Variety (September 1907)

18 VARIETY CORRESPONDENCE Unless otherwise noted, the following reports sre for the current week. Chicago By FRANK WIESBERQ. VAB1KTY 8 Chicago Office. Chicago Opera House Block, (Phone Main 4380). M UE8TIC (Lyiuan B. Glover, ingr. for Kohl *Y Cattle. Monday rehearsal 9».— The well-bal- anced bill la he. .dllued by Julius Steger and Company in "The Fifth Commandment," glrlng the sauie artistic performance. Gud Edwards' "8ehool Boys and Ulrla" returned, much Im- proved. Adolpb /ink gave bis familiar imita- tions and Frank and Jeu Latona. who have not appeared here In some years, made a very good Impression. Utto Brothers are also newcomers, following the conventional style of German com edy, with good dialect and rather threadbare material, although creative of laughter. The Kills -Nowllii Tioupc showed unique acrobatics, interspersed with agreeable comedy. Tlie Quaker City Quartet In their blacksmith sketch offer nothing new in the comedy line aside from a few modified remarks. The singing remains the fea- ture and was encored. "ibc Fall of 04," a new dramatic sketch by Arthur W. Stace, la pre- aented for the flrat time here. Col. Gaston Bor- devery closed with sharpabootlng. Cleone Pearl Tell and Norton also appeared. CHICAGO OFKBA HOUSE (Frank Rivers, mgr. for Kohl & Caatle. Monday rehearsal 9).— Arthur Dunn and Marie Glazier are the particular stars of the bill this week, unusually attractive. Ward and Curran are also slated In association with Mile. Madgl, Kmma Francis and Arabs, "Tboae Four Girls." Mayme Remington and "Picks," The Conkleys, Two Franclscas, Kllroy Trio, Mack and Dugal. Frankle La Marcbe, Han- son and Jackson. OLYMPJC (Abe Jacobs, mgr. for Kohl ft Caatle. Monday rehearsal 9).—Entirely rebuilt and beau- tiful, this famous vaudeville house, which was destroyed by flie early last summer, reopened four weeks earlier than expected. It is more spacious and comfortable than previously. Every- thing la bright and freah looking. The opening jiil la headed by Ethel Levey, coming direct from New York. Haalam, "a jail breaker," new here, and Harding and Ah Hid, who have not been seen around town In years, together with Kemp's Tales, Count De Bute and Brother, Mile. Olive, Emmons, Emerson and Emerson, The Holi- backa, Harry Beaumont, Shannon and Straw, Emily Nice. HAYMARKET (Win. Newklrk, mgr. for Kohl ft Caatle. Monday rehearsal 9).—Manager New- klrk haa provided an excellent bill for his West side patrons and a repetition of the large busi- ness last week la looked for. The first seven acts have appeared at the Majestic last week or week before. They are Flo Irwin and Company, "Polly Pickles' Pets." Elmer *Tenley, Sisters Urma, Gorge Wilson, Bootblack Quartet, Mak- niurl. The newcomers are Chas. W. Bowser and Company, the Vagges. Kaufman Sisters, Reno and Begar and Dick Miller. ORPHETJM (Jones, Linlck ft Schaefer, props.; Sam Levlne, mgr.).—The second week atarted In auspiciously at this new variety house. The two sets of acta, appearing alternately from 11 a. m. to 10:30 in the evening, are made of Williams, Thompson and Hoey, Farrell and LeRoy. Harry Clark, Ed and May Woodward, Eddie Moon, Innes and Ryan. Stella Rlnehart, Hazel Gloss, the Mosts. Hebert and Rogers, Walter Daniels, Davie Estelle and pictures. COLUMBIA (W. P. Shaver, mgr. Monday rehearsal 10).— White and Sanford. P.I I lie Me Robie. Milton and KmotiH, Marvelle, Modolny Brothers, Will Hart, Darrow and Mitchell and pictures. SID J. EUSON (Sid J. Euson. mgr.).—Weber ft Rush have been more lavish In the display of continues in "The Dainty Duchess" and their emblem of merit is upheld In this respect. There are numerous changes and the designs are show- Ingly attractive. The opening piece, "Chill Con Csrne." although it does not convey or exploit anything In particular, sustains the title ad- mirably for the pot pourrl of disconnected scenes It contains. There sre "bits" and scenes from the Weber and Fields category, such as "The Turtle" and "Mummy" episodes. Interspersed with joky remarks, which bring Inughter and occasionally tainted with unpalatable dialogue ls>rderlng on suggest Ivciicsb. There Is the familiar "barber shop" absurdity and intorvenlngly irk- some patter among the principals. The show, however, is new and It has ample time to Im- prove. It will probably tteeome as good as last year ultimately, but considerable dialogue of no importance should be eliminated or modltlcd in crder to suit the attractive surroundings more appropriately. The chorus, which is composed of some comely and diligent girls with fairly good singing voice*, and the well arranged mus- ical numlsT*. especially "The Shady Side of Broadway." with girls promenading among the audience, and "The Witches." rendered by Helen lick Frank tatlve, May, a pretty woman, with a small, clear voice, aie the features of the show. The "Subway" song also was liked, while "Slumberlaud" was probably exaggerated by Charles Gregson, whose attempts at comedy proved vain. Gregson played "straight" and looked the part dressed In a neat wuite suit. He sings two songs besides ap- pearing lu the olio with Florence Gregson, who haa the soubrette role. Harry Keeler would have achieved more recognition had he better material. He Is capable of better things. J. R. Hawley appeared lu his familiar Hebrew make up and did very well considering the scarcity of new matter, utilising every conceivable oppor- tunity for laughter. George Scanlau, as an Irishman, was inclined to indulge in rlsqueness. At any rate he seemed to be equipped with a uum- ber of Hues which have more than one meaulng. Pearl Stevens la also in the cast, playing a stroll- ing part. The burlesque la called "The Univti- sity Girls," which was used last season. In the olio appear Helena May, Sisters Lee, Scanlon, Hawley, Keeler and Scanlon lu a sketch, and moviug pictures. "The Dainty Duchess" Is the secoud Weber ft Rush show here this seasou. It Is better than the first. KM PI UK (William Singer, mgr.).—Williams' "Ideals" returned to the West side with the same aggregation and handsome costumes. The show ruus smoother, a portion of the material which caused It to drag having been takeu out. In the company are Jack Magee, Frank Murphy, Frye and Allen, Sommers and Storke, Gruet and timet and the ambltioua "bunch" of girls. FOLLY (John A. Fcnnessy, mgr.).—"Miss New York, Jr.," under the management of I. H. is the attraction this week. (Note.—As Wlcsbcrg, "Variety's" Chicago represen- was instrumental In the writing and ar- rangement of this show, a review written by Mr. Wlesberg In bis newspaper capacity cannot con- sistently and with propriety Is? printed.) NOTES.—Charles Marvelle la now playing in vaudeville.—Raymond Merrltt wanta Western contracts, and Al Warda and Company are on the alert for an opening for their new act.— Madolny Brothers, European equilibrists, are in the Middle West.—Lucille Helen Harper has joined Al. G. Raymond In a siuglug sketch.— Cora Landls, having cloaed with musical comedy on the Coast. Is resting for a few weeka at her home in Omaha, after which she will go lu vau- deville.— Elverton is filling dates In Illinois, hav- ing completed his time ou the Western States vaudeville circuit.—Manley and Sterling are travelling In Illinois and Indiana.—S. Suntera, illusionist, is on the Sullivan -t'onsldlue circuit and arranging for future time In the East.—Sim Williams Joined the "Ideals" here, of which be Is part owner, and will continue as manager of the show on the road.—A new music publishing bouse has opened under the name of the Modern Music Publishers, with headquarters at 20 Ply- mouth place. The firm has secured the publish- ing rights to the songs introduced, in "Captain Bufus" at the Pekln and others. Among the contributors are Jolly John Larkins aud Tim Brymm. There are several "hits" in the con- cern's new catalogue, especially "The Tale of the Monkey and the Snake" and "The Great I Am With a Capital I."—Vincent and Manor are desirous of a Chicago opening for their new sketch.—M »rton and Bay are in Southern In- diana.—The Leslies will play In Indiana and Illinois for Henderson's Exchange.—De Renso and La Due are playing at fairs in Texas and other Southern States. Leoni and Leonl are also In the South.—The Three Rosa Sisters are looking for a Western opening.—Oarveth. contortionist, finished his engagements for the Western States Vaudeville Association and is coming East.—A. Wlndecker is featured with Markell's Palace Boat Show and will go In vaudeville In November.— The Qrlcraon Sisters, late of Joe Whitehead and Misaea Grierson, are with their parents In St. and contemplate taking in a third mem- viol in 1st—In a singing and musical act, they are planning for this season.—The States Amusement Company of Seattle, will open the Lyric Theatre In that city with stock burlesque. Mr. Fried lander, manager of the concern, was In the city the past week engaging people through Robert Fargo.—The As- trellas will not go farther West thau Chicago this season. They are due In New York in a few- weeks and will play around there until Spring.— Noblette and Marshall will put on a new sketch written by Frank Ferguson in about two months. A third member will he added and the name will be changed to Noblette, Marshall and Company. NOTES.—Frank Marckley has 37 weeks of Sulllvan-Consldlne time.—Fay. Coley and Fay are playing return dates through the West. They have new scenery and wardrobe and have been engaged for two and three weeks at each house. —Bush and Elliott started on the Sulllvan-Con- sldlne circuit last week, having been booked by Chris. O. Brown.—The Lyric Theatre. Des Moines, la., opened to large business. I. Bubln is the manager.—The new $30,000 theatre which N. W. Navuge Is building in Alton, 111., will open about Nov. 1. The Western Vaudeville Association will Is.ok. Mr. Savage Is the manager of the Temple and Fields opened at the this week, and will play circuit, following on the and Holly re- resting for a Louis, ber—a which United Wash. in that city.—Dixon Orpheum, St. Paul, the entire Orpheum Kohl and Castle time.—Armstrong turned from the Coast and are few weeks while their time is being arranged.— Brooks and Kingman are hooked by the Western Vaudeville Association, and will play the houses In the Middle West.—The Lyric Theatre. St. Joe, Mo., opened Monday last under the manage- ment of M. C. Wlnterburn, with Western Vaude- ville Association attractions. It was first reported Sulllvan-Consldlne had the lease.—McCune and Grant have 21 weeks of the Western Vaudeville Association time.—Murray Ferguson and Alma Dupree, of Ferguson-Duprcc company, were mar- ried at Crown Point. Indiana, Sept. 12—Joe Kd wards is playing In the Middle West.—The Zolas, "sister" act. are booked by the Association for the Middle States.—The Zeraldos nre tilling dates at fairs and parks in Indiana and Ohio ami will enter vaudeville In the fait.—Harvey and Adams, now In the Kast, want bookings in this part of the country.--Cecil May, a "mind-reader," closed with the Great San tell Show, to play dates.— Joseph M. Golden, who has been In this section for some time, contemplates going East.—Claude Ranf and Rube Newton have formed a partner- ship for a comedy wire act.—A. J. Kelly, of Kelly Trio, baa become a theatre manager. He haa charge of the "Vaudeville," Wabash, lnd.. and Opera House, at Warsaw, lnd., for Dougherty Brothers, the owners. Robert Fargo furnishes the acta.—Noblette and Marshall are booked solid In the Middle West.—Chooceeta will join the "Fay Foster" company next week, to play the soubrette part. The Vedmara also expect to sign with the show for the season.—The Kramers, now playing dates In New England and Penn- sylvania, want an opening in the West.—Prof. Dimltro Bllyck and Seala are playing at parks and fairs In Illinois and Iowa.—Martin Beck, general manager of the Orpheum circuit, Imme- diately on his return from New York laat week, left for Kansas City and the West, on one of his many periodical trips of Inspection. He will visit San Francisco and other cities where the Orpheum interests are represented. Mr. Beck Is optimistic as u result of the Orpheum's auspicious opening lu the West and South aud predicts a very suc- cessful season for the circuit. Mr. Beck will leave for New York as soon as he returns to Chicago.—Sallle Randall closed with Hanlon's "Superba," this city, and will Join her husband. Great Eldrldge, in vaudeville for the season.— The Delzaros. gymnasts, are playing fairs in Ohio, and will go in vaudeville in November.— Mark Lea and Joe Opp are playing their first joint engagement at the Star, Lincoln, 111., this v.eek.—Mitchell and Love are on the Sulllvan- Consldlne circuit In the Middle States.—Wheeler and Roaey closed their engagement of 12 weeks on the Lyric Park circuit and are now playing dates in the Middle West.—Michael Brahain, the Kuropean animal trainer, who was brought over to this country by Tom Brant ford, has changed bis name to Quinn. He has 36 weeks booked on the Sulllvan-Consldlne circuit, opening at Winni- peg next week.—Sam HaJler, late press repre- sentative of the Jamestown Exposition and "101 Kancii," la in the city. He has not yet decided as to his future plans.—Joe Whitehead, who is playing the title role In "The Umpire" umpired a game of baseball last week between the "Um- pire" chorus boys and the Middletown, Ohio, Elks. The "Umpire" team won, and Whitehead says he is now a real Umpire.—Le Pel letters. having met positive success iu the West with Jack Bennett's sketch "On the Cheyenne Trail," will test their destinies In the East next month. They are Western players, and their vehicle la of the same description.—Billy Johnson, of Cole and Johnson, replaced Harrison Stewart in the lead- ing comedy part at the Pekln Theatre. A new piece, "The Isle of Pines," has succeeded "Cap- tain Unfits." It is presented with the same ex- cellent chorus. Jessie Couthoul, who has been spending the summer months at Hot Springs, Va., is at pres- ent the guest of Mabel McKlnley at the latter's home in Pelham, N. Y. Miss Couthoul will soon return to Chicago to prepare for ber vaudeville season.- Cliff Dean aud Company are playing dates In Illinois and Indiana. They were, fea- tured at a number of houses.—Sid J. Kuson's baseball team defeated the Sam N. Johns last week. Score, 13 to 7. SAN FRANCISCO By W. ALFRED WILSON. VARIETY'S San Francisco Office. 1115 Van Ness Ave. (Room 112). 'ORPHEUM (Martin Beck, gen. mgr.).—Week 8: Houdlui in his third week still retains bis strong bold to a great extent, overshadowing the balance of un excellent program. Chas. Guyer and Ida Crlspl delighted the gatherings with a routine of lively eccentric comedy. Miss Crispi emphasises her remarkably slim form to good advantage and the knockabout dancing finish won a "big noise." The Sunny South, a pretentious colored act • of both quantity and quullty, gained a strong second choice of the newcomers. Muller and Muller faultlessly at- tired In "up to the minute" evening dress scored some with their well graded singing. The bold- overs were The Fartell-Taylor Trio, Chris Rich- ards, The Uupelts and Fred's Monkey Troupe. PRINCESS (Sam Loverlch, mgr.).—Week !»: Hrludamour was the magnet at the new bouse and an Increased patronage was the result, though it was evident that the fact of Houdlni's two weeks' start had dulled the public's appetite for the bafflers of locks. Brlndamour works In a showier fashion than does his next door nelghlsir, hut lacked the prestige of newspaper publicity that the Orpheum |>eople were able to swing to their handcuff king. The Brothers Koch offered a line of hand to hand aud head balancing that lionlercd on the sensational, especially their clos- ing feat with a dog as the centre mount. The Three Dots, a California product, did very well with their routine of acrobatics, the attractive faces of the two misses of the trio adding to the act. The man's attempt to shine as vocalist and dancer at the opening was a mistake. Hayes aud Alpolnt and Dan O'Neill were on the program, but having appeared at this side of town very recently they suffered from the handicap of familiarity. Barton and Ashley In their second week were well received. Kennedy and Vincent, iVomedy sketch artists, opened the show. NATIONAL (Sid Gtaniiian. mgr.).—Week 0: With three of the eight numls'is of the Instrumental musical sort the Mil can la* justly said to be of jMsir balance. Irene Franklin, the cornet soloist, is no stranger iu these parts, and aside from her marked ability as a soloist she displays rare Judgment lu the selection of lished popularity. The Carroll bid with string Instruments, "Stars and Stripes" rendered winning an encore was the third of numbers of estub- Slsters made their closing with the on the banjo and An uuprogrammed xylophonlst the trio of musical acts. He proved his v mastership of the instrument by an excellent Interpretation of the "Poet and the Peasant." The Columbia Four offer themselves as dealers In harmony and fun. They have a goodly supply of the first named and scored heavily with Its display, but their overstock of the latter was a detraction, especially the efforts of the comedian to appear eternally funny. The quartet did not appear to understand that the encore demand was for singing aud not comedy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith head their sketch "Is Mar- riage a Failure?" Judged by the offering the answer hi yes, aud the same may be said of the sketch, which Is s rather vapid affair. The male Smith siuga with volume aud force, however, which put the act in good ataudlng. The McLlun Brothers open the show with an average triple bar act. earless, the female impersonator, was the dosing number, with a badly constructed transfusion of a girl act and an old time opening farce labeled "The Queen of Egypt." The eighteen girls that back the act are well cos- tumed, which is all that can be said in their favor. Their siuglug was a volume of discord and the dancing numbers were with a aingle ex- ception of a very ordinary sort. Mendel, a local comedian, Infused some humor iuto the act, but Carless himself is Impossible. The act is new, but after this showing its sponsor will no doubt returu to his "single." WIGWAM (Sam Harris, mgr.).—Week 0: Sveugsll, the hypnotist, wss the featured attrac- tion, topping a bill constituted of "The Sexton's Dream"; LetHugwell, Bruce and Company, The Bentous, Doc Holland, Mautell's Marionettes and Blanche Bishop. MISSION (S. Fried, mgr.).-^Week 0: Spes- sardy's Bears, Walters and Hill, The Spray Sis- ters, Glllson and Tllson, Biondle Robinson. EMPIRE (Hal Curtis, mgr.).—Week 0: James Post and Compauy, Including the crack chorus, returned to the Empire boards aud the lovers of energetic eoinedy were strongly in evldeuce. Post reached Into the realms of the long ago for 'lis opening piece, bringing forth a rejuveuated edition of "Pete the Statue." The rearrangement was cleverly drafted and few recognised the veteran furce in its new dressing. The olio por- tiou was made up of Masse and Masse, coined\ Jugglers; The Hawaiian Quintet; Murray J. Simon, Hebrew comedian, aud Kelter on the bounding wire. DAVIS (Sam Davis, mgr.).—Week 9: That the Golden Company has during Its seven years' so- journ ou the coast established a consistent fol- lowing was amply illustrated by the well filled bouses thut greeted their opening production, "Muchly Married," at this house, which up to this time has for the most part played to vacant chairs. This musical farce does uot rank with some of the Golden productions, but was ample to please the gatherings. A short olio of a very ordluury grade preceded the stock company. NOTES— Wlnfleld Douglass (Douglass & Ford), who recently suffered the loss of his wife (Mar- gery Ford) by death, has assumed the stage management of the Princess.—Jean Hathaway, who was to have Joined the Golden Company at the Davis, bad already signed with Csrless for his "Queen of Egypt" production, aud opened with that act at the National Instead.—Owing to the failure of the contractors to complete the (traud, Sacramento, In time for its opening Sept. 2, that event was postponed until the 7th. The Western States office had sent a heavy priced bill for the scheduled date, and all the acts enjoyed a five days' lay off with full salary. The scale of prices at this new house will be higher than that of any house now on their circuit, viz., IS, ■".<» and 7:> cents.—Wells & 8ell8 left for the North 12 to play the Pantages time, after finish- ing which they will start East to opeu on the Majestic Circuit.—"That" Quartet was a singing preliminary at the Brltt-Oans boxing contest. They opened at the Grand, Sacrameuto, evening of the 0th. BOSTON By ERNEST L. WAITT. VARIETY Office. 278a Tremont The hot weather of this week has kind to the local theatres. Because of it been a much larger number of empty usual at this season. The afternoon materially suffered, but the evening more satisfactory. The vaudeville bouses using a great deal of billboard space, par- have than ness were are Street. not been there seats busl- sales ticularly the Orpheum. TREMONT (John B. Sehooffel. mgr.).—Buslne ■ here has greatly increased during the past week. White the afternoons have been fairly heavy, t be evenings have seen lots of people unable to buy seats and forced to stand up. The Tremont seems to be working up a steady clientele. Ar- thur Prince is high card this week. His ven- triloquial work differs in no resjwet from that given last season, but be gets great applause ami "the bed ever." Clifton best, bis monologue being I la/a id is a tritle too slow after grows more magnetic and three recalls. The a little by singing in deserves his title of Crawford goes second well received. Grace to please at first, but and ends with a whoop Italian Trio loses quite Italian. They are excellent vocalists and please. Kdward Blondell still keeps his common-place "Lost Boy" sketch, which might be greatly Im- proved If Miss Wilson would not talk straight at the audience. M. Dcsrochcs and Mile. Blanca got hardly a ripple of applause for their act until their tiny dogs came, and then the |N?ople warmed up. Neither of these French people can sing or dance, hut they try hard. If the woman dressed more modestly, so far as her arms were concerned, the act would be Improved. The Four I.likens, fresh from the summer parks, do an ex- cellent acrobatic act. and the Pekln Zouaves inarch and drill as of yore. They have Inter- isilated a song by the small lioy who "sang to beat the band" at Paragon Park this summer, but the act is not slrengthened thereby. It was a mistake not to put him in uniform like the others. RUTH'S (B. F. Keith, mgr.).—Ned Wayburns "Phantastlc Phantoms," one of the headllners, proved rather weak. The act went slowly. It seemed poorly rehearsed. Buster Gabriel and George All revived their "Auntie's Visit." The act of most Interest Is Walter C. Kelly's "Vir- ginia Judge." This is a distinct departure from the conventional turn. Ills character work Is