Variety (October 1908)

VARIETY EMPIRE'S AHNUAL MEETING. Cincinnati, Oct. 1. At the annual meeting of the Empire Circuit Co. (Western Burlesque Wheel), held here yesterday, James J. Butler was re-elected president; James E. Fennessy, secretary; Geo. W. Heuck and Geo. W. Rife, vice-presidents, and John H. Whal- len, treasurer. The former board of directors held oyer with the exception of Harry Martell re- placing Harry W. Williams, Jr., on it. It is announced that no other business of importance came before the meeting. RBVISIHG "BOHEMIANS." Baltimore, Oct. 1. Tom Miner arrived here early this week and, after putting The Bohemians" through a rehearsal at the Monumental, directed a number of changes in the show. Mr. Miner joined the company last week in Washington, starting the work of re- vision there, carrying it over to this week. The new show was given Monday eve- ning and ran off fairly well. Johnston, Buckley and Company did not show "The Yellow Streak" as programed, due to the opposition of the authorities to boxing. Jeanette Buckley and Ed Johnston re- turned for the time being to the former specialty. M CHOOCEETA" ACQUITTED. Chicago, Oct. 1. A jury here discharged "Chooceeta," the "cooch" dancer, who had been arrested charged with giving an indecent exhibi- tion. It was reported that one of the jurors admitted he enjoyed seeing a "cooch" dance himself. OFFICIAL "DOCTOR" NO LONGER. Dan Doty is no longer employed by the Empire Circuit as its "doctor." Doty puts on or restages the Western burlesque shows only by arrangement with individual managers, engaging in a general business as stage manager. COMPLAIN OF VIOLATION. Louisville, Oct. 1. Charging that the building laws were being violated by the constructors of the new Gaiety Theatre, the Columbia Amuse- ment Company playhouse (Eastern Bur- lesque Wheel), which is in course of erec- tion on Jefferson Street, a warrant was served a few days ago upon H. L. May, the Cincinnati contractor who has the work in charge, and Will Kennedy, super- intendent of construction. The specific violation upon which the charges were based was the construction of a lobby less than 30 feet in width as provided in the regulations. Whallen Brothers operate the Bucking- ham Theatre here. It is devoted to West- ern Burlesque Wheel shows. THE VIRGINIA REOPENS. Chicago, Oct. 1. The Virginia, which had its license re- voked for being overcrowded, has re- opened with vaudeville. BECK'S MACHINE IN 24-HOUR RACE. The Renault car of Martin Beck's is in the 24-hour automobile race which started on the Brighton Beach track last night (Friday). Mr. Beck's chaffeur is driving it. Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Beck guided the machine in a ten-mile brush. POOL MEMBERS SATISFIED. Different members of the Western bur- lesque Wheel "pool" combination have ex- pressed themselves as entirely satisfied with the new scheme after a little over a month's trial. It is said that the "pool" shows have made a very fair record as against their last year's showing, and the sudden slump of business in the West has been partly equalized by the Eastern success of the houses. Every week the owner of every "pool" show receives from Cincinnati a volumin- ous statement in which are contained the receipts of each show in the combination, together with total expenses, gross tak- ings and net profits to show and house. Up to date, according to one manager, the "Sam T. Jack" show (owned by the Miner Estate) has turned in the largest profit Contrary to the plan first ann)unc<\l, the shows will not draw down di7i»icMls in direct proportion to their individual earnings. The whole profits of the "pool" will be divided into twenty parts at the close of the season. All managers in f .erect- ed (just a score) will receive the same amount except that a bonus goes to the manager whose show earns more than a certain fixed amount. MIRIS WITH 7a TRUNKS. With 200 costumes packed into 72 trunks and 10 dressers to look after her on the stage, Fatima Miris, the Italian quick change artiste, arrived on the Roma last Tuesday, immediately apologizing to William Morris (with whom she is under contract) for having left the reminder of her 160 trunks, usually carried, at home. Mr. Morris assured her that 72 ought to do. The Miris girl is a distinct Italian type and will appear at the Lincoln Square Monday afternoon, probably "doing" 22 minutes, although her repertoire is. capable of a three-hour performance. "The Geisha" will be her first act. Miss Miris is a direct descendant of the late King Humbert of Italy; she speaks eight languages, including a smat- tering of English. EASTERN OPENS MONTREAL. . Montreal, Can., Oct. 1. Eastern Wheel burlesque has its pre- miere at the Princess Monday (Oct. 5), when that house, just completed, opens un- der the auspices of the Columbia Amuse- ment, with Manchester's "Gay Masquer- aders." It would appear that the Easterners are not going to have things all their own way. It is already rumored about town that if the Princess draws business away from the Theatre Royal, the Western Stand, the Sparrow Company, which con- trols the Royal and three other local houses, will probably shift its burlesque bookings to the Theatre Francaise, the lat- ter being better located than the old Royal, down in the French quarter. In addition to this the Princess will have to buck Bennett's vaudeville house. For next week that establishment is ad- vertising a strong bill, especially arranged to meet the opposition of the burlesque house, situated almost directly across the street. The - features of the Bennett's show are Jos. Howard and Mabel Barrison, Bessie Valdare Troupe of bicyclists, Franco Piper, ban joist, Ed. F. Reynard and George Reno and Company. As special attractions next week with the "Gay Masqueraders," the "Australian Woodcutters" and the Royal Musical Five, both acts on the Morris time, have been engaged. ROMANCE IN WEDDING. Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Oct. 1. It became known here this week that the wedding of Johnnie Le Fevre and Frankie St. John in Schenectady last week was a re-marriage, the couple hav- ing once been married and divorced. Miss St. John was divorced in 1003 from George F. Hall, and in January, 1004, wed Mr. Le Fevre. They played in vaudeville as a team until June of this year, when they separated. In August Miss St. John secured a di- vorce. Since then the pair have made up their differences and were married again in Schenectady Sept. 21. TWO SONS OF VAUDEVILLIANS. Young JACK McMAHON'S pony cart, with Tina's son to the right. The boy on the left 1b W. C. FIELD8' ("Wbltey") youngster, and baa tbe color of balr wblcb gave bla fatber tbe Houbrlquet Tbe photograph was taken at Atlantic City tbe early part of last month where TIM McMAHON and EDYTHE CHAPPELLE (Mrs. McMahon) were rehearsing their several vauderUle acts. • When yonng Jack Is not driving bis pony or teaching his ball dog new tricks during the summer, he Is acting as Captain on McMabon and CbappeUe's yacht. , CRUSADE AGAINST POSTERS. Toronto, Can., Oct. 1. A revived crusade is under way here against the display of theatrical posters which, it is claimed, are too frequently of an immodest character. The Rev. Dr. Chown, a local clergyman, waa before the legislative committee at City Hall last week with a protest against a burlesque show he had aeen. Dr. Chown said that some time ago he had made representa- tions on the same subject to the Minister of Customs, and the latter had instructed his inspectors to destroy all objectional posters that came under their notice as the shows entered Canadian territory from the States. CHANGES IN "BLUE RIBBONS." « Chicago, Oct. 1. The "Pullman car" scene which Searl Allen placed with lhb "Blue Ribbon Girls" will be withdrawn next week. A mis- understanding with the management is said to be the cause. Other changes will also shortly be made. A corps of chorus girls able to wear tights will be recruited, it is said. CHANGES IN JACK SHOW. Chicago, Oct. 1. Ed. C. Miner, the burlesque manager, was in the city looking over the "Sam T. Jack Company." He left with the organization for Indianapolis, where several changes were made. Will Reohn succeeded Albert Hoag as manager, and Cora Livingston, the wrestler, engaged as one of the features. "JOLLY ZEB" DIES. "Jolly Zeb," one of the most widely known trick bicycle riders on the stage, died Tuesday morning in the Bushwick hospital, Brooklyn, of typhoid-pneumonia, after an illness of ten days. He was taken sick two weeks ago while playing with "The Ducklings," a Western Wheel Bur- lesque show, in Philadelphia. Notwith- standing his illness he insisted upon com- ing to Brooklyn with the organization and played the matinee performance Monday, Sept. 21. After doing his act, he collapsed and was removed to the hospital. Zeb was a member of the original Zeb and Zarrow bicycle act. While playing in Texas a little over a year ago his part- ner was killed. Then "Zeb," whose real name was Ferguson, played with a bur- lesque show as a monologist. Previously to his joining "The Ducklings" he played about in the West, where he acted as stock producer in numerous halls. WESS JUMPS AGAIN. Atlanta, Oct. 1. The Lyric closed last Saturday without its manager, Jos. Wess, present. The acts on the bill were given a benefit this week by the Orpheum (Weber &. Rush) to se- cure sufficient funds to leave town. Wess recently left Avon Park, Youngs- town, Ohio, under similar circumstances. TAKES BROADWAY MUSIC STORE. Geo. Krey of Boston now has the for- mer Helf & Hager Broadway music store. It opposes the one operated by Jerome H. Remick & Co. on the next block.