Variety (Sept 1906)

VARIETY NOTES FROM GERMANY. By Emil Perlmann (Editor "Der Artist"). Dusseldorf, Aug. 20. The Thalia Theatre in Elberfeld (in the neighborhod of Dusseldorf and Cologne) will open December 1. The agent and im- presario Martin Stein from Hamburg is appointed director. Jean Houcke, the director of I he eques- trian family, Three Freres Houcke, has been appointed director of the Nouveau Cirque in Paris. Konacher in Vienna opens September 1. It has been rebuilt at a cost of $100,000. The new stage is perfection. At the last general meeting of the 1. A. L. several propositions of questionable value were declined by some energetic members. A reglement of the "Ehrenrat" (Court of Honor) containing two para- graphs was accepted. This court of honor has not the sympathy of the mem- bers and they did not take much trouble to discuss the questions. The "always speakers" ran through all important propo- sitions in less than four hours. I don't think this speed will be of much use to the prosperity of the association. One member proposed to pay the presi- dent a Axed salary. The meeting pro- tested. The president, often is forced to be out of pocket in representing it. Wherefore does the association refuse to pay hint? When some members are ap- pointed as a special commission they render expense bills which are paid. In Frankfort on-Main a jealous lover killed his sweetheart, the Austrian SOU- hrette Elegy, after which he shot himself and died a few minutes later. Mans Arwev. a well known imitator of S animals, died recently. He was IV2 years old. The 1. A. L. has the idea of organizing tours in those cities where there is no regular music hall. They are in corre- spondence with an agent in Dresden who will manage it. I shall report next time about this enterprise. The aunoyaurc of securing time in New York City is keeping many Western acts at home. One was in New York this week. The male number said he would prefer to play West, where he received time with- out the impression lie was a beggar. There were a bundred other good acts in the West, he said, who felt the same way and would stay there. MUSICAL NOTES. Abe llolzinanu celebrated his birthday recently by giving a (Ithine) wine sup- per at his home in Asbury Park. His guests prevented him with a poker table and then played cards with the host, re- lieving him of $(1.50. A Basic publisher was dumfounded the other day to be handed a crisp ten-dollar bill by Keata Winfield, the violinist and ex-wife of Lionel Lawrence. She had bor- rowed it some two years previously and, like all similar "touches," the publisher had charged it to profit and loss. The Palasttheater in Berlin will have a greater part of the bill devoted to variety attractions. The theatre is situated near the great playhouses. Perhaps directors and agents will peep in when there are some prominent features on the pro- gramme. With a view to this possibility the I. A. L. in Berlin has rented the house for December. Artists are to work there on their own account ana! to share the profits. For Berlin December is the poor- est month for vaudeville. It may be doubted if the public can be induced to sit in a theatre which up to now had no attractions on the bill. Pen Harris lately gave a concert at Atlantic City and induced the resident manager of J. H. Remick's store in that town to make an announcement of same. Remick's place is directly opposite the Steel Pier, where a vaudeville show is given regularly under the direction of a man named demons, demons did not take kindly to the idea of having his opposition advertised in this manner and now refuses to permit any songs from the Kemick catalogue to be rendered at his house. p'red Belcher's wife, Harriet Blanke, herself a composer of note, gave birth on Sunday afternoon to a bouwins babv girl. Belcher was out of town when the new arrival made its appearance, but came back immediately on receipt of the good news. It is not generally known that Harry Von Tilzer was quietly married some five months ago to a widow said to be the possessor of much beaut v. "Mose" (Jumble leaves on Sumlav for a three weeks vacation at Mt. Clemens. CASEY DECLARED HIMSELF. Frank Keeney introduced a local man ager from Rutland. Yt.. to Hugo Morris last Monday, asking Hugo to do all he could for him. The Rutland gentleman stated that he desired to put in a vaude- ville show for a week and pressed for a decision on the amount of monev he wished to spend for the show replied that he would invest $80, He was particularly anxious to get one good single act for which he would pay $24. Hugo replied that P. 1. Casey had charge of that department and could do a good 'turn'' himself. The rural gentleman finally "got to" Casey and then there was a howl. Kor once Mr. Casey lo*t his temper and declared himself. The Vermont manager, after Casey finished, said: "(ioodness; they don't talk like that up my way." MUSIC HALL AT ASBURY. (Jeorge Unman* thinks so well of As bury Park a> a vaudeville Held worth working that he and several business as soiiatcs haVc entered into contract to build a music hall at the shore end of the fishing pier. The plans call for a $50,000 structure to be ready for occupancy next summer. There is a probability that the building will be used all the year round. Asbury Pafk has no op'ry house, the local institution having been bumed down sev- eral years ago. ARTISTS' FORUM Confine your letters to ISO words and write on one tide of paper only. Anonymous communications will not be printed. Name of writer must be signed and be held In strict confidence. If desired. Tyler, Tex., Aug. 22. Ivditor Variety : We would like to inform those inter- ested that "the ghost did not walk'* week of August 5 at the Crystal Park Airdrome Theatre, Dallas, Tex. P. II. liailand is the manager. Neither the actors nor musicians received salaries. Mr. Mailaud told us he expected a check and would pay immediately upon receipt. We waited, losing an engagement elsewhere in consequence, but got no money from Mailand and could not attach, as every- thing was rented. Mailand also has a house in Omaha, Neb. We don't think much of it. Frank A. Voinj, Fuller Trio. was filled with members of the profession •luring the week that Mr. Heins referrea' to |n his letter. I will open my books to verify the qualities of the food I serve. F trust you will publish this. My house and books are open at all times for your inspection. John A. Dicks, Proprietor Hotel Seymore. Philadelphia, Aug. 28. Editor Variety: The "Century Girls'" baseball nine challenges any company nine for a game to take place in New York City on Sun- day, September 2 or 0. Answer by wire to Frank P. Hayes, manager of "Century Girls'" Raseball Nine, Hijou Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa. Frank P. Hayes. Rochester, N. Y., Aug. 20. Editor Variety: SJ I notice in your paper a letter from Billy Heins regarding my hotel (Hotel Seymore) in this city. There is no truth in his statements. I catered to the pro- fession long before Mr. Heins came into the business. I always have a number of principals as guests, and they come again. I can give you the names and my house Cioshen, Ind., Aug. 29. Editor Variety: 1 notice in this week's Variety where a party has tried to hurt our reputation by writing that the Musical Adams act could be improved greatly. I wish to say that that party knows little about the show business, I o'on't see why you people ac- cept write-ups from people that know nothing about judging acts. We have done your paper considerable good. In what way, you may ask? We have al- ways "boosted" it to artists and advised them to buy Variety. We have also got newsdealers to purchase it. We have had' several good write-ups sent in to your paper which you have never published. Now that you get a chance to roast us through some one that knows but little about the show business you do so. Do you think that you are treating us right? I do not advertise in your paper, nor in any paper, because I can not afford it, as we are buying a home. We buy Variety every week and that is all we can afford. Enclosed! find recommendations from man- agers. Now, if you want to do what is fair by us you will straighten this mat- ter up. Trust you will give us a fair deal. The Hfusical Adams. A "PROP" DREAM. By Frank Nokth (Of Howard and North). 'Twas after the matinee one day; the stage hamls had gone .iwiiie. 1 sat me down to take a rest in the "prop" room all alone. I gazed upon the different things that hung upon the wall. Then finally fell off to sleep and dreamed about them all. I dreamed the "props" were quarrelling about the different things they'd done; The seltzer bottle and slapstick fought with a rusty army gun. The fright-wig it grew frightened when a dummy says: "You see, If I should open up, they'd kick the stuffing out of me." The basket horse began to kick and he kicked an old high hat. And ho thought he was to pasture when he spied a big grass mat. The sawdust with some jig sand got all mixed up in a pail. 'Twas hard to separate them, so I listened to their tale. The sand spoke up and says: "You know I've an awful lot to do." But the sawdust says: "They always put me right on after you." Some red fire, growing excited, said: "For years I've worked with Pain; Why. I've closed shows in every town from Frisco down to Maine." A big bunch of "prop" money then answered with a frown : "They always use me for a bet or to burn a cabin down." A suit of armor shining bright just stood! and held its breath, Saying: "I'm no good in vaudeville; I protect 'legits' from death." The tin sheet like a lightning streak I thought began to thunder, And you should have seen the elephant's hide when it got the telephone's number. An old clock said: "If you'll go to bed I'll give you each a tick"; When the policeman's club said: "Shut up, you dub, for I'm an all-night stick." A fireman's hat then took a peek up the old time slippery stair And he saw a sure lire revolver throw his cap up in the air. The wind nun bine behind the parlor Screen then started in to blow. And I noticed rather suddenly a lot of falling snow. All the "props" began to shiver; I was laughing at the joke • When the feather cluster tickled me and with a start then 1 swoke. I ->at down then' and wondered 'twas bo dark I couldn't see - • When I heard the sniibrette saying: "Is there any mail for me?" I knew I'd missed my supper, but it didn't make m e. For I'll miss a meal at any time to dream like that once more.