Variety (October 1907)

VARIETY NORTH-WEST INDEPENDENT CIRCUIT. Minneapolis Oct. 18. The newspapers here are talking of the formation of a new .vaudeville circuit, which, it is declared, will offer 20 weeks consecutive time. This project came about through the purchase here by Charles H. Miles, pro- prietor of Miles' Theatre at Hibbing, of a site upon which he declares he will build a $100,000 theatre. Miles recently bought a three-quarters interest in the lease of the Majestic, St. Paul, playing vaudeville with Sullivan-Oonsidine book- ings. The lease was purchased some time ago by J. E. Rogers, of Minneapolis, and J. Jack Bondy, a theatrical manager. The two became involved in a quarrel und the matter was taken into the courts. At this point Miles bought Rogers out, forestall- ing a like plan of the Sullivan-Considine people. Miles is said to favor discontinuing the Sullivan-Considine bookings and running the Majestic as an independent vaude- ville house in conjunction with the pro- jected Minneapolis house and established variety theatres in Fargo and Grand Forks, the leases of which have been offered him. Other houses in Bismarck, Dickinson, Valley City and Mandan, N. D., controlled by Joseph Hart and the Clark Circuit, it is said, will join the string. Some such plan of combination has been under consideration by the smaller man- agers of the North-West for a long time. They are said to be eager for the forma- tion of an independent circuit, and have been awaiting some one who would assume the leadership. Miles has made a considerable fortune in mining operations. Beside the theatre and hotel at Hibbing, he holds a large amount of real estate and owns several newspapers. He has declared his entire time will be devoted to the amusement enterprise. SECOND REDUCTION IN MONTREAL. Montreal, Can., Oct. 18. The Academy of Music playing Klaw & Krlanger's "Advanced Vaudeville" has again reduced its admission prices. The first cut, reported some weeks ago, brought the matinee prices down from 75 cents for the best seats to 50 cents. The second reduction brings the evening prices down to the same figure. The best scats at the Bennett house, the Academy's vaudeville opposition, remain at 75 cents. The movement on the part of the Spar- row people, owners of the Academy, has resulted in greatly increased patronage, but whether the venture is on a paying basis is a matter of question. It is under- stood here that Klaw & Erlanger put the shows into the Academy, and draw a 75 per cent, share of the gross receipts, while the remaining 25 per cent, goes to the Sparrow company. It is a matter of note that whereas the vaudeville public of Montreal has been vastly increased by the entrance of op- position, the good shows offered at both houses have affected to a greater or less extent the attendance at the legitimate theatres in the city. Leo St. Elmo, "The Musical German," is thinking of entering a partnership, making a double act. UNITED CHANGES METHODS. London, Oct. 0. An agreeable change has taken place in the methods of the United Booking Offices, and artists are now being kindly requested to shift their dates, H. H. Feiber even offering solatium* in some cases where extra expense and trouble have been incurred. Had the intimidation policy been pur- sued with the smaller turns, it is under- stood some of the bigger ones would have canceled their United time. NOTES HOUDINI PLAYS PERCENTAGE. Denver, Oct. 18. Harry Houdini, "The Handcuff King," is on a two weeks' engagement at the Orpheum. He came here from the Or- pheum, Los Angeles, but did not arrive direct. The first two days of last week Mr. Houdini stopped over in San Diego, Cal., playing there on a 70-30 per cent, agree- ment. He played to $1,000.25 gross on the two days, receiving $700 as his share. Mr. Houdini has not received payment for transportation from Los Angeles here. It is rumored he was informed by wire that the Qrpheum Circuit would not pay his fare if he played San Diego en route. Mr. Houdini is reported as saying he ex- pects payment, there being no clause in his contract prohibiting him from playing elsewher than the theatres named. AGENCY AT AUCTION. The New York Vaudeville Contracting Company, of which Mrs. Henry Meyerhoff is now receiver, shows every inclination to assume the expense of carrying its case against Hans Meyerhoff, Felix Reich, Harold Cox, James Plunkett and Arthur Blondell through a reference. On the company's application, the Supreme Court last week designated William Grant Brown, of 170 Broadway as a referee. He will begin the taking of testimony as soon as Meyerhoff has been served with the papers in the case. Meyerhoff is reported to have returned to the city. r Felix Reich was served a few days ago wMh a copy of the court order to show cause why he should not be declared in contempt. He has not yet had a hearing. When the matter comes up it is pre- sumed that his case will be turned over to the, referee together with those of Cox, Plunkeit and Blondell's. Wi£hin a few weeks the business of tne New York Vaudeville Contracting company will be sold at auction prepara- tory to closing up the affairs of the old concern and the discharge of the receiver. Mrs. Meyerhoff will probably buy it in, provided no one outbids her at the sale. The firm supplied vaudeville attractions to twenty fairs this fall. BENNETT'S "PICTURE" CIRCUIT. Moving picture houses have been added to the chain operated through Canada by Charles W. Bennett, head of the circuit of that name, in Sydney and St. Johns, N. B. It is Mr. Bennett's purpose ulti- mately to extend the circuit from coast to coast, and sites are already under con- sideration for houses to complete the chain to Vancouver. Bridy and Muhotiey have signed with Fred Irwin for two years. Arthur Prince's time on this side has been extended a few weeks. Theatre, Shenandoah (Pa.), last week. The ceremony was performed before the audience by a city magistrate. A wedding supper was given in the theatre cafe after the performance. The couple are residents <>f Philadelphia. Louis l'ineus is now booking the show for the Lyric, Mil ford, Mass. Paul Behal has opened a vaudeville agency in the Shubert Building. Cus Hill will put out a rural drama in a short time under the title of "In Old New England." Edward Francis Mavhautn, who at one time nearly became a vaudevillian through knowing someone in the profes- sion and having written a sketch, has re- pented. He will be married, as his en- gagement to Flora Katz is announced. It was an awful blow to "Kddie" when he was told his ffketch wouldn't do, but it drove him to steady work with no "lay offs." The Flying Banvards sailed for Europe on Thursday. They open at the Circus Shuman, Berlin. James drant, formerly with "The Night in a Rathskeller," is going into vaude- ville as a single act. Norman's Agency in London is no longer a business associate of the Paul Taussig Agency in this city. Harry Holman will return to vaudeville as a single act, having closed with the "20th Century Maids." Elizabeth M. Murray was compelled to camel her engagement in Baltimore this week, owing to an attack of laryngitis. Fred Irwin's "Big Show" played to $.'*,700 week Sept! 30 at the Murray Hill, the season's record at that house to date. Hetty King remains the feature of the New York bill for the third week com- mencing Monday. She will remain there a month in all. Al Leech and the Three Rosebuds open at Keith's, Philadelphia, Monday in "Ex- amination Day at School," under the di- rection of Jos. Hart. The Ntein-Krrctto Troupe of acrobats now in Europe is booked to open at the ")Sth Street house on Nov. 4. M. S. Ben- tham secured the date. The Australasian Vaudeville Artists, the society formed by Australian artists, has affiliated with the Variety Artists' Federation of England. \V, W. Aulick, lately and for some time connected with "The Morning Telegraph," is now the general publicity promoter for the Charles \\. Dillingham attractions. SALEM'S VAUDEVILLE COMMENCED. Salem, Mass., Oct. 11. There is vaudeville in the Salem Thea- tre this week. The same style of enter- tainment is "announced for next week, and it is understood will continue through the season without break. NEW ORPHEUM CATCHES ON. j, El Paso, Tex., Oct. 18. The newly opened Orpheum Theatre here (formerly Texan Grand), an item in the Orpheum Circuit Company's chain, has caught on, and although the enterprise is only a week or two old, it is already on a paying basis. Resident manager William Winch has thoroughly canvassed the Mexican city of Juarez, just across the Rio Grande, with Spanish circulars explaining that foreign- ers will find the performance as entertain- ing as English speaking visitors. Ned Kelton is now the proud papa of a trio of youngsters, the third menrix*r hav- ing arrived 1ms| week at the Kelton home in Ureal Kails, Mont. The newcomer is a girl. Viola Weigand and A thur Sydney, members of Sheldon's Comedians, were married on the stage of the New O'Hara MAUDE ROCKWELL. Minx!*' Rockwell, pictured above. Is ctl her way Kaat to appear in tin* local vaudeville theatrea. Mlxa Rockwell is favorably known nil over the West, but has beretofora remained within that Rectlotl of tin' country, although having been offer "I New York engagetnenta often. Her voetil ability lias caused Miss Rockwell to he called "The California Nightingale," which she has attached to her hilling matter. A New York appearance will shortly he. announced.