Variety (Mar 1906)

VARIETY DUNDY STOOD BY THOMPSON. The disruption in the Hippodrome man- agement has not occurred since Fred Thompson's return from London, for the simple reason that Elmer Dundy declined to throw his partner, Fred Thompson, even at the instigation of so important a personage as .lames Still man. president of the National City Bank, who was backed up in his demand that Dundy sever business relations with Thompson ■ by John W. (Slates and Harry S. Black of the Fuller Construction Company, the two other moneyed men of the enterprise. Elmer S. Dundy's father was a close per-* sonal friend of Mr. Stillman and the finan- cial backing which Dundy has been en- abled to command was originally based on that. While Thompson was in London Dundy was asked by Stillman to "let Fred out." Dundy replied that they had risen together and they would stick together. Mr. Stillman, urged on by dates, who dislikes Mr. Thompson's whole souled style of making a production, dreamed not that Dundy would disobey him, and again broached the subject the day after Thompson's arrival. He was resolutely turned down by Dundy on the proposi- tion, and while Gates fumed and swore, nothing could be done, for Stillman clings to the partners, throwing the weight of his power in the Hippodrome Company to their support, although to quiet, Mr. Gates he likewise insisted that the expendi- tures hereafter must l>e more circumspect. "A SOCIETY CIRCUS" UNDER CANVAS. The Hippodrome production of "A So- ciety Circus" may go out on the road after the closing of the big theatre, playing as an adjunct to a circus, giving a spectacu- lar first part under canvas on the order of Kiralfy's "Nero," which had a tent season or two. FLORENCE ROBERTS AT THE SAVOY. It is possible that through present ne- gotiations the Florence Roberts Dramatic Company under the management of John Cort will play at the Savoy Theatre, jumping direct from San Francisco at the close of its engagement there on March 10. KATIE BARRY SINGLE AGAIN. As a single entertainer once more Katie Barry will next appear. This condition was generally insisted upon by managers and Miss Parry will accede to their de- sire. Rooking has been secured by M. S. Bentham. KEITH IN WHEELING. Keith has a new house in fact or in sight in Wheeling, W. Va. D. F. Hen- nessy says he believes it is true, for ho read it somewhere. NEW HOUSE FOR EASTERN. Norfolk, Va., will have a new burlesque theatre next season to be operated by the Columbia Circuit (Eastern Wheel). NO N. Y. "HIP" FOR LONDON. The site desired by Thompson & Dundy in London for a Hippodrome on the lines of their building here could not be ob- tained and the project has fallen through. The spot selected was a leasehold, and English influence was necessary but could not be obtained. JO PAIGE SMITH WITH KEITH. Rather a little firecracker was exploded the early part of the week when it be- came known that Jo Paige Smith, the vaudeville agent, was once again in the Keith fold. At tin* time Mr. Smith seceded from the Keith arm v. anil with Milton Aborn or- ganixed the Equitable Booking Agency. taking alone several managers who had formerly booked through the Keith offices, that proceeding practically marking the lini-h ol the old ••Association.*' both K. K. Albee and B. V. Keith vowed, with variations, that "do Paige Smith will never return to the Keith employ," Mr. Albee having been particularly vehement OH the subject. Since the dissolving of the Equitable Mr. Smith has been associated with A. M. Bruggemann, who has houses in Hoboken and Paterton. As previously reported in variety, an unsuccessful effort was made by the Keith people to induce Bruggemann to build a house in Jersey City, and also book through their office. No alternative presenting, negotiations were entered into and closed with Mr. Smith in the hope that the Bruggemann the.itres will be corralled. There may also 1k» another reason which will develop. Jo Paige Smith is a valuable man for Keith, and is badly needed at present. COLE AND JOHNSON TO LONDON. When Cole and Johnson, the colored en- tertainers and song writers, appeared las, at the Palace in London thev were fan »ied by a prominent member of Parlia- ment ami a Scotch distiller of whiskey, who told them if a suitable play could be secured the financial backing would be furnished. Bob Cole has been steadily at work since and now "The Shoo-Fly Regiment" will be presented in London next fall, the company to include most of the for- mer original members of the "Memphis Students." Ix-sides Abbie Mitchell and George Marion Cook. Col. and Johnson return to England in May next to fulfil contracted time for a return engagement at the Palace. They will continue to be under the direction of M. S. Bentham. BESSIE CLAYTON WILL RETURN. Bessie Clayton, who has been resting at her home in Long Branch for a month past with her husband. Julian Mitchell, who look the opportunity for a vacation on his own account at the same place, will return io vaudeville shortly. Myers & Keller announce that Miss Clayton will open March 12 at the Majestic in Chicago pre liminary to a trip over the Kohl & Castle circuit. PLUNKETT FOR HIMSELF. lames E. Plunkett, who has been con- nected with the firm of Myers & Keller, will go into the agency business himself, having formed a partnership with Felix Reich, the firm to be know as the Felix Reich Amusement Co., James E. Plunkett. general manager. Several new vaudeville houses have been secured by the firm for which thev will book, as well as for summer parks and fair*. Big acts will be handled, and the "AW* will be in the St. Jamea Building. RATHER SMALL. Gus Edwards' Schoolboys and School- girls opened at P. F. Sheedy's Fall River (Mass.) theatre last Mondav afternoon Through delay in the transportation the baggage did not arrive in time to allow the young people engaged in the act to appear in costume and they went on in >tieet <dothes. The reception received was one lessened through the unavoidable cir- cumstance, but Mr. Sheedy thought it wa* a nice soft spot to pick up a little easy money, and informed the manager of the act that $50 would be deducted from the week's salarv. FISCHER MAY LEAVE MARINELLI. * A definite rumor has been in circulation throughout the week that Clifford G. Fischer will resign as the American rep- resentative of H. B. Marinelli, the inter- national vaudeville agent, casting his lot in a like booking capacity with the Thompson and Dundy firm. Mr. Fischer recently sailed over and back across* the big pond with Fred Thompson, and negotiations have been in progress since their arrival home. If Mr. Fischer should conclude to leave the present Marinelli office in the St. James Building it is understood that one of the foreign representatives will be installed over here in his place, but not E. Wol- heim, as had been reported. Mr. Wolheim was in charge during Mr. Fischer's ab- sence, returning to Paris about ten days ago. AN IMPORTANT DECISION. Lawrence, Mass., March 2.—A railroad company receiving notice that theatrical effects shipped by it must be on hand at the destination for the advertised perform- ance is liable in damages for the gros9 earnings of the property, less the expense of its use. for any delay in its shipment and delivery, according to a decision passed down by the full bench of the Massachu- setts Supreme Court. Monday, February 20, in the case of Charles K. Weston of Lawrence against the Boston & Maine Railroad Company. PAUL LINCKE COMING. The eminent German composer, Pan! Lincke, will arrive here some time during the month. He has engagements in view. THE AMPHION TO GIVE UP VAUDE VILLE. William T. Grover'e Ainphioti Theatie in the Williamsburg part of Brooklyn is understood to have been leased for the benefit of Charles R, Blanev. the melo- dramatic producer, who will assume charge next Fall, therohv removing it from the vaudeville world for the time being. Mr. Grovcr's least- of the house expires with the present season. LOWELL LAPSED. The Keith sub station in Lowell has de- cided that vaudeville is too much of a good thing. Tt closed la*f week. AL SUTHERLAND, LEGITIMATE MANAGER. Neil Burgess in "The County Fair" is going on tour once again with David Tow- ers and Al Sutherland (the vaudeville agent) as the managers. One night stands only will be played. QUIET SUNDAYS FOR LOUISVILLE. Louisville, March 2. Sabbath concerts for Louisville received a bump here when arrests were made of all ails appearing last Sunday. Tile artists were held in bonds of *."•• each, and the ticket seller*, doorkeepers, *tnice • ai '|ien:e,-s ami managers were iImi nla< I'd u M der restraint. The eh'urch is backing up the munieipj.l authorities, aid regular bills will not be I'ivs; ated for some time at least. ACTORS ORGANIZE. Organizer Harry W. Morton of the Ac tors' National Protective Union of Amer- ica has added a new body of actors and actresses to the ranks, which will be known as Actors' Union Local No. 2 of Brooklyn. Meetings are held Thuirsdav afternoons in the Amphion Theatre Build ing. Brooklyn borough. The annual entertainment and ball of the Actors' Na- tional Protective Union Local No. 1 of New York will take place at (Jrand Cen- tral Palace in April. JOE WEBER FOR THE ROAD. The Joe Weber Company, now playing at his Broadwav house, will have a road tour this season, probably leaving New York around Mav 1. w STOP AT DENVER. The Empire Circuit (Western Burlesque Wheel) have about decided that next sea- * son no house will be played west of Den- ver. The long jumps after that point have proven too expensive. TAKES WIFE'S NAME. " J Tommy O'Brien, whose wife, Clara Havel, was buried last week, has decided to be known in future as Thomas O'Brien Havel, thus perpetuating her name. He will still be assisted bv EfTic Lawrence. ANOTHER CIRCUIT, MAYBE. The Staimu h-Xewell people, who are re- sponsible lor the new Mount Vernon House. threaten to branch out and establish a real circuit of their own in this vicinity. The latest report is that they have secured con lio] of a theatie in Newark. N. J., and will presently open it as a low priced house with the l>o\ seats selling at 50 cents, the ie>t of the house in proportion. MORE SPACE FOR LEVY. .lack Levy has added another acre or uo io hi* suite in Forty-second street. The additional offices are lieing used by Freil Walton during the time of preparation for his coming debut in the American vaude ville field. When Walton is well launched Levy will again take possession. DEFRECE AN ENGLISH MANAGER. Walter de Frece. the husband of Vesta Tilley, whose next American tour will probaby be her farewell, is the general manager of a circuit of nine vaudeville theatres in Great Britain, embracing the Palace, Manchester; Palace, Belfast; Hip podrome, Bascombe; Hippodrome, South ampton; Hippodrome, Chargate Park. Tivoli. Palace and Paddington, Liverpool and Hippodrome, Portsmouth. The main office of the circuit is at 178 Charing Cro« i Boad, London.