Variety (Feb 1906)

IO VARIETY ARTISTS' FORUM "The Artist*' Forum" It for the artists exclusively. Any lust complaint any artist may have or considers he has will he printed In this department. Or any comment that an artist may desire to make. Also any artist or act that disagrees with a reviewer on Variety In his review of the artist's work or act may have his criticism of the criticism printed in this column, and it will he answered hy the reviewer. Confine your letters to 150 words and write on one side of paper only. Logansport, 1ml. Editor Variety: Sir:—I have just read in your paper a letter signed Martin W. Fox, of Frank- fort, Ind., relative to the statement that the managers of Amnions' Crystal Thea- tres intend giving him a birthday pres- ent. As a matter of fact I wish to state that no exact amount was asked of any one employee, as it was a personal mat- to give Mr. Amnions a birthday present. I also wish to state that on Christmas Day Mr. Ammons was considerate enough of his employees to send them all in each one of his houses a present, not forgetting any one from the manager to the property man. Hoping you will publish this, I re- main a friend to Variety. Tom Hardi, Manager of Crystal Theatre, Ijogan sport, Ind. Washington, D. C. Editor Variety: Sir:—As I am an ardent admirer of your publication and see the good it is doing among the professional people, would like to say that there are two brothers in business on Main street in Buffalo, and who work in with the stage manager at Shea's Theatre, try and rope in every performer playing there, succeeding with every six out of ten, charging about 100 per cent, more than any other reliable store would. In my travels over the Or- pheum, Keith and Proctor circuits I no- ticed many a poor performer who was stung and many letters threatening the arrest of certain parties who were roped in by these fakers. Some one ought to bring suit against them for misrepresent- ing their goods. You will probably hear of such a suit in the near future. All I have to say is "Look Out for the Dia- mond Fakers," likewise the Stage Mana- ger at Shea's Buffalo House. Also one more kick, the worst and toughest bunch behind any stage are at the Maryland Theatre, Baltimore, Md. Watch out for them. They are knockers. N. A. D. Winnipeg, Feb. 18. Editor Variety. Sir: Will you kindly allow me, through your paper, to thank a number of people that I would have difficulty in reaching in any other way? Recently I played an engagement in Winnipeg, where I was taken danger- ously ill, threatened with pneumonia, and only by the aid of two doctors was I able to play out my engagement. I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Kobold and Mr. Douglas, pro- prietors and managers of the theatre, also the artists on the bill, Fontinnelle and his manager, Mr. Webster, the De Muths, Adams and Edwards, De Mora and Graceta, Beatty and Price and the Her- manns. These people I had never seen before, but their kindness and sympathy could not have been equalled had they been my lifelong friends. The stage manager, Mr. Leavey, and his hoys did everything in their power to make things easy for me. 1 appreciate the kindness of these strangers, who proved themselves friends, and I feel so grateful that I hope you will accord me space in your valuable pit per to enable me to acquaint them with the fact. Harry Carton Clarke. San Antonio, Tex., Feb. 15. Editor Variety. Sir: I think a few lines in regard to the Interstate Amusement Company's new circuit would be of interest to a great many who anticipate playing or who al- ready have this circuit booked. Most all make the jump to Hot Springs, Ark. (the opening week), from Chicago, and the fare is $19 and $3 for sleeper. The Hot Springs house is a very poor affair for a first- class vaudeville house, being the old Opera House, with no alteration, and another drawback, it is an "upstairs" house. Dallas is the next jump. They claim when they book you your fares will be $5 per jump, but now they take $6.50 per jump, Dallas has a new theatre and is doing great business. Houston is next, and this is about as bad as Hot Springs, and no busi- ness. I think this place would be a win- ner if they would build a new theatre. San Antonio is next, and you open here Sunday afternoon, making the jump from Houston. You leave after the show, and that means a sleeper—$2. San Antonio is an old opera house; no business ex- cept on Sunday night. The weather down here is delightful and it is a fine engage- ment. Next week we go to Fort Worth. This is the last week, making five al- together. My contract calls for seven, but five is all you get. The house-at Wac< has closed, and Little Rock, Ark., will not open this season. With a few excep- tions we have had a very good engage- ment. Fred. E. Austin, The Tossing Austins. Editor Variety. Sir: In your issue of February 17 I notice an article by Mr. William Cahill regarding the authorship of the song, "Since Father Went to Work." Being the author and composer of several song successes myself, some people might have taken it for granted that it was one of my own original composi- tions, but in introducing the above named song I always mention Mr. Cahill as being the author of same. I also beg to state that I am one of the few who claim the authorship of nothing but original compositions. Charles Ft- I,a trior. En Route. Feb. IS, 190(5. Editor Variety. Dear Sir: Tn your issue of February 3 1 read your Seattle correspondent's letter. Am sorry to say that Gee Gee Barry must have been slightly muddled, as his correspondence reads as follows: "Or- pheum Theatre—Trixeda and Robinson, change artists, good; Auer and DeOuzo, rag picture acrobats, fair; Carlston Os- trander, niandolinist; Elane Forrest, vocal- ist; James Dunn, mimic; W. H. Stetson, singer, and Ur|1heu'ntScope." The fact of the matter is, 1 don't believe Gee Gee witnessed the show, as neither James Dunn nor Trixeda and Robinson were on (In- hill. C. S. Alter. NOTES FROM LONDON. The Tivoli was packed the night 1 dropped in. An unusually good pro- gramme was presented. Arthur Roberts and company, in a sketch entitled "The Importance of Being Another Man's Wile." scored heavily; (Jus Elen, Vesta Victoria ami Little Tich, all received vociferous encores. Burt Shepheard, de- scribed as an American Raconteur, pro- vided several acceptable items. The Euston Empire is doing big busi- ness. Two houses a night. Charles Fan- ning, an Australian performer, has an in- dividuality of his own, and he received an enthusiastic reception. Little Tich and Joe Elvin and company are perform- ing here with their usual success. At the Islington Empire Harry Ford is the bright particular star, and brings the house down nightly with his quaint and witty songs, sung in his own inimitable style. Doing great business. Two houses a night. There are various good "turns" at the Oxford, and people are flocking to hear Mile. Eugenie Fougere, the charming Parisian, whose songs have delighted au- diences abroad. Morris Cronin, a panto- mime juggler, has been exclusively en- gaged. His mysterious performances must be seen to be believed. Another interest- ing item on the evening's programme is a dialogue entitled "A Yacht for Sale," in which Alice Yorks takes the leading part. Joe Elvin, in a new sketch entitled "Obe- dient Billy," is distinctly funny, whilst Vesta Victoria, Alec Hurley, Lockhart's Elephants and Stave, the Indian electrical comedy artist, are all amongst other items, which help to constitute an ex- cellent night's entertainment. Collins' is one of the favorite halls in the north of London, and its coziness and comfort make it a very popular place of resort. Fred Earle has come to the front with a capital humorous song entitled "Sea Weed." Another interesting item was presented by Miss Helen Charles, an artist of undoubtedly good mimic powers, and withal possessing a sweet soprano voice. The whole programme was good and well worth the patronage accorded it. Bert Edwards. MOVED BY MOVING PICTURES. (Special to Variety.) Denver, Col., Feb. 22. It developed at the inquest on the body of the woman who committed suicide on the stage of the Crystal Theatre Monday that she was moved to the act by a mo- tion picture subject which showed the suicide of a criminal as its climax. The woman had been in a bad mental state for some time, and was taken to the the- atre in the hope that the entertainment would cheer her up.' Instead, the showing of the pictures brought on acute suicidal mania and she stepped to the stage and shot herself. The Chas. K. Harris Courier Devoted to the totrettt of Xoagi sod Singe it Address all communications to CHAS. K. HARRIS, 31 W. 31st St., N. Y. , (Meyer Cohen. Mgr.) Vol. 1. New York, Feb. 24, 1006. No. 2. In our last Issue the name of Mr. Harris' new song, "The Belle of the Ball," wan omitted through a ty- pographical error and the huudreds of letters received at this of tlce, asking for same. Is really surprising. By the looks of thinga "The Belle of the Hall" will duplicate, as we said before, the enormous success of •After the Ball." Those who have not written in for this song, don't fail to do so, j.h It will no doubt i..- the ballad hit of the year. Dave Lewis and his Big Comedy Act had to respond to six encores with his rendition of •Mother, Pin a Rose ou Me," every night this past week at the Alhambra Theatre, and the applause after each verse was deaf- ening. He also used in the act, a dainty. • .itchy little song, en- titled "Canute I Like You," which from all appearances will Iteeoine very popular. Miss Mrginia Earl con- tinues to use "The Tale of a Stroll." and there Is no doubt but that it la the hit or her not. Artists look lug for a great conver nation song should not overlook this number. Frank I). Bryan, with his Six American Beauties, still con tin ues to meet with pop- ulur approval with his rendition of his own song. "It Makes Me Think of Home, Sweet Home." In Bos- ton the past week, at Keith's Theatre, tin- audience rose and cheered at the way the song Ik suing. "The Belle of the Ball" was sung and intro- duced at seven thea- tres in New York City last Sunday- night, and beautifully Illustrated In connec- tion with Shepard's Moving Picture Enter taln-nent. The slides are the most beautiful that have ever been thrown upon a screen. ALTA YOLO, the phe ii <• m c n a 1 contralto, will introduce "The Belle of the Ball" at Proctor*! 23d st. EVA MUDGE RETURNS. Miss Eva Mudge, the rapid change ar- tist, who has been out of vaudeville for a short time, owing to the birth of a daughter, is again in the ranks. She is booked on the Orpheum circuit and will start at the close of her present engage- ment. Miss Mudge has added « new se- lection to her act called "A Knight of the King's Highway." There is a song and a six minutes dialogue that atfords her mueh opportunity for dramatic ability and is a valuable addition to her act. BUSINESS BAD IN LONDON. Most of the English music halls are stock company and the leading houses have been regarded as gilt edged invest- ments. The recent report of the Moss Empires shows a dividend of but five per cent., which is just half of the lowest dividend ever paid, while the five pound shares of the London Coliseum are down to two pounds ten shillings. This last showing probably means that Oswald Stoll will have to abandon his ' *y position as managing director and there is talk of the house being diverted to grand opera. This is the house that was to have been the competitor of the London Hippodrome. Kour shows a day were originally given, but after a while one of the matinees was cut down because of a lack of patronage at the early show. Things are looking bad in England largely because there is a movement on foot to cut prices that has sent many good acts to America and else- where. The Barrasford house at Bristol, the Empire, closes March 31, leaving but six- weeks of that tour. A DOG NOVELTY. On the 26th at the Hippodrome will open "The Dogs' Regiment," a foreign act. The animals march with military preci- sion, and are expected to create consider able comment. Grace Cameron plays a return date at llnrlig ft Senmon's April 2. Campbell and Johnson, the comedy acrobats, have been offered European time.