Variety (September 1908)

VARIETY LAUDER HERS FOR so WEEKS. At the William Morn* office this week it was announced that the American en- gagement of Harry Lauder over the Mor- ris Circuit had been extended to twenty weeks, running consecutively from the date of his opening at the Lincoln Square Thea- tre In October. William Morris would not give the exact date of Lauder's reappear- ance. Lauder opened at the Tivoli, Lon- don, on Labor Day for a run of a few weeks. When asked what basis the several lumors about had that court proceedings would be taken to restrain Lauder from appearing under his management, Mr. Mor- ris replied that he did not know of any. These reports have said the Circle Pro- duction Co., which operates the Circle Theatre, and is now practically composed of Larry Mulligan alone, had made the contract with Lauder, or had obtained a a sum of money upon the signing of the agreement. In refutation of these reports, Mr. Mor-. ris requested a Vahdctt representative to read Mr. Lauder's contract with him. It calls for the Scotch comedian to play over here for William Morris. "It is only talk," said Mr. Morris. "As you see, I, and no one else, not even 'Wil- liam Morris, Inc.' has any right to Mr. Lauder's services in America. He will play according to that agreement Any- thing else to the contrary which is stated publicly or privately only serves to further advertise the engagement, and I do not at all object to it" London, Sept. 10. Harry Lauder is appearing in London at present. He was asked yesterday regarding the reports from New York that he would not be allowed to appear for William Mor- ris, the rumor alleging the Circle Produc- tion Co. would restrain him. In answer, Mr. Lauder responded: "I don't know anyone in connection with my American engagement excepting William Morris. My contract is with him, and I shall play it as agreed. I have no busi- ness with the Circle Production Co., and as for Felix Isman, about whom I lately heard in this same connnection, I never knew such a man existed until the other day." Lauder is in receipt of a letter from Michael Abrams, Sons & Co., solicitors, making a pointed inquiry as to whom he was going to play for in America. It is understood here the comedian did not an- swer it. Just who the attorneys represent- ed in the matter is not quite clear. Geo. M. Leventritt, the attorney for William Morris, Inc., while in London recently, it is said, secured postponements of Mr. Lauder's English time for about twelve weeks longer than originally con- tracted for. The terms of the Morris- Lauder contract are that Lauder will play all consecutive time in America Morris may have postponed for him in England. This week Lauder has been summoned to appear before the King. MORE SALARY FOR SMALL ACTS. Chicago, Sept. 17. A strike of the acts playing the "five- cent" vaudeville theatres in the Middle West was averted this week when the managers agreed to a raise in salaries. "Singles" hereafter will receive $20 weekly; "doubles" (two people) $$5. About 300 houses have consented to the raise. Over 600 artists and picture oper- ators are affected. The concession in salary was procured through the Actor's Alliance of Chicago. In the city at some downtown "Nickel" places, the increase was voluntarily made before the agitation. BLATT, GREENPOHfT'S MANAGER. The manager for Percy O. Williams' new Greenpoint vaudeville theatre will be Benedict Blatt, in charge of the Nov- elty for the past season. Mr. Blatt has been on Mr. Williams' .-gte«-fir^^« iim».«f. theJOirole, haying been steadily advanced. "The Green- point," as the theatre will be called, may open October 6. It will have a seating capacity of about 1,800, and popular prices will rule. The theatre will draw from Green- point, Williamsburg, and the Long Is- land City section, the latter covering a wide territory with adequate transporta- tion facilities. There is little opposition of any kind in the vicinity. Mr. Blatt will continue in charge of the Novelty where the policy is now "pictures" until the Greenpoint ppens. Eva Tanguay may be the feature of the first program. ALICE LLOYD BACK. On the "Mauretania" yesterday (Fri- day) Alice Lloyd returned to start re- hearsals in "The Bonnie Ballet of Scot- land," the Klaw & Erlanger production in which Miss Lloyd will be starred this season, the piece probably opening short- ly after Election Day. On the same boat were Tom and Fred McNaughton, who will be featured in the same show. Daisy, Maude and Sydney Wood, with their mother, reached New York earlier in the week. Daisy opens at the Lincoln Square Monday. Maude and Sydney are also engaged for.the Morris time. They are the remaining members of the Lloyd family, visiting America for the first time. NEWSPAPER "POUNDING." Cincinnati, Sept. 17. The Times-Star is "pounding" all the theatres here, from the bottom up. It says the shows are mediocre and a weari- some repetition year after year. It will k.VA a«t aWA/*+ A«k attanila GENERAL MEETING IN CHICAGO. Chicago, Sept. 17. The more prominent managers of the Western Vaudeville Association will hold a meeting next Monday, when general business conditions will be talked over. Martin Beck arrived here early in the week. Morris Meyerfeld, Jr., will come in on his way from San Francisco, stopping off two days at the Grand Canon, Colo- rado. MOZART OBJECTS TO PRIZE FIGHTS. Binghamton, N. Y., Sept 17. There it trouble brewing over Edward Mozart's tenancy of the Bijou, which opened last Monday as a part of the Mo- zart Circuit, and in opposition to Weber & Rush's Armory Theatre. It now appears that after Mozart had signed the lease, it became known that a previous agreement, either made verbally or in writing, was in existence, giving fight promoters the privilege of occupying the theatre once monthly for the purpose of holding pugilistic exhibitions. Mozart set up a strenuous objection, and the point has not been decided. It may be settled in court. MISS WHITFORD'S TRIPLE PART. "The Nell. Brinkley Girl" of "The Fol- lies of 1008" is almost too busily en- gaged in th e pro duction at the New York Theatre to study poses in the character, which Annabelle Whitford assumes and originated in the piece. Miss Whitford leisurely opened with the show on the Roof as the living type of Nell Brinkley's sketches. With the departure of Grace La Rue, Miss Whit- ford smilingly accepted the part then left open. The smile was still there on Monday last when the beautiful blonde was called upon to take up Lucy Weston's former duties in the piece, but the smile by this time has a drooping appearance at the corners. Miss Whitford is playing three parts at present, pleasing the manage- ment mightily, both artistically and in the bank-book, but the specialists on, nerves in the city have scouts around the New York awaiting calls from the triple- part actress. PANTAGES MAY BUY IN. San Francisco; Sept. 17. Sam Harris and E. Ed. Ackerman each deny that Pantages will withdraw from the Western States Managers' Associa- tion. Mr. Pantages is due to arrive in San Francisco next Sunday when it is ru- mored he may purchase an interest in Harris' Empire. Mr. Harris has bought the Lyceum, adding it to the Western States Circuit. Reports still spread that unless the affairs of the Western States are ad- justed to Mr. Pantages' liking, he will enter California independently, adding a chain here to his northwestern houses. There is a story about that Pantages recently declined a partner in his theat- rical enterprises. The man seeking an opening is rated at $600,000. This has given grounds to the rumors that Pun- tages is capable of proceeding alone, buy- ing or commanding all necessary funds. **>fcV,» *- — KEENEY STARTS SEASON. The season opens at Frank Keeney's Fulton Street Theatre, Brooklyn, on Mon- day, Sept. 21. It is located nearest of the other Brooklyn vaudeville houses to The Fulton, the Morris stand over the bridge. Mr. Keeney has prepared his season's commencement against competition with Edna May Spooner and Company, Vir- ginia Earl, John T. Kelly and Company, IMVitt, Burns and Torrence, "Rain Dears," Emil Subers, Pearl and Josco and Two WnrrHa UNITED BOOKING "SUNDAYS." The William Morris office booked the Sunday night show in the new Dave Kraus burlesque theatre (Eastern) in East 14th Street, but on Monday morn- ing of this week it became known through. the theatrical district that that house had suddenly shifted over to the United bookings. Joe Weber is directing the shows. The Dewey last season played inde- pendent attractions at its Sunday night 'shows for a while, but soon came over to the United. The new arrangement took effect immediately and tomorrow night's show will be supplied by the United. San Francisco, Sept. 17. Tony Lubelski's musical stock scheme did not pan out very well. Both the' J. Francis Sullivan and Jack Golden Com- panies brought here from the east by Lubelski have disbanded, without receiv- ing salaries due in full. No complaint has been heard, however. Lubelski's Novelty, Oakland, is now playing five and ten-cent vaudeville. NEXT WEEK'S BILLS. The opposition bills next week (Sept. 21) are: At the Lincoln Square, How- ard and Barrison, Felix and Caire, Daisy Wood (new), Edna Hall Macy and Co., Cliff Gordon (held over), McMahon's "Watermelon Girls," Barnold's Dogs, "The Battle of Too Soon" (Halliday and Curley), and Mr. and Mrs. Nello, beside pictures. At the Colonial Eva Tanguay (held over), Karno's Comedy Company, "The Van Dyck" (new), Work and Ower, Ray Cox, Hyman Meyer (new), Charles and Fanny Van, Milt Wood and Merian's Dogs. ATTACHED LALLA SELBINI. Paris, Sept. 9. While Lalla Selbini, "The Bathing Girl," played in Vienna last month, a po- liceman, detective and agent entered her hotel room while she was abed, and levied upon all Miss Selbini's jewelry, money and valuables they could find. The property is being held until Miss Selbini fulfills contracts on the Continent made through the agent before she first appeared in America. The contracts call for a low salary. She contracted to play the Hansa, Hamburg, during January at $75 weekly. Some of the agreements call for even a smaller amount. Miss Selbini has engaged to play with the Orpheum Road Show in America this season, but has been obliged to cancel that MORRIS' "SURPRISES." In the announcement made by the Mor- ris office this week of the opening bills for the next two weeks there is mentioned for the programs at the American and Fulton, "A Surprise." William Morris became mysterious when asked what the "Surprises" were. He said each would be an act by itself, but no information concerning the nature of it was proffered. FRED NIBLO SUES. Denis F. O'Brien, attorney for Fred Nibio, served a summons and complaint this week at the United Booking Offices on behalf of Fred Nrolo who claims $768.89, salary and transportation, still due him under the Klaw & Erlanger contract entered into last season. The United has assumed all the liabilities of this nature outstanding. The action has been brought in the Supreme Court of New York County. MISS RITCHIE IN NEW ACT. A brand new act, with many costumes, is Adele Ritchie's vaudeville idea now. E. M. Markum is out for time, and Miss Ritchie, who has returned from Mon- flma nnftl atia la thmnati K«M t-*«1 will aw*if flu ■tai-H lnir iimil