Variety (August 1908)

TEN CE NTS VOL. XI., NO. 8. AUGUST 1, 1908. PRICE TEN CENTS. BIO THEATRICA L MERGER— MEE TING ON A UGUST 4th Managers From All Over the Country Will Meet in New York for the Second Time to Confer on the Project. On Tuesday next, August 4, the second meeting of the theatrical managers con- cerned in the universal merger proposed for all theatre interests will be held in New York City at a place not yet de- cided upon. The conference is expected to bring a definite purpose of the promoters into view, and there will be assembled repre- sentatives of the different theatrical branches. The general scheme of organization as understood is to have the managers enter into an agreement to protect the indoor show business by restricting the sale or leasing of theatres now built, and with restrictions against the erection of fur- ther houses by the members of the merger. The plan also includes a harmony of interest, even in cities where opposition houses are playing, and will seek prob- ably to hereafter prevent competitive bidding, for actors or plays. The former meeting held for argument upon the feasibility of the scheme matur- ing was kept severely secret, and infor- mation in reference to the merger is not easily obtainable. The out-of-town newspapers have noticed the "merger" meeting, but in an ambiguous manner. The New York daily press has been strangely silent upon the subject. WESTERN STATES UNSETTLED. Snn Francisco, July 30. There seems to be an unsettled condi- tion of affair* in the Western States Managers' Association. Reports here for the past ten days have said that Alex- ander Pantages, the northwestern end of the Western States Circuit, would likely withdraw from the combination. Certain agreements or conditions of agreements entered into between Pan- tages and the Ackcrman faction in Cali- fornia are said not to have been com- plied with within the time limit set. The latest report is the matter may be amicably settled, but some definite action by one or the other of the parties con- cerned is expected shortly. Pantages controls several of the better houses on the circuit, all principally lo- cated in Washington, and in opposition to Sullivan-Considine; also the new Orpheum theatres in that section, although the lat- ter are not supposed to fight the smaller houses through the Western States-Pat Casey-Martin Heck deal made in New York recently. E. Ed. Ackerman is the leader of the remainder of the circuit, which includes a list of smaller houses stretching from California to Colorado. SHOWMEN SEE GOOD OUTLOOK. New York theatrical men professed to find great encouragement in the successful opening of half a dozen shows this week. At the Crand Street Theatre, New York, Al IT. Woods' melodrama "Convict 999" opened Saturday night to well over $1,000, turning away many applicants for admittance. At the Savoy, Atlantic City, "The Merry (Jo-Round" played to some- thing better than $7,000, a record for the place, while Cohan & Harris' "Honey Boy" Minstrels likewise turned people away. Victor Moore played to more than $.'{,000 in three days at the Casino, Asbury Park, N. J., and a big opening was reported for "The Blackmailers of New York" at the Academy in Hulfalo. Tony Pastor will be the feature of»the opening bill at the Doric, Yonkcrs. The Dean appears as a compliment to Harry Lconhardt, the Doric manager. GENERAL MANAGER CARRUTHERS RFSIGNS. Chicago, July 30. E. F. Carruthers has resigned as gen- eral manager of the Inter-State Circuit, which operates several Majestic theatres in Southern territory. Carruthers asked to be released to devote his time to out- sido interests. Carruthers remains a director of the Inter-State, but says that next season there will be but five houses, and hardly worth giving all his time to them. The Inter-State houses will be located at Birm- ingham, Little Rock, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. It is understood the Inter-State expects to apply for the franchise from the W. V. A. for San Antonio, but this is not cer- tain. Other parties are awaiting the In- ter-State's decision. B. S. Muckenfuss, formerly the Dallas manager, succeeds Carruthers in the book- ing department at the Chicago office in the Majestic Theatre building. Carruthers has been requested by the Circuit to accept a position as general su- pervisor, and this he may consider favor- ably. All contracts made by Carruthers for Inter-State time holds good. Mr. Car- ruthers will leave for New York City in a few days. There is a possible connection between the number of houses on the Inter-State Circuit next season, five as announced, and the Jake Wells-Albee-Murdock-Weber & Rush deal in the South. Although that combination has not been finally closed, it will be, it is said, when John J. Murdock returns to New York. LINCOLN SQUARE REPLACES CIRCLE. Charles E. Blaney's Lincoln Square The- tre has replaced The Circle on the route sheet of the Morris Circuit for next HITE AND DONLIN. A pretty good "name" combination for vaudeville is "Ilitc and Donlin," Mabel Hite, the comedienne, and her ballplaying man, Mike Donlin, o? the New York "Giants." Miss Hite is not expected to again ap- pear in the role she created with "The Merry-tio Round," and Mike leaves the diamond in time for both to appear in vaudeville at Hammerstcin's on Oct. 19. Then they go West for fifteen weeks, booked by M. S'. Bentham. son. William Morris and Blaney agreed upon a proposition last Saturday. The house will be booked by the Morris office follow- ing four weeks placed by Stair & Havlin, commencing the last of August. It is understood Blaney retains an in- terest in the theatre, the vaudeville re- gime to continue during the remainder of his lease, and a percentage agreement for division of any profits agreed upon, with a rental price to be first deducted. Cahfi's Guide gives the seating capacity of the Lincoln Square at 1,459, divided into orchestra, 655; balcony, 407, and gal- lery, 397. On last Monday evening when a benefit was given at the Lincoln Square, there were said to be 1,800 people present, representing over $1,200 in money at the regular l>ox office prices, up to one dollar, which will also be the Morris scale. The total capacity of the house is claimed as 1,800, with a cash capacity weekly (fourteen shows), at over $18,000. At the Morris office this week a Va- kikty representative was informed it had not been decided whether Harry Lauder would be the feature of the opening bill at the Lincoln Square. Vaudeville might be installed there, it was said, a week or so before Lauder arrived. Musical comedy or combinations will play the Circle next season, according to report. The Lincoln Square is situated at Broadway and 66th Street, in the Arcade Building. It is three blocks from Percy G. Williams' Colonial on the same street. A diversity of opinion prevailed when the announcement of Morris having secured the house was given out. Many preferred the Circle for vaudeville purposes to the Lincoln Square, while some shrewd show- men held to an opposite opinion. In construction, the Square is said to 1m» the superior of any theatre in New York. Mabel Russell, with two dancing boys, will open as a new act at Atlantic City on Aug. 10. Miss Russell's last engage- ment was with the "Merry-Go-Round."