Variety (March 1909)

VARIETY "MY LADY VAUDEVILLE." "My Lady Vaudeville and Her White Rats/' an interesting and instructive history of vaudeville and the White Rats of America, told in story by George Ful- ler Golden, has made its appearance. With fact instead of fiction to base his story upon, Mr. Golden, the founder of the White Rats, carries his reader along in an easy story-telling style, weaving the tale upon "My Lady Vaudeville" as the queen of the amusement world. To professionals Mr. Golden's book will be profoundly interesting, and to the lay reader will recommend itself as a volume to be digested thoroughly for the* wealth of information presented so uniquely. Many prominent artists and managers of the present day have been introduced into the story. Whatever animus the author may have had or has against any one through his association with the White Rats "strike" of a few years ago is noticeably absent. There is no cut or sting in the story of that "strike" or in what preceded or followed it. The book delves into the origination of the White Rats, the "Original Eight" who were the nucleus of the organisation,, and in an extremely clever and bewildering manner Mr. Golden casts a "Jekyl and Hyde" character into the leaves which impresses one upon learning the dual role the author has made for himself that George Fuller Golden had a full understanding of the- atrical conditions at all times, before, during and after the "strike," and that while he was willing to be posed as a "dreamer" for the purpose of accomplish- ing an end beneficial to all artists, the cold, hard, / matter-of-fact business aspect of the situation was not lost by the author. "My Lady Vaudeville" is destined to be- come a standard theatrical work and a guide to all White Rats to follow in the sincerity of spirit evidenced by the prime movers of their society, none of whom has been more steadfast than Mr. Golden himself. The single fault with the book is its brevity. Mr. Golden in escaping the pit- fall so many authors have found has brought forth a compact volume which could have been written to greater length. The book contains many theatrical ad- vertisements and photos of the present executive staff of the White Rats. It is dedicated to Geo. M. Cohan. The author's wife is referred to as "The Golden Lady," and during the story there are many touchingly sentimental passages. No professional should be without "My Lady Vaudeville." It is a story that could be told by no one but Mr, Golden. ARTISTS* FORUM keld la strict side of pagter only. of writer must bo sis-nod and Lotion U so salUaeei la this eriaaa most so written eaelnabely to YABIKY. DopUoatod letten wfll sot so fdntod, Too writer who tmpUootos a letter to the forum, oithor bofors or after It osteon son, wfll sot so permittee t»e privilege of It again. New York, March 23. Editor Yabiett: To my professional friends and those I 'have helped to the front In my vaudeville days I appeal to you. - * The sad death of Harry S. Stanley (for- merly oft Stanley and Wilson) opens the way. A more noble and upright man was never born. Through unluck^ business ventures, a limited amoun' of bookings, and poor health of both himself and his wife, she is compelled to face the world alone and earn her living after twenty years of a happy married life. I have formed an Executive Committee of the following gentlemen to arrange plans for her future welfare: Messrs. Wil- liam Morris, Harry Mountford, Chris O. Brown, Louis Pincus, Ed. 8. Keller and Tim MoMahon. The committee will meet next week. Ed. B. McNally, of the White Rats Transfer Co., has offered his kind service to the committee. Harry Mountford has consented to receive all communications for the widow, which will be acknowl- edged. W. S. Wright, General Manager North Beach Amuse- ment Co. OH, THOSE RUBE MANAGERS. Eva Thatcher has dug up the limit of unsophisticated theatre managers. He holds forth in Park Rapids, Minn. When Miss Thatcher reported there for work all the manager wanted her to do was to change her act every night. She ex- plained gently the impossibility of such a proceeding. "Well," replied the man- ager, "I can't see why; those companies that come to the Opery House do it, and your company gets more money." The actress let it go at that. The Clune Vodville Circuit of Los An- geles, Cal., is placing acts for from 20 to 30 weeks in California, Arizona and the Mexicos. Robt. A. Brackett is the man- ager of the circuit. Buffalo, March 22. Editor Vabdbtt:' In the review of "The Bon Tons" I was mentioned as having worn tights in "The Behman Show" when appearing in New York at the commencement of the season. Permit me to say that I have not worn tights in the show for the past two months. MoUie Williams. Stockton, Cal., March 18. Editor Variety: In answer to W. J. Curzon's letter in Variety, March 13, who claims to be the originator of the "revolving teeth" act, will say I do dispute his origination, and also deny any infringement on the same. When Mr. Curzon proves his right to it I will retire gracefully. On October, 15, 1908, one Williams made application for an injunction against me, in which he sought to restrain me from using my aerial wheel. It was argued before Judge Kohlsaat of the United States Court at Chicago. At the conclusion of the argu- ment the judge announced he would not issue any preliminary injunction against me, and that the motion for the same was denied. Jack Sutton. (Mgr. Tasmanian and Van Dieman Troupe.) St. Paul, Minn., March 22. Editor Variety: I wish to thank my many acquaintances and friends for their cheering letters dur- ing my confinement, following the acci- dent I had here March 4, and also those "Strolling Thespians," who while playing this city made me many visits and showed their good heart and kindness in more ways than one. All of the vaudeville and burlesque people, besides many of the legitimate companies from "stars to chorus" called to see me to ascertain if they could assist me in any way, with one exception, a cer- tain burlesque comedian playing the Star here, who I have known for years. We are members of the same secret societies. He stopped at the same hotel in this city and never paid me a visit, possibly being afraid that I might ask him to make in- roads upon his exchequer, or as we term it "make a hot touch," but I can assure him that his bank roll would have been safe, for I have not asked anyone for any- thing, have been offered it but did not accept. To mention all the names of those well-wishers both in person and by mail would take up too much space, but one and all I thank you, I thank you. I will be here possibly ten weeks longer. I would like to still hear from my friends, or have them call when in town. I am fortunate enough to bo in a po- sition to ask for nothing. Solace by mail or visit is all I ask to liven me up and shorten the dreary hours. "Boys and girls," again I thank you. Yours on his back. John E. Magee, Liberty Hotel. Portland, Ore., March 10. Editor Variety: I notice in correspondence of March 13 I am mentioned among the acts playing Lubin's Palace, Philadelphia. I wish to state that I am at present playing the Pantages' Circuit (in the west). Joe Goodwin. New York, March 15. Editor Variety: In the review of Kalmar and Brown, it mentions the "patter" song of Carter De Haven and Flora Parker. I beg to say that the "patter" song we use was written by myself, and that we are using nothing belonging to De Haven and Parker. Bert Kalmar. London, March 8. Editor Variety: I was rather amused to read in Va- riety of Feb. 20, a letter over the signa- ture of Horace Goldin. It is hardly necessary for me to attempt a refutation of Mr. Goldin's effusion. However, for the benefit of my friends, permit me. Mr. Goldin says, he (meaning himself) has been calling himself "The King Ma- gician." Yes, I believe he has; an affront to the public as well as the profession at large. It happens that I have never so styled myself. That honor was done me by the press of this country, as well as America. So that Mr. Goldin's statement "Such titles are not permitted unless by right," simply means that he has created himself n plural without consulting those who may have their own opinion in the matter —the public. I lay no claitn to the title of "King's Magician." I am called by the press and the public "The King of Magicians," and also one Mr. Goldin has given himself. Nate Leipzig. OBITUARY. Cora S. Beck, wife of Joe Beck (with "Uncle Sam's Belles"), died March 15 at the Union Hospital, Terre Haute, Ind. Interment was made at Rochester, N. Y. James F. McNaught, property man of the Theatre Royal (Western Burlesque Wheel), Montreal, Can., died March 1. The house staff gave a benefit for the widow last week. McNaught had been property man at the Royal for nine years and was a member of the T. M. A., Chicago lodge. Charles F. Barner, house officer at the Temple Theatre, Fort Wayne, dropped dead while on duty in that house last Saturday. An apopletic seizure was the cause. Barner suffered an attack of heart disease about a month ago. He had not reported for work until Saturday, when he felt sufficiently recovered to take up his duties. He was 72 years old. St. Louis, March 26. John Buffink, better known as John Morgan, an old-time circus performer, born at Fort Wayne, Ind., died at St. Mary's Hospital March 21. He was for- merly connected with the Rice Brothers' Shows, now wintering at St. Louis. The people of the Rice Brothers Shows were present at the funeral. A. H. Dexter, owner of Palisade Park, Grantwood, N. J., died Sunday. He was the promotor of the resort overlooking Harlem, New York, which opened last spring. «* TAKE IT FROM ME, KID." BY RICHARD CROLIUS ("SHORTY"). All de world's a stage, and Ufa's a show: Dere's villains and heroes and jog and woe. Dere's a Mansfield here and an Irving den, Bsd actors sDd supes are everywhere. A front, s bluff, s little paint; And de world will t'lnk yer what yer ain't. I've doped out de game from A to Z. Take It from me, kid—take It from me. In do dramracr dat de actors play For a while de vlllalu bss hla way. Den bim>and de hero haa a flgbt And everyt'lng soon comes out all right. Rut In dls barnstorming sbow called life De curtain gov* down on bitter strife; It's de hero gets de twenty-three, Take It from me, bo—take It from dm. Yer'11 get a year If yer beg for bread; Cop a million—It's de glad hand Instead. Life Is a graft for de biggest crook; Wblle de world glres honesty de hook. Hand out der rat to der rank snd file And yer got 'em goln' all de while; For a sucker likes to bite, yer see. Take It from me, kid—tske It from me. An angel Ml get de world's cold frown If de world 1h hep dat de angers down. Go to der friend yer t'ougbt wss true. And tell him yer down and oot and bine. He'll never reply: "I'm sorry Jack, Here's lat bill yer lent me, back"; Nay, a friend will trow yer for a V, Take It from me, cull—take from me. A friend In need, is a friend Indeed; Whose goln* to know when a guy's In need? Who's gulu* to know der pangs yer feel When de grestest flog In life's s mesl? Where's de word o' cheer or de smile When (ley know yer not dere wld de pile? T'lngs alnt a bit what dey ought to be; Take it from me, kid—take It from me. Dere's lots of guys data down In de aboes Dat was never known to fight de boose; Dere's many a skirt data sinned all right. Rut sho didn't fnll wldout a fight. De world la good to de big and strong: It's hell on Lizzie If Liz goes wrong; But Lis ain't bad 'cause she wants to be. Take It from mc, hud tnhr it frnm m?. Life's game Is hard—dere's many a tear For de tired and weary trav'ler here. Rut nobody's wrong down In dere heart; It's de came dat queers us from do start, Rut we'll stick to <ti' world right or wrong; We'll change em-li tear f'ir a happy song; We'll make t'lngs what d«>y ought to he. Take It from me, kid - tnke it from me. And when do trumpet Mown on Judgment day I t'lnk we'll hear old I'cter uny: "Dere's l>nd In all mid, p'l-<, der<*> good. You've nil done tie very I •• - -1 yer could, (i'wan and heat il (*r<• >i^; 1 de pearly gates; F<>r yer all a ImhvIi of fulrttt-claas skates," l'ete, he known tie game, and ho do we; Take it froir. me. kid—take it from me.