Variety (September 1909)

VARIETY MORRIS' NEW OPENINGS. '. Toledo, Sept. 9. Toledo has a real vaudeville house. It is the American Music Hall, formerly Burt's, now operated by William Morris. The American opened Monday, not any too well, but with good bills. It is almost safe to predict a success. Toledo is a big problem from a vaude- ville standpoint, and it will have, to be studied, though if the future shows com- pare with the opening program, there should not be great difficulty in turning Burt's over to a substantial profit. New Orleans, Sept. 9. It seems assured that William Morris' American Music Hall, formerly Green- wall's, is a success. Last week's business at the American was what might be termed terrific, in view of the intense heat, and this week it has continued as big, even with the Orpheum in opposition. Whether it is the new broom sweeping clean at the outset or what it may be, 'tis a fact. nevertheless that the American is doing the banner business of the town. Toronto, Sept. 9. The Majestic, under the management of William Morris, opened to capacity at both performances on Monday, a turn-away occurring at night, and the verdict after the show was that "William Morris is here to stay." The first bill is a good one. James K. Hackett is headliner for next week, his last in vaudeville for the present. The Majestic opposes Shea's, having an •advantage over the latter in the theatre itself. Pittsburg. Sept. 9. The William Morris vaudeville made a very satisfactory start at the Kenyon, Al- leghany, on Monday. Morris is booking the house, which is under the management of the Mittenthal Brothers. At the Grand Opera House here Harry Davis placed a strong bill for the week. Though across the river the Kenyon is looked upon as opposition, the Grand hav- ing drawn from that vicinity. Memphis, Sept. 9. The opposition in vaudeville opened Monday when William Morris placed a program at the Jefferson, situated some- what out of the regular centre, and at a disadvantage through that. The show has pleased fair audiences. It is extremely improbable that Mem- phis can profitably support two first-class jjmrieTflTe theatres. The Orpheum Circuit operates the other. NO STANDEES ALLOWED. Sydney, Australia, July 25. On August 1, the new Theatre Bill goes into operation. The most radical change will be noticeable in the attendances on capacity rules. No overcrowding will be allowed, every one of the audience being (■(■mpelled to have a seat. In big houses such as H«t Majesty's, Royal, and Lyceum, this will moan a large difference in the receipts, and already managers are pre- paring to charge extra for "early doors" in order to meet the deficiency likely to occur. The hill will enable some of the Hinaller houses to reap a larger share of business than that hitherto accorded tbfjn. EQUITABLE CONTRACT ADOPTED. Chicago, Sept. 9. The Labor Commission met at Spring- field, 111., on Tuesday, when an equitable contract in conformity with the powers vested in the Commission by the new agency law, was submitted and substan- tially adopted. Sol Lowenthal, George A. Trude and Harry Mountford were the principal draw- ers of the new manager-artist agreement. In phrasing, it is said to run very closely to the equitable contract pub- lished by the White Rats. WAS NO "FILM." Chicago, Sept. 9. Homer Howard is telling a story which he credits to Bert Leslie: An artist got a job in a "gitney" theatre. It was his first experience in that line of work and he was not on to the way. After doing twelve shows he started for the hotel. "Where are you going?" asked the man- ager. "Why, I'm going home," was the reply. "You've got another show yet." "What do you think I am," inquired the artist, "a film?" $i,ooo FOR MONTGOMERY AND MOORE. Either $890 or $1,000 weekly is the figure procured from William Morris by Barney Myers for Montgomery and Moore. They will open at the American, New York, Monday, having been booked for the season. The act, practically a new one in the vaudevilles, established itself last season, playing over United time. It is reported that the United had a route of 40 weeks laid out for them, when the news of their flop to Morris was announced. The United is reported as having offered $750 for the act. WORLD'S BIGGEST GRANDSTAND. The Palisade Amusement Co., operators of the park on the Jersey side of the Hudson River opposite New York City, has given out contracts for the erection of the biggest temporary grandstand In the world. It will be built at the edge of the Palisades for the length of Palisade Park and will offer accommodation for f>0,000 people. The park will remain open during the Hudson-Fulton celebration, Sept. 18 to Oct. 3, and the grandstand will be used for the crowds to watch the river pa- geant which will pass that point. ALMOST QUIT. Ralph Herz almost quit "The Prince of Mohamet" this week. It is a Shubert show, now playing somewhere, prepara- tory to opening at Providence Sept. 13. According to Herz's understanding as per the report, he was to have been fea- tured. Adele Ritchie, in the same pro- duction, looks upon herself as a star also. When Mr. Herz caught sight of the "paper" he commenced to believe that the contract was not being lived up to by the Shuberts. But among Herz, his lawyer, and the Shuberts the 1 rifling matter was patched up. so Mr. Herz is with the troupe. Otherwise he might have reopened in vaudeville Monday. Lulu GJaser (Mrs. Herz) is starring in another Shubert play. A SQUEAL FROM PANTAGES. San Francisco, Sept. 9. Alexander Pantages has instructed his attorneys, three of them, all of San Fran- cisco, to prepare papers in a damage action to be brought against Sullivan-Considlne, Pantages' competitor in the vaudeville business. Pantages alleges that the local Sullivan- Considine office has been busying itself with acts booked over the Pantages time, and Pantages also alleges that inducements have been made acts booked by him to break their contracts. It is claimed by Pantages that an in- vestigation will establish this, but as Pan- tages and his circuit have been operating for two years or more in active opposition to Sullivan-Considine, people around here are of the impression that Mr. Pantages has had plenty of time to learn all the curves of his vaudeville territory without resorting to the law in what is the cus- tomary result of "opposition." ANOTHER LOS ANGELES REPORT. San Francisco, Sept. 9. Alex Pantages has contracted for a new house in Los Angeles, and building will commence about Sept. 17. He is expected here Sept. 15. LINCOLN CLAIMS FOUR SITES. Chicago, Sept. 9. Fred Lincoln, general manager of the Sullivan-Considine Circuit, is in town and with his coming issued a statement say- ing he has decided on four sites in different parts of Chicago upon which to build Sullivan-Considine houses. Lincoln further states that two have been closed, the others being tied up and will be closed within* ten days. He does not disclose the location of the two settled en. Lincoln will remain in town from ten days to two weeks, returning then to San Francisco where he will make his head- quarters. John Considine arrived here Saturady, leaving for New York at once. . LEVY CLAIMS A CIRCUIT. San Francisco, Sept. 9. Archie Levy returned late last week from a trip up north and claims to have made arrangements whereby he will have the bookings of a circuit of houses begin- ning in Butte, Mont, through Spokane, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland and on down the coast, connecting with his Arizona time. Levy expects to go east within a few days. KOHL'S SECOND STAR. Chicago, Sept. 9. C. E. Kohl will erect a new vaudeville theatre at 43d Street and Michigan Avenue to be ready about February. The new house will be built with the Star as a model, and will seat 1,699. THE PLAZA OPENING. William Morris reopens the Plaza, New York, Monday, Sept. 13, with the follow- ing bill: Pauline?, Joe Welch, Maude Hall Macy, Stella May hew, "Phantastic Phan- toms," Sisters DeFaye, Bon Air Trio and Altmont and Dumont. ARTISTS' CLAIM VICTORY. Chicago, Sept. 9. "The battle is practically won" is the way S. D. Rlcardo sums up the situation in regard to actors in the moving picture theatres who seek minimum salaries of $25 single and $50 double. He is of the opinion that victory is certain. At this week's mass meeting it was made plain that some agencies have not admit- ted defeat. The United Booking Associa- tion (local) which has long been a thorn in the union's side, was declared unfair. Charles Harding was also pronounced un- fair. Ed Lang, Pantages' representative, was put with them because he books acts which only stay a night or two at a place. The actors demand that bills shall be changed but twice weekly. Pickets are watching the offices which are considered unfair and actors who wish to be popular with the union do not visit them. Artists refused to work on the bill with $20 people in several instances, and some picture houses had no vaudeville Monday as a result. ENGAGES ANOTHER "MONK." The United is reported to have engaged "Lady Betty," another "monk" owned and lately brought over here by Frank Bos- tock, to whom "Consul" belongs. "lady Betty" has been engaged for a tour at $1,099 weekly, it is said, with a forfeit due William Morris of something like $209 a week for every city "Betty" shall appear in where there is *a Morris house. The forfeit is to be paid by Bos- tock. PARIS PLACE CLOSES. (Special Cable to VARIETY.) Paris, Sept. 9. The Ambassadeurs closed Monday, Sept. 6. The unfavorable weather forced, the suspension of the al fresco resort. LITTLE AMY BUTLER. Who. with her Four Comedians, la Id vaudeville under the direction of WILLIAM L. LYKBNS.