad libs and he’s on most of the time during the performance. So is our old friend. Herman Joseph. And Harry Clemons’ gag with the peanutstand that turns out to be a “‘dlind tiger,” is @s good or better than lest year. H. A. Thompson's “‘d-unk” in this turn is also worthy Joseph and Jerome’s washing machine turn gets the langhs, too. Paul Jerome does a leap year bride and implores Harry Clemons to marry ‘‘her,’ bat it isn't until Clemens, poor dab, is shot in the reag with an arrow from ‘“‘Cupid’’ George Zammert’ssbow that he finally fas for the lady. Then they are married by George Hartzell, and, we presume, happy ever after or until today’s performance anyway. Edward Nemo, another clown, who has been in the circus for twelve years, does a funny bed act, and his gag with the bucket of water that slops over him when he sings ‘‘How Dry I Am,” gets over the wire with a bang. Nemo had a lame shoulder today from trying to ride around in his cart with the bucking key. After the ‘‘Fools’ Reunion” come some hair raisers, with the Clarkonians, the Charles Siegrist Troupe and the Silbon Family. They are all startling feats and well done. Finally, ladies and gentlemen, come the grand Hippodrome races. And after three hours of fun and excitement the show is over. Two performances every day at 2 and 8 p.m. Doors open at 1 and 7 pan. Line forms at the right! THE STAFF ‘ Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey staff on hand at the opening follows: Fred Worrell, who got the big show into the garden withoht the slightest delay or mishap; Charles C. Wilson, who railroads the big organiation; Oharles R. Hutchinson, treasurer; Fred De Wolf, auditor; Joseph Boynton and Charlés R, Hutchinson, Jr., box-offices: Neil McKenzie, in charge of downtown sale; Robert Courtney, assistant; George W. Smith and Lawrence Worrell, front door; Charles Kanneley, eecretary to Cherles and John Ringling; Frank Cook, of legal department: W. H. Horton, general advertising agent; Dan DeBaugi, manager Ringling Brothers’ Chicago office; Nick Petit, local contractor; William Carr and William J. Conway, twenty-four-hour men; Thomas Tyaly, mauager No. 2 advance car; Cc. G. Snowhill, manager No. 3 advance car; Jav R'al, Dexter Fe'lows, James F. Donalson and Faward P. Norwood, who comprise the press department. THE CLOWNS Clowns with the circus this year are Joe Ambrose, Roy Barrett, Dave Clark, Joe Casino, Andrew Casino, Lester Casino, Harry Clemings, Gene Dekoe, Tom Hart, Everett Hart, Tom Hibbert, Jack Hedden, Willis Roscoe, Al Sylvester, Conrade Four, Frank Hamner, George Hartzell, Herman Joseph, Paul Jerome, Joe Arena, Al Miaco, Irving Nelson, Nemo, Herman Poline, Joe Stirk, Jobn Slater, James Spriggs, Fred Stelling, John Tripp, H. A. Thompson, EB. W. White, George Zammert, Al White, Pat Waklo, Jules Turneur, Billy Rice, Rell, Baldwin, Tedere. Felix Adler, Goldstein, Buck Biker, Tony Marden. THR “ANNEX” ATTRACTIONS The press, public and showmen were lavish in their praise of the hnman oddities and novelties of the side-show. It was freely’ voiced that Lew Graham has ontdofe all previous efforts in thie seagon’s lineup. The “‘flash’’ on the platforms and the “walk around’ on the hippodrome track brought forth applavse and laughter ty the following stars of the sideshow world: . Mme. Gabrielli,“ half lady; Captain Walters, the Blue Man; Smiling Smith, with his animated art; Otisa, reigning queen of serpents; Randion, Hindoo armless and legless wunder; Lady Little, headliner in the realm of emall women entertainers; Old Zip, original ‘‘What Is It’; Princess Wee Wee, Kiaro, the missiug link; Cloquet, the wild dancing bushman; Mr. and Mrs. Gondin, smallest married couple on earth; Carrie Holt, fat girl; Mr. Prince, sma!!est of males; Miss Lionette, lion-faced woman; Mme. Creo, tattooed marvel; F. Lentini, threelegged Sicilian; Baby Pompea, six-yearld male child weighing 219 pounds; Mr. and Mre. Doll, dancing midgets; Captain George Anger, the Cardiff giant; Abomah, African gianteys; Linian Maloney, Albino beauty; Mile. Clifford, sword swallower; Congo and. Sallie, jungie enigmas, Management Joe Edwards. Mr. Graham gives out the staff of the side show for the season, viz., Lew Graham, mwanager and general announcer; Clyde Ingalls, assistant; arry Kramer, lecturer; William B. Burroughs, M, Riley and Charles Mack, ticket dDoxes; Thomas Nichols and Max Gutterman, doorkeepers; Walter Gilliland, superintendent canvas, assisted by Joseph Barnes. Under canvas P. P. Lowery and kis band of eighteen musicians and minstrels will bold forth on the stage, horseshoed by eighteen latforms, and in the center a special ‘“‘steel und"’ arena will house Congo and Sallie, the strange jungit companions. AMONG SHOWMEN VISITORS John D. Tippett, former outdoor showman, now motion picture magnate of London, Eng.; William Clune, motion pictute celebrity and exhibitor of Los Angeles: Wells Hawks, of the press department Fox Film Corporation: Samuel ‘W. Gumperts, Coney Island showman and realty operator, accompanied by Mrs. Gumpertz; Geo. i. Coleman, general agent Col, Francis Ferari Shows; Ed G. Holland, agent Walter L. Main Cireus; George H. Degnon, circus agent; ©. D. MelIntyre, former circus general agent, now in a commercial line and living in New York; John and Ted Metz, side showmen; George C.Moyer, general agent John Robinson Circus; Samuel MeCracken, former manager Barnum & Bailey Cireus; Billie Burke, New York vandeville producer; Doc Keeley formerly with Barnum & Bailey Circus; Cherry Matthews, formerly of the famous team of Matthews and Bulger; Fd C. Warner, general traffic manager Polack Brothers’ carnival enterprises; Bert Rutherford, general agent Howe’s Great London Shows; James H. Lent, of Jobnny J. Kline Shows; Carl Hathaway, formerly of the ‘tingling Brothers and Barnum Baltley Circus; H. F. MeGarvie, exposition and park showman; Mrs. Charles C. Wilson and son; Edward Arlington, . general agent Selis-Floto Circus; Earnest Lati=. manager George Choos ‘Vaudeville Attrac-° ns, Richard T. Ringling and Robert Ringling were on hand and appeared to be among the most interested in the big event of the present circus season, IN AND OUT OF THE GARDEN The weather was perfect. No parade on the streets. Opening matinee was good. Allen Dale, of the American, saw the circus for the first time in fifteen years. The Garden engagement is scheduled for five and a half weeks, Brooklyn will be the first stand under can vas. The train is parked near the Exposition in the Bronx. Advance sale is reported to be heavy enough to indicate most phemomenal business, The top admission prise is $2.72 and 28 cents war tax. Top and bottom prices seem at this time the most popular, judging from the way the house Was seated on the opening. Riding stock and animals revealed no evidence of H. Cc. L. All the menagerie animals were in healthy condition and reproductive to the entire satisfaction of John Patterson, boss animal man. The press gave the performance a great sendoff, The ushers looked good in new style grey uniforms. Chick Bell, the veteran boss of the ‘“‘reserves,"’ seated them all with his usual smile — ee and had for his guest John D. erle Evans, bandmaster, has thirty-one in the band, and the big augmented calliope built by the Pneumatic Calliope Company of Newark. The musica] program lists forty-four of the trost popular past and current selections stitable for an idea] cireus musical treat. Joseph Mayer Publisher, Inc., made up tke program which was on sale in the entrance by courteous attendants, including Tom Burke, who —the price of fifteen cents, as marked thereon. 2 There was no attempt at fantastic art work included in the decorations on the ring secticns visible te the eye of the boxholders. No flags or buntings “a la carnival’ were visible, The animal dens and cages looked very attractive fh decoration. The elephants worked on two high pedestals. Three rings and two stages, seven poring pedestals, Bird Millman, Lilian Leitzel and May Wirth appear to be the “‘spot light” favorites. F on electric sign of the Garden tower reads ‘Circus."’ P. G. Lowery’s Band does One number in the big show arena. e@ clown novelties were toat the clowns were certainly on the Hippodrome track often. Lew Graham speaks so that he can be @ivtinctly heard in every nook and corner of the big auditorium. The title page in the program reads ‘‘Ringling Brothers’ Circus and Barnum and Bailey how.’* The Seven Bracks, acrobatic marvels, and the Fight Hadji Troupe of Arabians were added to the progtam at the eleventh hour, Madam Bradna never presented a more stri)ing appe&rance, Se tee