The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 31 PUBLICITY AND "ROMANCE." Vlctrola XVI Plays a Prominent Pari In the Action of Successful Way Now Bclnji Presented in Chicago, and the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. l akes Full Advantage of the Fact. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) CHICAGO, In.., December 8. — The very well acted and accurately presented play "Romance," in which Mi>s Doris Keane lias been appearing at the Princess for the past eleven weeks, has been the source of some of the most valuable advertising that the House of Wurlitzer lias received for some time. The properties include a style XVI Victrola, • in antique square piano and a reed organ, all of which were furnished by the Wurlitzer Co., and which are acknowledged in the program. The curtain rises in the prologue with the Victrola holding t he Center of the stage and the house at once senses the novelty of its presence and at the same time the reality of the scene. The grand-daughter of the character who is the .hero of the three main acts that follow, and which date back some forty years, advances and places "Kennst du das Land?" sung by Emmy Destinn, on the machine. "1 Love a Lassie" replaces it. The laugh that comes from the audience as the familiar Scotch burr of Harry Lauder reaches their ears could not be more spontaneous were the jocular comedian himself to appear on the stage. This record, however, is not finished, as a conversation begins that introduces the main story of the play. At the end of the first act the opera singer, Cavallini (Doris Kea.ne) disappears down a staircase apparently singing "Kennst du das Land?" In reality, an opera singer stationed at the foot of the staircase sings. In the record act the antique square on which Miss Keane plays meets the eye of the audience and behind the scenes the reed organ plays. The epilogue of the play is particularly touching. The once fine-looking young man, now aged and gray, sits by the fire and listens to his grand-daughter as she reads in the paper of the death of the once famous Cavallini. Then, left alone with his romance, the old man once more places a record on the machine and as the curtain goes down the audience again hears the famous selection from' Mignon" as it issues from the Victrola. THE TRADE AWAKENING Of the United States to the Panama Canal And What it Means in the Development of Export Trade — The Opportunities Offered. Unless all signs fail, the opening of the Panama Canal is going to mark a brand-new epoch in American business. This is, at all events, the belief of people who have kept in closest touch with American trade prospects; and it sounds reasonable— because: First, the canal connects the eastern and western sections of the country by water, entirely eliminating the long and perilous journey around Cape Horn. This means, of course, that not only will there be an immensely increased amount of traffic between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States by water, which is naturally cheaper than the all-rail route, now the only alternative to going all the way around South America, but that. Second, the canal makes just as easy trade with ports on the western side of South America, which has heretofore been even more inaccessible than those on our own west coasts, because there was not the alternative of all-rail shipments, even at higher freight rates. It is also altogether likely that trade with South American points not actually ports of entry will increase proportionately, taking shipments for inland delivery from canal ports or from those on the west coast of South America. Third, additional steamship lines between the United States and South American ports, with greatly increased number of sailings, are more than probable, the lack of these in the past being a bitter reflection on the apathy of the United States manufacturers to the possibilities of trade with our southern neighbors — an apathy from which they are now beginning to arouse themselves — and it is about time. THE TALKING BANK NOTE Is New invention of an Engineer In England I ike Phonograph Record it Will Cry Its Value Aloud and Defy Forgers. \n invention thai might prove useful in the make-up ol the new American issue of bills and banknotes has lately been brought to a high tati of perfection by an English engineer, Alfred E, Bawtree. Mr. Bawl ice's device is a machine which will so i in the edge of a banknote .is to make ii a veritable phonograph record, capable of talking and stating it s denominat ion. Put as simply as possible, the method employed in making the "talking banknote," which Mr. Bawtree says will defy the machinations ol the counterfeiter, is this: The sound form of two syllables, like "dollar," "fifty," "hundred" is first photographed by an ingenious process upon a film, making a jagged line of about the length of a bank note. By a photo-mechanical process this jagged line, which is really a little record of the words spoken, is cut on a zinc plate, and from this mould a steel cutting knife of the required shape and design is obtained. With this knife the edges of bills and notes may be cut and each serrated edge is a reproduction of the sound form required. When the bills so treated are passed through I he specially designed phonographii reproducer, which is a part of the invention, they cai) be heard crying their values, Mr. Bawtree says, "with this machine people can safeguard themselves against receiving forged notes. It would be practically impossible for a forger to imitate the serrated edge of a note which 'talks.' " DO YOUR WINDOWS PULL? Do you watch your windows carefully, to note if the display is "pulling"? Sometimes merchandise will remain in a window several days without occasioning a single inquiry within the store. Yet, if the windows arc not being watched, nobody will know of it, and that splendid selling space will be as naught for the time being. No merchant would venture to advertise a second time an item which plainly did not sell when advertised the first time, nor should he be any more reckless of his window space — infinitely more valuable, so far as direct returns are concerned. Have a good talking machine window display. Success breeds Success Yours for service, BLAGKMAN TALKING MACHINE GO. J. NEWCOMB BLACKMAN, Pres. 97 CHAMBERS ST., NEW YORK {ft^™ BLACKMAN DEALERS KNOW IT They know that the BLACKMAN POLICY of PROTECTING regular Blackman dealers FIRST — will enable them to get machines if at all possible. They know what BLACKMAN SERVICE has meant to them in the past. That's why they stick. WHEN WILL YOU Be a Blackman Dealer? Start by taking advantage of our IDEAL RECORD SERVICE. VICTROLAS are too uncertain to make promises about during December except as above.