Variety (November 1908)

VARIETY MORRIS SHOWS IN MONTREAL. Montreal, Nov. 10. Commencing Monday, Nov. 28, a vaude- ville show made up of "William Morris' acta" will play the Academy of Music. W. A. Edwards, of the Sparrow Co., made the arrangements. It is the same the- atre where Klaw A Erlanger had their "advanced vaudeville" for a time last season. Bills for two weeks have been laid out so far. The first program will have Amelia Bingham, William A. Dillon, Bo- ganny Troupe, Davis-Gladhill Trio and others. The Four Mortons will headline the second show. It Is said that the shortness of supply in attractions at present in evidence on the Stair & Havlin Circuit (which books the Academy) left the two weeks open at that house, which the management had to fill in or allow the theatre, to remain dark. Vaudeville was chosen. It is also said that Mr. Edwards was in the dty on Wednesday, when he stated this condition. The recent combination of the legitimate theatrical managers pro- vided against a contingency of this exact nature by a general understanding reached that a house playing "opposition" would be unable thereafter to secure attractions. The United Booking Offices managers are members of the K. & E. combination. What the result will be with the Acad- emy of Music is not known. Mr. Edwards la reported as having said when the pos- sibilities were brought to his attention, that the contract for vaudeville had been signed, and he was helpless. MORTON-McMAHON SHOW. It is said that Tim McMahon and James J. Morton, who are now playing on the Morris Circuit (where Mr. McMahon has three "girl acts"), have received an offer of time in legitimate houses if they will organise a traveling variety show to be composed of Morton and McMahon to top the bills, with other acta to fill. Hie proposal may be accepted shortly, both Morton and McMahon's contracts with Morris aoon expiring. W. V. A. BRANCH AT JOPLIN. Chicago, Nov. 19. The Western Vaudeville Association will establish a branch office at Joplin, Mo., about Dec. 1. The booking interests of the association in the west necessitates it. JAP "GIRL ACT" IN RUSSIA. "The Seven Geisha Girls," a Japanese number, with native young women, are playing at the Apollo, Moscow, Russia, this month, having reached the theatre by the overland route from Japan through Siberia. The number will probably work into London gradually through a Continental European tour, and the Marinelli agency, which has taken charge of the act's book- ings, expects to eventually land the Geishas over here. CLEVELAND HIPPODROME CLOSES. Cleveland, Nov. 10. The Cleveland Hippodrome has closed for lack of funds. It is reported that either the Shuberts, B. F. Keith or Morris interests will lease the big playhouse. It has been under the direction of Max Faetkenhauerer since the opening. Opera was the last amusement played. EXPECT NORWORTH AND BATES. It is expected about the vaudeville of- fices that ere long Norah Bayes and Jack Norworth, now with "The Follies of 1008," will be on the market for an en- gagement. The joint salary is reported to have been placed at $1,500 weekly by Edw. S. Keller, their sole vaudeville representa- tive. Another condition is that they play on the same bills. It is not known if the couple have "given in their notice," but if not—soon, it is said. The show plays Chicago next week. It is said if Mr. Norworth and Miss Bayes leave the show, the management will take the matter into court under the contract between the parties. "THE SUBMARINE'S" LAST WEEK. Next week at the Alhambra will prob- ably be the last of "The Submarine" in vaudeville. It is Thos. W. Ryley's piece, first presented at the Colonial last week, where it raised a storm of protest through its gruesomeness, although re- ceiving credit as an exceptionally fine production and performance. The piece waa booked for three weeks over the Williams Circuit at $1,000 week- ly. It may become the basis of a three- act play. WELLS PLATS VAUDEVILLE. Evansville, Ind., Nov. 10. The Orpheum (formerly People's) has been overhauled, and Jake Wells has leased the house, placing Chas. Sweeton in as local manager. Mr. Sweeton also man- ages Wells' Bijou in this city. The policy of the new Orpheum will be the best vaudeville. The opening will take place Nov 23. Nine high-class acts bave been booked for the opening. "CINDERELLA" ON BROADWAT? Chicago, Nov. 10. "A Stubborn Cinderella," the musical comedy now running at the Princess, will probably open at a New York theatre in January. Negotiations are now under way, it is understood. The original cast, including Jack Barry- more and Sallie Fisher, will be in the New York production. It has played at the Princess since last summer. "THE AMERICAN MUSIC HALL." Last Monday the name of The Ameri- can, a Morris Circuit theatre, was re- christened "The American Music Hall." Smoking is now permitted in all parts of the house. At the Morris office it was announced that commencing soon a policy governing the shows there such as is now in effect in England and the Continent would be started. This will mean from twelve to four- teen acta on the program, the time limit for each act being set by the house man- agement. Since Wednesday night camp stools have been placed upon the stage of the American with special tickets issued for a seat at $1.50 each. This will be con- tinued during the engagement of Harry Lauder there if the present demand for seats holds up. The one-night stand route for the Lauder out of town tour has been par- tially arranged. Lauder will remain at the American next week. CLAIMS A "BLACK LIST." » It was said this week that artists who believe they have been placed (at least theoretically) upon a "blacklist" estab- lished by the United Booking Offices, in- tend to take steps in legal proceedure to ascertain the whys and wherefores; also if such a thing as a "blacklist" may be maintained. The recourse to the law will have the support of the White Rats of America, morally and financially. ACTOR-BURGLAR CONFESSES. Cincinnati, Nov. 10.' The police of St. Louis arrested last Monday one Geo. Nichols, who is wanted for the robbery of a department store at Springfield, 111. Nichols admits his guilt, pleading pov- erty for an excuse. He says he is an actor and has often played at the Colum- bia, St. Louis. JEROME AND SCHWARTZ IN BUFFALO. Buffalo, Nov. 10. William Jerome and Jean Schwartz ame to Buffalo last Sunday to be present at the reappearance of Maud Nugent in vaudeville. Miss Nugent opened at Shea's Monday. On Wednesday Jerome and Schwartz "tried out" their new act at the same house, playing both shows. They may go to Shea's, Toronto, next week. The act is due at Hammerstein's, New York, Nov. 30. The act was a big hit from start to finish. REHEARSING ON THE FLY. Chicago, Nov.. 10. When Geo. M. Cohan leavea the city with "The Yankee Prince" a week from next Sunday he will be accompanied on the road for three weeks by a newly or- ganized company, which will rehearse a new play by Henry Irving Dodge under Mr. Cohan's direction. George intends to save time by rehears- ing the show on the road rather than in- terrupting his own season, which has been very successful. VAUDEVILLE AT MEMPHIS. Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 10. Monday will see the first of the vaude- ville shows located at the Grand under the management of Jake Wells and Ben Kahn. Kahn will handle the theatre un- der the new policy. The schedule of ad- mission will be 10 and 20 cents for mat- inees and from 15 to 50 cents for the evening performances. In his announcement Mr. Kahn declares the Grand will be one link in a vaude- ville chain which will include houses in Nashville, Evansville, Chattanooga and Atlanta. "KLEIN AND ERLANGER" AN ACT. Iowa City, la., Nov. 10. At the Bijou this week are Klein and Erlanger, comedy pantomimists and nov- elty singers. The name reminded so many of some theatrical firm called Klaw & Erlanger who came through here once with a show called "Ben Hur" that the town turned out to see the act, because Klaw & Erlanger had their names in very big type then. "Klein and Erlanger" is not so big. The act may yet travel as "K. A E. 1 That ought to draw. CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT. Chicago, Nov. 10. E. F. Carruthers, formerly General Man- ager of the Inter-State Circuit, has been arrested in this city through a complaint made by President Hoblozel of that cir- cuit, charging Carruthers with the mis- appropriation of $2,000 in commissions col- lected from the Inter-State's Majestic theatres in Birmingham and Montgomery, Ala., on last season's bookings. Carruthers was arraigned and held in $2,500 bail. The hearing has been ad- journed until Dec. 1. He is said to own $16,000 of the Inter-State Circuit's stock. Carruthers is interested with his former associate, Rickson, in the lease of a new theatre building on Milwaukee Avenue. It is expected to open this winter. The arrest and charges have caused great surprise. NO SETTLEMENT IN GERMANY. (Special Cable to Vabdett.) Berlin, Nov. 18. At the meeting held to-day between the artists and directors (Managers' As- sociation) no settlement was arrived at of the differences which have existed for some time. The conflict will continue. The meeting referred to was agreed upon a few days ago when the Interna- tional Artisten Lege, which has placed a boycott upon six German halls, was to prepare a "peace agreement.'* Upon this receiving the sanction of the managers, it was to be published as an advertisement in the trade organs. The agreement read that both the man- agers and the I. A. L. regretted if any utterances during the fight were con- strued as insulting to either side, and any remarks so construed were withdrawn. It also provided that there should be a sort of arbitration hereafter to settle dis- putes and aimed at future peace between the artists and managers on the European continent. KEENEY DENIES REPORT. On Tuesday evening at Keeney's, Brooklyn, the resident manager announced from the stage that Mr. Keeney desired to deny the rumor the Spooner Stock Company would occupy Keeney's theatre. The announcer stated that Mr. Keeney would conduct his theatre for vaudeville during the remaining term of his lease, which had five years yet to run. The Spooner Stock Company was left homeless by the fire which destroyed the Park, Brooklyn, last week. IHMSEN'S DAUGHTER IN VAUDE. Newark, N. J., Nov. 10. Josephine Branta is making her vaude- ville debut at Proctor's Theatre here this week in a singing act. She is a daughter of Max F. Ihmsen, the New York news- paper man and lawyer, who managed the gubernatorial fight of W. R. Hearst sev- eral years ago. ALL PLAYING SUNDAYS. Boston, Nov. 10. Everything on Sunday night is normal once more in Boston. The Orpheum (Mor- ris), which waa closed Nov. 8, resumed last Sunday. »» "The Gibson Girl Review" has its local premiere next week at 125th Street.