Variety (Jan 1906)

IJ YARIETYi^ iSUMMER PARRiS It i8 the general opinion that the sea- son of 1906 will be a banner one for the parks throughout the country, of which there are about four hundred, inclusive of the many controlled by the street railways. This style of entertainment for the heated spell has sharply divided the theatrical season in other than the largest cities. When the parl<8 open the theatres close. The inducement to see a first-class vaudeville bill in the open air. which is infinitely more enticing than being cooped up in a stuffy theatre on a muggy day, calls out the young and old. The growing tendency to approve of this form of summer amusement has al- lowed of increased expenditure for the bills offered, and while the expense ac- count will not be extended this season, it ia expected the number of acts will be Increased. Parks in cities of the first and second class pay from $200 to |500 for the weekly feature, filling in with acts of merit, which makes up a show worth seeing. In most instances the lo- cation equals the performance in attrac- tiveness. Edward C. Boyce, of "The White City" circuit of parks, embracing those known by that title in Chicago, Savin Rock, Conn.; Worcester, Mass-, and at Cleveland, O., is most active in looking new territory over and securing sites. The success of "The White City" of Chicago the past year was ao phenom- enal that Mr. Boyce believes the future of the summer park is unlimited, and is willing to invest accordingly. One of the known new ventures of Mr. Boyce, who was the first vice-president of Coney Island's Dreamland, will be in Providence, R. I. The park will open for this summer. A big new park in Chicago is under way and the gates will be thrown open by the time warm weather settles. It is backed by Oliver L. Brown, the Chicago capitalist, and Curley, Petit and Gr^en are the architects. This firm drew the plans for Dreamland. Massarene, who laid out Midget City in the same place, will aid the ground formation of the new enterprise. The corporate title will be the Beach Amusement Company, and Henry Pincus, of the St. James Building, in New York, is the booking agent. In Syracuse fourteen acres of land have been acquired adjoining the State Fair Grounds, and $150,000 will be spent to have one of the finest parks in the State outside New York city. Geo. F. Kerr, formerly advertising manager of the Dreamland parks and who is now as- sociated with William A. Brady, is in charge of the matter. It is expected that Syracuse will be able to see a real park for the first time on Decoration Day. Formerly this city has had to be content with such small enterprises as "The Val- ley," with a small inclosed tent show, and "The Lakeside" could afford. With 120,000 population and 60,000 more to conveniently draw from, the prospects Justify the expenditures. Oswego, N. Y., is also going to have a real park on the lake front. James L. Carey, of New York, who designed the original Luna Park, has the matter in hand, and Oswego will give many gasps of astonishment on the opening day. The promoters of the new summer re- sort in Philadelphia were to have had Woodside Park there for the site, the In- tent being to increase that plot by sev- eral acres, but it has been decided, in view of the short time now intervening before the coming summer, to postpone the initial opening until the season of '07, commencing operations next fall. The danger of a faulty commencement was counseled against as being preju- dicial to the future welfare of a park in an important city. Montreal, Canada, Is in for a park war. The Canadian city will have two the coming summer. The Dominion Park Company, which was first in announcing its plans, has a railroad behind it, and Mr. Dorsey, of Minneapolis, is the prime mov^r The Starland Company, which controls the opposition, which will be known as "Starland," has the services of Curley, Petit and Green on the con- struction, but is lacking in experienced men to guide the enterprise. This de- fect, though, no doubt will be remedied before opening day. Between the two enterprises, Montreal, with its 250,000 souls, expects a gleeful summer. Here is also the old Sohmer Park. It is understood that Max Rosen, the well-known summer park expert, has been approached by a syndicate now forming in this city, composed of some of the leading financiers, to act as its traveling representative, going over the country and reporting desirable sites. Also to act in a general advisory ca- pacity. Mr, Rosen is considering the proposition. LEAH RUSSELL'S NEWEST. Leah Russell, who will be remembererl as the leading spirit of "The Knicker- bocker Girls" the creation of Miss Ida Carle, which went the rounds here some time ago, will presently appear with a nevk sketch,, probably beginning her Met- ropolitan appearance at Proctor's Twenty-third Street. The act will con- sist of impersonations and dialect stunts, including some quick changes of the R, A. Roberts order. ' Miss Russell's vaudeville plans put a permanent end to her starring aspira- tions, which, some time since, were said to be budding brightly under the prom- ises of Al, Woods. COULDN'T GET THEM. An attempt has been made to cut oiit Ada Lewi.s, Joe Cawthorne. Stella May- hew and others of the "Fritz in Tam- many Hall" Company from the general musical comedy herd, and put them into vaudeville upon the closing of the ex- Herald Square entertainment in Chicago. The agent who made the attempt to ride down the musical comedy people was told that they were all bound down by iron-clad contracts for the remainder of the season. GORRESrONDENGE Phlladelplil*, P». TVith the new year settled, local theatricals are muvlrii: omoothly and the managers of the vari- ous houses are still wearlnK smiles of satisfac- tion, despite the fact that "The Divine Sara" Is holding the centre of the atase. Kl!:iTH S (H. T. Jordan. mKr.-).—Musical acts predominate In this week's bill, and aside from Huudlnl's handcuff act carried off the honors of an entertainment which has seldom been sur- passed In this house. Houdlnl Is not new here, having displayed his clever handling of '"prison jewelry" several years ago In Keith's Klghth Street house. Houdlnl is deservedly styled the "handcuff king," and In addition to puzzling the police officials at City Hall he astounded the theatre audlt^nces by the easy manner In which he got rid of various styles of manacles. No .HCt on the bill, however, scored the hit attained by Frank and Jen Latona, who do a little bit of everything In the musical line and were forced to respond to repeated encores at each per- formance. Julia KIngsley and Nelson Liewls presented, for the first time In this house, "Her Uncle's Niece," a sketch adapted from Buxton's "The i:>ead Shot." Miss KIngsley appeared with her former husband, Bert Coote. In the same sketch several years ago, when variety shows were given in the Grand Opera House under the Hashim regime, and It was once used by Prank Daniels and Bessie Sanson as a curtain raiser to "Little Puck." The sketch In Its present shape Is too talky, badly named and the char- acters fit poorly, yet the pair managed to do well with It. Madame Blapoffski. than whom there are few. If any, soloists who deserve more recognition, sang as pleasingly as before. Elmer Tenly proved a capital entertainer with his tiiunuloguti. which mingles some old stories with a lot of new ones, and he had no trouble keep- injf his. audience In good humor. Rose Went- worth, the dainty equestrian, who has an able assistant, repeated a former success In her bare- back riding act. Miss Wentworth suffered a heavy faH and a severe shaking up In her Initial appearance of the week, but plucklly reflnlshed her act. There was little or nothing in the re- maining numbers to help the bill. Mayme Rem- ington had three or four songs, during which four young negroes tried to be funny. Etora Pelletier was impossible in her imitations and singing. Alfred Arnesen, an imported gymnast. did some clever stunts, but the act was spoiled by the "stalling" of the assistant. If he is afraid Arnesen will fall nets can be secured. Johnson and Wells. Whitman and Davis. Zena Keife. a hard-working little body; Francis Wood and L<e Roy and At>endona also appeared, with some interesting views In the klnetograpli. CASINO (Ellas, Koenig and Lederer. mgrs.).— The B<m Ton Burlesquers offered a first-class bill this week, the show being clean, wholesome and entertaining throughout, a pleasing feature when It Is considered that the management is catering to the best class of patronage given this style of entertainment. The chorus of the Bon Tons is Kood looking, well dressed and all their num- bers were well done. A novelty dancing numt>er given by Berg's Merry Girls featured the olio, which also Included Keeler and Watson, Toma Hanlon. Whelen and Searles. and Liaredo and Blake. Business still proves satisfactory. TROCADERO (Fred Wilson, mgr.).—"Every Day Life." a musical farce in two acts by Sim Williams and Alf Grant, furnished the bill this week and entertained large audiences all week. The usual olio has been cut out and the spe- cialties Introduced during the action of the piece. There Is plenty of music and the comedy ap- peared to please. Frank O'Brien and Katherlne Klare were the principal figures, and they were ably assisted by a strong company, well cos- tumed and carefully drilled. Frank O'Brien and Katherlne Klare. Gruet and Oruet, the Four Livingstons and others contributed specialties. The "College Belles," "Avenue Girls" and one or two other numbers showed off the chorus to advantage. Big business all week. NOTE6.-Slm Williams Is authority for the re- port that he will take out a melodrama in tb«- sprlng. with Prank O'Brien and Katherlne Klare as principals. "Murder Will Out" Is given as the title and Joseph Barrett as the authtor. Battling Nelson disappointed Monday's audiences at the Lyceum, being snowbound. He appeared Tuesday afternoon. It Is announced that the Bon Ton Stock Company will be Installed on Jan- uary 15. Jack Farrell. a local stock actor, is announced as a coming attraction. Kelcey and Shannon. Mldgeley and Carlisle and Elsie Janls are prominent variety stars who are seeking success In new plays in the combination houses ihis week, KINKS. Jack Mascn sends his "Society Belles" to Europe this month and will turn his attention to a new act called "The Golf Players," which calls for the services of nine persons. Plttabararh, P«. GRAND (Harry Davis, mgr.). — Josephine Cohan. In the sketch "Friday, the 13th." by Oessy and Nlblo. is the same dainty, graceful dancer, but a far better comedienne than when she appeared in musical comedy. Edward Pow- ers as "Bill the Brute." a burglar, and Morgan Wallace as the husband, did excellent supporting work. Theresa Renz gave a remarkable exhibi- tion of fancy riding with her two beautiful horses, and though, on account of the arrange- ments necessary for the proper setting of her act. It had to be left until after the pictures, thf audience remained to the end and showed Its full appreciation. Fred Nlblo made a hit with hie new (that Is fairly new) store of monologue fun. Paul Klelst gave his usual musical clown an- with shadow Illusions on the side. The Lavelles, three women, a harpist, violinist and soprano, gave a pleasing act. which, however, was too much on the drawing room order to receive any great applause. Keller's Imperial Japs repeated their halr-ralsing specialty. The Seven Les Renos had a pantomimic act that was a source of continuous merriment. Dan Quintan and Keller Mack show a real sense of travesty in their act "Just Fun." Murphy and Francis nuide a good impression with songs and dances, the man's work being unusually clever. Bessie Phillip, in songs and dances. Zano's sleight of hand and the moving pictures completed one of the best bal- anced bills the Grand has had this season ACADEMY (Harry W. Williams, mgr.).—The star Show Girls make their first Pittsburgh appearance and are doing a big business. There are two burlesques "Deserters at Large," and "The Athletic Oirls." with Charles Nichols. William (Tamey. James Ten Brooke. Ernest Lam- bert, Victor Lamont, Tom Nolan and John Cody looking after the comedy roles, and Marie Croix and Cura White are seen to good advantage In the leading parta. E>ach burlesque had a num- bar of good specialtiea. The olio is good. W. J. Carney and Flora Wagner present a singing and dancing specialty and Tom Nolan and Cora White, well known Academy visltora, "make Eiod" with their sketch "Looking for a Record." r. Nolan's parody singing was a feature. The Toreador Trio gave a sketch "Hop Fiend Bill." which proves a laugh producer. Charles Nichols was the "ttend," with Marie Croix as the flir- tatious wife and Victor Lamont as the Jealous husband. Ten Brooke, Lambert A Ten Brooks made the hit of the olio with "Prof. Schmalt's Academy," a satire on an up-to-date music school In which Ernest Lambert's violin and piano playing were features. The show is well staged throughout, both as to scenery and oo*- tumes. and the chorus work acceptable. ^ '' MADAMB PITT. -■ Baltimore, Md. MARYLAND (F. C. Shanberger, mgr.).—Week 8. The bill offered this week is probably a little better thsm Huin« seen earlier in the season, and possibly not as good as others seen during the past month or two. but taking it as a whole it Is an average Keith program. One of the pret- tiest little playlets seen here this season is the headllner. "Just Dorothy," by S. MlUer Kent and his little company. I. Frank FYayne made quite a hit in the playlet, giving a realistic im- personation of a Chinese servant. The big sen- sation of the bill was the disappointment of last week's program. Wizard Stone assisted by Miss Irene. Lew Hawkins does a monologue turn and Introduces a batch of new jokes and parodies. Le Roy and Woodford Curbstone, talkers, made a big hit in their rapld-flre sidewalk conversa- tion. Celina Bok>e makes good In a musical act. as well as her style and magnificent French gowns. The six Perrl Sisters In dances are one of the most delightful numbers of the bill, while the ParroR Brothers scored a head balancing and gymnastic turn, the Klnetograph. as usual, clos- ing the bill to only fair-sTsed audiences. Next we«k. Annie Abbott, the human magnet. Frank and Jennie Latona. Wilton Brothers, Keeler's Peerless Japs, Violet Dale. George W. Day, Messenger Boys Trio and the Klnetograph. MILTON. ' ClndnBatl, Ohio. PEX>PLE'8 (Hubert Heuck and James S. Fen- nessy. mgrs.).—Week of 7-13: Washington So- ciety Girls (Hughey Kernan and W. B. Watson, managers.) The performance commenced with a burlesque entitled "Oh, What Joy." and con- cluded with "Krausmeyer's Alley," with the following cast: Anges Behler. Charles Johnson, John B. Williams, Dave Marlon and John West. Neither of the burlesques proved satisfactory. Chorus antique, but well costumed. In the olio were Elsa Leslie, songs, good; Eldora. Juggler, fair; Eisa Leslie, songs, fair; Ah Ling Foo, Chinese conjurer, clumsy; Lyonette Sisters, good, and Dave Marlon, great hit. Next week The Tiger Llllles Company, with Prof. R. Have- mann's Trained Animals as a special added fea- ture. COLUMBIA (M. C. Anderson, mgr.).— The Tourist Trio, singing and comedy act. good; Rooney Sisters, good; Al Carlton, monologue, great hit; Bert Coote and company, great hit; Lavlnna DeWltt. cornet virtuoso, fair; La Belle Carmen troupe, gymnasts and wire performers, great hit; Spook Minstrels, great hit. and forced to end act on account of no further songs rehearsed; Eight Salvaggls. good. Business good during the week. STANDARD (Charles M. Arnold, mgr.).—European Sensation Burlesquers, with Snltz Moore featured. The burlesque "Shultz's Hotel" was poor. In the olio were Or- vllle and Frank, gymnasts, good; Snltz Moore, Dutch comedian, good. The balance of the olio was far below the average. Next week Al Reeves' Beauty Show. NOTES.—George La Rose has purchased the Interest of Albert and Mattle Borelly In La Rose's Electric Fountain. Mr. and Mrs. Borelly will shortly go into vaude- ville with a new sketch. H. HESS. London, Ont. BENNETT'S (G. H. Aloz. mgr.).—Week of 8 opened well with a strong bill of diversified en- tertainment. Wm, Tomklns, the monologlst, is the headllner. His topical talks have the stamp -OL^iirlginallty and he is making a decided hit with Intelligent vaudeville patrons Tiere. Fer- guson, Dupree and company present a comedy sketch entitled "Training a Husband," which Is the poorest act seen here this season. The American Trio offer a fair act which Includes Lucille, a talented Juvenile. Hellman has some good magic which he spoils in presentation by a rude personality. Hyde and Heath offer an ungrammatlcal singing and comedy sldt amus- ing to the gallery. Tom and Gertie Grimes, travesty artists, are all their title implies. Three Sensational Zoellers. novelty gymnasts, are a clever trio. Illustrated songs were sung splen- didly by Jacob Renter. Eddie Hlgglns executed some good dance steps and "The Lady with the Mask. ' a local singer, kept the audience puz- zled as to her identity. Moving pictures of course. FRITZ HOUSTON. Milwaukee, Wl«. STAR.—Kernan and RIfe's "High School Girls" are here this week and certainly have as good a show as has played here this season. The bur- lesque Is entitled "Whirll Giggle." the princi- pal parts being taken by Nat and Sal Fields, as two German grafters, James Ilazelton as the sucker with money to burn, and Billy Hart as the hotel proprietor. Nellie Fenton. formerly wUn Harry Morris, "Night on Broadway," takes the part of a Parisian beauty, while Emma Weston poses as a French society leader, they being assisted by a good singing and working chorus. The o'lo opens with a singing and danc- «.?!«*« ^^, i^""*' Oilman and Anna Francis. Billy Hart follows, "according to the program " assisted by Miss Emma Weston. This must have I'H«"-.V*'i''^*T'* K*'^..^''® printer. Judging from the act. as It should read Emma Weston, as- sisted by Billy Hart. Miss Weston has a good voice and knows how to use it to advantage, /^^■.^r'* Hazelton, In a travesty act; Damon and Pythias are well received and the Six Flv- Hf t™\*^**o *'."'® * «f*'«*' »ct. Next week the Imperial Burlesquers. H. W. WATERMAN. Buffalo, N. Y. SHEA'S (M Shea. mgr.).-The Navajo Girls K.Vt^ o^'X*"*' '^Pr'^'^l. ^*'«''' »<=' «>"ce seen here last and scored heavily. Adolf Zink in clever impersonations, presented In a novel manner was a big applause winner. Clayton White and Marie Stuart received an enthusiastic welcome offerIng "Paris." one of the best co/nedles in vaudeville. The otto Brothers Kve a goJd^dii" lect. are good dancers and singers. They pos-