Variety (December 1907)

VARIETY ARTI STE FO RUM Confine your Utters to 150 wordf and writ* on on* fids ol paper only. Anonymous communications will not bo printed. Name of writer must bo signed and wftt bo bold In strict confidence. If desired. S'cranton, Pa., Dec. 7. Editor Variety: I noticed in Variety Nov. 30 a criti- cism of a performance of Harry Bryant's Extravaganza Company, in which "His Fortieth Wife" receives a mild roast, and it is suggested that the trouble with the piece may rest upon the shoulders of the author. Would like to say in self-defense that last season Variety gave a sketch of mine, "Arrival of Prince Hadji," played by Robie's "Knickerbockers," a very nice notice. Mr. Kobie insisted that my lines should be followed as closely as possible in the production. Mr. Bryant did not. That seems to be the answer. The burlesque following, like the rest of the world, seems to be composed of all kinds of people. Mr. Kobie adopts one plane of burlesque and makes money. Mr. Bryant works upon another line, and is equally successful. Each manager ap- pears to realize more fully what his pa- trons desire than we do. While the changes that seem to have aroused The Variety criticism have been marked, I am free to state that my chief regret has been caused by Mr. Bryant's allowing his company to substitute worn- out parodies in place of the beautiful music originally written for the production by Mr. Louis- Doll. E. Tracy Sweet. Editor Variety: Acting upon the suggestion embodied in Variety's review of the "Transatlan- tic Burlesquers" last week, I have written to the management requesting that if my name is being used on the program as writer of the lyrics for the show, it be removed immediately. It was indeed news to me to learn that my name was on the program of the "Transatlantics" at all this season. I seem to be credited with a sin I didn't commit. Last season I wrote several songs used in the show, but this year I am responsible for absolutely nothing in the performance except the words and music for the opening chorus. I presume that the program matter of last season has carelessly been allowed to stand. This is all of no interest to you, 1 know, but it, is pretty tough on me to be made responsible for a lot of poor ma- terial that I know nothing about what- ever. I'm glad to learn about the matter so that I can put a stop to it. Louis We8lyn, Sedalia, Mo., Dec. 7. Editor Variety: Have just finished twelve weeks over Chas. E. Hodkin's Lyric time, and among other souvenirs picked up on the trip I have a check for $22.50 that I was per- suaded to accept from Manager J. H. Shaw at McAlester, Okla. It was returned marked 'Insufficient funds." Have given him every opportun- ity to "make good," but I guess it's a blank, hence a word to acts going that way. Clever Conkey. Easton, Pa., Dec. 7. Editor Variety: Among the advertisements in a recent issue, I noticed a team terming themselves "The Original Dancing Jugglers." I wish to state that I have used the title "Ori- ginal Dancing Juggler". for the past ten years, the truth of which can be substan- tiated by programs and press notices from the Keith, Proctor, Pastor, Kohl & Castle, and other first class establishments; also by numerous managers and artists who know me personally. I am the first and only artist in the world combining different and difficult feats of juggling, spinning and balancing in their different branches, simultaneously and in unison with various advanced steps of clog, soft-shoe, fancy and eccentric dancing. If my title must be infringed upon, I hope the purloiners will at least drop the word "Original," leaving that for the "first" in the field. H. M. Lorrette, "The Original Dancing Juggler." Philadelphia, Dec. 4. Editor Variety : I beg to say a few words with reference to the article printed in your paper, also the letter in answer to same, from Jack Magee (Murphy and Magee), in which an argument seems to have arisen as to who claims priority to the use of the title "Philosophical Comedian." I hardly think it worth much discussion as it is of slight importance. It does not matter much as to who was first in the field with it, and as I know that I did not get my idea from Mr. Magee, also that Mr. Magee did not purloin the idea from me, I put it down to a coincidence. Mr. Magee and I are very good friends personally, and I am writing you this let- ter to let folks know that no friction ex- ists between us. Besides, I have recently done away with the title "Philosophical Comedian" en- tirely. Edward Clark. The members of the "Washington So- ciety Girls" (Western Burlesque Wheel) wish to extend their sincere thanks to all assisting them during the illness of Miss Lottie Le Roy, former member of the above company, who died on Saturday eve- ning, Nov. 30. Miss Le Roy died of pneu- monia and pleurisy in the St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Paul. Special thanks to Mr. William Collier and Company, Mr. Charles Falke and his "Colonial Belies," Mr. Charles Franklyn and "Rialto Rounders," Miss Toma Hanlon and "Strolling Players," Manager Miller and staff, Dewey Theatre, Minneapolis; Manager Rice, for Keller and Thurston; Manager Van Rov and staff, Star Theatre, St. Paul; Three Brothers Weisman, hotel men, Minne- apolis; Messrs. Hooper & Weecks, Nap- tional Hotel, Minneapolis; Mr. Cameron, Liberty Hotel, St. Paul, and many others. ROSS AND FENTON'S "FLYER." Ross and Fenton appeared at the Twenty-third Street Theatre this week in their sketch "Just Like Any Woman," the first time they have played it in six years. The short vaudeville "flyer" may be continued one week more at the Co- lonial. Ross and Fenton are principals in the Jos. Weber show, and that manager, whose playhouse is closed during the preparation of the new burlesque on "The Merry Widow," was inclined to object to the vaudeville dates, claiming that they interfered with Ross and Fenton's attend- ance at the rehearsals of the new piece. The team, however, managed to find time to attend the rehearsals. Jules Ruby booked the two weeks in vaudeville. ENGLISH CIRCUS MAN AT "HIP." Ed Wolff, with his wife, will appear at the New York Hippodrome Dec. 23 and show two animal acts brought over with him from London. The engagement was made by cable this week through the CLEVELAND "HIP" OPENS DEC. 3a Cleveland, O., Dec. 13. Manager Max Faetkenheuer, of the Cleveland Hippodrome, which opens Dec. 30, has engaged the following chiefs of staff behind the stage: William J. Wilson, stage manager; Alfred Smith, assistant stage manager; John Zemecnic, musical director; J. K. O'Brien, assistant master mechanic; Oscar Scheck, chief electrician; William Abels, assistant electrician; Jacob Rosen- feld, master of properties; Charles Hop- ple, constructing carpenter; Charfcs Calfe, armorer; Thomas Calfe, chief of stables; George H. Williams, chief scenic artist, and Don DuBois, assistant scenic artist. An innovation in the conduct of the house will be a series of "automobile boxes." They are designed as a conveni- ence for patrons who wish to stop in from their automobile trips, wearing their tour- ing clothes. The stage can be seen per- fectly from every corner of the boxes, but the occupants are invisible from the body of the house. * Max Faetkenheuer is popularly known as WELCH AND MAITLAND. High Class Grotesque Legmania Dancers. Now with Bob Manchester'■ "Vanity Fair. • • Marinelli New York office. Mr. Wolff left on the "Mesaba" the 12th. He is a widely known circus man on the other side, and is said to stand sec- ond only to Albert Shumann as a trainer of horses. The acts Mr. Wolff will play at the Hippodrome are a 4-horse number., and another called "Three Friends," including a pony, mule and dog. Mrs. Wolff directs the latter act. Wolff is the first trainer who broke in a zebra for ring purposes. Edna Luby received a quick engage- ment at Hammerstein's on Monday, and has remained there for the week, Char- lotte Parry and Company having had their engagement for this period extended until March. the "Oscar Hammerstein of the West." He has directed everything connected with a theatre from the orchestra to the erection of the biggest playhouse west of New York. He was born in Berlin and first appeared before the public as a concert cornetist. About fifteen years ago he came to Cleve- land to direct the Lyceum Theatre orches- tra. Later he took a contract for furnishing the music at practically all of Cleveland's theatres. In 1904 he promoted and built the Euclid Avenue Garden Theatre, which he has suc- cessfully managed since that time. A stork company was formed that year and the $2,000,000 Hippodrome erected. Mr. Faet- kenheuer becomes manager of the enter- prise. It will play circus, concert and other independent attractions, with vaudeville bookings by William Morris.