Variety (November 1908)

VARIETY 11 PARIS NOTES BT EDWARD 0. KENDSXW. Paris, Oct. 28. The Revue at the Moulin Rouge, entitled Par de»$u» lei Moulins (in nine tableaux), It splendidly mounted, but by no means as interesting as its predecessor. The au- thors have, in the words of the French adage, "tossed their bonnet over the mill," and gone somewhat amuck. C. Aumont, the manager, has been at great expense in putting a rather indifferent book on his stage, which may save the situation for a few weeks, while Maurice Jacobi has strung together a tuneful score by borrowing several American popular songs, but as a real Parisian Revue the latest production at the Red Mill is not up to the high-water mark of this fa- mous resort. The company engaged, in- cluding Morton, Aliens, Strack and Mile. Guerra, work well together, and frequent- ly raise a titter. Mile. Gaby Deslys is a success in her triple role, and has a couple of hits with Fred Wright, one being in the 10 "Petits Apaches'' act—founded on the "ten little nigger boys" rhyme—and the demi-mondaine. Tiller's 12 "Manchester Babies" dance as well as ever, and a "col- ored lady from Carolina" (whose name is not mentioned) pleases, rendering in Eng- lish "Mr. Brown," followed by a cake walk. During the intervals an Oriental orchestra discourses "local" harmony. The sage's aphorism defining music as the most expensive form of noise has a savor of truth after* all. There is a society here calling itself the Association Internationale des Auteurs et Compositeurs, 17 Rue Moliere, Paris, which advertises its readiness to give all information about productions by budding authors. It claims that over 2,000 new works have seen the light in all parts of the world, thanks to its agency. This is the first I have heard of this, and simply mention the fact, having been asked if I know anything about it. The 14 King Dollars are an addition this week in the "Revue en Bateau" at the OQympia. At the Casino de Paris, which will shortly change its program, we have among ten vaudeville numbers Bristor Troupe, Bento Brothers, Franckson, Weycr, the Mysterious, and the operette already mentioned. There is every indication that the sea- eon will be a good one in the gay city, and that the opening for Anglo-American vaudeville artists is greater than ever. There is plenty of room for good num- bers. Both the Olympia and the Folies Bergere are seeking the best, irrespect- ive of cost, and it is to be expected that the variety profession will be very cred- itably represented here during the com- ing winter and spring. The complete booking for many halls is only made a few weeks in advance, sometimes a few days. Managers will not divulge pro- grams until the eve of production. Mile. Germaine Gallois, the divette, will be in the bill as a star turn at the Folies Bergere, commencing Oct. 28. The five Normans open in the Novem- ber program at the Olympia, on which occasion will appear also "the wire-walk- ing horse." On Nov. 6 the Viennese oper- ette "Vira Violetta" will start, in which we shall find the old French favorite Baron and Marion Winchester, who will play the principal role. Spalding and Riego, comic acrobats, are a big success at the Apollo, where the musical piece "Oh, Phryn#," still tops. Mayol, the most popular French serio- comic of the day, is leaving Paris for a seven months' tour. WILLA HOLT WAKEFIELD. Willa Holt Wakefield, a likeness of whom appears on the cover, first gained attention as a society entertainer. For some time her delightful pianolog was much in demand for swagger parlors be- fore the vaudeville magnates "discovered" her. Miss Wakefield made her first New York vaudeville appearance about two years ago. Since that time she has become a headliner in the varieties, having topped the bill at the Colonial and this week is monopolizing the electric sign in front of the Fifth Avenue. Miss Wakefield offers a unique enter- tainment. Her songs—"song readings" she prefers to call them—are delivered in a voice that is almost hypnotic in its melody, while she plays sketchy little ac- companiments on the piano. They arc odd little bits of verse, containing more surprises than a grab bag and with just a flavor of spice to give them point. In New York Miss Wakefield has a large following of society folk and her presence on a metropolitan program is surety of a "classy" audience. ENOUGH THEATRES IN ROCHESTER. Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 5. The purchase by Taylor Bros. (Worces- ter, Mass.) of Cook's Opera House, which will cause Moore & Wiggins, the present tenants, to vacate, has caused much talk about which local theatre will have the United vaudeville m it. J. H. Moore has announced he will build a new house here, but Rochester is al- ready flooded with theatres, and not much stock is taken in the statement that Moore's house will be built. There seems to be a scheme afoot to form a "pool" here between Hurtig & Seaman, Fred Luescher, Moore & Wig- gins and perhaps one or more prominent managers of the United, playing the United vaudeville at the National, which is now under the control of Hurtig & Sea- mon and Luescher. A rumor says Taylor Bros, may place the Morris vaudeville in Cook's, although the attempt by Klaw & Erlanger to play their bills against that house last season did not prosper. The Great Lafavette has been abroad for about a year and has not yet played in London. He has been booked up until January, 1010, and goes into the English metropolis in December. NOTE© Arthur Leonard, an English character singer, may come over to America shortly. Harry Tighe's former sketch, "The Col- legians," will be put out by Mr. Tighe with Frank Wonderlee at the head. Lea Francini Olloms, a foreign musical number, opens November 18 at the Colo- nial with 32 weeks booked through the Marinelli agency to follow. Harry Bailey, formerly manager of Poli's Hartford, has taken charge of Gus Edwards' vaudeville acts. Irving Pollock, of Pennsylvania, is due to arrive at the Independent Booking Office, where he will remain. As far as could b* * earned--^ W*«J*»ea- day 1823 members of the White Rats Political League cast their vote upon election day. Further returns were yet to come in. Barry and Wolford were obliged to leave the Hammerstein bill after the Monday matinee through a cold Mr. Barry picked up somewhere. Odette Valerie, engaged for "Salome" at Hammerstein's Manhattan Opera House, is due to arrive to-day (Saturday) from England. Fred Wenzel and Barney Mullally have formed a partnership and will seek time with a dialect conversation turn. Leona Lamar has recovered from a seri- ous operation and will offer the vaudeville managers a "pick" act. Daisy Lloyd, the Boganny Troupe and "A Night in Egypt" (Alice Raymond) hold over at the American next week. Mclntyre and Heath will headline the Hammerstein bill Nov. 18, the first week of Harry Lauder's engagement at the American (Hammerstein's opposition). Chapman Sisters, pickaninny (Raymond Thomas) has been at the New York Hos- pital for several weeks with typhoid fever. He is now recovered and will join them at Miner's Bowery Theatre next week. Lilian Hickey, formerly of Hickey and Nelson, and W. H. Hickey have been divorced. Monie Mine (Mrs. Will H. Fox) opens Monday at Keith's, Cleveland, booked by Pat Casey. The other day, while Richard Pitrot and B. Obermayer, both foreign agents, were standing together near a newsstand where the proprietor was reading a Hebrew newspaper, Mr. Obermayer asked his con- federate if he had read "the big news." Pitrot anxiously answered no, when Obermayer, knowing Pitrot can not read without his glasses, purchased a Hebrew paper, telling Richard it was in there. Mr. Pitrot, remarking he must go right to his office for his glasses, ran away with the Hebrew sheet towards 28th Street. Anderson and Goines, colored, will pre- sent their new scenic act "Late Hours" in New York during the holidays. Lieut. H. Clay Miner will take a tion this month, traveling to the scene of the Savannah automobile races in his machine. Pearl De Forrest of the Whirlwind Da Forrests will produce a comedy sketch by Charles Horwits named The CornviDe Favorite." Robertson, the winner of the Vanderbilt Cup Automobile Race, may play in vandal ville. Mr. Robertson is willing, accord- ing to report. Violet Black and Co., playing "In the Subway," have been placed on the Or- pheum Circuit by Pat Casey, opening at St. Paul Nov. 8. Frank Cumminger and Frances Colonna, an English singing and dancing act, art in communication with agents looking to American bookings. Harry La Dell, lately of La Dell and Crouch (who separated), has Florence Brown for his present partner. - Ed & Keller has the act. Johnson and Dean, colored, now on the other side, have canceled their Morris con- tracts through illness and are not expect- ed over this season. The Chas. Ahearn Troupe of Cyclists have been offered a tour of eighteen months in Europe through the M. Alexan- droff agency of Berlin. Jos. Goleman (Goleman's Dogs and Cats) has been obliged to retire for this season through illness. He is resting at his home in Zuai, Austria. Burt Jordan, formerly of Jordan and Crouch, is rehearsing a new act to be called "Burt Jordan and His Two Butter- cups." He opens out of town November 0. Tom Coyne of "The Hastings' Show* was promoted to the ranks of "The Fath- ers-of-Their-Families"by Mrs. Coyne pre- senting him with a baby boy at Cleveland on Oct. 25. Ed E. Daly, for the past two seasons manager of Murray and Mack, has re- signed and is in New York. He may again go on the roaof with a Broadway production. Jos. Vion, the former vaudeville agent, has retired from his position of manager for the "Morning, Noon and Night" show, and was replaced by Ralph Harlan, a brother of Otis Harlan, the comedian. George Ali. the pantoniimist who origi- nated "Tige" in the "Buster Brown" pro- duction, has been engaged for a prominent part in the Christmas pantomime at the Drury Lane Theatre. London. Mr. Ali will sail for the other side Nov. 28 on the Baltic.