The Billboard 1923-12-29: Vol 35 Iss 18 (1923-12-29)

& q eee REI _—s DEA THS In the Profession musical comedy died in that ASH—Maie, once a favorite leading Iady in London, England, city December 13. BARTH—<August A., fat the tall man in the her of Major Barth, luperial Midgets, died December 18 in Akron, ©. Burial was in New York. Mr. Barth was a nonprofessional. BISHOP—Mme. Geneva soloist and al adviser at the white house during the fnte President Harding's term, died at Los Angeles December 20. Her body will be sent to her former home at Marion, O,, for interment, Johnstone, In Loving Memory cf My Husband, GEORGE BOYD . (Cider Mill Red) Who passed away December 29, 1920. Three years ago, dear man of mine, t watched you oo away And start along a lonely road, With none to share the way But tears soon made a path for you, And God's leve on it shone, Just like a beacon in the dark, To guide yeu safely home. ESTELLE L. BOYD. BROAD—Mrs. Margaret the wife of Kid Broad, daughter of Barney Fer Ferguson, said to be former pugilist. and guson, died suddeniy in New York City December 22. Mrs. Broad was born in Paris 41 years ago. BROADWELL—Val Jean, 4, musician and composer, for thirty-five years prominent in Joliet, 11l., musical circles, died at his home there December. 12. A widow and a son, Val Jean, Jr., survive. BUCY—W illiam Vaton, 20, of Carthage, Mo., died as the result of an aviation accident on a field in Llinois December 16. He was a son of W. A. Bucy, of Carthage, Mo. Te had been in the aviation work for about a year. He is survived by several brothers and sisters. CANNON—Monty, a lover of minstrelsy and well-known amoung minstrel folk, according to report reaching The Billboard, died December 20. DAY—Mrs. Clarence K., professionally as Mabel Western, of The Westefns, cember 17 at the Home of Calvary, City, DEAN—Nelson, 41, passed away Dex 19 from apoplexy at the home of his 1242 Holcomb avenue, Detroit, Mich. He speut twenty years in vaudeville and musical comedy stock. He was the son of Cliff B. Dean known died DeNew York ember mother, and a brother of Cal. Dean, both well known to variety artistes. His early life was spent as a boxer and tater he worked with Taylor Granville in ‘‘The Star Bout’. He played in his own act. “His Broken Promise’, which had ai boxing finish, using Walter Parker as an opponent. After working several years with this vehicle he went inte musical comedy stock and had also been principal comedian with a number of well-known tabs. thruout the Southwest. Hie became a Master Mason while working with Annetta Kellerman in the picture, “Daughter of the Gods’’, at Kingston, Jamaica. Interment was at Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, December 22, with Masonic ceremony. He was known in private life to many friends as Nelson 8S. Whipple. DUNDAS—Frank, commonly known as ‘‘Doc’’ an old trouper with various carnivals and cireuses, having spent three years in South America =with = shows, neluding Sipp & Feltus, died suddenly December 17. He had been in ill health for some time. Mr. Dundas was a member of the Ft. Worth (Tex.) po ice force for about two years and had a host of friends in that department as well as the American Federation of Musicians. His remains were taken by his brother to Agra, Kan., being escorted to the de pot mented by the members of Local T2. FARRELL—¢ harles, old-time circus performer, of Providence, R. L.. died at his home last June. He was known in all branches of the show world. GOODWIN—E in Australia by the Shrine Band, aug Srnest Edwin, died October 28 after an operation for ap pendicitis, dearly beloved husband Florence Goodwin of Bondi, Sydney, aged years. Some years back deceased was proprietor of the Picturescope Pictures in the Odd Fellows’ Halli, Lithgow (N. 8. very well known. HARRIS—Mrs. Kate. died November 20 at her home in New York City. Mrs, Harris is a sister of Joe Coyne, well-known actor, who has been playing abroad in London for the last five ears. HENDRICKS—Louis, 62, W.) in which town he was veteran actor, died at his home in New York December 17. Mr. Hendricks was born in Buffalo and had been actively engaged in his profession until three years ago, when his fatal illness began. His first engagement was at the age of 19 in Fred B. Wren's ‘‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’? Company. He associated with David Warfield for many originating his part in the ‘‘Music Masand was last seen with Mr. Warfield in “The Auctioneer’’. He also played in several of Louis Mann's comedies, and*because of his splendid physique Robert Downing eng ged him for bis company playing “The Fighting Game"’ several years ago. He is survived by his widow, Geraldine DeRohan-Hendricks, and two brothers, one of whom is Ben He ndricks actor. The funeral services were held at St. Malachy’s Church, Forty-ninth street, west of Broadway, December i# HOLLAND—Merwin, 32, showman, died at his home in New Brunswick, N . December 16 of tuberculosis. He was connected with the cookheuse of the Frank J. Murphy Shows foy two years and formeriy wawith the Ben Williams Shows. Funeral services were held in New Brunswick December 19 Deceased is survived by his widow, Be-s Ho children land, and two HOWARTH—Richard, passed away on _ November 24 ut his home, 82 Milkstone Road, Rochdale, England. Mi Howarth was professionaliy known is Bert Howard and had of pneumonia, from which he never rallied, and died three days later. JOSSELYN—Amos, brother of Robert A. Josst general agent of the Zeidman & Pollie m Shows, died at the Casualty Hospital, Washington, D. C., December 21, after a short illness The deceased was a soldier in the United States Army, having served in same for many years. Interment was made in lington National Cemetery, Washington. KLINE—Mrs. Marguerite. mother of Elizabeth Lewis of the W ims Stock Company, and who was known to many troupers and loved by all who knew her, died December 5 at the home of her dauglter. It was thru the mother’s death that the error was made in the issue of December 22 announcing the death of her daughter, Elizabeth Lewis, wife of Joe Williams. Mrs, Kline was in her 65th year. Death was due to complications following an operation. Nhe leaves seven children, two of whom are in the tent show business, Elizabeth Lewis with the Williams Steck Company and Dick Lewis of the Lewis Vlayers. LE BEQUE—Mrs. Maggie, residence, 2944 Lipscomb Tex., December 5%, according to letter received by The Hillboard signed ‘ther nephew’’, She was professionally known as Maggie Lawler. LEMONIO—Harry, 52, died October 26 at his home in Putnam, Conn. Mr, Lemonio was born in Mamita, ©., and in private life was known as Harry Raven, We is survived by his widow, Minnie Belle. Previous to doing an act with his wife, who at one time was ane of the Belle Sisters, he was a partner of Nelson and Glinseritti, acrobats. At one time Raven was considered one of the greatest forward benders in the business. His last engagement was with his wife, and their act was called Lemonio and Jelle, the Great American Travelers. MERRIAM— Willard, Ar 64, died at her street, Fort Worth, owner of Rockaway Reach, a summer resort at Lake Taneycomo, Mo., died in Kansas City, Mo., December 13. He died in an ambulance as he was being taken to a hospital after becoming ill at.the Baltimore Hotel. He had extensive holdings on Lake ‘Taneycomo, owning 100 cottages that he rented to summer resorters, He is gurvived by the widow and three children. MILLER—’hilip F., 72, well-known musical director, died suddenly at his home in Troy, N. Y¥., November 8 Mr. Miller had toured the United States and Canada for many years as musical director both in burlesque and musical comedy shows. MOORE—Dan W., known to outdoor showmen, died November 11 after an illness of two weeks. At the time of going to press full details were lacking. PHY—Tom, well-known member of the singing quartet known as the Primrose Four, died at the PostGraduate Hospital, New York, December 17, according to reports in New York, Mrs. Fanny wurshy, his widow, who survives, was at his bedside. NAGLE—K. M.. well known to ontdoor showfolks on the Pacific Coast and brother of Ea J. Nagle, a prominent member of the Pacific Coast Show men *s Assoc iation, died November 13 at Los Angeles, Calif., allegedly from gunshot wounds inflieted by hold-up men. Funeral services and interment were eonducted at Woodstock, O., ovember 22 O’MORE— Kit (Ann Thompsen), died November 27, in Balham, England. Kit was a partner in the double act of Kit O’More and Jim Soho, and was for many Soho Trio He } ayed years a member of the had an extensive career, having pl in all the principal halls in England, and had also toured South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. OSSMAN—Vess. 55, well-known banjoist, died at Fairmont, Minn,, December 8 He was a recording artist for Victor and Columbia. He had been touring with his son, 15, and they were Known as the ‘*World’s great banjo play er PAINTER—I. H., died in Memphis, Tenn., November & on his way from Brodhead, Ky., to line Bluff, Ark., his home. Mr. Painter was the father of Lola E. Painter, a well-known stock and repertvire leading woman, At the time of his death Miss Painter was motoring to Pensacola, Fla., where her son, Frederick, is attending military school, and was unable to make the return trip in time for the funeral. REIN—Robert, 59, well-known ‘‘circus chaplain’’, died recently in Brooklyn, N. Y,. ROBINSON—Dee, 51. one of the theater owners in the Central West, Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, recently, while preparations were being made to make a blood transfusion. He was prominent in the Motion Picture Owners’ Association of Illinois. widow and son survive. ROBINSON—Frank M., 4 the St. Leuis Coliseum, best-known died at the 2, former manager of died at his home in Kansas City recently. He was born at Sycamore, Ill... and moved to Kansas City with his parents when he was four years old. He was at one time manager of the Kansas City Convention Hall, which was destroyed by fire. Later he directed national trades expositions in the principal cities of the United States. He managed the St. Louis Coliseum between 1912 and 1916. After returning to Kansas City he became manager of the Kansas C Conventions sureau. His death was the result of an automobile accident that he suffered in May while he was in St. Lonis on business, RYAN—Charies F about plain clothes officer with Ring cus interests for maz years, died recently at hi some, 10630 West ‘oth street, Los Angeles, (lif Among his surviving relatives is his widow, formerly Bertha Cranaha, midget entertainer with Ringling Brothers for many years RYAN—Mrs. Theresa (Jack) died December 14 at Cushing, Ok. She is survived by her husband, who has had the athletic show with Cudney Bros,” Shows. SIMPSON—James, McLaughlin, 68 years of age, tling Brothers’ eir uncle of James Simpson repertoire and stock actor, died at played extensively under this name. He is surhis residence, 210 Capital avenue, Pittsburg, vived by his son Jack Pa., December 10, at the age of 65, from an 7 . ; ; ; jo. apoplectic stroke. The funeral was largely atIMESON—J. Charles, died in London No&pp neral J vember 23. Mr imeson was lessee of the Grand tended, the Rey. R, L. Biddle, of Paul PresOpera House and sroprietor of the Theater byterian Church, officiating Interment was in Royal in Middlesbrough Hie was taken sudAllegheny Cemetery. He is survived by_ his denly ill on November 20 with a severe attack daughter, Mrs, Ivay B, Longdon; a son, John erage ise ee — _— — Simpson; an only sister, Martha MeLaughlin, and his nephew, J. S. McLaughlin. SIMPSON—Cyrus D. (Cy). 62, Billboard representative for the past twenty years in Taylorville, Ill., died at his home in that city evening of December 16 after sustaining a paralytic stroke. During bis career as Billboard representative he became very well known to the star performers and executives of circuses and shows. Mr. Simpson was a strong booster for the outdoor show business. The deceased is survived by his widow, five brothers and two sisters. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Taylorville, Ill. WHITTON—Mrs. Rebecca R., died at the People’s Hospital, Akron, 0., at the age of 60. Mrs. Whitton was the mother of W. J. Whitton, general agent of Brunk’s Comedians No. 1 Show, and was called home November 10 from Eldorado, Ok. MARRIAGES In the ‘Profession Mrs. CLEMENTS-BRADY—November 10, at _Par ramatta (Sydney), A. Clements to Nellie Brady. For several seasons the act of Clemo and Brady was prominent in Australian vandeville. DUMONT-WELCH—Charles Walter Dumont, a New York business man, and Corinne Welch Were married December 22 at the West End Presbyterian Church, New York. Before her marriage Mrs. Dumont was a church and coneert singer and had toured as a soloist with the Walter Damrosch Or JONES-LANIER—Miss hestra. Josephine Stevens Lan fer, of New York City, who is a granddaughter of Sidney Lanier, the poet and musitrian, was married to Major Julius Wallace Jones on Deeember 26 at the Church of the Transfiguration. The couple will sail for Panama early next year, where the Major has been ordered. LEWIS-IVEY—November 10 at the Presbyterian Church, Sydaey, Charles Lewis to Maureen Ivey. Both parties are professionals the bridegroom now appearing as a ‘‘single”’ at the Fuller Theater, while Miss Ivey is with the American girl aet of Wallace and Maureen, playing the Tivoli. McDONOUGH-FLUTRO—H. C. MeDonongh, manager of the Valace Theater, Milford, * and Mrs, Wilda Flutro were married December 12 at Panville, Til. NORRIS-McELROY—Little Ethel McElroy, the dainty dancer in the “Greenwich Village Follies’’, and William Kelvin Norris, Jr., went to City Hall, New York City, December 19, with Daphne Pollard, also of the **Follies’’, as maid of honor, and were married there. Mrs. Norris is the daughter of Stephen McElroy, who has been on the business staff of The Lambs for the past twenty-five years. The groom's father was one of the owners of the Norris & Rowe Circus PETERSON-CARLSON—Gunnar Peterson, of the Bowdoin Square Theater, Boston, was married on Sunday, December 23, to Betty Carlson. PEPPER-KENT—Sol Pepper, ge 60 years, for twenty-eight years property man at Loew's Crescent Theater, New Orleans, was married December 18 to Mamie Kent, also an attache of the theater, Miss Kent is 45 years of age. The stage han * presented the couple with anpeee ate presents WAI TERS-GR EENE—Leon L. bonist and black-face comedian of Walters Bros.’ Dramatic Show, and Nellie Mae Greene, the leading lady, were married November‘15. They will remain with the show. BIRTHS To Members of the Profession Walters, trom To Mr. and Mrs, Gene Buck, a boy, born December 17, weighing nine and a half pounds, Mrs. Buck before her marriage was a_ wellknown prima donna, using the stage name of Helen Falconer. Her last appearance on the stage was with “Chu Chin Chow’, but before that she had appeared in leading feminine roles with Fred Stone and Dave Montgomery. Mr. Puck has long been associated with Flore nz Ziegfeld in the making of the annual ‘‘Follies’ He is also a song writer of note and has con tributed many of the bit numbers of the **Follies**, To Mr. and Mrs. Ethan M. Allen, a boy. De cember 18. To Mr. and Mrs, Stanley 8. Crick at Sydney, November 6, a daughter. Mr. Crick is general manager of the Fox Film Corporation of Australia. To Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Griffith, a daughter. Mr. Griffith is manager and owner of the "Crys. tal Follies’’ Show, now in its fifth weck in stock at the Crystal Theater, Milwaukee, Wis. DIVORCES In the Profession Mrs. Millie Amaral has vorce in the Superior Court, San Frageisco, from Rey Amaral, circus man Mrs. Amara: also has been doing circus work since her marriage. Helen McClay Dubin brought suit in a New York court recently against her husband, Alexander Dubin, author of one of the most popular songs of the season, *‘A Girl That Men Forget’’. Mrs. Dubin charged that the songwriter abandoned her and their small child at Jamaica, L. 1, January 19. Mrs. Dubic’s application asks for $1.000 counsel fees and $60 a week temporary alimony. According to the complaint the couple have been living apart for some time. Clinton Scollard, been granted a di of New York, filed suit for divorce against Georgia Brown Scollard, of Clinton, N. Y., in Reno December 19. Earl M. Castle, formerly of Castle and Davis, was granted a divorce in Judge Hoffman's Court, Sedalia, Mo., December 20, from Dorothy Leoda Castle. The former Mrs. Castle is professionally known as Dorothy Bard Mrs, Beatrice E. Jung was granted a decree of divorce from her husband, Walter E, Jung, November 16, at Macon, Ga. Mrs, Jung is a well-known aerialist, formerly with the Sparks and other circuses and the past two season. playing indoor and outdoor engagements wit} the James Dutton combination acts. Walter B. Jung is also a circus performer, with Ringling Bros, and other circuses, Dolly Green was granted a decree of absolut. divorce from A. Green recently Harry Pierong, manager of Pantages’ Theater Seattle, Wash., has tiled suit for divorce from Genevieve Pierong. Mrs. L. H. Cuneo, formerly Francelia Bi! lington, Universal star, filed complaint for di vorce at Los Angeles December 7 against Lester H. Cuneo, motion picture actor, Felicitas Majorsack, singer in the Chicago Grand Opera Company, has been sued for divorce in Common Pleas Court at Elyria, 0., by Joseph L, Majorsack, Lorain real estate dealer. According to reports, Gene Hughes arrived in Chicago to proceed with bis divorce suit against his wife, Lina M, Hughes, at present playing in vaudeville. When Supreme Court Justice Edgcomb granted a divorce against John T. West, once famouminstrel, December 24, at Auburn, N. Y., he severed the marital life of the second member of the once nationally known I’rimrose & West Minstrels to be named a divorce court defend ant in Auburn in twelve morths. The first wax Howard Wilcox, veteran end man and one of the stars of the famed troupe, His wife, Mrs. Helen Wileox, won a decree in the courts early this year. West did not contest his wife's suit. BRINGS PLAY FROM ABROAD (Continued from page 11) sion a manuscript from the pen of the late Frank Wedekind, a noted German playwright and author of that much-discussed play, ‘“‘The Awakening of Spring’. Miss Kelly claims the American rights to the German drama, which has never been produced on any stage, nor has it as yet been published in book form. The actress appeared several seasons ago in Belasco's production of ‘Deburau’’, ADA MAY AS LADY BOUNTIFUL Roston, Dec. 21.—Ada May “Lollipop’’, now appearing at the Tremont Theater, will ful to about 2,000 children Theater's Saturday (Weeks), star of with great success play Lady Bountiat the Loew State morning performance for children December 29. She will cive each of the boys and girls a handsome lollipop, symbolical of the play in which she is starring, with the compliments of the Moxie Company, and then the youngsters will see the Boston premiere of Mary Pickford in “Rosita’’, in addition to the usual special vaudeville show. PRIZE FOR BEST PLAY Boston, Dec. 22.—The Theater Guild of Boston proffers a prize of $100 for the best long play of American life submitted before June 1, 1924. The winning play will be chosen by a competent board of judges, and it will afterward be produced by the Guild and published by a Boston house. Full particulars of the competition may de had from Miss Angela Morris, Box 142, Fea way Post Office, Boston, Mass. PASSION PLAYER SPEAKS New York, Dec, 22.—Anton Lang, who on three successive occasions appeared in the role of Christus in the Passion May of Oberammergan, recently addressed the members of the League for Political Education here at Town Hall. He spoke of the strong spiritual faith of his kinsmen in Bavaria, and touched on .the schools conducted for the young. *‘Education’’, he said, “is the Province’s hope, particularly the education of the children in the applied arts of woodcarving, pottery and painting.” “ROSITA” PLAYS MORMON CITY Salt Lake City, Utah, Dec. 23.—Mary Pick ford’s latest picture, ‘“‘Rosita’’, met with an enthusiastic reception at the Pantages Theater here. It gives a good comparison between Poli Negri’s version of the ‘Spanish dancer’ character which previously had scored high and that of the entirely different characterization given the same part by Mary Pickford. ENGLISH COMPANY COMING WITH “SWEET LAVENDER” Boston, Dec. 22.—Anthony Gordon’s London company is on its way here to present a revival of Pinero’s “Sweet Lavender’ at the Selwyn Theater, beginning December 31. The company comes direct from the Ambassador Theater, London, and in addition to Mr. Gordon the east Includes H. Tyrell-Davis, Sydney Paxton, Dorothy Fletcher, Viva Birkett and Alice Moffatt, STATE PLAYERS, SPRINGFIELD Springfield, Mass., Dec. 19.—The State Players are offering “Charley’s Aunt’’ this week. Join Dugan rings the bull’s-eye of laughter pretty regularly with his impersonation of the “aunt’’. Rogers Barker revels in cholerie old man roles, and accordingly the director has given him another of the type thie week, as Spettigue. Winifred Anglin plays Ohbarley’s sweetheart, and the others in the cast are seen in parts of varying importance,