Variety (November 1908)

VARIETY SPARROW CASE ON AGAIN. The third trial of the now famous Sparrow Company damage init it on in the United States Court for the South- ern District of New York. The Sparrow Company of Montreal seeks through this action to recover $100,000 damages from nineteen members of the old Traveling Managers' Association, the alleged dam- ages arising from the Association mem- bers cancelling their shows for the Spar- row Company's Montreal theatre. The first trial resulted in a disagree- ment; the second in a nominal verdict in favor of the plaintiffs (Sparrow Co.), which carried .with it a judgment for six cents. The taking of testimony in the new trial started Friday of last week and is still going on. W. B. Edwardes, of the Sparrow concern who has been in New York for more than a month awaiting the trial, has been on the stand, aa well as several of the co-defendants. TRUTH ABOUT THAT CONTEST. Now it comes out. Eddie Shsyne, of the Gayety, Philadelphia, was not re- sponsible for the idea of the "shirt-waist- buttoning-contest," a'ter alL The idea had its birth in the fertile brain of Jake Ltcber man , manager for 'The Behman Show," and the try-out of the scheme came off in the Casino, Philadelphia, while the show was there. From all acco unts the plan was a fail- ure. It was found isspssnibk to lure men from the audience upon the stage to but- ton the waists of the chorus girls against time, and the show people were com- pelled to use the men in the company. The audience got the idea that the whole business was a "frame-up," and declined to exhibit any large enthusiasm. So Iieberman gave it up. FLORENCE WELLS RESTING. Rochester, Nov. 26. Florence Wells (Mrs. Pat Reilry) is traveling with her husband, who is the star of Jacobs ft Jermon's "New York Stars." Miss Wells retired from the Irwin show through illness, and will rest for the remainder of the season. STOPPED SKETCH. The police of the West 53d Street sta- tion became suddenly active after a long period of peacefulness and descended upon the Murray Hill Sunday afternoon. They ordered that the sketch "My Wife Won't Let Me," which recently played Hammerstein's, be taken off. The ob- jection was that a woman attired in tights appeared in the piece. A dancing act was also ordered closed, while a bicycle turn was permitted to work un- disturbed. LEW WATSON DISCHARGED. Lew Watson, manager of the "Wash- ington Society Girls," threatens to bring $26,000 damage suit against May Howard, a former member of that company, who caused his arrest in Jersey City several weeks ago on a federal warrant charging him with interference with her mail. Watson was arraigned before U. S. Commissioner Jones in Newark, N. J., and discharged from custody. Now Watson declares that Miss Howard acted from motives of spite caused by her discharge from the company. JEANETTE DUPRE GRANTED DIVORCE. On Nov. 10 Supreme Court Judge Thomas in Brooklyn granted an inter- locutory decree of divorce to Jeanette Dupre from William B. Watson, the bur- lesque manager. Miss Dupre, who is leading woman at the Hiland Theatre, Pittsburg, at present, was awarded permanent alimony. Chicago, Nov. 26. William B. Watson says the divorce separating himself and Miss Dupre does not carry alimony with it. WILLY DREW QUITS BURLESQUE. Willy Drew, son of M. E. Drew (Camp- bell & Drew), has retired from the gen- eral management of the burlesque com- panies operated by that firm! He will hereafter concern himself with musical organizations on the Stair & Havlin time. EASTERNERS WIN. Louisville, Ky., Nov. 26. The Eastern Wheel burlesque people have scored a victory in the courts here which will make it possible to continue immediately with the building of tho new Qayety Theatre. The work was held up by a disagreement between the Board of Safety and Building Inspectors, as to whether the dimensions of the corridor were within the regulations. Judge CDoherty decreed this week that the builders had obeyed the city ordinance and granted a writ of prohi- bition preventing the police from further interference. The Gayety will play Eastern Bur- lesque Wheel shows in opposition to Whallen Bros.' Western Wheel theatre. 9i,5ao IN A DAY. Chicago, Nov. 26. The Star and Garter, with Irwin's "Majesties" as the attraction, had the biggest Sunday since the house opened. The receipts were $1,520 for two per- formances. The show played this house about ten weeks ago. It is larger and better than its first engagement, and the most pretentious musical production that ever played burlesque in Chicago. A number of new people have been added to the company, and with principals and chorus the list will reach about 60. It is not usual for a burlesque show to play a return engagement at a Chicago burlesque theatre. The "Majesties" is the first to enjoy the distinction. WATSON HAS THEM ALL. Chicago, Nov. 26. Billy Watson, who is playing at the Empire this week, having opened to the biggest Sunday of the season there, has arranged a schedule of daily events in connection with the regular program. On Tuesday night he* arranged a novel plan which he calls "Chorus Waltzing Contest." Anyone in the audience may select his partner for a waltz and the one showing the best style wins the prize. For Wednesday the chorus girls* con- test will be held, and Thursday amateurs will have the stage. A wrestling bout will be given on Friday. Watson says he is the originator of the "waltzing" feature in burlesque. REVISING BURLESQUE SHOWS. The "Casino Girls" (Eastern Burlesque Wheel) under the management of Jess Burns, is playing in Newark, N. J., this week, and in addition to giving the regu- lar performances the members are daily rehearsing with a partly new company a revised offering. The Phil Sheridan company opened Mon- day at the Olympic, Brooklyn, with new pieces and an almost entirely new or- ganization. Both shows recently were reviewed by the Inspection Committed of the Eastern Wheel. Jack Burnett put on the new show. Sam Scribner may make a few minor changes in his company. "RAG TIME NIGHT" NOW. > Chicago, Nov. 26. Manager Herrmann of the Star and Garter introduced a novel innovation at the burlesque house on Wednesday eve- ning last. It was a "Rag Time Festival," participated in by expert pianists, in con- tests for prizes. There were four contestants. Hereafter "Rag Time Night" will be a feature at the theatre every Wednesday. The first was a success. KEITH-PROCTOR'S NEW PRESS AGENT. "Jimmy" De Wolfe, a former press agent for the Barnum-Bailey Circus, has engaged to act as general press repre- sentative for the Keith-Proctor string of vaudeville houses, with headquarters in the Fifth Avenue Theatre building. He will not take up his duties for several weeks. Last year De Wolfe was advance man for the Marie Doro, and at the opening of the present season returned to that position, which he still holds. He will re- sign at the end of this week, returning to New York in a few days. THE ROBYNSES TO STAR. M. M. Thiese announced this week that Mr. and Mrs. William A. Robyns, who have played in vaudeville for four years in the sketch, "Counsel for the Defense/' have been signed to tour over the Stair & Havlin time next season under his management. The vaudeville sketch has been elabo- rated to make a four-act comedy-drama, the work having occupied Mr. Robyns for the last year. Vaudeville contracts will keep the couple occupied until next June. They will play most of this time on the Orpheum Circuit for which they begin next month. PLIMMER STAYS ABROAD. Walter J. Plimmer, who went to Europe with Gus Hill's "Happy Hooligan" Co., several months ago, appears to have settled down in London. Lester Mayne, in charge of Plimmer's office in New York, has reecived word that the former Empire Circuit booking agent will es- tablish an office in the British capitol for the business of training amateurs for the stage, as well as the general book- ing of acts on the English circuits. Plimmer will come over to New York in January, according to his present plans will remain over only two weeks, return- ing to Loudon immediately. OPENS NEW BURLESQUE HOUSE. Boston, Nov. 26. The Gayety opened Monday as a stand on the Eastern Burlesque Wheel, with "The Trocaderos" as the attraction. It is on the site of the old Lyceum, and is said to be one of the finest burlesque theatres in the United States. Much of the building is occupied with stores and offices, but the auditorium is roomy and the stage is perhaps the largest on either burlesque wheels. Both Monday performances were greeted by capacity audiences. The house has room for 1,800. The Tuesday night show was also sold out as well as both Thanksgiving performances. George Batchellor is the manager and proprietor, Ralph Ripley treasurer, George Collier advertising agent, Albert Patno ticket seller, George Whiting stage man- ager and John McNamee orchestral director. The Lyceum is said to be one of the first burlesque houses with a triple front wall designed to support both balcony and gallery on the cantilever system. The interior decorations are of red and gold. Gus Hill was the only New York rep- resentative of the Columbia Amusement Co., present at the opening. Others had planned to go to Boston, but their pres- ence was demanded in New York by the trial of the Sparrow damage case. MIRIS' TOUR CLOSES. The concert tour of Fatima Miris closed last Saturday night in Bayonne, N. J., after working three two-night stands in that State—Plainfield and New Bruns- wick—all in the same territory. The show was made up of the Latin protean artiste and her sister, Emila Frassinessi, the violiniste. Miss Miris will return to the William Morris vaudeville circuit to finish out her twenty weeks' contract, returning to her native land at the conclusion. She is booked for the Orpheum, Boston, Nov. 30. BIG SHOW FOR WATERTOWN. Watertown, N. Y., Nov. 26. The Orpheum holds a big show this week for a town of this size. It is headed by Mme. Herrmann and has also "An Advance Agent," Max Witt's "Singing Colleens," Swan and Bambard, Leonard and Drake, and Caprice and the Field Boys. The Orpheum, under the direction of Mr. Homans, is drawing the nice people of the city. The prices have been reduced to 10-20-30, and it is reported the house has made a little money from Mr. Homans' first week. Two shows are given daily, with mov- ing pictures to open and close the per- formances. Trentsnova with a "monkey jockey act" (a "monk" riding a horse) will appear at the Hippodrome on January IS, bavin? been engaged by John Ringling and Max C. Anderson for a two years' trip of Amer- ica. The managers booked the number abroad through the Marinelli agency. It will alternate between the Barnum-Bailey Circus and the Hippodrome. Lillian Shaw has been ill with appen dicitis, having left the hospital last Fri- day. It will be a month before she can resume her engagements.