Variety (December 1907)

VARIETY MORRIS RETURNS HOME F ROM WES TERN TRIP The Independent Agent Still Defers a Statement, But Many Rumors Are Afloat. William Morris, the independent agent, who is looked to by the vaudeville artist as the leader of any opposition which will arise in the vaudeville branch of theat- ricals, returned to the city on Wednesday after a week's trip in the West. While away Mr. Morris visited Cleve- land, Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis. In Cleveland, the agent holds a contract to book the vaudeville acts to play at the new Hippodrome in that city, which will -open December 30th, and in St. Louis, the new American Theatre, to open about the middle of January under the management ■of the American Theatre Company, now operating former K. & E. houses in St. Louis, Louisville, Milwaukee and Kansas City, will also be booked by Mr. Morris. "I have nothing to say for publication now," said Mr. Morris to a Variety rep- resentative upon his return. "You seem to know where I have been. There is no need to deny it, but I have nothing to tell. "I can only repeat what has been printed in Variety before; there are matters ma- turing, and when completed I shall gi\£ them out." In reply to a question as to whether he would have a circuit before the end of this season, Mr. Morris replied in the af- firmative, but would go no further. Despite the secrecy wfth which Mr. Mor- ris covers his operations, there were many rumors on Broadway this week of his plana, One agent said he has been in- formed from the Morris office not to book certain acts which were mentioned until Mr. Morris returned home, and the general report lead to a belief that an announce- ment was shortly expected from Morris which would place his office once again in substantial opposition to the United Booking Offices. To all these reports Mr. Morris refused to reply, reiterating what he had pre- viously said. Cincinnati, Dec. 20. The coming of William Morris, the New York vaudeville agent, to Cincinnati caused a theatrical scare in the city. Max Ander- son and Jos. J. Rhinock arrived on the samp train with the agent, and in the city at the same time also was Louis Cella. of St. Louis, who is reported to be connected with the New Yorker in what- ever project is on foot. While Mr. Morris was here, it was stated in an interview with him that Mr. Cella was a partner of Mr. Morris in the theatrical ventures now operated by them, and "The Commercial Tribune" said, com- menting on Mr. Morris' visit: "This much is positively known, however, that Mr. Cella of race- track fame, is Mr. Morris* backer, and as Mr. Cella's wealth figures in the millions, it is safe to say they will eventually get what they are looking for. "All vaudeville interests are watching very closely the present movements of Mr. Morris, an i Messrs. Anderson and Rhinock, who start for Chicago in the morning, are keeping their eyes turned in Mr. Morris' direction." To a Variety representative, Mr. Morris said: "I intend to stick in the vaudeville business, and as I advertised, am willing to take an interest in a house here. Just how soon I can do so I cannot state now. In the matter of actual development my trip here at this time will not bring out anything further than to show my inten- tions. I like Cincinnati, and will land n house here, I feel sure." Messrs. Anderson and Rhinock. who arc interested in the Columbia, the only vaude ville theatre in Cincinnati, announced if Mr. Morris was willing to pay their price, they would rent him either the Walnut or Olympic, or both. Last Friday the title of the Walnut passed to Nicholas J. Walsh for an expressed consideration of $80,000. It does not affect the ownership, nor is that the value of the property, esti mated to be worth $250,000. Mr. Morris is said to have asked Ander- son & Ziegler to place a figure upon the Columbia Theatre. It is also authentically reported that Mr. Rhinock, said to be a partner of Cella's in racing ventures, en- deavored to persuide Mr. Morris to re- main out of Cincinnati. Louisville, Dec. 20. The "Evening Post" this week printed the following extracts: "Plans for a new independent vaudeville circuit have been completed in St. Louis, and in it will be in- cluded the Mary Anderson Theatre. At the head of the new circuit will be William Morris, and associated with him the Oppenheimer Brothers, of St. Louis. "The new circuit will be a powerful one, and assures the Mary Anderson vaudeville of the high class that has characterized the house. With the exception of the four performances by Bertha Kalich, in keeping with a con- tract made last year, the house will give nothing but vaudeville." TREM0NT CLOSES JAN. 4 . Boston, Dec. 20. Klaw & Erlanger's vaudeville will leave the Tremont Theatre Jan. 4 (week Dec. 30). That closes "Advanced Vaudeville" for Boston. LOUIS MANN, THE SERIOUS. Announcement is made that upon the completion of his present vaudeville tour Louis Mann will star in a new play which will introduce the comedian in serious character work, and mark the end of his light comedy efforts. He is appearing at the New York The- atre this week in an adaptation of "All on Account of Eliza," arranged by Clara Lipman (Mrs. Mann). MOVING PICTURES IN 23D STREET. The Twenty-third Street Theatre will -tup playing vaudeville when the Fifth Avenue changes its policy from the pres- ent stock to variety shows once again. The program for the Twenty-third Mreet house seems to be a moving pic- ture show which will run from 10 a. 111. until 11 p. in. Harry Leonhardt, the manager of the Twenty-third Street house, will remain with the United Booking OAoss, and like- ly take up the production end of the agency, as outlined in Vakikty some time •>«o. The Keith-Proctor Fifth Avenue Thea- atre will once again become a vaudeville house, commencing Jan. 6. Its present occupant, the Spooner Stock Company, will vacate before that time, playing the Majestic in Brooklyn. The last vaudeville given in the Fifth Avenue, excepting the Sunday night con- certs which have been continued with acts drawn from the Keith-Proctor houses in Newark, Jersey City and Elizabeth to make up the shows once weekly, was when P. G. Williams and William Ham merstein could not be enticed away from the Morris office. It was thought at that time the house would act as opposition to Hammerstein's Victoria. Instead, it reacted upon the at- tendance at the Keith-Proctor 23d Street theatre, and the varietv shows were given up for stock. HAS ENGAGED CISSY L0FTUS. Cecelia Loftus, the mimic, who closed with "The Lancers" Saturday night in New York, will spend six weeks in vaudeville under engagement to Kohl & Castle, beginning about the first of the New Year. She has secured a leave of absence for that length of time from Henry Miller, to whom she is under contract for his pro- ductions. Miss Loftus opens at the Chicago Majestic on Jan. 6. She will play one week more out of town and may then finish her six weeks in the Hammerstein. Williams and K.-P. houses of New York. Robert Grau did the booking. D'ORSAY WAITING. Nothing but time remains between Law- rence D'Orsay and vaudeville. Mr. D'Or- say has his company, sketch and himself all in readiness; M. S. Bent ham is sup- posed to do the rest, and when the agent sounds the bell, the English comedian will commence upon his vaudeville journey for the first time. GERMAN AGENTS FORMING ASSO- CIATION. A meeting of all the German variety agents, particularly those from Berlin, has been called for this month in Hamburg, where a big fair is being held. Once each year a German city is select- ed for a prolonged trial of all acts which may wish to display themselves. Man- agers and agents from all over the con- tinent attend, and the occasion this sea- son has been chosen to combine the agents of Berlin into an association. There are about 25 agents in the Ger- man capital who are wanted in the union, but there are from 50 to 100 in all who may be eligible. SUNDAY OPENING FAVORED—IF. Any steps taken to secure legislation at Albany this coming session to permit more freedom in the theatres on Sunday will be favored by the White Rats of America provided certain evils, in existence at pres- ent and not working for the interest uf the artists, are remedied. The vaudeville artist as a unit would be a very important factor in any Albany law-making looking towards a freer Sun- day for the manager. The natural oppo- sition which will arise at any suggestion of a liberal Sunday law from the church element and "up-Staters" would be sub- stantially fortified could it oppose any measures introduced with the disapproval of the actor, who is a large part of the Sunday entertainment. At the office's of the White Hats this week, R. C. Mudge, president of the or- ganization, said: 'The White Rats believe in shows on Sunday. It is better for the artist and the manager; meaning more money for both, and the artist would support any action taken to insure the permanent and full opening of the vaudeville theatres on the Sabbath under proper conditions. "The White Rats do not believe it equit able that acts shall be shifted from one theatre in a city where Sunday concerts are not allowed to another theatre in a city where they are, without compensation for the extra performances. The artist agrees to play at a house, and is willing to aippear at all legal performances, whether there are twelve or fourteen weekly, but he does not want to give away his services in another house because the man afement can not keep open on Sunday the house where he was originally booked. "Another objection we have is to the free 'trial' shows on Sunday. We do not believe any act should appear unless it is paid, and the number of acts which work for nothing at these Sunday shows sim- ply keep off the bill recognized vaudeville artists who would be in demand other- wise. "The White Rats, as I said before, favor Sunday shows, but only under proper con- ditions." NEW YORK CLOSING DATE. The New York Theatre will revert to its former occupation as a legitimate house after the week of Jan. 20, when the final "Advanced Vaudeville" will be played in it. This is one week earlier than was ex- pected, and will mark the end of Klaw & Erlanger's vaudeville existence. Following the variety performances will enter Florenz Ziegfeld's "The Soul Kiss," with Adeline Genee, the premier dancer from the Empire, London, as the feature. The revue planned by Mr. Ziegfeld for the theatre about the same time will be held over until the roof garden season opens upstairs next summer. The principals engaged for the revue will have roles in the piece. NAMED AFTER MABEL BARRISON. » Chicago, Dec. 20. Joseph E. Howard's new vaudeville theatre at Waukegan, 111., opens Dec. 22. It is called "The Banrison." The Western Vaudeville Association will furnish the acts. N. Glickauff is to be local manager.