Variety (April 1909)

VARtEtV mtt My time nwT IMIE- - NrfHICH ONE OF A C#VN G-ltfE ME THE RlG-HT TIAAB? A^y TIME IS NEVe^T |Z HAV« THE Uic*rwBtTe«fi| COHAN BACK TO WORK. All of Geo. M. Cohan's vacation plane were knocked to smithereens late last week when "The Yankee Prince" learned it would not play in Boston unless Mr. Cohan resumed his role. Geo. M. has. con- sented and will open in Beantown Mon- day, remaining with the ehcw for the remainder of its present tour, about three weeks longer. Through the change, Carter De Haven gives up Mr. Cohan's part to-night. He has been very successful in it. Mr. De Haven and Flora Parker will return to vaudeville in a new skit written for Uiem by Edward Clark. Mr. Cohan returned to the show Thu re- ady night at the Forrest, Philadelphia. 12 ACTS FOR $36. There is a Brooklyn agent who adver- tises that for $36 he will supply a whole vaudeville show of twelve acts and music for a club. This very unusual arrangement is made possible by the versatility of the Hope Family (local to Brooklyn) of sIa members. Three play a variety of mu- sical instruments. They supply accom- paniments for the songs of the others, do .1 musical act themselves and also, while they are "resting," do a sketch. The others do several single acts, an acro- batic turn and everybody fills in with a specialty. The performance con be condensed to two hours or can be made to run all night. "POP VODE" IN BUFFALO. Buffalo. April 1. The United Amusement Co. has added the People's Arcade to its list, and will oflfer popular-price vaudeville commencing about May 1. The name of the house will be changed. IS EVA COMING BACK? Columbus, April 1. A rumor about this week says that Eva Tanguay has decided to return to New York upon the conclusion of her appear- ance at Keith's this week. Miss Tan- guay has been away from the metropolis for a half month, playing Syracuse last week. She is booked for several more engagements in the west. Syracuse, April 1. J. Erwin Llebman, conductor of the or- chestra at the Grand Opera House re- ceived a hurry call from Eva Tanguay to proceed forthwith to that city, and wield the baton over the musical bunch in the pit at the theatre where Miss Tanguay is appearing there. SHUBERT CONFERS WITH CELLA. St. Louis, April 1. J. J. Shubert of New York and Con gressman J. L. Rhinock of Covington, Ky., were in St. Louis Monday, conferring with Louis Cella, owner of the American The- atre. All deny a theatrical deal is on, Mr. Cella stating only a race track mat- ter is under consideration. Shubert incidentally declared "Lasso land," a comic opera by W. V. Brumby, John N. Edwards and E. J. Novy, all St. Louisans, will be produced here by the Shuberts next August. Mr. Shubert is bound for the coast. The trip is in line with the activities of his firm for some time past. PANTAGES' $75,000 RESIDENCE. Seattle, April 1. A residence costing $75,000 is in course of construction in this city as the future home of Alexander Pantages. 8 ACTS FOR 8 WEEKS. Eight acts have been made up by Tfan McMahon for a traveling road show to play over the Jake Wells Circuit in the south for eight weeks, starting April 12 at Chattanooga. The acts are McMahon and Chappelle, "Minstrel Maids," "Sunflower Girls/' Insa and Lorella, Sam Morris, Great Arra, Musical Thor, Foster and Dog, and the Two Shrodes. Besides Chattanooga, the towns are Norfolk, Atlanta, Knoxville, Richmond, Birmingham, Memphis and Nashville. "The Minstrel Maids" in blackface, opening the show will also close it in whiteface as "The Sunflower Girls." Both acts belong to Mr. McMahon. He plays on a percentage basis with the houses. LEONARD'S BIG MINSTREL ACT. For the vaudeville season to come Eddie Leonard will prepare a large black- face minstrel act with twenty people. There will be a complete first and second part, given as two acts on a bill. Mr. Leonard will open in an act with the Gordon Brothers on April 12, playing the remainder of this season with it. SECOND IMITATION" SUIT. The application to restrain Belle Blanche from imitating Irene Franklin singing "Redhead" has been renewed, the second time by Leo Feist, who holds the copy- right on the song. In the first action Mr. Feist did not join in the application. It was dismissed by the court on this technical ground, and also on the plea that Miss Blanche did not sing the number to music, or use the entire piece while presenting the imitation. NEW SYSTEM FOR "BLANKETS." The United Booking Offices has adopted a new system in the issuance of "blanket" contracts for next season. About twenty have been given out so far. Before the "blanket" is executed by the agency, a memo, slip with the name of the act is passed around among the United managers. Each agrees, through hie signature below, to the number of weeks he will plav the turn during the season. The total is placed on an agreement issued to the act. This agreement may bo thereafter superseded by individual con- tracts from the managers. It was said during the week that sev- eral of the smaller houses were expected to close for the season shortly after Easter. Hoboken and Peterson are re- ported as closing week April 10. Many others will shorten their regular vaude- ville by a few weeks over the closing date of last spring, according to report. Moving pictures will probably replace the vaudeville in most of the houses. HERRINGTON A BONIFACE. Alf G. Herrlngton, the former Western Burlesque Wheel manager, has an option upon a New York hotel situated in the theatrical district. He will likely inveet in the proposition, running the hotel ex- clusively for theatrical people. AN "AQUATIC MUSICAL COMEDY." R. A. Brown, who has staged a couple of successful vaudeville pieces, will pre- sent next Monday at the Orpheum, Read- ing, Pa., "The Water Witch," described as an "Aquatic Musical Comedy." Marie Welch will be at the head of the organization of nine people. Some will dive and swim in a special water tank carried. Pat Oaaey is the booker.