Variety (November 1907)

VARIETY MOVE TO AFFILIATE. A committee, composed of Jos. Mad- dern, Tim Cronin and R. C. Mudge, was appointed by the White Rats at the meet- ing held last week to confer with a similar committee to be named by the Vaudeville Comedy dub for the object of an affilia- tion l>etween the artists' societies. It is expected that the Comedy Club will make the selections of its members at its meeting to-morrow (Sunday).. Nothing further than an understanding between the two orders is contemplated. An amalgamation is not in prospect, but the committees will endeavor to arrange a working agreement, leaving each order distinct as now constituted. 'TIRE BRIGADE" CANCELS. The Ritchie-Hearn Company playing "The London Fire Brigade" on the Klaw & Erlanger vaudeville circuit, xwcelled pi) its contracts with that concern in Boston last. Saturday and disbanded. This fol- lowed upon a legal action against the act instituted by II. A. Shea, who claimed commissions for booking. On Saturday night while the pantomime was playing the Tremont Theatre an at- tachment was served upon the act, tying up the scenery and salary for the week. The tour was then abandoned. The act has been unfortunate ever since its open- ing. After it was booked on the K. & E. time, two of its members were taken by (Jus Hill, to whom they were under con- tract for "Around the Clock." In Boston another member retired. A "MIDNIGHT MATINEE." Sioux City, La., Nov. 8. "Midnight Matinees" are the newest fad iiere. During a celebration last week, when the local lodge entertained a visit- ing delegation of Mystic Shriners, eight hundred members of the order assembled in the Orpheum after the night show, anu the performance was repeated for their especial benefit. The opening act went on at 11:30, and the "midnight matinee" was over about 2 a. m.- Kmile Subers, the minstrel, worked up a special monologue for the occasion. VAUDEVILLE AFTER "THE UMPIRE.* When "The Umpire" closes at the Ma- jestic, Brooklyn, to-night, Virginia Ains- worth, now a principal with the musical comedy, will begin rehearsals for a new musical sketch involving three people. It will be shown in the local vaudeville houses, after a few weeks' out-of-town pol- ishing. This will be Miss Ainsworth's first vaudeville appearance since her return from South Africa six months ago. GOLDEN WANTS LILLIAN LEE. Richard Golden, the legitimate comedian, has a new sketch for vaudeville. lie has been in negotiation with Lillian Lee, now a member of the company playing "The Follies of 1907" on the road tour, to play the ingenue role. If Miss Lee can secure her release from her present contracts it is possible that the pair will be seen shortly. Mr. Golden played in a short sketch not long ago. ARTISTS' TRANSFER COMPANY. Geo. Abel, the English comedian, who is now playing in vaudeville over here in "Three of a Kind," has formed a corpora- tion called "The G*»o. Abel Electric Trans- fer Company." It is capitalized at $100,000. Mr. Abet holds $30,000 in stock, and several other artists have invested, Herbert Ashley, of Matthews and Ashley, subscribing for $5,000 worth. One of the thirty electric trucks which have been purchased by Mr. Abel is now on exhibition at the Automobile £how. The prime move in this direction was inspired in Mr. Abel through the delay and inconvenience in transferring baggage over here. "The Geo. Abel Electric Transfer Com- pany" will make a specialty of catering to the profession, and will remove a trunk from any section of Greater New York to another for 25 cents, with a guarantee it reaches when stated. A bureau will also be established where "party" arrangements of troupes or act's leaving town for the same theatre may have their luggage attended to without delay. R. C. Mudge, the White Rats' president, thinks so well of the venture as a busi- ness proposition and a convenience to artists, he has taken a financial interest in the corporation, and on Thursday even- ing last brought it up at the regular weekly meeting of the Rats, calling the attention of the members present to its future possibilities. NEW 14TH STREET PICTURE SHOW. The new moving picture enterprise to be started in the former "Alhambra" on Fourteenth street is most ready. The for- mal opening was announced for Nov. 15, but this, it is understood, will be delayed, owing to uncompleted alterations. The rent for the place is $28,000 yearly. Four moving picture machines will be in- stalled, and a small stage has been erected for the vaudeville acts to be given in con- junction with the films. It is said that prices may range up to twenty cents, and the amusement business in the neighborhood, including Pastor's, Dewey and the Union Square (Keith-Proc- tor) is expected to feel some effect from it. LASKY MANAGING DORIC. The Doric, Yonkers, has passed over un- der the management of Jesse L. Lasky, of The Jesse L. Lasky Company. It Ea understood that Ilenrv Mvers, who ft V formerlv directed the house, has not dis- « posed of his interest, but retains the ma- jority of the stock, Mr. Lasky assuming the management while Mr. Myers leaves for ITonolulu to recover failing health. Mme. Herman is not playing on the K. & E. circuit this week. She takes up her time again on Monday. WELLS LEASES A "SHUBERT." New Orleans. Nov. 8. The fate of the Shul ert, in this city, has been settled for the present season at least. Jake Wells, who has a chain of legitimate theatres throughout the South, has leased the R-ironnc street play- house from the IT. S. Amusement ('<>. (Klaw & Erlanger). Tt was thought at the time the Shubert was taken over by K. & E. that the theatre would be given over t<» ""Advanced" Vaudeville. WITH MONEY COMES WIFE. AYi'l Robinson, of Cooper and Robinson, the colored comedians, is a married man. lie has been in that state since Wednes- day last, when Mr. Robinson conveyed Lenne (base, of Springfield. Mass., to the altar of the African Methodist Church in New York, where the pair were made one. A large amount of money is said to have lately found its way into the pos- session of the colored comedian, and with the nnlooked for wealth, Mr. Robinson derided he must have someone help him care for it. Not much deliberation was required to bring Miss Chase into mind, arid she consented to assume the post of custodian. CHARLEY CASE RETIRES. Lockport, N. Y., Nov. 8. Charles Case, the well known mono- logist, has given up vaudeville and will engage immediately in another line, prob- nbly going into mercantile business with a partner. Mr. Case was ill all summer, and is just about back now to his former phy- sical condition. His reason for leaving vaudeville, as given out, is that he and the managers could not agree upon the salary question. MARINELLI BRINGING NEW ACTS. Among the European acts booked for this side in the near future by the II. B. Marinelli agency are Lilly Llyna, English soubrette, who sailed Thursday and opens at the Colonial Nov. 18; Daisy Hodgini, jockey, who opens at the Hippodrome Nov. 23; The Grunathos, women acrobats, opening at the same time and place, and Little Ulpts and Mile. Hella, who play first on the Bennett Canadian time Dec. 2. All these acts except The Grunathos, who have played five seasons with Barnum & Bailev, will be seen here for the first time. FIGHTING SPECULATORS. The New York Theatre lias made a de- termined stand against speculators since the crowds have flocked here following the success achieved by Harry Lauder, the Scotch comedian. On Tuesday morning, Louis F. Werba, general manager for Klaw & Erlanger vaudeville circuit, called upon Police In- spector Walsh to keep the outside men from congregating around the entrances. The Inspector sent a small squad of patrolmen to the theatre, with instruc- tions to see the speculators were con- tinually on the move. Mr. Werba requested that the specu- lators be notified to remain away from in front of any part of the New York, basing his request on the ground that Klaw & Erlanger owned the entire New York Theatre building, but this Inspector Walsh said he had no authority to do. On Monday evening, A. L. Erlanger gave orders in person to a tall speculator outside the doors to remove himself or be removed from the vicinity. The tall "scalper" jocosely inquired of Mr. Er- langer who the latter thought would be able to do the job. The little manager without waiting to debate the query at- tended to the task himself, and the speculator complained to a nearby police- man asking that Mr. Erlanger be appre- hended upon an assault charge. The only satisfaction he received was an invitation "around the corner" by the athletic head of the ''syndicate" who promised to ar- tistically follow up the beginning to a finish. The speculator vetoed the motion, and passed into darker Broadway. ROMANS HAS "RUBE KIDS." The Gus Edwards act,- known as "Rube Kids," has been purchased by Geo. Ho- mans, who will make r few changes in the cast, otherwise rearranging it, when it will take the vaudeville path once more. MARGARET FEALY. Since Margaret Fonly decided Unit Alfred Sutro'a beautiful little piny. "A Maker of Men.*' wa«i ton quiet anil lacking In, action for ■ vaudeville audience, *he ims l«een a v< ry Imay woman reading play*, aeeklng one which would appeal t<» all clawe*. and yet rati tain real unfit, in four weeks Kin- r«-ad two blind ret) and i"> akotcliea, ami In deapalr ha* concluded t<» abandon ber plana, fur rtie is too muck H»e arti*t to play clap-trap, no matte* in»w ureal Ike h-miinegation. Hearing of ber want and knowing Mrs. Peal}'* a I • i 111 >' m- an actre**. Pauline Phelp* and Marion Short, Riilbor* of David WarnVld'a latest aucee**, "A Hrand Arnjj Man" aet p> wnk to write a phiv for IriT. ami have auccecded In fitting her as tiny did Mr. Warneld. The period Is of Ike Civil War and there is a bnndaamc Northerner. There are itrong situations and aeveral effort* In tiiis little play, which only runs twenty two mtnutes. Tin* ra*1 "III he eotn poaed of actor* of exceptional ability. A apeclal net will he carried. Walter Clark Hollows will triage tin* playlet.