The Billboard 1921-01-01: Vol 33 Iss 1 (1921-01-01)

JANUARY 1, 1921 The Billboard 3 sion —mons PUBLICITY PROMOTERS pets and scenery and effects. And it was a revelation to see the Sarg professionals quickly and deftly roil up and bag the two-foot figures, cach of which bad attached a multiplicity of strings. ‘ What They Say and Do In fact, the entire Sarg production of Rip Van Winkle wes a revelation, The work of the Sarg Company is "otbing short of marvelous. Never By ALFRED NELSON (Communications to our New York Offices, Putnam Blde., 1193 Mroadway.) bave 1 sat thru a real play by real actors with profounder interest than that with which I sat thru this matinee. 1 wish I bad time to write a detailed appreciation of Tony Sarg, his work Louisville, Ky., Dee. 17, 1920. Nelson. Esquire, . — Billboard, New York. My Dear Nelxe—Ilave just read your anpouncement relative to advance aud publicity agents, road and hwuse. It looks like a real idea. Go ahead with it and try it out and if there is anything that I can do to help maticrs along ] shall be glad to co-operate. It seems to me that the one thing to avoid will be the intra. sion of incapables and undesirables, and it would be well if you could devise a method whereby applicants could prove their experience and character. Of course, as you know, all of the big offices bave their men around there all of the time, That is, they are always in touch with them, and it is only when there are more attractions than they have regular office men to Gil, in which case they have to go s ° Re egrets have tried more than once to maintain qa Club or association. The Tathfinders and Trailers and lastly the Agents and Managers’ Theatrical Association, 1 was a member of both of these. The boys don't seem to have the sticktogether spirit, and it is for this reason that I feel that your new department will be of real service to a certain element of publicity men in New York and elsewhere. With best wishes, I am Cordially yours, SYDNEY WIRE. COMMENT Syd. was the first to wish us well with our Publicity Promoters’ Column, and we fully appreciate bis offer of cooperation and welcome suggestions from others willing to advise and assist us in making it a valuable factor in promoting tbe interests of agents, be they press, advance or advertising agents. Frank P. Folsom, one of the old scbool press and advance agents, in friendly criticism Is called our attention to our apnouncement of separate and distinct captions for press, advance and advertising agents. and, according to Frartk, we may find it diftienlt to maintain a separate distinction for press @nd advance agents for the reason that many advance agents are fully qualified press agents, which is an indisputable fact. and our idea of the separate caption In the directory was to Separate press agents of theaters from advance agents of attractions en tour. We would like to hear from otbere on the subject, so do not be shy, boys, but come into our fraternity, We are not playing any favorites, but if the progressive agent is willing to cooperate with us, can and does write us, and we keep bim prominently in our columns, it's oaly because he shows progressiveness, while tbe slacker affects a false modesty that does pot harmonize with the activities of a real publicity promoter, for if you do not promote publicity for yourself personally what reason have we to assume that you can promote it for otbers? The Pathfinders and Trailers, likewise the Agents and Managers’ Theatrical Association, may be non est, but the I’ublicity l’romoters ate very much alive, and The Billboard is sow the rendezvous of all agents.—NELSE. Malcoln? S. MacMillan. advertising and neweaper man of Los Angeles, is now doing free Snce publicity work on the Coast. Denny Howard has been appointed advertising Manager for the Rialto Theater, Denison, Tex, Howard was advertising agent for the BrunCage Shows for a number of years. = 9 Vannah Taylor, press agent of the Orpheum Theater. Memphis, Tenn., is chairman of the entertainment committee of the Kiwanis Club in that city and has certainly been making the Public take notice of the club's entertainment features, Rosal K. Fuller, formerly a newspaper man of Watertown, N. Y., bas been appointed sales Manager of the Fox Film (Co., with beadquarters in New York City. He bag been associated fot some time with the National Exhibitors’ League along legislative lines at Albany. Vivian Radcliff and Esther Linder, of the Harty Levy Service Corporation, are press copy Stinders par excelience. Mise Radcliff’s copy on *'Molasses"’ and Miss Linder’s on the “Porcelain Lamp" cover their subjects in an ine teresting aud instructive manner. Lew Sharpsteen (Sharpy), well known as an agent, has been teaching health dancing recently, so it is said, with the result that some profersionals who had been developing a noticeable paun b are now skipping about in a manner that would make Pavlowa envious, Tem A, Edwards, well known fg Chicago theatrical circles, is now general agent for W. T, Gaskell’s big feature picture, ‘“‘The Shepherd of the Hills’ in Canada, Edwards is thirty days ahead. Also with the picture are S, Fi. Semon, agent, and Abe Wilkes, second man. In Toronto Si Semon and four billposters billed the town like a circus for the eight-day enXgement of the picture. William J. Hiltiar, the past season with the Smith Greater Shows, and prior to that fn charge of the San Francisco office of The Billdoard, will, it is announced, act as publicity representative for the Nubin & Cherry Showce next season, Hilliar is an experienced publiclty man and knows the carnival thoroly as Well, 80 Rubin & Cherry should be assured of excellent publicity during 1921. It requires considerable Provocation to get fol. Ed R. Salter “riled up,’ but—one morning recently—he was sitting in the diner of the ohnoy J. Jones Exposition, at Miami, Ma., and bis lieutenants, Suttice it toe say that his perfection of puppets and the art of the puppeteer passeth understanding. The mwan's work in this connection is notliing short of marvelous, phenomenal—and I use those words advisedly. To marionettes ne is what Shakespeare is to the English language. Some one should write a book on ‘Tony Surg, His Marionettes.’ Indeed, if some one does not do so, I am not sure that I may not some time take a little while off and write such a volume (purely as a labor of love).” Mr, Banks further says: “Jimmie Brown, who for may years was comedian with the dramatic repertoire company owned by his brother, Kirk Brown, the leading man, has for two months last past (as lawyers put it) been conducting 8 waffle and coffee slop at 201 West 49th street, just around the corner from the Rivoli picture bouse: and already scores of his professional friends have found him out and are eating and freminiscing with him daily and nightly. “When Kirk Prown disbanded his excellent company, after a long and highly successful record. Jimmie became _ identified with the Myrkle-Harder Repertoire Company as business manager. Subsequently he married ‘outside the rofession) and left the read. Coming to New ork City, he took living apartments uptown and lost no time in leasing the place in which he i8 now operating, In the very heart of the theatrical district, Jimmie’s success was assured from the first. Couple with his location his genial personality and the fact that he produces Unsurpassed waffles and coffee such as mother makes and one wonders not that his friends like to drop in on Jimmie. ‘Jimmie says that his brother, Kirk, is meeting with gratifying success as a member of the permanent American Stock Company playing Berlin, Germany. “*Why don’t you join Kirk overseas?’ J. T. Macanley, oldtime showman, and for years Kirk Brown’s company manager, asked Jimmie one afternoon recently 2s a crowd of us were eating hot wafBes and drinking coffee. Pausing only long enough to turn a waffle-iron over the gas stove, the erstwhile comedian. arrayed in an immacniately white apron, smilingly replied, ‘No, thank you, I'm going to stay right here in little old New York the rest of my life.’ “T spoke up and said, ‘Jimmie, you think You'll star out of the business, but one of these days you'll be bitting the road again. We have all said the same thing and we have always returned to the hfe.’ “ *Well, bere’s one duck that won't,’ declared Rrown, and, judging from the determined look in his eyés and the serious wrinkle of his brow, one might well have thought that he really meant it. ““*T don’t know bnt Jimmie’s right,” Macauley sagely remarked, adding: ‘In this ghastly age of profiteering the road isn’t what it was in the good old days.’ “ ‘Well, I should say it isn’t,” said we all in anison, PUBLICITY PROMOTERS—WHAT THEY SAY AND DO Conducted by ALFRED NELSON when four Englisbuien alighted from a train. Salter was imbibing some of Jones’ Jvrous Java, and the English party got the aroma. “My good man,"’ spoke up one of them, “I See you bave a private car, but would you oblige us with a cup of Java?’* “Why certainly, gentlemen (that’s one good trait of Fil's—he knows a gentleman when he sees one). Come right in.’’ Ila:rry Fink. seeing the distinguished party, donned a chef's cap and apron and eerved the drink and toast. When finished the party wished to pay for the meal, and upon Salter declining they each presented their cards, Lack of space prevents giving each name in full, but on one of the cards the name read: ‘‘Lord Astor."" Then Salter was mad, for this ‘lord’ is the son of William Waldorf Astor, who renounced bis American citizensbip to become a British l’eer. The party had come all the way from England to get 6ome Florida sunshine and enjoy fishing. SAM J. BANKS ON BROADWAY “On the curb in front ef The Billboard office, the other afternoon, | bumped into Charley Curran, last season side-show manager with Howe's London Circus,"’ writes Sam J. Banks. “Charley and I had trouped together in the old daya with the Leon Washburn Circus and other aggregaiions, and for a few minutes we hurled questions at each other. I Jearned that Mr. Curran is busy managing ‘Madame Asia’ in ber seance and mental telepathy act, “‘I’'m on my way to the Punch and Judy Theater to a¢e Tony Sarg’s marionettes in the play, ‘Rip Van Winkie.’ said I; ‘won't you come siong?" ‘I really can’t take the time, Sam‘, replied Charley, ‘but, seein’ it’s you, and inasmuch a8 I havent seen yon since you visited the Ilewe Circus in Haverill, the Fourth o° July, I'll go; but at that I dare say that I shall not easre much for the marionettes.’ ““‘Have you ever seen any marionettes?’ queried I. ‘Yes—in vaudeville," was Curran’e answer. ‘If you baven't seen Tony Ssrg’s you oon never seen marionettes,” I informed rran, “So we hied ourselres to Mr, Hopkins’ artistic chow shop on West Forty-ninth street. Not only did Brother Curran sit spellbound thruout the entire four-act puppetized Washington Irving folk-story, but T had to take him back stage after the performance and let him see the puppets and the puppetcers at first hand. When he saw the parapherralia Charley said: ‘Sam, if tou had told me that this sort of performance could be 60 wonderful, 1 shouldn't have beNeved you.’ 1 introduced Curran to Mr. Sarg's manager, Charles Searle, and to bis press agent, Richard Sylvester. Quite as interested as Mr. Curran was @& White-haired, white-mustached man I had met in the summer of 1919 in Glacier National Park, Montana. It was Frank Vanderlip, the eminent Gnarcial man. Dodging the workers, we all watched the Tony Sarg Company pack the pupe There are several hundred individual theatrical producing managers in New York City, and it is reasonable to assume that few, if any of them, are personally acquainted with twenty, can recall to mind ten, or locate five desirable advance agents should conditions necessitate a hurry call for @ *‘Man Abead."* Who Are They? What Are They? Where Are They? is a problem that mapagers may be called upon to solve ofttimes in and out of season, It is incongruous that men capable of promoting publicity for others are negligent of their own interests by keeping managers guessing, when a little publicity relative to who they are, what they are, where they are will probably result in a desirable engagement The announcement in local newspapers that ‘‘Tom Westinghouse, the affable agent, arrived in town today to complete arrangements for the presentation of L. B. Country’s ‘Happyland’ at the Opera House,” gets the aforesaid agent nothing but ridicule from experienced managers, whereas a one-line ad in The Billboard PUBLICITY PROMOTERS’ DIRECTORY NAME ATTRACTION MAIL ADDRESS Tom Westinghouse “‘Happyland”’ En Tour PRESENTS TO PRODUCING MANAGERS available information that enables them to recall to mind the name of Tom Westinghouse, the efficient agent, who planted those front page advance notices and judicious billing that kept ‘“‘Happyland”’ playing to S. R. O. audiences for a long and prosperous season, thereby attracting the attention of less fortunate managers. The Billboard Publicity Promoters—What They Say and Do column is open to any reputable agent willing to co-operate with the editor in making it an indispensable factor in imparting information in the form of interesting news that will keep the fraternity posted on the activities of Publicity Promoters. News contributors are not obliged to use the paid ad directory, but if they appreciate the importance of a “Ready Reference Guide” that producing managers can consult when they require an agent, the progressive fellow will see the advantage that he will have over the negligent fellow who leaves managers to guess the name and address of the agent who advanced ‘‘Happyland,"* This column was originally intended for Press and Advance Agents only, but from now on will ihelude Advertising Agents of theaters, for the reason that they are closely affiliated with Press and Advance Agents; therefore the directory will be divid by captions, viz.: PRESS AGENTS, ADVANCE AGENTS, ADVERTISING AGENTS. ADVANCE AGENTS seeking engagements can have ‘‘At Liberty’® under attraction. HOUSE AGENTS can have name of ‘‘House’’ under attraction and name of ‘“‘Town” un address. e THE RILLROARD, when desired, can be used as an address for mail, which will be forded as per directions of advertisers. re DDRESA ALL COMMUNICATIONS for Publicity Promoters—What They Say and Do and Agents’ Directory to ALFRED NELSON, The Billboard, 1493 Broadway, New York, N. Y, PUBLICITY PROMOTERS’ DIRECTORY THE BILTLROARD TUR. CO., 1493 Broadway, New York, N. Y.: Dear Sir—Enclosed find Post Office Money Order for $4.00. Payable to The Billboard Publishing Company. Kindly insert my ad in voce ~~ emma Directory for five issues, commencing.......... gn eee ee ee eee Pee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee ee ADVERTISING COPY ADVERTISING RATE—S0c for each issue. No ad accepted for less than five issues. Pay able in advance, NAME ATTRACTION MAIL ADDRESS SE Ree HAE EEE HOH SOHOS SEO OSHS EESHSEOEEHHESHEOSHHSTHGHE OS EHEHEHOSEEHTESEEH HSS HSH EHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEESEOS eeeeeseee RRR OOOO REO EE EERE HEHE EHH ERE HEHEHE OE EEO EH EEE EE EEE EEE EE EEHE HEHEHE HEHE HEHEHE EES you boys rewember when we used to put up American plan hotels, two in a room, for a dé lar a day each? 4 “* ‘Say, Sam,’ replied J. T., ‘one doesn’t had to be an antediluvian to recall those days; eve in my young life 1 remember ‘em.’ “"What's that got to do with prohibition spoke a stranger who seemed to be much i terested in the conversation, “**You mean just what's prohibition got do with the vrevaleut high prices, don't yout suggested Jimmie. “Then waxed a lively discussion on the su ject, ‘Broudway as it was, as it is now, an may hereafter become.” But inasmuch as Th Billboard is not the Congressional Recoy (thank God), we shall have to forego ‘he pleat ure of reporting the debate herewith.” | CIRCUS PICKUPS (Continued from page 56) E “Bushie’’ Miller and Hilda and found th real folks. te. Just to keep in condition Ed Holland, f old young circus agent, is walking in the wo gear his rural home in Haworth, N. J.. a has accumulated quite a pile of stove w Ed says it is fine exercise and he can swing ax with almost youthful viger, He can @ some yet, as some of the Main show boys bear testimony. Congratulations on the Christmas issue The Billboard. It was a magnificent issue. A best wishes, 2 Merry Christmas and Happy Ne¥ Year to the thousands who read these Pick each week. Charles Batchel, who bad the band with t Main Show last season, and who spent a f weeks in Baltimore after the show closed, now at his home in Canton, O., for the remaf der of the winter. Bob Denmead, after a eu cessful season with the Sparks Show, is putti in the holidays at his old home in Baltimore a wil] leave for the South after the new year. Spent a pleasant Sunday with Java Koha and wife, and Java tukes as naturally to ss ry baby carriage as the ‘‘daddy"’’ of a big family In company with Harry Coy they are engaget in the electrical business, and Java will not with the Sparks Show next season. Ralph Somerville, who was in charge of thy candy stands with the Main Show last seasong is spending the time, till the first of the year. at his heme in Medina, N. Y. He will be ba in Havre de Grace, Md., early in January. Elmer Meyers, a former Walter L. Main side show ticket seller, has just closed a successfuh season with the Gentry Show and is spending the winter at his home in Lancaster, Pa. . F £ i “* ‘Speaking of the good old days,’ said I, 7 et His many wusicion friends in the circus busty ness will be glad to learn that Roy Trovuty, wha) is an inmate of the Sanitarium near Baltimore, has so far improved as to be readr to sign for next year, and in all probability will be Playing solo clarinet with the Main band eam other season. Jerome Harriman, who was superintendent o tickets with the Main Show last season, was al™ visitor at the Main’s Show quarters, and disappointed the bunch by not bringing Mrs. Harriman with him. Jerome is living in Baltimore. During the day he can be found is charge of the candy department at Bernheim it Bros.’ big department store. Had a long letter from H, I. (Tke) Ellis, whe is living in retirement temporarily at his home in Lancaster. 0. of the center of town, tbree doors from the city hall, three blocks from the railroad depot and @ block from the interurban station, and he hasty Plenty of coal in the cellar. so what more cap en old trouper want? But he is going out nezt@ spring as contracting agent with one of old favorites and in contracting Ike shines. CONCERNING LEAPERS (Continued from page 55) Fred O’Brien: so this explains my interest to Marriages (Continued from page 42) a nonprofessional, were married on December 25 in New York. MAHON-KENNEDY—Jasbo Mahon, blackface eomedian, and Olive Kennedy, both with Gatdiner’s “Ragtime Revue,"’ were married December 14 at Bartlesville, Ok. LUX-JORGENSEN—Artbur Lux, electrician with 'the ‘“‘Dear Me’ Company, and Julia Jorgensen were married in Youngstown, O. MELS-MILES—Irving Mels, a violinist, and Ruth Miles, the youngest principal of the “Passing Show of 1920," eloped a short time ago and were married. PHILLIPS-SEYMOUR—Leon Phillips and Dolly Seymour, both with the W. I. Swain Show Co., were married at Dallas, Tex., a few days ago. WALLACE-DAVIS—LeRey Wallace, bdlacke face comedian, and Alberta Davis were ma@fried November 24 in Indianapolis, Ind. WINSTON-THOMAS—Eric 8S. Winston, former Harvard athlete, and Diane Thomas, for merly on the stage under the name of Diane Oste, were married December 9 in New York. Births To Mr. and Mrs. Herman Paley, a girl Dte cember 1. Mr. Paley is connected with Jerome H. Remick & Co., music publishers. ; To Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hall, a boy, Noveme ber 8, in Chicago. Mr. Hall is a vaudeville arte ist. To Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Geisea, a girl, at their home in Oakland, Cal., a =. <t time ago. Mr, Geisea is a booker of road attractions in the far West. To Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Loftus (Raymond and Lynn), a son, November 29. To Mr, and Mrs. Sidney Jarvis, a son, a short time ago. Mrs, Jarvis is known professivnally as Virginia Dare. 3 Te RABI te) sila CE SE hs aati as ic. Ike lives within half a block® — ae al a pty a ORBLE SEE Circa % ea * es = i aalilicadl gO ES i tM \ en Pk ee oe potas a meaty PA ates ah Dae ary ade EO wey py ere Soalld, ut