Variety (May 1908)

VARIETY EASTERN MAY LEASE GRAND. The Columbia Amusement Company (Eastern Burlesque Wheel) may shortly lease the Grand Theatre for five years from Jacob P. Adler. The Eastern Wheel took tentative possession of the house last Monday, when "The Jersey Lilies" opened for burlesque. The Grand opposes Miner's and the Lon- don, both Western Wheel theatres, on the Bowery. It has three balconies, with a total seating/capacity of 2,000. Prices wnl be five, ten, twenty and thirty, with box seats at fifty cents, rang- ing from the top loft down. It is the first theatre to charge as low as five cents for a seat. This is to undersell the near- by Western houses, and also to offer a counter-attraction to the "picture store shows" in the neighborhood at the same rate of admission. For the remainder of the season, the Grand will fill in the week on the Eastern time left vacant by the withdrawal of Scranton and Bayonne from the circuit a short time ago. Bright and early Monday morning Tom Miner hired a brass band and started it on parade about the district. Behind the band came an old mounted cannon plenti- fully decorated with paper of the Bowery Theatre attraction. Another incident of the opposition in (lie downtown district was the reception that awaited bill posters who went out on the hunt for "sniping" space. "Snipes," be it known, are small bills on ash bar- rels, etc., if the bill poster is quick enough to get them there and get away. The bill poster chosen for this delicate mission was "Skinny," a person about the size of Ed Donkhurst, who for years has worked for the Miner Theatre. The op- position coaxed him away. "Skinny" didn't get very far with his "snipes" before a crowd of the opposition "snipe" experts descended upon him and there was an argument. The argument grew into a full sized row in a twink- ling, and that's why the southern exposure of "Skinny's" countenance was much the worse for wear Monday. WILBUR WINS SUIT. The first case taken charge of by the Legal Committee of the White Hats to go into court was that of the motion for an injunction applied for by Sam A. Scrib- ner to restrain Clarence Wilbur from fur- ther presenting "The New Scholar" in vaudeville. Mr. Scribner, through his attorney, Leon I^aski, alleged it was his property, and Mr. Wilbur had removed it from one of Scrib- ner's burlesque shows, where the comedian formerly played. Upon a perusal of the affidavits sub- mitted by Denis F. O'Brien, counsel for the Rats, Justice Victor J. Dowling, in the Supreme Court, said it didn't make much difference who owned it, and threw the ease out of court. MANAGER PLAYS PARTS. « Philadelphia, April 30. While the "Washington Society (Jirls" were at the Trocadero last week, Lew Watson, the manager of the show, re- placed Jack Marshall at an hour's notice, playing Mr. Marshall's "Dutch" role in the pieces and doing his own specialty in the olio. Mr. Marshall was suddenly taken ill. HERMAN FEHR'S ELABORATE SHOW. Chicago, April 30. The new burlesque organization (West- ern Wheel) to be organized here, replacing 'The Toreadors," will be known as "The Travelers." A musical comedy book by Addison and (Jhas. J. Burkhardt, and music by Leo Friedman, will be used. Chas. J. Burkhardt will be featured. Others engaged by J. A. Sternad for the show are Sam Sidman and wife, McFar- land and Murray, Max Burkhardt, Dora Taylor, Dale Wilson, Grace De Mar and Grace Armond. Twenty girls will com- pose the chorus. It is the intention of Herman Fehr, the owner, to make this show a "production" in the complement of cast, costumes and effects. RECORD FOR FEMALE AUDIENCE. Chicago, April 30. "Every Day is Ladies' Day" is widely heralded at the Star and Garter, the new burlesque theatre on West Madison Street. Since the house opened the women at- tendance has steadily increased. At a matinee one day last week there were 280 women in the audience, the largest aggregation of femininity in the history of Chicago burlesque. RAY COX. Ray Cox, likenesses of whom adorn the title page this week, is a Southern girl and a comedienne who has played about New York for some time, using songs in her own way. With an originality in style and method on the stage, Miss Cox has extended her accomplishments to the employment of these distinctive traits in the material for the single act given by her in vaudeville at present. Excepting the imitation of Bert Will- iams, Miss Cox herself has written all her material. The Williams imitation is too substantial a success to discard, says Miss Cox. The close of her number always meets with the loudly expressed approval of the audience. It is Miss Cox imitating two types of a "college girl." Not her least val- uable attribute is a friendly and magnetic personality, which, with a graceful stage presence, immediately brings the audi- tors over to her side. In a short while Miss Cox will play a limited engagement in the London halls. Several offers are now under consideration by her for an appearance in a legitimate production next season. This week Miss Cox is one of the hits of a very big bill at the Orpheum, Brook- lyn. Next week (May 4) she plays the Alhambra. Harlem. LATE BURLESQUE SEASON. Washington, April 30. With burlesque theatres all over both Wheels announcing early closings, the two Washington houses will remain open until bite in June at least. Return dates of companies which have played here earlier in the season will keep the houses busy until the last week in lune, and there is talk of extending the season beyond that with stock engage- ments for a month longer. Carita Day and her "Dancing Boys" are in Havana, where they will p1*y four weeks at the Payret Theatre. IRENE FRANKLIN'S REMARKABLE RUN. The surprise of the "Popularity Con- test," inaugurated by Percy G. Williams at each of his three large theatres this week to determine the most popular artiste who has played in his houses, is the strength developed by Irene Franklin, as one of the contestants. Miss Franklin is second in the race, with 1,808 votes to her credit on Thursday morning, led only by Eva Tanguay with 2,513. In comparison to some of the oth- ers entered, who have been widely heralded upon their appearances in New York, Miss Franklin is comparatively unknown, never having been the feature act of any New York bill, nor has the billing for Franklin and Green been sufficiently glaring about the city at any time to cause a casual passer-by to take notice. This is Miss Franklin's first season of prominence directly, and her remarkable run under the circumstances has smothered all other interest in the contest. Miss Franklin is at the Alhambra this week, and her presence on the ground might be judged to have some effect were not Marie Dress- ier at the Colonial. Although entered as an aspirant for the public's favor, Miss Dressler's appearance at the Colonial has not duly accelerated her vote. On Wednesday night at the Alhambra, the entire house was taken by a theatre party. Miss Franklin received 86 votes that evening. The night previous, the Co- lonial was sold out to one contingent, who did not plunge on Miss Dressier either. These instances were cited as showing the apparent implanted popularity of each per- son's favorite, although it was conceded that many were suffering through absence, Millie Lindon especially so, having re- turned to England some time ago. Each person holding a ticket entering the Colonial, Alhambra or Orpheum, is handed a card by the ticket taker bearing the names, with a marginal line for an X opposite the selection made. After the performance, the count is tabulated by the house manager, at which any contestant, representative, or member of the press U privileged to be present. Mr. Williams' contest is looked upon as the only fairly conducted affair of its kind which has been held. The result at all houses is posted in each after every show. Many auditors may have dropped their card, or were disinclined to vote, and these may have been taken up by others who were, but this phase of the contest cannot be a voided, and has no bearing on the result. It is understood the full total of the votes will not be given out, the order of the finish being printed simply. The vote for the six leaders as it stood on Friday morning, including the Thurs- day night performance, exclusive of the Orpheum. Brooklyn, was as follows: Eva Tanguay 3,049 Irene Franklin 2,318 Alice Llovd 1.521 Vesta Victoria 1.127 Marie Dressier 957 Cert rude Hoffman M7 The following figures include only the Wednesday evening performance: Marie Lloyd . «B7 May Irwin 407 Ethel Levey 258 Millie Lindon 184 Hetty King 147 Rosie Lloyd 125 Lily Lena W Stella Mayhew «2 HEBREWS AGITATING AGAINST "CARICATURES." Denver, April 30. A nonsensical crusade is being at- tempted here by the Hebrews, or a cer- tain portion of them, led by a rabbi, William S. Friedman. It appears quite likely that Mr. Friedman has received the publicity germ through reading the New York papers, and the large amount of space devoted to the sensation seeking preachers of that city. At any rate, he is having his name in the papers often through claiming that alleged caricatures of the Hebrew as presented on the stage should be suppressed. MUST BUILD IN LOUISVILLE. If the Eastern Burlesque Wheel wishes to play in Louisville next season it will become necessary to build a theatre there. A directors' meeting of the Columbia Amusement Co. was held yesterday morn- ing, when it was decided that a site should be obtained. Hopkins* Theatre in that ety, which the Eastern folk thought they would se- cure under lease, finally evaded them. CROMWELL-STRANDOF. Washington, April 30. While "The Brigadier" (Western Bur- lesque Wheel) were playing here last week, Charles F. Cromwell, manager of that organization, was married to Bertha Strandof. The company followed the couple down Pennsylvania Avenue after the ceremony, bombarding them with rice and old shoes. BOUT ENDED IN A ROW. Washington, April 30. A special wrestling match was ar- ranged at the New Gayety here, in con- nection with the engagement of "Pat White's Cayety Girls." The contest was to have decided the Southern champion- ship. Instead it ended in a a fist fight between the principals. The audience took sides, and the house was in an uproar until the police inter- fered and arrested the wrestlers. Both were later fined $25 for disorderly con- duct. EXPECT STAIR IN CINCINNATI. Cincinnati, April 30. E. I). Stair, of Stair & Havlin, did not attend the meeting of the Empire Circuit (Western Burlesque Wheel) held here last week as reported. It was F. W. Stair, of Toronto. 10. D. is expected here daily, though, but whether in connection with any burlesque scheme is not known. John II. Havlin, of the Stair & Havlin firm, disclaims all knowledge of any such intention by his concern. THEATRE BASEBALL LEAGUE. Washington, April 30. Vive theatres in Washington have ar- ranged a schedule of games and a minia- ture baseball league has been organized. The score up to date shows the Columbia train at the head of the column, Lyceum second, and Cayety. Chase's and Belasco tied for third, with an even percentage of .000.