Variety (Nov 1906)

VARIETY "SUNDAY CLAUSE" PERPLEXING. The "Sunday performance" clause in the artists' contracts is giving the managers and booking agents no little concern, though they profess to regard it lightly. Vaudeville players also treat it with seri- ous thought inasmuch as contracts con- taining the Sunday clause are not worth the paper on which they are printed. Various ideas have been brought forward to circumvent this clause, the Keith peo- ple going so far as to consider the ad- visability of revising their contracts to read that performances shall be given for six days and that payment for same be made on Sunday evening, taking the chance that no artist would refuse to play the Sunday shows. Another idea is to have a clause reading that artists shall render their services where Sunday shows are legally permitted, though even this is regarded as dangerous. Still another is to have artists sign for the week and a separate agreement for the Sunday ser- vices. William Morris, when asked about the matter, replied that he did not intend to change the wording of his booking con- tracts and that he did not anticipate, the slightest difficulty on that score. Nevertheless the subject is a pertinent one and has caused much discussion among artists' societies in Europe. The illegality of the "Sunday clause" may be used as a club against a foreign artist after arrival in this country, and it is for that reason mainly that the managers do not care to see the question agitated, fearing that it will retard immigration. For a manager to plead the clause as a defence to the fulfillment of a contract would be called "the baby act," but that might not deter him. Reputable managers would be pleased to have a contract drawn which would inspire the artist with the confidence that he was not entirely at their mercy. "CLINT" WILSON IN DEMAND. Since the publication last week in Va- riety of the possible dissolution of the agency firm of Wilson & Flynn, Clinton Wilson has been in receipt of several of- fers for his services. Some have been from legitimate man- agers, but it is learned that Mr. Wilson looks with most favor upon an offer to go to Cleveland as the manager of the East- ern Burlesque Wheel Empire Theatre. Cleveland is Wilson's native heath, where * he is well known and popular, belonging to most of the clubs in that city, which com- bined with his experience, would conduce to the succesful season desired for the house. Another report has it that he has se- cured a backer and proposes to run a family theatre in Flushing, in partnership with one Harry Greene. MAURICE LEVI ENGAGED. Attire yourselves in sackcloth and ashes, ye female frequenters of the Broadway lobster emporiums. Maurice Levi, he of the musical wand, is engaged to be married —and to a non-professional. What's more, it Is alleged that never again will he grace the festive boards at the midnight suppers at white light places of good cheer. Weep, ye soubrettes, and weep copiously, Mr. Levi will no longer com- pose a meal out of a menu card for you. KEITH AFTER fNAMES." There is a persistent impression abroad along the big thoroughfare that the Keith-Proctor people are out for NAMES for exploitation in their metropolitan houses. The story is more or less sub- stantiated by the fact that the merger firm has retained Philip K. Mindil under a permanent agreement to do "special publicity work for feature acts." Who make up the prospective string of stars is not known. The first of the crowd is Arnold Daly, in whose special interests Mindil was engaged. MAY STAY IN IMPERIAL. In all probability the Empire Circuit (Western Burlesque Wheel) will continue to enjoy occupancy of the Imperial The- atre, Brooklyn, which was taken over from William T. Grover for burlesque, until nearly the end of the current the- atrical season. The municipality is draw- ing down $40,000 in rents from the prop- erty condemned for the proposed improve- ments, and, inasmuch as there has been no appropriation for the Flatbush avenue extension, there is, according to competent authority, little probability of any active work being commenced for six months at least. BIG VERDICT AGAINST EMPIRE. The chances of collection in the big verdict of $66,750 rendered against the Empire Circuit Company in the suit brought by Edward J. Rosenau for $100,000 damages, alleging conspiracy causing him to close the old Court street theatre are being discussed. The Lafayette Theatre here is supposed to belong to the Empire circuit, but whether it is a matter of record in its name or has been redeeded is not known. Last week Jas. L. Kernan, who held three-quarters of the stock in the com- pany owning the building, disposed of his holdings to Harry Martell. Notice of ap- peal has been filed. ENGLISH ACT DROPPED. "Les Rossignols," a quintet of English girls playing last week at the Murray Hill as one of the features of Harry Bryant's show (Eastern Burlesque Wheel), were closed at the termination of that com- pany's engagement at the Forty-second street house. Bryant, so it is said, could not see the imported five. A Russian danc- ing troupe filled their place. SHAYNE CLAIMS RECORD. Indianapolis, Nov. 2. Edward Shayne takes exception to the statement that the largest week's re- ceipts for a burlesque show were $8,500 for the late Harry Morris' show at the Standard, St. Louis, during the World's Fair. In support of his position he de- clares that he played the same house last year to a total of $9,703.90 with the origi- nal moving pictures of the Britt-Nelson bout. He gives these figures for the week beginning November 5, 1905: Sunday, Nov. 5 $1,737.85 Monday, Nov. 6 1.333.00 Tuesday, Nov. 7 1,306.70 Wednesday, Nov. ft 1,271.25 Thursday, Nov. 9 1,234.45 Friday, Nov. 10 1,261.40 Saturday, Nov. 11 1,559.25 Total $9,703.90 MISS VAN STUDDIF0RD LOSES HOME. St. Louis, Nov. 2. It would appear from certain public records filed this week that Grace Van Studdiford's tour of the concert halls since her last visible appearance in a vaudeville house of noticeable standing has not been altogether satisfactory to her financial well being. A deed transferring her country home in St. Louis county to John W. Thomp- son to secure debts has just been recorded in Clayton. The consideration named in the transfer is about $25,000, but it is explained that this is a nominal amount, the total of the Van Studdiford' obli- gations to Mr. Thompson being consider- ably in excess of that. The case is novel as representing a satisfied claim against the former prima donna and her husband. Miss Edith Conrad, A young English girl now nupportlng Willanl Slicing in the vaudeville sketch "Fllnder'» Fur- nished Flat." ARTISTS ORGANIZE IN PHILA. Philadelphia, Nov. 2. "The Philadelphia Vaudeville Artists' Association" was organized last Sunday. Forty-six artists living in the city and vicinity are the charter members. The object is sociability. The society has the sanction of the managers and agents in the city. James Barton was elected secretary. "BY PERMISSION OF THE KING." For press work there could be nothing better than to have tacked onto an an- nouncement ''By Permission of the King." That sentence fits Lieut. Amer's "Brit- ish Hussars," an English band organiza- tion of forty-five pieces with five soloists. Tt will play in New York for the first time next week at Weber's Music Hall. The band is claimed to be the prettiest costumed company travelling. It was by special permission of FCngland's King that it was enabled to come over. Lieut. Amer is an English army officer, holding the rank of Lieutenant, and the members are subject to the army regulations of Great Britain's war force. MONEY EASY FOR RYAN. Cincinnati, Nov. 2. Local bankers stand ready to advance John J. Ryan all the money he may re- quire for building operations in theatrical ventures. Within two or three months the plans for new theatres in Buffalo and Pittsburg will have assumed definite form and operations started. There was a report early in the week that Ryan had wired William Morris to book the shows in his houses direct, dis- regarding William S. Cleveland, Ryan's representative in New York. It was said that some dissatisfaction arose over the bill for last week at the Olympic. Several reports of a like nature have re- cently emanated from this city and it is the general impression here that someone near to Ryan is envious of Cleveland's success thus far. Mr. Cleveland has had the bookings for Cincinnati, Erie and Cleveland in charge. Up to date he has not failed to deliver every act billed as per program, a most remarkable record in these times, when even the placid man- agers know not the makeup of their own shows before the opening performance. There is no one on the Ryan staff who could successfully handle the booking end of Ryan's vaudeville business as well as Cleveland. Mr. Ryan may go "up in the air" over some detail, but each time upon alighting he will look around for Cleve- land to rest against. STATEN ISLAND NOT NEGLECTED. It did seem at one time that Staten Island would have to plod along without its vaudeville. An attempt was made to secure in Richmond or Stapleton or some other place a theatre now playing stock, but the manager had an advance sale for the week and would not listen to a propo- sition. Victor Leavitt, however, walked over the third-rail until he struck West New Brighton and the Union Opera House. It looked like a promising combination to Mr. Leavitt and after ascertaining that the house had a seating capacity of 750 he clinched the articles on the spot. The era of Staten Island vaudeville will start on November 1ft with Lottie Gilson as the headliner. SIMPLE REASON FOR MOVING. The Banning Music Publishing Company and the Banning Dramatic and Vaudeville Agency, which took up its tangible ex- istence in rooms in the Theatrical El- change Building at Fortieth street and Broadway two months ago, has suddenly and completely faded from view, as wit- ness this conversation between the ele- vator operator in that establishment and one who sought th<* erstwhile musical and booking firm: "What's become of the Banning agency ?" "Dunno. Haven't seem 'em for a long time." "Huh. Didn't pay rent? Yes?" "How did you guess it?" Which seems to be conclusive. FORD AND GERHUE IN "ONE." John Ford and May me Gerhue, bofh returned from the other side, will play a new act in "one" at the Union Square Theatre next week. Myers A Keller have the handling of the team.