The Billboard 1922-11-18: Vol 34 Iss 46 (1922-11-18)

114 The Billboard NOVEMBER 25, i922 DEATHS In the Profession BLISS—Mre. James A., believed to have been a former actress, died November 14 in Zanesville, O. Death was sudden and is believed to bave n due to natur ,uSeR BRANDT—Muriel, former actress a | te life Miss Kathleen Smoot, of Boston, died two weeks ago in a bospital in Syr se, N. Y. Miss Brandt was possessed of property xed «at $50,000, had received $500 in cash two weeks previous to her demise, but she died of starvation. Her death is believed to have been deliberate, due to obsessions of a disordered mind CARLEY—Victor, French St. Josephs Sanitarium, November 5. He was well kn stage CARRELL—The father of Mr. Carrell, of the ne, died in Diego, Calif., pn the concert Carrell Vaudeville Agency, of Ch cago, died at bis home n Osweg han last W k CHIRGWIN—Chirgwin, known in Europe as The Whit fir’’, tho white man, died in London, England, November 13 CONDES—\ ichvlas, 35, and his son, Henry Condes. 14, were instantly killed the night of November 15, when the automobile in which they were riding was struck by a west-bound passenger train at the crossing on the Weeds port-Cato road, one mile north of Weedsport, N. ¥. Mr. Condes built and conducted a p cture theater in Fort Byron, N. ¥. He resided at 222 North street, Auburn CRAWFORD—aArthur, actor and author, died suddenly in New York City November 14. Mr Crawford was born in Montreal, Can., fifty-five years ago and was a graduate of Lincoln College, Svrel, Que., and of the Royal Military College, Kingston, Ont. For four years, from 1892 to 1806, he appeared with various theatrical productions, nel ng ‘“Dartmoore’ and “A Night Off’. Follov z: his retirement from the stage he had been ¢ red in writing humorous c¢, Judge and other like material for Life, Pu , publications. Heleaves his widow and son Artbur, Jr., who reside at 2432 Webb avenue, the Bronx, N. Y. CROOK—Jobn, composer-conductor, died in London, England, recently. Mr. Crook composed many musical plays besides the incidental music for *‘Peter Pan’’, ‘‘Rosy Rapture’’, ete. FISHER—Harry, widely known dialect come@ian, died of cancer the evening of November 18 at Calvary Hospital, New York. He was 73 years old and was born in New York, of Swiss parentage. For 38 years he played under the management of Ned Harrigan, of Harrigan & Hart. He is survived by a son, Frank Fisher; daughter, Ethel Mary Fisher, and five grandchildren. Funeral services were held under auspices of the Actors’ Fund and the Elks. Fisher was on the stage for 58 years, but in recent years had been inactive. He began his career as an Irish comedian, but Ned Harrigan cast bim in German dialect parts, in which be excelled. iN MEMORY OF MY DARLING HUSBAND, BOBBY FOUNTAIN Whe passed on November 20, 1920. To me, sweetheart, you are mot gone. Deep down within my soul ¢ hold thee, thee, still my own, And seek with thee heavenly goal SUNSHINE FOUNTAIN, FOX—Richard K., editor and publisher of the internationally-known sport publication, The Police Gazette, died at Red Bank, J., November 14, after a year's illness. He became Publisher of The Police Gazette in 1875, the publication at that time being devoted to crime and criminals. His widow, daughter and three eons survive * GILCHRIST—William Forrest, 82, formerly a prominent New York dramatic critic, an editor and a writer on thestrical subjects, died at the Pringle Mcmor'al Home, Poughkeeps'e, N. Y., November 11. The deceased joined The New York Herald in 18°90. Later he held editorial positions on various theatrical journals, follow'ng which he served as dramatic critic on The New York Stor. Evening Telegram, Sunday Herald, Times, World and other New York dailies. He was also a lecturer and author of many articles relating to art. The deceased came of an old New York family. His wife died many years ago. No immediate relatives survive him. Funeral services were held November 14. GREEN—Burton, 48, musician, composer and husband of Irene Franklin, died November 17 at his home in Mount Vernon, N. Y., after an illness of nearly four years, which began while he and his wife were entertaining the soldiers overseas during the war Burt Green was born in Michigan. He met Irene Franklin fifteen years ago and became accompanist for her. Soon afterward they were married and were never separated. They played together always, Irene Franklin writing the lyrics and Burton Green the music of all their songs. Their devotion made them a conspicuous couple on the stage. Besides his wife Mr. Green is survived a two daughters, Margaret, 13, and Elizabeth, HAVEN—Margaret, singer, died November 14, HKERBERT—Charies, 82, dramatic actor for many vears, died November 16 at the State Hospital, Central Islip, L. I., and was buried in a plot provided by the Actors’ Fund. For many years the deceased had been a member of the Phillips Stock Company in Brooklyn, and had also been with various other dramatic . organizations, Following the death of his wife, Helen D. Herbert, in 1912, Mr. Herbert, who bad no other relatives living, became despondent aud was sent to the Brunswick Home. Amityville, L. I. About a year ago, when physicians discovered that the old actor had hecome mentally deranged, he was sent to Central Islip. His body was placed in a grave beside that of his wife HOBLITZELLE—Georg: Fnapp, prom'‘nent in amusement circles in Texas and adjoining States, died in St. Lonis two weeks ago. Mr. Hoblitzelle was a brother of Karl Hohblitzelle, of Dallas, Tex., president of the Interstate Amusement Company. Funeral services were held November 8 at his late bome on Ellenwood avenue, St A s JOHNSON—The mother of Fred E. Johnson, anager of thé Court Theater, Wheeling, a., died November 7 at the home of her daughter, Mre. E. FE. Cleveland, in St. Paul, Minr She was 76 years old EKESNER—Doris, 26, a promising St. Louis singer, ded in that city November 2. Mrs. Kesner bad a fine soprano voice. She was heard last season as soloist with the St. Laonis Symphony Orchestra and in other concerts in that city LANDRY—tThe father of Art Landry, died November 11 at hie home in Minneapolis, Minn., at the age of 75. He was a famous opera singer in his day, and was also a vocal teacher. LEVEY—Louis (Nick). known in carnival circles, died in Baltimore November 10. in Mt. Sterling, Ky., and early in life was a newspaper reporter. Later he became a circus and theatrical publicity man and « manager. Associated with Charles Hoyt, playwrigbt, he produced “A Tin Soldier’, “A Hole ia the Ground”, ““A Brass Monkey"’ and other productions which earned comfortable fortunes for both. For twenty-five years Mr. McKee was trustee of the Actors’ Fund of America. At one time he owned the Park and Savoy theaters in New York. His first wife was Isabelle Coe, an actress, who died in 1918. He then married a Mrs. A. F. Cammeyer, widow of a shoe manufacturer, who survives him. Funeral services were held November 15 in the Church of All Angels, New York. MEYER—Joseph ‘‘Dutch"’, concessionaire employed by Frank C. Pope on the Majestic Expo. sition Shows, died suddenly in a hotel in Swainsboro, Ga., November 13. An effort is being made to locate relatives of the deceased. The remains were held in a Swainsboro undertaking establishment for three or four days, but it is believed that they were interred about Friday of last week. _ NELLO—The mother of Edward Nello, of the Juggling Nellos, died October 29 at her home in New Bedford, Mass., at the age of 70. FRANK BACON RANK BACON, one of America’s most beloved actors, is dead. The creator of thet famous character, Lightnin’ Bill Jones, passed away Sunday morning, November 19, in his suite at the Del Prado Hotel, Chicago, Mr. Bacon was born in Marysville, Calif., January 16, 1864, the son of Lyddall Bacon and his wife, Jane, whose maiden name wag McGren. He was married to Jennie Weidman June 27, 1885. Lloyd Bacon, a son, is in film work in Los Angeles. The deceased received his education in San Jose, Calif. When fourteen years old he left school, and became, in the order named, a sheep herder, an advertising solicitor, newspaper editor and candidate for the California Assembly. He was also interested in photography. Defeated in his aspirations for political honors, Mr. Bacon turned to the stage, becoming a member of a dramatic stock company in San Jose, Calif., in 1890. With that company his first role of any prominence was that of Twitchell, in ‘“‘Ten Nights in a Barroom"’. It is eaid that Bacon's en thusiasm for the stage began to lax after he had been with the San. Jose company for a while, but upon seeing the great tragedian, Edwin Booth, he was so fired with his old zeal for the stage that he decided to remain. Soon he graduated into repertoire and barnstorming stock companies, and finally went to the Alcazar Theater in San Francisco, remaining there until the great earthquake. For seventeen years Mr, Bacon played on the West Coast, and was seen in more than 600 parts. He was then engaged by Cohan & Harris, and toured as Sam Grabam, in “The Fortune Hunter’, for three years. He made his first appearance on a New York stage at the Gaiety Theater December 25, 1912, as William Carr, in “Stop Thief’. He played Hiram Higgins in “‘The Miracle Man’? at the Astor Theater, New York, in September, 1914; Bill Jones, in ‘‘Me and Grant’’, at the Shubert, Newark, N. J., December, 1914; Jerry Primrose, in ‘‘The Cinderella Man"’, at the Hudson Theater, New York, in 1916; Andrew MacKenna, in ‘Barbara’, at the Plymouth Theater, New York, November, 1917. He also appeared in ‘Primrose’, “Puddin’-Head Wilson”, ‘“‘Alabama’’, and others. He opened in “‘Lightnin’” at the Gaiety, New York, August 26, 1918, Frank Bacon not only created the title role of “‘Lightnin’’, but in collaboration with the playwright, Winchell Smith, wrote the piece. He had literally lived the part of Lightnin’ Bill Jones for thirty years Defore he was able to interest anybody in the play. Gossip says that one day John Golden asked Winchell Smith to go over the play with Mr, Bacon and whip it inte shape, adding quizzically that if he didn’t do it Mr. Golden would never have any peace. Immediately after it was produced by Golden, Bacon leaped into international fame, retaining this renown until his death. A pathetic feature of Mr. Bacon's professional life was the fact that his record-breaking success did not come to him until he was a grandfather, or about three years ago. Before that he had fought the hard grind of a stock actor and had sha red in all of the vicissitudes of the struggling actor. He and Mrs. Bacon at one time worked as a team in vaudeville, Mr. Bacon, besides his co-authorship of “Lightnin’’, was part author (with James Montgomery) of ‘“‘Me and Grant’’, and (with Freeman Tilden) of “Five O'Clock”. He was sole author of ‘‘Everybody’s Friend’’, He was a member of the Lambs’, Players’, Green Room and Friars’ clubs of New York. Frank Bacon was unanimously called the successor of the late Joseph Jefferson. Tlis name will ever be prominently identified with the play, ‘“‘Lightnin’"’’, as long as it lasts, and will afterward be placed in that hall of fame that exists in the hearts of the lovers and admirers of all great Thespians. A tribute paid to the memory of him by Ashton Stevens, in The Chicago Herald and Examiner, and which is a fair estimation of the worth of this sterling char acter, reads in part as follows: “Frank Bacon was a sweet-souled, simple old gentleman of the theater—not toc sweet nor too much of the theater. It was the drop of acid in his character of Lightnin’ Bill Jones that kept it from souring, and it was hig interest in other things than his part that kept his acting fresh. “He lived ‘Lightnin’’ three hours a night and two matinees a week, but the rest of the time he was the same lovable, lazy, story-telling kind of a fellow he was twenty years ago in San Francisco, when he and the local critics—I was one— got $30 a week, and the overpaid drama critics couldn’t ‘see’ the genius of the un derpaid stock actor, “He didn’t want to live his part twenty-four hours a day. . . . He liked the part of Bill Jones, of course. He wrote it because he liked it. And Winchell Smith collaborated on ‘Lightnin’’ largely because he liked Bacon. Smith had just made a fortune on ‘Turn to the Right’, and could afford to like and help a friend. Anyway, he is that sort of man. .. “He (Bacon) had a real sense of ‘humor, which is to say he could laugh a8 ” heartily when the joke was on himself. MATTFELDT—Augnst D., 42, of Brooklyn, N. Y¥.. died in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., November 14, of heart trouble. Mr. Maitfeldt was a partner in the Universal Theaters Concession Company, of Chicago, which firm controlled all of the concessions on the Columbia Burlesque Wheel theaters. He also owned a chain of retail candy stores and was one of the founders of the old Empire Theatrical Circuit. He was active in fraternal affairs, having been a 32d Degree Mason and a Shriner. Mr. Mattfeldt was born in St. Lou's. His widow survives. Temporary interment was in a receiving vault in Rose Hill Cemetery, Chicago, tn Appreciation and Deep Sympathy to My Employer for the Past Ten Years, A. MATTFELOT, Who passed this life in Kansas City Noveme ber 14. 1 ° EARL SAUNDERS. Phila. Casine Theatre Concession Manager. McKEE—Frank, 62, veteran publicity man, theater manager and owner, died the night of November 13 at his home, 260 West Seventy. secoud street, New York. Mr. McKee was born OLLIVE—Mack, English comedian, died at Norwich, Eng., November 4. OULETTE—Joliquet, 72, father of George Oulette, well known in Canadian theatrical circles, died in Ottawa recently. Funeral services and interment took place in that city. PERRIN—Emile, president of the Lafayette Theater property in New Orleans, died in that city two weeks ago at the age of 69. Death was due to a stroke of apoplexy. Mr. Perrin was a highly successful real estate dealer. RINGLE—The mother of Dave Ringle, died recently. SKELTON—William D., 60, brother of Harry Skelton, who is a well-known New York shows wae, one suddenly in New York City Novemper 11. THORNTON—James C., who erected Thornton's Theater in Riverpoint, R. I., about twelve years ago, and who had successfully conducted stock productions, vaudeville shows, and later pictures in that house, died at a hospital in Providence November 11, Mr. Thornton was interested in athletics and for many years was part owner of Pastime Park, Providence. VERNEY—Jean, brother of Max Dearly, the French comedian, died at Colombes, France, recently. edie | WRIGHT—William Lyndon, organist o¢ Westminister Presbyterian aan yout N. Y¥., died last week. He was at one tims organist of New York University, where he ais had charge of the musie department, und he founded the Folk Lore Trio, of which hy was the pianist. In addition to this he haq . posed a number of works, including ‘The Open Sea’’, which was recently chosen in @ eomn.ti tion of composers from all over America +, be sung at the American Music Festival in Byy MARRIAGES _ In the Profession AMSDEN-KOUNS—Sherman Colver Amsden, of Chicago, and Nellie Kouns, well-known con— rg o bag secretly ae September n St. Paul's Protestant iscopal Cathe Buffalo, N. Y. ’ . eal, EGGENA-GOMBELI—It was learned last week that Minna Gombeli, one time leading woman of a stock company in Syracuse, N. Y.. was secretly married last July, in Atlanta, Ga. to Ferdinand Eggena. Miss Gombeli was formerly the wife’ of Howard Rum ey, who sybsequently married Florence Eldridge. FARRELL-ENNIE—Edward Purcell Farrell, associate editor of The Morning Telegraph was married November 14 to Florence Edith Ennie of Saratoga Springs, N. Y. , GRIFFEN-KIRKLAND—Chick Griffen, blackface comedian and eccentric dancer, and Gladys Kirkland, chorus girl, both with Pete Bybee’s ‘‘The Folly Revue"’, were married on the stage of the Lyric Theater, Anniston, Ala. November 1%. HALLARKER—Priscilla Parker, niece of Mile. Doree, with whom she bas appeared, was married in New York City November 1 to Philip F. Hall, a nonprofessional. HANNEFORD-BREEN — George Hanneford, actor and brother of ‘‘Poodles’’ Hanneford, and Catherine Breen, of the Breen Family. were married at the Church of the Transfiguration (The Little Church Around the Corner), New York, November 14. HEERMANN-O DAY—Walter Heermann, cellist in the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and brother of Emil Heermann, concertmaster of that organization, and Marguerite O'Day, classic dancer, were married in Chicago November 13. Last summer Mr. Heermann conducted tbe orchestra at the Cincinnati Zoo and Miss 0'Day was a dancer in the operatic productions staged there. It was while thus engaged that the couple first met. Mr. Heermann is also a teacher at the Cincinnati College of Musie. HERRICK-DALBERG—Howard Herrick. press representative of ‘“‘The Yankee Princess", now laying at the Knickerbocker Theater, New fork, was married November 11 to Mrs. Dorothy de H. Dalberg, of Philadelphia. HUFF-CONROY—L. Uriless Huff, business manager of the J. Doug Morgan No, 2 show, and Eileen Patsy Conroy, ingenue with the same company, were married in the First Presbyterian Church, Troup, Tex., November 16. JENNINGS-BARLOW—Floyd Jennings, of Atlanta, Ga., and Bernice Barlow, formerly together in vaudeville, were married in Atlanta November 6. Miss Barlow has been in vaudeville the past three seasons, part of the time doing a single. Mr. Jennings was a professional but a short time when he retired’ to go into bes'ness in Atlanta. Miss Barlow will also retire. Mct HERSON-HEWETT — Albert McPherson and Maggie Hewett, the latter also known as Maggie Maro, both members of the colored minstrel show with the Just Right Shows, were married on the stage during the minstrel performance at Williston, Fla., November 8. MEGETTE-ERNESTO—A. G_ Megette and Edith Ernesto, both of the Ringling Bros.Barnum & Bailey Circus, were married in New York City November 11. Mr. Megette is a member of the Wild West show, and bis bride a member of the Ernesto riding act. MEROLA-DAVIS—Tommy Merola and Eva Davis, members of the Lyric Musical Comedy Company, were married in Vancouver, B. ©., November &. MULLER-STAUCH—Grover F. Muller, well known in hotel and theatrical circles, and Mrs. Matilda Stauch, divorced wife of Louis Stauch, Coney Island (N. Y.) restaurant proprietor, were married November 19, in Baltimore, Md, E. J. Cline, treasurer of the Academy of Music, Baltimore, was best man. The couple will go to Hatana for their honeymoon. They will reside in New York City. REED STRAUS—Marjorie C. D. Straus, an actress of Hollywood, Calif., and Captain Ian Francis Tremaine Reed, of 176 W. 87th street, New York, were married in the latter city last week. SCHENCK-LUBIN—Moe Schenck, of the Loew Circuit book'ng staff, was married in New York City November 8 to the daughter of J. Lubin, the Loew booking chief. SHEFTALL-GRIFFIN—Joseph G. Sheftal!. 34. colored, of Savannah, Ga., manager and owner of the “Creole Fashion Revne’’, a Negro dancing and singing act, and Ida Griffin, of Indianapolis, his leading lady, were married recently in Buffalo, N. Y. STRASSER-DEVERFAUX — May Devereaux, of the ‘‘Make It Snappy’’ Company, now playing in Boston, was married recently in Providence, R. I.. while the show was fill’ng i's engagement there, to Philip Strasser, a ¢ cat manufacturer, of Denver. The marriage became known last week when the husband ‘‘kidnaped” his bride and took her to New York City. COMING MARRIAGES In the Profession _ It is announced that Wallace Ford who plays the role of Abie in ‘‘Abie’s Irisb Rose’, at the Republic Theater, New York, and Martha Agnes Haworth, of Cleveland, O., fermeriy © member of the same Ky y, are to be marri in Cleveland November 27, Mischa Elman, the violinist, and Miss Mildred Stone, his “ideal” bride, have decided to make their wedding day ecermmber 24 instead 2 waiting until next June as previously —.. Blossom Taylor, a former Keystone —onetee girl, bas gone to Honolulu, where it is reporte she will.become the bride of Lieutenant Com meander E. W. Peterson, U. S. Navy. « To a190 ‘a 91977 'dT .ae \§ weer oS ow Ge * ee za. onli