Variety (September 1907)

IS VARIETY tre easting $30,000 in planned for the northwest corner of Clark street and Archer avenue, by John T. Collin*, owner of the building. It will probably devote to vaudeville.—Doling Park Amusement Company, fit. Louis, increased capital stock from $50,<>00 to $ 100.000.—A 10-cent Vaude- ville Theatre will be erected on the southeast corner of Mlchlgsn avenue and 113th street by M. O. Morriay. It will be 80 x 140, with seat- ing capacity of 600. The building will cost MO.000.—The 31st Street Theatre will open on Oct. 1 with vaudeville. Roth * Powell, managers of the lola Theatre, and L. Scbindler, of 8chind- ler'a Theatre, are the leasees.—Henderson's The- atrical Agency is arranging a c-rcuit of from eight to ten honaes In and around Chicago.— Locust Theatre end Amusement Company. St. Loots, has lncorporarted. cspltsl $50,000, all paid. Incorporator*: T. J. O'Laugblln. F. M. Kahn and Daniel Carry. 8AIN PRAINCISCO • - By W. ALFRED WILSON. VARIETY'S San Francisco Office, 1115; V%b Ness Ave. (Room 112). ORPHBTTM (Martin Beck, mgr.).—Week 15: The ladnex of new comers brought to the bill a pleasing balance wtfth comedy predominating. Paul Barnes'was the surprise. His advent was announce* in a rather -modest fsRhlon, bat bin droll delivery of WfHfcrYglaal and well connected monologne woo for nrhv'e notch In the top line. His Knit •***«•)* air 1 uihfbrella as a theme rank* with fhaVtfeat eve* beard in this territory. Joseph HatPs .pma%enod," "The Crickets." with Catb- rlne Btre*J and W. N>< Crips ki the leads, excels anythW'*thnt' Hart has sent as ap to dste. Mr. ■ ad -l|lrs.-■ 'Jistfmfe * Rsrry were also Included faces of the week, affording a for comparison of the original ers*' with the copy offered at • "•v ,,*^"'vi'Ui (flveral weeks back by Deery and v ' | 3jjWlL *MiffilW ed work of the Barr y B serving e fact that it la not slways the kvI< L ;;<j»' ssos. the sot. Playlets with a race tra3u4*>t"A%Te followed in rapid succession at all tbelhsjssau/of late, and thia week brings an- otbeJtofrotD *fcn- pen of Edmund Day, offered by In« uMaoauAej and' Clarence Oliver. With the memdny nsaT Ifhe- (Keyless "Peaches" still fresh ther* tvaa a disposition to compare the two, with disadvirfitage to- VThe Unexpected.'' The hold- overs Here- -Onye*. SOd Crlspl, the Sunny South, Mneller wnd Mnelk-r and the Ruppelts. NAT10r»AA*4Sldv.iGrsumsn. mgr.).—Week 16: The bill ♦vas -sadly*, lacking In comedy, a fault that even a very strong laugh-wlnnlng offering by Morrisey and Rich could not overcome. This clever team •usarn easily the favorites of the program.:' As se feeder for s matchless collection of crossfire talk- the equal of the woman has yet to be seen bere. >. The comedian was quaintly original. Rradley and Davis also msde a try for laughs, but their efforts In that line met with an unresponsive reception. The team's dsnclng wss warmly greeted. The Kellys msde their first sppesrance since the accident to the male member some months ago. The act consists mainly of feats of strength displayed through the medium of the rings. James Logan in his baritone solos shows plainly his newness to vaude- ville, holding to a monotonous pose with the fidelity of an automaton. His rendition of a "coon" selection In this Inflexible manner fur- nished unintended comedy. Mr. Logan has a pleasing voice and with proper songs and methods should make his way. John Walsh loomed ap like an apparition from the dim past with a "tad*' Specialty that we thought hsd passed to the Great Beyond. King and his educated dogs were added to the show and pleased In the num- ber one position. The Dlass made a favorable Impression with their Spanish dances, one of which had a suggestion, of the "coach." Daisy Oordan la nn agreeable balladlst who has as an ssset a very stunning stage appearance. Miss Schmidt, violinist, and Harry Hoff, juvenile singer, completed the program. WIGWAM (Sam Han-la, mgr.).—Week 16: The Wigwam audiences have an abnormal appetite for comedy and Barton and Ashley with their "Canal Boat Sal" proved a most appetizing offering. The McNslly Troupe on the slack wire showed to good advantage as the novelty feature of the week's bill. The spectacular "Sexton'a Dream" was well staged and the singing portion still continues to score Murray J. Simon. Hebrew comedian; Una Clayton and Company and The Hawaiian Quartet completed the bill. PRINCESS (Sam Loverleh. mgr.).—Week 16: George Thatcher shared with Brindamour the place of prominence In the billing. For the first time In three years Thatcher tried a "single." proving by this appearance that he still retains the power to entertain as a mono-specialist. On the evening of the eighteenth Brindamour waa challenged to eacape from' the confines of a glass case. The deft wss accepted and the jailbreaker scored,' a triumph, but only after an hour's work. His audience, .wearied by the fifty minutes' wait, was in ho mood to allow blm a Just reward for this accomplishment. The Three Olifans were badly placed, but notwithstanding managed to earn a cordial reception with their grotesque comedy. Several novelties have been added to the * act since Its last showing here st the Orpbeuro. The Jessie Keller Troupe of cyclists waa the big silent feature with the girl in pink, aa erstwhile Kaufman, as the star. Added to her extraordinary ability as a trick rider, this young woman' possesses sn undeniable grace that la commanding. The Ralph Cummin gs Company produced their pleasing comedy, "The Sealskin Sacque," while Hardie Langdon scored with her vocal selections. The diminutive Major Doyle, with a good line of extemporaneous talk, was well received. EMPIRE (Hal Curtis, rea. mgr.).—Week 16: The James Post Company occupied the main por- tion of the program, offering a musical farce en- titled "Casey's Blunders." The olio wss made up of Bert and Frieda Burtlno, who aubmltted a sensational series of eqalllbristlc feats upon ■the slack wire, the bicycle ride on the wire bringing forth a particularly warm response. Stanton and Sandberg played a return date, re- ceiving a hearty reception. Tannehill and Rad- cllffe have something out of the general run In their aketch. "A Tenderfoot on the Trail." Fidelity to detail Is noticeable In both the stag- ing and dressing of the act and the specialties introduced are of the better kind. The Elliotts were programmed, bat the illness of one of the tesm prevented their sppesrance. NOTES.—The Princess msnsgement will shortly lnrugurate stock productions In addition to vaude- ville. Sam 8idmsn will probably be one of the principal comedian*. Walters and Hill, who are playing dates on the Western States time, are also being considered ss members of the contem- plated organisation.—Sam Loverleh opened the Novelty,-'Fresno, Cal.. with vaudeville 16.—Stan- ton and ' Sandberg and The Three Olifans opened there 22.—Both the Sullivan and Consldlne and the Western States people have lately found a new vein from which to draw and both circuits sre playing quite a few acts from the other side of the Mexlcsn border. Up to the present time all have been silent features from the circus world, but it Is ssid thst several grotesque comedy snd dsnclng sets from thst territory will he given a hearing at the California houses. The Psntsges cbsln of houses hss been lately in- creased by the addition of theatres at Spokane and Victoria.—Darrell Vinton, an old time melo- dramatic San Francisco favorite, has received an offer from Sullivan k. Consldlne to enter vaude- ville. Vinton has accepted snd will shortly make his depot In a dramatic playlet.—Rome and Fer- guson still continue on the Sullivsn-Consldlne Circuit playing the People's, Los Angeles, week of the 10th.- -Carter and Conlon, formerly In stock at the Richmond Opera House, are again playing dates for S. A C. The Crystal at Albuquerque is the latest addition to the Western States Circuit. BOSTON By ERNEST L. WAITT. VARIETY Office, 278A Tremont Street. The annusl "line storm" which, this year, waa terrible in its effect, did not disturb the local vaudeville sltustton much except on Monday, when business at all houses was comparatively light. Excellent attendance, however, developed on Tnesdsy and the indications for the balance of the week were unusually good. KEITH'S (B. F. Keith, mgr.).—Burr Mcintosh struck a snag In his illustrated lecture here Monday evening. The talk seemed to please the women greatly, bat the men preferred some- thing more lively apparently. Laaky's "Robin- son Crusoe's Isle" wins first place on the favored list. It Is a novel singing act with thirteen people in it. giving a scene picture of the island, the wrecked vessel, pirates, the Man Friday, etc. John P. Rogers as Crusoe, Ben Deely ss Friday and Fern Melrose as Queen of the Hoco Pocos deserve high praise. Walter C. K el ley is re- tained for a second week with his "Virginia Judge," and Christine La Barraque. a blind singer, made her vaudeville debut (New Acts). Griff, a talkative Jnggler from London, waa a great bit. He reminds one of Tom Hearn, but dresses ss s clown. He is very Londonlsb and should have had a better place on the bill. The Darras Brothers, a foreign trapeze and equilibrist act, do really wonderful stunts. The tesm work is great. The Four Baltus are also unusually good athletes and they have some new postures. The Reiff Brothers, singers and danc- ers, have the same old stuff ami so do Almont find Dumont on the musical Instruments. Hill's animals and Conlln and Steele with Louis Guer- tin complete the bill. Business excellent even- ings, fair afternoons. ORPHECM (A. J. Duffy, mgr.).—William Dil- lon, the "man with 1.000 songs," had to go on Monday afternoon in street clothes, for his trunks had not come from New York. He made a dis- tinct hit, however, which was redoubled at night when he had his costumes. Volta, is head- liner here, doing the same act he did at Keith's earlier in the year. Edward Clnrk and his six "Widows" do much the same act as earlier in the year here, and Edwards Davis and hla com- pany put on "The Unmasking," which goes un- usually well. Paul LaCrolx, juggler, makes 'em sit up and watch him with the hats and balls, and Qnlnlan and Mack, genuine favorites here, do their some old style act that goes just as good now as It did umpsty years ago. Wills and Hassan, acrobats, close the show except for the pictures. There were six hopeful acts tried out h?re on Thursday, but not one wjis good enough for the circuit. Business very good and climbing gradually. TREMONT (J. B. Scboeffel. mgr.).—The Tre- mont hss taken its place in the hearts of the people as an established vaudeville house now. Since it opened Sept. 2 business has shown a steady increase and the public is satisfied with the shows. The stage waits are still a trifle long for snap;>y vaudeville, and the scenery has not all been completed, but that Boston can and will support three vaudeville houses is being clearly shown. This week's bill is all comedy. Foresto and his dog open It, the little canine showing wonderful patience and much forbear- ance. Forest does a fair acrobatic act. Bur- ton and Brooks in "The Limit" do not create a furore, as there isn't much life or genuine humor in the sketch, but when they sing "8moke. Smoke, Smoke" in -"one," they get the house smiling nhd then laughing, for they put in local gags. The Musical Cuttys are the real head- liners this week, hside from Arthur Prince, who is held over. The Cuttys have as neat and artistic an act as there is on the boards. If the three girls were not quite so methodical in their bowing in acknowledging applauae it would 1* still more artistic. The Three Voscarys, billed as direct fro n Paris, do a great acrobatic act, one holding a cigar in his mouth all the time. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Cohsn, with Georgle Mack and Rosle Green, revive George's old "Running for Office" and play It with snap and vim, get- ting long bands. Billy Van tells some new stories In his aame old Way and stsrta the giggles. The show closes with Bersac's (Wood- ward's) Seals, a feature act. Business fair Mon- day but excellent rest of week. COLUMBIA (H. N. Farren, mgr.).—Coccla and Amata, the whirlwind dancers, did not plsy the Columbia this week with the "Kentucky Belles." J. G. Gibson and A dele Rowney take their places In the olio In "The Cowboy's Courtship," a pleasing sketch which will be much better when Gibson tones down his work. Business Is much better then last year. HOWARD (Jay Hunt, mgr.).—"Avenue Girls" with "Tom. Dick and Harry" as their medium sre here to excellent evening business and very good afternoons. Llbby Blondell and Marion Alexander are the bald pate chasers. The How- ard's own bill comprises Loro and Payne, comedy acrobats; Marlon and Deane, songs; Scott and Whaley, colored comedians; Charles and Nellie Klug, songs; Wood and Lawson, dancing; Humes and Lewis, carpet acrobats; Pauline Slosson, songs; Beecber snd Msye, and Helen Francis, singer. Forward addressed and stamped en- velope. No letters delivered at office without identification or written order. Adair, Art., Esq. Allen, Sual, Esq. , Arnold, Ogsrlls. Astrellss, The. Beasey Sisters. Bohme, W. A. (Falardaux and Bobme). Burke, Chaa. Calhoun. William. Carl Ho, Le (2). Conroy, John and Mamie. Crane, Lawrence. Demlng, Arthur. Denby. Walter. Devlne and Williams. Donnelly, Henry V. Dowllag, Joseph. Dumas, Florence, Miss. Figg, Chas. Ford, John. Fowler. E. W.. Esq. Fox and Duball. Gaudy, Louise, Miss. Gilbert, John D. (illllngwater. Claude. Golden, Jack. Gordon, Max, Esq. Grant, Alf. Greenway, Hy. (Chicago Office). Greer, J. H. Hart. Mark and Kitty. Herbert, Will. Mr. Hill. Hamilton. Holt, Alf. Hutch Amusement Co. (Chicago Office). Keefe, Matt. Kelcy, Alfred. King, Kate Hope (Chicago Office). Lackey, Jas. Lamonto's Animals. I« Monts, The. Leontina, Mile. Marie. Mscsrt, William. Manning, Grace. Mears. Grace. Moore, Rhodes H. Morrison, Altrea. Morton snd Diamond. Murphy and Magee. Nelson, Wslter. O'Rourke, Eugene (2). Partner (Chicago Office). Pearl, Tony. Price. Miss Bestrice. Qnigley, Helen. Rae. Frank. Sarll. Tony. Starr, Mabel (Chicago Office). Suhers, Emile. Sully, Lew. Vesta. Netta. Waldman Brothera. Welch. Thomaa. Williams. Gus. Wilson, Harry E. Wroth, Ed. Yorke A Adams. LYCEUM (O. R. Bachellor, mgr.).—Man- chester's "Cracker Jacks" In "The Saratoga Belles" and "Nature in Marble Hall" are here this week. Bob Van Osten Is headlined, and de- serves it, for he is about the funniest "duck" In burlesque. The three Madcaps do some startling acrobatic work and the Mannlns have a clever sketch. The Millard Brothers, cyclists, have a neat act lntrodncting a trained dog. Vardonv Perry and Willier close the olio in a well executed act. PALACE (Chas. Waldron. mgr.).—Leon Errol heads the "Jersey Lilies" in a two-act burlesque called "The Grafters." It is snappy, witty and clean. The olio includes Neil McKlnley, tenor singer; the Four Zaras, baton manipulators; FSnny Vedder and her boys, Franklin and Will- lams; Erroll. Mann. Franks and Erroll In "The Final Rehearsal" and Ward and Raynor. For Ids continuous show Manager Waldron provides the Clevelauds in a sketch; Rouldln and Quinn, comical musical act; Adolph Adams, Juniper and Hays, colored singers and dancers; Bailey and Mckett, acrobats, and John Lavin, ill. songs. Business excellent. AUSTIN & STONE'S MUSEUM (Stone A Shaw, props.).—Travis, the strong man, la still the feature here, lifting heavy weights. Others are Princess Thoma, narry Allen, Nelson the juggler and Topp's Band. In the theatre beside the Minstrel Maids are Raymond and Merrltt In monologues, Uelston and Hood In a dancing turn, and the Meadows Comedy Company In "The Seuator.i'v • * < . * ' . PREMIER.—"A Modern Sampson" la leading film here, with "The Dancing Nigs" and "The Fly" following. "Hunting the Devil" la a lively and novel act. Grace Merrlman la appearing here In ill. songs. JOLUETTE.—"The Blacksmith's Revenge," "The Amateur Champion" and "Knowing Dogs" are leading films. "Charlie's Dream" la very funny. Jo3 Roth and Mabel Foster head the singing contingent. HUB (Miles Bros., mgrs.).—"The Baffled Burglar," "Abseat-Mlndednesa" and "The Disin- tegrated Convict" get the biggest applause at thia house. Bulneu* hss Increased here of late, since the enterprise of Joseph Msck, the youngest manager In the city, in showing Old Home Week views on the dsy sfter the parade. PHILADELPHIA By GEORGE M. YOUNG. Vaudeville patrons sre enjoying the fruits of ••vaudeville war" and new acts, novelties and s general brushing up of the old material used by familiar favorites continues. The Forrest Thea- tre (K. & E.) showed a slight gain in patronage the past week, but baa in no wise hurt Keith's, which continues to draw big houses day and even- ing. The Keith bouse is also giving the better shows, the surplusage of foreign acts which have not made good detracting from the strength of the K. & E. bills. Good shows given in the People's Theatre by the "advanced vaudeville" mansgenient have not been meeting with any de- gree of response from the mill district theatre- goers, the business being very poor. KEITH'S (H. T. Jordan, mgr. Monday re- hearsal 9).—No bill averaging higher merit throughout has been seen here for inauy weeks. Without one really weak act the show moves at quick pace from start to finish and capacity audi clues attended Monday afternoon and evening, seats on the aisle stairs being sold. Peter F. Dalley's new musical sketch "Nearly a War Oor- reapondent" is under New Acts., A delightful sketch wss shown by Clayton White and Marie Stuart, making a firm impression on its nrwt showing. It is not wholly new in theme, cling- ing closely to those which this pair have made familiar here, and George Ilobart, its author, has evidently only remade the pattern used to con- struct "Peaches." Cleverly bandied by the prin- cipals and a young woman unnamed on the pro- gram, the sketch met with instant approval. Julian Eltlnge, the impersonator, showed his re- constructed act. Eltlnge makes little attempt to deceive regarding bis sex, but as an Impersonator he easily outranks all competitors, his offering being a real pleasure. The talking and singing specialty presented here by Al H. Weston and Irene Young, for the first time, pleaaed immense- ly. The material used, with the exception of a poor singing number at the finish, Is bright, witty and amusingly constructed. The act was well liked. Hie "Plaiiophlcnds" act has been im- proved. There is a new girl, Lotta BurneUe, in it. Graceful Gladys Lockwood still leads. A duet number by Miss Maple and Winfer Watts Is all but spoiled by the affectations of the latter. The changes in the singing numbers are for the better. The act is brightly dressed and "prop" dogs have replaced the window-brush variety used before. Four curtains rewarded the efforts of the "Phlends" on Monday. No acrobatic act shown here has equalled that of the Metsetti Troupe, who repeated their big hit. Shekla, a Hindoo fakir, discovered in a troupe featured with the Barnum & Bailey circus last year, did well despite a poor position on the bill. Some of the tricks cut out while Shekla showed at Haminerstein's are being used, but the basket trick was not shown. A refined singing set by Spencer Kelly and Frederic Rose was well re- ceived. William Cabill told some stories with only fair success. The Zarrell Brothers opened with a good acrobatic act for this position. The Clarence Sisters, who were here with the "Mad Marigolds," pleased with singing and dancing, and Bailey and Fletcher, Kitty Johnson snd Swift and Bradley added their share among the early numbers. FORREST (Klaw & Erlanger, mgrs. Monday rehearsal 9).—Four of the nine acts which make up the week's bill are European Importations. Of these, the most important Is Gus Elen, an English coster and character singer. Elen se- cured a poor start on Monday through the songs he used, but he made almost a complete change on Tuesday evening and passed nicely without creating anything like a sensation. May Belfort, another English singer, has been seen In this cDy before. In her case, it is the same as Elen'<*. She has nothing unusual to appeal to more than ordinary interest and her songs are only fairly well sung. The Dumond Minstrels, another for- 'eign act, has evidently been formed by one of the Three Dumonds, to which act It In nowise com- pares. The violinist is an excellent player, car- rying off the honors of the act, but the singing and attempt at comedy Is poor. The Herns Fam- ily, acrobats, made a strong Impression. They have a ront!ne"of tricks wrffeh, while many'are familiar, are skilfully handled and the act war* well liked. Grace Hazard, the dainty little singer, who made such a hit here some weeks ago. was back again with her cleverly con- structed singing specialty, "Five Feet of Comic Opera," and repeated the success met with be- fore. It is a real novelty which was appreciated. Johnny Hyams and Leila Mclntyro also met with favor In the sketch. "Two Hundred Wives." Little heed is paid to the plot, but the material mod Is bright and catchy and much of the suc- cess is due to the admirable efforts of Miss Mc- Intyre. Her "Hist for Shame" song was a big hit. while Hyams divided honors in a familiar Dutch dance. Ollle Young and Brothers had the opening position with their hoop-rolling set. being well received, and Flelda snd Ward won a fair share of the laughs with their patter and songs. The American acts held up the bill, and we could use more of them. Barnold's Dog and Monkey Pantomime again shared chief honors, being the only holdover. PEOPLE'S (Klaw & Erlanger. mgrs.).—Then*