Variety (April 1909)

TEK CEN T S VOL. XIV., NO. 4. APRIL 3, 1909. PRICE TEN CENTS. CHICAGO FIGURES ON BREAK IN PO PULAR-PR ICED LINES Houses May Scatter to Vaudeville and Burlesque Cir- cuits. Great Northern Reported for Morris. Chicago, April I. There is a strong report here that Will- iam Morris will have control of the Great Northern next season for his vaudeville. It is now playing Stair & Havlin attrac- tions. Other reports seemingly substantially based are that there will be many of the present Stair & Havlin Circuit theatres placed in either the vaudeville or bur- lesque route sheets for '09-'10. Sullivan-Considine are said to intend to go into new houses (for them) at St. Paul, Minneapolis, Mi'waukee, Chicago, Kansas City and Cincinnati. Milwaukee will start early in the fall, and the others shortly follow. It is reported John W. Considine has an agreement with Martin Beck not to build any houses in opposition territory. The supposition is that Sulli- van-Considine may take over S. & H. houses. The change of base all over in Stair & Havlin theatres has given rise to many rumors, although there seems to be a tendency to discourage any general im- pression that the Stair & Havlin Circuit is breaking up. One well versed showman said he does not expect to see over twenty of the better Stair & Havlin houses re- main in line for the fall. Chicago managers are skeptical about producing for the popular-priced houses next season. The fate of four of the local houses which have held melodramas is un- known for the future. Two others are playing stock now. Another goes into vaudeville in September. Another report in town, based on figures and facts, gathered from the movements of the Shuberts within the past two months, is that the Shuberts are now in a position to "break" from "The Syndicate" at any time. As the opposition in the legitimate (although banded together on paper) hold no love feasts, the rumored move is expected at any time. A theatrical man in a position to know used the vernacular in summing up the legitimate situation. He said "The blow- off will come when it's ripe." PERTINA, "SOUL KISS" DANCER. The Mittenthal Brothers have engaged Pertina, the toe dancer, to follow Genee in the featured role of "The Soul Kiss." The Mittenthal Brothers will send it over the circuits next season. The Casey Agency arranged the contract. Pertina left for her foreign home last Saturday. She will return late in July. OWARA AND THREE WEEKS. Three weeks in vaudeville only are what Joseph CMara, the star of "Peggy Machree" wants. Mr. CMara isn't even disturbed whether they are forthcoming or not. The Irish actor has informed Alf. T. Wilton, the agent, that for $1,600 weekly, he will dally, before leaving for Europe. The show is at the Grand Opera House this week. It may close its season there to-night (Saturday). BERN AM) NOT SURE. Sam Bernard has not made up his mind what he will do next season. On April 28 Mr. Bernard and his family will sail for London. While there the German comedian will witness "The King of Cale- donia" playing at the Prince of Wales Theatre. If the show pleases the German come- dian, he will appear in it under the direc- tion of the Shuberts next season. Other- wise Mr. Bernard may waive all future worries over the legitimate, seeking a sea- son's solace and comfort in vaudeville. JEFFRIES DRAWING BIG. Boston, April 1. James J. Jeffries in his second and last week at the Orpheum holds the record of the house for large attendance, barring the Lauder engagement. MORRIS HAS WINNIPEG. Chicago, April 1. On or about April 12 the Dominion, Winnipeg (Canada), will resume its vaudeville policy under new management with bookings from the William Morris office. This statement has been confirmed. Mr. Morris came to Chicago this week, visiting Cleveland and Cincinnati on the way. While here he convinced several managers of the advantage to them in changing the present number of shows daily in their houses. Morris advised at the most three, two nightly with matinee. With the majority of the smaller town managers interviewed by him his argu- ments in favor of two shows a day only prevailed. The transaction, giving Morris the booking, caused some surprise, principally on account of the fact that W. T. Camp- bell, of Drew & Campbell, who bought the property two weeks ago, was quoted as contemplating converting ii. for bur- lesque purpose. Mr. Campbell said that burlesque was out of the question as far as Winnipeg is concerned, and Duluth will not be restored for burlesque. The Dominion is a first-class theatre, it was until recently operated by Kobold Brothers, and the Western Vaudeville As- sociation did the booking. Under the new arrangements the acts will probably be routed from the Chicago office of Morris, with a circuit of houses in Lincoln, Neb., Dubuque, In., Minneapolis, Duluth, Cham- paign, 111., and others now forming. A number of acts will be taken from the American, as the Dominion has al- vays maintained a high character both in tyle of acts and management. GENEE'S HANGERS HELD UP. Toronto, April 1. Genee will appear at the Princess next Monday with "The Soul Kiss,' but there will be no window hangers around the city telling about it. Inspector Stephen, the official censor has said "No" on the hanger question. "Steve" got a flash at one poster, and declared it against the Toronto rules. Everybody else thinks its all right, but the Inspector has been on edge all season watching "cooch" dancing in other shows, and he isnt wise yet to the classy work Genee turns off. SHUBERTS IN BALTIMORE. Baltimore, April 1. After five years of vaudeville and musi- cal comedy the Auditorium Theatre in this city has passed into the hands of the Shuberts. The new regime commences with "The Blue Mouse." The Shuberts have long been trying to gain a foothold in this city, and Manager Kern an, realizing that three big en- terprises were too great an undertaking, lent his ear to the overtures of the New York firm. The consideration has not been made known. It is also rumored that the Shuberts are after the Maryland. This has not been verified, but should they obtain pos- session of the play house, it would leave Baltimore without a united vaudeville house. SHEA HAS CHURCH SITE. Buffalo, N. Y., April 1. M. Shea, interested with a real estate syndicate, has bought the church site op- posite the Star Theatre, wanted by the William Morris people for their new vaudeville theatre which they expect to build in this city. Work will commence within a year on a new theatre or convention hall. No style of structure has yet been determined upon. There is a rumor Klaw & Erlanger may have control of the new house. ONE SINGER TOO MANY. Chicago, April 1. At the American Music Hall this week are Harry Von Tilzer and Emma Cams, both single singers of the "plugging" species. It seemed the bill had one singer too many. On Tuesday Miss Cams, who followed Mr. Von Tilzer on the program objected to her position, results not com- ing as bountifully as Emma generally looks for. Von Tilzer threaten*'-! <<• tlirnw up hia job if the positions were reversed. Miss Carus did a little Uin-;it« niri^ also, but both were working at the last report. ERLANGER COMING HOME. \. I.. KrliiM'j't and K Zn-f-'felil, Jr., are Hue to Ir.i . Pin ' <«' I iv (Saturdayi bound for v ':'■■! k.