Variety (December 1907)

VARIETY 31 COLORED FOLK IN VAUDEVILLE GIVE HIM JUST ANOTHER CHANCE By HARRY KRATON (The Kratons). By JUNIE McCREE. The colored artist in vaudeville is farther advanced than ever before. There has been a steady and sure improvement; a gradual march to the front. There are a number of individual cases of excellent re- sults, on a parallel with other work of sim- ilar kind by white artists. This decided improvement has brought the colored artist more time and better THE BRADFORDS. Colored singers and dancers. At present appearing with great success on the Keith-Proctor Circuit. pay. A few years ago there were only three or four colored arts in vaudeville. Now there are at least 100 in this country and Europe. It is undisputed that colored artists prefer vaudeville, if they can secure good bookings to any other theatrical work. The vaudeville field is wide open to all skilled workers. Williams and Walker, Cole and Johnson, Krnest Hogan, and Eph Thomson are the "4" headline acts that all colored peo- ple arc proud of. Of course Mr. Thompson's act is out of the ordinary, but he owns the act and works it himself. "To see one colored act is to see all." was a remark very prevalent at one time, jtiid perhaps there may have been reason for it, but how different today. We have Cooke and Stephen who present an act with a neat bit of character acting. Cooper and Robinson present a singing and talking act away from the conven- tional. In the musical line we have the 5 Spillers who present one of the most en- tertaining musical numbers in vaudeville. Then there is my own "Hoopland" that is conceded by press and public to be about the best act of its kind. All of the above are ■poken of because tl.ey are entirely different from each other. I dare say in the next ten years the col- ored artist in vaudeville will be reaching a high degree of excellence, along far more diversified lines. There are also a Dumber of colored nov- elty acts, with colored' shows all over the country, bar acts, juggling acts, contortion acts, or whatever the case may be. They remain in a show like this, handicap their progress, who content themselves with being called the "l>est colored of his kind," whereas if they launched out into the wide sea of vaudeville they would be greatly de- veloped and receive a new impetus In this great competitive field. My motto has al- ways been, try to be as good as the best, and original as possible. In all avenues of labor one finds obstacles and encourage- ment, good and bad. In vaudeville you find less prejudice shown to colored artists than in other theatrical lines. There are a very few, if any, of that .nuch dreaded, "disturbing element," that is despised by well behaved and sensible t olored persons. The colored performer is more provident than he used to be. The colored artist is paying more atten- tion than formerly to the "Rainy Day" t heory. The younger artists are fast profit- ing by the example of their unfortunate older brother. When first I started smoking opium, many years ago, My pleasure in the drug was very sweet. While under its influence not a sorrow did I know, Contentment shook my hand on every street. But the effect the drug has is reversed on one who is a fiend; It's pitiable far beyond relief. The pleasure in the drug from him has gradually been weaned, A slave to dope he now smokes for re- lief. I can see him with the yen-yen, while the tears roll down his cheeks. His time has come--he is about to die. WHITMAN SISTERS. A recognized vaudeville feature and should be. Will make good on any bill in any compah.v. Always meeting with distinct approval wherever appearing. They are assisted by Willie Robinson. True characteristics of the Southern '♦darkey" are introduced in "Plantation Pastimes." The net is under the exclusive direction of AL. SUTHERLAND. It is my opinion before very long the colored artist will have an "Order" similar to the White Rats. We can readily see the great benefits the white artist is deriving from organization. There are great possibilities for the col- ored artist in vaudeville. I can speak of vaudeville only in the most appreciative terms. I have met with the most courteous reception, square dealings, and have experi- enced no detriment through being colored. A word of advice, a mere suggestion to my race, is not to overstep any bounds. Re polite, be gentlemanly, be womanly, and you will command and receive due regard from everybody. No nourishment has passed his ashen lips in many weeks, / Appealingly to Heaven does he cry: dive me just another chance -just a little time. I will do my beat to break away. Let me clear my conscience so that when I am in line, T can stand erect on Judgment. Day. Do not snuff my candle while my record is so black, l^et me try and cleanse it if T can. Give me just another start on another tack— Give me one more chance to be a man. You'll find a moral lesson in the smoker's last appeal— A lesson every one can profit by. The drug which first brought pleasure wasn't balm enough to heal The suffering which made him fear to die. J A kind word of encouragement might have saved that man, Instead of looks of horror and disgust. Why the thief who oft has stolen and re- pented sometimes can Be transformed into a man we all can trust. The convict who has served his time and left the prison cell, And prayed for God to once more set him right, Are you going to condemn him—make his life a lasting Hell— When a few kind words might make his future bright? Give him just another chance—just a lease on life. Encourage him a little to be square. I)o not cast upon him glances that cut deeper than a knife; Don't remind him of his prison fare. When he stands beside you, do not turn your back—■ Hdp him just a little if you can. Give him just a chance to clean a record that is black— Give him one more chance to be a man. AN ANONYMOUS "PATRIOT." A nameless patriot, who communicates anonymously with the Actors' Protective Union of America, complains that Madame llanako, the little Japanese comedienne, and her company, are playing illegally un- der the management of Arnold Daly at the Berkeley Theatre in West 44th street. "Madame Hanako and Company were engaged in Paris last summer by Mr. Daly," says the mysterious informer, "and the contracts were signed there at the same time. They are occupying one- third of the bill at the Berkeley Theatre. Moreover they are contract laborers, and arc keeping American actors out of work. "The Actors' Union .should inform the Treasury Department at Washington through the American Federation of Labor. I am a good American actor, but can't sign name." The idea of invoking so ponderous a machine as a government department to suppress the dainty little Japanese does not appeal to the union officials and the letter found its way into the waste paper basket. Besides^ they figured, "good actors" don't write anonymous letters. THE YEAR IN BOSTON. (Continued from page 30.) Within the year, too, the managers of the different theatres have perfected an or- ganization, with John R. Schoeffel, of the Tremont, as president. This organisation has had a good deal to do eliminating much injustice from new laws pertaining to theatres in the legislature. There have l>cen frequent rumors that a new burlesque house will be built in S< ollay Square an • ideal location—and plans are already drawn, but whether it will materialize or not only time and the financiers can tell.