Variety (Jan 1906)

ti VARIETY. ELTINQE SAYS HE DIDN'T. From San Francisco during his recent coast trip came the report that Julian Eltinge had thrashed a man who had called him a "Cissie." and the tale was 80 unique in the annals of female im- personation that Eliinge became a per- son of interest. It is a pity to spoil a good story, but Eltinge says it is not true. •- "I didn't thrash a man," said he to Variety, the other afternoon. "What would be the use. If I tried to thrash every one who made remarks I would have a perpetually sprained wrist and bruised knuckles. "The trouble is that many of the im- personators have given the outsider good cause to believe all he hears of a man who wears women's clothes on the stage, and I do not altogether blame them. Until I went on the professional stage I could not stand this sort of act myself, and I am doing it merely for the money there is in it. "The old Cadet shows Heemed differ- ent. There a lot of the boys made up as girls, and it was all a lark for the en- tertainment of our families and friends. I turned down several good offers, but at last It came to the proposition that I could get ten dollars a week in a com- mercial house with a po.^sible increase to fifty in the distant future. "On the other hand, the managers' of- fers were most generous. I took a place with Rice in Mr. Wix of Wickham,' playing the juvenile. Few persons know that because so pitifully few saw that piece and they are not boasting about it. "The experience was good for me, and as I played a girl in the second act. the change to vaudeville was natural. I would rather be doing a blackface spe- cialty than female impersonation, but there Is not the same money in it, and so I am sticking to the impersonation for a time until I can show the man- agers that I can act men's parts ac- ceptably. Then I hope to give up the skirts forever. I hate the work and the manner in which an impersonator is re- garded. "It is not pleasant to be classed with others who have brought the Impersona- tion into disrepute. It is not pleasant to go into a house on a Monday morning and be regarded with suspicion by my fellow players, but I find that they soon learn that I am a real man. and by Wednesday I have gained their respect. For the casual comment of the outsider there is no redress. I have to take that along with the salary. At most I shall have but two years more of It. "I do not go in for the absolute copy of the woman. I do not wear the steel corselet adopted by some to give the out- line. I get a waist line and above and below that go in for fiuffy effects which suggest rather than reproduce the femi- nine figure. It's easier work for me and I think less suggestive. To that I at- tribute my success. I try not to be any more like a woman than I have to be. Off the stage I do not have to try to be a man." WEST'S PUBLICITY. Despairing of the ordinary means of reaching the agents' ears, J. Royer West, of West and Van Siclon, decided that the situation called for originality, and last Wednesday there appeared (Hi Twenty-eighth street a sandwich man bearing a sign decorated with the West pnd \an Siclen advertisement. After parailing the block between Fifth ave- nue and Broadway until It was certain tiiat William Morris and his staff had absorbed the information, the man movei his stand to the vicinity of the St. James Building for the benefit of S. K. Hodgdon et al., moving up to the Vic- toria in time to give the glad news to William Hammerstein. This Is the first time that a sandwich man has been employed to advertise a vaudeville act to an agent, and the quaintness of the idea had the vaude- ville portion of the town on a broad grin. ' VALDARE MARRIED. Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 3. 1906. James Valdare, of the Six Valdare Tr upe of cyclists, which played an en- gagement at Ramcna Park Theatre last summer, was niarrleJ to Miss Gertrude Varno, of this city, December 18, at New- Brunswick, N. J. ^Vhile playing last summer In this city one of the troupe resigrjed. and an advertisement was in- serted in one of the local papers by Mr. Valdare for a young lady to take the place of the one resigned. Miss Varno was the only one to qualify. After a few days' practice she appeared in pul> lie with the troupe. James Valdare was much interested In her and her work, which later developed in their being married. Mr. and Mrs. Valdare are spending the holidays in this city, but leave shortly to join the troupe in St. Louis, Mo. C. H. Hallman. RICE AND BARTON'S LOSS. Rice and Barton received the unhappy news the other day that their property at Centreport, Long Island, had been de- stroyed by fire the night before. The news came over the 'phone to Mr. Bar- ton at Newark and Mr. Rice at Spring- field, Mass. Mr. Rice had expended large sums during the last summer mak- ing many Improvements, and the build- ing was probably the most comfr.rtable home In Long Island. The fire began from a defective flue and was soon be- yond control. The loss is about $25,000, partly cov- ered by insurance. A new home will be built as speedily as possible, and this time It will be of fireproof material. GORRESrONDENGE -.. •■■ ".■ -■' -y-. . ■■■;■ •■:■'". '■..■: . \ .'■.: Philadelphia, Pa. If there Is anything In getting a good start. PhUadel()hla can look forward to a prooperoua •eaaon from now on, as the bUBlnesa here haa been very big aU week. Five of the theatres Btiirted with "midnight shows" beginning shortly after the advent of the New Year, the Casino. Trocadero, Lyceum, BlJou and Bon Ton playing to audiences which packed the houses from pit- to dome and capacity business has continued all wtt k. KlilTHS—An attractive holiday bill welcomed the thousands of Keith patrons. H*^cord-break- ing audiences were entertained on New Tear's IMy. The program ofCei-ed several numbers given for the first time in this house. Alice Pierce, who topped the bill, is found in new acts. A sextet of pantomlmlsts calling themselves "Les Renos." made a hit with their sketch called "A Modern Burglar. This troupe was originally billed as "The QamboUers," and changed the name on account of some copyright trouble, it is reported. Bertina and Brockway and Pierce and Opp. in singing and dancing, and Neff and Elliott, who also sing, were new here. 6am Wat- son's Farmyard Circus proved a pleasing diver- sion for the young folks. His trained pigs and chickens were a real novelty. Frederic Bond and his assistants gave "My Awful Dad" again and it went us well as ever, but it Is about time Bond was getting something new. Qeorge W. Day had several stories and a couple of songs which pleased and L<e Roy and Woodford managed to win recognition with some pretty well worn stuff. The La Jesses, gymnasts: Tom Moore, a ooon shouter; O. K. Sato, a Juggler with comedy on the side; Hoey and Lee. who are styled "creators," are on the bill. The latter have not created anything that is good. Toto Is still h^re. but ther<L> Is still hope. Two new pictures were shown and deservi^d their share of the honois. TROCADiiRO.—The "Merrymakers" furnished the,year's first bill and pleased with their pro- gram, "Running for Mayor" and "The Mayor's Vacation." The company is a large one and fairly competent. M. J. Kelly and Thomas Rob- inson and Jeanette Young and Orace Patton were tile piincipaU in the burlesque numbers, while the olio prtsenteu Brown and Robinson; Strouse and YounK; the Exposition Four (Alexander lirothers and lirady) and Sherman and i>^iller. Business has i>een up to the usual high stand- ard since the season opened. CASINO.—Rose Sydell and her London Belles ent.'nained the Casino patrons with a good bill. "Dazaling Nancy," a farce in two parts, was used mainly as a vehicle to Introduce the star in htr numerous costumes, which were decidedly elaborate. M.ss Sydell's ideas of color are not alAuys in harmony with her dark hair, but she liid make a stunning appearance in one or two iif htr aresses. The chorus were also well dressed, wt II drilled and fairly good singers. The comedy w.-ts ordinal y. James W. Mack was disgustingly un. tinny in the second part. The Casino business ib in ine Increase. I,i«'LLM.— J. Herbert Mack's "World Beat- ers ' found a ready welcome on their second visit to this city this season. The show could stand a little more action to it. but deserves crodit for restraining anything unclean, although there Is enough suggestiveness about it to satisfy those who enjoy this class of entertainment. The girls make a good appearance. The "Jolly Old Spurts" and "All at Sea" are the burlesques wuh May Gebhardt and May Corey In the prin- cipal roles, and McDonald and McFarland and Casi>er Nowak. a midget doing the comedian stunts. The latter trio works hard with doubt- ful effect. The olio offers very little to merit othtr than passing comment. BiJOL".—"Two Irish Daddies" and "A Jealous woman" were the offerings of "The Mascottes" thlH wevk, the bill being supported by a number of variely acts which rounded out a satisfactory «nt rtalnment. Fields and Munson; Barrett. Wil- liams and Alieno; Wilbur Held; Lavlne and Page and the Batchelor Sisters appeared in the olio. Big business was reported for the week. UOS TUN.—Lovell's Dog and Pony Circus. Chadwick Trio. Waller and MagiU, Columbia (^)niedy Quartette. Lillian Steele and Edith Haney, Alpha Trio, the Morrises, the Kellys and Dora Ronaco (featured) made up an entertaining bill, and -the new management reports satisfac- tory business. N(»Tl!;S.—Charles A. Bradenburg, owner of the Ninth and Arch Museum, died last week and was burled Tuesday. Sam Sanford. the old mln- Htrtl. who died in New York last week, was burled from a relative's house in this city on Wednesday. Al Reeves's "Beauty Show" laid off diirInK the present week and will ooen In Pitt.sburg on Monday. January 8. Dora Ronaco, who is featured as the most perfect woman In burlesque, filled In the open time at the Bon Ton. in a violin solo offering. Murcal Joins the sh"W in I*lttsburg and the Savoy Comedy Four re placid the New York Newsboys' Quartette. KlizalMth Murray was added to the bill In K«ith s last week, opening on Tuesday and made gih.d. Truly Shattuck announced her retlre- mt-nt from the "Prince of Pllsen Girls" act. She will have a part In Oeorge M. Cohan's "George Wa:rnlngton, Jr." Cherldah Simpson replaces Mi.vs Shattuck with the "Pllsen Girls." Car- ter I>e Haven, who is here with "Dolly Dollars." will also return to the variety with a new "Kirl act." KINKS. Boston, - Haas. KKITHS (B. F. Keith, mgr.).—Prank Gardner and Lottie Vincent are presenting a new and original spectacular fantasy. "Winning a Queen." In which Gardner appears as a tramp. Miss Vincent makes a strliclng and clever queen, but the suiiiort In several minor characters needs a little mor(> training, otherwise the fantasy Is w>'|| pres«nted and one of the big laughing hits on a strong bill. The Plcchlanls, a European acn»batlc troupe, perform wopderful feats of balanclnif and tumbling that keep the audience hpellbf>iind and evoke vociferous applaase. Tay- lor Holmes is a capital entertainer, and as a monologist belongs in the front rank for getting away from a beaten path In some clever work. The stuttering and stammering recitation Is good: Imitation of Geo. Cohan, fair; of Sam Bernard better. In response to repeated encores Mr. Holmes Rives nn Intensely funny burlesque of Hlchard Mansfield in his familiar attitude of scoring the public for not knowing when to ap|>laud. Holmes Is clever and a hard worker, but takes one encore too many; it is then his voice does not do hlra Justice. The Sunny South, a double sextette of colored p«rfonn«rs. flv« a lively song and dance story of Dixie in the old plantation days; at the close the eccentric danc- ing of several male members of the organisation create a furore, but outside of a little (ood harmony here and there, the singing of the com- pany is not above the average. An omitted number is sutMtituted by ttiat dear old lady, Mrs. Annie Ycamans. and her daughter, in a bright little skit about an amateur actress who is crasy to go into opera. The Yeamans are gen- uine fun-makers and as popular as ever. Celina Bobe Is a talented violinist and xylophonlst, but her work lacks artistic refinement. Every time I see her she either breaks a string or a maJiet, this time both. But in spite of her vigorous playing she always goes "big." Qulgley Broth- ers. Celtic conversationalists, need no further Introduction to a Boston audience; neither does their comedy; they are still using the old ve- hicle, "A Congressman-at-Large," with but little new material in the political Joke line. Every- body still laughs heartily at the stories about the "Green car" and the "Massacree t>aU"; It's the way they tell them, and consequently these comedians score heavily. Kern's mimic dog is made up to represent some well-known historical characters and German types, which he does, assisted by his master, with almost human intel- ligence. Another animal act which the manage- ment has especially engaged to amuse the Juve- nile patrons Is Wormwood's dog and monkey cir- cus. With the exception of a wonderful New- foundland, who adds, subtracts, multiplies ahd divides figures from one to ten, this feature of simians and canines needs more parcful train- ing. Others on the bill are Reeves and Qulnn. singers and dancers; Francis Wood, hoop roller; Harry Brown, who sings while doing some crayon work; Burton and Brooks, presenting "Always in the Way," a sketch too long and tiresome, and Fred and Annie Polot. doing a lit- tle tame Juggling and tumbling. At throwing apples Into the audience FYed shows good Judg- ment; when they are thrown t>ack I wonder if anybody means anything. The Klnetograph shows "The Hen and the Golden Egg" and "Trie Bishop and the Burglar." Both good films. Good business. HOWARD ATHENAEUM (Carl D. Lothrop, bus. mgr.).—The headline variety this week is Carlotta the Marvel. Her act is new to Boston, and crowded houses appreciate and applaud to the echo the skill and the intrepid daKng with which she makes her fearless ride twice a day. Other acts of merit include Harry LeClalr, a clever mimic and female impersonator. As a burlesque comedian LeClair la not up to the standard; the Jokes he tells in a suggestive man- ner hurt his act, as it is noticed by the few en- cores taken. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Thome, as- sisted by George Watson, recently a f&vorlte In stock at another local house, and Miss I/ee Jar- vis, offer "An Uptown Flat." a sketch full of rapid-fire comedy and funliy sltuatlona Miles and Raymond do a little slnginr specialty and some dancing. The baby Imltat a is the best thing they do. Koppe and Koppe, Juggling com- edians; Burkhardt and Berry, "skittlsts"; Frank Eckland, banjolst. and Dorsch and Russell, who make mysterious music in a railroad scene, are also on the bill. Others deserving good notice pre Clarke and Florette, singers and dancers of distinction; Camllle and Fonda, excellent equili- brists; the Pryors. a substituted musical act that easily made good, and Geo. H. Diamond and Win C. Smith, premier song Illustrators, featur- ing "Everylx>dy Works but Father" and other popular selections that go big. The Howardscope presents a series of new motion pictures, and the stock burlesque musical number, entitled "Fresh Leaves." Miss Violet Mascotte and company of charming girls are holding up the manager's reputation of giving a good, clean show. Excellent business. GEO. LESLIE HUTCHINSON. Pittsbarv, Pa. GRAND (Harry Davis, mgr.).—Hugh Ward and Jessie Izett, ably assisted by Dennie Harris, con- stituting a trio of the popular favorites of the old Davis stock, give a fine performance of Felix Morris' sketch, "The Vagabond," with Mr. Ward In the title role. The Zancigs made a tre- mendous hit with their feats In psychological communication and mental telepathy. S. Mllb r Kent's impersonation of the Wisiern lo\«r In his dramatic offering. "Just Dorothy." was full of fire and vigor; In fact, a little too much so for the spirit of the playlet, while Frank I. Frayne was excellent In his comedy characterization of the Chinese servant. Everybody laugiis w th Lew Sully, and with Lillian Shaw. tixi. Kmma Francis has her "whirUvlmls" along, and they are as merry and nimble as ev« r. The Four Welsons give a wonderful cx'tibition oi aerial brawn and skill, and IIowar<rs p< nit» and dogs are real comedians. PM-zgerald. Morse and Druslane, in vocal selections, with piano accom- paniment, rec^elved several encores. The comedy Juggling of La Belle, Le Malre and I>* Maire. parodists; Harry Pilser. with songs and dances; the Majestic Trio of colored singers and dancers and toe clneomatograph present diverting fea- tures In a bill of first class vaudeville. As usual. the house is doing an Immense business. ArAl>EMY (H. W. Williams. Jr.. mgr.).—May Howard Is a Pittsburg favorite, and her extrava- ganza company is "turning 'em away" this week. Theie are two buriesques, "Mile. Fl Fi" and "The Rounders." Miss Howard takes the leading part In both and gives some fine Imitations of well-known performers. Max I>evelle, Warren L»cke, Leo Kendall, Edward Morris, Fred Rus- sell, May Belle, Ruby Marlon, Amy Thompson and Mildred Gi:moie had the other principal parts, and there was a chorus that sang, danced and said things that pleased the audience. The olio was gooil. Misses Marion and Thompson play a few corn«'t solos, and the latter gives a good Imitation of the army calls. Ths living pictures are excellent. Russell and Liocke are singers and dancers of ability, and Dixon, Burt and Leon. In their comedy acrobatics, were encored again and again. The Musical Cralss had a dainty and pleasing act, and Lavelle and Grant, hand acrobats and expo nents of physical culture, made a hit. GAYFTTT (James E. Orr, mgr.).—The European Sensation Etxtrava^ gansa Company is the attraction, and the audl- «mce8 New Year's Day broke all records of this house. There are two buriesques. "SchultS's Hotel" and "A Souvenir," introducing amonv otherr Charles Merrltt. Snltz Moore, Harry Har- vey, Thomas Morrlsey. Joe March, John Ward, May Rozella, Clara Dagneau, Anna Rich and Lena Bruce. The chorus did rood work. The added attraction to the olio Is Miss Rhoda Royal and her $10,000 horse, Chesterfield, a magnifi- cent animal whose statuesque posing was re- markably good. Merrlt and Rosella have a lauKhable skit called "The Village Torments," which went well. Snits Moore, assisted by Harry Harvey and Hslolss Hortoa, presents a ons-aot