The Billboard 1924-03-29: Vol 36 Iss 13 (1924-03-29)

a 1 atin He = Re eee em ew 106 The Billboard MARCH 29, 1924 N Chicag March 13 f licati f cago. Mare rom a complication of manager for the Shuberts; David Maye hii D E A T u S diseases. The deceased appeared last season urer of the Plymouth; Edmund Giresc otrtt | In the Profession ANDERSON—Mrs. Frank, who was known professionally as Bertha (Schatzie) Ruel, died at ber home in Kenosha, Wis., March 1. She was a member of the Midgets’ Theater, conducted by George and Ida Chesworth with the Greater Sheesley Shows last season. She was married ‘last July in Calumet, Mich., to Frank Anderson, who sold tickets on the midgets show the remainder of the season, and who is nermal. For some years she had been a wire walker with a circus. Burial was at her former home, Baraboo, Wis. Her death occurred at the birth of a child, who survives her. BAHMER—Mrs. Margaret Watts, wife of the dramatic editer of The Pittsburg Post, died of ppeumonia im that city March 23. BAHMER—William Voorhees, 27, newspaper man and son of W. J. Bahmer, dramatic editor of The Pittsburg (Pa.) Post, died of penumonia March 23 im Pittsburg, four hours after the death of his mother. BLOODGOOD—Mrs. Flerence E.. former cashter of a Baffalo (N. Y.) theater. was found dead in her apartment at Long Beach, Calif., March 14. BOWMAN —Helen (nee Long), daughter of the well-known Central States agent and pro moter, G. & (Doc) Leng, died March 22, according to a ‘telegram Dayton, O., reach i The Billboard. “SRA NDON— Fred, 49, who played with his wife for twenty-one years, with an act called The Brandons, died March 2 in the Middlesex Hospital, Lendon, after a six weeks’ illness of intestinal trouble. The deceased was a talented musician, a member of the V_ A. F., and had been associated with the music hall stage prac tically all his life. BRIDGE Sir Frederick, 79, noted organist and author of many books on musical subjects. died im Lendon recently. The deceased had been King Edward professor of music in London University since 1902 and was for many years the organist of Westminster Abbey. BRYANT—J. V., 34. veteran English acter, died March 2 in England. The deceased made bis first appearance at the Grand Theater, Swansea, England, in 1906, when he appeared as Bernardo in “Hamlet’’. Some three years later he joined Miss Horniman’s Repertory Company and during the t'me he was with it be played for the frst time in London when the company visited the Coronet, Notting Him. He toured with the company in Canada and afterwards had parts in ‘“‘Hindle Wakes’’ at the Playhouse, “Within the Law’’ and “The Younger Generation”’ at the Haymarket, “Gam~ all” at the Wyndham and “My Lady * gt His Majesty's. Mr. Bryant appeared as Nur-Al-Huda-Ali in the English production of “Chu-Chin-Chow” at His Majesty's and played that part over 2,000 times. CARLETTA — Michael, known affectionately as “Old Mike’, veteran contortionist and bi'led as “The Human Dragon’’, while hanging in a perilous position fifteen feet above the stage ef People’s Theater, Chicago, March 21, feil d@uring rebearsal. Stage hands rushed to lend assistance, but he was dead. The deceased is survived by a wife in Peru, Ind. CLARK—Mrs. Gertrude Rowland, wife of James B. Clark, of Rowland and Mark, who operate a string of movie theaters in Westero Pennsylvania, died at Pittsburg March 4, Funeral services were held March 24. CUFF—William C., 45, well-known musictan, died suddenly of heart disease at his home, 1010 Washington street, Braintree, Boston, Mess. He was the leader of Cuff’s Orchestra and a member of the Quincy (Mass.) Lodge of Elks. His witow and two sons survive. ANKS—Mrs. Harriet, &2, who inspired the love song, “Silver Threads Among the Go'd", written for her by her husband, the late Hart Pr. Danks, found release from & life in which sentiment and realities were juggled strancely Mfarch 19 in a rooming house in Brooklyn, N. Y.. alone, estranged from her son and @auchter, who survive her. Burial was made March 21 after simple funeral services in 2 Brookiyn chapel. : DUNVILLE—T E., British comedian, died suddenly in Londen. Eng.. week. His body was found March 22 in the Thames River EBERLFY—R. K., film salesman, died at his home in Houston, Tex., March 5 of typhoid fever. The deceased is survived by his widow, mother and one brother. Interment was made at Heuston FARRINGTON—Charies. trombonist in Har ry Day's “Radio” Orchestra, died March 3 of peeumonia at Aberdeen, England. Mr. Farrington had been with Harry Day's company for some years. FOLEY—Mrs. Foley, property man Faéna, wife of Thomas R. with the “Abie’s Irish Rose’? Company at the Studebaker, Chicago, died in the American Hospita!, Chicago. March 20, of blood polsening. The remains were takea to Cleveland for burial. Mrs. Foley has been connected with both indoor and outdoor shows and her last enxagement was with the “Abraham Lincoln’ Company The husband and a six-year-old daughter, Floreta, who also played a child's part in the “Lincoln” cast, survive FRAZER—Giladys, 29, daughter of Ada Mack (Mrs, Charles Frazer, of Fraser and Mack) and well known on the stage in En od and bere as a vaudeville dancer, died March 10 at 341 West Fifty-first street, New York City. as a result of accidental gas asphyxiation. The funeral was held from Campbell's Funeral Parlors March 18 GRAHAM—Gordon, organist at the Church of the Advent in Cincinnati for seven years. and, previous to that, of Grace Church tn Avondale Cincinnati, died recently at his home in Norwoud, 0. Deceased wae a member of the American Guild of Organists and a Fellow of the Guild of Organists of London GUNN=—Mre, Vivian, 28, wife of Lean 0. Gunn of the Anderson-Gunn Stock Company. sse@d away suddenly in ber anartment in the rene Theater Building, Jobneon City. Tenn. Mareb 10, following a nervous breakdown. Mrs Genn had been in declining health for some time. Prior to her marriage she was Vivian Anderson of the Four Andersons. Puneral serv fees were conducted at her apartment. with Christian Science ritual. Interment wes made at Mone Vista Park. Im adé@ition to her husband the deceased is survived by her twenty-nine-menth-old son, her father and mother, a broiher and sister. HAMID—Mrs. Louise Catherine, 21, chorus dancer with a touring company performing ‘*Cinderella’’ at the Theater Royal, Oldham, England, @ied there Mareb 1 after an illness lasting only two days. HART—A brother of Annie Hart, one of the most famous of Tony Pastor’s players, who portrayed the part of the Irish mother in “Irene’’, oy vaudeville star, died March 17 in Chicago, HEARN—Mrs. Tom (Nettie Wheeler, daughter of Frank Wheeler), died at Golders Green, England, March 3. HERTZ—<arl, 65, internationally known magician, died March 29 im Ceventry, Lendon, after a brief attack of pneumonia. He was born in San Francisco, but went abroad at the age of 20 and was an instant success in London. HIBBERT—Henry George, well-known dramatic critic and writer ef theatrical gossip, died in London, England, recently. There was probably Bo man, either om the stage or off, with the ‘‘Pep-o-Mint Revue"’ in Cleveland, 0. IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR PAL AND MOTHER, CLARA STARR Died March 5, 1921. Just sleeping while the angels watch. . The LA STARRS. ne LEE—Vernon H.. 39, resident vice-president of the American Surety Company, and for several years an actor, during which time he supperted William Gillette, impersonated Robert hk. Lee at the Hippodrome and played in ‘The Wild Rose’’, died suddenly February 17 of heart disease at his home, 720 Riverside Drive, New York City. LEWIS—Eugene B., former newspaper and scenario writer, died March 16 at his home in los Angeles, following an illness result.ng from a fali he had a year ago. MACK—Ciaire Babette, infant daughter of Joe P. and Jessie Mack, died at the home of her patents, 8 Monroe avenue, Rochester, N. Y., February 26. Mr. Mack is business manager of ‘“‘Town Scandals” and Mrs. Mack a chorister in the Mollie Williams Company. Deceased was nine months and three days old. Interment was made February 28 at Riverside Cemetery, Rochester, N. Y. MAYER—Al, 45, producer of “Shuffle Along” and manager of many colored productions, died BARNEY BERNARD ARNEY BERNARD, famous Hebréw character comedian, noted countrrwide for his faithful impersonation of Abe Potash, which he had played over three thousand tmes in the last nine years, died at 7:30 o'clock the night of March 21 at his home, 215 West 90th street, bronchial pneumonia. New York City, after a brief illness of With him at the bedside were his parents, Charles H. and Isabelle Bernard; his wife, Rose F. Bernard, and Drs. Evan Evans, Samuel Lambert and A. B. Stern. Barney, as he was effectionately Known to multitudes of theatergoers, was born im Rochester, N. Y¥., August 17, 1878. His first stage appearance was im burlesque as a Hebrew monolocist and comedian at Miner’s Bowery Theater. His hilarious impersonations of Hebrew characters won bim almoet instant recognition and he Was soon a star in his own right. For a time he was in vandeville and musical comedies, playing Selomen Skevinsky in ‘““The Sovl Kiss”, Mr. Weisebeimer in “The Silver Star’, until he opemed with Alexander Cirr in the first of Montague Glass’ series, ‘‘Potash and Perlmutter”, at the George M. Cohan Theater, New York, August 16, 1913. His characterization of Abe Potash was hailed by critics as one of the masterpieces of American acting of the type. In 1918S he played Abe Potash to the Morris Perlmutter of Julius Tannen, tn “Abe and Mawruss’’, a threeact comedy dy Roi Cooper Megrue and Montague Glass. of the series, ‘‘His Honor, Abe Potash Goodman. In 1919 he opened in New York im another *, Written bry Montague Glass and Jules Eckert His impersonation of Abe Potash was interrupted for a shert period when he played Nathaniel Pomerantz in ‘‘Two Riocks Away’’, a comedy by Aaron Hoffman. Last year he returned to the familiar characterization of Abe Potash, with Alex ander Carr again as the Perlmutter. Again”, and was another tremendous success. 15 in New London, Conn. This time the vebicle was “Partners After a long tour it closed March Barney returned to his home fin New York City with a slight cold, which rapidly developed into pneumonia. His situation became very Serious and three specialists were called in. Was resorted to by the specialists, but in euch second nature te him that he recited spex te his death. Every effort known to medical scleace vain. The part of Abe Potash had become ches from ft while in a deliriaem prior He was to leave this week with Alexander Carr to act the comedy at the new Playhouse, recently acquired by A. H. Louis A. Macloon ang Lillian Albertson. Woods and the Selwyns, in association with They were tben to make a motion picture version of “Partners Again’ for Goldwyn. Mr. Bernard was a member of the Board of Trustees ard a life member of the Actors’ Equity, life member and trustee ef the Lambs’ Club, and a member of the National Vaudeville Artists. The actor is survived by his widow, Rose, daughter of Ruben Weissman, well known Hebrew writer; his parents, Charies H. and Isabelle Bernard; his sisters, Mrs. Arthur Fromensen, wife of a publicity promoter; the Misses Reba and Rbheda Ber nard, and Mrs. Ira Bernstein, of Atlanta, Ga., and bis brothers, Nat, vice-president of the Victer and the Hirschberg hat companies, and Lester, a booking agent. More than 3,000 friends and admirers, including delegations from the Actors’ Equity, Friars, Salmagundi Club, Catholie Actors’ Guild, Grand Street Boys and the Jewish Theatrical Alliance, visited the bier in Campbell's Fumeraj Church March 23. Among those who called were Alexander Carr, Frederick Fleck, Magistrate Mar Levine and scores of other celebrities. floral tributes. Synagog, officiating. Faneral services were be Fifty-fifth street and@ Lexington avenue, Interment was made in the family plot in Wasbington Cemetery. The bier was banked with hundreds of ‘ld at 10 a.m Mareh 24 im the Central with Dr. Stephen S. Wise who had more deeply in his understanding the knowledge of show business than Heary —— Hibbert. It is more than thirty years siace first contributed to The Sunday Times and he was for fifteen years on the staf of The Era, to which he had returned as editor quite recently. s kindness of heart was ine tdi and be was eagerly ready for any sacrifice on behalf of a fellow journalist or player upon whom bard times bad come, and yet such was his liberality Bis friends had to undertake the last s3@ rites lest preper respect be not paid e to his remsins HOTCHKISS—Frank 8. 62. Monroe, La.. dropped dead at hie home March 1. He formerly owned and operated 8 two-car citreus and carnival and lately a vaudeville cirens traveling by truck. He was well known fin the carniva! and circus world. The deceatrd is survived by bis witow, known as “Ma” Hotchkiss. and brother in Mic HUTCHESCN—Mrs WitTile gic, critic and newspaper wr te ton. Tex.. recently, after a brief fllness. Mr« Hutcheson was at one time correspondent for Musical America JOHNSON—Charles Melvin, 57. provrietor of Sea Side Hote: at Highlands. N. J.. died March 18 of diabetes in t Monmouts Memorial Hospital at Red Rank, N. J WYON—C. A.. father of Mrs. Dave L Curtis. of the team of Curtis and Curtis. rife experts. died at his home in Independence. Ia.. March 11, of poteon'ng. Prior to bis death Mr. Kenyros the office of coantr recorder of Buchanan County He bad a host of friends in the profession who will mourn bis deat reatly TaYAKER—Lil'tan. former partner of Hal Rearry am! YaeYaker Sisters, end whe appeared for years with the late HD. Yarrow attractions over the Gus Sun Time, died at March 21 at the Van Cortlandt Sanitarium following an operation there March 12 The Geceased is survived by the widow and mother, who reside at the Therese Hotel. 123th street and Seventh avenue, New York City. MONTEUX—Mother of Mme. Pierre Monterr, wife of the conductor of the Rosten Symphbeny Orchestra, recently died enddenty tm France. Mme. Montenx sailed Saturday for France. MORDECAI—Mrs.. wife of Sam Mordecai, @ied February 29 at 44b Hackford Road, Brizton, S. W. 9. England She is survived by = husband and two sons, Eddie Comet and arry Ferguson OQ CONNOR—John, member of train crew of the Ringling Bros-Barnum @ Railey Circus, died soddenly March M. Hits bedy was found in one of the cars when opened in New York City. He had been with the show ten years. The deceased was a resident of Philai s «ster resides. eonard P.. 72, manager of the at New York Citr, died March Sevrenty-fourth street fm the aod Mrs. William Litebeobe had made hie home for manv nraemic poisoning fo! 4 Deceased had } sents and with John son & Slavin’s Minstrels. He was later n i with Hoyt & McKee, which produced a!! esses br Charles Hort In 1918 Mr. Phelps was appointed auditor for Arthur Hop kins and was later made manager of the P’ymonth Theater by Mr. Hopkins. Services were beld March 18 at 11 o'clock tn the morn ne at Campbell's FPonera!l Parlors. Many men and women prominent on the New York stage and tn the New York theaters attended the serrices The bororary pallbearers were Jett F. Shaw, mareeger of the Rooth Theater: W'ljam Muenster, of the Fulton; Joba L. stein where Death was due to an attack of npeumonia, lowin the s Morosco, and John L. McNamee of the Kk) theaters. Interment was in Greenwood Pn tery. ” oe with ceased was in the show business for more than pt ae tae and ane a host of friends in an out of the profession, F e were held March 23. ae PRICE—Mrs. Bea, mother of Fred Les) “‘the fat clown’, died at 4 a.m. March 21 a a Mo. an deceased is survived by one son and two daughters, who w the end. . a RAVENSCROFT—Amy, member of “The ¢ i . { aret Girl’, died in Buglana recently with An. suddenness, it was noticeable that Miss Kay. enscroft, who played the part of the Marchior was playing Death was due to double pneumonia. 7 RICE—Edward, well-known bass who last ap. peared in the Gene Leighton Revue, died March 18 at Saranac Lake, N. Y., after a Mager illness, The widow, who is . ie RICHARDS * gpa 3 S—William M., 51, pro or per | the Ernpire Theater, Detroit, win an b resid the Grace Hospital, that city, following ag leant operation March 22. He had been il! for “more es than six weeks. The deceased is survived by well his widow, one 80m and two daughters. Funeral fessi services were held March 24 at 2:30 p.m. at = = residence under direction of the Masonic me order. : BOSS__William P., 6, owner of the first me moving picture house in Davenport, Ia., passed Engl away at his home, 1916 Lastern avenue, Daven. ber port, at 10:45 Tuesday evening, March 11, Thee following an illness of fifteen months. Deceased was a Mason and is survived by hig wi 3 play three daughters, one son, a brother and sistez. 81 The remains were sent to Wilton, la., where ker, Masonic funeral services were held at 3 p.m ba March 13, with interment in Whiiten Cemetery, wi ,, ROWE—Leonard, 48, character man with t Harkins’ Stock Company playing the West Ip ue dies, died suddenly March 15 at Jamaica, West wv) Indies, according to word received In New York by Pearl Young. Mr. Rowe played the butler Sent in the New York production of “The Brat", a The Harkins Stock with which he was playing val returns to New York March 27. The body was ~— shipped to the bome of bis sister im Philai Gelphia. where the funeral was beid. Coe SHAFER—Charies RB. 45, old-time talker bars with the K. G. Barkoot. C. A. Wortham and = various other shows, passed away February 18 nt in Phoenix, Ariz., after an illness of six days Deceased is survived by his widow. Fune ra services were held February 23 at Mrs. Shafer's ity home in Griggsville, Ul, with imterment et ao Griggsville Cemetery. SHAFER—Deatrice, only danghter of E. sh. ff S8 fer, concessionaire on the Cudney * Shows Rev the past season, died March 13 at the Post Ho a tel, Post, Tex. Interment was in Post CemeNew tery. : SHELDON—Suranne, 49, veteran actress. wto | 1, made ber first appearance at the Lyceum TheaViol ter im London, 1808, as Lady Me Marne in w “The Medicine Man”, died March at Leadon of pneumonia. Miss Sheldon appeared in a wid= range of comedies, including “With Firing Colors’, “If 1 Were King’, “Captai Rarrington”, ‘Princess Zim Zim", “School fo Seandal’’ and many others. She was the Gaughter ef Charles H. Sheldon, of New York, and @ sister of Mrs. Anthony Hope Hawkins, wife of the novelist. SMITH—The mother of Lee Smith, leading lady with the Empire Theater Stock Company, Salem, Mass., died recently in New York City. SOUTHARD—\Mrs. Roxa Sprague Dix, & wife of Chas. Zibeon Southard and great-ereatSranddaughter of General <Artemas Ward, First General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Armies, died March 16 at her hom in Groton, Mass, Deceased was a fine pianist and bad a fine mezzo-soprano veice, which was trained under Mme. Caprini. She was also it D! terested in literary rsuits and for several medi years wrote special articles for The New York this Sun on British India. the alkaline desert of vill the United States, and on other *s for The Ch Chautauqua Magazine. Mrs. Southard is su enga vived by ber husband and several cousins fam: SULLIVAN—Michael A., 31, performer witt tin circuses and carnivals for the past ten years lov died at bis bome. 116 E. Goodale etreet, (> b lumbos, O., Saturday midnight, March 15. Mr Sullivan was with the Sith Ohio @ivislon tn th world war. Deceased is survived by bis parents, four brothers and two sisters, uneral service were beld March 19 {in Sacred Beart Chareh Burial was in Calvary Cemetery WALEER—Johnnie, 34. formerity of burlesque and feature of “‘The Sen Dodger, vandevilit act, died at hie home in Whitestene, L. L Mareh 21 of a complication of diseases. His Te widow, who played in the act with him rr‘t n his fliness, ts Leda Errol, sister of Leon Erré. } aon She left Terre Haure. Ind, immediately @ num receipt of a wire advising of her bushand’ the death. ford WARFHAM— Alfred Leovant. 37. actor aol Rya Member of the V. A. F., died March 1 4 T* tuberculosis im South Shields, England. The fe Hots neral was held March 5 from 21 Rath streeé Mar. South Shields. Deceased is survived by TT widew. known as Betty Rrace. Ches WEST—Mrs. Ned, pianist and organist f@ Mar. the past five years at the Majestic Theate Providence, R. L. ched tn that city March % The deceased was the daughter of Prof. Dreq of the Reston Conservatory of Mo« end wif of the late Ned West, well-known o She was well Known and a host of friend mourn her lose The ' Wes«throok. Conn... where interment was mad i> the ‘Gon mn cros#-talk act, died F , WHIT A known ¢ dreary 29 in Ent Indiana. @ March 6 at the home of Dis aunt, Belle Painte?, River Stock Farm of Munele on East Main street. Moncte Mr. Whitely been tm Ded bealth for a number of rears WILLIAMS—Frank, Ti, famous theatricl manager of the past generation who hed mst aced many of the best known actors and act reste< on the Amertean «tage. died March wa the Harlem Hospital, New York City, #ftet