Variety (August 1909)

VARIETY OFFERED TIME—AFTER. While the United Booking Offices studies the "blacklist" maintained by it some- what carefully in order that no member shall play an act "barred" through ap- pearing for the "opposition," the disposi- tion on the part of the United people to induce acts signed by their competitors nnd overlooked by themselves to throw up the contracts made still continues. The latest instance was Maurice Levi. Mr. Levi and his band appeared at Brigh- ton Beach a couple of weks ago. No con- tracts from the United followed although many may have been promised. When the Morris Circuit "came across" with the ink-on-paper-that-tell-the-story, Mr. Levi accepted, opening last Monday at the American, Rockaway Beach. Shortly before the opening day a "big man" in the United Booking Offices (it may have been Albee) approached the bandmaster telling him if he could "lay off" for two or three weeks (sounds like Albee) the United would then be in a imsition to give him satisfactory contracts for many weeks after (must have been Albee). To "lay off" for two or three weeks would mean that the short term contract made with Morris would not be played (that's Albee). Mr. Levi told the "big man" of the United (it may have been Albee) that he intended keeping his con- tract, and Levi is now playing for Morris, allowing his fate after in vaudeville to be watched over by the protecting guardian nngcl (that isn't Albee) of all good vnude- villinns. "VOGELWIESE" BURNS. London, Aug. 3. "Vogelwiese," the big fair at Dresden which generally opens about this time to run for two months, was destroyed by fire last week. It wns constructed on about the same scope in size as the Brockton (Mass.) an- nunl fair. "White City" at Budapesth, closed last week also, but through lack of patronage or other causes. It is said that while the park was named "White City," the nearest approach to its American prototype of that name was the resemblance in white paint on a few buildings. OLD MAGICIAN DIES. London, Aug. 3. Alex. Heimberger, a magician, died at his home in Germany July 25. He is re- ferred to in Harry Houdini's book as "Herr Alexander." The deceased was 01 years of age. Camilie Devere, son of C. Devere, the magical dealer of Paris, died in Bologne •Inly 25, at the age of 24. SIGNED FOR THE RING SHOW. Announcement has been made' that Halliday and Curley, who played "The nattle of Too Soon" in vaudeville last season, have been engaged for the com- pany which Blanche Ring will head this season in the presentation of Lew Fields' "The Yankee Girl." The two men have characters assigned them somewhat similar to those in the sketch. Before accepting the offer made by Mr. Fields, Halliday and Curley had prepared a new sketch for the coming vaudeville season. STUDYING ILLINOIS' CONTRACTS. Chicago, Aug. 12. The new law passed at the recent ses- sion of the Legislature and which went into effect July 1, gives the State Labor Commission the power to construe it. as it affects booking agents in Illinois. In order that all sides of the question may be heard before definite action is taken, a committee representing the Western Vaudeville managers, William Morris, Sullivan & Considine, White Rats, the Actors' Union, and the smaller booking agents, will discuss a contract meeting the requirements of the Commission and still be fair to all. The preliminary meeting held last week at which booking agents and representa- tives of the artists' societies gathered, de- veloped the fact that the Labor Commis- sion does not look with favor on the can- cellation clause to be found in many con- tracts at the present time. William H. Cruden, chief inspector, made the public announcement that the provisions for cancellation did not meet the approval of the Commission. He suggested dropping that clause in the event of agents having contracts printed before the matter was finally passed upon. David Ross, secretary of the Commis- sion, presided. Mr. Cruden called upon the more representative men present for their views, stating the Commission found it difficult to understand the conditions governing such matters, but made it plain that affairs must be equitably conducted. J. C. Matthews pointed out, when the Mor- ris contract was referred to Mr. Ross, that it was considered "fair." He said Mr. Morris would not permit managers to can- cel acts unless done two weeks before they opened. Bobby Gaylor, of the White Rats, stated he had heard no complaints against the Morris contract. Duke Dar- row, president of the Actors' Union, com- mended the contract. F. M. Barnes' contract was referred to but argument was cut short When sev- eral voices were heard to the effect that it bore the "White Rat" emblem, which was sufficient guarantee. Mr. Ross next selected a contract from those held in his hand, and stated that he would like to hear from a representa- tive of the Western Vaudeville Managers' Association on the merits of that con- tract. No one responded. Some one called for Harry F. Weber, but he arose and stated that he did not represent that organization nor did he use the same contract. Joseph Callahan, of the White Rats, took the floor at this point, saying the impression might prevail that the asso- ciation had ignored the meeting. He pointed out that there had been a recent "shake-up" in those offices and thought possibly that might explain the apparent lack of interest in the proceedings. A contract agreeable to all was deemed doubtful by many speakers. Harry Shel- don emphasized the point that dramatic exchanges could not well use the same contract employed by vaudeville agents. The general idea of the Commission ap- pears to be to arrange matters without resorting to the courts to enforce the new law. Harry Mountford of the White Rats reached here this week. The committee may convene on Sunday. A COUNTRY-SEEING ROUTE. Of the many routes submitted to acts by the United Booking Offices, it is said that several have had "jumps" so laid out that artists have been calculating whether they would be able to appear on the stage, or just travel to make the distances. One act is reported to have returned the following route to the United as impos- sible and unprofitable. Commencing with Columbus, O., the track called for a trip to Atlanta, da.; then Cleveland; Fifth Avenue, New York; Pittsburg; Washing- ton; Trenton, and Detroit among the "jumps." Another act offered a season's time after looking over the route asked that it be cut down to twelve weeks in order to save them from working for the rail- road the other twenty-five. It carried ten people. CURZON WANTS TO FLY. Seatle, Aug. 12. Jos. W. Curzon, manager of the Cur- zon Sisters, who are now playing on the Orpheum Circuit with their aerial "but- terfly" act, has entered in the "Fulton Flight" contest which is to be held in the Exposition grounds during September. Prizes amounting to $3(1,000 will be dis- tributed. Mr. Curzon has an aerial ship construc- ted by Henri Farman. It will reach New York about the middle of August. The Curzon girls want to be the first female aviators in America, and are long- ing to sail in the ship before any of the girls in the Wright family have a chance to take the feminine aerial record for this country, one of the Wright sisters having flown with her brother on one trial in Europe. DE HAVEN AND PARKER APART. Carter Dellaven and his wife, Flora Parker, will piny in two divisions next season, Miss Parker having taken the legiti- mate by the acceptance of a role in Sam Bernard's "The Wizard," now in rehearsal. An act in "one" with a special drop, piano and two small boys for effect and help in making several changes of costume, will be Mr. DeHavcn's contribution to fu- ture vaudeville. VAUDEVILLE WIRE CODE. While abroad, Louis Simon (Simon and Gardner) compiled a code book contain- ing 100,000 sentences covered by one word each. Mr. Simon secured data from the hooking offices, managers and agents abroad, adding to this his own knowl- edge of the customary wording of mes- sages Itctween variety people and those sent by the American managers and agents. The book has been named "Simon's Universal Vaudeville Code." It will be subdivided into sections for managers, agents and artists, and shortly placed on sale. The code is adaptable for any country and between countries where either Eng- lish or German is employed or under- stood. At a demonstration in London, Mr. Simon says he reduced a 03-word cable to three words from his code. MUSICAL STOCK FAILS. Chicago, Aug. 12. The musical stock company at the Sans Souci park theatre proved a failure. It drew a little better than the dramatic company, but neither one could be made to pay. Raymond Hitchcock, Frank Moulan and Edna Wallace Hopper appeared. When there were crowds of any size at the park, the theatre had its share. Guy Mills, who had a small vaudeville place in the park moved to the theatre when the stock company was withdrawn, but his offerings are not attracting much business. "MISS PATSY/ 1 BY SEWELL COLLINS. "Miss Patsy" is the name of the play designed for Henry W. Savage by Sewell Collins. It is to be signed, sealed and delivered to the legitimate manager within a month. Until the delivery has occurred, Mr. Col- lins will allow his vaudeville labors to rest, although he holds a commission to turn out a playlet for W. ("Bill") S. Hart, the Cash Hawkins of "The Squaw Man." Several other playlets are under Collins' attention. One completed was "tried out" last week in New York. CONSTANTINE SISTERS. The dancers of the original cam »f "THE GIBL FROM BECTOB'S," and wbo will reappear wltfc tbe play when It opens Its season at the Grand Opera House, New York, Saturday, August 21. Before leaving vaudeville for productions, tbe CONSTANTINE 8I8TBBS were one of tbe "twlea- dally" feature acts.