Variety (March 1908)

8 VARIETY WHITE RATS'BALL. A nice thing about the masque ball of the White Rats, held Monday night nt Terrace Garden, was tliat, witliout a dis- senting voice, everyone a>,'rpod it was "the" affair of the season, well conducted, and, what spoke most for it, greatly en- joyed by everyone present. A large number were there, but the large ball room of tlie Garden was not un- comfortably crowded. It was the second annual society event of the vaudeville artists, and will become a yearly fixture hereafter, occurring upon the eve of St. Patrick's Day, as it did this week. The varied costumes of well known players upon the stage gave a unique color to the floor, and while not many were masked, owing to the lateness of the hour at which they arrived through circum- stances, the stage apparel gave the afTaii" a decidedly more original tinge than a costumer could have effected by decking out customs for an ordinary masquerade. The decorations, by Theo. Gumsel of 44 Cooper Square, were a cause for much ad- miration. Streamers of soft white and gold cream, upon which stars were inlaid, stretched from the centre chandelier to all points of the hall. In each of the lower corners of the tier of boxes, a spot light followed the dancers around the floor or searched out well known faces in the crowds. The prize for the most original costume was awarded Mrs. Jos. Turner, wife of the theatrical supply dealer. A Taylor trunk became Mrs. Turner's property for appearing in the centre of a large white rat, bejeweled and bedecked. The second gift of the Rats, a box of powders and perfumes, was given to Fou- gere by the decision of the judges, Lil Hawthorne, Gertrude Hoffman and Alice Lloyd. They also declared that Ida May Giadwick, of the Cliadwick Trio, was en- titled to the third decision. Miss Chad wick having on her "Sis Hopkins" stage make- up. Mile. Fougere also wore a costume and hat in which she appears while amus- ing an audience. Not much of the cos- tume could be seen from a rear view, the hat having a downward sweeping effect, resembling a sugar scoop flattened out, and magnified. It was the sensation of the ball. William Morris, Harry Leonhardt, Joe Raymond and Jo Paige Smith composed the jury to select the man entitled to a prize, and Bert Leslie, as "Hogan," upon receipt of a black ebony lemon squeezer, with a sterling silver white rat incrcsted upon it, made a short, humorous speech of thanks. Mrs. W. E. Ritchie (Ritchie Duo), Mrs. Henry (Henry and Young) and Alice Petersdorf contributed largely to the char- itable fund the ball was given for through the sale of souvenir programs. The net proceeds have not been calcu- lated, owing to the delay in receiving re- turns for tickets distributed. About $300 was taken in at the door. Mr. and Mrs. Corse Payton led the grand march, a brilliant spectacle, including in the ranks vaudevillians, legitimates and members of nearly all the professions, handsomely dressed. Pete Berlinghoff's orchestra discoursed lively music, without tiring, until a very late hour, at which the successful affair broke up. PERCY WILLIAMS TELLS A SECRET. The following correspondence on "thought transmission" carries its own story: "1626 Erato Street. "Xcw Orleans, La., March 7, 1908. "Mr. Percy G. Williams. "Dear Sir: I am entirely devoted to anything pertaining to the uni- versal energy of the mind. "I should esteem it a favor if you would forward particulars of the per- formance of Lola Cotton, booked through your circuit. "I have studied the occult for sev- eral years and quite recently wit- nessed a vase weighing approximately 240 pounds dancing on the veranda to the command of a variety Hindoo. Startling performance! "I should thank you for the par- ticulars of the mind reading of Lola Cotton. Yours obediently, (Signed) *'Andrew McPhcranny "New York, N. Y., "March 11, 1908. "Mr. Andrew McPherson, "1620 Erato Street, - "New Orleans, I-a. "Dear Sir: Occultism is dependent on the physical condition of the sub- ject. The gray matter and the white matter of the brain coalesce, creating a condition or phenomena which superinduces a vaporous fluid that produces an hallucination hypotheti- cally similar to a mirage. "Visual images apparently optical- ly perfect, such as the vase dancing as you describe, have in reality no physical substance, but are mesmeri- cally produced by the hypnotic power of the operator. This accounts for the seemingly indescribable. I think Lola Cotton does her act the same way. Very truly yours, (Signed) **Percy 0. Williams:' LOVING CUP FOR HOUDINL Detroit, March 19. At the conclusion of Harry Houdini's return engagement here last Saturday night J. IT. Moore, the manager of the Tem- ple Theatre, where Mr. Houdini played, presented "The Handcuff King" with a handsome silver loving cup to commemo- rate Mr. Houdini breaking the house rec- ord for receipts. CRAZY TO SEE BILLY FARNON. Philadelphia, March 19. While playing Wilmington last week, Billy Farnon, who, with the Misses Wills and Ransley, is doing a singing act in vaudeville, had a remarkable experience. During one of his songs a demented woman left the audience and climbed upon the stage. She made no attempt.to interfere with the singer, but grasped his arm and stood looking at him. Farnon noticed the appearance of the \vc!nan and continued singing the song thiough. By this time an attendant who had accompanied the woman to the the- atre got upon the stage and quietly led her back to her seat. Farnon was given an ovation by the audience and was con- gratulated for his presence of mind by Manager Dockstader. BRANDT SAW "THE WIDOW." Since Fred Brandt, the general manager for the Kitamura Enterprises, stepped off the boat this week after his long visit OE the other side, M»*. Bran'^t has consumed some time regaling his friends with short stories of his experiences abroad. Mr. Brandt in the recital failed to men- tion an incident of his stop in Berlin. While in the German capital Mr. Brandt suddenly received a "hunch" one evening he must see "The Merry Widow" immedi- atelv. ..-.■ A couple of Germans, acquaintances of Mr. Brandt, promptly offered themselves as his host, and with the effect of a merry party still lingering in their vicinity, the trio started for a theatre. Seeing that Mr. Brandt was duly seated, the two Germans left him. It was Shake- speare's "Winter's Tale" Mr. Brandt was watching, and he tired of the performance soon, but dared not leave, being in ignoi- • nce of the topography of Berlin. As the play ended, tl>e Germans returned to carry their companion away, having laughed at their joke in a near-by restau- rant while the show proceeded. Asked how he liked "The Merry Wid- ow," Mr. Brandt replied "Rotten. That's a h—1 of a show to make so much fuss about." In speaking of Berlin, Mr. Brandt re- marked he would very much like to make public acknowledgment of the courtesy and attention given to Americans by Nick Kaufmann, of the Kaufmann troupe of bicvclists. Mr. Brandt said Mr. Kauf- mann treated all American professionals in Berlin the same, going out of his way to see they were well taken ca.e of and furnishing much valuable information on any matters reijuiring the advice of some- one familiar with the city. DIGBY BELL WAVERING. It" is about five years since Digby Bell played in vaudeville. The comic opera comedian has sigiu'd to open on United time April 20. Lvk<Mis & Levy are the agents. ■ ■ - — SEVILLE MANDEVILLE. F?i'Vlllo Mniidi'vlllo lien«lx Ijor own rompany of four pooph', pliiylrifr "Wlio's Ciillty," a comedy Rkrtcli written by Clinrh's Town*'. A San Frnn- rlsco pniKT .'*al(l of the young nrtross "A Nnnre O'Ntil in onil'n-o." MIsH Mnmlfvlllo Is well known In the West. She U now Kast fir the flr>.t time, ready f<>r a vaudeville sliowlnif. Of the pii'oe ItHelf. perhaps Ml«s Mandevllle describes It best »>rlefl\ by saying "It lakes from 22 to 24 minutes t<» play it. We could pive It in seventeen minutes if the audience wouldn't laugh so much." Another cojne<ly playlet, "niown Up," by the KHTne author. Is In the repertoire. Tlie not Is un- der the management of Mr. Townc. ANOTHER FLEA CIRCUS. There are a numberless lot of people who insist they must see a "flea circus" before the fact will be accepted. Skeptics smile sardonically at the idea of little tiny fleas, which know nothing excepting to bile, and even then know not enough to have regular teeth to bite with, can do a "two-high" while standing upon a trapeze bar, or the "giant swing," while a triple somersault is utterly out of the compre- hension of the unitiated. . The triple somersault by a flea is the ambition of every trainer, say the old cir- cusmen, but is rendered difficult through Ihe fleas being confined under a glass cage, excluding the air currents, of great as- sistance to the tiny insects on the third turn, but the ordinary flea gymnastics, suclT as walking a tight rope (thread) with a balancing pole (pin), and leaps over hurdles are quite common. In San Francisco, where it is said the fleas are trained by instinct to make high jumps, there is a flea circus, the only American one. In Europe nothing is thought of the curiosity. It is stated that the demand abroad for fleas for exhibition purposes has been so insistent of late that all the fleas in France and Germany, fear- ing thoy would be captured for show pur- poses, fiave fled to Uussia. In Russia, although the climate is much colder, there are more full beards within easy jumping distance, where refuge may be found. Just before the lajst flock of fleas left Germany, one Koloff in Ilepburg, a small German town, cast his net and drew in 250. Since then he has trained them for a com- plete circus from the opening caravan to the Ilippofliome races, and the Marinelli New York oflice received a letter this week asking it to secure American time. When Charles Bornhaupt oi)ened the bulky letter, containing a poster, out hopped a little flea which saluted Mr. Bornhaupt in military style. Bornhaupt was so embarassed at the insect's strange action, he allowed it to escape. Upon read- ing the letter, it informed the Marinelli manager one of the fleas was enclosed as a sample, ana as it was the prize of the lot, to keep it until Roloff arrived here. Mr. Bornhaupt has offered a reward of $100 to anyone who will return the flea unharmed. It may be identified by a large "R" on its tail. Last season Bornhaupt booked another floa circus for a Pitt.sburg summer park. Although the circus scored a large success, it broke up the sale of summer underwear in the city. McCOY GOES TO DENVER. Daniel F. McCoy, for some time past manager of the Sullivan-Considine Family Theatre, in Fast ]2."'»th Street, left New York this week to take over the manage- ment of the Sullivan-Considine house in Denver, Col., the Majestic, recently opened. lie replaces there John F. Cordray, who goes to Seattle to take general charge of the Sullivan-Considine interests in that territory. FORTUNE FOR VAUDEVILLIAN. While playing the Orpheum, Ilarri.sburg. Pa., Fd Wynn, the comedian of Wynn and Lewis, received word that he was heir to $40,000 under the will of an uncle who died in Australia some time ago.