Variety (March 1908)

X E N CENTS ^, '\-- VOL. X., NO. 1. MARCH 14, 1908. PRICE TEN CENTS. ASSOCIATED MANAGERS FIO HTINO FOR FEATURES Pour Mortons Bone of Contention and Price Soars to $1,500 Weekly. Keitii-Proctor's Act. The Four Mortons will play over the Keith-Proctor time commencing April 20 for a weekly salary of $1,500. The con- tracts have been signed. Lykens & Levy secured them for the Keith-Proctor end of the United Booking Offices. The K.-P. house securing the act for the opening date will be either the Fifth Avenue or 125th Street. The engagement of the Four Mortons by the Keith-Proctor firm at the $1,500 convinced many who are alert in vaude- ville matters of this nature that outside opposition is not always the cause of an increase in salaries. The reports of the booking disclosed that there was close competition between Percy G. Williams and the firm to secure the act. While the Mortons were playing in "The Big Stick" at the Majestic, Brooklyn, last week, Mr. Williams sent an emissary to make approaches for a vaudeville tour over the Williams houses at $1,000 weekly. The value of the act for vaudeville must have struck the United Offices a glancing blow at the same moment, for one of the agents who finally secured the Mortons for K.-P. met the Williams representative leaving the theatre where the Mortons were playing. Bids and counter-bids are said to have been made during the week until the con- tracts by K.-P. were issued and confirmed. The competition for acts between Will- iams and Keith-Proctor, which has been apparent for the past few weeks, brought up the rivalry seemingly existing between Mr. Williams' Alhambra, on the west side of 125th Street, and Keith-Proctor 125th Street Theatre (east). The shows lately in the 125th Street theatre have equaled any presented in New York. No expense is spared upon the program there, although the prices are 25 and 50 cents lower than the scale in effect at the Alhambra. This week the 125th Street headliners are Gertrude Hoffman and Ce- celia Loftus, in addition to what consti- tutes a high priced show. For next week (March 16) the 125th Street Theatre announces as the program Nance O'Neil, Valeska S'uratt and William Gould, "Casey's Court," ''Black Hussars," Jack Hazard, Marinctti and Sylvester, Barry and Hughes and Clement De Lion. Next week's program at the Alhambra is composed of "The London Fire Bri- gade," McMahon and Chappelle and their "Porter Maids," "Rosie Lloyd, William A. Dillon, John T. Kelly and Company, W. C. Fields. Darras Brothers, Kelly and Ashby and Milt Wood. One in authority to speak at the United Offices this week, commenting on the un- usual spectacle of two circuits booking through the same office in such active strife for features that bidding ensues, said: "There was some misunderstanding between Mr. Williams and Keith-Proctor over a couple of bookings, but that has now been explained, and will not again occur.'* Nevertheless, to the onlooker it appeared as though each circuit were booking inde- pendently of the other, seeking to secure the biggest attractions possible for the first appearance at its own houses. Many rumors caused bv the«e bookinirs are about. Either they have no basis in fact, or are untraceable. HAS NAT GOODWIN SIGNED? Philadelphia, March 12. There is a story over here that Nat C. Goodwin has been secured to ]*Iay in vaude- ville, oponinp in New York City, probably in one of the Keith-Proctor houses there. Lykens & I^vy are mentioned as the agents who brought Mr. Goodwin around to the vaudeville way. Mr. Goodwin closes his New Tork en- gagement this Saturday night. He is play- ing "The Easterner" at the Garrick. WRIGHT LORIMER ACCEPTS TIME. One of the Springtime captures, which always brings about the first appearance of one or more well known legitimates in vaudeville, is Wright Lorimer, who agreed this week, through M. S. Beutham, to play at one of the local Keith-Proctor theatres during the week of April 6, and will con- tinue upon a route laid out for him call- ing for between two and three months of time. The miniature play selected by Mr. Lorimer for his variety debut is of dra- matic tendencies, written by the late Wil- son Barrett, and named "A Clerical Er- ror" The young star of "The Shepherd King" will enact the role of a poet in the play, which will be mounted in special scenery and elaborate settings. $50,000 THEATRE IN "LUNA." Plans have been drawn and approved by Frederic Thompson for a $50,000 theatre to be erected in "Luna" Park, Coney Isl- and. Mr. Thompson first approved the idea of P. J. Casey and Ix)uis F. Worba, who suggested a theatre in the summer resort to be conducted upon original lines. Mes^srs. Casey & Werba will manage the new house, giving a show full of novelties, securing the bill at home and abroad. Each number presented will be a feature, and the program will widely differ from the customary vaudeville show. Building will commeuce at once. "The Luna Park Theatre" may be the first of a series of warm weather amusements Casey & Werba will be interested in. WIRE-WALKING HORSE. In Bussia is being prepared at present a vaudeville act to be called "Mrs. Smith and Her Wire-Walking Horse." A horse will walk on an elevated wire, commanded on the stage by a Mrs. Smitli, the trainer. Wiiile abroad, William llammerstein heard of the novelty, and directed the IMarinelli office to report to him when the first private exhibition shall be given, now slated to take place in May. Upon Mari- nelli reporting favorably, the act will be imported by ^Ir. llammerstein for his Victoria Theatre. Details as to how the wire walking is arcomplifhed are lacking. , UNITED MANAGERS CONFER. On Thursday the United managers met by appointment in the agency's oflSce, and discussed the present vaudeville conditions; also the outlook. It was one of the regu- lar monthly meetings which have been held of late, but a special call was issued foi? this gathering. Martin Beck presided. The main point of discussion was the attitude to be taken on threatened opposition. While no infor- mation was given out of the conference*! decision, from the expression of the man- agers before meeting, it may safely be ventured that it was decided to ignore any outside competitors. The question of the present payment of salaries to large acts was also brought up. While one or two of the managers of the larger houses were said to be indifferent to this, many of the other smaller man- agers booking through the Offices seriously objected, claiming the price set for a first appearance was adhered to by the act, causing a condition from the financial end as serious as when the K. & E. opposition caused prices to soar in comi)etitive bid- ding. Some understanding on this score is said to have been arrived at. Many other problems confronting the managers for the immediate betterment of their shows and business were also talked over. The managers were in session from 11 until 4. Martin Beek made a lengthy ad- dress, which stirred up consitlerable argu- ment. It was so interesting, none of the managers spared time for lunch. DIXEY OPENS AT FIFTH AVENUE. A playlet written by Fred F. Schrader, private secretary to David Belasco, has been secured by Henry E. Dixey, and Mr. Dixey will return to vaudeville in it on March 30 at the Fifth Avenue. Mr. Schrader's piece is called "The Danc- ing Master." Mr. Dixey will have for sup- port among his company Marie Nord- strom, his former leading lady wliile in the varieties. Lykens <fc J^'vy are ▼•e- sponsible for the arrangements. May Helfort may visit England after completing hep Klaw & Erlnng<T eoiitract lliis week. Her husband. It. C. Mudge, will leave with her if she does.