The Billboard 1923-12-15: Vol 35 Iss 16 (1923-12-15)

oe pvOoOar c DECEMBER 15, 1923 DEA THS In the Profession ALEXANDER — Robert W., 45, vandeville producer and Eastern representative of the Detroit Motion Picture Company, died suddenly of heart trouble in his office at 160 West Forty iifth street, New York, Friday night, November 2 Mr. Alexander was doing some evening work in his office with his partner, Vivian Cosby. Miss Cosby went out at about ten ociock to get returned she some sandwiches and when she found Mr, Alexander unconscious. He died a few minutes later and his body was sent to Scranton, Pa., his home, where burial took place the following Monday. Mr. Alexander js survived by two sisters and his mother. ANDERSON — Carl, 60, veteran actor, died suddenly December 5 at his home in New York. Mr, Anderson had appeared in many Broadway successes, including *““Get Rich Quick Wallingford’, ‘“‘Way Down East’, “‘The Newlyweds’? and with the Theater Guild, Last season he was with Emmett Corigan in vaudeville, and at the time of his death he was playing at the Fordham Theater, New York, vaudeville house. Several seasons were spent on the Redpath Chautauqua Circuit. He is survived by a daughter, June Anderson. His wife, Margaret, who was an actress, died April, 1922, after a short illness. He was laid to rest beside the grave of his wife in the Actors’ Fund plot in Evergreen Cemetery. ASHLAND—Wilfred, 64, for twenty-five years manager of the music library of Witmark & Company, music publishers, New York, died December 3 at his home, 65 Central Park West. He was born in Cheltenham, Eng., and after studying at Dublin and Oxford came to Ameriea in 1SS8. Before his association with the Witmark firm he was stage manager of the Holman Opera Company, the Julas-Grau Opera Company and the Conried Opera Company. He leaves a son, Wilfred Gilbert Ashland. BARRES—Maurice, French novelist, died at Paris, France. He was admitted to the French Academy in 1906. BRILL—William, known everywhere in theatrical circles as “Bill”, died at the St. Joseph Hospital, St, Paul, Minn., November 80. Cancer of the throat was the cause. He was one of the best known theatrical agents fn the country and at various times had _ been asseciated with Klaw & Erlanger, David Belasco and the Selwyns. One of his last lebors was in behalf of the tour of Pavlowa. Mr. Brill was also a writer of note, having bean war correspondent during the RussoJapanese War, contributed regularly to magazines and had written two books. He was unmarried and is survived by his parents, who reside in St. Paul. COLE—Florence (Mrs. Billy Tripp), ingenue with the Ben Claman Metropolitan Players, San Diego, Cali?., was instantly killed in an auto accident near Vancouver, Wash., November 19. She was a bride of three months. Her husband took the remains to her home at Raleigh, N. C., for interment. COLWELI—Mrs. Adell Barrow, 26, wife of Louis Colwell, composer and arranger of music, and herself a singer, died at her home in New York City Thanksgiving Day. Mrs, Colwel] was born in New York City in 1897 and had been married to Mr. Colwell only two months. She studied voice under Eduardo Petri of the Metropolitan Opera Company and was preparing to make her debut shortly as nger “ GORBETT—Prancis, 67, died October 26 at his residence, Wellington street, Bondi, Sydney, Australia. Deceased was one of the best known sporting journalists in the world. He was known to almost every visiting vaudeville artiste of note. CRAWFORD—William Maxwell, 19, until recently a member of “The Cat and the Canary Show, which is playing in Stamford this week, died of double pneumonia December 8 at the Rhode Is'and Hospital, Providence, R. I, After graduating from high school in 1922 he distinguished himself in amateur theatricals and was afterward selected to play a part in “The Cat and the Canary’’. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Crawford of Greenwich, Conn., where he was born, DAUVRAY—Helen, retired actress, who first made her debut on the stage at Nib o’s Garden in New York neariy a half century ago, died recently in Washington, where she had lived in later years as the wife of an admiral in the United States Navy. The funeral was conducted in that city December 6. Miss Dauvray was a native of California. Shortly after her acclaim as a _ talented actress _in New York she went to France to live. She learned the French language and became a favorite of the French stage. Finally returning to America, she appeared with E. Sothern at the Star Theater, Broadway and Thirteenth street, New York, and aso in support of Mr. Sothern for an extended run at the old Lrceum TI er, Fourth avenue and Twenty-third in Bronson Howard's play, *“‘One of Our So % "Some years later Miss Dauvray appeared in what is now th American Theater, E ghtl a aa ¢ } n a nomber of ether succ 11 plays prior to eg retirement from the stage to become merried. IN MEMORY OF Maxon R, max) Doo Little Lovingly, MPS. MAXON R. DOO LITTLE, December 15, 1922. December 15, 1923. went to Australia at the his father being a Ballarat (Vic.). A age of four years, professor of music at sister of the deceased arrived there some thirty years later and took a leading part in the production of “‘Lucia di Lammermoor’’. Establishing himself as a dentist in Wynyard Square, Sydney, he had u very large practice, particularly among the theatrical profession, and was a most intimate friend of the late Harry Rickards, EYTON—Cecil Robert, died at Los Angeles, Calif., recently. Before retiring ill health he was well known in the theatrical business, He leaves a brother, Charles, who is general manager of West Coast productions for Famous-Players Lasky Corporation and two sisters, one of them Alice Eyton Van Saxman, well-known scenario writer, DAVIS — Tom, 70, veteran English actor, passed away November 11 in London. During his career he was a member of various Negro sketch combinations and for some time was manager of one of Aberdeen’s halls. Funeral took place at Twickenham New Cemetery November 18, DUGANNE—Mrs. Sarah Jane, died December 3 at her home in Altoona, Pa. Her husband died twelve years ago. She is survived by her son, Prof, J. Mahlon Duganne, of Altoona, well-known songwriter and composer; one grandson and one brother. FINNEGAN—Mrs. James E., beloved wife of *“Jimmy"’ Finnegan, a pioneer in the carnival business and one of the first readers of The Bi.lboard, died December 4 at University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia. Mrs. because 0 HICKMAN—Thomas, stage doorkeeper at the Astor Theater, New York, was discovered dead in his chair Thursday night, December 6, at the stage entrance to the theater by Mrs, Rich ard Taut, one of the singers in the prolog to “The Hunchback of Notre Dame’’, which is playing at the Astor. Physicians who were summoned declared death was due to heart disease. Mr. Thomas had been employed at the Astor for the past two years. HUMISTON — William H., former assistant conductor of the Philharmonic Society and for the past two years music critic of The Br oklyn Daily Eagle, died last week at the Fifth Avenue Hospital, New York, following an exPploratory operation performed Tuesday afternoon, December 4, which had disclosed a malignant cancer. Mr. Humiston was 52 years old, His illness had caused growing concern despite apparently robust health since his return from abroad, where he had sent the summer. He was a native of Ohio and his father and one brother survive him. Mr. Humiston was prominent as a writer and lecturer on music, as well as widely known as a conductor and composer. He wrote music for orchestra and for violin and piano, was the author of a volume of essays on Wagner and various contributions to magazines and periodicals. He first became a music critic on The Evening Post, acting as assistant to H. T. Finck, a neighbor of Mr. Humi-ton and who cared for him when his illness became acute. Mr. Humiston received a degree of Master of Arts from the Lake Forest University in Illinois prior to his trip to Europe to write for The Brookiyn Daily Eagle on musical conditions since the war. He was a student under the late Edward MacDowel at Columbia and one of the early members of the MacDowel Memorial Colony at Peterboro, N. ° JOHNSON — Mrs. Helen, 36, wife of Irving Johnson, owner of a chain of motion picture theaters on Staten Island, was found dead in her home, 169 Cebra avenue, Stapleton, S. I., December 6 An autopsy performed on the body revealed that death resulted from gas HERBERT STANDING ERBERT STANDING, prominent actor, died at his home in Los Angeles December 5 after an illness of five weeks. He was 77 years old at the time of his death. Mr. Standing was born in Peckham, England, November 13, 1846, one of twenty-four children. He made his first stage appearance at the old Queen's Theater, London, as Langford in “Still Waters Run Deep” in November, 1867, and later in the same year, at that theater, appeared in “Katherine and Petruchio” with the late Sir Henry Irving and Ellen Terry, and also in “The Birthplace of Podgers” with the late John L. Toole. Mr. Standing’s rise was rapid, and subsequent years found him essaying leading roles in many important productions, and in 1871 appeared as Snodgras in “Pickwick”, the original Christian in “The Bells”, Captain Robinson in “A Triumph of Arms”, and in such plays as “The Hunchback”, “Merchant of Venice”, “The Lady of Lyons” and “London Assurance”, besides numerous others. Mr. Standing came to America in 1903, making his first appearance in this country as Sam Whitburn in “The Best of Friends” at the Lyceum, New York. Among the plays in which he played in this country were: “The Serio-Comic Governess”, “Her Great Match”, “The Dear Unfair Sex”, dida”, “Sir Anthony”, “Susan “The Naked Truth”, in Search of a Husband”, “Girls”, “Can “The Majesty of Birth’, “A Woman Intervenes”, “Disraeli”, and in 1912 he toured in “Hawthorne, U.S. A”, on the screen in “The Man From “The White Man’s Law”, “How subsequently playing in stock in Los Angeles. Mr. Standing devoted himself to the cinema stage. Since 1913 He has played Painted Post”, “A Little Patriot”, Could You, Jean?”, “Comes Up Smiling’, “Almost a Husband” and many others. Mr. Standing is survived by a widow, two daughters and five sons—Wyndham and Herbert, Jr., who are in New York, and Sir Guy, Percy and Aubrey Standing, now in London. All are engaged in theatricals, with the exception of one daughter. Finnegan had been well known in outdoor show circles, having been aSsociated with her husband in his numereus business ventures in the amusement field. In the early 1900s Mrs. Finnegan acted as secretary and treasurer of her husband's White City Amusement Company and in later years served in executive capacities and operated concessions, etc., in connection with his other organizations. Her friends were legion and her pasting caused a distinct shock to showfolks, especially in territorv east of Mississippi River. IN FOND MEMORY Of a Devoted Husband and the Most Wonderful Father in the World, T. W. FLANDERS, Died Dec, 9th, 1922, He Is missed, but not forgotten, by his wife and children, HAYS—Mrs. Babette, 90, the mother of Walter Hays of Buffalo, one of the owners of the Strand Theater, that city, died December 7 at her home in Rochester, N. Y. Funeral services were held December 8. HERMAN—Charles, the efficient Gentry-Patterson Circus, Ok., of diseases. cemetery. trainmaster died at Pavls November 15 from a complication Burial was made in a _ local asphyxiation. Mr. Johnson at the present time has under construction a ha.f-million-dollar theater at Port Richmond, §. I. KEENAN—James, show officer of the Golden Brothers’ Circus, which recently closed its summer season thru the Southwest country and was negotiating for a winter season in Ca-tfornia, died suddenly last week in Los Angeles at his home. John Keenan, a brother, who was at Hot Springs, Ark., with the Sanger Brothers’ Circus, left at once to arrange b rial of his brother in Los Angeles. James Keenan was born in Philadelphia and had been associated with different circuses and outdoor shows since a boy. KUNKEL—Charies, £3, one of the best known Pianists, composers and music publishers in the United States, died December 8 at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. He is survived by a widow, two sons and a daughter. He was born in Sipnersfeld, Rhenish Palatinate, Germ ny, July 22, 1840, and as a lad of eight began his musical studies under his father in Cincinnati, O., whither the family emigrated in 1848. No musician of distinction ever went to St. Louis but found in the K nkel res'dence at 3828 West Pine street a most cordial and hospitable reception. As a publisher he gained fame with his editions of the classics and his Beethoven redactions are numerously used all over the country. KOHLS—S. Leopold, 33, former director of the Circle Theater Orchestra, Indianapolis, Ind., died suddenly in Chicago December 3. LOWDER—Harry G., 46, stage manager of the Orpheum Theater, Altoona, Pa., died at his iN MEMORIAM —re. Martha Lura, widow of Fa died in Fost a. ©.. December f Mr. Davenport was } : p disaster in Chicago in 1 and was formerly pres agent for White (ity Park A sor Lievd G survives EMANUEL—Moses. *7, died October 27 at Giebe Point, Srdné« Australia. Deceased first DIED NOV. 23, 1922. God Biess You. Dear GEORGIA RUSSELL (keItH) HER BIRTHDAY, DEC. 22. In these ears, till hearing dies, One set siow bell will seem to toll The Passing of the sweetest soul That ever Ieok’d with human eyes. Forever and Ever.—GENE. residence, 1219 Tenth street, that city, December 6. Mr. Lowder was a member of The. atrical Stage Employees, Local No. 130. He | survived by his wife, six brothers and two sisters. Interment was in Altoona, McGRAW—William (Bill), died from fects of injuries received in an automobile accident near Campbell, Fla., @ few miles from Kis. simmee, recent.y. According to a press report McGraw, who was well known as a novelt salesman and who plied his vocation a num)e; of years in Chicago, as well as with varioy traveling organizations, was returning from Tampa, Fla., to Kissimmee, wheré he and party of friends were camping on the fo); rounds, in an auto and was accompanied by W Stephens, an operator for a moving pietur company. <A truck had run out of gasoline and was parked at the side of the highway and it was thought the automobile crashed into ‘t. Following the accident McGraw was taken to Dr. Brinson, Kissimmee, but died as he was boieg taken into the physician's office, RQUD—Mrs. Reina Melcher, 42, wife of Don Marquis, widely known columnist and Playwright, and herself a novelist and contr.butor of stories to magazines and peri dica.s, died December 2 at her home, 51 Wendover Place, Forest Hills, Long Island, after a brief illness of ptomaine poisoning, Besides her husband, Mrs, Marquis is survived by q daughter, Barbara, aged five. Funeral seryjcos were held in private Monday evening, December 3, at the Marquis home, ASCAGNI — Francesco, brother of Pictro famous operatic composer, died jn Italy, recently. TYN—Edward, 64, Irish dramatist ang one of the founders of the Irish dJramatic movement in 1890, died at his home, Tullyra Castle, County Galway, Ireland, December 6, Mr. Martyn was the author of a number of lays, most of them Irish in setting ang ocale, and of numerous articles on art and Politics. In 1914 he founded the Irish Theater at Dublin for the production of plays in the Irish language and other works. From 1904 to 1908 Mr. Martyn was president of the Sinn Fein. He had during his career always confined his activities to Ireland. : McIVOR—The seven-year-old daughter of Me. Ivor and Scott was accidentally killed in a motor accident in one of the Sydney, Australia, suburbs recently. The parents, Scottish enter Mascugni, Milan, M tainers, are playing the Fuller Time, New Zeaand, having arrived from England some little time ago, leaving their daughter in charg of friends at Sydney. MN SE—Ophelia B., dramatic actress, wife of Clarence Muse, dramatic and motion picture director, died December 5 at 3326 Pruirie avenue, Chicago, suddenly from organic heart disease. She is survived by the husband and two boys. She was one of the ploneers with her husband in Negro dramatics, and was once a member of the Lafayette Players, appearing both in New York and Chicago. Her last engagement was with ‘‘The Groundhog” at the Avenue Theater, Chicago. MYERS—Buarney, vaudeville booking agent for more thin a score of years, passed away suddenly December 7 at the Hotel [l’onchartrain, New York, where he had recently made his home. Death was due to heart trouble, Mr. Myers was nearing sixty years when his demise came. Over twenty years ago he formed the booking agency of Myers & Keller. The firm dissolved in 1907, Mr. Myers thereafter booking independent circuits. His former partner, Edward 8. Keller, is a Keith agent in the Talace Bullding, New York. O'BRIEN — Alfred, 56, died at Melbourne Hosp.tal, Melbourne, Australia, November 4. He Was general secretary of the musicians’ union of Australasia and was in Melbourne attending the annual conference just prior to his fatal illness, Deceased bad been identified with the musicians’ union for near'y a quarter of a century. He was also identified with many trades union movements and at one t'me was a champion cyclist, subsequently becoming secretary of the League of Wheelmen, o’CONNOR—Jim, 57, uncle and manager of Gertie Gituna, well-known English performer, and himself a vaudeville performer of the English-Irish comedian team, O'Connor and Brady, died recently in Leeds, England, following a few weeks’ fllness of pneumonia. Mr. O'Connor was in the variety business for over twenty reers. ‘ O'CONNOR — Jack, 38, well-known English erformer of the variety team, Jack and Evelyn, died af his home, Ackerman road, Brixtor. Eng., November 19. Mr. O'Connor and his sietcr, Evelyn, were first booked in their double act in 1908 and were one of the most popular acts on the London stave. Burial took place November 23. Funeral services were held at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Comberwell New Road. RIDER—George M., 36, originator of the in6urance-endowment plan for the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra Association, died in Kansas City, Mo., November 80. Mr. Rider is survived by his wife, Elva Faeth Rider, well known as an accompanist, and one daughter. RYDER—Roy, 85, died October 25 at Pennant Hills, Sydney, Australia, Deceased was @& brother of Charles Ryder, musical director of the Fuller Theater, Sydney. AWYIR—Jos. E., 62, comedion and acrobat, died December 2 at Brockwayville, Pa. He entered the profession at the age of 14 with his father's one-ring circus and for yerrs was a medicine performer, having been with some of the first medicine companies. At the time of his demise he was engaged with the Ed Baxter Vaudeville and Indoor Bazaar, touring Pennsylvania. He is survived by his w fe, three children and a brother, The rema'ns were > ga to Bluffton, Ind., accompanied by his wife. SCHWEINFURTER—Pert, 23, was killed in @n auto accident near Vancouver, Wash., No vember 19. He was one of the three Schwe! furter Brothers’ Orchestra with the Ben Claman Metropolitan Players at San Diego, Calif. The Temains were escorted to their home at Los Angeles by the two surviving brothers for interment. WHITTAKER—Orren, 24, LaSalle, Ill., mus! cian, was fatally injured at Morris, Ill., November 29, when a car in which he was riding collided with a truck, WILKINS—Wi liam, formerly of the Ernest Hogan Rufus Rastus Com-any and others, died at his home in Peru, Ind., December 4. THe is survived by a widow. WILLARD—H. P., died October brother-in-law's residence, Northbridge, Sydney, Australia. An Englishman by birth, he rceived his first Australian engagement under the management of the late George Rignold. 13 at his