The Billboard 1922-04-15: Vol 34 Iss 15 (1922-04-15)

oe etre nF a RE A Te iy A RT mse Tlalpan? Tan a Ahi ay 106 The Billboard APRIL 15, 1922 DEATHS In the Profession ‘ BENSMAN—Matteo, composer, dicd of heart failure in New York City Apri) 8. His inability to meet the demands of the Musicians’ Union, for advance payment for a concert he was to have given the night of April 9 at Carnegie Hall, is believed to have brought on the attack which resulted in death. This was to have been his first appearance as a conductor in the United States and he was to have played his symphony with an orchestra of eighty pieces. Instead of own concert @ memorial concert was arranged for the {th at Carnecie Hall in his memory. Mr. Bensman was a Russian, 45 years old, and had written music which had been popular in Europe. He won the gold international medal at Milan in his BIDWELL—Mrs. Elanorah, mother of Walter Bidwell, musical director, died at her home in Dennison, 0., April 4, of heart failure. She is survived br a son and three daughters. BOYD—William, 60, colored showman, died at his home, 317 N. Central avenue, Lima, 0., of beart trouble. He leaves a widow and one son. CLAIRE—Nel! V., of the vaudeville team of Gardner and Ciaire, dropped dead of heart failure just after finishing her act in a theater at Muskogee, Ok. Miss Claire was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Johm Mullen, of New York. Her father is advertising manager for A. H. Woods. The remains were shipped from Muskogee and arrived in New York April 7. Fumeral services held April 7 at St. were Malachy’s Church, New York, April 8. COLLINS—Chariles, 49, stage manager of the Boro Park Theater, Brookiyn, died Apri] 5 at the Methodist Hospital, that city. Mr. Collins had been identified with Brooklyn theaters for a number of years. He was a past president of Brooklyn Lodge No. 30, T. M. A.; past grand vice-president of the grand lodge of that order and was also past president of Brooklyn Lodge No 4, I. A. T. S. E. Funeral services were conducted from his late home in 143d street by the T. M. A., and interment was in Evergreen Cemetery CRIMMINS—Danie!, ~stage manager of the Empire Theater, Lawrence, Mass., died suddenly April 4 of heart failure. For the past twelve years Mr. Crimmins had been in the employ of Messrs. Toomey and Demuca, theater owners. He worked at the old Nickel Theater in Lawerence as stage manager, and, when that playhouse was merged into the Empire, assumed the same duties there. He was'a member of the Stage Hands’ Union, Lawrence dge 65, B. P. ©. E., Foresters of America and Lawrence Aerie 215, F. 0. E. Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s R. C. Church and interment was in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. The deceased was very popular in his home city and his funeral was one of the largest ever held there. , DAILEY—wWill R., oldtime repertoire and vaudevilie actor and former theatrical agent in San Francisco and Denver, died in St. Vincent's Hospital, San Francisco, of influenza and re sulting complications. At one time Mr. Dailey owned and published The California World, a local theatrical paper, and was the proprietor and manager of The Daily Players, playing re)retoire in opera houses on the Coast. He also managed a dramatic etock company with Billr Elwood in the late "90s. At the time of his death Mr. Pailey was. representing the Bert Levey Circuit of vaudeville houses in Los Angeles. He was rushed to San Francisco, but efforts to save his life were fruitless. He is survived by a widow, professionally known as May Nannery, and a son, Kenneth Dailey, in the box-office at the Columbia Theater, San Francisco. FISHER~—<Ade'bert H.. president of the Fisher Features, Inc., motion picture producers, died at his home in New Rochelle, N. ae March 31. Mr Fisher was born in Germany 57 years ago and came to this country when a young man. GARDNER—Mrs. Gertie, 52, died March 30, at the Robert D. Green Hospital, San Antofio, Tex., of cancer. Mrs. Gardner entered the ebow world at the age of 14, touring the West as “Millie, the Colorado Girl’, doing fancy shooting and club swinging in vaudeville theatefs, under the name of Mlle. Prostetta. She toured the middie and Eastern States with a number of trained horses. She became the wife of Fred 8. Lewis, and together they fommed the Lewis Trans-Continental Shows, which they operated successfully until Mr. Lewis’ death, about seven years ago. Later she married James Gardner, blackface comedian, with whom she toured South Texas in vaudeville, She leaves a husband and one sister. GEORGE—Frank P., colored, 48, died at the Provident Hospital, Chicago, March 25. He wae interested in dramatic and musical activities apd was an actor of ability. GRANT—Wwm. F., 72, well known to stage folk in Indianapolis, Ind., died recently at the home of his sister in Chicago. The body was taken to Indianapolis. Mr. Grant was for many years stage carpenter and scene builder for the English and Grand theaters in Indianapolis. HARMOUNT—Albert Luther, 68, who with his sons had, for the past 18 yedrs, managed Harmount’s ‘“‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin'’ Company, died at his home in Williamsport, 0., last week. Early in his life Mr, Harmount was a blacksmith and woodworker. He leaves four sons, C. T., George R. and D. C. Harmount, of Williamsport, and Charles B. .Harmount, of Middletown, and two daughters, Mrs. J. J. Peters, of New York City, and Mrs, Anna Cherry, of Williamsport. His remains were laig to rest April 8, in Spring Lawn Cemetery, in his home town, HODGDON—Samuel K., died in New York City April 5. See page 11 of this issue for complete details. HOGAN—Frank M., ticket seller with the Ringling Bros-Barnum & Bailey Circus, died at the Bellevue Hospital, New York, Apri] 2, of peritonitis. He is survived by a mother and several brothers and sisters. Funeral services were held from a chapel on West 29th street. HUMPHREY—Capt. M. W., father of Jean Young atd known in the profession, died at his home, 2925 E. Congress street, Detroit, March sl JOHNSON—Fred H., whose name for the past ten years has graced various lyceum and chau tauqua Musical organizations, died in North Platte, Neb.. March 10 In 190% he made his home at Perry, la., and traveled out of that city until] December 22, 1921, when he located at North Platte, where he made his home and where he was in the piana-tuning business. He had a rich tenor voice, which was very highly cultivated, having taken a voice course at Drake University, Des Moines, Ia. He was a member of the Episcopalian Church, and sang in the North Platte choir since locating there. He recently rehearsed for a part in a local musical comedy production, but illness prevented his appearing when the show was staged. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was buried with Masonic honors, with the Knights Templar in full uniform as _ pallbearers. His mother, Mrs. John Grant, lives at North Platte, and he leaves one sister. He was engaged to be married to Miss Florence Stamp, of his home city, and the time for the wedding had already been announced. He was born at Clinton, Mich., June 18th, 1885 KING—Stephen T., 57, theatrical manager, died April 4, in a New York hospital, after a brief illness. He was born in Gold Hill, Nev. After a brief career as a stock broker he entered the theatrical business. He managed *Wang'’ in 1892, directed several] of the Hoyt shows and was associated in the production of “The Highwayman’’, ‘“‘Colorado"’ and Sky Farm", the last with the late Joseph R. Grismer. IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY BELOVED WIFE, TINY LEONE Who passed on April #1, 1920. She made the world better by having lived In it. a et ED. WILLIAMS, —The sister and brother-inlaw o Mrs, Rex McCall, known professionally as Evelyn Kelley, died of the “‘flu’’ in a hospital in El Dorado, Kan., within a few minutes of each other, several days ago. They leave a four days old baby. Mrs, MeCall received the sad news too late to attend the double funeral. MARKS—Bennet, 88, the father of E. Marks, the music publisher, died at his home, 550 Rivers'de Drive, New York, April 3, after a brief illness. Mr. Marks was a Civil War veteran, beimg a member of the Provost Guard and at one time was a member of the Fire Department of Troy, N. Y Last November Mr. Marks celebrated the golden anniversary of his wedding. He is survived by a widow and four sons, Edward B., Max, So] and Mitchel 3s. MARSHALL—Adams, Wild West exhibition rider, was killed at Valentine, Neb., April &, when he fell beneath a Northwestern train. O'NEIL—Mrs. E. S., mother of Lorena O'Neil, of the “Breezy Bits Revue!’, died at her home, d 3133 Augusta avenue, Chicago, April 1. PAYNE—Alice, 54, formerly a member of the famous vaudeville act, Billy and Albee Payne, and who played at Tony Pastor's, Koster & Bial’s and Keith's old Union Square in the early ‘80s, died at the Manhattan State Hospital, New York, April 5. Mrs. Payne was born in Holyoke, Mass., and married Billy Payne in 1881, The team played every firstclass vaudeville house in this country, andi toured Europe in 1886. They remained together until 1908, when Mre, Payne's mind Secame unbalanced, and she was confined to the Stete Hospital. She is survived by a hushani, who is a resident guest at the Actors’ Fund Home at West Brighton, Staten Island. POTTS—Samuel W., 70, veteran electrical worker, and who had done considerable work backstage, died at his home in Salt Lake City April 1 of cancer. He leaves a widow, eight children and twenty-seven grandchildren. REED—Jack, former member of the Four Casters and later with the mechanical department of a number of roaq shows, died in the receiving ward of a hospital in Detroit April 6. Tlis professional friends took charge of the remains and made arrangements for the funeral. Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery, Detroit, April 10. He is survived by a brother. Further details of his death can be had by writing Elmer Schallhaas, care Burns Hotel, Detroit. SAMPSON—William, 63, prominent actor and a member of the cast of *‘The First Year’, now playing at the Little Theater, New York, died in that city April 5. Death was due to heart trouble, Mr. Sampson was born in Charlestown, Mass. After a few years in stock in Boston be joined the Augustin Daly Company. After ap pearing in the original company of “The Eas jest Way"? he played in “‘Young America", *“*‘Mile-a-Minute Kendall’, “The Hole in the Wall” and David Belasco's production of *‘Polly With a Past’. His depiction of the father role in “The First Year’? was ranked as one of the finest performances of this and last season, He was a member of the Lambs’ end Players’ ‘clubs. SCHMAL—Marion, better known in the show world as Princess Marion, or Princess Tiny Mite, died at her bome in Ft. Wayne. Ind., March 29. The deceased was a midget and had been avith the Ringling, Barnes and other circuses, besides a number of leading carnivals and fairs. She had signed to appear with the K. G. Barkoot Shows (carnival) this season. Surviving are her mother, stepfather, who traveled with her; four brothers and three gixters, H—*‘Sovereign’’, 81, of Manly, Sydney, Australia, died in that subufb January 3:. The deceased wore sovereign buttons on his (oat and half sovereigns on his west, hence the nickname, ‘Sovereign’. Years ago be purchasd a tract of iand on the prinelpal thorsfae in Manly and erected a mammoth carousel under @ permanent roof, and made many thousands in the venture. He had also been a prominent icture exhibitor in the early days of the film ustry. TRENARY—Mre. S. J., died at her home, 1324 Walnut street, Cincinnati, Apri) 1, of ralysis. She was the mother-in-law of Chas. Marlowe, well known in repertoire circles. Besides Mr. and Mrs. Marlowe she leaves Mr. and Mrs. Paddy Gordon and several other children, al} of whom are in the profession. Interment was in Manchester, O., her former home, April 5. TREVEY—J. R. (Jack), 18, died of diabetes. The de berland, Md., March 23, ceased was ipterested in theatricals, but his particular connection with the profession is not known to The Rillboard at this time. Funeral services were held from his home, S21 Maple street, Staunton, Va. He is gurvived by his parents and one sister. TRIPLETT—C. Don, Jr.. the month-old-son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Don Triplett, died at the Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, April 4. VINCENT—Theodore A., prominent cafe owner of St. Louis, Mo., and father of Mrs. Alma Ensko, of the Marlborough Revue, died in St. Louis March 26 after an illness of three weeks in Cum WILKENSON — “‘Ruddie’’, musician, died March 7 at Savannah, Ga., of pneumonia. Miss Wilkenson had been with several ladies’ or chestras and musical acts and, for the past eev eral seasons, in vaudeville. The body was eeteend to her home in Syracuse, N. Y., for urial. WILSON—Melville N.. aged musician, died suddenly in New York City April 6. He leaves several relatives in Akron, O. WINTER—Mrs. William, widow of the famous dramatic csitic, died in Los Angeles April 7 following an operation, according to telegraphic advices from that city. She was 81 years old and bad been in il] health for a long _ MARRIAGES In the Profession BRADY-BRADY—Thomas B. Brady, «tace manager of Keith's Theater, Atlantic City, N. J., and Florence Brady, vaudeville actress, were remarried in Portland, Me., March 29, after being divorced two weeks. They obtained their divorces in Cook County, T!! BLACK WALLER-O'DONNELL — Arthur Morris Blackwaller and Ione O'Donnell, both members of “‘The Rose o’' Washington Square" Com ny, Were married at Zanesville, 0., March 31. FRUDENFELD-HANSON—Arthur <A. Frudenfeld, former manager of the Orpheum Theater, Duluth, Minn., and who is to manage the World Theater, Omaha, Neb., which is echeauled to open April 15, and Auriel Hanson, of Battle Creek, Mich., were married at the bride's home March 10 JACKSON-GILRERTSON—Gustav E. Jackson, director of the Famous Melody Five, which ap ared at the New Lyric Theater, Duluth, Minn., ast week, and Marie Gilbertson, non-professional, of Duluth, were married last week in Minneapolis. LEDGETT-MONTGOMERY—Fred Ledgett, an equestrian director of tne John Robinson Circus, and Irene Montgomery, famous aerialist, were mafried in Peru, Ind., March 18. Mr. Ledgett is a survivor of the Hagenbeck-Wallace railtoad wreck horror of four years ago, near Hammond, Ind. Miss Montgomery is one of the most finished anc versatile artists of the circus world, having five different acts. She has been many seasons with the Sells-Floto Shows, also with the John Robinson Circus, PAUL-BERKIN—Mack Paul, former trouper with the Johnny J. Jones Exposition Shows, and Freda Herkin, non-professional, of 378 Montgomery street, Brooklyn, were married at the bride's residence recently. RUCKERT-BERG—Rwudolph Galena Ruckert, concert singer, and Mrs. Alice Gerhart Berg, widow of Herman Berg, were married in New York City April 9. Mrs. Berg's first husband was a member of the firm of George Borgfeldt & Company, of New York. SCHILDKRAUT PORTER — Joseph Schildkraut, star in the dramatic production, “*Lijiom", and Eleie Bartlett Porter, of New York City, were married in the City Hall, Philadelphia, April 7. Miss Porter studied for an operatice career in Paris but later decided to enter the dramatic field. She has appeared in support of Arnold Daly and also in ‘Three Live Ghosts’? and ‘Scrambled Wives". Me. Schildkraut appeared in a prominent role in D. W. Griffith's picture, “Orphans of the Storm”’. SHORE-WHITE—Ralph Shore, miusician, and Wealtha White, dancer, both members of the Miller Midway Shows, were married on the midway in Anadarko, Ok., March 29. COMING MARRIAGES In the Profession Helen Menken, who appeared in the stellar role of William A. Brady's play, ‘Drifting’, now closed, and Humphrey Bogart, who plays a part in “Up the Ladder’, also a Brady produc. tion, obtained a marriage license in New York City March 31, Audrey Munson, screen actress and artists’ model, has announced het engagement to Jos, J. Stevenson, of Ann Arbor, ich, wedding is eet for June or July. DIVORCES In the ‘Profession under his family name of obtained a divorce in Detroit March Oliver Morosco, Mitchell, 29 from Anna T. Mitchell. Moresco was married in Santa Ana, Cal., April 1 to Selma Daley, an actress, Sidney D. Mitchell, musical composer, filed sult in New York City. from Hilda D conduct. To Mr. and Mrs the Allegheny son, April 5, for divorce, Mitchell, on the grounds of mis Tom Waltham, April 6, at General Hospital, Pittsburg, a who has been named Clifford Brandsby. i, The mother is a well-known Pittsbur jeni under the name of Lydia Waltham 7 Paul Longone, secretary to Titta Ruffo, Chicago Opera Company baritone, was granted di. vorce in Chicago April 6. His wife ig known on the opera stage as Carolina White. At present she is with a picture company in Turin Italy Marie Sweeney Mills, vaudeville actress, ob, tained divorce in Chicago March 29 from “Dake” Mills, side-show manager with Patter. son's Trained Wild Animal Circus. Mrs, Frances E. Hoyle, vaudeville actress suing Walter G. Hoyle, stage band and sc expert, for divorce in Portland, Or¢ Hoyles bave been married since 1906, traveled together for some time and for the ‘pas: eral years bave been residing in Portland A suit for divorcee was filed a few days ago in Los Angeles by Josephine Banks Jones a former Mack Sernett bathing beauty from Richard Jones, director of Mabel Normand Vera White filed suit for divorce in Lo« Angeles recently from Joseph Everett, basing her suit on alleged cruelty. Mr. and Mre Everett 4 well known in vaudeville as Vera and Joe ite. On March 25 Walter D. Greene, e of the Lambs’ Club, New York, aa A ony Played in many Broadway productions, Procured an absolute divorce from Pear] Watkins Greepe professionally known as Affine Hamilton. at penceat Miss Hamilton is leading woman of the slaney Players at the Yorkville Theater, New “BIRTHS To Members of the Profession To Mr. and Mrs. George L. Crowder, a five. Pound daughter April 3 at their home in Cig. cinnati. Mr. Crowder will be with the Brown & Dyer Shows this season, managing some attractions. To Mr. and Mrs. Ray Fuller, a son, recently fo Melbourne, Australia. Mr, Fuller is connected with the office of Fuller's Theaters ip Melbourne. To Mr. and Mrs, Russel! G. Kuisely, in Akron, 0., March a son, Eugene Desmond. Mr. mary in proprietor and manager of the Neational Exposition Shows. To Mr. and Mrs. Luther Reed, a son, recently. Mrs. Reed is known on the screen as Naomi! Childers. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Astoria, at 306 sev N, Jackson street, Atlanta, Ga., April 8, a nine-pound daughter, who has been christened Betty Georgia. Mr. Astoria is a banjowt, has toured @ number of vaudeville circuits in this country and played extensively abroad. SIEGRIST & SILBON SHOWS To Open on Streets of Kansas City, Kan., April 22 : Kansas City, Kan., April 6.—The Siegrist & Silbon Shows are progressing rapidly in winter quarters, making ready for the opening, April 22, op the streets of the down-town district, under the auspices of the American Legion. This will be the first attraction to play the Streets of this city within the past eight years. Many new and novel attractions have beep added to the show. One special feature is 4 big Society Circus, presenting & dog, pony and monkey performance, intermingled with a number of high-class circus acts The big new side-show will be a beautiful attraction with 120-foot frontage, containing ten live pits. The show will travel on twenty cars, all freshly painted and lettered, with a novel Splash design bearing the title ‘“‘Biegrist & Silbon Shows", and will present handsome riding devices, twelve shows and two sensations! free acts—lrofessor Hugo's high dive and “Dare Devil Emmett’ in a “ride for life’, leaping: the-gap on a bicycle thru fire. Professor Leo Star's concert band has just completed its organization and will be one of the best bands of its size traveling. Sedimayr, general manager, has just returned from St. Louis, where he purchased a handsome 70-foot private sleeper. This car comPletes the show train Dan MacGogin has just returned from a trip in the interest of the organization. George Mooney, epecial rep Tesentative, is busily engaged in promoting & number of special features for the ‘‘Legion Exposition and Carnival’, which opens April 22 in this city, M, W. MeQuigg, general representative, informs the writer that the fair dates wi!l begin in July. As a special attraction in the cities played by the Slegrist & Silbon Shows a parade will be given once or twice a week, headed by a beautiful carved band wagon, drawn by four handsome draft horses and followed by parade Wagons which have been decorated by the arttist especially for this purpose Each wagon will represent one of the attractions to be found on the midway.—GEORGE MORRIS (Show Representative). POLACK BROS’ 20 BIG SHOWS Wallington, N. J., April 4.—The work of building up the Polack Bros.’ 20 Big Shows and perfecting the organization is progressing satisfactorily. After an absence of two weeks at Mobile getting the World at Home Shows under way, Irving J. Polack ia now back on the job instilling pep where there seemed already to be quite enough of that article. Wal ter White has lined up a string of highly desirable dates and is fully occupied with his committees and in traveling back and forth be tween the first towns that are to be played Walter L. Main is supplying the experience of years in the show business to make the Polack Bros." 20 Big Shows a real entertainment fea ture. F. P. Morency is expected in a few days to take over the duties of assistant mana ger. Merle Kinsel has shipped his rides from Hanover and wil] be prepared for business as soon as they arrive, having had them painted and generally overhauled during the winter. The winter quarters has taken on an air of activity that is gratifying to all concerned; it is not to be dispelled by inclement weather, for the large bul dings with their wide doorways and large windows make inside work 4 simple matter, There is also prevalent an air of gladness and a feeling of optimism.— N. J. SHELTON (Press Agent). : ei Mil ie. | il i ais te a OS ———<_ -— . -— | J