The Billboard 1923-12-08: Vol 35 Iss 15 (1923-12-08)

es ~~ 122 The Bi llboard DECEMBER 8, 1923 In the Profession ALPIN—Ernie, British vaudeville agent, died in London November 27 BALD —Stanley G., 37, died November 14 at Philadelphia, Pa He was one of the stage attaches at the Vorrest Theater. Interment was in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, BISSETT—Tommy. fiyman at the Orpheum, Paterson, N. J., died suddenly November 26 during the performance of the Dave Marion Show there of acute indigestion. He was jok ing with members of the company when he collapsed and died before a physician could be summoned. BYRON—Victor, British vaudeville gent, died November 16 in Bucharest, ENNA—Andreas, 77, of Copenhagen, Denmark, died November 7 in that city. He was the older brother of August Enna, the Danish composer, and father of Emil Enna, composerpianist and music critic, of Portiand, Ore.; Alex Enna, concert singer and teacher, of Green Bay, Wis.; Mrs. Harriet Enna King, concert singer, of Charleston, W. Va., and Aage Enna, language instructor. FISHER—W. R., died at Dallas, vember 19, after an Tex., Noillness of seven weeks, Mr. Fisher was a well-known concessionaire and had made the Western Canadian fairs for twenty years. He is survived by two children, Ross Fisher, of California, and Mrs. Calla Wendel, of St. Louis. Interment was in St. Louis. GILLILAND—James, 60, manager of a picture theater in Greensburg, Pa., was instantly killed in an auto collision on the Lincoln Highway, five miles from Greensburg, November 11. HARCOURT—William, 57, in private life William K. King, widely known actor and one of the original committee of five that worked out plans for the Actors’ Equity Association long before organization was effected, died November 27 at his home, 1 West Ninetyfourth street, New York City, as a result of a stroke of apoplexy that came on Monday night when he was on his way home in an elevated train. Mr. King came to New York from Tennessee when he was fifteen years old and immediately sought a stage engagement. His first role was as Romeo, with John Jacks, @ Shakespearean player of the days of Edwin Booth. Later he played with Frank Mayo, Viola Allen, Julia Marlowe and William Gillette, always under the management of Frohman ur Belasco. One of his notable appearances was ian the Gillette play, ‘‘Held By the Enemy”, in which he created the role of the Southern spy. He belonged to the Players’ Club and was a2 member of the board. He leaves a widow, Mrs. Alice Fischer Harcourt, known for many years on the stage as Alice Fischer. The funeral was held from his home Nevember 28 and services were conducted by the Rev. Karl Reiland. Burial was November 30 at Gallatin, Tenn., where Mr. King was born. HARMER—David, died November 16 at his home in Philadelphia. Mr. Harmer was connected with the Lubin Moving Picture Studio in Philadelphia until the time it went out of existence. HINKEL—Arthur, 51, an Indian vaudeville artiste, died November 9 at Picher, Ok., following a ~~ by the indoor circus there and in which was appearing, HOLM—Arthur, 71, long active in Akron, ., musical circles, died at his home there. He was secretary of the Ohio Singers’ Association from 1904 to 1922. KING—May 31, former dancer in Shubert attractions and wife of Jack Kearns, died November 22 at her home in Caldwell, N. J. She appeared in ‘‘Monte Cristo’’ and ‘“‘Cinderella on Broadway’’. EKNIGHT—Percival, 48, comedian and play wright, well known in the United States and England, died November 27 in Montreux, Switzeriand. He was born in Scotland and began his career at the age of eight as a prodigy boy soprano. He continued to sing until he was about 17 years old, when his voice broke and he turned to the stage proper. His early years were hard ones and he served three and a half years in Eastny Barracks as a private in the Royal Marine Artillery. Tpon his discharge he again turned to the stage and there followed tours thru the provinces that brought him some reputation and little money, but success came when he formed his own company, and in comic opera and musical comedy he journeyed to the Far East. He appeared with George P. Huntley in “Kitty Grey’ and in ‘The Three Little Maids’, He was seen as the Baron in “The Dollar Princess’’, but he made his first real hit as Peter Doody, the unlucky but merry jockey in ‘‘The Arcadians’’, last year he played the leading role in his own comedy drama, “‘Thin Ice’’, at the Comedy Theater. found him and brought him across the Atlantic in “Kitty Grey’’. He was a member of the Lambs’ Club. LEWIS—tlarry. Fnglish vaudeville comedian, died in London November 26. LOOP—Richard, 79, died November 26 at the Williamsport City Home, Williamsport, Pa. He was one of the greatest dancers and Dilackface comedians on the stage in his day. McNAUGHTON — Tom, husband of Alice Lioyd, well-known British actor, died tn YTondon November 28. He had been in a g¢anitarium for some time. MANSFIELD — Martha, 24, screen actress, died November 80 at San Antonio, Tex., of burns received during the filming of ‘‘The Warrens of Virginia” in sterred. Miss Mansfield was a star for the Fox Film Corporation and was widely known among picture folk and movie patrons. MELVILLE—Mrs, Julie, wife of Frederic Melvilie, illusionist, died November 26 at the Fifth Avenue Hospital, New York City, after undergoing a major operation She was in former years identified with all of the Charles A. Yale productions. MEROFF—Luba, 29, mother of Ben and Sonia Meroff, died November 20 in Philadelphia. Mrs Meroff appeared formerly in vandeville with which she was being ce), ANE wowurts ca. her son and daughter as Luba Meroff and Com puny. MEZGER—Helen Matthews, died November 23 at Chicago. For a season or two she was a member of the Seven Brown Sisters’ Musical Company and traveled extensively thruout the United States. She had also membership in the Barberton (0.) Ladies’ Band, Akron (0.) Ladies’ Band and was a member of Local 740, Kent Musicians’ Union, MILLS — Thomas L., a former drummer in John Philip Sousa’s Band, died suddenly early Sunday morning, December 2, while on his way to his home on Lindenwood avenue, Great Kills, Staten Island, frora the Great Kills Theater, moving picture house, where he played the cornet. The body was discovered on the lawn at 26 Neilson avenue, Great Kills, a short distance from hfs home, and was removed to the morgue by Dr. George P. Maud, deputy medical examiner, where it was identified by Miss Adrian Mills, who told the authorities her brother was a bachelor and 52 years old. Death was diagnosed as due to heart trouble. Mr. Mills was a member of Rouse Band when it made a trip around the world, NEEDHAM—Mike, veteran performer, dropped dead Sunday, December 2, in the Pennsylvania Station, New York City, as he was about to leave for Boston, Mass. He was one of the dancers in the vaudeville act ‘‘Tango Shoes’, the members of which were all oldtimers. Needham was 72 and is survived by his widow, who played in the vaudeville act with him, Funeral and interment in Philadelphia. O’DAY—Thomas, the man who, nearly twenty years ago, directed ‘‘Broncho Billy’’ Anderson in the first Wild West motion picture ever produced in the United States, and which was filmed at Niles Canyon, @ied recently, a victim of heart disease. O'Day was a wealthy real-estate operator, his pioneering in motion pictures not lasting long. Twelve years oe he promoted the Wolgast-Nelson prize fight in which Battling Nelson lost his light-weight champion title. PLANET—Daisy, aged 36 years, died in Kansas City, Mo., October 17, from a blood clot on the brain and was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery. She was of the well-known ring act, Planet and Planet, and was a real trouper. She is survived by her hus band, Lee Planet, and father, Andrew Hartman. POMPEF—William (Billy 'Sylavn), 48, died November 1 of tuberculosis at his home in San Antonio, Tex. He was well known in vandeville as a clever acrobatic dancer. He is survived by a wealthy sportsman. A car, known as the Wade Special, driven by Harlan Fengler, won fourth place in the Beverly Hills event WARING—Harry B., manager of the Raynor Repertory Company and well known in India and the Far East as an actor, died November 11 as a result of a motor car collision. WETHERALI—Frances, wife of H. R. nett, died in London, Eng., November 13. An actress of distinction and charm, she was, like her husband, long a member of Sir Frank Ben Hig son's Shakespearean companies and later a well-known West End player. WHITING—George Elbridge, 81, well-known organist of Boston and a'iso a composer, .teacher and conductor, died recently at his home in Cambridge, Mass. He was only thirteen when he made his debut as an organist. WILSON—Mrs. Harriette, 82, mother of Mrs. Harry Bolus of the vaudeville team of Harry and Kitty Bolus, died at her home in Butler, 0O., November 27. ‘OUNG—Charles W., 69, old-time minstrel, who retired from the stage a number of years ago, died November °29 in the Post-Graduate Hospital, New York, of heart disease, following an attack of pneumonia. He was born in Cincinnati and played with MHooley’s Minstrels, Ward & Vokes, with Edna May in ‘‘The Belle of New York’’, and later was stage manager for one of George M. Cohan's musical shows. He had been a member of No. 1 Lodge of Elks for forty-seven years. MARRIAGES In the Profession BELCHER-ERLER—George J. Belcher, 46, former proprietor of the Tannhouser Cafe, formerly a mecca for the many femous theatrical people who visited St. Louis, ma diss Hildegarde Erler, 27, of Staunton, Ill., were married recently. BERNARD-CANTRELL—Ed Bernard, trombonist at the King Theater, Greenville, Tex., and Lela Cantrell, of that city, were married November 21 in Greenvtile, Tex. BOHM-RAHN—Thelka M. Rahn, musician, of Edwardsville, Yl., and Master-in-Chancery Alvin C. Bohm, of the same city, were married November 24 at Edwardsville by the bride's father, the Rev. H. Rahn. CHAPLIN-RICKSEN—Syd Chaplin and Lacille Ricksen, both of the Thomas H. Ince Studios, Hollywood, Calif., were married re cently. CLAWSON-MILLER—Emma H. Miller, to the stage ‘‘Jane’’ Miller, recently appearing with ‘The Devil's Disciple’, and John Lewis Clawson, Buffalo merchant and banker, were married in New York November 28 at the home of the Rev. Dr. Samuel G. Trexler, 16 East 48th street. They left immediately after the cere GEORGE ARLINGTON Full details of the death of George Arlington, retired showman, will be found on page 4 of this issue. his widow, one brother and one sister, who all live ip San Antonie. SCHMOEGER—Paula May, the young daughter of Alvin L. Schmoeger, treasurer and general manager of The Musical Courier, died on the morning of November 20 at the Lutheran Hospital, New York, after an illness of two days SEGAL—Dr. Rernhard, 34, father of Vivienne, Louise and Vera Segal and uncle of Ida Segal, of Segal and Mack, died November 26 in Mt. Sinai Hospital, Philadelphia, after an tilness of six weeks. He was one of the founders of the hospital and former chairman of the board of managers. Dr. Segal’s three daughters are well known on the stage. He came to this country from Russia when twenty years of age, having completed hig course at the Polytechnic Institute in Russia. He was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in 1891 and first established his office at Fifth and Queen streets, Philadelphia, where he became a charity physieian, caring for the poor and needy without cha Later he acquired a reputation as @ children’s specialist. Besides his daughters he is survived by his widow, Mrs, Anna Segal. Lr a Te Fond, Loving Memory of GEORGIA WESTBROOK SWOR, Who passed on December 6, 1921. ROY ABNER DEE. ERS STUMPF—George, well-known boss hostler, with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus since 1918, and at one time with the Sells-Floto Circus, died suddenly of heart disease at his residence at West Baden, Ind., December 2. He was 55 years old TREADY — Mary (Tootie), actors’ boardinghouse keeper in Baltimore, died November 24. Tom Delaney, the well-known songwriter, and a niece from Chicago assisted in funeral arrangements URBAN—Mme operatic cently at Alice (nee Fleury), 80, an star of two generations ago, died re ) Munich, Bavaria. Born in New Orleans, where her vocal ability was discovered by a professional vocalist, Mme. Urban appeared on the leading American and European stages. VICTORINE—The mother of Myrtle and Mervyn Victorine died November 19 at her home in’ San Francisco. VINEYARD—Walter Scott, 42, who was a leading band teacher of Southern Tllinois, died November 30 after a prolonged illness. He is survived by a wife ind. two children, WADE — George ¥.. familiarly known as *“Daddy"’ Wade of the Ward and Wade Minstrels of some years back, died November 29, half an hour after he was run down by the racing car of Harry Hartz at the Thanksgiving Day automobile race at Beverly Hills (Calif.) Speedway. Mr. Wade and Rossell Hughes, a newspaper photographer of Los Angeles, who was killed outright, were struck while on the track endeavoring to extinguish a fire under Joe yer’s car. In late rears Mr. Wade, whose home was in Kaneas City, Mo.. took an interest in motor racing and was regarded as | mony for a honeymoon trip to Atlantic City, Buffalo and California, where they will spend the winter. They will go abroad next spring. Miss Miller is a daughter of William James Miller, who was treasurer of Mississippi under Governor Vardaman, and made her debut in society in New Orleans. She studied for the stage in New York under J. W. Parson Price and made her professional debut in “Too Many Cooks’’ with Frank Craven. Mr. Clawson is chairman of the board of directors of the Clawson & Wilson Company, of New York, Ruffalo and Cleveland, and is a director of thes Marine Trust Company, of Buffale. For several years he has been a collector of rare books and his collection of Elizabethan Iiterary treasures {s said to be one of the most valuable in this country. The short courtship began in the library of Mr. Clawson's home, where Miss Miller and Basil Sydney, also of ‘The Devil's Diseiple’’ Company, were visiting while the company was playing Buffalo. When the players moved to Canada he accompanied them and in London, Ont., persuaded Miss Miller to become his bride. Mr. Clawson's son, H. Phelps Clawson, war aviator and poet, was his father's best man. Mr. Clawson’s first wife was Frances Collier Phelps, of Binghamton, N. Y., whom he married in 1899. He is a member of the Racquet and Tennis and Grolier clubs of New York City. He is 58 and his bride is half his age. DORR-BIRDSALI—Newman Dorr, insurance man, and Miss Jean Birdsall, danghter of Judge and Mrs, W. N. Birdsall, of Des Moines, were married December 1 in Chicago. Miss Birdsall was a director for the John B. Rogers Producing Company and during the current year instructor in dramatic art for the Drake University at Des Moines, ENGLAND-BOUCHALKD—Walter England and Maria Bouchard were married recently, They are both of New Bedford and the groom is a picture operator at the Olympia there. GALLAGHER-WORMSER—After waiting until his divorce decree against Grace Martin Hannon Gallagher, daughter of the late Richard Canfield of New York, had become absolute, Adele Wormser was married Saturday, December 1, to Donald Gallagher, well-known juvenile actor, in Boston. Gullagher is appearing in Boston in George M. Cohan's ‘‘So This Is Lon n’’. INGRAM-CARUSO—The wedding of Mme. Enrico Caruso, widow of the famous tenor, and Captain Ernest Ingram took place November 28 at Brompton Oratory in London, England. Mme, Caruso was formerly Dorothy Benjamin. of New York. The ceremony was performed by Father John Corbett, assisted by Father Brown. Mrs. Caruso, who was not attended by bridesmaids, was accompanied to the church by Signor Preziosi, counselor of the Italian Embassy in London, Commander de Crespigny was best man. Mrs. Caruso'’s young daughter, Gloria, was present. KOONS-ALLEN—Chariotte Allen, well known in musical circles as a planist who ia soon to do some concert work on eral circuits, and Raymond V. Koons, of Chicago, were married at the home of the bride's parents in St. Joseph recently. The bride has been {np Chicago for several years and now is assistant dean of piano at the Sherwood Music School LAY-CONAGHAN—Alanson W. Lay, cornet. ist in the Temple Orchestra, Auburn, N. y and one time quarterback on the famed 19)2 Carlisle University football team, and Blanche Conaghes, of Columbus, O., were married ip Auburn McDONOUGH-WEBSTER—Cecil MeDonough, manager of the Majestic Theater, Milford, 11) was married to Helen Webster, of Woodland Danville, November 17. McLAUGHLIN-CASTLE—Major Frederick A McLaughlin, millionaire, secretary and trea< urer of the W. F. Mclaughlin Co., coffee im. porters of Chicago,. and Irene Castle, famous dancer and style-show model, were married {n Chicago November 28. The couple left for a Western honeymoon trip. MALEY-RICHMAN—Denman Maley, who {« to appear in ‘‘The Town Clown"’, was married at oboken, N. J., to Doris Richman, non. professional. NASH-MONSEAU—Charles A. Nash, manager of the Eastern States Exposition at Springfie!d, Mass., and Lena Florence Monseau, nonpro fessional, of Thompsonville, Conn., were ma: ried November 28 at New Haven, Conn... hy Rev. William F. O'Brien, a close friend of the bride's family. Owing to illness in the family of the bride the wedding was of «x tremely simple nature. Mrs. Nash is a mem ber of one of the oldest families in Thompsonville, while Mr. Nash is a native of Iowa, hs home town being Des Moines. Previous to his connection with the Eastern States Exposition he was manager of the North Dakota State Fair. He came to Springfield last year as sue cessor to John C. Simpson, who joined the World Amusement Service Association, of (h)cago. He was a lieutevant during the World War. Following the wedding ceremony \r n and Mrs, Nash left for New York. Before re turning to Springfield they will spend some time in Chicago and other points in the Middle West. After January 1 they will be at home at 57 Forest Park avenue. STOENNER-DRUSCH — Wallace Stoenner, 4 member of the well-known Stoenne: Orchestra of Hermann, Mo., and Miss Irmgard irusch, of the same city, were married receaily in st. uls, SWEENEY-HAGGERTY—Ed Sweeney, wel!known concessionaire and showman, and Nel! Cecilia Haggerty, a nonprofessional, were married at St. Bridget’s Church, Memphis, Tenn., November 5. ZACCARDO-CORLOMAGNO—Ralph Zacecardo, composer, and COatherine Corlomagno, concert — were married November 24 at Jersey y. COMING MARRIAGES In the Profession Jeanne Alexandrea, vamp of the Billy Dale act playing Keith Circuit, and Robert Bruce Murray, of the Belasco offices, are to be married Christmas Day. BIRTHS To Members of the Profession To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rice, of Unionport, New York City, a daughter, weighing eight pounds, born November 22. Mr. Rice is well known to theatrical folks in New York City as the circulation man of The Billboard. This makes the third child for Bob and the missus To Mr. and Mrs, John Daly, of Boston, Mass., a son, born Novemter 21. The parents do an acrobatic act known as Daly and Lola. To Mr. and Mrs. Stan Tilton, Sydney, Australia, recently, a daughter. Mr. Tilton is a member of the vandeville team of Tilton and West, and Mrs, Tilton is well known on the vaudeville stage as Maggie Buckley. DIVORCES In the Profession Victor Thrane, broker and music impresario, who was sued for divorce by his wife, Lotta Lacey Thrane, daughter of James D. Lacey, wealthy lumberman, on a charge of misconduct was acquitted in Chicago recently. Charlies H. Miles, of Detroit, Mich.. prom! nent theatrical magnate, was anted a divorce from his wife, Ressie, November 26. Mr. Miles was also awarded custody of daughter June 4. Walter Emil Stanzel, orchestra leader at the Strand Theater, Binghamton, N. Y., received a decree of absolute divorce on ground of deser tion. Mrs, Stanzel, who formerly was Tutie Arnold, singer and dancer, is said to have deserted Stanzel in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., May 24, 1921. Blanche Gramlich has been granted a divorce from Charles Gramlich, a moving picture director, in Miam!, Fla. A divorce is being sought by Bernard Deely from Harbara La Marr in Los Angeles. On November 26 Miss La Marr filed her answer in the action, denying that she and Deely were ever husband and wife. She also male a general denial of other charges made by Deely, who asserted he married her in the East September 1, 1918, Jack Dangherty, to whom she Was married May 8 last, was named = corespondent. Deely said he and the actress separated September 20, 1921, Mrs, Henrietta Louise Cooper is seeking di vorce from her husband, Joseph Cooper, wealthy theater owner, of Oklahoma City, in the Kansas City courts, Mrs. Cooper is 21 and but a short time ago was employed in « women's wear shop in Kansas City, having been married eight months ago. The defendant !* the owner of the Capitol and Criterion thea ters jn Oklahoma City and the Butterfly io Milwaukee. Mrs, Cooper asks $35,000 alimony and attorneys’ fees. She claims she was forced to leave her husband In Hot Springs, Ark., recently, Action for divorce has been started by W'! liam Tyroler, musical director, against @har lotte H, Tyroler, a member of the Metropolitan Opera Company, in New York. The husband