Variety (July 1908)

VARIETY AL RBBVBS' NATURAL PART. "Al Reeves, a burlesque manager," will be the program description of Al Reeves' role in the-^rew^-Cohan & Harris comedy to hs-imtten by Ge&xM. Cohan. The show\will be in the naturexof a "revue," and will probably be billed aV^Oohan & Harris' Comedians." After a week^or so on the road, it is expected to open il new Cohan & Harris Gayety Theatre at 46th Street and Broadway on Labor Day. As a "show-girl," Alameda Fowler (Mra. Reeves) will travel with the company. Mr. Reeves was the first singer to se- cure a parody from Mr. Cohan some years ago. it was at a time when Reeves, who billed Cohan as the writer of the parodies he sang, was obliged to inform house managers who "Geo. M. Cohan" was. The "Al Reeves Beauty Show" will con- tinue on the Eastern Burlesque Wheel under the management of Andy Lewis, the principal comedian. Mr. Burton, of Burton and Burton, will replace Reeves in the organization. Jeanne Langsford, a statuesque Englishwoman, has been en- gaged; also Edna Morri9 (Patsy Kip) for a soubrette. Ed Morris remains with the show, and Max Gordon will join it. The other day Mr. Reeves walked into the Elks' Club (Brooklyn), of which he is a member, and, producing a bunch of $1,000 bills from his pockets, said to those assembled: "Boys, here's what I made this season." Mr. Reeves counted off twenty-four of the "yellows." During the process, he noticed a five-dollar note. Snapping it out with a click of his fin- gers, Mr. Reeves remarked: "How did you get in here? That must have been Read- ing." HARRY COOPER A BENEDICT. On Tuesday evening last (June 30), Harry Cooper, the comedian of the Em- pire City Quartet, was wedded to Dora Lazarus, a non-professional. A reception followed the ceremony. About August 1, Mr. Cooper will en- gage in the music publishing business, still retaining his connection with the singing four. Nat M. Wills will remain in vaudeville next season, but so fur has signed no con- tracts. ANOTHER MOVE AGAINST AGENTS. Routing is progressing in the United Hooking Offices, but the work is proceed- ing slowly and it is noted that in the material being laid out by the smaller managers there are very few acts which have not been booked direct by the United and without the intervention of an agent. It is explained in an unofficial way that these conditions are the result of a new move aimed at the further undoing of vaudeville agents. The lists of the agents will not be considered, it is declared, until later in the season. This rule applies, of course, only to transactions between agents and the man- agers of the United as a body. Agents are now and then booking specific weeks with individual managers personally, but the commission men are not signing many "blanket" contracts for their clients with the mangerial associations within the United. "We realize," said one of the smaller managers this week, "that not a few of the acts which have presented their claims for time with us and have been accepted, have since agreed to pay agents who represented them a regular commission, but we are against any such procedure. "The United Offices has been sufficiently frank as to its attitude in the treatment of agents, and they all know the conditions. "No one denies that it will be necessary to do business with the agents when the houses begin to open and the press for material becomes strong, but until then the managers are not scanning the agents' lists. "In numerous cases we have written to acts asking them to call and talk over next season's business. Not a few never paid attention to the letters and others turned them over to their agents. "We believe it simplifies the business of the office to make contracts direct, and it seems to be to the advantage of acts to save a five per cent, commission in this way." Asked this week how he stood on the agency question, William Morris, the op- position to the United Booking Offices, said: "My attitude is just this: I want material, and I don't care how, where or from whom I take it. Agents having the management of acts are perfectly welcome to call her and submit them. I am a believer in new vaudeville numbers, and they are secured from the agents mostlv." "BILLY" INMAN, JR. The one-year-old Ron of Wllllnin A. Inmon, who Is Jiirit now managing O'Connor's Imperial MubIc Hull, Corny Island. VAUDEVILLE IN THE MOUNTAINS. Paradise Garden Theatre, a new vaude- ville theatre, erected by B. Thomaschef- sky, of the People's Theatre, Bowery, is scheduled for opening at Hunter, X. Y., July 4. It is a big open air resort in a huge pavilion and is said to have cost $50,000 to build. Hunter is in the midst of the Catskill Mountain region where thousands of New York people spend their summer vaca- tions, and the place is designed to draw its patronage from this class. One show will be given daily, the admission scale being 50 cents and $1. The headline fea- ture for the opening show is Frank Bush, with Mr. and Mrs. Harry Thome in the position of second importance. A change of bill will he furnished week- ly through the Actors' National Protec- tive Association. The season oloses Labor Day. SECOND "SUICIDE SEEKER" FAILS. Berlin, June 20. The attempt of "Gadbin II." to emulate his namesake, who was killed recently in a sesationnl high dive, failed Monday night at the Circus Busch, where the follower of the original "Suicide Seeker" attempted the trick for the first time in public. "Gadbin II." intended to make the jump from a spring-board, landing upon a planed board strewn with mattresses, traveling about CO feet through the air horizontally. For some technical reason in the manner of Gadbin striking the board, the judge declared it "no jump," and a further exhibition will probably be postponed by the authorities owing to the danger incur- red by the performer. It is claimed here that the Circus Busch management did not receive the genuine "Gadbin IL," but was imposed upon by an agent, who substituted an unknown. NEW WRINKLE IN BILLING. Rawson and Clare, the stars of the "Bon Tons," have sprung a new wrinkle in in- dividual billing. The act has contracted for space in the "advertising drop" at the Murray Hill Theatre for the season. The wording will read "See Rawson and Clare in 'Just Kids.'" Guy Rawson wanted it "Wait for," but Frances Clare (Mrs. Rawson) reminded her husband if the "Bon Tons" should open the season at the Murray Hill, it would be necessary to add the expense of an- other sign which might then suggestive- ly read: "Did you see Rawson and Clare in 'Just Kids'?" Rawson and Clare are the first bur- lesque artists to bill themselves, and are the first, as far as known, to utilize a "drop" for that purpose. "Sniping" will also be indulged in, the paper being sent ahead with the show's and put up by the house management. The "snipes" will say: " 'Just Kids' with the 'Bon Tons.' Catch 'em." KNOW OF WAUKESHA? Chicago, July 1. The Waukesha (Wis.) Theatre Co. organized recently to build a $2. r >,000 house, which will open in September un- der the management of M. E. Cahill. MANAGER SODINI MARRIED. Chicago, July 1. The marriage of Henry A. Sodini, man- ager of a chain of vaudeville houses in Iowa and Illinois, and Bernice, Miskell, was solemnized in Davenport, la., June 21, by the Rev. J. A. Buivliit. of St. John's M. E. Church. The wedding marked the culmination of a romance, beginning with the bride's playing her husband's houses, and having for a climax a meeting manv months later in the Western Vaudeville Association's oflires. The couple left for New York for their honeymoon, after whieh they will reside in Davenport. Mrs. Sodini appeared in the act known as "Bernice and Her Hoy Mascot." LUBELSKI LEAVES WITH COMPANY. On Monday evening Tony L^elski left New York for Oakland, Cal., taking away with him the members of the stock com- pany he intends to install at his Novelty Theatre in that town about July 13. Besides some "show girls" and "broilers," Lubelski had for traveling companions, "The Four English Belles," Nellie V. Nichols, Transatlantic Four, J. Francis Sullivan, Hoyt Alberton and Max Goldsmith, who will stage-manage and produce for Lubelski. "The Prince of Monte Carlo" may be the first piece. Lubelski stated before leaving he had purchased $8,000 worth of costumes for the company. Mr. Lubelski did secure some costumes from Klaw & Erlanger. "LADY FRC2I LANE'S" CLOSES. Chicago, July 1. "The Lady From Lane's" ended its ca- reer at the Whitney Opera House Sunday night, June 28, a near-strike among the actors marking the obsequies. G. M. An- derson, the owner, who recently bought out Will J. Block's interest in the produc- tion, served notice that in order to keep the show alive he would have to cut sal- aries, but principals and chorus demurred. Winona Winter, the star of the show, was the lone exception. Banks Winter, her father and manager of the company, dissolved the troupe and paid the week's salaries in full. Mr. Anderson states that he was com- pelled to take drastic action, inasmuch as the Whitney had demanded the first $1,000, and business did not warrant such a concession. The show, which was a musical version of "The Wrong Mr. Wright," Broadhurst's old comedy, is the property of the producing firm of Broad- hurst & Currie. The settings and costumes may become part of a Western Wheel burlesque show next season. NO DULL SUMMER HERE. Commencing Monday, July 0, Jesse I* Lasky will have five of his own pro- ductions playing, viz: "Night On a House I'.oat," "Eight Hoboes," "Military Octet," "Love Waltz" and "Pinnophiends." ' "Those Four Girls" nnKjuiw roinposed of one of the originals with fTiTYe new ones. Jo Paigt Smith and Charlei Leonard Flatohtr, on (he Hhrr TliaiiHs, Kiiglatid, Ascot, Sunday June 21.