Variety (January 1909)

~ T E N GE NTS VOL. XIII., NO. 4. JANUARY 2, 1909. • PRICE TEN CENTS. MAY SHUT DOWN ON SUND AY SHOWS ENTIRELY Keith-Proctor and Percy O. Williams Consider Ad- visibility of Eliminating Seventh Day Per- formances for the Present at Least. Following an action brought by the city authorities to revoke the licenses of four New York theatres—Hammerstein's Victoria, the Alhambra, the American Mu- sic Hall and Hurtig & Seamon's 126th Street establishment, for violations of the "Sunday law/' the threatened managers gathered in the United Booking Offices headquarters Tuesday morning and seri- ously considered the advisability of clos- ing down entirely on Sunday. It was de- cided to give no vaudeville show but either to leave the houses dark or give a mov- ing picture entertainment. It is understood that Percy G. Williams and the Keith-Proctor people advocated that action, while William Hammerstein stood firm against it, declaring that he would continue to give Sunday concerts, selecting his act, so as to keep within the requirements of the Doull ordinance. George Leventritt, William Morris's legal adviser, said that the American as well as the other Morris houses in the metropolitan district would give Sunday shows as usual. Mr. Williams and Messrs. Keith and Proctor up until Thursday morning re- fused to say what their action would be in the matter, but it was the general opinion among their business associates that they would take the safe course and keep their houses dark. If they do so the action may have a far-reaching influence on New York thea- tricals, for according to the opinion of a lawyer who is generally considered an expert on matters theatrical any manager who closes his house for a considerable length of time, thereby puts himself in the position of admitting that Sunday concerts are in violation of the law and 1 would be at a serious disadvantage should he ever be called upon to defend a charge of violation in the future. The City of New York brought pro- ceedings against the four theatres this week, the papers having been prepared on Monday by the corporation counsel. The action is an order upon the managers to show cause why their licenses should not be revoked. Papers were served Tuesday upon George Leventritt, for Morris in the American Musical Hall case, as well as upon a member of the Hurtig & Seamon firm, Mr. Williams or the Keith-Proctor people had not been served up until Wednesday evening. An action to revoke a theatre license is without appeal. It is probable that the four cases, like the recent proceedings against Hammerstein's, will be given over to a referee, although the Supreme Court has the option of passing upon the ac- tion summarily. This will probably not be done unless the city makes out a par- ticularly clear case in its original papers. If the city authorities secure a convic- tion they may impose a fine of $600. A significant point in this connection is that under the charter the decision of the Su- preme Court is final and without appeal. Should the case go against the managers they will not be able to carry the decision into a higher court. ORPHEUM BACK TO VAUDEVILLE. The Orpheum Theatre in Yonkers, under the management of Harry Leon- hardt, went back to its original policy of straight vaudeville this week, after ex- perimenting for a fortnight with moving pictures. On Monday a show of seven acts was booked in, changing Thursday with a bill of the same number playing Stainach & Newell's house in White Plains. The lat- ter firm is one of the biggest billposters in Westchester County. This system of bi-weekly change of riudeville will be continued at both i *r:es, the bills changing houses for the day matinee. MORRIS AFTER GARDEN, CHICAGO. Chicago, Dec. 30. William Morris has for some time been in negotiation for control of the Garden Theatre here, and upon his return to Chi- cago will probably close a lease upon the house. He is also understood to be dicker- ing for the Alhambra. The Garden is adapted to the use of vaudeville, although it will probably be necessary for Morris to spend $30,000 in repairs and alterations. It has a capacity of 1,600 and is located in a high-class resi- dential section on Wabash avenue, three blocks below the Auditorium. It was formerly Brooks' Casino, but has been remodeled and tables have been placed in the balcony and behind the orchestra. Thomas Noonan is the present manager and the current attraction is a musical comedy of the lighter sort called "A Winning Miss." If William Morris takes the place over the annual rental will be at least $25,000. ADVERTISING WILLIAM PENN. St. Louis, Dec. 30. The program for the Harry Lauder Show at Odeon Hall carries an advertise- ment stating that among the theatres operated and controlled by William Mor- ris, Inc., are the Broadway Theatre, New York, and William Penn Theatre, Phil- adelphia. The William Penn is under a heading "In Course of Construction." The others listed with it are The Orpheum at Wash- ington, Buffalo, Cleveland and Chicago. ANNOUNCEMENT LOOKED FOR. Chicago, Doc. 30. While no details are obtainable, it ; « assured that negotiations are on for a South Side site, where it is intended to erect a theatre for burlesque. Shrewd surmises by well-informed peo- ple say they are quite positive I. M. Wein- garten, manager of the Trocadero (East- ern Burlesque Wheel), is promoting the enterprise, and the new house will take the place, when completed, of Mr. Wein- garten's "Troc." It is said that n formal announcement will be given out in a few days, and that the new theatre will be up and doing business by the opening of next season. ARTISTS RESENT INTERFERENCE. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Dec. 30. The warring artists are submitting a proposition to the agents to-day. It is reported that if it is declined a general strike will result. The artists resent the appearance of interference on the part of the managers. ENGLISH AGENT HERE. A. Braff, of the London agency of Schreck & Braff, arrived in New York a few days ago. His visit is designed partly to give him a first-hand inspection ,of American vaudeville conditions. Incident- ally he will make an effort to place sev- eral of the firm's big stars on tour In this country. He has already opened negotiations with William Morris, Inc., for contracts for Yvette Guilbert, the chanteuse. Other In- ternational artists under direction of Schreck & Braff are Maud Allen and Harry Frags on. MORRIS WANTS KANSAS CITY Sltl, Kansas City, Dec. 3& ; William Morris was in Kansas City this week. He admitted during his stay in town that he was looking about for a de- sirable site for a local vaudeville theatre. What was the result of his search did not develop. "I have no doubt but that there is room in Kansas City for another vaudeville the- atre," he said to an interviewer. "The fields looks very promising to me. "William Morris, Inc., has five theatres in the East already and wc expect to in- crease this number by additions in Chicago, Cleveland, St. Louis sill Kansas City. The St. Louis deal has been concluded and only last week I made arrangements for Detroit. "An arrangement which will give Wil- liam Morris, Inc., access to a string of vaudeville theatres from the Missouri River to the Pacific Coast is likewise under consideration." SAY LEASE IS READY. Baltimore, Dec. 30. There is a report here that a lease for the Lyric Theatre has been drawn, and it only remains for the official signature of William Morris, Tno.. to be attached. If signed the Morris Circuit will take possession on March 2G.