Variety (February 1909)

TEN CENTS . VOL. XIII., NO. 9. FEBRUARY 6, 1909. PRICE TEN CENTS. NEW PATENTS OPEN THE WAY FOR AMERICAN INDEPENDENTS Columbia Phonograph Co. Has Non-Infringing Camera and Projecting Machine, and Will Probably Turn - Big Plant Over to Film Production. The "independent" movement in the moving picture industry took on a tre- mendous impetus this week when the news leaked out that the Columbia Phono- graph Co. had acquired ownership of the Bianci patents covering a non-infringing film camera and projecting machine. This in effect assures the continuance of independent film production in the American field and sets up powerful oppo- sition to the Motion Picture Patents Co., which was believed to be in almost un- disputed possession of the trade through its patents, reinforced by an iron-clad or- ganization of the trade. More than this, it is generally under- stood among film men that the Columbia people (who really represent the American Graphophone Co., a $1,600,000 corporation engaged in the manufacture of phono- graph machines and records) will very shortly announce its entrance into the business of making films as well as licens- ing other manufacturers. From which general summary of the week's developments ft must appear that instead of being thoroughly regulated, the trade is likely to be thrown back into its old chaotic condition. Vice-President Cromlin, of the Columbia Co., was approached by a Variety repre- sentative this week for a statement as to the above reports. "We have not come to a decision as to our future course," he said. He did not deny any detail of the above, but declared that if the information were given pub- licity it was "without his authority." The Columbia move monopolized the at- tention of the Patents Co. concerns. The Bianci patents belonged formerly to a man of that name who had been in the employ of the American Graphophone Co., but who later left the phonograph busi- ness and devoted himself to perfecting a camera and projecting apparatus. When (Continued on page 12.) ANDREW MACK WANTS $2,500. According to current report, $2,500 weekly will tempt Andrew Mack into vaudeville. Nothing else will, say the agents who have interviewed Mr. Mack. Mr. Mack is playing at the Metropolis this week in "Sergeant Devil Mc'Ar." MRS. POTTER "LAYED OFF." "" Boston, Feb. 4. Mrs. Brown Potter did the nicest little "flop" at the Orpheum Monday afternoon one could hope to see in a hundred years. Had she been anyone else than a society matron gamboling in vaudeville at $2,600 weekly, there would have been a new face behind the footlights in her place on Mon- day evening. Mrs. Potter has been announced to hold over next week, but Mrs. Potter will "lay ofT" probably indefinitely as far as further time for her on the Morris Circuit is con- cerned. This is the first engagement of Mrs. Potter's outside New York since her re- turn to America. She was imported by William Morris for ten weeks at $2,500 weekly. Mrs. Potter has played three of them up to date. The American vaudeville engagement was a speculation on the part of Morris. It has cost him up to now $7,500 net. FISKE O'HARA GETS OPENING. Quick work was accomplished this week when Fiske O'Hara, the tenor, announced his debut in vaudeville. William L. Lykens, the agent, immediately procured memos, of dates from Percy G. Williams, who suggested that Mr. O'Hara first ap- pear out of New York for a week, which he wijl do commencing Feb 22 at the Garrick, Wilmington. Mr. O'Hara will have a sketch. "Captain Barry," written by Crane Wilbur. Five people are in the company. It is a larpe scenic production. MORRIS ON WAY BACK. Seattle, Wash., Feb. 4. William Morris, the Independent vaude- ville manager, left Tuesday night for Chicago, after several long consultations with Alexander Pant ages. It is not certain whether Pantages ac- companies Morris upon his return trip. Messrs. Beck and Casey leave to-night tor New York. They will stop off at Salt Lake City, Denver, Omaha and Chicago Iwfore reaching there. Before leaving Mr. Morris said: "This part of the United States is a prize coun- try, and we expect to fly Independent banners hereabouts before next October." San Francisco. Feb. 4. A conference was held yesterday with Morris Meyerfeld, Jr., Martin Beck, Pat Casey and Melvin Winstock, the Pantages legal representative, present. What trans- pired is not known. A wire was sent to Alexander Pantages to attend, but he answered unable to come through illness of wife. Mr. Winstock epjoys confidential relations with Pan- tages to an unlimited degree. Another conference is to be held to-day, at which the above men, with William Morris and John W. Considine added, are to attend. Mr. Morris is expected here from Seattle. Chicago, Feb. 4. William Morris is due to arrive in Chi- cago on Saturday next. He comes here direct from Seattle. Los Angeles, Cal., Feb. 4. Martin Beck, Morris Meyerfeld, Jr., Pat Casey and John W. Considine met here on Jan. 31 and held a long conference. SEYMOUR HICKS'S $1,500. London, Jan. 25. Seymour Hick9 and his wife, Ellaine Terriss, will not continue in vaudeville together, where Mr. Hicks has been in receipt of $1,500 weekly for the joint engagement. Miss Terriss retires from the turn to originate a part in a forthcoming pro- duction. Mr. Hicks has added Rosina Dare to hia billinp, and they will plod along with a few <rirls behind them. The act will Ik? at the Coliseum next week. THE GOODWINS HOVERING. The Goodwins (Mr. and Mrs. Nat) are watching the dangling lines of vaudeville bait held before them principally by M. S. Bentham, who has been in co mmu aic» tfon with both Mr. Goodwin and Edna Goodrich (Mrs. Goodwin) since the re- cently married couple located at a winter resort in California. Mr. Bentham has been wiring long and often, having submitted $3,500 weekly ae the figure for a joint vaudeville appear- 1 a nee. The details are still pending, although there has leen a tangible turn to the negotiations through Miss Goodrich asking Bentham by wire what offer can be made for her individual services. About $1,000 weekly may be the figure placed for Miss Goodrich, and if accept- able, it is expected Nat will drop in after the contracts for his time and time for hit wife have been settled upon. For a matter of two years now, Ben- tham has been after Mr. Goodwin to play vaudeville. He seems closer to it at present than at any time during the past. SAHARET IN MARCH. After an absence from the American stage of some years, Saharet, the dancer, will reach New York in time to play in a Morris Circuit house on March 15. Saharet is just now in London. She has traveled all over the European map since leaving the metropolis. Ike Bote, Saharet's husband, is expected to return with her. BARNES CAPTURES STRING. Chicago, Feb. 4. Fred M. Barnes for the Independent Booking Agency has secured the string of S. Morton Conn's smaller houses located at Reno, Goldfleld, Oakland, San Francisco, Portland, Tacoma and Seattle. The I. B. A. will commence to place acts for this time on March 1. On April 1 the Colin houses at Butte and Spokane will be added. BEST SHOW YET. Chicago, Feb. 4. The bill at the American Muslo Hall this week is the best of the three so far presented. The attendance has been ex- tremely heavy.