The Billboard 1925-01-17: Vol 37 Iss 3 (1925-01-17)

January 17, 1925 The Billboard ORPHEUM'S MOUNTING EARNINGS BRING INCREASE IN DIVIDEND Vaudeville Circuit’s Recent Sale of Eastern Interests to Keith-Albee Has To Do With Raising Common Stock Profit From $1.50 to $1.80 a Share EW YORK, Jan. 12.—That the Orpheum Circuit, Inc., has enjoyed prosperity of an unusually satisfying sort during the past year is indicated in the order by the directors of the circuit to increase the annual dividend on the company’s common stock from $1.50 to $1.80 a share. While this is a sign that the Orpheum Circuit is making money, it is partly due. it is thought, to the profitable sale recently of the circuit's interest in the Greater New York Theaters’ Corporation to the Keith-Albee Circuit, which already controlled the stock. Aside for this, however, reports have showed that the earnings of the Orpheum Circuit during the past year have been far in excess of those in previous years, which, together with the new theaters and additions to the chain, caused the value of the stock to rise. At the last directors’ meeting three monthly dividends were declared, payable February 1, March 1 and April 1 to stockholders of record on the 20th of the month preceding. The previous rate was 12% cents monthly. While the increase is not much on the monthly basis, the amount declared is the highest in the history of the company. Radio Pianist Gets Route for Orpheum Time New York, Jan. 12.—Harry Snodgrass, whose term of three years in the Missouri Penitentiary at Jefferson City, to which he was sentenced after being found guilty as an accomplice in a murder, expired yesterday, has been signed by the Orpheum Circuit to make a tour of its theaters. Snodgrass has become quite popular over the radio during the past year, arrangements at the prison having been made whereby he was permitted to broadcast. He plays the piano by ear. He will open on the Orpheum Time at Springfield, Ill, the last half of the week of January 18, appearing at the Rialto, St. Louis, the week of February 1. The setting of his act will represent a broadcasting station, according to officials of the Orpheum Circuit here. Snodgrass became so popular thru his broadcasting, it is said, that he received more than 500 telegrams and letters at Christmas, in addition to a number of gifts from radio fans. Strong Man Sues New York, Jan. 10.—Breitba the strong man, who recently concluded a tour of the Keith Circuit, has instituted a suit for $3,500 against the Cunard Steamship Company 4or breach of cone tract, it became known today. Breitbart claims in his action that he entered in agreement with the steamship company to transport his baggage so that it would arrive here just prior to his opening. His attorney, Mr. Becker, of Becker & Levy, asserted that the paraphernalia did not arrive until two weeks after it was supposed to and that Breitbart’s act was held up in consequence. Becker states further that his client plans to make another tour of this country about the middle of this year. The lawyer did not know of the exact booking, but said that he believed Breitbart would make the Middle and Far-West circuits this time. Billy Reeves Returns New York, Jan. 12.—Billy Reeves, the English comedian, is at Proctor’s 23d Street the first half in his drunk act, The Right Flat But the Wrong Key, which he did here six years ago. During is absence from this country Reeves has been in England most of the time. Dolly wis, who appeared in his support on his last visit here, is again with him. Gordon Bostock is directing the act. Eric Zardo To Stay Awhile New York, Jan. 12.—Altho it was announced that Eric Zardo, concert pianist, would work with Mme. Emma Trentini, opera singer, at the Hippodrome only, where she appeared last week, he has been induced to remain with her act for the time being at least, appearing with Mme. Trentini this week at ith’s, Philadelphia. Celebrates 21st Anniversary New York, Jan. 12.—The Orpheum Theater, New Orleans, celebrates its 23d anniversary this week with a bill headed by Nance O'Neil, in Alfred Sutro’s playet, All the World’s a Stage and The Antique Shop. The present Orpheum =o the old Orpheum five Phil Seed Starts $4,600 Action Against Jean Bedini New York, Jan. 12.—Phil Seed, vaudeville comedian, who recently returned from England, has filed suit thru his attorney, Morris Grossfield, in Supreme Court, Kings County, against Jean Bedini, internationally known burlesque and revue producer, for damages of $4,600, alleging breach of contract. Seed is a brother of Dave Seed, of Seed and Austin, who has worked in vaudeville for years and is comparatively well known. The amount sued for represents 47 weeks’ work at $100 a week in American money, or £22 in English money. The action was begun by Seed immediately upon his arrival here two weeks ago from London, where he appeared in Jean Bedini’s short-lived show, Cheerio of 1925, as the leading comedian. After the show had played five weeks at the Grand Theater, Hanley, it closed, and Seed charges that Bedini violated the contract he had made with him by not providing him with further work, the contract having called for one year’s work at the salary already mentioned. Bedini was served with a summons December 31 when he stepped off the S. S. Aquitania, on which he was a passenger. By the summons he is ordered to give notice of appearance by January 20. Bedini’s version has not yet been heard. While still in London Seed filed a complaint with the Home Office, but discovered he could not obtain redress due to the fact that the contract had been signed in America. According to Seed, it was Bedini’s idea to produce a number of revues in London in which Seed would be featured, but that the flop of his first, Cheerio of 1924, apparently had discouraged him in following out his plans. Seed contemplates going into vaudeville in a new act, he reported. In the London show he was considerable of a hit? despite the closing of the production, British and American Tars Pack Orpheum, N. O, New Orleans, Jan. 10.—Packed to the doors Thursday long before Manager Steward had time to place the S. R. O. sign in position before seven o'clock, the Orpheum Theater catered to the officers and crews of the British and American warships now in port. The theater was decorated with the British and American colors; the orchestra greeted the visitors with God Save the King, followed by the stirring strains of the Star-Spangled Banner. The regular Orpheum program Was presented, augmented by music from the band of H. M. S. Calcutta, followed by the glee club of the same vessel. Five hundred enlisted men occupied the center of the house. It was a gala event and one that will live long in the history of the Orpheum. Will Do “The Honeymoon” New York, Jan. 12.—Mgaria Ilka, who appeared in support of Mrs. Leslie Carter in her act, Alize of Tartary, is to do The Honeymoon, by the late Aaron Hoffman, which he wrote several years ago and which played in vaudeville at that time. Hamilton Christine and Tony Kennedy will appear in support of Miss Ilka. Later, Lewis & Gordon, producers of The Honeymoon, will put out a second company, with Eddie Buzzell featured, according to report. Joins Val Harris’ Act New York, Jan. 12.—Meratta McNally left New York last week to join Val Harris’ act out on the Orpheum Time. She started with Harris’ offering the first half of this week at Sioux City, Ia, replacing Vera Griffin, who_ formerly worked in the part. Miss McNally was formerly with Jack Allman in the twoa-day. Murdock and Edwards Open New York, Jan. 12.—Japie Murdock and Joe Edwards are opening this week in the provinces in Charles J. Socci'’s travesty, How Iqnatius Got Pneumonia, which Eddie Hayden O’Connor is presenting. O'Connor is also launching the new act called Anniseed, with George Mack and Rose Kessler, this week. Cecile Weston, who came back to the vaudeville fold last week in her cycle of dialect songs and stories by Andy Rice. She has been missing from the boards of the big time for several months, but is now routed over the Keith-Albee Time in her familiar offering, which also has Marie Franklin at the piano. She started her return engagement at Keith’s Hamilton Theater, New York. Lopez Incorporation Sells Stock to Public New York, Jan. 12.—Much publicity is being given to the plan of Vincent Lopez, Inc., placing part of its stock on the market for sale to the public. The organization recently was incorporated with the capital stock at $200,000. The preferred stock is offered at $10 per share. This is the first time in the history of Wall street that a musical director who incorporated himself has offered the stock for general subscription. It is understood that Lopez and his partner, William Hamilton, have retained for themselves the controlling interest in the organization. The prospectus states that the money will be used for expansion of the business and outlines severa] plans by Lopez for increasing the earnings of the corporation. Lopez starts his concert and dance tour today, as stated elsewhere in this issue of The Billboard. Newhoff and Phelps Split With Chauncey Gray’s Orch. New York, Jan. 12.—The team of Newhoff and Phelps have split up with Chauncey Gray's Orchestra, with which they formerly worked, and are in rehearsal in an offering in which they and others will double for instrumental bits. Lew Cantor will present the new act. He produced the old one, also. . ‘To Replace Westerly House New York, Jan. 12.—While the Westerly Opera House, Westerly, R. I, was being ravaged by fire early Saturday a week ago, which burned it to the ground, David Novograd, manager and owner, was attending a performance of the Vanities. According to announcement, Novograd will rebuild, putting up a new house of about the same size as the one destroyed. New Turn Gets Break New York, Jan. 12.—Adler, Weil and Herman, at the Palace Theater last week, in spite of the fact that it was only their third week in vaudeville, have been ked for the opening bill of the new Albee Theater, Brooklyn, next week. They were recruited for the two-a-day from the Wigwam and have deeply impressed the bookers with their offering. Herskind Back in Vaude. New York, Jan. 12.—The Australian comedian and caricaturist, Herskind, returned to the vaudeville stage yesterday after nearly a year’s absence. He was signed for a tour of the Orpheum Circuit and opened at its house in St. Paul. His act, consisting of sketches and monolog, is called Cartoons a la Carte. “Run Down” on Delmar Time New York, Jan. 12.—Tonie Grey and Company, in Run Down, referred to as a comical solution of dark mystery, has been routed over the Delmar Circuit, opening this week in Birmingham and Atlanta, the first half in the former and the last half of the week in the latter 17 MANAGER MAKES HOUSE SUCCESS J. Lloyd Dearth Puts Pantages Theater, Memphis. in MoneyMaking Class Memphis, Tenn. Jan. 10.—Astuteness on the part of J. Lloyd Dearth, manager of Pantages’ Theater here, has started the house on its upward financial climb even tho the Sunday law has taken away the biggest moneygetter of the week, it became known today. The theater was placed in construc tion about four years ago and at the time show houses were allowed to remain open on Sunday. However, before completion the blue law advocates got to work, deciding that Sunday shows were not the thing for residents of Memphis and passed the statute. For a long time the house played to results that showed up on the debit side of the books rather than credit. Dearth, tho, who was born and raised here, maintained a stolid confidence in his native city and predicted and persuaded his officials that he would some day put the house over as a money-making success. To achieve that end the wide-awake manager kept on his toes at all times, always seeking out the best attractions both in vaudeville and pictures that appealed most strongly to his patrons. One of the outstanding features in this display of judgment was the securing of Tom Mix’s picture Deadwood Coach for Christmas week. Dearth figured that this would be just the thing for the younger set who would be at home on account of the holidays. This proved to be correct, for he packed the house day and night for the entire run and when the receipts were counted up it proved to be the greatest total thus far obtained in the theater’s history. Dearth has complete charge of his theater, this being one of Pantages’ methods in handling his many new houses thruout the country. The manager is quoted as saying that he isn’t satisfied yet, -still looking forward to the day when his house will be one of the best — propositions on the entire circu Dow Agency Adds Two Houses New York, Jan. 12.—Two more houses are going on the books of the A. & B. Dow Agency here, which has added several this season, now handling about 20 theaters playing independent vaudeville. The new ones are the Strand, Malden, Mass, and the Bordentonian, Bordentown, N. J., both of which play a policy of four acts and a picture, the former twice weekly and the latter the last half only. e Dow Agency starts hocking Ss Malden house January 19. It is 5 handled at present by the Louis Walters Agency, of Boston. The New Jersey house opened today with its first bill of vaudeville, having formerly played an exclusive picture policy. Haley and Rock Booked * New York, Jan. 12.—Jack Haley and Helen Eby Rock, who teamed together recently, have been booked for two weeks on the Orpheum Circuit, with additional time probably to follow. Their first week is at the Palace, Chicago, January 25. Miss Rock is the widow of the late William Rock, with whom she worked in vaudeville for many years. Elaine Stern Has New One New York, Jan. 12.—Another playlet by Elaine Sterne made its appearance last week at Proctor’s 23d Street Theater. It is called Such Is Life and features Laura Pierpont, who has a company in support, including Henry Coote and Margaret Lee. Sun Again Books Ontario Houses New York, Jan. 12—The Gus Sun Agency is again booking the Griffin Theater, St. Catherines, Ont., and also the Prince of Wales Theater, Toronto, which it formerly handled. These two houses are booked out of the Buffalo office of the Sun Exchange. “The Sleeping Porch” Routed New York, Jan. 12.—The Sleeping Porch, by Mann Paige and Albert Cowells, which opened last fall and since has been working on the Keith-Albee Time, opened at the Orpheum Theater, Kansas City, last week, starting a tour of the Orpheum Circuit. Rosalie and Lee Stewart present and book the act. “Clothes” Norton’s New Partner New York, Jan. 12.—Ned (Clothes) Norton, the man of many partners, has a new one, Jules Howard, with whom he opened last week in a new offering to break in. Norton’s last partner was Lew (Shimky) Hilton, of burlesque. "ere e2saewaqte. 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