Variety (April 1908)

VARIETY y CHICAGO POLICE KEEPING WATC H ON DIV E KEEPERS A Stop to be Put to Obscene Performances Given Under the Guise of "Vaudeville" or "Burlesque" >."V Chicago, April 2. The authorities have finally descended on the so-called "concert halls" on the West Side, and notified the dive keepers to abandon the revelry, which evoked severe criticism. Not since the days of lawlessness has the West Side district been so thickly infested with indecent re- sorts, which audaciously offer "burlesque" or "vaudeville" and are actually nothing more than drinking dives. These places employ women to sing or dance and solicit business for the proprie- tor in the front part of the saloon on a commission basis. Not only do the "performers" in their flimsy and immodest garments cajole the patrons, but women in street dress invade the places for the same purpose, without formality. The frequenters of these dissolute re- sorts are usually of the obnoxious and vulgar sort, and the misrepresentation of "vaudeville" and "burlesque" at the33 places has a tendency to create a wider latitude for the real burlesque houses, where "clean" entertainment is more or less maintained. On Madison Street, opposite the Star and Garter, is a "concert hall." The en- trance is attractive and the casual passer- by has no idea of the dive inside. A three-sheet board in front announces "burlesque," using stock paper. The most disgusting and objectionable re- sort is on Halsted Street, near Adams, in the heart of the West Side's business and residential district and near the Hay- market, Star and Garter, Empire, Academy of Music, Bijou and Virginia. Both "burlesque" and "vaudeville" are announced, with no charge for admission. A femal impersonator and "cooch" dancer are the chief attractions. It is understood that a certain booking agent here, who supplied many othtr similar places in cnicago with "women," has been either apprehended or placed under police surveillance for his loose methods. The absence of male performers is evi- dent. Only women who can keep the waiters and bartenders busy are wanted. If the authorities would be stringent, and regulate or prohibit the revelry of lasciviousness under the guise of "vaude- ville" and "burlesque, there would be no misrepresentations at the expense of the decent theatres. The disreputable dives wrongfully claim "vaudeville" or "bur- lesque" as the style of performance. The regular patrons of vaudeville and bur- lesque know better; others may be de- ceived. "THE SUICIDE SEEKER" SUCCEEDS. That the hazardous feats portrayed in colors on billboards and barns are ofttimes as dangerous as the pictures say was prov- en last Sunday in Berlin (Germany), when Gadbins, "The Suicide Seeker," met in- stant death while performing his thrilling feat Gsdbins was a high diver. To occasion an extraordinary thrill, be dove from a height of ninety feet, head first, striking on his chest an incline raised up forty feet, sliding down to the ground. Through a miscalculation while performing Sunday, he was killed. The Marmelli New York office was informed by cable of his death on Monday. Arthur Hopkins, the summer park agent, had booked Gadbins over here, commencing in August next, at a weekly salary of $650. When Mr. Hopkins looked over the litho- graphs of Gadbins' performance, he re- marked, "I guess that fellow doesn't want STOPS SONG "BOOSTING. Usually the mildest of men and man- agers, William Hammerstein caused the fur to fly for a few momenta last Wednes- day night, when he had a sample of modern song "boosting" come under his observation at the Victoria. Mr. Hammerstein waa outside in the lobby speaking with Percy G. Williams, when the tumult first commenced, and he investigated. A "claque" was spread over the house. The manager gave in- structions if the disturbance re-occurred or there was any more "boosting" at- tempted, he would put the singer on to open the show, and order the song which caused the "boosting" out of the act. The fault was laid with the publishers of the song, the firm supplying fifteen or more people at each performance to applaud. After things quieted down, Mr. Ham- merstein remarked, "If song 'plugging* has gone as far as that, I don't wonder Martin Beck declared himself about it as he did." MANAGER'S WIFE IN SKETCH. Some time next week a "try out" will be held at the Family Theatre on East 125th Street of & sketch written by EstelK) Wordette in which Frances Bennett will star, surrounded by a company of four people. Mrs. Bennett is the wife of Charles W. Bennett, the head of the Bennett Circuit in Canada, and this will be her stage debut/ she having had no previous ex- perience. The playlet, a comedy, is called "The Merry Widow and the Westerner. 19 It will probably remain on the smaller cir- cuits until well "broken in." SUN & MURRAY'S NEW VENTURE. Zanesville, O., April 2. Sun & Murray this week opened the Orpheum with vaudeville. The following made up the first show: Alburtus and Altus, comedy club jug- LEO CARRILLCS (Variety's Cartoonist) Contribution to THE CASEY AGENCY. to live," and added to his billing "The Sui- cide Seeker." The cable of the tragic death verified the agent's deduction. MEETING IN BROOKLYN. The public meeting of the White Rats was held on Thursday evening last, at Arcanum Hall, Bridge Street, Brooklyn, instead of having the usual gathering at the club rooms on Friday night. The change was made for the week only. A circuit is forwarding letters to artists asking for their open time, with this query appended: "Are you a member of the White Rats or Vaudeville Comedy Club?" The reason for the question was not known by Harry Mountford, Secretary to the White Rats' Board of Directors, to whom a member had given one of the letters received. ALICE LLOYD COPYRIGHTS EFFECTS. What are known as "the mirror effects" used by Alice Lloyd in connection with her song, "I'm Looking for the Lovelight in Your Eye," have been copyrighted through Geo. M. Leventritt, the attorney, who secured three distinct copyrights. gling; Georgia Lewis, monologue and sing- ing ; Ann Hamilton, sketch, "Beggars"; John H. West, musical Brownie; Four Dancing Harrises, dancing. VICTORY ioC. HOUSE. San Francisco, April 2. It now appears that vaudeville will hold sway at the Victory, under the Grauman management, instead of burlesque, as originally announced. This is the plan for the present at least, with the price fixed at 10 cents to all parts of the house. It is the general impression that this policy is only a temporary one and that D. J. Grauman has another card up his sleeve. DENY MANAGER'S APPLICATION. Judge McCall, in the Supreme Court, handed down a decision on Thursday in favor of Weber & Rush in the suit in- stituted against them by Thos. W. Dink- ins arising out of the Schenectady, Bing- hamton and Atlanta matter. Dinkins asked for an accounting of tlio Schenectady matter and also asked to be declared a partner in Binghamton and Atlanta. The Judge decided in favor of Weber & Rush on every point and gave them judgment with costs. Weber & Rush were represented by Leon Laski.