Variety (November 1909)

VARIETY SULLIVAN-CONSIDINE'S STANP Chicago, Not. 4. As H. C. Robertson, of the Sullivan- Considine office, has invited the forces , which are battling for a "pay or play" contract to combine their attack on Sullivan-Considine, the campaign has begun and those who are prominent in the movement believe that something detinite will result by Nov. 15. It is common rumor around Chicago that the White Rats succeeded in "knock- ing" the arrangement by which S.-C. would supply four vaudeville acts for the Bush Temple. White Rats, when ques- tioned, would not make the direct state- ment that they were responsible for the change of plans but intimate as much and the people in the S.-C. office suspect that such was the case. John J. Nash arranged for the S'.-C. bookings but did not ask for a contract. Several acts had been engaged when he learned that other arrangements had been made to secure the bills. The White Rats also sent a letter to the management of the People's when it was reported that Hickey's Comedy Cir- cus was to play that house. The com- munication, signed by Harry Mountford, mentioned Cliffe Bersac's name and quoted some matters relating to the protection of acts. At the meeting of the State Labor Commission last Friday the matter of the Sullivan-Considine license came up. When it was decided to have sworn testi- mony H. 0. Robertson and the S.-C at- torney, Edward B. Healy, left the room, refusing to have any further hand in the proceedings. Duke Darrow was among those who gave testimony and it was of a nature which might tend to prejudice the Com- mission against the S.-C office. A story is going the rounds (not de- nied at the local S.-C. office) to the effect that William Cruden, representing the State in the matter, called up Robertson by phone and asked him what S.-C. meant to do about the new contract. "What business is it of yours?" was the answer received. White Rats having contracts calling for their appearance on the S.-C circuit great- ly deplore the present situation. Many believe that Mr. Robertson's attitude cannot be taken as representative of the circuit's position. It is believed by some that the booking agents in the office are inclined to be courteous and that when the matter is brought to the attention of the proper authorities, it will "be arranged somehow. "HUMAN ROULETTE" ACCIDENT. San Francisco, Nov. 4. Fred Lyall, quartermaster on the Ameri- can-Hawaiian steamship Virginia, was thrown off a whirling contrivance known as "the Human Roulette Wheel" at the Chutes last Thursday suffering probable fatal injuries. He is at the Emergency Hospital. Employees of the Chutes say Lyall was at fault. BULGER'S SHOW CLOSES. "The Night of the Fourth" in which Harry Bulger was starring until last Sat- urday night, closed on that evening, and Mr. Bulger will play vaudeville when M. S. Bcntham announces the engagements linvp boon procured. BELLIGERENTS IN CHICAGO. Chicago, Nov. 4. Wednesday evening was very scrappy p round town. In front of the Saratoga Jake Sternad and Murray Bennett came to blows. Sternad "called" Bennett, who is under the agent's management. Ben- nett returned a few epithets, when Ster- nad commenced to fight. Bennett, who is booked over the Orpheum Circuit, will lose the advice of Sternad hereafter. Max Weber, manager of the Columbus, was arrested yesterday on the complaint of C. Herbert, manager of Madame Ger- tryde, who played Weber's house last week. There was some disagreement over salary. When the argument was over, Herbert had two black eyes and Weber was under bonds in $200. Weber announces that when anybody can whip him, no legal proceedings will follow. ENGLAND GETS "VAMPIRES." The "Vampire" dancers, Bert French and Alice Eis, have been engaged through L. Johns, the New York representative for the Moss-Stoll English circuit to appear six weeks on the other side, opening at the Coliseum, London. The date of their first foreign appearance has not been set. Mr. French and Miss Eis were formerly chorus people in a Broadway musical pro- duction before they discovered that to "Vamp" was the proper thing to bring them both more money and notoriety. TO ADVERTISE A TOWN. They are not growing fast enough out in Spokane, and it has been decided that the way to get people into that section of Washington is to produce a musical comedy located in all scenes in Spokane. Lee Parvin, a theatrical press agent, who spent last summer in that town gather- ing local color, has the play nearly ready for production. It is presumed that the Spokane Board of Trade will be the angel." t* $17 GROSS. Chicago, Nov. 4. A regular Wheel burlesque show re- cently played a week of one night stands around Chicago during a "lay-off," using the title "White Light Girls." In one stand, Rock Island, 111., to be ex- plicit, the gross takings for the night were $17. The money was refunded. No per- formance was given. BEST SCENE FAMILIAR. Chicago, Nov. 4. "They Loved a Lassie", the new farcical musical comedy which opened at the Whit- ney Sunday night, has as its principal situation the well remembered "There and Back"—the George ArlLss vaudeville sketch. The new play looks like a success. INDIANAPOLIS OPENING SET. . Indianapolis, Nov. 4. It is announced that the New Colonial, to play vaudeville furnished by William Morris, will open with Cissy Loflus as a r r.obable -hcrtHliner. Nov. 22.- ~- ' The Colonial opposes the firand Opera House, operated by Anderson & Ziejjler. DEPENDS WHO'S HURT. The bunch of smaller managers at- tached to the United Booking Offices, who sometimes descend so low that they tell E. F. Albee he's a great showman (know- ing that will make him feel good), gasped just a trifle this week when they heard about the ''blacklisted" act wanted for Keith's, Cleveland. The managers were not gasping because the desire for the "blacklist" number to play Cleveland revealed another color in the shaded coat of the general manager, but because the price set upon the services of the "barred" turn was $200. When the act was wanted recently by some of the very selfsame smaller man- agers and could have been had for $75 weekly, they were informed with raised eyebrows by the "smooth guy" of the United who does these things so well that it was on the "blacklist." That settled it, and since Mr. Albcc must have issued the order to the "smooth guy" (who fools nobody but Albee?) the collection of supplicants for United acts ar $25 per week for the permission were shocked and surprised to think their able genera] manager should have attempted to "put this over." The story is that Keith's, Cleveland, would have secured the act, but it was under contract to a New England manager at the old price, and he refused to submit to the proposed cancellation. The smaller managers are wondering if the act holds Keith contracts and what will be done with it by Albee when the present, engagements held are played out. THE JOLLY BACHELORS. Philadelphia, Nov. 4. "The Jolly Bachelors," the newest of- fering by Lew Fields, was presented at the Lyric this week after a single per- formance at New Haven, Conn. In the company are Al. Leach, Robert Dailey, John T. Kelly, Billy Taylor, Ed. Begley, Walter Percival, Emma Carus, Stella May- hew, Elfle Fay, Josie Sadler, Topsy Sie- grist and Gertrude Vanderbilt. It looks like a "benefit bill" and the cast gives the best indication of what is the mat- ter with the show. Glenn McDonough and Raymond Hub- bell are credited with the writing of the book and have probably come as near to fitting the cast as anyone could, but it is a hopeless task and the "Jolly Bach- elors" stands as nothing more than a specialty show with a dozen vaudeville acts bunched together and surrounded by a Broadway chorus. The presence of such an array of artists is the principal handi- cap. The show is over-cast and there isn't a feature that has not been seen in vaudeville. But it is an imposing array. On Wednesday Joe Welch, who had been featured with Lew Fields of "The Jolly Bachelors," returned to New York, hav- ing quit the production at Philadelphia the evening before. Dissatisfaction with the management is stated to be the cause for Mr. Welch's de- fection. "There are other managerial- troubles with members of the cast re- ported. A SUGGESTIVE "PRINCESS." Chicago, Nov. 4. Many things have been borrowed in "The Flirting Princess," which opened at the La Salle, Monday. Violet Dale, for- merly with "The Girl from Rector's," is among them. Along with her came the suggestiveness which has characterized many recent productions. The "Apache Dance" has been borrowed from "The Queen of the Moulin Rouge," and Joseph C. Smith and Adele Rowland present it in an artistic manner. "The Vampire Dance," a similar offering, closes the first act. It is presented by Mr. Smith and Miss Dale. The comedy borrowings include the for- mation of a stock company, a race track, betting, and a comedy "bqrglar scene, all presented in an approved fashion. • "The Flirting Princess" (Violet Dale) is an Egyptian who escapes from her coun- try on the eve of her wedding. To avoid returning she impersonates the wife of an American, a comedian (John Ransone) already married. A miniature house twice wheeled on the stage adds to the interest along suggestive lines. In one scene Jack Stuart (Harry Pil- cer) masquerades as a maid, to be near the Princess, with vhom he is in love. The comedy depends oa his effort to per- suade her she needs a shampoo; not a bath. One of the lines of The Princess is "There is something about me that knocks them all (men) a twister." Mort Singer has outdone himself in the way of costuming and the staging is perfection. The chorus is well trained and beau- tiful, receiving as many encores as the principals. Violet Dale, John Ransone, Adele Row- land, Knox Wilson and Harry Pilcer play the leading roles splendidly. Capacity business indicates a financial success. Florence Masterson, the youthful ste- nographer for Alf T. Wilton, says the re- port of her engagement to anyone is wrong. Florence claims that she will never marry. Florence is sixteen r.ow. "The Three Nemos," a trio of girls from the "Eight Madcaps" and under the man- agement of A. Winkler, who had the orig- inal act. are at the Dewey for the final days of this week, showing the turn. AFTER ACADEMY OF MUSIC. One of the biggest offers for rental on record for a popular-priced vaudeville and picture house is that pending before the Gilmore Estate, present lessees of the Academy of Music It was made by the People's Vaudeville Co. a few days ago, and sets the annual rental at $100,000, ac- cording to report. The same report says that the lessees are holding out for $125,000. Should the People's Co. secure the prop- erty it would bring them into active con- flict with William Fox, who is operating the Dewey Theatre just opposite. Fox himself some months ago made an offer for the Academy, but it was not consid- ered. If the deal should be made with the People's, it would in all probability run until May. The Consolidated Gas Co., which already occupies the corner at loth street and Irving place, recently bought the Academy property from the estate with the understanding that title should not pass until May, 1910. A suspicion is gaining ground that per- haps the Shuberts are in some way inter- ested in the People's. In turn the Ma- ^jestfc, Lincoln-Square'and "YorkviUe have passed from their hands into the manage- ment of the "pop" vaudeville concern against all opposition bidders. The Bijou, Pawtucket, R. I., which has been offering vaudeville and moving pic- tures, turns to dramatic stock entertain- ment next Mondav, Nov. 8.