Variety (January 1909)

12 VARIETY vgp PARIS MOTES BT EDWARD 0. KENDRBW. fSttl Paris, Jan. 21. The Apollo Music Hall, Rue de CUchy, was to have been offered for sale by Auctioneer Moyne, but was finally bought in (for less than 120,000) by Mr. "Nollet, who already had the bar con- cession. Rosenberg ft Debasta are the present lessees, and they must give no- tice by April 1, whether they desire to keep the hall. I am arranging with a Parisian writer, Madame Abel Rubi, to describe periodi- cally some of the best fancy cos- tumes worn by artistes in the French revues. There is no doubt that the gorgeous and eccentric dresses worn in these productions—which have been de- signed and executed by the most fashion- stole dressmakers in Paris—are now the finest to be seen on any music hall stage. It has been stated in Variety more than once that the art of dancing is surely dis- appearing in France. It seems, however, that the "Gavotte," "Galllard" and "At- lemande," almost forgotten, may be re- vived in fashionable society. We oc- casionally see these dances in the revues and ballets, but the public of the pres- ent generation cannot distinguish one from another. The following description of these unforgotten dances, as given by a 'Parisian contemporary, may be inter- esting. Gavotte.—Introduced in XVI century, remodelled about 1700, and particularly brought into fashion by Marie Antoinette. Somewhat similar to a minuet, but blighter and less stately, with a deep curtsey to finish. Courante.—In vogue at the court of Louis XIV and taken to England by Charles II. Was originally introduced into France in XVI century by Marie de Medici, who brought the dance from Italy. Partners standing side by side perform the same figures, and is a slow, simple movement. Allemande.—Introduced into Franco from Germany (hence the name), much liked by Louis XVI and Napoleon. One partner stands behind the other, holding hands, the principal movement being with the hands and arms. Other dances which are said to be used by professionals in England, where they are now being frequently engaged for fashion- able functions, are a kind of jig, called the "Galliard," dating from the Elizabeth- an period; the Chinese "Chacone," intro- duced by Purcell, in which the step is slow and drooping, but finishing by a final figure in which the dancers move briskly, clapping their hands; and the "Rigandon," a mediaeval, stately dance in which the movements of the arms and body play an important part. The dances best known in Paris, as seen on the stage, are the French quadrilles, the Oriental dances, the Eng- lish jig, the "cake walk," the "Bolero" from Spain, and the Mexican waltz. But whether they are danced correctly, few can tell. Miss Duncan danced in Paris, on which occasion she took the Theatre Sarah Bernhardt for a week, but unfortunately was unable to fill it, although her artistic act was much appreciated. A revised program has been presented at the Casino de Paris, the pantomimist Thales (almost if not an equal of Sev- erin) remaining on the bills but playing a new piece without words, with Sahary- Ojelli, the Kautch girl, and Maeailia. But I am afraid business is not good at this hall—in fact very few are playing to capacity at the present time, though the Folies Bergere, Alhambra and Olympia cannot complain. Mr. Bannel says that the takings for one month at the Folies Bergere amount to $77,000, while Mr. Neighbour tells me that for four days last week (the New Year holi- days and Sunday) he scored the record at the Alhambra. Mr. Marinelli moreover mentioned to me that his figures for last month were above those of the same period last year when the Isola Brothers had the Olympia. I hear that the two principal stars playing in the Apollo revue—Miles. Mealy and Paillette Darty—will leave this hall in a few days. It is rumored that the Apollo will mount the "Merry Widow," but rumor also credits a re- sort up Montmartre with that intention. A. Franck, the manager of the Gymnase, who acquired the rights of Leber's cele- brated piece, will probably secure the lease of the Apollo by March, and will transform this house into a real home of operette, inaugurating his season with "La Veuve Joyeuse" (French title of "The Merry Widow") which is being translated by Messrs. de Flers and de Caillavet. If it is rendered as well as "The Prince of Pilsen" was at the Olympia, "The Belle of New York" at the Moulin Rouge, or "Florodora" at the Bouffes, I am afraid "The Widow" will be sad. Messrs. Lucien Boyer and Henry En- thoven will shortly open the Folies Pigalle, up Montmartre way, under the curious name of "Le Diable au Corps."— The Scala Music Hall has accepted a two- act operette, "Coup du Roi," by Maurice de Marsan and Leon Nunes, to succeed the present show next month. Mistingu- ette (who danced the "Apache" at the Moulin Rouge last summer), de Lilo, Olido, Bruel, Frejol, Max Morel and Ga- brielle Lange contribute by their varied repertoire of songs, to the success of the January program. The establishment made known through the press a few days ago that there were still some roles in the forthcoming operette to be filled by "pretty women desiring to go on the stage," and they could apply for details any day at the theatre! The Isola Brothers have engaged Isa- dora Dunoon far the municipal theatre, the Gftite. It is about six years since Tison & Debray, managers of the Nou- veau Cirque, evidently intend to retain small spectacular shows, for they have just ordered Tr#bla and Codey to write a revue for this circus, to be put into the ring during the spring, to follow the so- called operette "The Finest Hussard of France." FORTY-ONE FILM MAKERS TO CONSIDER EUROPEAN MERGER Both Foreign and American Manufacturers to Be In- cluded In Trade Convention, Meeting Shortly in Paris. Paris, Jan. 21. As cabled on the 13th inst. the moving picture convention was postponed until Feb. 2. This was chiefly caused by the organizers not wishing to meet until Mr. Eastman arrived in Paris. The date of Feb. 2 is no more certain than was the adjourned one, although it will surely be- gin by Feb. 10. The sitting will probably take place at the Hotel Continental, Rue de Castiglione (one of the largest hotels in the city). The convention is to deal purely with European subjects regarding the trade, although it is said that the question of the Edison-Biograph combine in America will be discussed, and it will not be at all surprising if the proposition tp exclude certain American firms in France, the same as certain French films are excluded in America, will be advanced by delegates. Pathe Frtrea have remained silent, and they alone know whether they will finally join in the discussions. It may be stated, however, that all the European film manu- facturers, with but very few exceptions, will be represented next month, the fol- lowing being already listed to appear: Etabllaaementa Ganmont, OS Rue Saint Boch, Paris. ■oeiete Oinea, 11 Roe Saint Auglstln. Soolata daa Films* Eclair, 27 Roe Taltbont. Sooiata Oeaerale daa Otnamatographea Mollpee, 28 Roe da la Mlcbodlere. Charles Halfar (Lnca Oomerlo), 22 Rue Saint Marc. Films Radios, 36 Roe Saint Marc. ▼itagraph Oo., 15 Roe Salnte Cecile. Georges MaUas, IS Pasts** de l'Opera. "Italia" Oo. (Italian Concern), represented by P. Hodel. Raleigh a Robert, IS Hue 8alnte Cecile, repre- senting: Ambroslo Oo. of Turin, Italy, 16 Rue Salnte. Cecile. Vordlsk Society, of Copenhagen, Denmark, 16 Roe Salnte Cecile. Hapwortk, London, England, 16 Rue Salnte Ce- cile. Warwick Trading Company (Eng), 16 Rue Salnte Cecile. Sooiata Cinematograph "Lax," 82 Rue Lools-le- Grand. Films, La Lion, IB Rue Grongn Bstellere. (Tbeophlle Psthe, 90 Rue de Richelieu. Is being reorganised and may send a representative to the Convention.) FOREIGN EUROPEAN FIRMS: Roaie Film Co., High street. Croydon, London. Wrench, 5 Grsys Inn rosd. Crias a Martin, London road, Mltcbam (near London). Walturdaw, 10 Dane street, High Holborn, Lon- don. Edison Mfg. Co., Ltd., 100 Victoria street, Wllles- den, London, N. W. Ch. Urban, Wardour street, London, W. Paul, 88 Leicester squsre, London, W. C. Clarendon Film Co., Clarendon road, Croydon, Lon- don. N. Wlthanson, Cecil Court, Charing Cross rosd, Lon- don, W. C. Adolfo Oroos, Vis Gulseppe Revere, 15, Milan, Italy. Ottolanghi, 46 Via Sachl, Turin, Italy. Fineschi, 77 Vis Nuove Appls, Rome, Itsly. Sooiete Ireos, 13 Vis Spootlnl, Florence, Itsly. Ungeilender 4 Reumann, Racotsi strssse 68, Budspest, Hungary. Drankoff, 82 Newsky, St. Petersburg, Russia. Duskes, Germany. International Kinematographen Gessellsohaff, 01 Msrkgrspben btrasse, Berlin. Germany. Amerioan Mutosoope 4 Riograph Co., 11 Bast 14th street. New York. Home addresses of Aims represented by agents, ss mentioned above: Oomerlo (see C. Heifer), 0 Via Arnaldo da Bres- cia. Milan. Itala, 01 Corso Cassia. Turin, Italy. Ambroslo, 6 Vfa. Sslnte Theresa, Turin, Italy. Cine Fides, 18 Via Victor Emmanuel, Llvourne, Italy. Trinacria (M. Vitale de Stefano, manager), Ca- tania. Itsly. G. Mendel, 10 bin. Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, Paris. There is no doubt that the industry in France is at present very disorganized, and that the only benefit to the producers can be derived from a general discussion of trade conditions. There have been signs of a decline in prices with keener competi- tion all along, and this week the news reached the trade in Paris that four Eng- lish firms had decided to combine on the question of prices, which has almost caused a panic in the camp of the other British concerns. It is proposed to sell the films at 6 cents per foot in future, instead of 8 cents (4d.), a reduction of 25 per cent. The houses in question state, however, that their terms will be cash, without commission or discount, which will bring the film to almost the same price as at present. "OH, THOSE HATS!" There was almost a riot at the Union Square Theatre, New York, Tuesday. Just after the Biograph film, "O, Those Hats," a roaring comedy subject, dealing with the adventures of two women who entered a Nickelodeon with "Merry Widow" confections on, had been run off at the close of the show, a stately matron with an enormous lid strode down the aisle. There was a titter among the au- dience. But when she took a front seat and a stout man just behind her angrily expostulated with the matron for obstruct- ing his view (just as had happened in the moving picture) there was an explosion of shrieks that brought the frightened house staff on the run. Gentle reader, if you happen to use that same subject, it wouldn't be a bad scheme to work this as "an effect." DETROIT RENTERS GATHER. Detroit, Jan. 30. A considerable number of film renters (Patents Co., licensees) met here Wednes- day and went over the situation thorough- ly. They formed a division of territory including Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. It was said that other renters would gather throughout the country to divide the trade up into territories, each having a cohesive organization. GOVERNMENT FORBIDS PICTURES. Paris, Jan. 21. The French government gave strict in- structions to the local authorities that no views of the public execution of the four condemned men, known as "the Pollet band," should be allowed to be taken at Bethune Jan. 11. It is possible "faked" pictures may be made for foreign consumption. Some photographers succeeded in getting snap shots, but the police were watchful, and no moving picture firm obtained a record of the event. The Majestic, Camden, X. .1., has opened as a picture house.