Variety (June 1907)

VARIETY CLEVELAND TALKING. Cleveland, June 7. Cleveland is talking about its vaude- ville, and there is plenty of cause. Not alone are th ■ best shows ever in the city being presented here this week by both the opposition houses (Keith's Pros- pect and Klaw & Erlanger's Euclid Ave- nue Opera House), but the Keith people have adopted an antagonistic attitude toward their rival. The Sunday papers carried a separate advertisement from the Keith local head- quarters calling the attention of Cleve- landers to the fact that four numbers on tue present bill of the Opera House have played Keith uteatres before, three in Cleveland (Jewell's Manikins, Greene and Werner, Julian Rose and the other (Mc- Naughtons) at the Union Square Theatre in xsew York on February 20, 1905. The advertisement also contains the following remarks: "JUST TO SHOW CLEVELAND REAL VAUDEVILLE, a firm of New York theatrical managers has engaged a theatre on Euclid Avenue for 4 weeks, where will be presented a num- ber of KEITH ACTS at an advanced price. IT'S FUN TO WATCH THE FIREWORKS, BUT DONT LET THE SMOKE BLIND YOU. It seems that 'Advanced' vaudeville has been seen in Cleveland at Keith's for three years, and at 25, 50 and 75c. It's go- ing to be mighty hard work to fool Cleveland theatregoers for even four weeks." Ihe <; ad" of the Opera House mere- ly says: "Real Metropolitan Vaude- ville for the first time in Cleveland at the lowest prices ever charged for a performance of this nature." The Opera House charges $1 for reserved seats in the evening, while the Keith limit is 75c. Merry times are expected in the newspapers, owing to the bold stand taken by the Keith side. The rivalry between the vaudeville fac- tions will undoubtedly give us better vaudeville. The public does not expect the present high priced shows to be con- tinued the year round. In this city, the statement of some of the salaries paid by Klaw & Erlanger is something unheard of. Both shows are drawing business, the opening bill at the Euclid Avenue Opera House last Monday evening having drawn capacity. The Keith house this week has tue largest advanced sale since its opening. The unlooked for publicity given the Klaw & Erlanger bill has "boomed" it considerably. The McNaughtons are given a reception upon their every appearance, although playing Cleveland for the first time. After the first advertisement came out, Jewell's Manikins were moved from the opening position to a more favorable one. Louis F. Werba, Klaw & Erlanger's general representative for vaudeville, William Morris, the New York agent, and Henry Goldsmith, the attorney, were in the city for the opening of the Opera House. The management of the Opera House has not noticed the attack by the other side thus far. D'AMON BIG DRAWING CARD. Philadelphia, June 7. Girard Avenue Theatre, one of the lead- ing popular priced houses in this city, is trying Summer vaudeville with undoubted success. D'Amon, thaumaturgist, known as "The Great White Mystery," is the chief attraction and has been the means of crowding the house at almost every performance. The thought-transmission act offered by D'Amon is an improvement over the Fays (John T. and Eva) inasmuch as he gives his answers to the many perplexing ques- tions while walking about the stage in- stead of sitting in a chair covered by a cloth. In many ways the act is start- lingly effective, and it is cleverly executed. This is D'Amon's first local showing of importance. He opens with some skilful cabinet manifestations and his double contribution to the bill was interesting and entertaining, as well as mystifying. In addition to the feature act, Haslan escapes from various styles of straight- jackets with remarkable rapidity and deft- ness. Elliott, Belair and Elliott showed a good acrobatic turn. Joseph Hortiz, for- mer star of "Our Friend Fritz," met with success in a singing sketch. The Gilden Sisters sang and danced and Fred Dupree contributed a monologue of song and stories. The Girard is under the management of Miller and Kaufman, who also operate Forepaugh's Theatre here. Vaudeville will be continued next week, with D'Amon again the feature. BOARD BILL "BAD COMEDY.** Carrie DeVeaux, of DeVeaux and De- Veaux, the musical team, occasionally takes boarders in her apartments at 144 West 22nd street, but Miss DeVeaux does not look upon the pursuit with favor since William L. Mohr, president of the Mohr Specialty Co., on Broadway, compelled her to appear in court. Mr. Mohr hung his hat in the DeVeaux domicile for a long time without com- pensation. When the food and space con- sumed amounted to $54.50, the landlady forwarded a bill for the amount. The bill came back, with a notation added to it by Mohr saying: "P. S. Ma; bad comedy." Shortly after came along a city marshal who replevined a trunk, suit case and wearing apparel Miss DeVeaux had thoughtfully clung to for the protection of Mohr's indebtedness. Mohr claimed the property, and before Justice Roesch in the Municipal Court, when the case was tried, the delinquent debtor was informed by the court he would either have to pay for his board and room or the mar- shal would return the articles to Miss DeVeaux in satisfaction of his account. Jacob Stiefel, of 140 Nassau street, is attorney for Miss DeVeaux. VICTORIA WINS HOTEL SUIT. Vesta Victoria this work received a judgment for $104 against the Lexington Hotel in New York in a damage suit. Miss Victoria declared that while she was a guest in that hotel recently her room was entered and a quantity of her personal ?ffects was stolen. She was represented in the proceedings by Mr. Beekman, of House. Grossman & Vorhaus. UNITED MUSIC STORES STARTED. The United Music Stores Com pony an- nounces that it has secured locations in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlantic City and Syracuse, and will open estab- lishments in these places within a week or two. The New York stand is at Broadway and 38th street. The front of the store has been torn out and will be replaced by an arcade front. Demonstrations will be given afternoons and evenings. The other retail music selling concern, the American Music Stores, announces that it will also open a New York estab- lishment today. It is the penny arcade on Park Row, just opposite the New York general postoffice. This location was selected because of the large num- ber of Brooklyn voyagers who pass daily on their way home. This may also explain why Meyer Cohen, the manager of Charles K. Har- ris, has made arrangements to journey over to Brooklyn next week and do a nightly Tascott during the performance of the Wallace-Hagenbeck circus, the idea being thus to stimulate interest in the Harris publications in the new store. COMPLACENT MR. MOORE. J. H. Moore, of Detroit and Rochester, recently purchased the $15,000 yacht of E. D. Stair, of Stair & Havlin, and about the first of July will leave for a long cruise. During his absence John E. Wig- gins, a son of the late E. W. Wiggins, will manage his theatrical interests in the two cities mentioned. Mr. Moore was to have left on his cruise earlier, but the death of Wiggins, who was bis partner in many enterprises, delayed him. Cook's Opera House at Rochester, N. Y., managed by Mr. Moore, is now in opposition to the Lyceum Theatre in that city, playing vaudeville booked through the offices of William Morris. Mr. Moore stated some time ago that '"opposition" had no terrors for him; he was perfectly agreeable to the situation; had laid out future bills, and intended enjoying himself instead of worrying. SUTHERLAND BOOKS "FLOATING PALACE." The contract to supply the variety acts for the "Floating Palace" at Norfolk, Va., this summer has been awarded Al Suth- erland, the agent. Five acts weekly will be used. The Palace is a feature of the James- town Exposition, and although called "flciating" it is anchored in Hampton Ro&ds, about 1,000 feet from shore, and the same distance from the war ships stationed there. C. M. Cessna is the manager. Two shows daily are given. CHICAGO AGENT IN NEW YORK. F. M. Haines, the Chicago agent, who makes a specialty of supplying parks and fairs with attractions, has established a New York branch at 208 West 42d street. Edward Marsh will represent Mr. Barnes in this city. WILLS EXPECTS TROUBLE. All is not serene with Nat M. Wills' contracted vaudeville tour over the United booking Offices circuit. Mr. Wills is not worried, however, through any probable legal action to be taken by his former managers, Broadhurst & Currie. The nomologist's contract with the legitimate firm called for his services for an unexpired period. The agreement pro- vided that Mr. Wills can be "laid off," and returned to work at the pleasure of the firm, but prohibits him from accepting any other engagement in the interim without their consent. This is a somewhat similar clause to that contained in the contract between Henry E. Dixey and Walter N. Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence obtained a permanent in- junction from the Supreme Court re- straining the actor from playing in vaude- ville, but the Appellate Term of the same Court reversed the decision. The Wills case is in the bands of Will- iam Grossman, of House, Grossman & Vor- haus, his attorneys. Unless an adjustment is arrived at with Broadhurst & Currie, legal proceedings are expected to follow. Mr. Wills has placed Vincent Bryan un- der a weekly salary to write material for his use on the vaudeville stage, and he will be in a position next season to play four consecutive weeks in one house, changing his program weekly. • OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN INJURED. Paris, May 28. Mary Garden, the prima donna of the Opera Comique, Paris, and who is to cre- ate the leading parts in the operas of the Opera Comique school at the Manhattan Opera House in New York, yesterday in- vited Oscar Haramerstein for an outing in her automobile in company with her sister. The party, passing through Versailles and nearing Beinville, was thrown violently against the curb, as the result of one of the wheels of the automobile breaking at the axle. Miss Garden and Mr. Ham- merstein sustained injuries which required the attention of a physician, but which are not expected to be of a serious char- acter. This was the first time in his life that Mr. Hammerstein had taken a ride in an automobile. He says he prefers an ash cart—and alone. RIGHT TO EJECT. Washington, June 7. The courts here have been called upon to pass upon the right of a theatre manager to refuse admittance to any person by re- funding the amount of a ticket. This point came up in a damage suit for $10,000 brought against Manager P. B. Chase of Chase's Theatre by Boyce Marks, who was ejected from that house. The plaintiff alleged that he suffered humiliation and "agony of mind" which entitled him to recompense in the sum of $10,000. The defendant offered testimony to show that Marks was boisterous and created a scene. The decision was for the defendant. Geo. K. Fortesque has closed his season with "Two Little Girls" and has the usual vaudeville bee. Agents are looking for Irene Bentley with vaudeville offers ready. Van Cleve, Wentworth and "Pete" have dissolved, Mr. Wentworth retiring. Dora Denton steps into the vacancy, and the title is now "Van Cleve, Denton and Tete, the circus mule.'" It is reported that Margaret Ashton, the American girl, who lias been abroad for several years, will return this summer for a five weeks' engagement on one of the roofs, sailing for the other side im- mediately upon the completion of it.