Variety (Apr 1906)

12 VARIETY CORRESPONDENCE ALBANY, V. T. PROCTOR'S (Howard Graham, rea. mgr.)—Ex- cellent bualneas. Week of 9: Nlta Allen and company, In "Car Two. Stateroom One " was very well received; Edmund Day and company, present- ing a Weatern comedy act, "The Sheriff," waa good; "The Four Seasons," a musical novelty, cornea in for a good ahare of attention; Howard and North, talking comedians, made a hit; John J. Feeley, mouologist, wan very good; Violet Dale's clever Imltationa of stage celebrities took well; Paul Stephens, a one-legged equilibrist, does some very daring work and receives well merited ap- plause; Ullday and Pox, Hebrew entertainers, are amusing. Closed with motion pictures. MART EL. ALPENA, MICH. BIJOU (Steele & Denisou, mgrs.)—Bill week 9: Mile. Aline, boop roller and juggler, good; McCune and Grant, acrobats, fair; Dan Roby, comedian, made good; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Carter, musical team, pleased; Alfred Moufcaeau, tenor (local), made u hit; De Coe, balancer, very sensational act. If more attention was paid to the bar act by McCune and Grant than to singing it would im- prove the act a great deal. GEO. J. OUELLETTE. ATLANTA, OA. STAR (J. B. Thompson, mgr.) presented the following bill to good attendance week of 9: Miss Georgia Thomas, soubrette, fair; Ed Jordan, mono- logue, average only; Martyne Sisters, In "Rainbow Dance," encored; Fred Russell, good; Lindsay null Bell, hit of the bill, rounding up with moving pictures and the burlesque, "The Wild West," by W. H. Trueheart and stock company. AUDI- TORIUM (J. P. Anderson, nigr.)—Helen May But- ler's Ladles' Military Band. Van Amberg'a Circus began its season here 5 under auspices of local Sbrlnere; the big tops were packed at each per- formance. Little Daisy Kimball, of the Kimball Family, was the big hit of a very good bill. Oth- ers deserving notice were The Valentines, ('has. Cook, Ben Beno, The Millets and The Leona. Man- ager Phillips will get plenty of boosts from the scribes on this season's outfit. BRIX. BALTIMORE, MD. MARYLAND (Fred. C. Schanberger, mgr.) — Plays to big houses. Week 9: Bill opens with Woodford's trained animals, fair; Morton and Diamond, comedy dancers and singers, only mod- erately successful; Mra. Annie Yea mans and her daughter Jennie, very clever; Emil Hocb, Jane Elton and company present "Mile. Rlcci," very amusing, but nothing out of the ordinary; Louise Montrose and her auto girls, went well; Smith and Campbell have some new sayings which are very good; The Peking ' Zouaves, which is the hist thing on the program, make up for some rather poor ones preceding it. The drills are perfect, their military maneuvers and gun manip- ulations are excellent. MONUMENTAL (Joe Kernan, mgr.)—Week 9: T. W. Dinkin's Inno- cent Maids company, to good houses. The per- formance opens with a farce, "Struck by a Cy- clone," which waa well received. Features In vaudeville were Eugene Jerge, song illustrator, big bit; Williams and Dermody, singers and dancers, poor singers but clever dancers; John Oracle and Lew Reynolds in a bunch of non- sense, fair; Tom Hearn, the lazy juggler, went well; Maxle Aleene and Edythe Hamilton, singers and dancers, poor; Wolff Brothers, comedy acro- bats, only moderately successful. The one act skit, "Stranded," concludes the bill. GAYETY (W. L. Ballauf, mgr.)—Week 9: Rice and Bar- ton's Rose Hill English Folly company, large and enthusiastic audiences. The main feature is "Knights of the Red Garter," a burlesque in three acts, two of which are given before and one after the intermission. The olio consists of Idylla Vyner, in songs, good; Blanche Newcombe, in a novel specialty, strong hit; John E. Cain. Harry Evans and Henrietta Wheeler, In a farce, fair; The Bison City Trio, only moderately suc- cessful. The musical comedy artists, Joe and Ernest Van. have quite a few novelties and scored heavily. Berzac's ponies and donkey is a funny and most novel animal act which was well re- ceived. G. J. WOLFF. BATTLE CREEK, MICH. BIJOU (W. S. Butterfleld, mgr.)—Trask ami Murray opened the program at this theatre, 9. doing singing and dancing, good; Clifford Wilkin* has another good song; Frank Walsh lias some very good stuff; Marie Heclow Is a dainty singer and dancer, doing several different dances and making several changes In coatume; Huegel Broth- ers are a scream, being repeatedly encored. The feature act of the bill is The Great Richards, an Impersonator. N. RITCHIE. BRIDGEPORT, CONN. POLI'8 (E. B. Mitchell, mgr.)—Bill 9: Frank D. Byron's Peace Congress is the hit of the bill. The Quatre Basque in operatic selections are ex- cellent. The Josselyn Trio are poor. Pierce and Opp, fair. The Five Romanos. fair. Johnny Reilly, fair. Electrogrnph. Coming 1fi: The Mili- tary Octette and "The Girl with the Baton." W. J. BYRNE. CHICAGO, ILL. MAJESTIC (C. B. Draper, mgr. for Kohl A Castle).—Arthur Dunn and Joe Welch share the headline position on the bill, which la attractive for the number of diversified acts It con f alns. Arthur Dunn is assisted by Marie Glazier, a pretty girl who can sing and dance, in a sketch entitled "The Messenger Boy," which Is brimful of good comedy and specialties. Joe Welch made his first appearance here as a monologlst, since he relinquished the dramatic field for the con- tinuous, and with a budget of good stories and parodies scored a hit. "Gloria" is the name of the sketch In which Patrice and company held the keen attention of the audience, and a more substantial verdict of triumph could not have been awarded. Sadl Alfarabl, an equilibrist new to this city, has a number of astonlablng feats. Rappo Slaters, Russian dancers, repeated their native dances seen here last season and made a good impression. Herbert'a Dogs give an inter- ibting performance. Louise Brehany baa a soprano voice of great range and sweetness, and her se- lections pleased the audience. Emmons, Emerson and* Emmons, in "Only a Joke," created much laughter with a lot of nonsense that well served its purpose. McCue and Cahlll received apprecia- tion for their alnging, and Royer and French, in a comedy sketch, fulfilled their ahare of enter* talument. The Petit family of acrobats; Mr. and Mra. T. J. Powers, in a aketcb entitled "The Players"; Cook ind Stevens, comedians, and Emily Nice, singer of popular songs, received merited applauae. OLYMPIC (Abe Jacobs, mgr. for Kohl A Cas- tle).—Nick Long and Idalene Cotton returned with their "Managerial Troubles," and scored even a greater bit than on previous engagements. Syd- ney Grant, with good stories, songs and Imita- tions, proved an entertaining feature on the bill. One of the beat comedy sketches in vaudeville Is offered by Georgia Gardner aud company in "Too Many Darlings." The operatic aelections of Mine. Slapoffskl were applauded and received encores. Mignonette Kokln'a dancing and display of hand- some gowna attracted considerable attention. Baader-La Velle Trio have a comedy bicycle act that Is above the average. Gallettl'a Monkeys give the same Interesting and entertaining exhibi- tion aeen in vaudeville for a number of years. The comedy acrobatic act of Melville and Conway waa thoroughly appreciated. Conley and Klein are clever comedians, aingera and dancers, and their German dialect comedy pleased Immensely. The Two Vivians are expert rifle shots, and Baar and Evans, in comedy aketcb, are diverting. Colliua Brothers, blackface comedians; Marian Hyde, singer and dancer, and the Virginia Trio, South- ern singers, appear to advantage on the bill. HAYMARKET (W. W. Freeman, mgr. for Kohl A Castle). —Manager Freeman's commodious house has a bill of unusual excellence. The Simon-Gard- ner company present Will M. Cressy's sketch, "The New Coachman," which waa aeen downtown a few weeks ago. The aketch is well acted and made a hit. Willy Zimmerman's thoroughly ar- tistic impersonations of musical stars and masters, scored a tremendous bit. The Plroscoffls, Euro- pean jugglers, show extraordinary skill, and the three Westona in a neat vocal and instrumental act, were the recipients of much applause. Billy Van has a number of new stories and parodies which he delivered in his unique manner. John Birch moved over from the Majestic with bis melodramatic burlesque and hats. Margaret New- ton baa a pleasing voice and personality, and diaries and Edna Harris, in a comedy sketch, appear to advantage. Thompson Sisters, singers and dancers, display good voices and wardrobe, and Frankle Campbell, vocalist, baa a number of pleasing songs. Other good acts are J. C. Pope and dog. Charles Banks, Holdon and Silvers and Raymond and West. INTERNATIONAL (W. S. Cleveland, mgr.) — Prof. Bllyck's troupe of educated seals occupy the headline position. Caroline Kelly McCord and company, In a playlet entitled "No Man for Din- ner," made a hit. Walthour and Princeton, In an exciting cycle act, show skill as well as dexter- ity. Green Brothers, comedy acrobats and bat jugglers, offer a novel act, and Falardo, in Imi- tations of musical instruments, gives an inter- esting performance. The Buckeye State Quartet have good voices and their pleasing method of singing won for them much applause. Carter De Haven and Flora Parker are In their third and lust week at this house. EUSON'S (Sid. J. Euson. mgr.)— The stock com- pany presents "Old Glory Seminary Maids" and "The Kentucky Rosebuds' Lark." Both burlesques are adequately stayed and offer the company ex- ceptional opportunities. The theatre was crowded to the doors Sunday, In spite of the Inclement weather. TROCADERO (I. M. Welngarden. mgr.)—Sam Scrlbner's "Gay Masqueraders" is one of the best burlesques on the Eastern Wheel. The company Is seen in a curtain raiser by James E. Cooper, entitled "The Adviser," and a satire entitled "Way Up Yeast." by John J. Black. In the olio are Harrison Sisters, clever singers and dancers; Gourley, Sully and Gourley, acrobatic comedians; James and Lucia Cooper, comedy sketch, and Berry and Berry, instrumentalists. FOLLY (Empire Theatre Co., management).— Harry Martell's Brigadier Burlesquirs, featuring Edmund Hayes in "The Wise Guy, ' proved the strongest attraction at Cie Western Wheel theatre this season. Tbe burlesque is hrbzht. clean and wholesome. The olio \r given during the action of the burlesque, and those who appear 1n spe- cialties are The Prentbe Trio of acrobats; Lester and Moure. Andy McL.-oud and Buford Slaters. COLISEUM.—RlnglHg Bros.' Circus opened its annual engagement of three weeks, to the largest crowds that ever a* sembled within that great building. The show this year has more Interest- ing features and mo> t of the performers are new to this city. One of the distinct features Is the sumptuous spectacle "The Field of Cloth and Gold," which la a tnnishingly beautiful In Its costuming and embellishments. One of the most thrilling "dip of death" rides is given by Annie Radford, an American girl, who la strapped firmly to the seat of a motor car, and from the top of a steep incline comes down with a terrific speed; the enr overturns in the air and strikes with tre- mendous impact a dropping curved track, on which the automobile shoots along a runway, to a buffer, which quickly stops It. Other Important features are the Clarksonlans, gymnasts; De KockS, Nelson Comlques, Marguerite and Hanley, Ernesto Sisters, Onrl Troupe. Collenl-Calron and Clark Brothers. NOTES.—Walter Stanton, the Giant Rooster of "The Land of Nod" and delineator of birds. Is preparing for vaudeville a condensed spectacular extravaganza with elaborate scenery and electrical effects, ne will be assisted by eight clever dan- cers and pantnmlmlsts In the characters of ducks. geese and other natives (ft the poultry region. James T. Powers, at the conclusion of his en- gagement on the Kohl A Castle circuit, will go direct to Europe on a five months pleasure trip. He has been offered $26,000 for 40 weeks on the Kohl A Castle and Orpheum circuits for next season, with tbe unique stipulation that be will receive tbe full amount whether he plays the time consecutively or not. Tbe comedian wants 140,000 or fl.OUO a week. The ststement pub- lished in Variety about two months ago that tbe Cblcago Opera House will turn Its policy to vaude- ville next season bss been declared authentic and official by Kohl A Castle management, who will control four vaudeville theatres In this city, af- filiated with tbe Orpheum Circuit. An inno- vation permitting smoking will be one of tbe features at the Chicago Opera House, and It will be the only vaudeville theatre In the city with this feature. O. M. Mitchell and company have in "Tbe Doctor'a Office"a unique combination of remarkable ventriloquism and amusing comedy that la creating uncommon success In the West. A. E. Myers, of the International Theatrical Com- pany, was suddenly taken HI with typhoid-malaria and his condition was for a time regarded critical. Jolm W. Consldlne, head of tbe Sulllvan-Consldine combination, ia in tbe city this week. Palmer and Jolsou, who scored a hit on the bill at tbe Majestic last week, have the distinction of being tbe first act booked solid for one year by Wm. Morris' Chicago office. John Birch, at tbe conclu- sion of his engagement on the Kohl A Castle and Hopkins circuits, in June, will sail for Europe, and will return to the States in October to fulfil contracts for next season. Tbe Great Leon re- turned from the Pacific Coaat, where be finished time on the Sulllvan-Consldine circuit. Burt Thayer, late star of Hoyt's playa, will enter vaudeville In a comedy aketch, which la now be- ing written for him. Alfred Butt, manager of the Palace Theatre, London, waa In the city on tbe alert for new Western acta. - During his atay be was entertained by Jesse L. Leaky. FRANK W1ESBURG. CINCINNATI, 0. COLUMBIA (M. C. Anderaon, mgr.)—Thla week's attraction is tbe Orpheum Show under the direction of Martin Beck, with a special added attraction of Edwards, Davis and company, In "The Unmasking." There la not a weak number on tbe bill. Campbell and Johnston, comedy acro- batic cyclists, are very funny. Edgar Blxley, singer, waa good, the audience aeemiug to never tire of his songs. Ye Colonian Septet in "An Old Tyme Hallowe'en," la one of the best musical turns ever aeen at thla house. Jules and Ella Garrison in "An Ancient Roman" have Improved their act since last seen here, and make a big hit. Winona Winter, in songa and Imltationa, ia very clever, and caught on big. Brothers and Slaters Ford have a neat and pleasing dancing turn that ia a winuer. Merlan's Dog Actors In "The Faith- less Wife," were good. Edwards, Davis and com- pany in "The Unmasking," pleased. Next week: Walter Jones and Mabel Hlte, Franceses Redding and company, J. Francis Dooley, Madame Romano, Eleanor Falk, Fay, Cooley and Fay, and Llbbey and Trayer. STANDARD (Charles B. Arnold, mgr.) —Bon-Ton Burlesquers Alex D. Gorman, mgr. "Americans In Spain" ia tbe title of tbe opening number, which is far above tbe average. The chorus slugs and dances well, while the production is well staged and costumed. The company con- sists of tbe following performers: Henry Heeler, Chris Wbelan, Joseph K. Watson, Jessie Sharp, May Fisher, Minnie Searla, Janette Woods, Toma I Ian Ion, Ward Berg, Lillle Montes, Terra Walden, Maurice Blank. Fatlnltza Montacina, Millie Hill, Helen May, Helen Reed, Carrie Danl, Louise Wal- ton, Hattle Benjamin, May Winner, May Fisher, Lottie LeRoy. The comedy work waa well done and possessed qualities the public likes. The clos- ing burlesque was better than the opening, and of a high class order, and was immensely enjoyed. Next week: Black Crook, Jr., with Miss Viola Sheldon and LaSella Acrobats as special features. PEOPLE'S (J. E. Fennessy, mgr.)—Miner's Americans. Bert J. Kendrick, mgr., in "A Yankee Doodle Girt," is the best singing aggregation that has appeared at thla house this season. Except for tbe lack of comedy work a more pleasing performance could not be desired. The burlesque was clean; tbe singing of Gladys Clark, May But- ler and George Betts was a treat. Tbe olio con- sisted of Joe Goodwin, the boy monologlst, In nursery gaga; Betts, Reynolds and Fox, songs and dances; May Butler, Illustrated songs; Fisher and Clark, songa and acrobatic act; and Break- away Barlows, aerial acrobatic act, all of which were pleasing. Next week: The Bohemians, with Andy Gardner, Ida Nicolal and Will H. Ward, and Luba de Sarema as extra attraction. H. HESS. DETROIT, MICH. TEMPLE (J. H. Moore, mgr.)—Loulae Gunning, soprano; Salerno, the juggler, and the six Pro- veanis, female bicyclists, were the principal per- formers to raise the current bill several degrees above the average In excellence. Miss Gunning, who baa not been here since her engagement with Schumann-Helnk, presented her well-known budget of Scotch ballads In a delightful manner and dis- played a voice that has grown bigger and fuller. Salerno made a hit with conventional tricks, and novelties as well, on account of his dexterity and precision. The Proveanls were likewise impres- sive. The Petchlng Brothers opened with a mual- cal act which had a novel setting; Johnson and Weils, as usual here, went big in songs and danc- ing; the Columbiana' musical act was admired be- cause of ita pretty qualities and the cleverness of the children; Barney Fagan and Henrietta Byron were fairly entertaining within their protean bur- letta "Idle Fancies"; James J. Morton added his characteristic touch of humor with his monologue. AVENUE (Frank Drew, mgr.)—It was voted here that The Merrymakers lived up to their title, for their show seemed a big improvement on what has immediately preceded. M. J. Kelly starred In "Running for Mayor" and "The Mayor's Vaca- tion." Two good features of tbe olio were the Exposition Four snd Sherman and Fuller, the lat- ter knockabout acrobats. Fair acts were given by Brown and Robinson, St rouse and Young, and Mile. Bartolettl. dancer. CRYSTAL (J. J. Nash, mgr.)—The current bill is fair, with Haw- ley and Olcott In their aketch "Just Married t Week" as the best feature. Hamilton and Wiley presented a comedy sketch, "Polly"; Harry Brown opened with swift cartooning; Buckely's educated dogs pleased; Grace Ormond waa a fair aucceaa Cobb's Comer April 14, 1006. No. 7. A Weakly Word With WILL tba Wordwrlght. SOME GOOD IDEAS FOR SOME GOOD ACTS FOR SOME GOOD PEOPLE Who Will Pay Good Money and Speak First WILL De COBB WORDWRIGHT 48 West 29th St., care of F. A. Mills with her monologue, and Oliver Wllber contributed his usual Illustrated songs. L» C. L. INDIANAPOLIS, IND. GRAND OPERA HOUSE (Shafer Zlegler, mgr.) —For the first time thla season a big acrobatic act—tbe Eight Allisons—headed the bill at tbe Grand for tbe week of April 9. The work of this admirable troupe of aerobeta and gymnasts proved more thsn ordinarily interesting to the audiences and there waa plenty of applauae to reward their efforts. Harry Corson Clarke, assisted by Mar- garet Dale Owen, gave a little one-act comedy en- titled "Strategy." There waa not much to the playlet, but the acting of tbe players was clever and saved tbe piece from becoming tiresome. Miss Owen, who is sn Indiana woman, well known in thla city, came in for much attention socially dur- ing the week. Eleanor Falk made the hit of tbe performance with her bright repertoire of songs and dances. Charles Baron and his cats and dogs in their "burlesque menagerie" were well liked, and the others on the program, all of whom were well received, were Madame Romano, soprano; Hickey and Nelson, the grotesque fun makers. In their "Twisted and Tangled" set; Fay, Coley and Fay, a minstrel trio never seen here before, and Llbbey and Trayer In their costume comedietta, "The Writing Lesson." The fsct that it waa Holy Week caused the attendance at the Grand to drop off to some extent. Next week the headline attraction will be Joe Welch, who baa not been seen here In vaudeville In several seasons, and the extra feature will be Louis Simon and Grace Gard- ner in their always welcome farce, "The New Coachman." LOUIS WESLYN. LOS ANGELES, OAL. ORPHEUM.—Abdul El Kader and three wives, lightning painting, a beautiful act, which the crowd goea out talking about. Sandor'a bur- lesque circua, a mlg*ly poor ahow, beside other attractions of Its class. Alf Grant and Ethel Hoag would make a better showing with their audiences If Alfy would not get so peevish when the crowd falls to appreciate his warmed over gags of yester year. He baa about three new ones. World's Comedy Four (why "comedy"?) sing well. Aside from Kader, the strongest acta are held over from last week—Marahall P. Wilder, Thomas J. Keogh and Sullivan and Paaquelena. Watson and Morrlaey are willing, but weak. RUDOLPHUS. LYNN, MASS. AUDITORIUM (Harry Katzea, mgr.)—A pleas- inn bill for week of 9. Rice and Prevoat as the headiiner, of course, made a big hit. The re- maining bill Included Holcolmbe, Curtla and Webb in "A Winter's Seasion," good; Leo Carrillo offered some very clever Imitations that took well; the Three Cartmella were well liked In a singing and dacing novelty; Lawrence and Harrington scored moderately in "The Installment Man"; Theo Ju- lian, xylophonist, good; Bristol's ponies' clever act was well received, and the crowd stayed for the pictures. Holy Week means poor business here. DAVE CHASE. MARION, IND. GRAND (H. T. Summers, lessee; Sam Pickering, res. mgr.)—Week of 9: Martinette and Sylveater, acrobatic comedy; Edith Richarda, musical artist; Taylor and Fairman, comedy; Harry Van Toasen, monologue; Hazel Robinson, Illustrates; moving pictures. CRYSTAL .(John H. Ammona. prop. and mgr.)—Summer and Winter, blackface com- edy; Sam and Ida Kelley in "McGulre'a Trou- bles"; Princess Sotanki, Hindoo mysteries; Ernest Sumner Illustrates, and the Kinodrome. WETZEL. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. ORPHEUM (Martin Beck, gen. mgr.)—One of the best and biggest bills of the season more than pleased two Sunday audiences that tested capacity In spite of all-day rain. Havemann'a School of Wild Animals, including four lions, s Bengsl tiger, two Asian bears and a German bloodbound, heads the bill with a capital animal act, done in an arena, a la Hagenbeck. Bailey. Austin A Co. in a string of rough house comedy are a perpetual "scream" while on. Frank Rae and Guasle Brosche, In "A Woman of Few Worda," are In the list of big hits, as Is Probst, whistler and Imi- tator. Probst has recently Improved his act ma- terially by a series of atereoptlcon illustrations of the birds whose songs he so cleverly repro- duces. Alice Lyndon Doll, In character songs, does well although handicapped by opening the bill. Argenantl Trio, in selections from Italian \